Food Pyramid
A mom of one of my students sent our Health teacher this web address to show her some different food pyramids. I would recommend you check it out. It has a "Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid," a "Latin American Diet Pyramid," an "Asian Diet Pyramid," and some others. It's interesting to see what they recommend. It's quite different from the one we are used to (which they also have on there).
You can find it here.
Friday, January 23, 2004
Thursday, January 22, 2004
JA
I am a proponent of Junior Achievement. I remember a woman coming into our seventh grade classroom to do JA with us. She taught us how to write checks and we made our own business cards. I made babysitting ones, and when I showed it to her, she asked me if I really babysat. I started babysitting for her children. Last year at this time, I was a JA volunteer in a second grade classroom at the school where I was interning. The kids got pretty into the activities.
However, there is one thing I don't like about JA. They give their volunteers these vinyl bags with all the materials in it, and when you are done with being a volunteer, they tell you to keep it. I had all these unused materials left (they stock the bags for about 30+ kids) and this bag that I wasn't going to use. Most people throw all of it away. It's such a waste. My first suggestion is to communicate with the school, and have materials only for the number of students in each class. My second is to give the volunteer the materials in a box or other recyclable material. I didn't volunteer for the cool bag, and I don't think it will stop others from volunteering if they don't get a vinyl bag that says "Junior Achievement--Let their success be your inspiration" on it.
All this is fueled by the fact that we start JA soon, and the vinyl bags are waiting for their eager volunteers on a cart in our school lobby.
I am a proponent of Junior Achievement. I remember a woman coming into our seventh grade classroom to do JA with us. She taught us how to write checks and we made our own business cards. I made babysitting ones, and when I showed it to her, she asked me if I really babysat. I started babysitting for her children. Last year at this time, I was a JA volunteer in a second grade classroom at the school where I was interning. The kids got pretty into the activities.
However, there is one thing I don't like about JA. They give their volunteers these vinyl bags with all the materials in it, and when you are done with being a volunteer, they tell you to keep it. I had all these unused materials left (they stock the bags for about 30+ kids) and this bag that I wasn't going to use. Most people throw all of it away. It's such a waste. My first suggestion is to communicate with the school, and have materials only for the number of students in each class. My second is to give the volunteer the materials in a box or other recyclable material. I didn't volunteer for the cool bag, and I don't think it will stop others from volunteering if they don't get a vinyl bag that says "Junior Achievement--Let their success be your inspiration" on it.
All this is fueled by the fact that we start JA soon, and the vinyl bags are waiting for their eager volunteers on a cart in our school lobby.
And so......and so.......and then.......and so.....
My students have been noticing more than usual how what we are learning about grammar doesn't often match up with the stuff that we read. I've tried explaining to them that they need the proper grammar for research writing, and that has worked so far. When I teach something now, though, I am careful to say "most of the time we do it this way" instead of "it is always done this way."
My students have been noticing more than usual how what we are learning about grammar doesn't often match up with the stuff that we read. I've tried explaining to them that they need the proper grammar for research writing, and that has worked so far. When I teach something now, though, I am careful to say "most of the time we do it this way" instead of "it is always done this way."
N75
So we have the new camera, but now it's just finding the time to learn how to use it. With this research paper/project for the kids this semester, I'm pretty booked. I might have to wait for Spring Break to take the class on how to use it. I know I have the manual, but I can't get that much out of it. I think it would be more helpful to have someone show me.
So we have the new camera, but now it's just finding the time to learn how to use it. With this research paper/project for the kids this semester, I'm pretty booked. I might have to wait for Spring Break to take the class on how to use it. I know I have the manual, but I can't get that much out of it. I think it would be more helpful to have someone show me.
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
I will play for Jambalaya....I mean, gumbo
As my husband said, the jambalaya was so yummy. Thanks for Kristen and Mike for the recipe. It was our dinner last night, and I am eating it again for lunch today. My only idea next time is to substitute the kielbasa (sp?) for turkey sausage for a little less fat. But the rice was so yummy soaked in the chicken broth. Mmmmm. I can't wait until lunch.
As my husband said, the jambalaya was so yummy. Thanks for Kristen and Mike for the recipe. It was our dinner last night, and I am eating it again for lunch today. My only idea next time is to substitute the kielbasa (sp?) for turkey sausage for a little less fat. But the rice was so yummy soaked in the chicken broth. Mmmmm. I can't wait until lunch.
Sunday, January 11, 2004
Adjusting
I am starting to feel content with being in Texas. Not that I necessarily am ready to live here for the rest of our lives, but I'm starting to accept being here. I still miss my friends and family, but that isn't going to change no matter what. I have seen that we are able to keep in touch quite well and that is comforting. For those of you who know me, this is most definitely the work of God to make me so content. It took me nearly three years until I started feeling comfortable and content in Kalamazoo (only an hour and a half from home) and now I am almost as far south as I can go and it's only taken five months for the content feelings to start settling in.
God has been working in some other ways in the past couple of days in me. Yesterday night while we were walking from the car to our apartment, I was thinking "It would just be nice to live i an area where I didn't feel like I had to keep looking around to make sure that no one was going to come rob us. I just want to be comfortable where I live. Don't I deserve that?" Immediately, I remembered the times when I had tried to help others think about thoughts exactly like that. How we always want to get away from those areas that are poor and dangerous--the further we get away, the harder it is to go back and help. I'm not saying it's necessarily God's plan for all of us to live in the inner city--I'm just saying that we make it harder for ourselves to go and serve the needy (whether that be in the inner city, in the poor rural areas, or the Third World) by distancing ourselves from it, making ourselves more comfortable, and making ourselves ignorant.
I again realized the selfishness and self-centeredness of my statement this morning when a woman from the CareNet Pregnancy Center came to visit our Sunday School Class. She did a fabulous job informing us about the center and gave us a lot to think about--me in particular. She told us that although there are poor parts of our very large city that are recognized and helped by the government, there is a portion of the Northeast side that is not. Some people have no running water even. That just amazed me and also showed me how I am needlessly worried about walking from my car to the apartment (it's really not as dangerous as I think it is) when I have so much to be thankful for. God has placed us here in a place that makes me feel uncomfortable at times to stretch us and call us to use our resources to serve Him. I am seeing this more and more.
This summer I would like to volunteer weekly somewhere during my time off (as well as take a photography class, travel with Nate, recooperate from first year of teaching, and plan for next year!). CareNet is on my list of possible places. Please pray for us throughout this school year and we decide where I can give my time volunteering. Pray also for courage to go where I am not comfortable and for boldness to spread God's Word and truth where I am going.
Whew, that was a long one. I guess since I'm not journaling right now, you get to "hear" all of it. I already told Nate, but it helps to write it down. Plus, I hope you can benefit from it.
I am starting to feel content with being in Texas. Not that I necessarily am ready to live here for the rest of our lives, but I'm starting to accept being here. I still miss my friends and family, but that isn't going to change no matter what. I have seen that we are able to keep in touch quite well and that is comforting. For those of you who know me, this is most definitely the work of God to make me so content. It took me nearly three years until I started feeling comfortable and content in Kalamazoo (only an hour and a half from home) and now I am almost as far south as I can go and it's only taken five months for the content feelings to start settling in.
God has been working in some other ways in the past couple of days in me. Yesterday night while we were walking from the car to our apartment, I was thinking "It would just be nice to live i an area where I didn't feel like I had to keep looking around to make sure that no one was going to come rob us. I just want to be comfortable where I live. Don't I deserve that?" Immediately, I remembered the times when I had tried to help others think about thoughts exactly like that. How we always want to get away from those areas that are poor and dangerous--the further we get away, the harder it is to go back and help. I'm not saying it's necessarily God's plan for all of us to live in the inner city--I'm just saying that we make it harder for ourselves to go and serve the needy (whether that be in the inner city, in the poor rural areas, or the Third World) by distancing ourselves from it, making ourselves more comfortable, and making ourselves ignorant.
I again realized the selfishness and self-centeredness of my statement this morning when a woman from the CareNet Pregnancy Center came to visit our Sunday School Class. She did a fabulous job informing us about the center and gave us a lot to think about--me in particular. She told us that although there are poor parts of our very large city that are recognized and helped by the government, there is a portion of the Northeast side that is not. Some people have no running water even. That just amazed me and also showed me how I am needlessly worried about walking from my car to the apartment (it's really not as dangerous as I think it is) when I have so much to be thankful for. God has placed us here in a place that makes me feel uncomfortable at times to stretch us and call us to use our resources to serve Him. I am seeing this more and more.
This summer I would like to volunteer weekly somewhere during my time off (as well as take a photography class, travel with Nate, recooperate from first year of teaching, and plan for next year!). CareNet is on my list of possible places. Please pray for us throughout this school year and we decide where I can give my time volunteering. Pray also for courage to go where I am not comfortable and for boldness to spread God's Word and truth where I am going.
Whew, that was a long one. I guess since I'm not journaling right now, you get to "hear" all of it. I already told Nate, but it helps to write it down. Plus, I hope you can benefit from it.
Saturday, January 10, 2004
Camera
We went to Wolf Camera and ordered our Nikon N75 SLR camera today along with two Sigma lenses (a normal range and a telephoto--they had a deal for getting the two). After researching for about a week (I know, not that long, but I was convinced pretty early on), reading reviews, getting opinions from friends who have the camera, I was sold on the N75. Now I hope it will live up to the reputation that precedes it.
I'm looking forward to having a camera. I've wanted to take a photography class for 4 or 5 years now to learn how to manually take pictures well and to develop B&W pictures. Maybe I'll get to this summer.
I also hope that the addition of an SLR camera won't stop us from using the digital. They both have their advantages.
We went to Wolf Camera and ordered our Nikon N75 SLR camera today along with two Sigma lenses (a normal range and a telephoto--they had a deal for getting the two). After researching for about a week (I know, not that long, but I was convinced pretty early on), reading reviews, getting opinions from friends who have the camera, I was sold on the N75. Now I hope it will live up to the reputation that precedes it.
I'm looking forward to having a camera. I've wanted to take a photography class for 4 or 5 years now to learn how to manually take pictures well and to develop B&W pictures. Maybe I'll get to this summer.
I also hope that the addition of an SLR camera won't stop us from using the digital. They both have their advantages.
Tuesday, January 06, 2004
A break update
Ahh...first day back is over. It wasn't too bad. They were right--the kids were a little more mellow than before Christmas break. It is still difficult to be back, though. I know it was hard for them too, but I jumped right in with our mini-unit on commas and apostrophes. I know, exciting!
Let's see...break. It can be easily separated into three sections. I'll give highlights of each.
College Station highlights
Getting to see Grandma Froyd for the first time since October
Getting to see Cara for the first extended amount of time since October
Getting to spend time with our parents who live nearby
Teaching Cara how to knit
Making (and eating) fudge
Going rollerblading
Eating yummy food
Choosing a pattern and colors for our quilt
How could I forget?--Seeing Return of the King--WOW
I have to admit, it was very hard to be away from home for my first Christmas, but the Froyds worked so hard to make me feel welcome and comfortable that I can hardly complain.
Back in Houston--Lisa and Kortnie visit highlights
Going to see the Houston Texans play the Indianapolis Colts--our first NFL game and watching the Colts win
Playing Super Bust-a-Move 2 with Lisa (and Kortnie after we convinced her)
Seeing Return of the King again!--Kortnie needed to see it
Sitting around and chatting with my two best buds and my wonderful husband
Visiting College Station family for dinner and some rowdy games of PIT--I'm a sore loser
Eating at Collina's--our favorite Italian Cafe
Going to Chocolat du Monde--a European style chocolate store
Kortnie and Lisa fixing us dinner and kicking me out of the kitchen
Too many more to name
It was so great to see them. It gave me some good closure on moving (I will have more once my parents see where I live....hint, hint) and made me more content with where I am. I can't wait to see them again. It also gave them some good time to get to know Nate better.
Houston--post Kortnie and Lisa visit highlights
Sleep, sleep, sleep--we fell alseep before midnight on New Year's and woke up just 10 after midnight
Playing guitar (with my new cool capo given to me by Cara for my bday)
Going to Coldstone Creamery again
Planning (more of a low point, but still done) for school
Spending time with Nate :)
Going to get our posters mounted, buy some new posters, and a bathroom rug together
Researching SLR cameras--I think we are going to get the Nikon N75 with my Christmas money
Now you are sufficiently and maybe even excessively updated.
Ahh...first day back is over. It wasn't too bad. They were right--the kids were a little more mellow than before Christmas break. It is still difficult to be back, though. I know it was hard for them too, but I jumped right in with our mini-unit on commas and apostrophes. I know, exciting!
Let's see...break. It can be easily separated into three sections. I'll give highlights of each.
College Station highlights
Getting to see Grandma Froyd for the first time since October
Getting to see Cara for the first extended amount of time since October
Getting to spend time with our parents who live nearby
Teaching Cara how to knit
Making (and eating) fudge
Going rollerblading
Eating yummy food
Choosing a pattern and colors for our quilt
How could I forget?--Seeing Return of the King--WOW
I have to admit, it was very hard to be away from home for my first Christmas, but the Froyds worked so hard to make me feel welcome and comfortable that I can hardly complain.
Back in Houston--Lisa and Kortnie visit highlights
Going to see the Houston Texans play the Indianapolis Colts--our first NFL game and watching the Colts win
Playing Super Bust-a-Move 2 with Lisa (and Kortnie after we convinced her)
Seeing Return of the King again!--Kortnie needed to see it
Sitting around and chatting with my two best buds and my wonderful husband
Visiting College Station family for dinner and some rowdy games of PIT--I'm a sore loser
Eating at Collina's--our favorite Italian Cafe
Going to Chocolat du Monde--a European style chocolate store
Kortnie and Lisa fixing us dinner and kicking me out of the kitchen
Too many more to name
It was so great to see them. It gave me some good closure on moving (I will have more once my parents see where I live....hint, hint) and made me more content with where I am. I can't wait to see them again. It also gave them some good time to get to know Nate better.
Houston--post Kortnie and Lisa visit highlights
Sleep, sleep, sleep--we fell alseep before midnight on New Year's and woke up just 10 after midnight
Playing guitar (with my new cool capo given to me by Cara for my bday)
Going to Coldstone Creamery again
Planning (more of a low point, but still done) for school
Spending time with Nate :)
Going to get our posters mounted, buy some new posters, and a bathroom rug together
Researching SLR cameras--I think we are going to get the Nikon N75 with my Christmas money
Now you are sufficiently and maybe even excessively updated.
Monday, January 05, 2004
Back to work
It's my first day back to work from vacation. I was extra ambitious this morning--getting up at 5am to bike, shower, eat, and have a quiet time. I am hoping to keep it up, so that my evenings aren't completely taken up by exercise and shower. Nate was a wonderful husband and got up with me (or almost with me--not til part way through my biking--not that I blame him).
I have to head down to the cafetorium. We have a teacher work day today. I'm looking forward to getting lots done.
It's my first day back to work from vacation. I was extra ambitious this morning--getting up at 5am to bike, shower, eat, and have a quiet time. I am hoping to keep it up, so that my evenings aren't completely taken up by exercise and shower. Nate was a wonderful husband and got up with me (or almost with me--not til part way through my biking--not that I blame him).
I have to head down to the cafetorium. We have a teacher work day today. I'm looking forward to getting lots done.
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