I don't have any fun pictures because I have been slacking in the picture department, but I figured it was time for an update despite the lack of concrete evidence as to what my Spanish Fork life is like.
The past few weeks have been slighly on the difficult side. I have had a ton of fun a friends and laughs around to help me to concur the stuggles that I have been facing. Finding a big girl job is tough. Applying and applying and applying feels like an empty effort. I have had one interview, and I ended up getting turned down for the job. However, I know that there is something out there for me, and even if it doesn't happen THIS fall, I'll be alright, and I will have my opportunity. I'm grateful for the chance I had to interview because I was able to have my first experience with an actual teacher interview. Some of those questions can get tricky for me because I have such a white personality! :)
Other than applying for jobs at every school I hear about, I am enjoying my job at American Leadership Academy. For those of you who don't know, I have been working there for about four months now as a Title I paraprofessional and a special education aide. This job has given me experience that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my career as a teacher.
As the school year is coming to a close, I have started to reflect on the impact that my job at ALA has had on me, and the impact that I have had on those kids. One particular child comes to mind, and although every student I worked with had influence on me in some way, this special Kindergartener is one that I will never forget. Until this last week of school, I hadn't really been able to see the growth within this particular student. I remember when I first began to work with her, she would refuse to do anything I asked her, she often told me to go away and she would throw fits. As I learned to practice patience and love, I have become one of her safety's at school. I have seen her follow directions, participate well in class activities and even face several of her fears. This little girl has shown me what being involved in education is all about. It's not really about the academics. It's not about knowing all your states and capitals or times tables. It's about growth and the influence you can have on someone's life for the better. If I am able to get my own classroom in the fall, I hope to be able to touch at least one of my student's lives in a similar way that I have touched this little girl's.
Most recently, in fact, today was my very first day, I have been hired at Sylvan Learning Center in Orem. I get to tutor throughout the summer, and after having my first day today, I already know I am going to love it! It was truly an answer to the prayers of many that I got that job. When I received the phone call in which I was offered the position, I couldn't stop smiling. It was a moment of peace for sure.
Aside from work, I am still really involved in all of my ward and stake activities with church. I am still the ward music chair, and being that right now it's the only way I am involved with music, I love it. I faithfully attend FHE and institure and they are two activities that I really do look forward to throughout the week. It's fun to get to know people and be involved in the activites. There are so many awesome people in my ward, and I have grown to love being around them.
I know that so many fun things have happened since I last wrote at general conference so I am going to try and just bullet point a few. They will probably be out of order because I have not been good at taking pictures!
- I got an A on Cole's final!! Cole had to write a series of papers for one of his classes. I helped him to edit them and to write a couple, and he ended up getting a flawless score on his final paper! It doesn't seem that significant, but I have missed homework, and it was fun to help him and to find out that he got an A. (I guess that's the teacher in me haha)
- I went to Bdubs in Utah. That made me miss home just a tad. I got spicy garlic wings and all I could think about was going to Bdubs every Thursday with Courtney and Jon.
- I took the Praxis (to get certified in Utah). I am still waiting on my scores, unfortunately.
- I moved out of my house one day and moved back in the next. That was fun, and is a story for another time, but you all should know that I am still living with the Jensens.
- Cole, Jenny (not myself, my friend Jenny), Wesley, Mandi and I went to this place in Orem called Hang Time. It's this huge place with all these trampolines. They have trampoline basketball, dodgeball and big foam pits. I was proud because I face my fears and did a flip into the foam pit. :)
- I went to the Grotto. For FHE we hiked to this place in Payson canyon called the Grotto. It's not a very long hike and it's super easy, but I think I have found another Jenny spot. At the end of the hike, there's a little waterfall. I really enjoyed it, and I think I will go back soon.
- Oh!! I started tutoring this little boy named Conner- just in his home. Connie is his mom's visiting teacher, and he needed a little help with reading so I go over there for an hour each week and just read with him. :) I really enjoy that, and Conner's mom actually has a friend that wants me to tutor her little boy as well.
- I almost forgot the adventures of last Sunday night! I should just start from the very beginning because it was just a wonderful day all around! Church was great, as always. Then I went home and had dinner with the Jensens. It was a gorgeous day outside so we took advantage of the weather and ate in the back yard. As we were eating, we looked over and the kids next door were throwing chickens (yes, live ones) over their fence. It was hysterical. After dinner I got to spend a while talking to Courtney, and I ALWAYS love to do that! Then I headed to a singles' fireside. They had this group called Mercy River come, and if you haven't heard their music, you should look it up. They are three women that have some of the purest female voices that I have ever heard. The fireside was one that I will never forget and helped me to realize that I need to sing more, and do what I enjoy doing. They talked about having a beautiful life, and the choices we can make to have one. It doesn't sound as cool as it actually was when I write it out in words, but I remember how I felt, and that's the most important. After the fireside, we had ward prayer. I don't think I have expressed it, but I love ward prayer. When I first moved up to Utah and had my first couple experiences with it, I thought it was bvery strange, but I have come to realize that one of the reasons my ward is so wonderful is because we have ward prayer. This particular Sunday, we had so much fun. It was partially because Cole was on one- and every one laughs when Cole is in the zone. :) Haha. After ward prayer, Randi took me home and she and I decided to go for a walk. Well, after our walk, we stayed on my porch and talked for a while. As I had left my keys and phone upstairs, I still didn't worry when I heard someone come by and lock the front door. I figured I would just use the garage pin pad and get inside that way. Needless to say, the pad decided not to work so Randi and I had a little impromptu sleepover. We were laughing so hard because I was RIGHT there, I heard the door get locked and then there I was, locked out of the house. It was super funny.
Thinking about it, if you don't know who the people are that I am talking about, there is an earlier blog post when I kind of give a debrief of who all of my Spanish Fork friends are if you're curious!
I can't think of anything really that significant right this second, but I promise that I will try and be better about taking pictures to keep you all more informed of my life! :) I get to come home this coming weekend for Erica's wedding which should be fun. It's going to be a super quick trip, but it will be good to feel that Arizona heat. . . . maybe? haha. I'll write again soon!
Loves and hugs,
Jenny :)
