Helaman Halls RHA--Best Council Ever

My job this semester, is pretty much the best job ever :) I am the "Student Coordinator for Helaman Halls Residence Halls Association" but pretty much that is just code for "have a ton of fun and get paid for it". haha.

There are a few different parts to my job, but pretty much I meet with a lovely bunch of individuals (BYU freshman who live in Helaman Halls) and listen to them while they plan various activities for their fellow Helaman-citizens.

Last weekend I accompanied these fine freshman to a Leadership Training/Retreat where they learned what exactly it means to be a member of Residence Halls Association.

As part of this fun-filled weekend, we performed a role-call. The idea my council had was to change the words to the song Army of Helaman/We'll Bring the World His Truth. This is how we sang the song:

We have been fed as never before
with Dining Plus and Open Door,

We will be king of Freshman 15,
avoid our studies and eat ice cream..
       
(do do do do)

We are all the council of Helaman,
we will rise up to the test,
and we will lead the Lord's Chosen Freshman
to make this year the best!

Bias aside, our role call was the best ;) I'm excited for the rest of this semester with all of these lovely people:

Elementary Education (A serious post)

I remember in 5th grade I decided I wanted to teach elementary school. It was my teacher at the time (Mrs. Ward)'s first year teaching, and her enthusiasm for teaching and her obvious love for her students was very inspiring.

Throughout the next 7 years I lost sight of that dream, slightly. Deep down I still knew I wanted to teach elementary school, but I easily found excuses as to why it should not be my major.

1.) It was what my older sister was doing
2.) It isn't an "impressive" major
3.) It is the cliche "mormon girl at BYU" major
4.) People give you that, "Oh you're one of THOSE," looks every time you tell them your major.

Sad as this may be, many of these reasons started to wear on me and I questioned if El Ed really was the right choice for me. I convinced myself that doing El ED was just talking the "easy way-out" and I was destined for "more impressive" things.

Because of this, I briefly (very briefly) considered various other majors. English (with the intent of becoming an english teacher), RMYL, Human Development, and a few others.

Then, one day during the second semester of my freshman year, I was at my friend Stephen's apartment and he was asking me about my major. I told him how I'd wanted to be an elementary school teacher since i was little, but I just felt like it was...cliche. I braced for the worst: the negative remarks, the "oh you're one of those" looks,...I'd heard it all.

But instead of any of that, Stephen looked at me and said, "Hannah. That is awesome! You would be a GREAT elementary school teacher!"

And that was all it took. Even with the countless instances of negative feedback, I knew that he was right. It is awesome. And it is my dream.

Even though I brace myself each time I have to publicly announce my major, and suffer through The Looks (i swear, they are real!), I am truly excited about being an Elementary School teacher. I am thrilled. I hope I can live up to what Stephen said almost two years ago...and be considered--at least by some--a "great" teacher, someday.

:)

What I learned..Summer 2011

This summer i learned/relearned a lot of interesting things. Here are just a few. Thanks to everyone who made this summer overall the best one of my life. (Seriously. I'm not just saying that.)

1. I love sushi. (As of four months ago I'd only had it twice in my life, but this summer I started having withdrawals after not having it for a week...)

2. I'm not a very good blogger. :)

3. "Little Kids are not interested in Waffles, they want the BAGEL TOPPERS."

4. No matter how many times you try...it is impossible to remember to apply deodorant at 4:40 in the morning. (don't worry....I quickly learned this and bought a small size and kept it in my purse.)

5. Peanut butter shakes (as made by the Leavitt family) are deeelicious!

6. I am an awkward hugger. (See previous post.)

7. Creamy Tomatilla Ranch tastes good....on practically everything.

8. Not ALLLL facial hair is unfortunate ;)

9. My right forearm is more heat-sensitive than my left.

10. I hate everything about coffee.  Look. Smell. Feel. Concept. (Even though I've never tasted it....I am quite confident I would hate that too.)

11.  I'm really good at making summer goals, but not so great at accomplishing them.

12. Some people highly under appreciate french toast sticks.

13. Camping 4 hours away is probably never a good idea :) but if adventure is what you're seeking, you will find it.

14. Getting a letter from Elder Stephen Olson is like Christmas every few weeks :)

15.  "Anything can happen if you let it." ha.