"You're crazy Wildcat!"

::Sigh::

How do I even begin to describe a night in which I had more fun than I have had in such a long time? I guess I should start with my friend Lacey. I love her so much! She is a person who loves life and always has fun. Whenever we are together, we talk and laugh and life is great. I was beyond excited when she asked me to go with her to see High School Musical 3. I am a total High School Musical nerd...lol!! I quote the movies all the time and know every song by heart. I couldn't wait to see Zac on the big screen.

The best night ever started out with us making T-shirts to wear to the movie. Okay...so actually Lacey pretty much did all the work. Meanwhile, I was playing with her daughter, Hailey, and watching the first two High School Musical movies. Lacey did such an amazing job on our shirts. The shirts had Wildcats in team style letters across the front and Efron on the back. My shirt had the number 14 on the back (Troy's Jersey Number for all you High School Musical slackers out there). The back of Lacey's shirt displayed the Wildcats team motto, "Getcha head in the game!" LOL!! To finish off the look, Lacey curled my hair. Expect to see pictures soon.

Upon entering the theatre, we were greeted by cheers from the other High School Musical fans! We ended up getting a really good place in line. Waiting in line was so much fun! Lacey and I discussed it all. We talked about High School Musical, The Host, I Am Legend, Twilight, and Harry Potter. The girl in line ahead of us watched and listened intently throughout our discussion. I'm sure we were VERY entertaining...lol!

Watching the actual movie was so great. We all cheered, laughed, and watched in awe together. It was so much fun. The crowd was loving every minute of it and so were we. Lacey is one of my favorite people to watch movies with. We are so loud and it is great! Without a doubt, everyone in that theatre knew every single emotion that Lacey and I experienced that night. We wouldn't have been able to keep it to ourselves even if we tried. The movie was so amazing! It completely surpasses the first two films. This is High School Musical as it should be. It was perfect!

After the movie, Lacey and I could not stop talking about how great it was. We didn't shut up the entire way home. Neither of us wanted the night to end. I will never forget the drive home. Lacey and I remembered the movie, talked, and laughed so hard. It was so much fun.

I had honestly forgotten how much fun life can be...until last night. Thanks Lacey. I dedicate the clip below to you Wildcat!

Survey

8 Things I Am Passionate About
My Faith

People that I love
Children

Teaching
Movies
Books
The importance of Reading
Jazz Basketball

8 words or phrases I say often-
The thing about it is...
I mean...
Urgh!!!
Hey Girl! (Jean)
Whatever!
In the South...

Movie Quotes

One of my student's names followed by a direction or praise.

8 things I want to do before I die-
Get married in the Temple
Have children

Work with the Youth of the Church
Go to Indiana and see all the James Dean sites
Go on a cruise with Jean
Read as many books as possible
Travel
Go to the U.S. Open in N.Y. and see Andy Roddick play a match

8 things I have learned from the past-

Heavenly Father exists, loves, and forgives.
Holding onto what is gone won't heal it.
Maybe we have the bad things to remind us what the good things are.
Time heals all wounds.
The pain, no matter how severe, always goes away.
Wisdom comes with experience and age.
Above all else, people just want to be loved.
We are stronger than we think.
True joy only comes from living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

8 places I would love to go or see-
Indiana (James Dean sites)
Hollywood
Louisiana

North Carolina
Washington D.C.
Forks, Washington
Pearl Harbor
London

8 things I currently need or want-
To see my Sister

More time to Read

To find my Husband

Cold Weather

Less Homework

More Confidence

To be Okay

Crepe Fever at IHOP

"Thanks, that was fun!"

My first day back at work was 3 weeks ago. I miss my students from last year terribly. I even cried the first couple of days when I left work. However, it is really great to see them in the halls and at recess. I cannot believe how much they grew over the summer. They really look like 6th graders, which also makes me kinda sad. I love to see their faces light up when they see me. I love that they still love me. And while I will always miss having them in my class, I have a great group of students this year. Sydney is this tiny little Asian girl with the smallest of voices. She is so adorable. Daniel is smart and full of energy. He gets really frustrated when he doesn't understand things right away, but always figures it out on his own. Olivia is a little perfectionist. She is always raising her hand to make sure she does everything just right. She is also the most well-behaved. Marshall is an artist. He draws the most amazing sketches. I always make sure that I see them and compliment his work. Richard is a handful and is always in trouble. He never wants to do his school work and is obsessed with BYU football. Lindsay(the teacher I work with) and I have been trying to figure out how to get through to him. On Friday, my class had the playground all to ourselves. Richard walked over to me with a football and said, "Miss East, Go Long." Even though this is completely against the rules, I took the football from him and said, "You go long." He smiled a big smile and excitedly said, "Ok!" Now before you all think I'm terrible, I promise that I was watching my other students. I can totally do two things at once. Richard was very impressed by my football throwing and catching ability. It may not seem like it now, but I was once a tomboy. As many of you know, I hate to sweat, but it was all worth it when he walked over to me and said, "Thanks, that was fun!"

"Welcome to Dreamland."

As some of you may know, I have a tendency to become a tad obsessed when I am inspired by an actor or actress. While I am sure that it is quite annoying for those closest to me, something positive does occasionally come out of it. As a result of being a very passionate individual, I sometimes stumble upon some of the greatest movies ever. At least in my opinion they are some of the greatest. Dreamland is one of those movies. A true diamond in the rough as far as film is concerned.

“His name is Mookie. He’s from Las Vegas.” -Audrey

“What are you doing out here?” -Mookie
“I’m unraveling.” -Audrey

“The only thing better than kissing on a first date is almost kissing on a first date.” -Henry

“I want to read everything you write.” -Mookie to Audrey

“I’m in love with him.” -Audrey
“Is he in love with you?” -Calista
“I hope so. I listen to my dad tell stories about my mom, and I've read books and I just really believe in love, and no matter how fleeting or tragic I just really, really believe in it.” -Audrey

“I couldn’t leave without telling you how I feel. I guess its kind of impossible to keep secrets in Dreamland.” -Mookie to Audrey

Because its easier to do a Top Ten...

1.) I finished my first semester at UVU with A's in both of my summer classes.

2.) The opening ceremony for the 2008 Olympics was the most amazing thing I have ever seen!

3.) Michael Phelps is the best swimmer in the world. Go USA!

4.) I found a roommate. My friend Ashlie from NC will be moving here soon.

5.) I fell down the wooden stairs in my apartment. It freaking hurt!

6.) A bee attacked me while I was sitting outside on my swing. I'm pretty sure that bee wanted to kill me. I ran inside screaming for my life.

7.) Justin Long is a really good actor. Watch "Live Free or Die Hard" and "Jeepers Creepers". You will LOVE him!

8.) I saw "The Dark Knight" in IMAX. I have no words that would do that experience any justice. If Heath Ledger doesn't win an Oscar, I'm going to kill someone.

9.) Yes, I am still reading Breaking Dawn. I didn't think it was possible to love Edward Cullen more than I already did...it is very possible.

10.) I want Dan to win Big Brother 10.

My talk with Jolynn.

Jolynn is a young woman in my math class. She is one of the many of us who populate the open math lab every test day. I usually sit beside Dixie, but she didn't come today, so I sat by Jolynn. Today was Jolynn's birthday. She was telling me that she was a little depressed about turning 30. She then went on to tell me how sad it was that she was 30 and still in school. In an effort to comfort her, I told her that I was almost 26, still in school, and not even married. She quickly informed me that she didn't get married until she was 28. I told her that hearing that made me feel better because I sometimes worry that I will never get married. I will never forget the look that she gave me. She looked at me like I was crazy. She then began to shake her head and asked me, "Why would you ever think that you wouldn't get married?" I just shrugged and looked back at my computer screen. However, Jolynn wasn't going to let me off that easily. "No, no...seriously Erica...why do you think that you won't get married?" I looked at her and began to explain that I used to be really skinny and pretty. I told her that I always had boyfriends growing up. I explained to her that being so pretty was my saving grace because I am so painfully shy. And then I said, "Now I'm chunky and not one of the pretty girls and it is just hard." I have never felt such compassion from someone I barely knew as I did when Jolynn leaned over and hugged me. "Erica, you are really pretty. I mean you really are. I can't believe you worry about getting married! You are really smart too. You are ranked #1 in this class. You are also really nice. You always answer all our questions and laugh at our jokes. You have a beautiful smile. You have nothing to worry about." I was really surprised by the things that she said to me. However, I was even more surprised by the fact that I actually believed her. I will never forget my talk with Jolynn. It just goes to show you that you never know how other people truly see you.

In other news, I moved from my apartment into a townhouse. It is all kinds of wonderful! It is a really nice little house with a backyard for Mickey. There are no lame college students, so it is really adult and quiet. AND...I actually had someone leave me muffins welcoming me to the neighborhood. How adorable is that?

I have watched Penelope at least five times in the past two days. It is a beautiful fairy tale about finding love through loving yourself. And because I know Jean will read this, I will quote our favorite line from the movie....

"I like myself the way I am!"

My "I Haven't Blogged in Forever" Top Ten

#1) I am finally going back to school to finish my degree in Elementary Education.

#2) I still hate Math as much as I always have.

#3) Great Guy + Young + Handsome + Biology = Someone who tries really hard, but is not a great teacher and is super confusing.

#4) I had a flat tire on Friday. Apparently there was a nail in it. Thank you to the good person who left the note on my car. Being that it was my back right tire, I wouldn't have noticed it for awhile.

#5) Speaking of notes on cars, I freaking hate all of the stupid advertisements that get put under my wiper blades. Send an email. Save a tree for cripes sake!

#6) Saw The Incredible Hulk. Loved it! Tony Stark made an appearance...woot!

#7) An important message from me: I hate shopping for DVDs at Best Buy. The aisles are only big enough for one person, so you are constantly moving for people. And the DVDs on the two bottom shelves of the aisles are pretty much impossible to see unless you are a contortionist. AND the selection is terrible. Any store that has more Animai Movies than Sci Fi Movies isn't worth the time of a movie intellectual.

#8) I am absolutely head over heels for Robert Downey Jr.

#9) Some of my favorite Robert Downey Jr. movies are: "Chances Are", "Chaplin", "A Guide to Recoginizing Your Saints", "Only You", "Heart and Souls", "Less Than Zero" and of course "Iron Man".

#10) "The Tramp can't talk! If he talks, he's dead! The magic will be gone."

~Charlie Chaplin fighting Hollywood's transition into sound.

Robert Downey Jr as Charlie Chaplin