Margin Call - the movie - and I'm on a tear, so you've been warned...

Hello friends,
Heavenly Father, please help us through these tough economic times, and may we learn to lean on You, and each other more, instead of the quote almighty dollar. May we learn valuable - not just monetary either - lessons. And in all things may we have a greater faith in You, Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Carlton and I went to see the movie "Margin Call" last night. Here's the synopsis, per Rotten Tomatoes, "Set in the high-stakes world of the financial industry, Margin Call is an entangling thriller involving the key players at an investment firm during one perilous 24-hour period in the early stages of the 2008 financial crisis. When an entry-level analyst unlocks information that could prove to be the downfall of the firm, a roller-coaster ride ensues as decisions both financial and moral catapult the lives of all involved to the brink of disaster."

Carlton, a political scientist, has been obsessed with the causes of our financial demise, as many people have been. See "Margin Call," and "Inside Job," for a 'complete' understanding of what's happened. Not really, but they are a good start.

One of the first things that Carlton did was see where things may have gone wrong politically. He found that Reagan's de-regulating the banks, in the 1980's, may have been the beginning.
But Carlton doesn't really think this economic crisis is as simple as de-regulation, as I know many people would agree, myself included.
I appreciate the axiom of Occam's Razor, "The simplest answer is often correct." It has served me well, especially when dealing with explanations.
I've consistently believed, naively, I recognize, that people are basically good. Philosophers and people far more intelligent than  me have debated this view of humanity, but for me, God created all of us, and He only creates Good; however, it's our choices, that make us do bad, criminal, and immoral things. Think of the seven deadly sins, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Acedia, Wrath, Envy, Pride, and Vainglory (I copied and pasted them from Wikipedia). I think de-regulation opened the door wide to these hideous sins. (Acedia, just so you know, "is the neglect to take care of something that someone should do.")(I didn't know either, lol).

But I don't blame de-regulation completely, I mean, these sins have been around since the Fall of Adam and Eve. Humans naturally make poor decisions, it's an inherent flaw that only God can remedy, but adding money to this poor sense of judgment, creates a luxurious playground for the Seven. I am not opposed to people making money. I am opposed to people making money off the misfortune, or ignorance, of others.

I'm mentioning all of this because I want to encourage my readers, and I pray for my readers, to always do the right thing (I sound like Spike Lee, I know); I ask that they pray for me as well.

And yes, the right thing is hard to do, but again, we don't do life alone, we only have to ask Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, in moments we struggle with what to do. He will always lead us to the correct decision.

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

I was just talking about this...

Heavenly Father,
Please continue to bless all those who need Your help, and help me to be a blessing, not a burden, to those who know and love me. Help me to keep my eyes focused on You. You are my love and my salvation, never depart from me. In Jesus' name. Amen

30Rock hilarity

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

Cleaning house

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for my past, my present, and, most especially, my future. With all my heart, I do love thee, Jesus! Amen.
As I was writing the previous blog, I started thinking about some significant events in my life...I had a pretty rough young life; but then, who hasn't, really? I grew up in poverty; not like living in a car, or a homeless shelter, but a humble beginning.
The semester my father was especially sick, I was on probation at school. Grades were slipping, and, quite frankly, I didn't care. The following semester my father died, and I was suspended from college.
During this time, I needed to find full-time employment, and get myself together. I had to make some money and return to school. I always knew I would return to school and finish  my degree; quitting school was never an option for me. I didn't want to live in poverty all my life. And not that I wanted a whole lot of money, and a nice car, etc., but I couldn't stand the abject environment where I found myself.
I think bc I didn't think much of myself at the time, and had no ambition to find a 'decent' job, I decided to become a maid. Yes, there for a short time, I cleaned houses for a living.

Not the most glamourous of jobs, but I liked it, and since I knew I wasn't going to clean houses for the rest of my life, I didn't mind it much.
I remember when I first began cleaning. Arriving at work a little before 8am, and sitting with the other maids...I could never figure out what we were waiting for, lol, and the whole atmosphere in the shop was one of desperation. (I realized later, what I thought was 'waiting,' was the ladies enjoying their coffee, and letting the folks whose houses we'd clean, wake up a bit, and be off to their jobs before we arrived.) Reflecting on the women I worked with, I kind of admired them. This was a humbling job, and even with the gloomy vibe in the room, the women were incredibly dignified, and good at what they did. I remember making the bed at one particular house, and the maid that was with me (maids were sent out in two's - like in Noah's arc) told me, "We want the pretty side of the flat sheet facing the child." They thought about their client's lives. I enjoyed my conversations with them, driving between houses, or going back to the shop at the end of the day.
I also vividly remember one particular house we cleaned. It was huge! I'm talking upstairs/downstairs, with at least 20 rooms. It had a long, gorgeous, winding stairway. I can easily project myself to sitting on those stairs again, as I'm cleaning the banister; the owner, a pleasantly plump woman, with an easy smile, gave me a curious glance as we entered her home; I guess because I was younger than my counterparts. But this woman was kind enough to play the most beautiful music as we cleaned. I think it was the first time I heard classical music. The harmonious sounds helped me understand (even better) Shawshank Redemption's character, Red (Morgan Freeman), when he narrated, "We sat and drank with the sun on our shoulders and felt like free men."
The melodies made me feel like things were going to get better. And they did.
"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

A peek into a life

Heavenly Father,
Bless all young people everywhere, Lord. Keep their guardian angels close, keeping them safe, always. And thank you for everything, always. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Tonight I was talking to a co-worker-friend in the parking lot about her 20 yr-old son, A. A is a student at Harvard UT and will have the opportunity to intern with a company for a year in China. He has already been to China, and loved it, and relishes the idea of returning, possibly to live there. A's mom, my co-worker-friend, is concerned for him; she has nothing against China, she just doesn't like the idea of her son being so far from her, and the rest of the family. Then there was A's gf. A and gf had been sweethearts since they were 15. They dated for five years. A's mom was telling me that A's gf and A were highly compatible as a couple, and with each other's family; so much in fact, that A's gf is in pictures of family weddings, and other various important family outings.
Well when A returned this past summer from China, and was in Dallas for about a week, he broke up with his gf. Not only was the gf heartbroken, so is A's family.
Everyone loved the gf and cried about the break up, almost as much as A did. Everyone in A's family is saying that he probably did the right thing, and are supportive of his decision, but they are also telling him that she was 'one in a million,' and he probably won't meet another one like this gf.
Hearing the tale, I felt bad for both A and his gf. A had to make a tough decision! And like mom said, "You can't expect people who are in their twenties to stay together. It's unrealistic." Mom now fears that if A takes a job in China, this will for sure signal the end to whatever A and his former gf may have had, or will have.
For some reason this 'struggle' interested me; probably because it reminds me of my life and the twists and turns it's taken and how I've arrived where I am...Life is a little of us trying to make the best choices with the information we have at the time; and a lot of us doing the best we can with the life we've been dealt.

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

It Makes You Wonder...

Hello friends,
Thank you Heavenly Father for blessing me to work with such a great team at school! Thank you for bringing OA, RJ, PM, BC, NM, and PE into my life! Thank you for helping me with my fifth graders - if it weren't for Your strength - I know I would have gone crazy already. (more than I am, lol) A special prayer for everyone who has asked me to pray for them. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Lately, it's seems I'm around men who are thirty, or younger, and, who are, coincidentally, also attracted to me. Being a woman older than thirty (clears throat), I'm flattered, of course, but not very enthusiastic about this particular, er, 'predicament.' I am pondering dating some of these men - ugh, here come the 'cougar' comments - but I'm hesitant. For many reasons, but to name a few: do they have 'mom issues' they're working on? (more than likely) what's really in it for them, or me? How mature will they be as 'long term' suitors? Are they intelligent, or just amusing? You know, the usual 'relationship' questions one asks. (BTW, I don't have an answer for any of these questions...at the moment (wink).) And, as with most things in my life now, I am taking my time.
These questions remind me of a couple who go to my church and have recently become engaged; I think she is older than him.
Now, I don't know the woman very well, but there was a very short period of time where I had a crush on the guy. When I saw him in mass, during the week no less, just like me, I thought, "That is the kind of man I'd like to meet..." Nothing ever transpired between this young guy and me - though I knew he noticed me - if only bc I was one of the 'younger' people attending daily mass, not that my ego didn't want to imagine him noticing me - but I was only given a 'cursory' nod of recognition from him. Please note: since he and I were feasibly on the same page spiritually, this would have trumped any age issue between us.
As for the woman he's engaged to...I was perplexed by what I'll call her 'spiritually lacking nature.' I'd seen her a couple times in mass, with him, indubitably, but only on the weekends, not during the week, which made me wonder if she had the same 'imateriality,' that he and I possess - ostensibly assuming that one can 'sense' a devotion to God - and,- that I possess the capacity to judge such faculties. Not.
Whenever something bothers me emotionally, I'm cognizant God is giving me a lesson.
I prayed, "Show me what I'm supposed to learn, Lord."
The Holy Spirit gave me this insight: despite age and any other 'dissimilarity' I think this couple has, what is important is their developing bond, together, to Jesus. And so it is for me, My connection to God will lead me to the person I'm supposed to be with, if I'm supposed to be with anyone, but what is most important, is my link to Christ.
"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

Thankful

Hello friends,
Heavenly Father, thank you for everything in our lives, most especially the difficult moments, where we have much to learn. Special intentions for: MN, KG, and my good friend 'N' and her family. May peace, love and harmony reign. In Jeus' Name. Amen.
Just a quick class update:
My panda bear, Scorpian, has progressed nicely. He has fallen asleep in my class, but way less than in previous years, AND he is working for me. PTL! Miracles happen everyday, believe it!
I could vent about some 'friendship issues' I'm having, but I figure there's enough negativity in the world without me adding to it! :P
I came across this meditation in my "Give us this Day," from a daily prayer for today's Catholic mag, and I think it fits my sentiments perfectly about the above 'friendship issues.' See if you agree...
The Kingdom of God is at Hand for you
We need Christians who will live their faith and be witnesses in truth. Our mission is to make holy our everyday actions, whether at home, or at work. This is not often really appreciated. We forget too easily that genuine holiness lies in carrying out God's will wherever we are, whatever we do, at home or at work. That is how we give witness to Gospel values - by the manner of our living and working.
      We are called to build the kingdom of God within the kingdom of man. This causes us to wrestle with some of most intractable problems and menacing dangers of our time. The struggle for the kingdom is not an abstract conflict. It has to be fought here and now, in conditions dictated by history and contemporary needs. And so we have to contend with the problems of our age, while we try, as best we can, to empty ourselves of the will to dominate, and rely instead on the invincible power of divine love. We must be ready to dialogue and be flexible. We must never lose patience or hope. We must be ready to initiate and be positive, not simply to react defensively and belatedly.
Cardinal Basil Hume, A Turning to God
Cardinal George Basil Hume (1923-1999), Abbot of Ampleforth Abbey in Great Britain from 1963 until his appointment as Archbishop of Westminster in 1976 was one of the best-known and beloved relgious figures in the United Kingdom.
God bless you friends! Today, always, and forever may you feel God's presence near you.
"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

Holy Water

Hello friends,
     Thank you Heavenly Father for the lovely, abundant rain that is falling in Texas at this very moment. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

Rachel's challenge

Hello everyone,
Thanks Heavenly Father, for creating Rachel Scott; in her mere 17 years, she has inspired society to re-visit the basic codes of living: kindness, respect, caring and compassion. ." Rest in peace, Rachel, and thank you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Rachel Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Her acts of kindness and compassion coupled with the contents of her six diaries have become the foundation for one of the most life-changing school programs in America. (taken from the Rachel's Challenge website)
Rachels' Challenge Mission:
We exist to inspire, equip and empower every person to create a permanent positive culture change in their school, business and community by starting a chain reaction of kindness and compassion.
An excerpt from Rachel's diaries:
I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion then it will start a chain reaction of the same.
- Rachel Scott
The challenge is so simple! Acknowledge acts of kindness.
I am proud to say that the school I work for has fully and completely embraced Rachel's Challenge. Already, I see the difference in my student's attitudes toward each other, and for the better. Students are encouraged to take some ribbons and hand out at the supermarket, etc., so be on the look-out, or start handing out ribbons of kindness yourself!
My principal has put this challenge to us: that by the end of the school year, we will have enough ribbons to wrap around our school. We are well on our way to reaching that goal...
For more info, go to:
Rachel's challenge
There are ways businesses can become involved too! It's not just for schools.
"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

Innocence lost

Hey friends,
Heavenly Father, bless all eyes reading this blog today. You know our needs, and are with us each and every step of our journey to You. Thank you, Lord. I especially want to thank You for counting me worthy to 'stand in Your presence and serve You.' In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Not only did I see a violent movie this weekend, but my brother shot his first gun, ever, on the same day, which brought home a powerful message to me. (side note: Carlton tells me the gun instructor was a good one, so kudos to the teacher.)
This movie was ultra-violent though; in fact, one of the critics I heard describing the movie, said that movie-making people call this brutality 'wet'.
I was grateful knowing about the violence beforehand, because I could prevent myself from being subjected to it. I closed my eyes when I 'knew' or 'sensed' something awful was about to befall one of the characters, and judging by the audience's reactions, I'm happy I wasn't watching. (Ha, ha to the director, jokes on you!)
Violence in movies is nothing new, and will continue to appear, more's the pity.
But I'd like to add one more reason to the list of reasons why seeing violent movies, and using guns, aren't good for us: because they cause us to lose our innocence. And here's the definition I'm using for innocence: simplicity; absence of guile or cunning; naivete; lack of knowledge or understanding; harmlessness; innocuousness.
I think that when we're born, we are 100% innocent. But society: movies, the media, etc, (everyone of us knows 'the list' of terrible things that go on in the world without me further enumerating them), chip away at that innocence. And maybe I'm overly sensitive to this idea of losing our innocence because I am a teacher.
I remember years ago, when it was okay to hang out with the students outside of school, I took some of the girls in my class to fly kites. For some reason that eludes me at the moment, the girls and I had to go to the grocery store. When the students and I were in line to make our purchase, I remember looking at the 'headlines' on all of the magazines facing us in the aisle. Almost every single magazine was basically telling these young girls they weren't good enough, pretty enough, and how to make themselves perfect...I'm sure the girls didn't even notice; it was just another day at the grocery store for them, but I was jolted to awareness by all the blasts at our self-esteem, our thinking, and, most of all, our decency.
What's sadder to me than the media tearing at our innocence, is our willingness to let go of it. We seem to be saying, "Sure, I'm not supposed to see movies that make me cringe at the horror, but it's all in the name of entertainment, and I want to be entertained."or "Learning to shoot a gun isn't robbing me of my innocence; I'm learning to protect myself."
Losing our innocence isn't just about 'becoming educated,' or 'knowledgeable'; as a teacher, I understand the importance of education and knowledge; what I'm protesting is that people don't realize that when we lose our innocence, we lose our wondering about the world around us, we lose our curiosity about how things are made; we lose our creativity. It's almost like since we know what's going on behind what's happening, there's no point in using our imagination.
The movie I saw would have been just fine without all the goriness of it, as everyone knows. The person who thinks guns are the only way to protect ourselves, is forgetting about self-defense classes...I for one won't be seeing anymore violent films; and if I mistakenly happen to be watching one, I know I'll be covering my eyes again; because I'm aware I'm not just covering my eyes, I'm protecting what little innocence I have left.

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

In Memoriam

Heavenly Father,
     May all the lives lost on 9-11-01 rest comfortably in Your arms. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Lord of All Hopefulness
Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
Whose trust, ever childlike, no cares can destroy,
Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.

Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith,
Whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe,
Be there at our labors, and give us we pray,
Your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.

Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
Your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace,
Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,
Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.

Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,
Whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm,
Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,
Your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.

Text: Jan Struther, 1901-1953 c Oxford University Press
Time: SLANE, 10 11 11 12; Gaelic; harm. by Erik Routley, 1917-1982, c1975, Hope Publishing Co.
copied from St. Joseph Catholic Church, Richardson, Tx, Hymnal

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

Wreck at Half Price books on NW Hwy, 9/3/11, 11:30ish pm

Hello friends,
Heavenly Father, thank you for watching over each and everyone of us, wherever we are, and thank you for your many blessings in our lives. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
I thought I was watching an episode of "Monster Trucks," when I saw the ginormous, silver truck, traveling rather fast, careening to the left, and then making a quick ninety degree turn to the right, tires screeching. Then things slowed down, as the colossal truck gripped the cement median between NW Hwy and Half-price Books, lifting itself up, and pushing aside the puny Mustang convertible parked in it's path. The Mustang was facing NW Hwy, but was now pointing in a SE direction. Luckily, no one was inside the Mustang. The gargantuan truck had four heads bobbing inside it, and they appeared to be watching the demolition of the Mustang in bewilderment. The massive truck was on top of the median and the passengers seemed to be contemplating what to do next...Then, maybe the driver realizing he couldn't just drive off, heaved the truck off of the median and into the parking lot, a few small feet from the banged-up Mustang. Three of the passengers got out of the truck and ran inside the Half-price Books store. The driver, wearing a red plaid shirt, with the sleeves cut off, got out of the truck and walked over to the Mustang. The officer who peruses the Half-price premises was quickly at the scene. I jotted my name and cell number down, to give to the owner. The three guys that had gotten out of the truck and ran into Half-price, re-appeared, bottles of water in hand. (Hmm...???) I walked over to the wreck and gave my phone number to the eighteen-year-old, who was obviously in shock over what happened. I quickly explained that I saw everything, in case he needed a witness; I also introduced myself to the police officer, and he asked me to wait for the policeman who was investigating the wreck. I walked around to see the damage to the Mustang. The driver's side was bashed with the imprint of the truck's tires, and the front left wheel was slanted to the right. The hood of the mustang made an upside 'v'. The gigantic truck was missing it's front bumper and it was leaking profusely from underneath, the fluid making a large dark puddle. The officer for Half-price addressed me, "Let me see, the truck made a left turn, punching it, lost control and while trying to regain control, landed over here, on top of the Mustang." I nodded in affirmation. I asked him, "Why do you think they bought water bottles?" "Drinking, drugs, who knows." The officer in charge of the accident arrived, and asked me if I saw any other cars around the humongous truck, before it headed into the parking lot, as the driver was alleging that the truck was pushed from behind, and that this was the reason the truck ended up in the parking lot. I said, No. He also asked me who was driving and I told him.  He asked where I was sitting (underneath the awning of Half-price, facing NW Hwy), took down my address, phone number, age, etc, thanked me for coming forward and said I could leave. I pray things turn out well for the eighteen-year-old. I once had someone stop and give me their number when they saw my wreck, I was just paying that forward...it's the best thing to do in these circumstances, too.

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

Nicknames

Hello friends!
God, please keep Basil the cat in the place you have reserved for the Heer's in Heaven; you created a great cat when you made Mr. Basil; thank you for the time we had with him. And as for the rest of us still here on Earth, watch over us and guide us, as always. A special intention for any one who works with children on a regular basis; please grant us love, patience, humility, thankfulness, and most especially, a sense of humor. Thank you always for the many, many blessings you bestow on each and every one of us, every day. In Jesus' name. Amen.
This year has gotten off to a fun start. Some of the students have come up with nicknames for themselves: "Scorpian," "Noble 4," "Situation," "Mr. Amazing," "Moraky (Mora (if you can roll your r's)-Ky)," "Aray," "Ay-girl (A girl)," "Mini-Shark," "Kinkle," "Lulu," and "M & M." I am "teach," or "Ms. Teach."
The student I am most concerned with is "Scorpian." It's been rumored he has slept through most of third grade and for parts of fourth grade. He fell asleep in my room, probably two days. The second day it happened, I took him to the nurse with these words, "You've slept through my time, you will now sleep through your time," which meant he was to sleep during recess. He was able to get 15 minutes of sleep, and this enabled him to stay awake the rest of the day. But this can't continue.
I do feel bad for him, b/c he's been telling me he is really trying to go to bed early; I believe him, but this is also unacceptable behavior.
This year fifth grade has made a concerted effort to create a feeling of community: complete with a Mayor (M), Deputy Mayor (DM), Hallway police, activities coordinators (playground equipment), and many others. Well the DM and M 'happen' to sit on either side of Scorpian and did an excellent job of helping him stay on task. This is no small undertaking. Scorpian is probably 5'6" and about 200 lbs, but gentle as a panda. But this probably won't solve the problem either.
I am doing my best to think "outside of the box,"with regard to Scorpian. I will be contacting mom, since the nurse told me Scorpian has a low-hemoglobin, which explains the low-energy, and see if she can add more 'greens' to his diet. I am also implementing a three-day 'Let's help Scorpian,' community-wide project. M and DM have already helped Scorpian one day; they will help him two more days, and then I'll have another two students help him. We'll talk about what's appropriate to say and do when encouraging Scorpian, so things don't turn negative. I know that the students will get tired of helping Scorpian, and that's part of my point. Once all the students have had a chance to sit next to him; I'm going to pull the class back together and we'll discuss how everyone feels, including Scorpian, about being helped all the time. Should be interesting and I'm hoping Scorpian will say he's tired of all the help/focus, and will want to be left alone, to do what he's supposed to do.
Yes, good luck to me.
But this won't be the last of interventions, either, I know.
This child has the possibility of becoming a drop out statistic, but that's not going to happen; not on my watch.
"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

Grumpiness

Hey friends,
God bless all the eyes reading this blog; give us what we need, Lord. Not what we want, but what we need, as only You know best, Jesus. Oh, and can we please have more rain? Thanks. In Jesus' name, Amen.
I find myself in a bad mood today. I'll explain why in a moment.
When I'm at work, I want to work.
But I wish I knew the etiquette for some work interactions (I'm sure there are tips on-line, but I'm too lazy to look for them).
Like last week, when I went in to set up my classroom, the new guy, Skype, was in his room, also getting his room ready for the year.
Now, Skype and I share a door between our classrooms. Unfortunately for me, that door was open.
I really wanted to run over and close it, but I knew that would seem rude. But I also knew that if I started talking to Skype, I'd lose valuable time working in my room! Oh the dilemma!
I was noisely removing paper from the wall as I was asking myself, "Am I being rude for not saying hello to Skype? He could just as easily come in and say hello to me." Eventually of course, Skype and I spoke. Not a lengthy conversation *smile* only a few sentences exchanged. Whew. Time wasted kept to a minimum. (I'm a talker, so I was esp proud of myself for not gabbing away.)
Since I'm also new to the team, I keep in mind that my co-workers don't know me! Gone are all the mistakes I've made on other teams. Now's my chance to shine, to be professional, friendly, and my usual hard-working self.
But this is what has me grumpy: why am I even concerning myself with my teammates?!
Then I came across this article, about grumpiness: b/c, according to this website, Grumpiness 'is good for you'
Forgas''s explanation is that happy people focus more on their own desires. "Positive mood is in a sense an evolutionary signal, subconsciously informing people that the situation they face is safe and non-threatening," he says.
This encourages people to rely more on their own thoughts and preferences, with selfishness the result, the expert added.
On the other hand, grumpiness or sadness produces more vigilant, outward-looking thinkers.
"A negative mood produces a thinking style that is more detailed and attentive, and pays more attention to the demands of the external environment," says Forgas.
The study has been published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.
Yay, grumpiness is a good thing!

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

Summer is over, teacher, now what? ; )

Hello friends,
Special prayer of complete healing for a good friend's mom who is in ER; many endless prayers for the termination of this awful drought; for all teachers everywhere, may they be blessed in abundance with patience, compassion, empathy, and humor; and Lord, please guide our political leaders to do right by the American people in their policies. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Last week I had the privilege, along with two out of five of my fellow fifth grade colleagues, to do some interviews for a suddenly open position in fifth grade. In-between interviews, I had time to go to my classroom and see how I want to arrange twenty-five student desks, and I do my best to imagine how the room will look to an eleven-year-old, determined to make the room seem 'homey' and 'comfy.' I wonder if the students even realize how much their teachers think of them before they step foot in our classrooms. Reminds me of Jeremiah 1:15, "Before you were in your mother's womb, I knew you."
I took out many of the tables in the room, and left myself two: one where reading and math groups will take place, and the other for student's completed work.
I joke to my co-workers, "The classroom would have so much more room if it weren't for the students!" But of course that's why I do my job, this labor of love, for the students.
This year is different for me in several areas: I'll be finishing my MA in school counseling; in fact, my pre-practicum and practicum will all be done this year; I'll be teaching an all English class, which I haven't ever done in my 16 years in this career. I know I will have Latin children in my room, but absolutely no Spanish will be spoken, unless I'm talking to a parent who speaks only Spanish. and lastly, all the students, teachers, principal, asst principal, and parents will go camping in December. I'm looking forward to it. The camping is pretty easy - we stay in cabins instead of tents - there will be hiking, archery, canoeing. Fun!
I went over budget on buying for my classroom, which teacher doesn't do that?!, but I did get some pretty good bargains. A small, cute, lamp and clock from Goodwill. A $7 tower lamp from Target. All to create a nice ambiance and offer a different sort of lighting to the students than the usual bright lights above their heads; fabric for the bulletin boards, borders for said bulletin boards, lysol..just 'incidentals' that add to the classroom running smoothly.
I will dust off furniture, put textbooks on desks, build a tree on the column in the  middle of my room...I usually take the week before all our trainings and massive staff meeting, Convocation, as it is called, to get ready for the beginning of the year. Teachers are given a day to prepare, but that's just not enough time for me.
And so another year will begin.
"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

Photos from Cali

From the highest point in LA, the Griffith Observatory.

LA from the Griffith Observatory

LA - a neighborhood near Venice Beach.

M had to take a photo of us during a sunset. That's Marina del Rey in the background.

We rode around Venice beach. Very nice.

A canal that runs through a neighborhood near Venice Beach...I imagine this is how Heaven looks...

I did manage to go to mass during our holiday. This is the outside of the Church of Visitation, near the LAX airport.

Those adorable Elephant seals! Lazies.

Off the PCH.

Quaint restaurant off the PCH.

View from the porch of the quaint restaurant.

This is how flowers grow along the highway of the PC.

Redwoods!

Just another shot off of the PCH.

This is the Bixby Bridge, built in 1932 and still used. Hey Bushy! : )

Doesn't really need a caption, right? ; )

Downtown SF from the GGB.

The other side of the GGB. Hey guys! :)

Yes, this is that Pier.

Look at the size of that shell! I couldn't resist. This was a shop along the Pier.

Alcatraz

Just a fun billboard along the Pier.

A restaurant along the Pier.

Chocolate lovers dream paradise.

Just a lil treat I had. YUMMY

A Chagall.

Second Chagall.

This is Chagall's version of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments. Chagall had many pieces on the Exodus from the bible. This was a God wink to me, as the readings for the week were about the Exodus. : )

A whimsical Miro.

SF random statue.

Back to Hollywood. This is Journey's star.

The handsome Keanu Reeves home.

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

California Dreamin'

Hello friends,
Heavenly Father, we really need some peace in our world! Too many shootings, drug overdoses, and general mayhem. Please continue to help us 'fight the good fight'. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Some observations about Cali:
Los Angeles, specifically~
*I know I've posted about this on FB, but I've got to mention it again: it is LEGAL for motorcycles to drive in-between traffic - on the highway, and city streets. This just seems so crazy to me!
*It is always around 72 degrees. This can be 'Heaven or it can be Hell,' if you think about it.
*There is always traffic. Yes, no matter what time of day. Always.
*The city is dirty. Dirtier, I think, than even NYC. (Ok, maybe I felt this way b/c of the whole 'Hollywood' thing - beautiful fake people and I don't get along.)
*People are Really laid-back. Good and bad. I noticed the bad when we were driving around and peds didn't hurry to cross the street, never mind the pile of cars gathering behind yours. I noticed the Good when I was flustered with my change and 'discussing' things with Carlton. The guy behind the counter wasn't irritated in the least. I thought that was cool.
*The food is tasty.
*Abbot Kinney blvd. Great coffee shop to people watch and enjoy a scrumptious "Sun-rise" smoothie.
*Everybody lives here: homeless, punks, guys with collars turned up...
*Keanu Reeves lives here. Most excellent.
*The ocean is cold.
*Pinks. Delish dogs.
*When purchasing groceries, be prepared to pay for either paper or plastic; or, like we're all supposed to be doing anyway, have your own bags with you.
Driving to San Fran, via the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway)~
*This hwy should be on every one's bucket list. Seriously. It's that gorgeous. Beware though: the roads are winding and can cause nausea. But, as with anything worth pursuing, you tough it out bc the view is worth it.
*Redwood trees! Oh my! Have to be seen to be believed. It was like meeting up with old friends again.
*The Coast waves at you -pun intended- daring you to dive into it's fascinating, cold, waters. Don't do it! Those cliffs are dangerous! Just be happy looking and taking many, many photos.
*Hike! Lots of peeps have been there before you and the trails are well-worn. Or, be adventuresome, and make your own trail! Either way, the woods are inviting.
*Colorful birds. Unlike the black scavenger birds we have in Tx, PCH birds are black and blue. Black body, but with a bright blue comb. Pretty.
*Elephant seals. There is a fenced area around them, but the photos will look like you are right beside them. The ES' were too funny: using their huge fins to scratch themselves, and to lazily throw sand on their back. A joy to watch.
San Fran~
*San Francisco is a wonderful place. The area is all 'scrunched up,' but somehow this gives the place a 'homey' feel, and not one of claustrophobia.
*You can call San Francisco "San Pancho," as my childhood buddy, Andy does.
*Golden Gate Bridge
*Pier 39
*Ghiraridelli's. Chocolate lovers dream!
*Open viewing of materpieces by Picasso, Chagall, and Miro, along the boardwalk of Pier 39. I think it was more like a shop for serious art collectors, as I was able to take photos of the paintings without being told to stop. >click, click, click<
*Andy contacted an old high school buddy, J, that lives in the heart of San Fran, so we could hang out with him. J's apt is way cool: you walk up three flights of stairs to his place. Once inside his place, you walk down a long hallway; on the right side is a wall, and on the left side is J's bedroom and other rooms. Apparently the bathroom toilet is the original toilet made by John Harrington, as Carlton attested to when he saw it. I didn't see it, but J said you could flush a bowling ball down that 'john'! LOL
*Toll to SF is $5.00; there is no such thing as a 'toll tag,' which means you have to wade through the cars, BUT you don't have to pay a toll leaving SF.
*Also, the bridge we entered SF on, not the GG, but another one (don't know the name, sorry), actually has TWO bridges: one on the top, to be able to take in the beauty of SF; and then one on the bottom, for when you are leaving San Fran. Cool idea.
*It must have been at least 50 degrees that night we were in SF. My sweater was not enough to keep me warm (I hate the cold). It was very strange to be cold in July.
I'm posting photos, but on a separate blog. This one is way too long already! :) Thanks for reading!

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

FTM's Acoustic set, aka the Real CD release party, Saturday night

Hello friends,
      May God be with you, day in and day out, and may you always be aware of His presence. He's there. In Jesus' name. Amen.
I tease Carlton about his choice of local bands sometimes, I admit it. Especially when he incessantly goes on and on about a band; I get tired of his hype, and decide to judge for myself. Before the gig I'll ask him, "So you think this dog will hunt?" and he normally answers in the affirmative, but tentatively will say, "I don't know if you'll like them as much as I do, but yes, I think they're good."
Often times, he's usually right.
This was the case with the band Fair to Midland.
I can't remember the first time I saw them in concert, but I know I've kept up with them for at least the last year.
I do remember the first place I saw them, which was at the Granada. When I laid eyes on Darroh my thought was "Who IS this nut?" He has charisma, passion, and charm. He just explodes on stage. He dances around so much I hope he can make it rain. At one point in the performance he sat down on the stage and seemed to just be chillin' with the rest of us at the gig. The audience loved it and was singing along with him.
I've seen them several times since the Granada, usually at Trees in Deep Ellum, and savor the energy of their playing. You can tell they are a tight group: everyone enjoying themselves and playing the Hell out of their instruments.
Carlton introduced himself to Cliff, the lead guitartist, at one of the shows, and ever since that introduction, when Cliff sees us before a gig, he always comes over and says hello. Muy amable. Cliff is a very kind soul, and he has a singular appearance, too: his fuzzy, out of control, crazy-curled hair. It looks like it would be coarse, but it's not; it's as soft as feathers. Yes, I've touched it. :D
Last Friday night I happened to look at my phone, and since I'm a fan on their FB page, I get all their updates. This update said FTM was doing an acoustic set at a city about 45 min from where we live. I immediately texted Carlton and we were happily en route Saturday night.
This show was an absolute treat! Again, Cliff saw us before they played and came over and  thanked us for coming to see them. The bar wasn't packed at the time, but when the time drew closer for FTM to play, there wasn't an open space in the house!
FTM doing their music acoustically. I felt like I was at an MTV unplugged version, waiting for a band like PJ, or possibly seeing Rik Emmet playing. Darroh was much more subdued for this gig; I say that, but I mean "subdued for Darroh," normal for the rest of us, and he often chided his mistakes, which were slight, if any. But from the moment the first notes of their song, "Musical chairs," came from Cliff's guitar, I could tell something magical was about to happen. The band did a brialliant set. They mixed old and new songs, and I was relishing their music on a whole new level. The band has matured and is building a unique sound for themselves.
Cliff had two beautiful acoustic guitars, which he played deftly. Jon, the bassist, was cleverly hidden from view, but the bass was unmistakeable, as was Brett's drumming, and Matt's keyboarding. For a couple of tunes it was only Cliff and Darroh; the two original members of the band. Old friends singing and playing together, and we were allowed to watch. Magnificent.
The actual release of their latest CD, "Arrows and Anchors," is scheduled for Tuesday, July 12, but Carlton and I agreed: we were at the Real release party.
Fair to Midland "Musical chairs"

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

Traveling Angels

Hello friends,
      May you always feel God close to you, when you're happy and when you're sad, because He is as close to you as the heart beating in your chest. Trust Him in all matters. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
When my car was broken in to and my phone was the only thing, PTL, that was stolen, I thought of this story.
Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room.
Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, "Things aren't always what they seem."
The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had, the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest.
When the sun came up the next morning, the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel, "How could you have let this happen?
"The first man had everything, yet you helped him," she accused. "The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die."
"Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied. "When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it. Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead. Things aren't always what they seem."
Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every out come is always to your advantage. You just might not know it until some time later.

God bless you, always!

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

Atmosphere, of the heart

Hello friends!
Heavenly Father, you gave us Your Word in the bible and just like the Centurion in the gospel today said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed." My faith in You is strong, and I know that You touch everyone, pagan and believer alike, and that You are in all things, with Your Holiness, Your Love, and Your Peace. Thank You for Your many blessings, In Jesus' Name. Amen.
As soon as I realize I can't handle the stress in my life, I laugh, and think to myself, "I'm not supposed to handle the stress in my life, God is supposed to be handling my stress." And I promptly hand over my worries to Him.
As Saint Paul once said, "It is in my weakness that I am strong." Now I understand what he meant.
This is a wonderful song by TobyMac, formerly of DC Talk, and I find it comforting when things aren't going like I think they should be going. Even if you aren't in any kind of turmoil, may it bring you enjoyment.
"Atmosphere"
I know you keep a journal and every page is rippled
From the tears that you cry, ain't no meanin' to your scribble
Cause words can't describe what you've been feelin' inside
It's like thousand foot walls, and they're still on the rise
But look up to a beautiful sound
And see for yourself you're not that far down
And know this, I cannot love a little
My promise to you is unconditional
And I'll keep the light on for you,
Just keep the course, you can weather the storm
I'll keep the light on for you,
You've come this far, don't you ever lose heart, now
Just turn around and I'll be there
I'm moving into your atmosphere
Just turn around and I'll be there
I'm moving into your atmosphere
I know you're all alone in a crowd of your friends
I can see it in your eyes that your fadin' again
Checking out, moving into your hole
Where the light can't touch any part of your soul
But hold up and let the river rush in
You can turn around and start livin' again
Cause your life is a beautiful bloom
In the image of the one that created you
And I'll keep the light on for you,
Just keep the course, you can weather the storm
I'll keep the light on for you,
You've come this far, don't you ever lose heart, now
Just turn around and I'll be there
I'm moving into your atmosphere
Just turn around and I'll be there
I'm moving into your atmosphere
I'll be there
Said I'll be there, said I'll be there
Said I'll be there always, forever
Just turn around and I'll be there,
I said I'll be there always forever
I'm movin' into your atmosphere

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa