Ah, the ever present typo. I am a former English teacher and author, yet I must continue to deal with the infamous typo. I know what I want to say, how I want to say it, and the best time and place to say it, but I must also consider the typo. I have been a paid editor for English papers in a local college preparatory high school, and I am good at finding typos. Well, let me clarify that a bit.
I am good at finding typos in other people's writing. In my own, I see what I should be seeing, not what I am seeing. Did you get that? Regardless, here is my philosophy on typos, in regard to this blog, all of my personal (not professional related) e-mail, texts, etc. Oh, wait! Texts are one enormous typo, so they don't count in the mix anyway...more on texts in another blog.
And yet I digress...my philosophy on typos: I will try to avoid them at all times. However, after I've given my blog a once-over to check for the nuisances, I'll simply save the post and move on. I don't have time to re-read over and over, and by the time I do that, I'll lose the idea that I was trying to convey in the first place.
Please don't get me wrong. Editing is vitally important. I pay an editor to go over my professional work with a fine tooth comb searching for typos. I have been a paid editor looking for typos. However, for the purposes of this blog, I shall render all typos powerless. Thus said, "Typos, you have no dominion over my blog posts. If you appear, we shall all simply ignore your presence and enjoy the purpose and focus of each blog. Move on and pepper someone else's page, please!"
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Back to School!
It is a sunny, quiet Monday. The kiddos are back to school for yet another week. If my calculations are right, they only have about 38 weeks to go until summer break rolls around again. Do you remember those times? The sights and smells of a new school year can hardly be rivaled.
My husband in a first grade school teacher whose heart beats to the rhythm of the school year. About five weeks before his contract begins each year, he starts meandering through the school supply isles at Walmart. He picks up, plays with, and tests all of the cool, new school gadgets. He pushes the buttons, tries the levers and smells the crayons. He needs this time to begin dreaming of his classroom.
Each year Mike, my hubby of a two years, turns his regular first-grade classroom into something amazing. Last year the kids were in outer space all year. This year they are on a cruise ship with Mr. Purcell. Birds fly around the room via battery operated string toys, nets filled with crabs and star fish dangle from the corners, and life preservers display the school rules. His classroom is truly a sight to behold.
Oh, and let's not forget Snoopy. Mike has been a Snoopy fan for years. The border of his room is always Snoopy, and Snoopy guides the way for many other things that happen in that magical place. It makes me want to be in first grade all over again. But the best part of it all? Well, the room looks fantastic and inviting, safe, and fun. But the best part is that much learning will take place on that cruise ship over the next 38 weeks. Addition will be introduced and mastered by many. Students will learn to read for the very first time. Some kids will fall in love with their new-found abilities and show them off for anyone who will listen. One may even be on the early path of becoming author!
And it all begins in the heart of someone who cares. Someone who cares enough to spend many days of his summer break preparing for the cruise that he'll take with his first graders. Someone who loves the children he teaches. Someone who still finds value in the little accomplishments of the wonderful people in his life. My thanks go out to Mike and all the other fabulous teachers who impart more than an education to the children. A dollar figure cannot measure the value of their sacrifice for the children. Have a wonderful 09-10 cruise everyone!
My husband in a first grade school teacher whose heart beats to the rhythm of the school year. About five weeks before his contract begins each year, he starts meandering through the school supply isles at Walmart. He picks up, plays with, and tests all of the cool, new school gadgets. He pushes the buttons, tries the levers and smells the crayons. He needs this time to begin dreaming of his classroom.
Each year Mike, my hubby of a two years, turns his regular first-grade classroom into something amazing. Last year the kids were in outer space all year. This year they are on a cruise ship with Mr. Purcell. Birds fly around the room via battery operated string toys, nets filled with crabs and star fish dangle from the corners, and life preservers display the school rules. His classroom is truly a sight to behold.
Oh, and let's not forget Snoopy. Mike has been a Snoopy fan for years. The border of his room is always Snoopy, and Snoopy guides the way for many other things that happen in that magical place. It makes me want to be in first grade all over again. But the best part of it all? Well, the room looks fantastic and inviting, safe, and fun. But the best part is that much learning will take place on that cruise ship over the next 38 weeks. Addition will be introduced and mastered by many. Students will learn to read for the very first time. Some kids will fall in love with their new-found abilities and show them off for anyone who will listen. One may even be on the early path of becoming author!
And it all begins in the heart of someone who cares. Someone who cares enough to spend many days of his summer break preparing for the cruise that he'll take with his first graders. Someone who loves the children he teaches. Someone who still finds value in the little accomplishments of the wonderful people in his life. My thanks go out to Mike and all the other fabulous teachers who impart more than an education to the children. A dollar figure cannot measure the value of their sacrifice for the children. Have a wonderful 09-10 cruise everyone!
Friday, August 21, 2009
I am an author. My first book is in publication, and I am fervently working on my second book. It goes without saying that authors have a lot to say. And this author is also a female, so words are always looking for a way of escape. My children are back in school, I have time on my hands, and no one to hear my words, thus, I've created this blog.
I am new to the blogging world, although it has been around for ten years, apparently. Those ten years have been spent birthing and raising children, so it is no surprise to me that blogs and millions of other things exist that I am not aware of. But for today, I'd like talk about those ten years.
I am in my late thirties and have never truly felt "old" before. However, recently I took a part-time job to help bring in some extra funds. I am a server at a local restaurant where I am about twice the age of all of my co-workers and ten years older than all of my bosses. That is such a very bizarre feeling. In my late thirties, I am being treated with kid-gloves and looked at with awe mixed with revere. Why is that? Do I look like a tray of food is way too much for me to handle? Does my back curve? Do I walk with a stoop?
I do lack the energy and stamina that most of my co-workers seem to have, but then again, this body has given birth to four children, I keep my house functioning, I am an author, a cancer survivor, a faithful wife, an active church member, etc. They attend high school. Regardless, we all get along nicely primarily because I am the ancient one.
So, in the end, I hope they get the message that I am working to fill in the gaps for my family. Even if having a thirty-something person working at the local restaurant is weird, it is right. We must roll with the times, even if they are tough. Sixteen or thirty-six. I will gladly (okay, well sometimes not so gladly) put on my apron, face the world of adolescence and do what I can to provide for the needs of those I love.
I am new to the blogging world, although it has been around for ten years, apparently. Those ten years have been spent birthing and raising children, so it is no surprise to me that blogs and millions of other things exist that I am not aware of. But for today, I'd like talk about those ten years.
I am in my late thirties and have never truly felt "old" before. However, recently I took a part-time job to help bring in some extra funds. I am a server at a local restaurant where I am about twice the age of all of my co-workers and ten years older than all of my bosses. That is such a very bizarre feeling. In my late thirties, I am being treated with kid-gloves and looked at with awe mixed with revere. Why is that? Do I look like a tray of food is way too much for me to handle? Does my back curve? Do I walk with a stoop?
I do lack the energy and stamina that most of my co-workers seem to have, but then again, this body has given birth to four children, I keep my house functioning, I am an author, a cancer survivor, a faithful wife, an active church member, etc. They attend high school. Regardless, we all get along nicely primarily because I am the ancient one.
So, in the end, I hope they get the message that I am working to fill in the gaps for my family. Even if having a thirty-something person working at the local restaurant is weird, it is right. We must roll with the times, even if they are tough. Sixteen or thirty-six. I will gladly (okay, well sometimes not so gladly) put on my apron, face the world of adolescence and do what I can to provide for the needs of those I love.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)