Refuge for Horny Teenagers

Yesterday Alina rushed into our house and loudly stated, "You are never going to believe this. There are two people making out in a car across the street." I replied, "What?" but my roommate, Lesli, rushed to the front door to see for herself. Once there, she exclaimed, "Ah!! They're totally making out. The guy has his shirt off!" The three of us then raced upstairs to get an elevated view from our windows. Seriously, what were these two individuals thinking? We live in a family-filled community and where did they decide to park? In the small visitor parking section right in front of the grassy area where children can play. It was Friday afternoon, the sun was still brightly shinning, and they didn't even have tinted windows!! Our visiting teacher, Mary, was on her way over so I called her on her cell phone to warn her of what she was sure to see - I also wanted to tell her to honk very loudly when she passed them. When she answered she was passing them and distracted (by answering her phone) so we made her circle the block and honk her horn. Our friend, Jenna, was also coming over and circled twice because she didn't know where to park. She just didn't feel right about parking right next to the romantic couple. Within a few minutes, Lesli, Alina, Jenna, Mary, and I were standing on my porch, pointing and laughing at the car. They finally left. I guess they'll need to find another refuge for horny teenagers.

Do Your Damn Job!!

I am so upset right now - obscenities may fly (and I'm sure I will have grammatical errors). I know my face is bright red and I can barely type because my hands are shaking with anger. I love my job and I love working with teenagers. Most people think it would be hard to work with teenagers everyday, but it's not. It is, however, hard to work with shitty teachers. Today we had an assembly. We escorted our students down and were suppose to stay to supervise them. Now, I don't blame the students. Whenever you put 800 14-years olds in the same room, they're going to try to talk to their friends - especially at 2:00 on a Friday afternoon. I do blame their teachers for not managing them!! I had 3 teachers whose students were assigned to sit next to me, leave!! Just leave their students. I had another teacher who sat there not even bothering to keep her students quiet!! Because of this, I was left watching over 100 students all by myself. Are you kidding me? It's ridiculous.

Lettuce for Lent

I have always been fascinated by religious acts and traditions that show devotion. Some of these include Islam's hajj (to learn more, click HERE) and Judaism's kashrut (to learn more, click HERE). Christianity's Lent is no different. (To learn more about Lent, click HERE). Although the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the religion I belong to - to learn more, click HERE) doesn't observe Lent as a church-wide custom, I decided this year I would participate. Although I considered only giving up lettuce (as my roommate, Alina, annually does), I have decided to give up the following things:

• Cookies
• Cake
• Ice Cream
• Candy
• Doughnuts
• (Yeah, basically all sugary things)
  

I'm on day 2. Yesterday was difficult because I went to a bakery with friends for dinner. This bakery serves delicious cheesecake and eclairs. I get an eclair every time I go there, but yesterday I abstained. Wish me luck. I will keep all my loyal readers updated.

Pop! Goes My Heart

As an avid 80s fan, I was super excited to see the movie, Music & Lyrics. This film stars Hugh Grant who plays a washed-up 80 pop star (Alex) who is trying to make it back into the music business. In the film, Alex teams up with Sophie (played by Drew Barrymore) to write a hit song for the major pop star, Cora (imagine Brittney Spears pre-baby years). It was a hilarious film. Here is a clip showing Hugh Grant in a great 80s music video:

If You're Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands

I've been ridiculously happy lately - So happy I'm on the verge of being giddy. There's no major reason why, but here are some things that have contributed to my happiness:

1. Yesterday I booked a vacation to visit two of my most favorite people in the world (Ruth & Ryan Stewart). I will be staying with them from July 24 - Aug 7 (two whole weeks!!) We plan on going to NYC and the Hershey Factory in Pennsylvania.
2. My flight to visit them only cost me $10. That's right, $10. (Plus 25,000 frequent flyer miles).
3. I had my taxes done on Monday and I'm getting back a whopping $3500!! Yes!!
4. I took the day off on Monday so I only had to work 4 days this week.
5. I only have to work 4 days next week because of President's Day.
6. Alina sent me a hilarious YouTube email. To see it, click HERE. (It is a little naughty).
   

Kids Say the Darnedest Things, Part II

So after my last post, another funny moment came to mind. This did not occur in my classroom, but in our school's technology lab. I often go visit the tech lab during my conference period to talk to the tech teacher, Sheradee. The tech lab is full of craziness. Students work in groups on different projects. These projects range from making powerpoints using the computers to making movies using the video equipment to constructing different models using the connects and magnets sets.

When I walked in I saw a group of three students over by the connects/magnet area. One boy was diligently trying to construct some kind of structure using the long connects pieces and round metallic balls. A second boy was goofing around - taking the first boy's pieces. The last student was an angelic, studious 7th grade girl. She sat next to the two boys absorbed by the text she was reading. Anyway, the first boy had finally had it with the second boy stealing his pieces so he looked up and shouted, "Stop grabbing my balls!!" The sweet angelic girl slightly glanced up from her text, raised her eyebrows, and in a valleyesque voice replied, "Sick."

It was hilarious.

Kids Say the Darnedest Things

Warning: Some may considered the following obscene, I just consider it funny.

I have two computers in my classroom. My computer and a student computer. My students use their computer to go on-line and check their grades. I let them do this during the last 2-3 minutes of class after they have cleaned up. Last week several of my students were at the computer looking at grades when I heard the following conversation:

Student A: "She F'd me. I can't believe she F'd me."
Student B: "Who did?"
Student A: "Ms. Winterton."

It took me a minute to process what I was hearing and realize that they were talking about their grades. Now, just so you know, for most of my students English is not their first language. I turned to them and said, "Are you talking about your grades?" When they replied, "Yes." I told them they probably should word their phrase, "She gave me and F" because the other way didn't sound too nice. When they realized what they had said, they turned bright red. It was quite funny.

A Myriad of Celebrations

It takes four days to celebrate the birth of such a spectacular person. Here is a breakdown of the celebrations:

Thursday: Kyle was kind enough to arrange a birthday dinner for Alicia, Kevin, and myself. Alicia turned 28 on February 5, Kevin turned 29 on February 7, and, as you may already know, I turned 29 on February 9. Here is a picture from that night.

Kyle, Me, Alicia, Summer, Val, and Kevin.
Kim and TJ were also there, but they're taking the picture.

Friday: It was a long day, so I didn't want to do to much, but my parents took Alina, Lesli, and I out to dinner. Here we are:

Saturday: Lesli and I went to the ballet to see Sleeping Beauty. Here's a picture of us at Capital Theatre.

Sunday: I went to my family's house for cake and ice cream. Here are pictures of me and Zack.

29 Pictures for 29 Years

29 Pictures to Celebrate 29 Years of Me. Sorry, some of these pictures are super blurry. My scanner wasn't working so I had to take digital pictures of my normal pictures. But even if they are blurry, I still look adorable. Enjoy!!

The Day of my Birth:

My First Birthday:

Adorable. What more can I say?

My Second Birthday:Christmas. I'm wearing a robe my mom made:

Curious, even at a young age:

I love this picture of Kyle and me:

A Young Speed Racer:

Doesn't everyone have a family photo on a turtle?

Entering the awkward years:

Getting better, but still fairly awkward:

Horrible picture, but it was my 16th birthday.

Here I am with my two favorite cousins, Carrie and Aimee.

Shadley and I looking fabulous for a dance.

Celebrating being an adult (my 18th birthday) with a road trip:Me, Emily, Shadley, & Jen at our high school graduation.

Freshman Roommates: Erin, Anna, Shadley, Jen, & Me.

19th Birthday: My mom sent me a great package.

One of my favorite pictures of Shadley & Me.

This was taken a week before we graduated from Ricks College

Me loving it in Athens:

My 21st birthday with the Hull boys.

80s Party with Alina, Camie, Ruth, Emily, & Me.

Chilling out with fellow DC interns: Scott, Mary, Susan, Me, & Matt.

BYU Graduation:

Hawaii: I'm holding a lizard I caught in Jana's house.

Lazy Lake Powell Days:

Striking it Rich in Alaska:

Yes!! I paid off my car:

Alina, Tara, Cha Cha, Me, & Kari at the Organ Stop Pizza:

Last weekend at Dinner.

Heather, Kira, Lesli, Me, & Katie:

Extraordinary Events

My birth is just one of the extraordinary events that have occurred on February 9th. There have been several others throughout history. Here are just a few:

1773: William Henry Harrison (9th president, but only for 1 month) is born.
1825: The House of Representatives determines the presidential election. John Quincy Adams becomes the 6th president.
1863: The fire extinguisher is patented by Alanson Crane.
1867: Nebraska becomes the 37th state in the Union.
1895: Volleyball invented by W.G. Morgan in Massachusetts.
1909: The first federal legislation banning narcotics (opium) is passed.
1942: War time daylight savings time is first instituted.
1950: Senator Joseph McCarthy accuses 205 State Department officials of being communists.
1964: The Beatles make their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.
1964: GI Joe character created.
1965: The U.S. sends the first combat troops to South Vietnam.
1997: The Simpsons runs 167th episode becoming the longest running animated series in cartoon history.
2002: Winter Olympics open in Salt Lake City.

Don't Fret; Here's my Wish List

I know several of my loyal readers are worried about what to get me for my birthday. This should be a time of happiness and joy, not anxiety. Because of this I've decided to provide you with my gift wish list. Here's 29 gift suggestions to make your shopping a little less stressful.

1. Digital Camera (I was hoping I'd get this for Christmas, but Santa fell through).
2. I-Home Alarm Clock (I think Ronnie and my mom are getting me this).
3. 20x24 Wood Framed Print of In His Light by Greg Olsen. To see click HERE. (It will nicely cover the crack in my wall).
4. Lip Gloss - I'm running low on Bath & Body Works CO Bigelow's Ultra Mentha Lip Shine (Peppermint).
5. Dangley Earrings (but not too long and dangley)
6. Electric Pencil Sharpener (for school)
7. Another Electric Pencil Sharpener (for home)
8. Cold Stone Gift Certificate
9. Beige Knee-high Tights (to wear with long skirts)
10. Hair Accessories - elastics, barretts, etc.
11. Good Books - I prefer biographies, histories, and historical fiction
12. Pedicure Gift Certificate
13. Picture frames that hold 4x6 inch pictures
14. Electric Lawn Mower
15. Huffy Surfside Cruiser - click HERE for a picture.
16. North and South DVD
17. Chain for my locket (Jeanine, this one's for you).
18. Candles and Candlestick holders
19. Massage Gift Certificates
20. The Devil Wears Prada DVD
21. Fun Games like Sequence
22. And Skip-Bo
23. Teachings and Commentaries on the New Testament by Ed J. Pinegar & Richard J. Allen
24. Kitchen Wash Cloths
25. Decorative, yet comfortable pillows for my leather couch
26. Food Storage - I'm trying to build up my supply
27. Fossil Watch - Silver with Brown Leather Band
28. Laptop Case/Bag
29. Grey Hoody Sweatshirt with Zipper
    

Let the Celebrations Begin

Few events make me as happy as My Birthday. (And yes, it is an event). My birthday is this Friday, February 9th, but I'm declaring a weeklong celebration beginning today!! I will be turning 29 and I am super excited!! (As you can tell by the exclamation points). I think 29 is going to be a fabulous year for me - I can't wait. Stay tuned all this week for birthday-related posts.

For Hilarity Watch the First Minute, For Indecency Watch the Rest

A Return to Normalcy

For the past 72 hours, I've been without internet service at work. It's been killing me!! The internet is a vital part of my job, but no one (in the office) seemed to think it was a big deal that half the teachers didn't have internet access. Everyone seemed to pass the buck as if it wasn't there concern to get it fixed. Our secretary had the audacity to tell me I'd have to contact someone to come out and fix it. Seriously? I have to teach. You're the secretary - you find out who to call, then DO IT!! I need the internet to take attendance, enter grades, and complete all special ed paperwork. Special education requires a lot of paperwork and without internet access, I've gotten way behind. I hope I'm not audited anytime soon.

Okay, enough complaining. Now that I've got up on my blog, I need to use the internet to catch up on three days worth of work.