Teenager's crucifix banned from school

Teenager's crucifix banned from school: "Teenager's crucifix banned from school
Sunday Aug 20 05:55 AEST
A Christian teenager has been banned from wearing a crucifix by her school.
Jamie Derman, 17, told News Ltd newspapers she was stunned when told to remove her crucifix or she could be suspended.
A Sunbury Downs Secondary College student, Ms Derman's cross is outlawed as part of the multicultural college's new rules on jewellery and dress.
But churches has criticised the ban, saying it discouraged students' religious aspirations.



Ms Derman said she felt discriminated against.
'I am angry, confused and upset,' she said.
'I honestly believe I should be allowed to acknowledge (my Christianity). Being told to take it off hurts. It cuts really deep.'
The cross had sentimental value because her baptism gifts were missing, Ms Derman said.
'I can't understand why it is not all right for me to wear a cross,' she said.
'I honestly felt like crying.' Her father, Gordon, said the ban was the equivalent of ordering a female Muslim student to take off a religious head dress.
'Nobody should take offence to anybody wearing a religious sign,' Mr Derman said. 'She has a right to wear it. I believe it is discriminatory. If we had a Muslim girl come wearing a headscarf, nobody would say `boo' about it.'
A reasonable demonstration of one's faith was something Australians should rejoice in, said Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne auxiliary bishop Christopher Prouse. 'People's religious aspirations need to be respected,' Bishop Prouse said.
Sunbury Downs principal Brett Moore said teachers had enforced the new dress code. 'It is not my decision, it is the policy,' he said. 'Necklaces should not be visible.'"

This just amazes me. Aren't we in a democratic country? How is it that these teachers can just make these decisions? Now if it was about any necklace for safety that is one thing but because it is a religious symbol, now that is just not on! Does it mean that Muslim girls are not allowed to wear their scarf, or somoan boys under 12 must have their hair cut? What is going on in this school? No wonder the girl is confused... I certainly am!

Let's Run in the Rain

She had been shopping with her Mom in Wal-Mart. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence.

It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout.

We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Wal-Mart.We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world.

Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child come pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.Her voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in. "Mom, let's run through the rain," she said. "What?" Mom asked. "Let's run through the rain!" She repeated."No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit,"Mom replied.

This young child waited about another minute and repeated:"Mom, let's run through the rain."
"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.
"No, we won't, Mom.
That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.
"This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?"
"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!"

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes.Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.

Then off they ran.We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing. Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. 

Five for Fighting - new album

I just listened to their new song, The Riddle... what can I say but AWESOME!!! I am looking forward for the album to be released!!! I love their sound. I loved their song 100 years from their last album. This song is just a wonderful.
www.fiveforfighting.com

You have to listen to this song. Go to the website and hear it there.
Here are the words to the song:

"The Riddle"

There was a man back in '95
Whose heart ran out of summers But before he died,
I asked him Wait, what's the sense in life
Come over me, Come over me
He said, Son why you got to sing that tune
Catch a Dylan song or some eclipse of the moon
Let an angel swing and make you swoon
Then you will see... You will see
Then he said, Here's a riddle for you
Find the Answer
There's a reason for the world You and I...
Picked up my kid from school today
Did you learn anything cause in the world today
You can't live in a castle far away
Now talk to me, come talk to me
He said, Dad I'm big but we're smaller than small In the scheme of things, well we're nothing at all
Still every mother's child sings a lonely song
So play with me, come play with me
And Hey Dad Here's a riddle for you
Find the Answer
There's a reason for the world
You and I... I said, Son for all I've told you
When you get right down to the
Reason for the world... Who am I?
There are secrets that we still have left to find
There have been mysteries from the beginning of time
There are answers we're not wise enough to see
He said... You looking for a clue I Love You free...
The batter swings and the summer flies
As I look into my angel's eyes
A song plays on while the moon is hiding over me
Something comes over me I guess we're big and I guess we're small
If you think about it man you know we got it all
Cause we're all we got on this bouncing ball
And I love you free
I love you freely
Here's a riddle for you Find the Answer
There's a reason for the world You and I...

[Thanks to Lauren (mangotango2025@yahoo.com) for these lyrics]
[ http://www.azlyrics.com/ ]

2 Great sites!

This site is Memory Creators. Awesome LOs and sketches and ideas. A must to see.
http://www.memorycreators.com/

The other site is... Splitcoast Stampers

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/

I wish I could put more than one picture into a blog!!! 

End of Week 2 (uni time)

Wow... the end of week 2! Uni goes so fast! I am so tired this week! So tired that I feel sick! I worked Wednesday and this morning at the school (as a teacher aide). I am working with Indigenous kids, supporting them in the classroom. Im not sure how long it will go for.

Uni is intensifying! We have a lot of group work this semester. Thankfully, I am either doing them with Janet or Megan or both.
Today we had science so I had to finish work 12 and drive over. I got there at 12.15pm. I made great time! Megan and I started our lab work, which was to measure circumference and diameter of various tubes and graph them. We found that the gradient gave us pie, no not strawberry pie!!! Its 3.14, actually mine was 3.2 but that was pretty close. Yesterday we had the same teacher, Lisa Slender for Sose. We had a 3 hour tute with her. She makes it tolerable and almost fun! LOL

Ok well now Im off to lay down and just veg!

BYE ;-) 

Making Memories foam stamps Layout.

Love this layout too!
http://gallery.lifetimemoments.com/showphoto.php?photo=117319&cat=8794&limit=recent 

Love Pink! A LO to case.

I cant remember where I found this LO but I love it. I love the layering but love that photo!