Favorite Movie

When I start thinking about making my own short film, I often think about what makes a good movie? What makes me go back and watch the same movie multiple times? For me, humor is key. I have to be able to have a good laugh during the movie. That is why my favorite movie is Elf. There are multiple reasons why I love this movie:

#1. It's a Christmas movie that leaves you feeling good at the end. Don't get me wrong, I can watch this movie at any time or place--doesn't have to be Christmas time.

#2. It's a family friendly movie that we can all enjoy. Typically, if it's a kid movie, the adults feel tortured into watching it...not this one!

#3. The characters (especially Will Ferrell) are an excellent mix. They complement each other.

#4: There are a ton of great quotes in this movie. For example:

Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?

Buddy: [out of breath from chasing Michael] Wow, you're fast. I'm glad I caught up to you. I waited 5 hours for you. Why is your coat so big? So, good news - I saw a dog today. Have you seen a dog? You probably have. How was school? Was it fun? Did you get a lot of homework? Huh? Do you have any friends? Do you have a best friend? Does he have a big coat, too?...
Michael: - Go away ! 

Buddy: Who the heck are you?
Gimbel's Santa: What are you talkin' about? I'm Santa Claus.
Buddy: No, you're not.
Gimbel's Santa: Uh, why of course I am! Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho.
Buddy: Well, if you're Santa, what song did I sing for you on your birthday this year?
Gimbel's Santa: Um, Happy Birthday of course. Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho. How old are you son?
Kid with Santa: Four.
Gimbel's Santa: You're a big boy. What's your name?
Kid with Santa: Paul.
Gimbel's Santa: Now what can I get you for Christmas?
Buddy: Don't tell him what you want, he's a liar.
Gimbel's Santa: Let the kid talk.
Buddy: You disgust me! How can you live with yourself?
Gimbel's Santa: Just cool it, Zippy.
Buddy: You sit on a throne of lies.
Gimbel's Santa: Look, I'm not kiddin'.
Buddy: You're a fake.
Gimbel's Santa: I'm a fake?
Buddy: Yes!
Gimbel's Santa: How'd you like to be dead, huh? Ho, ho, just kidding.
Buddy: You stink.
Gimbel's Santa: I think you're gonna have a good Christmas, all right.
Buddy: You smell like beef and cheese, you don't smell like Santa. 

 

 

Buddy: I'm a cotton-headed ninny-muggins.

  

And my personal favorite:

 

Buddy: SANTA! OH MY GOD! SANTA'S COMING! I KNOW HIM! I KNOW HIM!  

 

 

Here is the link for so more Buddy the Elf moments: 

 

 

Mrs. Seidl is thankful for.....

I am a very sentimental person. Around the holidays, I am always thinking about the things I have, things I wish I had, and the things I take for granted. While it is difficult to narrow it down to just three, I feel like these are at the top of my list:

1. My family: I have one of the most supported families I know. My husband is always willing to go out of his way to make things easier for me. He cooks supper and gets the kids ready for bed when he knows I have a lot of school work to do. He makes me laugh on days he knows I could use it. I told my  friends that I would marry Chris Seidl when I was in the 6th grade. It may have seemed like a silly childish wish, but I knew what I was talking about. My husband completes me.

I'm also thankful for my kids. They make me laugh everyday and I am always amazed at the great things they say/do. As high school kids, you may not understand this yet, but being a parent is the best thing in the world. Knowing that you created something that can go and change the world makes you want to spend everyday making your child the best person they can be. You want to give them the world without making them greedy. My kids really understand how great their lives really are; we enjoy all the time we spend together.

2. My job: Even though I have bad days, I seriously love my job. I always played "teacher" as a young kid, but never thought it would end up being my profession. I love helping students reach their dreams. I learn something from my students everyday. I also enjoy coming to work with some of the best teachers/co-workers I have ever had. It really is the people you work with that make the job. My family and I honestly stumbled upon ADM, and it was almost like it was "all suppose to work out." I love the community atmosphere this school has. I honestly cannot see myself ever leaving this school district; it is my home.

3. Books: I have always loved reading. Books allow me to travel to foreign places and be someone I'm not. I think "Where the Red Fern Grows" and the "Little House on the Prairie" books were some of the first books I loved. There is nothing better than sitting with friends talking about a book. I have a passion for getting others to want to read as much as I do. I am that mom that buys my daughters books all the time. Even though I don't get to read as much as I would like to, I try to squeeze in time throughout the day as often as I can. I told some students the other day that I would love to one day be a young adult librarian that gets to help teens find books that will get them "hooked". There is no greater accomplishment than seeing a student fall in love with reading...just like I did all those years ago. If you need a book recommendation, let me know.

NaNoWriMo Time

When I student taught, my creative writing students took part in NaNoWriMo and I remember thinking that it was a great opportunity for teenagers to write....and write A Lot! But it's not just about writing, it's about what you can learn through writing a longer piece of writing.

This year, my NaNoWriMo novel is about an older woman who has just lost her husband. Through his death, she realizes that she doesn't know who SHE is without him. So she sells her house and goes on a 6 month trip around The United States. During this trip, she corresponds with her daughter through letters and you see their relationship change and grow. When a secret from the past comes out, will it ruin their relationship all over again? Will Rose figure out who she is now that she's on her own?

There goes my Life.

It's difficult for me to chose just 5 songs that have meaning to me. There are so many songs that bring back powerful ways of emotions/memories. If I had to chose, here would be my top 5 (as of today):


1. There Goes My Life by Kenny Chesney (see below)

2. On Eagle's Wings (my Grandpa's funeral)

3. Amazed by Lonestar (My husband and I's first dance)

4. Baby got Back by Sir Mix a Lot (crazy girl nights out during high school)

5. Good Riddance (Time of your Life) by Green Day (The Song I live by/ will be played at my funeral)





I wrote this during a free write a few years ago:

There goes my life-- 

When I saw that beautiful dark haired, blue eyed baby looking up at me, so many emotions and thoughts ran through my head. What had we been thinking--how are a couple of kids going to raise this baby? How am I going to go to college with a six week old over 100 miles away from any support or family? Maybe our plans were a little naive---Is my life over??

There goes my life
There goes my everything..
Might as well kiss it goodbye
There goes my life


Six years later, she is my life. Between soccer practice, church school, and countless hours practicing to tie her shoes and read, she has become what I look forward to seeing everyday--I see me in her.

Dear Five year old Self...

Dear Five year old Self,

I sit here and write this letter to you over 20 years down the road. I'm sure you can't believe you'll ever be that old, but I promise you will be and you'll be happy. Here's a few pieces of advice that I hope you'll think about as you go through school:

1. Be a friend to everyone. Too often you are going to be put in positions where you can either be a leader or a follower. Be the leader you know you should be. When the other kids tease the girl in the class who can't afford new clothes, stand up for her. In junior high, a girl you used to be friends with will be teased...a lot.You just stood by and watched her...and now she struggles with eating disorders and a lot of other issues. Be the friend she needs you to be. In about 13 years, you are going to need the same empathy/support that so many others deserved and didn't get.

2. Love your freckles. They may be cute when you're five, but I promise there will be a time that you will wish they were all gone. There will be a time when you are teased about them. Instead of becoming very insecure about them/yourself, love yourself for you who are. P.S. Your beautiful daughters only inherit a few of them.

3. Make sports/extra curricular activities your focus. You already know that you love school and do well academically. You will, at some point, grow out of your awkwardness and be really good at sports. Make sure you never put yourself in a postion where you aren't allowed to participate in sports. Your friends will understand. You will miss sports after school, so take every opportunity to play them and work hard in high school.

4. Be open with your parents. This may be a real shocker to you, but Dad will be one of your biggest fans/supporters when you are older. You may not ever see this during school, but know he probably has always been your biggest fan, but just didn't make the time to show you. The sooner you learn this and figure out how to be open with him, the better. When he makes harsh judgements without thinking them through, realize he has your best interest in mind. (You will not believe how amazing of a 'Papa' he is to your kids).


I could continue to give you ways to make your life better, but it really does turn out okay in the end. I'm not saying it was easy. You have some difficult years ahead of you. Just a few changes could easily make the end that much better. Good luck 5 year old self.

Love.
Jacque

P.S. Give Grandpa a big hug every time you see him. You'll miss those big bear hugs and yes, even the smell of his cigars.

1000 Words: The Warrior Dash!

July 14th may just be another hot, summer day to most of you, but it has a pretty special meaning in my house. July 14th is my husband and I's anniversary. This year, we marked 5 years of marriage. Although 5 years isn't necessarily a long time, it is a still a milestone to me.

It also happened to fall on the date of the Warrior Dash in Earlham. For those of you who don't know about the Warrior Dash, it is a 5k that has obstacles such as mud pits, rope walls, etc. See the link here for more information: The Warrior Dash.


I am more of a runner than my husband, but he agreed to run this with me since it was on our anniversary. He also agreed to wear costumes---he's such a good sport.


When I look at this picture, I think of how hot it was that day: close to 100 degrees heat index and we ran at 11:00 AM. I see my husband struggling through the course since he "didn't need to train for 3 miles." I see myself enjoying throwing mud in my husband's face a little too much.

But I also see the man who stayed with me the entire run to help me over the rope wall that I was the most concerned with. And I feel like that tells you a lot about our relationship: we stick together no matter what. Through good times and bad times. Through thick and thin. Through....well, excessive heat and mud pits. He is my best friend and I cannot wait to spend another 5 years (plus more) with him.

FALLing in Love!

Growing up, Summer was always my favorite time of year: swimming, no responsibilities, and especially NO SCHOOL! Don't get me wrong, as a teacher, I still love the no school part. But it has been so hot this summer that I couldn't wait to fall. I started to realize what I loved the most about fall:

1. Football!
I love watching football. From the Iowa Hawkeyes to the ADM tigers, I can spend most of my weekends watching it. I thoroughly enjoy attending football games. Although I'm not on the field, I get pretty intense and start yelling things like I think the players can hear me. "The Boys of Fall" gets me pumped for football every time. We are heading to the Hawkeye/UNI game this weekend. Let's hope for a better performance this week!

2. Pumpkin farms/Orchards

I love taking my family to the pumpkin farm in the fall. We usually head down to a place by Truro that has tons of activities for the kids and a huge pumpkin farm. We each get to pick out our pumpkin that we get to carve. I'm pretty picky about my pumpkins--I could spend hours looking for just the perfect one! These trips are usually on beautiful days where I get tons of pictures of my family just having fun being together.

3. Harvest

Growing up as a farm girl, I hated harvest time. I could go days without seeing my dad and we always had to be on call to run my dad to other farms, take him supper, etc. Now, I love getting to go back to my hometown and take my kids to ride with my dad in the combine. They are growing up as city kids and don't get to experience the country life like I got to. So I take every opportunity I get to make them a little "more country."

After writing about my favorite parts of fall, it makes me more anxious for them! I'm hoping this fall is perfect is every way!

Post-Spring Break

So Spring Break has come and gone...and what are teachers left with? 80 degree temperatures, tanned students, and no motivation from anyone!

As a teacher, I usually prepare myself for students not wanting to come back from Spring Break....and along with that, not wanting to do any homework. Teachers try many different techniques to keep their students engaged and focused for the last six weeks.

But with gorgeous weather like this, how can anyone stay focused? For me, the way I look at it is this: the more I stay focused during the day, the less work I have after school. So I can go enjoy a walk or a nice run at night instead of grading papers.

I know the countdown is on, but it's not just for the seniors. It's for every single person counting down the days until school is out. I only hope I can keep MOST of them focused for that long. :-)

Spring Break Anticipation

Spring Break is 6 full school days and 2 half days away, but who's counting? I know who's counting: all of my students who have stopped turning in homework and completing their work on time. As another person ready for a break, I understand the urge to not want to do anything. I wish I could make time go faster as well. But as a teacher, it is difficult to remain calm watching all of these students start to care less and less about schoolwork. Not doing your homework is not going to make that time go faster. It is only going to be more painful in the end.

I enjoyed Spring Break just as much as any of the students. I get to a point in the school year when I would like a break from work. Instead of going to a warm, tropical place like some of my students, I am heading to Wheaton, Minnesota. Currently, they have over a foot of snow on the ground. It is never nicer up there than it is here, but I don't go there for the weather. I go to see my 87 year old Grandma. She is one of the nicest ladies I know (it's a tie between both of my Grandmas). She just recently lost her "companion" to cancer and I know she is a little lonely. Lexi and my Grandma have a very special bond; they share a birthday--80 years apart. So I love seeing them talk to each other.

I know my Spring Breaks with my Grandma are limited. So I will forgo a nice, warm spring break if it means that I get to spend a little more time with her.

Large Group Speech-State Edition.

While my blog is primarily going to focus around my classroom and my observations, today my mind is completely focused on my extra-curricular speech team. We are heading to State contest tomorrow and I always get very nervous the day before a competition.
First of all, there is the big snow storm heading our way. As a teacher or sponsor of an event, nothing is more nerve-wracking than knowing you will be on a bus with 24+ students during possible hazard driving conditions. I always wondered if I should have become certified to drive a bus so that I could take my own students to competition. But for tomorrow, I am grateful that I don't. I don't want to be responsible for driving the bus. I get nervous driving my SUV...think of how nervous I would be driving a oversized bus.

Secondly, I am just nervous for my groups to compete. Since districts two weeks ago, it has been pretty hectic in the fine art departments. From the spring play rehearsals starting to honor choir/band, some of my teams have not had a single practice with everyone there. That is pretty scary; the competition always gets that much better for state. So the goal is that we do, too.

I know they will do fine tomorrow and I will be proud, but I just can't shake that feeling in  my stomach. The "what if" feeling. As a coach, you want them to do their best. But in the end, you put all control into their hands and you have to stand on the sidelines and hope that you have spent enough time working on every section.

So good luck State Speech Performers! I hope you can go in there and leave them amazed just like I know you can.

First Speech- Personal Experiences!

Well, my speech class just gave and survived the first speech of the semester: the personal experience. I think this is the speech that a lot of students struggle with. First of all, they don't feel that they have done anything "important" enough for a speech. They spend days trying to think of a topic and lose out on a lot of work time.
Second, it is always difficult to figure out all of the parts of the speech and how to be present them to a new audience that you feel is judging you and your story. Some students feel like the need to be humorous and some feel the need to tell a very deep, personal story.
But in the end, either type of story works fine. This speech is more of a chance for students to 'get their feet wet' in the speaking field. Some get so nervous that they start shaking and knocking their knees together. '
As a teacher, I think most students think that I can't relate to their issues because I love to speak in front of audiences....duh, I'm the speech teacher! But in reality, I still get nervous when I am asked to speak in front of a group. A few years ago during a pep rally, I got handed a microphone without know I was going to have to speak. I was tongue-tied, and fumbled through my thoughts. Afterwards, I told myself, "hmm, so this is what my students feel like?"

Since then, I've always tried to take at least one step back and remember that lesson I was taught that day. So my question is...does stage fright ever go away? Do you remember a time when you were embarrassed as a speaker?

Tomorrow is a fresh start!

As 1st semester was quickly ending, other teachers began to notice that I was frantically trying to cram all of the things I feel I need to teach to my Speech kids in. Teaching a semester long class is challenging; 1st semester always ends up being a little shorter than 2nd semester and one can easily feel rushed. As I was explaining this to another teacher (who teaches year-long courses), she reminded me of some of the positives of teaching semester classes. The biggest one: you get new students. Although it does feel like I just got to know my 1st semester kids and now they're gone, getting news students brings back the beginning of the school year feeling. Students are nervous about the new class and (somewhat) quiet. It will be interested to see how this semester goes in all of my classes!

Along with the new start of the semester is the start of a new year. New years always bring in new resolutions of how we are going to live healthier and be better people. I am guilty of making too many resolutions making it hard to keep them all going. So I decided to keep my vague in hopes of keeping these for the next 364 days!
1. Make at least one healthy choice a day (whether its eating an apple instead of a candy bar or working out for at least 30 minutes)
2. Stay positive in all aspects of my life.

Here's to new beginnings...both in the new year and in the new semester of classes!