5 down, 175 to go.

Adam was pestering me for this update, and it is probably overdue. I mean when I was doing my student teaching I posted about my first day on the first day. Needless to say this last week was overwhelming and emotional. I am tired, exhausted, and all other words that mean the same. I have a stress rash and a stress headache. I have two weeks of lesson plans to plan over the next few days- but I wouldn't change it for the world.

Riverton High is probably the best place to work. The staff is so kind and supportive. There is just a vibe about the school which energizes me.

My first day of school I spent the first hour running around like a mad woman trying to get my computer and projector to work. I was so grateful I thought to bring my laptop to school. I finally got that working and then the students came.

The first day was kinda a blah day. I don't know how to explain it. It wasn't horrible but it wasn't stellar either. The classes were okay, nothing to write home about. The activities went okay, though I ran out of things to do and had to pull in from the rest of the week. In fact it worked out better as I had over planned for the rest of the week and needed to move other things around anyway. I think my favorite moment of the first day was when the principal walked into my first period of the day. He just slipped in to observe, as if I wasn't already nervous. We were doing an activity that involved yarn and learning about one another and of course the moment he walks in the yarn snaps and I have to tie it back together and the class moves off topic. It wasn't horrible, and I am sure it was fine but I kept thinking 'why couldn't you walked in five minutes ago when this activity was working fairly well?' I did finally get a computer after three and it took them till Thursday to actually connect me correctly, but it works now so I am not complaining.

Since Riverton is on the block schedule the second day of school was like the first all over again. The day was going swimmingly, though I learned I need to get a sub for next week to attend a new program training at the district on Wednesday, apparently I am the tech savvy girl in the department so I get to learn all the fun things. I had cute sophomores today that were to scared to say anything (yes, I know this will change) and we were having a grand time. I had some cuties that got lost, showed up at the wrong class, took the wrong lunch, and all other things that make me love sophomores. Well at lunch I emailed my friend Heather and said "I love my B day classes so far. Of course I probably just jinxed myself and 8th period will be hellions." So yeah, guess who has a class of 38 EVIL HELLIONS? Yup, you guessed right. I hated it. I spent most of my time trying to get them to pay attention. Finally, I chucked all the fun things I had planned and had them write an essay. I guess my unhappy tone, unsmiling face, and general pissed off air, made them realize that I mean business. I explained that I don't want to do this, but if they insist on acting the way they do English class won't be as nearly as fun for anyone. I hope it got the lesson across and I have learned for that class I need to be tough, and not my happy go lucky self that I am in the others. Stupid evil hellions.

So the rest of the week was much the same. I had some great highlights. Several students said they love my class as we get up and do things, one other said that the first day activity that we did was the most fun he had ever had in school (okay, he has been home schooled for his entire life, but that is not the point). I am still worried about how I will handle a few things, 8th period to be honest, but it will work out.

Get your tomatoes ready

Um, I know I am probably the only person in America right now (other than Senator McCain) who found tonight's speech to be lack luster and just plain old boring. The last two minutes were great but other than that I was completely uninpressed.

Please excuse me while I go pull out the great presidental speeches from Kennedy and Regan. Or maybe I will just put on West Wing and wish that one of the campaigns would hire Aaron Sorkin.


Anyone with me for voting for Bartlet this election?

Your highness, we beseech you on this day in Philadelphia to bite me

Today I got to go and see the Declaration of Independence. You know, it is funny how much a document of paper means to me. I rarely talk politics here but I was raised in a rather political family. Conventions, elections, and all that go with it are second hand to me. I can still call an election within 3 points and I can tell you how much a certain canidate will go up and down in the polls- yes, I am that good. There was a reason I ran my first party campaign at the age of 15.

Anyway, with this comes a love of country. It is deeply rooted, it is why I love the 4th so much. But today I got to see a piece of paper that has inspired millions and will continue to inspire millions. It was a thrilling experience and makes me realize that even with all the problems that abound that I am still proud to be an American.


Mom and I looking at the Declaration


"Never has a war been so courteously declared. It was on parchment with calligraphy, and "Your Highness, we beseech you on this day in Philadelphia to bite me, if you please."


The parents and I

Sad News

Yesterday I got some bad news. A dear coworker has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She hadn't had a mammogram in years and finally went to the doctor. The cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and then metastasized to her vertebrae. This women is a wonderful lady. She is one of the sweetest and kindest women that I have ever met. She has a huge heart and puts up with more at work than any woman should. This news hit me pretty hard and brought home why I am doing the walk. There are so many great women that suffer with cancer, it scares me.

Every time that I think training is getting too hard. That fund raising is impossible I get a reminder like this and I realize that it is worth every step and every blister.

Chins up, boobs out, it's show time

Ah, it was time for my annual Shakespearean Festival trip this last weekend. It was a blast, as always.

Here are some highlights:


1-Saw Brian Vaughn and the Pastry Pub (yes, two of my favorite things) went silently fangirlish but would not go talk to him. Katie did though and he smiled an nodded at her. His cute wife was there too!

2-Had my laptop die, leading me to flail around Cedar until we could get it to a Best Buy and find out it was only a cord.

3-Ate at the Utah In-n-Out. I love that place.

4- The tarts, I had three.

5- Katie and I witnessed the future and it was sparkly. We also realized that we are like Ouiser and Clarice than we want to be. I'll let you figure out who Ousier is.

Cyrano was fantastic and as my friend Jason said, "Nat practically glowed every time Brian Vaughn walked on stage." Big nose or not that man is still attractive. I really hope he plays Henry the Fifth next year. Fiddler was fantastic. I loved the movie and the casting was perfect. Of course I realized that I am more like Golda than I'd like to admit. And Othello- oh my, Iago was perfect though I was slightly upset that they changed the way Desdemona died. I mean she was still smothered, but the breaking of the neck people- come on.

So here are some pics from the trip! Enjoy!



That was one of the best margaritas I have ever had

Eating my first tart during the Cyrano intermission.


Ah Brian, you are attractive even with the big nose.



Bummer, this still isnt a door.


One day I might actually have the guts to sit on his lap


I'm thinking of wearing this the first day of school. What'd ya think?


My traditional Falstaff pic


Enjoying our last tarts of the Festival during the Othello intermission

and finally...


Cute Lu spam