Taking Action...A Year Later

I once again have been very behind in posting to the blog. But something exciting I just realized is that I have been writing in this blog for over a year now. 14 months to be exact. From a girl who owned dozens of journals with only the first 3 pages filled out, this really is an accomplishment. I told myself for years that I couldn't do a blog because no one wanted to read what I had to say. What I didn't realize is how therapeutic sitting down each week and writing something-anything-down would be. I also didn't realize that after 14 months, I would have 1,800 views from amazing people around me.

What I really want to reflect on after 14 months, though, is that I took action and did something after years of saying "I wish I could write a blog." We are a society of wishers. We wish on shooting stars and whenever the clock says 11:11. We pray for world peace and fantasize about knights in shining armor. We have wish bones and wishing wells. Every Christmas I make a wish list and every postcard says "wish you were here."

And sometimes wishing is all we can do. Sometimes we are played cards that can't be changed. But sometimes, we can. Sometimes the things we want are in reach if we would just try. Sometimes wishing for one thing will make us blind to something better. Sometimes the people around you need more than your wishes.

So, wish away my friends....but also act. Even if it's as small as starting a blog or taking a class. After all, "you must be the change you wish to see in the world."-Gandhi

Teaching Teachers

So I am now taking most of my classes with the same group of 21 students. All of us are learning how to be English teachers. What's so cool about working with this bunch is that you get to see all of the different teaching outlooks and methods and core beliefs. Everyone works together, but I think that we show who we are as individual teachers more each day and this is part of a poem that I scribbled one day in class when thinking about it. I decided to post it, because I'm reminding myself that all writing is important, even if it is in between doodling in an intolerably boring class. Writing is writing and it doesn't have to be perfect. "You only fail if you stop writing."-Ray Bradbury

My classrooms are full of future classrooms
Like a puzzle of somewhat mismatched pieces.
A mosaic that becomes a bit clearer
Whenever the light shines through.

I see classrooms in strictly straight lines of desks.
And I see cross-legged sharing on the floor.
I see classrooms with bright colored posters.
Classrooms with blogs and homemade movies.

My classrooms are full of voices.
All of them have something different to say.
An orchestra of teachers,
hoping to help their students in some small way.

I hear classrooms of strong, loud instruction
Classrooms of soft-worded conferences
I hear classrooms teaching inflection and tone.
And others filled with silly middle school laughter.

My classrooms are full of future classrooms. 

Dancing Panda

So, I haven't posted in a while. This semester is very hectic. But I did do a blog last week. This blog was for my composition class.  We had an assignment to take our class mascot, the dancing panda and blog about the time spent with him/her. It gives an example of blogging as a form of writing for classwork. This was the adventure I took the panda on. :)


First they greeted me like a king. I was crowned with a lei upon entering the apartment and given the most prestigious seat in the house, on top of their palm tree.

Roxie's friends adored me and kept carrying me around the house. They tried many leis on me until they found just the right color (apparently, it's blue). These girls' giddy excitement was a bit overwhelming for a little panda, but I wasn't surprised since Roxie told me they regularly watch Nickelodeon and play games in which the floor is lava. As they made a feast for my arrival, I chatted it up with a parrot and made myself at home. I was later to find out that the delicacy they prepared was actually just ramen noodles. I didn't really eat anything on the plate, but don't tell the girls.

                                                                                      
That night, Roxie tried to make me as comfortable as possible. She researched and found that pandas sleep in caves in the moutains. Although I am just a stuffed panda, she thought this arrangement might still be appropriate so she made a makeshift cave out of her pillow pet and set me up on a high cabinet. I have to say, it was one of the strangest sleeping arrangements to date, but it actually was sort of comfy.

The next day, I went to classes with Roxie. We had Reading Theory and Practice and Women in Pop Culture. Both were very interesting. Most classes I have to listen to through a muffled bookbag, but Roxie let me sit on her desk in the second class. She said I needed fresh air.

I was even able to participate in discussions with these ladies (yes, the class is entirely female) because Roxie made me do the reading the night before while she tackled Teaching for Joy and Justice.

After class, we had to run through the rain. Roxie was entirely unpreppared and got soaked. This was one of those times that being stuffed in a bag wasn't too bad of a deal. Bangs and rain don't mix, so Roxie was dripping for quite some time. She decided she needed to take me on a real adventure, so she made an impromptu trip to her sister's volleyball game 106 miles away. What a great sister! Before we could head out, Roxie needed some "Juice for the Journey" so we stopped in at Juice Stop. You might notice that Roxie's name is actually on the cup. This, and the fact that they made her a drink without her even ordering, leads me to believe she comes here a lot. I must admit the Penalty Flag was very tasty and the staff was very nice.    

                                                                                                   

And then the road trip began!

 During the trip, Roxie alternated between singing along to blaring music and sitting in silence making up poems about "sunflower ditches" and "bubble-gum sunsets." I haven't decided yet which was more annoying, but I'm leaning toward the poetry since I'm so small I couldn't even see what she was describing. Sometimes it stinks to be small. When we arrived at the game, Roxie realized she was accidently wearing the opposing team's color, which was a little embarrassing. Luckily, my colors fit in almost anywhere. I had a wonderful time at the game. Although I did get a little distracted for the actual volleyball since I was looking for good photo ops, hanging with the cheerleaders, and listening to the band.

                                                                                                                                            

Unfotunately, they lost the volleyball game, but I tried to keep Brigitte in good spirits after the game anyhow. All in all, I had a great day, exploring new places, trying new things, and meeting new friends :)

                                                                                                                             Until next time,

                                                                                                                              Dancing Panda