Thursday, May 7, 2009

Sometimes bad things happen to good people

I had a student come in and talk to me. It wasn't about homework or a project, it was a sincere chat. This student has had a hard life. I can't imagine some of the things high schoolers have to deal with. But this student has overcome those things, and will be graduating with honors in a few more weeks. But he asked me if I believe in God? And I told him I did with all my heart. The follow up question, why do bad things happen to good people? How do you answer that? I mean I did answer it and told him what I believed in, I guess it was a little missionary moment for me. But yes yes, sometimes bad things happen to good people. There is a talk by Elder Richard G. Scott, and he talks about trials and challenges. He says our trials are a result of two things. One would be sin on our part, and the other one is because the lord favors us and wants to make us stronger.

Last week when I was in California my mom called me and left a message. I could tell by her voice that something was wrong. She told me the next morning that my nephew was in a really bad motorcycle accident and he is so blessed to be alive and not paralyzed, but he did break his back. I was saddened and relieved at the same time. I don't know why things happen the way they do, but I do know that it is part of a bigger plan and bigger test. I just hope that I won't miss the lesson.

Monday, May 4, 2009

California
















I had the opportunity to go to DECA Nationals last week in Anaheim, California. I had one student qualify and then I was helping chaperone another school in our district. We had a successful time, but I wanted to write about some of the highlights.










We had a four day hopper pass to Disneyland and California Adventure, but the end of the trip I was all disneylanded out. I get motion sick ever since the incident so some of the rides I can't do. I still think Snow Whites Haunted Castle is scary...I was traumatized as a child and will never forget the witch and how she pops out at the end. In fact, she pops out more than once, I think they must have remodeled the ride. The Tower of Terror is by far one of the funniest rides there. Walt Disney really knew what he was doing. I am so amazed at the logistics of it all, it is a marketing teachers heaven. I should start a class just to study Disneyland, and then we would have to take two field trips one to Cali and one to Florida, just to compare and contrast the differences. I wonder if my district will buy into this one:)










We also had the chance to go to a Dodgers game. It was quite excited even if we got their late. Our bus driver thought he was save time by exiting early and going the back roads, but it ended up not being a short cut. In fact, it took us three hours to get there, and I was getting bus sick...all the stop and go. We had super high seats, but the Dodgers pulled it off and we won. 55,000 fans...sold out. Not to mention the $6.00 water and the $6.00 nachos, I would have to say the memory is priceless. The bus ride home...40 minutes.










I also got to see my good friend Jenn. We headed out to Huntington Beach for a couple of hours, complete with TK Burgers and some sun. ( Most of the week was lacking the sun)










Oh lets not forget the reason we were over there. DECA Nationals. Utah didn't do as well as we hoped. We had 8 finalists.










We also went and saw Ghosts of Girlfriends Past...super lame ladies. Save your money. I wanted to leave like thirteen times, but kept thinking it was going to get better....but it didn't.