Thankful For: Inspiration

Unfortunately, this is my last "Thankful For" post for a while.  I'm surprised at how well I was able to keep up my list of things I am thankful for for the whole month of November.  Of course, we should always still remember to give thanks for everything we have.  I hope you have all enjoyed my "Thankful For" posts.

Today I am thankful for inspiration.  A while ago, I had my students use magnet words to create sentences.  Here is a picture of what they came up with:

Nevermind the "My friend lives in the shaking water."  Haha.

But, the "I can do life" sentence is very inspiring to me.  And it's true for all of us.  We all face our fair share of difficult trials and hardships, but we need to endure to the very end.  We need to keep telling ourselves, "I can do life."

Remember, you can do life!

Love,

Sean

Thankful For: Webisodes

Okay, this may seem ridiculous, but I am thankful for webisodes.  After work the only thing I can think about is food.  And, I allow myself an hour for dinner just to chill out and watch an episode of a TV show I enjoy.  I can never catch my shows when they are on TV, so that's where the Internet and webisodes save me.  Well, it is 7:15pm now, and I'm trying to be in bed by 8:00pm.

I don't know what this picture means...

Love,
Sean

Thankful For: Car

I hope everyone had a fantastic and safe Thanksgiving holiday.  I had a great time spending it with extended family up in Blackfoot, Idaho.  A lot of good food eating, relaxing, movie viewing, fireplace sitting, game playing, and laughing.

Today (and everyday) I am thankful for a car to get me to the places I need to go efficiently and safely.  I am glad to have a reliable car that got me to Idaho without any trouble this past week.  Sadly (as avid readers already know), my 2001 Chevy Prism had to be put to rest.  Felix will be missed.  However, I am very thilled for my new 2010 Mazda 3. :)

Still trying to think of names...My Mom suggested one to me already that I really like.  What are your thoughts?

Here is my new car:

Love,
Sean

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Will blog again after the break. Everyone stay safe :)

Thankful For: Happy Encounters

Today I went to Wal-Mart with Justine.  Right when I walked in, I saw one of the students that I taught last year.  I did my student teaching at an elementary school, and I just really miss and love those kids.  I went up to him, and he immediately remembered who I was.  His smile was huge, and he was so excited (you could tell by the hand-flapping).  It was a short visit with him, but as I was walking away I could hear him telling his Mom who I was (even though she totally already knew).  This past week has been a rough one with all my car issues, but seeing my student today made up for all of it.  Those are the moments I live for.  I am so thankful for that happy encounter.

Love,
Sean

Thankful For: Holidays

Not only are holidays good for getting time off from school, work, etc. but holidays provide us with the opportunity to celebrate something special and important.  Thanksgiving has got to be one of my favorite holidays because it is easily applicable to everyone around the world.  Everyone has at least one thing to be thankful for no matter where we live, what current situation we are in, what stage of life we are experiencing, etc.  I am excited to spend time with extended family this Thanksgiving holiday.

What are you doing this Thanksgiving holiday??

Love,
Sean

Thankful For: Parents

Haiku about my Parents:

Forever loving,
Parents put up with their son,
That's my Mom and Dad.

:)

I hope they enjoyed that.

...I love my Mom and Dad so much.  They have done countless things for me.  I know they would go to the ends of the world for me.  This past week was a rough one trying to get everything figured out with my car.  My Mom and Dad helped me do research, make phone calls, and talk on the phone for endless hours with me trying to explain what is probably simple car jargon.

Thank you Mom and Dad for all you do.  I love you both more than mint chocolate chip ice cream (and that's A LOT).

Love,
Sean

Thankful For: Restaurants

AHHHHHH...I missed a post for Saturday (yesterday).  :(  I was SO incredibly busy, I didn't even have a moment to update.  Maybe I will treat you all to 2 posts today to make up for it...Here is the first:

And, this is yet another post involving food.  I am thankful for restaurants, because I think it's a great way to get friends and family together.  It's a great simple and social activity.  In a movie, you just sit there, watch a screen, and shut up.  At a restaurant, there is discussion.  I love it.  Tonight was my friend Warren's birthday, and a group of us went up to Murray to go to Cheesecake Factory.  Of course it was a 2 hour wait, so we opted for Macaroni Grill instead.  It was so fun just to eat and chat with great friends.

Love,

Sean

Thankful For: Ice Cream

Are half of my "Thankful For"s about food?  Probably.  I can't help it...Food is ALWAYS on my mind.  After I finish a meal, it's like, "Where is my NEXT meal coming from?"

Anyway, I am eating that Hot Choloate ice cream I blogged about the other day.  It's so good.  I really do love ALL ice cream though.  Eeees yummy!  Even in my new teacher blurb in the school newspaper stated that "Mr. E eats a bowl of ice cream every night."  It's no secret that I am thankful for ice cream.

Love,
Sean

Thankful For: Growing Up

Growing up is actually not so fun, but it HAS to happen so I might as well make the best of it.  Well, here is the car update...It will cost $3,000 to fix my lovely Chevy Prism.  And, let's be honest, my car is not even worth near that much.  Time to find a new car.  I have been looking at used cars around the area, and have been doing a TON of research.  I have already gone into about 8 dealerships within the past 3 days.  I think I have my model choices narrowed down (though I want to keep it a surprise for when I actually do get my "new" used or new car).  Honestly, I can't wait to just have something to get me from Point A to Point B.

I can't lie...It has been kind of fun learning about the car buying process.  I have learned that salespeople are pretty funny.  Today a lady told me about used cars they had going for $18,000.  When I told her the other car dealership would sell me a brand new one of that car for $16,000, she said, "Oh!  We totally have that same deal going on right now!"  Really? ... Really?

I've also learned that rebuilt or branded titled cars mean to "watch out" because it's been in an accident.  So, if you see a car out there with a price tag that's too good to be true, well, that is probably why.

I've also learned that a customer will want a Carfax for every car he or she is thinking about purchasing, because that will tell the buyer how many previous owners the car had, when it last passed emissions, etc.

I am very thankful for this growing up and learning opportunity.  It's been fun, but I can't wait to just have a car and be done with it.  I want to escape for Thanksgiving.

Oh...And this is totally NOT the car I am getting.  But, wouldn't that be nice??

OH AND HERE IS A FUN STORY!  Today I was test driving a car, and I GOT PULLED OVER!  Seriously?!  And why?  Because the salesman forgot to put a license plate on the car.  And the officer said that IIIIII would be the one to get the ticket because I'm the one driving.  Luckily I didn't get a ticket.  Very thankful for that.  But, such is my life.

Love,
Sean

Thankful For: Toothpaste/Mouthwash/Floss

I love keeping my teeth clean.  It's probably one of the best feelings in the world the second you lay in bed and feel that your mouth is clean.  I'm such a weirdy.  Me + Now = Bed.

Pictured below is my favorite toothpaste.  Sensational.

Love,
Sean

Thankful For: Produce/Vegetables

Hi.  My name is: Sean.  And, I love vegetables.

But seriously, I LOVE tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, etc.  So, I make a simple garden salad to eat with my dinner EVERY night.  And I never get sick of it.  It's so good, and good for you! (Until I put an ocean of balsamic vinegarette dressing on top).

Thank goodness we have farmers and vegetables that we can eat and make salads into.  This whole post seems gramatically incorrect for some reason, so pardon my English.  It has been a long day, I am dozy, and ready for bed.

Love,
Sean

Thankful For: Alarm Clocks

So, this was an easy one to think of this morning considering I woke up at 4 in the AM to get ready.  How did people EVER wake up without an alarm clock?  I set 5 alarms before I go to bed at night.  3 on my phone and 2 one my clock.  And, I set them an hour earlier than I need to get up because I "snooze" for an hour.  Needless to say, I am not a morning person.  But, without an alarm clock I might NEVER wake up, so it's a good thing we have those.

 Love,
Sean

Thankful For: Chocolate

Today...And everyday I am thankful for CHOCOLATE!  I am eating this huge bar of Swiss Milk Chocolate with Hazelnuts right NOW.

And last night I bought "Hot Chocolate" ice cream...I am excited to try it tonight.  Hopefully it will taste like Serendipity's Frrrozen Hot Chocolate.  MMMMM...

And here's a thought: Today in church my bishop said, "95% is a great number, but is it enough?  Does it reflect our dedication and love to our Father in Heaven?"  We need to as individuals, as a congregation, and as a world-wide church give our all.  We need to give 100%.

Love,
Sean

Thankful For: Vitamins

I am thinking about vitamins tonight because I just took some.  I'm glad there is a simple way to ensure that my body gets essential nutrients and "good stuff" from a little pill.  Of course, getting vitamins naturally from food is the best way, but I am thankful there is a supplement to help out.  Every night I take a multi-vitamin and 2 calcium pills.  This is probably a really weird thing to post about, and as I type it just seems even stranger.  So, I think I am just going to end there.

Love,
Sean

Thankful For: Roadside Assistance

Well.

Sean was on his way to Las Vegas (Logandale to be more specific) for the weekend.  He was excited to get out of Provo to be with extended family.  Sean wanted to see his Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Donna, Uncle Larry, and Cousins Rachel, Taylor (who is leaving for his mission to Manchester, England in less than a month), and Sarah.

Sean left Provo at 4pm and exactly an hour later, his car started making a weird sound.  "Oh my gosh, what is that horrible sound?"  He thought it sounded like a possible flat tire.  But, how could it be?  Sean checked the air pressure in his tires before he left, as well as filled up on gas, and checked the oil.  Sean pulled the car over onto the right shoulder.

He called AAA for roadside assistance.  He waited...And waited...And waited.  The sun started to set, and the air was brisk.  He started to freeze.  His toes were numb.  Shiver, shiver.  But, eventually roadside assistance came to the rescue.  Thank goodness for on-call workers willing to drive broken down car victims home.

Sean now has a rental car for the next week.  He's kind of excited about that.

He has a good story to tell, at least.

Oh...And here's a picture of my car on the tow truck.  I couldn't resist.

Love,
Sean

Thankful For: Veterans

Happy Veteran's Day!  I am so incredibly thankful for the men and women who have served and do serve our beautiful country.  It is not often enough that I think about this wonderful and beautiful place I call home.  Growing up in America has provided me with more opportunities than imaginable by others that live elsewhere.  I am very blessed to call the land of the free and the home of the brave MY home.  And I must give thanks to the brave individuals that made my life possible.

Today at work, we had an assembly.  It was really interesting.  Although I was trying to control rowdy high schoolers most the time, I did catch a bit of the highlighted guests.  One of the guests faught in a war (I didn't catch which one), but he is 90-something years old now.  It was really cool to see him and hear his story.  He and his troop were being shot at by snipers, and hid behind a dead cow.  Being the resourceful man he is, he climbed inside the bovine's stomach and waited for nightfall to come out.  It's just incredible to me.
Thank you.

Love,
Sean

Thankful For: Education

I am so thankful for schools and the fruitful education they provide.  My whole life revolves around school.  I went through Pre-school, Elementary school, Middle school, and High school like most typical peers my age.  I decided to go to college at Brigham Young University - Provo, Utah.  I recived the most excellent education there.  I would not have changed those 4 years I spent at BYU for most anything.  However, not only did I go through grade school and college, but throughout high school I WORKED at a school for individuals with autism.  Throughout college, I WORKED at a private school in Provo.  Now, I WORK as a High School Special Education teacher as my career.  I am wonderfully and incredibly thankful for schools and my education.  I am enormously blessed by my career path.

Speaking of which...I am going to continue filled out my graduate school applications now.

Love,
Sean

Thankful For: Cooking

The first thing most people notice about me is my love for food.  I have recently (over a year now) picked up cooking as a hobby.  I really love being able to make my own meals.  My Mom has always been great about cooking, and having a new meal for the family on the dinner table every night.  I wanted to follow in her steps and learn how to cook for myself.  One of my favorite meals I have picked up is a Balsamic-Glazed Salmon.  Yummy.

I am thankful for my developing talent of cooking.  I like going to my Mom for recipes the most, and I also enjoy browsing this website for recipes: All Recipes

Love,

Sean

Thankful For: Iron

I spent all night ironing.  I hate ironing.  But it's funny how I can hate a certain activity so much, yet be so thankful for the medium that provides for that very activity to occur.

I hate ironing.  I am thankful for irons, ironing boards, etc. that allow my dress shirts to be crisp and wrinkle free.

Weird how that works.

Well, considering I woke up at 4:30AM this morning, I will now sleep.

Love,
Sean

Thankful For: Mormon.org

So many great websites out there...One of which is mormon.org .  My profile was just put up, so you should all go check it out. :)

Go to http://mormon.org or click here. 
Go to the drop down menu under "Our People" and click "Meet Mormons"
Put in the boxes: Male, 18-24, Asian, and North America.
Click "Search"
Find my picture (same picture as the one for my blog profile) and click it.

OR.

Just click the following link: http://mormon.org/me/2FPM-eng/

Hope you can all enjoy it.

I am grateful for a website like this so that others can see that we are just like everyone else.

Love,
Sean

Thankful For: Sports

I've never been the most athletic guy.  I do enjoy playing volleyball, and I love watching football, basketball, and soccer.

But, I realized today at the BYU vs. UNVL football game how thankful I am for sporting events that bring families and friends together.  My mom, dad, and younger sister flew out for the game, and the game is something we all enjoy.  Something we all understand and can talk and laugh about.  And, we're even happier when BYU wins (like today).  Go Cougars.

It is the football games that have brought my family and friends together to Dallas, Texas; San Diego, California; Tallahassee, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; and many times, Provo, UT.

Well, we gain an extra hour of sleep today...And I am going to relish in that extra hour right now.  Good night.

Love,
Sean

Thankful For: Sleeping In

I am laying in bed right now...SO tired!  I can't even think, and really, all I can look forward to right now is the fact that I get to sleep in tomorrow.

And I am SOOOO thankful for that!

And without further delay...Sleep.

Love,

Sean

Thankful For: Seasons

I've decided that I complain about the weather a lot.  In the Summer, "It is WAY too hot!!"  In the Winter, "Why do I live in an arctic tundra!?"  But, I've realized that when I really think about it, I am so fortunate to have live and have lived in an area that gets all four seasons.

Spring: Yes, the allergies are no bueno, but seeing everything come to life and turn green again is one of the happiest times of the year.

Summer: Hot and muggy (in Jersey), but how lucky I was to have grown up living less than an hour away from the ocean.  Some of my fondest memories are of going to the Jersey shore with my family and friends.  I would not have had these Summer-time experiences if I grew up in Antarctica.

Autumn: The leaves.  Need I say more?  And, I love the brisk, cool, not-yet-freezing, refreshing breeze.  It's always fun to wear track jackets in the evening.

Winter: Okay, I do not fare well in the cold, but I do have to say: Snowfall is beautiful.  And, I loved playing in the snow as a kid.  I will always and forever remember the blizzard of 1994 in New Jersey.  And now living in Utah, I really enjoy snowshoeing and snowboarding with friends and family.

I will try not to complain too much.  But just know, deep down, I really do appreciate all seasons.

Love,
Sean

Thankful For: Time

Today, I am thankful for time.  You're probably thinking, "That's a weird thing to be thankful for."  But, think about it.  What if there were only 10 hours in a day?  Could you imagine?  I barely get all the things I need to get done with 24 hours a day.  How I find time to eat and sleep in between all that...I don't even know.  And a social life...Rarely.

But in all honesty, I am really thankful for the gift of time.  It's a good thing we have 24 hours in a day, and even though that doesn't seem like enough, it's better than the possible alternative.  I guess after working a 12 hour work day (twice now this week, Monday and today...Yesterday was only an 11 hour work day) helped me to realize that I am grateful for the time I do have.  And now it will soon be 11pm, and I will use this time to sleep.  Good night.  ZzZ.

Love,
Sean

Thankful For: Cell Phones

I know it seems so materialistic to be so thankful for cell phones, but REALLY, I do feel blessed to have access to a mobile phone.  Most people I know have cell phones, but most people in the world do not.  It's something many Americans are fortunate to have.  Think about how much easier life is with a cell phone (I mean it's kind of sad how much I rely on my cell phone), but being able to call my family, co-workers, friends on-the-go at any given moment is so great.  And texting...Let's just say I love it.  I just didn't want my gratitude for my cell phone go unnoticed.

Love,
Sean

Thankful For: Bed

Today, this Monday, November 1, 2010 I am thankful for having a comfy bed to sleep in.  The greatest feeling is crawling into a nice warm, soft bed after a 12 hour workday.  Just like today...And now...  But really, I do feel blessed to have a bed with blankets and pillows to sleep in.  It's one of those things many people take for granted, but I know there are many people out there who maybe have to sleep on a wooden plank or concrete slab.  I am very fortunate and very thankful.

Love,

Sean