I'm going to straight up here. I am not the smartest woman on the planet. I know that and have accepted it.
But I do know one thing - I know enough that I can make an informed decision through study and discerning a situation.
As the presidential elections are quickly approaching I have been listening to the views of people I know, love, respect, and other things. Some I agree with, some I don't.
I am definitely okay with other people having opinions that differ from mine. If there were no other opinions life would be quite dull. I love a healthy conversation where I have the opportunity to state my opinion and hear someone else's. What a wonderful society we live in where this is possible.
Please, as you read this, if you feel the need to share your opinion please keep it clean and respectful. I do not post rude things on your posts I see on facebook or your personal blogs, so please refrain from doing that to me and anyone who comments on a possible thread.
On the Subject of Sex Education in Schools
I'm going to tell you a secret - I never attended the sex education portion of my high school health class.
*GASP*
And you know what? I turned out just fine. Why? Because I was taught about it at home.
I firmly believe that our children have no better place to learn than in their homes. Teachers are not hired to be parents. As a teacher, I have been thought of as a babysitter and a mom for other peoples' children. I was hired to teach band. That's all. Health teachers are supposed to teach students about a healthy lifestyle. That's all.
I think that our state legislators were doing their job - representing the people of Utah. Many Utah parents are teaching abstinence only in their homes. I can't imagine what an attack it would be for me to teach my child abstinence and then for that child to learn all about things I had no control over at home.
That may make me sound like a control freak, but I don't think so. It keeps my child from being confused if he/she learns things from one source and then can ask questions. All of the views of all of the people who could be teaching my child are different. I want mine to get one and then be able to ask me questions and do his or her own research (through studying books and articles with me and my spouse) and see for his or herself the dangers of unprotected sex.
If your school districts and legislators have decided to remove curriculum from certain subjects, don't throw a fit about it. Take the initiative, become informed and educated on the subject, and teach your children yourself.
The only 100% guarantee that someone will not become pregnant or get an STD is abstinence. If you would like to dispute that then go ahead. But if you really understand contraceptives, you will know that I speak the truth.
If you think your children will still experiment with sex in their younger years, you take the initiative and teach them about contraception. Teach them the benefits and the side effects. Help to make them as well rounded and understanding of an individual as you can. Because that is your calling in life. Teacher of your own children.
I feel there is no greater calling in life than being a parent. Please, if you plan to be a parent, take it seriously and teach your children the things you want them to know.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
Last Night
What a long but rewarding day yesterday was!!
I spent several hours at school yesterday with some of my favorite people - my students. Truly, they are my reason to wake up in the morning. They are learning and growing so much it's amazing!
I think one of the most rewarding comments I have ever received came from one of my boys last night. This is a student that doesn't try in any class, and until recently didn't even try in mine. He told me that I was his favorite teacher. I am so grateful that I am teaching the subject that I am, that can really change lives. Because he likes band, he is now starting to turn his work in, in one class, because he knows if he doesn't do well in that particular class he can't come to band. YAY!
Another wonderful part of yesterday was our band concert. Our students have been working VERY hard since the beginning of February, and it really paid off. They played beautifully and put their little hearts and souls into everything.
They also really want to help Melissa, and that is the last miracle of last night. We had a little table set up to collect donations for her, where 2 students and another faculty member stayed. The parents of APA collectively donated almost $1240.00. INCREDIBLE! I am grateful for their example to me.
We are continuing fund raising efforts on their behalf. If you wish to donate, let me know, and I can send you some places to go or some people to contact.
I spent several hours at school yesterday with some of my favorite people - my students. Truly, they are my reason to wake up in the morning. They are learning and growing so much it's amazing!
I think one of the most rewarding comments I have ever received came from one of my boys last night. This is a student that doesn't try in any class, and until recently didn't even try in mine. He told me that I was his favorite teacher. I am so grateful that I am teaching the subject that I am, that can really change lives. Because he likes band, he is now starting to turn his work in, in one class, because he knows if he doesn't do well in that particular class he can't come to band. YAY!
Another wonderful part of yesterday was our band concert. Our students have been working VERY hard since the beginning of February, and it really paid off. They played beautifully and put their little hearts and souls into everything.
They also really want to help Melissa, and that is the last miracle of last night. We had a little table set up to collect donations for her, where 2 students and another faculty member stayed. The parents of APA collectively donated almost $1240.00. INCREDIBLE! I am grateful for their example to me.
We are continuing fund raising efforts on their behalf. If you wish to donate, let me know, and I can send you some places to go or some people to contact.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Tender Mercies
This week I have been pondering the term so often used in our society - "tender mercies". To be completely honest, I have never truly understood the phrase. It was something I heard that sounded nice and made other people happy, and that was good enough for me. Until the end of January rolled into February, and life kind of became a mess.
I have realized that my Heavenly Father has truly blessed me with little tender mercies that have been saving graces for me and have prepared me for a lot of the things I have had to go through in this life. I thought maybe I would share a few.
1. I was placed at American Preparatory Academy to meet Melissa Stone and Demya Murdock, my incredible coworkers and now friends.
2. I was blessed to know many amazing people in my life that have passed on - to name a few - Blake Eggett, Donna Jones, Chris Bernardo, Heather Christensen, Don Jones, and more.
3. I was placed at American Preparatory Academy to be there for my students as they went through the tragedy of Melissa's accident because I have been in their shoes many times before.
4. I was placed at American Preparatory Academy to help Melissa through this trial, to be her friend and buoy her up and give her long, heart felt hugs when she needed them.
5. I was blessed to spend the last 22 years living with my brother JJ - getting to know him and love him, and learn how to deal with different kinds of people.
6. I have been blessed with incredible grandparents who face challenges head on and are filled with so much faith and strength that it absolutely floors me.
7. I was not scheduled to work the morning of Ethne's funeral - I didn't have to try and find a way to be there, because my day was already open.
8. I have been blessed with incredibly patient and loving friends who are helping me get through several of my trials right now.
9. I have been blessed with strong family ties that run very deep - that when I come in crying after a hard day my dad will just hold me and let me sob until I can't anymore, or that I can call my mom and throw a raving tantrum about something stupid that happened in my day.
10. I was blessed with an inspired bishop who knew the exact right time to release me from a calling that was becoming too much to handle.
11. I have been given musical talent that I can use as a healing agent. The night I found out about Melissa's accident I had rehearsal for Salt Lake Symphonic Winds, and I was tempted not to go, but Demya off-handedly mentioned that maybe I needed it...and she was right. Playing music is one of the healthiest ways I know of to handle stress and depression, and I am glad that I have that in my life.
I could go on, but I have other things I need to be working on. I needed to outwardly express some of the thoughts I have been having, and remind myself that even though I am going through some hard times that I will be ok and that everything will work out.
Amen.
I have realized that my Heavenly Father has truly blessed me with little tender mercies that have been saving graces for me and have prepared me for a lot of the things I have had to go through in this life. I thought maybe I would share a few.
1. I was placed at American Preparatory Academy to meet Melissa Stone and Demya Murdock, my incredible coworkers and now friends.
2. I was blessed to know many amazing people in my life that have passed on - to name a few - Blake Eggett, Donna Jones, Chris Bernardo, Heather Christensen, Don Jones, and more.
3. I was placed at American Preparatory Academy to be there for my students as they went through the tragedy of Melissa's accident because I have been in their shoes many times before.
4. I was placed at American Preparatory Academy to help Melissa through this trial, to be her friend and buoy her up and give her long, heart felt hugs when she needed them.
5. I was blessed to spend the last 22 years living with my brother JJ - getting to know him and love him, and learn how to deal with different kinds of people.
6. I have been blessed with incredible grandparents who face challenges head on and are filled with so much faith and strength that it absolutely floors me.
7. I was not scheduled to work the morning of Ethne's funeral - I didn't have to try and find a way to be there, because my day was already open.
8. I have been blessed with incredibly patient and loving friends who are helping me get through several of my trials right now.
9. I have been blessed with strong family ties that run very deep - that when I come in crying after a hard day my dad will just hold me and let me sob until I can't anymore, or that I can call my mom and throw a raving tantrum about something stupid that happened in my day.
10. I was blessed with an inspired bishop who knew the exact right time to release me from a calling that was becoming too much to handle.
11. I have been given musical talent that I can use as a healing agent. The night I found out about Melissa's accident I had rehearsal for Salt Lake Symphonic Winds, and I was tempted not to go, but Demya off-handedly mentioned that maybe I needed it...and she was right. Playing music is one of the healthiest ways I know of to handle stress and depression, and I am glad that I have that in my life.
I could go on, but I have other things I need to be working on. I needed to outwardly express some of the thoughts I have been having, and remind myself that even though I am going through some hard times that I will be ok and that everything will work out.
Amen.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
What a week...Please send your thoughts, prayers, and support to this amazing family.
As some of you may know, one of my co band teachers was in a car accident with her two babies on Monday. It has truly been a heart-wrenching story and experience for those of us who know her and her family, but it has also been amazing to see their strong examples and the outpouring of love from people in our community and especially our incredible students.
If you have a moment, please read their stories. I'll provide a link for their blog with Melissa's progress with a link for monetary donations to help with these horrendous medical and funeral expenses, as well as the story from KSL. Some of the info in the KSL story is incorrect, but you'll get the basic gist.
Thank you.
If you have a moment, please read their stories. I'll provide a link for their blog with Melissa's progress with a link for monetary donations to help with these horrendous medical and funeral expenses, as well as the story from KSL. Some of the info in the KSL story is incorrect, but you'll get the basic gist.
Thank you.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Roasted Red Pepper Penne
I am completely plagiarizing, but this was one of the most delicious things I have ever made - and by made, I mean team cooked with Shayla. :) This was taken from the site howsweeteats.com
Roasted Red Pepper Penne
serves 4
2 large red peppers
3 cloves of garlic
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
4-5 basil leaves, torn
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
4-5 tablespoons olive oil (I used a garlic-infused from Fustinis)
2 cups of dry whole wheat penne
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
2 thin sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts
salt & pepper for seasoning chicken
To roast peppers: remove core and seeds from peppers and slice into pieces. Lay on a baking sheet and preheat the broiler in your oven. Place under the broiler skin-side up until skins are completely charred and black – this took about 10 minutes for me but will depend on your oven. Just check every 2 minutes or so. Immediately remove peppers from oven and using kitchen tongs, quickly place them in a ziplock bag then seal it. Set aside for 20-30 minutes.
While peppers are “steaming” in the bag, pat the chicken breasts completely dry with a pepper towel, then season them with salt and pepper. Heat a skillet over medium high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Brown chicken on both sides until cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. {I made the chicken the same as this recipe.} Set chicken aside to cool, then add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet with onions and a sprinkle of salt. Saute over medium-low heat until onions soften and caramelized. Cut chicken into pieces.
Boil water and prepare pasta according to directions. Remove peppers from the bag and peel the skin off to discard. It’s okay if a little bit of char remains as it adds to the flavor. Add peppers, garlic, parmesan cheese, basil, salt and pepper to a food processor. Blend until pureed, then stream in 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil so mixture comes together.
In a large bowl, combine penne with chicken and onions. Add red pepper sauce and toss thoroughly to coat as it is very thick. Serve with additional parmesan cheese and a few basil leaves.
Roasted Red Pepper Penne
serves 4
2 large red peppers
3 cloves of garlic
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
4-5 basil leaves, torn
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
4-5 tablespoons olive oil (I used a garlic-infused from Fustinis)
2 cups of dry whole wheat penne
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
2 thin sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts
salt & pepper for seasoning chicken
To roast peppers: remove core and seeds from peppers and slice into pieces. Lay on a baking sheet and preheat the broiler in your oven. Place under the broiler skin-side up until skins are completely charred and black – this took about 10 minutes for me but will depend on your oven. Just check every 2 minutes or so. Immediately remove peppers from oven and using kitchen tongs, quickly place them in a ziplock bag then seal it. Set aside for 20-30 minutes.
While peppers are “steaming” in the bag, pat the chicken breasts completely dry with a pepper towel, then season them with salt and pepper. Heat a skillet over medium high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Brown chicken on both sides until cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. {I made the chicken the same as this recipe.} Set chicken aside to cool, then add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet with onions and a sprinkle of salt. Saute over medium-low heat until onions soften and caramelized. Cut chicken into pieces.
Boil water and prepare pasta according to directions. Remove peppers from the bag and peel the skin off to discard. It’s okay if a little bit of char remains as it adds to the flavor. Add peppers, garlic, parmesan cheese, basil, salt and pepper to a food processor. Blend until pureed, then stream in 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil so mixture comes together.
In a large bowl, combine penne with chicken and onions. Add red pepper sauce and toss thoroughly to coat as it is very thick. Serve with additional parmesan cheese and a few basil leaves.
EmShay
On Friday I got to spend the whole day with my best friend - Shayla. I am convinced that we must have been friends in the preexistence or something and knew that we would need each other here on earth. That may sound stupid or crazy to you, but I don't know what I would have done if I had never known her.
We had never met before our freshman year of college - she grew up in Idaho and I in Utah. We were paired together as roommates in Valley View Tower at Utah State, an all girl dorm style part of campus. Our first bonding moment was unforgettable. I, being a music major, was doing aural homewrk and was humming downward intervals, and then she added one. It sounded familiar, and we realized we had inadvertently hummed something from Phantom of the Opera, which we both happened to really like.
We've been almost inseparable ever since.
Going through life we have both had our share of trials and other things to go through. I have never doubted for a moment that she would be there for me if I needed her. I can tell her things I never tell anyone else. She is the best friend anyone could ever ask for and I am grateful for her every day.
Love you, sis.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
...on alternative sources of revenue...
A song from one of my favorite musicals comes to mind...
And the money kept rolling in from every side
Eva's pretty hands reached out and they reached wide
Now you may feel it should have been a voluntary cause
But that's not the point my friends
When the money keeps rolling in, you don't ask how
Think of all the people guaranteed a good time now
Eva's called the hungry to her, open up the doors
Never been a fund like the Foundation Eva Peron
Rollin' rollin' rollin', rollin' rollin' rollin'
Rollin' rollin' rollin', rollin' rollin' rollin'
Rollin' rollin' rollin', rollin' rollin' rollin'
Rollin' rollin' rollin', rollin' rollin' rollin'
Rollin' on in, rollin' on in
Rollin' on in, rollin' on in
On in
Would you like to try a college education?
Own your landlord's house, take the family on vacation?
Eva and her blessed fund can make your dreams come true
Here's all you have to do my friends
Write your name and your dream on a card or a pad or a ticket
Throw it high in the air and should our lady pick it
She will change your way of life for a week or even two
Name me anyone who cares as much as Eva Peron
Rollin' on out, rollin' on out
Rollin' on out, rollin' on out
On out
And the money kept rolling out in all directions
To the poor, to the weak, to the destitute of all complexions
Now cynics claim a little of the cash has gone astray
But that's not the point my friends
When the money keeps rolling out you don't keep books
You can tell you've done well by the happy grateful looks
Accountants only slow things down, figures get in the way
Never been a lady loved as much as Eva Peron
Rollin' on out, rollin' on out
Rollin' on out, rollin' on out
On out
When the money keeps rolling out you don't keep books
You can tell you've done well by the happy grateful looks
Accountants only slow things down, figures get in the way
Never been a lady loved as much as Eva Peron
Rollin' on out, rollin' on out
Rollin' on out, rollin' on out
Rollin' on out, rollin' on out
On out
Mostly I like that song because I have fond memories of our high school marching band marching to it in 7/8 time, and playing the gong and bass drum at the same time... But I also think of it as I see money rolling in and then rolling out again.
Working part time at two places is kind of lame. For now, I feel like I should stay at both places, but I also know in the back of my mind that in order to truly make ends meet I need one or two more alternative sources of income. Some I thought of were:
Playing music for hire - playing in a paying ensemble, playing for weddings, whatever I can get.
Mystery Shopping - I am listed as one, I just need to be better about doing it.
Applying for a promotion at Penney's.
Teaching more private lessons.
That's what I have so far. If everything weren't so darn expensive, it wouldn't be a big deal. ;) Maybe I'll get a couple more ideas when I'm down at UMEA in a few weeks. Sometimes it helps to get others' perspectives.
Amen.
And the money kept rolling in from every side
Eva's pretty hands reached out and they reached wide
Now you may feel it should have been a voluntary cause
But that's not the point my friends
When the money keeps rolling in, you don't ask how
Think of all the people guaranteed a good time now
Eva's called the hungry to her, open up the doors
Never been a fund like the Foundation Eva Peron
Rollin' rollin' rollin', rollin' rollin' rollin'
Rollin' rollin' rollin', rollin' rollin' rollin'
Rollin' rollin' rollin', rollin' rollin' rollin'
Rollin' rollin' rollin', rollin' rollin' rollin'
Rollin' on in, rollin' on in
Rollin' on in, rollin' on in
On in
Would you like to try a college education?
Own your landlord's house, take the family on vacation?
Eva and her blessed fund can make your dreams come true
Here's all you have to do my friends
Write your name and your dream on a card or a pad or a ticket
Throw it high in the air and should our lady pick it
She will change your way of life for a week or even two
Name me anyone who cares as much as Eva Peron
Rollin' on out, rollin' on out
Rollin' on out, rollin' on out
On out
And the money kept rolling out in all directions
To the poor, to the weak, to the destitute of all complexions
Now cynics claim a little of the cash has gone astray
But that's not the point my friends
When the money keeps rolling out you don't keep books
You can tell you've done well by the happy grateful looks
Accountants only slow things down, figures get in the way
Never been a lady loved as much as Eva Peron
Rollin' on out, rollin' on out
Rollin' on out, rollin' on out
On out
When the money keeps rolling out you don't keep books
You can tell you've done well by the happy grateful looks
Accountants only slow things down, figures get in the way
Never been a lady loved as much as Eva Peron
Rollin' on out, rollin' on out
Rollin' on out, rollin' on out
Rollin' on out, rollin' on out
On out
Mostly I like that song because I have fond memories of our high school marching band marching to it in 7/8 time, and playing the gong and bass drum at the same time... But I also think of it as I see money rolling in and then rolling out again.
Working part time at two places is kind of lame. For now, I feel like I should stay at both places, but I also know in the back of my mind that in order to truly make ends meet I need one or two more alternative sources of income. Some I thought of were:
Playing music for hire - playing in a paying ensemble, playing for weddings, whatever I can get.
Mystery Shopping - I am listed as one, I just need to be better about doing it.
Applying for a promotion at Penney's.
Teaching more private lessons.
That's what I have so far. If everything weren't so darn expensive, it wouldn't be a big deal. ;) Maybe I'll get a couple more ideas when I'm down at UMEA in a few weeks. Sometimes it helps to get others' perspectives.
Amen.
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