Glee

Yep, I'm a total Gleek, I can't get enough of Glee each week and the music. This week was no exception to that. I cried the whole episode. God is Great, God is Good, God doesn't make any mistakes!

For Now

I have decided to deactivate my Facebook account...for now anyway. I need more time to get back to myself...the other day I was reading an AMAZING book my roommate let me borrow called The Gift by Hafiz, the Great Sufi Master. I had just had a great discussion with her about how I've been feeling so out of balance with myself, lost and unsure of so much with myself. I turned to a page in the book, and he says "...to give myself, to myself." It hit me so hard that that is what I need to do. I am so good at giving freely to others, to always lend a helping hand to those I love, to those in need. My job is one where I sacrifice so much of myself, my time and my efforts. I love my job so much, I can't imagine having any other job (in fact, I went into school Saturday to work for a bit, and while I was working, I had this overwhelming feeling of gratitude because I'm doing what I love to do most. How lucky and blessed that makes me!) But I come home drained and tired a lot. I'm not giving enough of myself TO myself. So that is what I'm going to work on for now. Get back to me, get back to who I am, figure out what I love and desire and follow the dreams in my heart. I'm sure eventually I'll get back on Facebook, it was a great communication tool for so many people in my life. But until then, if you need to get a hold of me, hopefully you know how! :)

I read NieNie's blog, and I noticed she' s been starting to add something lovely and something horrible about the days she writes, so I'm going to start doing that on the days that I blog:

Lovely: I had a great talk today with one of my closest friends, Curtis (who I lovingly refer to as Bob. I met Bob when I worked for 2 summers as a camp counselor. He was a fellow counselor and his camp name was Bob, so that is he who is to me!)

Horrible: I stayed WAY too late at work and came home and did some more work, so I wasn't able to finish the book Mockingjay tonight like I was hoping to! I can't get enough of the Hunger Games series, I highly recommend all 3 books to everyone and anyone that loves to read! (I'm dying to know...Peeta or Gale?! But don't you dare spoil it for me!)

I discovered this song a few weeks ago, and it brings so much joy to my soul. I love every word, it's how I want to be again, getting back to myself! Enjoy!

Lovin'

School has officially begun again! I am in the fourth week of teaching my 2nd year of first grade, and so far it's going as well as the first month of first grade can. They are adorable and fun and learn so fast, but it's very draining to keep 25 6-7 year olds focused all day. By 9:00, I am usually asked, "Teacher, when is lunch?" "Teacher, when do we go home?" I go through the schedule everyday, and slowly they are getting more in the routines of day to day school but I come home completely exhausted! So usually the last thing I want to do is blog. But it has been far too long since I completed my last entry, so here are some more updates:

• We had the annual Perkins' Family Reunion. This year we went to Lagoon for a day, and then to Bear Lake the next day. I don't have any pictures from Bear Lake because I only was able to go for a short time, I had my 10 year high school reunion that night. And I'll be honest, the Lagoon pictures I didn't take either. My siblings are FABULOUS at taking pictures and I just "borrow" theirs!

• I am old!! My 10 year high school reunion was this summer. It is so crazy to me how fast time went by, how much I've accomplished in the past 10 years, but at the same time, how much I haven't been able to do yet. I didn't really want to go but my good friend Brandon talked me into it, and I'm glad I did attend. It was so fun to see friends I haven't seen in years, and to see how much people have changed and done with their lives! It will be interesting to see how much changes in the next 10 years. (I'll be 38!!)
  

My good friend and freshman year of college roomie, Hannah. She didn't graduate with us, but she married Jake, my good friend from high school. It was so great seeing her and Jake!

My gorgeous friend, Brandon. Thanks for talking me into going, Brando!

• Tabbi ran the half marathon, so my sister-in-law Jen, and my niece Aspen, and I all went to cheer her on. Jen and I reminisced about running it last year and we both hope to run it again next year. I've really missed having the regular routine of running in my life and desire to have it back again. I was able to watch the Top of Utah marathon this past Saturday from my own front porch because they run by my house and I really wanted to be running with them. That is my ultimate goal, to run one full marathon. Can I do it?!
  

PS, I literally got up and crawled out of bed and put on a hat minutes before seeing Tabbi cross the finish line, so don't judge how I look! ;)

• I have moved back to Logan and I can't tell you how much I love it. My best friend, Jenna, couldn't sell her house so my friend Katie and I are renting it from her. Katie has a dog, Sam, and a cat, Ash. I am not a pet person, so at first I was a little concerned as to how it would be living with a dog and a cat. But I love, love, love them so much. Sam is my third roomie and Ash and I have become BFF's. I have now even jumped on the pet bandwagon and I own a fish! Huge commitment for me, dead serious! It took me a while to pick out the angelfish, and even longer to come up with her name. But I decided to go with Eat,Pray,Love, a theme in my life at this time. She will go by Eatee for short. So my life when I come home from school consists of hanging out with the pets and I can't get enough of it! I was even excited driving home from school today to see Eatee...how lame is that?!
  

Sam and I. Adorable!

Eatee...

Isn't Sam beautiful?! Ash was outside playing at this time and I couldn't find him, so I'll post a picture of him later.

• I finally got new glasses after years of having my old ones. I don't really wear glasses a lot except at night but my new ones are so fun, I just might wear them more often! I wore them to school today and my students told me they made me look smarter and they loved the design on the sides.
  

Laughing My Pants Off!

I put this on my Facebook page too, but for those of you who aren't on Facebook, or don't stalk my page, but do stalk my blog, you will enjoy this. Funniest thing I've seen in a while, I keep watching it and laughing so hard I almost pee my pants. And then I show other people, and laugh so hard I almost pee my pants, as they do the same, too! Thanks Tabbi, for sharing this with me!

Happy Monday!

It's About Time

Man, I suck at this whole blogging thing lately! It's been a really fun summer for me, too so I have plenty to blog about. But I will admit, I've also been super lazy...hence the reason I haven't blogged as much! One fun thing from today, I moved back to Logan. Finally!! I am a Loganite again! It feels good to be back to this city that I absolutely love and adore. I can't wait to run in the evenings around the Island, take drives through the canyon, ride my bike and feel the wind in my hair around this beautiful city. I'm also looking forward to spending more time with my nieces, making new friends, and seeing old ones more. Change is something I've been craving lately, and I look forward to the new changes that lie ahead for me here!

Here are some pictures from random adventures I've had this summer:

I met up with the old "gang" and went to dinner and bowling. Meggan and Bryce...

Shay and Nik

Laci and I

For the second year in a row, I have joined the Schulze tradition of going on a long hike at Zion National Park. Last year we did the Orderville hike. This year we wanted to go for the Subway hike, but didn't end up getting permits for that one, so we did Orderville again. We all thought it would take a lot longer this year because instead of 14 of us, there were now 24, including several children. But somehow, we finished the hike hours before our time last year. So much fun! (I secretly hope that I'm invited every year. I kind of feel like I'm part of the family. :) )

Shannon Rhodes invited several friends to her cabin in Island Park for a Singles weekend. 5 of us ended up coming but it was so much fun! We went on a few four wheeling rides. It had been years since I had driven one, but after a bit I got the hang of it. Unfortunately, I did hit a pretty rough bump and went flying through the trees. Luckily the four wheeler was okay but my arm came a way with a pretty deep wound. But totally worth it to see the view from the top!

Me, Shannon, Mandy and Monica at the top of two top mountain.

On our drive home from Island Park, Monica and I stopped in Rexburg to see the temple. This was only my second time driving through Rexburg, a tiny college town. Beautiful temple!

I just wanted to throw in the fact that I love Jimmy John's sandwiches, I would marry them if I could. I've eaten there several times this summer, and I know I'll be eating there a lot more, now that I live in Logan!

Monica and I heading to Island Park

My good friend, Bryce Glover, invited me to go to the BYU football date night. I was a little hesitant at first because I am not a BYU football fan by any means, I'm an Aggie girl by heart. But it turned out to be a really fun night! We ate a yummy meal, interacted with the coaches and football players, checked out the locker room and field, and got to know the players on a more personal level. My two favorite moments were probably when I about took down a player, and then when I caught a pass and got a high five from a different player. I'm still not a BYU fan, but my heart has been softened...just a smidge!

Bryce and I with Coach Mendenhall. I will say, he was super attractive!

I drove down to St. George to spend a week with my friend Ellen and her family. We hiked Zion on an incredibly hot day, I literally didn't think I was going to make it to see the three emerald pools. However, I was reminded a few times by complete strangers that I was superwoman, and it gave me the little bit of extra push I needed to get there.

On another night in St. George, Ellen drove me around to all the different sites. This spot was my favorite at Snow Canyon. Absolutely beautiful!

Another night, we also went to the Tuacahn Theater to watch the Broadway of Tarzan. Incredible!

Since I was already down in St. George, I thought I would take a day and go visit my friend, Becca. She recently moved back to Vegas from Colorado, before she heads to BYU-Hawaii. It was such a fun day! We went to a movie, got huge tropical smoothies, went to the Bellagio Hotel on the strip where we visited the garden (seriously one of my most favorite places on Earth), ate some yummy chocolate cheesecake and watched the water show, something I've wanted to do for years but haven't been able to do. We then had a marathon of Burn Notice. It was so good to see her and spend time with her!

My sister and sister-in-law set up a cousin's camp this year, and I invited myself along as the favorite aunt. We went to Craters of the Moon in Idaho. My favorite part, besides spending time with my nieces and nephews, was the night hike a few of us took. I hope I'm invited every year to cousin's camp! (Hint, hint.)

My sister-in-law, Jen, and I took a roadie to Boise to see Jewel and Brandi Carlile in concert. A-MA-ZING! We were pretty close to the stage! I was able to get this one shot of Brandi before putting my camera away..they were Nazi's about not shooting pictures of the performers! I loved seeing two of my favorite musicians live and up close and acoustic. Such a fun night!!

Jenna and I at the concert. Can I just say that I love this girl?! She has received her PhD in Psychology and just accepted a teaching position at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. I miss her, but guess what? I get to live in her beautiful house in Logan!

Despicable ME!

I know, I know, I haven't updated in a long time! That is so despicable of me! I do have a reason though..my sister Tabbi borrowed my camera over a month ago and I haven't gotten it back to upload pictures on here. When I get my camera I promise to update you on what I've been doing the past month. I have enjoyed not having school, which means sleeping in, lots of reading, OK let's be honest, lots more catching up on TV shows and movies that I've wanted to see! I've also been able to spend more time with friends and family, including some awesome camping trips and hikes.

I'll admit that I have gone into my classroom a few times this summer. But in my defense, I did move into a new classroom, and I secretly love this time of year, setting up my classroom, buying new school supplies (I love and adore the office and school supply section of the store. I can spend hours and hundreds of dollars in that aisle alone), and getting things ready for my brand new group of students for the brand new school year! I'm already getting super duper excited for teaching first grade again!

There have also been lots of movies in the theater that I've been able to see. My recent favorite is Despicable Me. I took two of my nieces to see it, and I was laughing hysterically the whole time! Definitely a must see if you haven't seen it yet. Updates to come soon, I pinky promise!

About Time!

Sarah McLachlan has been my favorite singer since I was a sophomore in high school. Her music has always spoken to me. Her voice, her lyrics, the melodies. I can't tell you how many times listening to her music has comforted me! Her last album came out in November 2003 (not counting her Christmas album) when I was finishing up my bachelor's at Utah State. I'm proud to say that as of next Tuesday, her newest album, called Laws of Illusion, will be released. Do you know what that means? This girl (meaning me) is one incredibly happy girl!!

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