I VALUE LIFE AND THE PEOPLE IN IT.

(I will try to write this without crying! hahah!!)
Today I got an email from Megan, a girl in my block at ASU. It was reminding us girls about the get together we are having to celebrate graduating! Towards the end of the email it said this....

"I just have to say, I really cannot believe we did it! It has been such a long stinkin' process but we did it! It's kind of scary to know we aren't students anymore and have to go out and find "real" jobs. :) I honestly could not have picked a better group of girls to go through this program with. And I'm being honest when I say, if it wasn't for you girls I really would not have made it to the end! So thank you!!"

These words made me realize, even more than before, that it is the end of this journey. Now I am not a student anymore, all though I will be required to continue taking classes because thats what us teachers do! It reminded me that its time to make important decisions in my life. Decisions that will change my life. Its beyond scary for me, but I think Im ready. With the people who care about me most by my side, I feel I can do anything.

(The not crying thing didn't work!)

I wanted to take the time to thank people who have been there for me:

All (FOUR) of my amazing parents (haha): Without you this journey would have been 100% different. You were the ones who instilled the value of education, guided me when I needed it, helped with student loans, congraduated me when I reached goals, supported me through out it all no matter what the outcome was, listened to my many stories of the amazing students I worked with, listened to me vent about certain people I had to deal with, and through it all you were the ones who ALWAYS believed in me. And I thank you for that.

Jacob: My little brother, you helped me in ways you don't even know. Thank you for being someone I can go to, whether it be about school or just about life. I hope that you see, from my experience, that education is very important and to know you can come to me about anything. Im always here for you. Highschool can be tough! If I made it this far.. just imagine how far you will make it! Dream big :]

Little Crispy: My sister! Being only 6, it was the perfect age for me to experience some of the things I was learning first hand. You were the cute little kiddo I could talk to on the phone about what YOU were learning in school. While I was teaching young kids your age, they constantly reminded me of you, and how much I miss you. And you reminded me of why I love to teach and thats because of kids like yourself. Thank you for always putting a smile on my face, even though you're 3 states away.

My best friends (Tina, Heather, Cherish and Gino): You guys were always there to encourage me when I had doubts, listen to my stories, remind me of my strengths in both my profession and in life, provided a place to release my stress with a good time, and were always there when I really needed someone. Thank you for being there for me!

Mike: Even though you have only been apart of my life for a short time, I feel you are one of my biggest supporters! :] You were the first and only person to say you are excited to help me in the process of getting my own classroom! Saying that gave me a sense of TEAM that made me think, wow he's a keeper! Thank you for showing me that happiness is simple when youve found the right person.

The lovely lady graduates of ASU Early Childhood Program 2010!!: Having started the program without you I always wished there were more people in my block (there were 6 at the time). When I realized I needed to take a break and catch up on some credits, this caught me up with you girls. Im so greatful I did that! Besides not being AS STRESSED as I could have been I get to graduate with the most amazing soon to be teachers! Our stories and time, in the short time I have been with you, has been so fun! Christmas parties, Native New Yorker, crying over kindergarteners ;], venting, Dave n Busters, Chipotle, birthdays... I hope these don't stop! Megan will have to plan something in a few months, since shes the planner of us all! lol. Thank you girls for bringing me into your group and riding along in this journey with me!

My family, friends, mentor teachers, students, coworkers, ASU administrators (even though they arent all that great lol), Amber Bickes, and Kelli Ems:
You all helped me reach my goal of becoming a teacher. Something I have wanted to do for many years. Through this experience you have supported me, believed in me, inspired me, loved me, guided me, and I couldn't ask for better people in my life. So I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Without you I would not be where I am today. I love you all. <3

Second Post of the Day

I feel so lucky..
With you in my life.

Enough said. <3

Sea World.. and AEPA results!

Yesterday my family and I went on a day trip to Sea World for Jake's birthday. We have always been lucky to fly for free so it allows us to do some pretty fun things! Not only did we fly to SD but also got into Sea World free.. lets just say Southwest is pretty good to their employees!! Anyways, it was a great day with the fam filled with lots of laughter! Even though sometimes my family drives me crazy and Jake swears we should be a reality TV show haha.. I love spending time with them. Here is how our day went :]

We started our day with feeding the dolphins! It was awesome being so close to these BIG FISH haha. I was scared of course.. but I never let my fears stop me from missing out on awesome things! (FYI I have a huge fear of fish.. and this was a pretty big fish! haha!) I even touched it!! :D


Then as we were walking to the SLL (Sea Lions Live show) we noticed a huge tank.. so we thought we would check it out! It was the Killer Whales from the show Believe! After seeing the show I know these whales are incredibly smart. But I enjoyed watching them swim freely more than the show. They are amazing creatures.. in this picture the whales were teasing the birds. They were spitting out fish to the birds but the birds couldn't get the fish. It was great!!




Here is a picture from the show Believe. It was inspiring.. they talked about in life you can do anything you want. They pulled up a little girl from the audience and she got to see the whales.

Next was lunch. Whats so exciting about lunch? Well when you have a little friend like this just hanging out by your feet it can get interesting :] Jake said " Hey Ash, theres a bird under your chair" WELL I was expecting a tiny cute bird, but when I saw this huge DUCK I screamed! No body knows what my scream is like but my family, but I lets just say I got everyone in that areas attention. lol. (my brother scares me at home probably 3 times a week. I freeze and scream as loud as I can, then burst into laughter! haha.)

After all the exhibits were done we went on a whole new adventure, the rides! haha. My dad and brother had to talk my mom and I into doing them. They went first and swore they didn't even get wet! WELL with that said, it was a lie! We went on the Rapid River ride first, and we were soaked! We decided since we were already wet we would ride it again.. and then go on the Alantis ride. By the time we went on both rides twice.. we looked like we just came out of the shower with all our clothes on. We attempted to dry ourselves in these nifty little dryer thingys, but that only kept us warm for a little while. From 3pm- 9pm we were in SOAKED clothes. Nope they didnt dry at all really.. it was awful! Being in a plane ride with wet clothes was the worst. When we got home I was never so thankful for dry clothes in my life.

SEA WORLD was a great trip! I can't wait to go again and someday take my own family. I think thats a place you can go and never get tired of. (keep in mind we went on a Monday and it was a cloudy day. Id probably not think it was the best if there were tons of lines and what not!)

PS: I passed both parts of the AEPA!!

I can now be a certified teacher :]

Whoooop WHoop!!!

Great Weekend! :]

This weekend was one of those weekends that remind me of how lucky I really am :] My weekend started on Thursday when Mike and I went and saw the movie Letters to God. Let me tell you, this movie was awesome! Well the story was, the acting.. not so much! But I loved the idea of writing your prayers down in a letter to God. It was an inspiring movie and I loved it. We ended our night with one of the best bottles of wine (Mike bought the wine when we went wine tasting in Sierra Vista) and some good music on the patio! :]

Friday, I worked.. but Friday night Mike and I went to Applebees for dinner and then saw some friends Ive missed very much!

Last night we went to the drive inns. It was a lot of fun!! We saw How to Train Your Dragon and Hot Tub Time Machine. I fell asleep! haha. But it was something different, I havent been in years! I saw a shooting star :] Id tell ya my wish but then it won't come true.

Today I spent the day in the sun! First time this year we went in the pool! It was like an ice cube but lots of fun. Got some sun and relaxed. We watched Avitar, which was good! ( I guess this weekend was the weekend for movies! haha)

This week should be exciting! Monday has a lot going on.. I find out the results to the AEPA test tomorrow AND my family and I are going to Sea World for Jacob's bday! Ill update you on the results- only if they're good! haha. and post pictures of the Sea World adventures :]



Good night!!

My Life in a Nutshell

(pictures are in no order)

Enjoy! :]

Tombstone, AZ

Bisbee, AZ Wine Tasting with Mike

( I met this really great guy, Mike, a little over a month ago. We have totally hit it off and have a great time together. From sitting around a fire drinking wine to traveling to Sierra Vista to see his family. Hes a good friend and an even better boyfriend. Can't wait to see what adventures comes our way :] )

Hiking in Carr Canyon

(Fitz, his dog, was trying to HOP Mike away from me haha!)

Sierra Vista

Nick, Heather, Me, and Mike out in Scottsdale

Mike and I at a spring training game

My adorable sister is almost done with Kindergarten, shes growing up so fast!

Me, Tina and Heather supporting the Cardinals

Heather and Troy moved to AZ!!

First trip of 2010 to the lake!!

Me, Jacob and parents

Sister and Julie

Tina graduated in December from ASU! Whoopp!! Whoop!

The lovely ladies Ill be graduating with in May!

First Blog

Well I decided I would try this blogging thing! It seems fun and is a great way to keep people posted on whats going on in my life, since it's OHH SO INTERESTING! haha.

So here's what has been going on in the past few months...

• I completed my first semester of student teaching (in December) in a preschool setting. It was the most amazing experience Ive had! I taught in the Gilbert District, which I loved! Teaching those kiddos may have persuaded me into going down that path, teaching preschool that is. I just fell in love with them! It was hard not taking the kiddos home with me! haha!!








• In January I began my second half of student teaching in a first grade classroom. While I loved these students just as much, I realized they didn't love me the same! haha. This placement was in the Mesa District, where I have worked for 5 years in the after school program. Teaching in this district was very challenging because of the negative atmosphere the teachers around me created. The teachers seemed negative because of the budget cuts, students behavior, lack of support, resources, or simply just not being happy with their job. This was a little discouraging for me but I know that I'm going into the right profession for me!








• NOW as graduation is coming close its time to think about possibilities. Ive been going to college for Early Childhood Education for 5 years now. The past 5 years Ive been worrying about projects, interning, classes, grades, student teaching, learning, seminars, professional development, money, my social life, but it all came down to my goal... to become the best teacher I can be! This journey I have been on is about over, and another one is about to start! Its time to find an adult job! Move out!! Buy a new car! GROW UP. wow! haha. I'm super excited but very scared! With the economy being the way it is, entering the profession of teaching is a gamble. The reason I want to teach is for the kiddos, but in the end Ive got to be secure with my job. I'm not too sure what I'm going to do but soon I'm going to start applying for jobs. I'm thinking more the private preschool route... but Ill see where God takes me. He has a plan for me and it will work out. :]

Summer Kidz Camp

Pumpkin Seeds

Explaining the brain to the preschoolers

Ill put more pictures up in a different blog :] Im still learning how to do this!!