A year of change

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!! Okay, I am really not obsessed about my birthday like my dear roommate, Allyson. To me it is just another fun day but I just get to be celebrated and receive a lot more attention than normal. So, all in all. Birthday's are fun. So, admist my packing mess, I sit here on my bedroom floor and blog about this last year.

-Spent 2 weeks in Washington DC!
-Decided I was done with Turnberry and the H-4...found a great house in Holladay and moved houses and wards
- Made many new friends
-went on lots of dates (some not great,others fabulous!)
-Got a huge calling that sometimes drives me crazy!
- saw my little brother's high school football team win the state championship!!! GO SAVAGES!
-completed my second year of teaching high school alive!
- bought plane tickets to England in February
-will be leaving for England in less than 20 hours!

My year in a nutshell....Well, sort of. I have learned so many things this past year. I have learned to trust the Lord much more. To depend on Him for everything. That my parents know almost everything and always have the right answers. That the PRAXIS test is horrible and needs to be discontinued but won't, so I do it again! I have learned that life is great and meant to be lived to the fullest. As a 26 year old, I tried and now, as I turn 27 I will try to make this year even better than the last. I am sure it will be full of changes and experiences and I am ready to embrace them all!

Why, oh why, is it so cold in June

I am refusing to turn on any heat because it is June for crying out loud. Yesterday, just wanting to enjoy a nice lounge in the chair reading a book (yes, the life of a teacher) and there I was, my hoodie, my sweats and a blanket!!!! In almost the middle of June. For some reason, this is really bothering me and I can't wait for warm weather!!! Utah has decided to take on Seattle/England weather and rain almost everyday for the entire month. I think it is time Utah remembers what it is supposed to be like in June and get there!!! And hopefully July is much better...

Red Phone Booths, Fish n Chips and Double Decker Busses

5 days and counting!!! I can't believe soon I will be in England again! We have waited so long for this day and now it is here!! We bought our tickets in February thinking this day would never arrive and now, here it is. All I've been singing is "Leaving on a jet plane!!" of course, I know when I will be back again. 2 short weeks!




We will seeing the entire country, some of which I have, most I have not! I am so looking forward to this trip and all the great memories that I will make and the memories that I have that will come back




There are so many places that I can't wait to see. LONDON, Stonehenge, Bath, The Isle of Man, Scotland, Cambridge! So many places!









I can't wait for this trip!!! Soon, 5 days, I will be boarding a plane and heading back to a country I feel in love with 5 years ago! England, here I come!!!

Miss Stokes' Top Ten of 2008-2009

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As the 2008-2009 school year comes to a close, I look back with smiles and a few tears. It has been a great year but also a challenging year. I was given new challenges and opportunities to grow as a teacher. Graduation is tomorrow and I will say good bye to many students that I had last year and also that I worked with this year. Congrats class of 2009 and best of luck. Here, is my top ten list of 2008-2009....

10. Trench warfare marshmallow game! A favorite among many students
9. Homecoming....running around like a crazy woman. No cars for the candidates until one hour before the game, threat of rain but it never came and a great football game with a win. What could be better
8. Parent Teacher Conferences: I love them. Not only do we get a recovery day, I love talking with parents. And boy do I talk....I always have the longest line and the principal just laughs every time she walks by my table
7. Movie days and Forrest Gump: How many "I love you Carrie's" did I get from my class trying to convince me to let them watch Forrest Gump. I am known for not letting my classes finish movies. They only finish about the 3 the whole school year but watch "clips" of many. Finally- I gave in. I don't think I will watch Forrest Gump for a long long time though!
6. My new technology! I love it so much. Power points are my new best friend as well as funny emails and songs at the beginning of class. I feel like a real teacher now...forget overhead projector
5. My wonderful boss....having failed the PRAXIS test for the 6th time ( I think anyway- I don't even remember anymore) she immediately got on the phone and called the director of personnel. She was going to do anything she could to help me pass this test. She is great!
4. Students...always make life interesting and exciting. Whether it is fancy drawings on the board or rumors floating around about me, they always have something new for me. I am so easy to get off topic and they try every day to get me off. They are so funny and such great kids! I've loved teaching them all this year!
3. Friends: I have great friends at Hunter High. It is good to have some adult interaction every day admist 2300 high school students so, thanks to you friends who help keep me sane! Most of you, I will see next year! Yea. Others I am sadly having to say goodbye as they move on and retire.
2. Great Student Body Officers which made this year busy but fun. With this job, I also had my first tears ever during the day! Flopped assemblies but then very succesful ones. Many tears but even more smiles and good times!

1. Another successful year! A yearbook full of nice notes and happy summer wishes! Students getting As that at one point would not even look at me and those who finally figure it out and pass my class! An empty classroom and 3 months of recovery before it starts all over again!!

The Countdown begins....13 days

13 days and counting until I board a plane and head back to the country that I love! ENGLAND! I bought new luggage tags, a converter and my list is getting long of what I need to do before the long flight and 2 weeks there. I feel like it is Christmas, I am so excited to go!!!