Fast updates, then jump into bed...
I took the CBEST (California Basic Education Skills Test) today for real. 100 questions, split between Reading and Math, and then two essays. 4 hours total. I finished the reading with 20 minutes to spare, and was glad to have it while I counted on my fingers to do the Math section. (I can set up the equations, mostly, but my computation sucks. And there were a couple of those "I could have had a V8!" moments when I realized the answer was outrageously simple.) Even so, the Reading and Math were probably at about 8th grade level. I was stunned to see people cramming outside before it started with those huge books like you use for the SATs or GREs. Beat the CBEST! or CBEST Study Guide! Whoa. These are college graduates? Weird. Scary. I confess, I did the practice test once (88 out of 100, a 74 is a passing grade) and that's all the studying I did.
The essay questions were fun. One was "The local school board has instituted a mandatory, random drug testing policy at all High Schools. Write an letter to the editor of the local paper either supporting or opposing this policy." Piece 'o'cake. I had three issues I decided to use: High False Positive Rates (a friend of mine, Cordelia, almost didn't get a job because she eats a bread with poppy seeds in it. and others...), Privacy issues, and Destruction of atmosphere of trust in the schools (using the recent budget cuts as increasing the hostility to the school board). Even kind of fun! Second was "Sometimes we unexpectedly learn from our friends. Discuss a skill, talent, or perspective you've learned from a friend." So I talked about all the things I've learned from cvirtue while she was supposedly learning from me as my apprentice. Including how to make hats; and I closed the essay with "Now I always wear a hat, because Cynthia tells me that in the Middle Ages, you were never naked as long as you were wearing a hat." At least it will be memorable! What with writing in pencil, trying to keep my handwriting legible, and outlining both essays before I started writing, I ended up turning in the test with 2 minutes to spare. Whew.
Now I'll see if they'll let me be a substitute teacher. At $100 a day, it would at least provide some income flow while I try to get the club going.
Drake is good. He ate well, drank a normal amount, and was actually chasing bugs in the house this evening. He's even sitting up in his "I am the Alpha Cat!" posture again as I type. Hooray!
Duncan is finishing homework he was supposed to do over the summer: three essays and an autobiographical narrative. He's read all the books, at least! (all these for his Advanced English Class.)
Heard from England: no baby yet, but Jen and Cathie are taking relaxed walks in the afternoon and having a good time just spending time together.
And now to bed! Duncan is doing the end of the needed community service for his Life Scout Advancement tomorrow at the Hospice Thrift shop, and needs to be there by 8:45!
The essay questions were fun. One was "The local school board has instituted a mandatory, random drug testing policy at all High Schools. Write an letter to the editor of the local paper either supporting or opposing this policy." Piece 'o'cake. I had three issues I decided to use: High False Positive Rates (a friend of mine, Cordelia, almost didn't get a job because she eats a bread with poppy seeds in it. and others...), Privacy issues, and Destruction of atmosphere of trust in the schools (using the recent budget cuts as increasing the hostility to the school board). Even kind of fun! Second was "Sometimes we unexpectedly learn from our friends. Discuss a skill, talent, or perspective you've learned from a friend." So I talked about all the things I've learned from cvirtue while she was supposedly learning from me as my apprentice. Including how to make hats; and I closed the essay with "Now I always wear a hat, because Cynthia tells me that in the Middle Ages, you were never naked as long as you were wearing a hat." At least it will be memorable! What with writing in pencil, trying to keep my handwriting legible, and outlining both essays before I started writing, I ended up turning in the test with 2 minutes to spare. Whew.
Now I'll see if they'll let me be a substitute teacher. At $100 a day, it would at least provide some income flow while I try to get the club going.
Drake is good. He ate well, drank a normal amount, and was actually chasing bugs in the house this evening. He's even sitting up in his "I am the Alpha Cat!" posture again as I type. Hooray!
Duncan is finishing homework he was supposed to do over the summer: three essays and an autobiographical narrative. He's read all the books, at least! (all these for his Advanced English Class.)
Heard from England: no baby yet, but Jen and Cathie are taking relaxed walks in the afternoon and having a good time just spending time together.
And now to bed! Duncan is doing the end of the needed community service for his Life Scout Advancement tomorrow at the Hospice Thrift shop, and needs to be there by 8:45!