Dishes and attitude

10 reasons I like doing dishes:

1. It means I am fortunate enough to HAVE dishes to wash.

2. I had food to put in them for them to have gotten dirty.

3. It means I have 3 wonderful boys to cook for- more dishes means more children J.

4. It also means I cooked at home rather than going out which

a. Is hopefully healthier

b. Is better for my budget

c. Is better family time

5. My 1 yr. old standing at the dishwasher (which is used as a dish drainer) saying “Help, Help” as he puts dishes in it.

6. My children see me working and tend to remember their own chores.

7. When I am done I have accomplished something.

8. When I am done, I also get to have a clean, shiny sink.

9. It’s usually a quiet time during which I can think. Thinking time is good for me. J

10. It does wonders for my hands. Hahaha.

Okay, admittedly I came up with this list because I was trying to find something good about all the dishes I had to wash today, after a difficult day in the first place. But I really ended up with a better attitude about the whole day by the time I was done!

P.S.

P.S. This may be kind of random, but I just figured out how to follow a blog (don't laugh!) and I am confused as to the difference between following a blog and subscribing to one. Why do some have one option and others the other and can you change yours? Ah, well, the internet is definitely a blessing. I'll go look it up!

The mind-numbing powers of television, and other thoughts

If I had a television right now, I think I’d be utilizing its powers of distraction and entertainment. It’s not that I’m bored, just tired of what I’m doing, and the routine I’ve been in for the last several weeks. My leisure time has included stolen moments, invaded by the knowledge that I should be doing something else. Underneath it all, the problem is that productivity breeds satisfaction, and I haven’t been feeling very productive lately. Of course, my school work is getting done, thanks to deadlines, and marks one of the only areas where I can see progress- on paper even. I think that’s the reason I liked working so much (um, depending on the job!); I could see my contribution to society, or what I had done over the course of the day that moved me closer to a goal. This idea does not apply to my short stint at a fast food establishment many years ago, where I felt that I was contributing to the decline of society J. I’m sure even fast-food places have their role, and I must confess I love Subway and frequent Wendy’s, I just didn’t enjoy working in one of them. And when a person does not enjoy his or her job, neither the person nor his employer is happy.

Yes, back to the subject at hand. I’m going to reestablish my menu, so that I’m less stressed at the grocery store and when it comes time to make dinner. Crockpots tend to make my whole day better because it’s one less thing I have to worry about in the evening. That knowledge spurs soothing thoughts during the day (such as, “Well, at least we’ll have a decent meal when my husband gets home, even if I don’t accomplish anything else”), provides an early check-mark for my to-do list, and the yummy smells emanating from them throughout the day make me a nicer person. I guess I just like food. Particularly dessert.

Keeping my house clean and orderly is an accomplishment, just…one…that….is…never…quite…finished. I have a new goal to make housecleaning less a part of my life without seriously diminishing the state of the house. That is to say, I want to establish a schedule and routine which require minimum investments of time for the largest returns. I know, big dreams, but I’m working on a plan. (Which will be implemented AFTER the huge unpacking project next week when all of my “worldly goods” arrive from Indiana.)

I am also going to rethink my business plan. That will help. And if I do things just right (do some of the things on my husband’s to-do list to free up his time), I may even get my husband to help me- on Monday, which he has off of work.

As is usually the case, writing has boosted my spirits. I love words, especially on paper.

Ocean Grove

I found the most awesome school today! It's called Ocean Grove Charter, and it's technically a public school, but so very different from any other school I've seen. First of all, the parents are the teachers, like with K12. But that's where the similarity ends. The parents make individual plans for each child after filling out an "interests and abilities map" that tells the way your child learns the best. Then you sit with an advisor and they help you pick subjects, goals for the year, and you get to choose from sooo many different programs. (I haven't counted them yet.) They offer a decent explanation of all those different styles (Montessori, IB, Waldorf, etc) and then offer courses from certified vendors. They have an amazing range of subjects, including 20 foreign languages, piano lessons, band and orchestra, and leadership skills. Since it's a public school it's government funded, but the $1800 or so a year that goes to each child is a little more fluid than with most schools. The parents and kids get to decide where it's spent. I think that's why they have so many different options.
All I started out looking for was an umbrella school because that's the only way I can homeschool here, but I'm definitely going apply here. My son has been asking if he can learn Chinese (like Daddy), and Tagalog, and I've been looking for tutors or a good online curriculum. This school has actual immersion classes. I even asked what the catch was because it sounded too good to be true, but the secretary just laughed and thanked me.

Shawn is going to Indiana to pack our things. The question is, do I drive him to San Francisco in the middle of the night with all the kids, or pay the $75 parking fee and let him drive himself. It would save me the trip back too...and trying to keep track of my kids in an airport...worth it but can I afford it!

Sweatshops

This is my opinion from a discussion board this week. In order to completely understand it you would need to view these videos (easily available online): China Blue (first, and it's by PBS, google the video, about an hour), Globalization is Good (second, also google, by Johan Norberg, about an hour), and Nicholas Kristof's article "Where Sweatshops are a dream." There's an accompanying 4 minute video with that one.

It'll take a while, but it's so worth it. Isn't it wonderful to LEARN? Yes, and we should all do it more often. Try it out, it'll stretch your brain.

Contrast China Blue’s view on sweatshops with Norberg’s view. After reviewing the two sides, what is your opinion? Why? What arguments would you offer against or in support of Kristof's (Where Sweatshops are a Dream) opinion on sweatshops?

The producer of China Blue viewed sweatshops to be horrid and inhumane places. They made it seem that sweatshops should be banned throughout the world for the human suffering they inflict upon people.

Norberg glorified sweatshops as an asset to a developing country, a sign of progress, and economic stimulation. He showed that sweatshops provide opportunities for further growth and wealth.

I side with Norberg, with a disclaimer- that I do not support tyranny and abusive practices, even in a sweatshop. That said, I believe they can be what Norberg said, an opportunity and a stepping stone. Some of them are not well run, and are horrible places to be. Hopefully, people can be educated well enough to know that helping your employees helps your company. I would support sweatshop reform in the form of classes, workshops, or seminars that show managers and owners just how and why treating their employees better will increase production more than threatening and docking pay.

I loved Kristof’s piece because he put into words (and video) all the heartache I felt when I walked the streets of Manila and had to shake my head at children no older than my own when I ran out of money or food to give them. They weaved in and out of jeepneys, cars, and trikes like stray cats, handing out envelopes in the jeepneys that said something to the effect of “Please help. I need money for food for my little brothers.” Are they faking it (they really have a nice house somewhere , right) and working the streets as con artists? Not likely. I have never seen so many people without an arm (or both), leg, or with some other debilitating injury in my life. I have never seen so many children sleeping on sidewalks. Sweatshops are not meant to take children out of school and put them to hard labor. They are meant to take children and people off the streets and give them useful and productive labor that will empower them and enable them to make their lives better than they are now.

Blog Watching

I’ve been observing blogs. Okay, I’ve been surfing the net for hours and hours, but really, I was looking for what it is that interests me in a blog. The ones where I feel I can either identify with the experiences of the blogger or where I wish to be more like the blogger are the blogs I am most likely to read. An expert in their field, or a dedicated amateur, is next provided I am interested in their area of expertise. There are a couple of cooking blogs I like (specializing in crockpot and budget meals), a few homeschooling blogs (discussing TJed), I may find an organization or gardening blog, possibly an herbal blog- but I doubt it. Other than that I like blogs by friends and family members, and people of like minds or similar goals. Entertainment is secondary to connectedness, and I feel like I’m definitely keeping in touch with my sister if I read her blog…the problem is others may not feel like they’re keeping in touch with me. (But if I tell people I know about my blog then I have to try to keep things pertinent and interesting, watch my mouth in order to be politically correct, and I’m obligated to be consistent about blogging- all of which could be a pain.) Similarly- I feel like I’m close to people I’ve never actually met, and who may not know I read their blog. Maybe this is why blogging grew into such a popular pastime (and is it a passing fad?). It helps people feel more connected to the world, with little to no risk of drama, rejection, or favor-asking.

About Me

This didn't fit in the "About me" section, so I'm putting it here:

I am usually a stay-at-home mom (with occasional short bouts of temporary jobs). My husband is a linguist in the military. He just joined. I imagine we’ll be moving a lot.

I homeschool my son, at his request, and will most likely homeschool his two younger brothers in ensuing years.

Religion is the basic premise of life for our family. We like going to church too. I’m LDS. I grew up LDS. I love it. My husband is already planning several missions for when the children are gone. General Conference is my favorite time of the year. And it comes twice! 

I like to cook healthy meals, and don’t use much in the way of meat, sugar, or packaged foods. However, I love to bake, especially desserts, and it takes a lot of restraint to keep myself from making large amounts of rich sugary desserts. I substitute with honey and whole wheat where I can, and succumb to my sugar cravings when think about it too much. My mother has a good cookbook that helps me out. My mother-in-law makes some of the best food I’ve ever tasted.

My mother and grandmother taught me to use herbs for nutrition and healing. I love herbs. Except the bitter ones- but I still use them…heavily camouflaged with honey.

I love to sing. I sing all the time. I don’t like pretty much anything on the radio, so we sing in the car instead, or listen to the “Standin’ Tall” tapes. I like to play the piano. I don’t have one at the moment however, and I don’t even know if I can read music anymore. I am also an old-movie addict- according to my husband. I rarely watch anything made after 1960, except Veggietales and some animated (mostly Disney and Pixar) movies. My children help make me more cultured I suppose. I never would have seen “Finding Nemo” without them.

I love to read. I probably have too many books, but I can’t help it. I buy bookshelves whenever I find a good deal, and the boys all sleep in one room (I never did see a reason for a child to have their own room) so we can have a library. I love libraries. I think I’m going to have to start putting bookshelves in the pantry. It’s a large pantry.