Today is the first day of autumn. I love that word- autumn. It's so beautiful and distinctive. It makes me want to take a drive through the canyons and see the beautiful colors and crunch leaves under my feet as I take in the beauty and wonder that surrounds me. It makes me want to watch You've Got Mail with my mom and my sister and then quote it throughout the week that follows. I love this time of year and I am grateful it is finally upon us.
Stephanie Nielson (aka Nie Nie) is coming to BYU to speak on September 30th at 7:00 in the Wilk. She's kicking off the BYU Women's Services "Recapturing Beauty" campaign. And I am so excited! I saw her in the Bookstore the other day, but didn't have the courage to go and say hello. I'm thrilled to have the chance to hear her speak about finding true beauty and to learn from her experiences. Plus- I think that this campaign is a brilliant idea, and I am happy to be part of a school that has such wonderful events. Anyone care to join me?
So, I found out where I'll be doing my practicum/student teaching- Mt. Nebo Junior High in Payson. I'll be working with 8th graders! And I am thrilled. People think that's weird, but I quite like that age and I think we'll have a lot of fun together. Sometimes, as I'm taking all my education classes and being bombarded with information on how to be a good and effective teacher I lose sight of the point. And sometimes I have a slight panic attack because I forget the purpose of what I am doing and why it even matters. But then I remember. And then I feel unstoppable and noble even (is it wrong to say that about myself?) because I know that what I am going to do can make a difference. For a homework assignment I had to read the state core/objectives for Language Arts for 8th grade. And as I read them I was struck by a few that really reiterated to me why I decided to major in English, and why I decided to teach it! These are the ones that hit home the hardest:
3. Demonstrate Understanding of the Nature of Language a. Understand that language enhances and identifies human beings as meaning makers. b. Understand that language is the vehicle for constructing knowledge, acquiring skills, and developing habits of mind. c. Understand that language captures and records human aspirations and imagination. d. Understand that language is continuously evolving as a reflection of human evolution. e. Understand that language acquisition is not a matter of refining skills, but of increasing confidence, insight, and discernment. f. Understand that language conveys the depth of human experience, evoking both emotion and reason.
Amen! That is really about all I can say to that.
I LOVE The Dead Poet's Society and especially when Robin Williams is explaining why studying English is important- "We don't study poetry because it's cute; we study poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion." Ah! I love it. I am so excited to be a teacher. And I am so excited to be able to teach students to have a greater appreciation and understanding of literature and writing and how it can influence their lives for the better.
My brother Marshall and I have gotten into an argument on at least two separate occasions regarding books written in first person. He read The Hunger Games and said it took him aback a little because he hadn't read a book written in first person before. I thought that was ridiculous because there are plenty of books written in first person- he disagreed and thought it was rare and during our last argument he challenged me to name one other book written in first person. Of course I know that lots of other books are written in first person- but I couldn't think of any on the spot. So behold- a list of well known (and widely read) books that are written in first person. Just for you Marshall (even though you probably will never read this): Catcher in the Rye The Great Gatsby Grapes of Wrath Jane Eyre Twilight (and all the others in the series) Frankenstein The Outsiders Wuthering Heights As I Lay Dying Great Expectations The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn The Bell Jar Virginia Woolfe A Clockwork Orange To Kill a Mockingbird (this is my favorite book, and yet under pressure I couldn't remember that Scout is the narrator)
ta-da! I've only read about 2/3 of these- so I'm trusting the internet as my source on the rest. But I just wanted to prove it to the world (aka the three people who read my blog) that I was right- there are plenty of books written in first person.
I just had to pay $130 to register to take a test (November 13th is the big day- if you're curious). Is that not the sickest thing you have ever heard? Sure- it is what determines if I'm fit to be an educator, and my entire future rides on this test. But $130?! Wow- just wow.
Meet my current crushShe & Him. They're brilliant. Zooey Deschanel is my idol- she is darling. I want to dress just like her. I saw them in concert on Thursday in SLC (for free!) at the Twilight Concert Series. The music was great. The smoking, the beer drinking and the b.o- not so much.
remember when we went mini-golfing and I beat you, but you wouldn't admit it to anyone because you hate to lose? remember when we took a trip to san francisco, and we made you our designated driver? remember when alisa drove on the way back and almost killed us all? remember when we went to Stan's and you lied to me about breaking up with your girlfriend, and a week later she dumped you? remember when we went to the haunted house and i hid behind you the entire time because the scary man wouldn't leave me alone? remember when you dated my sister? remember when i bought you a byu shirt for your birthday because i refused to let you sit by me at sporting events without it? remember when we went to a jazz game and the only thing i really cared about was kyle korver and you got really annoyed? remember when we went to your cabin and went canoeing? or when jason got attacked by the humming bird, and then he tried to ride a motorcycle and failed miserably? remember when we decided to pick some names off the angel tree and all the kids wanted were bratz dolls? remember when you tried to convince me to sell you my killers ticket when i'd been waiting for 3 months to go to the concert? remember when you dated one of my best friends? remember when we used to have movie nights every weekend? remember when we played basketball in your pool? remember when neither of us wanted to go to jeff's reception alone so we agreed to go together, but then you ditched me and left me alone to talk to that weird man at our table? remember when we all went to boondocks? remember when jamie and i crashed your apartment last year because we were homeless- and you made us breakfast?
i do. and now you're married. and i think your wife is really nice. but it's kinda weird because you're my first really good guy friend to get married. and i'm kinda sad that we won't be able to hang out anymore. but congratulations- and i really hope you two are very happy.
