Bad Dreams

Ever had the dream where you can't remember your locker combination? I constantly had this dream growing up, but not only could I not remember the combination, sometimes I couldn't even remember where my locker was, and then once i found it, something else would go wrong, like forgetting my schedule, where to find my classroom, etc. Of course, these were just dreams. Well here I am again, but this time as an adult, watching it happen in real life. I have already been a hero to five students and it's only the second week of school. I'll see them with a look of panic, spinning the dial on the locker, and then they proceed to kick it when it doesn't open. They might try this a few times and then start to hopelessly walk away as the bell rings and the hallways empty. And thats where I come in, "do you need help?" They turn around with near tears in their eyes and mumble yes. So they tell me the combo and Ta Da, I open it :0 Gratefully they scramble to get what they need and mumble thanks and they are on their way. Fortunately I have mastered the art of opening locks, but I am wondering, why doesn't anybody bother to tell middle schoolers that you need to turn the dial past the middle digit once before you go onto the third digit? It would honestly cause a lot less stress for these kids, but until then, I don't mind being the hero. Besides it gives me a good chance to interact with some students without behavior problems :)

My "Classroom"

Like most work computers, all personal email and other websites that might keep you entertained throughout the day(ie facebook) are blocked. However I am still able to get onto our blog :) My first week at the middle school has been somewhat slow. Luckily we don't have many kids assigned to in school suspension yet, which leaves me with a lil downtime. Obviously the ISS room is not suppose to be a fun place, but I still don't think it needs to look like a prison. I found some motivational posters in the office and but them up around the room.

Since my phone can do amazing things, like take pictures and send them to my work email, I am posting a few here for the sake of something to do this morning :)

Spokane Temple

The first few days we were here we drove out to take a peek at the temple in Spokane Valley which is not too far from our home. It's hidden, not like many of the temples in Utah which are on hills, but I like how its tucked away in the lil valley amongst many trees. This weekend we went with our ward to do a session, it was beautiful, small, but unique in its own way. We are glad to still have a temple so close!

The Breakfast of Champions

No, not wheaties, Franks Diner. When we were scoping out Spokane back in May, considering whether or not Gonzaga was the school for us, we stopped in at Franks Diner late one evening. I hate trying to find places to eat away from home. I'm one of those people that goes to the same places and orders the same thing everytime. I figure why pay for something you may not like? Anyhow, we enjoyed our dining experience at Franks Diner and when we decided we were headed to live in Spokane a few months later we planned on going back to Franks Diner to try the breakfast. Apparently it has been voted Spokane's best breakfast 10 out of the past 11 years! So this morning we finally headed back for breakfast. It was great, but more than the food, i just like the idea that I am on a train! I have always loved trains. It is just a railway car now, but it once was owned by the Northern Pacific Railroad and served as private car for the president of the railroad. I would have taken more pictures but it was so crowded this morning and Ben wouldn't let me, he was embarrassed for some reason :)

JOBS

We are now the proud owners of JOBS. Ben landed a job as the Student Supervisor for the Intramural Program at Gonzaga. He won't be working a ton since he's got classes, but he is really looking forward to a great opportunity as his emphasis for his MBA program is sports management. My mom told me to get a whistle for him, but guess what...it comes with the job! As well as some pretty cool shirts. He's not really an official as the shirt portrays, he is in CHARGE of the officials, so he has a shirt just in case he needs to step in at some point. He also gets some cool polo shirts.
As for me, after a long search, one that started long before we even moved out here, I finally found a job doing what I love to do, working with naughty children :) I am the new Behavior Intervention Technician at a middle school in the next town over. It is a new position for the school so I pretty much get to call the shots. I will be in charge of the "in school suspension" and the aspect that intrigues me is that I will get to debrief with the students..."why are you here? what are you going to do so that you won't get sent here again?" etc. So although I'm not technically using my masters degree as in working as a school counselor/social worker, I am pretty close to it and this will be a great experience to help me get through some doors further down the road.
Last but not least...Ben also got a job as an assistant football coach at the same school that I will be at. He LOVES football and is excited to be able to teach kids all that he knows and get payed to do it! So we are being ever so blessed right now and are so grateful to have a sense of security that an income brings. Thanks for all your love and prayers!


Can you tell he's excited?! :)

Come Feed The Fishies!

Check out my cool new gadget on my blog! The Fish follow the cursor and if you click on your mouse it drops some food for them, and they EAT it. So come back and feed my fish whenever you'd like, they are special computer fish and they never die from too much food or other natural causes :)

Go Zags!

Don't ask me why they say go "Zags" when the mascot for Gonzaga is a Bulldog. I guess "Go Zags" just sounds better than "Go Bulldogs!" We caught a Men's soccer game yesterday afternoon. We started thinking Gonzaga's team was amazing but then we came to realize that the other team just sucked, but it was good entertainment anyway. They have a nice field and it was a nice sunny day. Randomly though thunderclouds appeared and lightning struck so they had to wait 30 minutes to play again after spotting the lightning, that is the league rules. So Ben had to get to class but i stayed and watched until it was too much of a bore as Gonzaga was winning by 4. I've also been playing a bit of soccer on my own with some friends from the ward. Its nothing too competitive but its been fun to get out and get some exercise.