I've finished my first two classes for my Master's program. I learned a lot and they were interesting. It looks like it will be an enjoyable two years in the program.

I also finished my BYU-I class, so I don't have to teach for the next six weeks. Yay. It did end on a fairly sad note though. The final paper of the class is a personal narrative where they recount some life-changing event. As I mentioned, my students this semester live in Ghana. Most of the papers were about some violent event that happened in their lives, armed robbers breaking in and taking everything, being a victim of fraud, being mugged, etc. It was sad to read about the dangerous conditions they live in. I am so grateful that I live in such safety and do not have the threat of danger everywhere around me.

I had some wonderful visitors this weekend. Here are a few pictures of the cute kids and fantastic mother that stayed for a day this weekend.

I listen to the Harry Potter series as I exercise and I just finished the 5th book (one of my least favorites-along with number 2). On that note, I saw this on Pintrest and had to post it.

Well, I got back from my wonderful vacation to Seattle about two weeks ago. Lisa and I visited the arboretum, the ocean, the rain forest, Deception Pass, and last, but not least, the Maltby Cafe for the huge and good cinnamon rolls, which were beyond fantastic when made into bread pudding. I'm a sucker for pudding.

Since then, I have gone back to work completing trainings for ebay and lego, caught up on grading, and started school. So far it has all been managable, but we are only in week 2. :)

Here's a sample of how gloriously I have spent my last few days in Seattle.

So I've officially signed my life away. Starting May 7th, I will be working two jobs and taking 2 Masters classes. What have I done?

In my instructional design job during the day, I will be working to finish several major Avon training courses and then localizing those courses for many countries, with some anti-discrimination/anti-violence courses for Ameren, and employee training courses for Lego thrown in.

For my BYU-Idaho online class that I teach, I will be helping students in Ghana (yes, my whole class is in Ghana, Africa) to write better in English and trying to give helpful feedback every week on their writing assignments.

For my Masters classes in Instructional Design/Technology and Learning Sciences, I will be learning about the issues, methodology, and tools of distance education.

Here is something to get me through:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/OcL4J0pzlAg?rel=0

I got in! After a few minutes of panic throughout the last week and a half, I got the acceptance email today.

I start school in June!

GRE taken: check.
Now I just have to wait for everything to come together and see if I get in.
I was definitely helped because there was no way I could have gotten over 40th percentile on the math portion without it.

Application submitted: check
Letters of recommendation requested: check
Transcripts ordered: check
GRE: Boy, do I need to study!

I have decided apply for the online Masters of Instructional Design program through USU. After a year into this Instructional Design job, I still really like it and feel like I would be able to more advanced stuff if I had a Masters. I considered the PhD, but if I don't have a Masters in Instructional Design, I have to take all but two Master's courses anyway.
That means that I have about six weeks to get everything done to get in, including taking the GRE again because it has been more than five years since I took it, and getting good letters of recommendation from my former graduate teachers/chair, which just might be impossible. Here's to hoping I get in.

For all the 80s music fans out there, I got a big kick out of this one.

I realize that the lyrics are bless the rains down in Africa, but it is still hilarious.

My opinion of Lizzie from Pride and Prejudice. I shouldn't think it, but I do.

I am hosting the Gerhardt family for Christmas. I am loving my break from both my jobs.

Merry Christmas everyone!

I guess it's about time for an update. My instructional design job is off and on. They have a project and then the client doesn't provide the material so it's delayed. Then there's stuff to do and then there's a delay. BYU-I is in its final week and so I'm just trying to push through on the grading-all due next week.
I've definitely been enjoying the holidays. I try to sit in front of the Christmas tree whenever I can. It brings such cheer. Speaking of bringing cheer, our ward will finish its ward-wide Book of Mormon reading on Christmas Eve. It has been a great read, again. I am looking forward to getting back to finishing the OT again when I am done.

In honor of our first snow of the year, I thought I would post a few pictures of the lovely view from the floor to ceiling window in my new bedroom at my parents' place. I've parked my comfy pink chair right in front of this window and get to look out while I read my scriptures every morning. Gorgeous (despite the parking lot).

I'm just about to head over to my former apartment to finish the last bit of moving and cleaning. I have moved into my parents' condo for a year while they are serving a temple mission in Washington DC. I'm the spoiled one, I know.

Before I begin the massive cleaning, I just wanted to share one thing for a flashback to the 80s:

There is no stopping us from doing what we want to do, except maybe the consequences of previously doing what we wanted to do.

These are some really cute and creative videos of kids telling their versions of a family story.

Btw, episode 6 is hilarious.

My instructional design job called me in to work again starting tomorrow! Yay! I've had about a month break and was wondering if they had forgotten about me or something worse. Yay. It was great timing as well. I have been blessed.
I took the break time to get through book 4 of Harry Potter, (mostly unsuccessfully) learn to knit, get a lot of work done for the condo I manage in Provo and the HOA for said condo, have an awesome visit with an out of town friend, and go to the Shakespearian festival. It's been good.

I saw this on awkwardfamilyphotos and couldn't help but have to post it. Hilarious.