Home Schooling

I started home schooling yesterday. Actually, she was still in the hospital, so we started there. It felt so right. That was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. I felt like a hero! I am sure that I make the same difference to all of the students in my class, but I just felt different.

I felt like she really wanted to be there. She wanted to learn. She pushed on, even though she was in pain.

What a tough, strong, brave little girl. I admire her so much!

Also, I must admit, there is some pride going on, knowing that she was in my class last year and that she was able to work through all of the beginning of the year stuff with no problem...especially in math! It made me feel like i did a good job last year!

But most importantly, it makes me feel good to know that I am making her happy. Let me tell you, she laughed out loud once during a story, and I am living to hear that laugh now. It was one of the most honest, good sounds I've ever heard.

Big Brother 6

"As for Maggie... Sure, you may consider your blank stares, and apathy a strategy but I assure you that it is not. You, Maggie, represent those in our society who sit around quietly and watch the good people of this world go down in flames. And when the dust begins to settle you feast on what’s left."
- Kayser Big Brother Blog

Thunder Storm

We are having a true, honest to God thunder and lightning storm!!! I can't think of the last time we've had a lightning storm here like this...

Its funny,at physical therapy today, we were commenting on how mice the weather is, and someone said that the weather was reporting possible rain for tomorrow. We were all, yeah, right, clear skieswarm weather...

A few hours later I looked outside and it was gettin' all cloudy...I laughed and passed the story on to Grant...and now, sure enough...

Poor Kanga, though. She is wiggin out!!!

Speaking of "Patriotic" issues...

Our school sang "God Bless America" during a flag ceremony last week. It got me thinking. How could singing such a song during a school wide ceremony (not performed in an artistic or cultural sense, such as at a concert or performance) not be considered endorsing a certain belief system? True, no one forced the students to sing the song. Students could choose not to sing it. But still, it just seems odd, in retrospect.

There are many patriotic songs that mention God or have religious overtones, but my specific thought regarding "God Bless America" is that the song is essentially a prayer, is it not? The singer is talking to God, making requests..."stand beside her, and guide her..." Is this an appropriate song to sing in a public school? Does express the ideals of freedom and patriotism that we want to teach our children in a civil setting?

But is sure is a pretty song to sing. And I love to sing.

Old Friends

Yesterday afternoon, I went to see an old friend from high school. It is so funny. In both of our lives, so much has changed, and yet, to me anyway, our time together was just the same. We were good friends for a while, and our time yesterday felt very much like old times.

It got me thinking. Alot. I talked Rob's ear off last night. Then I talked Grant's ear off when he got home from work.

My water is boiling. As a side note, for those of you who have read my honeymoon blog, I found that really good Lipton orange, passionfruit, and jasmine green tea that I discovered on our cruise. They sell it at Vons and at Walmart.

Anyways...

There are some core values that my friend and I both have stuck to, and I think that makes a difference. We can relate, still, in many ways.

I think that if I bumped into other people from high school, our time together would be very strained. And would leave me feeling very sad. My meeting yesterday didn't make me sad. I feel very hopeful.

But also, I feel very introspective, as I often do after hearing news from the past.

It is so odd, becasue I feel like that wasn't my life. I don't know that person that went to Edison, played in the band, sung in the choir. Its like that whole part of my life is a hazy cloud. Rob keeps me grounded in this aspect. He REALLY knew me in high school, and he knows me now, and I think that what he tries to tell me all the time when I get into this mood is that, deep down, I am still very much the same person that I was in high school. I just don't think very many people knew who I really was. I don't think I let it be shown very much. But Rob saw it.

But still, the person I was, outwardly, is the mystery. I wish I could remember, so I could understand why...alas, I don't know if this is making any sense at all. And as I am sure a lot of people who are asking...does any of this really matter? Who cares who I was 10 years ago? The time has past. move on.

I know.

But its like this big hole that I don't remember, but I feel like I should be able to.

How can I figure out the big mysteries of life and the world if I can't even figure out the tiny mysteries that exist inside my own head?

Don't you love when I get in these introspective moods? Hee hee.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter got a rating of PG 13.

Not too worried...so did Star Wars...

Physical Therapy

The range of motion on my wrist is almost back to normal, which is nice. Connie, my wonderful therapist, says I am doing awesome. The one thing that is interestiong - when I first sat in there I saw this peg board that looked like a pre schooler puzzle...with different sized round pegs that fit into appropriate sized round holes. I thought it looked kinda fun...

I have to use that contraption now. I have to use this gripper thing to pull out each peg and put them back in. It looks so simple. It sounds so simple. But it is a pain. Sigh. I hate that thing!

Back to School

I am so excited to be back to school! So far I love my new class. It is so hard to feel like you fit in at a new school but I know it will happen eventually.

I introudiced some GATE strategies and I think I did a pretty good job with them! I am a bit stressed about how I am going to get everything done but I'm sure it will work out!

Big Brother

I am so proud of Janelle. I hope she takes it all. If not, she still kicked butt with all of the prizes and America's Choice. We love you Janey!

School starts Thursday

I hate this time of year...its always the anticipation that kills me.

School starts Thursday...

Wicked!

While I am at it, I never posted about Wicked!, probably because I had a broken wrist at the time! But anyway, the Mosich's were kind enough to take Grant and I to see Wicked. It was awesome! I really like the play adaptation. It is light and fun! It is coming back to Orange COunty in August and I really want to see it again. I would put it in my top ten list for sure...maybe even top five...

But since I really have Rent on my mind...how about a little trivia...

Idina Menzel, Elphaba in the original broadway cast of Wicked, got her start on broadway in the original cast of...Rent...as Maureen! She is also playing Maureen in the up and coming movie version...

Also, she is now married to Taye Diggs, (They married in Jan. 2003), whom she met on Rent...as he played the original Benny! They are also in this movie together...

And to bring it back to Wicked, Taye came to Wicked for a while and played Fiyero opposite Idina!

Rent, the movie

OH MY GOD I am so excited about Rent coming out. The previews are giving me chills I am so excited!!!! If you haven't seen a trailer yet you can go to the Internet movie database and search for rent and view the trailer there. Also, the movie blog just provided a link to the new trailer (look in the august archive if you can't find it.)

Gosh! I am SO EXCITED!!!! Its at times like this I lived in New York so I could truly be a Renthead. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Ok, I know that I have a lot of Rent stuff since I started this blog...becasue I've been lucky enough to have had many encounters with it lately. 8 years ago if I was blogging, you would have had to deal with this type of enthusiasm for Les Miserables. but as for now...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Have i mentioned how excited I am that Rent is coming out as a movie? So I can watch it over and over again until it come to me live...

No DAY but TODAY!

Gearing up for an awesome Fall

There are some exciting things in the entertainment world coming up this fall...here are a few things to keep an eye out for:

Movies:

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets opens in theaters on November 18th. This is the movie version of Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts. I'll probably see this on IMAX.

Also coming out this November on the silver screen is the movie version of Rent. The movie stars much of the original broadway cast. I am super excited to see it,and I am hoping that they do a good job with it and that they stay true to the original. God, would I love a great version of Rent to watch at home!

TV:

CBS is already gearing up for a great season, starting with a twist on the best reality/game show ever. Premiering Tuesday, September 27th, the 8th season of The Amazing Race features families of four, including racers as young as 8 years old! This should provide a nice break from all of those whiney couples trying to decide if their relationship will last. CBS has already published the team bios if you want to check them out.

In addition, CBS has published the bios of the 16 new Survivors. Survivor Guatemala premiers Thursday, September 15. If the picture is accurate, it looks like they may be back to basics, with teams divided up evenly with regards to age and sex (the picture shows the players already wearing team buffs).

Video Games:

The Sims 2 is coming out with its second expansion pack this fall. The Sims 2: Nightlife will feature new community locations to visit, including lounges, nightclubs, fancy restaurants, and bowling alleys. Sim romance will be amped up, with more complicated chemistry formulas...life aspirations, personality, and astroloical signs will now play an important role in determining whether certain sims are attracted to each other. Speaking of which, a new life aspiration will be added..."pleasure seeker" will become a new lifelong aspration that sims can choose, joining the original five aspirations (family, romance, wealth, knowledge, and popularity). Last, but not least, sims will now be able to have their own cars, so they will not have to rely on taxis and carpools to get where they need to go!!!

And finally...

Konami is releasing the fourth version of their popular Karaoke Revolution game with Karaoke Revolution Party. This version will have a feature that allows two players to sing the same song all of the way through at the same time and be judged seperatly. It will have the most ectensive song list ever, with 50 songs, and (hold on to your hats)...it will have a SING AND DANCE mode that uses the Dance Dance Revolution dance pad!!!!!!! Here is the song list:

Karaoke Revolution Party

(I've Had) The Time of My Life
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing
Ain't Too Proud To Beg
Always
American Woman
Brick House
Call Me
Crazy
Crazy in Love
Do You Really Want to Hurt Me
Drive
Dust in the Wind
Endless Love
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Everywhere
Fame
Fly
For You I Will
Headstrong
Greatest Love of All
Here I Go Again
I Don't Wanna Be
I Left My Heart in San Francisco
I Love Rock and Roll
I Will Always Love You
If You Could Only See
I'll Be
Material Girl
Me and Bobby McGee
Pain
Pieces of Me
Play That Funky Music
Start Me Up
Superstition
Sweet Caroline
Take On Me
Takin' Care of Business
That's Amore
The Game of Love
Time After Time
Truth Is
Turn The Beat Around
Unforgettable
Uptown Girl
Waiting For A Girl Like You
What I Like About You
Who Can It Be Now?
You're My Best Friend

Hi! I am married!!!

I know its been a while...its such a pain to type with this broken wrist...plus i have, you know been getting married!!!

We are making a
honeymoon blog to keep a trip diary of our special vacation, so check there for updates...I will be back here to blog in a few weeks!

Love ya!

haiku

Poor, neglected Blog
waiting for my life, my words
frustrating, my wrist

i broke my wrist

Actually, I fractured it. At Skate night for school. mixed reports on how bad it is. The ER doc said it was a nice clean fracture. The Workman's comp clinic implied that it was bad. I won't know for sure till i see the orthoperdic guy on monday. he is a hand and wrist specialist.

It is my right arm, and yes, i am right handed. I had to switch the mouse buttons. Report cards are going to be fun.

My wedding starts in 6 weeks and fourty minutes.

Open House

I love heartwarming stories from my student's parents:

At Open House last night, one of my parents shared this story with me. As she was getting out of the shower one evening, she was singing. Her son, a first grader in my class, covered his ears with his hands and moaned, "Please, Mom, don't sing...don't...I have to listen to it all day at school from Ms. Kramer!"

YES FOLKS, that is the impact I have on children....

Thinkin'...again

I found Rosie's Blog the other day and I have read the whole thing. It has really got me thinking that I had made a mistake about my Rosie after all.

I am ALMOST done with school. I have a few loose little ends to tie up and I will be all finished.

I am particularly nervous about tomorrow when I have to present my project. I don't know why I am so nervous, I just am. I hope not a lot of professors show uu to watch. (sigh)

What else? So I still haven't seen the Amazing Rac finale and I still haven't heard who the winners are. That's Amazing!

I am pretty behind on Survivor as well. Last person I saw get voted off was Stephanie. Sigh.

I am going to go work on homework now. I am procrastinaing. (me, procrastinate??)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Movie

The first teaser trailer for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is avialable now! The film is due out in November!

www.GobletOfFire.com

Disney Press Release about the new fireworks show: Remember, Dreams Come True

What follows is the Disney press release about the new fireworks show, Remember....Dreams Come True. I am so glad that I found this release, because I have been so excited ever since I was lucky enough to see the sneak preview on Monday. Let me tell you, this show is awesome...and exceeded all expectations. The best part, ahnds down, was the e-ticket in the sky sequence. It will give you chills and fill you with excitement. I don't know how you can not see this show without leaving feeling amazed. Hands down, excellent.

As I said, I am glad I found this press release becasue it gives you hints without spoiling the show...something I can't manage to do because I get to excited whenever I talk about it.

TIP: If you go, be sure to see it on Main Street, from a vantage point where you can easily see the castle and the Matterhorn. Put up with the crowds. I promise you, it will be worth it!


From the earliest days of Disneyland, Tinker Bell has been the official hostess of "The Happiest Place On Earth" and now, as part of "Remember . . . Dreams Come True," Disneyland guests will see her in a truly unprecedented presentation (a first for any Disney theme park in the world). Beginning with a dramatic launch from the peak of the Matterhorn (approximately 13 stories high), the famous pixie will follow an astonishing 500 foot long flight pattern (sustaining air speeds of up to 20 mph). Illuminated with "pixie dust," Tinker Bell will literally dip, glide and soar over Fantasyland.

Five spectacular "Acts" comprise "Remember . . . Dreams Come True":

* Magic Starts With a Wish – The show begins with an elegant vocal introduction by Hollywood legend Julie Andrews, Honorary Ambassador of the "Happiest Homecoming on Earth."

* Our Disney Storybook Friends - Beloved Disney characters – including Cinderella, Aladdin, and Pinocchio – share their individual "wishes" through dazzling special effects, soaring music and brilliant fireworks.

* Tinker Bell Unlocks the Magic – Tinker Bell makes an entirely new and unbelievable appearance, reminiscent of her flights of fancy from the familiar opening sequence of The Wonderful World of Disney television series. Her appearance will amaze audiences and defy explanation as she enchants Sleeping Beauty Castle.

* Walt's Dream – "E-Tickets in the Sky" - The audience will be reminded of the wish that started it all - - Walt Disney's dream of Disneyland, explained in Walt's own words using archival audio tracks. What follows is an exciting and heart-warming journey through the various lands of Disneyland – each to be depicted through favorite Disneyland songs, familiar phrases from some of the Park's most popular attractions (nearly 25 highlighted from the past and present) and illustrated through the enchantment of fireworks.

* Wishes Everlasting – Tinker Bell returns and enchants the entire Park as the show concludes with a heart-tugging and unforgettable golden finale of Disney wishes, reminding everyone of the timeless magic of Disneyland.

The show features over 25 familiar Disney tunes and Disneyland attraction themes recorded by a 72-piece orchestra and showcases over 80 pieces of attraction music, sound effects, familiar vocal sound-bites and voice-overs. Custom pyrotechnics were developed specifically for the show and include such unique colors as black rose, neon pink, rose amber and steel blue. Custom specialty shells include Cubes, Eye Pattern, Bulls-Eye, Kaleidoscope, Happy Face, Twisting Bees, Steel Blue Jelly Fish, Blooming Flower and Scintillating Star Pattern.