An introduction and welcome… September 13, 2008

Greetings, all!

However you stumbled into my little corner of the virtual world, welcome.  I wish I could offer you a nice drink and a snack, but unless I’ve just been ‘grown-up’ shopping, a juice box and goldfish crackers are probably the best I can offer.  Socializing and hosting just aren’t quite my forte.

I must admit that I probably feel most at home in the virtual world… where I can think through my words before they escape from my lips leaving a void for my foot to fill.  The ‘real world’ in which I find myself is filled with a good mix of joys and mindboggling moments that keep me on my toes.  And I return to my little virtual space to recharge and relax, because, quite frankly… the world I live in can be downright overwhelming at times.

I am now the very happy wife of a wonderful supportive (and equally geeky and introverted) husband and mom of two amazing boys.  We reside in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, but in the land of suburbia.  PTA meetings, soccer moms, playdates, and the like.  I am a former teacher who is now staying at home with my boys.  By day, I am a forced extrovert, chatting on the playground and at karate lessons.  And now this is home to my happy introverted self.  My place to comment on the sometimes crazy world of suburbia.

My dear friend (also virtual) helped me name this blog… IntroVersion 1.0.  You know, to leave room for upgrades. 

Thank you for joining me, you know, kinda’… where I can log off without seeming rude.

Still reading… still thinking… just not quite writing February 5, 2010

I have been really good about reading…
Rereading Haddon’s “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time” or however that title goes… kinda’ like Pearl Jam’s “Eldery Woman Behind the Counter…” and nobody remembers how the rest goes.

Nina Laden’s fabulous picture books… “When Pigasso Met Mootisse,” “Roberto the Insect Architect” (though I think I mentioned that one before), and “Romeow and Drooliet.”

Judy Blume’s “Freckle Juice” and “The One in the Middle is the Green Kangaroo.”

Rick Riordan’s “The Lightning Thief” in preparation for the movie.

I’ve had assorted thoughts in my head about why our school system is locked into grade levels rather than just learning. I can’t think of jobs where you are locked into a year-by-year progression. I can’t think of any other peer groups where you are tied to friends and acquaintances + or – 9 months-ish from your date of birth.

I’ve wondered about why more people don’t think health care is a universal right. Particularly when things like keeping a weapon around are.

I’ve thought about what is deemed “normal” behavior… and wondered just how abnormal I am that I think many of the defined normal behaviors seem weirder than abnormal ones. And then I wondered if there are many other “abnormal” people like me who just go along with the appearances of being “normal” for simplicity’s sake, or if everyone else really does think the norms are normal.

And then I thought about writing, and realized that I don’t do it as often right now because it takes time to form coherent thoughts and not ramble like this.

But every now and then, a little rambling doesn’t hurt anyone.

So my blog is a bit neglected… January 29, 2010

and my homework is maybe a little rushed,
I still am coughing up wretchedness and my left ear feels like its stuffed with cotton,
and maybe the dishes in the sink today were hanging out with ones from the day before as well.

But…
Eins got his cello “white belt”
and felt good, even with red rosy make-up cheeks,
to perform in a play at his school today.

And Zwei watched the play,
for the second time today,
instead of playing DS,
and was a good audience member
and sat and snuggled on my lap.

And the “Sinus Rinse,”
no matter how gross and repulsive,
does seem to have helped
at least a little.

And the used book sale
at my kiddoes’ school tomorrow
has collected 1,958 books…
that are filling the back of my minivan now.

Overall, a good day.

Curriculum adoption… January 27, 2010

is such a strange process.

So many different priorities

and different points of view.

The parent in me wants my voice to be heard…

but the professional in me wants that teacher voice to count more.

After all, I am kinda’ learning something

in all of these classes.

And then, I must admit that professional judgment also factors in

time constraints,

other professional demands,

parent voices that they need to respond to.

All in all, I still need to wonder,

if maybe it isn’t better to educate everyone

rather than to return to the familiar.

Familiar and “good enough for me”

isn’t

the best,

and do we really want to give our kids anything less.

A Year of Books… January 25, 2010

Day 20… “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse” by Kevin Henkes
Wow. Just wow.

Day 21…. “Roberto – the Insect Architect” by Nina Laden
Since reading this book… several years ago… my oldest decided he’d be an architect. But he doesn’t play with his food much.

Day 22… “Sheila Rae the Brave” by Kevin Henkes
Henkes leaves me in awe of his ability to capture kid-ness.

Day 23… “Romeow and Drooliet” by Nina Laden
Gorgeous language. And powerful story about what can happen when we see differences instead of similarities.

Day 24… “Ask Me No Questions” by Marina Budhos
My friend fell in love with an illegal immigrant. I was always sympathetic to the situation, but hearing her stories of all the emotions and implications of the situation made it really hit home. This book took me to that place where good people with good intentions get in difficult situations.

Does Jesus have a copyright on compassion and kindness? January 20, 2010

Hi.

Sorry, I feel a need to vent. I don’t usually do this sort of thing so publicly, but I was proud for refraining from snarky comments at the time. And I figure, it’s my blog and I’ll vent if I want to.

I do not hold all Christians responsible for these comments, but I do hear them rather frequently. At school today, I was educated about how the quality of public education is actually quite high… even though public school kids are “faster” than parochial school kids. But then the thing that set me off (in my head, I actually did the smile and keep your mouth shut thing) was commentary about how there are some good teachers out there who despite it being public school manage to teach “proper Christian values, you know, not religious stuff, but good values.”

Um…

Good values = Christian values?
And I know, that does not directly state, bad values = non-Christian values… or good values ONLY = Christian values. But when you hear that kinda thing frequently, it’s really hard not to get that impression. I felt like sketching some Venn diagrams and seeing where she thought non-Christian values fell on the grand spectrum of values. Maybe they aren’t simple circles of values, more a spectrum of evil through pure/divine. I wonder if my atheist self would fare better on that scale.

I guess what I’m trying to say is PLEASE don’t propagate the Christian values = good values thing as if it’s some exclusive deal. There are plenty of good things that Christians value that I, an individual who does not believe in some divine power, also share. Treat others as you want to be treated… well, yea. Thou shalt not kill. Okay, sounds good. Lessons of charity and compassion from biblical stories, wisdoms from the parables. There is much that I’d say is sound reasoning and just proper behavior.

But kindness and compassion and other good values are not necessarily faith-based; they are human values.

Books 18 & 19 – A Year of Books January 20, 2010

Book 18 “Fat Chance” by Leslea Newman (who has a vast collection of other worthy reads)
A reminder of how hard it is to get to the point in life where we are comfortable in our skin.

Book 19 “Wintergirls” by Laurie Halse Anderson (who has an impressive collection of worthy reads herself!)
Vivid, haunting, beautiful.

I actually just picked up “Fat Chance” randomly at the Scholastic Book Warehouse and finally got around to reading it. The fact that it is January, the month of diet resolutions, just made it all the more timely.

Book 17 – A Year of Books January 18, 2010

“Frog and Toad are Friends” by Arnold Lobel
Sometimes I feel like I live with Frog and Toad. One whimsical perspective on the world, seldom worrying or getting truly upset about anything, finding joy in little things. One more choleric personality, much more serious and prone to worry and frustration, but fiercely loyal and caring.
And I’m pleased to say that my Frog and my Toad truly are friends, too.

Books 15 & 16 – A Year of Books January 17, 2010

Day 15 – “Matilda Bone” by Karen Cushman
So the re-reading of this one was prompted by bumper stickers I saw today… one was something about God and Santa and some atheist organization and the other was “Blasphemy is a victimless crime.” Whereas I am not a believer in a higher power like that, I try not to be belligerent about my beliefs (or lack thereof as some may say). However, I do appreciate general wittiness.

Anyway, I really loved this book. I thought the look at the life of the less glamourous folks from the time period was awesome. And I was, of course, a little partial to the idea of Matilda thinking about her ideas of goodness of people.

Day 16 – “Hate that Cat” by Sharon Creech
As I delve into my master’s research, I am reading and reading about poetry. Having re-read “Love that Dog” a half dozen times lately, I could no longer resist “Hate that Cat.” Even in hardback. And I’m glad I didn’t. The bit on alliteration and onomatopoeia, the attitude of Uncle Bill the college prof toward poetry. And the overarching story line about Jack and his mom and his pets. It also portrayed a wonderful teacher-student relationship. I hope to someday be THAT teacher for some student.

Sick kiddo January 17, 2010

There is nothing
sadder than

the sun
losing its energy
to shine,

a babbling,
bubbling brook
standing
still,

and
the twitter
of the bird
growing
silent.

But
there is
something to be said
for

the sun
curling up
on your lap
to gain
warmth,

the brook
coming
to listen
to your
gentle murmur,

and
the bird
sleeping
soundlessly
in its nest
while you
sing a tune.

Books 12 -14 – A Year of Books January 15, 2010

Day 12… “Basil of Baker Street” by Eve Titus… Zwei’s excitement over reading a book that I loved as a child and completing his first ever book report on it…

Day 13… “Click, Clack, Moo… Cows that Type” by Doreen Cronin…the power of writing

Day 14… “The Butter Battle Book” by Dr. Seuss… arguments that don’t make sense

So those are the books. I’ve decided that ideally I’ll some day actually comment on them, but as I focus on my master’s, my family, and sleep, I will cut myself some slack. Keeping up the reading is more than enough for me.

Speaking of my master’s… great meeting today with my advisor. I’m so excited about my action research!
And I went to a wonderful lecture tonight about kids who are dyslexic and gifted. Interesting stuff!