It's probably clear by now that I have quite a few pet peeves. Bad drivers, paperwork,... I have another one to add to the list today: bad service. Can anyone tell me why a person who is horrible at service should be in a service position? I shouldn't have to feel guilty for asking a department store employee where to find an item, or a medical receptionist to make an appointment. Is it just my perception, or does service seem to be getting worse with time?
Enough venting, here's the "Pollyanna" side: I went for fastfood at a drive-through (which I hardly EVER do!), and the lady serving behind the window was incredibly cheerful and efficient. I watched her with the car in front of me, and was impressed by her personable manner. When I pulled up to her window, she acted as if I had just made her day. I'll probably never see that lady again, but I want her to know that she made MY day by her modeling the philosophy "service with a smile"!
March 24, 2011
March 23, 2011
Educational Issues
The field of education is one I have chosen to enter. Sometimes I am thrilled about this decision, and at other times I am disheartened. Over spring break, I read several books to reawaken my enthusiasm for teaching. One of the books, "Letters to A Young Teacher," presented so many educational issues that I actually got more overwhelmed by reading it. I get too impassioned about high-stakes testing, political legislation, diversity, and resource allocation to take an objectively optimistic view toward teaching. At the same time, I wouldn't want to be objective because issues that matter in education require us to have opinions. Change doesn't come from lack of passion.
This semester, I've been growing frustrated with the jargon that seems to accompany my daily reading, writing, and discussing educational issues. I'll admit, I have employed educational jargon in my class papers because that's what our instructors often seem to look for. A few buzz words, and you can seem as if you know what you're talking about. But often I'm left thinking, is that what I wrote what I really know? Could I have eliminated all the "noise words" and just stated knowledge or ideas in simple, simple language? Educational author Jonathan Kozol says it best: "Teachers need to fight hard to take pride in their own voices too. The jargon factory in education is a very busy place and it will doubtless keep on churning out new words and phrases that are no less cumbersome, or lacking in substantial meaning, than the ones in use today. Defend the freshness of your voice. Defend its authenticity."
So to all of you whose writing I have had the privilege to experience this semester... thank you. You have each shown me what it means to defend the freshness and authenticity of your own voice.
This semester, I've been growing frustrated with the jargon that seems to accompany my daily reading, writing, and discussing educational issues. I'll admit, I have employed educational jargon in my class papers because that's what our instructors often seem to look for. A few buzz words, and you can seem as if you know what you're talking about. But often I'm left thinking, is that what I wrote what I really know? Could I have eliminated all the "noise words" and just stated knowledge or ideas in simple, simple language? Educational author Jonathan Kozol says it best: "Teachers need to fight hard to take pride in their own voices too. The jargon factory in education is a very busy place and it will doubtless keep on churning out new words and phrases that are no less cumbersome, or lacking in substantial meaning, than the ones in use today. Defend the freshness of your voice. Defend its authenticity."
So to all of you whose writing I have had the privilege to experience this semester... thank you. You have each shown me what it means to defend the freshness and authenticity of your own voice.
March 22, 2011
Hooky
Yesterday morning I woke up with all the motivation of a dormant turnip. After sitting at my laptop for two hours and accomplishing, well, nothing, I agreed to my husband's invitation of accompanying him to town. Yay, a chance to play hooky! It was so fun to just hang out with my best friend. Running errands in the pouring rain, we had lots of laughs, hugs, and "close time." I helped Scot pick out a new suit jacket, dress shirts, and dress shoes. And I have to say, men are SO EASY to shop for/with! It took him about 10 minutes to collect and purchase his spring wardrobe. What I would give to have that kind of shopping ability!
So this morning I'm having nearly as hard a time getting back to school... and I'm wondering, what can I do to get motivated? Even the highlighted deadlines on my calendar are doing little to prompt me to work. I just feel tired and like I don't care anymore, or at least not enough to continue investing days on end to my studies. It makes me wonder, how can I turn my experience with lack of motivation into a future advantage for my students? How can I show them how to hurdle over apathy and approach assignments with eagerness?
So this morning I'm having nearly as hard a time getting back to school... and I'm wondering, what can I do to get motivated? Even the highlighted deadlines on my calendar are doing little to prompt me to work. I just feel tired and like I don't care anymore, or at least not enough to continue investing days on end to my studies. It makes me wonder, how can I turn my experience with lack of motivation into a future advantage for my students? How can I show them how to hurdle over apathy and approach assignments with eagerness?
March 21, 2011
Signs of Spring
When I stepped outside this morning to retrieve the newspaper, a drizzly mist enveloped our house. But there, on the apex of our roof, appeared a robin. The first sign of spring! I am not a bird-lover, but the sight of robins in springtime is still so happily reassuring. Many of you have probably been experiencing the change of seasons already, but up here on our "mountain plateau," the snow sits stubbornly (sometimes until May). I was surprised to look out the kitchen windows early one morning last week to see daffodil bulbs peeking through the snow/ice. What resilient little beings! Every day during spring break I experienced the urge to do yardwork outside, but there's really not a whole lot I could do yet in the two-by-two-foot patch of bare earth. I am ready for the snow to be gone!
March 11, 2011
Ten Minutes
Today I don't feel like writing. I am tired of composing words in logical form for so many assignments. I'm going to set a timer for ten minutes and just write about what's in front of me...
A plant. A Norwegian folk pine, to be exact. It caught my eye in at Lowes during a Christmas shopping excursion. I like to have greenery around my house, so each room has a living, breathing thing. One of my kitchen plants is getting a little scrawny. I gave it a hug last night. Well, I was actually opening the kitchen window behind it, but gave the plant a "hug" in the process. Some cultures believe we are connected to all living things. Some people talk to and play music for their plants. I wonder if they can sense us.
An epoxy stone entryway. Epoxy stone is a more recent home style trend. I'm so glad our builder chose to use it for three of our home entryways. It is durable, and it never shows dirt. That reminds me, today was supposed to be my cleaning day. Oh well, maybe next week. There's never-ending job security in home cleaning.
A loft deck. Where Scot and I sat, before we were married, and pondered the question of having our own child someday. I don't know if I'm any closer to reaching a decision. I would prefer to keep an open heart and leave the rest up to God.
A patio set. On that table I hosted an early summer bruncheon for my mother one day, complete with candles, flowers, and all her favorite foods. I wish I could do so for her more often. Mothers need pampering every now and again, to feel as if they, too, are valued individuals who deserve special care and attention.
Trees. Snow. When will spring be here? It wasn't until this week, where the snow, sleet, and ice rain seemed to pour into every cell of my being, that I grew exhausted of winter.
A plant. A Norwegian folk pine, to be exact. It caught my eye in at Lowes during a Christmas shopping excursion. I like to have greenery around my house, so each room has a living, breathing thing. One of my kitchen plants is getting a little scrawny. I gave it a hug last night. Well, I was actually opening the kitchen window behind it, but gave the plant a "hug" in the process. Some cultures believe we are connected to all living things. Some people talk to and play music for their plants. I wonder if they can sense us.
An epoxy stone entryway. Epoxy stone is a more recent home style trend. I'm so glad our builder chose to use it for three of our home entryways. It is durable, and it never shows dirt. That reminds me, today was supposed to be my cleaning day. Oh well, maybe next week. There's never-ending job security in home cleaning.
A loft deck. Where Scot and I sat, before we were married, and pondered the question of having our own child someday. I don't know if I'm any closer to reaching a decision. I would prefer to keep an open heart and leave the rest up to God.
A patio set. On that table I hosted an early summer bruncheon for my mother one day, complete with candles, flowers, and all her favorite foods. I wish I could do so for her more often. Mothers need pampering every now and again, to feel as if they, too, are valued individuals who deserve special care and attention.
Trees. Snow. When will spring be here? It wasn't until this week, where the snow, sleet, and ice rain seemed to pour into every cell of my being, that I grew exhausted of winter.
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