This week I have a superfun (and yes, in 1st grade that counts as one word) Raleigh trip planned. However, the powers that be are trying to foil my mini road-tripping plans with a ton of snow. I was born near the beach. I was raised near the beach. AKA I am a giant pussy about driving in the snow. Even with our eastern Carolina brand of snow (aka three flakes all attached exactly to the center of our main highway) I have never driven in snow. EVER.
Now I LOVE snow. I LOVE the idea of being "trapped" up there. However, usually when I'm wishing for snow it's because I DON'T want to go somewhere...aka work or school. Now that the snow is screwing with MY plans...I'm mad.
How can you be mad at snow? Being mad at snow is the equivalent of kicking a baby. Or Meg Ryan. Or a Jonas Brother. You know, something so ridiculously sweet it kind of hurts to look directly at it.
Anyhow, my plans may not be exactly what I hoped. I may have to cut one particular venture a little short. But seriously, what could be better than being snowed in with some of my best friends?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
If you can't say anything nice...and other grammatical errors.
I am always underwhelmed by the ignorance/stupidity of people. (Yes, I understand that these words do not mean the same thing...it's just that both states of being tend to underwhelm me.)
Today I was faced with a 7 year old shouting "That's GAY" to her friends at school. Repeatedly. Loudly. Inappropriately.
You know how fingers on a blackboard freak most people out? Well hearing "That's GAY" has the same effect on me. That is, unless you are talking about something innately joyful. or homosexual. or both. In that case, the te term is quite appropriate.
Anyhow, I'm just thinking about the possible places where this child has heard this term. When I confronted her about this particular new phrase of hers she told me that the word meant "nasty". Short of making her look it up in the dictionary I told her that was NOT what the word meant, nor did I want to hear that phrase in the classroom again.
Think about all the derogatory terms you've heard recently. Think of how many of those terms started innocently enough and were warped and mistranslated so they might be used to hurt other people.
And we wonder why our country spends millions of dollars on therapy each year. We're so busy telling each other why we are inadequate that we have to pay OTHER people to tell us all the ways we are adequate (and why we hate/love/don't speak to/still live with our parents). And it starts at age 7.
Holy shit.
Speaking of inappropriate word usage- here's one a little more lighthearted. Now, it's a pretty well known fact that I'm a grammar snob. That said, please don't proofread this post as my snobbery only applies to the mistakes that other people make. (I mean, check out the definition of snob people.)
Anyhow, I found this beauty in Downtown New Bern...and it has lived inside my laptop for far too long. It needs to be shared with the world. Plus all my English papers are starting to get really pissed off that I was so strict with them while I'm letting my pictures run around blaspheming the English Language like there's no tomorrow.
Today I was faced with a 7 year old shouting "That's GAY" to her friends at school. Repeatedly. Loudly. Inappropriately.
You know how fingers on a blackboard freak most people out? Well hearing "That's GAY" has the same effect on me. That is, unless you are talking about something innately joyful. or homosexual. or both. In that case, the te term is quite appropriate.
Anyhow, I'm just thinking about the possible places where this child has heard this term. When I confronted her about this particular new phrase of hers she told me that the word meant "nasty". Short of making her look it up in the dictionary I told her that was NOT what the word meant, nor did I want to hear that phrase in the classroom again.
Think about all the derogatory terms you've heard recently. Think of how many of those terms started innocently enough and were warped and mistranslated so they might be used to hurt other people.
And we wonder why our country spends millions of dollars on therapy each year. We're so busy telling each other why we are inadequate that we have to pay OTHER people to tell us all the ways we are adequate (and why we hate/love/don't speak to/still live with our parents). And it starts at age 7.
Holy shit.
Speaking of inappropriate word usage- here's one a little more lighthearted. Now, it's a pretty well known fact that I'm a grammar snob. That said, please don't proofread this post as my snobbery only applies to the mistakes that other people make. (I mean, check out the definition of snob people.)
Anyhow, I found this beauty in Downtown New Bern...and it has lived inside my laptop for far too long. It needs to be shared with the world. Plus all my English papers are starting to get really pissed off that I was so strict with them while I'm letting my pictures run around blaspheming the English Language like there's no tomorrow.
Morgan's (the restaurant) is now opened (by who? hello passive voice! haven't seen you since high school) on Sunday's (Sunday's what?)
I mean if you looked at this the wrong way it sounds vaguely dirty. And that gives me great satisfaction.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
It really is all about the dress.
If I were a princess I'd wear beautiful satin A-line dresses. They'd be strapless of course...some would have sequins and some would be plain- some would touch the floor and some would hit just above the knee so I could attend a tea party outside.
I thought about this on my way back from Greenville today and I had an epiphany. I want to LIVE at David's Bridal.
Ok, so at first sight the rows and rows of satin and taffeta are really overwhelming. But as soon as a perky young lady in a nice tailored black pantsuit and a shiny name tag steps out from the masses your life gets a lot better. Instantaneously you have someone at your beck and call- retrieving dresses in every style and color available AND pulling each one in several sizes to accommodate all of your various-sized bridesmaids.
There is something cathartic about trying on different dresses and deciding exactly who you want to be. Were we going to be chiffon wearing, elegant, sophisticated up-do wearing women? Or were we more inclined for the knee length strapless garden style dress with loose ringlet and a desire to dance all night?
I'm just saying- being a girl rocks, and it's not even my wedding.
This must be how boys feel about cars/computers/video games/guns.
Since dress shopping was such a success I'm considering the fact that perhaps I need someone to manage my life the way that my favorite new Greenvill-ian managed my wardrobe today.
What are the odds that I can afford someone like that on a teacher's salary?
I thought about this on my way back from Greenville today and I had an epiphany. I want to LIVE at David's Bridal.
Ok, so at first sight the rows and rows of satin and taffeta are really overwhelming. But as soon as a perky young lady in a nice tailored black pantsuit and a shiny name tag steps out from the masses your life gets a lot better. Instantaneously you have someone at your beck and call- retrieving dresses in every style and color available AND pulling each one in several sizes to accommodate all of your various-sized bridesmaids.
There is something cathartic about trying on different dresses and deciding exactly who you want to be. Were we going to be chiffon wearing, elegant, sophisticated up-do wearing women? Or were we more inclined for the knee length strapless garden style dress with loose ringlet and a desire to dance all night?
I'm just saying- being a girl rocks, and it's not even my wedding.
This must be how boys feel about cars/computers/video games/guns.
Since dress shopping was such a success I'm considering the fact that perhaps I need someone to manage my life the way that my favorite new Greenvill-ian managed my wardrobe today.
What are the odds that I can afford someone like that on a teacher's salary?
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Lean on Me
Relationships for kids are easy.
Well, easier.
With my kids, for example, tattling and holding hands can come within moments of each other. A well timed "sorry" wipes the slate completely clean. No baggage. No "forgive and forget"...the offending incident just simply ceases to be.
I wish adult relationships were like that. I wish that I could move on and leave things behind. I wish that little things didn't get under my skin and bother me for ages. I wish that I didn't react so passionately to the things that people say and do. Usually after my passionate outbursts I find myself quite embarrassed and wishing I'd never said anything at all.
I wish that I could be one of those people that just glide through...untouched by what everyone else says and does.
Or I wish that I could be like my students. Ready, trusting, and unashamed of my naivete.
Well, easier.
With my kids, for example, tattling and holding hands can come within moments of each other. A well timed "sorry" wipes the slate completely clean. No baggage. No "forgive and forget"...the offending incident just simply ceases to be.
I wish adult relationships were like that. I wish that I could move on and leave things behind. I wish that little things didn't get under my skin and bother me for ages. I wish that I didn't react so passionately to the things that people say and do. Usually after my passionate outbursts I find myself quite embarrassed and wishing I'd never said anything at all.
I wish that I could be one of those people that just glide through...untouched by what everyone else says and does.
Or I wish that I could be like my students. Ready, trusting, and unashamed of my naivete.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Trust the Universe. No really.
Ever have one of those moments where you realize you've pretty much got exactly what you wanted.
Yeah. I had that this weekend.
With the exception of the facts that number 1, my best friend lives in Cali and number 2, I really REALLY miss Raleigh.... I've pretty much got it together.
I'm working. In a job that I love. In the field that I spent four years preparing for.
Not only am I working, but I have a supportive (albeit slightly twisted) work family. :)
My students are growing and changing in SPITE of their clueless teacher.
I got to move close to my mom again and spend tons of time with her and family. When you lose your dad at 15- you realize how important TIME is.
I'm saving a TON of money living where I am so that I might have the ability to buy my own place this summer. Ciao pet and security deposits...hello fenced in back yard!
I have friends that understand my reasons for moving home and let me come visit and take complete advantage of their hospitality/ come visit me and brighten up my weekends.
With a recent visit to the Dr. I discovered there is a REASON for all of my crazy health anomalies and found a medication that is helping me to be healthier than I have ever been before.
Plus, on top of all of this, I have the most fantastic dog in the entire world.
..oh yeah. And I think I've got my personal life straightened out.
When you put it all out there like that it makes it hard to bitch and complain about the little things. Maybe I'm not exactly where I thought I would be and MAYBE my life has been crazy since graduation. But, I find comfort in the fact that there was a reason for it all- and no matter who or what you attribute that to, I am thankful.
It seems the universe knows what I need better than I do. (Note to self: trust universe and chill the -insert expletive here- out.)
Yeah. I had that this weekend.
With the exception of the facts that number 1, my best friend lives in Cali and number 2, I really REALLY miss Raleigh.... I've pretty much got it together.
I'm working. In a job that I love. In the field that I spent four years preparing for.
Not only am I working, but I have a supportive (albeit slightly twisted) work family. :)
My students are growing and changing in SPITE of their clueless teacher.
I got to move close to my mom again and spend tons of time with her and family. When you lose your dad at 15- you realize how important TIME is.
I'm saving a TON of money living where I am so that I might have the ability to buy my own place this summer. Ciao pet and security deposits...hello fenced in back yard!
I have friends that understand my reasons for moving home and let me come visit and take complete advantage of their hospitality/ come visit me and brighten up my weekends.
With a recent visit to the Dr. I discovered there is a REASON for all of my crazy health anomalies and found a medication that is helping me to be healthier than I have ever been before.
Plus, on top of all of this, I have the most fantastic dog in the entire world.
..oh yeah. And I think I've got my personal life straightened out.
When you put it all out there like that it makes it hard to bitch and complain about the little things. Maybe I'm not exactly where I thought I would be and MAYBE my life has been crazy since graduation. But, I find comfort in the fact that there was a reason for it all- and no matter who or what you attribute that to, I am thankful.
It seems the universe knows what I need better than I do. (Note to self: trust universe and chill the -insert expletive here- out.)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Triumph in Room 18
Today something happened that I wasn't sure would ever happen.
One of my students read a book.
This particular student is an ESL student that has had many difficulties adjusting to school. We all thought that something more than a language barrier was working against him but it was near impossible for us to figure out what delay or disability he has. And maybe he does have a delay or disability. But regardless of the odds stacked against him...he is LEARNING.
It's assessment time in the County of Craven so we are all doing everything we can to make sure we get all of our t's crossed and i's dotted before the reporting dates. This time of the school year is stressful and exciting- there is a lot to get done when most of your assessments must be completed one on one with a six year old...but it is exciting to take a look at the things they can do now that they couldn't do the last time around.
I pulled this child to read to me so I could take a running record and calculate his accuracy for the book he as reading. The last time I asked him to read to me he stared at me as if tentacles had just sprung from my ears. Today I told him we were going to read and he said..."OK. Let's read this one. " as he chose one of the leveled readers spread before him on the tiny student desk we were sharing.
That by itself was HUGE for me because he was no longer AFRAID of books.
Then, after I modeled two pages of the patterned text for him, as per county instructions, he was able to read the rest of the book to me with only two errors for a whopping 87.5% proficiency.
That's a long way from not speaking....or making eye contact...or participating in any way.
Now, I have lots of people helping me every day with this student...so I don't write ANY of this to brag. Several specialists at school deserve the credit for this one. I write this because it proved to me, once again, that you cannot label a child. With anything. Ever.
Also, expectations are tricky.
As a student and intern my professors talked a lot about expectations. They taught us how to craft our expectations to set our children up for success and push them as far as they can go.
Well, after meeting this extraordinary child I realize that expectations are impossible. You simply CANNOT put these children in a box when they were meant to reach for the stars.
Here's my new motto:
Screw expectations. Start from the bottom and push as hard as you can until they, you...or both cry uncle...or maybe even just cry in general.
Then...take a break...laugh. Give hugs. Play a game. Let them see the real person that lurks underneath the scaly exterior of a teacher.
And then, after all that...hit em with it again.
One of my students read a book.
This particular student is an ESL student that has had many difficulties adjusting to school. We all thought that something more than a language barrier was working against him but it was near impossible for us to figure out what delay or disability he has. And maybe he does have a delay or disability. But regardless of the odds stacked against him...he is LEARNING.
It's assessment time in the County of Craven so we are all doing everything we can to make sure we get all of our t's crossed and i's dotted before the reporting dates. This time of the school year is stressful and exciting- there is a lot to get done when most of your assessments must be completed one on one with a six year old...but it is exciting to take a look at the things they can do now that they couldn't do the last time around.
I pulled this child to read to me so I could take a running record and calculate his accuracy for the book he as reading. The last time I asked him to read to me he stared at me as if tentacles had just sprung from my ears. Today I told him we were going to read and he said..."OK. Let's read this one. " as he chose one of the leveled readers spread before him on the tiny student desk we were sharing.
That by itself was HUGE for me because he was no longer AFRAID of books.
Then, after I modeled two pages of the patterned text for him, as per county instructions, he was able to read the rest of the book to me with only two errors for a whopping 87.5% proficiency.
That's a long way from not speaking....or making eye contact...or participating in any way.
Now, I have lots of people helping me every day with this student...so I don't write ANY of this to brag. Several specialists at school deserve the credit for this one. I write this because it proved to me, once again, that you cannot label a child. With anything. Ever.
Also, expectations are tricky.
As a student and intern my professors talked a lot about expectations. They taught us how to craft our expectations to set our children up for success and push them as far as they can go.
Well, after meeting this extraordinary child I realize that expectations are impossible. You simply CANNOT put these children in a box when they were meant to reach for the stars.
Here's my new motto:
Screw expectations. Start from the bottom and push as hard as you can until they, you...or both cry uncle...or maybe even just cry in general.
Then...take a break...laugh. Give hugs. Play a game. Let them see the real person that lurks underneath the scaly exterior of a teacher.
And then, after all that...hit em with it again.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
The End of the World as We Know It
Nope. I'm not talking about all the doomsday shows on the history channel this week. (I'm so over it by the way). I'm talking about something much more menacing...
The Kindle.
No really. Bear with me here.
I got a Kindle for Christmas this year. I wasn't expecting one at all and I was super stoked to play with this new toy. I mean, I almost reenacted several scenes from Lord of the Rings involving a small slimy creature and a shiny gold ring but we don't have to talk about that part.
In fact, I even managed to share it with my mom while she was home sick with Bronchitis. I let go of the electronic gadget of the gods for a solid 36 hours so that she didn't have to suffer daytime TV. And then....I got it back.
I'm still offering to share with her of course. After all, she gave me life. But I was alarmed at how much I THOUGHT about the thing while it was with her. I mean, is it possible to have a romantic entanglement with an electronic reading device?
You know what? Nevermind- please don't answer that question.
Now, I LOVE bookstores. I love the way they smell. I love the rows of books and the colorful covers. I love to go look- and sometimes buy- but they are so expensive I am fairly good at moderating my spending habits. Plus, you have to get presentable for the general public and drive all the way over there to actually look around.
Not with the Kindle.
Oh how easy it is to look up several novels at once, check the reviews, check their standing on several (cross referenced) bestseller lists and decide if this is a book I would like to purchase. Oh how easy it is to click the "One Click" ordering button that already has all of my payment information oh-so-handily stored. All of this without moving from my ever so comfortable bed. No presentable-ness required.
As of right now I am making LISTS of books I would like to purchase and am only allowing myself to order one book at a time- (unless it is one of the free ones- which is a way cool perk of the Kindle.) But I'm worried about my will power.
How long will I last before I download every indie-hippie-"I went to an all women's college, now what" fiction novel that I can find? And what about all those "teacher" books that threaten to take over my booklist? Then I have to think about the classics...the holes in my pathetic English Major repertoire. Then there are the thriller/mysteries that are my guilty pleasures. That of course leads me to conspiracy theories and books about history. Oooh ooh- historical fiction.
See! I mean- seriously. The possibilities are endless.
My brain hurts.
As will my credit card.
The Kindle.
No really. Bear with me here.
I got a Kindle for Christmas this year. I wasn't expecting one at all and I was super stoked to play with this new toy. I mean, I almost reenacted several scenes from Lord of the Rings involving a small slimy creature and a shiny gold ring but we don't have to talk about that part.
In fact, I even managed to share it with my mom while she was home sick with Bronchitis. I let go of the electronic gadget of the gods for a solid 36 hours so that she didn't have to suffer daytime TV. And then....I got it back.
I'm still offering to share with her of course. After all, she gave me life. But I was alarmed at how much I THOUGHT about the thing while it was with her. I mean, is it possible to have a romantic entanglement with an electronic reading device?
You know what? Nevermind- please don't answer that question.
Now, I LOVE bookstores. I love the way they smell. I love the rows of books and the colorful covers. I love to go look- and sometimes buy- but they are so expensive I am fairly good at moderating my spending habits. Plus, you have to get presentable for the general public and drive all the way over there to actually look around.
Not with the Kindle.
Oh how easy it is to look up several novels at once, check the reviews, check their standing on several (cross referenced) bestseller lists and decide if this is a book I would like to purchase. Oh how easy it is to click the "One Click" ordering button that already has all of my payment information oh-so-handily stored. All of this without moving from my ever so comfortable bed. No presentable-ness required.
As of right now I am making LISTS of books I would like to purchase and am only allowing myself to order one book at a time- (unless it is one of the free ones- which is a way cool perk of the Kindle.) But I'm worried about my will power.
How long will I last before I download every indie-hippie-"I went to an all women's college, now what" fiction novel that I can find? And what about all those "teacher" books that threaten to take over my booklist? Then I have to think about the classics...the holes in my pathetic English Major repertoire. Then there are the thriller/mysteries that are my guilty pleasures. That of course leads me to conspiracy theories and books about history. Oooh ooh- historical fiction.
See! I mean- seriously. The possibilities are endless.
My brain hurts.
As will my credit card.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
New Year's Resolutions
Ok. Call me a cynic...but New Year's Resolutions are a joke.
Adults kill themselves in the gym for like...a week...and then slip right back into old habits. I'm not saying there aren't the few and far between that really manage to make lifestyle changes...I'm just saying that I'm tired of rushing to the gym after work so I can get a machine before the line of "resolution-ers" begins.Pre January 1- the place was a tomb.
So, for my students the other day I had them create their own resolutions for the New Year. After teaching them what a New Year's Resolution was I left them to their own devices to create their grand idea for 2010. It was a morning work activity- and these usually involve a high crayon ratio.
I wasn't really expecting a lot- simply because morning work is really just to get them in the zone for the rest of the day.
Imagine my shock when my kids taught me a lesson. Again. (I'm quickly sensing a theme here.)
My kids want to teach their parents to play in the snow because they work really hard and need to have fun. They want to read more books so they can be really smart and get a good job so they can help other people.
They want to play with their grandparents because their grandparents are their most "fabrit" people.
They want to learn to cook so they can make "speshul" treats for friends.
Uh. Hello legitimate New Year's Resolution, it's nice to meet you.
Leave it to a six year old.... kids that still wet themselves and really enjoy an (awful) knock-knock joke to continually teach you that you know nothing about life.
BUT, now matter how warm and fuzzy this all sounds, If I have to wait in line at the gym...I reserve the right to resume my cynicism; but no one's perfect.
Adults kill themselves in the gym for like...a week...and then slip right back into old habits. I'm not saying there aren't the few and far between that really manage to make lifestyle changes...I'm just saying that I'm tired of rushing to the gym after work so I can get a machine before the line of "resolution-ers" begins.Pre January 1- the place was a tomb.
So, for my students the other day I had them create their own resolutions for the New Year. After teaching them what a New Year's Resolution was I left them to their own devices to create their grand idea for 2010. It was a morning work activity- and these usually involve a high crayon ratio.
I wasn't really expecting a lot- simply because morning work is really just to get them in the zone for the rest of the day.
Imagine my shock when my kids taught me a lesson. Again. (I'm quickly sensing a theme here.)
My kids want to teach their parents to play in the snow because they work really hard and need to have fun. They want to read more books so they can be really smart and get a good job so they can help other people.
They want to play with their grandparents because their grandparents are their most "fabrit" people.
They want to learn to cook so they can make "speshul" treats for friends.
Uh. Hello legitimate New Year's Resolution, it's nice to meet you.
Leave it to a six year old.... kids that still wet themselves and really enjoy an (awful) knock-knock joke to continually teach you that you know nothing about life.
BUT, now matter how warm and fuzzy this all sounds, If I have to wait in line at the gym...I reserve the right to resume my cynicism; but no one's perfect.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
"Oh my God, I LOVE it"
I. Love. Children. Preferably small ones that aren't all bitter and bruised yet. First grade is pretty much perfect for me because the kids are old enough to have an eensy bit of a clue as to what school is all about. However, they are still young enough to remember what life is all about, sharing crayons, checking on a friend when they fall down, and laughing as loudly and often as possible.
For example, one of my students can do math in his head already...which is pretty awesome for a six year old that is learning in his second language. BUT me being the terrible mean old teacher that I am, I made him use the number line anyway to check his answers. He was so excited by the fact that his answers matched that halfway down the page he became so overjoyed he could no longer contain himself and screamed out "Oh my God, I LOVE it" in the middle of the classroom.
Hey, my fellow college graduates, remember when learning was fun?
Of course, most of the funny things that happen in my room have nothing to do with what we are actually studying and more to do with childhood in general.
Take, for example, the cutsy calendar accessory I have covering the 18th of January...MLK Jr.'s birthday...a small cutout with a picture of him on it that simply states....Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. However, every single one of my kids thought Obama was on our calendar. And surely that meant that he would be visiting our school on the day that his picture was on.
I tried to disarm the situation, lest angry republicans and/or Obama supporters show up to rally at our school on January 18 (a day that (might have) lived in infamy). However, I'm still pretty sure that some of my kids will go home and report to their parents that Obama is coming to visit.
I mean, teachers make a lot of fuss about all the things they have to get done and lord knows it's true. We are overworked and underpayed....but maybe that's a good thing. Maybe it weeds out most of the people who don't really want to be there.
But it's not the things we complain about or the money that keeps us going back everyday...and, I promise, we are not gluttons for punishment.
It's because no matter how much we put in, no matter how tired we are, no matter how much of our money we spend on our classrooms...the kids give us way more back.
They give us perspective.
and a sense of humor.
For example, one of my students can do math in his head already...which is pretty awesome for a six year old that is learning in his second language. BUT me being the terrible mean old teacher that I am, I made him use the number line anyway to check his answers. He was so excited by the fact that his answers matched that halfway down the page he became so overjoyed he could no longer contain himself and screamed out "Oh my God, I LOVE it" in the middle of the classroom.
Hey, my fellow college graduates, remember when learning was fun?
Of course, most of the funny things that happen in my room have nothing to do with what we are actually studying and more to do with childhood in general.
Take, for example, the cutsy calendar accessory I have covering the 18th of January...MLK Jr.'s birthday...a small cutout with a picture of him on it that simply states....Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. However, every single one of my kids thought Obama was on our calendar. And surely that meant that he would be visiting our school on the day that his picture was on.
I tried to disarm the situation, lest angry republicans and/or Obama supporters show up to rally at our school on January 18 (a day that (might have) lived in infamy). However, I'm still pretty sure that some of my kids will go home and report to their parents that Obama is coming to visit.
I mean, teachers make a lot of fuss about all the things they have to get done and lord knows it's true. We are overworked and underpayed....but maybe that's a good thing. Maybe it weeds out most of the people who don't really want to be there.
But it's not the things we complain about or the money that keeps us going back everyday...and, I promise, we are not gluttons for punishment.
It's because no matter how much we put in, no matter how tired we are, no matter how much of our money we spend on our classrooms...the kids give us way more back.
They give us perspective.
and a sense of humor.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
The dangers of watching movies...
I spent this afternoon watching movies and completely denying the fact that I have to go back to work tomorrow. While my lesson plans have been done for two weeks, I've yet to fill out the "official" lesson plan form that contains all of the information that Admin. is most interested in. It would likely take me less than ten minutes to work it out. Yet, I can think of several unpleasant scenes from a Flannery O'Connor short story that I'd sooner reinact than fill in this stupid spreadsheet. My active procrastination led me to the movie Julie and Julia.
In case you've missed this delightful film it chronicles the lives of a New Yorker, Julie and the famous Julia Child and the strange ways that their lives overlapped without ever actually meeting each other. Julie is terribly unhappy with her mediocre life and decides that to get herself out of her slump she will cook her way through the entire Julia Child cookbook and will blog about her experience.
So, not only have I spent a lot of time in the kitchen today, but now I am starting my very own blog.
THIS is the danger of procrastination and movie watching: everything you see seems to be a MUCH better idea than actually doing the thing you are avoiding. What I find most interesting of all is that I have spent way more time on this than I would have on the work that I am so busy running away from.
Anyhow, a geek to the core I settled on a literary term for the name of my blog. Non Sequitur (which I always want to misspell by the way) is a Latin term for a device frequently used in the most absurd books, plays, and films. It translates to "does not follow" and is usually a conversational response to an argument that is so far removed from the subject of the argument that it comes across as absurd...and usually funny.
Well, I am 22 and at this point my entire life seems to be Non Sequitur. I'm sure some of my fellow recent graduates can understand where I'm going with this... you prepare and prepare and prepare for "real life" for four intense years at the college/university of your choice. Then you get out there and realize...no one really knows what the hell they are doing. Not even the "real" grownups.
SO...we all just play along and try our best to have a damn good time doing it.
In case you've missed this delightful film it chronicles the lives of a New Yorker, Julie and the famous Julia Child and the strange ways that their lives overlapped without ever actually meeting each other. Julie is terribly unhappy with her mediocre life and decides that to get herself out of her slump she will cook her way through the entire Julia Child cookbook and will blog about her experience.
So, not only have I spent a lot of time in the kitchen today, but now I am starting my very own blog.
THIS is the danger of procrastination and movie watching: everything you see seems to be a MUCH better idea than actually doing the thing you are avoiding. What I find most interesting of all is that I have spent way more time on this than I would have on the work that I am so busy running away from.
Anyhow, a geek to the core I settled on a literary term for the name of my blog. Non Sequitur (which I always want to misspell by the way) is a Latin term for a device frequently used in the most absurd books, plays, and films. It translates to "does not follow" and is usually a conversational response to an argument that is so far removed from the subject of the argument that it comes across as absurd...and usually funny.
Well, I am 22 and at this point my entire life seems to be Non Sequitur. I'm sure some of my fellow recent graduates can understand where I'm going with this... you prepare and prepare and prepare for "real life" for four intense years at the college/university of your choice. Then you get out there and realize...no one really knows what the hell they are doing. Not even the "real" grownups.
SO...we all just play along and try our best to have a damn good time doing it.
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