Amanda’s Random Rantings

I return home from work to find that my husband has distributed every last piece of the three pounds of candy we had bought. (Well, except for two measly Smarties’ rolls, which I immediately claimed and devoured.) He didn’t save even a single bite-sized chocolate bar for his candy-ravenous wife. Apparently, he’s a softie for 4-year-olds in head-to-toe Elmo outfits and gave out candy by the handful. Sucker.He did, however, prepare homemade candy…

… So I suppose I can forgive him.

In a heavy pan, stir together sugar, corn syrup, water and salt. Using a candy thermometer, cook and stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves, carefully, so that you don’t splash this on the sides of the pan.

Once sugar has dissolved, don’t stir it any more, just keep cooking until the candy thermometer shows 260 F. Take off heat immediately.

I’m been researching articles and websites for some chapters I’m writing on videoconferencing. I found tons of candy: “My students really enjoyed it”, “They liked seeing the elephants”, and “My students learned a lot about videoconferencing.”

That’s right, folks, you read it correctly:  my parents are coming for a visit.  This is the first visit since the new baby.  Tomorrow.

In many African countries school fees is still paid by parents. In some countries, governments have introduced programmes like Ghana has done to relieve parents from the burden.

This has not gone down well in some countries because some parents when relieved this way, use their income on extravagant lifestyles instead of saving for important purposes like establishing businesses that will give them extra income that their children can use whenever there is need.

Oh yeah, that’s what I’m talkin’ about. LOL Our parents never did *anything* half that cool for either of us growing up. We never even got the non-commital coat of paint. LOL We’ve got a THEME ROOM goin’ on in our house.  And yes, our three girls share this room. Our boy has a room all to himself. We can’t wait to do his room. We’re thinking either Buzz Lightyear or Superman. That will be awesome.

A lack of privacy at the meets is also a cause for complaint amongst parents. Teachers on their part have their grievances too. ‘Parents are quick to blame the school and teachers if the child fares badly,’ says Renu Das, who teaches children of grade IV in a reputed school. Teachers also feel that parents are ignorant about the teaching process and classroom realities.