Dear Friends,

I would like to start this letter by letting you know that the return address on the envelope of this letter will only be good through the first week of January. Unfortunately at this point I don't know what my address will be after then. But more on that later.

Looking back on this last year it seems like things have either been very busy or very calm. There has not been much middle ground. I've continued to teach computers at Mt. Mahogany Elementary School in Pleasant Grove, Utah. This year started my sixth year there. I love working with the same kids each year and watching them grow. The fifth graders this year were my kindergarten students when I started. I'm also still working with our early morning tutoring program that I helped start four years ago. I've really enjoyed working with small groups on math, even if I'm not a morning person.

Last January I started my Masters degree at the University of Utah. In May I participated in the graduation ceremonies and this summer all of my courses and papers were officially finished. I have yet to make my students call me Master Giles though. I bought season football tickets for BYU this year, and even though I now have a degree from both schools, there was no doubt in my mind which team I was cheering for at the BYU vs. Utah game. My blood is still blue.

I have continued to work at the fabric store this year, two or three times a month, and surprisingly enough I've actually managed to make some money this year. I also have a list longer than I can remember right now of blankets and quilts I am at some stage of making. Sewing might not be cheaper than therapy, but I get blankets and clothes when I'm done sewing. I did quite well at the County Fair with my blankets and photos this year as well.

Last year I was able to meet Mark Eubank when he retired from doing the weather at KSL. This year Dick Nourse retired after 43 years of doing the news. They had an open house for him the day before and I went to that and got a picture with him. Afterwards, my friend who works at KSL let me watch the news from the set. I thought that was just the neatest thing in the world.

When I graduated from BYU in 2002, my plan was to leave Utah as soon as possible. It looks like "as soon as possible" meant almost six years. Next month I will be starting on a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at the University of Arizona in Tucson. I have really enjoyed my time in Orem. I have learned a lot of things, met a lot of amazing people, and grown in ways and directions I never would have imagined. But it is time to move on now. And I am sure that new adventures and new friends await me in Arizona. And thus the afore mentioned address change next month.

I am grateful for all of the blessings in my life: my family, friends, and all the opportunities that I have been given. I am especially grateful for my Savior.

I wish you all a peaceful Christmas season
and a wonderful new year.

Com Amor,
Lisa Giles