And to all a good night

With December here, I am increasingly excited for Christmas. In 18 days, I will be going home-- and before that, I have many exciting things coming up. I will move into a new apartment, hopefully teach all of my lessons for the TWS (BYU's required case study and lesson unit outline for the classroom). I am also planning on having all of my Christmas shopping done by then. I am well on the way, and have only a few more items to purchase.

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year--ever. I love the Cummings' traditions, and I love spending time with family and friends in pursuit of good things and happy times. I tell people that our family tradition is Chimichangas and they most often do double takes...but I think it's the best ever...right up there with grapefruit cocktail.

To the Cummings, and to Christmas, here here! I cannot wait!

About time to catch up with my family

It's true! We went to the White House and had a great day with my brother, Aaron, and his wife, Katy. Days later they welcomed Reuben James into their presidentially acknowledged family.

Here are a few photos...







And even though I only go to stay in VA for 24 hours, it was worth the whole trip for three reasons:
1. I saw my family, whom I have missed a great deal
2. It was pretty neat to meet the President...and also to say that I have used a restroom in THE West Wing. ("It's forbidden.")
3. Take a look at these pictures. They speak for themselves. It's been a long few years without this fall.

Families Can Be Forever

This is the picture collage I currently have on my desktop. I love that Cummings Clan.

From the Profundity Club

I found something I wanted to share with people who feel that finances may be low and times may be down...

Here's a post from "The Profundity Club."

And confusedly enough, my pseudonym is Gideon Merridew...

Pancakes and Peach Jam

This morning I had Melinda and Michelle over to breakfast. We made food which, while not exactly healthy, was quite scrumptious. Pancakes with white chocolate chips and walnuts (with syrup or peach jam on top--jam courtesy of Gpa Bezzant's peaches and Jenny's instructions), an omlette with ham and cream cheese in the fold, and some orange juice and bananas.

I wasn't even hungry for lunch...which was nice because we finished the morning off by going to the Dollar Theatre in Provo after. We saw Wall-E and I loved it!

Then I cut Melinda's hair... I will have to get a picture of her and get the polls on it. Just shoulder length with some layers and front tapering... pretty much the extent of my abilities, but we had fun. She got about 2-3 inches chopped accordingly.

It's fun to see siblings. I can't wait to catch up with Jenny, Nathan, and Baby Isaac now. Hopefully tomorrow will facilitate.

"Give me excess of it...

Not just of music-- but of the chance to read! The book I have chosen for these precious UEA days is the well-known Anna Karenina by Tolstoy. After going through books for at least 45 minutes, I chose this novel for a few reasons. First of all, I have never actually read Tolstoy, and I have heard from at least two very reliable sources (Katy and Michelle) that this is the kind of book I would enjoy. Secondly, the first line of the book is this: "All happy families resemble one another; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." Talk about me being caught by a literary hook! My third reason is perhaps more mercenary than I would like....but I found an edition for 5 dollars, and to get 709 pages for 5 dollars is a big thing for a college student/ first-year teacher like yours truly. So Anna Karenina, here we go....

I do quite like reading. It is such a fun experience. I am like about 68% of my students-- they can't wait for SSR.

I feel so productive so far...on everything except lesson planning, of course. But I did go shopping yesterday, did clean, and finally turned in my application for Graduation in April (where, incidentally, I ran into cousin Mark Driggs. His wife and two daughters are doing very well). Things are starting to fall into place.

I also met my new roommate yesterday. Tiffany has been teaching 3rd grade at a Charter School in Orem the last two years, and this year she wants to lessen her commute by moving closer. What will my apartment be like with two teachers, you might ask? Well, if there were more space, it would probably be creativity central. Right now, it's mostly just... work central? That sounds fairly boring, I know...

I am going to the opera tomorrow night with my roommate Ashley, though. Don Giovani, to be precise. Another first for me; the only opera I have attended is "La Boheme" my freshman year. Now that I am a super-senior, it's time to get cultured again.

And to start lesson-planning. That is my next order of business....

Thank you, Utah.

Next week, on Thursday and Friday, Utah has UEN days-- for students, it's Fall Break! I confess to be excited for the respite. As tempting as it is to take some of my only days off and go to professional development seminars, I am beginning to succumb to the thought of staying home...and doing some things that normal people do... like sleep until seven am. Go to the bank and deposit my paycheck. Plan next week before next week happens. Go jogging. Make cinnamon rolls. Return my overdue library books. Visit family. Clean more than the kitchen--actually getting into the corners. Maybe even--gasp--read a book.

Two days.. the possibilities are excitingly tempting. Any good ideas for a fun read? I am going to the library anyways to give them back their books on China....