Thursday, September 29, 2005
Friday, September 23, 2005
VEGAS
A month late, I know... but I finally got another USB Cradle for my digital camera to upload all my pictures. Elaine's crazy 21st birthday bash was pretty much a month long celebration, anyway. (I think we're still celebrating on occasional weekends.)
Veags was great! The trip got off to a great start when the birthday gal sweet-talked her way into getting us upgraded. This was our room in Caesar's Palace:
Our bathroom
The best part of our room was watching TV while...
...sitting in the jacuzzi!!!! (The picture is a bit risque, I know.)
A view of the Bellagio water show from our bedroom window.
Girls on the prowl for meat... as in steak. :)
A month late, I know... but I finally got another USB Cradle for my digital camera to upload all my pictures. Elaine's crazy 21st birthday bash was pretty much a month long celebration, anyway. (I think we're still celebrating on occasional weekends.)
Veags was great! The trip got off to a great start when the birthday gal sweet-talked her way into getting us upgraded. This was our room in Caesar's Palace:
Our bathroom
The best part of our room was watching TV while...
...sitting in the jacuzzi!!!! (The picture is a bit risque, I know.)
A view of the Bellagio water show from our bedroom window.
Girls on the prowl for meat... as in steak. :)
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Looking back to my experiences this summer, I feel as if I've aged about 10 years within a span of 2 months. It's been trying times here in LA. I can't believe that it's only been a short couple of months prior that I was still living my days as a wreckless, crazy college student. Gone are the days of innocence...
Here are some of my favorite pictures of my students. I deliberately chose the ones where they actually look like they're paying attention... if only they were ALWAYS this well-behaved!
Here are some of my favorite pictures of my students. I deliberately chose the ones where they actually look like they're paying attention... if only they were ALWAYS this well-behaved!
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Listen up, Miss I'm-Super-Conservative: Malibu AIN'T LA. I teach in LA Unified. I don't teach rich snobs. So think before you tell me how to do my job. By the way, why would you f.cking choose to go to UC Berkeley when you obviously don't appreciate the history of Berkeley? Take all your dumb Republican friends and just vacate. You don't deserve any of what you have.
P.S. You have a STUPID name.
P.S. You have a STUPID name.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Monday, August 15, 2005
GROWING UP IS HARD TO DO
I now understand the meaning of growing up. As I stand on the brink of new beginnings, I'm learning that adult relationships are more complicated than I ever imagined. Things are never going to be as simple as the most sophomoric I-don't-like-you-let's-break-up scenario. No, now everything is built around these huge LIFE choices. And it's just a shame that oftentimes, our choices are determined by career goals. We choose to stay. We choose to go. We go where the wind (and opportunities) take us. But along the way, do we factor in the people we must leave behind? And if so, how much? I've come to the conclusion that it really doesn't matter how great of a connection is shared. Love really doesn't conquer all. None of that matters anymore if two people can't see themselves physically in the same place for the next 5 years... or even for the next 10 years... there simply is no future. It's not about thinking with your heart anymore. It's about practicalities and calculated risks.
I used to believe in fairy tale endings. As unrealistic as they seemed, I always thought I could be the exception. Now I know better; they simply don't exist.
I now understand the meaning of growing up. As I stand on the brink of new beginnings, I'm learning that adult relationships are more complicated than I ever imagined. Things are never going to be as simple as the most sophomoric I-don't-like-you-let's-break-up scenario. No, now everything is built around these huge LIFE choices. And it's just a shame that oftentimes, our choices are determined by career goals. We choose to stay. We choose to go. We go where the wind (and opportunities) take us. But along the way, do we factor in the people we must leave behind? And if so, how much? I've come to the conclusion that it really doesn't matter how great of a connection is shared. Love really doesn't conquer all. None of that matters anymore if two people can't see themselves physically in the same place for the next 5 years... or even for the next 10 years... there simply is no future. It's not about thinking with your heart anymore. It's about practicalities and calculated risks.
I used to believe in fairy tale endings. As unrealistic as they seemed, I always thought I could be the exception. Now I know better; they simply don't exist.
Saturday, August 13, 2005
I absolutely hate that it's waaay past my bedtime and I'm still awake. I hate that I have to be up in less than 4 hours... on a Saturday morning. I hate that I can't fall asleep because there's too much running through my mind. I hate that I never have the answers to life's questions. I hate my phone. Oh yeah, and I hate that Carlos Beltran isn't going to be playing in Sunday's game. Nobody knows how long I've waited to see him play in person. :(
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
I think nostalgia is sinking in right about now. I'm three days away from finishing Institute at not-so-great Long Beach State. (I used to love this place for it's Lincoln-Douglas Debate on the Grassy Knoll. Not so much anymore.) Even though my summer school kids at Henry Clay Middle School have been tremendous and touched my heart in many different ways, I can't deny that my heart still lies with my kids up at Berkeley. Care sent me pictures today from King Middle School's 8th grade graduation. It warmed my heart so much to see the kids with their bright smiling faces. *sigh* I can't even describe the feeling.
I realize that I'm just missing the Bay and everything that it stands for much more than I expected. This is too difficult...
I realize that I'm just missing the Bay and everything that it stands for much more than I expected. This is too difficult...
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
MY FIRST TEACHER BREAKDOWN...
... no, my students didn't make me cry. It's only been Day 2, and I love them already! Yes, they're chatty. Yes, they've got attitude. Yes, sometimes, they even act up. But for the most part, they respect me and have learned to put up with me as their new teacher.
My frustrations lately haven't been with the kids, but rather the people I'm supposed to depend on most. We are having all sorts of creative differences. But, supposedly, I'm the one that's not in tune with them. Excuse me for not thinking like a stuffy high school English teacher. Excuse me for thinking outside the box and utilizing interactive games to get my Special Ed class to learn. Excuse me for standing up for what I believe in, even if that makes me "difficult to work with."
Let me do it my way. Don't make me teach like YOU.
... no, my students didn't make me cry. It's only been Day 2, and I love them already! Yes, they're chatty. Yes, they've got attitude. Yes, sometimes, they even act up. But for the most part, they respect me and have learned to put up with me as their new teacher.
My frustrations lately haven't been with the kids, but rather the people I'm supposed to depend on most. We are having all sorts of creative differences. But, supposedly, I'm the one that's not in tune with them. Excuse me for not thinking like a stuffy high school English teacher. Excuse me for thinking outside the box and utilizing interactive games to get my Special Ed class to learn. Excuse me for standing up for what I believe in, even if that makes me "difficult to work with."
Let me do it my way. Don't make me teach like YOU.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
SOMEWHERE BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL
... and thus begins my adulthood life... a 6th English and Social Studies teacher at Charles Drew Middle School in Watts. I reside in lime green Room 25. Over at the camp, it's been a tiring week of events at LMU... to say the least. It's been an overwhelming process. Of course, what was I supposed to expect in trying to match personalities with 200+ other people? I've met people from all sides of the spectrum. It's been interesting. The reason why people first joined the program speaks volumes to the type of person they are. I think I lucked out with the friends that I've made here, but I could never replace the ones that I've made at Berkeley. Despite being a LA Girl for life, I find myself dreadfully missing the Bay.
I'm tired and hungry... with too much pent up tension.
... and thus begins my adulthood life... a 6th English and Social Studies teacher at Charles Drew Middle School in Watts. I reside in lime green Room 25. Over at the camp, it's been a tiring week of events at LMU... to say the least. It's been an overwhelming process. Of course, what was I supposed to expect in trying to match personalities with 200+ other people? I've met people from all sides of the spectrum. It's been interesting. The reason why people first joined the program speaks volumes to the type of person they are. I think I lucked out with the friends that I've made here, but I could never replace the ones that I've made at Berkeley. Despite being a LA Girl for life, I find myself dreadfully missing the Bay.
I'm tired and hungry... with too much pent up tension.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
GRADUATION
I'm still recovering from all the graduation celebrations held this past weekend. It's surreal knowing that I'm one of Berkeley's newest batch of alums. Here are some of my favorite pictures to document the weekend.
Russell B grads!
The Poli Sci Group! (Sadness... we're missing Paul!)
My sister!
Adam, me, Chris, and Mike
Ben and me
Schurrites
I LOVE my Kris!!!!
My CalSERVE family!
My other DC buddy
*** That's all, folks! ***
I'm still recovering from all the graduation celebrations held this past weekend. It's surreal knowing that I'm one of Berkeley's newest batch of alums. Here are some of my favorite pictures to document the weekend.
Russell B grads!
The Poli Sci Group! (Sadness... we're missing Paul!)
My sister!
Adam, me, Chris, and Mike
Ben and me
Schurrites
I LOVE my Kris!!!!
My CalSERVE family!
My other DC buddy
*** That's all, folks! ***
Monday, May 09, 2005
PATHETIC...
...is me. As one of the most prestigious awards given at the end of each year, The University Medal honors UC Berkeley's most distinguished graduating senior. This year, they chose to recognize five finalists. What are the chances of me being extremely good friends with TWO of the five?! Dare I even claim one of them to be a long-time high school friend! (She went to a rival school.)
I used to think the the people who got these awards were those nameless smart people that sat in the front of every class/lecture and sucked up to the professors. But actually knowing who these people are makes the medal more of a tangible reality. I feel like the world is telling me today, "You could've had your chance... but too bad, SUCKER!"
Reading their bios today really got me thinking... WHAT THE HELL HAVE I BEEN DOING WITH MY LIFE THESE PAST FOUR YEARS??? I started out just like them. I was headed on the right track. Hell, I was even a supervisor to one of them for a whole freakin' year! But somewhere along the way, our paths diverged and now I'm left graduating like a damn nobody with a useless diploma that won't even get me a job. All I can say is... what a humbling experience. I'm not all that great. In fact, I haven't done anything with my life at all.
...is me. As one of the most prestigious awards given at the end of each year, The University Medal honors UC Berkeley's most distinguished graduating senior. This year, they chose to recognize five finalists. What are the chances of me being extremely good friends with TWO of the five?! Dare I even claim one of them to be a long-time high school friend! (She went to a rival school.)
I used to think the the people who got these awards were those nameless smart people that sat in the front of every class/lecture and sucked up to the professors. But actually knowing who these people are makes the medal more of a tangible reality. I feel like the world is telling me today, "You could've had your chance... but too bad, SUCKER!"
Reading their bios today really got me thinking... WHAT THE HELL HAVE I BEEN DOING WITH MY LIFE THESE PAST FOUR YEARS??? I started out just like them. I was headed on the right track. Hell, I was even a supervisor to one of them for a whole freakin' year! But somewhere along the way, our paths diverged and now I'm left graduating like a damn nobody with a useless diploma that won't even get me a job. All I can say is... what a humbling experience. I'm not all that great. In fact, I haven't done anything with my life at all.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
STILES MEMORIES
Yesterday, I did NOTHING to boost my academic GPA. Instead of writing my paper, the Stiles mentors celebrated the culmination of a wonderful year working together. Hahaha, ironically, none of our kids were invited to the party... you'll see why.
Me with some of the kids I work with. Why am I the shortest?!
Ugonna carrying Chelsea during our "Safeway run". *hint hint*
Jonathan, Ed, Justin, and Michalle
Pablo popping off the cork.
Fancy champagne with plastic goblets!
The party's just getting started!
***There were many more pictures taken... unfortunately, due to "future political endeavors," those pictures will be exposed at a later date for blackmail purposes only.***
Pooped!
Yesterday, I did NOTHING to boost my academic GPA. Instead of writing my paper, the Stiles mentors celebrated the culmination of a wonderful year working together. Hahaha, ironically, none of our kids were invited to the party... you'll see why.
Me with some of the kids I work with. Why am I the shortest?!
Ugonna carrying Chelsea during our "Safeway run". *hint hint*
Jonathan, Ed, Justin, and Michalle
Pablo popping off the cork.
Fancy champagne with plastic goblets!
The party's just getting started!
***There were many more pictures taken... unfortunately, due to "future political endeavors," those pictures will be exposed at a later date for blackmail purposes only.***
Pooped!
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
SISTERLY LOVE
I don't know when it all happened... and I certainly hate admitting to it... but somewhere between high school and college, my little sister became smarter than me!!! I can't believe what an amazing and strong young woman she's become. I constantly learn new things from her through the conversations we share. She's the one giving ME advice now! I can't even begin to express how proud I am of her and all that she's overcome in her first year of college. I know it's not easy being my sister, especially with all the trials and tribulations that I put her through. But Terri, you're passing with flying colors!
I don't know when it all happened... and I certainly hate admitting to it... but somewhere between high school and college, my little sister became smarter than me!!! I can't believe what an amazing and strong young woman she's become. I constantly learn new things from her through the conversations we share. She's the one giving ME advice now! I can't even begin to express how proud I am of her and all that she's overcome in her first year of college. I know it's not easy being my sister, especially with all the trials and tribulations that I put her through. But Terri, you're passing with flying colors!
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