Community College Tosses Students

I found it very interesting that the State Center Community Colleges chose to toss out 400 students between semesters. This is instead of waiting to kick out students who have carried an average of 1.75 (for 3 semesters) after the spring semester. They say this isn't due to the large amount of students who can't get classes but technology.

I think this is a great move on behalf of the State Center. There are many students who want classes and can't get them. Maybe those who are having issues committing (because it does take 3 semesters to get kicked out) would be better served to come back when they get serious. I am saying this as a person who struggled with her grades the first go round. There are times when many of people went to school because it was expected and not because we were ready to make it priority. There are also times when, due to life circumstances, some of us just couldn't make it a priority.

All in all I think this is right call!

(HT: Fresno Bee)

First Impressions

So I was talking to a woman from church about some service stuff and right before we were done she said she had something kind of funny to tell me. OK, I like funny;). She recalled bringing a meal out to my family after a surgery (or baby) and that was the first time we really had a discussion. She had seen me at women's ministry things and checking in my kids on Sunday at church but hadn't really talked to me. At that point she said she thought I was bubbly, friendly and a bit airheaded. When she brought out the meal we were talking about Bible Studies and the book Bad Girls of the Bible came up. I had said it was a good book but not really deep enough for a study. For me it was bathroom reading. I lent her the book and she went on a trip. She said that she poured over the book and thought it was way to deep for bathroom reading and then realized I couldn't be a ditz. So at this point in the conversation I am laughing. Then it gets better. I was meeting her for a quick exchange of stuff at church on my way to my Precept study and quickly met her husband (again). She said that she later asked him what he thought of me. He described me as cute, bubbly and kind of ditzy or airheaded. She said she then went on to tell him how wrong he was;).

I have to say I am a bit shocked. 15 years ago this would have really bothered me because I was so afraid of not being taken seriously but now I don't know what to think. Objectively, I do not think I am an airhead and I don't really feel the need to defend myself too much (did I mention that I was have a discussion about whether or not studying end time prophecy has a needed place in your spiritual health?;). But this is a new one for me. There have been many phrases used to describe me but ditzy? airhead?

I remember my husband saying that I came off very serious the first time I met him (at a Bible Study in college and I was wearing nylons and a skirt after work;) and at the same meeting scared and intimidated a man who later was our best man and a dear friend of mine. My best friend met me quickly in a computer lab in college and thought I was quiet (man, was she wrong;).

But what does it mean or matter? I can't really control what you think in that 30 second exchange? I can try and put my best foot forward but beyond that? When I met this woman's husband I didn't say anything stupid or factually wrong. I shook his hand and looked him dead in the eye. I also had been talking to people and was in a rush to exchange material, both physical and informationally, and then get to the study I was already running late for. So there wasn't really anything different to do. Maybe I should have talked about the speed of light, programming or calculus... No, that would have just come off as pompous or rude. Better a ditz;).

So you, my readers, what was your first impression of me? Either in real life or just from my blogs? I am curious!

Easy to Understand Economic Theory

Going to public school we were told that Keynes was what the economy was not only a simple theory. Much less a theory that had been disproven years ago. I love the fact that my kids will be taught many economic theories. Obviously I agree with Hayek. This is a great breakdown of the 2 theories!

For Today (1/25) From NerdMom's Daybook

Outside my window it is going to be a rainy day.
I am thinking about baptism.
I am thankful for heat, a home and a loving family.
From the learning rooms flash cards and art!
From the kitchen crumb coated chicken thighs.
I am wearing sweats.
I am creating Valentine's Day cards
I am going to do some grocery shopping.
I am hoping to get a consultation set up with a new specialist at Stanford.
I am hearing SuperChick
Around the house I gotta get my freezer fixed!
One of my favorite things is sleeping;).
A few plans for the rest of the week: The kids have choir and science tomorrow, during which I hope to get some computer stuff done for MOPS and Women's Ministries!
(For more Daybooks go check out The Simple Woman's Daybook)

What Does Brown Mean to Us All?

I, like many people, was watching the Senate race in Massachusetts with bated breath. It wasn't just a long held Democratic seat but a 47 year Kennedy held seat. The uber-Democratic seat. So it is very excited for me as a Republican to see the seat fall to Scott Brown. So what does this mean for the Democrats and their future in the next set of elections?

I hope this means that the American people are seeing the Democratic party and President Obama for what they are. Charles Krauthammer said it quite well:

Brown ran on a very specific, very clear agenda. Stop health care. Don't Mirandize terrorists. Don't raise taxes; cut them. And no more secret backroom deals with special interests.

These deals -- the Louisiana purchase, the Cornhusker kickback -- had engendered a national disgust with the corruption and arrogance of one-party rule. The final straw was the union payoff -- in which labor bosses smugly walked out of the White House with a five-year exemption from a ("Cadillac") health insurance tax Democrats were imposing on the 92 percent of private-sector workers who are not unionized.

So what does this mean for November? I hope that it starts with Barbara Boxer loosing her seat! Here is to another American Revolution!

How Far We Have Come Eh?

Photo from Flicker user Moose Greebles

I have grown up always hearing that girls need to be encouraged to develop their math and science skills. Supposedly we need to convince them that they are as good as boys in these arenas. This was a Lego ad from 1981. I love it! I think I even had those tennis shoes. But compare that to a girl screensaver picture available.

Isn't it great how far we have come:(? Now my best friend says that I am just being critical but tough. Sara says that they know this is the way to sell Legos to girls and if they would buy them the other way then Lego would advertise the old way. If she wants to play with figurines that is fine but then she doesn't need Legos. Now I will admit that I am a purist. I don't buy my boys themed sets either. I feel it goes against the creative nature of Legos. If these cutesy little Legos are the only way they want to market to girls, I say don't do us the favor! Lego, hear me! Encourage my daughters' creativity in creation not little silly pony games!

(HT: Feministing)

Women's Need to Understand & Books

No, I am not talking about women driving the self help book industry. I am talking about the "True Crime" novels. Before I go any further I must say that I was surprised to see that women were the main purchasers of true crime novels. But the question is why? In the inaugural issue of Social Psychological and Personality Science (published by SAGE) they talked about this phenomenon. Apparently it is women's fear of attack that leads them to want to understand it and therefore prevent it from happening to them. But instead it is causing some sort of reverse effect because women who read them are more afraid.

This doesn't really surprise me. It is easier to just accept evil than to understand where it is rooted. Once you see its roots you see that it isn't that rare. Hitler as a twisted person wasn't a fluke and neither was Ted Bundy.

I have always had an interest in criminology and procedure but I blame that less on being a woman than having a mother who has a criminology degree and 2 step dads who were cops;). What do you think?

(HT: Science Daily)

Wordless Wednesday: Shake It!

This is how we roll in the NerdFam... Throw that tutu on over your rugged jeans and shake it to the music!

For Today (1/18) From NerdMom's Daybook

Outside my window it is a rainy day.
I am thinking about the full armor of God (post to come).
I am thankful for my wonderful hubby!
From the learning rooms maybe a project but I am not sure.
From the kitchen is Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread for the family and MOPS tomorrow.
I am wearing sweats and a comfy shirt!
I am creating the February newsletter for MOPS.
I am going no where today!!!!
I am reading Salvation Is from the Jews

I am hoping to get everything done for tomorrow.
I am hearing Plumb's Chaotic Resolve.
Around the house I need to do laundry!
One of my favorite things sleep!!!
A few plans for the rest of the week: I am facilitating a conversation on saving money at MOPS tomorrow!
Here is picture for thought I am sharing is the craft from my last MOPS, I can't wait until tomorrows!

(For more Daybooks go check out The Simple Woman's Daybook)

Google Takes a Stand!

As you may guess, I am not a big fan of China and it's policies against freedom. I will say that I have always been in the middle on the issue of us doing business with them. The idea that bringing a censored Internet to China is better than no Internet to China has always seemed to hold water with me. But it has always made me uneasy. While abstractly I understood, I knew that I couldn't ever pander to China even for money.

So I have to say that I am really happy that Google won't be pandering to China any more. They are "Reconsidering their approach to China". I was already a Google fan and this has just furthered this fondness! So who is next? Microsoft? Yahoo?

(HT: The Hill)

Harry Reid: The Hypocrisy of the Democratic Party

People (especially me) say things in the wrong way all the time! You sincerely apologize and move on. But sometimes your stupid statements reveal what you actually think. And how others deal with the situation reveals a lot about them too. So where am I going with this?

I think everyone has heard about Harry Reid's stupid statement about Obama from the campaign of calling him light skinned and with "no Negro dialect". Reid has apologized to President Obama just this last week because it is coming out in a book a couple of guys have written on the campaign and he was trying to get ahead of the curve. (Though it might had been avoided if he hadn't been the source on the issue in the book.)

Now President Obama has forgiven him and that is great but... There has been some chatter that Reid should resign from his leadership position. But why you ask? When Trent Lott (the former Republican Majority Leader back in the day) made a statement at Strom Thurmond's 100th birthday party back in 2002 about how it would have been better if Thurmond had been elected president back in 1948, then we wouldn't have had the problems we were having. As a result many people on both side of the aisle called for him to step to down from his leadership position. This includes both Feinstein and Obama. They said how it wasn't appropriate to represent the party. But now all is forgiven with Reid in their eyes. Feinstein has even gone so far as to say

"I saw no Democrats jumping out there and condemning Senator Lott."

Please! Now I think that the Republicans should stop calling for Reid to step down. If the Democrats allow Reid to stay in power I think it will speak loads to the voting public. Reid's popularity is already in the toilet. So if this is what the Democrats want let it be.

I do have to say that I am amazed how hypocritical the Democratic party is being. Is this really no big deal? I am sure I will be blogging more about this in the future!

For Today (1/11) From NerdMom's Daybook

I am thinking about the post on Harry Reid that I am forming and how I want to get my haircut today.
I am thankful for like minded friends!
From the learning rooms we are taken easy still. I am thinking about lapbooking a bit. (Never done it before)
From the kitchen I am continuing to work on cooking out of my pantry and freezer!
I am wearing sweats and a comfy shirt to go get my hair cut!
I am going to a talented friend's house with my best friend, all our kids, and snacks so we can get our haircut before my talented friend has her baby!
I am reading through all my magazines and then hope to start the Sarah Palin book!
I am hoping to get my new planner and to start filling it in!
Around the house I hope to straighten out the office and get ready for taxes.
One of my favorite things is my husband!
A few plans for the rest of the week: I have a steering team meeting for MOPS and Precepts (on the 2nd half of Daniel) starts this week!

(For more Daybooks go check out The Simple Woman's Daybook)

I Can't Believe We Did But We Did It and It's Done!

Yes, I am channeling a little My fair Lady;). But to the point!

We love tv over here. When NerdDad and I got married money was tight but we always found a way to pay for cable. It was a priority right behind tithing, rent and power;). It was right after the then slow internet. Then we grew up to the Dish. And 2, yes 2 tivo's. But it has hit us lately that most of what we really want to watch, and not all the mindless drivel that we often watch, was actually free on the internet. So we cancelled the satellite dish.

Yes, we don't even get local channels right now. I am still in shock. We cancelled Monday morning after we saw the second half of the Doctor Who special (can't watch BBC online in America). I am still adjusting because Food Network doesn't really have anything online and that is disappointing. We are planning on getting an antenna and digital converter box for the tivo so we can record things like Jeopardy so that will change. But over all we are doing pretty good and still watching a ton of tv;).

Tackle It Tuesday: The War on K'Nex!

I have been attacked by K'Nex!!!!!! Well, I think I bought most of them but still. They were loose!!!! Above here you see the set of 400 that we got the NerdPie for Christmas. I sat down with each of the older 2 separately and we sorted their K'Nex into types. Now since NerdPie didn't have a whole lot I put many of hers into quart bags with sliding zippers. Then I labeled them with my dear friend the label maker .

But then I moved onto NerdBug. Let me just say that we have given that child way too many! I chose not just to attack the K'Nex but also the Legos since they all can go together. Instead of the quart bags I decided to employ disposable plastic ware to organize the pieces in. Then I hit them with the label maker too!

So now the K'Nex have been conquered and when I tell them to clean up there is no excuse for a cluttered mess! The kids have also told me that they like having them separated because they know where to get the exact piece they need. NerdBug told me this was one of the reasons he loved me. He would have never thought to do this and was happy I helped him sort;).

I call that a win win!

For Today (1/4) From NerdMom's Daybook

I am thinking about how I want to be a better mom and teacher this year!
I am thankful for the joy I hear in my children's voices when they laugh. Not just giggle but that deep belly laugh,
From the learning rooms we are going to focus on fun learning this week: KinderBach, flash cards and art projects.
From the kitchen I am going to work on cooking out of my pantry and freezer this month.
I am wearing sweats and a comfy shirt.
I am creating a MOPS Newsletter for next month.
I am going to research day planners and hope I find the perfect one for me, finally.
I am hoping that the changes I am making to my life will help bring a little order, peace and joy.
I am hearing the chatter of children (always;).
Around the house I want to clean up my office from all the present hiding.
A few plans for the rest of the week: make some returns to Walmart, then MOPS on Tuesday and then Awana starts back up this week.

Just a Snack

So Representative Eric Massa(D-NY) challenged Dick Cheney to a debate. He thought that President Obama needs someone to stand up for him against the big bad Dick Cheney. What makes this little peon think he could take on Cheney? He eats little boys like that for a snack.