Love Those Kids

I really, truly love my students at American Fork HS, even if they drive me totally crazy most days. Lately, they have been very interested in my love life and in particular, trying to get me to go out with another single teacher at AFHS. They have been talking him up a lot and trying to get ME to make a move. Yeah right.

Yesterday morning I was sitting in front of the class going over vocabulary when a young man poked his head into my classroom, I looked over and a few of my students started yelling and clapping. I said, "Can I help you?" and he said, "My students told me I needed to come visit your class". Yep, then it all clicked.

I yelled (literally), "Oh my gosh, are you Mr. Salcido?!?" and we all started screaming with laughter. It was SO funny!  I couldn't compose myself for 5 minutes or so and in that time, he had high tailed it out of there.  When all the laughing stopped and the redness drained from my face, I realized that I had yelled at this poor man and that's all he knew of me.  (And I looked totally gross yesterday, of all days!)

My students are experts at manipulating me and yesterday was no exception.  My lovely student, McKenna, suggested a class field trip to his classroom to apologize because I felt so badly.  I resisted for about 3 minutes and then we were off.  I warned them that if they were bad in the hallway we would turn around immediately and they wouldn't get to see this go down.

We got to his classroom (luckily he had a prep period!) and I went in and said, "I just wanted to apologize for yelling at you".  He laughed and was very gracious about the whole thing.  While that was happening, the door closed behind me.  I turned around and saw my wonderful students giving me the thumbs up and pointing at me and him.  I love/hate them so much!  I opened the door and as we started to leave one of my other students, Brian, called out to Mr. Salcido and said, "Get her number"!  Yikes.

I really need a reality show, what more do I need to do to prove this?!?

The Results Are In!

The people have spoken and have decided my future for life after graduation.  The results are:

Take 6 months off to travel - 22 votes

Spoil some lucky boy rotten - 16 votes

Move to the East coast - 13 votes

Stay in Utah, move to SLC - 6 votes

Looks like I'll be spending some of my hard earned cash by seeing the world!  Thanks for the help!  I really like the poll thing so please take the time to vote on my new ones.  Have a great weekend!

Currently Watching...

...101 More Things Removed From the Human Body

It's wonderful.

Agreed.

It's a Date

Ladies, let's plan a date for next Friday night.  Let me know if you want to go see it, everyone is welcome!  We could grab dinner before it and then on to the main event!  I can buy tickets online early next week so we have guaranteed seats....just be sure to let me know!

So Sad

I am odd. This is a fact. Everyday I look at jewelry on Craigslist, particularly wedding rings. I do this not because I'm looking to buy my own wedding ring, but because I love how sometimes people include awesome/awful stories. Often times it's just a simple, "She said NO!" but today I came across this one....

"guy meets girl, girl talks guy into buying ring, girl cheats on guy, guy has ring and no girl. :( 

Really this is a killer deal!! :) Retail, this ring goes for 6,670.00. Never been worn, and am willing to take a hit on what I got it for. I Have all its papers. You can contact me by either through e-mail or my cell"   

So sad, but it keeps me entertained and it's a great distraction when I'm sick of studying or grading papers.  Thanks Craigslist!!!  

(PS - that's the actual ring, gross)

"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest."

- Mark Twain

Confession time - I am a really skilled liar. I don't think that is something to be proud of, it's apparently just a talent I have honed over the years. Since school started last semester I have been trying to be truthful and just in all situations. I am ashamed to admit, it is tougher than I expected. Oddly enough, I am always tempted to tell a little white lie or fib if you will, just because I can and it's so easy. 

I'm not fishing for compliments or anything, I just want you all to know, I'm trying to do like the quote says and "always do right". Are you astonished?!?

Thanks for making it easier for me to do right.  I think having incredible people in my life keep me honest more than my own will power.  You are great and you are special, never forget that!

I Love Judy

I wanted to be Judy Jetson when I was little. She's petite, has rockin' hair, all the boys loved her and they had a maid, Rosie, who would clean and could produce delicious looking food at the touch of a button.  I need.

Stay in Utah?

I read an article online today about the top 10 cities to live in for continued salary increases and job security.  Check it out!

#7  Provo-Orem, UT - pop. 210,670 - 9.7% avg. salary increase

Benefiting from the innovative brain-power of Brigham-Young University, the information service industry in this city has been fueling rapid growth over the last five years. Business investment in the tech sector remains strong, which should help Provo-Orem ride out the, slowdown in good form.

#9  Salt Lake City, UT - pop 180,651 - 9.2% avg. salary increase
Like Raleigh, Salt Lake City boasts great tech and government jobs. In addition, health care (Intermountain Health Care) and education (University of Utah) add extra spark to SLC's economic fire. Based on this, expectations are high that wage growth will remain comparatively strong.

Read the whole article here

Ice Skating

I am not an ice skater, in fact, I think I hate it. This is how I look while being social on two slim blades, perched precariously on a sheet of ice.  It's terrifying when you don't have insurance and your finances depend on having unbroken wrists!

I had fun with lovely Maria and Eliza but I only made it around the rink twice.  I may have made it around a few more time but I kept running into people I know, so I used my popularity to avoid any further possibility of being an ice casualty.

Stolen Tag

I stole this from Jerilyn, it's 25 things about ME.  I'm an open book so I'm sure that this is nothing new for any of you!

1.  I own 56 pairs of shoes but I probably only wear 42 of them regularly.  (I counted)

2. All the professions I have wanted to be since I was little: an actress, a caterer, a chemist, a mom, a pathologist, a lobbyist and an interpreter.

3. Several of my friends ex-boyfriends have been scared of me...and rightly so, I will cut them if I ever run into them!

4. I have never, ever dyed my hair.  I love my natural color but I'm thinking I want to dye it black.

5. I almost got my butt kicked when I was in 8th grade during gym class by a big, scary girl.

6. I want to be on "What Not to Wear" or "Extreme Makeover" but I know I'm not tragic enough to be on either.  I guess that's a good thing?

7. I want the library from "Beauty and the Beast", and the time to read all the books.  (and her pretty yellow dress!)

8.  I hate camping and hiking but I like most other outdoor activities.

9.  One day my senior year in high school I left school after lunch to go tanning at the beach (growing up in San Diego has it's perks).  I was in a bikini (don't you judge me!) and I had untied my straps to avoid tan lines.  While laying there I was startled when a little doggie ran over my belly, causing me to jump up and flash several people sitting close by.  Luckily(?), it was only families and not drunk college guys.  Poor, unfortunate families.

10. I love, love, love, love, love movies and people that will watch them with me.

11.  Check out my uneven shoulders the next time you see me, I have scoliosis!  Most people don't notice unless I point it out and they're really shocked when they see how uneven they really are.

12.  The Geico cavemen commercials creep me out.  I hate them.

13.  I'm far too sassy for most of the boys around here.

14.  I keyed a car a few years ago.  I was dating a guy, not seriously but we saw each other several times a week.  He called me one day to go over to his house and he let me know that he had proposed to another girl he was dating.  I keyed his truck on my way out.  It was only about three inches long and I doubt he ever noticed and it didn't really make me feel better, but I think it's pretty funny now.

15.  I don't have a middle name and I have always wanted one!

16.  One of my biggest pet peeves is when you're waiting in a line and someone in front of you doesn't move up when people in front of them move forward, creating big gaps in the line.  Does that make sense?  It drives me nuts!

17.  I really want to be a good singer.

18.  The last few guys I have dated have been emotionally immature.

19.  I want you to like me, but if you don't, I know it's your problem, not mine.

20.  In 7th grade I read "Gone with the Wind" over the two week Christmas break.  It's over 600 pages with tiny print.  I'm a total nerd but I would absolutely do it again!

21.  For many years I have hated peanut butter but lately I have been teaching myself to tolerate it.  I can only eat it on toast and it has to be chunky.  Definitely no chocolate/PB combination.

22.  If possible I would eat out everyday for every meal.  I LOVE going to restaurants!

23.  I'm a sucker for boys who are good dressers and know how to dress themselves.

24.  My favorite flowers are tulips and daffodils.

25.  Bad grammar and spelling get under my skin more than anything.  I really hate it when people say stuff like, "my husband and I's first date".  It is grammatically impossible to say "I's" but people still do!  If you do this, please know that I am very disappointed.

I tag any and everyone!  I love learning these hidden facts about my friends!

Love is in the Air

At lunch today Eliza and I were talking about a boy she's kind of dating and she said, "He's my favorite thing to look at".  TOO cute!!!  

Also, two of my roommates are this close to getting engaged, another can't keep the names of all the boys she dates straight and I went on an awesome date with a super cute guy last night.  Love is in the air?  I think so!

This One is PG-13

Another awesome picture from Failblog.org. Any time I actually laugh out loud I feel that I have to share. Pretty gross, sorry!!!

Monday Nights

We do this.

Then we do this.

When I say we, this is who I mean.

I actually can't wait for bathing suit season this year.  

I'm a Koi...

"Interestingly, koi, when put in a fish bowl, will only grow

up to three inches. When this same fish is placed in a large

tank, it will grow to about nine inches long. In a pond koi

can reach lengths of eighteen inches. Amazingly, when placed

in a lake, koi can grow to three feet long. The metaphor is

obvious. You are limited by how you see the world."

-- Vince Poscente

....and I see the world open to me!

A+ Attitude

I feel how this kid must be feeling. I feel great! There is nothing better than finally getting something off your chest that has been weighing you down. In my case, on Sunday I finally did just that and I am happier and more content with life than I have been for many, many months. The outcome of my actions remains to be seen but I'm guessing I've just chased someone who was very important to me out of my life for good. 

That can be a sad thing, but it's a trade-off. I empowered myself and finally walked the walk and didn't just talk the talk. Make sense? The only thing I'm sad about is the wasted potential, but what are you going to do? We can't change each other's agency so we just have to do everything in our power to be as honest and communicative as possible.

Gold star for me!

"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is

trying to please everybody."

-- Bill Cosby

Inauguration Day

Today is a historic day, no matter your personal political views, it is a truly historic day. I have the inauguration on as I try to soothe my aching tummy and I can't help but be overwhelmed at the enormity of today.

Love him or hate him, the United States of America has a new President. He and I do not share many of the same political views, but I support him. The American people had the opportunity to vote and decide the next person to fill the position of President and they chose him. I support our government and our rights as citizens to be a part of the democratic process.

I never have and never will vote based on the color of someone's skin, and I struggled with that issue throughout all the campaigning. I think President Obama is very aware of the enormous task he has in front of him and the weight of being a role model to current and future minorities in America.  I will remember him in my prayers because I truly do pray that he will do a good job and help turn this country around.

I hope more than anything that he is safe.  It would be an absolute tragedy if he is killed in office.  Racism is not dead in America, electing a non-White President does not signify a victory in the fight against racism.  There is still a lot of work to do and I hope that we will all be more mindful in that pursuit.

God Bless America

Happy Birthday!

These gorgeous ladies are celebrating their birthdays today!  They are roommates and are lucky enough to share a birthday, same day and same year.  (Don't worry girls, I won't tell your true age!)  Please wish my dear friends, Eliza and Sariah, a very happy birthday, they are wonderful people and I am blessed to be able to associate with them.  They teach me valuable lessons every time I am able to be around them.  Thanks for being amazing friends and I hope you have a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

xoxo

Rachel

Your Song

What song or part of a song defines who you are right now?  Mine is hopefully becoming:

You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen

Dancing Queen, feel the beat from the tambourine

You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life!

See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the Dancing Queen!

What's yours?!?!?  Leave it in the comments and have a great week!

The Plan

I was recently told that I'm the coolest girl this certain person had ever met. That's a nice compliment, I accept, thank you. BUT, still not good enough to date. So it's game plan time. I love game plans.

I got to thinking, if I am the coolest and am still only someone's Plan B, do a lot of guys think I'd be someone they could "settle" for? Is Rachel the ultimate back-up plan? I doubt it, but I started re-examining my life. Here is what I've come up with:

Career: on track, good things happening
Personality: sparkling, the coolest, A+
Spirituality: better and better everyday, I'm making plans to go through the Temple soon
Monetary: doing well, I'm a saver who dresses like she's in debt
Emotional: stronger from my recent experience, I'll never be a doormat ever again
School: graduating soon and thinking about doing more
Intellect: I dare you to try to beat me at Jeopardy or Trivia Pursuit. I dare you.
Physical: I'm not heinous to look at (I'm kind of a cute girl) and I have a decent figure, but I could stand to lose a few pounds....which leads me to.....

Kat and I went to the Orem Rec Center today and we have set up a plan, in fact a LGN plan. I suppose I'm more the one with the LGN (look good naked) plan but Kat is my moral support!  We will be doing yoga and running several times a week. I figure with this in effect, I'll be everyone's Plan A! If you have any suggestions of anything else I can do to be the best, let me know. It's self improvement time!  

No Title

I think I will be taking a blogging sabbatical.

Last week a friend saw right through me when I answered, "I'm fine" to the question, "How are you?"

I'm not good, I'm not in a happy place and I can't pretend anymore.

All I have to say is....when is is going to be my turn? 

Kat knows what I mean and I don't intend to let anyone else know. Just know that I need a break and I'm sure I'll be fine. This is not a cry for help, this is just an FYI. Check back in a week for more posts. Until then, please keep voting on my poll and just hug me when I see you.

Finally.....

...the story of my life on the big screen.  Coming February 6th.  I better get paid residuals.

I'm a Fat Boy

This little treat can solve all of life's troubles.

I know....I had one today!

Make it Good

Each person must rise or fall with the challenges of his or her life. How we respond to them helps us become what, at last, we are going to be. It is up to us not only to make a good day but a good life.   - Elaine Cannon

My "Personality"

Ok, who doesn't LOVE personality tests?  We all do, admit it.  The dumb/funny thing is that they tell us what we already know about ourselves...I think the fun comes from the accuracy in them.  I took a couple today (I'm busy avoiding other things I should be doing).  Here's my results....(with my commentary added)....

Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator

ENTP

Extraverted iNtuitive Thinking Perceiving

-ENTPs are frequently described as clever, cerebrally and verbally quick, enthusiastic, outgoing, innovative, and resourceful. (I totally agree)

-ENTPs are motivated by a desire to understand and improve the world they live in. (True)

-They are usually accurate in sizing up a situation. (Yes, except for boys)

-They may have a perverse sense of humor (definitely) and sometimes play devil's advocate, which can create misunderstandings with friends, coworkers, and family. (all too often)

-ENTPs are ingenious and adept at directing relationships between means and ends. (I think this is true...Kat, is it?)

-ENTPs 'think outside the box,' devising fresh, unexpected solutions to difficult problems.(absolutely) However, they are less interested in generating and following through with detailed plans than in generating ideas and possibilities. (unfortunately also true)

-ENTPs are quick to see complex interrelationships between people, things, and ideas. (I have a talent with this) These interrelationships are analyzed in profound detail. (Oh my gosh, YES) The result is an in-depth understanding of the way things and relationships work, and how they can be improved. (I try)

Best College Majors 

1. Law 

(have definitely considered it, sometimes still do)

2. Political Science 

(my original college major)

3. Communication 

(seems like a natural fit)

Do You Trust Me?

For me, trust is the biggest part of every relationship. It can be a romantic relationship, one with family or even friends. The same rule applies to all of them. I have been burned by many people throughout life and I don't think that I'm different than anyone else because we all suffer betrayals and heartache at the hands of friends and lovers. (Yes! I finally said "lovers" on my blog!) I chose the picture from Aladdin because twice he asks her, "Do you trust me?" and with that, she is able to find out his true identity, leading to true love, marriage and several awful straight-to-DVD sequels.

My personality is one that is very forgiving, often times too forgiving because I get hurt time and time again. With good friends, family and the boys I date, I am very quick to forgive. Friends and family will see the hurt they have caused, mend it and the trust is restored to it's original brilliance. The boys I date have seen the hurt they have caused and may try to mend it, will often creep back in my life, I will forgive them and the trust is somewhat restored. Here's the problem. With those boys I am quick to forgive but the trust is damaged. I don't like the feeling of not having complete 100% trust in someone. It's unsettling.  I can't act like myself when that's the case, I am very guarded because the trust isn't there. Anyone who knows me knows that I need to be free to be me and I am definitely not one of those guarded personality types. Unless the trust is not there. That leads to more confusion because the guy thinks now I'm not interested or not interesting because I'm acting different and ta da! - Rachel gets dumped again! (It has happened more than once, I assure you)

So, my predicament...where can I find a guy who is going to be vulnerable and open with me and let me be free to be me?

Maria

This is Maria, my youngest sister. She now lives here in Orem and I am delighted about it! She started UVU on Wednesday and I am happy to announce she will be doing Deaf Studies in hopes of becoming an interpreter (yes!!!!). She is a great example to me, even though I am 8 years older than her.

This morning she went to the Timpanogos temple to do baptisms and on the way home her car broke down on the freeway. She made it to a gas station and after a few minutes a fireman came in and helped her out a bit. When she and I talked about it, she didn't focus on what a bummer and a hassle it is to have your car break down. Instead she commented on what a blessing that fireman was. It is a great lesson for me, to see the positive in every situation and not just focusing on the negative.  She is such a good girl and I know that her coming down here is going to be more beneficial for me than I could ever be for her.

Thank You Internet

Amazing, absolutely amazing.

"You were born an original. Don't die a copy."

-- John Mason

Stuff and More Stuff

I feel like lately people have been making a big deal about how much "stuff" I have. Yes, I have collected a fair amount of material possessions in the many years I have lived away from home.

I don't care about any of it. Not one bit.

Sometimes I sit in my room and look at my stuff and I realize that money and "things" definitely don't buy happiness. I didn't grow up in the lap of luxury and I always hated hearing "money doesn't buy happiness". It made me mad! As a dorky, poor middle schooler I wanted more than anything to have cool clothes, not hand-me-downs or stuff from Goodwill.

Now that I'm in a more comfortable position with my finances, I completely understand the meaning of the phrase. I would trade it all - my closet full of clothes, my furniture, everything - to have what I truly want.  Relationships with people matter.  A shirt will never make me as happy as my family and friends.

 

I'm happy being me and I know that my things don't define me, except to reflect what a hard worker I am.  Get to know me, don't only see my stuff and judge me based on your perception.  

Get to know Rachel.

Favorite Poem

i carry your heart with me
(i carry it in my heart)
i am never without it
(anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)
I fear no fate
(for you are my fate, my sweet)
i want no world
(for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)
-e.e. cummings

Cute Cru

I had the opportunity to hang out with this awesome little guy and his mom today. This is Cru Archer, the son of my friends Joby and Julie Archer, he is an absolute delight!

He is also quite the gas bag!  It was too fun, I can't wait until he's here permanently!  (Oh yeah, and Julie and Joby too I suppose)

You Fail

The lovely McCall and Stephe Cannon introduced me to failblog.org...it is hilarious! People submit pictures, videos and publications that, in their words, "fail". It can get kinda dirty but at the top of the home page it lets you only look at G rated pictures and movies. Here's one of my favorite fails

Check it out for yourself! I'll be sure to post more from time to time. Have a great day!

Welcome 2009...

....you're gonna ROCK!