Wannabe Groupies

So, my friend Tifani are very determined. We want to make a trip to Iowa (go figure) to see 30 seconds to Mars and Neon Trees - our favs, together again! Sadly, it costs money to do these things. I hate money, don't you? Well, nothing worthwhile is easy. So we have devised a little plan. My friend is an amazing massage therapist and will give a 60 minute massage at your house for $40 - a great deal! So come one, come all. It's a win win win situation. Seriously, let me know if you, your friends, your family, co workers, anyone is needing a relaxing massage. Let's face it, who doesn't need that?

Best/Worst of late

As my summer is sadly and quickly winding down, I thought that I better get a blog in while I have a lot more time. First a little recap of the last few weeks. I have gone to a couple of amazing concerts. I was able to see Kings of Leon thanks to my awesome connection of a friend who works for Zion's bank. She totally hooked me up with a VIP ticket. I'm not too familiar with their music, but it was a good time. A few of the highlights, a man crying about spilling his $16 worth of beer and nachos, three girls holding their beers directly over our heads as they were dancing, lots of smoking, going to the VIP tent and getting our photos taken on the red carpet, good sounding music... Later that same week my friends and I went to see Neon Trees. They are one of my very favorite groups now. They are from Provo - go local band!!! Check them out if you haven't yet.

I also went to a 2 day training about teaching astronomy - so cool! I can now tell you almost anything you would want to know about why we have seasons and the moon. It was a great opportunity that will help me (hopefully) be a better teacher.

Last weekend I got to again to my cabin with my family. It's always a favorite and we all love going there. Here's a quick recap of our highlights: pedicures and Steel Magnolias, a great day at the beach, a lot of games (including Password - Panda Plant.... a little inside, I know), great food, 14 hour power outage, wiping down and sealing all of the logs inside the cabin, lots of quality time with my newest niece, and just otherwise good humor and family time. We missed the Memmott side of our family, however, as they weren't able to come.

Yesterday, I went with 2 of my best buds to Lagoon. Kind of a spontaneous trip. It was a lot of fun. A few highlights: The L'orage show, giving the riders a score for their "re-entry" on the log ride as we waited in line, riding the log ride in the pouring rain, Wicked, riding the scrambler with my friend Tifani and giggling the whole time. Such a fun day!!

Now, I have 1 week left until going back for training for school and I have 2 main things in mind to accomplish before that time: getting the most summer relaxation/fun time I can and getting a few school things ready. I have gone in to school a few times over the summer and I am proud to say that I am in very good shape for the new year!! (knock on wood)

Now that you have a recap of some of the best things of the last few weeks, here's the best and worst of today.

BEST: Seeing a shirtless guy pop out the dumpster and throw a bag out as I was driving by. Very random... I hope he found what ever important thing that he lost.

WORST: Finding out that my latest attempt at pincurling my hair did not work at all. It turned in to a hat day because I did not want to do my hair again.

Best/Worst of the day

So, today I substituted at a Montessori School for the first time. I was more of an assistant to the head teacher, so mainly I got to play with some pretty adorable 3-5 year old kids. Quite a change from my usual 8-9 year olds.
Best part of the day (actually, I have two): teaching 5 girls to play "Down by the Banks" - they loved it!! Also, the two hour nap time after lunch was nice. I'd like to recommend that as a daily routine at my school.

Worst part: Driving home at 5:00 in 95 degree heat and rush hour traffic. It's been a long time since I had to do that. Being a teacher I don't often have to drive home when it's that hot, also there usually is no traffic coming home from my school in Santaquin.

Where do I live???

Teaching is the best job in the world! I say that now because it is July, smack dab in the middle of my summer vacation. June was a blur. So much so that I don't think that I spent more than 2 nights in a row at my house. I went to my cabin 3 times in the last month plus a trip to Disneyland. I love that place- it really is that happiest place on earth. By the way, if you have any plans to go, check out the new World of Color show at California Adventure. Go to California Adventure early (1/2 hour to one hour at least before it opens) and get a fast pass for the show that night. It's good and worth it to see at least once. Oh yes, also get a Dole Whip by the Tiki Room. Delicious!!!

Another amazing part of summers for me is that I get to spend some time with my friends. Perhaps that I have neglected a bit during the school year. I think that everything you do means more if you share it with someone else. As you fellow teachers can possibly attest to, it's easy to isolate yourself during the school year. Maybe even cut yourself off from the world in order to be a good teacher and all that that entails. But this summer, I hope I have reentered civilization. Some of the things that I have been able to share with my good friends this summer: road trips, rides, movies, outdoor movies, music, dinners, shave ice, four wheelers, sun, So You Think You Can Dance, Bachelorette, glitter toes, games, etc. I am so lucky to have exciting, entertaining, beautiful, generous friends. You know who you are and thanks for the memories!!

I have had an outstanding summer so far and am feeling recharged for the next school year. Did I just say that??? It's hard to believe that I have just over a month until it starts again. But thanks to my awesome, hardworking, fellow third grade teacher, we have put been getting things together and I am feeling pretty good about the new year. At least now I am - we'll see if that changes in the next few weeks. I am sure they will go by all too fast.

VIVA SUMMER!!

Three months...

Ok, so I just realized that it had been 3 months since my last blog. It's official. I am the most sporadic blogger ever. Anyway, since I am currently "unemployed" during these lovely summer months, there is no excuse for not posting the exciting and adventurous days that are my life.... Not so much, but there have been a few exciting things. First and foremost, I am an aunt, again!!! On May 14, after a fairly scary delivery, Bridget Beth Deaton arrived. I am so grateful that all of the Deaton's are well and we all LOVE our beautiful new member of our family.

Also, shortly afterwards, school was out!!! I can't believe I have made it through 2.5 years of teaching. The time has gone so fast. I love teaching and will miss my students from 2009-2010. I look forward to my new group of 3rd graders - but am looking forward to my summer.
I have been pretty busy this summer- trip to the cabin, concerts, Praxis II test, mentor training, a little school work... with more to come. Another cabin trip this weekend, Disneyland next week, 2 more training classes. Before I know it, it will be August again. Wow. Needless to say, it's been a blast!!! Any suggestions of fun things to do once it winds down a bit?

Best/Worst of today...

Worst: Realizing that it is the LAST day of Spring Break and that CRT testing starts in 2 days!!!! Good luck to my students.

Best: Having my cake, and eating it too... Funny saying, not sure I get it. Why would you have a cake and not eat it? Why would that be excessive as the saying implies?? Anyway, I made a delicious lemony angel food cake yesterday and enjoyed my second portion tonight. Mmmm - as my friend described it: "lemony heaven"

Best and Worst of today

Worst: 2 hours in the dentist's office for a much overdue cleaning and a filling. The hygenist had to use an "ultrasonic" scraper to clean my teeth. hmm. Word of advice: Don't wait three years between cleanings. Love the anesthetic though. Numb mouth is weird.

Best: Good quality time with my new DROID phone. Finally figured out how to add sounds for messages AND ringtones. So much fun to find and explore new things on a phone.