Movies I want to see

I like checking out movie trailers and found a bunch I am excited to see. I am sharing my list in spite of ratings. I figured one day it would be on tv edited. Also, I have not included movies already released. If you find one that I haven't listed, please share it. I love movies!

Australia
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/australia/medium.html

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/thesisterhoodofthetravelingpants2/

The Dark Knight
http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/thedarkknight/

Brideshead Revisted (intrigued but don't know if I will actually see it)
http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/bridesheadrevisited/

Defiance
http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount_vantage/defiance/

The Accidental Husband
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/theaccidentalhusband/trailer/

The Duchess
http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount_vantage/theduchess/trailer/

Moving

I hate change which is why I think I am supposed to move more than most. I have moved three times in the past two years. Monday my family helped me pack up a trailer and move from Sandy to Provo. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would move back to Provo. But it has happened. Gratefully...I think...this is temporary. MBA school is going to be fun and hard but good. I have a couple of other posts but right now I don't have Internet at my new place and I keep forgetting to bring the pictures and videos to school. That is my little update.

I Could Never Love Anyone More Than I Love My Sisters

Many of may have heard of the missionary from Farmington, UT (Lindsey Spjute) who died while jogging. As it turns out, she is the sister of my good friend Melanie (Mel to those close to her). As soon as I heard the news, tears filled my eyes and my heart ached for the Spjutes. Recently, I have had a difficult time understanding death. When my friend Tim died in October I felt like my heart had been ripped out of me. When Mel told me about Lindsey those same emotions returned. It is easier to accept death when it comes for a grandparent who is suffering. But it doesn't seem to make sense for those who are so young with so much to live for. Gratefully, we have the gospel which gives us an understanding of the plan of salvation and eternal families. It doesn't mean that the pain disappears. However, this is one unique situation where you can be overcome with pain yet still find peace. Mel said it best, "My heart is tired." As I sat through sacrament meeting on Mother's Day I reflected about this tragic turn of events and my own family. First, my mom. My mom is incredible. She goes out of her way to help people. She is my "go to person" whenever something in my life happens. When I got into BYU for MBA school she was the first person I called. When I am mad and need to calm down, she is the one who helps. When I am lonely, she invites me to drive with her to St. George for lunch. Okay that only happened once but I still remember how much that meant to me. She brought us to piano lessons weekly. Fixed dinner daily. And chastised me hourly. This has been very much appreciated as I have gotten older. For she taught me how to be a better person. I know I am lucky. Next, my sisters. My sisters are my best friends. Hour conversations are normal. If I don't talk to Suzy once a week, I feel like something is missing. She is always inviting me to come stay with her family and to join them on family trips. Melissa lets me be part of her family and is always willing to let me indulge her kids with treats. She shares her kids with me. Kathrine keeps me laughing. She loves being part of our lives, even though she lives the furthest away. Lucille is my comrade in arms. Most of my childhood memories revolve around Lu. All I have to say is Mickey and the Beanstalk, Stratego Men, 1-2-3 on so-and-so, etc. The list goes on. We still have great times together. Last is Annette. I miss Annette. She is in Turkey and Greece right now and I have been making a list of the random things I would normally text her. She let me tag along with her this year-as I had no friends-and crash on her couch when it got late. We both love movies and I love watching something new with her. It will be hard when she moves to California. I could ramble on for hours about my family (I'll do Dad and the brothers on Father's Day) but I just want to close with saying how much I love my family. I am lucky. I could never love anyone more than I love my sisters. --Louisa May Alcott

My Students Make Me Laugh

I was not at work on Friday, so when I arrived in my classroom I expected a bit of chaos. Some always seems to exist when I have a substitute. One of my students left a note on my desk explaining why he was gone. It made me laugh! Never have I received an excuse note like this. Names have been left blank to protect the innocent and guilty. I did not correct the English writing mistakes.

Ms. Christensen
It's J-S-. I won't be in class today Sorry I was presented with a amazing opportunity to have a Football goal post to take to my house to use over the summer However I must have it out by the end of the day So I will be working on that for the rest of the day and night. I hope you understand thank you. and sorry again I can't be in class. I wanted to finish that movie :(

By the way, the move was The Fugitive. I just find it funny that a student missed class to move a goal post into his backyard.

He's Fat...He's a Fatty

I injured my foot last October and my doctor (aka dad) ordered me off it until it healed. This completely changed my life. For the first two months I hobbled. Not until recently have I felt confident in my abilities to walk without too much pain. All of this means I haven't been able to work out for six months. I have been trying for the past month to work back up to the stamina I had before so I could lose all the stupid weight I gained. Well last week I hit my goal in distance! And my foot only bothered me slightly. I am determined to drop all the weight I gained by July 1st because we have a family picture. The funny bit about this family picture and the Lake Powell trip afterward is I am not the only member of the family who wants to look good. At least seven of us have publicly said we want to look good for the pictures...mostly the Lake Powell pictures. My family is so funny. I had to attach a picture I took at Annette's graduation. It was at the bottom of the stairs near the RB and the Fieldhouse at BYU.

I'm Glad I Listened

Many times in life we get strong impressions to make one decision over another. For the most part we don't understand why. But after years of church talks and class discussions, we recognize that it is better to follow these spiritual impressions than to ignore them. I know there have been many such times for me. I would choose one option over another realizing I would never know "the why". For example, after I had signed a contract to live at The Elms my junior year, I had a very strong impression to get out of the contract. I went back the next day, forfeited $25 and terminated the agreement. I ended up living with some difficult girls that year at Liberty Square but made many other great friends. I still don't know why The Elms was not a good place. Another example, I wanted to quit teaching after my third year but felt I should wait one more year before applying for graduate school. I waited. Not sure why I needed to wait, but doing so gave me the opportunity to meet many great friends but in Utah and in Phoenix. Three of my good friends Anna, Jenna, and Laura would not have been in Arizona if I had moved a year earlier. But was that the reason? Last summer I had the opportunity to accept a job in California. The administrators bascially told me they wanted to hire me but wanted to meet me in person first. No problem. Except, I felt completley anxious about it. The nagging feelings ate at me. I kept hoping that something would stop it because I couldn't figure out why this would be a bad situation. It was a job I wanted in the place I wanted to live. After talking with my bishop and praying again, I realized this was not the path for me. I was disappointed but within four days of canceling the "meet in peron" interview I had a job offer from Bingham. Now I wasn't sure why going to Utah was a good thing for me. Obviously I have figured out that this path led me to an MBA, which I am thrilled about, and some good learning opportunites. But I have wondered, would my life still have gone in the same direction? I am not sure but God knew something I didn't. Last week I discovered "the why". For those who would like the whole article, here it is http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24204659/. Here is an excerpt:

States woo California teachers amid pink slips

SAN DIEGO - Precious Jackson has two years of teaching under her belt and two school teacher-of-the-year awards to show for it. She also has a pink slip. Now Jackson is a prime target for growing school districts across the country hoping to cherry-pick from thousands of California teachers who have been warned they could be laid off because of state budget woes.

Jackson was among a wave of teachers hired in recent years as California raised education spending to cut class sizes. Now she is at the mercy of state legislators who are negotiating more than $4 billion in education cuts proposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to combat a budget shortfall caused by the housing slump and a stagnant economy.

About 14,000 teachers have received pink slips throughout the state, according to the California Teachers Association. San Diego Unified School District, the state's second-largest, has issued the most with about 900. Notices were sent out by seniority, touching people with fresh credentials like Jackson.

I would have been one of the first teachers let go. I would be without a job and wondering where to move again. The stress would have been astronomical. Right now I am anxiety free, knowing where I am going to be next year, feeling strong job security in my future career, and am happy knowing I made the "right" decision. Following these divine impressions brings great amount of peace. Even if the choices we make bring difficulties, great amounts of confidence help us through because we know we followed our instincts. I'm glad I made the choices I did. I'm glad I listened.

Being Remembered

I am amazed at how certain conference talks touch me. These talks usually hit in a way that only someone who was deeply involved with my life could understand. One such talk was titled But if not... I am still blown away with its power. The talk that is pressing on my mind today seemed insignificant, or maybe less obvious in its message, when I first heard it. The title: Claiming the Exceeding Great and Precious Promises. The speaker: Elder Spencer J. Condie. My first impression: I don't remember. However, one morning as I was driving to work, troubled with my own life, Elder Condie's words comforted my overwhelmed heart with peace. His closing remarks were "And God remembered Rachel...And just as God remembered Rachel, God will remember you." I felt at peace, even though I had no clue how I ended back in Utah or what was coming next. And so began the journey. I felt guided to those who persuaded me to apply for the MBA program. I felt blessed as I studied the GMAT. I felt a miracle when I saw my GMAT score. Though it felt like a set-back, I felt grateful that BYU emailed me about my incomplete application--for those who don't know they wanted transcripts for schools I didn't attend. Everything worked out. I felt joy when I received an interview. I felt overwhelming love after my interview because of the miraculous coincidence which was not coincidence at all. The words "And God remembered Rachel" came into my heart. I wondered if I had used my quota of blessings for the year (yes I know it was only March). But they kept coming. I was offered a scholarship that will pay for school. And yesterday I found a place that is clean, nice, friendly, and cheap! And so I testify as Elder Condie and others have done, God will remember and bless you, just as he has done for me.

Nothing In Life Is Accomplished Without Passion

As I reflect on my final two months of teaching in the public schools I wonder what I want my students to learn. I came up with this short list after watching the Randy Pausch Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams (Something I highly recommend to all!).

*Try! Don't let fear stop you
*If you want it to happen, make it happen
*Do the right thing, even if its hard
*Be prepared for Option B
*Live life with a positive attitude
*Be kind to others

My Mom Taught Me

For the past ten or so years I have had roommates. Some have been a blast to live with while others have been completely inept at keeping a room or even a square foot area clean. When I went to put my dishes in the dishwasher this morning I just laughed and shook my head in annoyance. One (or maybe more) of my roommates believes that pots and pans belong on the top shelf. Now I am not talking about a small pan or there wasn't room on the bottom so the top was being filled for some semblance of efficiency. A large frying pan was placed on the top rack on top of all the bowls already there! I put the previously mentioned pan on the bottom where there was actually room and a chance of it getting clean. I think it is time to live on my own; alas two years of grad school are ahead of me and I should be economical and have roommates once again.

Here is Martha Stewart's tips for loading a dishwasher

My Aunt Kathrine's Farewell

I have many fond memories of my Aunt Kathrine and her house. Growing up our family would trade kids with the Perry family. Lucille and I would spend a few days playing with Jeremiah and Christoffer while Marie, Nathan, and Andrew went to Gunnison. As I reflect back, I wonder how we got eight of us in the linen closet to play murder in the dark, if the Japanese Maple will ever recover from us sledding over it, and how many others have found multiple uses for Stratego men. I also lived with my Aunt Kathrine for a few weeks when I first moved back to Utah. She was amazing and welcomed me with open arms. Even after I found my own place, she invited me every week for Sunday dinner. She is a great aunt, mother, example, and will be a fabulous missionary.

Rolling Right Along

A few weekends ago Annette, her roommates, and I went to a tumble gym. Trampolines, foam pits, and other gadgets existed for our enjoyment. However, we really became enthralled with this giant blowup hamster wheel contraption. We spent most of our time turning or running in this wheel. I guess that is what happens when you become older and don't trust your body to survive the trampoline flying tricks anymore.

Holi(day) Festival of Colors

Last weekend I went to the Hare Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork for the Festival of Colors. I joined up with Annette, her MBA friends, and ward friends. The story behind the festival centers around the destruction of evil. The demon who rules the world has also covered it in darkness. Krishna destroys the demon and color returns to the world. As you can see from the pictures we were doused in color and enjoyed the celebration.

Ch...Ch...Changes

Today I nervously announced my plans for next year to my department head and principal. The department head took it quite well. She even commented that she would come work for me if I opened my own school. One down, one to go. My principal announced her retirement yesterday and a few teachers submitted their resignations the week before me. When I entered her office, she just looked at me, my sealed envelope in hand, and said, "Not you too!" I feel bad but still know that this is a good decision. It was hard to hear my principal compliment me and my teaching abilities. After I left her office, I stopped in one of the VP's office and made a deal so I could continue going to sporting events for free. Hopefully this all works out!

As a side note, my students found out I was leaving. Their comments about made me cry. One student even said the difference between other teachers and me is I actually care about them and she wasn't used to that. I absolutely love these kids and it is going to be hard to have a life without them in it. Thankfully, I still have sports.