Twilight wake-up call!

In order to relate to my students and my daughter I watched my first Twilight movie last Summer. What a beautiful modern day Romeo and Juliet love story. I thoroughly enjoyed it and fell in love with the characters. I could totally understand the teenage fascination with the film. Who doesn't love taking a drive down memory lane? Young love, first loves, this movie was fabulous.
My daughter did read all the books prior to watching the film and she encouraged me to follow in her adolescent footsteps however I was too busy reading my own novels. Well, a few months ago we watched the second of the Twilight movies and once again enjoyed the suspense and the addition of "Team Jacob".
The latest movie is out and I decided last week that I was not going to step into the theatre, or my new grade nine language arts classroom without reading the books. I didn't want to admit the fact that Stephenie Meyer was not on my reading list. I think a number one teacher has to be in touch with pop culture so I went downstairs and grabbed Twilight off of my daughter's bookshelf.
Initially, I wasn't thrilled as I turned the first few pages because I had the characters and the story already in my head. However, as I progressed through the chapters I soon realized the eternal truth, a book is always better than the movie.
After the weekend I am proud to say I am on the third book of the series. "The Eclipse" is now the first book of the series where I do not know the story line. I can't wait to find out...and see the movie next weekend with my daughter!

The Summer Dream Poetry Contest

Here is a writing contest that I encourage my students to take part in...or any teen that's interested. Check out the link below!

September 15, 2010: The Summer Dream Poetry Contest. For previously unpublished poems to 40 lines each by teens ages 14 to 19 and children age 13 and under. Teen prizes $75, $35, and Web site publication; children's prizes $40, $20, and Web site publication. Teen entry fee $4.00 per poem; children $3.00 per poem. Submit three typed copies of the work. Place name, address, telephone number and/or e-mail address, and poem title in a covering letter only. Blind judging. No manuscript return. Winners announced on the Web site in February. The Summer Dream Poetry Contest, Pandora's Collective, Delamont Postal Outlet, P.O. Box 29118, 1950 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6J 5C2, online http://www.pandorascollective.com/contest.html, e-mail pandorascollective@hotmail.com.

Eat, Pray, Love

I finished it....and I'm so glad I did. I wanted to complete it in order to see the movie. As I read through Italy, India and Indonesia I became envious. I would love to take that amount of time to eat, reflect and love. As it is, I am alone this week as my children are at camp. My year has been downsized to five days. Yesterday I ate sushi with my husband. Prayed for my children's safety and loved my time together with my own thoughts and my evening movie date with my husband. Maybe a year away is unrealistic however even one week is a gift.

Eat, Love, Pray

I just started reading Eat, Love, Pray and am captivated. It's not so much what she's writing however the fact that she's living it out. I really admire authors that write "what they know" and share it. At the time the author is travelling and collecting material for her book, she is the same age as I am. I definitely feel somewhat of a connection . I can't wait to read on....and eventually see the movie!

Today is my first attempt at "blogging". I am attemping this so that I can create a buzz in my classroom about the blogging process. I am thrilled at my new position this upcoming September. I have presently only been teaching in the gymnasium setting and I am ready to face the challenges that the language arts classroom has to offer. In addition, early years has been my specialty however I am ready to expand into junior high and high school to see what more "mature" audiences can bring to the teaching table.

I would like to blog about what I am currently reading so not only can I express my thoughts about what it is I am reading but that my students can see that I am also a work in progress. Writing is something that I enjoy, especially when I can share it with others.

Thanks for listening.