on the first day of the semester, the first assignment i have my students complete is the letter assignment. they are required to write a letter to me, introducing themselves. i asked them to tell me about their families, their friends, their dreams, their goals,. their likes, their dislikes, etc. i spent about 4 hours after school today reading them. some made me laugh out loud and others made me want to cry, and so i and had to post some excerpts. (all spelling errors included on purpose.)
my dream is to marry my friend, chad clark, and have lots of babies.
--canicha, 12th grade
i appreciate being able to have my dad in my life. many of my friend don't have their father in their life, but my dad is a positive roll model and understands me a lot.
--travis, 11th grade
i would like to learn how to cook in your class, i would like to tell you that i'm learning english and somethimes maybe need a little help. I'm going to try my best to not make your class slow down. tank you mrs. jacqueline.
--joanna, 12th grade
my other hobbie is drowing, but they only come out good when i bored out my mind.
More about me is that I hate educational television and asian food. ruben, 11 grade
hi. my name is manuel and i enjoy long walks in the beach, candle dinners and jazz music.
--manny, 12th grade
my gramas still alive. she likes to gossip and that makes my aunts argue.
--isaac, 10th grade
My dreams are to go to the bigest hot topic in the world. Another dream is to paint on a big wall.
--isaac, 10th grade
i had a baby sister for a while but she died because she had heart and lungs promble, but i allways miss he and think about her.
--mattie, 9th grade
my hobbie is my boyfriend his name is chris i love him he is like i dont know how to explein it but he make me feel like if i can touch the moon and the starts when i am with himfelt the true love no matter what i love him hella much.
--katherin, 12 grade
but family first, "you mess with one, you mess with all" thats just a little saying we always say when somone gets in a problem. lame huh, its just how we live our life. have a good day.
--ono, 12th grade
my dream is to invent something special.
--pedro,
i may attend winter ball and attending prom is a must. winning too.
--salvador, 12th grade
my brothers are my motivation. i want to be a good role model for them.
--Y-lai, 10th grade
family always comes first because you have to deal with them basically your whole life.
i have an addiction for shoes. a serious addiction for shoes.
--yadira
i hope i could be a soccer player because i really like playing soccer but i know that i have to do good at school so my dream can come true.
--sergio
im 15 years old bou to be 16. im a mother of a one year old and 5 months baby girl. im a single parent. live with my own family. right now my goal is to finish high school and get ma diploma and show my parents i did it even though i had ma child to young.
--alejandra, 10th grade
one of my hobbies is reading. ever since i was little i used to lock myself in my room and read. my parents used to always fight whenever they were at home together so i learned that reading drowned their sound out of my head.
--sara, 12th grade
the things that keeps me from not becoming bored is mostly smoking but ms booth yu dont have to worry about me coming to your class high.
--emmanuel, 11th grade
i hope you like this class even though there are noisy people.
--yessica,
i may attend winter ball and attending prom is a must. winning too.
--salvador,
my mom...shes a great mom but she's not really there when we need her she has a disease called huntington she can't really walk or talk but i still love her.
--alejandra, 16
i have alot of friends by, my best friend out of all of them her name is chingaling.
--elizabeth, 12th grade
but, id rather be a professional boxer because it makes alot of money. with the money i want to buy a huge house somewhere in new york. and have a bunch of cars, clothes,etc. then i would want a pretty wife to come with all that.
--joshua, 15
i learnt that people got dreams...
--joseph, 12th grade
30 January 2008
29 January 2008
in loving memory...
of our beloved president hinckley. while i am so happy for him to be "home" with our heavenly father and his dear wife, i have found myself quite emotional about his passing. i will miss so many things: his sense of humor, his sparkling personality, his gratitude, his cane, his humility, the way he said, "my dear brothers & sisters," his optimism, and most of all, i will miss the pure love he radiated. i feel honored to have lived during his time as prophet, and privileged to have come to know him through his teachings.
he was an amazing man, and there will never be anyone quite like him. his life had a significant impact on my little world, and i believe that the world in general was brighter and kinder because he was a part of it. i hope that his shining example will live on as an inspiration to "be a little better." i never did get to meet him and give him a hug, but i'm still hoping that one day i might.
26 January 2008
two text messages and a eulogy.
i got the following text twice today.
"HEATH LEDGER IS DEAD."
its really a shame. obviously im sad for his family and his little girl, but i'm sad for the movie watching public as well. he was so talented. handsome, too.
RIP heath ledger. you, your accent and your acting abilities will be sorely missed.
"HEATH LEDGER IS DEAD."
its really a shame. obviously im sad for his family and his little girl, but i'm sad for the movie watching public as well. he was so talented. handsome, too.
RIP heath ledger. you, your accent and your acting abilities will be sorely missed.
24 January 2008
400 rolls.
ill be honest. i pretty much always dread professional development days. and on tuesday, i would have much rather slept in or organized things in my classroom than hear another soapbox fueled discussion about topics that are so vague, they are virtually impossible to ever put into practice in a classroom setting. the topics are always valid, but real life application is rarely achieved and so i often leave with a feeling of defeat instead of inspiration. i was pleasantly surprised when we watched a video titled "everyday creativity" by dewitt jones and all creativity was explained in terms of photography. yay professional development. yay. (sidenote: i love photography. it is my one beloved creative endeavor. i can spend hours at time looking at and learning about it. i started a post a few weeks ago about this. when i finish it, i will link that here.)
our speaker started the seminar with a basketball analogy. A+ for that idea. ultimately to introduce the idea that equity does not necessarily mean treating all students the same, but applying different or additional resources to reach all students. ok, cool.
the following acronym to help one go from the idea to plan to action. i'd venture to say this is a visualization technique that may lend itself to more than just classroom strategies. it is called ICMAC.
I -Imagine...how would it work or look in my class?
C -Content...what content would I use this with?
M-Mindset...what frame of mind do you need to have to make it work?
A -Ability...what do students need to be able to pull this off?
C -Commitment... how committed are you to making this work?
then there is the task of being creative in selecting your learning strategies. he explained how creativity is to look at the ordinary, but to see the extraordinary. creativity is to fall in love with the world around you. i like that. its fitting. he went to to say that every act has the potential to be extraordinary, (and every student, for that matter) and it is our challenge to transform the ordinary into extraordinary. now i dont believe teachers do any transforming of students. lets be real. its more of providing experiences and activities that promote growth and then ultimately, the students transform on their own. anyways, the speaker also talked about how the lens we use determines our view, telephoto, wide angle, etc. how far or close we stand. how there are lots of perspectives and so there are lots of right answers. hmm. i like that too. to put ourselves in the place of most potential. potential for change and potential to arrange that "ah ha" moment for our students. sometimes it may be one fleeting moment. sometimes it may be many moments over the course of many months. the variables are endless, but so important to the overall success and beauty of the shot. the words that stood out as having double meaning in this presentation, both in terms of creativity in photography and creativity in providing learning experiences for my students are: lens, angle, view, perspective, story, reframing, synergy, second glance. he spoke of how often times we look at the the same view over and over, when the most beautiful shot of all is to be found if we just turn around. how when he shoots for national geographic he takes over 400 rolls of film, to get an end product of 20-30 shots for a feature. apparently patience is a big deal. =)
so when things get frustrating and i feel like nothing's working, here's to just "turning around." even if it does take 400 rolls, that end product will be so worth it.
our speaker started the seminar with a basketball analogy. A+ for that idea. ultimately to introduce the idea that equity does not necessarily mean treating all students the same, but applying different or additional resources to reach all students. ok, cool.
the following acronym to help one go from the idea to plan to action. i'd venture to say this is a visualization technique that may lend itself to more than just classroom strategies. it is called ICMAC.
I -Imagine...how would it work or look in my class?
C -Content...what content would I use this with?
M-Mindset...what frame of mind do you need to have to make it work?
A -Ability...what do students need to be able to pull this off?
C -Commitment... how committed are you to making this work?
then there is the task of being creative in selecting your learning strategies. he explained how creativity is to look at the ordinary, but to see the extraordinary. creativity is to fall in love with the world around you. i like that. its fitting. he went to to say that every act has the potential to be extraordinary, (and every student, for that matter) and it is our challenge to transform the ordinary into extraordinary. now i dont believe teachers do any transforming of students. lets be real. its more of providing experiences and activities that promote growth and then ultimately, the students transform on their own. anyways, the speaker also talked about how the lens we use determines our view, telephoto, wide angle, etc. how far or close we stand. how there are lots of perspectives and so there are lots of right answers. hmm. i like that too. to put ourselves in the place of most potential. potential for change and potential to arrange that "ah ha" moment for our students. sometimes it may be one fleeting moment. sometimes it may be many moments over the course of many months. the variables are endless, but so important to the overall success and beauty of the shot. the words that stood out as having double meaning in this presentation, both in terms of creativity in photography and creativity in providing learning experiences for my students are: lens, angle, view, perspective, story, reframing, synergy, second glance. he spoke of how often times we look at the the same view over and over, when the most beautiful shot of all is to be found if we just turn around. how when he shoots for national geographic he takes over 400 rolls of film, to get an end product of 20-30 shots for a feature. apparently patience is a big deal. =)
so when things get frustrating and i feel like nothing's working, here's to just "turning around." even if it does take 400 rolls, that end product will be so worth it.
21 January 2008
i'll take today.
so i was just getting ready for the day and had my itunes on shuffle. i came across this song, and it was the perfect song for this day. so, here's to what it once was, but isn't any longer, and for the day there's someone else. thank you Gary Allen.
I'll Take Today
by Gary Allen
Yeah, she's the one
The one I told you all about
Yeah, it was serious, but it was long ago
She just might walk over here
And give me a kiss for old times
But don't you worry dear
Old times, next to you, can never come close
I'll take today over yesterday, anyday
I'll take lyin' in your arms tonight
Over and above any love, I've known
Memories may find me, but they'll always be behind me
I'll take today over yesterday, anyday
I'd be lyin' if I tried to tell you now
That I never loved her
And she doesn't ever cross my mind
But that was yesterday, and baby, I don't wanna go back
Here is where I'm gonna stay
With you in each tomorrow of my life
I'll take today over yesterday, anyday
I'll take lyin' in your arms tonight
Over and above any love, I've known
Memories may find me, but they'll always be behind me
I'll take today over yesterday, anyday
Memories may find me, but they'll always be behind me
I'll take today over yesterday, anyday
yep. ill take today.
I'll Take Today
by Gary Allen
Yeah, she's the one
The one I told you all about
Yeah, it was serious, but it was long ago
She just might walk over here
And give me a kiss for old times
But don't you worry dear
Old times, next to you, can never come close
I'll take today over yesterday, anyday
I'll take lyin' in your arms tonight
Over and above any love, I've known
Memories may find me, but they'll always be behind me
I'll take today over yesterday, anyday
I'd be lyin' if I tried to tell you now
That I never loved her
And she doesn't ever cross my mind
But that was yesterday, and baby, I don't wanna go back
Here is where I'm gonna stay
With you in each tomorrow of my life
I'll take today over yesterday, anyday
I'll take lyin' in your arms tonight
Over and above any love, I've known
Memories may find me, but they'll always be behind me
I'll take today over yesterday, anyday
Memories may find me, but they'll always be behind me
I'll take today over yesterday, anyday
yep. ill take today.
15 January 2008
14 January 2008
tuna stuffed chiles
towards the end of every semester my classes do cultural food presentations. the kids have a chance to demonstrate how to make a dish from their culture. some of the dishes turn out great and some are a little scary.
one of today's presenters demonstrated how to make tuna stuffed chiles. i was extemely glad there were both tomatoes and onions in this dish making it "impossible" for me to try. RATS. ("rats" = me silently celebrating)
i watched sheepishly as damonte popped an entire tuna stuffed chile in his mouth. he quickly chewed it up, but then got the most disgusted look on his face, flared nostrils and all. he looked at me, and then fake tripped and hit the floor so he could gag his entire mouthful onto his plate (right in front of me) and then promptly threw it into the trash can.
he quickly stood back up and said, "dat off da chain, gurl. dat off da chain." (which is one of the highest of compliments.)
"anybody want another?" she called
"yeah. me. right here." he paused. "uh...hang on. ill come get it." and then he paused again. after the lengths he went to to get rid of the first one, i questioned him with my eyes.
understanding, he shrugged and answered, "i tryna be nice."
he began to walk back to her kitchen to pick up seconds of the a dish he never had firsts of. he paused again and looked at me. "uh oh. why i say that?"
love him.
one of today's presenters demonstrated how to make tuna stuffed chiles. i was extemely glad there were both tomatoes and onions in this dish making it "impossible" for me to try. RATS. ("rats" = me silently celebrating)
i watched sheepishly as damonte popped an entire tuna stuffed chile in his mouth. he quickly chewed it up, but then got the most disgusted look on his face, flared nostrils and all. he looked at me, and then fake tripped and hit the floor so he could gag his entire mouthful onto his plate (right in front of me) and then promptly threw it into the trash can.
he quickly stood back up and said, "dat off da chain, gurl. dat off da chain." (which is one of the highest of compliments.)
"anybody want another?" she called
"yeah. me. right here." he paused. "uh...hang on. ill come get it." and then he paused again. after the lengths he went to to get rid of the first one, i questioned him with my eyes.
understanding, he shrugged and answered, "i tryna be nice."
he began to walk back to her kitchen to pick up seconds of the a dish he never had firsts of. he paused again and looked at me. "uh oh. why i say that?"
love him.
quote of the day
i overheard lee spell the following as an answer to one of damonte's questions:
"H-E-L-L N-A-H."
"H-E-L-L N-A-H."
11 January 2008
never a dull moment...
one of my students from last year came by to visit during yearbook. we chatted for a minute, he made a few jokes about how i should let him take me out. i kindly assured him that that would still NOT happen. we talked a little more, and then he left.
he came back about 10 minutes later, stood in my doorway and declared the following:
student: ms. booth....you know i hella love you, right?
embarassed & not knowing what to say i just smiled and bit my lip.
student: no. i LOVE you.
and then he left.
my yearbook students got quite a kick out of it.
the fact that sometimes i have absolutely NO idea how to respond to some of the things my kids come up with is only one of the many reasons that i "hella" love my job.
he came back about 10 minutes later, stood in my doorway and declared the following:
student: ms. booth....you know i hella love you, right?
embarassed & not knowing what to say i just smiled and bit my lip.
student: no. i LOVE you.
and then he left.
my yearbook students got quite a kick out of it.
the fact that sometimes i have absolutely NO idea how to respond to some of the things my kids come up with is only one of the many reasons that i "hella" love my job.
greys goodness.
ill be honest. i've never really been a callie fan, and especially not a "callie o'malley" fan. but once again, i have found personal meaning in a TV quote, and so here 'tis. and for the record, she did say some other stuff right after, but i didn't really care about it, so i left it out. sue me. =)
"I believe in love. And second chances. And that even though George wasn’t the one for me, it was ok that I believed that he was…"
08 January 2008
me and my core.
core: (n) the tough central part of various fruits containing the seeds.
thank you, josh, for that definition of "core." however, despite my lack of a toughness or seeds, i have completed day one of our CORE BASICS class. and while things like this make me very sore, somewhat pouty and ridiculously aware of how out of shape i am, i am very glad to have friends that insist on getting me and my core in gear. here's to having, basically, my raddest core ever.
thank you, josh, for that definition of "core." however, despite my lack of a toughness or seeds, i have completed day one of our CORE BASICS class. and while things like this make me very sore, somewhat pouty and ridiculously aware of how out of shape i am, i am very glad to have friends that insist on getting me and my core in gear. here's to having, basically, my raddest core ever.
05 January 2008
she's kind of a big deal...
lets hear it for my little sister. for two reasons. the first being...
this ad is her first published modeling shot. isn't she a doll?
the second being her sharing this hilarious clip with me.
it reminds me of a video that i posted last year. it still makes me giggle.
this ad is her first published modeling shot. isn't she a doll?
the second being her sharing this hilarious clip with me.
it reminds me of a video that i posted last year. it still makes me giggle.
04 January 2008
rain, rain go away...
northern california is getting slammed by an arctic storm.
read all about it...
and while no part of me wishes it was me riding that wave...
(AP Photo/Ben Margot)
...every part of me wishes i took this picture. thank you ben margot for capturing such an awesome shot. for more pictures from the storm, click here.
read all about it...
and while no part of me wishes it was me riding that wave...
(AP Photo/Ben Margot)...every part of me wishes i took this picture. thank you ben margot for capturing such an awesome shot. for more pictures from the storm, click here.
things looking great for 2008....
one year ago my greatest hope for the new year was that 2007 would be better than 2006. while that was definitely NOT difficult to accomplish, 2007 was an excellent year. i enriched my life by spending time with family, visiting new places, strengthening friendships, meeting new people, seeking out new experiences and strengthening & sharing my testimony. i am grateful for the beautiful life i have been blessed with, and for each experience that has led me to this point. i have a job that i love with students who i adore. i have a mind that is active and a body that is healthy and a heart that is finally whole. i have the ability to see sunsets and am lucky enough to have good people in my life to share them with.
here are a few favorites from 2007....
favorite items: my camera & my mac (yay photography)
favorite artists: john mayer, michael buble, jack johnson, brad paisley
favorite places: santa barbara, hawaii & home
favorite surprise: time with my high school hero, mark madsen.
favorite accomplishments: creating a financial plan and overcoming my fear of dancing
favorite memory: my last conversation with grandma and being with my kids at prom, graduation , football & basketball games
in 2008 i hope to...
spend more time in the gym
eat more vegetables
catch up on my scrapbooking
drink lots of water
prepare more meaningful lessons for my kids
get to bed earlier
take vitamins
read regularly
wake up earlier
be a better friend
travel
be thoughtful
seek to serve
stay organized
bear testimony
learn about lighting
keep a journal
be grateful
here are a few favorites from 2007....
favorite items: my camera & my mac (yay photography)
favorite artists: john mayer, michael buble, jack johnson, brad paisley
favorite places: santa barbara, hawaii & home
favorite surprise: time with my high school hero, mark madsen.
favorite accomplishments: creating a financial plan and overcoming my fear of dancing
favorite memory: my last conversation with grandma and being with my kids at prom, graduation , football & basketball games
in 2008 i hope to...
spend more time in the gym
eat more vegetables
catch up on my scrapbooking
drink lots of water
prepare more meaningful lessons for my kids
get to bed earlier
take vitamins
read regularly
wake up earlier
be a better friend
travel
be thoughtful
seek to serve
stay organized
bear testimony
learn about lighting
keep a journal
be grateful
02 January 2008
NYE
we started the night at Macaroni Grill...mmmmhmmmm....
after dinner we went to a party across the bay. shortly after the countdown the power was knocked out in the entire neighborhood! oh well, it was still a great night with great friends. and to top it off, i got a text from my mom with a lips graphic that read, "consider yourself kissed!" gotta love it. =)
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