Katherine Anne

3 of Today's Best Musicians

2012-02-10T12:46:00.000-08:00

All in one great picture!

And look at all the variety: (from left to right)
1) Musically: Country, Pop, and R&B
2) Ethnicity: One Aussie, one Brit, and one American.

Love them all, but my favorite is that spectacular woman in the middle ;-)

Favorite Scriptures (2 of them)

2012-01-31T13:03:00.000-08:00

So I really love the scriptures. I want to write about 2 in particular that are very important to me.

Doctrine and Covenants 6:8

“Verily, verily I say unto you, even as you desire of me so shall it be unto you; and if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation.”

I definitely desire to be the means of doing much good in this generation. Some of the ways I try to do it are through:

1) fast offering (and tithing of course)
2) missionary work (I have the awesome privilege of being on my ward’s missionary counsel; and we actually do stuff and don’t just sit around only talking
3) family history (a CNN writer just contacted me personally to help him with his family history!)
4) temple work
5) humanitarian service
6) giving to reputable philanthropic causes
7) working hard to be a good teacher to my students, and overall just trying to be a good Christian and good steward over my time and possessions, but more importantly, exercise wise stewardship over those who I can look out for, like my roommates, friends, family, visiting teachees, students, etc. Cool.

Luke 2:52

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with man.”

This is the last verse of the chapter describing the growth and development of Jesus’s upbringing. I love it because it is a wonderful example of how we need to look at all the different aspects of our lives and give attention to all of them.

increased in wisdom- intellectual
and stature-physical
and favor with God-spiritual
and man-social

When I teach College Prep, I do an activity where I have my students plan a week of college hitting on all these aspects of self (we also include financial and service). I believe one of the major pitfalls of college freshmen is that their new-found increased freedom and decreased structure often cause them to neglect some of these aspects and spend too much time on others. So we talk about making sure to be social and get out once in a while (for the nerds), and not spending too much time on Facebook but also making sure to study (for the partiers). And definitely taking care of one’s body and sleeping, as well as making sure to address any emotional needs with the resources a college offers (in a school setting, I usually combine “spiritual” with “emotional”).

So those are just 2. What scriptures are important to you?

"Numbers" By Andy Grammer

2012-01-10T22:32:00.000-08:00

So I've seen Andy Grammer twice in concert. Once when he opened for Natasha Bedingfield and again in November with my friend Kevin. And I am LOVING this song "numbers" by Andy Grammer. Very reminiscent of Jason Mraz with the clever word plays. It's all about how most of us rate people 1-10, and how that is so dumb! Like, we need to focus more on people's personalities. Totally agree with this message. But I also appreciate how Andy admits that he does it. I like his honesty.

Just like Andy, I am often caught being wanting to reject/change the status quo vs. wanting to conform to it.

Take a listen.

Technology at its Best....

2012-01-06T14:25:00.000-08:00

So we live in a media saturated society. Understatement of the century. But I have been reflecting on some of the ways that technology has enhanced my life, not detracted from it. I just wanted to share some of my thoughts about it. These are some websites that have changed my life (hint, Facebook doesn't make the list!):

1) Mint.com

This amazingly reputable money tracking website (rated as a top website by Forbes and Time) has saved me hundreds of dollars in 2011 and will continue to help me from now on. I feel like a spokesperson for them because I have told so many people about this website and done tutorials and stuff like that. Ask me for more details....

2) LDS.org

Pretty self-explanatory

3) Mormon Women's Project

A wonderful collection of stories about LDS women from all walks of life and a diversity of different life experiences. My first story (not about me, but where I interviewed and wrote) will be featured on this site within the next few weeks!

4) Goodreads.com

Track the books you've read, you are reading, or the books you want to read. This is a social networking site, so you can also see what your friends are reading. This is not just novel and fiction. There are biographies, children's books, religious books, and stuff like that. You can rate books and write reviews and that kind of thing. This is a great way for me to keep in touch with my college professors about new books in the field and books to use in the classroom and that kind of thing.

5) Google: This one has multiple parts.

a) Gmail- duh.

b) Google Dox- I use them for Teens ACT (editing and sharing docs is amazing), for teaching, for my journal, and
for pretty much everything.

c) Google Chrome- the newest browser that is slowly gaining steam. The main thing I like about is that it features a program called StayFocused (see below)

d)Google Calendar-love being able to keep track of everything, like how often I go to the gym, how often I give myself a pedicure, and how often I go to temple. It's like gmail where you can search. So I can search "gym" and see the dates that I went to the gym. I can also predict thing in the way future. Like my teaching license expires in 2015, and I can put the calendar on that exact date. Beautiful.

Oh, and Google just announced the would join the fight against modern-day slavery. They donated $11.5 million to anti-slavery efforts. Rock on.

6) Stayfocusd (yes I spelled it correctly)

This is a program available exclusively on Google chrome that helps you not get caught in time-wasting activities (Facebook/Pinterest anyone?) You set your time amount per day and the websites that you want timed. I don't consider myself a FB addict, but it really can suck your time without you being aware. So I added FB, Pinterest, and a few others, and I can be on those sites for 30 minutes a day (not 30 minutes per site, 30 minutes total of all my timed websites).

7) Change.org

This is a petition website about social issues. They have some really great causes and also have had some incredible victories. (They were a huge part of the movement of having Verizon scrap their ridiculous $2 fee). They are quite LGBT friendly, and while I'm not a biggot or discriminatory, I do not agree with most of their causes concerning LGBT issues. Anyways, I feel that online petitioning and Twitter and stuff like that have (among other things) democratized the common man and given us a stronger voice in speaking up (for good and for bad) about what we believe. I know I'm about to sound like an Occupier right now, but we won't stand for big businesses taking money unnecessarily, and because of things like Change.org people are finally starting to listen. Pretty cool ;-)

8) Grooveshark.com

I can listen to all my favorite music without changing songs on Youtube, accidentally stumbling across inappropriate sidebars on Youtube, paying for music on Itunes, or downloading anything illegally. Winning all around ;-)

So those are just a few. What are your favorite websites or uses of technology?

Ain't that the truth...

2011-12-27T09:27:00.000-08:00

Celebrity Look-Alike (but not me this time)

2011-12-22T23:33:00.001-08:00

Lately I've been listening to the new Drake album, especially the songs "Trust Issues" and "Headlines." I love the pervading theme of ambivalent feelings toward fame. Very smart album. Oh, and don't be judging me on the profanity in the album. I listen to the edited versions of the songs. Most of the time.

Well, it recently occurred to me that Drake looks like an awful lot like BYU Basketball star Brandon Davies (who successfully bounced back from a heartbreaking scandal).

Seriously, the resemblance is uncanny! And no, it's not just because they are both beautiful black men (although they most certainly are).

Apostles and Rappers....

2011-12-22T15:25:00.001-08:00

So P. Diddy quoted Elder Perry on his twitter. NBD.

Haha, pretty cool! What an interesting world technology has made for us. For good and for bad. I really think this is pretty awesome because it means that in some form or another, Sean Combs (aka P. Diddy) has been reading conference talks!

Lyrics to Live By....

2011-12-13T14:01:00.001-08:00

"Only talk to people we think we might be kissing?
That's a lot of ideas to be dismissing."

Thanks Andy Grammer

Wilkinson Family Photo

2011-11-30T15:02:00.000-08:00

This is one of our family photos from last Christmas in Florida. As you can see, it is super sunny and many of us are squinting. I think that I had it the worst. At one point I had mascara tears running down my cheeks. Still, I like this photo, probably because it is kind of funny. P.S. My headband is rocking :-)

It is out of date because since that time, Andrew and Brooke's son Will was born. Got to meet him this Thanksgiving and he is awesome and cute!

Hope

2011-11-29T22:49:00.000-08:00

I stumbled across this article from the Washington Post. It is about a young man losing hope in our generation due to problems we face: abuse, poverty, injustice, consumerism. His thoughts are sparked by specific recent events: the Penn State sexual abuse scandal, September 11th, the war in Iraq, and the tough economy in which we find ourselves.

I too reflect on many of the evils of the world. I work with children from abusive, impoverished homes. I am aware of the pains and suffering of many around me due to health problems, unemployment, etc.. I know there is great inequality in education in our country. I have heard the stories about the dangers and evil of pornography. Divorce and other family problems are a plague among us.

Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted. And I have hope. Hope and optimism do not at all mean denying the reality of pain, sin, and hardship in life. But they do mean knowing that there still is a God who cares for us and watches out for us.

The need for a Savior has never been so great. And it is our responsibility to exercise faith in Him, and to know that despite our trials, we can "hope for a better world" (Ether 12:4).

It is also our responsibility to ease the suffering of others. Some ways we can do this:

1) share the gospel- people need to know God and also know that all things shall fail (as we are seeing), but the gospel WILL NOT!
2) give generous fast offering
3) give to reputable philanthropic groups
4) be a friend and lend a listening ear
5) go out of your way to help others-help them network to find a job, reassure them that hard times pass, etc.
6) Speak up! If you know that someone is suffering at the hands of another, take the steps to stop it and get help. If there is anything I can take away from this Penn State problem, it is that.
7) do your home and visiting teaching

Fly

2011-11-28T12:42:00.000-08:00

I came to win

to fight

to conquer

to thrive

I came to win

to survive

to prosper

to rise

I came to fly....

Some of my travel costs...

2011-11-27T18:56:00.000-08:00

Checking a bag of luggage: $25

Buying a fruit cup at the stop-and-go: $2.99

Watching my mom run past a guard at security to hand me a bag of clementines and yogurt for my flight: Priceless ;-)

Misunderstandings and Mouthwash

2011-11-18T14:39:00.000-08:00

I use mouthwash on and off: On when I have some and off when I am out of it.

Overall, I really like mouthwash. After I drink a Powerade, I can use it to rinse out of my mouth (I recently heard a startling statistic that Powerade/Gatorade can be just as bad for my beautiful teeth as a sugary juice. I'll do more research and letcha know).

Mouthwash can be a good rinse without the full commitment of a brushing/flossing session, kind of like taking a spit-bath instead of a full shower.

But mouthwash has one major downside: It can cause some confusion in my oral hygiene routine. Let me explain: In the mornings, I usually wake up and gargle some mouthwash, then proceed to get ready for the day, then brush my teeth before I head out the door. (don't worry, I ALWAYS brush my teeth! And I never REPLACE my teeth brushing/flossing experience with mouthwash, only enhance it)

But the problem is this: because mouthwash makes you feel like your mouth is clean, sometimes I FORGET whether or not I've brushed my teeth! I don't know if that minty feeling is from my mouthwash or from brushing. There has been perhaps been an occasion where I have neglected to brush my teeth, not because I'm lazy but because I THOUGHT I ALREADY DID. Dang you deceptive mouthwash!

Does anyone else have this problem?

Because of my realization of this problem and I my aforementioned commitment to clean teeth at any cost, I have decided that if mouthwash is to stay in my oral hygiene routine, then it must be IMMEDIATELY followed by brushing/flossing my teeth so as to avoid any confusion.

Short-Haired and Single ;-)

2011-11-15T23:52:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I got my hair cut. It was just getting stringy and unhealthy. As is usually the case, the guy who cut it took off a little more than I had wanted (but he otherwise did a great job!).

Here's the thing about me and short hair: I don't typically like it on me as I think it usually makes me look like either a 7 year old girl or a boy. I find long hair much more beautiful and feminine.

The first few days after the cut, I was really missing my hair. Then one day, it looked kind of cute.

That's when I realized it: Having short-hair is like being single. It's not the ultimate destination or goal. But there are things you can do and looks you can pull off with it that you couldn't otherwise. And just like being single, having short hair is temporary. So I'm gonna enjoy my short hair, and more importantly, my singleness, while I have them ;-)

I am including two pictures of Miss Bradshaw in season 5 of SATC, during which she was both single and had short hair. Notice how HAPPY and beautiful she looks.)

Healthy, Yummy Breakfast Goodness

2011-11-11T22:54:00.000-08:00

Occasionally I do like to post about food. This is going to be one of those posts.

I have come up with a relatively simple and yummy concoction. It's a breakfast shake. Here are the ingredients:

1) 1 thing of vanilla yogurt

2) 1 packet of instant breakfast chocolate powder (Ovaltine or Carnation Instant Breakfast)

3) milk

4) Peanut Butter

5) 1 banana

Just mix it all up in a blender. It literally takes only 5 seconds! (and yes, I used the word "literally" correctly). And think of all the goodness you are getting in that yummy shake.

What are the exact measurements for the peanut butter or milk, you say? THERE AREN'T ANY! I have never been one to follow any hard and fast rules (except the commandments). Just do as little or as much as you want.

This shake has changed my life. You know how some people have their morning coffee? I have this as my morning drink. And sometimes my afternoon or evening shake. It is fabulous.

Musings of a Busy (and Happy) Woman

2011-11-10T18:25:00.000-08:00

Today it is really catching up to me how I am being pulled in a million different directions. Here are just a few things going through my head:

1) Finish standardizing Teens ACT lesson plans for college prep and ACT prep (and meet with Dayan about them)

2) FINISH WRITING IN MY JOURNAL! (even though I'm never finished. My life experiences pile up at a much faster rate than I can ever record them)

3) Go to the temple this month

4) Study for the Praxis Test in January (and register for it)

5) Meet with woman from Provo High School about paying for a student's ACT test through the district grant.

6) Work on transcription and write-up for "Mormon Women's Project"

7) Develop Graduation Announcements (yah I graduated 6 months ago. What's your point?)

8) Get my fat butt to the gym and start training again

9) Figure out my life plan

10) Put finishing touches on my paper "Teaching the Yellow Wallpaper to 7th Graders?!" for the Charlotte Perkins Gilman newsletter

11) Develop pictures (one in particular that I'm giving to a friend for Christmas)

12) Figure out what food I will serve at a mini friend get-together this weekend (I never thought I would say this, but I'm getting tired of fruit pizza)

13) Fight my way out of a parking ticket ($30 won't kill me, but I get a thrill from sticking it to the man and why pay if I am smart enough to get out of it).

14) Order new credit card because I lost mine

15) Email the principal at the school I work about a job opening for next year (exciting!)

16) Call guy who heard me sing and play my guitar this summer and wants to have me in the recording studio (true story!)

17) LIVE MY LIFE!

So for the past few days my room has been a disaster (although I'm happy to say that I cleaned my car yesterday and it looks awesome).

Today at school I read a quote on a sign on the wall that made me feel better:

"Creative Minds are Seldom Tidy."

Love it. Breathe in, breathe out. Admittedly I will never be the girl who's bed is made everyday, who's desk is always neat, and who always has all her clothes hung neatly in her closet (although I'm not a slob and typically do a pretty good job). But I just have to tell myself that my crazy and AMAZING life makes it okay. Because who has time to make your bed in the morning when you have to run out the door to help at-risk students go to college? And who has time to neatly fold and put away laundry when your best friend calls you for a late night run to Costco and Cupcake Chic? (true story that happened two days ago). And I will not punish myself for having to take a cat-nap every now and then because I've been working my butt off with Teens ACT, my 1st graders, fund-raising, helping my newly baptized roommmate with the new-member discussions, helping students apply to college, and writing for major publications.

Sorry if this sounds like I am bragging. But sometimes I just have to remember that in my crazy life, I am happy. Heavenly Father has given me a great life, and you better I'm gonna live it. ;-)

Also, to get on a soapbox for just a minute. To all my women out there, please forgive yourself if you occasionally have a messy room, if your bed isn't made, if you have to grab fast food because you're too tired to cook or go to the grocery store, or if you've been working so hard that you have to take a cat-nap (or if you were just up late the night before partying and having much deserved fun) or anything like that. You are fabulous. You are beautiful. Have fun. Work hard. Love. Love others, and love yourself. Peace! ;-)

My Two Favorite Charlottes

2011-11-03T14:35:00.000-07:00

Charlotte Perkins Gilman (author of "The Yellow Wallpaper")

Charlotte York Goldenblatt (fictional character off of 'Sex and the City'")

I can't get no...satisfaction

2011-11-02T22:42:00.000-07:00

I have a confession. I am addicted to yellow PowerAid (or Gatorade, but Poweraid is usually cheaper. And I occasionally like pink too). Seriously, it just cheers me up, and hydrates me while providing much needed electrolites.

When I am sick, I crave it. When I am healthy, I crave it. When I am at work, I crave it. When I am exercising, I crave it. When I wake up in the morning, I crave it. Before I go to bed at night, I crave it.

And guess what...I usually satisfy this craving (or at least try to) by indulging in this bit of heaven.

And I don't feel bad about this addiction. If I were drinking a sugary juice or soda with too many calories that would be a different story. But I feel it is a relatively healthy indulgence.

Don't worry, I am still drinking water as much as before. But gatorade is just so refreshing.

It's amazing to me how much a Yellow PowerAid can cheer me up.

Okay, gotta go drink some now ;-)

"I can't keep them secret any longer" ~NB

2011-10-29T08:38:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I love Natasha Bedingfield, right? Yes. I love her music, her talent, her style, and the fact that she is scandal-free. (I really want to meet her someday and possibly give her a Book of Mormon). I also LOVE that she just posted this on her Facebook:

Natasha Bedingfield gets eyelash extensions! And so do I! Rock on!

Looking Good, Mrs. Cruise

2011-10-26T16:18:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I am not really one to post about fashion on this blog. But I stumbled across a picture of Katie Holmes recently that absolutely deserves a post.

I think most everyone will admit that Katie is not the finest actress in the world. And her husband is sort of a nut-job (Matt Lauer interview, anyone?). And still I can't help but love her. (Maybe its because I was once a "Dawson's Creek" junkie and loved her as the pensive, dark haired, girl-next-door character of Joey Potter)

I think she looks absolutely fantastic in this picture. Black tights always look good. Plus, I think she looks feminine and sexy without looking trashy. Her dress accentuates her figure, but is still classy and modest.

One thing that Katie always has going for her is her fresh-faced makeup look. And her long brunette locks are killer here.

Overall, this look is an A+. Way to go, girl!

Marathon Finisher ;-)

2011-10-21T20:07:00.000-07:00

As promised, here is a picture of me crossing the line. That's right, folks, you are reading the blog of a woman who was joined the rank of the elite who have taken on the challenge of the 26.2 mile race, AND FINISHED IT!

(I edited out my time on the clock to my right. It's personal. But I was very happy with it.)

So let the world kick me down and beat me to the ground (metaphorically speaking, of course). And I'll say, "You know what world. You don't know who you're messing with. I RAN 26.2 MILES! Bring it."

The Real Me

2011-10-21T16:11:00.000-07:00

I am a google doc slut.

And also a sticky note slut.

Sorry I said slut, Mom.

Go to Bed, Taylor!

2011-10-21T12:48:00.001-07:00

So, has anyone else noticed that Taylor Swift has a ton of songs with lyrics about being up late at night (usually fighting with/being with/or thinking about a guy?) Also, it's almost always 2 am.

Case in Point:

"It's 2 am, feeling like I lost a friend. I hope you know this ain't easy for me."
~"Breathe"

"I remember that fight 2:30 am, when everything was slipping right out of our hands."
~"Mine"

"I miss screaming and fighting and kissing in the rain. It's 2 am and I'm cursing your name"
~"That's the way I loved you"

"2 am riding in your truck."
~"Mary's song"

"2 am, who do you love?"
~"Enchanted"

(And I bet there are probably more too).

Look Taylor, I have a hard time winding down at night, too. But if there is one thing I've learned, it's that going to bed and getting your sleep makes you a lot happier than staying up late because of some guy. Seriously, T-Swizzle, get some sleep!

(One of) Life's Simple Joys

2011-10-05T22:23:00.001-07:00

Today I put on a jacket that I haven't worn in a few months. And in the pocket I found a tube of lipgloss that was pretty much new! Love that feeling. Lipgloss always makes me feel good. I buy a new one probably every 2 weeks or so. But still, finding a new one unexpectedly just perks me up. I know that lipgloss is not the most important thing in life, but it's important to appreciate the small joys.

Celebrity Look-Alike

2011-09-30T22:01:00.000-07:00

So what do you think?

Brooke Bradley, you better believe this is for you. As a diehard "Gilmore Girls" fan and as my most faithful blog commenter, I would love to know your opinion. Do I resemble Rory/Alexis Bledel (at least in this pic)?

Story of My Life

2011-09-06T21:10:00.000-07:00

Yes all I have gone on hiatus for a few months. To briefly catch you up, here's what's happening:

1) August 20 Park City Marathon- COMPLETED! (picture to come)

2) Moved to a new apartment- great girls and good lighting

3) Started new job at Reagan Academy in Springville teaching part-time (learning exponentially)

And here is an awesome article, speaking of teaching. This one is bound to become a classic (kind of like what President Benson did for Pride).

http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/06/living/teachers-want-to-tell-parents/index.html

Enjoy!

When a Stranger Calls....

2011-07-15T17:29:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else freak out when they get a call from an unknown number? I'm afraid its the IRS calling to say that I am going to jail for life because of that parking ticket I forgot about. Or maybe the police saying that that one time I thought I drove over a speed bump it was actually a person and I killed them and now I have to pay a million bucks and also go to jail for life :-) Silly, I know.

Natasha Bedingfield Concert!

2011-07-03T15:32:00.001-07:00

Natasha Bedingfield Concert:

Last Thursday June 23, Sara and I went to the Natasha Bedingfield concert in Salt Lake. It was AMAZING! One thing that was really great about it was that it was a very small venue, only 300 people, and we were right up at the front. I even got to touch her hand!

Those who know me know how much I LOVE Natasha. Musically, lyrically, professionally, personally, you name it. I truly believe she is one of the most under-rated musicians of our time. Her songs are very catchy, but not at the expense of great music (not unlike U2, who I also so recently).

She is very inviting. Like, very personable. Also, she is scandal free in the media.

Natasha is AMAZING live. I think she is a very good role model for women of all ages. Many of her songs are about loving yourself.

A few of my Natasha favorites:

1. Put Your Arms Around Me (this is from her Pocketful of Sunshine Album, so I thought she wouldn't do it, but she did and it was AWESOME!)

Quote: "I know they're easy words to say, but I mean it!"

2. Cheer Me Up- sadly its a hidden track on PFS, so you can't buy it.

Quote: "If happiness can last forever, I want a part of it, even just a little bit!"

3. Freckles- Love yourself, love your body, you are beautiful!

Quote: "A face without freckles is like the sky without the stars. Why waste a second not loving who you are?"

4. Love Like That- Natasha and I sang this to each other. Seriously, we had eye contact for 15 seconds+ ! It was AWESOME!

Quote: "I'm so glad you found me. Wrap your world around me. Never found a love like this!"

5. Unwritten

Quote: "Today is where your book begins. The rest is still unwritten."

6. Strip Me- its not what it sounds like :-) If you strip away the exterior, the facade, then I am still real.

Quote: I'm only one voice in a million, but you ain't taking that from me!"

7. Weightless- don't be weighed down by negativity and crap, be weightless

"The sky is the limit and I just want to float. Free as a spirit on a journey of hope!"

Natasha has a powerful voice, but I like it because she is inviting you to sing along with her!

Overall, a GREAT night!

Marathon Dreaming....

2011-06-02T13:28:00.001-07:00

So I am training for my first full marathon. Its August 20th in Park City. Here's a link to the website.

From what I can tell, the course looks beautiful. There are a few miles in the middle of the race that are a steady incline. That is something I am nervous about. But the last eight miles are downhill.

So this really will be a dream come true. I have dreamed about running a full marathon for a long, long time. I have run 2 half marathons (one awesome, one not so awesome). But now its time for the real thing. And while I am nervous, I am more excited than anything. What an accomplishment it will be!

This is a picture of my dad and me after my first half marathon in August '08

Training is going well. I am doing a mix of outdoor runs and treadmill runs (I can't go longer than 5 miles on a treadmill because I get bored, but I do like running on a treadmill occasionally). Heather has been a great training buddy.

I know when race day arrives I will be a nervous wreck, but as always, I'll pull through.

Wish me luck everyone!

No Fat Necessary!

2011-05-30T12:26:00.000-07:00

Last night I made my famous fruit cookie pizza. Yum! And I just thought I'd share the following tip: When you make the frosting, you simply beat cream cheese and powdered sugar together. No measuring, no fuss, just pure bliss. It is the simplest, most scrumptious frosting you've ever tasted. And guess what... you can use fat free cream cheese! Usually fat is used in cooking/baking to hold things together and give something texture. So its easy to think that you would need full-fat cream cheese for a frosting. But you don't! You don't even need 1/2 of the fat. That's right, folks. Fat free cream cheese works perfectly! Enjoy. Your heart (and your waistline) will thank you!

Getting the Most out of Scripture Study

2011-05-22T21:39:00.001-07:00

Yes, this blog is going to be on the spiritual side. If you are turned off by that, then you don't deserve to be reading this. But lucky for you, it is also on the intellectual side. Double the fun!

Lately I have been thinking of ways to get the most out of my scripture study. I've been praying for a way to make my scripture study as meaningful as are my prayers. I know that reading out of obedience is better than nothing, but for me it's not enough. That philosophy might fly if I were still in high school, but I am a college graduate- wahoo! And speaking of, I am beginning to realize how very much my college education is helping me achieve my goal of getting something meaningful out of reading the scriptures. And surprisingly, it is perhaps more the secular side of my education that is helping me with this, and not necessarily all the religion courses I took. But then again, everything is spiritual to God, right? D&C 34:29

A couple of things I learned from college that are helping me with this? Read below:
1) James Ford's class "359- The Short Story"

No surprise there- this class has worked miracles for me. It has taught me some of the following: If something is repeated, pay attention to it; If something seems odd or strange, pay attention to it; Ask questions while you read; Summarize as you go along to check for understanding

2) Sirpa Grierson's "Teaching Reading Eng. 378" class

This class has many strategies to improve reading, many similar to the ones I listed above for James Ford's class. Another thing I've learns involved explicitly writing your responses to these strategies.

One of the things I incorporate into my classroom as an English teacher is called an Exit Slip assignment. "Exit" is somewhat of a misnomer, as the students only turn in their slips as they leave, but must complete them throughout the class as we are reading a given novel, short story, or nonfiction text. The premise of an Exit Slip is this: Students write down a summary or questions that they have (or any other point that I specify) during their reading. The objective of an Exit Slip is NOT to trip students up and punish them for their lack of attention, but instead to focus their reading and increase their comprehension. For example, when my 7th graders were reading an act of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," I gave them all a note-card and instructed them to write down the 3 problems which the worker men encounter as they are preparing to perform the play to put on for the Duke and Duchess. These 3 problems permeated the act, and therefore caused the students to really focus their attention on the entire passage.

I have adopted (and adapted) a sort of "Exit Slip" strategy for my scripture study. As I read, I write about what I am reading. I write summaries, questions, impressions, or themes which I encounter. This makes my reading more centered and concentrates my attention, not to mention making my study more enjoyable, both on a spiritual and intellectual level.

3) Jack Welch- specifically his recent BYU Forum: "Thy Mind, O Man, Must Stretch"

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This man is pure genius and really is the leading figure in Mormon Scholarship. The thing for which he is most well-known is discovering Chiasmus in the Book of Mormon. And get this- he was on his mission! So young and so smart. I now have a goal to get an article published in the BYU Studies Academic Journal, of which he has been the editor in chief for over 20 years. But that highly ambitious goal aside, we have a lot to learn from Jack Welch about really focusing our reading of the scriptures.

So there you have it. One of the ways that I am learning to get the most out of my scripture study is by making it an intellectually stimulating and challenging experience. Some may question this as they may feel it leaves out the spiritual component. But I'm not worried about that. I know that the spiritual component is still there as I seek learning by study and also by faith.

Perhaps some of the things I've learned, implemented, and written about here on this post can help some of you who maybe struggle in motivation or desire to study the scriptures, even though of course we all know we should. Or quite possibly you all are light-years ahead of me in this department :-)

Marathon Training Observations

2011-05-18T18:52:00.000-07:00

As I am training for a big race in August, I have made several observations. First of all, I am really proud of myself for being so consistent in my training; I can do anything! Also, Justin Beiber's song "Never Say Never" makes me push through when its tough. Don't you dare say I can never run 26.2 miles! I'll sucker punch someone who tells me that.

Heather pointed out something to me the other day at the gym. I SWEAT A LOT! It feels good, but I get SO hot when I'm running. In the past I've been able to wear a sports bra at least a week or so before washing it. (not fully for a week, of course. Just when I work out) Those days are over. By that I mean that the days of it being reasonably acceptable for me to wear one after a week are no more. But laundry really is the bane of my existence, so truth be told I probably still will only wash it that often. Deal with it. And if I get a chest rash, I'll have to deal with that :-)

Motherhood

2011-05-18T08:54:00.001-07:00

I know that Father's Day is just around the corner, but I'd like to share a short video clip showing women discussing how hard it is to be a mother.

Warning: The clip is from the film "Sex and the City 2." Let the judging begin. But there is NO sex in this clip. It is simply a woman being honest about her feelings about motherhood. To be honest, there is, however, the tiniest bit of profanity. I'm not trying to excuse it, but I really think this clip is worth it.

Click here to watch!

I love that she's honest. Both Charlotte and Miranda love being mothers, but admit what every mother feels- that its HARD! Anyways, I'm obviously not a mother yet, but I just think this is a wonderful clip. What do you think?

My New Goal

2011-05-17T23:35:00.000-07:00

I want my hair to be so long it's sick.

I love this picture of Reese! Her hair looks great (as always), just the way I want mine to look! (minus the blonde). Also, FYI, Reese and I both have heart-shaped faces and very good bone structure, not to mention blue eyes. I know I don't look that much like her, but at least we have those things in common.

Back to my goal. I'll just have to keep getting regular trims so that my hair doesn't have split ends so it grows faster. I just love long hair. Sure its a lot of maintenance, but its so feminine and beautiful that its totally worth it!

Wrong Music

2011-05-17T21:41:00.000-07:00

John Mayer's "Your Body is a Wonderland" in Yoga?! What was the instructor thinking?! During my sun salutations and child's prayer poses I want music that reminds me of an flexible Native American old sage meditating on a beach somewhere, not a pop song that teenage girls swoon to. On the other hand, maybe if I do yoga enough, some guy will tell me my physique is hot, hence the song...

Give me something to believe in!

2011-05-16T15:52:00.001-07:00

Take a listen to this new song from Parachute:

I think it sounds a LOT like Rob Thomas/ Matchbox Twenty, both vocally and just the song in general, especially with the gospel choir. What do you think?

Btw, I really like this group and I'm excited they are getting more recognition. I love their song "She is Love." I've done my own acoustic cover of it more than once. Maybe I'll put it on this blog someday soon...

Beauty Tip of the Day

2011-05-11T14:36:00.001-07:00

Pluck your eyebrows while sitting in the car. Being able to see your eyes that close up in a mirror really helps you see where you need to pluck. Trust me, this works miracles. I suggest keeping your tweezers in your car...

Missoula, Montana, here I come!

2011-05-09T17:08:00.000-07:00

I am going to Montana next month for the Charlotte Perkins Gilman Literacy Conference at the University of Montana. Wahoo!

I am so very excited to go. I stumbled across this conference after the deadline to submit a paper. Bummer. But I emailed the conference director, and she said that I could email my paper to her and have the committee read it and judge it and see if they could get me in. AND THEY ACCEPTED ME!

So yes, this will be the second time that I get to present my "Death and Rebirth in 'The Yellow Wallpaper'" essay.

I am just as excited to listen to the other presenters and learn about Gilman as I am to present. How cool that the entire conference is about her. I am sure that I will leave the conference uplifted and intellectually challenged, just the way I like :-)

My mom is going with me. Road-trip with my mom! We plan on going fly-fishing :-)

P.S. I hope this isn't bragging. Really, I do. But I also think its import to take joy in your accomplishments. And while I am happy that I've written such an amazing paper, I realize that it could not have happened without my BYU education, especially James Ford's class, and of course to Heavenly Father, who gave me my intellect.

Teens ACT update

2011-05-09T16:37:00.000-07:00

I know I've written about Teens ACT before, but it really just keeps getting better.

Here's a link to the 2011 BYU Social Venture Competition results:

Sadly, I didn't make it in this picture-I was at school student-teaching that day, whereas the day before I had been there to present to the judges.

Next stop: San Antonio Texas in July to present Teens ACT at the Deep in the Heart of Literacy Conference.

We are working right now to sell our program to the high schools. Right now, we are trying to sell to Provo High (where we've already been up and running for 2 years) and Independence High School, also in Provo. We are pretty confident about Provo High. And if any high school in Utah County needs our program, it is Independence High School. If you don't know about this school, its an alternative school for students who really struggle a lot, both academically and behaviorally. Not surprisingly, many of these kids are minority and classify as SES (socio-economic status), meaning they qualify for free or reduced lunch. When we get into Independence (I am confident that we will), our teachers are going to be up for quite the challenge, but I know they will do a great job :-)

Also happening now: I am formalizing and standardizing the ACT prep curriculum that our teachers last semester (love you guys!) worked so hard to create. I'm also working on doing the same thing for college prep.

Speak

2011-05-09T11:45:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot of talk over Laurie Hals Anderson's young adult novel "Speak." It is about a girl who is raped the summer before high school. She is emotionally paralyzed by this, and is unable to tell anyone about what happens. Over the course of the novel, thanks to her art teacher, she learns the importance of self-expression and is finally able to break the silence and speak about what has happened.

I read this book 3 years ago for my YA Literature class. I was struck by how funny it was; I love that the author balanced the seriousness of the tone with such a funny and witty character like Melinda (the girl).

The book has met with acclaim, but also with controversy. No surprise there. The following is a video of the author reading a poem in response. Very interesting:

I loved this book, as it talks about the power of self-expression and finding the courage to use one's voice. I don't think the rape scene is graphic at all, so I definitely think the book needs to stay on the shelves. What do you think?

This is Why I Love Cleaning....

2011-05-08T16:08:00.000-07:00

because you find stuff you lost, like this necklace I found when I was cleaning out the closet by the vanity in my apartment. Score!

P.S. Props to my sister-in-law Brooke for making that beautiful flower pin on my sweater.

'Death and Rebirth in “The Yellow Wallpaper”' By Katherine Anne Wilkinson

2011-05-06T17:55:00.000-07:00

'Death and Rebirth in “The Yellow Wallpaper”'
By Katherine Anne Wilkinson

Few would argue that Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” is a literary masterpiece. It has generated many discussions since its publication in 1892. The themes on which most readers and critics have focused their attention concern the destructive effects of women’s subordination at the hands of a dominating, patriarchal society, and more recently, mental illness, specifically postpartum depression and psychosis. Weir Mitchell, a doctor mentioned in the story, was a real person, who specialized in and was a proponent of the now infamous rest cure, in which women were told to “live as domestic a life as possible” and “never touch a pen, brush, or pencil” again. The authoress sent a copy of her story, which shows the devastating and tragic effects of the rest cure, to Mitchell, who reportedly changed his methods after he read it. For its early exploration of the reality of mental illness when psychology was not even in its infant stages, some might even say that “The Yellow Wallpaper” changed the world. However, Gilman’s story is not merely propaganda concerning pressing social issues, but is also a hallmark piece of art containing numerous literary devices. In their introduction to the piece in “The Portable American Realism Reader,” James Nagel and Tom Quirk suggest that some of the elements of the story that too often go overlooked include the effects created by the changes in narration, the true meaning of the woman’s perceived images in the wallpaper, and the increasingly evident fragmentation of the narrator’s mind (254-5). To their list of specific aesthetic elements in the story, I add my own idea of the ever-present theme of the binary idea of life and death. A close reading of the “The Yellow Wallpaper” reveals that the nameless female narrator figuratively overcomes death and is thus reborn through her experiences with the wallpaper, which evidence that the oft-debated and controversial ending of the story is to be interpreted as a sign of the woman’s victory.

The narrator has recently given life in having given birth, but through the events since, she herself has begun to metaphorically die. This is illustrated by her frequent exhaustion, which renders her unable to complete simple tasks: “Nobody would believe what an effort it is to do what little I am able,-to dress and entertain, and order things” (257). Furthermore, the narrator has to “lie down ever so much” (261). Following a small family social event (where only a minimum number of guests were invited due to John’s attempt to not overwhelm her), the woman explains that, “Of course I didn’t do a thing... But it tired me all the same” (260). This illustrates that her exhaustion is not at all caused by too much excitement, but rather by being under stimulated and deprived of opportunity. She soon after expresses, “I will take a nap I guess” (261). The narrator’s near-constant sleep is thus a symbolic death of her actions, thoughts, and ultimately, her choice to do anything.

Not only does Gilman provide description of the narrator that is evocative of death, but the wallpaper too has deathlike images. In one of the numerous descriptions of it, the woman refers to a spot where a certain pattern “lolls like a broken neck and two bulbous eyes,” which strongly implicates the image of a dead figure (258). She also likens the way that some of the lines suddenly bend and jump to “suicide,” an even more explicit reference to death (257). Paradoxically, this same wallpaper will be what liberates the narrator and gives her a sense of rebirth and renewal. The paper represents death; by tearing it away, she is obliterating this sense of death. There is an interesting connection between the paper on the wall and the paper of the woman’s journal. As the story is written as a series of journal entries, the woman more than once remarks that “this is dead paper, and such a relief to my mind” (259). She is giving life to the once dead paper by filling it with her thoughts, just and she is giving life to herself by tearing the dead paper off the wall.

As the woman begins to become more and more involved with the wallpaper, specifically with ripping off the paper to free what she perceives to be a woman trapped inside, she has a renewal of energy and stimulation and is often compared to an active child. She remarks that “Life is very much more exciting now than it used to be. You see I have something more to expect, to look forward to, to watch. I really do eater better” (264). Even her husband John observes that she is “gaining flesh and color,” and her “appetite is better” (262). The woman also mentions that she doesn’t “sleep much,” as she is too busy tearing off the wallpaper (264). She also has an awakening of her senses that help her experience the wallpaper more fully. The smell of the wallpaper particularly affects the woman, which she describes as a “peculiar, enduring odor... even a yellow smell” (265). The woman obviously has a relationship of touch with the wallpaper; as she tears it off, she explains how she gets “yellow smooches on all my clothes” (264). She evens gnaws the bedpost with her teeth, echoing a sort of childlike action (267). Another strong example of this is how she begins to frequently creep (or crawl) around the room, which clearly evokes an image of a child. It is interesting that before she begins having her interactions with the wallpaper, the narrator is treated like a child. Her husband often calls her a “little girl” and has confined her to a room that was once a nursery, or a place for children. However, it is not until the woman begins a rebirth and starts to act like a child of her own doing that she truly becomes free.

The narrator recounts how when she was a young girl, she “used to lie awake... and get more entertainment and terror out of blank walls and plain furniture than most children could find in a toy-store” (259). By likening her actions then to her behavior now as a fully-grown woman, it is clear that she has begun to strongly resemble a child in her behavior. When observing the now paperless room, the woman remarks, “How those children did tear about here” (267). Having regressed to a fragmented mental state, she does not fully understand that she is one responsible for the bareness of the room, not the children who previously lived in it. And yet, by including this comment, Gilman again reminds us of the childlike state of the woman herself as she has had a rebirth.

When the woman notices that her husband and Jennie are becoming concerned about the wallpaper’s effects on her and will perhaps seek to remove it themselves, she threatens, “No person touches this paper but me- not alive!” (267). Thus, her rebirth is contingent upon the wallpaper, and she will pursue that rebirth fully, even at the expense of the life of another.

Textual evidence supports the idea that the troubled narrator of this story has explicitly contemplated suicide. When discussing the awful odor of the wallpaper, the woman admits that she has “thought seriously of burning the house-to reach the smell” (263). Toward the end of the story, she recounts, “getting angry enough to do something desperate. To jump out the window would be admirable exercise, but the bars are too strong to even try” (268). The woman also reveals that she has “got a rope up here that even Jennie did not find” (268). Interestingly, it seems that the narrator’s deliberation of literal suicide seems to take place when she has become most alive in her physical and sense-involving experiences with the wallpaper.

The closing scene of “The Yellow Wallpaper” has particular resonance of the notion of the woman being reborn and thus re-empowered. Upon seeing his wife in her strange state, John faints to the ground. This can be interpreted to mean a figurative death of him and his domination, especially since his wife literally crawls over him, suggesting that she has become triumphant and independent. Thus the controlling male power is dead, while the female, albeit a crawling infant figure, has been reborn and fully able to make choices, defy authority, and experience the world around her with her senses. “The Yellow Wallpaper” is undoubtedly most known for its themes concerning a woman’s lack of agency due to a male-powered society. Some critics think that the ending of the story is to be read as the woman being victorious over her dominating husband, while other readers interpret it to mean that she has been completely stripped of any agency or dignity, as evident by her regression into such a weakened mental state. I interpret this story as the former, where the woman gains power over her once-controlling husband. The way in which this takes place is experiencing the wallpaper through her senses, in which she overcomes the death of sleep, inactivity, and lack of choice, to a life of energy, purpose, excitement, and agency. The wallpaper, which is dead itself in its rotting state and becomes even more so as it is pulled from the wall, paradoxically gives life to the woman as she rips it away to release her projections of a female prisoner.

The question arises as to what is a big idea that can be gained from this discussion of death and rebirth. My answer would be this: The binary theme of life and death is the artistic vehicle through which the deeper themes of mental illness and marital/gender inequality are conveyed. Some pieces of fiction provide a compelling plot line, but perhaps lack thematic substance, while others speak of pressing issues and controversies, but sometimes at the expense of an enjoyable and interesting story. “The Yellow Wallpaper” achieves both of these ends, thus proving it more than deserves its place in the American literary cannon.

These are a few of my favorite things

2011-05-01T18:40:00.001-07:00

1) Toast with peanut butter and banana slices

So yummy, relatively healthy (don't put too much pb), and easy!

2) "Lovely" Perfume by Sarah Jessica Parker

This smell is clean, fresh, feminine, and not-overpowering. Truly lovely.

3) Tipping Bucket

4) Ne-Yo "One in a Million"- there truly is nothing sexier than a man who can dance, except maybe a man wearing suspenders dancing

5) TeensACT :-)

6) Kate Middleton's wedding dress

7) This blog: 1000 Awesome Things

The guy who created it, Neal Pasricha, appeared on this TED talk. Highly inspirational, funny, and entertaining. And clean!
When I taught creative writing, my students did an activity where they wrote about and illustrated their awesome things.

8) The fact that I am going with this cute girl

to see U2 in a couple of weeks! I have been obsessed with them for many years, and I finally have the opportunity to go see them!

9) Prayer-Where would I be without that ability to pray every morning, every night, and anytime I need to talk to Heavenly Father?

10) Gold's Gym

2011-04-29T10:12:00.000-07:00

Big News....

2011-04-22T22:20:00.000-07:00

Starts with a "G," ends with a "raduation" :-)

Yes, today I graduated with a Bachelors degree in English Education- FINALLY!

(more pictures to come)

As of Late....

2011-04-18T17:09:00.000-07:00

Well, many things have been going on lately.... So without going into too much detail on any one thing, here's an overview:

February 12, 2011:

Car crash! Not my fault- no one was injured... Rear-ended on University Parkway on my way to see BYU Basketball play. Outcome: CAR TOTALLED! But at least I got a little fun with this bad boy rental:

(P.S. I am getting my new car this coming week. Long enough without a car?)

March 26, 2011: Festival of Colors at Hare Krisha Temple in Spanish Fork:

April 1, 2011: Presented my paper "Death and Birth in 'The Yellow Wallpaper'" at the National Undergraduate Literature Conference at Weber State University

April 7, 2011: Presented "Teens ACT" at the BYU Social Venture Competition (won 2nd place!)- we got some great feedback from professional judges, some awesome exposure for our program, and $4,000 to improve and spread Teens ACT- not too shabby!

April 8, 2011: Last day of student teaching 7th Grade English, Honors English, and Creative Writing at Dixon Middle School- wahoo! (no pictures here)

April 8, 2011: Free Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband Concert- check out this picture of me and Ryan Shupe!

April 9, 2011: Free Sugar Ray concert, with a special surprise appearance by none other than JIMMER!

April 15, 2011: Hiked the Y with Sara, where I debuted my new bangs (mixed feelings) and stood in an unnatural, contorted position

Next up? Graduation (YAH!), and then the real world (SCARY!) I'll keep ya posted....

Decisions and Priorities

2011-02-24T10:47:00.000-08:00

Every morning, I am running out the door to get to my school. And every morning, I have to make choices about what is most important to do, because heaven knows I don't have time to do them all! And every morning, it pretty much comes down to this crucial decision: To Pray or to Make my Bed?

I have realized the importance of prayer over making my bed, and so that is the one I choose. Maybe someday I will wake up on time so I can do both :-) But until that blessed day arrives, I am trying to keep my priorities straight.

That's the Way that the World Goes "Round

2010-12-21T08:39:00.000-08:00

Well I was sittin’ in the tub just a countin’ my toes

When the radiator broke and the water froze

Got stuck in the ice without any clothes

Naked as the eyes of a clown

I was crying ice cubes hoping that I'd croak

When the sun came through the window and the ice all broke

I said son of a gun man that’s just a joke

And that's the way that the world goes 'round

Thank you, Miss Miranda :-)

She's Left Me Speechless...

2010-12-06T13:33:00.001-08:00

So there are varying opinions about Lady Gaga, are there not? My personal is that she is a publicity stunt who uses sex to sell her music. Trash. Inappropriate. Even Evil. You couldn't pay me to see her filthy show in concert. HOWEVER, all that being said, she IS a very talented musician. And I just came across a song of hers that is fascinating; its called "Speechless." Its about how her father has drunk himself sick, and she is afraid whenever she gets a phone call from someone in her family. The song is very nostalgic, and is undeniably influenced by the Beatles. Take a listen: ">

Although Eliza Doolittle may disagree...

2010-11-18T00:06:00.000-08:00

I am absolutely NOT so sick of words!

I LOVE this clip. Mr. Young, my cooperating teacher, used it in his classroom of 7th graders at Dixon Middle School. It shows all different kinds of meanings for the same words. Take a look:

WORDS from Everynone on Vimeo.

The Yellow Wallpaper

2010-10-30T00:07:00.000-07:00

It really is about time that I wrote about Charlotte Perkins Gilman's short story, "The Yellow Wallpaper" written in 1899, as it has completely and indelibly changed my life, and is by far one of my favorite pieces of literature at all times. Now, I know this might seem to some of you that this might be a boring blog post, but please hear me out. I think you might be surprised how interesting this all is. And I promise you that its not just literature nerds and English majors like me who can connect to this story. Yes, its about a woman in the late 19th century, but even if you're not a big fan of Henry James or Jane Austen or anyone like that, you will appreciate it if you truly understand it.

Many of my close friends and family are aware (to some degree or another) how important this story is to me. For one thing, I just wrote my 4th paper on "The Yellow Wallpaper" for my BYU college career. Haha. The cool thing is that all of them have been radically different, which I think is evidence of how brilliant the story is; you can take so many angles on it.

I first encountered "The Yellow Wallpaper" in my 11th grade American Lit English class. We didn't actually read it, but my teacher explained the basic premise of it, and I instantly felt a close connection with it that I had not, nor never since have had with a piece of literature. I knew I had to get my hands on it, and when I read it, it spoke volumes to me. Really. I know that I might be sounding a tad dramatic, but truly I cannot emphasize enough the intensity of feelings and opinions I have about the story.

Let me name a few major themes in the piece:
*mental illness, specifically postpartum depression
*the profound importance of being taken seriously and having your problems
validated, especially in the case of husbands and their wives, and men and women in general
*the therapeutic use of journal writing
*the mentally destructive effects of a lack of an authetically pleasing and comfortable environment (for example, how
bad lighting and color truly can affect one's mood)
*how the neglect of one's emotional needs by someone else can have an intense effect
on one's health and overall happiness

And all of these themes are but some of them. They don't even take into account the literary and historical aspects of the piece, which are very important. Speaking of literary, my most recent paper on the "The Yellow Wallpaper" was concerning how Gilman uses certain technical devices to construct a theme of death and rebirth. It is a completely original take on the piece, if I do say so myself. And I have James Ford, a former professor of mine, to thank for teaching me how to really scrutinize and do an intense close-reading of a piece, specifically a short story. I am working on getting my piece published, and have had 2 of my professors (one in particular) say that I should try, but I won't expound upon that yet because I don't want to get my hopes up about something that hasn't happened.

For those of you who are interested in reading "The Yellow Wallpaper" (which should be ALL of you!), click here. Don't worry, its really not too long at all, just a short story that is 10 pages long in an anthology book. Also, I HIGHLY suggest that everyone click on the link at the bottom of that page, entitled "Why I wrote 'The Yellow Wallpaper.'" The last line is very telling: "I didn't write 'The Yellow Paper' to drive people crazy, I wrote it to keep them from going crazy. And it worked."

Thank you, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, for writing a brilliant short story that speaks of current issues about both your day and mine, and also for changing my life forever.

EGUA/TeensACT

2010-10-26T16:56:00.000-07:00

I have the incredible opportunity to be part of a life-changing club at BYU called EGUA. It stands for Education, Growth, and Unity Association.

It all started a few months ago when I read an article in the BYU Magazine about a student named Dayan Bernal and the incredible work that she did by setting up an ACT Prep Course for at-risk Latino Youth at Provo High School. Read her amazing story here:

I contacted Dayan to tell her how impressed and inspired I was by what she had done, and to let her know that if she needed any help, I would love to become involved. Since that time, I have been working with Dayan and other members of the group and am happy to call them my friends.

My responsibilities involve using the Kaplan Review Book to write formal lesson plans for both the Reading Comprehension and English/Grammar part of the test. We rely very heavily on the book (Kaplan is the best of its kind), but at the same time, we are not slaves to the book and use things we've learned in our classes and things we've seen other teachers do to make the lessons engaging and informative.

One fun thing for me is that Jess Sanders (she's to the right of me in the picture, wearing the argyle sweater), a fellow English Ed Major and a good friend, is working with me to write the Reading Comprehension and English Grammar part of the course. Yippee! So good to spend time with her and use her talents and insight.

This work really is perfect for me. It is challenging, it is rewarding, it is great experience for my future career, it is humbling, and, if we give it our all, it will change the lives of students at Provo High and Timpview High and maybe even more in the future. For a few years now, I have been interested in working with at-risk students in an urban setting, and here is the beginning of hopefully what will be many opportunities to do so.

For those of you who don't know, I am majoring in English Education and am also pursuing a Post-Bacc degree in Spanish teaching. Since I student-teach next semester, I won't be able to teach the ACT Prep Course that I am preparing, though I will still be involved in communication between the course writers and the teachers. I have no doubt that the club is in good hands.

Last week, we had Open Club Night, where students who were interested in the club came to learn what we were all about. We had some amazing speakers: Warner Woodworth, founder of HELP International, spoke about being an agent of change. Joan Dixon spoke about Poverty in Provo. One of the most touching parts of the program was when a former participant in the ACT prep course spoke about his experience. He told how he had a VERY low grade-point average, but through hard work, was able to graduate from high school, go to LDS Business College, and is now preparing to serve a full-time LDS mission. He also talked about how Dayan inspired him. And of course we heard from Miss Dayan herself!

Doctrine and Covenants 58:27 tells us that we should be "anxiously engaged in a good cause." Thanks Dayan for seeking out such an amazing cause without being commanded.

Okay, this has been a very long blog post. Can you tell I'm excited about working with EGUA?

Returning from a Hiatus

2010-10-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

So its been about 6 months since my last blog post. Which means I haven't blogged a thing about Fiji. Well, enough already! Time to get back in the saddle. I'll start off with just a mini-post since I don't have a lot of time.

I have sold my story to Hollywood. My check for $5 million will be coming in the mail next week. They took a few liberties, but the idea is still the same. Check it out:

Oh, Modern Family. How lucky you are to have re-enacted my car falling off a cliff scene. :-)

Family History!

2010-05-16T15:17:00.000-07:00

Recently, I have started to become more interested in family history! This was mainly prompted by my Bishop, who reserved the Salt Lake Temple on June 3rd so that could all go and perform ordinances for our ancestors. Also, this past year, one of the Sunday School classes in our ward was on family history.
Because my Dad (see picture below) has been such a genealogy buff, I always just figured that all the work had been done. And other than that, to be honest, I just didn't really care. But as I said earlier, I am beginning to get more into it. And for those of you out there who think that because a family member has done a lot of work and that there is no more work to be done, THINK AGAIN!

Family history is so much easier to track and more accurate as it has ever been because of an amazing thing called NewFamilySearch!You can register, then see the names of your relatives, sometimes back to the eighteenth century or even further. So cool! You can also see if the relatives need temple work done or not, and if so, what ordinances specifically. If there is enough information, the names can be printed and submitted to the temple!

About a week ago, I spent about 3 hours in the Family History Center at the BYU library getting a little more help on how to use the website (even thought its new and improved, it still can get a bit confusing in you haven't been on it before). I also spent time at home with my Mom and my Dad looking over our family tree.
Right now, I am just excited about finding names and taking them to the temple, but as time goes on, I would like to really study these people in my family and get to know them as more than just a name. And someday, if I really get into it, I'd love to research and actually add names to the tree, which is NOT an easy task at all (my Dad has been stuck on a specific relative for years!)

See the green arrow pointing to the temple. That means you've hit the jackpot!

I found these female names, printed out the sheet, and took it to the Provo Temple to get these pink cards! Now I can go and perform their work this coming Thursday with my ward!

The Cunningham girls will be so excited!

Now, maybe I should work on adding a husband to my family tree :-)

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-07T09:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Mom, for always being so great to me. Especially these past few months as I have been figuring out bills, housing, summer plans, and student teaching in the fall. I am so grateful that for 2 years, you and Dad are right up the street from me. Thanks for always letting me come in the house after running up and giving me a glass of water, letting me use your bike, supporting me in my glorious triathlon, and inviting me to teach CTR 11 with you. I've had the time of my life. I'm sad that you and Dad are headed back East, but I know we will keep in touch via g-chat, telephone, and the occasional in-person visit. Love ya!

(Please ignore the bare shoulders. I was trying to wear all my immodest clothes before I came to BYU).

The Blessings of Scripture

2010-04-06T10:47:00.000-07:00

When watching General Conference, I always think the talks are so beautiful, so informative, and so uplifting. But every once in a while, there is a talk that truly hits me as a wake-up call. These talks, in my opinion, are often the best, as they inspire change, or gently but firmly condemn certain behavior. The talk that did that for me this past Conference was by D. Todd Christofferson, called "The Blessings of Scripture."

One of the quotes that was a particular wake-up call to me was the following:

"There is a certain Bible illiteracy today"

In the past few months, I have become lax about my scripture reading. Though I haven't abandoned it completely, I can do much better than one chapter a night when I am half-asleep already. And even if I am reading the scriptures, that's not enough. I must study them if I wish to get anything out of it.

For those of you who are reading this blog and are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and even those who are Christians not of my faith, consider the following: William Tyndale, Martin Luther, Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery and others went through so much persecution and effort to make these scriptures available to us. And just think- most of us have them in a quadruple combination (mine is on my bed-side table). I encourage everyone to take part of the scriptures, if, for no other reason, than to respect and honor the great men who made them available to us.

And lastly, I love the following quote of Williams Tyndale that Elder Christofferson reiterates in his talk:

"I will cause the boy who drives the plow to know [of] the scriptures."

Though Elder Christofferson did not go into further detail concerning this quote, when I heard it, I immediately thought, "Joseph Smith!" Joseph Smith was of course a plowboy, and even at the young age of 14, he not only had access to the Bible, but also regularly read it and pondered its teaching. A passage in the Book of James prompted a question of eternal significance, and the rest is history.

I am particularly grateful for this Conference talk. It inspires me to take my scripture studying more seriously, and to be all the more grateful that they are so readily available and accessible to me.

Single and Fabulous! (in the words of Carrie Bradshaw)

2010-02-07T21:49:00.000-08:00

I live with 3 wonderful girls!

Elizabeth Wheelwright:

Annie Jack:

and my best friend (not that the other two aren't my best

friends) of 3 years, Whitney Booth:

And guess, what: ALL THESE GIRLS HAVE MEN IN THEIR LIVES! Elizabeth and Annie are both engaged to two awesome guys, and Whitney is cooking up a lil' romance herself (sorry, I hope you areProxy-Connection: keep-alive
Cache-Control: max-age=0

27t embarrassed by this)! And then there is me: Katherine Anne. All alone. But am I crying? Heck no! Am I active and leading a fulfilling life? Of course! And I am incredibly happy for my roommates? You better believe it. In other words, I am living proof that a woman, specifically a young LDS woman, can be single and happy.

Two of my favorite recording artists put it best with the following quotes:

"I'm not saying I don't want to fall in love, cuz I would........Everything in it's right time, everything in it's right place
I know I'll settle down one day. But 'til then I like it this way it's my way."
~Natasha Bedingfield Single

"And this is not to say, there never comes a day, I'll take my chances and start again."

~John Mayer Perfectly Lonely

So back to my point: you can be single and be happy! Now I am NOT suggesting that Mormon boys sit around playing video games on weekends instead of asking out nice, cute girls. Nor am I suggesting that anyone ban matrimony or refuse to marry. I don't want to belittle the pain of those who have loved and lost (I've been there myself) or those who are lonely for a companion. And the last thing I want to do is ridicule the sacredness of marriage. All I am saying is that if its not your time to marry, then do something else fun: cooking, serving, missionary work, family, take up a new hobby, etc. So just remember, you are not a loser in love. You are single and fabulous!

Biology.....It Can Be Fun!

2010-01-21T13:35:00.000-08:00

Anyone who knows me well knows that I am not a biology girl. In fact, I took the EASIEST Bio 100 (its required at BYU) class and professor I could according to Rate My Professor, which by the way, is sure an amazing resource. ( I sure as heck hope he is not reading this right now.) Its strange because all of my other siblings have chosen careers that deeply concern biology (my sister is a Registered Nurse, and both of my brothers are in Med School) But as for me, I don't give a lick about RNA, transcription and translation, and mitosis.

Maybe it will change when I start having babies (one day!) or am diagnosed with a terminal disease , but for now, I continue to avoid the topic. In fact, the only positive experience I've ever had with biology concerns my sophomore high school Science class, where I had a Summer project of collecting all the "orders" of insects I could find- first killing them, then pinning them and naming them. Dragonflies, or "Odonatas," were like winning the lottery.

Actually, the project turned out to be pretty cool because in the weeks following, I constructed a project to see if there was any mathematical relationship between the Golden Ratio of Phi, and the 3 main sections (head, thorax, and abdomen) of the bugs that I had collected. My project sent me the county-wide science fair, where I won 3rd place (cash prize included) in the Math category! But let me get back to my point.

A few years ago,my brother Sam (who I hope at some point, between his demanding classes and twin babies, is able to read this blog!) showed me a you-tube video that he had seen in one of chemistry/bio/science/I don't know the exact name's classes. I've attached the clip, and it is AMAZING! Although I can't explain the half it, I am quite sure I am able to identify when the DNA production takes place, and my good friend and roomie (at the time) Melissa and I thought we could see the Golgi Apparatus. So take a look, and if nothing else, enjoy the beautiful, minor-keyed (music is one the places where my true love lies), accompaniment.

On a more serious note, watching this video reminds me how complex the human body is. Since God made us (I won't get involved in the whole creation vs. evolution debate here), I am quite impressed by the exquisite and beautiful details He used just to be able to allow us to function- breathe, sleep, walk, run, etc. I am grateful for my own body, or "temple," and hope that other are grateful for theirs too. Hey, this kind of relates to my last blog post. I am quite clearly brilliant....

Dove "True Beauty" Campaigns- I'm a Sucker for Them!

2010-01-19T07:43:00.000-08:00

Women, particularly young girls, should love themselves and their bodies! As Natasha Bedingfield so eloquently puts it, "A face without freckles is like a sky without the stars. Why waste a second not loving who you are?"

Dove "Tranformation." BILLBOARDS AND ADVERTISEMENTS LIE!

Music Theory

2010-01-19T05:31:00.000-08:00

Five years ago, when I was in my Junior Class at Loudoun Valley High School, I took what I still consider to be the best and most influential class I've ever taken- Music Theory from Mr. Rick Reaves. The first (or perhaps it was the 2nd or 3rd) day of class, Mr. Reaves explained to us that there are 4 basic aspects of music- timbre (quality of sound- how a tuba sounds different from a piccolo ), duration (timing- half note, whole note, etc.), intensity (music dynamics- forte, mezzo-piano, etc.), and pitch (notes on a scale- F#,Gb, Cm, etc.) We would be spending the majority of the class focusing on pitch and duration, but still touch upon intensity as well.
This music theory class has helped me SO MUCH in both my understanding of and production of music. When listening to a piece, I can very often hear, say a Major 2 chord (supertonic) that usually resolves to a M5 chord, or the wretching Major 3 chord that almost always resolves to a minor 6 chord, or to the tonic relative minor 1 chord, depending on how you look at it. When I am with my mother and verbally express some of these chords or resolutions, she is super impressed. And my Mom is a classically trained pianist who attended Juilliard! I am not trying to gloat, but to simply say how much music theory has taught me. And as briefly mentioned in this last paragraph, Mr. Reaves also taught our class a thing or two about resolution in music.
The same knowledge of pitch helps me when creating music. I remember Mr. Reaves saying something in class about how you when you write your own music, you are still creating originally, but you have tools, or almost "puzzle pieces," to help you do so. Of course there are musicians outs there who break all the rules, and sometimes, music rules can can be broken, but truly much of the time, one's knowledge of music theory, specifically of pitch, enables a person to write his/her own song. Now I am not much of a song writer myself (I have written maybe of 2 or 3), but its true that my knowledge of music theory (pitch, in this case) enable my to compose these songs.
Whether I am attempting to create a piece of my own, or simply listening to a country crooner singing his song, the musical aspect of pitch has greatly helped me.
So thanks so much, Mr. Reaves. You have truly given me knowledge that has blessed my life in many ways.

Temple Tour

2010-01-15T14:11:00.000-08:00

I have begun to embark upon a new adventure. I venture to visit every temple in the state of Utah. To learn a little bit more about the purpose of temples, click here. I think this will be a wonderful opportunity to see these beautiful buildings and to also take part in the special work that goes on inside. This morning, my Mom and Dad and I went to the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. It was neat to be inside with my parents and feel of the Spirit there. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to hold a current temple recommend, which means that I am in good-standing with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Saints and am worthy to enter the temple. I certainly hope that one day, I can visit other temples in other countries as well!

Me and my wonderful roommate Annie Jack (soon to be Brewer!) at the Provo Temple.

At the Washington DC temple with my brother Sam and sister-in-law Sara. She is SO pregnant (with twins)!- Dec 2009

Me pretending to be surprised by Sara's pregnant stomach.

Sam and me being silly. Look at my toned legs!

Mt. Timp Temple with
Ma and Pa- 01/2010

At the newly operating Draper temple with KaRynn Perry.
Cute, cute girl! (P.S. I'm not wearing any makeup, but who cares?) -Jan 2010

Oquirrah Mountain! I am just a tiny dot, but you get a pretty good view of the temple itself.

Very close by is the Jordan River Temple. I didn't get a picture of myself in it
because it was EXTREMELY cold, and I had to get to a Dr's appointment.

These are a Few of My Favorite Things....

2009-12-25T12:01:00.001-08:00

1) Making it down a (relatively) long, steep hill at Sundance Ski Resort without falling!

2) My new UGG boots! (they are knock-off, but still!)

3) John Mayer "Perfectly Lonely." I know the message is a bit skewed, but its such a happy song!

4) My 2 month old niece, Annie!

5) The fact that I'm in BALTIMORE for Christmas!

6) This clip from 500 days of Summer. I don't recommend watching this movie without ClearPlay, but the following clip is totally clean and SO cute!

"In the Spirit of Thanksgiving" AND my Bucket List

2009-11-21T16:34:00.000-08:00

Two in one, aren't you lucky?

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

I like the girl who talks about a perfect day and not sweating. Story of my life!

BUCKET LIST!:

Run a Full Marathon

Run a Triathalon (Mini?)

Go to the Tomatina Festival in Spain!

Get certified to teach in English, Spanish, and Math

Work on a school newspaper

Learn to play the violin

Learn to French-braid my own hair

Visit Every Continent (Except for Antartica)

Go Skiing!

Get Lasik Hair Removal on my legs

And the big obvious one: Marriage and Family!

Scary, but I'm Okay!

2009-11-15T19:01:00.001-08:00

Today, I had a scary thing happen to me. I went for a Sunday afternoon drive up Provo Canyon. It was a beautiful day, and I wanted to clear my mind and be alone in nature.

About 3 miles up, I turned a corner and saw another car not too far away that was literally half off the road. In other words, half of it was towering over the steep drop-off. I was worried that there might be someone else in the car. At the same time, I felt myself starting to slide. I was very calm as I took off my seat-belt and out loud repeated to myself "Katherine, get out of the car." I opened the door and got out. Ten seconds later, my White Mazda slid down off the ravine 100 feet below.

The girl in the other car was able to get herself out as well. We both stood there, hugged each other, and then called our families (thank goodness we had our cellphones in our pockets). It was very strange, because we weren't crying, we weren't in shock, and for some strange reason were almost laughing.

Another car came up the canyon, and I motioned for them to stop. They did, I told them what happened, and they drove me down to the bottom. A few minutes later, my Dad and my sister showed up. After some business calling the authorities, we went home, took care of insurance stuff (by the way, my car is almost completely intact and will not need to be replaced), and I got to relax a little.

Within a half hour of my accident, 2 other cars had similar experiences in the same place. It had all been a very inconvenient, potentially deadly, and unsuspected patch of ice. It is truly a miracle that of the 4 vehicles involved, no one was hurt.

I don't want to be overly dramatic or morbid, neither am I trying to invoke pity or shock, but truly I could have died today.

Lately, I have been pondering the purpose of life, specifically my own. This experience is helping me to put into perspective what is truly important. Though these past few weeks have been difficult for me, I realized today how much I am excited to be able to spend time with my 3 new nieces this Christmas! Overall, I know that I was spared for a reason, and I know that Heavenly Father has a purpose for my life, a great part of which is for me to be happy!

I am infinitely grateful for an understanding family, car insurance, for the knowledge that there is life after death if I hadn't been so lucky, but also for the fact that I WAS lucky, although truly I don't think it was luck at all.

Please be careful when you drive, please listen to the Spirit, and please try your best to figure out why you are here!

Some of My Favorite Songs

2009-10-13T19:28:00.000-07:00

I wanted to do a post that includes some of my favorite songs of all time and a little bit about them. I am numbering them, but they are in particular order (I don't necessarily like the 3rd more than the 4th).

1) "Her Eyes" By Pat Monahan. Its funny, its sweet, its catchy. And in some ways (not all ways), I feel like it describes me! I'm a Capricorn, and I probably shouldn't think too much when I drive.

Quote: "She's not afraid, she just likes to use a night-light."

2) "Kerosene" by Miranda Lambert. This song has everything in it that I am totally against: smoking, anger, cheating, murder, breaking rules. But for some reason, I love this song! It is so catchy, Miranda has a killer twangy voice that is rare to find among all the bleach-blonde overly-pop female country singers today. Plus, I love to do my own version of this song on my guitar.

Quote: "I started smoking cigarettes, there's nothing left to do, I guess."

3) "Wrinkles" by Diamond Rio. A cute song about a boy asking his dad about wrinkles. I used this to teach theme in a 7th grade English class. We talked about how people are afraid to age. Now, I'm not saying I'm excited for wrinkles, only that I am not going to spend hundreds of dollars on Botox. Life is meant to be lived, and we shouldn't worry too much about how we look. So no offense to any Mary-Kay ladies who sell cream to reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles.

Quote: "Those old wrinkles ain't nothing to be scared of. They're just the product of time and true love."

4) "Factory" by Dan and Ben Tengelsen. These are two brothers who go to BYU. This song is on the album "From the Mountains to the Sea" (or something like that). It describes the hyper-vanity of many women today, and how girls come "straight from a factory." The lyrics are killer, and the general lazy, casual style of the music fits them perfectly. In some ways, I feel like I am one of those girls- I pay way too much money for makeup, I have gotten eyelash extensions before, etc. But hopefully, my soul is totally natural and pure. Buy this song from Itunes for sure.

Quote: "She can't be content til she's got every gadget that they invent. Oh please, you come straight from a factory."

5) Colbie Caillat "Oxygen." Not much to say, only that its good.

Quote: "How am I supposed to tell you how I feel? I need oxygen."

6) Sara Bareilles "Bottle it Up" All about how the music industry just wants to sell and don't care necessarily about an artist's feelings. Fun, catchy, and poignant without being overly dramatic or serious. One swear word in it, so beware.

Quote:"There'll be girls around in the nation who will eat this up. I know its your soul, but could you bottle it up?"

7) Natasha Bedingfield

"Put Your Arms Around Me"- cute, fun, romantic, upbeat. Listen to it.

Quote: "I know they're easy words to say, but I mean it."

"Freckles"- girls should love themselves because they are beautiful, Natasha herself admits she has been insecure.

Quote: "A face without freckles is like a sky without the stars. Why waste a second not loving who you are?"

"Cheer Me Up"- NOT ON ANY ALBUM! I found it on YouTube and it may be one of my favorite songs of all time. Talking about being cheered up, dancing, and being with someone forever.

Quote: "If happiness can last forever, I want a part of it. Even just a little bit."

8) Sondre Lerche "My Hands Are Shaking"- from the "Dan in Real Life" Soundtrack. Fun, different, I like to play my own version.

Quote: "My love is so articulate. But I am such a mess!"

Okay, thats all for now. I love music. Take a listen to some of these when you have a chance.

Some Things I Have Learned in El Salvador So Far...

2009-08-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

Hello! I am in San Salvador, the capital city. I arrived safely and am doing well. Thus far, I have learned a great amount. Just wanted to share a few things. These epiphanies are a mix of lessons about me personally, my interaction with others, and my experiences with HELP projects.

1) Sometimes, I may not be super exciting about a project or an outing, but once I go its fun or worthwhile.

2) The gospel is amazing- specifically the LDS Employment Center

3) I need to work on not judging other people.

4) When you travel abroad, let your online banking know so that they don't lock you out of your account.

5) Scripture reading doesn't just happen- I really have to make an effort.

6) Teaching can be stressful, not go the way I planned, but still be rewarding

7) I am not always super adventurous- some weekends I prefer to stay home and write in my journal.

8) Even girls as young as 13 get pregnant. Sad.

9) Nurses and other people in healthcare deserve a lot of respect.

10) There is something you can learn from everyone. (D. Todd Christoffersen)

Going, Going, GONE!

2009-07-14T21:43:00.000-07:00

Continental Airlines!

On Wednesday, July 8, I got my ISIC card [International Student Identity Card] for $22 from the Kennedy Center at BYU.

On Thursday, July 9, I had my final checkout with HELP. We talked about safety concerns, emergency contacts, ATM withdrawal fees, customs, itinerary/plane tickets, and just a few other things of that nature. I received my stipend of $253, which is about $57/week for breakfast and lunch [we have a cook for dinner]!

On Friday, July 10, I received my refund check for $287. This was money that I [not my donors] originally paid to HELP to cover my program fee, but since I went over the amount needed with the help of my wonderful donors, I got a refund and can use this money in El Salvador!

Today, Tuesday July 14, I checked out of my apartment at the Elms. The checkout lady was coming at 4:30 . When my clock said 4:15 and I realized I wouldn't have all my stuff out in time, I did what any responsible college girl would do- I took all my clothes, shoes, and suitcases to a vacant room in the apartment. When the woman came, my room was empty and clean. But don't worry- all my stuff's out of the apartment now.

On Wednesday, July 15, very very early in the morning, I will be on a plane to Houston, Texas, then have a LONG layover, then hop on another plane and land in San Salvador!

Bon Voyage! Wish me luck! Keep me in your prayers! I love you!

A Surprise!

2009-07-12T21:24:00.001-07:00

Well, today was my last Sunday before I leave this Wednesday for EL SALVADOR!. Ahhh! Still so much to do. I went to my Mom and Dad’s for dinner. Quite early in the dinner, my mom told me that I needed to go home at a decent hour to pack more and to get to bed. At 8:30, she said, “time to go home, Katherine.” I said, “ok, in just a few minutes.” I wanted to put some pictures from the computer onto my flash-drive and also play a song on the piano. She kept telling me, “Come on, get out of here.” I was surprised that she was so vehement about me getting out. Finally, just as I was playing through Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “A Gumby Cat” for the 2^nd time, Mom said, “You gotta go home!” Alright, alright. So I headed out the door. On the way home, my sister Maizy called me. I told her I was going to go visit a friend of mine, after which she said, “Ok, I’ll go with you. I’ll meet you at your apartment.” So I parked at the Elms, then walked to wait out on the grass for her. After standing there for a few minutes, my roomie Kristal called me and said Maizy was waiting in the apartment for me. So I walked back to W25, opened the door, and…..

........

.........

.........

..........

SURPRISE!!!!

Oh, my goodness, I haven’t had a surprise party since I was maybe 13! People from my ward came out to celebrate me leaving-How cool! Also, all around the apartment were cool signs about El Salvador.

I kind of think this girl looks like a slice of pepperoni pizza.

The most I can say is that I feel extremely loved. Seriously, how many people move out of their apartment or go on a mission or something like that and DON’T have a big party for them? Its amazing how many people came out to say goodbye to me and to celebrate. Although I have my suspicions that some of them only came for the cake!

Thats the El Salvadoran flag on the cake, by the way.

This is a picture of my friend Nick. He tried to pick me up and throw me over his shoulder. Just like I learned in self-defense, I violently wiggled my hips and put my hand on his face, after which I slid off quite nicely. Thanks Coach Pease!

And thanks to my wonderful sister, Maizy for planning the whole thing. Oh, also thanks Mom for getting me out the door!

Self-Defense, Baby!

2009-07-07T22:39:00.000-07:00

Following in the tradition of blogging about my 2009 semester at BYU [see my last post], I want to tell all my readers about my self-defense class! I took self-defense with Coach Michael Pease.

It was amazing and I highly recommend it to anyone at BYU. Besides being a nice break from sitting in a classroom, it was a lot of fun, it was great exercise [evident by the fact that I always arrived at my next class drenched in sweat], and most importantly, it teaches valuable skills that may one day keep you safe in real life. Besides teaching us moves and strategies, my teacher

made some really good points that I'd like to share.

1. Self-defense starts with common sense. Don't walk/run alone at night, don't be in a dark alley, don't sit in your car alone, keep things under control when with a significant other, etc. Don't ever become so confident with the physical moves you learn in this class that you don't take these basic precautions.

2. We practice certain moves in class, but in reality, the attacker is never going to attack exactly the way you have practiced. Remember everything we learn is strategic and situational, not perfectly rehearsed or choreographed. Escapes may be messy, but the point is that you get out safe, not that its clean and perfect.

3. Feel empowered with the skills you have acquired, but hope to never have to actually use them.

Keeping all the above points in mind, I do feel quite confident and empowered with the things I have learned:

If somebody attacks me from behind, I KNOW WHAT TO DO!

If someone grabs me from the front, I KNOW WHAT TO DO!

If someone picks me up and throws me over their shoulder, I KNOW WHAT TO DO!

If it goes to the ground, I KNOW WHAT TO DO!

If I am choked either from the front or the back, I KNOW WHAT TO DO!

If my wrists are pinned, I KNOW WHAT TO DO!

Pretty cool. Of course I hope that I do not encounter violence of any kind while in El Salvador, but if I do, perhaps all of Coach Pease's sweet skills will come in handy.

VIDEO!

2009-07-02T15:17:00.001-07:00

So this past Spring term at BYU, I took a Teaching and Technology Class. One of the things I did was make a slide-show of someone who has changed my life. In the classroom, I might give that assignment to students and require a written essay as well as a visual component. So here is my slideshow. Enjoy! Oh, and make sure to have the sound on because there is WONDERFUL Natasha Bedingfield music to accompany it.

What does this have to do with my upcoming trip to El Salvador (less than 2 weeks!)? Great question. Well, on one level, not much. I made this amazing video that I am super proud of and am all the more proud that I was able to upload it to my blog (although the Tech Support Workers in the McKay Building may have helped a little bit)! But on the other hand, maybe I will be able to make a slideshow like this with some of my El Salvador pictures when I get back. Also, I think the principle of being willing and patient enough to learn a new skill is one that will be VERY important to me on my trip. If and when I do make a slideshow in a few months documenting my trip, I will be sure to post it to this blog.

Influenza H1N1, otherwise known as SWINE FLU!

2009-07-02T13:57:00.001-07:00

Yes, I contracted Swine Flu. I know that the following may seem a bit unrelated to my trip to El Salvador, but it is still an important and unfortunate thing that happened to me, and I promise that it does relate, although you will have to wait until the end to find out exactly how. But back to the Swine Flu. It all started with a little thing called the Ragner Wasatch Back Relay June 19-20, otherwise known as H-E- double toothpick in my book. In a nutshell, its this 180 mile relay race that goes from Logan to Park City. 12 members of a team run it in 36 different legs (3 legs per runner). There are 2 mini groups of 6 members each that share a van and drive the race while their team member is running. I was the 1st runner in the 2nd van. Comparatively, my legs were pretty easy. Not too many hills, and not too many miles either. 4 miles the first leg, 4 miles the 2nd leg, and 4 miles the 3rd leg. No problem, right? WRONG! Besides the fact that I was not trained enough, that I got a half-hour of sleep one night, I was dehydrated and was eating only Cliffbars, I UNKNOWINGLY WAS CARRYING THE SWINE FLU VIRUS! Truly, I think all the other reasons were minor compared to the fact that I just felt awful, awful, awful because of the stupid swine flu. The Portapotties didn' t bother me, the fact that I didn't shower or change my clothes for a day and a half was okay, it was just the fact that I was coughing and had fever/chills and basically wanted to die, let alone get the heck out of that van, not to mention the race, that made it so hard. Okay, okay, so before I go knocking the relay, let me just say that it started out fun and I got to spend time with some cool people. Look at the pictures below to get a better idea of what this was all about.

This is me after the first 4 miles, feeling wonderful.
Look how cute my pink shorts and t-shirt are.
And yes, I am wearing a veil. Just wanted to honor the sacred institution of marriage.

With some members of the team, and again wearing pink, this time a sweatshirt. Can you tell I like the color? And I may look cute, but at this point I am starting to not feel so hot. I think this was before my night run.

Cool team members. From left to right: Matt, Leilani, Maizy, and Mandy.

I'm not in this picture because I took it. Plus I think I felt too sick to be in a picture.

The very last stretch of my last leg. I was not very happy AT ALL in this picture. Swine Flu has hit me hard by now, although I still have no idea.

I'm finally done running my 12 miles! With my cute sis.

I feel AWFUL in this picture, by the way.

This is the end of our race when our last runner Amber (unfortunately I don't have any pictures of her) was running the very last bit of her leg. And it should have been a fun, exciting time because we were finally finishing our amazing race. It was for every single person in this picture except for ME because I just felt absolutely horrible. Yes, it was raining. Yes, I was cold and hot all at the same time. And YES, I wanted my mom. She and my Dad finally came, brought me a yummy Cafe Rio burrito which I ate in the car, and whisked me away to their home in Provo where I took a long hot bath in their Jacuzzi, and then went to sleep.

Okay, now I will stop writing about the race (because it was over with) and instead focus all of my efforts on the horrible evil called SWINE-FLU.
That night, after I went to sleep, I woke myself up in the middle of the night because I was coughing so much. Also, my glands were all swollen. Needless to say, I was quite miserable. My mom woke up too and brought me some orange juice and talked to me for a while, gave me some tylenol, and made me feel a bit better, so we both went back to sleep. Then, my Dad woke me up in the middle of the night because he was in the kitchen snacking. There's a shock. Finally, I got back to sleep. The next day was Sunday. I didn't go to church because I was sleeping all day and just feeling miserable. Its funny- I didn't even think I had something, I thought this was just from the race. Silly me- I should have known that races may wear you out for a few hours, but the hardest race in the world couldn't make me feel how bad I was feeling at that point. Anyways, I stayed with my Mom and Dad for the next few days. On Tuesday night, I finally went home. I felt a little bit better, but was still feeling pretty crappy. I remember sleeping on and off through that night. On Wednesday, I happened to talk to my good friend Natalie Parker, who mentioned that she had had the flu and had been quarantined and had her family on Tamiflu. I decided that it was definitely time for me to pay a visit to the Health Center. I had a walk-in appointment with the Urgent Care Building [they handle all flu cases], which is right next to the main building. Oh, by the way, I was wearing shorts that weren't quite to my knee, and I prayed they would let me in even though I was not exactly obeying the Honor Code. I'm sorry, but modesty is just not my top priority when I feel so ill. I truly did not have the energy to change into more appropriate shorts. Luckily, they didn't notice, or maybe they did but just didn't care. So I talked to the woman at the front desk, who asked for all my symptoms. I told her. When I mentioned coughing, she handed me one of those ridiculous masks and told me that I would have to wear it. I distinctly remember thinking, "This is so dumb. Its not like I have SWINE FLU, or anything." Oh, the irony.

So finally, it came time for me to meet with the doctor. He was a very funny man, and quite large as I recall. I would mention one little thing to him, and he would go on for a LONG TIME. Like, I briefly mentioned that I had just participated in a major race, and he went off about how in the past week he had spent 50+ hours in a medical conference with doctors from Hopkins and Mayo and learned that some hard-core cyclers would have these extreme work-outs and then afterward "would be as good as an AIDS patient, just a Petri-dish for disease!" [direct quote.] Picture this tubby man getting riled up telling me this and I am sitting there with my ridiculous yellow mask and short shorts. It was the most entertaining thing in my last few days, which had mostly been spent lying on the couch eating popsicles.

Finally, after Tubby's many outbursts about his medical conference, he finally told me that it was time for the Flu test. A 25 minute test could tell me if I had Swine Flu, Influenza A, or Influenza B. He took out a HUGE q-tip-esque device to stick up my nose for what he so pleasantly and euphemistically called "a nasal swab." Here's a picture of how big it was:

Okay, so it wasn't that big. But still! I wasn't too excited at this point and asked if it would hurt, to which Doc replied, "Well Katherine, its unlike anything you've ever felt before!" The Dr. then proceeded to tell me how other doctors at the SHC would often send their patients to him when they needed a nose swab because he was so skilled at it. Nice. Then Tubby said, "Look, watch me" after which he stuck the Q-tip up his own nose! After he pulled it out, he said, "See, I'm just fine!" After gathering up my courage, I pulled down my mask, and the Dr. took my nasal swab. It was painful, and it felt weird, and I thought I couldn't breathe. Just as fast as it happened, though, it was over. Doc told me that I had nice turbinates, and that I was the best nasal swab patient he'd ever had as he had a very easy time accessing my nasal cavity. I felt proud.

Sorry so much time about the nasal swab, it was just an integral, as well as funny part of the story.

Doc took my nasal swab to the lab, and I sat and waited for 25 minutes, after which he came in and said "Swine Flu!" all enthusiastically. I could not believe it. Swine Flu was something that was affecting people in 3rd world countries, not me. I had never heard of anyone in Provo getting it. Also, my trip to EL SALVADOR flashed before my eyes. I saw myself lying in a coffin with my family all around me dressed in black and my mom playing a Brahms piece in the background [she always plays it at funerals]. Okay, just kidding about that last part, but I seriously thought I would not be able to go to Central America this summer! Luckily, Tubby reassured me that I would. He gave me a prescription for some cough medicine and some Mucinex pills.

The next few days I spent at home. The meds helped A LOT, but I still felt very sick and tired all the time. Seriously, I was sleeping maybe 16 hours a day. I felt very lazy, but it was good to be able to sleep and get rid of this evil swine flu. My mom and dad were great, too. Thanks for taking care of me guys!

Overall, I am trying to see this all as a blessing, which is so much easier to do now that I no longer have Swine Flu! Here are the reasons why: I'm not in school and I don't have a job right now so I didn't have to miss any class or work, I won't get it in El Salvador, I won't get it in the Fall (Swine Flu is supposed to hit pretty hard in September) when I will be super busy, I had money to pay for meds, I have my parents close by so I could crash there, and I am otherwise healthy so that it did not land me in the hospital (or in the graveyard!)

Shots/Immunizations

2009-06-07T17:33:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I got my immunizations for my trip to El Salvador. I went to the Utah County Health Department on a Friday afternoon, where I got 3 different shots. In my left arm, I got Typhoid and Hepatitis C, while in my right arm, I got T-Dap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis). They told me that the Typhoid one would hurt, and boy were they right! For the next few days, it hurt to even lift that arm very high. Luckily, the pain went away, and all is better now. Overall, the experience was a positive one. I'll admit that the $137 I had to pay hurt a little bit, but it got me a little more comfortable with the whole experience of checking the CDC website and figuring out my shots history (I have to get the second part of the Hep C. vaccination in 6 months). Plus, if you think about it, it really is amazing that the shots are even available to me at all; that I can get them and be confident that I will remain free of certain diseases when I travel.

HELP International in the News!

2009-05-21T21:05:00.000-07:00

Hey all! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a newspaper, where they there was recently an article about the founding of HELP International. Click here to read it and learn about its history and founder, Warner Woodworth.

FINISHED!

2009-04-15T12:12:00.000-07:00

I am DONE with my fundraising! Woohoo! Thanks to all who have financially supported me. Seriously, you have no idea how very much it means to me! My plane ticket is bought, my bags are packed (not really), and I am ready to go! (again, not really). Truly, its a miracle that I was able to get all my fees paid, especially in this economy. So thank you again, SO MUCH!

Oh, and I got new passport in the mail recently. The picture is horrendous, but that is to be expected considering my unphotogenicness.

Tonight, my group is getting together to watch a film called "Innocent Voices," thats about the Civil War in El Salvador, which was in the 1980s. Since its Finals Time at BYU, its hard to break away from studying, but I feel its important to learn as much as I can about the country, and it will be nice to relax a little bit.

I am trying to take every opportunity I can to use my Spanish. The other day, a friend and I walked home together and spoke nothing but Spanish for a good 15 minutes (he's a Native speaker). It was really challenging, but

In high school, its easy to not take foreign language classes seriously because they sometimes just feel like a bunch of arbitrary rules, but if you can really get the opportunity to it, even if your grammar isn't perfect, then that makes it worthwhile and much more meaningful. I anticipate being a little nervous to speak Spanish with natives, but seriously, what's the worse that can happen? I mess up a little bit, so what? People tell me it comes really quickly and naturally. And of course, I know it will still be a challenge, but I am up for it.

Saturday March 28th Meeting- Part 1

2009-04-01T15:42:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, I had a 7 hour long training meeting entitled "Literacy for Social Change." Lynn Curtis, Vice President of a Foundation called "ProLiteracy Worldwide” taught it. Seriously, this guy is amazing. Look up stuff about him at this site:

To be honest, the word “literacy” is a bit of a misnomer. A lot of us went to the meeting thinking that it was about knowing how to read and write. While that was true, it was also more encompassing, which I will explain as I go on. It was a surprise, but not a disappointment to realize that at least in this case, literacy meant more than I had previously thought.

FAMA
We talked about a method called FAMA that is a good tool to use when wanting to generate a discussion, whether in a classroom or in a community. FAMA stands for Facts, Association, Meaning, and Action. Let me explain further: First, you show a code. A code is a picture, an image, or another object that contains some kind of meaning, however interpretable it may be. The code he (Lynn Curtis) first used was a drawing of a homeless man holding out a cup while a woman walks by. First, he asked us to name the FACTS of the picture: The man looked like he had a darker complexion, the woman was clutching her purse, there was a fashion clothing store in the picture, implying a wealthy area, there was another homeless person lying on the ground in a fetal position, etc. Then, we went on to ASSOCIATION. He asked us if we had ever been in a similar situation, or related to any of the characters. There were definitely a lot of answers here: a girl said how on her mission they weren’t allowed to give out money, so she couldn’t help but look away from people begging. Someone else talked about how because he came from a minority background, the racial/economic divide of the man and the woman in the picture resonated with him personally. Other associations were made. Then we went onto MEANING. Poverty, discrimination, achievement gap, differences in racial economics, etc. Finally, after thoroughly discussing meeting, we decided to give a name to our discussion, for clarity’s sake- The Roots of Poverty, or something like that. Then, we went to ACTION, where we talked about possible solutions, and limitations to solutions that could help solve some problems of poverty- education, microcredit, giving food instead of money, shelters, etc (the list was a lot longer, a lot specific, and a lot more comprehensive than what I have here). I was the one who said the thing about microcredit*. I felt a little silly because I said “Did anyone here go to the Hunger Banquet**?” and half the people there put it on, including the speaker Lynn Curtis! Oh, well. Overall, The FAMA method is good because it helps stimulate discussion and learning from each other, not from the mediator. Also, it’s effective because it goes wherever the group wants it and needs it to go.

*MICROCREDIT
For those of you who don’t know what that is, its basically a system of giving very small loans to impoverished people. As far as I understand, a micro-loan is around $20-200, which can then be used to start or further a local business. I really don’t know everything there is about it (I need to read up on it more).

I do know that it was “invented” (is that the right word to use?) by an Economics Professor from Bangladesh named Muhammed Yunis (above). He later won a Nobel Peace Prize for it. BYU has a documentary about micro-credit entitled “Small Fortunes.” Here’s a link to learn more about it:

**HUNGER BANQUET SECTION

The Hunger Banquet is an annual Banquet that BYU”s Students for International Development Group puts on every year. People are randomly assigned to 1 of 3 levels: The upper class sits at a table and has a multiple course meal. The middle class sits on chairs, but no table, and gets to eat pizza. The lower class sits on the floor and a group of 5-6 people share a single bowl of rice and beans. The stratification of classes is roughly approximate to the world's distribution of wealth. There are speakers (Lynn Curtis was one of them), video presentations of different NGOs, and dancers. Oh, ya, the reason I mentioned the Hunger Banquet at my meeting was because once we were all seated, they told the lower class people to turn their tickets over, and if there was a star, they were a recipient of microcredit and could come sit at the tables with the highest class. Overall, I think the whole thing was brilliant. When talking to some of the students involved in the Hunger Banquet, I was informed that this past year they raised, $15,000, more than in any other previous year. Oh, by the way, all the money raised goes to NGOs. The food was donated by local restaurants and businesses. My boyfriend Robby and I went with my roommate and her boyfriend. We kind of cheated because we went out for dinner afterwards at Gurus. Having that experience made me feel simultaneously grateful and guilty for all the blessings in my life, especially financial security and the fact that I always get enough to eat.

Technology and Friends

2009-03-30T12:35:00.001-07:00

Preparing for El Salvador has helped me get in touch with a lot of friends and family that I haven't talked to in a while, whether its through email, handwritten letters, or this very blog. Its awesome how this experience is bringing me closer to all of you. Also, I am grateful for technology, as it helps expedite the process and will make it so that I will be able to share my future pictures and journal entries with all of you. One little thing that I want to mention: I really love Microsoft Excel! It has helped me keep track of addresses, as well as who I have sent HELP letters to, who has sent me a donation, and who I have sent thank-yous to. What an awesome tool (Excel) that will undoubtedly help me in the future, especially with keeping track of grades! Oh, and sorry if this is silly, but I love the “Wrap Text” feature on it. It helps make everything so much clearer. If you know “Wrap Text” then you know what I mean. If not, then figure it out and you too will be amazed beyond measure.

Slowly But Surely

2009-03-24T20:35:00.000-07:00

I am sorry that it has been so long since my last post. I have not had a formal meeting with HELP since the last time I wrote, but I am continuing to prepare for El Salvador Summer 2009! I’m not sure if I wrote this before or not, but one of my country directors, Emily Foster, served an LDS mission in El Salvador. I am extremely grateful for this, as it means she knows the country, she knows the city of San Salvador (the main place where we are going to be), she knows the culture, and she knows fluent Spanish. Oh, one fundraising miracle I don’t want to forget- I got a Virginia tax return for $659! I guess I had paid taxes to them about a year and a half ago, but my Dad looked at it, realized it wasn’t valid, and fought it. And NOW, I get the money back, but it came with about $50 interest. Seriously, the money could not have come at a better time. It is amazing to me that Heavenly Father has made me be not only financially secure in this time of economic woe, but also has made it so that I successfully raise money for this adventure. And not to discount the donors I am continuing to receive from my sponsors. THANK YOU for all who have helped me, and even if you have not financially contributed to HELP, thanks for your friendship and support.
One of the things that I am looking forward to HELP the most is going to church. I have not traveled a ton in my lifetime, but I’ve loved attending church with my family in the places that I have been (Jamaica, London, New York, etc.) Its cool to me that there are some cultural differences, but the doctrine really is the same wherever you go. Oh, just to clear something up: HELP is NOT religiously affiliated. It is true that most (but not all) volunteers are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, we are not there to preach or proselytize. My sister, who went to El Salvador a few years ago, said how the country directors stressed to the volunteers that they were NOT mandated to attend church. But really, I am excited to have the church experience when I am there.

COMING RIGHT ALONG!

2009-03-09T16:19:00.000-07:00

My fee for HELP International is now down to $2,400. Thank you so much to all of you who have donated. You have no idea how very much I appreciate it, and how your contributions will be well spent. So, as promised, here is the low-down on the 8 hours of meeting I had this Saturday. First was project planning and implementation. First of all, sorry if the following is a little unorganized, but my thoughts are chaotically slipping through my fingers. We talked a lot about needs analysis. Remembering that the program is about Help Eliminate Poverty, its important that we don't just go there with the intentions of being nice and having fun, but actually looking at the needs of the people, and wondering how we could help meet those needs, WITHOUT the natives being overly dependent on us. Which brings me to the next point- Sustainability. A project must be sustainable if it really is going to help eliminate poverty. We talked about several concrete examples of good, and not so good projects that HELP volunteers had done in the past. One was in Uganda a few summers, where the volunteers noticed that at about mid adolescence, girls stopped attending the school there. The Americans originally assumed that it was a cultural thing, that the mothers needed the girls to help take care of the home. After taking to the natives, it seemed that many of them thought that the girls aren't as smart as boys. After assessing the situation, the volunteers and the natives WORKING TOGETHER concluded that girls were dropping out of school because they were experiencing menstruation and didn't know how to deal with it. Instead of just having a bulk package of Maxi-Pads sent in from the states, the volunteers worked with the natives to construct pads made out of absorbent leaves. This was a great example of meeting a need, working closely with the natives, and ensuring sustainability.

Moving on to orphanages, a girl who had been a volunteer with HELP twice before came and talked to us. It was cool because I had my multicultural education class with her last semester, so I knew her a little bit. She had worked at Hogar Del Nino, a famous orphanage in El Salvador for disabled people. We looked at different examples of orphans she had worked with there, and a lot of myths about orphanages were dispelled. This may be obvious to some of my readers, but I had never really thought about the fact that not all orphans are children. Laura (the name of the girl who did the presentation) talked about a woman named Reina in her mid-30s living at Hogar Del Nino as an example. There was another man in his twenties. Another misconception about orphans is that none of them have parents. A lot of the time, the parents can't afford to take care of their child, or unfortunately, doesn't want to. Reina had a mother, who was unable to care for her, as her mental and physical disabilities were so severe. Also, sometimes orphans are children who have left home, perhaps if they are experiencing abuse. This was the case of a young boy, Matthew, that Laura had worked with in Uganda. Unfortunately, Matthew had taken up sniffing glue as a way to deal with his problems. At the 7 or 8 orphans who's profile we looked at, most of them had something that made them happy. Reina was happy when her mother came to visit. Ophelia was a teenage mother who had been raped by her Uncle. However, her baby made her very happy and gave her something to live for and to look forward to.
Ophelia lived in CIPI, a home in El Salvador for young women, many of them young mothers. In the first meeting, we looked at a project proposal for creating a library system in the CIPI home. Unfortunately, because of time constraints (the team hadn't started thought up the project until late July, it didn't actually go home. A few of the members of my team were at that meeting, and we talked about doing the Library Project this summer. Some of the things that it would fulfill are literacy needs, entertainment, and creating an emotional bond between mother and child. We discussed a need for children's books, and that probably the majority of the books should be in Spanish, but maybe have a few in English as well. We also talked about how this project could instill a sense of responsibility and accountability for the orphans at CIPI. We would need to explain to them how a book is to be treated, how it needs to be returned, etc. Its easy to assume that people know these things, because it really is common knowledge to us, but how if people have never encountered a library, they might not understand. Fortunately, the mother of one of our team leaders, Darren Jackson, has a Masters degree in Library Science. Darren said he would talk to her to get some better ideas about how to get this project off the ground. Meanwhile, we need to start looking into getting books- both purchasing them and getting them donated. I had an idea that we should use those books that have things in both Spanish and English, like Dora the Explorer. Earlier today, I was reading in my textbook for my class on the Short Story when I came across the biography of Sandra Cisneros (the author of "House on Mango Street"). It said that she had written an English/Spanish children's book called "Hair-Pelitos." I was thinking maybe books like this might work for our project, and hopefully we'll be able to get that exact book. Anyways, there is quite a bit about the meetings that I haven't yet written about, and for that I apologize, but I really must get back to my school work. I will work on getting at least one blog post a week. Thanks so much everyone, and I am really excited about going to El Salvador!

Upcoming Training Meetings

2009-03-03T10:37:00.000-08:00

So I have 2 training meetings this upcoming Saturday. In the morning, I have "Project Planning and Implementation." In the afternoon, I have "Orphanage Activities and Recreational Therapy." Overall, its 8 hours of training! I will be happy for the 1 hour break in between. I am looking forward to both of these meetings. As far as the first one, I think its easy to have a mindset of "I am going to change the world and do all these neat projects." But how can you do that if you don't plan? I haven't had a lot of leadership positions in my life, but when I served in my ward's Relief Society Presidency last summer, I learned that ideals and abstractions are nice, but it is converting the ideas to concrete experience and reality that can be challenging, but ultimately, more rewarding. I am looking forward to this training as I think it will give me a better idea of what to expect and some of the specific details of my work in El Salvador. For my second meeting of the day, I think it will be interesting to find out what orphanage work exactly entails. Do we just go and play soccer with these kids, or what? How is our time, and their time best spent developing social skills, learning, but also, just having some needed fun? As promised, I will report ASAP on what I have learned after attending these meetings.

El Salvador Summer 2009!

2009-02-16T15:40:00.001-08:00

Hey ya'll,
This is the first post I have done since I started this thing on New Year's Day! Well, I just wanted to announce that I am going to El Salvador this summer with a non-profit organization called HELP International! (The picture above is of some past HELP volunteers) I am super excited and will be in country from July 15th-August 20th. Some of the things I will be doing there are working with Habitat for Humanity (building houses), teaching English, working in orphanages, and teaching gardening and other financial skills. I will be using this blog to document my journey (fundraising, training, and of course, the actual experience of being in El Sal!) I am a little nervous because I am not very computer savvy at all, but I promise I will do my best to update it regularly and put pictures up and stuff. Thanks so much and much, MUCH more to come!
~Katherine

2009-01-01T15:06:00.000-08:00

Hi! I can't believe that I am actually starting a blog, but that's the plan for right now. We'll see how long this thing lasts. Oh, by the way, the picture above was taken Summer of 2008. That's me in the middle and my brother Andrew and sister-in-law Brooke. We went camping with the rest of my family, minus my mom and dad, in Springville.