Anything besides hiking and boating?

Oh yeah, (Laura, and Jared, and now Mer)... I was going to tell you about the rest of the summer:

Hiking and boating were the key events, but there have been more. I've played some racquetball, completed my summer indexing goal, played JT on many happy occasions, had a ton of reunions with close friends and roommates from my past... one whom I hadn't seen in 17 years.  I've been to a few movies (Avengers, Spiderman, Snow White, and Brave).  I've gone to Bees games, a Real game, the Scottish Festival, and the Joshua Radin concert.  I've ridden little Fuchsia (my scooter) around, been for a motorcycle ride, dressed up like a cow to get a free meal at Chik-fil-a (only with Laura would I do that... Loved it!) and got a free Slurpee on 7/11.  I played pianos on the sidewalk downtown, went to the farmer's market, grilled pizzas, read a few books (History of Love, The Mysterious Benedict Society, Temple and Cosmos (currently), and some books for work...).  I went on walks, went to the temple weekly (haven't missed a week since March 2011 at this point... yay!).  I've eaten well... meaning good food. I could have stood to eat more healthily.  I had a cooking class and went to the Chalk Art Festival.  I've been to a couple funerals (sad) and weddings (happy), and attended some parties and barbecues.  I've met new friends, and cherished long-time friendships.  I have even worked several days this summer.

It has been packed... And what it has helped me to see is that I have a life filled with the best of people, good adventures, amazing memories, incredible opportunities, and the Gospel.  I couldn't ask for any better than that.

...And the Summer of Boating

"For as many times as we've been boating, we should be a ton better than we are."  -- Marinda

Dear Laura (and Jared): (Better, Lavern?):

Well, it's true.  We should be better than we are.  What can I say?  I recognize my cautious nature, and at the same time my desire to jump on a wakeboard.  So I cautiously jump, but I jump... every time I go now.  It's the landing upright part that I haven't gotten down yet.  Still, I've only come close to a concussion once.  I think I have it now... The headache I've had since Tuesday's ordeal hasn't been too consoling.  Worth it?  Yes.  It has been the funnest boating summer in many years.  Mainly because I have been invited to go so much more than in the past.  It's the wonderful blessing of now having two friends with boats.  I've been boating with Mike and Mer for years.  Love their boat, love their family, love being out with them.  So many good memories.

Now, Brad has been kind enough to invite me several times.  He is in the branch and a fantastic (and quite patient) captain and person.  

So, following are pics from the summer of boating.  

Mer, Constance, and me!

Me and my favorite little Utah guys

Happy times!

 Bradford taught me to drive the boat!!! :)  Big smile.  Too big.

 Will looking all relaxed and GQ

 Fire on the water group: July 14th

 Frio!!

 I'm not sure on this one.  Your guess?  

Best tubing crash catch 

And back to Mer and Mike's boat.

Connie Wake Surfing... Looks pro, doesn't she?

 

Fishing, Mike?

 The Afro made it back to the boat

What an awesome family!  Thanks for the good summer times. :-)

The Summer of Hiking

I'm sure I've been on more than a dozen hikes this summer.  I love getting out in nature... sometimes alone, other times with friends.  Hiking is one of my favorite ways to appreciate the gift of this beautiful  creation. Here are a few pics from my summer of hiking.

Tandy and I... yeah, she's the reason I committed to hiking weekly this summer... but where has she been in the past month?  Absent.  We gave it a good start though.  First with her was Lower Falls.

Then, Rocky Mouth

 ...On to Broads Fork

And finally, Red Pine Lake

Constance and Cherissa at Bell Canyon Reservoir (I've probably done this hike 1/2 a dozen times alone) in the past few months.  Also, a cool shot from my favorite spot, and then a super cool shot of me in my sunglasses. :)

The next two are me and Christian at Ghost Falls at Corner Canyon.  I also did this one with Melinda... but no picture that time... and I thought I got one. :-(

Justin and I on the Red Pine Lake trail.  

 We also hiked Sunset Peak

 And Silver Fork

Silver Lake with Melissa  

 Mill B North trail with Matt

Desolation Trail with members from the branch on the 4th of July

There have been others that I don't have pictures of, like Lake Solitude & Greens Basin, but you get the idea.  Looking back over these, I'm grateful that I've gotten outside a bunch.  I have loved every hike and every moment of peace, contemplation, friendship, and solitude in the beautiful Wasatch Mountains. 

The Summer of Boating post comes next... stay tuned.

The Best Advice I too Seldom Take

I just realized I never posted this last month when I wrote it.  So, here it is... another post on song quotes.

There's a song I love called "Come from the Heart" which, I believe, was based off an old poem.  I'm not sure who authored that, so this is all about the song here. The lyrics are a great lesson to me... excellent advice that I, for one, too seldom take.  So, let this be a reminder to me.  

The lines from the chorus follow:

You've got to sing like you don't need the money

Ok, I do a fairly amazing job at this one.  Singing like I don't need the money is a talent of mine... This nearly always involves my crutch: JT (my guitar).  Now, I can usually sing on pitch.  I have the right sense of rhythm and can make a song sound like the correct song.  But I have a pretty average voice, sound, and ability level, and mostly... people aren't asking to listen.  So... I sing like I don't need the money, because, yes... I do sing anyway.  I mean, maybe I do need the money, but I wouldn't get much for my lack of true talent.  Proof: When I was in Israel studying abroad, I played guitar and sang with a friend on Ben Yehuda Street.  In a half hour or so we earned a few shekels.  That's not much.  We could have gotten some Mentos with our loot, I'm sure.  A truly talented performer befriended us, borrowed one of our guitars, played for 3 minutes and quintupled our earnings or more.

Well, Symbolically, I don't think the line is necessarily about singing, but about all those things that we love to do but are too timid, or embarrassed, or self conscious about to really do it loud and right.  We just need to go for it!  Be who we are and who we want to be, do what we want to do, and quit worrying so much about what others think.  If it's something we love doing, we should do it no matter how we look, sound, or feel... do it for the love of doing it and experiencing. Chances are, we'll find that the people listening love us all the more for just that.


Love like you'll never get hurt


Now, I used to be amazing at this.  I would give my heart away somewhat easily when I found a quality guy.  And I'd love... then I'd hurt.  Then I'd love, then I'd hurt.  So, present day me:  CAUTIOUS!  Have fun, get to know people, serve, give, enjoy, but hold back a bit, at least emotionally.  Sometimes a lot.  Because when you get hurt, it can really hurt.  (profound, no?)  But when we don't give everything... when we're not willing to give our heart, it's not as real.  It's not the whole and complete you (me), and you (I) feel it.  When is the right time to show and be the whole you?  Probably from the start.  Give it all.  As Neal A. Maxwell said, "No love is ever wasted.  Its worth does not lie in reciprocity."  So, maybe the real trick is to be willing to love, wholly and completely, whether in friendships or romantic and other relationships, and work on doing so selflessly, so that when you do get hurt, it's ok.  It's ok, because you did it right.  And the pain will end, and you will have been all the better for loving the whole way through.  This is advice I need to take more readily.


You've got to dance like nobody's watching 


Literal interpretation: Anyone who knows what I dance like (a rare, precious few for my lack of taking this advice) would be able to say... "Oh, yeah, she danced like no one was watching, or she wouldn't have danced at all."  I'm not good.  I wasn't willing to learn the skills as a child, have regretted that in my adult-life, and now will sometimes dance... sometimes like nobody's watching.  But most often, I KNOW people are watching so I step out of the room.  I'm working on this one.  And in the right circumstances I just go for it... knowing I have no clue how to look good on the dance floor, and just pray that everyone around me is entertained by me rather than shaking their heads at me.

Figurative interpretation: Who freaking cares what you look like when you dance?  Give up the pride and live your life in bold humility.

Well, in the song, Guy Clark sums it all up when he sings:

It's gotta come from the heart if you want it to work.


If everything we do comes from the heart, we can live feeling ok about what we've done, how we've lived, who we've become.  May I take the advice a little closer to heart.

Following is a link to the folk song.  No video.  Sad.

Guy Clark: Come from the Heart

What was I thinking?

I'm considering renaming my blogsite "Dear Laura", in honor of the one whom I believe to be my only (consistent anyway) reader.  :)

Sometimes I remember things I've done and think, "What was going through my head at the time I decided THAT would be a good idea?"

I was with some long-time friends on Sunday, and one reminded me of a few things I did to help her make it through high school and college. Oh, but the high school ones... Yeah, they weren't good things. They were more like,... Hmm, what's the word?  Oh yeah, cheating.  For example, I wrote a research paper for her.  It was actually a partnered one, so I wrote it for myself, too.  She says she paid me for that.  Great!  I accept bribes.  And I don't even remember.  I hope I did something good with that dirty money.

Another, I took her geometry take-home final for her. Yes, I really did.  I remember that one well.  I told her she was going to have to stay by me and I would explain everything I was doing so I could feel a little better about it. I gave up on that idea quickly enough and sent her on her merry way as I finished the test.  The question came up tonight from some other friends, "Why did you do that?" Because, for those who know me, that really is out of character... especially for present day me.  Well, maybe back then I was a little more rebellious.  Or maybe I just liked math and wanted to have some fun with a geometry test.

I didn't know the real answer for why I did it for her, though, so I deferred to my friend who reminded me: "Well, it's because I had Mr. ____ as a teacher, and you knew he was no good so it wasn't my fault I didn't know what I was doing in math."  Upon hearing that, I slipped back into that same high school mentality and thought, "Oh yeah, That's right.  Of course."  Then realized, "What!?  Why was that enough to suddenly make it ok to cheat?"  Ahhh... sometimes I forget there really is a rather significant growing character phase in those middle, high school, and early college years.  Good news though, I  She passed the test and graduated.  And I have repented.  Win/Win.

That Table

So, the story goes... When I graduated from BYU and got a job in the real world and eventually moved to Salt Lake, I came to the conclusion that it would be a good thing for me to go visit my grandma every week or two.  My logical mind determined that I should make dinner at her place because we both had to eat, right?  Thus, Grandma became my guinea pig of sorts each Tuesday evening.  She was a good sport about it, even when she had to eat meals she probably would have rather skipped.

The routine went like this: I'd race home from work, change clothes, grab the recipe, run to the store to grab the ingredients, and go to Grandma's.  I'd cook while she watched the news... declaring how much she disliked President Bush, or how she liked the new Jazz Jerseys.  When it was time to eat, she turned the tv off... every time.  Then commenced the sacred time when we'd sit at her dining table in the chairs that were straight out of the 70's -- with their cream and orange, gold, and green tones.  After a prayer, we'd eat and talk... at least until it was time to clean up and call my sister (because my grandma, a retired phone operator, got free long distance... very cool in 2002).  

As we sat at that table, my grandma told me stories... Fascinating, non-fiction stories from her life, like the one about Bud, who she nearly eloped with when she was around 20 years old, and who later became her boyfriend at the age of 85.  Or the one about when she shook hands with President Kennedy and how much she liked him, as opposed to the other presidents she met, like (I think) Nixon or Carter (who she "didn't care much for").  She told me about how her brother set fire to the family house when she was a young child, and it completely burned down. And how she still met monthly with the group of friends who formed when they were 13 years old and called themselves the "Sewing Club".  She shared how a group of friends and their husbands formed a bet that became the catalyst for my aunt being conceived and considered one of the "bet babies". And she told me a little about my grandpa, who died when my mom was just one year old.  So many stories.  I loved it.  Learning her values, hearing her perspectives and memories.  The thing she valued most in life was her relationships with friends and family, and that table, or our moments there anyway, brought my relationship with my grandma to a deeper level.  

She gave me that table.  When she was no longer in good enough health to be at a place big enough to have a kitchen.  She gave it to me because of the time we spent together at that table.  I've had it in my house since I moved in seven years ago.  She passed away four years ago.  But I still had the table.

Until today... I gave that table away.  I gave it to a friend's family because I got a new table and chairs... contemporary ones that are "more my style." It sounds so callous now: Throw out an object with such sentimental value for something with NO similar value, just because I like it better.   But I have been wanting to do this for awhile. And have taken years warming up to the idea.  And while I do love the new table, I did get unexpectedly emotional, misty-eyed and even choked up as I watched that old, memory-filled table go out the door.  

Then I went to the Midvale City Cemetery and put flowers on my grandma's grave.  The table was just the symbol, anyway.  She's still with me.  I love her.

http://cheryldurrant.blogspot.com/2008/06/thanks-grandma.html

Face Tomorrow

I could write a blog post every day for the rest of my life using song quotes and likely not run out of material.  I look to music as a form of therapy at times... Be it spiritual music or just songs that give a bit of hope or direction.  In fact, I have a playlist I often listen to filled with non-religious songs that are uplifting or have lines I consider worth quoting... songs that give hope or inspire in some way.  Music is a powerful force in my life.  Not that I always listen.  I take special measure to provide moments of contemplation in silence, without anything playing in the background.  And sometimes I listen to books on tape or a talk or listen to the news on the radio.  Still, I love those moments when there is a message shared with me powerfully through a random lyric that some songwriter wrote along their journey, which, in turn, helps me along my journey.  

So, my next series of blog posts may be all based on this idea.  

This particular post begins where my last post left off.  The decision I was facing was whether to keep a job I'd accepted at a local elementary school in a district, or to keep my job at the charter school. There were quite a few pros to both, and cons to match.  Different potential for future opportunities.  And a lot of personal, emotional reasons to make this decision even more difficult.  

In the end, I decided to stay where I was, and consequently face the rather difficult task of going against my original word and letting the school that had offered me the position know that I was actually not going to sign the contract.  I felt sick to my stomach for a bit.  It wasn't easy.  I suddenly recalled all the reasons I shouldn't or didn't want to stay where I was.  And yet, by then it was certainly too late.  Fortunately, I really did feel best about that decision, and soon after, I felt the peace and comfort in making it.  And part of the peace came when I heard a song and listened to the lyrics a little better than I had in the past, and decided to face tomorrow in high hopes and spirits.  

Yes, the searching is easy. It is the finding that's hard. Just keep looking
and you'll discover, who you are. 

(Realizing here that searching for the answer truly was the easy part... time consuming, but I knew what to do and found blessings all around as I did that.  

Finding and recognizing the final answer was a pretty true trial... yet in the process I discovered a bit more of who I truly am, and I think that was part of why I faced it all in the first place)

Life's too short to second guess, I'll surely make mistakes

I'll just try to do my best, no matter what it takes

Here's hoping this wasn't one of the mistakes I'd surely make! :)... Regardless, I will continue to do my best in this and all other endeavors:

I'll face tomorrow like yesterday. 

Face tomorrow. Come what may

It is a bright prospect to simply face tomorrow, like yesterday (so far all has worked out, right?).  Yep, I'll face tomorrow, come what may ("and love it" -- Joseph B. Wirthlin)

Sam Bush: Face Tomorrow

What makes it worth the struggle

I don't think I could adequately express my gratitude for the profound friendships I have in my life right now.  I feel in literal awe as I reflect on the love and concern that has been shown to me in the past week especially.  Normally that is felt when a loved one dies, or in some other tragic or heartbreaking event.  That is not what has happened.  I am simply working through a decision that is a difficult one for me to make.  Funny thing is, I have everything I need in my life right now.  Literally.  Friends and family who love me, the Gospel, happiness, peace, good opportunities in every aspect of my life,... I could go on for pages.  NOTHING is lacking.  Except an answer to a question I have... A decision that for some reason is one of the most difficult decisions I've ever made.  And as I've pondered so much and prayed so intently the past few days, I've wondered if half the reason I'm going through it all is not just to recognize the arms I have around me.  Because that is exactly what I've witnessed:

*  A friend who called and talked to me on his lunch hour today about this just because he was thinking of me and my decision.
*  Another friend who, completely inspired in my opinion, came over just when I needed him to, unsolicited, and gave me the opportunity to ask him for a blessing on Sunday.
*  Friends who included me in their fasts this past Sunday.
*  Friends who let me know they put my name on the temple prayer roll.
*  Friends who have sent me texts & emails letting me know they're thinking of me
*  Others who have come over or gone hiking with me because they wanted to take time to listen and share their experiences to help me think through things.
*  Coworkers who have prayed for me, even though some are not very religious.
*  My amazing mom who has taken time to talk with me and pray for me and counsel me :)

Really... it comes down to people consistently being there for me.  Taking time out of their busy lives for "little old me" as they say.  The thing is... (and this is what is so amazing to me about this outpouring): what I'm going through... IT'S NOT THAT BIG OF A DEAL. I get that.  It really isn't.  I mean, not to anyone but me, and yet I have literally been moved to tears by how much love I've felt in such a simple thing. They've shown me how to be.  And if that's what all this is about, it has been worth the entire struggle.

Failure leads to Success

I teach my students something called the Eight Keys of Excellence as part of our character education and classroom management.  It includes stating the keys every day as follows, which we recite as we do hand motions for each key:

Values plus behavior equal integrity

Failure leads to success

Speak with good purpose

This is it! (meaning enjoy each moment)

Commitment, commitment, commitment

Ownership

Flexibility

Balance

We had lessons on each key at the beginning of the school-year, and periodically share moments throughout the year of when we’ve seen these keys in action in and out of our classroom. 

Well, one day we did a simulation that I designed.  In the creation of this simulation, I didn’t communicate something effectively, and also redesigned something that didn’t go well at all…  the combination of mistakes resulted in really hurting someone’s enjoyment of the activity.  In fact, he was in tears for a good half hour.  I felt super bad (understatement).  While it wasn’t all my fault, some if it was directly my fault, and I took full responsibility, and it broke my heart.  I was ready to never do the simulation again (a simulation I spent many hours creating).  As I spoke with the students after the simulation, I apologized for the negative aspects and let them know it was my fault that it hadn’t gone more ideally and that I didn't think I would do it again in future years.  One of my students raised his hand and said, “It’s ok, Miss Durrant, failure leads to success.  You can just change it for next year and it will work out,” after which the other students, including the one hurt, responded in agreement. 

Point happily and emotionally taken.  Thanks, students, for getting how these keys work, so readily offering forgiveness for my mistakes, and reminding me to get back up and make it even better rather than simply admitting defeat and letting it get the best of me. 

A great entrepreneur and a sucker

Continuing my "learnings from a child" section:

I was at my parents’ house one day, home from college, studying for a test.  At the time, no one else was home, and I heard a soft knock at the door.  As I opened the door, I looked down to see a visitor about 4 years old standing with a cup full of berry-type items that had come from a nearby tree, I assume.  He looked up at me and, in his best salesman approach, asked, “Would you like to buy these?  They can be fun and you can throw them at people.”  (The last part was particularly effective :).  I thought, “Just what I’ve been looking for (right?).”  I asked his price, and he didn’t really have an answer for me… I kind of got the impression he didn’t expect to get past step 1 to have to worry about setting an amount.  Well, I told him to wait for a minute.  I went into my former bedroom and found a cup full of pennies.  I grabbed a handful, brought it to the door, and exchanged the pennies for my new artillery.  He very excitedly took the pennies, thanked me and left.  I smiled, and went back to the kitchen table to study further, periodically glancing and grinning at my cup of berries.  I felt good… I mean, he had a sales pitch, took his time to collect the items and really earn that money… and I got to support him.  Yes!  I think I was his first sale of the day (maybe his life), and I felt good that I was able to contribute to a small business such as his. 

About two minutes later came another soft knock.  I thought to myself, “Oh no… I don’t think I want to buy any more things to throw at people, I’m already well stocked as I haven’t yet had an opportunity to use what I already have.”  But I shouldn’t have worried.  As I opened the door, I realize it’s not the same kid.  It must have been his brother.  This child had no cup of berries.  No real sales pitch. Empty handed, this boy just looked up at me and said, “Can I have some money?”

 

Hmm… Not the same entrepreneurial spirit,… but he must know a sucker when he sees one, and, so, I rewarded his efforts somewhat as well.  But, you know, I’ve learned as well… so don’t go asking me for money!  I’m not going to give it to you.  Or maybe I will, but it’s just going to be a handful of pennies. 

The Child’s Mite

And more learnings from children...

A close friend of mine was preparing for a mission, and, knowing the cost of a mission and her family’s lack of money at the time, was discussing her worries with her mother one day.  Her young sister, about 8 or 9 years old, overheard this conversation.  Later, an envelope appeared underneath my friend’s bedroom door.  Inside the envelope was a small amount of money, and a note that read, “It’s not much, but it’s all I have, and I want you to have it.”  It was from this sister. 

This girl got it.  And taught me a lesson that has lasted more than half my life.  Money is a tool to be understood and used for the best purposes.  Not something to be preserved only for our gain.  And the same girl has become a friend who has taught me more lessons than she knows because she does get it.  She understands that people and relationships are more important than any “thing” in life.  She has grown into a woman that I respect and admire. 

Lucky

A question was asked today in relief society… I can’t remember the exact wording, so I’ll put it in my own words: What’s an experience you’ve had with a child that taught you something because they really got it... because they really understood what’s important and good?  One of those things that as adults we sometimes miss or forget?

Being a teacher, these things happen all the time.  But so often I neglect to record them and thus forget them.  So, I’m going to write a few I do remember here over the coming days.  Here goes…

LUCK

One day I was running in the neighborhood, my characteristic three-mile run.  I was kinda in my own world… listening to my music, trying to forget that I was in the most strenuous, uphill portion of this particular route, when I saw a boy of around 6 or 8 years old wave me down.  I didn’t know this boy… I was far enough away from my own street that I had never seen him before.  And, while I normally pressed through this unfavorable part of my run, I slowed to a stop, muted my music, and asked what he needed.  In great excitement, he said, “Come here!  I want to show you something.”  Now, I don’t know about you, but I just couldn’t say, “No, kid, I’m on a strict schedule… gotta keep running.”  Yeah, pretty much like anyone would have done, I decide to humor him and follow him over to his front lawn.  I was the one he humored in the end.  He crouched down, had me do the same, and showed me, among many 3 leaf clovers, a 4 leaf clover… then loudly exclaimed, “I’m LUCKYYYYY!!!”   (and yeah, he carried that second syllable of “lucky” on for a while in the same loud voice).  I celebrated with him for a moment, and eventually continued on my run with a smile on my face that I couldn’t wipe away.  It was a simple but profound moment for me.  Why?  What did that experience teach me?  Well, how about to take time to notice the small gifts around me, the glass half full perspectives in all the simpleness that surrounds each day.  I learned the value of sharing that with others, too.  Because I was grateful to him for sharing his 4 leaf clover with me.  He shared his luck and his spirit at that moment in a contagious manner.  And I was happier for it.  I felt maybe a little more than lucky that I "ran" into him that day.   

Trying to figure out Good, Better, Best

Picture and musings from a moment of pondering in the mountains this morning:

I’ve been struggling lately with the good, better, best concept. (See Elder Oak's insightful talk: Good, Better, Best).

I’ve been doing plenty of "good" with my time.  In fact, my life has been blessed with far more "good" opportunities than I feel I deserve.  Somewhat overflowing with the "good", I've been struggling to find the time to do even the "necessary" some days.  

So... I’ve come to learn the past week through a bit of pondering that this is my challenge right now: When I am presented with a bunch of good, enough to completely fill my days,... am I willing, really willing, to sift through it and follow the "best" ahead of the "better" and "good"?  Especially if the "good" seems more fun and inviting?  Or will I at least seek to know if the "good" I'm filling my time with is also what's best?

Sadly, I’ve figured out that this is my latest trial by failing... a few times.  Or more.  See, while the "good" brings with it many memorable and fun moments and experiences for which I am so grateful, when there could have been something better or best to do in those moments, I have been feeling the rough impact on myself (anxiety, a feeling that something's not right, not knowing what to do,...) and on others (hurt, etc.) in the aftermath.  However, thanks to the idea that there still is a lot of good in my life, perhaps Heavenly Father is still giving me time to learn the intended lesson(s).

I know that our Heavenly Father loves each of us and knows us intimately and the challenges that we face.  He knows perfectly well what we are prepared to learn, and gives us mountains to climb (President Eyring, General Conference April 2012) when necessary, or sometimes hills, or sometimes we just get to learn it on a level walk.  All in an effort to prepare us for unimaginable blessings ahead.

How grateful I am for the atonement that allows us to learn, be taught, be healed, and be prepared.  I was studying today about the balm of gilead, and grateful once again for a testimony of the truest healing balm,... that when things are hard… when struggles and sorrows are great in my life, I am blessed enough to know exactly where to turn.  And by turning there, I find peace.  I find healing.  

Undeserved, but profoundly grateful, I thank my Savior for his loving, continuing, and eternal gift of the atonement, and the mercy of a loving Heavenly Father who provided the perfect plan of salvation, and continual lessons along the way to help me prepare to attain that salvation through the power and blessing of the atonement.

As I keep these things in mind, I have a feeling I will be able to master good, better, best... not through my own power, but through His.... If I submit my will to that true power.

Too Precious for a Price

 

It seems the moments in life that are most precious have so little to do with something to which a price can be affixed.  A friend of mine wrote a song called "The Best Things in Life."  The first verse follows:

Sometimes I like to think about what life has given me,

It’s not the fancy things in life I hold dear to me

It is the things much too precious for a price

The best things in life are not things

One of these precious moments came today when I called my sister to wish her a happy birthday, and I got my own simple gift in return.  She shared a little moment from her day yesterday that made my day today.  I guess the story goes something like this (perhaps I got some of this incorrectly, but the sentiment is there):  

Val, Josh, and Alex were at an event called "Maryland Days" at the University of Maryland yesterday, and at one point Alex (my favorite/only nephew, currently in 2nd grade) asks, "Is this where I'm going to college"

Val:  It can be... you can go wherever you want

Josh: No, you're going here. 

(battle of parents commences... even though both went to U. of Maryland):

Val:  Hmm... No, You're going to Utah State

Alex:  That's right, I'm going to Utah to go to Utah State for college

Val and Josh proceed to tell him that it's going to be quite a while before he can pack his bags to go to Utah for college, where Alex objects:

Alex: Actually, I need to go to Utah for 5th grade

Val:  You're not going to Utah for fifth grade (confused at this point)

Alex: Yes, I need to go to Utah for fifth grade (he's sounding pretty definitive at this point)

Val: Why?

Alex: So I can be in Aunt Cher's class

Favorite moment of the month, right there.  I love that boy...  Wish I was with him a bunch more.  I can't wait for him to come to Utah to be in my class. ;)  Having him as my nephew is one of the most precious parts of my life, for certain!

Derivatives from a failed or not-so-failed trip to the Spiral Jetty

Monday, January 2^nd… Last day of holiday break, with not nearly enough to show for it. A series of texts comes through to me from someone in the same circumstances at 1:39 p.m. After several minutes the pivotal question appears:

“Are you looking to do a final day of vacation road trip?”

Me: “Yes… just can’t think of where to go in such a short amount of time.”

“Spiral Jetty?”

Me: (thinking… I don’t care if he’s joking) “Let’s go!”

“Directions are on the web. I’ll look them up. Do you think we can make it before the sun goes down?”

Me: “Might as well try”

“I need to brush my teeth before I jump in the car and then I’ll be over”

Two point five hours later, sun sinking low in the sky, we arrive at said destination, look out and find… the Great Salt Lake. Yeah, do your research before this trip. Even the reputable source Wikipedia knew better: “(The Spiral Jetty) is only visible when the level of the Great Salt Lake falls below an elevation of 4,197.8 feet.” In fact, it has been submerged since last June. The one downfall to super spontaneous road trips: you don’t have time to look into and work out the logistics. On the flip side, though, it yielded a meaningful and fun road trip that I wouldn’t have traded for anything else that day.

As I sat in Sunday School today not able to hear because of the size of the class and the lack of good acoustics for the setting, I started reading the lesson, and something in it reminded me of this experience. I reflected on it, and noted a few derivatives which follow:

1. Advanced research can be critical when a specific outcome is desired.
2. While expectations aren’t always met, they can still be exceeded in the alternative fortuitous circumstances that unexpectedly occur (wow… didn’t mean for that to be so wordy).
3. Some things are in reality there, yet cannot be seen.
4. Timing is key… Sometimes opportunities are constantly available, but others are given only in specific windows of time. Find the windows for the experiences desired, and take advantage.
5. Spontaneity can lead to some of our best moments. Be open to these opportunities.
6. Find a way and take the time to enjoy even the very moment of disappointment.

Now, I could go into a whole spill about each of these derivatives, but I’m not going to. I’ll leave that up to you to invent or come up with your own interpretations.

Of course, this was my experience. I can't pin the same on my traveling companion. I think he enjoyed himself as well, but he may have derived something completely different. Perhaps his list was: 1) Don’t go on spontaneous road trips. 2) Don't go on spontaneous road trips with Cheryl. 3) Don’t give Cheryl any crazy ideas when you were joking in the first place, and certainly don’t allow her to run with them.

Regardless, the glass half full perspective on each of our experiences seems to be the more inviting of the options and I hope to take that more often.. find the best derivatives from each of the failed and not-so-failed moments, and in doing so, find richer happiness.

Call it... Hibernation

That's what it was a year ago anyway: Hibernating from my social life in general. It felt as though my entire focus was on teaching... Wait, it didn't "feel" like that, it WAS like that. It's almost embarrassing to admit how many hours I worked, especially the first half of the school year my first year teaching. I calculated it a time or two, then compared my salary to the lawyers I was competing in hours with, and I realized I must not be in my profession entirely for the bulging paycheck.

People kept telling me that it was important to take breaks and not immerse myself so completely into teaching, that it would cause burnout and would be worse for me and my students in the long run. My only reaction to that was, "How?" How on earth could I do less when I felt like I was only doing what was necessary and still gasping for air. Now... the burnout part: check. That came quickly. But I didn't have time to think about it, so I guess in a way burnout didn't happen. Exhaustion ensued. Emotional, mental, you name it. And where I never watched television much before except "So You Think You Can Dance", suddenly I found myself watching every Jazz and BYU basketball game on television, and listening to the games that weren't. These became my respites. Of course, even that I did while grading papers or planning lessons 90% of the time (The other 10% I watched while exercising). I know, real relaxing, right? But it worked. It still felt like a break. The only break I felt comfortable taking at times. I certainly wasn't willing to make plans with others on weekdays... there was no time for that, but I could grade while watching a game.

Even when things started getting a little more under control, others said I was doing too much. It was mainly teachers giving me this insight because they were the ones who saw me... my car often the last in the parking lot. Even the principal suggested that I take days off (is that a bad sign?). Yet I literally couldn't fathom how I could possibly spend less time than I was putting in because it meant things wouldn't get done which, in my perception, HAD to get done. It wasn't in my persona to wing a lesson I had never taught, nor to let grading pile up, nor to skip planning out the next day (and I never was more than a day ahead of schedule). In my mind, I had to stay on top of things or I literally would get buried. It was what it was. I eventually surrendered to the idea that I'd put in the hours now and live with it; that by my second year the hours would go down a little, by the third year a little more, and maybe by my fourth year I'd be at a normal work-week. I just had to make it through a day at a time.

Well... I'm a year and a half into teaching now, and good news!: My second year has been so much better. SO MUCH BETTER. (Did I mention it has been a good deal better this year?) I have another amazing class. Both years I have genuinely loved the students in my class. Each class has had a different personality and different challenges and has been worth every minute of the time I put into teaching. I wouldn't trade them for any other. I've been blessed... not sure why, but not asking questions. And hoping that this doesn't mean that the "third time's a charm" idea works in reverse as well. Just because I have such a teachable and enjoyable class this year and had such a fun class last year, doesn't mean that next year I will have the antithesis, right? I'm crossing my fingers for another good year next year while basking in the goodness of my class this year.

AND... Hibernation is over. I have been on play mode for a while now. I got my life back. I still enjoy teaching, and the best part: I feel I am a better teacher this year even though I don't put in lawyer-like hours. Sure, I'm still over 40 a week (and probably always will be on average), but I'm at a level that I can live with the rest of my teaching career already. That's good news for me, and for my students. I am able to teach more effectively because of my experience with the curriculum and school procedures and policies, and I am happier at school because I have opportunities to be away from it physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Brigham Young once said "Life is best enjoyed when time periods are evenly divided between labor, sleep, and recreation... all people should spend 1/3 of their time in recreation which is rebuilding, voluntary activity, never idleness." It's about balance. I have that this year.

I watched my first BYU basketball game of the year a week or two ago. I loved it, and I would like to watch more, but I don't have as much time... not because I'm grading or planning (I'd just do those during the games anyway), but because I have been making time to follow other worthwhile pursuits. I have time to spend with people now, time for exercise, time for reading, time to attend the temple each week, time for writing in here if I start taking it, time to do my taxes (why do I love that so much?). While last year I wouldn't make plans with people for a weekday, this year I fill my time up with a variety of evening activities throughout the week AND weekend. So, welcome figurative springtime, I'm waking and living and loving life. I can't believe how blessed I've been this school year, in and out of school itself, and I'm hoping to continue counting those blessing and not ever take them for granted.