AuburnChick's Adventures

Congratulations to Joyce’s daughter on her recent graduation and the beginning of her first teaching job!  What fun to watch our friends’ children reach such milestones!  Thanks for the fun set of questions this week, Joyce, despite your hectic schedule of travel lately!

1.  My daughter earned her Master’s Degree this past weekend…what’s something you’ve ‘mastered’ in recent weeks or months?

This summer, I mastered the art of being, which may sound strange, but if you read yesterday’s post, you’ll understand.

As women, we rush around, taking care of everyone’s needs but ourselves.  This summer, I focused on me and feel like I will be a better mother and teacher because of it.

2.  What song most reminds you of your childhood?

Any School House Rock song makes me think of a childhood filled with reading and learning.  I loved school…still do, apparently.  I have shown these videos to my own students, and they really, really like them too!

3.  What do you think about single gender groups and/or events? Should every group/event be open to both genders?  If not, what sort of exceptions do you think are appropriate?

I really like this question, Joyce!  Last year, I taught a class comprised of primarily boys, and I had a different class comprised primarily of girls.  There are schools of thought that separating genders for classroom instruction works, and in some ways, I would agree.  Boys have a tendency to not share out loud in fear that they will be wrong.  They don’t want to look bad in front of the girls.  In addition, girls are often much more vocal than boys and will take over a conversation or brainstorming session.  On the other hand, teaching a class full of girls can be very draining.  They are dramatic.  They are mean to each other.  I preferred the boys over the girls.

That said, is it good to separate kids by gender when the reality of life is that they won’t be separated in college or in the workforce?  I’m all about preparing kids for the “real” world, and they are going to have to learn how to handle themselves eventually.

It’s a tough question that has no easy answer.

4.  What’s your favorite spice? Your favorite dish containing your favorite spice?

I love thyme.  I use it in a lot of my soups.  It is very flavorful.

A recent recipe I made was my Chickpea Soup.  The recipe is here (a few posts back).

5.  Chevron patterns are everywhere!  Do you like it or think its just a little too much? Do you own anything ‘chevron’?

I have knit a few chevron patterns, and I like them.  They are pretty when paired with striped yarn.  A few years ago, I made a pair of chevron socks that I still wear sometimes.

6.  What’s something you disliked as a child, but can fully appreciate now?

I really disliked naps when I was a child but absolutely MUST have them now!!!  I don’t know a weekend that goes by without snoozing a bit during the day.  My naps help keep me sane.

7.  What can irritate you very quickly?

People who talk down to me irritate me.  I feel like I have worth as a human being, and to deny me enough respect to talk to me in a voice that is not aggravated or condescending both irritates me and hurts my feelings.

8.  My Random Thought

I’m trying to do better with my cooking.  With Rooster attending college in town for the interim, I have another meat-eater in the house, and he likes to have a fully belly.

Two nights ago, I made cutlets, rice, brown gravy, corn, and biscuits…from SCRATCH!

The guys ate three platefuls.

Pele found himself a comfortable place close by in the hopes of catching a morsel or two (look at his eyes)…

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: School House Rock, Wednesday Hodgepodge |