This might be a part of a series called Did You Know? but then again, it might not be. I tend not to finish series after I start them. LOL.
**********
As I was reflecting on my birthday, I started to think back about different experiences that shaped my life over the past 32 years. One of them, was moving to a new elementary school in the 4th grade. I came from a low income school district and moved to a higher income school district (that district has gone waaaaaay downhill since I went there).
I loved my new school, we had tons of resources that we didn't have at my old school. I remember my 3rd grade teacher, Ms. Cobb, being very pretty and having 'a lot' of money. She always talked about going to parties and other 'fancy' stuff that, as third graders from a low income part of town, would never even imagine doing. Ms. Cobb talked about eating caviar and how it was so good. I had never heard of caviar, but my mom said it was very expensive. In my mind: If you can eat caviar, then you must be very rich. In reality, she was probably from a richer family or she had a rich boyfriend, since teachers do not make that much money-especially back then.
She also took us on field trips on the weekends to fun places throughout Houston. I guess she figured that we would never be able to go with our parents, so she took us herself. She was a great teacher and I learned a lot that year. One day she taught us to use a 'big word', automobile instead of car. Whoa! She had a list of big words that she wanted us to use instead of the smaller ones, I only remember automobile though. Anyway, I always wonder what happened to Ms. Cobb, she was probably my favorite elementary school teacher and 3rd grade was my favorite grade. That is probably why I had it in my head that I wanted to teach 3rd grade so bad...mistake!
So, back to the new school and all it's resources. I was on the playground one day and one of the teachers told me that I would be taking a new class at recess (or was it gym class?) to help my speech. You see, I had a trouble pronouncing the 'r' sound, they would sound like 'w'. So if I wanted to say 'rose' it would sound like 'wose'. Or if I wanted to say 'Rhonda" (my mom's name), it would sound like 'Wanda'. At my low income school, they didn't have the resources to send a child to a speech therapist, but at my new school they did.
For two years I went to lessons on how to improve my 'r' sounds. I remember flash cards and a Mickey Mouse game. Looking back, I think it was one of those things that really help shape my self confidence and alleviate my frustrations. Before I got help, I had trouble spelling and having people understand me, which is so frustrating to a child. I would sound a word, but say it wrong because of the 'r' sound turning 'w' when I spoke. When you have to say something over and over again, it is so frustrating. Like when my little sister was born, my teachers asked me her name. I said, "Tori". They said, "Towi?" "No, Tori". and we went back and forth a few times before I just gave up. I am actually getting frustrated just thinking back on it.
After those two years, my speech problem was pretty much fixed. I still have times when I say the 'r' sound wrong, but very quickly correct my mistake. (and I kind of look around to see if my speech pathologist is coming. LOL). I really wish I had her name, she was great!
To sum it up: Get your kid some speech help if they are having problems. It might be 'cute' to a parent, but as time goes on, your child might become more and more frustrated. Some will even give up on school because they get further and further behind, which would be awful.
Showing posts with label Soap Box. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Soap Box. Show all posts
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Sunday, April 27, 2014
On Being a Race Bandit
I read an article about the CEO of Four Square's wife racing in the 2014 Boston Marathon as a band-it (article here). The story goes that during the 2013 race, the wife finished, the husband did not, and they were separated for awhile. As a form of 'closure' they wanted to run the 2014 race together, but alas, the wife couldn't find a bib and wasn't willing to raise the $$ for charity to get a spot. (They said that they couldn't find a charity spot that had an open bib). The dynamic duo decided to use a fake bib so they could run together and finish together. He had a bib this year because he never finished last year, but she did. Everyone who didn't finish last year were given automatic entry to this years race and Mrs. Crowley had just finished so didn't get an automatic entry.
The rightful bib owner had raised $$ for charity and noticed someone else in the race pictures of the event. She looked at the bib more closely and noticed a twitter handle of @chelsa in the picture. Then she put two and two together and realized that this person who stole the bib was a wife of a major tech company CEO.
When asked on Twitter if she used a fake bib, Chelsa Crowley responded. "Shh" and then the storm called the media and public outrage began. They are sorry that they got caught, not sorry that they did what they did.
As a (small) race director myself, I would be outraged if someone bandited a race that I worked hard to organize. Race directors/committees work a lot of hours to make sure the participants have a great experience, well, participants that PAY and/or raise $$ and do things the honest way that is. The participant fee goes towards food/drinks, t-shirts, road closure permits, safety and security, prize money, medals, etc. There are fees for a reason and banditing a race is considered theft of services. I am sure Mrs. Crowley drank water from the water stations and/or food from the finish line. I am for sure she ran on roads that were blocked off via permits and appreciated the crowd control the paid police officers were there for. No word, or picture so far, if she took a medal from the finish line.
In the original news article, Mr. Crowley defended their actions because they wanted closure and said they didn't mean to offend anyone. He wrote another apology on his blog. I applaud him for standing up for his wife and taking half the blame. However, all of the apologies came from him, not her. Where are her apologies? She has kept all of her tweets and instagram photos about Boston up and is even censoring the comments (by blocking people and deleting comments) from her social media. People are calling her out, but she hasn't said a word, only hiding behind her husband. He said that he send an email to the rightful bib # owner, but no word about whether or not she did.
To be honest though, this story is really only a story because because of Mr. Crowley is FourSquare's CEO. Is it fair that they are being slaughtered in the press/comments/blogs because of it? No, but that is what happens when you are high profile, you are held to a higher standard. It might be unfair, but it is what it is. Apparently banditing a race happens every year at Boston Marathon, the race committee expects it. However, this years race was different because of the security and what happened last year. What if a terrorist used someone's bib to get on the course and create a bomb or another type of attack? If they can do it, anyone can. I understand the need for closure, just do it in a ethical, non-cheating way.
In an 'apology' statement, Mr. Crowley said that they donated $5,000 to charity this year, but they didn't specify which charity or when it was. Dennis Crowley is estimated to be worth about $30 million dollars (Mrs. Crowley hopefully/probably signed a pre-nump, so we can assume she isn't worth that much.), so I would think that they could have donated/raised a lot more than that. $5K is like chump change to them. He could have used his connections to find a bib, but they didn't do that, they were looking to just be given one (read: entitlement) or they figured they would cheat their way into the race. He is a very connected person (just look at both of their social media pages to see who they are personally friends with) and could get one if they really tried.
What will happen to them? Probably nothing. This 'scandal' will probably go away soon (probably by this weekend) and maybe when the race comes around next year, everyone will be watching Mr. and Mrs. Crowley's social media accounts to see if they bandited the race. The Boston Marathon probably won't ban them from every racing again, as per their policy, because of who Mr. Crowley is and his 'stature'. Even if the Boston Marathon decided to pursue theft of services charge, Mr. Crowley would probably just throw part of his $30M to make it go away 'out of the public eye'.
To sum it up, rich people get on my nerves-no wait...rich, ENTITLED people get on my nerves. There are a ton of rich people who do great things and do not feel like they were entitled to get away with stuff. Also, this really doesn't have anything to do with me. I didn't run the Boston Marathon and I probably won't ever (I can raise $$ for a local charity, doing a local race and I am absolutely not fast enough to qualify, LOL). I just think it is silly that people do this and have a half assed apology to those they hurt. They are sorry they got caught, not sorry that they ran it as a bandit and they are trying to make it all go away. It irks me!
The rightful bib owner had raised $$ for charity and noticed someone else in the race pictures of the event. She looked at the bib more closely and noticed a twitter handle of @chelsa in the picture. Then she put two and two together and realized that this person who stole the bib was a wife of a major tech company CEO.
When asked on Twitter if she used a fake bib, Chelsa Crowley responded. "Shh" and then the storm called the media and public outrage began. They are sorry that they got caught, not sorry that they did what they did.
As a (small) race director myself, I would be outraged if someone bandited a race that I worked hard to organize. Race directors/committees work a lot of hours to make sure the participants have a great experience, well, participants that PAY and/or raise $$ and do things the honest way that is. The participant fee goes towards food/drinks, t-shirts, road closure permits, safety and security, prize money, medals, etc. There are fees for a reason and banditing a race is considered theft of services. I am sure Mrs. Crowley drank water from the water stations and/or food from the finish line. I am for sure she ran on roads that were blocked off via permits and appreciated the crowd control the paid police officers were there for. No word, or picture so far, if she took a medal from the finish line.
In the original news article, Mr. Crowley defended their actions because they wanted closure and said they didn't mean to offend anyone. He wrote another apology on his blog. I applaud him for standing up for his wife and taking half the blame. However, all of the apologies came from him, not her. Where are her apologies? She has kept all of her tweets and instagram photos about Boston up and is even censoring the comments (by blocking people and deleting comments) from her social media. People are calling her out, but she hasn't said a word, only hiding behind her husband. He said that he send an email to the rightful bib # owner, but no word about whether or not she did.
To be honest though, this story is really only a story because because of Mr. Crowley is FourSquare's CEO. Is it fair that they are being slaughtered in the press/comments/blogs because of it? No, but that is what happens when you are high profile, you are held to a higher standard. It might be unfair, but it is what it is. Apparently banditing a race happens every year at Boston Marathon, the race committee expects it. However, this years race was different because of the security and what happened last year. What if a terrorist used someone's bib to get on the course and create a bomb or another type of attack? If they can do it, anyone can. I understand the need for closure, just do it in a ethical, non-cheating way.
In an 'apology' statement, Mr. Crowley said that they donated $5,000 to charity this year, but they didn't specify which charity or when it was. Dennis Crowley is estimated to be worth about $30 million dollars (Mrs. Crowley hopefully/probably signed a pre-nump, so we can assume she isn't worth that much.), so I would think that they could have donated/raised a lot more than that. $5K is like chump change to them. He could have used his connections to find a bib, but they didn't do that, they were looking to just be given one (read: entitlement) or they figured they would cheat their way into the race. He is a very connected person (just look at both of their social media pages to see who they are personally friends with) and could get one if they really tried.
What will happen to them? Probably nothing. This 'scandal' will probably go away soon (probably by this weekend) and maybe when the race comes around next year, everyone will be watching Mr. and Mrs. Crowley's social media accounts to see if they bandited the race. The Boston Marathon probably won't ban them from every racing again, as per their policy, because of who Mr. Crowley is and his 'stature'. Even if the Boston Marathon decided to pursue theft of services charge, Mr. Crowley would probably just throw part of his $30M to make it go away 'out of the public eye'.
To sum it up, rich people get on my nerves-no wait...rich, ENTITLED people get on my nerves. There are a ton of rich people who do great things and do not feel like they were entitled to get away with stuff. Also, this really doesn't have anything to do with me. I didn't run the Boston Marathon and I probably won't ever (I can raise $$ for a local charity, doing a local race and I am absolutely not fast enough to qualify, LOL). I just think it is silly that people do this and have a half assed apology to those they hurt. They are sorry they got caught, not sorry that they ran it as a bandit and they are trying to make it all go away. It irks me!
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Taxing the Childless
I read this article tonight about a blogger who think that taxing people who are childless would be a better solution. As a person who is childless, I say absolutely not! This made me so mad!
First of all, it is not my problem that you had a kid, or multiple children. Everyone goes through hard times, but putting a regular tax on people and try to make 'your child' have a better start is B.S. Seriously. I am choosing not to have children at this point, because I can't afford them at this point. Yes, I make more than $51K a year (which is the rate which he says the childless should be taxed more), but that doesn't mean I should be punished for making more money than you. How is that my fault? If you are jealous of me having more money because you have 3 other people to feed, sorry! I have no control over how much your boss pays you or your expenses. I shouldn't have another tax added because you think it is 'unfair'. Go cry to your mom! It's called "choices" and "responsibilities" if you feel like you should have the same life as a non-parent, that's too bad. It was you 'choice' to have children (yes, you did have the choice to have them or not, even if you don't believe in that) and now it is YOUR 'responsibility' to take care of them, not mine.
Secondly, what about the people who cannot have children? You are punishing them for something that is biologically wrong with them?
Third, parents already get a tax credit, why add more? I know lots of people who get $5K plus in tax refunds each year because they have children. That tax is already one I pay, but to add more of a tax to it is ridiculous! I already pay for a public school system that I don't use and I am OK with that. Kids need an education, because we all know that if it wasn't free, most people wouldn't send their kids to school. I went to public school myself, however my parents paid that tax when I was in school, so technically I shouldn't have to pay for it now (but I do).
You should get a tax break for helping overpopulate the world? It is not a countries duty to feed or cloth you. You need to WORK you booty off to provide for your family or do not have children. It's called birth control. The world is getting overpopulated as it is, if you can't afford children, then don't have them.
Help yourself people! It is not my responsibility or my neighbors responsibility to help you. I should not be forced to help people. I give my money to people and charities who I know need it. Its a good thing to do. I shouldn't have to give my money to someone who sits on their behind all day collecting welfare checks because they have had kids and don't want to work. Now, I understand that some people are trying to get off welfare and I say good for them! I am more than happy to help them get on their feet. Show me how you are helping yourself before you ask for my help. If you are on welfare and drive a nicer car, have a nicer cell phone, more 'bling', eat out more than me, or buy more crap than me, well then I don't think you deserve my help. Stop popping out kids and working the system.
My mom was a single mom and she got through it and makes really good money now. She WORKED her way up in her jobs, she didn't 'welfare' her way through life. Take a lesson from her.
First of all, it is not my problem that you had a kid, or multiple children. Everyone goes through hard times, but putting a regular tax on people and try to make 'your child' have a better start is B.S. Seriously. I am choosing not to have children at this point, because I can't afford them at this point. Yes, I make more than $51K a year (which is the rate which he says the childless should be taxed more), but that doesn't mean I should be punished for making more money than you. How is that my fault? If you are jealous of me having more money because you have 3 other people to feed, sorry! I have no control over how much your boss pays you or your expenses. I shouldn't have another tax added because you think it is 'unfair'. Go cry to your mom! It's called "choices" and "responsibilities" if you feel like you should have the same life as a non-parent, that's too bad. It was you 'choice' to have children (yes, you did have the choice to have them or not, even if you don't believe in that) and now it is YOUR 'responsibility' to take care of them, not mine.
Secondly, what about the people who cannot have children? You are punishing them for something that is biologically wrong with them?
Third, parents already get a tax credit, why add more? I know lots of people who get $5K plus in tax refunds each year because they have children. That tax is already one I pay, but to add more of a tax to it is ridiculous! I already pay for a public school system that I don't use and I am OK with that. Kids need an education, because we all know that if it wasn't free, most people wouldn't send their kids to school. I went to public school myself, however my parents paid that tax when I was in school, so technically I shouldn't have to pay for it now (but I do).
You should get a tax break for helping overpopulate the world? It is not a countries duty to feed or cloth you. You need to WORK you booty off to provide for your family or do not have children. It's called birth control. The world is getting overpopulated as it is, if you can't afford children, then don't have them.
Help yourself people! It is not my responsibility or my neighbors responsibility to help you. I should not be forced to help people. I give my money to people and charities who I know need it. Its a good thing to do. I shouldn't have to give my money to someone who sits on their behind all day collecting welfare checks because they have had kids and don't want to work. Now, I understand that some people are trying to get off welfare and I say good for them! I am more than happy to help them get on their feet. Show me how you are helping yourself before you ask for my help. If you are on welfare and drive a nicer car, have a nicer cell phone, more 'bling', eat out more than me, or buy more crap than me, well then I don't think you deserve my help. Stop popping out kids and working the system.
My mom was a single mom and she got through it and makes really good money now. She WORKED her way up in her jobs, she didn't 'welfare' her way through life. Take a lesson from her.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Three gifts
Lately, since it's holiday frenzy time, I have been seeing lots of posts of Facebook about my friends stressing out that they can't find this gift for this person, or that they are worried if this person has enough gifts, etc. It drives me insane that people are taking Christ out of Christmas and replacing it with X-Box, Legos, and Barbie's.
Let me remind you that Jesus got THREE gifts, Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Just three gifts and he is JESUS, the King of Kings! I am sorry to be the one to tell you this, but your child is not better than Jesus and does not deserve anything better than him.
My (future) children will only get three gifts from me and my (future) husband. No one will say they are deprived because they will absolutely not be just because they don't get every single thing on their wish list. Besides that, they will get a mountain of other toys from your other family members. Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandparents, etc are all going to get little Suzy and Timmy something. Don't stress, it's not what the holidays are about.
My friend said that she knows a woman that gets her children three gifts one educational, one spiritual, and one fun gift. I love that idea! Maybe I will adopt that idea too.
So, this year remember the reason for the season is JESUS.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)