gaga oh la la....

Anyone that knows me, knows that i LOVE to dance. and what better music to dance to then Lady Gaga. A few months back Taylor texted me and asked me if I wanted to go to the Lady Gaga concert in San Diego in December, I immediately said yes. There was no way I was going to miss out on seeing Gaga in all of her craziness. My roommates especially know that i like the song "Bad Romance" OK. Lets be real. IM OBSESSED!! Jessica made fun of me because I pretty much played it every single day. No joke. Well this past Saturday I was able to finally see Taylor and go to the concert! Taylor and I were able to meet up in Anaheim. Our day started with a much needed catch up conversation and then made our way on a mini road trip to SD.

We made a stop at the San Diego Temple.

Since we got to San Diego pretty quickly we also toured around downtown for a bit. Taylor and I loved it! It was super fun to drive around downtown with no real destination (besides Petco Park of course!) and just explore.

Then it was back up to the arena to get in line for the concert. Now Taylor and I knew that the concert was going to be crazy cause Gaga is crazy. But i didn't really think about the fans--wow. Now they were CRAZY! The most interesting group I literally have ever seen. At one point I walked towards the front of the line--to see how long it was--and i was literally scared. ha.

After the long wait outside, sitting on the floor, getting pushed by crazy girls, GAGA finally came out. Accidentally called San Diego, San Jose but she was crazy and beautiful. Sang all of her big hits, including the new ones and danced like crazy. It was so much fun!! And for the encore she came out and sang Bad Romance. Needless to say, I went crazy. I was so excited!! It was a great show, I have a girl crush on lady gaga and continue to love her.

"Monster"

"Speechless"

"Paparazzi"

Thanks Taylor for a great trip--filled with great driving skills by you, good jams in the car, a great sleep over in Murrieta, and of course going deaf after the show and continuing to the next day. for a great review of the concert, check out Taylor's blog, in which shows that he really needs to be in the music industry!

here are some videos from the concert! not too shabby if i do say so myself.

imma let you finish but uhhh...

This weekend has been so bittersweet. Although I have been so sad to leave, its hard to be too sad because I have had the BEST weekend ever. So great to leave DC with a bang. All weekend long I have been so happy, all I could say to my roommates as we were going around town was how incredibly happy I have been. As I expressed in my last post, Friday was my last day at Wilson High. And although I was incredibly sad to leave my amazing students, it was hard to be too sad because Friday was just so great!!! I wasnt too sad to leave 1st Period, that class is full of a bunch of punk kids. But there were a few girls in there that I love and will miss. Now 2nd Period. This class I love them. I have been teaching them from pretty much the beginning. They are all such great kids and i cant even begin to express how much fun we have together. So I stayed up till about 1 the night before and made a ton of cookies for their class (none for 1st period suckers!). I did the usual in the class--reading "Today in History" which included "Dec 11, 2009- Ms. Robins' last day" Ha. they thought that was funny. Then i went on to read all of the horoscopes for that day. I usually only read one a day but since it was my last day, I read them all. And it was SO fun. Some of them applied so well to the kids that we were laughing so hard. Then we ate cookies and had a legit dance party in class. That was the only thing on the agenda for the day. I took photos with so many of my students. They are so great and so many of them all wanted their own picture with me, which made me so happy. We just laughed and danced and had a great time. My favorite moment of the day was towards the end. I called every ones attention to the front and just started to tell them how much I loved them and how I was going to miss them. I told them that they are all so great, to keep working hard and to go to college. At which point someone yelled out "group hug" and before I knew it my whole class mobbed me into a group hug. Its like we are a family in that class and I loved that there was no hesitation from any one of them to come and all of us be huddled together. As the bell was about to ring each one of them gave me a hug and told me they would miss me as they walked out the front door. One student, Dwight, even came back in after he left class cause he didn't get a chance to give me a hug. I also told them to add me on Facebook. Ive had about 10 friend requests. ha. So i was so sad, and i will miss them, but moments when we are all taking photos together and having fun, it was hard to be too sad.

First Period: U.S History

Second Period: World History. i love them!

Kamal. Seriously, my favorite student.

Friday night we went and saw the Christmas tree at the White House. WOW. I WAS SO HAPPY. Jessica was getting so mad at me cause I was literally running around on the streets of DC. It was just incredible to be right outside the White House looking at beautiful Christmas lights with the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial in sight. I dont want to leave this! Im pretty sure my roommates and I couldnt stop laugh the entire night either, which helped fuel my happiness. Good thing we were able to capture my death stare on camera. Which immediately put us in a complete uproar of laughter and a demand to make it my profile picture. Which it is.

Saturday was filled with other great moments that continued to make me so happy. We finally got breakfast at Eastern Market! Blueberry pancakes! Yum! And I was finally able to buy some good photos/ paintings of DC. I cant wait to hang them up in my apartment right next to my London photos. Next stop Ford's Theater and the Holiday Market. The best part of the day was singing and dancing alongside my favorite metro singers. These guys are always outside the Crystal City Metro stop singing A Capella and i LOVE them. Another thing that makes me so happy everyday as I come home from school. On Saturday we saw them at Metro Center and I couldnt pass up on the photo opp. And dont worry, we caught it on film too. Then the Air and Space Museum (or is it the Aaron Space Museum? Jessica's not sure.) This museum was great! Im glad we went. Chanel was so thrilled to explore the Wright Brothers exhibit. Next was a little photo opp by the Christmas tree at the Capitol. Seriously, how can you not be extremely happy looking at Christmas things right by the amazing sites of DC?? Then off to Georgetown one last time with Allie, Amber and Kim. We got Georgetown Cupcakes. So good!

The only way to sum up my weekend was that I was just so happy. Which is weird since I'm leaving, but Ive just loved every moment that I have been here.

I just need to give a little shout out to how great my roommates are and how much fun we have had together. I remind Jessica often of how much she is going to miss me, but in reality Im going to miss these girls a lot too. We laugh so hard together, are constantly mocking each other and love it when each other run into walls and doors. Chanel pointed out to me yesterday how they helped me discovery how quirky I am. Finding out the following about me:

1. Ive got a speech impediment. I end all my words with an A sound. Im sorryaaaa alright!?

2. I give "laser eyes" or the "death stare" which i do A LOT. but never been called out on before. my roommates love it.

3. i make so many weird noises!! whenever something crazy happens you can depend on me to give some EEKK noise or something. ive always done this, never been called out on it before! so freaking funny. and my roommates are gonna miss this.

alright, so here is a little insight into the dance party we had in class on friday. footage of me doing the jerk in class. "go ms robins"

this post could have gone on and on. but its been a great weekend. i have SO many more photos that i cant wait to share.

imma let you finish but uhhh....im a college grad.

this is it.

As i embarked on this journey to DC, my last day of school seemed like an eternity away. I thought of all the days of school that i had left, the countless amounts of lessons that i had to plan, papers to grade and hours to spend with rowdy high school kids with way too much attitude. and it seemed like i would never make it. December 11 seemed so far away. And now, before i knew it, my last day is tomorrow. Ive tried to soak it all in. The ride on the metro, the walk into the school, down the hall ways and time with my kids. as i looked into the eyes of my students it broke my heart that after tomorrow i will never see them again. it was hard. really hard. there were many nights that i cried because i didnt think that I could do this or keep going. For awhile I doubted if this is what I really wanted, if I really wanted to be a teacher or not. During the hard days I had to keep telling myself to take one day at a time. I even made a list of things I loved about teaching to keep me going. And then I would get to school and have a BLAST. i would have so much fun. I love being called "Ms. Robins," I loved dancing in class, teaching my students and realizing they are learning about history and its because of me. That I was teaching them. Through this I realized that I loved being a teacher, that this feels so right and that I could not imagine doing anything else. As I sit in my classroom for pretty much the last time, all by my self, I feel so sad. I do not want to leave Wilson High. How did this happen? How is already time to leave? Days that Chanel and I moon walk or do the Jerk in class just makes it too much fun. Moments where my students say there are going to throw a revolution against the school so that I can stay on as their teacher. Or walking down to the metro, hearing my students scream "Ms Robins!! This isnt California! We were coats in DC!" As they mock my frequent lack of, despite the chilly weather. And then the next day having Kamal tell me "Ms. Robins, just dont go back to Utah." Leaving tomorrow is so surreal, I just seriously cant believe it that its over. Ive loved being in DC. And Ive loved teaching and I love each one of my students. Greatest three and a half months of my life.

thanksgiving

I dont think I had ever been so excited for thanksgiving break then I was this year. Ok, maybe if i went home I would have been even more excited, but nevertheless, I could not wait. Mostly because it meant two days of sleeping in, not having to plan lessons and just hanging out in DC. Jessica and I had a great time hanging out together all weekend and just chilling. Thursday started off with a little pre thanksgiving work out--so i would not feel guilty about eating so much! Jessica and I spent thanksgiving with the Barker family! I have been friends with Allie and James for a few years now since we all lived the lanai and then Allie and I were roommates over the summer and it was seriously the BEST ever. I seriously have been SO glad that Allie has been living out here while I have been here. Although I definitely wish we could hang out more! It was great to be with a family on thanksgiving and especially to see James! Thanksgiving was SO great. Great food and great company. Although I was sad I didnt get to help bake or get any leftovers.

The rest of the weekend was super chill--Jessica and I roamed around the streets of DC, randomly walked to the White House and was able to see the Christmas tree delivered by a horse and buggy. We had a great time just walking with no real destination. We came across a "free stress test" and I immediately took advantage of this as Jessica claims I am way too stressed out all the time. However, the stress test was super bogus and just a way for us to buy their book. But it was part of our adventure. nothing else too exciting to report. oh except that Jessica and I definitely didnt wake up before 10:00 all weekend. absolute bliss. this photo is to prove that my brother in law matt, is indeed not special although my past post's picture may have led you to believe.

missing utah

Probably since the first time i moved out to DC I am missing Utah right now. And no, its not because I wasnt at the BYU/ Utah game, although I was so sad that I wasnt there yesterday! (GO COUGS) But Im mostly missing Utah because of this kid:

Today my nephew Seth gets baptized and will be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am terribly sad that I am not there to see my oldest nephew on such a big day. Since the day I found out about Seth becoming a part of our family I looked forward to this day so much and it breaks my heart that I am not going to be there with the rest of the family. Maybe to Seth it isnt that big of a deal, but to me it is. I love him more then anything and I want him to know that I know, with out a doubt, that this gospel is the true church on the earth today, that we have a living prophet and that our Savior loves him. This decision today will make you more happy then anything else. Im so sad im not with the rest of the fam today celebrating Seth's big day. And in true thanksgiving fashion let me just give a shout out to how thankful I am for my family. I have THE best family in the entire world, and I am so blessed to have them in my life. Im grateful for family trips to Spring Training, the countless games of Mexican Train we have played and although I always lose, Mom always gets annoyed, Laura always claims she got skipped, Matt always boasts about winning and Dad plays slow-- it never gets old and my favorite thing ever to do with my family. Im grateful for moments when my dad promises to punch a guy in the gut if he runs into him, and Wade constantly mocking me and pestering me about boys, that my sisters are my best friends, and relaxing and watching dodger games with matt, my mom loving me more then anything and my incredibly amazing nieces and nephews that I love so much.

so i hope this guilt trips my family enough for not flying me home this week. kidding. im so grateful for my family and miss them. congrats seth, i wish i were there. and I dont know where I will be in three years but I promise I will not miss Ella's big day.

weekend visit

this past weekend my good friend Kurt came out to visit DC. Ive definitely been looking forward to this weekend trip for a long time and I couldnt wait to show Kurt around the District of Columbia. Kurt and I met over the summer and told him that he had to come out and see me while I was here. A couple of weeks later he bought his tickets and ive been anticipating it ever since. Kurt and i share a love of history, the American Revolution and George Washington. So what better place to see then the nation's capitol. here are some of the highlights from our great weekend.

Mt Vernon! I had yet to go to George Washington's home since being in DC and so i was SUPER excited to go. Kurt was also really excited to say the least and insisted on having his picture taken with everything that had to do with George. The first like 15 photos I took were solely of George and Kurt.

The Library of Congress. I had been when my parents were in town but Kurt and I decided to get Library cards so that we could go into the main reading room--the place where you can seriously look at any book that you want! It was such the process of getting our cards. You see they are suppose to be given out for research purposes only, as much as Kurt and I would have loved to do some research on George we didnt have the time for that. And I think the large and intimidating woman who asked us about that could see right through our lie. As we aimlessly walked around the reading room it was pretty dang obvious we were just in there because it was cool. It was also very obvious that we werent there for research as we had no research materials with us. ha. Kurt got his card for souvenir purposes only. Hopefully ill go back before I leave.

going to get our cards! running through the sketch tunnels, lying to the lady about research, running all over the place just to get inside, finding cool books and being super obvious.

Disc Golf. We went and played Saturday morning at the most amazing park ever! it was seriously just a forest and it was so pretty. And a really fun game. Unfortunately I have no skill when it comes to games, so i of course sucked. Good thing Kurt was my partner and he was awesome at it.

Ben's Chili Bowl. We went out to dinner here on saturday night. Not the best food, but a must see in DC. I hadnt been yet so I was super excited to go.

We got burgers. Hold the chili.

Late Night stop at the White House. This has easily become on of my favorite things to do. Going to the white house never gets old. I love just walking there and sitting outside the white house hoping to catch a peek of the President. My favorite thing about being in DC is being so close to places like this and thats its seriously no big deal to just take a stroll to the White House.

Im so glad Kurt also has the same talent that I do--taking self portraits. easily my fave thing.

It was a great weekend and i had SO much fun! Im glad Kurt and I got to hang out and possibly triple the amount of time we had spend together prior to this visit and go and do fun stuff in the city. Living the DC life is always exciting.

oh hey philadelphia!

one of my favorite things about being on the east coast is that we are super close to so many awesome places. this past saturday the student teachers took off to philadelphia to see the sites and in the mean time went through 5 states in one day! crazy. virginia, maryland, pennsylvania, delaware, new jersey and even D.C. It still super bizarre to me that im on the east coast, like i drove through delaware, who does that!? what? Philly is about a 2 1/2 drive from virginia so we left super early, but luckily i took a nap both there and on the way back. The city definitely had a different feel and look to it then DC and NYC but i really liked it. I wish I could have seen and done more but we hit some good sites. Here are some of the highlights:

Citizens Bank Park. I have known driven past three baseball stadiums since being on the east coast, and each time i get SUPER excited about it and my roommates make fun of me. Each time ive passed a stadium ive said to myself that one day i will watch a game there. too bad i didnt make it up to philly during the playoffs.

the liberty bell. one of the most iconic symbols of freedom in our country. pretty dang cool.

independence hall. site of the signing of the declaration of independence and the constitution. AMAZING. the chair is the same chair that THE george washington sat in while he was president of the constitutional convention. words cant even describe how much i love george washington and the signing of those two spectacular documents.

eating a LEGIT philly cheese steak. so good.

Christ's Church. site of where most of the men, including my man GW went to worship during the constitutional convention. we sat in the same pew that george sat in himself.

then we hit up some boring museums on ben franklin. sorry ben, you were boring.

the constitution center. a really amazing place all focusing on the significance of the Constitution. we watched a video before going in that talked about the significance of the phrase "we the people" and what that means as it gave a short history of the united states. it seriously made me cry.

at the constitution center they had this recreation of the constitutional convention where you could go sign "the Constitution" mainly entertaining to take photos with the statues.

have i mentioned how much i love jessica?? she is pretty great and we have lots of fun together.

it was a short trip but pretty fun. its always fun to learn about history, see a new city, spend time with some friends, and not have to plan lessons--which is slowly becoming my least favorite activity ever.

good and bad news. only 4 weeks left in DC. im ready for student teaching to be over, but i dont think ill ever be ready to leave the district.