Being unemployed I watched more than my fair share of inaguration coverage today. What a proud day in our nation's history. How great would it be to be among the millions in Washington celebrating right now?
Think of the weight of history on President Obama's shoulders. All those years of trial, persecution and discrimination. Think of all the heroes...those champions of equality that have come before him and made this dream a reality. I'm so proud of our nation. We have overcome so much. We have elected out fifth consecutive left-handed president. A great step towards equality in our nation.
The universe is saying something. Are you listening?
Left-handers rule. Literally.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Apples to apples
I'm fully aware that of all the things that I could or should share with family and friends right now this should be at the bottom of the barrel. But this is important to me so I want to write about it:
Today, I made a break-through concerning my apple allergy.
When I was about seven years old I remember being in the car with my dad on the long road to Flaming Gorge. We had a few travel snacks and among them were a pair of apples. I ate mine and enjoyed it until my throat began to itch, then my mouth, then my tongue. There might have been some swelling too. It was extremely uncomfortable and I wondered if I would die.
I didn't.
But I kind of wanted to.
After that I noticed that it wasn't just apples that caused this reaction. To my dismay eating peaches, plums, nectarines, and pears became uncomfortable. I have a vivid memory of getting a Jamba (I think back then it was Zuka) Juice with some friends in middle school. I chose one that had fresh peaches in it and my top lip was cracked in the center. Well that angry little peach got in there and made the point at the center of my top lip swell to the size of a marble. Gross and embarassing.
So I've been annoyed and upset for a good amount of years over all this fruit I can't consume. Every once in awhile I would try one of these forbidden fruits to see if maybe, just maybe I've grown out of the allergy or that maybe it was just THAT apple or just THAT peach. But to no avail. Until recent years. Some of the fruit I've tried, mostly home grown stuff I've been ok with. That made me think it was a pesticides thing. So I tried organic apples at the grocery store. No good. Today though I made a break through. I've realilzed at least where apples are concerned that green apples are fine, red ones are the ones that do it to me. I'm like Snow White. Weird right? But now I can eat apples again! Can anyone figure this out? If you tell me its all in my head or that I'm faking it, we aren't friends anymore.
More on Cleveland OH later. I'm jobless thus have plenty of time to write.
Today, I made a break-through concerning my apple allergy.
When I was about seven years old I remember being in the car with my dad on the long road to Flaming Gorge. We had a few travel snacks and among them were a pair of apples. I ate mine and enjoyed it until my throat began to itch, then my mouth, then my tongue. There might have been some swelling too. It was extremely uncomfortable and I wondered if I would die.
I didn't.
But I kind of wanted to.
After that I noticed that it wasn't just apples that caused this reaction. To my dismay eating peaches, plums, nectarines, and pears became uncomfortable. I have a vivid memory of getting a Jamba (I think back then it was Zuka) Juice with some friends in middle school. I chose one that had fresh peaches in it and my top lip was cracked in the center. Well that angry little peach got in there and made the point at the center of my top lip swell to the size of a marble. Gross and embarassing.
So I've been annoyed and upset for a good amount of years over all this fruit I can't consume. Every once in awhile I would try one of these forbidden fruits to see if maybe, just maybe I've grown out of the allergy or that maybe it was just THAT apple or just THAT peach. But to no avail. Until recent years. Some of the fruit I've tried, mostly home grown stuff I've been ok with. That made me think it was a pesticides thing. So I tried organic apples at the grocery store. No good. Today though I made a break through. I've realilzed at least where apples are concerned that green apples are fine, red ones are the ones that do it to me. I'm like Snow White. Weird right? But now I can eat apples again! Can anyone figure this out? If you tell me its all in my head or that I'm faking it, we aren't friends anymore.
More on Cleveland OH later. I'm jobless thus have plenty of time to write.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Expect the Unexpected
If on December 31st 2007 the ghost of New Years Yet to Come had shown me what the year 2008 would bring me, I wouldn't have believed him. Nor do I think I would have understood what I saw.
To say the least 2008 was unexpected. My last semester in Logan was so long, so boring, I was dying for a change, for something new and different. So I went to California. The only expectations I had when I went out there was to have fun.
Expectation met.
Everything else about my time in California was completely unexpected. I didn't see it coming and I'm still not sure how it all happened.
I didn't even know his name when he put his hand on my waist as we crouched on a small wooden platform as part of a team building activity. I was taken by surprise twice in that moment. My first reaction was "Hey who does this guy think he is?" followed by something I didn't expect: that hand felt like it belonged there. It actually scared me. Surprise! I realize how hollywood that sounds but I won't pretend like it didn't happen like that.
The fall passed in a blur. I was working so hard as a student teacher that I think I didn't even have time to mark the passage of time. The weekends at the end of September, October and November stand out in my mind but everything else about the fall runs together.
Winter came. I graduated. 5 1/2 years in the making. A bright spot not just on 2008 but on my life.
And now its time for 2009 to start. Before July I don't think I knew where Cleveland, Ohio was. Now, because of what has happened in 2008 I will be moving there in two days. Even as I type this I can hardly believe it.
Some people have said that its a brave thing I'm doing. Maybe, but I don't feel very brave. It's just something I have to do. Unless I want to live the rest of my life wondering, I don't have much choice.
And the truth is with or without Cleveland I'm still at a crossroads in my life. I would still have to take a step into the dark, not knowing what was on the other side. The next chapter of my life is unwritten and I want to be its author. I don't want to wait around and have it written for me.
Sadie told me that of anyone she knows I can handle this experience and that I do well with the unknown. I responded by telling her that I'm equipped with the knowledge that the gospel is true, that Christ is my Savior, that my family loves and supports me and after that anything I don't know doesn't scare me. And I'm very willing to add to the store of things I DO know and take away some of the things that I don't. Seek and ye shall find.
Jenni told me she was proud of me and that gives me confidence.
My mom told me she would always be there which gives me peace of mind.
Will told me he loves me which inspires me.
Bring it on 2009.
Through all of this I am so grateful for a mother who encourages me and supports me in finding my way rather than try to keep me home and safe where nothing bad (or good) can happen to me. So much of who I am is because of her. I can't even begin to say how much she means to me.
Leap and the net will appear -- Zen saying
To say the least 2008 was unexpected. My last semester in Logan was so long, so boring, I was dying for a change, for something new and different. So I went to California. The only expectations I had when I went out there was to have fun.
Expectation met.
Everything else about my time in California was completely unexpected. I didn't see it coming and I'm still not sure how it all happened.
I didn't even know his name when he put his hand on my waist as we crouched on a small wooden platform as part of a team building activity. I was taken by surprise twice in that moment. My first reaction was "Hey who does this guy think he is?" followed by something I didn't expect: that hand felt like it belonged there. It actually scared me. Surprise! I realize how hollywood that sounds but I won't pretend like it didn't happen like that.
The fall passed in a blur. I was working so hard as a student teacher that I think I didn't even have time to mark the passage of time. The weekends at the end of September, October and November stand out in my mind but everything else about the fall runs together.
Winter came. I graduated. 5 1/2 years in the making. A bright spot not just on 2008 but on my life.
And now its time for 2009 to start. Before July I don't think I knew where Cleveland, Ohio was. Now, because of what has happened in 2008 I will be moving there in two days. Even as I type this I can hardly believe it.
Some people have said that its a brave thing I'm doing. Maybe, but I don't feel very brave. It's just something I have to do. Unless I want to live the rest of my life wondering, I don't have much choice.
And the truth is with or without Cleveland I'm still at a crossroads in my life. I would still have to take a step into the dark, not knowing what was on the other side. The next chapter of my life is unwritten and I want to be its author. I don't want to wait around and have it written for me.
Sadie told me that of anyone she knows I can handle this experience and that I do well with the unknown. I responded by telling her that I'm equipped with the knowledge that the gospel is true, that Christ is my Savior, that my family loves and supports me and after that anything I don't know doesn't scare me. And I'm very willing to add to the store of things I DO know and take away some of the things that I don't. Seek and ye shall find.
Jenni told me she was proud of me and that gives me confidence.
My mom told me she would always be there which gives me peace of mind.
Will told me he loves me which inspires me.
Bring it on 2009.
Through all of this I am so grateful for a mother who encourages me and supports me in finding my way rather than try to keep me home and safe where nothing bad (or good) can happen to me. So much of who I am is because of her. I can't even begin to say how much she means to me.
Leap and the net will appear -- Zen saying
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Winter Travel
This weekend was my first experience flying in the winter time. I never realized it before but as I was crossing the country at 30,000 feet the entire country was frozen over. It was strange to think about...
So here are the worst things about traveling in the winter time:
1. The weather
2. Its really cold (aka the weather)
3. Flights are often delayed, canceled, or made more dangerous (because of the weather)
4. Traveling near Christmas was also an interesting experience. I think if a flight is canceled in January everyone will be inconvenienced and disgruntled however they might miss a work day or a class and who doesn't love a legitimate excuse to be kept from that stuff every once in awhile. But if your flight gets canceled near Dec. 25 everyone is a little more upset and panicked cause everyone wants to be home for the holidays.
So here's what happened to me. I left the Cleve Monday morning, flight was uneventful. I had a three hour lay-over in Chicago O'Hare. Huge airport, spent a bunch of time walking around, ate a Chicago dog and some caramel popcorn. My flight was on time but over booked. They asked for volunteers to stay the night in Chicago in exchange for Delta dollars. For about 15 minutes I stressed over what to do. On the one hand I'm jobless, thus poor, young etc. and I had nothing to lose by staying the night. On the other hand what if something went wrong with my flight the next day? Canceled? Delayed? It was only three days before Christmas.
I finally decided to stick around. So, Delta provided me with a hotel room at the Wyndham which was actually pretty nice. Free shuttle back and forth from the airport. A guaranteed first class ticket to SLC at 7:15 in the morning. $21 in meal vouchers and $400 Delta Dollars to be used however, whenever I want to in the next year toward flights. Not a bad deal. But I was still stressed about the next mornings flight.
Spending the night alone in Chicago three days before Christmas was kind of fun. I pretended like I was Kevin from Home Alone. I guess its Home Alone II that he spends in a nice hotel alone but that's in New York. I would have liked to have spent some time downtown but I was scared because I was alone and it was FREEZING outside. Seriously, so cold.
Woke up at 5:15. Airport was so crowded. Started to get stressed about the security line but because it was a first class ticket I got bumped to the front. Then I was selected for further screening which bumped me to the front of the front. Turns out I'm not a terrorist and it was on to a free breakfast and waiting for the flight.
I had about an hour of nervousness because there was a problem with our plane. We ended up being delayed about an hour and a half. Which considering...was not a big deal. A lot of people missed connecting flights out of SLC which was to bad but not me! Flying first class was sweet. Highly recommended. Not a bad a deal I took. Arrived home less than a day later no worse for the wear.
Wow this is really long and not that eventful. Sorry. Written more for me than you.
In closing I'll just say my weekend was great. Totally worth the hassle of air travel. Thanks Wilbur. But is it ok to say that I'm fine if I don't have to hop on a plane again anytime soon?
Next adventure: Me, Stu and the Subaru travel across the country. Stay tuned.
So here are the worst things about traveling in the winter time:
1. The weather
2. Its really cold (aka the weather)
3. Flights are often delayed, canceled, or made more dangerous (because of the weather)
4. Traveling near Christmas was also an interesting experience. I think if a flight is canceled in January everyone will be inconvenienced and disgruntled however they might miss a work day or a class and who doesn't love a legitimate excuse to be kept from that stuff every once in awhile. But if your flight gets canceled near Dec. 25 everyone is a little more upset and panicked cause everyone wants to be home for the holidays.
So here's what happened to me. I left the Cleve Monday morning, flight was uneventful. I had a three hour lay-over in Chicago O'Hare. Huge airport, spent a bunch of time walking around, ate a Chicago dog and some caramel popcorn. My flight was on time but over booked. They asked for volunteers to stay the night in Chicago in exchange for Delta dollars. For about 15 minutes I stressed over what to do. On the one hand I'm jobless, thus poor, young etc. and I had nothing to lose by staying the night. On the other hand what if something went wrong with my flight the next day? Canceled? Delayed? It was only three days before Christmas.
I finally decided to stick around. So, Delta provided me with a hotel room at the Wyndham which was actually pretty nice. Free shuttle back and forth from the airport. A guaranteed first class ticket to SLC at 7:15 in the morning. $21 in meal vouchers and $400 Delta Dollars to be used however, whenever I want to in the next year toward flights. Not a bad deal. But I was still stressed about the next mornings flight.
Spending the night alone in Chicago three days before Christmas was kind of fun. I pretended like I was Kevin from Home Alone. I guess its Home Alone II that he spends in a nice hotel alone but that's in New York. I would have liked to have spent some time downtown but I was scared because I was alone and it was FREEZING outside. Seriously, so cold.
Woke up at 5:15. Airport was so crowded. Started to get stressed about the security line but because it was a first class ticket I got bumped to the front. Then I was selected for further screening which bumped me to the front of the front. Turns out I'm not a terrorist and it was on to a free breakfast and waiting for the flight.
I had about an hour of nervousness because there was a problem with our plane. We ended up being delayed about an hour and a half. Which considering...was not a big deal. A lot of people missed connecting flights out of SLC which was to bad but not me! Flying first class was sweet. Highly recommended. Not a bad a deal I took. Arrived home less than a day later no worse for the wear.
Wow this is really long and not that eventful. Sorry. Written more for me than you.
In closing I'll just say my weekend was great. Totally worth the hassle of air travel. Thanks Wilbur. But is it ok to say that I'm fine if I don't have to hop on a plane again anytime soon?
Next adventure: Me, Stu and the Subaru travel across the country. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thanksgiving Rap (yep that's what I said)
Bahahahahaha! These kids kill me. So I asked my students to tell me about the story of the first Thanksgiving and that if they didn’t know it then to make something up. And did these two ever make something up. They made up a rap. A Peanuts rap no less! And if you really know me you know how I feel about Peanuts. Without further ado:
"Alright yo so you think you know about the first Thanksgiving
well na na you don’t. Here’s the throw down
lil Snoop Dawg went to Compton
with a homie named Charlie BROWN!
When they saw the turkey they shot em
And laid the bird out.
When Woodstock rolled up in a caddi
Saw that his brotha was down
Pulled out two 9 millimeters
And showed the mutha effer who’s boss.
A boy rolls up who can, it be
A lil white cracka named Linus G
He saw the shoot out that went down
And he about fell to the ground
The mutha trucka grabbed a fork
And started grubbin like a little pork
He stuffed himself so big
That he looks like a pig
Yeah Boiii"
I thought about editing some of their word choices for the sake of my blog…I don’t think even some of their fake cursing is school work appropriate but I didn’t want to compromise the integrity of their work.
I couldn’t believe this.
Even though I won't miss student teaching I'll miss these kids.
"Alright yo so you think you know about the first Thanksgiving
well na na you don’t. Here’s the throw down
lil Snoop Dawg went to Compton
with a homie named Charlie BROWN!
When they saw the turkey they shot em
And laid the bird out.
When Woodstock rolled up in a caddi
Saw that his brotha was down
Pulled out two 9 millimeters
And showed the mutha effer who’s boss.
A boy rolls up who can, it be
A lil white cracka named Linus G
He saw the shoot out that went down
And he about fell to the ground
The mutha trucka grabbed a fork
And started grubbin like a little pork
He stuffed himself so big
That he looks like a pig
Yeah Boiii"
I thought about editing some of their word choices for the sake of my blog…I don’t think even some of their fake cursing is school work appropriate but I didn’t want to compromise the integrity of their work.
I couldn’t believe this.
Even though I won't miss student teaching I'll miss these kids.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Coincedence?
I just realized that Obama Nation and Abomination sound very similar. I don't want to be a pessimist but...yikes. We still got time right?
*Editor's note: For the record I support our president elect and I'm excited to see what he'll do. I just couldn't ignore this.
*Editor's note: For the record I support our president elect and I'm excited to see what he'll do. I just couldn't ignore this.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Free Write
I gave my students the chance to write about whatever they wanted to write about to today. It was interesting to see some of the things they talked about when given the opportunity to say whatever they wanted to. Most complained about school, getting up early or excited to see Twilight this weekend but there were a few gems in the group . Let me share…
Surprisingly I had a poet in the bunch…totally unexpected…he’s the jock type…
“I wish it would snow
So I could go
All the way to see the show.
If it would snow then I could see,
All the snowmen watching me.
With buttons and carrots they stand so tall
Watching everyone hoping not to fall.”
Brought a tear to my eye.
Here’s another. I told them they had to write at least three sentences. This guy barely filled that requirement but at least he did it with unfailing optimism:
“Utah Utes will donimate BYU!! Jazz will go all the way to the finals. I will ace this upcoming history test.”
This one is filled with the kind of drama I was glad to avoid in High School and even I’m more happy I don’t have to deal with now.
“This weekend was so full of drama it was crazy! Girl drama that is. So on Saturday me and some friends were hanging out with Skyline women. Then these girls that we had recent relationships with came and crashed our party. The Skyline girls left, probably because of the other girls. So that made us be in a bad mood and then that made those girls mad so they left. It ended up being a guys night of venting.”
Listen bud, if it’s got four wheels and/or wears a bra it’s gonna give you trouble for the rest of your life (someone very wise told me that). Give yourself a break and don’t start so young. Or it’ll be one eternal headache.
To those non Skyline girls I say…don’t even bother with those boys. Let them all practice and goof up on those Skyline ladies. Then when you’re like 20 something those boys will realize what they’ve been missing out on AND they’ve already learned what NOT to do with you. Perfect. Go for ice cream and a movie with your gal pals until then.
From a shy, nerdy girl:
“I’m thinking of writing a story about how the president of swing club created a mind control device and used it to control the minds of swing club members and used them to take over the school! (Insert evil laugh here)”
But then…so cute:
“I’ll miss you. I’m going to bring you Almond Joys on Thursday.” (I told them that was my favorite trick or treating candy).
How sweet. I’m going to miss these kids.
On another note: I’m so stressed. It seems like every day I think of five new things I need to take care of. Wish things would slow down.
At least my students are cool.
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