Holidays are Hard!!!!!

For many years now, I haven't been looking forward to the holidays. I'm usually happy right up until the moment comes when we arrive at a family member's house. It's so hard for my son to get adjusted to so many people. When I finally get him inside of someones house, he takes off, to find him a quiet place.

Which is fine, but everyone starts to bother him when they realize he's there. They ask him questions, when they know he won't answer. They try to get him to come out when they know he's not coming. They overfeed him because they know he loves food! Jeez! Here we go again....

Happy Holidays Everyone.

Aiding and Abetting?

Scenario: Your ex-boyfriend, whom you haven't spoken to in over three years suddenly gives you call out of nowhere...you're chitchatting away for over an hour, then you realize..wait one minute...you're in jail! How are you talking on the phone for so long? He then tells you....I have a cellphone....WTF!

What do you do?

I overheard a woman in the restaurant describing the above-mentioned scenario. I could have choked on my steak! In a nutshell, she talks to her 'boyfriend' everyday on his cellphone and they exchange pictures weekly on Face Book.....OMG! He's in jail!

Apparently, this is not news to anyone I asked. They've heard of people who've had cellphones in prison. Wow!

If inmates can get away with this...what is the state of our country? Another question is...is she aiding and abetting?

Hold, please...your wait will be worth while:)

*In a nice female robotic tone*



Its now been five minutes since you've been waiting...our reps will be sure to apply a five dollar credit to your account.....Its now been 15 minutes...our reps will be sure to apply a 15 dollar credit to your account...Its now been 30 minutes...our reps will be sure to apply a 30 dollar credit to your account, and we will launch an internal investigation into WTF is going on so important that they can't get to you in a timely fashion! You are our most valued customer.<<<<<<<<Lol!

Cosmetic Surgery...Nope! I'll deal with MY BIG NOSE!

Ever since I can remember, I've had body image issues...If that's what you'd want to call it. The people I know call it 'having a complex'....I've had this problem for as long as I could remember. I was called 'big-nose'...'high-yellow' 'big-butt' (the latter is not a huge problem these days, people pay for what I have)...but those and a host of other names are what I believe led me to be haunted by this so-called 'complex'.
The image to the right, is me of course...my nostrils are huge...I have a big nose. So big, that I refrain from taking pictures as much as possible because all I see is NOSE. I can't seem to find anything positive about the picture...all I see is nose. I know...I know...I watch TYRA, and she says that you are not supposed to take pictures from below the nose, but....I was just trying to make a point...I have a big nose.
The weird part about it is, I don't think I'm ugly. It's just that for some 'freakish' reason, I think that when I take a picture, my nose grows 5x's bigger than it was before I snapped the shot. I'd be posing for a picture which I think has to be cute because that's the way I was feeling at the time...then POW! An ugly picture comes out...my NOSE has taken up the entire shot...lol (major exagerration, but you get the point.)

Although I have a big nose, I would never dream of getting a nose job. I will deal with my nose as it is...I was born with it. I'm not a fan of cosmetic surgery....I'm not that vain, but some people are so traumatized by certain body parts, they will result to surgery to fix what they deem as problems. Here is my motto: "Get it how you live." That just means it you are find with it, and that works for you. Go for it!

Personally, I don't know anyone who has had cosmetic surgery...neither for medical or vanity reasons. It's not a normal thing amongst my family and friends....but I understand that is the norm in various parts of the country, even in parts of the state where I'm from.

So, I did a little research. It's not scientific...heck...I don't even know if its true, but I wanted to find other African Amerian women who had nose issues, but the most information I could come up with in such a short amount of time is this website about black celebrities who've allegedly had rhinoplasty. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but...hey, I'm a blogger not a real journalist...lol...

I made sure I put allegedly because there are too many false stories going on around the web as it is...

Here is the link...whadda u think?

http://www.africanamericanrhinoplasty.com/rhinoplasty_celebrity.htm

Faith Restored....

I'm finally done with my classes at PSC, it wasn't as hard as I originally thought it would be, but I'm glad I came out with good grades. My faith is learning has been restored. I owe a great deal to two of the best instructors I've had throughout my entire educational career. Professor Fogarty and Kim Heintz Chou....really engaging instructors. Professor Fogarty really gave some thought provoking lectures, really made me interested in learning....and teaching.

I could have applied myself much more but I have a unique living situation....I have no complaints and some in my situation may feel 'unraveled' most times, but I keep it together most times, or at least I think I do....I'm a caregiver...a mom...a business owner...a student...this and that....

My son has autism...(broad word)...AUTISM...THERE I SAID IT. I hate that word. I deal with it, because that's the label that he's been given.

You know for a long time, I couldn't even look at words that resembled AUTISM. ARtistic....ARtist...AUtomatic...AUtomobile...I couldn't bear to look at them....

I would change the channel on the television, shut off the radio...and cry......long...cry hard....cry silently....cry loudly, EVERY SINGLE TIME...I heard the word.....I faded into black! All the while smiling as if I felt good inside....

I went into a place where I didn't even recognize myself. MY son was gone.....at least that's what I thought, I was mournig him....shit! He wasn't the same boy I knew. Fuck! He was saying his alphabets in Spanish before turned 1. He was reciting the Preamble...you should have heard it....his little baby voice..."We the people, of the United States"....I was so proud of him...we would all crowd around him. Ask him to say it again...we'd ask him to say his ABC's in Spanish, we'd ask him point out all the things he recognized around the house....then he turned 2.

He was different...remember...I said above that I faded into black...well, I pushed certain things into the darkness that I never got back, but when he turned 2...he was different. His speech pretty much disappear, he started walking on his toes...I knew...I knew...I knew it...

Funny thing is, I knew it, I felt that fucked up word called AUSTIM when he was talking....So, fast forward a year...now he's three. After the incognito early intervention....I panicked! It was time for school! I WASN'T READY FOR THE LOOKS...THE ASSUMPTIONS...THE RIDICULE...THE WHISPERS...THE ACCUSATIONS....I got it all...

NO need to bash..NO need to blame...BUT it was a terrible experience...then, I had a revelation! I drug MYSELF out of the darkness and decided to help myself...so that I could help my son....I started reading...reading...researching...reading...talking (as much as I could, I'm not a big talker...lol)...the point is I became proactive...I found my son a place that offered what I felt was the best education/therapy for him. I'm happy with this place, but its funny how something so little can influence how one lives their lives...

After researching facts, talking to my doctor...I wanted to start my son off on the GFCF diet...I ordered supplements and other things to help aid us...I prepared his meals...yada...yada...yada...then I sent a letter to the school explaining to them that I was doing this, with the blessing of his doctor and I was met with opposition! MY son...MY responsibility...needless to say...I was pissed....Anyway...to make an already LONG story short, I made a small difference in the way my son was eating at school.

After that point, I was a little frustrated...I decided that I want to learn how to teach my son myself....thing is...I've always wanted to be a teacher, but I gave up on it long ago....

It resurfaced because of my son...I want to teach Special Education....BUT I also want to teach English...Social Studies...Literaure...or History. I'm conflicted! I want both....Maybe I can do both somehow...I do know that I will do what is best for my son.

Anyhow....my story is not over...I will teach....God has given me the strength to pull myself out of the darkness...I'm positive that when the time comes, my choice will be easy to make.

My faith is restored...

Confessions of an Insomniac

Oftentimes, my brain goes into over-drive. I find myself swamped with many things to do, many ideas, but...they ideas are going off in my brain..*pow, pow*, like little cannons that won't defuse. I'm on the verge of finishing up some things that I need to do, but there is absolutely nothing I can do about the scatter brain symptoms that I am experiencing this night/morning....

***Whoa...I just erased one longest, sleep-blogging sentences ever***

Time for me to go to sleep...

B. Vikki Vintage

Okay so, I'm writing on my blog for the Ed. class that I have, and my attention-deficit kicks in...I start wandering around on Blogger, something I rarely do, and somehow I come across B. Vikki Vintage, hence the aforementioned title...ha!

I go onto her blog because I blown away....I, we are so much into the same things, I can't even believe it! The pictures of her family, the clothing from the 50's and 60's..and the other items had me so intrigued. It fascinated me so, that I went onto twitter, and followed her, and the caption says she from my hometown...wow! I don't get excited much....this has me thrilled.

Anyhow...I must get back to my assignment now. I will be sure to follow B. Vikki Vintage very closely....I have a resale shop of my own...I very interested in opening another...geared towards vintage items only....I'm SO excited...I know...*lame*

ED 160A: Great Class...I recommend it.

Years ago, I thought I wanted to get into Computer Information Systems (CIS). I'm not sure why, but I do know that everybody and their mothers was jumping on the 'computer' band wagon at the time--I didn't want to be left behind so I jumped on too! All I knew was that I was fascinated with the idea of learning all about the computer and its components, but I didn't know which--CIS or C ++ programming.



Ultimately, I chose CIS. I took a couple of CIS classes and they were HORRIBLE. The class descriptions always read 'hands-on'....there was nothing hands-on about the experience! The instructor, (had him twice) was hands-on with his computer while he had the class reading from the book and answering the chapter questions. When he felt like interacting with us, HE READ DIRECTLY FROM THE BOOK....WORD FOR WORD! I began to get 'Charlie-Brown' syndrome after while (wah, wah, wah)....I can't stand to be bored in class, especially as an adult. Needless to say, I was turned off by the idea of taking another 'computer' class, so I changed my major...



Fast forward a couple of years, here I am majoring in Education. When I read the class description I was obviously reluctant because of my previous experience with 'computer' classes, but I enrolled anyway...not knowing what to expect.

Fast forward again, to the end of the semester.....



I'm happy to report that I really enjoy the class. I was just the opposite of what I assumed it would be like. I scanned over the text book before the class begun, so I had all kinds of awful thoughts about what to expect. Truthfully speaking, I thought the instructor would be boring, and out-of-touch...it was awful for me to have such preconceived notions, but I based my ideas on my experience throughout my previous years as a student.

Again, I really enjoy the class. My favorite part of the class would be just what I didn't get in my previous classes, that hands-on experience. The instructor knows what she is teaching, and she is ready and open to answer any all questions that are brought to her.

She is very engaging with us, it helps when an instructor gets to the matter at hand instead of spending a lot of time of lecture that escapes our memories as soon as its over...

I don't have any major hang-ups about the class, but my least favorite part would be loss of points. If I didn't receive full credit for something, it was my fault...on two occasions, I lost points for something that drove me nuts...

FIRST OCCASION, I lost points on my brochure, or newsletter (I forgot), but I didn't sign my name in cursive...I absent-mindedly, put my name in the font that I thought most resembled my style of writing...I rarely use cursive, if ever...anyway, I lost points for that....

SECOND OCCASION, I always lose points on the quiz...it's always something small...anyway, as I said before, it's my own fault, but I still dislike it...I've learned to not go nuts over a half-point now...lol.

To elaborate a little more on the quiz, I felt that some of the questions have different answers based on the individual. Like one of the quiz questions...it asked for the abbreviation for the Department of Education. I looked it up on the web because I was familiar with another abbreviation, (ED)...I knew it because I was on the website previously. Anyway, I got the answer wrong because the book had a different abbreviation, (DOE), which is also the abbreviation for the Department of Energy.

No big deal though, I had to write about something I disliked...lol

Overall...the class is great...I would recommend it to anyone else who wishes to take it.

The road from Crete, IL to Crete, IL is scary

Backwoods....scary

I was at an overnight stay at a family members house because it rained really hard the night before and I was concerned about driving in the rain late at night....So, I get up the next morning and it has FLOODED terribly...water was everywhere, its was very frightening! Anyway...I had to leave because I was a host at my aunt's 25th wedding anniversary so I had to try to leave.



I get into my MUSTANG...note I capitalized Mustang because I knew when I drove up that my car was no match for all of that water, but nonetheless, I did the "dummy move" anyway....



My 12-year old cousin and I were driving through the back roads because the main roads were closed off...when I say secluded...OMG! It was secluded! I had no cell phone services!



I was literally driving on a tight road in the middle of a cornfield! I was lost! Didn't have a clue where I was going...I was waiting for that little boy in that movie, Children of the Corn to come out at any second....



Then...I find a road....so, I think...cool...a way out, then I approach a body of water, at first glance it looks like I can make it, but when I get close...the water is up to grill to my car, so I decide to back out....



As I'm sitting there cussing to myself, I look to my right and I see the tall, stringy-haired man with boots that came up over his knees, and a raincoat...he was soaked! When he saw me he stopped and stared…



People...he had an axe in his hand!



Needless to say I freaked the "eff" out! I tried to back out as fast I could....I then turned around and hauled ass outta there!



I looked in the rear-view mirror he was chopping something off that was in the yard...I felt embarrassed....lol

Popeye's Chicken would make a decent Thanksgiving dinner

I'm gonna eat regardless!

If I couldn't spend Thanksgiving day with my family, or if I didn't want to cook myself, I'd go straight to Popeye's Chicken because they are da bomb! (That definitely depends on the certain franchises though.) There is nothing wrong with a 3-piece wing, or more if 'm feeling greedy that day! Some cajun fries on the side will be FIRE, then if I'm really feeling gluttonous, I'd get a sweet potatoe pie! But knowing me, I wont' stop there...I'd probably head to someone else's house soon after and get my eat on!

WebQuest

Working on my very first WebQuest was, let's see...um...nerve-wracking! It wasn't hard, but for someone like me, who has a tendency to be indecisive, as well as, too cautious; it was indeed a nerve-wracking experience.

I say this because of the subject that I picked. I was drawn to the subject on gangs because of the research that I conducted before we even completed the outline. I could have gone an easier route, but something fascinated me about the subject--especially with all of the issues going on around the world with gang violence; violence in general...that's why I choose the subject.

Once I started researching the project for my own WebQuest, I quickly realized that, I couldn’t go one-dimensional with it, it had to be more to it, so it quickly developed into this large project, which I had to scale down, and tone down because gang violence is no child's play. From personal association with gang members (when I was a kid), I know that it’s not a game and it’s not a good place for any child or adult for that matter to be involved in.

I had to take out the parts that may appear to be too graphic; instead, I focused more on gang prevention and intervention. The You Tube video regarding a mother’s grief at the death of her son was very important for students to watch. I thought that would give students a reason to think harder before they put themselves into a situation like that. My goal was to get them to think about different aspects of what violent gangs can do to their loved ones.

Then the hard part...yes the hard part...putting it onto to zunal.com

OMG! Because I'm a worry wart at times, I like to take up a lot of time doing things to make sure I get things right (I find that when I do that I mess up) but, anyway, I was carefully typing, trying to re-read things that I had input into the template...press save....all of the things that I just put in were gone! It's was aggravating, but I did get through it. The worst part of putting that in was the rubric...I officially hate rubrics now! How could something so effective be so evil! That was by far the worst thing that I ever had to do next to a math problem...I was so baffled by what to measure. I soon figured it out, but it literally gave me a headache! Whew...nonetheless, I will definitely do another WebQuest, I found it very interesting.

I'm just a nerd like that!

dumpr.net

Modern Art Museum by dumpr.net

I think I LIKE dumpr.net!

Modern Art Museum by dumpr.net

Ed160-PPT Presentation Blog

The presentation done by Sandra and I made me remember just how difficult working on a group assignment could be. We should have created a contingency plan because we struggled terribly with our communication. We both assumed that we had all of our eggs in a basket, we both had our ideas in mind and on paper, but it was difficult for us to manifest our presentation once our deadline approached. One of the roadblocks we faced was what I call “real-life”…real life got in the way a couple of times, and I wasn’t able to give Sandra my portion of the presentation by the time we suggested. The second, major roadblock we faced was that we couldn’t e-mail each other for a while. I finally figured out that the file was just too big, to send through “squirrel mail” so we ended up using alternate e-mail addresses. Although I made up for it the next day, I still felt a tinge of guilt because I didn’t want to have her waiting on me – it’s unprofessional.
Here is what I took away from two different presentations that were presented last week:
Concept One:
I was most intrigued by Amber Peschke and Kathy Daniels presentation about Multiple Intelligences. I enjoyed the way they knowledgeably spoke about their subject rather than robotically state each intelligence. Their job aid is fantastic. I took their quiz on the job aid and found out that I have “intrapersonal strength” amongst other strengths.
Concept Two:
Although the video didn’t work for the team who created their presentation on Bloom’s Taxonomy, I did take away some meaning from the soundless video. It was great that it was video in simple terms, so simple that I understood it without the sound.

There's BLUE DIAMOND Honey Roasted Almonds in my pantry

BLUE DIAMOND Honey Roasted Almonds
I can't stop eating them. I needed something sweet, but not too sweet, my goal is to stay away from the love of my life for awhile (chocolate). I'm pretty sure, I've defeated the purpose because I nearly done with the whole container.

Flamin Hots
I looooooooooooove Flamin Hots. I sometimes think I'm too old to be eating them because I have red stuff all over my thumb and index finger.

Chips AHoy chewy cookies
There really good....

I've been told I resemble Mary J Blige

Mary J Blige is fly...she's my homegirl (in my mind). She's one of my favorite celebrites...

"Mary J. Blige", "Blige"

I've been told many times that I resemble Mary J. Blige..I can't see it, but every since I was in high school I would hear that! I can't say that I want to look like any celebrity...although if I could pick and choose certain features, I'd probably do that...

Boom Chicka Boom Boom wakes me up in the morning:)

Ah yes....a good ole fashion ...oh, I was dreaming people...MY SON WAKES ME UP IN THE MORNING! First, his alarm clock blasts...then he slams cabinets...he runs water for an eternity...then the scent of his TAG or AXE, travels downstairs to burn my nostrils....then he runs/stumbles down the stairs to BARELY catch the school bus---every morning!



So, if you haven't guessed...its not so invigorating! Lol

The ExFactor

This blog entry is dedicated to my ex...from a very, very long time ago. I ran into him today. I said "hi", he said, "I miss you, I talk about you all the time, I tell everybody if I ever see you again, I'm gonna make you mine again. I know I messed up, but I was immature. I wanna make you my girl again. Or a least be friends"...

I WAS THINKING....First of all, I was a girl when I was messing around with your sorry...self! I'm all grown-up now, and I have the common sense not to be bothered with the likes of you.....

However, I did have the courage to SAY to his face as my girl Whitney Houston would say HELL TO THE NAW!

After I said that things got weird...Imagine this...IT'S VERY QUIET...THE BIRDS ARE CHIRPING...DO YOU HEAR EM'...lol

Crazy...this dude...threw me for a loop:) It was very awkward because I haven't seen him in over 15 years! Plus he doesn't deserve my frienship....dang blasted loser!

I'm being mean...I'm sorry:(

No I'm not, he's was and still is a jerk for even assuming that he could have the power to make me 'his again'...

I don't belong to anybody...I belong to me! Lol...He actually said that out of his mouth...He should be on the show "TOOL ACADEMY"

If anybody else can stake claim its the woman who birthed me! Lol..

SO TO MY EX...HERE'S A POEM I'VE WRITTEN JUST FOR YOU

I close my eyes to keep from

seeing

His stupid grin looking back at
me

I shut off my mind to keep from
thinking
Of the dumb things he's saying to
me

I clinch my fist to keep from
swinging
If he knew better he'd run from
me

Fall back, loser....I'm over you!

My Sista!!!!! She makes me tick!

I used to think that money was a motivator, but as I grew up....I've come to realize...as the great, Notorious B.I.G. would say..'mo money...mo problems." The more you have the more un-deserving people tend to surround you...hate on you...or just plain hate you....lol...



For real...money is a good motivator, but for me...doing something that I love motivates me a lot....helping someone work through something, gives me motivation to keep doing good...



My family....they need me....that's my motivation......right now...today...my sister (may she overcome the sickness that ails her) she needs me a lot....she motivates me to keep moving because despite her illness...she gets up...dusts herself off and she still takes care of her family....she doesn't feel sorry for herself....She keeps going until she can't go anymore...then she calls....she motivates me....

AHA!

The boot-leg 'squirrel mail' won't send attachments! Maybe the files are too big! At least I'm not gonna go crazy after all...lol

Don't put off till 2moro...what you could do 2day!

I'm so tee'd off right now...I could scream! I've been trying to email my partner v.2 of our assignment, but the freakin email must be down because I've made numerous attempts and ITS NOT GOING THROUGH!!!!!!! I'm sleepy man....all I wanna do is go to sleep, but squirrel mail is doing me wrong...doing me bad.

Now that I've tried long enough...today has become tomorrow, so I may as well go to sleep and hope that the squirrel mail is functioning LATER...

shoot....

Whenever I see Wonder Woman, I long to be a kid again

There were so many things I had to be grateful for as a child...despite some very unfortunate circumstances...I loved being a kid!

Wonder Woman

I wish I was a kid again....



the summers seemed to be longer,



getting wet under the fire hydrant...no pools where I lived..take that back..there was a community pool, but the rumor was it had poop floating in it so I didn't wanna go! lol



Italian Ice from Taylor Street



Push Ups from the Roosevelt the Icecream man.



penny candies and cheese doodles



steel roller skates



jump rope competitions



Boys....chase the girls....lol



Just some of the things I used to love....



life wasn't full of worries...

wasn't filled with death...at least in my child's mind everything is fine

People were respected to a certain degree....

Imagination was my greatest friend when I was a kid....



My altergo when I was a child was Wonder Woman...

I imagined picking up cars and tossing them in the air...I especially wanted to toss one on my arch enemies LaTanya and Ursula, they were mean:(



I would ride my bike through the hood and pretend I could rescue people...true story, I once rescued a cat that was locked inside of a cabinet that was put out for trash....It felt good man...



When I didn't wanna go outside I read my Piggly Wiggly books and all of the other great books I had...



AROUND 7th grade...I discovered boys...damn! lol

Feeling Defeated!!!!

I'm not usually a person who becomes overwhelmed with negativity, but today I'm feeling defeated! My mom tells me that there will be bumps in the road...I know that, but today is just one of those days where I wasn't able to get ANYTHING done that I wanted to do! I'm feeling very unproductive...

Within Earshot Part Duex!

He had HUGE basement balls! He admitted that he was frontin for his friend...whether he is telling the truth or not, it don't matter...I know my worth....ya dig!

Within Earshot!

Okay...what would you do if you've heard something that you had no intention on hearing....would you let the person know, or do you forget about it?

I'm perplexed!?! It's not like I was snooping..I was in the bathroom and I heard everything through the vent...

After my guy was finished with giving advice to his friend about his relationship and career (the clingy-ness of his girlfriend) he tells his friend that he loves me to death, but he won't let me bring his career down! WTF!

I wasn't even mad, because little does he know the feeling IS mutual...but I was more surprised at the intensity of his statement...lol...you would think I was being clingy, but I don't cling! I don't even fuss that much...I definitely don't like to argue... but I'm known to bring it if provoked. I'm not one of those females who has to have their man with them every waking moment--I let him do his thing while I do mine. I'm far from insecure, therefore I don't have a trust issue.

I'm wondering-- is he 'frontin' for his friend because he thinks I can't hear him ( I think he had basement balls swinging....Its the manly statements about football and life that appear when he speaks to his guys when he is in the basement of the phone..lol)...or does he think I could be a potential threat to his career (as far as him keeping his focus)...

I'm gonna bust him out....I'm approaching him:) He needs to know...I have plenty of my own business to handle...plus any good woman would want to lift her man up not tear him down...

He's a dumb-a$$..lol

Disorganized Rant....

It's such a tragedy...scratch that!

This is bulls**t!

Pure f**king madness the things are going on in Chicago. I'm purposely not including the mess that is happening in the other parts of the world because I don't have the mental capacity to even try to fathom the death and carnage that's happening in other parts of the world...

So what I do know is that I know Chicago! From what I know it's a terrible place to live these days!

I don't know if its me, but I'm sick of the following words:

• tragedy
• travesty
• outrage
• community
• ministers
• outreach
• activist
• gang violence
• unintended target
• victim of mistaken identity

I'm so sick of hearing those words because some, if not all of these words are constantly used when we hear about killings..

Following those words I tend to hear the following phrases:

• the police aren't doing enough
• parents aren't doing enough
• the schools aren't doing enough
• they do this because of the music (rap or rock) that they listen too
• its because of the clothes they are wearing
• the bracelets on their arm represent this or that
• its because of their childhood

Sometimes I want to scream out...'if anybody was an expert...nobody would kill anybody! Why is it that people think they know all the answers...most times the people who commit these acts can't figure out a valid reason why they do some of the things that they do....there's no validity that's why.

Derrion Albert got a raw deal! It's so unfortunate what happened to him...I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the video...then when I I heard that a makeshift memorial was burned, I wondered what was going on these people's mind...insane perhaps..maybe...I don't know...

I like most people don't really know what goes on in a person's mind...I just hate to hear when everything is blamed on some one's subculture. What's good for one person may not be good for another....its a fact. Stop all of judgemental mumbo-jumbo people....

When listening to the radio earlier...a lot of people started calling in saying that the guys who killed Derrion did so because of the rap that they listen to...

What? Who makes this sh** up! Why is it only rap and rock that I hear... Why is it that a young boy doesn't hurry off skipping all the way to Alabama because he hears the song 'Sweet Home Alabama" ...they don't because I don't believe it the music..it has to do with that persons personality and/or mental status...Sometimes they just lose control and 'wild-out'...how do we know unless they tell us the music made them do it....

I'm a hardcore listener of rap....been listening to it for as long as I can remember, and when it turned negative I was still listening to it...I went to my first concert in the 7th grade at the UIC Pavilion...the rap stars was the group N.W.A. Rap didn't turn me into a killer...Rap doesn't make me feel less of a woman cause someone says b**ch...Rap doesn't make me want to go beat someone up...some of those songs have inspired me to be honest..

But..sometimes people are known for doing things they hear and see on the radio and TV. Paris Hilton had everybody running around with their dogs like fashion accessories...reality shows made looking like slutty like alcoholics cool...Paris again made it cool to be a dumb (acting) rich blond...Stars made it cool to have sex tapes...stars made it cool to adopt foreign children...Ellen made it cool to be gay...Rosie O'Donnell had a tougher time with it...Elizabeth Hasselback gives us her view like a veteran, but she another reality show bastard...Flava Flav...the ugliest man alive even got a chance to put that gross mouth and and surprisingly inflated ego to the test on televsion....Sarah Palin talks about ethics and shoots moose...Obama speaks of change...but he forgot about that when he called Kanye a jackass...Oprah had the whole world 'putting it out into the Universe...

Here's my point...there are too many outside influences to blame bad things on one thing...my guess...is to start the search at home... (I'm being mean...probably contradictory...but that's what I believe, we are only as good as our human nature allows us to be).

Copyright and Fair Use

What I can say most about the two terms, copyright and fair use, it that I respect them. I respect the right of others to hold sacred the works that they create. Some of the great literary works, or some of the best albums around have copyrights--why? Its because someone has put their blood, sweat, and tears into a project that they don't want anyone else to touch. I agree with this process of the law and I'm glad that its around....for all I know, I may have something interesting to copyright one day.

Researching topics for papers and essays all require that I obey copyright laws! I try to be really careful when using the works of other people, it can get tricky if you are not familiar with the subject which is why I like the aspect of fair use.

Fair use is grand! I'm not sure if this makes me a nerd or what, but I've been moved to tears by the words of some people. Some of the simple things I've read, some of the simple things I've heard makes me want to include them into things that I write...

One of the favorite things that I like to say is "if you don't like me at my best, you don't deserve me at my worst"...Marilyn Monroe said that. If it wasn't for laws like fair use, I wouldn't be able to use that in some of the things I write.

I haven't much experience with either topic, therefore, in a nutshell that's what they mean to me.

Uneasy Feeling...

I can't sleep...I want to, but unfortunately my nerves won't let me. I still have some last minute touch ups to do various projects, but I can't seem to focus today. I have so many things that need my attention, needless to say I have no attention span...I'm suffering from a major case of brain freeze....my equilibrium is off and I need to get it together....fast..,

The title states that I'm feeling uneasy.....that would be correct. I'm feeling this way because I've let so many things get under my skin today which is unlike me. It started when I got the mornings paper--two teenagers were killed...another was beaten to death last week..then it just set off a chain of events in my mind; I haven't been able to shake it sense.....

Angst...fear...tiredness...

If it appears like I'm babbling, it's because I am.

There is no structure when you are are too tired to really focus....

It's puzzling me--

Why am I typing here when I have so much to do?

I'm not focused...

I'll get to it...no doubt..I always do.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 30th, my grandad passed...I miss him sooooo much~

June 20th, my niece was murdered...she passed a day before her 19th birthday.

July and August were uneventful....

This month, on Labor Day, my uncle dies of a heart attack while playing basketball....he was 45.

My friend CD was shot in his leg two days ago, just standing outside talking to friends....

I'm a pretty strong person...I grieve in my own special way...I understand what it means for life to go on...you have too, especially if you have so much to live for...but today.... Cant get these poor kids out of my mind, particularly because of how my niece was murdered....I'm overloaded with too much negative emotion...so I thought, maybe I'd blog about...maybe I'd feel better....I have to admit, I feel better than I did at first...

I don't like too much negativity. I need to regroup....

Will ruling hurt blacks' access to top schools? :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Education

Will ruling hurt blacks' access to top schools? :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Education

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"We believe there is no reason to eliminate race completely ... race should still be a factor if that's what's needed to ensure diversity and fairness in admissions policies."

Really...For real! A 30-year decree is all we need to ensure diversity and fairness in admission policies in Chicago! Be serious.....

Constructivism

One of the five tenets of constructivism (the major concepts that students should understand) suggest that teachers structure their lessons around ideas that are broad ideas rather than expose them to small pieces of information known as the Top-Down teaching strategy. The website that I found, http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/constructivism/lp_hs1.html touches on all of the tenets, particularly this one.
The lesson plans use “interactive Internet programs and resources that enable students to construct their understanding of the nature of earthquakes and their impact on the earth.” The use of Internet resources makes the idea of this being constructivist lesson plan positive. Virtual earthquakes (http://www.zephryus.demon.co.uk/education/geog/tectonics/witness/eye.html), Make your own seismogram (http://quake.geo.berkeley.edu/bdsn/make_seismogram.html), and Earthquakes: Eyewitness Accounts (http://www.zephryus.demon.co.uk/education/geog/tectonics/witness/eye.html) are a few websites that students are required to go to in order to obtain information and gain insight for their projects. Some portions of the lesson plans highlight the constructivist belief that contents should not be taught in a single realm, but it should be taught in relation to the entire world.
The units of the lesson plans are as follows:
· What is an earthquake?
· What are the causes of earthquakes and their effects?
· How are earthquakes measured?
· How do we get the magnitude and epicenter of an earthquake?
· How do we measure global earthquakes?
Through these lesson plans students experience the diversity of learning in subjects ranging in “earth science for earthquakes, mathematics for calculations and formulas, language arts for writing journals, reports, and presentations to the class; and geography for locating earthquake activities in the world.”
As we learned in our class, the brainstorming activities in these lesson plans gives students the opportunity to draw on previous insights and build on new knowledge – essentially giving the students the opportunity to solve the problems on their own.

Boarding schools make room for diversity :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Education

Boarding schools make room for diversity :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Education

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I love those jeans!

My favorite pair of jeans are screaming...give me a d**n break lady! These jeans have been good to me...I've washed them over and over again, and they still have the same fit! The color has faded terribly, but who cares! I love them!

She Got a Big Ego...Such a Big Ego

Men may not get all they pay for in this world; but they must certainly pay for all they get. ~Frederick Douglas

I ran into an old friend today. I was so happy and excited to see her because I don't think I've seen her since '94. I remember her to be reserved and polite...I liked her, but we got outta touch over the years...mostly because we never really hung out...anyway...when I saw her and she opened her mouth; she was BRAND NEW!!!...OMG! The first words outta her mouth was 'you see my car'...In 20 minutes of talking I found out that she's sleeping with some ladies husband and he's leasing this car for her...I found out that she hates, 'ghetto girls'....she only shops downtown...she hates kids....(yada..yada...yada)...I won't be calling her ass---for real! It turned me off---People brag to me all of the time about what they have --big house, big cars...I don't care. I really don't. What matters to me the most is my family. If anyone really knows me that can tell you how close we are as a family....my husband called us "hill-billies" because we all spill out onto the porch at my Grandmother's house on most weekends....that's what makes me feel good, and that's what I'm into...When the weekend nears, I can expect to get a call from my sister Snook, or my brotha, Mav...they want to know if I'm headed to the city...It's like clockwork, that's what we do...see each---we enjoy each other's company...Since my sista Nikki lives in Mississippi, she just wants to call to see what going on---and if something is popping, she in the CHI in a hearbeat because she loves her family and the bond between us is undeniable --THAT'S WHAT IMPRESSES ME---A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS! No grandiose display of wealth or circumstance is enough to make me say WOW!!! Unless you tell me something of true meaning I'm usually not impressed...(Okay...you may get a rise outta me...I just can't think of nothing right now...lol)
Anyway...I've done a lot of STUPID things growing up, believe me I've had to pay for them; I sit here and cringe at how immature I was coming up...I didn't make clear choices, but we live and we learn right? Like Fredrick Douglas said, 'we must certainly pay for all we get'---usually everyone will somehow, and someway...So the next time someone gets in your face and brags about what they have and how they are better than you...show them the back of your head! Why? Because ask yourself...how did they acquire the things that they have --did they sell drugs to our people, did they de-fraud some unsuspecting person on their mortgage loan, did they murder someone and just take what they have...Sleeping with some one's wife/husband....Did they get it from the parents, did they lie, cheat, and steal their way to the top...think about it...If they got it honestly...without hurting anybody to get there...more power to them...I don't think someone should call themselves successful if they can't back it up with a chronicle of their lives...the struggle and strife of what it took to get there. (Not who you knocked down to climb to the top)
Not to discredit the people who have turned their lives around---started doing things for other people or things in the community....
Everybody has a story, but the ones who brag about only want to share part of it!
People who are really "rich" (not just financially, but morally) don't usually brag....If you got there by stepping all over people then you'll pay for it! Some type of way....So when I get these conversations that evoke materialistic, unfeeling things its kind of a turn-off...
I'm no saint...I'm far from, but damn....I'm not an a$$ either...She was an a$$...A BRAND NEW A$$...So much so she made me write about it! Lol...

If I could be in any band, I'd join The Revolution

As long as I can wear tight pants and rock mega-huge hair, I'm signing up to be in The Revolution! (with Prince)

Did you not see the movie Purple Rain????? That movie was the fly-est! I would have loved to be drummer-chick or a base player....I want to be in my heels, while Prince is in his heels and we both are rockin' out front and center in front of a packed stadium! (Naw...I'm not NEARLY that brave, I'm just frontin' for the prompt) LOL....

Prarie State Blog Assignment

LaShonda Howell
Kimberly Heintz
Ed.160-A
28 August 2009













Website evaluation is definitely a new concept for me. I never really took the time to evaluate a website in depth as I did with this particular assignment. The evaluation form created by Kathleen Schrock, is a good tool to have along the way--especially if you're an educator trying to find appropriate material for your students. I for one, intend to use it from now on when researching projects for school or personal use. The form is easy to follow and it prompts you as to what you should be looking for in a clear, organized matter.

The first website that I evaluated is called - Math Is Fun. Its a website that pretty much geared towards finding the fun in math while giving students and educators alike different 'helpful' avenues to learn. I was not able to point out every aspect when evaluating this site, but I'm convinced that its a valid learning aid for students and a great resource for educators. The graphics contain links that lead students into different areas of the site so that they can experience math in the areas from counting money to geometry if the choose. There is even a page for teachers---there they can gain ideas on how to keep there students entertained while learning.

Scholastic.com was the next website that I evaluated. I'm confident enough to mention that it goes without saying the validity and authority associated with the site. One obvious reason being the name and reputation associated with the organization and its products. Since the 1920's this organization has been providing the world with educational tools through reading and learning.

Scholastic has so many different avenues to look at on their website, I just felt as if there is a wealth of information on the site for anyone looking. What caught my attention most about the website is I noticed resources for new teachers! There is nothing better than good, sound advice when you are stepping into any field.

Another favorite of mine from that site was Story Starters. This activity gives students the opportunity to spin the wheel to come up with creative, and sometimes funny writing prompts. I think its a great idea to get the learning process started...get kids to start thinking and acting on what ideas they can write down or focus on.

Out of all of the websites, those two were the best that I found. I would not go so far as to say that I found any bad sites, but there were definitely a few that were not aesthetically pleasing to the eye, and there were those with broken links. When I started out I wanted to focus on sites with the .edu or .gov affiliations but I went with these two sites instead.

There is tremendous value in evaluating the websites you intend to use. You can potentially save yourself the frustration and possibly embarrassment by trying to identify the source of the information you obtain. Not every website creator has your best interest at heart, so its best to be proactive for your students as well as backing up the need for educators to try and stay as professional and accurate as possible.

Start with 'Little Things'

OMG! India.Aire makes music that stirs your soul...I promise you won't be disappointed. Every song is one that makes you 'feel' something...whether is appreciation for for who you are, or appreciation for those around you...there is something for everybody in her music...I promise:)

Little Things by India Aire

There's Hope by India Aire

Truth by India Aire

Don't be a goofy...keep moving!

I know you don't want my number, but you might wanna use it when your man f***s up!
Okay...I was @ a gas station in Joliet, IL...I was a little irritated because my son had to use the restroom no less than 5 minutes after I pulled off from the place where we were...anyway, this 'fuddy-duddy' looking guy tells me..." I see that you gotta ring on yo' finger, so I'm gonna give you my number when yo; man f***ks up...(I'm stunned right, cuz I wouldn't have given this 'bumbling idiot' my number if I was fat, single, and celibate! Lol...(no disrespect to anyone), anyway, so I tell this 'goof ball' (very nicely) that I can't accept his number, he proceeds to tell me that ...'your man is gonna take advantage of you, so when it doesn't work out...you'll have my number on the side'...( I almost wanna whip my son's pee-pee out so he can heat up this 'dumb-dumb's leg...just kidding..but he was holding me up)...ok, so by this time, I'm trying by best to be rude, but his force field is too strong, he doesn't get my rude behavior so I ultimately walk off....



3 minutes later....



I'm leaving the gas station bathroom and this 'lame-o' is still at it...he walks to his car, writes down his number, drives over to my car, and TOSSES IT IN! Can you say...INFLATED EGO! Lol...I thought I was shocked before, but nothing prepared me for that (if you are thinking was I scared...naw, I wasn't worried...had mace and a hammer...I was gonna wear the top of his big a** head out if he woulda tried something..for real) anyway...as he was preparing to drive off...he told me this...'oh, by the way, this is not my car I'm driving...my boy wanted to use my car...then he holds up his cell phone to show me a pic of 'his truck' with the OVERLY BIG rims that I was supposed to be impressed by...lol...



He had this look on his face like he just SCORED! I was confused...I sat back, locked my doors and started cracking up...his musta have bumped his head on the way or something....



I don't know...I lookin back, I'm trying to figure out...what kinda impression I gave this 'narsissistic-clown' to make him think that I showed any interest in him! LOL...

Africa, here I come

I've never been to Africa before, but it is definitely high on my list...it's also not the last on my list! I want to go for many reasons...one reason being, I'd like to go to Kenya or Tanzania to experience a safari (a safe one:)), I'd also to vist Mount Kilimanjaro while I'm there..(I think its in Tanzania too...lol), once in my lifetime, I'd like to be facing off with one of the grandest mountains in the world...BUT, I'm too chicken, and weak to climb it...lol.

A visit to Africa wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Pyramids of Giza! Seeing the pyramids..experiencing the mystery and wonder, is definitely one of my life long dreams!

Most importantly, I'd like to experience the people and the culture....,

Maybe one day, I'll get there...I hope so soon, one of my closest friends is from Senegal; I'm very excited about meeting her family one day!

Relaxing on a Sunday!

Sunday is usually the day when I tend to wind down...Friday is the end of the work week, so I'm usually trying to get into something with the family, so I've usually had enough by Saturday night, and I looking forward to a relaxing day on Sunday...

Follow my rules or get out!

It really no fun in a secrete fort, if you have too many rules...so follow these simple rules and we'll get along fine!

Before you enter my fort, take your shoes off, and keep your socks on!
Socks, or any type of foot covering is mandatory...I don't wanna see your feet...especially if your toes are jacked up...I have an exception with baby and toddlers feet, but once you reach 6...socks stay on!

No Grown-Folk Whiners, will be allowed entrance into the fort!
My fort is secret to get away from the constant, whining....'outrage','controversy' and other babbling bullcrap I hear everyday...so if you need to whine...do it on your time not mine.

NO Cheaters!
You ain't using my fort as a secret love nest...point blank...that's all I have to say about that:)

If you tinkle, please don't sprinkle!
Don't pee on my damn toliet! Clean that mess up if it happens ladies...WTF!

You said I did....but, I KNOW I DIDN'T!

It's so hard to apologize for something that I didn't do! I rather give up, "call the fight fixed" before I have to apologize for something that I don't feel I'm wrong about. That's the worst....



On the other hand, I'm a "self-proclaimed sucka" I don't like hurting people's feelings...even when I'm right. So, if someone decides to bawl thier eyes out for something that I've done or said I will apologize for hurting their feelings, but not for something I didn't do...



If that makes sense....

Hey Aliens...you might wanna bypass Englewood...

I don't know if this is really an idea, but it is a word of advice...I'd tell the group that'ts going back to their planet, to tell their other alien homies who are gonna come to stay away from the Southside of Chicago, particulary, Englewood neighborhood....it's just not safe for an alien (or police) these days!



Mankind is on the fritz!

'Grind House' was a scary movie

Bubbles, Bubbles Go Away!!!!

Those damn bubbles on the zombies faces...I'm creeped out thinking about it! I have this thing called TRYPOPHOBIA...its this fear (more like an irritation for me) of tiny cluster of holes or bubbles). Honeycombs, antholes, cracks in dirt...are only some of the things that drive me nuts!

This movie was unbearable for me to because of those damn bubbles! I can watch blood, gore, stabbings, slicing, guts and everything...but tiny holes and clusters ---give me the creeps!

A gift from Border's Books wouldn't be bad

I love to read....a good book is the perfect gift for me...I'm really Indecisive when it comes to telling someone what I want anyway....but a book no matter what the topic, will usually get some type of "read" out of me.

I wanna punch like, Laila Ali! Shoot like Candace Parker!

I would love to master the skill of boxing...I don't wanna necessarily get beat up in the ring, but I really want to become good at it on a professional level....I guess the only way to make that happen IS to get beat up in the ring, huh?



One day...I may get up the nerve to join a boxing club....



If I had another pick, I would like to master my basketball skills....I play, but definitely not at WNBA level....I'm outside in the backyard, shooting one-on-one good. I want skills....

I wish I still had my My Green Machine

My Green Machine
I'm passed grown now...but if I still had my Green Machine, I'd still be having fun doing spin outs! My mom tried to make me ride the little girly, white big wheel with the pink decals and the pink pom pons coming out of the handles...I wasn't going for that! I wanted to do spin outs with the boys....I rode that poor big wheel so hard that the plastic tires cracked and split...that was the end of that!



I tried to do some repair, but my skills as a repair "woman" never developed....lol

My Michael Jackson Doll
This is probably bad to say, but since his passing, I've thought a lot of the things related to him that I used to have....my doll had real white socks and a white glove...It was really cute...I didn't keep up with it though...I had buttons, not just the small ones...in my neighborhood if you had one of those big ones, you were really doing something...lol

It's false that money is the root of all evil

Sometimes...it is...take this for example, I live in Illinois, ya dig....wonderful place to live, right? Well, sometimes it is, anyway....I've seen a lot of things here, but just when I thought I've seen it all, some idiots go and does something so unfathomable that I'm left wondering what WOUDN'T people do for money....



I'm convinced there is nothing so sacred....



Not even cemeteraies...



Burr Oak cemetery, resting place of many legendary blues musicians, such as Willie Dixon, and Dinah Washington. It's also the resting place of Emmet Till, the 14 year old African American boy who was allegedly murdered for whistling at a white women....this is the incident that is said to have galvanized the Civil Rights Movement.



My grandmother who is 75 years old told me that at one point in time, this was the only cemetary that blacks where allowed to bury their loved ones in..."we" weren't allowed to be buried in other places...how sad...



Last week, this cemetary was brought into the spotlight because four of the cemetery workers were charged with desecrating graves! They were digging up, and dumping bodies...reselling the plots for profit...



Last time I checked, I believe I heard it was over 300 bodies that have been removed from their resting spots! Un-'effin' -believable!



To make the story even worse...I have four family members buried in this very cemetary....none of which have been located so far....



L.C. Fran, Aunt Lorraine, and Aunt Betsie, may you still rest in peace!



MONEY IS THE ROOT TO ALL EVIL....IF YOU'RE WILLING TO DO ANYTHING TO GET IT....

'Oh, hi, President Barack Obama. You free for dinner Wednesday?'

President Barack Obama
I would be honored to be graced with his presence...I would like to get a chance to get that 'vibe' from him...to feel him out to see if he is a geniuine as he appears to be...I wouldn't like to have him without his wife though. She is another very interestig person to me. I would like the opportunity to chit chat with them...on an informal level...while eating Harold's Chicken (Chi-Town)...I don't need the formalites because you can't read people that way....

Dr. Martin Luther King
I would like him at the dinner because I would want to experience his feelings on the United States first African American president, besides that for the same reason as President Obama, I would like to get a feel for what type of person is was...he can't come without Coretta either...I always look for what the wives experience personally with their husbands...she was very significant herself.

Oprah Winfrey
If I can 'pull' to get the great Oprah to come to dinner then, I'm the sh**! I'm interested in Oprah's mind....although I don't agree with everything she does or says, she is a very interesting person. She has the abliity to say things that makes people all over the world take notice! She can be very enlightening...and thoughtful....gracious and caring...and in my opinion, she can also be a little biased! But nonetheless, I would love to have her at my party...

She has to bring along these following friends of hers...Michael Jordan, Maya Angelou, Nelson Mandela, although he is not too historical...Dr. Oz...I got some stuff I need to discuss with him!

'Wetter' by Twista, is my FAVORITE summer jam!

Wetter by Twista

Warm weather...hot bodies...no need for explanation!

If this Isn't Love by Jennifer Hudson

Its feels good when your in love....whatever the weather.

Halo by Beyonce

Words just can't explain how much I love this song!!!!

The Potential Loss of a Loved One is worthy of tears

The agony of knowing that you may one day soon lose someone you love definitely deserves a good cry....my younger sister (30) was diagnosed with kidney cancer after she had the kidney removed for concerns of the possiblity of cancer forming. A biopsy was done and it was noted that it was cancerous...since the kidney was gone, we assumed that she was fine.



Well, a couple years later she found out that she was pregnant with her second child (which she had no idea that she was pregant) by going to have a check on how her body was doing...needless to say, the doctors said that she had tiny nodules on her lungs...after the birth, the the nodules became quarter sized...her cancer has spread from her kidney to her lungs and liver.



I was devastated because we are thick as thieves...I love my sister sooooo much and this news was like a hit in the gut...I literally cried for two weeks straight...then I gradually came out of it...I'm coping and I'm really glad I got it out....its helping me to be stronger for her and we decided to figure out how to live with the cancer instead of focusing of dying.