King for a day

In school this month we have been reading many biographies.  It's a nice way to introduce Martin Luther King Day and Presidents Day, and enhance the students' background knowledge of these important individuals.

This week some of the stories have been about Ruby Bridges, Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, and Martin Luther King Jr.  When my student teacher asked the kids to explain why MLK was such an important person one of the kids writes, 

"He was important because he went to church and he was a king." Chuckle. But seriously it is so refreshing to talk to young children who truly have no prejudices towards people of different races and ethnicities.  My class is made up of children with a variety of skin tone, hair colors, and ethnicities.  I have never heard one of them say something unkind about another person because of the color of their skin.  Now, if we can just work on not saying unkind things period that would be a step in the right direction.

It's cute listening to their reactions when you read about how Rosa Parks had to sit in the back of the bus, or how Ruby Bridges had to go to a different school because she was black.  They are appalled.  I know racism still exists, but it is most definitely a learned behavior.  It's up to the adults to set an example of respect, tolerance, and non-violence.

I feel so lucky to be able to witness this historic presidential inauguration.  Even my second graders are excited about it.  I know that they don't realize the true significance of the event but they can feel the anticipation of what is to come.  I know I for one I will be watching and reflecting about how far we've come as a nation.  This moment is profound.

Community Ed.

Just before New Year's Eve I received my Granite Peaks Community Ed catalog in the mail. Amie had called to give me a head's up about some of the courses and I was anxious to read up on the offerings.  I do love to take classes and I thought I might try to round out my transcripts with a little less math and a little more liberal arts.  Here are a few of my favorite offerings:

Finding Your Wings: Intuitive Healing 1

Explore meditation, breath work, chakras, auras, Reiki, some quantum-touch....Learn some Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for self, family, friends, and pets....

Forkbending

...Boost confidence and self-esteem while learning some fun and effective Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Bring your positive attitude and open mind;...Taught by Healing Coach Utahna Tassie.

Practical Pendulum & Muscle Testing

...Kinesiology can enable one to locate lost children, pets, underground water, best place for a business or vacation, problems with automobile, misplaced jewelry, etc. We'll also learn to find and clear substance sensitivites for family and pets with EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques).

Paganism, Witchcraft, Wicca

Although few know much about it, Paganism is one of the world's oldest religions.  It is a spiritual way of life and a religion of nature.  Become educated and tolerant of others by studying different creeds.  If anyone you know claims s/he is now a Pagan, or Wiccan, take this class to understand the basics of this ancient religion.  Come with an open mind.  You may be surprised at what you learn!

Hmmm...

While I am intrigued about how Emotional Freedom Techniques may help me calm my dog and really, who wouldn't want to locate underground water? The Paganism and Witchcraft course pushed me over the edge.  So, on second thought I'm round enough -- I'll just stick to my algebra class and water aerobics, and call it good.

Best movies

Everyone is doing year-end lists and I can't be left out. It's been fun compiling my best and worst list. On any given day the placement may change but I'm pretty secure in my top ten.

Here are my top ten movies of 2008:

1. Australia
2. Young@Heart
3. Iron Man
4. Marley and Me
5. Baby Mama
6. Ghost Town
7. The Dark Knight
8. Kit Kittredge an American Girl
9. Twilight
10. W.

I also saw a whole lot of kid films that I must say I thoroughly enjoyed so here are my top five:

1. Kit Kittredge an American Girl
2. Kung Fu Panda
3. Nim's Island
4. Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3-D
5. WALL-E

I'd include my list of worst movies of 2008 but then I'd have to admit that I saw Burn After Reading and Tropic Thunder. Oops. Well, here goes:

1. Burn After Reading
2. Tropic Thunder
3. The Happening
4. Cloverfield
5. X-Files I Want to Believe
6. Made of Honor
7. Nights in Rodanthe
8. Yes Man
9. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
10. Nothing Like the Holidays

After looking at all the films released in 2008 these are some of the films I still plan to see but just haven't made the effort.

1. Penelope
2. Mama Mia!
3. The Secret Life of Bees
4. Bolt
5. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
6. Frost/Nixon
7. Valkyrie
8. Last Chance Harvey
9. Doubt
10. Bedtime Stories
    

Favorite Songs of 2008

I switched my playlists to the songs I could listen to over and over again in 2008. When making the list I tried to be a purist. If the album was released in 2007 -- scratch, off the list. That eliminated a whole slew of songs. I had to take off all the Kid Rock, Daughtry, Jordin Sparks, Colbie Caillat, Sara Bareilles, and Regina Spektor that I love and helped me get through 2008. Really, I could have put the entire Cold Play album there as well as the Joshua Radin CD although I like We Were Here better than Simple Times. One album I will not be putting on the list is Fleet Foxes. It made the top ten of so many music critics. I've listened to it and I just don't get it. One song I do get however, is The Shining by Badly Drawn Boy. I heard it in the movie trailer for Last Chance Harvey a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't place it. It was driving me crazy until last night and yipee I heard it again and there it was. Great song but sadly it was released in 2000 so it's not on the list but you can listen to it here. The songs are in no particular order because I can't narrow it down like that. I couldn't limit it to ten either but these are my favorites. If I'm being honest with myself I would also include some Rhianna and Beyoncè but that's a little too honest.

Reflecting

This year the family started what I think will be a new tradition.  On Saturday we got together early on Christmas Eve to have a short skit of the Christmas story and eat breakfast for dinner. Kiley made the best pecan cinnamon rolls and dad made a delicious breakfast bake.  After we ate, we all sat around reminiscing while the kids tormented/played with the guinea pig and toys in grandma's closet.  Since Ashley will be turning 16 next year the conversation landed on cars we drove as teenagers.  We drove a whole lot of Buicks.  Buicks were a favorite because these cars were hand me downs from Grandpa S. and Grandpa G.  We certainly drove them into the ground.

Some of the great features of the cars were.

• Brake failures.  Apparently, we had multiple brake failures.  Thankfully, the worst brake failure occurred when all of us were crammed in the car along with the Towers and as we were going down a hill on Wasatch Blvd the brakes went out.  Luckily, the hill was followed by a steep incline so we were able to stop.  After a short hike to a stranger's house to make a call for help we refilled on brake fluid and away we went.
• Power Steering failures.  It's always fun trying to turn the car without the appropriate fluid.
• Windows that wouldn't roll down.  One freezing night I stopped at the Pepperwood guard shack to tell them I was there for a visit and the window fell down into the door.  Later, dad was able to shimmy the window back up but we were not able to roll it down. Ever.  Not even when pulled over by police officers telling us to roll the window down.
• Astro Van adventures.  This was not a hand me down.  It was the family car and we considered it a great privilege to load it up and drive friends wherever.  These rides were generally limited to late night shenanigans, drive bys (our friendly term for stalking), and group dances.
• Radio signals.  The most unique feature of the Buick century was the radio antennae that went around the windshield.  It was unique because the radio would only work when we were going north or south.  Every time you turned east or west -- static.
• Got a dollar?  You've got a car. -- Matt actually bought my Grandpa G.'s car for a dollar and then drove it across the country to get it home.  Who let's a 16 year old drive a car from Mississippi to Utah?  Later, the car was sold to Michelle's boyfriend for a dollar.  Once he got it to his house Michelle had broken up with him and the car broke down in his driveway.  Too bad so sad Jerk. You've got to love life's little ironies. 
• Windshield wiper malfunctions.  After college mom and dad helped me get into my first real car.  I certainly drove this car into the ground.  It was good to me up until that last year and then everything that could go wrong with it did.  It finally died on me a couple of days before Christmas late one night outside Barnes and Nobel in Sugarhouse.  Good news -- new car.  Bad news registering a car in December.  The first real repair I had to do on the Mercury Tracer was to fix the windshield wipers.  Somehow, something got mixed up with the wiring and once the windshield wipers were turned on they wouldn't turn off.  In fact every time I accelerated they would go faster.  I went through a lot of wiper fluid that year until I earned enough to pay for the $700 dollar repair.  Little did I know that was just the beginning of the end for the little green car.

Well, Christmas Eve dinner was followed by a round of musical instruments and songs, with a few presents opened.  Everyone was off to their respective homes by 6:30.  It was a great night and we had a lot of fun.  The next morning Mom, Dad, and I braved the blizzard in Herriman, the rain/snow in Sandy, and the blue sky in Midvale to stop by and deliver gifts on Christmas Day.  It was fun seeing what everyone received.  The best was watching dad rock out to guitar hero.  He only got 23% but he didn't care.  The only thing keeping him from the air guitar finals is hair and a bad knee.  Otherwise, he'd be able to compete with the best of them. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  Got good car stories?  I'd love to hear them.

Favorite New Song

I can't get enough of this song.  I first heard it two weeks ago when Sheryl Crow was featured on an early Sunday news program.  I wasn't really watching but I heard a clip of the song and was immediately hooked.  So pretty. Such a great message.  I actually bought the CD at Hallmark which I never do anymore.  I usually just buy music on itunes, but it's one of those exclusive deals.  I really don't like the rest of the CD, but I love this song. I hope it becomes more available.  Anyway, give it a listen from youtube (Mom, you'll have to turn off the music at the bottom before you play it.).

Sheryl Crow -There is a Star that Shines Tonight

I hope that this post makes up for the post about my feet.

Heels

In the winter as the air gets drier so do my heels.  I really have to think about my feet.  I must put lotion on before I go to bed.  I must keep them smooth and callous free. I thinks that's why I love the Ped Egg so much.  Anyway, I got a little behind on my foot maintenance regimen and the other day my heel cracked right down the middle.  This is nothing new.  It always happens. It's really gross.  It's really painful.  I thought about including a picture but I still feel guilty about posting the horrid Tyra Banks meat photo.  I couldn't subject anyone to my dry cracked heel.  But, in all honesty my heel has been giving me some trouble.  It was not fun walking around at the Festival of Trees.  My heel was screaming.  I also think my right calf muscle is larger than my left because I've been walking on my toes for the past week so I don't put any pressure on my heel.  

Last night I woke up because my foot hurt and I "overheard" this conversation in my head.

Big toe: Why don't we just get rid of him. (Him being my heel.)

Other big toe:  We can't she won't let us. (She being me.)

This has led me to a few conclusions.

1. My heel is a male.
2. Body parts can hold grudges.
3. I should be committed.

In fact I shouldn't be posting this scenario because it could be used as evidence in the trial where my family tries to gain power of attorney.  

Yes, after a nearly two week absence this is what you get.  I apologize. I'll try and work up something a little more festive for the next post.