My day in a nutshell:
Woke up early (6:30), listened to Beauty and the Beast, picked an outfit, planned a surprise, changed outfits, mismatched, petted Calvin, watched ice melt, imagined life in an igloo, listened to Joe Cocker, began to crochet a scarf, learned about the Gideons, crocheted some more, made smores in a microwave, laughed with Cynthia, offered a stranger some chocolate chips, laughed with Shane, shook, drank a Coke, wrote up some paradigms, prayed for strength, learned about the aorist passive, thought about Frodo and Golem, grimaced at blood, came up with a lesson plan for teaching the Three Musketeers, decided that bubblegum is a good reward, worked in a coal mine, watched Keisha cry with joy, learned sad news, read a book while crocheting, was rescued by a Ukrainian, talked with Falk, thought about my future, dreamed about Ethiopia, gave thanks for an unlikely friendship, ate dinner with Granny, looked strangers in the eye, walked upstairs, walked downstairs, burned my whole mouth, ate homemade hummus (which I could not taste), listened to Joe Cocker, thought about fourth grade, listened to a president, petted Calvin, petted Lucky, made half a sandwich...
And now, I go to a photography show. Perhaps I shall edit to include information later about this near future to which I go!
Eventful evening! Went to the photo show, talked about sci-fi, met a not-so-average looking girl, drank some stinging punch, signed a photo, planned to see a show, sang in front of a live audience, belted it, made cider, tasted fantastic cocoa, got offered an internship, smiled with Chris, talked to Casey, made Jesse nervous, saw someone with whom I'd like to reconcile, talked about musical form, talked about Eleanor Rigby, helped someone with a quiz, got a kiss, felt exhausted, watched Beauty and the Beast.
The end.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
As a storyteller
Yesterday was my first day to substitute teach. I substituted for an elementary school librarian. What an eye opening day it was!! I had no lesson plans but after the first class (kindergarten) came and left with a whirlwind of energy and confusion, I got things in order and figured out a pattern that worked the rest of the day. Basically, I was Storyteller.
There was something really invigorating about the whole thing. I've always wanted to be a storyteller. I think my very favorite part of the day was when I was reading this story called Wabi Sabi about a cat trying to find the meaning of her name to the students. The day broke down so that a group of kids from each grade (k-4) were under my care for an hour at different times. I figured I would learn a lot myself about how kids learn and at what ages they begin to really get more complex ideas. I also tried for each class to read the stories a little bit differently, emphasizing different themes. Sure enough, that changes everything in the students' retention and understanding. I always knew that repetition of the important themes was important but boy, I sure figured it out in practice. Anyway, the first graders got it okay but when I asked what Wabi Sabi's name meant, they just said it was a cat. I thought, well, at least they definitely got that part and they did enjoy the story. For those of you who aren't familiar with the term, the book described it as being something simple and beautiful. It's actually a much more complex Japanese aesthetic of imperfection, asymmetry, impermanence, and simplicity. It interested me because we use the term in ceramics. I figured that since this idea might be a little more abstract for the age group I was working with, it would be an interesting experiment.
All that to say, second grade came and I began to tell the story. As I did with every class, I explained what a haiku was before I began reading because the story was told in part through haiku. The kids were attentive, quiet, and acted very interested. Then it happened. As Wabi Sabi the cat began to understand what her name meant, so did the kids. One little blonde-haired boy spoke up as I finished a page and said "Oh! That's what it means!" As I looked at him, he said, "It means simple and beautiful!" I got really excited. His eyes lit up so big. He got it. What a revelation! Especially since I knew that this was something they were having to really think about. It wasn't exactly defined outright in the book. As I finished the book, I asked the whole class what Wabi Sabi meant. For the most part, they understood! They were even able to tell me things that could be described as wabi sabi. Birds, worms, butterflies, trees, flowers, one boy even piped up and said "Me!" Though it was not a full understanding of the culturally dense term, it was such a neat experience for the students and for me. To see their eyes light up with excitement when they realized they were able to understand. Similar things happened with the third and fourth grade students. I just can't get over the light in their eyes.
So all in all, a good day for my first day teaching kids, especially without lesson plans.
In conclusion, I cannot wait to give kids opportunities to light up with the joy that comes with understanding. I cannot wait to share stories, daily lessons, culture, and an incomprehensible excitement about learning. All that as a career. All that as a 'job' that I get paid to do. What a prospect.
There was something really invigorating about the whole thing. I've always wanted to be a storyteller. I think my very favorite part of the day was when I was reading this story called Wabi Sabi about a cat trying to find the meaning of her name to the students. The day broke down so that a group of kids from each grade (k-4) were under my care for an hour at different times. I figured I would learn a lot myself about how kids learn and at what ages they begin to really get more complex ideas. I also tried for each class to read the stories a little bit differently, emphasizing different themes. Sure enough, that changes everything in the students' retention and understanding. I always knew that repetition of the important themes was important but boy, I sure figured it out in practice. Anyway, the first graders got it okay but when I asked what Wabi Sabi's name meant, they just said it was a cat. I thought, well, at least they definitely got that part and they did enjoy the story. For those of you who aren't familiar with the term, the book described it as being something simple and beautiful. It's actually a much more complex Japanese aesthetic of imperfection, asymmetry, impermanence, and simplicity. It interested me because we use the term in ceramics. I figured that since this idea might be a little more abstract for the age group I was working with, it would be an interesting experiment.
All that to say, second grade came and I began to tell the story. As I did with every class, I explained what a haiku was before I began reading because the story was told in part through haiku. The kids were attentive, quiet, and acted very interested. Then it happened. As Wabi Sabi the cat began to understand what her name meant, so did the kids. One little blonde-haired boy spoke up as I finished a page and said "Oh! That's what it means!" As I looked at him, he said, "It means simple and beautiful!" I got really excited. His eyes lit up so big. He got it. What a revelation! Especially since I knew that this was something they were having to really think about. It wasn't exactly defined outright in the book. As I finished the book, I asked the whole class what Wabi Sabi meant. For the most part, they understood! They were even able to tell me things that could be described as wabi sabi. Birds, worms, butterflies, trees, flowers, one boy even piped up and said "Me!" Though it was not a full understanding of the culturally dense term, it was such a neat experience for the students and for me. To see their eyes light up with excitement when they realized they were able to understand. Similar things happened with the third and fourth grade students. I just can't get over the light in their eyes.
So all in all, a good day for my first day teaching kids, especially without lesson plans.
In conclusion, I cannot wait to give kids opportunities to light up with the joy that comes with understanding. I cannot wait to share stories, daily lessons, culture, and an incomprehensible excitement about learning. All that as a career. All that as a 'job' that I get paid to do. What a prospect.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Chocolate, Milk, Honey, & Tea
Tea steams from a cup,
Tea from an unknown land,
Tea warms your belly...
a peace maker.
Honey on a spoon,
Honey in your tea,
Honey dripping down your throat...
a daily blessing.
Milk in a glass,
Milk with your honey,
Milk on your upper lip...
an indulgence.
Chocolate in a wrapper,
Chocolate in your milk,
Chocolate slowly melting...
a comfort.
An unknown land of Milk and Honey,
Someday we'll see Him.
For now just these few things...
Reminders of the sweet things yet to come.
Tea from an unknown land,
Tea warms your belly...
a peace maker.
Honey on a spoon,
Honey in your tea,
Honey dripping down your throat...
a daily blessing.
Milk in a glass,
Milk with your honey,
Milk on your upper lip...
an indulgence.
Chocolate in a wrapper,
Chocolate in your milk,
Chocolate slowly melting...
a comfort.
An unknown land of Milk and Honey,
Someday we'll see Him.
For now just these few things...
Reminders of the sweet things yet to come.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
what it's not.
I would just like to explain some of the things that it's not.
This is not what it is.
Nor is this what it is.
This is not what it is.
Nor is this what it is.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Things I've been thinking about
Crafting
Rock Climbing
Music Videos
Making videos
Making cups
Writing reviews on movies
Becoming an art critic
Becoming a music critic
Becoming a photographer
Teaching kids stuff
Moving to a different state/country
yup...
Rock Climbing
Music Videos
Making videos
Making cups
Writing reviews on movies
Becoming an art critic
Becoming a music critic
Becoming a photographer
Teaching kids stuff
Moving to a different state/country
yup...
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Poetry
The world is dew...
The world is dew...
And yet...
And yet...
This is a poem written by an ancient Japanese Poet named Issa. He wrote this poem soon after his wife and children had all died, presumably from some kind of disease or accident. Issa was Buddhist. In Buddhism, the belief is that all of the world is God. Buddhists also believe that all of reality is really just an illusion, which they call maya. The way to become a buddha and get to nirvana is to fully realize the illusion, overcome it, and overcome all of your desires too. I won't get into any theological argument about Buddhism at this time because I really just want to show how profound this poem really is when you think about it with that kind of worldview in mind. That all of the world is just dew...here one second, gone the next and that you must recognize and accept that...and yet, there is such pain. Such personal, serious, deep pain. So many events that happen to people on such an individual level. How hard it is for one to accept that all the world is one and no one is truly an individual, that that is just part of the maya (illusion) while such personal and individual pain, joy, and intensity exists in life.
Something to think about. Despite its shortness, this poem does not lack in depth by any means. It kind of shook my brain for a while.
The world is dew...
And yet...
And yet...
This is a poem written by an ancient Japanese Poet named Issa. He wrote this poem soon after his wife and children had all died, presumably from some kind of disease or accident. Issa was Buddhist. In Buddhism, the belief is that all of the world is God. Buddhists also believe that all of reality is really just an illusion, which they call maya. The way to become a buddha and get to nirvana is to fully realize the illusion, overcome it, and overcome all of your desires too. I won't get into any theological argument about Buddhism at this time because I really just want to show how profound this poem really is when you think about it with that kind of worldview in mind. That all of the world is just dew...here one second, gone the next and that you must recognize and accept that...and yet, there is such pain. Such personal, serious, deep pain. So many events that happen to people on such an individual level. How hard it is for one to accept that all the world is one and no one is truly an individual, that that is just part of the maya (illusion) while such personal and individual pain, joy, and intensity exists in life.
Something to think about. Despite its shortness, this poem does not lack in depth by any means. It kind of shook my brain for a while.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
just some videos
cool video
so that's where Zooey Deschanel's been. Guess who'll be watching this?!
the movie i've been watching in my empty minutes.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Cooking and Baking
So today I'd like to elaborate more on the trade idea and some cooking ideas.
#21: Cook with rice! Not only does cooking save money rather than going out to eat but your ingredients can make a pretty big difference.
Rice is not only incredibly filling but it is also amazingly cheap. Put the few bucks in your Grover that you saved buying that bag of rice that's gonna last you at least half a week for just a couple dollars. For some starter ideas, I love to eat rice with just a little butter in it...if you'd like to add a little flair, adding sugar or cinnamon may not be something you've ever heard of but rice with sugar is quite good for breakfast or just a nice sweet dessert. Also...I found this website full of thousands of recipes for using rice! Check it out!---->http://www.ricerecipes.org/
#22: Another cooking idea...wanna spruce up that mac n cheese? Add tuna! One can of tuna, drained, added to cooked macaroni is tasty and also a little bit better for you than just plain macaroni and cheese.
Another way you could make it more exciting is to cook the macaroni, put it into an oven safe container, cover it with shredded cheese and some crumbles from toast/bread (you could also add some other meat like bacon, as the picture above illustrates) and then put it into the oven for a little bit till the cheese is melted. You could also add a Cavender's or Tony's sort of spice to the top to add some pop too! I'd say 350 degrees is probably a good temp to set for the oven.
#23: Now, using your amazing cooking powers, trade some of your cooking masterpieces for some of your needs...like scantrons, printer use, internet use, laundry use, babysitting, or borrowing a book. Any other clever suggestions for things you can trade for food?
#24: I know it may sound kind of dumb and a little weird but I've actually found that using public bathrooms more often than my bathroom at home is obviously something that tends to be more convenient, especially for a college student. The other thing I've found is that it actually saves you a lot more than you'd think in toilet paper. In the past, I've found that doing this can actually save you an entire 12 pack of toilet tissue each semester when using public bathrooms more often. It also saves you on your water bill. I'll quote the wonderful retired PBS show Zoom..."Think about it."
#21: Cook with rice! Not only does cooking save money rather than going out to eat but your ingredients can make a pretty big difference.
Rice is not only incredibly filling but it is also amazingly cheap. Put the few bucks in your Grover that you saved buying that bag of rice that's gonna last you at least half a week for just a couple dollars. For some starter ideas, I love to eat rice with just a little butter in it...if you'd like to add a little flair, adding sugar or cinnamon may not be something you've ever heard of but rice with sugar is quite good for breakfast or just a nice sweet dessert. Also...I found this website full of thousands of recipes for using rice! Check it out!---->http://www.ricerecipes.org/
#22: Another cooking idea...wanna spruce up that mac n cheese? Add tuna! One can of tuna, drained, added to cooked macaroni is tasty and also a little bit better for you than just plain macaroni and cheese.
Another way you could make it more exciting is to cook the macaroni, put it into an oven safe container, cover it with shredded cheese and some crumbles from toast/bread (you could also add some other meat like bacon, as the picture above illustrates) and then put it into the oven for a little bit till the cheese is melted. You could also add a Cavender's or Tony's sort of spice to the top to add some pop too! I'd say 350 degrees is probably a good temp to set for the oven.
#23: Now, using your amazing cooking powers, trade some of your cooking masterpieces for some of your needs...like scantrons, printer use, internet use, laundry use, babysitting, or borrowing a book. Any other clever suggestions for things you can trade for food?
#24: I know it may sound kind of dumb and a little weird but I've actually found that using public bathrooms more often than my bathroom at home is obviously something that tends to be more convenient, especially for a college student. The other thing I've found is that it actually saves you a lot more than you'd think in toilet paper. In the past, I've found that doing this can actually save you an entire 12 pack of toilet tissue each semester when using public bathrooms more often. It also saves you on your water bill. I'll quote the wonderful retired PBS show Zoom..."Think about it."
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Oops...missed a couple days
Sorry for the past few days and my not posting anything! I got sick n got on antibiotics and got a buncha Italian homework but I am now going downhill on the other side! Now...to continue with some nice tips to start your Saturday morning.
#19: So I did something last week that really was cool which I will talk more about in #20. This is a prequel to that. I've been learning to crochet and I've made a few hats, scarf, dabbled a bit here and there. It's actually really cool and incredibly warm. Also super duper popular right now. Look! Even Lindsay Lohan is wearing one!
I'm not quite the Michelangelo of crochet yet but I'm getting there! Anyway, so instead of buying a new scarf or eating junk food when you are cold this wintertime or bored with nothing to do (yeah right!) grab yourself some yarn and a crocheting needle and put the $5 you would have spent on that hat into your Grover! If you don't have a needle, you can buy one at walmart and though those plus a skein of yarn can add up to $5 depending on what kinds you buy, you then can make more hats! and gloves! and anything else! I suppose its one of those things that adds up the savings.
#20: Alright so I'm working on getting my thesis all completed so I can graduate in May and I realized that I have to print out five 30 page booklets for each of my committee members which is quite substantial especially when I do not have a printer that will print the correct size. So, I was left with a conundrum. Should I pay the print lab at the school upwards of $60 or more for them to print it or do I ask around to see what everyone I know has...well. I put it as a facebook status...the kicker? I said I'd trade the use of the printer for a crocheted object! And I was so surprised at the response. Several people offered printer use for trade! So...I witnessed a "new" way to save money! TRADE!! Especially with the college age group, we've got so much stuff that we get from classes, events, the dumpster, goodwill...rather than spending money on someone to do things for you who makes you pay $$, trade with friends! The whole crochet thing can go far there since it's so 'in' right now to have hand made things like that and the worth of a hand made hat or scarf that you make will double or triple even once you've made it because everybody wants one!! Anyone have any other ideas for trading?? I'll publish another post with your responses later so that we can have an official documentation!
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/crochet/?p=24
This website can get you started on some free crochet patterns. Theres about a thousand million free patterns online.
There! Learn!! :D
Tell me your trade stories! Comment!!
#19: So I did something last week that really was cool which I will talk more about in #20. This is a prequel to that. I've been learning to crochet and I've made a few hats, scarf, dabbled a bit here and there. It's actually really cool and incredibly warm. Also super duper popular right now. Look! Even Lindsay Lohan is wearing one!
I'm not quite the Michelangelo of crochet yet but I'm getting there! Anyway, so instead of buying a new scarf or eating junk food when you are cold this wintertime or bored with nothing to do (yeah right!) grab yourself some yarn and a crocheting needle and put the $5 you would have spent on that hat into your Grover! If you don't have a needle, you can buy one at walmart and though those plus a skein of yarn can add up to $5 depending on what kinds you buy, you then can make more hats! and gloves! and anything else! I suppose its one of those things that adds up the savings.
#20: Alright so I'm working on getting my thesis all completed so I can graduate in May and I realized that I have to print out five 30 page booklets for each of my committee members which is quite substantial especially when I do not have a printer that will print the correct size. So, I was left with a conundrum. Should I pay the print lab at the school upwards of $60 or more for them to print it or do I ask around to see what everyone I know has...well. I put it as a facebook status...the kicker? I said I'd trade the use of the printer for a crocheted object! And I was so surprised at the response. Several people offered printer use for trade! So...I witnessed a "new" way to save money! TRADE!! Especially with the college age group, we've got so much stuff that we get from classes, events, the dumpster, goodwill...rather than spending money on someone to do things for you who makes you pay $$, trade with friends! The whole crochet thing can go far there since it's so 'in' right now to have hand made things like that and the worth of a hand made hat or scarf that you make will double or triple even once you've made it because everybody wants one!! Anyone have any other ideas for trading?? I'll publish another post with your responses later so that we can have an official documentation!
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/crochet/?p=24
This website can get you started on some free crochet patterns. Theres about a thousand million free patterns online.
There! Learn!! :D
Tell me your trade stories! Comment!!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Cool story...BREAD!
#17: My good friend Brian was talking about his very long ponytail of hair yesterday in the Ceramics lab and said something worth repeating. When you let your hair grow out, you save a ton of money each year from haircuts. I'd encourage that we all either let our hair grow or just use clippers at home to cut hair rather than spending $15 or more on a fancy cut.
#18: Today, I had to go to Dallas for thesis stuff. I realized I had not eaten anything (not smart) so I had to get some food. Rather than going to Jack In The Box or Subway, I decided to go into Albertson's and see what I could find there. They had really cheap chicken tenders at their deli and some fantastic bread rolls(25 cents!!)! After grabbing one of my new favorite drinks, Snapple in a can
(only 79 cents), I ended up with a super duper cheap and incredibly delicious and filling lunch for under $5! Also, it was much healthier than any fast food I would have purchased. So...lesson: buy inexpensive foods from grocery stores rather than eating out. Another great place to find super cheap bread for those of us in love with carbs...Brookshires bakes french bread loaves every day for just $1.50. The loaf lasts a good week or longer. Super filling. Delicious. Just remember...don't eat too much bread...or you might become obese...
#18: Today, I had to go to Dallas for thesis stuff. I realized I had not eaten anything (not smart) so I had to get some food. Rather than going to Jack In The Box or Subway, I decided to go into Albertson's and see what I could find there. They had really cheap chicken tenders at their deli and some fantastic bread rolls(25 cents!!)! After grabbing one of my new favorite drinks, Snapple in a can
(only 79 cents), I ended up with a super duper cheap and incredibly delicious and filling lunch for under $5! Also, it was much healthier than any fast food I would have purchased. So...lesson: buy inexpensive foods from grocery stores rather than eating out. Another great place to find super cheap bread for those of us in love with carbs...Brookshires bakes french bread loaves every day for just $1.50. The loaf lasts a good week or longer. Super filling. Delicious. Just remember...don't eat too much bread...or you might become obese...
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Health and Safety
#4: Invest in some kind of vitamin c supplement. It costs money but getting sick costs more. Note that I'd say vitamin c is not one of the unnecessary supplements mentioned in the video below.
#5-16:
(The #16 comes from that last comment on the video...I can write it out better here)
#16: Instead of getting candy or snacks from a vending machine, think ahead and put some french bread or cereal in a plastic bag for a snack between classes. When you chomp down on your snack, pull out your $1.50 you were going to spend on that Cinnamon Roll and stuff it into your Grover.
#5-16:
(The #16 comes from that last comment on the video...I can write it out better here)
#16: Instead of getting candy or snacks from a vending machine, think ahead and put some french bread or cereal in a plastic bag for a snack between classes. When you chomp down on your snack, pull out your $1.50 you were going to spend on that Cinnamon Roll and stuff it into your Grover.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
A Concentration...A CHALLENGE!!
I've decided that this is where I will post ideas on how to save money for summer missions until this summer when I may change my focus more toward music. I'm going to try to post at least one $ saving tip everyday. I am challenging myself and would like to challenge you to also save your money in a jar, piggy bank, cup, tin can, hand embroidered bag, Walmart sack, or bottle to be put toward sending college students on mission throughout the world!! I'm saving in a hot pink piggy bank with rad sunglasses. His name is Grover! I'll add a picture later. Anyway, I decided to do this because my boyfriend along with several other people at my church are trying to raise around $30,000 to go all over the world this summer!! (mostly to Kazakhstan though) Knowing what it's like to try and raise funds for summer missions, I'm trying to help out! It's a great cause(spreading the gospel) and they are amazing people who I know will not only benefit much from the experience but will change others' lives in the process. JOIN ME!! LET'S RAISE MONEY TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL! Also, I think these tips will actually just help in general with saving money in a time of financial woe. With all that being said, here are a few tips to get started!
#1: share your leftover cereal milk with roommates or significant others, but remember to drink responsibly! Your milk will go a little further and you can add that extra gallon's worth of money (probably around $3) into Grover!
#2: get up and go to bed with the sun!
You'll feel better, get more done in a day, it's Biblical, and it will save you some electricity! Also, lamps use less electricity and can add a much homier feel to your house (I think)
#3: after you've spent some cash, there's usually a ton of change all over the place. Empty all your change into your Grover every night. It can really add up in the long run.
#1: share your leftover cereal milk with roommates or significant others, but remember to drink responsibly! Your milk will go a little further and you can add that extra gallon's worth of money (probably around $3) into Grover!
#2: get up and go to bed with the sun!
You'll feel better, get more done in a day, it's Biblical, and it will save you some electricity! Also, lamps use less electricity and can add a much homier feel to your house (I think)
#3: after you've spent some cash, there's usually a ton of change all over the place. Empty all your change into your Grover every night. It can really add up in the long run.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Cool stuff
Super cool.
I'll be watching Harold and Maude very soon.
Very interesting history lesson. Most important 6 sec drum loop.
look what my fantastic man got me from our trip to Denton!!
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