Content

The word "content" has been haunting me; you see, I just reached 100 posts on inklingspot. Go me! However, that word has also hung over my whiteboard for weeks because it is one of the domains essays are graded on for the Arkansas Benchmark exam. The other domains, or categories, all have helpful hints underneath them to encourage children to gain more points. "Style" has lots of figurative language; "Usage" and "Mechanics" basically say don't screw up the English language and you'll do fine.

The problem with my children's content scores is simply that they have very few of the life experiences necessary to produce content. They simply don't have the foundational experiences that lead to imagination, creative thinking, and interesting writing.

I started the year thinking I had plenty of the life experiences needed to produce content; after all, I've been a pretty okay writer in college. But. What have I actually tangibly produced since starting this teaching gig? A couple of bulletin boards and a grand total of six hats over Christmas break. I don't even have any photos of my first apartment, my classroom, my holiday.

I feel like I'm running low on content. I need life experiences. I need an adventure. Soon.

Trying to Tune In...

Welcome to 2012. I remember doing a report about the Titanic in 4th grade, realizing that I could very well be alive on the 100 year anniversary of the sinking. Of course, as a 4th grader, my next thought was, "Yeah, 2012. That'll never happen."

But, here I am. I have some big plans for the coming year, but I wonder if my stamina can sustain my big plans. I feel very run down with my current gig and general mode of life. My beliefs and big goals each seem knotted. A friend suggested that I need to 'listen to the whispers of the heart' more often. 

Let me tell you, though-my heart doesn't just whisper. Sometimes it rocks out in a big, raucous, way. 

Faery Tale: One Woman's Search for Enchantment in a Modern World by Signe Pike

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I liked this book, though it has a few rough spots. I really want to learn more about Faeries and the author kindly give me a list of books in the back of this books, which is really nice. Not a long read, so go and pick it up if you want to journey with Signe to meet some scary, sweet, and generally awesome Faeries and humans.



View all my reviews

Lent Challenge: Commercialization and Sincerity

Religion in America is stunningly complex. My experiences with religion, especially in the last few years, is a reflection of this nationwide complexity. I'm not even sure how to begin to talk about it, honestly. Some people even say religion in America is dying out. However, just check out the news story above.

Do I believe the story above? Not exactly; after all, this family is selling a book, gaining publicity, and commercializing an experience that simply can not be proven because it is religious in nature. However, that's not to say that this kid did not have a legitimate religious experience.

Should we write books (and blog posts) about our individual experiences? YES, I think people should examine their own beliefs more often. Should we go on morning talk shows to talk about these experiences? Well...probably, but.... Should we make money off of our experiences? Oh dear.... Folks have to make a living, but it makes me really uncomfortable that someone might make a buck off of something that is ultimately intangible.

What are your thoughts? Should people make money off of their religious experiences? What do you think about this kid and this book? The Amazon reviews are fascinating; why would people get so upset when someone else has a different idea of the afterlife?

Lent Challenge: Craftin'

My rag rug is coming along, slowly but surely!

Lent Challenge: An Update

Oh, dear. ^_^

I am really bad at completing daily tasks more complicated than showering or feeding my turtle. But, I'm still going to trudge ahead in this challenge, despite evidence of failure.

So, what have I been up to in the last few days? Staying up way too late, taking long walks, battling the tendency of the Universe to collapse into chaos....

What's that you say, Lassie? The Universe isn't chaotic! There's order in the chaos! If there isn't order, well, humans just don't have the perspective to see it!

But if the Universe is anything like my bedroom, it tends towards chaos. If the Universe is anything like my kitchen, it tends towards rotting, stinky, chaos.

However, I'm in control (sorta) of those spaces, and I am not the force behind the Universe. Which leads us to the inevitable question: what (do I think) controls the Universe?

And THAT is THE question. However: Alas, its almost midnight! I might turn into a pumpkin! Good night, all!

Lent Challenge: Probably Cheating

Well, I'm back at college. I'm trying really hard to focus on that fact, because I have papers to write and friends to bond with while I can. However, I also have hundreds of pages of TFA materials to read, background check paperwork to fill out, and a cold dripping out of my sinus cavity.

But, that's kind of how I love to live my life (minus the mucus, of course). I like to stay ridiculously busy; I like to plan years in advance, and then GO GO GO! However, once my body and mind is in motion, it's a beast to stop. Actually, it kinda hurts.

However, that's sort of the point of having a blog, right? Especially a daily challenge-its all about taking a moment to slow down and actually write about the things rattling around in my brain.

And, yeah, I cheated yesterday, though this probably doesn't count as a real post either. At least until I admit this: Life is good. No, really. There are so many ups and downs, so many tragedies, so many reasons to be afraid....but, life really is an amazingly beautiful. Which leads me to...

Prepare thyself, ya'll: I'm going to blog about religion soon. Gird thy loins! ^_^