Can it be spring?

We've had the best weather recently! Sure, it's been a tad on the cold side some days, but overall it's been so nice! The grass is out (although a little brown), and the snow is mostly gone. Amber and I have enjoyed going on walks, and we went running with Amy today. We're about to go play tennis as well. When I mentioned Kiwanis Park today I got really excited because that park reminds me of spring and being outdoors playing and having fun with friends! It's such beautiful weather, and I LOVE being out in it! But will it stay? That's the question. I'm not sure that Punxatawney Phil was accurate this year. However, this is Utah--and the weather can be really weird at times. Any thoughts---is this good weather here to stay?

Stressed Spelled Backward is Desserts

Before Christmas and during finals, I got to go visit my friend Cherice. Her family makes handcrafted chocolates that they sell in a shop in Sandy, and she let me come help out in the store. When you walk in, it's kind of like walking back through time a few decades. They don't use modern equipment--they pretty much continue doing things the way they've been done for the past 4 generations or so. I guess they've upgraded to a cash register, but they still use a little heated iron to shrink wrap the boxes, etc. They keep the store very cold so that the chocolates don't melt. It was a pretty cold winter experience!







I took some chocolate home to the family for Christmas, and it was a hit! Each chocolate is hand-dipped and has its own special symbol drizzled over it in chocolate. The chocolate caramel pretzels and pecan logs are divine as well. Cherice insisted that their chocolates are better than See's, and I agree!

In the pictures above you can see the giant vat that the chocolate stays in until someone is ready to use it. The messy chocolate picture is one where Cherice is hand-dipping mint Oreos! Yum!! I had a fun time sorting orders and choosing my own chocolates to take home.

Thanks, Cherice! :)

A Piece of My Heart

Wow. It's been a long time...again. I've started some blog posts (at least one), but finished none. So now, today, on this the 14th of February, in the year of our Lord, 2009, I am going to write. What about? Perhaps about something I love--seems appropriate. Or perhaps people that I love. Yes, a big group that I love. Let me introduce you...

{I took out some pictures here for safety reasons.}

...to my first graders. Well, technically they aren't mine. But they felt like mine last semester--my babies. It was so fun to teach them and interact with them and watch them learn and grow. They are small and need things broken down into bite-sized pieces, but it was a great experience. I love 1st grade!







Yep, those were my kids! The girl in the picture with me was my mentor teacher, Marissa (Miss Crane). I was a little worried at first when I found out how young she was. Amber brought up a good point, though--being young means that you're fresh out of school with the latest and greatest ideas, trends, and methods. You're also not stuck in your ways like some older teachers can be. Do you think that the school kind of looks like the one in the show Recess? Farrer used to be a middle school, but they transformed it into a (very large) elementary when they demolished Joaquin Elem.

Anyway, this was a special experience for me. I was sad when it ended. That was a happy (and BUSY)time for me, but I've moved on. I still like to go see the students and Miss Crane occasionally, though.

In March I start my second cohort experience at Franklin Elementary in 3rd grade, and I'm super excited about it! Really--it's going to be fun...and a challenge. I have already visited the school and the class, and I have great principal, facilitator, mentor teacher, and class. I got to see the students in give book talks and do a brain dance. I participated in the brain dance. It's actually kind of funny, but they take it pretty seriously. I also got to be in music class with them for a bit. It should be fun. My mentor teacher Miss Sutton has a special technology certification which has given her a pretty unique allowance. There is a Mac in the classroom for every two students. She also has a Promethean Board--I have yet to really see these at work, so it will be a learning experience for me. I guess I'll be incorporating a lot of technology for the month that I'll be there.

Anyway, this was an accomplishment for me! Maybe I'll even post another one later today or over this long weekend. Have a happy one, all!