Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope this week has been good to you. I am thrilled to tell you that my cruise novel, Love, Caribbean Style was published on Amazon this week. I have worked so hard to get that story out for people who enjoy cruising for their vacations. Today was the first day of school for upcoming sixth-graders, and it was a blast. It’s hard to believe we are heading to the second week of August already.
Quote of the week: “Intelligence plus character—that is the true goal of education.” –Martin Luther King, Jr.
Movies of the week: This week, I was caught between a quasi-science fiction/fantasy and a drama, so I’ll tell you about them both. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, believe it or not, falls into the “going back to school” category. Harry, an 11-year-old boy who is neglected by his aunt and uncle, becomes aware of a whole new world once he arrives at Hogwarts. I always enjoy watching this movie. It reminds me of Christmas just as much as a back-to-school movie. Now, for the drama…Dead Poet’s Society. This is one of the first Robin Williams movies I ever watched where he had a more serious role. He is a professor at a prestigious college who maintain extremely strict standards. He constantly encourages his students to push the boundaries—not to live “normal, boring lives,” but to carpe diem, or seize the day. When a student goes against the wishes of his parents by pursuing the acting dream he held dear, things fall apart for Mr. Keating (played by Williams), and the students are caught in the middle of a mess. I won’t spoil the ending if you haven’t seen it. Both movies are fantastic for different reasons.
Joke of the week: Why would the music teacher need a ladder? To reach the high notes.
Nugget of Wisdom for the week: I wanted to take a moment and wish you good luck for this next school year. Whether you are going back to high school or moving on to college, it can be overwhelming, especially if you fear new things. The next few weeks will be a great time to reconnect with your friends who were not easy to communicate with during the summer. It is also a wonderful time to meet new people. I promise you that many people are just as anxious about the new year as you are. One way to make things a bit easier is to meet and make one new person welcome. It will surprise you how something as simple as a friendly introduction can make a new student feel comfortable and seen. Be sure to smile…you have a killer smile, and it needs to be flashed as often as possible. You will have a few bumps now and again, but I wish you the very best.
Have a great weekend. Remember, you are most awesome, and YOU ROCK!
Marion Rhines is a foster-turned-adoptive parent. She lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her husband and five children. She has written and published two children’s books as well as two foster-care-themed novels. She has a Facebook blog, Tips from the FLIP Side, and enjoys working with children of all ages.
