Mom's got a library! Click here: Sue's Library
There's a list of libraries on the right that I will add to. But I'd like to see everyone that reads this blog have a library. And I'll post it there. You can also see the most recent additions to Rochelle's and my libraries below that.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving
A photo I took while shooting photos with Rhonda and Dad. We were over by Utah Lake. Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving!
BJ
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Congratulations, Marissa!
I am proud to say that Marissa competed in Bronze level Country Two-Step and Swing in Dancesport last week, and not only did she make it to the final round, she and her partner won 5th place! Yay! Whahoo!
We were sad that we couldn't see her compete, but happy that we got to see her dance during practice. Here are some short videos I took of them dancing right before they went to go perform. Please excuse the videography- it's just a point and shoot camera that doesn't let you zoom once you start recording! (Plus, I was just figuring out how to use it... haha) If you want a more high quality version of the recording, let me know, and we will figure out how to do that... We will add some of the pictures BJ took of them dancing too.
We were sad that we couldn't see her compete, but happy that we got to see her dance during practice. Here are some short videos I took of them dancing right before they went to go perform. Please excuse the videography- it's just a point and shoot camera that doesn't let you zoom once you start recording! (Plus, I was just figuring out how to use it... haha) If you want a more high quality version of the recording, let me know, and we will figure out how to do that... We will add some of the pictures BJ took of them dancing too.
 |
| Marissa Dancesport |
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Washington D.C.
I am finally getting around to posting what I wrote a week ago!
Well, as you know I have been preparing to present some research at the American Public Health Association conference in D.C. I have been here in D.C. since Saturday, and am leaving in just a few hours to return home. This trip has been a fantastic, educational, and interesting opportunity. I arrived Saturday afternoon, and after resolving a minor hotel problem (!) I saw some of the city with Erin, the professor I work for. She showed me how the Metro works here, and we went to a mall/subway station with a hall of restaurants, and we had dinner at a cute 1950's style diner. The next morning we found a church meeting fairly close that we could ride the metro to, and interestingly enough, it was probably the only ward in the whole area that I would have recognized someone in! My parents of my friend and roommate my freshman year were in that ward. So ironic- what a small world. We also attended the opening session for the conference, and heard from a couple of fairly high profile people in public health. I will write more about those later. We went to Arlington National Cemetery, which was an amazing experience. I had no idea how large it was, how many graves and memorials. It was incredibly reverent, and everyone was very respectful. I was really impacted by all the graves, representing lives given in service of our country. I had really never thought of it in terms like that. That same spirit was prevalent at the Tomb of the Unknowns, where I saw the changing of the guard, and was really touched by the guards' dedication and respect for the Tomb. I was thinking that if every person in the U.S. had a chance as a kid or at some point to go see some of the places like this, we would have a stronger sense of national pride and patriotism, and gratitude as a people. Of course I know that won't happen, so I think those things are important to teach in other ways.
On Monday morning, bright and early, we presented one of our research project findings in a round table format. The way a round table presentation works is a room has 9 or 10 tables with presenters, and people come in and rotate around. We gave three 30-minute presentations. Our table was always one of the most crowded! Although we felt strongly about what we were researching, it was somewhat gratifying to hear from listeners that they thought our research was important.
Tuesday we did our poster presentation, talking about the results of the other part of our study. This was in an exhibit hall with people walking around to see the posters they are interested in. Again, we had a lot of interest in and questions about our study. I think it went well. I will post a little later on some of the things I learned at the conference and what our study was about etc.
One of the last things we did before the trip was over was we went to the Visitor's Center at the Washington D.C. Temple. They close early, so we weren't able to go inside, but we saw the outside and had a nice visit with the sister missionaries at the visitor's center. I thought that was a good way to end the trip.
Well, as you know I have been preparing to present some research at the American Public Health Association conference in D.C. I have been here in D.C. since Saturday, and am leaving in just a few hours to return home. This trip has been a fantastic, educational, and interesting opportunity. I arrived Saturday afternoon, and after resolving a minor hotel problem (!) I saw some of the city with Erin, the professor I work for. She showed me how the Metro works here, and we went to a mall/subway station with a hall of restaurants, and we had dinner at a cute 1950's style diner. The next morning we found a church meeting fairly close that we could ride the metro to, and interestingly enough, it was probably the only ward in the whole area that I would have recognized someone in! My parents of my friend and roommate my freshman year were in that ward. So ironic- what a small world. We also attended the opening session for the conference, and heard from a couple of fairly high profile people in public health. I will write more about those later. We went to Arlington National Cemetery, which was an amazing experience. I had no idea how large it was, how many graves and memorials. It was incredibly reverent, and everyone was very respectful. I was really impacted by all the graves, representing lives given in service of our country. I had really never thought of it in terms like that. That same spirit was prevalent at the Tomb of the Unknowns, where I saw the changing of the guard, and was really touched by the guards' dedication and respect for the Tomb. I was thinking that if every person in the U.S. had a chance as a kid or at some point to go see some of the places like this, we would have a stronger sense of national pride and patriotism, and gratitude as a people. Of course I know that won't happen, so I think those things are important to teach in other ways.
On Monday morning, bright and early, we presented one of our research project findings in a round table format. The way a round table presentation works is a room has 9 or 10 tables with presenters, and people come in and rotate around. We gave three 30-minute presentations. Our table was always one of the most crowded! Although we felt strongly about what we were researching, it was somewhat gratifying to hear from listeners that they thought our research was important.
Tuesday we did our poster presentation, talking about the results of the other part of our study. This was in an exhibit hall with people walking around to see the posters they are interested in. Again, we had a lot of interest in and questions about our study. I think it went well. I will post a little later on some of the things I learned at the conference and what our study was about etc.
One of the last things we did before the trip was over was we went to the Visitor's Center at the Washington D.C. Temple. They close early, so we weren't able to go inside, but we saw the outside and had a nice visit with the sister missionaries at the visitor's center. I thought that was a good way to end the trip.
 |
| Washington |
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
I Voted!
Did you?
I'd just like to say, that I'm proud to be an American. We are very blessed to be able to vote, and feel that the vote is fair, and that our vote counts, as opposed to some places like Pakistan. We are truly lucky to have the freedom we have.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Referendum 1 revisited
Alright... we haven't had a lot of people vote yet, but everyone who has voted (all three of you) said that you are for it. And the rest of you are welcome to continue voting. But I'm going to express to you the conversation that went on in my head after I finished reading about this referendum.
Pro:
Well... what do you think?
Con:
Don't like it.
Pro:
Why not? What's there not to like?
Con:
Umm... Several things. I don't think it really does enough. I think $3000 probably won't pay the cost of tuition for most schools, and that's the maximum that anyone will receive. There's a good chance that most people won't receive that much.
Pro:
Yeah, but it sure helps to pay the costs. Think about it. 3 grand off of tuition at a private school. That's a big chunk. Surely people could afford the rest.
Con:
You are probably right... except for the people who need it the most. It really won't help them at all.
Pro:
But it isn't like it is going to hurt them at all. And at least it gives some people a choice.
Con:
I'm not so sure about that... I mean the part about not hurting the poor.
Pro:
How could it hurt the poor?
Con:
By decreasing the amount of middle and upper class kids in public schools. Let's face it... Wealthy parents want their kids to have a nice school, and will donate to this and that so it can be nice. Poor kids benefit from that.
Pro:
Yeah... but it isn't like all the kids are going to just up and leave. Besides parents don't donate that much.
Con:
Well... I don't know how many parents would leave. That's the problem. Nobody does. And the other thing is that after 5 years, public schools will receive less money because they have less students. (Why 5 years... I have no idea.) So public schools will be poorer. And the poorer they get, the more the middle and upper classes will leave.
Pro:
Well, by that time, I'm sure there will be private schools a plenty that offer prices that the working class can afford.
Con:
Do you think they will be as good as the schools the middle and upper classes take their kids to?
Pro:
Well, I don't know, but certainly they will be better than the public schools.
Con:
But that's just it... do you see what we are describing here. Class segregation. The working class has their schools, the middle has theirs, and the upper class I'm sure will have its own too. I don't like the direction this is moving.
Pro:
But shouldn't I worry about my family first? And then worry about the rest? This would certainly help my family. And I don't think the damage to the rest will be as bad as you think.
Con:
Yes, my kids would certainly get a better education in some respects. But not all. They would grow up in a world were everybody has money, and poverty is something you read about in books. The teachers would be great, and if we didn't like how the school looked we would find another one. It definitely has its advantages. But there are things they wouldn't have.
Pro:
Whatever they don't have, they could get at a different school right?
Con:
Yeah... I suppose. But the things I'm thinking about I don't know that I would want to change their school for. For example, they wouldn't have much experience with poverty. And therefore, they wouldn't understand what it really means to be poor. And also, let's face it. The bureaucracy of public schools and the slow pace of learning does have some advantages. It prepares them for the bureaucracy of life, and having to be patient. And often, though going to a public school can be hard on a kid, it teaches them how to deal with bullies, and punks, and all the other types. I remember when I left private schools... there was a culture shock for me. I'd hate for that to happen to a kid when he gets into the real world. I think private schools tend to shelter the kids too much.
Pro:
So, you are saying, that you would want your kids to go to public schools so they could be bullied?!?!
Con:
Not so that they can be bullied, but so they can learn to deal with bullies. There are always bullies... but people need to deal with them. We can't just run away from them and pretend they don't exist.
Pro:
Oh brother. Every school has bullies.
Con:
Maybe, but private schools tend to watch for that more. They don't want the kids to leave, and so they kinda shelter them, to keep the parents happy.
Pro:
Ok, well, think what you want on that... but all of this would make the public schools better. They would become more like private schools... they'd have to, to keep students enrolled.
Con:
You know... I think the biggest problem that public schools have is one they can't fix. And that's all the legal stuff they go through... they have to do this, they can't do that. They need to watch for this, and they can't teach that. There is an endless series of laws that prevent them from being very effective. I think that's the biggest reason they struggle, and they can't get out from under that. And what's more, is that this referendum is going to put some of that burden on the private schools too. Maybe not very much at first, but little by little they will have as much of a legal yoke as the public schools do. And the only way they will be able to shake it off is by not taking the vouchers.
Pro:
But I went to a private school. It was good for me. Don't you want that for your own kids?
Con:
Sigh... yes. I do. And if there was more help for the poor than a maximum of $3000, I would be all for this. But as long as it segregates, I don't think I can be for it. Sure it would help my family. But I can't agree to kicking those who are already down.
Well... that's where my conversation ends. I really do want to vote for this... but I don't think it is good enough. I think it will hurt the state more than it will help. Of course, you are all entitled to your own opinions. I don't think I would ever be able to change mom's opinion on this. ;-) And that's fine. But this is how I feel about it.
Pro:
Well... what do you think?
Con:
Don't like it.
Pro:
Why not? What's there not to like?
Con:
Umm... Several things. I don't think it really does enough. I think $3000 probably won't pay the cost of tuition for most schools, and that's the maximum that anyone will receive. There's a good chance that most people won't receive that much.
Pro:
Yeah, but it sure helps to pay the costs. Think about it. 3 grand off of tuition at a private school. That's a big chunk. Surely people could afford the rest.
Con:
You are probably right... except for the people who need it the most. It really won't help them at all.
Pro:
But it isn't like it is going to hurt them at all. And at least it gives some people a choice.
Con:
I'm not so sure about that... I mean the part about not hurting the poor.
Pro:
How could it hurt the poor?
Con:
By decreasing the amount of middle and upper class kids in public schools. Let's face it... Wealthy parents want their kids to have a nice school, and will donate to this and that so it can be nice. Poor kids benefit from that.
Pro:
Yeah... but it isn't like all the kids are going to just up and leave. Besides parents don't donate that much.
Con:
Well... I don't know how many parents would leave. That's the problem. Nobody does. And the other thing is that after 5 years, public schools will receive less money because they have less students. (Why 5 years... I have no idea.) So public schools will be poorer. And the poorer they get, the more the middle and upper classes will leave.
Pro:
Well, by that time, I'm sure there will be private schools a plenty that offer prices that the working class can afford.
Con:
Do you think they will be as good as the schools the middle and upper classes take their kids to?
Pro:
Well, I don't know, but certainly they will be better than the public schools.
Con:
But that's just it... do you see what we are describing here. Class segregation. The working class has their schools, the middle has theirs, and the upper class I'm sure will have its own too. I don't like the direction this is moving.
Pro:
But shouldn't I worry about my family first? And then worry about the rest? This would certainly help my family. And I don't think the damage to the rest will be as bad as you think.
Con:
Yes, my kids would certainly get a better education in some respects. But not all. They would grow up in a world were everybody has money, and poverty is something you read about in books. The teachers would be great, and if we didn't like how the school looked we would find another one. It definitely has its advantages. But there are things they wouldn't have.
Pro:
Whatever they don't have, they could get at a different school right?
Con:
Yeah... I suppose. But the things I'm thinking about I don't know that I would want to change their school for. For example, they wouldn't have much experience with poverty. And therefore, they wouldn't understand what it really means to be poor. And also, let's face it. The bureaucracy of public schools and the slow pace of learning does have some advantages. It prepares them for the bureaucracy of life, and having to be patient. And often, though going to a public school can be hard on a kid, it teaches them how to deal with bullies, and punks, and all the other types. I remember when I left private schools... there was a culture shock for me. I'd hate for that to happen to a kid when he gets into the real world. I think private schools tend to shelter the kids too much.
Pro:
So, you are saying, that you would want your kids to go to public schools so they could be bullied?!?!
Con:
Not so that they can be bullied, but so they can learn to deal with bullies. There are always bullies... but people need to deal with them. We can't just run away from them and pretend they don't exist.
Pro:
Oh brother. Every school has bullies.
Con:
Maybe, but private schools tend to watch for that more. They don't want the kids to leave, and so they kinda shelter them, to keep the parents happy.
Pro:
Ok, well, think what you want on that... but all of this would make the public schools better. They would become more like private schools... they'd have to, to keep students enrolled.
Con:
You know... I think the biggest problem that public schools have is one they can't fix. And that's all the legal stuff they go through... they have to do this, they can't do that. They need to watch for this, and they can't teach that. There is an endless series of laws that prevent them from being very effective. I think that's the biggest reason they struggle, and they can't get out from under that. And what's more, is that this referendum is going to put some of that burden on the private schools too. Maybe not very much at first, but little by little they will have as much of a legal yoke as the public schools do. And the only way they will be able to shake it off is by not taking the vouchers.
Pro:
But I went to a private school. It was good for me. Don't you want that for your own kids?
Con:
Sigh... yes. I do. And if there was more help for the poor than a maximum of $3000, I would be all for this. But as long as it segregates, I don't think I can be for it. Sure it would help my family. But I can't agree to kicking those who are already down.
Well... that's where my conversation ends. I really do want to vote for this... but I don't think it is good enough. I think it will hurt the state more than it will help. Of course, you are all entitled to your own opinions. I don't think I would ever be able to change mom's opinion on this. ;-) And that's fine. But this is how I feel about it.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Referendum 1?
Hey all, so voting day for all you Utahns out there is Tuesday. And what are we to vote on? Referendum 1. What's it about?
Private school vouchers.
If you don't know much about it, you can read up on it here:
http://elections.utah.gov/Voter%20Information%20Pamphlet_2007.pdf
I would give you my opinion, but I will wait until you all have had a chance to voice your opinions on my poll! ------------> :-)
Private school vouchers.
If you don't know much about it, you can read up on it here:
http://elections.utah.gov/Voter%20Information%20Pamphlet_2007.pdf
I would give you my opinion, but I will wait until you all have had a chance to voice your opinions on my poll! ------------> :-)
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