Packing and things

I don't know why I'm such a slow packer!!
I find myself just sitting there thinking of what and how I should pack instead of just crakcing down to it, and to get a moving!!!

Got me a few suitcases.. so the things will be getting into the the luggage sacks.

Internship

This has been the first week of my internship, and it's been going great!!!

I've been working with students on the robotics project, where students build robots from lego parts and program the robots to move down a path and go to different stations. The first station is the food and water station, where students need to program their bot to go to the station and then head back to the safe base. The food and water station is the closest station away from the 'safety' zone that they are in. Then, they try to get their bots to the radio station where it's a bit further away, and they program the bot to talk, like its speaking on the radio. And finally, they try to get their bot to reach the rescue station, where everyone upon reaching, everyone is safe!!!

Really neat and cool project!! I can't believe that I got a chance to work on it, it's such a privilege!!

decisions, decisions.

what can i say... decisions....

untitled

It hasn't dawned on me yet, how life will be, as a lone individual, placed in a country where I have no connections, no friends. In an environment where I have never set foot on before.

I am, I know, nervous of this experience, yet both excited an interested at the same time.

There is so much for me to learn There is so much that I can build upon.
I know that the field of teaching, is not a job that you do perfect in day one. Rather, it is a profession where your skills can be refined over the years, as gold is refined through the fire. Of course, only if the gold is willing to be refined.

How did things happen so fast?

It seemed like only yesterday, and it is likely that within two short months, I will be on my way to the other side of the world.

What will I do to keep in touch with my friends here? What can I do to keep the relationships running? I know that for some, time and space does not move or sway, or lessen the relationship, but without communication, there is no understanging. And, where are we if there is no understanding?

I must confess that it is I who is lacking contributing with time and effort. I know that I have said this bfore, but have also failed to perform any substantial actions to better strengthen and build those relationships. And, if these are people who are so close to me, who live jus down the street, who live just a 15 minute drive away.... how will I fare when I am 4,000 kilometeres, a 14 hour plane flight away? It will take that much more time and effort on my part to make up those contributions.

I know that perhaps I am being more worrisome than things really are. I have freinds who I don't see that often, and we can hang out for the weekend (bow)!!

If things do happen... this will be my first time out and away. As in really being on my own.

Let's keep in touch.

there is time....

I've found the time to post a blog. More like, decided to use my time to post a blog.

Things have been moving! swell!

They are on the improving!

We did a soil lab today, and I think the students enjoyed that portion of the lab. It was probably the most engaging part, because the students got to go 'investigate' the pH of the soil!

I'm also doing a lab tomorrow. Acid Rain, and planting seeds. I really hope that things work out!
*fingers crossed*

Planning

Is training!

Definitely a way that helps me stay focused and on task. Only, some parts are easier than others. Of course, there's no free lunch. And, i do think that what i put into it, is what i will get out of it.


Let the planning marathon continue!

i need hearts!!!

Anyone know where I can find cow, pig, sheep hearts?

oh, how we try for education.

away from home?

as in, many, many miles away?

think I could do that? Perhaps for a new experience or for the prospects of having a job...

the job hunt does continue, and how far am I willing ot go to have my hands on one?

It is possible that I will have an offer to work overseas.

It's time for me to really consider.

meeting someone new

So, I've me someone new, someone that I've never come across before in my life.

Someone, that I think carries with them a lot of experiences, humiliation, roughness, being scorned and of course to be who they are, they are tough.

she's really tall. gets clothes from tall girls.

somehow, i feel that i admire her and at the same time, have a whole surge of other feelings... pity? sadness? wanting to reach out and share a bit of my heart?

I'm not too sure.



Today was a really good day. I had a chance to have somewhat of a heart-to-heart talk with my teach. Having faith, and having a purpose. For the little smaller things to count more than the huge grand ending/grand purpose.


And most of all, i thank you.
You helped me get through my roughest days. Adding on that bit of oil that i need to smoothen out the rough patches. You remind me that this is a practice session, and well, in order to practice, of course i need to make mistakes, and i need to learn from them!
I know that i need to look at failure in a positive light. And, of course, if I don't fail, how can i learn? If I don't think that I'm not doing well, how can I actually improve?


And, another thing: for me to take the time to realize what I really enjoy doing, what I really want to do in life. I want to become more than I already am. I want to get off my lazy ass and become that person who is responsible and lives up to my expectations.

Anyways, needt o get back to work. ciao.

a few quotes

Right now, these quotes are so heart warming:


"you need to add oil.

both figurtively and actually

there is no rough patch which some good old WD40 can't smoothen.

tigres are the king of the forests. don't get scared of the little bunnies"
-Lz
09.03.09

"Tests alone can't evaluate teachers."

(Gerald Bracey, researcher/writer in education matters)

"Correction does much, but encouragement does more."

(Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe)

"Never fail to know that if you are doing all the talking, you are boring somebody."

(Helen Gurley Brown) [From Sanderson Smith, via Rex Boggs]

"To succeed, you must first improve; to improve, you must first practice; to practice, you must first learn; to learn, you must first fail"

(Wesley Woo) [From Sanderson Smith, via Rex Boggs and Jonathan Lundell]


"Fail again. Fail better."

(Jonathan Lundell)


---------
Most of these quotes just cut straight to the chase, right through to the heart.

Learning encouragement. I want to learn encouragement.

Giving second chances. If I believe in giving second chances, then I must act it.

day one

So, today was my first day....

it was exhausting....

hope for a new day!!

Children's Books

A Voweller's Bestiary

This book is an amazingly wonderful book full of lippograms.

The uniqueness of the book is that the poems are based on the different combinations of vowels.

There are 32 different combinations available by 5 vowels (order doesn't matter). What the author, Jonarno Lawson, has done is that each word in each poem will contain the combination.

For example, in the poem that has the combination: o, a and u
all the words in this poem will have the vowels: o, a and u.

in addition to this, each poem is based on a particular animal, hence, the 'bestiary'.

the title of the poem that contains: o, a and u is

Orangutans, Toucans

glamorous toucans
outsoar coucals

so i'll give you the first 2 lines of the poem.

This is just facinating! And, many thanks to my Mathematics Instructor for this amazing idea. There are so many connections that can be made form this book. Such as, connecting poetry to mathematics. And connecting poetry to ecology and the investigation of animals!

one thing off my list

This is a great way to express thyself.

now i realize why i have time to be here on this blog and rite about these things - I'm living alone!!!

Anyways, I am done my biology assignment. And, to my slight disappointment, it's not as 'great' as it could be... but heck, given the time and the time that i'm willing (or not) to invest into it. it is what it is.

My time will be spent towards trying to get my foot into the Ministry to Education.

Good luck to me!

Teaching in Singapore...

This has ben a topic that's come up between Chris and I, and I do find the prospects of it quite appealing.

See, Singapore is like a hub - the central location of all the SouthEast Asian countries: Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, Philippines... and Wikipedia has taught me that there are a few more countries that are there (which I don't know of: Timor, Brunei and Myanmar). And then, it's so close to Japan, Korea and Hong Kong. It'll be a great place to be to travel. Sighhhh. Travel... Now, the question is: will working in Singapore give me enough money to travel?

I suppose I will find out. There's an information session on Monday given by the Ministry of Singapore. I'm interested. I'm not sure if I'll be jetting this year, but we'll see what happens. Really, it's not on my 'to do list' right now, but it's definitely something that I will consider... if someone goes with me! ^^

And, if we can go together, it will be such a great experience.

ON.. What Teachers Make.

missyau posted a video of this a while ago, and being back at a school has brought this poem to the forefront of my mind.


It's called 'what teachers make' written by Taylor Mali (a teacher in the states).

A link to his poem is: http://www.taylormali.com/index.cfm?webid=13

He also has a youtube video of him reciting it.. i highly recommend it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxsOVK4syxU

I don't know how to embed a video... and if you know, leave a comment.

ah...

yes, the need to survive.

the need to provide myself with the basic necessities of Maslow's Triangle.

I will continue on.

it is a positive sign. i must put in the effort and time to complete that which i think is most difficult.

Thoughts about Savage Inequalities

I've been thinking about this for a little while now... that I've been reading this booked titled: Savage Inequalities by: Johnathan Kozol. The book speaks of the inequalities that poor kids are receiving, and more specifically educationally. There is much focus on government funding and the discrepancy between what the poor urban kids are getting versus the affluent, suburban students. The book writes that, in some states, the rich get 14 times more per student funding than their poorer counterparts. The book disputes the argument that "money does not make a difference in education quality", or that "money does not help kids learn". This book uses many examples to show and to even perhaps morally convict the reader to agree with the arguments. Not only sympathize, but be compelled to believe that way. They speak of children learning in factories, buildings that have not been attended in 50years. Teachers that need to teach in pantries, in closets because there is just no classroom space. The teachers in these poor urban areas have a ratio of 1:60, and who I am I kidding - I think this is ridiculous.

But, what an interesting (and I'll explain why I say interesting) is that Kozol continues to argue that the urban schools are getting less funding because there is less property tax in the urban areas (some of the buildings/houses are so horrendous, you can buy a house for $1000USD). Thus, less money form the taxes go to the schools in those areas. Hence, it's like a perpetual cycle that the poor people will remain poor.

But, that's not all. The court cases of 'equality' are brought to our attention. It is described to the reader that parents of these poor children and students bring the funding discrepancy it to the judges' and court's attention. Yet, some states refuse to allow a funding cut. Or, do not allow students from these poor schools to enter their rich and resource abundant school.

And, what I mean by interesting is that, if you read the text and what the text is conveying - it would be extremely difficult for a morally sensitive person to oppose any of it. By the way, we haven't even talked about private schools. This is only about public, government funded education.

What am I to think? How do I feel about this? Do I think that the rich should pay for the poor? Do I feel that the rich should let the poor kids into their schools? I fear that if I were to express my views, I might be stoned by the masses.

Somehow, I don't quite like this book. I think this coming academic year will be very interesting. This book "Savage Inequalities" was remarked on as a 'classic' book. And, I am currently in the "Inner City School" Option. mighty interesting.