a CATCH UP day in the life of me...

Wow! I can hardly believe a month has gone by since PHS ended for the summer. I looked at my blog and realized that I haven't written about any of the fun adventures I've had so far this summer. This will be a quick re-cap to catch everyone up.

I went to Les Miserables at the beginning of June with my parents and my sister! It was a beautiful production. That music is SO powerful.

I ran in the Dirty Dash with my friend Jill, her friends and relatives and my sister Jenny. It was a 5K in mud, dirt, freezing cold water, hay and slip-n-slides. It was hilarious and definitely an experience worth having! I was going for the cleanest face award, only to have that thwarted at the end by a huge mud lake that we had to wallow through.

My cousin, Cuyler, got married to the love of his life at the beginning of June. We did a family session, before their sealing, in the Manti temple. That was such a great experience. The followed their sealing with a fun, outdoor dinner. I love that valley - it is so beautiful and my cousin couldn't have asked for a more perfect wedding day!!

I attended a technology and a English as a Second Language Conference - go me! hahaha.

I ran my first half marathon EVER! It was on June 11 at 6:00am! I ran it in 2 hours and 15 minutes!!! I can hardly believe it, but it's true. The best part was getting an hour long massage later that afternoon.

I began my summer job (for real). I had been working during spring term for BYU, but summer school began in the middle of June. I am a teacher mentor to two fabulous, soon to be, teachers. They each have 7 students, teach 3 subjects and are very good at what they do. I'm learning so much about me, my teaching style, my mentoring style and reflecting on WHY I went into teaching in the first place. It's at an elementary school and I have the 5th/6th graders in my classroom. During a class swap this week a little guy looked up at me and said "You are such a good teacher." Yes please!

Elder Parker turned 20 this month and Kelsey had her birthday! My friend Jeana had her anniversary and gave birth to their beautiful baby boy. My frieinds David Paxman, Jen Bloomfield Mooney and Katie Bloomfield Lemke as well as my cousin Stephanie Steiner Standing and friend Michelle Snyder Hunt had their anniversaries. Talk about a busy month!!!

I went to the Manti Pageant, attended a Parachute concert in SLC, have begun re-watching all of the Harry Potter's, went camping by Payson Lakes and LOVED it!

My goodness - my month has been full!!!
I hope you all have been having as much fun as I have!

a MIXED FEELINGS day in the life of me...

Today is the day before graduation. I had many students come into my classroom today and ask me to sign their year book. As I was signing a happy "Hope you enjoy your summer. You were a graet student. Keep up the good work." message I began to miss my students ... and they weren't even gone yet.
It's bizarre how these human beings could drive me out of my mind at times, almost driving me to tears of anguish (forget the almost) and then other times they were making me laugh so hard that tears actually did come out! Now they are going to go away for the next 2 1/2 months of my life. Wow! In fact, some are actually going to graduate and move on with their life. WOW!
One student came in to thank me today for being such a great teacher, this that and the other and I seriously almost lost it. Instead of withering away into a weepy mass, I made some light hearted joke so that we would both have to smile and as he walked out of my classroom I realized I was really going to miss him.

We are definitely on this planet, together, for a reason. We are meant to form friendships, relationships, and help each other out. It's not healthy to stay in a little bubble and guard yourself with walls and defences, just because you think you're going to get hurt - news flash - EVERYONE DOES!!!
I truly have come to love my students and all their quirks and craziness that they bring with them. This has been a roller-coaster of a year, but I am happy to say that I have come through a stronger person and have allowed myself to be changed and schooled by so many wonderful children of God.
Here's to you class of 2011 - I'll miss you.

a GOOD QUOTE day in the life of me...

Impossible is just a BIG word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it.
Impossible isn't a fact. It's an opinion.
Impossible isn't a declaration. It's a dare.
Impossible is temporary.
Impossible is nothing.

a GRADUATION day in the life of me...

My sister, Jenny, graduated from BYU this past Thursday!! The commencement speaker was Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He was pretty funny and gave some good advice. I'm going to quickly re-cap.

He told us a secret - if you want to wake up with a smile on your face each and EVERY morning, go to sleep with a coat hanger in your mouth :-)

He gave us a list of 10 things that will help us lead a happy/better life:
1. establish a set of principles that will guide your whole life
2. don't make exceptions to your standards/principles
3. be loyal
4. live so the Lord can guide you to where He wants you to serve
5. serve others
6. smile
7. don't complain
8. always have a church assignment (always offer your services to your presiding authority)
9. go to the temple
10. use the Savior, Jesus Christ, as your example to life

His whole address was amazing and this was just the last part. If you have time, I suggest you read it.

a SATURDAY IN SEATTLE day in the life of me...

10am

Pike’s Place Market

People. Tulips. Yummy Smells. Tulips. Awesome Lobster Tail. Tulips. Crowds. Tulips. Smells. Tulips. Fish. Tulips. Colors. Noise. Pirozhky. Tulips. Vibrance. Excitement. Tulips. Knick-Knacks. Tulips. More Sea Fish. Cheese shop?! Yes Please. Yum!!! Totem Poll Copying, Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar Buying, People Watching – EXCELLENT MORNING!

These nuts smelled SO good.

Talk about a wicked lobster tail!

SO MANY TULIPS!

Just gotta love this face!

What am I looking at? No idea. That's some great vinegar though.

Seattle Underground Tour: Seattle was built on hills (as previously mentioned in older posts) Originally it was a 47% grade and they were able to get it down to an 18% grade after much sluicing and hard work. The city of present day Seattle was literally built up around Old Seattle. For a more comprehensive history see link.

Our tour guide was fantastic. She had punch, pizzazz and I’m quite sure is a big name in Seattle’s theater productions. I was laughing so hard that it almost turned to tears – especially as she so “delicately” explained why there were so many women in Seattle who claimed to be “seamstresses” and yet there were no sewing machines to be found. Oh dear…tisk tisk. Ken had never gone on the tour. That made it even better because neither one of us knew exactly what to expect while walking around down there: gross water falling on our head, stories of ghosts, entertaining stories and a seeing room that had been converted into a set for a movie were just some of the delights. :-)

hello eerie tunnel

ingenious sky lights

Not going to lie, after such a full morning and early after noon we were just a bit tuckered. After returning to Ken’s place we decided that he was super tired :-). A 45 minute nap and he was ready to rock-n-roll. At first we were thinking a bike ride, but alas I am too short for his bikes. Well never fear, there is still plenty to do in this city …. Let’s think …. Grocery shopping!! Off we went to Trader Joe’s. It’s a cute little market. Ken bought some YUMMY treats and then we headed off to the VW dealership across the street.

VW GTI ? – yes please.

Hatch back? Check. Manual? Check. Sun roof? Check. White/Black/Grey? Check. Second hand smoke? Check …. Um …. Do we want that one checked? OK – will look into further. Good bye dealership.

Went to get pizza. Definitely not enough time before the movie. OK. We’ll just have to get some when Ken comes to Utah (after all, the Pie is the BEST place for pizza). Chipotle did the trick. Race to the movie theater (thank you Boeing), find a wicked parking spot (thank you Shelley), race up the stairs – close race, but Ken won (thank you heels – hahaha just kidding – he’s just faster than I am regardless of how much I tried to cheat by blocking him.) Met up with Stephanie and Christian to see “The Conspirator.” Interesting – sparked good conversation.

Finished the night at Ken’s house eating delectable cookies and milk. What a great Saturday night!

a FRIDAY IN SEATTLE day in the life of me...

Alarm ringing. Why? Oh right. Must run. Training for a half marathon isn’t easy, but will be worth it. OK. Must be quiet. Don’t wake up Stephanie. Take phone? Yes.

Walk down one street and encounter a San Francisco hill – yep I’m on the right street. OK, quick walk to the lake and then a good hour run. Here I go.

Why is my phone going off so much?! Oh wait. It’s my birthday!!! 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 “happy birthday” text messages – loving this run. How many times have I been around this lake? No idea. Buzz, buzz, buzz – dad’s calling! He’s mildly alarmed that I’m answering my phone completely out of breath. Quickly reassure that I’m fine and just out for a beautiful morning run before heading into the city. He tells me HAPPY BIRTHDAY and how much he loves me. Off to my run again. Wait. I see 65^th street. Cross street, run up hill – literally up. This isn’t right. It can’t be. Call Ken – sets me right. Off around the lake I go again. Correct street. Run up – wait … can’t r.u.n. u.p. ---- ugh. Stupid hill.

Shower. Breakfast. Purse check. Key check. Gone. Bus driver so helpful. 3^rd and Pike – wow that was fast. OK. Here I go. 30 minutes spent just walking around. Familiarizing myself with the city that is going to be my friend for the next few hours. OK. Let’s go see something. To the Seattle Art Museum. Out comes my phone and the handy navigation system. Sight to see: me, head pouring over phone, checking street signs, looking up, checking street signs, pouring over phone. Found it. Delighted by it.

To the water front. Walk. Up hill. Walk. Down hill. Walk. Up hill. Walk. Down hill. Walk. Up hill. Walk. Down hill. Seattle is built on hills – only.

RAIN!! Popped into Borders. Dang it. :-) 30 minute conversation with Emily.

Walk. Up hill. Walk. Down hill. Walk. Up hill. Walk. Down hill. Walk. Up hill. Walk. Down hill. First hill – um, maybe shouldn’t be here. Turn around.

2pm – feet exhausted. Look here – Barnes and Nobles. Stopped to rest. 2:45pm Ken honking on 7^th and Pike. Jump in car and we’re off.

Walk. Up hill. Walk. Down hill. Walk. Up hill. Walk. Down hill.

Old Curiosity Shop – seriously weird. Mummified Merman. Skeletons, whale bones, octopus, spiders, knick knacks, slap wrist watches – hello childhood, sharks, swords

Walk up hill

Seattle Public Library - wow! Enter. Head to escalator. Up and up and up. Floors 7 through 10 are literally a spiral. You just keep walking and you get higher and higher. Awesome architecture. Floor 10 – look over gated ledge and experience vertigo. Ken not loving it. Quick picture and head down in elevator. Floor 4 – red floor. So worth seeing.

Smith Tower

Park – love the view of Seattle.

Confession to Ken – feet DEAD three hours ago.

Off we head to meet with up Stephanie and Christian for my birthday dinner. Crepes are the menu – what?! The restaurant is closed until 8pm for a private event. Well never mind. Drop off Christian’s BMW 2002 at the mechanics and head for Indian – yum!

Fun stories: craziest place traveled, craziest thing eaten, missions, Europe, South America. Loving it. Laughing hard. Quick pics and then head back to Ken’s place.

Movie time, story time, article on French catacombs, foot rub, more stories, laugher, more stories, back popping 25 times, more stories. 1am – must go back to Stephanie’s.

Saturday is going to be another busy day!! Bring it.

a THURSDAY IN SEATTLE day in the life of me...

1 hour ride to Salt Lake City

1 hour to get through check-in and security at the airport

2 hours and 4 minutes flight to Seattle, WA

1 awesome weekend!!

7pm my flight lands in a city I’ve never been to before, but one I know that I will become very familiar with over the next three days. I make my way down the winding corridors to baggage claim. Buzz. My phone goes off. It’s my friend Ken telling me that he’s there and to call him when I’ve got my bag. Standing at the carousel, standing, standing. “Attention passengers from Salt Lake City. They moved your luggage to carousel 11.” Oops – another short walk later and … there is my bag! Oh wait. It’s heavy. OK. I’ll just ask nice man next to me to pick it up. Smooth sailing from here. Out side I go, calling Ken as I walk. I explain where I am, he’s coming to get me. Oh wait. It’s FREEZING out here. What the heck?! Am I not on spring break? Oh wait; it’s Seattle.

Here comes a car that I know. OK. Maybe it’s not him, no I really think it is, maybe? Oh it is! OK. Stay calm. No need to get all excited until he’s out of his car. After all there are many people around you and what good would that do to freak out right now?! None. He’s out of the car, walking towards and yep … there’s the hug! I’m here.

He opens the car. I get in. He loads my bag and then, with an unsure voice says, “Shell. The name on your luggage isn’t yours.” Oh right. Yeah it’s my roommates bag. (so never fear. I would not have left the airport with the wrong bag!)

Off we go to Seattle. He decides to take the scenic route – through industrial Seattle so that I get a chance to see the city. How thoughtful! I LOVE it. I love everything about it. The buildings, the industry, the ocean, the docks, the sunset, the conversation, the music, the spaz moment (that was done by me) … all of it.

Ken fills me in on Seattle information, work, where I’ll be staying, where we’re going to dinner, parts of Seattle to AVOID, etc. As we wind through hills, streets, corners, etc I find myself incredibly grateful that I’m not driving. I learn that I’m going to be staying with Stephanie for the next three days. The more I hear about her the more excited I am to meet her. In fact, she was so darling and gave Ken a key so in case she wasn’t home, we could get in.

However, first things first. FOOD! Red Mill Burgers. They were so fresh and so good; however my BBQ was a little too good. Within seconds after my first bite I had a delicious stream of BBQ sauce streaming down my hand. I told Ken it felt like warm honey; however I quickly realized that molasses was a better descriptor. Can’t you just see that lovely milky brown ooze :-)

Ken doesn’t like pickles – I do. Quickly taking them off of his burger, I put them on mine. Yum!

OK. Full belly. Next = place to sleep? No. Photo shoot – I think he’s pretty good at this!

Now it’s time for a place to sleep.

Driving a little less than a block I find myself staring at a darling, white apartment. The light’s on. Is she home? Ken begins to unlock the door and quickly realizes that she is there.

Step over the threshold into warmth, light and hugs. It is all delight and welcome. Ken takes my luggage upstairs as I get the tour of her bathroom and bedroom. Silkscreen of flowers hangs on the wall above her toilet – it’s charming – handmade. I’m going to like it here.

We join the men upstairs – her boyfriend Christian.

Two hours of laughing, reliving moments from the 80s, 90s and now, planning out my Friday in Seattle, talking cameras, movies, talking sleep … yep. talking sleep. Another quick hug and Ken is gone. I’ll be by myself until 3pm tomorrow so I’d better get some shut-eye if I’m to tackle the city!