Quote of the Week

"Wonders are many, and none is more wonderful than man." -Sophacles

Quote of the Week

From my absolute favorite television show at the moment, and in the season of giving: "Everyday we get to give the gift of life. It can be painful, it can be terrifying, but in the end it's worth it. Every time...Maybe the gifts are not as dramatic as what happens in the operating room, maybe the gift is to try and make a simple apology, maybe it's to understand another person's point of view, maybe it's to hold a secret for a friend. The joy supposedly is in the giving, so when the joy is gone, when the giving starts to feel more like a burden, that's when you stop. But if you're like most people I know, you give till it hurts, and then you give some more." -Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy, Season 5

Addicted

I have a serious problem. It is something I crave everyday, and can never get enough of. I am addicted to salsa. (Ha!) I am going to do something about it: Create a blog.

My current favorite:

My parents bought this the other day when they saw it was from "On the Border," a restaurant they went to in San Diego. My goodness, it is so good. It has a strong chili taste to it, but man, I cannot get enough of it! We might have to take bulk in it!

I think I will blog about my favorites, least favorites, and find others' recipes and favorites :)

Quote of the Week

The motto chosen for "Service Month," without a doubt:

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."

-Albert Einstein

This Is It

Marching season is over and my goodness, it's been amazing!! We took first or second place at all of our competitions, as well as a number of caption awards, including outstanding musical performance, outstanding visual performance, outstanding colorguard, and, best of all, outstanding percussion! This last weekend we went to state and Bands of America. We took second at state as well as best percussion!! It was such a happy day. We then went on to take third at BOA. What more could make a first year band happier? Here are some memories:

We had a huge air-soft war the weekend before

Then rocked a dance hosted by AF

Owned state in percussion

Stuffed face

Played another rocking show

Then stuffed face again!

Now I know marching band is more than just winning, as all things are. When we played a perfect show--nailing ever big hit and run--it's the most amazing thing. Our piece also involved a number of movements that would make you want to cry when they were through because your adrenaline gets running so fast! ha. BUT, it sure felt good to win so many trophies. Here's to marching band! It's over for good...

Request

Now to the previous post:

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE PROJECT IDEAS?

We have "Service Month" coming up on our schedule and I am in charge. Whether it's little things, or a huge project, I need ideas that will help bring the whole school in to the idea of service. All ideas are appreciated. Thank you!

Quote of the Week

We had a small retreat as a student council to finalize our plans for the year and what we need to do to pick it up a notch. I have never really been part of a leadership that, well, failed, as much as we have. Sure, things all get done and we make it happen, but I just don't feel like we have gone to the extents we initially intended. After each event I think to myself, "that didn't go as planned...better luck next time." When will that next time be? This also made me ponder on my office in the student council: service chair. SERVICE! The act which helps us reach humility! One of the largest things we are asked to do everyday! What will make a difference! Have I lived up to that title? The answer to this remains...neutral. I try, but not hard enough. I will occasionally go help clean up at lunch, but other days walk right past, acknowledging the need for help, but leaving it for others. That's going to end. When I see something that needs to be done (and this is when it should apply to us all) I am going to do it! Who cares what others may think of you? This all leads to my quote: "If I have been of service, if I have glimpsed more of the nature and essence of ultimate good, if I am inspired to reach wider horizons of thought and action, if I am at peace with myself, it has been a successful day."

-Alex Noble

The goal:

Find an act of service you can do everyday; find someone in need.

Leave someone better than you found them.

Current Addiction

I used to be absolutely disgusted with salsa--just the thought of tomatoes, onions, and other gross vegetables combined made me sick! It then began to grow on me, and I now have an addiction! I still cannot stand that awful canned stuff, but my goodness, I am a sucker for fresh salsa! Mmm...all on top of a baked tortilla chip :)

Here's a recipe I got from a friends mom and is now our family favorite:

Daiquiri's Favorite Salsa

Fresh Cilantro: 1 bunch

Green Onion: 2-3 bunches

Fresh Minced Garlic: 10 cloves

Yellow Onion: 3 medium

Jalapeno Peppers: 5

Lime Juice: 2 Tbs

Salt: 1Tbs

Crushed Red Pepper: 2 tsp

Chili Powder: 2 tsp

Tomato Paste: 6 oz can

Tomato Sauce: 15 oz can

Whole Peeled Tomatoes: (2) 28 oz cans- drained

(or fresh from your garden)

Instructions:

1. Wash and chop all fresh veggies, place in large bowl

2. In a separate bowl, mix spices with tomato paste and sauce until mixed thoroughly.

3. If using fresh tomatoes: remove stem, blanch, peel, core.

4. Dice tomatoes.

5. Stir veggies, spice mixture, and tomatoes until mixed through.

6. Enjoy!

(Thank you to http://www.calledblessed.com/2008/09/recipe-homemade-salsa.html)

I also love a good mango salsa and any other fruit salsas :)

Do you have any favorites to share?

All I Want

I've got my season pass purchased to the Canyons, my gear is ready, now all I want to do is go SNOWBOARDING!!!

Me at the top of Winn Dixie

I can't get it off my mind!

Hannah Teter

Shaun White

Goal: Challenge Day

Our student council is currently working on getting sponsors and donations for one of the greatest programs ever: Challenge Day. All in all, it will help bring unity to our school as well as be rid of stereotypes. What more could a brand new high school hope for? If you or anyone else knows of any sponsors who like to help us out with this, please let me know.

Working with us is Whitney Merrifield, Miss Utah of 2009. She is an amazing person, and I cannot wait for this to be a success!!

The following 2-minute clip shows an example of this wonderful program: