Born of Goodly Parents

42 years ago  - January 30, 1970 - my parents were married. Thanks for all you do for our family.  And  thanks for continuing to be there for all of us. Love you! Happy 42nd Anniversary!

Life Through My Lens - Forgotten...

 As I left school on this dreary day, I decided to wander down a little used side road off a street in town that is aptly named Long Street. It has been a long while since I ventured down this road and I'd forgotten the graveyard of abandoned machinery that resided there. The gloom of the day seemed to accent the loneliness of the empty frames I captured.

At the feet of the Master...

... behold your little ones ... 
3 Nephi 17:23

The value of an education?

During our lunch break today a couple of my colleagues and I were discussing the way some students fail to value the opportunities afforded them to gain an education. So often it seems that some give up without even trying to put forth even a modicum of effort. It can be somewhat disheartening at times.

One teacher said that when she was teaching high school she used to show them a clip from the movie Ever After. 

" If you suffer your people to be ill-educated, and their manners corrupted from infancy, and then punish them for those crimes to which their first education disposed them, what else is to be concluded, sire, but that you first make thieves and then punish them? "

She made the point to her students that by giving students the chance to gain an education in their youth the people who support their schooling "buy in" to the philosophy of the Cinderella character in this clip. That the purpose of an education is to open up previously unknown opportunities and possibilities. And, that by investing in their future now they are hoping to avoid the "mak[ing] of thieves [just to] punish them."

I thought it was an interesting comparison to make.

Life Through My Lens - Sunrise promises...

I gazed upon the beauty of a January sunrise filled with the promise of a wonderful day.

It was up to me to live up to that promise.

I'd like to think I did.

Wall bling...

I thought I'd share a few prints I have from a great photographer, awesome teacher, and good friend, Mr. Z. who owns

  Backroads Photography.

This photo was taken in Central Park in autumn. Isn't it gorgeous!
Makes me think of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

This photo was taken in the San Rafael Swell. 
It is quite aptly named "Autumn Dancers."

This was another photo taken in Central Park.
I love the way the doorway just seems to beckon for you to pass through and find an adventure waiting on the other side.

I gave another print by Mr. Z. to a friend who fell in love with the picture when she saw it as part of her Christmas gift. 
I also have plans to hang a few more of these awesome pictures in my office at school. 
I'm sure these are not the last prints I will be dressing my walls up with.

You can see more prints like these at Backroads Photography or on his blog. 

Trust me... it's worth it.

Evening

As I was venturing home the other day I captured this shot of the cotton candy sky above the Book Cliffs.

Sadly, the picture doesn't do justice to how striking it really was.

Alone Looking at The Mountain

All the birds have flown up and gone;

A lonely cloud floats leisurely by.

We never tire of looking at each other -

Only the mountain and I. 

 - Li Po

Life Through My Lens - Off road...

I thought I would try playing a little with a photo I took the other day. 

When I finished, it seemed to hearken to an earlier time. 

Who knows the roads this old relic traveled?

Somehow it made me think of the movie Cars - where the road less traveled is the place to be...

Enjoy the road you are on - whether well-traveled or off the beaten path...

Restless Soul

I came across this song the other day when I was looking for another song all together. As I listened, I thought it was good reminder of what this time of year is for - re-evaluating, adjusting, and moving forward to become better.

Restless Soul - by Cherie Call

I think it's time to look inside myself

In truth I think I'm scared of what I'll see

Facing this discrepancy of what I am

And what I want to be

Staring at the mirror with this heartless gaze

I can read between the lines

That go along the forehead of this anxious face

That isn't even mine

Oh, my restless soul

Trying hard to take control

Worn out from standing still

Knowing what I am and hoping that I can find

A way to make it real

I think it's time to look inside my heart

To face the insecurities I hide

Still it seems so hard to struggle past the gates

That are guarded by my pride

Looking at the self that no one else can see

Maybe it was better to be blind

But the mirror in my hand is seen with different eyes

Reflecting only truth within my mind

Oh, my restless soul

Trying hard to take control

Worn out from standing still

Knowing what I am and hoping that I can find

A way to make it real

whoooo

whoooo

whooooooo

Oh, my restless soul

Trying hard to take control

Worn out from standing still

Knowing what I am and hoping that I can find

A way to make it real

Oh, my restless soul (Oh, my restless soul)

Oh, my restless soul (My restless soul)

my restless soul (My restless soul)

Oh, my restless soul

Life Through My Lens - Into the sunset...

Now, I know what you are thinking... three days in a row with blogposts?? She must have lost her mind... (I can assure you - this will not be a year of daily posts - you can breathe a sigh of relief, now... LOL) Still, I will hopefully be more consistent with it this year.

That brings us to the this post...

As I gazed at the brilliantly setting sun this evening, I realized today that it has been one year (tomorrow) since I took on my new role as a teaching principal. What a year it has been! I know that without the steady support of my faculty and staff this year would have been a much more difficult one as I learned the ropes, navigating my way through the ins and outs of this new position. I am so grateful to have been able to continue working with all of them.

Still, while all have given so much of themselves during this time, there are a couple of people in particular whose wholehearted friendship and support have gotten me through some tough days. To those people I give a special thank you for buoying my up when I was sinking and keeping me going when I wondered if I was up to the task before me. (You know who you are... at least I hope you do. :-) )

As this first year passes into the sunset I can only hope that I will be able to justify the faith that has been entrusted to me.

Out with the old... In with the new...

New Year's Baby...

My very good friends, the H's, invited me to be part of their New Year celebration this year. It was a great evening filled with a lot of fun, laughter, and of course loads of luscious munchies.

 Party Central.... 

(Can you tell the difference between the photo on the left and the right? Which one is the correct one?)

Instead of New Year's resolutions, which I hardly ever keep, I thought I'd list a few of my hopes for the coming year..

I hope this year is filled with blessings for all those around me.

I hope that as new things come around the corner we will all be courageous enough to go after them.

I hope those who are burdened with illness will be healed and those that grieve comforted.

I hope Peace On Earth, Goodwill Toward Men will truly come to be. 

I hope my family members remain close to one another. 

I hope my friendships will strengthen and grow.

I hope my family and friends will be granted the gift of good health.

I hope my students will try their best and learn.

I hope I might be a blessing to others, instead of a burden.

I hope that I will live a healthful and healthy life. 

I hope I will follow good advice, ignore bad advice, and know the difference between the two.

I hope I will end the year a better person than I began it. 

I will end my entry today, the way I did last year...

May your blessings be more numerous than your trials, and may your trials turn out to be blessings in disguise. 

Happy 2012!