A teacher from Primary School asked her students to write an essay about what they would like God to do for them… At the end of the day, while marking the essays, she read one that made her very emotional. Her husband, who had just walked in, saw her crying and asked her ‘What happened?’ She answered, ‘Read this. It is one of my students’ essay.’ ‘Oh God, tonight I ask you something very special.’ Make me into a television. I want to take its place and live like the TV in my house. Have my own special place, And have my family around ME. To be taken seriously when I talk…. I want to be the centre of attention and be heard without interruptions or questions. I want to receive the same special care that TV receives even when it is not working. Have the company of my dad when he arrives home from work, even when he is tired. And I want my mom to want me when she is sad and upset, instead of ignoring me… And… I want my brothers to fight to be with me… I want to feel that family just leaves everything aside, every now and then, just to spend some time with me. And last but not least, ensure that I can make them all happy and entertain them… Lord I don’t ask you for much… I just want to live like a TV.’ At that moment the husband said ‘My God, poor kid. What horrible parents!’ The wife looked up at him and said ‘That essay is our son’s!’
Make, me like a TV
What do you make?
Here is a story a friend sent me. I loved it! It goes out to all the teachers in the world, for all you’ve done!
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.
One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, “What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?”To stress his point he said to another guest; “You’re a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?”
Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, “You want to know what I make?” (She paused for a second, then began…)
“Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
“I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can’t make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.
“You want to know what I make?” (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table)
“I make kids wonder.
“I make them question.
“I make them apologize and mean it.
“I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
“I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn’t everything.
“I make them read, read, read.
“I make them show all their work in math. They use their God given brain, not the man-made calculator.
“I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know about English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
“I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
“Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.” (Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)
“Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn’t everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant. You want to know what I make? I MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
“What do you make Mr. CEO?”
His jaw dropped, he went silent.
A Whole New World
I can’t help but long to express myself in a way that others can relate to. The reason I started my blog was to understand myself, through documenting my activities and things that impressed me. I have a problem with relating to my past; I sort of live in the present and dream about the future. Looking back there are somethings that remain hazy. I’ve been reading a bit of poetry lately and found myself expressing myself easily in short, descriptive stanzas. It’s like I have been lost in sea for days, and now I finally see land in the distance. It’s new, it’s unknown, it’s so vast. Let’s see what’s in store for me as I venture on.
My art is one way I express myself. I am in every stroke I make, and a part of me wants this painting I am working on now to express the freedom I feels. I guess that’s why I chose the theme: a naked lady laying by the shore as the waves come crashing down at her. She is comfortable, as if in rapture, almost becoming one with the movement of the sea and sand. She is enjoying every sensation of the moment.
untitled, and unfinished.
Don’t we all want to be understood. Some people have the gift to speak fluently when the time is right, to stand before crowds, their words flowing eloquently from their mouth. Some people use instruments, tools to help them. Music, song, poetry, art, clothes, makeup, these are all ways I love to express myself. Words — they will never suffice. I have always felt truth in the saying “a man is not what he says, but what he does”. At lest it is that way for me.
That Magic Box on your Desk.
The computer is the favorite toy of the century. We love it for its many great benefits. You can use it for work, reading, information, school, mailing and keeping in touch with friends, for relaxation and for entertainment. Today life without the computer would seem impossible. Yes, and this is the very reason we hate it. I don’t know what I would do if my computer were to crash. It’s the worst nightmare that I wouldn’t wish on even the most horrible person. I hate relaying on technology but the truth is that I am addicted.
There is life when that magic box is switched off, life that seems to come to a complete stand still when you were glued to its bright window. When the computer is off you are in the dimension where what you say and what you do actually mean something. You see, the world in your computer has not rules. You can play a car racing game and run over a bunch of police cars and win. There’s another game where the gamer is supposed to shoot and kill, the more people you kill the better you are at the game. If you don’t shoot them first they will shoot you. The gamers became addicted to this world of no limits and violence.
Not all computer games are violent. Some are educational and very helpful. I myself have used computer games to help children in their academic studies. There’s Mavis Becan Typing Tutor, which teaches touch typing. Yet these learning games aren’t the most popular. These ones are the entertainment games. Some computer games are harmless entertainment, such as Pac Man, Solitaire, and Simulators. Yet they become addicting, and one can spend hours over hours while the whole world is ignored.
Similarly, computer games that are violent and promote killing and shooting have been noted to make the gamers more hostile and prone to violence. They can’t seem to cope in the world outside the box with rules, respect, limits and laws. The mature gamer might be able too, but the young and influential might mix up reality with the game and begin down a very dangerous road.
Like stated previously, there is life beyond that box and children who are addicted to computer games miss out on that. Children need to be with their peers, outside in nature. Doctors say that children should get up to two and a half hours of exercise and fresh air every day in order to stay healthy. Child psychologist state that children who play violent computer games are more likely to never make close connections with parents and friends. The computer is not at fault but rather it is the parents or guardian’s responsibility to make sure their child leads a balanced life. Just like a parent needs to provide and care for their children, making sure that they get their food and needs, they need to make sure their children are physically strong and emotionally unattached to such habits.
Children love to play outside; they love to make friends and are a bright and happy bunch. Keeping a time limit to how many hours your child spends weekly on the computer is a good family rule to put in place, living in an area where there is lots of space for children to run and play, away from the city offers them the space the need to get exercise. Giving children hugs and affection, playing with them and having family time everyday are just a few things you, as a parent could do to keep your child happy and healthy, living in the real world.
To sum it up, computer games should be limited in homes if children are to really enjoy and experience their life. And if you are addicted to your computer like a lot of us are, than give yourself a break and switch it off for your times of relaxation. You will be amazed at how much fun you can have learning a new hobby, going for a walk, watching the sunset, playing with children, reading a book and so much more that is real and meaningful. You should never let something have too much prominence in your life, especially if it’s a magic box and you’re the bunny. What I am trying to say is don’t let the computer use you, you use the computer.
Pop Stars are good role models for young people??
Rihanna, Michael Jackson, Lady GaGa, Justin Bierber and Katy Perry – what do all these people have in common? They are all pop stars. Whether they write their own songs or just sing the lyrics, each one of them has their own style and message. The music industry is so huge; these names are just a handful of them. And yet they all play to create an effect in the lives of the listener.
As a singer, they want their fans to see them as someone they can relate to. Young people are the biggest market for pop music and they will be loyal fans to the very clothes on their backs to the hairs on their heads to the ones they like the most. So each artist tries their hardest to sing a tune that they feel others will find relatable. Within some of those sweet sounding lyrics and strums is the heart cry of a teen. So many teens relate to pop stars from their songs and follow them around with the idea that the singer must be awesome.
And then there are those whose music is produced to appeal to the rebels, the ones who never fit in and want to do their own thing. This is the tunes that scream out of the radio, hit top charts and sell like hot cakes. The young people again relate to it and worship the artist.
Here is where the young person stands: He loves music, he is naturally going to be rebellious as he is growing up and becoming an adult. This is only natural and normal. So is their need to have someone to look up to, admire and copy. The music industry churns out these pop stars hoping to make money off of the huge market of young people. Yet the pop stars are no good role model. They may sound harmless, but when you really listen to the lyrics and take a look at these “stars” you’ll realize what the media is feeding us young people. The majority of the music is about sex, revenge, hate, and selfishness. These messages may appeal to the listener, because we all find it very easy and natural to feel these feelings. But as a young person, we already have enough of these tendencies, what we need it something completely polar to pop stars.
A young person needs to rebel, but not from their family, from the wrong government and state of the nation. A young person needs to have contact and relationships with those of the opposite sex, but loving ones, that are unselfish, and caring. A young person needs a role model that can help them see hope in the world, hope in themselves and hope for their future. We need role models that can give this to us. I personally feel that great men and women of the past and present can be the true role models we are looking for. They have accomplish great feats and arisen to the challenges set before them. What do George Muller, Annie Sullivan, Nick Vujicic, Mother Teresa, and Louis Braille have in common? They are all great role models!
You cannot stop someone from listening to pop music, and that is not the point of this argument. Some of the pop stars are great and good to listen to. Most of them are great singers and some songs even have a nice message. Pop musicians have their place, but role model, well that certainly isn’t it.
What’s Up!
So I am finally taking a trip to visit my family. I was going to wait for Nick to come back and then go with him, but it looks like he will need to start his new job soon. Just today we got the good news that his visa is through and he will be come home!! It turns out that we are both arriving in Delhi on the same day! So I will be coming home to pick up Nick. Things couldn’t look better for the next week.
Some great news is that the first book of the phonics set I am working on is finished. Now I will be getting the new story to start working on. I will post pictures as soon as I am done, but here is just a sneak-peek at the first book.
Sneak-Peek at Jake the Farmer
To Be!
It’s almost the end of the month, woe is me! It would seem as if the sand dial of time has been tinkered with and the minutes are falling down, faster and faster. Another year gone by and time could soon be up and He turns it. I know I’m not immortal, but I sure feel like I could live forever! This life is just too good to me.
I have just joined a website called skillpages. It’s a networking site that you can put a profile on for free. Look me up here: http://www.skillpages.com/illustrator-and-artist+-gurgaon-india+pollyanna.moss
Art Fetish
I have decided that I need to give more focus to art, a hobby of mine that I have been neglecting for a few years now. To inspire myself I got some tools just perfect for me! I got a wooden easel. I have an adjustable one that can be shrunk to a size that fits nicely on your desk to a medium sized canvas. This wooden easel can hold large canvas. The one I have on it now has a two-inch box frame, and measures 3 by 5 feet.
Wooden easel with a new oil painting I am working on
I saw a table top easel that I had to get. For one reason it would be perfect for the Bible book illustration that I am working on, and for another it’s got a nifty space inside to keep pens, brushes and paper. Yeah! I like this one the most. It comes with a piece that holds a canvass too, I just took that off for now.
It's also closes up into a carry box. Snazzy!
And last, but definitely not least, my Bamboo Fun Tablet. I am working on a series of phonics books and I will be needing this baby to help me. I have played around with it a bit and it works amazing. It comes with two programs, which I think are super cool! One is Coral Painter Essentials and the other is Adobe Photoshop Elements. It’s a great buy! I got the white one. You will be seeing many works from me soon made on this baby. I look forward to posting them.
My Magic Pen!
So I now have no excuse for not drawing, painting, illustrating, and the rest. Glad I have this chance to do what I love. Life is good! Now I am off to paint.
Wow From WordPress!
The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:
The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.
Crunchy numbers
A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 12,000 times in 2010. That’s about 29 full 747s.
In 2010, there were 67 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 156 posts. There were 146 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 94mb. That’s about 3 pictures per week.
The busiest day of the year was May 5th with 107 views. The most popular post that day was Happy Children’s Day! .
Where did they come from?
The top referring sites in 2010 were facebook.com, moustachioedspaniard.blogspot.com, search.aol.com, rideforlife.super-tenere.com, and 74.125.67.100.
Some visitors came searching, mostly for jawaharlal nehru, mural, murals, chicken pox, and pandit jawaharlal nehru.
Attractions in 2010
These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.
Happy Children’s Day! November 2009
2 comments
The mural capital of the world April 2010
2 comments
A Bike Ride October 2009
Praying For You! November 2009
Nancy Noel July 2010
2 comments and 1 Like on WordPress.com,
Memoirs of 2010
It began with many hopes and dreams. I was so full of courage and faith for the unknown and unplanned, happily trusting in my Heavenly Father and Provider to lead me through this next year, just like He has always done. The year brought with it many unexpected changes. Yet He was always there.
Jan.
Saying goodbye to friends, closing up our beloved home in Nirvana. So many memories to treasure for life. What a way to start an unforgettable year.
Feb.
I remember moving into my new home, leaving my old job behind. Lori, Nick’s sister, and her daughter, Megan, came to live with us. Julie was so happy. She was also such a good Grandmother. This month was the happiest month of the year. I had family near me and there was never a dull moment. Then Keren, a good friend and my sister-in-law-to-be, moved to a far country, Chile. At the same time an earthquake shook it up, leaving many homeless. She was able to be a part of the humanitarian aid there with The Family International. I was so proud of her for that big step she took.
Mar.
I was starting KidArt, which was very exciting and fun for me. I started painting my first mural.
April.
Nick went with his family to the States to visit his family there. I worked on my mural a lot and finished it.
May.
Nick and family are still gone. Missing him, but keeping myself busy with summer camps and school programs.
June.
My friends and I went for a week’s vacation to Manali. I loved it there and was able to get some rest and quite time. I loved our picnic near the lake, the many treks up the mountain side with the kids, and the starry nights. It was the middle of the year and I felt amazing.
July.
Nick finally comes back. Received the sad news that Julie, Lori, and Megan would not be returning to stay, but she would be coming, and then going back, to join Keren in Chile. We went to visit my family in Hyderabad, and had so much fun there. And the second best thing, Mom and Dad found a beautiful new place and were finally out of the apartment.
Aug.
We were all caught up in preparation and merriment when the wedding bells rang. Seth and Deepti’s wedding was the high-light of this month.
Sep.
I bade a tearful farewell to Julie, Lori and Megan. Life would never be the same without them.
Oct.
I started my new job with Intellitots. It’s not the same as home schooling, and I missed it.
Nov.
Now I had a routine, went to work for two hours every day. My high-light was celebrating Diwali with friends, and stuffing my face with so many sweets.
Dec.
Had a fun road trip with friends to Vrindavan, where I experienced more of this amazing Continent. Celebrated Christmas by singing at the Promenade and Leela.
Now, the last moments of 2010 are passing me by as I write this short brief. It’s been an amazing year, with so much to thank God for. Happy New year to My family and friends! May this new year bring more excitement, more laughter, more love, more joy, more faith, more trust, and more of Him in your life.
