My Poor Neglected Blog,
I haven't forgotten about you.
Here's what's going on in my life. I went to Napaskiak. Had a wonderful time!
Came back, started my full-time student teaching. Have been living in my classroom.
Turned 29... might as well make a paper chain until the day I turn 30.
Trying to figure out where to go next. Too many choices. Too afraid there isn't going to be options.
So, here's a catch-up on my life.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Saturday, February 9, 2013
I SURVIVED!
Internet.
I'm back in civilization! Well, almost civilization. At least I have power! But no cell service yet. So many stories. So many picture. So much homework to finish.My week in Napaskiak was an amazing life changing experience, I'm glad I went! Now I just hope that the planes will fly so I can get HOME!
Stay Tuned!
-Me
I'm back in civilization! Well, almost civilization. At least I have power! But no cell service yet. So many stories. So many picture. So much homework to finish.My week in Napaskiak was an amazing life changing experience, I'm glad I went! Now I just hope that the planes will fly so I can get HOME!
Stay Tuned!
-Me
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Napaskiak or BUST!
Hi Internet!
WHERE is Napaskiak?!
I know, you read the title and thought, Napaski-WHAT?! Well, a while back I was selected to participate in a 1 week exchange in rural Alaska. SO, Sunday morning I'm heading to Napaskiak, Alaska! Napaskiak is a small (400 people) Yupik village on the Western coast of Alaska.
So, first things first.
How do you say Napaskiak?
nuh-PASS-key-ack
WHERE is Napaskiak?!
So, to get there... I take a plane from Fairbanks to Anchorage. Then fly from Anchorage to Bethel (the "big" city). And from Bethel I'll take a tiny bush plane across the Kuskokwim river to Napaskiak! Hopefully someone will be there with a snow machine to meet us with our gear when we get off the plane. (There's no airport. :) ) Then we'll go to the school where we'll be staying for the week, sleeping in the library. Jealous?
But I get to work with a kindergarten class with 10 kids, so I'm excited to see a new school and culture!
So, fingers crossed that I don't get weathered in, that I have a great adventure and I have internet access to share it with you!
Wish me luck!
Friday, January 4, 2013
How My Online English Class ALMOST Ruined My Life
Hey Internet,
So, I alluded to this earlier in the week and I realized I hadn't written the story down, and this is one that I didn't want to forget. So apologies if this one bores you. And it's long. Sorry.
So, in order for me to graduate in May (squeal!) and start my Internship last August I needed to take an upper division writing class. The classes they offered through my school were lame (Alaska Native Literature, no thank you!) So, I decided to take the class online through BYU at the suggestion of my UAF advisor. I registered for the class in March of 2012, while I was finishing my load classes and packed semester. I had every intention of finishing it in the summer.
Well, then my summer Chemistry class happened and that just didn't work as I had planned. But it was ok, I had finished my last online BYU English class in just a few weeks, this would be no problem, right? WRONG!
July 1. Finished Chemistry and decided to start my online class. Early American Literature. 20 open book quizzes and 4 response papers...so. I . thought. Those 4 response papers were actually 10 pages each! PLUS a final project proposal paper. AH!
But, I started the quizzes. Quiz #1, had the book open on my kindle app, it's a multiple choice quiz, I test well, I figured I could do it. Easy Peasy. Took the quiz. 72%. Meh, not bad, I didn't really try that hard. Next quiz I'll try harder.
Quiz 2: Read the section, had it open, took the quiz, felt confident...submit. 40% For reals? Ok, got to try MUCH harder on this next quiz.
Quiz 3: Read the section out loud, looked up answers on literary criticism sites (not just wikipedia here friends) tried my hardest. Legit studying here people. Submit. 25% You've GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! There was no rhyme or reason to these answers. In fact, the feedback on some questions was "upon a superficial reading, you may get this answer, look again." GRRR
Quiz 4: So, by now I'm pissed. I yell, "I bet it doesn't even matter if I try!" Click, Click Click, didn't read, just picked random answers. Submit. 70%
THIS. IS. BOGUS!
I tried Emailing the professor, but the link wouldn't work, so I E-mailed BYU, they forwarded my concerns to the professor. I told him I was having a hard time with the quizzes, I was studying and my grades were horrible. He assured me that the quizzes were a bit goofy and that a majority of the grade would be based on my written responses, don't give up, keep trying.
Well, a few more failed quizzes and I wanted to quit.
Now, keep in mind that by not passing this class by August 9 I wouldn't be able to do my internship, I would have to wait until fall 2013, I wouldn't graduate and basically I would have to be a janitor for the rest of my life. I decided this was going to have to happen. Because I was hating the Scarlet Letter, Last of the Mohicans, and all the other dead Pilgrim books I had to read. I felt defeated and didn't do anything for 2 weeks.
BUT, since my mom has no desire to have me living with her forever, she told me failure was not an option. My ENTIRE family rallied around me. We all read books, while I was frantically writing papers, my aunt, mom, cousins and siblings were looking up quiz answers online. Oh, and you can retake quizzes for $10 a quiz. So, Daddy Warbucks handed over his credit card so I could buy a passing grade on the quizzes, $130 later we had inched my quiz grade up to a 74%
Oh, and the timing. I had to have all the lessons done before I could take the final, which had to be mailed to Alaska and mailed back to Utah BEFORE August 9... Yeah, that takes 2 weeks, which I DIDN'T have. Luckily, it just happened to coincide with my trip to Utah, so I could take my final before my roommate reunion on August 6. Talk about cutting it close!
So, the day before I flew to Utah on August 4 I finished all the quizzes and had all but one paper written, and submitted but not graded. I had no idea how this professor was going to grade these, and NO clue if I was going to fail. Once you take the final you can't make any changes to anything else, so I was really putting faith in God that this was going to work out. And some of my papers were really bad. I mean I wrote a paper about slaves walking freely on a ship when the story was ACTUALLY about mutiny on a slave ship. (That was the last one and after writing 40 pages your brain gets a bit fried)
I submitted my final paper at 2 am and was EXHAUSTED. I decided I would take the exam the next day. I also Emailed the professor and told him I was in town from Alaska and wanted to talk to him about my grade. I waited for a response and updated grades. Nothing.
August 6, Still nothing from the professor. I decided that I should wait to see if I get an E-mail back from him before taking my test. If I didn't hear back from him I would take the test on the 7th.
10:30pm August 6, professor E-mailed back saying my email had gone to his spam folder and he had office times available on the 8th if I wanted to come in then. I decided I would take my test immediately after meeting him and then head to my reunion. Still 1 day before the deadline.
August 7. Checked grades online, instructor had graded all 40 pages of my work. I had a solid B. I was ABSOLUTELY going to pass the class! I cried. I called my family. I knew that all my prayers hadn't been in vain.
August 8- I went to the professor's office. Now keep in mind I had been really cursing this guy for such an impossible class, but I knew my grade was secure, so I just wanted to thank him for grading my papers so quickly.
Internet, Keith Lawrence is the KINDEST man ever!
I walked into his office and he asked why I had flown all the way to Alaska to see him. I explained my situation, the internship, the pressed deadlines, the family quizzes. He looked at me and said, "WOW. You did all of this in a month? I told him yes. I would love to see what you could have done with more time, because that is AMAZING work, knowing your situation. You will do fine on the final, you're a strong writer and you had some really great ideas about themes and concepts in the works you studied."
I got teary.
As I left his office he congratulated me on my success in the course and wished me luck in my internship and on the exam I was going to take right then. And then "Tell your family nice work on the quizzes!"
I got a 90% on the final. And a B in the class overall.
This year I have really learned that God has plan for my life. There was NO way I should have passed that class. But because of my family and divine help, I did. I was able to overcome that obstacle and I am on the path to a career that I love. I know that God knows and loves me and hears and answers my prayers, even when they're about something insignificant as an online English class.
So, I alluded to this earlier in the week and I realized I hadn't written the story down, and this is one that I didn't want to forget. So apologies if this one bores you. And it's long. Sorry.
So, in order for me to graduate in May (squeal!) and start my Internship last August I needed to take an upper division writing class. The classes they offered through my school were lame (Alaska Native Literature, no thank you!) So, I decided to take the class online through BYU at the suggestion of my UAF advisor. I registered for the class in March of 2012, while I was finishing my load classes and packed semester. I had every intention of finishing it in the summer.
Well, then my summer Chemistry class happened and that just didn't work as I had planned. But it was ok, I had finished my last online BYU English class in just a few weeks, this would be no problem, right? WRONG!
July 1. Finished Chemistry and decided to start my online class. Early American Literature. 20 open book quizzes and 4 response papers...so. I . thought. Those 4 response papers were actually 10 pages each! PLUS a final project proposal paper. AH!
But, I started the quizzes. Quiz #1, had the book open on my kindle app, it's a multiple choice quiz, I test well, I figured I could do it. Easy Peasy. Took the quiz. 72%. Meh, not bad, I didn't really try that hard. Next quiz I'll try harder.
Quiz 2: Read the section, had it open, took the quiz, felt confident...submit. 40% For reals? Ok, got to try MUCH harder on this next quiz.
Quiz 3: Read the section out loud, looked up answers on literary criticism sites (not just wikipedia here friends) tried my hardest. Legit studying here people. Submit. 25% You've GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! There was no rhyme or reason to these answers. In fact, the feedback on some questions was "upon a superficial reading, you may get this answer, look again." GRRR
Quiz 4: So, by now I'm pissed. I yell, "I bet it doesn't even matter if I try!" Click, Click Click, didn't read, just picked random answers. Submit. 70%
THIS. IS. BOGUS!
I tried Emailing the professor, but the link wouldn't work, so I E-mailed BYU, they forwarded my concerns to the professor. I told him I was having a hard time with the quizzes, I was studying and my grades were horrible. He assured me that the quizzes were a bit goofy and that a majority of the grade would be based on my written responses, don't give up, keep trying.
Well, a few more failed quizzes and I wanted to quit.
Now, keep in mind that by not passing this class by August 9 I wouldn't be able to do my internship, I would have to wait until fall 2013, I wouldn't graduate and basically I would have to be a janitor for the rest of my life. I decided this was going to have to happen. Because I was hating the Scarlet Letter, Last of the Mohicans, and all the other dead Pilgrim books I had to read. I felt defeated and didn't do anything for 2 weeks.
BUT, since my mom has no desire to have me living with her forever, she told me failure was not an option. My ENTIRE family rallied around me. We all read books, while I was frantically writing papers, my aunt, mom, cousins and siblings were looking up quiz answers online. Oh, and you can retake quizzes for $10 a quiz. So, Daddy Warbucks handed over his credit card so I could buy a passing grade on the quizzes, $130 later we had inched my quiz grade up to a 74%
Oh, and the timing. I had to have all the lessons done before I could take the final, which had to be mailed to Alaska and mailed back to Utah BEFORE August 9... Yeah, that takes 2 weeks, which I DIDN'T have. Luckily, it just happened to coincide with my trip to Utah, so I could take my final before my roommate reunion on August 6. Talk about cutting it close!
So, the day before I flew to Utah on August 4 I finished all the quizzes and had all but one paper written, and submitted but not graded. I had no idea how this professor was going to grade these, and NO clue if I was going to fail. Once you take the final you can't make any changes to anything else, so I was really putting faith in God that this was going to work out. And some of my papers were really bad. I mean I wrote a paper about slaves walking freely on a ship when the story was ACTUALLY about mutiny on a slave ship. (That was the last one and after writing 40 pages your brain gets a bit fried)
I submitted my final paper at 2 am and was EXHAUSTED. I decided I would take the exam the next day. I also Emailed the professor and told him I was in town from Alaska and wanted to talk to him about my grade. I waited for a response and updated grades. Nothing.
August 6, Still nothing from the professor. I decided that I should wait to see if I get an E-mail back from him before taking my test. If I didn't hear back from him I would take the test on the 7th.
10:30pm August 6, professor E-mailed back saying my email had gone to his spam folder and he had office times available on the 8th if I wanted to come in then. I decided I would take my test immediately after meeting him and then head to my reunion. Still 1 day before the deadline.
August 7. Checked grades online, instructor had graded all 40 pages of my work. I had a solid B. I was ABSOLUTELY going to pass the class! I cried. I called my family. I knew that all my prayers hadn't been in vain.
August 8- I went to the professor's office. Now keep in mind I had been really cursing this guy for such an impossible class, but I knew my grade was secure, so I just wanted to thank him for grading my papers so quickly.
Internet, Keith Lawrence is the KINDEST man ever!
I walked into his office and he asked why I had flown all the way to Alaska to see him. I explained my situation, the internship, the pressed deadlines, the family quizzes. He looked at me and said, "WOW. You did all of this in a month? I told him yes. I would love to see what you could have done with more time, because that is AMAZING work, knowing your situation. You will do fine on the final, you're a strong writer and you had some really great ideas about themes and concepts in the works you studied."
I got teary.
As I left his office he congratulated me on my success in the course and wished me luck in my internship and on the exam I was going to take right then. And then "Tell your family nice work on the quizzes!"
I got a 90% on the final. And a B in the class overall.
This year I have really learned that God has plan for my life. There was NO way I should have passed that class. But because of my family and divine help, I did. I was able to overcome that obstacle and I am on the path to a career that I love. I know that God knows and loves me and hears and answers my prayers, even when they're about something insignificant as an online English class.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Lunch Conversations
Hiya Internet,
Hope you're enjoying the new year. So, I miss my kids like crazy. I don't have favorites, cause I love all my kids... but there's one student who I really just love. She always tells me how pretty I look that day and we usually have a conversation at lunch time. They're pretty hilarious and I decided to share this one cause I don't want to forget it.. Background. I have a friend who works at the hospital and this student was going in for a procedure, so I had told her my friend might see her.
Most Loved Student: Whatcha eating?
Me: An Orange, string cheese, yogurt, crackers and a granola bar.
MLS: That's not a lot, but it's healthy! (She tells me this EVERY day. Haha)
Me: Yep
Mls: What are your hobbies, and NOT teacher stuff! She asked me once what I do after school and I told her grade papers and do homework, so this question is to obviously clarify for me. Haha)
Me: Well, I like to play with my niece.
MLS: Is that a picture of her? (Pointing to a picture on my desk)
Me: Yes
MLS: Do you have any children?
Me: No, I'm not married.
MLS: Are you divorced?
Me: Nope, I've never been married.
MLS: Well, I bet you are the best aunt ever, and what's your niece's name?
Me: Juliette
MLS: Well, I bet you are the best aunt ever and Juliette loves you very much! I have to go eat my lunch now, I'll come back and talk to you later.
5 minutes Later
MLS: Whatcha doing now?
Me: Grading Papers
MLS: What's the name of your friend who works at the hospital?
Me: Friend
MLS: Ok, I am SO excited they are going to get to meet me! I've never slept at a hospital before! I get to sleep in a bed with a remote control! And if I push the button too much it might fold up on me!
Me: I don't think that will happen, but it sounds very fun.
MLS: Can you write your friends name for me so I don't forget?
I wrote the name on a star post-it
MLS: Thanks! I'll request this at the front desk. Ok, I have to get ready for recess, it was nice talking to you!
Buwahahahaha! I love that kid! Can't wait to see her next week.
Hope you're enjoying the new year. So, I miss my kids like crazy. I don't have favorites, cause I love all my kids... but there's one student who I really just love. She always tells me how pretty I look that day and we usually have a conversation at lunch time. They're pretty hilarious and I decided to share this one cause I don't want to forget it.. Background. I have a friend who works at the hospital and this student was going in for a procedure, so I had told her my friend might see her.
Most Loved Student: Whatcha eating?
Me: An Orange, string cheese, yogurt, crackers and a granola bar.
MLS: That's not a lot, but it's healthy! (She tells me this EVERY day. Haha)
Me: Yep
Mls: What are your hobbies, and NOT teacher stuff! She asked me once what I do after school and I told her grade papers and do homework, so this question is to obviously clarify for me. Haha)
Me: Well, I like to play with my niece.
MLS: Is that a picture of her? (Pointing to a picture on my desk)
Me: Yes
MLS: Do you have any children?
Me: No, I'm not married.
MLS: Are you divorced?
Me: Nope, I've never been married.
MLS: Well, I bet you are the best aunt ever, and what's your niece's name?
Me: Juliette
MLS: Well, I bet you are the best aunt ever and Juliette loves you very much! I have to go eat my lunch now, I'll come back and talk to you later.
5 minutes Later
MLS: Whatcha doing now?
Me: Grading Papers
MLS: What's the name of your friend who works at the hospital?
Me: Friend
MLS: Ok, I am SO excited they are going to get to meet me! I've never slept at a hospital before! I get to sleep in a bed with a remote control! And if I push the button too much it might fold up on me!
Me: I don't think that will happen, but it sounds very fun.
MLS: Can you write your friends name for me so I don't forget?
I wrote the name on a star post-it
MLS: Thanks! I'll request this at the front desk. Ok, I have to get ready for recess, it was nice talking to you!
Buwahahahaha! I love that kid! Can't wait to see her next week.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Gooooaal Progress
Hi Internet,
Happy 2013. The world didn't end. Christmas Break is 1/2 over and I already miss my kids and am ready to get back to school.
In honor of the new year, and to help remind myself of my goals, I give you an update on my progress on my 29 before 29 list. Only 63 days to get it finished. Yikes!
1. Donate Blood (I'm gonna do it this week!)
3. Beat my last year time in the Chena River Run (Didn't do it. Wish I had)
4. Wear my Retainer 60 days in the year (My Teeth hurt cause I'm wearing it. 5 days down...)
7. Sew Rag Quilt
8. Run in the Beat Beethoven Race (See #3)
9. 100% Visiting Teaching (For December. Holla)
10. Save more money for Europe (Unpaid internships and full time classes SUCK!)
13. Read/listen to 20 books for pleasure
 |
| 8 Down, 12 to go... unless picture books count, then I'm DONE! haha |
14. Wear make-up more often
15. Be on time
16. Finish another Couch to 5k program (Exactly 9 weeks til my Birthday. Perfect!)
17. Compliment 1 person each day
20. Pay off my car
21. Read scriptures for at least 5 minutes a day (Try to use my phone for this)
22. Learn how to make Cream Brulee
23. Make my bed every morning (Epic FAIL)
24. Own a pair of designer jeans (I'm a poor teacher)
26. Go on 1 date- I might have been on a date? I never know if I'm being dated. He bought my movie ticket?
28. Buy a little black dress
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
If Only In My Dreams...
Merry Christmas Internet,
Hard to believe Christmas has come and gone. I survived.
Christmas time is always a bit painful for me.
Partially because it's a reminder of how my life has taken a different path than I had planned. (Not a worse or better plan, only different.) I always imagined by this time in my life I would be married with children. My family would have our own little home to decorate and fill with traditions and I'd be finished with school.
Sometimes I get bitter and sad.
I don't have the husband, the kids or the home.
(I do have TONS of people who love me, an internship *that's 1/2 way done* that I love and 24 kids who I adore! I really can't complain about that)
And then I kick myself, stop doing that, and try to find a way that I can fill that hole in my life and help someone else.
So, I "visited Santa" to make sure that all of my friends under the age of 10 got custom letters from the Jolly man himself. *Kris Kringle and I have VERY similar writing styles. WEIRD!
 |
| A few of my local favorites! |
I made Gifts for all 24 of my kids.
 |
| Hair Clips for the girls |
I stayed up til the wee hours of the morning to make my kids rainbow Jello.
I made bread for all my friends at school.
 | ||
| Homemade Cinnamon Chip and White bread! |
 |
| The Finished presents wrapped and ready to go! |
When we went Christmas Caroling, we stopped at one of my kids' houses. I think he waved at me about 20 times while we were singing.
And I come to understand better, as I serve others, how much my Savior loves me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)