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"Nothing is ever achieved without enthusiasm."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Duck photo source: Lisa's Chaos
I hope you enjoy your visit. If you're looking for something specific, check out the links to posts by category in my sidebar and down a ways. They'll assist with tracking down different types of posts found on each of my three blogs. You might also enjoy checking out the other sites: Sacred Ruminations, Blog Rolls, Bling & Blurbs, and Happily Retired Gal.

I hope you'll look around & leave comments
then visit me at my new blog ...

Giraffe Journal

and/or website ... Labyrinth Journal
both self-hosted at WordPress
where I publish as myself
rather than under a
pseudonym.

I've not had much time for posting or blog visits, but if you're interested I hope you'll find time to check out my new blog, Giraffe Journal or my Labyrinth Journal website ... both self hosted at WordPress.

Thanks for your visit and have a delightful day ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Thursday Thirteen #20 - Modified Meme of Fours

(Thanks to Hootin' Anni for the cool T-13 graphic)

Ivanhoe tagged me for 'The Meme of Fours' after being tagged by her new blogging buddy Life, or Something Like It . As written, this meme has 7 categories with 4 things in each, but I've modified it to have just 3 categories with 4 items plus an extra item to make a total of 13 for today's Thursday Thirteen post ... and perhaps I'll do the other categories at a later time.

4 Jobs I’ve Had:
1. Playground Director - I worked my way through college supervising after-school and summer playground programs for kids. The hours fit perfectly with my schedule, the pay covered my school expenses ... and I gained lots of experience dealing with kids of all ages.
2. Elementary School Teacher - I started teaching 6th graders when I graduated from college, then asked for changes every few years (because I thrive on change and enjoy variety) working my way down the grades ... 5th, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd ... then back up again. (Addendum: I realized while leaving a response to Mama Zen's comment that I'd neglected to mention my 'stint' as a Middle School Teacher for about a decade before my eventual retirement ... teaching 'core' subjects to 6th and 8th graders ... so I'm adding this note belatedly).
3. Staff Developer - I spent 4 years working primarily with adults (teachers, administrators, classroom aides, volunteers, and parents) ... helping them improve their skills and learn new strategies for effective teaching and learning. I also taught 'Methods of Teaching' courses to Graduate Students at a local university in the evenings.
4. Classroom Volunteer - After 34 years as a teacher, I retired ... and spent the next 4 years volunteering in my sister's Kindergarten class a couple of days per week.

4 Shows on my Tivo or DVR:
5. American Idol Gives Back (recorded last night because I didn't watch it live)
6. Brokeback Mountain - recorded several months ago when my Cable Company offered a 'free week' for HBO and Showtime. I've not seen it and intend to watch it eventually ... but I don't spend much time with the TV on ... ever.
7. Greenspan: Power - recorded on CNBC a few months ago ... another show I intend to watch but haven't gotten around to.
8. The Miami Sony Ericsson Tennis Semi-Final Match between Andy Roddick and Roger Federer that I've watched twice already ... and intend to watch again ;--)

4 Things You Can Do To Make My Day:
9. Leave me a comment - I always enjoy reading & responding to what others have to say and when you leave a comment with a link, I visit your blog as time permits.
10. Spend some time here at Small Reflections checking out posts you've not read. I've added 'links' in the About Me section of my sidebar that can take you to specific categories like Awards & Bling, Memes, Haiku, T-13s, and the like.
11. Participate in the Kind Fives, Make a Wish and/or Message in a Bottle memes and leave a link back to my blog(s) so I can see your posts once they're published.
12. Visit my other blog, Sacred Ruminations where I participate in One Single Impression, Sacred Life Sunday, and Haiku Friday each week (among other things).

13. As per directions, Ivanhoe tagged the following bloggers: Comedy Plus, My LA Blog, Are we there yet?, Small Reflections, but I tag anyone who would like to play!

If you decide to join the fun ...
these are the categories I skipped for the time being in order to have 13 things today: 4 Places I’ve Been, 4 Favorite Foods, and 4 CDs recently listened to. As an incentive, I offer your choice of the following awards if you leave a link to your Meme of Four, Kind Fives, Make a Wish, and/or Message in a Bottle post here.




Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Get the Thursday Thirteeen code here!

For easy access, I’ve listed more T-13 links along with the
Thursday Thirteen Blogroll to the bottom of my sidebar.

Thought for Today
"The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible." Arthur C. Clarke

30 comments:

DrillerAA said...

We DVR American Idol so we can eliminate the commercials and some of the "Idol Chatter". I also have a Discovery Channel special on the making of the Cirque Du Soliel show, LOVE...tribute to the Beatles, in Las Vegas. It's a great episode. We saw the show last time in Vegas and it is wonderful.

Anonymous said...

I am an educator, too. It's in our blood, isn't it? Thanks for the Three Fours + One. Happy TT.

Lori said...

Great list...I loved how you mixed it up a bit:) Happy TT and thanks for stopping by.

Greatfullivin said...

I enjoyed reading your TT. I just love getting to know people a little better. It is easy to see why you would be such a successful educator. Have a blessed day!

Julia Phillips Smith said...

I love how your retirement turned into kindergarten volunteering...sounds about like my 'retired' uncle. Still producing independent TV programs, almost 70, still pulling all-nighters. What can you do?

Maude Lynn said...

I always wanted to teach the younger kids, but I seemed to keep working my way up the grades!

Anonymous said...

This is great fun! So fun to get to know you a little bit more. I like these meme TTs - kind of killing two birds....

Happy TT!

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

I've done Meme TTs before; it's a lot of fun to do -- and a bit challenging, too, isn't it?

You pulled it off well. Happy TT!

storyteller said...

DrillerAA – I couldn’t agree more. Who has time to spend 60 minutes watching about 40 minutes of actual programming. I let the cable company provide me with a DVR for just this reason and I never watch anything ‘real time’ … ever! Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll check the Discovery channel to see if they’re still airing this show. I’ve enjoyed the previous Cirque Du Soiliel programs and have heard about this tribute to the Beatles.

Kay – Thanks so much for stopping by and introducing your self. I enjoyed following the link back to your blog this morning and reading your T-13. I left a comment there already.

Lori – I’m glad you enjoyed it. My T-13s aren’t usually about ‘me’ per se …(I’ve done more than enough memes about myself as witnessed by the links in my sidebar)… but I forgot to do this Meme of Fours this week for Meme Monday and figured modifying it like this might work. I always enjoy learning about others when I visit their blogs.

Greatfullivin – Thanks … and I’m still planning to get over to see what you did with my Monday Memes … but I’m trying to clear out my email box first.

Julia – Volunteering in my sister’s Kindergarten class started as a gift of love for her, but soon turned into something wonderful for me as well. She retired a few years back and is now traveling the USA with her husband in an RV … so that’s why I now have time for BLOGGING ;--) More power to your ‘retired’ uncle! It sounds like he’s doing something he loves and that’s wonderful indeed.

Mama Zen – Ah … actually I forgot to mention my ‘stint’ with Middle School kids didn’t I? In truth, I enjoyed teaching ‘core’ subjects of Reading, Language Art, and History to 6th and 8th graders for the last decade or so of my career … but I’m even happier to be RETIRED now!!! LOL

Claudia – I’m glad you think so. I enjoy learning about others when I visit their blogs too … and I suppose that’s why I occasionally tackle a meme or two from time to time. This one seemed ‘daunting’ as written … but breaking it up ‘worked’ for me today and perhaps I’ll do the rest another time …(or not)?

I really appreciate each of you visiting and leaving your comments this morning. If you decide to do any of the ‘memes’ yourself … please let me know. I hope you’re all having a wonderful week!
Hugs and blessings,

Unknown said...

I am a home educator :)
Missed Idol Gives Back, and no DVR currently.
I had fun visiting your TT.
Mine is at The Cafe.
Hope you'll drop by.

The Gal Herself said...

I watched Idol Gives Back last night. I think you'll enjoy it. It moved quickly and at times, was very moving. (Thanks for visiting my TT)

Susan Demeter said...

Fun list idea! I used to volunteer at my daughters school when they were smaller too. Happy TT and thanks so much for stopping by!

storyteller said...

Susan – You must have left your comment while I was responding to my first visitors this morning. Yes … it was challenging! I have trouble with lists longer than 13 … so modifying it helped a bunch. I have three categories left (since the 7th category was the tag) … so I could do the remaining questions the same way in a 2nd T-13 at some point … (or not). LOL

Sassy Mama Bear – Thanks for the comment and the link. I’m headed out to get my car ‘smogged’ so I can renew the registration, but will be back to visit later on today.

the Gal Herself – I’ll get around to watching eventually … though maybe not today ;--)

Sue – I’m happy you enjoyed it and appreciate the return visit.

I just got back from walking Molly and am headed out to run errands. Sometimes it takes me through the weekend to visit everyone, but I get there eventually. I hope everyone’s enjoying Thursday Thirteen.
Hugs and blessings,

anthonynorth said...

Great post. By the way I looked at the polar bear post at your suggestion. It was good. I had quite a debate on global warming myself a while ago, if you're interested:

Global Warming Backlash

Unknown said...

34 years of teaching. How very fulfilling that must have been.

Eve said...

I like your meme of fours - it's a good idea to break it up into more posts. You teachers are so smart!

Kaige said...

Hootin' Anni has some of the cutest graphics! Great list, I like it when they're mixed up with other memes as well. We couldn't watch TV without the DVR to eliminate commercials and watch it on our schedule.

Happy TT!

Denise Patrick said...

Very interesting post. It was great getting to know a little bit more about you. Teachers are wonderful people in my book.

Happy TT!

Momisodes said...

Playground director sounds like a pretty nice gig :) Why am I not surprised you volunteered after retiring? You are such a sweetheart. I watched Idol gives back last night and I was in tears 90% of the time.

Anonymous said...

I've seen this in an email before, but I like it as a TT as well!

I am always amazed at those that can teach small children - I fully admit that I don't have the patience!!!

Joyce said...

Hi, Storyteller,
I finally did the Message in a Bottle meme: http://joyce.taron.net/message-in-a-bottle/

Have a wonderful evening. :)

Hootin Anni said...

That is one terrific 13!!! I saw Brokeback Mountain...it was good, but I wasn't too comfortable about the story ---yet, it's true to life in so many aspects. Very unique and worth watching tho.

Also, I don't watch much TV either...just sports, you Tennis, me Baseball!! We could have our beers/drinks on a table between the two recliners and we both have picture in picture...your station tennis, mine baseball...we could even bring in a few nacho chips here and there, during commercials!!!

Betty said...

I enjoyed reading your TT. I never watched American Idol until last year when my stepson and his wife were here and got me interested in it. Now I look forward to it. I was so surprised that Michael got voted off the show last night.

storyteller said...

Anthony – Thanks! I appreciate your comment and the link to your post … I’ll check it out when time permits … hopefully this weekend.

LceeL – You’re correct … teaching WAS fulfilling! All the challenges were balanced by amazing experiences, and I surprised myself (and others) when I accepted the ‘Golden Handshake” … but I love being retired ;--)

Eve – I’m glad you approve of my ‘modification’ strategy. I have trouble generating lists of more than 13 things at a time. I’m sure you recall it took me about 10 days to complete ‘101 Things about Me’ after I reached my 100th post.

Kaige – Yes she does … and it’s very kind of her to share with those of us who aren’t quite as ‘talented’ in creating ‘visual graphics’ but enjoy adding them to our posts. You’re right … I’d probably never watch TV w/o a DVR so I can skip commercials entirely and conserve time.

Denise – Thanks for your feedback and your appreciation of ‘teachers’ per se. I enjoyed my visit to your blog and am hoping you’ll be able to point me in the right direction to figure out how to make my comments section work like yours ;--)

Sandy – Actually, playground director was a perfect ‘gig’ for me at the time … and came to me in an intriguing manner (as many life events did). Perhaps I’ll ‘blog’ about this some day. I did watch the ‘give back’ show … and found it touching. I was shocked at the ‘elimination’ this week when I watched THAT episode last night. How did THAT one happen?

Annie – Funny thing about ‘teaching’ people of any age … teachers need to be ‘learners’ as well in order to be effective. For me … it was a perfect career, but it would have been nice to have been compensated better and appreciated a bit more through it all ;--)

Joyce – That’s ‘cool’ … and I’ll be over later to check it out. Thanks for letting me know here.

Hootin’ Anni – Why thank you so much!!! I’ve heard the film is worth watching and will get ‘a round tuit’ eventually. I love the image you’ve created for us here … watching our favorite sports congenially together (thanks to modern technology). Wonderful thought! LOL I suspect you might ‘rekindle’ my latent interest in Baseball … for I spent many happy hours watching the game with my Dad … way back when.

Betty – I’m glad you enjoyed my T-13. I took a page from your book this week and made it about myself. I missed the first few seasons of American Idol but have watched the last couple of years … and am currently watching the ‘rewind’ of the 2nd year. Like you … I was floored to see Michael go this week!

I appreciate all your comments, and apologize to be slow in responding … but this has been a ‘busier than usual’ week for me. I’m hoping to catch up with ‘blog visits’ over the weekend … so if I’ve not been to your blog yet, I’ll be there soon. I wish each of you a wonderful weekend!
Hugs and blessings,

Denise Patrick said...

Hi storyteller. I wish I could say how my comments were created, but, sad to say, I don't. I used a template generator and that's the way the comments happened when I was finished. It's found here: http://psyc.horm.org/ I can say it was very easy since I've very computer illiterate. I will be setting up a webpage as soon as I find a template as easy as that one to do it with.
Thanks for visiting my blog and I hope you come back soon.

Karen said...

I don't even HAVE a DVR or TiVo--shows you how behind the times I am!

So, basically, you were born to be an educator?!

Love it!

storyteller said...

Denise – Thanks anyway. I may check out that site when/if I get around to making some changes to my blogs … something I’ve thought about periodically. If I figure this out, I’ll let you know what I learn.

Karen – I’ve never had TiVo …(though a friend’s husband installs them and encouraged me to give it a try for YEARS ago) … long before I finally let the Cable Company give me a ‘free trial’ on a DVR last Fall. It’s so convenient that I decided to keep (and pay for) it … which is, do doubt, precisely why they offered it to me free in the first place. I’m not sure whether or not I was ‘born to be an educator’ … but that’s certainly how things worked out in my life. I suspect it’s more a function of the ‘time’ and ‘circumstances’ into which I was born.

I appreciate you both leaving your thoughts here … I’m sorry to be so slow to respond to these comments and I hope you had a wonderful weekend.
Hugs and blessings,

Anonymous said...

You got a noble profession. COngrats in helping mold the young generation.

Ivanhoe said...

Little clever fox you! You did a great job on this meme though!

storyteller said...

Mama Meji – Why thank you for saying so! I did enjoy being around kids all the time and do believe I learned as much from them as they from me. It’s nice to be appreciated for my contribution ;--)

Ivanhoe – Welcome back!!! I loved the photos of your trip and it looks like you had a wonderful time! Congratulations on your marriage. What a lovely setting for it ;--)

Yup … I do tend to ‘play’ with the ‘rules’ when tagged … and hopefully I’ll remember to do the remaining questions in a future T-13 (or some other kind of post). When (if) I do, I’ll make an effort to let you know.

Thanks to both of you for visiting!
Hugs and blessings,

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