Feel like giving back? I do sometimes. There are a lot of things that you can do that don't cost any money at all!
Here are two of my favorite websites:
www.freerice.com (Suzie, you will love this site!)
www.thehungersite.com
All you have to do is click the button and it donates food or health care. There are mulitple tabs at the top of the website. I like to click once a day and then click for every cause (Breast Cancer, Animal Rescue, Hunger, Literacy, Healthcare...)
Am I stingy for looking for free ways to contribute? Nah, I think it's great that at least I'm trying.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
A Political Review
I am venturing out. I never thought I was well-versed or ablet o write well, but today I am stepping out of my comfort zone. I am going to comment on a political cartoon.
I don't normally comment on anything related to politics, mainly because I don't feel like i have taken the time to become educated. But today I feel I can successfully share my two cents on the situation.
Earlier this week, a pet chimp was shot to death because he attacked a person, causing severe damages to their face. Later a politcal cartoon was published in the New York Post.
Immediatly contraversies arose, saying the chimp represents President Obama and the cartoon was blantly racist.
My view? First of all, our country has elected a "mixed" President (an African-American/white). We, as a country are trying to overcome the horrible hold of racism that has ben present for so many years. We cannot, however look toward an optimist future if people/critics keeping pointing out how it could be seen as racist. We will never get past racism if people continue to plant ideas in other people's heads.
Okay, here's my interpration of the politcal cartoon:
The chimp doesn't represent President Obama at all, but government as a whole. Afterall it wasn't Obama who wrote the stimulus plan at all. The artist is simply stating that government is acting like a monkey, in which they propose is just a "dumb animal" (even though monkeys are one of the smartest of all mammals). The cartoon is also representing the latest news of the chimp being shot from earlier this week.
If I recall correctly, President Bush was compared to a picture of a chimp over twenty times! We didn't refer to that as racist.
I don't normally comment on anything related to politics, mainly because I don't feel like i have taken the time to become educated. But today I feel I can successfully share my two cents on the situation.
Earlier this week, a pet chimp was shot to death because he attacked a person, causing severe damages to their face. Later a politcal cartoon was published in the New York Post.
Immediatly contraversies arose, saying the chimp represents President Obama and the cartoon was blantly racist.
My view? First of all, our country has elected a "mixed" President (an African-American/white). We, as a country are trying to overcome the horrible hold of racism that has ben present for so many years. We cannot, however look toward an optimist future if people/critics keeping pointing out how it could be seen as racist. We will never get past racism if people continue to plant ideas in other people's heads.
Okay, here's my interpration of the politcal cartoon:
The chimp doesn't represent President Obama at all, but government as a whole. Afterall it wasn't Obama who wrote the stimulus plan at all. The artist is simply stating that government is acting like a monkey, in which they propose is just a "dumb animal" (even though monkeys are one of the smartest of all mammals). The cartoon is also representing the latest news of the chimp being shot from earlier this week.
If I recall correctly, President Bush was compared to a picture of a chimp over twenty times! We didn't refer to that as racist.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
One Down, Five To Go
At the end of last year, I emailed my prinicpal and "demanded" more opportunities for programs. Last year, the programs were divided into two grade chunks-- K, 1, 2 in one program and 3, 4, 5 in another. I absoultely hated that! Too many kids, not enough speaking opportunities and not enough room on the risers. So, I came up with a solution-- divide the kids up more. I proposed several different program ideas, the first one was granted to me. It was divided into K (by themselves), 1-2, 3-4, and 5 (by themselves). So far, I am loving that idea! It is making my life easier, less teachers to worry about, and less kids. Less props, less costumes... etc. Every program performs twice in one day. One at 10:00 a.m. for the students and staff, and again at 1:00 p.m. for parents and family. So, if you count up all that I have left, I have five more. I thought I was almost done!
My Program Schedule:
Feb. 18-- one more at 1:00 p.m.
Mar. 11-- 3-4 Program "I Need a Vacation"
10:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
Apr. 22-- 5th Grade Program "Drummin' with Orff"
10:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
Oh and then there is the Elementary Music Festival on May 4 and 5th.... but that's not as big of a deal for me. This doesn't even include piano recitals or piano competitions or Rezound concerts.... there are many more where that came from!
And amongst all this busy-ness.... I want to make my life more complicated by taking piano lessons, and starting a family. I can handle it though, because what stays at work, stays at work. I usually don't stress over work when I'm at home. I just walk through the building and then I'm like, "OH MY GOSH, I HAVE A PROGRAM TODAY, ARG!!!" But when I'm at home, I just enjoying spending time with Whit and teaching piano lessons and watching TV and playing on the computer and the like.
So, one program down, five to go!
My Program Schedule:
Feb. 18-- one more at 1:00 p.m.
Mar. 11-- 3-4 Program "I Need a Vacation"
10:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
Apr. 22-- 5th Grade Program "Drummin' with Orff"
10:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
Oh and then there is the Elementary Music Festival on May 4 and 5th.... but that's not as big of a deal for me. This doesn't even include piano recitals or piano competitions or Rezound concerts.... there are many more where that came from!
And amongst all this busy-ness.... I want to make my life more complicated by taking piano lessons, and starting a family. I can handle it though, because what stays at work, stays at work. I usually don't stress over work when I'm at home. I just walk through the building and then I'm like, "OH MY GOSH, I HAVE A PROGRAM TODAY, ARG!!!" But when I'm at home, I just enjoying spending time with Whit and teaching piano lessons and watching TV and playing on the computer and the like.
So, one program down, five to go!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Multi-Piano Part 1
Here is some pictures from Multi-Piano. I'm going to upload video later. The video is not that great though, but it's pretty good! My brother took all of these photos. Thank you Nick Schale!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Valentine's Day
My lovely husband just surprised me with a dozen pink roses on the counter! How wonderful! I know it's Valentine's Day and what better day to give flowers than today, but I haven't gotten flowers in a really long time. I think Whit saves his surprises for when I think I'm not going to get anything. Plus he is really good at saying he won't do something to make me think otherwsie.
It will be a Happy Valentine's Day for sure. We are going to play poker tonight with Jay and Priscilla (not what I would like to do, but it's alright, I guess.) I think they are having a BBQ also.
We actually went out to Olive Garden last night for a "pre-Valentine's Day" dinner. I think a lot of couples were doing that last night. Mom Martin gave us a gift card for Valentine's Day so we used that! How sweet of her!
Today I have to go "work" at the Multi-Piano function and then I have to play like six duets with my former teacher, Mickey and several students. It is a lot of fun, I just thought it came by too fast. I was supposed to practice! What happened!?
It will be a Happy Valentine's Day for sure. We are going to play poker tonight with Jay and Priscilla (not what I would like to do, but it's alright, I guess.) I think they are having a BBQ also.
We actually went out to Olive Garden last night for a "pre-Valentine's Day" dinner. I think a lot of couples were doing that last night. Mom Martin gave us a gift card for Valentine's Day so we used that! How sweet of her!
Today I have to go "work" at the Multi-Piano function and then I have to play like six duets with my former teacher, Mickey and several students. It is a lot of fun, I just thought it came by too fast. I was supposed to practice! What happened!?
Thursday, February 12, 2009
I cannot believe my ears
On Monday, something terrible happened in my school district. This something is so horrible, I have a hard time even now explaining how I feel. I cannot believe what I heard is true, and how it has affected the teachers I work with, and especially the students I teach.
Monday afternoon, around 3:00 p.m., three boys were walking near ME Pearson Elementary School. This elementary school is not far from Whittier, and very close to Central Elementary School (the school I taught at last year). Two of these boys were in 7th grade (from Central Middle School-- adjacant to Whittier Elementary School), and I believe one was in 9th grade (from Washington High School). The boys were just North of Pearson and were shot at from a car coming down the street. From what I understand, the boys were involved in a gang called F-13. The people who shot at them were also in a gang called FL. One boy was shot in the head and died on his 14th birthday. This was a student from Central Middle School-- just across the walkway from Whittier.
My friend Jack is the music teacher at Pearson. When this took place, he was teaching 1st graders who recongized the sound of gunshots. Can you believe that? A bunch of first graders knowing what guns sound like? It is instances like this that hurts my heart. I cannot begin to tell you what kind of impact this has brought to our lives as educators. My friend was so baffled it was hard for him to talk about the instance. Today I teach at Whittier and the building is on lock down for today and especially tomorrow.
Tomorrow might just seem like an ordinary day-- besides the fact that it is Friday the 13th, but this is something that boys' gang will like. Those two boys were injured, well one died. So retailation is in order. The gang's name is F-13, I believe they live near or on 13th Street, and they are Hispanic. It just so happens that this is Friday, the 13th, what better why to show them who's boss, then to retailiate on Friday the 13th. Needless to say, our buildings are on lock down, no one allowed to play outside, even if the weather is nice.
I cannot believe my ears. This morning, a 5th grader told her friend that "they are going to shot up Whittier tomorrow." These kids know more than I will ever know. Thank goodness I am not at Whittier tomorrow, but I feel for these kids. I don't know what they must be going through, and the teachers, and especially the prinicpal. How can she live with herself knowing that her students are not 100% safe? I cannot believe my ears.
I just keep saying this to myslef, as I shake my head in confusion. I cannot believe my ears.
The Kansas City Start News Story
http://www.kansascity.com/news/neighborhood/wyandotte_county/story/1025457.html
Monday afternoon, around 3:00 p.m., three boys were walking near ME Pearson Elementary School. This elementary school is not far from Whittier, and very close to Central Elementary School (the school I taught at last year). Two of these boys were in 7th grade (from Central Middle School-- adjacant to Whittier Elementary School), and I believe one was in 9th grade (from Washington High School). The boys were just North of Pearson and were shot at from a car coming down the street. From what I understand, the boys were involved in a gang called F-13. The people who shot at them were also in a gang called FL. One boy was shot in the head and died on his 14th birthday. This was a student from Central Middle School-- just across the walkway from Whittier.
My friend Jack is the music teacher at Pearson. When this took place, he was teaching 1st graders who recongized the sound of gunshots. Can you believe that? A bunch of first graders knowing what guns sound like? It is instances like this that hurts my heart. I cannot begin to tell you what kind of impact this has brought to our lives as educators. My friend was so baffled it was hard for him to talk about the instance. Today I teach at Whittier and the building is on lock down for today and especially tomorrow.
Tomorrow might just seem like an ordinary day-- besides the fact that it is Friday the 13th, but this is something that boys' gang will like. Those two boys were injured, well one died. So retailation is in order. The gang's name is F-13, I believe they live near or on 13th Street, and they are Hispanic. It just so happens that this is Friday, the 13th, what better why to show them who's boss, then to retailiate on Friday the 13th. Needless to say, our buildings are on lock down, no one allowed to play outside, even if the weather is nice.
I cannot believe my ears. This morning, a 5th grader told her friend that "they are going to shot up Whittier tomorrow." These kids know more than I will ever know. Thank goodness I am not at Whittier tomorrow, but I feel for these kids. I don't know what they must be going through, and the teachers, and especially the prinicpal. How can she live with herself knowing that her students are not 100% safe? I cannot believe my ears.
I just keep saying this to myslef, as I shake my head in confusion. I cannot believe my ears.
The Kansas City Start News Story
http://www.kansascity.com/news/neighborhood/wyandotte_county/story/1025457.html
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Much To Do
Here I sit, at my computer, while my first graders are watching a movie. I have things to do-- that's my justification for sticking in a video. I know that it is not quality teaching, but I have to get stuff done for my programs tomorrow (and one next week). And yet, here I sit, half writing a post on this blog site, half watching the movie I put in-- and the funny thing is, I'm not getting my stuff done. What was the point of that!? We had a rehearsal this morning and performed for the preschool kids. My Kindergarteners did fine. Of course, they have a lot going for them-- they are cute and they are five. It can't get much easier than that. No, they did okay. I'm happy, I just want that program to be over. In attempts to make each program "BIGGER AND BETTER" I decided to make a PowerPoint presentation of the lyrics and pictures to the songs we sing. This way, my Hispanic children's parents will be able to follow along better. I have about 80% of it done. But that program is tomorrow. So I figured I would do it today... while I show videoes. Am I a bad teacher for periodically let my kids watch a video? As long as my answer is no, then I guess I'm okay.
I need to get my applications out. I have a feeling that this is going to be another let down year. I need to keep my head on straight and my positive mind set. Otherwise nothing will happen. I just know that it would be perfect to teach-- let's say, Post! What I want for my future, it would work out so well to be there. I just hope that my personality comes out on the paper application and they want to see more. If not, I guess I'll just continue where I'm at. Job hunting really sucks and I need to get to my ideal job soon. Before I get burnt out.
I need to get my applications out. I have a feeling that this is going to be another let down year. I need to keep my head on straight and my positive mind set. Otherwise nothing will happen. I just know that it would be perfect to teach-- let's say, Post! What I want for my future, it would work out so well to be there. I just hope that my personality comes out on the paper application and they want to see more. If not, I guess I'll just continue where I'm at. Job hunting really sucks and I need to get to my ideal job soon. Before I get burnt out.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Clothes
I really need/want to go shopping for new clothes. But I'm sort of in a tough spot. I am trying to lose weight, yet everything I have doesn't look good on me. I'm running out of short sleeved shirts that don't show my belly-button "swimming hole" or shows my butt crack. I need long shirst. I think I'm okay on pants, although I would like a new pair of jeans. I just need some better shirts. This is a weird thing to write about but I feel like I can't go shopping for clothes without losing weight first. And of course, the weight hasn't come off yet, so therefore I'm not buying any clothes. It's a Catch-22. And I'm not happy about it.
Maybe I'll go shopping this weekend after Multi-Piano rehearsal. Oh wait, that's Valentine's day, so I better just go back home. I think Whit and I are going to make dinner together and just spend the night together. We'll see what happens. I know that Jay and Priscilla asked us over for poker, but really? On Valentine's Day? I'm sure it will just turn into us babysitting the girls while they go out and have fun.
I can't wait to start a family of my own.
P.S. I'm 3 for 3!
Maybe I'll go shopping this weekend after Multi-Piano rehearsal. Oh wait, that's Valentine's day, so I better just go back home. I think Whit and I are going to make dinner together and just spend the night together. We'll see what happens. I know that Jay and Priscilla asked us over for poker, but really? On Valentine's Day? I'm sure it will just turn into us babysitting the girls while they go out and have fun.
I can't wait to start a family of my own.
P.S. I'm 3 for 3!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Running errands
Today I spent the majority of my lunch hour running errands for my upcoming programs. The first is on Thursday-- the K kiddos at Whittier. Then I have another one at Caruthers-- the K kiddos next Wednesday. Putting on a program takes so much time and energy. And basically I thought I would love it, but I'm beginning to see why so many music teachers don't really care for them. I'm not as stressed out with these programs, just because they are Kindergarteners and well, they are just too cute! So, I've done all I can and they are as ready as they'll ever be!
I went to IARC to get the sound equipment, and then went over to Caruthers to drop it all off. Whittier has their own set of equipment, so it's not needed there. I just grabbed two 5th graders to help load it out of the car. Thank goodness for a few good kids.
I'm 2 for 2 so far! Good job, Tenessa!
I went to IARC to get the sound equipment, and then went over to Caruthers to drop it all off. Whittier has their own set of equipment, so it's not needed there. I just grabbed two 5th graders to help load it out of the car. Thank goodness for a few good kids.
I'm 2 for 2 so far! Good job, Tenessa!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
New at this....
I've started so many blogs. What's wrong with me? Why can't I update on a regular basis? I want to write, but sometimes I find myself not wanting to take the time to say what's on my mind.
When I start afresh, I feel like I'm going to be better with this one. Hee hee! Good thing about blogger is I can get to it from school. I did have LiveJournal.com, but then KCK blocked it.
I will try. Until tomorrow...
When I start afresh, I feel like I'm going to be better with this one. Hee hee! Good thing about blogger is I can get to it from school. I did have LiveJournal.com, but then KCK blocked it.
I will try. Until tomorrow...
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