This is going to be short...You are probably glad because you have a million things to do and don't want to waste time reading pages and pages of 'Sahar's life'. Am I right?
I don't even have fun photos to share...I'm a boring friend...
I have had two long weeks. it is going to be a looooong semester. I do love my students though. They are hard working and they come often to ask questions to my office. Which is good, but it means I get nothing else done. I also need to do a few things now that I am a normal faculty..I do have added responsibility like advising students, helping with things in the department, and doing certain things for my CFS. I am also trying to do some things to improve my Stat knowledge like learning R and other things...
I just got back from Utah after being down there for a day so I can translate for the Women's session of conference. I didn't get many talks to translate this time for which I am grateful because these two weeks have been super busy.
I went to the signing of my friend's book yesterday. She included one of my stories in her book and will include another in her new book coming out in January.
(the first picture is with Elder and sister Groberg)
I think Ganel-Lyn is beating me to publishing my story. My book is still being reviewed by Deseret Book and I am not sure if they will accept it for publication or not. We should know shortly though.
It was such an honor to be there to translate for the Women's session. I was so happy to see all the women of the church outside the conference center this evening, laughing together and taking pictures. I know making this session include women and girls of all ages was an inspired decision. I could see grandmothers connecting with daughters and grandchildren and could see the relationships between women increase. We are all truly daughters of a loving Heavenly Father and we are each precious.
Ganel-Lyn's books show the hardships various women have faced and I have noticed quite a few as I associated with different women from various countries. We are all strong and resilient. I just wish we all could realize our true value and identity.
I met an amazing woman who just joined the church. I am honored to know her and glad she decided to follow her heard even though her mother and family was not supportive. As someone who has made the same choice, I know that the Gospel brings happiness and joy into our lives. Following the Savior is the only way back to Heavenly Father. As was said today, the Lord is in need of faithful, strong, courageous women. He needs women of faith who are gentle and kind and full of love. He needs us because this is the only way He can spread love to the ends of the earth.
No, I didn't fall...Fall Season started though. It has been a little cooler lately especially the first day of classes last week. The leaves are starting to change colors. I remember my friend Emily saying that while living in Palestine, Fall was the one season she missed. Because back home we don't get much of that. It is green one day then it gets hot and everything becomes brown almost overnight. We also don't have many trees there, and the trees we have are mostly olive trees which are green year round. It surely is nice to see the vibrant colors of fall...
I have had a crazy week. The first week is often crazy because I have students on the waiting lists trying to get into the class...We had 400 students on the waiting list for Math 108 this semester. I wish we could accommodate more students, but our classes are super full.
I love my students this semester...but I can tell that a lot of them don't have the needed math background to succeed and they will struggle this semester. It is sad...
This is going to be a busy semester it seems even though I am only teaching one new class and the other two classes I have taught before. But, I have two daily classes which makes it hard because you need to prepare for class every day.
I am also starting to get talks for conference to translate. They are a bit late this year it seems. So, I am worried that we will get them all at the end and not have time to do them. I will be down in Utah for the Women's session, but not for general conference. I simply can't go down two weekends in a row!
We went to StringLake and hiked around the lake yesterday. We walked 4 miles and towards the end I could not walk anymore.
It was such a beautiful day and the fall colors are starting to show. The Teton mountains were amazing.
We saw a few animals. Some Elk which I heard bugling for the first time. It was interesting to see the females run towards the sound of the male bugling as soon as they heard it.
We also saw a mother moose and her baby drinking from the river and a deer. Sadly, we still didn't see a bear! Or maybe luckily I should say because we didn't really want to run into a bear in the forest. That would not be good.
I put up a fence in the back yard. It was super expensive, but it feels more private now in the back. Sadly winter is here and I won't get to enjoy it much longer. Next summer I'll buy a grill and enjoy the outdoors more. I also am going to plant at least some tomato plants because I just adore the tomatoes I got from the farmer's market.
I still need to buy a lawn mower and a snow blower...but after I do those hopefully I won't have any major expenses. I have spent so much money on the house and getting it to where I want it to be. I would like to be done with spending money and try to save some for a change!
