New obsession. Some of you may have heard some of your friends talk about it, heard it mentioned on tv, or have read about it on other discussion boards (i.e. ProTeacher Community...those women are obsessive!). A couple months back, my friend Catelyn sent me an invite to Pinterest. At the time, I was busy with wrapping up school and moving to NC for the summer so I didn't have a chance to dive into it at the time. However, the other day I saw all these teachers on ProTeacher Community writing about it and wanting "an invite." So I figured now is the time to really see what this website is about--there's no way it can be better than Google Image Search.
Oh my macrole, it is. I am addicted. Well, I wouldn't say addicted but this is WAY better than Google Image Search. On Pinterest you can set up different board interest (like collages) and search through other people's boards to pin their image to your inspiration board. For example, one of my boards is Home Collections (or something of that nature) and I have started collecting images of things I would like for our home. I find this way intriguing and a better use of my time. I have stumbled across some neat ideas and designs for not only the home but for the classroom. There are other areas I want to explore on Pinterest, such as the food section and fashion but that will come later. I just love that it organizes my images on boards instead of me having to create a file folder on my computer and filing them that way. Maybe I'm just lazy. But I am definitely hooked on Pinterest. Dern you, ProTeacher Community members and Catelyn.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
You Are What You Read
So this morning I was watching "Nemo." I love the quote Dori says towards the end when she is begging Nemo's dad to not leave her because she remembers things better when he is with her. That made me think about some my favorite quotes from children books I have read in the past. Often times I will be reading aloud to my class and find a good quote in a book. So, here are a list of my favorite quotes in children books. What are some of yours?
Every action, reader, no matter how small, has a consequence. -A Tale of Despereaux, Kate DiCamillo
I assure you that you can pick up more information when you are listening than when you are talking. -Trumpet of the Swan, E.B. White
Honey is sweet, and so is knowledge, but knowledge is like the bee that made that sweet honey, you have to chase it through the pages of a book. -Thank You, Mr. Falker; Patricia Polacco
Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh the things you can think up if you only try! -Dr. Seuss
Tbere are no small parts-only small actors. -The Best/Worst Christmas Pageant Ever; Barbara Robinson
It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. -Charlotte's Web, E.B. White
I am sure there are so many more quotes that I treasure but these are the ones that I thought of off the top of my head. What are yours? I would love to know!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
School Countdown
It's that time where my teacher friends and myself have started the (DA DA DUMMMM) "How many more days do I have to sleep in and stay in my pajamas" countdown.
Lately, the title of my countdown has been "Crapola-I-have-too-much-to-do-for-school-before-I-go-back-to-school" countdown.
I hung out with my sweet friend Lindsey last night and we started making my "list." At first my list consisted of basic school stuff I want to accomplish for my classroom. Then, the more we researched stuff online I was adding new ideas and concepts and drawing pictures all over my list.
Lindsey then made me review my list, throw it away, and start over. I had too much going on on my paper that I knew I would never get to. She is forcing me, thank goodness, to be realistic about what I want to really accomplish or need in my classroom. I found some new reading strategies I want to implement; a new math game for my center I need to prepare; some seats I want to construct; rearrange my classroom and my enormous retro plaid couch...Will I get these things done? Probably. Will it be before the first day of school? Um, probably not.
As teachers, we learn to simplify and come to terms with what we really can accomplishn for the school year, especially elementary school teachers. As for myself, the last few days I have been reflecting on last year (what worked and didn't work) and if I am going to do it again. I find great ideas and classroom management strategies that I want to create, use, and decorate immediately. But it's not always that easy or simple minded. I do overwhelemed and sometimes have to close my pretty notebook, shut down the computer, and just forget about school, which is pretty darn hard when I am this close to starting back to work.
But like an excited school kid that is getting the new bookbag, tennis shoes, and freshly waxed crayons, I do get excited when I see a penny ad in the newspaper and can smell freshly laminated paper. Even as I look down at my list and make mental notes of what I should do first to get ready for school, I am brought back to the current date and realize that I still have a little bit of summer vacay to enjoy.
Lately, the title of my countdown has been "Crapola-I-have-too-much-to-do-for-school-before-I-go-back-to-school" countdown.
I hung out with my sweet friend Lindsey last night and we started making my "list." At first my list consisted of basic school stuff I want to accomplish for my classroom. Then, the more we researched stuff online I was adding new ideas and concepts and drawing pictures all over my list.
Lindsey then made me review my list, throw it away, and start over. I had too much going on on my paper that I knew I would never get to. She is forcing me, thank goodness, to be realistic about what I want to really accomplish or need in my classroom. I found some new reading strategies I want to implement; a new math game for my center I need to prepare; some seats I want to construct; rearrange my classroom and my enormous retro plaid couch...Will I get these things done? Probably. Will it be before the first day of school? Um, probably not.
As teachers, we learn to simplify and come to terms with what we really can accomplishn for the school year, especially elementary school teachers. As for myself, the last few days I have been reflecting on last year (what worked and didn't work) and if I am going to do it again. I find great ideas and classroom management strategies that I want to create, use, and decorate immediately. But it's not always that easy or simple minded. I do overwhelemed and sometimes have to close my pretty notebook, shut down the computer, and just forget about school, which is pretty darn hard when I am this close to starting back to work.
But like an excited school kid that is getting the new bookbag, tennis shoes, and freshly waxed crayons, I do get excited when I see a penny ad in the newspaper and can smell freshly laminated paper. Even as I look down at my list and make mental notes of what I should do first to get ready for school, I am brought back to the current date and realize that I still have a little bit of summer vacay to enjoy.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
"I Wish I Were a House Wife"
I know I may come off sounding ungrateful at the start of this post but just stay with me.
I love having my summer free. My schedule is as follows.
Wake at 6:30, roll back over til 10 AM. Fix coffee, eat a huge bowl of cereal on the couch, lay around til 12 on the couch watching Dr. Phil (for therapy) and a random movie (today it was The Freedrom Writers). Run the dishwasher, start some laundry, munch, munch, munch. Debate on running errands. Do some more laundry. Take a nap. Josh comes home, then do whatever our energy provides us to do (typically Lowe's).
With that being said, I like being lazy. But I do get lonely. :::sigh::: The life of the lonely "I wish I were a house wife." I use that term loosely. I have tried to throw myself into projects, such as decorating around the house but I only have so much money. I did clean Josh's office--that took all day and I felt reproductive. My future projects include finishing painting the kitchen, paint master bedroom, paint master bath... But who wants to paint by themselves? Not mention the task of Josh and I agreeing on paint colors. (Fingers crossed paint will be bought this weekend).
But anyway, am I considered a house wife? As mom would say, "I'm playing house." Which, I guess I am in a way. And I enjoy being up here with Josh during the summer because during the school year our schedules do not lend us too much time. I guess I need to stop complaining be more productive around the house. I mean it's not like I don't have anything to do. I have plenty to do. It's just getting my motivation in check.
What do you do that motivates you to get stuff done during the summer around the house? What makes you a house wife? Or a house husband? Or a house man/woman?
I love having my summer free. My schedule is as follows.
Wake at 6:30, roll back over til 10 AM. Fix coffee, eat a huge bowl of cereal on the couch, lay around til 12 on the couch watching Dr. Phil (for therapy) and a random movie (today it was The Freedrom Writers). Run the dishwasher, start some laundry, munch, munch, munch. Debate on running errands. Do some more laundry. Take a nap. Josh comes home, then do whatever our energy provides us to do (typically Lowe's).
With that being said, I like being lazy. But I do get lonely. :::sigh::: The life of the lonely "I wish I were a house wife." I use that term loosely. I have tried to throw myself into projects, such as decorating around the house but I only have so much money. I did clean Josh's office--that took all day and I felt reproductive. My future projects include finishing painting the kitchen, paint master bedroom, paint master bath... But who wants to paint by themselves? Not mention the task of Josh and I agreeing on paint colors. (Fingers crossed paint will be bought this weekend).
But anyway, am I considered a house wife? As mom would say, "I'm playing house." Which, I guess I am in a way. And I enjoy being up here with Josh during the summer because during the school year our schedules do not lend us too much time. I guess I need to stop complaining be more productive around the house. I mean it's not like I don't have anything to do. I have plenty to do. It's just getting my motivation in check.
What do you do that motivates you to get stuff done during the summer around the house? What makes you a house wife? Or a house husband? Or a house man/woman?
Monday, June 27, 2011
Summer Reading List...Thus Far
One thing that I look forward to do in the summer is to dive into my summer reading. Usually a couple weeks up to the start of summer break I make a list of books I want to read. This summer, I decided to wing it based off the website http://www.chicklitclub.com/. Amazing book finds and authors that I never heard of. I previewed their website several times. What I like about this website is that they have several editors/readers that read "chick lit" books and give their own personal reviews. I was able to compare my taste of my favorite previous reads to their previous favorite reads. They are continuously adding books to their list and updating their website. So, with that being said, I will start with my summer reads thus far
Book Number 4: Mating Rituals of the North American WASP by Lauren Lipton
So the title is a little off. When Camille asked what I was reading, her first response was, "Seriously? How wasps mate?" A New Yorker and a man who is from the old "English" get drunk one night and get married--uh oh! This leads to an insane plan and plot about the two staying married to please his great aunt and family will. This read was slow at some points and sometimes hard to get through. I felt like I kept being thrown between time changes because her New Yorker life is completely different from his old English style life. I finished it because of course I wanted to see what happens with the marriage in the end. Not really a beach read. It was a read that offered a different lifestyle view. Just goes to show be careful what you do in Vegas!
Book Number 5: Twenty Times a Lady by Karyn Bosnak
If you know me well, you know I'm an avid fan of read the book then watch the movie. While searching on Chick Lit Club, I found that they have a section for books that are becoming movies. This book is in production to become a movie with Anna Feris (I think). What I thought would be trashy ended up being really funny. I tried not to picture Anna Feris as the main character (the last time I did that, I was royally upset with The Last Song and Miley Cyrus). And I must say I was successful. Delilah Darling is on a conquest to reunite with her past 20 lovers and see if any "romance or connection" is still between them. What is hilarious is her past conquests that left Delilah and myself thinking, "What in the world...." It made me think what if I went back to my past loves and tried to reconnect with them to see what would happen between us. At the end, Delilah and myself realize that what we have in front of us is just perfect for us. A must read that I am crossing my fingers that the movie does not disappoint!
That's it so far. I'm currently in the middle of another read but I don't know want to report on it just yet....
Book Number 1: Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner
This is the sequel to "Good in Bed" which was hilarious but also heart-wrenching. "Certain Girls" focuses on Cannie and her daughter turning 13. Cannie must find the balance between her writing career, marriage to her doctor, and her daughter's biological father. Joy, the daughter, tries to reconnect with her biological father and grandfather to find out more from her past parent's relationship. The plot stays busy and is a constant story line. In the previous book, Cannie's voice was strong and the main narrator/point of view. In "Certain Girls," Joy expresses her feelings and takes the weight off of Cannie. You feel torn between Joy and Cannie and often times I found myself wanting to shake Cannie and talk to her myself, even though I am not a mother. Jennifer Weiner did a great job at this read--still funny, and sharp wit but focuses on some serious topics.
Book Number 2: Accidental It Girl by Libby Street.
Definitely a different read. This focuses on the life of a young woman who is a top selling paparazzi photographer. We see the pictures in the magazine and if you watch TMZ you get to see some of their photographers. However, this story focuses on the life of Sadie who takes pictures of hunk movie star Ethan that results in an accident with Ethan then giving Sadie a taste of her own medicine. I don't want to say too much about what happens in the book because I don't want to give too much of the events away. An easy read that is funny and really offers a point of view of celebrities verses the paparazzi.
This is the sequel to "Good in Bed" which was hilarious but also heart-wrenching. "Certain Girls" focuses on Cannie and her daughter turning 13. Cannie must find the balance between her writing career, marriage to her doctor, and her daughter's biological father. Joy, the daughter, tries to reconnect with her biological father and grandfather to find out more from her past parent's relationship. The plot stays busy and is a constant story line. In the previous book, Cannie's voice was strong and the main narrator/point of view. In "Certain Girls," Joy expresses her feelings and takes the weight off of Cannie. You feel torn between Joy and Cannie and often times I found myself wanting to shake Cannie and talk to her myself, even though I am not a mother. Jennifer Weiner did a great job at this read--still funny, and sharp wit but focuses on some serious topics.Book Number 2: Accidental It Girl by Libby Street.
Definitely a different read. This focuses on the life of a young woman who is a top selling paparazzi photographer. We see the pictures in the magazine and if you watch TMZ you get to see some of their photographers. However, this story focuses on the life of Sadie who takes pictures of hunk movie star Ethan that results in an accident with Ethan then giving Sadie a taste of her own medicine. I don't want to say too much about what happens in the book because I don't want to give too much of the events away. An easy read that is funny and really offers a point of view of celebrities verses the paparazzi.Book Number 3: Stupid and Contagious by Caprice Cane
Ok. You have to admit the title has caught your attention. Any book that says "Stupid and Contagious" makes you wonder what the story is about because oftentimes I think stupidity is contagious. I debated on if I should have downloaded this book to read and if it would be worth my time reading. The dialogue bounces back and forth between Heaven and Brady who have two different life aspirations but end up somehow taking a road trip together, against Brady's desire. Some parts of the book were a little off but the laugh out loud moments and mouth dropping events overcame the awkwardness of the book. A short read that makes you want a cup of coffee after reading.
Book Number 4: Mating Rituals of the North American WASP by Lauren Lipton
So the title is a little off. When Camille asked what I was reading, her first response was, "Seriously? How wasps mate?" A New Yorker and a man who is from the old "English" get drunk one night and get married--uh oh! This leads to an insane plan and plot about the two staying married to please his great aunt and family will. This read was slow at some points and sometimes hard to get through. I felt like I kept being thrown between time changes because her New Yorker life is completely different from his old English style life. I finished it because of course I wanted to see what happens with the marriage in the end. Not really a beach read. It was a read that offered a different lifestyle view. Just goes to show be careful what you do in Vegas!Book Number 5: Twenty Times a Lady by Karyn Bosnak
If you know me well, you know I'm an avid fan of read the book then watch the movie. While searching on Chick Lit Club, I found that they have a section for books that are becoming movies. This book is in production to become a movie with Anna Feris (I think). What I thought would be trashy ended up being really funny. I tried not to picture Anna Feris as the main character (the last time I did that, I was royally upset with The Last Song and Miley Cyrus). And I must say I was successful. Delilah Darling is on a conquest to reunite with her past 20 lovers and see if any "romance or connection" is still between them. What is hilarious is her past conquests that left Delilah and myself thinking, "What in the world...." It made me think what if I went back to my past loves and tried to reconnect with them to see what would happen between us. At the end, Delilah and myself realize that what we have in front of us is just perfect for us. A must read that I am crossing my fingers that the movie does not disappoint!
That's it so far. I'm currently in the middle of another read but I don't know want to report on it just yet....
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Ta-Da!
Don't you love my new layout?
Since returning to the blogger world, Blogger finally decided to give some templates to use instead of me searching and hunting all over the world wide web to find something uber cute. And ta-da! I found one that I love!
Chances are, however, that it will change in the next week.
I know this isn't much of a Welcome Back Kotter Special, but tomorrow, I am kicking off the weekend with the five summer books I have read thus-far. I know you are anxious.
Since returning to the blogger world, Blogger finally decided to give some templates to use instead of me searching and hunting all over the world wide web to find something uber cute. And ta-da! I found one that I love!
Chances are, however, that it will change in the next week.
I know this isn't much of a Welcome Back Kotter Special, but tomorrow, I am kicking off the weekend with the five summer books I have read thus-far. I know you are anxious.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Is It True?
Yes, it is.
It's hard to believe.
When I think about it, my heart starts to beat really fast.
I have broken into a sweat a few times today.
My feet have grown cold because I'm nervous.
My stomach has been knots. I don't know how I kept lunch down.
Oh yeah, I went to the bathroom so it didn't stay too long.
No, this can't be true.
I guess I need to put my big girl panties and deal with it.
School starts back tomorrow.
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