Deeply Concerned

So, I'm deeply concerned over the proposed health care overhaul. I wonder, if there were a national election held today regarding this topic , would the majority for for it or against it?

If this were a line item on my ballot, and I knew my vote counted on this specific item, how would I vote? Yes, for it? No, against it? Need more data? Do I fully understand it and all it's implications? Is it fair for everyone? Does it cater to the needs of the few? Or the many? Would I be relinquishing decision-making control over my own health? How will it effect future generations? How much does it cost each of us in the long run?

I agree, this would be history-making legislation. In a good way?

A Time of Prayer

So, I felt a particular tug at my heart and soul this week after the story of the military shootings in Ft. Hood, Texas. Words simply cannot describe.

I felt compelled to participate in the Global Unified Prayer today. I prayed for peace and for understanding. I prayed for healing. For everyone.

I strongly believe in the power of prayer. And faith.

Aren't Fridays A Good Thing?

So, aren't Fridays supposed to be a good thing? Isn't this usually the end of a week of work? When friends meet for happy hour, or families get take out, or you breathe a sigh of relief because there are no more classes until Monday? I'm just not feelin' it.

Tears could be easy, but then, the explanation wouldn't be. I'd like to take this huge awful feeling, exhale it into a hot air balloon, and watch it ascend and drift out of sight.

Aren't Fridays supposed to be a good thing?

Frustrated

So, I'm just going to throw this out there. I've pretty well had it! I'm over it! Just so you know!

I know everyone wants to believe that our economy is doing *SO* much better. Me too, I'd like to believe that as well. When you go to the job postings and look at all the jobs available, it *LOOKS* like there are many jobs available. I understand that. But in the real world, that is simply not the case! What a fascade!

Those are not *real* jobs! While there may be real positions available within a company, that company may not in reality be hiring at all!

There are MANY companies out there who are simply collecting resumes and not hiring at all!

I, for one, believe, this practice should be banned! I, for one, believe it's *FALSE ADVERTISING* to insinuate that a job is available when, in fact, it is not! If there are no current jobs available, I believe it should be illegal to insinuate there are!

I am so mad! Do you have a job available or not? Yes or no? That is all!

Tuesday Date Night

So, Tuesdays are date night with my Son. Remember I said, I'm a sissy when it comes to empty nesting. I do not like it. I do not like it over here! I do not like it over there! I do not like it anywhere! Empty nesting is not for me!

I'm always glad when Tuesday rolls around. I meet my Son for dinner, and now that he's recently married, usually his bride, also. It's two or three hours once a week to bond, to catch up, to keep up with each other's lives.

He's a grown up now. He has his own life and his own household. He's made a commitment for a future with his love, and he's looking forward with anticipation. I support him in all that he does and dreams of.

Tuesdays are good for me in that I can at least keep up with the latest happenings. He no longer needs my permission or approval for anything, but it's so nice that I get to continue to be a part of his life. Of their life. He is coming into his own. And I get to witness that. I am blessed in so many ways.

For years, I had a kite-shaped plaque hanging in our home with a blue ribbon tail. Erma Bombeck says it so well. Don't you just love her? In her words, as no one else can say them:

Children are like kites!
You spend years trying to get them off the ground.
You run with them until you are both breathless.
They crash ... they hit the roof ... you patch, comfort and assure them that someday they will fly.
Finally, they are airborne.
They need more string, and you keep letting it out.
They tug, and with each twist of the twine, there is sadness that goes with joy.
The kite becomes more distant, and you know it won't be long before that beautiful creature will snap the lifeline that binds you together and will soar as it was meant to soar ... free and alone.

I am blessed in so many ways. I love you, Son!

Round It Is!

I'm a sissy when it comes to empty-nesting. I'm just not very good at it. I don't like it very much. I think my Son getting married earlier this year contributed in many ways to my returning to school full time. And is it really any wonder that I want to teach first grade? I LOVE those little guys. They are just so sweet.

My classrooms observations are going well, and I've tried a couple of other grades, but I fell in love with first grade on my first observation, and I just keep coming back to that.

I think the little ones are just *so real.* They just say exactly what they think. You never have to wonder where you stand, and I like that.

I definitely feel I've made the right choice, and I'm so excited about it. Probably another year and a half, and I'll be done!

I've already started envisioning my classroom in my head, the layout, the bookshelves, the cubbies, the books.

One thing I've confirmed already is the concept of the rug. Any time I've ever thought about myself as a teacher, I have visions of me sitting on the floor, cross-legged with the children, teaching in the round. The rug must be round. I've noticed with my observations the difference between sitting in the round and sitting in rows. No comparison. In the round there is no one in front of you to block your view. Or to fiddle with their hair. There is no one behind you to poke you with their knees, or make noises behind your back. Or to giggle where you can't see them and then spend the rest of the time wondering what they're giggling about. Round. It's the only way to go.

Mondays are *LONG* Days

So, since I've gone back to school, Mondays are really long days for me. My first class starts at 9:00 am. Not so early, I hear ya, but I have a LONG lab after that, followed by a LONG class after that. Today, I also had a math exam due, so my school day ended at 7:45 pm. Oh, that.

But, I love school. The thing I get with school that I don't get in the corporate world is the constant feedback. Oh, don't get me wrong, I *LOVE* the learning part! The part where I'm constantly being fed new material, I'm constantly being exposed to new concepts, I'm constantly hearing new ideas, and I'm constantly learning new methods of doing things, and new methods of learning things, and new methods of processing things. New, new, new.....it's fantastic! But the 'thing' that I absolutely do not get in the corporate world is the constant feedback.

I complete a project, I get feedback. I complete a report, I get feedback. I make a presentation, I get feedback. I take a test, I get feedback!

Oh, you think I'm fantastic? Thank You! Oh, you think I did a good job, Thank You! Oh, you think my work was adequate, well, Thank You, I was really tired and I'm so glad what I did was still acceptable! Thank You! Oh, my project needs more work? Well, Thank You for pointing that out, I'll be sure to give those items more attention in the future, I didn't realize they were lacking! Thank You! Oh, my work sucks? Well......Thank Goodness I don't hear *that* on a regular basis, or this school thing might not be so rewarding!! But, Thank You! I need to know that, too! Thank You!

I think you get the idea! And it's been a long time since I've received this kind of instantaneous gratitude for a job well done. I'm in love! Life is good! :)