Teens and Tact

Since starting teaching high school, I have been confused for a teenager on a number of occasions. I have come to realize that being mistaken for an adolescent isn't nearly as offensive as being mistaken for a middle-ager.

Incident #1:
Last semester two very small ninth grade boys used to come into my classroom to eat their lunch. Another small ninth grade boy (we'll call him A.J.) came into my classroom to do some makeup work, and our discussion went as follows:

A.J.: Are those your kids?
Me: Yeah, they're my students. (Thinking that he was asking if they're my students, only later did I realize that he though I had given birth to them).
A.J.: No offense guys, but you look like you're in grade school.
Me: So do you! (Probably shouldn't have said that, but he asked for it.)

So in a few short words, A.J. had offended everyone in sight. Do I really look old enough to have a couple of ten year-olds?

Incident #2:
I was talking with a student about a certain VeggieTales song called The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. I told him that my friends and I once had a goal to do everything in that song. As I was saying, "for example, go to Boston in the fall, look good in leggings..." this girl interrupted and said, "except it's too late for that." (She was referring to the looking good in leggings.)

Amazed at her boldness, I replied, "so you're saying I'm fat?"

To which, she replied, "Oh, no, no, I was talking about your age!"

I would have to agree with her that I am too old to wear leggings. People really should stop wearing them after age 12. However, I don't think that's what she was getting at.

(On a separate note, another kid in that class once asked, "You're not older than 30... are you?" Not even close, buddy.

Nobody likes you when you're 23... except me (and probably Jessica too).

Today is my little brother's 23rd birthday. I love this boy and his cheesy grin.

I got to spend a lot of time with Matt for a couple of years when he and I were the only kids left at home. I'm sure that there were quite a few quarrels, but what I remember most were the many deep conversations that we were able to have. He is a very deep thinker and a bright guy. More importantly, he has one of the best hearts of anyone that I know. He has such a deep desire to do the right thing, regardless of the pressure.

Last night I happened to be at his friend's parent's house for FHE (long story- it's a small world). When I told them who my brother was, they told me what a wonderful kid that he was. They told me that he made it "cool to be good."

I'm also grateful that Matt was smart and charming enough to entice this girl to join our family since his last birthday:

Happy birthday, Little Moo. I love you!

Happy Lincoln Day!

Ten score and one year ago, Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks brought forth a new son,
conceived in Kentucky and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Enjoy your day, remembering the many wonderful people who have dedicated their lives to promoting freedom and equality.

"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."

Mission Dissolved

As of this July they are dissolving the Spain Bilbao Mission. When I heard the news I couldn't believe it. I still kind of can't. It is being absorbed into the Barcelona and Madrid missions. Don't they know that the Bilbao Mission is the most beautiful mission in the world with the most wonderful people?!? Maybe they just wanted to even things out.

 I will forever be grateful that I got to serve in Bilbao. The experiences that I had there shaped me and stretched me in ways that I wouldn't have imagined. Te quiero, Misión España Bilbao.

Jimmer

I love Jimmer Fredette. Apparently other girls do too, but in a different way. Here are the suggestions that Google gives you when you type in Jimmer Fredette.

Also, I think I need to write about something that doesn't involve BYU sports.

When Economists Try Rap

New Favorites

Plaid umbrella from Gap. 
Normally I would be morally opposed to spending $20 on an umbrella, but this one was so cute, that I couldn't help it. Then I had to buy a red one for my sister-in-law's birthday. I wish I had a picture, but I can't find my camera battery charger and gap.com isn't selling it.




Colbie Caillat.
Songs on my playlist that are not classical or country are rare, but I'm loving Colbie Caillat. It started with a couple of songs, and before I knew it, I had bought two of her CDs from iTunes. (My roommate informed me that I'm a couple of years behind. Oh well. I don't really listen to pop.) Her voice is lovely. Plus, I love saying her name.

The Cocoa Bean Cupcake Cafe.
It just opened in Provo at Brigham's landing. It filled an important niche in Provo: a place you can go after a movie, play, or concert that isn't an ice cream parlor. I've been there three times in the past few weeks. The cupcakes are yummy and the cocoa is delish.

(Photo: utahlovescupcakes.com)




Mustard yellow.
I bought this from Shade Clothing to layer with my clothes and I'm loving it. It adds excitement to my otherwise plain wardrobe.

BYU Basketball.
I have always loved BYU basketball, but they deserve to be on my new favorite list because this is my new favorite BYU basketball team ever.

Did anyone else watch Jimmer's 49 point, 9 assist game at Arizona? It was truly amazing. Truly. And I love his name. The rest of the team was amazing too. Tyler Haws should be MWC Freshman of the Year. Wow. Watching BYU basketball is pure happiness. And on the b-ball theme...




Women's size basketball.
For those of you who met me after junior high (and be thankful that you did), you might not know that in my past I went through an obsession with all things basketball. I spent hours upon hours in the backyard working on my free throws and post skills. Despite the glory of playing on Oak Canyon Junior High's second place in the district basketball team, I quit once I got in high school so that I could spend more time with my true love: tennis. All of the BYU basketball excitement has made me itch to pick up a basketball again and shoot some hoops. However, I hate shooting with a full sized basketball because I'm not used to the slight difference in size. So the other day when I was at the mall I picked up a size 28.5 basketball that I could call my own. Now I can't wait for the snow to melt on in my parents' backyard so that I can polish up.

Hot chocolate maker.
My wonderful brother and sister-in-law gave me one of the best Christmas presents ever. This:

All you have to do is add the ingredients and voila! Plus it has a button that makes the chocolate come out nice and frothy. I have been using it nonstop since Christmas.

Book Bleg

I am having my students in my world history class read a book this semester. I am leaving the assignment wide open and the only qualifications are that it has to be set after the year 1500 and outside of the United States. So yeah, that's pretty wide open. I have made a list of books that are in our library that work, but I'm sure there are a lot more that I should include. I'm going to let them read books that qualify that aren't on the list, but I want a good solid list to start off with. Also, the librarian has more money and he said he can order books that we don't have. What books do you think should be included on the list?

On Open Letter to Jessica G.

Dear Jessica,

I found a reason for you not to move to Florida. If you think that it's hard to find your way around Orem (and also Pleasant Grove), imagine trying to find your way in places like this. (Click on the map and read the street names.)

Also, I was listening to the radio and heard this. If you want me to think of more reasons, I can. Please don't leave me.

Love,

Jen