Fun with Blogs

Friendster Layout

Love this stuff

I DID IT!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!

Puppies

This is just an attempt to see if I can download a picture to my blog post. Let's hope I get it right.

Getting ready for summer

Well, we are finally doing it. We are going to the pool store and buying a pool. I'm excited about having a place to swim this summer. It is so convenient to have one in your own back yard. I have spent the past few summers at a local pool where all the elderly people are. It was a condo pool I was allowed to join and many of the elderly Suffern residents live there. At least I won't have to worry about how I look in a bathing suit. There won't be any body to impress. Also looking forward to having friends and family over for fun in the sun and grilling on the barbecue.

Reflections about class

At the beginning of the course, I was disappointed that we weren't actually going to meet weekly. I received my Masters Degree from Marygrove College, which is a distance learning program. I was looking forward to coming to class. However, I still enjoyed the class and actually working at my own pace was very convenient.

This class has been an eye opening experience. I didn't know so much was going on with the Internet. I really didn't know just how many people were doing things that I wasn't doing (My Space, You Tube). I also didn't realize how easy it is to connect to other people. Now I know the Internet doesn't have to be a scary place. I was afraid to let my students go on the web. Prior to this course, my belief was that kids were using the Internet for inappropriate things, actually some are. However many good things are also happening. People are communicating and sharing ideas. Much learning takes place, even at sites that I only thought were for playing games.

I will definitely incorporate many of the new literacies I learned about, especially blogging. I would like my class next year to keep a blog. I enjoyed writing and getting feedback from colleagues. I looked forward to reading comments. I believe my students would also enjoy keeping a blog.

Comic Life is also another program I intend to incorporate into my classes next year. I hope my students enjoy creating comic strips. I just have to figure out how to download their photos now. I hope that isn't too hard. Well, if I can figure out accessing my email from a different computer, I guess I can do anything.

Overall, I enjoyed this new "hybrid class." I hope Montclair in conjunction with the East Orange School District offers teachers other opportunities for learning.

Morning Class

So, I'm sitting next to Leslie and she is starting already. I think this is going to be some class. Just joking Leslie. I am visiting an old friend today, Kathleen. We have been friends since high school. I can't wait to see her. I've missed too much time with her and her son. It should be great catching up. I am actually hoping the impending Noreaster is soooo bad, that I have to stay an extra day. Anyway, I am thrilled to have the week off, looking forward to relaxing and finishing up some work for school, Montclair and Marygrove. Can't wait to see Dina's baby, Jenna. She is getting big.

My daughter Melissa is going on a class trip to Washington DC. She is really looking forward to spending time away from home and with her friends. Hopefully she will behave herself and there will not be any nonsense at the hotel.

Ok. Back to class.

Another Bad Day

I don't think I will ever forget today. I had to do one of the hardest things ever, put one of my cats to sleep. Oreo, has been a family pet for over 15 years. She could hardly walk anymore and wasn't able to go to the bathroom. She lost 6 pounds since June, almost half her weight. She was starving to death. The vet said he felt a few masses in her abdomen, probably cancer. It was really hard and I cried a lot. I watched them give her a shot and she slowly stopped breathing. I just feel awful today, feels like I lost a friend. I know it is only an animal and thankfully not a person, but I still feel terrible. I keep picturing her face during those final moments. Very Sad!!!!