Another Artistic Expression I Could Never Do...

My friend sent me the story of "Brown Dress" by Alex Martin; she made a brown dress and wore it for an entire year as a commentary on consummerism. It got me thinking, though I have to admit. My first reaction was that I was kind of grossed out. I mean, one dress, one year? Seriously, my clothes tend to reflect my mood and one brown dress wouldn't cut it. I'm also thinking- the gym (gross!), weddings (yikes!), dates (probably wouldn't be getting any in the brown dress). However, the more I thought about it the more I remembered the following:
1. The first 18 years of my life were spent in a uniform- grade school was a hunter green and navy plaid skirt and high school was a navy skirt. I actually liked/didn't mind my uniform. It represented my faith and my school (I always pretty much liked school).
2. I tend to own the same things in different colors. If I like something and it fits (sometimes a problem for petites) I will buy it in different colors.
3. Even when I buy different things, they tend to look like things I already own. I have a zillion white basic fitted T's, khaki pants, and anything black.
Who am I kidding, though? It would be very, very hard for me to wear the same brown dress to everything!
Anyway, I thought it was interesting, because I'd never think to conduct this type of experiment.
Here's the full article:
http://littlebrowndress.com/brown%20dress%20archive%20home.htm

To Royal Jordanian or not

Ok, so we've settled on where we are going to travel this summer. Now, the debate is what airline to take. We are working on a pro's and con's list.
Pros for RJ
$300 cheaper
direct flight from Chicago

Cons for RJ
doesn't look like we can pick our seats
when we asked a Jordanian about it-"noisy, lots of kids, person sitting next to you will ask a zillion questions why you are going to Jordan"

Pros for American Airlines
can pick our seats
maybe a more comfortable option
I fully admit this is a "teeny little pro" but they stop over in London and my all time favorite accessories store is in London (Accessorize) and they have one at the Heathrow Airport

Cons for American Airlines
more expensive
indirect flight (sometimes you just want to get somewhere)
maybe not as culturally enriching as RJ, besides I put up with (and enjoy) 50 teenagers everyday, what's 13 hours with a bunch a kids?:)

Suggestions?

Dog/Cat food warning

I will never again feel guilty for buying Solid Gold Brand holistic dog food for $9.00 a bag.

http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/rat-poison-found-in-recalled-pet-food/20070323113009990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

I don't believe in the lawsuit driven society that often exists here in the US, but I think that if Lucy had died b/c of rat poison in her dog food, I'd be awfully tempted to sue.

Last Day Before Break- Give Me a Break

Ok, so we all know that teachers are not among the highest paid workers in America. Our jobs, however, do have some perks that money can't buy. The smiles of the kids, the way their faces light up when they learn something new, spring break.
Yes, remember spring break? The excitement, the better weather, and sometimes the vacations. That was spring break as a student.
Allow me to give you spring break as a teacher. Students, who otherwise speak in normal tones, shout no matter what they need to say. Energy comes bounding out their ears (really, you can feel it if you stand close to them). Giggles for no reason, escape from the mouths (when not shouting). No one can sit still, no one. Tap, tap, tap... What's that? Oh, that's the 10 kids tapping their pencils, or hands, or feet, or whatever else my angels get their hands on. Don't even get me started on the pen clicking... Not even the little Saint of my class can keep still.

Of course, this applies only to the students that are here. Many parents pull their kids out a day or two early to head South. Which, in turn, makes things hard on me, because this is an unexcused absence and any work done on these two days is a zero. So, even the kids who aren't here stress me!
Add to that the fact that we have already had an 'off' schedule this week for Junior Achievement. Thank goodness, our Kindergarten teacher's husband is volunteering for my grade. I think we would have scared off anyone else. Also, as if that weren't enough, Wednesday we had a soldier who is a nurse in Iraq come in to talk to my class(she is a member of our parish), followed by Stations of the Cross. Thursday we had 5 students out for the Regional Science Fair. We've also had the flu going around and had numerous kids out sick. Did I mention that report cards go out today? And (that's right- there's more) we had a huge storm last night and the ceiling of my classroom is leaking....
Spring Break- is it really worth it? I'm not sure, but I do know that I deserve it:)

Humility

When I entered the "real world" and got my first job, I realized that grown ups spend a great deal of time commuting. After about a year of a 25 minute each way commute, I grew tired of this "wasted" time. I began listening to books on CD. Then, about a year ago, I found some language CDs at the library. I checked out the Arabic CDs and my quest to learn Arabic began. I started as a surprise for someone, but I quickly realized that the nerdy side of me really enjoyed learning a new language. Basically, the speaker asks you how to say something and you say it or repeat after he/she says it. I'm hoping to grasp enough to speak some Arabic when we go to Jordan this summer.
What was unexpected, though, is that this has taught me not only a language, but humility. You see, I'm an English teacher. I have always loved grammar, reading, writing, and spelling. Yes, that's right, I love grammar. I'm not used to being wrong when it comes to English. However, I'm so wrong when I speak Arabic! It kills me that I might be speaking incorrect grammar, something that was taboo in my house. My Granny always corrected incorrect grammar, as did my mother, as now do I. Arabic has taught me to suck it up and do my best. My goal has changed from speaking perfectly, to being understood, and it has been humbling. It's funny how life's little lessons sneak into everyday activities.

Prejudice

What is it anyway? For whatever reason, this is something that I've been thinking frequently about lately.
I know that I am blessed to have grown up in the family that I have, as far as prejudice is concerned.
My grandparents are French (well, my Granny is Belgian but French Belgian- Walloonian). In fact, my Grandmother didn't even speak English until she went to Kindergarten. My grandfather's family is from Alsache, which through the years has been in Germany and France. My Granny's family, specifically, was very open-minded. They were, according to Granny, appalled at the racisim that existed in America when they moved here in the 20's. It would make sense; there are two national languages in Belgium, so they must be used to getting along w/those different from them. Whatever the reason, I was raised that all races are equal, each race and culture have people that are commendable and those that are not. I also know that all cutlures have their pros and cons. The trick is to look for the pros. If you look for the negative in something- you'll always find it.
One of the things that bothers me is when I hear people say, "Well, I don't have a problem with _______ (insert race or culture), but I wouldn't want my kid to marry one." Well, then you do have a problem with them, at least on some level. What is the person like? Are they kind and generous? Do they have the same expectations of marriage that your child does? How will they treat your child? Those are the real questions that should be asked. And for many, are they the same religion? Many faiths, including my own, support marriage of someone from the same faith (for Christians- we are not to be unequally yoked). But, to exclude someone solely based on their color or country of origin is prejudice.
I think we all have some presumed ideas about different races and cultures, but we really must try to learn as much as we can about each culture, and keep an open mind as well. One thing I like about where I work is that every afternoon, after prayer, we say, "Remember to give an honest effort and to keep an open mind."

Traveling nieces...

Last weekend, my baby niece came up to stay (ok, so she's not exactly a baby- she's four). This was her first visit by herself. It always amazes me how different my nieces are. The oldest is 16 and way too cool for family. She has her license and zooms here, there, and everywhere. Then there is the 10 year-old, Olive Oil (she's written a post before) who is practically inseperable from me. However, Baby Olive Oil, has always been a home-body. She begins Kindergarten next year, and now she's decided she's old enough to spend the weekend in "Emilyinapolis" (aka, Indianapolis).
She packed a week in advance and carried her suitcase all through the house with her! The good news is that she made it the entire weekend (she wasn't sure because she thought she might miss her mom too much). We had a "slumber party" Saturday night. I let her eat chocolate chip cookies and popcorn for dinner and we watched "Hannah Montana". Then, she put in her Hannah Montana CD and we danced the night away. I discovered that I can no longer eat junk and bounce around for longer than 15 minutes at a time- I'm too old and feel nauseous. We had a great time. During our dance marathon, Baby Olive Oil turned to me and said, "I'll bet we're the last people still awake at your apartment!!" I looked at the clock- it was 7:44! I didn't have the heart to tell her that probably most people were still eating dinner:) Poor thing, she inherited our early to bed syndrome. On Sunday, we met my mom, sister, Olive Oil, and Granny half way between our hometown and Indy to go shopping. As I was driving back to Indy Sunday night, I was so thankful that I can enjoy the alone time with my nieces. These are really the memories that can't be bought.
And not to be outdone, Olive Oil is on her way up here for the weekend as I type this!