Since my life wasn't crazy enough...Bart and I embarked on a journey to find the perfect franchise to buy. I had (have) been looking for a job that didn't interfere with the family too much for about a year. Everything I found either a) had crappy hours; b) was 30+ miles away; c) paid only a smidge above minimum wage; or d) all of the above. In the meantime, Bart was interested in buying a "bidness" that we could own, and maybe get some tax benefits from.
After a brief look into a toy store franchise (VERY brief), I stumbled into the travel concept. I already love to travel, and I usually talk people into going with me. So why not do it for a living?
Bart and I researched and reviewed and researched and attended webinars and conference calls and more webinars, and eventually decided to take the BIG LEAP into a Travel franchise.
As of May 4th, 2012, we are the co-owners of Cruise Planners - American Express, with me at the Primary operator.
Now this is exciting and terrifying for a lot of reasons. The main one is we had to put some money into it, with no real hopes of seeing any return for at least 6-12 months. The other is...well - that's mostly it. One big chunk-o-cash rolled out on the craps table, hoping I can make it work.
I'm pretty sure I can do it. I have a long road in front of me, and I've already taken one brief dip with the sharks, but I came out of it at least knowing who and where the sharks are.
There are 2 things I have learned already: 1) Travel Agents actually CAN get things cheaper. Really. And 2)The amount of travel stuff out there is flat out crazy overwhelming.
So we're giving it a go. Wish us luck.
Oh - and as a quick update - we decided to spend our daughter to Private School this Fall. If you need me, leave a message - I'll be giving Bart oxygen.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
It's a Bird, It's a Plane, it's a TRAVEL AGENT!
Since my life wasn't crazy enough...Bart and I embarked on a journey to find the perfect franchise to buy. I had (have) been looking for a job that didn't interfere with the family too much for about a year. Everything I found either a) had crappy hours; b) was 30+ miles away; c) paid only a smidge above minimum wage; or d) all of the above. In the meantime, Bart was interested in buying a "bidness" that we could own, and maybe get some tax benefits from.
After a brief look into a toy store franchise (VERY brief), I stumbled into the travel concept. I already love to travel, and I usually talk people into going with me. So why not do it for a living?
Bart and I researched and reviewed and researched and attended webinars and conference calls and more webinars, and eventually decided to take the BIG LEAP into a Travel franchise.
As of May 4th, 2012, we are the co-owners of Cruise Planners - American Express, with me at the Primary operator.
Now this is exciting and terrifying for a lot of reasons. The main one is we had to put some money into it, with no real hopes of seeing any return for at least 6-12 months. The other is...well - that's mostly it. One big chunk-o-cash rolled out on the craps table, hoping I can make it work.
I'm pretty sure I can do it. I have a long road in front of me, and I've already taken one brief dip with the sharks, but I came out of it at least knowing who and where the sharks are.
There are 2 things I have learned already: 1) Travel Agents actually CAN get things cheaper. Really. And 2)The amount of travel stuff out there is flat out crazy overwhelming.
So we're giving it a go. Wish us luck.
Oh - and as a quick update - we decided to spend our daughter to Private School this Fall. If you need me, leave a message - I'll be giving Bart oxygen.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Up With School Vouchers
Although I follow politics a little, I never really understood all the hoopla about School Vouchers. I never got it....until today.
For the uninitiated, a "School Voucher" works like this. Basically, each public school gets X amount of tax dollars for every student who attends. (Let's just say $7,000 per student.) In theory, this is what "pays" for that student's education. That money comes from our (and your) tax dollars. In the event you decide you DON'T think the Public School System is doing a good job, or if your child needs more than what the Public School System can provide, you have the option to forgo Public School and pay to put your child in a private school instead. In the spirit of competition, School Vouchers allow parents to choose the educational environment that's best for their children, be it Public or Private. If you decided Public School wasn't cutting it, you could take your Public School Tax Dollars (the $7,000) that goes with your kids, and you could apply that money towards Private School Tuition.
That's the quick and dirty explanation. It allows parents more choice in where and how their child goes to school.
So let's say your county's Public School system is starting to max out it's potential for your Gifted child. He/She is making straight A's, but he/she isn't stimulated or interested in school at all. The State's curriculum doesn't allow for much out-of-the-box teaching, and the same-old-same-old is numbing the spirit of your intellectual child.
You start to look for other options. Most counties have "Magnet" Schools. These are schools that are Public Schools, but that have a curriculum that strays from the norm, and sometimes focuses on a specific area. For instance, one school may have a Fine Arts/Performing Arts focus. Another may be Technology based. There are also International Baccalaureate programs that focus on a more "world view" curriculum.
Most of these "Magnet" schools are in less-than-desirable parts of town. The idea is to pull better students and families into those areas (which almost never works, by the way.)
By chance, the district decides to install an IB Magnet program at a school near to you. You go to 2 open houses. You ask questions. You make your child ask questions. You apply. You get EXCITED when you see your going-through-the-motions child get EXCITED about the program. The teachers there TEACH differently. Their approach to the curriculum is DIFFERENT and CREATIVE.
Then you find out there are no requirements to get into the school. They don't check test scores or IQ levels. They don't require entrance essays or interviews. I don't think they even check behavior records. It is supposedly a "random lottery."
So you figure your child has an even chance of admission, right? WRONG. Because the thing they don't tell you is that they give preference to School District employees. Your County has the largest School District in the state. It has the most schools, the most students, and the most employees. So it seems a little unfair when you find out that every single spot was given to either a) a School District employee's child (not an employee at that school - just an employee with the district), or b) the sibling of a current student.
So that leaves you where? Your zoned School is a good school. The test scores are good. It's nearby. There's really nothing on paper that makes it bad.
Except that they teach the same way all the other Public Schools teach. So what if your child needs something different? Something more? Where do you go?
Private school, that's where. Private school that is expensive. We're comfortable financially, and it would still be a major adjustment for our family to take on Private School tuition.
It would be nice if I could say "Yo - Public School System. This school has the environment my child needs, but you don't have room. So I'm going to take my tax dollars over here so she can get what she needs."
Voila! You have Student Vouchers.
Unfortunately, the teacher's unions, and the politicians, and the administrators don't want vouchers, because allowing parents that freedom of choice would be paramount to admitting that the current system isn't working well.
Right now in our state, schools are over-crowded. teachers are over-worked and underpaid. Teachers are hog-tied by beuracracy, scores, and testing. Almost everything focuses around the Assessment tests: the curriculum, the amount of money a school gets, the amount of money a teacher is paid - everything. There's almost no arts, music, PE, or Social Studies anymore. It's all Reading, Writing, and Math.
If you were to see these "assessments", you would fall over. Could they really dumb stuff down anymore? The questions are ridiculously simple. They want to make the questions easier, so they can get the students to score better. TEACH THE TEST.
Well, my child is way past it. She needs more than what the regular curriculum can give her. She needs a smaller environment where she isn't lost in the 1500 students at a school that is 25% over capacity. She needs a creative, flexible curriculum - one that will allow her to soar.
And as a parent, it's my job to help her find that environment.
So I now support the School Vouchers program. It has nothing to do with whether my zones school is good or not. It has nothing to do with test scores or enrollment or demographics. It has to do with my specific child and what my specific child needs.
Wish us luck!
For the uninitiated, a "School Voucher" works like this. Basically, each public school gets X amount of tax dollars for every student who attends. (Let's just say $7,000 per student.) In theory, this is what "pays" for that student's education. That money comes from our (and your) tax dollars. In the event you decide you DON'T think the Public School System is doing a good job, or if your child needs more than what the Public School System can provide, you have the option to forgo Public School and pay to put your child in a private school instead. In the spirit of competition, School Vouchers allow parents to choose the educational environment that's best for their children, be it Public or Private. If you decided Public School wasn't cutting it, you could take your Public School Tax Dollars (the $7,000) that goes with your kids, and you could apply that money towards Private School Tuition.
That's the quick and dirty explanation. It allows parents more choice in where and how their child goes to school.
So let's say your county's Public School system is starting to max out it's potential for your Gifted child. He/She is making straight A's, but he/she isn't stimulated or interested in school at all. The State's curriculum doesn't allow for much out-of-the-box teaching, and the same-old-same-old is numbing the spirit of your intellectual child.
You start to look for other options. Most counties have "Magnet" Schools. These are schools that are Public Schools, but that have a curriculum that strays from the norm, and sometimes focuses on a specific area. For instance, one school may have a Fine Arts/Performing Arts focus. Another may be Technology based. There are also International Baccalaureate programs that focus on a more "world view" curriculum.
Most of these "Magnet" schools are in less-than-desirable parts of town. The idea is to pull better students and families into those areas (which almost never works, by the way.)
By chance, the district decides to install an IB Magnet program at a school near to you. You go to 2 open houses. You ask questions. You make your child ask questions. You apply. You get EXCITED when you see your going-through-the-motions child get EXCITED about the program. The teachers there TEACH differently. Their approach to the curriculum is DIFFERENT and CREATIVE.
Then you find out there are no requirements to get into the school. They don't check test scores or IQ levels. They don't require entrance essays or interviews. I don't think they even check behavior records. It is supposedly a "random lottery."
So you figure your child has an even chance of admission, right? WRONG. Because the thing they don't tell you is that they give preference to School District employees. Your County has the largest School District in the state. It has the most schools, the most students, and the most employees. So it seems a little unfair when you find out that every single spot was given to either a) a School District employee's child (not an employee at that school - just an employee with the district), or b) the sibling of a current student.
So that leaves you where? Your zoned School is a good school. The test scores are good. It's nearby. There's really nothing on paper that makes it bad.
Except that they teach the same way all the other Public Schools teach. So what if your child needs something different? Something more? Where do you go?
Private school, that's where. Private school that is expensive. We're comfortable financially, and it would still be a major adjustment for our family to take on Private School tuition.
It would be nice if I could say "Yo - Public School System. This school has the environment my child needs, but you don't have room. So I'm going to take my tax dollars over here so she can get what she needs."
Voila! You have Student Vouchers.
Unfortunately, the teacher's unions, and the politicians, and the administrators don't want vouchers, because allowing parents that freedom of choice would be paramount to admitting that the current system isn't working well.
Right now in our state, schools are over-crowded. teachers are over-worked and underpaid. Teachers are hog-tied by beuracracy, scores, and testing. Almost everything focuses around the Assessment tests: the curriculum, the amount of money a school gets, the amount of money a teacher is paid - everything. There's almost no arts, music, PE, or Social Studies anymore. It's all Reading, Writing, and Math.
If you were to see these "assessments", you would fall over. Could they really dumb stuff down anymore? The questions are ridiculously simple. They want to make the questions easier, so they can get the students to score better. TEACH THE TEST.
Well, my child is way past it. She needs more than what the regular curriculum can give her. She needs a smaller environment where she isn't lost in the 1500 students at a school that is 25% over capacity. She needs a creative, flexible curriculum - one that will allow her to soar.
And as a parent, it's my job to help her find that environment.
So I now support the School Vouchers program. It has nothing to do with whether my zones school is good or not. It has nothing to do with test scores or enrollment or demographics. It has to do with my specific child and what my specific child needs.
Wish us luck!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Putting Myself Out There
It seems that a local, neighborhood magazine has an opening for a columnist. At the suggestion of a friend, I applied. I had to send in writing samples, which I chose from this Blog. I picked some paragraphs from various Blog entries that I thought were funny and relevant. Then I also included a piece I wrote for Southern Living but was too chicken to send in.
Right off the bat, I broke a job application rule: don't give them more than they ask for. The editor wanted 350 words, and I sent more than that. But it was necessary! How can you tell anything about anyone in 350 words? I really wanted him to get a feel for me and who I am. Sometimes I write things that are - I think -funny. Sometimes I write about sad things, or frustrating things, or ridiculous things. I mostly do it just for me. It's a way to vent, and I enjoy going back and reading about where I was "way back when".
This is riskier, though. For one of the first times, I sent my writing samples to someone I don't really know. It's terrifying. (and Therese's fault - it was her idea.) It's really hard to put yourself out there for a "stranger" to evaluate. Your personal thoughts and feelings up for review.
But what if it works? What if I get the chance to express myself on a larger scale? What if what I write resonates with someone else? Or a bunch of someone elses? It's these thoughts that got me to send the email.
I don't know anything about the position. I don't even know if it pays anything. But I applied anyway.
Because it's worth the risk of rejection to me - that opportunity. That opportunity to reach someone; to relate to someone.
Oh - and to be FABULOUSLY FAMOUS AND ENVIED BY ALL!!!
(oops - did I just say that? Got carried away for a minute. While I was picturing the scene in Lord of the Rings: Fellowship where Frodo offers Galadrial the one ring, and she turns all weird and says "Instead you would have a Queen! Beautiful and terrible as the sun....all will love me and despair...")
Right off the bat, I broke a job application rule: don't give them more than they ask for. The editor wanted 350 words, and I sent more than that. But it was necessary! How can you tell anything about anyone in 350 words? I really wanted him to get a feel for me and who I am. Sometimes I write things that are - I think -funny. Sometimes I write about sad things, or frustrating things, or ridiculous things. I mostly do it just for me. It's a way to vent, and I enjoy going back and reading about where I was "way back when".
This is riskier, though. For one of the first times, I sent my writing samples to someone I don't really know. It's terrifying. (and Therese's fault - it was her idea.) It's really hard to put yourself out there for a "stranger" to evaluate. Your personal thoughts and feelings up for review.
But what if it works? What if I get the chance to express myself on a larger scale? What if what I write resonates with someone else? Or a bunch of someone elses? It's these thoughts that got me to send the email.
I don't know anything about the position. I don't even know if it pays anything. But I applied anyway.
Because it's worth the risk of rejection to me - that opportunity. That opportunity to reach someone; to relate to someone.
Oh - and to be FABULOUSLY FAMOUS AND ENVIED BY ALL!!!
(oops - did I just say that? Got carried away for a minute. While I was picturing the scene in Lord of the Rings: Fellowship where Frodo offers Galadrial the one ring, and she turns all weird and says "Instead you would have a Queen! Beautiful and terrible as the sun....all will love me and despair...")
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The Edwards Family Goes To Washington
This past weekend, we were lucky to have the chance to take our kids to Washington DC for the very first time. We did a TON of stuff in just a few days: White House Tour; Captol Tour; Air & Space Museum; Natural History Museum; National Book Fair on The Mall; Several of the Monuments by moonlight; The National Archives. It was all pretty awesome.
There were a few moments that stood out for me, though.
When we were in the Museum of Natural History, we stopped in a Physical Anthropolgy exhibit. It had all sorts of skeletons on display, and featured a hands-on lab for the kids. Each station in the lab had a few skeletal items (mandibles, vertebrae, etc,) Then each one had a CSI-like tablet where there was a "mystery"...did this bone suffer trauma? What caused the strange growth? Was the injury pre or post mortem?
Karlin was happily and intensely working at a station, examining the parts and trying to solve the mystery. The Education staff member came over and welcomed her, and said "We encourage you to touch everything, but please be gentle, as these are real human bones." Karlin was still for a half-beat, then dropped those bones like they had been on fire. She was appalled that they were isung REAL HUMAN BONES. Only the promise of large amounts of hand sanitizer would convince her to re-engage.
We stopped at the relatively new WWII Memorial. If you haven't been, it's beautiful and moving and touching. There is a wall along the backside that has 1 gold star for every American killed in the war. In front of that wall, someone had left 2 perfect white roses. I found Karlin standing there, looking at the roses. She looked at me and said "Look - someone left these roses here." And I said "Yes - they probably left them for someone who died in the war." She looked back at the wall and said "But..that's so sad. All those people died and it's so sad. I just feel like I should leave something too, for all those people." She was actually teary-eyed, which got me crying too. I explained that yes - it WAS sad. And the point of the memorial was not only to honor and remember the people who fought and died, but also to serve as a reminder that the war had happened, and why. I was awed and moved by the fact that her 10 year old brain was so touched by that Monument.
On our last day, we were catching the Metro train for the final time. We had been using it for 3 days, and although it was the kid's first time on public transportation, they got the hang of it pretty quick. If you've never ridden it, you basically have to decide which color line you're on, and then you determine which direction based on where the final stop is. On that last day, we walked in and I said "we're on yellow again." Bart said "Which direction?" Chase, without missing a beat, slid his fare pass in, walked through the gate, and said "Yellow to Fort Tottum, Dad." After 3 days, the kid was a Metro Pro.
On our first day back, several of the neighborhood kids came over after school. I let them in the hallway, and they asked what we had seen. Before I could answer, Chase appeared at the top of the stairs and yelled "We saw the Declaration of Independance!" Well, we did - it was true. But it was NOT the first thing I thought the 7 year old would mention. I thought for sure he would bring up the 3-story rockets in the Space Museum, or the giant Mammoth in the Natural History Museum, or the giant Abe Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial. But no - he told them about the Declaration of Independance. We went through the Rotunda at the Archives, and saw the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independance, and the Bill of Rights. I KNOW Chase didn't fully grasp what we were looking at or why, but he was quiet and well behaved and respectful just the same. I tried to give him a quick-and-dirty rundown of what those papers meant, and of how old they were. It amazes me that he actually took something away from that experience.
Children are amazing creatures. It never ceases to amaze me the things they see, the way they respond to thing, and the things that stick with them.
And today - 3 days later - Karlin asked me what the difference is between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. We may have to go back to Washington soon...
There were a few moments that stood out for me, though.
When we were in the Museum of Natural History, we stopped in a Physical Anthropolgy exhibit. It had all sorts of skeletons on display, and featured a hands-on lab for the kids. Each station in the lab had a few skeletal items (mandibles, vertebrae, etc,) Then each one had a CSI-like tablet where there was a "mystery"...did this bone suffer trauma? What caused the strange growth? Was the injury pre or post mortem?
Karlin was happily and intensely working at a station, examining the parts and trying to solve the mystery. The Education staff member came over and welcomed her, and said "We encourage you to touch everything, but please be gentle, as these are real human bones." Karlin was still for a half-beat, then dropped those bones like they had been on fire. She was appalled that they were isung REAL HUMAN BONES. Only the promise of large amounts of hand sanitizer would convince her to re-engage.
We stopped at the relatively new WWII Memorial. If you haven't been, it's beautiful and moving and touching. There is a wall along the backside that has 1 gold star for every American killed in the war. In front of that wall, someone had left 2 perfect white roses. I found Karlin standing there, looking at the roses. She looked at me and said "Look - someone left these roses here." And I said "Yes - they probably left them for someone who died in the war." She looked back at the wall and said "But..that's so sad. All those people died and it's so sad. I just feel like I should leave something too, for all those people." She was actually teary-eyed, which got me crying too. I explained that yes - it WAS sad. And the point of the memorial was not only to honor and remember the people who fought and died, but also to serve as a reminder that the war had happened, and why. I was awed and moved by the fact that her 10 year old brain was so touched by that Monument.
On our last day, we were catching the Metro train for the final time. We had been using it for 3 days, and although it was the kid's first time on public transportation, they got the hang of it pretty quick. If you've never ridden it, you basically have to decide which color line you're on, and then you determine which direction based on where the final stop is. On that last day, we walked in and I said "we're on yellow again." Bart said "Which direction?" Chase, without missing a beat, slid his fare pass in, walked through the gate, and said "Yellow to Fort Tottum, Dad." After 3 days, the kid was a Metro Pro.
On our first day back, several of the neighborhood kids came over after school. I let them in the hallway, and they asked what we had seen. Before I could answer, Chase appeared at the top of the stairs and yelled "We saw the Declaration of Independance!" Well, we did - it was true. But it was NOT the first thing I thought the 7 year old would mention. I thought for sure he would bring up the 3-story rockets in the Space Museum, or the giant Mammoth in the Natural History Museum, or the giant Abe Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial. But no - he told them about the Declaration of Independance. We went through the Rotunda at the Archives, and saw the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independance, and the Bill of Rights. I KNOW Chase didn't fully grasp what we were looking at or why, but he was quiet and well behaved and respectful just the same. I tried to give him a quick-and-dirty rundown of what those papers meant, and of how old they were. It amazes me that he actually took something away from that experience.
Children are amazing creatures. It never ceases to amaze me the things they see, the way they respond to thing, and the things that stick with them.
And today - 3 days later - Karlin asked me what the difference is between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. We may have to go back to Washington soon...
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Communism and Castes
For some light dinner conversion last night, we had a discussion with our kids - primarily our 10 year old daughter - about Communism. Well...it didn't really start about Communism. It started out like this:
I had just finished a book called "Conquistadora" by Esmerelda Santiago. It is about a woman taking the lead in securing and running a sugar plantation in Puerto Rico in the 1840s. Anywho...I mentioned that Puerto Rico would be a great place to visit, since it's very historic and it's an American Territory. Then Bart and I were trying to figure out WHY it's an American Territory. It's most likely not economically profitable. What benefit do we get from it?
I think that we'd do a lot better if we ("we" meaning the United States) had Cuba instead. I pointed out all the tens of thousands of people in South Florida alone that would help out with THAT effort. When Bart pointed out "having Cuba" wouldn't be so easy, Karlin wanted to know why. Hence the discussion about Communism. Communism that led to us telling her that in China you are limited in the number of children you can have, and can be imprisoned for even carrying a picture of a specific religious leader in your wallet.
In all fairness to Communism, we did point out that lots of countries that are no longer Communist WISH they still were. Communism guaranteed them a job, food, electricity, etc. most of the time, where free enterprise doesn't.
Then we talked about some European countries that pay a super high tax rate, but have Socialized medicine and health care, education paid for through college, etc. We compared that to Communism, and then talked about the taxes we pay here in the States and what they provide for us. (We left out the scathing commentary of corrupt politicians and fat-cat government spending run amok.) We talked about our right to free speech, and our right to protest, and our right to "Arm Bears" (Bart's contribution, not mine. You see what I live with day in and day out...)
Then we told Karlin how very fortunate she was to be a female born in America. We told her about how - in many, many countries around the world - girls don't go to school. In some places, girls CAN'T go to school. In some places, girls are NOT ALLOWED to go to school.
We talked about how in some countries, arranged marriage is still in practice. (She was appalled about that one.) Then I brought up the Caste system, and how in some countries people are born at a particular level and they can never, ever change that.
We pointed out that America isn't perfect, but that it's a place where - if you work hard - you can get an education and the opportunity to change your lot in life.
I told both kids that I can say out loud that I don't like President Obama, and I don't think he's doing a good job, and that's NOT illegal. (In some countries you could be executed for that.) I told them that I can get a bunch of my friends together and stand on a street corner holding up signs that say we don't like President Obama and we don't think he's doing a good job, and that's OK too. We can write articles and blogs and make Facebook posts about our political/religious/social views, and that's OK. Our children - boys and girls - are guaranteed an opportunity to get an education, even if we have no money at all.
All of this was eye-opening to two little American kids who live a comfortable lifestyle.
It's good to go over this with them, though, especially since we have a trip to DC next month. You really tend to look at government differently when you read National Geographic articles about how children - particularly girls - are treated in many places around the world. It's good to remind ourselves too, especially in light of all the negativity of our Government lately, that we still have it pretty good here in the old US of A.
I had just finished a book called "Conquistadora" by Esmerelda Santiago. It is about a woman taking the lead in securing and running a sugar plantation in Puerto Rico in the 1840s. Anywho...I mentioned that Puerto Rico would be a great place to visit, since it's very historic and it's an American Territory. Then Bart and I were trying to figure out WHY it's an American Territory. It's most likely not economically profitable. What benefit do we get from it?
I think that we'd do a lot better if we ("we" meaning the United States) had Cuba instead. I pointed out all the tens of thousands of people in South Florida alone that would help out with THAT effort. When Bart pointed out "having Cuba" wouldn't be so easy, Karlin wanted to know why. Hence the discussion about Communism. Communism that led to us telling her that in China you are limited in the number of children you can have, and can be imprisoned for even carrying a picture of a specific religious leader in your wallet.
In all fairness to Communism, we did point out that lots of countries that are no longer Communist WISH they still were. Communism guaranteed them a job, food, electricity, etc. most of the time, where free enterprise doesn't.
Then we talked about some European countries that pay a super high tax rate, but have Socialized medicine and health care, education paid for through college, etc. We compared that to Communism, and then talked about the taxes we pay here in the States and what they provide for us. (We left out the scathing commentary of corrupt politicians and fat-cat government spending run amok.) We talked about our right to free speech, and our right to protest, and our right to "Arm Bears" (Bart's contribution, not mine. You see what I live with day in and day out...)
Then we told Karlin how very fortunate she was to be a female born in America. We told her about how - in many, many countries around the world - girls don't go to school. In some places, girls CAN'T go to school. In some places, girls are NOT ALLOWED to go to school.
We talked about how in some countries, arranged marriage is still in practice. (She was appalled about that one.) Then I brought up the Caste system, and how in some countries people are born at a particular level and they can never, ever change that.
We pointed out that America isn't perfect, but that it's a place where - if you work hard - you can get an education and the opportunity to change your lot in life.
I told both kids that I can say out loud that I don't like President Obama, and I don't think he's doing a good job, and that's NOT illegal. (In some countries you could be executed for that.) I told them that I can get a bunch of my friends together and stand on a street corner holding up signs that say we don't like President Obama and we don't think he's doing a good job, and that's OK too. We can write articles and blogs and make Facebook posts about our political/religious/social views, and that's OK. Our children - boys and girls - are guaranteed an opportunity to get an education, even if we have no money at all.
All of this was eye-opening to two little American kids who live a comfortable lifestyle.
It's good to go over this with them, though, especially since we have a trip to DC next month. You really tend to look at government differently when you read National Geographic articles about how children - particularly girls - are treated in many places around the world. It's good to remind ourselves too, especially in light of all the negativity of our Government lately, that we still have it pretty good here in the old US of A.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Back to the Future
I'm not even sure I should be considering a new blog, considering I haven't posted on this one for months. (some people make money off blogs, right?) But there it is.
To work or not to work - that is the question.
What motivates "stay at home moms" to go back to work? Is it the paycheck? Is it the boredom? Is it that we need ownership of something to ourselves (other than laundry)? Is it the need for feedback and/or social interaction? Is it because the perfect opportunity happens by at the right time?
I have none of the answers to this question.
On the one hand, I am getting increasingly frustrated at being the family "maid." My list of things to get done is huge, and never seems to get any shorter. Would getting a job outside the home really "fix" that, though? My list of things to get done will still be there (although I may be able to pay someone to do some of the housework.)
On the other hand, is it simply that I lack focus, discipline, and organization? Can I restructure things to make my life more efficient, more rewarding? I have 2 able-bodied children. Can't I have them increase their roles within the household?
Then there's the money aspect which, in my case, is a double-edged sword. Yes - I could use some spending money to take vacations and buy things with. But we don't really NEED money. Want? yes. Could use? Yes. Need? Not really. Taking a job, however, would most likely require a commute. In my 10 year old car. That has 145,000 miles on it. So the question that lurks out there is how long would my car last before it blew up? Right now, I don't go far (within a 4 square mile area, more or less.) So then the job necessitates a car payment. This is NOT a big deal if the job pays $50K a year. It is, however, a big deal if you are only making $13 an hour. My car has been paid off forever, and I live in fear of the car payment. And if I am working, will I have to hire a nanny or a sitter to watch my kids after school? To take them to their various practices/lessons/meetings? Because that just adds to the expense list and subtracts from the profit list.
Bart said this morning that he and I have different goals for our jobs. He wants to work to get the maximum return for the time spent. He says I want a job that's rewarding and interesting and fulfilling. It's a lot easier for him to say that, though, when he makes a good salary and works from home. My $13 an hour job probably wouldn't maximize much of anything.
Then there's another question: Do I really want to go back into fundraising, especially in this economy? When I left Zoo Atlanta, I said I was done with the "professional begging." I stumbled into the field to begin with, and although I was good at it, I never loved it. (At Zoo Atlanta, at least I could love the paychecks.) If I don't want to do fundraising, what DO I want to do?
I. DON'T. KNOW.
If I knew what I wanted to do, I could pursue a course of action in that direction. The bottom line is I have no idea what I want to do. I could just continue to Substitute Teach, which is close and convenient, but pays next to nothing and the work is inconsistent. Or do I let some organization suffer while I try to "find myself?" Is it really fair of me to take on a responsibility for an organization just to "try it out?"
I don't have the answers to any of these questions. What is my future in going back to work?
The Magic 8 Ball says "Reply hazy try again." No kidding.
To work or not to work - that is the question.
What motivates "stay at home moms" to go back to work? Is it the paycheck? Is it the boredom? Is it that we need ownership of something to ourselves (other than laundry)? Is it the need for feedback and/or social interaction? Is it because the perfect opportunity happens by at the right time?
I have none of the answers to this question.
On the one hand, I am getting increasingly frustrated at being the family "maid." My list of things to get done is huge, and never seems to get any shorter. Would getting a job outside the home really "fix" that, though? My list of things to get done will still be there (although I may be able to pay someone to do some of the housework.)
On the other hand, is it simply that I lack focus, discipline, and organization? Can I restructure things to make my life more efficient, more rewarding? I have 2 able-bodied children. Can't I have them increase their roles within the household?
Then there's the money aspect which, in my case, is a double-edged sword. Yes - I could use some spending money to take vacations and buy things with. But we don't really NEED money. Want? yes. Could use? Yes. Need? Not really. Taking a job, however, would most likely require a commute. In my 10 year old car. That has 145,000 miles on it. So the question that lurks out there is how long would my car last before it blew up? Right now, I don't go far (within a 4 square mile area, more or less.) So then the job necessitates a car payment. This is NOT a big deal if the job pays $50K a year. It is, however, a big deal if you are only making $13 an hour. My car has been paid off forever, and I live in fear of the car payment. And if I am working, will I have to hire a nanny or a sitter to watch my kids after school? To take them to their various practices/lessons/meetings? Because that just adds to the expense list and subtracts from the profit list.
Bart said this morning that he and I have different goals for our jobs. He wants to work to get the maximum return for the time spent. He says I want a job that's rewarding and interesting and fulfilling. It's a lot easier for him to say that, though, when he makes a good salary and works from home. My $13 an hour job probably wouldn't maximize much of anything.
Then there's another question: Do I really want to go back into fundraising, especially in this economy? When I left Zoo Atlanta, I said I was done with the "professional begging." I stumbled into the field to begin with, and although I was good at it, I never loved it. (At Zoo Atlanta, at least I could love the paychecks.) If I don't want to do fundraising, what DO I want to do?
I. DON'T. KNOW.
If I knew what I wanted to do, I could pursue a course of action in that direction. The bottom line is I have no idea what I want to do. I could just continue to Substitute Teach, which is close and convenient, but pays next to nothing and the work is inconsistent. Or do I let some organization suffer while I try to "find myself?" Is it really fair of me to take on a responsibility for an organization just to "try it out?"
I don't have the answers to any of these questions. What is my future in going back to work?
The Magic 8 Ball says "Reply hazy try again." No kidding.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Why The 80's Ruled the Music Scene
I am a self-professed child of the 80's. I was ages 10-20 in the 80's - I grew up there. I had the BIG HAIR and the Esprit retro tank dress and the studded triple belts (in white and black.) I had leg warmers and jelly bracelets and swatch watches (a minimum of 3 on each arm.) I slept out on a sidewalk to get tickets to see George Michael. I wore my Axel Rose Guns & Roses headband (late 80's), worshipped Bon Jovi, and never got to see U2. I fought for my right to party, knew all the words to Jodi Whatley, and still thought Milli Vanilli were great.
Two words: John Hughes. Two more: Pac man.
I could go on and on and on about how I honestly believe the 80's were the best time to grow up in. (and you know all you 80's kids agree too...)
However, on one front I think we are the indisputable champions, and that's on the Music front. I won't necessarily take up the argument that the 80's music was better (although it was); it was DIFFERENT.
If you pull up the Billboard Top 10 list for any random week in 1987, you'll most likely see something like this:
10.Beastie Boys (Rap)
9. George Michael (Pop)
8. Michael Jackson (Pop)
7. Motley Crue (Metal)
6. The Cure (Alternative)
5. Bon Jovi (Pop/Rock)
4. Bobby Brown (Pop/Dance)
3. New Order (Alternative)
2. Run DMC (Rap)
1. REM (Alternative)
That is a good 5-6 different genres of music. All on 1 Top 10 List. And at any given minute, you could have several of those in your tape collection. (Yes - I said tape.)
Try a random week in 1985. You'd see:
10. Michale Jackson (Pop)
9. The Go-Gos (Pop/Dance)
8. John Cougar Mellencamp (Pop-Country-ish)
7. Journey (Ballad Pop)
6. Simple Minds (Alternative-ish)
5. ZZ Top (Rock)
4. Van Halen (Rock)
3. Commodores (R&B)
2. Foreigner (Rock/Pop)
1. Madonna (Dance)
Granted, metal had just not peeked onto the scene yet, but still..that's 5-6 totally different types of music again.
Try 1989:
10. New Kids on the Block (Dance Pop)
9. Tone Loc (Dance/Rap)
8. Poison (Metal/Rock)
7. Paula Abdul (Dance/Pop)
6. Aerosmith (Rock)
5. Milli Vanilli (Pop)
4. REM (Alternative)
3. Young MC (Dance/Rap)
2. Warrant (Metal)
1. Fine Young Cannibals (Alternative Pop)
Again - you might have your Tone Loc CD (most of us had some CDs by this point) right next to your Guns & Roses CD. Or your Paula Abdul and your REM all together.
And we did. Even if you were a metal-lover, I guarantee you had some of that other stuff on you. Run DMC or REM or U2. Bobby Brown. Michael Jackson. Van Halen. The GoGos. The Bangles. It was messed up, I tell you.
But I really DID love my Funky Cold Medina (Tone Loc) AND my Quiet Riot. I Lived On A Prayer (Bon Jovi) and Walked Like an Egyptian (Bangles) at the same time. I had hair like Vince Neil and clothes like Whitney Houston. REALLY.
OK...so flash forward to this week - 3rd week in April 2011. Here's what's on the Top 10 this week:
10. Katy Perry (Dance/Pop)
9. Rhianna (Dance/Pop)
8. Britney Spears (Dance/Pop)
7. Ke$ha (Dance/Pop)
6. Black Eyed peas (Dance/Pop)
5. Celina Gomez (Pop)
4. Chris Brown (Dance/Pop)
3. Ce Lo (Pop)
2. Jennifer Lopez (Dance/Pop)
1. Lady GaGa (Dance/Pop)
See the difference? Now don't get me wrong - I LOVE most of those artists. (Not Chris Brown, cause he's a psychopath.) I will download the crap out of some Britney and GaGa and Ke$ha. My point is the lack of variety. Sure, every once in awhile you'll get a Lady Antebellum in there (which I would only loosely call "Country") or Taylor Swift (ditto to her stuff...) You might get something that swings a little closer to Rap than to Dance. But really - it's all the same shit. No variety at all.
And some of the stuff you can find that IS a little different? REMAKES OF OLD 80's SONGS! (Exhibit A: the Black Eyed peas re-making "Time of My Life" from Dirty Dancing.)
I have 2 kids, and I am trying to at least expose them to something different. Lord knows my 7 and 9 year old children cannot listen to Rhianna singing about how she smells sex in the air and whips and chains excite her. They do, however, love Jimmy Buffett and Bob Marley. Chase is particular likes the Charlie Daniels Band. They will both rock out to some old Van Halen. They know most of the words to "Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi. (OK - that's mostly because it's the theme song on "Deadliest catch", but they still like it.)
Even the kid's music teacher at school is making an effort. Granted, he was still in diapers in the 80's, but his concerts of late have had the kids singing songs from the movie "Footloose" and songs by the 80's band Styx.
I think that growing up in the 80's is why I have such diverse music on my ipod. I can listen to Aretha Franklin and Prodigy one right after the other and not give it a second thought. I can listen to Johnny Cash followed by Ke$ha. I have Limp Bizkit and Britney Spears back to back. And it's OK.
I feel sorry for the kids today, not because the music is bad. Only because the music is all the SAME.
The 80's ruled. Welcome to the Jungle, I'm Hungry Like The Wolf, and I Wanna Dance With Somebody, cause it's My Prerogative. After all, It's the End of the World as We Know It, and I feel fine....
Two words: John Hughes. Two more: Pac man.
I could go on and on and on about how I honestly believe the 80's were the best time to grow up in. (and you know all you 80's kids agree too...)
However, on one front I think we are the indisputable champions, and that's on the Music front. I won't necessarily take up the argument that the 80's music was better (although it was); it was DIFFERENT.
If you pull up the Billboard Top 10 list for any random week in 1987, you'll most likely see something like this:
10.Beastie Boys (Rap)
9. George Michael (Pop)
8. Michael Jackson (Pop)
7. Motley Crue (Metal)
6. The Cure (Alternative)
5. Bon Jovi (Pop/Rock)
4. Bobby Brown (Pop/Dance)
3. New Order (Alternative)
2. Run DMC (Rap)
1. REM (Alternative)
That is a good 5-6 different genres of music. All on 1 Top 10 List. And at any given minute, you could have several of those in your tape collection. (Yes - I said tape.)
Try a random week in 1985. You'd see:
10. Michale Jackson (Pop)
9. The Go-Gos (Pop/Dance)
8. John Cougar Mellencamp (Pop-Country-ish)
7. Journey (Ballad Pop)
6. Simple Minds (Alternative-ish)
5. ZZ Top (Rock)
4. Van Halen (Rock)
3. Commodores (R&B)
2. Foreigner (Rock/Pop)
1. Madonna (Dance)
Granted, metal had just not peeked onto the scene yet, but still..that's 5-6 totally different types of music again.
Try 1989:
10. New Kids on the Block (Dance Pop)
9. Tone Loc (Dance/Rap)
8. Poison (Metal/Rock)
7. Paula Abdul (Dance/Pop)
6. Aerosmith (Rock)
5. Milli Vanilli (Pop)
4. REM (Alternative)
3. Young MC (Dance/Rap)
2. Warrant (Metal)
1. Fine Young Cannibals (Alternative Pop)
Again - you might have your Tone Loc CD (most of us had some CDs by this point) right next to your Guns & Roses CD. Or your Paula Abdul and your REM all together.
And we did. Even if you were a metal-lover, I guarantee you had some of that other stuff on you. Run DMC or REM or U2. Bobby Brown. Michael Jackson. Van Halen. The GoGos. The Bangles. It was messed up, I tell you.
But I really DID love my Funky Cold Medina (Tone Loc) AND my Quiet Riot. I Lived On A Prayer (Bon Jovi) and Walked Like an Egyptian (Bangles) at the same time. I had hair like Vince Neil and clothes like Whitney Houston. REALLY.
OK...so flash forward to this week - 3rd week in April 2011. Here's what's on the Top 10 this week:
10. Katy Perry (Dance/Pop)
9. Rhianna (Dance/Pop)
8. Britney Spears (Dance/Pop)
7. Ke$ha (Dance/Pop)
6. Black Eyed peas (Dance/Pop)
5. Celina Gomez (Pop)
4. Chris Brown (Dance/Pop)
3. Ce Lo (Pop)
2. Jennifer Lopez (Dance/Pop)
1. Lady GaGa (Dance/Pop)
See the difference? Now don't get me wrong - I LOVE most of those artists. (Not Chris Brown, cause he's a psychopath.) I will download the crap out of some Britney and GaGa and Ke$ha. My point is the lack of variety. Sure, every once in awhile you'll get a Lady Antebellum in there (which I would only loosely call "Country") or Taylor Swift (ditto to her stuff...) You might get something that swings a little closer to Rap than to Dance. But really - it's all the same shit. No variety at all.
And some of the stuff you can find that IS a little different? REMAKES OF OLD 80's SONGS! (Exhibit A: the Black Eyed peas re-making "Time of My Life" from Dirty Dancing.)
I have 2 kids, and I am trying to at least expose them to something different. Lord knows my 7 and 9 year old children cannot listen to Rhianna singing about how she smells sex in the air and whips and chains excite her. They do, however, love Jimmy Buffett and Bob Marley. Chase is particular likes the Charlie Daniels Band. They will both rock out to some old Van Halen. They know most of the words to "Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi. (OK - that's mostly because it's the theme song on "Deadliest catch", but they still like it.)
Even the kid's music teacher at school is making an effort. Granted, he was still in diapers in the 80's, but his concerts of late have had the kids singing songs from the movie "Footloose" and songs by the 80's band Styx.
I think that growing up in the 80's is why I have such diverse music on my ipod. I can listen to Aretha Franklin and Prodigy one right after the other and not give it a second thought. I can listen to Johnny Cash followed by Ke$ha. I have Limp Bizkit and Britney Spears back to back. And it's OK.
I feel sorry for the kids today, not because the music is bad. Only because the music is all the SAME.
The 80's ruled. Welcome to the Jungle, I'm Hungry Like The Wolf, and I Wanna Dance With Somebody, cause it's My Prerogative. After all, It's the End of the World as We Know It, and I feel fine....
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