...Thank you Bill Maher!

NEW RULE: LET'S NOT FIRE TEACHERS WHEN STUDENTS DON'T LEARN --- LETS FIRE PARENTS

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-maher/new-rule-dont-fire-the-te_b_497554.html

Chivalry is still alive...in case you didn't know!

When I taught British Literature, one of my favorite units to teach was Canterbury Tale's, partly because I enjoyed the tales, but also because I exposed students to the word "Chivalry". I loved asking the students to think about what it meant to be chivalrous, and how it is more the opening doors and not speaking ill of each other, it was a real code to live by.


This code seems to have gone by the wayside for some people, myself included. I hear myself weekly say to my students' "kindness" when they speak poorly of someone or something. I see them going out of their way to create a problems for another student, and so few of them remember what it takes to "pay it forward" or to be aware of the people around you and help more people than just themselves. For the majority of the younger generation this code does not exist in their life or in their vocabulary.

But being a Generation Y, I have regained some appreciation for this code of conduct. Pretty much because I am dating one of the most chivalrous people I have ever encountered. I often forget that he is going open the door for me, help me get out of the car, carry things for me or give me compliments galore, and speak so highly of me and my accomplishments that my head may start to explode. I really didn't know that people still do nice things for people, practically every day. I know my days of cynicism and independence may have dampened my view of this great code, but who doesn’t appreciate someone giving gifts not for a special occasion or because they need to say "I'm sorry" but to make a girl feel like a lady.

I honestly think and feel that if more people practiced chivalry in their everyday life, the ideas that we know as "kindness" and "paying it forward" would be so surprising but could morph into becoming an actual expectation of all generations. So often people see the Baby Boomers giving the X's and Y's hints of what a man should do when it comes to dating a woman, but unfortunately these idea's become fodder for scrutiny and shock. Chivalry is a concept that goes beyond just dating but can filter in to being a better student, teacher, principal, business-person, family member etc. LONG LIVE CHIVLARY!

Please remove whatever it is that is making people crabby....

I spent the last weekend in Madison, Wisconsin and aside from a sickly ride home.it was fantastic. I honestly miss a bigger city and the ability to be a free thinking individual without receiving backlash from people. Granted there is not a place you can go that doesn't receive backlash but lately it seems to be coming on full force. I am not sure why or how, but I want to chalk it up to the weather.

I understand that majority of the people in this town are more conservative then I am, I also understand that religion is very important to almost everybody, but why is a difference in opinion such a bad thing? Or if you stray off their path you are considered a bad person, poor role model, or you are jeopardizing your job. I was raised in a Catholic/Christian home and I am very thankful for that. But the fact is that I am not going to inflict my views on anybody else, nor is it my place to judge you for yours. I promise you that majority of people who truly know a person, know that they are good, sincere, and wouldn't do harm to anyone, but really, because you are afraid of free thinking individuals you believe that you have a right to judge them....I think not. Or if something is put on display that makes you uncomfortable you have a right write those people a letter and judge away...Last time I checked the only people who are free to pass judgment on other people, are the ones in a black Robe, sitting on a stand, with a Law degree and the word Judge in front of their name.

I personally feel that if you can't handle the things that go on in public, I am going to assume that you don't watch TV, or have much of a personality. But thanks for opinions anyway, I do respect them, just may not agree with them!

Valentine's Day...

I used to refer to February 14 as "Single Awareness Day" and I have never been a huge fan. I have celebrated it in the past and they were cute and innocent but nothing was as enjoyable as my most recent Sunday. I am in a relationship (yes, we are no longer just dating) with someone who is very sweet, romantic and pretty much wants to make any bad thing that happened in my past relationships never happen again. Over the course of three days he did just that.

After a stressful week of parent teacher conferences, finishing a show, and trying to get things prepared for the rest of the month I was really looking forward to a weekend of relaxation. I got just that. I spent my day off which was Friday, in the big city had some delicious food, fun times and great shopping with my girlfriends. We went to "Chicago" the Musical and continued to laugh and be silly into the next day. I came back from the big city to spend time with the man and his son. Both of these men brought a huge smile to my face and made me laugh as we watched "Miss Spider" and cut out hearts for the Valentine Tree (Taking down the Christmas tree at his house hasn't happened yet so we morphed it into a Super Bowl Tree and a Valentine Tree.) As I was hanging out with the boys, his son wanted to make sure I opened a present, so present #2 Mood Rings. Totally random and totally us. We were having some silly conversation about them and how the town we lived in needed a store that sold random things It was cute and thoughtful and perfect. But a memorable part for me was when his son wanted to wear mine the rest of the day. He is 2, so it kept falling of his fingers... too cute. The day ended with pizza and family bonding over basketball. (Present #1 was Doggie Stairs, my bed is big, my dog is little and I am yelled/barked at for being on the bed and Bradshaw is too little to get up there....I tweeted about it, he saw it, bought and put together the stairs)

Okay, so if you are still reading this and aren't ready to vomit there was the actual day...although he had made plans to go see a movie that refuses to come to our town, the weather didn't allow it. So instead we hung out, and answered questions from the "IF" book. For example, "If you could pick to musicians to make a duet, who would they be and why?" silly things like that...it was followed by GLEE, (present #3 was a pink t-shirt that said "Gleek:" on it... Excited!!!) Leftovers for lunch and the Matinee of "Valentine's Day" the movie. Mind you...my favorite’s scene from the previews was when Jennifer Garner was demolishing the heart piñata...I assumed that was going to be me...obviously things have changed. After the movie, a walk with Starbucks through Target and he cooked me a homemade meal...I could not be happier.

This blog is not intended to be like I am rubbing things in, and no matter what, I think Valentine's Day is a little Hallmark created...but the happiness that I felt and the coincided with this year was indescribable and retelling it still brings a smile to my face.

Lesson Learned: You may not always love February 14th but someday you will find that February 14 is a day to just open yourself up to love...

So you came to check out my guns....

 

Check out his guns, this is my nephew one of the TOP 10 things that make me happy and one of the cutest babies I have ever held. Check out more cuteness at my sister's Blog http://roachkid.com/

Happy Tuesday everyone!