I have spent the past fifteen years working with children and though I am not a parent myself I have learned a few important things. One of these insights in particular, has reconfirmed my decision to be a stay at home mom. The realization is this: kids, especially young ones will ask deep questions at the most random times, often during the routine activities of the day. They just say what they are thinking. You can't schedule important conversations. Though scheduling time with children is important and should be done it doesn't necessarily mean that the child will wait to ask that important question during the appointed time.
Just last week I started a new nanny job. I had only been on the job a few hours when, while playing badminton, the little girl asked me about tattoos and if I had any friends that have them. A deep conversation followed about things such as judging others, making mistakes, our bodies, and what makes a person 'good.' There we were playing badminton having this important conversation when we had only known each other for a few hours!
At my previous job it was during the seemingly mundane activities of the day that we had our most important conversations. We discussed honesty, expressing our emotions, and being genuine while riding the bus. Walking through the city we talked about being ourselves and why we don't necessarily want to be like everyone else. During these moments that I felt sad because I knew that ideally these were conversations meant for parent and child, not nanny and child. I was sad for her mother knowing that she was missing out on these moments.
I also believe there are no such things as routine activities with children. You are not just washing dishes, just playing cars, or just reading stories. You are building relationships with your kids, being there ready and willing to answer any question they have just like Heavenly Father is with us. We can pray to him at anytime day or night and he will hear and answer us. I just want to be as available to my children as Heavenly Father is to his.
I know a mother can't be there 100% of the time and I don't necessarily think she should be, after all I think it is good for mothers to pursue their own interests and hobbies. I am simply stating that you can't plan when a young child will want to discuss something important. The mother that chooses to work has to realize that she will be missing out on such conversations with her children. I also know it takes a village to raise a child which is why it is important to have good teachers at school and church and good nannies. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to teach and love so many children over the past ten years. I have learned so much!
Monday, September 29, 2014
Monday, September 22, 2014
12 Reasons Why I Love My Holey Tennis Shoes
Last May when my mother came to visit I showed her my holey tennis shoes. She was shocked of course and insisted that we go buy new shoes. "Nah" I replied, "I'd rather go see another Broadway show." And that's what we did! It occurred to me that I could see two shows for the price of new sneakers. I hate buying new shoes and I love seeing Broadway shows so why waste money on tennis shoes when I can see shows on Broadway instead! Supposedly Van Gogh, or one of the famous artists would buy paint instead of food. I love food but I think I might understand how they felt, just a little bit.
1. Celebration & Reflection, Part 2
While walking through Lincoln Center we came across this poster advertising this concert by two famous composers/conductors, Bob Chilcott and Rene Clausen. I didn't know about them but mom did so I suggested we get tickets. That is what you do when you are on vaction in NYC, you just walk around until you find a show you like and you buy tickets for it. We went that night and she loved it. I liked it too but with her background I know she appreciated it alot more than I did!
2. Kenneth Brannagh in MACBETH- need I say more?
A new friend, Courtney Young had an extra ticket so I was able to go with her and my good friend, Malia. It was amazing! I wish I could have taken pictures during the show. We were able to sit and talk with a few cast members afterwards which was great!
3. The Cripple of Inishmaan starring Daniel Radcliffe.
This one was probably my favorite. I am realizing more and more how much I love plays. They are about people and relationships. They shed light on the human condition in a deep, entertaining way. It's like the audience doesn't even know they are being taught, enlightened; you leave the theater a different person than you were at the beginning of the play. This play was a revival, an amazing story. The best part was the end when the plot twist was revealed, there was an audible gasp in the audience. (I guess I wasn't the only one who didn't know about the story.) It was superbly acted and left me with a greater desire to do my own acting and bring such stories to audiences everywhere.
4. Newsies: The Musical
If you missed Newsies on Broadway you missed something special. It is starting a tour in North Amercian in October so you still have a chance. This show is amazing. The music, singing, and dancing are fabulous. I think I cried the first time I saw it as did my mother. I have seen it three times and would see it again in a heartbeat! At every performance the audience went wild and the cast received a standing ovation.
5. Matilda
This was the third show I saw with my mom when she came in May. Some of the songs were so funny. I thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and sets. I particularly enjoyed the song "When I Grow Up." The children sang it as they swung on swings on stage. The young actors were very good. I found the story very touching but of course any story where a young child yearns for a happy family will cause me to choke up.
6. IF/THEN starring Idina Menzel but thankfully we saw the understudy.
A friend had comp tickets so of course I took advantage and went. I sat with my friend Lizzie. Idina Menzel was not performing (maybe that's why we had comp tickets) so we saw the understudy. She was fabulous! Call me crazy but I am not a big fan of Menzel. However the story was interesting. It followed one womans life, showing how life would have been different had she stayed in Central Park to meet a boy instead of leaving with friends. It answers the ever present question, "What if?"
7. Les Miserables
Ten years ago I saw this show on Broadway and was sorely disappointed, the cast was not quite Broadway quality. Needless to say I was hoping this time would be different. It was fabulous, so much better than last time. The sets were great. The singing was amazing. I would definitely see it again. The story is inspired, one of my favorites. Though I must say the music is so grand and perfect I don't think I will ever see a production that lives up to the quality of the music. Does that make sense? Maybe that is just because I grew up listening to the 10th anniversary concert version where they used all of the best singers.
8. Bullets Over Broadway: The Muscial
Saw this with my roommate Jordyn. It was silly and cute, a good time minus that one inappropriate song. We did get to sit on the first row. I love being close enough to see them spit as they sing and speak.
9. Of Mice And Men starring James Franco and Chris O'Dowd
This was a fabulous show. Chris O'Dowd was amazing. I forgot how sad this story was until the end came. Brittany and I really enjoyed the show. I can't believe I get to see this quality of theater anytime!!!
10. Shakespeare in the Park's Much Ado About Nothing
Despite being exhausted I thoroughly enjoyed this show. The two leads were amazing. It was fun to see Brian Stokes Mitchell perform too.
11. You Can't Take It With You starring many, including James Earl Jones
My friend Melody found out at the last minute she had an extra ticket. Ten minutes after I read her Facebook message I was on the train. Now that I am living on Long Island I won't be able to go to a show at the drop of a hat guess it's time to buy new sneakers.
This show was hilarious! It is also a revival, a story about a quirky family and their daughters attempt to marry. It was refreshing to see a funny, clean family type show on Broadway.
12. Phantom of the Opera starring my friend Deanna Doyle as Meg Giry
Unlike Les Miserables I felt like this show did live up to the grandeur of the music. I loved the show; it also helped that I had a friend in it. She was amazing. It was so fun to see her on stage! But really the singing was fabulous, the sets were great, and the costumes were amazing! It was an incredible show. Afterwards Deanna took me backstage for a few minutes. She showed me where she does most of her quick changes and the slippery stage she has to dance on.
It turns out my mom and I did go shopping for walking shoes. Of course they didn't have a small enough size so I didn't buy anything that day. I have yet to order the walking shoes but just last week I finally bought new sneakers. I went jogging in them this morning, my first run on Long Island. It's nice to have new tennis shoes but I sure do love attending Broadway shows too!
1. Celebration & Reflection, Part 2
A new friend, Courtney Young had an extra ticket so I was able to go with her and my good friend, Malia. It was amazing! I wish I could have taken pictures during the show. We were able to sit and talk with a few cast members afterwards which was great!
3. The Cripple of Inishmaan starring Daniel Radcliffe.
This one was probably my favorite. I am realizing more and more how much I love plays. They are about people and relationships. They shed light on the human condition in a deep, entertaining way. It's like the audience doesn't even know they are being taught, enlightened; you leave the theater a different person than you were at the beginning of the play. This play was a revival, an amazing story. The best part was the end when the plot twist was revealed, there was an audible gasp in the audience. (I guess I wasn't the only one who didn't know about the story.) It was superbly acted and left me with a greater desire to do my own acting and bring such stories to audiences everywhere.
4. Newsies: The Musical
If you missed Newsies on Broadway you missed something special. It is starting a tour in North Amercian in October so you still have a chance. This show is amazing. The music, singing, and dancing are fabulous. I think I cried the first time I saw it as did my mother. I have seen it three times and would see it again in a heartbeat! At every performance the audience went wild and the cast received a standing ovation.
5. Matilda
This was the third show I saw with my mom when she came in May. Some of the songs were so funny. I thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and sets. I particularly enjoyed the song "When I Grow Up." The children sang it as they swung on swings on stage. The young actors were very good. I found the story very touching but of course any story where a young child yearns for a happy family will cause me to choke up.
6. IF/THEN starring Idina Menzel but thankfully we saw the understudy.
A friend had comp tickets so of course I took advantage and went. I sat with my friend Lizzie. Idina Menzel was not performing (maybe that's why we had comp tickets) so we saw the understudy. She was fabulous! Call me crazy but I am not a big fan of Menzel. However the story was interesting. It followed one womans life, showing how life would have been different had she stayed in Central Park to meet a boy instead of leaving with friends. It answers the ever present question, "What if?"
7. Les Miserables
Ten years ago I saw this show on Broadway and was sorely disappointed, the cast was not quite Broadway quality. Needless to say I was hoping this time would be different. It was fabulous, so much better than last time. The sets were great. The singing was amazing. I would definitely see it again. The story is inspired, one of my favorites. Though I must say the music is so grand and perfect I don't think I will ever see a production that lives up to the quality of the music. Does that make sense? Maybe that is just because I grew up listening to the 10th anniversary concert version where they used all of the best singers.
8. Bullets Over Broadway: The Muscial
Saw this with my roommate Jordyn. It was silly and cute, a good time minus that one inappropriate song. We did get to sit on the first row. I love being close enough to see them spit as they sing and speak.
9. Of Mice And Men starring James Franco and Chris O'Dowd
This was a fabulous show. Chris O'Dowd was amazing. I forgot how sad this story was until the end came. Brittany and I really enjoyed the show. I can't believe I get to see this quality of theater anytime!!!
10. Shakespeare in the Park's Much Ado About Nothing
Despite being exhausted I thoroughly enjoyed this show. The two leads were amazing. It was fun to see Brian Stokes Mitchell perform too.
11. You Can't Take It With You starring many, including James Earl Jones
My friend Melody found out at the last minute she had an extra ticket. Ten minutes after I read her Facebook message I was on the train. Now that I am living on Long Island I won't be able to go to a show at the drop of a hat guess it's time to buy new sneakers.
This show was hilarious! It is also a revival, a story about a quirky family and their daughters attempt to marry. It was refreshing to see a funny, clean family type show on Broadway.
12. Phantom of the Opera starring my friend Deanna Doyle as Meg Giry
It turns out my mom and I did go shopping for walking shoes. Of course they didn't have a small enough size so I didn't buy anything that day. I have yet to order the walking shoes but just last week I finally bought new sneakers. I went jogging in them this morning, my first run on Long Island. It's nice to have new tennis shoes but I sure do love attending Broadway shows too!
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Catching up!
Life has been crazy so I will just give you a few highlights from spring and summer.
April- I said good bye to this pretty woman. She left me for...Oklahoma City! Can you believe it? And of course she is loving it, the freedom of a car, the slower pace, and the nicer, God-fearing people of the Midwest. Sorry NYC but it's true. I miss her, it hasn't been the same since she left.
May- My mother came to visit me for the first time. We had a fabulous time. We saw three shows, ate at fun places and visited the 9/11 Memorial Museum. Perhaps the best part of the trip was when my mother told me that I should just do it, just to school for acting. I cried as she said it. I know I am a grown woman and that I don't necessarily need my mother's approval but it sure is nice to have it. There is something about the love and support of a mother....
During May I also got to visit my friend Lynne and her family in Rochester, NY. We had a great time visiting Church history sites and attending the Lilac festival.
June- Must have been pretty normal because not much is sticking out. I did however come across Mt. Rushmore made entirely of beef jerky. Now, that is something you don't see everyday!
April- I said good bye to this pretty woman. She left me for...Oklahoma City! Can you believe it? And of course she is loving it, the freedom of a car, the slower pace, and the nicer, God-fearing people of the Midwest. Sorry NYC but it's true. I miss her, it hasn't been the same since she left.
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| About to take a ride on the Hudson in the sailboat behind us. |
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| Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge |
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| Hill Cumorah with Lynne and Joanie, both former roommates! |
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| Beautiful Lilacs |
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| Yummy! |
July- Spent a few days in Virginia Beach visiting these crazy people that I love! We watched a baseball game, saw some fireworks, went to an aquarium, and swam at the beach. It was an amazing weekend.
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| Sharks freak me out! I never swim in deep ocean water, never! |
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| Does this picture even need a caption? |
I also got to attend my family reunion in Utah. We had a blast with parents, all six kids and spouses and sixteen grandkids. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures but my siblings did and I can't wait to see them! I also got to visit this pretty lady while in Utah. It's always good to catch up with former roommates especially when they are your grandma!
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| Now you all know where I get my good looks! |
August- Watched a Mets game with these beauties who also happen to be some of my best friends. After the game we enjoyed a concert by Boyz II Men.
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| I am blessed with amazing friends! |
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