Venting Frustration

Can somebody please tell my why our society is so messed up? There are so many things that I could post, but I'm not going to. One thing that is really messed up, in my opinion, is our nation's public school system, especially here in Utah. I started my classes yesterday for the new semester, and one of my teachers currently teaches at East High School. His previous teaching job was at a private school in Salt Lake. He told us during class that every year at the private school, they would receive new books, and then basically throw them out the next year or two because "no one wanted them". He told us that in his new class of 40 students, they only had 10 books for the whole classroom! Is there something wrong with this picture? Education is one of the most important things that we can receive in this life. How are our kids supposed to receive a proper education when there aren't even enough text books for each student to have? In my opinion, our society has their priorities messed up. It seems like we care about entertainment more than our students' education. I love sports and entertainment, but why in the world do we spend billions of dollars on that and hardly anything on schools? I don't care if I don't get paid much being a teacher (because obviously I'm not doing it for the money), but don't make my students suffer and have inadequate materials so they wont be able to learn all they can. I know having every single school receive the same adequate funds is probably not going to happen any time soon. There has been talk by the legislature for years about increasing per pupil spending and increasing teachers' salaries. But when is it actually going to happen? Who knows. Until then, I will do all I can as a teacher to make sure that our students, who are our future, receive the proper education that they deserve. That's my opinion anyway. What do you think?

Fun with Photoshop!

Here are some of the pictures that I have done for my class. The first picture is the original, and the second is the one that I edited with Photoshop. It is a lot of fun!!! I am by no means great, but I have fun!

Cameron Playing in the Pool

Black and White Cameron Playing in the Pool...where's the ball?

Here is my final project. My assignment was to make a tableau. For those who don't know, a tableau in this case is a picture of a scene that tells a story in just one picture. I decided to do the end of a chess game. Check Mate! (I played my sister Megan, and this was the first time she had ever played, and she won! Good job Megan!)

Here is the original:

Here is the final product with edits done in Photoshop.

So anyways. They aren't great because I'm still learning the program. I'm going to be sad when I can't use Photoshop anymore when I graduate...unless I spend a fortune for it. Anywho, tell me what you think! Have a great day!

4 months later...

So it's been a while since I've blogged. I have been busy with work and school and family, that I just didn't think about it. A lot has happened since I blogged last. The kids have grown and developed so much, it kind of makes me sad. I don't want them to get too big too fast. Here is a recent picture of Allie.

She's so adorable! I can't believe how big she is getting.

Here is a picture of Cameron.

He is so hilarious!!!!

Classes are going well. I'm taking 3 right now during the summer. One is an online History class about early western civilizations in the Middle East, Europe, East Asia, and Africa. It's pretty time intensive, but I'm learning a lot. Another one is a teaching course called Data and Assessment Decision Making. It isn't too bad. And I'm taking a digital photography class. That class is so fun. I'm learning how to take good pictures using proper composition styles and techniques. I'm am by no means great, but some of them have turned out alright. I'm learning how to edit them using photoshop. (Luckily it is free to use on campus, because it's like a $600 program.) Here are just some of the pictures I've used for my assignments.

I'll try to keep this updated more frequently rather than every 4 months. I am going to get myself a nice new camera so I can take some cool pictures. I'll post some of the ones that turn out well. Have a nice day!

Nap time on Sunday

So Becca and the kids are taking a nap, so I thought I would do a new post, since I haven't in a long time. I can't believe how fast Allie is growing up. She'll be 2 months old next week. Cameron is a handfull, but I love him soo much! He learned how to climb out of his crib, but suprisingly has done okay with is "new bed" (his crib with the side off). He fell out of it last night though and bumped his head pretty hard. Poor little dude! So we put his matress on the floor and he's doing pretty well. He's been napping for about 2 hours! Anywho...here are some recent pics of us!

Camron with his new haircut!

Allie Jane in her pretty pink dress!

Big Brother!!!

I love our family!!!!

Allie!!!

The past couple of days have been quite an adventure. Running back and forth from school and the hospital, chasing Cameron, trying to study, remembering how to hold a newborn again, and much more. But, I've had the best time. I didn't think it was possible to love someone as much as I love Cameron. Allie is so precious and I lover her just as much as I love Cameron. Becca and I are both much more comfortable with Allie than we were with Cameron. I love Allie so much. I love her dark hair, her dimple on her left cheek, the way she snorts when she gets mad, and just everything about her. I'm so proud of Becca for doing so well. I love you sweeite!!!

Here are some pics from the hospital:Our first family picture

Mommy and Cameron (with his cracker and cheesy smile!!)

Daddy and Allie

Little Allie

Our new purchase

So today Becca and I splurged and bought a brand new TV!!! This is one of the first new things that we have bought in a while. We were able to use some Christmas money that we got (thanks everyone!). It is a Philips 32 inch flat screen LCD HDTV. It's pretty cool. I'm excited to play my games on it! Anyway...here is a picture of it.

Tunnel Monster!!!!!!

So Cameron and I have a new game called the Tunnel Monster. When we are driving on I-215, we drive under many over-passes. Cameron calls them tunnels. Today while we were driving, I would tell him that the tunnel monster would get him when we drive under them. I would stick my arm behind the seat, and when we drove under it, I would grab his leg and tickle it. He would freak out and want me to to it again. He was sad when there were no more tunnels. We'll have to get it on video one of these days. I'll post a video of it when we do!

Today is a beautiful day outside so we will probably go to the Zoo and ride the train (hopefully it is open today). There is a big long tunnel when you ride the train. Watch out Cameron....the tunnel monster is going to get you!!!!