Educational and Career Goals...

The decision has been made!  Yay!  There will be only two things holding me back (but those won't come up until the fall).  I am giving in and becoming a teacher!

Awful, huh?  All the teachers at my school are counting down the days when they can retire and here I am deciding to be one of those newbies who will be gullible enough to take their spot and be glad about it.

Of course, I will only accept a teaching position if it is as a Special Education: Hearing Impaired teacher.  I would prefer only Mesa Public Schools and in a self-contained sign language class, but I won't complain if I feel a different calling.  The reason for MPS?  It's not the great programs, salary, or bonus ... cuz there ain't any!  It's because I have seen the need and don't want to abandon them when they are in need of so much help. Also, my very first job in high school was with MPS.  I have a fondness for sentimental things.

I have ordered my IVP fingerprinting card, I am taking an SEI certification course, and I am applying for an MA in Deaf Education at University of Arizona.  That is correct... although I was not accepted when I applied last year, I am going to try again -- after talking with an advisor and getting a lot of advice on how to improve my application.

This summer I will take two classes at U of A (online) as a non-degree seeking student to be able to raise my GPA and prepare me for the online MA program.  The only thing now that can hold me back from becoming a teacher is 1. not getting accepted into the program come fall and 2. running out of money.

My husband is anxiously waiting to receive more information about how to apply to the BYU-Idaho Pathway program to help him obtain an online degree.  He hopes to start in the fall.

So, we are both going to become students!  Yay for the Quist household!  Let's hope for great financial aid because I really don't care for student loans (although for my MA program, I may be persuaded to consider the option of possibly researching the benefits).

Mesa Public Schools April Fools Joke ... I hope!

WithInSight - Vol. IX, No. 35 - 4/4/2013

Posted by Chris Toperzer on Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 3:57 PM (MST)

Office of the Associate Superintendent, Bruce Cox (x2-0205)

FROM: Principal
SUBJECT: Restroom Use Policy

In the past, employees were permitted to make trips to the restroom under informal guidelines. Effective immediately, a Restroom Trip Policy will be established to provide a more consistent method of accounting for each employee’s restroom time and ensuring equal treatment of all employees.

Under the policy a "Restroom Trip Bank" will be established for each employee. The first day of each month, employees will be given twenty Restroom Trip Credits. These credits may be accumulated.

Within four to six weeks, the entrance doors to all restrooms are being equipped with personal identification stations and computer- linked voice print recognition devices. Before the end of the month each employee must provide two copies of voice prints (one normal and one under stress) to the Human Resources Department. The voice print recognition station will be operational but not restrictive during the entire month. Employees should acquaint themselves with the stations during that period.

If the employee’s Restroom Trip Bank balance reaches zero, the doors to the restrooms will not unlock for that employee’s voice until the first of the next month. In addition, all restroom stalls are being equipped with timed paper roll retractors. If the stall is occupied for more than three minutes, an alarm will sound. Thirty-seconds after the alarm sounds, the roll of paper will retract into the wall, the toilet will flush, and the stall door will open. If the stall remains occupied, your picture will be taken.

The picture will then be posted on the bulletin board located in the Employee Relations Office. Anyone’s picture showing up three times will immediately be terminated. If you have any questions about this policy, please ask your supervisor. They have all received advanced instructions.   BC

Blog Tour/Book Review: Living in the Light

My life has been an interesting one. I always assumed that I had some kind of depression, but I can't get anyone else to believe me.  I'm good at hiding my inner emotions when I'm out in public, yet there are times when I feel like I am shadowed in darkness and don't know how to find the light.  Some people use to write it off as teenage moodiness.  Others just call it typical mood swings.  Yet, I always felt like it was more than that - although I'd never consult with a doctor about it. 

When I moved to a new place with a new job, the stress of life finally caused me to visit a counselor.  I was amazed at the things I learned.  My eyes were opened to a better understanding of myself, and my perspective of counseling changed.  I realized how common and how normal counseling is for people.  All the stereotypes surrounding counseling that I heard all my life just melted away and I understood the importance it has on helping people be able to get a new look at life and find ways to improve.

Since then, I've opened myself to reading and learning more about depression and anxiety.  That's why I was so excited to hear about the new book, "Living in the Light" by Lacey A. West, and why I am so eager to recommend this book to everyone.

Living in the Light - How to fight the darkness of depression and anxiety

by Lacey A. West, RN, BSN and Gary L. Anderson, M.S., LPC

Living in the Light provides readers with step-by-step methods to overcome depression and anxiety. It offers solutions through a combination of cognitive techniques and gospel-centered principles that will empower readers with the ability to regain their peace and happiness through eliminating all aspects of darkness from their life, embracing a life full of light.

Paperback, 144 pages
Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc.

Expected Release: January 8, 2013

First, I was inspired by the title, "Living in the Light" because of the image and feeling of hope it brings.  Then I noticed it being published by Cedar Fort, one of my new favorite publishing companies. 

This book is written with a lot of LDS material - such as scriptural passages and quotes by modern-day prophets.  This is one of the aspects of the book that I loved the most.  I have a strong faith in the gospel and being able to read the words of ancient and modern prophets has an amazing influence over me.   The small promptings of the spirit helps me better apply and understand the principles taught in the book.

Also, the book includes many life experiences and analogies that help me view depression and anxiety in different scenarios and perspectives.  I am better able see myself and understand the importance of applying the advice and principles in the book to myself when I can see how depression has impacted others in the same way I have experienced it.  It is amazing to have the book co-authored by Lacey West and Gary Anderson.  Each of them bring a great support and roundness to the topic.  I really like the sections of "Professional Insight" that back up and support what has been said in the sections.

Then, each section ends with a "Take Action" to focus the point down to a list of things to do that can help the reader apply the teachings and advice into their own life.  In truth, this was always the hardest thing for me to do.  Having a thought and turning it into an action takes a lot of effort, yet time and time again when I finally do it, it proves to be the most effective.  It reminds me of a quote that was included in the book:

"It is better to light one candle than curse the dark." 

- President Gordon B. Hinckley ("To Single Adults," Ensign, June 1989, 72)

I am sick and tired of just sitting and cursing the dark.  I can truly say that by reading this book, it has helped me to find different ways to light that one candle and someday be able to say that I am "living in the light."

I look forward to the release of this book and will definitely want a paperback copy to add to my library collection.

Make sure to watch the amazing Book Trailer on YouTube.

Website: www.laceyawest.com
Blog:  www.livinginthelightbook.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/livinginthelightbook

The book is also available at Barnes and Noble.

Follow the rest of the Blog Tour here:

December 9: Baby Giveaways 

December 10: I'm Not a Reader, Not a Writer 

December 11: LDS Women's Book Review 

December 12: Pearls of Great Worth 

December 13: LDS and Lovin' It 

December 14: Interested in All 

December 15: My Devotional Thoughts 

December 17: My Life.  One Store at a Time 

December 18: Alvor 

December 19: Mama Says New 

December 20: A Casual Reader's Blog 

December 21: Uplifting Reads 

December 22: LDS Friends Forever and Getting Your Read On

Caarina the Cooking Fairy

Caarina the Cooking Fairy
by Julia Dweck

Caarina lives among the cooks that write the recipes in books. They’re master chefs who work all night. To mix and simmer’s their delight. Today, the Fairy Queen decrees, and all the fairies there agree, a special feast will soon be served--a rich reward that all deserve. Who should cook this special feast prepared with flour, oil, and yeast? Who can roll and brown a bun? Caarina is the chosen one! Join Caarina, the cooking fairy, in this humorous, rhyming adventure. Caarina is all set to create a delicious feast for the Fairy Queen; however, a pesky gremlin attempts to foil Caarina's plan. Can Caarina "beat" him? Who will be "whipped," gremlin or fairy? Young readers will enjoy this clever fantasy adventure, sprinkled with word play and more than a dash of fabulous fairy fun for all!

ebook

Publisher: KiteReaders

Released: December 1, 2012

I recently received this book from the author and I feel in love with it after the first read.  This is exactly the kind of book I love to share with children.  The illustrations are beautiful, the rhyming is creative, and the story itself teaches such a great lesson.

Caarina is know as an amazing cook but when every one of her recipes goes wrong, she knows something is amiss.  Then she notices a little gremlin in her kitchen and decides on the perfect recipe to stop the little creature's mean tricks.

If I was Caarina, I'd be tempted to give up and become discouraged at making so many mistakes.  Yet, she has confidence in her skill as a cook and was not surprised to find a little gremlin making trouble in her kitchen.  Her way to resolve the problem was to use her cooking skills to make a surprise for the gremlin.  It's a reminder to me that with some confidence and a bit of wit, I too can overcome any challenge.  That is a great lesson to teach to children!





This book is being offered for free on December 5, 2012.

Movie Review: John Carter

John Carter
Director: Andrew Stanton
PG-13

Transplanted to Mars, a Civil War vet discovers a lush planet inhabited by 12-foot tall barbarians. Finding himself a prisoner of these creatures, he escapes, only to encounter a princess who is in desperate need of a savior.

Disney, 132 min

Writers: Andrew Stanton, Mark Andrews and Michael Chabon

Stars: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, and Willem Dafoe

Released: 9 March 2012

I can't believe how some movies come out without me ever hearing about them.  Especially the really creative, amazing films produced by popular companies...like Disney!

How many people know that "John Carter" came out this year in March?  I never heard of it.  And it's produced by Walt Disney Pictures.  I must be living under a rock.

But not only did I miss this movie release, I also have never heard of the book that it is based on:

A Princess of Mars
Barsoon #1
by Edgar Rice Burroughs

A Princess of Mars tells the story of John Carter, a Civil War veteran who inexplicably finds himself held prisoner on the planet Mars by the Green Men of Thark. With Dejah Thoris, the princess of another clan on Mars, John Carter must fight for their freedom and save the entire planet from destruction as the life-sustaining Atmosphere Factory slowly grinds to a halt. 

A Princess of Mars is the first in Burroughs' eleven book Barsoon series, following the continued adventures of John Carter.

Hardback, 326 pages

Publisher: A.C. McClurg

Released: 1917

My friends who have read the book has said that the movie does an amazing job of describing exactly what it says in the book.  Exciting!!  Trust me, I will be looking into this series.  Can't promise I'll read all eleven books, but I'll give the first three a try most likely.  

It's so strange because when I was young, I read "Tarzan of the Apes" which is written by the same author.  I'm trying to figure out how I did not see these books on the shelf.  I'd always find myself looking at the cover of Tarzan (I have a habit of reminiscing over books I remember reading by going back to them on the shelves and stroke the spine.  Ahh... I love reading) and such a title as Princess of Mars and Gods of Mars should have stood out to my space and fantasy fascinated mind...strange.

But I must say, I really enjoyed this movie!  It has the perfect amount of technology, science, space, alien life, design, suspense, surprise, excitement, etc, etc...  It's time like this that I wish I was skilled at expressing myself.  I am so visually minded, putting my ideas into words are not easy for me.  But I loved so many things about this movie.  Even when I thought I knew how it was going to end, I was so wrong :-)  It is so cool!

Yep, decision made.  This movie is being added to my must-buy list!  Don't you dare say this can be compared to Avatar.  Don't even try to pull that off.  Avatar had a great design and visual effect and the concept was good.  But I like John Carter so much better!!!