What fills YOUR cup?

I've been thinking a lot about this topic lately (never a good thing, thinking), and it all kind of came to a head in the last few weeks when I was confronted with it full force in the outer world. To make a long story short, I've been spending way too much time at school, and way too much time at home doing school things. Which leaves me not a lot of time to do things that I enjoy. I don't mean to sound selfish with my time - but there are just some things that I need to make myself be a happier camper, especially at school, and especially with 33 10-11-year-olds (and whichever mood they decide to be in any given day). During professional development a few Mondays ago, we watched a video that talked about loving what we do, and doing what we love. Sometimes, it's easy to love what you do - there is enough in what you do that makes it worthwhile. Other times, it's not so easy, and you have to have some external things in your life to fill up your cup while you're at work.

So what things fill your cup? Enjoy my list. :)


Battle of the Bad 80's Bands - the Chunga morning show
hearing a good song on the radio
singing to a great cd in my car
traveling - and remembering the great time I had and good people I was with
crocheting
scrapbooking
reading books that I want to read
sleeping in
getting to bed a little early
getting a Facebook message
cherry limeades from Sonic
having a good time at a Utah football game
long weekends
getting all my papers graded (which happens only toward the end of May...)
going shopping with my mom - especially when she's buying!
taking pictures
editing pictures
blogging
cleaning (I say this one with a grain of salt... I like the end result of cleaning... not before, and not after I get things messy again)
having things to look forward to - classes, projects
funny things that kids do and say at school
my grade team
text messages and phone calls that are pleasant and unexpected
lovely weather
thinking about past and future adventures

A True Blue Tale...

Holly and I went to Vegas this weekend to go to the Utah/UNLV game. More on that later... However, here's the story of the weekend:

The scene: A downward-heading elevator at the Excalibur. Holly and I had just returned to our hotel room to change into our U shirts (more on that later), and were heading back down to the strip. There are 4 college-age boys in the elevator. Just one talked to us... the others tried not to laugh.

cab (college-age boy): Oh, hey, you guys bleed red, huh? I bleed blue.
me: Oh, that's too bad.
(awkward pause, other cabs trying not to laugh)
me: So, you should have been down here last week for the game.
cab: Uh, yeah, I had midterms last week.
me: So?
cab: I didn't pass as it was.
me: Well, then, you could have come and the outcome would have been the same!
cab: Yeah, ha ha...
cab: So, who do you guys play this week, anyway?
(Holly and I exchange a look - really, is this what he's asking? The city is crawling with Utes! Where has he been all morning?)
me: UNLV...
cab: Oh. OH...
(other cabs trying not to laugh.)
Elevator door opens, and we all exit and go our separate ways.

Whew.
No wonder he failed his midterms!
Go Utes!

Sample 5: Hair Growing Skills

I grew out my hair a few summers for the Hill Cumorah Pageant. I figured that I'd rather deal with my own ball of fuzz, rather than with having a wig or an elaborate head wrap. The first summer, I chopped it off as soon as school started up again, and then started the growing process again. The second summer, I kept it long until November, and then decided that it was, indeed, time to part with it. I went to my trusty hair dresser, put it in a pony tail, and whacked it off. 11.5 inches went to Locks of Love! I haven't had the patience or desire to grow it out again... though I have applied to the pageant for next summer, so I suppose that I'd better get a move on. Good thing it grows back!


Looking at this pic, I can't believe it was ever that long! How did I deal with it? What did I do with it every day? Oh yeah... ponytails, buns, and braids! 'Do' my hair? I don't think so...

Sampe 4: Macro Camera Setting

So... that little flower icon on your digital camera? I found out not long ago what it was for. Now I'm a macro-setting freak. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't... here are some instances when it did work.


U of U campus, fall 2008




Bellagio's garden, Las Vegas, spring 2009



Sacred Grove, Palmyra NY, summer 2009

Feels Like Today

I saw this on Rikki and Rochelle's blog (a loooong time ago). Looked fun, so here you go!

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Try not to repeat a song title.

Your Artist: Rascal Flatts
Are you male or female: Dry County Girl
Describe yourself: Unstoppable
How do you feel about yourself: Better Now
Describe where you currently live: Life is a Highway
The first thing you think of when you wake up: Help Me Remember
If you could go anywhere, where would you go: She'd Be California
Your favorite form of transportation: Fast Cars and Freedom
Your best friend is: Like I Am
Your favorite color is: Shine On
What’s the weather like: Cool Thing
If your life were a TV show, what would it be called: Secret Smile
What is life to you: Still Feels Good
What is the best advice you have to give: Bob That Head
If you could change your name, what would it be: Ellsworth
Your favorite food is: Mayberry
How I would like to die: Holdin' On
My soul’s present condition: Backwards
The faults I can bear: No Reins
How would you describe your love life: Love Who You Love
What are you going to post this as: Feels Like Today

Blogger's Block...

Ah... blogging... I've missed you!
It's not that I haven't done things that are worth blogging about, because I have. I just can't find the motivation, time, or words. I've started several posts, and some day I'll get back around to finishing them (because I know you want to read them, of course!).

For now, enjoy my list of things I'm thinking about blogging about:

spring break in Boston
how I spent my summer
Philadelphia, Hershey, Palmyra and beyond with my mom
school - my class, my new team, my FB friends
the smattering of tags I haven't been tagged with but have seen on other people's blogs that look fun
things I want vs. things I need
Timpanogos - 3 times? really?
Why I don't need to get married any time soon (so leave me alone!)
books - suggestions for me, recommendations from me, poetry - my new love and saving grace at school (why didn't I think of it before?)
tv series (plural of series - serieses?) that I watch
my daughter Tippy
things I'm looking forward to
what I'm doing to have a life away from school (and suggestions for me?)
projects in the works
things I think are strange
what I'd do with a responsibility-free week
why I like Facebook and why I would have never graduated from college had it been around back in the day

"In the mean time, I'm back. Talk to me."

More on Philly...

My seminar is just about over. It's been quite the experience. I have learned a lot. I'm not sure that it is totally relevant to what and who I teach, but it definitely was good for me. The professor, Stephanie McCurry, is a historical expert on the Civil War story, from the southern perspective, with focus on gender issues and citizenship in the nation. Many of the things she lectured on and what we discussed strayed from the traditional story you get on the Civil War (the north's perspective - they won, so it's their story we hear), and gave me lots to think about. I will probably be thinking about it for a while, in fact. I doubt that much will get passed down to my students, because I think that at 10 years old, you need to know the traditional tale so that as they associate with others, there is a common knowledge. Also, I'm sure that there are things you learned about at a young age, then grew up or moved on to another class and learned a different perspective (or learned that what you thought you knew was right really isn't!)... you've got to have someone teach you the basics so you can blame them for not telling you more, right!?
You can only apply to come once every two summers (probably so you can recover... and forget your dorm-living experience), so you know of any programs/organizations that do something similar and you've had a good experience, I'd love to know so I can apply for next summer! If you are a teacher and are interested, applications are due mid-February, more info at http://www.gilderlehrman.org/teachers/seminars1.html
We ventured out for an official field trip today (unlike the one we took Wednesday during lunch...) to the Constitution Center. I really didn't know what it would be like, and so didn't have any real expectations, but it was really cool. I think that even kids would enjoy it as a field trip... wonder if there is money in the budget for that?! There is a whole 'mall' of places in old town Philly, not unlike Washington DC. The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall is quite close by, as are other places of historical significance. (I'll be back here next Thursday and Friday and so hopefully can go to some.)

Ben Franklin (inside the Constitution Center)

A lovely self-portrait of Alexander Hamilton and myself. (Guess who took the picture?)

Outside of the Constitution Center.

Independence Hall.