Business

I despise my senior college Alma mater as it made me realize some 18 years ago that schools are businesses and not a place for education priority. While I'm sure this is not news to many, it wasn't until I was faced with the potential of a late graduation that I had my "a-ha" moment. Upon realization that I might miss my graduation goal, despite having met with an academic adviser on a consistent basis, I was told that I could "fake" walking across the stage with my class in June during the annual graduation ceremony. Afterwards, I could continue with summer classes for two semesters until I truly earned my diploma, which would then be mailed to me. My school was telling me to fake my own graduation. Really? Stay for extra semesters? Yep, that's exactly what they suggested. 

I didn't want to fake my graduation! Who would? It took me a while to understand why anyone would even recommend that. I realized quickly, and sadly, that It all came down to money. The longer I stayed, the more money they got. They didn't care about educating me. They cared about my money. (To clarify, I am speaking of the school itself, not individual teachers) Well, my answer to that bogus-ass idea was to petition the Dean of Students to allow for course overloading each semester to earn enough credits to graduate on time. I was pissed. And now, more than ever, I wanted out of that school as quickly as possible. 

Fast forward 18 years later and I'm now attending a pre-teen, school band concert. A band concert that was held in a cafeteria despite having a lovely auditorium to perform in. It was poor sound quality, crummy seating, and little to no visibility to the performers. And why? So the "business" could sell food for fundraising. Now I'm not against fundraising, but at what cost? To the quality of your students performances? Really? I feel the organization could have created a spaghetti dinner or something of the sort for fundraising in the cafeteria, and then allowed families to enjoy the band performance afterwards in the auditorium (to avoid food messes). Am I thinking too big at this level? Is it really better to have someone walking the aisles with a box of ice cream novelties asking for sales during a school concert versus taking the time to organize either two separate events, or putting together one that was more well rounded to meet both needs?

Sadly, this event for me was a blatant reminder that schools are nothing more than mere businesses. I won't pretend to be aware of all the politics and complexities that are intermingled in running a school, and I'm not disregarding the need for fundraising. Rather, in this case, I feel the "business" should have picked their arena a bit more wisely and gave their talented students the proper showcasing they deserved. This truly was a case of great talent with poor presentation. It was tacky. Just plain tacky. As I type this, I think can I really be the only one to feel like this? Surrounding families, probably jaded by multiple events such as this, seemed fine to talk amongst themselves, buy an ice cream or two, wander around aimlessly and anxiously await their child's fast return so they could go home for the night.  Am I just being too naive here? Is this the future of kids' performances? Are we just preparing them to be street artists playing music off the back end of a food truck? Food for thought. Literally.

Battle

Lots of battles going on right now. Battling the cold and snow and all around cabin fever. Battling the art of friendship and when to let things go versus fight. I'm definitely cruisin' for a proverbial brusin' professionally, but what I want is worth fighting for. And more importantly or sadly, I'm not sure which? I seem to be battling for time. Time for myself. Time for others. Time to sleep. When does the battle ever stop? And in the end, who is it really with anyways?

"No such thing as spare time.

No such thing as free time.
No such thing as down time.
All you got is life time.
Go."

Henry Rollins

Wine

Tonight I went to a winery.

You'd think the obvious beverage of choice would be wine. 

I contemplated.

To wine or not to wine, that was the question.

Mai Tai?

Don't mind if I do.

Ming

Tuesdays with Mommy? Yes please. Chinese food from Waukegan's hole-in-the-wall diner, Ming Toy? It's a must. Although short, it was great to spend time with my mom and share mis-read predictions from crumbling fortune cookies. 

CGC

Because moments like this, when they have no confidence in themselves, I encourage.
They trust their dog. They relax. And their dog works in harmony with the new found peace. Together, they accomplish great things. Congratulations to one of the newest, certified Canine Good Citizens! And this is why I do what I do!

Cheeseburger

Cheeseburger pizza is amaze-balls! 

Who knew?

Guilty

I pretended I didn't have to go potty while I made you wait outside in the sub-zero cold for 12+ minutes. You insisted I go. But I insisted more that I didn't have to. As I pulled you all the way to the door and comfort of the warm house, I let you know I didn't have to go! And then I pooped on the carpet.

Stones

Aren't I too young for kidney stones? I'm hoping this is a misdiagnosis and my symptoms are actually something a little more "minor" (and seemingly more age appropriate!). 

In other news, it's freaking cold in Chicago! 

Don't

I don't feel like doing anything today.

Friesian

Mario

Today I spent half the day at the spa which included a mani, pedi, massage and some other services. It was amazing. I bought some after care products, gave tips to my estheticians and before I knew it, I spent more on the "extras" than what the actual services cost. That was not so amazing. 

Again

I currently teach a class in which the syllabus is created by students' requests each week. We work on whatever it is they want to learn. The thing is, my kids want to keep "learning" the same thing every week! Trying to think of new, creative ways to teach the same thing 6 weeks in a row is proving to be quite a challenge!

Really?

In the hustle and bustle of my randomly busy schedule I often don't even remember to look at it. Today I remembered to show up and play with this: 

 But completely forgot about this...

Splits

The Banana Splits television show? From the '70's? Never heard of it? Me neither, yet I've been asked more than a few times over the past years about it. When people question my viewing history, they usually start singing the theme song. You know, it goes like, "One banana, two banana, three banana four..." and I just sit there with an unchanging, dull look on my face. Nope, never heard of it. Never watched it.

Now, because I've been asked about the show often enough, I do know the chorus to the theme song but still don't know the basis of the show. Seriously, I don't remember it and I'm pretty sure I've never seen a single episode. With a show name and theme song about bananas, I just assumed and imagined cartoon bananas were dancing around most kid's TVs on Saturday mornings. That was until my SO decided to show me an actual episode on YouTube recently. 

Do you have any idea how ridiculous I thought it was, and how disappointed I am in now knowing that a show called Banana Splits, which has a theme song about bananas, doesn't even have a damn banana in it? Pfft. 

Beaker

How I feel today...

Sangria

White Sangria. Maggiano's Seasonal Sangria to be exact, is amazing. Of course, it goes without saying that having good company to share said Sangria with makes it even better.

Seriously?

This is my night time project. Only I can get a necklace stuck on a chair as I'm wearing it and break it into 5 different, but thankfully fixable, pieces. And don't even get me started on which undergarments I forgot to pack in my gym bag today! Is it Friday yet?

Wordless Wednesday

Blog

People blog at desktops and laptops.

People blog in coffee shops. 

People blog on a sunny patio while enjoying a cool breeze.

People blog at peaceful retreats, and even on a beach. 

People blog from airplanes high above the Earth.

People should not blog in bed.

Posts like this happen in bed. 

Zzzzzz...

Yep.