It's about TIME!!!!!!

Hello dear friends, family, sisters, and strangers who read this blog. I miss you. Do you miss me? Abbey and Katie - sorry that I am losing at phone tag. Whoops. I really do love you. And by writing this it will motivate me to call you. Soonish. But I've had a lot going on. Promise.

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Let's back up. A BIG back up. Do you remember how Jenn ran a MARATHON last November? (I told you I was backing up, big time.) Well, she did. In a HUGE wind storm. And she totally rocked it. And I may or may not have become emotional while watching all the runners come through the finish line. Ever want to get motivated? Go watch a marathon. (I won't bring up the fact that I still haven't started training for a marathon. So much for motivation, eh?)

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Guess where I went last January? To Houston to visit Jaime and Kevin!!!! They are great hosts and even drove me all the way to the Blue Bell Ice Cream factory! Oh, and we got thrown in jail while we were there. And Kevin likes to strangle Jaime. (It's just a thing they do. Weird, I know.) :)

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Then, for Spring Break, we had a partial roommate-reunion in Cali. SO fun! Special thanks to Elisabeth for hosting, and to Jenn for eventually fixing my camera after Luke decided it needed a bath in the sand immediately after this picture was taken. :) Hope no one minds that I posted a picture of us hot babes in our swim suits. Yes, you really all do look great. NOTHING to be embarrassed about. At least you're not bald. That is all.

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And now you're ready for the BEST SUMMER EVER. Started with my little Bro's wedding over Memorial Day weekend. In St. George. Just in case some of you miraculously forgot how much I sweat when I am in the heat, let's just say we were grateful it wasn't as hot as it could have been that weekend. (Oh, and if you look close you can see my Dad's new wife in the pic. Did I ever mention he got married last January? He did. Lot's of change in my life in the last 3 years. Can I have some stability please? Ok, that is all. Back to the summer.)

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Then, I finished my last week of school, and headed to HAWAII!!!!!! My first time. SOOOOOOO amazing! (There are definitely not enough O's in the world to put on the end of that so.) Due to a technological failure, Julia and I were not able to meet up. :( But being on the same island just felt good, right J?

I could write an entire post-and-a-half about Hawaii, but I won't (you're welcome). I can't not mention SKY DIVING (you HAVE to do it before you die. Totally not scary. But make sure you do it in Hawaii - best natural high EVER).
And who wouldn't love swinging from vines like Tarzan? I look almost as buff as him too (kidding). But we LOVED this hike to Muanawili falls (I'm sure I spelled that wrong. Oops.)

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Then, after a quick trip to Idaho for a cousin's wedding, the rest of my road trippin' began. Approximately 4352 miles, 73.7 hours in the car, and 10 states later, I'd say my relationship with the road . . . and my man . . . is pretty good. :)

Here's my chaco's on a hike in Vail (not sure how I managed to NOT get a pic with Tiff and Llyr while I was there, but we LOVED Vail. Totally beautiful. And amazing.)

We made a stop in Helena, Montana, then on to Spokane-ish for a weekend. From there we drove to the Oregon Coast to meet up with my fam. This is me. Jumping. On the Oregon Coast.

On the drive home from Oregon I may have been pulled over for the first time ever. No ticket. Boo-yeah. Before the drive to St. Louis, I purchased my new baby, the giant mac on the right, pictured next to my old mac. The other apple devices belong to the school, but I use them. A lot. And yes, I'm still a nerd. And yes, I'm in love with my giant mac. I want to marry it. Ok, not really.

And WHO is this mystery man I did all this traveling with? Oh, you mean you want to see a picture of us? Welllllll, here we are, on our last night together. Behind us is the Mississippi river - we're sitting under the arch in St. Louis, where boy is currently attending law school (woof). Can I just say I've never been more grateful for Skype? "If we ever meet again, it will be Zion to me!" Can't get enough of this boy - thanks to Tiff and Llyr for making that one happen!!!

On a Day Like Today . . . How Can I NOT Post?

Seriously. Everything random (and funny) decided to happen today.

1 - Rewind to Tuesday when punk-ish student Josh was texting while I was teaching. I took his phone away and told him it was going to the administration (per school policy). 2 classes later when I finally remembered to take it up there, I opened my drawer and it was GONE. Josh took it when I was busy helping my other students. What a woofer. When he walked into class today I told him we were going to have a "chat" later, just to make him scared (it worked - he was behaved for the 1st time in weeks). I pulled him out at the end of class fully prepared to give him 5 hours of detention and a good lecture about what an idiot he is . . . in not so many words. He never fessed up and promised on the grave of his dead dog (or something close to that) that he had not seen his phone for the last 48 hours and assumed it was in the office. He seemed VERY unconcerned when I told him if that were the case then his phone was missing. I think his nose was growing by the second! I told him I was going to have to do some research and would "look into it." Before I got a chance to track down a vice principal, he came in after school to tell me, "Spjute - I called my parents during lunch. They said it's totally fine that the phone is missing because they were going to buy me a new one anyway. So you don't even have to worry about it!" Oh really, Josh? That's great news! Glad they weren't upset! The little swearword. Tomorrow when I (hopefully) have the principal call him in to tell him it's a mandatory procedure that when a phone goes missing we have to call the parents to notify them, that he'll be sweating maybe a little bit with the principal starts dialing his parents phone number. I wonder what story he'll concoct. Maybe this kid really shouldn't be graduating in 3 weeks if he can't even come up with a decent story.

2 - While I was in the office waiting to speak to said administrator, the hall pass monitor came in with a student who had been dress-coded. (She was dressed like a shameless hussy.) Girl gets on the phone to call Dad to tell him he needs to bring her something else to wear. Obviously Dad isn't happy that he has to leave work for this, so he asks to speak with an adult. The hall pass monitor kindly told him that it is against school dress code to wear black nylons (NOT leggings - they were very see-through ish) with just a sweatshirt and nothing else to cover her upper-upper-upper-legs, and the school will gladly provide her with clean, school-issued scrubs for the rest of the day (keep in mind that girl is missing a huge standardized test at this point). Girl gets back on the phone and is crying. "But I don't WANT to wear the scrubs!" Dad must have asked why, because this was her next line: "Because they don't even go with my top!" "Boo hoo hoo!" The secretaries and I couldn't hold back our laughter at that point. Dad gave in to his girl though and just checked her out of school and let her walk home. What lesson did she learn? If she cries to Dad she gets whatever she wants, and she'll probably wear the same outfit next week. What lesson did I learn? Hang out in the office more. It's totally worth it.

3 - Happy iPad day! A few of the teachers in the district were given iPads today. Don't worry, it's not mine to keep forever - it belongs to the school. And I'm beginning to wonder if the hours of training I have to attend to get it are going to be worth it. (But I'm not gonna lie, I'm kind of already addicted to "Words with Friends.") Said training started today. Sharla, our beloved trainer, came in wearing an authentic Star-Trek suit. Complete with the "hardware" on her collar showing that she is an officer of "higher ranking than us!" To help us bond with the other iPad-ers, she passed around laminated star trek "pins" for us to wear. They weren't name tags. Just awkwardness. I didn't pin mine on (too cool for school). Then Sharla told us about how iPads have so many great apps and that she's addicted to them. She even has one for her cat!!! Her cat loves it SO much that if Sharla is using her iPad when the cat is in the room, the cat will come and jump on her and start pawing at the iPad to play the cat game. Oh dear. How did I not laugh out loud! I must have some amazing self-control. And please bless I never become the crazy cat lady.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

ps - 19 more school days. 30 full days til Hawaii. Don't act like you're not jealous. (Julia - we're staying in a condo on the North Shore. I'll be in touch!)

Just Because I Did it Once, Doesn't Mean I Can Do It Again

While I was in Minneapolis (more on that shortly) I had the news turned on in the morning while I was getting ready and GUESS WHAT?! You won't believe this, but trust me, it's true (well, according to the true-ness of the news). The term "Domestic Goddess" is now in Webster's dictionary. And no, the definition does not mention my name. Shock!

In my quest to become a domestical goddess, I signed up for a sewing class (thank you, Groupon). Keep in mind that the last thing I sort of sewed was 6 ish years ago when I asked my Mom to teach me how to make some very-simple pillow covers. But I'm pretty sure she did all the hard stuff because she couldn't believe how much I didn't know, and found it easier to just do it herself. So I came knowing little more than if you push your foot down on a pedal, the machine does its magic. The class was not your typical "you'll learn how to make a pair of awkward pajama pants" class. Only 5 people allowed, and I'm 97% sure I was the only Mormon there. (Not sure why that matters, just giving all the details.) "So what, dear domestical goddess, did you learn how to make," you ask? Oh, just a robe. If you promise not to look close at any stitching, you can look at the picture. Next to the guy who made his out of a pink flamingo print, I'd say mine turned out good. Real good. I even "customized" mine and chopped off the sleeves (the long ones were driving me nuts).


And no, I didn't take my robe with me to Minneapolis. Remember back in college when Crystal and I would go to our nerd conferences? Well, my only compensation for being awarded the Nerd of the Year award was this trip out to the same conference we used to go to. They let me judge one of the contests I competed in as a college student - weird. I'm real old because those college kids looked real young.

Can I just say that I LOVE Minneapolis? While it WAS colder than Utah (30 degrees was the high) I hardly noticed it as I walked through all the Skyways that connect EVERYTHING downtown. If you know where you're going, you don't have to step foot outside. SO cool. And don't even get me started on Mall of America. A woman's dream. Anyway, here are some pics for your viewing pleasure.

This one's for Crystal. Shum on the left with the new "Barrett" on the right. Yeah, he looks like he's 12. He's not.

I was the 1st in my little group to get my award which meant I had to stand up there the longest. Wanna know what was going through my head? "This is such a funny ritual that we have. I think I've been on this stage for 5 minutes. I feel like I'm in a Miss America pageant. Should I wave while I try to smile awkwardly? At least I'm not in a swimsuit. Please bless no one is actually looking at me. This is so awkward. I wonder what the lady next to me is thinking? Don't laugh. Don't laugh. Don't laugh."

And here's us nerds in all our glory. The guy to my left was married. I checked. Twice. The guy behind me did NOT throw up on me (thankfully).

That is all.

best.post.ever

I know you've been waiting and waiting for this. I was hoping to get it up on Valentine's day - guess I'm only 3 weeks late. How embarrassing. Here's the story behind this love note. I found the original hanging up in the wrestling room at school (I was taking a self-defense class - promise I NEVER wore a singlet!). I noticed it at the beginning of class and of course was dying with laughter. Sadly, I forgot to grab it on my way out. I told my roommate about how awesome it was, and we chuckled, but I was so sad because I couldn't remember all the juicy details. Fast forward 2 months, when the love note was long-forgotten. One of my students walks into class and says, "Hey Spjute, look what someone stuffed inside my locker." Lo and behold, it was THE NOTE! Oh blessed day! This one wasn't the original, but who cares? It's still got all the goods. Miranda saw it and tried to rip it up (apparently it was her friend that wrote it, and apparently some not-so-nice students made copies of it and put it every where. High schoolers can be so immature. But I am secretly grateful they did it. And you will be too once you read it. Promise.) I added a picture of it so you can see it in all it's glory (notice the tape from Miranda's ripping job). Not sure how a 16-year-old girl came up with all this, but number 11 is by far my favorite. I've got a shake for anyone who says all of these to her husband. One per day. 18 days (we tragically only have the first page of the love note). ENJOY! (Oh, and just so you know, they're not together anymore. I'm sure it was the end of the world when they broke up.)

37 Reasons Why I LOVE DYLAN [plus 1: everything you say]

1. You make me feel like the most important person in the world when I'm with you.
2. No matter what you can always make me smile.
3. You love me for who I am and what I stand for.
4. Your smile is like my safety. That doesn't make much sense, but it's the most comforting thing ever.
5. You are an example to everyone around you, including me.
6. You make school bareable and just a little hug can make my day.
7. Every time you kiss me I get butterflies and sparks.
8. Every time I kiss you, I feel so confident and cool.
9. I know you will listen to everything I have to say and really care about it.
10. You can sing! And you share the same love for music as me.
11. You have the most impressive body ever. And it's adorable when you show it off to me.
12. You make me feel needed.
13. When a different guy does something as little as waving to me, you attack me with a super tight hug.
14. Your laugh makes me smile, even if it wasn't really that funny.
15. You are VERY funny and you know how to put me in a good mood.
16. We kind of have the same religious views so I don't have to pretend that I believe in something that I don't.
17. You can talk to anyone you meet very openly and comfortably.
18. You are really mature for a sophomore boy. It's refreshing.
    

A Little Princess

I've always loved the movie, "A Little Princess." (The new-ish one - not the old one with Shirley Temple). Have you ever read the book? Obviously it's a quick read - it's been a couple years so I decided to pick it up again. (Well, I guess technically I'm listening to it while I drive/go to the gym, so I'm not picking up the book, just my iPod.) Anyway, it's full of these amazing gems - good quotes to apply to life, ya know? I heard this one yesterday and really loved it:

"When people are insulting you, there is nothing so good for them as not to say a word--just to look at them and think. Miss Minchin turns pale with rage when I do it, Miss Amelia looks frightened, and so do the girls. When you will not fly into a passion people know you are stronger than they are, because you are strong enough to hold in your rage, and they are not, and they say stupid things they wish they hadn't said afterward. There's nothing so strong as rage, except what makes you hold it in--that's stronger. It's a good thing not to answer your enemies. I scarcely ever do."

Amen, Sara Crew.

Coming Soon to a Blog near you: the BEST post ever. (Little sneak preview: "37 Reasons Why I love Connor +1 - Everything you say!" by a high school student. I LOVE my job.)

Ode to Jill

Let's be honest, most 28-year-old Mormon women are blogging about their kids/husbands/crafts. Since I don't have either of those, I get to blog about my roomie. Here are just a few of the things I've learned from Jill:

1. How to Fold Sheets

Tonight for FHE, I learned how to fold sheets so they are all nice and compact and together in a set. Coming from someone who didn't know that fitted sheets could actually be folded, I was embarrassingly enjoying myself.

2. What to Wear.

It's too embarrassing for me to tell you how long it's been since I bought new jeans. We went on Saturday, and thanks to Jill, Towanda is very happy. Very happy.

3. Say Yes to the Dress

This picture is highly embarrassing. Don't show your husbands. I was going to blur out my face so you would think it was someone else with a hot bod, but I was too lazy. (And of course I'm totally kidding about the hot bod part.) I promise this is the only wedding dress I've ever put on. Really. And it was all for fun. Jill works for a way-out-of-my-future-wedding-budget wedding dress label. She's basically amazing at what she does. And one day she had to bring home a dress. So I may have made her put it on me. Just had to make sure there weren't any problems with it, ya know? Want to look and feel like you just lost 15 pounds? Put one of these babies on. (Yes, I will actually do my hair and wear makeup on my wedding day. No, I will not look like a shameless hussy.)

4. Say No to the Robe

Robes are WAY over-rated. And blowdrying hair while wearing a robe leads to excessive amounts of sweating. This is bad if you've just showered. Use one of these babies instead. They're cool, breezy, and even cute! Special thanks to Hawaii.

5. Quitters

You know those days when you don't want to take a shower, do anything to your hair other than a messy ponytail or a hat, or put on ANY makeup? When you work full time, you can't get away with that too often. However, when you get home from work, who's to say you can't "quit" for the day? Calling them sweats is SO 90's. Oh, and one day when we have our babies, we'll have "Quitties for Kiddies."

6. WAY better than Jillian Michaels
(don't judge me for being too lazy to rotate)

Living a block away from a totally awesome Rec Center is real nice. Especially when you have a roomie who will practically be your personal trainer. Dear Jill, my legs hurt real bad right now!

7. Next Best thing to Diet Coke

No, I haven't taken-up drinking diet coke (although Jill would be ecstatic of I did). But I'm pretty sure Jill and I took care of almost an entire pitcher of C.L. (Crystal Light) tonight for dinner. Looking for something to satiate the sweet tooth? Crystal Light. Love.It.

8. Shirt-Folding

The correct way to fold a shirt. Nordstrom style. I've always wondered how they do that!

9. Scarves

While I already had a love for scarves, Jill's plethora of them have kept me both warm and stylish this winter. And since I leave first in the morning I always get first dibs. Thanks for sharing!

10. How to Be the Best Aunt Ever

Got this note from my 6-year-old niece. I know you all think it would be super awesome if I lived with you too, but for now, I'm taken!

A Fresh 2011

There is something wonderful about having a fresh start. I guess it shouldn't take a new year to have that mindset, but nevertheless it's refreshing.

Fresh start on:


Teaching my kids more, filling their day with more enriching activities.
Decorating my house and making it nice for our family.
Working hard on my calling, I have a feeling I am in my final days.
Supporting Russell more in his wild adventure of starting this business.
Being more active.
Reading more.
Bring more fresh food into our home.
Keeping focused on the big picture.
Staying calm.

Adios 2010

I was planning on making a post with some 2010 highlights, but I'm not gonna lie, I had to think REALLY hard to come up with just a few, and most of them consisted of trips that I've already blogged about. (Don't mean to sound ungrateful for the many blessings I DO have, but let's be honest, it's been another one of "those" years.) Speaking of "those" years, remember all the "see a black cat and you get 7 years of bad luck" and "walk under a ladder and get 7 years of bad luck" . . . do bad years really come in 7's? Please bless no.

Since my bff (Mom) passed away a year ago today, I've been thinking a lot about her (well, really I think about her all the time, so I guess nothing's different) but mostly I've been thinking about life and hard things and family and the temple and the Savior and the atonement. (That's a lot to think about! Thank goodness for the modern medicinal miracle called sleeping drugs.) And while I would give anything to have Mom and Linz back, at the same time I wouldn't trade anything for the things I've learned (I know, it's an oxymoron, just go with it). Someone recently commented that I probably have much to share about what I've been through. In some ways, yes, but in other ways, the things I've learned can't be put into thoughts or words, they can only be experienced. And isn't that really what life is all about, experiences? The good, the bad, and the (sometimes too-often) ugly? We all have our own "experiences," tailored to our strengths, weaknesses, and (I think) most importantly to our potential. There are no short-cuts to becoming the person we need to become, and there is only One who knows how to get us there.


So here's to a new year - may it bring, love, peace, joy, some discomfort (for growth) and family togetherness with whatever family you have around you.