December 2009.
Disneyland here I come!
**With apologies to all my friends who have been or are currently expecting. It was just too easy to use the typical Blog birth announcement format.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Exciting News
A few clues as to why I've been so happy lately.
December 2009.
Disneyland here I come!
**With apologies to all my friends who have been or are currently expecting. It was just too easy to use the typical Blog birth announcement format.
December 2009.
Disneyland here I come!
**With apologies to all my friends who have been or are currently expecting. It was just too easy to use the typical Blog birth announcement format.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Right click or Left click?
About a year ago I became a district trainer on the "Teaching With Primary Sources" course. Its really a great class wherein we teach how to utilize the Library of Congress website, find useful primary sources, and then apply them in the classroom.
Its also a headache to teach.
As a general rule, teachers make the worst students. I don't have the sociology or psychology background necessary to explain this, but experience has taught me its true. Teachers do not listen. Teachers talk while the presenter is talking. And teachers definitely do not follow directions. But all of that doesn't bother me because when I'm in the "student" seat I act pretty much the same way. No, what bothers me is teachers who walk into this class without the smallest understanding of how to use a computer.
"What?! Our teachers can't use all this technology our tax dollars keep putting into the classroom?!" Shocking, I know, but in some cases it appears to be true. Not every teacher--in fact, not many teachers. But in every class I've facilitated there are one or two teachers who spend the majority of the two-day course asking asinine questions.
For example:
"I keep doing what you showed me to do and its not working."
"Did you go to 'View Source'?"
"No."
"How do I cut and paste?"
"Do I right click or left click?"
(This particular teacher asked this particular question Every Single Time he had to cut & paste. And we spend a lot of time cutting and pasting.)
"Where is Word?"
(The answer to that one was, "You're already in it.")
I'd like to take this opportunity, therefore, to make an official suggestion to our lovely government. Before creating one more hoop for new teachers to jump through, perhaps you should go back to the "old school" peeps and make sure they know how to do the basics. Because at this point, I have no doubt its our students leaving these teachers behind.
Its also a headache to teach.
As a general rule, teachers make the worst students. I don't have the sociology or psychology background necessary to explain this, but experience has taught me its true. Teachers do not listen. Teachers talk while the presenter is talking. And teachers definitely do not follow directions. But all of that doesn't bother me because when I'm in the "student" seat I act pretty much the same way. No, what bothers me is teachers who walk into this class without the smallest understanding of how to use a computer.
"What?! Our teachers can't use all this technology our tax dollars keep putting into the classroom?!" Shocking, I know, but in some cases it appears to be true. Not every teacher--in fact, not many teachers. But in every class I've facilitated there are one or two teachers who spend the majority of the two-day course asking asinine questions.
For example:
"I keep doing what you showed me to do and its not working."
"Did you go to 'View Source'?"
"No."
"How do I cut and paste?"
"Do I right click or left click?"
(This particular teacher asked this particular question Every Single Time he had to cut & paste. And we spend a lot of time cutting and pasting.)
"Where is Word?"
(The answer to that one was, "You're already in it.")
I'd like to take this opportunity, therefore, to make an official suggestion to our lovely government. Before creating one more hoop for new teachers to jump through, perhaps you should go back to the "old school" peeps and make sure they know how to do the basics. Because at this point, I have no doubt its our students leaving these teachers behind.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Highlights
For the record, my life over the past 4 weeks has been Craziness x 10 and then some. Musical rehearsals came to an end as the show closed, and I immediately dove into other projects--namely moving to a new place and teaching a two-part Praxis Review class to teachers in the district. In between prepping, packing and teaching, I'm trying to finish up other projects and continue to live life and fulfill my day-to-day responsibilities. This is life, right?I have, however, made time for some rather delightful diversions as well. To some degree these diversions have made the rest of life all the crazier, but they're just so fun I can't stop myself!
Friday night was the Stake Musical Cast Party. Good food, fun improv games, delightful chats with friends and a bizarre "encounter" to end the night. Memorable to say the least.
Saturday I was productive. I think I got a little help from The Man Upstairs since I decided to participate in a ward service project in spite of my crazy busy schedule. We got together and raked up leaves in some yards in the area, and ended up meeting a fabulous older man who really appreciated the help. Awesomeness. Oh, and then I ran around packing, cleaning, putting together my new "Big Girl!" bed (sans the spring washers. Hope that's okay...), and racing off to Salt Lake for the evening's adventures.
Saturday night, Greg-orio and I headed downtown to "An Evening wit
h David Sedaris." Mr. Sedaris is one of my favorite authors and I was so excited to hear him speak. And I was not disappointed! After a fabulous dinner at the Vienna Bistro (yummy roladen, spaetzel and even live violin music from Vladimir) we headed over to the Capitol Theater's nosebleed balcony section. Sedaris is hilarious, but not in a stand-up comedian way. His writings and his observations are just so amusing! I loved it. And now I want to re-read all his books. If you haven't heard any of his stuff, I encourage you to listen to his NPR recording "The Santaland Diaries." You'll pee. SO funny.Sunday night I sat in the dark and listened to Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" and got a little bitty bit creeped out. Spooky!
And yesterday I graded a student essay wherein the student wrote "drastically" like this: "Jarasticly." God bless America and our crappy regional accents.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Its SHOWTIME!
Its Opening Night for the Salt Lake University 7th Stake's Broadway Revue: Through Different Eyes. YAY! We've been working on the show for a few months now and its finally come together. And come together nicely, if I do say so myself.
You should come. Its been a great experience to rehearse (with lots of ups and downs!). I've met awesome new friends, and I think the show is really just FUN! The songs are fabulous and our soloists are amazing. Plus--you'd get to see me sing and dance. And I have a magic wand.
Showtimes are tonight (Friday!) at 7:00 pm and Monday at 7:00 pm. Come see us at this FREE performance--160 E. 4600 S. in Murray.
I'll try to post pictures soon because this adventure needs to be properly memorialized.
You should come. Its been a great experience to rehearse (with lots of ups and downs!). I've met awesome new friends, and I think the show is really just FUN! The songs are fabulous and our soloists are amazing. Plus--you'd get to see me sing and dance. And I have a magic wand.
Showtimes are tonight (Friday!) at 7:00 pm and Monday at 7:00 pm. Come see us at this FREE performance--160 E. 4600 S. in Murray.
I'll try to post pictures soon because this adventure needs to be properly memorialized.
Update--November 2009: The long awaited pictures!!
The Fairy Godmother...who's sort of on the evil side of the line.
A gift from my "fan club" on Friday night.
With my assistant, and my "sister," Lorinda.
Leah is one of my favorite people!!
The Fairy Godmother...who's sort of on the evil side of the line.
A gift from my "fan club" on Friday night.
With my assistant, and my "sister," Lorinda. Leah is one of my favorite people!!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
And the winner is...
...Jamie the Su'a! Congratuations, Jamie! I'll contact you ASAP with information on the wide variety of portrait sizes and styles available to you and yours.
That Jamie wins is funny to me on a number of levels. For more information on those levels or queries about the possibility of a wallet-sized consolation prize, just let me know.
I'm a relatively open book with more than 20 pictures of myself available for distribution.
That Jamie wins is funny to me on a number of levels. For more information on those levels or queries about the possibility of a wallet-sized consolation prize, just let me know.
I'm a relatively open book with more than 20 pictures of myself available for distribution.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Everybody Loves a Giveaway!
It seems all the coolest Bloggers are handing out free stuff these days. Be it a free cut and style at a happenin' salon in town, a new outfit, or a photo session with some hip and trendy photographer--Bloggers know people love free stuff!! Not to be outdone, I've got a giveaway* of my own to let you know about.
Leave a comment on this post before noon on Tuesday, October 13th, to be entered into a drawing to win a 2009-2010 School Year portrait of...Me. Rest assured, this year's photo is truly a crowd pleaser and surely a great addition to any wall in your home! Please specify the desired photo size with your comment if you have a preference.
"Many will enter. Few will win."
*No purchase necessary. Mom, you're ineligible since I'm giving you one anyway.
Leave a comment on this post before noon on Tuesday, October 13th, to be entered into a drawing to win a 2009-2010 School Year portrait of...Me. Rest assured, this year's photo is truly a crowd pleaser and surely a great addition to any wall in your home! Please specify the desired photo size with your comment if you have a preference.
"Many will enter. Few will win."
*No purchase necessary. Mom, you're ineligible since I'm giving you one anyway.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Live All the Days of Your Life
One day...
One day in November--I'm not sure which one--I'll get my new bed that I ordered from JcPenney.com this morning. It makes me really happy even if the price tag makes me sweat a wee bit. I love new purchases!
Today I'd like to invite you to check out the new design of my Blog and tell me what you think. Any negative thoughts will most likely be dismissed immediately--I'll be honest--because I think its the Bomb.com. Thanks to Mr. B for directing me toward the site, and thanks to YummyLolly for this lovely design!
Sheldon Quote of the Day: "This is a classic rookie time travel mistake."
- I'd like to sing with Matthew Morrison
- I'd like to dance with Ellen Degeneres
- I'd like to be a part of a flash mob/dance scene like Oprah's huge number with the Black Eyed Peas
One day in November--I'm not sure which one--I'll get my new bed that I ordered from JcPenney.com this morning. It makes me really happy even if the price tag makes me sweat a wee bit. I love new purchases!
Today I'd like to invite you to check out the new design of my Blog and tell me what you think. Any negative thoughts will most likely be dismissed immediately--I'll be honest--because I think its the Bomb.com. Thanks to Mr. B for directing me toward the site, and thanks to YummyLolly for this lovely design!Sheldon Quote of the Day: "This is a classic rookie time travel mistake."
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