Time.... all so fun to stretch your mind about..
Again working with kids you realize the concept of time is sensed differently depending on where one is standing....A child can take a task such as tying ones shoes and stretch it out for much longer that that which is necessary. However are they really taking that long at all? They perceive time differently.. Remember when Summer use to last forever? Now it just zips away....Racing faster and faster each year.
Anyone who has ever been in any kind of accident can vow that time plays tricks.. I still remember an accident like it was yesterday that took place when I was about 17.. Flying through the air, through the trees.. It seemed to be an eternity so many things passed through my mind but the reality to any onlooker was that is was just a matter of seconds.. Time..it all depends where your standing..
Monday, April 13, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Society..
Our system is so radically screwed up right now that it makes me blue in the face. Latest talk at our school is that there is a great possibility that it will be closing May 15.. A month early.. NExt year Our school will be going to a four day schedule.. Same number of educational hours as we have now.. Except now kids have a three day weekend.. Just what they need. LOL
We as a nation are collapsing. Banks and cars come before health care and education. Seems so backwards to me.. I would think if you want a strong healthy society the place one would start is with our education. Educating early and year round.. Really do we need summer break? When was the last time you saw kids out on the farm harvesting crops? Now summers are spent watching T.V. and playing video games alone at home while both parents are at work, while all the knowledge gained during the school year just slips away.. Leading teachers and staff having to "refresh" students for the first three months of school..
We bailout banks not giving even a nod to the education CRISIS that is taking place. Where will that lead our country in the future when we try to compete in a global economy? So easily lost in the pages of People magazine, worrying about hair and make up rather then the big picture. Shallow we are and shallow we will remain unless something is done with the education system.Lost in the idea that we are a great nation while others just pass us by.. Reminds me much of the fable "The Tortise and the rabbit".
Then of course the health care system! You want productive workers they need to be healthy. Think about how many people miss work or are unable to work due to health wether that be physical or mental.. The numbers are staggering. I don't see much happening or any long term recovery for us unless we start addressing these very real long term problems.
So while we bail out these companies with our hard earned dollars while begging and borrowing from any country who's willing to own a piece of us.. How about the "little people" ,the nuts and bolts of America, with out them what are we but another thrd world country.
Okay..Okay .. Im stepping off my soap box.....
We as a nation are collapsing. Banks and cars come before health care and education. Seems so backwards to me.. I would think if you want a strong healthy society the place one would start is with our education. Educating early and year round.. Really do we need summer break? When was the last time you saw kids out on the farm harvesting crops? Now summers are spent watching T.V. and playing video games alone at home while both parents are at work, while all the knowledge gained during the school year just slips away.. Leading teachers and staff having to "refresh" students for the first three months of school..
We bailout banks not giving even a nod to the education CRISIS that is taking place. Where will that lead our country in the future when we try to compete in a global economy? So easily lost in the pages of People magazine, worrying about hair and make up rather then the big picture. Shallow we are and shallow we will remain unless something is done with the education system.Lost in the idea that we are a great nation while others just pass us by.. Reminds me much of the fable "The Tortise and the rabbit".
Then of course the health care system! You want productive workers they need to be healthy. Think about how many people miss work or are unable to work due to health wether that be physical or mental.. The numbers are staggering. I don't see much happening or any long term recovery for us unless we start addressing these very real long term problems.
So while we bail out these companies with our hard earned dollars while begging and borrowing from any country who's willing to own a piece of us.. How about the "little people" ,the nuts and bolts of America, with out them what are we but another thrd world country.
Okay..Okay .. Im stepping off my soap box.....
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
life,death and stuff
So I was thinking today, a horrible habit I have been trying to break.. Life and death and stuff.
Some of you may know a pack rat or two in your lives. I am always fasinated and appalled by such people. To be so wrapped up in stuff. Seems like it would suffocate the life right out of you.
People always say you can't take it with you when you die..This is true but sometimes I think people miss the bigger picture.. What you actually leave behind. After all, your life really hasn't had any meaning unless you have touched others lives in someway. A fingerprint of your being carried on forever.. We all leave these prints, some can be damaging smudging what ever they have touched hopefully if we live a concious life, an aware life, what we leave behind is positive.
So instead of collecting trinckets that collect dust and when left behind just leave a headache for those to clean up. Concentrate on your life print. Things come and go but your life print carries on forever. It's a hard task that takes lots of practice. Requires stepping out of yourself to be aware of all living things at any given moment.. Putting a side things for people. In this day and age a big idea. Seems people are now judged by what they own and what they get not what they contribute. A bigger house, a bigger car, Bigger wardrobe... what about bigger kindness? It doesn't take much, a smile at the check out line, a genuine "how are you?" Doing things for others with out expecting anything in return..You can't take it with you but you CAN leave it behind..
Some of you may know a pack rat or two in your lives. I am always fasinated and appalled by such people. To be so wrapped up in stuff. Seems like it would suffocate the life right out of you.
People always say you can't take it with you when you die..This is true but sometimes I think people miss the bigger picture.. What you actually leave behind. After all, your life really hasn't had any meaning unless you have touched others lives in someway. A fingerprint of your being carried on forever.. We all leave these prints, some can be damaging smudging what ever they have touched hopefully if we live a concious life, an aware life, what we leave behind is positive.
So instead of collecting trinckets that collect dust and when left behind just leave a headache for those to clean up. Concentrate on your life print. Things come and go but your life print carries on forever. It's a hard task that takes lots of practice. Requires stepping out of yourself to be aware of all living things at any given moment.. Putting a side things for people. In this day and age a big idea. Seems people are now judged by what they own and what they get not what they contribute. A bigger house, a bigger car, Bigger wardrobe... what about bigger kindness? It doesn't take much, a smile at the check out line, a genuine "how are you?" Doing things for others with out expecting anything in return..You can't take it with you but you CAN leave it behind..
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
what time is it....
Kids... Kids are the most amazing creatures ever! They never fail to make me smile.. The world thru their eyes is just so new..
Yesterday I got to hep out in Katies class..I mean Katherines class.. She is requiring that she be called by her full name.
In KAtherines class the kids are working on telling time... What a concept to grasp. So much fun watching the wheels turn.. A common question that seemed to be confusing the kids a lot was..
How many seconds are in a minute..
So heres how a conversation would go
Me: So can you tell me how many seconds are in 1 minute?
Child: ummmm...... 1!
Me: nope Try again..
Child looks about room... Ummmm... 4!
Me: Nope, I'll give you a hint. How many minutes are in an hour?
child: 58! Smiles broadly.
Me: So close! Actually it's 60 minutes. 60 minutes are in an hour. Remember that, That is your hint
child nods intently
Me: okay so now how many seconds are in a minute?
child: um......8!
Me: Wait not so quick.. How many minutes are in an hour?
child: 60!
Me: YAy!! Okay so how many seconds do you think are in a minute?
Child : um.....60?...60!
Me: yay!!!!
Aww the look of accomplishment when they get it! It reminds you not to take all the little stuff for granted.. They just have a way of making everything thats done in a day feel like a great accomplishment, everything is special...
Kids are cool
Yesterday I got to hep out in Katies class..I mean Katherines class.. She is requiring that she be called by her full name.
In KAtherines class the kids are working on telling time... What a concept to grasp. So much fun watching the wheels turn.. A common question that seemed to be confusing the kids a lot was..
How many seconds are in a minute..
So heres how a conversation would go
Me: So can you tell me how many seconds are in 1 minute?
Child: ummmm...... 1!
Me: nope Try again..
Child looks about room... Ummmm... 4!
Me: Nope, I'll give you a hint. How many minutes are in an hour?
child: 58! Smiles broadly.
Me: So close! Actually it's 60 minutes. 60 minutes are in an hour. Remember that, That is your hint
child nods intently
Me: okay so now how many seconds are in a minute?
child: um......8!
Me: Wait not so quick.. How many minutes are in an hour?
child: 60!
Me: YAy!! Okay so how many seconds do you think are in a minute?
Child : um.....60?...60!
Me: yay!!!!
Aww the look of accomplishment when they get it! It reminds you not to take all the little stuff for granted.. They just have a way of making everything thats done in a day feel like a great accomplishment, everything is special...
Kids are cool
Saturday, March 7, 2009
TMI
Ugh! One of the first things people will see about me is I am a little to open and honest. I say whats on my mind and whats in my soul.. Censors do not exsist in my world. Coming to grips with this is hard at times, people tend to think I am really retarded or just plain stupid. I'm not either or so I 'd like to think. I guess I just want people to feel comfortable, their isn't much I haven't experienced or seen. I try to be non-judgmental because a saint I am not.. So at times I tend to share to much.. I am guessing this blog is one of those times..
Many mistakes I have made and with many more to come... One of the things more recently (the last decade) I have tried to overcome are fear.. I am one of those that have always been afraid of everything. Anybody seen the movie Lemony Snickets A Series Of Unfortunate Events? Well I am pretty sure the Meryl Streep character was created after me. I should so collect royalties!
As a child I learned everything late.. A true late bloomer I was.. Didn't learn to swim til I was 8.. I Didn't learn to ride a bike till I was 9 no roller coasters till I was 16..Heck I think I was even a late talker! And last but not least I didn't drive till I WAS 29... WHEW.. exhausting.. Where did such an inability to feel comfortable in my own skin come from.. ? I am aware and boy oh boy do I try to overcome.. It's not that I am a closed off person quite the opposite.. A feeling to climb and strive the highest peaks is always in my sights.. However have you ever been frozen right where you stand..? So often I am overcome with that feeling.... The everyday stuff that most take for granted takes me a little extra.. I often wonder what could one accomplish if one was completely uninhibited by fear? Don't we all have this little battle somewhere in our lives? Be honest with yourself.. Where do you find it and how do you overcome?
Life is so not ment to be easy, each of our journeys are different. Each of our purposes and lessons that we are here to learn are our own.. Do you know yours? Can you say them out loud?? They aren't easy, They take time, we know them when we find them. We wade through them like a thick cold swamp hopefully to come out the other end a better person more soulful and aware.. An education that doesn't come from a school not one you can pay for with cash and books but one that come from tears and sweat and bad decisions ..
To become unfrozen and aware of ones potential to embrace it... I still am figuring it out each day I feel the answer is right there.. Like I am ready to take the plunge yet I stop frozen again. Standing on the edge of a cliff looking into the deep blue water poised to dive. Is the water clear or will I bash my head against unseen boulders ? I freeze, missing out on the experience of gliding through the air weightless, cutting through the blue water clean and smooth exhilerated and most of all enlightened. Maybe tomorrow...For the chance never does truly pass.. That is one of the great things in life. Opportunities to learn and stretch our minds and souls are always available. Given again and again.
TMI.. I suppose To Much Info!! For those that read this which not anybody does..whew! Thank goodness! I am still Figuring things out don't judge, just remember we all have our little bumps or mountains as different as they may be we hopefully learn and grow and become whole people.. Don't get me wrong I am a happy person.. So much I have been blessed with however their is this little perfectionist in me that expects more, Not from those around me but from me.. And I don't think that is such a bad thing..I AM only 31 and to think that I was where I was suppose to be spiritaully at this age would be egotistical.. I have a long life ahead, A long journey, a long test.. To have all the answers now? I don't think so.
Many mistakes I have made and with many more to come... One of the things more recently (the last decade) I have tried to overcome are fear.. I am one of those that have always been afraid of everything. Anybody seen the movie Lemony Snickets A Series Of Unfortunate Events? Well I am pretty sure the Meryl Streep character was created after me. I should so collect royalties!
As a child I learned everything late.. A true late bloomer I was.. Didn't learn to swim til I was 8.. I Didn't learn to ride a bike till I was 9 no roller coasters till I was 16..Heck I think I was even a late talker! And last but not least I didn't drive till I WAS 29... WHEW.. exhausting.. Where did such an inability to feel comfortable in my own skin come from.. ? I am aware and boy oh boy do I try to overcome.. It's not that I am a closed off person quite the opposite.. A feeling to climb and strive the highest peaks is always in my sights.. However have you ever been frozen right where you stand..? So often I am overcome with that feeling.... The everyday stuff that most take for granted takes me a little extra.. I often wonder what could one accomplish if one was completely uninhibited by fear? Don't we all have this little battle somewhere in our lives? Be honest with yourself.. Where do you find it and how do you overcome?
Life is so not ment to be easy, each of our journeys are different. Each of our purposes and lessons that we are here to learn are our own.. Do you know yours? Can you say them out loud?? They aren't easy, They take time, we know them when we find them. We wade through them like a thick cold swamp hopefully to come out the other end a better person more soulful and aware.. An education that doesn't come from a school not one you can pay for with cash and books but one that come from tears and sweat and bad decisions ..
To become unfrozen and aware of ones potential to embrace it... I still am figuring it out each day I feel the answer is right there.. Like I am ready to take the plunge yet I stop frozen again. Standing on the edge of a cliff looking into the deep blue water poised to dive. Is the water clear or will I bash my head against unseen boulders ? I freeze, missing out on the experience of gliding through the air weightless, cutting through the blue water clean and smooth exhilerated and most of all enlightened. Maybe tomorrow...For the chance never does truly pass.. That is one of the great things in life. Opportunities to learn and stretch our minds and souls are always available. Given again and again.
TMI.. I suppose To Much Info!! For those that read this which not anybody does..whew! Thank goodness! I am still Figuring things out don't judge, just remember we all have our little bumps or mountains as different as they may be we hopefully learn and grow and become whole people.. Don't get me wrong I am a happy person.. So much I have been blessed with however their is this little perfectionist in me that expects more, Not from those around me but from me.. And I don't think that is such a bad thing..I AM only 31 and to think that I was where I was suppose to be spiritaully at this age would be egotistical.. I have a long life ahead, A long journey, a long test.. To have all the answers now? I don't think so.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Moments that make you think
Wow so last night was intresting. I signed our family up for a parenting class for children ages 10-14.. Last night was our second class. During these classes Miss Katie goes to The Resource center were she plays twister and musical chairs for 2 hours while we are hard at work on IMPROVING our communication skills with our 10 year old... I think she has the better half of the deal.
I signed up for the classes because I always think their is room for improvement and even if you only learn just one thing: You're growing and isn't that what were all here for.
Anyways My husband hasn't been to hip on it cause well he thinks things are fine and he's right, they are, but as I said theirs always room for improvement. He being the wonderful husband that he is knew it was important to me so he goes and even participates.. Sam Hates it!
Sam oh Sam my wonderful Sam.. Sam is an intresting kid. Already talking about college and politics.. Ya hes a diffent kinda dude.. He's also very stubborn. So in his stubborness last night he decided he didn't want to be at the class. So things turn sour.
He is huffing and puffing, not looking at us, saying things under his breath sitting with his arms crossed. Finally he says he's outta there and gets up and walks out.. UGH! There are those moments as a parent when you just find yourself not knowing the answer and that was one of them.. Anyways being that I am friend with the instructors I frustratingly said "This is why I am here!" " How do I deal with this"! So I got up and followed him out of the class he tried to hide in the boys bathroom then learned quickly I have know shame when I walked in..
stil stubborn he refuse to come back to class. I tell him not to leave the building and I go back to the room. After a small talk with my husband we decide not to expend any more energy or attention to him and continue with what we are doing..
Our assignment to make a family shield. One that contains four of our families core values. Whew.. Alright we can do that would be funner if Sam was helping but okay Brad and I will just do it.. Of course you know my head is soooooo not in the game.
We whip a shield up our four values we list are; Hard work, Education, Honesty, and working together as a family. Blah Blah... We present it to the class most parents present theirs with their kids helping and reading theirs. Sam has decided to grace us with his presence again but just returns to his seat. Brad and I are left to present our shield ourselves.. ho hum.. I'm ready to go home.
Next we all get in a circle at the end of class. Each Family says what one of their familys core values are.. The circle come round to us... um.. My minds not in the game.
Sam speaks up... "Mom, can I pick it?"
Oh great I am thinking what is he gonna say..
"um ya sure Sam go ahead"
Everyone is watching and waiting cause here is this kid thats just been a pill for the last 2 hours and he stands their quietly for a second..
Then The teacher says "okay Sam whats one value your family has and he pauses and then says " LOVE, my family has love..."
Well I have to admit this hit a nerve and I started to cry like a big baby I was embarrased till I looked around and saw a few others weeping to.. Kids they can be so frustrating and then they say something thats just so obvious....It feels like it smacks you right in the head..
I signed up for the classes because I always think their is room for improvement and even if you only learn just one thing: You're growing and isn't that what were all here for.
Anyways My husband hasn't been to hip on it cause well he thinks things are fine and he's right, they are, but as I said theirs always room for improvement. He being the wonderful husband that he is knew it was important to me so he goes and even participates.. Sam Hates it!
Sam oh Sam my wonderful Sam.. Sam is an intresting kid. Already talking about college and politics.. Ya hes a diffent kinda dude.. He's also very stubborn. So in his stubborness last night he decided he didn't want to be at the class. So things turn sour.
He is huffing and puffing, not looking at us, saying things under his breath sitting with his arms crossed. Finally he says he's outta there and gets up and walks out.. UGH! There are those moments as a parent when you just find yourself not knowing the answer and that was one of them.. Anyways being that I am friend with the instructors I frustratingly said "This is why I am here!" " How do I deal with this"! So I got up and followed him out of the class he tried to hide in the boys bathroom then learned quickly I have know shame when I walked in..
stil stubborn he refuse to come back to class. I tell him not to leave the building and I go back to the room. After a small talk with my husband we decide not to expend any more energy or attention to him and continue with what we are doing..
Our assignment to make a family shield. One that contains four of our families core values. Whew.. Alright we can do that would be funner if Sam was helping but okay Brad and I will just do it.. Of course you know my head is soooooo not in the game.
We whip a shield up our four values we list are; Hard work, Education, Honesty, and working together as a family. Blah Blah... We present it to the class most parents present theirs with their kids helping and reading theirs. Sam has decided to grace us with his presence again but just returns to his seat. Brad and I are left to present our shield ourselves.. ho hum.. I'm ready to go home.
Next we all get in a circle at the end of class. Each Family says what one of their familys core values are.. The circle come round to us... um.. My minds not in the game.
Sam speaks up... "Mom, can I pick it?"
Oh great I am thinking what is he gonna say..
"um ya sure Sam go ahead"
Everyone is watching and waiting cause here is this kid thats just been a pill for the last 2 hours and he stands their quietly for a second..
Then The teacher says "okay Sam whats one value your family has and he pauses and then says " LOVE, my family has love..."
Well I have to admit this hit a nerve and I started to cry like a big baby I was embarrased till I looked around and saw a few others weeping to.. Kids they can be so frustrating and then they say something thats just so obvious....It feels like it smacks you right in the head..
Friday, February 20, 2009
ho humm Winter blues
Do you ever feel like you are waiting for something. Like your skin is just itching from the expectation.. I'm there right now.. I feel like I am stalled.. And can't quite get out of my skin.. I need to molt like a snake maybe I just need to slither and rub against some rocks and I will feel new.. Then again maybe not... I have had this feeling of being impatient all day.. like when your at a really long red light and you just want to get where your going. Or when your standing in line at the grocery store with just a gallon of milk and in front of you a never ending trail of costumers each with their own over flowing cart...
I think maybe it's the need for spring.. On my walk with the dog today I heard frogs sing ...I think they only do that in Spring.. It was so warm today.. Felt so good... Made my skin that much more itchy.. Do you ever just want to take all your clothes off and lay in the sun like a cat... Feeling the arms of the sun wrap around your body... I'm there.. I need heat.. I am tired of feeling as though I am in a chronic state of hibernation... I need to breath I am not made for winter I am a temperate person who needs temperate weather..Wake up Wake up I need to wake up to the smell of spring to apple blossoms and daffadils.. ho humm I'm ready to be done with winter..
I think maybe it's the need for spring.. On my walk with the dog today I heard frogs sing ...I think they only do that in Spring.. It was so warm today.. Felt so good... Made my skin that much more itchy.. Do you ever just want to take all your clothes off and lay in the sun like a cat... Feeling the arms of the sun wrap around your body... I'm there.. I need heat.. I am tired of feeling as though I am in a chronic state of hibernation... I need to breath I am not made for winter I am a temperate person who needs temperate weather..Wake up Wake up I need to wake up to the smell of spring to apple blossoms and daffadils.. ho humm I'm ready to be done with winter..
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