Miracle Drug? or Good Ol' Fashion Medicine??

Whatever it is, it works!!!
It's called Spring Break. Aaaw... You can feel Spring in the air... the end of a school year is approaching... and summer is just around the corner... All very refreshing. It's good to pause and take it all in.

It is also a good time to catch up with every day life: Errands, cleaning, organizing, income taxes, going through old mail, etc... Even with all the things I still have down on my list that I need to get done, I feel the beauty of Spring (and Spring Break) all around me. I believe that it is the perfect opportunity for teachers to get new "energy fuel" (like a sports drink with electrolytes in it) and insight about what is to come... :)

Source: Here.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

On every third Monday of January, the United States remembers the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Civil Rights Leader and Activist.

Today, Monday, Jan. 18th of 2010, I didn't go to work because I had the option of being off if I had all my "professional development" hours. Do I have these? Yes, I have met and exceeded the amount of hours needed for me to enjoy a day away from work.

What makes this possible? A federal holiday, MLK Day.

However, this day is a regular working day for most people, and those that are off, usually don't remember the real reason for this holiday because we're all tired and busy planning life stuff.

Some questions ponder in my mind: What if Dr. King was still alive today? How would things be?? How would history be different??? And if he could come back, what would he think about American society today???

A couple of years ago, I remember watching part of a cartoon that made me remember Dr. King's efforts and goals... and it just really made me think... a whole lot.

Although some might feel offended, please look at the bigger picture of the clip below. I think it attempts to answer at least one of my questions: What would Dr. King think of society today if he could be here for just one day? It is not meant to insult or destroy anyone with words, images, etc... Completely the opposite. The intention of the creator of this cartoon, Boondocks, was to pay respect to Dr. King and make us all, (yes, all of us) think about how we are contributing to American society. Are we being responsible members? Do we bring goodness with our actions?? Are we doing all that we can to live good lives???

My motive as a Social Studies teacher and rookie in the blogging world is to hopefully bring awareness to society (meaning my students), as I work with them on a daily basis, encouraging them to be their best, rise above current circumstances, and remain with a grateful attitude at all times.

Unfortunately, we (society as a whole) have lost that vision of living up to the dream that many people who came before us, like Dr. King, worked very hard for. That's just my humble opinion. Trying to find acceptance, wanting to build a better tomorrow so that it could be shared with our coming generations, etc... It's our duty to bring that dream back... that one dream that Dr. King had and worked for until his last day of life in order to see it reality in everyone. But as we think on this today, there are good news: The opportunity remains available. It is up to us as individuals if we are going to make it happen... and once we decide to go for it, we must hold on to it like dear life itself.

In this episode, things are so sad here in the U.S. that Martin Luther King Jr. decides to move to Canada instead. He dies at the age of 91, in Vancouver, B.C. ......Deep... and I'm so glad I get it.

If you think you're having a bad day...

Watch this.

It will help you put everything in perspective.

Happy

New
Year

2010
!!!

Goodbye Fall, Hello Winter!

Christmas Thoughts...

After living through Hurricane Ike last year (2008), the Houston flood of April (2009), and having one crazy, busy, super stressed summer and the months that followed due to major life changes... Well, you just get to have a different outlook on Christmas and general celebrations.

I grew up in a family where "celebrations" weren't really celebrated... Not because there wasn't anything to celebrate, but because unfortunately, it was just the way it was. Trust me, don't ask.

Anyway, from an early age, I learned to be content with little... But little did I know that I still had a long way to go before I could actually understand how to live life in "good times and bad." The efforts for recovery and getting back to the routine after these major life-altering events have been crazy, hard, and believe it or not, good. Yes, good and here's why.

To make my long story short, this Christmas I didn't even put up a Christmas tree since I've been between homes. I don't even know where it is at my house. It's always been me the one that "celebrates" things and moments in my family. This year, there were no Christmas presents, no birthday presents, no birthday "party" either, for me. I'm 28 now, and I still feel like I don't have it figured out yet. My soul thirsts for God, there are still many broken things in my life, and as the world gathers to celebrate the joyous occassion of the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world, I can only think of one thing: I would love for everything in my life to be just right. I'm not talking about having more money, more material things, etc... But in an overall evaluation of everything I wish I could come to the conclusion that everything is right by actually feeling it. Isn't that the way things should be? Living "the right time" at the right spot, the right thing, the right moment, the right words, the right thoughts, the right actions... That's what I wish for. I know it's probably confusing to read this... Many thoughts come to mind as I'm hanging out at my parent's house and that always stirs a lot of different things within me.

The Bottom Line: May you and your loved ones enjoy the true meaning of one of the most popular English phrases all around the world, "Merry Christmas." It's not the presents. Not other stuff nor the decorations, although they're not bad to have (but actually pleasant and nice to look at!) if the focus is Jesus. It's about being in the company of each other, enjoying the peace that God can give in a family or individual, and having that profound, grateful attitude of being happy in abudance and in scarcity... the good times and bad, and recognizing that Jesus is the source for everything good. That's the real blessing and gift of Christmas, in my humble opinion.

A Christmas Greeting

Ho ho hooo! I am a dancing Santa Claus and I have a wish for you. Watch my dancing Santa video card at

http://www.dancingsantacard.com/?santa=694607

Enjoy! :)

What's up?

A lot since my last post :)

1. In October, reminisced about the year 1999 as I ran into a live, TV concert performance of the Backstreet Boys. Yes, you can laugh but they did define my junior and senior year of high school. I graduated back in May of 99. They also came out with a new CD on October 6. FYI in case you're wondering :)

2. I'm enjoying teaching my group of kids this year. I couldn't ask for a better year! :) In spite of the "busy-ness", meetings, more work and expectations, and less time to sleep and rest, I've had some great new lesson ideas on this great school year. Most of my students (like 93%) this year are sweet, smartER, caring, polite, and good-hearted. This formula = success.

3. Enjoyed a very happy Thanksgiving :)
Thankfully evaluating all the blessings I've received this year: New house, new car, new attitude for and @ work, and a new outlook on life. Aw, refreshing... and worth the wait :)

Source: Here.

4. Been using my acitvboard and loving it! Especially the speakers... Great sound! It makes grading papers, lesson planning and organizing your classroom OK when listening to music with surround system on those long afternoons.

5. Busy being a new homeowner :) And spending lots of $ on paying bills :(

6. Watching a kitten "grow up" (Vivo - check out one of my early posts) and become as big as his mamma, already!! And he's not even 5 months old yet until Dec. 18th. The awesomeness of life :)

7. Countdown to my birthday as December started! I'll be 28 soon... Yikes!!!

8. Watched an episode of strict parents on MTV, accidentally, and I'm glad to report that I'm on my way to good parenting! LOL :) Seriously, these parents were both coaches. It was cool and hilarious to hear the things I tell my students on TV!! At the same time, it was touching to know that care, going the extra mile, and redirecting children's behavior often and as needed, in order to help them stay on task or on the right track - pays off. Well, sometimes. Especially for the kid. And that is what it is all about when you become an educator. Helping kids change their lives, one child at a time, one day at a time.

OK. Enough nostalgia and perfect world thoughts.

9. The little and simple things make me happy. I attended a grade-level team meeting this week where our 6th grade AP had breakfast for us (yogurt, various kinds of donuts, fresh fruit, granola bars, and!!! chocolate and a candy cane on each one of our seats). I was excited to just be @ work! Hahahaaa... and was ready to listen to what he had to tell us. At the same time, with him being a guy and all, I was impressed at how sometimes people do try to make an effort to plese you and make you happy. And that is great to have, at work and in life.

10. Snow day! and early release at school @ 12:30 today because of the snow. It was exciting. Super fun. The kids had a blast. It's moments like these that remind us that working with kids is fun... Well, good kids that is :) Days like today are much needed. We even celebrated a colleague's birthday during lunch. You could see the snow storm happening before our eyes since my classroom is sorrounded with windows on two of the four walls... For a couple of hours, my class turned into a science lab :) At dismissal, I played with the snow, made snow balls, threw them at another teacher friend and the sorrounding areas... Froze my hands as I removed all the snow from my car before driving off, and walked in the snow and freezing rain as it was coming down my face :) Driving in the snow was a first for me. When I got home, went outside in the cold for like 20 min. looking for Vivo's mom - Minni, who finally came back inside after her adventure today... And as I waited for her, the neighbor's cat also showed up at the same time in our backyard. Yes, I fed him too.

After work today, I've been hanging out at my parent's house since we live 2 min. away from each other! lol and I'm staying here tonight.

11. Even the Weather Channel covered our story: Snow in Houston!? They sent their best, Jim Cantore, to report on the happenings all around the Houston area. When a city with an average temp of 67 degrees around this timeof year hits freezing conditions and 1 in. of snow at Hobby Airport (more than NY and Chicago, per the news media) - You bet it's news!!!