My Random Life!

I'll Always Love You!

2012-02-12T07:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Whit,
Sorry about the death. What I'm not sorry about is what you left behind. Thanks for your songs and your inspiration.
But really this is a week of love. Welcome to Single Awareness Week. V-day baby. No matter how single I am, I still LOVE this holiday. What's not to love?
Its all about love and CANDY and cute little hearts and Valentines and flowers and Sugar and all that cute little lovey dovey stuff that I absolutely love! Not to mention my mom has always spoiled me on Valentines day.
Last year I hit up T's diner and Classic skating with my brother! HA a little ghetto, but I'll never forget that day.
This year I get to spend it in the classroom with my favorite little people! Valentines day Elementary style all over again. I Cannot wait to get 31 valentines this year!

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE

Teacher picture

2012-01-05T16:58:00.001-08:00

Grumbly

2012-01-05T16:57:00.000-08:00

Mwhhahhahhaha.
I'm like a bird. I wanna fly away.
I wish I were more like a dolphin though. I'd flop away.
Newwwwwest update. You can do photobooth at the dollar theater... Well great news about this
THEY have dolphin borders. Almost peeed my pants when I discovered that gem.

Ok. Yesterday one of my sweeeetest girls comes up to me and says:
Miss Shepherd my mom wants to know how old you are.

I reply... 23.

She says: Great. Ha didn't think anything more of it.

Lunch time today that same little girl, her best friend and the little girl's sister comes into my classroom and they all say: We need to talk to you.
Talk to me? HA ok... What about girls?

Well.....(All of them at this point have the biggest smiles on their faces) They say: "We have this guy that works with my dad and he's so funny and we've been telling him about you and WELL we want you to date him"
She then goes on to say... "My mom even showed him your teacher picture. HA
(Ew... my teacher picture)
And he liked it."
HA they were SO SO SO excited to tell me this.
It sounds like their parents might be in on it as well. Well
that's that. More to come about that story later.

Next Time

2012-01-04T22:38:00.000-08:00

Tonight I went on a date. We hit up the local dinosaur museum... brushed off some fossils.... played in the sandy water pit with toy dinos and then checked out the fossils....... typical. (Well not really... just weird... but enjoyable if I were into it)
Let's rewind a bit to my life, or lets say everyone's lives. You finally get a moment to rest after a long day of thinking and doing and then next thing you have to do is do again. Well I guess that's what blind dates or shall we say 1st dates have become to me.
Just go and DO.

Maybe it's a time for a shift in the attitude.... but SIGH AHHH BLA I quite frankly think 1st dates take more energy then I have. This is a tough tough topic though. Because as much as I hate first dating... I also understand the necessity of it. CLEARLY I'll never find the so called "one" without a first date.

I come home from teaching and I'm honestly ready to not think or have to try. YOU cannot do that on a first date...
A)if you want to impress them then you can't just be the bum on a log that you want to be after a long day... and then after your effort sometimes it doesn't play out for you.
B) If you aren't interested, well in my case, I hate making people feel bad or unimportant so I make sure that I am putting forth my best effort to help the date along. WELL either case it takes energy, thought and sometimes it all feels fake. not real.

Well while I was laying here in bed I get a text from a friend who has this thing about dating called dating in the major leagues. Finding the marriage material. He text me and asked if my date was in the major leagues. I sighed. Made my remark of him just being nice and in response he said... Next time.

Next time. ha Next time next time next time........ I responded. YEAH Next time. And I said same for you.
He said in response: I'm Tired of next time.

What do we do when we're tired of next time? ha well my dating friends. I think that is part of dating life. It's called patience and perseverance. We've gotta continue with those next times.
I don't know if next time is it for me. Or the next.... NEXT or maybe the 30th next. I do know though that as we choose to live life according to the will of our father and trust him through this journey with a smile and a positive attitude... he will grant next time to us.... but along the path he will be strengthening us and preparing us for the absolute BEST next time if we allow him to.
DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE. and trust me..... I understand the blurrrrrrrrry image in the dating world and how annoying next time can be.

ABCs.

2012-01-03T23:34:00.000-08:00

"May we remember these ABCs as we begin our journey into the new year, cultivating a positive attitude, a belief that we can achieve our goals and resolutions, and the courage to face whatever challenges may come our way. Then the abundant life will b.e ours."

Attitude.
Believing. =ABUNDANT Life.
Courage.

ThankYou president Monson for teaching me how to live the abundant life.

I have honestly learned throughout my life how beneficial a positive attitude is to my outlook on life. I have found that I can have the greatest joy in life no matter what is going on, as long as I'm choosing to look at my situation with a positive attitude.

Something amazing that I fail to realize in my life at times is that we have the blessing of being able to speak to the most powerful being in the universe daily and to go to an all knowing God with our problems, concerns or fears... and yet we often choose to solve our problems on our own or by taking them to the world and solving them with worldly things. DUH why not have the being who loves us beyond imagine and who has all control take care of me and guide me. It just takes a little faith and big blessings and miracles will happen.

Day two. bloggity blog.

2012-01-02T21:17:00.001-08:00

Today I started my marathon training.. It's mind over matter here for sure. I realized after 2.85 miles that i'm gonna have to take it one run at a time. Wish me luck. I also was graced with the presence of Nicole Erin wait at zupas. It's our Favy. this month is our two month anniversary. Huge huge deal. I absolutely adore that girl. She also taught me a great lesson on fasting today and pretty much the blessings i've been missing out on by my lack of faith. Thanks nico. Small things are learned when we least expect it. But heavenly father knows what we need to hear. Last of all I was really turned off by the bachelor premier tonight. Don't think I'll be watching this season. This crap will actually be.put into a different blog so y'all don't have to read my boring life.

Goodbye old habits

2012-01-01T23:04:00.001-08:00

Dest, court and I decided to burn all our bad habits and start the new year off fresh. Well we got rid of old underwear.. And wrote down a list. Goodbye to unhealthy eating... Lack of faith.. Fear of falling in love.. And Selfishness.. Here you have it. We really burned a box with that in it.

2012 hi

2012-01-01T22:59:00.001-08:00

So here you have my very first blog for 2012. one of my new years resolutions is to blog 365 days. Guess I have a Freebie with it being leap year. But this will be a document of everything I did..thought...felt..learned.. Or experienced over the next year. So I'll start it off by putting down in writing my resolutions... Here they are: 1. Leave the country. 2. Baptisms weekly 3. Touch a dolphin 4. Run a marathon 5. Fall in love 6. Blog daily.

Barbie

2011-12-25T22:40:00.001-08:00

Tonight brought me back to the best part of Christmas as a little girl... I held in my hands wrapped ever so nearly what felt like a Barbie box! Oh boy was I dead on.... This little gem made my til five best Christmas presents of all time

Mormon Messages

2011-12-25T06:46:00.000-08:00

Patience is a key character trait that might predict later success in life!

Don't Look back! Choose to look forward and gain that hope in Christ for a better life

4 down... 4 or more to go!

2011-12-24T09:25:00.000-08:00

8 Bouquets

If you've ever seen the movie called 27 dresses, that is slowly becoming me! BUT you can call me 8 bouquets! (I almost named it 10 bouquets... saved myself from a few extra years)

I have become the queen of catching bouquets and seem to have become quite the beast in the process!

Somebody just somebody tell me to lay off! (Maybe I need to stop believing in fate/superstitions)

Well here are the bouquets I've caught and the ones I plan on catching

OK height does have something to do with it other than crazy woman stat

1st bouquet: Nikki's Wedding 2008

2nd boquet: Elyse's Wedding 2008

3rd bouquet: Michelle's wedding 2009

MISS... (Let Grandma catch this one)

Emily's Wed 2009

4th bouquet: Heather's Wedding 2011
Things get real crazy here....

Future Bouquets:

5th bouquet: Nicole's Wedding 2012

6th bouquet: Destry's Wedding 201....

This may be the answer to all my questioning....

College Graduate? ALMOST

2011-12-24T08:30:00.000-08:00

UVU UVU UVU UVU UVU UVU UVU

Well I'd like to thank all my friends and family for the support they put forth in helping me to become an Almost Graduate. As I lay in bed last night my mind kept lingering back to a little class called Math 2020. EW. Do I have to still take that class? I already teach stinkin kids and they are conquering math... over 10 students got 100 percent on their last test... I think I'm doing just fine :)!

WELL.... Procrastination once again has hit me in the head. I might be at UVU still for one more semester taking a GOSH DANG math class.

I'M BACK! Miss Me?

THIS Has to be me in April! PLEASE? Well it will be no matter what. Math Class I'm here to take you out buddy!

2012! Fight against Heart Disease

2011-12-24T08:20:00.000-08:00

This year my focus is health! I want to live a long life, so it starts now! Take care of myself and find ways to accomplish things that may seem impossible!

I'd like to welcome a long lost friend back into my life. (No not Elyse, even though that'd be a real gem)
But a little friend named running! I might as well let you all know right here and now but 2012 my fight against heart disease would like to introduce my next race:

June 9th 2012 you can find me at the finish line! FULL Marathon! Time to conquer one of my goals!

MY new best friend! Mr. Flosser! Driving down the street, on my lunch break, on a date! Give me a flosser because I am not dying young from not flossing!

Hello Fruits and Veggies! Goodbye TOO much sugar!
My whole life I have been eating way too much sugar. Candy daily, Cookies, cake, chocolate... If it has sugar then I will be consuming it! Well with the wise words from the scriptures it says moderation in everything! (maybe a marathon is a little extreme there...) BUT I will be cutting back on my sugar intake. NO wonder I had 5 cavities this past week at the dentist! BLA

Last of ALL I believe in a reward for hard work:
HELLO TROPICAL SOMEWHERE

OR maybe a safari in Africa

WELCOME 2012!

Tear Drops

2011-12-20T12:42:00.000-08:00

Why do people cry?
Some people cry over most anything and almost every week, if not more than that.... a sentimental note, a scraped knee, a broken heart, a rude remark, not getting their way, being insecure, a flat tire, they get in trouble at work, they don't feel well, they hurt somebody's feelings, they got rejected, someone is hurt they love, they miss someone, they're going through a tough trial, they've been touched by the spirit. I don't know what it is that makes you cry, but I think I've cried over every single one of these things at one point in my life!
For several years I cried about once or twice a year. Tears were very hard for me to come by.
Well this past year I think I've shed more tears than I've ever shed in my life. I have found that crying doesn't show weakness, but it shows compassion, love and a symbol that you care. I am thankful for the tears that have been put into my life because it helps me to feel more alive than ever!

(OK, I still cry less than the average person... BUT crying is fantastic)
This past Sunday I found myself shedding tears for the first ten minutes of church. SO many mixed emotions were running through me. The experience was so bitter sweet, and through those tears I found comfort from one sweet missionary as he bore his testimony of our Savior!

Nothing in the world brings more peace to me than the moments when I am able to reflect on our Savior's life and reassure myself of how blessed I am to have a Savior who cared enough about me that he gave his life for me! Moments in my life that I feel empty, confused, insecure, lost or upset I can always ALWAYS turn to my Savior and find the meaning of the life that I am leading.

Come unto Christ and find everlasting joy in this life and the life that is yet to come! I am so so so Blessed that I was born into a family that taught me about Christ and who shows the pure love of Christ through their examples. I hope that at this Christmas time I can help other's remember how loved they are by our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ!
Celebrate his birth, but more so Celebrate his life and Celebrate what he does for us every single day!
I BELIEVE

BE Nice

2011-12-18T21:46:00.000-08:00

I was sitting at the Mall with Ashley Kay Sant doing our weekly people watching in the food court. I started off on people in a joking matter and tried to find everything wrong with each person that walked by! (OK OK so it was just to be silly) BUT with that I realized the harm in finding fault. We can literally choose to look at the good or bad in every single person. Take a pick. Pick someone apart and find fault with them. You'll end up despising that person or find yourself having terrible thoughts about them. Well I discovered one of the quickest ways to have the spirit leave is by putting down one of God's children. With that being said I told Ash that I literally want to look for the good and only the good in everyone! I don't think I'm a big time hater or accuser of other's faults, but why notice them at all? When you look for the good in others you find the gooooods that they have to offer you! That is truly where charity begins. Look for the good, love others and when you do find fault you are right there to support the person and help them change for the better!
Charity isn't always easy to come by, but I do believe that it is possible with the help of God. And when we have charity "pure love of Christ" We have more peach and joy in our lives!

Laugh Laugh Laugh

2011-12-18T21:40:00.000-08:00

Laugh it up. That's what I like to do more than anything in the world. I have found that one of the biggest cures in life is laughing! I love the goofy little things that people do. I absolutely admire people who are not afraid to be silly and be a complete dork. Hello mr. macho. Do you ever have fun? WHY NOT? What are we trying to protect? All of us have a silly side. FOR some it's deep down inside... others it's right on the surface... BUT why not share our silliness with the world? I don't mean be annoying, but I really do admire those people who are so willing to just be a dork and be ok with it! EVEN more so... I admire those people who can find humor in the funny things people do daily!
WHY not laugh a little more? If you seek laughter, you will find! And you will find it to be one of the biggest joys in life! :)

Change? Bla... It's life!

2011-12-18T21:31:00.001-08:00

SO I know that we're not suppose to live for the future, and are suppose to enjoy the here and now! Don't get me wrong, life is just fine... BUT I am SO excited for summer and to leave Provo! (NO I do not hate Provo) I am just so excited to see what the next step is for me outside of the bubble I've been living in! Scary? Potentially. Change is always scary and a little hard to go through! But something that I've learned in college is that life doesn't stay the same for very long! Change is huge at this point in life and sometimes I quite frankly get sick of it! It seems that you find something that suits you and is just perfect in your life... THEN.... Whabam. Everything changes. Your direction takes a right turn when you were planning for a left! Sometimes you even slip down a little hill or approach a mountain you couldn't see through all the fog and foliage! You never know what to expect and you never know when the next trial is coming... It's hard man! It can be real hard no matter what those trials may be. maybe just a small stumbling block or a huge river that you have to cross... No matter what the trial is that you're going through they are never fun! It's really interesting to see what trials each person is placed with. I look at another person and see that they never had to go through my trials, but am I looking at theirs? BLAAAAAAAAAA... BUT thank heavens for what trials I've gone through and what I am currently going through! At the end of the tunnel I know that my understanding will be clear and I will be ever so thankful for what I am experiencing! I know that in times of need I do draw closer to the Lord and that in and of itself is one reason why trials become a blessing!
I could probably go on forever about this topic, but I will end here and just say that IT is the way we handle our trials that will show the growth that we make! Each trial offers and opportunity to learn, grow and discover... but it's up to the individual to get what they want from their trials! HOW BOUT getting the most out of life?... and life is full of up and downs so find the most out of the WHOLE entire journey!

2011-12-18T20:52:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Kt4zzhcDqfg

Dolphins Dolphins 2012

2011-12-10T14:10:00.000-08:00

2011 Goal: Go to Hawaii

CHECK

2012 Goal: Leave the Country

(Other than Mexico)

___________

INSERT PHOTO HERE

2012 MUST DO:
Swim With Dolphins

Living in the Moment

2011-12-10T14:03:00.000-08:00

Well it's the most wonderful time of the year and everywhere you look things are so so magical! Unfortunately finals sucked out a good 2 weeks of Christmas Spirit and now There are 2 more weeks til Christmas. I have been thinking a lot lately about how I'm always waiting for the next step in life to come, but here I am standing and another door opened. I am now done with college and yet I am sad... This helped me to open my eyes and say HEY stop waiting for the next big act in life and love the small acts along the way! Each moment of our lives are so short lived, so why not make the most out of every minute we have?
SO there you have it. Christmas only has 2 weeks left, but that's 2 weeks of making the most out of the Christmas season and allowing myself to really experience the best Christmas ever by spending my time thinking about others!
Deck the Halls, Eat some treats, look forward to those gifts, but most of all find someone that you can uplift!

Gingerbread Cookies

2011-12-03T00:46:00.000-08:00

White Chocolate topped Gingerbread Cookies

3 cups flour
2 tsp. Ginger, Ground
1 tsp. Cinnamon, Ground
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg, Ground (I used fresh)
1/4 tap salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 cup white chocolate chips

Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl.
Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
Add molasses, egg and vanilla; beat well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Press dough into a thick flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies just begin to brown. Immediately press about 5-6 white chocolate chips into center of each cookie. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Store cookies in airtight container up to 5 days.

THESE LOOK AMAZING... I've seriously been craving gingerbread cookies, so I hope these do the trick

GIVE THANKS

2011-11-24T18:49:00.000-08:00

GRATITUDE. LOVE. FAMILY. GOSPEL. FOOD

Thanks for reminding me to be thankful Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for the time I get off to spend with my whole family and for friends who mean the world to me!
I'm thankful for a mom who makes every holiday memorable and goes above and beyond.
For all the funny, random things that my family does together and for the individuality of each person in my family. Each person perfectly connects to our perfect puzzle!
I LOVE MY FAMILY MORE THAN ANYTHING!!!!
Last of all I am the MOST MOST grateful for the Gospel in my life! I am so beyond blessed
to know of the truth and to have a relationship with my Heavenly Father. Nothing in this life matters
More and I am so blessed to have parents who taught me the truth and set such amazing
examples for me to follow!

Thanksgiving QUOTES:
Grandma after the prayer: And don't forget that we're thankful for the pilgrims.
Grandpa during loaded questions... Take a what? A DUMP? WHAT?
Grandpa again during loaded questions: Justin Beaver? WHO?
Heather's answer to which category would you be and expert on if you were to be on Jeopardy: BOYS BECKY HAS KISSED.
Right after Devin was just talking about how the Cardinals were the World Series Champs she says: So did they win it all? she's so blond sometimes :)

It all began at 7:30 this morning when we dressed up real cute and went to
Walmart for last minute shopping.

Just being sisters! Love Heather

My other single sibling.. (Caleb is in Texas)

Michael and Heather
Newly Weds... First Thanksgiving together :)

Because two people fell in love!! ha

The lovely crew

My mom's masterpiece! Great job Rob

Just blogging the food I ate

Devin and Kaitlin's Salad.. Well done

Heather's super hard Green bean casserole

Kaitlin just impresses me with her cooking skills

AND my masterpiece! I was upset my mom only assigned food to the married people...
I told her I wanted to help, so I made a sweet potato casserole! YA she thought
It was going to be gross... SUPER HIT!!

It's the Holiday Season

2011-11-24T18:00:00.000-08:00

This Christmas I had the idea of doing really nerdy Christmas pictures to send to Caleb on his mission... WELL it seems to be a bit of a success! This was one of the most fun photo shoots I've ever had with my family! MERRY CHRISTMAS From the Shepherds :)

Was honored that we were graced with the presence of this lovely fam!
John, Pattie, Devin and Kaitlin Moss

Mom and Dad working their best Christmas look!
Mom always says dad is the grinch of Christmas... Grumpy hat fits him perfect then

A little white garage backdrop! Love my lovely sister Heaths

Grandpa and Grandma Moss were good sports! HA so out of grandma's
comfort zone... They looked adorable :)

MERRRY CHRISTMAS from the Shepherds
Typical look! WE are ALL dorky..

A little holiday fashion shot!
Ha my uncle was happy to see how all these pictures
look in real life!

Rolo Turtles

2011-11-17T20:59:00.000-08:00

Rolo Turtles

Just grab the pretzles, put a rolo on top, put in the oven for 4-5 minutes, take out put the walnut on top and WHABAM sweet little treats.

Time for Christmas Recipes

2011-11-16T23:01:00.000-08:00

Peppermint Popcorn Bark
(Printable Recipe)

2 bags microwave popcorn, popped (18-20 cups)
1 6oz box candy canes, crushed
1 package Almond Bark
1 tsp peppermint extract or a few drops of peppermint oil

Place popcorn in a very large bowl - the biggest one you have. Pour crushed candy canes on top of the popcorn. (I crush my candy canes in the food processor - it is quick and it pulverizes the candy canes!) Melt almond bark according to instructions on the package. Add the peppermint extract or oil to the almond bark and pour over popcorn. Stir until all the popcorn is coated. Pour popcorn on wax paper and allow to harden. Once the popcorn has hardened, break into pieces and enjoy!

OBSESSED w/ Pumpkin

2011-11-16T22:50:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/8 teaspoon cloves
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons brown sugar
8 slices of bread

Directions:
1. Mix the eggs, milk, pumpkin puree, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, mutmeg and brown sugar in low flat bowl for easy dipping.
2. Dip the bread into the egg mixture on both sides and grill in a pan until lightly golden brown, about 2-3 minute per side.
3. Serve with maple syrup.

Outside Help!

2011-11-14T23:26:00.000-08:00

So I have always had a hard time with making goals and achieving them... so I finally realized I was real sick and tired of this ongoing habit I had made and decided to fix it! I found the desire to achieve a goal and get into better habits. With that in mind I decided to share this with someone who I wasn't even that close to at the time, but who seemed to be such a sincere person that actually cared! WELL guess what? By sharing my desire to become a better person with someone else, I found myself working harder than I would have if I had just kept my goal to myself. By sharing this desire with my dear friend to accomplish this goal I really feel as though I had outside help from someone who is so close to the spirit and who could really lift me up. Well if he reads this blog he probably will know that I'm talking about him, but I just wanted to reflect on the power of support systems and having the right type of people in your life to help you become the person you're seeking to become.
AMEN to that my friends!
Seek to help others and allow others to lift you. If you look at it the way I do you are definitely doing service whether you are the one helping or by allowing others to serve you, because that's when you're allowing others to truly be blessed!

Thankyou Westy!

2011-11-14T23:15:00.000-08:00

My deepest fear is not that I am inadequate.
My deepest fear is that I am powerful beyond measure.
It is my light, not my darkness that most frightens me.
I ask myself: “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?”
Actually, who am I not to be?
I am a child of God.
My playing small does not serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around me.
I am meant to shine, as children do.
I was born to make manifest the glory of God that is within me.
It’s not just in me; it’s in everyone.
And as I let my own light shine, I unconsiously give other people permission to do the same.
As I am liberated from my own fear, my presence automatically liberates others.

Justin Eddy

2011-11-14T20:23:00.000-08:00

JE.
He thinks that he should follow my blog.
That's rough though because 3/4 of the things I blog about are about him.
He's cute, charming, cocky..mmmhhmmm I mean confident, independent, fun loving, giggly, a little nervous, pumped up on life and surrounded by ladies.
This is him ladies and gents
SO great. So So great

I'm proud to be an AMERICAN

2011-11-11T12:04:00.000-08:00

Happy Veterans day! I am so so blessed to be an American and to have the freedom that I do because of the soldiers who have chosen to fight for our freedom!
Today we had an assembly here at my school that was put on by a man who served in Afghanistan!
What? I cried. My kids saw me crying, and a few of them said it made them cry. I honestly feel like there is so much more that I can do for my country and for those who don't have the same freedoms as me. Heavenly Father has blessed me so much by just sending me to a family in the USA!
Now it's my turn to change the lives of those who didn't receive the same blessings as me. It was a good time for me to reflect on how selfish I am and how I can be doing so much more, by just doing the little things! I am choosing today to start with the 32 kids that I get to see everyday and find ways to make their life more amazing.
Take a look at every person on this earth(well every person that you ever have the chance to see). They are all children of God and they all deserve to be treated that way. Imagine if you could be the person that could turn someone's life around just by showing them that you care. It's never to late to touch someone else's life. It's never too late to serve someone else. It's never too late to pay a small compliment to someone who seems so lost, or to show someone that you love them. Find it inside of yourself to change someone else's life just by showing them that you care!
You will work wonders that will bless your life for eternities to come!

Wish Galore!

2011-11-11T11:23:00.000-08:00

11/11/11 What a day. Today all my wishes will come true and I will make wishes that will change my life because I believe in it that much! SO wish big, or wish small, but just make a wish that you want to come true! I'm going to make three!
Wish me luck :)
11:11 11/11/11 will be the moment that I start to fly and dolphins will start yipping at me as my prince comes riding up on a chariot! WHAT?
Ha
Can't wait!

This is why I spend my summers at EFY!

2011-11-09T17:21:00.000-08:00

"I am a daughter of God. This is easy to forget, but just as easy to remember. I can forget the words spoken at EFY, but I can never forget how it made me feel. I know that through the Atonement of Christ, repentance can be as tangible as making a U-turn on a road. I know I must try again tomorrow to be better, for while I am not perfect today, tomorrow always holds the potential for improvement. I know that just like the Provo Tabernacle, which was burned down, I can be rebuilt to something not only as good as I was, but better, when I make mistakes. That building, once a pile of rubble, is now exalted as a temple of God. I know that this church is true. This knowledge must not be denied through my words or actions any longer. For this is the true gospel of Christ."

"Hi you guys! I just wanted to let you know that I miss all of you like crazy, and I have thought of you every day since we left EFY. Real quick, I just wanted to share with all of you that being with you guys and seeing your examples really helped me, and I now have the habit of reading my scriptures on a daily basis (which I have always struggled with). Thanks for your support! I love you guys :D ♥"

"Hey guys! ♥ the other day something happend and i managed to say no to peer pressure !!!!!!!!! Maybe no1 cares but its a big thing for me and i had to post it somewhere"

I was just browsing on FB and checked up on one of my EFY group's pages. These are a few of the posts that I found from my youth! I am so blessed that I get to spend my summer helping youth come unto christ and not only that, but allow them to help me come unto Christ as well!

Gotta Catch em All

2011-11-06T07:58:00.000-08:00

How do you find a friendship like this? You dont.
"I want to be the very best like no one ever was."

Surrender Now or Prepare to Fight

Saturday mornings were spent like this! I was a Pokegirl nerd

Pumpkin Waffles

2011-11-06T07:43:00.000-08:00

Waffle Ingredients:
1/4 cup light brown sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 tsp cinnamon (I used 2 teaspoons)
1/4 tsp ground cloves (I didn't use this)
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
2 egg yolks
2 egg whites- beaten stiff
1 cup milk
1 cup canned pumpkin
4 tablespoons butter, melted

Cinnamon Cream Syrup:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1 5-oz can evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Can I use someone's kid for a birthday party?

2011-11-06T07:41:00.000-08:00

I came across these monster cupcakes and monster cake online and just thought they were the most adorable things. I wish I had a 5 year old boy, whose birthday party was this weekend just so I could make his whole entire day with this bad boy... (Maybe he'd want a pokemon cake more... Wait. Is pokemon even popular still) OH NO I'M GETTING OLD

LOVE=Michael Buble

2011-11-01T23:05:00.000-07:00

I don't know if there is another singer in the world that makes my heart melt every time I hear his voice. This guy knows how to put me into Love mode!

Sweet... But innocent?

2011-10-28T21:24:00.000-07:00

Today sweet little Lucy (AKA perfect student) in my class celebrated her birthday. For each student's birthday we make little birthday wish books to give to each other. Each kid makes their own page and to kill time for my sake I told them that we love our classmates so much that we must do our ABSOLUTE best work on our pictures. Well the result was this:

Where on earth are her clothes? I seriously took one glance at this and thought one of my sweetest boys had drawn the birthday girl in her literal birthday suit :)
This is one of the many reasons why I am excited to go to work every single day. I love my job more than anything!

Bladidadi Cheese cake and pizza

2011-10-28T20:24:00.000-07:00

Worst combo I think my body has ever experienced. I feel like I just got shot in the stomach. I don't know if my heart will ever desire me to eat cheesecake again. Well. I never really liked it anyways. Just got back from my sister's "open house" (Another way to get more presents I guess)
While chatting with old ward members I downed the richest piece of cheesecake. Not thinking about what I was doing I quickly came home to a huge pizza sitting on the counter at my parent's house. I've never really been one to say no to pizza. SO there you have it. I am sitting here moaning from how terrible I feel. BAD BAD COMBO.

Brandy Boy!

2011-10-26T19:33:00.000-07:00

I am seriously blogging about my brother right now. Mostly because his wonderful life was celebrated this month. But also mostly because it's wonderful to have a brother who is so close in age to me and who is one of my best friends. He is one of my most favorite people in the world to hang out with because he is so much fun to be around. He is seriously one of the kindest, funniest and most entertaining people in the world. So here's to you Brandon Kyle. Thanks for being born. Thanks for being an example to me. Thanks for being one of my best friends. Thanks for always listening to me and really caring. And thank you for all the years to come. Sure glad we're family.

Success

2011-10-24T21:04:00.000-07:00

I now count my days as successful or not by the way my classroom ran for the day. Last week I felt like I was the crazy teacher who disciplined way too much. Well I did some life reflection during fall break and I already have seen a change in the relationships that I'm building with my class. Today was a success. I only had to tell 3 kids to pull their cards, and not a single kid pulled their card more than once. On top of that, one of my problem children was a perfect angel today. OH my. I was giving him class tickets left and right (Class tickets are what I give out as a token for good behavior. The ticket automatically goes into the bucket for the drawing that occurs every morning. The prize= a piece of candy)
I was never so pleased to pass out tickets as I was today.
I do this thing where I tell the kids directions as to what I want them to do. While I'm talking they are sitting still being active listeners.. I then tell them to smile like some sort of character, hold up an invisible camera and when I say cheese they are good to go. (Characters I've been using: Zombies, Vampires, goblins... Justin Bieber) They flipped out about the bieb and as a punishment I started singing Baby. Best reaction I could have gotten.
NOOOOOOOOOO Miss Shepherd. STOP.
Oh please. Don't act like you're too good for the Biebs.
Friday is 80s day. Can't wait to see the little guys dressed up.

Small and Simple Things

2011-10-22T19:19:00.000-07:00

Alma 37: 6
Now ye may suppose that this is ^afoolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by ^bsmall and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

So every mormon has their favorite scripture right? Well it took me a little longer to find mine. Whenever someone would ask me to give a quick thought they'd always say: "Just tell us your favorite scripture."
That always put me into panic mode. I would hurry and just look up scriptures and decide that some random verse was my favorite for the day. Or I always relied on my friend Nikki's favorite. I guess I always wanted my favorite scripture to have complete meaning to me and kind of be what I lived my life by. WELL This summer during EFY I finally found myself a favorite scripture. I was super excited about this and ended up finding myself quoting this scripture over and over again.
Alma 37:6 really comes to my mind almost every single day now and has honestly helped me change my way of thinking on alot of things.
I really do believe that as I live my life by establishing those small and simple things I do find the greatest blessings come to pass or the greatest destruction come about.
Heavenly Father wants us to do those small things such as reading our scriptures, praying and serving others so we can become more like him. As we do these small things daily thats when we see huge changes in who we are.
Also in our everyday lives with things such as exercise, work, relationships... it's through those small things that we do that we see great change.
But if we simply forget to do these small things we can also see great destruction in our lives and find satan gaining control over our hearts.
SO there you have it. I have found my favorite scripture and love the meaning that is has for me in my life.

My LDS account

2011-10-22T19:07:00.000-07:00

http://lds.org/?lang=eng
SO I have recently discovered how great lds.org is. YES I have always used it for talks and to listen to conference... but recently my friend Westin showed me how great of a tool it is. I now access this website almost everyday to read and record in my journal on my account.
Yes I'm blogging about this because I honestly love this website and think everyone should have their own account that they use! :)

Resolution

2011-10-22T18:56:00.000-07:00

Well no need to worry... Maycee.. Sweet little Maycee is innoncent. Who wrote that card in the advice box is still unknown! BUT I did have a class discussion about what is appropriate and that the box is not used to frame other people. HA
They all have straight faces because I was very stern saying this.
I love my little 3rd graders!

Advice Box. Bad idea? Good idea?

2011-10-17T20:11:00.000-07:00

Well Ladies and Gents I think my problem of tattle telling has been resolved, but little did I realize behind the beauty of it all that I was going to receive hate mail from one of my kiddos. OK. I let it effect me for a second. And maybe it still is because I'm blogging about it.
The majority of the slips in the advice box (Tattle box) go something like this:
Other people are talking too much so it's hard for me to work.
Zach keeps touching me.
Hunter trips me everytime I walk by.
Someone keeps calling me rude names.
Madisen keeps talking to me too much while I'm working.
Bob keeps touching my hair.
Some boys called me perverted things.
Ok and then suddenly one of my sweet little girls is writing her hourly complaint
and runs over to me with a card that says:
I hate Miss Shepherd
-Maycee.
WHAT THE LAND?
she does not act like she hates me.
But you know what I can handle that. I made her pull a card the other day and she cried.
So tomorrow I will be the bigger person (After all I am the teacher)
and I will confront her about the issue and ask her what I can do to help make things better.
Bless her heart.
The outcome will come later. Stay tuned.

Break Dancing Child?

2011-10-13T19:18:00.000-07:00

Miss Shepherd can I break dance for you?
Ummmm..... my thoughts "Should I let him break dance during his time out?"
YES!! Ofcourse Apolo.
What the heck? What 8 year old is that good at break dancing.

Watch this miss Shepherd. Not many people can do this. YEP he proceeded
to spin on his head.

WELP class talent show coming at you soon. Excited to see what other mysteries
my students are hiding.

What Kind of teacher am I?

2011-10-13T19:15:00.000-07:00

Well so far I've realized I am a strict teacher. BUT I have discovered my extreme desire to just have control over the class so I can love them even more and give them the best education possible. I SERIOUSLY want to spoil these kids. Will they let me? I sure hope so. Because I have so many fun things that I want to do with them, but what the heck they have to earn it right?
Well It's only the first week, so let's hope me being such a tight teacher will eventually change once I've got control.
All in All I have a vision of the teacher I want to be, and I am slowly learning how to become that. (It might take years)

Feelings

2011-10-13T19:06:00.000-07:00

I've discovered as I get older and older..(ok in my 20s still)
But I've discovered that I experience new feelings as time goes on. Seriously. I don't know if any of you have ever had one of those moments where you stand there and think "What the heck is this that I'm feeling" Since I've never felt some of these feelings before I don't really know how to explain it.
I know what love feels like, but to what degree? What is the love of a mother or the love of a wife? I know what it feels like to truly deeply love my family and my friends. I know what it feels like to love my Savior. But what blows my mind is how you think you can love someone so so much and yet there is still room to love even deeper than imagined.
As a new teacher I have had one of those moments where I am unsure of how I'm feeling. I have experienced the extreme feeling of being overwhelmed and almost in shock from how quickly life can change.
I have felt the feeling of trusting in God. Not that I didn't before, but I have now felt what it's like to follow him when a big decision needs to be made. I have felt the peace that comes from following his will.
I have now felt the love of a teacher. AND yet I know that love is going to grow more and more everyday. I cannot even imagine saying bye to these kids at the end of the year because of the love I'll feel for them.
I have felt the love of GOOD friends when I am down. I have felt loving them and physically getting sick by being worried about them.
The other day in institute I felt the feeling of new things coming. (Which is weird to say, because I really don't know what those new things are... and yeah it probably was the spirit speaking, but it's interesting how the spirit can make you feel different feelings as well.)
All I know is that the best feelings come from doing what's right in my life. By serving others and choosing to care about them I have discovered overwhelming Love.
By following the spirit and trusting in God I have felt extreme peace and Happiness. I know that all these feelings can be magnified when we choose to let them grow.
What's crazy is that Heavenly Father gave us feelings so we can feel the most Joy possible, and what else is crazy is that we have a choice on how we allowing those feelings to grow.
FEELINGS. What the heck are they?
Well all I know is that they are wonderful, even though they can ruin your day at times, they also make life beyond wonderful and they all begin in the heart.

It's My Life

2011-10-09T18:38:00.000-07:00

Miss Shepherd's 3rd Grade Alligators

2011-10-05T17:31:00.000-07:00

Well here it is. This is Aspen Elementary where I will be spending the rest of the school year being a teacher to a cute little 3rd grade class!! Tomorrow I get to meet my kiddos and hopefully be able to love them just as much as I have loved my 5th/6th graders at Manila Elementary.
Life is crazy and can completely change in just 24 hours. Even though the future is scary and a quite smoggy I know that the Lord has something in mind for me.
SO I am now just praying that I can be the teacher that these kids need and that I won't be stressed out for the next year!
GO EAGLES

Hilarious with time.

2011-10-03T23:16:00.000-07:00

Ok... So YES I like most everyone I meet. But I came to a realization that the friends I end up being the closest to all end up being the most hilarious people I know. They don't start off attracting me with their humor.. but within a time of being friends with them I just die at all of the humor and realize how stinking funny they really are.
YES Nicole you are one of those people.
So conclusion to this story... Humor is the number one thing I guess I'm looking for in a husband. HECK I like to laugh. So if he can't make me laugh for the rest of my life... Then Peace Doggie.

AMAZING!

2011-10-03T23:08:00.000-07:00

Have you ever met someone who is just so in tune with the spirit that when you need them most they are there.... and yet they have no clue what is going on in your life!
Well today was a pretty rough day for me. One of those days you just won't forget.
Anyways I had been in tears half the day... heart broken.... and really confused!
I have had a cold for the past few days and when I went to ward prayer last night sweet sweet Lorna who is in the Relief Society presidency with me had noticed that I was a tad bit sick. Well today she just sent me such sweet texts telling me to feel better and really expressing concern. Little did she realize is that I know she felt that she needed to text me... because it was literally within minutes after I had experienced my trying moment.
She even ended up leaving me a little treat on the front porch for when I got home. She still has no idea what is going on in my life right now and yet she is just there ready to lift me up and serve me!
The Lord is aware of our needs and works through his children to lift us up in times of need. I am just so thankful for those who are willing to be in tune with the spirit and follow the spirit's promptings. What amazing examples those people are to me.

I Love Conference

2011-10-02T17:38:00.001-07:00

I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know who I am. I know God's plan and I'll follow him in faith.
I am so blessed to have the truth of the gospel in my life. I am overwhelmed daily by the blessings that my heavenly father has given me, but I am so ungrateful and often do not recognize how much he really is in my life. As I watched conference I learned so much as to how I can become more like my Savior Jesus Christ and how I can find joy and overcome the trials that I face.
As I trust in my Heavenly Father and do the things that please him I will be blessed with the constant companionship of the spirit.
The thing that really stood out to me the most during this conference was the blessing of personal revelation and how to acquire it in my own life. At times I find myself lacking in faith and not really knowing how to receive answers to my prayers. But I am so blessed to have leaders in the church who will tell me exactly how I can learn the language of the spirit to lead and direct me in my own life decisions. As I hear stories of President Monson being so in tune with the spirit that he acts without knowing why the spirit is telling him to do so I find myself hoping that I can too trust in God enough to follow his will rather than following my own will.
Although my own will might be more clear to me on what the outcome might be and Heavenly Father's is most the time like stepping into the darkness... It has been clearly stated that by following his will I will find the greater happiness in my own life. That is where faith comes in. Taking those few steps into the darkness and trusting that Heavenly Father will light the way. Because if it is his will he will be there to guide you and strengthen my to become who he needs me to be in order to build up his kingdom and return to him.
I know that my faith is not as strong as I'd like it to be, but I also know that over time and through practice I will come to understand the will of my father more clearly and I hope to one day know when the spirit is speaking to me and to be able to follow what I'm told.
The church is true and I am so thankful for the words of our prophet.

Is this my Job?

2011-10-02T17:28:00.000-07:00

Camping with 60 little girls in the middle of the woods.
Singing the latest and greatest songs during class.
Playing dodge ball against 70 5th graders.
Dominating the 5th grade soccer team and having them tell me I was off sides.
Having 35 10 year old children sit quietly and read for an hour while I dive into Fablehaven.
run around at recess with the awkward kid and help him perfect his throwing skills with a football.
Dominating 10 kids in a game of speed.
Teaching kids about Indians and Ancient Egyptians.
Watching the kids in the back of the class who try to get away with being mischievousness
Having the quite boy in the back corner rip a loud one while I'm in the middle of my lesson. (Hilarious)
Telling the kids funny stories from my life and then getting a 1000 thrown back at me. (Most of them are irrelevant to anything)
Frightening kids by pretending they're in trouble. (Probably should chill out on that one before I really scare a kid)
Laughing my head off daily at the things the kids say or do.
Listening to the librarian read children's books and falling asleep in her comfy chair.
Talking to parents about the problems their children are facing and making up a game plan to solve.
Comforting the awkward girl who really doesn't have many friends. (I wish I could help her more than I do)
Seeing the slow kid get so excited when he does OK on a math test.
Correcting papers, joking around with kids, feeling important and Finding Joy in every moment that I spend with the kids.
I Absolutely love teaching and hope that I can one day be the teacher I dream of becoming.

Make new friends... But keep the old!

2011-08-22T15:23:00.000-07:00

This summer has been what I might say exotic. Magical. Tiring. All over the place and a time of progression.
I began my summer adventures the day school got out. The moment finals were over and I finished up my ambassador job I hit the road to take me back to my roots. Cali.
Parker. Nicole. These two lovely gems hopped in Olivia and off we drove to spend a fews days on the beaches of California before we decided to take our travels beyond into the sea. HAWAII.
(I'll blog about that later) Magic. Love. Tension. Three words that could describe the time I had with my two besties Nicole and Parks.
After Hawaii came I took my travels to the lake of Powell. A place where peace doesn't cease and boredom doesn't exist. I was lucky enough to join my travels with the Cliffords and 25 other single adults. There is something about Powell that just brings a group of people together. I became so close to each individual on that big boat and seriously had fun from sunrise to hours after sunset.
A day after I returned from Powell I was quickly on my way to the southern land of Georgia where I stayed with Ashley Kay Sant and Fam. I spent hours by the pool and just goofing off. Ashley and I quickly became connected at the hip. (Read below)
AFter my week at the Sants I started my EFY adventures (yet another blog coming)
I did two weeks in Gainsville GA and one week in St. Pete Florida. Something about my Florida session just takes my heart away. I love that place and the youth that are there.
Well many friends were formed down in the South and as school starts up again I get to see many of their faces that have been MIA since I traveled back to UT.
After i was done in the south I flew home and did three weeks of EFY in UT. One in Ogden, another in SLC at the U and the last one at BYU.
Throughout the process I made many great friends such as Elysse Allman, Britt Dahlin and Melissa Mendaris. Many other names could be mentioned, but those are the three that I came the closest to.
LAST of All I was at BYU where I reunited with my dear Nicole and Parker Hansen. They say make new friends but keep the old. Some are silver and the others are gold. Well I think they are all Gold. But the Goldest of the GOLD are those friends that I have been able to pour my soul out to and who have helped me to grow. People who know me like the back of their hand. Well my summer has been full of friends. But I'm glad that no matter how many new friends I make I still have the most special place in my heart for those old friends.
Thankyou summer for helping my heart to grow and make room for many people.
Relationships are what I cherish most and what I hope to keep with me forever!
THANKYOU to all my friends who seriously make me a better person and have shown me how to truly love others

Credit or Debit?

2011-08-22T15:07:00.000-07:00

Excuse me ladies and gents. What I'm about to talk about right now is an extremely touchy subject. When I say Debit I do not mean swipe my card and then beep in bold letters DECLINED. OK give me credit. I'll pay it off later. Still DECLINED.
Check the bank account. OVERDRAFT. EW Sick. Who does that?
Apparently I do.
(Ok so this didn't really happen. But it has before and with my love for forever and my decision to move back to Provo I now know that I need to cut back on my love of cheap clothes shopping. It adds up)
Well my habits of shopping and forgetting to check my account have been put to an end. (Shopping may return as the money returns... Only after all my bills are paid for.)
I don't need fancy things or cute clothes to live.
To get married?
Questionable.
I am bidding a sudden farewell to my friend.
FOREVER 21.
She stood by me. She got me dates. She boosted my confidence. She held my hand when school took over and I needed a quick escape. She'll always be there. But sometimes my heart has to reject the things I love most to help me progress.
Forever you will FOREVER be in my heart. (Don't worry... Christmas is coming... I'll be back soon!)
Love ME
Your dearest Rebekah Rene

FOR NOW I WILL STICK WITH MINE AND NICOLE'S VERSION OF CREDIT OR DEBIT!?

MmmmBOp

2011-08-21T22:34:00.000-07:00

Int the year 2010 two girls met on a small campus where EFY children from all over the south come to strengthen their testimony and build relationships with other latterday saints.
In the land of Gainesville Georgia Ashley Kay Sant and Rebekah Rene Shepherd met for the very first time.
YES it sounds like this is quickly turning into a love story where they met and from the moment they laid eyes on each other they knew it was true friendship.
FALSE.

It took a whole year for these two girls to get where they are at now.
I'd like to thank the Sant family for allowing me to stay in their home for a week this summer.
Because of our moments sharing a bed. Playing with the Sant dog Becker. Going to multiple stores looking for a khaki skirt. Laying out by the pool EVERYDAY. Going out to eat. And Picking Cody up from Football
There two girls quickly became the best of friends.
After our magical week of just chillllin we returned to the place where we first met with a whole new image of each other.
I love everything about EFY in the south. The weather. The people. The youth. AND the friendships that I have made.
I will forever be thankful for EFY in Georgia because of the friend that it gave me.
I LOVE Ashley Kay Sant.

The Truth

2011-08-21T22:22:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I take a step forward. I will be entering a classroom full of 10 and 11 year old kids and I will be their temporary teacher. I have 10 weeks of student teaching before me and as of now I'm terrified.
How do I control 30+ kids and reach out to each individual? Well alot of faith and trust in my Heavenly Father will be my anchor. Luckily enough for me I do have a teacher who will be there with me through the process keeping me in check and helping me learn to control a classroom.
As of now I am terrified/overly excited. I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel on my long process to graduation. I look forward to this semester and the growth that will take place in my life.
Wish me luck with my soon to be chaotic life!

74 days

2011-08-21T22:00:00.000-07:00

Scan my card. Talk to the front desk. Hit the treadmill.My legs cramp. Quickly a sideache develops. My lungs tighten.
WHAT? I thought I was in shape. Well according to Gold's Gym I am not.
Lets go back a few stepts. I walk in. The front desk boy named Adam scans my card and says... WHOA 74 days.
YUP

Back to reality. Back to the gym. Hopefully my bod will remember how much it loves running by next week. I have a bridesmaids dress to look fabulous in here in 2 months.
Homey. This is how I felt. 74 days

Accidentally shopping again?

2011-05-23T14:44:00.001-07:00

So I live a crazy life right now. I live in Layton Sat through Tues and Wed through Sat morning I am in Provo sleeping in a random bed in Heather's lovely home.
When I'm in Provo I just work work work and pretend to have a life at night by hanging out with Brandon and his friends. Gotta love the brotherly love that I receive. Glad that Brandon is one of my best friends because I've kinda got him for forever.
Anyways When I'm in Layton I find myself trying to fill my days up. I read peoples blogs and pretend that I'm going to be more crafty. (Being creative and crafty actually stresses me out)
I am currently trying to figure out what hobby I want to start up for when I'm a stay at home mom. I decided that it might get pricey to not have a hobby that I can make money off of so currently I'm just exploring ideas.

I attempted to go to a music store today and buy some sheet music so I could learn a song on the piano. I failed at finding that music store. (I swear there used to be one next to Target and down the street from Northridge in Layton) So the only other one that I knew of is in Layton Hills Mall. I refrained from going there until my 10$ off coupon will work at Charlotte Russe. Instead I decided to pop into Target with no intentions of buying new clothes. False! I found a really fabulous Grey Jacket that I know I'll wear all the time... So I bought it along with another v-neck and a swoop T (Buy one get one for 2$) I'm a sucker for those deals

Now I'm back at home and I'm currently boiling chicken to attempt making chimicangas for my parents tonight! We'll see how they go.

Welp If anyone has any great ideas on how to fill my time (other than exercise, blogging and cooking) I would love to hear some ideas (TO ALL my many many followers)

Dear UVU Services

2011-04-22T08:01:00.000-07:00

SO I don't have a parking pass! I have a few tickets to my name, I got a boot the other day and now I'm a good for nothing scum bag in your eyes.
Dear parking service lady on the telephone who sounds like the secretary slug from monsters inc.,
I don't appreciate your lack of enthusiasm on the phone. When I call a little frazzled I don't need you telling me in your sassy/blan/monotone voice that I suck at life and will be towed if I'm ever spotted on campus again. Well guess what sally bo jo I've got news for you! I will be on campus again! I will have to drive here, park my car and go to my finals next week! But I will surely park in my rightful spot AKA where the lord never tows... INSTITUTE parking!
But hey you will see my driving around, possibly taunting your service cars, but when you see me on campus are you going to come tow me mid-driving? Well MAM you don't have the right to tell me that I should never be on campus again! Now get a life and stop ruining other people's lives!
Sincerely Rebekah
(YES i understood the terms before I chose to park in one of your lots, but have a little courtesy)
OK I GET IT!!!!!

On the other hand
Dear Student Connections,
I appreciate your kindness in allowing me to get a new ID card even though my Drivers license was not with me. You're sweet, thoughtful and understand how important Hawaii is to me!
Thanks for just being on top of your game and kind to the students of UVU!

Let's hope the DMV doesn't stomp on my dignity now!

I think I saw my wife!!

2011-04-17T19:05:00.000-07:00

So I as I've blog about before I work at an assisted living center here in Provo, UT!!
This place is extremely nice and I have made some of the most incredible elderly friends working there. Most of there are completely sane and completely capable of taking care of themselves... SO it's just more like a classy home for most of them to live out the rest of their daysand not really have to maintain a house themselves!
BUT on the other side aka Enchanced care you will find some of the most entertaining people I've ever met! Here you find the people who are losing it and although they make me laugh often and are just the most adorable people I know, I find myself sad about some of the things they say!!
So we have a man named Jim. He seems completely normal until he asks for his check and talks about being on vacation. He starts saying I think I see my wife... He is looking across the dining room at this lady named Johanna who is always speaking in German.
He keeps saying "Ya, I think thats her" his tables mates are like "Well go and see"
SO he gets up walks over to her and says Hey I know you... She says in an accent "Yes I know you too" He walks away after standing there for a bit and says I'll wait for you outside!! He then proceeds to return to his table where his tablemates ask how it went
He replies "Yes, it's definitely her!"
OH man I wont lie I was laughing the whole time at this scene, but then I became really sad to think that he is always looking for his wife and doesn't realize she is dead!

Working at an assisted living center has definitely made me realize how precious my time as a youth is and makes me choose to be a happier, more positive person who just loves what time I have here on earth!

Remember when you start complaining about life it is a huge waste of time!! Life is so short so choose now to enjoy every stage we go through!

LIVE LAUGH LOVE :)

Nicole or Lamb? Not sure.

2011-04-16T13:24:00.000-07:00

After one of the most random nights I've had in a while I was driving my little
Nicolio back to her lovely abode and ofcourse she asks me the question what
animal do people say you look like out of nowhere?
Well I really haven't been told any animals in my life unless I forced someone to
come up with one.
So I turn to her and say "Well what about you?"
Instantly she blurts out.. LAMB!
So people I did a little research and looked up the word Lamb on google
pictures. When all the Lamb pictures came up I wasn't sure if I was looking
at the real thing or Nicole.... So please help me and tell me which picture below
belongs to Nicole? Mind Boggling!!!

Cat lady?

2011-04-15T09:11:00.000-07:00

My back is Asleep!

2011-04-13T13:19:00.000-07:00

I've had my arm fall asleep, I've had my feet fall asleep, Even my butt during a long road trip,
But I believe this is the very first time my back has fallen asleep. I thought I was paralyzed for a second. But no worries there is now a tingling feeling and the cold blood is rushing back to bring my back alive again.
Thankyou body for constantly working to keep me alive.

Hold UP

2011-04-13T13:14:00.000-07:00

WHOA WHOA Wait
What is this little treat that just stepped into my Institute Libary?
A real life biker?
Ring Check
None
Single
I'll ask!
Wait He just took off his leather jacket and set down his helmet.
Dangit little biker, you may not be the most handsome man I've ever seen, but you sure do pass up all the other jolley boys that are in my new study area.
Well I guess no matter where I am I always have to have a crush on someone, even if I don't want to date them!
Institute Library crush I hope we cross paths again!
Sincerely Yours,
Becky
( My Institute Biker Study Partner's Jacket)
I'm a lucky lady

HoF

2011-04-13T13:11:00.000-07:00

"Wait Wait Wait, Did you just abbreviate the Hall of Flags"
Yes Parker I did and now I'm off to go study while I observe my fellow Wolverines.
Hall of Flags on hold I found a better spot, a place where I wont have the temptation to check out handsome young men, watch a UVU tour, or try to listen to the teacher's conversation as they make their laps (I asked Nicole if their figures had slimmed down since the beginning of the school year! Her answer was no. Hope their hearts are healthier atleast)
But here I still distracted by the blogging world as I sit in the Institute Library. I am amazed at how I just completed two papers within one hour. I told Parker that the spirit will help me to get an A! I believe that I was correct.
Anyways as I leave to take my B-room break I find a few goodies within this dedicated building. Artifacts from ancient BOM times displayed nicely within a glass cabinet. Right above these goodies a movie plays explaining a bit of The LDS history. Oh the wonders you can find when you are left in silence and not distracted by the cute boys in my dating and courtship class!

Well Now I know where my studying days will be held as I finish out one of my last semesters here at UVU!
Maybe a masters?
OFF to the HoF to find Nicole

That girl just waved at me

2011-04-11T22:24:00.000-07:00

As I'm sitting here in the BYU library doing tons and tons of homework after hours and hours of sitting I decide to be social. I'm just giggling with my little minos and ofcourse walks by a black girl who appears to be smiling at me and waves. I give that awkward smile and then quickly turn to my table of friends and say "That girl just waved at me"
Zack looks at me and with that 'becky you dumbie' smile and quickly informs me that she was waving at him. They all laugh at me and that is that. I once again thought that the world revolved around me and that everyone wants to be friends with me because I'm so fabulous. Back into my shell I go until cutie in the plaid walks by... (Wait my Library crush just left and I didn't even get his digits?) AHHh well it's a good thing my line of vision has been opened up to a new cutie. (One day I'll get the guts up to go talk to one of my wanna be lovers) Until then I am single, mingling and ready to canooodle!

This is why I'm lacking in friends!

The Big 5th grade Upset!

2011-04-07T18:44:00.000-07:00

While sitting in my 5th grade class today I had a flash back to my younger years.
I was what you call one of the runts along side with my friend Elyse. All our friends had grown and alot of them had already retired their training bras. Me and Elyse well we were nowhere near wearing a bra yet and the idea of it upset us! So the big day came where all the little boys and all the little girls seperate into two different rooms and are taught about human sexuality aka The Maturation Program! At this program we learn all about how the body changes into a woman and what we need to expect within the next few years. Luckily enough we were all given cute little goodie bags that supplied us with a pad, tampon, deodorant, and a pamphlet about the woman body.
Several of us snickered about the idea of other girls already being on their periods, when in all reality we all waited for that day to come ourselves! (Why? I do not know) Anyways I finally made it into my first training bra... it had a cute little pink flower on it! Did I need that training bra yet? No, I finally realized that I wanted to be like my friends and "maturing"

Well today the girls in my 5th grade class all received a letter to take home and have their parents sign for them to be a part of this look into the future! The whole class threw a fit!! EWWWWWWWWWWWWW that is so gross Mr. D! (Mr. Dickson is the teacher I work with)
We don't want to go. Oh gross that is sick and wrong! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA oh my gosh I forgot how the awkward stages of life are just beginning for these little divas! No wonder they all bunch up with the girls still and think boys are sick. Well I just sat back and laughed because I remembered feeling the same exact way! All I can say is enjoy your next few years girls because once a month from then on you will be a rollercoaster of emotion with many more side effects!

Remember these little guys?

Caffine and Teaching

2011-04-06T18:28:00.000-07:00

So I've always heard that a big gulp of Diet Coke is a teacher's best friend, but little did I realize the truth behind the need for caffine before I became a full day teacher! No I do not drink a big gulp of Diet Coke, luckily for me crystal light decided to put caffine in their delicious strawberry mixture! So yes to curb my appetite and give me the energy during my past few weeks as a teacher I have turned myself over to that!

What I'm realizing everyday as a teacher is how much I love it and how perfect of a job teaching will be for me! I go to school and hangout with kids for 8 hours straight and there is never a dull moment. I get to go play with them at recess... I get to go to PE with them, we go listen to the librarian read books, I get to hear all the cheesy jokes the kids have, I see the drama developing amongst the 5th grade girls and realize that kids can be so rude, but so endearing at the same time, the kids love me because I'll joke with them and play with them (and probably because I'm not the person who disciplines them yet)! But I do love the sass that my class has to offer me and I love playing with them and teaching them as well (Even though they can be brats)

AHHHH I only have 2 days left of field and all I can say is thank goodness I get this experience or I might have dropped out of the program last semester after my kindergarten guidance class that made us clap and sing songs for an A!

A morning at my parent's

2011-04-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

I wake up around 7:30 and decide to go downstairs and plan my lesson that I am going to teach tomorrow. Within 5 minutes of me doing homework I get a holler to come up for family scripture study with my mom and dad.
Dad: (Yelling from upstairs) Beck come read scriptures with us!!
Me: Ok, you can start without me, I'll be up in a few
Dad: Oh we'll wait! We are reading in 3rd Nephi today and You do not want to miss out!
Me: (Laughing/sighing to myself!) Ok, be up in a few!
I then go upstairs hop in my parents bed and listen to my dad read about the savior coming down and visiting the Americas!
Good start to a morning!
Next my mom gets all excited and says "Let's go make waffles!"
As we are walking down stairs together she whispers to me that she got a brand new waffle iron and is so excited to use it! (She is trying to hide the fact that she bought a new one from my dad because she knows he will have something to say about it)

I go downstairs and wait while my mom retrieves her new possession from the basement... While I'm sitting there in comes my dad! Mom comes up with the new iron and creeps around the corner... As my dad stares at her with his look of "there she goes again spending money" She instantly makes a comment to protect herself: "My old iron broke so I had to buy a new one!"
(This new waffle iron is a double decker iron that makes two huge belgain waffles at once! Considering its just her and my dad at home it seems as though it's very very needed)

Ha I start laughing and say "Ya she threw her old one on the ground so she had an excuse to buy a more advanced one"

My dad helps her set up the new iron and proceeds to say "Happy anniversary honey"
Ha my Mom says: "NO NO NO, just because I bought a new waffle iron does not mean that is my present!"
My dad ofcourse smirks at his joke and puts in a few more words about all the decorations, rugs and house supplies she's constantly buying.
The battle is over!
It's so great to see how opposite my mom and dad are and yet how perfect they really are for each other!

Without my mom I think I might have worn all of Heather's hand me downs growing up, and without my dad I think I would not know how to save money and would constantly be in debt! Good thing they both kept me well balanced!

I'm excited to move back in here in a few weeks for a little while and have these everyday encounters!
My dad

Tummy Ticklers

2011-03-28T14:07:00.000-07:00

I Love food! Need I say more, but these right here could sustain me for life and are alll craved by me often!!!

Hero!!

2011-03-11T14:24:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IA3ZvCkRkQ

There's a hero If you look inside your heart You don't have to be afraid Of what you are There's an answer If you reach into your soul And the sorrow that you know Will melt away
And then a hero comes along With the strength to carry on And you cast yr fears aside And you know you can survive So when you feel like hope is gone Look inside you and be strong And you'll finally see the truth That a hero lies in you

It's a long road When you face the world alone No one reaches out a hand For you to hold You can find love If you search within yourself And the emptiness you felt Will disappear

Lord knows Dreams are hard to follow But don't let anyone Tear them away Hold on There will be tomorrow In time You'll find the way

I absolutely love this song! Not only is it great to know that I can be my own hero but it's possible to be someone else's hero if we love ourselves and teach others to love themselves as well!

Mariah Thanks for the select few songs that I absolutely love!

Retiring of the underwear

2011-03-06T21:12:00.000-08:00

How long is too long to keep a pair of underwear? Well I asked Destry that question the other night when i realized my most prized undies were becoming quite worn and holy! She replied with something like this "I get quite attached to my underwear too and find myself wearing my favorite pairs for years!" Well this is what it came down to. Who's your daddy underwear! Received at the age of 16 from my friend Elyse Adamson. Current age: 23! That is a long time to keep a pair of underwear my friends. But the thing is that those undies were more than just a a regular pair, they were a confidence booster, a pair of comfort and a pair full of memories. This past week I promised Destry I'd retire the old disgusting things after I wore them one last time, so I did and once the day was over I quietly and sadly made my way over to the trash, bid my undies farewell and returned to my bed with a sigh of anguish. I will always and forever remember each time I wore you my dear undies for you brought alot of joy over the years! Never forget who your Mommy is!

Tuesdays with 1.25

2011-03-06T21:03:00.000-08:00

I asked my lovely bestie 1.25 the other how the heck she made me so obsessed with her! And it all came back to our weekly Tuesday and Thursday visits in the Hall of Flags! Thank goodness for Nicole's return to UVU this semester and the blessings that come from attending Institute/making the treachous trips over to the main campus from the education building!
But thankyou UVU, Tues and Thursdays, Institute and the Hall of Flags for my Bestie 1.25, because without you she'd probably still be a stranger friend!

25 qualities that make me Abnormally unique

2011-03-06T20:50:00.000-08:00

1. I have a long crooked middle finger
2. my second toe on both feet is longer than my big toe and is very round w/a weird molded nail
3. My right eye is squintier than my left eye when I smile
4. I have a right side love handle but not a left one
5. I don't have a very distinct laugh
6. I have a dimple in my right shoulder
7. I spill on myself ALL the time
8. Destry walks in on me having conversations with myself in different characters
9. I rarely cry and if I do it's never over pain
10. I can burp way louder than almost any girl! Blah
11. I often find myself doing things in 3's like obsessive compulsively
12. I make a wish at 11:11 every single day
13. I've superstitious
14. I cannot stay awake for the life of me if I lay down and read
15. I think I'm dying when I get the flu
16. When I take naps I often wake up feeling paralyzed and think I'm going to die everytime (Freaky for reals)
17. I change my mind ALL the time, so making plans for me is extremely hard to do
18. One day I'm boy crazy the next I'm anti boy
19. I take a long time to realllly reallly get attached to someone, but once I do I'm super attached!
20. I say I love you to almost everyone (I find myself accidentally saying it to boys on dates sometimes)
21. I turn bright red anytime attention is put on me in a crowd
22. I I'm totally crazy outgoing around everyone until I have a crush on a boy
23. I am still afraid of the dark
24. I cannot stand the sound of eating, even though I'm sure I am just as annoying as anyone else is when I eat
25. Every Holiday is a BIG deal to me!

Elder Shepherd!

2011-02-15T13:42:00.000-08:00

My little Bubby is currently in Housten Texas serving a Full-Time mission!
Caleb is seriously one of the most tender hearted people I know. Growin up he always had the most tender heart. He loved animals and would cry if anybody hurt one. We couldn't watch much of the discovery channel with him in fear that we'd come across an episode of lions eating wildebeasts! Although he was a total terror towards me, he always had such a sweet spirit! Now as an adult he has just one of those sweet spirits that is so sensitive to others and is so patient with others! He is a huge example to me in my life of looking for the good in others and loving everyone around me!
Right now he is having a little bit of a hard time getting use to the mission and is going through a little depression! Being my little brother I have been really worried and sad for him, but what excites me about this experience is the growth that he will do during this time. I know Caleb has so much in store for him and that heavenly father is helping him grow into that valiant servant that he needs. He just needs all the prayers and support that he can get right now to get through this challenging time! But I know that he has such a desire to serve that he will push through this and become even more amazing then he already is!
I Love you Caleb!

Pics from his mission!

Valentiney!!

2011-02-15T12:34:00.000-08:00

Love is sparking everywhere in Provo and although I don't have a "Lover" I am soooooo happy on v-day! I love everything about it! The colors, the candy, the hype of it and I am actually happier when I'm not on a date on this day! Last night I did spend with the Lovely Brando Shepo. He called me about 5 o'clock and informed me of his travels south! So he arrived and we went to dinner at T's Diner (Brandon said it'd be the least crowded place in Provo) He was correct! The place was disgusting... I love french fries, but this place put tooook my most loved junk food to the depths of despair!
After dinner we went back to Dan's and Shreds so they could Digest (Must be a boy thing) and then we went to classic Skating! (20 people on the rink)
Ha V-day never is full of roses and chocolates for me, but I think honoring Love is still a wonderful thing! I got to reflect on all the love I have in my life and I realized I am a very Lucky and loved girl!
Wont lie I did get treats from the beautiful Nicole Wait, Destry VanWagoner and Jed Merril!! Bless their tender hearts!
Happppy V-day one day late!

Music!

2011-02-15T12:13:00.000-08:00

I go through phases where I'm slightly obsessed with one song and I listen to it over and over again until I have it memorized word for word for life! Here are the few songs that have taken up my singing time this past year!
Billy Joel (She's always a woman)

Take it Back (Back for good)

Billy Joel (My Life)

Chicago (hard habit to break)

John Mayer (Daughters)

The Trio!

2011-02-11T14:02:00.000-08:00

When I was in first grade I moved to Utah and luckily enough I met the girl who I'd hangout with for the next 14 years!! Elyse Adamson. We did everything together. We walked with each other to school in the mornings, we played the flute in jr. high, I started soccer to be like her, I helped her learn to ride a bike, we played barbies til we were in 4th grade and decided to retire them at the same time. We both cried about having to wear bras, we ran track together, tried to get six packs together (I think we succeeded for a few months), we would stalk boys together and toilet paper the neighbors, we went trick or treating together and played on all the same softball and jr. jazz teams! I can honestly say I tried being like Elyse growing up because she was little miss perfect! I honestly love this girl to death and think she is one of the most fun people I've ever been friends with! All growing up it was Becky and Elyse blah blah blah! Love you Elyse thanks for all the good times and for being such a good friend to me for so many years

Now Now Nikki I met when I was in 2nd grade! She was the cute little one that was always in a dress and a cute little summer hat. She always had perfefct hair and was always well behaved... but then I really got to know Nikki and although she was still very much a girl and well mannered (Much more mature than me and Elyse as sister Bluff would say) She had quite a crazy side to her. Nikki was so much fun to be with. I would spend endless hours over at this girls house just watching the disney channel or playing dr. Mario! When we were in jr. high we didn't spend time chasing boys but we would babysit her little sister Ragan and brother Mitchell while her parents went out with the Leanne and MIke Amos! I fell in love with her little sister Ragan and soon became a second daughter! I would go on road trips with this family and find myself spending more time at their house then my own. My family started calling me Becky Suarez for a little while. Even when I got my first kiss at age 15 I ran down to their house at midnight (Yes I snuck out) And told Nikki and Sandy (her mom) Before I even told my own family. Nikki has been one of my most loyal friends and has helped me grow so much over the years! She honestly is the closest thing I've had to a sister that wasn't blood
related!

Now together all three of us were the trio! We may have been clicky at times, but that was because we liked each other so much and had so many insides jokes and similar senses of humor! We all just loved being crazy and doing mischievious things! We were in the same ward all growing up so we were inseperable at girls camp and DOF! Ward basketball was a riot and not only did we hangout at church events we were always together at school as well! I LOVED being part of the trio even though we would be snooty to each other at times! ha But Nikki and Elyse I honestly look up to both of you so much and I'm SO SO glad that I had best friends like you two for so many years! I love you and miss you both

So Long Jerry Sloan!

2011-02-10T22:09:00.000-08:00

Resigning? NO NO NO This is absurd!! Jerry Sloan it's the middle of the season and playoffs are almost here! YOU my friend cannot not do this? WELP my opinion does not matter you are gone and who will be our coach!?
Tomorrow Nicole and I will watch the Jazz play for the first time in a long time without their handy dandy coachy Jerry! GO JAZZ GO... I'm still here with you 100%

Dolphin Chariot?

2011-02-10T22:01:00.000-08:00

My obsession with Dolphins grows every single day and will keep growing until I own one and then it will grow into a Complete dedication and love!

But lately I was thinking about how I would love to live in venice and have my transportation be a dolphin Chariot! I think there is a high possibility of this happening!

I Choose YOU PikaCat!

2011-02-10T21:51:00.000-08:00

So I was on Facebook today...(wasting my life away) And lo and behold I found this cute little guy!
I WANT ONE SO BAD!!!

Shepherd POWER! Mmmmm YA!

2011-02-09T14:15:00.000-08:00

I have the besssstest FAMILY! In the whole entire world!
Dallas Robin Heather Brandon ME and Caleb!! These are seriously my most favorite people alive and I think I'm one of the luckiest people alive to have them in my life!

My Very BESTIE friends!

2011-02-09T13:29:00.000-08:00

DESTRY VAN WAGONER

Emily Nicole Quigley

Ashely Kay Sant Nicole Erin Wait

Nikki Christine Suarez

Rachel Haslam

Michelle Joy Rice

Elyse Adamson

JAZZZZ!!!!

2011-02-09T12:49:00.000-08:00

So let's face facts the Jazz are stinking up the court right now! BUT do I quit supporting them? NO SIRREEE!!! Current Stats:
31 wins 22 losses
Atleast they moved up to 6th place within this past week for the western conference! Those little BOZOS!!!
ok GO JAZZ GO! I am going to their game this Friday and get to wear my Jersey I got for my Birthday! BOOOYA
I LOVE D-WILL

EFY! My heart goes out to you

2011-02-09T12:42:00.000-08:00

In the summer I choose to leave my little Provo life and venture down to the land of Georgia and Florida where I was an EFY counselor this past year and will be yet again this coming year!
Being a counselor is like nothing else in this world! It is so rewarding and so much fun at the same time. I have the opportunity to be an example to several boys and girls for a week and build relationships with some of the most incredible youth! I love being a teacher and having the opportunity to help the youth of the church discover their own testimonies and draw closer to christ! I know that it's a different world and may seem a little cheesy from an outsider's view, but words cannot express how much I love this program and how much this job means to me! Any opportnity that I have to draw closer to christ is an opportunity worth taking! I absolutely love the church and am so so so grateful that I was born into a family that raised me in the church and taught me truths and how to be happy in this life! I am also so grateful for the experiences that I've had so that I could come closer to my heavenely father and christ! I would be so lost without my savior and my testimony! Prayer is the most incredible tool in the world and alll YES all of my answers about my crazy life and the confusion that I feel are answered through my faith in christ and my faith in prayer! I can't wait to go be a counselor again this summer just because I have the opportunity to grow and teach every single day! :)

PLUS on top of that I also make the most incredible friends and get to associate with some of the most incredible people who have such strong testimonies and a great love for our savior!

Courtyard at Jamestown!

2011-02-09T12:19:00.000-08:00

Grant and Edna! Edna is the mother of Debbie Cusick who is the wife of Randie Cusick! They are in my bishopric for the arlington ward! I love the residents!

I Love my job YES I do! I have been working at a cute little place called courtyard at Jamestown for the past year now and I absolutely love going there! Sure I have to wear a bowtie and look like a penguin! Sure I smell like food when I'm done and get yelled at by old people! But I love allll the people I work with and all the people I serve! You could say some of my most favorite people alive are on the verge of death, which breaks my heart but I love spending time with them and laughing with them! I am a waitress there and have developed very close relationships with alot of the residents there! katie and me

I don't know how much longer I will be working there considering I will be leaving to do EFY in the summer again and will quite possibly be starting my student teaching come this fall! But I hope that I can stay in touch with the residents and my friends that I've made there for a long time because they truly have become a part of my life!

Hawaii!

2011-02-09T12:14:00.000-08:00

I am going to Hawaii May 2nd through the 12th! Need I say more?
HALLELUJaH!!! :) Aloha my babies!
These are the two lovely people I will be traveling with
Nicole Wait
Parker Hansen

A little bit about me!

2011-01-10T19:46:00.000-08:00

A Tad Bit about ME
I live in Provo and attend UVU!
I am currently studying to be an Elementary school teacher

I absolutely love dolphins, traveling, soccer, the beach and reading! If you could put all 5 of those things together in one day then I would quite possibly be the happiest person alive!

I am 22 years old and will be 23 on February 2nd! I am what you could call a ground hog baby! Whether the hog sees it's shadow or not I still turn another year older! Am I currently dreading my birthday? NO! But I was a week ago until I reminded myself that I am stilll soooo young! So happy almost groundhogs day!!

I have realized I'm boy crazy, but don't like boys all at the same time! I can't seem to stop talking about boys, but with my obsession for them I never find myself willing or really wanting to commit to one! Maybe it is because I want them all! Well that wont happen so one of these days I will have to Love just one! :) I think I can handle that!!!

So speaking of my love for boys!! I have posted a picture of my dream man! Josh Duhamel!!! I would have to say he is by far the most beautiful man I have ever seen...

ONE TREE HILL! I never thought that I could ever get so attached to a show and it's characters! It may be a little bit embarrassing to say, but I am not ashamed... I live vicariously through these characters! I love everything about this show and was lucky enough to meet the one and only Nathan Scott last year up in Park City! That day literally was a fantasy! (Don't worry I am still well aware of reality)

2011! It's my Life and It is NOW or NEVER

2011-01-10T19:39:00.000-08:00

It is 2011. That is so exciting to say... Why? Because I'm going to make things happen this year! This year I am finally going to go on a humanitarian trip and leave the country! Right now it seems so far away and so unreal, but I have such a strong desire to do so that I will make it happen!! This means picking up another job on top of the one I currently have and also on top of school!
I have to earn 2500 dollars by May atleast to make this possible! Is it Possible? ABSOLUTELY!

To the Right is a picture of where I my travels will take me and hopefully I will be able to make it up to the left to the lovely land of Thailand! WOOOO!!
So right now that is what I've decided to do with my life!
I only have a few months so I will be sending out alot of letters and working my butt off! The end result will be victorious!!
HERE I COME CAMBODIA

My First Non-School Blog

2011-01-07T18:43:00.000-08:00

Well Well Well I decided it's time for me to blog. I love writing and would love to to pretty much keep a document of my life without having to write it on paper! Pretty excited to vent about things on here and do it so Nicole can seeeee my life! This is just for you Nicole! Love you
Anyways
I thought I was pretty good with technology until I compare my blog to other people's, so it looks like practice will make perfect for me!
OK So Bloggggging here I come!

Digital Story 3

2010-04-25T22:42:00.000-07:00

This past week we have done the touch ups to our digital story. We chose the topic of poverty and decided to divide it into three parts. First we wanted to attract our audience by showing them the luxeries of our lives and then move into what poverty looks like and the lack of every day necesseities that we take for granted. The hardest part about this was finding music that could flow together and then fit each of the pictures that we are trying to display.

I still believe that a digital story would be a good way to get the students interested in a subject and change their way of thinking. By touching a person's emotions you can draw them into almost anything if it's powerful enough. To be powerful it has to fit together, with music, voice, pictures and through words. Hopefully I can find enough digital stories on youtube that will be able to support my ideas, but if not I can always use the digital story to introduce the topic I feel important and want my students to find important as well.

In my life I use digital stories all the time to connect me closer to a topic that I'm concerned about or that I would like to know more about. Sometimes they are happy and help me to be more ambition, and other times they are sad and make me want to somehow find a way to make a difference in our world. I think digital stories can go anyway depending on what you really want to make clear. They can strike fear, happiness, anger, sadness or even leave you questioning what it meant so you are willing to do further research on the idea. In my life right now I feel as though it's important to start putting together a folder that can hold all of these, so when I come to that subject in school I'll already have options of digital stories to pick from.

I am what I learn

2010-04-25T22:22:00.000-07:00

I liked this video because it had a meaning that is really close to me. It talked about applying yourself and going for your dreams no matter what your situation is. She says make the best of yourself. Only you have the power to change your life! I find this inspirational and I hope that somehow I can teach my students that they can do anything they put their minds to! When they believe in themselves and they apply themselves they can accomplish anything that they want to conquer. Positive attitude towards your dreams will bring you your dreams.
The girl in this video seems to have it hard, but she seems as though she knows what she wants out of life and understands that it's up to her to change her future! It's up to ourselves to live the lives that we want. We can't depend on others if we can't depend on ourselves first.

Digital Story #3

2010-04-19T23:00:00.000-07:00

This past week I have been working on my digital story and finializing my decisions on it. I have found that digital stories aren't as easy as they look to make. You have to really put thought into them to be able to really allow your audience to connect with what you're trying to put across. One of the hardest things that I've found with it is finding the right music for the background. Music makes a huge difference in the way the video will make you feel.

As a teacher I want to give my students different options on music that they could use. If I were to have my students make a digital story I would give them choices of topics to pick from and have music prepared for them so they can see how the music makes a difference. Then in the future when they make another digital story I'd allow them to go find their own music.
I would also make the first digital story very specific and give them alot of guided direction when making it the first round.

I plan on using digital stories to bring importance issues alive to my students. History will be something that bores us all, but if I can make a digital story and really allow my students to connect with what has happened in the past then I feel as though they might grow a greater appreciation as to what our ancestors went through to give us our freedoms. I believe that digital stories have the power to change a student's schema and allow them to really think about life and learn to be grateful for what we have.
I did my digital story on poverty and finding music to help other's feel a sense of gratitude and find a need to help those less fortunate has been a struggle. I do believe with practice that I could get better at this tool and one day be able to use digital stories all the time to address a concern or allow my students to connect to a deeper emotion.

Video Reflection

2010-04-19T22:56:00.001-07:00

http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=138518&title=Sweet_Dreams__of_Technology_
This video was cute. I liked how it was all kids in the video telling about how technology is beneficial in their education. The line I liked is that each student can be good at something different regarding technology. They showed how you can use computers and internet to communicate with the world, learn how to do anything and see different parts of the world. Another line that stuck out in my head was when they said technololgy learning and sharing. Isn't that what it's all about, to learn and then what you learn share that knowledge with others. The world of technology will just keep expanding because of people working together to expand it.

I Am What I Learn

2010-04-15T12:36:00.000-07:00

At the beginning the boy talks about how he can acheive his dreams and that is by getting an education! I strongly believe in this. Dreams are thing that we have to wrok towards, and to work hard you usually means you're becoming more educated. I am a strong believer in giving it your all when it's something you really want. If you don't have that mind set then I don't believe that it really is a dream that you're shooting for!
Often times we may look at people and say "WOW! They really have it all, they are so lucky" That is true they may have it all, or they may have something that looks ideal to us, but that is because they worked hard to get that!
As a teacher I want my students to understand the importance of hard work and shooting for your dreams through determination and through sacrifice! They need to understand things aren't always going to just be handed to them, and the things in life they will appreciate most will be through their hard work in their education.

Digital Story #3

2010-04-13T07:40:00.000-07:00

This week we learned how to use photo story. With this program you can upload pictures and create a presentation that has music, text, and recordings that will enhance what you're trying to display to your students.

This tool is awesome and will allow me as a teacher to really be able to connect with my students on a deeper level through visuals and through the power of music. By using this tool I can create a video that will help the students connect to an emotion that will leave a lasting effect on them. I plan on using this to help my students connect with real life issues and help them to feel a deeper concern about their surroundings and learning how to be proactive in their own lives. I feel as though I can use this as a tool to promote students to be drug free or violence free and use it to promote it to their own peers as well. If I allow the students to use this tool to create a digital story about a world concern themselves, then they will be able to gain their own passion for the issue.

Right now in my life as a student I can prepare digital stories that can reflect my own feelings and start finding issues that I would like my students to connect with when I'm able to teach them. I hope that I can gain a stronger knowledge on digital stories and find the most effective ways to connect with my audience.

cyber summit

2010-04-11T13:56:00.000-07:00

In this video I liked how it explained how technology touches the minds of all types of learners. If this is true then why aren't all teachers using technology to their advantage. I believe it's because they aren't educated on how to do so. The students talked about how they teach the teacher more than she teaches them. This is how learning works. We all learn from each other, and as a teacher we need to be willing to open our minds and learn from the students. The students might have a greater knowledge on how to use a computer program or how to download something from the internet. If I am willing to accept my student's teaching, then I will be able to touch the minds of many more students.

Field Experience 3

2010-04-11T13:21:00.000-07:00

This past week I spent most of my time teaching. I once again used the smart board and the internet as my source of technology. I first taught a math lesson by using the smart board to demonstrate examples to the students. After I was through teaching the lesson I decided to allow the students to use the smart board to practice their skills. We then played a game of bingo as a class. To show what problems I wanted the students to solve I used google presentations. This had all the questions on it so all the students could see clearly up in front of the room what they were trying to solve. I found this to be a clean and quick method, rather than taking the time in class to write it up on the board.
I also used the smart board to play a game during one of my Language Arts lessons. Two students competed against each other to see who could ring the bell first and answer the question. A lot of the questions required the students to spell one of their spelling words by writing it out on the smart board. I absolutely love the smart board and what it can bring into the classroom. One day as a teacher I hope that these are part of the classroom every where I go.
The students also had homework to do on the computer. I had them use a word document to write a short essay and on their computers they have language arts files that they can pull up and find their homework assignment for the day. This takes away from loads of paper and allows students to always know exactly where they are required to go to find their assignments.

After observing this class I have realized the small uses of technology make a huge difference within the classroom. Students are able to do greater things because of their computer. They have access to so much information and so many tools that allow them to create projects and organize and save important information. They all have the ability to type and have learned how to take care of nice equipment. I not only believe it has helped the students excel academically but I believe the students have learned more responsibility from taking care of nice equipment and responsibility in learning how to use an important form of technology.
As a teacher I looked forward to building classroom websites and helping my students learn through technology!

SPRING BREAK!

2010-04-04T14:31:00.000-07:00

This was my spring break