My pal Chris made this video at Montreat Middle School last year. So much fun! Can you see me running out of the picture?
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
woo!
I did it.
I'm a National Board Certified Teacher.
I know I'm a determined person. I know I'm a hard worker. But I'm not always confident. I guess, on some level, I'm afraid of disappointment. So I kept telling myself that regardless of the results, I would still be proud that I applied. Just finishing the process is a major accomplishment.
Realistically, it actually is an accomplishment just to finish. For me, however, it's not enough. There is always a part of me that always wants to be the best. If I didn't get it, I would be crushed. Thankfully, the judges liked my portfolio because I did it! I'm in!
So today, I can say I am the best. I did it. I earned my National Certification and I am really, really proud of myself!
What else can I say!
Go me!!
I'm a National Board Certified Teacher.
I know I'm a determined person. I know I'm a hard worker. But I'm not always confident. I guess, on some level, I'm afraid of disappointment. So I kept telling myself that regardless of the results, I would still be proud that I applied. Just finishing the process is a major accomplishment.
Realistically, it actually is an accomplishment just to finish. For me, however, it's not enough. There is always a part of me that always wants to be the best. If I didn't get it, I would be crushed. Thankfully, the judges liked my portfolio because I did it! I'm in!
So today, I can say I am the best. I did it. I earned my National Certification and I am really, really proud of myself!
What else can I say!
Go me!!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
27 years ago today...
a happy little girl was born and named Lindsay Meg. Don't forget to celebrate!
Monday, November 17, 2008
it's okay to be vain, this blog is about you
Hello Scorpios!
After leaving a multitude of Happy Birthday messages today, I was pleased to see that so many of my friends were scorpios just like me. Normally, I don't buy into astrology. It seems like anyone can identify with any of the signs. You could read Taurus and think, "Oh! That's me!" and then jump over to Gemini and think, "Wait! That's me, too."
Incidently, I've read in several places that Scorpio is the most misunderstood of any sign because we are intense on many levels. Therefore, I couldn't resist sharing this little tidbit of information about Scorps for those who know me best. I think they will get a kick out of it.
Relationships with Scorpio are always complicated, just like the person, their relationships are a series of extremes, they can even be downright moody for no apparent reason. Scorpios are known for their possessiveness and jealousy but on the other hand, they are extremely loyal.
Scorpios have an excellent memory and combined with an inability to let things go, they can hold a grudge against someone who did them harm forever, in fact a Scorpio rarely if never forgives and forgets. They will even go as far as get vengeance on the person. On the other hand, they will always remember a kind gesture forever and repay it. Any kind selfless gesture done to a Scorpio will gain trust and respect which is extremely important to them in any relationship, either romantic or not.
Sound like anyone you know? :)
(Fellow Scorpios, read more here )
After leaving a multitude of Happy Birthday messages today, I was pleased to see that so many of my friends were scorpios just like me. Normally, I don't buy into astrology. It seems like anyone can identify with any of the signs. You could read Taurus and think, "Oh! That's me!" and then jump over to Gemini and think, "Wait! That's me, too."
Incidently, I've read in several places that Scorpio is the most misunderstood of any sign because we are intense on many levels. Therefore, I couldn't resist sharing this little tidbit of information about Scorps for those who know me best. I think they will get a kick out of it.
Relationships with Scorpio are always complicated, just like the person, their relationships are a series of extremes, they can even be downright moody for no apparent reason. Scorpios are known for their possessiveness and jealousy but on the other hand, they are extremely loyal.
Scorpios have an excellent memory and combined with an inability to let things go, they can hold a grudge against someone who did them harm forever, in fact a Scorpio rarely if never forgives and forgets. They will even go as far as get vengeance on the person. On the other hand, they will always remember a kind gesture forever and repay it. Any kind selfless gesture done to a Scorpio will gain trust and respect which is extremely important to them in any relationship, either romantic or not.
Sound like anyone you know? :)
(Fellow Scorpios, read more here )
Saturday, November 15, 2008
comedy or tragedy? seriously!
Here is my dilemma. You remember that mean girls post from a few months back?
They're baaaaaack!
Recently, I found myself deleting a LOT of people from my friends' lists on my social networking sites. What's the point of giving so many people public access to my personal life? Especially when I don't even talk to half of them, or haven't actually spoken/communicated with some of them in months, even years? I deleted over 70 people from myspace, and over 30 from facebook. (Facebook is a little different because it's mostly Montreat friends, and sometimes I only see them once a year if I'm lucky. That's just the way summer camp goes.)
So, among the people I deleted was one of these girls who, as I like to say, kicked me out of the clubhouse. She hasn't returned any of my phone calls in months (I eventually stopped calling), turned down all my invitations to hang out, and basically any communication I've had with her has been cold. I took the hint. She doesn't want to be my friend. Moving on.
Well, after deleting her, I get a message that says, "Seriously?"
That's it. Seriously.
I reply, "Is this in response to something in particular?"
She replies: "I didn't know it was like that. I forgot you are still in middle school. I wish you all the best." Then she blocks me from her profile so I can't even respond. Seriously.
Umm...I'm a little confused. After all, she made it clear she didn't want to be my friend. I took the hint. Why is she so upset that I deleted her from freaking myspace??? Seriously!!!
What I want to know from you is this - should I respond? I feel inclined to explain that she was just one of many "friends" I deleted. I have the urge to remind her this is what she wanted in the first place. I'm curious as to why it makes her so upset to lose me as an internet friend but not one in real life. But do you think it will do any good? I mean, seriously?
They're baaaaaack!
Recently, I found myself deleting a LOT of people from my friends' lists on my social networking sites. What's the point of giving so many people public access to my personal life? Especially when I don't even talk to half of them, or haven't actually spoken/communicated with some of them in months, even years? I deleted over 70 people from myspace, and over 30 from facebook. (Facebook is a little different because it's mostly Montreat friends, and sometimes I only see them once a year if I'm lucky. That's just the way summer camp goes.)
So, among the people I deleted was one of these girls who, as I like to say, kicked me out of the clubhouse. She hasn't returned any of my phone calls in months (I eventually stopped calling), turned down all my invitations to hang out, and basically any communication I've had with her has been cold. I took the hint. She doesn't want to be my friend. Moving on.
Well, after deleting her, I get a message that says, "Seriously?"
That's it. Seriously.
I reply, "Is this in response to something in particular?"
She replies: "I didn't know it was like that. I forgot you are still in middle school. I wish you all the best." Then she blocks me from her profile so I can't even respond. Seriously.
Umm...I'm a little confused. After all, she made it clear she didn't want to be my friend. I took the hint. Why is she so upset that I deleted her from freaking myspace??? Seriously!!!
What I want to know from you is this - should I respond? I feel inclined to explain that she was just one of many "friends" I deleted. I have the urge to remind her this is what she wanted in the first place. I'm curious as to why it makes her so upset to lose me as an internet friend but not one in real life. But do you think it will do any good? I mean, seriously?
Thursday, November 13, 2008
philosophizing, or something like it
"It is what it is."
--Thomas E. Gemkow, via phone conversation the other night
(plus, a million other people who use that phrase, his mom included)
So...
I'm back in Florida. I had a FABULOUS TIME on my vacation. I spent quality time with my sisters. I saw DC for the first time since I was thirteen. I volunteered for a successful presidential campaign. I danced in the city streets. I saw Van Gogh and Manet and Roudin. I drove through the autumn-covered hills of Virginia. I began the amazing process of planning the Montreat Middle School Conference in 2010 with a great partner in Neeley.I tried to upload the photos but I can't find the right cord. I came home to a broken tv, but also to a bunch of friends I sorely missed! Including my happy puppy, Mr. Puck.
Yet. I'm disappointed.
To go from such a high with Obama's election to come home and have a parent attack me over something I can't control (a substitute told the students she voted for Obama) and offer me up as a sacrifice to the school board is an exhausting process.
To get on facebook and read things like, "I'm not racist, but I think all black people are lazy. I mean, I have black friends who work and stuff, but Obama wouldn't have won if all the lazy black people didn't vote," leaves me uneasy and bewildered.
To see Florida pass Amendment 2 and California repeal Proposition 8 feels like ten steps in the wrong direction. Actually, the combination of all these things makes me want to vomit. Two, maybe three times.
And last night I found myself saying, "It is what it is."
Then I remembered listening to Reggie Weaver's final sermon during our "Live Out Loud" Middle School Conference. Reggie said that even though you will find yourself down in the valley, among the non-believers and people who want to bring you down, the most powerful thing you can do is live out loud. Don't give up. Live. Out. Loud.
I know not everyone shares me ideas about politics - but race isn't politics. Fairness and Equity and Civility are all things I embrace in my life. I refuse to succumb to apathy. I am going to live my life in the best way I know how, and give equal love and appreciation to all people, in hopes that some day, they will do the same.
This isn't what it is.
WE are what it will be.
--Thomas E. Gemkow, via phone conversation the other night
(plus, a million other people who use that phrase, his mom included)
So...
I'm back in Florida. I had a FABULOUS TIME on my vacation. I spent quality time with my sisters. I saw DC for the first time since I was thirteen. I volunteered for a successful presidential campaign. I danced in the city streets. I saw Van Gogh and Manet and Roudin. I drove through the autumn-covered hills of Virginia. I began the amazing process of planning the Montreat Middle School Conference in 2010 with a great partner in Neeley.I tried to upload the photos but I can't find the right cord. I came home to a broken tv, but also to a bunch of friends I sorely missed! Including my happy puppy, Mr. Puck.
Yet. I'm disappointed.
To go from such a high with Obama's election to come home and have a parent attack me over something I can't control (a substitute told the students she voted for Obama) and offer me up as a sacrifice to the school board is an exhausting process.
To get on facebook and read things like, "I'm not racist, but I think all black people are lazy. I mean, I have black friends who work and stuff, but Obama wouldn't have won if all the lazy black people didn't vote," leaves me uneasy and bewildered.
To see Florida pass Amendment 2 and California repeal Proposition 8 feels like ten steps in the wrong direction. Actually, the combination of all these things makes me want to vomit. Two, maybe three times.
And last night I found myself saying, "It is what it is."
Then I remembered listening to Reggie Weaver's final sermon during our "Live Out Loud" Middle School Conference. Reggie said that even though you will find yourself down in the valley, among the non-believers and people who want to bring you down, the most powerful thing you can do is live out loud. Don't give up. Live. Out. Loud.
I know not everyone shares me ideas about politics - but race isn't politics. Fairness and Equity and Civility are all things I embrace in my life. I refuse to succumb to apathy. I am going to live my life in the best way I know how, and give equal love and appreciation to all people, in hopes that some day, they will do the same.
This isn't what it is.
WE are what it will be.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
yes we did
During the past four days...
I knocked on doors in Virginia to help Senator Obama win that state in the 2008 Election.
I walked over 2 miles in the pitch black dark to a remote fairground with 90,000 others to hear his final campaign speech.
I celebrated in a bar full of democrats when he won state after state after state - including my own beloved Florida.
I was hugged by an enormous 7 foot tall bouncer when the announcement was made that Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of these United States.
I hugged and high-fived and chanted with strangers outside the White House.
I sang 'Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye' down the street while hundreds of car horns blared in the city streets.
And I did it. I finally found my self in a total sum of awe.
I knocked on doors in Virginia to help Senator Obama win that state in the 2008 Election.
I walked over 2 miles in the pitch black dark to a remote fairground with 90,000 others to hear his final campaign speech.
I celebrated in a bar full of democrats when he won state after state after state - including my own beloved Florida.
I was hugged by an enormous 7 foot tall bouncer when the announcement was made that Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of these United States.
I hugged and high-fived and chanted with strangers outside the White House.
I sang 'Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye' down the street while hundreds of car horns blared in the city streets.
And I did it. I finally found my self in a total sum of awe.
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