My Siblings

Well, I'm borrowing a blog idea from one of you again---this time it's from Olyvia. She wrote a nice blog about her sisters, so I thought I'd share a bit about my two sisters and brother.

First of all, I have to say, I find it so strange when people don't like their siblings. I can't imagine my life without my siblings! I actually have three older half brothers and one older half sister, but to keep it simple and uncomplicated, I'm going to stick with talking about the siblings with whom I share my Mom and my Dad. (My Dad was married and divorced before he married my Mom, so that's the background info.) :)

I have an older sister Jill, a younger sister Brittany, and the baby in the group is my brother Gregory (Greg). So, I am a middle child...kinda--since I share that spot with Brittany. We are each about three years apart--Greg is about three & a half years younger than Brittany. So now that I have you thoroughly confused and bored, I will move on to what makes them special to me. :)



Jill, being the oldest of the four, has always been the protector and 'mother hen' if you will of all of us younger kids. She and I have fond memories of playing travel agent, beach party, restaurant, and so much more as children. She is one of my best friends ever. She has always been there for me--encouraged me, laughed with me, occasionally laughed at me, and helped me with all sorts of things. Even though we're three years apart, we are so close that we say that we are twins but that one of us was born a year and a half early and the other a year and a half late. I have always looked up to the great example she provides. We have a great relationship--one that I deeply cherish. She is currently getting her Masters at Georgetown University, and so she lives and works in D.C. It's hard having her live so far away. Her visits home are few in number and don't come often enough, but we keep in touch by phone, email, and instant messaging.

Then, there's Brittany. Brittany Brittany Brittany. She is quite a character. :) She is a lot of fun to be around; she comes up with the strangest things to say sometimes--we just have to laugh. It's hard not to smile when she's around. When we were kids, I used to force her to play school with me. I complained often to my parents because she didn't want to sit still and listen. :) She is a very friendly, accepting, 'bubbly' person, and she cheers me up when I'm down or bored or what-have-you. She is my best friend too. (I don't have just one best friend because they're all the best.) She is always there for me also, and I wish she were here right now making me laugh as I blog. She recently left for her first year at the University of Florida, so I'm the only girl (besides my Mom) at the house now, but she gets to visit pretty often, since she's so close---so that's a good thing. :)

With Jill and Brittany gone, I'm left with Greg. :) He's great too. He's my big little brother. :) I remember when he came home for the first time as a cute little baby---now he's taller than me! He's only 14, but because he's so tall, people often think he's my boyfriend. I'm like, nooooo, people--he's my brother! :) Anyway, he is a very talented musician. He's in both the marching band and jazz band at school, and I get 'jazzed up' about his performances. (Pardon the pun.) ;) But it is so cool to see what he can do with the guitar especially (he plays trumpet and piano too). It blows me away. Besides being talented (as all my siblings are with different things), Greg is just a good guy. He is a caring, loyal, trustworthy best friend. I know that I can count on him for his support, and I value his opinions. He's the best little brother.


So, that's all I can really squeeze into 20 plus minutes of blogging about my siblings. I am WAY over the time limit right now. Oops! Really, I could spend weeks talking about them, but I have other homework to do. :) The moral of the story (that is my life) is that I love my siblings!!! :-D They are the best, and they are irreplaceable to me. I would NEVER trade them for anyone else and would NEVER want to be an only child. My siblings provided me with 'built in' best friends, entertainment, love, and support. God blessed me with three wonderful siblings, and for that I am very grateful.

Birth Control for Eleven Year Olds?

I read an article about a middle school offering birth control to its female students. When I read the title of the article, I was like...you've GOT to be kidding me. But it was no lie--a school in Maine is actually going to do that. Here's the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/18/us/18portland.html?ex=1350360000&en=7fb352244936243a&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

First of all, whose idea was that? I know that society's morals have plummeted to extremely low standard as a whole, but do we really have sexually-active eleven year olds? I don't believe we do! So, we don't need to be giving contraceptives to middle schoolers. Can't they keep their innocence a bit longer? A school providing birth control is not only inappropriate for the age group, but it's also not the job of the school to hand out such things.

I was offended when, at the University of Central Florida's orientation, they took us incoming freshmen to a room, and said, "Here are a whole bunch of free condoms. Have at them." Not only was I disgusted, but I was angry because---were we supposed to be going to college to engage in immoral acts with people we're not married to or to get an education? I don't know about you, but I'm sick of being lectured on 'safe' things to do---JUST DON'T DO IT, PEOPLE, and quit talking to me about it!

I think people have lost focus. School is for teaching and LEARNING--it's not a place where we offer contraceptives to young people who shouldn't be involved in such a lifestyle.

First Grade

Well, today marked my second day (on the 16th day of the tenth month) in my second placement in the first grade class. Hehe--how do you like all those ordinal numbers? :) Already, in working with the first grade class, I have found it to be quite--um--different (?) slash challenging (?) compared to fifth grade. OF COURSE, I expected it to be different, but I guess I somehow figured first graders would have good behavior mostly--just because they are sometimes known for just wanting to please the teacher and follow directions. In my internship, though, it was the fifth grade class that was good, and the first graders who are having a bit of difficulty with behavior. Right now, I'm thinking that teaching grades two through five is more for me. (I've worked with second and third graders in the past, so I know what they're like.) I'm leaning toward the upper grades though--third through fifth.

Don't get me wrong---the first graders are very cute, and some of the things they say are just amazing for their age, but with the lack of self-control, the baby-like needs, etc. ---it is not the ideal age group for me. I realize, however, that a lot of that depends on the teacher's discipline and classroom management, but it also depends on the individual child's maturity level at such a young age. Also, it seems to me that with the upper grades, since the kids are more mature and know more, there is an opportunity for more in-depth activities and higher expectations behavior-wise.

I am enjoying my time with the first graders--even though I am seeing and experiencing quite a few behavior issues. Ijust have come to the realization that I wouldn't want to teach them full-time for an entire school year. A few of the students are quite a handful! :) I'm not sure about my supervising teacher's methods of discipline yet....It seems like she's constantly correcting the kids, which takes time away from the others who are behaving well, but I'll see as time goes on what the real core of the problem is. My supervising teacher (Mrs. Preshong) said that the two days I've seen them have been bad days for the students and that they normally aren't acting like they did when I saw them, so I hope they'll be better next week when I come. It could be that they were just acting out for attention, since I was a new guest in the classroom. Who knows? Only time will tell.

Mrs. Preshong is very nice, and I am enjoying working with her. She is not as organized as Mrs. Abel (my first placement supervising teacher) is, so that's a bit different. But I think she is a good teacher overall, and she cares a great deal about her students, and that shows.

I look forward to learning more from this experience--even though I now know that teaching first grade full-time is not my cup of tea for the future.

What are you going to name him?

Before I begin with tonight's featured topic, I have to respond to Krystina and Olyvia's recent comments/questions left on my a couple of my recent blogs...

Krystina, you gave a very kind response to my last poem post. You really are toooo polite! I thought it was terrible, but I'm glad you enjoyed it. hehe :)

Olyvia, you asked if there is anything else I do in my church besides sing in the choir. Yes, I am the "webmaster" and web designer for the church website. (Check it out if you wish--http://www.geocities.com/fumcpinehills.) I am the 'youth minister' even though, right now, we don't have a youth group, and I am the Sunday school teacher for the youth also. And during the summer, I teach a class at Vacation Bible School, and I'm kind of their official decorator for the event too, which is always fun. I'm also on the Leadership Committee and a couple of other committees. I think that pretty much covers it! :)
You also asked what grade I would like to teach and at what school, and for the grade part of that question (which everyone asks), I usually just say third grade because I like all of the grades, but 3rd is in the middle, so I just stick with that answer. I just started in my second placement for internship in a first grade class today (Monday, October 15). Already, I'm thinking I might change my tune and stick with the upper grades, but I'll explain that later in an upcoming blog. As for the school I'd like to teach in, I would like to go back to the school I attended - Ridgewood Park Elementary--which is a very troubled school to say the least. I also like Fern Creek, though, which is where I'm interning right now because, even though the students there have issues, the school is great and holds high expectations. But we'll see where God places me to teach.


Okay--even though my responses themselves took up a good chunk of my 20 minute blog requirement, I will now move on to the subject of the night... :-P


"What are you going to name him?" a friend asks a couple expecting a child.
"We were considering these," the pregnant woman exclaims, pointing to the names "Tylar" and "Taiylor" on the list of baby names the couple had compiled.

Well, according to an article (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/08/international/europe/08names.html?pagewanted=1&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Subjects/B/Babies&_r=3&oref=slogin) I recently read, Denmark might refuse to allow the parents to name their child either one of those names without written permission from a government review board because they are not typical names and definitely aren't typical spellings. I was kind of surprised when I read this article. Here in America, we can name babies whatever we want -- whether it's the infamous "Apple" or "Pilot Inspektor"--without question.

Even though it is the American way to be able to choose whatever unique name or spelling of a name we want for children, I'm thinking maybe some people DO need to ask permission first. For example, one real-life couple named their child "Lemonjello!" First of all, what were they smoking when they thought of naming their child that? Were they inhaling powdered lemon Jell-O? In my middle school yearbook, I remember seeing a child whose name was "Seaborn Algae." He was an adorable little child, but I would like to know how many times he was made fun of for that name. I'm sure he has probably lost count by now.

The fact is, people need to take the naming of a baby seriously. They are going to be stuck with it the rest of their lives! It's not something that should be taken lightly or be given little thought. Denmark is quite extreme in its handling of the situation, but for some parents that don't have good judgment and plain old good sense, maybe I should name their baby for them. :-P ;)

"I'm a Poet and Didn't Know It."

At my internship, some famous(?) poet came and talked to students about poetry. I had never heard of her before, but then again, I'm not a poetry person. Her name was Sarah Holbrook, and she gave kids some good strategies and pointers on how to write their own poems, so...I figured I'd try my hand at it tonight for this blog.

First, she said to create a small list of things having to do with a particular topic or place and at the same time, try to keep in mind words that will rhyme with the words you thought of:

stress (mess, success)
assignment
class (pass)
book (cook, shook, took)
blog (jog, hog, dog)

Next, she said to come up with a few sentences using some of the words from the list and using some sort of poetry pattern for rhyming. (I will use A B C B , which means the last words in the second and fourth line will rhyme.)

A. Here I am writing my third blog
B. I have so much to do in just this one week
C. I am quite overwhelmed and tired.
B. A little bit of rest is what I seek.

A. I have assignments to do for each and every class;
B. It's very hectic right now, and it causes me great stress.
C. I'm ready for a break--
B. I need at least a long weekend and nothing less.

A. This semester has been so busy--
B. I can't wait to be done with all that is due.
C. How I wish my classes were over with
B. It would feel so wonderful just to be through.

A. Now I must end this awful poem
B. And move on to another thing I've been assigned.
C. With so much to do, which should I choose?
B. I have to stay focused and not lose my mind.

Ok, sorry, folks, that was pretty darn bad. Good thing my 20 minutes are up! Well, I'm off to do other stuff now... :-P

Good Bye, Fifth Grade! :(

Today (Tuesday, October 9th) was my last day in the fifth grade class at Fern Creek Elementary. :( As a going away gift, the kids presented me with a book of drawings they did. Many of them depict me or something that reminded them of me-----it is a pretty entertaining book. I love it! :) Next week, I'll be moving on to a first grade class. The second placement is at the same school, so at least I'll be able to see my fifth graders now and then in the halls. I would love to just stay with Mrs. Abel (my supervising teacher) and her class, but at the same time, I'm sure I will grow just as fond of the first graders as I did with the fifth graders.

Being in Mrs. Abel's class has been a blast. From teaching lessons, to observing, to going on a field trip to St. Augustine--I have had a great experience. I have learned a lot from Mrs. Abel; she gave me so many helpful tips and good ideas. I am glad I got such a great teacher to be an example and a mentor to me. The tight structure she has set forth for her class was one of the major things that impressed me. Because of the structure, her classroom management is very effective, and the class has almost no real behavior problems at all.

Fern Creek is a Title 1 school (which means it has a large percentage of "less-fortunate" students), and usually those kinds of schools are known for behavior problems. I have worked in/seen Title 1 schools before Fern Creek, and there is quite a difference in effective behavior management. At Fern Creek, there is structure, and there are rules to which the entire school adheres. The school promotes safety, making good choices, having & meeting personal commitments, and much more. I am so glad I was placed at Fern Creek because if I work at the school I hope to work at, I can take the good pointers to the people there and make it a better school.

I look forward to taking what I have learned and using it in my future classroom. My internship has been quite an experience and has made me grow, and I am anxious to learn even more as I go to a first grade class. It will be quite different, but I'm up for it!

Well, I'm off to study for a midterm...Geez Louise--I have so much to do! :-P Have a great week! :)

St. Augustine Field Trip! :)

This past Thursday I went on a field trip with the fifth grade class from Fern Creek Elementary School, where I am currently doing my first internship. It was a blast! Even though it was hotter than heck, I had a great time, and I think all of the children did too. :)

In case you haven't gotten a chance to see the other field trip pictures that I uploaded onto Facebook, here are three pictures to give you an idea. One is a picture of the whole class in front of a water wheel, one is of me with some of the students in my class, and the other is of the "Castillo de San Marco" (the fort).

We arrived in St. Augustine around 11:30 or so, and we had lunch right away. Afterwards, we got a tour of the fort. I have been to St. Augustine a couple of times before this, but the fort was cool, as usual--(literally and figuratively--because the wind off of the ocean felt sooo good, since it counteracted the extreme heat of the sun.) In and on the fort, we saw the barricks, the canons, some other rooms, and all of that good stuff--and we learned from our tour guide about how the soldiers and their families lived there. It was very interesting!

From the fort, we went to visit stations, where a soldier, a blacksmith, and a maker of leather goods talked about their crafts. That was pretty neat too. I got a video of the kids covering their ears as the soldier re-enacter shot his gun. :)

After that, we headed over to the oldest wooden schoolhouse, where we learned about the educational environment of the past. I guess it's the teacher in me that makes me enjoy that site so much. But it really is interesting to learn about the differences between then and now. For example, we don't use the dunce cap any more, and we don't close misbehaving children into a closet all day long! :)

After shopping for souvenirs, it was time to head back to the school and then home. It was a full day for sure. We were all exhausted by the time it was all over. But as my first field trip as the intern and not the student, it was an enjoyable and memorable day.