Who needs mojo when you've got moxie?
1 week ago
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Hangin’ with Gwynnie
Once a week or so Gwyneth Paltrow sends me an E-mail.
She has a new web site called GOOP. I haven’t quite wrapped my head around the name yet, but the long and short of it is that she send little tips out for things to do cook and make. Call it lifestyle tips from the anti Martha. If you were ever curious about what “Uber expensie” ( that was for you Hassan!) boutique hotel to book while you are in Paris, Gwyneth has rushed to the rescue with recommendations from her own and fortunate friends travels. These days she is hanging out in the kitchen with celeb chef Mario Battali and various other unexpected characters.
It would be easy to look up our noses at Gwyneth and her blessed life style. But let’s face it, how many celebrities are staying out of the tabloids and attempting to lead productive and fulfilling lives while suffering the burden of never having to worry about money again? Far too many are marinating in their own fabulous vapidity or working their way around the United Nations child collecting. Nevertheless, rich people deserve our compassion, too. I applaud Gwyneth for sharing parts of herself that are creative and useful.
I am feeling particularly close to Gwyneth this week because….Three years ago, my car was rear ended by two cars and I have had pain in my neck ever since. So yesterday I tried Acupuncture for the first time. Wow. I had a needle placed in my “third eye” and various other places, but the most impressive thing that happened was the cupping. This is an Eastern treatment method that uses suction to increase localized circulation to help with pain and muscle strain. Evidence left are large polka dots that resemble hickeys all over my back. Nice. The process was fascinating and I am anxious to feel some relief after a series of treatments. Apparently I have a lot of fire and stress. Hmmm.
An interesting side note is that I used to be called to do child abuse investigations at day care centers that had Vietnamese children whose grandmothers had done cupping or coining to draw out toxins and other negative things when they were sick. I remember trying to explain this cultural practice to daycare providers and how they were so aghast. That thought kept going through my mind as I lay there voluntarily having my petechia imploded and I thinking about how we all benefit from a poke in the third eye once in a while. Maybe it will improve our vision.
She has a new web site called GOOP. I haven’t quite wrapped my head around the name yet, but the long and short of it is that she send little tips out for things to do cook and make. Call it lifestyle tips from the anti Martha. If you were ever curious about what “Uber expensie” ( that was for you Hassan!) boutique hotel to book while you are in Paris, Gwyneth has rushed to the rescue with recommendations from her own and fortunate friends travels. These days she is hanging out in the kitchen with celeb chef Mario Battali and various other unexpected characters.
It would be easy to look up our noses at Gwyneth and her blessed life style. But let’s face it, how many celebrities are staying out of the tabloids and attempting to lead productive and fulfilling lives while suffering the burden of never having to worry about money again? Far too many are marinating in their own fabulous vapidity or working their way around the United Nations child collecting. Nevertheless, rich people deserve our compassion, too. I applaud Gwyneth for sharing parts of herself that are creative and useful.
I am feeling particularly close to Gwyneth this week because….Three years ago, my car was rear ended by two cars and I have had pain in my neck ever since. So yesterday I tried Acupuncture for the first time. Wow. I had a needle placed in my “third eye” and various other places, but the most impressive thing that happened was the cupping. This is an Eastern treatment method that uses suction to increase localized circulation to help with pain and muscle strain. Evidence left are large polka dots that resemble hickeys all over my back. Nice. The process was fascinating and I am anxious to feel some relief after a series of treatments. Apparently I have a lot of fire and stress. Hmmm.
An interesting side note is that I used to be called to do child abuse investigations at day care centers that had Vietnamese children whose grandmothers had done cupping or coining to draw out toxins and other negative things when they were sick. I remember trying to explain this cultural practice to daycare providers and how they were so aghast. That thought kept going through my mind as I lay there voluntarily having my petechia imploded and I thinking about how we all benefit from a poke in the third eye once in a while. Maybe it will improve our vision.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Random
1)The most fabulous thing anyone has ever said about your eyes?
I have a giant smile. No one notices my eyes.
2) What's on your keychain?
I still have the first key chain that I bought after getting my license too many years ago to say. The Key chain is a pewter cherub peeking out from a heart, so worn that the pert naked bottom has receded into the soft metal, barely recognizable and getting more decent every day.
3)How do you like your coffee?
This is the story of my first cup of coffee ever in London… (Yep. That one.)
Plumes of steam expelled explosively from the loins of the iron caterpillar as they grumble to a stop on the well worn path. I contemplate our debarkation, approach a stall and attempt to interpret the foreign names of unfamiliar beverage, letters embellished well beyond recognition of beans and milk.He turns with the ultimate product of his creativity and salutes me.
“Bella!”.
I Cradle the warm paper vessel, and commit this moment to memory, a secret ingredient that will morph the future flavor of each cup that I imbibe.
Oh, and it was a cappuccino.
4)What drink would he make for you? A Russellrita (raspberry margarita). I love tequila.
5) Do you dream? Yes. They are all here to read.
6)What do you have for Saturday morning breakfast?
Bagel and lox.
Now it's your turn. Go ahead.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
A Literary Affair
Worship at the altar of words
Live the diphthongs and digraphs transmuted
Becoming sensation, memory, tears
Lounge in the sweet ruffled bed of terminology
Lexile lover stroke paragraphs
Into the dreams fingers transcribe
Live the diphthongs and digraphs transmuted
Becoming sensation, memory, tears
Lounge in the sweet ruffled bed of terminology
Lexile lover stroke paragraphs
Into the dreams fingers transcribe
Sunday, March 22, 2009
What is Success?
Here is what to put on my epitaph;
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty; To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patchor a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty; To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patchor a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Sole Mates
You know life sometimes brings you people who just make your life better. You can smile just because you know they are walking on the planet beside you. I have a bunch of those people. I saw one of them at one of the other one's homes last night where I was celebrating my Irish DNA with gelatin. Thanks Gram! I'm gonna send you a bag of "BEDadas".
Any way, I was telling my bright eyed friend about my job search and the awesome reference letter my friend Louise wrote for me (Thelma). Now this letter verges on the rhapsodic, which is how we are together, and I may well not ever be hired for any job I submit this to, because it's clear it was written my lovah. However, it is a master’s class on how to get remembered, or at least entertain beleaguered human resource managers. Bright Eyes said "You have got to post that thing on the blog!". So here it goes…Credit to Louise for the comic material and to Bright Eyes for the bright idea. Names changed to protect the giggling.
Mwa! to you both…
March 10, 2009
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing this letter to give my highest possible recommendation for Thelma. I first met Thelma when she became a paraprofessional in the Autism Program at Utopia High School in 2004, a program in which I co-taught. In this position, she became an important asset to our program and when a full-time teaching position in this program became available, she was a natural candidate.
Thelma proved to be exceptional in the administration of her duties as resource “teacher” for these challenging students. However, her true passion resided in the emotional and social development of these adolescents. Students, even students with disabilities, could sense the instinctive “counselor” in her. I can remember many days when our students (and general education students who came to know Ms. Thelma) were lined up at her desk waiting for a moment of her time and attention, in hopes of resolving some “personal crisis.”
I have seen her de-escalate potentially dangerous students with resolve and reflection, personality and precision, and at all times, with humor and “in heels.” She has dodged flying desks, physically restrained students who were a danger to themselves and others, and effectively removed students from the general education classroom without conflict or hesitation. Her patience and ability to work with all students, even students considered at-risk, mentally or emotionally handicapped or a behavior problem is boundless. Furthermore, Thelma has an uncanny ability to offer incomparable insight into the exact psychological motivations for a student’s behavioral manifestations (both academically and socially.)
In closing, I must mention Thelma character and work ethic, both of which are beyond reproach. Her professionalism in corresponding with parents and colleagues is exemplary and not restricted to the technological tools of the modern era. She is just as effective (maybe more so) at communicating face to face as she is on the phone or in an email. She is a tireless worker, often meeting with me in the hours before or after school to compare meeting notes or finalize an IEP. Her dedication to excellence in her performance is unwavering and she is not afraid to seek information or resources in her quest for quality.
It is with unbridled enthusiasm that I recommend Thelma for a counseling position at your school. You will not only gain a remarkable counselor, but an invaluable team member and a staunch advocate for both students and staff. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Louise
Any way, I was telling my bright eyed friend about my job search and the awesome reference letter my friend Louise wrote for me (Thelma). Now this letter verges on the rhapsodic, which is how we are together, and I may well not ever be hired for any job I submit this to, because it's clear it was written my lovah. However, it is a master’s class on how to get remembered, or at least entertain beleaguered human resource managers. Bright Eyes said "You have got to post that thing on the blog!". So here it goes…Credit to Louise for the comic material and to Bright Eyes for the bright idea. Names changed to protect the giggling.
Mwa! to you both…
March 10, 2009
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing this letter to give my highest possible recommendation for Thelma. I first met Thelma when she became a paraprofessional in the Autism Program at Utopia High School in 2004, a program in which I co-taught. In this position, she became an important asset to our program and when a full-time teaching position in this program became available, she was a natural candidate.
Thelma proved to be exceptional in the administration of her duties as resource “teacher” for these challenging students. However, her true passion resided in the emotional and social development of these adolescents. Students, even students with disabilities, could sense the instinctive “counselor” in her. I can remember many days when our students (and general education students who came to know Ms. Thelma) were lined up at her desk waiting for a moment of her time and attention, in hopes of resolving some “personal crisis.”
I have seen her de-escalate potentially dangerous students with resolve and reflection, personality and precision, and at all times, with humor and “in heels.” She has dodged flying desks, physically restrained students who were a danger to themselves and others, and effectively removed students from the general education classroom without conflict or hesitation. Her patience and ability to work with all students, even students considered at-risk, mentally or emotionally handicapped or a behavior problem is boundless. Furthermore, Thelma has an uncanny ability to offer incomparable insight into the exact psychological motivations for a student’s behavioral manifestations (both academically and socially.)
In closing, I must mention Thelma character and work ethic, both of which are beyond reproach. Her professionalism in corresponding with parents and colleagues is exemplary and not restricted to the technological tools of the modern era. She is just as effective (maybe more so) at communicating face to face as she is on the phone or in an email. She is a tireless worker, often meeting with me in the hours before or after school to compare meeting notes or finalize an IEP. Her dedication to excellence in her performance is unwavering and she is not afraid to seek information or resources in her quest for quality.
It is with unbridled enthusiasm that I recommend Thelma for a counseling position at your school. You will not only gain a remarkable counselor, but an invaluable team member and a staunch advocate for both students and staff. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Louise
Friday, March 6, 2009
The Plum Book
This is a post I made to the discussion board this week for my School Counseling Internship.
It may not come as a shock that, back in November, I applied for a job with the Obama administration. This was an act of patriotism and blind optimism on my part for two reasons;
1) I am a Canadian Citizen (which surprisingly didn’t disqualify me immediately) and…
2) I have a Syrian born Brother-in-law, fresh back from a trip to Cuba (I love you Hassan!).
This latter issue may also not eliminate me immediately, but I am no one’s fool. I watched every episode of the X-files.
No one has called me yet.
During the course of my practicing due diligence in the research of any potential role I may take in this new administration, I found the Plum Book.
“Every four years, just after the Presidential election, the United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions, commonly known as the Plum Book, is published, alternately, by the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs and the House Committee on Government Reform. The Plum Book is used to identify presidentially appointed positions within the Federal Government.”
The Plum book describes almost 7000 positions form entry level to the highest posts that are filled by presidential appointment at the beginning of a new Term. The Plum Book got it’s catchy name (and spiffy cover color) from the idea that government jobs are “plum jobs”. Not surprisingly, a government job is no way to get rich (you have the qualifications of a brain surgeon), and your tenure will change with the next presidential transition. However, I viewed it as a once in a lifetime chance to contribute to the greater good and quite an experience to add to the resume (that thing that is on all our minds and desk tops).
Continuing on with my research, I found that the Plum Book had a companion, called the Prune Book. This is the balancing counterpart to explain how to survive the many challenges facing presidential appointees.
Here is where I come to my point and tie it all up with a tidy bow for our school counseling discussion board (hang in there with me). In perusing some sample chapters, I found a list of personal qualities recommended to assist in surviving Washington that I felt had a relevant application to our new positions as school counselors. They are as follows;
Chapter: How to survive in Washington;
1. Team work
2. Humility
3. Focus
4. Patience
5. A sense of humor
As we embark on a transition of our own, we each have to forge our own way and find our niche, exercising our strengths, and finding ways to turn our weaknesses into opportunities to grow, helping in big, splashy ways, or in tiny, everyday kindnesses. I think this is excellent advice. When reflecting on this list, I also think it is a good reminder that school counselors are called to be agents of change as much as any elected, appointed or civil servant in Washington.
Now get out there and change the world!
The 2004 Prune Book Top Management Challenges for Presidential Appointees
John H. Trattner with Patricia McGinnis, Brookings Institution Press and Council For Excellence In Government 2004 c. 117pp.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Reading and Procrastination
Let me start by saying I have Soooooo much else I should be doing right now, but some how a little procrastination does a body good. There's nothing like pressure to inspire one to get the job done. What job you say? Oh, the three extra assignments I just ( stupidly) volunteered to provide to my professor by Friday, the presentation, the lesson plan and observation ( by my boss), the multiple letters of reccommendation, where I barely avoid lying to get my darling students into college, resume and job applications, course descriptions to order ...etc ad nauseum.Oh! I finished another class on Saturday- final exam and presentation. Also wrote a song and four pages of poetry waiting to get finished while watching five hours of other presentations. (Don't worry, I wasn't obvious.) That would be rude.
What are you reading these days? Here's a list that I currently have on the night stand;
2666, Roberto Bolano
Echoes of Beaudelaire, selected poems
Money, by Martin Amis
Revoloutionary Road, by richard Yates
The collected works of E.M. Forrester
A Passage to India, by E.M. Forrester
The Audacity of Hope and Dreams From My Father, by Barrack Obama
John Adams, by David McCullough
Pursuasion, Jane Austen
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
The Historian, by Elizabeth Kostova
The Shack, by WM Paul Young (Meh!- just holding up the alarm clock)
Brass, by Helen Walsh
Love Letters
Paris to the Moon , by Adam Gopnick
Uh Oh! It's clear I have a problem or should have been a librarian. But I love books and just have to have them all! I am currently reading three simultaneously. Others are on deck. Others have been read. When I was a child, I pictured a cozy home with rooms lined with books. I am on my way.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Moving along...
I am nearing the end of my internship and am ready to be free of school. I have mentioned before that I am a High School Special Education teacher and in Graduate school with Intermediate and Elementary school aged kids which means I am pretty tired of homework!
Spring is in the air and change is in order. I went to class tonight and practiced how to behave in a job interview. Nothing like a few years to make one look askance at their resume and wonder what their chances are in the swarm of new grads swimming up stream to multiply and take the good jobs. I am pretty sure a sex change would guarantee me the job of my choice but I am pretty committed to the shell I got, as unpreserved as it is.
Just for posterity, since Facebook apparently owns everything I write there from now on, I will post the 25 Random Things that I wrote about myself and obsessive as I am, I may continue to read it and edit it in perpetuity until it is perfect which will be...never. But isn't that life? Mind dump, edit, erase and improve and keep writing.
1. I am about to be 39 years old which I have mixed feelings about. On one hand I feel wise and that I have arrived at exactly the place I should be. On the other hand, 39 feels like a lie and I secretly ask myself why I haven’t preserved my ass as well as Jennifer Aniston has preserved hers… and another part of me says “Who cares?”. As Amy grant once said “I wasn’t a bathing suit model when I was 20 either”. (or something like that). I think I will grow my hair back because I secretly fear I cut off my mojo.
2. I have a lot of talents but sometimes I think not one of them has been used to their potential. I want to be a back up singer for anyone who will have me ( I’m not picky, just want to sing). I also think I will write a book or a screen play someday. Why not? Other people do it? I just have to let go of my parachute.
3. I have been a Special Education teacher, a social worker and mom and still I feel like it might be selfish to do something fluffy like writing, art, design or music. I‘m waiting for a sign that I’ve paid my life’s dues.
4. I looked into my mother’s eyes while she died and it changed me forever.5. I hate games of all sorts. I care nothing for competition except against myself. Soduko puzzles make me contemplate sticking something sharp in my own arm.6. I get a physical rash if I try to lie. I get the same rash if I try to do math. If I was ever to play poker (which you know I would never do if you read number 5.) You would never know if I was lying or trying to add my cards. Same difference.
7. I have an intellectual curiosity that eats facts like a wood chipper. I can get excited about just about anything and obsessively research it and enthusiastically discuss it until I forget everything and replace it with a new obsession.
8. I used to read (look at pictures) in decorating magazines endlessly and now I use the internet to do that. This solves one problem and creates another. Magazines don’t fill up my space, but my husband is annoyed that I have my face in my computer all the time. Grayson calls me “Cyber Mom”.
9. I have created a blog called the Ya Ya Diaries that I have never shown to anyone and I am most proud of the fact that I figured out how to add a falling snow effect on a picture of our house on a winter’s night.
10. I write poetry in the window of a French translator. It makes me feel inspired thinking about chic Parisians nodding their heads and agreeing the anonymous author is a true poet.
11. I feel guilty that every one of these entries begins with “I”. I sometimes worry that I sound obnoxious when I talk about myself too much when what I am really trying to do is make other’s feel more comfortable by opening up about myself first. ( See? Waaay too many “I’s”).
12. My favorite colour is robin’s egg blue. I could live in a bead board box filled with shells and flowers extend my life. I love the soundtrack to The Holiday and I play one song over and over again on my I-pod so I can sleep when Randy snores.
13. Bad feng shui in a room makes me physically uncomfortable, so do crooked fences and ugly tile.
14. I went to London once with my friend and she treated me to my first ever facial at Harrods for my birthday and I was ruined because it was so perfect.
15. I love to be snowed in.
16. I love to read. I could read almost anything. When I was a little girl I would go to play at my friend Elizabeth’s house and she would be annoyed with me because all I wanted to do was read her books. My teacher Miss Strickland would take my books away from me at recess to force me to socialize. I read a book a night under the covers and one under my desk everyday. My favorite books are The Kite Runner and I Capture the Castle, today.
17. I applied for a job with Obama administration but I know they will never hire me because I am a Canadian citizen with a Syrian born brother-in–law ,fresh back from Cuba, whom I love. It was fun to think about helping to make a difference.
18. I have been an undercover counselor working as a teacher for the last four years and am finishing my Master’s Degree in Education (which I secretly wish was in creative writing, or art or social work) and School Counselor Certification. It will be a relief to finally be called a counselor again because I could not care less about giving kids grades, I want to know how they are doing.
19. The more I know the more I know I don’t know. I hope my daughter feels anything is possible. I can't stand rules but I always follow them.
20. If I ever got a tattoo (and I won’t) it would be a seahorse.
21. I get sucked into tacky reality television from time to time because of the psychology. I love to figure people out and have compassion for almost anyone. This is a problem for me because I cannot stay angry long enough to protect myself when someone hurts me. Which brings me to the next point…
22. I wish I could remember…almost anything. I can recall what my students say to me about their lives, a 1x1 inch picture in some random magazine from five years ago, a store 500 miles away, a detail on the hem of a dress, but I cannot remember Randy’s office number at work. Thank God he now works from home! I am also amazed when my sister tells me something that happened when we were kids that I don’t remember. It’s like I wasn’t even there!
23. People in my classes at graduate school always tell me that I should be teaching the class which is just more proof to me that I talk too much.
24. I recently took a personality inventory and found out that I am an introvert even though no one I know would ever describe me as anything but an extrovert (You know you would!). I really prefer quiet pursuits like reading watching movies, drawing and thinking. (Except when I am impersonating Shania at karaoke- what can I say? I am an enigma.)
25. I am torn. I love Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. They soothe my soul. I love to decorate and landscape my home. Creating something makes me very happy. Then sometimes I don’t want to possess anything and travel the world or live in London with everything I own fitting into a Birkin bag. (I am snorting. Please tell me someone else thinks that’s as funny as I do.)
Spring is in the air and change is in order. I went to class tonight and practiced how to behave in a job interview. Nothing like a few years to make one look askance at their resume and wonder what their chances are in the swarm of new grads swimming up stream to multiply and take the good jobs. I am pretty sure a sex change would guarantee me the job of my choice but I am pretty committed to the shell I got, as unpreserved as it is.
Just for posterity, since Facebook apparently owns everything I write there from now on, I will post the 25 Random Things that I wrote about myself and obsessive as I am, I may continue to read it and edit it in perpetuity until it is perfect which will be...never. But isn't that life? Mind dump, edit, erase and improve and keep writing.
1. I am about to be 39 years old which I have mixed feelings about. On one hand I feel wise and that I have arrived at exactly the place I should be. On the other hand, 39 feels like a lie and I secretly ask myself why I haven’t preserved my ass as well as Jennifer Aniston has preserved hers… and another part of me says “Who cares?”. As Amy grant once said “I wasn’t a bathing suit model when I was 20 either”. (or something like that). I think I will grow my hair back because I secretly fear I cut off my mojo.
2. I have a lot of talents but sometimes I think not one of them has been used to their potential. I want to be a back up singer for anyone who will have me ( I’m not picky, just want to sing). I also think I will write a book or a screen play someday. Why not? Other people do it? I just have to let go of my parachute.
3. I have been a Special Education teacher, a social worker and mom and still I feel like it might be selfish to do something fluffy like writing, art, design or music. I‘m waiting for a sign that I’ve paid my life’s dues.
4. I looked into my mother’s eyes while she died and it changed me forever.5. I hate games of all sorts. I care nothing for competition except against myself. Soduko puzzles make me contemplate sticking something sharp in my own arm.6. I get a physical rash if I try to lie. I get the same rash if I try to do math. If I was ever to play poker (which you know I would never do if you read number 5.) You would never know if I was lying or trying to add my cards. Same difference.
7. I have an intellectual curiosity that eats facts like a wood chipper. I can get excited about just about anything and obsessively research it and enthusiastically discuss it until I forget everything and replace it with a new obsession.
8. I used to read (look at pictures) in decorating magazines endlessly and now I use the internet to do that. This solves one problem and creates another. Magazines don’t fill up my space, but my husband is annoyed that I have my face in my computer all the time. Grayson calls me “Cyber Mom”.
9. I have created a blog called the Ya Ya Diaries that I have never shown to anyone and I am most proud of the fact that I figured out how to add a falling snow effect on a picture of our house on a winter’s night.
10. I write poetry in the window of a French translator. It makes me feel inspired thinking about chic Parisians nodding their heads and agreeing the anonymous author is a true poet.
11. I feel guilty that every one of these entries begins with “I”. I sometimes worry that I sound obnoxious when I talk about myself too much when what I am really trying to do is make other’s feel more comfortable by opening up about myself first. ( See? Waaay too many “I’s”).
12. My favorite colour is robin’s egg blue. I could live in a bead board box filled with shells and flowers extend my life. I love the soundtrack to The Holiday and I play one song over and over again on my I-pod so I can sleep when Randy snores.
13. Bad feng shui in a room makes me physically uncomfortable, so do crooked fences and ugly tile.
14. I went to London once with my friend and she treated me to my first ever facial at Harrods for my birthday and I was ruined because it was so perfect.
15. I love to be snowed in.
16. I love to read. I could read almost anything. When I was a little girl I would go to play at my friend Elizabeth’s house and she would be annoyed with me because all I wanted to do was read her books. My teacher Miss Strickland would take my books away from me at recess to force me to socialize. I read a book a night under the covers and one under my desk everyday. My favorite books are The Kite Runner and I Capture the Castle, today.
17. I applied for a job with Obama administration but I know they will never hire me because I am a Canadian citizen with a Syrian born brother-in–law ,fresh back from Cuba, whom I love. It was fun to think about helping to make a difference.
18. I have been an undercover counselor working as a teacher for the last four years and am finishing my Master’s Degree in Education (which I secretly wish was in creative writing, or art or social work) and School Counselor Certification. It will be a relief to finally be called a counselor again because I could not care less about giving kids grades, I want to know how they are doing.
19. The more I know the more I know I don’t know. I hope my daughter feels anything is possible. I can't stand rules but I always follow them.
20. If I ever got a tattoo (and I won’t) it would be a seahorse.
21. I get sucked into tacky reality television from time to time because of the psychology. I love to figure people out and have compassion for almost anyone. This is a problem for me because I cannot stay angry long enough to protect myself when someone hurts me. Which brings me to the next point…
22. I wish I could remember…almost anything. I can recall what my students say to me about their lives, a 1x1 inch picture in some random magazine from five years ago, a store 500 miles away, a detail on the hem of a dress, but I cannot remember Randy’s office number at work. Thank God he now works from home! I am also amazed when my sister tells me something that happened when we were kids that I don’t remember. It’s like I wasn’t even there!
23. People in my classes at graduate school always tell me that I should be teaching the class which is just more proof to me that I talk too much.
24. I recently took a personality inventory and found out that I am an introvert even though no one I know would ever describe me as anything but an extrovert (You know you would!). I really prefer quiet pursuits like reading watching movies, drawing and thinking. (Except when I am impersonating Shania at karaoke- what can I say? I am an enigma.)
25. I am torn. I love Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. They soothe my soul. I love to decorate and landscape my home. Creating something makes me very happy. Then sometimes I don’t want to possess anything and travel the world or live in London with everything I own fitting into a Birkin bag. (I am snorting. Please tell me someone else thinks that’s as funny as I do.)
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
La Vie En Rose
Des Yeux Qui Font Baisser Les Miens
Un Rire Qui Se Perd Sur Sa Bouche
Voila Le Portrait Sans Retouche
De L'homme Auguel J'appartiens
Quand Il Me Prend Dans Ses Bras,
Il Me Parle Tout Bas
Je Vois La Vie En Rose,
Il Me Dit Des Mots D'amour
Das Mots De Tous Les Jours,
Et Ca Me Fait Quelques Choses
Il Est Entre Dans Mon Coeur,
Une Part De Bonheur
Dont Je Connais La Cause, C'est Lui Pour
Moi, Moi Pour Lui Dans La Vie
Il Me L'a Dit, L'a Jure Pour La Vie,
Et Des Que Je L'apercois
Alors Je Sens En Moi, Mon Coeur Qui Bat...
Des Nuits D'amour A Plus Finir
Un Grand Bonheur Qui Prend Sa Place
Les Ennuis, Des Chagrins S'effacent
Heureux, Heureux A En Mourir
Un Rire Qui Se Perd Sur Sa Bouche
Voila Le Portrait Sans Retouche
De L'homme Auguel J'appartiens
Quand Il Me Prend Dans Ses Bras,
Il Me Parle Tout Bas
Je Vois La Vie En Rose,
Il Me Dit Des Mots D'amour
Das Mots De Tous Les Jours,
Et Ca Me Fait Quelques Choses
Il Est Entre Dans Mon Coeur,
Une Part De Bonheur
Dont Je Connais La Cause, C'est Lui Pour
Moi, Moi Pour Lui Dans La Vie
Il Me L'a Dit, L'a Jure Pour La Vie,
Et Des Que Je L'apercois
Alors Je Sens En Moi, Mon Coeur Qui Bat...
Des Nuits D'amour A Plus Finir
Un Grand Bonheur Qui Prend Sa Place
Les Ennuis, Des Chagrins S'effacent
Heureux, Heureux A En Mourir
Begin
Last spring I participated in an Onsite visit to a local high school with other educator types to evaluate the quality of services and programming offered to the students at that school. It was sort of a big deal. Lots of administrators and State Department of Education representatives. The nerd in me loved it...even though I consider myself a counselor in teacher's clothing ( more on that later...) At any rate when I was there I was wearing a gorgeous gift from my friend (soul mate) Karrie that caught the attention of one of the participants. It was a silver necklace with a small nest filled with three tiny blue fresh water pearl "eggs". The woman said that she recognized it as her daughter's work. I was thrilled because I wanted to get a tiny version for my daughter. She directed me to Lindsey at Yankee Girl Designs who makes these beautiful things...
Needless to say we e-mailed and she created a beautiful match for our mom-daughter nest necklace set. Lindsey is also a very whitty girl. Her blog had me in stitches and I even made my hubby read her entries. That was my first peek at a blog and I was hooked. Many hours later and after disappearing down the design rabbit hole I was completely hooked. In preparation of counless hours of free time when I finish grad school in May, I decided to build this blog. Maybe when the time is right, I will even let someone see it.
What will be the topic? Hard to say. Lots of fluff, some conviction, occasional rants and many obsessions. This energy has got to be channelled somewhere because the design, travel, entertainment budget is not endless and a girl has just got to create.
Who will want to read it? Harder to say. I have spent countless hours on a school counselor internship discussion board and have been told by my class mates that they enjoy my virtual yammer, look forward to it even. I did find I had to edit many of my thoughts due to sensitive political views so I look forward to "mind dumping". That said, my philosophy has always been to make anything I write, whether a research paper or self reflection to be at least as entertaining as a GQ article. That being my standard, I have already annoyed my target reader- Me. I hate blogs with too many words. I prefer pictures. So note to self..."Be brief".
Dear Hubby will keep an eye on it just to make sure I use spell check. (Sometimes, I may just throw caution to the wind and write with unedited abandon just for the spontaneity of it all.) My lovely sister will probably be my most loyal visitor, whenever my darling niece and nephew allow some surf time. Beyond that I canot say. So here goes nothing.
Needless to say we e-mailed and she created a beautiful match for our mom-daughter nest necklace set. Lindsey is also a very whitty girl. Her blog had me in stitches and I even made my hubby read her entries. That was my first peek at a blog and I was hooked. Many hours later and after disappearing down the design rabbit hole I was completely hooked. In preparation of counless hours of free time when I finish grad school in May, I decided to build this blog. Maybe when the time is right, I will even let someone see it.
What will be the topic? Hard to say. Lots of fluff, some conviction, occasional rants and many obsessions. This energy has got to be channelled somewhere because the design, travel, entertainment budget is not endless and a girl has just got to create.
Who will want to read it? Harder to say. I have spent countless hours on a school counselor internship discussion board and have been told by my class mates that they enjoy my virtual yammer, look forward to it even. I did find I had to edit many of my thoughts due to sensitive political views so I look forward to "mind dumping". That said, my philosophy has always been to make anything I write, whether a research paper or self reflection to be at least as entertaining as a GQ article. That being my standard, I have already annoyed my target reader- Me. I hate blogs with too many words. I prefer pictures. So note to self..."Be brief".
Dear Hubby will keep an eye on it just to make sure I use spell check. (Sometimes, I may just throw caution to the wind and write with unedited abandon just for the spontaneity of it all.) My lovely sister will probably be my most loyal visitor, whenever my darling niece and nephew allow some surf time. Beyond that I canot say. So here goes nothing.
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