Showing posts with label Minnesota. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Minnesota. Show all posts
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Monday, February 8, 2010
If you read this blog regularly...
...you know by now that I am a very big fan of the blog PostSecret.
Very simple concept. People, much like me and you, too afraid to share their true feelings in public, will write it down in an artful way on the back of a postcard and very often in a uniquely artistic manner. Very clever. It is most often the highlight of my week, quite honestly.
Especially this week. Secrets were late being posted this week (they are usually up by Sunday midnight by were delayed due to the storm on the East coast) and I almost panicked when I saw they hadn't been posted by noon today. When I got back from my card-making event and (reluctantly) watching the Stupid Bowl, I was very excited to see a host of great secrets posted.
The first one is the one I identify most with tonight (and this winter).
I also love that not only does the site contain this secret today, which I could have written and the girl in the photo could have easily been me, but at the very end of the secrets this week, this secret popped up, almost as a conclusion to the first one. Very clever again, and I could have written this one too.
There is hope for all of us misplaced southerners! Hang in there. What do you do when you are feeling down about the weather?
Very simple concept. People, much like me and you, too afraid to share their true feelings in public, will write it down in an artful way on the back of a postcard and very often in a uniquely artistic manner. Very clever. It is most often the highlight of my week, quite honestly.
Especially this week. Secrets were late being posted this week (they are usually up by Sunday midnight by were delayed due to the storm on the East coast) and I almost panicked when I saw they hadn't been posted by noon today. When I got back from my card-making event and (reluctantly) watching the Stupid Bowl, I was very excited to see a host of great secrets posted.
The first one is the one I identify most with tonight (and this winter).
I also love that not only does the site contain this secret today, which I could have written and the girl in the photo could have easily been me, but at the very end of the secrets this week, this secret popped up, almost as a conclusion to the first one. Very clever again, and I could have written this one too.
There is hope for all of us misplaced southerners! Hang in there. What do you do when you are feeling down about the weather?
Saturday, November 14, 2009
"I can't believe I'm at a class of '72 reunion with 250 people I've never seen before accompanied by a man I met on a singles cruise. Somewhere along the line my life took a turn..." ~Julia Sugarbaker
If Julia Sugarbaker can say that, here's my version. "I can't believe I'm at SuperTarget, pushing Chinet Cut Crystal cups and pretending to be happy about it on a cold and rainy November morning. I'm surrounded by shoppers that I have to be pleasant to, all for an extra bit of spending cash on a Saturday morning, answering to someone (or five people) half my age. Yes, somewhere along the line MY life took a turn." Sad thing is, somehow this is slightly better than controlling the masses in a first grade classroom. Where, oh where, did my life go? It's strangely comforting. I can do anything.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
One of those where I don't really have any thing to say but I post anyway
Yeah, that's right. I'm here, letting those few that follow this thing know that I am alive. It's Saturday morning, and I am working. It's my choice. I'm kind of dreading that choice now, but what else am I going to do on a beautiful Saturday morning? I'm roughly 5,000 words into National Novel Writing Month without a clue as to what I'm actually writing about. I haven't written anything in three days. I have to be at work in an hour. Today, I'm supposed to be sampling Cranberry Orange Turkey with Havarti Cheese, all Archer Farms brand of course. "It's perfect for the holiday season and you can have it custom sliced." Grr. Who cares?
On the license front, I'm still not license officially. Double Grr. Now Minnesota DOE is telling me that on top of the tests they had me take, I still have to take some classes to make the Birth-Preschool part of my Birth-Grade 3 license valid. But I don't even want to teach infants and toddlers, and I think my last post made that abundantly clear! I suppose it doesn't matter, as this is the only way to get the original license validated so that my reading license can go into effect as soon as possible. I'm talking to two universities (the only two that offer EARLY CHILDHOOD programs in the state of Minnesota--Bethel and Walden online) to see if they can really help me. I don't want to think about it any more.
What else is new? Not much. First graders continue to amaze me. Loving after school. Actually liking my job at times, minus lunch duty and uncooperative students. There are ways around that, I just haven't found it yet. I'm just going to keep swimming. On the upshot, I'm not a Minneapolis Kids employee anymore, so I guess that's worth celebrating.
On the license front, I'm still not license officially. Double Grr. Now Minnesota DOE is telling me that on top of the tests they had me take, I still have to take some classes to make the Birth-Preschool part of my Birth-Grade 3 license valid. But I don't even want to teach infants and toddlers, and I think my last post made that abundantly clear! I suppose it doesn't matter, as this is the only way to get the original license validated so that my reading license can go into effect as soon as possible. I'm talking to two universities (the only two that offer EARLY CHILDHOOD programs in the state of Minnesota--Bethel and Walden online) to see if they can really help me. I don't want to think about it any more.
What else is new? Not much. First graders continue to amaze me. Loving after school. Actually liking my job at times, minus lunch duty and uncooperative students. There are ways around that, I just haven't found it yet. I'm just going to keep swimming. On the upshot, I'm not a Minneapolis Kids employee anymore, so I guess that's worth celebrating.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Love my life
I just figured out that yes, I did take the wrong Praxis, and no, it's not offered in August, ANYWHERE!!!
Well damn.
Looks like another year of being an assistant to the assistant for me.
Early Childhood does not equal Elementary K-6 in Minnesota, FYI. (It doesn't anywhere else but I think Georgia would have been a little more flexible here and let the test count.)
September 12 is the new test date.
I do have a contact person on my side at MNDOE.
This is STILL my year. It HAS to be. Positivity, people.
Well damn.
Looks like another year of being an assistant to the assistant for me.
Early Childhood does not equal Elementary K-6 in Minnesota, FYI. (It doesn't anywhere else but I think Georgia would have been a little more flexible here and let the test count.)
September 12 is the new test date.
I do have a contact person on my side at MNDOE.
This is STILL my year. It HAS to be. Positivity, people.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
This song seems to sum it all up right now
"A Place In This World"
Taylor Swift
I don't know what I want, so don't ask me
Cause I'm still trying to figure it out
Don't know what's down this road, I'm just walking
Trying to see through the rain coming down
Even though I'm not the only one
Who feels the way I do
I'm alone, on my own, and that's all I know
I'll be strong, I'll be wrong, oh but life goes on
I'm just a girl, trying to find a place in
This world
Got the radio on, my old blue jeans
And I'm wearing my heart on my sleeve
Feeling lucky today, got the sunshine
Could you tell me what more do I need
And tomorrow's just a mystery, oh yeah
But that's ok
I'm alone, on my own, and that's all I know
I'll be strong, I'll be wrong, oh but life goes on
I'm just a girl, trying to find a place in
This world
Maybe I'm just a girl on a mission
But I'm ready to fly
I'm alone, on my own, and that's all I know
I'll be strong, I'll be wrong, oh but life goes on
I'm just a girl, trying to find a place in
This world
Taylor Swift
I don't know what I want, so don't ask me
Cause I'm still trying to figure it out
Don't know what's down this road, I'm just walking
Trying to see through the rain coming down
Even though I'm not the only one
Who feels the way I do
I'm alone, on my own, and that's all I know
I'll be strong, I'll be wrong, oh but life goes on
I'm just a girl, trying to find a place in
This world
Got the radio on, my old blue jeans
And I'm wearing my heart on my sleeve
Feeling lucky today, got the sunshine
Could you tell me what more do I need
And tomorrow's just a mystery, oh yeah
But that's ok
I'm alone, on my own, and that's all I know
I'll be strong, I'll be wrong, oh but life goes on
I'm just a girl, trying to find a place in
This world
Maybe I'm just a girl on a mission
But I'm ready to fly
I'm alone, on my own, and that's all I know
I'll be strong, I'll be wrong, oh but life goes on
I'm just a girl, trying to find a place in
This world
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
My letter to MNDOE
It needs help right now, but with a little work, it will be up and running in no time. This is to prove that my service year actually did meet the blasted Human Relations requirement for the state licensing board and I can finally be certified to teach in this state.
July 7, 2009
Dear Licensing Board,
I am writing to inform you about the program with which [full name] served to complete her term with AmeriCorps and also to inform you of its potential match with the Human Relations component for Minnesota Teaching Licensure. The program that [full name] completed was called City of Lakes AmeriCorps and it is a partnership between Minneapolis Public Schools, Minneapolis Community Education, and other local community organizations.
The Minnesota Human Relations requirement, a state mandate, was certainly fulfilled in the process of Jennifer completing her term of service with the City of Lakes AmeriCorps program.
First, City of Lakes AmeriCorps requires all of its members to understand the contributions and lifestyles of the various racial, cultural and economic groups in our society. Jennifer completed over 1700 hours of service tutoring and mentoring students during the day, and facilitating after school activities at Nellie Stone Johnson community school in a culturally diverse and urban region of north Minneapolis. Jennifer served students on her caseload from a variety of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds including but not limited to students in the African American and Hmong communities of north Minneapolis. Much of Jennifer’s time was spent preparing lessons and teaching English language learners with the reading and writing workshop approach to literacy instruction. Jennifer also spent her time tutoring third-fifth-grade students performing significantly below grade level in both reading and mathematics.
Second, City of Lakes AmeriCorps requires members to recognize and deal with dehumanizing biases, discrimination, and prejudices that face students enrolled in Minneapolis Public Schools. The students of Nellie Stone Johnson were undoubtedly faced with biases and prejudices daily simply because of their family’s race and socioeconomic status. Many students on Jennifer’s caseload lacked the family support needed to succeed in school. Much of Jennifer’s duties during her term of service required her to remove biases she possessed about students living in poverty in order to best motivate students to succeed with their coursework.
Third, the City of Lakes AmeriCorps program requires all of its members to create learning environments that contribute to the self-esteem of all persons and to positive interpersonal relations while respecting human diversity and personal rights. Jennifer completed this requirement by establishing a positive rapport with three students assigned to her fifth-grade guided reading group. Although these students were reading three grade levels below their own in reading, Jennifer sought books for these students that were of high interest and adequate reading level to motivate them when their self-esteem slumped because of their achievement level. Combating student’s low expectations for themselves was a daily task, but with a few reminders, her students jumped a grade level in reading by the end of the year and were much more positive about what they could achieve in their academic and personal futures.
Finally, the City of Lakes AmeriCorps program requires members to study the American Indian language, history, government, and culture by participating in a service project in conjunction with the Ojibwe Indian Tribe in Red Lake, Minnesota.
What suggestions can you make?
July 7, 2009
Dear Licensing Board,
I am writing to inform you about the program with which [full name] served to complete her term with AmeriCorps and also to inform you of its potential match with the Human Relations component for Minnesota Teaching Licensure. The program that [full name] completed was called City of Lakes AmeriCorps and it is a partnership between Minneapolis Public Schools, Minneapolis Community Education, and other local community organizations.
The Minnesota Human Relations requirement, a state mandate, was certainly fulfilled in the process of Jennifer completing her term of service with the City of Lakes AmeriCorps program.
First, City of Lakes AmeriCorps requires all of its members to understand the contributions and lifestyles of the various racial, cultural and economic groups in our society. Jennifer completed over 1700 hours of service tutoring and mentoring students during the day, and facilitating after school activities at Nellie Stone Johnson community school in a culturally diverse and urban region of north Minneapolis. Jennifer served students on her caseload from a variety of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds including but not limited to students in the African American and Hmong communities of north Minneapolis. Much of Jennifer’s time was spent preparing lessons and teaching English language learners with the reading and writing workshop approach to literacy instruction. Jennifer also spent her time tutoring third-fifth-grade students performing significantly below grade level in both reading and mathematics.
Second, City of Lakes AmeriCorps requires members to recognize and deal with dehumanizing biases, discrimination, and prejudices that face students enrolled in Minneapolis Public Schools. The students of Nellie Stone Johnson were undoubtedly faced with biases and prejudices daily simply because of their family’s race and socioeconomic status. Many students on Jennifer’s caseload lacked the family support needed to succeed in school. Much of Jennifer’s duties during her term of service required her to remove biases she possessed about students living in poverty in order to best motivate students to succeed with their coursework.
Third, the City of Lakes AmeriCorps program requires all of its members to create learning environments that contribute to the self-esteem of all persons and to positive interpersonal relations while respecting human diversity and personal rights. Jennifer completed this requirement by establishing a positive rapport with three students assigned to her fifth-grade guided reading group. Although these students were reading three grade levels below their own in reading, Jennifer sought books for these students that were of high interest and adequate reading level to motivate them when their self-esteem slumped because of their achievement level. Combating student’s low expectations for themselves was a daily task, but with a few reminders, her students jumped a grade level in reading by the end of the year and were much more positive about what they could achieve in their academic and personal futures.
Finally, the City of Lakes AmeriCorps program requires members to study the American Indian language, history, government, and culture by participating in a service project in conjunction with the Ojibwe Indian Tribe in Red Lake, Minnesota.
What suggestions can you make?
Friday, March 20, 2009
I'm moving!
June 1, 2009. Hopefully.
Roseville, MN. Me-ville. LOL. (Thanks Tetetetigi!) Quaint little two-bedroom with Tetetetigi off Lexington Rd. near County Rd. B and Como Park. Moving across the river. Exciting! Never lived across the river before. And I'm out of river jokes and general cleverness. Just excited. Here's to a brighter tomorrow!
Now if only my job search is that quick!
Roseville, MN. Me-ville. LOL. (Thanks Tetetetigi!) Quaint little two-bedroom with Tetetetigi off Lexington Rd. near County Rd. B and Como Park. Moving across the river. Exciting! Never lived across the river before. And I'm out of river jokes and general cleverness. Just excited. Here's to a brighter tomorrow!
Now if only my job search is that quick!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Here's what I say to the bicyclists on Franklin Ave.
Partly because it's awesome and partly because a certain SOMEONE over at Lucky Ball Charms wanted me to post it:
I'm only kidding of course, but I do feel a little full of rage with Monday coming on and all...
(Are you happy now, Em? I want to see some new content up on your site, like, STAT.)
I'm only kidding of course, but I do feel a little full of rage with Monday coming on and all...
(Are you happy now, Em? I want to see some new content up on your site, like, STAT.)
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
I *heart* GK
“Beer is now cheaper than gas. Don’t drive, DRINK!”~Garrison Keillor, in News from Lake Wobegon (5/3/2008)
Friday, August 1, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
I haven't called in 72 hours, and I'm not married....
...so by default, I must be dead.
Seriously, folks (and by folks, I do mean the parental units):
A word to the wise: I don't HAVE to call every SUNDAY to let you know I'm alive. I am a functioning, healthy, single woman living on my own more than 1,100 miles from my hometown. It goes without saying that I talked to you on Wednesday, therefore, I can go past Sunday without talking to you again. I have no news. I do not want to be REAMED on how I need a job and a mate.
Yes, it kinda sucks that a certain someone lost his first job. However, he will GET OVER IT. Coming from someone who has cared enough and lost oh, I don't know more than two jobs post-college, yes it hurts, but he will get over it. And maybe even learn something. I'm sorry I didn't call. Or maybe I'm not. Why do I have to be sorry. I'm living my own life. My own SINGLE life. That may be difficult for you to comprehend. But it's been workin' for me so far.
I don't need your money. I like that you care. But for God's sake (or maybe someone else's since you don't believe in Him) would it kill you to care on an interval that was less than 48 or even 72 hours long? I'm struggling to make it on my own here, and contrary to popular belief I CAN do it.
You just have to BELIEVE.
And HANG UP the phone.
Thank you.
Your adoring daughter,
RECYCLED ART GIRL
Seriously, folks (and by folks, I do mean the parental units):
A word to the wise: I don't HAVE to call every SUNDAY to let you know I'm alive. I am a functioning, healthy, single woman living on my own more than 1,100 miles from my hometown. It goes without saying that I talked to you on Wednesday, therefore, I can go past Sunday without talking to you again. I have no news. I do not want to be REAMED on how I need a job and a mate.
Yes, it kinda sucks that a certain someone lost his first job. However, he will GET OVER IT. Coming from someone who has cared enough and lost oh, I don't know more than two jobs post-college, yes it hurts, but he will get over it. And maybe even learn something. I'm sorry I didn't call. Or maybe I'm not. Why do I have to be sorry. I'm living my own life. My own SINGLE life. That may be difficult for you to comprehend. But it's been workin' for me so far.
I don't need your money. I like that you care. But for God's sake (or maybe someone else's since you don't believe in Him) would it kill you to care on an interval that was less than 48 or even 72 hours long? I'm struggling to make it on my own here, and contrary to popular belief I CAN do it.
You just have to BELIEVE.
And HANG UP the phone.
Thank you.
Your adoring daughter,
RECYCLED ART GIRL
Friday, February 8, 2008
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Minnesotans on Groundhog's Day
I was wondering why Minnesotans don't make a big deal of this observance like southerners do. Then it hit me, thanks to Garrison Keillor last night. Six weeks? SIX WEEKS?! It's not and never will be close to six more weeks of winter in this frozen wasteland of a state. Try at least 12 weeks, but more likely 18-24 more weeks of winter. Sheesh what WAS I thinking? I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Simple pleasures
are not just for simple minds, anymore
I was on my way home from work yesterday and passed a community park. (Not on my way home, but I went a little out of my way and into the Seward neighborhood when out of the corner of my eye I see a bunch of people (mostly kids, but some adults) ice skating.
I quickly got out of my car and started walking around only to discover that anyone, just ANYONE, could put on a pair of ice skates for FREE and skate around, maybe even play hockey if the mood strikes. And I tried it. And it was quite hilarious, but I think I had just about the best time I had in a long time and it definitely was the release I was looking for on a Friday afternoon. I only fell once.
I was on my way home from work yesterday and passed a community park. (Not on my way home, but I went a little out of my way and into the Seward neighborhood when out of the corner of my eye I see a bunch of people (mostly kids, but some adults) ice skating.
I quickly got out of my car and started walking around only to discover that anyone, just ANYONE, could put on a pair of ice skates for FREE and skate around, maybe even play hockey if the mood strikes. And I tried it. And it was quite hilarious, but I think I had just about the best time I had in a long time and it definitely was the release I was looking for on a Friday afternoon. I only fell once.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Day off, not a day on
My day off has been fabulous so far. Even though I am the teacher that was left behind...I'm here now and I must deal with that. I have no idea what I must do for a quarter report, but that doesn't matter right now. I'm stressing but trying not to worry about it thus far. I'm also not going to bust my ass to make it to any more MLK day events than I really have to today. Which means that I'll be at the movie night at 6pm. So what if today is a "day on not a day off" for AmeriCorps members. I need a day off damn it and I'm sure you can identify with that. I've had it up to here with national service and I'm trying not to be too bitter about it. I love the program and I love the school and I love the kids but I need to start being better about taking time for myself. Which is what I"m doing today. Back to my book.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Holy Snipes
It's -14 degrees Farenhiet and I am leaving the house.
No, I don't quite know where my mind is. Welcome to Minnesota.
No, I don't quite know where my mind is. Welcome to Minnesota.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
The following is from a letter I wrote earlier today...
I thought it would make a neat life update this week.
...I'm still enjoying the AmeriCorps gig in Minnesota...but I am currently looking for something a little more challenging and, well, I'm a girl of practical means, so PROFITABLE. I've had it (up to here) with national service after nearly two years. I love it, but I just feel like I've done my time. I don't want to loose my ability to explore different careers and regions of the U.S./World, but I think it's time to get serious about life/work.
That requires making a commitment, which requires making a decision. All of these things require confidence. Scary scary scary stuff. I've gotten more, and recouped from that tragic Georgia teaching incident, but something like that sticks with a person. I have learned that I don't really want to work in a school. I needed this experience to tell me that, right? Work with great teachers, and seriously smart, talented, sweet kids. Love the kids, hate the environment. So many other factors involved, in that decision, but I think it's the right one for me right now. So I'm looking elsewhere.
I think I recall telling you I had a non-paid museum internship after my first year of service. I loved that, so I began looking for museum jobs up here. I'm applying for this one:
#2007-2052 TEACHER/INSTRUCTOR , Education. Occasional/Non-Exempt (10-20 hrs/wk). EEO 2. Develop and teach science enrichment classes and camps at the Science Museum. Resumes are currently being accepted for school year and/or summer positions. Responsibilities: Plan, prepare, and present science lessons at the museum. Requirements: BA/BS and teaching license in science or education. Minimum of 25 science credits or related experiences/demonstrated knowledge of science content. Classroom teaching experience. Excellent communication skills, creativity, resourcefulness, and professional attitude. Pay rate: $13.00/hr. Application deadline: Open
If I get it and like it, I might go for a masters in MUSEUM EDUCATION. Who knows. That's about all for now. I'm really scared but excited at the same time. As usual, I hope all is well with you. Have I mentioned it's cold here? -4F today. Yikes!
Ideas, opinions, sharing welcome. I always enjoy your feedback!
...I'm still enjoying the AmeriCorps gig in Minnesota...but I am currently looking for something a little more challenging and, well, I'm a girl of practical means, so PROFITABLE. I've had it (up to here) with national service after nearly two years. I love it, but I just feel like I've done my time. I don't want to loose my ability to explore different careers and regions of the U.S./World, but I think it's time to get serious about life/work.
That requires making a commitment, which requires making a decision. All of these things require confidence. Scary scary scary stuff. I've gotten more, and recouped from that tragic Georgia teaching incident, but something like that sticks with a person. I have learned that I don't really want to work in a school. I needed this experience to tell me that, right? Work with great teachers, and seriously smart, talented, sweet kids. Love the kids, hate the environment. So many other factors involved, in that decision, but I think it's the right one for me right now. So I'm looking elsewhere.
I think I recall telling you I had a non-paid museum internship after my first year of service. I loved that, so I began looking for museum jobs up here. I'm applying for this one:
#2007-2052 TEACHER/INSTRUCTOR , Education. Occasional/Non-Exempt (10-20 hrs/wk). EEO 2. Develop and teach science enrichment classes and camps at the Science Museum. Resumes are currently being accepted for school year and/or summer positions. Responsibilities: Plan, prepare, and present science lessons at the museum. Requirements: BA/BS and teaching license in science or education. Minimum of 25 science credits or related experiences/demonstrated knowledge of science content. Classroom teaching experience. Excellent communication skills, creativity, resourcefulness, and professional attitude. Pay rate: $13.00/hr. Application deadline: Open
If I get it and like it, I might go for a masters in MUSEUM EDUCATION. Who knows. That's about all for now. I'm really scared but excited at the same time. As usual, I hope all is well with you. Have I mentioned it's cold here? -4F today. Yikes!
Ideas, opinions, sharing welcome. I always enjoy your feedback!
Sunday, January 6, 2008
I'm back!!!
From the frozen wasteland/wilderness/Camp Menogyn having slept in a quincy hut/igloo and having jumped in a hole in a frozen lake. Yikes. This makes me sound crazy, but I had tons of fun while doing it, I promise. I haven't lost all my marbles...yet! Because on our way home I saw not one, but TWO moose on the side of the road and an eagle later on closer to home. I love holidays.
And, I found out that I just got 5/6 on my writing section of the GRE. Worst essay I've ever written too. Weird. I'll take it and go apply to schools now. Sweet.
And, I found out that I just got 5/6 on my writing section of the GRE. Worst essay I've ever written too. Weird. I'll take it and go apply to schools now. Sweet.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Summer in Ohio
From THE LAST 5 YEARS. This is my new obsession. Are you going slightly batty 40 miles east of Cinncanatti? I know that's kind of a metaphor for my holiday week at home. I'm 35 miles west of Atlanta, and while I do have access to cable and the web, I don't have a sense of independence, which is why I moved to MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA. I love this song because it shows how desparate I feel right now. I'm also a little angry for reasons I have only yet to figure out. So bear with me, and I will figure something out. Maybe I AM doing something right!
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