Reading Week: Useful or Not?

My reading week/spring break is very quickly coming to an end. Which makes me quite upset. I enjoyed having my evenings back to catch up on things, and to go out for coffee with people who were starting to think that I had fallen off the face of the planet. But I realized something today, I have not done any homework!! I had big plans for my week off, and none of those plans came true! I had to force myself to sit down and work on a major assignment I have due. It was really hard, and I found myself wandering a lot. I think I work better when I know I am going to be really busy. Right now I keep thinking, "I can do that tomorrrow. I have lots of time! I have a week off!" But when I have class, I know that I won't have tons of time later, so I need to get my act together. I guess what I am trying to get at is the fact that for me, spring break really is not that useful! I would rather be done a week earlier in April then have this week long break in the middle of the semester where I don't even get anything done anyway!

"Autism Every Day"

A few weeks ago I was watching "The View". They were doing a whole show on Autism. I am very interested in Autism because I have had experience with children will all different levels of it. I remember them showing clips of a video called "Autism Every Day". I was able to find it on the internet. Here is the link.

http://autismspeaks.org/sponsoredevents/autism_every_day.php

It is a great video that gives perspective of autism from mothers who are working with it everyday. I really opens your eyes to what parents go through.

Being Done

Today is my sister's last day of university. After six years in a program at the U of S, she is offically done by like 5:30pm tonight! Her bring finished got me thinking about me being done. I don't want to be done! It's weird to think that I won't be a slave to the university schedule. That I won't be planning my life around two four month semesters, and a four month holiday. I will no longer have to look for just a summer job. I can actually look for a real one! Even though most people will be done in April, I'm really hoping to go for another year and get my inclusive education certificate. Why? Maybe because I'm not ready to enter the real world. Or because I want to give the university more money. But I think the biggest reason is that I need to have something more, in order to have job security. Ok, too much thinking for today!!

The "Evils" of Technology

After leaving the university today, I had to take my car in for an oil change. Having an hour to kill, I walked over to Chapters in the south end and settled down with a nice hot coffee and my lap top to do some homework. There was two ladies sitting close to me, reading passages from bibles they held in their hands. I began talking on my cell phone while working on my computer. In a very loud voice, one of the ladies said “See, look at her! So young and already a slave to technology.” Upon which time the two ladies (and several other people within ear shot) began staring at me. I felt my face turn beat red and attempted to continue a normal phone conversation. The ladies than began reading passages out loud from their bibles that they claim prove God sees technology as evil and that he wants us to keep our lives simple. I refused to leave because I did not want them to think that they had “got to me”. So I continued to work on my essay, and decided to turn on some thinking music. Finally, they left, but not before the more vocal lady turned to me and said “May God bless your soul!” I was speechless! What are you supposed to say to that!? Believe whatever you want! But do not judge me just because you do not agree with what I'm doing!!

Electronic Device Could Be Banned

I was just reading an article from CBC News (http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2007/02/07/ipod-street.html?ref=rss) that talks about "State Senator Carl Kruger on Wednesday will introduce legislation that would allow officers to fine people crossing the street while chatting on a cellphone, using a Blackberry or listening to an MP3 player in New York City or Buffalo." I think that is just ridiculous that there has to be a legislation put in place because people are too absorbed in their technology to realize that they are about to get hit by a bus! I guess for some people, the technology that is supposed to make their life easier may essentially be the technology that kills them!

Technology Gone Bad

This is a perfect example of how children can get a little too into video games. This is a German child who is playing a RealTime game, where when he is not playing, the game is still going on. And it just won't load for him...

New Windows Vista

I always like when I'm right. I had an experience with my computer in August where it kept shutting itself off. It was four years old, so I decided it was time for a new one. So when my parents five year old computer started doing the same thing, I told my mother she was better off to by a new one. She kept saying that they didn't need a new one, that the old one was fine. Finally she got so frustrated with the old one, that she broke down and bought one. It's an HP and I'm in love! It's got digital card readers right on the front! And a little slide down door with a media bay. Not to mention the brand new Windows Vista! Which is absolutly amazing!!! So much better than Mac!! I've decided that I'm going to download Vista. I thought XP was good, but apparently I was wrong! I jsut bought my lap top in August, and now I already want a new computer!!

Done Something Right

On Tuesday after I was done class, I went to visit my internship class. The kids were so excited to see me! They're grade ones so they are very affectionate. I had 23 pairs of arms wrapped around my legs and waist. As we were sitting on the carpet and talking, my kids asked if I was having fun at university. I told them that I would rather be with them, and they said they would rather me be with them too. They asked when I would be a real teacher. When I told them middle of April, they asked where I would go after that. I told them wherever they send me. The one little boy looked at me with a very serious face and said "Tell them you need to go to (name of school). Tell them the grade ones at (name of school) need you!" I left the school smiling, knowing that in the four short months I must have done something right!!