April milestones

          It’s been just a few years since I wrote this post – referring to the stages of life and changes that we hope will never come.  Yet we are tried.  We can’t control what things might happen – good or bad.  For my oldest son’s in-laws, June is a hard month.

           

          For Roland’s family it seems to be April that seasons the time line.  His mom turned 92 yesterday.  Seven years ago we’d gone to Tucson to celebrate her birthday (here).  Nine days later, Roland’s eldest sister passed.  Today we learned that another sister died this morning.  Facebook reminders of two of my boys who married their wives in April.  

      Missionary papers and homecomings in April.  Jenna was also born in April.   This is my first recorded timeline. 

Inconvenience

We had a leak in our pipes

right underneath the sink.

In order to fix it, Roland had  

to turn off the water to the

house. The water meter to

our house is not only in our

neighbor’s yard, it is in their driveway.

What’s up with that?

Agism - Where Do I Start?

Currently, I am taking a class called “Sociology of Aging”.  I know it will be a good class and look forward to these next three and a half weeks.  The course will end before I know it.

My instructor is quite animated and reminds me of my late sister-in-law except happier.  I enjoyed listening to the lecture yesterday as the happiness in her voice and arm movement (I have only had one other instructor record herself).  I know her teaching methods aren’t going to appeal to everybody, but I enjoy the bonus of hearing joy.

I tried reading the book but was becoming bored with the way it was written and turned to YouTube instead and found some informative videos on the subjects and some that came across even more boring than the reading.

I have also volunteered to test market a hotspot device through the school so they can monitor how much time I spend on research and study.  Only they won’t be getting an accurate reading.  My internet, WiFi, hotspot, whatever cuts out on me every day.  Every Day!  I spend more time going from one device to another or not being on the internet at all.  I’ll start assignments or posts (such as this one) on one device and post it on another.              Grrr . . .

          So now that I’ve finished this post, perhaps I should start on my assignment. 

Dash #5 EMES & 40 school lunch

            I don’t remember the elementary school having a particular smell.  I remember the option of two ways to walk there on foot.  Seems like it may have been faster to walk up our street and over on third east and down than the safer way which we usually went – over 240 to 260 and came in behind the school. The playgrounds were behind the school.  

a really ROUGH map of my neighborhood

            Our desks had openings in the front.  They were wide enough to hold two plastic trays.  We called them tote trays.  It is where we put all of our school supplies.  We carried the trays each time we moved for math, reading, science, etc. according to whatever our learning level was.  If someone was absent, the desk could still hold my tray as well as that of the absent student.

            Before peanut allergies was a common thing I remember peas tasting like they’d been cooked in peanut butter.  I kid you not!  To this day I believe the peas at East Midvale Elementary School cafeteria were cooked in peanut butter or maybe a heavy peanut oil that tasted like peanut butter.  Now, I love peanut butter but I HATE peas and cooking them in peanut butter did not improve the taste.  I may hate peas more as a result.

            We had a cafeteria separate from the gym.  I don’t remember if there was a folding door that separated the cafeteria from the gym.  Maybe.  It would have made for more room for assemblies and programs.  The school offered many programs for parents to come and watch their students perform.  It felt like my parents had a lot more opportunities to watch programs than do the parents who have students in schools today.

            We had an old custodian by the name of Mr. Beckstead.  He wore green coveralls.  At least that is how I remember it.  Our lunch trays had compartments, I think two or three squares and a circle, and each compartment was for a different food item. When we were through eating lunch we had to take our lunch trays up to the garbage, but if the monitor was not satisfied with our eating habits, he/she would send us back to the lunch table to finish whatever we hadn’t touched.  Many of my peers would stuff unwanted food into the milk carton because the monitors never checked the cartons.

            When we were in the  5^th and 6^th grade we could help serve food.  In sixth grade, if a student’s grades were good enough and had the desire or were picked, they could work as a safety patrol monitor.  I remember students guiding other students across the street.  300 East is far too busy for a child to fulfill that duty.  It is done by an adult.  I don’t think as many schools offer safety patrol anymore.

Recapping the Last Four Weeks

          On March 18 I started a class in public communications.  My first assignment was to take (or make up) a situation from work and address it.  When I initially looked at it I had decided to speak on connecting parental support to the child’s behavior – but I had misread the point of the assignment.  Fortunately I decided to wait until Wednesday (the day of the lecture) before I started.

          A teacher’s aide, for the most part, rotates among different classes.  The particular schedule I had followed on that day was 30 minutes each with kindergarten to 3^rd grade, most of the time with kindergarten.  Also, that particular position required me to monitor the 4^th grade during recess and their lunch.  I was with the kindergarten class when the fire alarm went off on Monday for a fire drill. 

          By Wednesday I had changed my topic from behavior to the fire drill as the alarm went off a few hours before I returned home to watch the recorded lecture for the week.  The fire drill had been on Monday and there was a real emergency evacuation on Wednesday.  I was with the fourth graders whom I had never lined up with before.

          I found it interesting to compare the fire drill on Monday to the results that took place on Wednesday. Only my first assignment was supposed to be addressing a co-worker or someone I manage one-on-one.  My topic of conversation was not one that I would choose for just one individual but was able to make it work by pulling out a specific.  There have been so many times when I have not had a walkie-talkie with me (mostly because I haven’t made it a habit) but did have on Wednesday but not on Monday.  The assignment I turned in was on the importance of having the radio device with me at all times and not just at lunch.  I imagined the conversation from my manager’s point of view.  That is what I handed in.

          The following week’s assignment was to write a speech that I would give in public.  I was required to give the audience three things to talk about.  I incorporated that we practice fire drills to ensure safety, we are more focused when we are prepared, and when we are focused and calm it is easier to make adjustments – such as evacuating to an area that we had never practiced before.

          I have always been under the impression that the more excuses a person uses to convince another of something, the less believable it is. My throat had been dry since the class had started, and seemed to dry at more as the class progressed.  The week I was to record my speech was not a good week for me.  I hadn’t practiced my speech orally because of my dry throat and the rain fell heavily and was louder than I was I tried recording.  I compared my situation to Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day as mentioned here. 

          I ended up with a 107 out of 120.  Not bad.  I wouldn’t have scored myself that high.  I couldn’t even watch it as my voice didn’t even move in sync to my lips.  That really bothers me.  Now I am waiting for the grades for this last week.  Tomorrow I start a new class.

Coming to an End

                My communications class ends tomorrow.  I need to post my written speech, revised speech, where it went, etc.  I have been able to compare the subject of my assignments to writing the assignments (and presenting one in recording) for the class itself.  I’m sure it will make more sense once I get around to posting either tomorrow or Monday.  Monday seems more likely.  So sorry to keep ya’ll in suspense . . .

Rain, Drizzle, Downpour, Puddles, Sun, Sprinkle, Rain . . . .

            Yesterday it poured buckets.  The rivers and creeks have risen.  Some have overflowed.  I was shocked to hear that schools west of us were closed or on delay.  Wow!  Check out these stories.  There are some amazing pictures that I can’t even fathom.  See here and here.

            Today there was such a grand combination of element changing the sky and the amount of moisture.  A few times we needed umbrellas and galoshes.  Other times sunglasses were required.  Why with all that change did we not see a rainbow?  It must have drown.

Dash #163 Favorite Hymn

What is Your Favorite Hymn?

I've always liked "More Holiness Give Me"

More holiness give me, more strivings within.
More patience in suffering, more sorrow for sin.
More faith in my Savior, more sense of His care.
More joy in His service, more purpose in prayer.

More gratitude give me, more trust in the Lord.
More zeal for His glory, more hope in His Word.
More tears for His sorrows, more pain at His grief.

More meekness in trial, more praise for relief.

More purity give me, more strength to o'ercome,
More freedom from earth-stains, more longings for home.
More fit for the kingdom, more useful I'd be,
More blessèd and holy, more, Savior, like Thee.

Songwriters: Ronald Staheli

For song tune see here.

Journal Entry

            For the entire month of December, I had a problem sleeping.  I couldn’t get comfortable.  I’d stir.  I’d wake up.  I don’t think I ever slept for more than five hours during one night – and it was NEVER five hours in a row. I was even watching accounting videos and still not having success with my sleep!

            This month I am experiencing the opposite.  I can’t ever seem to wake up – not do I want to.  Right now the rain is soothing to my ears even though it’s pounding on the rooftop.  There is something calming about it.  I like to sleep.  I enjoy being restful.  But I’m really not restful if I have too much sleep.

             I finally got my speech turned in for my communications class, but I did not have a good experience with making the video or uploading.  The rain is louder than my voice has been this month.  My entire week has reminded me of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day here.   

         I managed to get meaning out of some of the talks given in General Conference but was obviously not focused on many others.  I’m grateful for the Internet that provides me with an opportunity to review what I have missed. 

            This week will be my last filling in for the position I had accepted back in January.  I was told that someone will be starting on Wednesday.  I have been told that in February and March as well.  Perhaps this third time will be the charm.  Roland wants me to apply for a bookkeeping position and will be doing that the following week.  Don’t know where I will go from there.

Homographs

Same Spelling, Same Pronunciation

Bark is the outside surface found on the trunk of a tree.

Many dogs produce a sound called a bark whenever someone approaches his territory

To court someone is the same as dating.

A court is a place where legal actions take place.

Both basketball courts and tennis courts consist of an area with marks and nets which contribute to a sport.

A courtyard is the area or space between buildings that surround it

To flush a toilet means your sending the water in the bowl into the sewer.  A flush in poker means your cards are in sequence.  

Iron is a source found in meat, some vegetables, and beans.  We need iron in our diets. 

Sometimes when working out, people will refer to lifting weights as pumping iron.

Some water pumps are made of iron - or were.

When we press our clothes, we use an iron. 
Some golf clubs are referred to as irons.

Being kind to someone is treating that person with respect. Kind is also another word for sort or type.

Maroon is a reddish-brown color that some may pass off as purple.

Maroon is a feeling of abandonment or being deserted. If my car runs out of gas when I am on a desolate road in the middle of nowhere, I feel marooned.

I just recently learned that maroon is a British term for fireworks associated with signals.

I may point my finger to indicate direction or item.  Children will often point to the words as they read them.

A point is a tip such as a pencil or a mountain.

Sometimes point can mean the highlight of a statement.  Do you get my point?

When I am looking for fruits and vegetables in the supermarket, I will find them in the produce section.  Another produce means to create something like a movie.

Punch is a drink made from fruit.  It has a different meaning from hitting something (or someone) with my fist.  Punch is also a hole made by a tool such as an awl or a hole punch

Relish is a condiment made from chopped pickles.  Relish is also treasured enjoyment.  I relish the thought of celebrating life with my family.

A type represents an assortment or class of interest or sameness.  To type means hitting the letters on your keyboard with assigned fingers.

Yarn is a heavy thread that is used to knit blankets and crochet sweaters and such.  To tell a yarn is to exaggerate a tale.

Trying to Erase or Fix the Confusion

I seem to have such a hard time waking up and staying focused – which I’m certain my readers recognized with my last post.  Perhaps I should just delete it and start over.

            In August of 2018, I had applied for a teacher’s aide position within the school district.  I had been interviewed at three of the five schools but was not hired through any of them.  Instead, I stayed on as a substitute which gave me the option of filling in for aides at all five schools.  Turned out to be a good fit as it gives me more options and flexibility.  At least it did.

            My first assignment was at the end of September.  I had accepted a position at the middle school.  It was a very positive experience and I had been grateful for the opportunity.  The next day I was filling in for somebody at one of the elementary schools.  I referred to it as my day from hell.  I was not a happy camper.

            One of the aides asked if I would ever come back.  I said I would – though it would not be my first choice.  I had filled in for another aide at that same elementary school and hated it even more.  I no longer accept positions at that elementary school.

            I was not given an opportunity to work at the other elementary until the end of October.  Out of the three schools I have been accepting positions from, this is my favorite.  I can now honestly say that I have put more hours in at this elementary school than the other two schools combined.  The two-week assignment that I had accepted in January has turned into the duration.

            I still have three more classes before I complete my online schooling.  Right now I am taking a class in public communications.  My first-week assignment was to write about a confrontation in the work situation and how I would go about handling it.  Initially, my mind had taken me in one direction than what I ended up writing about.  I briefly mentioned the fire drill and “for-real” evacuation in this post.  From that, I took the importance of having a walkie-talkie on me at all times.  As I am quite low on the totem pole, I imagined the coordinator giving the speech to me.           

            My week-two assignment was to start a speech that I will give for this week.  At first I recorded all the details that happened with the fire drill versus the real evacuation.  I only needed 400 words.  I think I had over 2,000 and so had to cut it down quite a bit and leave out all the details. I should be practicing my speech right now, but my throat has been sore.  Currently, it is raining very hard.  I think the rain is/will be louder than I am.

            It’s been raining a lot.  So often when it is raining outside, I am feeling hot inside.  That doesn’t even make sense to me and yet it really does happen.  I’ve been sleeping well.  Perhaps too well.  I find it hard to get myself up.  I think the weather must be draining me somehow.  Or maybe it’s my daily routine at the elementary school.  The time doesn’t always move as quickly as it used to.

            The internet on my computer seems to reflect my tiredness.  It comes and goes.  Mostly goes.  Spaces out while I am trying to do something – or listen to something.  The internet will “doze” or just cut out and go to sleep.  Maybe that’s what’s making me tired.  For example, I was listening to some songs on YouTube while I started this post.  The internet cut out and I am too sleepy to express anger or frustration.  I’m tired.  And my day hasn’t even started.  I may be taking a nap pretty soon.

Tired and Frustrated

My laptop gets internet

My PC does not

No cloud communication

For quite a while now so

What’s the point?

I started a two-week assignment

January 31 to February 13 –

And I’m still there

A few have asked if I can work

For them

I said “Yes” to one and the boss asked

If I could work longer

Yesterday I had others ask if I could work

May and June.  Their boss (our boss) said “No”

She wants me to continue with the

Assignment I started in January

I have to give a speech this week for

The only class that I am taking right now

I am so glad there is only one.

It was tough taking two classes with work

I know many people work full time and go

To school full time.  I think I

Could handle it once

Not anymore.

I wish my PC was more vibrant

I wish the screen on my laptop was bigger

I wish my house would clean itself

This is a boring post and I

am drained.