|
I've decided a few things in the last three months.
1) My new school is leaps and bounds better than my old school, in every single way imaginable! I have been at my new school for about 4 months now and already I can tell that the kids are better. The staff is MUCH friendlier. Even the school is newer! And hey, what isn't great about having moo-cows and cornfields in the backyard of the school? ^_^
2) Writing fanfiction is a wonderful (and terrible) time-waster. Guess I should have realized that a long time ago, huh? (Even now it's 4 AM! Aaa!)
3) Teaching... is definitely something I *could* do, but I'm not entirely sure if it's what I want to do. Ok, so maybe this wasn't a decision.
4) I like making lists. I really really do.
5) I might start f-locking most things I post, not that I post much anyway. It just seems... safer.
On another note, the Cookie Exchange this year was great! I always love seeing everyone again and sampling everyone's cookies. (I made 3 types this year: m+m cookies, mexican wedding cookies, and peanut butter hershey kiss cookies. It was a 4 hour long baking fiasco!) =)
The Spoony Bards played again this year (sadly minus me... I didn't have the opportunity to play.) The music was strangely minor-keyed (thanks Jer) but awesome nonetheless. ^__^
I've been watching Arrested Development with my brother, and I've decided that it's my new favorite TV show. I love it! Witty, funny, and full of PLOT! =D
My poo-phone (so named after being dropped in a toilet (sans poo)) still works.... but I've chosen to replace it anyway. Farewell poo-phone, I'll miss you.
That might be all I have to say for now. I hope all of you are having a wonderful year, and if you're not, that the soon-to-come new year will be better! |
|
Yesterday I went skydiving!
It was my first time diving out of an airplane, and it was also one of the most intense experiences I have ever had.
It's odd to think that the thing that scared me the most wasn't the actual skydiving. It was signing all of those legal waivers. Placing my signature on at least 20 different lines that all basically said "In case of INJURY or DEATH you or your heirs will not sue..." was a little nerve wrecking.
The initial dive off the plane had that fun roller-coaster feeling to it, but after that it felt less like I was falling, quickly, at the earth and more like there was a huge fan in my face. I dove off over 10,000 feet off the ground and pulled the parachute somewhere around 6,000.
The parachuting part of the dive was my favorite. I'm a person who loves heights and staring at far away landscapes. Even the boring midwest was interesting from that height! =)
My tandem instructor, Bill, and I landed on our feet instead of our butts like everyone else! That made me slightly proud but mostly happy that I didn't have to risk grass stains on my pants at all!
Jackie also dived with me, and both Todd and Colin watched safely from the ground. It was a fun filled day that ended with catching our breath, and air conditioning, at Cracker Barrel.
In the way of less extreme sports, today I went roller blading! Now I am reminded of why I really stopped roller blading in the daytime. Piggish people in their cars can see you. I'm tempted to never wear those shorts again. ^^;;;
In all, I would go skydiving again, though I can't say I want to go anytime soon. Maybe when I get a group of people big enough who want to go with me again...? =) |
|
Who: You!
What: My 24th Birthday!
When: July 5, 2008
Where: Gameworks (Streets of Woodfield in Schaumburg)
Why: Because it's fun!
Yes, I realize that July 5 is the day before my birthday, but my Chinese grandmother has one of those floating lunar calendar birthdays. It just so happens that her birthday is on the same day as mine this year, so it takes precedence.
I realize that this may be a little bit last minute, but I would be happy to see everyone there if you can make it!
Also, I'm planning to go to the Taste of Chicago on Tuesday, July 1. Anyone want to come along, or can I expect to see anyone there? =) |
|
There's just far too much to write in one little journal entry. And admit it, if I wrote a novel of my life here you wouldn't read past this sentence, would you? ^_~
Well, maybe that's not true of all of you, and I dearly thank the people who have supported me and been such good friends this year. I've needed you more this year than ever before, and you didn't let me down. Thank you. =)
Anyway, here's what's happened in a nutshell...
After losing one job, I found another teaching position. I'll be teaching Freshmen Physics! It should be interesting in the very least.
I'm no longer going to Japan this year. Timing was bad for a number of reasons. (Money, Grandpa in hospital, possible lawsuit, etc.) The list continues, but if you really want to hear it in depth, call and ask. I won't bother you with it here.
I've been on 'summer vacation' for a week now, though yes, I still have my job at the music academy in the summer. I love it! It's as if my life has completely changed. No longer am I stressed out over grading, lesson planning, or dealing with the people at my former work.
I've had time to finally beat Phoenix Wright and Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles. Gaming-wise, I'm working on Mario Galaxy now. It's kiddish, but fun!
Writing-wise, I'm tackling many unfinished projects. It's mostly stuff I started in high school, forgot about in college, and continued more recently. "Cherizen," "Tainted Disposition," "A convenient Eclipse," and a few other lame titles stick out. Hey, they were COOL 8 years ago...
I'm also planning to enter something into Rising Stars of Manga. Yes, my art skills are a little... lacking, but it's something I've wanted to do for a while.
I also bought an electric violin and a nice keyboard this year. (Both of which I've had fun with this summer too!)
These are the highlights of this year. That and surviving my first year teaching. I'd like to complain about how my first year was so much worse than everyone else's, but from what I hear, everyone has a pretty rough first year. I don't feel so bad anymore.
Again, thank you to those of you who have stuck with me this year and been so helpful and encouraging. Even if you don't think you are one of those people, you probably are. Everything from long phone conversations to saying a simple hello online or via text message helped to brighten the dreary year.
Thanks everyone. =) |
|
After my first full week of teaching Chemistry and Physics, there's definitely a lot on my mind.
That's right, physics too. I originally was hired part time to teach chemistry, but the day before school began, I was informed that I'd be teaching physics too, making me full time!
Yay! and AAAAA!!
The people at the school are all very nice, friendly people. They're helpful and kind, I really couldn't want more from the staff. The students at the school are also pretty good students! They haven't really given me any attitude yet, and aside from the occasional talking issue, they're great classes.
Waking up at 5 AM is leaving me wiped though. I'm completely awake and energetic during my classes, but after school I just want to collapse in bed. Unfortunately, this isn't possible for a couple reasons.
The first is the commute, which isn't terrible but isn't great either. If I get out of the school early enough, it's a 45 min. drive home. If I don't... rush hour's a pain.
The second is the sheer amount of papers that need to be graded. I love to give students feedback on their progress, but it usually involves hours of grading papers. Once that is said and done, I have enough time to shower and fall asleep for 7 hours before it all begins again the next day.
The week day is a vicious cycle. I really hope that this is the sort of thing that gets easier with time.
Fortunately, this is my second 3 day weekend in a row! Last week the power was out on Friday, rendering it impossible to have classes. (So I bought shoes and clothes instead! =) Labor day has also graced me with an extra day to relax and to get things done.
On a side note, I now want ferrets instead of bunnies. They're far cuter (even though they smell) and they do so much more than rabbits. |
| » Birthday @ Gameworks! |
|---|
The date is set! Friday, July 6 @ 9:00 PM.
I don't know if there are any other Gameworks nearby, but just to clarify, we'll be at the Gameworks at the Streets of Woodfield in Schaumburg.
Be there if you can! =)
Jul. 4th, 2007 @ 04:15 am
|
| » Birthday @ Gameworks! |
|---|
Friday, July 6, will be my 23rd birthday. I'm thinking of celebrating at the Gameworks at Streets of Woodfield this year, and I would love to see you (yes you) there!
Please don't worry about bringing any gifts, it will be wonderful just to see everyone and have a chance to hang out!
Let me know if you can make it! =)
Jun. 27th, 2007 @ 04:00 am
|
| » The summer begins! |
|---|
First I'd like to start with the best news. Hersey high school has offered me a teaching position! I'm very excited, but I haven't filled out any paperwork yet. I can't wait to finally finalize the position for this coming school year!
Now, onto also exciting (but not quite as exciting at the moment) stuff.
ACEN this year was fun as usual! Friday night was the ballroom dance. My costume for the ball was Rinoa's white ball-dress from Final Fantasy 8. My friend Amy Blaker (an awesome fashion designer) made both my dress and the matching Squall Seed outfit for Todd. About half way through the ball, the Spoony Bards played the song "Waltz for the Moon" while Todd and I danced the complete version of the dance from the game. (Yes, including all the places where he trips and bumps into me!) We had the center stage, and the crowd loved it! Slightly dorky? Maybe. Cute as hell? Definitely.
My Saturday costume this year was Diao Chan from Dynasty Warriors 5. The costume itself was challenging for me to make, especially since my sewing machine needle broke. Thankfully, I was almost done with the costume before that happened. Unfortunately, that meant I had to go without the sleeves. Oh well, I don't think anyone really noticed/cared anyway. One of my piano students, Peter Bekos, even played music with us! His younger brother promises to play with us next year too. Overall, acen was fun as usual, and we played music until the early hours of the morning.
I have plans to attend Otakon this year, along with some of the other bards, so let me know if you're going!
This summer I will be teaching piano lessons, but other than that, I don't have many other obligations. Knowing that summer vacation is finally here (for the first time in years) is a terrific feeling.
Jun. 26th, 2007 @ 02:38 pm
|
| » IT'S OVER!!! |
|---|
O...M...G... it's finally over. Both Student Teaching and my little Spring Pot Luck Afternoon Tea recital are done. Admittedly, the recital was much less stressful.
There's so much that I could say about student teaching that it would take much more than a little journal entry to encompass it all. So! I'll just put the highlights in here.
To put it simply, I learned a lot. I also came down with more plagues than I originally imagined. I've learned that sometimes teaching is fun, but not always. There are times when the students will love you or hate you, probably both at the same time. These things are unavoidable.
I was hoping that after student teaching I would know for a fact if teaching was the right career choice for me. However, once again, I seem to be stuck in one of those fuzzy gray areas. Could I see myself teaching? Sure. Could I see myself doing something else? Sure.
So it comes down to this: Do I really want to teach?
After the hellish experience of student teaching while working two other part-time jobs and attending college classes... I'm tempted to say no. However, I've heard that student teaching isn't exactly a fair representation of teaching. Nor is having an insane workload while teaching.
For now, I have put myself on the substitute teacher list for district 211 (just 10 minutes ago!) It's also not a fair representation, but I have a feeling it will be much less stressful for now. I've also started job searching, and filling out all the lengthy applications. (very unfun)
I think I'll give teaching a try, at least for a year or two. If I don't like it after that, well... I'll still have plenty of time (hopefully) to go back to grad school and pick another career for a living.
On a positive note, I got an A in my last class @ NU! =)
In other news, the SPLAT recital went well! The students were still nervous, but that's to be expected. Parents felt that having everyone in the informal setting of the music academy was much better than the formal church setting. I also agreed, though the biggest problem (by far) was the amount of space available.
I can honestly say that I'm impressed with the arrangement I came up with. I pulled literally every chair from the studio out (with the help of Todd, Tom, and Lisa!) and even made use of every piano bench in the studio. ...this of course led to some confusion later...but it made everything run much more smoothly.
This was the first time that I've been in charge of running a music recital, so it was odd that everyone was looking towards me at first. I think my student teaching experience helped out a lot though, because it was fairly easy to pick up (make up) short intro speeches and make things flow without being nervous at all. Yayz for that!
Well I think I've rambled on enough for now. I'll be headed to California tomorrow (wednesday!) and I'll be back with a day to spare before Anime Punch! I can't wait to see everyone again! =)
Mar. 20th, 2007 @ 11:47 am
|
| » Fuzzy socks |
|---|
...make my feet feel nice. So do baths.
I've nearly hit the half-way mark of student teaching while working my 2 partime jobs. Oh yeah, and attending class @ NU. My brain has been reduced to the above.
There are things I like and dislike about the experience, but I will wait until after everything is over before I really formulate an opinion and make a decision on where I should go.
If I decide not to teach for a career... then I'll have to find something to do with my bio degree. Something that isn't med school.
I have to say that I'm glad that I'm student teaching now. It's a very real experience (duh) and teaching in the winter is probably one of the worst times of the year to teach. (Weather, gloominess, etc.) So, this will be a true test of whether I can handle it/want to handle it.
In the meantime, I'm chronically sleepy. I think I picked this up in college, and it never really went away.
There's a lot of stuff to think about, and much to do, but for now you know where my mind is.
Fuzzy socks. ^__^
Feb. 13th, 2007 @ 05:59 pm
|
| » "It was the worst con I've ever been to, but I still had fun" |
|---|
That'd be a quote (a little paraphrased) from one of my good friends Stephen Poon. I didn't quite know what he meant when he said that about Ohayocon a previous year, but now I think I understand it much better.
While this admittedly isn't the WORST con I've been to, many unfortunate circumstances put it very low on the list. Sickness, lack of sleep, (lack of Todd), and some f***er scratching the back of my great grandfather's violin made it difficult to enjoy my time there.
Nevertheless, I was still happy to see some of my friends again. As things get busier with student teaching (I still can't believe I've started that already) and my other jobs, it's easy to lose track of anything else besides this strangely vicious cycle of the week.
Waking up at 6 AM is by far the most vicious part of the cycle. I'm not so certain how well my various jobs will mix with the duties of a teacher, but I'll find out this week...
In other news, in the last few days of freedom before the teaching began, Portrait of Ruin continued to steal my life. Even Tales of the Abyss managed to nab some of my time. (I've really got to beat that game sometime.)
Speaking of games, the thing that excited me the most in Ohayocon's vendor room was definitely Mother 3 (aka: Earthbound's sequel.) I love Earthbound to almost no end. Unfortunately.... $60 was a little hard to swallow, especially for a Japanese non-translated game... =(
That's about all I've got for now. Bleh, time to go wallow in this sickness.
Jan. 8th, 2007 @ 01:36 am
|
| » Cookie Exchange Party 2006! |
|---|
I can't believe it, but the cookies are almost all gone. Already.
I'm so glad that so many people were able to come! I haven't seen some of you in a very long time, and others I know I won't see again for quite some time too. That thought makes me sad, but at least I have a few pictures left over from the event. Also, you can expect another cookie exchange next year! =)
We had more types of cookies than I can count, but just a few types (that I can recall off the top of my head) include: peanut butter hershey kiss (me!), mint chocolate chip (Tina N. and Niki H.), Spritzers (Chrissie K.), chocolate oatmeal drops (Shelley M.), brownies from the back of a math book (Kristina B.), oatmeal toffee (Stephen and David Poon), sugar cookies that never made it out of the car (Mike T.), white chocolate chip cranberry (Tricia L.), chocolate chip muffins (Yae), oatmeal and chocolate chip (Lesley W.), fruitcake (Kathleen K.), lemon bars (Meredith A.), bite sized sugar cookies (Jon), an amazing traditional Jewish cookie whose name I can't remember (Dave), mother russia (also didn't make it out of the car; Jer), chocolate oatmeal coconut bars (Todd), and many many others.
I apologize if I didn't get your cookie on the list, but really, with the huge influx of cookies Saturday night, I'm surprised that I remember all of that! The cookies filled all of my kitchen counters, the dining room table, and extras were stacked high on the kitchen table. I really should have taken some pictures before they began to disappear!
All right, enough of my rambling about food. While it was fun just to see what everyone brought, it was even more fun to see everyone again! At first I was worried that my high school friends and college friends wouldn't mix too well, but as the night went on, I could see that that wouldn't be a problem. The music of the Spoony Bards might have helped with this. The gas can and its contents might have helped too. ^_^
As Christmas draws closer, I'm filled with odd bouts of holiday spirit and underlying dread. I think most of my shopping is done. Unfortunately the wrapping isn't, but that isn't what is worrying me.
Knowing that I'll have to student teach in the new year is a bit intimidating. It's going to be tough for me (being me) to pull myself out of bed so early, but even that isn't the big issue.
What has me the most concerned is that I'll be teaching a class that has already become accustomed to another teacher. It's going to be difficult for me to pick up with a completely different style of teaching, grading, etc. Then again, maybe I'm just thinking about this whole thing a little too much. Maybe I haven't been giving high school freshmen enough credit? *le sigh* I really hope that's the case. ^^;;;;
I'm determined to have a good winter break though, at least as good of a break as I can with that heavy cloud hanging overhead. I've spent plenty of time with Todd, badfiction is at its prime, and both Tales of the Abyss and Twilight Princess are slowly being played. It's a good situation overall!
Dec. 22nd, 2006 @ 03:56 am
|
| » Youmacon 2006 and Thanksgiving! |
|---|
Youmacon was a while ago, but that won't stop me from saying a few things about it!
First of all, it was a heck of a lot of fun. As some of you know, I was considering not going to Youmacon due to feeling like total crap. This went away after sleeping in the car (courtesy of Stephen P!) for a full 6 hours. =)
Playing music was fun, as always! And even though it was frigid by the doorway, I had Andrew's magical cape of awesomeness to keep me warm!
As usual, my mind gravitates naturally towards food. This time, however, I have a good reason! The staff decided to make us (spoony bards) two cookie cakes with all of our names on them! It was very adorable!
I'm glad that I was able to see everyone this time! I think this is the first time I have ever seen the Spoony Bards completely assembled. It's amazing to play music with so many friends.
I'd put amusing quotes here like last time, but honestly it was so long ago that I can't remember what the funny quotes were. All I will say is that most of us got little to no sleep Friday and Saturday nights, causing much hilarity on Sunday. ^_^
Moving on... Thanksgiving with the family was also fun! It's been a long time since I have eaten THAT much food! But I guess that's what eating 2 full thanksgiving dinners within a 2 hour span will do to you. Even so, if I had to go back to Thanksgiving day, I certainly wouldn't change anything.
My grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary yesterday. It's truly impressive to think that they have been together for such a long time. I don't know too much about their pasts, but I don't think they've ever been really unhappy with each other. Maybe there's more to arranged marriages than I know?
It's strange to be sitting here today without the bustle of everyone in the house. It feels empty, like the day or two right before christmas break in the dorms when everyone (who doesn't have a friday final) has left. Even though it's quiet around here now, I know things will get busy again soon.
Nov. 27th, 2006 @ 04:54 am
|
| » Sugoicon 2006! |
|---|
Fun for many reasons. Unfun for other reasons.
Here are a few of my fav. quotes...
"WHAT AM I BEING AUCTIONED FOR???!!" -Stephen P.
"$21 dollars to the man in the kilt! Do I hear more?!" Jon
"Drink-RAVE! Drink-RAVE!" Chris M.
"Where's the lube?" -Jamie
"FUCK YOU SLIME MONSTERS!" Christina C.
"You big, thick, circumcised cock!" Ronnie
"In Mother Russia.... (insert nonsense here)" Jer
The biggest highlight of the con (imho) was definitely auctioning off Stephen Poon (thus his quote). Best idea we've had in a while. Jon was an amazing auctioneer (his quote). And Chris ran around happily drinking "coffee". Again. (yet another quote).
Sharing a room with 7 people was intense. Especially the morning scramble for the shower. During that time, Christina's huge tub of petroleum jelly came to be known as "lube." (my quote) Christina swears it's not true and swears at many other things, especially Golden Sun (hers). Ronnie had her own unique swearing at Chris when he pretended to be "housekeeping."(quote!) Jer made no sense when he was tired (as usual).
Friday night I had an awful migraine (unfun), but there was a massively fun Spoony bard pillow-fight. (I got to whip people with towels! Mwahaha!)
Saturday we played with the Random Battle Group again. I love those guys! It always looks like so much fun, but I've never been brave enough to join a battle. ^^
Saturday night there was a dance/rave. The music and dancing was fun, but at the same time it was like being trapped in the middle of a funk-pool. I had to wonder just how many of those people knew what "deodorant" was. And how many of them actually showered.
Sunday the con was dying down. We played a last song with RBG, and then our last set. Unfortunately I cut my left pointer finger RIGHT BEFORE we played, which was total crap, but it's getting better.
The exciting/scary thing about this con is.... we'll be doing it all over again in a short 5 days! Youmacon sounds like it will be cool, but I can definitely wait those days before we go.
Oct. 30th, 2006 @ 07:02 pm
|
| » (No Subject) |
|---|
It's time for that semi-weekly tuesday night I'm-avoiding-doing-work post! Are you excited? I know I am.
This week comes with less inspiration, but also less blah-ness. I've rediscovered my love for videogames (not in that way you sickos) through... believe it or not... Paper Mario! Version Thousand Year Door. Terribly cute game, had to beat it asap.
But now Paper Mario is done (except for that stupid pit of 100 trials...) leaving me with oh so many possibilities! Soul Reaver (and all it's brethren), Final Fantasy X (and X2 if you count that as a game), Suikoden (3-5), the list goes on! Sadly, I've found that there is little time for gaming these days. Very unhappy thought.
But, on a completely different note, Anime Reactor (which I won't be able to attend), Sugoicon, and Youmacon are right around the corner! And Halloween. I'm excited for them all, but don't have costumes for any of them. I could wear the Viki costume or my "veteran" Tifa outfit, but I was really hoping to do something new. Maybe this year is the year to finally cease the costuming and move on to happy comfy clothes and shoes...
...at least until I get a sewing machine.
My computer decided to fry itself again last week, leaving me computerless for days. I've finally got it working again, but everything is all wonky and huge. This may be my laptop's final sad days. My prediction for a while has been that it won't last past this winter at the very most.
Man do I feel like a dork! All I have to talk about are games and anime conventions?
Let's see... undorky thoughts.... hmm....
Student teaching (actually student observing, but it's so much easier to call it teaching) has been going well. It has made me reconsider my goal to be a teacher though. I suppose I won't really know until I student teach. If things go well, then I just might have a career! If not... well... then I do have my biology degree, so maybe I can get some sort of job with that.
Fall seems colder this year, but maybe that's just me being cold-blooded.
I can't wait to visit Todd this weekend! I am also looking forward to seeing my grandparents. I hope they are all right. They've been through a rough patch since my great-grandmother is nearing her final rest. When she's gone it will be sad, but really... she's lived a very long life (she's 92!) and up until a couple months ago, she's been quite capable and well.
Like July, this is a time of many birthdays. As you know, my memory is not the best, but I'll try to get a Happy Birthday in! =)
...just remind me a few days in advance, ok? ^_^;;
That's about it! I hope everyone is doing well, and not too bored from this long rambling entry.
Oct. 17th, 2006 @ 10:02 pm
|
| » Open mouth, insert foot... |
|---|
...that's me on a good day.
Recently I haven't had too many of those, not for any one particular reason, but more for a culmination of reasons. One of these is the blahs.
We all get them, at least I think most of us do. Those times where everything around you just seems like ... blah. There's no real description for it, but my closest analogy would be pouring a bit too much bleach into your load of laundry.
All of us good college students (who diligently do their laundry and don't reek of old milk cartons) know that if you pour too much bleach into your laundry, disaster strikes.
Is it the bleach's fault? Not necessarily. In fact, that bleach probably had very good intentions as it fell drop by drop into that dirty water. It even claimed to be color-safe.
But even color-safe bleach can't hide from the simple nature of its chemical structure. Sure, it takes away some stains, but after a while, it begins the deadly deed of whitewashing everything. Bleaching, and then dissolving the very fabric of your favorite t-shirt.
That's how I describe the blahs. It's a funk that slowly eats away ambition.
I realize that it's ironic that I should even be talking about it, since as a future teacher, it should be my goal to remove these blahs from students. But how do you take away bleach-damage? What happens to your favorite shirt? Can you really just throw it away and get a new one?
The simple truth is that there is no easy answer. Saying that feels like a cop-out answer, but it's really true. No one simple thing, whatever it may be (cookies, rollerblading, etc.,) can quick-fix the blahs. After all, they were caused by a culmination of aspirations gone wrong.
In time, they go away on their own. But in today's fast paced world, do we really have the time?
Sep. 27th, 2006 @ 03:12 am
|
| » I never had a puppy... |
|---|
No, I was never one of those kids lucky enough to find a puppy under the christmas tree. Or a guinea pig, hamster, or what have you.
The only pet I ever had was a grasshopper. I caught him (I decided he was male) myself and kept him in a bucket in the backyard. That is, until the bucket was knocked over, probably by the wind or something, and he hopped on his merry grasshoppery way away to somewhere far better than a bucket.
You may be wondering what relevance this has to anything, and the simple fact could be that it doesn't have any at all. Or it could be that again I will miss out on the luxury of having a pet along with the comfortable assumption that I would be returning to school in the fall.
Things have changed since those days of catching grasshoppers and keeping them in buckets, but not so much as I would have thought. Just today I flung a burnt cookie (yeah, I forgot it was still in the oven) at a fat rabbit via a large plastic spatula before I realized how silly of an idea that was. Bunnies don't eat cookies, and even if they did, why in the world would it eat one that was burnt? In the end, I still feel just as much like a kid as I did a good fifteen years ago.
My pet grasshopper never had a name. He was a fleeting happiness that left without a trace far too soon. You know where this is going. You, friends who read this journal and even those who don't read it, do have names. I'd like to make a shout-out list like some of you do, but that would take far too long.
For me to remember someone's name is truly a blessing to us both. If you know me at all, it probably took me something like 5 tries before I remembered your name. Don't feel bad, it happens to everyone I meet.
In any event, if I know your name, it means that at some point in time you've made an impact in my life, probably for the better. That and you have had incredible patience with my poor memory. Some of us will probably drift apart, and nobody can really be blamed for that since time does change people. But there are some of you (many who won't ever read this) that I hope will never leave me. Some who will "keep in touch" even if all I can offer you is the inside of a bucket. You know who you are.
Please don't ever hop away.
Aug. 24th, 2006 @ 03:05 am
|
| » Maybe the craziness will end soon? |
|---|
... or maybe it won't.
Either way, after a summer of agonizing over where I will be placed, I was finally placed in Hoffman Estates High School to do my student teaching. It's about time!
I'm really excited because it is so close to home! Also, one of my favorite teachers from HS currently works there as a bio teacher (that's what I want to be!) so it'll be nice having her around too.
But, with the good, comes bad. This also means I won't be staying with everyone at Evanston for my last two quarters, which has me extremely sad. I really miss everyone and I was looking forward to seeing everyone again. And buying a bunny.
But since I'll be at home, I won't be living with everyone, and I won't be able to buy said bunny.
But! I will still have classes @ NU on wednesdays, so at least one day out of the week, if not more, I can stop by and visit everyone! I'll try to stop by more often though, since I really do miss everyone.
In other news, Todd left for Eastern yesterday, which also has me sad. I miss him already! It's my goal to make some cookies soon and send them to him. And for the cookies to NOT melt/get stale/be nasty.
Yesterday I went to see the midnight showing of SNAKES ON A PLANE!!! I took my brother and his friend Brian to the Streets of Woodfield. We met up with Jer and even saw Dave and some others there too! Amazing, the crowd of that movie. It was definitely entertaining, but I definitely think that the crowd made the movie. It wouldn't have been nearly as good without screaming crazy people in the theater.
People during the previews "THAT'S NOT SNAKES ON A PLANE!!! WHERE'S THE SNAKES???"
People during the movie "SNAKES IN THE WATER OMG!!! WHERE'RE THE SNAKES???" I didn't get that one.
And when Samuel Jackson's famous line came up, everyone in the theater quoted "I am tired of these muthafuckin' snakes on this muthafuckin' plane!!!"
Jer pointed out that they edited in that scene, but even if they did, it was worth it!
I've been furiously trying to work my piano playing skills into shape for an interview this monday. I'll be playing Rondo Alla Turca, Fantasie Impromptu, and Sonata in E minor (movement 2) by Grieg. They're all very pretty songs that I had sounding very nice about 4 years ago. Since then they've become not so nice sounding, but they're getting better!
I've also been quasi-studying for the subject area test which is coming up on September 9. It's got me a little concerned since I will need to know chemistry and physics as well as biology. Some of these things I haven't taken since high school, so you know why I'm concerned.
Anyway, none of these things are getting done as I procrastinate and continue to type out this message. I'd better get to work! ^^;;
Aug. 18th, 2006 @ 04:38 pm
|
| » Canada and more! |
|---|
It's that time again, time to update the journal!
Last week my family and I went on vacation to Canada! We saw Niagara falls, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec city, and more. It was fun, but there was far too much driving involved for my tastes.
Niagara had pretty water, but that's pretty much all. But! I was able to meet up with Nat and see her cute house and Wegman's (sp?) food store. That was far more fun! =)
Ottawa was scorching hot for Canada. Capital city... important but overall not too exciting.
Montreal was something else.
A lot happened during the trip, but I don't think I'll ever forget being surrounded in nothing but French. French billboards and signs, French people and language, French everything.
After we crossed the border into French-Canada, I vaguely remembered something like "Parlay voo francis" and quickly decided it was better if I didn't even try.
It's weird, but after a while I started picking up words here and there (mostly food) and that in itself was fun. It was frustrating at times and quite often I felt a lot like Alice in Wonderland. Very very lost.
After a couple days in French Canada, I swore I hated the place and wanted to go home, but when we finally left (a few days later) I kind of missed it. It was strange to see things in English again and not in French... I guess I'm probably overreacting a little bit since I've never really been outside of the USA before. I doubt it's possible anymore, but I still want to study abroad.
When we came back, I started working at a place called Lakeshore Academy. I tutored little Korean kids in English vocabulary. I'd forgotten how cute little kids are! Especially when they are as good as these children were. They were children who came back from recess on their own, sat in their seats, and said "ok, I'm ready to learn now!" I never knew they really existed.
The school year is drawing closer and closer, and still I haven't heard where I will be placed for student teaching. It's a little nerve wrecking, but there really isn't anything I can do for now. I'll just have to wait to hear back from the schools. =/
Today Chris, Derek, Todd, and I went to the Wisconsin state fair. The temperature was perfect and they had LLAMAS!!!! ^_____^ *cough* eh yeah. So, aside from cute little llamas, cute little goats, and cute little rabbits, they also had the usual fair stuff and booths, food, etc. Parking was a pain in the rear, but the fair made up for it.
Todd will be going back to school soon, and that makes me very sad. The ridiculously high gas prices make me even sadder. I guess I'll have to look into taking the train if I want to visit him. Either that or make lost of $$$ somehow and brave the long drive.
I've become addicted to my brother's game "Brain-age." It's aggravating but appealing at the same time. At least I'm better at Sudoku now. Sudoku anyone? ^_^
Aug. 13th, 2006 @ 02:48 am
|
| » Interview interview... |
|---|
mountains of them are not fun. at all.
This last week has been packed full of interviewy-goodness. Even my weekend was eaten by interview/training! What fun.
At least today I had the joy of taking a train instead of being stuck in godawful traffic.
Mint chocolate chip icecream from Baskin Robbins is still my favorite. For better or worse, I even brought some to today's interview. Yeah, I'm getting lazy.
Hopefully some of these interviews will turn out well. I really hope to get a test-prep tutoring job or two or three for afterschool times. It'd help strengthen my teaching skills, put a little extra $$ in my wallet, and in the end look damn good on a resume. For teaching anyway.
My younger brother has started to take more of my things. Things he really shouldn't be taking, like my soap, shampoo, toothpaste... the bathroom list goes on. Am I wrong in finding that strange?
I was able to write some more of a not-so-wonderful story that I like to call the "Kratos brooding" fic a couple days ago. It's really... not so wonderful. But it makes me happy to be able to drabble here and there. =)
Last night I had this horrifying dream about losing a baby. I ran around all over the place and couldn't find it... I hope that's not a bad omen.
Next week my familiy is going on vacation to Canada! We're planning on visiting Niagara falls, Montreal, and a couple other places. I hope it turns out to be a good trip! =)
Jul. 25th, 2006 @ 01:48 am
|
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
lateniteslacker's journal