Hey all! So let’s see, I don’t think I’ve written yet about Valentine’s weekend so I will start there. Ivan and I were at the mall a couple weeks ago and got stopped at one of those kiosks where they try to get you to go on vacations and stuff, all you have to do is listen to the presentation. Somehow these people always get us. We were trying to decide what to do for Valentine’s day anyway so it all worked out. So we got a free night at this resort in Peoria (which is only like 10 minutes from where we live), $75 gift card to the spa, and $25 gift card for lunch. The room was really pretty, Jacuzzi tub and all of that. After we got checked in we decided to get some dinner and there weren’t many options because this place is in a fairly newly developing area. So we went to Chilli’s, and I haven’t drank in a very long time. I just don’t drink much anymore…so one Appletini and I was already feeling it pretty good. Haha. So anyway, we ate & drank and then I had wanted Ivan to see the Super Target…I love Target, and I went to this Super Target once before so I wanted him to see it. So we also decided, to make the trip fun to each take $20 and we got 30 minutes to roam the store to buy a gift for the other person. It was really fun. We were like sneaking around spy style trying to avoid each other and surprise the other. We’ve since decided we should do this like once a month at a different store each time just for the fun of it, and maybe vary the time frame or amount of money. In case you’re wondering, Ivan got me a purse (which I really like, I always get my purses at Target by the way) and a picture of a flower (which I like, goes with the colors in our bedroom). We had been talking about the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, so I got him that movie and a drinking/party game. He also got me a gift card for a manicure & pedicure for Valentine’s Day, and I got him (and I) tickets to a Coyote game when they’re playing the St. Louis Blues, which is this coming weekend. Anyway, the next day we had to sit and listen to the presentation about buying a timeshare and I have to tell you, it makes perfect sense for us. We are the kind of people who would actually use a timeshare, and once I learned how timeshares actually work I was definitely interested in hearing more. I always thought about timeshares as I knew of them from years ago. I thought you just owned a week wherever you bought, the same week every year, in the same location. Not so! Many people don’t even use the timeshare at the place they buy because you can trade it to stay in other resorts all over the world. In a sense, once your timeshare is paid off you have a lifetime of prepaid vacations at your disposal, plus major discounts to many other resorts. Sign me up! Stay tuned to see if we end up with a timeshare… J To wrap up the weekend we had a couples massage on Monday at the place where I am a member, and we got talked into getting Ivan a membership too. It’s funny because he was going to meet up with his cousin later and told him that we had plans—wouldn’t tell him he was going to get a massage! And now he has a membership too. Funny. So that was Valentine’s weekend.
Friday we finally got our new couch. Recap quickly: my employer supplies us with our furniture so almost everything we have is rented; we have bought a few little things here & there. We’re moving into a house this summer (renting, not buying) and so we’re starting to slowly buy up our own furniture and stuff. We’ve been looking at couches for a really long time, years, and finally found the one that met every need I had wanted. It was delivered on Friday and we’ve pretty much just been holding it down ever since. It’s a brown, leather sectional, nice big ottoman (we’re weirdos who really love big ottomans…who does that?) We just love it. It fits nicely in the apartment and will be great in the house too. And I’ve been buying up different art pieces and pictures to hang in the house. I always have seen these things that I just love but don’t have anywhere to hang in the apartment. I actually need to stop because I’m afraid I’m going to wake up and have filled the house too full already! We keep looking for the perfect pieces of furniture too. I guess I’m pretty picky. I just have an image in my head and can’t shake it until I find exactly what I was looking for ya know? We’re pretty sure we found a bed (a leather sleigh bed) and I finally found the perfect duvet cover too (www.westelm.com ). I happened to be watching a repeat of Oprah the other day when they were reorganizing people’s homes and saw some things I liked which they said were from West Elm. I went to the website and found MANY things I love! YAY! And there were some pictures from Crate & Barrel I’ve been eyeing for awhile so I went ahead and bought them, one from Pottery Barn too—finally went on clearance. It’s this huge red & white canvas that says Peace in like 14 different languages. I think a lot of people might use it just for Christmas time, but hey, I’m for Peace year round and thought it was really cool. So I’m very excited about that. The new house has two living rooms, so we’re thinking the upstairs living room will be “Ivan’s room,” ya know, decorated more to his taste since I guess I get the rest of the house. So I’ve been on Ebay a lot looking for different Cardinal & Ram decorations—while it will be more to his interests I’m not letting just anything on the walls! I’ve been trying to find some vintage things just to make it a bit cooler. I won the auction on this sign from the 1986 World Series which says, “Cardinals, This Bud’s for you.” Well apparently I won 25 of those signs!!!!!! They are signs that were hung up at the World Series and I thought the guy was selling them individually…nope, we now have 25, 18 square inch signs…so I’m thinking I might hang all of them up on one wall, kinda like a wall paper. Sounds kinda crazy maybe but I think it could look really cool. We’ll see how that turns out…! I’m also hunting craigslist for the upstairs furniture, maybe an air hockey table, that sort of thing. It’s fun!
What else…aside from my new online shopping habit (and Pier 1, I swear I go there once a week and leave with something or at least end up going back for something if I make it out of there without spending any money) I am developing a love of going to the theatre…which sounds really weird to say. Not like some theatre snob, but I just like any kind of live performance, and we happen to have a lot of theatre in Phoenix and the surrounding areas. It’s fun, and just something different to do ya know? So Sunday we went and saw “A Raisin In the Sun.” I had never read the book or anything but I had an idea what it was about. It was good. The actors all did a really good job, but I learned I think I’m more of a musical person, or at least more interested in things that have some comedy or light moments to it. I just enjoy it more. We just missed the Lion King, but Rent is coming in March and I would like to try to go see it.
Work with the part time job is going to be getting a bit busier. We just ended our basketball season, hip hop dance classes, and an arts & crafts class that I taught—the whole idea was for parents to work with their kids on the crafts I was leading so they could learn different things to do at home to work on their fine motor skills. It was a small group so it was nice to get to know the kids and their parents. Now we’re starting the baseball season, which is our busiest season. And we’re starting tennis, which is the first time we’ve had tennis for our kids. The other night we had a one-night tennis clinic for the kids, which was lead by tennis pros. For about 30 minutes before the kids got there the pros worked with me & my co-worker teaching us how to play tennis and all these little tips. It was so much fun! I definitely would like to spend some time playing and learning tennis. Maybe that’s what I’ll do this summer :) Spend my mornings playing tennis. Who knows! Anyway it was fun, and the kids loved it. I’ve been enjoying the part time job more & more lately as I get more comfortable with it and get to know the kids/parents more. I am taking the summer off from the job and am unsure about what to do this fall…there’s some volunteering I’ve been wanting to do for a couple of years with the International Rescue Committee (I’ve mentioned it a million times, they resettle refugees) but the time has never been right. It’s a volunteer thing that takes some commitment and consistency and with the part-time job I don’t think I can offer that. So I’m torn. Because I like the job, and also would like to stick with it because I think it could open up some opportunities in the future too for full time work, and get me out of OT eventually. The city has plans for a hug adaptive recreation facility, and if that goes through then they will need program coordinators and everything to run it…I dunno!!
So anyway, I will let ya go!!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Arizona In Dire Straits
**This is the email that is circulating about the possible budget cuts to education in Arizona**
IS IT JUST ME??? OR MAYBE IT’S TIME FOR A
REVERSE BOSTON TEA PARTY IN ARIZONA
The events of the past few weeks in Arizona have been of staggering proportion. The Cardinals, who had less respect than Rodney Dangerfield, are earning it everywhere and the average citizens of Arizona couldn’t be prouder. The Legislature, or at least the senior officials in control, in less than a week have shown they have absolutely no respect for Arizona’s average citizen, parent, or child.
Or, maybe it’s just me that thinks like that?
I’m 60, conservative, a Viet Nam vet, just a regular guy who votes in every election and believes in our system of government. This week I find that four elected legislators, who I’m sure are nice guys and good parents and/or grandparents, are able to sit together privately and propose a budget plan without consideration of the opinions of their peers and one that shows no respect for the situation facing the average Arizonan.
I mean aren’t elected folks supposed to consider what is best for all of the people of Arizona when developing proposals such as this?
Or, maybe it’s just me and I’m mistaken about that?
Virtually every Arizonan knows about the deficit and knows we’re all going to have to pull together to get through these tough times. Then on Friday we find that the “solution” will mean ½ day Kindergarten, a reduction from 180 school days to 175, school only 4 days per week, a huge increase in class sizes, reductions in salary for all, and the loss of jobs for 1,000s. It hasn’t said that in the newspapers, but I’ve been told the discussions have included these issues from people who are supposed to know. I guess that’s what happens when you reduce a budget by more than 21%.
The proposal asks for budget cuts this year of $103 million and $892 million next from K-12. Specifically, the plan reduces this year’s soft capital allocation (textbooks, curriculum and assessment tools, etc) by 43% but next year there will be $0 allocated for soft capital. There will be a 10% reduction in basic state aid, elimination of all-day kindergarten, an eight year phase out of career ladder (12% per year reduction), elimination of the math and science initiatives, and an eight year phase out of the teacher experience index. Further, to quote a friend of mine, “Heck, they even reduced the gifted program, just in case there was any child left untouched.”
In my opinion, there is little doubt we have a crisis in leadership. Many years ago I taught the Principal ship for NAU from a business book called LEADERS by Warren Bennis and Burt Nanus. It is a classic, virtually a leadership bible, reprinted many times. They note that effective leaders focus their actions on “doing the right thing” while managers “do things right”. Also, topical to our situation is the premise that “the accumulation of trust is the measure of the legitimacy of leadership”.
So what?
Well, Mr. Kavanaugh, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Adams, and Mr. Burns in one short week have shown they are exceptional managers, able to do things right, especially subtract. There is nothing wrong with the management function; it is a necessary component of organization. But you need leaders who understand the function of “doing the right thing” at the helm. Simply put, managers placed in leadership positions are divisive, while truly effective leaders in similar positions bring people together. If you have any doubts about the value of leadership vs. management, I have one word for you, Whistenhunt!
With all due respect, I’m pretty doggoned sure I’m not wrong about that.
Crisis is often just opportunity disguised in different clothing. As some forest fires can be healthy by getting rid of undergrowth and unhealthy trees, likewise our financial mess in Arizona is an opportunity for effective leadership to chart a new course. People are ready for change, they know it has to happen, but they have to trust the leadership and know that the leaders have their best interest at heart.
In less than a week, our veteran management team of Kavanaugh, Pearce, and Burns (Mr. Adams is pretty new) have managed to lose the trust of most of the Arizonans who have been watching with interest.
Or, maybe it’s just me and I’m wrong about that?
I’ve never met Jan Brewer, but my daughter was an accountant for a mental health agency when Mrs. Brewer sat on that agency’s board. My daughter describes Mrs. Brewer as pragmatic, caring, insightful, politely direct, and an effective leader. Unless some true leaders emerge on the Republican side, the good Governor Brewer may well be average Arizonans only hope.
With a veto, there may be enough Democrats and moderate Republicans to keep our veteran managers and their followers from overriding the veto. Heck, maybe the direction taken to this point is so obviously abhorrent that some Republicans will stand up and utilize some common sense. I hope so, because while raised a Democrat, I’ve been a registered Republican my entire voting life and this is the first time I’ve ever been ashamed to admit it.
Thomas Jefferson, the father of American education, felt that democracy could only succeed with an educated populace. Over the last few days we find that Arizona, now ranked 49th in educational funding, will lose over $1,000 per child under the current proposal.
Is it possible that we could fall to 51st?
I don’t believe Arizona has ever been higher than 46th in the last 30 years. Is it any wonder that few large businesses or industries have relocated to Arizona? Our legislators have never understood that an investment and commitment to education is the necessary third leg to draw industry, relying only on our wonderful climate and our status as a right-to-work state to broaden our employment base.
A true investment in education over the past 30 years would have drawn much more business relocation, broadening our employment base, and would have left us less dependent on construction as our major industry. It seems we still don’t understand that.
Or, perhaps, it’s just me and I’m wrong about that?
So, in the last few days we’ve read in the newspaper that not only must we cut the education budget by 21+% but that business also needs a tax break.
Let’s see if I’ve got this. We have this huge deficit because the economy has faltered and tax dollars necessary to fund government programs have plummeted. So we answer by cutting educational spending and KidsCare health-care program for 63,000 of Arizona’s children, knowing that number will grow dramatically because of the financial
dilemma our families are currently facing.
Further, according to ASU, the proposal is “the equivalent to withdrawing funding for more than 40,000 students.” ASU President Michael Crow called the options plan a blueprint for putting Arizona “on the path to resembling a Third World country.”
If this plan were accepted, we would be forced to reduce the salaries of virtually all in the education profession fortunate enough to keep their jobs. We would have to release 1,000s of hard-working middle and lower income blue collar workers, and we would have ½ day Kindergarten and school 4 days a week for grades 1-12 and increase the parents need for child care astronomically. Oh, well, I guess we could just let them stay home by themselves. But, I forgot, there will be plenty of folks available to watch the kids as so many have lost their jobs, just no money to pay them. And since we reduced pay and eliminated jobs, we have even less tax money to collect.
Sounds like a great plan, eh? Or maybe it’s just me and I’m wrong about this, too?
Over the past 15 years, in addition to working in schools, I’ve been a relatively successful businessman. I don’t claim to be the sharpest knife in the drawer with regard to business, but neither am I the dullest.
About seven weeks ago after doing some research, I discovered that an increase in the sales tax of .01 would have generated a little over $1 billion to the state last year. This year it would be significantly less, but would still approach $1 billion, covering about 60% of the stated deficit.
While I was not really laughed at (just snickers, maybe) my proposal was quickly dismissed in a few different meetings because I was told the Republican-dominated legislature would never go for it. Now, I see that a similar referendum is picking up steam in California.
Unlike some in the legislature, I do not believe that such a temporary increase (utilized only until the economy is righted) will be the end of the world, the prevailing sentiment at the Capital, I’m told. After all, we should all be in this together and if so, maybe it’s not such a bad thought after all.
Of course, it may be just me and I may be wrong again?
This past Thursday I attended a meeting of about 20 superintendents and business officials. Toward the end of the meeting, one superintendent summed up his frustration by saying, “I just don’t know what to do. Even the legislators that represent us tell us openly that their input is not solicited nor considered.” We were then told that the Republican leadership get so many emails they don’t even try to read them, that phone calls and letters are the only way to make contact, as you really can’t see them personally and even if you did their minds are made up and they don’t really listen to you.
A true gentleman, kind and stately, then spoke and said, “Unfortunately, as long as you superintendents keep stretching and providing for kids, parents don’t feel the pain. What you must do is stop providing services until the parents are fed up. Then, the legislators move because they want to get reelected.”
After a pause, I stated that my District has had full day Kindergarten for 16 or 17 years and that in the past 22 months our voters had passed a K-3 Override, and M & O override, and a capital override. We will provide full day Kindergarten for as long as humanly possible for two reasons; it not only is the right thing to do for kids, our community has stepped up time and again and they deserve it. We just have to find a way to effectively communicate to our public the depth of the problem presented by the legislature.
Communities all over Arizona are just like ours. Regular folks are committed to our children, truly committed, always. Many politicians talk about putting kids first, but that seems to be just election year rhetoric utilized for political gain.
Of course, I may be wrong about that, too, but considering this proposal, I don’t think so.
And, the reverse Boston Tea Party, what do we have to do to get the legislature to consider adding .01 to our sales tax temporarily instead of decimating the state with this soulless proposal?
I’ve never really written anything like this before and while I’m going to distribute it to our staff and parents in Florence, to my fellow superintendents in the Arizona School Administrators group, the Arizona School Board Association, the Arizona Association of School Business Officials, the Arizona Education Association, and to our college and university leaders, maybe nothing will come of it. But I’ll feel somewhat better because I got it off my chest and can feel like I tried.
As many of our legislators don’t seem to care about us regular folks, don’t read our emails, accept few phone calls, respond to few letters, won’t see us personally, or ignore us, as when 120 superintendents showed up last Monday, it seems we need to earn some respect. They must see that they have a responsibility to all Arizonans not just those with big business interests.
It has been said that the true value of a culture can be effectively evaluated by simply measuring the priority it places on its children. Honestly, after reading this plan one can easily come to the conclusion that the only thing that was considered was dollars.
The Cardinals, NFC Champs and on the way to the Super Bowl, (WOW!) have finally succeeded in earning the respect of hundreds of thousands of folks within and outside of Arizona. Amazingly, we regular folks have a much more difficult task just trying to earn the respect of a few that we had a hand in electing. When you think of it, that’s really a pretty sad state of affairs.
On Sunday, January 25th, from 1-3pm, my wife and I are going to have a picnic at the Capital plaza and afterwards will politely leave a request to the legislature to show respect for the children and the average citizens of Arizona. It probably won’t be as much fun as we had watching the Cardinals this past Sunday, but if you’d like to join us there’s no telling what might happen. I completed this on MLK Day and we all know that Martin Luther King led the way in showing the value of peaceful demonstration.
I have never protested publicly, never demonstrated or carried a sign, I always have just trusted. But when Arizona’s children are determined to be less important than some decimal points, I think I have a moral obligation to show up.
It may end up that my wife and I just enjoy a private picnic, but who knows, maybe I’ll be wrong about that, too?
Gary 9
Superintendent
Florence USD #1
P.S. By the way, Mr. Kavanaugh, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Adams, and Mr. Burns, just for future reference, regular folks don’t mind being well led, but they really don’t like being managed or not receiving consideration. But if you care to join us we’d love to have you. Might just be my wife and I, and I’m really pretty easy to get along with, but my wife now, better make sure you don’t get her dander up. Hope to see you Sunday.
P.P.S. I have provided the addresses, email address, and phone numbers of the gentlemen I mentioned above. While it is great if you contact them in that way, your attendance Sunday, however inconvenient it might be, will send a message to the entire legislature. Educators and school staffs are just regular folks, parents and kids are just regular folks; regular folks who deserve to be well led by those they elected. If you believe in participatory democracy rather than the select autocracy that formulated this proposal, please consider attending on Sunday.
By the way if you wear red, we can cover two bases; red shall not only represent the carnage that this proposal will produce, but, obviously, will be a deserving tribute to the Cardinals.
Arizona State Capitol Complex
1700 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2890
Info. Desk (602) 926-3559
jkavanaugh@azleg.gov
Office (602) 926-5170
Fax (602) 417-3108
rpearce@azleg.gov
Office (602) 926-5760
Fax (602) 417-3118
kadams@azleg.gov
Office (602) 926-5495
Fax (602) 417-3019
rburns@azleg.gov
Office (602) 926-5993
Fax (602) 417-3225
IS IT JUST ME??? OR MAYBE IT’S TIME FOR A
REVERSE BOSTON TEA PARTY IN ARIZONA
The events of the past few weeks in Arizona have been of staggering proportion. The Cardinals, who had less respect than Rodney Dangerfield, are earning it everywhere and the average citizens of Arizona couldn’t be prouder. The Legislature, or at least the senior officials in control, in less than a week have shown they have absolutely no respect for Arizona’s average citizen, parent, or child.
Or, maybe it’s just me that thinks like that?
I’m 60, conservative, a Viet Nam vet, just a regular guy who votes in every election and believes in our system of government. This week I find that four elected legislators, who I’m sure are nice guys and good parents and/or grandparents, are able to sit together privately and propose a budget plan without consideration of the opinions of their peers and one that shows no respect for the situation facing the average Arizonan.
I mean aren’t elected folks supposed to consider what is best for all of the people of Arizona when developing proposals such as this?
Or, maybe it’s just me and I’m mistaken about that?
Virtually every Arizonan knows about the deficit and knows we’re all going to have to pull together to get through these tough times. Then on Friday we find that the “solution” will mean ½ day Kindergarten, a reduction from 180 school days to 175, school only 4 days per week, a huge increase in class sizes, reductions in salary for all, and the loss of jobs for 1,000s. It hasn’t said that in the newspapers, but I’ve been told the discussions have included these issues from people who are supposed to know. I guess that’s what happens when you reduce a budget by more than 21%.
The proposal asks for budget cuts this year of $103 million and $892 million next from K-12. Specifically, the plan reduces this year’s soft capital allocation (textbooks, curriculum and assessment tools, etc) by 43% but next year there will be $0 allocated for soft capital. There will be a 10% reduction in basic state aid, elimination of all-day kindergarten, an eight year phase out of career ladder (12% per year reduction), elimination of the math and science initiatives, and an eight year phase out of the teacher experience index. Further, to quote a friend of mine, “Heck, they even reduced the gifted program, just in case there was any child left untouched.”
In my opinion, there is little doubt we have a crisis in leadership. Many years ago I taught the Principal ship for NAU from a business book called LEADERS by Warren Bennis and Burt Nanus. It is a classic, virtually a leadership bible, reprinted many times. They note that effective leaders focus their actions on “doing the right thing” while managers “do things right”. Also, topical to our situation is the premise that “the accumulation of trust is the measure of the legitimacy of leadership”.
So what?
Well, Mr. Kavanaugh, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Adams, and Mr. Burns in one short week have shown they are exceptional managers, able to do things right, especially subtract. There is nothing wrong with the management function; it is a necessary component of organization. But you need leaders who understand the function of “doing the right thing” at the helm. Simply put, managers placed in leadership positions are divisive, while truly effective leaders in similar positions bring people together. If you have any doubts about the value of leadership vs. management, I have one word for you, Whistenhunt!
With all due respect, I’m pretty doggoned sure I’m not wrong about that.
Crisis is often just opportunity disguised in different clothing. As some forest fires can be healthy by getting rid of undergrowth and unhealthy trees, likewise our financial mess in Arizona is an opportunity for effective leadership to chart a new course. People are ready for change, they know it has to happen, but they have to trust the leadership and know that the leaders have their best interest at heart.
In less than a week, our veteran management team of Kavanaugh, Pearce, and Burns (Mr. Adams is pretty new) have managed to lose the trust of most of the Arizonans who have been watching with interest.
Or, maybe it’s just me and I’m wrong about that?
I’ve never met Jan Brewer, but my daughter was an accountant for a mental health agency when Mrs. Brewer sat on that agency’s board. My daughter describes Mrs. Brewer as pragmatic, caring, insightful, politely direct, and an effective leader. Unless some true leaders emerge on the Republican side, the good Governor Brewer may well be average Arizonans only hope.
With a veto, there may be enough Democrats and moderate Republicans to keep our veteran managers and their followers from overriding the veto. Heck, maybe the direction taken to this point is so obviously abhorrent that some Republicans will stand up and utilize some common sense. I hope so, because while raised a Democrat, I’ve been a registered Republican my entire voting life and this is the first time I’ve ever been ashamed to admit it.
Thomas Jefferson, the father of American education, felt that democracy could only succeed with an educated populace. Over the last few days we find that Arizona, now ranked 49th in educational funding, will lose over $1,000 per child under the current proposal.
Is it possible that we could fall to 51st?
I don’t believe Arizona has ever been higher than 46th in the last 30 years. Is it any wonder that few large businesses or industries have relocated to Arizona? Our legislators have never understood that an investment and commitment to education is the necessary third leg to draw industry, relying only on our wonderful climate and our status as a right-to-work state to broaden our employment base.
A true investment in education over the past 30 years would have drawn much more business relocation, broadening our employment base, and would have left us less dependent on construction as our major industry. It seems we still don’t understand that.
Or, perhaps, it’s just me and I’m wrong about that?
So, in the last few days we’ve read in the newspaper that not only must we cut the education budget by 21+% but that business also needs a tax break.
Let’s see if I’ve got this. We have this huge deficit because the economy has faltered and tax dollars necessary to fund government programs have plummeted. So we answer by cutting educational spending and KidsCare health-care program for 63,000 of Arizona’s children, knowing that number will grow dramatically because of the financial
dilemma our families are currently facing.
Further, according to ASU, the proposal is “the equivalent to withdrawing funding for more than 40,000 students.” ASU President Michael Crow called the options plan a blueprint for putting Arizona “on the path to resembling a Third World country.”
If this plan were accepted, we would be forced to reduce the salaries of virtually all in the education profession fortunate enough to keep their jobs. We would have to release 1,000s of hard-working middle and lower income blue collar workers, and we would have ½ day Kindergarten and school 4 days a week for grades 1-12 and increase the parents need for child care astronomically. Oh, well, I guess we could just let them stay home by themselves. But, I forgot, there will be plenty of folks available to watch the kids as so many have lost their jobs, just no money to pay them. And since we reduced pay and eliminated jobs, we have even less tax money to collect.
Sounds like a great plan, eh? Or maybe it’s just me and I’m wrong about this, too?
Over the past 15 years, in addition to working in schools, I’ve been a relatively successful businessman. I don’t claim to be the sharpest knife in the drawer with regard to business, but neither am I the dullest.
About seven weeks ago after doing some research, I discovered that an increase in the sales tax of .01 would have generated a little over $1 billion to the state last year. This year it would be significantly less, but would still approach $1 billion, covering about 60% of the stated deficit.
While I was not really laughed at (just snickers, maybe) my proposal was quickly dismissed in a few different meetings because I was told the Republican-dominated legislature would never go for it. Now, I see that a similar referendum is picking up steam in California.
Unlike some in the legislature, I do not believe that such a temporary increase (utilized only until the economy is righted) will be the end of the world, the prevailing sentiment at the Capital, I’m told. After all, we should all be in this together and if so, maybe it’s not such a bad thought after all.
Of course, it may be just me and I may be wrong again?
This past Thursday I attended a meeting of about 20 superintendents and business officials. Toward the end of the meeting, one superintendent summed up his frustration by saying, “I just don’t know what to do. Even the legislators that represent us tell us openly that their input is not solicited nor considered.” We were then told that the Republican leadership get so many emails they don’t even try to read them, that phone calls and letters are the only way to make contact, as you really can’t see them personally and even if you did their minds are made up and they don’t really listen to you.
A true gentleman, kind and stately, then spoke and said, “Unfortunately, as long as you superintendents keep stretching and providing for kids, parents don’t feel the pain. What you must do is stop providing services until the parents are fed up. Then, the legislators move because they want to get reelected.”
After a pause, I stated that my District has had full day Kindergarten for 16 or 17 years and that in the past 22 months our voters had passed a K-3 Override, and M & O override, and a capital override. We will provide full day Kindergarten for as long as humanly possible for two reasons; it not only is the right thing to do for kids, our community has stepped up time and again and they deserve it. We just have to find a way to effectively communicate to our public the depth of the problem presented by the legislature.
Communities all over Arizona are just like ours. Regular folks are committed to our children, truly committed, always. Many politicians talk about putting kids first, but that seems to be just election year rhetoric utilized for political gain.
Of course, I may be wrong about that, too, but considering this proposal, I don’t think so.
And, the reverse Boston Tea Party, what do we have to do to get the legislature to consider adding .01 to our sales tax temporarily instead of decimating the state with this soulless proposal?
I’ve never really written anything like this before and while I’m going to distribute it to our staff and parents in Florence, to my fellow superintendents in the Arizona School Administrators group, the Arizona School Board Association, the Arizona Association of School Business Officials, the Arizona Education Association, and to our college and university leaders, maybe nothing will come of it. But I’ll feel somewhat better because I got it off my chest and can feel like I tried.
As many of our legislators don’t seem to care about us regular folks, don’t read our emails, accept few phone calls, respond to few letters, won’t see us personally, or ignore us, as when 120 superintendents showed up last Monday, it seems we need to earn some respect. They must see that they have a responsibility to all Arizonans not just those with big business interests.
It has been said that the true value of a culture can be effectively evaluated by simply measuring the priority it places on its children. Honestly, after reading this plan one can easily come to the conclusion that the only thing that was considered was dollars.
The Cardinals, NFC Champs and on the way to the Super Bowl, (WOW!) have finally succeeded in earning the respect of hundreds of thousands of folks within and outside of Arizona. Amazingly, we regular folks have a much more difficult task just trying to earn the respect of a few that we had a hand in electing. When you think of it, that’s really a pretty sad state of affairs.
On Sunday, January 25th, from 1-3pm, my wife and I are going to have a picnic at the Capital plaza and afterwards will politely leave a request to the legislature to show respect for the children and the average citizens of Arizona. It probably won’t be as much fun as we had watching the Cardinals this past Sunday, but if you’d like to join us there’s no telling what might happen. I completed this on MLK Day and we all know that Martin Luther King led the way in showing the value of peaceful demonstration.
I have never protested publicly, never demonstrated or carried a sign, I always have just trusted. But when Arizona’s children are determined to be less important than some decimal points, I think I have a moral obligation to show up.
It may end up that my wife and I just enjoy a private picnic, but who knows, maybe I’ll be wrong about that, too?
Gary 9
Superintendent
Florence USD #1
P.S. By the way, Mr. Kavanaugh, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Adams, and Mr. Burns, just for future reference, regular folks don’t mind being well led, but they really don’t like being managed or not receiving consideration. But if you care to join us we’d love to have you. Might just be my wife and I, and I’m really pretty easy to get along with, but my wife now, better make sure you don’t get her dander up. Hope to see you Sunday.
P.P.S. I have provided the addresses, email address, and phone numbers of the gentlemen I mentioned above. While it is great if you contact them in that way, your attendance Sunday, however inconvenient it might be, will send a message to the entire legislature. Educators and school staffs are just regular folks, parents and kids are just regular folks; regular folks who deserve to be well led by those they elected. If you believe in participatory democracy rather than the select autocracy that formulated this proposal, please consider attending on Sunday.
By the way if you wear red, we can cover two bases; red shall not only represent the carnage that this proposal will produce, but, obviously, will be a deserving tribute to the Cardinals.
Arizona State Capitol Complex
1700 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2890
Info. Desk (602) 926-3559
jkavanaugh@azleg.gov
Office (602) 926-5170
Fax (602) 417-3108
rpearce@azleg.gov
Office (602) 926-5760
Fax (602) 417-3118
kadams@azleg.gov
Office (602) 926-5495
Fax (602) 417-3019
rburns@azleg.gov
Office (602) 926-5993
Fax (602) 417-3225
It's been how long?
A few weeks since the last post? That is because time as we know it has been spinning out of control. I feel like I don't have any of it anymore! Or maybe the key is that the time I do have I want to spend as a vegetable watching every reality show VH1 and Bravo have ever made. It's so mindless and always makes me feel better because I'm not a raving lunatic. Or am I? Hmm...
Anyway, I guess you could say we've been busy. Let's back up. Obama is our president! YAY! I'm happy, but I have to tell you I'm getting a little sick of people saying things like, "We're just waiting on this change" or "Change is coming, right...?" Um, the change happened. January 20th to be exact. Yes, I know everyone's waiting for this dramatic we're no longer in war, the rest of the world loves and respects us, we suddenly have money spewing from our pockets and amazing jobs, etc etc etc....yeah, he's not a freakin' genie there folks. Just like with anyone else it takes time, there's not a perfect answer, and remember all these other officials we elect, they get a say in everything too. So anyway, what I was expecting out of the deal, has already occurred-- we have an intelligent, well-spoken person in power who shares my point of view. Change is here...all the rest is icing on the cake.
Ivan and I went to see the musical "Hair." Yes, it's the one from the 60's. We loved it! I love live entertainment anyway but it was just cool. Great music, great message, and there a nude scene so that was fun too. haha
We went to the Suns-Bulls game a couple weeks ago. I wasn't sure who to root for but I don't really know the Bulls anymore so I went for the Suns. Ivan is a Bulls fan so we bet whoever lost had to clean the bathroom. The Suns hadn't lost a Saturday game all season so I was feeling good...and then they lost. So disappointing. Something cool though, Muhammad Ali was at the game watching. They put the camera and spotlight on him to wave at everyone, and when he was leaving everyone started chanting, "ALI." Very cool moment. Sad thing though was he looked soooo old. Like Alzheimer's old, where they just sit there and don't look like they know what's going on. He never clapped or even talked; the people with him were talking to each other across him but he just sat there. Pretty sad.
The Super Bowl...one disappointment after the next (cuz of the Suns game the night before). I didn't realize how much I wanted the Cardinals to win until I watched them come back with 2:30ish left in the game. I was happy but still so scared because that is actually a lot of time you know? We had another couple over to watch the game with, a guy Ivan plays football with and his wife. They were cool, it's always nice to meet couple friends where you like both parts of the couple you know? And they are a mixed couple which is nice too. I don't think about us being mixed or care really, but there is some odd sense of comfort or something when you're with other mixed couples. I can't really explain it. One of those things you don't know you're missing until you have it. Same thing for me when I hang out with girls. I don't miss it, until I'm hanging out with them and realize I'm having a good time and can't stop talking. It's because I'm always with Ivan & Jeff or something.
Anyway, I guess that's kinda it for recapping. I've been really busy with the part time job and classes too. I'm in a finance class right now and that kinda stinks. Not exactly a fun class. But at the same time pretty interesting with everything that is going on with the economy.
Speaking of the economy, some scary things happening in Arizona right now. Apparently our state is majorly in debt and there first thought on how to fix it is to cut funding to education. It's a scary time out here. I know this is happening everywhere but it seems really bad here. Nearly every house you see for sale is bank owned. Lay offs and hiring freezes are happening everywhere. And now they announce this major cut to education. So the school isn't exactly a happy place right now while we wait to see what's going to happen to all of us. There's been talk of cutting to 4 day weeks, cutting 1000's of jobs, cutting pay, just tons of cuts left and right. The district held meetings yesterday to talk to everyone but their answers were pretty much, "we don't know." The legislature will make its final decisions by March hopefully and then the district can figure out what they are going to do. Everyone's freaking out. We're in a hiring freeze and cannot buy anymore materials this year but who knows what next year will bring.
It's not really in me to freak out, I mean I worry because I do want to work here next year. As far as OT is concerned, this is the best job I've had, I'm happy with this district, I like the area, we've made friends, we're planned to settle here, move into a house this summer etc. So, yeah it's a little scary. I'm keeping an eye out on jobs just in case. The good news about therapy is that I have options-- hospitals, skilled nursing, etc. I just don't want to do that, but it's there if I need to. The other thought is that maybe this is the push out of therapy that I need. It's no secret I want out eventually, and being laid off from Country Companies back in '03 was the best thing that ever happened to me. So, who's to say this wouldn't be the best thing? We'll see though. I wanted more time to save money from this job before switching fields but I may not get it.
So wedding plans are on hold, they were before this job thing but now I'm glad because I'd like to be sure I have a job before I go splurging on a wedding. They were stalled because I have come full circle on not knowing what kind of wedding I want!! I started out with Vegas or a beach, thought I settled on a St. Louis, and then came back to a beach because I don't know if I can handle spending that much money on a wedding. So we will wait! We're moving into a house this summer so we need to furnish that and be sure I have a job, then I can move forward and really make some decisions.
What else...I went to see Revolutionary Road last night. I liked it. I don't know that it's a movie everyone would like but I feel like I can relate so much-- not to the relationship problems, but to the idea of 'I want more, I want to travel, I don't want to get stuck in life' etc. I have days that I think settling down in one place and having a family and all of that sounds like the most awful thing in the world, how average right? And days where it sounds really nice. That's kinda what is going on in the movie. In a really extreme way.
Well I guess I'll get going. I might post some information about what's going on in Arizona right now with the budget and everything so look out for that. It's a letter that is being circulated, getting everyone fired up!
Anyway, I guess you could say we've been busy. Let's back up. Obama is our president! YAY! I'm happy, but I have to tell you I'm getting a little sick of people saying things like, "We're just waiting on this change" or "Change is coming, right...?" Um, the change happened. January 20th to be exact. Yes, I know everyone's waiting for this dramatic we're no longer in war, the rest of the world loves and respects us, we suddenly have money spewing from our pockets and amazing jobs, etc etc etc....yeah, he's not a freakin' genie there folks. Just like with anyone else it takes time, there's not a perfect answer, and remember all these other officials we elect, they get a say in everything too. So anyway, what I was expecting out of the deal, has already occurred-- we have an intelligent, well-spoken person in power who shares my point of view. Change is here...all the rest is icing on the cake.
Ivan and I went to see the musical "Hair." Yes, it's the one from the 60's. We loved it! I love live entertainment anyway but it was just cool. Great music, great message, and there a nude scene so that was fun too. haha
We went to the Suns-Bulls game a couple weeks ago. I wasn't sure who to root for but I don't really know the Bulls anymore so I went for the Suns. Ivan is a Bulls fan so we bet whoever lost had to clean the bathroom. The Suns hadn't lost a Saturday game all season so I was feeling good...and then they lost. So disappointing. Something cool though, Muhammad Ali was at the game watching. They put the camera and spotlight on him to wave at everyone, and when he was leaving everyone started chanting, "ALI." Very cool moment. Sad thing though was he looked soooo old. Like Alzheimer's old, where they just sit there and don't look like they know what's going on. He never clapped or even talked; the people with him were talking to each other across him but he just sat there. Pretty sad.
The Super Bowl...one disappointment after the next (cuz of the Suns game the night before). I didn't realize how much I wanted the Cardinals to win until I watched them come back with 2:30ish left in the game. I was happy but still so scared because that is actually a lot of time you know? We had another couple over to watch the game with, a guy Ivan plays football with and his wife. They were cool, it's always nice to meet couple friends where you like both parts of the couple you know? And they are a mixed couple which is nice too. I don't think about us being mixed or care really, but there is some odd sense of comfort or something when you're with other mixed couples. I can't really explain it. One of those things you don't know you're missing until you have it. Same thing for me when I hang out with girls. I don't miss it, until I'm hanging out with them and realize I'm having a good time and can't stop talking. It's because I'm always with Ivan & Jeff or something.
Anyway, I guess that's kinda it for recapping. I've been really busy with the part time job and classes too. I'm in a finance class right now and that kinda stinks. Not exactly a fun class. But at the same time pretty interesting with everything that is going on with the economy.
Speaking of the economy, some scary things happening in Arizona right now. Apparently our state is majorly in debt and there first thought on how to fix it is to cut funding to education. It's a scary time out here. I know this is happening everywhere but it seems really bad here. Nearly every house you see for sale is bank owned. Lay offs and hiring freezes are happening everywhere. And now they announce this major cut to education. So the school isn't exactly a happy place right now while we wait to see what's going to happen to all of us. There's been talk of cutting to 4 day weeks, cutting 1000's of jobs, cutting pay, just tons of cuts left and right. The district held meetings yesterday to talk to everyone but their answers were pretty much, "we don't know." The legislature will make its final decisions by March hopefully and then the district can figure out what they are going to do. Everyone's freaking out. We're in a hiring freeze and cannot buy anymore materials this year but who knows what next year will bring.
It's not really in me to freak out, I mean I worry because I do want to work here next year. As far as OT is concerned, this is the best job I've had, I'm happy with this district, I like the area, we've made friends, we're planned to settle here, move into a house this summer etc. So, yeah it's a little scary. I'm keeping an eye out on jobs just in case. The good news about therapy is that I have options-- hospitals, skilled nursing, etc. I just don't want to do that, but it's there if I need to. The other thought is that maybe this is the push out of therapy that I need. It's no secret I want out eventually, and being laid off from Country Companies back in '03 was the best thing that ever happened to me. So, who's to say this wouldn't be the best thing? We'll see though. I wanted more time to save money from this job before switching fields but I may not get it.
So wedding plans are on hold, they were before this job thing but now I'm glad because I'd like to be sure I have a job before I go splurging on a wedding. They were stalled because I have come full circle on not knowing what kind of wedding I want!! I started out with Vegas or a beach, thought I settled on a St. Louis, and then came back to a beach because I don't know if I can handle spending that much money on a wedding. So we will wait! We're moving into a house this summer so we need to furnish that and be sure I have a job, then I can move forward and really make some decisions.
What else...I went to see Revolutionary Road last night. I liked it. I don't know that it's a movie everyone would like but I feel like I can relate so much-- not to the relationship problems, but to the idea of 'I want more, I want to travel, I don't want to get stuck in life' etc. I have days that I think settling down in one place and having a family and all of that sounds like the most awful thing in the world, how average right? And days where it sounds really nice. That's kinda what is going on in the movie. In a really extreme way.
Well I guess I'll get going. I might post some information about what's going on in Arizona right now with the budget and everything so look out for that. It's a letter that is being circulated, getting everyone fired up!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Messed Up
**So I saw this article and it's distrubing enough, but pay attention to the last line...nuts!**
Day care stabbing spree suspect had black-and-white painted face
By Slobodan LekicAssociated Press
Advertisement
DENDERMONDE, Belgium -- A young man with a gruesomely painted black-and-white face went on a rampage at a Belgian day care center Friday, stabbing two babies and a female worker to death and seriously wounding 12 others. VideoSobbing parents rushed to the scene and to nearby hospitals. Shocked rescue workers spoke of finding crying, bleeding toddlers scattered inside the center. Medical workers at six hospitals sprang into action, performing emergency operations to save the 10 children and two adults badly wounded in the attack.“This was a particularly violent attack. All the kids had multiple stab wounds on their legs, arms, and all over their bodies,” Dr. Ignace Demeyer, head of emergency services at Our Lady Hospital in nearby Aalst, told reporters.The shocking assault caused panic and outrage in the town 20 miles (30 kilometers) northwest of Brussels, where the day care center sits on a residential street.“An act of great brutality has happened here against our weakest citizens,” said mayor Buyse Piet. “The whole city is united in support for the parents who are in deep grief.”Prosecutor Christian Du Four said the 20-year-old attacker rode his bike up to the Fabeltjesland day care center about 10 a.m., found it unlocked and went in.“After he entered he started slashing at everyone he ran into ... the day care workers, the children,” Du Four told a news conference.He said the man wielded one, nearly 8-inch (20-centimeter) knife and had painted his face white with black patches around the eyes.One worker tried but failed to disarm the intruder and another was stabbed to death, Du Four said. In the mayhem that ensued, the attacker simply walked out and got back on his bicycle before being arrested in a nearby supermarket shortly afterward.Theo Janssens, a Dendermonde city councilor, arrived with first aid workers. “The situation was horrible. There were bloodstained babies and staff workers everywhere,” he said on the VRT television network.Police had to show distraught parents digital photographs of those taken to the hospital, asking them to identify their children.Demeyer said all the wounded needed surgery but by Friday night, all were in stable condition.Nine of the 21 children at the center during the attack were unharmed, Demeyer said.Du Four did not name the suspect but said he had no criminal record and was uncooperative under questioning. The man was to appear before a magistrate later Friday or on Saturday to be indicted.Residents told The Associated Press the suspect was a local man with a history of mental illness.Officials opened up a nearby community center to provide psychological counseling to family members and witnesses, and police cordoned off the area. Later Friday, Crown Prince Philippe and his wife Princess Mathilde met with relatives of the victims as well as traumatized first aid workers.“People are totally in shock,” said Leene Du Bois, a spokeswoman for the regional government of Flanders. “Nobody would have imagined anyone could do so much harm. There is much grief.”She said the perpetrator had no connection to the day care center.Veerle Heeren, social welfare minister for the regional Flemish government, said she would be investigating security measures at the center.Residents were flabbergasted, thinking at first that all the police sirens meant a repeat of the 2007 prison break at a nearby jail.“(It’s) something you hear about from America, not here,” said bake shop owner Bie Hoornaert.
Day care stabbing spree suspect had black-and-white painted face
By Slobodan LekicAssociated Press
Advertisement
DENDERMONDE, Belgium -- A young man with a gruesomely painted black-and-white face went on a rampage at a Belgian day care center Friday, stabbing two babies and a female worker to death and seriously wounding 12 others. VideoSobbing parents rushed to the scene and to nearby hospitals. Shocked rescue workers spoke of finding crying, bleeding toddlers scattered inside the center. Medical workers at six hospitals sprang into action, performing emergency operations to save the 10 children and two adults badly wounded in the attack.“This was a particularly violent attack. All the kids had multiple stab wounds on their legs, arms, and all over their bodies,” Dr. Ignace Demeyer, head of emergency services at Our Lady Hospital in nearby Aalst, told reporters.The shocking assault caused panic and outrage in the town 20 miles (30 kilometers) northwest of Brussels, where the day care center sits on a residential street.“An act of great brutality has happened here against our weakest citizens,” said mayor Buyse Piet. “The whole city is united in support for the parents who are in deep grief.”Prosecutor Christian Du Four said the 20-year-old attacker rode his bike up to the Fabeltjesland day care center about 10 a.m., found it unlocked and went in.“After he entered he started slashing at everyone he ran into ... the day care workers, the children,” Du Four told a news conference.He said the man wielded one, nearly 8-inch (20-centimeter) knife and had painted his face white with black patches around the eyes.One worker tried but failed to disarm the intruder and another was stabbed to death, Du Four said. In the mayhem that ensued, the attacker simply walked out and got back on his bicycle before being arrested in a nearby supermarket shortly afterward.Theo Janssens, a Dendermonde city councilor, arrived with first aid workers. “The situation was horrible. There were bloodstained babies and staff workers everywhere,” he said on the VRT television network.Police had to show distraught parents digital photographs of those taken to the hospital, asking them to identify their children.Demeyer said all the wounded needed surgery but by Friday night, all were in stable condition.Nine of the 21 children at the center during the attack were unharmed, Demeyer said.Du Four did not name the suspect but said he had no criminal record and was uncooperative under questioning. The man was to appear before a magistrate later Friday or on Saturday to be indicted.Residents told The Associated Press the suspect was a local man with a history of mental illness.Officials opened up a nearby community center to provide psychological counseling to family members and witnesses, and police cordoned off the area. Later Friday, Crown Prince Philippe and his wife Princess Mathilde met with relatives of the victims as well as traumatized first aid workers.“People are totally in shock,” said Leene Du Bois, a spokeswoman for the regional government of Flanders. “Nobody would have imagined anyone could do so much harm. There is much grief.”She said the perpetrator had no connection to the day care center.Veerle Heeren, social welfare minister for the regional Flemish government, said she would be investigating security measures at the center.Residents were flabbergasted, thinking at first that all the police sirens meant a repeat of the 2007 prison break at a nearby jail.“(It’s) something you hear about from America, not here,” said bake shop owner Bie Hoornaert.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Pumped Up
First thing's first, 17 hours until Obama swears in! I'm getting pretty excited. I haven't watched much TV today, but I'm watching my recorded Oprah show and starting to get pretty pumped up. I'm thinking ahead to how to arrange my kids tomorrow so I can watch the innauguration!! LOoks like they'll have to be seen more in the afternoon!
OK, moving on, I'm also excited because we just got a Wii Fit! If you haven't played this you need to get one. It's so much fun, and also surprisingly, a good work out! I don't think I expected that. I have a new appreciation for yoga now :)
Today I'm off school for MLK day. So I went and got a 2 hour massage. It was amazing. I always leave glowing. It's funny to watch people come out of the massages because we all look like we're floating around in bliss or something. So I had my friend Gretchen come with me to use a guest pass, so when I came out to her glowing we had some lunch, and it was yummy. Great day. Did I mention that it's in the 80's here? The weather is perfect!!
OK, moving on, I'm also excited because we just got a Wii Fit! If you haven't played this you need to get one. It's so much fun, and also surprisingly, a good work out! I don't think I expected that. I have a new appreciation for yoga now :)
Today I'm off school for MLK day. So I went and got a 2 hour massage. It was amazing. I always leave glowing. It's funny to watch people come out of the massages because we all look like we're floating around in bliss or something. So I had my friend Gretchen come with me to use a guest pass, so when I came out to her glowing we had some lunch, and it was yummy. Great day. Did I mention that it's in the 80's here? The weather is perfect!!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Being John Malkovich
Ok, so I'm 10 years late on this one, but this movie was amazing.
I kept hearing it referenced on TV shows and in other movies so I finally rented it. I didn't have any idea what it was about or anything, but it's pretty freakin' amazing.
I kept hearing it referenced on TV shows and in other movies so I finally rented it. I didn't have any idea what it was about or anything, but it's pretty freakin' amazing.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
221.5
“Well if you don’t know, now ya know,” (that’s from a song in case you wondering; woo Biggie). Yes, that is how much I weigh. My head is all hung down in shame. Actually it’s not, but it might be right after I hit post and wish I hadn’t done that!
For real though, it’s no secret that I’ve always been up and down, I’ve had trainers, boot camps, diets, doctors, Nutri-System, and whatever else you can think of. I absolutely know what to do and what not to do. I could probably train most of you with all the things I have learned. And I’ve always said that losing weight is not hard, keeping it off is the problem! That’s where I always fall. I can drop 30 like nobody’s business, but I can gain back 40 even more easily! One of the problems is that I get all manic about working out and losing weight. It is addictive. But then one day I give myself a little time off and it turns into 2 years and 40-50 pounds in no time flat. Part of the reason it turns into 2 years is because I have psyched myself out that I KNOW I won’t stick to it, or that I KNOW eventually it will all come back, I KNOW that this is something I’ll have to do for the rest of my life and I don’t want to. Flat out just go, geez, if I had to work out and eat right for the rest of my life why bother? I don’t really want to do that! (Hence the problem with looking long term and not shooting for short term goals!)
I’m at that point right now where I’m feeling pretty motivated. I’m at that point where it’s not about wearing a certain size for looking good, it’s a health thing. 220 on a 5’3” frame is way too much. I’m at that point where I’m tired all the time. Wouldn’t you be if you were hauling around that much extra weight? It’s getting to the point where I don’t even like kneeling or sitting a certain way because it’s uncomfortable to sit that way or get back up. My feet, knees, and back hurt more easily than they should! I’m freakin’ 26 ya know? And I know what needs to be done. I’ve just psyched myself out.
So I’ve been trying to think back to when I lived in Rancho Cucamonga at what was motivating for me and what worked. That’s when I was at my best; although I was working out like a fiend there were aspects of it that were all the right things. Ivan & I worked out all the time, because we liked it. We liked going to the gym, and we went all the time. I had Breigh to work out with and she pushed me to go to the gym or hiking all the time. That was nice to have someone to workout with. So I’m trying to pick aspects of it that worked for me.
Thursday night I stopped by the gym across the street from our apartment and took a tour, got the prices. We’re going to go sign up today. I’ve been opposed to getting another gym membership because our complex has a fitness center, but truthfully, the gym really is a very motivating place. Once I was in there I wanted to work out, and was just really motivated to get going on all of this. I’ve barely used the fitness center here so I can stop using that as an excuse! And I have a couple friends who are members there so hopefully they can be my Breigh!
So I need to look at some short term goals. And really the big one right now is that I’ll be taking a trip to Europe in June, backpacking. I know it’s going to be an active trip, and I like all that stuff—hiking and biking. But I know it will be so hard for my body to do those things with the shape it’s in right now. On top of the fact that I want to do all of that stuff, I don’t want to drag Megan down either. Those of you reading who know Megan know she’s in great shape and I just want to be able to keep up with her even a little bit! It’s not so much about the weight, but building some strength and cardiovascular endurance. Even at heavy points I’ve still been able to complete marathons and things like that because I was still training and always moving.
So anyway, I write about what’s on my mind on here, and that is forefront, so I thought I should share. I’ll keep ya posted :)
For real though, it’s no secret that I’ve always been up and down, I’ve had trainers, boot camps, diets, doctors, Nutri-System, and whatever else you can think of. I absolutely know what to do and what not to do. I could probably train most of you with all the things I have learned. And I’ve always said that losing weight is not hard, keeping it off is the problem! That’s where I always fall. I can drop 30 like nobody’s business, but I can gain back 40 even more easily! One of the problems is that I get all manic about working out and losing weight. It is addictive. But then one day I give myself a little time off and it turns into 2 years and 40-50 pounds in no time flat. Part of the reason it turns into 2 years is because I have psyched myself out that I KNOW I won’t stick to it, or that I KNOW eventually it will all come back, I KNOW that this is something I’ll have to do for the rest of my life and I don’t want to. Flat out just go, geez, if I had to work out and eat right for the rest of my life why bother? I don’t really want to do that! (Hence the problem with looking long term and not shooting for short term goals!)
I’m at that point right now where I’m feeling pretty motivated. I’m at that point where it’s not about wearing a certain size for looking good, it’s a health thing. 220 on a 5’3” frame is way too much. I’m at that point where I’m tired all the time. Wouldn’t you be if you were hauling around that much extra weight? It’s getting to the point where I don’t even like kneeling or sitting a certain way because it’s uncomfortable to sit that way or get back up. My feet, knees, and back hurt more easily than they should! I’m freakin’ 26 ya know? And I know what needs to be done. I’ve just psyched myself out.
So I’ve been trying to think back to when I lived in Rancho Cucamonga at what was motivating for me and what worked. That’s when I was at my best; although I was working out like a fiend there were aspects of it that were all the right things. Ivan & I worked out all the time, because we liked it. We liked going to the gym, and we went all the time. I had Breigh to work out with and she pushed me to go to the gym or hiking all the time. That was nice to have someone to workout with. So I’m trying to pick aspects of it that worked for me.
Thursday night I stopped by the gym across the street from our apartment and took a tour, got the prices. We’re going to go sign up today. I’ve been opposed to getting another gym membership because our complex has a fitness center, but truthfully, the gym really is a very motivating place. Once I was in there I wanted to work out, and was just really motivated to get going on all of this. I’ve barely used the fitness center here so I can stop using that as an excuse! And I have a couple friends who are members there so hopefully they can be my Breigh!
So I need to look at some short term goals. And really the big one right now is that I’ll be taking a trip to Europe in June, backpacking. I know it’s going to be an active trip, and I like all that stuff—hiking and biking. But I know it will be so hard for my body to do those things with the shape it’s in right now. On top of the fact that I want to do all of that stuff, I don’t want to drag Megan down either. Those of you reading who know Megan know she’s in great shape and I just want to be able to keep up with her even a little bit! It’s not so much about the weight, but building some strength and cardiovascular endurance. Even at heavy points I’ve still been able to complete marathons and things like that because I was still training and always moving.
So anyway, I write about what’s on my mind on here, and that is forefront, so I thought I should share. I’ll keep ya posted :)
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Funny coincedences...
So, I have been doing my wedding research, because when I get excited about something I research to no end and nonstop until the event or whatever occurs.
Anyway, apparently I registered for some give-away from David's Bridal, and I won! It's just a make-up consultation, where she'll do some different looks on me and give me some free stuff. Funny thing is that the consultant is from Peoria, Illinois! And she now lives out here with me!
Funny thing #2-- I'm trying to find a wedding planner (as long as it's a reasonable cost) and have some phone calls set up with a few different ones based in St. Louis. I just got an email from one confirming our phone call, and she noticed my 309 area code, and apparently she too is from Peoria!
What are the odds? Just thought it was funny...
Anyway, apparently I registered for some give-away from David's Bridal, and I won! It's just a make-up consultation, where she'll do some different looks on me and give me some free stuff. Funny thing is that the consultant is from Peoria, Illinois! And she now lives out here with me!
Funny thing #2-- I'm trying to find a wedding planner (as long as it's a reasonable cost) and have some phone calls set up with a few different ones based in St. Louis. I just got an email from one confirming our phone call, and she noticed my 309 area code, and apparently she too is from Peoria!
What are the odds? Just thought it was funny...
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Taurus 2009 Overview
This is totally how I thought the year would go:
Year 2009 Overview
It's time to celebrate yourself, Taurus! You are pouring yourself into your life's mission and rejuvenating yourself with abundant thinking, which attracts great things to you. You're diligently creating a public arena where opportunities will emerge for you to be a teacher or messenger. Engagements for speaking, writing and sharing your thoughts will open up. Other people will be inspired by your enthusiasm and insight, and will support you in accomplishing your goals.
Taurus's excitement radiates more than ever this year, bringing with it a magnificent energy the world has been lacking. As you embrace the power of your heart and spirit, you are allowing yourself to transform and align with a universal energy source. You discover the space for your creativity to flow and abundantly bring the truth of your being into the world. Your focus on your connection with a higher purpose brings out the best in you and refines your self-expression.
You appreciate all the expansive shifts that are taking place in your life, and you are learning to break up routines and old patterns of rigidity. This allows you a new level of awareness and acceptance of your ultimate purpose. Pay attention to what has heart and meaning. Express your truth and you will advance. You will find avenues to bring your talents and belief systems to philanthropic endeavors. By the end of the year, you will be able to slow down a bit and find more time to enjoy the new you that you have created.
Year 2009 Overview
It's time to celebrate yourself, Taurus! You are pouring yourself into your life's mission and rejuvenating yourself with abundant thinking, which attracts great things to you. You're diligently creating a public arena where opportunities will emerge for you to be a teacher or messenger. Engagements for speaking, writing and sharing your thoughts will open up. Other people will be inspired by your enthusiasm and insight, and will support you in accomplishing your goals.
Taurus's excitement radiates more than ever this year, bringing with it a magnificent energy the world has been lacking. As you embrace the power of your heart and spirit, you are allowing yourself to transform and align with a universal energy source. You discover the space for your creativity to flow and abundantly bring the truth of your being into the world. Your focus on your connection with a higher purpose brings out the best in you and refines your self-expression.
You appreciate all the expansive shifts that are taking place in your life, and you are learning to break up routines and old patterns of rigidity. This allows you a new level of awareness and acceptance of your ultimate purpose. Pay attention to what has heart and meaning. Express your truth and you will advance. You will find avenues to bring your talents and belief systems to philanthropic endeavors. By the end of the year, you will be able to slow down a bit and find more time to enjoy the new you that you have created.
Friday, January 02, 2009
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Trip Home
So ths trip home has been good. I'm heading back to AZ in the morning so I thought I'd recap. After I wrote the last blog when I was iced in the house, I did go to my brother's to see my nephews...when we got to his house my brother grabbed my arm to hold on while we walked in, like I'm an old woman, and I was thinking...I can do this, I don't think that's necessary. Wrong. Such a good move on his part! At one point the wind was just whipping us and we just stood there arm in arm for like 3 minutes laughing, unable to move because the ground was solid ice and it was just a crazy situation. So, then Celeeste braved the ice to come get me! So I went to her house, talked and hot tubbed all night, and my mom picked me up the next afternoon. While at Celeeste's I was able to go on a late night run to Toys R Us after the ice melted and get the little ones gifts, and the older ones really did get money wrapped up, but they liked that too. Christmas Eve was at my grandma's with my dad's side of the family, always a nice time. Christmas morning was chaos as usual with all the kids opening gifts, a great breakfast, and then laying around all day. That night we spend with my mom's side playing Bingo (which is sooo fun!) Friday I met up with high school friends for drinks. Then came Saturday, the big day of the in-law meet & greet. Ivan's mom Jeanette, his sister Leah (lives in Austin, TX), his sister Kim (lives in Cincinnati, OH), her husband Wade, and their two kids Drew & Dawson, all came to my parents to spend the afternoon and have dinner. My parents have met them once before at Ivan's graduation in 2005, but other than that our families haven't had an opportunity to spend time together. As it is, I don't think I've seen Ivan's mom for a couple years and when I did it was probably just a few hours, I haven't seen Kim since his graduation, and I don't think I've seen Leah since 2006...So I was excited and nervous at all once because I just didn't know if everyone would have anything in common you know? But I'm so happy they came and everything went so well beyond my best expectations. It was great. Everyone had a lot to talk about, got along really well, and I think just had an overall good time. Ivan's nephew and my nephews got along great. I suggested they be penpals and I hear there are already letters written!! Fun stuff.
So we know I've gone back and forth about what kind of wedding I would like, something big in St. Louis, or something small in Vegas or somewhere like that. The way things went with our families made me want a typical wedding (well at least a typical reception, I'm steadfast that I want a very small wedding). But it get's so expensive. So I've just been doing some research online and there are some beautiful places in St. Louis. I have a lot of thinking to do...
So anyway, Sunday I went to Chicago with a friend from high school, Heather, to see another friend from high school, Rosemary. The interesting thing is that we all just reconnected on myspace and realized we now have a lot in common, even though we weren't very close in high school. It was a great day though. Heather & I took the train to see Rosemary who now lives in the city. We had lunch at this really cool place, did some shopping, went to the Field Museum, Navy Pier, and out to eat again before heading back. I've fallen in love with train by the way! So easy, and relaxing. Heather and I were able to just sit and talk for hours without having to think. And even though I've always only lived a couple hours from Chicago, aside from a concert and a 1 day trip in '99, I haven't been to Chicago since I was like 7 or 8. After having moved away and traveling more I wonder why I didn't go more?? Oh well. It was a good day and nice to do something different than my totally standard trips home like usual.
Yesterday my friend Becky & I went to the movie "Four Christmases." Which I really enjoyed. And parts of that movie reminded me so much of myself & Ivan. This couple is totally into each other and never go to see their families and talk about how their families bring out the bad in them and their lives are so much easier without them and everything. I don't totally identify with that, but it did make me think about how easy it when it's just the 2 of us. We live far away in our bubble and all we have to do is make ourselves & each other happy. It's nice! haha The trouble is when I come back to the real world and there's gossip that I don't ever have to deal with! Oh well. You'll have that.
Anyway it has been a totally great trip home, I missed seeing a couple people due to the early car troubles & weather but I saw most everyone. I head back early in the morning and don't know what we're doing for New Year's... I got tickets to the Insight Bowl (free ones) so I don't know if we're going or not, but I wanna do something!
Happy New Year!
So we know I've gone back and forth about what kind of wedding I would like, something big in St. Louis, or something small in Vegas or somewhere like that. The way things went with our families made me want a typical wedding (well at least a typical reception, I'm steadfast that I want a very small wedding). But it get's so expensive. So I've just been doing some research online and there are some beautiful places in St. Louis. I have a lot of thinking to do...
So anyway, Sunday I went to Chicago with a friend from high school, Heather, to see another friend from high school, Rosemary. The interesting thing is that we all just reconnected on myspace and realized we now have a lot in common, even though we weren't very close in high school. It was a great day though. Heather & I took the train to see Rosemary who now lives in the city. We had lunch at this really cool place, did some shopping, went to the Field Museum, Navy Pier, and out to eat again before heading back. I've fallen in love with train by the way! So easy, and relaxing. Heather and I were able to just sit and talk for hours without having to think. And even though I've always only lived a couple hours from Chicago, aside from a concert and a 1 day trip in '99, I haven't been to Chicago since I was like 7 or 8. After having moved away and traveling more I wonder why I didn't go more?? Oh well. It was a good day and nice to do something different than my totally standard trips home like usual.
Yesterday my friend Becky & I went to the movie "Four Christmases." Which I really enjoyed. And parts of that movie reminded me so much of myself & Ivan. This couple is totally into each other and never go to see their families and talk about how their families bring out the bad in them and their lives are so much easier without them and everything. I don't totally identify with that, but it did make me think about how easy it when it's just the 2 of us. We live far away in our bubble and all we have to do is make ourselves & each other happy. It's nice! haha The trouble is when I come back to the real world and there's gossip that I don't ever have to deal with! Oh well. You'll have that.
Anyway it has been a totally great trip home, I missed seeing a couple people due to the early car troubles & weather but I saw most everyone. I head back early in the morning and don't know what we're doing for New Year's... I got tickets to the Insight Bowl (free ones) so I don't know if we're going or not, but I wanna do something!
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Early Merry Christmas!
Hey all! Thanks again for all the congratulations and everything. They are much appreciated.
When we got back to Surprise I still had all last week of work...talk about unable to focus! It would have been bad enough from the great weekend but of course it was also the week before Christmas, myself and the kids were checked out! I did pretty well I think considering all the excitement.
So Saturday was me & Ivan's 7th anniversary, and the day we had set aside to celebrate Christmas together. Ivan's knows what he's getting from me (an Xbox 360) but it's coming after the holidays, simply because I wanted to make sure I had enough money for everyone else and the trip. But I wanted him to have something too that day, so I got him this bartender's kit for making the perfect cocktail (a two-in-one gift, 'cause I will definitely see the benefit of that!) haha It came with a recipe book, a pourer, a shaker...and the first drink he picked was AMAZING! It's called a Mustang Sally-- had vodka, Watermelon Pucker, Raspberry Liqueur, and lemonade. Seriously one of those drinks where you cannot taste the alcohol at all. He got me a 3 month membership to our massage place! Basically that is 1 massage per month and then any more you buy are discounted, so like an hour long massage only costs $39! Madness! So Sunday I went and got my first one (lovely!) and then I picked up my friend Kametia and we got manicures & pedicures. (More lovely!) Oh we also rented some movies over the weekend. We watched Hancock (loved it) and Wanted (I was unsure at first but ended up really liking it). Then we went over to Gretchen's and watched Tropic Thunder (as everyone should enjoy this movie!!)
Yesterday was my travel day back home. At the time I bought my tickets, they were cheap flying into Bloomington, so I booked them there. Normally I fly into St. Louis and someone comes to get me, it's a direct flight which I like, and usually cheaper. So anyway, I made it to O'Hare with no trouble and surprisingly (not) this is where it all fell apart. The flight kept getting pushed back like every 20 minutes for almost 2 hours, and we changed gates 5 times! They gates were all fairly close to each other but we ended up back at the gate we started at! I'm convinced they did this just to keep us all busy and annoying different people rather than the same ones for a few hours. We finally get on the plane, back at good ole' H3A... only to sit there for almost 2 hours waiting for our baggage to be loaded...wow. Finally we start to take off, and then we slow down again, then we start to speed up, then we slow down...speed up, slow down, you get the picture. We pull off to the side of the runway and are told something's not right...duh. Finally we're told we will be going back to the gate and switching planes, but it's all ready for us! We go in and wait in the airport again for like an hour, and get back on the plane...to wait another hour for the luggage to be moved. Now...our old plane has just been sitting at the gate, and so has our new one...no passengers coming off or on so what were they doing the whole time we were waiting in the airport?? And why does it take an hour to do baggage? Anyway...after an hour we were finally, successfully in the sky, and landing in Bloomington after our measly 25 minute flight, 5 hours late... Oh well. I didn't have plans last night but it was entertaining to watch people. People in airports are just funny in general--rushing here & there, thinking that their time is more important and complicated than anyone else's. Every 30 seconds calling someone new with the play by play as they sit in the airport.. "ugh another gate change," "Uggh we're delayed again!" Not to discredit how annoying it is but you have to watch sometime and just laugh. I've come to the conclusion that people secretly love the 'drama' that comes with delays and changes, they re-tell it (as I am now!) and I think it makes them feel important.. "Oh I'm FLYING today, just sitting at O'HARE, and my flight is DELAYED" yada yada yada. It's interesting. Amusing. I'm guilty of it I know. (To be fair, I re-tell everything!!! haha)
So today my plan was to Christmas shop and see Celeeste, eat some Steak-n-Shake (can I get a hell yeah-- we don't have those in AZ or CA but the closest thing to it is Johnny Rocket's for those who don't know, and I think Steak-n-Shake is right up there with McDonald's for curing hangovers) Anyway...my mom's old car that I always drive when I'm home wouldn't start. I don't know what the deal is, good chance it's because it's ridiculously cold maybe?? So I've been stranded at home with my mom's Bichon Frise-- Bo, who is a cuddly, warm companion for nap time. And you guessed it, now that my mom will be home from work, the roads will be so bad I don't want to go anywhere anymore. It's been freezing rain so that equals like a 1/2 inch of ice on the roads, at least that's what my brother's telling me. So I'm sending out an SOS for a freakin' grilled cheese with bacon and a bowl of chili from SnS!! Tak-Chels-a-Sak! That's all I really want. And yet I don't want to ask anyone because I wouldn't want to be driving on the ice either. So I will munch on waffles (mom, we need syrup!) and candy canes (did you know the guy who made candy canes made them to represent Jesus--hence they are in the shape of a J and the white & red represent the body & blood-- suck on that!) I think my brother will be passing by soon and he's gonna pick me up and take me to his house so I can at least see some of my nephews.
So I'm thinking this Christmas will be $20 bills wrapped in little boxes! Good things these kids love money right? All my Christmas shopping done in 30 seconds at the ATM...but I still need me or my card to at least get to the ATM... dang. Oh well.
Anyway, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! This is what being home (when home is the Midwest) is all about!! Talk soon!
Chels
When we got back to Surprise I still had all last week of work...talk about unable to focus! It would have been bad enough from the great weekend but of course it was also the week before Christmas, myself and the kids were checked out! I did pretty well I think considering all the excitement.
So Saturday was me & Ivan's 7th anniversary, and the day we had set aside to celebrate Christmas together. Ivan's knows what he's getting from me (an Xbox 360) but it's coming after the holidays, simply because I wanted to make sure I had enough money for everyone else and the trip. But I wanted him to have something too that day, so I got him this bartender's kit for making the perfect cocktail (a two-in-one gift, 'cause I will definitely see the benefit of that!) haha It came with a recipe book, a pourer, a shaker...and the first drink he picked was AMAZING! It's called a Mustang Sally-- had vodka, Watermelon Pucker, Raspberry Liqueur, and lemonade. Seriously one of those drinks where you cannot taste the alcohol at all. He got me a 3 month membership to our massage place! Basically that is 1 massage per month and then any more you buy are discounted, so like an hour long massage only costs $39! Madness! So Sunday I went and got my first one (lovely!) and then I picked up my friend Kametia and we got manicures & pedicures. (More lovely!) Oh we also rented some movies over the weekend. We watched Hancock (loved it) and Wanted (I was unsure at first but ended up really liking it). Then we went over to Gretchen's and watched Tropic Thunder (as everyone should enjoy this movie!!)
Yesterday was my travel day back home. At the time I bought my tickets, they were cheap flying into Bloomington, so I booked them there. Normally I fly into St. Louis and someone comes to get me, it's a direct flight which I like, and usually cheaper. So anyway, I made it to O'Hare with no trouble and surprisingly (not) this is where it all fell apart. The flight kept getting pushed back like every 20 minutes for almost 2 hours, and we changed gates 5 times! They gates were all fairly close to each other but we ended up back at the gate we started at! I'm convinced they did this just to keep us all busy and annoying different people rather than the same ones for a few hours. We finally get on the plane, back at good ole' H3A... only to sit there for almost 2 hours waiting for our baggage to be loaded...wow. Finally we start to take off, and then we slow down again, then we start to speed up, then we slow down...speed up, slow down, you get the picture. We pull off to the side of the runway and are told something's not right...duh. Finally we're told we will be going back to the gate and switching planes, but it's all ready for us! We go in and wait in the airport again for like an hour, and get back on the plane...to wait another hour for the luggage to be moved. Now...our old plane has just been sitting at the gate, and so has our new one...no passengers coming off or on so what were they doing the whole time we were waiting in the airport?? And why does it take an hour to do baggage? Anyway...after an hour we were finally, successfully in the sky, and landing in Bloomington after our measly 25 minute flight, 5 hours late... Oh well. I didn't have plans last night but it was entertaining to watch people. People in airports are just funny in general--rushing here & there, thinking that their time is more important and complicated than anyone else's. Every 30 seconds calling someone new with the play by play as they sit in the airport.. "ugh another gate change," "Uggh we're delayed again!" Not to discredit how annoying it is but you have to watch sometime and just laugh. I've come to the conclusion that people secretly love the 'drama' that comes with delays and changes, they re-tell it (as I am now!) and I think it makes them feel important.. "Oh I'm FLYING today, just sitting at O'HARE, and my flight is DELAYED" yada yada yada. It's interesting. Amusing. I'm guilty of it I know. (To be fair, I re-tell everything!!! haha)
So today my plan was to Christmas shop and see Celeeste, eat some Steak-n-Shake (can I get a hell yeah-- we don't have those in AZ or CA but the closest thing to it is Johnny Rocket's for those who don't know, and I think Steak-n-Shake is right up there with McDonald's for curing hangovers) Anyway...my mom's old car that I always drive when I'm home wouldn't start. I don't know what the deal is, good chance it's because it's ridiculously cold maybe?? So I've been stranded at home with my mom's Bichon Frise-- Bo, who is a cuddly, warm companion for nap time. And you guessed it, now that my mom will be home from work, the roads will be so bad I don't want to go anywhere anymore. It's been freezing rain so that equals like a 1/2 inch of ice on the roads, at least that's what my brother's telling me. So I'm sending out an SOS for a freakin' grilled cheese with bacon and a bowl of chili from SnS!! Tak-Chels-a-Sak! That's all I really want. And yet I don't want to ask anyone because I wouldn't want to be driving on the ice either. So I will munch on waffles (mom, we need syrup!) and candy canes (did you know the guy who made candy canes made them to represent Jesus--hence they are in the shape of a J and the white & red represent the body & blood-- suck on that!) I think my brother will be passing by soon and he's gonna pick me up and take me to his house so I can at least see some of my nephews.
So I'm thinking this Christmas will be $20 bills wrapped in little boxes! Good things these kids love money right? All my Christmas shopping done in 30 seconds at the ATM...but I still need me or my card to at least get to the ATM... dang. Oh well.
Anyway, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! This is what being home (when home is the Midwest) is all about!! Talk soon!
Chels
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Vegas Baby!
So....here's how the weekend went...
We got there Thursday afternoon and checked in to our amazing room. Maybe I'm just easily pleased but we got there and didn't even know we were actually staying in these condo's attached to MGM Grand. There was a kitchenette and jacuzzi tub, all good things. But there was also this weird smell on the whole 18th floor. So, we called and asked if there was anywhere else we could be moved to. The only room available was an upgrade...dang right? So we moved and it was a 1 bedroom suite--living room, balcony, full kitchen, 2 bathrooms, jacuzzi tub with the TV in the bathroom, lovely king bed (very comfy) and one of those TV's that comes up out of the desk!! Long story short, very nice. So that night we gambled a little bit and were gonna go out to a dueling piano bar...but a little too much vodka mixed with heat from the jacuzzi made us think we should just stay in! haha Possibly the most boring people to go to Vegas, however, I love hotels, so give me a big comfy bed and that's about all I need.
Friday morning we ordered breakfast in bed, a little pricey, but you do it for the fun right? Plus the food was yummy. Then, I went and got a massage which was also amazing; again a little pricey, but that's the point of going out of town right? That night we went to the Stratosphere for dinner. If you don't know, this is the hotel/restaurant that's super high and rotates so you have a view of the entire city--which you know, with all the lights is very pretty. We ordered and then Ivan went into his speal about loving me :) haha He does this a lot so it wasn't out of the ordinary, and then he popped the ring up on the table, I said yes, and there you have it! So a lot of people have asked if he got down on one knee, the answer is no, but for a couple reasons. One is that I always said I didn't want him to because I would probably freak the crap out. And also, we were by the window and the only place to kneal was the moving part, so if he got down on one knee, me and our table woulda kept on moving! haha Funny to think about it now. We were joking that he should have run ahead a bit like he was going to the restroom and my table would have met up with him eventually! hahaha And yes, the ring is beautiful. Over the course of 7 years we've looked at rings here and there, so yes, I did pick it out, but I picked out a much smaller one! haha Worth the wait I guess huh? So anyway, after that we went to the Venetian took a gondola ride which was super fun--and made me very excited for my trip this coming summer to Europe!
***Little sidenote for the FAQ's: No date set, but we're guessing sometime in 2010, which is not nearly as far away as it sounds! Our anniversary is in December so we're going back and forth between that and June or July. Still debating on a small destination wedding, or a biggie in St. Louis. Next year's ruled out as I said I'm going to Europe for a month so that's a lot of time and money already unavailable, plus we're going to be moving into a house (to rent) and buying new furniture. So that should cover the FAQ's!!***
Saturday morning we decided to just walk the strip, this also happened to be the day a wind storm flew into Vegas! Needless to say, we didn't do a whole lot of walking around! That night was the Blue Man Group, which was amazing! I highly recommend seeing them. Awesome show, funny, entertaining, everything you'd want.
Overall, awesome weekend for every reason, great first time to Vegas, and I plan on going back many more times! Oh, we did do a little gambling of course...but as you can imagine we didn't leave big winners :) Anyway, thanks to everyone for the congrats and well wishes, it really means a lot to know so many people care about us and support us!!
See you soon for Christmas! Oh and here's a link to some pics from the weekend...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2035012&l=8971a&id=197103045
We got there Thursday afternoon and checked in to our amazing room. Maybe I'm just easily pleased but we got there and didn't even know we were actually staying in these condo's attached to MGM Grand. There was a kitchenette and jacuzzi tub, all good things. But there was also this weird smell on the whole 18th floor. So, we called and asked if there was anywhere else we could be moved to. The only room available was an upgrade...dang right? So we moved and it was a 1 bedroom suite--living room, balcony, full kitchen, 2 bathrooms, jacuzzi tub with the TV in the bathroom, lovely king bed (very comfy) and one of those TV's that comes up out of the desk!! Long story short, very nice. So that night we gambled a little bit and were gonna go out to a dueling piano bar...but a little too much vodka mixed with heat from the jacuzzi made us think we should just stay in! haha Possibly the most boring people to go to Vegas, however, I love hotels, so give me a big comfy bed and that's about all I need.
Friday morning we ordered breakfast in bed, a little pricey, but you do it for the fun right? Plus the food was yummy. Then, I went and got a massage which was also amazing; again a little pricey, but that's the point of going out of town right? That night we went to the Stratosphere for dinner. If you don't know, this is the hotel/restaurant that's super high and rotates so you have a view of the entire city--which you know, with all the lights is very pretty. We ordered and then Ivan went into his speal about loving me :) haha He does this a lot so it wasn't out of the ordinary, and then he popped the ring up on the table, I said yes, and there you have it! So a lot of people have asked if he got down on one knee, the answer is no, but for a couple reasons. One is that I always said I didn't want him to because I would probably freak the crap out. And also, we were by the window and the only place to kneal was the moving part, so if he got down on one knee, me and our table woulda kept on moving! haha Funny to think about it now. We were joking that he should have run ahead a bit like he was going to the restroom and my table would have met up with him eventually! hahaha And yes, the ring is beautiful. Over the course of 7 years we've looked at rings here and there, so yes, I did pick it out, but I picked out a much smaller one! haha Worth the wait I guess huh? So anyway, after that we went to the Venetian took a gondola ride which was super fun--and made me very excited for my trip this coming summer to Europe!
***Little sidenote for the FAQ's: No date set, but we're guessing sometime in 2010, which is not nearly as far away as it sounds! Our anniversary is in December so we're going back and forth between that and June or July. Still debating on a small destination wedding, or a biggie in St. Louis. Next year's ruled out as I said I'm going to Europe for a month so that's a lot of time and money already unavailable, plus we're going to be moving into a house (to rent) and buying new furniture. So that should cover the FAQ's!!***
Saturday morning we decided to just walk the strip, this also happened to be the day a wind storm flew into Vegas! Needless to say, we didn't do a whole lot of walking around! That night was the Blue Man Group, which was amazing! I highly recommend seeing them. Awesome show, funny, entertaining, everything you'd want.
Overall, awesome weekend for every reason, great first time to Vegas, and I plan on going back many more times! Oh, we did do a little gambling of course...but as you can imagine we didn't leave big winners :) Anyway, thanks to everyone for the congrats and well wishes, it really means a lot to know so many people care about us and support us!!
See you soon for Christmas! Oh and here's a link to some pics from the weekend...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2035012&l=8971a&id=197103045
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Vegas here we come!
We're going to Vegas tomorrow!! You'll get a full report on it after we atually go but I'm really excited!! We're staying at MGM Grand, and we have tickets to see the Blue Man Group. I saw them years ago in Chicago before they were really famous and it was an awesome show, so I'm pumped to see them again, and in Vegas--I bet it'll be amazing. We have reservations for dinner at the top of Stratosphere :) Other than that we're going to do a bit of gambling, likely a bit of drinking, and we want to take a gondola ride and just walk around a bit. YAY! We haven't gone anywhere in forever it seems like. When we lived in California we did some overnight trips here & there but since moving to AZ we haven't really. I'm just anxious for the time away from work, to stay in a hotel (I love hotels!!) and for everything Vegas has to offer. YAY! You may be wondering why we're going and the answer is, just because, kinda. Ivan is a member of this thing called "Dream Trips" and basically you pay a little for big savings on vacation packages. They have them all over the world, and all throughout the year. So this is one of those. Plus we've talked about going to Vegas for years and years and just haven't. Plus our anniversary is next weekend (the 20th, it will be 7 years!) so it's a little early celebration I suppose. Anyway, I'm so stoked.
Friday night we went and saw Chelsea Handler perform. She was super funny. If you don't know who she is, she has a show on E! called "Chelsea Lately" and she's pretty damn funny--especially during the roundtable (just watch it). And for those of you who watch the show, Heather "Long Boob" McDonald opened for her, and she was super funny too. Good times.
Last night we went to the Suns game. When we went last year they didn't have Shaq on the team yet so it was kinda cool to watch Shaq play, since he's so famous and everything ya know? There was about 10 of us that went. Good times once again.
Well anyway, I'll get going. Will post some pics and Vegas update next week :)
Friday night we went and saw Chelsea Handler perform. She was super funny. If you don't know who she is, she has a show on E! called "Chelsea Lately" and she's pretty damn funny--especially during the roundtable (just watch it). And for those of you who watch the show, Heather "Long Boob" McDonald opened for her, and she was super funny too. Good times.
Last night we went to the Suns game. When we went last year they didn't have Shaq on the team yet so it was kinda cool to watch Shaq play, since he's so famous and everything ya know? There was about 10 of us that went. Good times once again.
Well anyway, I'll get going. Will post some pics and Vegas update next week :)
Thursday, December 04, 2008
IRC
I'm so excited! For my class right now I had to interview someone at a human services agency, so I called up the International Rescue Committe. Which I've mentioned before-- is a place that resettles refugees from all over the world in the U.S. I've been in contact with them for a year and a half about volunteering. I was put on a waiting list to be matched with a family, then I was traveling, and now I have the second job, so long story short, I've yet to volunteer with them. I'm hoping to volunteer or intern with them this summer after I get back from Europe.
After my interview, even though we talked about a lot of things I already knew, I'm so excited to get involved with them. It just made me realize what kind of work I want to be doing and where my focus really lies.
After my interview, even though we talked about a lot of things I already knew, I'm so excited to get involved with them. It just made me realize what kind of work I want to be doing and where my focus really lies.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
More Africa Pics!
So my friend Stephanie just posted some more pics from Africa and I thought I should share them :)
The bottom one is of another volunteer, Rhian from Wales, who is holding this little girl I saw when I was at Vicky's. You may remember me saying I saw a little girl there who I thought was the most beautiful kid in the world and have been kicking myself for not getting a picture of her. Here she is!!! I'm so excited that Steph had this picture!
And then there's more of the babies, my Lona of course, and Ntlanta :) And at the top, that is Stephanie in the red shirt.
Monday, December 01, 2008
World AIDS Day
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) -- Church bells tolled, workers put down their tools and court proceedings stopped Monday as South Africa marked a minute of silence for AIDS victims and ended a decade of denial about the epidemic.
Activists hold balloons, reading: "Protecting Oneself Is Also Getting Infromed," during a rally in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Monday.
Peter Piot, the top U.N. official dealing with the disease, joined political leaders and hundreds of AIDS activists at a rally in the coastal city of Durban to show his support for a government that has made a break with the discredited AIDS policies of former President Thabo Mbeki.
"We are the first to admit that a lot still needs to be done," said Baleka Mbete, the deputy president, as she lit a candle in remembrance of the victims.
South Africa has an estimated 5.5 million people living with the HIV virus -- the highest total of any country in the world and more than one-sixth of the global total. About 1,000 South Africans die each day of the disease and complications like tuberculosis. Even more become infected because prevention messages haven't worked.
And yet for years, Mbeki's government downplayed the extent of the crisis. Mbeki himself doubted the link between HIV and AIDS. His health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang openly mistrusted conventional AIDS drugs and instead promoted the value of lemons, garlic, beetroot and the African potato. Watch as reality TV star describes living with HIV »
Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health last month calculated that government delays in introducing AIDS drugs between 2000 and 2005 cost more than 330,000 lives in South Africa. The study said that an additional 35,000 babies were born with HIV during the same period because authorities were reluctant to roll out mother-to-child prevention programs.
"We have to mourn the lives of those we have not saved," said Barbara Hogan, the health minister who replaced Tshabalala-Msimang after Mbeki was ousted in October. She cited the example of an 8-year-old boy battling both AIDS-related TB and meningitis who was on a waiting list for drugs when he died.
"We could have saved his life," Hogan said. She promised to improve HIV treatment and prevention programs, and to increase the supply of drugs to HIV positive women to stop them from passing the virus on to their unborn children.
South Africa has the biggest program for AIDS drugs in the world. And yet, about half the 800,000 people who need drugs are not receiving them. Experts estimate that within five years, about 5.5 million people with HIV will need medication to prevent their immune systems from worsening.
The government wants to halve new infections by 2011 and ensure that 80 percent of people with the disease get treatment and care.
But it faces a mammoth task. The Global Fund on AIDS, TB and Malaria has rejected a South African request for nearly $92 million over the next two years for AIDS projects and $68 million for TB prevention and treatment. AIDS campaigners blamed the former health minister for failing to respect the fund's strict operating rules.
The Durban ceremony marked an unprecedented show of unity between government, big business, trade unions and activists. In the past, activists and doctors had to resort to the courts to force government to provide AIDS drugs.
Church bells rang for a minute's silence at noon, and all banks agreed to cease business for that time. Murder trials were briefly interrupted. Trade union and business chiefs said they would have a 30-minute work stoppage to talk to their employees and encourage them to be tested -- which still remains largely taboo among men. Cell phone services sent text messages to their teenage subscribers.
"With the young and working age dying in droves, South Africa's death statistics resemble those of a country in a terrible war," the Confederation of South African Trade Unions said.
Activists hold balloons, reading: "Protecting Oneself Is Also Getting Infromed," during a rally in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Monday.
Peter Piot, the top U.N. official dealing with the disease, joined political leaders and hundreds of AIDS activists at a rally in the coastal city of Durban to show his support for a government that has made a break with the discredited AIDS policies of former President Thabo Mbeki.
"We are the first to admit that a lot still needs to be done," said Baleka Mbete, the deputy president, as she lit a candle in remembrance of the victims.
South Africa has an estimated 5.5 million people living with the HIV virus -- the highest total of any country in the world and more than one-sixth of the global total. About 1,000 South Africans die each day of the disease and complications like tuberculosis. Even more become infected because prevention messages haven't worked.
And yet for years, Mbeki's government downplayed the extent of the crisis. Mbeki himself doubted the link between HIV and AIDS. His health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang openly mistrusted conventional AIDS drugs and instead promoted the value of lemons, garlic, beetroot and the African potato. Watch as reality TV star describes living with HIV »
Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health last month calculated that government delays in introducing AIDS drugs between 2000 and 2005 cost more than 330,000 lives in South Africa. The study said that an additional 35,000 babies were born with HIV during the same period because authorities were reluctant to roll out mother-to-child prevention programs.
"We have to mourn the lives of those we have not saved," said Barbara Hogan, the health minister who replaced Tshabalala-Msimang after Mbeki was ousted in October. She cited the example of an 8-year-old boy battling both AIDS-related TB and meningitis who was on a waiting list for drugs when he died.
"We could have saved his life," Hogan said. She promised to improve HIV treatment and prevention programs, and to increase the supply of drugs to HIV positive women to stop them from passing the virus on to their unborn children.
South Africa has the biggest program for AIDS drugs in the world. And yet, about half the 800,000 people who need drugs are not receiving them. Experts estimate that within five years, about 5.5 million people with HIV will need medication to prevent their immune systems from worsening.
The government wants to halve new infections by 2011 and ensure that 80 percent of people with the disease get treatment and care.
But it faces a mammoth task. The Global Fund on AIDS, TB and Malaria has rejected a South African request for nearly $92 million over the next two years for AIDS projects and $68 million for TB prevention and treatment. AIDS campaigners blamed the former health minister for failing to respect the fund's strict operating rules.
The Durban ceremony marked an unprecedented show of unity between government, big business, trade unions and activists. In the past, activists and doctors had to resort to the courts to force government to provide AIDS drugs.
Church bells rang for a minute's silence at noon, and all banks agreed to cease business for that time. Murder trials were briefly interrupted. Trade union and business chiefs said they would have a 30-minute work stoppage to talk to their employees and encourage them to be tested -- which still remains largely taboo among men. Cell phone services sent text messages to their teenage subscribers.
"With the young and working age dying in droves, South Africa's death statistics resemble those of a country in a terrible war," the Confederation of South African Trade Unions said.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Hey there. Not much to say, but I kinda felt like it's been awhile since I wrote... let's see...
Joel McHale was funny. Duh right? He's a comedian...so yeah, he'd be funny. One night last week me & Kametia (the girl I'm mentoring) went to a hockey game. That was fun. Right now I'm just ready for Thanksgiving, more so I'm just ready for the time off work. I'm so exhausted just from work, the second job, and with my classes starting back up again. I think I might be back in the groove a bit. The first week back I was like...wow...I'm never going to graduate because I don't want to do the work one bit! It's getting better each week. I don't have to work at all this week for the second job and it's so weird...I keep looking at my calendar and thinking, "Ok what night do I have something going on" and then it's NO night!! Such a great feeling :) And to know only one more day of work, ahhh.
***Ok, so I started writing this last week and apparently got sidetracked. The 4 day break was exactly what I needed. Wednesday night me & Ivan went out with Breigh, who is a friend from California. She was in town visiting her boyfriend's family. So that was so much fun. On Thanksgiving we went over to Ivan's friends/co worker's house (Chris & Heidi) to eat with their 2 kids, and Ivan's friend Ryan, his fiance Kathy, and their 2 kids. The food was awesome, and we all totally knocked out on the couch after we ate. Perfect. Friday Ivan & I braved the sales to see what we "needed." Needed clearly isn't the right word for a new TV! hah But since Circuit City is closing they had everything like 40% off. So that was our big purchase for the year :) We also looked at furniture and put a couch on layaway, so I'm pumped for that. Then I went on a slight splurge at Pier One, which was very exciting. You can just never have too many vanilla candles right?
I think that kinda catches us up. Only 3 weeks until Christmas Break, can you believe it? I'm pumped. Before all of that though we have a Christmas Party at one of my co-workers and I'm pretty excited about that, we're going to see Chelsea Handler, going to a Suns game, going to Vegas for 4 days, AND celebrating our 7 year anniversary! So much to be excited about. And then, I'll be coming home too :) And can you believe it's been 7 years? Me neither. I'm very happy with us and how well we work together. YAY!
Just wanted to take a second to remind everyone to be in that giving spirit this holiday season :) I know, I know, that we're in "hard times" but I GUARANTEE you can afford to give a little money and/or time. Ivan & I are able to and we don't have anything on you guys, so trust me that I know you can do it. And with the hard times, that means we need to more than ever. If you're hurting, just imagine how bad someone else is. A friend of ours has recently come on hard times and was informed that government services we've always depended on just aren't there! Either no money, or the manpower to process the amount of help that is needed right now. The charities are suffering too, because those who normally give, aren't in the best position to do so, and there's a growing number of people in need also. Now is the time to help each other out.
Ok, that's my two cents for the moment. Peace!
Joel McHale was funny. Duh right? He's a comedian...so yeah, he'd be funny. One night last week me & Kametia (the girl I'm mentoring) went to a hockey game. That was fun. Right now I'm just ready for Thanksgiving, more so I'm just ready for the time off work. I'm so exhausted just from work, the second job, and with my classes starting back up again. I think I might be back in the groove a bit. The first week back I was like...wow...I'm never going to graduate because I don't want to do the work one bit! It's getting better each week. I don't have to work at all this week for the second job and it's so weird...I keep looking at my calendar and thinking, "Ok what night do I have something going on" and then it's NO night!! Such a great feeling :) And to know only one more day of work, ahhh.
***Ok, so I started writing this last week and apparently got sidetracked. The 4 day break was exactly what I needed. Wednesday night me & Ivan went out with Breigh, who is a friend from California. She was in town visiting her boyfriend's family. So that was so much fun. On Thanksgiving we went over to Ivan's friends/co worker's house (Chris & Heidi) to eat with their 2 kids, and Ivan's friend Ryan, his fiance Kathy, and their 2 kids. The food was awesome, and we all totally knocked out on the couch after we ate. Perfect. Friday Ivan & I braved the sales to see what we "needed." Needed clearly isn't the right word for a new TV! hah But since Circuit City is closing they had everything like 40% off. So that was our big purchase for the year :) We also looked at furniture and put a couch on layaway, so I'm pumped for that. Then I went on a slight splurge at Pier One, which was very exciting. You can just never have too many vanilla candles right?
I think that kinda catches us up. Only 3 weeks until Christmas Break, can you believe it? I'm pumped. Before all of that though we have a Christmas Party at one of my co-workers and I'm pretty excited about that, we're going to see Chelsea Handler, going to a Suns game, going to Vegas for 4 days, AND celebrating our 7 year anniversary! So much to be excited about. And then, I'll be coming home too :) And can you believe it's been 7 years? Me neither. I'm very happy with us and how well we work together. YAY!
Just wanted to take a second to remind everyone to be in that giving spirit this holiday season :) I know, I know, that we're in "hard times" but I GUARANTEE you can afford to give a little money and/or time. Ivan & I are able to and we don't have anything on you guys, so trust me that I know you can do it. And with the hard times, that means we need to more than ever. If you're hurting, just imagine how bad someone else is. A friend of ours has recently come on hard times and was informed that government services we've always depended on just aren't there! Either no money, or the manpower to process the amount of help that is needed right now. The charities are suffering too, because those who normally give, aren't in the best position to do so, and there's a growing number of people in need also. Now is the time to help each other out.
Ok, that's my two cents for the moment. Peace!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Sound familiar?
Here's an article from the Pantagraph that goes along with my posts about kids needing to be able to play more:
No fooling: Experts bemoan loss of kids' play time
By David CraryAssociated Press
Advertisement
NEW YORK -- In one classroom, a group of preschool teachers squatted on the floor, pretending to be cave-dwelling hunter-gatherers. Next door, another group ended a raucous musical game by placing their tambourines and drums atop their heads.Silly business, to be sure, but part of an agenda of utmost seriousness: To spread the word that America’s children need more time for freewheeling play at home and in their schools.“We’re all sad, and we’re a little worried. ... We’re sad about something missing in childhood,” psychologist and author Michael Thompson told 900 early childhood educators from 22 states packed into an auditorium last week.“We have to fight back,” he declared. “We’re going to fight for play.”After his keynote speech at New York’s 92nd Street Y, the teachers dispersed into dozens of workshops, some lighthearted, some scholarly — but all supporting the case that creative, spontaneous play is both vital and endangered.It’s not a brand-new cause — two years ago it was endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. But social changes and new demands on kids’ spare time confront free-play advocates with an ever-moving target.Among the speakers at last week’s Wonderplay conference Y was Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, a Temple University psychologist who contends that lack of play in early childhood education “could be the next global warming.”Without ample opportunity for forms of play that foster innovation and creative thinking, she argues, America’s children will be at a disadvantage in the global economy.“Play equals learning,” she said. “For too long we have divorced the two.”Some of the factors behind diminished play time have been evolving for decades, others are more recent. Added together, they have resulted in eight to 12 fewer hours of free play time per week for the average American child since the 1980s, experts say.Among the key factors, according to Thompson:— Parents’ reluctance to let their kids play outside on their own, for fear of abduction or injury, and the companion trend of scheduling lessons, supervised sports and other structured activities that consume a large chunk of a child’s non-school hours.— More hours per week spent by kids watching TV, playing video games, using the Internet, communicating on cell phones.— Shortening or eliminating recess at many schools — a trend so pronounced that the National PTA has launched a “Rescuing Recess” campaign.— More emphasis on formal learning in preschool, more homework for elementary school students and more pressure from parents on young children to quickly acquire academic skills.“Parents are more self-conscious and competitive than in the past,” Thompson said. “They’re pushing their kids to excel. ... Free play loses out.”The consequences are potentially dire, according to Thompson. He contends that diminished time to play freely with other children is producing a generation of socially inept young people and is a factor behind high rates of youth obesity, anxiety, attention-deficit disorder and depression.Many families turn to organized sports as a principal non-school activity, but Thompson noted that this option doesn’t necessary breed creativity and can lead to burnout for good young athletes and frustration for the less skilled.Vivian Paley, a former kindergarten teacher at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and now an author and consultant, argues that the most vital form of play for young children involves fantasy and role-playing with their peers.“They’re inventing abstract thinking, before the world tells them what to think,” Paley said in her speech to the conference. “It gets them thinking, ‘I am intended to have my own ideas.”‘She worried that preschools, in the drive to prepare students for the academic challenges ahead, are reducing the opportunity for group fantasy play — and thus reducing children’s chances to learn on their own about fairness, kindness and other social interactions.“The theater of the young receives the least attention from those planning the curriculum of our nation’s schools,” Paley said. “This very activity is being dismantled in our schools to make room for early phonics. ... Preschoolers are being asked to practice being first graders.”Fretta Reitzes, director of the 92 Street Y’s youth and family center, which serves more than 6,000 children, says many of the parents she sees are struggling to find the right balance for their kids’ schedules, asking “How much is too much?”Preschool teachers need to lead by example, Reitzes said.“Bringing play back into the lives of children, it’s not just OK,” she said. “It’s really good for them.”
No fooling: Experts bemoan loss of kids' play time
By David CraryAssociated Press
Advertisement
NEW YORK -- In one classroom, a group of preschool teachers squatted on the floor, pretending to be cave-dwelling hunter-gatherers. Next door, another group ended a raucous musical game by placing their tambourines and drums atop their heads.Silly business, to be sure, but part of an agenda of utmost seriousness: To spread the word that America’s children need more time for freewheeling play at home and in their schools.“We’re all sad, and we’re a little worried. ... We’re sad about something missing in childhood,” psychologist and author Michael Thompson told 900 early childhood educators from 22 states packed into an auditorium last week.“We have to fight back,” he declared. “We’re going to fight for play.”After his keynote speech at New York’s 92nd Street Y, the teachers dispersed into dozens of workshops, some lighthearted, some scholarly — but all supporting the case that creative, spontaneous play is both vital and endangered.It’s not a brand-new cause — two years ago it was endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. But social changes and new demands on kids’ spare time confront free-play advocates with an ever-moving target.Among the speakers at last week’s Wonderplay conference Y was Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, a Temple University psychologist who contends that lack of play in early childhood education “could be the next global warming.”Without ample opportunity for forms of play that foster innovation and creative thinking, she argues, America’s children will be at a disadvantage in the global economy.“Play equals learning,” she said. “For too long we have divorced the two.”Some of the factors behind diminished play time have been evolving for decades, others are more recent. Added together, they have resulted in eight to 12 fewer hours of free play time per week for the average American child since the 1980s, experts say.Among the key factors, according to Thompson:— Parents’ reluctance to let their kids play outside on their own, for fear of abduction or injury, and the companion trend of scheduling lessons, supervised sports and other structured activities that consume a large chunk of a child’s non-school hours.— More hours per week spent by kids watching TV, playing video games, using the Internet, communicating on cell phones.— Shortening or eliminating recess at many schools — a trend so pronounced that the National PTA has launched a “Rescuing Recess” campaign.— More emphasis on formal learning in preschool, more homework for elementary school students and more pressure from parents on young children to quickly acquire academic skills.“Parents are more self-conscious and competitive than in the past,” Thompson said. “They’re pushing their kids to excel. ... Free play loses out.”The consequences are potentially dire, according to Thompson. He contends that diminished time to play freely with other children is producing a generation of socially inept young people and is a factor behind high rates of youth obesity, anxiety, attention-deficit disorder and depression.Many families turn to organized sports as a principal non-school activity, but Thompson noted that this option doesn’t necessary breed creativity and can lead to burnout for good young athletes and frustration for the less skilled.Vivian Paley, a former kindergarten teacher at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and now an author and consultant, argues that the most vital form of play for young children involves fantasy and role-playing with their peers.“They’re inventing abstract thinking, before the world tells them what to think,” Paley said in her speech to the conference. “It gets them thinking, ‘I am intended to have my own ideas.”‘She worried that preschools, in the drive to prepare students for the academic challenges ahead, are reducing the opportunity for group fantasy play — and thus reducing children’s chances to learn on their own about fairness, kindness and other social interactions.“The theater of the young receives the least attention from those planning the curriculum of our nation’s schools,” Paley said. “This very activity is being dismantled in our schools to make room for early phonics. ... Preschoolers are being asked to practice being first graders.”Fretta Reitzes, director of the 92 Street Y’s youth and family center, which serves more than 6,000 children, says many of the parents she sees are struggling to find the right balance for their kids’ schedules, asking “How much is too much?”Preschool teachers need to lead by example, Reitzes said.“Bringing play back into the lives of children, it’s not just OK,” she said. “It’s really good for them.”
Monday, November 17, 2008
News from Vietnam/Cambodia
Remember my friend the Scot--Heather--who is traveling the world still? (So jealous might I add). She sent this email and I wanted to share it. There's a couple links to another blog and a website about an orphange and a hospital in Vietnam and Cambodia. Heartbreaking! Again, just raising awareness. So here's her email:
"OK y'all listen up. This is not my usual official group mail- this is an extra just cos you are lucky people. Here are a couple of websites that I want you all to visit. Thats all you have to do is look andr aise your awareness. If you want to do more than that then great. The first is http://vietnamorphanagedonation.blogspot.com. This is ablog written by Jack Sanderson who I volunteered with in Vietnam. Heworked full time at the Ky Quang orphanage for special needs kids. I'msure you all remember my statements in the email about this place andanyone who has read by blog will be left in no uncertain term abouthow I feel about it. Jack is only 18 but thinks behaves and writes assomeone much older. Please check it out.
The second is www.beatocello.com. This is a website set up by Dr BeatRichter, a Swiss doctor living in Cambodia. He raises funds andprovides medical services free to the poor families and children ofCambodia. He has been doing this tirelessly since the 1970's. He holdsBach concerts once a week for free in the hospital in Siem Reap mailyfor tourists to let them know more about the hospital. I attended oneon my last night in Cambodia and he was wonderful, warm and humourous.I donated blood and also a small amount of money- but I just wanted tolet everyone else know and hope that they check up on these 2 sites."
"OK y'all listen up. This is not my usual official group mail- this is an extra just cos you are lucky people. Here are a couple of websites that I want you all to visit. Thats all you have to do is look andr aise your awareness. If you want to do more than that then great. The first is http://vietnamorphanagedonation.blogspot.com. This is ablog written by Jack Sanderson who I volunteered with in Vietnam. Heworked full time at the Ky Quang orphanage for special needs kids. I'msure you all remember my statements in the email about this place andanyone who has read by blog will be left in no uncertain term abouthow I feel about it. Jack is only 18 but thinks behaves and writes assomeone much older. Please check it out.
The second is www.beatocello.com. This is a website set up by Dr BeatRichter, a Swiss doctor living in Cambodia. He raises funds andprovides medical services free to the poor families and children ofCambodia. He has been doing this tirelessly since the 1970's. He holdsBach concerts once a week for free in the hospital in Siem Reap mailyfor tourists to let them know more about the hospital. I attended oneon my last night in Cambodia and he was wonderful, warm and humourous.I donated blood and also a small amount of money- but I just wanted tolet everyone else know and hope that they check up on these 2 sites."
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