Another day in the life of a junior high teacher...

I am beyond frustrated. I can’t wrap my brain around the fact that so many students are willing to fail…
Example- Last time in class we analyzed Martin Luther King Jr.s “I Have a Dream” speech and then at the end of class the students had 20 minutes to write their own speech. These were the requirements:
-1/2 page long
-In the same “I have a dream” format
- Could be serious or goofy.
Today, they were supposed to give their speeches. Nine students were unprepared. IT DRIVES ME MAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How in the world am I supposed to care when they don’t even give a flying leap? I am beyond frustrated. I am afraid I am going to lose it. Why should I care when they don’t! Literally, I cannot comprehend why they would think so little of themselves to allow themselves to fail my stinkin’ easy class! I swear my class is the easiest class to pass; I am so lenient with my grading. Maybe I should just turn into a witch who is no longer a fun teacher, who yells at the kids and makes their lives a living hell. Because kindness and respect seems to get me nowhere with these kids. And then, in the hall I overheard a student bragging about how they have straight F’s… excuse me? Do you realize what that means? It means you are a FAILURE! These kids are bright, they are just so insanely lazy. What do they expect, to have the world handed to them on a silver platter?
I feel sorry for them; sorry for what their future holds if they don’t get their heads out of their delusional self-important clouds of laziness and entitlement. I told my class today that some of them with have amazing futures full or purpose and promise, while some of them will struggle their entire lives, scraping by, because they never acquired a work ethic! I can’t deal with it anymore, I literally feel like I am going insane. Why the hell should I give a rat’s patootie if they don’t?
ARGH, I am soooooooooooo ready for summer!!

Bear ye one another's burdens

A few things:

• I am inherently a positive person, I usually look at the bright side of things and believe the best in people.
• I know the gospel is true.
• I also know that the Lord doesn't give us anything we can't handle, so He will provide a way.

Trials- we all have them, we all have our weaknesses (mine being a tasty pastry, ice cream, chocolate... you get the picture.) Some trials seem more "accepted" while others we dare not even speak about. It's ok to talk about some trials, but others are so taboo. And yet-

"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

What does it mean to bear another's burdens? We all have times on our lives where we feel utterly, desperately & completely alone. Why do we feel this way? Often it is because we feel like "no one understands", "my situation is unique". So we brood in silent, self-destructive self pity. Now, I don't know about you, but when I've been in this moment I say to myself, "Kjersti, what are you doing???" Then I usually pull myself up and try to move forward. But how?
By cultivating positive relationships with others. Throughout my life, the Lord has blessed me with some tremendous people who have lifted me when I couldn't lift myself. In other words, they helped me bear my burden.

Which brings me back to the subject of trials. Now, this is not the forum to go into specifics, but recently my eyes have been opened in regard to those who struggle with SSA (same sex attraction.) Now, before this becomes a political debate, this is my opinion based on my personal experiences and A LOT of prayer and study.

A little background- My Dad (who passed away in 2003) led a destructive double-life. On one hand he was the dutiful LDS father with the wife and kids, on the other a full-fledged gay man who died of AIDS. When he died, I struggled to find some meaning in it all. Again, not to go into details, I really struggled with understand him and specifically understanding SSA.

These things I knew-

• The church is true.
• Acting out on homosexual feelings is wrong. (although struggling with SSA DOES NOT make someone unworthy).
• God does not give us anything we can't overcome.
• Therefore, he must be able to provide a way for those who struggle with these feelings to live their lives in accordance with the gospel.

But how? I couldn't quite wrap my brain around it. And with the recent political debates surrounding proposition 8, I stayed strangely quiet. Mostly because I didn't know what to believe anymore. I didn't understand why gay marriage could be all that bad, and yet I knew it was against Heavenly Father's plan, my testimony wavered. Everyone I knew that had ever struggled with SSA eventually gave in, changed their entire lifestyle and slowly drifted out of my life. My heart broke many, many times for these people. And I spent many hours on my knees pleading for understanding. I was about to give up on God, when a still small voice urged me to stop wallowing and move forward. I soon met someone who gave me the insight and understanding I so desperately wanted.
It all came down to one thing, how could a person who struggles with SSA live in accordance with the gospel? It didn't make any sense to me. We all have carnal, "natural man" desires, but as a straight woman, I know that one day I will (hopefully) get married and be able to give into those desires. But if your desires were for the same sex???
I met this amazing person who struggles with SSA. And this person has taught me some invaluable lessons that I believe apply to all of us, regardless of what our struggles are.

• It's all about choice. When we make covenants with our Heavenly Father we choose to follow his path. As my friend has taught me, it is important to keep your eye on the prize (eternal life) rather than focus on momentary pleasures.
• Understanding who you are. We all have our "things" but we are all first and foremost sons and daughters of God with a divine purpose and destiny.
• Bearing one another's burdens. I can't even begin to express what meeting this friend has done for me. This friends has introduced me into a world where people are striving to live Christ-centered lives while still having their struggles. This friend has introduced me to hope.
• The importance of cultivating lasting friendships and relationships.
• There is hope in Christ!!!!

I believe SSA is treated with too much caution that drives these men and women to desperation. We need to stand up for what's right! We need to educate members of the church on how to help and support our brothers and sisters as they strive to do what's right. We need to love more and judge less. How can we stand idly by and watch the world change?

I miss my Dad. I want to honor his memory and help other people like him. He was an amazing man, who gave into his carnal desires that eventually took his life. I will do all that I can to educate others and perhaps help them avoid his tragic fate.

I've often said I live by these two things: Love one another and Judge not lest ye be judged.

"Love one Another" to me this means loving (having respect for) everyone regardless of who they are and what they believe, recognizing that they are Sons & Daughters of God.

"Judge not lest ye be judged" the only person I have control over their actions is myself. I cannot judge anyone else on what they have or haven't done. The only person I can judge is myself, and judge where I will go and who I will be with.

Now, you may or may not agree with what I've said, and that is fine. We all have our own opinions and beliefs. But, I will stand for what I know to be true no matter what.

I am grateful to the numerous people who have shared my burdens with me and I hope that I may be able to return the favor someday. Thanks! :)

Cast Par-tay, Danish Food and Spring Sunshine!

So, this weekend was quite fun and beautiful! On Saturday after noon we had our long- overdue cast party for "Alice in Wonderland". I had such a great time hanging out with my awesome students. These are the kids that make all the nonesense and headaches worth it!

With Briana who played the White Rabbit With Carol who was in the ensemble, I love this girl!

Th cast at the Par-tay!

What teaching jr. high can do to a person...

Then on Sunday I made Danish Food with my friend, Toffer- We made Nye kartofler g AErte Salat and Snapse Krydet Svine Morbrad. It was very tasty if I do say so myself!

The finished product!

But, it wasn't without mishap, we burned the potatoes.

Then Toffer spilled his water on the table....

But, still a great dinner!

Then on Monday afternoon, I went to Temple Square to take some pictures of the flowers. And I was pleased with how lovely they turned out! How I love spring!

My favorite one!

Spring is here! Hip Hip Hooray!

No more snow for us today!

Flowers bloom and birdies sing!

I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

A happy smile and dancing for all!

It won't be cold until the fall!

(hopefully...)

Just breathing.

Life is often unexpected. And constantly surprising.

I love the people that Heavenly Father has given me in my life. We are all a part of something amazing. And although life often seems unbearable, it's amazing what a smile, a conversation a shoulder can do to make it all OK.

I know this is cheesy, I am just a little overwhelmed right now. Overwhelmed by the knowledge that my Heavenly Father knows me so perfectly, that he puts precisely the right people in my path. I am so grateful we don't have to go through this mortal journey alone.

So, thank you. All of you- for listening to my incessant ramblings. For loving and believing in me. For the laughter, the dancing, the singing and the acting like goons. For the quiet moments, the tears shed and wiped away. Trying to understand me amidst all of my wackiness. Thank you for sharing my life. I am a better person because of you.

This just made my heart happy!!!

Just click on the link and WATCH THIS,

you will be SO glad you did!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luRmM1J1sfg

How to survive in a world of technology...

I must admit, I haven't the first clue about how technology works... RAM, ROM Romulans, they're all the same to me. I use technology, and when it doesn't work, I merely get frustrated and want to throw it all the wall in hopes that it will miraculously work.
This morning, I wanted to put some new songs on my i-pod and change my workout mix, so I plugged it into my computer and i-tunes wouldn't recognize it. So, I fiddled with the i-pod and noticed it wasn't charging and even though it said DO NOT DISCONNECT, I disconnected it. I tried re-booting the computer, going to the apple tech support website. The #1 instruction was to restart your i-pod. So I tried, but the i-pod seemed frozen... Argh!
So, I went into the apple store and told the technician my i-pod was frozen. I handed it to him and he proceeded to turn it off (WHA? I had tried to do that!) Then he turned it back on and it worked... So either I am technologically incompetent, or I met a wizard.
Yeah, that's it, he definitely was a wizard!

The Magic Bowling Ball

So, there is such a thing as magic.

And I discovered it yesterday.

Bowling is a random sport for me, in one frame I'll get a strike and then the next frame it's nothing but the gutter.
But yesterday I stumbled on the MAGIC BOWLING BALL! HUZZAH!

I was bowling with some Playmill buddies and the first game I bowled an embarrassing 44... but I noticed Nikki and David who were bowling rather well were using the same ball.

The next game, I too used the ball and lo and behold I bowled a 94... MAGIC. (Or how else could I explain the sudden stroke of luck!) Now if only I could find some other magical objects... like a wand that waves fat and calories out of cheesecake...

On to other things, life is good and I am feeling optimistic (after being in a slump for awhile). I am excited for the future and I am grateful for new opportunities. I just love the feeling of being happy and hopeful.
I am excited to discover what the Lord has in store for me, because I know it will be awesome! (And possibly magical!)

Starting again... again

Call it a case of the winter blahs... call it lack of motivation.... call it stress. Whatever it is, I've not been following my diet and exercise program as of late. It's all about to change.

Motivations-
1- Going to Paris at the beginning of July, want to fit more comfortably on the plane ride and look super cute.
2- 10 K on July 24th, if I'm going to be ready (which I will be) I must train NOW!
3- Money. My step family is doing a contest where everyone puts in $25 then after a certain amount of time (I can't remember how long) the person who has lost the greatest percentage of weight gets the money. And, I will win.

So glad spring is finally coming!

And this is why teachers should be paid more...

I am in the midst of final preparations for the school musical, "Alice in Wonderland" and it has been highly stressful. But, I think we'll be ready. At least it's stress for something I enjoy (mostly) and it ends up being very rewarding.
Dealing with future prison inmates... not so much. (Wow, I have some high expectations for some of the kids...)

Date: Today March 13th, Time: Right after school, Place: VJH hallway What: Another fight (yawn, these are becoming SOO old...)

Yep ladies and gentlemen, I broke up another fight. But this time a girl got away. I get the others to the office as I yell that the third one just left the building. Teachers pursue (the older female gym teacher and an intimidating English teacher). Girl's boyfriend joins in the run, proceeds to punch female gym teacher across the chest. English teacher grabs boyfriend and lifts him into the air, while the mother of the girl arrives gets out of her car and starts swearing up a storm at the teachers. Claiming he (the boyfriend) didn't hit the teacher...IDIOTS!!!!!!!

This is why it's hard and insane. They don't really prepare you for this stuff in your Educational Psychology classes in college. Did I really sign up for this?

Alice in Wonderland

Here are some pictures from my upcoming production of "Alice in Wonderland"!

It plays March 17th & 18th at 7:00 pm at Valley (4195 S. 3200 W. in West Valley)

Cost is $5 adults, $3 students & $2 kids under 12

Please come!

Julia & Paxton as Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum!


Isiah and Walker as the Mad Hatter and the March Hare

Becca, Lisa & Carol as Tea Part Attendees

Heidi as Alice

My CRAZY cast!

Heidi & Celeste as Alice and Mathilda (Alice's sister)

Bethany as the Dodo Bird!