So this week I actually don't have to work a single school night! I am so excited! Today I had lunch with Holly and Lynda at school, and then I came home and watched Newlyweds Re-runs <3. Nick & Jessica will always be married in my world. Their divorce in 2006 never happened! You cannot tell me otherwise!!
When I was watching the first episode on YouTube today, just seeing the expression on Nick's face when he saw her for the first time as she was walking down the aisle. I just wanted to cry! & I know that this has no significance since they are not married anymore, but I think it is so awesome how she saved herself for marriage in such a worldly industry that she lives in! Ah, inspiration. <3 I could watch this show every day this week... in fact, I just might!
- b -
30 March, 2010
24 March, 2010
Be Blessed
I read this just now and wanted to share in the hopes that it will bless you as well! It is from The Message translation. I love reading different translations because they can impact you in such different ways! May His word saturate your heart.
Isaiah 30:18
18But God's not finished. He's waiting around to be gracious to you.
He's gathering strength to show mercy to you.
God takes the time to do everything right—everything.
Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.
He's gathering strength to show mercy to you.
God takes the time to do everything right—everything.
Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.
- b -
Schedule
So life is just going GREAT. I was thinking today how everyone bashes public schooling and say it isn't as good of quality as a private education, but I can only speak for myself. I don't have a lot of time, but I just want to say that I think that the quality education that I am getting at UofL is superb. I have learned so much and have had awesome teachers. Yes, they DO care about their students and you are not just another name on their list. This semseter I have been blessed with some amazing, knowledgable and wise professors, and I am very thankful for them. We only have about 5 weeks left of school, and I hope that the last 3 semesters that I have here are just as good as the first 2. Saying that.... I need to get back to my homework. I was out of school for an entire week that first week of March due to illness and now I am STILL playing catch-up. I guess God just knew that I needed some understanding teachers this semester. They have been helping me so much, and I am so thankful! Just in case you were wondering, here is a list of the classes I have been taking this semester!
Music in the Public Schools (MUSE 525)
Art Education (ART 407)
Math for Elementary Education II (MAT 152)
British Literature I (ENG 301)
&
Writing About Literature (ENG 310)
I love all my classes! :) Hope that those of you still in school finish strong and have a great rest of the semester!
- b -
Music in the Public Schools (MUSE 525)
Art Education (ART 407)
Math for Elementary Education II (MAT 152)
British Literature I (ENG 301)
&
Writing About Literature (ENG 310)
I love all my classes! :) Hope that those of you still in school finish strong and have a great rest of the semester!
- b -
17 March, 2010
Must Have!
I went to Barnes & Noble yesterday night to pick up a wedding planner/organizer. I found a cute one, but that is beside the point. :) I saw this book and took a look at it for a few minutes. Let's just say that I NEED THIS BOOK!! If you need to organize your life or are simply an organizer like me, this book is for you!
How To Organize Just About Anything
- b -
How To Organize Just About Anything
- b -
The Piñata
Just something I wanted to share!! I am in the middle of writing a lesson plan for my Art Education class, and one of the lessons that we have to prepare is for students to participate in Cultural Heritage Art. This assignment calls to research a specific culture or explore a particular aspect of a country's heritage and incorporate a traditional visual arts form to the lesson.
What I am doing is having my "students" (we don't actually get to DO the lesson) make a piñata. Interesting, right? No. It's what I found out about the piñata which is actually REALLY COOL! I am going to copy and paste the information below. It is really interesting and symbolizes a lot of religious beliefs of the Italian and Spanish cultures! Hope you find this as fascinating as I did!
What I am doing is having my "students" (we don't actually get to DO the lesson) make a piñata. Interesting, right? No. It's what I found out about the piñata which is actually REALLY COOL! I am going to copy and paste the information below. It is really interesting and symbolizes a lot of religious beliefs of the Italian and Spanish cultures! Hope you find this as fascinating as I did!
Many party goers think of Pinatas as a party game with its origin tied to the lands of Mexico. Instead, however, the origins of pinatas can be traced to Italy. Originally known as pignatta (which means "fragile pot" in Italian), pinatas were made of clay. They often were shaped into a symbol of hospitality used throughout Italy, the shape of a pineapple.
From Italy, the custom of breaking pinatas, migrated to Spain where the custom became tied very closely to the celebration of Lent. It was at this point in history that the name changed from pignatta to pinata. The pinatas themselves were still made of clay at this point and known by the Spanish as an olla, which was their word for "pot." Although the first pinatas were plain clay pots, people eventually started to put paper figures on the pots for decorations. The Spanish pinata had a religious significance to them. They believed that the pinata represented Satan and it was made beautiful and bright in order to offer a temptation to the innocents who came into contact with it. The Candies and toys that were placed inside of it, were the temptations of Satan. The person breaking the pinata was always blindfolded in order to represent blind faith and the stick used to break pinatas was said to be the symbol of all that was good. This was important because "good" had to overcome "evil" or in this case, Satan. Once the goodness overcame the evil, the treats that spilled out were said to be justified rewards of living a "good" life.
From Spain, missionaries took the customs of pinatas into Mexico where the Aztecs found the custom to be very close to customs and celebrations of their own cultures. For example, to celebrate the Aztec god of war, at the end of the year Aztec priests would place a clay pot on a pole in the community temple. The pot was filled with tiny treasures and was decorated on the outside with feathers of bright colors. The pot was then broken with the treasures falling to the base of the pole. These treasures were said to be an offering to the god of war and would bring about strength and goodness to the Aztecan people.
Today the ritual of breaking pinatas has less of a religious symbolism and is more about the fun and rewards attached to the activity. Pinatas can be purchased to complement almost any theme or character party making them a great option for a party activity. Party favors, candy, and little treasures can be tucked inside pinatas to be exploded upon the crowd of party guests as the pinata is broken. The resulting scurrying of guests and laughter as the treasurers are claimed make for smiles on all those looking on. To be sure everyone gets something from the pinatas, the party host should set aside little goody bags with replica treasures. The bags, which historically have been called colacion, will ensure that at a time of fun and laughter, no guests feel left out of the celebration.
- b -
From Italy, the custom of breaking pinatas, migrated to Spain where the custom became tied very closely to the celebration of Lent. It was at this point in history that the name changed from pignatta to pinata. The pinatas themselves were still made of clay at this point and known by the Spanish as an olla, which was their word for "pot." Although the first pinatas were plain clay pots, people eventually started to put paper figures on the pots for decorations. The Spanish pinata had a religious significance to them. They believed that the pinata represented Satan and it was made beautiful and bright in order to offer a temptation to the innocents who came into contact with it. The Candies and toys that were placed inside of it, were the temptations of Satan. The person breaking the pinata was always blindfolded in order to represent blind faith and the stick used to break pinatas was said to be the symbol of all that was good. This was important because "good" had to overcome "evil" or in this case, Satan. Once the goodness overcame the evil, the treats that spilled out were said to be justified rewards of living a "good" life.
From Spain, missionaries took the customs of pinatas into Mexico where the Aztecs found the custom to be very close to customs and celebrations of their own cultures. For example, to celebrate the Aztec god of war, at the end of the year Aztec priests would place a clay pot on a pole in the community temple. The pot was filled with tiny treasures and was decorated on the outside with feathers of bright colors. The pot was then broken with the treasures falling to the base of the pole. These treasures were said to be an offering to the god of war and would bring about strength and goodness to the Aztecan people.
Today the ritual of breaking pinatas has less of a religious symbolism and is more about the fun and rewards attached to the activity. Pinatas can be purchased to complement almost any theme or character party making them a great option for a party activity. Party favors, candy, and little treasures can be tucked inside pinatas to be exploded upon the crowd of party guests as the pinata is broken. The resulting scurrying of guests and laughter as the treasurers are claimed make for smiles on all those looking on. To be sure everyone gets something from the pinatas, the party host should set aside little goody bags with replica treasures. The bags, which historically have been called colacion, will ensure that at a time of fun and laughter, no guests feel left out of the celebration.
- b -
My Life is SO BUSY!!
We have a little stone outside of our front house that reads,
"Beware of the barrennes of a busy life."
This statement is so true! When you are constantly running from place to place and event to event, suddenly when you have a moment to stop and breathe, you wonder what is the point of it all? Why are there so many things to do? And when I stop to think of many of the things that I am constantly "running" to, I feel as though nothing satisfies and brings meaning and truly fulfills my life. Of course, as a Christian, God is the only thing that can ever complete me, but setting that aside, nothing that I am trying to balance will ever fulfill my life. When you are so busy, sometimes your life feels empty. So here is a warning to keep in mind!!
Now I realize that there are things that have to be done. Life gets busy, and that is a fact, but before you tackle and say "yes" to one more commitment, truly think about your priorities and what is truly important to you. When you stop to think about it, maybe you won't jump to the next activity or commitment that comes along. Just a thought!
- b -
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