Often times in my class I like to bring in a text set with differing views of a certain issue. I keep my nose out of it, but listen as children share their thoughts. This summer I read two books (both realistic fiction) about illegal immigration. One was a story of a young boy trying multiple times to get to The North to find work and help feed his family, and another about a Cuban boy making the little league world series with his team from the bronx, only to find out that he wasn't allowed to play because he was not a legal, and when this came out he risked deportation for him and his family of five.
Today, I found this news article. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21950265/
Again, a great story to give an altering view to some considering the issue. And also sheds some light on the humanitarian efforts of even those "illegal." Here's the thing. I haven't been able to find appropriate texts with a differing view point. I know I should be able to find something, either a news article, or press brief about new laws. But all seem to be a little confusing to young people. I surely won't bring in the above things until I have something to counter. And I'm looking. Any ideas?
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Waiting...
Yeah, so patience has never been my area of expertise. Today Jay and Becky are flying in for Thanksgiving. There were some flight trouble due to snow and ice, so their flight is not here until 11:30 pm instead of 4:55 pm. I can't tell you the last time when I was this excited. I think it was probably when I was waiting for Emily to be born. Seriously. I haven't seen Becky since Matt and Jana's wedding in June of 2006 and I haven't seen Jay since when he crashed the baby shower when I was pregnant with Emily and my aunt Gywnn thought Mindy hired a stripper. Seriously though, I think that was the last time. Two of my favorite people.
Happy Thanksgiving to everybody.
Happy Thanksgiving to everybody.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Farm Boys
We found this place, Farm Boys, a couple of years ago. It is a local restaurant, no chain. It actually moved into a new building about year ago. This place is awesome! They have the best BBQ of those we've tried. For those who were as clueless as I was before I moved here, most of these style restaurants have a buffet line. In that line you can find both mustard and vinegar based pulled pork, hash to be served over white rice, creamed corn, collards, lima beans, smoked ribs, cole slaw, homemade mac and cheese, hushpuppies, and of course your basic white roll. It is seriously a carb fest, and most times everything on my plate is the same color. But it is so good.
Friday night we went here with Linda. THe entire restaurant is decorated in country farm/pigs. (Think BJ's Kountry Kitchen decor). There is a sign in the bathroom that says, "If there are no more towels in this here dispenser, use your clothes." Nice. Everybody knows everybody, and the dining area resembles a dining hall at the church camp I went to as a kid. Everything is throw away plastic plates, and styrofoam cups, which is a whole issue in itself. The pitchers of sweet tea sit out on each table, and there are rolls of paper towels on a stick to be used instead of napkins.
The place is huge now that they are in the new building, however there was a wait that extended around the cash register. People just wait for an open table, and then go sit down. It has made quite the name for itself.
I wish the place would be open this next weekend so we could take Becky and Jay while they are here, but the entire restaurant closes down for both the week of Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is a culture all in itself, and something we totally want to share with anybody who comes to visit.
Friday night we went here with Linda. THe entire restaurant is decorated in country farm/pigs. (Think BJ's Kountry Kitchen decor). There is a sign in the bathroom that says, "If there are no more towels in this here dispenser, use your clothes." Nice. Everybody knows everybody, and the dining area resembles a dining hall at the church camp I went to as a kid. Everything is throw away plastic plates, and styrofoam cups, which is a whole issue in itself. The pitchers of sweet tea sit out on each table, and there are rolls of paper towels on a stick to be used instead of napkins.
The place is huge now that they are in the new building, however there was a wait that extended around the cash register. People just wait for an open table, and then go sit down. It has made quite the name for itself.
I wish the place would be open this next weekend so we could take Becky and Jay while they are here, but the entire restaurant closes down for both the week of Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is a culture all in itself, and something we totally want to share with anybody who comes to visit.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Monday Disaster??
I meant to post regarding this last week. But I'm just now getting around to it.
Last Monday as I filled my coffee cup before work, there was a loud bang, loud enough that I dropped my cup. Now mind you, it was 6:40ish ( I typically leave for work by 7 am) and where we live it is extremely quiet. The bang was so loud, I thought a bomb had gone off in our garage. I opened the garage door, and there was steam everywhere. Once I opened the big garage door and the steam blew away, I noticed our hot water heater was gushing water out the bottom.
I ran back inside and yelled up the stairs, "EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY!!!!!" Scott still thinks this was absurd of me, but it was however an emergency! As I waited for him to come downstairs, I pulled the car out of the garage and made sure none of the picture books from Scott's classroom were in the line of water. But they weren't.
Scott came down, we frantically pulled the water off and the gas to the water heater off. Then all we could do was watch while the hot water heater emptied, and hot steamy water poured down the driveway into the street.
We stood there, somewhat helpless, and realized that a huge purchase was about to set us under for the month. (Sure enough, we have some sort of "special" set-up with our water heater that safely releases the carbon monoxide from the unit. And by safe I mean EXPENSIVE!) But all we could do was grin and shrug. We sat there in a hug and all that came to my mind were the lyrics "It's just another manic Monday....."
I don't think I will ever forget that moment. I was so happy for both of our calm attitudes, and for Scott being able to tell me he would handle it. Off I went to work with a smile, and before I got home, the new unit had been installed. Expensive purchase that we didn't expect? Yes. But no big deal. I love life. :)
Last Monday as I filled my coffee cup before work, there was a loud bang, loud enough that I dropped my cup. Now mind you, it was 6:40ish ( I typically leave for work by 7 am) and where we live it is extremely quiet. The bang was so loud, I thought a bomb had gone off in our garage. I opened the garage door, and there was steam everywhere. Once I opened the big garage door and the steam blew away, I noticed our hot water heater was gushing water out the bottom.
I ran back inside and yelled up the stairs, "EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY!!!!!" Scott still thinks this was absurd of me, but it was however an emergency! As I waited for him to come downstairs, I pulled the car out of the garage and made sure none of the picture books from Scott's classroom were in the line of water. But they weren't.
Scott came down, we frantically pulled the water off and the gas to the water heater off. Then all we could do was watch while the hot water heater emptied, and hot steamy water poured down the driveway into the street.
We stood there, somewhat helpless, and realized that a huge purchase was about to set us under for the month. (Sure enough, we have some sort of "special" set-up with our water heater that safely releases the carbon monoxide from the unit. And by safe I mean EXPENSIVE!) But all we could do was grin and shrug. We sat there in a hug and all that came to my mind were the lyrics "It's just another manic Monday....."
I don't think I will ever forget that moment. I was so happy for both of our calm attitudes, and for Scott being able to tell me he would handle it. Off I went to work with a smile, and before I got home, the new unit had been installed. Expensive purchase that we didn't expect? Yes. But no big deal. I love life. :)
Monday, November 05, 2007
Boo at the Zoo
This wasn't from Halloween (more on that costume when I get the pictures) but this was from Saturday's Boo at the Zoo. We got to trick or treat the animal houses, roast marshmallows, dance, and play in bubbles. Here are some picture highlights.
Friday, November 02, 2007
This guy
This is one of those times when I just want to brag on my husband and tell everybody about something I know he is too humble to mention.
Well, let me explain that Scott has a cohort of about 30 undergrads that are studying to be teachers. They are in their internships, and they are also taking his class this semester. He taught them in another class last spring semester, and he will also have them again for their final course next semester. One of them was in my room last spring doing her student teaching, and through her I know that these kids love having Scott as their professor. They were all so pleased to know he would be continuing with them in the additional semesters, and have really gotten to know him.
The mortor board society in the honors college has awards they give out each year for excellence in teaching at the university level. Scott was nominated by his students to receive this award. So, last night we got all dressed up and went to this really awesome building on campus (built in like 1801) and went to the awards reception. Each member of the mortor board stood and made remarks about the professor that was nominated. The student who nominated Scott made wonderful remarks about his passion for teaching, his integrity as a professor, and other things. She also said that it was not just her, but a cohort of thirty students who unanimously agreed that Scott was deserving of the award.
Anyhow, after the reception we went just the two of us to an awesome restaurant downtown and got to have an actual dinner conversation. It was fabulous. So yeah, just had to let you know he's doing such a great job! :)
Well, let me explain that Scott has a cohort of about 30 undergrads that are studying to be teachers. They are in their internships, and they are also taking his class this semester. He taught them in another class last spring semester, and he will also have them again for their final course next semester. One of them was in my room last spring doing her student teaching, and through her I know that these kids love having Scott as their professor. They were all so pleased to know he would be continuing with them in the additional semesters, and have really gotten to know him.
The mortor board society in the honors college has awards they give out each year for excellence in teaching at the university level. Scott was nominated by his students to receive this award. So, last night we got all dressed up and went to this really awesome building on campus (built in like 1801) and went to the awards reception. Each member of the mortor board stood and made remarks about the professor that was nominated. The student who nominated Scott made wonderful remarks about his passion for teaching, his integrity as a professor, and other things. She also said that it was not just her, but a cohort of thirty students who unanimously agreed that Scott was deserving of the award.
Anyhow, after the reception we went just the two of us to an awesome restaurant downtown and got to have an actual dinner conversation. It was fabulous. So yeah, just had to let you know he's doing such a great job! :)
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