One of my administrators just came to my door *during Benchmark testing* to check and see that one of my 7th graders was present. Her mother had called the school, worried that she didn't make it here today. Now, you might think, "OK, this child has 25 absences in the first semester alone, and her mom is making sure she didn't skip out on school again." But that is not the case. Mom knows about the absences. It's just that her daughter forgot to text her this morning to say, "I'm at school." Really? Where did you think she would end up? And, incidentally, she could send that text from anywhere! After all, her boyfriend can drive. (Did I mention that she's in 7th grade?)
I think this mom is worried about the wrong things. No wonder the child didn't seem to understand why I had to take her phone when it went off in my class a few weeks ago. (It was her boyfriend texting her from HIS class at the high school.)
This article, Buy a phone, become a baby, pretty much sums up my opinion on parents, kids, and cell phones. My (hypothetical) child will not have one for as long as I can hold out.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
An American tragedy
It saddens me greatly to hear about the shootings in Arizona today. My heart goes out to the people in Arizona and around the country whose loved ones were injured or killed today.
The response on Facebook has been interesting. I have friends who run the gamut from ultra-conservative to extremely liberal, with many who represent positions in between. (Come to think of it, my family is like this too!) In general, my conservative friends, including some who support Tea Parties and anti-immigration laws, have poured out expressions of sympathy and prayer, as have some of my liberal friends. In contrast, several of my liberal friends have posted messages of blame and accusation directed at conservative political leaders.
I would like to call on all my friends and family to remember who perpetrated this terrible crime. Whatever we discover about the shooter's motivations, we need to remember that it was he who pulled the trigger and dramatically altered all those lives. So often we are quick to excuse behavior, lay the blame where we think it might best benefit our causes, instead of requiring people to take responsibilty for their actions. The shooter's political beliefs may have indeed influenced his actions today, but ultimately HE made the decision to do this thing. No one forced or coereced him to do so (at least, not that we know of). It does NO ONE any good to point fingers and spread vitriolic commentary. Please, my friends, consider your words carefully. Don't let this further divide our country. As our President said in his press conference, the American people come together and support each other in the face of tragedy.
The response on Facebook has been interesting. I have friends who run the gamut from ultra-conservative to extremely liberal, with many who represent positions in between. (Come to think of it, my family is like this too!) In general, my conservative friends, including some who support Tea Parties and anti-immigration laws, have poured out expressions of sympathy and prayer, as have some of my liberal friends. In contrast, several of my liberal friends have posted messages of blame and accusation directed at conservative political leaders.
I would like to call on all my friends and family to remember who perpetrated this terrible crime. Whatever we discover about the shooter's motivations, we need to remember that it was he who pulled the trigger and dramatically altered all those lives. So often we are quick to excuse behavior, lay the blame where we think it might best benefit our causes, instead of requiring people to take responsibilty for their actions. The shooter's political beliefs may have indeed influenced his actions today, but ultimately HE made the decision to do this thing. No one forced or coereced him to do so (at least, not that we know of). It does NO ONE any good to point fingers and spread vitriolic commentary. Please, my friends, consider your words carefully. Don't let this further divide our country. As our President said in his press conference, the American people come together and support each other in the face of tragedy.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Doesn't everyone do this in January?
I am thinking of resurrecting the pedometer habit I developed awhile back. My cute new iPod nano, Yoda, has a built in pedometer, and I can even connect it to a Nike website that shows how far I've walked and how many calories I've burned.
I am quite willing to tell people that I weigh 150 pounds. They usually look at me, aghast, and ask where I've put all that weight. While this is flattering, I wish I knew. My size twelve pants are getting tighter by the day, though, and I'm not ok with that part.
Our Rush membership expires this summer. I'm grateful, really, because I don't think we've been nearly good enough about going. It's nice to know there's a pool if we want it, but honestly, it's been over a year since I set foot in the place. There are many, many things I can do that don't cost nearly as much (although I'm not even the one paying the fee).
It's very difficult to make myself exercise after a long day at school. I'm usually frustrated and tired when I leave here, and I yearn for a blanket, a salty snack, and a book or some internet time. Or retail therapy with a fast food snack. I have no interest in changing clothes, getting all sweaty, and then having to shower before bed, etc. Yuck. Exercising before school seems to be beyond my capabilities as a human...I'm good, but not that good. :) Morning is my worst time of day.
I need exercise. My body is way out of shape. So are my habits.
I am quite willing to tell people that I weigh 150 pounds. They usually look at me, aghast, and ask where I've put all that weight. While this is flattering, I wish I knew. My size twelve pants are getting tighter by the day, though, and I'm not ok with that part.
Our Rush membership expires this summer. I'm grateful, really, because I don't think we've been nearly good enough about going. It's nice to know there's a pool if we want it, but honestly, it's been over a year since I set foot in the place. There are many, many things I can do that don't cost nearly as much (although I'm not even the one paying the fee).
It's very difficult to make myself exercise after a long day at school. I'm usually frustrated and tired when I leave here, and I yearn for a blanket, a salty snack, and a book or some internet time. Or retail therapy with a fast food snack. I have no interest in changing clothes, getting all sweaty, and then having to shower before bed, etc. Yuck. Exercising before school seems to be beyond my capabilities as a human...I'm good, but not that good. :) Morning is my worst time of day.
I need exercise. My body is way out of shape. So are my habits.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Things I learned in 2010...
I read several authors' blogs and Twitter feeds, and one I particularly enjoy is Sarah Dessen's. I feel a certain kinship to her because she lives and writes in Chapel Hill and seems so much like me in a lot of ways (from what I can gather on her blog...). At any rate, on Dec. 31, she posted a list of the things she learned in 2010 in lieu of New Year's Resolutions. I like this idea. Rather than planning all the things I want to change about myself, I can take a moment to reflect on the ways I have already changed and grown in the past year. (Sarah Dessen did each one in 140 characters so she could Tweet it. I...don't want to hold myself to that standard. :P)
1. I am a capable stage manager. In reality, this is not all that different from my real job, but it involves telling adults what to do and how to do it, and getting them to work together.
1a. You catch more flies with honey. "Why would you want to catch flies at all?" you ask. Well, in dealing with adults (and children, although that's a little different), a little respect, some humor, and a gentle spirit go a long way toward helping everyone get along.
2. Things are just that: things. They are replaceable. Even if it makes you sick to have to do it. It's the people, the pets, the memories that are most valuable.
3. It really doesn't matter who you love, as long as you love well and fully. God will take care of the rest, and if there are narrow-minded people who try to tell you otherwise, you can always politely usher them right out of your life. You don't need them.
4. Marriage is a sacred thing. It is worth working on, every day, every hour, if necessary. Your husband or wife deserves your best efforts. And your listening heart. <3
5. The more you want something, the crazier the things you'll do to get it. Sometimes it's better just to take a step back and wait. God's timing is perfect, and with faith everything will turn out just fine in the end.
6. No one notices how clean (or not clean) the house is when they come over. They notice the friendship, the laughter, the hugs, and the family they find within our four walls. This is a very difficult lesson for me, and one I admit I have not learned fully.
7. Ask and ye shall receive. Sulk quietly and no one knows what you want. :)
8. It is very difficult and expensive to eat locally, at least in our town. BUT I feel so much better when we do.
8a. Venison is tasty, and I have no problems cooking and enjoying the venison my husband brings home. :)
1. I am a capable stage manager. In reality, this is not all that different from my real job, but it involves telling adults what to do and how to do it, and getting them to work together.
1a. You catch more flies with honey. "Why would you want to catch flies at all?" you ask. Well, in dealing with adults (and children, although that's a little different), a little respect, some humor, and a gentle spirit go a long way toward helping everyone get along.
2. Things are just that: things. They are replaceable. Even if it makes you sick to have to do it. It's the people, the pets, the memories that are most valuable.
3. It really doesn't matter who you love, as long as you love well and fully. God will take care of the rest, and if there are narrow-minded people who try to tell you otherwise, you can always politely usher them right out of your life. You don't need them.
4. Marriage is a sacred thing. It is worth working on, every day, every hour, if necessary. Your husband or wife deserves your best efforts. And your listening heart. <3
5. The more you want something, the crazier the things you'll do to get it. Sometimes it's better just to take a step back and wait. God's timing is perfect, and with faith everything will turn out just fine in the end.
6. No one notices how clean (or not clean) the house is when they come over. They notice the friendship, the laughter, the hugs, and the family they find within our four walls. This is a very difficult lesson for me, and one I admit I have not learned fully.
7. Ask and ye shall receive. Sulk quietly and no one knows what you want. :)
8. It is very difficult and expensive to eat locally, at least in our town. BUT I feel so much better when we do.
8a. Venison is tasty, and I have no problems cooking and enjoying the venison my husband brings home. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)