Sunday, March 24, 2013

#Wishes! Beyond The Secret - A Very Interesting and Enlightening Read : ) #TheSecret #SteveHarvey #LawofAttraction #LOA #GenieWishes #MakeAWish!



Make Your 5 Genie Wishes! 


5 Genie Wishes, as a way to help you fall asleep faster and much easier... it works! 

Generally, my Genie wishes are soo elaborate, lots of extra detail, like a little discussion of all that the Wish entails, so, more often than not, I nod right off before I'm even started on my First Genie Wish - haha! 

Anyway, that said, I love the whole concept of making wishes, there's nothing wrong with that, is inappropriate for some meannie (it's always a meannie) who says, Ach, that's jus' 'Wishful Thinking' - Yes, it IS Wishful Thinking - and that's a VERY good thing - Wishes are just Hopes with another name, and they give you a very nice glimpse into your possible futures, what you REALLY wish would happen for you in your life, so, go on and make all the wishes you want, then go out and make all your wishes come true! : )


This of all the wonderful things you can Wish for, and list them when you are ready to fall asleep - it's a great way to put things in order, in your own head, a new way to prioritize what's important to you, today : ) 




Make A Wish - Make 5 Wishes! 

Try making your 5 Genie Wishes - or any kind of wishes, or any kind of list, to help you fall asleep at night - it really works! Night night! lol! : ) #GetAGoodSleep!

Go ahead and do your 5 Genie Wishes - is very good for freeing your mind, you can wish for anything you want, it doesn't have to be altruistic, like you would do in a prayer (prayer is good, too, of course!), and your 5 wishes can change every day, as your life changes, and your interests and desires change. Make a Wish, Baby - Make 5 Genie Wishes! : )


I just finished reading Beyond the Secret, by Dr. Lisa Love.  Very interesting.  I never did get around to reading The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne, but I love Steve Harvey, and he mentions it a lot in his books, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man... and Steve Harvey mentions The Secret on his TV show, The Steve Harvey Show (10am, Monday to Friday, on Channel 52 KSTW).


 There you go - this link to Barnes and Noble will take you straight to Beyond the Secret, by Dr. Lisa Love.

Anyway, Steve Harvey talks about The Secret a lot, enough that I was thinking about it when I was at the library, last week... some sections of our favorite library are kind of a mishmash of books, which is, in itself, sort of funny (but makes it tricky to find books without asking someone, or looking them up online), but that mishmash approach worked in my favor, last week, since I accidentally came across Beyond the Secret, so I picked it up, checked it out, and voila, now I've found a new book and perhaps a new approach to life! TaaDaa!! I'll definitely let you know how wildly successful I become, as soon as it happens... will start putting the energy out there to become wildly successful (so I can help even more people...!), since the whole premise of the book is taking a more spiritual approach to the whole Law of Attraction Principle. Very interesting, right?  I really liked it : )

 And this link will take you straight to Steve Harvey's books - I love them all - funny, straight-forward, and really good, solid, advice : )

I like anything that brings greater insight into yourself, helps you cope better with life, teaches you little bits and pieces that will help you to have a happier, more fulfilled, more joyous and prosperous life, and then you can pass that information and those new skills on to your children, spouse, partner, students, Readers... lol!  Whoever you can pass the information along to, it's all for the Greater Good, right?  Yep!  Hello, Greater Good!

 And this just looks like a whole lot of relaxing fun! lol!

I love the idea of The Law of Attraction.  All very 'power of positive thinking', but with specific goals in mind.  Very useful in just defining what it is you really want or need in your life, and, of course, very interesting how those things can change so drastically over the years.  One thing I really liked in Beyond the Secret was the notion of how what you really, really want might not be what is good for you (well, an old boyfriend comes to mind, here - ugh, what a jerk!!  And I desperately wanted to marry him for years and years, but he was too cool for school to get married, so now he's just an old bachelor - yuck!!  Dodged a bullet on that one! hahaha!)  So it's interesting the concept that although you might desperately seek something or someone out for yourself, the universe might be helping you out by keeping it out of your hands... interesting, huh?  Thanks, Universe!

But I really, really love the concept of the Law of Attraction to bring what you really want and need into your life.  I think it makes you really focus on what you really want, and that, in turn, makes you think more seriously about the steps you might need to take to make that happen - and then there are the incredible gifts from God, or the Universe (pretty much the same thing, for me! lol!).  I am a religious girl, if you haven't noticed, yet (!), so I pray a lot, and I started holding my Bible while I am praying, or put your hands on your bible - as long as you are connected physically to your Bible... it feels very effective.  I first heard of that from Joel Olsteen when he was on Oprah's Master Class, and it really moved me.  I'd never heard of anything like that, before (I'm Presbyterian! lol!  We tend not to do anything that 'hands on', if you will! lol!), but I've been holding my Bible to my heart when I pray, ever since then, and I have to say, what a huge change for the better in my life.  Try it, if you are comfortable with that.

In the meantime, think of the genie in the bottle (nooo, you silly, not Christina Aguilera! hahahaha!), coming to grant you your wishes, and make your wishes right now - go ahead, I'll wait... done??  Now start to bring those thoughts into your life all the time, whenever you remember to! lol!  It takes a bit of determination, but it'll work... and you can learn some really good meditation techniques in Beyond the Secret, too... it just seems like a very kind, very spiritual approach to The Secret... something to think about, and definitely a Good Read!


Oprah's Favorite Things!!


Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Blackboard Wars - very disturbing, on almost every level...

 (Teachers need a good deal on Wine - hahaha!)

So I thought I would give Blackboard Wars one more chance, since the first episode I watched was so disturbing, I just couldn't bring myself to watch the whole thing. There are so many problems with the school, it's hard to know where to start, but I think it is a very clear picture on what a Charter School can be.  For one, the school is run by a CEO, not a Principal, but even Principals can now be referred to as the CEO, and that is very disturbing.  A CEO runs a company with employees, not a school with students.  There is a fundamental difference in managing employees, who, for the record, are being paid, and, for the most part, choose to be there.  We are talking about schools, and our students, not employees, and if you've been in a school like this, you'll know how the actual 'employees' (teachers and all of the school staff) are treated - certainly not with respect.

This 'new' idea of getting rid of all the teachers previously in a school, often a Charter School will start 'with all new teachers', and when they say 'all new', they often mean, brand new, so that can mean teachers with no experience. If you've been a teacher, or you've ever been in a school (most people! lol!), you will know that productive schools need to have a good mix of all sorts of teachers, with a wide variety of levels of experience.  A whole school full of 'brand new' teachers is going to struggle.  All teachers need a place to start, but they need the people in place to help them through the tough days, and to support them where they need the support. In Blackboard Wars, these poor young teachers are being hit (yes, hit), and the principal did absolutely nothing.  That's horrible.  It's too hard to watch, let alone live.  I had a situation where I was in another classroom, and a student walked by from the cooking class in the next room, and this boy whipped an egg at the back of my head.  There were a specific number of male students in this class, this kid had an incredible throw, so obviously athletic... and luckily the egg hit my shoulder instead of my head, but it felt like a rock - was so scary.  I reported it to my administrator, and guess what they did?  Nothing.  Absolutely nothing.  He said there was no way they could possibly figure out which student threw the egg.  Thank God he's in administration and not law enforcement.... ugh.  Ridiculous.  But this is what teachers are dealing with on a daily basis, now... kids who can do horrendous things in the classroom, with no consequences. Is not good for anyone involved.

When education is turned into a business, that just scares me.  It's happening more and more, and is very disturbing.  When did this begin to happen?  Was it when the standardized testing began?  When they first started rating schools?  And why are schools rated?  Shouldn't every school be a great school? Was it when some school districts starting paying for students by the day, as a component of their funding? I'm pretty sure Canadian schools are funded by the year... must look into this as a factor... and I can't understand why not study the school systems around the world who are doing really well with their students, try to emulate them?   The normal systems, nothing extreme.  Extreme is rarely a good option! lol!

If you've seen Blackboard Wars, you'll have seen the bit where the principal says he's been given 5 years to turn his school around, or he'll be fired.  Fired??  A Principal???  What they need to do is go back to 'the good old days', and allow Principals to stay in their schools, let the students really get to know their Principal.  How can the principal be your 'pal' if you have no idea who the principal is, and the principal doesn't have time to get to know the kids?  We used to all have such a great relationship with our principals, as kids.  I loved my principals - they were wonderful, generous, kind and caring.  Not really how you would describe a CEO... I just heard the principal say that when he staffed his school, he accounted for 10% of the teachers not to make it... whaaaat???  10%!  I've never, ever, heard of that. You joined a staff, people of all ages, creeds, ethnicities, specialties.. but you were all there for the students, everyone was excited to be a teacher. What happened to that expectation?

I think things must have taken a serious turn for the worse when discipline that used to be in the classroom went out the window.  I really love my students, and they know how much I care about them, and it's usually a mutual respect, so I have a lovely classroom, but I've gone into classrooms where the kids didn't know me, or had a reaction to what I look like, what my expectations are (high).  It's not often, but when you have a difficult situation like that, you have to be supported by your administration.  I was lucky enough to have a fantastic administrator, and that situation was quickly remedied, but it sure looks like teacher support has diminished to such an extent, often the kids think (or know) they are in charge.

The whole thing is so upsetting.  On Blackboards Wars, it looks like all the staff is worried about losing their jobs, including the principal.  How can anyone do a really good job, and plan to stay for life (like the old days! lol!), if you never know what's going to happen to your job?

Oh, just realized that none of the teachers went to their union leader to help them get some more support... so is it a new system of a Charter School coming in, and the union going out?  There's a good reason why the Teacher's Union exists - it's just necessary to protect the teachers, and in turn, that protects the students.

Oh, man, this poor young teacher - just so upsetting.

I don't know if  can keep watching Blackboard Wars - it's too disturbing.

Okay, they got me at the end of the show... I'll watch it, again... I need to see that they can fix this school, make it work, help the kids : )



Send Flowers at 1-800-FLORALS


  SuperJeweler's Deal of the Day

  10% Off ALL Orders at SuperJeweler.com! Use Code SAVE10SJ at checkout to save. Expires 1/31

Match.com - View Photos of Singles Free

  #1 Dating Site Match.com - View Pics for Free Single Seniors in Your Area Free! - Match.com

  This is the new book about Online Dating, how to make it really work for you - is definitely worth a read : ) 




I love the Entertainment Book - lots of great deals, and you can buy one for a city you're planning to visit, too - tons of great savings, for sure!  LS Deal of the Week 5.00 Carat Pink Topaz and Diamond Heart Pendant in .925 Sterling Silver - $39 + Free VDay Delivery A Little Something for Every Bunny! 99¢ Easter Cards & Invitations at Cardstore! Use Code: CCE3316, Valid through 3/22/13. Shop Now!

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone - go see it - soo funny!

We went to see The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, the movie with Steve Carell and Jim Carrey with the magicians in Vegas - omg, was sooo funny, we laughed all the way through.  Was hilarious!

 Alan Arkin is soo good in this seriously funny movie, and Olivia Wilde is great, too - she's so pretty, and her role is very sweet.

And then here comes James Gandolfini, so you're thinking, oh, it's Tony Soprano! lol!

And Steve Buscemi was so good in it, too... really, ignore the reviews that say only a few stars - nooo, it was so funny!  Steve Carell's make up and outfits were hilarious, and Jim Carrey - oh, man, we laughed soo hard!  You gotta go see it! : ) And I really, really,like Jay Mohr,and I just loved his part in the movie... was so much fun!

It was such a great mix of funny, hilarious, and sweet... we all loved it!  I don't want to say too much about it, because the surprises are soo funny, you'll love them : )

And if you haven't seen Identity Thief, yet, do yourself a wee favor and see that movie, too - so funny, and very, very sweet - who knew?  It's great when you get two movies in a row that are really funny : )


Send Flowers at 1-800-FLORALS


  SuperJeweler's Deal of the Day

  10% Off ALL Orders at SuperJeweler.com! Use Code SAVE10SJ at checkout to save. Expires 1/31

Match.com - View Photos of Singles Free

  #1 Dating Site Match.com - View Pics for Free Single Seniors in Your Area Free! - Match.com

  This is the new book about Online Dating, how to make it really work for you - is definitely worth a read : ) 




I love the Entertainment Book - lots of great deals, and you can buy one for a city you're planning to visit, too - tons of great savings, for sure!  LS Deal of the Week 5.00 Carat Pink Topaz and Diamond Heart Pendant in .925 Sterling Silver - $39 + Free VDay Delivery A Little Something for Every Bunny! 99¢ Easter Cards & Invitations at Cardstore! Use Code: CCE3316, Valid through 3/22/13. Shop Now!