We have a library pet. He's kind of cute, I guess.

We have this stalker, Nikki and I. For privacy purposes, we'll call him Kade. Note: his name really does start with a K and really does have 4 letters.


Early February: Nikki and I were on the 4th floor at the table that looks like it could belong in your dining room. He sat right next to us in the middle of the table. Alas, his computer cord could not reach the outlet from where he sat, so Nikki had to switch him spots. For some odd reason this was a memorable experience for all of us.

In the Periodicals Tuesday of last: That same boy came and sat at our table with us, though I didn't remember who he was. We talked and discovered it was the same boy, thanks to Nikki's incredible memory. Then I left for lunch.

Later that afternoon: Nikki bursts into laughter as Kade comes in, walks around the entire Periodicals section, back towards the front doors, behind the bookshelves and pops out at the table right next to ours. He sat down, not saying a word, both Nikki and I dying of laughter on the inside.

"Watch as he comes and sits by you after I leave to go take my test," Nikki's text said.

Sure enough, literally 2 minutes after Nikki left, Kade got up and asked to sit at my table. Is this guy bold or what?

Now every time Kade comes to the periodicals, he scans the entire section, looking for us. witnessed by Nikki herself, who practically lives in the periodicals.

creeeeeeeeper

Today I'm realizing...

• Studying for tests is overrated.

• A friend has gone through a trial to help me through the same one.

• I don't have to make my bed every morning. I just don't sleep under my main quilt. Small fleecey instead.

• Saying goodbye is never really that.

• The need to help others more.

• That twice in a row now, the person that has run after me because he didn't get a hug goodbye was not the person I expected it to be, and perhaps that means something.

• I need to not be a hypocrite and think more about the "why".

• I hate geography.

• What wonderful friends I have.

• That just because one's plan is different doesn't mean it's wrong.

• The process of waiting is the greatest learning experience.

• It's okay to dream and to fantasize, but important to realize that not all fantasies become reality.

• There are some people that I will never see again in this life.

• What's good is of God.

• Intelligence isn't everything.

• It's okay to let go.

• Change is is the most constant thing.

• Time goes by too fast.

• How badly I want to get out of Utah Valley and cruise to Mexico.

• That I'm independent.

• That sunburns kinda hurt.

• I wish I could write good poems.

• Because this is a complete ramble.

Today I'm realizing that everything truly does happen for a reason.

I realize that Heavenly Father loves me.

 

I realize He has a plan for me.

I realize I have to trust Him.

This is why I have the best job in the whole wide world.

The Music Store. Consists of: the $1 Box, the $5 Box, candy bars, candy boxes, cookies, and plenty of toys and things.

(idea borrowed from the Provo Piano Academy)

Fun, huh? I always love the first week of the month because I get to do this. It's what my students look forward to all month long. They work hard to pass of their songs and do their assignments, and in turn I pay them with some green little Music Bucks. They save and save and save. Then on the first week of the month, I get to watch their faces light up when they see the treasures in my living room. That's when they know their hard work has paid off. They leave their lesson with a bag full of goodies that they bought all by themselves and a smile on their face.

Teaching is such a beautiful thing. People put down teachers all the time, saying that it's not the greatest occupation because it doesn't get the best pay. What about influence? What about change? What about remembering lessons learned? The thing about teaching is the student isn't the only one learning: the teacher is too. The wisdom one can obtain through sitting one on one with a teacher, or in my case the student, is worth more than all the money in the world. If there is anything that has helped me to mature and to understand patience more, it has been being a piano teacher.

Here's the thing that makes my job different from anyone else's. It's not about the job. It's about them; these kids. Those beautiful, talented children. I would do anything for them. They are my dearest treasures. If I could even begin to tell them the amount of love I have for them... I would probably freak them out. Regardless, I still try to tell them at every recital, and every time the tears form. My greatest desire is to bring out the very best in them through music. They will never understand the potential they have. The greatest part is that I don't even see half of what their parents see, and gosh darn it, I see a lot. What does that mean God sees in them? 

Ashlyn. Camden. Miranda. Brock. Luke. Sierra. Cooper. Shantay. Annika. Hunter. Kade. Emma. Joel. Gabby. 

If there is anything that will hold me back from going to USU, it will be these beautiful spirits.