All growing up, I never had the desire to be a teacher. I loved teaching, but it was further down the list of possible careers than being an accountant. Just not that appealing. Then when it came time that I HAD to make a decision on what I was going to major in, I decided I might as well talk to one of the advisors in the Eled department since, I had talked to every other department. There are just to many wonderful choices in this world, how could I decide? I thought I should probably decide what I really want in a career before I adventure in the thousands of offices of advising. I knew I wanted to help make a change. Big or small, as long as it was for the better. I did not want a desk job, and wanted to be able to learn and discover every day. I also wanted to help others as much as I could. As I listened to the advisor, everything I wanted to fulfill in a career seemed to fit. So two days later I was declared an Elementary teacher, with a minor in mathematics. Never in my wildest of dreams would I have thought I would be saying that.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
The Joys of The USA
It's almost Halloween. Can you believe how fast time flies? It's crazy to think just a few months ago I was living out of a backpack discovering the hidden secrets of the world. I came home to the #1 best fans and family in the world, standing at the gate complete with a welcome home sign. I can't describe how amazing the feeling is to be able to easily talk to every person I pass and smile to whoever I want, although I still miss all my lovely Russian friends.
A Is for Apple
Oh dear Miss Kathleen <3
Number one Champ.
Reminisce of the wolves.
Most people start soccer at age 5. I started at age 21....
The summer flashed by, but it was incredible none the less. I met some of the most spectacular girls and boys and got to make some amazing friends. I worked soooo hard every day dancing, teaching, learning, and playing. Who knew you could get paid for such a thing. I got proposed to at least once a week thanks to the lovely inspiration/ force of some wonderful teenagers and laughed till I cried at least once a day.
Miss every single one of them.
My summer also included some quality time with one of my very favorite males on this earth this little guy....
The finale at USU is here....
Oh dear Miss Kathleen <3
And finally to the beginning of the best holidays of the year. Just a glimpse of some of the costumes of 2012. Never go in the same outfit twice. Ketchup, Champ Soccer Mom, Superhero and tomorrow will sadly be the final one, question is what will it be?
Monday, June 18, 2012
The longest day I've ever lived.
I can't believe it, I will be sleeping in my very own bed tonight. No bunk beds with strangers in their whitey tidies, no snoring, and no strange smells.
The passed two and half weeks have been filled with adventure, surprises, unspeakable sites and unforgettable memories. I have seen things that many people dream about and done things I have never even thought were possible.
After eighteen days of excursions, I'm surprisingly, right back where I started. Good ole Moscow. It's crazy how quickly you can forget the little things. Like the odd smell found only here, the familiar greetings and the never ending stares.
Just a short little tidbit about the M & M extravaganza:
We planned to go to quite a few places and ended up going to quite a few more.
It all started in St. Petersburg then to Estonia. Then through Lithuania and Latvia to Poland. Quick stop there to catch our ride to Prague, then we were off to Budapest. We spent only a day there before we took a day trip to Vienna/ Meidling on the way to Rome. From Rome we went down to Naples (such an amazing city) and then to Florence and Milan. We were able to visit our dear friend Marine in Nyom and see beautiful Geneve. Then we headed for some days in the sun on the crazy beaches of Barcelona. We ended with a stop in Berlin where we caught a plane a few days later back to Moscow.
That's it in a nutshell. I'm currently in the Moscow airport for our layover of 22 hours. Only four hours to go and it seems like the hours are getting longer and longer. It might be due to the fact that we thought it was a smart idea to stay up all night so we could sleep on the plane... We will see if that actually happens. I'm thinking since I've been up for over 30 hours it will be easier. Lucky for me, I actually go back in time on our plane flight so I get a double take Tuesday creating the longest day I have ever lived in my life.
The passed two and half weeks have been filled with adventure, surprises, unspeakable sites and unforgettable memories. I have seen things that many people dream about and done things I have never even thought were possible.
After eighteen days of excursions, I'm surprisingly, right back where I started. Good ole Moscow. It's crazy how quickly you can forget the little things. Like the odd smell found only here, the familiar greetings and the never ending stares.
Just a short little tidbit about the M & M extravaganza:
We planned to go to quite a few places and ended up going to quite a few more.
It all started in St. Petersburg then to Estonia. Then through Lithuania and Latvia to Poland. Quick stop there to catch our ride to Prague, then we were off to Budapest. We spent only a day there before we took a day trip to Vienna/ Meidling on the way to Rome. From Rome we went down to Naples (such an amazing city) and then to Florence and Milan. We were able to visit our dear friend Marine in Nyom and see beautiful Geneve. Then we headed for some days in the sun on the crazy beaches of Barcelona. We ended with a stop in Berlin where we caught a plane a few days later back to Moscow.
That's it in a nutshell. I'm currently in the Moscow airport for our layover of 22 hours. Only four hours to go and it seems like the hours are getting longer and longer. It might be due to the fact that we thought it was a smart idea to stay up all night so we could sleep on the plane... We will see if that actually happens. I'm thinking since I've been up for over 30 hours it will be easier. Lucky for me, I actually go back in time on our plane flight so I get a double take Tuesday creating the longest day I have ever lived in my life.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Green as a Crayola Crayon
It all started last weekend. We walked outside leaving behind something that has become very close to me and has always been loyal, my coat. Oh the freedom. The snow is gone, and contrary to popular belief it gets warm here!!! We headed to a new park that we had never been to before. I thought Utah had a lot of parks, and yet Russia takes public parks to a new level. Each one is huge with hills are pathways that take you in every direction. Some are filled with ice skating rinks while others of beautiful cathedrals or palaces. No big deal right?
First Flower
Last weeks pick, Kolomenskaya, didn't disappoint. We arrived to a metro stop we had never been to before and followed the crowd. I few minutes later we were passing horses you could take for a ride and going under a big wooden gate. I was amazed by all the activities going on around me. To my left I could see a market filled with colorful tents, there was a huge playground that looked like it was made for giants surrounded by a wooden fence and right in front of me there were pathways that lead in every direction. In the far off distance we would see not one, but two cathedrals with one of their crosses barely visible above the trees. The crankiness of the locals seemed to melt away with the snow. Everyone was smiling and talking as we passed, very weird. I have almost become accustomed to glaring back at someone like it was a friendly smile instead.
Sadly, we had to skip the playground due to the fact that we were late meeting up with the rest of our group. We rushed through the park passing cathedrals, museums and lots of trees. We hiked down to a river and then back up a windy red bridge that lead us to the wooden palace that they had just finished rebuilding after it got burned down in the 19th century. We passed a very old little cathedral that was surrounded by a graveyard. Goosebumps were creeping up my arm, but it was so fun to see. The palace was beautiful. Different than any other palace I have ever seen. Kind of like a cabin, but times that by at least 20 more cabins and add some dainty paint jobs all over the place.
This week we had a long day weekend thanks to the Russian kids having school on Saturday so that we could have four days off in a row. Rauni, Mindy and I decided to stay in Moscow while the other girls headed to Ukraine. We packed up Sunday morning and headed to the heart of Moscow. We were staying at one of the head teachers apartments that is right in the center of the city. Know what that means?! No busses for three days! Wahoo. We went to church with our stomachs growling like a pack of wild animals by the time we got there. Then to our surprise we ended Relief society 15 minutes early to have some "quality time" with the other sisters and some delicious treats that I would never expected to be in Russia like pineapple. What a sight to see.
Following church we headed towards the metro to wander to the Naegley's who were so kind to invite us to dinner. A little piece of home came with sitting at a dinner table and being able to understand every single person. I have realized how many things I have taken for granted being here. We headed back to the apartment for a splendid relaxing evening.
I have been in Moscow for over four months now and have yet to have a day to explore and venture with out the slightest idea of what I was going to do. So we took full advantage of that this week. Monday and Tuesday were filled with yummy treats and plenty of walking. We got to see parts of the city that we have never been to before. Moscow is huge! We ended up on the campus of the university and it was amazing. The buildings were so old and so tall, don't get me wrong I'm still a true blue aggie fan all the way, but this campus was incredible. I can't believe how green it gets here. The grass everywhere is just as green as a crayola crayon.
*Take full notice of the half naked boy just hanging out the window...
Tuesday we walked and walked and walked. We were on the hunt for secondhand stores hoping to find something great. Well we were out of luck when it came to great findings for the shopping part, however, the sights and things we accidentally stubbled upon were way better! We even found a cinnabon restaurant. Mmm so good. They gave it to us with plates and everything. Getting lost was even a treat. We found a Jewish synagogue that we didn't even know was a synagogue or that we were lost until we found it on the opposite side of the map. There are things around every corner that are hidden treasures. I am amazed every day. After our exploration. We headed to meet Jordan at Arbat street to fulfill his dream of playing his saxophone. He was so good, a Russian man with a tattoo covering half his face asked if he could play his cello with him. They were quite a team and it was so fun to sit and listen to them.
arbat street hari krishna
Over all the weekend was so nice so nice. Lucky for us Putin decided we needed another holiday so we only teach four days this week and then we get to have four more days off!
favorite spot by our school
First Flower
Last weeks pick, Kolomenskaya, didn't disappoint. We arrived to a metro stop we had never been to before and followed the crowd. I few minutes later we were passing horses you could take for a ride and going under a big wooden gate. I was amazed by all the activities going on around me. To my left I could see a market filled with colorful tents, there was a huge playground that looked like it was made for giants surrounded by a wooden fence and right in front of me there were pathways that lead in every direction. In the far off distance we would see not one, but two cathedrals with one of their crosses barely visible above the trees. The crankiness of the locals seemed to melt away with the snow. Everyone was smiling and talking as we passed, very weird. I have almost become accustomed to glaring back at someone like it was a friendly smile instead.
Following church we headed towards the metro to wander to the Naegley's who were so kind to invite us to dinner. A little piece of home came with sitting at a dinner table and being able to understand every single person. I have realized how many things I have taken for granted being here. We headed back to the apartment for a splendid relaxing evening.
I have been in Moscow for over four months now and have yet to have a day to explore and venture with out the slightest idea of what I was going to do. So we took full advantage of that this week. Monday and Tuesday were filled with yummy treats and plenty of walking. We got to see parts of the city that we have never been to before. Moscow is huge! We ended up on the campus of the university and it was amazing. The buildings were so old and so tall, don't get me wrong I'm still a true blue aggie fan all the way, but this campus was incredible. I can't believe how green it gets here. The grass everywhere is just as green as a crayola crayon.
Tuesday we walked and walked and walked. We were on the hunt for secondhand stores hoping to find something great. Well we were out of luck when it came to great findings for the shopping part, however, the sights and things we accidentally stubbled upon were way better! We even found a cinnabon restaurant. Mmm so good. They gave it to us with plates and everything. Getting lost was even a treat. We found a Jewish synagogue that we didn't even know was a synagogue or that we were lost until we found it on the opposite side of the map. There are things around every corner that are hidden treasures. I am amazed every day. After our exploration. We headed to meet Jordan at Arbat street to fulfill his dream of playing his saxophone. He was so good, a Russian man with a tattoo covering half his face asked if he could play his cello with him. They were quite a team and it was so fun to sit and listen to them.
arbat street hari krishna
Jord doing his thang with the Russian man
Over all the weekend was so nice so nice. Lucky for us Putin decided we needed another holiday so we only teach four days this week and then we get to have four more days off!
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