Student At Large

So since we moved here I've been planning to go back to school in the fall of this year. I hadn't looked at the classes I was planning to take for over a year, so forgot that I had added in a bunch just to take for fun....so when I looked at it last week, I realized that if I took out all those, I would be ready to apply for the Ultrasound Tech program at the beginning of 2010, meaning I would start - if accepted - Fall Quarter of 2010!!!

That's only taking 2 classes per quarter, which is awesome, since I need to take night classes until I am in the program. Night classes are either Monday and Wednesday, or Tuesday and Thursday, meaning if I work it right I can be taking a class all four days. I'm starting with only one class though, since it's Summer quarter, meaning less time to do the same amount of work, and to get back into the School Groove.

Of course, I decided this last Friday, and today was the beginning of the quarter - though the class I signed up for doesn't start until tomorrow night. I signed up for Algebra 097, a class I've taken before, but ten years ago, so I don't remember much. Since Math is my weak point, I don't want to take any chances about keeping my GPA high, so I'd rather start fresh and keep up. I only have to take 3 math classes for the program - 097, 098, and 099. I'll write another post later about the other classes I'll be taking, as well as the volunteering I need, and want, to do.

I'm really excited to start, despite the fact it's math. I am confident I'll do fine in the class since it's all just reminders, and Mike is super supportive and excited about me going to school too.

Buddha In June

I wanted to explain my new header, because I love what's in it but it's not completely clear what IS in it.

This is a Buddha garden that Kaia made in school. This is the Buddha sitting under a tree. (I think he gained enlightenment here? showing my lack of knowledge...)

Kaia learned about Buddha a couple weeks ago, and had a surprisingly clear memory of what they taught. I can't remember all of it, but parts of her explanation go as such:

"Buddha was a prince, and he was rich, but he hated to see so much suffering so he gave up all of his possessions."

"He sat under a tree like this (shows lotus position, or a 6 year old's idea of it) and was very still"

She actually remembered a lot more than that, but sadly, I do not.

Proud of My Man

I can't believe I haven't brought this up yet, I guess since all my readers know me, so already know, I didn't think it was necessary, but I have changed my mind.

My husband, rockin' smart guy that he is, has graduated! and managed, even with two kids and a wife, to graduate magna cum laude!! He has a cumulative GPA of 3.75 and in his department (computer science) a GPA of 3.85! My man is awesome, isn't he? He was really worried about this semester since he was taking some hard classes and Ben came right at the beginning of it, but he did really well, two A's and two A-'s, which raised his GPA!

He is SO HAPPY to be DONE DONE DONE. I am SO HAPPY he is done too!! When we told Kaia she no longer had to hear the words "Sweet, I have homework to do right now", she practically cried she was so excited.

So yeah. He's graduated, has a job, and we are moving to begin anew in three weeks.

YAY, us!!!!!

some babbling from out of nowhere

There seems to be a growing trend to home school. I read blogs devoted to it, or by moms who happen to mention that they do it. And they are, RIGHTFULLY, so happy and proud about it. I've read a blog written by a woman while she was making the decision to home school, and read about her discovered love of it, and continuing enjoyment from it. I've known a family with four kids who home schools, and their children are very smart, very well educated kids who seem to really enjoy learning, thanks to their parents.

One thing that bothered me was that a lot (not all by any means) of the mothers who wrote about homeschooling, seemed to exude a holier-than-thou attitude about it. Even those that claimed to be non-judgmental about it would say things like "we love our kids enough to make sure they get a GOOD education" as if sending your kids to a public school meant you didn't love them enough, but hey! they aren't judging you for it!

So for about 2.5 seconds, I considered it. I mean, I'm an intelligent, creative person. I could do the research, and get the materials....there's lots about it on the Internet. Then I almost fell over laughing (internally) over the idea. I just couldn't do it. For a bit I felt a little guilty about that. Shouldn't I want to spend that quality time with my kids? Shouldn't I care that much about their education that I take it upon myself, now that I don't have to work, to give them the best chance in life that I can?

To answer the second question first, yes, I should. and DO. And the way I can do that is not by homeschooling. Because while I am an intelligent, creative person, being the sole teacher of my children would NOT be beneficial to them or me. Now, before you get all indignant, I am not saying it's not beneficial to OTHER peoples' kids who are home schooled.

However, as many strengths as I have, being a good mother doesn't include being around my kids 24 hours a day. I have to have time to myself to be able to give them my best. Also, having finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up, I am looking forward to going back to school, then work. I know that I would lose my patience, lose my ability to be the best mom I can be.

And that kind of answers the first question. I love spending time with my kids. But I know that I am more fun, and more able to enjoy that time when it's not ALL THE TIME. And I have decided not to feel guilty about that fact.

So I went with a third option. I found a school that agreed with what I, in a more perfect and patient world, would teach my kids. They will learn multiple languages, they will study music and the playing of instruments. They will draw and paint on a daily basis, even in the higher grades. They will dance, and be in plays, and garden, and cook, and enjoy learning (hopefully!)

It's hard for parents to figure out the best for our kids. For some, homeschooling is the only decision. For others, public schools are a wonderful choice. For me, the Waldorf system is what I like best. It's another one of those things that we need to stand together as parents rather than judging, like the whole SAHM vs. working mom (can't remember the acronym for that, oh well.) Being a parent is hard enough without having someone look down on you for your choices.

First Days....

Here is Kaia this morning! She said after school that first grade was "fun" but when asked specifics, she had no interest in elaborating. We stopped by the store to get more lunch things, as sometimes I'll be making her lunch for her to bring. She was quite excited about the fact that she gets "three recesses!! THREE!!" which I'm happy about too. Kids that age need a lot of running around time.

For comparison's sake, here's her picture from a year ago, on the first day of kindergarten....
My god, she's grown!

YONINDID is my favorite...

Kaia had a "spelling test" today. It was really a test of how well they sounded out words, not if they got them right. Here's Kaia's.......


MONSTR- monster
YONINDID- united
Dres- dress
BOTem- bottom
HIC-hike
eGL- eagle
CLOsb- closed
BMT- bumped
TiP- type
See- see

HemeN--?? She can't remember. Any ideas?

Daily Glimpse #15

Came across this last night in my search for some serving utensils my grandparents gave me. This is me in 10th grade. Big glasses, braces, and big hair. Trust me when I say this was the best picture of all four years, funny as that may seem.

Strangely enough, I was also planning on writing today about a friend I met while in 10th grade. Jeff was in my graphics class. Neither of us had many friends. He hid his shyness with loud rudeness, and I hid mine with...well, I didn't. I was just quiet. But somehow we were friends anyway.

When I got sick we lost touch, and though I saw him a few times when I got back to school, we didn't hang out anymore. I saw him at graduation, when he introduced me to his fiance. I was with Abe from 10th grade on, but he went to another school.

Fast forward 10 years. (and it has gone by fast!) A few months ago, I'm sitting at work having a conversation with Lazer about MySpace, and how I don't have one. Won't get one either! He says it's a great way to keep in touch with friends. I say I don't have any friends on MySpace. He says "I bet you do!" Well, since I only have a few friends, and I know for a fact NONE of them do, I grin at him and start putting their names in the search. Sure enough, no one comes up. Then he says "I am sure you know someone with one."

Well, the night before, I had a dream that I was back in the halls of my high school. No one else was there, but then I came across Jeff. So we just walked through the empty halls talking. Great dream, though I don't remember what we talked about! So I decided to put his name in. And sure enough, up he pops. He has a MySpace! Then I look at the Created On date. It had only been made a few days before! He hadn't actually made it, his ex had. He didn't know about it. So through Lazer's space I send him an email, and about 2 weeks later, he sends me one!

Anyway, we've been talking ever since, and also had breakfast when I went down a few weeks ago. It's really great to be back in touch with him!