I’ve Been Tagged!

I took me a while to get to this (work, a trip to Florida and just life held me up a bit) but I was tagged by my “colleague” the wonderful jd2718 to come up with a list of 8 random facts about myself.  And random they truly are!  So, in no particular order…..

1.  I like the Gaither Family Gospel Homecoming shows.  They instantly bring me back to my roots.

2.  I am fascinated with airplanes.  I can tell the difference between a Boeing 767, 737, 727, MD 88…. you name it while they are on the ground or within sight in the sky.  My father was trained as jet engine mechnic in the Air Force and worked for Pratt & Whitney for over 20 years so I know a little about planes and jet engines!

3.  I am SO NOT a “Morning Person.”  While I find that I can no longer pull all nighters like I used to in college, I enjoy staying up late and hate waking up before 8am.  (Hahaha and I’m a teacher!)

4.  I have a penchant for remembering odd (and relatively useless) bits of information.  In other words, I’m the one you want on your team when playing Trivial Pursuit, Catch Phrase and the likes.  Do you know where Pocatello is?????

5.  I’m a really big fan of Kathleen Battle.  I think she was unfairly gifted with a beautiful voice and gorgeous face.

6.  I read everything…..even the labels on the back of the can of air freshener and Comet cleaner in my bathroom.

7.  I own all of India.Arie’s c.d.s and have listened to them over and over and over and……..

and lastly

8.  I’ve been fascinated by Indian (as in India) culture…. the music, food, dress, languages, history, etc since elementary school.  I own a beautiful sari that I’ve worn only once.

Wow, that was difficult!  I didn’t know where to begin and found myself wanting to share more. 

So, for all the folks listed below, as they say on the playground You’re It! 

http://rocrebelgranny.blogspot.com/ (The ROCin’ Granny)

http://teacheranonymous.blogspot.com/ (Teacher A)

http://teachyoualesson.blogspot.com/ (Ms. C)

http://vomitcomit.wordpress.com/ (Thordora)

http://whatsit06.blogspot.com/ (Ms. Whatsit)

http://www.missteacha.com/ (Miss A)

P.S.  I wanted to tag more (to make 8), but others beat me to them.  They had already been tagged. 

Many Thanks for Your Words of Wisdom and More

Being that I don’t know how many of you go back and read (or re-read) the comments that you and others leave on various posts, I thought I would post my second comment to the Embarrassed, Saddened and Disappointed All In One Crazy Day post, just in case folks missed it, because I really want you all to know how grateful I was and am for your insightful and kind thoughts.  I am proud to say that those who visit and share with me here at BrightMinds are truly on a different level.

I was feeling incredibly down and disheartened that day.  I think that somewhere on the “Top Ten List of Things That Frustrate Teachers” are students with BrightMinds, who have potential but fail to live up to it.  That is the case with that particular student.  Despite a mild learning disability, I could see potential in her; potential to be a good student and potential to break free from a disadvantaged background.

After her mother came to the school and verbally harassed and threatened my aide once again, the girl was removed from my class.  It’s sad because I really wanted to help her and I really wanted to see her succeed.  I still do want to her succeed.  I want her to prove the odds wrong, because with a mild learning disability, a mother with alcohol and mental health problems (I later found out the mother is Schizophrenic) who also happens to have nine other children (with six different men), the odds are stacked up against her.

Anyway, here is what I said……. 

“I just want to say that I am very thankful for the caliber of people who frequent and comment on this site. You all have helped to lift my spirit and spur me on with your words of wisdom, truth and encouragement………….You all simply rock!

BTW, Thordora, I (or shall I say we) “do it” through talking, sharing and encouraging each other…very much like what you all have done here, for me. I don’t have all the answers and sometimes I don’t see things clearly. That is when others can step in and offer insight which could then lead to solutions.”

Thanks again folks!

P.S.  Why not add to the ever growing list of “National” days and create a National (or International) Blog Visitor Day or something like that for the bloggers out there to show our appreciation for our Blogosphere friends and visitors.  Just a thought!