Washington DC

As I sit in my freshly made bed, blankets laid out, pillow fluffed, xl pile of tissues thrown into the bin, I contemplate taking 7x the recommended amount of my across the counter sleep aid and slowly slip into an endless, dreamless bliss (just sleep for a long time, not like death or anything). But then I am struck with the reality that although I've laid my blankets out they haven't actually been washed in, err, awhile, and my sheets have had at least three different people sleep in them since their last wash, so really it's not so fresh, or so clean, and my sleep aid just gives me a majorly intense anxiety attack and makes the room spin around for awhile. Insomnia is here. Insomnia and a cold is appears have actually joined forces in an attempt to completely derail my non-procrastination goals for this semester. You can't get me sleep! I'll win this one, just you wait and see. Well, as soon as I have my voice back, it went missing, and as soon as my nose actually begins working again, the mechanics are looking at is as we type/read, but they don't seem hopeful. But once those are cleared up I shall be VICTORIOUS! Although, that is, well, unless the tissue box runs dry, then it's all over. the goose is cooked. the bucket is kicked. the jig is up. the cold/insomnia super monster has won all the crackers. I've decided now is a good time to discuss DC. Then I will "sleep."

I went to Virginia to visit my sister: Michelle, and her hubby: Matt, and they're adorable kids: Rachel and Cole. My mom also went out with me. She was the one who actually funded le voyage (that's french for the trip, I google translated it, so we know it's legit). Here's a brief photo montage. It's nuthin you haven't seen on my fb. Don't hold your breath. 

Alright. Firstly, we went the Natural Nation Museum of National Natural History... or whatever confusing name it really has. Cole loves that museum; sadly he was suffering from a life threatening illness (the common cold is serious biz in my book) and spent most of the adventure on the ground in tears. Poor kid. We did manage to stick our tongues out a great deal.... 

This is always her favorite face to make when we take photos. 

And to gaze longingly at the endless majesty that is this giant elephant from many years past. (Actually I have no idea when it's from....)

(note the amazing dragon jacket)

 Once the great adventure was over, we had a few days that looked a lot like this... 

They're just so handsome. Especially the pantsless one!

Rachel is much like Shelton from "The Big Bang," that's her seat. No one else may sit there EVER.

Cole spent most mornings, noons, and evenings playing with his trains. He loves them so durn much. He almost always has Thomas clutched in his hand. And when he's not playing with them then Percy is in his hands also. He always talks about the "camboose" (caboose) as he pushes it up and down the "slide" (bridge). 

Man down.

Then we got crazy adventurous and went to Maryland. My first time in the state. Woop. And saw a super fancy shmancy aquarium!! We tool a lot of pictures, and basically partied like it was 1999... I won't put you all through that. Just one photo of the darling Rach. 

Well. What can I say now? The rest of the trip was spent in cuteness. 

It was really fun being all together as a family. I'm glad I had the opportunity to go out there and visit them. I durn near stole Rachel; it was rough leaving her behind. Fits and all. And spending time with my sister is always one of my favorite things to do. She's a good mom. I mean it. Not just saying it. Mean it. Big difference. 3 cheers for Michelle! (I'll let you do the rest.)

Sweet dreams all you slumberers! If anyone is up into the wee hours of these next few nights (Rachel and Dave, here's your insomnia shout out), maybe we can get a late night, texting, group I-spy game of glory going ... or something ... just spitballing. 

(I went to add a song for you guys to listen to, and Grooveshark.com seems to be having some technical issues...as in it's not working. So you will have to look this one up on your own if you want to hear it. Anywho. Flagpole Sitta, by Harvey Danger. Because once you start loosing sleep your mind starts to slip a little. If you don't believe me ask Stuart. He missed like 6.5 nights or some madness like that. He'll tell ya.)

Short. Long. Introductions. And pants.

Note: These pants would most definitely not be
 allowed onto BYU-I campus. Just sayin.

This week I grew as a person. I think most weeks I grow, but this week I think I really came into my own.

I wore a pair of Cassie's pants to the second day of class. You know what that means? That means I'm actually in fairly good shape. Go me.

I also stood in front of a college class and taught for a few minutes. Not terribly advanced, but huge for someone who completely fears the idea of even standing up to go to the bathroom in the middle of class.

Not only that, but I got organized. And I declared myself competent to do whatever it is I want to do. And right now, that might just be Grad school. Ya know what I've realized I'm good at? Being a student. I kinda love learning. Call me crazy.

I introduced myself to one of my classes by bringing in a few things that described me. Here's how that went. Just because I love talking about myself oh so much, I figure I'll sum up for you.

A Seattle snow globe:
Turns out being raised in the Pacific NW has actually shaped the type of person I am now (a closet hippy).

A letter:
Did you know that I love writing letters?! Of course you did. But honestly, I think it's a big part of who I am. If you want a pen pal, hit me up.

A polaroid of Hebgen Lake:
Hebgen is part of my soul. I am one with nature. It heals me, and it helps me conquer any trials I may experience.

My book ring:
I love books! I love rings! I love my sister, who gave it to me!

My hen napkin holder:
I have little nicknacks all over my room. And I do mean all over. They're everywhere!! This hen is one of them. It represents my love for animals and my vegetarianism. I fight for the cause in my own little way.

My cell phone:
You all know I always have my phone out. I try so hard to keep in touch with everyone. Although I have come to realize I am terrible at it. I also love being connected. I have the world in my hand, and I'm good at navigating it.


Well, there you have it. Now you know me.

Today I leave for Virginia. Cute photos of my children to follow.

Snap back to reality, oh there goes gravity.

(Listen to "Lose Yourself" by Eminem whilst reading this week. That is if you so choose. I know some of you say no no no when it comes to Eminem. Don't fret -- it's edited. -------> )

Ask me what I've been doing with my life for the past three weeks. Go 'head, ask me. I'm waiting for you to ask. If you don't ask then this entire blog post is a waste. In fact I won't even write it -- nay I won't even think it! IF YOU DON'T AS - ok, thanks for asking!    For the past three weeks I have been ON VACATION! And it's the best kind of vacation too. The kind where I'm not stressed with traveling on an airplane, then running around touristing a city, and then sleeping for like five hours total during a one week period, and then flying home just in time for school and work to start up in less than 24 hours. This is the kind of vacation where I go home, home to my "parents" house. I sleep in my old bed. I watch endless movies. I do family activities. I dance a lot in front of the Kinect. I take my dog on walks whenever I feel so inclined. And then I snuggle with that same dog always. I have been disconnected from all reality (which sadly includes all my friends), and haven't even had to think about working. Spoiled is what some people I know like to call me, but ya know what? I worked my dang tushy off this last semester, so I firmly believe I deserve some good old fashioned pampering. Ok. It's kinda boring to just keep writing about all the nothing I did -- not to mention how much more boring it must be to  read about it. So, let's move on, shall we?

Now that my three weeks of bliss are coming to a close it is time yet again to strap on my rocket skates and fly at light-speed through my next three.five months of madness knows as life. This semester is going to be a little bit different than those I have already experienced however. Let me tell you why, won't you? First: I have a job I LOVE. This hasn't really happened for awhile. Sure I like Archiver's, but eventually I got to the point where it wore me out so much emotionally and physically that I just couldn't even handle it on top of school anymore. Anyways, back to the present. I sometimes hate getting up early to drive to some school that takes all I have to navigate to, with fingers crossed that the teacher actually left me a usable lesson plan, and the thought of the bratty kids I'll have to entertain for 7 hours. But once I'm at the school and the kids come rolling in I realize how freaking much I love being with them! I can't get over how much fun we have, and how amazing it is to get them to learn new things. And I never thought I would say this but (as far as subbing is concerned) I really love teaching elementary kids. They crack me up. So, there's the first reason, a no stress job. Second: I am only taking 12 credit hours this semester. Usually I take anywhere from 14-17. 12 seems glorious. Plus 3 of those 12 are online, so no sitting through 3 hour ed classes this term. Third: I am taking classes that are concluding my education as a teacher. I am in the nitty gritty, so to speak, and there's no more fluff. It's all learning how to teach and what to teach. And I love getting to pretend like I'm a teacher while I working on my endless assignments that honestly are completely stupid and that I hate. Fourth: This is my last semester in classes. Next semester I am a student teacher. Then I graduate. Holy adult world batman. I am close!

So, here's to the new semester. To substituting and meeting cute kids across Utah County. To learning lessons about what it means to be a great teacher. To working hard and accomplishing great grades. To never missing a chance to succeed. To stepping up and never quitting. This is what I want more than anything, so it's time to get back to work and accomplish it.

You like how I just peptalked myself in the form of a blog post? Yeah, me too. Aight kids. I'm off to accomplish thing. Oh wait. Not really. After all I still am on vacation. I can't be expected to do too much with my time. Thanks for reading! I hope all you who started school this week are doing okay!!