Praxis, Senior Research, Hygiene Kits, Oh My

This semester was a little more stressful than the others- I handled it, but I sure am glad it's over. I only took 14 credits this semester- as opposed to my usual 18 so I thought it would be easier- but these 14 credits were pretty intense. But I was taking an on-line class and studying for my Content Knowledge Praxis test so I guess it was not the break I was expecting. However, with my excellent time management skills (hahhahaha) I handled it all!

I passed the Praxis test! YAY!!!

I finished my 27 page senior research paper! It was on Queen Victoria and her relationship with her eldest daughter Princess Vicky- if you would like to read it let me know!

I finished my O&P at Mililani Middle! With all my observations completed!

And I finished my senior service project! As most of you know, I collected items together to put hygiene kits together. These will be taken to LDS humanitarian services and distributed there. I was able to collect items for 100 kits! So thanks for everyone that helped out! My friends Zach and Julie will be taking some to India so I will have some great pictures of my service! While the project was a little stressful, I am glad I was able to do this- these kits are going to touch so many people!

Anyway, all my work is done, done, done! So let's party!!!!

Tis the Season in Hawaii

This is our first Christmas away from home! Last year was our first Christmas as a married couple, but this is our first alone. And our first in Hawaii.

The night of Thanksgiving we put our tree up in our little studio apartment! I know it was a little early, but I just couldn't wait! We got our tree for $20 at Wal-mart and all of our ornaments from Target! My Grandmother Fahey also sent us our yearly ornaments and so we got ten new Hallmark ornaments and they are wonderful! I think our tree looks beautiful. Matt also decided to be crafty and he bought some one shot liquor bottles and made them into ornaments. I think they turned out great!

We got lights to hang in our windows and a wreath to hang on the door! And my wonderful mother-in-law made us our very own unique stockings! And some cute pillow covers!

Here are some pictures of our tree:

(Carrying on the HoHoHo tradition)

One Year Already- WHAT?

(I know this post is overdue- but I have been busy! Enjoy)

Saturday, November 26 Matt and I celebrated our one year anniversary!

We wanted to do something special and decided- what the heck let's celebrate somewhere fancy! We live in TVA (Temple View Apartments) on campus and we thought we deserved a night of comfort.

We decided to stay at the Moana Surfrider hotel in downtown Honolulu! We got there and like all fancy people- valeted our car and got leis! Then we headed out to the pool and tried to catch a little bit of sun. When we got checked into the room we found out they had robes for us- and slippers! We lounged around a bit in those and then got ready and went to eat at Roy's- this Hawaiian fusion restaurant! If you ever have the chance to eat at Roy's DO IT! Our food was delicious. We walked back to our place (unfortunately in the rain) and then got into the wonderful robes and finished the night with Martenellies! (Tacky but a must!) The next morning we ate at the hotel buffet- awesome of course. And then we ended our trip with hour long massages at the spa. Like I said we were fancy people for two days!

While we spent a little too much money- it was nice to get out of Laie and relax. And like we said- We only get one 1 year anniversary!

Enjoy the pictures:

(The pink hotel is the Royal Hawaiian- another nice hotel in Honolulu)

(It was a little cold hanging out at the pool!)

(The Surfrider has these rocking chairs out front so we thought we would people watch for a while)

Thanksgiving in Hawaii

(I made my mom's cranberries- they were a hit- along with my chocolate pie!)

Two years ago for Thanksgiving I was getting on a plane for Dublin with my friend Jenny. I had spent the morning of Thanksgiving in
St. Paul's attending a service for the American community in England. Then we were off to Dublin!

One year ago, I was attending my rehearsal dinner with my family and friends! I was celebrating mine and Matt's wedding day!

Now we are in Hawaii, about to celebrate our one year anniversary. This year we went to Matt's Obachan's (grandmother) home. I thought I would be okay, but it was a little overwhelming. If you know me really well, you know that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I love being with my family. And I am extremely picky about my Thanksgiving food. At Obachan's house there was NO mashed potatoes, there were NO sweet potatoes, and there WAS SUSHI!!!! On top of that there were tons of new family members to meet. All of that combined was a little too much for me to handle. I tried to be a good sport, but at one point I just broke down and started crying in the bathroom. I know, I know how stupid, but being 4,000 miles away from family is hard!

After dinner, things got better. Most of the guests left so it was just people I was used to being around. After dinner, Matt and I went to see Arthur Christmas. It was such a good movie and a good way to end the day.

While this year held many changes, I am so happy I was able to spend my favorite holiday with my favorite person. This guy:

Breaking Dawn

I am not ashamed to say I am very excited to go to the midnight premier of Breaking Dawn. I love Twilight and proud of it. I don't care that Bella is a woman who just cares about her boyfriend, or the fact that Stephenie Meyer's writes poorly... I don't care that the acting is horrible... I just don't care. I love watching a movie that I can just relax in... I love reading books were I can just read and not interrupt the deeper theme of what the author was trying to say... I love stupid love stories and that is what Twilight gives to me. And you know what- I am tired of people trying to justify why they hate the Twilight series by using the fact that Meyer's can't write. This is what I say to them: Have you been published? Have you made millions in writing? No? Then shut-up!

To me these books and movies are a way to just relax and let go... and you know what I need to do exactly that! I am just lucky to have a loving husband who will support me in my insane obsession!

PRAXIS

(These are just some of the books I used to study!)

For about the past 5 or 6 months I have been studying off and on for the Praxis II: Content Knowledge. This test is the 2nd out of 3 I have to take to become certified to teach. I took Praxis I a while ago and it was a piece of cake! Praxis II is a whole other ball game!

Since my content is history, the closest content area is social studies which includes: U.S. History, World History, Political Science, Geography, Economics, and the social sciences (Psych, Anthropology, and Sociology)!

Now, if you don't know better this is a whole lota content to be studying. And that is what I have been doing on top of writing my senior research paper (25-30 pages), completing two days at a middle school for Observation and Practicum and taking another 5 classes... oh yeah and working!

Needless to say I have been very busy! Now, I can handle it and I have been, but I just can't wait to be done in December and just focus on Student Teaching!

So I took the Praxis II last Saturday and will get my results in early December! And it was the hardest test I have taken in my educational career! Holy Crap I would not be surprised if I failed! Luckily, if I do I can take it again in January with my third test the PLT. But everyone send good thoughts that I passed- I could sure use some!

I have been driving Matt crazy since taking it analyzing over every question I can remember and asking him repeatedly if he thinks I passed. I am sure he can't wait till I get my scores!

Hopefully, now I can focus on my paper and the rest of my school work!

A Late Halloween

Last year for Halloween I was Sarah Palin and Matt was a Moose... this year we were nothing and it was pretty lame. At first I was okay with not dressing up because I was pretty excited to just pass out candy and carve our pumpkins- and then I realized Halloween was on a Monday and Matt works Monday nights! It was really depressing- and to add to that we had ZERO trick or treaters. Apparently in Laie, all the kids justgo to one street and everyone else just parks and has a truck or treat, but since we didn't know that Matt and I had 7 bags of candy untouched!!!!

Even though we didn't spend all of Halloween together and did

n't get one tricker or treater we still managed to have some fun. We carved our pumpkins, made gingerbread graveyard, and went to the Haunted Lagoon. Overall, it was a great Halloween- at least we were together!