Wednesday, March 30, 2011
*Wordle*
This is whats called a "Wordle"... it's a free tool online that allows you to make sort of "word clouds". There are many ways in which you could use this in your classroom... such as introducing a new topic/person, as a biography, highlighting topics of a book, and the list goes on! I really like this tool, and used it to simply put together a "ME" wordle. My wordle includes words/things that i'm involved in! I might have to do another one filled with words more about :WHO I AM", instead of "WHAT I RUN MYSELF RAGGED DOING IN MY LIFE"! HA!
*it's a tad blurry, but when i saved it to my computer it was just the thumbnail size. :S
You can find this tool at www.wordle.net It's a fun little thing!
You can find this tool at www.wordle.net It's a fun little thing!
this is also a code supplied on the website... not sure if it'll give you an image, or just a link to the website... either way, ENJOY!
title="Wordle: ANNA's BLOG">
alt="Wordle: ANNA's BLOG"
style="padding:4px;border:1px solid #ddd">
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
change of pace...
well, my poor little blog has suffered for quite awhile due to my overwhelming school/work/LIFE schedule... but for the next 7 weeks or so, it'll have more posts, though some might not be too interested. lol As part of a Instructional Technology class i'm in, we are to blog about our thoughts concerning things we're learning and different tools we're becoming familiar with. Thus, my posts will be all about things i can use in my future classroom! Which to ME is exciting, but to many of my readers... (ok. all 17 of you)... might not be near as riveting. But bare with me... i'll try to include a little about my personal life.
My first assignment was to read an article about the "Top 10 Web Tools for Teachers" and blog about my thoughts, specifically about tools mentioned in the article that i will want to use someday!
the first tool that caught my eye was Edmodo (www.edmodo.com)... a free (weeee!!!!!) online classroom management tool. Many colleges use sites a lot like this (for example- blackboard or web advisor), but from looking at Edmodo, it seems that this site is much more student-friendly, as it has a facebook feel. As a secondary teacher, this would be especially helpful, as many of my student will be more technologically savvy and some may miss class fairly often during certain parts of the year (like wrestling or football season). Personally, i can see this also helping ME keep things organized and available to my students. It'll also make it so none of my students will have the flimsy excuse of "I didn't know that was assigned on thursday!"... they'll have every assignment, link, and video viewed in class available to them 24/7! I LIKE IT! :)
Other tools mentioned were Chatzy (chatzy.com) and TodaysMeet (todaysmeet.com), which are free private chat rooms that can be monitored by a teacher. The example given for the use of these websites was that students would be able to chat instantly during class while they watch videos, or presentations in order to get clarification or discuss the topic. I am not as excited about this tool, as i worry about the amount of attention that will be taken away from what is ACTUALLY being presented to the students, and the amount of class interaction, which i believe to be important. Instead, i would think it better to ask my students to take notes during the presentations or videos, and require each student have at least one question to ask/discuss afterward. I might experiment with these tools, but it would for sure be a trial-basis thing.
PollEverywhere.com is another tool showcased, and this grabs my attention a bit more. I like the idea of being able to get the opinions of my students in an anonymous way. We've used this sort of thing in some of my Education classes at Central College in the form of "clickers" which are linked to the teacher's slideshow. I like this because it gives the students both a sense of privacy, while still being able to share, AND see that they are not the only ones feeling a certain way, the only ones at a certain point of understanding, or the only one to have experienced something.
Learning about these new tools makes me very excited to be able to get into a classroom! :) only 2 more years! :)
Thanks for reading! if it weren't so late, i'd update you all... but, it's about 50min. past my bedtime!
My first assignment was to read an article about the "Top 10 Web Tools for Teachers" and blog about my thoughts, specifically about tools mentioned in the article that i will want to use someday!
the first tool that caught my eye was Edmodo (www.edmodo.com)... a free (weeee!!!!!) online classroom management tool. Many colleges use sites a lot like this (for example- blackboard or web advisor), but from looking at Edmodo, it seems that this site is much more student-friendly, as it has a facebook feel. As a secondary teacher, this would be especially helpful, as many of my student will be more technologically savvy and some may miss class fairly often during certain parts of the year (like wrestling or football season). Personally, i can see this also helping ME keep things organized and available to my students. It'll also make it so none of my students will have the flimsy excuse of "I didn't know that was assigned on thursday!"... they'll have every assignment, link, and video viewed in class available to them 24/7! I LIKE IT! :)
Other tools mentioned were Chatzy (chatzy.com) and TodaysMeet (todaysmeet.com), which are free private chat rooms that can be monitored by a teacher. The example given for the use of these websites was that students would be able to chat instantly during class while they watch videos, or presentations in order to get clarification or discuss the topic. I am not as excited about this tool, as i worry about the amount of attention that will be taken away from what is ACTUALLY being presented to the students, and the amount of class interaction, which i believe to be important. Instead, i would think it better to ask my students to take notes during the presentations or videos, and require each student have at least one question to ask/discuss afterward. I might experiment with these tools, but it would for sure be a trial-basis thing.
PollEverywhere.com is another tool showcased, and this grabs my attention a bit more. I like the idea of being able to get the opinions of my students in an anonymous way. We've used this sort of thing in some of my Education classes at Central College in the form of "clickers" which are linked to the teacher's slideshow. I like this because it gives the students both a sense of privacy, while still being able to share, AND see that they are not the only ones feeling a certain way, the only ones at a certain point of understanding, or the only one to have experienced something.
Learning about these new tools makes me very excited to be able to get into a classroom! :) only 2 more years! :)
Thanks for reading! if it weren't so late, i'd update you all... but, it's about 50min. past my bedtime!
Friday, December 31, 2010
2010 in Review...
January... we were about 6 months into Justin's deployment on the USS Nimitz, i was working on the house in preparation for justin's return home in March, was going to school at a near-by community college, and was working...
February... 7 months in, totally in panic mood to get justin's "Man Cave" done, still in school and working, celebrated Valentines day by hanging out with my mom. Justin sent me pretty roses, and Nathaniel and i had colored pictures and sent cards to Justin beforehand. :)
March- Nathaniel turned 2 years old the day before Justin flew into Des Moines after his 8 month deployment, the man cave was done, i was still going to school and working. Justin spent almost an entire month at home with us, which was such a blessing, as we simply could not get enough of him. :)
April- Because Justin was able to stay with us until mid-april, we were able to celebrate our Savior's defeat over death together... Easter. :) What a blessed time together! After he left, it was back to nate and i living our own little life here in Iowa with deep anicipation for justin's permanent return home in July. The Oskaloosa Prom was this month, and it being my baby sister's senior year, i played her personal paparazzi, and followed her around the whole day!
May- may brought the end of my school year at Indian Hills Comm. College, thank God! I continued to work, and work a little on the house. But mostly i was busy trying to help my mother get things around to celebrate my sister's graduation. I also celebrated my 2nd Mother's Day. :)
June- late may/early june i left for about 4 days in Virginia with Justin. his ship hosted a family day cruise, so i used that as an excuse to go spend time with him! i simply couldn't wait another month before seeing him! It was a great time! I enjoyed time off from school by spending as much time as possible simply playing with my son, and spending time with my family. I loved it! Also went to the midnight showing of Twilight Eclipse with my sister and cousin. Late June i flew to Virginia to say goodbye to friends, and to close that chapter in Justin and I's life together as i brought him HOME. :)
July- July 3rd, Justin and i drove into our driveway, bringing a close to our 15 month seperation. What an amazing feeling! I actually LOVED seeing his dirty underwear and socks littering the bathroom floor... but only for about a month, then it was just annoying. lol We celebrated the 4th of July with family, justin basically suffocating from hugs! Justin had two more paychecks secured from the military, but was able to get a job at Musco here in Oskaloosa, a true answer to A LOT of prayer concerning finding a job in this economy! We went to the fair, as a family and nathaniel thrived off having his daddy home! He changed in so many good ways!
August- I prepared to go back to school, only this time to Central College (my main aim) in Pella, IA. Officially starting my 2nd semester of my sophmore year at 22 years old, i declared a Social Science major, planning on getting my teaching certificate and teach high school history (US and World), along with psychology and possibly coaching. My baby sister also left for school, only at ISU. Justin jumped into work at Musco, and loved it! We packed the last few weeks of freedom with fun though, going to Adventureland, and The Iowa State Fair, as well as celebrating my aunt nona turning 50!
September-With school in full swing, my life became consumed with homework! We celebrated Justin's 23rd birthday, and the New Sharon Homecoming (as my cousin is now a senior! eek!)! I was also very busy at work with senior pictures, and already gearing up for the holiday picture season!
October- homework continued, and we celebrated my 23rd birthday! It was a busy busy month with my birthday, the Navy ball that justin and i attended, a visit to Carol's Pumpkin Farm, Holloween (for which we all dressed up for!). On October 19th, Justin and i also found out that we will be expected out next little baby Schaefer! We had been trying for about 3 months, and are VERY excited!
November- this month brought overwhelming homework, and work... so fall break (which overflowed with homework anyways) and Thanksgiving were welcome relaxation days!
December- Homework took over my life for the first 2 weeks or so, as we wrapped up the semester! i enrolled in classes for next semester, in which i will start my JUNIOR year! only 2 more years until i'm done! :) Justin and i took Nathaniel to the Oskaloosa Christmas Parade, and celebrated my Grandpa's birthday! Once break began, i only then began to be able to prepare for Christmas and went on a shopping day with my family! Christmas went by far too quickly, but was filled with LOTS of laughter, and family time! I'VE LOVED IT! We are now, at this moment, getting ready to walk out the door to ring in the new year with family and friends! What an up and down year! i am now 14 weeks pregnant, and am due July 1st! Personally, i am hoping for a girl, so am thinking *PINK* thoughts!
Goodbye 2010... you were pretty good to me and my family!
2011... i have a feeling you're gonna be filled with lots of stuff... hoping for more joy than tears! I am really looking forward to summer, and welcoming our new baby! as well as simply being able to watch Nate grow! That is the true joy in my life! :)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
February... 7 months in, totally in panic mood to get justin's "Man Cave" done, still in school and working, celebrated Valentines day by hanging out with my mom. Justin sent me pretty roses, and Nathaniel and i had colored pictures and sent cards to Justin beforehand. :)
March- Nathaniel turned 2 years old the day before Justin flew into Des Moines after his 8 month deployment, the man cave was done, i was still going to school and working. Justin spent almost an entire month at home with us, which was such a blessing, as we simply could not get enough of him. :)
April- Because Justin was able to stay with us until mid-april, we were able to celebrate our Savior's defeat over death together... Easter. :) What a blessed time together! After he left, it was back to nate and i living our own little life here in Iowa with deep anicipation for justin's permanent return home in July. The Oskaloosa Prom was this month, and it being my baby sister's senior year, i played her personal paparazzi, and followed her around the whole day!
May- may brought the end of my school year at Indian Hills Comm. College, thank God! I continued to work, and work a little on the house. But mostly i was busy trying to help my mother get things around to celebrate my sister's graduation. I also celebrated my 2nd Mother's Day. :)
June- late may/early june i left for about 4 days in Virginia with Justin. his ship hosted a family day cruise, so i used that as an excuse to go spend time with him! i simply couldn't wait another month before seeing him! It was a great time! I enjoyed time off from school by spending as much time as possible simply playing with my son, and spending time with my family. I loved it! Also went to the midnight showing of Twilight Eclipse with my sister and cousin. Late June i flew to Virginia to say goodbye to friends, and to close that chapter in Justin and I's life together as i brought him HOME. :)
July- July 3rd, Justin and i drove into our driveway, bringing a close to our 15 month seperation. What an amazing feeling! I actually LOVED seeing his dirty underwear and socks littering the bathroom floor... but only for about a month, then it was just annoying. lol We celebrated the 4th of July with family, justin basically suffocating from hugs! Justin had two more paychecks secured from the military, but was able to get a job at Musco here in Oskaloosa, a true answer to A LOT of prayer concerning finding a job in this economy! We went to the fair, as a family and nathaniel thrived off having his daddy home! He changed in so many good ways!
August- I prepared to go back to school, only this time to Central College (my main aim) in Pella, IA. Officially starting my 2nd semester of my sophmore year at 22 years old, i declared a Social Science major, planning on getting my teaching certificate and teach high school history (US and World), along with psychology and possibly coaching. My baby sister also left for school, only at ISU. Justin jumped into work at Musco, and loved it! We packed the last few weeks of freedom with fun though, going to Adventureland, and The Iowa State Fair, as well as celebrating my aunt nona turning 50!
September-With school in full swing, my life became consumed with homework! We celebrated Justin's 23rd birthday, and the New Sharon Homecoming (as my cousin is now a senior! eek!)! I was also very busy at work with senior pictures, and already gearing up for the holiday picture season!
October- homework continued, and we celebrated my 23rd birthday! It was a busy busy month with my birthday, the Navy ball that justin and i attended, a visit to Carol's Pumpkin Farm, Holloween (for which we all dressed up for!). On October 19th, Justin and i also found out that we will be expected out next little baby Schaefer! We had been trying for about 3 months, and are VERY excited!
November- this month brought overwhelming homework, and work... so fall break (which overflowed with homework anyways) and Thanksgiving were welcome relaxation days!
December- Homework took over my life for the first 2 weeks or so, as we wrapped up the semester! i enrolled in classes for next semester, in which i will start my JUNIOR year! only 2 more years until i'm done! :) Justin and i took Nathaniel to the Oskaloosa Christmas Parade, and celebrated my Grandpa's birthday! Once break began, i only then began to be able to prepare for Christmas and went on a shopping day with my family! Christmas went by far too quickly, but was filled with LOTS of laughter, and family time! I'VE LOVED IT! We are now, at this moment, getting ready to walk out the door to ring in the new year with family and friends! What an up and down year! i am now 14 weeks pregnant, and am due July 1st! Personally, i am hoping for a girl, so am thinking *PINK* thoughts!
Goodbye 2010... you were pretty good to me and my family!
2011... i have a feeling you're gonna be filled with lots of stuff... hoping for more joy than tears! I am really looking forward to summer, and welcoming our new baby! as well as simply being able to watch Nate grow! That is the true joy in my life! :)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
my goodness... it's been far too long...
the things that have changed! WOW!
Justin is home and i'm loving it. He easily found a job (totally a God thing!!!!!) But now we are again back in limbo because we MIGHT be getting back into the Navy, BUT Justin would be holding a position as a Navy Reserve Recruiter, so it would make it so we could live here for about 5 years without having to event think about moving, which would be nice. So we're waiting waiting... :) whats new?
Our relationship bounced back REALLY well after his move home... we've had a couple small bumps in the road, but nothing that we didn't end up laughing about afterward. :) Nathaniel and Justin's relationship is great as well... Nathaniel has tried to challenge Justin's authority a few times, but he's 2... thats to be expected!!!! lol
I am back in school for the year at Central College, as well as working... AND staying busy with homework, church, and staying connected to my family. You can blame school with my lack of blogging! It's a tad overwhelming this year... though next semester, i don't plan on taking such a heavy load of classes.
But this is where i am now... when i first started this blog my husband was away, i was living in a tiny little apartment, i was searching for a job, i was attending a few classes at a comm. college, and parenting my son on my own. My family is now back together, we own a home, i'm working as a photographer, i'm attending the college i always wanted to be at, and my son is over 2.5 years old!
this is the journey... i hope to be a more active blogger, starting today. Just a little something everyday... homework i'm doing, food i make, song of the day... we'll see. :)
OR... i might be too busy. lol it'll be sporadic. ;)
Justin is home and i'm loving it. He easily found a job (totally a God thing!!!!!) But now we are again back in limbo because we MIGHT be getting back into the Navy, BUT Justin would be holding a position as a Navy Reserve Recruiter, so it would make it so we could live here for about 5 years without having to event think about moving, which would be nice. So we're waiting waiting... :) whats new?
Our relationship bounced back REALLY well after his move home... we've had a couple small bumps in the road, but nothing that we didn't end up laughing about afterward. :) Nathaniel and Justin's relationship is great as well... Nathaniel has tried to challenge Justin's authority a few times, but he's 2... thats to be expected!!!! lol
I am back in school for the year at Central College, as well as working... AND staying busy with homework, church, and staying connected to my family. You can blame school with my lack of blogging! It's a tad overwhelming this year... though next semester, i don't plan on taking such a heavy load of classes.
But this is where i am now... when i first started this blog my husband was away, i was living in a tiny little apartment, i was searching for a job, i was attending a few classes at a comm. college, and parenting my son on my own. My family is now back together, we own a home, i'm working as a photographer, i'm attending the college i always wanted to be at, and my son is over 2.5 years old!
this is the journey... i hope to be a more active blogger, starting today. Just a little something everyday... homework i'm doing, food i make, song of the day... we'll see. :)
OR... i might be too busy. lol it'll be sporadic. ;)
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
bittersweet... story of my life.
well, i got my way... he's coming home. i'm excited beyond words to have him with us again... to go to bed and wake up next to him, cooking dinner together, going to church together, going out with friends as a couple, having him at my side at family events, movie nights, time together... i can't wait.
Justin is happy... but scared almost to the point that it's ruining it. I am choosing every moment to have faith that Justin will find a job... and that somehow we'll get everything covered financially. But i'm relying on my 15 year old faith to do that... justin is a YOUNG Christian... only about 4 years, and not practicing the past 1.5 years really. So justin is scared out of his mind. i hate that, and it's almost pushed me to give in and just let him stay in... but i want my husband back, and Nathaniel needs his daddy back. i do believe that this separation has changed Justin and i's relationship... and in some ways, damaged it. i hate that with all my heart... but i DO believe that Justin and i will work things out. We're both too stubborn to really give in... both VERY against divorce, aside from severe cases, and honestly still very much in love at the core of everything...
even though we've been fighting more than we ever really have in the past month (i blame our fear of getting out... something we'll conquer once he's here and we're together)... we've also had some very sweet conversations via text/email. Remember those cheesy things your hunny said when first trying to win you over... yeah, i got a few... and they worked like a charm. made me giggle like a silly school girl. Like when discussing sleeping arrangements when i fly out to drive with him home (i figured he'd go back to the ship, while i slept on the floor at a friend's house) and he said "I'd sleep better on concrete with you, than alone in a bed.". now come on!!!!!! thats pretty sweet. :) lol
So on Wed., June 30th... i'll be flying out to VA... landing at 12:30am, to be with my Sailor... to close this chapter of our lives TOGETHER. this was important to us to do this together... to leap into the unknown head-first holding hands. He can't legally leave until 12:01am on sat. so i'll be hanging out there for a day or two... but it'll be full of him working, and me spending some time with friends... saying goodbye for now. But then, we'll head home and be home by the 4th of July with our family. How appropriate, huh?
i really don't feel that this is the end of our time with the military... we love it, very very much. but right now... we need to focus on mending our family after this period of separation... i want to get my degree, we want to have another baby, we need to nurse our marriage's wounds, Justin needs to get back on track spiritually, and Nathaniel needs to get to know his daddy again. We need to be a family again before we are ready to live as a military family again. And later, when we try to get back in... if we do or don't... we know that at that point, it will be by GOD'S hand alone... we'll have no part in it. which makes me a lot more comfortable anyways. :)
anyways... 16 days and we'll be together again... no more waking up alone, no more communication restricted by time zones, internet speed, and phone availability... we'll be face to face again. I can't wait...
Justin is happy... but scared almost to the point that it's ruining it. I am choosing every moment to have faith that Justin will find a job... and that somehow we'll get everything covered financially. But i'm relying on my 15 year old faith to do that... justin is a YOUNG Christian... only about 4 years, and not practicing the past 1.5 years really. So justin is scared out of his mind. i hate that, and it's almost pushed me to give in and just let him stay in... but i want my husband back, and Nathaniel needs his daddy back. i do believe that this separation has changed Justin and i's relationship... and in some ways, damaged it. i hate that with all my heart... but i DO believe that Justin and i will work things out. We're both too stubborn to really give in... both VERY against divorce, aside from severe cases, and honestly still very much in love at the core of everything...
even though we've been fighting more than we ever really have in the past month (i blame our fear of getting out... something we'll conquer once he's here and we're together)... we've also had some very sweet conversations via text/email. Remember those cheesy things your hunny said when first trying to win you over... yeah, i got a few... and they worked like a charm. made me giggle like a silly school girl. Like when discussing sleeping arrangements when i fly out to drive with him home (i figured he'd go back to the ship, while i slept on the floor at a friend's house) and he said "I'd sleep better on concrete with you, than alone in a bed.". now come on!!!!!! thats pretty sweet. :) lol
So on Wed., June 30th... i'll be flying out to VA... landing at 12:30am, to be with my Sailor... to close this chapter of our lives TOGETHER. this was important to us to do this together... to leap into the unknown head-first holding hands. He can't legally leave until 12:01am on sat. so i'll be hanging out there for a day or two... but it'll be full of him working, and me spending some time with friends... saying goodbye for now. But then, we'll head home and be home by the 4th of July with our family. How appropriate, huh?
i really don't feel that this is the end of our time with the military... we love it, very very much. but right now... we need to focus on mending our family after this period of separation... i want to get my degree, we want to have another baby, we need to nurse our marriage's wounds, Justin needs to get back on track spiritually, and Nathaniel needs to get to know his daddy again. We need to be a family again before we are ready to live as a military family again. And later, when we try to get back in... if we do or don't... we know that at that point, it will be by GOD'S hand alone... we'll have no part in it. which makes me a lot more comfortable anyways. :)
anyways... 16 days and we'll be together again... no more waking up alone, no more communication restricted by time zones, internet speed, and phone availability... we'll be face to face again. I can't wait...
Friday, June 4, 2010
i'm starting to get a little dizzy...
all this dang back and forth... have we really been living in this limbo for a year now? you'd think we'd have made a dicision by now! HA! i have a bit more dutch in me than i thought... Justin too apparently. :S
we are still undecided, it feels like... though justin is moving toward getting OUT and going into the Reserves and keeps trying to convince me that he is ok with this... but i'm not happy with him just being "ok". dang it, i want him EXSTATIC that he is finally coming HOME... wouldn't you think that would be the natural repsonce? not so for this man...
ugh... men.
so dang complicated.
I know that it is VERY hard to walk away from this career... and trust me, it's laying on a fresh layer of guilt now that he's made 2nd Class Petty Officer... "half-way to the top!" as justin put it... but dang, i married Justin to SHARE a life with him... not live two seperate ones. and i KNOW it's had an effect on our marriage... when we're together, we're great, SO in love!... but right now, 1000's of miles apart... we don't talk, we don't flirt, we don't tease, and those nice, comfortable silences we used to cuddle during just aren't the same over the phone.
i am trying my hardest to be a good wife... patient, selfless, respectful, submissive, and yet be his PARTNER and let him know what i want... and am constantly trying to remind myself... "Is it REALLY all about what YOU want?", but then i can't help but think... "But how can it be God's will for our family to be split up for another 2 YEARS!?"...
this is rough terrain, ladies and gents... and i just want to move on... i want to know whats ahead...
*giggle*
and i know God just laughed out loud at that last statement... since when has that been part of the deal? I know that whatever path Justin chooses, God will give me the grace to accept and survive through...
BUT I REALLY WANT HIM HOME!
:P
we are still undecided, it feels like... though justin is moving toward getting OUT and going into the Reserves and keeps trying to convince me that he is ok with this... but i'm not happy with him just being "ok". dang it, i want him EXSTATIC that he is finally coming HOME... wouldn't you think that would be the natural repsonce? not so for this man...
ugh... men.
so dang complicated.
I know that it is VERY hard to walk away from this career... and trust me, it's laying on a fresh layer of guilt now that he's made 2nd Class Petty Officer... "half-way to the top!" as justin put it... but dang, i married Justin to SHARE a life with him... not live two seperate ones. and i KNOW it's had an effect on our marriage... when we're together, we're great, SO in love!... but right now, 1000's of miles apart... we don't talk, we don't flirt, we don't tease, and those nice, comfortable silences we used to cuddle during just aren't the same over the phone.
i am trying my hardest to be a good wife... patient, selfless, respectful, submissive, and yet be his PARTNER and let him know what i want... and am constantly trying to remind myself... "Is it REALLY all about what YOU want?", but then i can't help but think... "But how can it be God's will for our family to be split up for another 2 YEARS!?"...
this is rough terrain, ladies and gents... and i just want to move on... i want to know whats ahead...
*giggle*
and i know God just laughed out loud at that last statement... since when has that been part of the deal? I know that whatever path Justin chooses, God will give me the grace to accept and survive through...
BUT I REALLY WANT HIM HOME!
:P
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