Awesome Weekend

I had such a great weekend with my parents and brother. I drove right after my class on Saturday, and caught rain the whole time! The charming rain clouds literally followed me all the way to Orlando... but I finally got there with my lovely mother waiting to greet me. She is always the most excited person whenever I arrive anywhere. I mean, there is no other person on this planet who is as excited as her when I walk through the door. I love her for that…second in line is my pops; especially lately. I got a big hug from him, and he waited for me to arrive (which took forever due to rain) for his first beer since he got off chemo and radiation. Man…that beer probably tasted like gold! My brother’s roommate made deep dish pizza, which was incredible I must say. It was just such a wonderful evening.  

Sunday, we went to church in the AM…and it was a really beautiful sermon. I hadn’t been to church in so long, but it was nice to finally go again. I have had a hard time accepting that my dad is sick, and so I think I finally made some kind of peace and I don’t think I’m as angry. Dad’s seemed to accept it, so I think it is high time I do too. After that, we visited my brother’s new sailboat! Which by the way I am veery jealous of. I am though, very very happy for him. He’s dreamed of sailing for too long, and now he gets to.

On Sunday night, we had burgers and many many rum and cokes. Maybe too many, because I got the eye from dad when I went to make another, so I went to get water instead. There was a really big storm that hit…and I mean really big! The wind was ridiculous; I thought a tornado was passing through. I didn’t get to bed too late though, because this morning I was up bright and early ready to head home. It’s always sad when I leave mom and dad, but I know I’ll see them in two weeks when we go to Texas to meet with Dr. Conrad once again. That’s when we really know how well pops is doing. Until then…keeping my fingers crossed.

A wise man once said...

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

- Mark Twain

A CEO asks a teacher: What do you make?

My teacher read this to me in class, and I found it brilliant. Thought I'd share: Enjoy!

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education.

He argued, "What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers, "Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach."

To emphasize his point he said to another guest; "You’re a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?" Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make?" She paused for a second, then began.

"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor."

"I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can"t make them sit for five minutes without an iPod, Game Cube or movie rental." She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table, and continued, "You want to know what I make?"

"I make kids wonder."

"I make them question."

"I make them apologize and mean it."

"I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions."

"I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn’t everything."

"I make them read, read, read."

"I make them show all their work in math. They use their God-given brain, not the man-made calculator."

"I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity."

"I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe."

"I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, one nation under God, because we live in the United States of America."

"I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life."

Pausing one last time, Bonnie continued, "Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn’t everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant. You want to know what I make?"

"I make a difference."

"What do you make, Mr. CEO?"

- Daily Kos