Recently I read an article on the Huffington Post: 23 Signs You're Secretly An Introvert, and I thought it made so many good points. (I don't think I've ever made it a secret that I am an introvert, though. It's always been fairly obvious.) As I was reading it I kept nodding and saying, "Yep, that's me." I appreciate that I have come to understand these things about myself because it helps me handle myself better and understand my feelings better. It's especially been helpful with motherhood. Here are some of the "signs" they listed:
1. You find small talk incredibly cumbersome.
I wouldn't say I find it incredibly cumbersome, but I don't really like it. When I am engaged in small talk I feel like I'm being polite but not very genuine. Oh, you're new? Is there any way we can just skip to the part where we can have a real conversation?
2. You go to parties--but not to meet people.
I do try to make friends with people who are new (because I've been there and it's kind of scary and pretty lonely), but I also tend to stick with the people I am already close to. If I am meeting new people I feel more comfortable if I am also with a close friend or two.
3. You often feel alone in a crowd.
Yes, but it's not a bad thing. I also don't mind sitting by myself for a while when I am at a party or activity, but I am always afraid that people will feel bad for me because I'm alone.
4. Networking makes you feel like a phony.
YES.
6. You're easily distracted.
Many of my roommates would hole up in the library if they had to do a lot of studying. I tried it a few times and gave up because I couldn't concentrate. When I am around other people I look up a lot to watch them or listen to what they're saying. I can concentrate a lot better in a small room by myself.
7. Downtime doesn't feel unproductive to you.
Usually when I come home I need to take some time to recover and recharge. While I enjoy getting out of the house, it is draining for me. I get a lot of benefit from lying in bed doing nothing for a few minutes when I get home from church. This has actually been one of the challenges of motherhood for me because when we get home the kids often need lunch or other kinds of attention while my body and mind are screaming for me to go hide in my room for a while.
9. When you get on the subway, you sit at the end of the bench -- not in the middle.
I think subconsciously I like the idea of being able to get away if I suddenly have a need to not have so many people around me.
10. You start to shut down after you've been active for too long.
Yep.
13. You actively avoid any shows that might involve audience participation. Because really, is anything more terrifying?
I can't think of anything more terrifying. When I go to a show I want to sit and passively enjoy it. However, I quite enjoy making comments (from my seat) at church or in classes. I just don't want to be put on the spot to do something I didn't expect to be asked to do.
14. You screen all your calls -- even from friends.
Usually I will answer, but I admit that sometimes answering a phone call from a friend is oddly intimidating if I'm not mentally prepared for it. I am also quite scared of calling people.
15. You notice details that others don't.
Yes. I'm also much better at remembering names than most people.
16. You have a constantly running inner monologue.
I think a lot. And there are a lot of things that I think about thoroughly and never say because it's better in my head and makes more sense there.
18. You've been called an “old soul” -– since your 20s.
Yep.
21. You've been told to “come out of your shell.”
I have been plagued by this advice since third grade, and I didn't learn to ignore it until I was about 21. Leaders and teachers often expressed their concern that I wasn't outgoing enough. In reality, it can take me months or years before I'm comfortable enough around somebody to talk a lot. Extremely extroverted people sometimes marvel at how shy I am when they don't know me very well, and then months later they will praise me for learning to be more out-going. Nope, I just know you better. I think it's very unfortunate that introverted young people are told that having a quiet personality is a flaw that they need to overcome. We need quiet, serious people. If everyone was silly and crazy it would not be good. I always seem to be embarrassed and regret it when I "come out of my shell" and do crazy extroverted stuff.
23. You alternate between phases of work and solitude, and periods of social activity.
I need some of both.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
Memory lane: running in elections
Today Ryan was reelected for his second year as a senator for the GPSF. The only other nominee was a guy who had nominated himself and didn't even show up for the election. It reminded me of some elections I have participated in in the past.
The first one was in my second year in 4-H. I think my younger sister nominated me for secretary of our 4-H club. She and all of her friends and my friends voted for me and I won. I'm guessing the older, more sensible members of the club were split between a couple of more qualified candidates so that they didn't get a majority. In my journal that night I wrote that I thought I was a little young, but I thought I could do it. I think my grandma (who was the leader of the 4-H club) made sure I did everything I was supposed to, but I probably wasn't old enough to understand what the job really meant.
Several years later, when I was one of the oldest members of the club, several little girls became old enough to start 4-H, and when we had the election they all nominated each other. Now roles were reversed and I realized what the older people in the 4-H club were thinking when I was elected secretary at age 9. I was scared to death that there were enough little girls who would vote for their friends that we would end up with a bunch of little girls in the offices. As we voted for each office I kept hoping really hard that everyone in the club would be sensible and vote for the older people who were mature enough to take the job seriously and do a good job. I think it worked out that year. I was elected president (and I took the job seriously and did my best) and I think the other offices were filled with other people who were about my age.
In eighth grade I ran for secretary for my class. With my experience in 4-H and Young Women's I thought I was qualified. As other people gave their speeches I quickly realized that this was a popularity contest, but I gave my speech telling about my experience and that I was responsible. I didn't win. Not even close. But after everyone had voted a girl came up to me and said, "Good job, Marci. I voted for you." It meant a lot to me because one of her close friends was also running for secretary, but she voted for me because she thought I would do the best job.
The first one was in my second year in 4-H. I think my younger sister nominated me for secretary of our 4-H club. She and all of her friends and my friends voted for me and I won. I'm guessing the older, more sensible members of the club were split between a couple of more qualified candidates so that they didn't get a majority. In my journal that night I wrote that I thought I was a little young, but I thought I could do it. I think my grandma (who was the leader of the 4-H club) made sure I did everything I was supposed to, but I probably wasn't old enough to understand what the job really meant.
Several years later, when I was one of the oldest members of the club, several little girls became old enough to start 4-H, and when we had the election they all nominated each other. Now roles were reversed and I realized what the older people in the 4-H club were thinking when I was elected secretary at age 9. I was scared to death that there were enough little girls who would vote for their friends that we would end up with a bunch of little girls in the offices. As we voted for each office I kept hoping really hard that everyone in the club would be sensible and vote for the older people who were mature enough to take the job seriously and do a good job. I think it worked out that year. I was elected president (and I took the job seriously and did my best) and I think the other offices were filled with other people who were about my age.
In eighth grade I ran for secretary for my class. With my experience in 4-H and Young Women's I thought I was qualified. As other people gave their speeches I quickly realized that this was a popularity contest, but I gave my speech telling about my experience and that I was responsible. I didn't win. Not even close. But after everyone had voted a girl came up to me and said, "Good job, Marci. I voted for you." It meant a lot to me because one of her close friends was also running for secretary, but she voted for me because she thought I would do the best job.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Deconstructionism
"In short, Deconstructionism is a steady flow of belittling and negative portrayals of Western heroes, beliefs, values, and institutions. Deconstructionists make their living by telling only part of the story and spinning it negatively, manipulating others into supporting their views and objectives.
"Deconstruction of American heroes, values, and institutions--which especially occurs in today's classrooms--is the reason most Americans can recite more of what's wrong with our nation than what's right . . .
"Under Deconstructionism students are similarly taught about the 'intolerant' Christian Puritans who conducted the infamous witch trials. And while twenty-seven individuals died in the Massachusetts witch trials, almost universally ignored is the fact that witch trials were occuring across the world at that time; in Europe, 500,000 were put to death, including 30,000 in England, 75,000 in France, and 100,000 in Germany. Additionally, the American witch trials lasted eighteen months, but the European trials lasted years . . . Twenty-seven deaths in America but 500,000 in Europe? Why emphasize the twenty-seven but ignore the 500,000? The answer is "Deconstructionism"--presenting a negative portrayal of American faith and values . . .
"In short, Deconstructionists happily point out everything that can possibly be portrayed as a flaw--even if they have to distort information to do so--but they remain conspicuously silent about the multitude of reasons to be proud of America and its many successes and heroes . . .
"American Exceptionalism is no longer recognized, understood, or venerated. To the contrary, many American political officials now feel compelled to apologize to the world for America; they are conscious of our flaws but seem ignorantly oblivious to our matchless benefits and opportunities."
--The Jefferson Lies, David Barton
These were some phrases that stood out to me in the introduction of the book. I am seeing this point of view a lot these days, and I find it very troubling. They portray America as one of the most sexist, racist, ignorant nations in the world and don't acknowledge its many accomplishments and blessings. I find it a little frustrating that we feel the need to apologize to the world for our existence and yet we're almost always expected to be there to help (and take the blame) when other countries are in trouble.
I was actually surprised that only twenty-seven people died in the Salem witch trials. The way they talk about it in school, you would think that hundreds of people were killed.
"Deconstruction of American heroes, values, and institutions--which especially occurs in today's classrooms--is the reason most Americans can recite more of what's wrong with our nation than what's right . . .
"Under Deconstructionism students are similarly taught about the 'intolerant' Christian Puritans who conducted the infamous witch trials. And while twenty-seven individuals died in the Massachusetts witch trials, almost universally ignored is the fact that witch trials were occuring across the world at that time; in Europe, 500,000 were put to death, including 30,000 in England, 75,000 in France, and 100,000 in Germany. Additionally, the American witch trials lasted eighteen months, but the European trials lasted years . . . Twenty-seven deaths in America but 500,000 in Europe? Why emphasize the twenty-seven but ignore the 500,000? The answer is "Deconstructionism"--presenting a negative portrayal of American faith and values . . .
"In short, Deconstructionists happily point out everything that can possibly be portrayed as a flaw--even if they have to distort information to do so--but they remain conspicuously silent about the multitude of reasons to be proud of America and its many successes and heroes . . .
"American Exceptionalism is no longer recognized, understood, or venerated. To the contrary, many American political officials now feel compelled to apologize to the world for America; they are conscious of our flaws but seem ignorantly oblivious to our matchless benefits and opportunities."
--The Jefferson Lies, David Barton
These were some phrases that stood out to me in the introduction of the book. I am seeing this point of view a lot these days, and I find it very troubling. They portray America as one of the most sexist, racist, ignorant nations in the world and don't acknowledge its many accomplishments and blessings. I find it a little frustrating that we feel the need to apologize to the world for our existence and yet we're almost always expected to be there to help (and take the blame) when other countries are in trouble.
I was actually surprised that only twenty-seven people died in the Salem witch trials. The way they talk about it in school, you would think that hundreds of people were killed.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
He's not ruining it.
Yesterday we went to Pullen Park as a family. I'll post pictures and such later, but I wanted to share an insight I had while we were there.
Pullen Park has several different playgrounds and it also has a train, a carousel, and a little boat ride for kids. I noticed quickly that after a ride was over and we brought the kids out of the ride, Kevin would get upset and throw a fit. After the second time I started to feel upset and I thought, "Why does he have to ruin this by acting that way?" But then a little voice gave me a different perspective: "He's not ruining it. When he looks back on this day he will only remember the nice time he had. He's just a child and he is still learning to control his passions. Focus on the fun parts and ignore the tantrums." That was encouraging to me. After that I focused on the fun things like the looks on their faces and the comments the kids made, and I learned that the best approach was to ignore the tantrums and move on, which made me realize that in reality Kevin was never upset for very long, and mostly he was having a nice time. This was a valuable lesson for me because I am often very frustrated when we do something nice like go to a park or watch a movie, and then at the end I have to deal with the kids being upset that they can't stay or watch more. I tend to feel like ending the fun thing with a tantrum just ruins it all, when in reality the tantrums never last long, and while they are unpleasant (and of course we are going to keep working on teaching the kids not to behave that way), they don't negate the fact that we had a very nice time together.
Pullen Park has several different playgrounds and it also has a train, a carousel, and a little boat ride for kids. I noticed quickly that after a ride was over and we brought the kids out of the ride, Kevin would get upset and throw a fit. After the second time I started to feel upset and I thought, "Why does he have to ruin this by acting that way?" But then a little voice gave me a different perspective: "He's not ruining it. When he looks back on this day he will only remember the nice time he had. He's just a child and he is still learning to control his passions. Focus on the fun parts and ignore the tantrums." That was encouraging to me. After that I focused on the fun things like the looks on their faces and the comments the kids made, and I learned that the best approach was to ignore the tantrums and move on, which made me realize that in reality Kevin was never upset for very long, and mostly he was having a nice time. This was a valuable lesson for me because I am often very frustrated when we do something nice like go to a park or watch a movie, and then at the end I have to deal with the kids being upset that they can't stay or watch more. I tend to feel like ending the fun thing with a tantrum just ruins it all, when in reality the tantrums never last long, and while they are unpleasant (and of course we are going to keep working on teaching the kids not to behave that way), they don't negate the fact that we had a very nice time together.
Here is a rant. It might offend somebody. Oh, well. It's my blog.
Recently I came across a tutorial for making homemade sunscreen with coconut oil. Here are the first couple of sentences: "Most commercial sunscreens contain toxic ingredients and endocrine disrupting chemicals. In fact, in the years since sunscreen use began skin cancer rates have actually risen. In many cases commercial sunscreen use may actually promote skin cancer growth and free radical production." (emphasis mine)
And that is when I had to resist the urge to bang my head against the table. This is why I am very hesitant to get more involved in healthy living stuff--because so often I come across claims like this. Hmmm, skin cancer rates have been going up ever since people started using sunscreen, so it looks like sunscreen causes skin cancer. By that logic, you could probably also say that sunscreen causes tanning beds. Correlation does not equal causation, people. You have to look at who got skin cancer. Is skin cancer more common among people who use sunscreen than among those who don't? My guess is that skin cancer is more common among people who frequently use tanning beds or lay out in the sun to get a tan than among those who use sunscreen. The more you expose your skin to ultraviolet light, the more likely your DNA is to be damaged or altered by it.
As for the effectiveness of the homemade sunscreen, I suppose it's possible that it would work because of the zinc oxide. I find it interesting that several people commented below saying that they use plain coconut oil as a sunscreen, claiming it has an SPF of 4 (which is not much at all). I think one person even said she tried it and got burned everywhere that isn't normally exposed to the sun, so her arms and face were okay, but everything else was sunburned. Instead of realizing the coconut oil isn't very effective, she decided to keep using it every day until her skin builds up a sun tolerance. That sounds to me like her arms and face were already fairly tolerant of the sun and the rest of her skin wasn't, and the coconut oil does nothing to prevent sunburn. In fact, other commenters said that they used to use plain coconut oil to get tan faster.
I realize that toxins and nasty chemicals (Oh, I am so tired of that phrase!) and carcinogens and all that stuff are a concern. But whenever I stray to a health blog I always seem to see things like this and I rarely see good quality research. I am happy to cook most of our food from scratch (it tastes better that way anyway) and to strive to eat plenty of fresh and healthy foods, but I'm not going to let wild and unsupported claims get me worried, and I'm not going to spend money we don't have on magic foods just because some blog says I will get cancer if I don't eat them. It's like Abe Lincoln said: Don't believe everything you read on the internet.
Oh, and while I'm at it, here's another claim that makes me go bug-eyed: You should eat organic potatoes, because most of the potatoes that are eaten in the United States are in the form of deep-fried french fries, which are obviously really bad for you and are also usually not made from organic potatoes. So since french fries are not organic, you should eat organic potatoes.Yes, I have really seen this on the internet.
Recently I came across a tutorial for making homemade sunscreen with coconut oil. Here are the first couple of sentences: "Most commercial sunscreens contain toxic ingredients and endocrine disrupting chemicals. In fact, in the years since sunscreen use began skin cancer rates have actually risen. In many cases commercial sunscreen use may actually promote skin cancer growth and free radical production." (emphasis mine)
And that is when I had to resist the urge to bang my head against the table. This is why I am very hesitant to get more involved in healthy living stuff--because so often I come across claims like this. Hmmm, skin cancer rates have been going up ever since people started using sunscreen, so it looks like sunscreen causes skin cancer. By that logic, you could probably also say that sunscreen causes tanning beds. Correlation does not equal causation, people. You have to look at who got skin cancer. Is skin cancer more common among people who use sunscreen than among those who don't? My guess is that skin cancer is more common among people who frequently use tanning beds or lay out in the sun to get a tan than among those who use sunscreen. The more you expose your skin to ultraviolet light, the more likely your DNA is to be damaged or altered by it.
As for the effectiveness of the homemade sunscreen, I suppose it's possible that it would work because of the zinc oxide. I find it interesting that several people commented below saying that they use plain coconut oil as a sunscreen, claiming it has an SPF of 4 (which is not much at all). I think one person even said she tried it and got burned everywhere that isn't normally exposed to the sun, so her arms and face were okay, but everything else was sunburned. Instead of realizing the coconut oil isn't very effective, she decided to keep using it every day until her skin builds up a sun tolerance. That sounds to me like her arms and face were already fairly tolerant of the sun and the rest of her skin wasn't, and the coconut oil does nothing to prevent sunburn. In fact, other commenters said that they used to use plain coconut oil to get tan faster.
I realize that toxins and nasty chemicals (Oh, I am so tired of that phrase!) and carcinogens and all that stuff are a concern. But whenever I stray to a health blog I always seem to see things like this and I rarely see good quality research. I am happy to cook most of our food from scratch (it tastes better that way anyway) and to strive to eat plenty of fresh and healthy foods, but I'm not going to let wild and unsupported claims get me worried, and I'm not going to spend money we don't have on magic foods just because some blog says I will get cancer if I don't eat them. It's like Abe Lincoln said: Don't believe everything you read on the internet.
Oh, and while I'm at it, here's another claim that makes me go bug-eyed: You should eat organic potatoes, because most of the potatoes that are eaten in the United States are in the form of deep-fried french fries, which are obviously really bad for you and are also usually not made from organic potatoes. So since french fries are not organic, you should eat organic potatoes.Yes, I have really seen this on the internet.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Kevinisms and Heidiisms
Kevin
7/17
Kevin has been studying the manual for little boys. He likes to look at it while he eats his "sammiches." This morning he was getting on hands and knees and making retching sounds. Then he would come over and say, "Whew! My skeleton was getting out of my body." I knew exactly where that idea came from.
There is an episode of The Cat in the Hat that made quite an impression on Kevin, and it has inspired some interesting behavior. In the show, Sally and Nick want to know why their tummies rumble, so they get in the thingamajigger and shrink themselves so that they can explore one of the Things' tummies and find out. Recently Kevin has been trying to figure out how to make his tummy rumble, but what he really does is make a really deep (and annoying) clearing-his-throat sound. Sometimes he will also eat something, make jerking movements--to make the food go to his stomach (despite my efforts to explain to him that all food goes to your stomach after you swallow it without you having to do anything else)--and then make his version of a tummy rumbling sound. It's rather odd, but I'm also impressed that he understood a lot of what they were talking about.
Kevin has made some huge leaps with potty training. When he turned four, all of a sudden he decided to start going #2 on the toilet. He still sometimes has accidents, but most of the time he stays clean and dry. He has even stopped needing diapers at night. I am so relieved, and amazed at how much easier life is now that he is potty trained--yes, I think we can say he's potty trained now.
Kevin and Heidi have an interesting game that they have been playing. It goes something like this:
Kevin: You may not take George. He's a good little monkey.
Heidi: Good little monkey?
Kevin: Yeah. Well, bye, Heidi. (runs away)
Heidi: (chases Kevin)
(chasing comes to a halt)
Kevin: You may not take George. He's a good little monkey.
Heidi: Good little monkey?
And so on. This game makes perfect sense to them, and even though I don't really get it, I do enjoy it.
Heidi
Lately Heidi's response to any "where" question is, "Um . . . Gone." Where's your sippy cup of milk? Um . . . Gone. What happened to that pen you just ran off with? Gone. Gone where? Gone.
"Okay, 'nuff."
(said in a whisper) "Der you go. Dat's better." (After "fixing" things)
Heidi loves to copy things that Kevin does. If she sees him walking sideways or spinning or hears him say something interesting, she will often do the same thing, with a big grin on her face.
She loves singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (Winko Winko . . . star . . . are. Up up up up up.), and a jingle from Daniel Tiger: "Potty stop, right away, flush, wash hands." (If you have to go potty, stop and go right away, then flush and wash and be on your way.) She is gradually making progress with potty training, but it is going to take a while.
7/17
Kevin has been studying the manual for little boys. He likes to look at it while he eats his "sammiches." This morning he was getting on hands and knees and making retching sounds. Then he would come over and say, "Whew! My skeleton was getting out of my body." I knew exactly where that idea came from.
There is an episode of The Cat in the Hat that made quite an impression on Kevin, and it has inspired some interesting behavior. In the show, Sally and Nick want to know why their tummies rumble, so they get in the thingamajigger and shrink themselves so that they can explore one of the Things' tummies and find out. Recently Kevin has been trying to figure out how to make his tummy rumble, but what he really does is make a really deep (and annoying) clearing-his-throat sound. Sometimes he will also eat something, make jerking movements--to make the food go to his stomach (despite my efforts to explain to him that all food goes to your stomach after you swallow it without you having to do anything else)--and then make his version of a tummy rumbling sound. It's rather odd, but I'm also impressed that he understood a lot of what they were talking about.
Kevin has made some huge leaps with potty training. When he turned four, all of a sudden he decided to start going #2 on the toilet. He still sometimes has accidents, but most of the time he stays clean and dry. He has even stopped needing diapers at night. I am so relieved, and amazed at how much easier life is now that he is potty trained--yes, I think we can say he's potty trained now.
Kevin and Heidi have an interesting game that they have been playing. It goes something like this:
Kevin: You may not take George. He's a good little monkey.
Heidi: Good little monkey?
Kevin: Yeah. Well, bye, Heidi. (runs away)
Heidi: (chases Kevin)
(chasing comes to a halt)
Kevin: You may not take George. He's a good little monkey.
Heidi: Good little monkey?
And so on. This game makes perfect sense to them, and even though I don't really get it, I do enjoy it.
Heidi
Lately Heidi's response to any "where" question is, "Um . . . Gone." Where's your sippy cup of milk? Um . . . Gone. What happened to that pen you just ran off with? Gone. Gone where? Gone.
"Okay, 'nuff."
(said in a whisper) "Der you go. Dat's better." (After "fixing" things)
Heidi loves to copy things that Kevin does. If she sees him walking sideways or spinning or hears him say something interesting, she will often do the same thing, with a big grin on her face.
She loves singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (Winko Winko . . . star . . . are. Up up up up up.), and a jingle from Daniel Tiger: "Potty stop, right away, flush, wash hands." (If you have to go potty, stop and go right away, then flush and wash and be on your way.) She is gradually making progress with potty training, but it is going to take a while.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Memory Lane: PE woes
My elementary school PE teacher had a policy that when we played baseball, the three strikes and you're out rule didn't apply. So if you were up to bat you would swing until you hit the ball. I'm sure he had good intentions. He probably wanted people to have more chances to practice, or maybe he didn't want people to feel bad, or maybe he just wanted to actually get a few people out into the "field" (aka the multipurpose room in the elementary school). But from my perspective he was not doing me any favors. I remember filing into the room, seeing the baseball, bat, and bases out, and praying fervently that we were actually playing T-ball and Mr. Wilford had just forgotten to get the T out. But after 3rd grade those prayers were never answered the way I wanted. I distinctly remember the feeling of shame of being on my 20th attempt at hitting the ball and missing again, while the kids on my team muttered behind me about how bored they were. I would have much preferred going back to sit down after my third strike rather than prolonging the misery. Over time I figured out that if I played things carefully, I could get myself at the end of the line so that I wouldn't have to go up to bat, and if I got too close to the front of the line there were usually several people who were plenty eager to cut in front of me so they could bat again.
I really enjoyed being the catcher when my team was on the field. I liked that I had a useful job and that there wasn't the pressure of having to hit the ball or catch the ball while keeping one foot on a base. It didn't occur to me until the middle of fifth grade that there was any problem with the fact that I generally didn't catch the ball and I had to go chasing after it (and in retrospect, it was not a big deal). Then one time, when I was chasing after the ball, a girl made some comment about how we should have somebody who was actually good to be the catcher. I can't actually remember what the comment was, but it hurt my feelings and I snapped. I told the girl, in a voice that the entire class heard, exactly what I thought and said that she should do it if she thought she would do any better. Then I ran into the corner and cried for the rest of PE. Fifth grade was the most emotional and depressing year I have had in my entire life. I was really sensitive. Mr. Wilford had the sense to leave me alone, or maybe he just didn't know what to do with me. The class was a little more subdued for the rest of the time. In general I actually really liked the girl who had made the fateful comment, and I felt pretty bad that I had yelled at her, so I wrote her a note during lunchtime and left it on her desk, and then she came over for a minute during silent reading time and apologized, and we were still friends after that.
In high school we had the option of Lifetime Sports or Fitness, and we had to take two semesters of PE. For the first semester I took Lifetime Sports because that was what most people did. I vividly remember Ms. Hall's disapproving glances when I struggled to do even ten leg lifts (okay, so actually even one leg lift was kind of hard) or five push-ups, and in the rest of the class time when we learned all sorts of different sports I didn't have much fun because I am not an assertive person and I don't really like very many team sports. I liked badminton, and I liked practicing shooting baskets. Volleyball was the worst because I was so scared of that ball. Fortunately we never played baseball that semester. One day, we had the option of a few different activities, and one of them was lifting weights in the weightroom. Another girl showed me how to do the different things, and I loved it. So for my second semester of PE I switched to Fitness, which should really have been called The Class Where the Jocks Get Their Workouts. When I walked into the class on the first day, everybody looked at me with disbelief. They were probably sure that I was in the wrong class, because this was unofficially considered to be a class for people who were good at sports. But I knew what I was doing. I wanted to do a class where I could work on my own fitness at my own pace, and I was tired of sports. Mr. Arossa was the teacher, and he actually sent the rest of the class into the weight room to get started so he could have an individual chat with me and make sure I knew what I was doing. After he found out who my dad was I think he decided to like me (because he had been my dad's teacher when my dad was in high school). It was a good class for me and helped me to push myself to do my personal best instead of having to worry about the embarrassment of being the one who was bad at sports. Honestly, if we're going to have physical education classes in public schools, then I think we need to have more classes like that one, because that was the first time I ever took a PE class where I learned anything about exercise, which is kind of pathetic.
I really enjoyed being the catcher when my team was on the field. I liked that I had a useful job and that there wasn't the pressure of having to hit the ball or catch the ball while keeping one foot on a base. It didn't occur to me until the middle of fifth grade that there was any problem with the fact that I generally didn't catch the ball and I had to go chasing after it (and in retrospect, it was not a big deal). Then one time, when I was chasing after the ball, a girl made some comment about how we should have somebody who was actually good to be the catcher. I can't actually remember what the comment was, but it hurt my feelings and I snapped. I told the girl, in a voice that the entire class heard, exactly what I thought and said that she should do it if she thought she would do any better. Then I ran into the corner and cried for the rest of PE. Fifth grade was the most emotional and depressing year I have had in my entire life. I was really sensitive. Mr. Wilford had the sense to leave me alone, or maybe he just didn't know what to do with me. The class was a little more subdued for the rest of the time. In general I actually really liked the girl who had made the fateful comment, and I felt pretty bad that I had yelled at her, so I wrote her a note during lunchtime and left it on her desk, and then she came over for a minute during silent reading time and apologized, and we were still friends after that.
In high school we had the option of Lifetime Sports or Fitness, and we had to take two semesters of PE. For the first semester I took Lifetime Sports because that was what most people did. I vividly remember Ms. Hall's disapproving glances when I struggled to do even ten leg lifts (okay, so actually even one leg lift was kind of hard) or five push-ups, and in the rest of the class time when we learned all sorts of different sports I didn't have much fun because I am not an assertive person and I don't really like very many team sports. I liked badminton, and I liked practicing shooting baskets. Volleyball was the worst because I was so scared of that ball. Fortunately we never played baseball that semester. One day, we had the option of a few different activities, and one of them was lifting weights in the weightroom. Another girl showed me how to do the different things, and I loved it. So for my second semester of PE I switched to Fitness, which should really have been called The Class Where the Jocks Get Their Workouts. When I walked into the class on the first day, everybody looked at me with disbelief. They were probably sure that I was in the wrong class, because this was unofficially considered to be a class for people who were good at sports. But I knew what I was doing. I wanted to do a class where I could work on my own fitness at my own pace, and I was tired of sports. Mr. Arossa was the teacher, and he actually sent the rest of the class into the weight room to get started so he could have an individual chat with me and make sure I knew what I was doing. After he found out who my dad was I think he decided to like me (because he had been my dad's teacher when my dad was in high school). It was a good class for me and helped me to push myself to do my personal best instead of having to worry about the embarrassment of being the one who was bad at sports. Honestly, if we're going to have physical education classes in public schools, then I think we need to have more classes like that one, because that was the first time I ever took a PE class where I learned anything about exercise, which is kind of pathetic.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
making bows
For a long time I have been wanting to buy some double prong alligator clips in bulk so that I can make hair bows and flowers for Heidi. I finally was able to order some from Amazon, and I've had some fun. Here are a few of the ones I've made.
The black flower is one that I've just had for a while, so I just covered a clip with ribbon and then glued the flower on. The other three are inspired by Pinterest finds. Yes, I actually do some of the things I pin.
Blue flower
Lace flower
Red flower
How to line an alligator clip
I just took the picture below to show off the gorgeous ribbon that I found on clearance at Michael's for $1 per roll. The light blue on the left is some that I got from my mom, but the other three are the ones that were on sale. I just love those floral patterns.
The black flower is one that I've just had for a while, so I just covered a clip with ribbon and then glued the flower on. The other three are inspired by Pinterest finds. Yes, I actually do some of the things I pin.
Blue flower
Lace flower
Red flower
How to line an alligator clip
I just took the picture below to show off the gorgeous ribbon that I found on clearance at Michael's for $1 per roll. The light blue on the left is some that I got from my mom, but the other three are the ones that were on sale. I just love those floral patterns.
Kevin's 4th birthday
Here are some pictures from Kevin's birthday. It was a quiet party with just our family this year. We had pizza for dinner and Ryan made a rainbow chip cake with pink frosting and Valentine's Day sprinkles (thank you, Kroger, for Manager's Specials). Ryan usually makes the cakes. After having cake, Kevin opened his presents. He got a Toy Story garbage truck (we took him to Target and that was what he chose). We also appreciate the very nice gifts and cards that Kevin received from his grandparents and from Grandma and Grandpa Great. Kevin also enjoyed getting a "coupon" in primary that he got to use to go shake the bishop's hand and get a treat.
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