victor

Victor passed away this morning. I am glad that I could help bring him the Gospel and I hope he will be an angel watching over me throughout my life. Love you, Victor!

Querida,

VIctor murió hoy a las 04 AM, en su casa, èl se acordó de ti, el domingo pasado, y dijo que te dijiera, que fue al templo, y oró por sus amigas. El estaba muy enfermo.. pero ahora, estará feliz porque sus amigas le enseñaron el evangelio.. y gracias a tu obediencia, él se pudo bautizar..

Te quiero mucho.

Luz

veteran teacher

whoa. I feel like a veteran teacher. I have things under control! I know what I'm doing! It's fabulous. There are a few new teachers in the science department- so I'm not the youngest (I haven't been the newest for awhile) anymore! The new teachers are fabulous and fun- I like them a lot! I feel like it's going to be a great year!!!!!! We switched from block to 7-period days which is an adjustment for all. The day just goes by so fast and you don't have much prep time but that's okay. I really have an awesome science department! Our dept head is wonderful, the 'older' teachers are so nice, and I am so grateful for Matt... it's just good. :)

That's all for now.

toning up!

yay! I'm finally seeing results from my 7-8 weeks of personal training! Now that I can eat decent food (which was hard in LA with all the eating out) I am losing weight and toning up! I have biceps I can see! :) So I'm just going to keep this healthy lifestyle up (that's all it is) and go back to my skinny self and be all buff! :)

Here's what I do-

2 days/wk with personal trainer + cardio

2 days/wk without PT weights and/or cardio

8 hrs of sleep (doctor says that helps lose weight)

trying to eat real foods, no preservatives.

actually eating breakfast

little-to-no carbs at dinner

More water (although I still drink diet coke)

see- just plain healthy. LOVE it.

that's not my name

Thank you to the Ting Tings for my theme song as I return to Texas. Apparently when I say "Jenn" here people think I say "Jan", "Jane"

"Janet". That happened TWICE today. Really, Texans? Is my "washington" accent so off that you can't understand that my name is

Jenn? So weird. THAT'S NOT MY NAME. Now don't get me started on DanielS. Even Jack Daniel's is Daniel-apostrophe-S. Jeez.

Poor Ting Ting girl gets called "her", "Stacey", "Jane", "Mary", "Jolisa" Those aren't even close to whatever her name is. :)

america's got farts?

okay, so embarrassing moment with my physical trainer at the gym today. He was making me do crunches. I had a sweat band around my waist, which is rubbery, so when I would sit up it would move slightly and make a farting noise. I tried adjusting mid-crunch and hoped that he didn't think I was farting (heaven forbid!). Then he realized I did have a sweat band that was making the farting noises...he thought it was pretty funny. He said it'd be impressive if I could really do that- fart continuously. He said I could go on America's Got Talent. "Jennifer Daniel...is this real? Yup, she can fart continually! Let's see this!" says the announcer. Oh gosh. He went off for a minute or so while I tried to finish my crunches. Goodness.

And then he burped. :)

ode to victor

I just got word that my favorite convert from Chile, Victor, is dying of lung cancer. He was so amazing and will forever be a key part of my life. Let me tell you about him.

Lindsey Lansing and I were companions in Santiago. I only had a few months in the mission and she only had a few to go. But I was new to the area. Lansing had taught English on Saturdays to a lot of non-members and Victor used to attend. One day we were at a little tienda (shop) and talked to someone who happened to know Victor. He hadn't been to English class in a while and this lady told us he was sick and gave us (so conveniently) his address. So, we went to visit! He was just delighted to have us visit and to know someone cared. Victor was 66 (I think) when we met him and he lived alone. He had a bad habit of smoking- but was one of the most determined to stop. He said he could've bought a house with as much money he's spent on cigarettes over the years! We would teach him about the Book of Mormon and the Gospel and would take him to church. We would eat cookies and drink Ecco (coffee that's not coffee). We would even speak in English (he spoke really well!). It was grand. He got bapti

zed and I just remember being so happy that day. So happy. I love Victor! He gave up a lot to join the Church and his determination got him far, always did. He was in the EQ presidency not long after I left the mission and was always the best with investigators! Oh, Victor.

I'm so sorry he has lung cancer. I have faith Heavenly Father knows what he's doing, but I just can't help but get teary eyed. I can't lose my Victor! Hang in there, my dear friend. I love you!

gratitude and adventures

Okay, so it's been an adventure here in LA with the clan of ten kids.  Let me focus on the positives.  For one, how many people can say they got to work for NASA for a summer in LA?  Pretty snazzy.  And financially, it pays better than my teaching job. Can't go wrong there.  On top of that, I get to temporarily live in LA and not pay for rent or food or gas or parking. That adds up, my friends. I get to see cool things and tour around (also paid for).  I also get to know some awesome kids who have bright futures and are just plain great. A lot of them are just a blast.  Impressive bunch. Even if I am with them 24/7 minus the few hours they're at work!  :)

Yes, I've been lonely here in LA- not being around anyone my age is tough- but I have learned a lot about myself.  I am working on my biggest flaw- being too hard on myself.  How do I fix that?  Well being alone with your thoughts makes you fix that or you'll go crazy!  That and going to the temple. And going to the gym. I got a personal trainer contract (which will still be good in Texas) and so I'm getting all buff. ;)  It's a confidence booster. I may come off confident, but I sure don't feel it some days. But that's changing. I feel more confident and at peace with myself.  So a little bit of physical confidence along with spiritual confidence (yup, Heavenly Father keeps telling me to be patient!) I think I can conquer the world. Or close. 

I can do hard things (reference from my mission president).  I am scared to start school next month but every day I'm less scared. I know more than I did a couple years ago. I CAN handle high schoolers.  I'm learning to not take things personally. I'm a sweet gal and if they don't like me that's their problem (still trying to convince myself of that...).  I can't make everyone happy (a lesson learned this summer when trying to please ten kids at once).  But I can make me happy.  I control that.  It's not what city I'm in, if I'm dating anyone, what job I have... it's all about my perspective on those things that really makes me happy.  That's what matters. 

I will be grateful to be home in Houston with my friends and start a new school year. It's going to be a good year- in many ways. And I'll keep learning from the experiences put in my path. I know I was here to be in LA with these great kids for a reason. I've learned lots from them and hope they have learned something from Maegan and me, too.  It hasn't been easy but I think it's been worth it.

My adventures aren't over....

when the going gets tough...

...I don't blog.

I'm just trying to make the best of it.

Will write more when I can think of happier things!

Walking LA

I found this book and bought it because it'll help me stay busy here in LA!  Some days are way busier than others (like Thursday we have a 3.5 hour drive to the middle-of-nowhere to see giant satellite receivers for deep space in Goldstone and next Tuesday freshman come up for a tour of JPL).  BUT nonetheless I'm excited to give some of these routes a try. Now, where to start!

Other goals of mine- going to the LA Temple (I think Wednesday I'll go!) and also getting my butt into shape with a trainer at the gym.  

a rare friend

Let me tell you about a dear dear friend of mine. We were in the same MTC district together and the same mission.  We became extremely good friends in the MTC and that still continues today. I've been home over three years, so it's almost five that we've known each other. Right now he's in the middle east studying abroad. So cool!  We have a spiritual friendship that is hard to describe.  He was one of the biggest supports I had on the mission. And he claims I was one of his, too. I feel like he is a rare friend because he truly sees me how Heavenly Father would see me.  I know he knows my weaknesses and my strengths (missions do that to ya!) yet he thinks I'm amazing.  He always knows exactly what to say. He believes in me more than I believe in myself most times.  And he knows that, too.  He sees my testimony more than I see it some days. He sees the good I do with my job and opportunities even though I think they're not that great of accomplishments.  He's proud of me.  That's sweet when a friend tells you that.  He also reminded me that if a guy doesn't see me like he sees me then he's missing out.  Talking to him this week shifted my focus a little in terms of what I truly need in a relationship. I need to feel special!  This friend makes me feel that way. Encourages, loves, supports, edifies, builds upon, etc, and it's okay for me to do that back to him!  I need to find a guy like that.  (and you may ask why I don't date said friend...well...it's more complicated than you think. But I've asked the same questions myself more than a few times!).  Anyways, I'm so grateful for this friend and his never-ending love and friendship!