The Big Ugly

In this week's email from my Missionary son, we learned about 'The Big Ugly'.
Here's what John said:

Let me tell you about "THE BIG UGLY ELK BURGER" the place is called "Bub's Cafe" and they have the "BIG UGLY"

A one pound Elk Burger that is bigger than my face.

Many have tried and failed. Those who succeed in eating the "BIG UGLY" get their picture on the wall of awesomeness:)

Many missionaries have eaten one. If you eat one you get a small picture. If you eat two you get a bigger picture and if you eat three you get a poster on the wall. My goal before I leave is to eat two:)

When I ate it and was done I wasn't too full or not full enough it was just right:) I can eat two:) and I'm going to:)

hahaha the "BIG UGLY":) one of the sisters even did it:) hahahah the best:)

Look how fat I am:) just enjoying the yummy not so fatty elk:)

MMMMMM yes you do want one:) we will come back to get one when I get home:)

Snow Already?

I'm not ready for the snow!
This morning it was everywhere! At least 8 inches! Ahhhgh!
Jason and Michal emptied the gas out of the summer yard machines and got the winter yard machines ready for action.
I want more time to dig in the dirt.

I'm 'beside myself' with excitement!

Today was the Utah Foreign Language Association's annual conference at Utah Valley University. I was given the honor of being named the Utah Foreign Language teacher of the year!

It was a great day! My colleagues and I learned some awesome new ideas for teaching foreign language. I got to present 2 workshops. That's a blast but it's exhausting:)

My wonderful principal, Mr. Shaw, came to present the award. He said "I don't want some 'stranger' presenting the award to you." He's the best principal I've ever worked with!


In April, Jason, Michal and I will go to Fort Worth, Texas for the Southwest regional conference where I will be the nominee from Utah for the Southwest award. If I am named the regional teacher of the year, I'll go to the national conference next year and be a nominee for that award.

This is a ton of fun! I'm so honored!
Nobody gets to a place like this in their life without the help and collaboration of a lot of other people.

What do I make?

I wanted to share this story because it hits home for me:

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a
CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a
kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was
to become a teacher?" He reminded the other dinner guests what they
say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." To
stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie.
Be honest. What do you make?"
Bonnie,
who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to
know what I make?" (She paused for a second, then began...)

"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I
make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor winner. I make
kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make
them sit for 5 minutes without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental. You
want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and
every person at the table.)

"I make them wonder. I make them question. I make them apologize
and mean it. I make them have respect and take responsibility for their
actions. I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding
isn't everything. I make them read, read, read. I make them show all
their work in math. They use their God-given brain, not the man-made
calculator. I make my students from other countries learn everything
they need to know about English while preserving their unique cultural
identity. I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say
the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we
live in the United States of America. Finally, I make them understand
that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their
hearts, they can succeed in life."

(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)

"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, when I know money isn't
everything, I can hold my head high and pay no attention because they
are ignorant.... You want to know what I make? I MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
What do you make, Mr. CEO?"

His jaw dropped; he went silent.