Graduation

My former roommate and I made an impromptu video the night after we graduated. Perfect way to end our life as roommates! And a special thanks to Chris for helping too!

State Mottos

These are funny. And true- whether you admit it or not.

• Alabama: At Least We're not Mississippi
• Alaska: 11,623 Eskimos Can't be Wrong!
• Arizona: Dehyd-rific!
• Arkansas: Litterasy Ain't Everthang
• California: As Seen on TV
• Colorado: If You Don't Ski, Don't Bother
• Connecticut: Like Massachusetts, Only Dirtier and With Less Character
• Florida: Ask Us About Our Grandkids
• Georgia: We Put the "Fun" in Fundamentalist Extremism
• Hawaii: Haka Tiki Mou Sha'ami Leeki Toru
  (Death to Mainland Scum, But Leave Your Money)
• Idaho: More Than Just Potatoes... Well Okay, We're Not,
• But The Potatoes Sure Are Real Good
• Illinois: Gateway to Iow
• Indiana: 2 Billion Years Tidal Wave Free
• Iowa: Land of James T. Kirk
• Kansas: First Of The Rectangle States
• Kentucky: Five Million People; Fifteen Last Names
• Louisiana: We're Not All Drunk Cajun Wackos, But That's Our Tourism Campaign
• Maine: Cheap Lobster
• Maryland: A Thinking Man's Delaware
• Massachusetts: Our Taxes Are Lower Than Sweden's (For Most Tax Brackets)
• Michigan: First Line of Defense From the Canadians
• Minnesota: For Sale
• Mississippi: Come Feel Better About Your Own State
• Missouri: Your Federal Flood Relief Tax Dollars at Work
• Montana: Land of the Big Sky, the Unabomber, and Very Little Else
• Nebraska: Ask About Our State Motto Contest
• Nevada: Whores and Poker!
• New Hampshire: Go Away and Leave Us Alone
• New Jersey: You Want a ##$%##! Motto? I Got Yer ##$%##! Motto Right Here!
• New Mexico: Lizards Make Excellent Pets
• New York: You Have the Right to Remain Silent, You Have the Right to an Attorney
• North Carolina: Tobacco is a Vegetable
• North Dakota: Um... We've got... Um... Dinosaur Bones? Yeah, Dinosaur Bones!
• Ohio: Don't Judge Us by Cleveland
• Oklahoma: Like the Play, Only No Singing
• Oregon: Spotted Owl, It's What's For Dinner
• Pennsylvania: Cook With Coal
• Rhode Island: We're Not REALLY An Island
• South Carolina: Remember the Civil War? We Didn't Actually Surrender
• South Dakota: Closer Than North Dakota
• Tennessee: The Educashun State
• Texas: Se Hablo Ingles
• Utah: Our Jesus Is Better Than Your Jesus
• Vermont: Yep
• Virginia: Who Says Government Stiffs and Slackjaw Yokels Don't Mix?
• Washington: Help! We're Overrun By Nerds and Slackers!
• Washington, D.C.: Wanna Be Mayor?
• West Virginia: One Big Happy Family -- Really!
• Wisconsin: Come Cut Our Cheese
• Wyoming: Wynot?

Thank-you Oklahoma

While at SNU I may have mentioned a few times that Oklahoma and its flatness did not hold a candle to Colorado and its mountains. I may have mentioned a few times that I did not particularly care for the state all that much. But truth be told, Oklahoma has given me more than I ever thought it could. I have so many memories from my four and a half years at SNU- everything from the legendary honk on the way home from Target to the jumping pictures at RA sleepovers. From Secret Santa parties to Veronica Marsathons. Most importantly Oklahoma has given me some amazing friendships. Yes, we are all going our separate directions in life, but I know our friendships will last a lifetime. So thank-you Oklahoma- it's been grand!

From Student toTeacher

Considering that Student Teaching was a huge part of my life this past semester, I really did not mention it very often, but now that I have time to breathe a little I do have a few things to say about what I've learned.

~ As hard as your try, it will be impossible for you to genuinely like every student in your classroom, but it is your job to make each student think that you love them and that secretly they are your favorite student.

~ Teaching is most definitely not a 9-5 job. I am going to have "homework" almost every weeknight, and on some weekends too. That is just the way it is, and there is no use complaining about it. But as long as I stay on top of things I will not be overwhelmed with it.

~ It is a good idea to have comradery with the other employees at your school- everyone from the principal to the sweet lunch ladies. To quote a favorite song "We're All in this Together!"

~ There will be days when the class just seems crazy and you want to smother myself with a pillow. I just need to come back the next day ready with a bright smile and a positive attitude.

~Sometimes I will feel underappreciated as a teacher, and it will be easy to get defensive. I just need to smile to myself and think that some of those people who are saying how "easy teaching elementary schoolers must be" could not survive an hour let alone a day in a classroom.

~Despite everything, it is so worth it!

Remember

So some of my sweet 5th graders wrote me some notes about things they think I should know about them and what they want me to remember them by. A lot of them made me laugh, but this one took the cake as far as being the funniest one. I am spelling everything exactly the way she did. Enjoy!

Dear Mrs. Smith,

Your the best student teacher ever! You are so pretty! Your face is like statchu from italy! I think your the prettiest teacher in Oklahoma. (Though I am not in love with you like Anius is in love with you. Did you know he loves you? He says he wants you to merry him, beucase your the prettiest person hes ever met. Did you know that Mrs. Smith?) I hope you had a fun time teaching. 5th grade! I want you to rember me by this story of me when I was little. I almost got ratarted. My mom rammed my head into the door frame dropped me on my head, pushed me over backwards, for got at day care. She did this all by accident. She trips a lot still. Like you. Hehe! My dad forgot me in the car and lost me in the House where I hid under my crib and fell asleep there. And my dad almost got killed by my mom for that one. He put my clothes on backwards, stick my hair back with water and combed it til I looked like a biker baby and I was almsot bald. They had to glue bows to my head. It was horible. A lot of funny stuff happened when I was little. Rember that about me! I hope you enjoyed your time in Mrs. Hills class be sure to vist. I will always rember that time you preteneded like you were on a bike. Your funny.
By! Vist us!

Your friend, Gabie



I lieterally could not contain my laughter as I was reading it duirng my planning period. A lot of the other letters were hilarious too. I love my 5th graders!

Where in the Hell is Matt?

This video is completely worth watching!

Thankful

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for (in alphabetical order)...

Aaron, adventures, Allan, America, America's Next Top Model, Amy, Andrea, Annabelle, April, Ashley M., Ashley P, A Time to Kill, August, Aunt Michelle, Aunt Ronda, Aunt Teresa, Aunt Trudy, BBQ, Becca, black bean burgers, Blaire, blue, blueberries, blue skies, Boy's Life, Brandyn, Brett, breezes, bunnies, bubble baths, bubble gum, Caleb, Calvin and Hobbs, Calypso, candles, cardigans, cats, Catch-22, cell phones, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Chico, children's books, China, choir memories, Christmas, Christmas Lights, Christmas Trees, Christy, Cinder, Claire, clarity, Clayton C., Cleo (the 1st and 2nd) Clint, Clue, coats, Coco, coffee, Colorado, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rockies, comforters, Crash, creativity, cupcakes, curtains, Dad, dancing, dangly earrings, Daniel, Danielle, Dan in Real Life, Denver Broncos, Desperate Housewives, Devon, devotion, Diet Dr. Pepper, differences, Disney World, dogs, Donna P., Dr. Fitz, Dr. McCurry, Dr. Pape, Dr. Russet, Dr. Salvador, Dr. Soomers, Dr. Spencer, dressing up, ducks, Durango, Elizabeth, Ella Fitzgerald, Emily K. (now N), Emily P., Enchanted, encouragement, Erycka, every kind of herbal tea, experiences, fall, family, fans, February, flowers, flutes, fog, freshly washed sheets, friends, Friends (TV Show) Gilmore Girls, Glee, God, goodness, good books, grandfather clocks, Grandma Grosse, Grandma Smith, Grandpa Grosse, Grandpa Smith, grape fruit, grapes, green, green beans, Hairspray, hand written letters, Hannah, Hanna J., Harry Potter movies, Harry Potter Series, having painted toenails, head bands, heaters, heels, heterosexuals, Holy Spirit, homosexuals, Hook, hope, hugs, humor, ice cream, It's a Wonderful Life, Jake, January, Jared, Jean Marie, Jeremy, Jessica C., Jessica W., Jessie Dog, Jesus, jewelry, Jordan, Josh Groban, joy, Julia, July, June, karaoke, Kasa, Katy, Keegan, Kelly Clarkson, Kelsie, Kendra, Kenna, Kim, kindness, kiwi, Krystal, Kyndal, laughing, lessons learned, Life is Beautiful, love, Lydia, Madilynn, make-up, Mallory, March, Marcus, Marley and Me, Matt Friend, May, medicine, Megan, memories, Misty, Mom, Monica, mountain lakes, mountains, muffins, Mulan, musicals, My 3rd Graders, My 5th Graders, Mystic River, naps, new clothes, Niki, Oh Brother Where Out Thou?, orange, oranges, parks, Pastor Larry, Pastor Middendorf, Pastor Thulson, peaches, Pearl Harbor, patience, peace, pearls, pecans, photographs, pianos, picture traditions, Pirates of the Caribbean, pools, Poppy, President Bush, President Obama, President Regan, privacy, Project Runway, pumpkin pie, purple, Pushing Daisies, Rachel R. (now E.), rafting, rainbows, reading, Reading Rainbow, Rebecca D., Rebekah, Redeeming Love, red grapefruit juice, road trips, Robin, Runaway Bride, selflessness, scales, scarves, scenic drives, September, Shane, sherbet, shopping, singing, skinny jeans, sleeping in, Smallville, snow, songs, spring, Stargate SG-1, Stephanie, strength, stolen moments, straightners, strawberries, streams, summer, sunrises, sunsets, sunshine, surprises, sweet tea, swings, Sybil, tattoos, Thanksgiving, The Bean Trees, The Colbert Report, The Emperor's New Groove, the fresh feeling you get after taking a shower, the fresh feeling you get after taking a shower, the girls that were in my halls as an RA, the girls that were in my halls as an RA, The Notebook, The Office, The Olympics, things to look forward to, thunderstorms, Tiana, Tiffany, Trisha, tulips, Tyler, Uncle Curt, Uncle Jay, Uncle Jeff, Uncle Tim, understanding, Veronica Mars, watches, What Not to Wear, When Harry Met Sally, wild flowers, Will and Grace, Word Girl (my current fish), Word Girl....

...and so very much more. I have so much to be thankful for!

Do-Re-Mi

This kind of thing would happen all the time in my perfect world.

I'm scared.

So on December 12th I am going to getting a diploma and "stepping out into my future." And I am scared. For the first time in my life I cannot think ahead a year and have at least somewhat of an idea of where I will be. Even my senior year of high school, when I wasn't sure where I was going to college I at least knew that I was going to be a college. Know when I try to think about where I will be in a year I am drawing a complete blank.

I think teaching is the best career for me, but I could be wrong? What if in two years I am looking back and wishing that I had a different career? What if I feel stuck?


To be honest, my biggest fear is that I am going to be lonely and friendless. There is no doubt in my mind that what I am going to miss most about college is my friends. I am sure that we will make plans to see each other at graduations and so forth, but it just isn't the same, and there is always the chance that they will fall through. I am just scared that they will move on with their lives, and I will not. They will forget all about me and I will be a pathetic women who will look back at college as the prime of my life, and not be able to move on. I will come home from work everyday and just sit by myself and watch TV.

I want to remember college and my friends as an amazing time in life, but not the best time in my life. I want to know that life will get even better, but there is no way of knowing this. And that is why I am scared.

Daring to Dream

I have been a bit of an insomniac lately (if you're ever bored at 3 AM call me- I'll be awake) and although it is frustrating, it does come with its advantages. As I am lying there in bed trying to sleep my mind runs wild. I have so much time to think, and I think about just about everything. If you know me well, then you know that for a few years now I have talked about how being a children's author would be the dream job for me. You can work from your home in your pajamas. You still get the joy of working with children by traveling to schools. If you're successful enough you can make some money doing it too! And lets face it- it is just a nifty job in general!

I had always thought that perhaps if I just came up with the right idea for a children's series, I could pursue being a children's author. Well... my sleepness nights have led to an idea. Once my student teaching is over I am going to get started. Don't worry. I am not going to quit teaching to pursue writing- this may turn into nothing more than a hobby. All I know is that I think it will bring joy to my life. I need something that I can invest myself in and take delight in doing. I think this is just the ticket.

Bragging Rights

I have some pretty good lookin siblings! Here are some recent pictures!

Happy Birthday Kyndal

Although it may get annoying at times, I love you and your spicy, diva attitude- I would not change you a bit! Happy Birthday Lil' Sis! I love you sooo much!

Confessions

Whenever my cooperating teacher leaves the room, I pretend that the classroom and the students are my own.

I sometimes manipulate people into taking out the trash for me.

I had a cup of Emily's orange juice last week without asking. It was delicious.

I sometimes daydream that my name isn't Ashley.

I know that I care too much about how people perceive and think of me.

My herbal tea is sometimes the only thing that gets me out of bed in the mornings.

I'm still scared of the dark.

I wish I was either taller or shorter.

An Ode to Herbal Tea

Is there anything more perfect than herbal tea?

It tastes wonderful.
It is what gets you up in the mornings.
It helps soothe you to sleep at night.
It soothes a sore throat.
It is the perfect accompaniment to a bubble bath and a good book.
It is good for you.
It comes in a plethora of flavors-you're bound to find one you love.
It has zero calories.
It warms you up to the very bone.
It helps you feel better when you're sick.

Is there anything more perfect than herbal tea? No.

I'm so there.

http://www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/first_look_uo.html

Take a look! It's in a book!

Growing up I was an avid watcher of Reading Rainbow (that and Rescue 911.) When I heard that it is going off the air a little part of the child in me died. I'm sure many people can say the same. You will be missed Reading Rainbow!

Top Ten Positives to Apartment Life

10) Unlimited hot water.

9) Own bathroom.

8) We have a pool!

7) My amazing walk-in-closet.

6) Boys (friends of course) can come over whenever they want to hang out.

5) My Roomie-The-Sequel (Emily) is great!

4) A kitchen to cook in. It is FABULOUS!

3) We have a fireplace! How cute is that?

2) Did I mention my walk in closet?

1) Being away from the rents. I love them very much, but I need my space.

One Year

It has been one year since we brought MJ back from China- and what a year it has been!

Quotable Quotes

Working at the pool puts me in contact with a wide variety of kids. Some are as cute as a button, while other are well... not as cute as a button. Although some of their comments and questions are frustrating, a lot of them literally make me laugh out loud. Here are a few of my favorites from this summer:

Not-So-Little-Boy: I will have a bag of Fritos, Snickers, a Sour Patch Kids, and a pop.

Me: What flavor of pop?

Not-So-Little-Boy: A Sunkist. That is the orange flavored one right?

Me: Sure is!

Not-So-Little-Boy: Ok good. My mom said I need to be healthier and eat more fruit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blond Girl: How much is an ice cream sandwich?

Me: Seventy-five.

Blond Girl: Dollars!?!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(While in broad daylight at 2:30 in the afternoon)

Butch Girl: Is it night swim right now?

Me: No. That would take place at night.

Butch Girl: Oh.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Approx. 12 Year Old Boy: Can I have a fudge bar?

Me: Sorry bud. We are all out of every type of ice cream.

Approx. 12 Year Old Boy: Oh. Darn. Can I have an ice cream sandwich then?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lost Little Girl: I can't find my mommy!

Me: Do not worry. We can call her over the intercom. What is her name?

Lost Little Girl: Umm... mommy.

Me: Okaaay. What is your name. We can call her to come get you.

Lost Little Girl: I am not supposed to tell strangers my name.

Me: Alright then. Tell me what your mommy looks like, and one of us could go find her.

Lost Little Girl: She is rounder than you and has umm... blue hair.

Me: Are you sure her hair is blue?

Lost Little Girl: Yes!

*We found this little girl's mom, and her hair was definitely blond.

Ashley Smith and the Quest to see Harry Potter

Ever since I saw Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix with my camp buddies (which was at the midnight premiere I might add) I've been greatly looking forward to the sixth movie- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. As the time for the movie inched forward I got more and more excited. I was crestfallen when the premiere was moved back from November to July. Yet as trailers for the film were released my excitement rose even higher. I was delighted to learn that we were going to be in North Carolina visiting family during the premiere- they are just as big of fans of both the books and the movies as my brothers and I. I knew that this would make the experience even sweeter! Finally July 14th arrived. My Aunt Michelle, Uncle Jay, Jared, Caleb, Lydia, Julia, Tyler, Jordan, and I made plans to go the midnight premiere. It took us a while to get out of their house that day and into town, and when we finally got to the theater at about four o'clock we were devastated to learn that the movie had sold-out. (We would have ordered our tickets online, but my my North Carolina family had just moved into their new castle two days before out arrival, and did not have internet.) As we sulked away from the theater we vowed to see it the night of the 15th.

The day of the 15th all of us girls took a road trip to Atlanta (I learned firsthand why it is nicknamed Hotlanta) to go to the American Girl store to get a doll for my little sister Kyndal. (Which I'll admit was a lot of fun) However, true to Grosse and Smith form, we got away from the house too late and ended up spending more time at the Atlanta mall than we intended. We did not get back to their house until well after ten- far too late for any movie times in such a small town. My spirit was being slowly crushed.

The next day, the 16th, my Aunt Michelle had a big dinner planned and my mom's cousin was coming for dessert. Therefore, we knew that a night movie was out of the question. Waynesville had no matinee showings, but Lydia, my 15 year old cousin, and I were determined. We looked online for movie times in neighboring towns and found a theater with a 3:00 matinee showing. The town was half an hour away, so we left the house an hour and ten minutes before the showing. Should be plenty of time right? Wrong. At least it was not enough time for a directionaly stupid 22 year old and her even more directinaly stupid 15 year old cousin. We got so lost. I mean really, really lost. We ended up in some town that probably no one has ever heard of and had no cell phone signal. We had to use a pay phone (didn't think those existed anymore did ya?) to call my Aunt Michelle so she could help us get home. We finally got home well over three hours later. We had definitely missed the movie. I might have cried a little. Ok a lot. Just kidding! Maybe...

This morning I woke up determined. Not only was I going to see Harry Potter. I was going to see it in the best theater in North Carolina. The boys had decided to go Whitewater rafting, and my Aunt Michelle and Uncle Jay were busy with others things, so it was just Lydia and I again. We found out about a theater in Asheville called the Cinebarre. This is no ordinary theater- it served you full meals at your seat! Lydia and I got both Map Quest and Aunt Michelle directions, and then set off a full two hours before the show. We were not going to take any chances. We made it to the theater with no problems (well except when I almost killed us by accidently cutting off a semitruck) and happily made our way to the ticket booth. When we got there the ticket gal asked for our ID's. Apparently since the theater serves alcohol you have to be at least 18 or have a guardian with you to see a movie. This was no problem for me, but Lydia is only 15. As we gapped at the girl and explained to her that Lydia was my cousin and very mature for a 15 year old and that I promose I would not let her drink a drip of alcohol she took pity on us. She let us in even though she technically was not suppossed to. I think this women should be sainted. It would have been a shame to leave poor Lydia to wait in the car while I watched the movie. :)

So I finally got to see the movie! I also enjoyed a pizza and rootbeer. It was well worth the wait! Some of y'all might think that I am being dramatic and made a big deal out of nothing, but you have to remember who you are talking to (err reading with..) here. If my plans do not go according to well... plan it throws me off. Plus I am a commited Harry Potter fan, and I feel like I let something down by not seeing the midnight premiere. To make up for it Lydia and I are seeing it again with the rest of the family tonight!

Fifty-Nifty Plus Three

Every since the state quarters first started coming out I really wanted to eventually collect all of them. I started to, but I always spent them away. There was that pizza my freshmen year of high school, the movie my junior year, and well.... some unique lip gloss at the state fair my senior year. (It had little flowers in it!) In my line of work (pool cashier) I come across a lot of quarters. That is pretty much all kids pay with at the pool. On Monday I decided to cash in some of my money for quarters so I could exchange them for the state quarters that I need. I made a list and crossed them off as they came along. Well... I've done it! I've collected all fifty states plus Guam, Puerto Rico and District of Columbia. This may sound totally nerdy, but I feel like I've accomplished something, so celebrate with me! This time I promise I will not spend them away.

Wanta Fanta?

At the end of my senior year of high school I declared in front of the audience at my last show choir concert that it was my dream in life to be the next Fanta Girl (a Fantana). Since then I have joked about that dream, and even been called Fanta Girl by some. Well on Sunday Mallory told me that there is a search for the next Fantana, and I'm going for it! Tomorrow Mal and I are filming the application video. I know the odds are against me, but who knows! My dream may come true. One thing is for sure. I "Wanta Fanta!"

Poolside Revelations

Tonight I worked concessions for the pool I work at. It was a girl's fifteenth birthday party, and her parents had rented the pool so she could party with thirty of her closest friends. (She also got a car, but that is a whole other story.) Her little sister asked me if I was going to be a freshmen next year with her sister. I laughed and said no, but as I watched the Birthday Girl splash around with her chums from the concession stand I thought back to when it was at that time in my life.

I was fresh out of middle-school with bangs and an attitude to boot! I was so incredibly excited and ready for high-school. To prepare for the big freshmen year I decided to grow out those awful bangs. I had let my mother convince me that my forehead was too big, but no more! That summer I volunteered at my church's VBS and met the love of my life- Robert Miller. He was going to be a senior in the fall, but hey! I aimed big.

I had no clue of all the things that life had in store for me in those four pivotal years of high-school, but there is no denying that those four years helped shape me into the person that I am today. As I watched the birthday girl swim I cam to a stunning revelation- I miss high-school. Not in a "I wish I could go back way:, but more of a "I should have appreciated what I had way" I always knew that I would miss some aspects of high-school (i.e. show choir and my friends), but I never thought that I would miss high-school as a whole. But I do. It is just such a growing time for everyone. No person is the same person they were as a freshmen when graduating as a senior. So I wish the Birthday Girl luck. I hope that her high-school are years of growing, even if she does have a few growing pains.