FALL BACK! Revised Designs
1 year ago
Monday, September 29, 2014
Mommy to Bee
My friend and coworker just had a darling baby girl! So I took the opportunity to throw her a baby shower. Right as I was trying to decide on a theme, my friend from high school, Alison over at The Handmade Shindig, posted these adorable Bee decorations. I took the idea and ran with it!
Busy Summer
Wow. It was a busy summer. My mom recently purchased a new condo, except it's only new to her. It's actually about as old as I am ...and so were all the appliances.
We spent most of the summer on small projects around the house which I will catalog here.
We spent most of the summer on small projects around the house which I will catalog here.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Odes to the 8th Grade
When I was student teaching at a junior high, my master teacher had the students doing a poetry unit that ended in Odes to the 8th Grade right as the school year was ending. I thought that was really genius. It gives students a chance to reflect on the last year or so and to create an art form most don't attempt on their own. So I've used it at my final project the past two years. Last year I meant to post it, but never did, so I'll share examples from both years.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Ignorance of CCSS
Ignorance is bliss! Right? I'm pretty sure, right now, that other people's ignorance will cause me ulcers.
I believe in the Common Core Standards. And I believe that a lot of people who are against them are so due to ignorance. The internet is a vast and wonderful place where people can find an article that says anything they want to hear. But journalism requires fact-checking and citing of sources. So does a good English paper.
I recently came across this article, "Listen to the Fools," on Facebook.
I believe in the Common Core Standards. And I believe that a lot of people who are against them are so due to ignorance. The internet is a vast and wonderful place where people can find an article that says anything they want to hear. But journalism requires fact-checking and citing of sources. So does a good English paper.
I recently came across this article, "Listen to the Fools," on Facebook.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Continued Inspiration
A while back I wrote about my former classmate Timmy. While he was in India, he was asked to speak at a TEDx Talk. I've imbedded the video below. He talks about making connections and his experiences in finding ways to be connected to people. Through his travels, he was able to get a sense of what it feels like to live in the moment, where connections truly take place, but he was able to synthesize the information into a set of guidelines he can bring back to his life in the Western world, and he shares them with us, here.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
TARDIS Quilt
This summer I took up quilting. My first attempt was a baby blanket for my cousin's darling. I detailed the quilted sunflower here, but at the time of that post I hadn't done the actual "quilting" part.
Making the fronts of quilts is complicated and requires much more than just creativity (there's this thing called measuring that I'm kinda horrible at...) but quilting the finished product to the backing and fluff is a-whole-nother project in and of itself. Especially since prior to this experience I'd only ever hand-quilted. And by that, I mean I really just randomly tacked down corners.
So after finishing the front of the sunflower baby blanket, I attempted quilting with my sewing machine for the first time. I bought some fuzzy flannel and some medium stuffing and went to work.
Making the fronts of quilts is complicated and requires much more than just creativity (there's this thing called measuring that I'm kinda horrible at...) but quilting the finished product to the backing and fluff is a-whole-nother project in and of itself. Especially since prior to this experience I'd only ever hand-quilted. And by that, I mean I really just randomly tacked down corners.
So after finishing the front of the sunflower baby blanket, I attempted quilting with my sewing machine for the first time. I bought some fuzzy flannel and some medium stuffing and went to work.
Costume Inspiration: SciFi, Comic Book Characters, and Evil Villains
I realized I never posted photos of my Halloween costume. Also, I had an Evil Villain themed birthday party this year. So here are some costume inspirations for ya!
Friday, March 14, 2014
Diary of a Relapsed Runner: Tye Dye the Sky!
Last Saturday I ran a race called Run or Dye, which is similar to the more popular Color Run. The Run or Dye race just happened to be right in town and some friends and coworkers had signed up, so I joined them.
The basic idea is that you wear white while running a 5k and people throw "dye" at you. It's really just a chalky powder that "Tye dyes the sky!" and you.
The basic idea is that you wear white while running a 5k and people throw "dye" at you. It's really just a chalky powder that "Tye dyes the sky!" and you.
Recipe: Irish Car Bomb Jello Shots
It's the weekend before St. Patrick's Day, and that means our biggest party of the year! Unfortunately, I haven't had much time to craft (or blog!) so no new decorations this year. Fortunately, we have plenty of decor for this holiday.
However, after trying out a new recipe, I thought I'd share it with everyone prior to the holiday!
I've recently decided that Jello Shots would be "thing" to bring to parties, since the other recipes I'm good at are family recipes, and my Godmother has a monopoly on baked goods. Also, I've been super excited to try these out since I found the recipe on Pinterest last April.
And so ....Irish Car Bomb Jello Shots!
However, after trying out a new recipe, I thought I'd share it with everyone prior to the holiday!
I've recently decided that Jello Shots would be "thing" to bring to parties, since the other recipes I'm good at are family recipes, and my Godmother has a monopoly on baked goods. Also, I've been super excited to try these out since I found the recipe on Pinterest last April.
And so ....Irish Car Bomb Jello Shots!
Monday, March 3, 2014
Science vs. Faith
There is nothing that appalls me more than hypocrisy. I don't care what you believe in. But so long as you claim to believe in it, you'd better follow it. Practice what you preach. The flip side of that, however, is what I find worse. When you argue against something because they do x, y, or z and yet your own argument includes x, y, and z.
One thing I call my students out on every day is that they are not allowed to diss each other for doing something wrong when it's something they do themselves. Today one of my worst students (refuses to believe she has to follow rules) yelled at another student to stop talking. I stopped class to remind her that she had no right to correct another student when that was one of her worst faults. At least she had the guts to admit that she knew it was her fault.
Some adults can't even do that.
The absolute worst hypocrisy I've seen, however, comes from the idea of there being a debate between science and religion. And it's not the religious persons I'm appalled at.
One thing I call my students out on every day is that they are not allowed to diss each other for doing something wrong when it's something they do themselves. Today one of my worst students (refuses to believe she has to follow rules) yelled at another student to stop talking. I stopped class to remind her that she had no right to correct another student when that was one of her worst faults. At least she had the guts to admit that she knew it was her fault.
Some adults can't even do that.
The absolute worst hypocrisy I've seen, however, comes from the idea of there being a debate between science and religion. And it's not the religious persons I'm appalled at.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Next Generation ELD Standards
Common Core.
Two words that are currently a panic-inducing, stress-causing, argument-fueling anathema to those in the education field.
I, for one, believe they are exactly what we, as a society, need.
But I know it's scary. Change always is.
Two words that are currently a panic-inducing, stress-causing, argument-fueling anathema to those in the education field.
I, for one, believe they are exactly what we, as a society, need.
But I know it's scary. Change always is.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Inspired
I have this thing where I tend to feel more connected to people whose lives hit mine at a tangent than is necessarily normal, I think. But because of it, I tend to stay in touch with people better, from random and obscure times in my life. This helped me stay connected to friends I'd made long after moving away.
Once in a while, it also allows me the opportunity to say, "Hey, I know this dude!" about some amazingly inspirational people, and to live vicariously through their adventures.
I've written about some people who've inspired me in my journey, like teachers and such, and I intend to include more of those in the future.
But since this is a blog for people my age who are struggling to find out who they are and what they want to be, I want to showcase our peers.
I've already written about David, who strove to break the world record for the most amount of hugs given in one day. He didn't beat the record that year, but plans to try again soon. However, he recently completely uprooted his life to live in Hawaii and finish writing a book about the life of his dear friend, Angel. He is constantly inspiring me.
Today, though, I want to introduce you to another amazingly inspirational person.
This is a story about Timmy.
Once in a while, it also allows me the opportunity to say, "Hey, I know this dude!" about some amazingly inspirational people, and to live vicariously through their adventures.
I've written about some people who've inspired me in my journey, like teachers and such, and I intend to include more of those in the future.
But since this is a blog for people my age who are struggling to find out who they are and what they want to be, I want to showcase our peers.
I've already written about David, who strove to break the world record for the most amount of hugs given in one day. He didn't beat the record that year, but plans to try again soon. However, he recently completely uprooted his life to live in Hawaii and finish writing a book about the life of his dear friend, Angel. He is constantly inspiring me.
Today, though, I want to introduce you to another amazingly inspirational person.
This is a story about Timmy.
Resolutions
As I said in my last post, December was a crazy-hectic month for me. I'm finally back home after a whirlwind of travel, and I'm able to start updating with photos from craft projects. Maybe this weekend. So keep an eye out.
Thanksgiving week had some curve balls thrown into our family life, but if you know me, you already know this, and that I'm done talking about it. What it did do was give me a lot to think about, especially in light of my future. Since it's the time of year (and the time of our lives) where people think about weddings more often, it's been in my thoughts for some time. This is relevant, mainly, as it ties into my resolutions, but also because it's the most prevalent topic of conversation, lately.
Here are two very interesting articles to read.
This one is about how happily ever afters don't exist.
The second is written in a very flippant, but poignant, way and gives us some things to think about and add to our "Things to Accomplish before 30" list. Which is apparently a thing. I'm game.
Also, the amount of articles that have been popping up relating to our generation gives me hope. It means we're not alone in feeling lost in limbo. So let's cherish that feeling, and cherish this time.
Which brings us to resolutions. We need to make the most of now, which is why my resolution this year is to focus on me.
Thanksgiving week had some curve balls thrown into our family life, but if you know me, you already know this, and that I'm done talking about it. What it did do was give me a lot to think about, especially in light of my future. Since it's the time of year (and the time of our lives) where people think about weddings more often, it's been in my thoughts for some time. This is relevant, mainly, as it ties into my resolutions, but also because it's the most prevalent topic of conversation, lately.
Here are two very interesting articles to read.
This one is about how happily ever afters don't exist.
The second is written in a very flippant, but poignant, way and gives us some things to think about and add to our "Things to Accomplish before 30" list. Which is apparently a thing. I'm game.
Also, the amount of articles that have been popping up relating to our generation gives me hope. It means we're not alone in feeling lost in limbo. So let's cherish that feeling, and cherish this time.
Which brings us to resolutions. We need to make the most of now, which is why my resolution this year is to focus on me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
