December 2012- My thoughts about this year

My stubborn head gets the best of me at times.

I was so excited to see sun again so I jumped in the pool. Granted it was 45 F degrees but it was still nice to see the sun even though the jump in the pool was quick.

As I look back to 2012, one of the things that kept regurgitating in my brain is the fortune I've had in running into dear friends from years past as I travel to places unplanned or as I run into them even for just a few minutes. Whether it was living in Mississippi or Misawa, or visiting San Antonio to now living here in Salt Lake City.

I was having lunch with my students and co-workers when Japan and the Air Force became a topic of our conversation. Turns out, my co-worker's husband who is now in active duty is best friends with one of the cadet's I met while I was living in Japan.

But here's another one of my favorite run in's with dear friends from the past this year:

http://jeromescorner.blogspot.com/2012_04_01_archive.html

November 2012- Much to be thankful for

I just realized that many of my friends while I was in college have either become doctors, dentists, or therapists.

I wonder if having to associate themselves with me had any influence in convincing them on their choice of career fields...

I found this seafood place in SLC to eat at for my birthday. It was okay but that didn't stop me from enjoying my meal.

As a reward for some of my students before Thanksgiving break, I allowed them to watch a movie. Yes, that's Monty Python. No, I did not switch movies last minute (cough-cough).

Why deny these kids one of the best movies out there?

 I really think the elementary students left this toy specifically just for me. 

So seeing this toy in the hallway first thing in the morning brought a twinkle in my eye and smile.

 I challenged one of my seniors I found sleeping in the hallway-- to see which one of us could last on this toy longer. I didn't really know what to do so I started spinning myself around like a top.

Let's just say I gave it my best shot. While my challenger chose to take a snap of me instead.

Since my student declined my challenge, I found another teacher who was more than willing to join me in this new  craze (not really).

It was awesome to begin my day with a great laugh that early in the morning.

My new responsibilities in my congregation allows me to go camping on a regular basis.

Camping in November was a lot warmer of an experience than I anticipated.

Here's hoping the ice-fishing-overnight-camp-out actually happens. 

No, really. I am really very excited to experience it.

As many of you know, I tend to shy away from traditions. So after finding a seafood place here in SLC (which was  okay) I decided to make this for Thanksgiving along with the traditional turkey

I deactivated my Facebook account this month.

I've been asked why.

Honestly, I don't really have a specific response or reason to it.

Who knows, I might re-activate it again. But when that is I have no idea.





Work has been really good. I enjoy working with the students and especially the relationships I've formed with my colleagues, the students and their parents. Discussing ways to help their child progress academically have provided me with diverse experiences. Each of them as important and vital as the other.

I've shared a parent's frustrations when their child chooses not to respond positively and also have shared great excitement with a student when a much needed change in their academic and behavior performance occurs.

I do enjoy surrounding myself with enthusiastic learners and collaborators who is as committed, if not more so, to hard work and who also has the ability to laugh at themselves and the circumstances we find ourselves in.

My experiences, skills and strengths have found a place for them to be used. As I write this,  this opportunity provides me with room for much personal growth.

While it has been frustrating to work on additional credits needed before I can start my licensing program, this experience provides me with plenty of opportunities to exercise self-restraint and a much more focused level of energy towards the frustrations and muddied tasks often associated with working towards a goal

I've also met many younger, and older than me taking courses at the community college. We have found a collective reason to laugh at our experiences together. But I can honestly say, I did so much better in grad school than I did and currently performing in a college level class.

I actually find humor in this experience but oh well...






For many years, I've enjoyed evaluating where I am in life.

It's neat to see the progress I've made,  albeit simple they may appear. And in some aspects of my life, I still find a continuous and common trend to which I am still experiencing today.

But I can also see where my confidence and ability to face my circumstances have improved significantly.

This simple progress has also provided me with an explosion of opportunities I would have never expected!  Especially as I re-read my journal entries from years ago.

Reading my journal entries 10 years ago brought me a lot of laughter. The faces of the names and my treasured experiences with them came flooding back.

I must admit, there are names in my journal I can no longer attach any faces to but I will always be thankful for having written our experiences together.

In the years I have been keeping a journal, it is really quite refreshing and rejuvenating to see the growth I have accomplished while recognizing I still have so much more to learn and do.

These past several years have provided me with many learning experiences, some of which have been quite painful and frustrating. But I can honestly admit, I am happier because of them.

 And right now, where I am in my life at this very moment, I can say I am happily at peace.

I can say this because of the many individuals this year who have allowed me to be part of their lives.

In the past few months alone, there have been individuals who have provided me the needed strength, reminder, and quiet confidence I was greatly in need of.

These individuals who stopped by momentarily along my personal journey has help me move forward.

I will always have a profound love and gratitude for their tenacity towards me and their simple yet remarkable character.

Why? There are plenty of reasons to cite but primarily this-- Of all the folks they could have chosen to spend their time with, they chose to spend their precious and limited time with me when I needed it most.

October 2012- "Wow, you look good for being 55!"

I enjoyed learning how to make this

Now if only I can find a way to capitalize on this fortune monetarily...

That white circular object in the middle (top right of the red light) was the moon.
Waking up early to go to work has it's surprises. 

When several of my students started asking me if I was "really 55", instead of denying it curiosity got the best of me. So I played along.

"Yes, I am. Why do you ask?"

"Really?! You look great for being 55?"

"Why thank you."

After tracking down the source of this new information, I couldn't help but laugh! I can say it gave me an opportunity to get to know another student in the school where I work.

Turns out, this student who I have never met before,  overheard me joking with one of my students in between of class transitions about my age, and without knowing the context of our conversation, the rumor of my being 55 thus began.

Since I didn't really see anything wrong with it, I just kept playing along.

---

Perhaps the biggest news for me this October was when our Church leaders announced the new age requirement for missionaries-- 18 for young men, and 19 for the young women.

I also found the Church continued emphasis that not everyone needs to leave at 18. But they should make this a matter of prayer and personal readiness.

Since this is already a common practice in other countries and in certain circumstances here in the U.S.  having this policy standardized across the Church was met with renewed enthusiasm.

I add my voice to this enthusiasm.

I had a roommate in college who served when he was 18 and I found him to be an amazing young man. I found his level of maturity to be impressive. Now I am not saying everyone that serves a mission experiences this change but for those that choose to change, it brings a noticeable change in their personal character.

During my Air Force career, I was able to meet and work with many 18 year olds. I loved their enthusiasm and commitment to work. They were bright eyed and filled with zeal! I enjoyed, and in more than one occasion, preferred working with them over some of those that have been entrenched in the system.

These young men and women brought a refreshing sense of energy and raised levels of professionalism to much greater height. I am confident this new policy to lower missionary age closer to graduating from high school will see a renewed and refreshing enthusiasm where ever these young men and women are called to serve.

September 2012- When the rain made the traffic stop

I enjoy taking some of my classes here for a walk

Having a river right by our school is quite rejuvenating

Funny school moments:

And now the fun begins...my students are getting used to me and boy...do they crack me up!

Student: "Can I eat this banana?"

Me: pointing to a sign asks "What does that sign say?"

Student: "It says no food or drink allowed in class. But can I still eat this banana?"

I found an apple on my desk today. One of my co-workers had left it for me.

----

Earlier this month, I was driving home from work. As I reached Bountiful on my drive home from Ogden one afternoon, the continuous downpour caused traffic to stand still on I-15.

It rained so hard I couldn’t see anything! It reminded me of my time driving from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon this summer where it felt like I was driving under a raging waterfall for over three hours.

My windshield wipers were going as fast as they could but the sky just kept letting me drown in its fury.

Semi-trucks surrounded me on both sides and behind me and all I could think was, "Well, isn't this just great!".  But thank goodness they too stopped calming my racing heart rate.

So for a few minutes in I-15 I was stuck right smacked in the middle of the road with nothing to do but to drum my fingers away.

When the rain finally stopped, it was neat to recognize the semis surrounding me had created a temporary protective barrier from the other vehicles on the road.

I was in a hurry to get home but the rain forcing me to stop in the middle of the freeway drumming my fingers away on the steering wheel was exactly what I needed at that very moment.

Moments of reflection provide a calming reassurance especially as I am provided with time to think of what I have been provided with. And I can honestly say, I really have been given much.

August 2012 Update- 'Git 'er done'

I posted this photo on my FB profile. But since many of you do not have an account, I decided to share it here as well. Now, don't go creatin' a FB account just for me, ya hear?

So what happened in August?

I started a new job working with high school kids. Come to find out, I'm actually enjoying working with this age group. I travel to Ogden on a daily basis from Salt Lake. The commute is long but I am finding it is a good way to listen to and contemplate on the previous Conference.

Although I'd really like to use FrontRunner, a commuter train from SLC to Ogden. But I keep leaving later than what I plan. If I leave my apartment at 6 am, I can catch the 6:25 train. I wake up at 4 so in theory it should be fine. But for some reason, my sofa won't allow me to leave until 6:30.

Ideally, I plan on driving only on the days when I have night classes helping me save time, mileage and with the ever increasing gas prices.

Here's hoping September will finally be the month I get to ride FrontRunner! But for sure, when the snow hits, I will be taking FrontRunner. Seriously, I mean it:)

Though, there are times when I miss the frequent funny and random moments I had working daily with 4-6th graders!


----
Started classes at Salt Lake Community College. It's been frustrating because as fast I keep adding classes, I also get dropped from them. So far, I've attended the required two consecutive classes but I am still not counted as being registered. From an instructional design point, SLCC's way of using technology is not user friendly nor is it intuitive at best.

In one of my many phone calls, the kind registrar finally figured out what I was struggling with--how to be added on a wait list for a class through their online services. But even after I did, I was still dropped because I did not check my school email giving me instructions on how to add the class properly. Here's hoping it gets resolve soon because tuition is due in a couple of days and registration is closed!

A funny thing happened, I fell asleep in class with my eyes open. Didn't realize it until I 'woke' up feeling everyone was watching me. Turns out the professor had asked me a question and everyone WAS staring at me!

I am taking World Civilization up to 1500 and Introduction to Astronomy. These classes are considered to fit as they are not too specific for my licensure program.


----
August provided me with the time I needed to reflect on the good things that's happened to me lately. Even though it is invigoratingly frustrating how the State Department of Education won't count my Masters degree, at least for right now, towards my teaching licensure, I am forcing myself to look at the many good things I can be thankful for.

I get to go to school again. I've never liked school (and still don't), ironic I know, but it's good to get my mind active again at least when I'm awake. I don't even want to think about how many more schooling I need to do! But I recognize this is one of those things I need to roll with if I want to be a teacher. And I really want to be a teacher.


----
Also, August provided me time to reconnect with people I met in my past and to get to know people I may normally don't interact with if circumstances had been different.

A missionary from my Church, who recently completed his two year mission, stayed with me for a few weeks and what a breath of fresh air he was! His enthusiasm for Jesus and love for the scriptures was refreshing. I am convinced he will accomplish many good things in his life as long as he continues to commit himself to his personal beliefs, values, and from the lessons and experiences he gained as a missionary.

It was indeed a privilege having him stay with me. The feeling of peace he brought into my home was more than enough to keep me going! I will always count those few weeks some of the most peaceful and comforting time in my life.

Another friend I was reconnected with is a family I met and help teach back in Oakland, California. Their child is now grown and was about to enter the Missionary Training Center in Provo to go on a  mission to where else? The Philippines.

As we got reacquainted again, I couldn't help but be grateful for the decision I made to serve my own mission. I am confident this child will grow to become a new and better person, just like how I grew from my own two year mission and just like my new friend who completed his own mission recently.

I didn't even really think about it before but now that I am writing this update, I find it interesting that just a couple of days before my friends from California arrived to enter the Missionary Training Center, another missionary who recently completed his own missionary service, just left my home.

It was a neat cycle to see and I feel quite privilege to have experienced both.

July 2012- I admit, I am a sap.

 I came across this quote (I haven't verified this yet but hopefully, it's appropriately cited):

"To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. 

What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour." 
                              -Winston S. Churchill

Three weeks after the accident in Lake Powell, some of my friends and I met a group of boaters in East Canyon. A boat picked up a man that got ran over by another boat.  My friend who recently completed his EMT training and I ran over with the park ranger to help.

I have had moments like these recently and they've given me reason to stop and think.

I am thankful I was prepared to assist when I was needed. I do not know if there are words to really describe how I felt.

Many of you have asked how I am really doing.

You all know life has its bumps.

But to answer your questions,  I can honestly say, I am learning to enjoy the ride.

Despite of the perceived set backs I am experiencing, there are so many good things happening to me. Some of which are meeting the people I've come to know this summer.

This summer has been a blast thus far.

 If I can sum July up, I think its best to say, I am grateful to continue meeting awesome people!

I am learning, as I continue on in my adventures, there are good people everywhere. All I gotta do is stop, and say hi and then listen. I have grown to love so many people this summer and I will always be grateful for this experience.

I am thankful I continue to meet so many kind, humble and amazing people where ever I go. I am thankful even more that they allow me to share their life and experiences with them.

Perhaps one of the reasons why I love meeting people is because they teach me so much!

More than what I can learn from any history or textbook, the people I've met continue to inspire me in becoming a better person. They not only teach me by the way they live and love, but I can see for myself how to live and love.

This update is a long one. Hopefully, none of you get bored.

But in the event that you do and to help ya'll out, I've added the huge white spaces to help break this month's update. Just take a break and come back when you are ready to continue:)





Back to July 2012.

For the first time in many, many, many years I was able to take advantage of Utah's summer culture. Yes, it had to resolve to my being unemployed but nonetheless, the free time I was fortunate enough to have gave me opportunities to do more than I ever expected. I've met many amazing people who have taught me so many things.

Many of them have become new friends I will treasure for years down the road,  and some allowed me to get reacquainted with those I've grown to love, family and friends,  from years ago.

I was quite taken a back by the kindness I received from each one of them. One such example is getting reconnected with an LDS missionary I met while I was in Mexico a while back and it brought back good memories. 

I'll also look back to July 2012 as the month I laughed a lot!

As many of you who know me, I enjoy driving. And as all ya'll know that usually leads to some memorable adventures.

For my own sanity and memory, here are some of the few that taught me the value of having humor as my side kick:

Paper Route:
- helping a friend with his paper route.

I decided to help a friend with one of his 3 paper routes which had 180 homes to cover. I thought it would be a good idea since,

1. he asked
2. he and his wife needed a vacation

I grabbed this as an opportunity to learn more about my friend and what he goes through to provide for his growing family.

I started at 1:30 in the morning and didn't finish until 6:30.

I had a house guest visiting me at that time and I forced him to help me. He fell asleep on the couch when it came time to leave but I knew if I didn't wake him up, I'd be doing the paper route until the next day!

Thank goodness, he's a good kid.

We were basically zombies towards the end. Falling asleep while throwing the paper,  running out of my car, then throwing the paper only having it land on the flower bed. I'd have to run back and get the paper to make sure it was on the designated location. It was so late and we were so tired that we couldn't help but laugh at the silly things.

My friend, who owned the paper route, later told me only a couple of houses didn't get their paper that day. I guess that's not bad for a beginner.

I met so many hard working people that morning and it gave me a new perspective on how newspapers get delivered everyday.

My respect for my friend grew more as I got a taste of what he does every day to support his family.







Bear Lake and my car breaking down (is there really anything else to share besides me and a car breaking down?):
- I've wanted to visit Bear Lake for quite some time.

So when the opportunity came, I grabbed it by the horns and ran with it. I left early, 5 am to make sure I can stop by Lava Hot Springs in Idaho, then headed east. Only to discover that I'd be taking the Oregon trail (Hwy 30) down to Bear Lake.  I was excited because I've always had it in the back of my mind to see what the trail was like. I've read it in history books and have discussed it with my students so finally, here was my chance to taste a bit of it.

I found this slipper in the middle of the road. I wondered if this was meant as a way to find my princess.
But then as I checked the size, it wasn't bigger than my hand. So unless my princess was a doll or a 5-year old, I decided to leave it in the middle of the road for another prince to claim this one.

Soda Springs Idaho

Yay! Paris. Well, Paris Idaho that is.

Driving the path that is less travelled always provide me with little surprises.

Driving through Evanston, a friend and I stopped by some of the people he taught as an LDS missionary. Watching him go through this experience brought so many memories of my own mission experiences in the Philippines. What an awesome time that was!

We drove through Montpelier, Paris, and St. Charles. We stopped at the only burger stand in St. Charles. Corner of North Beach Road and Main street before heading to Minnetonka caves (which we ended up not going to because there was a long line and an hour wait still).

After enjoying a burger and onion rings, my friend and I went back to the car. When we turned the key to start the car, nothing happened. My friend, who was driving, was quite convince he could force the car to start.   The determination on his face said it all- 'either the car starts, or I'll force it to start!!'

I offered to try.

I got on the driver seat and as I turned the key, I too got the same result. Nada. All I could think of-- "not again! I just got this car fixed the other day!"

But then again, I don't really remember when there ever was a time I never had car problems when I went on my driving adventures.

I called USAA and told them what happen. They called for a jump start but I was impressed by the kindness of strangers as many tried to jump start my car without success. I called USAA back and told them I needed a tow truck instead. It was going to take 1.5 hours for the tow truck to arrive from 50 miles down south of where we were.

For the next hour I tried to develop contingency plans. I tried to call the local area to see if there were rental cars available. I almost found a U-Haul truck to rent but decided I wouldn't be able to drive it in the mountains. But alas,  I was in the middle of nowhere.

I called my USAA agent again and asked her for help finding a rental car.   As I sat back in my car and started playing with the stick, I felt it moved. I saw it move to "P". I moved it back on "R" and tried to start and remove my keys with the exact same result! I put the stick back to "P" and started my car and when it started boy, did I let out a hoot of a laugh!

I called to my friend about my new discovery and off we went to our adventures. Seriously though, I couldn't stop laughing while we drove off.

We tried to find a good camping spot but time, and energy did not cooperate with me so we decided to camp at the first motel we found in Garden City.

We got lucky as we found the last motel with two separate beds. Uncomfortable as they were, it was nice to be in a room instead of a KOA campground or an incline of a hill.

As soon as we got settled, I decided to jump into Bear Lake so I could finally say I did it.

Well, I did it.

The southern part, Rendezvous Beach, had plenty of people but there were still some quiet spots.  I had to walk at least 500 feet before the water went over my shoulder but the temperature was just right.

The following morning, I got dropped off to Scout Camp. On our way to scout camp, we drove through Evanston Wyoming.  I've never been to downtown Evanston as I took the road less travelled when I drove through Wyoming a few years ago driving back from Yellowstone.

Although I enjoyed driving through the east side of Wyoming then,  let's just say, Evanston was a breath of fresh air.









Here are more photos of my summer adventures thus far:

Antelope Island, Utah

Skydiving Canyonlands Southern Utah

Canyoneering at Ding and Dang 

Ding and Dang Southern Utah (next to Goblin Valley)

Cliff Jumping off of Causey Reservoir

First jump

Third jump from a wee bit higher

Finally jumped. Hunter helped me jump. He's the 11year old kid in the water already.

I was still very much hungry at Scout Camp.

Good thing the scouts caught us some fish! 

Going with the scouts at Camp Tomahawk in the Uinta Mountains.
I must admit it was refreshing to finally associate the Uinta's with good memories. Back in 2004, I helped search for a scout up in these mountains. We never found him.

I still need to work on my speed control and turning a sharp hill.
Not bad. It could have been worse. Riding the Pipeline Trail in Millcreek Canyon.

June 2012- My time as a teacher...

In January of this year, I decided to jump with both feet and see if I wanted to pursue teaching. Evaluating past experiences, I knew I was confident and comfortable in a teaching environment but a classroom full of elementary school kids was an experience I have yet to do.

Thankfully a charter school hired me on.

The following months of daily experience gave me a fresh perspective on what school teachers go through on a daily basis. Suffice it to say, I felt very comfortable. My teacher mentor made the statement that I was one of the best he has worked with. The kids listened and respected me. I took that as a compliment.

I have fond memories of my brief stint and look forward to working on the credits needed to qualify me for the license. Many of my college credits won't transfer which means I have to take them over again. Some because my grades did not meet the requirements (math and science) while others were not general enough (social studies/world history).

I enjoyed it thoroughly being in a classroom. The kids really made sure I earned their trust through my commitment and devotion towards them.  It was also good to help them achieve academic success and help guide their characters. I don't remember how many handwritten and single spaced apology letters I have from several of my students.

It was the quiet and simple moments when I got to mentor the kids that really left a lasting impression on me. Towards the last few weeks of school several of my students echoed a theme:

• "I thought you were mean but now I realize I was wrong".  
•  Student A: "Mr. Roque, why do you have us keep doing corrections on the problems we got wrong!"
  Student B: "Because Mr. Roque wants us to be smart! Look at me, I've been turning in my corrections and I'm smart!"
• One kid said to me "Mr. Roque before you came I was getting A's so I don't understand why I'm failing now" With a twinkle in my smile I replied back, "Well, now you know you deserve it" She just smiled back.

When I took over the class in February, many of them were not meeting the needed requirements. But to see their well deserved grade at the end required our combined efforts.
I told the kids that if they "listen to me and do what I ask them to do, I will lead them to victory" (I was working with 4th, 5th and 6th graders). They did and I believe I reached my goal not only to help them pass, but see their value.

One kid who I suspended for cheating, finally got the grade he deserve- a B. After suspending him, I worked closely with him to help him see he did not really need to cheat to be successful. Several individual and brief sessions with him worked. I remember when he got an A on his test-- it literally changed his outlook on what he could do.

I will always treasure the laughs and the overall experience I had with the kids.

I've learned there is a time to raise my voice and when not to. After one very bad day, I decided to stay in front of the class quietly waiting for them to calm down. One of my observant students, commented "Uh, oh. Mr. Roque is mad everyone! Look he is not saying anything and he is smiling!"

All of a sudden everyone got quiet and they faced the front of the class.

My "miracle" student got up and said "Awwwe, Mr. Roque do you need a hug?"

He came up to me and gave me the biggest bear hug. I couldn't keep my bearing and spent the next 10 minutes laughing with the whole class.

The administrators I worked for suggested I reconsider being a classroom teacher but for right now, I'm moving forward and working towards what I need to become a licensed teacher in the fall of 2013.

June 2012 - Lake Powell, Alex's Miracle

To read Kim's (mother) account, click here.


My 14-year old friend being life flighted out after a 100 foot fall (photo courtesy of Ryan Stokes).

While holding his head to stabilize it, I was struck that he had no visible head injuries and more importantly that he was still alive.

Seeing him fall off the rock and then hitting his head on the rocks was the scariest thing I've experienced in quite a long time. If only I can truly share how I felt at that moment. I could not run fast enough. And yet once I got to where he fell, there was calmness and stillness instead of chaos. We were all worried for his life, his mother and father understandably distraught and yet I was given a comforting feeling of peace in my heart.

All I could do while running up towards where he landed was pray: "Oh God, please, please..."

While I was running up to where he fell, I kept yelling  "Do not touch him!" Then I saw him move his head. Seeing him move his head, my heart finally began beating again. I yelled at him not to move.

His dad, and two other friends caught up to me. One friend who is a practicing physician checked his vitals and he too was amazed. There was a moment when the 911 call was almost postponed due to  his lack of serious injuries. The call was still placed.

We gave him a blessing and a few minutes later, a vacationing ER doc and an EMT who heard about the accident on their radio also came to help out (see white boat). They both shared the same amazement we felt that he did not have more serious injuries.

As we looked out from where the accident occurred, what we saw was even more moving--our younger friends, from age 5 to age 15 were all kneeling in prayer.

20 minutes later, the rescue helicopter came and we carried my young friend in a stretcher to be taken to the nearest medical facility. While his parents rode back to the marina and made the heart pounding drive to catch up with their son.

A few hours later, he was discharged from the hospital in St. George with minor scratches and only a broken right arm. He, along with his parents, joined us the following day with his all familiar smile and amazing attitude. He was jet skiing (with a protective covering for his soft cast) and enjoying Lake Powell along with the rest of us.

I learned a lot from my young friend that fell, from my younger friends that taught me to kneel in prayer when things beyond my control happen, and the miracle I was fortunate enough to witness.

More are posted on my Facebook account.

May 2012- I woke up one morning and said why not...

Yup. So I drove down and did just that.  I thought I'd be more nervous but I experienced quite the opposite. It was a really peaceful feeling.

 I can honestly say I enjoyed it more than I thought I would! Especially since I'm really not a big fan of heights.

But I admit to actually enjoyed jumping out of a small plane more than hiking (-er crawling) to the top of Angel's Landing!

Giving  thumbs up to say "I'm a-okay!"

He said "lift your legs" and never told me to stand up so I landed hard on the ground. Hard. So hard that my bum left a cracked imprint on the ground. My guide even said "Wow. That's actually the first time I've seen that happen."

Either I just have an enormous bum or we really hit the ground hard.

Oh, I don't know if I should say this but two drops before me, my guide almost lost his life.

The first one, the chute got tangled up so he had to cut the cords and use his emergency cute. No wonder he was quite rattled. And me joking with him about dying didn't really help.

The guy he took right before me actually threw up on him so he wasn't really in the best of mood. 

So towards our landing when he asked if I wanted to do some tricks, I said "uh, I don't think that's a good idea right now as I don't want to get sick."

He was more than willing to comply.

But as you can see he is a professional by that smile he has on his face.

On my drive home from Moab later that evening, I hit a deer.

You can still see a piece of his or her fur attached to my headlights. I couldn't find Bambi, here's hoping he or she turned out to be okay.

April 2012- A small world indeed

After going on the whale tour, I was still feeling woozy but thankfully, I did not throw up. So I decided to go get some seafood.

I was enjoying my food at the restaurant next to the the aircraft museum in San Diego when I get this impression to hurry and leave. I didn't want to but I've learned to follow those instincts.

As I was walking out, I caught a glimpse of a man wearing a BYU t-shirt coming in. Then I thought: "Wouldn't it be funny if I know the guy."

My eyes follows the man, then towards his children and then to his wife. The wife recognizes me! It was the....

Christensen family!

One of my dear friends from Misawa Japan. 

Seriously,  I love running into friends from years ago but especially Japan! We shared some very important experiences while we served in Japan together.

I caught a glimpse of the dedication, sacrifices and commitment families made while one of them were deployed for months and even years. 

While their dad was deployed, I used to take their oldest son to hang out to give mom some time alone and to be with her friends. It was neat to see how much their kids have grown up.

Since they had a considerable time to wait for their table (a family of 6 is harder to find seats for than a single guy), we decided to take some photos together under Marilyn Monroe's skirt (it was a statue) and I joined them briefly when they were seated. 

Honestly, it was great to see them again! They were vacationing here as well and they told me about Silver Strand beach. I'm glad they did because it was much quieter than Mission or Pacific beach sides. I don't really like crowds that much especially at known touristy spots.

I also went to the San Diego temple.

Visiting the San Diego temple for the first time was jaw dropping. Literally. A temple worker asked if this was my first time.

I asked: "How did you know!"

Temple worker: "I saw your mouth drop"

March 2012- I have enough friends...

That's what two of my students said to me as their reasons why they refused to sit by each other.

Let me backup a second.

Part of my new responsibilities with my new job is to supervise lunch for 6th graders. We go to the playground for recess and then go back to our classroom to eat lunch.

There were two different groups that would always sit by themselves and always leave a mess.  Seeing no improvements after several reminders and corrections, I told them they couldn't sit by their friends for the next two days until they can show responsibility for making sure their area is kept clean.

So back to the kids...

When both of the kids, who were from different groups, told me they did not want to sit by each other because they "have enough friends",  I laughed and said:

"Boy, were those the wrong words to say to me!"

So while I was sitting in the front of the classroom working on a few things, I had them stand right next to me for the remaining lunch period.

Me: "I can always use more friends so why don't each of you stand next to me and be MY friends?"

Jan-Mar 2012 Update- Time flies fast!

I write this now on the early morning of 15 March 2012.

I must say it has been a whirlwind of an experience and a growing time at that. Here's a very brief synopsis of what I've experienced and just some of my highlights.

January:

I started my new responsibilities at a charter school the very beginning of January and boy talk about a shock! I started teaching two reading and two math classes. It could have been worst, much worse, but the support I received was incredible! The teacher I shadowed for a week was a retired Air Force officer and when I demo taught, his students were very supportive. They were perfect students! I could not have asked for anything better.

I was so nervous teaching that my mentor had to calm me down a bit and the students were so cool! They raised their hands to remind me of what I needed to do next.

The school uses the Direct Instruction format of teaching which is very structured and also one of the reasons why I wanted to work for this school. It is a skill I want to learn and develop.

I was later told that my mentor highly recommended me.

Just some highlights from my first week of teaching classes by myself 1/16/12:

• I received two handwritten letters of apology (written in cursive) from two of my students with their parents signatures.
• Made one kid cry (same kid that had to write me an apology letter for being disruptive in class).
• 4 students failed in the math test.
• Had several thank you's for being their teacher.
• Had a few student comment: "Mr. Roque, you are hot".
• One kid, said: "Relax Mr. Roque."
• I thought a kid asked if I love Vietnamese food so I said yes. Apparently, they were asking if I was Vietnamese.
• Quite surprised to find only 1-2 white kids in each of my classes. Most are from the Middle East, Asia, or South America. 

 Best advice I gave one of my students today 1/20/12:

• "If you want to fart, you can fart as much as you want during independent study (set aside homework time during class). But doing it when I teach distracts all of your classmates from learning since they are all laughing and not listening to the lesson. Your classmates want to learn and your farting during my teaching time doesn't help any of them at all. So do not fart when I am teaching, okay?"
• The response:"I'm sorry. Okay, Mr. Roque". We'll see how it goes next week. 

February:

After a month of feedback and constant coaching, I thought I finally got my classes to where I needed them but on the very first week of February I was notified I'd be transferred to another campus.

I now work as a classroom instructor in a school with many students that come from low income and who are considered to be refugees. I am loving it!

It is a Teacher-In-Training position which means I get to work with a full time licensed teacher. It places me in a better position to teach 6th grade in the Fall of 2012. We'll see how my ARL application works.

The teacher I am working with right now is a former colleague. He used to be a trainer for the State of Utah and we had lunch together often. The funny thing was, just two days prior to starting my new assignment, we met and he was helping me understand the grading process.  So when I arrived I thought he had something to do with me being assigned as his instructor. Turns out he had as much knowledge as I did!  He told me about the school I work for now and I told him about the master's program he is finishing this year. He is finishing the master's program I finished.

It really is a small world indeed.

Highlights 2/22/12:

• Student: "Mr. Roque, do you like me?"
• Me: "Of course I do! Why wouldn't I?"
• Student: "So why did you give me so many missing work?!"
• I had to ask the student to repeat the question to make sure I understood it.
• Turns out I heard him right the first time. Thinking this was a good teaching moment, I asked: "Who's responsibility is it to do homework?"
• Student:"Me."
• Me: "Good! Who's job is it to track and keep grades?"
• Student: "You." It was neat to see the light bulb start turning on this young student's mind.
• Me: "So do you still want me to answer your question as to why I gave you so many missing work?" My student left with a big smile on his face.

March:

I sent my application for Utah's Alternative Route to Licensure (ARL) program. The school wrote a very good letter of recommendation of my skills and potential as a teacher so I am just waiting to hear back from the State Office of Education. As many of you may know, any large and especially government organization has a lot of red tape. I'm waiting to hear back any day now on my status.

If I get accepted, I can be hired as a 6th grade teacher this Fall. If my application is denied,  I'll have to review my options.

Highlights 3/9/12:

Two of my 6th grade girls came up to me during recess:

• "Mr. Roque (child's name) fell in the mud!"
• Me: "Well, now do you guys understand why we keep telling you not to play in that area?"
• Students: "Mr. Roque, please don't laugh! That's mean!"
• Both girls were caked in mud and I could not help but laugh out loud at the incident.