No, cool as they were, the sea dragons did not offer welding lessons. This is Melissa, back in the frigid north while Andrea basks in the glorious warm fuzzies of a GA vacation. But Monday's high is supposed to be 20 degrees, so she should be consoled that she won't have missed much :). Thankfully I've been too busy this week at school to have to spend too many hours in the deathly silence of her non-presence.
What did I do at school, you may ask (having no idea since you skipped over the above title)? Well, I'll tell you! I WELDED things! WOOOOOOO!!! I feel like I'm in that movie that was mentioned in some random midweek meeting video series in Bible School, which ended up being an answer that Claire got in a trivial pursuit game -- something about a woman welder who was also a ballerina or something (the more I write, the more this sounds like some very strange dream...or a very bad speech. Help me, Claire!). Anyway. yes. We've been making a bunch of quick models in my 3-Dimensional Synthesis class, but now we're moving on to a four-foot sculpture. Apparently the direction I chose in the models will translate best into steel rods and thick wire mesh. Joy. I was quite skeptical at first, but I picked up some short rods from Home Depot (haha... Despot... B&C, you're awesome) and pretended I knew what I was doing in the huge and intimidating Sculpture Room. I rolled them into curves on some steel-roller-machine, and then I got my welding lesson. It was hard... but I persevered. I was comforted by the story my prof. told about a girl who caught on fire and didn't realize it (and was thus confused when her professor started hitting her). hmmm... And it was a little freaky having to stand behind a curtain and wear a pitch-black helmet to avoid blindness. And I kept messing up, and the machine kept jamming, and my professor kept having to fix it (most of the time it wasn't my fault, I was relieved to find). But once it finally started working again it was so comparitively easy that I picked it up pretty fast. I got some sweet beads going, let me tell you (that's a little insider welder language there...). Then I got to actually start welding my sculpture, and now I'm excited. It really works! I can make things out of steel! Now that I'm fully empowered, there's no going back. I have six or so twelve-foot rods just waiting to be bent and welded into submission. I will be holding a drawing for potential buyers of my finished product (No, it won't look like anything except steel rods and wire... but oh, what tremendous forms and activation of space! :).
Okay, that's all I want to write about that.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Thursday, February 23, 2006
The Aquarium!
Okay, so back to the aquarium. Folks, if you ever have a chance to go, I highly recommend it. I had so much fun! But, as you probably gathered from Claire's blog, I recommend going on a slightly less crowded day. Oy vay.
Probably the coolest part of all was the fact that you get to touch various and sundry creatures. So here, for your viewing pleasure, are the creatures I, personally, myself, touched with my own fingers!
This, awed readers, is the shark that I touched. Well, not this one specifically, but this kind. This was my favorite moment of the day. I stroked its side as it swam by, and was pretty awestruck that I'd touched a shark. It felt sand-papery. I think I'm going into marine biology in my next life.
Next I touched a ray. That was pretty cool, but it was kind of gross because it was squishy. I'm not a big fan of squishy things. Unless they are things like marshmallows or jello. But those are squishy in a good way. Rays are squishy in a gross way. But still, I'm glad I had the experience. I mean, how many people get to touch rays? Hm, I guess a lot now. But I'm one of them!
Next on the agenda were the shrimp. I'm not a huge fan of shrimp. They are weird looking, bordering on scary looking. But of course I still wanted to touch one. I discovered that they are very dart-y. As in, they dart away when you touch them. This resulted in a sort of very high pitched "eeep!" from me when it happened. The scientific discoveries go on...
I think the last creature to be greeted by my finger-tip was the star fish. As you can imagine, it felt kind of poke-y. That was pretty cool, but I was kind of distracted at this point by Claire's sudden realization that her watch was not waterproof, but had been quite underwater while she touched the starfish. No worries though, the watch was soon off, dried, and as good as new. Phew.
And then of course there were the other fascinating creatures there, many and many a creature, that were off limits for fingers. Like the pirahnas, for instance, which are deceptively beautiful. I enjoyed the mammal population: the otters, seals, penguins, etc. But the most intriguing find of the day (as Claire mentioned on her blog, and continues to mention on a regular basis off her blog) had to be the leafy sea dragon. Incredible. I had no idea such a thing existed! I thought the tank was just full of vegetation, until one began to move about, and then another and another. WOW! Talk about great camouflage. Here are some pictures, so you can see for yourself:
Amazing, are they not? More evidence for the incredible creative power of God! So, once again, I urge you all to add the GA Aquarium to your lists of things to do someday!
Probably the coolest part of all was the fact that you get to touch various and sundry creatures. So here, for your viewing pleasure, are the creatures I, personally, myself, touched with my own fingers!
This, awed readers, is the shark that I touched. Well, not this one specifically, but this kind. This was my favorite moment of the day. I stroked its side as it swam by, and was pretty awestruck that I'd touched a shark. It felt sand-papery. I think I'm going into marine biology in my next life.
Next I touched a ray. That was pretty cool, but it was kind of gross because it was squishy. I'm not a big fan of squishy things. Unless they are things like marshmallows or jello. But those are squishy in a good way. Rays are squishy in a gross way. But still, I'm glad I had the experience. I mean, how many people get to touch rays? Hm, I guess a lot now. But I'm one of them!
Next on the agenda were the shrimp. I'm not a huge fan of shrimp. They are weird looking, bordering on scary looking. But of course I still wanted to touch one. I discovered that they are very dart-y. As in, they dart away when you touch them. This resulted in a sort of very high pitched "eeep!" from me when it happened. The scientific discoveries go on...
I think the last creature to be greeted by my finger-tip was the star fish. As you can imagine, it felt kind of poke-y. That was pretty cool, but I was kind of distracted at this point by Claire's sudden realization that her watch was not waterproof, but had been quite underwater while she touched the starfish. No worries though, the watch was soon off, dried, and as good as new. Phew.
And then of course there were the other fascinating creatures there, many and many a creature, that were off limits for fingers. Like the pirahnas, for instance, which are deceptively beautiful. I enjoyed the mammal population: the otters, seals, penguins, etc. But the most intriguing find of the day (as Claire mentioned on her blog, and continues to mention on a regular basis off her blog) had to be the leafy sea dragon. Incredible. I had no idea such a thing existed! I thought the tank was just full of vegetation, until one began to move about, and then another and another. WOW! Talk about great camouflage. Here are some pictures, so you can see for yourself:
Amazing, are they not? More evidence for the incredible creative power of God! So, once again, I urge you all to add the GA Aquarium to your lists of things to do someday!
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Gasp!
Wonderful, wonderful day today: GA Aquarium and all. Everyone should go. What incredible fun!
But the real reason for this post is immediate inspiration from the paper I'm grading right now. (Yes, I'm actually being productive.) Penny just came downstairs as I was finishing up a paper, and I was commenting to her that this girl was the queen of run-on sentences. I joked that she averaged one period a paragraph. I thought I was joking until I looked at her closing paragraph and found exactly 2 periods!
So here, my friends, is the prime example of a run-on sentence (the assignment, by the way, was a short historical fiction piece. This story was about working in the mills).
"So with my mother dead I got so mad that without thinking I asked the person in charge to give me better pay or I would quit and before he could answer a few more people came to ask the same question and before I knew it there was a mob around him and me and he yelled, afraid he'd have no workers, "you get a raise of a dollar," and after that I was more happy than ever before because I could support my sister and myself and still have a little more money and with the money I bought a better house that wasn't as polluted."
Whew! And there you have it!
But the real reason for this post is immediate inspiration from the paper I'm grading right now. (Yes, I'm actually being productive.) Penny just came downstairs as I was finishing up a paper, and I was commenting to her that this girl was the queen of run-on sentences. I joked that she averaged one period a paragraph. I thought I was joking until I looked at her closing paragraph and found exactly 2 periods!
So here, my friends, is the prime example of a run-on sentence (the assignment, by the way, was a short historical fiction piece. This story was about working in the mills).
"So with my mother dead I got so mad that without thinking I asked the person in charge to give me better pay or I would quit and before he could answer a few more people came to ask the same question and before I knew it there was a mob around him and me and he yelled, afraid he'd have no workers, "you get a raise of a dollar," and after that I was more happy than ever before because I could support my sister and myself and still have a little more money and with the money I bought a better house that wasn't as polluted."
Whew! And there you have it!
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
The Travel Log of Andrea and Diane's Roadtrip to GA
(some fanciful, some accurate, I'm not bothering to distinguish which is which)
February 18, 2006
5:00pm Mama sees us off, calling out things about coats, and making sure we have them. I tell her I have one in my suitcase. I don't tell her it is a little, dinky, spring jacket.
7:00pm We are booking it from the rental place inside the airport to the car pick-up spot. I am wishing I had more than a little, dinky, spring jacket since the 13 degree winds are causing me to think bitter thoughts about New England - something I rarely do.
8:00pm We have said good bye to Melissa, and are on the road! I squeal about how excited I am.
8:01pm I say again how exciting this is.
8:02pm I once more exclaim about my excitement over taking a road trip to GA.
(Let's cut to the chase here, and just admit that I talked about how excited I was a lot, throughout the whole trip. Diane is a very patient soul.)
8:03 pm I confirm directions with Aunt Laura, and it was a jolly good thing, since I was about to take the wrong road.
9:00pm We've found Rt 95 which we'll take for hours and hours. We're home free!
9:01 pm We break into a rendition of "On the Road Again" - this was repeated often over the course of the trip.
9:02pm Diane begins reading "True Courage," the suspense story we've decided upon to wile away the hours.
9:12pm I am hooked on the story.
10:00pm Lindsay calls! She laments the fact that we'd forgotten to pray for Craig during our birthday party for him that afternoon. Diane calls him, we both put them on speakerphone, and we all pray for him!
11:00pm Diane tries to get a little sleep so she can spell me in a couple of hours.
12:00am I am getting a little bit sleepy, but I sing along to the CD I have in and that keeps me going.
12:04am I see the moon at its waning gibbous stage! I am wide awake now, thinking about how happy I am to be a science teacher and how I know so much more about the moon and its phases than I ever thought I'd know.
12:30am The excitement of the waning gibbous (as incredibly exciting as that is) has worn off and I'm feeling really sleepy.
12:45am I pull off for gas, and Diane takes the wheel.
5:45am Andrea wakes up from a remarkably good sleep, ready to spell Diane, who has just driven the entire "graveyard" shift single-handedly. WOW! Let's have a round of applause for that heroic effort.
6:14am Beautiful sunrise! I am starting to feel alive again, and really happy to be behind the wheel. I enjoy driving our little Chevy Cobalt!
9:00am We start looking for breakfast places. We are in the breakfast buffet mode, and call Mrs. Randall to see if she can look on-line for places along our route. Who needs on-star when you've got Mrs. Randall?! (What good is on-star anyway, if it doesn't provide eatery information?)
9:30 Mrs. Randall informed us that we have just passed the last Shoney's for hours. Sigh. We decide on the Cracker Barrel.
10:00am Diane and I "go to church" by listening to Diane's Statler Brothers CD:)
10:00am We enjoy a FABULOUS breakfast at the Cracker Barrel. I hear many southern accents, feel a bit like a foreigner, and am comforted by the glimpse I catch of a Red Sox hat!
11:00am We are back on the road again (breaking into song once more), with only a few more hours to go.
11:01am At the VERY next exit we see a breakfast buffet! We bellow at the irony of it all, but confess that we are really quite full.
1:00 pm We enter Atlanta. I am driving, Diane is reading our very exciting book. I am getting a little nervous at the sight of about 14 solid lanes of traffic!!!
1:10 pm Still a bit nervous, but realizing that the laws about being in your own lane and stuff apply on this super-highway just as much as they did on the mere shmere 6 lane highways of 95.
1:30 pm We're all through Atlanta! Safely!
2:00pm We arrive at Brad and Claire's!
2:01 pm No one answers the door - we decide Claire must still be at church. We call her. No answer. We wonder how long these Southerners spend in church anyway!
2:02 pm Claire calls us back, and apologizes for not answering the phone. She'd been upstairs and the phone had been downstairs. "So you're still at the parsonage?" Diane asks. "No, I'm at my house," Claire replies. "Well SO ARE WE!" Claire is dumbfounded. She comes rushing down and opens the door to see us standing on her doorstep!
2:03 pm We are happy she's so surprised, because surprises are nice, but we're a little mystified as to the reason she's quite this surprised. Then we find out she wasn't expecting us until tomorrow! The source of this confusion is unclear.
2:04 pm We get a tour of her BEAUTIFUL home! I am full of praise. It really is lovely! I am very happy for them.
2:15 pm We zip two minutes down the road to Penny's house to surprise her!
2:17 pm Sure enough, she is dumbfounded to see us:)
2:18 pm The truth comes out! I had called Penny last night to say we'd started at about 8. She didn't get the message until this morning, and thought we'd left at 8am instead of 8 pm! That would be quite the record-setting trip indeed!
2:20 pm We get a tour of Nate and Penny's BEAUTIFUL house!
2:25 pm I'm nearly overcome with euphoria! Ahhhhhhh vacation and GREAT friends. Who could ask for anything more?
February 18, 2006
5:00pm Mama sees us off, calling out things about coats, and making sure we have them. I tell her I have one in my suitcase. I don't tell her it is a little, dinky, spring jacket.
7:00pm We are booking it from the rental place inside the airport to the car pick-up spot. I am wishing I had more than a little, dinky, spring jacket since the 13 degree winds are causing me to think bitter thoughts about New England - something I rarely do.
8:00pm We have said good bye to Melissa, and are on the road! I squeal about how excited I am.
8:01pm I say again how exciting this is.
8:02pm I once more exclaim about my excitement over taking a road trip to GA.
(Let's cut to the chase here, and just admit that I talked about how excited I was a lot, throughout the whole trip. Diane is a very patient soul.)
8:03 pm I confirm directions with Aunt Laura, and it was a jolly good thing, since I was about to take the wrong road.
9:00pm We've found Rt 95 which we'll take for hours and hours. We're home free!
9:01 pm We break into a rendition of "On the Road Again" - this was repeated often over the course of the trip.
9:02pm Diane begins reading "True Courage," the suspense story we've decided upon to wile away the hours.
9:12pm I am hooked on the story.
10:00pm Lindsay calls! She laments the fact that we'd forgotten to pray for Craig during our birthday party for him that afternoon. Diane calls him, we both put them on speakerphone, and we all pray for him!
11:00pm Diane tries to get a little sleep so she can spell me in a couple of hours.
12:00am I am getting a little bit sleepy, but I sing along to the CD I have in and that keeps me going.
12:04am I see the moon at its waning gibbous stage! I am wide awake now, thinking about how happy I am to be a science teacher and how I know so much more about the moon and its phases than I ever thought I'd know.
12:30am The excitement of the waning gibbous (as incredibly exciting as that is) has worn off and I'm feeling really sleepy.
12:45am I pull off for gas, and Diane takes the wheel.
5:45am Andrea wakes up from a remarkably good sleep, ready to spell Diane, who has just driven the entire "graveyard" shift single-handedly. WOW! Let's have a round of applause for that heroic effort.
6:14am Beautiful sunrise! I am starting to feel alive again, and really happy to be behind the wheel. I enjoy driving our little Chevy Cobalt!
9:00am We start looking for breakfast places. We are in the breakfast buffet mode, and call Mrs. Randall to see if she can look on-line for places along our route. Who needs on-star when you've got Mrs. Randall?! (What good is on-star anyway, if it doesn't provide eatery information?)
9:30 Mrs. Randall informed us that we have just passed the last Shoney's for hours. Sigh. We decide on the Cracker Barrel.
10:00am Diane and I "go to church" by listening to Diane's Statler Brothers CD:)
10:00am We enjoy a FABULOUS breakfast at the Cracker Barrel. I hear many southern accents, feel a bit like a foreigner, and am comforted by the glimpse I catch of a Red Sox hat!
11:00am We are back on the road again (breaking into song once more), with only a few more hours to go.
11:01am At the VERY next exit we see a breakfast buffet! We bellow at the irony of it all, but confess that we are really quite full.
1:00 pm We enter Atlanta. I am driving, Diane is reading our very exciting book. I am getting a little nervous at the sight of about 14 solid lanes of traffic!!!
1:10 pm Still a bit nervous, but realizing that the laws about being in your own lane and stuff apply on this super-highway just as much as they did on the mere shmere 6 lane highways of 95.
1:30 pm We're all through Atlanta! Safely!
2:00pm We arrive at Brad and Claire's!
2:01 pm No one answers the door - we decide Claire must still be at church. We call her. No answer. We wonder how long these Southerners spend in church anyway!
2:02 pm Claire calls us back, and apologizes for not answering the phone. She'd been upstairs and the phone had been downstairs. "So you're still at the parsonage?" Diane asks. "No, I'm at my house," Claire replies. "Well SO ARE WE!" Claire is dumbfounded. She comes rushing down and opens the door to see us standing on her doorstep!
2:03 pm We are happy she's so surprised, because surprises are nice, but we're a little mystified as to the reason she's quite this surprised. Then we find out she wasn't expecting us until tomorrow! The source of this confusion is unclear.
2:04 pm We get a tour of her BEAUTIFUL home! I am full of praise. It really is lovely! I am very happy for them.
2:15 pm We zip two minutes down the road to Penny's house to surprise her!
2:17 pm Sure enough, she is dumbfounded to see us:)
2:18 pm The truth comes out! I had called Penny last night to say we'd started at about 8. She didn't get the message until this morning, and thought we'd left at 8am instead of 8 pm! That would be quite the record-setting trip indeed!
2:20 pm We get a tour of Nate and Penny's BEAUTIFUL house!
2:25 pm I'm nearly overcome with euphoria! Ahhhhhhh vacation and GREAT friends. Who could ask for anything more?
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Results of a New Valentine's Day Pen
This morning a dear student came in with a Valentine's Day pen for me. I was so enamored of it (it was one long plastic tube that became two hearts at the top) that I decided to take notes in Chapel just so I could use it. But instead of the topic of the day, the following list came out of the pen:
Things I love about Teaching:
*the chalk dust that seems to permeate my existence (colored chalk dust, that is!)
*the 15 minutes in the morning in which the students have to be in the room, but classes haven't begun yet - we have such fun chatting about sports, movies, strange experiences, etc
*lesson plans that work out just right, schedule wise (i.e. I really need this to take two days instead of one, and it does)
*students using something from Literature as an inside joke! (this really happens, much to my delight!)
*those opportunities that sometimes arise in which I get to pass along to the student some truth that I treasure
*my grade book
*walking in in the morning and tossing my keys onto my desk
*teaching new vocabulary - even when it is met with skepticism (they didn't believe that "spartan" is used as an adjective all these many years after the Spartan warrior civilization!)
*when students hear something in assembly that reminds them of something I said in class, so they look over and catch my eye
*when students ask me if I like teaching, thus opening the way for much effusive speech-making!
Oh ya, and I also happen to be partial to teaching itself.
Things I love about Teaching:
*the chalk dust that seems to permeate my existence (colored chalk dust, that is!)
*the 15 minutes in the morning in which the students have to be in the room, but classes haven't begun yet - we have such fun chatting about sports, movies, strange experiences, etc
*lesson plans that work out just right, schedule wise (i.e. I really need this to take two days instead of one, and it does)
*students using something from Literature as an inside joke! (this really happens, much to my delight!)
*those opportunities that sometimes arise in which I get to pass along to the student some truth that I treasure
*my grade book
*walking in in the morning and tossing my keys onto my desk
*teaching new vocabulary - even when it is met with skepticism (they didn't believe that "spartan" is used as an adjective all these many years after the Spartan warrior civilization!)
*when students hear something in assembly that reminds them of something I said in class, so they look over and catch my eye
*when students ask me if I like teaching, thus opening the way for much effusive speech-making!
Oh ya, and I also happen to be partial to teaching itself.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Halcyon Carrots and Pavarotti
Hi folks -- it's Melissa, letting you all know I still exist. I don't really know what to write about, but whatever it is needs to be written NOW. I find more and more that my sabbaths can really only last from sundown to sundown -- gone are the halcyon days of fully carefree weekends. (I just finished reading an Elizabeth Goudge book that used the word "halcyon" several times, and I was reminded that it is a good word. Only it was in the context of weather, which I hadn't really seen before, so I had to ask Andrea what it actually meant. She thought it meant happy, as in "the halcyon days of youth," and while "happy weather" is kind of cool, we thought that maybe it just has a general meaning of being kind of favorable. And now I don't feel like actually looking it up.)
Anyway... back to halcyonless weekends... The Sabbath is extra good now that it means so much more. The rest of the week this semester has been pretty crazily packed, since I'm taking five classes instead of the usual four (I don't know what kinds of insane schools some of the rest of you go to, but at mine four or five is normal). Hours and hours of art continue... only now I'm covered with oil paint most of the time instead of charcoal. Cool. So far I've decided that I really like painting, which is good because I have to decide what my concentration is going to be before too long. It's kind of awkward when people ask and I have to say, "um... well, I haven't actually DONE anything to know if I like it or not, but I assume I'll be a painter." I haven't tried printmaking yet, but I could see myself liking that too. It's the closest thing to drawing in some ways (although painting is too somewhat, but that's more like "drawing with mayonnaise," as one prof. put it). I've discovered that I'm drawn to textures, and especially (oddly enough), things that are falling apart: peeling paint, rotting wood, old crumbling brick buildings... I found myself staring longingly at the ceiling at my dad's shop the other day, wanting to draw it. Hm.
In other news, I was able to stun my coworkers at the W.C. (yep, still there, triplenine) by showing them the flaming carrot trick I learned in Bible School from I-forget-who. You know-- the one where you place two pieces of carrot so that they're barely touching and then nuke 'em in the microwave for a few seconds and watch the fireworks! Do try this at home. Rumor has it it works with potatoes too.
Last night we were crashing at the end of long, stressful weeks, and Andrea declared, "I just want to watch TV until I pass out." I thought this highly amusing. Of course we knew it was a joke, until we started watching the Opening Ceremonies later in the evening and it almost came true. Oy... so long, so weird, so boring. But there was always that one more surprise promised us by the freakily un-aging face of Bob Costas, and that one country that nobody's ever heard of that could prove to be the most inspirational of Olympic tales, and that mystery surrounding the figure shrouded in darkness who would eventually light the cauldron of justice. And were we ever rewarded: Liechtenstein and San Marino out in full force, people walzing around a stage dressed as cows, and then....... STEFANIA BALMONDO as the final torchbearer! YES! I KNEW it! Oh well... I suppose the Italians have every right to give the honor to a random Italian cross-country skiier I've never heard of. But Pavarotti singing "Nessun Dorma" was a good surprise, I must say. [I admit I had to ask Andrea what he sang and how to spell it... "Nessun as in 'Nissan'?"] In the words of one American athlete I heard in the background, "You da MAN, Pavarotti!"
Anyway... back to halcyonless weekends... The Sabbath is extra good now that it means so much more. The rest of the week this semester has been pretty crazily packed, since I'm taking five classes instead of the usual four (I don't know what kinds of insane schools some of the rest of you go to, but at mine four or five is normal). Hours and hours of art continue... only now I'm covered with oil paint most of the time instead of charcoal. Cool. So far I've decided that I really like painting, which is good because I have to decide what my concentration is going to be before too long. It's kind of awkward when people ask and I have to say, "um... well, I haven't actually DONE anything to know if I like it or not, but I assume I'll be a painter." I haven't tried printmaking yet, but I could see myself liking that too. It's the closest thing to drawing in some ways (although painting is too somewhat, but that's more like "drawing with mayonnaise," as one prof. put it). I've discovered that I'm drawn to textures, and especially (oddly enough), things that are falling apart: peeling paint, rotting wood, old crumbling brick buildings... I found myself staring longingly at the ceiling at my dad's shop the other day, wanting to draw it. Hm.
In other news, I was able to stun my coworkers at the W.C. (yep, still there, triplenine) by showing them the flaming carrot trick I learned in Bible School from I-forget-who. You know-- the one where you place two pieces of carrot so that they're barely touching and then nuke 'em in the microwave for a few seconds and watch the fireworks! Do try this at home. Rumor has it it works with potatoes too.
Last night we were crashing at the end of long, stressful weeks, and Andrea declared, "I just want to watch TV until I pass out." I thought this highly amusing. Of course we knew it was a joke, until we started watching the Opening Ceremonies later in the evening and it almost came true. Oy... so long, so weird, so boring. But there was always that one more surprise promised us by the freakily un-aging face of Bob Costas, and that one country that nobody's ever heard of that could prove to be the most inspirational of Olympic tales, and that mystery surrounding the figure shrouded in darkness who would eventually light the cauldron of justice. And were we ever rewarded: Liechtenstein and San Marino out in full force, people walzing around a stage dressed as cows, and then....... STEFANIA BALMONDO as the final torchbearer! YES! I KNEW it! Oh well... I suppose the Italians have every right to give the honor to a random Italian cross-country skiier I've never heard of. But Pavarotti singing "Nessun Dorma" was a good surprise, I must say. [I admit I had to ask Andrea what he sang and how to spell it... "Nessun as in 'Nissan'?"] In the words of one American athlete I heard in the background, "You da MAN, Pavarotti!"
Strange Moments of the Day
I was teaching typing today, and one of my students started talking about how he'd recently decided what he believes, theologically. Oh! I said. He expanded upon the subject by explaining that he is a four-point Calivinist. He believes in four of the five tenets. The one he doesn't believe in is limited atonement (which, I think, is the idea that Jesus died only for the elect - not for everyone). Now this wouldn't have been that awkward, except that the other student in typing is definitely a five-point Calivinist. I, not being much of a Calvinist, but hiding that fact very carefully while at school, was rather tongue-tied. I just said that we must be sure to base our beliefs on the Bible, and both seemed satisfied with that. Oh the tightropes I attempt!
Another weird moment came after I e-mailed Craig about seeing Dan Jansen in the opening ceremonies. Jansen was a mutual hero of giant proportions back in the day. Oh the depths and heights we traveled with him! Anyway, he e-mailed back, and said he'd told Kayla the saga, since she didn't know who he was. What?! Was it really that long ago?
That weird moment reminded me of one earlier today, when I asked my 7th and 8th grade class which two countries were separated by the Berlin Wall, and realized they weren't even alive when it came down. In fact, they also asked me what the Cold War was! You mean not everyone in this country shared the childhood fear of being bombed by the Russians? I explained it to them, and we practiced hiding under the desks in case of bombs.
Another weird moment came after I e-mailed Craig about seeing Dan Jansen in the opening ceremonies. Jansen was a mutual hero of giant proportions back in the day. Oh the depths and heights we traveled with him! Anyway, he e-mailed back, and said he'd told Kayla the saga, since she didn't know who he was. What?! Was it really that long ago?
That weird moment reminded me of one earlier today, when I asked my 7th and 8th grade class which two countries were separated by the Berlin Wall, and realized they weren't even alive when it came down. In fact, they also asked me what the Cold War was! You mean not everyone in this country shared the childhood fear of being bombed by the Russians? I explained it to them, and we practiced hiding under the desks in case of bombs.
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Inspiration from Greece, Chambers, and Mrs. E Prentiss
Watch out, folks. Heart is full - overflow coming your way...
I just finished reading "Stepping Heavenward" by Mrs. E. Prentiss last night and it was incredible. Amy P had been encouraging me to read it for years, and I finally followed her advice. I am so glad I did. What an inspiring account. Now everyone, don't delay as long as I did! Go out and get a copy and read it! I think you will be amazed, as I was, at the conclusions of the book, after an account that was sometimes almost painful to read: "To love Christ and to know that I love Him - this is all!" And "I have been emptied from vessel to vessel till I have learned that he only is truly happy who has no longer a choice of his own and lies passive in God's hand." What depth there is there.
I have also been reading the Oswald Chambers devotional Bible this year, which has been incredibly rich. From that I have been realizing the importance of being God-aware and God-conscious, instead of self-aware and self-conscious. It is exciting to grow and to realize more of the world around me and more about who I am. But to stop there is to stunt the growth God intends for me. Those things are stepping-stones to the more important - the only important - God-awareness, and who He is.
And then there is Greek Literature. Okay, so we were reading about all these Greek guys, and how they try to thwart their fate and always fail to do so. Fate is supreme. No one can avoid it. The Greek worldview was, in that way, pretty depressing. They were totally trapped by fate.
Then we were reading, in the teachers' devotions time, about Saul and how he was trying to kill David. But instead he was finding failure on every side, for God had willed David to be king. And I started thinking, wait a minute. Is the Christian worldview just as trapped as the Greek one? We can't go outside of the will of God, just like the Greeks couldn't go outside of the fates. Am I supposed to be feeling claustrophobic?!
And then, so quickly, I realized the fundamental difference. We as Christians serve a God of infinite love, goodness, and trustworthiness. His will and His love are one. He is love. We are not trapped in a fate against which we put up a desperate struggle for freedom. We are led to the best and highest freedom by a God who loves us so much that He sent His Son. We are not trapped by a capricious or unconscious fate (I'm not sure which would be worse), but are on our way to our destiny: oneness with a God who is essentially good and loving, and for Whom we were created. What an incredible difference. What a God we serve!
Trust has been my watchword recently. What a security and peace we have in our God. Claustrophobia? No! "Jehovah...brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me." (Ps 18:19)
I just finished reading "Stepping Heavenward" by Mrs. E. Prentiss last night and it was incredible. Amy P had been encouraging me to read it for years, and I finally followed her advice. I am so glad I did. What an inspiring account. Now everyone, don't delay as long as I did! Go out and get a copy and read it! I think you will be amazed, as I was, at the conclusions of the book, after an account that was sometimes almost painful to read: "To love Christ and to know that I love Him - this is all!" And "I have been emptied from vessel to vessel till I have learned that he only is truly happy who has no longer a choice of his own and lies passive in God's hand." What depth there is there.
I have also been reading the Oswald Chambers devotional Bible this year, which has been incredibly rich. From that I have been realizing the importance of being God-aware and God-conscious, instead of self-aware and self-conscious. It is exciting to grow and to realize more of the world around me and more about who I am. But to stop there is to stunt the growth God intends for me. Those things are stepping-stones to the more important - the only important - God-awareness, and who He is.
And then there is Greek Literature. Okay, so we were reading about all these Greek guys, and how they try to thwart their fate and always fail to do so. Fate is supreme. No one can avoid it. The Greek worldview was, in that way, pretty depressing. They were totally trapped by fate.
Then we were reading, in the teachers' devotions time, about Saul and how he was trying to kill David. But instead he was finding failure on every side, for God had willed David to be king. And I started thinking, wait a minute. Is the Christian worldview just as trapped as the Greek one? We can't go outside of the will of God, just like the Greeks couldn't go outside of the fates. Am I supposed to be feeling claustrophobic?!
And then, so quickly, I realized the fundamental difference. We as Christians serve a God of infinite love, goodness, and trustworthiness. His will and His love are one. He is love. We are not trapped in a fate against which we put up a desperate struggle for freedom. We are led to the best and highest freedom by a God who loves us so much that He sent His Son. We are not trapped by a capricious or unconscious fate (I'm not sure which would be worse), but are on our way to our destiny: oneness with a God who is essentially good and loving, and for Whom we were created. What an incredible difference. What a God we serve!
Trust has been my watchword recently. What a security and peace we have in our God. Claustrophobia? No! "Jehovah...brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me." (Ps 18:19)
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
You won't believe this...
Today something reminded me of Chad's story of long ago, about that girl who didn't know what "quarter to 8" meant. I told my students with great glee, and was joking about telling Chad that my students were way smarter than his. All the guys were laughing and stuff when the blond girl in my class raised her hand. "I have a confession to make." SURE ENOUGH. She didn't know what it meant either, and admitted that she'd always been confused by that quarter to business. What are the odds?!?! The boys laughed much harder then, and I was hard pressed to back-track about all those non-smart student comments I'd been making. I babbled on and on about how these things sometimes escape us, and how exciting it was to have a learning moment, and how there are many different kinds of smart (oy vay, did I really use that one?). It made for an exciting start to a good day. Phew. I'd better watch out what kind of adjectives I preface my stories with from now on! One never knows. Oh, and I explained that quarter to 8 meant 7:45, as in a quarter of the clock (15 minutes) before whatever time was specified.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Student Writing
I recently completed a mystery unit with my 7th and 8th graders, and then assigned them to write their own mysteries. The results were original, entertaining, gruesome, and funny - quite the combination. Here are some excerpts:
The first is a story about people who get trapped on a cruise ship with a murderer. Here is the advertisement for the cruise ship: "You will be amazed at the food, service, pool, movie theatre, game room, and 24/7 hot chocolate access."
The second story had more exclamation points than, um, I can't even think of a simile since nothing else I can think of even comes close. For example: "All I know is the last name is Mr. McCarthy!" "Go on, please!" "Well, my sisters and brothers were invited too!" "Very interesting!" "I am sorry, but I forgot to get your name!"..."Now please go on with the story!" Etc.
At the end of the above story, the detective catches the criminal (who turns out to be the maid) as she is about to kill his client. He confronts her and she confesses. Then the story takes a surprising twist: "'You are under arrest for murder,' said the detective. 'You either will spend your whole life in jail or die now!' 'I will die now," she answered. So the detective shot her and she died! He then told the girls to pack up and go home!"
Yikes! Nothing like taking justice into your own hands! I jotted down a bit about American criminal law in the margin, but hastened to assure her that it was indeed dramatic. And to think she is one of my quietest, sweetest students! You just never know.
The last story was a 14 page masterpiece, which included this gem of a fight scene: "With that he dodged to the side and with one swipe knocked the gun out of Tim's hand. The gun skidded across the floor and fell into a hole and sank to the bottom of a fifty-foot deep pool used to test underwater equipment. There were a lot of punches, kicks, jabs, and martial arts between the two men. Then Bill sprang up and grabbed an emergency axe from the wall." I will spare you the further details. Suffice it to say that Bill, the good guy, won out in the end.
Phew. Now to move on to our historical fiction unit! Much safer. Of course, we are about to start "The Tale of Two Cities" which has its own kind of gruesome-ness. But somehow Dickens can manage it with dignity.
The first is a story about people who get trapped on a cruise ship with a murderer. Here is the advertisement for the cruise ship: "You will be amazed at the food, service, pool, movie theatre, game room, and 24/7 hot chocolate access."
The second story had more exclamation points than, um, I can't even think of a simile since nothing else I can think of even comes close. For example: "All I know is the last name is Mr. McCarthy!" "Go on, please!" "Well, my sisters and brothers were invited too!" "Very interesting!" "I am sorry, but I forgot to get your name!"..."Now please go on with the story!" Etc.
At the end of the above story, the detective catches the criminal (who turns out to be the maid) as she is about to kill his client. He confronts her and she confesses. Then the story takes a surprising twist: "'You are under arrest for murder,' said the detective. 'You either will spend your whole life in jail or die now!' 'I will die now," she answered. So the detective shot her and she died! He then told the girls to pack up and go home!"
Yikes! Nothing like taking justice into your own hands! I jotted down a bit about American criminal law in the margin, but hastened to assure her that it was indeed dramatic. And to think she is one of my quietest, sweetest students! You just never know.
The last story was a 14 page masterpiece, which included this gem of a fight scene: "With that he dodged to the side and with one swipe knocked the gun out of Tim's hand. The gun skidded across the floor and fell into a hole and sank to the bottom of a fifty-foot deep pool used to test underwater equipment. There were a lot of punches, kicks, jabs, and martial arts between the two men. Then Bill sprang up and grabbed an emergency axe from the wall." I will spare you the further details. Suffice it to say that Bill, the good guy, won out in the end.
Phew. Now to move on to our historical fiction unit! Much safer. Of course, we are about to start "The Tale of Two Cities" which has its own kind of gruesome-ness. But somehow Dickens can manage it with dignity.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
My First Fieldtrip!
I did it! I led a fieldtrip! I organized it, and bought tickets, and found parent chaperones, and everything! And I'm happy to report that it went very well. We weren't late and it wasn't the wrong day.
My Earth Science class just began a unit about the moon last Monday, and today we went to see "Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon" at the IMAX theater. In 3D! After a lecture to my kids about being Ambassadors for Christ, and not screaming in the mall, and other things, I found myself yelling right out loud TWICE during the film. It was scary! But fortunately the music was so loud I don't think anyone heard me.
The highlight of the occasion was when a man came into the theater with his microphone before the show, and asked for all group leaders to report to the concession stand. HA! That was ME! It felt so strange to get up and walk past the two chaperones, who were much older than I, and go say I was in charge of the whole shebang. My word. What a power trip:)
My kids really enjoyed the show. I wish I'd had a camera to take a picture of them sitting all in a row with ridiculously large glasses on. So cute.
One last thing: I found out, half way up the escalator, that one of my girls has a fear of heights to such a degree that she never takes escalators - always elevators. I held on to her for the rest of the way up. She made it fine. I was glad.
Happy almost weekend!
My Earth Science class just began a unit about the moon last Monday, and today we went to see "Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon" at the IMAX theater. In 3D! After a lecture to my kids about being Ambassadors for Christ, and not screaming in the mall, and other things, I found myself yelling right out loud TWICE during the film. It was scary! But fortunately the music was so loud I don't think anyone heard me.
The highlight of the occasion was when a man came into the theater with his microphone before the show, and asked for all group leaders to report to the concession stand. HA! That was ME! It felt so strange to get up and walk past the two chaperones, who were much older than I, and go say I was in charge of the whole shebang. My word. What a power trip:)
My kids really enjoyed the show. I wish I'd had a camera to take a picture of them sitting all in a row with ridiculously large glasses on. So cute.
One last thing: I found out, half way up the escalator, that one of my girls has a fear of heights to such a degree that she never takes escalators - always elevators. I held on to her for the rest of the way up. She made it fine. I was glad.
Happy almost weekend!
Thursday, January 19, 2006
The 30 by 30 List
The 30 by 30 list is an idea Lindsay introduced to Amy and me a couple of years ago. It's a list of thirty things to accomplish by the time you are thirty! We had such a fun time making them together - what a happy memory. The things can be as varied as you want. Here are some on my list:
*Buy a piano
*Take horseback riding lessons (this is one that was enabled by Amy and Lindsay's graduation gift to me!)
*Read Oliver Twist (done!)
*Go to Israel or Europe
*Teach for at least one year (almost done, and hopefully I'll be at it for much more than a year - I actually had one of those "I can't believe I'm getting paid to do this" moments today!)
*Get a Bachelor of Arts in English (done!)
*Read Dad's Book (maybe this summer?) (and for the remaining four and half years 'till I'm 30?)
*Own the movies Persuasion (check!), Wives and Daughters (check!), Riverdance (check!)
*Memorize the prologue to Tennyson's In Memorium (done... although it's rusty now - I'll have to refresh this one)
*sing in a choir after college (found a possibility - have to audition this summer)
*go to the Boston, NY, Philadelphia or DC art museum
*go camping (I've never been!)
*change my own oil (thanks for the lesson, Bethany!)
etc. etc. etc.
Those are a few items. Lindsay has such ambitious things as refinishing furniture on hers, but that sounded like too much work to me. I just throw it out there to demonstrate the diversity possible:) Not to mention demonstrating the coolness of anyone who would have that on her 30 by 30! I would recommend it for all - it's great fun! And it's exciting to be able to say you've accomplished things on the list.
*Buy a piano
*Take horseback riding lessons (this is one that was enabled by Amy and Lindsay's graduation gift to me!)
*Read Oliver Twist (done!)
*Go to Israel or Europe
*Teach for at least one year (almost done, and hopefully I'll be at it for much more than a year - I actually had one of those "I can't believe I'm getting paid to do this" moments today!)
*Get a Bachelor of Arts in English (done!)
*Read Dad's Book (maybe this summer?) (and for the remaining four and half years 'till I'm 30?)
*Own the movies Persuasion (check!), Wives and Daughters (check!), Riverdance (check!)
*Memorize the prologue to Tennyson's In Memorium (done... although it's rusty now - I'll have to refresh this one)
*sing in a choir after college (found a possibility - have to audition this summer)
*go to the Boston, NY, Philadelphia or DC art museum
*go camping (I've never been!)
*change my own oil (thanks for the lesson, Bethany!)
etc. etc. etc.
Those are a few items. Lindsay has such ambitious things as refinishing furniture on hers, but that sounded like too much work to me. I just throw it out there to demonstrate the diversity possible:) Not to mention demonstrating the coolness of anyone who would have that on her 30 by 30! I would recommend it for all - it's great fun! And it's exciting to be able to say you've accomplished things on the list.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
The Wave of the Past
As the weekend approached, I headed to my favorite movie place, Video Vault (very small townsy and idiosyncratic), to rent "Persuasion." I brought it up to the counter, and the guy told me that I could rent it for $2.50 or buy it for $3.00. What?! It turns out that ALL of the videos in the place are now for sale. They're moving to DVDs. WOWZER. So I bought "Persuasion," and checked to see whether "Pride and Prejudice" (BBC, 5 hour version) had been sold already. Oh ya, he said, it was one of the first to go. Hmmmm. The good taste of these RIers. I was pretty happy, though, since owning the movie "Persuasion" was on my 30 by 30 list (along with a few other choice movies).
Well yesterday, with Melissa (about whose return I could have written an entire 60 paragraph post of joy), I returned. We took the place by storm, scouring every aisle (well, almost... we skipped over the horror films), and picking out the cream of the crop. My happiest find was "Riverdance!" I had looked for it immediately, and hadn't found it. I assumed it was taken already, but then discovered it with the musicals. Hurrah! That was one on my 30 by 30.
Let me tell you, it was a hard task. Where do you draw the line? You can't buy every good movie, because you would be quickly broke, despite the good price. So we settled for choosing a few of the best, and keeping a list of all the other possibilities (25-30 more, I'd guess). And I kept thinking of other people, too, and whether I should be buying for them!
Katie, do you want "October Sky?"
Dad, how about "Captains Courageous?"
And Derrick, I assume you already own "The Last Samurai."
Anyway, it was pretty fun. I can't believe they're getting rid of all their videos, though! It certainly is a big step forward in technology, I suppose. But I'm happily riding the wave of the past with my newly acquired videos.
I told my kids about it today, and informed them I'd grabbed Hamlet, with Mel Gibson, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, both for their sakes! I'll be teaching Hamlet next year, and I wanted to show them Mr. Smith to demonstrate what a filibuster is. One student was groaning at the idea of watching anything in black and white. I vigorously protested that there was no law that kids couldn't watch movies made before 1999 - there were some wonderful old classics. And he came right back and quoted my own words against me. A few weeks ago, after seeing a movie's attempt to portray Medusa, in 1970 or so, I had practically vowed not to watch any movie made before 2000! I'd forgotten about that, and had to laugh upon being reminded. I tried to qualify my statement by saying I didn't like old movie's special effects. But finally I just told them to forget all those rash statements I make:)
Well yesterday, with Melissa (about whose return I could have written an entire 60 paragraph post of joy), I returned. We took the place by storm, scouring every aisle (well, almost... we skipped over the horror films), and picking out the cream of the crop. My happiest find was "Riverdance!" I had looked for it immediately, and hadn't found it. I assumed it was taken already, but then discovered it with the musicals. Hurrah! That was one on my 30 by 30.
Let me tell you, it was a hard task. Where do you draw the line? You can't buy every good movie, because you would be quickly broke, despite the good price. So we settled for choosing a few of the best, and keeping a list of all the other possibilities (25-30 more, I'd guess). And I kept thinking of other people, too, and whether I should be buying for them!
Katie, do you want "October Sky?"
Dad, how about "Captains Courageous?"
And Derrick, I assume you already own "The Last Samurai."
Anyway, it was pretty fun. I can't believe they're getting rid of all their videos, though! It certainly is a big step forward in technology, I suppose. But I'm happily riding the wave of the past with my newly acquired videos.
I told my kids about it today, and informed them I'd grabbed Hamlet, with Mel Gibson, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, both for their sakes! I'll be teaching Hamlet next year, and I wanted to show them Mr. Smith to demonstrate what a filibuster is. One student was groaning at the idea of watching anything in black and white. I vigorously protested that there was no law that kids couldn't watch movies made before 1999 - there were some wonderful old classics. And he came right back and quoted my own words against me. A few weeks ago, after seeing a movie's attempt to portray Medusa, in 1970 or so, I had practically vowed not to watch any movie made before 2000! I'd forgotten about that, and had to laugh upon being reminded. I tried to qualify my statement by saying I didn't like old movie's special effects. But finally I just told them to forget all those rash statements I make:)
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Fun on a Wednesday Afternoon
I usually dread Wednesdays because the afternoons are back-to-back classes, ending with two high school classes. And high schoolers aren't so attentive in the afternoon. But I've shifted my tactics a bit (tighter discipline on one hand, not expecting star quality discussions on the other), and today was great!
We did a writing workshop on creating good paragraphs, and I assigned them to do a paragraph in class on anything they wanted to. I gave an example: a paragraph with the topic sentence "BMW Z3s are some of the coolest cars around." They followed suit. Here are some sample topic sentences (paraphrased according to my memory, and my own style, and my protecting the identity of students):
When Joe hits me, it hurts. (Joe is the student sitting next to the student who wrote this paragraph - a paragraph, incidentally, which was some of the best writing he's done this year!)
Hershey's kisses are the yummiest chocolates. (A story I told of rationing M&Ms while paper writing in college was an example in this paragraph!)
A paragraph is a unit of something larger, like an essay or report. (Clever... a paragraph about a paragraph.)
Elizabeth is the coolest person that ever lived. (This was written at the request of one, Elizabeth, in the classroom.)
Green is the best color. (They say sea green is very soothing...)
The students really enjoyed the assignment! At least, they really enjoyed hearing each other's work afterward. That was pretty encouraging. Maybe I'll do more with this tomorrow. On the other hand, I have a star quality discussion planned, so I'm not sure I'll have time.
In other news: I lost power steering in my car. I think I'm getting tendonitis from man-handling my vehicle around corners. Wheee - workouts while driving!
We did a writing workshop on creating good paragraphs, and I assigned them to do a paragraph in class on anything they wanted to. I gave an example: a paragraph with the topic sentence "BMW Z3s are some of the coolest cars around." They followed suit. Here are some sample topic sentences (paraphrased according to my memory, and my own style, and my protecting the identity of students):
When Joe hits me, it hurts. (Joe is the student sitting next to the student who wrote this paragraph - a paragraph, incidentally, which was some of the best writing he's done this year!)
Hershey's kisses are the yummiest chocolates. (A story I told of rationing M&Ms while paper writing in college was an example in this paragraph!)
A paragraph is a unit of something larger, like an essay or report. (Clever... a paragraph about a paragraph.)
Elizabeth is the coolest person that ever lived. (This was written at the request of one, Elizabeth, in the classroom.)
Green is the best color. (They say sea green is very soothing...)
The students really enjoyed the assignment! At least, they really enjoyed hearing each other's work afterward. That was pretty encouraging. Maybe I'll do more with this tomorrow. On the other hand, I have a star quality discussion planned, so I'm not sure I'll have time.
In other news: I lost power steering in my car. I think I'm getting tendonitis from man-handling my vehicle around corners. Wheee - workouts while driving!
Friday, January 06, 2006
Back in the Groove
I'm happy to report that one class was all it took - I am thrilled to be back at school. I knew I would be, but I still couldn't sleep very well the night before it started up again. Sometimes I think vacations are too hard to come back from to be worth it. But then I look forward to weekends like some people look forward to trips to Europe. I guess two great weeks is worth the cost of one sleepless night!
Anyway, the highlight so far has been teaching Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians in play form. Danny had told me his students really liked it, but oy vay! My kids are going crazy! Of course, it helps that I'm teaching it to the 7th and 8th graders, who aren't afraid to be wildly enthusiastic at the drop of a hat (how could I have ever been nervous about middle school?!).
At the first murder the girls instantly burst into gasps and shudders and squeals, and the boys burst into accusations and theories. At the second murder it took some dire threats on my part to get them back to reading. I allowed a break for theories, but man! They would have kept at it all day! But of course there were those who wanted to hurry up and read, and forget all the guessing stuff. So soon they were yelling at each other to be quiet. Hee hee hee. What a success. Then they all started talking about nightmares, and I was a little nervous on my way home. So far I've received zero angry parent calls. I'm going for a no-hitter, as it were.
Sure enough, this morning one of my students told me he'd had nightmare. Sigh. But silly me - I should have known he was joking, since he's the one I describe as "probably what Uncle Paul was like as a student."
I heard from my 10th and 11th graders that my 7th and 8th graders (their younger siblings) were trying to repeat the entire story to them - and anyone else who would listen. One student's father is in Iraq. He called home last night...and was regaled with an Agatha Christie story. Well, the beginning of one, anyway. We still haven't finished. She told me that he was very interested in it. Dear man, my respect for him (which was already sky high) shot up some more.
We got another scene or so done this afternoon, and at the end of the day one of the girls told me that the entire class had talked about the play for their entire art class. There would be a lull, and then one of them (the same one every time, I think) would say "but what about Dr. Armstrong?" and they would be off again.
YYYYEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!! I LOVE MY JOB!
They have some really clever theories about it all, too! They should be mystery writers themselves (which they will be next week, although they don't know it yet - it will be my first fiction assignment and I'm really looking forward to reading the results!). They have decided that two of them are married though they are pretending not to be. They have decided that there really is no murderer - they are all killing themselves off in madness or guilt. They have decided that Narracott the boatman must have done it. And Emily. And Dr. Armstrong. And Rogers.
In other news, my high schoolers are assembling a puppet show of the story of the Cyclops. Did I mention that I love my job?
Anyway, the highlight so far has been teaching Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians in play form. Danny had told me his students really liked it, but oy vay! My kids are going crazy! Of course, it helps that I'm teaching it to the 7th and 8th graders, who aren't afraid to be wildly enthusiastic at the drop of a hat (how could I have ever been nervous about middle school?!).
At the first murder the girls instantly burst into gasps and shudders and squeals, and the boys burst into accusations and theories. At the second murder it took some dire threats on my part to get them back to reading. I allowed a break for theories, but man! They would have kept at it all day! But of course there were those who wanted to hurry up and read, and forget all the guessing stuff. So soon they were yelling at each other to be quiet. Hee hee hee. What a success. Then they all started talking about nightmares, and I was a little nervous on my way home. So far I've received zero angry parent calls. I'm going for a no-hitter, as it were.
Sure enough, this morning one of my students told me he'd had nightmare. Sigh. But silly me - I should have known he was joking, since he's the one I describe as "probably what Uncle Paul was like as a student."
I heard from my 10th and 11th graders that my 7th and 8th graders (their younger siblings) were trying to repeat the entire story to them - and anyone else who would listen. One student's father is in Iraq. He called home last night...and was regaled with an Agatha Christie story. Well, the beginning of one, anyway. We still haven't finished. She told me that he was very interested in it. Dear man, my respect for him (which was already sky high) shot up some more.
We got another scene or so done this afternoon, and at the end of the day one of the girls told me that the entire class had talked about the play for their entire art class. There would be a lull, and then one of them (the same one every time, I think) would say "but what about Dr. Armstrong?" and they would be off again.
YYYYEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!! I LOVE MY JOB!
They have some really clever theories about it all, too! They should be mystery writers themselves (which they will be next week, although they don't know it yet - it will be my first fiction assignment and I'm really looking forward to reading the results!). They have decided that two of them are married though they are pretending not to be. They have decided that there really is no murderer - they are all killing themselves off in madness or guilt. They have decided that Narracott the boatman must have done it. And Emily. And Dr. Armstrong. And Rogers.
In other news, my high schoolers are assembling a puppet show of the story of the Cyclops. Did I mention that I love my job?
Thursday, January 05, 2006
CLAN
No, I'm not going to go into a detailed, historical look at the Murray clan here and now. Sorry. I know it would be incredibly fascinating, and you would all benefit greatly from it. I'll keep it in mind for some future time. Maybe.
Instead, I'm going to go into a semi-detailed, barely-historical look at the RI library system. I love it so much! And, having just availed myself of one of its excellent services, and therefore being filled with warm fuzzy feelings about it, now is the time to rhapsodize.
The semi-details are this: By getting one little card - a simple piece of blue plastic - the entire world of Rhode Island's books are open to all RI residents. I can get books from Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Cranston, Providence, North Kingstown, and Scituate, all in one homeward commute, if I want to! If I (in my usual last-minute state) need a movie to show my class the very next day I can just pop over to whichever RI library has said movie on its shelves. Side note: this is a huge benefit to living in such a small state - I could never go across the state to get a movie I needed if I lived in TX, for instance. But here in RI I go across the state every day just to get to work! Ahhh, so handy.
The barely-history is this: Today I thought I should read the book "Epic" to my dear chillins. It is an excellent example of looking at Literature in a deeper way than just words on a page (which is their sad tendency). So I popped over to Amazon and ascertained that I could get the book for quite a reasonable price. But, having decided to pinch pennies a bit more these days, I thought I'd check the library system. LO, there was a copy in Providence! And there was another intriguing work by the same author in Cranston! And thanks to the dear old CLAN system (oh, that is the name of the RI library system, by the way - I probably should have explained that sooner), with a few keystrokes I have both items scurrying on their way to my local library. Amazing! Blessings on thee, oh CLAN system.
This is not to disparage the Dublin Library, of course, which holds my deepest loyalty as a most beloved, architecturally beautiful, historical, intriguing, good-smelling, cozy establishment. But I must admit that RI allows for a bit more flexibility than a small town library.
Might I also add, that if Heaven were indeed attainable by good works, Ben Franklin (wasn't it he?) would be first in line at the Pearly Gates with the good deed of establishing public libraries. Way to go, Ben! Let's hear it for books for free!
Instead, I'm going to go into a semi-detailed, barely-historical look at the RI library system. I love it so much! And, having just availed myself of one of its excellent services, and therefore being filled with warm fuzzy feelings about it, now is the time to rhapsodize.
The semi-details are this: By getting one little card - a simple piece of blue plastic - the entire world of Rhode Island's books are open to all RI residents. I can get books from Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Cranston, Providence, North Kingstown, and Scituate, all in one homeward commute, if I want to! If I (in my usual last-minute state) need a movie to show my class the very next day I can just pop over to whichever RI library has said movie on its shelves. Side note: this is a huge benefit to living in such a small state - I could never go across the state to get a movie I needed if I lived in TX, for instance. But here in RI I go across the state every day just to get to work! Ahhh, so handy.
The barely-history is this: Today I thought I should read the book "Epic" to my dear chillins. It is an excellent example of looking at Literature in a deeper way than just words on a page (which is their sad tendency). So I popped over to Amazon and ascertained that I could get the book for quite a reasonable price. But, having decided to pinch pennies a bit more these days, I thought I'd check the library system. LO, there was a copy in Providence! And there was another intriguing work by the same author in Cranston! And thanks to the dear old CLAN system (oh, that is the name of the RI library system, by the way - I probably should have explained that sooner), with a few keystrokes I have both items scurrying on their way to my local library. Amazing! Blessings on thee, oh CLAN system.
This is not to disparage the Dublin Library, of course, which holds my deepest loyalty as a most beloved, architecturally beautiful, historical, intriguing, good-smelling, cozy establishment. But I must admit that RI allows for a bit more flexibility than a small town library.
Might I also add, that if Heaven were indeed attainable by good works, Ben Franklin (wasn't it he?) would be first in line at the Pearly Gates with the good deed of establishing public libraries. Way to go, Ben! Let's hear it for books for free!
Monday, January 02, 2006
Post Christmas Blues
I almost never get post-Christmas blues, I'm happy to report. My birthday is the day after, so there's nothing to be blue about there! And then there's always the happiness of another week (or four, if in college) of vacation. Nothing to be blue about there! And this year I even had a fantastic year-end convention to attend. Nothing to be blue about there, for sure!
But this evening I had a half-hour of post-Christmas blues. It came when I tried to assimilate my Christmas gifts into my already well laden room. As I shoved hangers over in the closet, with all of my strength, I dreamed of those huge closets that are the approximate size of my bedroom when I was a little girl. As I stacked up CDs on the floor I realized I'd have to actually invest in another car CD holder. As I drew out the beautiful framed picture of my nephews it occurred to me that I am already using every single available flat surface to hold pictures. And as I guiltily placed some items on the top shelf of my closet I realized that the simple fact is this: I need to down-size!
But how will I do it? How can I tell the faithful pictures, who have kept me company all through college, that they are going to be replaced by young upstarts? How can I throw out any scrap of clothing, when I could very well regret such a bold move in a few weeks time when I finally discover the shirt that would have matched that thrown-away skirt? How can I part with any little knick-knack that could end up a valuable archive after I become saintly and inspire future generations?
So the only solution, dear readers, is to tear down my barns and build bigger. I'm going to annex TJ's room. He doesn't really need it right now, after all. And in fact, I might even be generous and annex only a portion. In any case, I could use that extra shelf and closet space. I could have two desks and two big bookcases and another huge closet! I could buy large trunks, or even those tupperware storage containers. The possibilities are endless! When TJ comes back home I expect him to be so sanctified that he won't even mind, and will gladly move over to share a room with Amy.
Ahhh, solution found. Post Christmas Blues over.
But this evening I had a half-hour of post-Christmas blues. It came when I tried to assimilate my Christmas gifts into my already well laden room. As I shoved hangers over in the closet, with all of my strength, I dreamed of those huge closets that are the approximate size of my bedroom when I was a little girl. As I stacked up CDs on the floor I realized I'd have to actually invest in another car CD holder. As I drew out the beautiful framed picture of my nephews it occurred to me that I am already using every single available flat surface to hold pictures. And as I guiltily placed some items on the top shelf of my closet I realized that the simple fact is this: I need to down-size!
But how will I do it? How can I tell the faithful pictures, who have kept me company all through college, that they are going to be replaced by young upstarts? How can I throw out any scrap of clothing, when I could very well regret such a bold move in a few weeks time when I finally discover the shirt that would have matched that thrown-away skirt? How can I part with any little knick-knack that could end up a valuable archive after I become saintly and inspire future generations?
So the only solution, dear readers, is to tear down my barns and build bigger. I'm going to annex TJ's room. He doesn't really need it right now, after all. And in fact, I might even be generous and annex only a portion. In any case, I could use that extra shelf and closet space. I could have two desks and two big bookcases and another huge closet! I could buy large trunks, or even those tupperware storage containers. The possibilities are endless! When TJ comes back home I expect him to be so sanctified that he won't even mind, and will gladly move over to share a room with Amy.
Ahhh, solution found. Post Christmas Blues over.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
My Golden Birthday
Thank you, everyone, for your kind comments wishing me many happy returns of the day on my birthday! The day was a singular experience.
First of all, it was the Brown family Christmas. Never a dull moment there. Whew.
And then came the most memorable part of the day. We all charged down to play volleyball, and we were having a grand time of it. In fact, I haven't played such good volleyball in ages. It really was a blast! Then there was one of those wild and high balls that could be anyone's, and I made the mistake of going for it with another, larger, taller, stronger person. My forehead made sharp contact with his elbow, and sent me flying un-gracefully to the ground. My my. I leaped up again, only slightly the worse for wear, when I felt something wet. Bother, I was bleeding. I departed the game (right across the other team's court - talk about interference!) and ran to the women's dorm upon discovering, in the gym entryway, a distinct lack of anything to staunch blood. By the time I got down there, blood was dripping off the end of my nose. What is it with me and head wounds? I looked in the mirror and saw a cute little stream of blood that neatly divided my head with a scarlet stripe from the top of my forehead to the tip of my nose. It was pretty funny. Anyway, I got some paper towel and cleaned my head and the sink as best I could before heading up to see Uncle Lewie.
Ah the joys of a grand entrance. Most of the adults were still up there, you see, waiting for the pizza to arrive. In I walked, asking for Uncle Lewie, and the throngs of horrified faces made the perfect gauntlet. Several aunts/uncles/cousins are in the medical profession, being EMTs, nurses, etc, so some were quite interested in following the proceedings and warning me of scars (right in the middle of the top of my forehead - I hope no one gets any wrong apocalyptic ideas), and looking on with joy as the butterfly bandages were applied.
How's that for a good birthday event? I was actually kind of pleased. There's no risk of this birthday being forgotten, and it's going to make a GREAT story when I get back to school. Aunt Debbie suggested I tell some wild tale of gangsters and brawls and stuff just to make it more exciting:)
Also on my birthday I got several lovely e-mails, blog comments, phone calls, and the like which made me feel remembered and loved. One highlight along those lines was a voice mail message I got of a huge crowd singing Happy Birthday. I had some guesses, but couldn't quite figure it out. Then I heard Lisa saying it was the whole Springer clan! Now how's that for a once-in-a-lifetime experience! I loved it!! Thanks, Lisa:)
I also had a lovely time with my family, opening presents (Mama prepared 26 separate presents for my golden birthday! Wow! This meant, of course, that some were stretches - I got some canned goods from the cellar for instance - but that made for some good laughs, and I was actually quite happy to get said canned goods!), hearing nephews sing happy birthday, and getting prayed for by people who love me.
Also, I was awakened at three minutes of midnight to a banging outside of my room. Outside, as in outside the house. I was half asleep still, and couldn't figure out what it was, except for perhaps the wind blowing ice chunks against the house. But that didn't really make sense. Then I thought perhaps gangsters were trying to get in (huh? you might say - but I have been having quite active dreams lately - I've already saved Dad from being murdered by pushing him off a large yacht of some kind before the bad guy could stab him). Finally I realized someone must be throwing snowballs at my window! I leaped from my bed, and promptly knocked by newly injured head against the window in an effort to see out. Yessss. But then I got the window open and saw KATIE! I hurried downstairs to let her in. She'd gotten in from GA earlier, and then remembered it was my birthday and came racing down to see me before it wasn't my birthday anymore. We've never seen each other on my birthday. She even came bearing gifts! It was the crowning touch to my birthday, and I headed back to bed very happy.
So there, my friends, were some events from my golden birthday. Hurrah for 26ness! So far so good.
First of all, it was the Brown family Christmas. Never a dull moment there. Whew.
And then came the most memorable part of the day. We all charged down to play volleyball, and we were having a grand time of it. In fact, I haven't played such good volleyball in ages. It really was a blast! Then there was one of those wild and high balls that could be anyone's, and I made the mistake of going for it with another, larger, taller, stronger person. My forehead made sharp contact with his elbow, and sent me flying un-gracefully to the ground. My my. I leaped up again, only slightly the worse for wear, when I felt something wet. Bother, I was bleeding. I departed the game (right across the other team's court - talk about interference!) and ran to the women's dorm upon discovering, in the gym entryway, a distinct lack of anything to staunch blood. By the time I got down there, blood was dripping off the end of my nose. What is it with me and head wounds? I looked in the mirror and saw a cute little stream of blood that neatly divided my head with a scarlet stripe from the top of my forehead to the tip of my nose. It was pretty funny. Anyway, I got some paper towel and cleaned my head and the sink as best I could before heading up to see Uncle Lewie.
Ah the joys of a grand entrance. Most of the adults were still up there, you see, waiting for the pizza to arrive. In I walked, asking for Uncle Lewie, and the throngs of horrified faces made the perfect gauntlet. Several aunts/uncles/cousins are in the medical profession, being EMTs, nurses, etc, so some were quite interested in following the proceedings and warning me of scars (right in the middle of the top of my forehead - I hope no one gets any wrong apocalyptic ideas), and looking on with joy as the butterfly bandages were applied.
How's that for a good birthday event? I was actually kind of pleased. There's no risk of this birthday being forgotten, and it's going to make a GREAT story when I get back to school. Aunt Debbie suggested I tell some wild tale of gangsters and brawls and stuff just to make it more exciting:)
Also on my birthday I got several lovely e-mails, blog comments, phone calls, and the like which made me feel remembered and loved. One highlight along those lines was a voice mail message I got of a huge crowd singing Happy Birthday. I had some guesses, but couldn't quite figure it out. Then I heard Lisa saying it was the whole Springer clan! Now how's that for a once-in-a-lifetime experience! I loved it!! Thanks, Lisa:)
I also had a lovely time with my family, opening presents (Mama prepared 26 separate presents for my golden birthday! Wow! This meant, of course, that some were stretches - I got some canned goods from the cellar for instance - but that made for some good laughs, and I was actually quite happy to get said canned goods!), hearing nephews sing happy birthday, and getting prayed for by people who love me.
Also, I was awakened at three minutes of midnight to a banging outside of my room. Outside, as in outside the house. I was half asleep still, and couldn't figure out what it was, except for perhaps the wind blowing ice chunks against the house. But that didn't really make sense. Then I thought perhaps gangsters were trying to get in (huh? you might say - but I have been having quite active dreams lately - I've already saved Dad from being murdered by pushing him off a large yacht of some kind before the bad guy could stab him). Finally I realized someone must be throwing snowballs at my window! I leaped from my bed, and promptly knocked by newly injured head against the window in an effort to see out. Yessss. But then I got the window open and saw KATIE! I hurried downstairs to let her in. She'd gotten in from GA earlier, and then remembered it was my birthday and came racing down to see me before it wasn't my birthday anymore. We've never seen each other on my birthday. She even came bearing gifts! It was the crowning touch to my birthday, and I headed back to bed very happy.
So there, my friends, were some events from my golden birthday. Hurrah for 26ness! So far so good.
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Merry Christmas from me, too!
Merry Christmas, dear friends! I had a wonderful day with my family, and I'm feeling very thankful. I wanted to give some public worship to my Jesus before the day is done. I'm so unutterably glad that we have a Savior who KNOWS -- One who came and lived a complete life here on earth, a life with all its human ups and downs, experiences and limitations, and hurts and pleasures great and small. I found this quote from Charles Spurgeon tonight that I really liked:
"Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendour."
Praise the Lord for His unspeakable gift, which we've only begun to open!
"Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendour."
Praise the Lord for His unspeakable gift, which we've only begun to open!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to One and All!
I love Christmas so much every year, and especially in recent years when I have begun to grasp what it's all really about. The Wonder of the season is fresh each year, most often conveyed to me through a Christmas Carol. In light of that, I thought I'd share some of my favorite Christmas Carol phrases of this year:
A thrill of Hope, the Weary World Rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
- From O Holy Night
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King!
- From O Holy Night
Son of God, Love's pure Light.
- From Silent Night
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris'n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
- From Hark the Herald Angels Sing (this year's favorite)
May the Joy and Peace and Love that is Christmas, be yours today and all year!
I love Christmas so much every year, and especially in recent years when I have begun to grasp what it's all really about. The Wonder of the season is fresh each year, most often conveyed to me through a Christmas Carol. In light of that, I thought I'd share some of my favorite Christmas Carol phrases of this year:
A thrill of Hope, the Weary World Rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
- From O Holy Night
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King!
- From O Holy Night
Son of God, Love's pure Light.
- From Silent Night
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris'n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
- From Hark the Herald Angels Sing (this year's favorite)
May the Joy and Peace and Love that is Christmas, be yours today and all year!
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