Confession: I am extremely out of shape.
Now two commons responses to me saying this are 1. So is 75% of America, why does that matter? or 2. You ran 3 miles this morning. You are not out of shape.
3 miles and I died. See, I am from the great Pacific Northwest. Where it is sea level. And the air is like 90% oxygen (that is obviously exaggerated). And here in the not-as-great city of Provo Utah, the elevation is much much higher, and the air is like 10% oxygen (also exaggerated, cut me some slack).
SO when I go running, I can't breath. My poor lungs are trying as hard as they can to get oxygen, and there just isn't as much of it. They aren't used to it yet! I understand that I will adjust, I did last year just fine. It just takes time to get to that point, and I haven't gotten there yet.
The other way Utah is killing me? The Heat.
Ohmygoodness I am dying. Back home we had a very mild summer. Yes it got hot and I got whiney. But not this hot. I did not grow up in a place where it is this hot and I really hope and pray that after college I never have to live in a place that is this hot. The 95 degree days are killing me and I just need for it to cool down to sweater weather. (this problem is compacted by the fact that I am a cold sleeper, and I am in a top bunk. Heat rises, and I sweat through my blankets.
It was so hot on my run yesterday that I woke up at 6 this morning to go before the sun came up. It was a struggle, but I did get a pretty great view of the mountains, and a nice way to start off the day.
Then I got to climb up the 108 steps to get to class. I sincerely hope that by the end of the year, I am not as winded from those!
Have a great final day of august blogosphere!
-M
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Monday, August 29, 2016
First Day of the Fall Semester 2016
Confession: As much as I love school, I really hate the first day of classes.
It is 2:06 and I am sitting on the slab bench in the Harris Fine Arts Center and I, M, have survived the first day of school.
Finding buildings, meeting new people, not knowing whether to expect a syllabus day or to jump right in, I just don't like it. I am a very schedule oriented person, and when I have yet to figure out schedules and routines, it bothers me.
But hey! I survived the day! Luckily on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I have two of my three classes with my best friend, C. I have a whole nother first day tomorrow, and no best friends built into my classes.
Speaking of C, the reason I am still on campus is because I don't feel like walking home alone, and she has another class until 3. So I am in the HFAC for an hour, which will probably become routine, as I love the HFAC and actually get a lot of homework done in it.
But none today. Because I forgot to stick my wallet in my backpack this morning (but hey I remembered my lunch so small victories) and what I need to do is buy an online textbook and access code for a class.
Access codes another thing I just don't like about school. If you're wondering what I'm talking about and why I don't like them, this article from buzzfeed will enlighten you.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/leticiamiranda/access-codes?utm_term=.xvGjmBrRB#.pvlY6GyxG
I have two textbooks that I can't sell back to the bookstore or to anyone used because I had to use the access code, and I had one that I had to spend $200 at the book store on instead of $20 on amazon because I had to buy the code that I will probably use 4 times this semester. Ugh.
But anyway. It's now 2:19, Mirrors by the one and only JT is pumping through my headphones, I've taught myself how to embed a link into a blog post, and I managed to track down my sister for an obligatory first-day-of-school photo for our mom, so I'm feeling pretty successful in life. Overall, I would count today as a win!
(especially because I get free pizza tonight at a church activity so I don't even have to feed myself tonight)
Until tomorrow,
-M
It is 2:06 and I am sitting on the slab bench in the Harris Fine Arts Center and I, M, have survived the first day of school.
Finding buildings, meeting new people, not knowing whether to expect a syllabus day or to jump right in, I just don't like it. I am a very schedule oriented person, and when I have yet to figure out schedules and routines, it bothers me.
But hey! I survived the day! Luckily on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I have two of my three classes with my best friend, C. I have a whole nother first day tomorrow, and no best friends built into my classes.
Speaking of C, the reason I am still on campus is because I don't feel like walking home alone, and she has another class until 3. So I am in the HFAC for an hour, which will probably become routine, as I love the HFAC and actually get a lot of homework done in it.
But none today. Because I forgot to stick my wallet in my backpack this morning (but hey I remembered my lunch so small victories) and what I need to do is buy an online textbook and access code for a class.
Access codes another thing I just don't like about school. If you're wondering what I'm talking about and why I don't like them, this article from buzzfeed will enlighten you.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/leticiamiranda/access-codes?utm_term=.xvGjmBrRB#.pvlY6GyxG
I have two textbooks that I can't sell back to the bookstore or to anyone used because I had to use the access code, and I had one that I had to spend $200 at the book store on instead of $20 on amazon because I had to buy the code that I will probably use 4 times this semester. Ugh.
But anyway. It's now 2:19, Mirrors by the one and only JT is pumping through my headphones, I've taught myself how to embed a link into a blog post, and I managed to track down my sister for an obligatory first-day-of-school photo for our mom, so I'm feeling pretty successful in life. Overall, I would count today as a win!
(especially because I get free pizza tonight at a church activity so I don't even have to feed myself tonight)
Until tomorrow,
-M
Saturday, August 27, 2016
So Not Ready To Adult
Confession: I am so unprepared and not ready to be an adult
The fridge is half full as we try to figure out how to feed ourselves (hopefully that will come quickly).
But here I am. Moved into a new apartment. With my two best friends and three other random girls (BYU does housing weird. That's a whole other story.) and it's terrifying.
Also very crowded because things still aren't put away.
The kitchen cabinets are full with the other girls stuff, so we have to politely request that half of them get cleared out so that we can put our stuff away.
(This would be my bedroom. Full of 3 girls worth of clothes and shoes)
The kitchen cabinets are full with the other girls stuff, so we have to politely request that half of them get cleared out so that we can put our stuff away.
The fridge is half full as we try to figure out how to feed ourselves (hopefully that will come quickly).
My mom loaded me up with what she thought I would need, and I dropped her off at the airport this morning (no tear this year!)
Now for the fun blog posts to begin, as we learn through failure how to scrape our ways through adult life :)
-M
UPDATE: I officially succeeded at getting sharpie out of new jeans. I have adulted well once, I can do it again.
UPDATE: I officially succeeded at getting sharpie out of new jeans. I have adulted well once, I can do it again.
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Just Set Me Loose In The Mall
Confession: I have a horrible love/hate relationship with shopping.
I love it. I love it more than is healthy and more than my wallet can afford.
But I also really hate it.
Now you may be saying "how can you love it and hate it, those are the two extremes, pick something in the middle." But for me, it is the two extremes.
I love going out and buying clothes, finding new things that flatter me. I love knowing that I am in style, and that I look good when I walk out of the house. I think it's really fun to try on shirt after shirt until I find the right color and the right shape and the right style. And don't even get me started on shoe shopping. I could shop for shoes until the day I died and never get tired of it.
But at the same time, it can be really, really frustrating. As someone who tries to follow strict rules of modesty and keep my body covered, it is nearly impossible to find clothes in the summer season. When it comes to pants, my options are jean or cut offs, and its too hot for jeans and I don't like wearing shorts that short. All I want is a nice pair of capris, but those are darn near impossible to find.
This can be rather stressful, as I go to a school that doesn't allow shorts above the knee. That means that starting in a week, I have one pair of pants that I am going to be relying on for pretty much everyday of the week. That's not good. That is actually very stressful. But I spent all day in the largest mall in my area, and I couldn't find capris in any of the stores that I went into.
Just in general it was a dismal shopping day. I found a few plain basics, but nothing fun. Nothing fashionable or super stylish. Overall, I feel like my closet is kinda bleh (and mostly white, grey and black...) and I just am at a loss of what to do to liven it up without breaking the bank.
Any suggestions? Cause this 19 year old could sure use some advice.
I love it. I love it more than is healthy and more than my wallet can afford.
But I also really hate it.
Now you may be saying "how can you love it and hate it, those are the two extremes, pick something in the middle." But for me, it is the two extremes.
I love going out and buying clothes, finding new things that flatter me. I love knowing that I am in style, and that I look good when I walk out of the house. I think it's really fun to try on shirt after shirt until I find the right color and the right shape and the right style. And don't even get me started on shoe shopping. I could shop for shoes until the day I died and never get tired of it.
But at the same time, it can be really, really frustrating. As someone who tries to follow strict rules of modesty and keep my body covered, it is nearly impossible to find clothes in the summer season. When it comes to pants, my options are jean or cut offs, and its too hot for jeans and I don't like wearing shorts that short. All I want is a nice pair of capris, but those are darn near impossible to find.
This can be rather stressful, as I go to a school that doesn't allow shorts above the knee. That means that starting in a week, I have one pair of pants that I am going to be relying on for pretty much everyday of the week. That's not good. That is actually very stressful. But I spent all day in the largest mall in my area, and I couldn't find capris in any of the stores that I went into.
Just in general it was a dismal shopping day. I found a few plain basics, but nothing fun. Nothing fashionable or super stylish. Overall, I feel like my closet is kinda bleh (and mostly white, grey and black...) and I just am at a loss of what to do to liven it up without breaking the bank.
Any suggestions? Cause this 19 year old could sure use some advice.
(Today's haul ft. my disaster of a room as I start to pack while continuing to work full time)
-M
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Teaching the Teacher
Confession: One of my kids in swim lessons almost drowned yesterday.
Second Confession: This isn't the first time this has happened.
....Now at this point I'm sure you're wondering "why the hell is she still allowed to teach swim lessons?!"
To be fair, I'm not entirely sure. But I think it has to do with that key word almost and the fact that none of them have actually drowned.
But it has made me think. Yes, I am the teacher. But that doesn't mean that the kiddos haven't taught me anything. This summer I have taught approximately 400 swim lessons, to approximately 100 kids, and let me tell you, I think I have learned way more than they have (and before you crack jokes about the fact that no duh, if they're drowning then you haven't taught them to swim, I have had many children successfully learn how to swim partially due to my efforts.)
So what have I learned?
1. Kids do not have the same awareness as adults.
Now before you look at me like I'm an idiot, hear me out. I can be spacey, and not connect dots. But I usually know if my clothing has fallen off. You have no idea how often I have had a little swimmer come over to me missing half or all of their swim suit, to which I then have to search around and figure out where it is and help them put it back on. All while they have no idea it was even missing.
2. Using superheros to teach is always more successful than being boring
3. There are some great parents, and some parents who could use some advice.
There are some awesome parents out there. Super encouraging, very aware, and always looking for ways to build their kids up. They are the ones who ask you for advice, and follow through on it. The ones who help their kids feel empowered even when the lesson might not have gone as well as you hoped. They are the parents that are raising a generation that will overcome problems and lead the world.
And then there are parents that could not care less. Parents who don't ask for your advice, and when you tell them important things, they shrug you off. Parents who yell at their children every class (I understand yelling at kiddos every once in awhile, but every class?). Parents who are teaching their child to be frustrated and impatient rather than understanding and kind.
4. Vaseline saves skin when you're in the pool for hours on end. So as weird as it may be, lube up. (I will never get used to that and it will never sound right.)
5. You never know what is going to come out of a kids mouth.
Even when you know the kid, and you know what they usually say, they can still sometimes shock you.
6. Teaching 4 year olds how to swim is a complete workout. You may as well be wrestling a greased pig.
7. Sometimes you take on a job that you are completely unqualified for, and rise to the challenge.
I ended up teaching lessons because I needed a job, and knew a lifeguard at the pool. I had taught preschool in the past, so I worked with kids before, but I had never seriously swam before. I was never on a swim team, and honestly hadn't really learned technique since I was in lessons myself. However, my boss saw potential, had me shadow a few lessons with her best instructors, and stuck me by myself with 5 6 year-olds in the pool and said "have fun!"And I did! It was scary, but there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a kiddo learn to do something that they thought was really hard. To see my level 3 kids go from scared of the deep head to diving is one of the highlights of my summer.
So, post swimming lesson advice from a barely qualified 19 year old? First off, never turn your back on kids. ever. And second, don't be afraid to try hard things. You never know how much you might learn about yourself.
-M
Second Confession: This isn't the first time this has happened.
....Now at this point I'm sure you're wondering "why the hell is she still allowed to teach swim lessons?!"
To be fair, I'm not entirely sure. But I think it has to do with that key word almost and the fact that none of them have actually drowned.
But it has made me think. Yes, I am the teacher. But that doesn't mean that the kiddos haven't taught me anything. This summer I have taught approximately 400 swim lessons, to approximately 100 kids, and let me tell you, I think I have learned way more than they have (and before you crack jokes about the fact that no duh, if they're drowning then you haven't taught them to swim, I have had many children successfully learn how to swim partially due to my efforts.)
So what have I learned?
1. Kids do not have the same awareness as adults.
Now before you look at me like I'm an idiot, hear me out. I can be spacey, and not connect dots. But I usually know if my clothing has fallen off. You have no idea how often I have had a little swimmer come over to me missing half or all of their swim suit, to which I then have to search around and figure out where it is and help them put it back on. All while they have no idea it was even missing.
2. Using superheros to teach is always more successful than being boring
3. There are some great parents, and some parents who could use some advice.
There are some awesome parents out there. Super encouraging, very aware, and always looking for ways to build their kids up. They are the ones who ask you for advice, and follow through on it. The ones who help their kids feel empowered even when the lesson might not have gone as well as you hoped. They are the parents that are raising a generation that will overcome problems and lead the world.
And then there are parents that could not care less. Parents who don't ask for your advice, and when you tell them important things, they shrug you off. Parents who yell at their children every class (I understand yelling at kiddos every once in awhile, but every class?). Parents who are teaching their child to be frustrated and impatient rather than understanding and kind.
4. Vaseline saves skin when you're in the pool for hours on end. So as weird as it may be, lube up. (I will never get used to that and it will never sound right.)
5. You never know what is going to come out of a kids mouth.
Even when you know the kid, and you know what they usually say, they can still sometimes shock you.
6. Teaching 4 year olds how to swim is a complete workout. You may as well be wrestling a greased pig.
7. Sometimes you take on a job that you are completely unqualified for, and rise to the challenge.
I ended up teaching lessons because I needed a job, and knew a lifeguard at the pool. I had taught preschool in the past, so I worked with kids before, but I had never seriously swam before. I was never on a swim team, and honestly hadn't really learned technique since I was in lessons myself. However, my boss saw potential, had me shadow a few lessons with her best instructors, and stuck me by myself with 5 6 year-olds in the pool and said "have fun!"And I did! It was scary, but there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a kiddo learn to do something that they thought was really hard. To see my level 3 kids go from scared of the deep head to diving is one of the highlights of my summer.
So, post swimming lesson advice from a barely qualified 19 year old? First off, never turn your back on kids. ever. And second, don't be afraid to try hard things. You never know how much you might learn about yourself.
-M
Waiting For School So I Can Relax
Confession: I can not wait to go back to college so that I can relax for once.
....That doesn't seem quite right. Shouldn't summer be the time where you relax, so you can gear up and work hard during school?
But alas. Summer has not been. As the hardworking child I am, I worked between 45 and 55 hours a week this summer. I am dead tired and ready to go back to school just so I can take a break!
But it's been a good summer. Working at the small restaurant in a local golf course has made me enough to pay for school (thanks to BYU and a scholarship) and I've had a lot of interesting encounters with customer and coworkers. Just the other day I had one guy tell me that I had made him the worst eggs of his life while another told me I made him the best breakfast he'd had in a long time.
But now I'm in the home stretch, with just two weeks left until I move back to Utah and start school again! Who knew a summer of hard work could make you so ready for a semester full of hard classes!
-M
....That doesn't seem quite right. Shouldn't summer be the time where you relax, so you can gear up and work hard during school?
But alas. Summer has not been. As the hardworking child I am, I worked between 45 and 55 hours a week this summer. I am dead tired and ready to go back to school just so I can take a break!
But it's been a good summer. Working at the small restaurant in a local golf course has made me enough to pay for school (thanks to BYU and a scholarship) and I've had a lot of interesting encounters with customer and coworkers. Just the other day I had one guy tell me that I had made him the worst eggs of his life while another told me I made him the best breakfast he'd had in a long time.
But now I'm in the home stretch, with just two weeks left until I move back to Utah and start school again! Who knew a summer of hard work could make you so ready for a semester full of hard classes!
-M
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