AmrenInsideOut

We salute you, Utah!

2011-08-09T21:08:00.000-07:00

Our awesome background with a handsome cowboy!

Each student had their picture in military attire for our slideshow

Cute girls!

My twin Courtney!!

Mini Brigham and me! Thanks to his shaved stuffed animal...he now has a beard!

This past year I taught 4th grade at Taylor Elementary. My teammate, Courtney (aka my other half), and I both had an ARMY theme for our classrooms. We loved everything CAMO. We celebrated each Monday as "Military Monday!" We wore Camo. Many students joined in and we had some serious 4th grade pride. Many students purchased camo attire. By the end of the year, one student wore full-on camo everyday (not kidding! camo hat, boots, full fatigues, dog tags, and a canteen!). Word has it, he's still dressing that way.

We set out to have the first 4th grade program in a long time! We covered Utah history and ended with military! The kids sang portions of songs from each branch of the military. We loved learning these songs. We had an awesome slideshow honoring Veterans and Military personnel. It was amazing! Many tears were shed. Students dressed up as pioneers, cowboys, and military. One student who spoke about Brigham Young dressed for the part....beard and all! Manly 4th grader.

I had such a blast with our program. I am so proud of my 4th graders! (I taught 3rd the previous year and moved on with half my students!) I am missing them terribly!

A lot of HIP and a little HOP

2011-07-27T20:55:00.000-07:00

My Number 1 Fans

My Hip Hop Teacher!

My CREW

I found myself bored with my general routine. Work, home, church activities, gym....wake up and do it over again. What was a girl to do? A community ed. pamphlet showed up in my mailbox (perhaps on purpose). I always wanted to take a class of some sorts. What was a class that could stretch my imagination? Allow me to try something new? Perhaps pottery? Done that! Yoga? No gracias! HIP HOP! Perfect, I even have purple NIKE hip hop shoes. Good purchase (who doesn't need purple shoes?) I signed of for the class with my roommate and we somehow convinced 10 other people from our ward to sign up. Watch out world, a lot of rhythm (lack there of really) was about to enter the world of dance. My expectations were that I would become good enough to star on the show "So you think you can dance". Not an unreachable goal since I've been taking dance for two decades. Wait? My mom never signed me up for a dance, it must have been a dream. Redirect my expectations: NONE! Bingo, ready to go.

Hip Hop class was held in a basement dance studio with ceilings so low that my friend Brian hit his head when we did more HOPping than HIPping. Taking a dance class as adults is quite the spectacle...make it Hip Hop and you've got comedic relief. Not to mention our Hips really did hurt after class.

We somehow overcame our performance gitters and didn't care what others thought. Go time. We were all reminded of how White we really are. Even my Polynesian friend felt super white. "So that's what it feels like!"

We danced for weeks. Our 2 minute routine took 10 grueling weeks of preparation. We even met up at the church on weekends for practice, talk about the blind leading the blind. I had a blast with my new style and have quite the pep in my step. Although my brain wasn't meant to memorize a dance routine, my Alzheimer's subsided for a moment and I made quite the debut! Enjoy what may look like the geriatrics edition of "So You Think You Can Dance!" Yes, yes I can!

The video quality does not capture the true poeticness (yes, I made that up) of our ability. I'm in the back, then front. I am wearing and orange shirt, capris, and a hat!

Commitment

2011-03-06T17:15:00.000-08:00

*A little ditty I wrote for our ward newsletter.

Commitment, a simple three syllable word that illicits thoughts of similar words such as: pledge, binding, promise, involvement, and obligation. According to the urban dictionary commitment is: what transforms a promise into reality. It is the words that speak boldly of your intentions, and the actions which speak louder than the words. It is making the time when there is none. It means coming through time after time after time, year after year after year.
Being committed is something we encounter daily. Whether it be our commitments to work, school, family, physical health, or a must see television show. While all these things are important and greatly add to our lives, we must follow the counsel of M. Russell Ballard (April 2000 Conference). He stated, “It appears to me that the most important thing every one of us can do is to examine our own commitment and devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. We must guard against spiritual apathy and work to maintain the full measure of our loving loyalty to the Lord.”
A desire to be committed to our savior Jesus Christ comes from our understanding of his gospel and Atonement. Being a committed disciple of Jesus Christ is more than merely skimming the surface of the gospel. It requires us to dive into the infinite depths of its fullness. Jacob 4:8 reads, “Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him.”
Being a covenant member of the Church of Jesus Christ takes commitment and work. In examining our commitment to Jesus Christ, we must ask ourselves how committed are we to scripture study, prayer, attending all three church meetings, callings, temple attendance, visiting teaching, and to our covenants. Consider the words of Lehi to his sons (2 Nephi 1:21-23), “…arise from the dust my sons (daughters), and be men (women)….Awake, my sons (daughters); put on the armor of righteousness.”
Being committed to our Savior mirrors our understanding and demonstrates our maturity. The greatest treasures and blessings of the gospel are beyond the superficial mediocrity of life. Do as David taught (Psalms 37:5) “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”

The Mother Land

2010-09-23T18:36:00.000-07:00

I hopped the pond and gained a European stamp in my passport. At last! I jumped at the opportunity to see the land of my inheritance…ie… the land of my ancestors. It was a whirlwind voyage with endless trips to the pub….don’t read into that! Pubs are the best spot for succulent food. Especially Sticky Toffee Pudding (which we appraised everywhere we went and used our self derived rating system as the judge. FYI the best one came from the Red Lion in a small village in Scotland). I was away for 20 days, I could have stayed away forever. It was more than lovely. What’s lovelier than proper English Tea, greenness everywhere, and that refined accent? I was bewitched, totally and completely. My adventures include but are not limited to: ALL things Jane Austen, touring random mansions, the Lake District, train stations, driving around a single roundabout multiple times, fish and chips, crumpets, English chocolate, Jane Eyre sites, Broadway plays with accents, thousands of pictures, a service at Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Irish Men, traditional Irish music at the pub, Scottish plaid, staying in the village of my people (literally), and stalking my long lost dead in various Scottish cemeteries. Wait, I forgot the shopping. There was plenty of that to be done! My new spray paint tagged luggage was bursting! Here goes, the rundown via photos.
Jane Austen's inspiration for Pemberley
Elizabeth Bennet's comments on Permberley: It came
on so slowly I hardly know... but I believe I must
date it from the time I first saw his wonderful
grounds at Pemberley.

The Apollo something or other. In the new P&P
where Darcy and Elizabeth hook it up!

My new home:)

Jane Austen's Home
The very place were genious was brought about!
Rosings Park from the BBC version.

The most agreeable man in all of England...at
this moment he stated..."Oh behave!"

Proper English Tea. Gorgeous!
Cathedral in York
Shakespear's home
The Lake District....stole my heart!
London
London Eye
Trafalgar Square - Big Ben
Westminster Abbey
**IRELAND**
Skipping rocks with the wee little duckies
My favorite PUB - Amazing traditional music I feel in
love with many a musicians here!
Amazing ruins of a church.
**SCOTLAND** my heart still skips a beat
Clackmannan - The village of my Patterson ancestors
Looking out over Clackmannan
My boyfriend working hard for the money
Total nerd with my genealogy sheet!

Local Perish Church

Family headstone...I've got a lot of headstone pics to sort through in order to figer out the link of my kindred dead

I am certain that I will someday return! I merely got a taste. Walking where my ancestors walked was a blessing. They gave up a beautiful country for what they firmly believed in. The faith of those gone before me has impacted my own faith. I will sign off with...to be continued...in hopes that I will return.

A few random moments

2010-06-28T20:30:00.000-07:00

Quick blog update before I head out of the good ole USA. It wouldn't be the 4th of July if I wasn't out of the country. So in the mood of being patriotic, I'm headed to England. I'll make stops in Texas, England, Ireland, Scotland, Paris, and CA in the next month. However, the past few weeks since school has been out have been eventful. Here goes:

Rodeo with friends

Hot Air Balloon Ride (thanks Drew)

Kirstin's Triathlon

Cheering Kirstin along was so much fun. She's amazing and these people made me jealous of my inability. Some day perhaps!

Rain Ruins Everything

2010-06-01T23:00:00.000-07:00

I must start by reiterating the title, “Rain Ruins Everything!” Recently, my hopes have been high for many outside occasions. I possessed an unwinterized desire for fresh air and sun kissed skin. At last, perhaps I could put aside my winter coats, winter gloves (which were lost most of the season), scarves (except for the ever so cool springish trendy scarves), car scraper (well hypothetically since I never purchased one), winter boots (of which I don’t really have), and winter unmentionables.
Back to the rain. It seems that for the past few weeks, heck let’s go for a month, the weatherman dauntingly inhabits my thoughts with his forecast….”scattered showers!” Why doesn’t he just come out and say the inevitable….”scattered showers today with a high chance of dashed hopes, dreams, and unforgettable recreation. Forget about summer…..it’s Spring in MAY…and beyond!”

Things that rain ruins:
1. Hershey Track Meet: Talk about 60 third graders full of impending excitement and ready to run. It’s the best day of the year! No learning, no structure, and mere chaos. We have been preparing for this event all year. I suddenly became boot camp drill sergeant. It wasn’t a successful PE if I didn’t have at least 20 kids asking why I was trying to kill them. I kindly reminded them that it is called PHYSICAL EDUCATION and that kickball did not qualify. Rain canceled our track meet TWO times! It is rescheduled for tomorrow (yeah during summer break)…and what do we have forecasted? RAIN
2. Stake FHE outside. I won’t go into the gory details. Canceled due to rain.
3. Last week of school….when we actually have time to play outside and have extended recess (every child’s and teacher’s dream). RAIN
4. Rain ruins any outdoor wedding, bar mitzvah, horse race, Easter egg hunt and tea party.
5. Leather coats
6. Any day at the pool
7. Worms. Scenario: it rains, worms come out, worms get smooshed and squooshed or used as bait. RUINED
8. Drought…. Rain destroys a good drought…even a drought of biblical proportions.

I could continue making quite an extensive list full of tear jerking heartbreaks. But alas, I concede under the pretense that you agree. However, at the conclusion of my mediocre brilliance I must be partial and leave you with a few arguments for the other side.
Things that rain does not ruin:
1. Kissing. Who doesn’t want to kiss in the rain…hello it’s romantical!
2. Gardens….I do believe that rain is quite beneficial for gardens.
3. A rainstorm. Rain does not ruin a rainstorm.
4. Umbrellas, galoshes, raincoats, windshield wipers…etc.
5. Basketball games (always indoor and never have to be rescheduled).
6. Slippin-slide party……slippery without rain, slippery with rain….nothing ruined.
7. A holiday BBQ in Oregon….it was already scheduled inside due to the nature of the climate in that particular region. Not ruined.

I do like rain when it complies with my convenience. I little courtesy would go a long way!

It has been a long time...

2010-03-26T23:15:00.000-07:00

Well well, here me meet again. My lonely blog must feel pretty abandoned! Sometimes we feel that we must experience something extraordinary in our lives for it to be note worthy to be documented, published, and shared. I am learning that if we wait for the extraordinary, we miss the miraculous ordinary. "They" have scoffed at ordinary in an attempt to make us feel under-par, boring, mundane, and imply that we lead lives of no consequence. So here I am, peering into the ordinary and seemingly mundane to find the beautiful simplicity of which I have been blessed. Joy in simplicity....shall be my new reality, which in fact, just may be extraordinary.

Angel's Landing = Amazing Time

2009-11-04T20:19:00.000-08:00

Summer was officially over and I needed one last adventure. I ventured to Zion's National Park with some old college friends (not old due to age, but old due to how long I've known them). I can only remember going to Zion's once as a teenager. After a few minutes there, I realized that I had truly been missing out. People come from all around the world to participate in one of Utah's majestic landscapes. Why had I not done this before?

As a large group we set out to enjoy a hike. With varying levels of hiking ability we couldn't decide on a hike. I was determined to complete Angel's Landing. I was ready to conquer the mountain alone but was happy to do it with three other friends.

Being somewhat out of shape, I was in for a task. Good thing I brought a healthy dose of determination. Consequently, we commenced the hike during the hottest part of the day and with limited water resources. Thanks to a friend, I was given a life saving camleback and some snacks to help me complete my goal.

It was pretty tough. An elderly man descended the mountain with a t-shirt that said, "Retired Stripling Warrior." If this guy could complete the hike, then I better be able to do it if I cared for an ounce of dignity.

The best part of the hike was clinging to chains while practically dangling from the side of the mountain. At one point, I was holding on to the chain which was posted in between two drop offs. I loved it! Living on the edge satisfies my need for adventure. At times, I was probably a little too trusting of my ability to balance.

It was an exhilarating feeling standing on top of Angel's Landing. That wasn't enough, so I had to climb on top of the highest point. There's nothing like proving to yourself that you can accomplish whatever you set your mind on.

*accomplished hikers are probably scoffing at my account of Angel's Landing...they probably "run" up it in ten minutes with no water...sorry, I'm a beginner!

The Anatomical Blurt

2009-10-06T17:25:00.000-07:00

Setting: My third grade classroom, Payson, Utah. Controlled chaos (only at times).

Time: Writer's Workshop after lunch.

Characters: Drop dead gorgeous teacher (ahem), 28 rugrats (mostly all cute..lol), and the bee that was tormenting the female students.

Topic: Revising a rough draft. In the words of my students..."adding words."

My students are young authors who feel that they can write one draft and be done. Most of them can't write in complete sentences, so you can imagine what their work is like. If you can get kids to learn how to evaluate their own writing through revision, reading about their entire trip to Disneyland is less painful.

I pulled out my latest memoir (a story about a small moment in your life) and was teaching the kids how to revise by reading each sentence and deciding how they could make it better. I happened upon the sentence "Fear swept through my body." I stated that I thought it was a great sentence but I could change the word "body" to a better word. So I started thinking about options.....the kids started shouting out options as well, "veins, bones, insides, mind" etc. My golden student (no really he is, he's got blonde hair, hence the golden, and is amazing) shouted out an unfamiliar word to most other third graders. I nearly died, passed out, expired, what have you. I couldn't laugh or draw any attention to his remark so that other kids (well pretty much the entire class) would hopefully not notice and we could move on. Fighting back tears of laughter I had to leave the room and tell them to get to work.

You are asking, "What was the word?" "What did he say?" I'm only dragging it out for supsense purposes. The funniest thing in the history of blurting out in class was......TESTICLES, TESTICLES, TESTICLES....yep, he shouted it three times. Judging by the look on his face, he wasn't trying to be a rascal and say something inappropriate. It was all complete inosense. I'm pretty sure he didn't know what he was saying. Somebody must be getting the Bird's and the Bee's talk at home bacause that was most certainly NOT a recent spelling word. I'm sure his mother will be mortified when I finally get a hold of her. No parent wants a call concerning their child and the word testicle.

So, here is the sentence (from my memoir about a near death rafting trip) in my student's point of view...... "Fear swept through my Testicles." Sounds more like a man's memoir about his manly, husband abusing wife.

Passport

2009-09-20T14:53:00.000-07:00

I wrote this during a summer writing class.

A license for adventure and the vivid memory of such can be held in the palm of my anticipating hand. The vibrant battered blue booklet has accompanied me to foreign soils, life lessons, and a yearning for exploration. A youthful inexperienced blonde version of myself inhabits the inside cover like a hermit inhabits a home. If only she knew then where that smile would take her. Each date territorially stamps its place in my continuous timeline like a scar forever remains after stitches. The colorfully faded and smudged ink stains instigate a reverie in the scrapbook of my mind. Like August 23, 2001 and the midnight humidity of Hong Kong. Or July 9, 2002, the date I humbly realized I didn't learn Spanish in the MTC. Or February 3, 2003 and my first encounter with a dread-lock adorned Rasta Far I. With lonesome pages yet to be claimed, my wandering heart pounds in sweet anticipation.

Dominican Republic

2009-08-23T20:18:00.000-07:00

My morning greeting! Best way to start off a day.

Kids waiting to sign up for camp.

Delinquent blogger here. Two months ago I started a blog and quickly thereafter abandoned my stab at the ever so popular phenomenon of blogging. Forgive me dear blog readers (all one of you). FYI I don’t even think my mother reads my blog. Whoever you are here is my update.
My summer adventures never consisted of going to the Dominican Republic. I went there last summer to volunteer at a youth camp for the DREAM project (Dominican Republic Education and Mentoring Project http://www.dominicandream.org/) and never thought I’d return. Last minute life change and I was on my way. As I was preparing to go, I still had no idea why I was going but felt that I needed to…and I was right.
I taught math in the adolescent camp (ages 13-18). I taught five classes of 20. The kids come from the local community. They attend camp for four weeks and take classes such as math, reading, writing, English, health, and grassroots soccer. They also get to go on amazing fieldtrips which provide opportunities that they would never be able to have. I loved my students and overcame some difficult hurdles with a few of them. A life changing feeling was seeing the light in their eyes become brighter as they learned and understood something that has been taught time and time again. I really broke down the curriculum and they responded well. One girl wrote on my shirt on the last day, “Por ti puedo multiplicar.” Because of you, I can multiply. Best feeling ever. Math was voted by the students as the best class of the camp!

My classroom...everyone is hard at work. My sweet students Teaching Ronald the Waltz-he loved it and always asked me to dance. Sabrina and he pretend adopted son Yoni! Both are artists.

I absolutely loved living in the Callejon! It’s the main road where the Dominicans live. With dusty roads, motoconchos (motorcycle taxis), street children, garbage, fruit stands, and a myriad of other things, I fell in love with it! I loved walking down every day and saying hi to all of my new friends. I loved heading up to the Loma (the mountain) and hanging out with my favorite family. The dirt in the Loma is red and I usually left with red toes. Fresh fruit was amazing. I regularly bought fresh cut pineapple. I fell in love with the fruit stand baby and would hold him and sing him lullabies. I wanted to bring him home with me! I also enjoyed attending church in a neighboring town and rekindled some dear friendships.

The Callejon The hotel Humingbird where I lived

Fruit stand baby! He was so beautiful! Dinoli - camp girl from the Loma China - My BFF for 2 years in the Loma Loma girls I fell in love with this kid. He'd always talk to me on the street. The most inquisitive 2 year old I've ever met. I wanted to bring him home too! The Salazar family. I met Lizbeth (the little girl) last year at church and became best friends. Her family is absolutely amazing!

The camp is located in Cabarete on the north coast of the DR. It is a tourists’ destination as it boasts opportunities for world class kite boarding/surfing and wind surfing. It was amazing living near the beach. Most mornings I enjoyed water aerobics in the ocean as the sun rose. I highly recommend this as a day starter. For only 75cents I could hop on a local bus, also known as a gua-gua (a minivan crammed with 20-30 people and livestock) and ride down to Sosua. Sosua boasts an amazingly pristine shoreline with crystal clear waters. I frequently went there and became obsessed with collecting sea glass. I now have a huge bag of it…any ideas of what I can do with it? BYU sends a group of student every semester. Great peeps to pal around with.

Santo Domingo Temple is one of my favorites!

I loved roaming the streets in Santo Domingo. Amazing photo opps. The coolest guys on the block...we preformed a pretty amazing step routine for the parents.

After the 27 waterfalls! Amazing! Jumping off the waterfalls was such an adventure. My last day was spent with amazing people on an amazing beach! I heart Sosua!

Caribbean Dreams

2009-07-05T17:52:00.000-07:00

Amren-Alesa-Jerah (aka sexy sister Divas)

Seven single girls, plane tickets in hand, a billion pounds of luggage, and a cruise ship are quite the makings for a more than memorable adventure. We boarded Carnival Cruise ship Valor with anticipation of midnight chocolate buffets, sun tanning on the concourse of blue lounge chairs, and the promise of Caribbean love. Our first day at sea was amazing. Jogging along a deck side track as we glided over the pristine blue brought a serene sense of relaxation and the desire to stay forever. The ship was more than amazing. It's a community that never sleeps and constantly changes its' zip code and time zone.

Adventure 1: Grand Cayman Island

Becky (coworker/soon to be roommate) Jenni (roommate) Heidi (old roommmate) Me (you should know me) Jerah (roommate and sister) Kathryn (cousin and old roommate)

We were herded off the boat as cattle are herded down a quaint village road. Solid ground and shouting locals welcomed us. We soon discovered that we were brilliant adventure seekers. Not purchasing excursions on the boat saved us a wallet full of cash. Plenty of excursion vendors greeted us and offered a “good deal.” We opted to swim with sting rays in the inviting crystal-blue waters. Kissing the sting rays was much more pleasurable than any past experience involving kissing (lol just kidding). We then ventured for a few minutes of snorkeling. We worked up quite the appetite and ate in a local-recommended restaurant. With jerk chicken and out-of-place country music playing in the background, I was soon satisfied with my 6 hour stay.

Adventure 2: Roatan Honduras

Anticipation flooded through me as I was returning to my mission. I never served on Roatan nor saw the beaches. I knew one thing….I wanted a Balleada more than anything. Balleadas are been filled tortillas with cheese. I’d make a pilgrimage to Honduras any day of the week just to have one. I suppose learning to make them would be easier but not as satisfying. I found my balleadas and shared their goodness with my friends…all of which approved.
For our adventure, we suspended ourselves high above the jungle. Relying upon Honduran workmanship and materials we glided down 16 zip-lines. Flying free above the tropical majesty while overlooking the ocean was an amazing experience. Having relatively no fears has allowed me to experience the beauty the world has to offer. The beaches were more “bella” than anyone had ever imagined. Warm ocean water is the best way to relax. Once again a Catracha (nickname for Hondurans), even if for a day, was a much welcomed opportunity.

Adventure 3: BELIZE!!!!!

Me and Robert Smith (member and good friend)

Me and Ardone (Got baptized after I left) We'd have to beat him at checkers in order to teach him! Or we taught him how to make cookies just to get a discussion.

Me and Omar Velasquez (member and good friend)

Me and Dannette (investigator who is amazing)

Me and Katherine (investigator who was baptized just after I left)

My bestest friends all in one place! Omar, Jerah, Becky, dreadlock brother, me, Heidi, Jenni, and Robert

Some dude on the street who wanted a picture. Very funny people!

Me and Ardette (investigator whom I love!!)

Typical! Obedience...should have taught more about that! Belize was a lot dirtier than I ever remember.

Saying Goodbye to Robert and Omar. I was so happy to see them and sad to leave them!

I was early to bed….for the following day would be my most cherished and anticipated day for the past 6 ½ years! I was up at the crack of dawn wanting to be the first in line to get off the ship. Long story short…getting off the boat was a crazy, confusing process. As soon as I stepped on land, I was in my area (Cinderella) of nine months. My friends (member from the branch) Omar and Robert came to greet us. Omar took my sisters and me around town for the entire day. We walked a lot! I was finally in the place that I love! The streets were recognizable! Kriol, rap music, and “Hello beautiful!” and many other pick up lines filled our ears. I was able to see some many wonderful people. People whom I only dreamed I’d see again. We even did some investigating to track people down. One man whom I taught in a park a few times a week was still sitting at his post in the same park!
Belize was much dirtier and more ghetto than I remember. I may have been used to it while I served there. It was still majestic and beautiful to me because of the love that I have for the people. I ate some rice and beans and found the Chinese bakery that sells the most delectable coconut buns! As the time to return to the boat crept closer, the tears began to swell. I wasn’t ready to leave after only a few hours. Saying goodbye to my modern-day pioneer heroes Omar and Robert was difficult. It’s hard to leave people behind when plans for seeing one another again aren’t in the immediate future. What a blessing it was to return…even if it was for a day.

Adventure 4: Key West

Jet skiing around the island was a blast. I drove like a banshee! Luckily no one else wanted to drive so I got to be crazy for the entire perimeter of the island. To top it off we ate some famous Key Lime Pie purchased at the famous Blonde Giraffe (which reminded me of my sister Kristy…she’s blonde and tall…like unto a giraffe).
I know this post, my first, is long! Long story short….go on a cruise! It’s absolutely amazing. Best vacation yet. Dancing, pool side deck chairs, first class service, late night serenades by Joel, and good company make memories that will forever stamp there place in my timeline. I’m sure it won’t be my last!