Spokane, WA, a place I've heard much about for the past few years, and was affirmed that it was comparable to SLC, but even better. Credit is due where credit is due - it is a lovely place. It is similar to Salt Lake in many ways - nestled at the base of beautiful mountains. Salt Lake's mountains are a lot more incredible, majestic, gignormous. I do love the trees - evergreens are everywhere (hence it is the Evergreen State!) on almost every corner, along the walks. Riverside Park is beautiful and the walkway along it's rushing, flowing water is almost magical to those who walk its path. I'm enjoying my time here although it is short. I have learned much and there is more yet to come. I will reveal its secrets as they are revealed to me.

Here I am, sitting comfortably in my bed. Hoodie on, down comforter, warm fuzzy socks....and it's 1:00am. This is a really odd time for me to write on my blog, especially since I haven't done so in about 2 months, but I feel inclined. And so I will.

I could spend the next few hours catching up on all the events or uneventfulness of the past couple of months, but I'll just do a quick recap.

It was back to school - work - the end of August. This has been the hardest year of my teaching thus far. I switched to 3rd grade, which I'm enjoying in many ways and believe it was definitely a good change for me. I have seven of the same students I did last year, seven that I really enjoyed, so that's been fun to have them again. One of which, who is every teacher's golden child - does every assignment, follows all instructions, helps out, participates in class, and is just a cutie. However the majority of my students this year are quite the opposite. I've found myself in a very tough class, with difficult children, each with very individual and special needs. So for the last couple of months I've found myself completely strung out, exhausted, and lacking for ideas and any way to reach these children and feel like I'm making any difference at all. Well after literally making myself sick for a week and a half and a week or two to recover and some thinking, I've come to some conclusions. These students may not ever be the "perfectly obedient students," in fact I can guarantee they won't be. But they are children. Children who have hard little lives (much more difficult than I could ever know) and it's my job yes to teach them, train them and get them ready as best I can for 4th grade, but my biggest job is to show them love, give them hope, something to look forward to, and make sure that each child knows that they are of worth and someone cares about them. This will be harder with some students than others, but this is my challenge. They have many lessons to teach me I've decided, far more than I will probably teach them.

I've found the need to simplify life. If we're not careful I can find myself going here and there and everywhere with no real purpose other than to be going somewhere and feel like I'm accomplishing something. When in reality I'm not. This week I've taken the time to just be home after work and not go anywhere, but to be home. Choosing to go to bed earlier than normal and just take a break from all the tasks of each day anxiously waiting to fill our agendas. It's been good, eye opening. I've realized over the great importance of prioritizing, putting first things first and letting the little unimportant matters go. I've also realized the blessing and importance of eating healthy, exercising (moving and using my body) and getting plenty of rest. I'm so grateful to sleep in tomorrow!

I'm singing in a choir, as I mentioned before (I think). Rehearsals every Sunday night and our concert next week. It's been a ride, much different than I expected. Much different than last years. Nonetheless, not any less enlightening and life changing. November 1st 5:30 and 7:30 in the Tabernacle - all welcome to attend.

Well I do have more to say, but I'm falling asleep. So instead of continuing and taking the risk of saying something I shouldn't, I'll end for now, and continue soon. Goodnight and rest well! Sigh.......

Let Me Introduce Myself a Bit!

Well here goes it! I'm definitely new to this blogging thing. I've been debating whether to start a blog or not. It seems kind of an odd thing to do when I'm still single and don't have adorable pictures of a husband or kids to plaster and brag about. I do know a lot of people though that have one and have been "pressuring" me to do one. So.....I give in. A quick update on my life is: I just completed my first week of teaching this school year. It's hard to believe the summer has past and the new school year has begun. Seriously it feels like I never left and I didn't have a summer vacation. I taught 2nd grade the past 2 years and have switched to 3rd grade this year. I'm really excited about the change. I'm not one to stay put in one thing for too long, so this suits me well. I love the curriculum and get to work with good friends, what more can I ask for! Most of you all know that I spent the majority of my summer away. It was an awesome experience in many ways! I feel so blessed to be able to travel and teach (2 things I love!) for free. I spent my summer on the East Coast in D.C., Baltimore, and New York. I'll blog more about this later. Let's just say that it was a learning experience for both good and bad in many ways. Good in that I got to see and do things that wouldn't be possible otherwise (like seeing "Wicked" on Broadway, for example - Seriously a childhood dream come true!), I got to share my testimony daily with others not of my faith, and I got to make a difference in the lives of literally hundreds of students and leaders from all over the world. Bad in that there were friend and family relationships that probably suffered, school responsibilities that were a bit neglected, and church/spiritual feedings that were sorely missed and needed. I'm definitely strengthend because of it and I look forward to more adventures in the future. Maybe not quite so exhausting though. One week ago I finished something that I never thought I could or would do, or would ever have the desire to do for that matter. I finished the Jordanelle Triathlon! Yes, there were moments where I literally thought I might die, but I decided I was going to do it trying at least. The feeling coming out of the water knowing that I just swam .5 mile (probably a lot more because I kept going the wrong way and crooked) and I lived was a mixture of exhaustion and sweetness. The feeling as I ran the last leg in through the finish line was of pure joy and exhiliration. I really did it and believe it or not, I actually want to do it again. I'll definitely need some more training first though. Thanks to my trainers, coaches, and friends who patiently helped me get ready in many ways. Thanks to all those who supported and believed in me! I'm a part of a choir called "We Also Sing." It's an all womens choir that rehearses once a week and then in November we get to perform at the Tabernacle on Temple Square. It's an amazing opportunity and I look forward to our rehearsals, we are fed in many ways. It's directed by my high school choir director, Merrilee Webb, who is an amazing musician, leader, friend, and mentor. So everyone put the concert on your calendar and plan on attending. You won't regret it, I promise! I have the opportunity right now to be a Sunday School teacher as well as a Sacrament Meeting chorister from time to time. I love the blessings and opportunities these two callings bring me. They definitely keep me busy and in line! The rest of my time is spent exercising, reading, enjoying the outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. I'm a very proud aunt of my year old nephew, Mr. Mase, who I adore. Aunt Jules can't get enough of him. I'm also looking forward to 2 more joining our podd in the spring! I don't plan on writing this much every time, but I thought for the first entry I should do a recap and an appropriate intro. I'm sure I forgot something important so look for updates to come!