Wise is in the Wrinkles

I often draw while on BART. When I keep in practice, my figure drawing improves. Not to say that these are the best drawings, but I do learn each time I draw. This day was the discovery of wrinkles. Drawing someone to look older proved to be a challenge some days. But the wrinkles, that is what creates age in figure drawing. Hence "Wise is in the Wrinkles". It is a thing of beauty.

Memories of emotions

These are good weekends. Relaxing outside with your feet up. Contemplating life... What are memories? A thought of a feeling such as love is never the same as that exact feeling. It's something we create in our head--"expressed" in a way we keep it. It's either with words or pictures or an intangible understanding, but not the physical deep feeling of something such as love. How is this related to expressing oneself in poetry or prose or art or photography or videography or whatever other means? Do these forms of expressing help one understand a feeling better? Do these things form memories that are somehow more "real"?

Creativity & Motivation

I'm looking forward to some time to spend journaling, drawing, reading, and other hobbies. These things are all great motivation to being creative and happy. Just started listening this two part podcast Be Happy, Dammit! It's great to hear examples of people who make a point to practice these forms to creativity and happiness.

And here begins a more frequent posting...

From the days of floating school-to-school, I often got bored with no paper-work or planning outside and could be found reading or drawing. This was a reflection of myself at the computer-backwards hat and headphones on. Later the next day, I went to the Poetry Slam in Berkeley. I love that place and it's expression. SO MANY ways to express oneself!

art everywhere

During a stressful couple of weeks (I just switched job location and am currently living on a living room floor while looking for a new place), a nice relaxing dinner for two was just what I needed. But don't forget the art. I was spoiled; while I was being cooked for, I drew and wrote about the evening. When I walked away from the table, I looked back to see this beautiful set up and had to capture the moment--even if just on a camera phone. Art in art.

drawing

I enjoy drawing those things around me. It is art, but not art in the sense that most people think of it. It is my own personal art. It is observation and understanding. Drawing is a way to better appreciate the world--just read Danny Gregory (Creative License or Everyday Matters). Here is an example of my work from years ago--lips I drew in high school for a class. There is the art that I spend time on and the art that I draw quickly (on-the-go)--both are fun and interesting in there own way. I am proud of each differently. These lips say something to me that can't fully be put into words. <---that is also art

Coming back...

In a month or two... I'm coming back with a new format. More creative expression on the everyday, of course focus on interests, including education. Now if only I could get my digital camera working... In the meantime, check out these art blogs:

Mattias Inks
Craftmonkeys

Simplicity

A friend of mine recommended Choosing Simplicity: Real People Finding Peace and Fulfillment in a Complex World, which I have been reading on the bus and in between activities. Admittedly, I have skimmed/skipped several parts not of interest to me. But for the most part I have read and enjoyed the many stories of those living simple lifestyles. It has made me realize that I choose to live a more simple life than typical. I choose to live without a TV, limit my spendings, live in a place which is not at all fancy, and choose a job for love rather than money. I wonder what it is that has made me live this way when I see other family members in a much more hectic lifestyle. I believe I will spend some time checking out some of the listed resources at the back of the book. I really appreciate the list at the end of the text:

A Prescription for a Simple Life

1. Write in a journal daily, or almost daily.
2. Take three to four months off every few years and go live in some very different place, preferably a foreign country.
3. Limit your work (outside of the home) to 30 hours a week, 20 if you are a parent.
4. Don't let any material thing come into your home unless you absolutely love it and want to keep it for the rest of your life or until it is beyond repair.
5. Spend at least an hour a week in a natural setting, away from crowds of people, traffic, and buildings. Three to four hours of nature time each week is even better.
6. Live in a home with only those rooms that you or someone in your family use every day.
7. Select a home or place of work no more than 30 minutes away from each other.
8. Do whatever you need to do to connect with a sense of spirit in your life, whether it be prayer, religious services, meditation, spiritually-related reading, or walking in nature.
9. Seek the support of others who want to simplify their lives. Join or start a simplicity circle if you enjoy group interaction.
10. Practice saying no. Say no to those things that don't bring you inner peace and fulfillment, whether it be more things, more career responsibility, or more social activities.

TAGS: simplicity choosingsimplicity expressivelanguagedisorder book

Freedom Writers

At NECC 2005, I went to Erin Gruwell's keynote speech. Her story was great and some of us were left in awe. I remember her telling us that there was to be a movie out of her story and Hillary Swank would be the star. On January 12, Freedom Writers will be out in theatres. It is the story of her class writing about their world. Their stories were published in The Freedom Writers Diaries. And today, Erin Gruwell and freedom writer have programs to spread the what she started in her classroom.


TAGS: freedomwriters, expressivelanguagedisorder, education

Educating Linux

Here is Linux:



He has been taught by sitting and being spoken to. He does not seek out information, but let's it come to him. He is a computer, not a boy.


Here is Linux:



He is living life, because learning is FUN. We hope he will be given the same information and will absorb it through active learning, hands-on, mistakes, and adults & peers to help him out.

procrastinator voter

I have labeled my type of voting. I am someone who continues going on day-to-day knowing I need to vote--civic duty, right? Well, I feel it's necessary anyhow, and I don't like the idea of sitting back and watching other people make all my decisions for me. But... I'm not very politically active. I have a hard time keeping up with all the BS that comes with it! I can't handle all the debating because I feel things just get old. Having said that, I could possibly handle it if I did a better job of informing myself day-to-day and discussing issues with those I already know, rather than strangers on the street.

Anyhow, I put off all consideration of how I'm going to vote until... oh!, it's November 7th! And I struggle to find the issues, the candidates and make decisions. I feel I do a fairly good job, given my procrastination, but I still choose to not make all decisions based on my lack of knowledge. I was recently told that I should blog about the pre-vote atmosphere. Obviously that time as past, but given that I am lucky enough to be a part of voting for such an influential government, I feel it is also my duty to do the best I can to represent what I do get to see and hear. With that, here is my email of random experiences to Cherrie in New Zealand:

Today, I voted along with...well not as many people as would make sense in a democratic government.

To be honest, I don't see much more than you do or could. Most of my information comes from the internet. Sure there are fliers everywhere about local elections, and I hear about this event or that relating to the city governor, etc., but I'm not much of one to attend these events. I have no TV so I do not see the crazy advertisements I've heard about, and I'm busy in my own little world.

I have seen that graphical representation of the system before. It's pretty neat. There are different numbers of representatives from each state, and this is why you can see a very obscure version of the USA in blocks. It's cool to see which states are more definite one way or other and which are not. I sometimes think I should vote absentee in my own state just because my vote would help the weak vote there more. But even though, it wouldn't change the vote as it doesn't much change it here in my new location. I do, however, feel it is necessary to vote no matter how the atmosphere is or the likelihood of my vote changing the result. Civic duty. Many, however, don't think much about it.

From my understanding New York City is pretty crazy today. Everyone is talking about the elections, or so my friend tells me. She has been told to vote so many times, it's apparently getting annoying. (She voted just before I went off to.)

Oh, the other thing that I get is a lot of people asking me to sign petitions before the election comes (actually almost year round). These petitions are to get things on the ballot. Very often I just walk right by them because the petitions are things I'm not comfortable standing out for, but occasionally I'll let someone give me their spiel and sign when I see something I'm interested in.

One of my friends texted me to day: "have you voted today :)". Although many people nagging me is bothersome, this friend I appreciate the reminder/push from. She has always been a bit of an idol for me in her efforts to be involved and create change. So I guess it's those who you know best that have more of an affect on you, right?

Anyhow, that was really long, but I thought I'd try to get as much as I could of my personal experiences in there. It must be pretty exciting to watch from afar... the elections to me seem more important if I look at them from an outsider than the typical American living the life... how sad. We'll have to see if there are any major changes in American government/politics coming soon.

TAGS: voting, expressivelanguagedisorder, civic duty

Other Duties as Assigned

I'd like to be more a part of the blogosphere--both posting blog entries and commenting, but I don't feel I have the time to write thoughtful, useful posts or comments. I'm jealous of others who have well organized and dissected posts and comments--even the simple ones appear to have well thought-out, valuable opinions.

With a busy, stressful job, I'm likely to spend an evening trying to forget about work. I'm usually unsuccessful and wake up in the middle of the night thinking about things that I need to do. Maybe I can build up this and begin blogging about life in non-profit.

I joke about "other duties as assigned." It's in almost any non-profit job description, and I see it first-hand. The other day, I helped move used furniture into the office. I've also recently acted as a driver's instructor--helping people practice parallel parking and more. The funny thing about these other duties, however, is they can be the highlight of my day. When stressed over paperwork and recruitment, I love the chance for physical labor, easy tasks creating spreadsheets, or helping others in their new positions.



TAGS: nonprofit, expressivelanguagedisorder, education

the "challenging" youth are the best ones

Yesterday, I spent most of my time talking to students. Today, I spent hours trying to figure out paper work. And my mood changes. When with students, I come out of the day pumped, excited and enjoying every moment of life. When doing paperwork, I feel alone, drained, lost, and negative.

I feed off people--becoming energized. After one year with this student population, I feel so much more comfortable. I have fun with them. I am able to create a conversation out of nothing and soon, I'm learning all about their lives. It's great. I am able to watch students grow, be a role model and friend, and learn from them.

It's fun watching the new Leaders try to establish themselves. They are getting to know their students and themselves. Soon, the good ones will learn how to have fun with their students while still maintaining order. Others will try to have fun, but never have order. And others still will never let themselves have fun because their too busy trying to maintain order. I just hope they will all be able to see all the great talents in their students because these students amaze me day after day. I so glad the students have a positive place to learn and a group to be a part of.

TAGS: mentoring, expressivelanguagedisorder, education, leadership

student tracking website

I ran across schoolloop today and took the online tour. I'm impressed! It's nice to see all the features they've put into this online application. Teacher's can manage grades, assign homework, are alerted of students who are doing poorly in several classes, can email parents and teachers of concern or congrats to students. Principals can pull up information about student grades, look at any assignments that were posted online. Parents can login and check students' status in each class, even look at assignments that were posted online, or easily email teachers. There are a lot of cool features. I fear, however, it'll never get it's full use. It's an excellent application for larger schools where teachers do not have easy access to discuss students with other teachers, but I find it hard to believe that these large schools will get even a majority of teachers truely involve in posting grades on schoolloop, etc.

TAGS: student tracking, expressivelanguagedisorder, education

plane ride

My new favorite place to read my feeds is on the plane. I accomplished so much with no where to go and not much else to do. Now if only I could finish all the reflection blog entries before it's too late. I was testing the Windows aggregator SharpReader offline. I just wish it had a place to highlight parts and make notes on the entries for future commenting, etc.

TAGS: expressivelanguagedisorder, aggregator

pick a career, any career

I found an excellent site this afternoon California Career Zone. It offers career testing with results of potential careers. You can explore careers on your own through industries. Each career is explained including education, potential classes, wage and job listings in California. My favorite part is the old movie clips explaining some careers. There is also a "Reality Check" feature allowing people an opportunity to estimate there lifestyle expenses and look for careers to fit it. It's not perfect--missing some careers, etc.--but I'm sure going to use it with my students to have them explore potential careers, especially those who have no idea what to consider yet.

TAGS: careers, expressivelanguagedisorder, education

type of learner

I preparing curriculum for my high school senior after-school program. I will be leading 10-14 students at a time. I hope to spend most days with students in sets of 1-3 each working on different things at a time. One thing I would like to do early on is a multiple intelligences test. I would like each student to have a good idea of how they learn. This way when it comes to times of helping them discover good ways of learning new things or studying, I can refer back to how they learn. One thing I always found great for my studying was creating and using notecards. I was such a visual/kinesthetic learner, I found the act of both making and using these cards really helped me retain information for school tests. I would love to help students to creatively learn and study for each of their own styles.


TAGS: learning style, expressivelanguagedisorder, education

tracking down the source

This morning with very little time to rush off to work, I came across a great post in my bloglines feed. Wondering where these came from, I began clicking links. First I checked out Weidon and Kennedy's website. I found they are an ad agency with a fun flash site, but I don't have time to run flash and move on the the next lead Miguel Guhlin has left me. Blog about Libraries thanked Jennifer Davis for linking two things together. Finally, in Yes, And I find it came from an article in Men's Health that was posted on Innovation Network. Going to each of the sites, I check the search engines for "Five Rules of Creativity".  This doesn't work, but with a few other searches such as "Weiden" and "creativity", I come across the original article. By tracking down this source, I've practice a great research tool we should be helping students to follow, and in the mean time, I've come across several other resources which I may find useful in the future.


TAGS: online research, expressivelanguagedisorder

who hates school reform? part 1

Who are those people who don't want change in our education system? The people who think that the traditional way of educating is the best way. Are there people out there who still think a teacher lecturing in front a classroom of students with pencils and notebooks in hand is the best way of learning? Where do we find these people?

I've been trying hard to find how to define these people. I would like to learn as much about them: how they think, what they love, and why notes and tests are a good way to learn in their heads. Because there must be people out there keeping our schools from radically changing to better the education system.

the power of consumers

Thank you Cherrie for sending me over to the show with zefrank. I've only watched a couple, but loved one of the favorites: ugly myspace. zefrank's representation of the power of today's consumers is so great. As a journalism graduate, i enjoy the metacognition of the average citizen's power to understand, create and control their media. Although media is now EVERYWHERE and very hard to get away from as I once discussed on my old blog (but can't find--it was about persuaders), we also have access to more information and control to understand this advertising. We just must be educating our youth to use and understand these forms of media as told by Will Richardson when talking about teaching myspace in a recent podcast of a presentation.