Considerate people...
1) Think about the people in the house they're visiting. Are they going to bed? What do you do? (HINT: The answer is NOT make fun of them for going to bed and then stay up as late and be as loud as you want.)
2) Plan things ahead of time. I don't care how cute he is, how fun the activity, how many people you invited. If you don't ask the parents/grandparents/roomates ahead of time, don't expect them to be happy when you steamroll over them.
3) Listen when said people/parents/grandparents/etc. complain, and don't do it again. Otherwise they will have to smack you.
4) DO NOT pretend you want to spend time with relatives when all you want is a place to sleep. They will inevitably leave their whole day open in case you want to do something, then be disappointed when you shop, visit other people, shop, eat out, visit other people, and crash at their house. Also they will fix you meals that you won't eat. This usually leads to leftovers that get too mushy and icky to eat.
5) DO NOT act as if an employee is stupid. Unless they are directly and verbally insulting you (i.e.: "Hey, you ugly lady with the stupid order!") or giving you the finger there is no call for it. It doesn't help them help you any better, and makes them want to foul up your order/appointment/kid just because you're a jerk.
6) DO NOT call people out on Facebook. Just don't do it. Nobody else wants to hear about how so-and-so is an idiot and insulted whoshisface in third grade and dunked your dolly in the toilet. If you have a problem, talk to the person face-to-face. Calmly is usually good. The internet blows everything up, and unless your an egocentric bonehead you'll regret having posted in your time of anger.
7) Reply to messages. Even if it's a "Hey, I got this and I'm thinking about how to reply to you." Otherwise the sender will resend the message. And send it to your alternate email. And Facebook you. And hunt down your physical address and send you a letter. And Facebook your friends to tell you to reply to them. And email you again.
8) Say things nicely. There ARE nice ways to say, "I think that dress is hideous on you" without going, "OMG THAT DRESS MAKES YOU LIKE LIKE A FAT COW!" And better ways to say "I disagree" than saying, "What is WRONG with you?! Do you have a BRAIN? You have got to be the stupidest person I have ever met!"
9) DO NOT guilt people into doing things. This is hard, because the guilter often doesn't realize they're doing it. If they don't want to do something, moaning about how much you've done for them and how they can't do this LITTLE THING and how you just feel SO BAD and they can't help you and the whole family thinks they're a recluse...it doesn't make them want to do it more, and really just makes them feel annoyed.
10) Compliment people! If you think a girl looks pretty today or a color looks good on a guy, TELL THEM! They won't hate you for it, and it just might make their day.
11) Consider where the other person is coming from. When you complain all day about how people stay on their cell phones, baby their kids too much, are senile, etc. the end result is a lack of empathy on your part, a feeling of betrayal on the part of anyone who relates in any way to your 'victim,' and the general wish on the part of anyone who is listening to stuff your mouth with old socks.
12) DO NOT use "individualism" as an excuse to be rude. Sorry, but being yourself is not a good thing if who you are is an a---er, a jerk wad.
13) DO NOT bring up things said in confidence in a public conversation. Or post them. Anywhere. It's not always easy to tell if the conversation you've had with someone is something they want kept in confidence, so before you relate your hilarious anecdote, think. If your positions were reversed, would you want them to tell this? Is there any possibility you should ask them before telling? More to the point, are you okay with them telling everyone about the time you were in high school and stalked the lacrosse team captain only to throw up on his shoe? Because payback is awful.
14) Apparently always end their lists with 13 useful things and one that they're too tired to think up, but 13 is a horrible number. Right? Right.
*Disclaimer: I do not claim to be a wholly considerate person. I'm still working on it. :-)
Friday, January 20, 2012
10 (or however many) Things I've Learned From Teaching Kindergarten.
...Or stream of consciousness type thingie.
1. Germs. They are real. And evil. EVIL!
2. Nosebleeds seem to be contagious. Either that, or somebody is punching somebody.
3. Kids have no fear. Their idea of a perfect recess game is "Let's run through the play area with this rope stretched between us and see how many people we can knock down!"
4. Kids are so much more patient than I am with each other. They don't mind helping the girl who can only use half her body do things over and over, and they teach each other well.
5. If there is a way to draw on it, they will draw on it.
6. Hand sanitizer is slippery. Especially on the floor.
7. Whining. Don't do it.
8. It's better to try your best and do it wrong than to sit there and not do anything.
9. If you do it wrong, big erasers are magical.
10. Ticonderoga pencils stink.
11. If you have to sharpen a pencil 10 times a day, you need a new pencil. Or to stop drawing on things!
12. Teachers have to have an iron stomach. If it can come out of your body, I've had to clean it up. Or at least keep kids away from it until the custodian comes.
13. No matter how slow, defiant, mischievous, smart-alecky, loud, soft, etc. the child...they can always worm their way into your heart and make you want to make their world better for years to come.
14. 13 is not an unlucky number...right.
1. Germs. They are real. And evil. EVIL!
2. Nosebleeds seem to be contagious. Either that, or somebody is punching somebody.
3. Kids have no fear. Their idea of a perfect recess game is "Let's run through the play area with this rope stretched between us and see how many people we can knock down!"
4. Kids are so much more patient than I am with each other. They don't mind helping the girl who can only use half her body do things over and over, and they teach each other well.
5. If there is a way to draw on it, they will draw on it.
6. Hand sanitizer is slippery. Especially on the floor.
7. Whining. Don't do it.
8. It's better to try your best and do it wrong than to sit there and not do anything.
9. If you do it wrong, big erasers are magical.
10. Ticonderoga pencils stink.
11. If you have to sharpen a pencil 10 times a day, you need a new pencil. Or to stop drawing on things!
12. Teachers have to have an iron stomach. If it can come out of your body, I've had to clean it up. Or at least keep kids away from it until the custodian comes.
13. No matter how slow, defiant, mischievous, smart-alecky, loud, soft, etc. the child...they can always worm their way into your heart and make you want to make their world better for years to come.
14. 13 is not an unlucky number...right.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
First Week
I started work at EC on Tuesday, and I must say I'm enjoying my job very much! I'm working in the Kindergarten with Mrs. T. She has 30 students per class, which makes 60 students total. I monitor student progress, take over in a pinch, and prepare any materials needed for lessons. The kids are sweet, and the work is right up my alley. The hours are nice, too. ;-)
Sunday I was called to be a ward missionary, and I'm a little nervous about it. Hopefully I'll do my best and it will be enough. I find out who my companion is tomorrow!
Tuesday, as you know, I started my job. It went fantastically, but towards the end of the day I started on a headache. Being the silly that I am, I hadn't brought any ibuprofen. By the time I started to drive home, I had a roaring migraine. The combination of stress, little sleep, no lunch and little water brought me to a fog of pain that made it very hard to drive. I was literally praying that I'd be able to make it home without an accident. Coming home, I was so much in pain! Nothing made it better, so I finally asked Andrew to give me a priesthood blessing. He called a brother across the way, and after the blessing I was finally able to sleep. A few hours sleep fixed me up just fine. Thank Heaven for the power of the priesthood, and that Andrew was home and able to give me the blessing!
You may be wondering about the balloon pig. ;-) Fridays in Mrs. T's class are Fairy Tale Fridays. We get to have a parent come in, read a story and do an activity with the class. In the morning the parent made stick puppets with the kids. They had so much fun! This was their first time using liquid glue, however, and the parent didn't take into account...well...let's just say we had a bit of a mess! ^_^ In the afternoon, a mom came in and made balloon pigs, read the story and had the kids make faces on their own balloons. So much fun!
Friday, September 02, 2011
Playing Catsup.
It's school time again! Mother is subbing, kids and college alike are in school and I sometimes have the house to myself. Not for much longer, however, because....
*drumroll*
I GOT A JOB! *excited squeal*
I'm a teaching assistant in the Kindergarten at EC Elementary (abbreviated for privacy reasons). It's not a fully contracted teaching job, but the principal says they're planning on having some positions open next year...and it's a foot in the door! Apparently they were really impressed with the subbing I did in the Kindergarten last year (thanks, Mrs. C and Mrs. J) and are excited to have me. Yay! I start Tuesday.
Harvest time is here at G-ma's, but with her leg problem we're doing most of the canning with T&M's family. We're picking tomatoes today and canning them tomorrow morning, so we'll see how that goes.
Over the summer we went to California and had a fun time at Universal Studios, Disneyland, California Adventure, and the beach! I'll end with just a few pictures (late in coming, but better than never).
I love you all!
Janette with the set of Waterworld. AWESOME show!
Jerry, Janette's favorite.
Giant lollipop! Wonder how many licks THIS one takes?
Sunday at the temple. Janette was there, she was taking the picture.
In front of Storybook Land (Disneland)
In Mickey's house. HARD couch!
Iridessa, the light fairy.
With Mickey. Get Janette's face!
Janette and her idol, Tinkerbell!
KITTY!
We made sure to see Lightning and Mater for T&M's family and also for Spencer.
Characters sealed their autographs with a "kiss."
It was Catherine's first time at the beach in California.
RAPUNZEL! My favorite princess EVER!
If I look tired, it's because it was our last day literally MINUTES before I left. XP
Apparently the photographers at the princess walk had a bit of fun with the young men...
Belle
Ariel (my hair's almost as red!)
Tiana (she had a lovely accent)
Friday, July 08, 2011
Fourth of July
July has been a fun month! I wish I had pictures, but I kept forgetting to bring my camera for all the entertainment. ;-)
I went to Colonial and Freedom Days in Provo with some friends on July 1, which was super! We all dressed up (I was VERY patriotic in red, white and blue) and had some good food. There are SO many booths at Freedom Days! I could spend all day there looking at everything and trying all the food. I highly recommend this event, but bring money and an empty stomach!
Then July 2 was the Stadium of Fire! Janette, TMTHCB, and I went up to the bottom of the Hike the Y trailhead (they had gone up to watch the balloons be launched that morning) and got to see the SoF in a whole new way! In case any of you didn't know, they have released the aerial restrictions here in Utah so there were a bunch of fireworks going on all over the valley. Tayton kept asking, "Is that the finale?" every time a bunch went off at once. When the SoF finally rolled around, we knew it. They were HUGE and it was amazing. Then Janette and I made our way through the crazy traffic, parked and walked to her apartment. I spent the night there and she came to church with me the next afternoon. Fun times!
July 4th was fun, too! The kids marched in the parade, I stayed home and cleaned. Then we got together with family for food and fireworks! Janette's friend Naomi came to watch with us, I hope she had a good time. Admittedly, our family can be a little weird (what with repeating the names of the fireworks and all) but we have fun. It was strange this year, because our fireworks were overshadowed by LOTS of aerial fireworks from the surrounding houses. It was hard to concentrate on our little ones when there are huge blossoms of fire in the sky. :-S Next year I say we don't even spend money on fireworks! Just get a few sparklers and pop-its and watch the show!
A few other things: I've cut my hair, Andrew's Homecoming chain is getting shorter (pic to come, I hope), and we are looking forward to seeing everyone this month! Wow! How time flies!!!
I went to Colonial and Freedom Days in Provo with some friends on July 1, which was super! We all dressed up (I was VERY patriotic in red, white and blue) and had some good food. There are SO many booths at Freedom Days! I could spend all day there looking at everything and trying all the food. I highly recommend this event, but bring money and an empty stomach!
Then July 2 was the Stadium of Fire! Janette, TMTHCB, and I went up to the bottom of the Hike the Y trailhead (they had gone up to watch the balloons be launched that morning) and got to see the SoF in a whole new way! In case any of you didn't know, they have released the aerial restrictions here in Utah so there were a bunch of fireworks going on all over the valley. Tayton kept asking, "Is that the finale?" every time a bunch went off at once. When the SoF finally rolled around, we knew it. They were HUGE and it was amazing. Then Janette and I made our way through the crazy traffic, parked and walked to her apartment. I spent the night there and she came to church with me the next afternoon. Fun times!
July 4th was fun, too! The kids marched in the parade, I stayed home and cleaned. Then we got together with family for food and fireworks! Janette's friend Naomi came to watch with us, I hope she had a good time. Admittedly, our family can be a little weird (what with repeating the names of the fireworks and all) but we have fun. It was strange this year, because our fireworks were overshadowed by LOTS of aerial fireworks from the surrounding houses. It was hard to concentrate on our little ones when there are huge blossoms of fire in the sky. :-S Next year I say we don't even spend money on fireworks! Just get a few sparklers and pop-its and watch the show!
A few other things: I've cut my hair, Andrew's Homecoming chain is getting shorter (pic to come, I hope), and we are looking forward to seeing everyone this month! Wow! How time flies!!!
Monday, July 26, 2010
She's in Georgia!!!!
Well, she hasn't melted yet, but she says, "Its HOT!" But between fighting off the mosquitoes and trying not to melt, busyness is her middle name. Despite these obvious difficulties, she still has had time to baptize a family. (Isn't that just like her?! Incredible in everything she does!)Pics of MTC life.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Time for another post! Questions 342, 332, 161
NOTE: I found an old, unpublished post of mine! Here ya go!
April 20, 2010: Well, my last day of student teaching was last Friday. It was so sweet, we had a pizza party for lunch and had the Big Bowns Drawing for big prizes. I had fun, but I miss "my kids" already!
This week has been and is going to be crazy. I'm doing my last few days of work, cleaning and packing (which at this point seems like it will never end), getting ready for graduation and for the big get-together on Saturday. So much to do!
Okay, on to questions:
Question 342:Write about feeling loved and by whom.
Just feeling loved in general? Wow, there are SO many times I've felt loved...it's hard to just think of one.
Okay, I've got one.
I had some really stressful things going on, had a cough, and I just couldn't sleep. For days. I mean, I was literally getting sick with stress and frustration, but I was still unable to sleep at all. My grandma came in and stayed with me. Now keep in mind she's...well, I don't know how old she is, really, but she's not young enough to stay up all night like us spring chickens, you know? But she came up and stayed with me, rubbing my back and getting me water and making me drink vinegar to help the cough (which was gross, but it worked somewhat). She was probably so tired, and yet she did that for me and it helped. I remember thinking, "Wow. She really loves me." I was able to sleep that night, and was much better then next morning.
Question 332: Write about how a prayer was answered.
This is a hard one, because a lot of those times are pretty personal and sacred. I guess one that was pretty impactful was this time Mommy and Daddy were going to Salt Lake for their anniversary. I prayed for them to be safe and then forgot about it. I was at work laminating when I got a call from Mommy: they'd been in an accident. I just went cold, but Mommy assured me that they were okay, although the car was totaled. The accident happened in such a way that we all knew that they had been protected. I was pretty shaken up, because I had prayed for them to be safe without thinking much about it; I just always pray for them to be safe when they go somewhere. I was really glad my prayer was heard and answered.
Question 161: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Hopefully married with a few kids. With some sort of church calling...I'd like to be a stay at home mom at that point, but who knows?
April 20, 2010: Well, my last day of student teaching was last Friday. It was so sweet, we had a pizza party for lunch and had the Big Bowns Drawing for big prizes. I had fun, but I miss "my kids" already!
This week has been and is going to be crazy. I'm doing my last few days of work, cleaning and packing (which at this point seems like it will never end), getting ready for graduation and for the big get-together on Saturday. So much to do!
Okay, on to questions:
Question 342:Write about feeling loved and by whom.
Just feeling loved in general? Wow, there are SO many times I've felt loved...it's hard to just think of one.
Okay, I've got one.
I had some really stressful things going on, had a cough, and I just couldn't sleep. For days. I mean, I was literally getting sick with stress and frustration, but I was still unable to sleep at all. My grandma came in and stayed with me. Now keep in mind she's...well, I don't know how old she is, really, but she's not young enough to stay up all night like us spring chickens, you know? But she came up and stayed with me, rubbing my back and getting me water and making me drink vinegar to help the cough (which was gross, but it worked somewhat). She was probably so tired, and yet she did that for me and it helped. I remember thinking, "Wow. She really loves me." I was able to sleep that night, and was much better then next morning.
Question 332: Write about how a prayer was answered.
This is a hard one, because a lot of those times are pretty personal and sacred. I guess one that was pretty impactful was this time Mommy and Daddy were going to Salt Lake for their anniversary. I prayed for them to be safe and then forgot about it. I was at work laminating when I got a call from Mommy: they'd been in an accident. I just went cold, but Mommy assured me that they were okay, although the car was totaled. The accident happened in such a way that we all knew that they had been protected. I was pretty shaken up, because I had prayed for them to be safe without thinking much about it; I just always pray for them to be safe when they go somewhere. I was really glad my prayer was heard and answered.
Question 161: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Hopefully married with a few kids. With some sort of church calling...I'd like to be a stay at home mom at that point, but who knows?
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Jar Questions 86, 4, 288
Firstly, tomorrow is my first solo day this block! For the next 2 weeks I will be the teacher in the class. I'm excited, but also nervous. Wish me luck!
Rebecca had her first date this weekend, you'll have to ask her how it went, cuz I'm no snitch. ;D
Also: HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Shantel! I know I didn't join in much on the festivities, I didn't want to impose on family time. ^_^
On to the questions!
Question 4: Describe a typical day in elementary school.
Ha, the one I'm in now or MY elementary school? XD I'm guessing the latter. Well, typically the day would begin with breakfast at 7. We'd be to school at 8, and first track (which went to school from 8 to 2) was in Core classes. These were the classes that taught math and reading. I think that's all they taught, math and language arts in general. The second track students arrived at school at 9:30 (they went from 9:30 to 3:30) and went to Specialties. You had 2 specialties a day: they were semester long classes. The first have of the year you'd have Art and Social Studies as specialties, the second half you'd have Science and Music. Anyway, so after lunch the first track and second track "swapped," with first track going to specialties and second track coming to core. It was fun, because the tracks would leave notes and stuff for their "counterparts" to find. I was first track so my day ended at 2. Depending on the time in my life, I've walked home, carpooled home, but mostly been driven home by Mommy. Then came snack, piano practicing and homework. After that we could play until dinnertime. After dinner was family time until bed at 8:00. Ah, those were the days! ^_^
Question 86: Did you go camping as a child? Share an experience or memory.
We did! We used to go to this place called Hobble Creek. I don't know if I'm blurring times, but there was this one camp site we went to that had...I'm not sure if it really was steep or if this is just a child's memory, but it had this really steep trail going up just a bit away from the camp site. It went up, then leveled out and went across. We kids used to go up as far as we dared, then scooch down real quick on our boosers. Anyway, this one time I was determined that I would climb that trail (I really like hiking and was pretty stubborn). Anyway, I made it to the fairly flat part, and felt pretty proud of myself until I heard Mommy calling for me. I realized I couldn't get down! Uncle Daniel tried to tell me how to plant my feet and come down sideways, but I just sort of sat down and couldn't budge. So he had to come get me! I still have lots of fond feelings for that camp site.
Question 288: Tell about your social life as a teen: dances, football games, outings, church functions, etc.
Oh, there's SO much to TELL! XD Honestly, not really. In my family school was a time to learn. I wasn't a real social butterfly. I had acquaintances in all of my classes, but only one really close friend. I don't like loud music or "dance" parties (read: bob your head up and down and drink punch), so "clubbing" was out. I guess I'll tell you about Show and Chamber. It was the "high choir" at our high school. We had such fun! There were a few drama kids in there and they always livened the place up. We'd burst into song at random times on the way to performances. I love our concerts, because it was always like getting together with friends and singing, not some uptight thing. We had classes together every day of the week, and rehearsals after school. We had fun just hanging out and being doofy!
Rebecca had her first date this weekend, you'll have to ask her how it went, cuz I'm no snitch. ;D
Also: HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Shantel! I know I didn't join in much on the festivities, I didn't want to impose on family time. ^_^
On to the questions!
Question 4: Describe a typical day in elementary school.
Ha, the one I'm in now or MY elementary school? XD I'm guessing the latter. Well, typically the day would begin with breakfast at 7. We'd be to school at 8, and first track (which went to school from 8 to 2) was in Core classes. These were the classes that taught math and reading. I think that's all they taught, math and language arts in general. The second track students arrived at school at 9:30 (they went from 9:30 to 3:30) and went to Specialties. You had 2 specialties a day: they were semester long classes. The first have of the year you'd have Art and Social Studies as specialties, the second half you'd have Science and Music. Anyway, so after lunch the first track and second track "swapped," with first track going to specialties and second track coming to core. It was fun, because the tracks would leave notes and stuff for their "counterparts" to find. I was first track so my day ended at 2. Depending on the time in my life, I've walked home, carpooled home, but mostly been driven home by Mommy. Then came snack, piano practicing and homework. After that we could play until dinnertime. After dinner was family time until bed at 8:00. Ah, those were the days! ^_^
Question 86: Did you go camping as a child? Share an experience or memory.
We did! We used to go to this place called Hobble Creek. I don't know if I'm blurring times, but there was this one camp site we went to that had...I'm not sure if it really was steep or if this is just a child's memory, but it had this really steep trail going up just a bit away from the camp site. It went up, then leveled out and went across. We kids used to go up as far as we dared, then scooch down real quick on our boosers. Anyway, this one time I was determined that I would climb that trail (I really like hiking and was pretty stubborn). Anyway, I made it to the fairly flat part, and felt pretty proud of myself until I heard Mommy calling for me. I realized I couldn't get down! Uncle Daniel tried to tell me how to plant my feet and come down sideways, but I just sort of sat down and couldn't budge. So he had to come get me! I still have lots of fond feelings for that camp site.
Question 288: Tell about your social life as a teen: dances, football games, outings, church functions, etc.
Oh, there's SO much to TELL! XD Honestly, not really. In my family school was a time to learn. I wasn't a real social butterfly. I had acquaintances in all of my classes, but only one really close friend. I don't like loud music or "dance" parties (read: bob your head up and down and drink punch), so "clubbing" was out. I guess I'll tell you about Show and Chamber. It was the "high choir" at our high school. We had such fun! There were a few drama kids in there and they always livened the place up. We'd burst into song at random times on the way to performances. I love our concerts, because it was always like getting together with friends and singing, not some uptight thing. We had classes together every day of the week, and rehearsals after school. We had fun just hanging out and being doofy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)