I am so excited to go home for winter break after this semester, just as a most of us are. I will be returning to my job at a local gym, working in the nursery, taking care of children anywhere from the ages of 3 months to 12 years old. I love these kids so much and I cant wait to see them all so much. Everytime I go back they have all grown up so much, sometimes I don’t even recognize them at first glance. There are some of the sweetest kids that I have ever met. They notice everything I do and love to comment about it. It is hilarious. I especially picked this job because of my major. Any extra time I have will kids is great. It nice to see how they interact with each other at all different ages. I can’t wait to go back!
Alpha Epsilon Phi
Alpha Epsilon Phi is the soroity that I joined in the Spring of 2007. It was one of the best choices I have ever made. I have made tons of friends that I am so close to. The 15 other girls I pledged with are some of the best friends I have ever had, and I know they will be my friends after I graduate. I know many people hate sororities and stereotype people who join one, but they will never know until they actually are involved with one. I never knew how much community service a sorority does, especially AEPhi. The past years we have won best service from our National. Even though ever sorority is different, my experience has been amazing so far. I can’t wait for the years to come in my college career, spent with my best friends.
cursive handwriting
We discussed this topic in Professor Tweedie’s class and I really enjoyed it.
There is no doubt that the use of cursive handwriting has decreased tremendously. New technology has come in place of handwriting as a whole. Computers have replaced documents that would have been written and can now be typed. A word document can be written much faster than any handwritten document could be. Letter writing has turned into e-mailing, encyclopedias are now websites, and journals are now blogs. In the classroom situation, new technology could be taught now. Instead of teaching cursive writing, this time could be spent in the computer lab learning typing skills for young students. Technology is progressing so fast these days and young students are our future and they should be learning what they future will be. As a future educator, I am sure that students would be just excited to work on computers as they would to learn cursive. And since cursive is hardly seen anymore, typing should be the focus after learning how to print, instead of just learning another way to handwrite.
In class speakers
So as everyone knows, the other day in class we had the three speakers discussing the possibilities of a future in writing. Since I am not just a writing arts major, (I’m elementary ed., writing arts) it didn’t pertain to me, but it was still just as interesting. I almost feel bad for students in high school that come to college wanting to major in just creative writing, thinking that they will write one book and be well off. Like all the speakers said, creative writing isn’t a career path. You have to have another goal, such as teaching writing at a college level, or working for a magazine. This way, you can work on your novels or other writings on the side, and you will still be successful. I am glad that I chose writing arts as my coordinate major with elementary education because it is definitely the best one for education. Writing is one of the most important things to learn about, no matter what age you are.
Blogs, etc.
So I was talking to my mom, who is a first grade teacher, and this semester she had a student teacher. She was telling me that on the evalutation form for her student teacher it had a catagory of: Inappropriate blogs, internet findings, etc. And the reason she even told me is because I have been talking about blogs so much!..And she wanted to make sure I had nothing on my facebook profile that I could get in trouble for. I really thought it was amazing how popular Facebook, MySpace, and blogs have gotten that it would even be on a form for student teachers. I did know that when you are looking for a job a future employee may look at your facebook account, and could even determine if you get a job from it. I think that is a little extreme, but then again if you don’t want to get in trouble, don’t have an account at all.
Jodi Picoult
So lately my favorite author has been Jodi Picoult. She is amazing. I’ve only read two of her books so far, but I’ve bought ever other one. I’ve read My Sister’s Keeper, which is really popular, and The Pact. Both were amazing, but sad. I cried when I read both. My Sister’s Keeper was about a girl whose sister was diagnosed with cancer, and she wants to have a lawsuit against her parents so she can decide on her own whether or not she wants to give her sister her organs, blood, etc. Picoult discusses the medical aspects so well. She must have done so much research on order to write this book, while still developing each character so well. The Pact is about a boyfriend and girlfriend who want to commit suicide, but only the girl does, and the boy is charged with her murder. I can’t wait to read her newest one, Nineteen Minutes. You should all read one or her novels!!
Second Life Creator
So I was on my netvibes site today and one of the top stories on my news was how the second life creator, Cory Ondrejka, quit his job. Ondrejka helped write the computer code the for the virtual world. Second Life, as we all know, is a 3D Internet destination where users create, buy and sell fantastic islands inhabited by virtual characters, or avatars. He said he wanted to pursue new professional challenges and that he had strategic differences. The site also said that second life has been criticized for technical problems – graphics that load painfully slowly on older computers, and bizarre glitches where avatars appear unintentionally naked. The site has struggled with hackers and hecklers, who have defaced other users’ content or interrupted virtual conferences. I didn’t know anything like that went on in second life. I know my roomate had to have a second life for one of her classes, but I don’t know if she had any problems like that. So maybe a new owner will take Ondrejka’s place and improve some of the problems second life has faced.
Re: My Letter to Santa
So in a previous blog I wrote to Santa about how I wanted a puppy for Christmas. Well…I actually got one! His name is Diesel and he’s a pitbull. I know that sounds scary, but he is the sweetest puppy ever! He loves the cuddle! He already weighs over 20 lbs. and he’s only 15 weeks old! I love him so much! Here is a picture of him:
Christmas cookies!
So one of my favorite things ever is Christmas cookies! So I thought I would share with you guys one of my favorite recipes for sugar cookies. I love these so much! They are so good! Hope you enjoy!
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
Beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mix until just combined. Add flour and baking powder in intervals. Dough will seem as if doesn’t have enough moisture but continue to mix with mixer until combined (it will come together when chilled). Divide the dough into four equal parts, shape into four disks, wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate about an hour or until firm. Preheat oven to 375 F. Lightly grease baking sheets or line with parchment paper or a non-stick baking mat. Roll out dough between 2 sheets of waxed paper, about 1/4 inch thick for crispier cookies and 1/3 inch thick for softer cookies. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters and place on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 7-8 minutes or until edges just start to turn a golden color. For softer cookies, do not allow the cookies to take on color. Remove from oven, let cool for one minute and then transfer to wire rack. Allow cookie sheet to cool thoroughly before placing uncooked dough on it. Decorate cookies with Royal Icing or Buttercream Frosting and sprinkles.
Have Fun!!!
Three Non Blondes and One Blonde 