Virginia is for Lovers? :/

Don't ask me why. But that's Virginia's slogan. I guess it could be a good selling point. Where the heck it came from?? Maybe I should do a little research sometime.
So far, I really like it here. It's beautiful. Our apartment is awesomeness (compared to our others). I got a sweet long-term subbing gig that should rock, but may not. I start tomorrow so we'll see.
Andrew got a rockin' score on his first academic test.
I got a sweet calling that I think I'm going to love (it's still a secret so I'll post next week with more details).
Really and truly...we've been so blessed so far.
So, every weekend we try a new adventure. The first few Saturdays we were just getting settled, so skip those. But since we've officially started:

1) Went to Government Island. About 3 miles away. Really nice nature walk and the site that George Washington got the sandstone he wanted to use to build the White House.
2) Went to our new temple. It's huge and obviously absolutely gorgeous. Love it.
3) Went to Chatham Manor. About 9 miles away. Old house that George Washington and Abe Lincoln have been to. It was pretty important during the Battle of Fredericksburg during the Civil War.

So...now you have it. We are alive and well. Maybe I'll even keep up this bloggin' thing and keep you updated . (Let's be honest with each other though- don't get your hopes up. This bloggin phase may only last a few weeks. )

Classroom.

It's the view from my desk. You can't see two walls of the room: one wall with the whiteboards, the other with student computers, my desk and computer, and some shelves and cabinet. The random looking section (between the yellow paper and Johnny) is our LOL wall. When students find a comic or something about math, we post it up there. The students just love it!
Sorry I've been lame at keeping you updated! I just haven't felt like blogging. Just haven't been diggin' it lately, but here's at least some pics of my classroom. Nothing special, but it's where I live at least 40 hours a week, so be nice. :)

Veteran's Day

Nevada is so fabulous in so many ways. The way I truly appreciate this weekend is that they go all out to celebrate Veteran's Day. They have a huge parade, free stuff to Veterans all over town, etc. Did I go to the parade? Nope. Did I get any of that free stuff? Nope. BUT, I did get the day off...which basically rocked.

My dear husband has an addiction. So, we drove downtown Las Vegas, past the lights and the Strip, to the scary end of town. It was time to make all his dreams come true.

Yes, it was in this ghetto building with a ghetto sign and inside was no different. There were broken games lining the back wall and a strange smell throughout the room. But, don't worry- they had a snack bar....

The beauty of this place was not the fancy germ infested popcorn machine. The beauty of it is the history of the American culture that can be seen. The beauty of it is found when you see it for what it really is...a giant room of pinball machines. Rows and rows of them. $.25-$.75 a play. Pinball machines from the sixties to special edition Lord of the Rings with the highest pinball technologies.

Andrew loved it. I even did too.

The weekend didn't stop there. Let's just say: 2 dogs, 2 drinks, 2 churros, 5 bucks. Gotta love Costco dates.

Today, the finale will be a movie and ice cream from Coldstone (paid for by a gift certificate and a BOGO coupon I got from signing up for the Coldstone newsletter.) Summary of this weekend: good deals, good times.

Vegas

Yes, I know. I've been terrible and I wish I could say I would do better, but I'm just not sure if I can commit to that. Quick and to the point: I had an awesome summer-going to Brazil, the Carribean, being homeless and hanging with fam-but now we've made it to Vegas...obviously.

The beginning of the school year was nuts. I was doing school stuff nonstop. But, now it seems to be slowing down and even getting to the point where it's fun. Don't get me wrong, there are those periods where I wonder what the heck I am doing trying to teach such crazy hooligans anything, but there are also those days where it's just fun. There was a trunk or treat a couple weekends ago at the school. Andrew and I dressed up like little red riding hood and the big bad wolf. It was pretty good if I may say so myself!

We haven't had a chance to do anything too Vegassy (yes, that's a word now) yet. I had Friday off because of Nevada Day. It's this state holiday where the state decided to take the day off. I'm not sure why, but I definitely didn't argue with a day off. Andrew and I went to Red Rock Canyon and hiked around a bit. It's pretty (note the pics) and it's one thing off my "to do" list.

We like living here though. There was a few weeks where we were doubting it because of the never-ending heat, but lately it's been beautiful.

Andrew and I don't have cable or satellite, so we started Lost on Netflix. We finally finished Saturday and are just glad that it's over and we're free from it. Although, I do have to admit I've dreamt about it the past few nights. At first I hated the ending, but I guess it grows on ya the more you think about it.

I'll try to do better with the blog. But till then: Peace!

One Year!

Tomorrow is our anniversary. And yes, it did go fast. Here's 12 things that recap a few things during our first year of marriage:

1) Our favorite movie (meaning one that we agree completely on) is "How to Train Your Dragon"

2) Our biggest "fight" was over toothpaste. (And no it is not because one of us is anal about the cap or anything)

3) We have spent 365 days next to each other when we sleep at night (meaning neither of us has gone out of town overnight or something)

4) We are addicted to shows on A&E, The History Channel, and Discovery. They're really good. We even made sure to be home on Friday nights in time to watch "Gold Rush." Wow. That feels good to get that off my chest. Yes, we were fans of Gold Rush.

5) This year I have spent more at the grocery store than I think I have during my three years living on my own combined. It was hard at first.

6) We still sleep with separate blankets. Let's face it: Andrew's not a good blanket sharer.

7) I now know more about sports than I ever wanted to know. . . and I'm still learning....unfortunately. And I still don't get why you need to watch 5 different sets of highlights for a game you just watched. Maybe this year I will figure it out.

8) We actually agree on a favorite restaurant: Texas Roadhouse, Baby!

9) Our favorite date was definitely indoor skydiving.

10) Andrew is still the only person that can truly make me angry.

11) It creeps me out how well Andrew knows me. He can sense the minute I am upset...when I usually can fool other people quite well. Sometimes I don't like this trait of his.

12) Andrew and I are very complimentary in our financial view. He is willing to spend money on things I don't like to (like food) and I am willing to spend money on things he is not (like trips to Brazil). So, although this may seem problematic, because it sounds like we're big spenders...it actually just keeps us from being lame. We actually enjoy life instead of just being obsessive about our bank account go up.

Moral of this story....we've enjoyed life together and can't wait for other adventures to come our way!

Happy Celebrations

Happy Easter! Happy Graduation! Happy Life!

The weekend with the parents and Jeff was great! It was so much fun, but as always too short.

Graduation was not the most thrilling thing for everyone to watch. Bonnie, Lee, Jeff, Andrew, Mom, and Dad endured the little less than 2-hour ceremony. (I am just glad my college isn't one of the popular ones!) But, it was fun and definitely gave me the officially done feelin'.

Final Days

Student teaching was fun. It was an absolutely great experience. But...(and there is always a but..) I am so glad it is over. And yes, you heard right: IT IS OVER. I'm done student teaching. Basically done with college. Tomorrow I have to show up for a ten minute interview. Then the 22nd I have to show up for an hour and half ceremony dressed in a funny cap and gown. Then, I'm legit. Quite nuts really. I can't believe I have spent four years here and now we finally get to move on. Was it always the best time of my life down here in Provo? Heck no. Would I have rather been doing something else? No way Jose. It was a great time of life and I wouldn't change a thing. It was a blast and full of life memories and experiences that are irreplaceable. Go BYU.