This Week's Quote

To all of my wonderful friends...

Do you want an A or do you want to learn?

One of the most frustrating things I deal with as a teacher, is the fact that most students care more about getting an A than they do about coming away from my class having learned something. In college, I really started to notice the sense of entitlement most people have when it comes to grades. It doesn't matter that you turned in a shitty paper, you deserve an A because you are you, and you're fabulous. That's the way it usually goes, right? All the while, there are hard-working students in the background, who despite their earnest efforts, accept their 86 or 87 because they know that they are capable of doing better and that there is almost always room for improvement.

I have taught Spanish 4 in the past, but this year I am teaching Spanish 4 AP for the first time, which brings a different type of student. At the beginning of this school year, I had my students write their first formal essay of the year. I had a girl turn in an essay that was average at best. It was filled with false cognates, interferences from English, and novice mistakes. She earned a 78, which in my opinion was fair, if not generous. Well, she flipped out and (referring to her average in the class) said: "I don't make B's. If I had known this would be my grade, I would have had a native speaker correct my paper for me. I don't make B's!" To which I replied: "I understand what it is like to have high standards for yourself, but you have to understand, and someday you will, that a B is not the end of the world. Also, I am grading your paper based on your abilities, not on those of your native speaker friend."

This certainly was not the only time I've had a student react that way about their grade. They've also asked why I GAVE them a certain grade on many occasions. My standard reply to that is usually: "I'm not Santa Claus. I didn't give you anything. You earned it, my friend!" I think you probably understand what I truly mean when I say "my friend". Half the time the parents are just as bad, if not worse. It seems that too many people subscribe to the Cher Horowitz philosophy that everything is negotiable, including grades. Cher was truly Clueless and so is anyone who feels that this sends a good message to their child.

Here's something to think about. At the end of the day, who will come away a better and more knowledgeable person, the student who finds every loophole possible to make an A without really caring about what he is being taught or the student who truly puts forth his best efforts and becomes a lifelong learner, even with a B? Will it matter if you got an A in Spanish class if you are unable to carry a conversation in Spanish?

More from the Sex & the City Movie: The York-Goldenblatt Family

I've been trying to resist the urge to post pictures from the Sex and the City movie because I can't help but feel that I am ruining the surprise for myself and for everyone else. However, I couldn't resist posting these! There are just so many of my favorite things in one picture: Charlotte and Harry, Manhattan, a gorgeous couture dress, beautiful flowers, and a lovely door. Surely the adorable little girl must be the baby that Charlotte and Harry adopted from China at the end of the series. I also see Anthony Marantino and Stanford Blatch in the second picture. May 30th won't come soon enough!

Molly Sims' Beautiful SoHo Apartment

The current issue of InStyle Home features Molly Sims' gorgeous apartment in New York's SoHo neighborhood. The apartment is dressed in a beautiful palette of grey and lavender. It features a fabulous balance of old glamour with a modern edge. Many of her unique pieces are from Parisian flea markets and antique shops resulting in a truly girly and romantic space. I tried to find more pictures online, but came up empty handed. Let me know if you are able to find more. Otherwise, check out the Fall/Winter issue of InStyle Home to see the rest of Molly's beautiful apartment.

I Have Issues...

Too many issues of magazines that is! I took this picture of our coffee table (rest assured, I keep them in tidy stacks) on Saturday morning and I've added two more to the mix since then. I probably subscribe to more magazines than most people, but I can't help it. I'm addicted! I currently subscribe to Instyle, Vogue, Allure, Lucky, UsWeekly, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, House & Garden, Marie Claire, Town & Country, Domino, and Blueprint. I also purchase a few others at the store every now and then. My husband thinks I'm nuts to which I say "It's my thing. Let it go."

Ugly Betty is Ridiculous

No, I don't mean Betty herself, though I'm sure that must have been your initial thought. I think she is absolutely adorable and I am indeed a fan of the show. The thing I find ridiculous is the fact that it is produced by Salma Hayek, who is Mexican, yet Betty and her family who are supposed to be Mexican are all played by actors who aren't Mexican. It is so obvious that some of them are Puerto Rican. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but come on Salma! She also depicts Mexico as some dusty, third world country. Anyone who has been there knows better. Perhaps it's meant to add to the campiness of the show, but it is annoying nonetheless.

Think Pink

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Several bloggers have made "pink posts" in order to raise awareness. For more information please visit The Susan G. Komen Foundation.