Weekend Adventures

 This weekend, a group of us decided to drive up to the Utah State v. BYU game. It was especially fun because our group was comprised of people from both sides of the spectrum. It was enjoyable because BYU won in an insane comeback. I love Provo. I miss it at times and am lucky that I have had so many great memories to sustain me. Isn't it just beautiful?

Rodney, Marge, Jeni, Russ, Dustin, and Lisa 

Memorable highlights include:

• Rodney's Parkour (how do you even spell that?) 
• DInner at Pizza Pie Cafe JCW's
• Nelson winning the game with a lucky throw to allow the win
• Sitting so near my family, purely by chance
• Running into some old friends, like Heather Andersen
• Beautiful weather
• Sitting on the next to the top row of the entire stadium. Haha.

 Don't worry, the fans rushed the field. It was a pretty impressive comeback.

 Last night was quite the adventure. After the guys got back from Priesthood Conference and we got back from CPK (can I just say that Salt Lake is SOOO calm when there is a University of Utah game going on and all the guys are at Priesthood). We met up with Mike and Braden and tried to figure out what we could do. After lots of discussion, we loaded the car with a huge Love Sac, flat screen TV, Clear Play, and blankets and pillows. We drove to Blockbuster and picked up a scary movie and decided to find a dark, empty park. Well, here is the problem. Parks don't have an abundance of electrical units. We 1st went to the one across from our apartments. We walked around using our phone lights looking for an electrical unit. We finally found one. Instead of carrying the stuff 1/2 a mile (slight exaggeration), Mike came up with the brilliant idea to drive across the field. We unloaded all the stuff (and I mean, ALL the stuff) and then realized that since the park was closed, there was no flowing electricty. We loaded up again and were on our way. This time, we drove to what we thought (what is?) church property. We figured we'd be safe there. The only problem is that there is like an 8 foot fence we had to hop. We surveyed the area and after finding electricity (this time it was turned on) we passed over, one by one, the Love Sac, blankets and pillows, the Clear Play, and ourselves. When we were finally situated, we had a little fright with the sprinklers so we moved all of our stuff again. Finally, we got all cozy and enjoyed the movie (which was a little farfetched...). We got a little nervous every time we saw lights, but seemed to be pretty safe. It was really fun and a perfect night to be outside. As soon as the credits began to roll, we noticed a car pull up that didn't drive off. It was the police. Braden was assigned to be our representative and we are lucky that we didn't get tickets. FInally, we pilled up in the car and drove off. Well, to Wal-Mart.

This is where highlight #2 of the evening came in. MIke and I stayed outside while Braden and Lisa ran inside to grab something. I told Mike I'd time him as he ran to the sign and back. It works for kids, who would've known it would work for grown men. I timed him as he sprinted across the huge Wal-Mart parking lot. It took 37.2 seconds (which was great because his "goal" was a minute and a half." When Lisa and Braden got back, they didn't believe us that he ran across but turns out he was panting heavily. It was hilarious. He is now really sore because he doesn't exercise very often ;) I kid, I kid.

The rest of the weekend was pretty much spent watching 8 hours of conference on multiple couches. I loved it. We are so blessed to have such a loving Heavenly Father who cares for us so much that he doesn't leave us alone. He speaks to us individually through prayer and collectively through our living Priesthood leaders. I love it and I know the words they speak are true. I especially loved this talk:

‎"How do you raise a girl? Love her mother, lead your family to the temple, be guardians of virtue and magnify your priesthood. Fathers, you have been entrusted with our Heavenly Father's royal daughters. They are virtuous and elect. It is my prayer that you will watch over them, strengthen them, model virtuous behavior and teach them to follow in the Savior's every footstep — for He lives." -Sister Elaine S. Dalton

NOT Saved by the Bell

I looked up from my desk in between bells to see 3 of my male students awkwardly walking around my room. I asked if I could help them, and one of them said, "yes." It was apparent that he was the ring leader and the others were there for moral support. He came over to my desk and asked me to close my eyes. I closed my eyes but also covered my mouth. He said, "Nooo! You can't cover your face, just your eyes!" Super suspicious at this time, I covered my whole face and allowed my eyes to peak through my fingers. He said no once again and I saw a glimpse of a Hershey's kiss squeezed in his hands. The boys got frustrated (and giggly) and left my class conquered but not done.

One period passes.

The bell rang again and in came the trio. The boys learned to be less suspicous and started going through my files (which happened to be for another class). One asked me to stand up so I stood up. BUT THEN, super quickly he moved in super close to my face and said, "I've been waiting to do this for a while..." and handed me a Hershey's kiss. I shooed them out of my room and told them how obnoxious they were.

One period passes.

This time, I didn't see a thing. I was sending an email and all of a sudden, the same kid is on one knee by my desk. "Miss Anderson, I have a question to ask you. Will you...eat one of my muddy buddies?" I couldn't help but laughing. Then, I looked up and noticed that the two accomplices were sitting in the desks of my class.

They are just too much. Let's be honest. They are hilarious and I can't get mad at them.

A Surprise Visitor

Well, school has started and on this blog that means less pictures and more funny stories. So, here is one for you.

At my school, I have a "special" assignment. I have more of the at-risk kids. I was responding to an email while my student teacher was teaching and I saw a warm body moving towards me from the door entrance. By the time I realized who it was, this student was already moving in for a hug. I slapped my hand over my mouth to keep from squealing (and dodged the full on hug) and guided him out into the hall. Then I just gushed over him. About 4 minutes into our conversation that went something like this, "Are you being good? Are you sure? Are you lying to me? Do you promise? I'm so proud of you. I can trust you, right? I'm so happy!" I realized that he was WET. Yes, wet. At first, I thought it was just sweat (which accounted for the dripping moisture from his face) but then, I realized he had a wet line across his chest. I asked how he was wet.

OH, don't worry! He swam across the canal to get to the middle school. He was sweaty because he ran the remainder of the way from the canal to the school. THEN, he had to swim back across the canal to get back to the high school.

Where do you get stories like these?

Today, I also taught that "damn" is a cuss word. I also responded to the question, "Why is North Dakota above South Dakota." Yep, 9th grade, ladies and gentleman. They'll be on the road in a few short months. For some reason, I just adore them.

This is Humility

Well, this is how I learned about humility this week. Note to self: If you are an annoying BYU fan to your students/faculty, they will, in return, be annoying U fans when the U creams BYU. Duly noted. 

This is what I sent out to the whole faculty:

Dear teachers,

(My principal) asked me to send this to all of you. She left it out of collaboration on accident. It should’ve been inserted into the agenda after going over the “Norms.” It correlates directly to all of the Edmodo stuff I presented last week. You don’t want to miss it!

Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dflMnmCCZk
(Make sure your volume is turned on, and yes it is appropriate to watch with all of your students in the room...)

Much love,
Amber

This is what I got in my inbox in return:
--YOU MAKE ME SMILE!!!!!  
--That was the year that BYU went to the BCS, wasn’t it?  Oh wait.  They haven’t been to a BCS bowl, have they?! GO UTES!!!!  
-- Lol…. You're a brat… hahaha… So funny… even though I'm a UTE!!!
--Very clever - has the facade of something "official," but really, it is a jab at the Utah fans  

And the worst response of them all:

 Yep--the score. They certainly aren't letting me forget it. 

Juls/Rascal Flatts

Juls got married! She was so beautiful and it was such an awesome 2 days. Dustin and Juls are such a perfect match. He is so sweet to him and it's good to see that they adore each other so much. 

 This is at her reception, which she had the night before

 Linnea, one of my old roommates was her photographer and it was SO great to see her :) She is an incredible photographer. Here is her blog if you'd like to check it out: http://laf-photo.blogspot.com/

 Dustin and Juls after the sealing at the Salt Lake City Temple

 Sara Evans and Rascal Flats with a few friends.

Cherise, Tavin, Lisa, Sarah, Mike, and Amy

It was a great weekend :)

Teaching: Take 3

Here we go again! It's time to begin school. This summer seriously flew by, but it's great to have structure and accomplishment again in life. Here is to year 3!  

 This is my class room. It's an older school, but I just love it. Please note the 1930's fill-up-water swamp cooler in the back of my room (Thanks, Anne!!!) My school doesn't have AC (nor does it have outlets on 1/2 of the walls, which means there are some pretty sweet extension cords running along the back of the room...) but it allows us to get the job done just fine.

 Please note the 6 columns on the calendar on my board. That's right, I teach SIX subjects this year (but might drop one of them...). Also, please notice my sweet Dumbledore quote that James put on my wall.

 My BYU wall meets the Wall of the Unknown Student. That's where my no name papers get thrown.

The first day of school, my students drew continents on oranges and then we peeled them and drew maps based on what they saw to teach inaccurate map projections. They were a hoot.

I love my students. It should be an entertaining year! The crazy stories are flowing all ready.

Sugarland and Sarah Bareillis 

This was the last concert of summer. It was a blast! 

Kristen and I

Sarah and I 

Sugarland

I found this at Old Navy. Does any one else think it's hilarious that they would sell BYU bottle openers? I mean...what would BYU fans open with this? Hmmmm... For some reason they didn't sell to well.