Reflect This (developmental periods)

It is depressing that by age 20, an age in which life experiences are at a potential maximum, three-fourths of the life span periods are already in the record books; enjoy life with the mindset of a child so that everything is fun, the physical development of an adolescence so that anything is possible, and the wisdom and knowledge of an adult so that everything and anything are worth it. Experience life.

Reflect This- High Quality Literature

Thoughts about Reading and Using High Quality Books

    Having limited exposure to literature growing up concerns come to the mind more quickly than the benefits of having high quality literature in the classroom. First, what criteria is needed in order for a book, or piece of literature, to be considered “high quality?”  Most books are thought to be considered “high quality” depending on the individual experience one has with, or from, a book. A “high quality book” is one that would provide a higher quality, more eventful, more worth remembering life experience to its page turner.
    Secondly, just as news journalists from around the world wait for the “appropriate” moment to unleash their true thoughts on some of the worlds most controversial topics, age “appropriate” books wait in libraries to be found; to be found by a child that has yet been exposed to some of those topics deemed “appropriate.” What makes the topics “appropriate” and who decides at what age it is a child is to be exposed to these more controversial issues.
    Lastly for concerns would be that in the form of advocacy for a higher quality of literature in the classroom. An individual should not have to wait 29 years into his/her life before understanding that there is a higher quality of literature out there. Learning about the different reasons books are given awards provides a much clearer path to higher quality books than does the sometimes wasted felt effort in reading and then deciding. A way to make the concept of “high quality reading” universal to parents is a must for advocacy of reading high quality literature.
    For some, literature is the only form of experience they may have. To ensure that that these experiences are worth-wild and in the end will benefit society in some way, shape,or form, high quality books with life learned lessons must be presented. Some moral questioning and placement should take place after reading a higher quality book; something should be learned that was worth learning.
    In order to keep ones attention, higher quality books must also keep the attention of the reader. Story lines must be relevant and relate-able to the reader or an association will not be made.
    Reading does improve the imagination. Most things that benefit civilization were not just found in the world as it is. Ideas were thrown around, sometimes by means of literature, to be tweaked and fine tuned until the full benefit could be felt. Readers will continually build off of the imaginations of others. A higher quality book can be thought of as the motivational launching pad that may boost a child's imagination to the next world cure-all.
    The name of my favorite childhood author is Maurice Sendak, writer/illustrator of Where the Wild Things Are (1963); which is also my favorite childhood book mainly because this is one of the few memories I have of my childhood; this experience can leave one to think that the process (the sitting with momma as she reads a loud) is more important than the act (cognitively reading for ones self) of reading. Through experiences comedy and fiction novels have most often found their way into my hands. My favorite adult authors are David Sedaris (my non fictional choice), a Grammy Award nominated humorist, and mother-daughter duo P.C. and Kristin Cast of the House of Night series (a fictional representation of how the world may work with vampires). My favorite book by Sedaris is titled When You are Engulfed in Flames (2008); this is a collection of humorous non fictional experiences, more about his attempts at quitting smoking than anything else. The entire House of Night series follows the fictional character of Zoey Redbird, a human turned vampire high princess, and all of the troubles that may follow a typical female teen-aged vampire princess.

Reflect This (Currahee)

I have recently returned from an experience that I am glad I decided to do. I got to meet up with some of the guys that were, as I was, forever changed by the often un-thought of exposure to war. I now know that am not alone with my thoughts and reflections. Often times it difficult to fathom just what we did during the "Battle of Ramadi." The thought that scares me most: seeing one of these brothers in arms giving up when he has already been through so much. As of right now though most all of the "Outlaws" are either still doing what they do across the ocean or are pursuing some type of professional degree in college. Individual memories were shared and new ones were made. Embracing was a must because the fear of never knowing when we will meet again is always in the back of our heads. These are men that I have a bond with; a bond like any other; a bond that will never be matched. We saw death together and in a way played God together. I can easily recall one memory of each and every man I served with; I have taken a part of all of them with me and am happily satisfied with the camaraderie obtained and the person I have become through the means of bonding on a level with people that not all get to experience. Other than my wife I feel that these are the only people in the world that have the RIGHT to hold me accountable for anything. We became and will always be our own individually specific band of brothers no matter where we are in life. Many became one by doing something bigger than themselves. CURRAHEE! 

Reflect This- My Better Half

     The describer "my better half" when referring to ones spouse is a phrase that is more often than not thrown around with little to no thought behind it. How is it that the "other half" in a marriage is most often the better half; is the half of the marriage that talks less automatically deemed the better half because his or her "other half" is  speaking of his or her "better half" more frequently? See how this can get confusing!? So here I sit on day two of my school break compelled to voice, by means of written language, why my "better half" is truly THE BETTER HALF. First and foremost my better half has too been to war; she too has been forced into this world of never ending nightmares, swerving vehicles in avoidance of things that are no longer there, and the acknowledgment, understanding, and acceptance that my mind has forever been altered to experience the world and life through a much darker perspective. My "better half" takes care of most all financial responsibilities. My "better half" openly worries about me and hands-down it feels good to know that I am being thought of. My "better half" OFTEN gives me back massages. My "better half" makes my favorite meals. My "better half" makes me smile, laugh, and love. My "better half" makes my life experience easier and more enjoyable than I ever imagined. My "better half" makes me want to be a better person. My "better half" takes an interest in things I enjoy just to be around me. My "better half" would be OK with experiencing the rest of life with me alone and that in my mind is an unbelievable example of love. My "better half" has opened me up to experiences I would have never known had our paths not crossed. My "better half" always wants whats best for US. My "better half" is not better at spending money; this fact still astounds me; my preconceived cognition that all females do not understand how NOT to spend money is proven wrong on a daily basis by me handing her a plethora of receipts. My "better half" enjoys me for the goofy, silly, stubborn, difficult individual I can often be. My "better half" wants and needs me just as much as I want and need her and that is an amazing feeling, experience, and thought to dwell on. My "better half" openly talks to me about some of life's most intimate and moral thoughts and experiences. My "better half" educates me. My "better half" cares about herself in such a way that maximizes our time and experiences together by quitting smoking (which is easily one of society's hardest and most sought after accomplishments) and working out (which is easily another one of society's hardest and highly sought after goals). My "better half" leaves me little notes that sometimes make my entire day. My "better half" is not a sucker for cheesy business entrepreneurship's. My "better half" enjoys all types of good music; actually this can be applied to art in general. My "better half" cares about humanity. My "better half" is worth it. My "better half" means the world to me and I would do ANYTHING to keep my life just the way it is. My "better half" loves me in every way, shape, and form for the imperfect me I am. My "better half" is worth more than these words to me. My "better half" is mine and in my mind my "better half" is better than yours. Enjoy your "better half"<period>

:)

Reflect This

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

     Attempting to think of where to begin about this past, experience filled weekend is like playing one of those claw machines that are often found in Wal-Marts and laundry-mats; its tough deciding which fluffy goofy looking animal or flashy expensive looking watch is worthy of 50 cents, and in my case which experience is worthy enough to be a beginning. So I have decided to begin with... well the beginning. It would humor me to see my mother-in-law not hold her tongue as much as she says she does, however, when the experience presents itself the comments are often very down to earth, blunt, and hilarious; we learned that some people enjoy having candles, 10 to 20 seems to be the understood preference, lit and warming the dining environment because it simply feels like there is fire around. Um... that's because there is! I love my down to earth, matter of fact, clever, sometimes unknowingly funny mother-in-law; As my wife would say "She makes my heart smile."

  My wife and I decided to visit with a friend of mine from high school whom I have not seen since I left for the military, 11MAR2004 (funny I'll never forget the day that changed my life, but that's another story). It was really fun to catch up with someone that has shared a part of my past. I love knowing what people from my past are doing these days. I am often fascinated with running my hamster wheel of a brain towards thoughts of who has turned into the have, the have nots, and more commonly found the have not changed one single bit. Its hilarious how many people from the area where I graduated high school say the same thing when asked whats  new: "Oh you know... its East Tennessee, not much happening round here... I got a kid now (that seems to be the thing to do when a female resident of E. TN is tired of being a stripper)." Yeah, I know, and I know that's why I will never be moving back to the other side of the state; I like change, I like exciting, I like experiencing, living, and learning life way too much to be consumed with a smaller town life. The small town life is enjoyable, but just not for me. I can find satisfaction just outside the city limits, or the general publicly accepted center of town. Anyways the friend I visited did have a rather interesting story. I learned that sometimes females too can become addicted to video games... for 4 to 5 months. Its good to know that there are other people out there willing to put forth the effort to be a "Rock Band" legend or a true "Guitar Hero". Drum away girl, and the next time we meet we will run up the high score of every song on that game. Learned my wife is a pretty darn good singer too; 95 to 100 percent accuracy was commonly shown on her score card. Good job babe, and way to growl it out on that heavy metal genre; there may be a hidden freak inside you ; )

     

     I got to spend some time with my nephew. I learned I love that little guy a whole lot. He is quite the character and I am very interested in being involved in his life and watching him grow up. Thinking about my brother here a bit and how I wish he could see that a simple small change would make the world of difference. Without a change, the same results will continue to follow. Love you brother and I hope you are getting your stuff together in there.

     Somehow, and I can't remember how, I talked my wife into checking out every NFL stadium; this year the experience took place in Atlanta Georgia. Wow, is all I can really say. What do you call two white Packer fans in a post-game tailgate party in the dirty south underground predominantly filled with black Falcon fans? One would think dead meat (would say not literally but it was Atlanta), or the laughing stock, however, somehow we were like the token white guys (definitely not literal) that everyone wanted to hangout with. The experience was grand to say the least; great food, good beer, and awesome company. Hell, we even met a couple that will be passing by around Christmas time that would like to get together again for a night on the town of Nashville. That's whats up!!! I learned that even in the mists of being surrounded by what most would call at first glance Falcon thugs, or hoodlums, speakers pumping bass so hard the heart could have possibly skipped a beat, and being the only white couple that just so happen to be Packer fans on a day the Falcons beat the Packers my wife and I still decided to show off our dancing skills. The experience was worth it; from that point on there was not a single moment when I was not in conversation with someone. Thanks Atlanta for the experience. I learned peoples superficial appearance deserves a chance. For if a chance is not given, an experience may be wasted.

     To conclude... since it is Thanksgiving I shall state what it is I am thankful for. I thankful for the way my life is, and all those that are involved. Every person I have met has in some way, shape, or form helped mold me into the man I am today. It has been a life learning experience of mine to consciously take something from every individual I meet and apply what I have learned from the experience to my life. Sometimes this is something simple, and sometimes the applied is life changing. Either way there is something to learn from every social encounter. I am thankful for all my brothers, friends, and family. I learned that my wife is beginning to apply some of my beliefs to her life, and I think that she is enjoying the experience and that makes my heart smile; she deserves so much more than this imperfect world and I can only try to help her enjoy her life experiences. My wife is very special to me for many reasons, but one above many is the fact that she has experienced so much of life with me; "not in front or behind, but side by side". (lol... I feel like something manly needs to be inserted here. So, remember I just got back from a football game... yeah! CAUSE I'M A MAN!!!! )

Reflect This

Take some from all, but leave all for all. One should take all they can from another when the topic communicated between the two deals with the betterment of ones life; the more life experiences one has the more another can learn from him/her. The individual that has life experiences should share as much as they can. Kind of goes along with the old saying "... two ears, one mouth..." I have learned many important life lessons simply through listening. Lending an ear is a lesson learned.

Reflect This

Manual Communication Board

When it comes to difficulties with communication the manual communication board is an excellent option to go with, and if can be highly economical if need be. A manual communication board is something that a student may use to communicate with; it does not need batteries so it is always available and in most cases is a good start point when introducing alternative/augmented communication devices to individuals for the first time. A manual communication board made only from drawings on a piece of paper is as simple as it can be, although, it should be noted that advancing technologies have brought about communication boards that are also speech synthesizers. Either way one wants to go with it communication between the teacher and the student with communication barriers is a must that a manual communication board ensures. Funny how the simplest things are still the most reliable. One should enjoy what technology can do for him/her, but he/she must also remember how to use things in there simplest form too.