Learning more than subject matter...
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Posted:Aug 23, 2008 3:35 am
Last Updated:Aug 25, 2008 2:16 pm 1289 Views
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I am a support teacher that co-teaches with several other teachers. I enjoy this capacity because it enables me to see students interacting with the various personalities among the other teachers.
For instance, there is one teacher I teach with who refers to all her students as "friends." She'll say something like: "Now friends, how are we suppose to carry our books?" She has the type of personality that rarely shows emotion, she is very even-keeled. Students tend to be very quiet and reserved in this classroom.
On the other hand, across the hall is a teacher I teach with that is very expressive. She shows her disappointment, her joy, her pleasure in everything and anything her students do or things she tells them about herself. Students tend to be very expressive in her classroom.
We can all remember teachers that have influenced us in some way. I remember a teacher that I absolutely loved as a because she always seemed to have time for me. She listened to me and gave individualized attention to all her students.
I also remember the teachers I didn't like. These teachers were those I would consider today to be lacking in enthusiasm. They either projected a lack of concern in the subject matter or felt students were someone in which you had to have a power struggle with daily.
As a teacher myself I am interested in knowing what your favorite or not-so-favorite teachers were in your past. Why is that so? Tell me about the influence they had on you as a student. Did they inspire or demoralize? Were they fun or demeaning? Let me know...
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Is it just me or....?
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Posted:Aug 21, 2008 3:26 pm
Last Updated:Aug 22, 2008 1:23 pm 1376 Views
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Have the blogs been constipated? When I view the blogs today (Thursday, August 21), I only see blogs from the 19th and the 18th. Was no one on or blogging at all on the 20th and today??? I find that highly unlikely! What's the deal here?
Does anyone know?
I didn't miss something did I?
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Minimizing Sin???
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Posted:Aug 20, 2008 3:53 pm
Last Updated:Aug 21, 2008 3:07 pm 1256 Views
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I just finished reading Isaiah and now I am reading Jeremiah for my daily devotional. Those poor prophets. Nobody really cared for their message. Some of the kings from that time could really care less about leading the nation to worship and honor God (sound like any leaders you know???)
Then again, they didn't exactly give their messages in warm and fuzzy ways either. They offended some people, but they spoke what God commanded them to speak. I wonder if I could ever be that obedient?
Here is a portion of what I read today. It really spoke to me because lately I'm in one of those "my sin is ever before me" moods.
Jeremiah 3:4-5 "Have you not just called to me; 'My Father, my friend from my youth, will you always be angry? Will your wrath continue forever? This is how you talk, but you do all the evil you can." (NIV)
The commentary I referred to had this to say about those verses: "In spite of their great sin, the people of Israel continued to talk like they were God's . The only way they could do this was to minimize their sin. When we know we've done something wrong, we want to downplay the error and relieve some of the guilt we feel. As we minimize our sinfulness, we naturally shy away from making changes, and so we keep on sinning. But if we view every wrong attitude and action as a serious offense against God, we will begin to understand what living for God is all about. Is there any sin in your life that you've written off as too small to worry about? God says that we must confess and turn away from EVERY sin. (commentary from Life Applicaiton Bible)
How does this speak to you?
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This is what I'm talkin bout!
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Posted:Aug 17, 2008 12:47 pm
Last Updated:Aug 20, 2008 3:36 pm 1346 Views
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We sang this hymn in church today and I felt it reaffirmed my faith. Maybe you know it?
I Then Shall Live
I then shall live
as one who's been forgiven;
I'll walk with joy
to know my debts are paid.
I know my name
is clear before the Father;
I am his ,
and I am no longer afraid.
So greatly pardoned,
I'll forgive my brother;
The law of love,
I gladly will obey.
I then shall live
as one who's learned compassion
I've been so loved;
that I'll risk loving too.
I know how fear builds walls
instead of bridges;
I dare to see
another's point of view.
And when relationships
demand commitment,
Then I'll be there
to care and follow through.
Your kingdom come
Around and through and in me,
Your power and glory
let them shine thro' me.
Your Hallowed Name,
O may I bear with honor,
And may Your living Kingdom
come in me.
The Bread of Life,
O may I share with honor,
And may You feed
a hungry world through me.
Words by Gloria Gaither
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I can't believe it!!!
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Posted:Aug 3, 2008 6:22 pm
Last Updated:Aug 15, 2008 3:12 pm 1493 Views
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Ok, two days ago I posted some quotes by Helen Keller and talked about how you can't trust your senses.
Then yesterday, I posted my dilema with my bat visitor. I worried that the little bat was confused. After all, didn't he know he was suppose to be nocturnal! Maybe he was sick and couldn't hunt at night? Perhaps he was some random lone bat who didn't get along with all his little bat friends so, he came to my house every night just to hang!
So tonight, I sit in a place where I can keep an eye on my carport. I'm waiting and waiting and then it swoops in!
I can't believe it! It's a bird!!!! 
I laughed at myself! I thought it was a bat and it was a bird! Ok now, a bird I can live with. I am so relieved!
I guess I'm back to not trusting my senses again!
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Bats in the Bellfry
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Posted:Aug 2, 2008 5:56 pm
Last Updated:Aug 4, 2008 2:26 pm 1449 Views
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Or at least in my carport!! This morning very very early, I went to take my out for his pee break. When I turned on the carport light there was a bat perched up on a little ledge in my carport! He was just hanging out (no pun intended), but I was afraid he would try to attack me or something.
I went ahead and walked my anyway, and then scooted back in the house. Later when it was time to take my out to his pen and feed him, the bat was still there! Later on I checked and he had finally flown away.
I thought bats hunted at night and slept during the day?
So, tonight I go to take my on his last potty break of the evening and guess what!! The bat is back!! I guess he likes nesting/perching in my carport!
It creeps me out though. I know they eat bugs and things and I really should be grateful that he is here for pest control, but can't he just hang out in a tree like all his other bat buddies?
Is there such a thing a bat-be-gone? Is this some sort of omen? Or good-luck? Should I be bothered or not?
Karen
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Wisdom beyond sight
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Posted:Aug 1, 2008 4:23 am
Last Updated:Aug 4, 2008 2:26 pm 1361 Views
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I admire the wisdom of Helen Keller. She is such an inspiration to me. Her words teach me that maybe we should not trust our senses. May these quotes from her find inspiration in your heart too:
-Quotes by Helen Keller-
We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world.
Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much
The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart
No one has a right to consume happiness without producing it
Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties
Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood
Keep your face to the sunshine and you will never see the shadow
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved
I long to accomplish a great and noble task; but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble
What I am looking for is not "out there", it is in me
I can see, and that is why I can be happy, in what you call the dark, but which to me is golden. I can see a God-made world, not a manmade world
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Pain at the pump
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Posted:Jul 27, 2008 12:25 pm
Last Updated:Jul 29, 2008 6:37 pm 1440 Views
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According to Forbes, these are the top ten cities who are the worst for pain at the gas pump. These are not chosen necessarily because of the cost of gasoline in these cities but, they also factor in how far most working people have to commute in these particular cities to their jobs. Longer commutes = more gas expended.
Are any of them where you live? Go ahead whine about the gas prices. If you could do anything to remedy the situation what would you do?
Top 10 Worst Cities for Pain at the Pump:
10. Sacramento
9. Houston
8. Raleigh
7. Los Angeles
6. Birmingham
5. Chicago
4. Miami
3. D.C.
2. Atlanta
1. Riverside - San Bernandino CA
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Service please!
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Posted:Jul 27, 2008 3:34 am
Last Updated:Jul 29, 2008 6:39 pm 1347 Views
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Blame it on the traffic. Or the number of new immigrants. Or the allure of the beach. Whatever the reason, Miami has secured the bottom spot - No. 50 among major U.S. cities - in new rankings of the percentage of adults who volunteer.
Nationally, the volunteer rate fell in 2007 for the second year in a row, to 26.2 percent, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service, which is releasing its report Sunday. It showed Miami with a volunteerism rate of 14.5 percent, replacing Las Vegas in last place among major metropolitan areas.
The study notes that Miami's poverty rate and average commute times are slightly higher than the national average, while other factors influencing volunteerism - home ownership and education level - are slightly lower.
By region, the Midwest had the highest volunteer rate at 31.1 percent, followed by the West at 26.1, the South with 24.7 and the Northeast at 23.4. By state, Utah had the highest rate, 43.9 percent, followed by Nebraska, Minnesota, Alaska and Montana. Nevada had the lowest state rate, 17.7 percent; Florida and New York were the next lowest. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Salt Lake City and Portland, Ore., were the highest-ranked big cities, while New York City and Las Vegas were the lowest-ranked after Miami. Among 25 mid-size cities, Provo, Utah, came first with a 63 percent rate - the highest of any jurisdiction in the report.
Excerpts from an article by the Associated Press
After reading this article I wanted to share it with my fellow bloggers. I also wanted to ask: What areas of service do you perform? Do you volunteer in any capacity? What do you consider your calling in regarding to volunteerism?
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Is it Love or Lust?
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Posted:Jul 26, 2008 4:07 am
Last Updated:Sep 30, 2008 4:49 pm 1584 Views
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How to Know if Your Love is Real
You've met someone great online. The two of you seem to have hit it off and memories are building with each passing day. But how do you know if it is truly love that will last or if your feelings and the relationship are just a temporary attraction?
In a lifetime, the average person falls in love at least four times. But is it really love? Here are the communication, love, and respect signs to be aware of before you decide if the one you're dating is the right one for you:
I. Communication
Being honest with each other in a relationship is very important and it is also important that you get to know the person properly before you commit yourself. How well do you know each other? Is the only talking you do bedroom talk?
Good Signs:
-You talk openly about life issues such as finances, , things that frighten you, and each other's ambitions in life.
-You can argue and come to some sort of compromise at the end of it.
-You are open and honest with each other about your feelings.
Warning Signs:
-You only know his favorite color and what paper he reads. You are afraid to ask him in-depth questions about his life for fear of rejection or for fear of what you might find out.
-You don't discuss how you are feeling with each other and the frustration builds up in each of you, often causing you to resent each other.
-Neither of you is willing to forgive the other.
II. Love
A long lasting relationship/marriage can rarely survive without love. So is it love or are you just kidding yourself?
Good Signs:
-In a crisis you stand by each other no matter what the result.
-You make sacrifices to make the other person happy.
-You are truthful and honest and don't keep secrets from one another.
-You are emotionally, physically, and mentally compatible.
-You are friends as well as lovers.
Warning Signs:
-When the going gets tough, your partner gets going.
-Your partner has an eye for members of the opposite sex and has proved to be untrustworthy.
-Your partner lies to you about where he/she has been and only confesses when you find out the truth.
-There is little physical affection, laughter, or communication between the two of you.
-Your partner has been unfaithful on numerous occasions.
III. Respect
A relationship is about friendship, respect, and acceptance of one another. When there is lack of respect for the other trust and respect is replaced by suspicion and can slowly grow to hatred.
Good Signs:
-You are aware of your partner's faults and are able to accept some imperfections.
-You support and encourage each other's individual interests and identity.
-You take the time to listen and understand the other's point opinion.
Warning Signs:
-You criticize each other in front of others.
-Your partner will not give you space to indulge in your interests and wants to spend every minute of the day with you.
-You are constantly struggling to live up to your partner's standards or the person you think your partner wants you to be.
-You can't forgive and/or forget each other's mistakes.
Be aware and objective about your relationship. If you can't nurture it, then it may be time to leave. If it's strong, then building upon mutual love, respect, and communication will only make it stronger.
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