One of the Many Priceless First Grade One Line-ers

Today when I went to go pick up my class of first graders from lunch one of my girls said something that a) took me off guard and b) made me laugh.  She said,

"Miss Christian, you need a husband!"  

At first I was shocked and a little taken back, so I asked her why.  She proceeded to tell me that it was from a TV show and ... haha... she heard one of my other... haha!!... kids who I would never picture quoting such a line, but did.  It was hilarious.  I proceeded to tell the two of them that they were goofy girls and kinda chuckled.

Bahaha!  The honesty, irony and love of first graders is priceless. :)

Sick in Bed

As a kid we had a book that for some reason I loved.  It was called "Sick in Bed."  It was yellow and the pictures were... well... not amazing but I really liked the book.  It was about a little boy who was sick and it walked through all the things he got and did while sick.  He went to the doctor, was poked a prodded, and given a shot in the... eh hem.  Afterward his mommy got him a soda to calm his tummy and then he just chilled at home - in bed watching tv and took naps.  Today I've felt very much like that little boy. 

After feeling awful for about two weeks I went to the doctor.  He told me that whatever I have is viral so pretty much there's not a whole lot that he could do until it got worse. To help deal with my symptoms he gave me one of those prescriptions you squirt up your nose.  It's a lovely experience.  Luckily I didn't get the full doctor's treatment like my childhood friend from above did.  

When I came home and I kinda lounged around the house and watched some old tv shows/part of a movie with my dad and brother and decided that I should be an adult and get my lessons written for Monday.  It was then that my mom informed me that I shouldn't go to church tomorrow.  It's been months since I've missed my meetings and just about as long since I've had to have someone fill in and teach Sunday School for me.  Sad day.  I enjoy it teaching - especially the Gospel.

Another downside to all of this sickliness is that I'm contagious.  I'd thought that my sickness was due to the lack of sleep and stress from school and work.  Wrong-o!  I had a friend over on Thursday and I got a text today letting me know that I'd kindly shared with him.  (I know, brilliant.)  Some friend I am.  How does one (me) recover from sharing such a ghastly bug?  Ugh.  Good thing I have forgiving friends eh?

The upside to all of this is that I get lots of time to recover.  The whole weekend in fact.  I fell asleep on the couch at about 8 last night and slept for nearly 12 hours.  I plan on doing something similar tonight.  I sorta love not having plans for Saturday night.  (Sorta looserish, I know.  Back off.)  I'm looking forward to a quite night watching an ultra chick flick with my mom and daddy and going to bed early.  Tomorrow's day will consist of lots of sleep, studying the scriptures, writing long overdue letters to my two best friends on missions and studying the assigned Gospel Doctrine lesson that I am supposed to teach. 

I guess the overall moral of the story is that being sick in bed isn't all that bad - aside of sharing germ bugs (which is what I refer to them as when I teach about them - always a teacher...).

Well, until next time (when I hopefully feel better), this is Brittish Knees signing out.

Good News!

For those of you who follow me on facebook... which is probably 0 but whatever... know that for whatever reason, yesterday was kinda crappy.  The morning at school was a bit rough day and it just progressed (down hill mind you) as the day went on.  Luckily I had amazing people at the school to help back me up when the going got too tough.  

So now that I have you all feeling sorry for me.  Hehe...  

I have good news!  Today has been about 80 ka-thousand times better!  

And yes, I do know that a ka-thousand is actually not a number, but if it was it would be a lot.  Trust me.  I'm a pre-teacher.

Yesterday when I thought the day couldn't get much better (this is after I burst into tears to my mom, who was totally blind sided with my outburst) I kept thinking:  "Ugh!  If I could just get a text from one of my particular good friends, the day would be so much better."  So, I did all I could to keep busy before I went running - which is my favorite way to relieve stress :) - and started grading papers.  And voila!  Guess what came???  A text from an inspired friend.  Talk about tender mercies!!  I don't know if I've ever said this, but I don't buy 'coincidence.'  I'm convinced that everything good that happens is from God and if it's an action it's done through inspiration.  Call it what you want, but yeah. :)

Long story short.  Today's been a good day.  It's had it's rough bits, but I'm glad I opted to get out of bed this morning and will probably even do it again tomorrow. ;)  

Until next time I have something totally awesome to blog about.  Haha!  This is Brittish Knees signing out.

Red Rash... Decisions

Occasionally I make decisions that tend to be a bit rash.  Whether they are related to school, work or relationships I tend to have the same gut wrenching feeling afterward:  regret.  This time is no different.  I'll spare you the lovely details but just take my word for it, and give people the benefit of the doubt.  You might end up burned or with a bit of egg on your face, but at least you won't regret it.  

Onto happier topics, student teaching is going well... relatively speaking.  There pretty much isn't a day that I don't leave the school without having at least one rough patch.  This last week had quite a few of them, but I'm getting to a point that I'm not afraid to be the bad guy.  Not that I'm a big jerk, but I don't feel like I need to be my students' friend, I'm their teacher and I'm responsible for their education.  It's kind of a big deal.  That said, I'd also like to say how much I love being with them and how much joy they bring into my life.  The smallest things go the longest ways.  For example, last week I'd been fighting one student all day and as they were getting ready to leave, turned around and said, "I love you Miss Christian."  Heart melting, I know. It's good to know that what my cooperating teacher, university supervisor and internship coach is true, that students thrive on having boundaries set and enforced.  It feels good. :)

What else is going on in life???  Hmm....?  I don't know that there is a whole lot more to my life at the moment.  My brother, who is in currently in the Provo MTC learning how to be a good missionary, is doing well.  I regret to say that I'm not very good at writing him, but at least he knows I'm still alive and doing well.  (Thanks Mom and Dad!!)  His Spanish is coming along and he gets along with his companion.  Part of me is still slightly envious of him and the experiences that are ahead of him.  We'll see what the future has in store for me.  Maybe I'll again follow in his footsteps or maybe I'll blaze my own, new trail.  

Ugh, can you tell that I really don't want to do homework?  It's awful cause I know that the longer I put it off, the longer I'll be at this cubical in the north part of the BYU library.  I guess at least I have window seat to watching the snow fall. (Random thought: have you ever seen a snow storm from the window seat of an airplane?  I think that would be kind of cool.)  Alright, deep breathe - check, water bottle - check, determination - uncheck, but alas I must face the math and start planning.  

Until next time (probably next week, when I'm here again), this is Brittish Knees signing off! (It's it fun to write as though you are a pilot or something???  Okay.... I'm leaving now.)

Valentines Vignette 2011

Valentines Day is always an interesting one, as a single person.  In years past I've found myself moping and dreading the 12-Feb., however this year I decided that I'd have a different outlook.  This year I decided that I would celebrate my singleness (which by the way, I am okay with... honest).  While I didn't go do anything crazy or terribly exciting I enjoyed my homework (okay, so not so much that part), a great chick flick... alone, and four pieces of cheap American chocolate that was purchased by my little brother.  Really, what more could a girl ask for? 

I've become all the more aware that life is going to play out the way it will, so you might as well take the time to "enjoy the journey."  I know that phrase is terribly cliche, but I'm finding that it's so terribly, incredibly true.  Ahh... it's nice to not stress about whatever isn't happening that I would like to be. (I hope this is making sense to someone and not just in my head late at night.. Oh well if not.)

Okay, enough with my soap box, what's new in life?  Welp, I'm enjoying my student teaching, even with the crappy and not-so-fun parts of specific days.  There are parts of days where I seriously wonder if I can do it, but then I talk to my wonderful team and they reassure me that I'm doing a good job.  Ahh!  To work with such an awesome team in the future would be a dream come true.  It'll be interesting to see where life will take me.  This next year has so many possibilities and avenues I can venture down.  I feel so blessed to be in this particular situation, even though sometimes it feels more like a burden than a blessing.  vignettes 

Well...  it's now 11:19 pm (according to my laptop) so I need to get to bed.  Know that I'm convinced that everything works out for the best... everything. :) G'night blog stalkers.

Brittish Knees 

BAH! It's finally here!!!!

I almost can't believe it.  In approximately ten hours (and counting) I'll be the teacher of 22, 6-7 year olds.  Don't worry, contrary to what I thought I would be feeling right now, I'm not freaking out... yet.  There is still ten hours for that to change.  In the mean time, I figured I'd post a smidgin on my blog, since I pretty much have wampted at that since the semester began.  

Ahh, let's see... what's new?  Oh, aside of school and work (Yes.  I am student teaching and working a whopping 8ish hours ever two weeks.  I know, rollin in the dough!) and a few dates interspersed, not much.  However I know that my frame of mind is changing because everywhere I go, everything I do I will be right here waiting for you....  err... I mean.  I don't know that song....  I meant to say that in all aspects of my life I find myself thinking of teaching.  It's amazing how much of life can relate to a classroom.  For instance, I was at institute tonight (which was AMAZING!!! Maybe I'll blab about it later...) and we were talking about (apparently I'll talk about it now...) preparing for various things and how we need to open ourselves for optimum learning.  I knew we were talking Gospel things, but I found myself also tying in how students, of all curriculums, need to prepare themselves for the best results.  As I sat there I thought "NERD ALERT!  NERD ALERT!"  But I loved it all the same.  People in that class probably think I'm a nut case, oh well.

To totally change topics, Shaun has been gone for two weeks now.  (Note to self: only 102 more weeks. Hehe.)  It sorta feels like he's been gone forever, yet part of me half expects him to walk through the front door after working a late shift at the local grocery store.  It's still feels kinda surreal and I think that it'll hit me hard when my life starts to slow down a bit after graduation.  Not going to lie, I kind of fear that day.  The family seems to be doing well, even my youngest brother, who I was a tad worried about has seem to make a fairly smooth transition to him being gone.  Bizarre.

Well, my random brain is done for the night... that and I just looked at the clock and its said "11:22" which means it's about an hour past my bed time.  Beh.  I guess that means good night.  

Signing out, until next time (I sorta feel like I belong in Star Trek or something when I type that),
Brittish Knees

Life as of Late

Wow!  I can't believe how long it's been since I've blogged.  I guess that's what happens when your whole life gets sucked into something.  What is this life sucking thing??  Well, student teaching of course.  That's right.  As of today, I've just finished up my third week and have 7 more to go.  Wow!  I still can't believe I'm a) old enough to be graduating in April and b) really 3 weeks into student teaching.  Crazy!!!

Well, aside of that life is pretty normal.  Shaun has now been in the MTC for a little over a week and it still feels surreal.  I'm not sure I'll ever get to the point where it feels normal for him to be gone... he's always been here. I'm still adjusting to it, but I keep so busy and am home so little that I'm sure my family feels the same way about me.

It's a little disappointing that I don't have anything really important or humorous to write about, I guess I'm lost in the hustle and bustle of everything.  I really should take some time to slow down and write down the tender mercies I'm experiences.  Well I guess that's about it for now.

For you crazed blog stalkers, don't give up hope on me yet.  I'm still alive and kickin and eventually will post again.  Remember who's really in charge, He knows what's best and what you need!  Rely on him and all will turn out for the best.

Brittish Knees