Losing Weight.....

I started taking plexus slim some months back and I have gone from a size 24 to a size 20. While I was taking it my blood sugar leveled out and it became controllable. I had to stop taking it for a little while but since I have started back I can tell a difference in my energy and my blood sugar. This is a great product that is all natural. I just wanted to share it with you guys...

You can look it up at melaniecarridine.myplexusproducts.com

Job Searching

Hello everyone, It's been a long time since I was blogging. I would like to ask for your help. I am currently searching for a job. If anyone knows of any job opening in the South Georgia Area please send me the information. I was working until August of this year, when my Executive Director offered me another position. I was really excited about the job because I had not long been placed on a part time salary. So I was excited. It did not work out though because I was offered the same salary for the new position which required much more work, actually you could say that it was three full-time jobs in one. Needless to say I tried to negotiate my salary, but the Director refused to negotiate and I refused to sign the salary agreement. She then asked me to resign, but after I refused she asked me to leave. Thus the situation I find myself in at this moment...job searching. If you guys hear of any jobs please let me know.

Thanks everyone,

Melanie

Time Well Spent

I came into this course bright eyed and eager to learn. I was excited about furthering my career in the early childhood field because of my love for the children. There were times during this process that I wanted to throw in the towel. Even in this last course there were some discouraging events that took place. I lost my uncle and before we could bury him my cousin died. So you can imagine what I have been through on last week. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I would like to say thanks to great support from you guys concerning my assignments and the positive and encouraging feed back I was able to make it through unto the end. You guys have contributed so much to this degree process and for that I am grateful. There is so much that I have gained from the program but some resonates deeper than others.

1. I learned how to make and plan a budget. Also to allocate the resources where they are needed most. There will be times when unexpected expenses ocurr, but if I have budgeted correctly I will have the finances to cover them.
2. I learned how to be a leader, manager,and administrator for a childcare center. This program has prepared me for further positions in the area of early childhood education. I am well prepared to be a center director for our Church's childcare center(when God blesses us with it, preparing myself by faith)
3. I learned that my passion is kindled by the lack of parental involvement. I want to pursue the concept of parental involvement in hopes that I will be able to make an impact in the lives of the nation's children and families.

My long term goal is to actually create The National Parental Involvement Council Association. The International to come later. This organization will begin with my Church's childcare center where we will employ certified teacher to teach parents so that they can provide the needed education at home.

Well you guys, it is actually the end of the road for this degree. We made it through, some of us might have had some difficult times getting there, but we made it. I would like to thank each and everyone of you for all of your positive, heart warming responses to my assignments. I have enjoyed reading your posts as well and responding to comments. Thanks for all of your help and advice throughout this course for some of you and the program for others. I really appreciate all that you have done for me.

May God bless each and every one of you.

Melanie Carridine
melaniecarridine@gmailcom
Melanie Holloman Carridine on facebook

Thanking Jesus Right Now!!!

Favorite Quotes

Proverbs 3: 5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

2nd Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

International Organizations

EUROPEAN PLATFORM FOR INVESTING IN CHILDREN (EPIC)

In late February 2013 Investing in children-breaking the cycle of disadvantages became a focal point for the European Commission. It was adapted as a part of the Social Investment Package, a strategy to help overcome the current economic crisis and strengthen the capacity of individuals. The platform is represented by Poland, Sweden, the Netherlands, the UK, Ireland, Greece, Poland and Bulgaria. There are not links to employment for this organization, but I would love to have a position within the Organization because the focus is on the children and doing all possible to make sure they are being heard.

Up-Coming events that were interesting to me

4/18-19-2013

International Conference: Building Block for an Inclusive Society

4/24/2013

Round table debate on Grandparents as carers

7/5/2013

Euro Child & UNESCO Policy Round Table on Family and Parenting Support.

This is the one that caught my eye because it focuses on the challenge that I have chosen for the capstone project. This round table will focus on parent support, education, training, strengthening families, and community networks.

European Platform for Investing in Children (EPIC). (n.d.).  Retrieved April 11, 2013, from

http://europa.eu/epic/

ASSOCIATION FOR CHILDHOOD EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL (ACEI)

“Our mission is to promote and support the optimal education, development, and well-being of children worldwide, and to influence the professional growth of educators and the efforts of others who are committed to the needs of children in a changing society (Association for Childhood Education International, 2013).”

Vision-“Every child in every nation will have access to a quality education. This education will prepare children to become responsible and engaged citizens and ready them for life in a changing world (AEIC, 2013).”

ACEI was established as the International Kindergarten Union (IKU) in 1892, by educators concerned with the professional preparation of kindergarten teachers. In 1931, the National Council of Primary Education joined with the IKU to form the Association for Childhood Education (ACE). Realizing the critical importance of advancing childhood education throughout the world, ACE added "International" to its name in 1946, becoming the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI). Today, ACEI has members in many nations, country liaisons, and network groups (ACEI, 2013).

Association for the Childhood Education International (ACEI). (n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2013, from

http://www.acei.org/about-us/acei-history.html

UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION (UNESCO)

“UNESCO works to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared values. It is through this dialogue that the world can achieve global visions of sustainable development encompassing observance of human rights, mutual respect and the alleviation of poverty, all of which are at the heart of UNESCO’S mission and activities (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2013).”

The mission is to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information (UNESCO, 2013).

UNESCO teamed up with EPIC to present a round table on Family and Parenting Support.

United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (2011). Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/about-us/who-we-are/introducing-unesco/

These three organizations stand for all that I believe and I would love to be a part of the cause for any of the three in any position.

 

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal

National/Federal Organizations

1.      National Association for the Education of Young People (NAEYC)

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), is a Washington, DC-based national membership organization of close to 80,000 members, focused on improving the quality and accessibility of early childhood education programs and services and on enhancing the development of children and families.

There are two positions that I would want at this organization. They are currently seeking a Senior Director of NAEYC Academy.

Job Description

The Senior Director, working collaboratively within the NAEYC staff team, provides leadership to

·         Maintain the NAEYC program standards as the gold standard of excellence in early childhood education, reflecting current evidence from research and practice

·         Ensure that NAEYC Accreditation supports continuous quality improvement, is rigorous but not burdensome, and provides a valid and reliable assessment of program quality

·         Reach out to states and other systems to leverage relationships that recognize NAEYC Accreditation as a cost-effective approach to improving early childhood systems

·         Maximize the use of NAEYC Accreditation as one of the nation’s foremost channels for moving evidence-based research into everyday practice

·         Support the work of the Council for NAEYC Accreditation which is delegated authority by the NAEYC Governing Board to ensure the equity, integrity, and accountability of NAEYC Accreditation of programs for young children

Requirements: Advanced degree in nonprofit management, business administration and/or early childhood education/child development. Knowledge of and experience in both management and early childhood education. Excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.  Strong conceptual and analytic skills and talent for innovation. Demonstrated track record of leadership that motivates excellent performance and supports ongoing staff development.  Some travel is required. Salary commensurate with knowledge and experience with excellent benefits. Position is based at the NAEYC headquarters located in Washington, DC.

2.      Zero To Three

This organization is for infants,  toddlers, and families. ZERO TO THREE is a national nonprofit organization that informs, trains and supports professionals, policymakers and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers. Zero To Three’s mission is to promote the health and development of infants and toddlers.

Zero to Three is looking for a policy analyst.

Job Summary

 The Policy Analyst will work to advance ZERO TO THREE’s state policy priorities, conduct research and develop written materials for states, track promising state and community system building efforts focusing on California and the Western States, provide technical assistance to and facilitate learning communities among states, raise awareness of infant and toddler issues among policy, business and philanthropic leaders, promote coordination between the ZERO TO THREE Policy Center and the Western Office on policy and advocacy issues, and contribute to the overall work of the Policy Center.

Skills and Experience

Knowledge of state early childhood systems, policy issues, and programs.

• Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: early care and education, family support, infant mental health, or early intervention.

• Strong preference for experience working at the county and state level in a policy position

• Minimum of five years relevant work experience.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities effectively.

• Familiarity with California early childhood issues.

• Ability to be self-directed in accomplishing work responsibilities;

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• Ability to travel, including occasional overnight stays.

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent in public policy, social work, early childhood or a related field.

This is a part of the education field that I would love to have a part in. Some of the qualifications I would not met for this job such as knowledge of California’s early childhood issues, but I could learn them.

3.      National Education Association.

NEA’s vision-Our vision is a great public school for every student. Mission-Our mission is to advocate for education professionals and to unite our members and the nation to fulfill the promise of public education to prepare every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world. NEA also believes every student in America, regardless of family income or place of residence, deserves a quality education.

The NEA headquarters is in Washington DC. There were some job openings, but none that interested me, but the state affiliates had job postings that were great opportunities to work in the education field, and they pay great salaries. There was an Executive Director position that closed on March 7, 2013 in Tennessee. Also there were Organizational Development Specialist positions open in both West Virginia and Texas. There were not any job descriptions for these positions only contact information.

I would love to find a job at the national level that advocates and works diligently for the education of our young people.

 

COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE

1. Task

A local mental health service of Ashburn, Ga. This organization teaches people with mental disabilities to function on their own in society. They help with job preparation and employment opportunities; they help with Dr. appointments, and financial responsibilities.

2. Moultrie Technical College

Moultrie Tech has a GED program in Ashburn at the Community Service Center. This would be a great partner for the communities of practice because the parent’s education could be the link to the children's education.

3. Parent Involvement Council

This organization is headed by Turner County Connection/Communities in Schools of Turner County. This group meets once a month to brainstorm and come up with solutions to get parents involved in their children's education.

These three interested me because they could possibly the link for me to get parents to understand that they are their children’s first and most important teacher.


A job opportunity that I would love would be through my church's childcare facility. Now this facility is not in existence yet, but we are believing by faith that it will manifest soon. One of the desires that I have for the center would include a program for parents that would assist them in getting their GED or completing high school. It would also provide class room training for the parents. This training would teach parents how to teach their children at home and demonstrate to the parents the proper teaching techniques that could be used. It would serve to give parents fresh and new ways of teaching their children.

 

Here are the words that mean so much to me as an Early Childhood Professional. These three have the same words, but they are hard to read, so I pasted them all.

Hello my fellow Early Childhood Studies Colleagues. I can't express how overjoyed I am to have worked with such kind and helpful classmates. At the beginning of this journey we met and formed relationships over a virtual classroom. We have learned some important facts about each other and how we view ourselves as well as our careers. We have had some ups and downs in some of the classes, and we have had to reach out to each other for help. The times that I asked for help you guys were right there for me willing to give me tips and push me along the way. There were times during the research class that I was really struggling and you guys helped me through with words of encouragement, and helpful suggestions. I am well please with having begun this journey with you all. I pray that as we start our specialization classes that we never forget one another and that we go on to be the very best early childhood professionals that we can be in the field. May the Lord watch over you all and continue to guide you. It has been my pleasure to work with such fine colleagues.



Your Friend,


Melanie

Look me up on facebook. Melanie Holloman Carridine

Scooby Doo and the Gang: Adjourning

The group that I can remember the most that was truly the hardest for me to leave was the group of 11. The pre-k teachers and assistants. We have a very small pre-k with only 5 lead teachers and 5 assistant teachers. There was 6 classes, but unfortunately last year one died and they did not replace her. That took some of the wind out of our sails over at pre-k. The reason why I chose this group is because I had been a part of this group for 4 school terms with this school term being the 5 if I had stayed at pre-k. I can truly say that we were able to make it through all five stages. I have to be honest nothing about it was easy, because there are 10 teachers and a principal that all have to come together and agree for the children's sake. I really hated to leave this group because over the years we had gotten to know each other. We knew what each of us liked and disliked, we learned to listen to each other's opinions, and we learned to compromise with each other so that the children would get the best outcome possible. After building such a relationship with the other teachers that was comfortable and one that I knew well, I did not want to leave but I knew that I had to. It was truly saddening to leave pre-k after being there for 4 school terms. The lead teacher that I worked with and the parents of the students that were in my classroom all got together and threw me a surprise going away party. The children were great and they made me feel great that day because I knew that they really did love me and that they would miss me. So the experience that I had as I left pre-k is one that I will always remember..

I have to be honest I know that I am going to hate to see my colleagues and I part whenever we are done with this degree program. I want to be able to keep in touch with them so that I can still talk with them. I have to tell you that there have been some times in this program where I just wanted to quit and give up. Mainly in the research class that I took if it had not been for some of my colleagues that helped me through I would have given up. I had a difficult time in that class and I was given support by some of my colleagues, but there was one colleague in particular that responded to my e-mail for help in a nasty way. She said some things to me that did not help the situation at all, but there were others that helped to pull me through. That is what team work is about. I am so grateful for everyone that has helped me up unto this point. Thanks guys for your support. As we come to this end we will be in the adjourning stage. This stage is the most important stage because it proves that groups are able to make it pass their differences. They established mutual respect for each other and were able to work though their differences to come up with solutions that everyone agreed upon. At this point the group has become a success at what they set out to accomplish and they should be proud of themselves for trying and working so hard to make it through the process. So with that in mind all of us that is in this master degree program should be rejoicing because we are almost there to the adjourning stage.
                

                                    




The perfect example of team work, and working through your differences!!!!



Constantly Disagreeing

I have not had any conflicts with anyone outside my family, but I am in a constant battle with my son. He is about to turn 11 in Aug and he thinks that he is 25 already. We are constantly disagreeing and I have to get onto him about the same things everyday it seems like. I have had sit downs with him, his dad has, even our Pastor has talked with him. He is a great child, but he has this habit of wanting to talk back and be disobedient what we down south call "hard headed". I was raised "ole school" where talking back was just not allowed. I had a mother that would bop you in the mouth for talking back to her. I feel the same way and it upsets me when he is in that mode. So I am dealing with my son and we have conflicts constantly. I think that I have tried every conflict solution in this case, but too no avail.The one conflict resolution that I use is separation, I have to separate myself from him sometimes so that I do not allow myself to get so upset with him and do or say something that I will regret later. The only thing that I know to do is to give it to God because I can't fix it God will have to fix this for us. That is currently the only conflict in my life right now, we're in Spiritual Warfare right now.



Perceptions of Communication

As a part of my job I am required to hold group meetings for the Parent as Teachers requirements. I have to be able to communicate with he parents and their children in a very effective manner while addressing important teaching information that can be used by the parents. During these communication efforts that I engage in I assumed that I was always respectful to others and their opinions and that I would have a score that reflected such communication on the verbal assertiveness scale. My score was moderate which means that I maintain a good balance with respect and consideration of others' viewpoint, and the ability to argue fairly by attacking the facts of a position rather than attacking the person that is holding the position. That surprised me because I thought that I would be low which would mean that I am respectful to the intelligence and viewpoints of others, and that I attempt to change their minds with gentle, and inoffensive suggestions that do not attack their self-concept. 

I learned that through the evaluation done by my husband and friend that they hold me in high regards as being an effective communicator.

I also learned that I am on the significant level sometimes when it comes to dealing with my oldest son. He is at the age where he thinks he knows more than I do and sometimes my verbal aggression level rises with him.

I have resolved that I will strive to bring my verbal aggression level with my son to a low point on the scale.

                                                                           





"DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE WORDS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF MY MOUTH"?

The tittle of my blog comes from the motion picture Rush Hour. There are times when I am speaking to different groups of people that I have to change the way I speak. Sometimes my language is slang. I use that type of language when I am talking with my nephews. They have their own language that they use when they communicate with them and I my self use it when I am talking with them. It makes the atmosphere more agreeable when we are speaking. I have learned that when talking in my culture that you have to use the dominate language of the conversation to fit in. So when I am around my nephews talking with them I use slang, when I am around my family we use what people in big cities call country talk. Which is an informal way of speaking that is not always using correct English, with some occasional verb splitting.



In my neighborhood my family is the only Black family. Our neighbors are all White and we sometimes talk when we meet each other outside. Whenever I speak with them I do not have to change my way of speaking because we all speak on the same level. We have conversations that are long and short at times and we are able to effectively communicate with each other on a level that is understood by all.



3 strategies that I will use to help me communicate effectively.

• Talk on the same level of the person/people that I am communicating with. I have learned that when I talk with the children and families that I serve I have to be like a chameleon, able to switch back and forth with the language that I use. The reason being is that people like to feel comfortable and relaxed when they speak without feeling inadequate or dumb. So when I talk to people I talk on the level that they communicate so that I am not offensive to them.
• I will have an open mind to their point of view and not have the conversation fastened on how I think things should be. I will apply the Platinum Rule principle while engaged in conversation with the families that I serve.
• I will take into consideration the culture and diversity aspect of the people that I am communicating with. I will have to remember that culture determines how people communicate, and I have to respect the various means of communication that is exhibited by the many different cultures in out society.

                                                                                  



Lets Talk TV Assignment 2

The TV show that I decided to record and observe was Heartland on The CW this is a movie about ranching, guys with jeans, hats, boots and horses. There were many scenes in the movie that had a lot of nonverbal language that I was able to guess correctly.

In one scene a guy dressed like a cowboy was sitting at a counter in a dinner and he was talking with his waitress he was smiling and he looked happy.  As he was talking the waitress gave him this look and said some words to him with an attitude. You could tell by her body movement, the look on her face and how she walked away from him that she had said something smart or offensive to him.

So when I watched the same scene in the movie with sound I was right. The guy liked the waitress and he was trying to make small talk, but she did not want to hear what he wanted to sat because she thought he was nothing but trouble and she walked away leaving him sitting at the counter. Then another girl walked up to him and he asked her “what did I say” she replied “it is not what you said but how you look”. The guy had a black eye. The waitress concluded from his black eye that he had been in a fight and that he was probably a trouble maker.

 

The second scene was one in a stable and a horse was giving birth to a fowl. There were three people there a young guy and young girl and this man that was much older and acted as a vet. All three of them were on their knees with the horse. The two guys had on elbow length gloves that were covered with blood. The older guy was reaching into the horse, and you could tell by his facial expressions that he was reaching around felling the fowl. Then he said something to the girl and her face turned red, her eyes filled with water, and she dropped her head.

The guy was telling her that the fowl was dead and she was asking him was he sure and why couldn’t they help it. I was able to tell from the facial expression that she had that something was wrong.

There was this one scene where this older guy was fussing at this younger guy. I thought he was giving him pointer on how to rustle a bull to the ground, but he was actually criticizing the guy telling him that he was not doing what he had told him, and that he did not listen to a word that he said, and so own. But after watching the show with word he was actually upset because he had moved past his prime as a bull rustler and wanted to get back to it, but he had lost it and it was time for him to pass it along to someone younger.

There scenes were easy to predict what was going on because of the body language, but not all of the scenes were that easy to figure out. If I would have been watching a TV show that I watch all of the time line Meet the Browns I would have been able to tell you exactly what was happening and what was being said because I have learned the characters and I know their persona.

Competent Communication

I have heard many people talk giving speeches and lectures from professionals in early childhood and other educations, as well as Doctors, lawyers, policy makers, Pastors, and Ministers. Of all of the people that I have heard communicate there is one that if I had to be like them I would be like her. She is my oldest sister, Assistant Principal at the middle school, and Minister of the Gospel Bernice Johnson Martin. Bernice has a way of communication with people that catches all of their attention. Her way of communicating actually draws you into a deep understanding, and the way she communicated what she is saying is easy to understand and grasp. When I see her in action it is like she is in dual roles. She is at one time in teacher mode then in other times she is in Minister mode, but in either mode she effectively gets her point across to the listeners. She never loses her listeners in fancy jargon that is an onslaught of words without meaning. The communicating style that she has is understandable to those who have little education to those that are of highly educated. She has a great way of getting people to understand what she is saying and it all makes sense. Bernice delivers her words in a clear concise manner that always captures the attention of her listeners. She is an excellent model of competent communication

Bernice Johnson Martin

Assitstant Principal Turner Co. Middle School

Professional Hopes and Goals

One hope that I have for working with children and families from a diverse background is that I want these families and children to realize that I am a woman that they can depend on to help them press their way through any situation that they might go through, and that I truly care what happens to them and their children.


One goal that I would like to set for the education field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice would be a Cultural Awareness Liaison for the school system in Turner Co. This person would have a multicultural educational background that would allow them to advocate for fairness in the schools for the children in the marginalized groups.


I would like to thank each and every last one of you for your feed backs on mt blog postings as well as on discussion postings. I have enjoyed this course and I leave truly believing that I have learned something that I can use in my career as an early childhood educator. Again thanks you guys for being there.




Sincerely,




Melanie

My New Russian Student

I am a teacher at the local elementary school where I teach 4th grade and I have been notified by the Principal that I will be getting a new student and that student is from Russia. I have no idea what the customs and culture is in Russia so I began to prepare my self so that when I am introduced to the child and his family I will be prepared. I want to make the new student feel at home so I will have to learn things from his Russian life so that I can incorporate it into his new life at school.

5 ways I will prepare myself to meet my new Russian student and his family.

• When I meet the new student I will give a firm handshake to him and his dad and look them directly in the eyes. It is Russian custom that whenever you greet each other that the males will give a firm, almost bone crushing handshake, maintain direct eye contact, and give the appropriate greeting for the time of day. The handshake for a woman is less firm. If I were good friends with the mother I would kiss her on the cheek three times starting with the left and then rotating.
• I would be able to tell the new student's fathers name the students middle name which would be the fathers first name with "vich or ovich" added to it.
• If I were invited to their home for dinner I would dress in office clothes because this shows respect for the hosts. I would take a small gift along with me. If I were a guy I would take flowers, but not yellow flowers because they are seen as bad luck.
• I should know that Russian children attend school from ages 6-17, and elementary education lasts for 9 grades. After the 9th grade they either go to secondary school or vocational school. So I will have to help the child adjust to his new school system. After secondary education the student can go onto high education which is equivalent to college for us.
• I will need to keep in mind that the Russian schools have classroom that range from 20-30 students, the students are together from the 1st grade to the last grade, the students in primary school will stay with the same teacher for all subjects and do not change classes, the school day is from 8:00-1 or 2:00.

This information that I have learned would help me to be able to help the student adjust to a new school system with very few problems, because I would be able to lead him through the changes that he will have to make in order to adjust to an American school system which is very different from a Russian school system. i would also need this information so that I would know how to operated as a teacher to a Russian student. I would have to make adjustments as well as the student.



Personal Experiences of Bias, Prejudice, and/or Oppression

One day I was in a clothing store browsing around to find me something to wear. So I was just walking from place to place in the store just looking around. So I noticed that this employee was following me around in the store. So I would move around intentionally to see if she was following me and everywhere I would move she would follow. I had found a shirt that I liked and really wanted it, but after the employee kept following me I put it down, and left the store. I went to another store and bought what I needed.

That lady was following me around as if I was about to walk out with that whole store stuffed under my shirt.I know that she was watching me to see if I were going to steal something, but rest assured I do not steal and if I do not have the money to pay for it then it will stay in their store. I have seen it many of times where there are workers in a store that will follow a black person around in the store and not follow anyone else. I guess that is because they think that black people will steal, but there are people from every race that steals so one group of people can't be singled out as thieves.

I have to be honest when that happened to me it upset me because I do not steal and I was being followed as if my picture and name had been left at the store by the cops identifying me as a thief. I am not sure that they employee would be able to change because she felt that she was doing her job.Maybe that store had had an increase in missing products and the employees were ordered to follow the shoppers, who knows. I only know that I do not like being followed around in a store on the assumption that I might be a thief.

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

The microaggression that I experienced was last week. I bought some apples to take with me to work to snack on in case I got hungry. I put the apples on my desk and the data entry clerk saw them. When I walked into work one morning after she had seen the apples she said to me "are you on a diet because I saw the apples on your desk"? I thought immediately how does seeing apples on my desk indicate to you that I am on a diet. She had spoken with me prior to that event about a wight loss program that some of our other colleagues were talking about and maybe she thought that I was on a diet, but that just threw me for a loop. I know she didn't mean any harm, but that offended me. I was actually on a fast at the time and wasn't eating, but I did not tell her that. I realize that I have probably done the same thing unintentionally, but I pray that from now on I am able to word without offending anyone.

I believe the data entry clerk thought that I never ate nutritious food because of my size. I am a large woman, but over the past three years I have gone from a size 28 to a size 22 and I can get into some 20's depending on where I by them from. This was a great assignment to help us pay more attention to what we say and what others say. Like I said earlier I am praying that the Lord word my mouth so that I do not say anything to anyone to offend them.

Big or not I think that I am a beautiful woman, always have, always will !!! You go girl!!!

What's Your Definitions?

I was given these definitions by my sister Assistant Principal of the Middle School.

Culture is shared commonalities among any group, i.e beliefs,    practices, ideas, rituals.
    Diversity means different, i.e.is the difference among any cultured    group.

    These used to be easy to define when people were not as mobile.  But    society, values and practices have changed so much, it is almost    impossible to "group" people anymore.  In my opinion, the term    culture diversity is obsolete and is replaced by multicultural.  I    think that before segregation and the Civil Rights movement, we were    culturally diverse.  Since then, we are a multicultural society.     Black society use to hold a set of common belief as did the White,    Hispanic and others.  But look today, our beliefs and values are    blended.  We are no longer a tossed salad society where each    ingredient (group) retains it own identity but we are a melting pot    where everyone is blended and does not hold one particular set of    values and belief.
    Segregation was good and bad in my opinion. Although segregation    afforded blacks opportunities to be exposed to more human and    physical resources, it It forced blacks to loose part of their    culture by forcing them to adhere to a "white" education system.     The system never addressed black culture but forced blacks to    conform to the 'white culture' expectations.  Although, other ethnic    groups have been adopted into this system as well, they have    programs like ESOL and Migrant education to address cultural    diversity or differences.  Textbooks and literature so-call    addresses cultural diversity but they do not truly recognize    cultural diversity.  Cultural diversity is a mindset, a change in    the way things are done and the expectations.  Cultural diversity    today would be to expect blacks to be louder with bass in their    voices, a little blunt and aggressive and always in survivor mode.     But this is viewed as disrespect or no home training.  We cultural    diversity is truly addressed, young black men will no longer be    gunned down for being black in a white neighborhood.

I was given these definitions by my BFF. Vanessa Bateman
Culture: The way we define who we are by looking at the different qualities that make up our lives, such as food, clothing, language, neighborhoods, etc.

Diversity: Differences held by people and society.

 These Definitions comes from the person that is culturally different from me. Mrs. Fitzgerald
Culture: the things that we have learned from our families that we honor and recognize as unique.
Diversity: The differences that we share.

As I read the definitions of the words culture and diversity from my family and friends we are all on the same page as far as the meanings of the words. Although Mrs. Fitzgerald is from a different culture than I we hold basically the same definitions of the words. All of the definitions that I have received have been touched on in the readings that we have has so far in this course. Even that opinion by my sister as far as how society views culture has been touched upon.

Some of the facts that have been omitted are the deep meanings of culture. With the last two sets of definitions there is a surface view of culture. We have learned that we should go beyond the obvious in ones culture into the deep understanding of culture.

My definitions are some similar to the definitions of the ones that I received, but I have learned to look deep into the cultures of others so that I can really get a true understanding of their culture.

My Family Culture

I would really hate it if I would have to be torn from my life as I know it and to be thrust into some country that I have never been to and that I am unfamiliar with. Sometimes major events happen in our lives that we have no control over. If a catastrophic event were to take place and I did have to relocate to another country and I could only take a change of clothes and three small items I would take:

1. My family scrapbook/photo album
2. My Bible
3. A pair of earrings given to me by my mother on my wedding day.

I would explain that the scrapbook.photo album holds all of the memories that I cherish most from the beginning of life with my children, family historical events, and memories of how we looked long ago compared to how we look now.
I would describe the Bible as being the root of my life and that every word of it was so important that it was a life and death situation.
I would describe the earrings of a tangible blessing that my mother gave me as a symbol of her love and support of me.

I would be devastated because each one of the items listed above mean so much to me and I wouldn't want to part with any of them. The first thing that I would give up would be my Bible. The reason why I would give up that physical Bible would be because I have the words of the Bible written upon the table of my heart and no one can take that away. That is why the Bible tell us to study to show thyself approved.

Some of the most simple things that mean so little to me, might just mean the world to someone else.