Waiting for Superman

If you haven't seen this documentary, you need to.
I just finished watching it and...wow, that's all I can say.
Maybe it is because teaching is my passion, but it was such an emotional movie. You see these kids and the system they're stuck in and you just sit there and wonder what can we do to make it better? It seems like it can never be fixed. Your heart goes out to them and all you want is to reach through the TV and hug them and tell them everything will be ok. And then you realize this is the plight of so many students across the United States.
After I finished watching it all I could think was, I want to be the best teacher I possibly can be for these kids. I don't want to fail them. They say in the movie "When you see a great teacher, you are seeing a work of art" I hope I can be that for my kids.

one day.

a guy out there was meant to be the love of your life.

your best friend. your soul mate.

the one you can tell your dreams to.

he'll brush the hair out of your eyes.

send you flowers when you least expect it.

he'll stare at you during the movies. even though he paid $8 to see it.

he'll call to say goodnight or just cause he is missing you.

he'll look in your eyes and tell you.

"you're the most beautiful girl in the world"

and for the first time in your life. you'll believe it.

-Nicholas Sparks

colors, birthdays, and internships

There has been so much going on that it is about time I update you on my life. K turned 21 last week! It was another crazy birthday weekend in our apartment. We began our celebration by going to the festival of colors. I have been every year since I’ve been in college and it’s always really fun. It also is where I get the coolest pictures every year!

I don't know why they never look as cool on blogger....who knows

After we cleaned up we all went out the La Joya Grove (spelling?) here in Provo and it was delicious! It was also a very cool setting, when you walk in the entire restaurant is filled with fake lemon trees with lanterns that all looks real, it’s way cool, just go and see it for yourself.

After dinner we came home and celebrated with another delicious cake courtesy of Miss H Marchant baker extraordinaire. I swear is she wasn’t going to go to law school she should open up her own bakery. We then open presents and celebrated with virgin drinks (she’s 21 we had to do something!)

I have officially finished up my practicum and it flew by! I loved my fifth graders so much. They are so cute and funny. I’m going to miss them so much!

MOST EXCITING NEWS:

On Wednesday (3/30/11) I had an interview for my internship. I woke up to a bouquet of roses and an easter basket of goodies including a muffin and simply lemonade for breakfast.

Aren’t my roommates the best?! I was so nervous and was just trying to stay calm and remember that everything was going to be fine. I had a blessing the day before from my cousin, so I felt confident and ready to go, but the pit of nerves in my stomach would not listen.

I showed up for my interview at 8:30 in the morning and was right into the first room meeting with the first three schools. I had never worked at any of these schools so it was all new to me. They asked my questions I was prepared for, and I felt the interview went really well. They were all really nice and were just smiling at me the whole time. Because time was short it was a bit rushed and all I could think was, I really hope I’ve said everything I needed to say!

Next I was brought into the second room, where both schools I’ve previously worked at were, and was introduced to the remaining four people that I did not know. That interview was a lot tougher than the first. I wasn’t expecting a lot of the questions, and I was just worried that I wasn’t answering the questions the way I needed to. But, 12 minutes later it was over.

My teacher Lynnette told me she’s call me anytime from 3-5 and let me know if I got the job.

Insert wait time, which felt like it lasted FOREVER!

At 3:20 I got the call……………

I GOT AN INTERNSHIP! (What does that entail you might ask, well, I will be the teacher, my own class, the whole year, ½ pay, full benefits…I can’t wait for it! I’ll be working at Westridge Elementary School here in Provo

The school seems really nice, and my teachers and I think it will be a good fit for me. It’s huge! It has 800 students, which is going to be twice the size of any school I have worked at so far. I’m still trying to get a hold of my facilitator at the school to figure out what grade I will be teaching and when I should come in and meet with them and sign my contract.

I’m so excited. Honestly I don’t feel old enough, or grown up enough to be a real teacher already, but I’ve been working toward this moment my whole life and I can’t wait.

To celebrate my accomplishment I may have found my way to the DI book section again….

I told you it’s a problem.

Today I’ve been listening to the words of living prophets and apostles of the Lord, which is always glorious.

Feeling extremely blessed in Provo,

j