Last week I wrote about the Hunger Games Trilogy. Then as Fa was recovering from the stomach flu we were watching America’s Funniest Videos and found The Pug Trilogy. Watch it — it is a hoot. http://youtu.be/iayXoaSDows
How Do You Know Your A Teacher? By Jeff Foxworthy
A teacher friend of mine shared this on Facebook and thought I really needed to share it with others because it is 100% on point.
- You get a secret thrill out of laminating things.
- You can hear 25 voices behind you and know exactly which one belongs to the child out of line.
- You walk into a store and hear the words, “It’s Ms./Mr. ____________ and know you have been spotted.
- You have 25 people who accidentally call you Mom/Dad at one time or another.
- You can eat a multi-course meal in under 25 minutes.
- You’ve trained yourself to go to the bathroom at two distinct times of the day, lunch and planning period.
- You start saving other people’s trash, because most likely, you can use that toilet paper tube or plastic butter tub for something in the classroom.
- You believe the Teacher’s Lounge should be equipped with a margarita machine.
- You want to slap the next person who says, “Must be nice to work 7 to 3 and have summers off”.
- You believe chocolate is a food group.
- You can tell if it’s a full moon without ever looking outside.
- You believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says, “Boy, the kids are sure mellow today.”
- You feel the urge to talk to strange children and correct their behavior when you are out in public.
- You believe in aerial spraying of Ritalin.
- You think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.
- You spend more money on school stuff than you do on your own children.
- You can’t pass the school supply aisle without getting at least 5 items!
- You ask your friends to use their words and explain if the left hand turn he made was a “good choice” or “bad choice.”
- You find true beauty in a can full of perfectly sharpened pencils.
- You are secretly addicted to hand sanitizer.
- You understand, instantaneously, why a child behaves in a certain way after meeting his/her parents.
Sharing Sunday
Each Sunday, I would like to share with you some of the other amazing blogs that I have discovered. These are the ones that I consider the most interesting for the week. I will provide one post in the following areas: Delightfully Delicious which will provide a recipe or some other type of food post, Fabulously Funny which will be something to make you laugh, Nifty Notions which will be a new idea or concept that may inspire you in some way, and Radical Reflections which will look back at one of my most popular post of the week. ENJOY!
Delightfully Delicious
Hunger Games Cupcakes — At the blog, Young Mom Decor, she celebrated the Hunger Games with a nature theme. Check it out, and if you make the cupcakes, “May the odds be ever in your favor!”
Fabulously Funny
Please Tell Me This Won’t Happen To Me — These jokes about being forgetful and old age had me rolling!! Is It Possible To See It All is sure to have you laughing too. Please tell me this won’t happen to me when I am old? Oh wait — I am old!!
Nifty Notions
Paint Chip Word Family Game-– I am always looking for easy cheap ways to help Fa become a better reader. I blogged about how to increase reading, but I found this grand idea at Pink and Green Mama. E
Radical Reflections
Top 10 Most Important Manners According To Parents — Believe it or not, this is still the most popular post for the last two weeks. I think it is a statement that parents want their children to develop good manners. I would like to know if you agree with these as the top 10 most important manners.
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- Sharing Sunday (whatsupyournose.wordpress.com)
- Sharing Sunday (whatsupyournose.wordpress.com)
Silly Saturday: People Of Walmart
Whenever I have a bad day I love to go the website People of Walmart. This video gives you an overview of this site. Believe it or not the guy at 1:46 lives 3 houses down from me!!
Burned Biscuits
My mom sent me this email, and it filled my bucket. So, I thought I would share it with you. I do not know who the author is but I don’t take any credit.
When I was a kid, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage, and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed!
Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don’t remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that ugly burned biscuit. He ate every bite of that thing…never made a face nor uttered a word about it!
When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I’ll never forget what he said, “Honey, I love burned biscuits every now and then.”
Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night, and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, “Your momma put in a hard day at work today, and she’s real tired. And besides – a little burned biscuit never hurt anyone!”
As I’ve grown older, I’ve thought about that many times. Life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people. I’m not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. But what I’ve learned over the years is that learning to accept each other’s faults – and choosing to celebrate each others differences – is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.
And that’s my prayer for you today… that you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, he’s the only one who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn’t a deal-breaker!
We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!
Hunger Games – The Movie
The Hunger Games (film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Yesterday I reviewed Hunger Games the books which I devoured over Spring Break. I promised to review the movie which I went to watch Sunday April 15 with my oldest daughter. K went to the midnight premier of the movie a few weeks ago, but she was willing to humor her old mom and go with me to see it. Let me just say right off the bat the movie was close to the plot line which is quite unusual in my opinion when a book is made into the movie; yet, the movie was sorely lacking.
I have heard people give rave reviews of the movie — not so much my opinion though. I was completely disappointed when I left the movie theater probably because I was emotionally invested in the books. My first compliant was the jerky filming that occurred at the beginning of the movie. I quietly whispered to K, “I think the jerkiness symbolizes the instability of the entire situation.” K quietly nodded as if she was considering my point and was going to rebut when she leaned over and responded in the normal teenage wisdom, “I thought it represented the fact the cameraman was having a hard time holding on to the camera.” Needless to say, it was all down hill after that.
My second compliant was that the characters were flat and dull. I didn’t feel any of the passion that exuding from Katniss Everdeen in the book. I expected a tomboyish girl that firmly stood her ground and lived with her heart on her sleeve. Instead I got a young lady, that at all times seemed unsure of herself and very frightened. I never even bought in to the relationship with Peeta or Gale. She just kind of reminded me of a limp noodle!!
My third complaint was that the background information was vital to the movie. In the books, I felt I had enough information to make the jump from our current world to a world where the land mass is smaller and food is scarce, and there is a powerful crushing central government that harvests the remaining resources through slave tactics to prop up their good life. As I watched the movie, I kept wanting to know more about each of the districts that the tributes represented and how they reached this point in time. I understand that the video they showed in the reaping was suppose to provide that information, but I wanted to see it from the prospective of one of the young characters — Katniss, Peeta, Gale. Of course, in the book, there was narration that painted those pictures for me, but when I left the movie theater, I told K, “If you had not read the books, you completely wouldn’t understand the meaning of some of the other parts.”
Finally, I didn’t like the few changes they made from the book to the movie such as Sennaca being left with night lock or the elimination of Madge. Madge was important considering she was the only female friend that Katniss had. Madge added another dimension to Katniss. All I can say is that a man most of made the movie and totally didn’t understand the importance of our “girlfriends” and how they complete us!
There were a few things I liked: I liked the wolf things!! They scared the pee out of me literally. I liked how cute Gale was! I liked how Cinna was portrayed very true to character. I liked Effie Trinket! I liked the selection at the reaping (this was the only part of the movie that made me cry)! I liked that I got to go with K.
Overall, it was entertaining. If I would have known now what I knew then, I would have waited to see this movie on DVD from Redbox or on Netflix. Note to self — make sure to see the next two movies from the series on Netflix.
One final note — I still firmly believe that the books are always better than the movie!!
“May the odds be ever in your favor!”
Related articles
- The Hunger Games – The Books (whatsupyournose.wordpress.com)
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The Hunger Games – The Books
Music of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I am not a big fan of most trilogies. I feel that the middle book is always weak, and they are only written to capitalize on the money-making opportunity instead of the development of the story. I did enjoy The Lord Of The Ring trilogy which I studied in college; however, I have never been able to watch the movies though I have heard that they were nicely done. The next trilogy I read was The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I also watched the movies, but I have to say that I don’t find the books very high in literary value, but the movies were well done. I think I was drawn into this trilogy because of the perverseness and just had to see what happened next which some will say is a sign of a good book, but I am not so sure…. it might be a sign of my warpped mind!
The Hunger Games (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
My latest trilogy endeavor is the popular Hunger Games. I read the first book with one of my English classes the two weeks before Spring Break. I was sucked in immediately! I felt the characters were very well developed and the setting was realistic. I have heard complaints that there wasn’t enough background information, but I disagree. I could easily make the jump from our current world to a world where the land mass is smaller and food is scarce, and there is a powerful crushing central government that harvests the remaining resources through slave tactics to prop up their good life.
Another part of the book that I could relate to was Katniss Everdeen’s, the female protagonist, internal conflict. She feels very confident in who she is before the “reaping,” but after the reaping, she becomes aware that her confidence is an illusion, and she is not sure of who she is, how she fits into this world, and who she actually loves (Peeta or Gale). This is very typical of most teenage girls as they transition from the safe world of home to a life of their own. Just as in my review of Mirror, Mirror , this book down plays the “damsel in distress” archetype, and it is up to Katniss Everdeen to save the world – literally.
I quickly devoured the remaining two books over Spring Break — Catching Fire, and Mockingjay. As expected, the middle book was slow, but necessary to complete the last book. Again the strength of these two books lies in the development Katniss and her relationship with the world around her!
After reading the entire series, I realize that the author was driven by irony. I am not going to spoil it for you — if you have read it, think about the reason Katniss ends up in the Hunger Games and then think of the irony of what happens near the end of the last book with Prim. Needless to say, the odds were never in Katniss’ favor!!
I will review the movie in comparison to the books next post!
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Mirror, Mirror: A Tale of Snow White
Last week was Spring Break week for us, and I have really used this time to catch up on my sleep reading and some movies I have wanted to see. The other day I went to see The Lorax with some amazing family. The day before that I took my niece and my youngest daughter to see Mirror, Mirror which was a “version” of Snow White. I have to say that I was really interested in seeing Julie Roberts play the part of the evil stepmother, but didn’t expect too much as far as the plot. Well, I thought Julie Roberts did a great job, but there was enough of a plot twist that held my attention too.
I have to say that I like how the newer movies have started to down play the “damsel in distress” archetype. Don’t get me wrong. I want my girls to be ladies, but at the same time, being a lady doesn’t mean being helpless. In this movie, Snow White goes out to save her kingdom and becomes a SOLDIER. She cares about the “common” people and stands up to what is wrong. Yet, she is still beautiful and smart and still gets the hot prince, and she doesn’t need a kiss to awaken her! She even comes across a bit more “with it” than her accident proned prince. She actually rescues the prince in this version!
Of course, as with most movies, I believe this movie is another social commentary on consequences of a selfish greedy government. But overall this is a kid-friendly movie. There is enough action for the boys and there are enough pretty dresses for the girls. 
Most of the suggestive jokes go right over the kids heads just like the social commentary. I thought Snow White, played by Lilly Collins, and the evil step-mother, played by Julie Roberts, were well-done. I felt the seven dwarves which don’t even have their typical names were a little lame though sometimes funny.
I know there is another Snow White movie coming out called Snow White and The Huntsman which looks more adult-like.
I will have to go see that one just to compare. However, I feel Mirror,Mirror could be good for some simple basic entertainment, but it could also open up some discussion with older children. Here are some ideas:
- Families can talk about how this take on Snow White compares to other versions of the beloved fairy tale. In what ways is this Snow White more assertive than other representations of her? How are the dwarfs a bigger part of the story?
- What does Mirror Mirror have to say about vanity? What are the literal and figurative costs of the queen’s vanity? Should it matter if you’re the most beautiful person around?
- Why are princess tales so popular? Does this spin on the princess story have a more progressive message for girls than previous versions
There are several movies that seem to downplay the damsel in distress, but the newest one due out in June is Brave. I have added that to my list as well!
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Spring Break Is Over
Tonight (Sunday April 15, 2012) is the last night of our Spring Break, and I have to say we are all a bit gloomy. We have had soooo much fun together. I really do love spending time with my family, and we had fun this week. Here is a recap in pictures.
We started on Saturday April 7, 2012 with a family Easter Egg Hunt at my mom’s house — Nana’s and Papa’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt features 190 eggs for 4 kids to find and about 100 lbs of candy!!
Did you notice my Fa wearing my snow boots? She has her own style. It was also my brother’s and sister-in-law’s anniversary!! It was just an all around good day with the family. I did miss my K who went to the beach with her dad.
Then on Tuesday April 10, I took Fa and my niece to go see the movie Mirror, Mirror.
The girls came home and played and it was just a great day.
Then the next day Wednesday April 11, Fa and I went to the movies with my niece and nephew to see The Lorax which was great. We enjoyed some Sweet Frog frozen yogurt which my adorable nephew calls Happy Frog which works because we were happy! I love to spend time with them and wish we could do it more often!
Fa and I went from Sweet Frog over to the mall and enjoyed some of the festivities over there. First they had a petting zoo —
Second was making a wish —
The day ended with a train ride — it was a tiny train, but Fa loved it.
Thursday and Friday we hung at home which Fa loves because she can just PLAY! We did go to the library for a few hours on Thursday. Then on Saturday, K, Fa, me, T, and K’s boyfriend went to our local theme park Kings Dominion. We had a good time riding rides and laughing.
The night ended with an impromptu cookout with my crew and my brother’s crew and another cousin and aunt showed up as well. We laughed so hard my stomach hurt and my husband said he had a headache!! I love getting sick off of happiness!
Then today, I spent time with K going to see the Hunger Games, visiting my mom, and taking some batting practice. Needless to say, we aren’t looking forward to school tomorrow, but we have to do what we have to do, and I can smell summer around the corner. Any thought of teaching summer school is out the window if Spring Break was a preview of what is to come! Thank you God!
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Sharing Sunday
Each Sunday, I would like to share with you some of the other amazing blogs that I have discovered. These are the ones that I consider the most interesting for the week. I will provide one post in the following areas: Delightfully Delicious which will provide a recipe or some other type of food post, Fabulously Funny which will be something to make you laugh, Nifty Notions which will be a new idea or concept that may inspire you in some way, and Radical Reflections which will look back at one of my most popular post of the week. ENJOY!
Delightfully Delicious
Oatmeal-Yogurt Pancakes With Blackberry Crush — You have to go to this blog just to look at the pictures. My mouth was watering. Can not wait to give it a try!
Fabulously Funny
Misfortune Cookies — Fortune cookies are always good for a laugh, but please help this blogger figure out the message from her fortune cookies!
Nifty Notions
Homemade Microwave Popcorn— Here is a neat idea to make your own homemade microwave popcorn instead of buying the prepackaged stuff. I am definitely trying this!
Radical Reflections
Top 10 Most Important Manners According To Parents — I wrote this way back in February and this was the most popular post this week. I would like to know if you agree with these as the top 10 most important manners.
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whatsupyournose 