Former Students

I have reached a milestone! Last Friday my former student who has graduated stopped by to visit. Sure I've had kids stop by the next year on their way from one class to another, but now I've been there long enough to see them graduate and then have them come back! Fun.

My first student to visit was Kenneth Peyton who I wish I got a picture with but didn't. I've had Kenny in my class since the first day of my first year at La Sierra. Back as a sophomore this boy was just a short lad. Maybe 5.5. Then I had him his Junior year as my TA and then his Senior year in Yearbook. To say the least, he is just one of my favorite kids. By graduation, my little 5.5 sophomore towered over me at a staggering 6.4. He laughed as he visited saying he remembers how afraid he was of me that first year cuz I was so tall. What a great kid!

Friday this little gem, Amanda Sanchez, came in to say hello. Now SHE is a funny girl for a few reasons. She was in my yearbook class just until the book was finished then sort of "dropped out" for the last 3 months. But I remember we would sit several times a week by my desk and just talk about nothing. Her boyfriend, and my religion, and her job. She'd give me relationship advice since she had been with her boyfriend for 4 years and I was just starting out. (I guess she felt that after I had decided to marry him after just a few months, I needed all the advice she could give!) We laugh becuase she got in an accident driving to the Cross Country meet to take pictures for yearbook. And not just a fender bender, she totaled her car! Its funny now.My all time classic conversation with Amanda was just before I got married and she said..."Miss Wright, let me just tell you, sex is going to change your life!" Oh thank you Amanda! And why is the picture above so blurry you may ask, because we are laughing when she smelled my hair and said I smelled "sexy". Wow.

I love these kids. I love my job. And I especially love when my graduated favorites actually thought I was neat enough that they want to come back to visit. Self--great day!

Between 3 and 5

We feel like we spend between 3 and 5 minutes of our life looking at this every day.

Between 3 and 5 minutes of life we will never get back.

And I thought we had more sophisticated means of transportation. Obviously I was wrong. The train tracks just beyond our apartment complex are well used and it doesn't seem to matter when either of us leave for the freeway; we are stuck waiting for the train to pass.

Delightful.

Overturned Leaf

Is it possible to overturn your "new leaf". And how often can one get a new leaf to turn cuz I'm pretty sure I've reached the max.

1) Running: I really do like to run. I enjoy the fresh air, and the quiet and the good old fashioned "work out" feeling afterword. I like it so much I signed up to run a Half. But for whatever reason the motivation factor is struggling. I find that more often then not I have to talk myself into it, usually resulting in a lost battle. This in turn results in a promise to "turn over a new leaf" and be better for the rest of the training. Can I do this every week? It is not going well.

2) "Diet": I use this term loosely because I don't really ever say I'm dieting but rather being more careful and aware of what I am eating so as to stop this feeling of expansion. And yet, once again, my determination last until about noon when suddenly I stop trying. Terrible to say that "tomorrow I'll start".

3) Professional Dress: At the beginning of the year I set a goal to dress professional everyday except Friday through at least October. I made it 10 days. That is almost like October right? 10th month...10 days. Same thing.

4) Thursday meetings: Being that I have just come from another worthless meeting, I find that my feelings of "team player-dom" and "just do it" are struggling. Alas, I haven't had to re-turn this leaf yet but after an hour long meeting covering items such as the new stores opening in the mall, which malls in the area are the best, the new menu at Starbucks, and the fact that the word habitual has the word "***" in it makes it fun for the students. Really? What bothers me most is we all say we want to make a common assessment for midterms, and we say we are going to all submit questions and then nobody ever does. I volunteered to type up and format the midterm with the combined questions and no one submitted questions. We spent (I kid you not) TWO MINUTES looking over what I had done and that was IT! The rest of the time we wasted. Call me what you will, but I'm struggling finding a purpose for my attendence.

On a better note:

• I started using Teleparent to contact parents about their kids and tutoring options
• It's payday
• The Dragon for Fantasmic is fixed and in the show again.
• Mark is going to take me to the park to ride Haunted Mansion before it has its Jack Skeleton remake for the Halloween-Christmas junk.
• I can run 8 miles and still feel good about life.

Teaching Funny

During 4th period, Martin returned to school after his absence yesterday. Our conversation went like this.

Martin: I wasn't here yesterday. What did we do.
Mrs. Morrell: Ah, yes. You weren't. Nor were you here the day before that! Or the day before that!
Martin: Wait...(look of confusion)...yes I was. Yesterday was the only day I ditched. (pause...realized what was said) I mean, missed? [please note: he totally made the inflection like it was a question. Which was even funnier.]
Mrs. Morrell: I love that you just admitted you ditched my class. [insert laughter] Now I don't have to find your make up work!

It is so much easier when they admit their negligence rather then me having to look it up! I laughed. I was actually referring to Saturday and Sunday. His mistake!

They Found Me. I Don't Know How, But They Found Me

Well, after a great 4 months of being the Sunday School teachers for the 14-15 year olds, and for the most part flying way below the radar, they finally found me. Yesterday I was called to be the 2nd counselor in the Elder's Quorum Presidency. It is going to be a challenge for me in a couple of ways, but mostly in the fact that my schedule just changed to permit Kay and I to spend more time together, and now it feels as though that may be taken away again. Also, I am one of the youngest guys in there and have no children, I feel like I should be taking advice from all of them, not the other way around. However, we trust the Lord had his reasons and that it will be more of a blessing for us. It was very hard to say goodbye to our little class which we love a lot, but we hope to be able to make a difference.

The Half-Marathon: Could possibly be the end of me. We went bright and early Saturday morning for an 8 mile run, which by the end Kay appeared that she was ready for another 8 miles. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have to go walk around work for the rest of the day. My poor wife had to deal with my grumpy attitude during the entire run, which resulted in her thinking I was mad at her when in all reality, I just hurt everywhere. But I have decided that what the run really boils down to is having the right mindset, so I am going to try and do that. I must also remember that Kay is my motivation, this is one of her life goals and I want to be a part of it.


Speaking of Kaylinn, she is still as amazing as ever. I wish I knew how I could fully express my love for this wonderful woman. She truly is everything to me. All I want to do is spend time with her. Even when I want some "me time", it always turns into "we time" because I just cannot get enough. I hope that I can continue to serve her the way she serves me. I LOVE YOU! MUAH!

How's the training going?

If we ran half the time we're suppose to, I'd say we were doing well. Currently, we tend to miss 3 or 4 days and then justify it by running 6 miles twice in a row. This week we should be up to a 7 miles Saturday so...we'll see.

The half marathon is in 7 weeks. Perhaps its time to turn over a leaf.

The People of Disney

Yesterday was the first day "Select" Annual Passholders could return to the parks after our summer blackout days. Of course, true to my Disney love, I was in attendance with the other thousands of people who were there. It kinda makes me feel bad for people who just plan their trip for that time as they inadvertently get stuck with the crowds.

Mark and I met up with Trent and Jennifer after I got off work and started off at Toy Story Mania. I must say, I still really love this ride. Since its first opening, its always been so fun. Pretty sure its the only reason I still venture into California Adventure. I boast-I came out with the high score of the 4 of us. Not to mention I totally smoked David when they were here a few months ago. I'm just saying. :) I digress.

One of the things that makes Disneyland so entertaining are the people that you see. I seriously wish I could have taken pictures of all the oddities one can see in a day. The fashion, body types, hair styles, statements, and just outlandish people. Perhaps inappropriate to photograph them and then post them to the world as a mocking gesture but...my inner heart really wants to show you how funny they are. Anyway.

Shout out to seeing the Warrens and their kiddos. Probably because I have an inner magnet to their family, we're bound to run into eachother even if their are thousands of people and the chances are slim. How else would we park next to them at the Angels stadium AND see them in Disneyland on one of the busiest days? Kindred spirits, as Anne (of Green Gables) would say! Kindred spirits!

Phases

When it comes to food, I think its safe to say Mark and I go through "phases". A couple months ago we hit a Chili's restaurant phase followed quickly by an El Torito phase. We've recently seen the need for Yogurt D'lite "phase out" at little which has been good. We have just found our new phase. In the last 2 weeks we have visited this little gem on the end of the Huntington Pier 4 times. Ruby's Diner: a sweet little piece of heaven with the most delicious shakes!

Another very odd thing I must admit...Mark is very good at trying all the good stuff on the menu. When you visit any particular restaurant as many times as we do, then you're bound to have the chance to try just about everything and be more knowledgeable then the waiters. I however can't say the same. I have my "usual" for every restaurant. With El Torito its the #4 combo, the yogurt place was Taro flavor with rasberries, chocolate chips and nuts. Chili's was a little better cuz I switch between 2-chicken ranch burger and chicken ceaser pita. I don't know why. Its the same EVERY TIME. When the yogurt place stopped having Taro, I don't really like going. Its a weird thing. So--Ruby's is no different. I love their Shrimp Tacos with the Rasberry white chocolate shake. Sad news: they no longer have the Rasberry chocolate shake and now I am so unhappy with my experience I kinda feel like phasing out!

Anyway-with Trent and Jennifer in town, we of course take them to the beach (because thats one of the 3 things we do with company) and of course took them to Ruby's. Pretty sure when you know the waiters and are sad when Joe isn't waiting your table...you've been too many times!

3 down...177 to go

School has started! And I'm 3 days in. The start of school always comes with such excitement. Kids are usually on their best behavior this week which is a huge bonus. They also are wearing their best attire which is fun to see what is "new" and "in". (Both of which I am not!) Even I turn up dressed up a little. Its funny, by late October I'm wearing jeans to work almost every day. But I do try to dress professional until my motivation runs out!

A few things I hope to do a little different this year:
1) On the agenda-I want to use more descriptive "action" words rather then just writing the basic what we're doing. Things like finish, or begin, and create, analyze, take, compare, read. Being that this IS an observation year for me, I figure its a great chance to start out something different and new.

2) Use TeleParent! I was so excited when it started 3 years ago. Then I didn't use it at all last year. So I'm going to try to keep my parents informed of upcoming tests and assignments, as well as positive things the kids are doing. Just to keep them updated.

3) I'm going to incorporate a rewards program on Friday and have a more official "Funday Friday" moment. (complete with song and dance!)

I am reminded how much I do love my job. I love my classroom-I just feel like it is so organized and functional and welcoming. Some rooms on campus are not so-and I like that mine is. It does take a lot of hours to get the year off the ground and running. I always say I can't wait until October when we're all in the groove and we know how the system runs where it just pretty much runs itself and I just teach my lessons. Since starting so early this year, I suppose that time will come end of September.

Our weekely Thursday Morning meetings are still in full swing like last year. I hate them! They are 5% functional and 95% lame-o. I promise we could achieve what is done in the hour there in an email. Whatever. I use to just go to every-other one or so. This year we have an administrator who is teaching 1 period OF MY SUBJECT! So he attends the meetings too as a part of our department. CRAP-O. Guess this means I have to go. That bites!

I've been unofficially yet officially "fired" as the Class of 2010 adviser...I think! (figure that one out!) Not sure if this is because I couldn't create a good homecoming float or if the kids were just sick of me! Whatever. I'm not too broke up about it. I'll miss the stipend at the end of the year but-with yearbook I'll still have some play money too!

P.S.- I stood in as a sub for the typing class this afternoon-an easy 50 bucks. Of course I sat down at an open computer and practiced my typing speed. Apparently I type at about 90WPM. And I can't lie, I loved it when all the kids gathered round to watch my fingers fly. Nice! Pretty sure I'm going to teach my kids to type by their high school years. I can't believe how many still hunt and find! Knowing how to type is so much more efficient. -- The end --

Man vs. Ocean (Part 2)

True to our "repeat date" offense, with Mark's old friend Theron in town, we opted for a beach trip! Saturday isn't always the best day for a beach trip but we managed to get a sweet parking space and then worked the system to end up paying half what the state beach price is! Someone has good parking karama...I'm just saying.

The boys were super into boogie boarding! I felt real cool since I had to give them a few tips on how to do it right! Thanks to my dad for teaching me. After imparting my knowledge, they were quite the experts themselves and rode the waves for hours. Finishing off our day with a stop at Ruby's on the pier. (again for delicious shakes that add to our waistlines) Still not sure how it counts as a company expense on Theron's part, but I won't complain.

We're surely getting in the beach as many times as we can before the warm weather ends. We went again on Monday, with the youth on Wednesday, and with Trent this coming weekend. NICE!

Repeat Date

Pretty sure our creativity scale for things to do is pretty limited. If its not a trip to Disney, then its either the beach or an Angles game! Friday night was "Mormon Night" at the Angles stadium and we had tickets! So we invited the Wallaces just cuz they are so neat. Funny thing was the last time we saw them we invited them to an Angles game. Different seats, different team, but same venue. We're that couple.

I came better prepared this time around too. I stuffed a Trader Joe's bag full of good "game" food to munch on to save us a $30 bill on stadium food. Highlights of the evening included:

1. Grape smashing in the cheeks
2. Cheering for Matthews
3. 3 Home Runs in a row! (not by the Angles)
4. Rally Monkey
5. The Warrens tickets were right next to ours too.
6. Abby
7. First pitch by a guy in our ward.
8. "Meeting" the guy with a perfect score on the SAT and ACT. (wow)
9. Milk shakes melting all over Mark's hand and peanut M&M's (my sack of food didn't surpass the stadium advertisement crave)
10. Being 2 rows from the back.
11. Fireworks

Fiddler

Mark and I have always loved the movie so when the broadway play came to LA with the original Reb Tevia we just couldn't NOT go. And of course, it was amazing!

Although the closest seats we could get were 2 from the back, and we could hardly see the actors faces, when Topol spoke those first words, "A fiddler on a roof? Sound crazy no?" --WOW--it was magic. And for a 70 something year old man (no he isn't 90 like we think he should be) he was doing the dance moves like any young buck. He was amazing.

There was only one song that wasn't in the motion picture sung by Hodel to her love man the teacher guy Perchevk which would be one of those songs that you always Fast Forward in the movie. (you know what I mean...Richards...yes you..."When Love is Gone!"...enough said!)

Incredibly long, we didn't get out until just after 11 but still totally amazing. Cheers to Topol in the stage production of Fiddler on the Roof. As the Good Book says, "If you spit in the air, it lands in your face".

Brave Man

• Not exactly perfect
• Not exactly good at it
• Brave enough to let me try
  
  With the exception of one very noticable mistake (which won't be mentioned) I think it turned out pretty good! A few more practice runs, and maybe I'll be good at it.

Summer Trip

Can you believe it? I was actually able to take a couple of days off from work and I was able to spend it with my beautifully amazing wife. I'm going to start this story-then my wife will finish, so you will be able to get two sides to this quite intriguing weekend of events. So, to start off we decided to go up to visit the Wright family in Clayton and on our way we decided to stop by San Simeon and visit the Hearst castle. After a morning of work, we finally were able to take off around 430 PM. Perfect timing to be caught in traffic. About 6 pm gets around and we decide that our bellies could no longer be deprived of unhealthy food intake, which when this happens on our trips it equals a stop at Denny's. Somewhere near Ventura we pulled off at an exit, because there is always a Denny's by an exit right? I say unto you nay, not on the first exit, nor even on the second or third exit. The fourth exit we finally found the gloriousness that we call Denny's. We were so excited to bask ourselves in a Denny's breakfast meal! Unbeknown to us, we were about to step into the twilight zone of all Denny's.

After being seated, Kaylinn looked over my right shoulder and said, "We are going to play a game, you tell me if the busperson is a boy or girl." Thinking that this game would be over quickly, I turned to discover that it was an indiscernible person. After ordering our meal, we caught a glimpse of the manager, who like the bus person was difficult to define. Then we had an older couple sit across the way from us where we were unable to determine if the 57 year old woman was actually wearing pants. The food was glorious as always, Kaylinn got her usual French Toast and I got an amazing omelet of goodness, not to mention the milk shakes that we had in addition to our meals. Being stuffed to the rafters with food, Kaylinn said she was filling way to full to which I responded, "Yeah, I feel like I might 'vomelete'." Most of our questions were answered on our way out as we asked the manager how close a city was. The voice rang true, male wanting to be female. The bus person was female wanting to be male and the woman was luckily wearing short shorts, but to our angst we had to see most of her legs. (She must've have ordered a lot of cottage cheese in her lifetime, if you catch my drift.) As we headed out I decided to name this specific Denny's the G.C.D. "Gender Confusion Denny's". All who come in may question themselves on the way out.

Many hours later, we finally made it to our hotel in San Simeon. A quiet little Days Inn just off the 101 freeway. [kaylinn here] A little sketchy of a hotel, but what can I say, thats how we roll. The next morning we enjoyed our complimentary breakfast, which is always a delight, and then headed over to see Hearst Castle! Accompanied by Newsies, naturally. (Pulitzer & Hearst, they think they've got us...) Mark was amazed with the sheer size of the castle. I just love the history of it. A great day!

On our way out, we stopped by the beach in hopes to see "Zatara" (the Count reference for Mrs. Kammeyer). They call the elephant seals that come out to sun bathe Driftwood. Although no seals were seen, we did enjoy some animal life, including the kamikaze squirrels that literally tried to attack us. Mark is standing on the rock when this picture was taken, as you can see, the squirrel was jumping up! They scampered after us into the car! It was quite adventurous!

Mark took a memory card worth of pictures at the tide pools. I've always loved photography so I'm glad that he has this interest. Someday I hope to have photo's on our walls of the places we've been. I wanted to pick up the starfish, to no avail. But liked seeing them regardless.

We made it to the family's house that afternoon and spent the evening enjoying a little "blast from the past". Mom gave Mark some expired Orajel for his sore (from 1993), we played Outburst (from 1989), SuperNintendo (early 90s), and the ButterCream Gang! Okay, so we didn't watch the last movie, but should have!

Saturday Morning found us on our way to San Fransicso where we visited Fort Point and Pier 39 for good ol' touristy moments. It was super windy and foggy and quite cold, but really lovely too. The stress of traffic sort of took its toll on Mark's driving and I'm pretty sure he isn't going to want to drive in the city again! My bad!

This picture represents a little Brian Reagan and his "cannonball ointment" skit. We always find a good laugh in Brian. Direction #1: Do not stand directly in front of a cannon. How true that is!

Overall, its been a splendid vacation. Finalizing with a mouse in the house! That was an adventure! Funny times. I always do enjoy spending time with my family!

More Yearbook Camp

Overall, camp has been going really good. We've been super busy with all kinds of projects and activities. We learned several great "team building" activities that we are excited to use next year. And our cover is exactly as we wanted it thanks to the artist Egore. (or so we called him)

The girls I brought this year are far more dedicated to the camp then last year's group which is refreshing. Too bad they forgot their cameras. Thankfully Mark let me bring his so we've been doing well on our projects. And it gives me loads of pictures to scrapbook the week here.

I also had my Hot Cobblestone massage at The Well here at the resort today. That was amazing. Pretty sure my sore calves were in love with that!

Tomorrow is our last day. I doubt we'll win any of the prizes. Chrisma has been following Twitter and I won a Starbucks gift card because of that! Amazing! I'm ready to head home out of the desert! Seriously, it is too hot here to enjoy much of anything for more than a moment.

Angie, Mrs. Morrell, and Chrisma