Today I spent 2 hours learning about an endless list of carbohydrates.

And today, I also milked a goat, carried baby katjangs, fed them milk, lasso-ed a Kedah-Kelantan and I pinned it down, and then I tied it up, I chased Berbiris around the kandang, finally secured a good hold of one and got dragged around in circles because my gum boots were slippery, pushed them up against the wall, pinned them down, tied them up as well, scooped and transferred Mount Taik, swept and washed the kandang ternusu, and I trudged around in ruminant poo feeling extremely smelly and glamourous.

What did YOU learn in school  today?

apparently our school has some kinda "save threes" installation cum recycling bin aptly planted at our level 4 lobby/mural. someone made a mini sketchbook made of unwanted sheets of used paper and left it there. people started adding stuff to the pages and heres my addition... very therapeutic for my tired doodly soul. i barely draw like this randomly :/

Well, we had Math..quiiiiz. OMGZ, sabaw. :)

And then, English discussion. And then CLE practice. Shai + Edu + Hannah + sexy dance moves = LOL. And then Physics, probset with Mrs. Padlan.

Filipino...SPP. :) Funfunfun. But apparently I have birthing thighs. WTF.

And theeeen ACP quiz. And theeeen practice for Fr. Mazana's bday and Intrams opening.

And theeeen, hung out at the basement for no apparent reason.

And then, over to Eduardo's house. I invited myself over to take a shower. HAHA. Because I needed to at least smell good for the Rotary Induction I was attending. So yeah, I showered and changed and fixed up there and then Eduardo's driver brought me back to school where I met up with Amanda and Sir Arawag. And then, we met up with Bene and Sherj. And then the girls met up with us at The Manila Polo Club, where the costume ball was held. OMG, everyone's costumes were fantabulous. And we ate reallyreally good food and did our performance thingy and then we made pasundo because Amanda and I have tests tomorrow. Sooyeah. Now I'm back home and stilll fuuull. :) FUN.

Picturepicture with Sir and the 2nd years. :)

ILOVEITT.

In case I haven't mentioned this before, my husband and I were both unschooled when we were being brought up. I had it more structured for a long time and did attend school until I was in fourth grade. But was unschooled from there on. My husband never went to public school. We've been involved in an amazing un/homeschool community based around Not Back To School Camp (or NBTSC) that Grace Llewellyn (author of The Teenage Liberation Handbook)started. The people that attend these camps come from all walks of life and have in common un/homeschooling. There is an amazing network that stretches all over the world (as this is how we met Max and his brother). Homeschoolers are out there all around, but unfortunately seem to be spread pretty thin around the world. It's a great treat to get together with unschool friends.

I wish I could describe unschooling. I think the best description of it is "child led learning". Children are innately curious and will learn all they need on their own with the proper guidance from their parent's. It's a pretty amazing thing. John Holt has written several books about the subject. I haven't read them yet, but just got two of them from the library yesterday. And when I was unschooling as a kid there was the Growing Without Schooling magazine. That was something awesome! Even as a kid I would pick those up and read them. Sadly they aren't being published anymore. There was a book made out of the first so many issues, but I have yet to read it. I do wish that was still being published.

It's been a completely wonderfully stimulating few days and so nice to be around someone who thinks like an unschooler. I can't describe the way we interact in any word but "free".

WooHoo!

(PS  If you check out the pictures on the NBTSC site you might just see my husband in there.  He attended camp but also was chef for several years.)

Guys, when you're writing, don't forget to save. Like, hit save every ten minutes, or something. Ha ha ha. I know that's common sense, and I should've done that. But I'm a genius like that. =D

I feel really bad about it right now, really. But there isn't anything I can do. And, maybe God wants me to write about something else. :p Anyway, I have to start writing again now.

Reached home,take a quick bath,jump into bed,Zzzzzzzzzzz.

Today,I drag and forced myself to go to school.After a less than 6 hours of "nap"(which I consider that I don't have much ample of sleep).Being rude to my mum,feel bad over it.Thinking that my mum would be heavy-hearted/irate by my rudeness.My mum seems to be trying to bury the hatchet.I feel bad and awful for what I've said in the morning.Everything is in peace now:)

Tml is PTC ,hope I would not have to face nagging!

“We Americans are singing our hearts out in over a quarter of a million choral groups all across the U.S.,” explains Jon Rose, owner of MyMusicFolders, a company which now is even providing folders for the U.S. Coast Guard Marching Band!

According to a recent study, over 28 million American adults and children perform in professional and community choruses, school choruses, and church choirs, making choral groups the leader among performing arts in the country. Jon and Robbin Rose are typical choral group members and leaders, although they have taken their avocation one step further and developed a line of choir and band folders (www.MyMusicFolders.com) that have been embraced by groups ranging from church choirs to Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks big band, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard Marching Band.

“Robbin and I have been involved in music all of our lives,” says Jon Rose. “We met each other 25 years ago at the University of Montana, where we were both music majors.” Today, Robbin is the executive director of the Missoula Community Chorus, and Jon is a member of the Board of Directors. It was their experience in choral singing that led the couple to design choir folders, band folders, and classroom folders that are an octave above the competition, and rated the most desirable of all music folders available by choral groups around the country.

MyMusicFolders.com offers three types of music folders, with a fourth to be added shortly. The Deluxe Choir Folder features a hand strap along the spine and a detachable strap along the bottom to allow choir members to hold the folder with one hand. According to Jon, “The hand strap is crucial to choir and choral group members. When groups buy binders from office supply stores, members need to hold the binders with both hands. When it comes time to turn the page, they don’t have a free hand.” The Deluxe Choir Folder also has a three-ring binder and elastic cords to securely hold sheet music, and clear pockets to hold program notes and a name card. The folder’s accordion pocket holds loose music, while its pencil holder allows choir members to easily take notes.

The practical Band and Orchestra Folder features reinforced metal corners, a pencil holder, and expandable accordion pockets sized for band and orchestra scores. The Classroom Choir Folder is a simple and value priced alternative for choirs that perform from memory, and feature expandable pockets, a pencil holder, and a pocket for a name tag.

MyMusicFolders.com has recently been named the official supplier of marching band folios for the U.S. Coast Guard Marching Band, and will soon offer the same folios for sale to civilians. “We are proud to have been able to help the servicemen and women in the U.S. Coast Guard Marching Band,” says Jon. The small, lightweight weatherproof music holders replaced those dating back to the 1930s. “We not only recreated the marching band folios, but we made a new and improved version,” notes Jon.

By adding the marching band folios to the MyMusicFolders.com product line, Jon and Robbin continue to fulfill their mission of financially supporting the Missoula Community Chorus through the proceeds from sales generated by the website.

Their commitment to their community reflects trends among members of choral groups around the country. A recent study found that choral group members were more than three times as likely to give charitable contributions to other arts organizations and almost twice as likely to engage in volunteer activities than the general public.

That same study reported that the skills developed through participating in choral groups – teambuilding, listening and following, creativity, discipline, and social interaction – serve to enrich both the individuals and society as a whole. With Jon and Robbin Rose serving as role models, American society is developing a perfect pitch.

About The Author Elisabeth Lawrence is the Senior Editor for Press Direct International. She is a veteran writer and TV producer/director. Received three EMMY awards while at CBS. Wrote for the Wall Street Journal, and as a TV & video consultant, handled material for Fortune 500 clients including Exxon, Pepsico, The Ladies Home Journal, RJR Nabisco, J.C. Penney, Hill & Knowlton and United Artists. editor@intouchmediagroup.com

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409'08

How cold is your bathroom? In winter my brother only washed his cheeks, using two fingers on each hand. Of course when the dirt on his neck became visible my father would take him in for a good scrub then the neck would sparkle pinkly. When I was a teenager I’d get washed, very quickly at night and put on my clean bra; mornings were far too cold for washing and undressing. I totally believe in global warming; kids don’t feel the cold, so why was my childhood icy?

Sunday night baths and bug-hunt; the fine-tooth comb was stabbed into my hair and dragged along my scalp – I thought my mother was the devil-woman for this torture. My father had the job of soaking my head in stinking oil every month, which ruined my Sunday because everyone recognised the smell, and the lank look. As my hair grew longer he’d pull it up into a pony-tail so my friends wouldn’t notice, but I still stank to high heaven. I didn’t care about bugs; but I did care and worry when the bug-nurse was handing out brown envelopes in school – she never had to give me one.

My mother was so old-fashioned that she wouldn’t waste money on new-fangled things like washing-up liquid, soft toilet roll or a potato-masher: she grated soap to wash dishes that had to be rinsed; we had to tear up newspaper into neat little squares for the toilet; and she mashed potatoes with a fork, or made me do it – I hated this job more than anything because it burnt my fingers. I couldn’t understand her, when these implements were so readily available. But she spent her money her way; she bought pancakes and broken biscuits: we never had proper chocolate ones or cakes – but she baked all kinds of great stuff. She took us to the seaside every other day in the summer, twice a year to the carnival and circus – not counting the little ones we discovered on our trips. We had new clothes for both, First Sunday in May and Easter; new nightwear and clothes at Christmas; all this was complemented by the clothes she made us herself…that’s another story.

MoveThatBus.org

It is bad enough that I can't use school services becuase we home school, even though we pay taxes, but enough is enough!

Who in their right mind would think that parking a school bus in a cul-de-sac is a safe thing?

Move That Bus - Chesapeake!

~ Vanessa

- William Stafford

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Monday: It is undoubtedly that I will spend a day from school staring long and hard at my desk's growth spurt of overloading homework and shall inch guiltily away. In replace of any future time wasted, I willingly spent a day at Monash Uni with Andrew to sit through lectures about 3D Vector Planes. Mathematics - love it or loathe it, it's unquestionably interesting. A special thank you to Xuan for sacrificing his time to tutor me ( although I paid more attention to your alien-like equations, it was very much appreciated). Real tuition at Glen Waverley followed after at 4:30pm: I have Mrs. Lin again!

Tuesday: First two periods canceled for an assembly to welcome back the WYD pilgrims. The next two periods was canceled for the Year 10 Subject Selection Forum. In conclusion, Mr. Hadji sounds exactly like Akmahl! At the end of the day, I was retreated to do another KFC Training at Springvale for 4 hours. Quite boring, however, dinner was served = Family Feast. Another thank-you to Kerrydan who made this boring night very entertaining. Hope to one day meet you again.

Wednesday: The highly anticipated Ballroom Dancing with our brother school Salesian commenced during periods 6 and 7. Myself, along with all the girls in the Green and Yellow houses, travelled by bus to Salesian to meet up with a group of boys. We were taught how to dance the salsa, tango etc. At one point, I was dancing with a muzza for about 10 dances because he refused to let go of me...

Me: I'm dizzy

Chris: I'm Greek. *does a head nod*  I'm the Greek you seek baby *wink wink*

So there was a couple of immature boys who used horrible pick up lines but there are some decent guys out there. Just a note: girls are more developed than boys by 2 years.

I was left fuddled at KFC that night as Luke distracted me by pointing up to the ceiling "Oh look! A flying bird!" and when I couldn't find the flying bird, the piece of chicken he was holding had disappeared ...

yang mau sarah ceritain di sini adalah persiapannya. jadi, tanggal 15-19 juli 2008 diadakan pembinaan dari Diknas DKI Jakarta di hotel Atlantic. Di sana, sarah ketemu semua anak-anak biologi yang lolos juga. dari 8 anak yang lolos, 6 di antaranya adalah anak-anak binaan Science Center FMIPA UI.

Ceritanya, aku jadi makin kenal sama anak-anak itu pas pembinaan. waktu untuk belajar di sana banyak yang tersita karena pengajarnya belum datang atau telat. Pas belajar sama kakak mahasiswanya pun lebih banyak dihiasi dengan canda tawa. kita biasa ngejayus di sana. trus belajar kokologi juga. tau kan kokologi itu apa? jadi, semacam ilmu kejiwaan yang berasal dari Jepang.

minggu depan tepatnya tanggal 28 juli 2008 insya allah kami, anak-anak biologi, mau pergi ke Bandung. tapi gak tau deh, kelanjutannya gimana. Surat resminya belum dibagiin,sih! Jadi apakah pembinaan selanjutnya akan semakin seru atau membosankan? kita lihat saja kelanjutannya.
semoga makin seru abis dan bermanfaat. amiiinn

spent a very unproductive and wasted day in school today. all geared up with my laptop, actually intended to do my project and tutorials but i ended up staring into blank air for 3-4 hours and coming out with only FIVE pathetic words in my report. *sigh*

oh well, the main objective of going school was still the SC interview. seriously, should have known better that i'm still unable to overcome my fear of public speaking. very very disappointed, with myself that is.. probably i should have just backed out and stay virtual to save myself from some stress and embarassment. *laughs* okay lah, guess it's not THAT bad but i can pretty much conclude that i still haven't found the courage and way to present myself. way to go, tsehwee..

When I met everyone at Podcamp, I asked about the different services and media that I could use in my classroom.  Since I have such a diverse group of kids, I want to be sure to keep them engaged.  I think that if they are enjoying their work, it will mean less time to make bad decisions.

I'm exploring utterz, mDialog, and several other options.  I want to experiment with a few and select 3 or 4 that would benefit my kids the most.  I'm open for suggestions and encouragement.

I'm not sure how the year will go.  I have a great classroom, lots of support from friends, and administrators who obviously trust me...that could be interesting.  Do they know what I want to do? Yes, and they are encouraging.  Well, am signing off for now...nothing catchy yet but keep coming back.  This is sure to get interesting.

Lisa

This time I was already awake when Dolly started pouring out her energy on the roof (hello again, Dolly!), because the hubby was having a bit of an insomnia bout tonight and woke me up at 3:30 and again just now when he finally came to bed.

The two of us are very nocturnal creatures, usually. We're both at our best mentally when its the middle of the night. The darker it gets outside, the more awake and alert we seem to be. It makes sleeping a bit difficult, though, and it tends to be a touch aggravating with the boys around because while they try to be nocturnal too, they need to sleep at night and keep a schedule for when they start school.

Speaking of school, the other bonus to being awake in the middle of the night is that I can look things up that I never remember during the day, like where to take the Punk to get the shots he needs before school starts, and what the registration date is for pre-kindergarden at the school down the street.

I'm super excited for him, and for me, finally I'll get half my day back (well, half back, I'll still have Button for 2 more years), and he'll get to play with a bunch of other kids and learn all kinds of interesting things!

Basically it was baby sitting. What I didn't like was that my 4 year old was put in time out in his first PE lesson ( he's 4 and it was his first time at school, EVER ), but I wasn't told why. Also, in one day, he managed to lose armbands, a new schoolbag and a towel. Surely the teacher should have been able to keep an eye on at least one of those ?? Perhaps I should have been warned whenever I picked him up and the teacher said, ''Oh he was good today. He swimmed.''

''Swimmed?'' I thought.

Anyway, they refused to go back the second week

My ideal summer school would include a variety of activities- PE, Computers, Art, Drama, painting, Craftwork, Gymnastics, Swimming,Cooking. I would keep them out of the classroom and away from ''school type'' activities as much as possible. But then I don't run the summer school. Take note parents.