"GIVE A GIRL THE RIGHT SHOES AND SHE CAN CONQUER THE WORLD." Marilyn Monroe

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

A touching little story...with shoes, too!

A good friend just sent me an email which included this little story.  I think it sort of ties into our "walking in the word" theme this year so I would like to share it with you girls.  The best I can find is "Author Unknown," so I can't credit anyone in particular for writing this:
An eye witness account from New York City , on a cold day in December, some years ago: A little boy,
about 10-years-old, was standing before a shoe store on the roadway, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering with cold.
A lady approached the young boy and said,
"My, but you're in such deep thought staring in that window!"
"I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes," was the boy's reply.
The lady took him by the hand, went into the store, and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks
for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her.
She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed
his little feet, and dried them with the towel.
By this time, the clerk had returned with the socks.. Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, she purchased him
a pair of shoes..
She tied up the remaining pairs of socks and gave them to him.. She patted him on the head and said, "No
doubt, you will be more comfortable now."
As she turned to go, the astonished kid caught her by the hand, and looking up into her face, with tears
in his eyes, asked her,
"Are you God's wife?"

So my hope is that all of you, our Rivier girls, are becoming just like the woman in this story.  See how shoes are important in so many ways ? :)

Monday, October 25, 2010

Girl Power!

In light of some of the issues we've discussed in book club lately, and from what I've been hearing about Amnesty's discussions also, I thought this video might be of interest to some of you. Any of you who have read I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced or Sold will understand the reality of these girls' lives.

I'm also cataloguing a new book - Book Club girls already know about it - which discusses several different women's issues around the globe. Here's the cover:
Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide (Vintage)If you can't read the subtitle, it's "Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide."   Let me know if you're interested in it.  Definitely more of a senior-level read, though.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Mamma Mia!

Okay, I am really going to miss coming along with all of you on the Mamma Mia road trip, but it IS Charlie's birthday and I just don't think it's right for a kid to come home to an empty house on his birthday. (Sigh.) So I've been sitting here watching a few old Abba videos and just had to post the original Mamma Mia song vid. Nothing says "I'm a super-hot pop star" like capri length white bib overalls, don't you think? I do like his shoes though.

It's going to be an Abba week in the library girls!

Friday, October 22, 2010

OHMMM....

Good Morning Girls!
For those of you poor souls who get stuck in study with me day after day,  you know we have been talking quite a bit lately about how to combat that horrible feeling of being overwhelmed by schoolwork, activities, jobs, and all of the other demands in life.  My good friend emailed me a link to a Zen blog a long time ago, and I thought that one of his posts might have a few pertinent tips for young women too.   I know some of you are also struggling with discerning what path to take after Grade 12 is over - think of his advice in that light also.  His post is called Zen Habits: 52 tips for happiness and productivity.
Just a little something to think about.  Have fun at the pep rally and rock those glow sticks!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Something kind of fun!

Well, maybe only if you're a librarian...
There's this site where you can browse through old catalogues, which I find kind of fun and interesting - but then I am kind of old, and also a librarian. Anyway, take a look at the Canadian Museum of Civilization display "Before e-commerce" to have a look at some old Eaton's catalogues and the like.  I also thought this might be useful when you do some of your assignments - I'm not sure which ones, but we will use this website at some point - I can feel it!
On to books - The Bard Academy Series is rocking my world!  Thanks to H.T. from Senior Book Club for letting me totally steal her summer reading list and order her picks for the library.   So this series is set at a boarding school (da da DAH) for bad kids (uh oh) and the teachers are a little strange - but you have to read the books to find out why.  Not one, but two pretty hunky guys, plus the required nerdy friend and crazy roommate - add a spooky twist and these books have it all!  Then there's also a little tweak that's going to have you wanting to read or re-read the classics.  Perfection.
Wuthering High: A Bard Academy NovelMoby Clique (Bard Academy)The Scarlet Letterman (Bard Academy)

Monday, October 18, 2010

Lies is not the last book!!!

Well, I am sooo disappointed. Now I know how Tristen feels because I am apparently tied into a series that may or may not go on into infinity. I absolutely MUST know what happens to the characters in the Gone series but it is not a trilogy: it is a series of who knows how many books. (I suppose I should do a little research and find out.) I still highly recommend these books - all of you are much younger than me - you have more time to stick it out with these characters.
For those of you wondering exactly what's so exciting about these books, take a look at this trailer from HarperTeen Books:

Friday, October 15, 2010

Librarians Can Rock! Sort of...

Hi Girls! So I'm just enjoying my day off, surfing the net and what do I stumble across but a group of librarians who have adapted "Poker Face" to incorporate their library information. Now I, of course, would have jazzed up the wardrobe a little, but still very cool. Way to go University of Washington librarians!

I am reading the last book in the Gone series and as I told some of you yesterday OMG!!! I cannot believe what is transpiring in this book! But then the title is Lies, so can I believe what I am reading? I just don't know! I don't think I'm going to get anything accomplished today until I just sit down and finish the darn thing. All of you have a great weekend.
P.S. Check Mr. C's blog for an announcement about his new homework help group.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

We're living on the edge!

I am just so intrigued by the whole idea of banned and challenged books so I'm going to continue with the same theme today.  I've been on the American Library Association website and I am very surprised at some of the titles which have been challenged in various schools and libraries throughout the United States.  This means that for some reason or another, somebody has attempted to have that book removed from the library shelves.  I'm posting a link to the website, and if you scroll to the bottom of the page you can snoop by year to see which books were on the hotlist.  Just a few that surprised me (and that we have been reading) are Unwind, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, The Kiterunner,  Kaffir Boy, My Sister's Keeper  - I could go on and on.  Many of these are highly acclaimed books.  You'll have to take a look and see why the people were opposed to their presence in the schools/libraries.  Interesting issues to think about!  See you tomorrow.  Junior Bookclub at 12:00.  Maybe 12:02 - depends on what's in my lunch :)

American Library Association Banned Books Week

Sunday, October 3, 2010

How do YOU feel about banned books?

Author Ellen Hopkins has written a powerful statement for banned books week (she has a new book for those of you who enjoy her writing. The title is Fallout.) As we have discussed at book club and over the counter, the language in her books is realistic, but a bit too much for the Rivier Library, so as much as I like her writing you'll have to continue to get her books from the Cuelenaere Library. However, I do think she makes a valuable contribution to YA literature.
Here she is speaking out against the banning of books:

Go Guardians!

I had the great pleasure of watching our senior girls play volleyball yesterday and wow,  just wow!  Not only did they win the gold at this weekend's tournament, but they got me thinking about a few things.  As you may have noticed, I tend to think too much.  As I watched the games, I noticed how supportive our girls were of one another; how they gathered together constantly for little pep talks during play to encourage one another.  It wasn't about talking strategy - it was about lifting their teammates up after a minor error or if they'd lost a point.  It truly showed the difference between being on a team and BEING a team.  Way to go girls.  You make us really proud to say, "Yeah, I know those girls.  That's my team."

Whether or not you win those games you are representing Rivier SO well and I just want to say a big thank  you!  Now let's all try to get out and cheer them on!
Found a shirt as crazy as the ones you made!