Walking out of the public library, a rather thin magazine caught my eye in the advertising bin, free to take. Without a second thought I took one. It didn't take me long to browse through it before finding an interesting topic. From the article I gathered that this magazine is published locally from the two joined counties, Franklin and Benton. The article portraited a Tri-Cities Mom who won a make over, that is an outfit, haircut, make up and photos. She was categorized as a super mom. What makes this person a super mom? I asked myself. From the limited information I understand that she has a small business grooming animals, home schools and I don't remember any other memorable thing. The second person that won a make over was also a super mom, that likes to spend time with her family, works full time and attends college. I guess those are excellent qualities to be considered a super person, but I couldn't help wondering about the moms I deal with at school. The family live is all to them. Families is the main factor for them, thus they end up procrastinating with over 4 kids. They enjoy tending to them even if they don't sing to them or read a book. They spoil their children with whatever they can purchase because usually they don't have money for much.
These ladies that I know, rarely attend meeting at school, they can hardly read or perform higher levels of thinking as is expected in the American society (although these ladies manage to organize their family), they never ever or minimally help their children with school work, they preferred to leave the education to the professionals. They don't attend college because they are too afraid to fail but are terrified to neglect the family, so they stay away from responsibilities that will compete with the family time.
Will these ladies qualify for super moms? In my opinion they do. One day I will make a list of all the qualities of a super mom according to me.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Accomplishments
Not long ago, my husband's siblings held a meeting to discuss their parents' 50 year anniversary. The planning included all the knick knacks of a wedding: the ceremony, dresses, suits, hall, food and so on. They also wanted to include a power point presentation, featuring many pictures of all the grandchildren and children, and a picture of their first adobe home. I got the feeling that they wanted to portrait the point of their beginning to their present state, which is pretty good, considering that they moved to a new country without knowing the language. This made me realized that most people like to compare their humble beginnings to an accomplish present state.
I didn't have to go too far to connect this event to another similar episode. When we attended Marcos' graduation anniversary, many people boasted about their home, even though the inquiry prompt asked for a simple what they were up to.
If a keep digging in my thoughs I can make a plethora of connections in regards to people boasting about their accomplishments.
I know that purchasing a home, or having a great family are big accomplishments, but why do we always need to be reminded of our great accomplishments? and why do we need to share this information with others?
Can it be that we are too conceited or arrogant that we must let others know of what we have accomplished? Or could it be that we are part of a human race that we must demonstrate that we are capable of compliting tasks for the purpose of acqiring goods, thus fullfilling the sense of completeness and usefulness? I am not a phychologist or a social expect on human behavior, all I know is that I also like to share my accomplishments with others to feel useful, complete and skillful. I want others to know that I am not just here to breath pure air and leave behind carbon dioxide. I am capable of taking on a task an finish it to improve my living conditions. Thus, I will gladly celebrate my in-laws anniversary and I will praise anyone else that shares their accomplishements. Hurray for accomplishments!!
I didn't have to go too far to connect this event to another similar episode. When we attended Marcos' graduation anniversary, many people boasted about their home, even though the inquiry prompt asked for a simple what they were up to.
If a keep digging in my thoughs I can make a plethora of connections in regards to people boasting about their accomplishments.
I know that purchasing a home, or having a great family are big accomplishments, but why do we always need to be reminded of our great accomplishments? and why do we need to share this information with others?
Can it be that we are too conceited or arrogant that we must let others know of what we have accomplished? Or could it be that we are part of a human race that we must demonstrate that we are capable of compliting tasks for the purpose of acqiring goods, thus fullfilling the sense of completeness and usefulness? I am not a phychologist or a social expect on human behavior, all I know is that I also like to share my accomplishments with others to feel useful, complete and skillful. I want others to know that I am not just here to breath pure air and leave behind carbon dioxide. I am capable of taking on a task an finish it to improve my living conditions. Thus, I will gladly celebrate my in-laws anniversary and I will praise anyone else that shares their accomplishements. Hurray for accomplishments!!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Our fears
I don't know if it been said by someone wise that, at times our actions are driven by fears, but I don't think it needs to be said, because that is just logic and common sense. We all are afraid or fear a thing, an event, a person, a place, losing control of a situation, or just the unknown. The mode of our predestined ending is on top of my list of fears. Fears can give us nightmares which remind me what I used to fear in my early twenties. I was always afraid of not been part of social groups. I always wanted to be part of an event with the extended family. By any means I was not a socialite but I was afraid of not getting invited to a picnic to celebrate a birthday, a baby shower and so. I dreaded the time that my kids wouldn't enjoy my company, and that I would have to spend time alone. However as I get older I enjoy moments of solitude. I have the space to think, rest and to enjoy a t.v show or a hobby. I guess sooner of later we confront our fears, I sure hope I don't have to confront my fears that pertain to aquatic creature. Confronting solitude for shorts periods of time is sufficient and acceptable. Fears can indeed destroy us and make us think irrationally.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
guilt
When are we supposed to feel guilt when we tried to do things that are right but they don't come out as planned?
My son is graduating from high school this year. I pushed for him to apply for different scholarships, specially for one that awards Hispanic students. Because he has above average qualities of an good student, we hoped that he would be awarded something. It was disheartening when we joyfully received the envelop with the results. Just prior to opening the letter his father joked hinting than not all letters are for awards that some are regretful and apologetic. As if he was a psychic, the letter informed us that he was not awarded a scholarship but he was still welcome to come to the ceremony to received his academic award.
So far he had not received a single scholarship award. Besides feeling disillusion, I also feel very guilty because I constantly pestered him about applying. My only hope is that he would receive something from my association. Only a tiny sliver of hope that is all I have. I wish for him to open a letter and feel joyful about his efforts. I hate for him to open letters of regretful news. Every time he reads the words "We regret to inform you that you have not been awarded", I get a heavy, dark feeling of guilt, almost as if I was the one making the official notification.
My son is graduating from high school this year. I pushed for him to apply for different scholarships, specially for one that awards Hispanic students. Because he has above average qualities of an good student, we hoped that he would be awarded something. It was disheartening when we joyfully received the envelop with the results. Just prior to opening the letter his father joked hinting than not all letters are for awards that some are regretful and apologetic. As if he was a psychic, the letter informed us that he was not awarded a scholarship but he was still welcome to come to the ceremony to received his academic award.
So far he had not received a single scholarship award. Besides feeling disillusion, I also feel very guilty because I constantly pestered him about applying. My only hope is that he would receive something from my association. Only a tiny sliver of hope that is all I have. I wish for him to open a letter and feel joyful about his efforts. I hate for him to open letters of regretful news. Every time he reads the words "We regret to inform you that you have not been awarded", I get a heavy, dark feeling of guilt, almost as if I was the one making the official notification.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Little Miracles
All of us want to be witnesses or part of a big miracle. We look forward to experience the rush, the wow moment that is going to blow our minds away. Sometimes when I am sitting in church during service I question my faith because I have not experience that spiritual exhilaration. From such anticipation I blind myself from the small miracles that occur at every moment around me.
Just last Saturday in celebration of past over and Easter, we attended a three hour long service. We knew it was going to be a longer service than usual but we didn't anticipated this long period. Instead of getting mad I choose to be glad to be there. As it was a bilingual mass the crowd was brimming to the entrance, but I was setting there in a good spot with my family. As customary, many families with young children were present, I foresaw many babies crying, to my amazement the young ones were quiet, some were asleep in their parents' arms as the service was late at night. The music was lively enough to keep us singing, but the best miracle was when I got to hear the homily in one language, then the other. I think God really wanted me to listen to it, because usually I hear it but I instantly forget what they say. I can't say that I save every word I heard that night but the message was strong to me when I heard it for a second time. It was a great event, and this time I experience or was part of all the small miracles that were taking place.
Just last Saturday in celebration of past over and Easter, we attended a three hour long service. We knew it was going to be a longer service than usual but we didn't anticipated this long period. Instead of getting mad I choose to be glad to be there. As it was a bilingual mass the crowd was brimming to the entrance, but I was setting there in a good spot with my family. As customary, many families with young children were present, I foresaw many babies crying, to my amazement the young ones were quiet, some were asleep in their parents' arms as the service was late at night. The music was lively enough to keep us singing, but the best miracle was when I got to hear the homily in one language, then the other. I think God really wanted me to listen to it, because usually I hear it but I instantly forget what they say. I can't say that I save every word I heard that night but the message was strong to me when I heard it for a second time. It was a great event, and this time I experience or was part of all the small miracles that were taking place.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
New looking versus old and tattered
Today I had the privilege of donating a few items to our local Goodwill store. After placing the items on the donation counter I decided to take a stroll around the store. I had no intention of any purchase I just wanted to look around and catch an idea or concept to ponder on. I really didn't care to look at clothes as my weight is in the least desirable state, so I headed straight for the house items. There was a collection of flat plates in better shape than my own dishes at home, but the disarrayed arrangement made them least appealing than my dishes. I also look over the wine glasses and other items. My eyes couldn't concentrate on a single item, but I managed to put together a set of six goblets for a mere tree dollar price. I then kept on my search of nothingness just to satisfy my own curiosity. To my surprise I noticed a whole isle of books. This book area was made up of two long, maybe 10 feet long metal bookcases, about 5 feet tall. I have never noticed so many books in a thrift or second hand store. All kinds of book. Some were nicely preserved and seem newer, others show sings of age but not wear. There were so many books of the same title about new mothers. Even some textbooks took the place on these shelves. I must have spend about 40 minutes in this area, because I opened and read random pages of many books. The information withing the pages was intriguing, useful and in some cases accurate. Why were such books discarded? After all they were priced next to nothing for a dollar of less.
I must say that they state of some of the books look rather old, as if they belong to yesterdays gone by decades ago. This made me realized that we have becoming accustomed to discard old looking things even if they are in good, useful state. We like new things even if the quality is inferior to that of an old item.
What consequences should we expect on the future from altering our aesthetic taste? How much extra and unnecessary rubbish are we going to accumulate in the Earth's crust from this new thinking? There is too much to ponder on this subject but in a later time.
I must say that they state of some of the books look rather old, as if they belong to yesterdays gone by decades ago. This made me realized that we have becoming accustomed to discard old looking things even if they are in good, useful state. We like new things even if the quality is inferior to that of an old item.
What consequences should we expect on the future from altering our aesthetic taste? How much extra and unnecessary rubbish are we going to accumulate in the Earth's crust from this new thinking? There is too much to ponder on this subject but in a later time.
Critical Thinking
While performing some of the chores around the house I was contemplating the fact that some people think that critical thinking cannot be taught. Not having a degree on psychology or other related field that would give me credentials to voice my opinion, I can only disagree with or in frustration.
Before going on any further I should define critical thinking for the sake of remaining focus on my discussion. To me critical thinking is the ability to perceive a matter, whether be a math, science, story or any problem and to be able to look at it from different perspective, with different levels of analysis in order to learn and expand knowledge or to find a solution.
As a third grade bilingual teacher I believe that critical thinking can be instilled into our daily thinking. It is a matter of organizing our thinking and giving ourselves opportunities to contemplate, ask questions and to make connections that can spark further and deeper thinking.
I served students that come from low social economic status and with a different culture. I don't say they belong to one culture that is recognized by the census or the government. It is the street culture, the survival culture, the culture spawned from the rapid development of technology merged with old, incredulously and ineffective ideas. The new culture is a thinking that lacks morals, patients and the sense of consequences. I don't have a lot of experience, but it seems that each generation differs from each other on the way of thinking. I attribute this mutating-thinking changes to many factors but the most influential being technology. So if new generations think differently than their ancestors, then it is a possibility that we can instill critical thinking.
Growing in a similar environment as my students, I can say that I lack critical thinking skills. Just recently after completing the challenging science course for my master degree I started practicing critical thinking, so much that I annoy my kids and my husband. They think I am nuts, delirious, dumb and plain crazy. But to me the more I practice critical thinking the better I have become to see a situation, problem or concept from different perspectives, however I am still rusty on the area of consequences. What has got me to this level? I cannot give credit to a single factor but to a clump of practices, first of all the motivation, I do not want to be an invalid thinker. I know I would never be wise but I don't want to end up in the other extreme as to be a dull thinker. Next to motivation, there has to be excessive reading and truly dwelling on different view points, which brings me to questioning. After a new idea, any idea, gets into your mind ask questions. This part may seen easy but in reality is very hard to ask the right question. I myself need much practice on this area.
Please disregard anything I just wrote, I really don't have anything to blog about. I just wanted to explore my writing skills while contemplating on the subject of critical thinking and cultures.
Before going on any further I should define critical thinking for the sake of remaining focus on my discussion. To me critical thinking is the ability to perceive a matter, whether be a math, science, story or any problem and to be able to look at it from different perspective, with different levels of analysis in order to learn and expand knowledge or to find a solution.
As a third grade bilingual teacher I believe that critical thinking can be instilled into our daily thinking. It is a matter of organizing our thinking and giving ourselves opportunities to contemplate, ask questions and to make connections that can spark further and deeper thinking.
I served students that come from low social economic status and with a different culture. I don't say they belong to one culture that is recognized by the census or the government. It is the street culture, the survival culture, the culture spawned from the rapid development of technology merged with old, incredulously and ineffective ideas. The new culture is a thinking that lacks morals, patients and the sense of consequences. I don't have a lot of experience, but it seems that each generation differs from each other on the way of thinking. I attribute this mutating-thinking changes to many factors but the most influential being technology. So if new generations think differently than their ancestors, then it is a possibility that we can instill critical thinking.
Growing in a similar environment as my students, I can say that I lack critical thinking skills. Just recently after completing the challenging science course for my master degree I started practicing critical thinking, so much that I annoy my kids and my husband. They think I am nuts, delirious, dumb and plain crazy. But to me the more I practice critical thinking the better I have become to see a situation, problem or concept from different perspectives, however I am still rusty on the area of consequences. What has got me to this level? I cannot give credit to a single factor but to a clump of practices, first of all the motivation, I do not want to be an invalid thinker. I know I would never be wise but I don't want to end up in the other extreme as to be a dull thinker. Next to motivation, there has to be excessive reading and truly dwelling on different view points, which brings me to questioning. After a new idea, any idea, gets into your mind ask questions. This part may seen easy but in reality is very hard to ask the right question. I myself need much practice on this area.
Please disregard anything I just wrote, I really don't have anything to blog about. I just wanted to explore my writing skills while contemplating on the subject of critical thinking and cultures.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
