Saturday Playlist

Happy Saturday! Here's some music for ya... It's a pretty laid back playlist this week so I hope you enjoy :)

I'm going to go take Stella for a walk in this gorgeous weather!

Shiver Me Timbers

Last weekend I went with my sister and our friend Abby to the pirate exhibit at the Museum of Nature and Science here in Denver. It was the perfect day to go since it was freezing cold and snowing after a day of 80 degree weather.

I ended up learning a lot about pirates and was bummed I couldn't take pictures in the exhibit! But luckily Lazy Eye Bailey over there let me braid his hair.

It was really interesting how the pirates operated in the early 1700's. Once you were accepted into their ship by signing the papers, you were an equal member of the team regardless of race, sex, or age. In fact my favorite story was that of an 8 year old pirate. He was captured after a ship that he and his mother were travelling on was commandeered by pirates. He threatened to kill himself if he could not become a pirate so they just let him do his thang. He got an equal share of they booty. (when I told my mom this she thought I meant boo-tay! haha)

On a side note I was really sad that the museum closed their "Hall of Life" exhibit that I have loved since I went there as a kid. The stuff was all really old so I hope they will update it and re-open. When you went to the hall of life you would get a card that would track all of your stats when you went through the hall and it would basically tell you how healthy you would become based on your choices (food, exercise, smoking, alcohol intake, etc.)

I still recommend taking a trip to the museum, especially on a rainy day!

Weekly Yoga Update

Okay, I'm not gonna lie. It's been a bad week for yoga. I have been super busy doing fun (museum, Rockies game, sister time!) and not so fun (taxes, headache, doctor appointment) things. Oh well.
So I won't even be able to go until tomorrow since I have a little tax meeting with my Dad where I could turn out being minus a G or plus a G 1/2. I'm hoping it turns out in my favor! I haven't had the best luck with taxes for the past couple of years.

I really do want to be going to Yoga more, I have been bummed every day I miss a class but it's all good. I will post more exciting adventures once I upload some pictures to my computer so look out!

The most recent time I went though my balance was awesome! I was "like a lamp post" as they say. Here's one tricky pose that I nailed the other night.

Other than that I am going to try to go plenty going forward. It has been a lot of fun so far!

Coincidence?

Wow, just after I posted about "Waiting for Superman" I saw this article on the front page of the NYT website. I love when I learn about something new and then its everywhere I turn! (really nerdy but whatever!)

Enjoy!

Waiting for Superman

If you haven't yet heard of the documentary "Waiting for Superman" I highly suggest that you check it out! I watched it the other night and the film is about the American public school system and its successes and (many) failures.

I have been waiting to see this film for a while now. It won the Audience Award for the best documentary at the Sundance Film Festival in 2010 and when you see it you will know why. The stories in this documentary are so moving I still find myself thinking about some of the students the film featured days later and I hope that they are on the right track.

The film opened in New York and L.A. back in September so I got it once it came out on DVD at Redbox-- one of the best inventions of our time!!

Daisy-- Wants to be a surgeon AND a Veterinarian

The film follows some young students in different parts of the country who have so much promise but they have schools and teachers that are failing them. Most of the students come from low income families who don't have the option to send them to better schools. The students live in areas where they are destined to attend high schools labeled as "dropout factories" (meaning schools with a senior class made up of 60% or fewer of the kids who entered as freshmen). From those high schools even fewer of them will be prepared for four year colleges because of the inadequate education that they received.

I really liked how the film focused on the fact that it doesn't matter what kind of background you come from, kids from disadvantaged backgrounds can end up doing better in school that people who can afford pay for a first class education. It takes a lot of work, good teachers, people who care, and holding kids accountable for their education.

Some of the stats were amazing too:

Out of the 34 countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United States now ranks 25th in math, 17th in science and 14th in reading on the Program for International Student Assessment. Shanghai, however, ranks first across the board. reference

In Illinois, where one in 57 doctors loses his medical license and one in 97 lawyers loses his law license, only one in 2,500 teachers loses his credentials, because of union rules. reference

I don't want to give too much away because I think this film is really worth watching but when you do watch it little Anthony's story really caught my attention and I was actually bawling at the end when they do the lotteries.

Anthony-- one of the students featured

It made me think of my good friend Kait, who is about to graduate and start teaching. I know that she will be one of those exceptional teachers and I am so proud of her. She really cares about the kids that she has been working with and I know that she has already made a difference in the lives of those kids!

My takeaway from this film was that the system can be changed but we need to shift the focus from the adults back to the kids. And it can be done but it takes a lot of work.

Here is a link to take action. I plan on donating to DonorsChoose.org (which is basically what it sounds like-- you get to choose who your money is going to) A lot of teachers spend their own money on food and supplies for students who can't afford it themselves.

Francisco! So cute!

With my recent volunteer experience I'm hesitant to jump in to a volunteer position again but I will consider tutoring in the future. Right now though I am lucky enough to have 6 little brothers and sisters who I can mentor and encourage to do their best in school. My little sister, Olivia, is a blossoming writer. I bought her a journal that she has started writing stories in. (and I'm planning on posting one here when my mom sends it to me... stay tuned! It's hilarious!)

I know that we all have people in our lives that we want the absolute best for so you don't have to be a parent to care about this issue. I'm even still looking in to it and there is a lot of controversy about all of the topics which I will not disregard.

Here's the trailer for the film:

Any thoughts? Suggestions for further research?

Saturday Playlist

Happy Saturday everyone!

It's gorgeous here in Denver and it's supposed to hit 80!!! I'm going out to enjoy it!

This made my day.

Print one off so the world can see!
http://www.wanderingstan.com/lionel.pdf