My Kiva Loan Experience
I made a loan to Kiva of a very small amount Christmas 2008. Today I got the email to say it had been totally repaid. So I got to lend it again.
I have been meaning to lend more and I have to admit it wasn’t until I got the email tonight that I remembered to do it. It’s so easy and there are so many different enterprises you could support. I believe you could find someone you would like to lend a hand to, someone you could identify with and want to help out.
My son phoned me in the middle of the night a couple of months ago, to tell me about Kiva. He was so enthused cause he’d heard about it. I was annoyed that he woke me, but also pleased that he felt a passion for giving. I know it leads to happiness.
The thrill of giving is worth passing on. On the weekend we went shopping and I watched Darin give his kids some coins to donate to a worthy charity. They happily deposited the money into the box and I thought to myself, that’s where it begins. I remember my kids wanting money to give with equal enthusiasm to wanting things for themselves. I encouraged that.
We can always find an excuse not to give.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Parent Teacher Interviews
Tonight was the night and tomorrow morning, I’ll have more again. I enjoy parent teacher interviews. I like meeting my student’s parents. I learn more about what’s going on at home from them. It’s insightful. Tonight I had a couple of challenging interviews. I had to tell parents or students, in front of their parents or child, things I knew they wouldn’t want to hear. I was pleasantly surprised with how well the news was received. I was prepared though, with alternatives for them so I think that made a lot of difference.
I really appreciate being at the senior campus. It’s given me a different focus and one that I’m really enjoying. I like seeing parents that I met when their child was in year 7, 8 or 9 and being able to share the pleasure of the students development and maturity. It’s very rewarding.
I also had my annual review (from last year) today. It went well also. I am glad I ran out of time last year to complete it because I feel like a whole new person this year, professionally. Our school has updated it’s technology, and this has made a huge difference to me. I like using technology to teach. I believe students are able to achieve a lot more and I am more efficient using it, to facilitate that. I can see now that all the learning I have done in this area is paying dividends for me this year. It is making my life easier.
Tomorrow I start my holidays…. how good is that!
Popularity: 7% [?]
Happy 45th Wedding Anniversay Parents
My parents Ric and Joan have been married for 45 years today. I don’t know many other couples who are as happy together. They have raised 6 children, been much loved grandparents to 4 grandchildren, made a home we can all return to, yet be independent from, retired and holidayed in their marriage and family but I think their relationship is their greatest achievement. They enjoy each other and spend lots of time together. They still smile at each other and are warm and affectionate. They are nice to be around.
When my mum was sick last year, the thing that rocked me the most was dad. He was lost. It was cruel. There was nothing that could be done for him other than mum’s return to health. No wonder they take such good care of each other. They know.
Their closeness is something I’ve always aspired to and wanted for my own relationships. It hasn’t been simple for me, even though I’ve had great teachers! The older I get the more I have valued and been awed by what they have together. I have to confess as a teenager I found it most annoying that I couldn’t play one off against the other. Most of all I am grateful though to have their abundant love in my life. Their love for each other has spilled over to generosity and love for all of us.
Popularity: 7% [?]
Parents Who Love Their Kids
Tonight I went out for dinner with my family and friends. I met the parents of one of my current students. I told them they had a great son and they agreed. I always love it when parents agree with me about their children. Often parents will tell you how awful their child is at home or laugh it off. That’s just not necessary. I know it is often intended to be humorous, but I love it when they simply agree and know they have a great teenager. It is especially lovely when their young person is there to hear it. It’s no wonder to me when that happens that I am teaching a quietly confident and happy person. If your parents can’t be your number one fans who will be?
Popularity: 7% [?]
Concerned Parents
Tom has been great this week. Last night I came home to a beautifully cleaned home. Granted most of the mess was his, but it was so lovely to arrive home to after a really busy day. Today he has gone on a long drive to spend a couple of days with a friend who lives over 200kms away. I was so grateful when he called me to say he’d arrived safely. I don’t want to wish my life away, but I must say I will be relieved when he returns from ‘schoolies’. He’s off to Queensland the day after his graduation dinner.
This week I’ve had a number of parents contact me for interviews. There are barely three weeks to go for this term. I find it interesting. They are not coming to see me about reports or academic issues. They are genuinely concerned about their children. I am only going to be in their child’s life for another few weeks. I feel complimented they think I can make difference in this time, yet I am not sure I can. There is so much going on in the private lives of our students. It overwhelms me to think about it sometimes.
On a brighter note, I got to tell a mum today her daughter had talked very glowingly about her during her oral presentation this week. She was dropping her daughter’s lunch into school and I’m sure it was the last thing she was expecting to hear from me. The final oral assignment for year 9 students at school is on the topic ‘Á Person I Admire’. So many students choose a parent, grandparent or member of their family. I love telling their parents. Having lived through year 9 with my own children, and knowing how embarrassing you are to them, how little you know about anything it comes as a shock to know your child admires you underneath all that. They are always delighted to hear this. I am always very moved by the way many students speak to me about their families. In fact the majority of students I see at school think very highly of their parents. They care quite a lot what their parents think of them. Believe it or not….
Popularity: 7% [?]
Spring and Mistakes
Yay! Today was sunny and although I am still a bit bogged down with coughing and various other cold symptoms, I appreciated the sunlight. I went to school for half a day today and came home and slept all afternoon. When my son came home from school he put the heater on, but I thought it was already, cause I was so hot! My parents called tonight to say they should be home tomorrow. Mum can make me chicken soup then and I will be all better in no time! The tulips Andy planted a couple of years ago from me have multiplied and are about ready to flower. I am so glad we are heading for summer.
The only responses to my plea on Myspace were from students not in my English classes to say ‘Hi’. Many of my students had a learning experience today. They didn’t meet the challenge. The annoying thing was that quite a few of them had read the books and not yet got around to entering them. I made a conscious choice not to remember all the books I’d seen them reading and enter them all for them if they were year 9 students. I had a bit of a rant about it today with the worst offenders in my year 9 class (who have been through this process at least twice already) and when I said I took part responsiblity for being away for a few days last week with PD’s and illness, one of them disagreed with me. He said, it is our responsibility, we knew about it. I was very impressed and pleased to know that at least one of them will learn from it. Most students in this category though seemed to look regretful and I was pleased to see that and not because I’m a sadist.
We try too hard as teachers and parents to make young people successful at the things they attempt. Teachers track down and chase students for work, parents cajole their children to do the right things. It can prevent them from having the kinds of learning experiences I mentioned before. If they don’t get the chance to make a few mistakes and experience the consequences of them, they have a false perception of success and possibly don’t feel a sense of achievement. If all mistakes are opportunities to learn, which I believe they are, then you need to be able to make them without some concerned other rushing in and making it right for you. It’s hard to resist doing that sometimes, but possibly inhibits real growth.
Popularity: 10% [?]
Empty Nest Looming
This weekend I haven’t had the usual house of young people. I’ve caught up with a few people, yet relatively speaking it’s been kind of quiet for me. I’m wondering how it’s going to be next year. It’s highly likely that Tom will move away. It’s what I would want for him. I moved out as soon as school finished. I think it’s healthy to get out there and into your adulthood. I know it isn’t the trend anymore. Many young people stay home for years. I don’t think that’s how it will go for us.
I have a lot more time anyway lately. My kids have been independent for years, I’ve just been in denial or thought about the positives of the lessening responsiblities. This weekend I have felt kind of redundant. I have probably been in this state for a while, but I’ve just slowed down enough to really think about it and ponder what it will really mean. My house is probably too big for just me. Perhaps I need a hobby to fill in the time previously and happily spent as a mum to dependent children. What do I want to do? Lots of questions, no real answers……
Popularity: 8% [?]
Warm Weather Parents
I spoke to my parents last night and they sound marvellously happy. They are in Far North Queensland somewhere near where my younger brother lives. They are visting him as they head back home in the next few weeks. It’s such a joy to hear them and the bliss in their voices as they tell me about their days and adventures.
Mind you I have an overflowing basket of ironing and my lawns are getting a little long! Dad mows my lawns and mum does my ironing, well before they retired they did. I know pathetic – but they say they enjoy it and who am I to argue. I have ironed once since mum’s been away, but lately it’s back to the old iron it as you need it, every man for himself set up that we had when we lived away from my parents. My children learnt to iron at a young age. The lawns – well I’m not sure if they are going to last till dad gets back. I know he will be terribly disappointed and I thought they would nearly make it – being winter and all, but no, not quite. If I do them this weekend, there should be enough regrowth for him to have a go when he returns.
I will also enjoy some mum cooked food and some lengthy conversation. When visiting my parents, we sit around the table, drink cups of tea, eat great food and talk plenty. I love it. Today at work, one of my colleagues reminded me of my dad. We all gravitate to the same table at work at lunchtime and one of the guys has a ‘seat’. It really should have his name on it. Just like my dad. I remember as a kid, always wanting to sit in dad’s seat and he would come home and hover over it, waiting for it to be vacated. If I ignored the body language, he’d come straight out and say, “Up” and indicate with his thumb the direction I needed to move in. It’s funny how annoying things become endearing when they are absent.
I do really appreciate my parents and I’m looking forward to having them back for the warm months.
Popularity: 8% [?]
Swollen
Tom’s face is swollen. We went to a suburban clinic today to have all four of his wisdom teeth removed. I feel relieved to be home and have it behind me. I had my wisdom teeth out in two incidents. It was ugly and horrible. I was sick and ‘like a foul-mouthed drunk’ according to those who were looking after me, when I was coming out of it. I mostly only remember a big cloud of pain. So I have been anxious about this for Tom, with the long drive home in mind as well.
He has been in pain, but has slept most of the time and seems to be coping ok. I didn’t see any bad behaviour from him, and the nurses were all still smiling when they asked me to come in and see him, so I’m guessing it all went well.
I felt pretty sooky about it all to be honest. I think it’s easier to be in pain yourself than watch someone you love suffer. He had to sign all his consent forms etc because he is 18 now, so that was a bit of a reality check for me too. It’s easy to forget because he’s still at school, but these reminders keep popping up!
I’m off to have a nap cause his dad is here to hang out with him for a bit. We had to leave really early this morning.
Popularity: 7% [?]
Wisdom Teeth
My son has to have all four wisdom teeth removed. I had mine taken out in two episodes, but he’s having them all at once. It makes me sick to think about to be honest.
On the weekend, due to our ‘in and out’ communications issues, I left him a note. I wrote: Tom, How about leaving a note to say where you are? I am at the movies. Love Mum.
To which he replied: Joh, There’s this amazing new technology called the MOBILE PHONE. Let’s use that instead!! P.S. Tim called.
Funny thing about the exchange was that he wrote it in a note. He always calls me Joh when he’s being witty. I still like notes. I’ve no idea why. When I get home and there’s no son, I look for a note, then I check my phone, once I’ve found it. I guess the novelty of the ‘amazing new technology called the MOBILE PHONE’ has worn off on me. Despite his poor opinion of my communication skills, I hope the removal of his wisdom teeth goes ok.
Popularity: 8% [?]
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