Wednesday, June 12, 2013

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!

Saturday, February 2, 2013

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