Well, here we go again.

I'm back in Georgia. The vacation was nice, though I did find myself correcting bad grammar. I also helped my dad grade some papers, so that blew the whole I-not-going-to-use-a-red-pen-thing. That's okay. The best thing was finding out that I will be an auntie this summer!!!! My prediction is the following: July 25 and a girl. The next best thing was sleeping in my own bed. Guess what!! Only five months of school left - yeah, that's a long time, but it's shorter than ten months!

Time for a change

If you're the type to miss the obvious, then I will take this time to point out that I changed the background.

That's all.

Have a good Christmas!!!

"Wandering this Delmarvalous land....."

AHHHHHHHHH!!!! Yeah Vacation! Well, I'm at my sister's house for the day and not doing much of anything. However, we will be going to Outback later for dinner and I've been looking forward to that for the past week. My sister is going through yearbooks from college and saying the name of every person she ever meet while there (she'll be at it for hours).
Merry Christmas to everyone who happens upon this page! I honestly hope that people have a good time remembering the Christ of the season. I know that the holiday started out as a pagan celebration, but God has a way of turning ugly things into beautiful masterpieces. Say "Thank you" for every present you receive and for every service rendered. Be polite; be patient; be loving.

The truth about Christmas vacation....

Now, don't misunderstand me, I like to be busy, but this is getting nuts!!! Between finals, projects, papers, basketball, Bible quizzing, senior breakfasts, senior class trip, senior play practice, desserts for the play, a docter's appointment, the church cantata, and trying to keep my apartment clean there must not be anything of importance happening- (sigh) then my credit card bill came (sigh): "Woe is me!"
Teachers definitely anticipate Christmas break more than the students. I always thought that my dad was just being dramatic as the break came closer; I now see that I was wrong - dead, tired wrong. Only twelve more days until I get to go home and not be a responsible adult!!!!! People can call me by my first name, I can sleep in my own bed, I can wear pants in public, I can ignore people with bad grammar, and I won't have to use a red pen for two weeks.
I LOVE CHRISTMAS VACATION!!!!!!!!!!!!

Secret Agent!

My seniors informed me this morning that they know that I am really a part of special ops, and that I have a great cover as a Christian school teacher when I'm really a sleeper cell. Aren't they amusing?? The thought behind this brillancy comes from me having friends around the world. I have been accused of knowing five to seven different languages, have martial arts training , have a mastery of all weapons, and go on covert operations on the weekends. The other theory is that I'm in the Witness Proctection Program. Precious, are they not?

A little taste of Hawaii one year ago.

Home sweet home!;

Diagramming

I do believe that I am the end of an age. I'm speaking of those English teachers who present the methods of diagramming to students. I remember diagramming sentences while in school. Never understanding the point of it, my fellow classmates and I labored through the task of drawing horizontal, vertical, and diagonial lines and then putting words on them in a specific order. When I first started teaching, my answer to the ever present question, "Why do we have to diagram?" was always, "I said so; that's why." The answer has changed in recent time, however. I want these kids to be able to hold a discussion with people that have different viewpoints and ideology. To do this, they need logic. Diagramming is a logical exercise; each component goes in the same place every time.

Critical thinking skills are missing in my students and probably most adults. The ability to analyze a question, statement, or problem and then solve it seems to be obsolete. My students love to argue, but they are not very good at it. They cannot logically present an argument or refute the opposing side. Blank stares, tilted heads, and open mouths appear a millisecond after any question is asked. They wait, and wait, and wait for you to tell them the answer. So, you give a hint and then wait, and wait, and then wait some more. It's been awhile since I studied Classical Education, but I seem to think that part of the emphasis in that particular style is logic.

Teenagers are, well, interesting.

They are loud. I think that is from the fact that they all talk at once - not realizing that no one is listening (except me) because their audience is also speaking. Is this from selfishness or just a need to expell a certain number of words in every hour of the day? Are you familiar with "the seven-minute lull in conversation"? This doesn't apply to conversations where everyone is speaking at once - I think it's a form of circular conversation (similiar to circular breathing).
It truly is amazing - the information I glean from simply listening. Wow! What a plethra of facts that are openly exposed to the rest of the room! Right now my class is playing dectective. They want to know who told such-and-such to so-and-so. At the moment, they're on the wrong tract. I know this because I heard what happened.
Observation is key. It also is power and, if used wisely, it gives knowlegde and understanding. However, teenagers can be beyond understanding at times. Oh well! My class has moved on from the search of betrayal and moved on to what I post. They don't seem to understand that I am not planning on telling them.

My previous post seems a bit philosophical; sorry about that. I guess my students get to me a bit too often. I didn't edit it - I don't think I will. Mistakes show personality, but don't tell my students that.
Speaking of which, I mentioned the fact that I wanted to start blogging and they nearly fell over each other to find out what it was. They don't believe me when I said that I honestly didn't intend to mention them by name. This calmed their fears until they realized that I would probably write of them, just not by name.

a rather strange beginning

We are selfish. I see this in my own life; as a teacher I see this in the lives of 13-17 year olds. Will we ever get it? "What is it? What is this person talking about?" I know, I know. For a first post, this is a rather strange beginning. Okay, let me explain.
Fact: Mankind seeks for individual satisfaction. Seeking pleasure and avoiding pain are the main agendas for our species. It used to be that character was taught at home: respect, honesty, keeping your mouth shut, making apologies, and forgivness. Now it seems that society raises mankind to get to the top while making oneself look good.
Fact: It is more blessed to give than to receive; however, this works only if you desire to do so, not if you are made to do it. Now you are saying, "That doesn't work as a fact then. If there is a stimpulation, then it can't be a fact." Understandable. Nevertheless, the fact does work - maybe I should have said something to the affect of When love motivates us it is more blessed to give than to receive. This supports the first fact because love is pleasure and we will give to recieve the pleasure of love.
Fact: We cannot deviate from this natural tendency towards selfishness. History proves this. Greed, power, jealousy, desire for a certain social statues - these characteristies have people at war with each other around the world. Nations and neighborhoods feel the flame of personal want that threatens to either bring us what we desire at this point in time or destory us.
Fact: Salvation from our selfishness brings relief. (First a brief explanation: I am a believer in the Bible which is the God-inspired manual for my life. I know that several people disagree with me and that others will automaticaly disqualify me from having any intelligence. It's a pity that I can and have learned from 'secular' viewpoints, but others refuse to learn or even listen to a 'sacred' viewpoint.) This has to be a personal fact, as salvation or deliverance must be chosen individually before the relief can come. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, and temperance are generally referred to as the fruits of the Spirit. Notice that happiness is not included. If one longs for happiness (which will happen and then will not), then relief can be gained by stuff or circumstances which cause pleasure and not pain. On the other hand, if one longs for joy which is not controlled by pleasure or pain, then the stuff and circumstances will not matter. Happiness is external; joy is internal. The only thing that I have found worth the effort is joy. Stuff doesn't last forever and neither do circumstances.
Fact: I have to stop here for now. Please excuse the mess of grammar and spelling. I will return to edit and proofread.