Journal Entries
praxis
Posted Dec 30, 2001
The thing weighing most heavily on my mind right now is the Praxis exam that teachers have to take in the US. At least in California we have to take the CBEST, just to show that we have at least 2 braincells, the Praxis which can be any sort of cruelty, and the SSAT or MSAT depending on whether you are teaching elementary or upper schools like middle, junior or high. What bites is that they are a good way to squeeze money from the already cash strapped teacher. I have passed the CBEST, the hardest part being, for me, the math. I now have to takle the Praxis and SSAT. Do I know enough about teaching and the English Language? I doubt it, but for what I'm being paid, it doesn't seem worth it. Then, when you finish your credential, which is just as much if not more work than a master's degree, you have a piece of paper worth nothing outside of your state. You have to go back and do it again, or at least parts of it if you move. And you don't even have the honor of saying, I have a graduate degree. It sucks! as my students put it. Not that I am against making sure that our teachers are educated, but I think the state ought to help pay for it, and if they don't, it should be counted as a Masters degree.
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Latest reply: Dec 30, 2001
Lord the the Rings and violence
Posted Dec 28, 2001
Some people say I am just too sensitive, but I was completely knocked out by Fellowship of the Rings. I didn't grow up with Tolkein. I read The Hobbit when I was very young, around 9, i guess. Then in college I read the trilogy, but I just didn't care at the time. Too busy reading Plato. Last year I wanted to have my students read Hobbit, but all the other teachers said, no, it's too hard for them. So this year I started reading it to them. They love it, especially with the movies coming out. So of course my husband and I went to see Fellowship in the theaters. What can I say? I had an out of body experience. Towards the end, when Uruk-hai came, I just couldn't take it any more. I was so distraught that I was sobbing. Suddenly I found myself in a room like would be described by Jane Austin. All women, all clean and somebody was playing the harpsicord. The room was bright and pretty. We were all dressed in beautiful gowns. I could hear and see the movie but I was definetly somewhere else. Then when Boromir was being murdered, I finally jumped up and ran, I mean ran, out of the theater. It is just my way to leave when there is too much violence. I come back to my seat when things have calmed down. I've been able to enjoy many movies that I would not otherwise see by employing this method. 7 Years in Tibet, Train Spotting, and Silence of the Lambs are all good examples. I usually come out unscathed. But LOTR was soo intense that I couldn't not watch. When Uruk-hai showed up it was like my system said, okay love, you can't be here.
(There was a very nice man manning the entry to the theatres. He looked like a bouncer and had two siver capped, embossed front teeth. He happened to be walking out of the opposing theatre and saw me sitting on a bench outside of our showing. He asked me what was wrong and I told him, tears running down my cheeks, that I just couldn't take it. He smiled and said, "If you need to talk, I'm right down here." I feebly thanked him. What a friend.) 
Of course when the screaming stopped I came back in and stood at the back until it was over. I think if I had read the book before I saw it, I would have faired better, but still my imagination would be no competition for the work that was put into that film. I never, ever imagine battle scenes. I ususally give them a cursory read just to see who bought it. Being a pacifist by faith, it is hard for me to imagine violence that I have not seen personally.
Anyway, I'm going to go see it again. It's like a roller coaster ride. You just have to get back on. I don't think the violence it too much. Well, it's too much for me. But others shouldn't have to have their experience dimished because I'm a wimp. I can't wait to see the next one. By the way, I re-read Lord of the Rings. Finished the 1008 pages in three days. Whew!
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Latest reply: Dec 28, 2001
salamanders
Posted Dec 22, 2001
12/22/01 We just found a salamander outside our apartment. Is it alive or dead? Do we put it back outside, or do we go to a pet store and buy it a home? If I buy it a home, do I have to convince it that it is eating live food? Is it even alive? Am I the only person in the world who would even care about a salamander? The one thing I do know is that when we touch the tail, it moves. The tail, nothing else. So is it a reaction to the salt on my fingers, or some such thing, or is it really alive? I guess only time will tell. It's not like I run an amphibian ER here. I think I'll take the philosopher's way out and leave it in god's able hands. I wonder if James Herriot would even know what to do?
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Latest reply: Dec 22, 2001
pixie
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