VIVA LAS VEGAS Journal #1

I have to confess: I am one of the worst journal keepers in the world, but I feel like I should keep track of the amazing things I've been doing in Vegas, so my blog will be my journal. This will not only benefit me, but also Mom! I wish I would've started this earlier so that I could have remembered everything because I'm having a brain block and cannot seem to remember all I've done since I've gotten here. Oops.

Week one: Valerie, Joe and Jacob were here for a few days. We got to go look at the temple, eat at lots of fun, yummy places, hang out at the fun casino / have a fire drill with all 14 floors of the casino, and got to go to the Shark reef (sooo cool!!!). Joe also got the pleasure of teaching me to drive in crazy traffic. Achievement: I no longer have to wipe my hands on my pants every few minutes while driving. I actually LOVE to drive here. I think it's way fun and it doesn't stress me out in the least anymore. I also finally got my placement - third grade at Robert Taylor Elementary School. I started going into the school and helped get the room set up as well as going to lots of meetings.
We took a roommate trip to the strip. We went to the Coke shop and did the little sample float things. It was really fun they had like sprite and orange soda floats. There were 8 kinds I believe. Our cheeks hurt from laughing so much by the time we left. It was super fun. After we went and saw the Bellagio fountains (that never gets old to me - I love that show).


Week Two: First day of school. The school days zooms by everyday with students there, but I am completely exhausted by the time they go home. I'm getting more used to it, but it's still so tiring. Friday I got the opportunity to go the temple and do baptisms with a couple friends from the ward.The temple was so amazing. I really enjoyed it. The font area was set up so differently from any other baptistery that I've ever seen. A bonus was the indoor gardens. Oh so gorgeous!!! We also went to BJs, which is a yummy restaurant that is in town.
FHE scavenger hunt at Town Square. It is seriously one of the coolest shopping places ever - and I don't like shopping so that's saying something. It was so much fun. We are in an Amazing ward. They are very welcoming, fun and friendly.
Game night and midnight I-Hop run with almost the entire ward. It was really fun to get to know more of the members.
Movie in the Park!!! I am a fan. Every Friday and Saturday in the summer there is an adorable park that shows free movies. They encourage people to bring picnics and just enjoy themselves. I think it's called "Show under the Stars" or something like that. They have a free carousel ride before and during the movie. It's super adorable. They also give our popcorn. It's super fun and a really pretty area of Vegas.

Week Three: Back to school night - that was fun to get to see how that was run. It was good to meet some parents and see students more in their element. I have also taken over many more subjects so I feel more part of the class and more of a teacher. I am doing all subjects but writing. It's really fun and I enjoy teaching third grade (though this is a tough group).
Friday Night: Freemont Street- Holy Cow! I love this place. I didn't even want to go there too badly because I've heard lots of crazy stories, but I actually felt incredibly safe there and had a ton of fun. There were so many lights and colors. It was incredibly enjoyable. A Captain Jack Sparrow look-a-like also winked at me, so that was a bonus. He seriously looked like Johnny Depp. It was awesome. I am planning or riding the Zip-line from one side of the street to the next sometime soon. Super excited!
Saturday: Watched part of the BYU game with some people in the ward then went to Hoover Dam. It was really cool to look at. We even spit off the bridge. I would post the amazing pictures, but I left my camera cord in Idaho, so no pictures for now... sorry! I stood in Nevada and Arizona at one time. I felt pretty awesome!
Saturday night- watch the really really crazy thunder storm while we took turns telling scary stories. It was awesome.
Sunday - Church and church stuff. I just adore Sundays. They are so great and make me feel so good!


*Side-note: The pool gets my attention about 6 days a week. I love to play in the pool every chance I get!

Upcoming: Laura and Jerry and coming. We will have loads of fun!!!