It's been a little while!
music: Justin Timberlake -- "Senorita"
Yes, I'm still alive ... it's just been a long time since I've written. A lot has happened since January ... here are the highlights.
--Student teaching came and went. It was a great semester. Those kids hold such a special place in my heart, and I'm truly blessed to have been part of their lives for so long. I went and watched their plays today, which just reaffirmed their growth. They are such great kids and have made so much progress in the short amount of time that I have known them. They are a completely different group of kids than the ones I met in September! Watching the plays, I felt like the mother of 21 6-year-olds ... all proud and mushy at their growth. lol Go on, you can laugh at me now; but you all know how much of a sap I've always been and always will be! Afterwards, I went backstage and they all bombarded me with hugs and affection. It's nice to know that they are as excited about seeing me as I am them.
--I aced my thesis papers, did well on my thesis presentation, and am graduating with a 4.0. My parents are coming out for graduation weekend, and I am so excited to see them! According to Kristi, it is definitely harder to be the parents with the kids away ... so it will be amazing to see them again! Not to mention the fact that it will be a very sweet end to all of the things I've accomplished over the last year. It's been such a whirlwind, and it's bittersweet to let it all go. It's been a challenge, and there have been times when I wished I could just drop out ... but it's done, it's over, and it's time to move on into the real world officially. Honestly, it's hard to believe that's it's only been a year! It seems like such a HUGE amount of time has passed ... but it all happened in less than a year.
--Brandon and I went to Costa Rica (finally!) on our honeymoon May 2-11. It was, without a doubt, the best vacation I have ever taken! Photos are up on facebook, and will soon be up on my website and myspace. There's a lot of them, so be forewarned! We did three different zip lining tours ... as well as kayaking, ATV riding, hiking through the rain forest, watching Arenal Volcano explode, paddle boating, relaxing in natural hot springs, swimming in a gorgeous pool, enjoying the beach, etc. We took an amazing trip, and our future vacations will definitely have a lot to live up to!
--I got a job at Rose Park Elementary School in Salt Lake City! I am their newest 4th grade teacher and am very excited about it! This job will help me grow in so many ways, and I am excited to be working with the kids! Not to mention the fact that I will have my own (PAYING!) job! Holy smokes! It's like I'm actually an adult or something! lol
--Speaking of teaching ... in June, I will be teaching a 3/4 split. We get to study anything we want ... and I have two boys who apparently are only enrolled for one week. I've taken this as a personal challenge and am determined to get these boys to want to stay for the entire month. 
--For those who don't know, Brandon and I moved into a house in February. I guess I should mention that since it's been THAT long since I've posted anything. We're only a couple miles from our apartment, and love being in a house. The privacy, the space, the neighborhood ... it's all great! Makes paying rent a little nicer ... knowing that we're living somewhere we actually like and all.
--I went to Mexico for a week in March with the MATers. It was a fantastic learning experience and a great way to end our time together! We ate a lot of good food, got a little sick from the food, and met a lot of wonderful people. Quite the experience if you ask me!
I think that is all for now ... perhaps there will be another post later.
Sam on 05.16.08 @ 03:29 PM MST [link]