I would love to write an update on my life. I know I haven't been consistent, at all, with writing on this blog, but I'm hoping to check in every once in awhile and update it every so often. I love coming back to it and reading old posts, so I'm looking forward to writing a little more, and uploading pictures of the things I'm doing nowadays.
        More than anything, I have a lot of exciting things going on in my life, and I hope to write down all of the things that make me smile so they can last forever on this blog.

       SO HERE IS TO A NEW YEAR OF BLOGGING!

A Little Behind..

So I've fallen a little bit behind...
Ok.
Alot behind.

But I am about to catch myself up. I have only done 2 posts, and it's already the 9th... Yikes!
Well, here goes.

#3-
     I am thankful for my dad and how much he has taught me. He knows everything about cars, and computers, and is an AWESOME handyman. I've been so fortunate to never have to get my oil changed or fill up my tires at a gas station. My dad does that for me, free of charge. Everything that has gone wrong at my house, he comes over as soon as he can and fixes it for me. When I have computer troubles, I always go to him. He has taught me to be conservative and not be wasteful, which sometimes kills the rest of us because it feels like he's on the fine line between not wasting and HOARDING. I still love him for it. When I was little, I was definitely a daddy's girl and I learned to love snakes and lizards and tarantulas. Not many girls grow up with that influence. He taught me to drive a boat. He has taught me about honey bees, and stitching up your own wounds, and cameras, and prickly pear juice, and building your own computer, and smoke detectors, and other "not-so-interesting" things that weren't interesting until he dove in and brought them up. My dad is one of the most observant people I know, and also has the ability to find interest and excitement in just about anything. He is pretty easily amused and easily entertained. This is awesome because he does find the magic in everything, and actually takes the time to stop and look at it. As much as I get frustrated with my dad, I could go on and on with this list of amazing traits he has, and that I look up to. Thanks for letting me be the daughter that you brought to work with you every year on bring-your-child-to-work-day. Thank you for coming with my class on almost every single field trip in elementary school. Thanks for being awesome!!! Love you Dad.

Thank You #2

Today, I am thankful for my best friends.

     I am so lucky to have such good friends that truly care about each other and make time to support each other and be there for each other. They are always there when I am down, and help me pick myself right back up again. They always stick up for me, even when I seem crazy, because they just want me to be happy. Which is exactly what I always want for each of them. It has been weird to have two of my closest friends go to school on opposite sides of the country, but we have done our best to stay strong and still maintain a good friendship, and it feels like nothing has changed every time they come home. My friends in town however, have finally put a lot of work into finding a time for us all to see each other once a week, just so we can have some sanity in our friendship. Waking up at 7 am every Sunday to go workout is so worth it though, because every second with those girls puts a smile on my face. If you know my close girl friends, you know that we are silly and goofy and that we NEVER stop laughing. We have a lot of fun together, and I couldn't ask for more entertaining and hilarious friends. Thank you for always being there for me, through the best and worst times. I hope you girls know that I love you all so much and I will always be there for you too.

30 Days of Happy Thanks

     I would love to try my hardest to share something that I'm thankful for every single day of November this month. I think that when we take the time to dig deep and find those special things in our life that we shouldn't take for granted, we realize how lucky we are. I hope this post can inspire you to think about the many things that you are thankful for in your own life.

November 1, 2012-
     I am going to start this year's list with how thankful I am for my mom. She has taught me so many things in life, and I wouldn't be anywhere close to where I am today without her. She is so generous and selfless, and I could only hope to be as generous as she is for the rest of my life. She never once complains about doing something for others, and is always willing to help out or take care of anyone in need. She has always been one of the least judgmental or biased people I know, always trying to teach me to play the devil's advocate in any situation. She has always pushed me to work my hardest at everything that I do, and everything that I am a part of. She encourages me to be who I want to be, and to pursue the things I love the most, and I couldn't feel more supported by her. She loves me and my siblings more than anything, and would do anything for us. My mom is a beautiful person inside and out, and I couldn't ask for a more loving, caring, thoughtful, inspirational mom.
Love you forever and always, 
I will always be your White Bear.

Where I'm From

We are learning about poetry in my Children's Literature class. We were assigned to write a 'cultural' poem that reflects the poem by George Ella Lyon called "Where I'm From". This is a poem to describe our home life: our yard, our home, family meals, our neighborhood, etc. and here is mine! =)

I AM FROM FAMILY FUN

By Ellen Gauthier

I am from family get-togethers

   Ice cream sundaes

   Mexican buffet

I am from family holidays

   Cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving

   Homemade yummy stuffing

I am from family sayings

   Always share, always care

   Love you always, my White Bear

I am from family gone

   Nana, Aunt Jayne,

   Grandpas, D.J.

I am from family goodnights

   Night, night, sleep tight

   Don’t let the bed bugs bite

I am from family outdoors

   Chickens, trees,

   Sahuaros, coyotes

I am from family indoors

   Artwork, crafts,

   Books, snacks

I am from family memories

   Tucked in boxes, under the bed,

   In my old closet, in the filled shed

I am from family fun

   Mom, Dad , Maggie,

   Andrea, Robert, Winnie

Letting GO

        I know that I haven't posted in awhile, but I wanted to get back into writing on here about what's going on with me, so I can have a record of my own. I have been through some rough times lately, and an old friend got in touch with me and sent this to me. Yes, it meant a lot to me at the time, but it also means a lot to me in general. I don't know the person who wrote this, or where they were coming from when they wrote it. I believe anyone can take a lot from reading this, so I wanted to share it. Here it goes:


Monday, October 26, 2009
Letting Go By TD Jakes 

There are people who can walk away from you.

And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you:
let them walk.. I don't want you to try to talk another person into
staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to
see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone.

When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never
tied to anybody that left.

The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made
manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt
they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]

People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not
joined to you, you can't make them stay.

Let them go.

And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their
part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in
your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead..
You've got to know when it's dead.

You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something.. I've got
the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in
good-bye.. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know
whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes
too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay.

Let them go!!

If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was
never intended for your life, then you need to......

LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains .......

LET IT GO!!!

If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your
worth......

LET IT GO!!!

If someone has angered you.

LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge..... 

LET IT GO!!!

If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction... ..

LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or
talents

LET IT GO!!!

If you! u have a bad attitude.... ...

LET IT GO!!!

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better......

LET IT GO!!!

If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level
in Him.........

LET IT GO!!!

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship. ....

LET IT GO!!!

If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help
themselves.. ....

LET IT GO!!!

If you're feeling depressed and stressed .............

LET IT GO!!!

If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling
yourself and God is saying 'take your hands off of it,' then you need
to......

LET IT GO!!!

'The Battle is the Lord's!'

Easter, Hunger, and Slumber

     Yesterday was one of the best days I've had in awhile. I had fun, saw my friends, and got great news from my boyfriend!

    

     The day started off normal, with school and work. But I got home, and had plenty of time to spare before I had plans that night. First, I got caught up on the most recent episodes of Fashion Star and America's Next Top Model, which are two of the shows I watch weekly on Hulu. That was great relaxing time for me.

   

     I got a phone call later from my boyfriend with wonderful news that he would be coming home for Easter!! He is in the Army, and is stationed in Ft. Stewart, GA. He rarely gets to come home, and so I rarely get to see him. Last November I had an amazing trip over Thanksgiving to visit him, and every day I wish I could go back. We were also very fortunate to have him home for 2 weeks for Christmas and New Years  Day. That was incredible. But since then we haven't known the next time we would see each other. It's very hard because he only has one 4-day-weekend each month, he has to save up alot of money for the flights, and he has to fill out paperwork and get special permission from a few 'higher-ups' to be able to come home. Last year he came home for Easter, but didn't get permission until the day before, so his plane ticket was $800.... This time he found out yesterday, and we both went online to look up prices and thankfully we got a much cheaper ticket in comparison. Only $530 this time. I cannot wait to see him and hold him and be in his company again, even if it's only for less than 4 days. I have had butterflies and a smile on my face since he officially bought his ticket last night!

     I was also a very happy girlfriend last night, because I got to skype my boyfriend! We have a hard time finding time do get on and see each other, especially with the 3 hour difference, but occasionally we are able to both make time to do it. I was happy, because I had spent a little extra time getting ready and looking nice for the movie date with my two good friends, so I got to look nice for him too:) It was like I dressed up for our skype date too.

     THEN!!! At 9:30 pm, I headed to the theatre to meet my friends to see the premiere showing of Hunger Games!! :)  That was so much fun! I have been reading the books for the last couple months, and I was so excited to see how the movie turned out. I was definitely happy with the way they did it! Everything was VERY similar to how I imagined it while reading the first book. I am just now starting the read the third book "Mocking Jay", which I'm so anxious about. I've heard many things about it, and I'm kind of nervous about what's going to happen! Can't wait to finish it.

     Here is a picture of me and my friends waiting in the theatre!!

     I got home at 3 am, and got ready for bed. I had just washed my sheets that day, and I didn't feel like making my bed, so I kind of had a slumber party by myself instead. I laid out the 2 comforters I have on the ground, and the other little blankets I have, and was very happy to sleep on the ground last night. Until I woke up with neck and back pain. Oh well.. It was still fun to have my own little slumber party.

     Well, those are the stems of my happiness from yesterday! Wish I had days like that much more often. That is my new goal.

Sunday Morning, Rain is Falling

Today feels great.
     Besides the fact that my spring break is officially almost over, and I have to reluctantly go back to doing homework every night...

     It is raining, more of a drizzle, and a few minutes ago it was lightly hailing. My favorite smell is the smell of rain. Here in Tucson, rain doesn't just smell like water and wet plants (mainly because there aren't too many plants here to be wet). Even better, the rain has a specific smell that the creosote plants create, and just makes everything feel so much more calm and relaxing. I usually like when the sun is out and hate it being covered by clouds, but today just feels like a nice rainy day to stay inside and get stuff done at the house.

     I'm currently watching Shark Tank (great show) on Hulu, and just taking some me time to myself. With how busy I am throughout the week, sometimes Sundays are the perfect day to have have me-time. (and then make time to clean and do homework and plan for the week, etc....)

     Now I am watching Water for Elephants, while I clean my living room. I'm trying to be productive, without getting too stressed or anything...

     ...............................

     After 3 loads of laundry, 1 load of dishes, and cleaning up some more, I'm now watching Catch and Release. I have cried about 5 times so far.. Me, being the sappy girl I am. I love Jennifer Garner, and this story is just so sad. Everyone should see this movie. It's a really wonderful story about how life is uncertain, and how even through extremely rough situations, you can manage to find real happiness.

     That's all for today. A little glimpse of my rainy-day-Sunday.

Crafting Explosion --> Discipline Struggles

     Alrighty... I'm officially a craft nut-case. Today and yesterday, I spent a large majority of my day 'crafting'... (and then watching hulu during my breaks) Sorry if I bore anyone who happens to come across this post. But I am going to dedicate it to describing my craft outburst these past two days!!

     I have to start by describing the reason for my first project yesterday. I teach a dance club at a nearby elementary school every Monday and Wednesday. This will be my 4th quarter of teaching it; as it first started up in August, and the parents sign up their kids for different clubs every quarter. The class is only 45 minutes long, but I have had a very difficult time figuring out ways to keep the kids under control and on their best behavior for that short amount of time. There are many reasons for this. First, the class usually ranges from Kindergarten to 3rd grade. Also, it is after-school, which already has the kids 'checked-out' for the day. Lastly, the class is located in the gym/cafeteria, so there isn't a high level of responsibility or structure in that room to start. So with all of this being said, I've been working out different disciplines techniques, etc. 

     For the longest time now, I have been handing out a little piece of candy every class, with the warning of getting it taken away as a consequence of bad behavior. Now, this works for many of the kids because they really want the candy, and understand the meaning of consequence.. But for many (especially the kinders), this hasn't worked very well. Most importantly, it doesn't work well for me because I am a slight pushover, and it's really hard for me to take away things. So I decided before this last quarter of the year that I really need to beef up my discipline plan, and create a new and improved system of rewarding the students, instead of punishing them. I have taken away the candy-every-day system, and have brought in a Marble and Prize Reward Strategy. =)

     This is how it works. I have a little basket (my craft project of last night), with a section for each student. During class, at any time, the students have the opportunity to show me good behavior. Whenever a student's good behavior stands out to me, I will send them to the front table to get a marble out of the bag, which they can add to their section of the basket. Right now, the plan is to have them reach 10, and then I will bring them a little prize/treat. (It will probably be a little toy, a few stickers, and a piece of candy.) I have had one class so far introducing this system, and I think the kids really enjoy it so far. They like that there is something new in class (the returning students), and I think the visual of them getting closer and closer to that prize is very captivating. I also give them the opportunity to be praised in front of the rest of the class, and come to the front and add a marble on their own, which gives them responsibility of their own success. They seem to be really excited about it.

     Now, my basket that I made is definitely simple, and not high-tech whatsoever, but I am proud of myself for figuring out how I could make it work. (The kids liked it too, which made me smile.) Here's a picture of it! Not too shabby?? 

     So, yes it is very simple. But I think it works well for now! =) Yay!! On to bigger and better things in my rowdy dance class!!! 

Well, since I bored you to tears with this post about discipline strategies..... I will stop here for tonight, and continue my rant and discussion of my 4 other craft projects tomorrow night.

Happy Day!

     Alrighty... I suppose I am a little embarrassed to be writing my second post right now... Instead of 4 months ago, when I promised to post everyday leading up to Thanksgiving. Well, I suppose it's never too late to finish what I started. I am excited to try this blogging thing out again. I really do think it will be a good way to focus on the happy things going on in my life, and not the stressful or negative parts. I also think this might actually be a really good time to work on it, because I am currently on Spring Break and (try to) have a little more free time so sit down and write.

     After a comment on my first post from a good friend of mine, I realized that I do want to really try this out. It happened to be really ironic that my friend commented on it today though, because just a few hours ago I was thinking of starting a little journal to write down little fun or happy things that happened during my day, and continue it for days in the future. I completely forgot the fact that I could do the same thing on this blog that I started in November. So here it goes.

     Today, I tutored my boyfriend's cousins. (I tutor them Mondays, and Wednesdays, every other week). There were two things that happened today while tutoring that made me want to find a way to remember them later. They were 2 things that Jack (2nd grade) did; one was hilarious, and one was just special and wonderful to hear from such a young boy. I have always truly enjoyed spending time with this kid, because he always finds a way to brighten the mood, or make me smile or giggle or laugh hysterically, even on a stressful day. He is a goofball, and never fails to do something or say something completely random and out of the blue. This often gets him (and me) very distracted.

     Today in the middle of reading a book, he started rapping a Mac Miller song. These songs have very explicit lyrics and ideas not really suited for a 2nd grader, so at first I was slightly appalled to hear him rapping it, and scared for his childhood... But the fact that he could rap this song (even with his slight lisp) made me want to fall over in my chair laughing! He was so into it- rapping every single word (skipping the cuss words), and even doing a little sort of dance with it. I loved it so much.

     Later, we somehow got on the topic of grandparents. He asked about mine, and I told him that both my grandpas died before I was born, and that one of the grandmas died a few years ago. He was so surprised to hear this, because all of his grandparents are still alive, and we talked about how sad it was that they had to leave. He was sad for me because I had never met my grandpas, but asked if I had pictures of them. He told me that I can still know them because of the pictures and stories from my own parents, and that at least I can still love them. Hearing that from him made my heart melt. He also asked how old they were when they died, and how old I was. He told me that I should be happy because in about 40 or more years, I will go to the same place that they are, and I'll finally get to be with them. Jack has such a kind and thoughtful heart for a 2nd grader, for being able to think of these things, and try to make me feel better about the concept of death. It is such a wonderful feeling to be surrounded by the optimism of young children as often as I am.