Happy New Year!!!

I know the right thing would have been to put up a picture of all my stuff I got for Christmas. But I think that would be gloating as Brandon was very good to me this year and got me many GREAT things. The keyboard I am typing this on was part of a station for my lap top. I got an IPOD nano, a book on Europe (for my trip), some clothes, a GREAT new lens for my camera to take zoom shots and some clothes to take to the gym and work off my fatness. Very thoughtful (I should note that I requested the last thing on the list).

Instead of the goings on of Christmas stuff I think I will skip right to the Happy New Year greeting. So far I've enjoyed my time away from the ragamuffins. More than I probably should. It will be very hard to go back, but I got a reminder today of the joys of teaching by getting a text message (I don't know how he got my number) from a student reminding me I need to send off his 5 letters of recommendation, which reminded me of my other student I have to do it for, as well. Just one of the many joys I am so thankful list when it comes to my life. Speaking of which - I think the end of a year is a good time to state what you are proud of accomplishing in your life this past year. So here goes.

There are so many things I am proud of but here, including becoming an uncle - again - but here are my accomplishments that I am proud of (in no particular order)

1. Being brave enough to face another year of teaching teenagers

2. Helping 2 new dogs find "forever homes" and hoping to help one more early this next year.

3. finally getting my act together to start the process of taking students to Europe for the summer

4. Getting my AP European Students to pass the final AP test at a rate of 74%

5. STARTING to go to the gym

6. Finishing a major remodel on our kitchen

7. Almost running for State House 24 (I know that sounds lame to "almost" run - but it was a life changing moment for me.)

8. Getting a 195 out of 200 on my national teachers test called the Praxis (receiving a certificate of excellence for my performance)

9. Elected to the Salt Lake County Democratic Party as the First Vice Chair

10. Being appointed to the Davis County Education Association Executive Board

On the same note here are the top things I learned this year

1. Be careful because the rut of life can suck you in and force you to do things over and over again without thinking about it.

2. Watch out for Maryjo she'll sucker you into fostering dogs for ever even if they vomit all over the place, including the bed.

3. Going to Europe is nice, but going with 50 kids is scary

4. Mr. Tennis (My Principal)expects all my students from smart to dumb to take the AP test - and expects a better than 74% pass rate.

5. Just starting to go to the gym should not then end up with a stop going to the gym.

6. Remodeling a kitchen is not fun, not easy, not clean, not enjoyable - but in the end it is really worth it.

7. Sometimes jumping into things without looking so hard can be a good thing. Thinking too much can sometimes make you miss a lifetime opportunity. (I learned this one years ago when I was jumping on cliffs at Lake Powell. I found that if I just jumped without thinking I could get myself to jump pretty high and feel quite accomplished. Thinking and worrying about it too much would often result in climbing lower on the cliff or scooting my bum back into the water. Of course one should not forget the poor saps who don't think at all and jump in to their deaths.)

8. As much as I preach to my students about not procrastinating and pushing them to study study study it doesn't mean I practice that behavior. And it doesn't mean you have to do that to be successful.

9. Being a person in a leadership role means you must assert yourself and be the person you were elected to be. Leadership means just that LEADERship. Letting others lead makes you a follower. No one is elected to be a follower.

10. Don't overextend yourself into too many things. It is better to do one thing well than to do mediocre on 10 things.



But of course the thing I am most proud and happy for is being able to spend quality time with my family and friends who I love very much. For my health (albeit obese health) - and for the joy that I get to spend another year with all of you. (except manda, but I'll deal).

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE AND GOOD LUCK IN 2008!

May your year be filled with new positive leadership and an optimistic future for all beings on this Earth.


(PS - the reason the rat is the image for this post is because 2008 is the year of the rat. The reason it is dead is because their is no good rat, unless it is dead.)