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Friday, December 11, 2009

When life throws you lemons, make lemonade

So I have decided that I have definately graduated college at the wrong time. There are hardly any jobs for Elementary Education and even subbing is really slow. I finally got a sub job for this last Wednesday. It was only half a day but I figured it was better than nothing. It was my first sub job and was at the school that I student taught at. It felt good but wierd to be back there. I miss those kids even though I was in a second grade classroom it still felt good to be back doing what I love. Like I mentioned I had 2nd graders, well it was the worst class, in my opinion and in a few others, at the school. There is not really any classroom management in the room but I told the kids that I was here for three months and know the rules so if they were to try anything on me I would know what to do. In the end they were pretty good. Really chatty but good. Then this morning I got a call at 8 from the same school, Oquirrh Hills, and they asked if I would be able to sub next Wednesday. I gladly accepted realizing it is going to be a crazy day with leaving to go home that afternoon as well as subbing all day in Kindergarten. It will be worth it though. I am excited to finally be kind of working.

On another note, Monday I get a call from this random 801 number and called it back after I listened to the message. It was a call from Canyons School District wanting to set up a screening interview. I called them back and said I was still interested and they asked when I could come in for an interview. I told them whenever and they said how about 11 today. It was 9 in the morning. I gladly accepted and rushed to get ready. The lady I met with was a sweet lady willing to help me anyway that she could. She also told me that they just filled a position but there should be a 3rd grade opening up soon. So yesterday I looked online and sure enough, there was a 3rd grade opening at Altara Elementary. So I emailed the principal and told him I was interested in the opening, had my screening interview and attached my resume. Now I am just waiting impatiently to hear back about the job.

Even though the times are rough with jobs and the economy I am still finding myself mostly at peace. It has given me ample time to study the scriptures and draw closer to my Heavenly Father. I am grateful for my education that I have recieved and am putting my faith and trust in the Lord at this time. For it is his will and not mine. A couple weeks ago for sacrament meeting we had a lot of talks/lessons about aligning our will with the Lord's and by doing so we will gain a greater understanding. After this topic and hearing the words that were prepared I have been trying to become better and do what He would want me to do. I have blessed by it already and have come at peace with things in life. So as for now I will just be sitting, waiting, wishing, and hoping as patiently as I can for a job to open and things to work out the best that they can for me.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Utah Grizzlies


In November I went to 3 Grizzlies games. It was a lot of fun. The first 2 games I went with friends and the last one I went with Ali, Jason, and the kids. All games were good but Grizzlies only won one of the 3, which happened to be the best game.


Really blurry but the starting line up for Utah was coming out right by us



Fight! The refs let them fight for a bit. Idaho threw down a Utah player.. oh it was intense.. blood and all


Jason, Ali, and the kids joined us at the game


Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving

I have so much to be grateful for this year. I am grateful for mom and dad and for pushing me to stay in college when I was ready to give up multiple times. I am grateful for the opportunity that I had to attend and graduate from BYU-Idaho with a BS in Elementary Education. I am grateful for my students they became my kids and I learned a lot from them. I am grateful for my family and for the love and support that they have given me. I am grateful for my ward and for my bishop. He is amazing! I love that man. I am grateful for my friends that I have and for the ones that I have made down here in Utah. I am grateful for so many other things but I don't want to bore you so I will just thank my Heavenly Father for those. But the one thing I really want to mention is my gratitude for my Savior. Without Him I wouldn't be where I am today. I hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving and are grateful for the things in your life. Love you all!

Friday, November 20, 2009

It's Official


I am officially done with college! Today was my last day of student teaching except there wasn't any students so I went to Amanda's class with my friend Kelsey and we didnt a project with them for a couple of hours. My last week of student teaching was good. The last 2 days were the longest ever. We had parent-teacher conferences so I was at the school until 8pm both of those nights. But in the end it was worth it. Now I am just awaiting my diploma and for BYUI to finish their end of the work so I can apply for my Utah Cert. As for now I am signed up to sub for the district I student taught in. Hopefully this will lead to a job! The time as flown and I am grateful for my education and for the joys that it has brought to my life already. Yesterday was an emotional day, the kids cried more than me but I love those kids, even the naughty ones.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

I can't believe how fast time is flying by. It felt like it was just August and I moved to Utah, now it's the middle of November and I have a little more than a week left of student teaching! I am so excited to be done but at the same time I have no idea what I am going to do until I get a job. I am applying for a P.E. position at my friends school and am hoping I get that. I am also going to put my name on the sub list so that I can get my name out there. So either way I should be good. The only bad thing with subbing is that you never know when you are going to work. But it will all work out. Life is starting to fall into place and things feel right. I'll keep you updated on the job situation.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Hip-Hip-Hooray!

I found my camera cord! Wahoo! Now have fun enjoying all the dozens of pictures! Saturday Ali, the kids, and I were on our way to the fabric store when we looked over and saw about 20 of these.....


It was pretty hilarious! We all got a laugh out of it. Especially the ones in the back. The fans must have not been working in their suits because they had a lot of extra baggage! Not something you see everyday.. especially on bikes and on Halloween!







Dance Party

The night we carved pumpkins we had a dance party and the girls were goofing around. We had a fun night. (see post previous to this to get the full scoop). I know my pictures dont make any sense or aren't in any specific order but at least they are on.





















Halloween Part 2

Weekend of Halloween.... where to begin? Thursday night I took Kylie and Amanda to my school carnival for a little bit. They didnt' want to dress up but they had fun meeting my teacher and some of my students. They told me that they had fun so I am glad. Then Friday Missy and I went to WinCo with the girls and found a 25lb. pumpkin for $1.44! We weren't quite happy about it so I told the girls I would carve a pumpkin with them. Well Kelsey called me and said that our group of friends were wanting to carve pumpkins so we decided to meet at my house and then carve pumpkins and hang out. The rest of the group bailed out but Kelsey, the girls and I had fun dancing and carving our bat pumpkin. I didn't get pictures of our final product but it was really cute! The girls did a great job!

Kelsey trying to carve the pumpkin.
Me showing off my "mad" skills of pumpkin carving

Kylie tracing the stencil to the pumpkin

Amanda gutting the pumpkin.. she asked us who wanted ice cream... haha


A couple weeks before for a friends birthday party we did a pumpkin carving contest and Kelsey and I were on a team. The rules were that it had to be scary. So we thought of making a pumpkin puking would do the trick. Well I guess not, the one with Michael Jackson carved into it won. I guess it definately is scarier! But we had fun.
The after picture.
Kelsey and I gutting out the pumpkin at the party.







Halloween Part 1

The weekend before Halloween a girl in my ward threw a big Halloween Party. There was a lot of people there but we left the party just in time. After we left the party, within the hour, a group of U football players came to the party wasted and with alcohol. Needless to say they got kicked out in a hurry. But after we left the party we went to a restaurant called Village Inn and went in our costumes. We got some pretty interesting looks. Especially me. I was then in a pumpkin costume. After Village Inn we went to Brad and Jeff's house to watch a 'scary' movie called "The Shortcut". It was definately not that scary, more comedy than anything. But it was a pretty fun night!
The group of girls getting ready to go to a Halloween Party.
Kelsey and I in the car on the way to Village Inn, not sure what our faces are about.

Randi and Kelsey playing their part of their costumes


Brad's back up costume.. a pumpkin


Kelsey, Berkley, Brad, and Jeff were trying to put Kristen's hair into dreds





Friday, October 30, 2009

Oh where oh where has it gone?

Dear Camera Cord,
I have lost you. Where are you? I would really like to update my blog with pictures that are on my camera but I need you. You are not in the spot where I last put you. Would you please show up soon. You are wanted and needed. Please return quickly!
Love, your owner

Yes, I lost my camera cord. I usually keep it in my computer bag but it's not there. I have no idea where it is. I hope I can find it soon to post some pictures of some recent events that have occurred. As soon as I find it, I will put pictures on. Until then, you will just have to read my blog without pictures.

All is well here. Just applied for a job in the school district I am student teaching in and hopefully I will get it. I am almost done with student teaching- 3 weeks- but i am not counting down or anything. In 2 weeks I have my presentation to do to a board and they determine if I pass or not. I hope all will be well. It should be, but you never know! Wish me luck!

Friday, October 23, 2009

Kids Say the Darnest Things

This week has been a really long week. Tuesday after school I found out that two of my students had lied to me about attending the after school tutoring program and have been leaving school 5 minutes early. I was quite upset about that and let me tell you, they did not get away with it. Wednesday myself and the classroom teacher talked to them and then I kept them in for their 3 recesses. They weren't too happy but neither was I. I made them write me a letter telling me what they did and why it wasn't okay to do that. The letters were pretty hilarious! I am pretty sure they learned their lesson and to not mess with me. Then Thursday I had my supervisor come and observe me. I bribed my kids so that they would be better. It was the best they have behaved all week! So today I brought them some cookies.

So the Salt Lake Fire Department is our school sponsor and they came into the school to talk to the 3rd graders about emergencies, what to do and what the fire department does. Well, to say the least those firemen were quite attractive and most of them didn't have rings on which meant that I could look right? Well, of course I did! The first half of the presentation we were inside then they went out and showed the kids the ambulance and gerny (not sure how to spell it) and the hazmat truck. Well one of the cute ones was on the gerny and they were giving the kids a scenario. The scenario was this: the cute one wasn't breathing and they were doing chest compressions. They asked who would come and give mouth to mouth. All the kids covered their mouths and were yelling "eww!", "gross" and "no"! It was quite funny. Then here I am standing off to the side watching the kids and was jumping up and down inside yelling pick me in my head. Then one of my students walked over to me and was like: "Miss Dickson, you can give him mouth to mouth." I was laughing so hard and told her, why yes I could. It was pretty cute. But needless to say, there was no mouth to mouth but some good looking firement. Off to next month and seeing them.

Friday, October 9, 2009

The Most Important Things in Life Aren't Things

I love that quote and it kind of goes with my life right now. I went to the doctor tonight and found out that I have laryngitis and I have to take it easy and try not to talk (that's going to be hard, good thing I have a lot of lesson plans to do and unlimited texting). Besides having laryngitis, life is pretty good. Dad just came down to Utah to visit. He helped Aunt Betty travel down here for her mission and was able to stay about a week. It worked out perfectly. I had no school Thursday, Friday or that Monday due to UEA (fall break) and a teacher professional development day.










Monday I went in for half a day and then Dad and I attempted to take a drive through the American Fork (Alpine loop) and end up in Provo. Well there was too much snow and ice over Alpine loop so we just drove around where we could. The drive was really pretty. On our way down we found about 6 deer. So we turned around and pulled over to get a picture. Dad got a really cool picture of 2 deer crossing the deer. I'll have to steal that from him sometime.





That Thursday, Dad and I took Kodie and Chandler with us up to Idaho to see Chris and her family. It was good to see the boys playing soccer and basketball, despite the cold. Kirk was trying to get Chandler to ride his motorcycle with him but Chandler wouldn't do it, so we convinced Kodie too. At first she was a little apprehensive but once they arrived at the High School she was grinning from ear to ear. While we were sitting at the game Kodie showed me her leg. I asked her what happened and she told me that she burned it on the bike. I showed Chris and Kirk and we got her taken care of. Luckily it wasn't too big and that it was cold enough that the burning sensation didn't stay long. It was good to see Chris. It has been a while.







Overall the whole weekend with Dad here was good. I am grateful Dad came and I was able to spend some time with him. We don't get the chance to do that very often. Thanks Dad! I love you!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

What to do...

Life has been soo good up until today. Life is still good except my voice is gone. I came down with a sore throat two days ago and then yesterday my voice was kinda going away and now today it is gone! It makes student teaching hard. Good thing I have a great teacher who stepped right in and picked up from where I left off yesterday. My students were telling me I had the swine flu or larengitis. It made me laugh. They are such good kids even though at times they are pills. But I still love them. So couple funny stories for today with my students. One of the girls was totally bugging me for my number and I was like no. I don't give out my number. (big no no for teachers that do- so my teachers at school told us not to do). Then one of the girls today, while at the student store, was like I got this for my boyfriend. I asked her who it was and she told me it was a boy in our class. I looked at her and started laughing in my head. These girls and their so called boyfriends. I really need to start taking tips!
So anyway.. back to the no voice... I am hopefully going to the doctors to see what's going on. I hope it's nothing. I'll keep you posted.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

My New Found Love For...

UTAH! I love Utah! I never thought that I would love it as much as I have been. I have been here for about a month now and it feels like I have been here forever! Some of my favorite things that I have done or experienced down here are:
1. The temples! I have been to the Salt Lake temple a couple of times to do baptisms and love it! My friend Kelsey and I try to go at least twice a month. One Sunday we went for a drive out to the Draper and Oquirrh Mountain temple. The Draper Temple is one of my favorite ones. The view is gorgeous and the temple is gorgeous. One of these days I will go inside it to do baptisms.
2. Family. I love spending time with Ron's family and Jason's family. It has been a lot of fun getting to know them and hang out with them. I have gone to Chandler's lacrosse games, cut up peaches with Ali, done crafts with Ali, gone to the movies, and play volleyball with Ron and sometimes Jase. Last week I was over at Ron's before volleyball and we were watching America's Got Talent. There was a contestant whose name is Grandma Lee. Kylie asked me what she did and I told her that she told dirty, inappropriate jokes. Then Amanda goes, with a straight face, "ya, sometimes grandma's tell dirty joke." I was laughing so hard I just about started to cry.
3. The fair + Kelsey Hokanson = Good times at the Boys II Men concert for free. This last Friday Kelsey and I were going to go to the Boys II Men concert but it was sold out so we just went to the fair. We ended up heading over to the grandstand where the concert was and started watching the concert from outside the gate on out tiptoes. Then some people came up to us and told us they had 2 extra tickets and asked if we wanted them. Of course we did! So we went in and watched about an hour of the show. It was way good!
4. Student Teaching! I love my kids! Although at times I want to inflict some type of pain for not listening or being rude but I guess their kids who need a lot of help. It has been such a great learning experience for me and I wouldn't trade it for anything. My kids keep me laughing. I'll try to keep you updated on those things. Yesterday I had playground duty and some little 1st of Kindergartner's came up to me and was like "duty, duty...." it was funny!
5. My ward! I love my ward. It is one of the best wards I have been to! My bishop is President Monson's son and is hilarious and such a sweet guy. Members of my ward are just as awesome! I have gained a lot of new friends and only know about a 1/4 of them so far. Yes, it helps that there are some cute boys! :) Last night there was a stake FHE outside. By 9:00 we were freezing cold so 3 of us girls and about 7 guys went out to get Hot Chocolate at a nearby restaurant. It was good getting to know others in my ward.

There are so many reasons why I love it here and I am sure many more to gain! I look forward to the next little bit and seeing where my life takes me.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Getting Tips

So being in 3rd grade has been a fun yet interesting experience thus far. I love the kids but sometimes, mainly when they are talking and not paying attention (most of the day, I just want to scream at them and tell them be quiet and just listen for once. But I don't I hold it in and try to not get frustrated.

Anyway, the first week of school one of the girls told me that she likes this boy in the 4th grade. This boy is all she talks about, thinks about, and writes about in class. It's quite funny but way too obsessed. Today we showed me a note that she wrote him. It said "you love me? check yes or no". I tried not to laugh but I rolled my eyes and gave her a hard time. Well earlier this week or the end of last week another one of the girls was like Ms. Dickson... I have a boyfriend. I was like not you too! And gave her a hard time. Well, today to make the relationships in the class get more interesting, another girl was like Ms. Dickson I have a secret to tell you. She went on to tell me that she has a boyfriend. I had to give her a hard time but told her she better show me what he looks like. Well after lunch recess the 2nd girl got a keychain that said her name on it from her boyfriend. The teacher and I were like "what! how can they get boyfriends but not us!" I was joking around with the teacher and was like maybe we should get tips from them. I thought it was pretty funny. The girls just laughed and the boys were like you don't have a boyfriend, as well as some of the girls. It was definately one of the highlights of the week. It made me laugh. So maybe I will get some tips from my class on how to get a boyfriend... i'll let you know if it works! :)

Sunday, August 30, 2009

1 down 13 to go

I have officially completed week one of student teaching and so far have survived. My class of 3rd graders are really cute with some challenges. It will be interesting once I finally take over the class. As for now I am just being patient and wishing it was done with so I coudl have a job. I do love student teaching though. It has been a great experience so far. I have seen a lot of things that I was taught at school being put into the classrooms and being really effective. Some of the teachers at the school have even said that BYU-I students come 4 times more prepared than from any other school. So with that said the standard is high and hopefully my chances of getting a job are a lot higher as well. That's it for now... week 2 here I come!

Monday, August 10, 2009

Destination: Utah

Mount Shasta
Shasta Lake

After going through six states total, stopping off in California and Idaho to have some fun with friends and family, I finally made it to my final destination: Utah. My trip was so much fun. Mom, dad and I left early July 29 and headed to Stockton, CA to hang out with Ryan and his family. The first thing we did when we got there was...
You got it, IN-N-OUT! One of my favorite places to go in Cali (food wise). Since Ryan, Cara and the boys were still at football practice for a few more minutes we decided to stop and eat until they were done.

Our week until Sunday was pretty fun. That Thursday we went shopping for a little bit and I found a new swimsuit for cheap! Then the next day the boys took us to the pool one day and yes I got fried but no worries it is a tan now. It was pretty fun. Taylor wanted to ride the paddle boats but the lifeguards there were really odd and told us in 5 minutes someone would be back to help us. Well more than a half hour later and no one showed up so we just left. Taylor had to go get ready for football practice anyway and the girls had some serious shopping to do.

Saturday Colby had his last basketball game. Their team was undefeated, so it was a good game (competition wise) for the last game of the season. Needless to say, they hung in there and won by one point. The final score was 14-13. Yay Colbs!

After Colby's game Taylor had punt, pass, kick and then got his football pads. Taylor had beaten the record in punting, but only for a little bit. He was quite proud of himself. Good job bugs! The rest of the day we just hung out and enjoyed each others company.

Sunday we headed up to Greg's in Chico and stayed there until Friday. Sunday we went and saw their new house in Paradise. It is pretty cute. I can't wait to see it when they are all moved in and the yard is done. The rest of the week we watched the kiddos and had some fun. We went to Barnes & Noble and the pet store. Thursday a missionary that served in our area came up with his fiance and brought a date for me. It was pretty fun we went to Costco for dinner then In-n-out for shakes and then to the park and played a couple mean games of Sorry. It was fun and good to see Elder Barrow and meet his fiance. Kaelyn and I also had a dance party and she was laughing so hard I thought she was going to wet her pants. It was a fun time in Chico.



Greg and Melissa came back Friday and then we headed off to Elko, Nevada and stayed the night with Aunt Vicki. The drive to Elko is pretty boring but I got some cool pictures of the mountains.

We saw oranges construction cones for what felt like the entire stretch from Greg's to Elko.




Then Saturday morning we headed out early to get to Twin Falls, Idaho for one of my good friends Emily's wedding. She looked gorgeous and so happy! I love that girl and they guy she married, Jordan is perfect for her. I have gotten to know him over the last few months and he is everything that she deserves. We met up with them at the temple when they got out and then we went shopping in between the luncheon and the temple. After the yummy luncheon we took off and headed for Ron's. I felt kind of bad for leaving and not staying for the reception but it was another 4 1/2 hours after the luncheon until the reception and I didn't want to drive in the dark.


Saturday night we got into Ron's and took off again. Jason couldn't make it to the Salt Lake vs. Seattle soccer game and gave us the tickets. It was so much fun and we had some great seats! Thanks Jason! I cheered for the Sounders and was the only one in that section. Despite the loss to Real Salt Lake it was still a really good and I have discovered a pretty cute soccer player who plays for Seattle. Just a little infatuation.



That's my life for now. Student teaching orientation starts next week and then on the 24th student teaching officially starts. I am pretty excited and will keep you posted.

Friday, August 7, 2009

California.... where my heart is

I love California! The weather down bt Sacramento is perfect, not too hot and not too cold. Not only is the weather perfect but with family down here it makes it a lot easier to want to move here. There is so much that I want to go see but there is never enough time when I come down. Being in Cali for the last week I have fallen in love with it more and more. If I could I would move down here in a heart beat. I guess for now it will just be my place to come and visit. Pictures of the trip will be coming soon!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

It's finally here!

I finally received my student teaching placement. I will be in Kearns, Utah teaching at Oquirrh Hills Elementary School in the 3rd grade. I am excited about it! I had a feeling all along I would be in 3rd or 4th and here I am. I am ready for the challenge and the fun that this experience will be.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Jon Schmidt

Ron sent me this email about Jon Schmidt and his new song that is Taylor Swift's Love Story meets Coldplay's Viva la Vida. It is so cool! I love all of his music. He is very entertaining. I saw him in concert up here a few years ago and loved it! This song is very interesting and creative. You should check it out!



His website also has playlists that you can listen to. I love it! His website is www.jonschmidt.com

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Seattle Sounders


Last Saturday, July 11 I went to a Sounders game with the Singles branch here. It was interesting but fun. It was my first MLS game and a good one at that. The Sounders played Houston Dynamos and won 2-1. Houston scored in the first half and then Sounders scored one in the first and one in the second half. After half time I decided I should take a few pictures I took one of the game as a whole and then as I was taking my camera out one of the Sounders players went to go score a goal. I totally had it and when I went to look at it a girls head that was walking by was in the picture and I missed it! One of the Sounders players bicycle kicked it into the goal. Overall it was a good game and it was very crowded. The fans there are crazy and really into it! It was great. After the game I saw this older man who was wearing a bright green pimp suit! It was a highlight after the game! I took a picture on my phone.

After the game a big group of us went to Cheesecake Factory. It was delicious. Even the food and of course the cheesecakes. I split a meal with a friend and then ordered a lemon raspberry cheesecake. It was heavenly and I have been craving it since I have had it. I will definately have to go and get some when I move to Utah. It will be a lot closer.