Who Has Inspired You?

Some people who walk into our lives touch them in ways that change our life forever.  Whether it is someone we grew up with, were taught by, worked with, were raised by, or knew in passing, it is not always easy to tell the ones who will leave footprints in our hearts.  But when you find someone who changes your life in a positive way, it is nice to be thankful for the good fortune that led to your paths becoming intertwined.

There are a few people who have done wonders for me.  I'd like to give a few of them an anonymous appraisal right now (unless you know me personally, in which case you know who I am talking about; I praise these people a great deal, as I should):

My family - I'm wrapping them all together, because although they have been by my side through thick and thin, it is not extremely out there to be inspired by your family.  For better or worse, they usually have a huge hand in making you the way that you are (either by positive reinforcement, or learning how not to be).  My family has done so much for me, has been extremely supportive, and has never given up on me.

"Ma" - A women with a huge heart.  She was always very involved in the community, and the youth in general.  She loved so many as her own children, which is how she earned the name "Ma."  She was a wonder.  Beautiful (inside and out), strong, positive, and loving.  She battled some terrible things (one of which eventually claimed her life all too soon), and I never once heard the woman complain about anything.  When I hit a rough spot in my life, she took me under her wing, and for that I can never say enough positive things about.  She was a generous soul, and is sorely missed be so many.  Ma helped to make me a better person.  I do not want to disappoint her in any way, and try to keep a positive outlook.  For every time you complain, you should look on the bright side three times.  Things can always be better, but they can be even worse.

Johnny Depp - Actually...I'm not going to talk about this one too much.  He's done so much for me, both indirectly and directly.  He's one of my heroes...as are everyone on this list.

My high school science teacher - I owe him so much.  That is not even the tip of the iceberg.  We all have had a teacher who inspired us, but that does not compare at all to what my high school science teacher has done for me.  I say "high school science teacher," because I had him three years in a row.  I had him as a sophomore, and that class inspired me to chose that as a career path.  The following year I was out of school dealing with cancer, and he volunteered to be my science tutor.  The following year, he single-handedly had gotten a more advanced class of the course I had loved as a sophomore, developed and running at school.  That was a huge factor in me getting back to school for my senior year.  I just had to take that class.  And through the year, while I was still dealing with treatments and side-effects, that class kept me coming to school every day (even if it was ONLY for that class).  Aside from me crediting that as helping me get better (which is enough in and of itself), he has been a mentor to me since sophomore year.  When I needed to talk about something, he was there.  He has time and time again gone above and beyond the call of duty of a teacher, and has bent over backwards to help me.  I owe him more than I can ever repay him.  He is the reason I am on my way to becoming a teacher of that subject today.  He's the best teacher I have ever seen. End of story.

Who has inspired you?  Have you told any of them what they mean to you?  

"You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person."

Student Teaching

I just wanted to let you know that I am completing my teaching certificate this semester, which includes being in a classroom all day for fifteen weeks.  Slowly I am taking over the responsibilities of a teacher, and within a couple of weeks the classroom will be completely under my control.

It is exciting, terrifying, and very time consuming.

I will post when I can.  I just did not want you to think I've abandoned my blog.  I'll be around; just not posting as regularly for a while.

Rock Painting

Sometimes you just need to relax. Who doesn't have rocks around?  Maybe that is just me...Turn them into works of art, cute gift ideas, pets, or decorative paperweights.  All you need are some clean rocks, paint, brushes, and a surface to paint on.

Get your craft on when it's too cold to go outside.

Love the Pound!

I am still in love with all things London. I've mentioned I like their money, but here is another reason why.

In America we have the state quarters, and the occasional other special or commemorative coin. In the UK, on the back of their new coins, each one has a piece of the shield that can be found in complete form on the back of the pound.

My friend just sent me the last one I needed to complete the picture.

A Name

If you are reading this, unless you are a spam program in which case you are technically not reading, but corrupting this post, then you probably have a name.  You have your birth given name, whether you like it or not.  Then you may also have a nickname, what you prefer people to call you.  You may even have an alias, whether you have changed your name due to marriage or mid-life crisis.  But you have a name. 

How often do you think about this name? 

Does it feel personal to you?  As if it belongs to you and only you?

What about the strangers you pass by on the street?  How many of them share your name, and you will never know it?

Have you ever been out in public, and you  hear your first name shouted in your direction?  You turn, but do not know the person calling you.  Then you realize the person you were standing five feet away from has the same name as you.  You may think that is normal if your name is "Bill," but it could be quite odd if your name is more along the lines of "Ildiko."  What are the chances of that?

I just think it is weird, is all.  You could be right next to someone who shares one of the most personal features of your being, and you would never know it unless you introduce yourself.

Hi.  My name is Katie.

Benny and Joon

This is not a new movie.  In fact, it came out in 1993.  However, I have decided (even if it is just for my own record), to catalogue some of my favorite movies.  I will also be trying to get through all of Johnny Depp’s films (of which I have seen all save one, but would like to re-watch them for a fresh review).

Starting with “Benny and Joon.”

This is the story of Benny (Aidan Quinn), who is a single mechanic who is having difficulties looking after his younger and mentally ill sister Joon (Mary Stuart Masterson).  The two of them have been living together ever since their parents died in a car accident, over ten years ago.

Joon is going through house-sitters like tissue, as she is a handful (why she cannot be left home alone).  When Benny can find no more people willing to look after Joon while he is in work, he hits a dilemma he has been trying to avoid.  Joon just might be best off in a group home, where she can socialize with other people and work out some of her internal issues.

Then comes Sam (Johnny Depp).  We are never quite sure what is different about Sam, but something is askew.  He is twenty-six years old, and cannot read, along with a few idiosyncrasies.  He is obsessed with old movies, and is phenomenal at physical comedy (culminating in a superb park scene towards the end). 

Sam seems to be the answer for Benny and Joon, as Joon and Sam really hit it off.  Joon is able to do more, and seems to be having more good days.  But Benny is not quite ready to hand off his sister to a guy he is not too sure about just yet.

It isn’t all rainbows and unicorns, and Joon has an episode that could compromise all Benny has been trying to work for.  If Benny can open up and learn to let go, Sam might be able to keep Joon safe a bit longer; possibly forever.

This is such a sweet movie.  I give it a 9.8 out of 10.  It is my third favorite movie.  The cast is wonderful, the story is touching, the music entrancing, and the physical stunts admirable.  This is a movie you should definitely see, and perfect for a day when you are just not feeling on top of the world (and need a nice pick me up).

“Benny and Joon” is rated PG, and runs 98 minutes.

Build Your Own Trail Mix Bar

There are many reasons why you’d want to do this: a party with fussy guests, picky children you need to amuse, really any activity you need to host.

Everyone has their favorite things in trail mix, and things they eat around.  If you set out the ingredients and allow your guests to put their own favorites in their own ratio into their bags, then you will never have someone complaining that there are too many raisins to pretzels again.

What you will need:

·         Baggies and ties; enough to go around

·         Small bowls; one for each of the items

·         Serving spoons so you do not have people digging around in the food

·         Your ingredients of choice; one per bowl

You can get very creative with this.  You can go all indulgent, with all of your favorite bite-sized chocolates (chips, covered nuts, flavored cereals, etc.).  You can be traditional, with pretzels, nuts, chocolate candies, raisins, etc.  You can even be healthy, with high-fiber nuts, pretzels, cereals, and all-natural sweet items: raisins, dried fruit, etc.

You can have fun picking out the items, and your guests will have fun putting their snack together.  It never gets old!

Jack and Jill (2011)

This is an odd premise to a movie, but makes for a good story.

Adam Sandler plays both of the titular characters: Jack and Jill Sadelstein – twins.  Yes, he plays a woman – an ugly woman, whom you grow to feel sorry for for being so odd looking.

Jack has a regular family and life, which his sister was never able to achieve.  Jill is a sad character, who lived solely around her mother who recently passed away.  Without her mother, Jill is a bit lost.  Trying to cling to her family as close as possible, Jill visits Jack for the holidays, and then just refuses to leave.  She does not want to return to her life, where no one seems to accept her (even though her brother is less than welcoming).

Jill is trying to fit in with Jack’s family.  His family likes her; he just refuses to open himself up to her peculiarities. 

Jack is an advertising executive who’s current mission is to get Al Pacino (played by himself) to do a Dunkin’ Donuts commercial since his name rhymes with their drink, the Dunkaccino.  Al is less than easily persuaded, as his character version of himself is on a downward spiral in his acting career, and he does not see this as benefiting his reputation.  However, Jack and Jill go to a game because Jack knows Al will be there (sitting with none other than the real Johnny Depp for a quick cameo), and he thinks he can win him over.  Unfortunately (or fortunately for Jack), Al has no interest in the commercial, but falls in love with Jill, who could not care less about this creepy man.

Jack then exploits his sister to try to get to Al, and maybe does a bit of cross-dressing to get what he wants.  In the end, Jack hurts Jill, but their twin power brings them back closer than ever.

This is an odd, but cute movie.  Al Pacino’s part is hilarious.  I give him a great deal of credit for doing all that he did (especially considering Jill is just Adam Sandler in drag).  Keeping that in mind, the movie is quite interesting, with a great cast.  I give the film a 6.7 out of 10 (or, worth the money to rent for a night).  You need to watch to the end to see if Al goes through with the commercial. =)

“Jack and Jill” (2011) is rated PG and runs 91 minutes.