Life of a College Grad

Graduating College isn't its all cracked up to be. Not having a job, living at home, paying more money to do things AZ style that I already paid money to do Utah style isn't what I was looking forward to when I started college. Ha! But all in all, life is going good and I am learning different life lessons everyday. I'm excited to move to Mesa and see what adventures lie ahead for me there.

This last semester was the highlight of my BYU experience. I was able to go to Washington, D.C. and do my student teaching at DC Public Schools. I taught 3rd grade and they were definitely a challenge but by the end of it, I had them whipped into shape. Or, they had me whipped into shape! A lot of them would ask me "Ms. Slade, why do you smile all the time?" Here are just a few quotes from my lovely students.

Josi: Ms. Slade, I know why you do not sit on the floor.
Me: Really? Why?
Josi: Well, if you didn't sit in the rocking chair and you sat on
the ground with us, then you wouldn't be able to get up off the floor.
Me: Josi, is that an old joke?
Josi: No it's a new one.
Me: No, are you calling me old?
Josi: Maybe...

Me: Miles, you know I am going to beat you in "War."
Miles: Uh, nobody beats me, not even Obama!

(Finally got back to school after being out for 3 days from being sick.)
Josi: Ms. Slade we have a couple of items we need to discuss.
Me:Alright Josi let's talk about them.
Josi: 1st- I thought you were dead. 2nd- I found out you were alive.
Me: YOU THOUGHT I WAS DEAD?
Josi: My friend made me do it.
Me: Do what Josi?
Josi: Make you sick.
Me: Oh really? Who is this friend?
Josi: I can't tell you that.

Tawhid: (working hard on the USA map puzzle and holds up AZ State)
Ms.Slade! Ms. Slade! Look! It's your land!!!
Me: Yup, you found my land.
Tawhid: Ms. Slade, did you know your land is in between California and New Mexico?
Me: I did know that Tawhid, cool huh?
Tawhid: WHOA! So far away!

I miss those students. Hopefully, I will be able to go back in June to see how big they grew before they leave for summer break.

I can't even begin to describe how amazing living in Washington, D.C. was. I had awesome roommates, made many great friends, had a ton of missionary opportunities, ate so much good food, traveled all over the East (NYC, Palmyra, Philly, Gettysburg, Boston) The only thing I do not like about the East coast is all the tolls. Talk about RUDE! We paid more in tolls than we did in gas! As my 3rd graders would say: Tarter Sauce!!!

These pictures are of my trips.
First one is of Mel and I at the Whitmer Farm in Palmyra
Second one is of my eating my first Philly Cheesesteak ever and it was in Philly :)
Third one, Jacob Broom-my great great great great great grandpa who signed the Constitution. Can't you see the resemblance. 
Last one, Doug, Mel, and I at my first Broadway in NYC!

Easterners also have a different vocabulary.
1. I will 'shoot' you an email. Please 'shoot' me a text...
2. "Please 'dip' your credit card in the slot."
3. "Today was a fun day, 'BTW' we need to go...

Ha! I had a lot of fun trying to pick up their accents and my third graders always told me I talked funny. I can't remember the sentence, but when I was giving them their spelling test, I put one of the words into a sentence and they all just sat there and starred at me. I repeated the sentence and they all were just starring at me. I looked at my mentor teacher and she said to try again. So I repeated it 3 times and afterwards I asked the students to raise their hand if they needed me to repeat it. Every hand went up. I asked my mentor teacher to say it for him. As soon as she said it they all said "OOOOOOOOH!!" Ha ha. Then they were like, "Ms. Slade you talk funny!"

I hope I can find a teaching job in Mesa, but I am looking for any full-time job right now :) If anyone knows anyone or knows of any job openings please let me know!