Priceless Donations

"What is that?" - You may be asking regarding this picture. Very simple, they are kidneys. Most people have two, but you can live normally with one. Some people have non-functioning kidneys and require dialysis while waiting for and organ donor. 84,000 people in the United States are waiting for a donor kidney. Sadly, only 15,000 transplants happen every year. There is new hope for those waiting.

WGN news did a segment last night on live donors who donated to a complete stranger. The medical field is hoping to start an epidemic of donators. I am inspired by this segment. In a web poll, 76% of the people state that they would donate an organ to a complete stranger. If this is true, why are there so many people waiting still?

It is important to understand the donation process. Either the organ comes from a deceased person, or a live donor. Either way, the organ must be a match via blood and tissue. It's not so easy to find a perfect match. Many factors are taken into consideration regarding the health of the person donating. This rules out many people from donating. The average wait for a kidney is 5-7 years. Some people will not live to see the transplant ever happen, They are waiting for an organ everyday, and just hoping there is a match.

In Chicago, four people have stepped forward to donate one of their kidneys to a complete stranger. These acts of kindness are inspiring. After donating, a person will live normally with one kidney. People in need of a kidney only have so many options for live donors. Obviously family and close friends can donate, but there is always the possibility that none of them match. As a person on a waiting list for an organ, this gives me hope. It seems that family members of the recipients (who were not good matches) are so inspired that they are willing to donate to another perfect stranger, if they match.

I think I am baffled by the numbers of people waiting for a donor. If 76% of America is willing to donate, then where are they? Why is there such a long wait to receive a kidney when there is such a large pool of people to choose from? Granted, some of them may not be "healthy" donators, or some may not match, but with our huge population, this list should be so much shorter. I hope this segment on the evening news will inspire more people to step forward and make this priceless donation.

Here is a man that is not making my day so sunny after all. Governor Pat Quinn has proposed laying off 17,000 teachers this year. No, that is not a typo - 17,000. How can this possibly be a good thing? This is all in proposal of helping the state's deficit. In addition to letting teachers go, the Governor is planning on reducing child care assistance for the poor, and cutting back on state troopers, and raising taxes.

Let's be logical. The state's unemployment is ridiculously high. Won't it be even higher when you are letting go of this many teachers and troopers? Won't the state be paying for tens of thousands of people collecting unemployment checks? Poor people need child care assistance. They are out scraping for jobs to support their families, and they need help with child care. When you take that away, children will be unsupervised, and bad things could happen. But you cannot call the police because they will be cut back and will not have time to address smaller problems that could potentially be harmful issues. I just don't understand.

As if this is not enough, Governor Quinn. He is looking to decrease the government support for each school child by 11%. Classrooms will be overcrowded with lack of materials. This is the quality of education that we are suppose to provide for the future of Illinois? Does he not care because he will be old and dead by the tie our students are the ones running the state? As a teacher, I think this is absurd. Maybe the government should look twice at the dirty politics and figure out where our tax money is going. Raising taxes on top off all of these cutbacks will still leave the state short in recovering it's deficit. Governor Quinn needs to step back and take a look and possibly a giant salary cut of his own. Perhaps he should cut out some of the useless government people and stop taking away from the education system.

Four Day School Weeks. . Sounds Great - Or Does It?

The state of Illinois is considering four day school weeks for students. It sounds wonderful in many ways until we really think it out. Having a four day weeek would mean that students have longer hours on those four days. The object is to save money on transportation, building operating costs, etc. Still, one would think that less school and less work time for teachers would be great, but it's not all that it's cracked up to be.

From the student's standpoint, less school in any way is usually a bonus. Think about the teacher you dislike most. Now, instead of spending fifty minutes in their class, you will spend ninety. Will you survive?Remember how it would really stink to have football practice or a game after school? Well, if you are in school until 5:00 insteaf of 3:00, you will be getting home from practice at 8:30 instead of 6:30. Since you spent an hour and a half in each class going over new material, I am sure you have a lot of homework. After school job? No way. You would spend nine hours in school and rush off to work a few hours that remain in the day. This is not leaving much for your social life. Sure you will have a three day weekend, but let's be realistic. I've seen the zombie in some off you after long weekends. You can't get it together. In addition to a longer school day, there is talk of a shorter summer break. True, summer break was intended so that the children could help out on the farm. I am willing to bet that most students do not live on farms, but they sure do enjoy their summers off. You won't anymore.

Teachers, it's not looking too sunny either. Lesson plans galore. You will need to ensure that you can keep yor students busy for one and a half hours. Some teachers are used to block scheduling, but many are not. Plans that you have used over the years will need revamping. This also means that daling little Johnny, who drives you crazy, in your 3rd period class will be sure to give you a pounding headache when you almost double the time you spend with him. Will you have a nervous breakdown? A longer day at school means that you will need someone to take care of your own children while you are away longer each day. Do you still want to coach sports? You will be living at he school more than at your own home. I know, as a teacher, I love my summer vacation. Sometimes we need it to refuel our batteries for the upcoming school year.

It is only a proposed idea, but I can't see it getting too far. Going to a four day week would bring problems for working parents to find childcare for younger students on the fifth day. Are all kids supposed to go to the doctor and dentist on Fridays now? They will be closed by the time the school day is over. If the state of Illinois would get their act together and do their job, the schools would not be needing to look for ways to cut costs. In my opinion, rhis is one of the craziest ideas regarding schools.

Hockey or fights?

Can someone please explain how this sport became so barbaric? My husband is an avid hockey fan. He played in high school, and currently plays on a men's league. I have never been a hockey fan. I don't like the sport, I think the fans are obnoxious, and I don't know why fighting has become part of the game. I have never actually watched my husband play hockey. I am just not interested. He came home last night telling me that he almost got into a fight during the game.

Apparently, he felt that he was tripped by another player. Well, before you know it, helmets are being thrown down, and words are being exchanged. Other players have to break this up. Then what happens? NO fight, and he is sent to sit in a penalty box. Common sense would tell a player that a fight is going to get broken up immediately, and consequently, they will miss playing time as punishment. So why even bother?

There are fights in many sports, but it has become a part of hockey. Can't they just play the game, be good competitors, and be done? Why is it necessary to take cheap shots at each other and start fights? Does it make them feel manly to be taken off the ice to sit in a penalty box? It's like giving a child a time-out. My husband tries to explain this to me, but I don't understand. He is correct in saying that if someone came up to me and started bumping into me unnecessarily, I would be right back in their face. However, this is different. Hockey is a physical sport. If these boys can't handle the abuse, maybe they shouldn't play.

I had to try and rationalize this with my husband. Ultimately, he was the aggressor. Did he think this out? What if they got into an ugly fight, and he was injured? Then he wouldn't be playing hockey, he would be unable to work, and that would snowball a whole new set of problems. He didn't seem to get it though. He just kept saying that it would have been worth it, because the guy was a jerk. Personally, I am starting to feel that anyone who gets on the ice and starts a fight, should just be taken out of the game. A few minutes in the box never seems to end it. I can't seem to rationalize why hockey has become so aggressive. Do people watch the sport for the hockey, or for the fights?

Are Those Things Just Painted On?

Hello? Are those things painted on? I find myself asking this question more and more. Come to find out, it's not just me. I've noticed lately that people are just ignoring others when being spoken to. I don't now if their minds are focused on economic hardships, or if the entire world is in a dreamy state, but "Hello!!! I'm talking to you!!"

For instance, when I am substitute teaching, I usually do not know enough of the kids to visually take attendance, so we do role call. The room is dead silent, the only voices are mine (calling names) and a single student (saying "here"). It goes something like this: "Mike?" "Here." "Jenny?" "Here." "Tom?" no response. "Tom Robinson - not here." "Alex?" "Here." "Jorge?" "Here." "Did you call Tom Robinson? Because I'm here." Well, let's see, I called your name twice, you did not answer. You don't have a hearing problem, and the room was quiet. PAY ATTENTION! I've spoken to other substitutes who laugh about this same problem.

When I'm not substituting, I am a waitressat a pancake house. Here is that scenario. "Good Morning, how is everyone today?" Four blank stares. Okay, maybe they need some coffee to open there eyes and ears. "Would you like coffee or something to drink?" Hello walls. is anyone listening? I have literally walked back into the kitchen and asked other people if there is something on my face, or a reason people are just giving me blank stares instead of responses. They assure me there is nothing on me, and people have just been in their own worlds. I'm not asking anyone to be overwhelmingly nice, but could they say yes, even if they forget the please?

Then there's ,y husband. As stories go, husbands have tuned out their wives voices. "What day do you have hockey this week?" Hello? Maybe I should talk to the dog. At least he's looking at me. "Hello?!" "Oh. did you say something?"

I can't help but wonder. I don't think my voice has changed, or I am hard to hear. If anything, I am accused of being loud. So, I just don't get it. I see two ears, but I am wondering of they work. . .

A Dog's Life

I'm an animal lover. Who can resist a smiling face like this one in the photo? Meet Schmootski, a.k.a Bubba, my mom's Peek-a-poo. This is a prime example of animals that really have a good life. I spoil my dog rotten. While having dinner with a friend, we were discussing the stresses of life. He said that he was lying awake the other night, when he looked over at his dog and realized that some animals have just got it made.

Why do we spoil them rotten? Is it because they give love unconditionally? Is it because they listen to you and don't talk back? I don't know what it is, but I have often said in my next life, I want to be a dog in my own home. I grew up with dogs in the house, and I 'm starting to wonder what it was that made us spoil them. My parents had two children to spoil, wan't that enough? I suppose it would have it's drawbacks, but if I could wash away the stress in my life and just have a dog's life, I would.

Take Bubba , for instance. Her day starts around 8:00 a.m., when she decides to roll out of bed, which is really my parents bed, but she fails to recognize this. She strolls into the kitchen, hoping that someone will share their breakfast. Then she goes to bask in the sun that shines through the patio door. Perhaps, followed by a little nap. Then, if she's lucky, she takes a ride in the car, to the bank or the gas station. She insists on driving. She must sit on the driver's lap. If she goes through the drive through at the bank, she gets a cookie. Yawn. . . well that must have been exhausting because she goes home, and curls up on a recliner for a nap. When rejuvenated, she goes for a walk. This is followed by yet another nap. She wakes up for dinner, and then goes back to her spot on the recliner for another nap before bed. What a life. Now you understand why she smiles for the camera.

Even my own dog is spoiled rotten. He sleeps in our bed, despite my husband's complaints that he stretches out wherever he feels like it. He has breakfast, is driven to "doggy day care" (Grandma's house), where he plays all day and is spoiled. Then he gets picked up after school, comes home and plays and chews his bones and off to bed. This is the life.

I suppose there are drawbacks such as waiting to be let out, or relying on someone to feed you, but it sure beats getting up and dealing with the daily stress of human life. Not all animals have it this good, but that's why I wouldn't mind my second life as a dog, as long as it was in a loving home.

English Language Learners

I wasn't quite sure how to react when I received my daily substitute schedule. I had three sections of English Language Learners (ELL). I speak English, that's it. I can ask where a bathroom is in Spanish, and can count poorly in French, but after that, I'm clueless. Knowing that I would more than likely have mostly Polish, Lithuanian, and Arabic speaking students, I thought for sure it was going to be an interesting day.

One of the classes only had six students in it, and they were typing personal narratives on a great challenge in their lives. I admit, I was grateful that there was not a lot of interaction on my part, because some of the students had such thick accents and were struggling to find the correct words to tell me something. They were such nice kids, but you could feel the frustration growing when we struggled to communicate. I felt horrible and did my best, but it was really hard. I can only imagine how they feel. They turned in their narratives, and five out of the six students wrote about how difficult school was because of language barriers. Granted, the grammar was horrible, and I had to really think about what they were trying to say, but they were written fromt eh heart. They are trying to take academic courses in government, but when the teacher speaks, they don't know many of the words, and when they read, they still don't understand. I felt for these kids and their frustrations.

My other two courses were a level higher and they were working on grammar packets. Only around ten students, but between them, they spoke five languages, and little English. The thing that amazed me most was their desire to learn. They had packets which would ask them to circle the correct verb. If they guessed wrong, and I told them, the "Why?" questions kept coming out. In all honesty, as an English teacher, I was baffled. They wanted to know why some words were spelled certain ways, and why vowels sounded the way they do. Simply to me, because it is English. and that's how it is. For them, it wasn't enough. Everything needs a reason in order to make sense. I get that now, but it was really hard to explain every little detail to teenagers.

These kids were amazing. They kept pushing for more knowledge, and were so excited when they got a word right, or learned a new word. I don't recall any of the foreign language courses having students so excited over learning French, Spanish, or German. For these kids, it was a matter of survival in America. They wanted to fit in while in high school, and get jobs, and learn things, but without knowing the language, it was really tough. I admire their resilience and determination and wish it would flow into the rest of the school!

Facebook - a disaster in the works!

Can someone please explain the Facebook frenzy to me? My friends, my sister, my husband, students seem to be attached to it, and I just don't get it. I don't understand how it is a way to reconnect with people. If you really cared about a person, you would have kept in contact with them over the years. If, out of the blue, you decide you want to talk to someone after five, ten, even twenty years, then pick up the phone and call them. I feel like Facebook just allows people to secretly spy on your life. If there was a way to hide from your past, there isn't anymore. There is no privacy involved. I don't have a Facebook page, yet my picture appears on other people's pages. I don't want to be "tagged" as they call it, to anyone for public display. If you want to see me or talk to me, pick up a phone or look me up, there is probably a reason we didn't keep in contact.

The trouble caused by Facebook has been endless. Teen alcohol abuse, inappropriate photos, people talking trash. . . and today, I heard the best, Facebook Divorce. It's bad enough that people say things or do things that they shouldn't, but to post it for the world to see, opens a can of worms. Truth or not, Facebook has created bad images for people. People have lost jobs, gptten suspended, and ended relationships because of it. If people stayed off Facebook, they wouldn't be posting their business publicly to be scrutinized. The next thing yo know, someone maks a comment about a photo and words get ugly, then who knows what happens from there. The end result is disaster.

To those who are addicted to Facebook, tell me why. You don;t have a phone, or don't see people, which is it? If that's the case there is email. Direct it personally, not publicly. True, you may be able to post information to many people at one time, but email works as well, and this way it is directed only to those who you want viewing it. I am told you can block your Facebook and select who can view it, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of making yourself available to reconnect? I will continue to see people in person, or keep in touch via email or telephone. The Facebook world is just more trouble than it is worth!

Is this normal?

Shocked, insulted, and disgusted. Those three words best described my feelings at school last week. I was substituting at Stagg High School in Palos, when steam must have been pouring out of my ears. Every single day, at the start of second hour, the Pledge of Allegiance and the daily announcements come on over the intercom. Every day that I have worked in a school, the class rises for the pledge. This particular day, not one of thirty students rose out of their chairs, or stopped talking. I didn't know just how to handle the rush of emotions that came over me. I recited the pledge, and took the time of the announcements to regroup.

The announcement were over, and this room of thirty high school seniors were still chattering away. I went back to the already closed door, opened it, and slammed it so loudly that I swear, the walls shook. They all shut up and looked at me. I started yelling, "I cannot believe that not one of you stopped talking, or stood up to recognize the Pledge!" Their response, "We never do." I actually chewed them out for what is a great shame on the classroom teacher. I told them that they were seniors in high school, and for the last twelve years, I was fairly certain that this was a daily routine in the classroom. Another smart remark, "You never asked us to be quiet." I thought as seniors, they knew when the bell rang, it was time to sit down and begin class. I must have ranted about this for five minutes, expressing my clear disgust. Was I going to be called their "crazy substitute" the next day? I didn't care.

My classroom rule used to be that if you didn't want to recite the Pledge, you at least stood and shut your mouth. You are, after all, living in this country. Our country may be going through rough times, but this is America, land of the free. These students must not recognize how great it is to be living in a country like ours. Regardless of race, nationality, background, etc. . . I think that if not for themselves, they owe it to the men and women that fight for our country to stand up for sixty seconds. I will tell you that those students either thought about what I said, or were just plain afraid that I might snap, because you could have heard a pin drop for the remainder of the class. What would make a teacher think it wasn't important for her class to recognize the Pledge of Allegiance? I did leave a rather harsh note for her regarding my dissatisfaction. Am I wrong?