Nov. 30, 2009 - Classical Education ~ Racing Odysseus
The title of the book, Racing Odysseus, caught my eye before I even knew what it was about. I think I ordered it from the library without ever knowing the topic. It wasn't until I got into the car from going to the library and had a chance to read the inside cover that I realized that I had picked up a book about a liberal arts education. One can hope with a title like this one but, these days, that doesn't mean anything.
The premise of this book is intriguing. Racing Odysseus is the memoir of a 61 year old college president, Roger Martin. after a victorious struggle with cancer, he decides to go back to college as a freshman. This book journals his experiences.
Martin decides to enroll at the Annapolis campus of St. John's College. St. John's is a liberal arts college. Their teaching of every subject is based on the Great Books. The method of teaching is based on the Socratic Method. There is very little lecturing but much discussion. The facilitators ask a question to start off the class and then the discussion may go in any direction. There are few rules to these classes. The main one, though, is that everyone must participate in the class discussions. If you don't, then you face failing that class. The facilitators are there to make sure that everyone gets a chance to talk and that the discussions do not get side railed on to a non-related subject. Liberal Arts people do not like rabbit trails.
Martin's book talks a lot about the Great Books that he is assigned to read for class. As is common, Martin finds many analogies in the Great Books that coincide with his life. We are given a glimpse of Martin's early life via the Great Books.
We are also shown that liberal arts' colleges are still needed and important in this day and age. Liberal arts colleges provides an excellent foundation for anyone that wants to pursue any kind of education. St. John's has turned out to be the first educational stop for many students who want to go on to be doctors, businessmen, and lawyers. The Great Books education teaches them perseverance and how to learn through hard work. It also teaches them how to think and express themselves. Martin had doubts about this kind of education but his experience proved to him that a liberal arts education is a good foundation for any kind of line of work or vocation a person may decided to follow.
I found this book to be an exhilarating read. Another vote was cast for the side of a liberal arts education. It was nice to see this vote being pledged by someone like Roger Martin.
Julia lives on the Canadian Prairies with her husband, homeschooling their 3 children (10,8,6) and is attempting to give them a Classical Education. You can read more at her blog.
Nov. 29, 2009 - you cant prevent love.
some parents are stupid. parents are supposed to be there when you need them and your supposed to be able to tell them everything and have them not judge you ever. and yet some parents decide that instead of making your life better they try to make it miserable. they start judging your friends, and your choices in life. they're supposed to guide you thru it, and not steer you away from the life you've chosen. if a person decides to me in a relationship with another person, the parents shouldnt try to prevent that relationship. the person obviously has already thought this through if they've decided to go through with the relationship, so obviously they know what they're doing and obviously they've made up their mind. like having a boyfriend. if the boy likes the girl and the girl likes the boy, its bound to happen that they go out. its just the way it goes. if the boy and the girl get into a relationship that lasts, say, two months, and they totally love eachother and they never want to be without eachother, and they cant imagine life without eachother. parents shouldnt come between that. if a person likes a person thats just the way it'll go. parents need to butt out. obviously the people are supposed to be together. who cares if the boy is depressed and lonely and wants to die. who cares if the girl is a hoe and flirts with everyone and doesnt have a very good reputation with the adults. if they love eachother then they love eachother and thats just the way it goes.
sometimes parents dont get it and it ticks me off like no other. you cant change how your kids feel or what they do. you can prevent them from certain things if thats what you choose to do with your life, but keeping them from who they choose to be with or keeping them from the life they decide to live - is wrong. beyond wrong. its disgusting. you cant live your kids life. just because you think they might end up with kids before they're married or homeless by the time they move out, doesnt mean you have to completely ruin the life that they have going for them.
if i decide to be the person i am today, then thats just how its going to be. no questions asked. this is me. this is my life. get your own.
"Months going strong now
And no goodbye
Unconditional, unoriginal
Always by my side
Meant to be together
Meant for no one but each other
You love me
I love you Harder so
Everything you say every time we kiss I can't think straight
But I'm okay
And I can't think of anybody else
Who I hate to miss
As much as I hate missing you
So please give me your hands
So please give me a lesson on how to steal a heart
Steal a heart as fast as you stole mine
As you stole mine"
November 29, 2009 - Hes A Posterboy! Review and Giveaway
One of my favorite school projects was when we had a International gathering, where different families from our homeschool group chose a country and did special things from the country at a booth and then we went from "country to country" to learn about them.
Our family did the country of Cambodia because at that time we were close friends with an older missionary couple whose life passion was to bring the Scriptures and knowledge of the Savior to the Cambodians. It was such a learning experience for us because we got to sit down with the missionaries and hear them tell us all about the country and people and such. We took notes, studied the country, learned what Cambodians did and didn't do, what was different about them than us, etc. We all picked something specific about Cambodia and wrote a paper on it. I think I did food... big surprise, huh? :P We also made a Cambodian flag and 3D type map of the country on poster boards. It was really cool!
I absolutely LOVE Carolina Pad products and when I heard that their Ghostline company was needing reviewers for their poster boards, I jumped at the chance and promptly signed up. :) I don't know why now, cause my creative juices are all but lacking in my body. I kid you not. So try hard not to laugh at this project I came up. :P
Ghostline sent me: 22x28 Foam Display Board 14x33 Project Board 14x22 Poster Board Make A Poster KitOverall thoughts on the products: WONDERFUL! They are really nice, quality paper and poster boards. Great for homeschoolers.
All of the products from Ghostline have grid lines so it makes it easy to draw, write, cut, etc. That was definitely nice when I was lining up the letters on the board. But the gridlines are so faint that unless you are up close to the board you can't seem them which is great!
Project paper is sturdy, yet pliable, so you are able to cut it and bend it
easy for those hard to reach areas, like the middle of this A:It is also very absorbent paper. I used a marker to get the blue "IT'S A BOY!" letters and it didn't smear which I was surprised since its a little glossy.
One thing I didn't really like was the way the letter stencil separates the letters, but I guess that's how all stencils are. Still it made it difficult to get the letters to look "normal" instead of garage sale-ish.
The poster foamboard itself... very sturdy! Very easy to stand up and keep up. It really supports itself. It is also thin, yet thick enough to use pins in. I actually pinned the hats, booties, and blanket on the poster board and it held wonderfully and stood up too!
These products are quality products that are so easy to work with. I would recommend them to anyone who has a poster board project to do. Another awesome thing about Ghostline is that you can get their products at Wal-Mart, so you don't have to order them online if you need them asap! I was pretty excited when I was at Wal-Mart a couple weeks ago and I saw their products! :)
November is Ghostline's 13th birthday and in honor of it, they are giving YOU a chance to win $500 worth of Carolina Pad Products! :D Awesome, isn't it?
Only problem is that is ends tomorrow, November 30th, so GO NOW and enter simply by telling them why you would love to win and how it would make life easier for you and your students. You can enter here:
©AmandaDixon2009
Nov. 29, 2009 - ..
"Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves." - Albert Einstein
"when I close my eyes im there. last year. I can feel his warmth. but when I open them he is gone and not loving me anymore."
so church today was alot of fun. kassi was there! so we got to hang out. and it was an all around good day. except for the fact that jaimy kept kicking me in the back of the legs and slapping me on the butt and stuff. it was really annoying. i have like half-moons on the backs of my legs because of how hard she was kicking me with the hell of her boot.
and then urijah called matt fat, and matt got all affended because "its not fat, its abs." but its not. its fat. i watch him eat. ;) but anyway, yeah. and so matt picked up urijah and he was spinning him around and then all of a sudden urijah hit matt in the face, so matt dropped him.it was so funny. oh my gosh. and i felt really bad for laughing but it was so funny.
um. yeah. fifth sunday sing tonight.
im eating a really spicy burrito. so later.
Nov. 29, 2009 - Something to examine
Here is something thought provoking.
1.Here is an article by John Piper supporting my beliefs: http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Seminars/1722_Why_We_Believe_the_Bible_Part_1/ . How can we prove the the Bible is completely without error. It goes something like this- "Holy Scripture, being God’s own Word, written by men prepared and superintended by His Spirit, is of infallible divine authority in all matters upon which it touches: it is to be believed, as God’s instruction, in all that it affirms, obeyed, as God’s command, in all that it requires; embraced, as God’s pledge, in all that it promises." Unlike the Muslim Koran, which cannot be translated into anything else but Arabic because then it looses it's authority according to the Muslims, the Bible can be translated infinitely. This would disprove those that believe that you must read only the King James or some other translation because guess what? The New Testament was translated into Greek from Aramaic.
2. What is truth? Truth is just the opposite of a lie is it not? A lie is a twist of something that is part truth and part lie or something that is not true correct? I will say this; there are somethings in the Bible that are grey areas. I do know that there are "extremist radical" Christians, Conservative Christians, Midways, and Cold Christians. My point? There will be confrontations with believers that view things differently than you do. When you do come into contact with them you have two options
(a) you can say "ok I know that you see this differently than I do and there is nothing that I can do to change your mind"
(b) you can just chew them out.
We make great missionaries and why? Because we can come along side the lost and say "I've been there! I know what you are going through!" We live in a sinful world. I believe that if something makes a Brother or Sister in Christ fall and we know it, we should not present that thing before them (1 Corinthians 8:13). We all have our own opinions.
Before I go, if anyone posts something that outright attacks me, I will not respond. If you want to debate it, that's fine. This is my last post for a while as school starts tomorrow.
God bless.
Nov. 29, 2009 - The Christmas Carol
I went to see that movie yesterday(Saturday) with my two brother's who are 13 and 14 1/2 with there friend Sam who is 16 years old! It was a great movie! I have to say that it had great acting in it! When I see a movie I always look for GOOD acting and Morals! Because every story or movie has a moral to it!
So I recommend you seeing it soon!
MovieGirl!
Christmas is here very soon! FOUR WEEKS TO GO!
Nov. 29, 2009 - Jasmine and Taylor Join a Missionary School (It's not done yet but here's half of it!
Chapter 1: Jasmine and Taylor visit the Missionary School
After Taylor and Jasmine because good friends, Jasmine asked, “Mom, I want to become a missionary when I grow up, but how do I learn how to do missionary work?”
Mrs. McDoley replied, “Oh that’s wonderful darling. Well, there is a missionary school for young girls like you that we can go to visit before we go there permanently.”
Jasmine asked, “Oh yeah! May I call Taylor and ask her if she wants to go to the school too?”
Mrs. McDoley smiled and said, “Absolutely I think that would very cool if you and Taylor go and learn about missionary work.”
After their conversation, excititedly grabbed the phone and dialed her friend’s number in a jiffy. Taylor picked up the phone and asked, “Hello?”
Jasmine said, “Hey Taylor, I wanted to know if you would like to go to missionary school with me because my mom said its fine with her and that your mom can come too.”
Taylor replied, “Sure, I always wanted to be a missionary and this school will be so awesome because we get to learn about Jesus and how He speaks to the people. My mom needs to speak to yours about it so I’ll talk to you soon bye.”
Jasmine handed the phone to her mom and ran up into her room and took her Bible and opened it to her favorite Bible verse which is Palms 42. She read it every night over and over again until she got it memorized.
Mrs. McDoley shouted, “Jasmine it’s time to go! We are going to visit the missionary school with Taylor and her mom so come on down.”
She put her Bible down and jumped into the car. Jasmine recited the verse in her head until they got to the school which was amazingly beautiful looking and very big.
Jasmine, who was very astounded, looked up at the school and couldn’t think of a better word to say then, “Wow.”
Taylor hugged her friend and said, “You know, I think this is the most wonderful school I ever seen in my life. I have been reciting Palms 42 and I got it memorized as well.”
Jasmine embraced her friend tighter and replied, “Me to Taylor. Me too.”
When they entered the school, Taylor and Jasmine opened their eyes wider like a scared child in a stormy night.
A lady who was one of the missionary supervisor in the school said, “Hello, my name is Mrs. Dwelling and I will be your helper today. Now you to said that you were interested in enrolling your daughters into this school to learn about missionary work correct?”
Mrs. McDoley and Mrs. Garrets replied, “Yes.” Mrs. Garrets asked, “How much will it cost to go to this school for one full year?”
Mrs. Dwellings replied, “It will cost about four hundred dollars for just one year. We also have missionary camps for the summer time if you are interested in that, it is free and it lasts for about three weeks of just doing missionary work.”
Mrs. McDoley smiled and said, “I think that we’ll wait and see if the girls enjoy going to this school before we talk about camps.”
Mrs. Garrets nodded in agreement and said, “I think will take the price. What time does the school start and end?”
Mrs. Dwellings took a breath and replied, “It begins at eight in the morning and lasts till three in the afternoon. But there is an hour lunch break from twelve in the afternoon to one in the afternoon.”
Mrs. Garrets understood, “Yes, that seems good to me alright so let’s sign them up.”
After they did all there paper work, the girls slip up and yelled, “See you tomorrow for our first full day of missionary school.”
Chapter 2: The First Day
That morning Jasmine woke up to the wonderful sound of birds sings to the sun. Jasmine put on her favorite shirt that said, “Jesus Rocks.” She went into her draw and found her matching pants that had hearts on them.
After she got dressed she ran downstairs so excited and gobbled up her breakfast.
Mr. McDoley looked at Jasmine with stern eyes and whispered in a very stern voice, “Jasmine Ashley McDoley, put you fork down and stop eating, we didn’t even pray yet and look at you eating your food like a slob forgetting about the one who gave you this food!”
Jasmine froze and replied, “Sorry, I forgot.” She placed her fork down and got into her praying position and began, “Dear God, Thank you for this wonderful day, that you for this food that you have giving us. Bless us. Amen.”
Mrs. McDoley asked, “Jasmine, thank you for praying. Do you have you bag ready with your Bible in it? Cause we are going to pick up Taylor now and bring her to the school because her mom has to work today.”
Jasmine replied, “Your Welcome. Yes I do, it’s by the front door.”
After breakfast, Mrs. and Mr. McDoley got into the car as Jasmine buckled her seat belt. They dropped Mr. McDoley off at his job which was a High School. He was the Principle. Jasmine waved goodbye to him and they were off to Taylor’s house.
Taylor got into the car sadly and waved goodbye to her mom. Jasmine asked, “What’s wrong?”
Taylor replied, “My grandma just died last night.”
Jasmine consoled her poor friend and reassured, “Oh, I’m really sorry. I’m sure that when we get to school we can bring it up as a prayer request.”
Jasmine put her arm around Taylor and tried to comfort her in her loss. When they arrived at school, they waved goodbye to Mrs. McDoley.
When they entered the school, the children who were about nine to twelve years old, they were quiet as they walked to the different classes. Taylor and Jasmine didn’t know where to go so they waited for someone to escort them to their destination.
Michelle Connell who was one of the girls in their class came up to them and asked, “Hello, my name is Michelle Connell and this is my 2 year in this school. I think you will be in my class. What are your name girls?”
Taylor replied, “My name is Taylor Garrets I’m a nine year old girl and this is my first year in this school.”
Jasmine finished, “And my name is Jasmine McDoley and I’m nine years old and this is my first year as well in this school. Taylor is my best friend.”
Michelle Connell said, “Oh how wonderful. I’m ten years old. In our class we will be memorizing Palms 43. So come along and let’s get to class before the teacher wonders where we are.”
The three girls headed off to their class and sat down. Mrs. Numbers said, “Alright, well hello girls. My name is Mrs. Numbers and I will be your teacher for this year. Now everybody please take out your Bible and turn to Palms 43. After you have gone there we will begin to memorize it and then talk about Creation and what it means.”
Jasmine raised her hand and spoke, “I have the whole chapter memorized because I memorized it during the summer.”
Mrs. Numbers who was very impressed with such a skilled child replied, “Oh how wonderful so you can start memorizing Geneses 1.
Taylor looked at Jasmine and whispered, “You have a great talent in memorization.”
Jasmine smiled and began to memorize her next chapter only this time it was in Geneses not in Palms.
Chapter 3: Lesson about who is God and What did he create.
Mrs. Numbers said, “Look up here. Who can tell me who God is?”
Taylor, Jasmine, and Michelle’s hand shot up. Mrs. Numbers pointed to Taylor. Taylor answered, “God is our creator and our Father. He made us and he is the one that is always watching over us now until the end of the world is to come.”
Mrs. Numbers talked, “Very good Taylor and who can name some of the things God created?”
Everybody’s hand shot up. Mrs. Numbers pointed to Michelle. Michelle began, “God created insects, birds, basically everything and everyone. There is nothing in this world that God didn’t create.”
Mrs. Number elaborated, “Yes, which is very true Michelle. Excellent point God made everything and everyone. But he made everyone is his image and everything not in his image because Animals can’t be saved. So take out your note book and copy what I write on the board.”
The board read, “God created everything and everyone. There is nothing that God didn’t create. Every living thing you see on this Earth was made by God. God created Animals, Nature, Bugs, Insects, trees. He created everything and everyone!”
After everyone finished coping what was on the board, Mrs. Numbers replied, “Remember that God is always with you no matter what. For homework I want to you write a summary on what we talked about in class and also print out pictures of things that God created. Tomorrow you can bring it in to show the class. Alright, class dismissed.”
Michelle yelled, “Wait, don’t go yet, I wanted to ask you something.” Jasmine and Taylor walked over to Michelle. Michelle asked, “I was wondering do you think we can do a project together for class?”
Taylor replied, “Well, it would be fine with me but I don’t know if my mom wants someone that she doesn’t know coming over to our house.”
Jasmine took over, “Yeah, I would have to ask my mom before I give you an answer. But otherwise it is fine with me.”
Michelle said, “Oh okay. So I’ll come out with you and you can ask your mom.”
The girls walked outside where the parents were in their cars waiting. Jasmine pointed to the infinity sports car. Jasmine asked, “Hi mom, would it be okay if Michelle came over to our house to work on the class project for tomorrow?”
Mrs. McDoley replied, “It’s okay with me, what does your mom say?”
Michelle ran over to ask her mom who said yes. Michelle replied, “She said yes. Also she said she will pick me up at six o clock this evening.”
The girls hopped in the hott car and drove off to Jasmine’s house.
Chapter 4: The Project, Michelle and the two girls become great friends.
When they arrived at Jasmine’s house, Michelle asked, “What should we do for our project?”
Taylor replied, “After we find some animals and other wonderful creations God made then we can make a book about it.
Jasmine shouted excitedly, “That’s a great idea Taylor. What do you think Michelle?”
Michelle replied, “I like that idea of making a book about God’s creation. Let’s get started.”
The girls trudged up the stairs into Jasmine’s room and began their book. Jasmine instructed, “Taylor, you can look for animals, Michelle you can make the cover and cut the animals out and I’ll write the summary and then we can put it all together when we’re finished.”
The excited girls got to work. Michelle made the cover blue and red with some yellow in the middle. On the cover she wrote, “God’s Book of Wonders.” She drew a picture of a light representing God. Taylor found ten wonderful creations. They were, birds, people, weather, Food, and the rest were all animals. Jasmine was finishing her summary that said, “God who is an awesome God, created some many amazing creations but in this outstanding book we have ten creations. He created Animals, weather, and humans. Let’s hope that you enjoy our graphics and have fun looking at our book of God’s Wonders.”
When they were all done with their jobs, they put the book together. It stood out to be an amazing book of God’s creations. On the last page they put a Bible Verse: John 3:16: For God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have internal life. AMEN”
Michelle and the two girls liked their short hangout even though they were doing Biblical home work for their Missionary school. Jasmine suggested, “How about we become friends? We can be the MBSF which stands for Missionary Bible School Friends. Who’s with me?” The girls raised their hand and hugged another. Forever they will stay friends!
The next day it was the time they would present their project to the entire class and not only that but it was the time they would be graded on their project that is if they had one to share. Mrs. Number called, “Okay first off we will have Jasmine, Taylor, and Michelle to come up and present their amazing project that they had worked on for hours the day before today!
The three girls walked up to the board. Jasmine read the summary as Taylor and Michelle showed the pictures. This is what the summary had said: “God who is an awesome God, created some many amazing creations but in this outstanding book we have ten creations. He created Animals, weather, and humans. Let’s hope that you enjoy our graphics and have fun looking at our book of God’s Wonders.” When they were finished with their presentation, Mrs. Numbers replied, “Very well done girls. I will give you wonderful girls an A+ because you tried so hard to make it stand out. The girls bowed and sat down and listened to the other girls present their projects. A lot of girls got B’s and A’s but only one person got an F for not trying at all.
When all the projects were completed, Mrs. Numbers concluded, “Thank you all for your wonderful presentations. I hope you all had a great enjoyment working on them with your partner or partners. Now starting tomorrow we will learn how to missionary to someone that is not a Christian. Have a great day. Bye.”
Chapter 5: The First official Day that the Girls get to Missionary to Non Believers
November 28, 2009 - Light and Fluffy
2 cups raw chopped CranberriesDirections
3/4 cup Unrefined Sugar
3 cups mini Marshmallows
1/2 chopped Pineapple, undrained
1 small can Mandrin Oranges, drained
1/2 cup chopped Walnuts
1 8oz. carton of Cool Whip
Mix cranberries, sugar, marshmallows and pineapple and chill. Then fold in walnuts and cool whip.
Chill before serving.
We didn't eat marshmallows this time because they have pork in them... eww! but its definitely "fluffier" with them in it. I am trying to figure out a way to use marshmallow creme in it, but haven't been able to yet.
Love all the flavors in this. A perfect mix of tangy and sweet! :)
©AmandaDixon2009
Nov. 28, 2009 - the silence isn't so bad 'till i look at my hands and feel sad cuz the spaces between my fingers are right where your's fit perfectly
This last Thanksgiving was really different and hard. I tried to be thankful, and I believe with God's help, I was. But since Thanksgiving has passed, I still remember it and try to be thankful. It was really hard to though. I found out that my grandmother is dying of Picks Disease that can't be slowed down. I had to say goodbye to all my new friends from P&P last week. We just found out that all of our Christmas ornaments that we have been gathering and collecting through the years got lost in the move to our new house.
Through these times that I've been sad, it makes it easier for me to point out the things I am thankful for most:
I am thankful for all of my friends, and the new ones I've made since P&P. I know that they will be with me to the very end and that they are willing to do anything for me. All of my dear friends are a second family to me.
I am thankful that Grammy is still alive and that I have time to pray for her salvation, and maybe see her before she passes.
I am thankful that we are still able to celebrate Christmas without all of our ornaments. They aren't people, they are just earthly things and they would have gone sooner or later. Our focus of this holiday season should be on Christ, and we don't need decorations to celebrate our Saviour's birth.
<3
Katy
Nov. 28, 2009 - babycakes.
crazy.amazing.smart.athletic.energetic. spazzstic.outgoing.talkative. musical.hyper.loud.bouncy. loveable.sweet.thebest.silly. hilarious.genius.beautiful. friendly.weird.roudy. different.hot.kissable. nerdy.geeky.great. awesome.shakin.fabulous. kind.impatient.thoughtful. gentle.generous.greatful. playful.immature.smiley. passionate.optimistic.dreamer. writer.daughter.bright.magical. loyal.hungry.supportive. adored.flawed.curious.loved. positive.crazy.romantic.girly. rebel.outthere.random.sarcastic. cool.chic.cuddly.lazy. enthusiastic.relaxed.logical.fearful. opinionated.pleasant.adorable. ambitious.laidback.forgiving.singer. bookworm.musical. .me.
