What happens in Vegas

If one has a blog, I suppose one should use it.  

This post is going to include the 2 things I have learned this week.  

1.  Chocolate is a strong motivator.  I had a student slip out before the bell.  I hate that.  Don't do it.  That is what I told them.  So then I emailed his mother.  I happen to relate well to her and her family, and she replied that he will do whatever it takes to apologize.  

The next day he looked properly chastized and very ashamed and said, "Miss Helm, I'm sorry, what can I do to make it up to you?"  I being the proper teacher, said "Student,  bring me chocolate and all is well." 

 He looked at me, "what?"    I said, "You heard me," and continued tuning.  

Here is what I got for my troubles.  I think he is forgiven.  He told he his mom said he had to tie the bow.

 2.  Students do stupid things even though you tell them a million times.  I always tell them to keep their cases closed when not using them.  She dropped her bow, endpin first and this is where it landed.  I don't feel too bad because its a white $69.00 violin from Amazon I can't tune.  Does that make me a bad teacher?



Two weeks ago, I had the best company!  I haven't seen my nephew in two years and I like that he and his sister can come and visit!!

She came because there was a very large music festival. He came because he is awesome!  We didn't make it in time to see the band I wanted to, but oh well it still was fun.  This particular band, according to my nephew, is the epitome of teenybopper angst music.  He was right, but I still enjoyed myself.  I give them a little slack because one member is from New Zealand.  I think that is a valid reason.  I think I wished a little that I was younger and knew all these things, but oh well.  

 She is having so much fun!

Afterwards we went exploring.  I hadn't been to the Linq so we went.  

I told her she needed to pose because there was a fountain!

I think she looks super great in this picture.  Probably because she can be taller in the frame.  Everyone needs a touristy picture.  I like the guy waving or fist pumping in the background.

 My attempt.  I don't think it is even very profile picture worthy but oh well.

 We explored the Flamingo casino.  It was actually pretty fun!  I wouldn't mind going again.

 

 We found ducks.  And the Koi were humungaginormous!  I really have never seen them that big.  I used to think I would want a pond with Koi.  Nevermind.

 I took a picture just at the right moment.

 Of course after this we went to the Bellagio.  I had loved their display of kites and things that they had the previous week and so I was very excited, but they had changed it!!! I was so sad!  But this one was beautiful too.

Third time's a charm.

 I liked the bears! They were so cute but this picture has a very awkward angle.  Oh well.  I thought they were awesome!

I don't have any pictures of us by the fountains or with our gelato which in my opinion was the best part.  We just chatted with our gelato and passed our cups of delicious goodness around to each other  for tasting, which we just do naturally.  Family habits don't die I guess. We talked about how our family is super weird and very cool. We talked a long time.  It was the best!  

The highlights: in what other family would there have to be a rule no singing at the table?  Right?!?  We talked about our absolute favorite moments of our parents, family reunions, nicknames.  Me not having aunt in front of my name with them, the strange things our family members do.  I learned new things about my sister and brother-in-law from their children :)  They learned new things about their grandparents.  Sorry, you won't get to read any of those things here.  I don't think anyone will tell you either.  What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas don'tcha know.  

Well...

 I don't know if anyone reads this blog anymore, but I felt the need to post.  Sometimes, it is hard to write things that you think are interesting but no one else may care about.  So if you are still reading this blog, great!  I think I might start using it more now, now that I have a grown up job that might be slightly more interesting for people to read. College, stuff..who cares?  And maybe I will use it as therapy when days get hard...like today.  Hard days are gross.

Well, (as this post is aptly named)  it's been a year.  I had been in Arizona for a year and had plans to stay there.  It's a hopping place.  Dancing, single people, and quite the social scene, and very Mormon.   Many great things and sad things happened to me there there.  The most important being, I got a degree! Then a job, well technically two jobs.
I miss Arizona.  A LOT! So, now you get to read all about how cool it is there!

  I miss picking oranges and REAL orange juice... and I miss fresh goat cheese and baby goats!

These were in the backyard.  Sometimes I play in a pit and get paid :). I cant get the video to work..sorry!

 And baseball games...and my uber cool friends!  I think this is what I miss the most.

 Sometimes I miss my desk, but I get over that one quickly...

So after a few months I couldn't handle doing nothing but applications! Stir crazy!  That gets old really quickly.
So I found a friend and got a new job as a human resources assistant.  I absolutely loved the people I worked with.  They seriously were the best.  I did however bribe them with chocolate so they would like me :)  Being behind a desk after student teaching eventually makes you go crazy too.

  I took care of the insurance stuff and helped Alison my awesome coworker with other things.  I don't have a picture of her, but she is super cool and has red hair like me, which made work fun and very entertaining (so I hear).  People didn't know who I was so Randy made me a sign.  Thanks Randy! This is Randy...he tells the best stories and we always get lots done.

 I miss my Tongan ladies and their ice cream. Basically I miss all my roommates.  I wish I had a picture of all of them.  

I miss my best friend Ashley. 

 ARIZONA IS STUNNING!

We very seriously took a million pictures of ourselves, and no we are not vain.   These other ones are much better....

I won a wheelchair race...shocking.  

Went to a wedding

 Had to make a checklist where to move, because I was not doing what I wanted to in AZ and filled out 24 applications and had 8 interviews with 2 job offers.  I hit a milestone number with the car...well...close

Sold it and got a new one....yay!  Picked up moved to Nevada and found a drawerful of music... Before..

And I miss kayaking.  Mostly just the water...I admit.  





Well, I know this post was super long and you are tired of reading about how great Arizona.  I guess I feel I owe that place a little.  I found myself again there, and found myself with new interests.  On the flip side, having a job in your degree area is a good thing.  Moving was necessary I am learning. I think I wouldn't be as on top of my grading if I was in AZ because I know people there and would rather play with them then do grading.  Have I mentioned I don't really like grading?

Teaching is hard, but in a totally different way than I expected.  I sure have a lot of up days and down days, days I love my students and days I want to squish their little heads.  Today was a squish their heads, but I think I will make it the week.  Sometimes I give my students good vibes and tell them I do like them, but only because they give me stuff.    That right there is chocolate...payment for leaving before the bell.  A good days work!

Its Happening...

   
    No, I am not counting down days at all. Not me.  But if you really are dying to know, I have 5 weeks of college left!!!  Not just 5 weeks, but 5 weeks and 4 days, and as of right now 6 hours.  Actually, I made up that last part.
     The only scary part about this is packing up my room.  I like my stuff, but it won't all fit into a place for 3 months.
     I heard this really good joke, that I also want to share.  What is the hardest part of a vegetable to eat??  Guess!  Actually,  you will have to scroll to the bottom of this post.  I can't tell you right away, because I might be looked down upon... more than usual.


Here are some more funny things I was thinking about...

1.  Is there another word for synonym?
2. What is the probability that something will happen according to the odds?
3.  When companies ship Styrofoam, what do they pack it in?
4.  Life is hard compared to what?
5.  Why isn't there mouse flavored cat food?
6.  Is it possible to be totally partial?
7.  Would a fly without wings be called a walk?
8.  Is there another word for thesaurus?
9.  If stupidity can get you into a mess, then why can't it get you out?
10.  If a cluttered desk is characterisitic of a cluttered mind, what does an empty desk mean?
12.  Why are they called buildings, when they are already finished?  Shouldn't they be called builts?
13.  Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?


As for the joke:   The answer is  The wheelchair...obviously.


Here is a video of me skiing.  Yep that's me, and my professor is filming.  And, the girl that you see skiing down is my friend Kenzie.

I feel like this was faster than it looks.  Maybe next time I can ask if we can go faster...

Next week...kayaking.  

After I finish all my homework, of course.  

Pictures For your Viewing Enjoyment

My Life...

actually this was last semester, but I don't think anyone really minds.

.
Right now I am not working on the Mandolin right now, but instead this awesome gift I got from my sister Melanie.  Gifts= lots and lots of lub, in my world.  She says I have to learn to be proficient, like this guy... maybe not that good....

I also went to california and found my two dream cars!

 A very very very long car ride wouldn't be complete without cheezit scrabble.  And the sad face is because I didn't fit in the phone booth.

And I discovered I love roller coasters A LOT!! (I might have ridden it 6 times in a row)

.

Go GC!

Can I just say I love General Conferance? I have found the perfect analogy. General Conferance, is like Red Bull. It gives you wings.

I always try and look for themes and such when I listen. I think the big topic was service and reactivation. Basically, we need to get off our bums and go to work. Too bad I have a lazy bum!

What I find so hard about General Conferance is, I feel like yeah lets go! We love our prophets! The Church is true! Jesus Lives! Amen! (hey thats my middle name) But I still don't do anything about it...*sigh*... maybe next time.

Favorite moments:

The kid who stood up and smiled at the camera on accident. I laughed a lot.

"Occasionally discouragement may darken our pathway; frustration may be a constant companion.. “Be not weary in well-doing. … Out of small things proceedeth that which is great.” President Thomas S. Monson (I was waiting for the small helm moment here but...alas...)

“It seems to me that you are so concentrated on finding the nuggets that you overlook the many precious simple flecks that you have here" - M. Russell Ballard

"In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of greater importance. Let us open our eyes and see the heavy hearts, notice the loneliness and despair; let us feel the silent prayers of others around us; and let us be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to answer those prayers." ~Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"In fact, I bet there are some out there right now texting 'Pres. Uchtdorf has been talking for 10 minutes now, and still no aviation analogy ...'"

Preach the gospel at all time, and if necessary, use words. -St. Francis

I know there was more...but go ahead, comment, share your ideas of the themes or quotes or something. Comments equal love dontcha know.