I don't always see things very clearly. I look, but I don't see. I don't always get excited or nervous about things that I probably should take more seriously. You know why? 'Cause I'm in denial, sort of. I under-react to things because I don't want them to be a problem. I don't want any problems. Ever. So I refuse to acknowledge them as such. I used to think it was a handy skill born of growing up not wanting to see the way things were in family. Now, not so much. Maybe I have realized that I can take it. Whatever I see, really see for good, bad or ugly, I'll be able to deal with somehow. If there is one thing that I know about myself, it's that I'm flexible, eventually. Maybe not as flexible as some, but enough to work things out and keep my ship afloat. And I know that I have been missing some important information by not really looking at things. I also know that I get very distracted. Internally distracted for long stretches of time. Hyper focused on some things...blissfully (more or less) ignorant of glaring others. Not good. I need to widen my scope. I have asked for perspective several times this year, when I pray, which I do, often. I want to have the gift of perspective which to me means putting situations and people and events and such in their proper context, if there is such a thing. Yet I realize to have true perspective, you have to see things clearly for what they are as well and not just what you want to or are prepared to see. That's an important part of perspective as well.

In 2011, I want to look at things and see them for what they are. I can handle it. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not puffing out my chest and rattling my sabres. This is not a true "bring it" attitude. Not yet, maybe not ever, but I am ready to begin the work of really seeing things. Now knowing what they mean, that's another story. Truly, though I am pretty intuitive and competent with allegory, symbolism and more importantly, human nature so I figure I can muddle through. I just need to have real data to parse here. I need the research and not just the abstract. And so I'll keep praying for perspective this year as well. Just "enhanced" perspective this time.

2011 for me is the year of clear sight. Happy New Year to all. I hope you like what you see.

Boo.

I had to change my email account today. I haven't quite closed it, but I intend to. What a colossal pain in the ass that is! I can't believe it. Someone hacked my email and started sending pharmacy spam out to everyone in my contact list/address book. I had people in there from school, work, mspec and years ago. I also had a bunch of emails that I was saving for one reason or another (digital hoarding, no doubt) but now I'm trying to decide if I need them or not. Hundreds of email. Tedious task.
I hate this and I am pissed off.
Good bye yahoo account. I'll miss you.

Recently Googled terms

Risperdal, side effects autism

That's a load to google, isn't it. It says a lot about me and where I am right now. Left out of the search because it's implied is white knuckled panic attacks uncontrollable crying and anxiety with sleeplessness.

This may be related to another search I've done recently..."menopause symptoms" and "hormonal imbalance" Sheesh. Talk about a full plate. No wonder I spend so much time googling things like "irish dance dresses" and "free new music"

Just sayin' that one thing drives another so to speak.

American Museum of Natural History - Video Mail

American Museum of Natural History - Video Mail

Freedom!

Now that I don't have to blog for a class, I'm free to write whatever I want...so of course I'm stumped. I'm just exercising my write to prattle on about whatever minutiae I like (oh, lovely! I spelled that right...no evil underline to mock me.)

Today was research medication day...shall we try an SSRI for perseverations, rigid thinking and anxiety? Is there any research to suggest that this will work? Will we find a psychiatrist in NJ that specializes in aspergers? That's next on the to-do list.

I also gave 25$ to a NJ based clean water outfit because that's important to me.

I stayed in my pjs all day...because that's important to me too.

I followed cool people who are tweeting from educon about "cognitive load." No, I don't know what the hell that is. Yet. I will.

I watched a movie. The Queen. I think I'll watch another one on iTunes. Becoming Jane. Joe and I were sick today. Digestive complaints. Dave and MK went to Williamsport...hence the major slackification. New word. Slackerizing. Slackdom. Whatever.

The World is Flat so I'm told

First thought is that I have to read The World is Flat now...http://tinyurl.com/y9kdsml. Been putting it off, but it seems like the time. Will give it to my husband for Christmas and then read it when he is finished. It has apparently been updated in 2007, so it will be relatively current (if that's possible anymore.)

And so, I have been saving Chapter 9, "What it all means" for a time when I can pay attention and think about it. Savor it, so to speak. Can Will Richardson hear my Amen from the back of the room? Amen, I say. What I like about Blogs, Wikis and Podcasts is its applicability and good sense. Web 2.0 has changed the way people interact, this affects education...in many diverse ways. Richardson allows that the affect is a challenge for classroom teachers, which it is, physically and psychologically. However, as with any kind of change, using a thoughtful approach and a willingness to try and possibly fail at first, there is quite a lot to be gained. The role the teacher plays will change but will not be diminished in any regard. Richardson states beautifully the ways in which education and teachers will have to change...personally, I'm ok with that. Yet I have posted things on Facebook and Twitter that I have felt to be truly inspiring (and doable!) and have received some (veiled) negative comments from otherwise brilliant teachers, yet when they hear or see the word "technology" they become defensive. There is not just a big physical shift that is necessary, but an attitudinal shift.

I am really excited about the possibilities, and I can tell that Richardson is as well. He is a great model and leader. I would love to hear him speak. But I wish that I could spread some of the enthusiasm without eliciting the fear and anxiety that comes with his message. Having said that, I am willing to try.

Good course. Time well spent. I wish I had had even more time, but to quote the overquoted, it is what it is. Looking forward to more. Thanks.

Visual Vocabulary

Working backwards, I have finally finished the first project assigned. I was a little sullen about having to use Powerpoint, spoiled brat that I am. So I put it off and uploaded something that I had already done. While, technically it could apply because it was a vocabulary of the solar system, it wasn't right. I also was using the useless, frustrating Nokia at the time and had a devil of a time getting images that I could use. Still can't get over the 2 cameras conundrum. And I had started out with a much larger idea for a school project about classrooms and school personnel in Spanish. I had to really scale back, and this is what I finally came up with. I like it now. Again, though, I just feel as though I haven't had enough time to do any of my projects justice and that makes me sad. Anyway, here it is from Slideshare, sans transitions (which really enhance this presentation in my opinion, but what can I do?) I really should try to figure out the optimum size for presentations for this blog because everything I have posted from Slideshare and YouTube get cut off. Ugh.

Los Colores

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