Tuesday, October 28, 2008

*Sigh

Well, the good news is here. I am done with my stake conference talk. I know I sounded stressed about it and I was, but now I feel great. I talked about what I thought the general membership of the church should know about its young single adults. Kind of an obvious topic to give a girl like me, but I made the most of it. Instead of talking about weighty hardships and the possibility that we could all be wallowing in our own vast loneliness, I talked about how cool it is to be single. You know the bright side. . . .  I talked about all the cool stuff you can accomplish while being independent. For the most part, I was just glad that is seemed like people were listening and not sleeping through my 10 minutes of talk time. In fact, my branch president gave me a wink and a nudge and told me he even stayed awake (which is a feat for him--I don't think I've seen him stay awake through an entire sacrament meeting yet). I got a lot of kudos (even from a few students), and it felt nice. People seemed to appreciate the light-hearted message about singles. I also got to see some people I haven't seen since being back in the valley. It was cool, and I'm glad I had a little help from a higher power to get my message across. 
Now that's over and things are fine. School is going okay. I am in a teacher slump right now. I have so much I need and want to teach my students that I am depressed that I can't get to it all; therefore, I don't know where to start. I just wish they could know what I do about reading and writing. Then, maybe they'd appreciate its power. 
I finally got my GRE scores back. I did better on parts than I expected and worse on others. Deadlines are coming up for applications, so I am rushing to get everything done. The Breadloaf School of English seems to be my best bet for the type of program I want. It is a summer program that takes about 4-5 summers to get your Master of Arts. It has an adventure element to it, too. I can study in Vermont, North Carolina, Santa Fe, or Oxford, England. It's designed for teachers, and I really hope it works out. I am also applying at USU. Something about that school keeps pulling me back. U of U will get an application from me too, but it seems like a pretty tough program to enter. Their application process is the most intimidating at least. I just wish it were obvious where I'll be living 7 or so months from now. 
Man, my mind is wandering tonight. Better go before it escapes me completely. 

Saturday, October 25, 2008

I tag Brayden, Kim, Janet, and Kassie!!!


I know it's taken me forever, but I got tagged by Harmonie for this. So here is the 4th picture from the 4th picture folder on my computer. Here's the story: I had just received my new computer and was showing mom that it could take pictures with the Mac camera. So we were riding tracks (I don't remember where to or from) and took this photo. It's rather embarassing, but . . . what the heck. At least I picked the honest picture. We weren't planning on being cute. Don't hate me mom :)
Now since my immediate family members have all been tagged, I tag Kassie Jane Brown, Kim and Josh Gleason, Janet LeBaron, and Brayden Santo. 
Tehehe Tag!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

What's Next? I mean, seriously!

WORD! I realized today that life is hard. Now, I know most of you figured that out a long time ago, but I am a little on the slow side apparently. No, I'm kidding. I've always known this whole surviving thing would be difficult, but life has been crazy lately. So like I mentioned on my previous post, I have been preparing for the GRE for a month or two. I took it on Saturday. Finally. For weeks I have been living to that date. My thoughts consisted of, "Once I take the GRE, things will slow down. I can breathe then." Well I took the stupid test. (I did alright by the way. Probably about average. I won't know my percentile scores or my essay scores for a few weeks. Thanks for asking :)) So I got back Saturday from the test to MOUNDS of student homework to read. I realize this was all poor planning on my part, but I had two huge projects due this week for my students and it is the end of the quarter tomorrow. More seasoned teachers have told me just to assign points, but I always feel a little guilty for assigning something and then not taking the time to read it. Sure that feeling will fade with time, but for now I am reading everything, and it is a lot. (Did I hear someone say, "Whiner!"?) So, now I am thinking, "Just give me 'til Wednesday. Then I can breathe." 

(take a breath)


PSH! Ya right! Someone higher up has better plans for me. I was taking a nap on Sunday when I received a phone call here at the Brown's. Not many people call me here, by the way, that's why I have a cell phone. Kathy Brown told me it was President Anderson. I figured this to be my branch president so answered cheerily. Yeah, well it was Stake President Curtis Anderson! I knew I was in trouble from "hello." Stake Conference is in two weeks, and you guessed it, I am one of the speakers during the Sunday session. I only have to talk for ten minutes, and it will be fine, but I can't help but feel like my life is turning into "Get to this date, then you'll be fine." I mean what kind of way to live is that? Oh, I know. It's not that much fun! It reminds me of my college days-- living deadline to deadline, and essay to essay. I thought those days would be over once I entered the hum-drum reality of adult life. What the heck! I feel duped (gre word). Okay, I'm done. 


Whew . . . that felt good. Thanks for listening, or well, reading. A friend already gave me a pep talk (she's pretty good at it), but I just needed to whine a little bit more to get through this. You know, the whole concept that writing can be relieving, etc. 

Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing some family and friends during the UEA break. That is if I get over my cold and dare get close to my nephews and niece. Ya, I'm sick too. I love appreciating those cherries that top things off in life. I'd stay and bless you a little more with my negativity, but I have more book reports to read. wOOt! 

Just get me to Stake Conference. Then I can breathe ;)


Sunday, October 5, 2008

Conference Weekend




I just got home from St. George after spending the weekend with a bunch of family. I drove down with my mom on Friday night. She hasn't really been back to Gunnison since they moved, and I forced here to come to the Homecoming game with me. We only stayed for the first half because we needed to get on the road, I'm glad she obliged long enough for me to show my face, say hi to students, and take some pictures. We won by the way. Go Bulldogs!
I had a great time in St. George hanging out with fam. We went to Lori's play on Saturday afternoon. The play was great and had an awesome cast. Lori was wonderful. I also got to help out with Faye, my favorite niece. I love being an aunt! We watched conference and stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Snow. Pine Valley was gorgeous as ever. 
It was a long drive, but traveling with my mom was pretty fun. We got caught up on a lot and took in the view. Apparently it snowed in the mountains this weekend, so we stopped to take some shots. None of which did the view justice. 
This week I'm getting ready for the GRE. I'm pretty stressed out. I don't know what I was thinking, but I picked to take the test the weekend before the quarter ends. My poor students. They'll get to see basket-case Ms. Olsen all week long. Anyway, I'll let you know how it goes because heaven knows I won't be blogging until I've taken it.