For the Love of the STAGE

A couple of weeks ago was my ward's talent show. Truthfully, I usually dread talent shows. I always feel like I should do something to be supportive, but I can never think of what to do, and it becomes stressful within the first few minutes of thinking about it, so I always just opt out...which is a bummer, really, because I actually LOVE to perform. I just don't always have tons of time to put into performing these days.

I'm the kind of person who needs a lot of support and encouragement in situations like this one. Thankfully, I have three ridiculous friends for roommates who fit the bill perfectly. We (much to my initial dismay) decided to do a lip sync/dance to "It's Raining Men" by The Weather Girls. We choreographed the whole thing in less than two hours on a random weeknight, and ran through it only a handful of times before performing, but I was so pleased with how it turned out! We had a ball coming up with the moves in our too-small living room, and we got a great reaction from the crowd as we hammed it up on stage. I LOVE the adrenaline of being in front of a crowd. All tiredness melts away with the applause and laughter of people you know and love cheering you on. Talk about roommate bonding!

Things I've Learned from My Big Sister

My sister, Ann, turned 37 last weekend. I was only seven years old when she moved out of the house, but as I've gotten older, we've become great friends. I don't even think about our age difference any more. She's been a great support to me over the years, as well as a great source of strength and knowledge. So, here's to Ann and all the things she's taught me:

*It is unacceptable to wear pink and red together, unless it's Valentine's Day. (Equally unacceptable are polka dots and stripes.)

*Alliteration can be used under any circumstances to liven up a dreary day. For example, Dancing in the Dining Room, Lounging in the Living Room, Cuddling in the Kitchen, etc.

*Cleaning corner by corner is the most efficient way to be sure your room is spic and span.

*Take time for yourself. Read, do yoga, or whatever makes your socks go up and down.

*You can drive for quite a while with fuel gauge on empty.

*Dancing is not just a hobby; it's a way of life.

*Follow your dreams, even if they lead through unknown paths.

...and the list goes on. Thanks, sis! I always know I can count on you for good advice and a listening ear.

March's Identity Crisis

Spring is finally here!...Or, is it? March is always a unique month in Utah. After a long, dreary winter for those of us Californians who can't stand the snow, the first hints at warmer weather appear. Finally, sunny days actually mean warmth (as opposed to January sun, which just means there are no clouds to insulate us, leading to deceptively COLD days).

Still, March is always indecisive. One day it might be warm (65 degrees is a heat wave here!), like last Friday, and the next day it could alternate between rain and snow for 12 hours straight (that was last Saturday). CRAZY.

They say that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, but in Utah, the lamb and the lion aren't doing a very good job at taking turns. Oh well. I'll rejoice in the sunny, warm days as they come, and remember on the cold days that their days are numbered.

The warmth is on it's way!

The Power of Persuasion

It's that time of year again. No, not tax season...time to prepare my students for their persuasive essay test at the end of this month. It's amazing how much 7th graders DON'T know about essay writing, so I'm trying to give them lots of strategies and do lots of modeling. Today in class, we were writing supporting body paragraphs together as preparation for them writing their own tomorrow. To keep it exciting we did crazy prompts and (for my own sanity) I did a different topic with each class. Here is what they came up with (with a little prompting from the teacher). Enjoy!

2nd period
Thesis: Pigs are great animals.
Supporting paragraph:
First, pigs are experts at providing food. Without pigs, Cafe Rio pork salads would not exist. This dish is one of the restaurant's most popular items, and it would be a tragedy to lose it. In addition, pigs are the source of ham, bacon, and sausage. These meats are common, inexpensive parts of most Americans' diets. The variety offered by pigs makes them perfect for any meal of the day!

4th period
Thesis: Chocolate solves all problems.
Supporting paragraph: First of all, chocolate gives people energy in a quick and easy way. Chocolate contains sugar, which can increase blood sugar levels. This increase of sugar allows people who are on the go to have a quick energy boost. Chocolate also includes a small amount of caffeine. This can help people stay awake to do homework or while driving. Chocolate is not only a quick way to refuel, it's also a tasty treat.

6th period
Thesis: Love is dangerous.
Supporting paragraph: First, love is dangerous because it makes people do crazy things. For example, in Romeo and Juliet, the teens who are in love kill themselves at the end. Because they are so sad that they can't be together, the end their lives prematurely. In another instance, a guy might drive several hours every weekend just to see a girl he likes. He will waste money and time that might be better spent on something more valuable. When in love, people sometimes irresponsibly give up everything, even their lives, just because they want to be with that person.

Okay, so we're still working out the kinks, but they're making progress...I think.

I LOVE MY STUDENTS.