Update: Where the Figgats have been for the last six months

Greetings! We decided we should include an update on everything that has occurred these last few months. I ended up graduating cum laude, which was super exciting for me. Nerdy, but true. In case you didn't know, we moved to Salt Lake City, Utah immediately following graduation where I completed my student teaching assignment at Cyprus High School (Pirate Pride!). My time as a student teacher included some of the most rewarding times in my life. The kids that I taught really made a difference in my life. Also, I feel like I really found what I want to do with my rest of my life. I love being a teacher! During the few months that we lived in Utah, Adam did freelance marketing work. After our time in Salt Lake ended, we decided to move to (drum roll, please) Rexburg, Idaho. While we did not expect to ever move back to the city of our Alma Mater, we could not be happier to be back. I was offered an adjunct faculty position at BYU-Idaho, where I will teach English starting Fall 2013. Adam is continuing freelance work for the time being. Thus, it will be at least a few more frigid winters for us in the frozen tundra called Rexburg. We hope all is well with all who read these words.

Love,

Evi

Here are some pictures from our time in Utah...

first day as a student teacher

Tara & Ryan came to visit/ski with us at Canyons

We dated a lot, considering we had only a few friends and not very much time in Utah.

Love these boys, even when Jeremy farted... a lot ;)

Tuesday night was Taco Tuesday and Del Taco was the only place that we could find that upheld such a tradition

Valentine's Day: Dinner at Normandie and we saw Warm Bodies

Said goodbye to my little sister before she left on her mission

My family came to visit!

I got new skis, which I used all the time thanks to our passes at Canyons

This is Lil' Sebastian. I drove past him everyday on my way to work.

We had our two year anniversary! We celebrated by going to Texas de Brazil (thanks to Groupon). 

We went to St. George & hiked Angel's Landing.

Yeah, I climbed that ridge.

My Fisherman

I loved all of the gorgeous tulips in Utah, especially the ones at Temple Square.

Salt Lake City LDS Temple

My cousins built riot shields and shot BB guns at us. Super fun :)

We lived in East Millcreek, which gave us a perfect view of the sunset each night.

I taught the Valiant 10/11 class.  It was my favorite calling thus far.

Chilling in Grandma's basement aka home

Also, we lived across from 7-11. It was a bit of a problem. Slurpee lovers for life!

Life Among the Utahns and Teaching the Young

We moved to Utah a few weeks ago. I love it here. There is not a day that goes by that I am grateful for the beautiful mountains that serve as a backdrop to my commute home.

I am teaching in Magna at Cyprus High School. I work roughly 10-11 hours every day; yet, I don't mind the hard work, because the kids make it worth it.I have fallen in love with teaching.

Teaching has opened my heart. I teach in a blue-collar area. Most of my students works at minimum wage jobs just to provide for their needs. Additionally, many of them come from broken homes. I hear about their individual struggles through their journals and by informative emails sent to teachers by the administration. I feel so grateful for my upbringing. I grew up in a whole home where my education was put first. Every need was provided for. I never went to bed hungry. I never was denied medical attention because my parents couldn't afford it. I will forever be grateful for my privileged and blessed upbringing.

I want to make a difference in the lives of my students. I may be there for only four months, but I feel that I can really make a difference by teaching them tolerance, perseverance, and love.

I love our life right now. I can't wait to see what the following months bring. The Lord always provides.

Love,
Evi

Election Day 2012

Source

Well, it's election day. This is the first presidential election that I've been able to vote in. It's quite exciting. I'm finding that tonight it is very difficult to focus on homework, because I keep finding myself checking the results. This election has made me focus on what my political ideals are. What do I believe is right? Which party do I identify with more? Ultimately, I registered as an independent voter. I'm pretty middle-of-the-road on most issues. Not because I don't care, but because I have been raised to be a free thinker. I've felt very grateful for the fact that I have grown up in family where all that matters is that you vote. I don't feel particularly tied to either candidate (Romney or Obama). Thus, I won't be particularly crushed when the loser of the election is essentially announced. Being Mormon, a lot of people would argue that a) I should hate Obama b) I should vote conservative c) I should pledge all allegiance to Romney. Personally, I disagree with all of the aforementioned statements. Plus, it nobody's business who I voted for. ;) In the end, my hope is that the elected leader of our country keeps in mind what really matters-- the people. As a religious person, I hope that God directs the hands of our leaders in the next four years. No matter what party you're apart of, ultimately, everyone poops.

Love,
Evi

Happy October!

(Image)

Alas, it is October. 

The leaves are growing thinner and flakier. They rustle in the Rexburg winds.

The leaves are turning bright colors, as well. 

We are officially one third of the way through our last semester.

We feel good about where we are at. 

So, happy October to all. 

It is a happy month for us in the Figgat home. 

Enjoy every crunchy leaf on the sidewalk.

Love, 

Evi

The One About Being Homesick

I am homesick and should be doing my homework.
After being privileged enough to live at home for nearly six months, I'm already ready to go back.
Sure, I talk to my parents all the time, but there is something about being there with the ability to go into the next room and chat with my mom or dad for as long as I'd like.
Also, I miss my niece. I mean, look at those cheeks!! I sure love that little chunk.
Alas, home is where my husband is and right now he is in Idaho; thus, home is here.
Don't get me wrong, I love it here.
But, I do miss those cheeks.

Love,
Evi

The Road Most Traveled

Just another view off of PCH :)
Image 

You guys, I am so stinking excited. Why? Because next week we will be driving up the CA-101 aka Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) to see Jason and Lora (Adam's brother and his wife) for a couple days. They live in the Bay Area, so naturally, we are making a road trip out of it. I've always wanted to drive up PCH for longer than the drive from Newport to Laguna Beach, and next week my dreams are becoming reality. Since we are young and don't have anything to tie us down, we are incorporating this trip in the drive back up to Idaho. Next stop... San Jose!

Fill Your Life

Tonight my dad made a really good point. He said, "In the end, it is better to fill your life by doing good, rather than filling it by doing nothing at all... Always be engaged in a good cause."As I sat next to my sisters and across from Adam, I realized that sometimes I busy myself with things that aren't necessarily always good things. Now, this isn't a confession post where I note all my mistakes, but I realize that spending 20 minutes on Facebook (*cough* or longer *cough) is not the best decision. Facebook is not bad by any means, but it is not necessarily good. Therefore, I'm issuing a challenge:

Maybe we can all try to be a little better at anxiously engaging ourselves in good causes to bring more good into this world, rather than laziness or boredom. Engage in something good. I think we will all like what we find. ;)

Good night!

Love,
Evi