Yikes! I can't believe it's been a month since I've been able to write a blog! Not entirely because of computer problems, though. My life just got really crazy the past few weeks. I couldn't find time to sit still long enough to think, much less put those thoughts into words. I'm hoping that now that things have calmed down a bit, I'll be able to enjoy the rest of my summer vacation. School starts again on August 30th which means I'll be back at work on the 23rd. That's only two months away!?!
I had a lot of alone time today and that gave me time to think. I started getting all nostalgic and just had to laugh at some of the childhood beliefs I had and where they came from. Take Santa Claus, for example. He comes down the chimney, right? Well, our house didn't have a fireplace and so didn't have a chimney. My mom told me that Santa had a mouse (Called Santa Mouse, of course) and whenever he came to a house without a chimney, he'd send the mouse in to unlock the door.
I found this website: http://www.iusedtobelieve.com It's a collection of anecdotes about what people used to believe when they were children. Some of the entries are quite humorous. Check it out, you may get a good chuckle out of it! :o) I haven't done so, but you are able to add your own post if you so desire.
Friday, June 25, 2004
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
100 Things About Me
1. I’ve lived on this same island in Southeast Alaska all my life.
2. That is, except for the years I went to college in Colorado.
3. I was 3rd in my high school graduating class. I did that on purpose so I wouldn’t have to make a speech.
4. I have been married for almost 13 years.
5. I only have one biological sibling: an older sister.
6. I have 2 older step-sisters, 2 older step-brothers, 2 younger step-sisters, and one younger step-brother.
7. I was a foster mother to my cousin’s babies for 5 months. It was scary and wonderful at the same time and it was heart-breaking to give them back even though I knew it was the right thing to do.
8. My favorite color is green. As long as it isn’t neon-bright.
9. I love anything with Disney or Coca-Cola.
10. I have a collection of Disney snow globes.
11. My silverware is Disney: Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh
12. My Christmas tree is decorated with Disney characters from the tree top all the way to down to the tree skirt.
13. I collect Christmas bears. I have a set for every year since 1993.
14. My favorite soft drink is Coca-Cola. Any flavor of Coke will do.
15. I don’t smoke and don’t ever intend to start.
16. I own over 1,000 movies counting video tapes and DVD’s.
17. I store them in alphabetical order.
18. I am very quiet outside of my family and small circle of friends.
19. I get along with almost anyone I meet…I’m very tolerant of the rest.
20. I enjoy singing.
21. I’ve played the clarinet since I was 9 years old.
22. I’ve never had a pedicure.
23. I don’t like my feet…to the point where I can count on one hand the number of people who have seen me without socks.
24. Yesterday I painted my toenails for the first time. I still haven’t let my husband see them.
25. I have natural curl in my hair. When I let it dry naturally, it looks as though I have loose ringlets.
26. I used to bite my fingernails. Now they are long and usually painted. I try to cut them short but can’t seem to keep up with it so I’ve learned to deal with long nails.
27. I loved Shrinky-Dinks as a child and still use them occasionally to make key chains and zipper pulls.
28. I have a sticker collection. I use them on envelopes when I write letters and send Christmas cards.
29. I write poetry but rarely share what I’ve written.
30. I am cursed with a good memory. I remember birthdays and phone numbers without meaning to.
31. I taught myself how to swim at a family picnic when I was small. I was racing my sister by clawing at the sand. When I pulled ahead and my mom came running to the shore line to watch, I quit clawing at the sand and found out I could swim on my own.
32. I love country music and oldies from the 50’s through the 70’s.
33. I really enjoy musicals. On stage and on screen.
34. I like to color. Coloring books, geometric designs, my own drawings, anything.
35. I enjoy reading. John Grisham, Perry O’Shaugnessy, and Ann Rule, are some of my favorites.
36. I don’t watch a lot of TV but when I do, I enjoy Law and Order and CSI.
37. I also watch Food Network every now and then.
38. I rarely drink coffee.
39. If I drink tea, it’s iced.
40. I love trying new recipes.
41. My favorite food is seafood. Fish, clams, crabs, cockles, prawns…any kind of seafood.
42. The only food allergy I am aware I have is to gumboots. I only recall eating them once. I loved them but woke up all swollen and not able to breathe properly.
43. I had more than 10 operations before the age of 5. I have strong memories of being in the hospital at age 3 and have described it in great detail to the amazement of my mother.
44. I have never broken a bone.
45. I’m prone to tendonitis in my right wrist.
46. Winter is my favorite season but only when it’s really cold.
47. I love Christmas music and force my husband to listen to it from November 1st to January 2nd.
48. I have a beach-front property I’ve yet to build on.
49. My favorite subject in school was math.
50. While in college, I was a member of 3 different choirs. 2 of them were by audition only.
51. I love listening to waves hitting the shore.
52. My favorite smell is that of my husband’s bread baking in the oven.
53. Other smells I enjoy are fresh-cut grass, rain, and fragrant flowers.
54. My favorite flower is a white rose.
55. I really enjoy word puzzles.
56. I can’t stand having dry skin. I am constantly putting on hand lotion.
57. My hair is already turning gray and I hate that.
58. I only drive here on the island. I’ve never driven anyplace else and I don’t drive in the winter.
59. I’ve been in 4 car accidents; always as a passenger. The worst was on an icy road. We slid off the road and landed upside-down in a small pond.
60. I used to belong to a group of Indian dancers as a kid.
61. We won 1st place in a competition in Fairbanks when I was 14.
62. I’ve been to Canada many times but never to any other country.
63. I’ve seen more of Washington and California than I have of my own state.
64. Ever since my brother-in-law died of a massive heart attack, I live in constant fear of losing my husband.
65. I’m allergic to cats. I think it may be psychological, but the sneezing and itchy/watery eyes feel plenty real to me!
66. The first concert I ever went to was Hall and Oates. Corey Hart opened for them.
67. I think birds are beautiful but I’m afraid of them. We had a pet bird that chased me down the hall. Ever since then it feels like “every” bird is out to get me.
68. I’m not afraid of spiders or snakes. I’ve held more than my share of each.
69. I enjoy baking but usually only do it at Christmas time.
70. I don’t mind being alone at home but don’t enjoy going out into public alone.
71. I love watching people. I can spend hours at a mall or an airport just watching people walk by.
72. I started baby-sitting at the age of 7.
73. I didn’t have my first “real” job until after I left college. My dad wouldn’t allow it. He wanted me to enjoy being a kid.
74. I love bananas but if I eat one by itself, I get a stomach ache. I usually get my banana fix by having banana cream pie, banana pudding, or a banana split.
75. I like to do nice things for people without them knowing who did it. My favorite is to put a treat on someone’s desk when they’re not looking.
76. My favorite candy bars are Reeses Peanut Butter Cups and Mounds.
77. I almost always have gum in my mouth but rarely chew it. I just like the minty flavor.
78. I, along with my best friend, once peeked into a window…and got caught. It was m y6th grade teacher. He gave a lecture in class the next day but never said a word to my mother.
79. My best friend used to be mistaken for my twin while we were growing up. People still confuse us from time to time. I’ve never figured out how they could think we look alike.
80. My favorite ice cream is chocolate. Any kind of chocolate…double chocolate, chocolate fudge, chocolate chip…whatever.
81. I have a collection markers and crayons. I like to use them to draw and color with my nieces and nephews or anytime I baby-sit.
82. I like to sing Karaoke with my mom. We’ve even sang at Karaoke Night at the American Legion Post where she works.
83. I enjoy taking photos and wish I was better at it.
84. Throughout my life I’ve noticed that most of my really close friends are older than me.
85. I am 12 years younger than my husband. That adds to my fear of ending up alone.
86. The day we got married, I forgot to bring his ring to the church. I had to send my cousin to get it. I found out later that Michael also forgot mine.
87. I sometimes find myself feeling jealous of my sister-in-law because I feel I could be a better mother to her children than her. I feel bad about feeling guilty.
88. I won $5.00 once in a poster contest. Denise says I stole her idea. I disagree.
89. I don’t like having my picture taken and often hide myself when I see a camera in the room.
90. I’ve been told I am a very good listener.
91. I’ve also been told I am very compassionate and patient.
92. I don’t like talking about myself and making this list has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.
93. I love 7-Eleven Slurpees. I have to have at least one whenever I travel. My favorite was Grape but I’ve only found it once. Cherry Coke is usually my first choice.
94. I have all 4 of my wisdom teeth. I didn’t even feel them grow in.
95. I suffered terrible “stomach aches” for over a year before it got to the point where I couldn’t eat. I finally went to the doctor and they sent me to the hospital. I had gall stones. They were small, like grains of sand, but my gall bladder was more than half full of them.
96. I inherited my mother’s high tolerance for pain. That’s not always such a good thing as evidenced by #95.
97. I have a hard time saying no when somebody asks for help. Even when I know I have plenty of my own things to do, I still take other people’s things on. I get so upset with myself when I get bogged down but STILL I can’t say no.
98. I know of only 1 occasion where I walked in my sleep. I was dreaming of snow. When I woke up, I was standing on the back of a couch looking out the window…at the first snowfall of the year. This happened when I was about 11. I was at my Yaya’s house.
99. I enjoy meeting new people. Most of the time it’s through the computer. Weblogs, online game sites, chat, etc. I’ve talked to a few on the phone and exchanged letters and gifts.
100. I used to be afraid of clowns and any costume where I couldn’t see the person’s face. So much so that when my mom took me to The Greatest Show on Earth, I fell asleep every time I saw a clown. I was in high school before I was comfortable watching a parade or answering the door on Halloween. It all started when my uncle, dressed as a hobo clown, thought it would be a good idea to pick me up and carry me through the parade route. I didn’t know who he was and screamed and cried until he gave me back to my mom.
2. That is, except for the years I went to college in Colorado.
3. I was 3rd in my high school graduating class. I did that on purpose so I wouldn’t have to make a speech.
4. I have been married for almost 13 years.
5. I only have one biological sibling: an older sister.
6. I have 2 older step-sisters, 2 older step-brothers, 2 younger step-sisters, and one younger step-brother.
7. I was a foster mother to my cousin’s babies for 5 months. It was scary and wonderful at the same time and it was heart-breaking to give them back even though I knew it was the right thing to do.
8. My favorite color is green. As long as it isn’t neon-bright.
9. I love anything with Disney or Coca-Cola.
10. I have a collection of Disney snow globes.
11. My silverware is Disney: Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh
12. My Christmas tree is decorated with Disney characters from the tree top all the way to down to the tree skirt.
13. I collect Christmas bears. I have a set for every year since 1993.
14. My favorite soft drink is Coca-Cola. Any flavor of Coke will do.
15. I don’t smoke and don’t ever intend to start.
16. I own over 1,000 movies counting video tapes and DVD’s.
17. I store them in alphabetical order.
18. I am very quiet outside of my family and small circle of friends.
19. I get along with almost anyone I meet…I’m very tolerant of the rest.
20. I enjoy singing.
21. I’ve played the clarinet since I was 9 years old.
22. I’ve never had a pedicure.
23. I don’t like my feet…to the point where I can count on one hand the number of people who have seen me without socks.
24. Yesterday I painted my toenails for the first time. I still haven’t let my husband see them.
25. I have natural curl in my hair. When I let it dry naturally, it looks as though I have loose ringlets.
26. I used to bite my fingernails. Now they are long and usually painted. I try to cut them short but can’t seem to keep up with it so I’ve learned to deal with long nails.
27. I loved Shrinky-Dinks as a child and still use them occasionally to make key chains and zipper pulls.
28. I have a sticker collection. I use them on envelopes when I write letters and send Christmas cards.
29. I write poetry but rarely share what I’ve written.
30. I am cursed with a good memory. I remember birthdays and phone numbers without meaning to.
31. I taught myself how to swim at a family picnic when I was small. I was racing my sister by clawing at the sand. When I pulled ahead and my mom came running to the shore line to watch, I quit clawing at the sand and found out I could swim on my own.
32. I love country music and oldies from the 50’s through the 70’s.
33. I really enjoy musicals. On stage and on screen.
34. I like to color. Coloring books, geometric designs, my own drawings, anything.
35. I enjoy reading. John Grisham, Perry O’Shaugnessy, and Ann Rule, are some of my favorites.
36. I don’t watch a lot of TV but when I do, I enjoy Law and Order and CSI.
37. I also watch Food Network every now and then.
38. I rarely drink coffee.
39. If I drink tea, it’s iced.
40. I love trying new recipes.
41. My favorite food is seafood. Fish, clams, crabs, cockles, prawns…any kind of seafood.
42. The only food allergy I am aware I have is to gumboots. I only recall eating them once. I loved them but woke up all swollen and not able to breathe properly.
43. I had more than 10 operations before the age of 5. I have strong memories of being in the hospital at age 3 and have described it in great detail to the amazement of my mother.
44. I have never broken a bone.
45. I’m prone to tendonitis in my right wrist.
46. Winter is my favorite season but only when it’s really cold.
47. I love Christmas music and force my husband to listen to it from November 1st to January 2nd.
48. I have a beach-front property I’ve yet to build on.
49. My favorite subject in school was math.
50. While in college, I was a member of 3 different choirs. 2 of them were by audition only.
51. I love listening to waves hitting the shore.
52. My favorite smell is that of my husband’s bread baking in the oven.
53. Other smells I enjoy are fresh-cut grass, rain, and fragrant flowers.
54. My favorite flower is a white rose.
55. I really enjoy word puzzles.
56. I can’t stand having dry skin. I am constantly putting on hand lotion.
57. My hair is already turning gray and I hate that.
58. I only drive here on the island. I’ve never driven anyplace else and I don’t drive in the winter.
59. I’ve been in 4 car accidents; always as a passenger. The worst was on an icy road. We slid off the road and landed upside-down in a small pond.
60. I used to belong to a group of Indian dancers as a kid.
61. We won 1st place in a competition in Fairbanks when I was 14.
62. I’ve been to Canada many times but never to any other country.
63. I’ve seen more of Washington and California than I have of my own state.
64. Ever since my brother-in-law died of a massive heart attack, I live in constant fear of losing my husband.
65. I’m allergic to cats. I think it may be psychological, but the sneezing and itchy/watery eyes feel plenty real to me!
66. The first concert I ever went to was Hall and Oates. Corey Hart opened for them.
67. I think birds are beautiful but I’m afraid of them. We had a pet bird that chased me down the hall. Ever since then it feels like “every” bird is out to get me.
68. I’m not afraid of spiders or snakes. I’ve held more than my share of each.
69. I enjoy baking but usually only do it at Christmas time.
70. I don’t mind being alone at home but don’t enjoy going out into public alone.
71. I love watching people. I can spend hours at a mall or an airport just watching people walk by.
72. I started baby-sitting at the age of 7.
73. I didn’t have my first “real” job until after I left college. My dad wouldn’t allow it. He wanted me to enjoy being a kid.
74. I love bananas but if I eat one by itself, I get a stomach ache. I usually get my banana fix by having banana cream pie, banana pudding, or a banana split.
75. I like to do nice things for people without them knowing who did it. My favorite is to put a treat on someone’s desk when they’re not looking.
76. My favorite candy bars are Reeses Peanut Butter Cups and Mounds.
77. I almost always have gum in my mouth but rarely chew it. I just like the minty flavor.
78. I, along with my best friend, once peeked into a window…and got caught. It was m y6th grade teacher. He gave a lecture in class the next day but never said a word to my mother.
79. My best friend used to be mistaken for my twin while we were growing up. People still confuse us from time to time. I’ve never figured out how they could think we look alike.
80. My favorite ice cream is chocolate. Any kind of chocolate…double chocolate, chocolate fudge, chocolate chip…whatever.
81. I have a collection markers and crayons. I like to use them to draw and color with my nieces and nephews or anytime I baby-sit.
82. I like to sing Karaoke with my mom. We’ve even sang at Karaoke Night at the American Legion Post where she works.
83. I enjoy taking photos and wish I was better at it.
84. Throughout my life I’ve noticed that most of my really close friends are older than me.
85. I am 12 years younger than my husband. That adds to my fear of ending up alone.
86. The day we got married, I forgot to bring his ring to the church. I had to send my cousin to get it. I found out later that Michael also forgot mine.
87. I sometimes find myself feeling jealous of my sister-in-law because I feel I could be a better mother to her children than her. I feel bad about feeling guilty.
88. I won $5.00 once in a poster contest. Denise says I stole her idea. I disagree.
89. I don’t like having my picture taken and often hide myself when I see a camera in the room.
90. I’ve been told I am a very good listener.
91. I’ve also been told I am very compassionate and patient.
92. I don’t like talking about myself and making this list has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.
93. I love 7-Eleven Slurpees. I have to have at least one whenever I travel. My favorite was Grape but I’ve only found it once. Cherry Coke is usually my first choice.
94. I have all 4 of my wisdom teeth. I didn’t even feel them grow in.
95. I suffered terrible “stomach aches” for over a year before it got to the point where I couldn’t eat. I finally went to the doctor and they sent me to the hospital. I had gall stones. They were small, like grains of sand, but my gall bladder was more than half full of them.
96. I inherited my mother’s high tolerance for pain. That’s not always such a good thing as evidenced by #95.
97. I have a hard time saying no when somebody asks for help. Even when I know I have plenty of my own things to do, I still take other people’s things on. I get so upset with myself when I get bogged down but STILL I can’t say no.
98. I know of only 1 occasion where I walked in my sleep. I was dreaming of snow. When I woke up, I was standing on the back of a couch looking out the window…at the first snowfall of the year. This happened when I was about 11. I was at my Yaya’s house.
99. I enjoy meeting new people. Most of the time it’s through the computer. Weblogs, online game sites, chat, etc. I’ve talked to a few on the phone and exchanged letters and gifts.
100. I used to be afraid of clowns and any costume where I couldn’t see the person’s face. So much so that when my mom took me to The Greatest Show on Earth, I fell asleep every time I saw a clown. I was in high school before I was comfortable watching a parade or answering the door on Halloween. It all started when my uncle, dressed as a hobo clown, thought it would be a good idea to pick me up and carry me through the parade route. I didn’t know who he was and screamed and cried until he gave me back to my mom.
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Nap Time
The kindergarten class just left. One of the little guys is usually quite animated in here. He's always talking to or singing along with his computer...and sometimes even rolling in his chair. Today he started off in his usual way but half way through class, I realized that things were quieter than usual. I looked over at him and he was asleep in his chair! There were about 10 minutes left so I just let him sleep. When his teacher showed up to take her class back to their classroom, she woke him. She said, "It's pretty warm in here today, isn't it? Kinda good for sleeping." He looked up at her and said, "I was hoping everyone would fall for that." I swear kids say the darndest things sometimes. :o)
Tomorrow is the last day of school until sometime in late August. The kids are excited and I have to say, I am, too. Don't get me wrong, I love my job. But it's nice to have summers off.
Especially after last week. With so much going on, I didn't know if I was coming or going half the time. We had school functions all week and a big potluck dinner on Sunday. My cousin, who has fought in Iraq twice (once back in 1989 and again just this past Fall), was home to attend the high school graduation and the potluck was a way to show him he was appreciated for all he's done as a part of our military.
It's really warm in here today. I'm going to stop typing before I end up like the little kindergarten boy and take a nap in my chair.
Tomorrow is the last day of school until sometime in late August. The kids are excited and I have to say, I am, too. Don't get me wrong, I love my job. But it's nice to have summers off.
Especially after last week. With so much going on, I didn't know if I was coming or going half the time. We had school functions all week and a big potluck dinner on Sunday. My cousin, who has fought in Iraq twice (once back in 1989 and again just this past Fall), was home to attend the high school graduation and the potluck was a way to show him he was appreciated for all he's done as a part of our military.
It's really warm in here today. I'm going to stop typing before I end up like the little kindergarten boy and take a nap in my chair.
Friday, May 21, 2004
ISP
I think my ISP at home is what's giving me problems because I still can't access my blog from there. That is so furstrating! Internet access is not cheap here because of our isolation and this is the cheapest. I guess you get what you pay for.
If there's anything I hate about living in Alaska, it is that availability of pretty much everything is limited. Services and products are either not available or are quite expensive compared to the rest of the country. Except Hawaii, that is. Have you ever noticed how most commercials will say how great and affordable their product is and then you see the small print at the bottom of the screen that says "Alaska and Hawaii excluded." Or "Prices may differ in Alaska and Hawaii." That irritates me to no end sometimes.
Tonight is High School graduation. Tomorrow is 8th Grade promotion. Busy, busy, busy! I'll write more later.
If there's anything I hate about living in Alaska, it is that availability of pretty much everything is limited. Services and products are either not available or are quite expensive compared to the rest of the country. Except Hawaii, that is. Have you ever noticed how most commercials will say how great and affordable their product is and then you see the small print at the bottom of the screen that says "Alaska and Hawaii excluded." Or "Prices may differ in Alaska and Hawaii." That irritates me to no end sometimes.
Tonight is High School graduation. Tomorrow is 8th Grade promotion. Busy, busy, busy! I'll write more later.
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Busy Week
Part of being in a small town is having a lot of family around. My extended family is huge so this time of year is usually extremely busy.
Last night the elementary students had a spring concert. They were very well prepared and put on a great show. It lasted about an hour and a half, a bit longer than usual, because it was the last concert under the direction of our current elementary music teacher. He will be leaving us after 9 years here. The kids have learned a lot from him and he will be missed. Our elementary includes grades kindergarten through 6th and even the youngest ones were playing instruments and keeping the beat. It was great.
Tonight is the Baccalaureate for this years graduating seniors. Tomorrow is the Head Start graduation ceremony. Friday is the day of High School graduation and the 8th grade promotion is on Saturday.
I've got at least one family member involved in everything. I love being surrounded by so much family. It's comforting to know that I have a support system close by should I ever need one.
Last night the elementary students had a spring concert. They were very well prepared and put on a great show. It lasted about an hour and a half, a bit longer than usual, because it was the last concert under the direction of our current elementary music teacher. He will be leaving us after 9 years here. The kids have learned a lot from him and he will be missed. Our elementary includes grades kindergarten through 6th and even the youngest ones were playing instruments and keeping the beat. It was great.
Tonight is the Baccalaureate for this years graduating seniors. Tomorrow is the Head Start graduation ceremony. Friday is the day of High School graduation and the 8th grade promotion is on Saturday.
I've got at least one family member involved in everything. I love being surrounded by so much family. It's comforting to know that I have a support system close by should I ever need one.
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
Fear Factor
Still can't access blogger.com from home. :o(
Did anyone watch Fear Factor last night? It was a family edition...one parent, one child per team. Some of those teams, I swear I could not tell the child from the parent.
One little girl tried so hard...took an entire 30 minutes to complete a terrifying stunt I probably wouldn't even be brave enough to attmept...and ended up having to leave the game. I felt so bad for her because she tried so hard only to be defeated. She had spirit and just was not going to give up.
There was another team who irritated me to no end. It was a father/son team. They were heckling the other teams all the way through. At one point, when the little girl I mentioned before was almost done with her stunt, the son clapped for her and the father looked at him and asked, "Have you gone soft on me?" He actually ridiculed his own son for showing good sportsmanship! I wanted to wring his neck. They made it through to the last stunt and then lost. When the host asked them, "Are you going to wait and congratulate them on their win?" The father said, "No." Took his son by the shoulder and led him off.
What is that teaching his son? It's sad to think that there are people like that in this world. I know he may be the exception, but it still bothers me. I don't have children, but have nieces and nephews and whenever they are going to compete or take a test I always tell them, "Just do your best. I don't care if you win by a mile or lose by 10 miles. I just want you to have fun and do your best. The important thing is that you're trying." Same thing with school. I tell them, "Try your hardest. If you fail, we'll know what to practice, but you must always do your best."
Each 4th of July, our town has a big celebration. We have booths set up that sell food and toys, races and games for all ages, a parade, and fireworks. For the races and games, all participants used to get $1 just for entering. Before they even left the starting line, they had a crisp, new $1 bill in their hands. I liked that idea. Everyone got something just for trying. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers got an additional money prize, but most kids - especially the ones who were not athletic - appreciated their $1 and couldn't wait to spend it on something good.
I am not saying that kids should be rewarded or motivated with money in everything. I just think kids need to know that it's okay to fail. They need to know what good sportsmanship is. They need to know that win or lose, they are loved, supported, and accepted.
Did anyone watch Fear Factor last night? It was a family edition...one parent, one child per team. Some of those teams, I swear I could not tell the child from the parent.
One little girl tried so hard...took an entire 30 minutes to complete a terrifying stunt I probably wouldn't even be brave enough to attmept...and ended up having to leave the game. I felt so bad for her because she tried so hard only to be defeated. She had spirit and just was not going to give up.
There was another team who irritated me to no end. It was a father/son team. They were heckling the other teams all the way through. At one point, when the little girl I mentioned before was almost done with her stunt, the son clapped for her and the father looked at him and asked, "Have you gone soft on me?" He actually ridiculed his own son for showing good sportsmanship! I wanted to wring his neck. They made it through to the last stunt and then lost. When the host asked them, "Are you going to wait and congratulate them on their win?" The father said, "No." Took his son by the shoulder and led him off.
What is that teaching his son? It's sad to think that there are people like that in this world. I know he may be the exception, but it still bothers me. I don't have children, but have nieces and nephews and whenever they are going to compete or take a test I always tell them, "Just do your best. I don't care if you win by a mile or lose by 10 miles. I just want you to have fun and do your best. The important thing is that you're trying." Same thing with school. I tell them, "Try your hardest. If you fail, we'll know what to practice, but you must always do your best."
Each 4th of July, our town has a big celebration. We have booths set up that sell food and toys, races and games for all ages, a parade, and fireworks. For the races and games, all participants used to get $1 just for entering. Before they even left the starting line, they had a crisp, new $1 bill in their hands. I liked that idea. Everyone got something just for trying. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers got an additional money prize, but most kids - especially the ones who were not athletic - appreciated their $1 and couldn't wait to spend it on something good.
I am not saying that kids should be rewarded or motivated with money in everything. I just think kids need to know that it's okay to fail. They need to know what good sportsmanship is. They need to know that win or lose, they are loved, supported, and accepted.
Monday, May 17, 2004
Bored at Work
I have absolutely nothing to keep me busy at work today. All of the classes are going to Music because they have a concert tomorrow night. Today and tomorrow are their last chances to rehearse so I'll have another boring day tomorrow.
I really enjoy my job. I've had it for about 11 years now. I enjoy kids. That is essential in a job like mine. I go home smiling each day because of things they've done or said.
There's one little boy who comes to mind right now. He's in kindergarten. He has a great sense of humor. He was here for computer class a few days before Easter and he said, "Teacher, you know what? I don't like eggs." I asked, "Why don't you like eggs?" His reply was, "Because I'm afraid that if I crack one open a chicken will pop out." Then he said, "Nah, I'm just kidding. I just don't like eggs." This same child, after becoming frustrated with his computer, was heard saying, "Oh, for crying out loud! Wasn't I double-clicking fast enough for ya?!" He never talks like this towards other students or teachers, just to his computer. He is always full of stories. If I can remember some, I'll post them.
I really enjoy my job. I've had it for about 11 years now. I enjoy kids. That is essential in a job like mine. I go home smiling each day because of things they've done or said.
There's one little boy who comes to mind right now. He's in kindergarten. He has a great sense of humor. He was here for computer class a few days before Easter and he said, "Teacher, you know what? I don't like eggs." I asked, "Why don't you like eggs?" His reply was, "Because I'm afraid that if I crack one open a chicken will pop out." Then he said, "Nah, I'm just kidding. I just don't like eggs." This same child, after becoming frustrated with his computer, was heard saying, "Oh, for crying out loud! Wasn't I double-clicking fast enough for ya?!" He never talks like this towards other students or teachers, just to his computer. He is always full of stories. If I can remember some, I'll post them.
Glitches
For some reason, my computer at home will not let me access my blog. I was able to view blogs belonging to others, and add posts to my own, but couldn't view it. If I can't figure out why in the next two weeks, this will be a short lived blog. I'm at work at the moment and only have two weeks until I'm on Summer Vacation. Hopefully, I can figure things out by then.
Friday, May 14, 2004
Broken Already?
This is a test. For some reason I can't view my blog...could it be I broke it already? hmmmmmmmm
Why Evergreen?
In case somebody is actually reading this and wonders why I chose the name Evergreen for my blog, I'll explain.
I have three reasons for choosing this name. First, I live on a small island in Southeast Alaska. I've always lived here and most likely always will. Partly because of the scenery - Alaska is a huge, beautiful state. Call me biased, but I believe Southeast is the most beautiful of all the regions. Every day of the year, you can look up at the majestic mountains surrounding us and see green. We have a lot of evergreen trees here.
Second, I love the song "Evergreen". So much so, that I had my cousin sing it during my wedding ceremony. I think it's a pretty song with a great message about love and how it can be constant, everlasting, unchanging.
Third, and the most obvious to anyone who knows me, I love the color green. We have a green truck, our bed spread is green, the majority of my wardrobe is green, we had a green wedding...you get the picture. I love green. :o)
So now, whether you wanted to or not, you know why I chose my blog name.
I have three reasons for choosing this name. First, I live on a small island in Southeast Alaska. I've always lived here and most likely always will. Partly because of the scenery - Alaska is a huge, beautiful state. Call me biased, but I believe Southeast is the most beautiful of all the regions. Every day of the year, you can look up at the majestic mountains surrounding us and see green. We have a lot of evergreen trees here.
Second, I love the song "Evergreen". So much so, that I had my cousin sing it during my wedding ceremony. I think it's a pretty song with a great message about love and how it can be constant, everlasting, unchanging.
Third, and the most obvious to anyone who knows me, I love the color green. We have a green truck, our bed spread is green, the majority of my wardrobe is green, we had a green wedding...you get the picture. I love green. :o)
So now, whether you wanted to or not, you know why I chose my blog name.
My First Post in My First Blog
I didn't even know what a blog was until a few days ago. I'm not exactly sure how I stumbled on to blogger.com but I did, registered, and then became intrigued by all of the different types of blogs I found.
I like to write and have always wanted to keep a diary or journal. I even attempted to a few times, but was never successful. I never remembered to write. Hopefully, this will be different. I use the computer daily, at home and at work. There are times when I have nothing to do and times when I have things to say but nobody to say them to. This seemed like it would be a good place to come in either case.
I plan to use this to post my thoughts, interesting things I find or write, and maybe share things about my daily life. I don't know that it will get read by anyone, but that's not entirely the point. It's just a way to organize my thoughts. If someone else finds them interesting, that's fine. Just keep in mind that I'm very new to this. Be patient with me.
I like to write and have always wanted to keep a diary or journal. I even attempted to a few times, but was never successful. I never remembered to write. Hopefully, this will be different. I use the computer daily, at home and at work. There are times when I have nothing to do and times when I have things to say but nobody to say them to. This seemed like it would be a good place to come in either case.
I plan to use this to post my thoughts, interesting things I find or write, and maybe share things about my daily life. I don't know that it will get read by anyone, but that's not entirely the point. It's just a way to organize my thoughts. If someone else finds them interesting, that's fine. Just keep in mind that I'm very new to this. Be patient with me.
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