For an assignment at Teachers' College we have to talk about our culture and what has influenced us. So, I decided to Google my grandfather's name because I knew that he had done some pretty awesome stuff when he was a part of the RNZAF.
I came across an article about my grandfather and his receiving of a Conspicuous Gallantry Medal in 1943.
I read through the article with amazement - I am just so proud of my grandfather! I wish I could tell him so now, but he has now been gone from this earth nearly 10 years.
The thing that got me was the fact that he had performed these amazing acts to gain him this medal all before his 24th birthday. I'm currently 22 and I don't necessarily feel that I have done anything as awesome as that yet. My grandfather saved people's lives!
Well it is all just something to think about really. Very cool to find out things about your family! :D
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Don't you know I'm dancing with the King!
Now if you know B.B. King, the extraordinary Blues artist, than you may well get the reference I just put into the title. If not, you should really get into Blues!! It is just the coolest thing out.
Anyway, this past weekend I went to the mighty Timaru to go to some Swing Dance workshops with SwingKatz, which my friend happens to be a part of.
So, I learnt a lot a Blues swing, as well as learnt a little bit of Lindy hop, both of which are incredibly cool and incredibly fun!
And you know what? As well as meeting some cool kids and learning some sweet moves, I also learnt something about God. I know that it has probably been said before by a bunch of people, but here I am going to reiterate this. We all know that in our relationship with God people always use the car analogy, and tell us that we should let God take the driver's seat in the car that is our life. Well, I have a different, dancey version for all of us ladies out there that love to partner dance:
We all need to stop trying to lead, and just let God do that. We need to learn to be followers. Now I know that sounds easy, but when it comes to dancing, it is sometimes hard to just be relaxed and let go about some things.
It's not as if we followers don't need to know anything either, we still need to know the basic footwork, and then let the lead do it all. If you have a good lead, they hold you and make sure you don't fall, they fix all your mistakes for you, and make you look good. Meanwhile you get to have the time of your life on the dance floor.
Now isn't that what our relationship with God should look like? We just follow, it is all God's work, and He holds us, He turns everything to good (Rom 8:28), and we represent God on this earth, so looking good should be a priority.
I dunno, this kinda blew my mind a little when I was dancing last night, so yeah, get into some dancing y'all!!
Anyway, this past weekend I went to the mighty Timaru to go to some Swing Dance workshops with SwingKatz, which my friend happens to be a part of.
So, I learnt a lot a Blues swing, as well as learnt a little bit of Lindy hop, both of which are incredibly cool and incredibly fun!
And you know what? As well as meeting some cool kids and learning some sweet moves, I also learnt something about God. I know that it has probably been said before by a bunch of people, but here I am going to reiterate this. We all know that in our relationship with God people always use the car analogy, and tell us that we should let God take the driver's seat in the car that is our life. Well, I have a different, dancey version for all of us ladies out there that love to partner dance:
We all need to stop trying to lead, and just let God do that. We need to learn to be followers. Now I know that sounds easy, but when it comes to dancing, it is sometimes hard to just be relaxed and let go about some things.
It's not as if we followers don't need to know anything either, we still need to know the basic footwork, and then let the lead do it all. If you have a good lead, they hold you and make sure you don't fall, they fix all your mistakes for you, and make you look good. Meanwhile you get to have the time of your life on the dance floor.
Now isn't that what our relationship with God should look like? We just follow, it is all God's work, and He holds us, He turns everything to good (Rom 8:28), and we represent God on this earth, so looking good should be a priority.
I dunno, this kinda blew my mind a little when I was dancing last night, so yeah, get into some dancing y'all!!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Soap Box
Teacher's College, I have decided teaches you everything that you never knew (or perhaps wanted to know?) about teaching but realised that it would have been good to know when you were going to school.
I found out why I liked school, and why perhaps others didn't.
I liked school mainly because I was good at it, but that was because the way I learn best is the common way to teach things in school. Teacher talks, I write and do some exercises with some written assessment tasks and exams. But for some other people out there, and you may be one of them, it was like what I presume hell is like, and not necessarily because of any social issues you may have had. The teachers just didn't understand you and they seemed to just be talking in another language. That's probably because they were.
Nowadays in NZ, with the advent of the new curriculum, literacy is being dealt with in every subject. And you know what that means? That teachers have to make sure that you understand the language of each subject you take, all of the confusing jargon which you memorise, put in your NCEA exams, and pass, but still have no clue what it really means.
I guess that is why I want to become a teacher. So that students can really understand and get to grips with what they are learning. To allow them to become literate in their subjects and to be able to participate in 'adult' conversation, and have well grounded opinions about things.
That's why I do Geography. It is a way to view our world, and a way to see things so that we can change them for the better. And I want to equip the next generation to be able to see that too.
I found out why I liked school, and why perhaps others didn't.
I liked school mainly because I was good at it, but that was because the way I learn best is the common way to teach things in school. Teacher talks, I write and do some exercises with some written assessment tasks and exams. But for some other people out there, and you may be one of them, it was like what I presume hell is like, and not necessarily because of any social issues you may have had. The teachers just didn't understand you and they seemed to just be talking in another language. That's probably because they were.
Nowadays in NZ, with the advent of the new curriculum, literacy is being dealt with in every subject. And you know what that means? That teachers have to make sure that you understand the language of each subject you take, all of the confusing jargon which you memorise, put in your NCEA exams, and pass, but still have no clue what it really means.
I guess that is why I want to become a teacher. So that students can really understand and get to grips with what they are learning. To allow them to become literate in their subjects and to be able to participate in 'adult' conversation, and have well grounded opinions about things.
That's why I do Geography. It is a way to view our world, and a way to see things so that we can change them for the better. And I want to equip the next generation to be able to see that too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)