Westmore

Yesterday I started my second practicum at Westmore Elementary School in Orem. The cooperating teacher is essentially magic. I don't know how she does it, but she's a super star. Yesterday there were about 11 people in her class to observe her teach, she'd gotten back from vacation at 3am that morning, and somehow still managed to pull off a fantastic amount of teaching. I was reeling just from watching.

Not to mention I'm partners with Sarah, who (whom?) I just love so it's a good time. And the school provided us with a "treasure box" full of things we might need like tissues, band-aids, post-its, highlighters, pens, white board markers, tape, glue, crayons, etc. Then when we came in this morning there was a desk set up for us with two chairs, name cards, candy, and our treasure box. Seriously, our cooperating teacher is better than yours.

Today we went on a walking field trip with the other fourth grade class. Essentially we had about 60 people (most children) walking a mile in the snow to a theater to watch a play. The play was kind of cute, but a little weird in my opinion. Some of the kids were wild, some hated the walk, I know at least one adult took a little nap in the middle of the play. Then we walked back and had lunch and math and recess and that was pretty much it.

I'm learning all the kids' names finally. I know I've only been there since yesterday, but they tell us to learn all the names the first day (which I definitely failed at doing). Tomorrow we're going to sit down and plan out all of our assignments and the other stuff we have to get done before we go back to college.

The kids were introduced to their historical fiction unit today. One of their book options was this one:

I remember reading it when I was in fifth grade. I remember loving it (even though historical fiction isn't usually my cup of tea), and now I just want to read it again. Maybe after I finish Chains and get it back to Sarah I'll work on this one.

P.S. BYU basketball starting tonight? Yes please and yum.

Welcome back Nick Martineau. Mmm.

Food Network

I love the FoodNetwork. If I could be real life friends with a channel, it would totally be the food network. Not only are there spectacular shows like Chopped and Challenge, but the personalities are fantastic. Adam Gertler, Alton Brown, Ted (who doesn't get a last name because he's just Ted), Duff, Bobby Flay. Then there are the wicked judges like Alex Guarnaschelli and Amanda Freitag that give you someone to hate. Yes, I am in love with this channel.

A Song That I Know All the Words To: Makes Me Ill

Who didn't love N*SYNC back in the day? No Strings Attached was basically awesome. And who would have thought that Justin Timberlake would turn out to be a giant superstar and that the one guy would play a Greek? Go figure.

That being said, I always loved this song. Particularly the part at the beginning that is fast and slightly rap-like. Some of my friends seem to be amazed when the realized I can still sing the whole thing. Now I need to go listen to some more nostalgia inducing things...like Aaron's Party...again.

What I Do With My Life

Do you know what I do with my life?

Homework.

Classes.

Lectures.

Church.

Chill with Sarah on weekends.

BYU football.

Pray for basketball season.

More homework.

Write to-do lists.

Make myself feel like I finish my to-do lists because I cross stuff out and move it to other days.

The end.

Edit: want.

What Did I Just Watch?

I got really excited when I heard JK Rowling was going to be on Oprah. I set it up to TiVo and finally got time to watch it today. The title of the episode was "Oprah and JK Rowling in Scotland." The title of the episode should have been "Rich Women Talk About How Great it is to be Rich While Drinking Tea and Sometimes Life is Hard."

Boo and disappointment.

Life Lately

I printed my 4+ years of livejournal, am having it bound, and shipped to my house all for about 12 bucks. I really did use it as my journal for that time in my life and even though it's super angsty, it will be helpful to have.

School is both busy and not busy. I don't know how to explain so I won't.

I love the smell of fire on my clothes.

My friends and I in the elementary education program started a new blog called Teachers Read Books for posting reviews, recommendations, events, etc.

Steph sometimes makes me feel a little worthless because she is super motivated.

JK Rowling is going to be on Oprah on Friday. I'm TiVo-ing it.

Today we were assigned "mentees" in the elementary education program. Basically they're the little baby frosh that are still freaked out by the prospect and might want to ask someone questions. I like that I'll get to be the authority on something.

My job is essentially the easiest thing in the world. Today I got paid for an hour of doing absolutely nothing.

I'm FHE mom now (I don't know if I said that yet) and it stresses me out more than it should. I want everyone to love every activity. I know that can't happen, but whatevs.

I realized by the time I get home for Christmas, Tori will be about 11 months old. That's freaking me out. She won't know me at all. I'm trying to convince either her mom or my mom to video chat with me so I can see her. She's still fat.

The BYU football team is pretty bad this year. I'll still cheer as loud as possible and be proud of my boys, it's just a building year.

I'm ready for basketball season.

Football Fight

Today the BYU v FSU game was on some crap network (ESPN-U) that no one really gets around here unless they pay for a sports package. So BYUSA teamed up with Cougar United to hold a party in the Wilk (the student building with the food court and stuff for those of you that don't go to BYU) for people to gather and watch the game. There was some hot dogs and lemonade and a ton of people and a big screen and happiness. Problem is, there was this one FSU fan. Homeboy was being pretty obnoxious and standing to clap while the rest of us were sad when BYU was not doing so hot. May I just remind you that this was on the BYU campus? Yeah, what a jerk. Shortly thereafter BYU made some great play and people pointed and hollered at the FSU fan and one BYU fan ran up and yelled something really close to the douche. Well, Mr. Idiot FSU fan decided to stand up and do a little chest push on harmless, but celebratory BYU guy. Event staff came over as the two guys yelled at each other and a little bit more pushing happened. The whole ballroom full of people stopped watching the game and started watching for a fight. I hoped someone would throw a punch because, hey, who doesn't like a good fight? It all simmered down, though event staff stayed close to those two guys.

Oh, and we did lose. It was pretty sad.

On a happier note this is hilarious to me. STRONG LANGUAGE WARNING! I did warn you. I know some of you that read this are good nice people that aren't so wicked as I am.

Sidenote: miss him.