Monday, February 28, 2011

Back on the Mountain


Anybody seen Lindsey?
 After a three week break, we finally made it snowboarding again.  The one good thing about the snowy Idaho winters is that snowboarding season goes all the way through March.  In Washington it's pretty much over after February.  It was really cold up on the mountain so I was completely covered but the snow was wonderful! The night before they had gotten eight inches of powder.
My baby has skills
 I had to take pictures standing still but Thomas was able to snowboard while snapping pictures. He is a professional.  We were talking to some ski patrol guys and they said to be ski patrol you just have to take a 12 week course.  I think that would be an ideal job for Thomas.


Friday, February 25, 2011

Practicum Happiness

This week I had my last formal observation by my professor.  I was nervous because I was sick over the weekend and still not feeling well.  He observed another math lesson and it went really well.  I love being creative and finding fun ways to teach math.  There are some lessons were it's really hard to find manipulatives and real life examples to help teach the students but this lesson had some good hands on activities that I used.  My professor said he has been impressed with my lesson planning and teaching.  I still need to work on using less teacher talk and working on my questioning techniques so that students are answering their own questions instead of me just "telling". 
I was so happy this Thursday when I witnessed a small miracle with one of my students.  This particular student has selective mutism.  So he has such bad anxiety he can't talk in public.  There are 18 people that he will talk to including his family.  And when he is in public he will only whisper (to those selective people).  Thursday morning he was in the classroom with his mom before class.  His mom asked if they could talk with me, so my cooperating teacher had all the other students leave so this student wouldn't be so scared.  I guess he had a goal to be able to talk to me :) And he DID!!!! I was soooo happy! He told me about his two hamsters and a little about his family as well.  He did whisper but in a louder than normal whisper.  I asked him if there was anything I could do to help in not feel so anxious and he said not really but we made a deal that when I am teaching math if he doesn't understand something I will go and ask him one on one if he has understood everything (he won't raise his hand in class).  I had made a personal goal to make him for comfortable enough that by the end of the semester he spoke to me and he did :) That made my week.  That is what teaching is all about. 
This weekend we have plans to go snowboarding and I can't wait to get out of town and have some fun with my lover :)

Monday, February 21, 2011

President's Day Weekend

I needed this long weekend.  Friday while Thomas was at work till 8pm I bunkered down at home and got lots and lots of homework done.  I have my final evaluation of my teaching from my Senior Practicum professor tomorrow morning. So this whole weekend I've been having nightmares about that :) I don't know why cause my last one went well. This weekend I've had a sore throat that is progressively getting worse so I'm just hoping I still have my voice tomorrow morning.  But anywho, I feel good about my lesson preparation so I feel good about it, although a little nervous too.
After Thomas got home from work on Friday we headed over to Bea and Ivan's to play some Wii Mario Kart and wait for the arrival of my mom from Washington.  Saturday, Thomas had to work so I went to with my mom, sister, bro-in-law, and nephew to Idaho Falls for a little shopping. While my mom went to Old Navy I headed over to Barnes and Noble to read Kardashian Konfidential.

 I think I got through half the book in an hour.  Really fun, quick read. Thomas met me at Barnes and Noble and we headed over to Famous Daves for dinner.  We got the family meal which was so yummy! There were ribs, brisket, steak fries, potatoe salad, corn on the cob, baked beans, and cornbread.  I love ribs sooooooooooo much! The meal was huge and fed us five adults plus my nephew and we had leftovers. 

Sunday, Thomas and I taught Sunday School on the miracles of Jesus.  Sometimes I get a little tired of teaching cause it's what I do all week and I kind of want a break from it on Sunday but after the lesson I'm always glad we had the chance to study it a little more in depth.  After church we put veggies and a roast in the crock pot and relaxed for a bit till the fam came over.  We played guitar hero for hours and had lots of fun :)


You are witnessing a miracle.  Thomas has always refused to sing and he finally did! To like three songs!

Alex's favorite was the drums.

The Pascual Family rocking it out.  They Rock!
Monday, we slept in and lounged around.  Thomas made me breakfast of whole wheat waffles topped with fruit and an omelet.  Then we headed over to Bea's to play more Wii (Deal or No Deal).  I was feeling even more sick so ended up passing out on the couch while everyone else played.  Then we went home and took an hour nap or so. 
Good long weekend. Ready to take on the week.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Valentine's Day Weekend

Thomas and I left Friday afternoon for Boise.  I was taking my spanish Praxis test and we wanted to check out housing.  Friday evening we spent with my old roomie Tess and her little guy Graham. She taught us how to play the domino game Mexican Train and we are pretty much addicted now.  We need to get us some dominoes now. 
Saturday morning I woke up at 5am and thought "crap I didn't bring my make-up"  So before going to my test at 8am I swung by Albertsons to get the basics: mascara, eyeliner, and foundation.  The test was on the computerized and consisted of listening, reading, writing, and speaking sections.  The hardest part was that for the multiple choice questions you only have 20 seconds and then the question dissappears and you can't go back to it.  You sit in this little cubicle and have headphones on.  There were 12 other people taking the test.  It's kind of weird speaking into a little mic while other people are around you.  I feel like I did my best so hopefully that's enough.  I find out next week my score.  If I pass that means I can teach spanish in addition to elementary ed.
After my test Thomas and I headed into downtown Boise to look for housing.  Thomas had researched some options beforehand so we used our GPS to check them out.  Most of the places were in the Boise Bench.  We were so depressed after seeing what there was in our price range.  Scary and trashy are two words that come to mind.  The car ride was silent there for awhile because we just didn't know what to say.  We went to a hotdog/custard place for lunch and then decided to check out a different area on the North End of Boise.  Tess and Ryan had taken us to Camelback Park in the North End while we were there for the St.Luke's 5K this past September.  So we checked that area out and felt much better.  It's still an older area but you can tell that more respectable people live there and the upkeep is better.  It is a little more expensive but we have a couple options of apartment complexes that should fit our budget.
Saturday evening we went to an amazing asian restaurant called Asian Fusion.  Then we went home to play some more Mexican Train.
Sunday we went to church with Tess and Graham.  They had an awesome lesson about work and the importance of work.  Somebody pointed out that the only difference between work and play is our attitude.  It's so true! There was a lady who goes to Tess' church who has run an Ironman and they had her plaque up, so inspiring! Anything really worth doing requires hardwork.  I need to remember that this semester.  The work load is really seeming overwhelming right now.
This Valentine's day made me laugh.  This is Thomas and I's third valentine's day together.  Last year we went to the Indian restaurant were we had our first date (on Valentine's day :) and chaperoned a youth dance.  We were in charge of guarding the doors so kids didn't sneak into other parts of the church to make out.  We grabbed a cup of jelly bellys and did some taste testing ;)
This year we carried on the jelly belly tradition.  We also spent some good quality time getting groceries (Thomas made the list this time and planned the menu for the next two weeks).  After unloading groceries I did homework while Thomas made dinner of corn chowder and bread bowls.  I love it when he cooks, I swear he is a better cook then I am.  After dinner we snuggled on the couch and watched The Bachelor.  I love that Thomas will watch it with me.  We also dipped strawberries and chocolate.

  They were so delicious.  A perfect combination if you ask me.  Thomas gave me the best card that I will keep forever. 


On the front it had written in green "Happy (green) Valentine's Day" and on the inside it said "Because I am Horny for you" haha made me laugh so hard.  Thomas got me a cover with a built in light for my Kindle and I got him some new snowboarding gloves.  It was a lovely v-day.


Monday, February 7, 2011

Superbowl party

Sunday was my first ever superbowl party! We had our friends Kelsey and Brandon over and Bea and Ivan.



 I tried out a bunch of recipes from the most recent issue of taste of home magazine.  The chocolate dream whoopie pies were my favorite. 


The frosting on the inside was like whipped chocolate butter and the outside cookie was soft and chewy.  It was basically like a big soft and creamy chocolate oreo.

Ingredients

1 package (18-1/4 ounces) chocolate cake mix
3 eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

FILLING:
2/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup 2% milk
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
2/3 cup shortening
1/3 cup butter, softened
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

GARNISH:
1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Directions
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, oil and vanilla; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes.

Drop by 2 tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 15-18 minutes or until edges are set. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

For filling, in a small saucepan, combine the sugar, flour and salt. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in chocolate chips until melted. Cool completely.

In a large bowl, beat the shortening and butter until fluffy. Beat in chocolate mixture and vanilla.
Spread chocolate filling on the bottoms of half of the cookies, about 2 tablespoons on each; top with remaining cookies. Roll sides in miniature chocolate chips for garnish. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: about 1 dozen.

 I also made foccacia bread that turned out excellent. 
 
 
 
Ingredients

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon each dried oregano, thyme and rosemary, crushed
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
Dash pepper
2 to 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
1/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add 1 tablespoon oil, salt, sugar, garlic powder, herbs, pepper and 1-1/2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).


Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.


Punch dough down. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Shape into a 13-in. x 9-in. rectangle; place on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. With fingertips, make several dimples over top of dough.


Brush dough with remaining oil; arrange tomatoes over the top. Sprinkle with cheeses. Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to a wire rack. Yield: 1 loaf (12 pieces).


 Thomas made a rasberry fruit dip. 
 
1 8oz bar reduced fat cream cheese (room temperature)
1/4 cup marshmallow fluff
3 tbsp sugar free seedless raspberry preserves
 
Combine all ingredients.  Blend thoroughly. Serve with fresh fruit.
 
And for drinks we had strawberry party punch.
I'm not going to post the recipe cause it wasn't that great.  But little Alex liked it.  That boy loves his "agua" he calls all drinks agua.

We also had velveeta cheese dip and chips, lil smokies, chex mex, and M&M's.  YUMMMM!!!!
To have enough room for everybody we brought out the futon from the extra bedroom so everybody would have a seat.

I love hanging with friends.  Thomas and I were going for the Packers and everybody else was for the Steelers (suckers :)


Saturday night I met Thomas in Idaho Falls after he got off work to play games at my old MTC companions apartment.  It was so nice to see her again, I haven't seen her in 3 1/2 years! And I got to meet her husband.  We played a fun game called Boxers or Briefs that is kind of like Apples to Apples. 
Such a fun weekend, it went by so fast!

Friday, February 4, 2011

Workouts and School

I am very proud of myself this week.  My goal to workout an hour every morning was a success.  Thursday and Friday morning were tough but I found something to tell myself that helps me get my booty moving.  I just say "I may not want to wake up but I DO want to workout".  And after about 5 minutes of working out I am so happy that I made the decision to do so.  I got an extra workout in this week too by going to Zumba with my friend Kelsey.  I had actually totally forgotten we had planned on going Wednesday night till she texted to ask when she should pick me up.  I was very happy to get to have an added workout and Thomas was working that night anyways so it saved me from being home alone most of the night.  It's really amazing how much happier I am and how much more energy I have when I workout in the morning rather than sleeping in the extra hour. 
I'm starting to feel more comfortable planning math lessons for my 6th graders.  I don't have to spend hours on the lessons anymore now it's just like an hour or so.  I try to plan all of my lessons the weekend before so that they are ready to go and I don't have to stress about them along with other homework during the week. I just looked at the list for when my proffesor would be observing me again and it wasn't until March.  There were openings in February though so I switched it so I can just get it over with.  I'm very lucky to have a lot of my assignments in different classes overlap so that I have less work to do.  For example in my Social Studies Methods class we have to create a unit, and fortunately I am teaching a unit in my practicum class.  As part of this unit I naturally will need a test and this will fulfill a requirement for my Assessments class. 
Next weekend we will be headed to Boise so I can take my spanish praxis exam to get certified to teach spanish!
Today there was a pre-placement student teaching meeting! It's all becoming real to me.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

The Power of Rest

Last week I only worked out for like 30 minutes three times a week.  I felt grumpy and had a bad attitude all week.  I realized I NEED to excersie just like I NEED at least 8 hours of sleep.  This week I made a deal with myself.  If I wake up every morning and exercise for an hour then at the end of the week I will allow myself to buy a new Kindle book.  I downloaded the free sample first chapter of The Power of Rest and I'm excited to read the rest of it.  The last book I read was The Hangman's Daughter and it was excellent.  I love Amazon because you can read the first chapter before buying the book and decide if you are really interested or not. 
From the first chapter I learned that there are different kinds of active rest.  Social and spiritual are some of those kinds of rest.  An example of social active rest is having a little talk with a co-worker during lunch or having some cuddle time with your spouse. I think it's very true to say that during your day you need some of this kind of rest.  I'm excited to read the rest of the book :)

Here is a description of this book from Amazon:

Imagine feeling restored . . . refreshed . . . renewed


Too many of us accept sluggishness and fatigue as the inevitable side effects of hectic lives—but Dr. Matthew Edlund shows us there is a better way. After years of clinical research and consultations with hundreds of patients, he realized that many people aren't just sleep-deprived, they're rest-deprived. Our hearts, minds, and central nervous systems are overloaded, and we've long forgotten the feeling of being truly refreshed.

The Power of Rest is the much-needed antidote to our frenetic modern pace. Dr. Edlund has identified four crucial types of active rest—physical, mental, social, and spiritual—to create a groundbreaking 30-day rest makeover program that fits easily into even the busiest schedules. The benefits of making time for active rest have proven extraordinary: by using the body's unique power to restore and renew itself, you can look younger, lose weight more effectively, and experience greater joy in your work and relationships.

We would never expect our bodies to function without food. How can we expect to feel fully fueled and alert without intelligent, directed rest? This step-by-step plan introduces one simple, enjoyable technique each day—many of which can be accomplished in a minute or less and can easily be incorporated into your life. Learn to tap into these powerful techniques that quickly lead you to a healthier, more successful, more relaxed life.