A couple of years ago there was this sweet little show on TV called Joan of Arcadia. It was a good show and maybe even helped to provide some hope occasionally. I was trying to pinpoint my feelings lately. So many to be honest and that show came to mind. In the season one finale Joan is sick and God won't talk to her any longer. The mom (Helen) says something at the end to her husband (Will) that spoke right to my heart and I hold out hope for more times of consolation than desolation:
Helen - I was talking to a priest today. I'm telling you now. I--wasn't gonna hide it. Do you want to hear what a priest said?
Will - Was it a handsome priest?
Helen - [Laughs] Not as handsome as you.
Will - Go on.
Helen - He said that we go through times on consolation and desolation. Consolation is when... things are flowing, and everything makes sense, and... you feel connected, and... you're aware that god is present and... has plans for you, maybe... even likes you a little bit. You remember that?
Will - Sometimes.
Helen - Desolation is the other thing. When you are... scared... and confused and alone and out of step, and your cell phone doesn't work, and... your daughter gets sick, and... the cops come to the door and say there's been an accident. God... retreats, and... you're left with your own thoughts, and those thoughts are...dark. There are answers there. He told me. And strength.
Will - How long does desolation last?
Helen - As long as it needs to.
Anyway, I know that I am in a time of consolation with my job. Things are flowing and going right. I am in desolation in other areas and I feel lost in those dark thoughts and want so bad sometimes to turn on the light to get the shadows to go away. But I know that these times are needed in one's life to help them find their way and help them grow. I hope I will find the answers and that I will come out stronger on the other end.
Peace out my peeps.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Friday, August 11, 2006
Green Acres is the place for me....
Ok, not really, but I love this new school district. Even if it feels a little like the twilight zone. I am finally starting to get excited about this new place. I wasn't sure at first, probably because I felt so burned by my last school and maybe even a little bitter about education in general. Today when I got to be at my new school with my principals and the new teachers, I finally started to feel like I am a part of something.
Things I already miss though:
~The other class clowns that made staff development more tolerable.
~The technology we had in my bigger district.
~Being near stores and places.
~The feeling that I know what I am doing.
Even though those are some of the things I miss, I am looking forward to this experience. And being from a "small" (rural) town myself I am sure I will see things in these people that remind me of my childhood. Oh the blogs I think will come with this job!!
Peace out my peeps....I am getting to go out tonight!!
Things I already miss though:
~The other class clowns that made staff development more tolerable.
~The technology we had in my bigger district.
~Being near stores and places.
~The feeling that I know what I am doing.
Even though those are some of the things I miss, I am looking forward to this experience. And being from a "small" (rural) town myself I am sure I will see things in these people that remind me of my childhood. Oh the blogs I think will come with this job!!
Peace out my peeps....I am getting to go out tonight!!
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Failing of the Educational System?
So Friday I was reading this post at the Thunder Run and it didn't really have anything to do with education, but the writer picked a fight with me with his first sentence: "One of the many failings of our educational system is that it sends out into the world people who cannot tell rhetoric from reality." Ok, first question I had was WHY is it always the educational system?? This is one of those times when I truly believe it is the parent's job to teaching the child to tell the difference between persuasive writing or speech and reality. I mention this to my dear friend, David, at the Thunder Run and he lets me know that the writer was probably focusing on higher education. STILL.....not the point. It is not a teacher's job solely to teach children, teens, or young adults this kind of thing.
I think with school starting and the teacher in me slowly waking back up the first sentence in that article just set me off. I am about to be given about 80-100 new students this year (may be more or even less, not sure on my numbers) and many people feel it is my job as their teacher to teach them right from wrong, morals, the truth about the world, respect, manners.....OH and Social Studies!!! What the hell?!?! I am suppose to do the job of the parent and not have the same power (or any power for that matter) to teach these life lessons. Why is it so many people are quick to blame teachers and the educational system? Think of it this way, I could get in trouble if I teach something to a student that the parent doesn't agree with. So often it seems that parents want someone else to raise their child and when the kid doesn't turn out right then they have someone they can blame. If my morals don't match the parents then I am doing something wrong when I teach those morals to the child. If I tell Johnny it isn't ok to punch other kids when he is mad and that it is against classroom, school and even society's rules, and the parent doesn't have that same philosophy, who does the parent get mad at? Me.
I am the parent of a messed up teen. Do I mean that in a seriously negative way or to say something mean about my gorgeous daughter? No, it is just the truth. And guess what....I am NOT blaming her teachers. It is not their job to teach her to not talk to boys like she is a hooker on a street corner. That is my job, one I have tried like hell to do well and still have no idea how I am really doing. But you know, I am at least stepping up as a parent and letting it be known that it is my short comings that cause my child to be lacking at times. I love her and have faith that all will work out in the end, but you don't see me beating down a principal's door asking why the teachers didn't do a better job teaching my child to be a responsible young adult. So why do so many others want to blame the educational system? I believe if more parents would stop blaming and step up and actually take some responsibility the youth of today would be in a MUCH better place than they are right now. It is not the "failings of the educational system", it is the failings of today's parents!!! It is time some reporters start facing some reality of their own.
Peace out my peeps. Have a great Sunday evening. I am getting off my soap box before I break an ankle.
I think with school starting and the teacher in me slowly waking back up the first sentence in that article just set me off. I am about to be given about 80-100 new students this year (may be more or even less, not sure on my numbers) and many people feel it is my job as their teacher to teach them right from wrong, morals, the truth about the world, respect, manners.....OH and Social Studies!!! What the hell?!?! I am suppose to do the job of the parent and not have the same power (or any power for that matter) to teach these life lessons. Why is it so many people are quick to blame teachers and the educational system? Think of it this way, I could get in trouble if I teach something to a student that the parent doesn't agree with. So often it seems that parents want someone else to raise their child and when the kid doesn't turn out right then they have someone they can blame. If my morals don't match the parents then I am doing something wrong when I teach those morals to the child. If I tell Johnny it isn't ok to punch other kids when he is mad and that it is against classroom, school and even society's rules, and the parent doesn't have that same philosophy, who does the parent get mad at? Me.
I am the parent of a messed up teen. Do I mean that in a seriously negative way or to say something mean about my gorgeous daughter? No, it is just the truth. And guess what....I am NOT blaming her teachers. It is not their job to teach her to not talk to boys like she is a hooker on a street corner. That is my job, one I have tried like hell to do well and still have no idea how I am really doing. But you know, I am at least stepping up as a parent and letting it be known that it is my short comings that cause my child to be lacking at times. I love her and have faith that all will work out in the end, but you don't see me beating down a principal's door asking why the teachers didn't do a better job teaching my child to be a responsible young adult. So why do so many others want to blame the educational system? I believe if more parents would stop blaming and step up and actually take some responsibility the youth of today would be in a MUCH better place than they are right now. It is not the "failings of the educational system", it is the failings of today's parents!!! It is time some reporters start facing some reality of their own.
Peace out my peeps. Have a great Sunday evening. I am getting off my soap box before I break an ankle.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Dog Days of Summer
I have no idea where the whole freaking summer went. It is just gone. The month of July was a killer for this family with the loss of a dear pet and everything with PITA. I am almost (and I mean that in the slightest since) ready for school. I have missed so much sleep this summer that I had planned on spending my last few days of freedom relaxing and sleeping and maybe just organizing the home some. Just as I am telling hubs this, things change. I get a call to let me know that I am invited to come down and do 1st Saturday Trades Days in our downtown.
SWEEEEET!!!
This is a chance to take some orders, do hand facials, satin hands and drawings for two prizes to get names and number and leads for potential customers!! It is AWESOME!!! I am so very very excited about it. I have a lot of things to get done today to prepare and of course here I sit at the computer LOL. I know it will all get done. Most of it is stuff that can only be done here at the house so that is a good thing to know. Makes life a little easier.
Cross your fingers and say a little prayer for me. The last time I had a big thing come up that I thought would be great it turned into a dud. Not to dampen my spirits at all. Just wish it had worked out more for the best. I am hoping and praying for good weather and people to really come out and check out the square on Saturday!!
Peace out my peeps! Have a great day!
SWEEEEET!!!
This is a chance to take some orders, do hand facials, satin hands and drawings for two prizes to get names and number and leads for potential customers!! It is AWESOME!!! I am so very very excited about it. I have a lot of things to get done today to prepare and of course here I sit at the computer LOL. I know it will all get done. Most of it is stuff that can only be done here at the house so that is a good thing to know. Makes life a little easier.
Cross your fingers and say a little prayer for me. The last time I had a big thing come up that I thought would be great it turned into a dud. Not to dampen my spirits at all. Just wish it had worked out more for the best. I am hoping and praying for good weather and people to really come out and check out the square on Saturday!!
Peace out my peeps! Have a great day!
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