Saturday, July 3, 2010
World Cup Happiness
Have you been watching the World Cup? I'm not a fan of watching soccer in real life necessarily...but the World Cup is different. It's somehow really exciting. I tense up everytime the ball gets close to the goal...even though it hardly ever goes IN. I guess any game that is played on such a grand stage is exciting.
Okay...this video makes me want to play soccer / dance with Shakira and all her friends. How do I get myself in this video? It makes me happy. I love a good highlight video. Enjoy :)
Monday, June 28, 2010
Quick Update...More Greatness Coming Soon
Wow!! I have been out of the blogging loop FOREVER! I just updated myself by stalking everyone's blogs...and now I'm just writing a quick post before getting to dinner. Sheesh! When I wait so long to blog, I feel pressure to be really funny or really deep when I return...but nothing has come to mind lately. Bloggers-block I guess. So I thought I'd just update real quick:
Working at the Boys and Girls Club is a blast. Definitely different from last summer...but still good. I have learned to love working with the 3rd and 4th graders. I was nervous to move to their age group after working with the 5th/6th graders last summer, but they actually are pretty mature kids (well...mature meaning you can have a conversation with them...not mature in actions necessarily...but who is these days?). Last summer was so so great and I don't feel like this summer is living up to it, but it's so fun to have 120 kids as your best friends every day. They keep me plenty entertained and I still love it!
Getting things ready for school. I still feel weird that in just about 7 ish weeks I'll be heading off to law school. Scary! I'm nervous to go to real school, but so excited and ready for a new adventure. I just know this month is going to FLY by and I'll start to panic when it gets closer. But for now...I'm just happy to be getting things done!
Have I mentioned that my little sis is going to be playing volleyball at CEU?! She will be playing at the jr college I started my career at. My head coach got the coaching job at Mesa Community College, so she'll be playing for my assistant coach that has been "promoted". He was amazing and I know she'll love it. She'll also be living in Burtenshaw. SO CRAZY! My couple years in Price were probably the best, most fun two years of my life and I am jealous that Abby gets to go experience that now. Anyways...that's just a fun fact for all you CEU alumns reading my blog :)
Otherwise I'm keeping busy with friends and being relief society president. Luckily I've served as RS pres before and I know the drill...so it's not so bad. Visiting Teaching always has been and always will be a nightmare though. Always. Ugh. And of course, I'm speaking in church again in a couple weeks. I don't know anyone in this world that speaks more than I do (this may be an exaggeration...but just humor me people).
Super excited for some of the Ericsons to be in town this week. It's always a good time when Ericsons get-together! Speaking of fam get-togethers...I should blog about my horrendous Memorial Day weekend. Remind me to do that soon...cuz I've gotta go eat. I'm dying of starvation...it's been a whole hour since i've eaten. haha
Working at the Boys and Girls Club is a blast. Definitely different from last summer...but still good. I have learned to love working with the 3rd and 4th graders. I was nervous to move to their age group after working with the 5th/6th graders last summer, but they actually are pretty mature kids (well...mature meaning you can have a conversation with them...not mature in actions necessarily...but who is these days?). Last summer was so so great and I don't feel like this summer is living up to it, but it's so fun to have 120 kids as your best friends every day. They keep me plenty entertained and I still love it!
Getting things ready for school. I still feel weird that in just about 7 ish weeks I'll be heading off to law school. Scary! I'm nervous to go to real school, but so excited and ready for a new adventure. I just know this month is going to FLY by and I'll start to panic when it gets closer. But for now...I'm just happy to be getting things done!
Have I mentioned that my little sis is going to be playing volleyball at CEU?! She will be playing at the jr college I started my career at. My head coach got the coaching job at Mesa Community College, so she'll be playing for my assistant coach that has been "promoted". He was amazing and I know she'll love it. She'll also be living in Burtenshaw. SO CRAZY! My couple years in Price were probably the best, most fun two years of my life and I am jealous that Abby gets to go experience that now. Anyways...that's just a fun fact for all you CEU alumns reading my blog :)
Otherwise I'm keeping busy with friends and being relief society president. Luckily I've served as RS pres before and I know the drill...so it's not so bad. Visiting Teaching always has been and always will be a nightmare though. Always. Ugh. And of course, I'm speaking in church again in a couple weeks. I don't know anyone in this world that speaks more than I do (this may be an exaggeration...but just humor me people).
Super excited for some of the Ericsons to be in town this week. It's always a good time when Ericsons get-together! Speaking of fam get-togethers...I should blog about my horrendous Memorial Day weekend. Remind me to do that soon...cuz I've gotta go eat. I'm dying of starvation...it's been a whole hour since i've eaten. haha
Friday, May 28, 2010
Taken For Granted
I can’t quite decide how I want to approach this. I have a lot of thoughts in my head, but no organized way to write them. I have been thinking a lot lately about our country and what people think we’re entitled to just because we live in America. There has been a lot of news lately about schools cutting budgets and therefore having to eliminate certain programs or classes. A district in the area recently cut their music program. I’ve heard of a nearby school cutting their extra physical education classes. Some have considered cutting athletics. Some are cutting teachers and having bigger class sizes. With every cut, there are more and more complaints. Each program has an argument for why they should stay in schools. The arguments are good. Obviously the programs are all going to have some sort of positive effect on students, or they wouldn’t have been added to the school in the first place. I think it’s hard to say that one program is more important than another. It’s not fair to say that music is far more helpful to students than PE. I understand that schools shouldn’t even be in the position where they have to cut programs. I understand that in America, one of the things we take pride in is our educational opportunities. I understand all that. I guess what I don’t understand is why we think we’re entitled to all this extra stuff.
I think we take pure, basic education for granted. Other countries have so many kids that would love to be educated in conditions like ours. They value their education that is given to them in huge classes and taught by only one teacher. They don’t have extra sports programs or music classes or aerobics or home economics. They just learn. The important stuff. Whatever happened to the basics? What’s wrong with going to school for just Math, English, Science, Social Studies? There were smart, genius musicians back in the day when kids didn’t get to go to music class during school. There were amazing athletes back when sports weren’t an expected part of school programs. There were healthy kids before PE. There were medical doctors before kids could take biology, chemistry, anatomy in school.
There's a quote that says, "together we have come to realize that for most men the right to learn is curtailed by the obligation to attend school". How true is that? We have this amazing right to learn and to attend school...but because we are so blessed to have it be of such importance in our country, we lose sight of what a great blessing it is. There is a foreign exchange student at Kuna that has been in a class or two of mine when I substitute. Most kids goof off and bag their work when there's a sub...not this kid. He is so focused on his textbooks and assignments. I have been told by a couple teachers that he is amazingly gifted and has an incredible desire to learn more. Not something you see in many American students.
I guess it’s the principle of cutting programs that bothers people. My sister and several of my relatives are school teachers…so I get the stress in budget cuts and the concern for our educational systems. I’m just tired of people thinking we’re entitled to all these great privileges. We are SO lucky to be in a country where we can learn about what we want, when we want, in a nice facility, with nice books, with desks, with binders and pencils and pens and highlighters, with so many other kids, with so many class choices. The fact that I, a 23 year old girl from Kuna, Idaho, can go to law school is amazing to me. I can get the loans I need. I can live in a little apartment. I can have textbooks. I mean…even being able to graduate from college in 4 years with my psych degree is a blessing.
I understand that we, as Americans, expect more and will always want something better. But can’t we step back and look at all the amazing privileges and opportunities we have in this country?! Obama’s been in office for awhile now. Despite the fears people had/have… I’m still living. I have a job. I have a roof over my head. I eat. I drive. I go to the doctor and get care. I am going to school in August. I have student loans. I go to church and get to practice my chosen religion. I have all my basic rights. Life is going on. I am blessed to have the opportunities that I do. I am grateful to be so privileged. The world continues to turn. The sun continues to rise. Get over it people. You’re not dead yet.
I think we take pure, basic education for granted. Other countries have so many kids that would love to be educated in conditions like ours. They value their education that is given to them in huge classes and taught by only one teacher. They don’t have extra sports programs or music classes or aerobics or home economics. They just learn. The important stuff. Whatever happened to the basics? What’s wrong with going to school for just Math, English, Science, Social Studies? There were smart, genius musicians back in the day when kids didn’t get to go to music class during school. There were amazing athletes back when sports weren’t an expected part of school programs. There were healthy kids before PE. There were medical doctors before kids could take biology, chemistry, anatomy in school.
There's a quote that says, "together we have come to realize that for most men the right to learn is curtailed by the obligation to attend school". How true is that? We have this amazing right to learn and to attend school...but because we are so blessed to have it be of such importance in our country, we lose sight of what a great blessing it is. There is a foreign exchange student at Kuna that has been in a class or two of mine when I substitute. Most kids goof off and bag their work when there's a sub...not this kid. He is so focused on his textbooks and assignments. I have been told by a couple teachers that he is amazingly gifted and has an incredible desire to learn more. Not something you see in many American students.
I guess it’s the principle of cutting programs that bothers people. My sister and several of my relatives are school teachers…so I get the stress in budget cuts and the concern for our educational systems. I’m just tired of people thinking we’re entitled to all these great privileges. We are SO lucky to be in a country where we can learn about what we want, when we want, in a nice facility, with nice books, with desks, with binders and pencils and pens and highlighters, with so many other kids, with so many class choices. The fact that I, a 23 year old girl from Kuna, Idaho, can go to law school is amazing to me. I can get the loans I need. I can live in a little apartment. I can have textbooks. I mean…even being able to graduate from college in 4 years with my psych degree is a blessing.
I understand that we, as Americans, expect more and will always want something better. But can’t we step back and look at all the amazing privileges and opportunities we have in this country?! Obama’s been in office for awhile now. Despite the fears people had/have… I’m still living. I have a job. I have a roof over my head. I eat. I drive. I go to the doctor and get care. I am going to school in August. I have student loans. I go to church and get to practice my chosen religion. I have all my basic rights. Life is going on. I am blessed to have the opportunities that I do. I am grateful to be so privileged. The world continues to turn. The sun continues to rise. Get over it people. You’re not dead yet.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
To watch a really great video...click HERE. This is a video filmed last summer at the Kuna Boys & Girls Club. I get such a laugh every time I watch. Scout is one of my favorite kids from last summer...when the kids are asked who their favorite staff is, they go down the line and Scout shouts out "MA-WEN". He can't say his "r"s...so my name was pretty difficult for him. haha.
I can't wait to be back at the club this summer. It is such a blessing to get paid to be a kid. Can't get much better than that! I am looking forward to a fun-filled, carefree summer before heading off to law school in August. Last summer I worked as the lead staff over the 5th and 6th graders...this summer I will be the lead over the 3rd and 4th graders. I'm a bit sad to not have my same kids...but I'm excited to work with the new group. Since one of my goals is to NEVER grow-up...this job is very helpful :)
This video was recorded by one of my kids (not my literal kid...one of my 5th/6th graders) last summer. He was pretty much running around the room with my camera...seriously, you might get a headache watching. This basically captures the essence of my entire summer...TOTAL CHAOS...but fun chaos. Can you believe the girl hopping around, leading the dance train is going to grown-up school this fall ... and on her way to a legitimate career in a few years time? Yeah...kinda scary!
I can't wait to be back at the club this summer. It is such a blessing to get paid to be a kid. Can't get much better than that! I am looking forward to a fun-filled, carefree summer before heading off to law school in August. Last summer I worked as the lead staff over the 5th and 6th graders...this summer I will be the lead over the 3rd and 4th graders. I'm a bit sad to not have my same kids...but I'm excited to work with the new group. Since one of my goals is to NEVER grow-up...this job is very helpful :)
This video was recorded by one of my kids (not my literal kid...one of my 5th/6th graders) last summer. He was pretty much running around the room with my camera...seriously, you might get a headache watching. This basically captures the essence of my entire summer...TOTAL CHAOS...but fun chaos. Can you believe the girl hopping around, leading the dance train is going to grown-up school this fall ... and on her way to a legitimate career in a few years time? Yeah...kinda scary!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Ohh Volleyball
I am DONE coaching volleyball!! It's such a relief to have one less thing to worry about...but it is SO weird to think that I'll be away from volleyball for a couple years. Sure, I'll still play...but I won't be able to dedicate a good amount of time to coaching school ball or club. It'll be weird because my time is measured by volleyball seasons. When I was playing it was: season, off-season, summer training, repeat. Coaching is: season, club season, summer camps etc., repeat. Now my world will turn by school semesters I guess...GROSS.
This season was unbelievably frustrating and stressful. My girls were good, but did not show the kind of dedication I would have liked to see. We didn't have a single practice during the season with the entire team. I had an average of 5 girls at every practice. That is the perfect amount to teach individual skills...but you can hardly do any good drills with so few. With such a low number, I was able to really help each individual girl...and I saw HUGE improvements in several...but the team was never able to improve together. This group had such potential to be great...but just didn't want to put in the time or the work. SOOOO frustrating. When they DID show up to practice, several girls would just complain about everything. Complain about not playing well (DUH...how can you expect yourself to be good when you practice MAYBE once a week...and lazily at that), about a hard or confusing drill, and mostly about having to condition at the end of practice (I didn't even make them do it every practice...and it was NOT hard stuff...I don't think. haha). It was just frustrating to put time into it and not have the girls invested.
In the end, though, we had a blast and the girls learned an awful lot. I probably shoved too much into their little volleyball heads. A couple girls became such AMAZING players throughout the season and I can't wait to hear about how well they do in school ball. When the girls were there, they listened to every word I said and really tried to do everything I told them (with some complaining at times...but they never disrespected me). It's so weird to be done...club season is so long that the end is always bittersweet...but I'm glad I no longer have to go to Saturday tournaments at 7 AM.
I will definitely miss my girls...and I will miss coaching for a couple years for sure. Perhaps it will make it more satisfying when I come back after some time away! Now bring on summer volleyball! This will be the first summer that I really get involved in all the outdoor vball Boise has to offer. I have really enjoyed playing indoor stuff (LOVE reverse coed 4s [even if we get 2nd every tourney UGH]...and city league 6s)...so hopefully grass doubles will be just as good. It's just fun to actually WIN at this stuff after having such TERRIBLE college seasons. haha. I guess I'll keep you all updated :)
Here are some shots from our last tourney for your viewing pleasure:
That would be me, giving some great advice. Or saying something inspiring. Yeah.
Giving the sign for where to serve. Area 1 was not my team's fave. For some reason giving a 1 usually resulted in a missed serve.
Northeast Hills 18 Gold. Aren't we presh?!
I have a million of these pics and I couldn't even find ONE with all of us smiling at the same time. This one is the best we've got. Loved it :)
This season was unbelievably frustrating and stressful. My girls were good, but did not show the kind of dedication I would have liked to see. We didn't have a single practice during the season with the entire team. I had an average of 5 girls at every practice. That is the perfect amount to teach individual skills...but you can hardly do any good drills with so few. With such a low number, I was able to really help each individual girl...and I saw HUGE improvements in several...but the team was never able to improve together. This group had such potential to be great...but just didn't want to put in the time or the work. SOOOO frustrating. When they DID show up to practice, several girls would just complain about everything. Complain about not playing well (DUH...how can you expect yourself to be good when you practice MAYBE once a week...and lazily at that), about a hard or confusing drill, and mostly about having to condition at the end of practice (I didn't even make them do it every practice...and it was NOT hard stuff...I don't think. haha). It was just frustrating to put time into it and not have the girls invested.
In the end, though, we had a blast and the girls learned an awful lot. I probably shoved too much into their little volleyball heads. A couple girls became such AMAZING players throughout the season and I can't wait to hear about how well they do in school ball. When the girls were there, they listened to every word I said and really tried to do everything I told them (with some complaining at times...but they never disrespected me). It's so weird to be done...club season is so long that the end is always bittersweet...but I'm glad I no longer have to go to Saturday tournaments at 7 AM.
I will definitely miss my girls...and I will miss coaching for a couple years for sure. Perhaps it will make it more satisfying when I come back after some time away! Now bring on summer volleyball! This will be the first summer that I really get involved in all the outdoor vball Boise has to offer. I have really enjoyed playing indoor stuff (LOVE reverse coed 4s [even if we get 2nd every tourney UGH]...and city league 6s)...so hopefully grass doubles will be just as good. It's just fun to actually WIN at this stuff after having such TERRIBLE college seasons. haha. I guess I'll keep you all updated :)
Here are some shots from our last tourney for your viewing pleasure:
That would be me, giving some great advice. Or saying something inspiring. Yeah.
Giving the sign for where to serve. Area 1 was not my team's fave. For some reason giving a 1 usually resulted in a missed serve.
Northeast Hills 18 Gold. Aren't we presh?!
I have a million of these pics and I couldn't even find ONE with all of us smiling at the same time. This one is the best we've got. Loved it :)
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Hilarity
So I was going through all the pictures on my computer the other day...and I came across several that just made me laugh out loud. There are a bunch, but I'll share a few. Maybe I'll do a few different posts. I'm sure you won't laugh at every pic...but if you're in it...you'll probably know why it makes me laugh. So if you have no idea...just humor me. Maybe a few will make you chuckle.
-Abby, Reed, and I were dressed like this one winter Saturday and Dad commented on how nice we all looked. So we decided to document the embarrassment.....and clearly, Reed wouldn't cooperate.
-Heather and I were in Vegas and she couldn't decide what shoes to wear that night, so we took pics to see which looked best...and I was modeling the bed runner as a scarf?! hahaha
-I took this picture of Elsina and Bethany (Christmas of 2008). When Elsina saw the picture she said it looked like she was being "crucified or something". hahahaha. Maybe she was thinking of exorcism...I don't know. Oh man that's a laugh.
-My cousin got married last summer and we had a fun night with our whole family, plus his wife's family. We had a 3-legged race. If you look closely behind me and Reed, you can see Kevin and Lauren on the cement. They took a bit of a spill. hahaha. It was funny, then it wasn't funny because Kevin was hurt, then he was better and it was REALLY funny.
-Our friend was participating in a physics launch thingy...so Heather and I decided to go and support. We brought Colby along (he's on the phone). He obviously was embarrassed to be seen with us. Everything about this picture makes me laugh out loud. Bless our hearts.
-Oh the locker room time before every game just makes me laugh. Any picture will do. Just reminds me of all the laughs we had before games. I especially laugh about the time Alisha was doing the growl voice from House Bunnies (we all were trying. Mandy and Lish were pretty darn good. I just got a sore throat)...and then proceeded to sing Josh Turner "baby lock the door and turn the lights down low". hahahaha. It was so hard to keep our laughter in when coach came in for the pregame talk. We had some funny times!
And that's all for now. There are many more to come. BE AFRAID... You might turn up in one or more!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Vampire Lovers Beware
Turns out I finished the Twilight series the other day. Yep, I read ALL 4 books (well...saying I read them completely would be a lie...I DID skip several pages here and there). So here I am to share my thoughts on this crazy phenomenon.
Okay okay...so I guess I somewhat enjoyed parts of the series. I really liked the story in the 3rd book, Eclipse. The history of the werewolves and the stories about how each Cullen became a vampire, etc. That stuff had me wanting to read more. It was a good story. However, Stephanie Meyer just ruined all her great stories by mudding it over with this completely unrealistic love story. I guess that's the interest for most girls...but let's be honest, it's not even a good representation of "young love". It's sickening, literally. The thought of a more than perfect vampire falling in love with this extremely regular, clumsy, cynical girl is just not one that my mind will entertain. Sure, I get it...forbidden, unexpected love. Well, I'm not into it and I don't want it ruining a good story. (This is why I skipped a lot...anytime it was all about Bella and Edward, I just skipped a page or two until the story was back on). Meyer's ideas had potential. This could have been Harry Potter-esque. But it wasn't.
The thing I love about Harry Potter is that I want to be a part of the magical world. I want to be friends with Harry. I want to cast spells. I want to play quidditch. Rowling doesn't ruin things with a side story that overpowers the magic. Twilight's love story takes over the magical world that I would want to be in. When it was all werewolves and vampires and their strange, magical life, I found myself wanting to read more...because I saw myself in the magic...wanting to work with them to destroy evil (nerdy? maybe a little). Then all of the sudden my imagination is stopped by Bella and Edward using corny love lines in the middle of the action. Ugh...get out of my magical world Bella!
Okay...last thing I have to say about Twilight. This might upset some vampire lovers. TEAM JACOB all the way! I absolutely hate Edward. I do. Everything about him and the way he is. I cannot stand him. I cannot stand a word he says. Jacob has a way better personality. And who wouldn't want a werewolf instead of a vampire? I mean, CHELLO!
So that's all I have to say about Twilight. I tried to understand the hype. I tried to enjoy them all. Sorry...fell short. Now I can go back to not being a Twilight fan. Is that so wrong?
Okay okay...so I guess I somewhat enjoyed parts of the series. I really liked the story in the 3rd book, Eclipse. The history of the werewolves and the stories about how each Cullen became a vampire, etc. That stuff had me wanting to read more. It was a good story. However, Stephanie Meyer just ruined all her great stories by mudding it over with this completely unrealistic love story. I guess that's the interest for most girls...but let's be honest, it's not even a good representation of "young love". It's sickening, literally. The thought of a more than perfect vampire falling in love with this extremely regular, clumsy, cynical girl is just not one that my mind will entertain. Sure, I get it...forbidden, unexpected love. Well, I'm not into it and I don't want it ruining a good story. (This is why I skipped a lot...anytime it was all about Bella and Edward, I just skipped a page or two until the story was back on). Meyer's ideas had potential. This could have been Harry Potter-esque. But it wasn't.
The thing I love about Harry Potter is that I want to be a part of the magical world. I want to be friends with Harry. I want to cast spells. I want to play quidditch. Rowling doesn't ruin things with a side story that overpowers the magic. Twilight's love story takes over the magical world that I would want to be in. When it was all werewolves and vampires and their strange, magical life, I found myself wanting to read more...because I saw myself in the magic...wanting to work with them to destroy evil (nerdy? maybe a little). Then all of the sudden my imagination is stopped by Bella and Edward using corny love lines in the middle of the action. Ugh...get out of my magical world Bella!
Okay...last thing I have to say about Twilight. This might upset some vampire lovers. TEAM JACOB all the way! I absolutely hate Edward. I do. Everything about him and the way he is. I cannot stand him. I cannot stand a word he says. Jacob has a way better personality. And who wouldn't want a werewolf instead of a vampire? I mean, CHELLO!
So that's all I have to say about Twilight. I tried to understand the hype. I tried to enjoy them all. Sorry...fell short. Now I can go back to not being a Twilight fan. Is that so wrong?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)