one month down, 8 more to go!

it's been a great week. i'm really beginning to feel like i've got a handle on things in the classroom. of course, each new week throws more hurtles at me, so this may change! ;) for instance, this wed we have to stay after school for another 4 hours for what are called 'strategic conferences.' me and my grade level team will have to meet with the parents of children whom we have all identified as already failing. so this should be interesting.

last week we had open house and it was actually totally fine. i was grumpy about having to spend 3 hours after school, but it turned out to be actually nice. they fed us a chili dinner, and the parents of some of our kids came to meet us. i had a good time. so many sweet people and kids here.

also this week i have state testing to conduct, but that will actually be a break from teaching. two whole days of it for both of my main block classes. so yes, this should be actually relaxing. it better be!

tomorrow after work i meet with my new dentist. they've agreed to just see me for a few minutes since they couldn't give me an appointment until much later in the month. i think the water here is staining my teeth and yes, i am more than a little freaked out about it. i bought myself a water filter, so now at least i won't be worried about the water. i am sure the water here is full of lead and other junk. -sigh-

rad to have medical benefits again. so rad!

yesterday we had our big women's conference in preparation for the semi-annual conference. the relief society president had invited us down to her house, super close to the chapel, and food was provided. it was so nice to travel down there and have food and a comfortable seat! i was grateful. the message that i received from this conference was to endeavor to have more charity. elder eyring spoke about that so tenderly and i felt the Spirit so strong. i felt how grateful i am to have the gospel in it's fullness, to have everything we need, because of the work of those who have gone before us. i felt a renewed conviction to do my part to progress the work.

i also felt comforted from the single sister in the presidency who spoke. she is a dear woman and i felt how much the Lord loves me through her testimony.

nothing blinding or magnificent happened during this conference, but i did feel happiness and gratefulness in being a part of relief society. and that was enough. i left smiling and feeling sated.

i also smiled at the thought that we were sitting in a room with a bunch of real stuffed animals staring at us the whole time. an entire 9 foot grizzly bear, a bison head, a moose head, massive deer heads, several smaller heads, and let's not forget the entire mountain goat in the corner either. not a women's conference that will soon be forgotten!

p.s. i am back on my genealogy again. reading books, ordering more info, and glad to be starting back again. this is going to feel so good!

p.s.s. this last week i: finished fablehaven series (until the 5th and last comes out), cooked an artichoke for the first time ever, rode the mineral belt trail (first time again) on my bike, swam in the righteous community pool (first trip) AND went exploring frisco by myself. good times!