Let the Madman Out

Dear World:

I'm eating up knowledge at school as proportionately as it is eating me (or slightly under) and with the lack of effort Summer entailed, each day my brain has been toying with whether I can take another bite. There's a lot of thoughts swirling in my concocted dust storm of synapses (almost like a famous Arizona "haboob" storm-- those from Arizona will understand, those foreign to such an event will simply ponder on why I chose such a word to include in this paragraph. It's a real thing, google it.)

Anyway, I was in Writing about Arts and Humanities class today. Please note that I'm neither an artist nor a human, but I've found the course to be strikingly well-fitting for my personal likings and such 'n such. (The same has occurred for Physical Science. What is the meaning of this?!?) After class I had this drive to destroy all the other students at the "Brimhall Memorial Essay Contest."

First of all, I don't enjoying destroying people.
Second, ...... ESSAY Contest.

Not even a pie eating contest. Nothing to do with food. Just the written historical word. Yeah, weird.

So I was reading my required book for the class (which has been the most down-to-earth-entertaining piece of required reading, both insightful and realistic to what's actually happening in people's brains) and I came across a quote that has since made the idea of the written word very personable-- even if the topic is assigned.

John R. Trimble, in his 'Writing with Style' book (quite an original name, by the way), quotes his colleague Professor Betty Sue Flowers:

"You have to let the madman out. The madman has got to be allowed to go wild. Then you can let the architect in and design the structure. After that, you can have the engineer come in and put it together. And then you let the janitor in and clean it up. The problem is, most people let the janitor in before they let the madman out."

Just something to ponder as anyone jumps in to a new semester dreading how your papers will ever happen. Let your mind run freely and rapidly. THEN edit. Then you'll really know how you feel about the subject in question.

But the same goes for any idea you may have, it would be absurd to say this only applies to writing papers.

To the entrepreneur, the artist, the intellectual, the dreamer-- Let the Madman Out.

Best wishes in all your efforts, and with much love,
Monica

Not Home-Economics.

Dear World:

In the last few weeks I've had to try to describe my major to everyone I've met. I would like to clarify what exactly it is I'm studying using this article from KSL from today! Enjoy. Now you know.

Love,
Monica

SALT LAKE CITY — School is starting today for a lot of kids in Salt Lake County. But some students who signed up for what they thought was an easy class may be in for a rude awakening. Officials say teaching what used to be known as "home ec" isn't as easy as it looks.

Technically, it's not "home economics" anymore. It's officially called "Family and Consumer Sciences," and to qualify as an instructor in this field, people need to go through some intense schooling. They need a composite degree, which means one minor isn't enough.

Family and Consumer Sciences Education Specialist Pearl Hart said, "They have to have a minor in family, marriage and human development, along with early child education. They have to have food science and nutrition courses that require inorganic and organic chemistry."

Some of the other minors include personal and family finances, interior design and textiles. Hart says the textiles and food sciences minors require that people take organic and inorganic chemistry classes.

They have to have a minor in family, marriage and human development, along with early child education. They have to have food science and nutrition courses that require inorganic and organic chemistry.

–Pearl Hart

"That, right there, is the ‘weeder' course," she said. "A lot of people drop out of the major because the chemistry is difficult."

As for what's being taught in the classroom, Hart says it's not exactly like what is was back in the ‘80s or ‘90s. She says it's not uncommon to see beakers and test tubes during food sciences class, not just casserole dishes and Bundt cake pans.

"That's the big difference between [these courses] and what we probably knew in the older Home Economics courses, where they were classified as just teaching our students to prepare for home," she said.

These days, high school students in Family and Consumer Sciences can get one of two workforce certifications by going through the right set of classes. On the family and human development side of the program, high school kids can get an Early Child Development Associates Degree. On the culinary side, they can get a ProStart certification that is recognized by the National Restaurant Association.

"They can go right into the workforce and use those. You can't work for Head Start without a CDA," she said.

Even though the training to become a teacher in this field can be intense, and a lot of people do drop out, Hart says there are still some positive signs for the program. She says Utah leads the nation in the number of college students who are majoring in teaching these classes.

Real Life Super Heroes

Dear World:

I have always loved Marvel superhero movies. (Or just superpower movies in general.)

Captain Hammer and sidekick Peachtree

So I got to thinking, you know what? I know some pretty amazing people that are real life super heroes. For example: firefighters, military men, fathers, and missionaries.

Wait, missionaries?

Yeah. Some of those guys do some crazy stuff. My friend Brenton is in Brazil and tackled a Boa. No big deal. Cole was at gun-point the other day.

Dang. These kids are brave little suckers.

So what made me think this was a letter I got from an undercover superhero in Armenia. I finally figured it out! He's a real life superhero. I'm convinced. I've put together pieces and hints from letters and I knew it was all a cover. He's got super powers, and of course, enemies.

"I feel like I'm always putting out fires" as well as "I'd lay down my life for these people" were real clues, but it wasn't until he fell in a manhole that I knew there were people out to capture him.

Anyway, don't forget to express your gratitude to the real life superheroes in your life. The tights might be missing, but the bravery and selflessness is always there.

Here's to my superhero-- Captain Hammer.
(super) NAILED IT.

Love,
Monica