Adios Oak Canyon!

Thursday was the last day of school. Wait, actually Friday was. But who goes to school on the last day? No one. So I didnt either, hence Thursday was my last day. Officially ushering in summer! As I turned in my keys, cleaned out my box and walked out for the last time, I was really sad to be leaving the school, my co-workers and the pesty junior high kids. When I started this job back in January I thought that there was no way anything could ever come close to being at Wilson High. That I would not feel the same sentimental feelings to this school and these kids as I did in DC. And although these were two completely different experiences and situations I am surprised at how much I honestly loved my job and grew to love these students as well. Of course there were many days I walked out of there and wanted to pull my hair out or had to go straight to the gym to work off my frustration (and im not even a legit teacher! jr high kids, im telling you...) 9 times out of 10 I loved being at Oak Canyon every single day. Some of my favorite things about my job and some of the highlights....

-I could read as much as I wanted. The fastest I got through a book was in two days.

-I frequently got to watch movies. Although I never got through the whole movie in one class period. I had to watch The Incredibles three times in one day without ever getting to see the end. Oh, and it was in Chinese.

-Every once in awhile we were in charge of doing Bingo. The kids loved when I called out the numbers.

-Usually at least once a day I had to do lunch supervision. Not my favorite part of the day.

- I loved walking down the halls and have at least three students say hi to me.

- My favorite was once a student said hi to me and his friend didnt know who I was, the first student replied by saying "Ms. Robins is so tight"

- There were so many times I would get to school and find out that lunch was being provided for us that day. Brick Oven, Mexican, Wallaby's.

-So I learned the Jerk when I was in DC. Mostly because it was what ALL the kids were talking about and so we wanted to learn it to fit in. We wanted to be the funny white teachers that were trying to impress our black students who were obviously way better at jerking then we were. When I showed my students I could jerk, they were kinda impressed, but kinda laughed. I might have been referred to as looking like "a retarded rabbit." But I was ok with that. Once I got to Oak Canyon and revealed that I could attempt to Jerk--they loved it! They thought I was so cool. I cant even tell you how many times I walked into a class and heard "Ms Robins I heard you could Jerk!" And I had never even seen this kid before! Kids were demanding me to Jerk during lunch, during class, in between classes in the halls. I had to start telling kids it was bad rumors that were being spread about me.

-Speaking of rumors. One student told me the rumor that went around school about me. According to him, all of the 9th grade and 8th grade boys (he doesnt talk to 7th graders though since he is in the 8th grade ha) said I was the best looking SAC lady they have ever seen. oh geez... i didnt like hearing that. Awkward.

-If I had a dollar for every time I heard "Ms Robins you are my favorite SAC lady" I would be rich. And the kids agreed with me.

-I loved walking down the halls and hearing this one boy in particular scream, literally yell, "Hi Ms. Robins!" And he would do it multiple times a day, didnt matter how many times I saw him.

-On our last week we got an email saying a teacher had left over pies from a party he had in class and that he put the excess in the faculty fridge. My co worker Gina and I went over to check it out. Fridge stacked with pies! We walked out of there loving our jobs and loving pies.

-On our last day we were so bored. Nothing to do. So Gina, Erin and Megan and I decided to put in a movie in one of our work computers. I then suggested we make popcorn from the popcorn machine in the faculty room. We straight up watched Disney's Robin Hood in the SAC and it made me so happy! Dont worry, later on in the day we put in The Emperor's New Groove and Erin and I attempted to make more popcorn, but I think we broke the machine. woops.

I had so much fun at my job. There are so many students that I just loved, and I loved the other ladies that I worked with. Im going to miss catching up on our lives, gossiping about all the bad kids, talking about our favorite shows and just the good chats in general.

Megan, Me, Erin and Gina watching Robin Hood.

And im going to miss driving past this house every day! I LOVE this house. Its my total dream home. Look at that white picket fence! and the little porch. its just perfect. one day I will live in a home exactly like this. In either California, DC or Boston.

happy birthday baby girls!

I always give a birthday shout out to my nieces and nephews, and I did not forget my two baby nieces but since they are born 9 days apart I decided to combine theirs into one post. Baby Kate turned ONE last thursday! And of course I will never forget when I found out she was on her way to join our family. Kelly desperately calling me telling me to get to Ogden as fast as I could to help watch the big kids. I packed so fast (I even forgot my make up in the process!) and sped the entire way there. I was so happy to meet Kate in the hospital and help out the next couple of days when Kelly and Wade brought her home. She is so beautiful, sweet and I am absolutely in love with her big blue eyes and long eyelashes. Now Mama Mia will be turning ONE this saturday! We found out Laura was in labor when Mom was in Utah helping Kelly with Kate and while we were at our cousins wedding. I wasnt able to meet Mia until about a month later when I came home to visit and attend her blessing. She is equally as sweet as Kate and I just love her cute button nose and her chubby legs. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRLS! I can not wait for you to grow up and get to know you and be the best aunt for you!

Baby Kate in the hospital

Baby Mia on her blessing day.

Since Im still residing in Provo for the next little bit I was able to go to Ogden this weekend to go to Kate's first birthday party. Kelly and I made fabulous cupcakes and one big cookie. It was so fun to celebrate Kate being in our family and see Kelly and the kids.

Ella and I also had some "just us girls" time. As you know Im mildly obsessed with painting my nails and since my nails were due for a new color I suggested we paint our nails together. We both took off our polish, I filed her nails and then painted her hands and toes. So fun to help my little princess.

I also spend lots of time with sweet Drewbie. We played hangman together. Drewbie started explaining the rules to me, not accurately, and as he wouldnt let me explain the real rules to him, I said to Kelly "your child is impossible to play this game with." Her response "Well it would help if he could read." Oh ya. Ha. i forgot about that minor detail.

But I just couldnt resist talking lots of photos of him. He is just too cute and sweet. And LOVES to lick me. Which I guess I deserve since I thought I was hilarious licking my sisters when I was younger. karma.

This is my favorite facial expression of him! This is him playing the staring game. Which he is not very good at.

this is why i take pictures.

In the span of one week my life took a very big hit with the loss of two friends. Chanel and Taylor. ok that sounds like they died, its not that dramatic. During DC, Chanel and I became such better friends, and two weeks ago she moved out to Palo Alto. I know it was the right thing for her, but I miss her SO much! Its weird driving by her house and not seeing the Aqua Pearl there. Through being in DC together and here in Provo for the past few months, I really considered Cha my best friend. If you know me, you know I love to make lists. So here it goes. Things I love about Cha and why Ill miss her.

1. She is always down for a dance party.

2. She is spontaneous and I love that since Im not at all.

3. In DC Chanel called me out on all of my crap. That I get stressed out way too easily, that I pant like a dog when I get excited, I talk with my hands a little bit too much.

4. When we first lived at Lanai together, my roommates and I thought she was kinda obnoxious and we realized that you could hear her laugh from miles away.

5. Making Chanel laugh makes me so incredibly happy. I feel so accomplished. Like im funny or something.

6. Wait, no. Chanel finally realized that Im funny in DC.

7. She is more girly then I am. Always has to have her lip stick on and nails painted. I like that.

8.She thinks Joseph Smith is her boyfriend.

9. "I look good. Im going out tonight"

10. Sometimes she likes to walk around in her underwear.

11. I take that back, she always walks around half naked and Im totally ok with it.

12. She loves Glee just as much as I do.

13. I helped her pass Sc Ed 377 and 378. Youre welcome.

14. She thinks everything is always about her. And Im always equipped with my camera. So we make a pretty good pair.

15. Chanel loves Taco Bell. And I happen to love the jokes on the hot sauce packs. "Its dark and I can hear voices" Ha. It gets me every time.

16. I may or may not have been dubbed "The All-American Tween" by Chanel during the Summer of Dreams '09.

17. Ms. White...I mean, Ms. Wright, is an AMAZING teacher and totally supports dance parties in class.

And now just last week Taylor moved all the way across the country to New York for the summer and then he is off to Italy for the Fall! (Im just a little jealous of his life.) Taylor has been, hands down, my bestest friend through all of college. Ive known him for almost 5 years and for pretty much 4 of those years Taylor and I have been best friends. Last Friday night I drove Taylor to his sisters, the night before he took off for the big apple, and I was so sad to say goodbye. I definitely bawled all the way back from Highland to Provo. Needless to say it was a hard drive back, and I was pretty emotional the whole weekend. I miss him a ton, and Im totally lost in Provo without him. But he is going to freaking take over New York City! Keep your eyes out in the news, hes gonna be Rihanna's next squeeze and will be staring in GaGa's next video. Here goes my next list....

1.Taylor is easily one of the most good looking people that I know. And I tell him that all the time!

2. He blushes really easily. And is totally blushing right now.

3.He is a musical guru and introduced Lady Gaga into all of our lives.

4. He is the only person that would get me to drop $100 to see Lady Gaga in concert. On the floor. Money spent so well.

5. This one time we almost died in the mountains in between Midway and Park City. So we may have called 911 about it. We were scared. Bad. And still get nervous when we talk about it.

6. During that drive Taylor was so nervous and got anxiety from my seashells around the mirror rattlying, so he made me take them down while we were driving around. To this day every time I go over a bump and they rattle I have to hold on to them.

7. We love Desperate Housewives equally as much.

8. I still miss bagel time and jamba runs.

9. "Why does everyone assume that Im angry all the time. Its called being sassy." Thank You Mercedes. Totally applicable to Tay.

10. He is an incredible dancer! And loves to dance on tables, up against walls, fans blowing in his face, and using the chair from K4.....

11. We like having dance parties to songs like "Gimme More" and "Break the Ice"

12. Taylor and I love dashboard shots.

13. He easily turned me into a restaurant snob.

14. Taylor and I love going to the gym together. It may be an obsession.

15.But then we also love eating at Cafe Rio and getting Twix bars at the gas station and then just saying to each other, "we are so bad" and laughing.

16. Taylor has an amazing singing voice! And its totally normal for him to grab any circular object in his car and use it as a mic as we are driving around the streets of Provo.

17. Wait, he's blushy again.

18. For probably a good 4-5 months Taylor and I had "Guacamole Mondays" which consisted of him buying avocados at the creamery, bringing them to me, and I would make the guac and then we would sit and eat it after school.

19. This one time Taylor and I had a race to see who could get to 600 friends faster on facebook. We are on an adding frenzy!! He beat me. And we still get jealous when we find the other person got a friend request.

20. He is a great listener! Especially when Im sharing my secrets with him. Which I always do.

21. We both like to gossip. And facebook stalk.

22. Taylor's favorite saying is "Im gonna backhand you" Ive heard it way too many times. And ive definitely adopted it as well.

23. He is awesome at Yoga! And got me addicted.

24. He may or may not have taught me how to do laser eyes. Ive seen those too many times as well.

25. Taylor is an incredibly loyal friend and would seriously do anything for any of his friends.

Tay, even though we probably wont ever live in the same city again I really hope we can remain just as good of friends through the years. Im still gonna make you the best man at my wedding!!assuming I ever get married. Youre friendship these past few years has meant more to me than you can know. Love you T. Ho.

look at this gem of a photo! Freshman year!? Circa 05. Probably first picture taken, who knew there would be thousands that would follow.

As you can tell, I MISS THESE TWO!!!

come back to me!

a basket? DONE!

i dont like to spend money.

i cant make decisions.

i dont like participating in outdoor activities.

and yet....

i dropped the cash, pretty much decided on my own (alright, i had to call taylor beforehand and get his opinion) and want to be outside all the time on this beautiful bike!

she is all mine.

now ive just got to name her and pray for some warmer weather here in provo.

im always down for a bike ride.

call me.

happy mother's day!

Going along with tradition I need to write a dedicatory post about how amazing my mom is on this special day. One of my few faults that I have are buying presents. I suck at it. And so normally I did not get around to buying my mom a present, I know im a terrible daughter. Instead I will share with the blogging world how amazing my mom is and a couple of things that make me love her so much.

1. My mom LOVES taking naps and needs one every single day. I have so many memories of coming home from school and we would both watch Buffy together on tv and then take a nap afterwards.

2. Even though she takes a nap every day she always falls asleep on the couch every night at 9pm.

3. While sleeping on the couch Dad and I love trying to talk to her and hear the ridiculous comments she makes while she is sleeping.

4. Usually we like to tell her about the "rugrat kids running through the house with their dirty shoes on", or my personal favorite "someone just ran through the house and stole your porcelain polar bear"

5. Mom is the most organized person that i know and the biggest neat freak. As much as we love to make fun of her about it, I absolutely love coming home to a house that is in the most impeccable condition.

6. Dad and I tend to tease her a lot, and she takes it like a total champ.

7. She has a guilty pleasure of reading People magazine which she has definitely imparted on her three girls. She is also addicted to doing the crossword puzzles in the back.

8. Mom has an amazing sense of style and has a fabulous collection of shoes and jewelery.

9. Pretty much all of my cute clothes were picked out by my mom and I hate going shopping without her.

10. She lets me throw my empty drink bottles on the kitchen floor during dinner.

11. She complains about Mexican Train throughout the whole game but will always (usually, unless she wants to go to bed) will play with us.

12. She has told me numerous times that if she had to she would scrub toliets in order to provide for her family if she had to.

13. She participated in study abroad in college and loved it so much she had my sisters and I do one too which was definitely a highlight of my life.

14. One of my favorite pieces of advice she told me during college was "kiss all of the boys Leigh, I kissed lots of boys in college."

15. She is still totally smitten with my Dad and definitely always shows it. She still thinks "Danny Robins is the cutest boy she has ever seen"

16. She loves getting pedicures. We once celebrated her birthday --just the two of us-- by getting pedicures and then eating at Islands, where between the two of us ate all of the cheese fries, our meal and then shared a Kona Pie. Something else she loves--mocha flavored foods something else we all share in the fam.

17. My mom loves to swear. And will never be ashamed to admit what her favorite swear word is.

18. She spoils me. And Im alright admitting to that. She has always told me that I am the "icing on the cake" in our family and that our family wasn't complete until I came.

19. She would do absolutely anything for our family and always always always puts our needs in front of hers.

20. She has an amazing testimony of the gospel and I have never doubted that for a second.

She is the most amazing Mom and I am ever so grateful. She has raised a three great daughters, two of which have gone on to be great moms themselves. Mom, I love you so much and couldn't ask for anyone better. Thanks for being so generous, quirky at times and someone that I love talking to and laughing with. This list could easily go on and on, maybe Ill continue it for your birthday. Thanks for all that you have done for me. I am thankful for you each and everyday and wish more than anything that I was home right now to make you dinner.

happy mother's day.

LOVE YOU MOM.

and i swear ill be you a real present next time im home...

hairography.

yes. im blogging about my hair right now. I have had numerous people, numerous times make comments to me towards "my poof" as I like to refer to ratting and pulling my bangs back. Whether it be from Ronnie Squire telling me its the hottest thing he has ever seen, or students in DC asking me how I get my bangs to do that, or my mothers look of disdain as she says "well...its not my favorite." This has prompted me to reflect back on my now signature hairstyle and see its evolution. How and when did I develop such an artistic talent to my bangs. Here is a little (or not so little in reference to my poof) timeline of hair development. may 2005

august 2006

october 2007

march 2008

july 2008

october 2008

march 2009

may 2009

june 2009

november 2009


another reason why I am blogging about my hair is i need everyone opinion if i should cut my bangs short again. i can proudly say that I have successfully been growing out my bangs for a whole year. this is a hard feat. but I kinda miss having short bangs, and with all of the negativity towards the poof, this would solve the problem and get rid of it. but you should know i went a whole week without poofing my bangs. i think the hairstyle is coming to an end. so....

bangs??

or no bangs??