Question of the Day: Are _______ real?

I have been teaching 1t grade this whole week and have got some great questions thrown my way. This class is pretty well behaved but they have a hard time following/listening to directions so I explain it completely then I say, "Does anyone have any questions?" (I figure that they know I am asking them about the assignment--wrong) Here are some of the questions I have got:
~ Are owls real?
-yes
~ Are snakes real?
- yes
~ Are dinosaurs real?
- yes but they are extinct--which means that they aren't on earth anymore.
- "Are they in heaven?" (What do I say about that!!)
- Ummm, if that is what you believe then YES. (Apparently someone's been watching too much All Dogs Go To Heaven!)
~ Mia is going like this (as she sticks her tongue out) to me!
- Um is that a question?

It indeed has been a tiresome week. Tattling is ever present. Boogers are still a delicacy. Crawling around on the floor is a norm. Licking glue is still appealing to some. The upside to this whole thing is that one lone skittle has the power of an army. Let me explain. Skittles are for kids that are quick and quiet. If every one is loud and rowdy on the carpet all I have to do is whip out the Skittles and give one to the student that is sitting quietly.

If you want a taste of my life with a few laughs watch this clip. Love it! (Thanks Meagan!)

You know what bothers me?

Ok. I'll tell you. People who work at retail and fast food locations that don't know a thing about customer service.

Today, I tried to go to Quiznos for a salad. Did they have lettuce? NO. What the heck. You use lettuce for salad and sandwiches, and if that is what your store is all about, why don't you have lettuce? It is absurd. When I told the two boys (they were really grown men but they didn't act like it) that it was poor management they told me that "they couldn't do anything about it." So what did I do? Obviously what any rational person would do. Flipped them the bird and walked out. I am really kidding about the bird but I did walked out.



After this situation, I was still hungry so I stopped by Wendy's to get a chicken wrap. I asked the woman if the homestyle chicken wrap was crispy chicken. Does that sound like a question to you? It sounded like a question to me. Instead of answering my question she said "you want a crispy chicken sandwich?" NO! I don't want a sandwich. So I repeated my question. Did I get an answer? Yes, but not to my question she said "it that all for you?" FOR THE LOVE!!! NO. I said "I asked you a question!" So for her benefit, I repeated the question. Then finally she answered my question. Praises! I got my homestyle chicken wrap! Wahoo!

In other news, I have been trying to be positive rather than my usual negative self. It was working so well until my dinner situation. I didn't let the crazy utah drivers get to me or the little first graders that I taught or that I couldn't get out of the school parking lot for over ten minutes or I had to stand in the freezing rain for 15 minutes to watch the little children play with jump ropes. None of that stuff got to me. I had a great day! It really helps to be positive!

Heart Wrenching

Tonight I watched the movie, "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas." It was very well made but it was extremely sad. My heart literally broke for both boys and their families. I am so grateful that I was not born in that time because I don't think that I would be able to handle a situation like a concentration camp. Unfortunately, horrible events like this happened and have continued to happen since. Perhaps not on the large scale as the Holocaust, but hatred runs deep. It opened my eyes to the tender hearts of children, if only I could be that great of a friend and have an open heart to all people no matter their station in life. If you have not watched the movie, I would recommend it because it opened my eyes to many things and reminded me how blessed I really am.

Quack!

I was subbing for an elementary school recently and there was a school assembly. My class did surprisingly well by being quiet and sitting on their 'pockets' (as we call them). While the speaker was talking it was extremely quiet and then randomly this kid impulsively yells 'Quack' just like a duck! There was a moment of silence so everyone could register what the heck just happened and then I couldn't control my laughter. I had to giggle like a school girl. . . very fitting considering the circumstances. Oh the random things that happen in the life of a substitute!

Love is in the air

Yesterday Jessica and Clarke got married. Jessie looked so beautiful and happy! It was truly a wonderful thing to see. Here are some pictures from the reception and outside the temple.

It's Christmas time

This Christmas I was planning to go up to Washington but the weather was unsafe to travel in. I made it up to Layton and decided to turn back because I-84 was closed and I wasn't able to control my car. To say the least I was pretty sad and disappointed. Luckily, I have amazing friends. Jessica let me spend Christmas Eve with her family. It was awesome to be able to see the workings of her family and see the joyful interactions. It was an emotional experience because I wasn't able to see my family and got to see an awesome family. On Christmas, I made myself dinner that consisted of pork chops, candied yams, salad, orange slices, a roll, and last and certainly not least Dr. Pepper!

This was my Christmas present from my parents. Totally rocked my socks off! Oh I also got an iPod, so it is official I am a cool kid.

Stinkin Utah

In Utah there is this thing called the Safety and Emissions test that you have to put your car through before they will register it. Today, I went to the auto shop where I can get the tests done for $34.00. I leave my car there and then go shopping at Walmart. When I return I can tell by the expression on the mans face that my car didn't pass the test. You know what the problems were? I have a crack in my windshield that is more than 6 inches away from the edge of the window. Then my muffler is too loud. Then one of the little tiny lights on the front side of my car doesn't work. Also my bumper is sticking out one inch and its another reason it didn't pass. The reason being if some stupid person walked by my car and accidently got less than an inch from my bumper and scraped themselves that would be bad for the safety of the state. Worst of all, I don't have a horn. You have to have a freaking horn to pass the safety test! GAY!!! I don't mean that in the 'happy' connotation but the slang version! As you can see I have a tiny delema, I have no money, soon to be expired car registration, no safe or emission free car. I am screwed and ticked off. I have four options. One fix the horn, exhaust, bumper, windshield, and light which will cost me around $300. Two, find a newer car to purchase with the non existent money I have. Three, ride my bike to work. Four, become a hermit and stop working and driving. I think I am voting for option four. What do you think?