A Surprise Birthday Gift, Gallbladder Surgery and the Will of God and What They All Have in Common

A very good friend moved out to North Carolina a few years ago and was none too happy – she knew no one, but of course, her husband and children. Sadly, she hadn’t connected with anyone in the short time that she lived there, so she was lonely for friendship.

(Aside) A wise pastor told me, not to expect my husband to be my all and all. A spouse, no matter how wonderful can’t be everything that the other has need of – that would be exhausting – not to mention impossible.

So what did this husband do when he saw the downcast state of his beloved? He assessed the situation and determined to surprise his wife with a little bit of friendship for her birthday. He brought me a round trip plane ticket so that I might come out for a visit. No, he didn’t buy his wife a ticket, she would have come up with 100 and 1 reasons why she couldn’t leave home for something as frivolous as a trip to someplace familiar... So SURPRISE!

Out of the car in NC

I went... but I don't travel, at least, I don't like to travel. I don't like staying away from my home, a.k.a. my own bed. I am not a fan of flying, (I'm over fifty and I've flown only five times)... But I went... My friend and I had a great time, just hanging out... 

 

 I got back HOME...sweet home - be it ever so humble... just in time for surgery the next day... But doctor that's not how the doctor on the Youtube video did the surgery...

I just want to go home... It's so allusive...

I was so groggy after the surgery. I was not in my right mind, but I knew I was HOME. There was my pillow... where I could lay me down to rest...

Less than a week God spoke to another friend. Get thee to Toronto. Take Nina!

The Castle Loma

But Lord, I don't travel! You know that!... 

Not my will, but Thine. What am I supposed to see... How far away home is... To make my heart yearn for that which I took for granted... 

This time six days nearly 600 pictures...

Back at work... The new guy ask, "So what was your favorite trip?"

I thought for a few seconds...

'My trip home!'

It always felt so good to come back home. And now with a week of

Sky - foretaste

teaching completed; every night feels simply wonderful... To come home, (even with grading or presentations to get together). Admittedly so; home sometimes is mod podge of eclectic collected stuff, (actually a lot less - hubby got a dumpster while I was NC), but still that which is familiar. The drive home often doesn't seem as stress-filled as the drive to school because I'm going home!

It's not that home is so big, or fancy/special - it's what it represents to me - a place where I am loved, safe, forgiven, valued. My heart truly yearns for my "real" Home... Home with my Heavenly Father/God...

I've enjoyed visiting and going to all the  new place. I have over 600 pictures to share, but HOME is indeed the best.

Does your heart yearn for HOME? I hope it does - there's no place like it..

Time Brings About a Change...

My mom often said  little "Proverbial mom-isms".

"Time brings about a change".

What does this mean? (A good question from the catechism).

Answer: Simple! Things change with time.

Riding in Oak Park in my 4th July Tee. The police followed a bit.

This blog was originally created as a requirement for my EDU560 class from Dominican University. (Great class, by the way). As stated in a previous post, now that the class is complete... I simply
couldn't let it die... So, it's original intent has changed with time :-)

We travel back to Batavia, IL, our home of nearly 15 years; for fireworks every Fourth of July, (the best). We anticipate over-eating from the concession stands, (we must have kettle-corn from that giant black cauldron). We buy over-priced glow-sticks to wave and dance about as children work themselves into a frenzy - getting excited as the fireflies come out. We listen to music so carefully orchestrated to match each kaboom! (Off this year). We "oo and ah" with each flashing spectacle of color-filled lights - commemorating our nations birth.

Does anyone remember how old she is? 

Batavia, IL fireworks - the BEST!

Does anybody remember exactly why we celebrate? Or has it become just another day to gather among friends and family around the open pit of fire to offer the sacrificial meat, share a brew or two and throw the sacred disk through the air... Only to gather at night in an open park, laying down on plaid fleece blankets, (after spraying bug repellent everywhere) - looking up into the darken sky to see the 'flashing spectacle of color-filled lights' - across the night sky...

Just change the setting and it could be Christmas or Easter or even Thanksgiving... 

I'm not saying any of this is wrong. Let me be the first to say I think it's great that we gather with friends and family to share meals and good times, (we should do this every week or so), but; because we gather on a specific day, does any one stop to ponder the why. Surely, we don't need a reason to gather with friends and family - which is kind of my point. It doesn't seem like we have a reason anymore...

Before the start of the fireworks show, you hear the garbled voice of the announcer for everyone to stand for the national anthem... The majority of people stand, but not everyone. Men and boys no longer remove their caps, but worse, many people don't sing the anthem. Many people simply stand and continue their conversations as children continue their play with the glow-sticks. It's like we have been conditioned to stand, because this is what we must do to start the fireworks, but; respect, remembering, being reverent ... Nope, not necessary.

I pondered how much has changed with our nation, just this year...

Core values... Long gone. The core was the family, but the family has left the building with Elvis.

Moral code - Really!?! Ethics - determined more by the media than what we inherently know to be true and right - we lay down and play dead to those who have no right making such determinations - we are subjugated. Of course, the, to whom is a very BIG question.

Shared common belief - Remember, "...One nation under God...". Are we a nation? Are we under God any more? What does this mean? (I love this question). That would mean, we submit to God - but no one seems to concur on this topic. Yes, I have a definite opinion, but this post is simply for sharing questions for you to chew on - that's what it means to ponder - to chew upon like jerky or rawhide, (this is my definition - not Webster's).

In truth has anything really changed since the beginning of time? "...There is no new thing under the sun." Ecclesiastes 1:9. So, why am I dismayed? Why am I disappointed... Because it feels as if we have moved so far to the left, so far away from true north...

Am I alone with this view? I felt so overwhelmed when I looked around during the fireworks - even the music seemed off this year. It's like there are folks who see what's going on, but like the sound it's all muffled, garbled. There is a dis-connect. No one hears, no one understands, no one says, "Wait a minute; we're missing something" - something that's supposed to connect what we're seeing up in the sky... the 'flashing spectacle of color-filled lights'...

...Should the good Lord tarry, there will be another Fourth of July. I wonder what will be different then - to be sure, it will be nothing new under the sun - maybe worst, maybe better.

I'm hopeful - we can make a difference - one pebble in the container at a time.

Mom also said, "It's a good life, if you don't weaken"

Stay strong - Finish strong!

Blabberize - Has nothing to do with EXERCISE!

Ms. Orange is back and she has now been properly introduced via Blabberize. (Not Blabbercize Nina!)

Blabberize! What's a Blabberize?

It's taking a still picture and making it talk. Some way electronically and digitally via programing you can make the mouth of your character move. You can then record your voice and/or the voice of whomever, singing, talking, screaming, crying... You get the picture, (haha, no pun intended).

You can also see the educational applications of this a mile away. You can take pictures of your students or use animals, (this of course is meant, as no reflection upon your students, just to protect their identities). Next record a story or phrase with a purpose using their voices or something electronic, and ta-da! You have a Blabberize! Here's their website: http://blabberize.com/make


...And here's my Blabberize:

Let's Reflect: Did the Fat Lady Dance Yet?...

Photo by me

I can't sleep again!

Why?

Because there's work yet to be done! ...And sleep is for those whose work is done - that's when there is rest. A point at which one exhales with relief.

I preempted the conclusion of class with a celebratory meal of shrimp from Troha's. (You've just got to go there http://www.trohas.com/) I can't believe I ate the whole order. Hence, the true reason my sleep was interrupted, add to this, a tad bit of stress, since I have one more thing to do....

This is supposed to be my last post for my class, (I think some of my colleagues at my school are breathing a sigh of relief, because they've been reading these little notes, out of courtesy - "...She's old,.. humor her")...

At the onset of class, I remember asking, was it necessary to maintain the blog once the class was complete; but I now feel like... 'How can I take it down, how can I stop?'

My Free Art Friday Sample

It's alive! It's ALIVE!







I really like this means of communicating. Believe it or not, I am a bit of an introvert, ("Yeah right!" I am folks... really, I am!), but give me this "Mr. Mic" of the 21st century and all inhibition fall to the ground.

Tech in Ed, (sounds like a toy); is a bridge to possibilities, endless possibilities, (much like art).

Once upon a time, before I took this class, I thought technology was more of an add on, to ones instruction and yet with just five weeks of classes I see so many more benefits and understand that the dance between the two - the integration of tech and education should be more fluid, not just an accessory. There are so many FREE programs available that can enhance a students learning.

No, no, no, no!

I'm not saying that we should throw out the baby with the bath water or that we should be entertaining the dears with bells and whistles, but it's like offering options, because like it or not folks - look around you... Our students are different learners from even five years ago.

The brain of the child today is indeed wired differently. Just look at any child at the store in a shopping cart or sitting in a restaurant; they are pushing at buttons and/or looking at a screen. Some of you may not like it. You don't have to, no one is asking your permission - it simply is.

And all this from an art teacher!

I'm not saying we cast aside classical teaching style with the record player, (you can't beat the sound of vinyl), just adapt and you may be surprised that you can reach a few more dears than before.

...Well, I remember a time when listening to the radio, (it was a huge wooden box with fabric on it), during the last fifteen minutes of class, was integrating technology - this was back in the early 60's. It didn't replace Mrs. Parrish reading to us, (although, she didn't do sound effects like the radio), we loved both. Both made me a lover of books. The two offerings complemented each other - it was the dance and dancers need partners. A dance can be beautiful done by one - it's different, but done with another, enhances the enjoyment. Thus, technology with traditional education techniques cements the learning experience. It's the: teach a child to read a story aloud, write a summary, then draw a comic page about the favorite part. The learning is cemented in the brain.  

I am a classical sort of teacher and learner for that matter. I like instructing/demonstrating - hands on. I like to see children create with their hands, however, offering technology as an option is like offering colored pencils instead of just crayons; or clay instead of just building blocks. It's an option.

Of course, the problem comes in when there isn't enough tech tools for everyone. I have a potter's wheel - only one student can use it at a time. I wish I had at least ten or twelve more - that way I could have hand builders and pot throwers. Now, I have a one-to-one tool while 24 others stand and watch. Still, if you want to have technology in your classroom there's folks who are willing to get it into your hands. I have resources on my webpage that seem to make wishes come true at just a click.  http://mrsninabensonprofessionalpresenc.weebly.com/index.html

Indeed, this has been a wild ride for me. I took this class, EDU560 and EDU655, Language and Culture, for track movement requirements, (after the fact, I was told I could have taken graduate level art classes, since I am an art teacher). Still, I was where I was supposed to be. The experience has been life changing - all education should be - actually just waking up in the morning should be life changing. With each new day comes new opportunities to try again; to make a difference in at least one person's life. Of course, the change could be on the flip side - you can choose to be open to a new thought/perspective, at least one; it's how we keep moving forward.

Tomorrow is just the beginning...

Photo taken be me, sky arrangement by God

Mobile Devices: To be or Not to Be

This is my presentation on Mobile Devices:

Mobile devices are usually electronic hand held gadgets created to enhance, educate, make life easier and more. The educational possibilities are endless, as these devices are in schools worldwide. They are used to assist in the teaching of all subjects. Students of all ages use any one of a variety of mobile devices in classes. Teachers use mobile devices as well - as a means of distributing information/lessons and give a new twist to making lessons visual. Information is also shared with staff and parents via mobile devices.

There are pros and cons to the use of mobile devices that teachers but more so parents should be aware of and thus regulate. As adults we provide the technology, however, we must not randomly and freely provide such devices without responsibility. Students/children must be taught the proper use of these devices just as we must teach these entrusted to us on the use of a meat cleaver or power tool, or even a potter's wheel.


A mobile device is a tool to provide a piece of a lesson; like part of a recipe - not the entire cake instantaneously, we all have to work at it to make everything come together; parent, teachers and students.

What follows is just a sampling of resources available:

http://www.edudemic.com/guides/ A teachers guide to technology

http://www.microsoft.com/education/en-us/teachers/Pages/index.aspx A smorgasbord of ideas brought to by Microsoft

http://www.4teachers.org/ Need a little help getting technology up and running in your classroom - this is your site!

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2013/01/26-ways-to-use-comics-in-classroom-and.html#.Ubh35XBFqwM
Brace yourself...

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/ We all want to have fun sometime - Go ahead let the kiddies have some fun - they're learning and won't even realize it, until it's in their heads ;-)

http://www.ikidapps.com/2011/11/best-free-coloring-apps.html This keeps the darling busy with learning - but don't forget to read them a book at night :-)

...And now the prezi

http://prezi.com/8idn_bcxi9lp/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

...And these are some examples of mobile devices that I made :-) Of course, not the toys, but the mobile devices they have on their "bodies".

Let's pause to REFLECT... To tweet or not to tweet

I feel like such a stalker - standing on the perimeter of everyone's life and reading over their shoulder about their days... But you can pick up tasty morsels that are simply too "tweet" to pass up,  (I just couldn't resist).

Here's an aside: I wonder if they, (whoever they are), are ever going to come up with a smell sensory computer. So, when you type in cotton candy one smells cotton candy.

Well back to the reflective post... I follow several groups and/or people, most dealing with education and/or matters of Christianity. I am focusing upon "educational" tweets of the MCA, Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.

The MCA has exceptional resources and are a grand support to teachers, but of course in particularly to art teachers. They offer professional development to teachers throughout the school year and are very thoughtful and provide free parking and light refreshments for participants. They give us ample time to roam through the museum and also offer guided tours with plenty of discussion.

I have often come away from a PD with the MCA feeling respected, refreshed and given opportunities for new ideas for my students. They also provide programs for students and are eager for us to bring them into the museum free of charge and even provide busing for the Chicago Public Schools.

The majority of the MCA's tweets are about their continuous programs, (it's like they have something going every week). Here is a link so that you may visit their site; but remember to check out their teacher programs under education. They even have programs during the summer. http://www2.mcachicago.org/visit The link/tweet was directly from the MCA