Well, I sold a bunch of books on Amazon meaning to make some extra money. But did you know that you can set it up so that instead of money you get an Amazon gift certificate? So guess what I've been getting instead of cash. BOOKS!
I'm not sure why I'm such a bookaholic. I just am. My favorite store on the planet is called Acres of Books, in Long Beach. When I was a little girl my dad used to let me go to downtown Long Beach to work with him. I'd spend a couple of hours doing his filing or whatever and then he'd give me $20 and send me to Acres of Books. It was two stories of used books, some of them going back to the stores opening in the 20s. The place was magic to me. I can still smell it. I can remember believing that somewhere in that place might be a book like in the Never Ending Story, or that book whose name I can't remember about the kids who find a book that only lets them read it one page at a time. Some sort of magical book that had been sitting there for fifty years waiting just for me.
The point is, I love books. And I've bought a BUNCH of them with my Amazon money. Some homeschooling books, some are just for me. I'd like to start a list of books that I read in 2008 with reviews. Hardly anyone is reading my site yet, so it's mostly just a list for me. I think I'll start with some that I've read in the past month or so.
What I'd really love to do is start an online book club for people who think like me. Books about the world and our country and the insane things that are going. Environmental issues, economic issues, educational issues. Anyone want to join me?
Friday, December 21, 2007
School
I just ordered my books for next semester. They have to be shipped and because I'm not Oprah, I can only afford to buy used books so I'm dependent on Amazon sellers shipping to me in a timely manner. So I order early, just in case.
I had a thought in the shower today. I want to start my own school. A sort of educational co-op where parents teach classes in subjects that interest them or that they are good at. So I might teach Spanish, history and writing. Someone else might teach math and biology. Someone else might teach guitar, auto shop, painting...whatever. Then our kids can sign up for the classes that interest them. It isn't necessary for the teacher to be an expert, just to have an interest and love of the subject. That'll be the had part to convince my prospective teachers of.
Charge $10 per class. So a one-time How To Make Cookies class would cost $10, but an ongoing Algebra class would cost $10 each time it met. And there could be free stuff, too. Like clubs. The $10 fee could be split between the school and the parent teaching the class. Or parents who agree to teach a class could receive free tuition for their own kids (I teach Spanish and Nick gets to learn how to change the oil in a car.)
If I charge a per-family monthly tuition, that would cover expenses and give me a salary. And maybe it would include a certain number of courses. Or maybe, $10 a class with a minimum number of classes necessary. I am not interested in a school where only the affluent can afford to send their children.
It's just a seed of an idea, but it excites me.
I had a thought in the shower today. I want to start my own school. A sort of educational co-op where parents teach classes in subjects that interest them or that they are good at. So I might teach Spanish, history and writing. Someone else might teach math and biology. Someone else might teach guitar, auto shop, painting...whatever. Then our kids can sign up for the classes that interest them. It isn't necessary for the teacher to be an expert, just to have an interest and love of the subject. That'll be the had part to convince my prospective teachers of.
Charge $10 per class. So a one-time How To Make Cookies class would cost $10, but an ongoing Algebra class would cost $10 each time it met. And there could be free stuff, too. Like clubs. The $10 fee could be split between the school and the parent teaching the class. Or parents who agree to teach a class could receive free tuition for their own kids (I teach Spanish and Nick gets to learn how to change the oil in a car.)
If I charge a per-family monthly tuition, that would cover expenses and give me a salary. And maybe it would include a certain number of courses. Or maybe, $10 a class with a minimum number of classes necessary. I am not interested in a school where only the affluent can afford to send their children.
It's just a seed of an idea, but it excites me.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Old Lang Sine, Revisited
I get this way this time of every year. I want a change, I want to resolve to do something outrageous, I want to revolutionize my life! I want to lose 100 pounds and write the Great American Novel and get rid of every speck of clutter in my house. And I have a whole YEAR ahead of me. I can do it!
This year I'm really trying for some more down-to-Earth resolutions that will have a more lasting and realistic impact on my life.
1. I want to read all of the books that Sharon at Casaubon's Book has listed in her last couple of posts.
2. I want to figure out how to be a really good teacher. It may not be my life's work, but I can't shake the idea that it might be after all. In one form or another.
3. I want to make some basic preparations this year, because I have this undercurrent of worry that 2008 is going to be the year when we can no longer pretend that everything is going to be okay.
4. I want to take better care of myself and my family. I'm talking about our health. My father-in-law has had a heart attack (when he was only in his 50s) and he has just found out that he's diabetic. My family has a strong history of cancer. My kids deserve a foundation of health.
5. I want to write the book that's been in my head for nearly two years. I need to stop being afraid of it. I'm actually not afraid of it. I'm afraid that I'll get it written and no one will care.
I'm starting with a list of three things I want to do every day in 2008 and three things I don't want to do at all in 2008.
To Do:
Exercise everyday
Write everyday
Get eight hours of sleep every night
Not To Do:
Eat red meat
Drink soda
Yell
If I can just do (or don't do) those six things, what sort of an impact will it have on my life? Will I be healthier? Will I finish my novel? Will my family be happier? God, I hope so.
This year I'm really trying for some more down-to-Earth resolutions that will have a more lasting and realistic impact on my life.
1. I want to read all of the books that Sharon at Casaubon's Book has listed in her last couple of posts.
2. I want to figure out how to be a really good teacher. It may not be my life's work, but I can't shake the idea that it might be after all. In one form or another.
3. I want to make some basic preparations this year, because I have this undercurrent of worry that 2008 is going to be the year when we can no longer pretend that everything is going to be okay.
4. I want to take better care of myself and my family. I'm talking about our health. My father-in-law has had a heart attack (when he was only in his 50s) and he has just found out that he's diabetic. My family has a strong history of cancer. My kids deserve a foundation of health.
5. I want to write the book that's been in my head for nearly two years. I need to stop being afraid of it. I'm actually not afraid of it. I'm afraid that I'll get it written and no one will care.
I'm starting with a list of three things I want to do every day in 2008 and three things I don't want to do at all in 2008.
To Do:
Exercise everyday
Write everyday
Get eight hours of sleep every night
Not To Do:
Eat red meat
Drink soda
Yell
If I can just do (or don't do) those six things, what sort of an impact will it have on my life? Will I be healthier? Will I finish my novel? Will my family be happier? God, I hope so.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Don't Tell Me....
If I'm not careful, enough people are going to tell me that I'm not cut out for teaching and I'm going to end up being a teacher just to prove them wrong.
There has to be away to be a successful sub. There just has to be, or no one would ever do it.
There has to be away to be a successful sub. There just has to be, or no one would ever do it.
Old Lang Sine
I love making resolutions. I don't always (or usually) keep them, but they help me to organize my goals. Also, when I do keep them, it's a big deal for me. Like when I wrote a novel two years ago. Writing The End was an unbelievable natural high.
Here are some ideas I have for my 2008 Resolution List:
Be more aware of what I put in my mouth. (More iron and B and fresh juice, less processed crap)
Continue with my education. By the this time next year I'll have 82 credits!
Write. Just write.
End the year with some money in the bank and less money owed to creditors.
There you have it! What's yours?
Here are some ideas I have for my 2008 Resolution List:
Be more aware of what I put in my mouth. (More iron and B and fresh juice, less processed crap)
Continue with my education. By the this time next year I'll have 82 credits!
Write. Just write.
End the year with some money in the bank and less money owed to creditors.
There you have it! What's yours?
Monday, December 17, 2007
Battle Lost, But Not The War
I just logged onto the computer program that manages my substitute jobs and notified them that I was sick and can't work at the middle school tomorrow.
I worked at the middle school today. It was shocking, and I don't shock easily. The kids were blatantly rude and loud and disruptive. The first period that I taught it took me fifteen minutes to take the roll for twenty or so students and I had to send SIX kids to the office. We finally managed to get through a third of the work the teacher left, when the kids came trouping back in saying the vice principal sent them back. Nice support there, Mrs. M.
I haven't ever experienced anything like that. No wonder Nick wasn't able to manage his behavior. All I could think, all day long, was thank God he isn't here anymore. What a nightmare.
Part of me wanted to go in tomorrow and show them that they can't beat me. But I keep remembering someone in that first period class asking if I was coming in for the science teacher today, and then a good half of the class cheering and all but rubbing their hands together sinisterly. Then the same thing happened in the next period. The last period was sixth grade and they have a different teacher. Funny thing is, that class was my reprieve. They are still young enough and close enough to elementary school to quiet down when the teacher raises her hand in the air. I flipped off the lights in the first period and they actually laughed at me.
So they win. This time.
P.S. After only three weeks as a sub, my mind if made up. I do NOT want to be a teacher.
I worked at the middle school today. It was shocking, and I don't shock easily. The kids were blatantly rude and loud and disruptive. The first period that I taught it took me fifteen minutes to take the roll for twenty or so students and I had to send SIX kids to the office. We finally managed to get through a third of the work the teacher left, when the kids came trouping back in saying the vice principal sent them back. Nice support there, Mrs. M.
I haven't ever experienced anything like that. No wonder Nick wasn't able to manage his behavior. All I could think, all day long, was thank God he isn't here anymore. What a nightmare.
Part of me wanted to go in tomorrow and show them that they can't beat me. But I keep remembering someone in that first period class asking if I was coming in for the science teacher today, and then a good half of the class cheering and all but rubbing their hands together sinisterly. Then the same thing happened in the next period. The last period was sixth grade and they have a different teacher. Funny thing is, that class was my reprieve. They are still young enough and close enough to elementary school to quiet down when the teacher raises her hand in the air. I flipped off the lights in the first period and they actually laughed at me.
So they win. This time.
P.S. After only three weeks as a sub, my mind if made up. I do NOT want to be a teacher.
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