Happy Anniversary!

On November 1, 1995 I was tasked with playing flag football in my 1st period, 7th grade gym class. I was game, but my left knee wasn't. Before the end of the class period, I found myself on the floor with a dislocated kneecap, forced to listen to the inane babble of friends/teachers who were trying to keep me calm until the paramedics arrived. Yes, the paramedics. And though I understand now why they kept asking me stupid questions about what book I was currently reading or how my Halloween had gone the night before, I still maintain the questions are stupid when your standpoint is from the gymnasium floor and you're looking at your left leg that now appears to have TWO knees to it. Just sayin'...

Its been fifteen years since that "fateful" morning and its crazy to consider how much my life since then has been affected by a kneecap getting a little "out of joint."

Fearing a repeat (...which did happen multiple times. AUGH!), I began avoiding many physical activities. The obvious result there is that I got fat. As I got fat and out of shape, I didn't find much to like about myself and, ironically, I also upped the chances of another knee injury. And as I stagnated in a dislike for myself, other areas of my life were affected--especially socially. I sometimes joke that I went to BYU for four years--the land of happy engagements and crazy dating--and dated nobody. Its not really a joke, because that is how it went down for me. But I can see now why it went down that way. When you don't like yourself, you're not really sending out the positive, healthy vibes a possible marriage partner might respond to. Heck, I wouldn't want to date the person I was in college!

Sorry if this is starting to get really depressing. I promise there is a silver lining and here it comes!

You see...I figured some things out. And I started running and losing weight and getting healthy--physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Today, on my 15th Knee Anniversary, I'm happy with who I am. I'm aware of the limitations the genetic lottery has handed me in my crazy-jointed knees, but I don't obsess over it and I will actually jump into a game of volleyball or Ultimate Frisbee now and again. I still feel safer running in a straight line down the road, but at least I'm active! And happy. And its that journey to happiness that I now celebrate every November 1st.

Happy Knee Anniversary, all!

Here's to many more happy years to come.

You know you might be bored when....

• You watch Parts 1 through 4 of Robert Downey, Jr. on "Inside the Actor's Studio" via those happy people of Youtube, and also request his Academy Award nominated film Chaplin from the local library

• You make an apple streusel pecan cake with no clear idea of when/how/by whom it will be consumed

• You declare Popchips and a hard boiled egg to be "Dinner" because the afternoon snack was 600 calories of milk and cookies

• You think about eating the last 200 calorie cookie BECAUSE YOU CAN!

• You decide now is a good time to start at the first post of a random stranger's blog in February 2008 and work your way forward

• You wander on and off Facebook hoping something has changed...but it hasn't. (Note: You can't stay on too long or people will notice that you've been on FB for 4 hours straight and start thinking you don't have a life. Its all about appearances...)

• You start feeling pouty that you haven't actually signed up for Netflix because it would be perfect for a time like this. But you still don't sign up for Netflix.

• You conveniently ignore at least two useful things that could be done (i.e. folding laundry, getting the mail)

• You Blog about your boring afternoon.

That's another Utah...FIIIIIIRST DOWN!

A few weeks ago, through the graciousness of the Barnett family, I got to cross another goal (#17) off my 27 in 27th list. They offered me one of their season tickets to the University of Utah vs. San Jose State game at Rice-Eccles Stadium. It was AWESOME!!!

I was lucky enough to attend a game when the Utes played well and kicked some serious trash. The Utes beat the Spartans 56-3. It was totally wicked. And it was especially fun to watch the game with a lovely crowd of rather rabid Utah fans. Thanks Barnett Family!!

(I love that Gary is the only person aware AND making an effort (sorry Steve!) in this photo...)

Go Utes!

Fist Pump

Word of Warning: Video does contain a few colorful words. But my overwhelming reaction to this is a fist pumping, barbaric YAWP! Right on, Mr. Mali. RIGHT ON.

Meet My Faves: Andrea

Episode 4 of the Meet My Faves series moves into an entirely different part of my world--namely, the part of my world that involves students and textbooks and Elvis-impersonator assemblies. I met Andrea at the middle school where we worked. Seeing as we're both Sassy Single Social Studies afficionados, its no surprise we hit it off so quickly. Coworkers and students regularly mixed us up, and I think its just a good representation of what good friends we were meant to be.

I love that Andrea is hilarious--first and foremost. She's a total gem with a wannabe Bad-Girl side who I can always count on to try out tasty restaurants, tell an amazing story, and be a truly golden travel companion. Whether its an online chat, an evening over pizza, or an entire vacation in San Francisco, time with Andrea is always terrific. Since her departure from our workplace--and the country!--I have missed her pretty much every day.

Best Thing: She always makes me laugh, and she laughs at my stories too. We often do this while eating. Is that too many "best" things?

Worst Thing: She lives in England. Makes it difficult to socialize other than the regular Gchats.

Where are you from?
Well, I was born in Georgia, grew up in Salt Lake, and now live in England.

What do you do for a living?
I am currently a grad student so I'm spending money instead of making it. Before that, I was a history teacher. Chances are, I will return to that profession at some point.

What is your favorite comfort food?
Such a good question. I think it depends on what type of comfort I'm craving. If it's recovering from boy-induced heartache, I like just about anything that is not healthy. If it's something to do with being together with my family, it's hard to beat fresh baked bread with homemade jam.

What color is your bedspread?
The one I have now is white with maroon-ish flowers and beige leaves. I didn't choose it and it was a free hand me down, so beggars can't be choosers, right?

What book/movie has had a major impact on you?
Another excellent and difficult question. Book-wise I would have to say all of Chaim Potok's books (The Chosen, My Name is Asher Lev, etc.) have made a significant impact on me. I'm sure there are so many more. I think every book I have read has contributed a little to who I have become, whether for good or bad, I don't know. Movie-wise I remember being powerfully moved by Glory in 8th grade, to the point of sobbing in front of my entire class, and Saving Private Ryan.

What is your favorite word?
I've recently developed an attachment to the word 'penultimate.' I never use it, but I think it's fantastic.

What is your best color?
To wear, anything in the blue family

What is your favorite restaurant?
I don't have a favorite restaurant, but I have favorite dishes at a number of restaurants. I guess if I had to choose just one, though, I'd choose a little Thai restaurant called the Mekong Cafe. Everything there is delicious.

What is one material possession you couldn't live without?
Money

Which cartoon character do you resemble the most?
Physically: Alice in Wonderland; Personality-ly: Carl, the old guy on 'Up'

Why do you think I like you so much?
Because I'm hilarious and I think you're amazing.

What is the best compliment you could receive?
I always like to be told that I'm funny, but I think being recognized as being Christlike would be pretty good too.

What is your favorite memory we have shared?
There are a couple, but walking from San Francisco to Sausalito across the Golden Gate Bridge ranks pretty high. Visiting the Grand Canyon in a downpour is right up there, though.
[Editors Note: I thought it would be the time we stumbled into SanFrans Red Light district...]

What 3 words would best describe you?
open for business*

*For the record, this answer made me laugh out loud in the middle of a silent room, leading to several awkward looks from other people.

Exciting Times!

The last couple weeks have been pretty terrific. I kept trying to Blog about life and then something else would happen before I could post so I'm finally going to stick them all on here in one big post. I was going to go in Chronological Order, but where's the fun in that? Too predictable. Instead--in order of excitement/awesomeness level.

Awesome Level = SOARING
I got a new job. I'm still working for Jordan School District, but I will no longer be teaching at my middle school as an 8th Grade US History teacher. Instead I am the Lead Teacher for the Jordan History Academy of Teachers. Its a 3-5 year position, depending on the length of the grant from the US Dept. of Ed. There are loads of perks to the position, including a trip to Boston, an iTouch, a workplace 2 minutes from my house, and the opportunity to work the year-round teacher schedule. Woohoo!!

Awesome Level = HIGH
I have learned to Swing Dance. I finished up my four-week class at DF Studios in Salt Lake last Thursday. It was SOOOOOO much fun! Am I good? I'm sure the answer is no. Am I willing to go out on the dance floor and give it my best? Heck yes I am! And by Thursday night I was feeling a lot better about my ability to actually go to a social swing dance and have a good time. This also checks #19 Take a Class Unrelated to Teaching off my 27 in 27th list. YES!

Awesome Level = ROCKIN'
Saturday night I went to the Sandy Amphitheater with some friends to see a totally rockin' Colors concert. Woohoo!! I first heard Colors when I was in high school. I've seen them in concert at least 4 times, and its always fabulous. Their music's so catchy! It was really fun to look around and see that most of the crowd was people like myself, re-living the glory days of college. Love it!

Awesome Level = SWISS
During Labor Day weekend I ventured to Midway with Greg, Taylor, Maddy, and Jeremiah to visit Swiss Days. Having never been, I was unaware that its basically a big art fair with performers and food abounding. And it was super fun! We ate ginormous scones and pie & ice cream. The guys all bought matching ties, and Maddy and I bought "matching" silverware rings. We saw some amazing Utah hair--including the biggest "bump it" coif I have ever seen. And we had an overall brilliant time--even if none of us came home on the shuttle with a giant metal sculpture.

Awesome Level = Ah-hem, FANTASY-TICAL
Friday night I hit up the Organ Loft with my sister and brother-in-law and a few great friends. The main show was a great Jackie Coogan piece. It was followed by an interesting/odd/artsy experimental film, "Utah Fantasy," featuring time lapse photography. My group of friends chuckled a bit over it. The "patrons" behind us didn't appreciate our amusement. I got "ah-hem"ed. Three times. And it totally made my night. The Carrot Cake Cheesecake I consumed later at the Cheesecake Factory was also a highlight of the evening.

Awesome Level = PRETTY DARN
Last Sunday the family loaded into a 15-passenger van and headed to Logan. My nephew, Charlie, was blessed in Sacrament Meeting. It was really great to see the Logan part of the family. Charlie's adorable!! We had a great luncheon afterward and it was nice to chat and visit with everybody. On the topic of nephews, I rode home next to Lil' Dude. He would NOT let me sleep, and he refused to nap too. *sigh* He's so cute I guess I didn't mind that much, though.

Awesome Level = MYSTERIOUS
Monday night I found myself caught up in the craziness of responding to a Homecoming invitation my little sister received over the weekend. The young man in question made Harry Potter his theme, so we responded in kind. In a whirlwind hour we put on a Poor Man's version of the Harry Potter Puppet Pals (Ours was entitled, "The Mysterious HOMECOMING Ticking Noise"), filmed it, and dropped it at the Homecoming Date's door via "Owl Post." Super cheesy, but so hilarious! Oh, and awesome, of course.

First Impressions

I asked my 8th graders to write a 1-page response paper on their first few days of school. I suggested they could share their thoughts on any of their classes or they could just focus on my class and even on me as their teacher. I emphasized that I would never grade their response papers on the content, but rather on their ability to think and write about their thoughts.

That being said--a few gems:

"Your hair is like the Mad Hatter's in Alice in Wonderland."



"...and make sure you get a boyfriend by the end of the year so maybe you would give us less work."



"You should go out with Mr. Howard [student teacher from last year]."



"By the way my thirty seven and thirty nine year old aunts are still single so there is still hope for you."

Rather than be offended, these make me really, really happy. I think our future year together looks very bright, indeed.