Remember when TV didn't suck?

TV today is just no good. I suppose that's why I don't have one nor do I want one. However, I was thinking back today on a much simpler time...Remember the TGIF Friday line up? One of our favorite things to do on Friday night was hang out with the Winslow Family from Family Matters, or Corey and Topanga from Boy Meets World. A-Team provided us with hours of entertainment as we took turns being Mr. T. Who could forget our rock concerts with headbands over our eyes inspired by Star Trek The Next Generation's Geordi La Forge? The Cosby Show, I watch it today and am seriously considering bringing back their sense of fashion. All that color and fabric was truly an art. Growing Pains, with guest appearances by Leonardo DiCaprio, Kirk cameron and all of his shenanagins....oh and one of my all time favorites was of course Charles In Charge. This kind of TV takes me back to the days when life was much simpler. Back when my whole family lived under the same roof, when I spent my summers playing outside with my brothers and eating fresh peaches while mom canned. Back when we had skinned knees and made mud pies. Back when we would play everything from explorers to G.I. Joes to tag, hide and seek, cards, cars, dress up, school, office, and everything in between. We had no worries or cares in the world other than who's turn it was to have a friend spend the night. I miss those days. I miss the families on TV that consisted of Dad, Mom, and kids, with much simpler problems than today's world. I can't go back, but luckily you can find almost all of these shows on DVD :) I'm filled with warm fuzzies and reminded of my brothers so this post is dedicated to them (although they will probably never read it).

Humility...comin right up... served on a VERY LARGE platter

So my conclusion is this, I needed to be humbled. I am currently being very humbled. Not that I'm humble, just being HUMBLED. Who knew student teaching would be so hard? I sure didnt. Who knew 19 little 1st graders would send me so close to my death bed or the insane asylum... whichever comes first? Just when I start to think I'm getting the hang of it, an oversized needle comes speeding my way to deflate my balloon faster than I can say "pop". It's ok though right? I mean, these evaluations will only follow me for the rest of my life, and lets see, those looking to hire me will feel real comforted by my complete lack of classroom management skills. Ha.

On a happier note, I sure do love my kids no matter how crazy they make me. One little boy, has a smile to die for. I don't know how to not smile back, especially when he is getting in trouble. And today, after studying insects, one little girl was so fascinated with walking sticks and how they can camoflauge themselves so they won't be eaten by their enemies. She was amazed by these little critters! How can you not love a girl who loves bugs!

Well, that's all for now. I'm prayin reeeeeal hard that I can survive this student teaching experience and find someone who wants to pay me to be this crazy everyday. But I never forget that "Life Is Good!"
Ms. Spradlin... over and out.

Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore...

Well, I have been in Las Vegas 2 weeks now. Not gonna lie, the first one was a bit rough. I missed Rexburg, and the homey feel it provided. I missed Birch Plaza and the nasty carpet, not to mention the vacuums that didn't work, the leaky sink, and tempermental toilets. I mostly missed the people, my roommates, the ward that was kinda like family, and the same comfortable thing semester after semester. I even missed Melaleuca. I missed Nat and I's sleepovers, our pretty much constant laughter, I missed last semester real bad, as well as all of the other wonderful semesters I spent there.
Nevertheless, here I am in Vegas, and its coming...slowly but surely. I have 3 new roommates who I have never lived with (don't worry they are great, just takes some getting used to). I have a totally new ward with only 1 familiar face. It has been ridiculously cold and uber windy here. Go ahead and ask if I brought a jacket or anything long-sleeved to LAS VEGAS where "it is going to be so miserably hot". Of course not! I must count my blessings though that it is not snowing.
Im teaching 1st grade, and I have 19 of the little anke biters. They sure do love to talk.... constantly... as in they never stop even when I'm teaching. So that is a brand new challenge for me. I never really have had classroom management issues, however this is a whole nother (and I know that's not really a word) ball game! My teacher says I HAVE to be mean. I have to yell and be firm ...ok, can I yell at 1st graders? Not gonna happen... so this is going to require smart brains, lots of patience, and some creativity.
Well, And now, since I'm falling to sleep as I write this, I eralize it much be time for bed. Maybe I'' finish later, mabe I won't...
'Night!

GRADUATION

So it has been approximately 8 years since I graduated High School and I finally graduated College! Well, technically. I won't get my diploma until after student teaching, but still...I walked and I'm done with Rexburg. Of course its a little bittersweet.... I sure did love that place and the school while I was there, but I'm excited to move on to new things. I'll be in Las Vegas on Saturday or Sunday and I start Student Teaching on Monday. I still don't know the grade or school but hopefully I'll get that info soon. These are just some of the people I love and will miss....

Blake Keyser... and Nat (I'll come back to her). We were on a bowling team this semester. There were 6 of us on the team but they only took 4 scores each week. I helped the team by being one of the scores they didn't take :) Team Roadkill actually ended up 2nd out of the whole school! I guess I did my job really well.

Heather Jones...My first roommate at BYU-Idaho and one of my best friends. Well, her last name is actually Scott now. She married Elder Brandon Scott from my mission. There just aren't enough words to describe this lady and how amazing she is. I loved that we got to graduate together! We plan to go back to Rexburg for Education Week every year. I sure do love her!

Ok, so really, is this the thing I should be doing at this exact moment? No. Nevertheless, here I am, updating my blog after more than a year. But today is a new day! I have just been thinking a lot today (which usually is slightly dangerous to my blood pressure) just about life. In less than a month, I will be a college graduate! Who'da thought? This semester has really been kickin my trash but with only 3 weeks left, I have a feeling it is only going to get harder. And then? It's off to VEGAS! Well, until July anyway. After that I really have no idea. I like to plan things at the last minute, but I at least usually have some kind of an idea of where I will be and what I will be doing. You know, change is so good though. Someone mentioned the other day that I have gotten comfortable here. This is so true! I have been in the same apartment complex and ward for the past 3 years. And now I'll be going somewhere new and starting over. I sure wish Nyckie and Joe were still out there....Anyway, I'm going to sign off for now. Maybe I'll make this a regular occurance...