running thoughts

I went running this morning. This is what ran through my mind...

• I really do not like running most of the time
• How do I make it in the snow?! I have only been here 6 days and I have fully adjusted to the warm life again. Can I go back? Guess I don't have a choice.
• I am going to sit right here in the sun for 10 minutes and reward myself for all the running I did (I really sat down and enjoyed that!)
• Wow...I am so white, So very very white. Gross.
• Are my thighs jiggling?! Gotta fix that.
• The city does trail events. I love the City of San Marcos. Holds a dear place in my heart - my very first employers.
• I really need a haircut. Maybe some bangs...
• Houses on the side of Emerald Heights - beautiful. But how practical is it? What if your daughter has a play date with a friend who lives on the hill. Do you drive down and then back up the same hill to drop her off or do you make her climb through the brush?
• I hate this hill...
• I have only passed one person running. If I were in Provo, I would have passed everyone!

Mostly, I get way more distracted running here than I do in Provo. Maybe it's because I don't have Alison to keep me going. Or maybe I am running during the day so I can actually see things around me. Mostly I think it is the sun and how much I love home. I want to be outside.

Sundays' at home - my favorite

I love lists.


Why San Marcos Sundays' are so great:

1. Starts with the Palomar ward. I miss my awesome friends back here. Sometimes it's nice to feel popular :)
2. Even if there's no sun, it's warm.
3. Zach and Zak's farewells were amazing. All these little boys growing up...I feel old
4. Babies! Everyone and their babies. I love the ladies in my ward and I never get to see babies at church in a student ward.
5. T.O.V. It is always home to me
6. Amazing amazing musical numbers throughout the meeting
7. New pews and carpet. So bomb and maroon and they smell nice too!
8. The beehives and mom's lesson on steps to achieving our goals. Can you guess where I'd like to be in 5 years?!
9. Watching The Green Mile (on TV and clean of course!) with my family. I cried. Life changing movie? Yes.

Well, I have been home for 5 whole days. [Two more and then somehow things worked out so that I go up to Boise to spend New Years with P-Town and Kels gets to be in Salt Lake with her manly man. SOOO EXCITING!] That was all a side note. Now, back to what I have been doing the last 5 days.

Christmas was awesome, as you would expect it to be. I love my family. Mom and I made it through 3 hours of P&P before we watched the Lakers lose (booo) but then enjoyed a great Chargers game. Then Hannah and I went to Oceanside Pier. That was BEAUTIFUL.

The 26th was spent with the Thorkelson bunch. Lots of fun...Definitely lots of fun :) More cute babies and always a good time with them. That evening I caught up with some of my very most favorite people in San Marcos. I know they all get bored just sitting at my house, or attempting to play Snorta, but I love every minute of it.

The end of my BYU football career

I am home! Oh how I love San Marcos. Hannah and I went on a run (really, just turned into a walk) this morning and I forgot how beautiful it was!



This last week has been crazy. Monday night Kelsey, Preston, Kathy, and I left for the longest, but greatest trip home. We stayed Monday night in Santa Clara with Reese and Markay. I love them. Those kids were so much fun and seeing Preston playing wii with my little boy cousins was adorable. That was only after I knocked him out in wii boxing :)



Tuesday morning we left for Vegas. Preston had bought us tickets to the BYU bowl game for my Christmas present. Despite the cold (freezing cold) and windy wind wind, we had a blast! BYU was playing amazing and Preston and I made it to ESPN. I did have to leave with about 4 minutes left though...Kelsey and Kathy were kind of just stuck wandering through Vegas while Preston and I enjoyed the game. He was leaving to go back to Provo with friends after the game. So Kelsey called and called and called. I already knew we were going to win, couldn't I just leave? She sure doesn't understand football and how I have to stay until the end, but I eventually had to give in (she was beginning to whine...)

Being home has treated me well. I sit at home. I nap. I make my flower headbands. But I have redeveloped my cough. It's nice to have mom here to take care of me :)

Also, tomorrow is Christmas! I wish you all a Merry Christmas. I love this time of year. I love hearing Hannah play and sing to Silent Night. I love hearing my siblings laugh and talk in all their loudness. Most of all, I love my Savior. I am so grateful for this time that we get to spend celebrating His birth.

SNOW!! The good and the bad

So the first real snow has come. It is beautiful to look at. Absolutely gorgeous and it finally feels like Christmas (weird that I said that since I have never had Christmas and snow together...). But I guess what I mean is that it finally feels like winter?

What I have decided..

• I like looking at it
• I don't even mind walking in it
• I DO NOT LIKE driving in it AT ALL - I feel like I was better at it last year.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Well let me just tell you about this weekend because it was wonderful (besides the fact that I was sick...)

FRIDAY - We had our last Adaptive Aquatics field trip to BYU. We only had one who was prepared for swimming so we just all stayed in the gym and had a blast! Preston came and I just love when he does that. Then - my lame phone died. Won't charge. And I spent from 4 to 6 at the Verizon store with my wonderful sister. She helped me pick a new one...it's the new chocolate. I know, another chocolate, but I seriously am loving this one. It's a touch phone and I was iffy about that...but it's been tons of fun. I made Kelsey drive home because I definitely had a fever. Preston went to the store and got me medicine and powerade. What a boyfriend, right?! It was an early night due to sick me.

SATURDAY - Still recovering but feeling better. Preston picked me up at 1 and we watched his uncle dominate with other BYU alum in a volleyball tournament. Then we drove up to Draper and got lunch with Kelsey. This was followed with a triple date to the BYU vs. San Fran game at the Energy Solutions Arena. Kelsey went out with Jordan Mann (a good friend of mine from the ward last year) and then Todd (also from my ward) and his date. We had a blast. Lorena also had her Christmas Boutique - a give and buy adorable craft bazaar raising money for a family without Christmas in Argentina. I brought a few headbands that I had a made. We went back to spend the night with Lyman, Lorena, the girls, and Kels. Lots of fun and a fairly late night.

SUNDAY - First of all, my ward is amazing. I love testimony meetings with them. That was great. Right after church, Preston and I left for Salt Lake where we went to the Christmas Devotional. I hope you all got to see it because it was fabulous. (You can listen/watch it here) After the devotional we went to his aunt and uncles house where we ate, ate, ate.

What a weekend!

I am thankful...

So tonight for FHE we tonight we went around and shared what we are thankful for and when it came to me I was just overwhelmed with how much my life has changed over this last semester.

I have lost three people who have been a part of my life. I am so thankful for the relationships I have and the relationships that I will continue to have. I am grateful for those who have changed my life and are still changing my life, whether it be though my interaction with them or through the example they have left. I have been thinking a lot lately of Robi especially. I still cry because I miss him so much and I think that's a little selfish of me. I know that he is experiencing more joy than ever before, but that doesn't mean that I don't miss his amazing hair, adventurous/daredevil attitude, and friendship.

I am so lucky to be teaching my specific class with my specific students. I don't think I can express enough how much they mean to me and how much they have helped me look at the world through new eyes. I have never been around such good and amazing children in my life. They go through so much that makes life really difficult but everyday they get off the bus and come to school, everyday they smile, everyday they make me smile. Today for of them were sitting on our bean bag...it was a pretty tight squeeze and it was just so adorable, I had to grab my phone for a picture. I wish I could share it with you all because the minute I told them I was taking a picture and to say "cheese" they threw their arms around each other and smiled. To see them be such good friends and to tell me that they are friends is amazing. I love them.

My family. They are beautiful and I am so thankful for their love and friendship. Dad and Port came with me to the game on Saturday and Phil leans over to me and said, "Your family wins the greatest hair award, hands down!" haha Yes, yes we do. I miss them but it is amazing to know that forever and always we will be together. I can't wait for Christmas when we get to sit around the family room and watch our crazy movies and play charades. That's all I want to do.

Berto. I love coming home to my baby. He is so cute and I wish you could all see the way he lays down now. haha I can't even explain it and it might just be me that thinks it is absolutely adorable...just like a real mom huh? haha I love him.

The Gospel, My Savior, the Book of Mormon, President Monson. I am so grateful that I was born into the church. I am grateful that my parents lived in such a way that they were married and sealed in the Los Angeles Temple. I am so grateful for my testimony and the knowledge and truth that is within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am especially grateful that at this Christmas season we get to really focus on our Savior, Jesus Christ. I love Him and I am forever indebted to Him and His sacrifice.

Christmas music - it is amazing. "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear." - Buddy the Elf.

Christmas movies - ELF, Little Women, A White Christmas, Holiday Inn, A Christmas Story, Pride and Prejudice (the A&E version, every Christmas with my mom after opening presents), The Holiday...and those are just a few.

BYU beating UTAH at my final football game as a Cougar. Then rushing the field.


That's just what is jumbling around in my crazy little head right now. I have so much to be thankful for that it has made me very emotional. I just can't believe that I should be so lucky.

the mayflower, the mayflower, a little ship on an ocean trip

First - TOMORROW IS THANKSGIVING! I love the holidays.

Mom, Kelsey, Sydney, and Porter all came into my class on Tuesday and I am so glad they did. I am so lucky to have a family who supports me in my career and is willing to lose themselves with my students.
Syd set her status on facebook after seeing my cuties. It said -

"Sydney Thorkelson has never fallen in love with kids so quickly. tati-- your kids are adorable and i love them. ♥ "

Pretty cool huh?


We took sissy pictures today and hung out with MYERS! We went up to Sundance - just like we did when it was just me, Alyse, and Kels around. Sort of nostalgic, freezing, and lots of fun!

what a week!

I don't know that anyone can understand how unbelievably rough this week has been for me (unless you are an aide in my classroom). We got two new students and they are going to be very hard. I know that things will get better but having these new students has also thrown off all my other kids. I have been about ready to fall over and Friday, I did...TWICE. We were at BYU swimming and one of my kids thought it was fun to run and I slipped on the wet tile. The second time was really hard. I felt my whole spine vibrate all the way up to my head. The poor boy fell with me and he just looked at me and said OW! and I told him that that is what happens when we run. It only got better to find a poopy diaper and to have my super large cookie in a box (given to me by a super cute boy - i've got your attention now huh!) smooshed. SO - it was just a hard week and to end with a hard Friday makes it even worse. BUT...

There have been some great positives this week that have kept me going!

1. Knowning that I would get to see my family this weekend.
2. BYU Basketball with my good friend's mom on Tuesady - Thank you Mama L :)
3. Preach My Gospel - I love being a part of the missionary council and studying PMG
4. I just decided that I can listen to CHRISTMAS MUSIC and I think I have the greatest Christmas music collection a college student could have!
5. A cute boy
6. My sweet kids and their Thanksgiving Play - gobble gobble gobble gobble gobble!
7. Ray's institute lesson on Humility and Gratitude that I'm sure was just for me to hear on Wednesday
8. Watching UP in a parking lot
9. Reading So B. It - it's by Sarah Weeks and I recommend it to anyone
10. All my childhood friends. I spent yesterday in St. George for Tim Cummings' funeral. What an amazing service and an even more amazing family. Everyone I remember growing up was there and I know everything went just as Tim would have wanted. Each of his kids spoke and there were several music numbers. I was amazed at their talent and their sweet memories of their father. It was a very emotional but happy afternoon.
11. The Plan of Salvation and the knowledge of Eternal Families
12. The super cute picture Porter and I got to take together :)

I really can't complain because I sure am a lucky girl.

I love BYU

Alison brought home some pictures she got at work. They were both pictures of campus and they almost make me want to cry. BYU is beautiful and I cannot wrap my head around the fact that I am a senior and that this part of my life is coming to an end.
I have come to the point where I have to think about my future and the more that I do this, the more that I realize how much I have loved these last four years at BYU. As much as I am not a fan of this snow that has begun to fall (yes, I know it's beautiful - but it is so cold!), I do love life in Provo. I love the student wards. I love the social life. I love the adventures. I don't know how to live on my own anywhere else and I am not sure if Provo is the place I need to stay once I graduate. When I walk on campus I am still amazed that I made it here. I remember that it was like a dream freshman year. It would overwhelm me and I would tear up. It's four years later and walking on campus will still get me teary eyed. There is this joy, excitment, and love eminating from BYU.

On another note - my bishopric was released today and our new bishopric was called. It is so hard to say goodbye. I was with them longer than any other bishopric at BYU and I love them so much. I have developed relationships not only with them but also with their wives - their sweet wives who always put their arms around me when I needed it. But it is amazing how the church continues and the minute Bishop Richards was called and I saw his smile, I knew everything will keep going. He had that smile on throughout the entire meeting.

Also. I got a text Saturday morning while Kelsey and I were squished trying to sleep in my bed, telling me that Tim Cummings had passed away earlier that morning. Anyone that knew Tim has been touched and changed for the better. He was my dad's first friend in Orange County and stayed one of his very closest friends. I think I might have mentioned how I went to St. George with my dad about a month ago and we got to visit Tim - a trip I am so very grateful for. I love the Cummings family and they are in my prayers. I admire their strength and I love the childhood memories I have with them. I am thankful that I have the Gospel in my life, that I know that things continue after this life and that Tim is experiencing joy that we could never imagine. These recent experiences I have had with death - the experiences I have had with it over the last four years - have really made me appreciate those around me. I hope all of you know that. I cannot take for granted the relationships I have.

Today was a BEAUTIFUL Sunday. It is going to be a BEAUTIFUL week.

it's raining, it's pouring

So, I know it has been fall for a while now - but can I just tell you that last week was one of the prettiest weeks Provo has seen in a long time. The leaves are beautiful and falling. The sun was out and then...today started the rain. If there was some thunder and lightning - I would love it. And if I had a rocking chair by a window and a cute boy to watch it all with - I would love it even more. I guess this is the longest I have seen Provo stay beautiful so I really cannot complain but...

Here are a few updates in my life:


BERTO- loves to be held on his back ans tickled. It's pretty adorable. I am still working on learning what he wants and needs. He squeals quite a bit these days and sometimes it gets really loud, but I sure just love having him around.


BYU BASKETBALL - Our season starts on Friday. We have had two exhibition games - one on Tuesday and one tonight. I don't know if you can understand how much I love this. I love it so much that I have camped outside of the Marriott (quite possibly my favorite place at BYU) to get tickets. Basketball is how I make it through the winter.

BISHOPRIC - The bishopric I have come to love over the last year and a half living here at Chatsworth is being released on Sunday. This will be very hard for me and the rest of my ward but we are so lucky to have had them for this long. I am just so grateful for the time that they have put into my ward and me.

FAMILY - My family is coming up the entire week of Thanksgiving! Greatest news I received all weekend!

VETERANS DAY - We had an assembly yesterday and before it started the 4th graders stood up and sang the Military Medley. My class has been going into a music class once a week with the 4th graders so I actually new the words and I have watched my kids learn the words or just sing as loud as they can with their 4th grade friends. When these sweet kids started singing...I started crying. I was just overwhelmed with the courage they had and continue to have.

MY CLASS - I still love them. Can you believe it!? haha Today one of them said, "PBS kids. Where a kid can be a kid." PBS + Chuck E. Cheese = Amazing. We also went to a PE class with some 6th graders and one of my kids was so good...he mimicked everything the other kids. He leaped, he galloped, skipped, stretched. I could not stop laughing!

Basically, I am really tired but I love life.

Now Introducing...

Everyone, meet Berto - my totally and completely adorable guinea pig.

I picked him up tonight and I am already totally in love! He is about 5 weeks old but I think I will just claim today as his birthday. He has the greatest cowlicks everywhere...it seriously looks like he has fireworks on his back! He has about every color on him. Swirls of white, black, and red.

Pretty darn cute huh?

Robison Sundell

A very close friend of mine passed away today from a serious longboarding accident. Last night, I drove up to Salt Lake last night to see him at the hospital. When I first found out that he was hurt, all we knew was that it was bad, really bad. They told me to just to stay at home because I wouldn't be able to do much up there either. I felt terrible sitting at home and all I could do was cry...then I got the call saying that he didn't have much of a chance of pulling through and I drove right up to the hospital. I was a few minutes away when the call came saying that we had to go in and say goodbye a few at a time.

Robi's parents were sitting with him and when I walked in, I lost it. I kept hugging his parents and then I just started telling them all about Robi and what he did for me...I was most impressed by how much they cared about me. When their son was lying there on the hospital bed, they asked us who we were, how we were doing, if we had any questions. They are amazing.


I just sent this email to his brother who had asked friends to send some memories and pictures his way. I was going to write a blog about Robi but thought that just sharing this email would be enough.

---------------------

Every story I have about Mr. Robison is a great one but if I told you them all now...this could easily be the longest email of my life. I have many pictures and I'll send some of my favs, but if you want more, I would love to send them your way.

My story with Robi Sundell started my sophomore year at BYU. The Lib Square brought us together. This lone man from Vegas was thrown into a bunch of rowdy guys from Burley and they were perfect for each other. I was instantly drawn to his outgoing personality and loved the way that he was just Robi, whether you liked it or not. He volunteered to let me question him about relationships. He even did mini-dates with me where we sat down for 10 minutes just so I could get points for my marriage prep class - let me tell you, those were some of the greatest mini-dates of my life. He always came up with the most amazing, silly, goofy comments. Before long, Robi would show up in a robe only to then strip of it and make us scream as he danced/chased us in his speedo. Liberty Square did a Halloween dance and of course Robi shows up in his long, white trash, blonde wig, a pink robe, and rollerblades. Pretty soon he was just sporting that lovely speedo again. My apartment does General Conference breakfasts and even when Robi and I didn't live by each other - he would show up and save us. He would take over the kitchen and make the eggs, pancakes, bacon, and french toast better than 1 girl manning each station could. Then no matter how hard we fought it, he would clean up after. My best friend and I are big into BYU Basketball and decided to campout at the Marriott so that we could get good tickets for the BYU vs. UofU game. Robi let us take his tent and the warmest sleeping bags he had. We were determined that we could put that tent up ourselves but when dark rolled around and the snow started falling and we were failing miserably - Robi showed up anyway and made sure we were going to be alright.

Then there was the JEWEL. I am not a crazy daredevil type but Robi pushed me into that monster of a car and drove me right up mountains. I have never said "What are we doing?! What are we doing!?" in a higher, more terrified scream in my life. I have a few videos from that night and in one of them you can hear him say, "Apparently, you get in big trouble if they catch ya." Of course, we were doing it anyway. Oh - and one of my favorite things I learned about Robi that year was that he grew a mustache whenever he was mad at a girl. haha so Robi.

I am so glad the our friendship didn't end after Liberty Square. We both moved and lived about 8 blocks from each other. Robi would show up at least weekly to my place with his longboard. We talked about everything. I can still close my eyes and hear his voice and see him lick his bottom lip the way he did when he was telling a good story. Most of the time we argued over motorcycles and guns - 2 things I dislike so much, 2 things he loved, the 2 things that we joked would ever keep us from being together forever. This summer he called me to see if I was home. I told him I was sitting on my lawn reading and he was going to come over. 2 minutes later I hear a motorcycle stop by my house. There was Robi who had rode up onto the sidewalk with the most gigantic motorcycle I have ever seen. I got on it with him and I still can't believe I did it, but I knew Robi would take care of me. He wouldn't go faster than I wanted and I think he is the only man that will ever get me on a bike. The last thing I said to Robi was how much I loved him even if he loved the two things I would never allow...

Robi blessed my life so much. He made me smile more than anyone I have ever met. He cared about our friendship and made an effort to see me. He made me feel special, loved, unique, and proud to be Tati.

1, 2, 3, 4

1. This morning as we were singing the National Anthem, one of my students grabbed my hands and started swaying (this is how he dances) with me as he sang. I couldn't stop laughing. The same student later grabbed me during Signing Time as Rachel Coleman was singing "Outside" and ran me around in circles. haha It was unreal.

2. I went home this last weekend. BEAUTIFUL. The weather changed just in time for me to come and enjoy it. I couldn't have asked for a better weekend at home. I got to see my Cougars play at Qualcom. I got to go to the beach twice. I got to eat Mr. Taco. I got to see all my favorite people. AND I got to spend lots of time with my family...although we didn't play any charades this time. Guess Christmas will provide plenty of opportunity for charades :)

3. Someone started singing "You are my sunshine" in class today. One of the first girls I ever worked in up here in Utah used to sing that to me as I would take her to the bathroom. She was the happiest girl who just would light up with music. This song and working with students with disabilities reminds me of a talk once shared in my first semester in the special ed program. It's called "Jesus Hears Me." If you have a few minutes to spare - read it. I cry, even now, as I read it. I forget how close they bring me to the Savior everyday. I have a sweet girl, much like Heather, and her blue eyes, sweet giggles, and few words of "tickle tickle" as she tickles at your back, have an innocence unlike any other. She smiles as she gets off the bus. She smiles as she gets back on to go home. She smiles as she is stretched and made to stand in her stander for 20 minutes. She knows she is special. She knows she is loved and she shares that with all that know her.

4. "To infinity and beyond!" - Toy Story is a favorite in my classroom. We have been slowly watching it and I am surprised at what my students can quote. My dancing boy from earlier is the one who quotes Buzz Lightyear all the time. I will start with "To infinity..." and he will always finish it. My favorite part though is when the toys all gang up on Sid. He is holding Woody in his hand and Woody spins his head creepily around and says something like "We are watching you...So PLAY NICE!" and seriously, at least 3 of my kids said "play nice" with Woody. Kinda cute.

I have a lot to say

As you know, I work with the most adorable kids ever. I don't know how I got so lucky. My heart has just been overwhelmed and is as full as I think a heart can get.Every look they give me fills me with love. I know they love me. On top of them, Conference last week just left me feeling that love is a crucial aspect that many of us are overlooking or avoiding. I am so lucky because everyday I feel my Heavenly Father's love for both me and my students. Everyday I am filled with a Christlike love for them. And everyday they love me back. I loved Elder Uchtdorf's talk. It was all about love and the love of God. He at one point said, "Heaven may seem distant at times". I thought about it and realized that with love, I see a glimpse of Heaven everyday. Everyday it seems so close because my students have a relationship to Heavenly Father that we don't yet understand. We had a sub last week who asked me why, if Heavenly Father loved them, would he give them these struggles? She said she had heard the "silly" answers like it is for us to learn to love...I believe that a lot of it is for us to learn that love. Yes, I know there is so much more behind it. I know that their lives are difficult but I believe that they knew their disabilities, physically and mentally, would be their challenge here on earth. Many who can communicate have said that if there was a cure for their disabilitiy they wouldn't want it. I know that they are strong and while I cannot even imagine what that would be like, they are doing it.

This week I just felt my class come together. They have started sharing and giggling together. One of my kids has started saying more words than he has ever said before. He said his colors, good morning, and hello! The behavior issues with another student have begun to decrease. We have really become a class. My techs/aides are also amazing. They are so much fun to talk to and they know that I love these kids.

More on my life - Dad came up for an interview this week. We got dinner together on Thursday. I haven't had one on one time with my dad for so long. It was one of the greatest weekends I have had. We went to Guru's for dinner and we were there for 2 hours just talking. He is such a strong man. He is so close to Heavenly Father and any other family in our situation would be worried about their future, but dad has continued to do the best things and I know that whether my family moves to Logan, Draper, or stays in San Diego, it will be the right thing. Friday night I then drove with my dad and his buddy Jared down to St. George. More time with dad :) Him and Jared reminisced much of the drive and sang their old music and I loved it. They were just having fun. Saturday morning Dad and I visisted Tim. I love the Cummings family. I am so impressed at their strength. When Tim woke up and saw Dad...I will never forget the smile on Tim's face. He was so happy to see dad. We talked for an hour and a half, an hour and a half I won't forget. After that we went back to get Jared and we began the drive back to Provo...but we drove through Snow Canyon and Zion National Park. BEAUTIFUL. We walked a bit at Snow Canyon and I just felt like the little girl again. The little girl my dad and his buddies would take out fishing, hiking, climbing. A good trip.

And then to end this wonderful week - the COUGARS WON :)

ba da da da da i'm lovin' it

It was another wild day and before I forget, here's a story from our field trip to BYU last Friday...
The bus drove by McDonalds and one of my cute girls says..."babadada (something to a tune) i'm lovin' it." Following her McDonalds song she began to recite their entire menu! haha Truly impressive. This same girl also can't say Tati and therefore I have become Teddy...it still takes me a bit to respond to it.

Today I was sitting on the teeter-totter with my boys, just talking to them. One of them looks at me and says, "I like a girl!" I went through all the girls in our class and then the girls in the class he was in last year. Finally he say no and tells me that it is me! haha ohhhh a crush. I quickly change the subject and my other boy tells me that when he grows up he wants to buy a motor home and move to the middle of nowhere. Now, we were in a serious conversation out on the playground and the kindergartners come out. A little boy asks what my name is and then tells me that he wants to sit on the teeter-totter and talk to me like them. Leave it to the elementary boys to make my day!

Also - Tia Tuki is in town. Michelle took us all to Tucanos up in Salt Lake. It was so much fun and watching Tuki and Grandma together made my night. They are the most adorable sisters ever.

A New Student?

Yesterday morning I go out to the buses and one of the bus drivers asks me if I am the one with the new student. I tell her that I didn't hear anything about it but later come to find out that he is mine and he is in the office waiting to be picked up. Surprise!

Turns out he is super smart. I have not worked with a kid who can do addition and it's actually really fun. We have quickly become friends and I hope that we can get him out in some regular classes really soon.

Funny story of the day:
I was taking one of my students to the bathroom and he asked me who his teacher was. Weird, since I was right there next to him. I said, "I don't know. Who do you think your teacher is?!"
He thought for a minute and said "Chloe!" Ok, now Chloe is his dog. He thought he was hilarious and all day he was telling me the Chloe was his teacher and then he would crack up. Not funny for anyone else, but I loved how much it made him laugh.

I knew this was coming...

Today marks my 21st day of teaching and my first really rough day as a teacher. Two of my students had a really rough day. It wasn't just like 5 minutes or an hour but a full day of school where they were completely off. I knew that it wasn't going to be perfect and that it was actually going to be hard but I just felt like I couldn't reach them today and I got really discouraged. It was frustrating and I had to take many deep breaths throughout the day. If it weren't for my fabulous aids, I wouldn't have made it through the day.

The cool thing about this though it that even though I left work totally worn out and discouraged and frustrated, I left still loving all of them and teaching. I can't imagine my life without them anymore. I left telling myself, "We'll try again tomorrow."

So I welcome tomorrow, FRIDAY!, to come. We are field tripping it up to BYU so 3 of my kids can participate in Adaptive Aquatics (the program that has inspired me to go home in the summer and teach and adapted swim program) and the other 5 can go to the gym for some adapted p.e. games/activities. Sounds exciting, right?

another great day

After work today we met with a grandparent to discuss some things about her student. She told us that when he was younger, they almost lost him several times. She got all teary eyed talking about how they think an education is so important and how they want him to be well behaved and I was just overwhelmed by the love that she had for him.
I don't know how I got so lucky with this ability to work with students with special needs but I am so grateful I did. They touch my life everyday. They make me laugh harder than I have ever laughed before. (example - Today my little jock farted a big one. haha there was some serious tooting as we sat across from each other in serious conversation about the activities going on around the classroom. haha he just kept farting and said "I'm stinky! hahahahaha I stink. hahaha" He was just laughing and laughing and ohhh he has a great laugh) They teach me how to love and make sure that I know how it feels to be loved.
A friend was just telling me how he had the greatest job ever but really, I get to change lives but I get paid to have them change mine. I really do have the best and most rewarding job there is. With my students, I know that we can change the world.

I am the world's luckiest daughter

It's my dad's birthday. I just realized that we have very few pictures together, probably because he is always the one behind the camera. These are just a few of my favs.

My dad picked me up from the Tijuana Airport two summers ago when I came up from Guadalajara for my best friends wedding. I was so excited to see him. He was in communication with me the minute I got off the plane and just hearing his voice made that, what I thought at the time, scary flight from Guadalajara to Tijuana easy. It was my first flight alone and it was all in Spanish.

He is always there to push me to do my best and feel good about myself. He is my hero. That picture of me jumping of the rock in Big Bear is one of my favorites. I hate heights. I am sure I sat up there for half an hour telling him I couldn't do it. But he gets me to do things that make me stronger. He is always there to catch me and when I got put on the waiting list for the Special Education program at BYU, he was the only one who could calm me down and make me feel like life was still going to be ok. I love him. I love him so much. I forever will be his kukiluki.

The Joy of Having Monday OFF

Today was Tuesday, but it felt like Monday. Meaning this weekend is going to come faster than ever!

A little girl came up to me in the hall at school and told me that she really liked my shirt. Amazing what the boost that comes from a compliment from a 3rd grader!

My kids all came into class in the greatest moods, but by 12:30 they were pooped. They certainly were kept busy this weekend. I have a student who calls me teacher tati or tati teacher but tati sound different every time she says it.

I am going to go swimming now. :)

Adventures of a Special Educator

I have realized that I should probably change the name of my blog...and I just might one of these days. Everyday is full of new stories.

As I was taking my class out to recess, another student came up to me and started talking. She asked me if I was a new teacher and we made a few introductions. She asked if I was teaching the UEI class and I said yes. I then asked how old she was and she told me she was 8 so we talked a little about third grade. She asked how old I was and when I said 21 she said, "You are the perfect teacher!" and ran off. haha cute.

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On another note - I hope everyone got to see the BYU vs. Oklahoma University game. I am so impressed with how we played. I couldn't be more proud to be a Cougar. Also, Provo erupted with our final touchdown...it was a riot. I ran across 700 N. and University sooo many times. Hundreds of students were shouting, chanting, running and every car driving by was honking. Then we ran, BAREFOOT, to the stadium where even more crazy students were celebrating. It was amazing.

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One more thing - Such a good day off! I went to Park City for the first time and it was beautiful!

draper love

So I was booted from my apartment on the 20th and couldn't move into mine until today. I have been staying at Michelle's up here in Draper for the in between time. Yes, the commute from Draper to Springville is not great, but it isn't all that bad either. In fact, I enjoy the drive.

I have used a few of Michelle's guest passes to her gym and swam for a few hours on Saturday - like real lap swimming. It felt so good. I jumped in and it was just like the old days, although I definitely could not swim butterfly, which makes me sad. Then Michelle and I went to the gym again and did weights and gosh - I just love gyms. Gotta get myself a membership once I start making my half teacher salary. :)

I have also decided that Draper isn't that bad. It's actually quite beautiful.

AND I love teaching. I love my sweet kids and while I can stay awake at school, I am drained the minute they get on the bus. We have had a lot of fun and they seem to like me enough!

life is great

catch up

Last day at work
I loved my job. Working in the Student Athlete Building was so amazing. I have never worked with such great people and in such a friendly and exciting environment. I met people that I will never forget and I got to see a whole new side of BYU Athletics - and I just love it even more.



CARLY
My favorite Carly Jean came and stayed with me for 6 whole days! This is the first time she has ever visited in the summer and Utah was a whole new experience for her. It was hot AND cold. Rain, thunder, sun, and more sun. The poor girl got stuck with me getting ready to teach...she decorated my classroom, talked me through stress, all that good stuff. We made pizza and treats and ate J Dawgs (her favorite!). We went on one run and never went hiking. We watched Arsenic and Old Lace at Rock Canyon Park and saw BYU women's soccer play Dixie State (where Abby Monroe is goalie! So fun seeing them at the game). Overall - Carly is such a good friend. I had so much fun with her and I am so lucky she loves me so much :)




Teaching!
I love it. I am in love with my class. I have a jock, a class clown, the princess, the loveable giant, mr. monitor everyone else, and a super happy cutie. There is one that I still have to meet and we get a new girl tomorrow. Definitely still a lot I have to do and figure out - but it is fun and it is where I am supposed to be.


All this good is happening in my life and I am so grateful but a friend of mine was in an accident last week and passed away and I cannot stop thinking about him. One summer I saw him almost everyday and it was tons of fun. Together we pulled pranks, we boxed on wii, we looked at "alien lights" that turned out to only be thunder, we sat in hot tubs, and went to the beach...I miss him. I miss that summer.

OH MY GOODNESS

I start teaching tomorrow...like for real.
Today is opening house. crazy.

Carly has been here all week and has helped me with everything.
This is going to be quick but soon to come is...

1. My last day at work
2. Carly coming! PICTURES
   
3. Setting up my classroom

Just Kidding

They aren't moving anymore.
I guess they just forgot to tell me. haha But my family is STAYING IN SAN DIEGO. So ignore everything I said earlier and just enjoy the cute pictures.

I am glad. I wasn't sure how I was going to survive the Utah cold when my family no longer lived in San Diego for me to visit. Also, I wasn't sure how I was going to live without you all.

love love love

Pictures of the Past

It looks like my family is moving to Utah in approximately 10/11 days. Mom is going through things as she has been packing and she will text me pictures that she has found. Adorable. I am obsessed with them. They make me excited to have my family close.

my door

The door to our apartment often gets stuck. Friends will come over and not be able to get in. No matter how loud we yell, we always eventually have to get up and open the door. I have watched people try to open the door and tell me that it is locked. Silly.

Well, Hannah and Catherine were spending the night. I had work at 8 the next morning and mom was going to come down to be with them around noon. Around 1 I call to see if mom got there and what they were doing. Mom tells me that they have been locked out. The girls went outside and locked themselves out.

I was so confused. You can't lock our door without a key. I kept trying to explain to mom that there is a bolt and it isn't just some flimsy lock, there has to be a key. She tells me that she even tried it and felt it hit the bolt, it was locked.

Then I remembered. You guys! My door gets stuck. I tell mom to go up and give it a big push. I hear her walk to the door, then her body pushing against the door and then the laughing.

I love the simple laughs of life!

fish (not so much) fun

Aubrey left her fish in my hands while she went off and had fun with her internship with NBA this summer. Lucky me. First, we named him something I can't remember. Then she named him Dookie! ahh haha Porter came to visit the other weekend and when he asked, I told him the fish was named Dookie. He laughed and then went over to look at him again about a half hour later and says, "What's his name? Turd?" haha hilarious. On a more recent note though, Aubrey informed me through facebook that he is now Twinkie, but he'll always be Turd to me!

Alright, this is my not so fun part of the story. Part of taking care of the fish is cleaning out his bowl. Ok, I can do that...but it gets tricky because he never wants to come out and it's hard to dump him into a cup over the kitchen sink. Well, Hannah (My family is in town this week) and my cousin, Catherine, came over to spend the night last night. I went do put away some dishes or something and realized it was time to clean the bowl. No biggie, right? Well, I start dumping the water to get him out and he flopped right off the cup and right into my drain! I just saw him flopping there and screamed, a really loud-scared-Tati-dramatic type of scream. AHHHHHHHH I JUST DROPPED THE FISH! HANNAH! THE FISH! IT'S IN THE DRAIN!!! AHHHHH I JUST DROPPED THE FISH! This continued for some time and the girls had no idea what to do. Eventually Hannah stuck her little hands in there and says "Ew. He's flopping!" So we knew he was alive.

End of story - Dookie/Turd/Twinkie made it back to his clean fishbowl and seems happier than ever.

twenty one

Sooooo...my birthday was Sunday. I am now 21. I think I have hit that point where I feel younger than my age, like, 21 was always old and now I am 21 and I am not sure how to react to that.
My birthday was great though. I spent the day in Draper with family and I just love them. Then my roommate sneakily talked to my family and during ward prayer read little messages from each of them. I cried. Then she invited everyone and had our apartment all pretty with cake and balloons. I love her. My family sent me my favorite movie, Cinema Paradiso, and I am still waiting for the perfect time to watch it. SO EXCITED for that!

This last week has really opened my eyes up to some things and I will have a blog shortly sharing the thoughts I had.

Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes. Turning 21 turned out 100x better than I thought it would have.

service and love

We had this really amazing institute lesson last Wednesday. It was all about service and I was just overwhelmed with how I have been served and how Heavenly Father works through the service of others to show His love for us. My sweet friend, Carly, sent me a package this last week. She is such an example to me of love. She takes time to do things for me constantly. I am always impressed with the time she puts into others and guess what, she is coming to visit me in a few weeks!
Then I remembered how I truly feel Christlike love when serving others. It is impossible to not love someone if you are serving them with a sincere heart. My sweet students for example. Thursday was my last day working with them. My cooperating teacher's husband brought in a few of his scouts and if the boys worked with this kids at all, I saw them quickly see through their physical and mental differences and love them for what they are.
More on the sweet kids in Santaquin. Every time I leave a class, I wonder how I can love another one again. This was no exception. I love each and everyone of those students that I got to know. They taught me so much in just a few weeks. I can't even imagine what I am going to be like when I have to leave a class when it is really mine.

So it has been one of those weekends. I think I woke up crying Sunday morning and I just kept crying. It was a release that I needed.

About a week and a half ago, I got a sweet gift from some person who is really looking out for me. That person remains a mystery but the purpose of their gift and the timing of it all is becoming more and more clear as the days go on. On the front of the envelope they had written John 14:27. I had sort of put it in the back of my mind but when I called Mom on Sunday morning, she reminded me of how timely the gift was and told me to remember that scripture. Mom remembers all of the important stuff and I would be a bucket case if I didn't call her everyday.

We really cannot live life in fear, or even in doubt. I feel like my heart becomes "troubled" quite a bit easier than others. My heart is truly the center of everything I do. I am not sure how to explain it, I never have been able to, but my family has always commented on how I grab my heart when I am talking about things that I really care about. My heart feels it first. I have a lot to learn from this scripture. I have a lot of doubt that I need to stop worrying about.



But on a more exciting note, I slept under the stars up Hobble Creek on Friday night. I sat in the sun for 3 hours, hiked the Y, and saw the fireworks for Draper Day (which TOTALLY blew Stadium of Fire out of the water) on Saturday night. Good weekend.

AND Dad updated is website. He seriously takes some of the most amazing pictures. I am obsessed with the new site. Check out jthork.com. I love him.

i NEED sleep

I haven't slept much in the last few days. Just trying to enjoy being a college student by seeing Harry Potter at midnight. It has thrown me off for the rest of the week. I don't know that I have ever been quite this tired before and it has let me see a new side of myself, one I don't care to see often...

What I have learned about me when I am tired:

• I am emotional - happy to sad in seconds, a roller coaster of emotion!
• I can't focus
• I feel drained: emotionally, spiritually, and physically
  
• I am super sarcastic, hopefully not mean
• My head hurts

and worst of all

• I don't smile as often

So, I may or may not be in class right now, struggling to stay awake. I get to go home in in about an hour and I plan to head right to bed for a nap before running (still working on my legs!) and then sleeping again, this time until I have to wake up. Tomorrow is going to be a brand new day! Love Fridays!

more leg drama

Funny how I was talking about my legs just last blog, but...
I think I must just be super tired and it has been taken out on my legs, the ones that I am expecting to turn fabulous any day now.

First, we went to family home evening at my bishop's house. It was great but when we got home, I was walking with my friend, Josh, back to my apartment. Everything is fine and then...BOOM! He catches me as I fall. Tripped over nothing.

Next, Alison and I go running, just like we do every night. Oh it was great! I was running fast, full of energy. About halfway through, I don't even know what happened, but I ended up on the ground, sprawled half across the sidewalk and the rest of me across the grass. My knee is bumped and scraped and today in class I got some cute attention. One of my students even kissed it better.

Then, after running, I went to take the trash out and over nothing, once again, fell with my bag of trash.

I can report though, that I have yet to fall today!

how come my legs aren't the nicest legs around?

So hear me out :) Thursday I tried this little experiment...I counted how many stairs it took me to get from work in the SAB (which is technically on campus) to my class up in the McKay Building. Guess, just guess, how many stairs that totaled!! 225. I do that on a regular basis. Next week I am going to keep track of all my steps in a normal day...should be fun and just prove even more that my legs should be looking so good right now!
I also went hiking twice yesterday. Alison and I have been running almost daily and we have gotten to the point where we can run 3 miles easy, which is something amazing for me if you understand how I feel about running. Yesterday morning we took our run to a hike and enjoyed Rock Canyon. It was beautiful and eventually rained on us for the hike back. We also did the entire hike speaking Spanish which was so fun.
Then get this, the hiking continues! Last night I am in Draper and Michelle's house when my Sandy boys call and say they are going to hike the Y at 10:30. I just had to go, right? The Y has never been so easy for me to do! I loved it and could have kept going. Sooo, my legs might not look the nicest, but I know they are doing me some good and getting me through stairs, running, and up and down mountains!

temple open house and kind people

The world is full of so so so much good. Utah sometimes amazes me with what it has to offer. I have been to two temple open houses within the last 6 months. What an amazing experience for me. The Draper Temple was full of the most beautiful art I have seen. Also, while at the Draper Temple back in February, I saw the eternal perspective of the church. Things that matter so much to people, looks and abilities, aren't quite so important. I saw a baby with Down Syndrome, a volunteer was blind and another was completely burned. Then tonight at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House. It was so organized and beautiful. The wood work in this temple was simple but so stunning. It was so peaceful in its simplicity. I cannot believe how lucky I am to understand that this isn't the end. We have the ability to spend all of eternity with those we love.
After this wonderful evening at the temple I come home and have a note on my door. So this year I have had to work to be more independent, especially financially. I have made it so far but sometimes it gets super tight and I am the biggest "stress outer over everything" that I know. Some sweet person left me a little note with John 14:27 on it and a kind gift. I am luckiest person I know. I am full of gratitude. So many have done so much good for me. Thank you.

my family and charades

My family plays charades all the time. We love charades.

Porter is my favorite to watch. He acts out just what it means and sometimes we have no idea what he's doing. Sometimes that gets frustrating, especially for dad.
I went home this past weekend and guess what we played...that's right, charades. It was Porter's turn and this is by far the best one I think that he has ever had. He gets up and we figure out that it is two words and he wants to start with the second word. He begins to flutter around and we soon realize he is being the tooth fairy...but that's not the second word or a word that sounds like it. So he decides he will try at the first word. He begins to pick oranges, makes juice, and drinks it. This goes on for a good five or ten minutes and no one had any idea what was going on in that brain of his.

Do you know what he was trying to act out?



pulp fiction. hahaha go figure. love that boy.

Samantita's graduation

So I just got back from spending the evening with my family in Bountiful. We went to Samantha's graduation ceremony and then out for dinner. It was fabulously fun!
The ceremony was very formal and we were reminded that this was a ceremony, not a celebration. They even played Harry Potter, Fiddler on the Roof, Beauty and the Beast, Hercules, and many more surprising songs in the background as they called up the graduates. It was a little interesting. My favorite part though...there was a young man with Down Syndrome who went to go accept his diploma. Everyone loved him. He kept throwing gang signs and when it came time to take the picture with his diploma and the principal or whoever was handing it to him, he stood in front of him in one of his stunner poses. I couldn't help but cry. Everyone was so proud of him. I was proud of him and I don't even know his name. I guess that is why I am creating my life around these wonderful children.
Sami looked beautiful, of course. I am so glad I was able to go spend the evening with family. We went to dinner at Bucca de Beppo and laughed, laughed, laughed. Our waiter was from Mexico City and so everything was in Spanish. I loved it. We ate, ate, and ate. I will be stuffed for the next day and a half.

I love my family. I love what I am studying. I love it all.


****Mom, Michelle, and Lorena are in Vegas with Grandma for her birthday. She just realized she is staying in the same hotel where Julio Iglesias is playing in concert today and tomorrow. Little does she know that she is going to see him tomorrow!!!

doing the "best"

Sometimes I get discouraged. Sometimes things don't go the way that I would like them to. Some days are harder than others. Some days require more work than others. Some days are really hot but the beautiful sun is hidden in the clouds. It always comes down to me thinking that I am not sure I am doing anything wrong, but am I doing all that I can right? And of course then I realize what I need to change.

Today hasn't been bad, I mean the Lakers are 2 minutes away from a killer win! But it was just one of those days, mostly a day where I missed home and Mexico. I was reading through all my old blogs and I have forgotten about all the amazing experiences I had there. I realize there is more that I can be doing right today, there is more "best" out there for me to put into my daily schedule.

summertime

This has already been my most interesting summer. It's like another really fun semester rather than a summer. It took awhile, but I am really starting to enjoy it. Summer for the last five years of my life has always been working the coolest job, spending ALL day in the sun and then going to the beach for bonfires every night. Now...I am here, in Utah (where it gets amazingly HOT), working, taking classes, and soon to be semi-mini student teaching three days a week. I am serious when I say I am busy. Tuesday through Thursday I leave at 7 and get home at 7. Then I have tons of homework that I will have to get through too. Lovely huh?

But before Utah gets too hot, I have really been impressed at how beautiful it can be. My ward is constantly playing games outside. We have BBQ's and watch movies. Four square has become a favorite game.

Soccer has started and Real Salt Lake games have become a fabulous summer activity thanks to Aubrey and her family! Then there is the NBA playoffs. Aubrey left me for New York and an internship just a little over a week ago - but basketball has kept me busy for a good amount of my evenings alone. GO LAKERS!! It also reminds me of last summer when I was in Mexico. We spent a few nights searching for a place to watch the games. It's so easy now to just turn on my TV and, click, there is the game!

Another summer plus - all my freshman friends start coming home from their missions! I have to admit, it is a little crazy. There have been about 3 already and it's weird to see that they still have three years of school ahead of themselves when here I am, just about done. It should be fun anyway!

Best part for me is that my SUMMER MUSIC has finally come out. This is the only time when it is cool to drive through the streets of Provo blasting LFO, Backstreet Boy, N'Sync and the like. And you better believe I blast it. Kelsey get's so ridiculously embarrassed that it makes me turn it up even louder :)

SPECIAL OLYMPICS!!

The Special Olympics are at BYU. How cool is that?! I have always heard such great things about this program and this weekend it is here.

One of the sweet girls I worked with back in San Marcos called me a few months ago to tell me she was participating in the Special Olympics down in San Diego. She was going to be playing basketball and I was so so proud of her. I had never actually seen the Special Olympics and it was definitely something I always wanted to experience.

So today provided the perfect opportunity. I went over for just about an hour and cheered, smiled, and gave hugs. What I had studied in my adaptive physical education class was being used all around me. My friends from Timpanogos High School were there. They were out playing softball and it was so great to see them playing team sports and actually enjoying themselves. I saw one of my favorite students out there with his hat on sideways and a finger in his mouth. He is the cutest kid ever and when he runs it looks like he just might fall forward. I was really only in this class maybe once a week so I didn't expect him to recognize me but when he saw me he came running - one of the greatest hugs of my life.

Times like this remind me that I am going to have the most rewarding job. I am amazed at the talent and skill of these students and even more amazed at the love that they give to everyone around them. They have so much to teach me and I can't wait to learn!

Ramblings on life and the last year

I have been thinking a lot lately just about life in general. It flies by so fast and there is so much that I have not taken time to appreciate until it's too late. I started this blog approximately a year ago, while I was studying in Mexico. I cannot believe that it has been a year. It is an experience I think about all of the time, especially since it is summer again. Provo is fun in the summer, but with work and school it is nothing like my previous summers.
Basically, the more that I have thought about Mexico and all of the things I have done since then, I am amazed at all that has happened in a year. I have had three of my very best friends get married. I started the special ed program only in September and now I just have an internship left. I got an internship that I am so excited about - a huge and exciting commitment for the next year of my life. I have had three jobs - lifeguarding, para at Dan Peterson, and secretary in the SAB - all of which I have loved. I have moved into a new and amazing ward. I have made so many new friends both in my program and those in my ward. I could keep going from roadtrips home to football to basketball to near death experiences in Vegas.
I am just so grateful for life. For the experiences I have gone through and for all the little things that have become a part of my life.
Recently, I was put in a hard spot and my decision would greatly change a good friend's life and I hope that it will change it for the better. I have been thinking about it all day. I wish I had the words to really describe how I feel. We all get off track. We all lose a little but that does not mean we can't start winning again. I know that we can choose to be optimistic and rise to each challenge that we are faced with or we can just let life happen to us. Life is not going to just happen to me. Look at what I have done in the last year! I might not know what is in my future, but I do know that I will take it and run with it no matter how hard and I will make it into something more.

te amo mucho

I love my mom.

I was her first baby, I am still her baby, and I will always be her baby. She loves me more than I know I can understand. She is my best friend. She hears it first. I call her every morning as I walk to class or work. She gives me the counsel that only a mom can give.

You know, most kids go off to school and hear from their parents once in awhile. I call my mom every single day. If she doesn't hear from me, I will get the midnight text asking if I was alright, if I was mad at her, or how my day was. She knows exactly what is happening in my life and knows just by my voice if I am happy, sad, stressed, upset, you name it, she knows. Growing up has made our relationship only stronger. Moving out and leaving my mom was the end of the world for me. I remember crying on the phone to her for the first weeks at school. I loved BYU but I got really home sick. I can still remember sitting in the hallway that connected the two sides of the hall and just crying on the phone.

When I went to Mexico, the limited connection I had to my parents was terrible. It was almost like being on a mission. I called her from Mexico for Mother's Day last year. I still remember that too. My journal says, "The best part of of the day was getting to call home. What a mother's day. To hear my mom's voice after 2 weeks of not hearing it!"

The pictures we take together are always the same. I am always trying to get as close to her as I can. I love you mom. You have shaped me in every way possible. The support you give me is more than anything. I know that even when life is getting me down, you will make it better. You have taught me to live life day by day and it has made all of the difference. Thank you for everything you have taught me, all that you have given me, and the love that you constantly show me. Te amo mucho - un monton. :) muchos besos y abrazos.

VOLLEYBALL!

I have the sweetest job. That is all I really have to say.

BYU has been hosting the Men's Volleyball NCAA Championships and I was recruited to man the snack table. That's right, as the boys finish their practice they walk by my table, we chit chat a little, and then the next team practices. The boys will come in and be like, "Ohh Yayy. Vitamin water girl is here!" The tournament started with USC, Penn Sate, UC Irvine, and Ohio State. Last night the two California teams won and now, play each other tomorrow and I even got tickets for the championship game! Gosh, I just can't even control how happy this all makes me. At first, it was like eh, BYU isn't playing and I just didn't really care but as I started watching practices and getting to semi-know the teams I decided I needed to see the game.

How can you not love volleyball?

sunny monday

Kelly got married in March. Ever since then she has made a point to stay my best friend. I still remember crying the day she asked me to be her brides maid and then again as Jason drove away her away after their reception. She made me cry again today.

I was at work when I got a text asking what my address was. Kelly is full of surprises so I gave it to her, thinking I had a letter coming in the mail. We continued to talk and how I love talking to her. She is interested in me and really cares. The conversation alone was enough to make my day the greatest Monday it could be...then I come home. I walk upstairs and there I have a bouquet of the most beautiful yellow roses I have ever seen. I thought maybe Aubrey got flowers until I saw the note. They were from Kelly. I couldn't help but cry...gosh I am getting all teary-eyed just thinking about it.

Kelly, I love you. Thanks for always being there. You always know when I need you and once again, I needed you today.

finals drive me CRAZY

First of all -I have been trying to put my fabulous ward talent show video on my blog but I cannot figure it out. Weird, I know. But CHECK IT! :)

Next - it is finals week. Finals officially started yesterday. AHHH. I was supposed to have four scheduled finals. One was just presenting papers we wrote but the other three were actual tests. Surprise, all teachers decided to give us take home finals. I know, you are thinking, "Wow. That is so nice. Lucky Tati!" Please. Stop that. It's not that lucky. I just had three tests go from multiple choice, true/false, scantron finals to 6-11 page define this, example of that, essay answer tests! And so I had time blocked out for three hours on Wednesday night for this class, and two hours on Saturday morning for this class, blah blah blah, but now that means nothing and I have just spent all day Friday in the library and I have already been here since 9 this morning.
BUT, I am happy to say I finished two finals yesterday and the last of my papers this morning. This leaves me with just one final that is not due until Monday. YES!!!

Also, last night after Aubrey and I were in the library from 4 to 9, we went and saw He's Just Not That Into You. Aubrey has been raving about it since she saw it months ago. Last night he made its debut in the dollar theater. Yes please. What an impowering movie, especially for a single young girl like myself. I was worried I would see it and feel all low about myself because ahh I have done all the things they have said not to. Instead, now I feel like if he is not showing interest, it's because he isn't interested and I can move on and know that he missed out. Yes yes yes.

Some of my favorite/needed to hear/funny quotes:

"You are good enough to be asked out."
"Men don't forget how much they like you. So put down the phone
"If you can find him, then he can find you.If he wants to find you, he will."
"I had this guy leave me a voicemail at work, so I called him at home, and then he emailed me to my BlackBerry, and so I texted to his cell, and now you just have to go around checking all these different portals just to get rejected by seven different technologies. It's exhausting."

LOVE THIS MOVIE. Also my ever-so-sweet roommate is buying the book for me. An early birthday present she says. I can't decide if it's because she really wants it or if she thinks I really need it :)