Such fun

As the lights dimmed for the second half, I clasped my hands in delight and couldn't help a (hopefully) quiet giggle escape from my lips. I leaned over to Lisa and said, "if there ever comes a day when I don't get excited at a live performance of Les Miserables, we know there is something seriously wrong with me." It was so great! It was definitely worth the quick trip down and back to Cedar City.

We also made a quick jaunt down to St. George to search for a used bookstore I've been thinking about ever since a trip to see Tarzan at Tuacahn several years ago. A little shopping, some new books, Les Miserables...all in all, a great trip.

Honestly curious...

I'm posting this knowing it has the potential to become something I don't want. Yet, I'm turning to the blogosphere for some insight. Mitt Romney has announced his VP running mate, Paul Ryan. I suppose I'm like many people and when it comes to elections there are several issues that I pay more attention to than others. Some it's foreign policy and others it's health care. I have two; education and women's health. Both Ryan and Romney have said, if elected, they will cut Pell Grants. Yet, on his website he says, 

"Post-secondary education cannot become a luxury for the few; instead, all students should have the opportunity to attend a college that best suits their needs. Whether it is public or private, traditional or online, college must be available and affordable."

I'm confused. How does cutting Pell Grants make post-secondary education more accessible for students? According to this Washington Post article, Ryan's proposed budget would spend 33% less on education. Romney's website says "the long-term strategy for getting America’s economy back on track is ensuring a world class education for American students." Tell me, how is that going to be possible if we're cutting spending on education? I'm a teacher. I have a minimum of 30 students in my class and my largest class is pushing 40. Forget about a textbook for every student, I don't even have a classroom set of textbooks for my students. We can get grants for the fun and shiny new technology (we got Smart Boards installed last year) but we can't get the money for textbooks? 

I'm honestly wondering what the logic is and what does he plan to do, specifically, to help boost education in America.

Wha...?

I was driving through my apartment complex parking lot and I noticed an abundance of yellow, crunchy-looking leaves scattered on the lawn. When did the leaves start turning? I look around me and I can see hints of autumn on the mountains. I start school in two weeks. TWO WEEKS!!! I'm not sure I'm ready to be back in the classroom. I've grown very fond of my lazy days...well, that's not entirely true. I enjoy the sleeping in but the aimless shuffling from room to room isn't as exciting as it sounds. 

Last week I finished up teaching a session of summer school. I taught three 70 minute class periods a day. My first period was brutal. There was a group of girls that seemed quite friendly and kind, at first. By the last day they were making comments about how many cats I owned. It was everything I don't like about teaching and nothing I love about it. My second period was better. We got through everything and had some fun in the process. Well, at least as much fun as one can have during summer school. But, like it or not, the summer is coming to a close. Fortunately, I do have some fun stuff planned.

Speaking of fun stuff...last night, Lisa and a friend went to see Aida at the Sandy Amphitheater. It was quite the production. It was entertaining but not in the way they probably hoped it would be. The woman playing Aida had a great voice but other than that... yay for community theater! 

Coming attractions: Les Miserables (YAY!) and Wicked (double YAY!)

the love of my life

The Central Book Exchange parking lot sale:

which led to a long-considered, organization of our bookshelves:

A weekend in Midway and a fun used book store resulted in these:

It's starting to become a storage problem....

The bright lights of broadway...across America!

First this on Friday...



Then this on the 15th in Cedar City!



Then this unexpected treat on the 16th....



And finally, because I have the coolest roommate and friend ever, this one in September in Boise...



I am so freaking excited for all of these!