Me, Myself, I

One of my New Year's resolutions was to document personal insights about myself. I have only half kept this resolution; I have pondered about different things that I react to, think about, talk about, but I haven't actually written it down on paper. We'll call this post entry 1 towards this resolution.

I wanted to be a teacher since elementary school. At least, I remember thinking my third grade class, 'I want to grow up and be a teacher.' Needless to say, I declared my major in education at BYU-Idaho and now have a degree in English Education. (Because of state requirements, I have not switched my Idaho teaching certificate to Kentucky because we don't know where we are going to end up in life. Who knows if it would be worth the time and money to take extra tests and pay crazy fees?) So I am tutoring at Huntington Learning Center and substitute teaching.

I think people's favorite adjective to describe me is "sweet." While that is very sweet of them to say, I'm realizing as an educator you cannot always be "sweet." There is a time for niceness and a time for firmness. I can't believe after my degree is all said and done I am just now finding this out. :P Lately, I've been feeling like my personality isn't fit for a teacher. Because I am so patient, I can easily get walked over. I've been feeling like people don't respect me because they can see I'll be lenient. I had a kind of crazy experience this past Tuesday, and all but fell apart to Carl.

Long story short, after a long (and tearful) conversation I realized that a teaching career is still for me. I don't think anyone is totally made out for their career choice even if it is their dream job. Life will always throw that curve ball and keep you on your toes. For me, this career will help me not let people walk over me. Just because I'm a nice person doesn't mean I can't stand up for myself. People will still like me even if I am firm sometimes.

Good discovery, eh? :)

FUNNY QUOTE FROM CARL FROM TUESDAY NIGHT: "You always decide how you act? Really? So Tuesday morning you woke up and said, 'Tonight I want to have a good cry. Just a good, uncontrollable, nonsensical cry. Twenty, thirty minutes tops. And then question my entire career choice and rethink my life. Okay! I'm ready to seize the day! Break!'" :)

Sorry, Ben Franklin, it's just too much!

Carl and I are about to revert to using candles. Yup, just like in the good 'ole days! Ben Franklin's discovery might have been great 1700s, but in 2012 opening the electricity bill is too big a hardship!




Ick, I really hate bills. It's the one kind of mail you don't want waiting for you in your mailbox. In Idaho (where is it much much colder and for a longer period of time) we barely paid anything for our gas and electric. We had a pretty good system going on! Now in Kentucky, where is it not as cold and we really aren't home as much, we are paying a fortune. I'm not sure how the system is different between the two states, but you can bet we will be praying for warmer weather in the near future!

Forgive me for my ranting, but it was much needed for my soul. Today's secret of happiness? Live somewhere super warm ;)

The Perks of Being an Aunt

I love love love love love love love love babies! Or anything little for that matter. And Ashley Phenix has just delivered the cutest little girl in the world! (At least in my humble opinion.) I was able to go visit little Madilyn and her family in the hospital this morning, and now I really want one of my own! :) Below are a couple pictures I was able to take while visiting. The Phenix family is the cutest family in the world, and I am one proud aunt!

Madilyn Day Phenix

He didn't quite grasp the fact that he has a little sister. I still love him equally :)

I know, the cutest!!

My beautiful sister!

Did I mention that this baby is stinkin' cute? ;)

Technological Musings

So I almost labeled this post "A Crisis," but decided that would be be a bit dramatic, but... I did just lose my phone :( I am seriously one of the most forgetful people in the world, and I really have been doing quite well keeping track of my belongings. I'm guessing I somehow let my phone slip and fall on the ground while coming into our apartment, and now it is gone. I hope whoever took it instead of turning it in to the manager enjoys it because I LOVED MY PHONE! Anyways. Now, I know all is not lost and I can get a new one, but it's still a little disheartening not to have a faithful side kick in my back pock at all times.

It is ironic that yesterday--when I thought I just forgot my phone at home--I was thinking about how dependent we are on our technological devices. And seriously, all would agree that they probably rely too much on their phone/computer/iPad/etc. I remember the days when it would suffice to simply call my boyfriend on the house phone once a night. No texting, no picture messaging, just one call. Are we so dependent--not so much on our phones--but on feeling connected every second of the day? I still felt connected to my boyfriend who received the once-a-night phone call. So what's the difference? Are we no longer confident in our own thoughts, opinions, and ideas? Perhaps in this ever changing world we need to feel that we're not alone. It's a rather bizarre thought to have.

I didn't have a very high-tech phone. I only used it for calling, texting, and an occasional picture message. It just feels strange to not instantly text my sister when I have a question or text Carl during the work day to see how he is doing. My phone allows me to be connected to my family and that's all that really matters to me; they are my number one priority in life.

What are you connected to?

Girl's Night! (and Carl)

We have been living in Kentucky for... 27 days now! We've pretty much settled into our apartment (it's a lot bigger than our previous one), got into the groove of our jobs (it's amazing we're not school anymore), and have connected with my family once more! We had Annie, Angela, and Autumn over last Friday night to hang out with us. We don't see them much because of our work schedules, so we thought it'd be good to reconnect with them. Carl is an absolute HAM with the girls and they love his crazy sense of humor almost as much as I do. Hey, it's what caught my eye in the first place! You know what I am talking about, ladies ;) We had a really fun night with promises of sleepovers in the future.

Big eye!



Big nose!






Of course, Autumn had get in on the fun!



The girls!

 

My favorite!





A January Celebration

I've really been into creating mini movies lately. I'm not sure what the cause is. When talking to Carl about it, he stated that I've always been into creating movies and reminded me of mine and Erin's past time of filming and piecing together movies. Good thing my husband remembers my past better than me ;)

Last month you were able to witness the Virgin side and their silliness as displayed in our talent show; this month you will receive the Day side! My parent's 27th anniversary was January 4, and I decided to document the occasion. I know that was 2 weeks ago, but I never got a chance to film Carl and myself that night. I meant to do it later, but our life has been crazy busy as of late, so we're still not on the film. You'll have to live without us this time! Here's a 5 minute recap of the night:

My favorite thing about our family is the love we have for each other. You might think that 10 intermediate family members PLUS 3 in-laws PLUS 2 and half nieces/nephews makes your love rather thin. On the contrary, it grows ever deeper. Our love shows in a variety of ways, but it's always present. It's what I love about living here in Kentucky.

Resolving

A new year is so exciting!! Call me lame, but I love the excitement that the change of the year brings. Watching the ball drop is a must for me on New Years Eve, and one day I will be there in person! Preferably when Lady GaGa is not there. Last year was my first time ever making official resolutions, and I only thought it would be fitting to continue the tradition. Carl and I make "couple" resolutions too; this year has some pretty challenging resolves! (1) Work out every day of 2012 (minus sick days) (2) Continue to learn sign language (we are fluent in the ABC's!), and (3) Finish Jesus, The Christ together. As for my resolutions:

• Keep a journal in which a record self-discoveries about myself. I really enjoy blogging and sending my thoughts out to the unknown, but I want something more secrete and contemplative. This is my solution.
• Be more financially minded. My parents are an excellent example to me of how to keep tabs on your income and spending. We are planning some big events to come in 2012, and I want to be smart in our finances.
• My third resolve will be disclosed in a future post.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!