Just sitting around...making up new words.

So, you may have heard about the dashing mayor of Detroit and the texting scandal with his chief of staff. That is a whole other blog, for a whole other person on a whole other day. Anyway, Natalie and I were watching the news and all the channels were discussing his press conference apology. They were interviewing several people and getting their opinions on whether he seemed sincere or not. As one man answers the question, he mentions something like the "malfeces of the mayor."

"Did he just say 'malfeces'?"

Ok, he did not say "malfeces." It was just what Natalie and I heard. I think he may have said "maleficient," but I can't be sure. Anyway, this led to the discover of said word "malfeces."

malfeces \mal-`fe-seez\ n. poopy talk (malfecious adj.)
1. I don't want to hear that malfeces come out of your mouth again.
2. Such malfecious language is not allowed in this classroom.

My goal is to try and work it into a real classroom situation. Shouldn't be too difficult with a room full of middle schoolers!

Random

"Random" is one of those words I use to get joy from using because it was just not everyday that something/someone deserved the use of that term. I would pull it out of my file cabinet of words like I was pulling out my favorite pair of socks on the rare occasion they were clean. Or like when you use a brand new tube of lipstick for the first time. You just know it is going to be a while until you do it again so you savor the moment. When I say the word "Random" I savor the sound of the word as it rolls off my tongue and delight in how unique and well chosen it sounds in the context of the moment.

Well, I use to.

Now the word is everywhere. It is like the use of the word random is no longer random. How can that be? I feel as if the world is becoming even more unstable than I once thought.

My students started it last year. Someone makes a comment. Another student says, "Wow, that was random." I thought it was one of those little inside group things. No, the students this year do it too. I hear it at least three times a class period. And I heard it on the radio and the TV just this week.

So, as I grieve the loss of the use of such a beautiful and precise word, I hold on to the hope that one day, "Random" will be random again.

Getting one in at the last second...

Well, it is almost the end of the year and I thought I would try to get in one last post. When pondering what this last post would be about many ideas came to mind.

There is always that New Years Resolution list (in no particular order):
1. lose weight
2. go back to school and keep teaching certificate
3. appreciate my loved ones more
4. be a better teacher
5. deepen my relationship with Christ

There is always the Year in Review list:
1. Lucas's 1st birthday.
2. A rekindled friendship-Not to forget the World's Best Road Trip-Soundtrack available soon.
3. Convincing myself to go back to school.
4. An amazing trip to Chicago with my 6/7th grade class.
5. Lisa and Jesse deciding to move to Georgia.
6. Spring Break in Florida.
7. Grandma and Grandpa buying a Condo near us.
8. A new church.
9. 7th Anniversary.
Many more, too many more to think of right now...

Then there is the Ramble about Life's Brevity, how each year goes by so fast and it makes us realize how short life is, which leads right back into the New Years Resolution list and how next year you will attempt to accomplish all the things on the list so that when the year ends you won't feel the same way again.

But, it is inevitable. You will feel that way again because it is reality. Life is short and that fact becomes clearer with each year. So, embrace it, ponder it, then get over it and live life, whether that means making changes (moving, going back to school, leaving something behind), or bettering yourself (relationship with Christ or others, health-physical and/or mental), or just continuing to work on the things that can't be "Resolved" in a year or a lifetime (appreciating others, forgiveness, compassion...).

I can totally relate!

(Names have been left out to protect the innocent.)

I went to the movies last night to see P.S. I Love You. My "friend" - see disclaimer above- and I loved it. Laugh, cry, oogle, etc.... All the things you long for in a movie including great acting. There is a particular line in the movie where Harry Connick Jr. says something like "I don't want to be the shoulder some girl cries on...." He goes on to finish this rant, but we missed it because a guy in the row behind us delivers and "I know what you mean" chuckle which said friend and I double over with laughter at hearing. I was seriously wondering if the poor chap was sitting with the "I need a shoulder" girl at that very minute. It was sort of a "hu-huh" kind of laugh. Yeah, you know, the one you use when your friend tells a story about her husband or mother or coworker which you can totally relate to.

What a delicious moment! Indeed!

Hellemarketers, I mean telemarketers

Ok, so I'm sitting here with a headache, having just spent an unstructured morning with 7th and 8th graders, trying to figure out what is going on with the override for my Literature class I have finally made myself sign up for, and guess who calls just as I venture into blogland before laying down for a quick nap...yep, you probably guessed it, a telemarketer.

I am sure they have been discussed many a times here in the blogging community, but I just have to say my piece.

1. If I'm such a valued customer then why are you bugging me?

2. I know that you are not taking a breath as you speak so that I cannot get in my polite "no, thank you." Is that a requirement to be hired, or do they train you?

3. When you finally stop to ask me some important questions so you can give me the best possible rate, did you ever think to ask if I even wanted the darn thing.

4. Did you know I stopped listening around the part when you said, Hello Mrs. Nolen, I'm calling from Fifth-Third bank," and immediately began thinking of ways I could end this conversation or my life, whichever was easiest.

5. Did I just say conversation because that would imply two people talking back and forth.

I could go on and on and on, but there is a nice cozy couch waiting for me and I feel better now.

Ok already, I'll post something!

This post is for all those who have just been dying for another one. I thought I'd share a quote from a TV show. I'm not usually blown away by the dialogue on television shows. I mean, usually I can predict the next words out of a character's mouth. Anyhow, this one comes from a military show call "The Unit." My husband kind of got me into it. You can probably catch the entire episode if you go to the CBS page and watch it there.

The quote is delivered by a chaplain to a soldier who is searching for some kind of answer as to whether the taking of life is ever justified. They have been discussing the dilemma for several minutes. Much more goes into the dilemma, but if you really want to get into it, like I said, watch the episode. So, with no further ado...

"When there is no more information, it's time to make a decision."

The chaplain feels that this soldier has all the information he is going to be able to get on this topic and it's time to decide, stay or get out.

Have you ever kept rehashing something, thinking something over to the point of exhaustion, searching for more information when there is none. It's time to make a decision. It is time to use that information and take a stand, form an opinion, move forward, pick an option, make a choice.

It may take courage or strength you don't think you have. It may scare you. You might make the wrong decision. But, at least you are no longer stagnant. You aren't stuck in a pool of information and indecision. And even if it turns out to be the wrong decision or just a bad one, you can rest easy in the fact that you aren't back in that pool.

I made a decision. I searched out the information, kicked myself in the pants for stalling and decided to go back to school and get my master's in Children's Literature. Maybe you've got all the information, and it is time for you to make a decision...

Here's a Good One

"You must realize that it is the ordinary way of God's dealings with us that our ideas do not work out speedily and efficiently as we would like them to. The reason for this is not only the loving wisdom of God, but also the fact that our acts have to fit into a great complex pattern that we cannot possibly understand. I have learned over the years that Providence is always a whole lot wiser than any of us, and that there are always not only good reasons, but the very best reasons for the delays and blocks that often seem to us so frustrating and absurd." - Thomas Merton, "The Hidden Ground of Love: The Letters of Thomas Merton on Religious Experience and Social Concerns"

"Loving wisdom"...Well put Mr. Merton (whoever you are?).