Tuesday Night

On Tuesday night, Matt and I went and saw Avatar with Tim and Kamie. For just a movie on a random night, we had so much fun. As we were walking into the theater, I noticed that we all wore our slippers! We are probably the most random, casual people ever. Avatar was a good movie too (even in 3D).

2009

1.What did you do in 2009 that you have never done before ?

I went ice fishing and deer hunting. Oh yeah, I got married... I also graduated from college, and got a job on salary.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s Resolutions and will you make more for 2010?

I remember making resolutions for 2009. I think they were taped to my printer for a while. Then I moved like six times, and I'm sure they were lost in transition. This year I do have resolutions again. Resolutions to cook dinner, do my visiting teaching, attend the temple, finish my quilt, scrapbook, finish my home video project, and visit grandparents more. And I have a plan for accomplishing all this. Can't get far without a plan.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth in 2009?

Nope. Diet and Myrna would be happy if we would soon, and my mom as well, but that won't be us for a while.

4. Did anyone close to die in 2009?

No one close. I attended a viewing for a neighbor, but that was all.


5. What countries did you visit this year?

I went to Mexico in January with my mom, Jeff, Alex, and Cassie, after my mom and Jeff got married. It was wonderful. Matt and I would love to get to Scotland soon, but we will see if that happens.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

Health insurance... (actually I just got it set up, so that is accomplished!)

7. What day will be etched in your memory and why?

December 12. Graduating was something I was excited to do, but it didn't hit me that I was graduating until I was there. I was overcome with emotion. I learned from a supervisor that our brains retain things better if they are connected to a strong emotion. I doubt I will forget how I felt that day.

8. What was your biggest struggle this year?

Moving all over the place this summer. I was working in Salt Lake and needed someplace that I could live for the few months before I got married. Moving was not the struggle however, it was the emotional struggle I went through with my dad in the process.

9. What was your biggest achievement this year?

Graduating from college and getting married in temple tie for first place.

10. Did you suffer any illness or injury in 2009?

No illness or injuries thankfully. I am building immunity to germs as a teacher. The only sick days I took while I was student teaching were fun days that Matt and I took off together.

11. What was the best thing you bought this year?

BOOKS. I have bought hundreds of books this year for my classroom and for summer reading. I am so lucky to have a classroom library full of good children's literature.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

This was my big year. I don't want to sound full of myself or anything, but I accomplished more of my personal goals this year than ever before. It is so nice to see hard work pay off and be happy.

13. Whose behavior disappointed you?

A few people have made choices that make me sad. I try to teach my kids every day that life is all about choices. You can choose to be happy or you can choose another path, but no matter what you choose, it doesn't change how much you are loved.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Pre-marriage: Most of my money went to playing. We did a lot of fun stuff this summer.
Post-marriage: I have no money due to the fact that I have not had a job since July (until the end of December). Matt's money goes to our many, many bills.

15. What did you get really excited about this year?

Spending a lot of time with Matt. Even though we have been busy, we have found time to be silly together. I haven't ever laughed this much in my life.


16. What song will remind you of 2009?

"Then" by Brad Paisley, "Whatever It Is" by Zac Brown Band and "I Run To You" by Lady Antebellum. These were on our wedding video and I spent so many hours putting that together that whenever I hear them I think about our wedding. I still remember where I was when I first heard "Then."


17. Compared to last year, are you: much happier, much nicer, or richer?

Much happier, for obvious reasons, and much nicer, due to the newfound patience I have learned. Teaching has changed how I view stressful situations and has calmed me down a little bit. Last year I was pretty devoid of emotion and isolated, so this year has definitely been better for my happy levels and how nice I am. I lived the first six months of this year on my credit card, so I can't say I'm richer than before.

18. What do you wish you had done more of?

Most of the things that are on my list for New Year's resolutions. I wish I had cooked (at all), scrapbooked, worked on my quilt, worked on my home video project, visiting teaching... Hopefully I can fix those things for this year.

19. What do you wish you had done less of?

Procrastinating. I am famous for waiting for the last minute to do things. Many homework assignments and lessons were done the night before this year.

20. Did you fall in love this year?

Yes, although (this may sound corny, but get over it) I think I already loved Matt before we started officially dating. How do you not love your best friend? It just turned into a different kind of love.

21. What was your favorite television program of 2009?

Big Bang Theory finished this year, although at the beginning of the year Matt and I watched a lot of Heroes. Throughout the year, Friends is a staple. Matt got all 10 seasons for me for our wedding and I probably watch more Friends than anything else.

22. What was the best book you read this year?

There were too many! But here are a few... Grown up books: "The Alchemist,"My Sister's Keeper," "The Lost Symbol"... Children's literature: Fablehaven series, Percy Jackson series, "Peter and the Starcatchers" (I could go on and on and on...)

23. What was your greatest musical discovery this year?

107.9 FM. I've separated (temporarily) from the primarily country music that I've listened to the past few years. I love the chick bands and girl pop music that came out this year. Whenever I hear the Cascada song I turn it up all the way and dance.

24. What did you want and get this year?

I wanted to get a job teaching and on December 10, I started my new job teaching fifth grade at Copperview Elementary.

25. What was the best movie you saw this year?

The Blind Side is the first that comes to mind (probably because we have seen it recently). I loved it. One of my top ten movies ever.

26. What did you do for your birthday and how old did you turn?

I turned 22 this year. I was student teaching so I was working, and Matt took me to Olive Garden for dinner of course.

27. What would have made your year more satisfying?

To do more of the little things that I started this year. I hate starting something and not finishing it. Hence the New Year's resolutions. There are too many things that went undone in the chaos this year.

28. How would you describe your personal fashion statement this year?

Jeans and t-shirts when I have to get dressed for anything other than school. For school I am back to the boring khakis and flats. I need to be comfortable. Most nights I spend the whole night in sweatpants and fluffy socks.

29. What kept you sane this year?

Every time something big was finally over. I loved my wedding day, but I was so happy when it was finally over and we could move on. I loved both blocks of student teaching, but I was so happy when they were over. The same goes for the spring semester of college, graduation, job hunting, moving, and many other things.

30. What celebrity did you fancy most this year?

Carrie Underwood. She has more talent than any other celebrity I can think of and is beautiful!

31. Who did you miss this year?

Erika. She is one of my best girlfriends growing up and while she has been on her mission has been hard for me. I think about her all the time and can't wait for her to come home in April.

32. Who were the best new people you met this year?

Many, many teachers and administrators in elementary schools I have taught in. You really have no idea what these people do until you are there every day watching their miracles happen. Kids don't know how lucky they are to have such loving, talented people in their lives.

33. Tell us a valuable lesson you learned this year?

I learned this lesson from Matt: Relax and be happy. Matt calms me down when I am stressed because he has such a calm and relaxed personality. I have had more happiness this year because I have been able to enjoy the small things. Kamie has a quote in her house that I think about all the time. It says something like, Treasure the little things, because someday you'll realize they were the big things. It is so true. Some of my happiest days are those that I spent talking with friends and family, or laying in bed laughing with Matt about something random.

Sorry for the long post, when I read Jenny's I wanted to write one for myself too. This year has been a big one for me and I want to remember how I feel right now.

New Year's Eve Tea

The last week of the year, I get an email from my friend Kasi, who is attempting to get our girlfriends from high school together for lunch one day. My friends are well known for being too busy to spend time together, so I wasn't surprised when I showed up and it was just Kasi, Amie, Sarah and I. Kasi and Amie set up afternoon tea for us at the Grand America Hotel. At first I wasn't sure about tea, but it was fun to get together and pretend to be fancy. I was so happy to get together with some of my cute friends. I miss them so much! Thanks Kasi for getting everyone together, and I promise I will be better at fulfilling my job as "cruise director" for our group of friends!



Click HERE for more information about tea at the Grand America....