Saturday, April 25, 2009

Still Here

I'm still alive. :) I have lots of catch-up posts that I'm planning to put up once I submit my two-week takeover plans and I give my preliminary M.Ed (education thesis) presentation. I have to share about our trip the Huntington and seeing the Dalai Lama lecture yesterday. I just couldn't wait to share this a-mazing story that I found of Casey and Brutus. Enjoy!

Brutus and Me

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Vocabulary - Shoe Fixer

My hubster has decided to refurbish his favorite pair of work shoes. Here's our conversation that made my heart smile:

Hubster: What do you call a guy that fixes shoes?
Me: Don't laugh but all I can think of is a cobbler. I know it's the English major in me. It's an old fashioned word.
Hubster: Cobbler? Like the pie?
Me: No, like the guy who fixes shoes.
Hubster: You mean a shoesmith?
Me: There's no such word.
Hubster: Then, what's the word that means the guy who fixes shoes now?
Me: They just call it shoe repair.

Monday, April 13, 2009

I Believe in Music...The Way Some People Believe in Fairytales

http://www.popstarsplus.com/images/AugustRushPicture001.jpg

I don't how I found August Rush, but I did. I bet it randomly came up as a suggestion from Netflix. Thanks Netflix! August Rush is an endearing unexpected fairytale-type movie. Many people place it under magical realism, knowing that is the lens to see this movie through helps. Overall, we liked it because it was so heartfelt. It definitely yanks at the heartstrings in anticipation a bit like Serendipity. Keri Russell's character was my favorite since she seemed the most sincere.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

I'm Not Cool Enough to Be a Mac Person Too!

I may not own an HP, but I definitely have a Dell. It counts as a PC too. :) My grad program has pushed us hard to get Macs. Really hard. Even with the pushing, I've stuck by my little Dell's side. I couldn't be happier. It's been such a trooper. When we had to do tasks that were supposed to be easier on Macs, the Mac users in our program still had trouble getting the technology to cooperate. Why buy one just for the program? Just use the ones on campus and get whatever computer you feel most comfortable with. I guess that could be Mac if you would like it to be. :)


Monday, April 6, 2009

The Spark

Went to school today with the not-so-wee ones, I think I lost my spark. I feel like Peter Pan when he lost his shadow. I hope it's just because I have this funky head cold. >_<

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Madeleine L'Engle on Marriage

"No long-term marriage is made easily, and there have been times when I've been so angry or so hurt that I thought my love would never recover. And then, in the midst of near despair, something has happened beneath the surface. A bright little flashing fish of hope has flicked silver fins and the water is bright and suddenly I am returned to a state of love again — till next time. I've learned that there will always be a next time, and that I will submerge in darkness and misery, but that I won't stay submerged. And each time something has been learned under the waters; something has been gained; and a new kind of love has grown. The best I can ask for is that this love, which has been built on countless failures, will continue to grow. I can say no more than that this is mystery, and gift, and that somehow or other, through grace, our failures can be redeemed and blessed."
Madeleine L'Engle

http://blog.syracuse.com/shelflife/2007/09/madeleine_lengle.jpg

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Music + Picture Book = Perfection

While I was growing up, I was a total Disney kid. My parents even got me the Disney channel when you had to pay for it like HBO. I grew up with lots of classic cartoons that centered around classical music like Peter and the Wolf and Willie the Operatic Whale. One day while I was browsing Borders, I stumbled across The Composer is Dead. I instantly loved it but didn't buy it until I saw the video posted below about it.


Yesterday, I finally got my hubster to listen to it with me. His initial response was, "Honey, this is scary for kids." I told him that it was a picture book for older kids like the big kiddos I have now.
The music throughout the book is so beautiful! He ended up loving it. I asked him if he thought my kiddos would like it. He said, "Yea, it'll be like their treat at the end of the day." I heart him for being so supportive.