Saturday, January 31, 2009

We Might Not Have More Fun, But There are Other Benefits!

So I have been blond for exactly a week now, and the results have been very positive! A few reasons why I'm loving it:

1) A couple of guys at work said I looked "hot" (they then added "well, hotter than usual", which I thought was very nice, even though it was an obvious lie)
2) I don't have to wear as much makeup, the blond-ness doesn't wash me out as much as dark hair
3) My hair looks clean a lot longer. I haven't washed my hair in almost three days, and it feels nasty, but it just looks like I used a little too much styling product

I'm still not sure if blond's have more fun, I haven't been in a very fun environment the last few days. Once I do some more research I will be sure to report back!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Time Will Heal All Wounds?

In a desperate attempt to not write my paper about school violence and security, I decided to write a meaningless blog!

I've been thinking lately about decisions I have made that have had a far reaching effect on my life. There are some changes that I have made in my life that, while I know they were the right ones, it still hurts to think about it. There are people and places that I miss so much it makes my heart hurt, but I know it wouldn't do anyone any good to go back. I hate it when I get this sentimental feeling, because I feel like it keeps me from really enjoying my life as it is. I wonder if this feeling comes becuase there is something missing in my life, something more that I could be doing to make sure I don't feel this way, or is it something that is going to come and go throughout my life, and I need to learn how to deal with it. Sometimes I wish I didn't have this sense of adventure, that I could have been happy in New Mexico, where I had family and friends, and didn't get lost every stinking day! But it doesn't do any good to live life with what if's and maybes. The only thing I can do is look forward with faith, and believe that someday I will look back on the path of my life and see that I was heading where I needed to be the whole time.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Why Format??

It's 6:30 in the morning. I'm awake. Not only am I awake, but I am up and doing homework... It's a crazy world. I'm having a huge writers block, mostly becuase I don't care about data driven decision making in schools, so I thought I would blog a bit, maybe get the writing juices flowing a bit!

I decided that I hate APA format. Or any type of format, really. I hate that it can tell me what kind of font to use, and what size, and where to put my commas. I understand the need for everything to be consistent, but does it really matter if I have two spaces after a sentence instead of one?? Is my point not valid if I don't italicize the name of a journal? Really?

Overall, I would say school is going well. I really love being in the classroom again, it is so fun! What I don't love so much is the homework, but what can you do? The funny thing is, if I did half the things I tell my students to do every day, I would be just fine. But I don't. I procrastinate, I don't set up a schedule, I don't check to make sure my citings are correct, I just copy and paste them from the generator! I feel some cognitive dissonance coming on (Hey look! I'm applying my learning!)

Monday, January 5, 2009

I Have What You Might Call a Little Bit of a Shopping Problem!

Today I went to HEB with my roommate, she needed a couple of things. I was planning on getting nothing. As we walked into the store I saw they had OPI nail polish on clearance two for $5. As this is a total steal, and I am always on the lookout for cheap OPI, I took a second to look at it. Most of the colors were weird, like orange or sparkly green, but there were a few good french tip colors, and one really nice pink color, so I ended up getting four. By this time Tia has come back from what she was looking for, and was unable to find. So, I you're keeping score, it is Tia: 0, Bethany: 4. As we are heading to the checkout, I see they have plates on sale, a service for four for $2.95. I'm not joking. They were pretty nice, too! Of course, I had to get them! I love dishes! So I picked up four sets. Again, if you are keeping score it is Tia: 0, Bethany: 8. I ended up spending $20, but I got four very long lasting nail polishes, and enough dishes to have 16 people eat on matching plates, which is the dream, in case you weren't aware!

Friday, January 2, 2009

So What, I'm Still (Not) a Rockstar

I had the amazing opportunity of going to a free Lifehouse concert tonight. I wouldn't say I'm a huge Lifehouse fan, but I like all their songs that I know, I love live music, and I rarely say no to something that is free! First of all, I was surprised at how good they really were. I try to deny it, but I am a total band nerd and somewhat of a music snob. I hate it when bands are out of tune or not totally together, and I was able to enjoy almost all of their music. I also realized that my secret unfulfilled dream is to become a rock star. I would love to be on stage like that, performing my heart out, and having the crowd screaming and singing along. Music just speaks to people in a way other things can't. There are more than a few reasons why this will never happen:

1) I don't have the talent. My voice is fine for singing alto in the ward choir, but its not rock star quality.
2) I can't dance. I would look like an idiot up there, and would run out of moves in about five minutes. Anyone who has seen me dance can agree with that!
3) I don't have a "rock star" look. Unless "Mormon Girl" is the next hot thing, I don't think I ever will.
4) I will never be discovered, as I never do anything that would cause me to be discovered. This would only be a problem if the first 3 reasons weren't so true. Since they are, even if I did do something that would possibly put me in the fast lane to super stardom, it wouldn't matter.

But hey, a girl can dream right? What it did make me think is that I should put a little more effort into the music that I do have available to me. Like playing the organ at church. I have the potential to become a total rock star organist, especially since playing the organ doesn't require any dance moves! I wonder if anyone would mind if I jazzed up the hymns a bit? Maybe brought in a lead guitar? I'm kidding...

Thursday, January 1, 2009

2008 Was Great!

I read today that in addition to making resolutions for the new year we should celebrate the good things that happened in the previous year. 2008 was such a huge year for me, I have so much to celebrate!

1) I moved to San Antonio. This was not only a defining moment of the year, I think it will be a defining moment of my life. I am SO happy here.

2) I have increased faith in the Lord, that He is there for me, and has my best interest at heart. I have learned to not worry about things, I just have to work as hard as I can, and somehow things always work out. So many times I have had so many things weighing on my mind that seemed they could not be resolved. I have prayed about them, and almost every time the problems have been solved by the end of the day. Also, I have realized that sometimes what I want is not the best thing for me, and I need to be able to take no for an answer. I can't remember where I read it, but I saw a quote saying that the Lord has three answers to our prayers: 1) Yes, 2) Not right now, and 3) I have something better in mind. Looking back on my life, and especially this past year, I see that so much. Things that I thought I couldn't live without turned out to be the things that were holding me back.

3) Getting a pillowtop mattress. I know this is lame, but I love my bed so much. As much as I love traveling I am always excited to come home, even if it is just to sleep in my bed. If I could figure out a way to live in my bed, I would totally do it.

4) Speaking of coming home! I got to go so many fun places this year. California, Utah, and Mexico were great, but even small trips to Austin and Houston were so much fun. I still have a huge list of places to go in 2009, including the Dr Pepper factory and a cruise!

5) Moving to a ground campus. I know this probably should go under number one of moving to San Antonio, but I feel that they are separate. Having the opportunity to look in to the eyes of my students has made my job so much more real to me. I liked my job before, but now I love it. I really feel that I am changing lives. I cannot wait for commencement in January, it's going to be the biggest motivator to keep working hard!

6) More confidence in myself. This kind of ties into number two, but I feel now like I can do anything. Bring it on life. I can handle hard things!

There are so many other great things that happened in 2008, but these are those I consider my defining moments. I can't wait to make 2009 even better!