Dear Friends,
As adored and adorable as my granddaughters are, two full days of shopping, cooking and cleaning, to keep the traditions of Nowruz alive, in the heart of the Canadian winter, left me frazzled. As the Iranian hostess of an unenjoyable gathering would say, the fatigue stayed with my body. Especially since my three year-old granddaughter fell and hurt herself, just because her parents believe in "independence!"
Sometimes, I feel my Iranian roots are being weeded out by my two Canadianized sons and my Polish daughter-in-law and her family, without malice I'm sure.
"Why bother!" I told myself at eleven O'clock at night, while emptying the dishwasher for the third time. As my tired brain became incapacitated, hostile thoughts invaded my vulnerable mind and started questioning my life altogether. The so-so this, the unremarkable that, and a few very ordinary others, all pointed to one undeniably average life. Average might work well for the even-tempered, but not for the yo-yo me.
The night proved to be restless, full of inexplicable images and convoluted messages.
Sunday was spent in pyjamas, feeling inferior for living an ordinary life, void of grandeur, excitement and noble causes.
This morning, as I dragged my feet to work, still wallowing in self-pity, searching for ways to upgrade my existence, a cheerful voice brought me back to the street.
Regardless of what the media, the public or Bill 115 say, teaching is an extraordinary profession, otherwise a tenth-grader wouldn't have stopped to greet his grade one and two teacher, with a big smile on his still sleepy face. If all else fails, there will always be a student to remind me that there is nothing "average" about my life. Accepted and filed! What have you accepted and filed today?
Monday, 25 March 2013
Wednesday, 20 March 2013
A Screw-Up!
Dear Friends,
Steve Paikin is as obsessed with Bill 115 as I am! Although, for different reasons, I'm sure.
The Agenda continues to invite series of "experts" to discuss what's going under with teachers, unions and school boards in Ontario. Tonight's discussion revolved around extracurricular activities, emphasizing the absence of a definition for "public school teacher!"
The last thing I wanted to do on the first evening of spring, (my New Year) was to throw my remote control at Earl Manners, adorning my TV screen, and screaming profanities! The ex-unionist, not only had a lot to get off his chest about his past calling, but he also felt compelled to declare that a teacher's job shouldn't begin and end with the bell! Clearly, he hasn't been in a school lately, otherwise he would've known that even during "withdrawal of voluntary activities," teachers' day doesn't begin and end with the sound of the bell.
Unless policy makers spend a few six-figure numbers to review the Education Act, itemizing teacher's responsibilities clearly, in plain English, all the experts, including teachers, can do, is talk subjectively, like hamsters on spinning wheels — going nowhere!
Since we ourselves are not sure of our legal job description, the definition of the word "volunteerism" remains open to interpretation. Thus, more and more schools are putting their own spin on it, giving their students what they deem "meaningful," which in turn creates more controversy and heated, but dead-end, discussions.
Let's call a spade a spade! The former Ontario government screwed up! It decided to fix what was not broken! Was really a two percent raise or a few extra sick-leave days worth all this commotion?!
As we say in Farsi, one hundred wise men cannot take out the stone that one idiot throws in the well! Accepted and filed! What have you accepted and filed today?
Steve Paikin is as obsessed with Bill 115 as I am! Although, for different reasons, I'm sure.
The Agenda continues to invite series of "experts" to discuss what's going under with teachers, unions and school boards in Ontario. Tonight's discussion revolved around extracurricular activities, emphasizing the absence of a definition for "public school teacher!"
The last thing I wanted to do on the first evening of spring, (my New Year) was to throw my remote control at Earl Manners, adorning my TV screen, and screaming profanities! The ex-unionist, not only had a lot to get off his chest about his past calling, but he also felt compelled to declare that a teacher's job shouldn't begin and end with the bell! Clearly, he hasn't been in a school lately, otherwise he would've known that even during "withdrawal of voluntary activities," teachers' day doesn't begin and end with the sound of the bell.
Unless policy makers spend a few six-figure numbers to review the Education Act, itemizing teacher's responsibilities clearly, in plain English, all the experts, including teachers, can do, is talk subjectively, like hamsters on spinning wheels — going nowhere!
Since we ourselves are not sure of our legal job description, the definition of the word "volunteerism" remains open to interpretation. Thus, more and more schools are putting their own spin on it, giving their students what they deem "meaningful," which in turn creates more controversy and heated, but dead-end, discussions.
Let's call a spade a spade! The former Ontario government screwed up! It decided to fix what was not broken! Was really a two percent raise or a few extra sick-leave days worth all this commotion?!
As we say in Farsi, one hundred wise men cannot take out the stone that one idiot throws in the well! Accepted and filed! What have you accepted and filed today?
Sunday, 17 March 2013
The End of The Plan!
Dear Friends,
This morning, the scale, the object of my torment, disappointed me greatly!
According to Lyn-Genet Recitas, the author of the Plan, happiness offsets inflammation.
I woke up with inflammation and zero ounce to celebrate! And yet yesterday, I had so much fun with my friends. I hoped to have lost at least a pound, if not two. Obviously, cheating has caught up with me. The Plan does maintain that each menu has been created chemically balanced. Leave it to the Rebel and Fashionista in me (17/01/13 & 20/01/13 postings) to style the plan my way; eliminating the cucumber, the coriander and the red onion from the mango cucumber salsa, and replacing the 1 ounce chocolate with a pear!
Obviously, I back pedalled to Day one (detox) and hit the Gym!
Later, I brown bagged my soup and salad and went about my day on the streets of Toronto, lunching in Chester subway station!
Five days down, fifteen more to go, I have no choice but to close the book. This plan proved not to be time, teacher, manicure, errand, Pub, and most of all, Lili-friendly!
As I'm getting ready to return to my classroom tomorrow, I've come up with a plan of my own:
-weighing myself every morning (ounces are easier to deal with than whole sizes)
-eating home-cooked meals more often
-wearing gloves in the kitchen (my manicured hands are one of my very few remaining assets)
-buying a spice-rack
Now, if only I could squeeze-in three Sun Salutations every morning, while my coffee is brewing, it would be quite a fabulous plan!
In the final analysis, the Plan was not a waste of my March Break. It reintroduced me to Common Sense! Accepted and filed. What have you accepted and filed today?
This morning, the scale, the object of my torment, disappointed me greatly!
According to Lyn-Genet Recitas, the author of the Plan, happiness offsets inflammation.
I woke up with inflammation and zero ounce to celebrate! And yet yesterday, I had so much fun with my friends. I hoped to have lost at least a pound, if not two. Obviously, cheating has caught up with me. The Plan does maintain that each menu has been created chemically balanced. Leave it to the Rebel and Fashionista in me (17/01/13 & 20/01/13 postings) to style the plan my way; eliminating the cucumber, the coriander and the red onion from the mango cucumber salsa, and replacing the 1 ounce chocolate with a pear!
Obviously, I back pedalled to Day one (detox) and hit the Gym!
Later, I brown bagged my soup and salad and went about my day on the streets of Toronto, lunching in Chester subway station!
Five days down, fifteen more to go, I have no choice but to close the book. This plan proved not to be time, teacher, manicure, errand, Pub, and most of all, Lili-friendly!
As I'm getting ready to return to my classroom tomorrow, I've come up with a plan of my own:
-weighing myself every morning (ounces are easier to deal with than whole sizes)
-eating home-cooked meals more often
-wearing gloves in the kitchen (my manicured hands are one of my very few remaining assets)
-buying a spice-rack
Now, if only I could squeeze-in three Sun Salutations every morning, while my coffee is brewing, it would be quite a fabulous plan!
In the final analysis, the Plan was not a waste of my March Break. It reintroduced me to Common Sense! Accepted and filed. What have you accepted and filed today?
Saturday, 16 March 2013
the Plan - Day Four
Dear Friends,
Absorbed in culinary artistry and overusing my kitchen and its appliances, ruining my hands in the process, in solitude, were certainly not on my "to do" list for March Break! the Plan happened while I was busy making other plans for my week off, like staying up late, shopping, dining and wining in restaurants with friends. However, another 4 ounces convinced me that I was on the right path.
Finally today, I got to leave my chef's hat behind and meet my friends for lunch. To my delight, I was able to eat what was on day four of the Plan; roasted vegetables on a bed of raw spinach, with 1 ounce of goat cheese and a handful of sesame seeds that I had brought from home.
Later this afternoon, when I shared my "unplanned" adventures with my mother, over our weekly Toronto-Paris phone conversation, she only had one comment for me, "Common Sense, Lili. It's all about common sense!"
Yes, of course, if only I could persuade emotions that eat me up inside, not to interfere with what I eat!
I suppose if I concentrate all my time and energy creating a variety of healthy menus, food shopping, measuring, roasting, poaching, peeling, chopping and grating, I wouldn't need another plan, at all.
If the government of Ontario hadn't frozen my salary, perhaps I could've hired a part-time cook, if not a plan manager! You thought all tangled up in plans, I'd forgotten about Bill 115, didn't you? Not me! My motto is also, "Je me souviens!"
To paraphrase The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel's sage hotelier, one day I will get it together! It's just not that day, yet! Accepted and filed! What have you accepted and filed today?
Absorbed in culinary artistry and overusing my kitchen and its appliances, ruining my hands in the process, in solitude, were certainly not on my "to do" list for March Break! the Plan happened while I was busy making other plans for my week off, like staying up late, shopping, dining and wining in restaurants with friends. However, another 4 ounces convinced me that I was on the right path.
Finally today, I got to leave my chef's hat behind and meet my friends for lunch. To my delight, I was able to eat what was on day four of the Plan; roasted vegetables on a bed of raw spinach, with 1 ounce of goat cheese and a handful of sesame seeds that I had brought from home.
Later this afternoon, when I shared my "unplanned" adventures with my mother, over our weekly Toronto-Paris phone conversation, she only had one comment for me, "Common Sense, Lili. It's all about common sense!"
Yes, of course, if only I could persuade emotions that eat me up inside, not to interfere with what I eat!
I suppose if I concentrate all my time and energy creating a variety of healthy menus, food shopping, measuring, roasting, poaching, peeling, chopping and grating, I wouldn't need another plan, at all.
If the government of Ontario hadn't frozen my salary, perhaps I could've hired a part-time cook, if not a plan manager! You thought all tangled up in plans, I'd forgotten about Bill 115, didn't you? Not me! My motto is also, "Je me souviens!"
To paraphrase The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel's sage hotelier, one day I will get it together! It's just not that day, yet! Accepted and filed! What have you accepted and filed today?
Friday, 15 March 2013
the Plan - Day Three
Dear Friends,
4 ounces was all I could celebrate today! The culprit was either the brown rice or the coconut milk! With all my creativity, when it comes to following recipes, I need precise directions. 1 cup rice — cooked or uncooked? 3 zucchinis — large, small or medium? Peeled or unpeeled?
After two whole days of anti-inflammatory meals, I'm now able to observe my body's reaction to not-so-friendly food items! In Lyn-Genet Recitas' words "It's About Chemistry, Not Calories."
I put a question mark in front of almond, brown rice and coconut milk! I don't think the 1/2 cup low-sodium chickpeas at lunch made the cut either.
Although I have time to spare, and already am guilty of substituting and eliminating, I find following the Plan, challenging. Today, I had to run out and buy more produce. I think before my palette becomes bored with the Plan's exotically delicious meals, my memory will fail to keep track of which herb dives into what soup or what seed sits on top of which salad! Assembling the meals is as overwhelming as cleaning up after the Plan! My kitchen sink had never seen so many dirty utensils, dishes, pots and pans. There is a lucrative business idea for an interested savvy party—delivering personalized weekly supply of the Plan's meals!
Did I mention my son's mother-in-law, successfully living on the Plan, is a retiree?
I have a nagging feeling that the Plan will not be part of my daily plans, once I return to work. Just the thought of holding in 16 ounces of water at a time till every recess is unbearable.
After all, I might never be able to ditch my colourful scarves, camouflaging my bulges, in favour of belts, accentuating my waist. Accepted and filed! What have you accepted and filed today?
4 ounces was all I could celebrate today! The culprit was either the brown rice or the coconut milk! With all my creativity, when it comes to following recipes, I need precise directions. 1 cup rice — cooked or uncooked? 3 zucchinis — large, small or medium? Peeled or unpeeled?
After two whole days of anti-inflammatory meals, I'm now able to observe my body's reaction to not-so-friendly food items! In Lyn-Genet Recitas' words "It's About Chemistry, Not Calories."
I put a question mark in front of almond, brown rice and coconut milk! I don't think the 1/2 cup low-sodium chickpeas at lunch made the cut either.
Although I have time to spare, and already am guilty of substituting and eliminating, I find following the Plan, challenging. Today, I had to run out and buy more produce. I think before my palette becomes bored with the Plan's exotically delicious meals, my memory will fail to keep track of which herb dives into what soup or what seed sits on top of which salad! Assembling the meals is as overwhelming as cleaning up after the Plan! My kitchen sink had never seen so many dirty utensils, dishes, pots and pans. There is a lucrative business idea for an interested savvy party—delivering personalized weekly supply of the Plan's meals!
Did I mention my son's mother-in-law, successfully living on the Plan, is a retiree?
I have a nagging feeling that the Plan will not be part of my daily plans, once I return to work. Just the thought of holding in 16 ounces of water at a time till every recess is unbearable.
After all, I might never be able to ditch my colourful scarves, camouflaging my bulges, in favour of belts, accentuating my waist. Accepted and filed! What have you accepted and filed today?
Thursday, 14 March 2013
The Plan - Day Two!
Dear Friends,
The scale has spoken! I''m officially two pounds and four ounces lighter than yesterday!
Motivated and extremely excited, today, I stayed in, avoiding all culinary and shopping temptations my neighbourhood has to offer. Instead, I went on a de-cluttering rampage — the kind you take on when you are either moving in or moving out. From drawers containing paperwork and kitchen utensils, to cabinets and jewellery boxes, every nook and cranny of my living quarters is now inspected, washed and reorganized. One would've thought I was on wheels!
Since some of my Day-2 food was to be leftovers from yesterday, I spent a portion of the afternoon lazily, reading or watching chick flicks. I also spent some time in front of the closet mirror, admiring my gradually slimming body. However, once my eyes fell on my face, I froze on the spot. As much as my tidy space and unclaimed time made me feel so much better than I'd felt in a long time, the already drooping jawline, that now had become more pronounced, upset me terribly! I ran to the table and added Shoppers Drug Mart to my "to go to" list.
That's how overnight, I slid from mature skin beautification products to saggy skin aisle, without even mentioning my chipped discoloured nails and rough hands.
Let's face it, there isn't one self-contained winner package! Accepted and filed! What have you accepted and filed today?
The scale has spoken! I''m officially two pounds and four ounces lighter than yesterday!
Motivated and extremely excited, today, I stayed in, avoiding all culinary and shopping temptations my neighbourhood has to offer. Instead, I went on a de-cluttering rampage — the kind you take on when you are either moving in or moving out. From drawers containing paperwork and kitchen utensils, to cabinets and jewellery boxes, every nook and cranny of my living quarters is now inspected, washed and reorganized. One would've thought I was on wheels!
Since some of my Day-2 food was to be leftovers from yesterday, I spent a portion of the afternoon lazily, reading or watching chick flicks. I also spent some time in front of the closet mirror, admiring my gradually slimming body. However, once my eyes fell on my face, I froze on the spot. As much as my tidy space and unclaimed time made me feel so much better than I'd felt in a long time, the already drooping jawline, that now had become more pronounced, upset me terribly! I ran to the table and added Shoppers Drug Mart to my "to go to" list.
That's how overnight, I slid from mature skin beautification products to saggy skin aisle, without even mentioning my chipped discoloured nails and rough hands.
Let's face it, there isn't one self-contained winner package! Accepted and filed! What have you accepted and filed today?
Wednesday, 13 March 2013
the Plan!
Dear Friends,
the Plan is the name of a book by Lyn-Genet Recitas that has apparently revolutionized the "weight loss" industry!
As I was about to give up losing the persistent last five pounds, my son's mother-in-law introduced me to the Plan. Eva is a tall woman, but more than a few pounds overweight. The poor woman always claimed that she ate healthily. Out of the kindness of her heart, she also gave me advice on healthy eating. I, on the other hand, always smirked! Someone twice as large as me was giving me pointers on healthy food! Thus, when she told me about the Plan, I rolled my eyes, internally!
My reply to anyone's "amazing" has always been, 'that's nice.' I just don't buy into miracles; however when I looked at my counterpart critically, I realized, not only she had lost weight, but her skin (good to begin with) was also luminous.
Surely enough, on my way back from her place, I bought the book, a digital scale and a thermometer, all necessary items for the Plan!
This morning, by the time I gathered all the ingredients, dashing from one store to another, with a tall order in my hand, I knew I had already lost a few pounds! While walking back home (5 blocks), carrying heavy produce bags, I also knew my biceps, triceps and abdominal muscles were as engaged in my plan as I was.
For an emotional eater such as myself, sticking to any dietary plan is much easier said than done! Thus, with trepidation I lined up my three-day detox food on the kitchen counter.
Once I found out that I had to soak the whole flaxseeds overnight and then roast them for an hour in the oven, I almost lost my enthusiasm. But then, I remembered my flax oil in the fridge! Although no cheating is allowed, I let my "creativity" guide me. I just had to grab this "plan" by the horn, before it fled with my inconsistent drive.
Three, four hours behind schedule, at around noon, after rushing 16 ounces of water down my throat, followed by the mandatory dandelion tea, I sat down to my first detox meal of the day, granola and blueberries, soaked in rice milk with a dash of cinnamon.
In preparation for my soup, salad and vegetables, I spent a good portion of the afternoon washing, chopping, steaming or sautéing the recommended greenery. Measuring and organizing my seeds, herbs and spices also took a while.
Once my supply of nutrients were ready for consumption, I took full advantage of the Plan's suggestion to stay out of the exercise room. Lounging in front of TV, I watched my mind giving my body permission to detox in peace.
The thought of waking up lighter, is not the only reason I'm going to bed early tonight. I'm exhausted! No wonder the Plan hasn't become an epidemic. It's a full time job! Accepted and filed! What have you accepted and filed today?
the Plan is the name of a book by Lyn-Genet Recitas that has apparently revolutionized the "weight loss" industry!
As I was about to give up losing the persistent last five pounds, my son's mother-in-law introduced me to the Plan. Eva is a tall woman, but more than a few pounds overweight. The poor woman always claimed that she ate healthily. Out of the kindness of her heart, she also gave me advice on healthy eating. I, on the other hand, always smirked! Someone twice as large as me was giving me pointers on healthy food! Thus, when she told me about the Plan, I rolled my eyes, internally!
My reply to anyone's "amazing" has always been, 'that's nice.' I just don't buy into miracles; however when I looked at my counterpart critically, I realized, not only she had lost weight, but her skin (good to begin with) was also luminous.
Surely enough, on my way back from her place, I bought the book, a digital scale and a thermometer, all necessary items for the Plan!
This morning, by the time I gathered all the ingredients, dashing from one store to another, with a tall order in my hand, I knew I had already lost a few pounds! While walking back home (5 blocks), carrying heavy produce bags, I also knew my biceps, triceps and abdominal muscles were as engaged in my plan as I was.
For an emotional eater such as myself, sticking to any dietary plan is much easier said than done! Thus, with trepidation I lined up my three-day detox food on the kitchen counter.
Once I found out that I had to soak the whole flaxseeds overnight and then roast them for an hour in the oven, I almost lost my enthusiasm. But then, I remembered my flax oil in the fridge! Although no cheating is allowed, I let my "creativity" guide me. I just had to grab this "plan" by the horn, before it fled with my inconsistent drive.
Three, four hours behind schedule, at around noon, after rushing 16 ounces of water down my throat, followed by the mandatory dandelion tea, I sat down to my first detox meal of the day, granola and blueberries, soaked in rice milk with a dash of cinnamon.
In preparation for my soup, salad and vegetables, I spent a good portion of the afternoon washing, chopping, steaming or sautéing the recommended greenery. Measuring and organizing my seeds, herbs and spices also took a while.
Once my supply of nutrients were ready for consumption, I took full advantage of the Plan's suggestion to stay out of the exercise room. Lounging in front of TV, I watched my mind giving my body permission to detox in peace.
The thought of waking up lighter, is not the only reason I'm going to bed early tonight. I'm exhausted! No wonder the Plan hasn't become an epidemic. It's a full time job! Accepted and filed! What have you accepted and filed today?
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Aspirations & Inspirations
Dear Friends,
My father, God bless his soul, was very much against apparel before mastery. I still believe, had he bought my brother and me fashionable equestrian attire, we would have become riders!
As ditching parental doctrine is no easy task, for the past twenty years, I've been working out in faded, loose rags and footwear. Since I don't even like to exercise, I never felt worthy of cushioned running shoes or Lululemon's athletic gear. However, last week, I realized I needed more "support" in becoming a regular in the exercise-room, than what my old ugly workout clothes were offering.
This morning, as I took a glimpse of my "lifted" silhouette in the mirror (for the fourth day in a row), I realized, sometimes motivation germinates from the outside, rather than the inside.
Looking good, is meeting feeling good halfway! Accepted and filed!
What have you accepted and filed, today?
Sunday, 10 March 2013
The Wisdom of Chipped Nails!
Dear Friends,
Since Friday afternoon, everything I have done has been for posterity; the facial, the hair, the nails, the shoes, the outfit and even the choice of handbag!
In order to keep my manicure intact, I skipped making my bed, working out, cooking and washing dishes. Until now, I had even ignored my MacBook Pro! I had my priorities straight!
This afternoon, I'm going to my little granddaughter's second birthday. As per usual, there is going to be all sorts of immortalization devices. Since I myself greatly appreciate photographs of my ancestors, I'm determined to leave behind a "picture-perfect" legacy for my descendants!
Little did I know that the cruel Fate had reserved me a dirty trick up her sleeve! An hour ago, as I was taking the toys and the clothes out of their boxes, to put them all in a big basket, to create a visual masterpiece, oblivious to the fact that I was engaged in manual labour, I sacrificed two nails for creativity!
Giving up so much for the manicure that didn't last!
Although I have time to run to the nearest nail salon, for an eight-dollar "polish change," I decided to keep the two half-chipped nails on my thumbs, for as long as I shall care to remember the moral of the ironic incident!
Once again, quoting Pascal, "L'homme n'est qu'un Roseau!" As the great French philosopher concludes his thoughts on mankind's sense of invincibility, "Thus, let's work on thinking better."
Nothing but a reed! Accepted and filed! What have you accepted and filed today?
Since Friday afternoon, everything I have done has been for posterity; the facial, the hair, the nails, the shoes, the outfit and even the choice of handbag!
In order to keep my manicure intact, I skipped making my bed, working out, cooking and washing dishes. Until now, I had even ignored my MacBook Pro! I had my priorities straight!
This afternoon, I'm going to my little granddaughter's second birthday. As per usual, there is going to be all sorts of immortalization devices. Since I myself greatly appreciate photographs of my ancestors, I'm determined to leave behind a "picture-perfect" legacy for my descendants!
Little did I know that the cruel Fate had reserved me a dirty trick up her sleeve! An hour ago, as I was taking the toys and the clothes out of their boxes, to put them all in a big basket, to create a visual masterpiece, oblivious to the fact that I was engaged in manual labour, I sacrificed two nails for creativity!
Giving up so much for the manicure that didn't last!
Although I have time to run to the nearest nail salon, for an eight-dollar "polish change," I decided to keep the two half-chipped nails on my thumbs, for as long as I shall care to remember the moral of the ironic incident!
Once again, quoting Pascal, "L'homme n'est qu'un Roseau!" As the great French philosopher concludes his thoughts on mankind's sense of invincibility, "Thus, let's work on thinking better."
Nothing but a reed! Accepted and filed! What have you accepted and filed today?
Friday, 8 March 2013
Crossing the Line!
Dear Friends,
Yesterday afternoon, while in my chiropractor's office, looking forward to ten needles on my neck and right shoulder, I came across an article, of all places in Fashion magazine, with the very catchy title of "Viral Spiral!"
According to Lynn Crosbie, the writer of the article, many bloggers have crossed the line with the intimate, disgusting details of their thoughts, feelings and actions.
Although my postings do not contain profanity or grotesque scenes, her opinion of bloggers made me feel bad about myself. Tonight, I spent a few hours rereading a few of my postings. Was I one of the people "unleashing her unedited, uncensored self on line"? Was she talking about me too? Running at large with my secrets, emotions and not-so-subtle opinions! I should have kept everything to myself! I rebuked the indiscreet in me all night long, tossing and turning, covered in shame and regret. Finally at dawn, I decided to hit the shower. Nothing clears one's mind better than a good minty shampoo!
In the light of day, I realized, the writer hadn't answered the question she had put forth, "Why do so many people want everyone to read their anguish?"
I suppose once big names like Oprah, Rosie O'Donnell and Roseanne Barr got intimate with the world, the little people gave themselves permission to open up and unload as well.
In my (humble) opinion, "Oversharing," as Cosbie puts it, might be therapeutic, a sign of loneliness, a fetish or even a disease, but as long as the print is unread, and the speech unheard, it's all remains meaningless, lifeless.
Why bother reading or watching something offensive, unless for the sole purpose of writing a commentary! We are still in charge of our reading and viewing materials. What I can't control is people smoking in my face on the streets of Toronto!
To Lynn Crosbie's self-righteous, judgmental statement, "FULL DISCLOSURE IS NOT ATTRACTIVE, BRAVE OR VIRTUOUS," I would like to reply; Lady, don't like it, don't read it! Confessions were never meant to please the auditor, but to relieve the communicator. Accepted and filed! What have you accepted and filed today?
Yesterday afternoon, while in my chiropractor's office, looking forward to ten needles on my neck and right shoulder, I came across an article, of all places in Fashion magazine, with the very catchy title of "Viral Spiral!"
According to Lynn Crosbie, the writer of the article, many bloggers have crossed the line with the intimate, disgusting details of their thoughts, feelings and actions.
Although my postings do not contain profanity or grotesque scenes, her opinion of bloggers made me feel bad about myself. Tonight, I spent a few hours rereading a few of my postings. Was I one of the people "unleashing her unedited, uncensored self on line"? Was she talking about me too? Running at large with my secrets, emotions and not-so-subtle opinions! I should have kept everything to myself! I rebuked the indiscreet in me all night long, tossing and turning, covered in shame and regret. Finally at dawn, I decided to hit the shower. Nothing clears one's mind better than a good minty shampoo!
In the light of day, I realized, the writer hadn't answered the question she had put forth, "Why do so many people want everyone to read their anguish?"
I suppose once big names like Oprah, Rosie O'Donnell and Roseanne Barr got intimate with the world, the little people gave themselves permission to open up and unload as well.
In my (humble) opinion, "Oversharing," as Cosbie puts it, might be therapeutic, a sign of loneliness, a fetish or even a disease, but as long as the print is unread, and the speech unheard, it's all remains meaningless, lifeless.
Why bother reading or watching something offensive, unless for the sole purpose of writing a commentary! We are still in charge of our reading and viewing materials. What I can't control is people smoking in my face on the streets of Toronto!
To Lynn Crosbie's self-righteous, judgmental statement, "FULL DISCLOSURE IS NOT ATTRACTIVE, BRAVE OR VIRTUOUS," I would like to reply; Lady, don't like it, don't read it! Confessions were never meant to please the auditor, but to relieve the communicator. Accepted and filed! What have you accepted and filed today?
Tuesday, 5 March 2013
THE BIG C' S!
Dear Friends,
In case you had better things to do last night than watch the Agenda with Steve Paikin, from Peterborough, Ontario, I picked up the buzz word in education for you — Technology! Technology! Technology!
Given my recent public rejection of technology in my classroom (Time Machine, February 27), I was eager to hear Michael Fullan's side! Although he himself looked very familiar, his name remained a mystery to me until I googled him! Bravo Technology!
According to Michael Fullan, the expert in the field of education, schools in Ontario are in much worse shape than we think! Although one or two speakers did point the finger at the boards of education and administrators, the spotlight remained on teachers! Once again, discarding socio-economy, bureaucracy, parenting, and the make-up of students themselves, teachers eclipsed the politicians and won the title of most invaluable players!
What amazed me most was that a solemn-looking man, with the most passionless, uninspiring tone of voice and choice of words, a good many years my senior, claims to have the key to success.
I always thought, "avant-gardish," often illogical and impractical, ideas came from the "me" generation. But then, a pompous grade twelve student also confessed that high school has failed to make a critical thinker out of him, although he was knowledgeable and well-spoken. He must be blessed with good genes!
Apparently, the era of "Sage on Stage" as someone put it, is over!
Fullan's six C's, Character Education, Citizenship, Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking/Problem Solving and Creativity and Imagination, are not novel ideas. I would like to add a seventh C - Curiosity to his "original" list! All of the above, regularly practised in daily lives of younger students, has little to do with technology and a lot with common sense and opportunity.
While we are on the subject of "technology," perhaps someone can invent a snow/ice-melting/sucking machine, so we can let youngsters go outside and run around, instead of keeping them indoors for days, in fear of bloody noses and broken limbs!
Here are the real six C's in teaching; Common Cold, Cough, Chest pain, Colitis, Cholesterol and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome! Accepted and filed! What have you accepted and filed, today?
In case you had better things to do last night than watch the Agenda with Steve Paikin, from Peterborough, Ontario, I picked up the buzz word in education for you — Technology! Technology! Technology!
Given my recent public rejection of technology in my classroom (Time Machine, February 27), I was eager to hear Michael Fullan's side! Although he himself looked very familiar, his name remained a mystery to me until I googled him! Bravo Technology!
According to Michael Fullan, the expert in the field of education, schools in Ontario are in much worse shape than we think! Although one or two speakers did point the finger at the boards of education and administrators, the spotlight remained on teachers! Once again, discarding socio-economy, bureaucracy, parenting, and the make-up of students themselves, teachers eclipsed the politicians and won the title of most invaluable players!
What amazed me most was that a solemn-looking man, with the most passionless, uninspiring tone of voice and choice of words, a good many years my senior, claims to have the key to success.
I always thought, "avant-gardish," often illogical and impractical, ideas came from the "me" generation. But then, a pompous grade twelve student also confessed that high school has failed to make a critical thinker out of him, although he was knowledgeable and well-spoken. He must be blessed with good genes!
Apparently, the era of "Sage on Stage" as someone put it, is over!
Fullan's six C's, Character Education, Citizenship, Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking/Problem Solving and Creativity and Imagination, are not novel ideas. I would like to add a seventh C - Curiosity to his "original" list! All of the above, regularly practised in daily lives of younger students, has little to do with technology and a lot with common sense and opportunity.
While we are on the subject of "technology," perhaps someone can invent a snow/ice-melting/sucking machine, so we can let youngsters go outside and run around, instead of keeping them indoors for days, in fear of bloody noses and broken limbs!
Here are the real six C's in teaching; Common Cold, Cough, Chest pain, Colitis, Cholesterol and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome! Accepted and filed! What have you accepted and filed, today?
Sunday, 3 March 2013
JB - Just Be!
Dear Friends,
Twenty years ago, an old friend of mine, noticing my desire for self-analysis and improvement, gave me my first self-help book - The Portable Therapist, by Susanna McMahon.
This weekend, following a conversation with my new friends, I back-pedalled to the past, to reverify a thing or two!
According to my primary source of "wisdom," as much as the far eastern philosophy values "being," the western culture encourages "doing."
As I found out in my intimate conversations with others, it seems that meditation and yoga, are two of the most prescribed remedies of our times. However, as we run to embrace these promises of tranquility, as a cure for our hectic minds and stressed bodies, we don't realize that the eastern philosophy is not a "treatment," but a way of life.
As long as we continue rushing back to deadlines and multitasking, destroying the environment and angering mother nature, our attempts to bring peace into our lives will remain ineffective. As long as we believe every minute of the day should be embellished with accomplishments, including making it to the Hot Power Fusion yoga class on time, our souls will remain restless. Even a juggler has to throw a ball or two up in the air, while attending to the ones in his hands.
Stillness is the cradle of creativity, and according to the experts, from now on, it's going to be the survival of the most creative! If we don't welcome the essence of the far eastern philosophy, our colourful meditation mats and yoga gears will remain exactly what they are — pretty, expensive "sides!" Accepted and filed!
What have you accepted and filed today?
Twenty years ago, an old friend of mine, noticing my desire for self-analysis and improvement, gave me my first self-help book - The Portable Therapist, by Susanna McMahon.
This weekend, following a conversation with my new friends, I back-pedalled to the past, to reverify a thing or two!
According to my primary source of "wisdom," as much as the far eastern philosophy values "being," the western culture encourages "doing."
As I found out in my intimate conversations with others, it seems that meditation and yoga, are two of the most prescribed remedies of our times. However, as we run to embrace these promises of tranquility, as a cure for our hectic minds and stressed bodies, we don't realize that the eastern philosophy is not a "treatment," but a way of life.
As long as we continue rushing back to deadlines and multitasking, destroying the environment and angering mother nature, our attempts to bring peace into our lives will remain ineffective. As long as we believe every minute of the day should be embellished with accomplishments, including making it to the Hot Power Fusion yoga class on time, our souls will remain restless. Even a juggler has to throw a ball or two up in the air, while attending to the ones in his hands.
Stillness is the cradle of creativity, and according to the experts, from now on, it's going to be the survival of the most creative! If we don't welcome the essence of the far eastern philosophy, our colourful meditation mats and yoga gears will remain exactly what they are — pretty, expensive "sides!" Accepted and filed!
What have you accepted and filed today?
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