(no subject)
So I haven't updated this little guy in awhile, and that is basically because I haven't had the time or energy to type out anything other than school assignments. I have been having a lot of good times lately and I want to be able to read about them later. School work is fine. I work really hard and I've done pretty well. I was really nervous about a grammar paper, but I ended up with an A.
Teaching: I just finished a cool time, teacher time, eight week line up in the fourth grade. It was an experience I will never forget. The kids at the school I went to were economically disadvantaged to say the least. Some kids were in homeless shelters, some had prostitutes and drug addicted mothers, and some were just mad at the world. They inspired me. For the most part they came to school happy and ready to learn. They ate their free breakfast, fooled around with their friends, and shot their little hands in the air during every lesson. I got to lead my own guided reading group, I got to teach math lessons, interview the kids, and I had one on one tutoring sessions with the same student every week. I think we both learned a little bit from those twenty minute sessions, sharing a desk in the hallway. The most rewarding experience came for me on my last day there. The students had a mini chalk boards at their desks as they paid attention to their very first division lesson. After the lesson was over and the kids were instructed to work on the problems independently, I started to make my way from desk to desk, my usual routine. One student who I hadn't spent much time with (except when he was showing me a manga) raised his hand and asked me for help. I don't really know how to explain the rest of it... watching a kid learn something for the first time is amazing. Hearing the excitement in his voice, watching him smile when he finally understood, and just being a part of it. It reminded me that I'm doing this all for a reason. The pointless classes, the mean teachers that should never teach, the heartache I felt after I found out that the student I was supposed to work with for eight weeks wouldn't be back at school because he was living in a homeless shelter... it's okay, I'll do the best I can and that's all anyone can do. School rules, learning rules, teaching rules. Go brains.
College life: Ahhh! This past semester has been amazing. I never thought I would meet such cool people at Rowan. The group these days has been like this: Matt, Mickey Smithers, Nick, Travis, Kevin, Erica, and me. (also Brett when he isn't home) The silliness is hard to wrap my mind around. It's been fun. I really love these people. Next year they will be gone, except for Mike and me. Mike is moving into Matt's apt when he moves out. Biff and Amy are coming. Tis the season to be jolly and joyous. fa la la, fa la la. They will all be at art night this summer, and hopefully in our lives for a long time to come.
Graduation: Matt.... he is graduating! I am excited and proud, but also sad that he won't be here next year. Tonight was his last night at the newspaper, I know he is pumped that that is over. He's smart and really good at what he does... and he's handsome. He'll be just fine.
Ian's art show: Exactly as amazing as I thought it would be, and then some extra.
Writing: I have started writing short stories. So far I think they will mostly be based on my own experiences and the people around me whom I find interesting or inspiring. This will be therapeutic, fun, stressful, and challenging.
Praying: I do it a lot. Recently I've realized that a lot of people I know do it a lot. I think that their prayers are sweet, and they make me want to cry.
My mom: My mom is turning 50! We are having a surprise party which me and my dad are planning. I am happy for her because she is spending four days in Murtle Beach with my aunt, and I think that they both deserve a quite little getaway. Today I said "ready freddy?" to Jacki. I am becoming my mother and I'm cool with it.
Anna: Need her, want her, can't wait to have her home.
Friends: I have recently discovered that it is possible to have judgment free, loving, accepting relationships with people. Especially ones who are different from you, and especially ones who let you be you... but that doesn't mean they can't/don't disagree with you, or say what they want to say about what is going on in their domes.
That's all I have for now.
Teaching: I just finished a cool time, teacher time, eight week line up in the fourth grade. It was an experience I will never forget. The kids at the school I went to were economically disadvantaged to say the least. Some kids were in homeless shelters, some had prostitutes and drug addicted mothers, and some were just mad at the world. They inspired me. For the most part they came to school happy and ready to learn. They ate their free breakfast, fooled around with their friends, and shot their little hands in the air during every lesson. I got to lead my own guided reading group, I got to teach math lessons, interview the kids, and I had one on one tutoring sessions with the same student every week. I think we both learned a little bit from those twenty minute sessions, sharing a desk in the hallway. The most rewarding experience came for me on my last day there. The students had a mini chalk boards at their desks as they paid attention to their very first division lesson. After the lesson was over and the kids were instructed to work on the problems independently, I started to make my way from desk to desk, my usual routine. One student who I hadn't spent much time with (except when he was showing me a manga) raised his hand and asked me for help. I don't really know how to explain the rest of it... watching a kid learn something for the first time is amazing. Hearing the excitement in his voice, watching him smile when he finally understood, and just being a part of it. It reminded me that I'm doing this all for a reason. The pointless classes, the mean teachers that should never teach, the heartache I felt after I found out that the student I was supposed to work with for eight weeks wouldn't be back at school because he was living in a homeless shelter... it's okay, I'll do the best I can and that's all anyone can do. School rules, learning rules, teaching rules. Go brains.
College life: Ahhh! This past semester has been amazing. I never thought I would meet such cool people at Rowan. The group these days has been like this: Matt, Mickey Smithers, Nick, Travis, Kevin, Erica, and me. (also Brett when he isn't home) The silliness is hard to wrap my mind around. It's been fun. I really love these people. Next year they will be gone, except for Mike and me. Mike is moving into Matt's apt when he moves out. Biff and Amy are coming. Tis the season to be jolly and joyous. fa la la, fa la la. They will all be at art night this summer, and hopefully in our lives for a long time to come.
Graduation: Matt.... he is graduating! I am excited and proud, but also sad that he won't be here next year. Tonight was his last night at the newspaper, I know he is pumped that that is over. He's smart and really good at what he does... and he's handsome. He'll be just fine.
Ian's art show: Exactly as amazing as I thought it would be, and then some extra.
Writing: I have started writing short stories. So far I think they will mostly be based on my own experiences and the people around me whom I find interesting or inspiring. This will be therapeutic, fun, stressful, and challenging.
Praying: I do it a lot. Recently I've realized that a lot of people I know do it a lot. I think that their prayers are sweet, and they make me want to cry.
My mom: My mom is turning 50! We are having a surprise party which me and my dad are planning. I am happy for her because she is spending four days in Murtle Beach with my aunt, and I think that they both deserve a quite little getaway. Today I said "ready freddy?" to Jacki. I am becoming my mother and I'm cool with it.
Anna: Need her, want her, can't wait to have her home.
Friends: I have recently discovered that it is possible to have judgment free, loving, accepting relationships with people. Especially ones who are different from you, and especially ones who let you be you... but that doesn't mean they can't/don't disagree with you, or say what they want to say about what is going on in their domes.
That's all I have for now.