When the Cards Aren't Fair, Change the Game.
This one is for Brenda. Brenda went to the Catholic school up until 8th grade, and so our paths did not cross until freshman year, when I sat behind her (alphabet order) in Mrs. Jack's English class. During this time, her and I perfected the art of passing notes in class. I'm not going to … Continue reading A LOST ART?
I recently was asked an interesting question by a former student who is now an adult, married, and has kids of his own. In short, he is living a great life, and it showed in his smile. I'm paraphrasing here, but he asked me how it feels when I bump into old students. For those … Continue reading IN THE MIND
Hello everyone. Have you ever been to The Grand Canyon? If not, put it on your list. I have had the pleasure of seeing it three times: July 1996, July 1997 and New Year's Day 2001. In the summer, I visited the Southern Rim, looked in, sat and marveled at this physically demanding terrain, overflowing … Continue reading FRIENDS
See Pat teach. See Pat have fun. See Pat have fun while teaching. See Pat connect with other fun teachers to enjoy teaching the kids meaningful life skills, such as the importance of being able to understand and follow directions. See Lisa. Lisa is one of Pat's best teacher friends (and friends in real life....cuz … Continue reading I SCREAM…
Today, September 7, is World Duchenne Awareness Day. This date was chosen because the gene that codes for the missing protein in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy has 79 parts, called "exons." SO...the 7th day of the 9th month is 79....there you go. Clever no? If today is your birthday...then it's a double bonus. (I'm talking to … Continue reading BREAKING BARRIERS
O.K. When growing up, I assumed that everyone lived like me. Actually, I didn't think about it until I started visiting friend's houses in elementary school. I learned that not everyone eats dinner at 6pm. I learned that some families have multiple floors AND multiple bathrooms. I realized that some families have 2 parents who … Continue reading AN IMPORTANT DEBATE
Let's make one thing clear: I am not an individual who needs to be "fixed." I am speaking about my chronic medical condition. I have seen hundreds of doctors in my life, maybe even more, and the vast majority are trained (and rightly so) to diagnose, discuss options (if there are any) and fix. Fix, … Continue reading QUALITY
It's great to have friends that also count as people in your corner. At times, it is also refreshing to learn that complete strangers will help you out as well. This realization helps to restore my faith in the human race. Let's call these people "cheerleaders." Cheerleaders is a quality name for this group of … Continue reading CHEERLEADERS
I'm an '80's kid. Growing up I was a board game kid. I thought everyone had family game night. At our house it was Clue, or Monopoly when the whole family sat down, usually on a Saturday night. Looking back on those years, it was family bonding time except for one problem: when playing Monopoly, … Continue reading GAMES
Then as it was, then again it will beAnd though the course may change sometimesRivers always reach the seaBlind stars of fortune, each have several raysOn the wings of maybe, down in birds of preyKind of makes me feel sometimes, didn't have to growBut as the eagle leaves the nest, it's got so far to … Continue reading TEN YEARS GONE
Moeschen! 