Hi all,

Happy Monday. I had a nice weekend. DH and I did some talking that helped a bit, i think... i wish it would stick with me longer.

anyway, i looked at the t-tipp, MF, you are the one that mentioned it right? what part are you doing exactly? did you buy any of the videos/dvds?

Hi FL (Ghost),

Long time, no see. I haven't been around much, but I stopped in this morning and decided to see how you are doing. I don't have anything to offer re weight loss or your continued marital issues. But when I read that you want to be a jr high math teacher, I just had to butt in...

As you may know, education -- or maybe I should say "education reform" -- is one of my passions. (It's also a source a conflict in my marriage, but that's not why I'm writing to you at the moment.) I agree with you that, by the time kids hit jr high, many of them are "lost". But I happen to believe that the process starts so much earlier... that the way the educational system is structured, it works to stiffle childrens' natural curiosity and capacity for learning from day one. So, by the time they reach jr high, sometimes that damage is almost too great to undo. This is just MVHO!!!! (I don't want to insult anyone who works in, or has kids in, public school. I went to public school and I had some FABULOUS teachers. This is just a different perspective -- one that a lot of people would consider "radical", including my own husband!)

Anyway, the authors/educators who have had the most influence on my views about education are Maria Montessori, John Holt, and John Taylor Gatto.

Gatto -- and this is what inspired me to write to you -- is a very interesting guy. A very controversial guy, too -- a bit of a maverick, which is probably why I like him so much, lol! He was a middle school math teacher for several years, and New York State's Teacher of The Year three times. After winning the title the third time, he quit teaching in dramatic fashion, by writing an op ed piece for the Wall Street Journal describing how disillusioned he had become with the education system. Since then, he has written several books about education reform. He lectures all over the country. And he's currently making a documentary film about the state of education in the U.S.

I don't even know if you're interested in education reform or alternative education. But if you are, here's a link to Gatto's web site. John Taylor Gatto

Fascinating reading if nothing else. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />


Take care,
--SC

Hi,
I am only doing the exercises that are on line- along with the workouts I do at the gym and doing a south bach (only believe me- this weekend I was on the wrong beach <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />)

I have sooo much to do at the magazine til Wednesday.

I may not be around much til then.

everyone have a good week

Hi SC, I'm very glad you butted in!!!

thanks for all that info, it is very interesting, i'll have to read more a bit later, work is kinda busy.

i don't think the current public system is all that great either even though my kids are in it.

sc... you mentioned not wanting to comment on (or maybe just having nothing to say about) my marital status. but can i ask you a very frank question...

do my postings lead you to conclude my marriage s*cks?

please realize, i'm not asking you if my marriage s*cks, i'm wondering how my postings sound.

i know i site some specifics, and i am extremely honest them. but it's still my perspective...

i don't even know why i am asking really... i mean what would your answer tell me anyway, right??

the thing is, he is happy, so he says. i'm not, he does not understand why.

i want more, he is content.

we have not shared the ENQ with each other. it got pushed to the side and has not even been talked about lately, yes including me.

i have now read the book and i do my best at guessing what his are and then trying to fill them.

i read so much from people here who are in the recovering or recovered state and it just seems like the majority (of success stories) are where both are wanting a better marriage.

it does not seem like my DH wants a better marriage cuz he thinks ours is fine. he even told me the other day that he is feeling ok about all the stuff from the past. ok in the sense that he has i guess processed it and has moved past it.. i think.

but we don't spend any time together, just us. how can you call it a relationship?

i'm always left with this debate in my head.

is it just me?? are my expectations wrong?

i know you can't really answer any of my questions... i suppose i should just delete it but... what the heck.

care to share about how you are doing? i have not seen you say much lately. of course, my time here is kinda spotty so i may have missed stuff.

mf, hope you get everything done!! i am doing the flat tummy stuff. but i just started.

FL,

I don't comment only because I have nothing useful to offer. I don't get the impression that your marriage "s*cks" -- or even that you feel that way. I do think you're lonley. And tired. And I think you over analyze things... to the point that it sometimes stops you from following through and taking action. But, hey, I'm guilty of that myself. So who am I to offer you advice?

Me? I wouldn't even know where to begin.

--SC

well that is good to know. i don't want to give people that impression. i don't think it s*cks either. but you are right, i am lonley. and now getting very tired.

so i guess now i ask myself, am i wrong to feel lonley? it's still kinda the same question, don't ya think?

ok, now i'm laughing cuz what i have just written clearly illustrates your last point... i over anyalize!!!

i guess that is why i am still here... i'm still trying to find out where to begin

closing in on 3 yrs.

maybe i'm supposed to figure out the answer is not here??