manners are simply overrated.

FALSE.

manners are a sign of respect for others and invites respect for yourself.  

of course, there are times where it is difficult 

to know the most respectful way to address a situation.  

but an effort is always appreciated.

here is one example making an effort.

try to phrase requests in a manner that they are a request.  not a demand.

for example:

INCORRECT:

"You're going to campus right?  You can give me a lift."

this demand will usually be followed by an awkward silence.

CORRECT:

"Amanda, Would you mind giving me a lift to campus?  I would appreciate it greatly."

this request will usually be followed by a simple yes or no, 

cheerfully given, usually coupled with an explanation or an apology if necessary.

*end of rant*

p.s.  i'm not usually a stickler for manners. 

(although i always appreciate and respect *envy?* 

those who have an understanding of the art)

just when dealing with young single men.  

who make me slightly uncomfortable,

 i would appreciate a little more respect.

(which is highly unusual-

according to my husband i am far too comfortable around single young men)

NEXT TIME-I might just EXPLAIN to him that he needs to ASK, rather than DEMAND.

But it won't change the fact that I am uncomfortable and don't want to give him a ride anyway.

What do I do?  Can I say no?  Is that unkind?  I am willing to give rides to my other classmates.... It's not like he's going to do anything to me... 

i'm such a wimp.

dear uber liberal french teacher

dearest lecturer,

first, let's not start on the wrong foot.  so i shall put this forward-i think you are a wonderful person.  i appreciate your ramblings into Mr. Holland's Opus and how it is a case study of education, your endearing french accent, and how you have encouraged all your students to find a christian church like you have to fulfill our need to worship.

however, your socialist ideals are beginning to encroach far too much into your teaching.  i understand that you think education is above the market/business model.  and i know that you think that the invisible hand has failed to regulate the markets.  but i really don't want to hear only one side of the political spectrum-all the time.  i would appreciate an unbiased or at least even opinion of the topic at hand...in this case, today was accountability in educational administration.  a simple list of pros and cons would have done nicely.

i propose the following-

1) please stop bashing on marketisation of schools unless you find a better model than markets to govern the competing interests of stakeholders in the educational system.   you keep saying that education is dealing with the molding of young minds, not simply products of a machine. i agree with you.  however, is business simply working with products?  don't businesses have to work with and develop their employees as well?  aren't those employees...gasp...people?  i don't see how private and public organizations are that different.  both are run by people, just vying for continuation of existence.

2) please learn more about economics before you propose the markets have failed.  the fact that these banks are failing is a sign that the market is working.  it is weeding out those businesses that have made poor investments (and have all this corruption that you are complaining about).  the government is only failing to allow the market to work (yes, i agree with you that the governments should NOT be bailing out these businesses).

that's about it.  i would appreciate a good grade as well.  even if we disagree.  i hope the external examiner will be open-minded.

your sole conservative student,

amanda 

wonderful

i am in love with this blog....
please please please go here for some wonderful inspirational stories of strong LDS women...

men and women

if i had 100 bucks to do anything unpractical with, this is what i would get...

if branden had 100 bucks, this is what he would do...

i love him. so much. if we had 100 bucks to spend on anything unpractical, this is what we would spend it on....

but i guess this can't be all that unpractical. learning is eternal.

and just for the record...in reality, if branden had 100 bucks and could do anything with it, he probably would give it to me. he's is so giving and thoughtful of me... he would do just about anything if it made me happy. *sigh* he's amazing.