13 Years Later, I'm Getting Married

I remember some 13 years ago when my sister, Natalie, was getting married. I was 9, and this was my first real wedding I'd ever been apart of. I learned all the ins and outs of a bridal shower, the mints that go on the plates, I became an expert on tying ribbon to invitations, I rolled scrolls and put little fake rings around them to keep them in the tight scroll. I tried on her dress and veil, I fiddled with my bouquet of flowers with the little hot glue gun droplets on them to make them look like they were freshly picked with the dew still clinging to the yellow petals. I despised the headband that would get pulled off my head every time I was hugged (I hate all sorts of head bands or those belonging to the headband family). I vaguely remember walking down the aisle as the youngest bridesmaid, and I vividly remember decorating the cake with Nana.

However, the night before Natalie was married, she slept with me in my bed downstairs of my mom and dad's house. I had those glow in the dark stars plastered all over the ceiling, a blow up chair complete with stool, a full sized bed and lots of 9 year old stuff all about. I remember thinking how cool it was to have a slumber party with my big sister, and when we turned the lights off I was so pleased with my taste in decorations as she commented on how cool my ceiling looked. I wish I could remember the conversation we had better, but, alas, my 9 year old brain was still so preoccupied with how validated I felt that my glow in the dark, stick on stars were cool.

Never the less, I do remember Natalie saying how weird it was that this was her last night single and how she couldn't believe that it was actually going to happen in the morning. I know I laid there thinking how strange it would be to be getting married. I didn't eve like boys then, and, yet, here I am, getting married in the morning.

I feel the same sentiments as my sister did 13 years ago; I can't believe I'm actually getting married in the morning, and this is my last night as Carlie Wallentine. Despite being long and inevitably mispronounced, I will miss Wallentine. However, I am lying in this queen sized bed and thinking it is rather lonely. I'm getting married in the morning, and as I think about my wonderful groom asleep in the other room with his groomsmen, I can't help but think how surreal it all feels. I've never been more sure of any decision in my life, and I am positive that Steven is by far the best man for me. I'm not sure why he loves me as he does, but I know he does, and I love him, and he knows I do, so without further ado, I will bid Wallentine adieu.

To Be in America

I've been scared at the thought about moving to Boston since I knew that was where my life would take me. I admit, I was excited, but oh so scared. My hometown is 500 people; there are that many people living in one apartment complex in Boston! I'm used to tractors driving down main highways, herds of cows ambling down the yellow line as a family rides behind them on a menagerie of horses, dirt bikes and 4-wheelers. I know most everyone who lives in my town and if they own a pet or not. My mom has their PO Box numbers memorized, and if you forget your wallet at home when you go to the gas station, it is okay, they'll take credit on your honesty. It's a small town, but I know how to live there.

I don't know how to live in Boston with its bustling streets with individual names and no grid system. I don't know how to navigate my way through a subway system or even find a grocery store in Boston; do they have a Broulims out there with shelves stocked with Best Western? Boston is as good as a foreign country to me. Until yesterday...

Last week, my future home hosted two bomb attacks. I say my future home because it is funny how much I have come to love a place that I've never even been to. I have completely fallen in love with their sports teams, I think the subway T has anamazing history, and have you seen their library? Really, it is huge! I flew into Boston once, but I've never really been there, but I love that little town more than I thought.

It broke my heart to see my future home come under attack, and all I wanted to do at first was turn to Steven and say, "Told you so! Boston is a scary place, and we can't move there because we'll die!"

I stopped at the grocery store the other day and saw the flag flying at half mast in honor of Boston's terror the day before. I was so touched by this huge flag being lowered for a city across the country, hundreds of miles away. I think that what it means to be an American: No matter what city you live in, what religion you are, what color your skin is, you always show love and respect for your neighbor.

Quotable Quotes From Teaching Composition

"Because everyone has been a student, they think they know how to be a teacher, but no one knows how to be a teacher unless you are a teacher."

"Teaching is 90% teaching kids to be good people, and 10% content."

"It's a way to find closure, and I think that's why we don't give up on the personal narrative."

Me + School = Motivationless

I feel as though I am at the end of my rope with school. I literally have zero motivation left. Zero. And trust my math on this one; I doubled checked my answer--it is most positively a zero. That research paper I have due tomorrow...not interested. These unit plans I am supposed to be creating...get thee hence from me. Spanish...please, have I ever really truly cared about you?








This graph may or may not have been created in Microsoft Word and only by inserting lines because I couldn't get the graph thing to work, BUT it is real data! Dr. Dean explained that in a conference or meeting she was at they showed data that explained how BYU students' motivation is super high at the beginning of Fall semester because who doesn't love the first day of school?! New notebooks, new pencils and a shiny, new homework planner--you cannot not love that. However, as the fall semester ends, BYU students are only given a teeny tiny Christmas break. Only two weeks compared to the usual three to four week break of most universities. This only allows a minimal refueling of motivation to begin Winter semester. Most students no matter what university they are at slowly decline at a faster rate than they did in fall semester, so...SPRING BREAK. Or not. Not at BYU anyways. Nope, when the sun is out and shining and most students head off to beaches or canyons to enjoy the summer rays or just take a week relaxing with Netflix, BYU students are still sitting in this retched desks with the poor back support and unshapely bum seats. This lack of spring break sends BYU students into a shockingly steep decline as they are denied this precious refueling week. Nothing even begins to look up as the rest of March and April slowly creep past until the end of the semester. Granted, BYU students are released from their poor seats and attendance points a week or two earlier than other university students, but nonetheless, if you are wondering why your motivation is tanking with no hope of a rise as finals approach, know that there is statistical proof that we are lacking motivation and you are not alone.




***Disclaimer:Although this is based off real data, I am lacking the motivation to thoroughly research it or cite anything. Let's get real here.****