QUOTATIONS

QUOTATIONS THAT RELATE TO ME: Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. – Joseph Addison  You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. – Maya Angelou  Live every act fully, as if it were your last. – Buddha

POETRY

When I Heard the Learned Astronomer by Walt Whitman

When I heard the learned astronomer,

When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in
          columns before me,
When I was shown the charts and diagrams, to add,
          divide, and measure them,                                                

When I sitting heard the astronomer where he
lectured with much applause in the lecture-room,
How soon unaccountable I became tired and sick,

Till rising and gliding out I wandered off by myself,
In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time,
Looked up in perfect silence at the stars.

"This I Believe" Essay Ideas

1. a.  Idea--what it's like to come back to Hoggard as a "new" teacher; what it's like after 25+ years of teaching to feel like I'm starting over

b.  Possible Anecdote(s)--My anecdote--the personal experience that will show the point of my essay--is my move from Ashley to Hoggard.  Details to include: leaving "my" corner classroom that housed my classroom library books, a cozy reading chair, lamps, great view, students I loved, teachers who felt like family and moving/returning to a school where I used to call home and feeling like a nomad, pushing a cart from class to class in a sea of unfamiliar faces; include how I felt those first few weeks of not knowing anyone and missing my Ashley friends, students, classroom; details about the Ashley/Hoggard volleyball game and the surprised feeling I had when I saw Hoggard students in the forum as I left; include anecdote of opening window and screaming to Hannah Kate and the conversation with bicycle boy after school that day; include details about hearing "Miss Leslie" in the hallway from Rett and Morgan; include talking with #5, Mell; include importance of certain texts I've locked on my phone.)

c.  So What?--
Ask yourself "so what?" periodically as you write your essay.   If you can hear the reader of your essay asking "so what does this matter?" then don't include it. 
For example, so what if you like pretzels better than chips?  What difference does that make in your life?  If the topic of your writing doesn't address the way you uniquely see the meaning of living and if you aren't able to show how you reached an epiphany about yourself and/or life, than your idea isn't essay worthy.   If you don't know more about yourself or life after you finish writing your essay than when you started, you haven't written the kind of essay that is required for this assignment. 
Another example--you are writing about how you believe in a certain sport.  Don't describe the sport or go through a play by play account in a way that everybody else would describe it.  For example, lots of people like to play football.  Your essay doesn't need to be the same old reasons why everyone likes it.  You need to include anecdotes that only you could include.  You need to show the epiphanies you've had about yourself and life by playing your sport as only you could.
 
My epiphanies so far:
I'm discovering that it's not the decoration of a room or owning my own space that makes me feel at home in a classroom.  It's about relationships.  I need to show through anecdotes how in the past I've been so caught up the aspects of teaching that don't have anything to do with the most important part of teaching--"being" with my students. 
Writing this has helped me to discover that in the past few years I've been more about me and what I wanted and what would make me comfortable instead of taking risks and growing.  I'm discovering that it takes being scared and uncomfortable to make me grow.  I want to show how I'm rediscovering the meaning of teaching by feeling like a freshman along with my freshmen. 

d.  My Belief Statement: I believe this change was the most dreadful, painful, and precious gift.

e. Possible Title:  Coming Home To What I Believe

(Because it took me at least twenty minutes to really reflect on what I'd like to include to support my belief, I'm asking that you include your anecdotes for only one essay idea.  Include items a-e for one idea on your blog today.)

2. Idea--my relationship with Amie and Mallory, my nieces

3. Idea--differences between my two cats (Oh, no. I'm an old maid school teacher writing about my cats!)

  

4. Idea--why Fuzzy Peach is one of the top five ideas in the whole wide world

5. Idea--compare and contrast Ashley and Hoggard
6. Idea--my best teaching moment this year; my toughest teaching moment this year
7. Idea--my daily thanksgiving list
8. Idea--why I teach--Possible Title: My Top Ten Reasons For Teaching

 

8. Idea--what makes me laugh

9. Idea--why I love The Chronicles of Narnia

10.Ideas--why I love the beach; the different "moods" of the beach according to time of day and season

An Idealist/Healer's (INFP) Lyrics

1.  "Uncommon"  Greg Long and Kristy Starling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgFkYNtonZc
What if there's something bigger for me out there
Than the comfort of a life on this middle ground
I've played it safe but now I can't help but wonder
If maybe I've been missing out *1

'Cause I look around and see a sea of people
Everybody's moving in the same direction
And I think it's time for me to break away, break away *2

Chorus: I want to finally take the road less traveled
I want to run away from anything typical
I want the world to see the life I'm living
And call it uncommon *3

What if the right thing was harder than the wrong thing
But I did it anyway
Standing strong even when no one else was watching
What if I really lived that way *4

Every heart has its defining moment
This is mine and I'm not gonna miss it

Chorus

I don't care if it makes me look different
I'm never letting go of my conviction
Let the world see the life I'm living
And call it uncommon *2

I'm done with the easy way out
I'm done with the easy way out
Done with the easy way out
With the easy way out

What if I made it to the end of my days here
Only to find that my legacy was nowhere to be found
I don't want to waste another second
Give me the strength to start right now
Right now, right now, right now, right now, right now, right now*5

*1 Introspective
*2 Not typically impressed by popularity and Very rare, making up about 1% of the population
*3 Appreciates the uniqueness of themselves and others
*4 There are certain principles that the INFP simply will not budge on. They adhere to these rigidly and stick with them soulfully forever.  Idealistic
*5 Have a need to live up to their high ideals

2. "More Than You'll Ever Know" by Watermark
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsjaOzmZB9g&NR=1 
The recording quality is not great. :(
Something brought you to my mind today
I thought about the funny ways
you make me laugh
And yet I feel like it's ok to cry with you
Something about just being with you
When I leave I feel like I've been with God
and that's the way it ought to be, yeah

Chorus:
Cause you've been more than a friend to me
you fight off my enemies for me
cause you have spoken the truth over my life
And you'll never know what it means to me
just to know you've been on your knees for me
Oh, you have blessed my life
more than you'll ever know*1

You had faith
when I had none
You prayed God would bring me a brand new song
When I didn't think I could find the strength to sing
and all the while I've been hoping that I'll
do the kind of praying for you that you've done for me
and that's the way it ought to be, yeah*2

Chorus

You have carried me
You have taken on a burden
that wasn't your own, yeah
may that blessing return to you
A hundredfold
oh oh yeah, a hundredfold

*1The INFP has a strong need for authentic, real relationships with others that represent ideals and truths of compassion and authenticity.
*2 Strong emotional investments in people and situations           

3. "The 59th Street Bridge Song" (a.k.a. "Feelin' Groovy") by Simon and Garfunkel 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJBhdKrwTOc
This was recorded in 2008.  Wow, I'm--I mean--they're old.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBQxG0Z72qM&feature=related
This is one of the first recordings of the song.   Watch this groovy one.
Slow down, you move too fast;
You got to make the morning last;
Just kickin' down the cobblestones,
Lookin' for fun, and feelin' groovy. *1

Hello, lamppost, whatcha knowin'?
I've come to watch your flowers growin'.
Ain'tcha got no rhymes for me?
Dootin'-doo-doo-doo, feelin' groovy.
Ba da da da da da da, feelin' groovy.*2

Got no deeds to do, no promises to keep;
I'm dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep;
Let the mornin' time drop all its petals on me.
Life, I love you, all is groovy. *3

*1 Put a subtle and laid-back humorous spin on most things
*2 Playful, imaginative, and fun to be around when comfortable
*3 Often enjoy downtime and the simple things in life

My Personality Profile

INFP: The Healer

The INFP is curious, insightful, and idealistic.
"Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself."
INFP’s see the good in others, when many are incapable of doing so.  They believe that all people are inherently good.  They focus heavily on the potential of others, realizing that there is an inner strength that people are capable of.
Harry Potter’s curious streak, always seeking for authentic meaning while staying true to himself.
INFP’s naturally intuit when others are unhappy.  More so than any other type, they are able to feel others’ pain and truly want others to be happy.  INFP’s like to see people getting along.  They will, in fact, almost always attempt to avoid conflict (especially with those they don’t know well).  And even those who are close to them rarely get criticized by the INFP.
INFP’s have a non-biased, open-minded view of people.  They are very trustful and accepting of others and their differences.  Despite the positive qualities of the INFP, they will rarely brag, boast, or put themselves above others. 
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.”
INFP’s are typically quiet and keep to themselves when in large groups or in public.  But when comfortable with those they are with, they are thoughtful, playful, and fun-provoking, putting an imaginative spin on events.
"Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts."
INFP’s can be very open and non-judgmental.  They are not typically interested in gossip or the private lives of others.  To them, it wouldn’t do any good to know these things; they feel it isn’t their business.  “Let it be” and “Don’t judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in their moccasins” is often the INFP sentiment.  However, this laid-back manner is heavily contrasted when their deeply held ideals and morals are involved.  There are certain principles that the INFP simply will not budge on.  They adhere to these rigidly and stick with them soulfully forever.
Nickelodeon’s Doug, with his weird, active imagination, and his important inner world that is comical at times
“A reserved female INFP of my acquaintance told me about a time in grade school when she saw a boy unfairly picking on and hitting a girl.  The next thing she knew she had chased the boy down and beaten him up!”
Just as with INFP’s in real life, fictional INFP’s typically display traits such as imagination, care, intuition, and optimistic hope while working towards their goals. 
"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
INFP’s are of the Idealist temperament.  Idealists are Romantic, Empathetic, Authentic, Creative, and Impassioned.  Idealists strive to be true to themselves while inspiring and bringing out the best in others. The INFP has a strong need for authentic, real relationships with others that represent ideals and truths of compassion and authenticity. They love the many aspects of the imagination and love to see good conquering evil and seeing the good guys win.  The personality types that share the Idealist Temperament are ENFJ, INFJ, ENFP, and INFP.
ISFP’s and INFP’s have the dominant function of Introverted Feeling (Fi).  Introverted Feeling is based on strongly held personal values and raw emotion associated with individual human experience.

	More on the INFP May have trouble articulating their deep empathy for others Not typically impressed by popularity Can be sarcastic at times Has vivid, colorful fantasies Likes positive surprises Wants and needs meaningful relationships Can be a perfectionist at times Introspective Will do just about anything for those they truly value Want themselves and others to be authentic and true Likes to create special moments with others May see the world as right and wrong and good and evil Good listeners, thoughtful and considerate in communication Will stand strong for fairness and work towards harmony Reserved, calm and caring, often with a healing quality Strong emotional investments in people and situations            Very rare, making up about 1% of the population Subjective feelings and code of ethics guide them in their decision making Like to see that others’ inner strengths are reached With depth of character, they want to be true to themselves and their morals Greatly value their inner life and mind’s eye Not likely to meddle in the business of others Romantic Idealistic Put a subtle and laid-back humorous spin on most things
Strengths Strong internal drive; they rarely give up. Easily see moral absolutes, even in situations where only a hint of them may be evident Able to intuit the unseen inner capabilities in others Very supportive and a good catalyst.  Insightful Playful, imaginative, and fun to be around when comfortable Truly appreciate friends and family Can be generous with tokens of gratitude to others Often enjoy downtime and the simple things in life Can be very determined when they decide that they are going to put their mind to something Respects the privacy of others Optimistic Able to see humor in many different situations Self-sacrificing Stay true to their word and typically mean what they say Stay strong and true to their strong personal values Broad, ever-reaching perceptions	Weaknesses Too credulous Can actually get caught up in the moment and be impulsive from time to time Often trust people that they shouldn’t May be unrealistic at times May not always speak up when they need to Can feel let down by others May jump into a situation without properly analyzing it May miss important concrete details or fail to pay enough attention to facts Sensitive to criticism (they can fail to hear it if not stated tactfully or constructively) May have trouble being objective or critical when they need to be
Famous INFP's Helen Keller Shakespeare Neil Diamond Jewel Celine Dione My Temperament NF Idealist (ENFJ, INFJ, ENFP, INFP) Romantic, empathetic, authentic, creative, and impassioned, Idealists strive to be true to themselves while inspiring and bringing out the best in others. Some information on the NF Idealist: Have a need to live up to their high ideals Empathetic Tend to glorify others and life in general Well-trusted and cultivated intuition Often interested in the spiritual, having a strong affinity for the mystical and what cannot be seen by the eye As kids, often show their elaborate imaginations Good with the use of words - if not when speaking, in writing Strongly believes in certain causes Romantic Wants deep, meaningful relationships May trust others more than they should, sometimes to the point of naivety Often enjoys reading (from fantasy to poetry, to creative short stories, to religious texts) Appreciates the arts and imagination Appreciates the uniqueness of themselves and others Natural conflict mediators with their strong insight and diplomatic nature Careers That Match My Type child care/child development clergy/religious workers counselor editor journalist/writer/poet/novelist learning specialist mediator mental health professional pediatrician psychologist/psychiatrist school counselor social worker teacher tutor	Fictional INFP ’s Harry Potter Doug Funnie Dewey from Malcolm in the Middle Mr. Rogers Bastian from The NeverEnding Story

My Multiple Intelligences

24% Intrapersonal (Myself Smart)
20% Linguistic (Word Smart)
15% Kinesthetic (Body Smart)
13% Naturalistic (Nature Smart)
12% Interpersonal (People Smart)
  8% Musical Smart (Music Smart)
  6% Visual/Spatial Smart (Picture Smart)
+2% Logical (Number Smart)
100

Cultural Icon: Michael Vick

I.   RESEARCHED ARTICLES ABOUT MICHAEL VICK

      I chose Michael Vick as the cultural icon to research because I constantly need to be reminded that:

1.  No one is beyond falling from success and honor.
2.  No one is beyond redemption.
(Please don't tell my sister Lisa that I chose Michael Vick because she is angry at him.  I've never heard her say a negative word about President Obama until he praised the owner of the Eagles for giving Michael Vick a second chance.)

                          http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1019914/index.htm

citation #1:
Bradley, John Ed. "A Cut Above The Rest - 08.14.00 - SI Vault." Breaking News, Real-time Scores
         and Daily Analysis from Sports Illustrated – SI.com. Web. 10 Sept. 2011.  
        http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1019914/index.htm.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1178826/index/index.htm

Citation #2:  

Price, S.l. "Is It Okay To Cheer? The - 11.29.10 - SI Vault." Breaking News, Real-time
           Scores and Daily Analysis from Sports Illustrated – SI.com. Web. 10 Sept. 2011.
          http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1178826/index/index.htm.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2044938,00.html

Citation #3:

"Michael Vick: Eagles QB's Journey from Prison to the Pro Bowl - TIME." Breaking News, Analysis,

           Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews - TIME.com. Web. 10 Sept. 2011.

          http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2044938,00.html.

                       http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1183564/index.htm
Citation #4: 
King, Peter. "Back To Prison With Michael Vick - 03.28.11 - SI Vault."
          Breaking News, Real-time Scores and Daily Analysis from Sports Illustrated – SI.com.
          Web. 10 Sept. 2011.
          http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1183564/index.htm.
Summary of "Back To Prison With Michael Vick" article:
     Michael Vick returns to prison, but this time he is a different man.  This time he's not returning as a guilty inmate.  This time he's returning with a message of hope for others.  He's nervous, but this time he feels useful.
     The Eagles quarterback answers questions about his football life with laughter, but he turns serious when asked what he'd do differently in his life.  He says he'd do nothing different, albeit his role in the dogfighting crime and the length of his term, because his seventeen months in prison gave him time to change.
     Vick is able to emphathize with the inmates about the dark days that prison life brings and that gives him credibility to share his message of hope.  He motivates the inmates to be proactive by taking responsibility of their lives and making a plan of action for when they leave prison.  He challenges the fathers to become the role models their children deserve.
     In the picture above, Michael Vick encourages the eighteen year old inmate in solitary confinement to keep his head up and to get an education.  Michael Vick is showing the inmates and the world beyond those bars that redemption is possible. 

Articles include:

1.   "A Cut Above The Rest" by John Ed Bradley  Source: Sports Illustrated  Date:  August 14, 2000

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1019914/index.htm

2.   "Is It Okay To Cheer?" by S.L. Price  Source: Sports Illustrated  Date: November 29, 2010

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1178826/index/index.htm

3.  "Prison to Pro Bowl: The Meaning of Michael Vick"  by Eric Dodds Source: Sports Illustrated  Date: January 30, 2011  http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2044938,00.html

4.  "Back To Prison With Michael Vick"  by Peter King  Source: Sports Illustrated Date: March 28, 2011 http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1183564/index.htm

II. QUOTES THAT EXEMPLIFY MICHAEL VICK'S LIFE

1. To err is human; to forgive is divine. – Alexander Pope
2. Appearances may be deceiving. – Aesop  Reflection:  Michael Vick appeared to have it all prior to his conviction: fame, money, good reputation.  And it looked like he lost everything by going to prison, but Vick says that going to prison was a good thing in his life because it caused him to change.
3. Oh, what a tangled web we weave/When first we practice to deceive! – Sir Walter Scott
4. Success is knowing what your values are and living in a way consistent with your values. – Danny Cox Reflection:  As Michael Vick visits prisons and schools with his message of remorse and hope, it does look like he's being true to those values that his mother taught him.  (See Article One above.)
5. The greatest discovery is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of the mind. – William James
6. You can’t pray a lie.  –Mark Twain Time will reveal the truth of his prayers.
7. The unexamined life is not worth living. –Socrates and All man’s miseries derive from not being able to sit quietly in a room alone. – Blaise Pascal  Prison life afforded him the time to reflect and examine his life.

III. LITERATURE THAT

EXEMPLIFIES MICHAEL VICK'S LIFE

Before the World Intruded by Michele Rosenthal

Return me to those infant years,
before I woke from sleep,

when ideas were oceans crashing,
my dreams blank shores of sand.

Transport me fast to who I was
when breath was fresh as sight,

my new parts — unfragmented —
shielded faith from unkind light.

Draw for me a figure whole, so different
from who I am. Show me now

this picture: who I was         
when I began.

      This poem could exemplify how Michael Vick felt in prison.  I imagine during those seventeen months of incarceration that he remembered the first time he adorned the cover of Sports Illustrated in August of 2000.  In that article, his mother bragged on her son: 

"The kid is so good he makes his mother cry. She cries in her van on the way to the store. She cries behind the wheel of the school bus she drives for a living. She cries at home watching his games on TV. She cries in the stadium watching him play in person.
"'Dear Lord, I just want to thank you,' she says whenever the tears start to fall. 'Yes, Lord, thank you. Thank you, Lord.'"
"She prays because in her mind God has created something unique in a world too ordinary, and that is her son, Michael Vick, the All-America quarterback for Virginia Tech, and maybe, if you believe what football people are saying, the most exciting player at his position the college game has ever seen. 'Michael makes me happy, that's why I cry,' says Brenda Boddie, 37, as yet another sob seems on the verge of being unleashed. 'I hate to brag, but everything he does is so positive and just so good. I'm shocked myself, watching him run and throw that ball. Every day I thank God for the blessings He's given my son.'"
       Like the narrator in the poem, Michael Vick wanted to be whole again.  He wanted to have faith like he had before he ever began his rise to fame.

IV. MY CONCLUSIONS ABOUT MICHAEL VICK'S PERSONALITY PROFILE

I conclude that Michael Vick is an ESTP--The Promoter.  Following are my reasons:

(Quotes from www.famoustype.com are in blue.)As a quarterback, he must be in touch with his surroundings and good with visual details.  He must  be able to pick up on slight changes of expression and notions of awkwardness in others in order to execute his plays.  When ESTP’s tap into this subtle awareness, they have a remarkable ability to tell people what they want to hear. Slick, smooth, lively, charismatic, the ESTP knows how to draw a crowd and enthuse them. Furthermore, the ESTP is often able to pull off their desired response in others.  The previous statements show how he was able to con those around him.  Some may think this new Michael Vick is just another con job.  Time will tell.

Many ESTP's see small daily tasks as competitions between themselves and others. Even when it comes to menial activities such as work or video games, the ESTP is likely to have a win-at-all-costs attitude. But make no mistake, the ESTP is comfortable with this and enjoys it. Michael Vick's competitive nature matches the ESTP's.

ESTP’s are of the Artisan temperament. Artisans are adventurous, action-oriented, and spontaneous. Artisans live in the moment and strive for a range of experiences. The personality types that share the Artisan Temperament are ESTP, ISTP, ESFP, and ISFP.  Michael Vick's criminal acts show him to be adventurous, action-oriented, and spontaneous in unhealthy and destructive ways.

V. MICHAEL VICK'S TOP MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES

1. KINESTHETIC (I base this on his athletic skills.)

2. VISUAL/SPATIAL  (I base this on his responsiblity to read and execute plays.)