Explosion in Chicago

There was an explosion at a shopping mall in Chicago today. It injured at least nine people and they are not sure if there are any people still trapped. Eight of the people injured were taking to the hospital but none with life threatening injuries. The explosion is thought to be caused by a gas leak. The crews have cleared most of the rubble and have found no other people. However, there is still one person who has been reported missing.

Low Stress Careers

I was reading about this the other day and I thought that it would be helpful for people to see, especially those trying to figure out what to do with the rest of their lives. The site said that these jobs are not anxiety free but they do offer you a bit of flexibility, creativity, freedom, and personal satisfaction. So lets get to the list:

1. Accountant
2. Preschool Teacher (I find this one hard to believe because I have been one)
3. Nursing Assistant
4. Financial Planner
5. Massage Therapist/Physical Therapy Assistant
6. Pastry Chef
7. Graphic Design
8. Desktop Support

Some of these make sense to me but others do not. However, if you are interested in reading more about it the webpage is: http://education.yahoo.net/degrees/articles/featured_8_careers_to_help_lower_your_stress_meter.html

Lunar eclipse of 08

Unfortunately for most of us in Oklahoma we were unable to see the lunar eclipse due to the cloud cover. I just wanted to post a picture since astronomers say that it will be the last one until December of 2010. If you got to see it congratulations but as for me, I will just hope for a better view in 2010.

Big Brother

Well Big Brother is back on CBS! This is one of my favorite "reality" television show. This season is a little different since they are playing as couples. However, I am not sure about Big Brother's ability to match couples considering very few of the couples are actually getting along and it has only been on a little over a week. I have always found it much more interesting when they had to make their own matches because now if your partner does something stupid then you are pretty much screwed too. Well I look forward to see what else will happen!!!!!

The Lord of the Rings

I am studying J.R.R. Tolkien. We are studying The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. I have discovered through this class how wonderful it would be to allow our students to choose more stories outside of the realm of the classics. I believe that we need to allow them to have more choices in their reading so that we will be able to teach them to love literature. I want to encourage each of you to take classes outside of our norm and encourage our students to read stories that are not exactly classics.

Child Abuse

This is a somewhat depressing post but one that needs to be done none the less. Child abuse is on the rise, not only in Oklahoma but everywhere. We need to do more to protect our children! I want to encourage everyone to research the signs and symptoms and educate yourself on what to look for. Also if you suspect abuse, by law, you have to report it. You do not have to have proof and you do not have to leave your information but you do have to call. The national child abuse hotline number is 1-800-4-A-CHILD.

Soap Operas

I have been watching "Days of Our Lives" since I was 11 years old. It is not that I believe any of it to be true but it is because I can watch this and understand that my life isn't so bad. I know that it sounds horrible to put it that way but if I am having a bad day, I can turn it on and half of what they are going through, I never have. I mean it is like picking up a fantasy book and escaping to another world. This is how I feel when I watch this show, I feel connected to the characters but like I'm on the outside looking in.

Political Stops

I realize that Oklahoma and many other states do not have as many votes as other states but I still believe that we should still be a stop on the political trail. I have noticed that many candidates will stop and campaign for days on end in some places, and that makes sense, but don't the other states at least deserve a stop. I just get real irritated at being shoved to the side like we don't matter. Does this bother anybody else or is this just another one of my qwerks?

Layoff at Dell

Unfortunately, Dell fired several hundred people. I believe that we need to consider what we can do to help the less fortunate and we do our best to insure our job safety. I encourage each of you to get additional training and do what it takes to make yourself invaluable to the company. Each of us need to make sure that we are the best candidates that we can be. Please consider what I am saying very seriously.

Soldier suicides

The number of suicides in the Army rose 20 percent in 2007. Despite the efforts to improve the mental health, the soldiers are immensly stressed due to the length of this war. Apparently the staggering numbers are that there have been 89 confirmed suicides and 32 deaths that are suspected suicides. A psychiatry consultant said that besides the war, failed personal relationships, legal and financial problems are also to blame for the suicides. We need to figure out a way to support our soldiers better or at least in a way that perhaps we can help to deter suicides in the men and women that protect our lives.

Rebate Checks

I was looking at this rebate check that many people will be receiving from IRS and I think there has been some confusion. Some are saying that individuals will get $600, couples will get $1200, and you will get $300 per child. This is not necessarily the case. That is the maximum amount a family or person can get. It will depend on your income how much you receive. The very poor and the rich will not receive anything. I encourage you to go to the following website and read the story. Just don't expect something that may not come.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080126/ap_on_go_co/stimulus_rebate

Our schools

I know that many people believe that our school districts are not working for our children anymore. However, I believe differently. I think that as parents we are taking less responsibility in the teaching of our children and we need to step up. I am as guility as anyone else. In the last year or so, I have noticed that I have slacked off of being so demanding and insuring that my children are doing all they can to have a successful future. I got caught up in my own classes and the things that I needed to get done. Our teachers can not do it all, we have to be willing to put in the effort for our children. I have created a plan for our family and it has been working well. My step-son came to live with us 2 years ago. He had been making C's and D's and he is now making A's, B's and only a few C's. Children need to be encouraged and made to believe that they can do it. They need to understand that regardless of the past they can succeed. Some may call what we do as bribing children but if it is working then I will continue to do it. We give them $5 for an A, $3 for a B, nothing for a C, they owe us $5 for a D, and $10 for an F. However, if they receive a 0 on a paper, they owe us $10. This is for each 0 they get on papers. They originally were coming home with 10 or more 0, because to them it didn't matter because they had made a B in the class but now it does matter because it costs them money. The money they owe they have to either pay in cash, by working it off, or a combination of the two. I encourage every parent to come up with some kind of plan to help their child to succeed. Take responsibility for their education!

Elections

This years elections have lead to ad after ad about how the U.S. is in need of change. Therefore, it is pretty apparent that we all agree on that part but what kind of change do we need. I believe that we need to really look at the beliefs of each of the candidate and choose carefully rather than simply looking at political party. There are now websites that offer you an overview of what each candidate believes in. There are also a few that will match up the you with the candidate that believes as closely as you do. I encourage you to do this so that we will be informed. Exercise your rights!

I know that this subject is getting tiresome but I saw something today on Inside Edition that made me laugh. Brittany Spears has developed a British accent. She was telling the press to get out of her face and yelling at her new British photographer boyfriend to hurry up and get her to the car. It was so completely incredible that even the media was making fun of her. One even asking her if she was now a British citizen. I just watched the news program thinking that for someone who is having nervous breakdowns because her children are no longer allowed to be alone with her, she really does get herself into some pickles. Sorry for my rant but this is completely ridiculous.