Read Closely

Who Would Have Guessed?

Today, I had the opportunity to do something I never thought I would do.  In fact, that has been happening a lot lately.  Let me tell you all how this came about and lead up to today.

• Last school year I decided I needed to "put myself out" a little more---meaning that I needed to stretch a little.  If I intended to get a better job, then I would need to make my name one that people knew (hopefully in a positive way)
• I applied to be on a district committee called the JEEAC (Joint Educator Evaluation Advisory Committee.  The committee is legislated to be formed in each school district and have an equal amount of teachers, administrators, and parents.  The purpose is to advise the creation of a new evaluation system to be used.
• I was asked to be on this committee.
• After about six months on the committee, the district administrator in charge of the new evaluation asked that asked me to attend a Utah Education Association [UEA] (teacher union) leadership conference as a representative of the JEEAC committee and to be an evaluation expert for the Davis Education Association [DEA] (the local branch of UEA).
• I agreed.
• Shortly after agreeing, I received a request from DEA asking if I would accept a position as a state evaluation expert working with UEA.
• I agreed.

Now, those of you who know me understand how much I detest speaking in front of adults.  The UEA agreement was that I would be one of three who would present professional development to the local evaluation experts about the new teacher evaluation system. 

• We prepared and planned a professional development seminar for these local experts and now have a couple more to create and present.
• Because I have been working closely with UEA, I was asked to be on a teacher panel of experts to present to school district personnel, school board members, legislators, and anyone else who came to the UEA convention.
• This panel convened today.  Although we did not have many who attended--maybe 60 in the audience, representatives from University of Phoenix [UOP] were there.
• I have applied to work for UOP and one of the representatives was a professor I had there.  He recognized me and asked me to speak to the accreditation board as an alumni.
• I agreed.
• I also told him that I had applied to teach and he said as soon as I finished my doctorate to get back with him.

Whew!  And to think one year ago, none of this was even a thought in my mind.  Maybe, all the hard work will pay off in the near future.  That would be good because I owe a gob of money for student loan payments each month and desperately need additional income, or a much better paying job. 

Time Flies!

I always get to this time of the year when the weather is still cold, but trying to warm up, and think, "Oh man!  The year is going so slow!"  Then, before I know it the school year is over and I'm supposed to be out of school for the summer. 

Last weekend, the sun was shining.  Kirby and I were driving home from his day at the doggy spa.  As we neared home I thought, "I'll bet Kirby would like some fresh air."  Sure enough, he stuck his little head out the window and gulped in the fresh, dirty, Utah air.

Fast forward to today:  I left my house at 9:15 AM.  It was cold and gray.  The wind was starting to pick up, but not by much.  I arrived at the Costco parking lot at 9:23 and could see gusts of snow blowing across the parking lot as it fell from the sky.  I parked, shopped, and got back to the car at 10:10.  There was at least an inch of snow on the car!  Getting home was difficult because the roads were snowy and slippery, the snow plows weren't out yet, and my little car only has front wheel drive.

To get to my house you have to drive up a little hill--it's probably one of the steepest secondary roads in the area.  I knew my car would never be able to crawl up that hill without the snow plow having gone through, so I drove to the next road which is still a hill, but not as steep.  I was feeling good that I had turned, not hit anything, and was about 25 feet up the street when suddenly, my car wouldn't go anymore.

HINT:  Keep a bag of sand in your car during the winter!

Since I grew up in Michigan, I knew that sand in my car would be useful.  Sure enough, I got out (in the middle of the street), took out the bag of sand, and scattered some right in front of my tires.  Then, I got back in the car and was able to get going well enough that I didn't get stuck again.  However, I have to go up, turn, go up, turn, turn, turn, and go downhill in order to avoid going up the hill my circle is off of.  Luckily, I made it home.......to find that I had forgotten to get celery.   Ugh! 

Yeah, I think this year is going S......L......O.................W!

A Previously Unknown Piece of Information

Did you know that there is a website called, Dear Elder?  My nephew Daylon mentioned it in his most recent email.  What a great site!  You can write a letter and send it for free.  You can purchase care packages to send.  I personally have decided to use that site to write to Elder Crider.  It's convenient and I don't have to remember to buy stamps or take it to the mailbox!

Another site I just happen to have used to send a package to Elder Crider is Pioneer Party in Lehi, Utah.  They have a website with some items that you can send to missionaries.  They are a bit cheaper than the ones from Dear Elder, but both are a great way to show support for your missionary.

The one thing I have always regretted was not serving a mission when I turned 21.  I am so glad that Daylon has made this choice. 

Missionary Service

Can you believe I haven't written since October?  I used to be so good at this.  I guess I will try to get back on and write.  After all, it is a great journaling activity.  The best thing about the last two weeks is that Austin and I were able to pick up my nephew, Daylon Crider from the airport and drop him off at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.  

People asked me if I had a hard time leaving him there.  I have to say I did not.....He's not my kid!  But, I can see that it would be difficult for the mother's who do drop them off.  Anyway....if you are interested in what happens when a young man serves a mission for the LDS church, then check out his blogspot at http://eldercrider.blogspot.com/

I am very proud of Daylon.  He is truly taking a leap of faith to serve his Father in Heaven for two years in Santiago, Chile.  Austin or I asked what was going through his head at one point.  He said that it was kind of surreal.  He knew he was doing what he was supposed to do, but to know that in 45 minutes from that time, he was going to do something and he had no idea what it is.  I replied, "That's what faith is all about."  

Daylon, you are awesome!  You will be a great missionary!