Blog Recommendations!

 Some of the blogs that I would recommend are already posted as part of my RSS feed:

My absolute favorite blog is howsweeteats.com Jessica not only posts great recipies, but also has a wonderful writer's voice. I smile every time I read one of her entries. Her homemade snickers bars are a hit at any gathering.

Neil Gaiman also has a blog (within his website I believe), called Neil Gaiman's Journal. I'm working my way through his books slowly alongside my husband, we both like his writing style and sense of humor: http://journal.neilgaiman.com/

Does Tumblr count as a blog? If so, John Green has one that is rather entertaining, http://fishingboatproceeds.tumblr.com/. It isn't a blog that I read religiously (I check howsweeteats daily and get depressed on the weekend when she doesn't post), but he brings to light many different issues. What I like about Green is that he has this hold on young adult society that he uses to keep them informed - he and his brother, Hank, also collaborate on vlogbrothers (a youtube channel) and on Mental Floss.

First Lines

I worked with my "informal editor" tonight at my second job. He is one of my favorite people in the world for so many reasons (not just because he is willing to read my work) - we've understood each other since the day we met.
Whenever we work the same shift I am always left feeling inspired. Inspired to write, do good things, think, continue making a difference through teaching, etc. He's that type of person that makes you feel uplifted no matter what.
Tonight I left wanting to write and continue the stories that bounce around in my head. Time isn't exactly on my side though, I need to sleep at some point.
So I've settled for a small brain dump. Just like an activity from the spring semester with MWP, here are some first lines for stories to come:

It's been bad, it's been bad for a long time.  

To the man I begged to promise me that I wouldn't become one of his stories, I never promised you wouldn't be one of mine.

Red is a power color, Heather thought as she inspected her nails. She was dressed in her typical JCrew apparel, A-line monochromatic dress (royal blue today) with clean nude pumps and a matching cardigan, her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail.

"Don't you ever get bored?" He asked

He was pissed she didn't coddle him, so he overdosed again, this time with Ambien and whiskey.


That's it for today. I wish I didn't need sleep so that I could keep going.

The "King"

I am a fan of Stephen King.

When I was younger I read a few of his Dark Tower series, but my favorite of his works is On Writing - common among English teachers.

In the past week I've received three emails having to do with Stephen King: an interview with the Atlantic - which a good friend sent my way, followed by another article that references the first as well as excerpts from On Writing (sent to me from my principal), and lastly an email from the Portland, Maine Books A Million advertising that King will be in the area in November to sign a recent publication.

The two articles were especially interesting because of the attention paid to King's "pet peeves" or "do not dos" in writing. What I noticed is that some of the phrases he mentions seem to stem from the world of digital writing. Maybe I'm wrong when I think that abbreviations usually found in text messages qualify as digital writing, but it is in a digital setting isn't it?

As much as we encourage digital writing, expression, and communication, we also deal with words and phrases that have become meaningless. King is spot on when he says these phrases should be excised.

Your thoughts? What phrases should be excised in your classroom? How do we keep digital writing (and yes, I am thinking about publication options as well) classy? Why is something in print seemingly more valued that something on the computer screen?
I have so much more to say, but am curious what the rest of you think - share!

Relaxing Sunday

One week into school and it seems that we are all talking about relaxing in the blogging (and ERL 544) world. Here is how I managed today:
Picture 1: Solo bike ride from my house down to Wells Beach early in the morning - so peaceful

Picture 2: Meeting my father later in the morning for our traditional Sunday ride - I wouldn't miss these rides for the world. They are my favorite way to spend time with my dad. We rode all around York (where my parents live) and up to the Nubble Light House.

Picture 3: Stopping at my parents to play with their cats (they were originally kittens that I fostered during college and my parents fell in love with them. My husband and I do not have any of our own...yet). Both cats are more "dog-like" and love to play fetch. I spent a good half hour sitting in the sun on the walkway, drinking coffee and tossing acorns for them to chase.

Now, into the evening, I've packed and arranged lunches for the week, figured out our work schedules, and am now on to the task of grading pre-tests and planning tomorrow's lesson - luckily I've got cookies to keep me relaxed.

My Secret Life

Today I spent the majority of my Saturday volunteering with this group of students (plus one other teacher - can you find her in the crowd?). We were at an event that had bouncy houses; a great incentive to get high schoolers to wake up early. The kids begged me to join them in the bouncy house each time I checked on them. Finally, when I did, one of the boys looked at me and said, "Ms. Clements it seems like you and other teachers are more fun outside of school."
I was dumbfounded for a second, especially since I tend to be one of the more "fun" teachers during the school day, but then I realized he's right.
It is my obligation to be these kids' teacher before I am anything else to them. This doesn't always mean "fun" to kids. Granted, it is the first full week of school and the kids will eventually realize there are different types of fun, but overall, I lead a secret that is a little "more fun" and less reserved outside of school.

Where do we draw the line that separates our "secret" lives and the ones we present in the classroom? (and by this I mean to discuss more than the lines we already know - we don't talk about intricate details of our social lives, obviously)

What is your secret "more fun" life outside of the one you present in school?

By the end of the year I hope this student realizes that fun can be had just about anywhere, for both the teacher and student.

An Apple A Day...

I almost wish I was talking about the fruit.
Apple Inc
NEW Apple products
Apple Watch
 
My husband started counting down with the rest of the Apple cult fanatics. The countdown continued today on my computer and via text from said husband (the poor guy had a meeting during the live stream).

I posed the following question, as simple as it seems, to my classes today:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of technology?

As this digital learning journey continues, I find myself wondering this in the back of my mind. Personally, I think there are more advantages than disadvantages, but then I think about the frustrations I have with my students who can't maintain a healthy balance with technology.
I realize I need to change my question to HOW do we balance the advantages and disadvantages of technology in today's world?

Your thoughts blogging world? 

Waking Up: Morning Commute

River Lilly Farm - Ogunquit, Maine
I've procrastinated loading my EZpass because I love taking the back roads as my commute to school. Previously my commute was a quick twelve minutes, now it's thirty. I never thought I would relish the extra driving time, however, it gives me time to prepare and listen to the news in the morning, and time to reflect on the day in the afternoon.

Blasting music with the windows down isn't bad either.

Today I readied myself to prepare pre-tests for all of my classes. I'm nervous because this incoming class isn't academically where I thought they would be entering my class. I know I can get them there, but yesterday's commute home was full of anxiety and frustration at the amount of work I have cut out for myself.
This morning's sunrise reminded me not to be so caught up in and to get over myself. I let my negative thoughts disappear with the fog.

Happy Tuesday blogging world. Approach today with energy!

Here we go!

In the same week I have created a blog and twitter.
Oh my!
Once upon a time I had a blog - actually I've had two. One was on some strange website that was popular in middle school and I shudder when I think of what I must have written there, and the other was here on blogger. The second was much better and was intended for a place for me to communicate with students during my student teaching adventure to New Zealand. I've since deleted it.
But now, onto this one! This one is real. This is real life. Seeking balance is something that I am constantly after. Balance is my favorite word and my way of life. Hence the blog name.
No, I'm not so good at yoga...yet.
I'm excited to begin this blogging journey for real. To write and read and share with others.

KCS
...my initials now stand for Kristina Clements...Sanborn (oh the married life...)