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Dirt & Noise

A blog by a left leaning mom of 2 boys

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Dirt and Noise

NC Citizens — Help Remove Punitive Standard 6 From Teacher Evaluations

Ilinap · February 1, 2016 ·

  Nothing gets me testier than testing. As you might know, I served on the North Carolina Statewide Task Force for Summative Assessment. If you’ve ever proctored a high stakes EOG test, you’ll know what a dismal experience it is for students and teachers alike. My own … [Read more...] about NC Citizens — Help Remove Punitive Standard 6 From Teacher Evaluations

Tags: children, education, kids, North Carolina, politics, responsibility, school, testing

Snow Days Spark New Reverence for Teachers

Ilinap · January 28, 2016 ·

We missed a couple days of school here in North Carolina. We had more ice than snow, and regardless how much Northern driving experience you have, there's no way you're getting around safely on a highway that's morphed into a skating rink. And so we hunker down. It's expected … [Read more...] about Snow Days Spark New Reverence for Teachers

Tags: children, education, North Carolina, politics, school

Making A World of Difference, Starting in the Classroom

Ilinap · January 25, 2016 ·

There's been a lot of chatter in the media about helicopter parenting and raising kids with empathy. It seems we have upon us a generation of entitled kids who don't know how to cope or feel or dare I say, behave. Mac Daddy and I have always believed we are raising adults, not … [Read more...] about Making A World of Difference, Starting in the Classroom

Tags: children, community, Deal, education, kids, responsibility, thankful, travel, values, volunteer

A Week of Loss

Ilinap · January 14, 2016 ·

It's been a rough week for muggles and music fans. The planet has become a tish less cool of late, and not due to global warming. The loss of David Bowie and Alan Rickman has us all staring at our screens, mouth agape. Their loss is proof that art of all kinds matters. We … [Read more...] about A Week of Loss

Tags: friendship, loss

Non-Sequitors aka A Minute in My Brain

Ilinap · January 12, 2016 ·

We finally went to the MC Escher exhibit at the NC Museum of Art. It was crazy crowded (yeah for people seeing art!), and I learned a lot about this man whose art transcends the staircase and hand optical illusions he's known for. MC Escher was the first hipster. I mean really, … [Read more...] about Non-Sequitors aka A Minute in My Brain

Time May Change Me

Ilinap · January 11, 2016 ·

Before there were Internet memes and inspirational quotes painted on distressed reclaimed wood, I jotted down favorite quotes in a journal. I have a series of journals from my teen years filled with angst, longing, and a yearning for belonging. The year was 1985. I scribbled … [Read more...] about Time May Change Me

Tags: children, music, pop culture, teen

Jay Chaudhuri – Career Citizen for NC Senate Applauds President’s New Gun Violence Reduction Measures (#AsianMomBloggers)

Ilinap · January 8, 2016 ·

Every year the new year seems to start on a bit of a somber note. The vitriol abounds; the new year isn't necessarily a new slate for many. I see my fair share of trolls and haters based on the content I post. I realize that comes with the territory, and after all these years my … [Read more...] about Jay Chaudhuri – Career Citizen for NC Senate Applauds President’s New Gun Violence Reduction Measures (#AsianMomBloggers)

Tags: #AsianMomBloggers, community, election, gun safety, gun violence, North Carolina, politics, responsibility, values

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Progressive, mom, writer, reader, traveler. Believe in good manners, home cooking, spending $ on experiences, not things, Oxford comma. ENFJ.

There are certain shades of limelight that can wreck a girl's complexion. - Holly Golightly
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