Friday, December 19, 2008

Can I gloat?


When I went to college the first time, I got mostly A's and B's. I only got one C the whole time, but I honestly avoided classes that were extremely difficult. Now at NEIU, I am just rocking everything. I am putting so much more effort into my classes. I even got an A in Biology and Statistics! I am so proud of myself! Thank you!
306
Mtds Tchg Rdg In Early Chld
A
328M
Clin Exp Erly Chld/Multicultrl
A
328S
Prctm in Early Chldhd w/Spec E
A
355
Mtds Tch Math, Sci & SS/ECED
A

Thursday, December 18, 2008

13 going on 30

So I have a pet peeve.
Lately, when I have been out and about conversing with people, I will make jokes that I am too old to be at certain bars. Then I will be asked, "Well how old are you?" Then I will say my age, which is 30. Every single time they say, "Well you don't look it!" I understand that this is meant to be a compliment. I am glad that I don't look like an old lady at the bar drinking scotch. What I hear, however, when people say this to me is since I look young I must act young and think young. I have 30 years of experiences and forgive me if I don't want to date guys who are 21-25 years old. Just because I look young doesn't mean that I automatically must go to bars in Lincoln Park. I get really offended by this. I like to converse with people in their 30's too! I like to talk to people from the graduating class of 2000. It doesn't mean that I don't enjoy my younger friends and there really isn't much of a difference in maturity after 25 anyway. It just really bothers me so much whenever I hear the words, "Well you don't look it!" One day I will really appreciate it and I will regret this blog, but for right now it really bothers me. :)

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

What??????



Drew Peterson engaged to 23-year-old

Drew Peterson, who is still married to his missing wife Stacy, is now engaged to a 23-year-old Chicago-area woman, his publicist said today.
Glenn Selig said the 54-year-old former police sergeant has been seeing the woman for about four months. She's the same age Stacy was when she disappeared last October. If they marry, she will be Peterson's fifth wife.
"This is a private matter as far as we're concerned," Selig said. "And he's entitled to be happy."

Moderation

I realize I have two things that I can not keep in moderation!
1st: Those little chocolates that have three parts: pretzel, chocolate in the middle and then a m&m on top. Oh my god! My co-worker offered me some and I keep stealing them while she is out teaching. She says she is not in a "sweets mood" and I am taking this to mean eat almost all of them.
2nd: The Office! I didn't like it when I first saw it, but two nights in a row my boyfriend and I have stayed in and watched back to back to back to back episodes. If I wasn't so tired I would watch more!
I guess this is one way to get through this terrible Chicago weather. Oh by the way, it took me only 30 minutes to get home and it took him almost three hours from 55th and State to Lincoln Square! Sometimes I love the CTA!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Arne Duncan


Many people have many different thoughts on CEO Arne Duncan. Some teachers that I have spoken with have hated him with a passion and I know other teachers who have loved him. I had the chance to meet him several years ago while working at VAI. We were working to save Senn high school from becoming a military academy. I don't really care either way, but I do think that community and family input should be validated and included in the decision making process. This is something the Alderman and the CEO failed to do. Yet when I met him, I realized he is an extremely charming man. He didn't know how to work with the far left in Uptown, but I do think he has Chicago Public Schools in his heart and has the best intentions. I can easily see how Obama and Duncan are good friends. I sincerely hope he does a good job. I always stand up for him and have a crush on him too! Good luck Mr. Duncan!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Your Aura

Oh yeah....My masseuse said I had a strong purple aura! I will believe her!

WHAT THE COLOURS MEAN
Although auras can change colour according to our moods and our physical and emotional well being, we generally have one colour that is always present in our auras. This colour says a lot about us, because it describes our attitudes and beliefs. The interpretations given below are only suggestions but I have found them useful; however you may begin to develop your own ideas once you start to develop your aura reading skills.
RED
This is a vibrant colour to find in anybody's aura. It indicates that the individual is enterprising, dynamic & competitive. Often they enjoy being active and have a love of sports. Clear red indicates someone who loves life and lives it to the full. However, a dull red indicates anger or resentment.
ORANGE
Orange is a lovely warm and energising colour and someone who has an orange aura is very positive and confident. This person goes through life believing all things will go well. Beware, of someone who has an overly bright orange aura has it often indicates an egotistical character.
GREEN
A clear green aura is found surrounding loving and affectionate people they instinctively want to create harmony for others. This may make them overly anxious to please and they may be taken advantage of. They have a great love of the outdoors and nature. Watch out for someone with a harsh green aura - they are often stubborn and inflexible to any new ideas.
YELLOW
People with yellow auras tend to be life's thinkers. They would never rush into a decision. You may find them outgoing and very sociable. However, beware of someone with a murky yellow aura and they are probably less than truthful.
BLUE
Blue is the colour that belongs to someone who is idealistic and who has strong beliefs about what is right or wrong. They are often a seeker of spiritual knowledge and could be drawn to practice some form of healing. However, a dark blue aura indicates someone who is conservative in their views and afraid of change
PURPLE
People with purple auras right through from pale lilac to rich purple indicate someone with a strong sense of spiritual purpose. They are humanitarian and care deeply about the fate of others. A clear purple indicates a strong psychic ability.
GOLD
A gold aura is rarely seen. Someone with a gold aura has a tremendous amount of potential and the ability to make a big contribution to the world. They have a deep sense of spirituality and visionary qualities. However, if someone has a dirty gold aura - take care. They have a strong materialistic streak and will stop at nothing to gain power.
BROWN A person with a rich brown aura is very practical and down to earth, and often has a strong love of animals. They enjoy working out of doors and are often very talented at growing plants. A red-brown aura indicates someone who likes to take care of others.
BLACK
Don't be worried if you find someone with a black aura, it is not necessarily a negative sign. It usually indicates the person who wants to hide away from the world for a time. A black aura, whether it is completely black or with streaks usually indicates someone who is physically exhausted. A dense black aura indicates a needy person who may leech energy from others.
By learning to read and interpret your own and the aura of others, you will find it opens up a new understanding of the people who surround you in your daily life. It could transform your relationships, career and health.
copyright Linda Preston 2008

Massages


I have a love/hate relationship with massages. I just got my third full massage of my life today. I get so nervous that it is not relaxing. I think to myself..."Are my feet too dry? Did I shave my legs well enough? Does the masseuse think I am fat?" All these ridiculous questions! My first real massage was in Vietnam with my boyfriend. Before the massage, I ran into a fat, hairy, naked Russian man and saw everything. Little Vietnamese men were running around everywhere. I was so nervous. I was Prudishly covering myself with a little towel. In many counties, massage parlours are fronts for other things and at the very least you get the "full meal deal" when you get a massage. (If you catch my drift) The whole time that I was getting a massage, I kept thinking about what they may be doing to my boyfriend. He got the cute girl, and I got the not-so-cute girl. She actually stood on me! It felt amazing. She must have been about 90 pounds, but I couldn't get these thoughts out of my head. To make matters worse, the Russian guy in the next room kept grunting and moaning. I, of course, kept imagining he was getting a "full meal deal"! It was horrible. They have windows where you can see in each room, I looked in my boyfriends room and nothing wrong was happening, but now it didn't matter. My massage was over and I left more stressed out then I came!

My massage today was pretty wonderful. One whole hour of bliss. In my daily life, I hold grudges and I have a lot on my mind. With each kneed and push I tried to let these grudges go. After all, they are not thinking about me, why should I give them my precious thoughts? I wish one massage would make my grudges go away. I have so much trouble letting things go. Any advice?

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Slum Dog Millionaire

By far one of the best movies I have seen in awhile. The insight into the culture and the atrocities that occur against women and children broke my heart. Right after the movie, we were listening to NPR and they began discussing these exact issues, but in real incidents completely unrelated to the movie. Then they began talking about the child porn problem and how they recently caught 14? people in this ring. It was all very real and devastating.
We should all see this movie and keep in mind how fortunate we are when ever we complain about this or that.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

This is CRAZY!

So, my boy and I were going through "youtube" looking at Vietnamese videos. We wanted to remember our trip, and listen to Vietnamese songs. Then we randomly came across this! Part of me wants to meet them, part of me is horrified and totally grossed out, and part of me is jealous of her self-taught Vietnamese. Either way, it is a train wreck that must be seen!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zII0USXG6b0

My-Rod...not



Illinois governor taken into custody
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was taken into federal custody today on corruption charges stemming from the appointment of President-elect Barack Obama's Senate replacement. Blagojevich and his Chief of Staff John Harris are charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery, according to a statement from the U.S. attorney's office for the Northern District of Illinois.

Oh how I will miss seeing him run down my block!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Let's Say Thanks!

XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING COOL
If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! It is FREE and it only takes a second.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them.This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you. Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others to do. We can never say enough thank you's.Thanks for taking to time to support our military!
I just love this and it really touched me!

Toys of today!


I was looking for lesson plan ideas about toys from around the world and this came up. Real legos!
If only it were just fantasy for kids.
Crazy!
Review of this toy:
1,876 of 1,913 people found the following review helpful:
Great lesson for the kids!, September 9, 2005
By
loosenut (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviewsI was a little disappointed when I first bought this item, because the functionality is limited. My 5 year old son pointed out that the passenger's shoes cannot be removed. Then, we placed a deadly fingernail file underneath the passenger's scarf, and neither the detector doorway nor the security wand picked it up. My son said "that's the worst security ever!". But it turned out to be okay, because when the passenger got on the Playmobil B757 and tried to hijack it, she was mobbed by a couple of other heroic passengers, who only sustained minor injuries in the scuffle, which were treated at the Playmobil Hospital. The best thing about this product is that it teaches kids about the realities of living in a high-surveillence society. My son said he wants the Playmobil Neighborhood Surveillence System set for Christmas. I've heard that the CC TV cameras on that thing are pretty worthless in terms of quality and motion detection, so I think I'll get him the Playmobil Abu-Gharib Interogation Set instead (it comes with a cute little memo from George Bush).

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Thanksgiving



So I started off strong with the blog and then it came time when I just couldn't put off my homework any longer. I am listening to a employee dispute in the next room, I just finished a major case study (due in less then two hours), and now I can relax and think about the incredible week I hope to have!

I am having Thanksgiving tonight with the boy and his family, Thursday is with my mom and family and Friday is with my dad. Three thanksgiving dinners is pretty awesome. To bad I really eat like a bird myself (unless it is ice cream and chocolate of course).

I am thankful for a lot of things. First, to be going into a profession where I am guaranteed some kind of employment. Things are shaky here and I hear about all the layoffs and I think it is so terrible. I appreciate my boss and all the flexibility she has given me when I needed to balance school and work. Best boss ever! No seriously! Best boss.

I am thankful for my friends. I have amazing amazing friends. I am self absorbed, talk to much and create drama, but my friends have proven that they will stick by me through thick and thin and thin again! Pretty crazy how lucky I am.

I am thankful for Chicago. I freakn love this City. Crowded "L" and all. I love the taxi's the downtown store windows, the never ending night life, the comedy, the diversity, and so much more. I just decided to come here and that was that!

I am thankful for my family. We got issues, but overall I would pick my family over all others! Except maybe Jon and Kate's :).

I am very very grateful for a girl named JF who drove me home every night after school for two years because we got out at 10pm and I would have to take a bus and a train in the cold frigid weather. I am so so so lucky that she is so kind and generous. I don't think I could have done it with out her! She was also my partner in some of the most major projects for school. Great partner! She doesn't read this blog, but she has the biggest Jager bottle in the world coming her way!

I am most grateful that I am practically done with school. I am grateful that I have the wonderful opportunity to be educated, but I am done and I am so HAPPY!!!

I am thankful for my health. I had some weird virus last year and was sick for a long time. It gave me compassion and understanding for those with terminal illness. I knew mine would eventually go away, even though it felt like a life time. I can't imagine knowing it wouldn't.

I am sure I missing a lot, but you get the idea. I am a lucky little girl.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Lesson Plans

I have to do a thematic unit plan for my portfolio.
I need lessons geared to kindergarten.
The theme is "All about me."
For example, I have a graphing exercise where I introduce the concept of a graph and we graphed our birthdays.
Now, I need lessons about social studies that can be considered Ecology, Sociology, and Anthropology. They must fall under the theme of "All about me."
I need help!!! I need to do 8 total, but these three are killing me.

Hottest Man Alive!


I was very excited to spend my first hour of work oogling the hottest men alive. Bravo choice "People" for choosing Hugh Jackman. I love Nicole Kidman and can't wait to see Australia. Hugh is very much deserving of his status and is a loving husband and father!

Daniel Craig also a great nominee. The only blonde celebrity I like in the guy department.

Choices I have a huge problem with? Blake Shelton! Joshua Jackson! Yuck! No no no!
Lastly, the "Asian" choice because they have to show diversity is Lang Lang. What???? No. It is sad that Hollywood has so few choices. What about the Asian George Clooney? Who is that you ask? Andy Lau. The truest hottest man alive (tied with Matt Damon). What happend to the guy who won last year from Lost? Or what about the classic Jet Li, but Lang Lang? Sorry, no can do on that one.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Go get em'

I would also like to make a shout out to the Ace Technical High School Chess Team!
You can do it! :)

My Joe Biden connection


Sooo~ I have this very strange crush on Joe Biden. He was my original pick for President.
I also babysit for these two adorable children. Their father's job is to protect Obama and Biden. I think this is ridiculously cool. I get so excited when I talk to him about it! He thinks I am pretty ridiculous. So just now he called to ask if I could babysit. I couldn't but, I asked him if he was at the Obama rally. He told me he was in a helicopter above watching the whole thing! Where is he right now, this very minute???? WITH JOE BIDEN. He says ever so nonchalant, "Actually, I am with Joe right now." With Joe right now????? I am so so so excited. My babysitting client wishes that he never called me!

10,000 steps


So this last weekend, Joe, Val, Tuan, and I went to the Great-American Food Expo at Harper College. It was fabulous because of the many wine samples that were given. Very cool. The Barefoot wine company gave out Pedometers. I put my name on the mailing list just to get one.

I am very excited to see how many steps a day I make running around this health club. It is noon and I haven't done anything different then I normally do and I have already walked 2,500 steps. I checked the Internet to see how I am fairing:


1) Under 5000 steps/day may be used as a "sedentary lifestyle index" 2) 5,000-7,499 steps/day is typical of daily activity excluding sports/exercise and might be considered "low active." 3) 7,500-9,999 likely includes some exercise or walking (and/or a job that requires more walking) and might be considered "somewhat active." 4) 10,000 steps/day indicates the point that should be used to classify individuals as "active". 5) Individuals who take more than 12,500 steps/day are likely to be classified as "highly active".


So so far I am leading a "sedentary lifestyle" at a health club. Oopsy.

Maybe after Yoga my friends and I should sign up for something a little more cardio???

uh oh...

So I just made my blog known to my friends and now I am having second thoughts! It is so much pressure! I can't handle it!.... Just kidding!

My very first blog!






So I have a job where the first whole hour I do absolutely nothing. It is truly the best job ever, but it will be ending in a month, when I begin my student teaching!!! Anyhow, during this time I read tons and tons of blogs. This craze was started by my friend Jaime's blog, "the daily ramblings." I became very much addicted and thought today, why not start my own? I have things to say?
For instance, the brown line! I HATE standing on the train. I hate squeezing by men who won't step out so I can get through! Isn't it wonderful that I have an outlet for my personal grievances????
Most importantly is that I am becoming very bored with facebook and need a brand new way to avoid doing my homework....