Life as I know it...

Well, we had some excitement at the preschool yesterday. A little too much excitement, for my taste. Here's a link to one story about the incident:

The Herald Journal Serving Logan and Cache Valley Breaking News Small morning fire forces evacuation of USU daycare facility


This happened during my session, so I was in charge of all these little ones at the time. The children really just thought it was a super-cool field trip. They never really even saw the smoke, because I had them out before it was very noticeable. I, however, saw plenty of smoke. Nasty stuff. We are working on cleanup today, and plan to start school again next week. Crazy!

I just feel like writing my thoughts this evening. I've recently had several conversations with some of my mission friends. The people in the Philippines, whom I love dearly, do not have an easy life, and sometimes it is difficult for me as I ponder the things I often take for granted that they do not have the benefit of. For example, earlier tonight I had a lengthy conversation with one of my companions. She, like so many other of my acquaintances there, is seriously struggling in a difficult world. Out of work, out of money, living in a flooded community, and trying to raise a young son while her husband searches for work on the other end of their country. It breaks my heart! As do the similar stories I hear from others I know in that area.

At times, I am just blown away by the inequalities that exist in this world. It reminds me of the same feelings I had upon first entering the mission field and coming face to face with what true poverty is. It does make me realize how blessed I am in my life, but it can be so difficult as I wonder why I have been given these blessings and so many others deprived. I am glad to know that a higher authority has it all in His hands.

As I have pondered and prayed about these things, I am quietly reminded of the counsel we have received from ordained leaders here on Earth: Pay an honest tithe and a generous fast offering. When my head is swimming with the inadequacy I feel in dealing with the trials that face my loved ones, I know that at least with this guidance, I can do my part. Although it may seem like a small amount in the light of the great need that exists in this world, at least I can feel at peace knowing that I have addressed the issue by following inspired counsel. And that does help to alleviate my worries and tears.

This isn't meant to sound like I am on some kind of soapbox - I simply felt like putting thought to paper (or to screen, I suppose) and getting these things out in the open. I love these people so dearly, and it literally tears at my heartstrings to hear of their distresses. I pray for them regularly, and I know that God has a plan at work here, although I may not always be able to see that big picture. Thanks for putting up with my rambling - it's late, and I am quite emotional (hopefully I won't regret it later), and this has been a great outlet.

So, if you are one of those struggling souls in this world (which we all are in our own way - it's the whole point of this life), I hope you also take comfort in knowing that although your loved ones might not be able to physically alleviate your distresses, they care about you, and will do what they can. Love you all!

Well, I would love to take time to write an update here, but there is so much, there just isn't time. My Facebook page has many of the crazy fun things going on in my life right now, but I will mention a couple here, just for those of you who like to look.
1. I have officially finished my Master of Education (MEd) degree...with a 4.0 GPA no less. Yay!
2. I am still teaching preschool. Old excitement.
3. I am also teaching a couple of courses for the university this year. New excitement.
4. I'm still just me!

There are lots of new pics on Facebook, too. Check me out there - I'm much more dedicated about updating things there for some reason.

Hooray for spring! I am loving the weather the past few days. (And I'll just choose to ignore the forecast that says it'll snow again this weekend.) It has been great to get outside, and I even drove over to Bear Lake with a friend of mine, just for fun. Originally, we were going to go for a walk in the canyon, but the trail was under construction and had big tractors blocking it, so we just kept driving. It was great!

So, things are falling into place for my upcoming move. I get my keys to the new place this Saturday, and then I will start the process of moving. I've already been packing up things I don't need right now, and my living room is quickly filling up with boxes.

I am also all ready for classes this summer - my last classes before I'll have my degree. Hooray again!! I will most likely walk in December.

And, more news. As of now, it is official that I will be teaching a class here at the university starting this fall. I will still be teaching preschool, but in addition, I will teach FCHD 2600 (it's an introduction to early childhood education), and I will supervise the related practicum (FCHD 2630). I am listed in the schedule, and I already have students signed up for the class. I am really looking forward to the experience (and the extra income). :)

So, lots of things are going on right now. I am almost finished with finals...just one paper and one online final exam left. I have really enjoyed my classes this semester, too. Things are pretty much just going well for me. Kinda crazy-go-nuts, but still fun and exciting. Woo Hoo!

Here's a non-fiction children's book I wrote for one of my classes. It's very simple, and just geared towards my preschoolers, but I'm glad to have it finished. I hope everyone can see it...there were some problems before. Let me know what you think!

Yay! My apartment hunting this past week was successful. I signed a contract to rent a townhouse on the other side of town. I will have the whole month of May to gradually move out of my trailer and into my new place. I am so excited! It has two bedrooms and one and a half bathrooms, and there's lots of storage, AC, a dishwasher (big YAY for me!), covered parking spot, etc. And for under $500/month. I'm quite thrilled, if you didn't catch on. :)

So, I have decided to stay here in the valley for now. I will stay at my current job, too, for the time being, but I'm still hoping for the possibility of some additional income if some things work out. We'll see. I will finish up my degree this summer, so it is time to move out of student housing and on to bigger and better things (I hope!). Wish me luck!

So, I was a bit bored and had some free time (or at least some time I chose to use, whether or not I should've been doing something else). I decided to jot down some thoughts on a few of the simple things that keep me going on a daily basis....or keep me from going, depending on my mood. :)

CHOCOLATE
Oh sweet chocolate
Your creamy decadence melting blissfully in my mouth
Seems to also melt away my cares and worries
Leaving me
With nothing but happiness

Unfortunately
That happiness is only as long-lasting
As the sweetness contained in your luscious taste
With a final swallow
The sweetness is finished
And the worries return

Time for another piece...


DIET SODA
In whatever form is on hand
Be it Pepsi, Mt. Dew, Dr. Pepper, or even Coke
So long as that magical "DIET" precedes the title
Even the lesser-known sources suffice

This sustaining nectar
In one long draught
Washes away stresses of the day
Gives an added boost
And an exciting tingle on the way down

Those calorie-free bubbles
Popping and fizzling
Sooth the soul and excite the senses
And give me strength

At least enough to take the next drink...


MY MACBOOK, MY FRIEND
Oh wondrous technology
Keeping me company at the oddest hours
Offering endless amounts
Of mind-soothing browsing
Blogging
Email and games

Always there for me
Even going so far
As to sleep by my side each night
Never hogging the blankets
Or snoring too loudly

So seldom a problem
So long as thy companion
internet access
Is in working order
Thy possibilities are endless

And yet at my command...

So....
I'm planning on finishing up my masters degree this summer, with any luck (Yay!), and I've had a lot of people asking me what I plan on doing next. The problem, though, is that I don't have one. A plan, that is. I kinda just fly by the seat of my pants these days.

I do have a few options. I can stay working here at the preschool. It's a solid job, but doesn't pay what I could be making elswhere. It does, however, allow me insurance benefits, which is a nice change after 5 years without them. They also would really like me to stay. In addition, I am being encouraged to apply for a position with the FCHD department that might be opening up soon. Don't have all the details on that, yet, but I know it wouldn't be full-time. Possibly I could do it in addition to the job I have now, but still not sure on that. I could also choose to apply to teach in the public elementary schools again, which leaves me with a HUGE range of options. Since I am on my own, I could move anywhere I wanted, within reason, of course. Even abroad, if I wanted to or found a position.

So, basically, I have way too many options. In a movie I saw long ago, I heard a lady compare her love life to a video store. She said something to the effect of, "I choose to rent my movies at 7-11. If I go to Blockbuster, there are just way too many choices. I need a 7-11 love life...I can't handle Blockbuster." This applies to my range of choices now. Too many choices, and I'm just too darn indecisive. One of those qualities I just about have down to a science.

For now, I'm just pondering, thinking about what feels right, etc. I'm weighing my options, but I don't have a very reliable scale, lol! Now that I've written it all down, maybe the words will rearrange themselves into a solid answer. Likely not, but it can't hurt.

I'm just sitting here, late at night as usual, and pondering how things are going. As the title of this post shows, things are pretty good, alright! I have just finished the last of my pending homework, for the time being, and I had a decent night prior to doing so. Went to class, planned out my upcoming presentation, and had some fun. A friend and I went to grab some dinner, then spent some quality time at the bookstore. I am reading a book there (which I do not plan to currently buy, but might when it comes out in paperback), so we occasionally go and just sit in the quiet atmosphere to relax. Not a bad, cheap, activity. :)

Now I am free to turn on my most recent Netflix selection and crochet for a bit until I fall asleep. I am working on a project, but can't include details here in case the recipient(s) decide to take a look. ;) It's an enjoyable endeavor, though.

So, nothing too exciting, but nothing too down and depressing, either. Can't complain, and I might even be able to boast....just a little, but that's enough for me. This is the way I would love to feel at the end of everyday. I might not have conquered the world, but I accomplished what needed to be done, and I can go to bed without unduly stressing over tomorrow. Good for me! :D

Now that the traditional "season" has passed, here are what I consider to be some of the things traditionally following that time of year....perhaps it can be said "'Tis the post-season":

1. The official disaster zone left behind by Santa and his Reindeer

2. The sniffles, sneezes, and other ailment that follow a return to the germ-ridden place we often call "school"

3. The undeniable urge to quickly dispose of all holiday goodies, generally by means of consumption in the late-night hours while trying to regain a normal sleeping schedule

4. The circles growing deeper and darker under the eyes as a result of the above mentioned abnormal sleep schedule

5. The sudden realization that the beautiful white snow of December magically turns into a menace during the cold icy mornings of January...particularly as you are madly trying to scrape off your car in an effort to make it to work in two minutes

6. The inability to find anything in the house (mainly due to the events mentioned in number 1)

7. Daily "resolutions" to improve the state mentioned in all above items - resolutions that become daily due to their inevitable state of being unfulfilled at the end of yet another day


So, these pretty much all apply to me these days. My house, if it can be called such at this point, is in such a state that I am primarily grateful for a door with a lock and windows with blinds that help to conceal the piles of holiday cheer strewn throughout the place. (And just for the record, it's loads easier to lock a door ad lower the blinds than it is to pick up those cheery piles).

Secondly, I have been taking this blessedly long weekend (Human Rights Day - Sometimes I wonder if it isn't really a day for us to have a Human Right to one extra day along the route to post-holiday recovery) to deal with the unpleasantness of a cold that came my way. I'm sure it was inevitable, considering the innumerable germs that abide in my place of work and education. Still, I did all I could to prevent it: multi-vitamins, hand-washing, airborne, etc. All was in vain, though...I did manage to eek out my work responsibilities through Friday afternoon, whereupon I retreated to my bed (the one semi-sane place in my house) and did not leave for a significant chunk of time. Ah, the joys of sleep - see number 4 for the unpleasant, but also unavoidable side effects.

Holiday goodies - enough said in number 3.

Sleep - ah sleep. Just as I was beginning to have a normal sleep routine again, I got sick, slept for HOURS, and subsequently was awake until 4am Sunday morning. Three and a half hours later, I was up and at 'em, finishing preparations for the Relief Society lesson I was teaching. We'll see if tonight fares any more normally...

And the snow - There's been this January thaw going on, but only enough to melt the snow sufficiently during the day to form a nice thick layer of ice the next morning. The ice is particularly located on my windshield, making my morning trip to work a lot more complicated. I've started going out and turning the car on about 10 minutes before I have to leave, but even then I end up scraping off the layers. Honestly, if it's going to be this cold, I'd rather the pretty white snow, thank you very much. :)

Yeah, can't really find anything in my house these days. Keep meaning to clean it (see number 7), but between school, work, and this cold I've been recovering from (and a good deal of procrastination), it hasn't happened. That's really all I can say about it at this point, too.

So, I'm working on those "resolutions". In truth, I'm making great strides in the traditional resolutions. I'm up to 30 lbs that I've lost since August. Go me!! :) And I'll hopefully be finishing off my degree this summer, if things work out well, so I'm definitely making progress there, too. Now, if I can just address these "seasonal" issues, I should be on my way to a great new year. Hope you are all having one of your own!