We are listening to Nora Jones during warm-up writing. We've never put her on, and it's very soothing...and makes me think about friends and places a million miles away in my mind.
Nora Jones got me through one summer in Brazil a few years. I never stopped listening to her on the plane, on buses, working at the children's home; my earbuds were never far from my body. I put together a photo album of pictures of Brazilian children living in stonecutter's villages. These children were happy. Their homes jutted out from the sides of hills where their front yards, back yards, side yards, and every yard was ground dust leftover from their older siblings and parents cutting through the earth to dig up marble slabs to sell. Every time I see marble tabletops, or marble kitchen counters, I think about the children who grow up learning how to cut marble from the earth for just a few cents a day. They live with no running water, no electricity. They serve alcohol to men. And cook for their mothers. Many walk around without shoes. I visited three days in a row once and never saw any change their clothes. I left them with crayons and fruit and a little piece of my heart.
Seven Years, by Nora Jones
Spinning, laughing, dancing to
her favorite song
A little girl with nothing wrong
Is all alone
Eyes wide open
Always hoping for the sun
And she'll sing her song to anyone
that comes along
Fragile as a leaf in autumn
Just fallin' to the ground
Without a sound
Crooked little smile on her face
Tells a tale of grace
That's all her own
Spinning, laughing, dancing to her favorite song
A little girl with nothing wrong
And she's all alone
This song always brings tears to my eyes for all the children throughout the world who just want someone to stop and listen to their song.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Generation We
A while back I posted a video about Generation We. This video is from a website that builds on the fact that this generation is trying to renew a hope in their own humanity and in the world.
As a teacher, I hold this hope that the world will be a better place. Or maybe I should say it's different...not better. It's different than any other place I've ever been in my life. But that's okay. My story is not their story. My story is filled with summer days at the lake and a walk to the Pontaic Cove Marina for a Mtn. Dew and a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. But their story...it's different.
Here's a microcosm of the story of this generation.
Right now I'm sitting in a room with ten 17-19 year-old students. (This is perfect because I can actually do the math on this one.) :)
10 students
8 have jobs
6 have cars
All 6 make their vehicle and insurance payments.
9 have cell phones
6 pay for cell phones
2 pay their parents a monthly stipend.
8 have daily chores.
3 live with both their mother and father.
1 doesn't live with either parent
Aside from hauling hay in the summer and working in hog and milk barns, I can't name 10 people from my high school who worked during the school year of 1989-90. I'm not sure about vehicle payments or car insurance. None of us had cell phones. One of my friends didn't live with both his mom and dad.
I get frustrated as a teacher when I hear comments about how worthless and useless Generation We is. That "they don't know what hard work is," or "they haven't had to suffer through war or depression."
I don't know what the changes mean in our society, but I still hold to the thought that this is, by far, the greatest time in the history of education to be a teacher. There have not been any greater changes than over the last two decades...and to be a part of such greatness is inspiring.
As a teacher, I hold this hope that the world will be a better place. Or maybe I should say it's different...not better. It's different than any other place I've ever been in my life. But that's okay. My story is not their story. My story is filled with summer days at the lake and a walk to the Pontaic Cove Marina for a Mtn. Dew and a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. But their story...it's different.
Here's a microcosm of the story of this generation.
Right now I'm sitting in a room with ten 17-19 year-old students. (This is perfect because I can actually do the math on this one.) :)
10 students
8 have jobs
6 have cars
All 6 make their vehicle and insurance payments.
9 have cell phones
6 pay for cell phones
2 pay their parents a monthly stipend.
8 have daily chores.
3 live with both their mother and father.
1 doesn't live with either parent
Aside from hauling hay in the summer and working in hog and milk barns, I can't name 10 people from my high school who worked during the school year of 1989-90. I'm not sure about vehicle payments or car insurance. None of us had cell phones. One of my friends didn't live with both his mom and dad.
I get frustrated as a teacher when I hear comments about how worthless and useless Generation We is. That "they don't know what hard work is," or "they haven't had to suffer through war or depression."
I don't know what the changes mean in our society, but I still hold to the thought that this is, by far, the greatest time in the history of education to be a teacher. There have not been any greater changes than over the last two decades...and to be a part of such greatness is inspiring.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Grandma Says....
"What you do on New Years Day, you'll be doing all year long."
I slept late.
Didn't eat breakfast.
Ate an orange.
Wrote a letter to a friend in Finland.
Wrote a letter to a friend in Japan.
Re-booted my computer.
Received a letter from a friend in Germany.
Checked e-mail.
Checked facebook.
Changed my facebook status.
Commented on a friends photo.
Called a friend on the phone.
Left a message on an answering machine.
Listened to a message on my machine.
Returned a phone call.
Sent a text message.
Sent an e-mail.
Sent a facebook message.
Sent several more of all three.
Drank two cups of coffee.
Walked Macy.
Walked Montana.
Filled a water bucket.
Fed the cats.
Snuggled with Charlie.
Wrote in my journal.
Wished it was snowing.
Visited with my boss.
Worked on Senior Projects.
Worked on a Senior Project presentation.
Thought about a new career.
Looked up directions on MapQuest.
Lit a candle.
Talked to my dad.
Talked to my grandma.
Blew out a candle.
Looked in a mirror.
Watered plants.
Covered up with a blanket.
Craved hot chocolate.
Craved for someone to bring me hot chocolate.
Went to the gym.
Forgot something.
Sweated.
Listened to my ipod.
Walked.
Ran stairs.
Drank a bottle of water.
Ran more stairs.
Drank another bottle of water.
Stretched.
Zipped up a hoodie.
Fixed the timer on the scoreboard.
Turned out the lights.
Used my signal properly.
Wore my seat belt.
Drove the speed limit.
Chewed a piece of gum.
Ate a Tic Tac.
Left the house a mess.
Toasted the New Year.
Said goodbye to family.
Kissed my Aunt Cindy.
Talked with a student.
Gave advice.
Listened.
Told stories.
Listened to stories.
Laughed.
Went to my classroom.
Packed up my car.
Stayed awake after midnight.
Went to sleep after midnight.
Forgot to watch the Rose Bowl Parade.
Watched USC celebrate.
Popped popcorn.
Watched a movie.
Wished I was in love.
Looked at old pictures.
Was glad I wasn't in love.
Hugged my sister.
Drove 65 miles.
Filled up my gas tank.
Cleaned out the dishwasher.
Warmed up leftovers.
Wore house slippers.
Slept in Vera Wang pj's.
Talked to animals.
Played ball with my dogs.
Bought a newspaper.
Put air in a tire.
Read a story about the Gaza strip.
Prayed.
Watched football.
Cheered for Nebraska.
Prayed again.
Rallied with Virginia Tech.
Waved to my neighbors.
Called Keri.
Listened to NPR.
Organized files.
Talked to my dad again.
Bathed a cat.
Turned down the heat.
Threw clothes in the laundry basket.
Used deductive reasoning.
Cracked an English walnut.
Looked through the cupboards.
Wondered if I had black-eyed peas.
Wondered if grandpa gave out new dimes.
Commented on Erin's facebook status.
Accepted a new facebook friend.
Opened the fridge.
Commented on Bobby's facebook status.
Wrote to Mike.
Looked through the cupboards again.
Sent condolences to a friend.
Thought about my mom.
Wished nobody had to die.
Thought about war.
Thought about peace.
Wondered how Heaven would actually work.
Had a dream.
Listened to music.
Thought about painting the living room. For a second.
Put water in the teapot.
Changed clothes.
Took a shower.
Washed my hair.
Looked through old jewelry.
Talked to Caron.
Thought about Kory. In a nice way.
Used Q-tips.
Threw leftovers to the birds.
Smelled and tested perfumes.
Packed an overnight bag.
Called Granny.
Looked for matching socks.
Let the dogs run loose.
Looked at a calendar.
Flossed my teeth--twice.
Read a storycorps story.
Pilfered online.
Talked to Janet.
Decided to fold and put away laundry.
Looked at the pile.
Decided it wasn't worth it.
Laid on the couch.
Brushed my teeth.
Uploaded videos.
Watched YouTube.
Checked my Twitter account.
Checked my Missouri State account.
Used a remote control.
Lotioned my hands.
Gave the dogs treats.
Gave the cats treats.
Turned on the Christmas lights.
Worked on my computer.
Propped up my feet.
Slept under a down blanket--on a pillow-top mattress.
Thought about my blessings.
I forgot to think about resolutions . . . Hmmmm.
I slept late.
Didn't eat breakfast.
Ate an orange.
Wrote a letter to a friend in Finland.
Wrote a letter to a friend in Japan.
Re-booted my computer.
Received a letter from a friend in Germany.
Checked e-mail.
Checked facebook.
Changed my facebook status.
Commented on a friends photo.
Called a friend on the phone.
Left a message on an answering machine.
Listened to a message on my machine.
Returned a phone call.
Sent a text message.
Sent an e-mail.
Sent a facebook message.
Sent several more of all three.
Drank two cups of coffee.
Walked Macy.
Walked Montana.
Filled a water bucket.
Fed the cats.
Snuggled with Charlie.
Wrote in my journal.
Wished it was snowing.
Visited with my boss.
Worked on Senior Projects.
Worked on a Senior Project presentation.
Thought about a new career.
Looked up directions on MapQuest.
Lit a candle.
Talked to my dad.
Talked to my grandma.
Blew out a candle.
Looked in a mirror.
Watered plants.
Covered up with a blanket.
Craved hot chocolate.
Craved for someone to bring me hot chocolate.
Went to the gym.
Forgot something.
Sweated.
Listened to my ipod.
Walked.
Ran stairs.
Drank a bottle of water.
Ran more stairs.
Drank another bottle of water.
Stretched.
Zipped up a hoodie.
Fixed the timer on the scoreboard.
Turned out the lights.
Used my signal properly.
Wore my seat belt.
Drove the speed limit.
Chewed a piece of gum.
Ate a Tic Tac.
Left the house a mess.
Toasted the New Year.
Said goodbye to family.
Kissed my Aunt Cindy.
Talked with a student.
Gave advice.
Listened.
Told stories.
Listened to stories.
Laughed.
Went to my classroom.
Packed up my car.
Stayed awake after midnight.
Went to sleep after midnight.
Forgot to watch the Rose Bowl Parade.
Watched USC celebrate.
Popped popcorn.
Watched a movie.
Wished I was in love.
Looked at old pictures.
Was glad I wasn't in love.
Hugged my sister.
Drove 65 miles.
Filled up my gas tank.
Cleaned out the dishwasher.
Warmed up leftovers.
Wore house slippers.
Slept in Vera Wang pj's.
Talked to animals.
Played ball with my dogs.
Bought a newspaper.
Put air in a tire.
Read a story about the Gaza strip.
Prayed.
Watched football.
Cheered for Nebraska.
Prayed again.
Rallied with Virginia Tech.
Waved to my neighbors.
Called Keri.
Listened to NPR.
Organized files.
Talked to my dad again.
Bathed a cat.
Turned down the heat.
Threw clothes in the laundry basket.
Used deductive reasoning.
Cracked an English walnut.
Looked through the cupboards.
Wondered if I had black-eyed peas.
Wondered if grandpa gave out new dimes.
Commented on Erin's facebook status.
Accepted a new facebook friend.
Opened the fridge.
Commented on Bobby's facebook status.
Wrote to Mike.
Looked through the cupboards again.
Sent condolences to a friend.
Thought about my mom.
Wished nobody had to die.
Thought about war.
Thought about peace.
Wondered how Heaven would actually work.
Had a dream.
Listened to music.
Thought about painting the living room. For a second.
Put water in the teapot.
Changed clothes.
Took a shower.
Washed my hair.
Looked through old jewelry.
Talked to Caron.
Thought about Kory. In a nice way.
Used Q-tips.
Threw leftovers to the birds.
Smelled and tested perfumes.
Packed an overnight bag.
Called Granny.
Looked for matching socks.
Let the dogs run loose.
Looked at a calendar.
Flossed my teeth--twice.
Read a storycorps story.
Pilfered online.
Talked to Janet.
Decided to fold and put away laundry.
Looked at the pile.
Decided it wasn't worth it.
Laid on the couch.
Brushed my teeth.
Uploaded videos.
Watched YouTube.
Checked my Twitter account.
Checked my Missouri State account.
Used a remote control.
Lotioned my hands.
Gave the dogs treats.
Gave the cats treats.
Turned on the Christmas lights.
Worked on my computer.
Propped up my feet.
Slept under a down blanket--on a pillow-top mattress.
Thought about my blessings.
I forgot to think about resolutions . . . Hmmmm.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
My TV Options on a Saturday Night
I must get cable. I'm not normally home on Saturday nights I guess because I never remember TV this bad. Here are my choices of shows to watch right now:
NBC--rerun of the Olympics opening ceremony. Seriously.
CBS--The Lord's Bootcamp, which seems like brainwashing to me when a young girl "practiced" her missionary work on an elderly woman in a nursing home in Indiania and left her crying.
ABC--Miracle, a decent movie, but not one I want to watch.
PBS--The Lawrence Welk Show. It's a rerun from 1971. A brass band dressed like jockey's are blowing their horns like crazy while a rhinestone-dressed cowboy sings "Running Wild" in front of a "Santa Anita" barn set design. I'm switching channels now while the Boston Mixed Choir sings "America, the Beautiful."
FOX--it's fuzzy, but there's no mistake what these cops are doing: "Bad boys, Bad boys, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?"
What should I pick?
Ahhhh.....I think I'll read a book. :)
NBC--rerun of the Olympics opening ceremony. Seriously.
CBS--The Lord's Bootcamp, which seems like brainwashing to me when a young girl "practiced" her missionary work on an elderly woman in a nursing home in Indiania and left her crying.
ABC--Miracle, a decent movie, but not one I want to watch.
PBS--The Lawrence Welk Show. It's a rerun from 1971. A brass band dressed like jockey's are blowing their horns like crazy while a rhinestone-dressed cowboy sings "Running Wild" in front of a "Santa Anita" barn set design. I'm switching channels now while the Boston Mixed Choir sings "America, the Beautiful."
FOX--it's fuzzy, but there's no mistake what these cops are doing: "Bad boys, Bad boys, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?"
What should I pick?
Ahhhh.....I think I'll read a book. :)
Monday, December 22, 2008
"Missouri is in a Deep Freeze"
This was the news headline on the radio this morning before the weather, and I got a mental picture of the show-me state buried beneath the venison and round steaks in Kory's freezer. I don't know why.
But yes, we are in a deep freeze. It was 4 degrees when I took the trash out this morning. BRRRRRR.
Janet came to Missouri over the weekend for Christmas. We met at Snappy Mart for coffee while she and her dad, mom and aunt were in route to Licking for Christmas dinner. It was 48 degrees that day and cloudy and windy. She was freezing in her Texas thin leather coat. I wasn't even wearing a coat.
We are listening to Celine Dion's Christmas. She's singing The Christmas Song right now..."folks dressed up like eskimos...." Appropriate.
I got a new quilt and some homemade granola from Mary. I never went to bed last night, but slept all night bundled cozy in my new quilt on my new couch under the twinkling Christmas lights. When I was a child, we always had to turn the Christmas lights off when we were 1. gone from the house, and 2. when we went to bed. But Christmas night, we got to keep them on all night long. So exciting to get up and see the bubble lights still bubbling and presents under the tree.
But yes, we are in a deep freeze. It was 4 degrees when I took the trash out this morning. BRRRRRR.
Janet came to Missouri over the weekend for Christmas. We met at Snappy Mart for coffee while she and her dad, mom and aunt were in route to Licking for Christmas dinner. It was 48 degrees that day and cloudy and windy. She was freezing in her Texas thin leather coat. I wasn't even wearing a coat.
We are listening to Celine Dion's Christmas. She's singing The Christmas Song right now..."folks dressed up like eskimos...." Appropriate.
I got a new quilt and some homemade granola from Mary. I never went to bed last night, but slept all night bundled cozy in my new quilt on my new couch under the twinkling Christmas lights. When I was a child, we always had to turn the Christmas lights off when we were 1. gone from the house, and 2. when we went to bed. But Christmas night, we got to keep them on all night long. So exciting to get up and see the bubble lights still bubbling and presents under the tree.
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