The following represents an incomplete thought, that I will edit a bit later to fish out what it is I want to say about it:
Driving to Thanksgiving dinner at my parents this evening, I was following a vehicle that had a blue bumper sticker that used pictures representing different religions and genders to spell out the word Coexist. I have seen the bumper sticker before, and remember thinking, "The owner/driver of that car might be a head-in-the-clouds optimist thinking that there can actually be world peace.
Today when I saw the bumper sticker, I immediately thought the same thing, but then quickly reminded myself about the optimist part. Haven't I proclaimed myself an optimist when it comes to education and other things of national import? So how can I stand in such judgement of this type of sentiment?
Since the light was red, I had a chance to look carefully at the bumper sticker to notice the detail. My previous judgement of its having been about world peace may or may not be accurate. I saw what appeared to be a Jewish Star of David, a Christian cross, the Chinese symbol of yin and yang, the peace sign, and the male and female symbols. Without assuming I know it's true meaning, I attached the following meaning:
Coexisting means being able to respectfully (perhaps peacefully) be side by side with others of opposing schemas, opinions, beliefs and aspirations. I do not believe this can happen in the world. I barely believe it can happen here in the United States, but I believe it MUST.
The United States teeters on the cusp of uncharted territory as a rebublic. We are a people of more diversity than any other country I'm aware of. We have, for so long, used words to welcome immigrants and slaves to a country dominated by a "ruling class" based in European ideals. As we continue to diversify, will we be able to change according to what's best for ALL people of this country? Or will the variances be diametrically opposed? Interesting question for which I don't know the answer. I find myself thinking about it more and more? What will we look like as a country in 10 years?
I see many of the "ruling class" support such things as vouchers for education, knowing fully that this will resegregate our country and put us back many, many years. Is this really where we want to go? The power base in the country will shift. Will we all be able to coexist peacefully here? How will we coexist is what I want to know. To say we should isn't enough. We must start thinking about how it will be accomplished successfully!
Showing posts with label reflection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reflection. Show all posts
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
2008 Meinvent, Day 5
Today, I hang my head in shame--metaphorically speaking. Yesterday, I hit a brick wall. The day started well by breaking my fast with the current AP at the school where I'll be going next year, then dropping off boxes of my books that I will have in my office (both items satisfying growth toward completing my goals.)
After that, things went downhill rapidly. I went to one of my tenant's apartments knowing I could not do one of the tasks required, by myself. Once I got there, I made a list of everything that I needed to complete in her apartment this summer--so far, so good. Then, I went outside to call dad to see if he'd come help me put in the air conditioner. Rosie offered me an ice-cold Coke, and I sat and socialized with her for far longer than I should have. Dad came, we did the AC in pretty good time, but then as we did a walk-around (I wanted to see if the storm from the other day ripped off my vent fan cover from the south roof--it did) I knew my day had been captured by the ever-loving "something else."
Dad and I made a fruitless trip to Lowe's and Menard's--seriously, does NO ONE sell replacement covers? One man actually said, "I've never heard of that, it might be time to buy a whole new unit." I'm thinking, "not on my $100 + bill, pal." I shook my head as we left. This smug capitalist thinks I have couches stuffed with money. Doesn't he know what the price of gas is? He certainly doesn't know how much I spend in gas a month. Shhh, I'm not proud of the lack of "green-ness" in what I spend per month.
Anyway, after being unsuccessful at two of my favorite places to shop--barring smug, bearded salesman, who are graying (ha ha)--my dad and I are actually hungry, and he takes me to Richard's. My dad, who is turning 79 (or is it only 78?) in 14 days, who just helped me shlep an AC up a flight of stairs and into a chest-high window, mind you, would not let me buy him lunch. I better get him an awesome-butt Father's Day present. He's picked his art back up, so this year shopping for him will be easy!!
After a pleasant lunch (but if you're counting, that's two meals out today, not so good on the eating healthier goal--never mind what I ate...) dad drops me back to the Quad and I proceed to call around about getting the roof vent fixed. I leave messages and am assured someone will call me back. Yeah, right. No one wants or probably has time for such a small-fry job. I'm still waiting for someone to call back (I guess it is only 6-something in the morning, I'll keep my patience in check.)
In the meantime, though, my plans for painting Sarah's apartment are put on hold as I scurry around trying to figure out how the hell I'm going to temporarily cover the 14 inch opening in my roof. It is supposed to rain late tonight or tomorrow and I am afraid of water--not to swim in it, drink it, or otherwise enjoy it. I'm afraid of the damage it can cause...long story (stories, if you want to know the truth) for another time. Being that it is now today, it is raining as promised.
After making the phone calls to roofers, and trying to secure the use of my loaned-out extension ladder (which included several I'm-trying-to-track-down Kyle calls), I returned to my actual goal-seeking behavior--painting! I started in the blue room, and realized that it's unwise for me to continue using $25/gallon paint on a room I'm going to have to paint twice anyway (I'll buy cheaper primer for that coat, but I'm NOT going back to Lowe's today!) So I started cutting-in in the hallway, and then decided since I haven't heard anything about my ladder, I better get the hubby in the mix. He's none-too-pleased about the prospect of having to find McGyver-style stuff at work to help me with my hare-brained plan, but dutifully helps.
After painting some more, up pulls Bill on his Fat-Boy, and I'm laying in wait for what I know he's going to be even less pleased to hear--that I have not yet secured the ladder. Thankfully, Bill is more clever than I when it comes to mechanical things (I'm not a complete yutz when it comes to these things, but....he's better.) He figures out that we can remove a pin from the loft skylight, and crawl out with the ladder I do have...great trick to know. I don't ever have to have another near-panic attack about my fat arse falling off the ladder while going from the second-story roof to the top roof. Whew!!! Wish I had known that a couple months ago...and furthermore, hopefully my arse won't be as fat if I attend properly to my goals.
Well, let's just say the patching of the gaping roof hole went better than expected given the additional items Bill brought--so, putting heads together really is a good thing. Bill left as he saw clouds and feared getting caught in the rain on his bike (not the end of the world, but if you can avoid it, why not?) He made the fateful mistake of saying, "take your time" in relation to my intent to go downstairs and chat with my buddy Gerrie (who is also my Property Manager, and keeps things off my plate as oft as possible.)
To make the story a bit less cumbersome, let's just say Gerrie and I talked for a while, and then went to DQ for dinner and a little bit of ice cream--o.k., a Peanut Buster Parfait is not a little bit. Boy did it go down nicely, though. Gerrie didn't have ice cream, she was being good.
By the time I got home at 8:45 p.m. I was defeated. I figured Bill was going to be upset with me because I lingered longer than I expected, and my day was less fruitful than I desired. He was fine, but said he was a little worried. After laying on the floor for an hour or so (sweaty, tired, and utterly disappointed in myself) I went upstairs to check e-mail. I read and purged a bunch of personal e-mails, and professional e-mails, but did not blog, as you may or may not have noticed.
So, let's recap a bit. Here's what went well yesterday: minimal painting; AC in; purging e-mail; and socializing with Rosie and Gerrie. Here's what didn't go well: unplanned time spent on roof-vent fiasco (seeing people flooded in Idaho and Illinois keeps the logical part of my head in perspective, mind you); 3 meals out--unhealthy; no blogging; no 30 minutes of exercise. Not a complete bust, but certainly not up to my standard.
It wasn't until later, after I went to bed at midnight, tossing and turning MOST of the night, that I realized, I have one MAJOR thing missing on my list of goals: To walk closer to God. Perhaps if I would put that first, and give my first fruits of the day to Him (instead of blogging, I caught the irony), I would be more focused. That wouldn't keep the unexpected from happening, but I notice any time I'm trying to metaphorically "drive," I'm usually humbled. Maybe the roof vent was supposed to remind me that I need to move over. For any unbelievers reading this, don't worry, I'm not crazy, I'll pray that you can know the peace that comes with such a decision. Whenever I "move over" things go smoother.
It's kind of like the whole Administration thing. I kept swimming against the stream (in this case the stream was going into administration). I did NOT want anything to do with administration (never mind that I had been president of this and that in college and beyond.) The more I swam upstream, the more difficult things became. It wasn't until part way through my Master's Degree (yes, for administration...there's a story there, though) that I realized Administration is my lot in life. Again, for any non-believers, don't tune out just yet. I'm happy to be pursuing it now, even more so, because I truly believe it is God's desire to have me be a servant in this capacity. And for anyone paying attention, he knows I use the word hell above (I thought about deleting it, but it is a well placed word for which none can take it's place and have the same verve.)
On that note...the rain has died down. I've been blogging for an hour (and three minutes), and need to get back on the program. Today is a new day, and I think I'll make time to read a bit of the Word before I get to work. Peace Out!!
After that, things went downhill rapidly. I went to one of my tenant's apartments knowing I could not do one of the tasks required, by myself. Once I got there, I made a list of everything that I needed to complete in her apartment this summer--so far, so good. Then, I went outside to call dad to see if he'd come help me put in the air conditioner. Rosie offered me an ice-cold Coke, and I sat and socialized with her for far longer than I should have. Dad came, we did the AC in pretty good time, but then as we did a walk-around (I wanted to see if the storm from the other day ripped off my vent fan cover from the south roof--it did) I knew my day had been captured by the ever-loving "something else."
Dad and I made a fruitless trip to Lowe's and Menard's--seriously, does NO ONE sell replacement covers? One man actually said, "I've never heard of that, it might be time to buy a whole new unit." I'm thinking, "not on my $100 + bill, pal." I shook my head as we left. This smug capitalist thinks I have couches stuffed with money. Doesn't he know what the price of gas is? He certainly doesn't know how much I spend in gas a month. Shhh, I'm not proud of the lack of "green-ness" in what I spend per month.
Anyway, after being unsuccessful at two of my favorite places to shop--barring smug, bearded salesman, who are graying (ha ha)--my dad and I are actually hungry, and he takes me to Richard's. My dad, who is turning 79 (or is it only 78?) in 14 days, who just helped me shlep an AC up a flight of stairs and into a chest-high window, mind you, would not let me buy him lunch. I better get him an awesome-butt Father's Day present. He's picked his art back up, so this year shopping for him will be easy!!
After a pleasant lunch (but if you're counting, that's two meals out today, not so good on the eating healthier goal--never mind what I ate...) dad drops me back to the Quad and I proceed to call around about getting the roof vent fixed. I leave messages and am assured someone will call me back. Yeah, right. No one wants or probably has time for such a small-fry job. I'm still waiting for someone to call back (I guess it is only 6-something in the morning, I'll keep my patience in check.)
In the meantime, though, my plans for painting Sarah's apartment are put on hold as I scurry around trying to figure out how the hell I'm going to temporarily cover the 14 inch opening in my roof. It is supposed to rain late tonight or tomorrow and I am afraid of water--not to swim in it, drink it, or otherwise enjoy it. I'm afraid of the damage it can cause...long story (stories, if you want to know the truth) for another time. Being that it is now today, it is raining as promised.
After making the phone calls to roofers, and trying to secure the use of my loaned-out extension ladder (which included several I'm-trying-to-track-down Kyle calls), I returned to my actual goal-seeking behavior--painting! I started in the blue room, and realized that it's unwise for me to continue using $25/gallon paint on a room I'm going to have to paint twice anyway (I'll buy cheaper primer for that coat, but I'm NOT going back to Lowe's today!) So I started cutting-in in the hallway, and then decided since I haven't heard anything about my ladder, I better get the hubby in the mix. He's none-too-pleased about the prospect of having to find McGyver-style stuff at work to help me with my hare-brained plan, but dutifully helps.
After painting some more, up pulls Bill on his Fat-Boy, and I'm laying in wait for what I know he's going to be even less pleased to hear--that I have not yet secured the ladder. Thankfully, Bill is more clever than I when it comes to mechanical things (I'm not a complete yutz when it comes to these things, but....he's better.) He figures out that we can remove a pin from the loft skylight, and crawl out with the ladder I do have...great trick to know. I don't ever have to have another near-panic attack about my fat arse falling off the ladder while going from the second-story roof to the top roof. Whew!!! Wish I had known that a couple months ago...and furthermore, hopefully my arse won't be as fat if I attend properly to my goals.
Well, let's just say the patching of the gaping roof hole went better than expected given the additional items Bill brought--so, putting heads together really is a good thing. Bill left as he saw clouds and feared getting caught in the rain on his bike (not the end of the world, but if you can avoid it, why not?) He made the fateful mistake of saying, "take your time" in relation to my intent to go downstairs and chat with my buddy Gerrie (who is also my Property Manager, and keeps things off my plate as oft as possible.)
To make the story a bit less cumbersome, let's just say Gerrie and I talked for a while, and then went to DQ for dinner and a little bit of ice cream--o.k., a Peanut Buster Parfait is not a little bit. Boy did it go down nicely, though. Gerrie didn't have ice cream, she was being good.
By the time I got home at 8:45 p.m. I was defeated. I figured Bill was going to be upset with me because I lingered longer than I expected, and my day was less fruitful than I desired. He was fine, but said he was a little worried. After laying on the floor for an hour or so (sweaty, tired, and utterly disappointed in myself) I went upstairs to check e-mail. I read and purged a bunch of personal e-mails, and professional e-mails, but did not blog, as you may or may not have noticed.
So, let's recap a bit. Here's what went well yesterday: minimal painting; AC in; purging e-mail; and socializing with Rosie and Gerrie. Here's what didn't go well: unplanned time spent on roof-vent fiasco (seeing people flooded in Idaho and Illinois keeps the logical part of my head in perspective, mind you); 3 meals out--unhealthy; no blogging; no 30 minutes of exercise. Not a complete bust, but certainly not up to my standard.
It wasn't until later, after I went to bed at midnight, tossing and turning MOST of the night, that I realized, I have one MAJOR thing missing on my list of goals: To walk closer to God. Perhaps if I would put that first, and give my first fruits of the day to Him (instead of blogging, I caught the irony), I would be more focused. That wouldn't keep the unexpected from happening, but I notice any time I'm trying to metaphorically "drive," I'm usually humbled. Maybe the roof vent was supposed to remind me that I need to move over. For any unbelievers reading this, don't worry, I'm not crazy, I'll pray that you can know the peace that comes with such a decision. Whenever I "move over" things go smoother.
It's kind of like the whole Administration thing. I kept swimming against the stream (in this case the stream was going into administration). I did NOT want anything to do with administration (never mind that I had been president of this and that in college and beyond.) The more I swam upstream, the more difficult things became. It wasn't until part way through my Master's Degree (yes, for administration...there's a story there, though) that I realized Administration is my lot in life. Again, for any non-believers, don't tune out just yet. I'm happy to be pursuing it now, even more so, because I truly believe it is God's desire to have me be a servant in this capacity. And for anyone paying attention, he knows I use the word hell above (I thought about deleting it, but it is a well placed word for which none can take it's place and have the same verve.)
On that note...the rain has died down. I've been blogging for an hour (and three minutes), and need to get back on the program. Today is a new day, and I think I'll make time to read a bit of the Word before I get to work. Peace Out!!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Money Pit II (aka "The Flip") Revisited
The trucks barrel outside our hotel room window, as the sun is making its way down the other end of the freeway. It's cold, but I'm free.
I'd like to say that I came to Erie, Pennsylvania with my husband, to bask in the glory of our second year of marriage; to provide him the companionship he might have missed on this business trip, or to add yet another city to the list of places I've explored. If I admitted to any of those, I'd be stretching the truth. Though, I do love my husband and enjoy keeping him company, the fact of the matter is, if I'm here with him, I'm not in Ft. Wayne having to deal with the flip. It's priceless.
I would hate for anyone to get the wrong idea, but let's face it...my friends, and equally importantly my superiors are getting sick of hearing about this house. As gorgeous as it turned out, we still have to sell the thing, which means buying the legal paperwork, putting a sign out into the yard and constantly worrying that someone will pick now to break into it. We're on the home stretch here....but I want it sold NOW. The secretary at the school where I'm currently working assures me that the right buyer is just waiting for it. I hope she's right, but here are some things I've learned through the whole two-year-and-I'm-not-telling-how-many-months project:
1. Don't wish "they'd just put a sign out front and sell the darn thing."
2. If they do put a sign out selling the darn thing DON'T BUY IT!!
3. Plan ahead. If you even think you'll be putting yourself through a masters or getting married, reconsider.
4. Don't underestimate the work it takes
5. Don't underestimate the financial faux pas's that will occur along the way
6. Do learn as much as you can about your "partner in crime," like what he likes and is capable of doing...this will come in handy later.
7. When in doubt, ask for help from as many capable others as possible.
8. Do your homework early on.
9. Be nice to the people at Neighborhood Code Enforcement
10. Fix any outdoor atrocities first as your neighbors will appreciate (and support you) for it.
I've been asked if I will ever do this again. Well, that's a loaded question. I would absolutely do it again if I didn't have such a demanding job that I loved so much, and if my husband didn't care if I took on the responsibility myself (versus encumbering him...good planning on my part, heh heh.) The demolition can't be beat...and I love painting, and making it pretty, so all the rest can be hired out.
But for now, I am excused from my responsibilities there, so that I can catch up on other things that I'd like to continue to keep up on here.
I'd like to say that I came to Erie, Pennsylvania with my husband, to bask in the glory of our second year of marriage; to provide him the companionship he might have missed on this business trip, or to add yet another city to the list of places I've explored. If I admitted to any of those, I'd be stretching the truth. Though, I do love my husband and enjoy keeping him company, the fact of the matter is, if I'm here with him, I'm not in Ft. Wayne having to deal with the flip. It's priceless.
I would hate for anyone to get the wrong idea, but let's face it...my friends, and equally importantly my superiors are getting sick of hearing about this house. As gorgeous as it turned out, we still have to sell the thing, which means buying the legal paperwork, putting a sign out into the yard and constantly worrying that someone will pick now to break into it. We're on the home stretch here....but I want it sold NOW. The secretary at the school where I'm currently working assures me that the right buyer is just waiting for it. I hope she's right, but here are some things I've learned through the whole two-year-and-I'm-not-telling-how-many-months project:
1. Don't wish "they'd just put a sign out front and sell the darn thing."
2. If they do put a sign out selling the darn thing DON'T BUY IT!!
3. Plan ahead. If you even think you'll be putting yourself through a masters or getting married, reconsider.
4. Don't underestimate the work it takes
5. Don't underestimate the financial faux pas's that will occur along the way
6. Do learn as much as you can about your "partner in crime," like what he likes and is capable of doing...this will come in handy later.
7. When in doubt, ask for help from as many capable others as possible.
8. Do your homework early on.
9. Be nice to the people at Neighborhood Code Enforcement
10. Fix any outdoor atrocities first as your neighbors will appreciate (and support you) for it.
I've been asked if I will ever do this again. Well, that's a loaded question. I would absolutely do it again if I didn't have such a demanding job that I loved so much, and if my husband didn't care if I took on the responsibility myself (versus encumbering him...good planning on my part, heh heh.) The demolition can't be beat...and I love painting, and making it pretty, so all the rest can be hired out.
But for now, I am excused from my responsibilities there, so that I can catch up on other things that I'd like to continue to keep up on here.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Curriculum Matters
Ahhhhhh.....basking in the glory of a day learning and helping others learn. Is there anything better? After 3 presentations at the Appleseed Writing Project's 2nd annual conference, I'm exhausted, yet exhilarated. As I reflect on the day, and my eyelids begin to droop, I can sleep soundly knowing that my dichotomies have afforded me this peace.
As I was driving home from work a couple of weeks ago, I was reflecting (as I often do during my 50 minute drive) on the sheer opposite I married into. I don't mean that Bill and I are total opposites (although an engineer's thinking is very different than a teacher's thinking.) I mean, I am currently working in an urban district with a diverse population and I drive home to a milk-toast, country living down a .6 mile gravel road across a "rickety" (yes, there's a story there) bridge to a couple of acres and a cat named Scooty (who is presently meowing outside).
Some of the folks in this neck don't make it to the "big city" often enough and might not know what to think about the stories I have to tell...so I don't tell them though I'm seeping at the seams.
This is not the only dichotomy. Today after being "professional" all day, then having a great dinner with my hubby and my parents, I went to a house that Bill and I have been working on and helped him with some plumbing. We left there at 10:30, after testing everything, draining it, and being unable to clean the "flux" out from under my fingernails.
Why do these dichotomies really exist? What am I supposed to be learning? Or do I just need the polar opposites to keep myself somewhere in middle? I'm not sure what the answer to these questions is, but I do know that it's 12:26, Scooty's still meowing 'cause he wants some love, and my tea is now luke-warm in front of me...
I'll ponder the meaning of it all when I'm more coherent.
As I was driving home from work a couple of weeks ago, I was reflecting (as I often do during my 50 minute drive) on the sheer opposite I married into. I don't mean that Bill and I are total opposites (although an engineer's thinking is very different than a teacher's thinking.) I mean, I am currently working in an urban district with a diverse population and I drive home to a milk-toast, country living down a .6 mile gravel road across a "rickety" (yes, there's a story there) bridge to a couple of acres and a cat named Scooty (who is presently meowing outside).
Some of the folks in this neck don't make it to the "big city" often enough and might not know what to think about the stories I have to tell...so I don't tell them though I'm seeping at the seams.
This is not the only dichotomy. Today after being "professional" all day, then having a great dinner with my hubby and my parents, I went to a house that Bill and I have been working on and helped him with some plumbing. We left there at 10:30, after testing everything, draining it, and being unable to clean the "flux" out from under my fingernails.
Why do these dichotomies really exist? What am I supposed to be learning? Or do I just need the polar opposites to keep myself somewhere in middle? I'm not sure what the answer to these questions is, but I do know that it's 12:26, Scooty's still meowing 'cause he wants some love, and my tea is now luke-warm in front of me...
I'll ponder the meaning of it all when I'm more coherent.
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