be a builder in every way

The last couple of weeks have been really hard and yet very rewarding at APA.
My job is starting to get really busy. I had to lay everything out in an attempt to get organized.

But I do love that everything I do is really fun, like our Sock Hop.

 

 However, I forget that working at a school brings a lot of challenges.

We strive so hard to uplift our students and engrain in them that they are capable, smart and have the capacity to change the world.

We openly focus on how much we love the students so they know that we are there each day to support them and help them.

But of course they still live in the harsh world, with all of its challenges and no matter what we do at APA they are still able to make their own choices.
 

A few weeks ago we expelled one of our 9th grade students.

She was 6 months pregnant. And fourteen.

On Tuesday we discovered one of the 8th graders had brought marijuana to the school.

Slowly throughout the day, as we called in more students about it, we discovered 5 others that were directly involved. They are all indefinitely suspended until they go before a board of parents to decide their fate at our school.

I cried going home that day. I have come to love each of these students.

And the child that brought in the drugs was one of my favorites. He is a pretty sweet boy and I have also come to know his mom who I know works so hard to help her children despite her lack of education. And lets not forget about her fight against cancer.

It's so rough and breaks my heart.

I hate watching them make poor choices which basically dooms them.

 

On the flip side, we still had some amazing moments at work this week.

It was kicked off by Staff Appreciation Week.

 

Full of breakfast and lunch each day, free massages, door decorations and an auction with our staff bucks.

We also had the annual Caring and Sharing Assembly.
We have an assembly at the Jr High almost once a week. At these assemblies we say the Pledge, sing the 1st and 4th verse of the National Anthem, repeat the Builders Poem and sing the Builders Song.
This is our Builders Poem:

I saw them tearing a building down, A gang of men in a busy town.

With a yo heave ho and a lusty yell, They swung a beam and the sidewall fell.

I asked the foreman if these men were as skilled, As those he would hire if he were to build.

He laughed and said, “Oh, no indeed, common labor is all I need,

For they can wreck in a day or two, what builders have taken years to do.”

So I asked myself, as I went my way, Which of these roles am I to play?

Am I the builder, who works with care, Measuring life by the rule and square;

Or am I the wrecker who walks the town, Content in the role of tearing down?

I’ve made my decision; I’ll start today,
I’ll be a builder in every way.

 

And so, a "Builder" is the schools theme--again focusing on bring others up, working hard and building others. We have these monthly awards, but our Caring and Sharing Assembly was awarding students from each grade on being the "Builder of the Year"

It was such an incredible assembly that again, made me so grateful to work at this school. I loved that this assembly focuses on awarding those students that strive each and everyday to be a builder. And that the school takes time to recognize their accomplishements and achievements in front of everyone.

It was a little cheesy with Josh Groban "You Raise Me Up" playing in the background after each name was read. But it was also so humbling to see these children recognized--that had no idea--and then to have their families there, in tears, to congratulate them.

I noticed that not one single student called was white. Rather a whole slew of different races and most of them you could tell didn't have a ton of money, the parents didn't seem to know English and they seemed so humble and beaming with joy. It was very inspiring to see and frankly, made me cry.

I loved seeing these students awarded and having a bright future ahead of them for working hard and making good choices. And I loved being a part of it in a very small way.

 



26.

I have no shame in admitting that my birthday is my favorite time of the year. 

Ok, maybe a little shame in the fact that there's a day that is all about ME. 

But thats the great thing about birthdays. Everyone has that day and we get to use it as an excuse to be a little prideful for just a day. 

Or a week if you choose....

I just love January 22. 

But of course like every year, it gets a tad bit less exciting. 

Like this year. 26 just for reals seems too old. 

{now only 4 years till..}

I wish I could go back to my golden years sometimes. 

That being said, I may or may not have had some pre-birthday blues which I was trying so hard to fight off. 

But needless to say, it still turned out to be a great birthday. 

Birthday celebrations kicked off a few days before with a great skiing day with Cortney. 

I love being close to her again and that we can hang out! 

Cort hooked me up with a free ski pass from Paul's work and let me borrow boots and poles to go with my new skis. 

It was a great and warm day on the mountain and I didn't feel too rusty. 

{Being above the inversion made for such a great day!}

Its so funny to think that we have been best friends and the "roommates" since we were 18!! 

My actual birthday was filled with working and hearing lots and lots of "Happy Birthday Ms. Robins!" {which that alone can make my day!} due to my favorite co-worker bringing me balloons to work and my boss treating me to a little piece of home with In-N-Out for lunch. 

I got to FaceTime with some of my favorite little ones. 

And celebrated with some of my favorite pizza and friends. 

For me the greatest part of birthdays is just the reminder of how blessed I am with so many wonderful friends and a stellar family that love me, and of course I love in return. 

I was bombarded with so many texts, phone calls and FB posts that sure did make me feel special, but more importantly made me grateful for those friendships. I am always blown away at how lucky I am for having the greatest friends. Thanks for helping me love my birthday! 

Here's to being one year older...and wiser too. 

Trolleys Cars. Cable Cars and...The Fray??

Intermixed with wedding festivities, Nick, Allie and I were able to see some beautiful SF sights and of course have so much fun while doing so. 

After getting my new outfit we made our way to Goff's for burgers per Nick's request. 

Anything to make our Bardi happy. 

Other Saturday sights included...

The Bay Bridge. Pink Ladies. Golden Gate Bridge. 

{I feel like Nick is about to propose to me in this one...}

Nick sadly left pretty early on Sunday morning. He made the rest of us feel like sinners by making his way back to SD to go to church. Allie and I immediately felt like our dad had just left us. We weren't totally sure what to do without him!

We did figure out how to make our way to Fisherman's Wharf via the trolley car. Unfortunately, half way through our car broke down forcing us to walk the rest of the way. Fortunately, this allowed for ample time to have a mini photo shoot with as many trolley cars as we could imagine in the middle of the city.

{Trolley Car photo shoooot!!!}

We walked the Pier and then met Trent and Drew for lunch at Boudin.

{Bread bowls and chowder!} 

Allie was the next to take off for her flight back home. Leaving me friendless in the city! 

I took the plunge and went solo to Alcatraz. 

{Yes. I had to ask someone to take a photo of me by myself}

{view of the city from the island}

{before the island was used as a high security prison it was used as a Army base and used to house army prisoners. Those prisoners literally reformed the island to what it looks like today, making it more rocky than it was; for instance--the hill pictured above was recreated by prisoners. The prisoners also built all the barracks that they would live in and many other prisons that came to the island later}

{view of the Golden Gate Bridge}

Honestly, I felt a little lame going by myself, but it was still really fun and I am glad I was able to still take advantage of my little vaca and enjoy the warm sun that Ive been lacking in SLC. 

It was a really fun trip. And of course went by way too fast. I loved spending a weekend trip with Allie and Nick. We had such a great time. I love that we can still get together and have so much fun after leaving the Lanai so many years ago. So grateful for my amazing friends. 

Now just cant wait till we go to Seattle! or...a cruise!?  

#jaemywedding

Two weekends ago I was able to go out to San Francisco for Amy Wiseman's wedding--one of my best and most favorite friends. It also served as a great weekend getaway with some of my Lanai friends. 

It was such a great weekend, however; there always has to be some hiccup to a great weekend, right?

The Friday that I had left had been one of my most stressful days. I was missing a really important work event. You know...the 9th grade Winter Dance. Sounds important right? Well when your No. 1 job description is to plan, implement and oversee every school activity...it is kind of a big deal when you aren't going to the activity. So I was stressed out of my mind with approving my students less than modest dance attire, counting and recounting our hundreds of dollars in fundraising for the dinner and making sure everything was going as planned even though I wouldn't be there. 

Then to top that off, Utah was enduring one of the worst snow storms ever. I was fretting all morning about my flight with the awful snow. Getting to the airport not only on time but even if it was possible to drive there! 

My flight was running time, but even will sitting under the de-icer for 30 mins, I thought they might cancel our flight. 

So I survived all that and then some. And landed in Oakland thinking I was stressing over for no reason at all. 

Well I thought this as I waited and waited....and waited for my suitcase to come off the conveyor. Which it didnt. 

I finally brought myself to the Luggage Office, close to tears {I had to fight them back!} and reported that my bag had been lost. 

I guess my luck from everything mentioned above had run out!!

I got myself on the BART and made my way to Union Square. Nick met me right outside the station so I wouldn't have to walk alone and did point out that sans bag made for easier travel on the BART and the long walk to our hotel. Guess that counts for something. 

Next morning this happened. 

It was rough. Putting the same clothes back on to march myself down Powell St. to go buy me a new outfit for the wedding. 

{Bards didnt want my new dress getting all wrinkled. Such a gent}

Ok enough about my dramatics. More importantly....

Amy and Jae got married in the Oakland Temple.

 I've never been there before and its such a beautiful temple with an amazing view of San Francisco and Oakland. 

{They happy couple!}

Jae and Amy were beaming coming out of the temple. 

I had never met Jae before but I liked him immediately just by the huge grin on both him and Amy's faces coming out as a newly wed couple. I loved seeing how happy they were. And of course I am going to love any man that makes one of my best friends happy. 

Our time at the temple was full of taking lots of photos, catching up with Lanai friends and a toddler with glasses. 

Amy's reception was in her hometown of Santa Rosa. 

It was in a large yurt, and....

beautiful, simple and classy. 

Just like Ames!! So it was perfect. 

{Unofficial photographer}

We stuffed bags of donuts, ate great food, danced and loooooved spending time with my old crew. 

I absolutely love Amy. 

{'08 gem}

When I was a youngin' at Lanai {pictured}, I admired and looked up to her so much! She's absolutely hilarious, caring, kind, {and every other GREAT quality}, and has great hair. She always such a genuine and loving interest in me and my life.  I am so glad I have been able to become such great friends with her. A friendship that has even become stronger post Provo living! Which I absolutely love! I am so glad I was able to be there for such an important day. 

Love you A Wise {Clarke} ! 

San Fran tourist post coming soon!