Wasps used to be my favorite word...okay, it still is

I had almost forgotten what fear feels like. Until today.
I was driving home when out of nowhere a giant, yellow WASP landed on my dashboard. My windows were up, so it had been in the car with me. Eek!
I've never been stung by a bee, but I was stung by a wasp once. I will never forget that day. I will also never forget the time my cousin, Joseph, got stung by a wasp on his bare chest. I had never before and have not since seen him freak out like that. Wasps, although a favorite word of mine, are not a favorite creature of mine. It's amazing how something as small as an insect can illicit such a great response.
I immediately rolled down my window, hoping the wasp would get carried away. Of course, my fear was that the wasp wouldn't fly out the window but rather into my face. I wanted to pull over, but I couldn't come up with a good exit strategy quick enough.
Just when I had figured out a plan, the wasp flew and landed on the steering wheel. WHY?! Now, I definitely didn't know what to do.
I was freaking out inside, but I didn't dare flail my arms like I wanted. There was no way I was going to disturb this frightening creature.
When I turned left into my neighborhood, the wasp disappeared. I don't know for sure if it went out the window. I pretended it did and tried to calm down. Of course, there was always the chance it was still in the car and that it was going to land on the back of my neck.
I couldn't get home fast enough. I bailed out of my car as fast as I could.
I will have to do a detailed inspection of my car from the outside before I can get in it again.

Amazing Summer Ahead

I landed an amazing summer job today. I'll be working for the Utah State Extension Office planning the Aggie Adventures Summer Day Camps. The camps are designed to give students the opportunity to explore the world of science through fun hands-on activities.
I'll be planning five camps with a teammate and will be assisting on five others. The five camps I'll be planning are

1. Slimy, Gooey, & Disgusting: Discover all kinds of slimy and gross things through experiments and investigations. Learn about worms, snot, smells, bats, and more!
2. Inventors Laboratory: Learn to control the elements as we explore the awesome power of water, heat, and air. Create gliders, hover crafts, and much more.
3. FUNdamentals of Science: This camp is full of fun, hands-on science experiments that teach basic science ideas. Activities include: crazy chemical reactions, rocket lauches, animal investigation and more!
4. Shooting for the Stars: Have you ever wanted to fly into space? Join us for a spacey adventure as we learn about the stars, planets, and a trip to the moon!
5. Owls, Spells, and Potions: Enter the magic of fantasy! In this camp, youth will explore the science behind the imagination. Chocolate frogs, potions, and flying brooms are just a taste of what we will explore.

This is going to be an amazing summer! I can hardly wait. I start planning tomorrow at 1:30.

Go to dixie4H.org and check out summer camps or stop by 44 N 100 E in St. George for more information.

Happy Birthday, Casey

Today is my sister's golden birthday! I wouldn't wish her a better experience on her birthday than to be in the mission field. I hope she got all the silly birthday cards we sent her.

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, adieu

Today was my last day of Practicum at George Washington Academy.
Three of my classmates and I were assigned the two fifth grade classes there. Today, the four of us taught the entire day. We had to go out strong. We split the classes into groups and rotated them through spelling games. Mine was a team spelling game involving a Scrabble board and tiles.
I also taught an amazing lesson about the Underground Railroad. The students went on an adventure outside doing numerous team-building activities.
For PE, the students voted on their two favorite activities that we had done this semester, and so we played Front of the Boat/Back of the Boat and Reverse Charades.
My favorite part of the day came at the end. My Practicum class always ends their Wednesdays with Show and Tell. We decided to combine the two classes and have the college students do their own Show and Tell. Jodilyn drew an amazing picture on the white board (since her Photo Story of her artwork wouldn't play). Jana read two of her favorite poems. Ashley, who had a hard time coming up with something despite being ridiculously amazing, stood up and let the students ask her 10 questions. They wasted most of them by asking things like, "Do you want to be a teacher?" and "Do you like pickles?"
My Show and Tell was sharing my love for singing--especially karaoke. I busted out my karaoke machine and sang "That's What Friends Are For" by Dionne Warwick. I encouraged the students to sway their arms and join with me on the chorus. They loved the karaoke thing so much that they requested an encore. As a class, we sang the sappy Celine Dion hit, "My Heart Will Go On." The students took turns with the microphone while the rest busted their chops singing this song with so much passion. I wish I could post pictures or a video--but posting pictures of other people's children without their permission is CREEPY.
It was such an amazing day. I was definitely tired at day's end, but it was well worth it.
To my dyad partner and the neighboring dyad: Thanks for a rockin' Practicum experience. I had so much fun every week.
To all the fifth graders at George Washington Academy: I had such a wonderful time in your classroom. You are all amazing kids. I got tickled every Tuesday night thinking about going to your class the next day. I was sad to leave. I hope we cross paths again in the future.

Good Sabbath!

Cortney and Amanda
stopped by the house after church on Sunday.
I love it when they spend my afternoon with me.
I grilled up some steaks and potatoes--the Utah diet.
The food was great and
the company was amazing!

I love to sing!

I may be among the minority (young that is), but I love to sing with the Southwest Chorale. This last concert was particularly cool, because members of the Southwest Symphony performed with us. With the brass and percussion backup, we performed some powerful numbers. Watch for the concert on Channel 22. You'll find me on the back row. I'm the twenty-something year-old with long hair. I won't be hard to miss.

Be sure to come to my most favorite concert on Saturday, May 17 at 8pm at the O.C. Tanner Outdoor Amphitheater. Listen to the Southwest Symphony and Chorale as the stars emerge above Zion's Walls.
The theme is the Wild West and Americana.

The Great Race

The Great Race took place at Dixie State College last week. I participated with other Education Majors. We didn't win, but we didn't lose. We had a good time for sure.

Why I want to teach

I figured out today why I want to teach.
I stopped by my Practicum class this afternoon, because I had the desire to teach math tomorrow. I walked into the classroom. My mentor teacher had her back turned to the class. She quickly whipped around to figure out what was happening in the classroom, because all the students were gasping and whispering.
I walked into the classroom and all eyes were on me. There was another visitor in the classroom who was fighting for the attention of the student she was there to see, yet I only had to walk through the door.
This is why I want to teach. I enjoy the spotlight.

While we're counting...6 weeks and 4 days

My sister, Casey, gets home from her mission in Texas-McAllen on Thursday, May 22, 2008. She has been such an amazing missionary, but I'll be sure glad when she's home. Of course, she'll ditch me shortly after she gets home to finish school at BYU. At least I'll get to call her whenever I want and see her when I want. I plan to create a paper chain this week to help count down the days.

Four weeks and counting

My sister, Amy, got married on March 8th to Joe Peine. He is the last of the siblings to get married. She is the first of her siblings to get married. As you can tell by the picture, my mother was definitely shocked or excited or something.
I hope with all my heart that she has started a trend in my family and that the rest of us won't be too far behind her.

Welcome to the family, Joe.

My Classmates

These are my amazing classmates. We all graduate from Dixie State in Elementary Education next year! Woo-woo!
I love my classmates. Scratch that. I love my friends who happen to go to class with me.
It looks like a bunch of girls, but I promise we do have two boys in our cohort. Jerry missed the picture, and we tried to hide Bruce in the shadows.
I'm not going to lie, I was incredibly nervous to accept the offer to be a part of this cohort. All of my life, most of my friends have been boys. I have two sisters, but they aren't super girlie. I get uncomfortable thinking about attending Enrichment night. I didn't know if I could handle classes all day with all girls for the next two years. I am glad I was courageous enough to accept the position, because this has been so much fun. My new friends have blessed my life in so many ways. I love all of them!

Late Night Adventure

Jodilyn, my dear friend, has her kids this week. They are here for Spring Break. I surprised them last night when I showed up at their house with ice cream and cones after 10pm. Their mother, Jodilyn, surprised them by suggesting we all go on a walk to the park. We had intended to go stargazing since it was a New Moon, but we didn't realize this new park would be so well lit. Instead we spent quite a bit of time running timed trials of obstacle courses on the play equipment. It was AMAZING! We didn't leave the park until midnight.
We wandered off into the distance trying to find a dark area, but the lights of the park and the street lamps were just too bright. Hopefully, Jodilyn won't pansy-out and we really will go camping Monday night. Those kids need something to brag about when they go back to school. Sleeping under the stars would be a great story to tell. Jodi, are you tough enough for this adventure?

For Brooke et al

I already have another blog. I created it in response to a petition by my church leader to use the internet and other media to share my basic beliefs with the world. Without sounding sacrilegious, I am treating that blog like the small plates. I don't want to dilute the information I share there with the everyday things of life.
However, I have been asked by my friends, notably Brooke, to update my blog more frequently. I have decided to create--again, I'm pushing it here--large plates. On this blog, I will post anything and everything, partly to appease Brooke and partly to be trendy like everyone else.
Seriously, I'm excited to share with anyone interested the silly things I do every day.
Much love to you all.