There's Something about a Truck...

Last night, a good friend of my husband's and mine got a new truck. He was absolutely fed up with his little Pontiac driving around Rochester in the most recent wintery conditions.  I commented on a picture that was posted in a group message that I liked it, the new truck.  He came back with a comment saying to tell Pat (my husband) thanks.  I clarified that I was the one complimenting it; I followed up explaining that a greatly prefer trucks to cars as a driver and as a passenger.  He said he didn't expect to read that coming from me, a girl. 

I guess I challenged his gender perceptions and stereotypes a little bit.

Crazy from a three-year-old's perspective

This past Saturday evening, my husband, son, and I were heading to church. When my son asked where we were going, my husband answered his typical response to the question: Crazy. Without skipping a beat, my three-year-old son responded in a way that clearly illustrated how his perspective of "crazy" was very different from my husband's.  Murphy said: Crazy is not a place you go.  Crazy is a way to be. 

You have to admit; that is pretty deep for a three-year-old.

New Student?

I'm not sure which factor contributed most: my hair no done, my glasses, the giant jersey, the jeans, or the boots.  Twice between 7:35 and 8 this morning I was mistaken for a new student, once by another teacher and once by a student I've had in my classroom twice.  I can't deny I was a little flattered, but I was also a little confused.  Maybe my self-concept is a bit off.  Maybe their perception was a bit skewed.  Either way, I can say that looking-glass self is in action today because I am now seeing myself a little differently, too. 

Looking for a thumbs up

Over the course of the weekend, I encountered a situation were nonverbal communication was necessary.  If you did not know already, I am a co-coach for the KoMets Speech Team, and this past weekend we competed at John Marshall. I was trying to observe as many KoMets as possible during the three round, but timing out when to enter a room and not be a disturbance can be challenging.  I was waiting to observe a poetry round, but wasn't sure when it was okay to enter the room. I peered through the very small window in the classroom door; I didn't' see anyone speaking, but those in the room were silent and staring forward as if someone was speaking. Eventually, I caught the eye of one of the students, a JM student. I signaled a thumbs up and raised my eyebrows to show I was questioning whether it was okay or not. I even mouthed "Okay?"  She gave me a thumbs up while nodding. If she hadn't been so clear in her communication, I might still be waiting outside that door...

source: http://damngoodcup.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbs-up.jpg

"Sometimes the truth hurts, and smells" Perspective

First, I have to profess my undying love and admiration to Ingrid Michaelson (selfish plug: new single out today!).  Second, I have to profess my fascination with a child's perspective to an adult topic.  Put those two things together, and you get this awesome video from YouTube.  Ingrid Micaelson interviewed three tween-aged kiddos about lying, which turned into a very interesting explanation of karma.  Wow!  There verbals, nonverbals, and overall communication going on in this video is incredibly entertaining. If you have 6 minutes, please check it out. It will leave you smiling and give you a little different perspective into how these kids see the world around them compared to how you see it each day. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzTltBl99Lw&feature=youtu.be

Puppy Love

sources: http://www.budweiser.com/clydesdales/blog/the-clydesdale-stars-of--puppy-love--commercial---budweiser-supe.html

I have to admit, I didn't really watch much of the Super Bowl game. That is partly because we were hosting, so I was grilling dinner, but that I also didn't really care much about the teams  playing this year.  I did, however, stop what I was doing or request the TV be paused for me each time commercials were on.  I had a few favorite commercials (Puppy Love, Doberhuaua, Sixth Sense, and The 80s Called).  I realized at the end of the "Puppy Love" commercial that not a single word was spoken; all communication was done nonverbally.  How awesome is that?  So much was said through facial expressions and body language of both animals and humans that no speaking was necessary.  If you aren't sure what commercial I am referencing, here's the link:

Puppy love