Tag Archives: high school

About Me | Peace, Love & Fabulous Things

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About Me | Peace, Love & Fabulous Things.

20120324-112448.jpg

I am Rachel.
When I was a little kid, I either wanted to be an artist or a writer (I went through a short “vet” phase, too. I know, right?!?) so I figured that now as an adult who is sadly not a professional writer or artist, blogging might work out well.
And really, what else do I have to do on a Wednesday night once the kids are asleep?

I’m 25+years old and a single, divorced Mama to my two amazing, gorgeous little boys, F (2 1/2) and B (1 1/2). (Yes, one year apart. Okay, if you wanna get technical…they are actually 9 months apart. It’s a looooooong story.)
They are the truest loves of my life and nothing can compare to the purpose they give me. But besides the Hallmark-esque sentiments, realistically, MY kids are perfect in EVERY way …and they have taught me more about patience in their short lives than in my total existence.
Nothing strips selfishness from a woman like motherhood.

My day job is pretty awesome and I can’t imagine doing anything different with my life. I teach High School English in the Inland Empire of California. I have been a teacher for the last several years and have finally worked myself in to a routine that works. Most of the time. Basically, I do 5 shows a day, 171 days a year (it used to be more but you know, furlough days happen).

I have lived in California (from San Diego to Sacramento) for my entire life,but I’d love to end up in San Francisco or Seattle with my boys in the next few years. I’m about as far left as you can get on the political spectrum and I crave a more liberal community and a more left, liberal (balanced) perspective. We are all in this together.

Elaine is my twin sister, best friend and personal advice guru (we don’t always agree but she is 100% honest with me). Lainey lives in Seattle, and I only get to see her a few times a year. Thank god for FaceTime. My parents live literally a mile away and are doting grandparents. A few days a week, my mom takes care of my boys while I am at work.

I’m lucky enough to have several girlfriends that I get together with several times a month for brunch, crafting, shopping…venting, bitching, crying, laughing…you name it. Behind every good woman (I try) is a crew that keeps them afloat, no matter the weather.

It’s official, I’m divorced. (name change and all!) Can I just say…What a pain in the ass. Single ladies, learn from my mistake and at the very least, dont change your name if you must get married. I have been a totally single mama since 2010, after a 5 year marriage to the boy next door. My ex and I still communicate a little, since he does have visitation with our boys about once a week (I have 100% custody). We aren’t perfect and we aren’t really “friends”, but it is a work in progress. One good example is better than two bad ones. Two good examples would be great…but I’m not holding my breath on that one.

I would love to have a man-partner in my life, but I have learned that there is no such thing as “Prince Charming”, and that good things always come to those who wait. So I’m enjoying my life regardless of any man-company, and spending time with the amazing family I have. I truly believe that Anything above what I have now is just an awesome bonus that I am looking forward to but don’t need.

It’s all about how you look at it. Perspective is everything.

In my “free time”, I …wait, I don’t have any free time.
I live and breathe and go with the flow.

And then I sometimes crack and bitch everyone out for a second before I get a grip and remind myself to breathe again. Perfect is so not my middle name. I’m just working on the not bitching everyone out when I get stressed part. The perfect part – not so much. It’s not even worth attempting.

I go on adventures and explore every new place I can…just like everyone else, right? Trips with my kids tend to be crazy and stressful right now but as they get older I want to go on more trips with them and not end up with one of us, or all three of us, in tears. And less dirty looks as we are boarding the airplane. Now that would be effing amazing. Here’s to hoping..

Creating anything makes me happy. I doodle every chance i get. Really. It’s kind of like my therapy, but free. And without the judgement and the impersonal life advice from a total stranger who probably goes to one of those huge big box worship band churches. Sorry, we just won’t agree. The fact that my pen and paper don’t talk back is pretty hip, too. Years ago, teen angst gave me all kinds of creative ideas. Post-high school, that kinda ended. Now, gladly, my kids are my muse.

I take photographs with the Canon Rebel I take everywhere I go. I like analog photography and film doesn’t scare me. Double exposures are fun (wanna trade a roll of film with me?) Mostly I shoot nature/places but I like to capture images of people that I love as well.
I love to paint and play around with mixed media on canvas: mostly abstract/modern/contemporary (read: throw-away).

I just recently got back in to sewing after a good 12 year hiatus. My Mom is proud…even though I suck (no false modesty here, folks) and pretty much have the same skill-set that I did when I was 14. Yikes. Still working on that.

I started this blog to vent, showcase, teach, learn and most importantly, to remember the moments that go by too quickly. I want to don’t ever want to forget where I have been and what I have done.

I hope that I can share my life, who I live, what I do and create, and the little adventures and eff-ups that pop up throughout my life. There are more than plenty to document. I lead a crazy, stressful life so if you are looking for something picture-perfect and straight from a Crate and Barrel catalog, I am not your girl. If you like some hectic with a smile and a little style, you are in the right place. I’ll try not to disappoint but I probably will (: grab a drink. enjoy. Comment. Share.

XO – Rachel

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SAT, ACT institute tough new measures to prevent cheating

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http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/27/sat-act-institute-tough-new-measures-to-prevent-cheating/?hpt=hp_bn1

Sweeping new security measures to prevent cheating on the SAT and ACT college entrance exams were announced Tuesday.

Beginning with exams taken in September, students will have to submit a photo of themselves when they apply for a test. That photo will be printed on the student’s test admission ticket and the roster provided to proctors at testing sites. Testing staff will compare the submitted photo to a photo ID and to the student in person at the testing site.

Photo checks will take place when the student arrives at the testing site, during breaks and when tests are handed in.

Student photos will also remain in the testing databases and be checked again by high school counselors and college admission officials once scores are calculated and submitted.

The new rules were announced at news conference in Nassau County, New York, where 20 people were arrested last fall in a SAT/ACT cheating scandal.

“A photo ID simply won’t work to game the system anymore,” said Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice, whose office is prosecuting the alleged cheating cases.

In those cases, test-takers produced fake IDs and took the tests for high school students who paid them to do so, Rice said. The test-takers took the test at high schools other than the ones the students attended to prevent being identified by staff, Rice said at Tuesday’s news conference.

Students will still be permitted to take tests at high schools other than their own, Rice said, but standby testing – showing up at a test site without prior registration for that site – would no longer be permitted.

The changes will “ensure honest kids will no longer take a back seat to cheaters,” Rice said.

Rice was joined Tuesday by Kathryn Juric, vice president of SAT at the College Board, which administers the SAT, and Charles Smith, vice president of the ACT.

“We are confident that the security advancements made today will help maintain an honest testing environment,” Juric said.  “It was crucial that these new measures address test-taker impersonation issues.”

Smith said students would not face any increased cost because of the new security measures.

“We believe we can cover the cost out of our reserve we set aside for instances like this,” he said.

Officials expect most students to be able to upload a photo of themselves to the testing services when they submit their application online, they said, but mail-in applications would still be accepted with a photo attached. The testing services would then put that photo into the database to be added to admission tickets and test records.

“The problem is we have kids that think that cheating pays,” Rice said.

If, after the changes, possible cheaters still believe that, Rice said she had one message for them.

“You’re wrong. You’re not going to get away with it,” she said.

About Me | Peace, Love & Fabulous Things

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About Me | Peace, Love & Fabulous Things.

 

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I love and laugh a lot

I am Rachel.

When I was a little kid, I either wanted to be an artist or a writer (I went through a short “vet” phase, too. I know, right?!?) so I figured that now as an adult who is nota writer or artist, blogging might work out well.

And really, what else do I have to do on a Wednesday night once the kids are asleep?

I’m 25+years old and a single, divorced Mama to my two amazing, gorgeous little boys, F (2 1/2) and B (1 1/2). (Yes, one year apart. Okay, if you wanna get technical…they are actually 9 months apart. It’s a looooooong story.)They are the loves of my life and nothing can compare to the purpose they give me. But besides the Hallmark-esque sentiments, realistically, MY kids are perfect in EVERY way …and they have taught me more about patience in their short lives than in my entire 26 years total. Nothing strips selfishness from a woman like motherhood.

My day job is pretty awesome and I can’t imagine doing anything different with my life.
I teach High School English in the Inland Empire of California. I have been a teacher for the last several years and have finally worked myself in to a routine that works. Most of the time. Basically, I do 5 shows a day, 171 days a year (it used to be more but you know, furlough days happen).

I have lived in California (from San Diego to Sacramento) for my entire life but I’d love to end up in San Francisco or Seattle with my boys in the next few years. I’m about as far left as you can get on the political spectrum and I crave a more liberal community and a more left, liberal (balanced) perspective. We are all in this together.

Elaine is my twin sister, best friend and personal advice guru (we don’t always agree but she is 100% honest with me). Lainey lives in Seattle, and I only get to see her a few times a year. Thank god for FaceTime. My parents live literally a mile away and are doting grandparents. A few days a week, my mom takes care of my boys while I am at work.
I’m lucky enough to have several girlfriends that I get together with several times a month for brunch, crafting, shopping…venting, bitching, crying, laughing…you name it.Behind every good woman (I try) is a crew that keeps them afloat, no matter the weather.It’s official, I’m divorced. (name change and all!) Can I just say…What a pain in the ass…ladies, learn from my mistake and at the very least, dont change your name if you must get married.

I have been a totally single mama since 2010, after a 5 year marriage to the boy next door. My ex and I still communicate a little, since he does have visitation with our boys about once a week (I have 100% custody). We aren’t perfect and we aren’t really “friends”, but it is a work in progress. One good example is better than two bad ones. Two good examples would be great…but I’m not holding my breath on that one.

I would love to have a man-partner in my life, but I have learned that there is no such thing as “Prince Charming”, as well as that good things always come to those who wait. So, I’m enjoying my life regardless of any man-company, and spending time with the amazing family I have.
I truly believe that Anything above what I have now is just an awesome bonus…that I am looking forward to but don’t need.

It’s all about how you look at it. Perspective is everything.

In my “free time”, I …wait, I don’t have any free time.
I live and breathe and go with the flow. And then I sometimes crack and bitch everyone out for a second before I get a grip and remind myself to breathe again. Perfect is so not my middle name. I’m just working on the not bitching everyone out when I get stressed part. The perfect part – not so much. It’s not even worth attempting.

I go on adventures and explore every new place I can…just like everyone else, right? Trips with my kids tend to be crazy and stressful right now but as they get older I want to go on more trips with them and not end up with one of us, or all three of us, in tears. And less dirty looks as we are boarding the airplane. Now that would be effing amazing. Here’s to hoping..

Creating anything makes me happy. I doodle every chance i get. Really. It’s kind of like my therapy, but free. And without the judgement and the impersonal life advice from a total stranger who probably goes to one of those huge big box worship band churches. Sorry, we just won’t agree. The fact that my pen and paper don’t talk back is pretty hip, too.

Years ago, teen angst gave me all kinds of creative ideas. Post-high school, that kinda ended. Now, gladly, my kids are my muse.

I take photographs with the Canon Rebel I take everywhere I go. I like analog photography and film doesn’t scare me. Double exposures are fun (wanna trade a roll of film with me?) Mostly I shoot nature/places but I like to capture images of people that I love as well.

I love to paint and play around with mixed media on canvas: mostly abstract/modern/contemporary (read: throw-away) art which is just for me and friends.

I just recently got back in to sewing after a good 12 year hiatus. My Mom is proud…even though I suck (no false modesty here, folks) and pretty much have the same skill-set that I did when I was 14. Yikes. Still working on that.

I started this blog to vent, showcase, teach, learn and most importantly, to remember the moments that go by too quickly. I want to don’t ever want to forget where I have been and what I have done.

I hope that I can share my life, who I live, what I do and create, and the little adventures and eff-ups that pop up throughout my life. There are more than plenty to document. I lead a crazy, stressful life so if you are looking for something picture-perfect and straight from a Crate and Barrel catalog, I am not your girl. If you like some hectic with a smile and a little style, you are in the right place. I’ll try not to disappoint but I probably will (: grab a drink. enjoy. Comment. Share.

XO – Rachel