Day 3: What Kind of Person Attracts You?

I may be boy crazy but I am also pretty picky.  Its not that I can't admire a nice looking man.  I watched THOR the other night and really enjoyed the scene when he has not shirt on.  (A must see for any lady who can appreciate a beautiful body.)  However, when it comes down to it, I only look unless the terribly attractive guy has these characteristics:
1) I know it probably doesn't have to be said but I am saying it...most importantly our religious believes have to mesh.  He needs to be a strong and faithful member of my church.
2) SMART!  I don't want to spend the rest of my life with someone I am incapable of having an intelligent conversation with.
3) SUCCESSFUL!  Okay...so maybe he isn't finished with college yet or maybe he has been working for years.  What ever the case I need to know that he has drive and motivation.  He has to want to continuously improve himself.  Still...I don't care if he is is college or done with school he must (and I do mean must) have a JOB!
4) HEALTHY! (but not a health nut please) So maybe when I am interested in a guy I automatically check out his veins and his neck (to see if he would more than likely be an easy intubation).  You never know if he will need a quick IV or an E.T. tube.  Then, I wonder about his family's medical history.  I don't want lots of hereditary diseases to possible be passed on to my children.  Call me crazy but I call it natural selection.
5)  FUNNY!  If I am going to be possibly spending a lot of time with a guy I need to know that he can make me laugh.  Hopefully if he can I won't be able to stay mad at him for too terribly long.
6) EAGLE SCOUT!  So, I don't know why the thought of an Eagle Scout is so attractive.  Maybe it is because I associate it with being able to do things.
7) A HANDY MAN! (but with clean nails and smooth hands please)  I am not attracted to blue collar workers as far as long term relationships go.  But, if I can find a white collar worker who is not afraid to use "blue collar" skills around the house (and knows what he is doing) I find it terribly sexy.
8) GOOD WITH KIDS!  I'll admit it...I want to be a mom one day.  Thus, I am attracted to guys who can have fun with kids and also take care of them.  I don't want my children to have slacker as a father.
9) ATTRACTIVE!  Does he have to be THOR...nah (not that I wouldn't love that)  But I do have to find him attractive. (Plus...if I have kids one day I want them to be the most attractive kids around.)

Now we know why I am still single.  Have a great day!

Day 2: How You Have Changed in the Past Two Years

Maybe the question should be how haven't I changed (i.e. I grew up and discovered myself).  Enough said.

Day 1: Things You Want to Say to Five People

I like to think that I usually say what I mean and mean what I say.  When I don't say something I usually have a pretty good reason for not saying it. Actually, does fear count as a "good" reason?  I can't pick every member of my family (because I come from a gigantic family) or else I would.  With that being said, here I go.

My Mom

I am pretty sure I have the best mom in the world.  Somehow she manages to drive me crazy and still be one of my best friends.  I think that is what moms are supposed to do.  Mom has always been there for me even when I am crazy.  Believe me, I can be pretty crazy!  So here is what I have to say to my mom:
Dear Mom,
The suspicions are true: I get all of my crazy from you.  You really are crazy, but it is a good crazy.  You are an amazing woman and have provided me with a great example of the type of person I have the potential to become.

Ginny, My Niece

Just to make it clear, I am not playing favorites with my nieces or nephews.  Ginny is the oldest one so she immediently came to my mind.
Dear Ginny,
Remember who you are and who you want to become!  Never loose sight of your dreams.  They really can come true...we just have to work a little for them.  You shine so brightly.  Never trade in your luster for things that can only make you happy temporarily.

President Obama

Dear Mr. President, 

I don't really understand politics but I hear you are messing up our country.  Please stop and fix any problems you have caused.  You may also choose to fix problems caused by former presidents.  

Random Teacher at BYU-I

When I had too many credits to get into the nursing program I went to see my academic adviser.  I forgot her name.  Anyways, we prayed together and she encouraged me to continue praying  to seek an answer for the academic path I should pursue.

Dear Random Teacher,

Remember when you made me pray about a career and I got an answer I didn't want to hear?  Well, I listened and now I am a teacher.  I am still trying to figure out why I am a teacher and think it may be one of the hardest careers out there and lowest paid, not that I am bitter. Just wanted to let you know how things turned out for me.

Myself

Is it vain that I want to say something to myself?  Maybe typing to myself makes me somewhat schizophrenic.
Dear Me,
Keep calm and carry on.  One day you will get it all done...maybe.

30 Day Challenge

My friend, Danielle did this challenge and I found it quite fascinating.  Then I wondered if I could actually do it and keep up.  There is only one way to find out!  So here we go.  Let the blogging begin!

30 Day Challenge

1. things you want to say to five different people.

2. how have you changed in the past two years?

3. what kinda person attracts you?

4. what you wear to bed.

5. five things that irritate you about the opposite sex/same sex.

6. the person you like and why you like them.

7. your opinion on cheating on people.

8. something you’re currently worrying about.

9. your last kiss.

10. your view on drugs and alcohol.

11. your current relationship, if single discuss how being single is.

12. things you want to say to an ex.

13. a date you would love to go on.

14. something disgusting you do.

15. the best thing to happen to you this week.

16. three things you are proud about your personality.

17. things that make you scared.

18. disrespecting parents.

19. something that never fails to make you feel better.

20. the last argument you had.

21. something you can’t seem to get over.

22. ten things about you people don’t really expect.

23. something you always think “what if..” about

24. weird things you do when you’re alone.

25. ten ways to win your heart.

26. your religious beliefs.

27. talk about your siblings.

28. the month you were happiest this year and why.

29. a picture of yourself.

30. what changed this month and what you hope will happen next month.

The Past Week

Well, I FINALLY got a job! I am so excited about this job because it is ideal for me. This is my first year teaching and I am team teaching with great teacher. We have 24 second graders. It is definitely a challenge and I often wonder leave work wondering what I was thinking when I choose to become a teacher. Then I remember how much I love those stinking kids already even if I do struggle with classroom management at times. The kids naturally want to talk and let's be honest some subjects are just boring no matter how hard you try to make them interesting. I think I make at least 2-3 kids cry a day when I redirect them. No, I am not mean; they are just sensitive. I have already learned a lot this past week though. I think I am growing as a teacher. Just imagine how good I will be in 10 years! The most important thing I have learned this week is to smile and laugh whenever I can. I know that if I work hard that all my hard work will pay off. One of my teachers gave me a star I keep in my desk to go along with this poem:

The Star Polisher 

I have a great job in the universe of occupations. What do I do? I'm a "star polisher."

It's a very important job. If you want to know how important my job is, just go out at night and look at the stars twinkling and sparkling. 

You see, I'm a teacher. The stars are the children in my class. My job is to take them in - in whatever shape they come - and shine and buff them and then send them out to take their places as bright little twinkling beacons in the sky. 

They come into my room in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes they're bent, tarnished, dirty, crinkly and broken. Some stars are cuddly, soft and sweet. Some stars are prickly and thorny.

As I buff, polish, train and teach my little stars, I tell them that the world cannot do without them. I tell them they can do anything they set their minds to do. I tell them they can be the brightest, shiniest stars in the sky and the world will be a better place because of them. 

Each night as I look at the sky, I'm reminded of my very important job and awesome responsibility. I go and get my soft buffing cloth and my bottle of polish in preparation for tomorrow and for my class of little stars. 

By Leah Becks 

This poem really does help me get through the day.  I love the kids a ton!  They are all so beautiful and amazing!  I truly am excited to see how much more I grow over the next year.

What Ten Years Taught Me...9/11

Tomorrow marks the ten year anniversary of a day that changed America, September 11, 2001.  It is hard to believe it has been ten years.  I still remember sitting in the library at South Side High School my senior year and working on a magazine drive.  One of my fellow students came in the room and told us that the Twin Towers had just been struck by a plane.  At the time, I didn't understand the significance of this event.  It took a while for me to realize the importance of that morning.  Our wonderful country had just been struck.  I don't think I had ever known anything about other than peace and prosperity in America.

Of course I was bitter and angry after the attack on America.  I suddenly became prejudice.  It was difficult to not be nervous or suspicious around people of various races.  Television was filled with footage of 9/11 and rumors of other conspiracies ran rapid.  The country seemed to always be on terror alert, rather it was high or low.  My life was surely forever changed.

I started EMT/Paramedic school in the fall of 2002, just one year after the attack.  It was at that time I started to associate with some of the most amazing people.  They were EMT's, Paramedics, and Firefighters.  These people helped me further gain an appreciation for the efforts so many brave men and women put forth on 9/11 and for the following days.  I learned how it felt for people to really rely on you and the service you could offer them.  When people are in trouble, they often call 911.  I got to be the person to respond.  It was not hard to imagine how the brave men and women that responded to the attack on 9/11 felt as me and my co-workers rushed to each call.  I learned the importance of my fellowman, the service they offer, and the service I can offer others, even if it is as simple as smiling at everyone.

I also gained an appreciation of human life.  Not just the lives of others, but my own life.  I learned that I must make the most of everyday.  I am still working on this one.  Life is full of surprises and there is no way to predict what it has in store for us or our loved us.  Thus, appreciate each and every day.  Live your life to the fullest.  Love yourself.  Let others know you appreciate them and love them.  Be grateful.  Finally, be your best self, even when it is hard.

Finally, know what you stand for and why you stand for it.  It is difficult to believe that the people who can vote this year were only eight years old when the Twin Towers were struck.  They may not remember the horror Americans felt on that day.  They may only vaguely remember the attack.  Don't stand for something because others stand for it.  Stand for something because you have questioned it and researched it.  Stand for something because it is part of who you are, not who others want you to be.

Hopefully we will all take a moment tomorrow and remember.  Remember what it means to be an American.  Remember the brave efforts of those who gave their lives to help others ten years ago.  Remember the families who lost loved ones ten years ago.  Remember the soldiers who have and will continue to fight for our freedom.  Remember how fragile life is.  And most of all, remember to be grateful for everything good life has to offer.

From the Mouth of Bob Marely

Evidently the great singer had more to tell us then, "Don't worry, Be happy."  This is a quote I found on one of my new favorite websites (www.pininterst.com) that I absolutely love.  So here we go, from the mouth of the one and only Bob Marley:

He's not perfect.

You're not either,

and the two of you will never be perfect.

But, if he can make you laugh at least once,

Causes you to think twice, 

and if he admits to being human and making mistakes,

Hold on to him and give him the most you can.

He isn't going to quote poetry,

He isn't thinking about you every moment,

But he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break.

Don't hurt him,

Don't change him,

And don't expect more than he can give.

Don't analyze.

Smile when he makes you happy,

Yell when he makes you mad,

And miss him when he's not there.

Love hard when there is love to be had.

Because perfect guys don't exist,

But there's always one guy that is perfect for you.

-Bob Marley