I love October! As far as decorating goes, Christmas and Halloween are about equal. I actually may prefer Halloween decorating a tad more. So at the end of September I took out all my Halloween tubs (there are 3, but I think I need 1 more) and started sorting through decorations. This was a happy time! Since I left for college I've pretty much been in a new place every year. So when it comes to decorating it's always a fresh start when it comes to trying to arrange things. The basement we lived in last year was quite conducive to Halloween decorating because the setting was already dark and gruesome. This year in our much nicer and brighter condo it took a little more work :-) I can't wait until we have a house and can decorate a front yard/porch area! Jirik and I made a video tour of our Halloween themed condo, but we haven't been able to upload it to the computer yet. So until then, here are a few pictures of our place:
The video will show more, but until we get the necessary cord this is all we have. Every year we get some more decorations (many thanks to Dana and Jirik for supporting my Halloween addiction through buying many of those new decorations) so every year it is a little more fun to decorate. Last year I got several new things after Halloween when they were 75% off, so this was the first year to use them. So much fun!!
As for the rest of October, I've been sick for most of it :-( This is common for a first year teacher though (due to lack of sleep and germy second graders). My voice has been gone this week which makes teaching a bit more difficult. One adorable little boy said, in the cutest way possible, that I sounded like a monster. I just broke out laughing in the middle of class and said that it
was getting close to Halloween. I also had a student bring me an apple, which made me feel like an
official teacher (because that's what happens in the movies...).
The first weekend of this month was General Conference, which was awesome and inspiring as always! As a treat this year Martin, Trish, and Daniel came down for the weekend. We had so much fun with them! We talked, watched conference, went out to eat, and of course shopped! I am way glad they could come and visit!
My Uggs also came this month!! Because we don't have a car I walk everywhere (my bus pass expired and I no longer qualify for the student rate) and my feet have kinda been suffering. Teaching is not a job where I really ever sit, so I'm on my feet
all day. I used to walk around campus and that would sometimes make my feet sore, but I always got a break during classes to sit down. Now I walk more and sit less. I walk to work, during work, to the grocery store, to the mall, out shopping, to the doctor, wherever I need to go. I'm not trying to complain, it's definitely doable, I'm just explaining why I am so in love with my Uggs! I used to get pretty bad blisters (to the point I could sometimes barely walk) and my family felt bad and wanted to help. Cathy recommende
d Uggs to keep my feet comfortable and warm. I used to think people wore them to make some kind of fashion statement, but now I realize the immense comfort and warmth these shoes offer. My family went in together to get me a pair of Uggs as an early Christmas present. I cannot describe how much I love them. After school one day I went out shopping (a good walk) and wore my Uggs. Usually my feet hurt a bit after one of these adventures, but it felt like I was walking on those fluffy dog beds the entire way. It has also become quite chilly here and the Uggs keep my feet and legs nice and toasty. Conclusion: Uggs are the best shoes ever! Thanks family!!
I've also been gratefulfor earning paychecks again (teachers don't make much, but it's more than I've ever made before). It makes paying rent and bills a little less stressful when we actually have the money in the bank to do it. I've also been able to buy some clothes for work that fit nicely and are more comfortable. I also bought Jirik some nice colored shirts and matching ties to wear to interviews and such. They look mighty fine and well paired, if I do say so myself :-)
I have today and tomorrow off school because it is Fall Break! Whoever came up with this = genius!! This nice break is finally allowing be to update my blog, clean house, grade papers, seasonally rotate my clothes, and perhaps do some shopping and go to the doctor.
Halloween in elementary school is always pretty fun, even as a teacher! Before school I added some more Halloween decorations from home (I've been sick so decided not to have a Halloween party, so felt the decorations would be better utilized at school). As soon as school started we had a Halloween Parade with everybody dressed in their costumes. Every class went through every classroom as parents lined the hallways taking pictures. I wore the same cow costume as last year and it was a hit with my students. Later in the day we also has a fun Halloween party that some BYU students put on for us that included face painting, a cake walk, making trick or treat bags, bingo, coloring, estimation jar, outside games, dance party (7 year olds break dancing is hilarious by the way, especially when they care actually pretty good!!), etc. The day was loud and crazy, but it was fun to just have a good time celebrating with my students. It was even nicer not having to be in charge of the party. I just watched and took pictures and had fun with the kids. I took like a million pictures but can't post pictures of students online. So I included just one picture with a dew of my students in which I blurred their faces for legal reasons. After school Jirik and I ask volunteered at the ward Halloween party manning a booth for the kids. It also was pretty fun! Now tomorrow I start fall decorating!
