Time is Flying By

Wow, it is just days from February....the 1st month of 2010 is almost over. Seems like just yesterday we were saying goodbye to 2009. It has been a bit of a rollercoaster start to the year. I'm happy to be back to work...especially at a job that I really like for the most part. I like to stay on my side of the highway (all the other directors for the city are located across the highway from me). At least most of the staff don't think I'm going to fire them now. We had our first staff meeting this week and I tried to put all that speculation to rest. I'm content with how things are running...just trying to find my own footing.

I've found myself in a very weird place lately. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. I was told recently that I can't take anything on faith and sadly I must admit that's true. I've spent so much time in crisis control that I don't know how to be any other way than to expect the bottom to drop out at any moment. It would be nice to get to a point where I just stop waiting for that to happen.

I heard from an old ghost this week. Sadly, I don't think that ghost is ever going to go away. Things never change...same story...same emails....you'd think he would get tired of this little game but that is too much for a narcicist to do I guess. I can say how I react to him has sure changed. I don't go in to sheer panic mode near as much which is really kinda nice.

It has been so long since I've really engaged in the things I enjoy doing....like camping. It just seems that we can't get away. Between band concerts, debate tournaments, sports, homework, etc., we can't just rumble off into the night and enjoy being under the stars and that is 1 thing I will say for Texas...the stars at night really are big and bright.

Okay...so this post is a little bit of a ramble again...just finding it hard to engage but, want to keep writing so perhaps at some point those words will just flow again....until then

xoxo
Pandora

Common Sense....Not so Common

Okay....this post is a continuation on a theme lately I guess and one from the not so distant past. I really have issues with public schools and bureaucracy. Most of you are familiar with the whole "if your daughter doesn't pass this test we are going to send her back to 8th grade" BS that the school put J through at the beginning of the school year. She kicked ass on the test and was able to tell them I told you so. I was highly irritated at the time because they made assumptions about both myself and my child before they even spoke a word to us and realized we weren't the "typical" homeschool stereotype. Well, that ugly little assumption has raised its head again and I'm so not a happy camper. The schools do what they call "flex time". At the end of the year, if you've performed well on your TAKS test, passed all your classes, had good attendance, etc., you are allowed to finish school a week early - Calendar 1. If you haven't done these things, you have to attend 3 mandatory Saturday schools between now and the end of the year to prep for the TAKS, you aren't allowed to be exempted from any final exams, and you have to attend that week of school - Calendar 2. We received all three kids first semester report cards last week. I was very proud and happy to report that all 3 maintained all a's for the first semester in all classes and they are taking primarily honors courses. In fact, J did so well, she is getting a military ribbon in Jr. ROTC for academic achievement. So, you would think that all 3 kids would be on Calendar 1 right? WRONG! J got stuck on Calendar 2 and it is simply for no other reason that she was homeschooled last year. Being the bitchy mom that I am....I went to the school to have them explain to me just how my daughter is stuck taking Saturday school with kids in remedial classes and she is assigned to the Peer Tutoring program as a tutor. Does that sound like someone needing extra time in school to review for the TAKS? You would think that common sense would apply here right? WRONG! Apparently, common sense is really not common in the public school systems (or life I guess but today my rant is about the schools). So...not only have they sent these letters home and blindly made these assessments without looking at the whole picture/whole child. ....they sent ALL of the counselors and academic program staff to a training. So let me get this straight...you take all the people who can assist parents/students with this calendar 1/2 issue...and send them to a training right when you send these letters home and parents will have questions and want to resolve them? Wow, what mental giant decided that?!? I am so happy I wasted my morning at the school only to be told that no one on staff can help me....not even the Freshman principal because this isn't up to him it is up to someone that reports to him?!? Start the bail fund now....because I'm NOT sending her to Saturday school. She shouldn't be punished for being an intelligent young lady who kicks ass at everything she takes on...including their stupid rules.

Protective Pandora wishing you a happier day!

XoXo

Playing the Game in the Good Ol' Boy Network

So....these last few weeks at work have been a real eye opener. I knew Texas was still WAY behind on women's equality but, I didn't realize just how far behind. I've been to a few staff meetings lately and I'm always greeted with..."Didn't you get the memo....you're supposed to FIX us breakfast". It is never bring breakfast....it is "fix" breakfast. So today....I'm fixing breakfast. Keep in mind that these men are baby boomers and aren't quite sure what to make of me anyway just yet. Given their ages though, I thought it only appropriate to "fix" them a healthy breakfast that would be good for them...so Cheerios for their cholesterol and 2% milk it is! It will be interesting today at staff meeting to see if I'm asked to fix breakfast any more :)

On a more serious note....this is just a little taste of what has gone on. I did some research and realized that all the directorships held by men make no kidding you $20K more a year. It isn't that they have been here longer....or that they have a lot more responsibility. Those same positions all received $5K pay raises this fiscal year. You can bet I stood up and took notice. I'm not addressing this just yet....I'm learning how to play on their playing field but, if they thought I was some sweet young lady who would be walked on and know my role...wow were they ever wrong.

I am woman...I am Pandora...hear me roar >^..^<

xoxo

Raising a Generation of Entitlement

Okay....so my blogs have been sort of random and without much direction lately because I haven't felt any real passion about anything. Well....today that changed.

My daughter works very hard at school. She completes all of her assignments on time and goes above and beyond what is asked of her to do. She is in all Pre-AP classes (honors classes for those of you unfamiliar with the education system). She plays sports and she competes in academic events for the school. She was crushed tonight when she got a single bad grade that killed her average. Now, I keep telling her it is not a big deal. It is the 1st week of the 9 weeks and she has plenty of time to kick that grade up but, I'm certain she is upstairs crying her eyes out as she showers because they were about to start flowing when she left the room. Bet you think I'm going to whine about the teacher right? Wrong!
I'm going to bitch about the parents that do their kids homework for them. She said to me, "Now K and M are going to tease me even more that they have a better grade than me." I made mention to her that "K's" mom is an algebra teacher so of course she is probably pretty good at math. I was a little surprised when the response I got was, "Her mom does her homework for her." Nope, don't think I'm overreacting here and that there aren't parents out there who do this for their kids....because I have had 6....yes 6 emails and letters sent home in A's class telling asking parents to quit sending in their kids homework in the parent's handwriting. That the kids need to do their homework themselves. Wow, how sad is it that we are doing our kids homework for them.
I read an email exchange between a parent and a teacher today where the parent is complaining because the kid didn't get a "review" prior to the test. What the kid failed to tell the parent was not only did he get a review they were given class time to study and he opted not to. He even got the opportunity to make corrections to raise the miserable grade he got and the mom is still bitching.
We have all these parents who when little Johnny ends up failing out of school or failing in life sit back and wonder...where did I go wrong? They wonder why their kid is so disrespectful when they get in to high school or feel the world owes them and they are never wrong. Well DUH!!! We are raising a generation of entitlement. They aren't generation Y or Z any longer unless you rearrange those letters and put them with an LA in front!
I would much rather my child earn her bad grade than have me do her work for her and I earn her good grade....but I guess I'm not the typical parent these days. So....as I hug her goodnight tonight, I will tell her again how proud I am of her for doing her OWN work....and being active in her school and being the best kid she knows how to be....other than I really wish she would exchange those friends but...that's a lesson for another day.

*side note....I really don't think she got the grade she did anyway..I think it is a major typo in the computer gradebook but none the less....I'm not going to blame the teacher....just let R figure this out for herself.

A parent entitled to be pissed off!

Pandora

Stop the Ride, I want to get off...

Well, isn't life a carnival ride? I've noticed recently just how busy I've been and I can't decide if that is good or bad. I was putting together my "work" calendar today. Over the course of the next 10-12 weeks I have about 8 -10 trainings! The good thing is most of these are webinars or self-paced courses....I love those :) There wasn't much "white" space left on the calendar when I got done though...and I haven't even put in the "home" stuff yet. The kids are keeping me jumping and running all the time...between basketball, music memory, rotc, debate, and all the other 900 things they have to be at school for either early or late I'm living at the library or the parking lot of the school.
So am I the only one that is stopping myself to say when does life slow down? I don't want to get back in to the same rut I was in before my mom passed away....all work and no play. I want to be able to enjoy life a little because if mom's death has taught me 1 thing it is that life is way too short not to do the things you love. I do have to say this....I really like my job. It is nice being able to actually do something where I'm appreciated. It makes the 10 hour days worth it right now :) I just want to make sure I find the right balance for myself and my family.
I don't mean to sound like I'm whining because believe me....I'm so thankful in this economy to have a job that I really like to go to every morning...even if they still call me "interim" ( Must admit that is still causing a twinge of anxiety...I will be so happy when they take that little word off there.). I just don't want to set an example for my kids that says working is all there is to life. I want them to be able to enjoy what life has to offer and realize working is what we do to afford the pleasures in life that make it worth living...but not lose sight of the beautiful things life offers us for free....like all you people who read my blog that I adore!

Okay....I'm just rambling now but, felt the need to try to blog something worth reading :)

Wishing you bliss
XoXo
Pandora

Employment is sooooo GOOD!!!

Okay, so tomorrow is my first "official" day on the job. I am very excited!! I went to a training today and who woulda thunk that fixing books could be so much damn fun!!!!!! I actually went to a training where I learned something that I think I would really like to try my hand at...so next time your spine is breaking or your tunnel is jammed or your signature comes undone just give me a ring and I will step you through putting that puppy back together :)
It is a little funny I have to admit....the younger staff absolutely love me. The older staff aren't sure just what to make of me yet :) I'm a little "techy" for them. I am anxious to jump in and actually make the place my own. I think there are so many cool things that can happen. It has been a very long time since I was this excited about an adventure and that is definetly what this is going to be...an adventure. I'm just hoping to avoid the small town politics as much as possible. Wish me luck!!!

Hugs & Kisses
Pandora

2010 Handbook

This was sent to me and I thought I would post it here. We can all find something in this handbook to work on. Peace & harmony xoxo

2010 HANDBOOK

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything..
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least:
40. Tell people that you care... I just did.

Avatar

I rarely post about movies or things that I watch...but, I'm wondering if any of you have seen Avatar? I went with a group of 30 of my closest friends...okay well not closest but, 30 people none the less. We watched the movie in 3D. I must tell you, normally I'm not sure these types of movies are really my cup of tea. I was stunned and amazed at the sheer beauty of the movie and the planet Pandora....ironic isn't it...the name of the planet is Pandora. If you haven't seen the movie...I'm not going to spoil it for you here but, I wanted to take a minute to highly recommend you see it and to check all your preconceived notions at the door when you do. It might open up a whole new realm of thinking for you....it did for me.

Signing off from planet Pandora...

xOxO

Pandora

Welcome 2010....

Okay...so it is already 2010. The holidays are a blur. One minute it is Thanksgiving and the next I am taking down Christmas lights and the tree. The holidays are always a tough time of year for me and this year was no exception. It is the first time in 38 years that I didn't spend New Year's Eve with my Mom. That is a lot of ball dropping. I spent New Year's eve this year standing outside under the blue moon at the stroke of midnight staring up at the stars and feeling the cold bite of the wind on my face wondering what the new year held for me and remembering where I was at that moment the year before....standing outside in Colorado watching for fireworks over Pike's Peak.
I really hope that 2010 holds some peace and closure for me. The job hunt is hopefully winding down. I think I might actually know something in the next week or so...everyone keep their fingers crossed for me. I think I might be able to have my mom's estate closer to being settled...but not holding my breath since it has fallen through so many times recently. I'm ready to move on completely from the old job and close those doors. I'm not going to burn the bridges...at least not all of them but, the connection I thought I would continue to feel seems just a little twinge of what I thought it would be. I'm ready to move on....about a lot of things apparently.
I hope everyone got what they wanted for Christmas this year and if not you have permission to go and get it for yourself! I hope 2010 brings you all blessings and happiness. Keep reading...I hope to be back to my witty self in the near future.

XoXo
Pandora