Define "Cheating"

Sam thinks I owe the blogging world a confession. We played Settlers of Cataan last night with Jake and Heidi, and he thinks I cheated. (See previous post about how I gave up cheating...) The real story is that he was sitting next to me, and I happened to see the cards he had - not because I was trying, but because they were in plain sight! As a result, I wouldn't trade certain cards with him. (The premise of the game is that you get resources, by trading or other methods, to build cities.) I'm no dummy. I wouldn't trade certain things because it would result in his winning. So, there. My confession. I saw Sam's cards. It was an accident. I'm sorry. I still didn't win - that game anyway. I used my resources well. Call it cheating if you must.

Left to Tell

I just finished reading a book called Left to Tell for a book club. We are supposed to talk about the book tonight, so after school I decided to finish it :) It is a true story of a woman who survived the Rwandan genocide by hiding in a bathroom with several other women. It was one of the most heart-wrenching stories I have ever read. I loved it because it was a story of forgiveness and faith. I promise it will make you cry, but it's worth it. If you need a book to read, I highly recommend Left to Tell.

Aloha, Hawaii!

Sam and I were lucky enough to be able to go to Hawaii in February. His company took a group of employees and their guests to Maui for 4 days. It was an amazing trip. Here are just a few of the pictures. Maui was not like I expected. It was green and tropical, but we saw ranches, one-lane roads, cows, and even a one-legged rooster. We were also able to take a helicopter ride, tour the tropics of the island, see a plantation, snorkel, and whale watch. The whole trip was amazing, but my favorite part was watching the whales, and of course spending time with Sam.

I Am Fo' Real!

You know you are a fo' real blogger when you get tagged. My cousin tagged me, and now that I know what that means, here are my answers.

Past, Present, and Future!

20 years ago - 1988
1. I was in fourth grade - officially in Middle School and almost 10 years old. I had Miss Burk for my teacher.
2. I memorized all the states and state capitals.
3. I got another little sister! Hilary Dawn made our family complete in September of 1988.
4. I walked to school everyday with my best friend, Sandra. We still talk often, and she is still one of my best friends.
5. I had my first 4-H animal - Smokey the lamb. I cried when I had to sell him(?) at the county fair. It must have been traumatic becuase it's one of the few things I remember from 1988.

10 years ago - 1998
1. I was attending BYU and went to Nauvoo on a travel study. This was probably the best experience of my life, up to this point. I made some amazing friends and saw my testimony grow in leaps and bounds.
2. I stuck to a major for more than two weeks and decided to be a teacher.
3. I had my first act of rebellion and dated a guy my parents really didn't like.
4. My sweet Granny passed away. Sometimes I think she's watching to make sure I behave myself.
5. I worked at the Cracker Barrel (or Crack HOUSE) and in the basement of the SFLC at BYU.
6. I moved in with complete strangers, and they turned out to be the best roommates I have ever had.

5 years ago - 2003
1. I was in the RS presidency with some great gals and learned loads from them. Good thing, cuz at the end of the year I was called to be RS President.
2. I finished my 2nd year teaching high school, and I survived.
3. I made some lifelong friends in my calling. I know the Lord helped me call the best there is.
4. I went on a river-rafting trip with my family to celebrate Grandma's birthday. She's one spunky lady, and we had a grand time. My one regret is that we couldn't throw my dad in the river, much to my disappointment.
5. I fell in love and got my heart royally broken. The good news is that I survived and even learned a few things from the whole experience.
6. My first nephew was born, and I fell in love all over again. He and his little bro are still about the cutest things ever.

3 years ago - 2005
1. I went on a cruise to Mexico, Honduras, and Belize. It was really 2004, but it was toward the end of the year, and it was AWESOME!
2. I had just met Sam and set him up with one of my best friends.
3. I couldn't decide who to date/not to date for awhile. I did finally start dating Sam, after he hung around for so long that I couldn't get rid of him.
4. I got released from being Relief Society president, and strangely I had mixed emotions. I learned SO MUCH, and my testimony of the gospel really grew.
5. My ugly green Ford gave up the ghost, and I bought Mom and Dad's car. Thank heaven they helped me out.
6. I cheated at Settler's (the game). I also gave up the cheating. I promise.


1 year ago - 2007
1. I had just moved into the first house I have ever purchased.
2. I started teaching piano lessons after a long hiatus.
3. I dated Sam (and still am).
4. I finished my 6th year of teaching and had my first student teacher.
5. I went to New York City to attend the NCTE conference (for English teachers) and I saw a show on Broadway (among other things :)

So far this year I...
1. went on a fantastic trip to Hawaii.
2. visited Jason and Jen in El Paso.
3. had my first piano recital as a teacher rather than a student. It was so much fun and so rewarding!
4. started a blog.
5. am still dating Sam.

Yesterday I...
1. taught school all day.
2. taught a piano lesson.
3. tutored a little boy.
4. went and saw Sweeney Todd with Sam. I don't recommend the show, though the company was great.

Today I...
1. taught school again.
2. ate a Costco hot dog with my best teacher pals.
3. kicked a student out of class.
4. watched American Idol.
5. blogged :)

Tomorrow I...
1. will celebrate a "Spring Holiday" with no school. It is not coincidental that this holiday falls on what would normally be Good Friday. Perhaps I will frolic in the spring flowers or fly a kite to celebrate.
2. grade some essays. YUCK.
3. get my hair cut.
4. exercise.

This year I...
1. will stop drinking caffeine.
2. will pay off some debt.
3. will do a better job visiting teaching.
4. turn 30! Yikes!
5. will clean my desk.
6. will learn to be more grateful.