Laughing Yoga Frog 9: "What exactly did Reggie do to Alex and why did his mother need the picture?"

Questions to you:

 Why didn’t you buy the frog the first time you seen it? Was it expensive? I'm just not the kind of lady that buys a frog the first time she sees him, even if she can afford him. 

2)   Was the frog a coqui? I don't think so.  But he keeps secret. We can ask Alex.

Questions from the book:

      1)   Why did you take pictures with your students?

            -You took pictures with your students because a student died and you want memories with your current students. You took pictures with each student after they turned in their test.

      2)   Why did you call the frog a “Laughing Yoga frog”?

            -You called the frog a “Laughing Yoga Frog” because the way it was posing. It stood strong like a tree and it was in a basic yoga position, and it seemed to have a laughing smile on its face.

      3)   What was the name and meaning of the frog that your children gave to you for Christmas?

            -The name of the frog was Bugger the Lucky Frog. Bugger is a slang word used to refer to anal intercourse’ a curse word to express dissatisfaction.

      4)   What did Alex dream about?

            -He dreamed that the frog wanted to live with him. You hesitated about giving him the frog but ended up giving it to him in a paper bag that hung from the back of his wheel chair.

      5)   What exactly did Reggie do to Alex and why did his mother need the picture?

            - The book didn’t exactly say but he did something very illegal. He probably took money from Alex’s bank account and Alex’s mother needed the picture that her son took in class with the professor and Reggie as proof to show to the police.

Laughing Yoga Frog 8: The Rock Picks The Student

Prayer of the Laughing Yoga Frog

1.     Who is Alex?

Alex is a student in the professor’s class. Although his body is physically restricted, his mind is not. He helps the professor discover the purpose of the laughing yoga frog as well as inspires the book.

2.     How did the professor acquire the frog statue?

The laughing yoga frog came from the Cracker Barrel gift shop, a place the professor likes to go for an egg breakfast. After going back to Cracker Barrel three times in two weeks and pondering if she should buy the frog, she finally decides to get him. He is now the last frog available and 80% off. Score.

3.     Who is Bugger?

Bugger is the new frog statue that the professor’s kids get her as a Christmas present. Bugger has not only a horrible name, but also looks cold, hard, and intimidating, which is far different from the laughing yoga frog. The professor isn’t very fond of the frog that isn’t green and isn’t funny.

4.     What do the students get on exam day?

On exam day the professor brought the yoga frog to class. After explaining the meaning of the frog and getting some questioning glares, the professor gives the students the exam. Once finished the students get to pick a rock (or rather the rock picks them) and take a picture with the professor.

5.     Who is Reggie

Reggie is someone who assists Alex. He started out nice, even took a picture with the professor, but ended up being a bad seed. Reggie steals from Alex without him knowing. Not only breaking the law but Alex’s trust. 

******************************

Two Questions for You:

1.     Was your inspiration to write the Prayer of the Laughing Yoga Frog Alex?  And were there any other sources of inspiration?   I love telling stories. After writing Marvin's Book (which made me cry 10,000 times), it was fun writing a happy tale.

2.     How long did it take you to get the book published?  The hardest part of publishing a book is writing it. After that, it's all downhill. 

Laughing Yoga Frog 7: Is this a True Story?

1)    What restaurant did the professor keep visiting and why?

a.     The professor kept visiting Cracker Barrel because she enjoyed the eggs, and she was obsessed with the praying yoga frog. She would come back to see if her obsession went away, also to see if it would go on sale.

2)    How did the professor’s pictures with the frog come in handy?

a.     The police were able to get a recent picture of the suspect that drained the student Alex’s bank account. It seemed like they were out of options sense he went by a different name.

3)    What frog did the professor’s children get her for Christmas? Did she like it?

a.     It was a frog named Bugger that looked bug like, silver, and space aged. She didn’t like it because it was, cold and tough looking. It also was intimidating.

4)    Why does the professor like frogs?

a.     She likes them because they start out one way and go through a transformation period. When they finish transforming they become something that’s stronger and are able to move forward in life.

5)    Does the professor give Alex the frog? Why? Yes she does because she sees the importance of allowing things become gifts instead of eventually becoming a loss.

 For Dr. Soldani:

Is this a true story? Yes. Crazy as the story is, it would be crazier to just make it up, right???? 

How long did it take you to write this book? Less time than it would have taken to go Christmas shopping.

Homeschooled

It is the first day of the first week that Zack is officially being homeschooled and I've already filled his brain with the French Revolution, Haitian Revolution, War of 1812 and Battle of New Orleans.

He and I are walking along quietly and I point at two planes flying so close together they look like one big plane. Before he can spot them, they are gone.

He shakes his head at me, like I'm crazy.I can't stop looking at the sky, searching for the two planes. They were JUST there and poof where did they GO? This must be how dogs feel when balls disappear under the sofa and squirrels dash into trees. I must find the planes, must, must, find the planes.

Planes don't just disappear, I tell him.

No, Mom, they don't. I'm sure they just  turned on their mirror mode so they became invisible.

Really? Planes have mirror mode? That's a thing? I ask him, quite satisfied with this answer. Of course mirror mode would make the airplanes disappear into the cloudless blue sky. Of. Course.

Yes, Mom, look it up, he says with such certainty that I almost want to believe him.

AMH 2020 MWF Class

Today: Lecture

Monday: TCC closed - MLK Day

Wednesday:

• Lecture.
• Treasure Hunt Part 1 Due
• Options #1 and #2 will post to Discussion Board. The thread in Blackboard will be available Saturday.
• Option #3 (and #4): bring the book to class. If you can't get me a copy of the book, just don't do this option PS.I wrote about all 103 books I was assigned last year, so be careful to not give me another copy of The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
•  Get essay assignment for Exam Part 1 (Due Online Friday Jan 23 11:59pm)

Friday: Exam #1 Part 2: In Class: 100 Points. The terms you copy before class are your study guide.

.....Got a long list of ex-students, they'll tell you I'm insane

Subtitle: FAQ#1 for the Treasure Hunt

No joke, this semester I have two groups of students.

(Three, if you count the lost students, but I don't because group three looks empty. Now.)

Group one is following the treasure hunt quietly and happily, following option 1, 2, 3, and/or option 4 which may or may  not exist.

Maybe this group knows more of my ex-students.

Seriously. 

If you know my ex-students and show them this treasure hunt 1) they will be jealous because I just invented this and 2) they'll say just do it, and trust her to take you somewhere.

Group two is emailing me (each, individually) to tell me they are lost.

They are saying, OK, I did it NOW WHAT.

I email them (each, individually) back to let them know I'm not trying to trick them.

My emails look something like " Just take step one, then wait,  Trust me. Nice to meet you! Hope you have a great semester"


Any more questions? @melissalaughing

Treasure Hunt: Step #1 - Option #4

Did I say there were only 3 options? How boring!

 Students who complete ALL THREE options by the deadline given in class will earn full credit for the Treasure Hunt Part 1 AND get a  $20 bonus.

;-)

Treasure Hunt Step #1 - Option #3

Spring 2015 Students*

There will be THREE options for this first Treasure Hunt.  

The choices you make NOW will affect your path this semester and the amount of class money you will be able to earn, so pick WISELY.

Option #3

Bring me  a great book that I haven't read and convince me to read it. 

 Hint: Please flip through the 103 books that my students assigned me last year before embarking on this option*

Treasure Hunt - Step #1: Option #2

Spring 2015 Students*

Before starting this Treasure Hunt, please make sure you have the free kindle app.

There will be THREE options for this first Treasure Hunt.  

The choices you make NOW will affect your path this semester and the amount of class money you will be able to earn, so pick WISELY.

Option #2:

Find and download and READ the ebook "Marvin's Book" - it's free 1/14-1/18.

Treasure Hunt Step #1: Option #1

Spring 2015 Students*
Before starting this Treasure Hunt, please make sure you have the free kindle app.

There will be THREE options for this first Treasure Hunt.  

The choices you make NOW will affect your path this semester and the amount of class money you will be able to earn, so pick WISELY.

Option #1:

Find and download and READ the ebook "Prayer of the Laughing Yoga Frog" - it's free 1/13-1/17, after that it is less than a dollar, and the proceeds help this treasure hunt.

How to Flunk with Funk

From AMH 2020 student Fall 2014

Taking this class is just like taking any other class; if you want to flunk with funk, make sure that you put forth no effort whatsoever. To begin with, don’t ever study. Studying is seriously a bad idea when taking this class. Opening a book is definitely not something you want to do if you don’t take this class seriously.

 I’m not saying that flunking this class is easy, but if I were to sit back and do nothing in regards to learning the information that is going to be on the test, I’d fail it.

 Let’s not forget texting while in class. If your friend texts you, make sure you respond as quickly as possible. Don’t pay attention to the professor because that’s only going to get you an A.

 If you are looking to flunk with funk, make sure you text in class. Texting in class is not only distracting for you, but somewhat distracting for other students if you don’t have a smart phone. So anyone with those Nokia bricks, make sure to click away! 

Asking questions if for the people who want to pass; if you want to flunk with funk, put your head down on the desk and take a nap.

 Partying late has never been easier with this class. Think of it as your own personal bedroom with a classroom full of students trying to learn.

Advice from a former student who might have spelled my name wrong.

“5 steps to an A in this class.” Dr. Solandi is an amazing history teacher that changed the boring lecture notes into a story of history with an endless amount of humor. To do well in her class you just have to smile and go to every class everyday. If you go to class you need to use the time you have in there to take notes, pretty much write everything that she says in lecture. She will curse and make you laugh, trust me. Also, to get an A in this class pay attention to the pictures she shows in lectures, they always mean something important if she is teaching them to you. Dr. Solandi is really helpful if you actually try in her class, don’t miss her class and take amazing notes. I would definitely suggest taking this class to someone, especially if they are interested in history and have a good sense of humor.

5 Steps to an A in Dr. Soldani’s AMH 2020 class are fairly simple.

1From a Fall 2014 Student
  5 Steps to an A in Dr. Soldani’s AMH 2020 class are fairly simple.
S    Step 1, Never miss class. If you miss class, you are going to miss half of the events that happened in America. You will be so lost and when the time for tests comes around, you will be wishing you got out of bed that morning, or afternoon, I promise. Besides, she’s funny and makes history interesting, why wouldn’t you attend class everyday? 

The Second Step is Don’t ever come late. If you come late, you will fail because you will be giving her all your hard earned money just because you’re lazy. You’ll also learn why you wont ever want to come late by reading her book, it’s touching and why would you ever want to scare her.

Third, Do everything you can to earn money. Money, money, money! Not real money, but you will eventually learn that money is the key to success in this class. Also studying and attending class but it does help a tremendous amount. She gives you plenty of opportunities to earn money and if you take every opportunity, not only are you helping others half of the time but you will also be helping yourself.

Step four, Study for all your tests and quizzes. She gives you study guides with the exact information that is going to be on them, study it will help you. She gives a quiz almost every week and if you study you will quickly learn that they will help you instead of hurt you, especially when she brings up the material in lecture. If you don’t study for tests, you are going to get anxiety on test day and be the last one in the room with a blank paper because she posts a timer as big as the whiteboard up so that you can see how much time you have left.

Step 5, Write down everything that comes out of her mouth. Not everything but just about everything. You really have no time to look up except for when she is changing slides, which takes a whole 2 seconds. If you have time to look up and day dream you are not going to get the information she is saying and you are going to be so lost when she gives you a test and a study guide and you have no idea what any of the things on it are. The more information the better. AMH 2020 with Dr. Soldani is not a hard class if you are hard working, attends class, and care about passing the course. It is very interesting and by far, the most entertaining class I have ever taken. 

5 Steps to Earning an A "...try to be an overachiever vs. just meeting goal expectations"

There are five steps you should follow in order to get an “A” in AMH2020.

 The first step you should follow very closely.  It’s plain and simple. Step 1 is GO TO CLASS AND DON’T BE LATE!  It is important to go to class so you don’t miss any information, not to mention miss out on the funny jokes that she incorporates in her lectures.  It should also be mentioned students get money when you attend class, on time, and when you are successfully complete what was assigned, so be there or be square and broke.

 Step 2 is PAY ATTENTION!  You have to pay attention because cheating on test is Unacceptable!  Students take a high risk of failing and possibly being expelled when cheating and more than likely someone will rat you out.  It will cause many students to become angry and jealous because it’s not fair to someone who actually studied. (Especially when the cheater gets the better grade)

 Step 3 is COMPLETE ALL ASSIGNMENTS including the extra credit.  The extra credit assignments actually pay off at the end of the semester and are very insightful.

 Ready for step 4……DO NOT TEXT; DO NOT USE ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICES!  This step is very disrespectful to the instructor/professor and to the other students in the class as well. The use of electronic devices are distracting and most importantly you will vital information.  

Step 5 is WRITE ACCURATE, DETAILED, & GRAMMATICALLY CORRECT ESSAYS!  When you think you wrote enough keep writing make sure you can prove that you know what you’re talking about. Make sure you proofread the essay before turning in the assignment.  

Most importantly try to be an overachiever vs. just meeting goal expectations.  

Make sure you always study and don’t do anything crazy or you will be on her post of funnies. This is the silver lining and tips to succeed in AMH2020.

Dear Next Semester’s students coming to face the “wrath of Dr. Soldani”

From a student who took AMH 2020 in Fall 2014.

Next Semester’s students coming to face the “wrath of Dr. Soldani” be very aware that this class is not for the weak hearted.

 Just know that you need to bring a pen or pencil with a piece of writing material everyday so that you can take notes while listening to the enthusiastic lecture.

 I warn you, please “take notes.” These notes are essential for every exam in this class. And for those who love to stray into class as they please… “You know who you are.” I assure you, do not think that you can get away with such behavior in Dr. Soldani’s class. Well, actually you are grown adults, you can do as you please. But I tell you what, it is not going to help your cause in her class.

 She gives a solid effort to give everyone her vast knowledge of history, so be respectful and get your butts in to the appropriate seat (the first seat in the front row, right on the corner, in front of Dr. Soldani’s desk) and listen, or else it will cost you “twenty doll hairs.”

 I suggest you come to class, listen, work hard, and I bet 100% you will leave this class having earn an A. So, good luck and enjoy the class!

 Oh by the way, she will absolutely judge your appearance, so leave the ugly sweaters at home.

TOP SECRET AMH 2020 Day #1

TOP SECRET.
Students who are in class early today can earn $20 with a challenge on social media. 
This opportunity expires when lecture starts. #amh2020

AMH 2020 Webclass Spring 2015