Defy Gravity

Reece's Rainbow, Twitter and Patricia Heaton

2011-03-30T10:01:00.000-07:00

This post was absolutely stolen from Renee over at Life with my Special K's - T

What in the world could these three things have in common? Well, you see, it all started with Kirill... word is spreading about this sweet little guy, far and wide, and somehow Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond, The Middle) got word of him and looked into Reece's Rainbow... here's what she had to say about what she found...

"I know there can be big pitfalls to social media, but I will be forever grateful to the tweeter who alerted me to the work of Reece's Rainbow. I clicked on a link to see the faces of those little neglected angels who have passed on, and immediately started weeping. It was so heartbreaking. Sometimes we feel helpless in the face of such horror, but because of the example of Andrea Roberts, we see that, with a lot of hard work and perseverance, there is something we can do.

Between work and family, I don't have a lot of time. But I do have financial means and a public profile. God charges us to use our circumstances, whatever they may be, to share His love with the world. I had just hit the 10,000 mark for Twitter followers, and the idea hit me - give $10,000 dollars - one dollar for every "Tweaton" who follows Reece's Rainbow. Accomplish supporting this great organization along with spreading awareness. So far, in a few hours, RR has about 500 new followers, and I hope many more to come.

I am involved in supporting various charitable organizations, but I have recently been asking God to show me where he wants me to be. I think Reece's Rainbow is an answer to that prayer. These kids have had very few people to be their voice, but Andrea Roberts has changed all that. I am so grateful to be a part of her work."

Here's a REALLY simple way to help Reece's rainbow!! You can go follow Reece's Rainbow on Twitter. Don't have a twitter account? It's really easy to set one up. You don't even have to ever use it if you don't want to! Just set it up and click on the Reece's Rainbow page and hit "Follow". That's it. They could get up to $10,000 with Patricia's help! While you're at it, it might be nice to follow Patricia, too! ;) Thank you Patricia for supporting Reece's Rainbow in this amazing way that most people just aren't able to, and thank you all for helping out by following Reece's Rainbow!

A Fundraiser for Lera

2011-03-09T17:48:00.000-08:00

Much of this post was stolen from Cathy, over at Saving Lera.

The Higbie family is working like crazy to rescue this precious little one (who has lost family after family) from a mental institution.

The Sader family has selflessly stepped in to help the Higbie family fundraise for Lera. They are buying an iPad 2 for whomever is chosen as the winner of the giveaway. All you need to do to enter is donate $10 for Lera. That's pretty much the cost of 2 drinks at Starbucks. If this grad student can cough up $10, so can you!!

You can win a multitude of cool stuff for your $10 donation:

An iPad2 WiFi with 3G (for ATT or Verizon), 16 GB, valued at $629!!! (The 3G version can be used with an optional data package that the winner can subscribe to at their own expense. The regular Wifi iPad can also be purchased for $499 and the difference will be donated to Lera's FSP.) The Saders will order the iPad after the winner has been contacted and have it shipped directly to the winner.

The Saders are also donating this fabulous tutu dresses!!! She will custom make one for your little one, up to a size 4T...if you win!
Donated by Maria, a Mino HD, HD Flip Video, 4G, records 60 minutes,

Donated by Denise...a sweet momma with a heart for orphans, a $100 Radio Shack gift card.

Donated by Amy, a gorgeous lab-created emerald/diamond pendant valued at $295.

Another FUN item added by Stephanie...a $50 Staples gift card!

Wow!!! These are super-great prizes. Who knows...we might be adding more!!!

Visit the Saving Lera blog and to enter your name into the drawing for one of these fantastic prizes: Make a donation of at least $10 directly to Lera's FSP account using the link at the top right of the Saving Lera blog. You can leave one comment for every $10 dollars you donate. After donating, you can make additional comments if you tweet, blog, or Facebook about this giveaway. PLEASE help us advertise this...post, post, and repost!

If you would prefer to donate by check, you can mail it directly to Reece's Rainbow. Please write "Lera for the Higbie Family" on the memo line or include a note.

Reece's Rainbow
P.O. Box 4024
Gaithersburg, MD 20885

The drawing will be on Monday, April 4, 2011, at 9 p.m. central time. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 on the Saving Lera blog.

Spread the Word to End the Word 2011

2011-03-02T09:33:00.000-08:00

March 2, 2011 is national Spread the Word to End the Word day. Today is the day that you make a commitment to stop using the "R" word.

Visit the R-Word website to take the pledge.

http://www.r-word.org/

Take a look at this video with Johnny Knoxville and Eddie Barbannell about the use of the R-word.

Or for another powerful video, Soeren Palumbo's speech about the R-Word:

Look who I have a new picture of!!

2011-02-05T09:36:00.001-08:00

Paty!! She's growing and still smiling. Many thanks to Daryl for getting me an updated photo of my little angel. Daryl and his family very recently moved to Guatemala. I know the residents of Hermano Pedro will greatly benefit from the added interaction that you all will give them.

Sensory Stuff

2011-01-03T20:36:00.000-08:00

I hate cutting my nails because my hands feel "bad" for the next 2-3 days. When my hands feel bad, that means that I am extra sensitive to textural things. Everything feels too rough/dry and just plain uncomfortable.

My Mom (I'm home for a bit) asked if I was cutting them too short and I agreed that was probably an issue. I cannot use an emery board, so in an effort to even up my nails they end up too short. Tonight my Mom asked me if I wanted her to file my nails for me. I agreed, since they were kind of uneven after trying not to cut them too short. As soon as I agreed, my stomach filled with dread.

I closed my eyes, pressed my other hand to my eyes and tried really hard not to cry. She went as fast as possible and I bit my cheeks/lips and pressed really hard into my eyes.

After it was over, I washed my hands and put on lotion. Then, I left the room and walked into the kitchen. If I had a swing, I would've been in that sucker. I needed to be regulated in the worst of ways. I walked back to my Mom. I requested a hug and she obliged, offering to be my squeeze machine (we just watched the Temple Grandin movie).

After a hard hug, I couldn't help it...I started to cry. I also flapped my hands and took some deep breaths.

It's really funny, I just commented to my Mom earlier that I was glad my SPD wasn't more severe. Hah, the universe has a funny way of making you eat your words.

I'm ok now though, I just keep flicking my fingers over my nails. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Edited to add: even though they are longer then I usually cut them, they still hurt.

Glee and the ReWalk

2010-12-07T18:01:00.001-08:00

WAY TO GO GLEE!! Arty got to walk for Christmas. He received the ReWalk, an exoskeleton for people who are paraplegics. I am so impressed with Glee!!

Exoskeleton's are a very new form of assistive technology, I just wrote a research paper about them for one of my classes.

I just found out today that the ReWalk will go on sale in the US in January. Here's a link to the story:

I loved Glee before (when Becky became a regular on the show)...but they really have wow'ed me now!!!

RJ Cooper

2010-11-16T18:31:00.000-08:00

I love assistive technology, simply love it! I love how it "levels the playing field" for individuals with disabilities.

I was recently told about a man named RJ Cooper who makes just about anything switch adapted. Go here if you would like to learn more about switches and assistive technology.

The big technology of the moment is the Ipad and one of my teachers told me that at the Closing the Gap conference in Minnesota, RJ's table was stuffed with adapted Ipads! This guy even has adapted Guitar Hero guitars and gigantic Ipod remotes!!

Anyways, I've heard nothing but great things about RJ and his commitment to helping people with disabilities. So...go check out his website and pass it along to someone who might find it useful.

Selena Gomez, The Lopez Show and Dynavox

2010-10-25T23:27:00.000-07:00

I just watched a video of Selene Gomez using a DynaVox on the George Lopez show.

How COOL is that??

Apparently, Selena lost her voice but decided to appear on the show anyways. She had some responses to questions programmed in ahead of time, but did do some on the fly talking. At one point, she tried to get the device to laugh by typing in hahaha. It didn't work the way she planned (can you say common occurence with AAC devices??).

This happened in July, but I just now heard about it on another blog (I'll link back to his blog when I'm not typing a post on my B.lackberry).

We were actually talking about the stigma kids feel in regards to using assistive technoloy in my masters class tonight (Accessing General Education Curriculum with Technology Accommodations). What a great way for kids/teens to see that there is nothing wrong with their way of talking.

Well, way to go Selena Gomez, George Lopez and the folks at DynaVox! I thought that video was great. Oh and the device is being donated to a childen's hospital.

Here's the video I watched:

www.tinyurl.com/23cvlr5

Awesome!!!

Stay tuned...

2010-10-23T23:24:00.001-07:00

It's October (errr...for a little while longer ;) ), where we pay homage to the nuttiness that is Sensory Processing Disorder. I haven't done so well with keeping this blog up to date, but I am working on it. My sensory problems have been worse lately, so I am planning a nice long update post to hopefully get some suggestions from you all!

If you'd like to take a look at what I've written about SPD in the past (I'm pretty sure I repeated myself...over and over and over again):

(FYI, something weird is going on when I try to link to another page...so you'll have to copy and paste. Sorry!!)

http://vastjourney.blogspot.com/2009/04/update-to-sensory-stuff.html

http://vastjourney.blogspot.com/2008/11/spd-awareness.html

http://vastjourney.blogspot.com/2008/11/omfg.html

http://vastjourney.blogspot.com/2008/11/please-helpsensory-stuff.html

http://vastjourney.blogspot.com/2008/10/for-all-of-you-interested-in-spd.html

http://vastjourney.blogspot.com/2008/09/try-this-tuesday.html

http://vastjourney.blogspot.com/2008/05/quirks-part-ii.html

Please keep your eyes peeled for an UPDATED post about SPD and me.

Jaimie

First post since February!

2010-09-18T12:02:00.000-07:00

Fellow SPED teacher (Ally) has inspired me to write my first post since February. So here's to...

10 Things about Jaimie

10. I'm a Yankee living in a Southern-ish state.

9. I'm allergic to pretty much everything outside. Sigh. However, I'm NOT allergic to household dust. No need to dust. SWEET!

8. I may very well be addicted to S.plenda. I'm a little worried that in 10 years I might grow an extra arm from the chemicals.

7. I am horrrrible at crafts. Last year I had the kids grow flowers for Mother's Day. I had them paint paper to wrap around the pot (which was a plastic, tacky "cup o' flowers" pot, you can imagine how well those turned out. I think one of them grew some sprouts (looked like weeds). The only crafty thing I sort of do is crocheting. I pull out an old project or start a scarf/blanket once a year and give up after a couple of days. Apparently I did embroidery and rag-hooking when I was little...

6. I can't draw anything except some sweet doodles. I'm a mean doodler.

5. My mother would like me to marry a nice Jewish boy. If anyone is interested, I make a freakin' awesome noodle kugel. I should have taken a picture of the one I made for Rosh Hashanah. I probably won't make another one until next year, they're approximately 8 million calories a serving.

4. If I don't work really hard, I am terribly disorganized and my room becomes a black hole if I'm not careful.

3. One of my biggest interests is international adoption and how orphans with special needs in other countries are treated.

2. I am ridiculously addicted to blogs.

1. I'm happier than I've been in a long time. I'm not always super duper fantastico (who is?), but things are certainly looking up.

EDIT: I got rid of the buttons of kids from Reece's Rainbow that are HOME...I was so happy to get rid of soooooo many buttons! There are plenty of new one's, but still!

More about Catherine!

2010-02-23T19:12:00.000-08:00

Wow, 2 posts in one night! This 2nd post about Catherine is courtesy of Amy again - she ROCKS.

Catherine sounds absolutely WONDERFUL...what a precious little one. Listen to this additional information:

Catherine is: sociable, calm and affectionate

Age: 5 years old in December

More about visits with Catherine:

"She was very sweet. When she came up to me, she was smiling and I just wanted to scoop her up in my arms. She listened well to her caregivers and was very well behaved. This orphanage that she was in is very nice. The caregivers really love these children. I am confident that she would bond well with a family of her own. I just can't state enough how sweet this little girl was. I pray that a family will come forward to adopt her. I believe she would be a BLESSING to any family.
She is in a very beautiful region, very friendly people there. Everywhere we went, people would make such a fuss over Elijah.:) I would love to travel back there again."

Will YOU be the one to put a smile on this little girl's GORGEOUS face?

Goodnight,

Jaimie

Catherine

2010-02-22T17:03:00.000-08:00

Some information about Catherine from an adoptive parent:

"When I adopted Elijah from Eastern Europe earlier this year, I had the pleasure of meeting Catherine. She was in Elijah's orphanage. The orphanage director asked me to find a family for her. She was being transferred to an institution the following day and you could tell it was really tearing at this woman's heart. Catherine is very smart, and very adorable. She came right up to me and looked right at me as I talked to her.:) They asked her if she was a good girl and she smiled and said "Da!" She is a very precious little girl! I asked if she could be adopted from the institution and my facilitator said "Yes!". Catherine is just the sweetest little girl. She may have Mosiac Ds."

(from Amy, who has two sons with DS that she adopted from Eastern Europe)

Take care all,

Jaimie

Microgrant: It's time to vote!!!

2009-11-18T13:42:00.001-08:00

Remember that Microgrant?

The voting for the WAT microgrant begins today and runs through December 1st.

I have a student that has a Cortical Visual Impairment and he is starting a new vision therapy to re-train his brain to process images. We are using very basic Cause and Effect activities in this therapy. In order to help the student focus, there will be no outside stimulation beyond any noise he creates. This basic training in Cause and Effect will help the student begin to utilize the vision he has.

The $200 would be used to purchase two items. The first item is a Luminidisk from Enabling Devices. The second item is a switch-activated Classical Violin, also from Enabling Devices. These two items are perfect because my student prefers things that light up, play music and vibrate over anything else.

I teach Life Skills to students that are considered to have more intensive disabilities. Rather than focusing on what my students CAN'T do, I like to focus on what they can do. I have found that my kids can do just about anything once they put their minds to it. I feel that the most important aspect of my role in special education is that I advocate for my kids and teach them how to advocate for themselves. I know what my kids are capable of, do you?

TO VOTE:

1) Go to http://www.weareteachers.com/web/602148/semg
2) Go to page 10
3) Click on view: Jaimie Goeble to look at my application.
4) If you feel that my classroom should be awarded this grant, please click on: Vote - on the right hand side

You will need to put in your first/last name and your email address in order to vote and you can only vote once.

Please help me by voting and spreading the word to everyone you think might be interested in helping my classroom out!!!

Thanks!!

Jaimie

my little girl

2009-11-14T20:21:00.000-08:00

Even though I have no idea if/when I'll be able to go get her, I know in my heart that this little girl (Paty) IS meant to be my daughter.

The question is: will I ever be able to bring her home and give her the life full of love that she deserves?

And the scary thought is:

Will I be too late?

Will she languish so long in her prison that her legs bend in and cross over? Will she ever know how much she is loved and cherished? Will she continue to be left in her crib, physically cared for but little to no stimulation, socialization, emotion or love?

How can I stand it?

How can I know that MY baby is suffering and know that there is NOTHING tangible that I can do right now?

The worst question I can ask myself is: what if I never get to bring her home? To be selfish, what will I do if I never get the chance to spend my days with her?

I've held her, I know her laugh, her smell, her beauty and I have to live with the fact that I don't know if I will ever be able to bring my daughter home.

I'm sure many of you know this feeling.

How do you stand it?

Microgrant

2009-11-09T19:07:00.000-08:00

Hello all!

I've applied for a Microgrant through We are Teachers. The grant is for $200 and a Flip video camera to be used in your special education classroom. The theme of this grant is: Individual Attention, Collective Impact.

Here is a condensed version of my grant application:

I have a student that has a Cortical Visual Impairment and he is starting a new vision therapy to re-train his brain to process images. We are using very basic Cause and Effect activities in this therapy. In order to help the student focus, there will be no outside stimulation beyond any noise he creates. This basic training in Cause and Effect will help the student begin to utilize the vision he has.

The money would be used to purchase two items. The first item is a Luminidisk from Enabling Devices. The second item is a switch-activated Classical Violin, also from Enabling Devices. These two items are perfect because my student prefers things that light up, play music and vibrate over anything else.

I teach Life Skills to students that are considered to have more intensive disabilities. Rather than focusing on what my students CAN'T do, I like to focus on what they can do. I have found that my kids can do just about anything once they put their minds to it. I feel that the most important aspect of my role in special education is that I advocate for my kids and teach them how to advocate for themselves. I know what my kids are capable of, do you?

Anyways, I thought I'd put this out there for all of you to take a look at. Voting goes from November 18-December 1.
Once the vote begins, I will post a link to the specific place you go to vote.

If you would like to help me enhance instruction for my students, please vote!!!

:)

Jaimie

Christmas Angel Tree

2009-10-26T16:38:00.001-07:00

I've finally gotten around to posting the Christmas Angel Tree button and the precious little button Lu made for my precious Catherine here!

In the process, I had to sift through all my other buttons and DELETE A TON OF THEM!!!! Want to know why that excited me?!?!

THOSE CHILDREN ARE HOME WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

Thank G-d :)

Anyways, I've committed to be Catherine's prayer warrior this year. I'm not what you'd call a very good pray-er (prayer? hmmmm), but I will do my best. I'm considering how I might set up a little mini fundraiser in the teacher's lounge at school. We've got another teacher who knows of and supports RR at our school - she's FAB! I got her a car magnet, so we both have them up in our classroom for all to see.

Stay tuned for a post about my yearning to go back to Guatemala...and how I plan to try and do so this summer.

Jaimie

Video clip of Paty

2009-10-16T12:52:00.000-07:00

It's FINALLY here... 24 seconds of my beautiful, beautiful lovey. Please enjoy her sweet, infectious giggles. This was our last day there and I no longer had to tickle her to get her to laugh, but she wasn't feeling very well that day. The video is so short because we were not allowed to take pictures/video's there. We only risked it because it was the last day. This is my only video of Paty. I have a few pictures that I will post on here eventually.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I watched this part of the dvd for almost 10 minutes last night. Then I dreamt that I was back in Guatemala with her...

Jaimie

Home

2009-07-26T21:01:00.001-07:00

The title to this post is pretty self-explanatory. I've been home since yesterday evening. Today was spent trying to get organized for my move to a new state/first apartment/first teaching job.

I don't have the time and energy to write up a long post about my experiences now, but I just wanted to let everyone know that I got home safe and sound.

On one hand it is nice to be home, where it is safe to drink water from the tap...

On the other hand?

I'm devastated to be home. I cried for about ten minutes in the car on the way home. I keep thinking of my sweet little Paty lying lonely in her cage (crib), confused about why I'm not there anymore. It makes me so very sad to know that she wasn't tucked in at 5 PM (more on that BS later) with a hug and a kiss from me last night and the night before.

I'm lucky in that I do have a few pictures of her (that I will post when I get a chance) and even her delicious giggles captured on a short video. Once I get the video from Daryl, I will also post that.

Her smiles are never far from my mind's eye and her sweet giggles ring in my ears. They remind me that I can do so much more than I have in the past. I will scour the information I have and I will do whatever I can to make her life better.

Lest you think I only care for my darling girl, the one I wish was my own...Here's a list of all the children you can be thinking and praying for:

Paty (of course)
Byron
Elmer
Ervin
Moyses
Veronika
Sonia
Alex
JoJo
Lesly
Brenda
Gloria
Perla
Ariana
Heidi
Beverli
Nelson
Big Melvin
Little Melvin
Jose
Minor
Henry
Evelyn
Daniel
Hugo
Miriam
Nora
Paulo
Saol
Cesar
Julian
Candy
Helen
Lila

There are more, but those are the one's that I can list off of the top of my head.

Good night all.

Jaimie

Guatemala - Days 2, 3, and 4

2009-07-20T17:09:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay in posting, I don't have all that much down time! (not really a bad thing)

Hermano Pedro has 250 residents, both children and adults. I've spent most of my time with the children (surprise surprise!), because I've fallen in love with a beautiful four year old named Paty (only 1 T).

I can't really take pictures inside the orphanage, they have REALLY cracked down on pictures. However, when we take them out we can take pictures. Daryl said I can try and take them on the last day, so it won't matter if we get kicked out ;) However, Dick got a picture of her yesterday and Daryl snuck one or two of her today.

Things are going well here, I'm seriously in love with Paty. She's my doll baby. She's interacting so much more than she was the first time I met her. She smiles even when I'm not tickling her, giggles when I kiss her (she used to not do anything when I kissed her), today she kicked her legs up and down when I was playing with her in her crib because she was so excited, she looks for my voice when she hears it (sometimes), looks up at my face (sometimes) and makes eye contact (sometimes).

When you first look at her, she doesn't look gorgeous. Her head is on the small side, I really think she has microcephaly. She's got these GORGEOUS chubby cheeks and her eyes are brown and beautiful. Her eyes also bulge out a tiny bit - also leading me to think microcephaly (thoght I don't know for sure that that is a sign of it). She's got WILD black hair. It's short but man is it thick and NUTS! It's in her eyes all the time, but I just adore it. She has a feeding tube (not a mic-key button, but a tube) on her adorably chubby tummy. She's VERY ticklish and LOVES it when I tickle her back, tummy, collarbone ETC... and say: Patsoon Patsoon Patsoon (SP?!) I *think* that means tickle. One of the nurses came over one day while I was tickling her and said it while she tickled her.

Thing is? When she smiles, her ENTIRE face lights up. When she laughs? It's the most delicious thing in the world.

I found out today from a woman named Anita (she and her two daughters decided to come live in Guatemala for all of July!) that she didn't have the feeding tube when she was there in February. Apparently Paty got very sick and was losing too much weight.

Some of the nurses are great, some not so much...but they work very hard and are just overwhelmed with all they have to do.

Yesterday we took a group of children to the park that are nearly all bottle fed a really nasty pureed version of the not so yummy stuff all the other kids eat. They loved the park and I loved their reactions to being out of the orphanage. I also really enjoyed seeing all the onlookers reactions to our wheelchair parade. I was responsible for Saol (sp?) during the outing. Saol can wheel his own chair (not always where you want him to!) loves balls (una poleta!), is a GREAT mimic and oh yeah, Autism and Cerebral Palsy.

We were also able to tour all of Hermano Pedro with a gentleman named Dick. Dick runs a program that brings wheelchairs to individuals in need here in Guatemala. He goes to very remote villages, where he is not always all that safe. He lives in Chimaltenango, where Los Gozosos is (the orphanage for kids with special needs that we are going to on Thursday and Friday). He has volunteered at Hermano Pedro for 10 years and has earned the ability to take residents out of the orphanage for small trips, as well as making suggestions as to how better care for the residents.

Today we went and toured a school in a town called Santa Maria des Jesus (or something like that), a pretty sequestered place that is still very Mayan - we went with Dick. The school is mostly a special education school...and is AMAZING. It is three stories tall, has an elevator and 50 some students. I got some great pictures INSIDE the school. We were warned by Dick NOT to take pictures in the village, that they're just not that crazy about American's.

After that we went back to Hermano Pedro and took some kids out to lunch at Pollo Compero (totally butchered the spelling), a Guatemala version of KFC. This group was more ambulatory and thoroughly enjoyed the play area. After lunch we stopped in the park and played in the fountain for a minute. We can't bring them back to wet...otherwise we'll get in trouble with the nurses!

I've uploaded a ton of pictures on facebook

Dinner time!

Talk to you later,

Jaimie

hello from Guatemala!

2009-07-18T19:02:00.000-07:00

I'm in Guatemala, safe and sound in a VERY cute little motel/hotel. Please excuse any typo's-I'm using an extremely tiny keyboard on a netbook.

We visited the children's hospital today (Hermano Pedro) and I'm so excited to go back. I SHOULD be able to take pics of the children, so be on the lookout.

I don't have much time, as I need to give the computer back to its rightful owner...the two pics will have to suffice! Enjoy!

It's almost time!

2009-07-17T23:51:00.000-07:00

I'm leaving for the airport in an hour and 15 minutes (ish). I didn't bother going to sleep because I'd have to get up at 3:30 at the latest! (blech)

I've heard that there is a McDonald's not far from our hotel that has computers/internet for any paying customer! I could ALWAYS use a diet pepsi, so it sounds good to me. This means I *should* be able to update while I'm there. I am really hoping I can plug my camera card reader into the computer at McD's so that I can post pictures to the blog. If not, I guess you'll have to wait the 8 days for me to get back home.

My next post will be written from Guatemala!

Jaimie

Job

2009-07-13T19:13:00.000-07:00

I HAVE A JOB!!!!

I won't go into specifics, cause that's just not a good idea. I will tell you: I will be the head teacher in a Life Skills classroom at a middle school.

I am beyond ecstatic. I also found a roommate and we are looking for a place. Things are definitely moving quickly!

Jaimie

Guatemala Update 5

2009-07-07T05:46:00.000-07:00

Done:

- I have my passport!

- 2nd payment is in

- Camera is FIXED!!!!

- Some items purchased for orphanage
- Children's tylenol, allergy, multi-symptom cold
- 4 Multipacks of very brightly colored popsicle sticks for crafts
- 4 oz bottles of bubbles (may be too heavy...)
- Several packages of socks
- 2 Squishy good-for-sensory work balls (wish I could've bought more!!)

There are some more, but I am drawing a blank

To Do:

- Buy hard case for camera

- Get some more supplies (as money permits)

- Get moneyholder (?)

- Figure out how much money to take - traveler's checks?

- Pack!!

I'm sure there's more.

In Hindsight:

I wish I'd written to one of the companies that makes the Ps/Qs Chewies and asked for donations. I think things like that would be really good to take since it would cut down on kids biting their hands for stimulation.

I also wish I'd written to Marc's about getting donations of medicines...for as inexpensive as they were (for meds), they were still expensive! However, there is a slight chance that I may be able to get some things donated from there. It depends on Mom, she knows the corporate guy.

Questions/Requests:

If there is anyone in OHIO that has gently used SMALL things they would like to donate (children's clothes? good therapy toys?) PLEASE let me know. I can only take one bag without paying $25 (gah), but would be interested in paying for it if there is more to take. Shoot me an email (it's in my profile on the top left side of my blog).

Tattoo (again)

2009-07-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

Don't worry, I didn't get another new one! Read my initial post about it, it explains the meaning better.

I've noticed several hits on my blog based on my Defy Gravity tattoo and I neglected to post a picture, which I'm sure irritates the people who come here specifically to see it.

I convinced Mom to take a picture - so here it is! (and no, she still does not like that I got another one)

I'm in love with it...however there are a couple things I don't LOVE love...but am unsure as to how they could be changed. I neglected to pay enough attention (when he showed me the sketch) to request that the wings on be smaller. Also, the belly was a bit to narrow originally. I did actually have them shade in the belly a bit, to make it look rounder - about 3 weeks after I first had it done. You're going to see something a bit wonky by the head...it is shading to make the head a bit more proportionate. Ummmm...it kinda just looks weird :( I'm not sure what to do about that!!! Maybe a tattoo enthusiast will see this and have a suggestion. It DOESN'T just look like a blob of black when you're looking at my shoulder...it's a series of little shade-y lines. So, I would love to figure out how to change the appearance of the shape of the body vs the size of the wings. I would like the bee to look rounder and the wings to appear smaller, since they can't actually be made smaller.

Oh and I LOVE the writing, but it takes some people awhile to figure out that it says Defy! (I guess it kind of looks like a T...)

I got it done at On the Edge - www.ontheedgetattoo.com Their site is currently down for maintenance. LOVE on the edge...I was definitely sad to leave the area where that shop is, they did all three of my tattoo's and all but one piercing! (I don't have that many anymore, just my ears, 1 cartilage and my nose).

Poem

2009-06-28T20:17:00.000-07:00

This beautiful piece was snatched from www.vannicefamilyjourney.blogspot.com

To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade.

To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who gave birth toa premature baby.

To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train.

To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an accident.

To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask the person who won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time. And remember that time waits for no one. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present!!

Hopefully I'll have some good updates tomorrow or the next day.

Jaimie

Update 5

2009-06-27T19:12:00.001-07:00

Here's a much better list of Spanish words for me to know...thank you Alica!!! You ROCK :)

hola,
I don't know - No se
sorry - lo siento

so pretty - que bonito

baby - bebe

from 2 yrs to 12
girl - niña
boy - niño

older than 12 you could refer to muchacha or muchacho (teenagers)

mrs - señora
mr - señor

do you want to - quieres

play - jugar

eat - comer

sleep - dormir

sing - cantar

dance - bailar

ball - pelota

car - carro

doll (girl) - muñeca
doll (boy) - muñeco

music - musica

Jaimie

Update 4

2009-06-26T20:08:00.000-07:00

Passport Application is IN!!!

This involved:
- 2 DS-11 - signed and sealed
- 2 letters of authorization that give VisaHQ permission to hand carry/expedite my application
- 2 pictures - ugly -
- $135 check
- self-addressed/stamped envelope for the passport to be sent to me at home
- some other miscellaneous junk.

On a side note...I may have inadvertently shafted myself in this process :( I paid $44.95 to VisaHQ to get my passport in 11-14 days. What I didn't realize was that I could have just paid the $60 expediting fee through the regular passport application process, because they would likely get it back to me in 3 weeks (before I leave). I'm trying to remind myself that it's just a lesson learned (albeit an expensive one).

My camera has also been shipped out...let's hope that they can and WILL fix it. They say that physical damage is not covered, but there is not a spiderwebbing of cracks on the screen...I didn't drop it. It's almost like there's an LCD problem (dunno if that's the right terminology). In good news, it DOES still take pictures...I just couldn't see them so some poor people had their heads cut off at my graduation party. I do NOT want to go to Guatemala without a functioning camera.

Oh! Tomorrow I will be getting a pocket spanish dictionary. My Spanish has improved minutely...I now know (beware of most likely horrific Spanish spelling):

Note: PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG!!! I would very much like to have some basic Spanish survival skills.

- Hello (hola)
- Goodbye (adios)
- How are you (como estas - como esta if more formal??)
- Good - thank you - and yourself?(Muybien Gracias, y tu?)
- Where is the bathroom? (Donde estas el bano)
- Very good (muy bien!)

Things I definitely need to know and am trying to learn:

Good Girl - Buena Muchacha

Good Boy - Bueno Muchacho

I Love You! - Te Quiero

The different forms of Do (Hacer)

Can I do anything to help is DEFINITELY important - peudo ayudar en algo?

How are you doing? - Que Tal Estas

How are we doing for time? - como? que tal vamos?

How? - como

I don't know - No Los Siento

Wanna know the BEST one of all??? Come on, you know you do...
HORMIGAS PANTALONES!

Yeah...I've been using a Dr. Seuss beginner dictionary ;)

Toodles!

Jaimie

My Sister's Keeper - maybe spoiler alert?

2009-06-26T18:45:00.000-07:00

GAH!!!!! I SHOULD JUST STOP WATCHING MOVIES MADE FROM MY FAVORITE BOOKS!!!!

Sorry for the shouting.

I won't give anything major away, don't worry.

The entire audience was crying at multiple points in the film...which we all knew going in. There were definitely completely unnecessary scenes with Jesse (who incidentally did not match the character in the book AT ALL).

The way that they wrapped up? Pissed me off. I couldn't even enjoy the end of the movie due to how they butchered it.

Sigh.

I'm going to be majorly disappointed if the The Time Traveler's Wife is ruined too :(

Are my expectations a mite high?

Jaimie

Update 3

2009-06-24T20:29:00.001-07:00

I just found out we will be working at the Los Gozosos orphanage in Chimaltenango and the Hermando Pedro hospital in Antigua.

In taking notes from all of your books, I'd like to limit what I take so that I can take more to the orphanage/hospital.

My first thought was to take a lot of bubbles - lots of fun and a great therapy tool. If I pack these in checked luggage, can I still take them if they are over 4 oz?

play dough?

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Jaimie

Update 2

2009-06-22T20:22:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest situation regarding my Guatemala Trip!

I had my passport pictures taken (oh my G-d...awful! but I think it's a rule that passport pictures and license pictures are not allowed to be good). I sent the $500 check and registration form in to Hope for Home today. I have an appointment to begin getting my inoculations on Wednesday,

I have been running into quite a bit of negativity from my family in regards to going on the trip. My father, for instance, is sending me emails about what the state department has to say about Guatemala and is continuously illustrating the many bad things that could happen...in an effort to scare me into not going (I think). However, I have made up my mind to go and I am going to continue to try and illustrate the various precautions that are going to be in place to ensure safety as well as exactly why I want to do what I want to do.

What made me sad yesterday was that my dad said...you're only going for 8 days, it's not like you're going to actually do anything. I used to think that going for a few days wouldn't accomplish all that much. However, opportunities like this don't fall in laps everyday. I want to go because I know I can be of some use. I have a 4 year background in working with children who have special needs and I have so much love to give to orphans.

ISN'T THAT WORTH SOMETHING?

Here are some questions I have (some are repeats). If you know the answer, please let me know!

- Should I be getting travel insurance? (what IS travel insurance? this question came from my mom)

- What type of cell phone should I get (rent?) Should I take my palm pilot for the actual flight and then stash it in my luggage?

- One of the state departments suggestions was not to use expensive things in plain sight of whomever might be looking. My phone wasn't outrageously expensive, but it's a little nicer than an average cell.

- Would you recommend just traveling with a large backpack and a carryon? (those humongous travelers backpacks?) where might I get that?

- Is there anything specific you think I should know about Antigua (where we're staying). It's supposed to be a pretty major tourist spot.

In terms of the passport information - I'm really confused about the list of documents that VisaHQ.com provided me with beyond the 2 passport pictures, a check and proof of citizenship. The checklist includes:

- The envelope sealed by the Acceptance Agent (??) containing the following items:

- Filled out form DS-11 signed in front of the Agent

- Original proof of citizenship (certified birth certificate? social security card? ???)

- Two passport photos (I understand this one!)

- Certified check or money order payable to the "U.S. Department of State" (how do I get a check certified?) for $135

- Letter of Authorization (signed original)

WHAT?! Help please :) I know a lot of people that read my blog (well...not that many people actually read it, but you know) are pretty international-travel savvy people.

Thanks!

Jaimie

Update 1

2009-06-19T21:52:00.000-07:00

I spoke with the the head of the organization that is running the Guatemala Trip (Hope for Home Ministries). Being the concerned parent that my Mom is, she wants to meet with him. However, this is a pretty small organization and they are based four hours away from where we live. This concerned my mom, but we each had a chance to speak with him on the phone today and I think she is a little less worried.

Her concerns are valid. Over the span of less than a week her 22 year old daughter has decided to go on a trip to Guatemala with people she doesn't know. Said daughter is going to be the only Jewish person on a missions trip. The last time said daughter traveled outside of the country she was 10 and it was to Israel with her family. Said daughter also knows...well pretty much 0.0001% of the Spanish language. Most of said daughter's knowledge of Spanish comes from a Dr. Seuss kid's Spanish dictionary. It doesn't help that said Mother watched the movie Taken with Liam Neeson less than a week ago and is concerned that said daughter is not nearly as street smart as she should be. Said daughter probably isn't as street savvy as she thinks.

I'm supposed to be doing stuff like this at this time in my life, right??

In regards to being the lone Jew...go watch this movie. When I started watching it, I said to my mom...well, this will likely be the music I hear throughout the trip...but it doesn't really matter because I get to do the things those people are doing. I get to give a little/big boy/girl the sense that someone out there wants to do nothing more than cuddle them in their arms for as long as possible.

I am going to Guatemala for 8 days. Initially I thought I couldn't accomplish much in such a short amount of time. As I think about it, my hope is that when a little boy/girl is having a hard day because they aren't getting the love and care they deserve, maybe they'll remember that someone out there cared enough to spend hours playing and loving on them. Hopefully they'll remember that they are loved and cherished. Sounds like an accomplishment to me.

Here's what I know:

The group will all meet at a central airport (very small group, 8 people) and fly to Guatemala/clear customs/do everything you can imagine as a group. My Mom was reassured that literally everything is done together. Apparently there is some free time in the evening to sight see, but people are encouraged to go in groups of at least 2 or 3.

We will be staying at the lovely Hotel Posada "Landivar". Seems great!

To do:

- Get passport pictures taken (gotta figure out where!)

- Mail my registration form and a check for $500 to Hope for Home Ministries

---- funding update --- I've lucked out on funding, my mom is going to help me pay for some of the trip for my birthday/graduation gift.

- Look into getting camera fixed - buy new??

- Look into getting a large backpack for travel?? Should I take my laptop?? (I'd realllllly like to!)

- Call travel clinic to see about getting vaccinations sooner than July 15 (soonest I could get into primary care physician)

Done:

- Applied for passport

- Made appt to get inoculations (Hep A/B, Tetanus, Typhoid)

Questions for all of you incredibly smart/international travel savvy people:

My instructions from VisaHQ says that I need to mail in the following documents:

- The envelope sealed by the Acceptance Agent containing the following items:

- Filled out form DS-11 signed in front of the agent

- Original proof of citizenship

- Two passport photos

- Certified check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State ($135)

- Letter of authorization (signed original)

HELP??

where do I get these envelopes/forms??? I did the online application but I haven't a clue where to start with some of the other things.

Stay tuned for Update 2!

Jaimie

2009-06-18T20:55:00.000-07:00

I started a new chip-in for this post because as I said before, this trip sort of fell into my lap. I've got less than a month to get all of my finances in order for this trip. I am borrowing money from my mother, but the less I have to borrow the better!

Thanks so much,

Jaimie

2009-06-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

I AM GOING TO GUATEMALA!!!

I managed to snag the spot on the Guatemalan trip that Andrea emailed us about (with Hope for Home), July 18-25. I am so incredibly excited...I've been wanting to go on a trip like this for over a year now.

I know approximately 3 words in Spanish, so I'm going to go buy a pocket dictionary and start cramming.

I have to rush like crazy to get everything done because the trip is soooo close. I applied for a new passport today...I wish I could've renewed mine, but I was under 16 when I went to Israel (first passport). I'm crossing my fingers that I will get it in time!

This is a missions trip and I am Jewish, they know that and will not require me to go to the Sunday worship service. They debrief every day and talk about biblical connections...I will likely just sit back and relax during this time.

Anyone have any words of advice for me? Is there anything specific you think would be beneficial for me to take for the orphanages/hospitals? Anything specific I should know about Guatemala?

My camera is broken!!! I'm really sad because I want to take pictures of my experiences and any cuties I see. I'm going to have to see about getting it fixed, or maybe just getting a new one.

I'm amazingly lucky to be able to go on this trip for $1100, but it is still a lot for someone who is waiting to hear about her first job (hopefully by the beginning of July!!). Therefore, I'm going to update my chip-in for this trip.

SO EXCITED!!!

Jaimie

Bulgarian Orphanages

2009-06-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

As Mckenna said on her blog, I don't want people to leave my blog feeling depressed...but the more people that see videos like this, the better.

Silly Meme

2009-06-06T12:45:00.000-07:00

A - Age: 22

B - Bed size: Twin :(

C - Chore you hate: CLEANING MY ROOM!

D - Dog's name: don't have one :(

E - Essential start your day item: Cereal

F - Favorite color: blue

G - Gold or Silver: Silver

H - Height: 5'2''

I - Instruments you play: trumpet, mellophone and french horn (none particularly
spectacularly!)

J - Job title: Life Skills/Community Based Instruction/Functional Academics/Moderate-Intensive Special Ed TEACHER

K - Kid(s): None...yet.

L - Living arrangements: Currently...the room I grew up in. Soon to be an apartment in the DC area (most likely)

M - Mom's name: Deborah (Debbie)

N - Nicknames: Jaim,

O - Overnight hospital stay: None, thankfully!

P - Pet Peeve: Guys who use lines, fake people, cleaning (lol), the use of NON person first language, the "r" word, etc.

Q - Quote from a movie: Bueller...Bueller...Or...I bet Syd got stuck on Dupont Circle again! (I love the American President)

R - Right or left handed: right

S - Siblings: 1 brother - 26 and one step brother

T - Time you wake up: When school's in - around 5:45 (yuck)

U - Underwear: Cotton?

V - Vegetable you dislike: ONIONS AND MUSHROOMS!! (yuck)

W - Ways/Reasons you run late: errr...I have no concept of how long things actually take and then I run late.

X - X-rays you've had: teeth, neck, head, back, elbow, wrist... (makes me sound like I get hurt a LOT. Only serious injuries involved head/neck)

Y - Yummy food you make: My Mom's Pasta (bow ties only!) with Pesto and chicken

Z - Zoo animals you like: Mmmm...I like the monkey's :)

Feed the forgotten

2009-06-02T09:01:00.002-07:00

Check out my newest button :)

Jaimie

Reece's Rainbow - Third Anniversary!!

2009-05-31T20:05:00.000-07:00

The Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry (www.reecesrainbow.org) was begun in June of 2006 to promote the international adoption and rescue of orphaned children with Down syndrome exclusively. We are a registered 501(c)3 organization, and seek donations as adoption grant funds to make it possible for families to afford the high cost of international adoption. Children with Down Syndrome and other special needs are often institutionalized at the age of 4, and there is simply no place in their own societies for them at this point in history. There is no shortage of American families wanting to adopt, they just lack the funds necessary to do it!

Our 3-Year Anniversary Celebration is a special opportunity for you to make sure that Reece's Rainbow can be a voice of hope for these children for many years to come! Even if you are not in a position to adopt, you can still make a huge difference by financially supporting the continued life-saving work of Reece's Rainbow!

THIS JUNE, we celebrate three years of service to orphans with Down syndrome (and now other special needs, as well).

In that short time, Reece's Rainbow has:

* found adoptive families for (190) children in (32) countries around the world
* disbursed more than $250,000 in adoption grants for children with Down syndrome and other special needs
* been responsible for positive social change and streamlining of official adoption procedures in foreign countries
* financially supported therapy and educational projects for orphans with Down syndrome
* encouraged the development of new birth family support groups in Ukraine and Bulgaria
* expanded our family service to include adoptions by Canadian families!
* built an official Leadership Team which includes a Post Adoption Family Care program

100% of your donation goes to the child, adopting family, or fund that you designate, meaning that we rely completely on separate donations to our VOICE OF HOPE fund to remain operational. This ministry has grown exponentially, and along with it, the needs and costs to *meet* those needs have too! Our ability to serve our children and adopting families, and to expand our advocacy projects and new country programs, depends entirely on the availability of funds in this account to do so.

Please share this announcement/opportunity with everyone you know, so they too can join this celebration and become a part of this very special and successful ministry! Reach out to your Yahoo groups, Facebook and MySpace, your family and friends, your colleagues and church congregations....there has never been a better time to GIVE THE GIFT OF A FAMILY. There are no faith-based limitations on donations nor on adoption grants, so ANYONE can adopt and ANYONE can give! Just $20 from everyone you know can go a long way!! With more than (200) children on our website waiting for families, your gifts now are crucial! Click here to learn more and make your donation now! (www.reecesrainbow.org/3rdanniv.htm)

YOU ARE TRULY THE FUTURE of Reece's Rainbow! We can not do any of this without your gifts, your prayers, and your advocacy efforts. God bless each of you!!

THANK YOU!!

Andrea Roberts, Executive Director
Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry
www.reecesrainbow.org

An update to the sensory stuff

2009-04-19T11:21:00.000-07:00

Hello all :)

I finally have an update of sorts to my sensory issues/quirks.

So, I have pretty...substandard....student insurance through Aetna and I've been jumping through hoops since November (I think) to try and get approved for Occupational Therapy.

I initially called to request services and was told I'd have to see a Dr. on
campus to get a script written. I finally got an appt and explained
everything to the Dr. - who had never heard of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), but
seemed interested in helping. She even tried to figure out how to code the
script so that my insurance would cover it. I think she ultimately
wrote it for: vestibular dysfunction. She also asked if I had ever
been tested/diagnosed for being on the autism spectrum. I said
no...and I'm pretty familiar with Autism/SPD/other areas of special
ed...since I'm going to be a licensed moderate-intensive SPED teacher
on May 9th!!!

She gave me some info on the occupational therapy department at the local hospital. So after I got the script written, I looked for OT's in the toledo
area. I contacted them and asked if they worked with adults and for the
most part, they unanimously said "no, we only work with children." I
finally got in contact with rehab services at the hospital and they said
they generally only do sensory work on children, but the woman I
talked to said she would definitely be willing to meet with me.

I then contacted my insurance company (again), said I had a script and
that I had found someone willing to work with me. They said that I
qualify for up to $1000/yr of occupational therapy. I guess beggars can't be choosers?

When I got back from winter break I called the OT dept and left messages all over the place for the OT I spoke with and finally contacted the right person. She called back and then we scheduled an appt. I have a hard time scheduling because
I am student teaching, but we finally found something. Then she had a family emergency and had to reschedule (life happens).

We finally rescheduled and then I met with her, brought in the adult SPD checklist already filled out and she evaluated me. This woman has been nothing but wonderful to me, even though they have never had an adult come in for sensory problems. She said the only adults she's come into contact with in regards to SPD are those that bring their kids in and go "oh wow, I used to do that too..."

She evaluated me and one of the things she noticed that my vestibular responses were off. When she spun me around on the swing (Which btw, I liked ;) ) she said I didn't display the typical nystagmus response (I think that's what she said), because my eye's didn't jiggle like most do after spinning in circles.

Interestingly enough, I didn't feel dizzy until 5-10 minutes later. Another thing that I found interesting was that I couldn't stand on one foot with my eye's closed, I almost immediately was off balance. We discussed the fact that I have trouble with motor planning and doing things that require the right and left sides of my body to work together in sequence. She wants me to try to work on crab walking!! It is SO hard...I have a lot of trouble figuring out which limb to lift when...

She gave me a Wilbarger brush and a sensory diet to follow - along with a
modified CD for sound therapy. I've been rather spotty with following the sensory diet. Mostly because I don't seem to have time during the day to fit things in. I'm trying to though!!

We are currently trying interactive metronome therapy - to orient the
right and left sides of my brain. I don't really like it, but she's seen some success with it for sensory issues.

According to the website, it "is the only therapy tool that improves motor planning and sequencing by using neuro-sensory and neuro-motor exercises developed to improve the brain's inherent ability to repair or remodel itself through a process called neuroplasticity."

For those of you that still read my blog and slogged through this long post, congrats! Have a cookie :D

Jaimie

Tattoo

2009-04-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

I got a new tattoo...I love it!!! It's on my left shoulder.

Don't worry, it's not just a butterfly ;)

It says: Defy Gravity, in really pretty/elegant script. At the end of the word is a pretty little bee that has a dotted flight path running through the words.

The reason that I have the bumblebee is because bumblebees shouldn't be able to fly. They have such itty bitty wings and big bodies, but they still defy gravity, they still fly. Someone really important to me told me I was like a bumblebee.

Plus? What a GREAT song/show reference. (Yeah, I'm a wicked nerd ;) )

I've got a picture of it on my phone, but I am having issues getting the pic from my phone to my comp. Hopefully I can post one soon :)

Jaimie

I made it! it's still 3-31...

2009-03-31T17:36:00.000-07:00

Happy belated...

2009-03-22T15:27:00.001-07:00

I'm a day late...sorry!!

Happy belated World Down Syndrome Day!!

On an interesting note...has anyone ever tried explaining to an 7th grader with a REALLY BAD ATTITUDE (and behavior problems) why you like working with (and just plain like) people with special needs???

Let me tell you, it's...ummmm...interesting.

Jaimie

Coming out of hiding to post...

2009-03-22T13:49:00.000-07:00

A very special lady is leaving this week for her second trip to go pick up her son, Elijah. Elijah just happens to have down syndrome like two of her boys already at home, she also has an older son so that will make 4 boys for this sweet lady. Amy has done these adoptions as a single mom. If that is not hard enough. She has had some major expenses come up. Amy can use all our help,she needs to raise 3,500.00 dollars very quickly to bring home her little boy.

We all can help, maybe you can't adopt a child but would like to donate to help a child come home. Amy is a very sweet lady with a very big heart. Please help her bring her little boy home...

You can read her blog at www.amyandsons.blogspot.com/

Let's partner with Amy to bring Elijah home :)

Jaimie

Job questions

2009-02-28T23:46:00.000-08:00

Hey all!

Has anyone heard of the Kennedy Day School? It is at the Franciscan Hospital for Children in Brighton, Massachusetts.

Please comment if you know anything :)

Jaimie

Ouch!

2009-02-25T20:03:00.000-08:00

Note to self...

when you STOP POSTING FOR A MONTH...PEOPLE STOP VISITING!!!

it's so quiet around here!!! (not that it was ever that loud to begin with, unless you count my ranting and raving!)

Guess I'd better get back on track with the whole commenting on other people's blogs thing.

and sad story? I have approximately a bajillion unread posts in my google reader...there is NO catching up

Jaimie

Only the BEST description I've EVER heard!!!

2009-02-24T19:03:00.000-08:00

I belong to a few SPD (sensory processing disorder) yahoogroups and today the person who started this great, sensory-friendly website:

"I've seen it written that SPD should be considered:

Autism's chatty, clumsy cousin.'"

"That's fairly accurate. Most of the symptoms that are commonly observed in ASD, such as a hyper or hypo sensitivity to sensory input, sensory seeking, motor clumsiness, sensory discrimination issues, and stereotypical behaviors (stimming) are actually symptoms of SPD, and don't necessarily have to occur with ASD."

Thanks Dan, I LOVE it :)

Autism's chatty, clumsy cousin...frickin perfect :D

For the record? After a much needed conversation with my therapist, I don't feel so weird about that comment about "could I possibly be on the spectrum?"

After a much needed conversation with a great counselor, I really don't think I am.

That's my news for the day...and I'm off to bed :)

Jaimie

Why does this not surprise me?

2009-02-23T16:46:00.000-08:00

You Are 45% Normal

While some of your behavior is quite normal...

Other things you do are downright strange

You've got a little of your freak going on

But you mostly keep your weirdness to yourself

How Normal Are You?

Well...actually? I'm surprised I'm not LESS normal!!

(this was stolen from Renee over at Life with My Special Ks!)

waves

2009-02-21T19:48:00.000-08:00

You know it's been too long since you've blogged when you have to stop and think before you type the address in... (O_O!)

I have things to say, but I don't have the energy to deal with what I know I should be dealing with.

So for the moment?

I am finally finalizing my resume so I can get it approved and onto worknet. Then I can sign up for interview slots at the Teacher Job Fair in April.

It always seemed so far away and now here it is, speeding on up to me.

On a very random note...I just spent 3 minutes trying to get a nerd out of my laptop. Yes, a nerd. Don't worry, it's out.
I want to wave hi to Ally from over at Ally in Wonderland...she is a fellow SPED student teacher :)

When it's not 1:30 AM I'll post a little bit about my students (minus names of course)...I've got some funny stories!

I had to jump on the bandwagon!

2009-01-25T19:00:00.000-08:00

65%

I'm not sure how I feel about posting this.

2009-01-23T22:40:00.000-08:00

Dear Internet,

I am posting this in the hopes that maybe somewhere out there, someone may have some answers or suggestions for my quandry.

As many of you have read in my past postings, in the last year I've started to really try and actively solve my "issues". I finally have diagnoses that I feel are relatively appropriate for my situation and I have script for occupational therapy for the sensory stuff.

Here are some past posts about Sensory Processing Disorder if you need to catch up:

Quirks: Part II

Try This Tuesday

For All of You Interested in SPD...

Please Help - Sensory Stuff

omfg

SPD Awareness

Ok, so along with my suspected SPD, I also have a learning disability. The official label is something like "unable to absorb or retain abstract information." My flawed thinking used to say this only affected my math skills. Hah! funny.

So what's my reason for this post? When I saw a Dr. at the health center to get a script written for occupational therapy, she asked me whether or not I had ever been tested for a nice little spot on the Autism Spectrum (Ok, she didn't put it like that exactly. It just sounded cooler my way).

I said, no...that's not something that was ever really considered. I have the ability to relate to others emotionally, have a lot of empathy, can self-analyze very well, have good eye contact, etc.

However, when I posted a "hooray I'm finally getting somewhere with my sensory problems" message to a SPD Adult Yahoo group I belong to, I mentioned the Dr.'s question and how I felt that it was a really silly question...I clearly wasn't anywhere on the spectrum.

The person replied back with a long message about misconceptions about Autism to which I took a bit of offense, because I for one should know what is and isn't a part of the Autism spectrum. Yes, I realize that sounds incredibly...ummmm...what's the word? Pompous? Pretentious? I don't know.

In between that email and a follow up email where the individual explained a little bit more about what they meant, I've done some thinking/pondering/questioning and it bothered me to do just that. I never really thought it would be remotely possible for me to be on the spectrum, but some reading I have done, etc. has led me to question. I am uncomfortable with the idea that seeking these answers will only lead to me finding that there is more wrong with me, that I am even more different/messed up than the "norm".

I went searching for an adult spectrum checklist and was disappointed in the information available. I did find some things, some checklists/quizzes, but obviously self diagnosing has flaws.

In my speculations, I did come to some sort of conclusion that there are quite a few qualities of an individual on the spectrum that I DO possess, but there are also quite a few that I do NOT. So what do I do?

I have been considering utilizing the less expensive testing facilities on my college campus to get more testing done. I want to update my learning disability testing and request testing for the spectrum for my own peace of mind. Whether the testing is positive or negative, I think I will feel better by having some sort of answer. Also, I will then be better prepared to hopefully qualify for disability services once I start grad school.

Another part I am really struggling with is that I feel like I may just be hunting for answers/solutions or even more problems. I felt this way when I first began intensively looking into the SPD issues. Was I making them worse by focusing on them so much?

So many questions....I just don't know the answers to.

If you are reading this and have any sort of suggestions, advice or just comforting words, PLEASE share them with me.

I really could use some advice before moving forward with anything.

Jaimie

Ilya

2009-01-22T16:21:00.000-08:00

Go check out Meredith's post about raising money to help sweet little Ilya find a forever family.

You know you won't regret the chance to help out this precious boy :)

Jaimie

ohmygosh.

2009-01-17T15:44:00.000-08:00

AREN'T THE FISH FUN!?!?

I don't know what it is about them...but holy crap! I love feeding them...they get so excited!!

Or they'd get soooo excited if they were anything other than a bunch of java/flash/html (not sure which!) codes put together...

but still!!

FUN.

(it's the small things in life, right?)

Jaimie

Adoption fundraiser

2009-01-17T13:15:00.000-08:00

WANT TO WIN A Wii????

Hey all, I'm posting this on my blog to help the Van Nice family fundraise for their adoption of adorable Jacob from Eastern Europe. This post is taken from their blog:

http://vannicefamilyjourney.blogspot.com/2009/01/want-to-win-wii.html

"Here's the deal! We got our hands on a Nintendo Wii! We decided that we would use it, along with some other gifts (to be announced later this week) to raise funds for Jacob's Adoption! For every $10 donated, your name will go into a hat and Josie will draw for some lucky people on February 6th. This is a great chance to help us bring Jacob home! If we could have 200 people donate just $10 each, we would reach our goal!

You can use our ChipIn to the right... or you can snail mail me a check -- email me for that information!!!

And to make it better yet -- If you donate and find two of your friends to donate as well, then your name will be put in the hat and extra time. Please have them mention that they are entering per your recommendation and I will put the extra "entry" for you! In addition if you post on your blog about our fundraiser and you have donated (please comment here with the link to your blog post) then I will add yet another "entry"! Does that sound like a great deal??? Oh, I know there are some of you out there that do not have a blog, so if you donate and want your name in an additional time, then please forward the information (or copy and paste this blog post) to 10 friends via email, with me (gittevan@live.com) being the 11th person, and I will add another "entry".

Stay tuned this next week for more gifts that we will be adding with the Nintendo Wii! Who wouldn't want to spend $10/$20/$50 to try to win the Wii? Good Luck!"

I put up Jacob's button which will link you directly to their blog!

Go take a peek at this cutie :)

Jaimie

INTERVENTION!!!

2009-01-17T11:20:00.000-08:00

ACK!!! help!!!

I have a problem.

I have 1000+ unread posts in my google reader.

Even worse? I seem to ALWAYS have 1000+ unread posts in my google reader. Sometimes I hit "Mark all as read" but, it depresses me. I want to know what's going on in everyone's lives (stalker? maybe...)

I know I should just STOP adding new journals, but I just.can't.help.it.

EEEEP.

Jaimie

National De-lurking Day...a day late!

2009-01-13T17:54:00.000-08:00

so, let's pretend that today is yesterday and it's still National De-Lurking Day!!

So, if you come here and read my blog...let me know! Even if you've only visited once or twice and think it's complete crap, I want to know about it. I've got something like 1440 visitors (total...lol) to my blog, SOMEONE has to comment!!!

Jaimie

?!

2009-01-07T23:22:00.000-08:00

wheresmyangels !!!

your blog wouldn't let me comment saying I liked your featured story! Did you turn off comments...or am I just having a hard time since it's 2:30 AM??

Anyways, I liked it :)

Jaimie

Coleman

2009-01-07T05:49:00.001-08:00

Coleman Larson

December 10, 2003 - January 5, 2009

I opened my email early this morning and read an update that said a wonderful boy had won his fight with cancer and wasn't fighting anymore.

I learned about Coleman through Renee over at Life with My Special K's Life With My Special Ks: Sweet Angel Coleman and had been following Coleman's care page for awhile.

Coleman was a beautiful little boy fighting Medulloblastoma with his twin brother Caden and his parents Peggy and Scott at his side.

Their team's motto? "Team Larson NEVA DIVS UP!"

Childhood Cancer is such a devastating illness. I know a petition was going around the blogosphere sometime ago, is it still around?

I don't pray often, but I will be keeping Coleman's family in my prayers.

Jaimie

I need some help/suggestions...binge alert!

2009-01-04T21:15:00.000-08:00

Ok, It's 12:18 AM and I'm sitting at the computer with a giaaaant bowl of cereal next to me. I'm talking EASILY three-four times the norm (honey bunches of oats mixed with kashi honey puffs) I had this voice in my head going....want want want want want. over and over and over. And what did I do? I went and I GOT.

I literally was JITTERY with the wanting...I took a big bite, SO good...and obviously this is only a quick fix. Whatever caused the binge (though frankly, I can't think of anything stressing me out), will still be there after the cereal is gone.

I told myself as I walked over to the kitchen that I really should just go to bed. I am NOT hungry. I had a nice, big dinner with family at a Thai restaurant. It was delish! But I didn't WANT to go to bed...

Yet here I am.

Do you have any suggestions for me??

Thanks...really. If you come here and lurk, PLEASE comment if you have any suggestions.

Jaimie

Yes, it's THAT post.

2009-01-01T23:34:00.000-08:00

I am sitting at the computer, and it is 2:34 AM. I slept until 2 PM today, so it's not all that surprising that I am awake. I am sitting here and being a total cliché, because I am thinking about all the reasons that NOW (beginning of 2009) is a good time to start thinking about helping myself, rather than just helping other people.

You know what happens next? Those thoughts get pushed to the back of my mind. Why? On the outside, it seems far easier to just ignore the hard work. It's EASIER not to track my food. It's EASIER not to go to the gym. Go for a walk, go swimming...It's EASIER to just go ahead and binge rather than talking myself down from that very scary ledge.

Go a few layers down and you hit the truth. Every emotional bite I put in my mouth, every time I actively say "screw it" and don't do something active...those all just make it that much harder to make myself happy.

So do I sit here and not achieve my potential? Do I fulfill the cliché and make and break a new year's resolution within a day?

Or do I do something about it?

In a thank you note I wrote to my mother earlier today, I said that I thought that both of us needed to make our new year's resolution to put in just as much effort towards helping ourselves, as we do helping other people.

If I listened to the cliché, I'd already be screwed. 'Cause I just sat at the computer and ate a BIIIIG bowl of cereal. It probably was three servings in one. And want to know my dirty little bingy secret? I gulped some of the last Silk Egg Nog in the carton and then poured the last bit over the cereal. Yeah, I did that. And let me tell you, it was REALLY hard to write that down here for the world to see.

In not fulfilling cliché, I will not consider things to be over just because I screw up. (ooh, negative self talk!) So, I will take everything one day at a time.

I think half of my battle would be admitting my binges. Well, let me rephrase that. I admit them, to myself...sometimes. Sometimes I don't think about them at all. I think I need to make part of my resolution to write EVERY SINGLE BINGE DOWN. No matter how bad and depressing.

It truly amazes me, what power the written word has. Or should I say, what power the internet has. Part of me thinks that if I actually stick to this, it may help me stop some of the binging because I get so embarrassed at the thought of anyone knowing what I do in secret. (my my, that sounds dirty ;) )

I'll save the rest of this for another blog entry, but I want to mention my other big resolution. This will be one of the hardest things I will ever have to do...and it scares the living daylights out of me.

I will be nice to myself.

You read that right internet. It's not: I will be NICER to myself. I will be NICE. Cause I can be meaner than all get out to myself. I am a royal biaaatch, to me. I would never, in a million years, say some of the things to another person, that I say to myself.

(That was a lot of comma's...sorry about that! Feel free to correct my pitiful command of comma usage in the English language.)

Be nice to myself
Write down and be aware of binges
Take everything, one day at a time. If that's too much, take everything one hour at a time. Heck, one meal, one BINGE at a time.

Anyways, it's time to sign off.

I'm also blogging about this at my SparkPeople blog...feel free to come take a look-see :)

Jaimie

Side note: is it bingING, or bingEING? Anyone know?

Internships and Fundraisers oh my

2009-01-01T00:28:00.000-08:00

Note: I'm reposting this with some edits...the Mary Kay thing? I don't have time for it right now. So yes, reposting :)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

I don't think I ever posted about my REALLY wanting to do an internship this coming summer...but I think the time has come. Why has the time come now? Because I am trying to save money for it and sadly have realized there is NO way I will save all of the money I need by this coming summer :(

Here's the sitch:

I would be going to one of three places for a 3 month international internship. It would be through a program called Cross Cultural Solutions I would like to do their Intern Abroad program

The program I want to participate would either be working with individuals who have disabilities

or working with special education teachers

Marge at Cross Cultural Solutions (who has several children adopted internationally!!) said that the three best programs for what I am interested in are: Russia, Cartago (Costa Rica) and Morocco. Ideally, I would like to go to Russia because I have found so much passion for kids with special needs over there (thanks Reece's Rainbow!!) - however, they don't do Intern Abroad there - according to the website. Which is strange, because Marge said they do. They do have 11 week volunteer programs...but there is a difference in the Volunteering and the Intern programs. Also, my mom has shown some real hesitation in supporting me spending 3 months in Russia. She said that it can be dangerous to go there...lots of bureaucratic red tape, etc.

If I went to Russia in the summer, I would likely spend a good amount of time going to summer camps with different Internat's. I may even spend time working in different institutions.

Anyways, the program fee for a 12 week internship is $6,414 dollars.

NOT including: International and domestic airfare and corresponding airport departure taxes, Costs associated with obtaining a visa or immunizations (when needed), Personal Internet time and long-distance (domestic and international) phone calls, Laundry service.

JUST with airfare, it would come to $7,615. With all of the other expenses, I could see this costing around: $8,000. (visa, immunizations, etc.)

Why am I telling YOU this, oh wonderful blogosphere?

I need help making money.

So, I am really doubting I'll be able to save up all this money by the time I would need to start paying, but I WILL BE GOING EVENTUALLY!!!!!

I am shooting for going in the summer of 2010

Thus far, I have $400 towards this internship. Only...a lot more to go. I will be applying for grants, asking for money for graduation gifts (yes, let family help!)and doing everything I can to make this happen...but I really do need your help.

Please spread the word to anyone you know who might be willing/able to help me make this happen.

Feel free to leave any questions in the comments or email me at: jgoeble at gmail dot com (hah! take that internet robots...when YOU email me, replace the at with @ and the dot with . )

Thank you all for helping me make my dream a reality.

Jaimie

(maybe I'd get to get update pictures of kids from Reece's Rainbow!!!! wouldn't that be COOL??)

Holy Frijoles!!!

2009-01-01T00:15:00.000-08:00

(I think my dad used to say that...)

I realize my blog might look a little...funny. I am trying to make things look the way I want them to look.

It's harder then I thought it would be! I bow down to those that make really cool looking blogs!

You're NEVER going to believe this...I actually touched the "edit html" button. It was nerve wracking. You better believe I hit "download template"!

But you know what?? I am darn proud of myself!!!!! I think my blog looks pretty cool, considering my lack of formatting experience.

I don't love my borders, but other than that and the fact that it's a tad...busy, I think it looks nice. I was going for a certain color scheme that matches the title of my blog (dunno if I got it though!), but frankly - it's LATE and I have NO idea how to change the borders or make it look less busy (besides having less stuff on there). Any suggestions would be welcome!

On that note, does anyone know how to get rid of/change the color of the pale blue border in the middle column?

Hope it doesn't hurt your eyes (*cough wheresmyangels cough*)

Jaimie

(P.S. All credit for the three columns go to: The Tips for New Bloggers Guys They made it possible for me to not accidentally delete my blog)

Mattea Olena

2008-12-28T11:11:00.000-08:00

This blog post is copied from Meredith over at Cornish Adoption Journey They brought home Emma and Micah from the Ukraine (nine months ago?) Mattea Olena's situation is VERY similar to the problems Emma faced. Emma had a similar defect and could be the SAME one (won't know until they get Mattea to a US doctor) and I can't say enough how much of a change there has been after that surgery for Emma. Will you help them home? So, read and go do what you can :)

There's another little girl with a family going back to get her soon that has a significant heart defect with pulmonary hypertension. This family is one of EXTREME FAITH and is walking this road to bring her home even knowing that these things are there. Another family met her a year ago and she was too ill to even travel. Now, she's doing even BETTER and we are hoping and praying that God has another MIRACLE in store in healing this little one's heart and lungs and giving her a long and happy life as a DAUGHTER, part of a FAMILY, living, learning, and growing as a testimony of HIS grace.

This family had a snag in their adoption which has required them to use up their adoption money allotted during their first trip out there and now they're headed back to Ukraine in January to bring home "Mattea Olena" and they need to raise more funds. Someone graciously donated their ticket! But there is more that is required on this trip.

Please consider helping this family bring home their newest daughter. Check out THEIR BLOG and donate to their Paypal. They're doing a give-away with the donations, but seriously, it's not about that. It's about getting a little girl that deserves a chance at life -home to the family that sets that sparkle in her eye to glow...

Jaimie

Meme

2008-12-27T22:59:00.000-08:00

Edited to add: It didn't save my indents! grrr... I have italicized the things I WANT to do.

I stole this from someone's blog...can't remember whose at this point!

Now you get to know more about me :)

The thing in bold are the things I have done and the things I have italicized are the things I would like to do:

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band - school! 4th grade - 8th grade (trumpet) 9-12 (french horn) 9-12 (mellophone - marching band)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity (7. Been to Disney World
8. Climbed a mountain - a little piece of one! Mt. Masada in Israel (probably butchered that spelling...)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child 16. Had food poisoning - possibly
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables - my mom and I attempted to grow a kid's garden one year. It didn't end well.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort - we used to build igloo's on our porch :) we also used to get a crap ton of snow. we still get a lot compared to other places, but it doesn't seem as snowy as it did growing up. Global warming?
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon - haha. funny
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise - would really like to!
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - yes and no. I went to Israel...my actual ancestors are NOT from there...but in Judaism...yeah, so I think this counts
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke - poorly
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance sadly, yes. almost broke my tailbone rollerskating. yeah, that's embarrassing!
47. Had your portrait painted if you count a caricature!
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling LOVED scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain 53. Played in the mud We used to have mud fights in the creek!! So much fun :)
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job - if not getting rehired counts...
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone - elbow, pinky, almost broke my neck (literally) - got a C-1 Subluxation (vertebra moves in and out) while skiing at age 6. more on that another time if anyone is interested
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car 83. Walked in Jerusalem 10 years old, trip with Temple. hoping to go again!
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - HELLZ NO.
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous - some authors and comedians
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby 95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake Actually! I swam in the Dead Sea...way saltier ;)
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee a wasp
100. Read an entire book in one day

i tag...EVERYONE!!!

Or:
Christina at: kwisteenaskwaziness
Renee at: myspecialks
Christine at: Smiles and Trials

anndddd last but not least: wheresmyangels

Annalise!

2008-12-26T16:11:00.001-08:00

Wow!!! She's up to $575 on the Angel Tree

COOL!!!!

Jaimie

Merry Christmas Eve!

2008-12-24T12:43:00.000-08:00

To all of you Christmas celebrants -

Merry almost Christmas!!! I'm sorry the weather is so...blech :( here almost all of the snow has melted...

How do YOU explain to your kids how Santa and his reindeers can come even when there's no snow on the ground??

For me? (I'm Jewish if you didn't know) well, my mom and I go do a very stereotypically Jewish thing...

Chinese food and a movie!!! We're going to see Seven Pounds with Will Smith. I wanted to see Australia, but it's three hours long and the Chinese place closes at 10...we're too busy cooking Latkes and making Turtle pretzels!! (we make freakin' fabulous turtle pretzels...I'll post the recipe if anyone wants it)

Ho ho ho!

Jaimie

Kellsey

2008-12-22T02:11:00.000-08:00

Ah! she's SO cute :) Go read Renee's blog (you know, one of the few people that comments here?) Go!

Jaimie

The Great Debaters

2008-12-22T00:47:00.000-08:00

So my mom and I have a total THANG for Denzel Washington. We went through a period where every time we went to Movie Gallery, we rented a Denzel movie. So far we've seen:

(list from http://imdb.com)
# The Great Debaters (2007) .... Melvin B. Tolson
# American Gangster (2007) .... Frank Lucas
# Deja Vu (2006) .... Agent Doug Carlin - ATF
# Inside Man (2006) .... Detective Keith Frazier
# The Manchurian Candidate (2004) .... Ben Marco
# Man on Fire (2004) .... Creasy
# Out of Time (2003/I) .... Matthias Lee Whitlock
# Antwone Fisher (2002) .... Dr. Jerome Davenport
# John Q (2002) .... John Quincy Archibald
# Training Day (2001) .... Alonzo
# Remember the Titans (2000) .... Coach Herman Boone
# The Hurricane (1999) .... Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter

Look's like we're just working our way back through the years. Sigh. awesomeness.

Let me tell ya, Denzel did NOT disappoint in The Great Debaters!! He was AMAZING :) Of course, the whole cast really was, phenomenal. I thought the actress, Jurnee Smollett, who played Samantha Booke (with an E!) was AMAZING. Her voice was incredible, nailed southern belle to a t! Plus, she managed some insanely emotional scenes incredibly well.

Anyways, I knew I'd seen her somewhere, turns out she played Denise on Full House! Funny :)

Anyways, The Great Debaters was a wonderful movie, I would highly recommend it. Here's a summary from

"Marshall, Texas, described by James Farmer, Jr. as "the last city to surrender after the Civil War," is home to Wiley College, where, in 1935-36, inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and his clandestine work as a union organizer, Professor Melvin Tolson coaches the debate team to a nearly-undefeated season that sees the first debate between U.S. students from white and Negro colleges and ends with an invitation to face Harvard University's national champions. The team of four, which includes a female student and a very young James Farmer, is tested in a crucible heated by Jim Crow, sexism, a lynch mob, an arrest and near riot, a love affair, jealousy, and a national radio audience."

It was intellectually stimulating, heartwarming, heartWRENCHING, very well-done, cast well, wonderful music, accurate historical portrayal of 1935 Texas (as far as I know) - just a GREAT movie. I highly recommend it :)

WONDERFUL!

Jaimie

People article about children at the Cleveland Clinic

2008-12-17T21:28:00.000-08:00

I feel a bit of deja vu coming on...

Did anyone read that article in People magazine (the most recent one, with Tom Cruise on the cover?)

It featured several children who are patients at the Cleveland clinic, there were some truly wonderful pictures.

The children had diagnoses ranging from: ALL (Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia), to hepatoblastoma cancer of the liver, to Sickle Cell Anemia, to Clear-cell sarcoma of the kidney, to Neuroblastoma, and Rhabdomyosarcoma.

The article is called: Flashes of Hope (http://www.flashesofhope.org/) "a non-profit organization made up of professional photographers dedicated to creating powerful, uplifting portraits of children fighting cancer and other life-threatening illnesses."

Sounds like a pretty great organizaiton - do any of you have any experience with it?

Jaimie

Jon and Kate Plus 8

2008-12-16T11:57:00.000-08:00

Who watched Jon and Kate Plus 8 last night??

The episode was dedicated/geared to childhood cancer and the kids at St. Jude's. They took the kids shopping at Kmart (who apparently supports St. Jude's?) to pick out presents (3 each) to give to the kids. They even rigged up two way video camera's (or whatever it is called) so that the Goslin's kids could see the St. Jude's kids. I thought that it was a REALLY well done episode.

The whole time, I was thinking about all the people I've come across since getting into this whole blogosphere thing...who have been touched by childhood cancer. I hope that this episode really puts childhood cancer in the spotlight, it sure needs the attention...maybe more funding will come about because of this?

Jaimie

I OWNED...

2008-12-16T11:49:00.000-08:00

MY PRAXIS EXAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

that's right...I am officially DONE with my praxis two exams!!!!!!!!!

I took:

Intro to the teaching of reading: scored 640 (passing score = 540!)

Practices of Learning and teaching: early childhood: scored 197 (passing score =166!)

Special Education knowledge-based core principles: scored 177 (passing score = 151!) - took this back in March

This is huge though. I am done with ALL of my projects and finals and NOW? Praxis is OVER!!! This is amazing. Today was my do-nothing day and now? it's even better. SO excited.

Oh. My. G-d. I CANNOT believe that PRAXIS IS OVER!!!!!

at least until Praxis III ;) (that's several years away though!)

1000!

2008-12-12T21:04:00.001-08:00

WHOOT! 1000 views! :)

How cool is that?!? Granted...some of those were me fiddling with my blog and forgetting to tell the counter to "ignore my browser". but still!

HAPPY ONE THOUSAND POST DAY DEAR BLOG!

Jaimie

Annalise

2008-12-12T20:48:00.000-08:00

I realized that I never said who I decided to choose from the Angel tree, so here it is!

The second the Angel tree opened up I started to look at all the gorgeous little faces...and one in particular caught my eye (ok, who am I kidding - they were ALL eye-catching!!) I emailed the link to my mom and her response was: "Who do you want me to donate to?" So, we decided to donate to Annalise.

Her name is in red on the angel tree because she is older and therefore at more risk. I decided to search through the different pages until I found which coutnry Annalise was from.

Here's the information about Annalise from
_________________________________
Annalise

Girl, Born August 2003

Annalise is an adorable and fiesty 5 year old who loves to run and play outside ! She is waiting patiently for a family to call her own! Annalise understands simple commands in (2) languages, including English ! She attends special education and speech classes with other children. She had surgery in 2003 for her heart defect and does not require any further treatment for that condition .

We are so blessed to finally have some children referred from this country. Country fees have been reduced by $14k and income requirements reduced as well!! Orphanage care is outstanding in comparison to other countries. The children are very well loved and cared for here. But it is still never the same as having a loving family of their own, and the advantages of being raised in the United States.

Please consider any of these angels for your own family!

Please contact Jeanne directly for more information

I have $2500 in my grant fund towards the cost of my adoption
_______________________________________

It is so amazing that she was able to have her heart defect repaired and attend school!

It sounds like Armenia has pretty great orphanages for children with special needs.

So - the picture up in the corner is Annalise :) If you click on her picture, it will take you to Reece's Rainbow!

Let's try and get some more donations into Annalise! (and all the others!!)

Can you imagine what a JOY she would be to have around?

Jaimie

Angel Tree

2008-12-09T18:34:00.001-08:00

Well, the uber-cute button is SUPPOSED to be scrolling...but alas, it isn't.

Oh well! Francesca is REALLY cute :D

Jaimie

Ok...Chip-In, Paypal...etc.

2008-12-09T18:17:00.000-08:00

Sooo...I put up a chip-in button at the top of my page. Ideally, it would have gone on the side, but I'm a not-so-smart blog-mommy and I have NO idea how to care for my page the way it should be cared for. It deserves two columns and I just.can't.do.it. *sob* It looks a little funky up there, but for now - it'll have to do.

I have a whopping $400 (hey, it's certainly better than a kick in the the pants!) saved up right now in a savings account I am NOT allowed to touch. I refuse!

Anyways, it's just up there chillin' - please don't feel any obligation to donating, it is just there on the off chance that someone decides they have a little extra money and want to help out.

Oh and check out the cuties on the Angel Tree button!! I know it's half over (or 6/8 or 3/4 or somethin' like that...math is NOT my strong suit!) but I finally got around to putting it up...and gosh they're cute!!

2008-12-02T18:06:00.000-08:00

ESFP - The Performers
The entertaining and friendly type. They are especially attuned to pleasure and beauty and like to fill their surroundings with soft fabrics, bright colors and sweet smells. They live in the present moment and don´t like to plan ahead - they are always in risk of exhausting themselves.

The enjoy work that makes them able to help other people in a concrete and visible way. They tend to avoid conflicts and rarely initiate confrontation - qualities that can make it hard for them in management positions.

interesting!!

it says that when I write, I use VERY little logical thought...really??? never would have guessed ;)

Jaimie

Election question

2008-11-20T07:43:00.000-08:00

Hello all!

I have a question for any of you guys who have older children with special needs - or those of you that teach older children with special needs.

Our class (middle schoolers) did a unit about the election - how old you have to be to run for president, who decides who the president is, when the president starts his new job, etc. The students composed questions about the elections and then polled the staff (hello Alternate Assessment - collecting and charting data!!). They watched different news shows about the election, predicted who they thought would win, etc.

On Tuesday we went to the local polling office where they explained how voting works, answered any questions the students had and showed the students how to use the electronic voting machine - they even let them vote!! (it was a sample electronic thing - the only question was: Do you like the new electronic voting process? (or something like that). They showed them how the paper with their responses would be hidden from the next person and how to get help if they didn't understand what something said. They gave them headphones so they could listen to the question (in case they couldn't read it). Overall, they did a GREAT job with our students. Again - GREAT AA...

They also explained that they had a magnifying glass for the screen as well as auditory input for people with visual impairments.

So here's my question.

If your child/student is legally able to vote (over 18), do they vote? How do you help them?

Along those same lines: If they don't have the physical capabilities to use the voting machine, how do they vote?

If they do not have verbal communication, but are cognitively able to make informed choices but use augmentative communication (communication board, switch, PECS, etc.) - how do they get the help they need with the voting process (if someone comes with them to read it to them, etc.)

If they are not cognitively able to make independent decisions, how do they vote? Do you explain to them in ways that they understand what the candidates do and stand for, then fill out an absentee ballot for them?

If your child is younger, have you thought about how you might handle this situation? Or, if you just have any ideas...I'd love to know! I would also like to share the information with our class, because I think they would be interested.

Ok! Thanks for your help :)

Jaimie

PLEASE help...sensory stuff

2008-11-11T14:38:00.000-08:00

OK guys. I'm putting this out here (it's an email I send out to an SPD support group I belong to) because I need all the help I can get.

Today, I was working with my cooperating teacher to figure out how to do the alternate assessment I need to do on one of the kids for one of my classes. She had a pencil out and a blank AA, I asked if she had a mechanical pencil (i didn't have one) because I knew I'd need to erase...and I can't stand to use regular pencils. I hate the feeling of the wood, I hate the sound the pencil makes on the paper, I hate the feeling of actually writing. I'd mentioned before to her that I have some texture issues, but I explained some basics of it to her today. I also explained my intense dislike for chalk. I hate the feeling, the smell, the sound - same goes for chalkboards. She agreed that I really need to start getting some help with this. I have a TERRIBLY hard time not crying (or you know, biting through my lip) when I have t sit next to one of the kids and he is writing down to the nub of lead in a pencil, or coloring with colored pencils. I usually end up trying to discretely plug the ear next to the kid so the sound isn't quite as jarring.

A bigger problem is that I have to take two praxis exams on Saturday. you CANNOT use mechanical pencils. I survived the last time I took one of the tests, but I'm surprised I didn't bite through my lip - that's how much it affected me. Today, I decided to try and test myself...or attempt to desensitize myself a little bit. I sharpened the pencil, grasped it above the rough/sharpened part of the pencil and wrote a little bit. I wrote extremely small and very slowly. It hurt me so badly. I was biting my lips and cheeks really hard just to keep from crying/throwing the pencil across the room. I managed to write a little bit before I couldn't stand it any more. Writing lightly in script seemed to be a little bit better...but there will be about 3.5 hours of multiple choice and essay questions to be dealt with on saturday. For the next 10 minutes, I sat there with my skin HUMMING...it felt like every nerve in my body was just on edge. I had trouble focusing...it really wasn't good.

I don't know what to do :(

wear gloves and earplugs during the test? i don't know if that's allowed...and i'd still feel the pencil while writing.

PLEASE...if you have ANY insights about what I can do on Saturday...I'm desperate here.

If you're a lurker and you have some ideas, PLEASE leave them in the comments.

again...please.

Jaimie

Screw Bronze!

2008-11-10T17:00:00.000-08:00

Hey guys,

I wanted to put a link here to a website maintained by a woman who writes a blog I've been reading for several months.

Her name is Elizabeth McClung. I'm guessing some of you read her blog (Screw Bronze!)

She's a pretty darn amazing woman...despite all of her health problems, she is focused on making a difference for perfect strangers. She loves making postcards and sending them to people who need their day brightened.

Go visit her postcard blog. I recently asked her to make a postcard for my best friend...her postcards look SO cool!!

So, go visit - (go visit her main blog too) it's worth it :)

Jaimie

omfg.

2008-11-09T00:40:00.001-08:00

I just learned something new about myself.

I cannot stand to listen to other people eat potato chips.

I'm fine when it's just me eating them, but I CAN HEAR THEM BEING CRUNCHED ACROSS THE ROOM AND I KIND OF WANT TO THROW UP.

I'm going to go put my head phones on and try not claw my ears off of my head or kill the girl.

just kidding about the killing (kind of).

SPD Awareness...

2008-11-07T18:31:00.000-08:00

Well, it's no longer October - but that's too bad! ;)

So, I think this post is going to be about the things that absolutely drive me bonkers. I think I may have written a post about this before...but oh well.

The List:

I Cannot stand the feeling of wooden Popsicle sticks, coffee stirrers, those little ice cream spoons...it makes me cringe, makes my whole body tighten up and it just hurts.

I cannot stand the sound of pencils scratching. I cannot stand actually using pencils (mechanical are...acceptable). I cannot stand touching the wood that has been sharpened on a pencil.

- just a reminder - I'm going to be a teacher!! how the HELL am I going to manage this?! this is one of the big things I want to work on if I you know...ever actually get diagnosed and start getting OT.

I cannot stand to WRITE with pencils...yeah, I have to take Praxis in one week and you can ONLY use regular pencils. It was hell the last time I did it, I don't anticipate it being any better this time.

I cannot stand CHALK. I hate it. I hate looking at it because I know how awful it feels. I hate touching it, I will NOT write with it. I was forced to write something on the board early on in the semester. NO ONE WOULD WRITE IT FOR ME. I wrapped the chalk in tissue and wrote very, very small and barely legible. I was biting my lips and cheeks very hard and wanted to cry. Along that same note, I hate chalkboards.

I hate the cardboard hot coffee things. As soon as it cools enough for me not to burn my hands, I take it off.

I hate slimy things.

I hate being touched very lightly. When someone grazes my arm or something along those lines, I shiver and feel very strange. I hate it.

On that same note, I HATE feeling like there is a hair on me. It drives me crazy.

I crave deep pressure. My mom can never give me any type of massage/shoulder rub because I really can't feel it. You literally have to dig into my back to get what I need.

On the deep pressure front, I love very tight hugs. Light ones suck.

I have a very hard time dealing with the texture of certain foods. Mostly it's meat that is the problem, but I am extremely picky about foods. I really hate things that are thick, because I don't like the squishing feeling on my teeth.

I have a VERY hard time tuning out auditory/visual/physical distractions.

When I walk into a room and there is a light buzzing, or there are people working on the roof...whatever...I obsess over it. I HATE it. I can't ignore it.

I don't like the feeling of tags on my bare skin. I wear a tanktop under almost everything I wear.

I HATE rough/cheap paint, it absolutely disgusts me. It hurts me to touch it.

I hate how dry skin feels. I try to convince myself that as long as I'm not touching anything, I can't really feel it. SO NOT TRUE. MY FINGERS TOUCH EACH OTHER. sigh.
When I get overloaded, I usually bite my lips and cheeks very, very hard. Not enough to bleed, but quite hard.

I chew at the insides of my cheeks and lips and bite my nails and cuticles. If I'm not careful I get very painfully cracked fingers.

Along with the oral fixation things... I ALWAYS want something in my mouth - gum, candy...well, I am also food-obsessed.

I also smoke. (blech, I know)

I cannot stand when I have little bumps on my skin. This may be pimples that are under the surface (but I do not have much of a problem with pimples)...but I OBSESS over those bumps, I pick at them all the time. To make things worse o this front, I have keratosis pilaris (?) on my arms...so I've got raised/rough red bumps on my arms.

I have trouble following directions, I have to write them down word for word, because if I don't I will forget to do them. I think this has something to do with the ADHD and SPD. I am so focused on other things that I stop paying attention to the important things.

Ok, that's all I've got for now. I am tired and thinking of crawling in bed

bye!

Jaimie

ANGEL TREE!!!

2008-11-02T12:46:00.000-08:00

My heartstrings are being tugged....if only I was a bit older and a bit more stable in life (ya know...a job, college degree. those sorta important things ;) )

This is one post that, though it's long, it's WORTH THE READ! Please
see how you can be a part of the Angel Tree Project, find the perfect
gift for people, and how you can get your own free
calendar, as well!

It's November 1st!! Today is the kick-off of the annual Reece's Rainbow
Angel Tree Project! Visit Waiting Angels to view all of the beautiful
children in ONE PLACE and to have the opportunity to sponsor these
children in honour of family members, friends, or co-workers!

The Angel Tree is Reece's Rainbow's largest fund raiser of the year
and there's a great reason why. For each donation of $35 or more
to any one child you will be mailed a beautiful ornament with your
sponsored child's photo on it. These ornaments are the perfect
gift for teachers, co-workers, friends, family, and all those
hard-to-buy-for people. Not only do they receive a keepsake, but the
knowledge that their gift went toward a wonderful cause- helping an
orphan to come HOME.

The children shown on the Angel Tree page are all UNMATCHED children
who do not yet have a family (but as the tree continues children will
be marked 'matched' as their families find them and commit to their
adoption!). Also, it's important to note that every dollar that you
donate to any child goes directly to their sponsorship! Paypal,
ornament costs and shipping are all paid for by Reece's Rainbow and
are not deducted from your donation. Reece's Rainbow is glad to say
that every penny goes toward that child's grant fund in hopes that
they will soon have a "forever family" commit to their adoption and
bring them home.

The Angel Tree Project runs from November 1st-December 31st and all
donations made by December 15th will receive an ornament gift
(donations after this date will still be shown on the Angel Tree page
but will not receive an ornament). We welcome international donors and
we will also ship the ornaments internationally!

In addition to the Angel Tree Project, Reece's Rainbow is happy to
offer you a free 12 month calendar that you can download and include
with your ornament as an additional gift this Christmas. Each month
features a different "currently" available child (we hope that by the
end of the year the calendar has all MATCHED children on it!) and is
available in two formats.

The first is 12cm and when printed is the size of a CD case. (you can
use an old cd case as a stand). This is a great office calendar size
and perfect for gift-giving :) The second is a .jpg format which can
be printed in many different sizes or used in documents each month if
you want to distribute them monthly.

Here's a preview of the calendar: The links to download are just after.

Below are the links to download these documents so that you can print
them and have them ready to give away this Christmas!

.PDF documents will print on an 8 1/2 x 11 page as 12 cm

http://mcornish.org/blog/rrfrontback09.pdf
(front and back covers)

http://mcornish.org/blog/janfebrr09.pdf

http://mcornish.org/blog/maraprrr09.pdf

http://mcornish.org/blog/mayjunrr09.pdf

http://mcornish.org/blog/julyaugrr09.pdf

http://mcornish.org/blog/sepoctrr09.pdf

http://mcornish.org/blog/novdecrr09.pdf

.jpg documents can be resized easily using many programs

http://mcornish.org/blog/rr09coverpage.jpg

http://mcornish.org/blog/januaryrr09.jpg

http://mcornish.org/blog/februaryrr09.jpg

http://mcornish.org/blog/marchrr09.jpg

http://mcornish.org/blog/aprilrr09.jpg

http://mcornish.org/blog/mayrr09.jpg

http://mcornish.org/blog/junerr09.jpg

http://mcornish.org/blog/julyrr09.jpg

http://mcornish.org/blog/augustrr09.jpg

http://mcornish.org/blog/septemberrr09.jpg

http://mcornish.org/blog/octoberrr09.jpg

http://mcornish.org/blog/novemberrr09.jpg

http://mcornish.org/blog/decemberrr09.jpg

http://mcornish.org/blog/whyrr.jpg
(back)

This post was originally done by Meredith over at the Cornish Adoption Journey ! Thanks :)

For all of you interested in SPD

2008-10-25T23:07:00.000-07:00

Well, I am somewhat impressed that this is getting written before SPD awareness month is OVER...kind of impressive for me :D It's also impressive that I wrote this out long hand first (well some of it)

SPD: What it is in relation to my life

Please remember that I have yet to be diagnosed with SD. If this makes readers question how I can be so certain that I have SPD and whether or not I'm just an overreacting hypochondriac. There really are overwhelming factors in my life (past and present) that are indicative of an individual living/struggling with SPD.

I am a very social person. However, I become easily overstimulated in large groups of people.

Huh?

When I was younger and we had company over, I'd interact well with everyone but would oftentimes excuse myself to go "find something" in my room. This gave me the opportunity to get away from the chaos of having so many different things happening at once. I would rarely come back to the group on my own, but my mother very wisely would usually let me have a good amount of time on my own to decompress before coming to get me from whatever I ended up doing - usually lying on on my bed reading a book.

I still get easily overstimulated while interacting with large groups of people. I have a tendency to "flit" all over the room, talking to many different people and rarely doing one thing at a time. I am really not sure exactly what this is about, but I have a hunch it has something to do with my wanting to be involved in everything. Unfortunately for me, I don't always remember that it is sometimes better to sit and get to know one person really well rather than talk on a surface level to 20 different people.

Now when I get overstimulated many things might happen:

- I speak much faster than usual (and I talk fast to begin with) (I have to work very hard to slow down)
- I become very flustered (dropping things, forgetting to do things)
- I feel very warm and usually start sweating
- Then, I get nervous that other people are probably noticing that I'm starting to lose it

Can you see how this can easily spiral out of control

I am extremely distracted by many different kinds of stimuli
Here's where I get a little bit confused.

Is this a problem with distraction stemming from the ADD? or is a problem with a difficulty tuning out stimuli?

Here are some examples:

If I walk into a room and a fluorescent lamp is buzzing, I instantly hear it and have a great degree of difficulty tuning it out. It will usually take at least 30 minutes for me to stop actively hearing the noise. Sometimes I can hear it only a little bit (if that makes sense) - but that would only be if I am "on top of my game"

Being on top of my game might include:
- Having gotten enough sleep
- Taking my medicine
- Getting up in enough time so as not to be rushing
- Packing the night before for what needs to be done the next day

Rushing is one of the worst things for me
- I forget things
- I drop things
- I miss information
- I forget to do things
- I get very flustered
- I sweat
- I get nervous

Gotta break the post up since it's now 4 AM and my 12-4 shift at the front desk is now over. Time to go to sleep :)

To be continued...

Stay tuned...

2008-10-13T10:18:00.000-07:00

I've just thought about a good SPD awareness month post! I don't have time to write it out now (my cell phone alarm will go off in 4 minutes - that's a story for another day - my repeated attempts to learn time management..).

To pique your interest -

Why do I listen to my ipod (normal music, not just classical) while I study/do homework?

Wouldn't you think it would be MORE distracting?

Not so.

(I should print a copy of this post to share with my mom...21 years later, she STILL doesn't understand how the hell I can concentrate while listening to music)

Jaimie

October is...

2008-10-12T18:49:00.000-07:00

Sensory Processing Disorder Awareness Month!!!

Well, cool :)

Here's a nifty button I nabbed from some cool sites that are blogging about SPD this month

here's one!

and here's another: pancakes gone awry

So, I have a bazillion things to do right now - but you can look forward to some posts about adult SPD in the near future.

Jaimie

scattergories meme

2008-10-05T20:16:00.000-07:00

Stolen from Ecki at Opposite Kids IT’S HARDER THAN IT LOOKS! Here are the rules:

Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following questions.
They have to be real places, names, things. nothing made up!
You can’t use your name for the boy/girl name question.
Tag 5 people to play along

What is your name? Jaimie
A 4 Letter Word: Jail
A Boys Name: Jonathon
A Girls Name: Jessica
An Occupation: Jeweler
A Color: Jade
Something you wear: Jewelry
A Beverage: Juice
A Food: Japanese Food!
Something found in the bathroom: Junk (especially mine!)
A place: Jerusalem
A Reason for being late: Junky car
Something you shout: well...I sometimes say jesus christ (i know...i'm bad) but that's not very nice of me...soooo- jeepers!!!

jaimie

Following

2008-09-25T03:43:00.001-07:00

Nope. Sorry.

I decided I HATE parts of the following feature on blogger.

It semi-duplicated ALL the blogs in my reader list - gah! annoying!!! I ended up deciding to just can the whole following thing for now. It wouldn't let me remove the following thing from my google reader either!!

FRUSTRATING.

oh well, no linkies for now. I just deleted a gajillion blogs from my following list.

I'm still following, just not... "following following" hope that makes sense.

If it doesn't, I blame it on it being 7 AM :)

Jaimie

well, wow!

2008-09-25T03:22:00.000-07:00

holy crap! people are actually visiting my blog!! my numbers are going up :) I don't really care if I've got 200 loyal readers (obviously don't), but it's just neat to see people visiting :)

cool beans. seriously :)

granted, I took a look at my stats and 95% of the people stayed for 0 seconds...but hey, it's cool!)

That said? lurkers...first time visitors, loyal readers (it's not hard to keep track of the two of you that follow my blog)

Leave me a comment..I'd love some love! (and if not? well, that's cool too)

oh - and I'd love to know how you stumbled across my little corner of cyberspace!

Jaimie

Book Recommendations

2008-09-24T07:16:00.000-07:00

I was reading a post over at The Zoromiski Chronicles about being addicted to the Twilight Saga...she mentioned having NO clue what to read, things paling in comparison, etc.

I SO feel anyone who is super bummed about the saga being over (though, what more could she have done??) I would recommend LISTENING to the books, I love listening to books in the car and when I work out - fabulous!

I haven't read the part of the book from Edward's perspective that was leaked on the internet (and then posted by Stephenie?), but I DID read The Host , oh...I LOVED The Host

I am a COMPLETE book nerd and just simply...LOVE to read - I have a MyLibrary (i think that's what it is) widget on the side that lists some of the books I've read. I don't think I have put up anything I DIDN'T like

Here are some of my recommendations:

Anything by Jodi Picoult - FABULOUS!
- just note - by the time you get to some of her most recent books, you can see a certain pattern in all of her books (at least to me it seemed that there was ALWAYS a complete out of the blue ending, something you NEVER saw coming - it bothers me sometimes)

If you like mysteries - Sujata Massey has a series that I've really enjoyed (it's not super heavy on the mystery front - has good cultural...stuff! (character was born in San Francisco but spends much of her time in Japan)

The Magician's Assistant or The Patron Saint of Liars - Ann Patchett

Autobiography of a Face - Lucy Grealy

Truth and Beauty - Ann Patchett (about her friendship with Lucy Grealy)

I'll do another post like this in the near future :)

Jaimie

Website Reviews

2008-09-24T05:39:00.001-07:00

I have a question for the people that read this blog!

This is an email I got today:

_________________________
Hello,

I'm the webmaster of http://www.eyeflaoters.info
I wanted to know if by any chance you would be interested in doing an unbiased review of our site http://www.eyeflaoters.info on your blog http://vastjourney.blogspot.com/

If you agree you can choose between receiving a product sample or receiving a payment.

If you choose the product sample instead of the payment the sample is yours to keep and you don’t need to send it back.

The product sample that you can get is an ebook about eye floaters and you can see it there: http://www.eyefloaters.info

Please let me know if you are interested.

Thank you
Z. R
______________________

What is your take on this?? Is this even valid? I checked out the website, but I just don't know - which is why I wanted to ask the other bloggers out there in the 'sphere

My first reaction was to email saying: um, this product has NOTHING to do with my interests/things I blog about, but payment? I am a poor college student...

Would it be really weird for me to website reviews??

Jaimie

D-PAN

2008-09-22T12:12:00.000-07:00

Over the week or so, the Deaf Performing Artists Network has been mentioned quite a few times in some of the blogs I follow. How exciting!!! I absolutely LOVE D-PAN. I have been a huge fan since the first video I ever saw (Where'd You Go by Fort Minor)

I decided to embed this video for your viewing pleasure and it is just that - a true pleasure to listen to and watch (don't worry, they play the music, sign and mouth the words at the same time

I am a fan of all of their videos (Waiting on the World to Change by John Mayer and Beautiful by Christina Aguilera) are the only other two I know of, wish they would hurry up and come out with another!! I also enjoy watching the community videos.

Check out D-PANs website!!!

blogs I follow

2008-09-22T12:02:00.000-07:00

I followed the growing trend and decided to list the blogs I follow. In order NOT to seem like a complete NUTJOB...I decided not to list ALL of them, just some that I frequent most of the time :)

If you want me to take you off of the list of blogs I follow, just leave a comment here or send me an email and I will gladly oblige!

Jaimie

2008-09-21T20:58:00.000-07:00

wheresmyangels

there's just no pleasing you is there???

;)

what colors SHOULD I use?

oh and sure - you can add me to your sidebar :)

Jaimie

2008-09-19T21:54:00.001-07:00

OK! Here's another shot at a nice layout - again it's one of those pre-made one's...but I kind of like this one :) I might fiddle around with the colors, but as someone has told me - the last one didn't look so great...so I better be careful!!! (:P on you wheresmyangels !!! haha, just kidding)

Yeah, so sorry for like NEVER posting. I suck :) given that there aren't many that read this, I don't think anyone is too affected (effected?? I can never remember which form is correct...maybe I should've taken that english 112 class way back when... ;) ) by my lack of posting. The only thing that affects me is that when I don't post, people don't comment!!!

S0. Even though I don't think what I will most likely be blogging about (my hatred for school at the moment...being exhausted, going to the gym -or trying to- etc.) I will make a valiant (ooh, big word :D) effort to post more.

night all!

Need some help

2008-09-02T16:45:00.001-07:00

Does anyone want to revamp my blog for me??

I keep trying to make it look nice...but I'm just not satisfied with what I've been able to do with the templates and I don't know how to put different templates up.

It doesn't have to be fancy...I just want something that looks more put together, better colors...

Well - if you're interested, let me know :)

Can YOU make it happen??

2008-09-02T16:38:00.001-07:00

REECE'S RAINBOW MADE THE TOP 25!!!!!!!!!!!

Taken from the Reece's Rainbow Site:

"....now that nominations are closed, there is no more voting until the top 25 are officially announced.

HOWEVER.....you CAN still be leaving comments, and adding messages to the discussion boards. This is a great way to continue "visibility" of our project with other cardholders we don't know, those folks who may choose to vote for us when the big voting starts. Your comments and your experiences with the success of this ministry are crucial! For "strangers", the way the project is currently written (and the only they allowed us to write it), it does not show that there is already an organization in place to execute this project, it does not indicate how many lives have already been saved, nor how EASY it would be to find families for ALL of these kids if we only had the grant money available.

So be sure to leave comments and more comments! Ask your "recruits" to leave more comments and messages, and keep the "Save an Orphan with Down syndrome" project at the top of the message boards!

http://community.membersproject.com/category/Discussion-Board/3

Stay tuned for the official announcement on September 9, and then get ready to vote ONCE A DAY, EVERY DAY for 3 weeks so we make the top 5 and win the money!

These children are living on BORROWED TIME."

Try This Tuesday

2008-09-02T13:03:00.000-07:00

So I've never actually DONE one of those weekly blog post things...but today's

really caught my interest :)

Sensory processing difficulties...they are a really fascinating aren't they?

well, annoying too.

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Oh, I was never actually diagnosed with Sensory Integration Disorder (SID), but I feel as if it is clearly a problem I deal with on a daily basis. - I've just had to learn how to deal with it (or at least try to).
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At 21, I still have some problems with processing different things. I posted awhile back about my "quirks" but I'll reiterate them for the sake of this post.

1. I cannot stand the feeling of woodend popsicle sticks/those wooden spoons they have for those ice cream cup things

- If I accidentally touch one of these it makes my whole body tense up. I get
like...all shivery inside and I clench my teeth really hard, bite my lip or
press my tounge against my teeth very hard. If I decide to EAT the popsicle
anyways (cause I really like 'em), I have to wrap the stick in a napkin at
the very least. My preference when I was younger was to wrap those rubber
jar opener things around the stick, cause that prevented me from even HEARING
the paper rub the stick. Sadly, I don't have one at school...oh and G-D help
me if my teeth/tounge actually touch the stick...blech. I can FEEL those
things as I write about them. yeesh.

2. Rough/cheap paint

- Roughly the same reaction as to the texture of the wooden spoon...I get really
tense and kind of want to throw up.

- My mom helped me move my stuff into my residence hall room this year, because
well I begged her to. Anyways, we got to my ~~cell~~ residence
hall room (I'm an RA) and I dropped her off with a load of stuff to start
organizing (hey, that's why she came!) and then I went about unloading the
cars(s) (yeah, I know...2 cars??) I came back up and was starting to set up
my desk and I leaned against the desk drawer which had been painted a nice
shade of blue and my whole.body.CRINGED. The paint was disgusting. Other
parts of the room were painted with "nice" paint...but this part, this part
I'd be touching ALL OF THE TIME. It was awful. I seriously almost cried.
My fingers were all bent up and it really just hurt me to touch it. I said
to my Mom...what am I supposed to do?? She suggested going to speak to
maintenance about repainting the rough spots, but I didn't want to do that.
What can I say, I'm really stubborn. So I have this roll of pink, plastic
tablecloth stuff (I don't know what it really is) and I proceeded to cut
strips off of it and - yeah, you guessed it - tape it to my desk drawer.

It took me 30 minutes to cover everything, it's not the most attractive thing, but...
I can sit at my desk without wanting to throwup. That's a plus, right?\

3. The feeling of chalk/chalkboards, the sound chalk makes on blackboards and on
the sidewalks... I swear. EEP.

- I hate even picking a piece of chalk up off the floor. When it is inevitable
that I HAVE to do something involving chalk, I wrap a tissue over it first,
but that doesn't help a whole ton because I can feel the tissue rubbing the
chalk

- Today in class we had to write down part's of our assignment from the week
before up on the board. I spent a good 5 minutes trying to find someone who
would write mine for me...but no one wanted to. I ended up using a tissue
and writing as fast as I could with as few chalk stroke as possible (I
especially hate making curving lines with chalk...) The result? I was the
last one up at the board by about 2 minutes, I wanted to
cry cause it felt so awful and you could barely read my writing (hell, *I*
could barely read my writing)

- During my last practicum they used a program called Handwriting
Without Tears and it was all I could do NOT to run far, far away when we were
assigned to work on HWOT by doing wet/dry tries on mini chalkboards.

Could this be a problem with my being a teacher? NO! Dag nabit...I will buy my own whiteboard if I have to. NO CHALKBOARDS FOR ME!!!!!

3. Texture of meat

- I hate it when meat is thick, the texture of it is just something that doesn't
feel right to me. I have really tried to grow out of what most people think
of as simply being picky, but it's hard!

- Generally, meat that is on the thin side and somewhat dry is the only kind I
can eat without feeling really...icky. My mom used to say to me if I
wouldn't eat something for dinner, "ok Jaimie, go get yourself a bowl of
cereal" She wouldn't force me to eat something I couldn't stand to look at,
let alone touch/chew it. For awhile she made me something separate to eat,
but then she decided I was old enough to do that myself.

4. Not sure if this counts - but bright lights at night while driving

- I used to literally hide my entire head under ANYTHING that was available if
we were driving at night because oncoming headlights felt like someone was
stabbing me in the eyes. I don't think it physically actually hurt me,
because as soon as the headlights had passed us, I was fine. Though sometimes
I'd have my head under a sweatshirt the whole ride home because I just
couldn't deal with the lights coming at me. Again, I don't know if this is a
sensory thing because I know other people's eye's hurt at night with bright
lights...but the way I've always reacted to them makes me think I'm just a bit
more sensitive to that kind of input.
Random thing's:

sandpapery-like things, how notebook paper feels sometimes, having excessively dry skin, having lotion on that is too greasy (it has to be just right!), light touches on my lower back - it makes me jump! I love massages...but for some reason my lower back is excrutiatingly sensitive) I don't like hot drinks/hot food.

I think that my ADHD may also come into play here because I am very easily distracted and I oftentimes get distracted by some random thing that most people don't notice. (music playing down the hallway while I'm talking to someone, people coughing/sneezing repeatedly, something itching, something poking, something bumpy (god help me if I have a pimple...)

It would seem that I get hit by the same senses as everyone else, but I have a much harder time tuning them out (this is a common theory with people who have SID, right?)

I know there are more, but I can't think of all of them and I am tired of writing ;)

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Anyways, how does this help anyone? I don't know that it will, but this topic is one that is of great interest to me so I wanted to answer the Try This Tuesday post!

Let me preface this section of suggestions by reminding anyone who might be reading this that I am NOT a parent, just simply a student going into special education. I may not be right, you may not agree (if anyone reads this, lol), but these are just my thoughts after 3 full years of studying to be a special education teacher.

You may already know about these, but here are some of my favorites:

There is almost always an alternative way of doing/making something to make life just a little bit less grating on your child/students nerves.

If it's textures - (like it is with me), ask your child what would make them feel better when they HAVE to be in an environment that is physically uncomfortable to them.

This could be as simple as

- Allowing them to have headphones on when in a crowded place, because the
auditory input might just be too much for them.

- Let them take their shoes off whenever it is legally allowed! shoes might feel
to a sensory defensive child like someone is torturing them.

- Making a blanket for them out of their favorite texture

ETC.

Starting at a young age, introduce many different stimuli to your child so
that when they encounter something out in public they have at least already
experienced it before and may be able to handle the situation. (don't force them though!!!!)

- Have them play in whipped cream/shaving cream/jello/sand/edible
playdough (or the inedible stuff, lol) etc.
- Search for hidden objects!
- Encourage them NOT to use their hands to look for the objects (this can
get fun and messy!!)
- Oh! This is also a REALLY fun way to practice handwriting...:D

(well goodness, those all sound like OT things...!)

- Create a "safe" (sensory room). This room could have all the different things
that help your child calm down and feel better. Some good sensory rooms that
I've seen have: rope lights strung from the ceiling with beanbag chairs
underneath the lights, a texture wall, soft carpeting, muted lighting in
different shades, gym mats, several swings, a ball pit, stuffed toys...and any
number of great things :)

- If you don't have a whole room free, you could even just corner off a
section of your child's room, the living room, etc. to make a little
safe haven for them for when they get too overwhelmed.

Understand that for some kids, all their little quirks go well beyond simply being "the picky kid".

Comments? I'd love to hear 'em :)

Jaimie

Have I mentioned how much I love sparkpeople?

2008-09-02T09:06:00.000-07:00

So...sometimes I forget that SparkPeople is freaking awesome and I delete my 3-4 daily emails from them but then I get one's like this one:

50 Easy Ways to Cut 100 Calories
Lose Weight Without Deprivation
-- By Emily Vale, Staff Writer

Cutting calories may seem like a daunting task, especially when you're trying to cut hundreds of calories each day to lose the recommended 1-2 pounds per week. Will you go hungry? Will your meals taste like cardboard? Will you have to give up your favorite foods?

Don't worry. When you make small changes, the only difference you'll notice is a drop in the scale! Keep in mind that cutting calories can involve smart substitutions or changes in portion sizes, too. Just remember, start small and work your way up to a new—and healthier—way of eating.

Beverages
1. Split a 20 oz. bottle of regular soda with a friend. Save 120 calories!
2. Drink 1 cup of diet soda instead of 1 cup of regular soda. Save 97 calories!
3. Swap a 12-oz. glass of whole milk for skim milk. Save 96 calories!
4. Drink two 12-oz. light beers this weekend instead of two regular beers. Save 100 calories!
5. Instead of 1 cup of prepared lemonade, try 1 cup of a sugar free variety. Save 103 calories!
6. Eat a medium orange instead of drinking 12 oz. of fresh orange juice. Save 106 calories!
7. Prepare your coffee with 4 oz. of fat-free half and half instead of regular half and half. Save 88 calories!
8. Enjoy 5 oz. of chocolate milk instead of 5 oz. of a chocolate milkshake Save 110 calories!
Breakfast
9. Spread your whole grain waffles with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup instead of 1 tablespoon of margarine or butter. Save 110 calories!
10. Top your whole grain bagel with 1.5 oz of fat-free cream cheese in lieu of regular. Save 108 calories!
11. Try 1 oz. of maple turkey bacon instead of maple (pork) bacon. Save 118 calories!
12. Ditch the glazed donut and eat a bagel instead. Save 93 calories!
13. Eat 3/4 cup oatmeal instead of a 1-1/2 cups of oatmeal. Save 97 calories!
14. Substitute 3 oz. of turkey sausage for a serving of pork sausage. Save 120 calories!
15. Grab a small bagel instead of a medium bagel. Save 99 calories!
Snacks and Sides
16. Dip 1 cup celery into your favorite salsa or hummus instead of 1 oz. of tortilla chips. Save 125 calories!
17. Eat an entire medium apple instead of a small (5 oz.) candy apple. Save 118 calories!
18. Snack on 1 oz. of baked potato chips instead of regular chips. Save 90 calories!
19. Better yet, eat 2 oz. pretzels instead of the same size portion of potato chips. Save 94 calories!
20. Bake 2 oz of oven fries in lieu of 2 oz. of fast food fries. Save 88 calories!
21. Forgo a 6-oz portion of potato chips and nosh on 6 oz. of tortilla chips instead. Save 96 calories!
22. Say no to 1 oz of deep-fried onion rings and instead enjoy 1 oz. of grilled onions with your meal. Save 92 calories!
23. Try 1.5 oz. of fresh grapes instead of 1.5 oz. of raisins. Save 98 calories!
24. Enjoy a healthy 8-oz. baked potato instead of 8 oz. of French fries. Save 104 calories!
25. Choose 3 oz. of mozzarella cheese for your sandwich instead of Swiss cheese. Save 108 calories!
26. Swap 1 cup of canned pineapple in heavy syrup for crushed pineapple in water. Save 119 calories!
Lunch and Dinner
27. Cut a 6 oz. steak in half and take the other portion home for another meal. Save 111 calories!
28. Order a skinless chicken breast instead of chicken with skin. Save 102 calories!
29. Substitute a fat-free beef hot dog for a regular beef hot dog. Save 104 calories!
30. Build a sandwich with1.5 oz. of deli turkey breast instead of an equivalent of hard salami. Save 119 calories!
31. Instead of 6 oz. of crispy fried chicken with skin, eat 6 oz. baked chicken with skin. Save 102 calories!
32. Choose a slice of thin crust pizza over thick crust pizza. Save 106 calories!
33. Add vegetable toppings to your pizza order and say no to pepperoni. Save 100 calories!
34. Forget broccoli cheddar soup. A 7-oz portion of vegetable soup is better. Save 119 calories!
35. Enjoy 12 oz of steamed rice (choose brown rice when possible) as an alternative to fried rice. Save 96 calories!
36. Unwrap your 13-inch tortilla wrap and make a sandwich on a 3-oz. whole grain bagel instead. Save 96 calories!
37. Eat only half of your hamburger or sandwich bun. Save 100 calories!
Condiments and Sauces
38. Dip your salad in a side of ranch dressing (2 tsp.) instead of pouring 2 Tbsp of dressing on the salad. Save 97 calories!
39. Skip the 5 oz. of Alfredo sauce and eat a whopping 7 oz. of marinara sauce. Save 129 calories!
40. Add flavor to vegetables with 3 oz. of hot sauce—not 1 oz of bleu cheese dressing. Save 117 calories!
41. Top your salad with 1.5 oz. reduced-fat Italian dressing instead of regular. Save 96 calories!
42. Try either cheese or croutons on your salad—not both Save 72-116 calories!
43. Instead of 3 oz. of regular sour cream, use a fat-free variety. Save 120 calories!
44. Use 2 Tbsp reduced-fat light mayonnaise instead of regular mayonnaise. Save 102 calories!
Sweets and Desserts
45. Serve ice cream in a dish instead of a waffle cone. Save 121 calories!
46. Try a healthier peanut granola bar instead of a peanut candy bar. Save 94 calories!
47. Finish dinner with 1 cup of low-fat frozen yogurt instead of regular ice cream. Save 121 calories!
48. Substitute 5 oz. of apple pie, with 5 oz. of baked apple crisp. Save 85 calories!
49. Instead of 4 oz. of regular chocolate pudding, enjoy a sugar-free portion. Save 92 calories!
50. Leave that 1/2 cup of strawberry ice cream in the freezer. Enjoy 1/2 cup of fresh strawberries topped with 2 Tbsp of fat-free whipped cream as an alternative. Save 102 calories!

Cutting 100 calories here and there is an easy way to form healthier eating habits without feeling deprived or hungry. With just a few of these tricks up your sleeve, you'll be on your way to reaching your goals in no time!

Difference is an Artist's Game

2008-08-28T17:51:00.000-07:00

I found this beautiful video over at Michelle's Blog - Big Blueberry Eyes. It's beautiful, you should take a look :) It was done by a thirteen (!!!) year old girl who has a brother with Down Syndrome.

Fun little google search meme

2008-08-17T19:32:00.000-07:00

some fun stolen from someone else's blog!

Type in the following and choose the first choice that appears on the list (that goes along with the question)...

Oh, please do yours too and add it as a comment. I am near tears with laughter and it feels GREAT!

1.Type in "[your name] needs" in Google search:
Jaimie needs a haircut because she's hippy

-lol, I do need a haircut!

2.Type in "[your name] looks like" in Google search:
Jaimie looks like cupcakes

- I'm short, round and sweet??

3.Type in "[your name] likes" in Google search:
Jaimie likes to be n.aked...

- o.O

4.Type in "[your name] says" in Google search:
Jaimie says I've finally uploaded some pictures

- I need to do this!

5.Type in "[your name] wants" in Google search:
Jaimie wants a new opponent

- ...mmkay

6.Type in "[your name] does" in Google search:
Jaimie does bunny hop in front of the bean

- lol, ok! I should've watched the youtube video :D

7.Type in "[your name] hates" in Google search:
Jaimie hates waking up when she is having such good dreams :)

- 'tis true!

8.Type in "[your name] can" in Google search:
Jaimie can tap?!?

- lol, ok

9.Type in "[your name] goes" in Google search:
jaimie goes both ways

- haha!

10.Type in"[your name] is" in Google search:
Jaimie is magically delicious

woo-hoo!

jaimie

New Reece's Rainbow Button

2008-08-16T19:37:00.000-07:00

Look at the side bar! there are 2 new ADORABLE faces there...

take a look, you know you want to :D

Jaimie

PSA about Respect

2008-08-15T21:57:00.000-07:00

In light of all the Tropic Blunder brouhaha, I want to post this video that was created by Blueberry Shoes production for the ARC of Northern Virginia.

I found the video over at Erin and MaryEllen's Excellent Adventures

Please read it and remember it :)

Jaimie

Defy Gravity

Reece's Rainbow, Twitter and Patricia Heaton

A Fundraiser for Lera

Much of this post was stolen from Cathy, over at Saving Lera.

Spread the Word to End the Word 2011

Look who I have a new picture of!!

Sensory Stuff

Glee and the ReWalk

RJ Cooper

Selena Gomez, The Lopez Show and Dynavox

Stay tuned...

First post since February!

More about Catherine!

Catherine

Microgrant: It's time to vote!!!

my little girl

Microgrant

Christmas Angel Tree

Video clip of Paty

Home

Guatemala - Days 2, 3, and 4

hello from Guatemala!

It's almost time!

Job

Guatemala Update 5

Tattoo (again)

Poem

Update 5

Update 4

My Sister's Keeper - maybe spoiler alert?

Update 3

Update 2

Update 1

More

Bulgarian Orphanages

Silly Meme

Feed the forgotten

Reece's Rainbow - Third Anniversary!!

An update to the sensory stuff

Tattoo

I made it! it's still 3-31...

Happy belated...

Coming out of hiding to post...

Job questions

Ouch!

Only the BEST description I've EVER heard!!!

Why does this not surprise me?

*waves*

I had to jump on the bandwagon!

I'm not sure how I feel about posting this.

Ilya

ohmygosh.

Adoption fundraiser

INTERVENTION!!!

National De-lurking Day...a day late!

?!

Coleman

I need some help/suggestions...binge alert!

Yes, it's THAT post.

Internships and Fundraisers oh my

Holy Frijoles!!!

Mattea Olena

Meme

Annalise!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Kellsey

The Great Debaters

People article about children at the Cleveland Clinic

Jon and Kate Plus 8

I OWNED...

1000!

Annalise

Angel Tree

Ok...Chip-In, Paypal...etc.

Election question

PLEASE help...sensory stuff

Screw Bronze!

omfg.

SPD Awareness...

ANGEL TREE!!!

waves