The semester is almost over, and I am extrememly happy about it.  I am done with two classes and am finishing the other up quite soon. 

My literacy tutoring class has been a wonderful experience but rather horrible to endure at the same time.  I have been working with 2 boys, a kindergartener and first grader, on reading, writing, and word study.  The kindergarten boy is by far the cutest kids in the program, but cuteness doesn't always make up for a short attention span and an overly demanding personality.  It sure made it a trying time.  I am happy to say that both boys made good progress during the semester so I couldn't have messed up too bad.  I have the lastlesson tomorrow, and it is parent's night.  The kids read to their parents and show them what they have done during the semester.  I am probably more stressed about this than the rest of the semester because I have to answer parent questions.  That means I have to both sound smart and have decent answers.  The kindergarten boy's parents worry me the most becaus eI want to tell them that I think he is too immature for 1st grade, but that's not really my place.  Instead I will tell them that he is doing better and will now be less behind.  Did anyone else out there know that kids are suppossed to be reading by the end of kindergarten now?  I always thought that was a first grade goal.

I have to take a 3 week, 8am-5pm mini term class for my technology program, which will be horrible.  My boss was nice enough to count the class as work so I don't have to make the time up, but I will still need to go into work a few hours each week to make sure things don't get behind.  I also wanted to do a 90 hour library practicum but I don't think I will.  I feel bad asking for more time off after I was given 3 whole weeks, and I think ti will be nice to have a summer without school.  I haven't had that in awhile. 

So, I know I have a degree in music, but this particular term has jumped out of my brain and ran away...

What's it called when there are 2 melodies or songs being played simultaneously?

And I know it's not a round.

It's the thought that counts...

I know we have all heard that saying countless times when it comes to giving/receiving gifts.  I think that my mom prepped me for birthday parties with that thought for a good deal of my life in fact. 

But, is it really true?  Is it really the thought that counts?  What if the thought is simply, "It's her birthday and I should get her something."  I don't really think that thought counts.  I suppose it's nice that the person even remembered your birthday or found it important to get you something, but what if it's really, "It's her birthday, I'll give her whatever I come across."  I mean, really what's the point?  I'd rather get no gift at all or just a card than a random gift that seemingly means nothing. 

My birthday is this weekend and I have already received a random pointless gift.  My boss got me a climbing hook with a rubber thing on it.  I have no idea what it is.  I have no idea why she would think I need it.  She also got me a card, which would have made me perfectly happy.  Instead, she had to include the random rubber hook thingy.  It seems like she just threw something in a bag and called it good.  Why bother?  It makes the whole gesture seem forced and fake.

Another great example of this was this Valentine's Day.  A lady in the ed department was handing out little kid Valentine cards.  Ok, that's fine.  She gives them to 3 people in my office, and has bubbles to give one of them too.  Now, she feels forced to give the other people little gifts too (even though she didn't give 5 people Valentines.)  So she scrounges through her desk and comes up with...promotional stickers and Ramen.  Yes, she gave someone Ramen.  Who does that except maybe as a joke?  Unfortunately, this was not a joke.  She really just thought she had to give the guy somehting so it might as well be Ramen.  He saw right through it and threw it away.  She totally messed up her sincere Valentine with a dumb present. 

I have written a lot and I should be doing homework.