WHAT THE OLYMPICS TAUGHT ME

1. My husband will have an 8 pack and no chest hair
2. I might not love my kids if they don't earn Olympic medals
   *might need to adopt a black baby to ensure an Olympian in the family
3. Ponytails should not have a part - slick backed only
4. Learn to do archery or skeet shooting so I don't have to get fit
5. Must watch 5 hours of television everyday
6. Drape an American flag over my shoulders to feel like a champion
7. Never root for the underdog - only popular athletes 
8. Pick my sports based on costume - also known as uniform 
9. Pick my sports based on a lack of Chinese or Russian competitors 
10. ALWAYS watch the Olympics

FOR CRUTCHIE

I had a very simple knee surgery this week.  Simple as it was, it is extremely annoying to deal with post-surgery.  I hate crutches.  I hate compression stockings.  I hate pain medication.  I hate sleeping on my back with my leg on pillows.  I hate feeling dizzy and nauseous.  I hate being bothered with all this.  The only upside is I do love anesthesia.  What a great nap.  Plus I have a really stellar mom who waited on me hand and foot.

Two days after surgery I had to go back to work.  Blah.  Well today I started feeling sorry for myself as it took me about 10-15 minutes just to descend my staircase and get to the car.  I had to take a breather on the landing of the stairs and cry a little because I was frustrated.  That is when I knew exactly what I had to do.  Crutchie, from Newsies, got through mobs and jail.  I could freaking get down the stairs!  I promptly went to iTunes and downloaded the entire soundtrack and listened to some motivational Newsies on my way to work.  Yes, I know it is so ridiculous but it made so much sense at the time.

I WAY HEART THE OLYMPICS

Please don't tell but I totally feel the spirit more during the Olympics that most church related worshiping.  You can't beat the combination of American pride, world unity, achieving goals, underdogs rising, cheesy (yet I always cry at them) athlete profiles, etc.

We celebrated the Opening Ceremonies in style at Casa Provo. 

American meal (grilled chicken, potatoes, homemade bread, fruits, etc.)

American & Swedish pride

BEST PLACES IN UTAH

 I absolutely LOVE this state.  I especially LOVE the scenery of this state.  My career is teaching teenagers that this is the best place on earth.  These are my top 10 favorite places in Utah. Everyone should see these places before they die.  I tell my students they are not allowed to die until they go to Lake Powell.


1. Lake Powell (Glen Canyon National Recreation Area - must spend a week on a houseboat!)

 

 

2. Dead Horse Point (Canyonlands National Park)

 3. Kennecott Copper Mine (Oquirrh Mountains)

4. Hole-In-The-Rock/Bluff (The pioneer road and the entire town they settled.  You must hike it from the lake to the top and back down.  Bluff is darling, historical, quiet, quaint, and in the middle of no where.)

 5. Muley Point (One of the most beautiful scenes from a dirt road in southern Utah that if you really want to see it you must search it out, I will never tell)

6. Delicate Arch (Hike, Arches National Park - yes I actually took this picture, I think it is quite pretty)
 

7. Angels Landing (Hike, Zion National Park)

8. Deer Valley - both seasons (Park City skiing without snowboarders! Rated #1 ski resort dozens of times)

9. Great Salt Lake (Antelope Island is the best access point with the causeway plus they have a herd of Buffalo)

10. Temple Square - both seasons

MOVIN' ON UP

I don't believe in tenure but I have it.  You are now looking at the new and improved Miss Belnap with tenure and Level II licensure!  It means they cannot fire me unless I look at naughty things at school or hurt kids.  It also means I make $1,015.00 more per year.  Not that much at all when you spread that out in 12 months of pay checks but oh well.  Considering that I had to pay over $300.00 to re-license, I think the pay increase is even less significant. Can you believe I am going to start my 5th year teaching this August?!  That just makes me feel so far removed from college.  Sad.  I loved BYU.  It sure was easier than real life, full-time work.

ANOTHER YEAR...ANOTHER GOODBYE

As the 2011-2012 school year ended today, OJHS History lost another family member.  Steven and I will be the only ones left to hold down the fort as Lisa departs our little group for Nebraska.  I am so happy she gets to be a mommy and live closer to her family but I am SO sad it means she has to leave us.  I met Lisa in our Utah History class in 2006 at BYU.  We then ended up in 276 together and a European history class after that.  I was excited when she joined Allison and I in the department to make three Jaguars out of Jacklin's 276 class.  Steven might get pretty sick of me this year without Lisa to keep us entertained and on task.  I am starting to notice a pattern here that people in my department don't like to stick around too long...it might be me! 

SPORTS GAMES

Literally, the only information I know about sports (other than BYU) comes from People.com.  If sports players do something to put themselves in the celeb spotlight, then I know about it.  Yep, that is the extent of what I know about sports games.  That being said, my dad took me and Janet to the Jazz game last week.  He said it was a playoff game but that means nothing to me.  I had to ask what "playoffs" mean.  I never remember if it is the beginning of the season or the end of the season.  After I asked that, I was profusely made fun of.  Fine with me.  I use my brain space for religion, history, and celebrities.  NOT sports.

AUBURN FASHION

I witnessed the most unbelievable trend while visiting the Sabey clan in Auburn, Alabama.  The trip down south was wonderful but I see every time I go to the South, it is a different world.  The fashion world at Auburn should be trending on the internet because it is a fascinating, different world.  Mr. and Mrs. Sabey had warned Camille and I about the "running shorts and baggy t-shirts" trend but I didn't really believe it.  Well I spent an entire morning learning to believe it and took these photos as evidence.  I have never seen something like this before: 90% of the female students where the exact same type of Nike running shorts, baggy shirts, and unkempt hair.  Granted, I attended college at Brigham Young University where a lot of the student body looks like they are ready for prom when they attend class but this Auburn look is pretty lazy and shabby for going out in public.  I took over 150 pictures so that I could prove my point to the world so I hope these few give you an idea of just how many girls wear this "outfit."  Weirdest.  Phenomenon.  Ever!

This one is my favorite because it is just a sea of thighs.  Lots and lots of thighs.

FYI: the two people in the background wearing pants are with me - they are not Auburn fashionistas

Yes, we were judged for being in regular clothes.  No joke.