*Teaching With Flash Cards*

One of the things I enjoy the most about teaching or tutoring is the use of words and their correlations to pictures. You can break a word up in many different ways. Some things I do to emphasize sounds are underlining letters or drawing smiley faces in double o's. When children have pictures that are friendly or memorable, they are more likely to memorize words and sounds. Children are the most rewarding students. They display their appreciation in many diverse and silly ways. So, if a child has trouble with certain words, break it up, repeat, repeat, and repeat! :)

*Where Can I Shop For A Party?*

Hello everyone! Are you stressed out because you have a party to plan with no preparation? I have an awesome solution for you! Complain no more... Costco is your life savor! Don't have a membership? Get one. It's cheap. They range from $50.00 and up. If you don't have time to cook, buy some frozen hors d'oeurves! They come in bulk packages and are easy and fast to cook. You might think you're spending a fortune, but if you host a huge party, the food portions will definitely fill them up. You can never go wrong with leftovers. In the long run, you have food you can save for weeks. So, don't go to Publix or any other food store, you will spend a fortune for a small portion and most definitely may have to return. Take shopping at your convenience! Good luck!

*Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas*

Oh, the joys of deciding to get your costume last minute. Or maybe, you couldn't afford the pricey deals and wanted to look good on the spooktacular day of the year. It could also be that you were invited to a last minute party and didn't have time to decide on an idea. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I have some great ideas for you! Many of you may think you don't have the ability or the resources to throw a costume together in time, but I'm here to prove you wrong. First, I will start with the ladies. Hello, ladies! I know a lot of you have clothes you don't wear anymore. You hold onto them for sentiment, may have bought them and never wore them, they're out of style, or they were gifts that you wouldn't wear in public, so you save them to not look bad. I have an easy solution. Take those pair of ripped shorts or jeans, ugly blouses, skirts, etc. and put them to the side. You can throw on a corset, a pair of stockings, and some boy shorts. You can call yourself a fashion model, Vegas show girl, etc. If you're not into the sexy look, put on that ugly blouse from aunt Margaret, a pair of ugly pants, and call yourself an old lady. Of course, you'll have to accessorize from then on, but it's easy! If you have some torn shorts, a tank top, and a sexy cowboy hat and boots, you can be a cowgirl. If you want to be a zombie, you can throw anything on. To make up for the fake blood you may not have, use lipstick and powder. If you don't have powder, check your closet for baby powder. It works too! There are plenty of more things you can throw together with a pair of circular earrings (hoops), the right outfit, and hair style to call yourself an 80's girl. I've done it all. I've had a blast. Most important of all, it saves you a lot of cash. Now, let's talk about the gentlemen. I'm sure you have that shirt, sweater, collared shirt, etc. from Aunt Gertrude that you never wear. Throw it on, wear some black pants, tuck it in, put on a belt, slick your hair back, and call yourself a businessman or disaster if you'd like. If you're not into that, find some baby powder, stuck your shirt, and call yourself an old man. Or, you can also be a zombie! Ask mom, your girlfriend, roommate, etc. for red lipstick she doesn't use to splatter blood on your face. Or, if your lucky and nice enough, they may even volunteer to do your makeup! How easy is all of this? I'm sure you can add on to my short list, but I thought I'd be nice enough and offer some ideas. Have a great time at that party and be safe!!! 

*Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas*

Oh, the joys of deciding to get your costume last minute. Or maybe, you couldn't afford the pricey deals and wanted to look good on the spooktacular day of the year. It could also be that you were invited to a last minute party and didn't have time to decide on an idea. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I have some great ideas for you! Many of you may think you don't have the ability or the resources to throw a costume together in time, but I'm here to prove you wrong. First, I will start with the ladies. Hello, ladies! I know a lot of you have clothes you don't wear anymore. You hold onto them for sentiment, may have bought them and never wore them, they're out of style, or they were gifts that you wouldn't wear in public, so you save them to not look bad. I have an easy solution. Take those pair of ripped shorts or jeans, ugly blouses, skirts, etc. and put them to the side. You can throw on a corset, a pair of stockings, and some boy shorts. You can call yourself a fashion model, Vegas show girl, etc. If you're not into the sexy look, put on that ugly blouse from aunt Margaret, a pair of ugly pants, and call yourself an old lady. Of course, you'll have to accessorize from then on, but it's easy! If you have some torn shorts, a tank top, and a sexy cowboy hat and boots, you can be a cowgirl. If you want to be a zombie, you can throw anything on. To make up for the fake blood you may not have, use lipstick and powder. If you don't have powder, check your closet for baby powder. It works too! There are plenty of more things you can throw together with a pair of circular earrings (hoops), the right outfit, and hair style to call yourself an 80's girl. I've done it all. I've had a blast. Most important of all, it saves you a lot of cash. Now, let's talk about the gentlemen. I'm sure you have that shirt, sweater, collared shirt, etc. from Aunt Gertrude that you never wear. Throw it on, wear some black pants, tuck it in, put on a belt, slick your hair back, and call yourself a businessman or disaster if you'd like. If you're not into that, find some baby powder, stuck your shirt, and call yourself an old man. Or, you can also be a zombie! Ask mom, your girlfriend, roommate, etc. for red lipstick she doesn't use to splatter blood on your face. Or, if your lucky and nice enough, they may even volunteer to do your makeup! How easy is all of this? I'm sure you can add on to my short list, but I thought I'd be nice enough and offer some ideas. Have a great time at that party and be safe!!! 

*How to Teach a First Grader Math*

First off, take away and hide all distractions! 

Second off, make sure that you always keep them interested. For example, you could draw animals or symbols to intrigue them. Third off, let them explain what they think signs are and why. When subtracting, use exes, they're less confusing. When adding draw the first number out and add the other to it. Allow students to count the total. Lastly and most importantly, our fingers are our best friends in math. I'm 24 and I still count on them. I have no shame!!!! Make a rhyme while you count! This allows students to actively engage. Pay attention to the way students write their numbers. It's hard for a 6 year old to stay still, make sure you reward them! You can use stickers or a treat. They love everything! 

*Are you looking for a tutor/TEFL teacher?*

Hello everyone, as most of you know, especially if you've been reading my blogs, I am a certified TEFL teacher. If you're looking to ameliorate your English or even learn, I can help you! I only charge $10-$15 an hour, which is a real deal! Also, I'm willing to work with you in person, on skype, or online. If you're interested, feel free to contact me via email: vitt.santini@aol.com or bellissimavitt@aol.com. I will help anyone at any age. I've also been tutoring a little girl in reading, grammar, and math. It is all an awesome experience! I'm just looking to build up on my clientele. Let me know if you need me. 

*The Benefits of Threading Vs. Waxing*

Hello ladies and gentlemen! Are you currently a waxer? If so, I urge you to stop. Whether it's your upper lip, eyebrows, etc. waxing caused wrinkles after a long period of time. This may seem unbelievable, but frequent threading may stop hair from reappearing! Where as waxing causes ingrown hairs. If you have sensitive skin, wax is surely a problem. Especially, when chemicals touch the skin! Threading hurts a little more than waxing, but it's totally worth it. If you have small eyes like mine, did you know you're more wrinkle prone? If not, now you do! So stop the waxing, use as many moisturizers as possible and begin the threading!!! Have fun with it and enjoy your beautiful new shape! 

*Revelation-Florida School Teacher Possibility*

As most of you know, yesterday I received a rejection letter from a school I put my heart and all into to teach English as a foreign language. First, they accepted me and then a month later, they denied me. My heart was broken. I wanted to give up on everything, but then I thought why would I ever do that? So, a wise friend of mine sent me a text of encouragement and advised me to apply for an educators certificate. Today, I took it upon myself to look it up and go for it. If you're interested in becoming a teacher in south Florida and you have a Bachelor's degree, visit fldoe.org and hit apply here. Don't leave your dreams behind and never give up no matter how low you feel. If it won't work where you want it to, things happen for a reason. It will work somewhere else! 

*Is it Ethical?*

Recently, I was told that I had been hired at a company and to prepare myself as soon as possible to come join the team. After a month, I was told that it would be impossible for me to work for them because of government policies and paperwork. Apparently, only a certain amount of Americans can work in the country a year. I would like to bash the company and their ethics, but as an adult, I feel that it wouldn't solve the problem. It's highly unprofessional for a company to send you an email congratulating you and then go back on their word. I've went through the process required and received the grade of an, "A." I wonder what made them tell that I got the job in the first place. Not only did these individuals deny me, they crushed my dreams with one sentence. I know that they will come across this post. My message to them is, "How dare you tell me that my dreams and wishes are impossible to obtain? How dare you offer me a position and tell me that you're glad to welcome me to your team and then go back on your word? How dare you call your company ethical and professional? How do you feel, knowing that you've hurt me? Probably nothing at all. At the end of your day, you still have your jobs and I still have hope. You're lucky I'm an individual of integrity and respect because if not, I would publicly humiliate you!

* The Warmth of Europe* I Miss You!

Have you grown up with a custom kiss on both cheeks? Have you had the opportunity to hug and kiss friends, whether you're a girl or guy on both cheeks? Has gender ever played an issues? If you've grown up in America and live a sheltered life, you may have been raised to allow gender to affect you. It's not socially accepted for men to kiss men on the cheeks. It's unfortunate that this plays a key role in a child's development. If you're from Europe and have had to teach children diverse principles, I'm sure it has broken your heart. When a man greets another man with a kiss on the cheek, I respect him. He's comfortable with his masculinity and self-esteem. Europeans have the best loving greetings. They become unforgettable. We cherish every moment. When you teach your children principles of life, keep this in mind. Don't be ashamed of your heritage and culture! We only live once and should treasure every moment!

*I am Happy to See my Students Learning*

My whole life, I've said I would be many things and I would play make believe. I never thought I'd pursue the teacher role. I remember how scary my teachers seemed and that drove me away. Today, I can say, nothing brings greater satisfaction to my face than seeing my students comprehend something because of me. I have always been a lover of words and language, but who would've thought that I would be teaching it. Last week, I set out to teach English in a frenzy. I was everything, but prepared. It was amazing to watch my students greet me each day in proper English. Learning any language is a struggle, but English has so many rules that it can become confusing. This week, I set up a lesson plan, headed to my students' workplace and handed out various worksheets we went over together. They were amazing and I encouraged them to talk by themselves. I examined their strengths and weaknesses and know what needs more work and what doesn't. Verbs are extremely confusing, but with time, they will get it. We are currently working on the present tense. Tomorrow, we will review it and move on to articles. I don't believe it's necessary to throw everything on them at once. One thing at a time sparks interests. We are all our own mini- geniuses! Be inspired! Never give up! Keep on moving up!!! Wahoo!!!!! I love my students! 

*What many of you don't know about me*

Many of you know me, but do you know that I often suffer from panic attacks? Probably not, unless you've read my Facebook posts. Anxiety is caused by stress and uncertainty. At times, I find myself so anxious that my heart beats so fast that it feels like it's going to pop out of my chest. This happens when I think too much or have unhappy thoughts. At other times, nothing provokes my anxiety, it randomly occurs. The worst thing that can happen when panic comes my way is that I puke. I've learned to take deep breaths and control my anxiety by relaxing or laying down. I feel the worst when my throat begins to close up or knot up. Thankfully, I haven't had a full blown panic attack in two years. I do find myself feeling the symptoms, but remember to control my breathing. Concentration is everything.

*Dyslexia- What Every Individual Needs to Know*

Dyslexia occurs when certain parts of the brain cause individuals not to recognize words or symbols. This happens in the area of the brain that breaks up language. Certain cultural and educational problems may cause dyslexia. If a child has issues with reading, it's vital to contact their pediatrician. The earlier the disorder is discovered, the easier it becomes for an individual in the future. If a child has a learning disability, it's important to always give positive reinforcement and let them know they're doing a great job. If not, they may rebel and start acting poorly in school. At times, teachers don't notice when their are issues with children because of large amounts of students. As a parent, it's important to monitor your child as they transition in life. If you notice that they have issues reading, writing, or with math, it's your responsibility to get them the extra help they needs. Learning disabilities may be hereditary, so it's not uncommon for a parent or close relative to have the same issues. Also, more and more people are diagnosed with learning disabilities in later stages of life. If someone has a problem, it doesn't mean their unintelligent. Most of the time, they're smarter than the "normal" individual. They just need more time to process what's happening. So, if you notice a problem, don't fret or be embarrassed! Reach out for a little extra help! No one will judge your child!

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002379/#adam_001406.disease.causes

*Teaching the difference between confusing letters*

Often, children beginning to read confuse the sounds of words or letters. For example, they mix the lowercase "d" and "b" because they're almost identical, except for the way they face and sound. That is the most common error among young children. Also, when children speak another language, they often confuse the sound of the letter "c" with "s." It's vital that teachers address these issues and give as many examples as they can to help students distinguish the differences. Teaching young children is exhausting, so you must get plenty of rest. Also, it's a refreshment of memory and sometimes they teach you new things too. Take away all distractions and allow them to interact with you as much as possible. Sometimes, they find one object more interesting than another. For example, my expo board has become an obsession. Unfortunately, I have to limit the amount of times it's used because of this and stick to the material at hand as much as I can. Overall, my student is learning differences between adding words and is sounding out all letters. It feels awesome to help and set examples!

*Teaching English as a Foreign Language- My first mini class*

The experience was extremely beneficial for my knowledge and further preparation. I learned that my students are absolute beginners. I thought they knew the basic greetings, but I was wrong. They were familiar with many words and I was able to teach them the proper use of good and well. We also went through the verbs to have and to be. I gave plenty of examples and explained the positive, negative, and question form of the verbs. My mind was a little scattered since it was my first class and I could've provided more exercises. Next time, we will review and move forward. The women are extremely intelligent, but had trouble speaking in only language. I have to teach them to break their habits. The little girl I teach was excellent! She was able to distinguish different sounds, put them together, and spell them out by sole pronunciation. It is awesome and I'm loving it!

First Tutoring/Teaching Experience

This morning, I had the opportunity to tutor a little girl for the first time. I helped her learn new words, sound them out, and fill in the blank sentences. It started off really well. At times, she stunned me. She purposefully sounded words out the wrong way and added extra letters for more time or to avoid the task. I admit, I was a little unprepared because I didn't know what to expect. I noticed that we spent more time talking back and forth. Next time, I will allow her to dictate the class, avoid the "no" word, and review the differences between different letters that look the same. Tomorrow morning, I have the privilege of dictating my first adult class. Hopefully, it goes as smoothly as today and I don't feel intimidated or discourage my class. 

*Should I throw it All Away?*

I sat here today pouring my heart out to my best friend. I told her that I seriously considered throwing my book away. I thought nothing in it mattered anymore. If I gave up on the writing, then maybe I should've given up on it. She convinced me not to do it. Today, I've decided to pick up on page 251 and write my heart out. I will complete this novel and I will have it published by next year. I thought about stopping it because it would offend many of my friends. Since the events no longer are vital or active, then it can't hurt anyone. I'm a writer and taking away my pencil and paper was a big mistake... I put everything on hold to think. I pondered about the events of my story and how greatly they've impacted my life. I recall poignant words that I can never forget. Since these pages fill seven long novels of my life, then why must I throw them all away? Why must I push them back. It's beautiful to share my words with the world. Maybe they will reawaken your souls! Mine, has long been dormant. Not because of impossibilities, but because of pain that lingers in me. It doesn't relate to my story, but it corresponds with my world.

*When Will it All End?*

So, we live in a world full of guns, violence, drugs, and etc. Many of us ask when this will it all end? The unfortunate answer is, the world would have to end. We are all guilty of carrying our own demons. We all have our own issues and society is "peaceless." You can only follow your heart and your beliefs. The only guidance a human being has is from the people around them. Make sure you choose a noteworthy individual, with integrity, and honesty to follow examples from. If not, you'll land in a pit of danger. You will become a product of society. We are all products of society. Some things are inevitable and the only ultimatum is faith. Have faith and never cease to believe in every thing you do!!!!! 

*How to Naturally Reduce the Pain of a toothache*

Have you recently broke your tooth or developed a nasty cavity? Is your gum swelling up and you want to wrip out your tooth? On my birthday, I was chewing a piece of gum on an airplane and all of a sudden, I felt something crunch. It was my tooth. If you know me, I value my teeth, but I also love sweets. Almost every tooth in my mouth is filled. If you're running through the house and can't find ambesol or orajel, grab a glass of warm water with salt or some peroxide and start rinsing. If that doesn't work, look around for some tea. What can you do with tea? I'm not talking about drinking a cup of tea, silly. Take a mug of water (microwavable) stick a tea bag in there and microwave on high for one minute. Remove the tea from the microwave. Take out the tea bag, squeeze out excess water, and place it directly on the infected area. Leave the tea bag on your tooth for a few minutes. The pain is sure to subside, but you're not in the clear yet! Grab a bag of frozen vegetables or an ice pack and wrap it in a piece of cloth. Place it on your cheek, on and off for an hour. The throbbing should subside for a few hours or it may completely disappear. If it comes back, repeat the process. My mouth feels so much lighter and I can barely sense the ache! 

*Why am I uncertain?*

Sometimes, I sit here and ponder about the past. Where did time go? Why haven't I fulfilled all of my goals. The truth is, I'm afraid that this will be it. I'm terrified that I am stuck in this hole of uncertainty. Did I waste all that time and money going through school? Is there more for me out there? I try not to be negative, but I am clueless. I have attempted to find many diverse things, but there is nothing there. I wonder how life will end up for me. When I wake up in the morning and know how my day will end, I become unhappy. It isn't because of the people that surround me, but because I know I am worth so much more. So, I ask myself, why am I in this situation? Why haven't I stepped out of the trap? I have everything to back me up except support. I have gained a new opportunity, but I don't have everyone's blessings. I need knowledge, growth, and experience that everyone can grasp and comprehend. I need to discover who and what I was and am meant to be in my life. For the time being, I have given up doing all of the things that complete my smile. I am no longer writing my book, I am saving my words for later, and I have ceased to look for other opportunities. As I sit here and flip through recent photo albums, I see bags under my eyes. I am tired of this lifestyle, I am exhausted from the lack of self worth, and I deserve more. So, I sit here and pray for another open door, another miracle, and another fate. Why? Because I am worth much more than all of this. So, for now, I will continue to fake a smile, degrade myself, and accept worthless compliments. In the end, I know who and what I am capable of becoming. My intelligence is in my heart. I will keep asking for guidance, have faith, and hope. That is all I can do.