In Memorium of Cedar City

For the past 4.5 years of my life, I've lived in the oh so lovely Cedar City. Sadly, I will be leaving to move up north and do my student teaching. So in memory of my time here, I'm going to reminisce each year I've been here and what I've learned.

Freshman year (Fall 2012- Spring 2013):

I lived with these beautiful ladies, Cami, Kori, Britney, Ashlee, and Jessica (I couldn't find a picture with her in it) in Stadium Way apt. 9. We had a lot of good times. Like truth or dare, cheesy chick flicks, llama pinatas, and water fights. That is the year I also bowled a turkey in my bowling class. That was the year the mission age changed as well. I had a hard time deciding to serve a mission or not. When I got the answer not to I felt guilty about not going and I talked to my institute teacher, Sister Cox, about it and she helped me see that it's okay if I didn't go on a mission. I'll be forever grateful for her support in my decision. I was also a part of SUUSA doing "special projects". Mostly I helped get decorations for dances and stuff. It wasn't my favorite thing, but it gave me something to do. Cami taught me you can never watch too much tv/movies. Kori taught me it's okay to speak your mind. Britney and Ashlee taught me to be kind all the time.

Sophomore year (Fall 2013- Spring 2014):
The first half of the year I lived back at Stadium Way with these beautiful girls.

We had fun having LOTR marathons, watching Hallmark movies and just having a good time. One time I got a balloon stuck on my nose, which was exciting. Another time Cami locked me in the pantry and Brittany wouldn't come to my rescue. Rude. Cami taught me to always have fun. Brittany taught me it's okay not to wear pants in your own house.

Halfway through that year I got accepted into Scholarship Housing and moved in with these amazing women. 

We had a rough start, having to move out of our apartment because of a roommate problem, but the three of us grew closer together because of it. They are both so sweet and were so nice to me. That was the year I started to figure out I had depression, so it was a little rough for me. They stuck with me through my moody days though and helped me feel loved and appreciated. Mostly we watched "Charmed" and said puns. It was fantastic.  Also on St. Patrick's Day we drew pictures of leprechauns and put them up in our window. Also Sam's fiance, Derek, would hit people with the bible and say "repent!" it was hilarious. This year was my first year as a Presidential Ambassador as well. I had wanted to be a PA because my sister was one and the people seemed cool. It was fun giving tours and convincing high school students why SUU was the place for them. Shannon taught me that confidence is a great thing. Sam taught me that I am noticed and loved.

Junior Year (Fall 2014- Spring 2015):
I lived with a girl named Amy the first part of the year, then she graduated and Kim moved in. I have no idea why I don't have pictures with either one of these wonderful girls, but I searched and can't find any. But here's a picture of me with my Valentine's date for that year.

 

Amy was very theatrical. She sang in the shower and didn't care what anyone thought of her. Kim was a very recent RM, so we were basically companions that semester. We had a lot of boy drama that semester. Mostly it was her being chased by multiple boys while I watched. But I did have a huge crush on a boy. Too bad the minute he started showing interest I backed off and ignored him. I feel so bad for leading him on, but he's married now so he's fine. That semester my depression was at it's worst and Kim was a trooper for sticking with me. I was not a very nice person at that point but she was great to me. Thanks for being there for me Kim. Also shout out to my therapist for helping me get through that year. I also watched a lot of Netflix that semester because I hated everything and everyone. I binge watched Gilmore Girls, The Legend of Korra, and BBC's Robin Hood. I also became friends with a crazy girl named Koye. She's the best. I also quit Presidential Ambassadors after this year. Turns out it wasn't for me, but I'll always be grateful for my time as a PA because of the friends I made. Amy taught me to sing at the top of my lungs whenever I'm in the shower. Kim taught me that even though I didn't serve a mission doesn't mean I'm not a missionary.

Summer semester (2015):
For two weeks I lived in the beautiful U.K. where I studied Gothic literature and made new friends. Strangely enough we don't have a picture of all of us, except this one where you can't see any of our faces. Trust me, they're great people.

 

Going to London was the best decision I've ever made. I felt like myself there. I was the happiest I had ever been. When the plane landed in London I felt like I was home.

Senior year and a half (Fall 2015- Fall 2016):
Last year was when I moved in with these gorgeous gals, Alexa and Kaeli.

We had hot chocolate parties, Gatsby parties, karaoke parties, just so many parties. It was always an adventure living in this house. They are crazy, loud, and hilarious. I'm very lucky to have lived with them for 1.5 years. Over this last year and a half I have learned a lot about myself. My relationship with my Heavenly Father has grown. I added a film minor, became friends with my professor, watched Netflix, got kissed by a boy who resembles Chris Pine, did my practicum at Cedar City High School, and got my student teaching assignment. I feel like I've grown a lot this semester. Mostly because it's almost time for me to become a true adult (gross). Alexa taught me how to have a better relationship with the spirit. Kaeli taught me to look at my problems and decide whether they are truly problems or not.

Also over the last few years I met these wonderful people who saw me for who I am, accepted me and made me feel special and useful. They helped me find and accept myself. I honestly don't know what I would have done without them the last few years.

 

Devin taught me that I'm unique. Chris taught me that everyone is smart in their own way. Nathaniel taught me that my opinion matters. Jo taught me to not be afraid to show who I am. Alexis taught me it's okay to disagree with people. Lexi taught me that friends are there for you no matter what, even if you just need to watch a movie and eat ice cream.

 I'm so grateful for the people I've met and befriended over the past few years (even if I didn't specifically mention you in this post). I sincerely hope we stay in touch and that we remain friends for a long time to come.

The thing I will miss most about Cedar City is Hermie's Drive-In. They have the best french fries in the whole world.

This is pretty much how I'm feeling right now

I honestly didn't think it would be this hard to move on from Cedar, but it is. I never realized how many good memories I had here. Every time I think about packing I almost start to cry because it's not just going to be for a summer this time. I most likely won't be back here, except when I come back for graduation or I'm driving through to St. George. 

This song also is my situation. It's called "The Last Goodbye" by Billy Boyd. It was featured in the film The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies.  

This song is perfection. I feel like the lines "to these memories I will hold", "I turn to paths that lead home and oh where the road then takes me I cannot tell". So goodbye Cedar City. I'm grateful for the memories I have made here and the people who have entered my life. I will never forget you.

 "I bid you all a very fond farewell".

Student Teaching!

Ever since I was a kid I have wanted to be a teacher. When I was little, about fifth or sixth grade, I wanted to teach daycare. My friends and I even put together a little daycare during the summer for people in our neighborhood. It was a lot of fun. At the end of the summer we put on a play of our own rendition of Rumpelstiltskin. Oh the memories...
When I was in junior high I wanted to teach elementary school because I missed being there. Also elementary school has recess. Then in high school I realized I'd have to teach math if I taught elementary school, and I hate math, so I decided on teaching English. Then, because my junior high English teachers were so influential to me, I decided I wanted to teach junior high too. I had the opportunity to do an internship my senior year of high school at American Fork Junior High every week. I absolutely fell in love. I loved being in the classroom and watching kids learn.
When I graduated from high school, I moved down to Cedar City to attend Southern Utah University. And thus my five year journey began. I loved (most of) my classes. The English ones were great and helped me to think about my beliefs and challenge what I liked to read. The education classes were fun most of the time. I would snapchat my friends during class when my assignments were things like "take this quiz and find out your personality" or "draw a picture that represents this". They always made fun of me and would ask if I was even learning anything.
This semester I've been in "The Block" which is when I take the classes that help me prepare for my student teaching. It's been a bit surreal this semester. I can't believe I'm going to be a practicing teacher starting in January. It's really scary. What if I'm terrible at teaching? What if I really didn't learn squat my 4.5 years of college so far? I feel vastly under-prepared. But I am grateful for the teachers who have gotten me to this point. They have trained me well and I can't wait to start.
So I got my student teaching assignment today. I've been praying it would be up North so I could move back home to be with my friends and family. Lucky for me, my prayers were answered. I will be student teaching at Frontier Middle School in Eagle Mountain! I can't wait! I'm still more nervous than I've ever been, but I'm so glad to know where I'm finally going.
So I'll be seeing you soon Frontier Middle! Until then, this is Jaclyn Landeen, signing off.

This Week's Reviews

This past few weeks I watched a new movie and read two books. So just like the last post, I'll be reviewing and summarizing them.
The movie I watched was If I Stay:

I should have done this a long time ago, post the trailer that is. It's about a girl who gets in an accident. Her body is dying, while her spirit is watching. It flashes back and forth between her in the hospital and her life before the accident, so the audience doesn't get the full story until the very end. It was beautiful. I'll be honest, I bawled the entire time...literally the full two hours tears were streaming down my face. Luckily my roommates weren't home, otherwise they probably would have thought I was crazy because they've never seen me shed a tear, let alone wail whilst my mascara is being smeared across my face from so many tears. If you ever need a good cry, this is your movie. I give it a 4/5 stars.

The first book I read this week was:

 

To be honest I was very disappointed in this book. It's been on my "to read" list on Goodreads for years and I finally got around to it. It was a great idea: a modern version of Rapunzel, Cindy C. Bennett just didn't execute it as good as I think she could have. Rapunzel was kidnapped as a child by Gothel but doesn't figure out her "mother" is crazy until she's 18. She's been locked in a tower for as long as she can remember, her only freedom is her computer. She meets a boy in her town online who ends up rescuing her. I give it a 2/5 stars. The two points are for the idea. I don't actually really recommend it.

The much better book I read this week was:

This is about a girl named Macallan who meets Levi in seventh grade. They soon become best friends. The book travels through until their junior year, where they question whether boys and girls can really be "just friends" or not. Each chapter switches from Macallan's point of view to Levi's, as if looking into their past. In between each chapter is them commentating on their past that we are learning about. It's very clever actually, I really liked it. This book made me mad, happy, and I had to hold back tears. Overall I'd give it a 3.5 or 4/5. Let's just say I'm very glad I read this one after Rapunzel Untangled so that I could be reminded of good books in this world. I have read another book by this author though, Prom and Prejudice if you were interested, and it was cute too. She's a clean author and isn't too cheesy ;).

Well, until next time!

Two Books and a Movie

Seeing as how I used to write about the books I was reading, I figured I'd start that up again. I'll be rating and summarizing books and movies that I've read/watched in the last week.

First up:

I know in my last post I said I was reading this, so I kind of already talked about it, but I finished it this morning. I definitely give it 5/5 stars. Life of Pi is about a boy named Pi who grew up at a zoo that his father owned. They decide to move to Canada when he is sixteen. The boat they are traveling on sinks and he is the sole human survivor. He ends up spending over 200 days on a boat in the ocean with a tiger. The movie doesn't do this book justice. It really made me think about life and how my attitude is day to day. Also about how lucky I am in my life. It also talked about different religions, because he is Hindu, Muslim, and Christian, and made me think about my relationship with God. It does get pretty graphic with some things. I definitely wanted to throw up once or twice, also I teared up a few times. So many emotions in 100 (short) chapters.

Second is the movie I watched last night:

This movie is about a mom and her son. When Frankie, the son, was just a baby, his mother ran away with him from her abusive husband. They have been on the run for nine years. She didn't want Frankie to know what a horrible person his father is, so she has written him letters for nine years posing as his father out at sea for work. They find out that the boat his father is supposedly stationed on is porting in their town. Instead of telling Frankie about her writing the letters, she hires a stranger to pose as his father. Did I mention that Frankie is deaf? Also that the fake father is Gerard Butler? Also that you will fall in love with the family two seconds in? What more could you want in a movie? 4/5 stars, the ending could have been a little better, but I'm just upset because it's very vague in how things end up with Gerard and I like knowing for sure whether the love interests get together or not. The music was beautiful as well. I may or may not have shed a tear or two. When I watched it, my internet went out when I only had twenty minutes left. Needless to say, I was very upset. Good thing I have data on my phone (sorry mom if we go over this month, it was an emergency!). It is currently on Amazon Prime for free, so get out your mode of watching videos and put this one on. It is rated PG-13 for one F-word, so be prepared for that.

Thirdly is another book I finished about a week ago:

 

Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite YA authors, even if her books are cheesy and predictable. This on in particular is about a girl, Sydney, who's brother, Peyton, has been put in jail for paralyzing a boy while driving drunk. She the complete opposite of her brother, but her mom is worried that she'll go down the same path as he did and keeps a close eye on her herself, and by having Peyton's creepy friend close-by. Sydney switches schools when her parent's can't afford the private school any more and finds new friends who help her find out who she is and where she belongs. Also she finds her new romantic interest, Mac. I give it 3/5 stars. It wasn't her best one, but it was a good read. It does have a few swear words, but I don't think it has as many as some of her other books.

So there you have it. If you like to question everything in your life I would suggest Life of Pi. If you want to feel warm inside, listen to great accents, and cry a little I suggest Dear Frankie. If you like YA romances about girl's finding themselves I suggest Saint Anything. If you have anything to recommend to me please do in the comments!

                     

Long Time, No See

Wow, it has been a long time. Not much has changed in my life. I'm still going to school at SUU. This semester I am doing my practicum at Cedar High. For those who do not know, a practicum is where I go observe a class once a week. I absolutely love it! I got to teach semicolons to a few classes the other day and almost had a heart attack because of how nervous I was, but I lived. It was a great experience and I loved every minute of it. I can't wait to student teach next semester. I don't know where I'll be student teaching yet, but I asked to be placed up in Utah County so I can be closer to my friends and family. Cedar is great and all, but I'm ready to move on from here.

You may be wondering what I do with my life besides school. Here's the shortened version:

This summer I turned 22! My amazing friends kidnapped me and made me breakfast at midnight. It was the best birthday ever.

 

For Reals. 

 

I've watched 7 full TV shows in the last year (30 Rock, Lost, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Office, The IT Crowd, Parks and Rec, and Galavant) 

 I've avoided a lot of people (which doesn't really help my love life, but hey, you win some you lose some). Don't scorn me too badly for being antisocial, I have made really good friends within the last year.

 

I'm currently reading Life of Pi by Yann Martel. It's amazing and I suggest everyone read it. I was worried I wouldn't like it because the movie wasn't my favorite. I thought it was beautiful, but a bit slow and boring. I saw it again and liked it more, but that's not the point. The point is this book is great and you should go read it ASAP.

Most importantly I have learned this:

  

I really struggled this last few years loving myself. But with great support from friends and family I have learned what a great person I am. Now it sounds like I'm bragging, but I'm proud of who I am. Some days I acknowledge that I'm not the best person, but I still acknowledge that that's who I am. Sometimes I'm going to suck, and that's okay. What matters most is that I'm okay with that, which makes me great at the same time.

So that's the rundown. I've kind of missed blogging so maybe I'll take it back up again. Who knows.