28 Notables From My 28 Years

I turn 28 on Friday. I've never not been excited for my birthday before this year. So, I made a list of things I've either accomplished or enjoyed in these 28 years--in no particular order.

1. I have taught school for over 7 years.
2. I have yodeled in the Alps.
3. I own hundreds of books.
4. I've sold hundreds of copies of a CD I made with my band.
5. I have been endowed in the temple.
6. I graduated from Brigham Young University.
7. I decided to be a teacher when I was in 3rd grade, and I still haven't changed my mind that it was the perfect decision for me.
8. I have a closet full of outdoor gear, including 3 sleeping bags, 2 tents, rock climbing gear, and snowshoes.
9. I had my own TV show on a cable station.
   
10. I have planned and executed several girl-only trips from Canada to Hawaii to Maple Canyon.
11. I bought a car and paid for it in less than a year.
    
12. I know over a dozen poems by heart.
13. I hiked Havasupai.
14. I play clawhammer banjo.
15. I have collected nearly a week's worth of music if it were played constantly.
16. I play the Irish bodhran.
    
17. I own a soft bed.
18. I have survived major heartache and heartbreak.
19. I have been in a hot air balloon.
20. I have biked through Ireland, and I sang in a pub in Dublin.
21. I have taught over 250 children, and most of them still love me.
22. I have visited 14 National Parks.
23. I have been a bridesmaid for at least 6 friends' weddings.
24. I have lived with over 43 roommates.
25. I've discussed the Gospel with numerous strangers on airplanes.
26. I know how to bottle fruit.
27. I have smiled so much in these 28 years that I have little lines around my eyes to show for it.
28. I have outlasted all of my brothers and sisters in getting married.
    

Jam

My friend Whitney just wrote a post about a boy/girl child in her sons' class named Juice. In my third grade class this year, I have a little girl named Jam.
When I put together my classroom blog I had my class make up "pen names," ensuring their safety and privacy. I told the kids they could use any nickname they would like. I even suggested that their middle names could be used as a pseudonym.
As I collected names for each of my students, I noticed some children were really excited about their new names. I had a little girl change hers about 3 times because she wanted it to be just right. Some kids put hours of thought into their aliases, but several just used their middle names.
Near the end of the list, I asked a little brown haired girl what she wanted her blog name to be. She told me "Jam." I thought it was a clever name for her, and I wondered if there was a story behind her nickname. Then, it occurred to me to ask her mother what her middle name is. When her mom came to an assembly the next day, I asked, "What is *****'s middle name?" She replied, "Jan. Why?" Just as I had begun to suspect.
Yeah. So maybe "Juice" is a like "Jam"--a little confused. The only difference is, "Jam" wasn't given her name, she chose it with her own ears.