Be present, not tense.
Ah, the first Monday of the three weeks until Christmas Break... They had four days off, but the wiggles have already set in again. Sigh. I'm just holding on for the ride until after Christmas Break and they return with the first week of school behavior. I love those weeks. I am trying not to be tense about the craziness the next few weeks, and just be present to enjoy them. I won't get them back, and every moment with these students is precious.
Blessing #68: BrainPop Jr.
I am so blessed... that the website BrainPop Jr. exists. My kiddos love the characters in the movies, Annie and Moby. They are great for introducing new information and building background. Plus, they often come with quizzes and lesson activities. One of the 5th grade teachers even made a Moby costume out of a cardboard box and every once in a while he puts it on to make my kids smile. Good websites and resources are a teacher's best friends.
♥
Monday, November 30
Sunday, November 29
2 + 1 + 1 = Listening
You have two ears, one mouth, and one behind. Sit down, shut up, and listen.
Those words were shared tonight at church by the guest pastor. Just what I needed to hear. I have stopped questioning the occurrence of such God-incidences and am working on just living them.
Blessing #67: Listening
I am so blessed... to have two ears which allow me to listen to the counsel of others. I do not mean to imply that I regularly use them to listen; in fact, most of the time I'm "listening," I am merely waiting impatiently for my chance to share some ideas and thoughts of my own. Fooled you, didn't I? That intent look on my face does not show my deep interest in the words coming out of your mouth, oh no! That's the "I'm formulating my response" look. How sad for me to learn then, tonight, that in order to honor others and mature myself, I need to listen. Not talk. Listen. Uh-oh. Which means I have to work on actually using my ears to hear the words being said. Wisdom, maturity, and the gift of honoring others awaits me if I do, though. I suppose, in that case, it's worth it... Something new for me to work on! I believe I've already been successful at consistently achieving two personal goals this year: keeping my room/bathroom/apartment clean and blogging my blessings [almost] daily. I feel ready to take on a new goal: to honor others and mature myself by listening. Here goes nothing...
♥
Those words were shared tonight at church by the guest pastor. Just what I needed to hear. I have stopped questioning the occurrence of such God-incidences and am working on just living them.
Blessing #67: Listening
I am so blessed... to have two ears which allow me to listen to the counsel of others. I do not mean to imply that I regularly use them to listen; in fact, most of the time I'm "listening," I am merely waiting impatiently for my chance to share some ideas and thoughts of my own. Fooled you, didn't I? That intent look on my face does not show my deep interest in the words coming out of your mouth, oh no! That's the "I'm formulating my response" look. How sad for me to learn then, tonight, that in order to honor others and mature myself, I need to listen. Not talk. Listen. Uh-oh. Which means I have to work on actually using my ears to hear the words being said. Wisdom, maturity, and the gift of honoring others awaits me if I do, though. I suppose, in that case, it's worth it... Something new for me to work on! I believe I've already been successful at consistently achieving two personal goals this year: keeping my room/bathroom/apartment clean and blogging my blessings [almost] daily. I feel ready to take on a new goal: to honor others and mature myself by listening. Here goes nothing...
♥
Saturday, November 28
Volumes of Serenity
Blessing #66: Borders Books
I am so blessed... to have rediscovered a source of serenity: the bookstore! In the rush of my daily life recently, I had forgotten bookstores were one of my favorite places to be. Today I spent quite a bit of time just wandering around Borders. So peaceful. How inspiring to be surrounded by the words of [many] talented, insightful writers. I even found a book I am excited to read: You Were Born For This. Maybe when a quiet, peaceful place to work is needed, I'll head back to Borders. There are many nooks where people rarely walk, and even if they do, they do so without talking. It's funny how shelves of books make people so quiet. There are no signs demanding silence; it seems to be the instinctive response to volumes of writing. Silence. Reverent silence. I love it.
♥
I am so blessed... to have rediscovered a source of serenity: the bookstore! In the rush of my daily life recently, I had forgotten bookstores were one of my favorite places to be. Today I spent quite a bit of time just wandering around Borders. So peaceful. How inspiring to be surrounded by the words of [many] talented, insightful writers. I even found a book I am excited to read: You Were Born For This. Maybe when a quiet, peaceful place to work is needed, I'll head back to Borders. There are many nooks where people rarely walk, and even if they do, they do so without talking. It's funny how shelves of books make people so quiet. There are no signs demanding silence; it seems to be the instinctive response to volumes of writing. Silence. Reverent silence. I love it.
♥
Friday, November 27
Graciasgiving
Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.
Thanksgiving (or, a word one of my adorable students from last year coined: Graciasgiving) was yesterday, but seeing as how I was busy giving thanks, enjoying a deep fried turkey, speaking in Spanish, cutting up carrots, laughing a lot, playing Yahtzee, and discovering one of my new favorite road trip games... I didn't post! To make up for that (and my lack of posts since Sunday), I figured I would make a giant list of things/people/events I am thankful for this Thanksgiving. Here goes...
Blessing #65: Giving Thanks
I am so blessed... to have so many blessings to be thankful for!
I am thankful for...
...my faith.
...my dad: he's an amazing guy and absolutely the reason I have such high standards for the men in my life. I am so blessed to have been raised by him.
...my mom: how cool is it to also count my mother as one of my closest friends?! I am so blessed to have been raised by her as well.
...my brother: seriously. I am pretty sure I got the best family ever. On top of two incredible, loving, supportive parents, I also was given an amazing brother! He's talented, kind, and growing into a good man as well. I am really proud of him.
...my extended family: my grandparents for raising two awesome people who then raised me, and all the aunts, uncles, and cousins who make my life infinitely more joyful. Also, it's great to have such a big family that pretty much no matter where I go in the U.S., I probably have someone to see/stay with.
...my "people:"
...Big Sis: we laugh, we cry, we share joy, sorrow, and advice. What a blessing!
...Az: photographer and friend-extraordinaire! Lights up my life with laughter, insight and support. So thankful for our friendship.
...the amazing firewoman, E: the yin-yang of our friendship grounds me in many areas of life. A shoulder to cry on until I need to be shaken out of it, a voice of oft-needed realism, a friend who has known me for years: another blessing.
...Marty-kins: few people can make me laugh like this one. Feels like we've been friends for longer than we have, since we know each other so well!
...Bee: reminds me to intentionally invest time, support and love into those relationships I cherish. An example of a good friend who listens, supports, encourages but also just shares JOY.
...Lovah: my other half... we probably will still end up growing old together, but somehow we'll have to end up in the same city!
...Ms. Missy: a friend I was blessed enough to find during my first quarter of college, and we're still going strong almost 6 years later! Through this friendship I find laughter, support and a great teacher to swap stories with. Such a blessing!
...Three's Company: what a joy to be one-thirds of this dynamic trio! Laughter and kindness are the cornerstones of our friendship. Can't wait to grow old as friends with these two!
...my roommie: I didn't think I could possibly luck out again in the roommate department, but I did! We are learning lots about ourselves this year, and it is a pleasure to share the teaching journey with such a great friend!
...LDH: my soul-friend who knows and appreciates so many of my quirks. It is truly a blessing to have a friend who is so insightful about who you really are, and cherishes you all the more for your uniqueness. I am so happy for the future that is unfolding in front of this amazing person!
...my phenomenal TFA friends: what would I do without them?! Supportive, fun, encouraging... they make this often rocky journey so wonderful!
...my school and the staff: can't imagine a better place to work.
...the 26 treasures who are students in my classroom this year.
...TFA.
...Ari: the last year and a half would not have seen some of the successes it has without the support, resources and encouragement Ari provided.
...Spring Breaks in Tulsa, OK.
...summer trips to San Fran.
...weddings in Reno.
...trivia games at Rose & Crown.
...good times at Rula Bula.
...Slices.
...nights out in SLO with a dear friend.
...I Love You, Man and subsequent nicknames/quotes.
...Cheesecake Factory for my birthday.
...inside jokes.
...Spring Training games in Peoria.
...Pita Pit late at night in Flagstaff.
...Phoenix visits from good college friends.
...meeting new friends.
...meeting amazing, boisterous, sweet families.
...ice cream sundaes.
...Tiglet.
...random refrigerator magnets.
...Apples to Apples.
...Glee.
...how much better New Moon is than Twilight.
...Zumba.
...memorable g-chats.
...learning to stand up for myself in different ways.
...setting expectations and watching people rise to meet them.
...I'm On A Boat.
...Skyping with family and friends.
...the newest family member: Rocky.
...hiking.
...finding the haircut.
...getting myself on track financially.
...making mistakes and finding the lessons to learn from them.
...learning new things about myself.
...blogging about blessings.
...my health.
...finding new things every day to be thankful for!
♥
Thanksgiving (or, a word one of my adorable students from last year coined: Graciasgiving) was yesterday, but seeing as how I was busy giving thanks, enjoying a deep fried turkey, speaking in Spanish, cutting up carrots, laughing a lot, playing Yahtzee, and discovering one of my new favorite road trip games... I didn't post! To make up for that (and my lack of posts since Sunday), I figured I would make a giant list of things/people/events I am thankful for this Thanksgiving. Here goes...
Blessing #65: Giving Thanks
I am so blessed... to have so many blessings to be thankful for!
I am thankful for...
...my faith.
...my dad: he's an amazing guy and absolutely the reason I have such high standards for the men in my life. I am so blessed to have been raised by him.
...my mom: how cool is it to also count my mother as one of my closest friends?! I am so blessed to have been raised by her as well.
...my brother: seriously. I am pretty sure I got the best family ever. On top of two incredible, loving, supportive parents, I also was given an amazing brother! He's talented, kind, and growing into a good man as well. I am really proud of him.
...my extended family: my grandparents for raising two awesome people who then raised me, and all the aunts, uncles, and cousins who make my life infinitely more joyful. Also, it's great to have such a big family that pretty much no matter where I go in the U.S., I probably have someone to see/stay with.
...my "people:"
...Big Sis: we laugh, we cry, we share joy, sorrow, and advice. What a blessing!
...Az: photographer and friend-extraordinaire! Lights up my life with laughter, insight and support. So thankful for our friendship.
...the amazing firewoman, E: the yin-yang of our friendship grounds me in many areas of life. A shoulder to cry on until I need to be shaken out of it, a voice of oft-needed realism, a friend who has known me for years: another blessing.
...Marty-kins: few people can make me laugh like this one. Feels like we've been friends for longer than we have, since we know each other so well!
...Bee: reminds me to intentionally invest time, support and love into those relationships I cherish. An example of a good friend who listens, supports, encourages but also just shares JOY.
...Lovah: my other half... we probably will still end up growing old together, but somehow we'll have to end up in the same city!
...Ms. Missy: a friend I was blessed enough to find during my first quarter of college, and we're still going strong almost 6 years later! Through this friendship I find laughter, support and a great teacher to swap stories with. Such a blessing!
...Three's Company: what a joy to be one-thirds of this dynamic trio! Laughter and kindness are the cornerstones of our friendship. Can't wait to grow old as friends with these two!
...my roommie: I didn't think I could possibly luck out again in the roommate department, but I did! We are learning lots about ourselves this year, and it is a pleasure to share the teaching journey with such a great friend!
...LDH: my soul-friend who knows and appreciates so many of my quirks. It is truly a blessing to have a friend who is so insightful about who you really are, and cherishes you all the more for your uniqueness. I am so happy for the future that is unfolding in front of this amazing person!
...my phenomenal TFA friends: what would I do without them?! Supportive, fun, encouraging... they make this often rocky journey so wonderful!
...my school and the staff: can't imagine a better place to work.
...the 26 treasures who are students in my classroom this year.
...TFA.
...Ari: the last year and a half would not have seen some of the successes it has without the support, resources and encouragement Ari provided.
...Spring Breaks in Tulsa, OK.
...summer trips to San Fran.
...weddings in Reno.
...trivia games at Rose & Crown.
...good times at Rula Bula.
...Slices.
...nights out in SLO with a dear friend.
...I Love You, Man and subsequent nicknames/quotes.
...Cheesecake Factory for my birthday.
...inside jokes.
...Spring Training games in Peoria.
...Pita Pit late at night in Flagstaff.
...Phoenix visits from good college friends.
...meeting new friends.
...meeting amazing, boisterous, sweet families.
...ice cream sundaes.
...Tiglet.
...random refrigerator magnets.
...Apples to Apples.
...Glee.
...how much better New Moon is than Twilight.
...Zumba.
...memorable g-chats.
...learning to stand up for myself in different ways.
...setting expectations and watching people rise to meet them.
...I'm On A Boat.
...Skyping with family and friends.
...the newest family member: Rocky.
...hiking.
...finding the haircut.
...getting myself on track financially.
...making mistakes and finding the lessons to learn from them.
...learning new things about myself.
...blogging about blessings.
...my health.
...finding new things every day to be thankful for!
♥
Sunday, November 22
Intentionality
No road is long with good company.
Tonight I listened to a great sermon on intentionality in relationships: intentionally choosing to invest time in a relationship, focusing on a person when you are with them, and being wise in acting on your knowledge. I was really forced to think about whether or not I am doing that, and the kind of affect it has on me. When life is frustrating and I survey all that I have going on, I usually end up blaming whatever is wrong on one thing. That one thing could be easily changed by intentionally nurturing those relationships that mean the most to me. So, I am taking the pastor's challenge to pick two relationships to intentionally invest in this week.
Basically, I'm going to backwards plan my time spent talking to/seeing the two people I've picked for this week. We'll see what happens.
Blessing #62: Three's Company
I am so blessed... to be one-thirds of Three's Company (my roommate from last year and her husband are the other two thirds). We have fun together and it is such a blessing to have friends who feel like family here. They support, encourage, listen and care for me. God is so good to have placed them in my path at this time in life. We have great stories from last year, as well. Love you both!
Blessing #63: Boy Band Music
I am so blessed... whenever I need a pick-me-up, I can listen to cheesy boy band music and I instantly feel better! There's something so soothing and calming about those gooey ballads. I just get happy singing along.
Blessing #64: Just Saying It
I am so blessed... I had the courage to stand up for myself today in a big way: I ordered a sandwich with no onions, and when it came with onions... I kindly sent it back! Usually I feel too bad about sending it back to say anything, but tonight I decided there was nothing wrong with getting what I actually asked for. It's a good feeling. Ridiculously empowering. Probably because it inspires me to make sure I get what I really want in other areas of life, as well.
♥
Tonight I listened to a great sermon on intentionality in relationships: intentionally choosing to invest time in a relationship, focusing on a person when you are with them, and being wise in acting on your knowledge. I was really forced to think about whether or not I am doing that, and the kind of affect it has on me. When life is frustrating and I survey all that I have going on, I usually end up blaming whatever is wrong on one thing. That one thing could be easily changed by intentionally nurturing those relationships that mean the most to me. So, I am taking the pastor's challenge to pick two relationships to intentionally invest in this week.
Basically, I'm going to backwards plan my time spent talking to/seeing the two people I've picked for this week. We'll see what happens.
Blessing #62: Three's Company
I am so blessed... to be one-thirds of Three's Company (my roommate from last year and her husband are the other two thirds). We have fun together and it is such a blessing to have friends who feel like family here. They support, encourage, listen and care for me. God is so good to have placed them in my path at this time in life. We have great stories from last year, as well. Love you both!
Blessing #63: Boy Band Music
I am so blessed... whenever I need a pick-me-up, I can listen to cheesy boy band music and I instantly feel better! There's something so soothing and calming about those gooey ballads. I just get happy singing along.
Blessing #64: Just Saying It
I am so blessed... I had the courage to stand up for myself today in a big way: I ordered a sandwich with no onions, and when it came with onions... I kindly sent it back! Usually I feel too bad about sending it back to say anything, but tonight I decided there was nothing wrong with getting what I actually asked for. It's a good feeling. Ridiculously empowering. Probably because it inspires me to make sure I get what I really want in other areas of life, as well.
♥
Thursday, November 19
Gleeful
A positive attitude may bot solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
It's funny how I can will myself into feeling ok about things until I actually do believe it's all ok. So, I tell myself today: it's alright. And guess what? It will be.
Blessing #59: Paradise Cookies
I am so blessed... to be able to eat yummy cookies from Paradise Cafe. And the fact that they're buy one, get one free: bonus! Just what I need to get me through the parent teacher conferences. Not that I dislike them, I just get so nervous... Am I doing it all right? Am I helping their student enough? Am I ever doing enough of anything to be a good teacher? It's really quite stressful. But, it will all be ok. I have Paradise Cafe cookies.
Blessing #60: Glee
I am so blessed... the TV show makes my life a little more like the musical I wish it was. It takes some of my favorite songs and transforms them into Broadway style productions. Plus, we have a Glee Club after school. Ahhhhmazing! We have a blast singing, dancing and being silly. Another wonderful escape.
Blessing #61: Kenneth from 30 Rock
I am so blessed... Kenneth makes me feel much less naive and ridiculous. Plus, he is just hilarious!
♥
It's funny how I can will myself into feeling ok about things until I actually do believe it's all ok. So, I tell myself today: it's alright. And guess what? It will be.
Blessing #59: Paradise Cookies
I am so blessed... to be able to eat yummy cookies from Paradise Cafe. And the fact that they're buy one, get one free: bonus! Just what I need to get me through the parent teacher conferences. Not that I dislike them, I just get so nervous... Am I doing it all right? Am I helping their student enough? Am I ever doing enough of anything to be a good teacher? It's really quite stressful. But, it will all be ok. I have Paradise Cafe cookies.
Blessing #60: Glee
I am so blessed... the TV show makes my life a little more like the musical I wish it was. It takes some of my favorite songs and transforms them into Broadway style productions. Plus, we have a Glee Club after school. Ahhhhmazing! We have a blast singing, dancing and being silly. Another wonderful escape.
Blessing #61: Kenneth from 30 Rock
I am so blessed... Kenneth makes me feel much less naive and ridiculous. Plus, he is just hilarious!
♥
Tuesday, November 17
Cluttered
If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, what is the significance of a clean desk?
Parent teacher conferences start tomorrow. Hmmm. In all the rush to get report cards done, I realized this morning that my desk had somehow crossed the line from slightly neat to disheveled in the last few weeks. Running on a sudden burst of adrenaline, I cleaned it and various other parts of my room. That of course left me with little time to do the really important things (such as report cards and planning). Getting overwhelmed by tasks of lesser importance can be incredibly frustrating; at the time, cleaning seemed the most important thing I could do. In hindsight, I see now that I'll pay for it because I'll be up late doing what I should have been doing all along! Grrr. Oh, well. Can't do anything about it now. Maybe I will start making prioritized lists, not just random to-do lists. Perhaps if the things to be done were put in order of super-important to slight necessity, then I wouldn't get distracted. Perhaps. Most likely, I'll keep doing what I always do: clean in an effort to procrastinate and avoid my real work.
Yesterday, I got one of my favorite student quotes. In his journal, M wrote: "Dear L (he does not address me as Ms., oh no! He just uses my last name) I am in love with two people. I am scared to admit it. Who do you love?" Ha. Like I'm going to tell him.
Blessing #57: MacBook
I am so blessed... I finally took the leap and bought a MacBook. I am in love. It is so easy and fun! I stayed up later than I should have last night playing on it. Yay Mac!
Blessing #58: Trader Joe's
I am so blessed... I live a couple minutes away from a Trader Joe's. I just love that store. The food is always good and it is also usually pretty cheap compared to other stores. I especially love the snack foods and breads. Not to mention the pre-packaged salads, which I also love.
♥
Parent teacher conferences start tomorrow. Hmmm. In all the rush to get report cards done, I realized this morning that my desk had somehow crossed the line from slightly neat to disheveled in the last few weeks. Running on a sudden burst of adrenaline, I cleaned it and various other parts of my room. That of course left me with little time to do the really important things (such as report cards and planning). Getting overwhelmed by tasks of lesser importance can be incredibly frustrating; at the time, cleaning seemed the most important thing I could do. In hindsight, I see now that I'll pay for it because I'll be up late doing what I should have been doing all along! Grrr. Oh, well. Can't do anything about it now. Maybe I will start making prioritized lists, not just random to-do lists. Perhaps if the things to be done were put in order of super-important to slight necessity, then I wouldn't get distracted. Perhaps. Most likely, I'll keep doing what I always do: clean in an effort to procrastinate and avoid my real work.
Yesterday, I got one of my favorite student quotes. In his journal, M wrote: "Dear L (he does not address me as Ms., oh no! He just uses my last name) I am in love with two people. I am scared to admit it. Who do you love?" Ha. Like I'm going to tell him.
Blessing #57: MacBook
I am so blessed... I finally took the leap and bought a MacBook. I am in love. It is so easy and fun! I stayed up later than I should have last night playing on it. Yay Mac!
Blessing #58: Trader Joe's
I am so blessed... I live a couple minutes away from a Trader Joe's. I just love that store. The food is always good and it is also usually pretty cheap compared to other stores. I especially love the snack foods and breads. Not to mention the pre-packaged salads, which I also love.
♥
Sunday, November 15
The J-Factor
I know I can (I know I can)
Be what I wanna be (Be what I wanna be)
If I work hard at it (If I work hard at it)
I'll be where I wanna be (I'll be where I wanna be)
Returned from Flagstaff this morning, where I have been the last two days at a TFA conference called Southwest Summit. SW Summit brings together the Phoenix and New Mexico Corps for a day of workshops and training. It's a great time to get more professional development (I don't think I can ever get enough of that as a teacher), reconnect with friends, and enjoy another part of Arizona. Sometimes I feel I get stuck here in Phoenix because life is so busy; rarely do I see any other towns or places here.
Blessedly, all three of the workshops I attended were incredible! I learned some amazing techniques for increasing the J-Factor (Joy) in my classroom, how to help struggling readers (of which I have quite a few) through explicit phonics instruction and comprehension strategies, and how to stealthily teach problem solving, the scientific method, and other academic concepts through cooperative learning games. The last workshop especially helped me broaden my view of myself as a teacher to include the role of facilitator; I walked away from that session with a more concrete understanding of how to facilitate and why facilitation is so important.
Admittedly, I squeezed in some time for F-U-N with the phenomenal TFA teachers I also call friends! We had a blast out in Flagstaff last night; I take for granted sometimes how blessed it is to just be silly sometimes. I try my hardest not to take myself too seriously while also knowing that I need to take my actions and life choices seriously. At times, it is good to just let go and have fun without taking anything seriously.
Blessing #51: TFA Friends
I am so blessed... to be battling on the front lines towards the goal of ending education inequity alongside some pretty awesome people! I find so much encouragement and inspiration in their stories. The kinds of conversations we have about education and our roles as teachers are motivating. Plus, they are really fun people to hang out with; I can't think of a single TFA social event at which I felt anything but joy.
Blessing #52: SW Summit
I am so blessed... and I think I've already said enough about how great SW Summit was! Although, let me add: I saw snow. And I love snow. It was refreshing to be out of Phoenix for the weekend, but still feel productive.
Blessing #53: Ice Cream Sundaes
I am so blessed... to have had the opportunity to give some of my students their first experience building their own ice cream sundaes. This week in writing the students went through the process of writing step-by-step directions in the form of a recipe. It gets better: they wrote recipes for how to make an ice cream sundae! Each student picked ice cream and toppings from a menu-style word bank (a super sneaky way to scaffold writing for students with limited background knowledge about the prompt), then we went through the stages of prewriting (drawing each step and writing the vivid verb to describe what we were doing), drafting (writing the steps), revising (chopping, trading or pushing words), editing (checking for periods, capital letters, and numbers at the beginning of each step), and finally publishing (printing up the recipes, illustrating them with the finished sundae, and signing our names). Then I asked each student to bring one of the items on the menu, I brought the ice cream, and we made ice cream sundaes! It was ch-ch-ch fanTAStic!
Blessing #54: New Moon
I am so blessed... T-minus 5 days until the second movie in the Twilight series comes out in theaters! I am only slightly obsessed with this series of books and the protagonists. The second book is very different from the first; I am excited to see how it translates to the screen. Plus, I get to see it with two of my favorite people in the world!
Blessing #55: Coffee
I am so blessed... that coffee exists. It gets me going in the morning and I love the taste. Definitely needed it yesterday and today.
Blessing #56: Paychecks
I am so blessed... every other Thursday, my paycheck gets automatically deposited into my account. While sometimes many times I find myself complaining about the ratio of monetary compensation to actual time and effort expended, really I am very grateful to have a paycheck at all, especially in times like these.
Two blessings each for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: I think I'm caught up. Oh! Excellent article here.
♥
Be what I wanna be (Be what I wanna be)
If I work hard at it (If I work hard at it)
I'll be where I wanna be (I'll be where I wanna be)
Returned from Flagstaff this morning, where I have been the last two days at a TFA conference called Southwest Summit. SW Summit brings together the Phoenix and New Mexico Corps for a day of workshops and training. It's a great time to get more professional development (I don't think I can ever get enough of that as a teacher), reconnect with friends, and enjoy another part of Arizona. Sometimes I feel I get stuck here in Phoenix because life is so busy; rarely do I see any other towns or places here.
Blessedly, all three of the workshops I attended were incredible! I learned some amazing techniques for increasing the J-Factor (Joy) in my classroom, how to help struggling readers (of which I have quite a few) through explicit phonics instruction and comprehension strategies, and how to stealthily teach problem solving, the scientific method, and other academic concepts through cooperative learning games. The last workshop especially helped me broaden my view of myself as a teacher to include the role of facilitator; I walked away from that session with a more concrete understanding of how to facilitate and why facilitation is so important.
Admittedly, I squeezed in some time for F-U-N with the phenomenal TFA teachers I also call friends! We had a blast out in Flagstaff last night; I take for granted sometimes how blessed it is to just be silly sometimes. I try my hardest not to take myself too seriously while also knowing that I need to take my actions and life choices seriously. At times, it is good to just let go and have fun without taking anything seriously.
Blessing #51: TFA Friends
I am so blessed... to be battling on the front lines towards the goal of ending education inequity alongside some pretty awesome people! I find so much encouragement and inspiration in their stories. The kinds of conversations we have about education and our roles as teachers are motivating. Plus, they are really fun people to hang out with; I can't think of a single TFA social event at which I felt anything but joy.
Blessing #52: SW Summit
I am so blessed... and I think I've already said enough about how great SW Summit was! Although, let me add: I saw snow. And I love snow. It was refreshing to be out of Phoenix for the weekend, but still feel productive.
Blessing #53: Ice Cream Sundaes
I am so blessed... to have had the opportunity to give some of my students their first experience building their own ice cream sundaes. This week in writing the students went through the process of writing step-by-step directions in the form of a recipe. It gets better: they wrote recipes for how to make an ice cream sundae! Each student picked ice cream and toppings from a menu-style word bank (a super sneaky way to scaffold writing for students with limited background knowledge about the prompt), then we went through the stages of prewriting (drawing each step and writing the vivid verb to describe what we were doing), drafting (writing the steps), revising (chopping, trading or pushing words), editing (checking for periods, capital letters, and numbers at the beginning of each step), and finally publishing (printing up the recipes, illustrating them with the finished sundae, and signing our names). Then I asked each student to bring one of the items on the menu, I brought the ice cream, and we made ice cream sundaes! It was ch-ch-ch fanTAStic!
Blessing #54: New Moon
I am so blessed... T-minus 5 days until the second movie in the Twilight series comes out in theaters! I am only slightly obsessed with this series of books and the protagonists. The second book is very different from the first; I am excited to see how it translates to the screen. Plus, I get to see it with two of my favorite people in the world!
Blessing #55: Coffee
I am so blessed... that coffee exists. It gets me going in the morning and I love the taste. Definitely needed it yesterday and today.
Blessing #56: Paychecks
I am so blessed... every other Thursday, my paycheck gets automatically deposited into my account. While sometimes many times I find myself complaining about the ratio of monetary compensation to actual time and effort expended, really I am very grateful to have a paycheck at all, especially in times like these.
Two blessings each for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: I think I'm caught up. Oh! Excellent article here.
♥
Thursday, November 12
The Amie Show
There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.
(Note: I completely adore Douglas Adams, though admittedly I have only read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Still, I consider myself a fan, and find great relief in his quotes about... everything.)
The way my life is playing out often leaves me thinking that someone, somewhere is probably having a great belly laugh at my expense. I mean, seriously. Truman walked around in his world for a long time without realizing he was the butt of a horrifying joke (the joke being his entire life to the moment of realization that he was the star of The Truman Show). Perhaps this is all just part of the ridiculous sitcom I believe is my life, and millions of people are watching it all go down while enjoying a large bowl of popcorn. [Chances of that actually being true: incredibly, almost invisibly slim to none... which still leaves the slimmest of all slim chances that is exactly what is going on...) Regardless, I'm left to live my life out and try to enjoy the humor in it the way I imagine people who were watching it would.
Sometimes, though, I just feel like... well, my student who forgot to take his meds this morning said it best (shortly before heading to lunch where he proceeded to get tomato soup everywhere due to vigorously blowing bubbles through a very small straw): "I just... can't... help... THIS!" An outburst I can completely relate to almost all of the time. Out of the mouth of babes.
Blessing #48: Marty-kins
I am so blessed... like, whoa (if you knew Marty, you'd get it...). Anyhow. She is another phenomenal friend who makes my life infinitely better just by being. And then there's the fun she injects into my existence with her crazy knack for making everything hilarious! I tell you, that girl can make me laugh like no other. Not to mention she is amazing at making me feel like a good friend. Another heart-sister I could never be adequately thankful for. She's one of my "people" for sure, and deep in my tummy I know she always will be. Love you, lady!
Blessing #49: War
I am so blessed... by the card game War! The students love playing it, and it is rare to find a game that allows students to let out their competitive nature, forces math fact fluency practice, keeps everyone occupied at once, and never gets old! Plus, they play it at the end of the day after the math lesson, right when they are starting to get so squirmy that I can't really hold their attention much longer without breaking for another recess. That perfect storm allows me time to teach remedial math skills to struggling students. Ahhhhhhmazing.
Blessing #50: Pixie Stix
I am so blessed... to still have left over Halloween candy in my room! I stored a secret stash of Pixie Stix in a cupboard the kiddos can't reach; I dip in at least once a day for a quick sugar fix while trying to finish the ever expanding pile of papers to grade, papers to file, mess to clean up, or lessons to plan. If only there with a few more hours in a day. Alas, there are only 24, but I can have Pixie Stix in lieu of more time! Almost an equal trade, I suppose.
♥
(Note: I completely adore Douglas Adams, though admittedly I have only read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Still, I consider myself a fan, and find great relief in his quotes about... everything.)
The way my life is playing out often leaves me thinking that someone, somewhere is probably having a great belly laugh at my expense. I mean, seriously. Truman walked around in his world for a long time without realizing he was the butt of a horrifying joke (the joke being his entire life to the moment of realization that he was the star of The Truman Show). Perhaps this is all just part of the ridiculous sitcom I believe is my life, and millions of people are watching it all go down while enjoying a large bowl of popcorn. [Chances of that actually being true: incredibly, almost invisibly slim to none... which still leaves the slimmest of all slim chances that is exactly what is going on...) Regardless, I'm left to live my life out and try to enjoy the humor in it the way I imagine people who were watching it would.
Sometimes, though, I just feel like... well, my student who forgot to take his meds this morning said it best (shortly before heading to lunch where he proceeded to get tomato soup everywhere due to vigorously blowing bubbles through a very small straw): "I just... can't... help... THIS!" An outburst I can completely relate to almost all of the time. Out of the mouth of babes.
Blessing #48: Marty-kins
I am so blessed... like, whoa (if you knew Marty, you'd get it...). Anyhow. She is another phenomenal friend who makes my life infinitely better just by being. And then there's the fun she injects into my existence with her crazy knack for making everything hilarious! I tell you, that girl can make me laugh like no other. Not to mention she is amazing at making me feel like a good friend. Another heart-sister I could never be adequately thankful for. She's one of my "people" for sure, and deep in my tummy I know she always will be. Love you, lady!
Blessing #49: War
I am so blessed... by the card game War! The students love playing it, and it is rare to find a game that allows students to let out their competitive nature, forces math fact fluency practice, keeps everyone occupied at once, and never gets old! Plus, they play it at the end of the day after the math lesson, right when they are starting to get so squirmy that I can't really hold their attention much longer without breaking for another recess. That perfect storm allows me time to teach remedial math skills to struggling students. Ahhhhhhmazing.
Blessing #50: Pixie Stix
I am so blessed... to still have left over Halloween candy in my room! I stored a secret stash of Pixie Stix in a cupboard the kiddos can't reach; I dip in at least once a day for a quick sugar fix while trying to finish the ever expanding pile of papers to grade, papers to file, mess to clean up, or lessons to plan. If only there with a few more hours in a day. Alas, there are only 24, but I can have Pixie Stix in lieu of more time! Almost an equal trade, I suppose.
♥
Wednesday, November 11
Relaxation
Man is so made that he can only find relaxation from one kind of labor by taking up another.
This quote seems appropriate for today. Even though I had the "day off," I traded the labor of my usual day's work for the physical labor of hiking. I loved every minute of it, though! I finally hiked Camelback Mountain, which is a wildly popular hike here in Phoenix. There is such satisfaction in accomplishing something like that; how amazing that we can climb rocks and use our legs to get us from one place to another. From the top of Camelback, you have a 360 degree view of the greater Phoenix area: breathtaking!
Post-hike, we sat by the pool at a phenomenal resort. The pool/hot-tub area was almost as breathtaking as the 360 view of Metro Phoenix. Amazing. Topped off by frozen yogurt. I thoroughly enjoyed my mid-week break.
Blessing #44: Veterans
I am so blessed... there are those in our country who found their calling in military service. These courageous men and women risk their lives and make the sacrifice of being called far from home to protect and guarantee my freedom.
Blessing #45: Mojo
I am so blessed... Mojo is a frozen yogurt shop that lets you pile on the toppings and pay by weight. Yum! Also, they had pumpkin flavored fro-yo today! As previously mentioned, I love pumpkin flavored things.
Blessing #46: Asparagus
I am so blessed... that the world offers a great veggie like asparagus. It is one of my favorite foods. And I think it's a blessing that I get to eat it whenever I want. Probably a silly blessing to some, but I truly do love that vegetable.
Blessing #47: Az
I am so blessed... my friend Az is amazing in so many ways! She has been with me through a lot of crazy things since we met in 2007 -- I can't believe it's been such a short time in our lives that we've known each other. I definitely believe we were meant to be heart-sisters. She inspires me to keep doing what I am with my life by listening to my insane stories and helping me process all I am going through daily. We started a new tradition with another heart-sister, Marty, that brought me incredible joy this week. Oh, and have I mentioned she's an amazing photographer?
♥
This quote seems appropriate for today. Even though I had the "day off," I traded the labor of my usual day's work for the physical labor of hiking. I loved every minute of it, though! I finally hiked Camelback Mountain, which is a wildly popular hike here in Phoenix. There is such satisfaction in accomplishing something like that; how amazing that we can climb rocks and use our legs to get us from one place to another. From the top of Camelback, you have a 360 degree view of the greater Phoenix area: breathtaking!
Post-hike, we sat by the pool at a phenomenal resort. The pool/hot-tub area was almost as breathtaking as the 360 view of Metro Phoenix. Amazing. Topped off by frozen yogurt. I thoroughly enjoyed my mid-week break.
Blessing #44: Veterans
I am so blessed... there are those in our country who found their calling in military service. These courageous men and women risk their lives and make the sacrifice of being called far from home to protect and guarantee my freedom.
Blessing #45: Mojo
I am so blessed... Mojo is a frozen yogurt shop that lets you pile on the toppings and pay by weight. Yum! Also, they had pumpkin flavored fro-yo today! As previously mentioned, I love pumpkin flavored things.
Blessing #46: Asparagus
I am so blessed... that the world offers a great veggie like asparagus. It is one of my favorite foods. And I think it's a blessing that I get to eat it whenever I want. Probably a silly blessing to some, but I truly do love that vegetable.
Blessing #47: Az
I am so blessed... my friend Az is amazing in so many ways! She has been with me through a lot of crazy things since we met in 2007 -- I can't believe it's been such a short time in our lives that we've known each other. I definitely believe we were meant to be heart-sisters. She inspires me to keep doing what I am with my life by listening to my insane stories and helping me process all I am going through daily. We started a new tradition with another heart-sister, Marty, that brought me incredible joy this week. Oh, and have I mentioned she's an amazing photographer?
♥
Tuesday, November 10
Time Is On My Side
Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.
Tomorrow I have 10 hours to spend not being at school! Although I value the sacrifice of the veterans for far more than the day off I'll get tomorrow, to be completely honest... Right now I am so excited about being able to sleep in mid-week that I can hardy wrap my head around anything else. It's the simple things that make life grand. On tomorrow's agenda: hiking and laying by the pool at a fancy resort (it's still unseasonably warm here). On a Wednesday!
Blessing #42: Lunch Dates
I am so blessed... I am now privy to what I think might be one of the most amazing benefits of the teaching profession: staying in touch with your former students! Today I had two of my students from last year in for lunch with me; right when my students go out for recess, they are lining up for lunch. The freedom I felt interacting with them as an adult who is no longer their teacher... it was great! We just got to hang out! Plus, now that we know each other and they trust me, I can talk to them about everything; I am free to be more of a mentor. For one student, that meant role playing with him how he could talk to his current teacher about drawing during class. He wants to draw, and we came up with what we thought might be an acceptable compromise; I wrote the short script out on a note card and he practiced asking me the questions and how we would act if the answer was "No." I can't wait to find out what happened.
Blessing #43: Bee
I am so blessed... my Bee is such a wonderful friend! Today I got the best email from her. I miss her dearly, but I was excited to hear about her life now. (She is newly married and moved to a new state during her honeymoon!) To have a dear friend who knows you so well, is excited to share small and big details of life with you, and knows how to encourage you in just the right way -- that is a treasure.
♥
Tomorrow I have 10 hours to spend not being at school! Although I value the sacrifice of the veterans for far more than the day off I'll get tomorrow, to be completely honest... Right now I am so excited about being able to sleep in mid-week that I can hardy wrap my head around anything else. It's the simple things that make life grand. On tomorrow's agenda: hiking and laying by the pool at a fancy resort (it's still unseasonably warm here). On a Wednesday!
Blessing #42: Lunch Dates
I am so blessed... I am now privy to what I think might be one of the most amazing benefits of the teaching profession: staying in touch with your former students! Today I had two of my students from last year in for lunch with me; right when my students go out for recess, they are lining up for lunch. The freedom I felt interacting with them as an adult who is no longer their teacher... it was great! We just got to hang out! Plus, now that we know each other and they trust me, I can talk to them about everything; I am free to be more of a mentor. For one student, that meant role playing with him how he could talk to his current teacher about drawing during class. He wants to draw, and we came up with what we thought might be an acceptable compromise; I wrote the short script out on a note card and he practiced asking me the questions and how we would act if the answer was "No." I can't wait to find out what happened.
Blessing #43: Bee
I am so blessed... my Bee is such a wonderful friend! Today I got the best email from her. I miss her dearly, but I was excited to hear about her life now. (She is newly married and moved to a new state during her honeymoon!) To have a dear friend who knows you so well, is excited to share small and big details of life with you, and knows how to encourage you in just the right way -- that is a treasure.
♥
Monday, November 9
Nutella, Pretzels, and Words (or: My Evening Snack)
There are some days when no matter what I say, it feels like I'm far away in another country and whoever has done the translating has had far too much to drink.
And, already, I eat my words.
Today I had that fist-shaking moment. Except that I needed a mirror since I wanted to shake said fist at myself. My plans were over-zealous and teetered on the brink of overwhelming. Ha. Well... At least it's easier to over-prepare only to scale back than under-prepare and be forced to attempt the high-wire act of "winging it." Upside: writing was fantastic and I think the students might really get regrouping this year. Also, Today Goals are still rocking our little world.
Blessing #41: Nutella
I am so blessed... Costco sells jars of Nutella in two-packs. Let me count the ways I love Nutella: on bread, bananas, pretzels, crepes, apples, and crackers. These are the only was I can think of at this hour, when all my thoughts are becoming muddled and I start to understand my students' bizarre senses of humor (if you can call it that... "Knock knock. Who's there? Ice cream. Ice cream who? Ice cream YOU!" Hahaha...). I do know this; however, Nutella is delicious! Mmmmmm. I just finished slathering some equally yummy pretzels in the gooey, hazel-nutty goodness. Can't think of a better way to end the night.
♥
And, already, I eat my words.
Today I had that fist-shaking moment. Except that I needed a mirror since I wanted to shake said fist at myself. My plans were over-zealous and teetered on the brink of overwhelming. Ha. Well... At least it's easier to over-prepare only to scale back than under-prepare and be forced to attempt the high-wire act of "winging it." Upside: writing was fantastic and I think the students might really get regrouping this year. Also, Today Goals are still rocking our little world.
Blessing #41: Nutella
I am so blessed... Costco sells jars of Nutella in two-packs. Let me count the ways I love Nutella: on bread, bananas, pretzels, crepes, apples, and crackers. These are the only was I can think of at this hour, when all my thoughts are becoming muddled and I start to understand my students' bizarre senses of humor (if you can call it that... "Knock knock. Who's there? Ice cream. Ice cream who? Ice cream YOU!" Hahaha...). I do know this; however, Nutella is delicious! Mmmmmm. I just finished slathering some equally yummy pretzels in the gooey, hazel-nutty goodness. Can't think of a better way to end the night.
♥
Sunday, November 8
This Masochistic Moment
Now... you know the sleepless nights and frustrations are never far away, but this knowledge can't seem to remove the exhilarating smile on your face. And it's in this masochistic moment that you realize... that this is what you're made for.
This weekend was incredibly indulgent, in the sense that I truly allowed myself to relax. Tonight I went to a BBQ at my PD's house (PD = Program Director, a TFA staff member and former teacher whose role is to support and mentor you through 2 years in TFA). I sat around with other K-2 teachers swapping silly, happy, and horrifying stories from the year so far; amidst all the chatting, I was able to ponder the week to come.
I have planned some kick-ass reading lessons (if I may say so myself) that include the kind of games meant to shift more responsibility for learning to the students, differentiate for all my learners, and allow the kids to interact; plus, there's lots of practical application for their new knowledge through the skills I will be teaching them. Writing is going to be phenomenal, as well; I'm excited about the new writing plans and structure my school is implementing. I'm also beyond thrilled to finally be teaching my students about regrouping! (As in: 34 + 37= 71 because you have to regroup the ones and trade 10 ones for a ten... anyhow.)
In spite of how invested I am in my plans for the week, I know that there will be moments where things do not run as smoothly as hoped. My students might not be as engaged as anticipated; there could be times where they are not making smart choices (a nicer way to say they are behaving badly, ha). In short, at some point this week it is possible I will wish to shake my fist at them and cry: "Have you no idea how hard I worked to plan and prepare these lessons for you?!" That moment awaits me at least once this week. My students and I are humans, after all; we are bound together more tightly by our foibles than by our successes.
Though I can look ahead to this week prepared to face obstacles and frustration, I can't wait to get to school tomorrow and spend the day with the 26 glorious children who grace my classroom with their vivacious smiles and the contagious joy they seem to have in endless supply (I absolutely credit them with keeping me joyful). And in that masochistic moment, I know: teaching is what I was made for.
Blessing # 40: Comfy Friendships
I am so blessed... some friendships feel like that comfy hooded sweatshirt you've had for years. You know, the one you put on that smells like your favorite memories, places, and people. Today I was reminded of how some friendships really are worth fighting for. Those cozy, Sunday morning breakfast- and crossword puzzle-type friendships: those are worth crawling through the darkest tunnel. The glorious comfort of a well-worn friendship awaits on the other side, and, hey, we all need those.
Don't forget to count your blessings.
Much love ♥
This weekend was incredibly indulgent, in the sense that I truly allowed myself to relax. Tonight I went to a BBQ at my PD's house (PD = Program Director, a TFA staff member and former teacher whose role is to support and mentor you through 2 years in TFA). I sat around with other K-2 teachers swapping silly, happy, and horrifying stories from the year so far; amidst all the chatting, I was able to ponder the week to come.
I have planned some kick-ass reading lessons (if I may say so myself) that include the kind of games meant to shift more responsibility for learning to the students, differentiate for all my learners, and allow the kids to interact; plus, there's lots of practical application for their new knowledge through the skills I will be teaching them. Writing is going to be phenomenal, as well; I'm excited about the new writing plans and structure my school is implementing. I'm also beyond thrilled to finally be teaching my students about regrouping! (As in: 34 + 37= 71 because you have to regroup the ones and trade 10 ones for a ten... anyhow.)
In spite of how invested I am in my plans for the week, I know that there will be moments where things do not run as smoothly as hoped. My students might not be as engaged as anticipated; there could be times where they are not making smart choices (a nicer way to say they are behaving badly, ha). In short, at some point this week it is possible I will wish to shake my fist at them and cry: "Have you no idea how hard I worked to plan and prepare these lessons for you?!" That moment awaits me at least once this week. My students and I are humans, after all; we are bound together more tightly by our foibles than by our successes.
Though I can look ahead to this week prepared to face obstacles and frustration, I can't wait to get to school tomorrow and spend the day with the 26 glorious children who grace my classroom with their vivacious smiles and the contagious joy they seem to have in endless supply (I absolutely credit them with keeping me joyful). And in that masochistic moment, I know: teaching is what I was made for.
Blessing # 40: Comfy Friendships
I am so blessed... some friendships feel like that comfy hooded sweatshirt you've had for years. You know, the one you put on that smells like your favorite memories, places, and people. Today I was reminded of how some friendships really are worth fighting for. Those cozy, Sunday morning breakfast- and crossword puzzle-type friendships: those are worth crawling through the darkest tunnel. The glorious comfort of a well-worn friendship awaits on the other side, and, hey, we all need those.
Don't forget to count your blessings.
Much love ♥
Anything Less Than Everything
You get what you settle for.
Sometimes I feel it's frowned upon to have high expectations of how you should be treated by the people in your life. We're supposed to accept people "as they are." Here's what I'm thinking though... if you get what you settle for, then if you lower your expectations of people and how they should treat you, you'll probably end up resenting the people you're meant to love because you settled for less than their best. I believe one should treat others how one wants to be treated, but I also think that when it comes to your "people" (friends and others who want to be a part of your life), you have every right to expect to be treated a certain way, given that you're willing to treat them in such a manner as well.
As a teacher, we're told that if we set high expectations for our students, then students will rise to those expectations. A metaphor for this can be found in one of my favorite movies, Field of Dreams: If you build it, he will come. I think that if we set a bar for our "people," they, too, will rise to meet those expectations. I've been finding in my own life, recently, the truth to the idea that if you build it, people will come. And I'm happier for setting those expectations, because it ends up being a screener to decide who should really make it into my group of "people." It's important to be friendly and kind to all, but at the end of the day, selecting a small circle of friends you really trust is crucial; having a set of expectations for how you treat your friends and how they should treat you in return allows you to discern who deserves your trust. Once you're in, though, you're in for good. Then I can take you "as you are." I think women are more selective than men in this way... But those are thoughts for another day.
This train of thought makes me think of a poem recently discovered with a dear friend. I love this poem by Rudyard Kipling for its honesty about women's character and instinct:
When the Himalayan peasant meets the he-bear in his pride,
He shouts to scare the monster, who will often turn aside.
But the she-bear thus accosted rends the peasant tooth and nail.
For the female of the species is more deadly than the male.
When Nag the basking cobra hears the careless foot of man,
He will sometimes wriggle sideways and avoid it if he can.
But his mate makes no such motion where she camps beside the trail.
For the female of the species is more deadly than the male.
When the early Jesuit fathers preached to Hurons and Choctaws,
They prayed to be delivered from the vengeance of the squaws.
'Twas the women, not the warriors, turned those stark enthusiasts pale.
For the female of the species is more deadly than the male.
Man's timid heart is bursting with the things he must not say,
For the Woman that God gave him isn't his to give away;
But when hunter meets with husbands, each confirms the other's tale --
The female of the species is more deadly than the male.
Man, a bear in most relations-worm and savage otherwise, --
Man propounds negotiations, Man accepts the compromise.
Very rarely will he squarely push the logic of a fact
To its ultimate conclusion in unmitigated act.
Fear, or foolishness, impels him, ere he lay the wicked low,
To concede some form of trial even to his fiercest foe.
Mirth obscene diverts his anger --- Doubt and Pity oft perplex
Him in dealing with an issue -- to the scandal of The Sex!
But the Woman that God gave him, every fibre of her frame
Proves her launched for one sole issue, armed and engined for the same,
And to serve that single issue, lest the generations fail,
The female of the species must be deadlier than the male.
She who faces Death by torture for each life beneath her breast
May not deal in doubt or pity -- must not swerve for fact or jest.
These be purely male diversions -- not in these her honour dwells.
She the Other Law we live by, is that Law and nothing else.
She can bring no more to living than the powers that make her great
As the Mother of the Infant and the Mistress of the Mate.
And when Babe and Man are lacking and she strides unchained to claim
Her right as femme (and baron), her equipment is the same.
She is wedded to convictions -- in default of grosser ties;
Her contentions are her children, Heaven help him who denies! --
He will meet no suave discussion, but the instant, white-hot, wild,
Wakened female of the species warring as for spouse and child.
Unprovoked and awful charges -- even so the she-bear fights,
Speech that drips, corrodes, and poisons -- even so the cobra bites,
Scientific vivisection of one nerve till it is raw
And the victim writhes in anguish -- like the Jesuit with the squaw!
So it cames that Man, the coward, when he gathers to confer
With his fellow-braves in council, dare nat leave a place for her
Where, at war with Life and Conscience, he uplifts his erring hands
To some God of Abstract Justice -- which no woman understands.
And Man knows it! Knows, moreover, that the Woman that God gave him
Must command but may not govern -- shall enthral but not enslave him.
And She knows, because She warns him, and Her instincts never fail,
That the Female of Her Species is more deadly than the Male.
Much love ♥
Sometimes I feel it's frowned upon to have high expectations of how you should be treated by the people in your life. We're supposed to accept people "as they are." Here's what I'm thinking though... if you get what you settle for, then if you lower your expectations of people and how they should treat you, you'll probably end up resenting the people you're meant to love because you settled for less than their best. I believe one should treat others how one wants to be treated, but I also think that when it comes to your "people" (friends and others who want to be a part of your life), you have every right to expect to be treated a certain way, given that you're willing to treat them in such a manner as well.
As a teacher, we're told that if we set high expectations for our students, then students will rise to those expectations. A metaphor for this can be found in one of my favorite movies, Field of Dreams: If you build it, he will come. I think that if we set a bar for our "people," they, too, will rise to meet those expectations. I've been finding in my own life, recently, the truth to the idea that if you build it, people will come. And I'm happier for setting those expectations, because it ends up being a screener to decide who should really make it into my group of "people." It's important to be friendly and kind to all, but at the end of the day, selecting a small circle of friends you really trust is crucial; having a set of expectations for how you treat your friends and how they should treat you in return allows you to discern who deserves your trust. Once you're in, though, you're in for good. Then I can take you "as you are." I think women are more selective than men in this way... But those are thoughts for another day.
This train of thought makes me think of a poem recently discovered with a dear friend. I love this poem by Rudyard Kipling for its honesty about women's character and instinct:
When the Himalayan peasant meets the he-bear in his pride,
He shouts to scare the monster, who will often turn aside.
But the she-bear thus accosted rends the peasant tooth and nail.
For the female of the species is more deadly than the male.
When Nag the basking cobra hears the careless foot of man,
He will sometimes wriggle sideways and avoid it if he can.
But his mate makes no such motion where she camps beside the trail.
For the female of the species is more deadly than the male.
When the early Jesuit fathers preached to Hurons and Choctaws,
They prayed to be delivered from the vengeance of the squaws.
'Twas the women, not the warriors, turned those stark enthusiasts pale.
For the female of the species is more deadly than the male.
Man's timid heart is bursting with the things he must not say,
For the Woman that God gave him isn't his to give away;
But when hunter meets with husbands, each confirms the other's tale --
The female of the species is more deadly than the male.
Man, a bear in most relations-worm and savage otherwise, --
Man propounds negotiations, Man accepts the compromise.
Very rarely will he squarely push the logic of a fact
To its ultimate conclusion in unmitigated act.
Fear, or foolishness, impels him, ere he lay the wicked low,
To concede some form of trial even to his fiercest foe.
Mirth obscene diverts his anger --- Doubt and Pity oft perplex
Him in dealing with an issue -- to the scandal of The Sex!
But the Woman that God gave him, every fibre of her frame
Proves her launched for one sole issue, armed and engined for the same,
And to serve that single issue, lest the generations fail,
The female of the species must be deadlier than the male.
She who faces Death by torture for each life beneath her breast
May not deal in doubt or pity -- must not swerve for fact or jest.
These be purely male diversions -- not in these her honour dwells.
She the Other Law we live by, is that Law and nothing else.
She can bring no more to living than the powers that make her great
As the Mother of the Infant and the Mistress of the Mate.
And when Babe and Man are lacking and she strides unchained to claim
Her right as femme (and baron), her equipment is the same.
She is wedded to convictions -- in default of grosser ties;
Her contentions are her children, Heaven help him who denies! --
He will meet no suave discussion, but the instant, white-hot, wild,
Wakened female of the species warring as for spouse and child.
Unprovoked and awful charges -- even so the she-bear fights,
Speech that drips, corrodes, and poisons -- even so the cobra bites,
Scientific vivisection of one nerve till it is raw
And the victim writhes in anguish -- like the Jesuit with the squaw!
So it cames that Man, the coward, when he gathers to confer
With his fellow-braves in council, dare nat leave a place for her
Where, at war with Life and Conscience, he uplifts his erring hands
To some God of Abstract Justice -- which no woman understands.
And Man knows it! Knows, moreover, that the Woman that God gave him
Must command but may not govern -- shall enthral but not enslave him.
And She knows, because She warns him, and Her instincts never fail,
That the Female of Her Species is more deadly than the Male.
Much love ♥
Saturday, November 7
Sure Thing
Does God exist? Who invented liquid soap and why?
John Cusack. All his characters in 80's movies were so full of insight into young minds. Last night we watched "The Sure Thing." I had never seen it before, but I highly recommend watching; it's full of the jokes, teen angst and cheesiness that make everything else in life seem... mundane. Life is not full of many sure things, but one thing that is sure: any teen movie from the 80's is bound to entertain.
Blessing #39: Pumpkin Pancakes
I am so blessed... Fall is full of the smells, sounds and tastes that I love. One of the best fall smell and flavors - in my humble opinion - is pumpkin. This morning, my wonderful roommie and I made pumpkin pancakes! Yummmmmmmm. That's all I have to say about that. Definitely makes the blessings list.
Don't forget to count your blessings.
Much love ♥
John Cusack. All his characters in 80's movies were so full of insight into young minds. Last night we watched "The Sure Thing." I had never seen it before, but I highly recommend watching; it's full of the jokes, teen angst and cheesiness that make everything else in life seem... mundane. Life is not full of many sure things, but one thing that is sure: any teen movie from the 80's is bound to entertain.
Blessing #39: Pumpkin Pancakes
I am so blessed... Fall is full of the smells, sounds and tastes that I love. One of the best fall smell and flavors - in my humble opinion - is pumpkin. This morning, my wonderful roommie and I made pumpkin pancakes! Yummmmmmmm. That's all I have to say about that. Definitely makes the blessings list.
Don't forget to count your blessings.
Much love ♥
Friday, November 6
No Cigar
We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.
I am trying to decide how to break it to my kids that we didn't meet our goal for this trimester: a class average "Meets" on the benchmark test. We were so close. I guess that's all I can tell them, really, that we were close. Alas, close only counts with horseshoes and hand grenades. We'll just try our best again next trimester and see different results! I am ready to problem solve and figure out what I need to do to help them be more prepared, as well.
Today was the last day of Spirit Week, which meant it was 80's Day! Some of the kids really went all out, as did many of the staff and teachers. I played 80's music in my classroom all day; the students got really excited whenever a Michael Jackson song was played.
Blessing #38: Egg Nog
I am so blessed... 'Tis the season for egg nog, a holiday drink I adore! Mmmm... there's nothing quite like a glass full of that creamy, frothy goodness with some nutmeg sprinkled on top. Sometimes I get the bizarre craving to use it with my cereal in lieu of milk. Yum! I also love the Egg Nog lattes that Starbucks sells this time of year.
Don't forget to count your blessings.
Much love ♥
I am trying to decide how to break it to my kids that we didn't meet our goal for this trimester: a class average "Meets" on the benchmark test. We were so close. I guess that's all I can tell them, really, that we were close. Alas, close only counts with horseshoes and hand grenades. We'll just try our best again next trimester and see different results! I am ready to problem solve and figure out what I need to do to help them be more prepared, as well.
Today was the last day of Spirit Week, which meant it was 80's Day! Some of the kids really went all out, as did many of the staff and teachers. I played 80's music in my classroom all day; the students got really excited whenever a Michael Jackson song was played.
Blessing #38: Egg Nog
I am so blessed... 'Tis the season for egg nog, a holiday drink I adore! Mmmm... there's nothing quite like a glass full of that creamy, frothy goodness with some nutmeg sprinkled on top. Sometimes I get the bizarre craving to use it with my cereal in lieu of milk. Yum! I also love the Egg Nog lattes that Starbucks sells this time of year.
Don't forget to count your blessings.
Much love ♥
Thursday, November 5
Ineffable
Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable, let's prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself and see if we might not eff it after all.
Life is ____. Pick a word. Pick a sentiment. Ultimately all words are equally inadequate. Life is truly just inexplicable. Given our situation, we classify life in different ways: great, crazy, blessed, overwhelming, wonderful... The list goes on. I think, though, that those words don't really describe life. They describe us. We describe life in the context of ourselves and how we're feeling. Our feelings do not define life; we would be wise to remember that.
The word I'd pick to describe life right now... ineffable. But in the spirit of Douglas Adam's quick-witted wisdom, I want to wrestle the ineffable itself and see if I might be able eff it after all. I have been feeling quite overwhelmed by many happenings in my life recently. School has been busy, I haven't carved out enough time for rest, friendships have been tested, as previously mentioned I got an unfortunate blast from my past, and I just miss my family tons. In spite of all that, some amazing things have been happening, as well! Since I've been pathetically inconsistent about posting blessings, I'm ready to try to make up for lost time.
Blessing #31: Tiglet
I am so blessed... My roommate and I dressed up as Tigger and Piglet for Halloween. Following the celebrity couple name mash-up trend, I christened us "Tiglet." We had a blast! School was wonderful; my students loved my costume. I performed the Tigger dance many times that day. Unlike last year, I was prepared for the Halloween party madness, and things ran very smoothly. The rest of the weekend was equally fun; we had a great time out with friends.
Blessing #32: Visitors
I am so blessed... Tuesday night a friend from college was in town for business and we got to catch up over dinner. What a wonderful reminder of how glorious my college years were. I was blessed then to be surrounded by amazing people who worked hard, were involved, but still had tons of fun! I am thankful so many of us still keep in touch even after graduation.
Blessing #33: Candy
I am so blessed... Halloween means candy! I love candy in all its forms. Powdered sugary kinds (pixie stix and fun dips), the hard kind (jolly ranchers and lollipops), the chewy kind (starbursts and laffy taffy), and of course, the chocolate kind! I even love candy after the sugar coma kicks in and I begin to feel queasy from lack of unprocessed, natural nutrition. Oh, candy.
Blessing #34: Today Goals
I am so blessed... one of the best ways I have found to motivate my students is with our Today Goals. Each day, I write the lesson goals for the day (there are usually 4-6 goals). At the opening of each lesson, I reference the goal(s) for that lesson and we talk about any new words we need to know in order to achieve that goal (a great way to intro vocab). When closing the lesson, I refer back to the goal and either have the students perform a task to prove that they have met the goal, or, at times, I ask them to self-assess and share whether or not they have reached the goal. If we have, then we get to celebrate (I keep a list of all the cheers, chants and fun dances/gestures we do together) and one student picks a way to celebrate. It really keeps them invested in each lesson because, let's face it, they are so young that I can't always expect them to be intrinsically motivated. Certainly that is part of my goal for them, but I also understand that I have to start training them to prioritize learning, and sometimes that means motivating them extrinsically.
Blessing #35: Picture Text Messages
I am so blessed... my mom sends me the cutest pictures of things that happen at home. The dog in his Halloween sweater, my dad being goofy while handing out the Halloween candy... Just life. Those text messages make my day!
Blessing #36: Lunch and Cookies
I am so blessed... one of my most challenging students from last year seems to have made a place for me in his 8-year old heart. Last night I made some cookies to share with him, and today we had lunch together. He talked to me about life (which isn't that great) and while listening to him, I realized how much I admire his ability to withstand it all. Maybe he doesn't know any better; regardless, I don't think I could survive a walk in his shoes with my sanity in tact. I hope he knows how much I care about him. I think he does. He wistfully said multiple times during our lunch, "I miss being in this room. It was a good place to be." I truly miss having him in my room.
Blessing #37: Spirit Week
I am so blessed... This week was Spirit Week at my school! That meant Mis-Match Day, Hat Day, and today: Jersey Day! I love an excuse to wear my Red Sox jersey to school.
Don't forget to count your blessings.
Much love ♥
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
