Saturday, January 31, 2009
Heigh Ho, It's back to work I go!
Ah, I love being a teacher. This is the 3rd quarter, and I nick name it the "abstract quarter". In 7th grade, I'm teaching about the solar system. In 8th grade, I'm teaching about chemistry and elements. These are hard concepts to teach to students who are visual learners. If there was a way I could bring an actual atom or the planet Jupiter into my classroom, life would be a little easier. But I do love teaching science. It's the most hands on subject area that I can teach. I absolutely love the wonder when experiments teach concepts better that I could in a 15-30 minute lecture.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy 2009!
Happy New Year everyone. According to my Dad, I have joined the ranks of "old people" because I didn't stay awake until midnight (Tucson time). I did celebrate with New York so I counted that. :)
My mind is now drifting back to the real world. My crazy world of chemistry, solar systems, constellations, and sign language. I am also celebrating a milestone. I have been teaching for 10 years. Or I am 1/4 of my way to retirement. Either way, I have learned a lot and still have a lot to learn.
I guess I need to have a paragraph devoted to resolutions. I just have a few.
1. I want to improve my cooking skills. I have several cookbooks (including some new ones) that have great recipes that I want to try. So I will try one new recipe a week.
2. This is my "walking to Boston" resolution. My carpool buddy, who is working towards her 2nd 1/2 marathon, is trying to get me ready for at least a 5K. So, I'm going to start walking 3 days a week, working towards daily.
3. This one has to do with scripture study. I'm going to just focus on The Doctrine and Covenants and The Book of Mormon this year. I've been serving in Primary for almost 3 years and fallen out of the habit of reading daily. So, 2 pages in The Book of Mormon daily and the weekly assignment for Sunday School. That's my focus this year.
That's it for now. Obviously there will be more fun times and more challenging times. But that's what life is for.
My mind is now drifting back to the real world. My crazy world of chemistry, solar systems, constellations, and sign language. I am also celebrating a milestone. I have been teaching for 10 years. Or I am 1/4 of my way to retirement. Either way, I have learned a lot and still have a lot to learn.
I guess I need to have a paragraph devoted to resolutions. I just have a few.
1. I want to improve my cooking skills. I have several cookbooks (including some new ones) that have great recipes that I want to try. So I will try one new recipe a week.
2. This is my "walking to Boston" resolution. My carpool buddy, who is working towards her 2nd 1/2 marathon, is trying to get me ready for at least a 5K. So, I'm going to start walking 3 days a week, working towards daily.
3. This one has to do with scripture study. I'm going to just focus on The Doctrine and Covenants and The Book of Mormon this year. I've been serving in Primary for almost 3 years and fallen out of the habit of reading daily. So, 2 pages in The Book of Mormon daily and the weekly assignment for Sunday School. That's my focus this year.
That's it for now. Obviously there will be more fun times and more challenging times. But that's what life is for.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year & Snow in Tuscon???
So far it's been a great and quiet Christmas vacation. It seems to be the "in law" year, so all of my brothers and sister's families celebrated Christmas with their spouses' families. With just Mom, Dad and I, we were able to sleep in (I think this is the first time in 30 plus years that I have slept in on Christmas).
My birthday was nice and quiet too. It's just been great to relax and not have to worry about school, jobs, or other things that come with adulthood. Mom and Dad gave me some nice clothes and a jacket, Ryan and his family gave me a beautiful green scarf, Matt and Katie gave me the "Top Chef" cookbook (which I love!!), and Jessica and Eric gave me a knitting book and scarf project. Thanks to all of you. I love each of you.
On Dec. 26th, it was cold enough in Tucson to have snow!! Yes, snow in Tucson. What happened to global warming?? Anyway, it didn't stick, but it gave a nice Christmas feel for a few hours.
I came home so I could play the piano for Primary on Sunday. In our ward, we only had about 15 kids in Primary. A really quiet Sunday.
I'm planning on finishing a few more errands here at home and then go to Tucson for New Years. One of my errands is to try out the new Light Rail that has opened in Phoenix. Hopefully this will help with my commute to school and home. :)
Have a great rest of 2008 and welcome 2009.
My birthday was nice and quiet too. It's just been great to relax and not have to worry about school, jobs, or other things that come with adulthood. Mom and Dad gave me some nice clothes and a jacket, Ryan and his family gave me a beautiful green scarf, Matt and Katie gave me the "Top Chef" cookbook (which I love!!), and Jessica and Eric gave me a knitting book and scarf project. Thanks to all of you. I love each of you.
On Dec. 26th, it was cold enough in Tucson to have snow!! Yes, snow in Tucson. What happened to global warming?? Anyway, it didn't stick, but it gave a nice Christmas feel for a few hours.
I came home so I could play the piano for Primary on Sunday. In our ward, we only had about 15 kids in Primary. A really quiet Sunday.
I'm planning on finishing a few more errands here at home and then go to Tucson for New Years. One of my errands is to try out the new Light Rail that has opened in Phoenix. Hopefully this will help with my commute to school and home. :)
Have a great rest of 2008 and welcome 2009.
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