#jessbrain 2.0

Once again, I feel the need to blog and have so many things I want to say, but don't really know how to say any of it so this will be #jessbrain, version 2.

First and foremost, my brother is home!! We picked him up from the airport 2 weeks ago! It is so nice having him home! He has adjusted well for the most part (and already had a date). Funny story, the first night he was home, our sister sat next to him on the couch and he slowly eased away from her, then slid to the edge of the couch, and eventually got and moved to a different seat. And it was all done without him really thinking about it.

A couple days ago, at my grandparents, I read an article in LDS Living called "10 Things LDS Singles Wish You Knew." (Which was pretty actuate, if I do say so myself.) However, I want to add one.
#11- Just because we are single, does not mean we are depressed about it or want your pity.  Yes, I am 25. Yes, I am single. No, I am not sad about it. Yes, I wish I was dating someone. Yes, my plan was not to be 25 and single. No, I don't need you to tell me it will be alright. Yes, I already know that.  Yes, I know that I need to keep trying. No, I have not given up. Yes, I know you are only trying to help. Yes, I know "there are worse things than not getting married." No, I don't need your sad eyes and sappy words of encouragement. Yes, I know they are well meant.  Yes, I REALLY AM OK.

A few weeks ago I took a trip to San Francisco with a friend and it was a blast!! We did just about everything there is to do- Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf, Jelly Belly Factory, Oakland Temple, Lakeside Park, Ghirardelli Square, Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Park and Beach, Lombard Street, rode the cable cars, AND a Giants game. (We didn't stop in Chinatown, but we saw it!) I got to cross two things off #my26by26 list. I got a good vacation in and went to a new MLB park, which by the way, AT&T park is pretty cool. Literally. It sits right on the bay and the wind blows. It was chilly, but AWESOME. Plus, we got to see "The Freak" pitch.

Last week my bestie came down to work for a big event in my hometown and she had a day off.  It was so nice to see her again and have her go  4-wheeling with us. I really wish we lived closer together so we could do more, more often.

Guys, I am having a really hard time finding the motivation to attend my own ward. It doesn't really have anything to do with the people in the ward. I like them. I think its a "singles ward" thing. I just really don't feel it right now. Which is ok, because I haven't really been around lately.  It may also be the "I hate living here" feeling again. I think I fight this same battle every 6 months or so. When did a one year job in Happy Valley turn in to 4 years and the decision to stay until there is a legitimate reason to leave...

School starts in less than a month. I am SO not ready to think about it. I feel like I just finished the last year. I got my class list yesterday. 29 kids so far with a set of quadruplets and two sets of twins. But it looks like a pretty good group.

Dear Boys #37

Dear Johnny,

I definitely wouldn't say no.

Love, Jess

Dear _____________,

I think we have the small talk down so let's take it to the next level shall we?

Love, Jess

Dear Chuck Norris,

There is no level too low for you to stoop to, is there?

Love, Jess

Hey, Hey, Good-lookin'

Why do you have to be such a good guy??

Love, Jess

Dear Elder,

Two weeks!!

Love, Big Sis

Dear Children, (2013-14)

This year has been full of many...adventures. This morning, as I sat in our classroom, looking at the empty bulletin boards, empty desks, waiting for you to walk in for the last time, I realized how much FUN we have had this year. I have watched you learn and grow. I have seen some amazing personalities develop as you found yourselves. I have watched you laugh and play and dance and love and paint and sing. 

Once again, I believe you have taught me more than I could have ever taught you.

I've learned that no test can measure the love in a child's heart or what kind of person they are.

I've learned that it's ok for me to be funny and to make you laugh.

I've learned that sometimes the only thing to do is just shake my head and smile.

I've learned that it's ok to stick a movie in, just to watch a movie, because we all need a break.

I've learned your stress level rises when my stress level rises. 

I've learned that I can be just as stubborn as you.

I've learned that attendance matters more than you could ever imagine. I can't help you if you aren't here.

I've learned that one of my favorite qualities in children is your ability to forgive and forget.

I've learned that the "momma bear" instinct applies to teachers as well as mothers.

I've learned why we are told, "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter in the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 18:3-4) 

I've learned to really, truly, enjoy my job. (Even when it's hard.)

I've learned there is nothing like a Russian substitute to make you love and appreciate me even more.

I've learned that the three people you always want to be on the good side of at school are the secretary, the custodian, and the PTA president.

I've learned the power of having a best friend- to lift you up, push you harder, and never give up on you.

I've learned that my curly hair is more than just hair to you. 

I've learned about the power of food- to motivate, to teach, and to empower.

I've learned that I pour every ounce of my heart and soul into you. Sometimes it is exhausting and sometimes it is painful, but it is always worth it.

I've learned that messy learning is often the best kind of learning.

I hope each one of you knows that you will ALWAYS hold a piece of my heart.  Know that you will always be considered one of mine.

Love, Miss Jensen

Dear Boys #36

Dear _____________,

Guess I need to start practicing the piano more often.

Love, Jess

Dear Chef Boyardee,

I am thinking of starting a support group.

Love, Jess

Dear Elder,

Down to 2!!

Love, Big Sis

Dear Next Person to Interrupt My Conversation with a Certain Person,

I will punch you.

Love, Jess

Dear Shawn, 

I miss you. The end.

Love, Gus

Dear Moonlight,

You are quickly losing your backup.

Love, Miss Jensen

Dear Boys #35

Dear ___________,

(I cannot for the life of me come up with a Dear Boys name for you...)

We should get married, and have cute curly-haired babies, 

and live happily ever after.

Love, One VERY interested girl (seriously though...)

Hey, Hey, Good-lookin'

I heard a rumor you may be coming back into my life... 

Love, Jess

Dear B,

You give me just enough "butterflies" to get me through the week.

Love, Jess

Dear John Wayne,

Seriously, if only you were 8 inches taller.

Love, Jess

Dear Elder, 

4 more Fast Sundays!!

Love, Big Sis

Dear Dead-man Walking,

I wish I knew the whole story. 

Love, Jess

Dear MLB,

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks!

Love, Jess

26 by 26

It's my birthday!! I love birthdays. I think I get it from my mother.

Next year will be my magic birthday (turning 26 on the 26th) so I made a "26 by 26" list. 

26 things I want to do/accomplish this year. Many of them are things I have done before and want to do again, some of them are things on my "real" bucket list that I want to be able to cross off, some are just for fun, and others are of a more serious/spiritual matter. Some will take all year, others will be a one time thing. They are not in any particular order and I don't have any of them "planned out" yet.

I am going to report back here, post pictures, etc. I need you guys to help hold me accountable. I am also looking for traveling buddies and friends to do these with. They are always more fun with other people!! And a big thanks to everyone who contributed ideas when I got stuck! 

#my26by26
1) Go on a GOOD vacation (in other words- Logan, Tooele, and Fish Lake don't count)
2) Go to the zoo
3) Go horseback riding
4) Pay for the car behind me at the drive through
5) Watch the sun rise and set on the same day
6) Go to a NEW MLB park/game
7) Have dinner at a fancy restaurant
8) Pay off my car loan
9) Read the Book of Mormon again
10) Sing in a choir
11) Get my motorcycle license (so I can drive my mom's scooter)
12) Hike Timp
13) Take a big risk/do something way outside my comfort zone
14) Visit all the temples in Utah
15) Give a boy my number/tell him I like him
16) Have a water gun fight
17) Run a 5k (Let's be honest, this is probably going to be the hardest one. I don't run!! At all.)
18) Go camping
19) Slow dance in the rain
20) Take a photo every day (not necessarily of me, but of something legit)
21) Get my concealed weapons permit
22) Hike Deseret Peak
23) Read 10 NEW books  
24) Lose 20-25 pounds (this one incorporates the whole eat healthier, exercise more thing)
25) Actually start the teaching blog I have wanted to do for over a year
26) Do at least one random act of service each week

Bonus: Get a passport and actually USE it (I originally had this on my list and then thought about the fact that I was actually going to have to pay for all of this myself. Remember, I am a teacher. I'm not exactly making the big bucks. So I am adding it as a bonus. I still really want to do it, but I am not making it "list official.")

Ready. Set. Go!

Being "Miss Jensen"

My name is Jessica and I am a teacher-aholic. 

There I said it.

I once had a mentor teacher tell me the best thing I could learn early in my career is how to leave work at work and to save home for home. I feel like for the most part I have that down. Very rarely do I actually bring work home (grading papers, lesson plans, etc.) Every now and then I will but only when I know that it won't interfere with other things. 

However, as well as I do that, there is one thing that is harder for me. I may be able to leave the work at school, but I can't leave the teacher at school.

My friends often give me a hard time about using my "teacher voice" and "teacher look." Somehow all my conversations seem to come back to school or my kids. When I am with fellow teachers, we can't seem to stay away from school topics for very long. I can spend hours on Pinterest looking at nothing but school ideas. I actually enjoy teaching summer school.

And I am totally ok with that. That's who I am. Being a teacher is not a desk job. It's not a lock-the-door-and-walk-away job. It is engrained in every part of me. I view the world through "school-bus-yellow colored glasses." I love my job. 

My name is Jessica and I am Miss Jensen.

Sometimes I like to think I am a pretty cool teacher.

(I would have put a picture of my awesome kids right here but it's against the rules...)