Monthly Archives September 2013

Being Brave in the Year Ahead

While searching around for a video on Rosh Hashanah, I stumbled upon something new from The Maccabeats that I missed this summer. They did a cover of the song “Brave” by Sara Bareilles. I have heard this song countless times over the last few months, but I do not think that I really paid attention to the lyrics.

Brave by Sara Bareilles

Have you ever done that? You know you like a song for one reason or another, but then you really listen to the words and message within. It hit me right between the eyes. Here I am waiting for my boys to start school. I am trying to not only be brave about the challenges that may be ahead, but finding myself. The words are echoing in my brain right now. Words do get under my skin and these lines, like the ones above hit home.

Nothing’s gonna hurt you the way that words do
When they settle ‘neath your skin
Kept on the inside and no sunlight
Sometimes a shadow wins

Last year, I learned that I often had to say what I needed to say. While I wish I could have let the words fall out, I was too fearful of the outcome. This year is going to be different. For my children, my husband, and especially ME it has to be and I am not going to sit back and relax. I am going to use my words, my writing, and my background to make a difference in the world of education, special needs parenting, and beyond. Like Bareilles says I am no longer going to run and hold my tongue.

The video below is the original by Sara Bareilles and extremely powerful and should be seen and heard.

The reality is that this song is an anthem for everyone to remember to be yourself, speak to the truth that is you, and embrace the wonder that is you. As I begin the Jewish New Year, I guess this is a great time to think about these items

So my question to you, how do you plan on being more brave in the year ahead? This question is something real whether you celebrate Rosh Hashanah or are beginning a new academic year

It's Me


Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this Friday fun. These days, Pamela at A Renaissance Woman is reviving the fun Friday Meme. Head over there to link up and join in the fun.

Aloha Friday by Kailani at An Island Life

Aloha #252

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Shana Tova 5774

As I sit and write this, my family is getting ready for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It officially begins at sundown on Wednesday evening. The days are spent reflecting on the year gone by and wishing everyone a Sweet New Year. There will be honey cake, apples and honey, and other traditional items served.

Honey cake for Rosh Hashanah

As I get ready for our dinner together on Wednesday night, I wanted to include a fun new music video from Six13, a Jewish A Cappella group in New York City. They share part of their song via a YouTube video and it seemed perfect for today.

To all of those that celebrate, I wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and sweet start to 5774.

It's Me

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Back to School Monsters Style

September means back to school in New York State. My kids still have a few more days at home and we trying to take advantage of the time. When I was thinking about a September calendar shot for this year, I automatically thought about Monsters University. While my kids are not heading off to college, they will be going back to school with new hopes and dreams to learn as much as possible. So to all of the kids and educators out there, I wish you a wonderful year ahead.

Back to School with Monsters University

Focused on the Magic

Be sure to stop by Focused on the Magic by clicking on the button above to join in the Disney magic this week.

It's Me

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Tuesday Tales – I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011

Did you  learn about Tsunamis when you were in school? Not only did I learn about them, but I also taught about this phenomenon of nature to my sixth grade science students. I still remember the news in 2004 of the giant tsunami that hit Southeast Asia. It was all over the news and students in the school I worked in raised money to send to the people in the area. As I sat and watched specials and shared them in class, I remember thinking about the horror of living through one of these natural disasters. First the earthquake and then the possibility of a giant wave coming onto the land and sweeping everything away.

Tsunami approaching coast by Veitmueller via WikiMedia Commons

Just seven years later, on March 11, 2011, an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 rocked Japan for several minutes. Tsunami warnings went out immediately after what later was noted as the largest recorded quake in Japan and fifth largest in the world. After the tsunami was over and people started to look for survivors and clean up, they noted a massive problem with the nuclear power plant as a result of the earthquake.This is the premise for the eighth book in the I Survived series by author Lauren Tarshis. I received an advanced copy of this book to read on my Kindle from Scholastic.

I Survived the Japanese Tsunami 2011 - Scholastic Books

I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011 – Written by Lauren Tarshis –   Scholastic Books – August 27, 2013

ISBN 9780545459372 – Paperback 112 pages – Ages 7+ – $4.99

In I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011, we meet Ben who lives in California. Ben recently lost his father while he was serving in Afghanistan. As the book begins, his family decides to go to his father’s hometown of Shagahama, Japan to visit his uncle. While there, an earthquake strikes and his family is able to escape the rubble that is left in the house. As they get into their car to escape from a potential tsunami, the water comes inland and sweeps them out of the car. Ben is separated from everyone and must work hard to stay alive as he is thrown into the debris of the tsunami. We follow along and get to see just how he survives the disaster and whether or not he will be reunited with his family.

As in the other I Survived books, Tarshis does an amazing job weaving facts from a tragic event into a fictional tale. Ben could have been there and his story easily may represent some other child that had been living in Japan at the time of the tsunami. Tarshis gives just enough detail where young readers will understand the basics. In this book, readers will not only learn that an earthquake precedes a tsunami, but how large items are swept away with little effort by the strong waters. She also addresses destruction left in the aftermath including the nuclear power plant that was damaged and caused people to flee parts of Japan. As you read, you will feel the tension as Ben battles to survive. This book would make a nice addition to a science discussion on tsunamis and earthquakes to tie in with a Language Arts curriculum.

Do you or your children like to read historical fiction stories? I would love to know if you have read any of the other I Survived books? As always, please share what you have read recently. Be sure to link up to your book posts in the comments below. Include something you read on your own, with a child, or someone else. Tuesday Tales are all about spreading the love for books.

My review of I Survived: The Battle of Gettysburg, 1863 may be found on a February Tuesday Tales.  

It's Me

Disclosure: I received a NetGalley preview of this book courtesy of Scholastic Books in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was given. The opinions expressed in the review are my own. The tsunami approaching the coast drawing is by Veitmueller via WikiMedia Commons.

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Goodbye to Summer

It seems like only yesterday that the boys were finishing school. The last week of June came and suddenly we had an entire summer ahead of us. Now, I sit here in disbelief that the kids go back to school in a week. I wish we would have more time to go to the park to run in the spray ground that will be closing after Labor Day.

Spray area during the summer

Our relatively care free days are going to be changing. Soon there will be days in school learning, nights with homework, after school activities, and less time for running and playing together. The items pictured below and more will be heading back with the boys to first and fifth grade.

6tag_220813-193405

While I wish I could rewind to spend more time with the boys enjoying the moments, I do look forward to seeing all that they will learn in the year ahead.

What will you miss most about the summer and what do your children miss most about school?

It's Me

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