In Our Fancies

Throughout his days at Western, Luis has spent many after school hours putting together a Spanish course that will one day help pharmacy students learn to communicate with their Spanish-speaking patients.  Right now, he's heading the program along with one of the assistant deans of Pharmacy.  I've had mixed feelings about this because it has meant more time away from ME, but I'm really proud of his dedication and hard work.

 

Because of his leadership role, Luis was recently inducted into Phi Lamda Sigma, a pharmacy leadership honor society, and Raquel and I were invited to attend a banquet in his honor (there might have been others inducted the same night, but let's not talk about them and just pretend the whole shabang was for Luis and Luis only).

 

Raquel and I are both fine ladies, so we HAD to get all dolled up for the occasion.  Our friend, Jen, let us borrow this absolutely darling dress for Raquel.  Eeeeek!  I loved it!  And the jacket?  It was mine from babyhood.

Three things made our night extra special:

1. The banquet room sat atop a hill overlooking the valley for a fabulous view.
2. The party colors were gold and green, so we kept imagining we were at a John Deere Tractor Convention.
3. The banquet room next door had some very fine mariachi music blaring all night, which gave our Tractor Convention some Latino flare.



 

 

At one point in the night, we played an ice breaker game in which my team discovered my 6 sibling roots.  Immediately, one of the girls asked if I was LDS. Later, she confessed that she already suspected that I was LDS because I was wearing a shirt underneath my dress and looked way too modest NOT to be LDS.  Then, when she found out how many siblings I had...well, that confirmed it!  By the way, she was LDS too.

The banquet went far beyond "bedtime" for Raquel and she tuckered right out.  Still, she was an ANGEL all night and stole the hearts of many.

 

 

 

Honors and Adoration

Last Thursday was Honors Day at Luis's school.  Raquel and I went so we could cheer for daddy when he was honored for his committee work.

This would be Raquel's first ceremony, so she definately wanted to be dressed up for the occassion.  She was so happy and excited to go that I couldn't stop taking her picture.  (Will the time ever come when I don't take pictures of my child every day?)

 (Why is blogger turning my pictures sideways?  Obnoxious.)

I wasn't expecting so many people to be there.  The auditorium was full of PharmD students.  As soon as it began, Raquel started to make a few peeps, and since there were no other children in the room and we were in the front, all eyes flipped over to us.  The president of the university was also in attendance, so I felt extra pressure to keep Raquel quite.  Thankfully, she likes to keep my life easy, and fell asleep shortly thereafter.

 I was holding a sleeping Raquel when Luis was called up, so the sweet Pharmacy students behind me offered to take pictures.  They are a bit blurry, but I think that's because I hit a button when passing the camera back.

The ceremony was 1 1/2 hours long!  Raquel woke up in the last half hour and decided she wanted some attention.  After all, She HAD gotten all dolled up.  Commence fussing.  I think Luis was pleased as punch to stand up with her so all his classmates could see him holding his adorable baby.  Remember that the PharmD program seems to consist mostly of young, single, women, so naturally Raquel was showered with adoration.  Mission accomplished.

Way to go Lu!  We're so proud of all you do!!!



Two December Happenings

Happening #1

This is my last...

...wait, did I say LAST?

Yes I did.

My LAST bulletin board at childcare!

(And though I hate to admit it, I did have some help from a co-worker in creating this one.)

Happening #2

I found out Luis is afraid of nutcrackers.  He finds them creepy.

So much for my gift.

The great part about happening #2 is that now I have an entire month of fun ahead.  You can bet that this little guy will be popping up under pillows, in drawers, the shower, EVERYWHERE!  

(Evil laughter-he he he)

Apple Trees and Superheros

You know how much I loathe putting together bulletin boards, BUT it can't be helped.  I have created two so far this year.  First up, I was assigned A Healthy Body.  Gag me.  I hate health.  However, I found an idea online and (with some help from my boss), created this:

My second assignment: Superheros Wanted.  You know I can't draw, but Mr. Hubby can.  So I had a little heart to heart with him and it went like this... "Hey Luis, you like eating right?  Well, if you ever want another meal in this household you better help me draw a hero!"  (Okay, so maybe he was more than happy to help me and I didn't actually have to threaten him, but the point is, he said yes.)

 

For the WHOLE year!

Luis started back to school on Monday, so that meant I had to take my little boy back-to-school shopping on Saturday.  Before we left, we had the talk about how he had to make sure he got enough of everything for the whole year because I was NOT going to buy a notebook for $2.13 if I could get it now for $0.20 (which happened last year one month after the back-to-school sales ended...mutter mutter mutter).

We arrived at Target and headed back to the school bins.  Luis began by picking up 2 notebooks.  "Honey," I said, "is that enough for the WHOLE year?"  He paused and picked up 5 more.  Next, he went to the folders and took 3.  "Oh sweetie, will 3 folders be enough for the WHOLE year?"  He hesitated and then chose a few more.  He then went over to the note cards.  He told me there would be many presentations this year and he would definitely need some of those.  Can anyone guess what happened?  He grabbed one.  (I don't think someone was getting the concept of the WHOLE year.)  "Luis darling, are you sure you don't need more than that?  Because I'm stinking not going to buy note cards at full price when we can purchase deeply discounted ones now during back-to-school sales."  He took 2 more.  

He admitted to me he had never bought for the whole year before and was finding it hard to get into that mindset.  From then on, every time he went to a new section, I simply said, "The WHOLE year" and he knew what to do.

My proud moment came when he walked over to the pencils and picked up a 50 pencil pack all by himself.  My little boy is growing up!

I may have affected Luis too much because he had a sort of crazed look by the end of the night.  It still gives me nightmares.  

First day of school and I didn't even cry as he headed out the door!

Moral:  teach hoarding early to your young ones.

Randomness

#1

In March, the Spanish branch asked me to play the piano for their Relief Society Birthday Celebration.  While on the phone with the RS President, I was told to bring Luis along.  (Despite my outrageous Spanish skills, I couldn't quite decipher every word of our conversation, so I wasn't sure why Luis was needed at this womens' event.)  As it turned out, they needed him to play Joseph Smith.  The sisters were impressed with how much he looked like Joseph Smith.  I thought, REALLY?

 #2

I was makin' me some smoothie goodness when I got in a fight with the blender.  The resulting chaos was absolutely THRILLING!

#3

Luis was invited to a special ceremony where he was presented his scholarship certificates.  I couldn't go since I had to work, so he took the camera with special instructions to 1) ask someone to take his picture on stage; and 2) bring the camera home.  (Certain much-loved family members have a tendency to loose things.)  Lu succeeded in 1/2 assignments.  BUT, to make it up to me, he took these pictures at home to document the occasion.  Looking at them makes me feel like I was right there at the ceremony!



Other newsie items of late:

• Today, my nose is runny.  I try blowing in tissue, but my aim is really off, because I keep getting it all over my fingers.  By the way, if you want to come over later, I'm making sandwiches.
• I was asked to conduct nursery singing time last Sunday.  After 5 minutes I found myself singing with my by myself on the rug.  Talk about awkward!  Ideas for the next two Sundays?
• Speaking of with my by myself... http://www.hulu.com/watch/37752/saturday-night-live-the-lawrence-welk-show
• Luis & I went with the sister missionaries for an appointment.  It was my first time, so I was, admittedly, a bit nervous.
• We had plans for a drive-in-movie date.  It rained, so we stayed home and watched Tangled.
• Luis has employed me as his barber.  I think I better start charging.
• I need a hair cut, but am 9 hours away from my favorite hair-dresser.  What to do, what to do.
• Luis got accepted into a summer internship, which means we are no longer seeking a cardboard box in which to live.
• My co-worker got mugged after work as she walked to her car...and I leave an hour LATER.  Wonderful!
• I bought veggie burgers yesterday.  VEGGIE burgers.  I made the mistake of letting Luis contribute to my shopping list.  That's not happening again :)
• Luis reminded me last night to only put one "clover" of garlic in my Cafe Rio salad dressing.



Hannukah, Dinosaurs, Frogs

At work, I am assigned a bulletin board theme every month.  As a teacher, I pretty much NEVER did much with my bulletin boards, because I stink at it.  I am definitely NOT artistic.  Remember those puppets I made for a primary lesson when we were in Utah?  Enough said. 

Bulletin Board #1

Theme: Holiday Traditions

(Yay for menorahs, kinaras, and dreidels the size of fireplaces!  In case you were wondering, Luis helped draw items on this board)

Bulletin Board #2

Theme: Martin Luther King Day

Bulletin Board #3

Theme: Endangered & Extinct Creatures

My only idea was a dinosaur.  I kept waiting for Luis to have time to draw one for me.  School Finals = Ashley drew it herself.

Here is a close-up of the tragic dinosaur my students made fun of...in front of me.

Bulletin Board #4

Theme: Spring

(I did this all by myself and am quite proud of my hand-drawn frogs)

Random wall art the students created.



I'll keep you updated on all future bulletin boards.

My New Job

It feels like I haven't had much to blog about lately.  I guess things have been pretty quiet around here...literally.  Luis studies all the time and so I TRY to be quiet.  (Let's face it - I can't.  I usually end up asking Lu questions and telling him story after story.) 

Well, one thing I DO have to blog about is my new job.  I mentioned it on a previous post, but let me give you some details.  It is only 3 hours a day, but let me just say, I'm loving those hours.  After not working since MAY when I finished teaching, it's killing me to stand again for hours at a time.  It is a before/after school child care (K-5 grades) at a nearby elementary.  What do I do?  Beats me.

My first day was Tuesday.  I was told I would be working in the K-1st grade room, which I knew would be traumatizing.  I got there plenty early to beat the end-of-school-day madness.  You would think someone would be there to tell me what I would be doing BEFORE I had to start.  Nope.  The bell rang, kids came in, and I stood there not knowing what to do.  One worker finally asked me to "check their homework."  What does that mean?  Do I check to see if it's there?  Check to see if it's done?  Check to see if they're doing it?  After "checking," I sort of just wandered around the rest of the night.  I pretty much felt like an idiot. 

People always say it takes a special kind of person to be a kindergarten teacher.  I am finding out why.  First of all, everywhere I look, noses are being picked.  Whiny voices never stop informing me who is cutting in line.  Every second, someone needs to go to the bathroom.  There's the kid in the corner sobbing because he can't remember where to put the feathers on his turkey hat.  It's simply past these darlings to remember my name, so instead I get the never ending tapping accompanied with "um...um...um...um...um...um" until my attention turns to said tapper.  Oh boy, let's hope I can survive this.

Here was the most awkward part of the night.  So, I'm outside with the kids and a couple other assistants.  Wanting to be friendly, I walk up to one  and ask her how long she's worked at the elementary.  She tells me, "Oh, I've been here since August, but now you're replacing me so I'm out of a job."

WHAT DO I SAY TO THAT?  Awkward!

The next day, I was given more direction so it ended up being much better.  I have hopes that I'll enjoy it more and more as I get to know the routine, kids, and co-workers.  And hopefully I won't put anyone else out of a job.

Testing Testing 1 2 3

This is a bit long.  Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Applying for jobs...you gotta love it.  Most require a resume to be sent.  Some require cover letters or typing certificates.  A couple might ask for proof of graduation from High School or proof of birth ("Do you hear me talking?  Yes, that means I am living.")  Lately, I've even had to take tests to prove I'm not an idiot.  It is this last requirement that landed me in a room filled with folding tables, chairs, #2 pencils, and Scantron sheets. 

First of all, they made us wait outside the building while they prepared the room.  There I was, anxiously waiting in line like Black Friday, hoping to go in and score big.  Line placement is KEY, and since I wasn't in the front of the line, I was stuck with the worst seat in the room, sitting on the side of a folding table where the legs and crossbars made it absolutely impossible to tuck my body under the table.  That's got to be the most awkward position ever...especially when I wanted to be hunched over my test in concentration like all the other kids.  Of course, we were all strangers in the room, so we sat there in uncomfortable silence, staring at our Scantrons, wondering if there were really 100 questions on the test.  Finally, the hand struck 1:00 and our proctor promptly handed out the testing booklets. 

Like we were back in grade school, our proctor read us the directions informing us how to correctly fill in the bubbles.  I remember not needing this in elementary, and I'm pretty sure if anyone else in the room needed it, they would still be at home reciting the bunny loop poem while tying their shoes, wishing they had gone for Velcro instead.

An agonizing 10 minutes later, the test began.  Remember childhood tests?  You would be in your own world, minding your business until you heard the first FLIP.  Someone has turned the page.  Suddenly you're thinking, "Hey, what's going on?  Oh no!  They are already flipping.  I'm gonna be last."  FLIP, FLIP, FLIP.  "Oh no, there go some more!  Focus!!!"  Well, it is totally like that, except this time, I am the first page flipper.  Instantly, my mind begins the same game.  "Why is no one else flipping?  What are they doing?  What's taking so long?"   I flip back to investigate.

Question 1  What would you do if a child came in late?

a)  tie him to the tether ball pole before recess

b)  lock the door and cackle as he cries to be let in
c)  encourage him to come to school on time

d)  give him a swirlie in the toilet

(Well I'm pretty sure it's c.) 

Question 2  What is 15 + 0?

a) 15

b) 15

c) 15

d) all of the above

(I have a good feeling about this one.)

Question 3  Which word is cat?

a) cat

b) infinitesimal
c) hydrochloric acid

d) shemozzle

At this point, a girl gets up to ask the proctor for some clarification.  Puzzled, I move on.  Ten FLIPS later, I finish the test.  I check my work, trying to stall.  Unable to hold off any longer, I stand up.  Sceptical eyes drill into me.  I know what they're thinking... "What a show off!"  The proctor barely acknowledges me as I turn in my materials. 

I always thought it would feel great to be the first one done, but I kinda felt like a louse.

Luis has also been taking tests lately due to this being finals week.  You know how people do subconscious things while they test, like tap a pencil or drum their fingers?  Well, yesterday, during his exam, Luis was apparently shaking his legs bit while testing, much like a woman bouncing her foot when her legs are crossed - NOISELESS.  Unable to bear it any longer, a girl nearby summoned the proctor and began whispering and pointing.  Reluctantly, the proctor walked over to Luis and told him to stop shaking his legs because he was distracting other people.  Can you imagine?  I can't take it anymore!  His legs just keep bouncing!  Ah!  The movement!  The annoyance!  The funny part?  Luis remembers talking to this same girl a month ago about an exam and hearing her complain about not being able to concentrate because of a student "shaking his legs" during the test.  Hmm......

Luis the Stud

Okay, so I've been a little dramatic about Luis starting school.  It is not my fault - I blame Mom and her emotions, which I inherited.  Needless to say, Luis has been so patient with me.  He understands this whole situation is hard for me.  Especially after this weekend trip to Utah and not knowing when we'll get to see everyone again.  So yesterday, he surprised me with these sweet flowers.  It was very unexpected and I loved it!  The best part?  Look carefully at the tag.  (I'm not sure which anniversary we're celebrating either.)  Isn't he a STUD?

All By Myself

Well, Lu has finally begun school here in California.  Technically, this week is only orientation, but it has still begun.  So, "What is Ashley doing?" you ask.  Well, yesterday, I bought dishwasher soap.  Today, I cleaned bird droppings off our balcony.  And tomorrow?  Let's just say other great things are in store.  Maybe I'll be lucky enough to rearrange the cords plugged into our surge protector.