Update!

Garan and I have a new blog. It's jagmoly@blogspot.com Hopefully I'll update our new blog more than I did this one. :)

I can hear the bells.

This post is long overdue! So after the last post... I packed up my car and drove home from Vegas with Garan. I was so grateful we had the whole drive together, because we were telling my parents that night that we were getting married in October. I was just a little nervous for their reaction, but they were so excited, that I had nothing to be worried about. It was the best road trip I have ever been on, because it was just Garan and I. We talked, ate, laughed, sang, danced; it was perfect. That night our engagement, became official to our parents. Then it became official to our families on Sunday, the 20th and Garan proposed on the 28th. I wish I had pictures to show, but I don't have them yet. I'm busy planning the wedding, and setting up my classroom, but am really wanting to spend every second with Garan. It's going well, because now he works until either 6 or 9 so I can plan until then and then we can hang out at night. I had no idea that being engaged could be so much fun. I've never been happier! I will try to be better about writing on here. We'll see how it goes.

So this is it...

I have officially earned my Bachelor's Degree and am a college graduate. Well, it becomes official on Friday, but I am completely done with all I have to do. I can't believe it. I can't believe how fast it went (most of the time). I have had some wonderful classes. I have had some amazing experiences that have taught me so much. I have had some fabulous roommates who will be lifelong friends. In the past 3 years I have lived in 4 different apartments and 2 different houses. The thought of acutally moving everything home is a wonderful idea. I don't know where I will put everything, but I am so excited to actually live at home! It's been a very long time since I've done that. My roommates are all in school right now, but my teacher told me to sleep in so I wouldn't be tired for the drive. I had a wonderful cooperating teacher. I need to send a shout out to Pam and Dennis (Garan's parents) and thank them for coming to Vegas to visit and for bringing Garan with them. We had a fabulous time and it was so fun to just be together. Garan helped clean my apartment for our "white glove" clean check and then we played the rest of the weekend. We had to do "white glove" again this morning, before we move out and it just wasn't as fun without Garan here. :) I'm starting to ramble and don't know what to say or how to say it, so I guess this is it. I've loved college and I am sure that I am on to bigger and better things! AHHHHHHHH Garan just walked in. More details to come! :)

Life is good!

I haven't posted anything for so long... and I have sooooooo much to post about! :) Life is good. Life is really good. I don't know where to start. I was really going crazy before Garan came home. I was so excited and extremely nervous. My poor roommates were great to listen and watch me panic as the days grew closer. I was eating fine and sleeping ok, until the last day, when I couldn't do either. The plane ride was the longest one I've ever taken and it was actually one of the shortest flights (55 minutes). After arriving at the airport I decided that I wouldn't cry. Then after going down the escalator, I changed my mind. I couldn't stop crying. I couldn't give my planned speech to Garan. We just held each other for the first time in a very long time. Everything was so comfortable. Everything felt so right. Everything feels so right. Out of the first 30 hours that he was home we spent 23 of them together (with friends and family of course). After an amazing weekend, I had to head back to Vegas for 10 more days of student teaching. This time only a few tears were shed at the airport, but saying goodbye was rough. I think we have called each other at least 20 times in the past two days. We can't get enough of each other. I'm counting down the days again. He's coming to Vegas to visit on Thursday. Like I said... life is good! :)

I LOVE technology!

NOT... Actually it's not that I hate technology; I just don't like when it doesn't work like I want it to. I haven't been able to put any pictures up, because I can't get them on my computer. I can't find the cord to connect my camera to my laptop. I decided today that I would just put the memory card in my laptop to get my pictures on here that way, but... of course it didn't fit. I am hoping when I move home I find the cord, or maybe I'll just buy one. I have lots of cute pictures from Vegas and as soon as I can I promise I will post them. Until then, enjoy the lack of pictures, while I enjoy seeing all of your pics.

It's Beginning to Hit (dun dun dun) !

AHH!!! I think I might go crazy. It's beginning to hit me that Garan is coming home in 19 days! Seriously, how did this happen?!? When he left everyday seemed like an eternity. I think that first month was probably the only time I can say I have been "depressed", okay maybe the first 2 months. It was rough. Before he left we saw each other everyday and we talked every night before bed. "Okay, I'm going to go to bed", he or I would say. Then we would proceed to talk for another 20 minutes. "Okay, really this time...", one of us would hear. Followed by a quick, "I love you/ too. I will talk to you tomorrow. See ya soon!" *Sigh*. I keep thinking of these things as I try to go to bed at night. I am so excited/nervous and I feel like I have butterflies all night long. Followed by long dance parties with my girls and lesson plans/grading galore. I'm so grateful that I'm doing my student teaching, because it keeps me really busy and helps the days go by more quickly. I only have two more Fridays until he is home. Oh geez. Eek! I think the hardest part will be coming back to Vegas for the following week and a half, but at least I have a whole weekend to spend in Kaysville for the best holiday of them all! Maybe coming back to Vegas will be a good thing. We can use the wonderful invention of the cell phone and get to know each other all over again. *Sigh* Off to the pool to correct papers and get a killer tan so I can look hot in 19 days. Let's pray the sun helps.

Workin' 9 to 5!

I should have posted about this last week, since that is when I found out my exciting news. Oops! The exciting news is here... I have a job for the fall!!!! I am so excited. I will be teaching 3rd grade at Ellison Park Elementary which is in West Layton. (If you are going north you get on Main Street in Kaysville and turn left on Gordon Ave. The school is on your left.) It only takes about 10 minutes to get there from my house. I have been to the school a few times and met the other 3rd grade teachers once. I know the secretary and the principal well and they are wonderful people. I can start decorating my classroom as soon as I am home in July. I just had to share the exciting news. Now, it's back to grading papers! (The story of my life!) :)

40 days and 39 nights

When I talked to Garan on the phone on Mother's Day I told him that I was doing my best to not count down too much. (What that means is that I only write down how many days are left once a day and that I try to think about it only a few times a day.) The closer it gets the more I think about it. I am starting to get crazy questions and advice more and more. Funny thing is I can't really answer their questions and I can't really act on the advice yet. Anyways, the reason for this post is to make a small list (I'm a list maker). The list will include things I love about Garan and/or reasons I'm excited for him to be home in just a few weeks. Here we go...


1. He treats me like a princess
2. His cute smile and giddy grin when he has a surprise up his sleeve
3. The way he holds me
4. His positive attitude
5. His dedication to the Lord
6. His love of EVERYONE
7. The way he sings
8. The way he can always make me smile
9. When he tickles my back
10. He lets me sleep on is lap when we are watching movies
11. Holding his hand
12. His amazing cooking abilities
13. His STILL cheers for the Cougars although he goes to the U
14. He loves my family and they love him
15. He likes to read
16. He's competitive
17. His ability to speak in public
18. He's HOT
19. He can fix a computer
20. He loves his mom and sisters
21. He's generous
22. He dives with one hand, because he's holding my hand with the other
23. He helps my mom and I decorate for Christmas
24. He sings "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" at the top of his lungs with me
25. He supports my siblings with all of their activities (there are lots)
26. His confidence in himself and others
27. His love of everyday
28. His laugh
29. The way he says tortilla
30. He's so nice to my friends
31. He always makes me laugh
32. He dances with me in my driveway, his driveway, and the park
33. He has loved his mission
34. He has made me feel loved while one his mission, but lets me know he is a focused and dedicated missionary
35. The way he looks in jeans
36. HE always smells like a combination of gum and cologne
37. He listens to church music on Sundays
38. He writes great letters
39. He loves Disneyland as much as I do
40. He makes everyday better!

I realize that things won't be the same when he gets home, but I'm excited to see where things do go. Garan is amazing. I love and miss him so much and could not be happier to have him coming home so soon! Life is good!

Fun in the Sun!

Oh wait... it's not that fun! It was 109 degrees as I left my school at 4:00 this afternoon. When I got into my car is said it was 118 degrees... IT'S MAY!!! Today the students could not have recess, because it was so hot! This is a little ironic since last semester my students had to stay in, because it was cold. AHHHH!! I didn't chose my locations at seasons very well. Thank heavens for air conditioning. :) It will cool off by Wednesday and until then I will enjoy the beauty of the inside of my apartment.

It Breaks My Heart!

Opps... two weeks! I'm getting back to old habits about writing on here. It's been a crazy and wonderful two weeks. In that time I was able to say bye to my first class, and get my new class. They have year round school in Vegas so when I first got here my class was on "track break" or "off track". I was in a different class for the weeks my class wasn't here. At first I was disappointed, but actually I have learned so much from my different classes and my different teachers. I am more like my first teacher than I am now, but both a great at what they do. The first is a "planner" (which is very nice for a student teacher when you are working together). The other is very relaxed. Her key phrase is "Do whatever you want; whatever works best for you". I love having the options, but which I knew what she wanted. It isn't easy to have two teachers in the classroom, but it is coming along great. The kids in my class are very well behaved. So here is my situation... I need some advice.
There is a girl in my class who is really struggling in math. I don't mean a little, I mean REALLY struggling. I tried for 30 minutes to help her change her fractions into decimals. She just doesn't get it. I was getting a little frustrated, not with her, but with the fact that I couldn't explain it so she would understand. Time ran out and I asked if she thought someone at home could help her with her math homework. She said, "Probably not, because my nanny only speaks Spanish, my mom doesn't usually get my math, and I don't know about my dad." My heart was breaking. This girl looks a little Hispanic, but not a lot, she's probably half. She has an accent and I am thinking she speaks Spanish at home. I told her to do her best and I would see what I could do. I talked to the teacher after class and she said she knew that she was having a hard time. She told me that she offered to tutor her, but wanted to be paid since it was her free time. She gave the parents the number to Sillivan Tutoring and other tutoring places, but they haven't done anything about it.
I am busy. I am writing lesson plans, and preparing them, and also hanging out with my friends. I have been wanting to get to the gym more since I have 47 days until I want to look my best! BUT... I want to help her. She is very polite, so good in class, and needs the help so much. I want to tutor her just for a little while after school or before. I don't know if she rides the bus, or how it will all work out. Tutoring is expensive, I know, I know people who have gone. I was asking for advice at the beginning, but now as I write it out, I think I have my answer. It's off to writing more lesson plans. I will keep you updated on the tutoring.

When you think Tim McGraw... I hope you're thinkin' my favorite song!

I knew I wanted to go to a concert while I was here in Vegas... but I didn't know which one. I could go to one every weekend if I was rich... but I'm still a college student and can't afford that. So... I had to choose. After doing lots of research on the Internet, my roommate Emily and I found tickets for Tim McGraw for $50 on June 21 at the Mandalay Bay. My mom is flying down on Thursday, June 18 and coming with us to the concert as well. I'm so excited. What a perfect girls night out. I'm enjoying every second here, but this is one more thing on my list for a countdown. :)

Let's Hear It About Them UTAH JAZZ!

Really bad English, I know, but they used to always say that at the games. I am posting this AFTER our loss, because once you're a true Jazz fan, you are always a Jazz fan (or any sports team for that matter.) As I have previously posted we don't have a TV in our apartment, so watching these awesome Jazz games has been impossible. I would like to shout out a huge "THANK YOU!" to my roommates, who aren't really Jazz fans, for coming to Red Robin with me so I could watch the game. It's the first game I have seen of the playoffs and we lost, but it was fun company, good food, and a TV. :) I wore my Jazz jersey and had a blast. Tonight we are going to South Point (a hotel/casino right by our apartment to watch the game!) We will get some drinks (virgin... don't worry) and cheer on our team! I'm confident we will win, but not enough to put money down, so once again, don't worry. I'm super excited and am grateful for awesome roommates to come with me. Let's Go JAZZ!

Here are some pictures from the playoffs last year when we beat the Warriors. I was lucky enough to go to the game with three of my amazing brothers. Riley, Parker, Colby, and I had so much fun. We got our faces painted, cool shirts, and ice cream! Good times, good times!

Always Think Before You Speak!

So, of course everyone knows you should think before you speak. I know it too, but sometimes I forget. It's fun to be a teacher, because you get lots of fun and many times inappropriate comments. I was teaching a lesson on mode, median, and range for math and thought of a fun anticipatory set (something to get my students involved at the beginning of the lesson). I said, "I'm new to Las Vegas. What do you think my favorite thing is about living here?" A little background was that we were going to create a pictograph of favorite fruits in the class and then find the mode, median, and range of that graph. One of my students shouts out, "THE STRIP!" I immediately say, "No, it's the fruit." P.S. The fruit is very good and inexpensive here so I've been eating it like crazy. :) We quickly moved on and began to graph our favorite fruits, but that fabulous little student caught me a little off guard. I learned two things from that situation. 1. I need to think of ALL of the possible answers to my questions before I ask them. and 2. I think I need to take some time and get to The Strip.

The Results Are In!

I am so excited to officially announce that my Praxis PLT test score is in and... I PASSED!!! This was my final test out of 5 to certify me to become a teacher and I passed. It is an essay and multiple choice test based on how I will handle situations in my classroom. I took it the day before my birthday. So... now all I have to do is complete student teaching and I can officially become a teacher! :)

Viva Las Vegas!

I am not expecting this to be read, because I haven't written for so long, but I have some time and lots of things to say! :) It was a crazy winter semester, but I loved every second of it. I should have written, but chose to take in every second of the semester and found no time to blog. That was one reason, the other was that the Internet on my laptop didn't work last semester so honestly I wasn't on the computer much. We have wireless Internet in our apartment in Vegas and the connection is fabulous, so maybe I'll write a little more. Our apartment is nice. It's big, and I feel safe most of the time (when the doors are locked). :) My roommates are awesome. There are only four of us, but we have so much fun together. We play cards every night, but it's in our apartment, not out on the town... yet! :) We have a great pool and hot tub and find ourselves laying out on Saturdays and in the hot tub at nights. (Well, the few we have been here). My school is only a few years old and it's nice. The students are awesome. You can tell by the way they talk, dress, and act that they are from the fabulous city of Las Vegas. :) There is quite the difference between students from Idaho and students from Vegas, use your imagination. :) One of my students wrote some *#&*&*!@ words on the bathroom stall about my teacher. We think the most frustrating part is that she used incorrect spelling and grammar. :) Honestly, I love the students, but I am having a hard time with the administration and the teachers. The principal uses suggestive language about every other word and I feel is very unprofessional. The teachers are great when the students are around, but before school, after school, and in the teachers lounge I hear things I was not prepared for. I guess I have lived a pretty sheltered life. Before going to Ecuador they gave us all of these papers about culture shock. I didn't really experience culture shock in Ecuador, but I sure have in Vegas! :) I will have a fabulous three months here and be excited to come home. I had thought about serving a mission, but think maybe I'll be getting some questions here and can have my mission be here. I am praying harder than I have ever prayed and reading my scriptures more than I ever have. I am learning to keep the Spirit with me, when it's hard with others around me. Today we woke up and made fruit smoothies for breakfast. We got lots of sun while we were at the pool and my tan is coming along just like I hoped it would. Tonight we are going to the adult meeting for Stake Conference and after we are going to a sports bar to watch the Jazz game ( we don't have a TV at our apartment). I will keep you posted on the adventures here and get some pictures up soon. I guess I better go get ready for the day.

Muneca's! My favorite tradition!

I had a great New Years Eve. I went to a friends house with a bunch of people from high school and we ate lots of food and caught up on what we are all busy doing. The best part was a tradition from Ecuador that we celebrated. I stuffed some clothes with newspaper. Then you write bad habits that you want to discontinue and you put them in the muneca (doll). Then at midnight you burn it. It symbolizes that you will stop your bad habits. It was such much fun (a little colder that last new years, but still fun). This year we actually put the muneca on the snow, which was not possible in Ecuador. I am so excited for 2008. I have lots to look forward to and so far it’s been a great year.