Dropping the ball on a challenge

Hello students and readers,
   Lately I have not been able to blog. The best of intentions can sometimes go without any action. It is one of the unfortunate truths of life. I have taken on several students to tutor and our schedule has changed a bit. I have been trying so hard to maintain everything and do all the things I said I could do. I also have agreed to be on several committees at school. Every lunch break is packed. Pun unintended. :D
   A great lesson can be learned from my mistake. If you really want to accomplish a goal, no matter the obstacles or the pitfalls, you need to have perseverance.

Perseverance: continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition :  the action or condition or an instance of persevering :  steadfastness

   Many times, we will face obstacles to our dreams. Sometimes, these obstacles are physical or time-related, like mine. However, many times these obstacles are in our head. Maybe you think you are not good enough at something to even try it ("I am not a good enough writer to blog today"). Maybe you think it will be scary to try or to put yourself in front of a group to read your writing ("No one will want to read my blog" OR "No one will like my poem"). For those of you who attended the poetry reading last month, we learned that this wasn't so terrible. Even your old teacher, Mrs Minaker gets intimidated to speak in public. You have to be brave.

 

brave

adjective \ˈbrāv\

: feeling or showing no fear : not afraid

brav·er brav·est

verb

: to face or deal with (something dangerous or unpleasant)

braved brav·ing

 

   I have often heard that Bravery is not the absence of fear but rather the courage to do what you must, despite your fear. I like that definition best. 

   Before I digress further, let me sum it all up. 

Sometimes you will need bravery and sometimes you will just need perseverance to push through. Either way, you need to complete your goals. Even if they are just crazy ideas you have early in the morning, like mine to blog every day for 100 days. Keep trying. Every failure is a new lesson. Every day is a new chance to keep going!

What is YOUR big goal?

See you all tomorrow!

 

February 18

Today in history, Mark Twain published Huckleberry Finn in the United States, to the future chagrin and delight of many a student. Hooray! Twain wrote largely inspired by his own colorful upbringing. This brings me to an interesting concept I hope to share with my students. It certainly is not my wisdom, but a well-known concept- "Write from what you know".
   So many of my students struggle to enjoy writing. If I can convey one thing it is that writing can and SHOULD be somewhat enjoyable. I know this is not very English-teacherly of me, but toss the rules out and just write. Write your thoughts, write random words, write down your lists of to-do's- groceries, chores, life goals- who cares?! Just write until you are comfortable with how easy it is and then write something real and true. Write thank you's to people who have made a difference in your life and then send them. Write emails if you can't stomach the thought of snail mail. It is good for you to use a pen and write. Then read what you wrote and read it to someone else and enjoy it. Stop editing yourself while you write. Do that after. Write NOW! Have some fun with it.

See you all back in

class!

February 17

Well, today is the day my mother, Carol was born, 64 years ago (cue Beatles "When I'm 64"). Because of this lovely woman, I exist. Oh, and my older sister, Jessica, too. My mom is the reason why I love reading and singing in the car and being silly with my children. My mom is the reason that I try to be a good person and I am NOT afraid of being honest. Thanks, Mom. I am glad that you are my mom.
   My mom just got an email address! I cannot wait to send this to her.

Lots of love!
Mrs Minaker

February 16

Today I submitted the #NaNoWriMo 2013 Novel, Nora Waite for the 2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. I have to be honest, the chances of me winning are pretty slim. I would be excited to just be entered in the second round. Just a chance to have a novel I am entering ANYwhere is pretty shocking. There is a voice, one I try to silence, that says I would never be able to accomplish anything so massive as writing a full novel.
Ok, it doesn't set the world on its ear.
Ok, it may need SERIOUS editing... (amateur, free editors may apply)
BUT it is my own. I wrote it start to finish. I won the NaNoWriMo.

And the voice in my head that says I can't? It's a bit quieter.

How can you silence your inner nay-sayer?
DO it. Don't wait.

February 15th

Here is the poem that I read for the Poetry Jam yesterday. Technically, today, very early today is the day it happened. It was good to share it.

Two years too late, Amanda P Minaker

The last time we talked on the phone

I was distracted.

Sorry about that.

The kids were loud, the day was long, dinner was boiling over.

I can’t remember what we talked about.

It was the last time I ever heard your voice.

The last time I saw you in person

I had company over.

The kids were playing, said only quick “thank you”, you didn’t stay long.

I wish I had made you stay for dinner.

It was the last time I ever got a hug.

I hope wherever you were at your funeral,

You heard all of the people say nice things.

They never seemed to say those things while you were alive.

I hope wherever you were at your funeral,

You did not see me, unable to speak.

But I told you I loved you on the phone.

I said thank you and hugged you that day in January.

And there was no way I was ready to say goodbye.

So I write this poem for you.

It is not enough.

There is no grave to leave it.

I am two years too late for the funeral speech.

I have no regrets.

Feb 14- poetry jam

 Success! Our First Inaugural Worthen House Middle School Poetry Jam (working on the title) was a success! Thank you to the parents, students and staff who put effort into making this such a lovely day!

  Not only were the poems very good, but the chance to celebrate and luncheon was such a nice experience... I am so thankful for the day.

Thank you Penny Hamourgas, Voula Danas, Stacey Theofilopoulos, Mark McKellar, Maria Booras and Pam Murphy. You guys ROCK!

Thank you, Helen Gaudet for making sure it all went smoothly from behind the scenes. :D

February 13... another snow day

I feel like a kid again... I could barely sleep until I knew that we were, in fact, having a snow day. I wasn't keen to give up a day of teaching but I knew if we had school today, we would have struggled through the day with some MOPE MOPEY Middle Schoolers. No, thank you! I am all for a snow day today, because I am looking forward to tomorrow SO MUCH!!!! Have I mentioned that we are having a poetry reading at The Worthen House Cafe.... GET YOUR POEMS READY, Students!!!