Like Calvin says...

The man is a genius....

"The world isn't fair, Calvin." 
"I know Dad, but why isn't it ever unfair in my favour?" (Calvin)

H : "What do you think is the secret to happiness? Is it money, power or fame?" 
C : "I'd choose money. If you have enough money, you can buy fame and power. That way you have it all and be really happy. Happiness is being famous for your financial ability to indulge in every kind of excess." 
H : "I suppose thats *one* way to define it." 
C : "The part I think I'd like best is crushing people who get in my way."

That is why I chose to become a teacher... :)

Gotta love Calvin and Hobbs

Another one bites the dust...

So, it appears another one has bitten the dust (a couple actually). There are now more girls from my freshman ward that are either married or engaged than us non-committed gals. That sucks. Don't get me wrong, I am incredibly happy for them and I hope that they all find eternal happiness and bliss but where the hell is my eternal happiness and bliss? 

I know some of you are saying, "Shut up. You have a missionary." I know and I am very grateful for my missionary. I love him with my whole heart, it would just be a million times easier if he were in the same damn state- shoot I would take in the same country! I am just a little cranky because I just got my hair done and Jordan isn't here to even appreciate it. 

So you know what, rather than wallow in my semi-singleness. I am going to embrace it. I am going to go get the large cartoon of mint chocolate chip icecream (that just happens to be calling my name) and revel in the fact that I don't have to share! Take that all you married folks! HA!

The best part...

I just spent 3 hours installing a new left fender panel and headlamp.  I am SO stoked. This has been waiting to happen for almost 2 years. (Long story as to why  I had a dented fender in the first place) For those of you that have never had to figure out how to get into a car with a door that barely opens, in a tight skirt and high heels- thank your lucky stars! It is awful but hysterical for others watching. I originally planned on having an autobody do the repair but their quote was WAY out of my price range. So after a great deal of stalling (almost 2 years...) I decided that it was up to me to fix it. So I did some research. Found the needed parts and in 5-7 days they were here! WOW! 

 Now I would like to be able to say that I did it all by myself and that I have infinite wisdom regarding auto mechanics but I don't. And really, I am glad that I don't. I just got to spend 3 hours hanging out with my dad. Learning new things and laughing about things most wouldn't understand or wouldn't find humorous. So, as happy as I am about having a non-mangled fender, or being able to open my door all of the way, really, the best part was hanging out with my dad.

I guess you are never to old to be daddy's little girl. 

(A few years ago...)

Of Mice and ...kids

I have several class pets. We had seven but unfortunately a few days ago Armageddon (serves me right for naming him that) was sent to the porcelain gods- if you know what I mean. So now we are down to: Arlin the Ninja (I have a pencil sharpener whose name is Samurai Tornado Man. I only felt it fair to represent two Asian cultures warriors), Alfredo, Archemedes, Alvin, Agnus and Algernon. Yes, I have a theme going....

So anyways. For the most part my students are absolutely wonderful with my animals. It has been a great way for some of my less um...how do I put this in a way that wouldn't get me fired... uninvolved, nonresponsive, less than approachable students connect in my classroom. Sometimes the biggest punk on the playground, if given an animal that depends on it, become the best student in class. However, there are some kids that are not as sweet. Today one of my students left Agnus a little traumatized. So she was in need of a little extra love. I had one of my college classes, which was conviently being held on my campus, tonight so I decided to put Agnus in my pocket and take her with me. She provided all sorts of entertainment as she loves to peek out of my pocket and see the world. She will crawl all over my shirt but is very good about not falling off. So, besides freaking out my professor and some of my classmates it was a great class.

I had something to entertain me! So, thank goodness for class pets!

Can't sleep? Blog of course!

So I guess the new solution to not being able to sleep is no longer counting sheep- it is blogging. What to blog about? Hm... I guess there are tons of things I could blog about. Miqui comes home in 4 days (woot woot!) and in 5 days I will be completely done with my student teaching. Yup, only 5 more days. Scary isn't it? I will have completed all requirements to be a licensed teacher in the state of California. Oh and this week I also received notification of my PRAXIS scores- I can teach in basically every state in the Union with my scores. That is an encouraging thought considering who knows where I will end up. (I am praying for California but you never know.)

I think I should celebrate this momentous moment in my life. Maybe I will take a nap on Friday afternoon...that is about as exciting as it gets in my life. lol.


So now that I am done with this portion of my life what is next? Teaching without being a student myself? HA! I wish! Nope, 2 quarters more of school and I will have a Masters degree. (Is that a weird thought for anyone besides me?) And then, of course, there are the 2 years of school for my SpEd credential and after that will be my Education Therapy Post Masters Certificate. And who knows, maybe in a few years a doctoral program. So, I will be in school FOREVER! I keep telling myself that my education is one of the few things I get to take with me after this life so I best stock up... Heaven knows the riches I don't have won't be going with me!

School Friends

One of the greatest aspects of my job are the friends that I have made. They freakin' rock. We are all science nerds (at least we recognize it right?) and have tons of fun. Last Saturday we went on a hike and found some really cool things...

 

It is hard to tell but this beautiful snake just had what appears to be a very satisfying meal... he was just chillin' on the path- 

Food+sunshine+cold blooded= not a care in the world

An awesome example of sedimentary rock (I told you we are science nerds)

                                             Here they are... just don't ask about the outfits...

(Yes, I have a matching shirt...)

Day in the life of a school teacher...

I could sit here and describe in detail how my day went. Instead, I will share with you one example and that should make it very clear...

Student: "Miss P. can I go outside"

Me: "Is there a reason you need to go outside?"  Keep in mind I am in the middle of talking to the class.

Student: (after walking up to me) "I need to fart"

Yup, it is just a shake your head and laugh type day....

P.S- Since Monday I lost 5 lbs!!!! WOOT WOOT for me! That means I weigh less than I did in middle school! 

40 chicken wings later...

No, I didn't eat 40 chicken wings. I, or rather, my students dissected them to look at how muscles work. Pretty nifty huh? I sure thought so and thankfully so did my students. We were able to look at the muscles, tendons, ligaments, etc. I LOVE SCIENCE!!!!!!!!!!!

My Disease...

I have a disease. Don't worry, it isn't contagious but I wish it were (being a teacher would be so much easier!) I have what we refer to as "bookitis"-  only treatable with a credit card and a trip to the nearest Barnes and Noble or Borders. The symptoms include an undeniable urge to expand ones library and a lack of storage space.  

I just bought 15 new books today! I love getting things in the mail- especially books. The great part is all $35 (yes, I purchased 15 books for 35 dollars!) is tax deductible. ;) One of the perks of being a teacher...

Some of my newest additions to my classroom library are:

The Wonderful World of Cooking, Kaufman

Getting Ready for a Career in Food Service, Streissguth

Environmental Science/Working with the Earth, G.Tyler Miller,Jr

The Microbes: An Introduction to Their Nature, Vandemark & Batzing

Food Science and Nutritional Health, Labuza

How to Dunk a Doughnut: The Science of Everyday Life,  Fisher

And several others... I can't wait for them to start arriving.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Happy Birthday to me. Happy Birthday to me. Happy Birthday dear MEEEEEEE......happy birthday to me.

Yup, today is my birthday- I am 2 years old. Okay, I am really not 2 years old in the typical way of counting (I am 21 and 2 months) but I am in my way of thinking. You see, 2 years ago today, I became an "official" Peterson- at least in the eyes of the state of California. I have been a Peterson for a lot longer than that- my drivers license just had a different last name.

Two years ago I was lucky enough to be adopted by my Daddy. It is true that the piece of paper and name change really didn't change anything in my life- my dad loves me the same and he loves all of his girls (with or without the last name Peterson)- but it was really important to me for reasons that are hard to put into words. I count myself very blessed to have the world's greatest dad (and mom) and I couldn't be more proud of carry around a drivers license that says "Jessica Faun Peterson" And come on, being referred to by my students as "Miss P" that is just plain cool.

Now I am off to go eat some cake...I love cake.

Scrappin'

I am not a very creative person (especially compared to Net and my Mom) but I do love to scrapbook. Maybe it is because I am the only person in my family that does it and I can't be compared to them. I will never take up quilting, sewing, stitching, crocheting, or decorating seriously because there is always someone to be compared to. But scrapbooking is mine, all mine. 

Here are the layouts I just finished- they are of Laticia's baptism. I am realizing how many pictures I have left to scrapbook before Jordan comes home. I better get on the ball! :)

  

I used Zoom Pages: Patternology by Keri Schueler

Font: Jane Austen