"If You Are Unhappy"

This is a story I just read on a friend's blog (Thanks, Jenelle!) and I thought it was fantastic, hence the double post for today.

Once upon a time there was a non-conforming sparrow who decided not to fly south for the winter. However, soon the weather turned so cold that he reluctantly started to fly south. In a short time ice began to form on his wings and he fell to the earth in a barnyard, almost frozen. A cow passed by and crapped on the little sparrow. The sparrow thought it was the end. But the manure warmed him and defrosted his wings. Warm and happy, able to breathe, he started to sing. Just then a large cat came by and hearing the chirping, investigated the sounds. The cat cleared away the manure, found the chirping bird, and promptly ate him.

*The Moral of the Story*

1. Everyone who craps on you isn't necessarily your enemy.
2. Everyone who gets you out of the crap isn't necessarily your friend.
3. If you are warm and happy in a pile of crap, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!

I think it's important to choose happiness even when life is in the dumps. I also choose to accept the crap that happens in my life and I know though the times may be unhappy and trying, I will learn something and I will come out if it a better person. I also know that if I have faith, good things will happen.

I'm Only Slightly Broken

I woke up today and my toe was quite a bit larger than last night and very purple.

I went to sub for my kindergarten class anyway. I limped through the day and decided at 11 am that I should probably go to the doctor to see if it really is broken. I was able to get an appointment at 2 pm and found out that I have a hairline fracture that starts at the joint closest to my toe nail on the outside of my toe, curves around the top of my toe and almost makes a complete circle. Had that happened, a chunk of bone would have fallen off and I would have to have surgery. Thank goodness that didn't happen and all I have to do is wear this lovely boot and tape for three weeks.

Do cute, single men think these boots are attractive?

The Interview

Dun Dun Dun! My interview was at 3:30 this afternoon...15 minutes after I got out of school. Ugh! It was a rush to get over there but I made it on time and wasn't too sweaty (we just finished playing a game of kick ball in which I may or may not have broken my toe).

Unbroken Toe

Possibly Broken Toe--Ick! It's so fat and ugly!

I interviewed with both principals, Mrs. Kranz from Parkside and Dr. Kupferschmidt from Horizon. I had heard from my buddies at Grant that they were both a bit intimidating so obviously I was super nervous to start. Good news, they both were pretty easy on me. I don't know if that is a good thing though. Do they think I can't handle the real questions? I don't know. I'm probably over analyzing again.

I really hope it went well and that I get one of the jobs. My question is, do I send a thank you? Do I call? When should I expect an answer? Ack! I don't know interview etiquette. I just really want them to know that I am very interested and I'm a great candidate. What to do? Life will just be so much more relaxing when this whole ordeal is over and I finally have a job.

Two hours later...I decided to mail a letter to each principal thanking them for taking the time to interview me and letting them know that I am the best candidate for the position. Hope it works! Cross you fingers!

Two Principals?

Thinking that I'm the greatest, I went to Parkside Elementary today to introduce myself and drop off a copy of my e-portfolio so the principal would know who I was and would be able to check out some of my work. "Wahoo...Great idea Ashley. You'll get a job for sure!" is what I'm thinking as I'm walking up to the door.

I meet Mrs. Kranz and am informed that the interview is taking place at the district offices because another principal from Murray will be there, Mrs. Kupferschmidt from Horizon. So no worries, if I blow this interview I will blow it with not one but two schools I really want to work for. Great! Now I'm even more nervous. Ugh. Wish me luck and pray for me tomorrow at 3:30. :)

Hello Blogging World!

It's been a long time coming and I've finally decided that I'd give the world of blogging a commitment, maybe a month or two to see how it goes. I've tried to blog three times in the past but had a few snafus (is that a real word?). First time, forgot password, blog lost in space somewhere. Second time, super busy with school and never really got passed the 'name your blog' part. Third time, again busy and couldn't get anything out of my mind onto the blog so I stopped. Maybe the fourth time is the charm?

I have been a closet blog stalker for quite some time and really enjoyed reading about and catching up with some old friends so I thought I'd give them the same enjoyment in catching up with me. But, this is where I always get stuck...who really wants to hear about me an my life? What should I write about? After a bit of thought about what this blog will rotate around I've decided it should be my job hunt and love life (ha!).

Let's start with the job hunt. I just finished student teaching (wahoo!!) on April 24th and have finished all my screening interviews with the districts in the and around the valley--Salt Lake, The Canyons, Jordan, Granite, Murray, Alpine, Davis and Park City. With the economic climate in the toilet, I expected this job hunt to be long and difficult but I got a call from Parkside Elementary in Murray today to set up an interview. Hallelujah! My interview is on Wednesday and I am so excited! My goal is to be in a district I like (i.e. Murray) and preferably in a Title I school. (i.e. Parkside, Horizon or Liberty). So, if this interview goes well (cross your fingers) I'll have a job and it will be at a school I love!

Kindergarten Class

5th Grade Class

Onto the love life...Ugh! Finding a job is much easier. Being an elementary major and not living on campus, the majority of men I have met are (1) attached, (2) gay, (3) old or (4) super weird. With those options, my dating life is floating in the toilet with the economy. So, here is my plan. Since I no longer have school to keep me out of the dating pool, I'm going to go to activities where there will be men who are not attached, gay, old or super weird. Institute, Singles Ward FHE and activites here I come. Any blind date, I'm up for it. Good idea? Bad idea? Any other ideas?