Copycat
august23’s girl-rant
I went shopping with my sister today, and it’s so disappointing to find some of the women’s fashions of the times are mere imitations of the 1980s—diagonal hemlines, off-the-shoulder blouses, pastel colors, orange and baby blue are back, and thick-heeled Mary Janes.
I have to say that from the 1990s to the present time, fashion is just not original anymore. When I was in sixth grade, my teacher jokingly predicted that bell-bottoms would come back in style. Two years later, as I entered junior high, bell-bottoms did make a comeback, and they’ve evolved into something called flares. I’ve managed to stay away from it for the past ten years, but it makes buying slacks or pants that much more difficult.
Recently, I tried to buy a dress for my former roommate’s company party. What did I find but a bunch of glitter dresses with diagonal hemlines with off-the-shoulder tops, or the notorious one-strap dress. They are so… trendy-nasty! As much as I like the 1980s, the fashion was just indescribable. Who wants to live through that again?
Friday, December 27, 2002
I'm wondering what the Bush Administration is actually getting from revising sex information? Are these brainwashing political ideologies at work?
Thursday, December 26, 2002
Wednesday, December 25, 2002
Merry Christmas
From the Future Grinch
I dislike the holidays. I only like the Christmas break that I get from the school. It’s not that I’m not religious (kind of), but the holidays are a reason for the family to get together when I don’t feel like getting together. All my sisters come home from wherever they are from, the house is crowded with people, the endless parties with relatives that I see all the time—actually it’s the same party, just moved around to a different house from Christmas Eve, to Christmas day, to New Year’s Day. The radio blares Christmas songs that I’m already sick of. Everyone has messages of goodwill and peace, and I just don’t feel like sharing the goodwill wealth. I just want to stay home and sleep the holidays away, like a bear hibernating through the winter. I want my space, and the holidays are just too crowded for my taste.
I like the winter, but I just don’t like the holidays. I’d rather stay at home. That’s the hermit slowly maturing inside of me.
From the Future Grinch
I dislike the holidays. I only like the Christmas break that I get from the school. It’s not that I’m not religious (kind of), but the holidays are a reason for the family to get together when I don’t feel like getting together. All my sisters come home from wherever they are from, the house is crowded with people, the endless parties with relatives that I see all the time—actually it’s the same party, just moved around to a different house from Christmas Eve, to Christmas day, to New Year’s Day. The radio blares Christmas songs that I’m already sick of. Everyone has messages of goodwill and peace, and I just don’t feel like sharing the goodwill wealth. I just want to stay home and sleep the holidays away, like a bear hibernating through the winter. I want my space, and the holidays are just too crowded for my taste.
I like the winter, but I just don’t like the holidays. I’d rather stay at home. That’s the hermit slowly maturing inside of me.
Sunday, December 22, 2002
Friday, December 20, 2002
"Buck it, up."
That's what the assistant vice principal's secretary said to me when I found out my slut student was denied transfer to the continuation-alternative school. I was so happy when she said she wouldn't be returning after the Christmas break, but it looks like I'll be putting up with her for another three weeks. UGH!!!!
Then there's my MIA student who's been ditching class for about 50% of the semester. She has 16 reported truancies, 4 reported tardies, a police contract and a court contract to stay in school during school hours, and there are three weeks left in the semester. She will not pass my class. She already knows this, so she's going to sit in my class and do absolutely nothing. According to the VP, she uses also crack and is possibly pregnant with child by her eighteen-year-old-high-school-dropout-boyfriend of two months. In teenage years, two months is deep intense love.
I hate the false ideas I have to give to a particular student who is in special education. She has expressed intent in trying to get her grade up in order to be mainstreamed into regular classes next year (without the special education label). She has to pass my class to prove that she no longer needs special educational services. Currently, she is in special education, so I have to follow her IEP and modify her work and grade her differently. I find this to be a problem because it's a vicious catch-22. According to this plan, I have to change homework assignments so she is not overloaded with work, and I have to grade her on a different scale with different standards. I have to do all this in order to fit her special needs so that she can pass this course. This is a huge flaw because she'll pass my class with the false idea that she can do regular work, which she is not capable of doing. Then the special education program will think she is no longer "special ed" and take her off their resource list. Next year, she'll go onto regular eleventh grade English without an IEP, so her assignments will not be modified. Can you guess what will happen? She will drown in the work and she will fail miserably.
I'm an advocate for "let them make the choices." If a bad grade or stupid choices affects these kids lives in the future, I'm all for it. It's a hard lesson to learn when they realize that the they can't change their past mistakes.
That's what the assistant vice principal's secretary said to me when I found out my slut student was denied transfer to the continuation-alternative school. I was so happy when she said she wouldn't be returning after the Christmas break, but it looks like I'll be putting up with her for another three weeks. UGH!!!!
Then there's my MIA student who's been ditching class for about 50% of the semester. She has 16 reported truancies, 4 reported tardies, a police contract and a court contract to stay in school during school hours, and there are three weeks left in the semester. She will not pass my class. She already knows this, so she's going to sit in my class and do absolutely nothing. According to the VP, she uses also crack and is possibly pregnant with child by her eighteen-year-old-high-school-dropout-boyfriend of two months. In teenage years, two months is deep intense love.
I hate the false ideas I have to give to a particular student who is in special education. She has expressed intent in trying to get her grade up in order to be mainstreamed into regular classes next year (without the special education label). She has to pass my class to prove that she no longer needs special educational services. Currently, she is in special education, so I have to follow her IEP and modify her work and grade her differently. I find this to be a problem because it's a vicious catch-22. According to this plan, I have to change homework assignments so she is not overloaded with work, and I have to grade her on a different scale with different standards. I have to do all this in order to fit her special needs so that she can pass this course. This is a huge flaw because she'll pass my class with the false idea that she can do regular work, which she is not capable of doing. Then the special education program will think she is no longer "special ed" and take her off their resource list. Next year, she'll go onto regular eleventh grade English without an IEP, so her assignments will not be modified. Can you guess what will happen? She will drown in the work and she will fail miserably.
I'm an advocate for "let them make the choices." If a bad grade or stupid choices affects these kids lives in the future, I'm all for it. It's a hard lesson to learn when they realize that the they can't change their past mistakes.
Less Evil Me
As much as my kids say they like me, I don’t think they really do. I’m just the lesser of two evils. I teach five classes now. Two of them are being switched to another English teacher who is already on campus. These two classes—and I’m not exaggerating—literally yelled and screamed. Then they shouted their opinions about the teacher. For the other three classes, the school is possibly hiring a new teacher for them. These three classes heard from the other two classes about their new teacher, and everyone is panicking about what teacher they will be getting. They’ve heard rumors about other teachers and how difficult or how archaic they are, and compared to them, they like me because I’m young. Basically, I’m the lesser of two evils.
Kids don’t like change very much.
As much as my kids say they like me, I don’t think they really do. I’m just the lesser of two evils. I teach five classes now. Two of them are being switched to another English teacher who is already on campus. These two classes—and I’m not exaggerating—literally yelled and screamed. Then they shouted their opinions about the teacher. For the other three classes, the school is possibly hiring a new teacher for them. These three classes heard from the other two classes about their new teacher, and everyone is panicking about what teacher they will be getting. They’ve heard rumors about other teachers and how difficult or how archaic they are, and compared to them, they like me because I’m young. Basically, I’m the lesser of two evils.
Kids don’t like change very much.
Thursday, December 19, 2002
Symbol of Perfection
I got my car back from the collision center last week. I’m paranoid of driving it. My life is “perfect” again: semester is almost finished, teaching is finally getting easy, seeing someone nice [blush], and I got that job in Japan. Can life get any better than this? I think not… and I’ll probably get into another accident.
Or, like I mentioned before, maybe those accidents are culminating to another greater accident that will be more ruinous? When the Christmas break is over, technically I’ve got three more weeks of teaching. I can get into another accident from now until then (after all, my commute is forty minutes every day). Or… maybe the accident will be one in the sky… as I’m flying to Japan….
I got my car back from the collision center last week. I’m paranoid of driving it. My life is “perfect” again: semester is almost finished, teaching is finally getting easy, seeing someone nice [blush], and I got that job in Japan. Can life get any better than this? I think not… and I’ll probably get into another accident.
Or, like I mentioned before, maybe those accidents are culminating to another greater accident that will be more ruinous? When the Christmas break is over, technically I’ve got three more weeks of teaching. I can get into another accident from now until then (after all, my commute is forty minutes every day). Or… maybe the accident will be one in the sky… as I’m flying to Japan….
Wednesday, December 18, 2002
I Have Stamina and Creativity
According to the Hello Kitty Psychological Test, I have stamina and creativity when it comes to relationships. I can endure any hardship, and relationships have a tendency to last forever--IF I am not the perfectionist I strive to be and actually ask for help when I need it.
I wasn’t going to take psychological advice from an animated cat, but this analysis is too close to my own personality.
Moving onwards: I’ve been thinking of signing up for a free website again. Maintaining a homepage is time-consuming, but since I would be talking about myself, it’s not like I have to think hard with that one. Besides, I want to post pictures, especially if I go to Japan. I mean, an online journal without visuals during the most exciting time of my life makes a pretty boring blog. I find my blog boring at times because there are no pictures.
Incentive for the week: Christmas Break from school and holiday festivities with old college friends
According to the Hello Kitty Psychological Test, I have stamina and creativity when it comes to relationships. I can endure any hardship, and relationships have a tendency to last forever--IF I am not the perfectionist I strive to be and actually ask for help when I need it.
I wasn’t going to take psychological advice from an animated cat, but this analysis is too close to my own personality.
Moving onwards: I’ve been thinking of signing up for a free website again. Maintaining a homepage is time-consuming, but since I would be talking about myself, it’s not like I have to think hard with that one. Besides, I want to post pictures, especially if I go to Japan. I mean, an online journal without visuals during the most exciting time of my life makes a pretty boring blog. I find my blog boring at times because there are no pictures.
Incentive for the week: Christmas Break from school and holiday festivities with old college friends
Sunday, December 15, 2002
Can I Leave All This Behind?
As I walked around campus on Friday, just doing regular errands here and there during my prep period, and going to-and-fro from the office and my class, and even after school as I greeted other teachers and did more errands, I have never heard so many, “Hi, Ms. G” in my entire day from students. I think it’s because I told my classes that I will be going to Japan in the next semester. One of my students declared her deep appreciation by proclaiming, "I love you," when I walked into her history class.
Maybe not all my students appreciate me as much as that student who declared her love, but I have never felt this much appreciation either—and so openly. I’m taken aback to see how much I’ve affected these students. My greatest fear is that I'm always wondering if I’m doing a good job teaching them, when all that matters to them is, “She’s a cool teacher who listens.”
I’m almost sad to leave. I don’t know if I want this semester to go any faster.
As I walked around campus on Friday, just doing regular errands here and there during my prep period, and going to-and-fro from the office and my class, and even after school as I greeted other teachers and did more errands, I have never heard so many, “Hi, Ms. G” in my entire day from students. I think it’s because I told my classes that I will be going to Japan in the next semester. One of my students declared her deep appreciation by proclaiming, "I love you," when I walked into her history class.
Maybe not all my students appreciate me as much as that student who declared her love, but I have never felt this much appreciation either—and so openly. I’m taken aback to see how much I’ve affected these students. My greatest fear is that I'm always wondering if I’m doing a good job teaching them, when all that matters to them is, “She’s a cool teacher who listens.”
I’m almost sad to leave. I don’t know if I want this semester to go any faster.
Wednesday, December 11, 2002
Oh… her….
Remember that slut-in-the-making who likes to make out in public? I discovered today that she’ll be leaving my class, and will not be returning when the Christmas break is over. It was revealed that she was a good candidate for the alternative/continuation high school due to her 0.68 GPA. Yeah, you read that right… point 68. How can someone get a 0.68 GPA? And I almost took it personal that she didn’t like my class…
What I’m really worried about is that her object of affection has expressed interest in going to the same alternative school. At first I supported his decision... until I learned about her transfer. He is a good kid. Although he has anger management issues, I have never seen him act out, especially not with me. I think he’s more open with me than with any of his other teachers. If he wasn't so depressed, I see so much potential in him. He can be anything. When he voiced his interest about going to the alternative school, I thought it was a good decision, and he even seemed a bit motivated. I still support his decision, but now that I learned that she’s going, too, I don't see any good coming out of it--for either of them.
Damn her.
Remember that slut-in-the-making who likes to make out in public? I discovered today that she’ll be leaving my class, and will not be returning when the Christmas break is over. It was revealed that she was a good candidate for the alternative/continuation high school due to her 0.68 GPA. Yeah, you read that right… point 68. How can someone get a 0.68 GPA? And I almost took it personal that she didn’t like my class…
What I’m really worried about is that her object of affection has expressed interest in going to the same alternative school. At first I supported his decision... until I learned about her transfer. He is a good kid. Although he has anger management issues, I have never seen him act out, especially not with me. I think he’s more open with me than with any of his other teachers. If he wasn't so depressed, I see so much potential in him. He can be anything. When he voiced his interest about going to the alternative school, I thought it was a good decision, and he even seemed a bit motivated. I still support his decision, but now that I learned that she’s going, too, I don't see any good coming out of it--for either of them.
Damn her.
Tuesday, December 10, 2002
Um... Hmmm....
I just got an email from the recruiter from Westgate Corporation. I read the email about three times because I didn't want to think that I may have misinterpreted it due to some culture misunderstanding. I thought it ambiguous at first, but how can the words, "We would like to offer you the position which the contract period is April 1-July 23, 2003. The handbook and the contract will be sent to you..." be misunderstood? That seems direct.
*august23 sits a while and lets it sink in*
Holy shit! I got the job!
I just got an email from the recruiter from Westgate Corporation. I read the email about three times because I didn't want to think that I may have misinterpreted it due to some culture misunderstanding. I thought it ambiguous at first, but how can the words, "We would like to offer you the position which the contract period is April 1-July 23, 2003. The handbook and the contract will be sent to you..." be misunderstood? That seems direct.
*august23 sits a while and lets it sink in*
Holy shit! I got the job!
Sunday, December 08, 2002
Random Thoughts on a Sunday
So I Won’t Think… At All
On teaching
· I hate Mondays
· I’m doing a shitty job with my ninth graders
· What am I going to do when I stop teaching?
· I’m not worried about the teaching job in Japan
· I got ¾ of the things done on my “things to do” list today, so I feel I did accomplish something
· I still feel guilty because I’m typing up my blog when I could be doing some work (but that’s the story of my life)
On sports
· Football fanaticism is a dangerous hobby
· I never used to pay attention to sports until I started seeing someone who’s a sports fanatic
· I miss a certain someone right now, but he’s probably in jail if he was in that scuffle at the stadium (Chargers vs. Raiders)
· I don’t care who won or lost that game, yet for some odd reason, my students think I’m a Raiders fan
· ATTENTION: I’m not a Raiders fan. I’m not a Chargers fan. I’m not a football fan. I just like to look at scores.
· Baseball is the only sport that even comes close to grabbing my attention
Sunday/Monday songs…
· “Sunday Morning” by No Doubt
· “Everyday is Like Sunday” by Morrissey
· “Blue Monday” by New Order
Random stuff
· Hallmark commercials are too long and cheesy
· Nothing feels like the holidays yet
· Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite” is the perennial Christmas carol
· Cheerios sounds good right about now
· I’m planning to visit my sister in Massachusetts if I don’t teach next semester
· It’s 11pm, and I could be enjoying sleep, but my mind is not relaxed, ergo, I am typing my blog and feeling guilty about not doing actual work (but that’s a vicious cycle)
· I could turn these random thoughts in to poetry if I really put my mind to it
· My poetry sucks
· Good night
So I Won’t Think… At All
On teaching
· I hate Mondays
· I’m doing a shitty job with my ninth graders
· What am I going to do when I stop teaching?
· I’m not worried about the teaching job in Japan
· I got ¾ of the things done on my “things to do” list today, so I feel I did accomplish something
· I still feel guilty because I’m typing up my blog when I could be doing some work (but that’s the story of my life)
On sports
· Football fanaticism is a dangerous hobby
· I never used to pay attention to sports until I started seeing someone who’s a sports fanatic
· I miss a certain someone right now, but he’s probably in jail if he was in that scuffle at the stadium (Chargers vs. Raiders)
· I don’t care who won or lost that game, yet for some odd reason, my students think I’m a Raiders fan
· ATTENTION: I’m not a Raiders fan. I’m not a Chargers fan. I’m not a football fan. I just like to look at scores.
· Baseball is the only sport that even comes close to grabbing my attention
Sunday/Monday songs…
· “Sunday Morning” by No Doubt
· “Everyday is Like Sunday” by Morrissey
· “Blue Monday” by New Order
Random stuff
· Hallmark commercials are too long and cheesy
· Nothing feels like the holidays yet
· Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite” is the perennial Christmas carol
· Cheerios sounds good right about now
· I’m planning to visit my sister in Massachusetts if I don’t teach next semester
· It’s 11pm, and I could be enjoying sleep, but my mind is not relaxed, ergo, I am typing my blog and feeling guilty about not doing actual work (but that’s a vicious cycle)
· I could turn these random thoughts in to poetry if I really put my mind to it
· My poetry sucks
· Good night
Sundays and Mondays
These are the worst days in a teacher’s week. I don’t like Sundays because I’m anxious and constantly thinking about Mondays. Every single day is a performance, and I’m nervous right before I teach. Sundays are the worst because I’m thinking of the entire week before anything has even really happened. I don’t like Mondays because it’s the first day of the week. It feels like I’m being forcefully dragged out of my weekend to endure another 12-hour workday. Then there are long lines at the copy machines and department meetings at lunch, where I can’t even eat lunch properly...
Countdown to the Christmas break: 10 more days. FEBRUARY—COME ALREADY!!!!
Incentives for the week:
a) ex-roommate’s company Christmas party (it’s just a friend-date)
b) doctor’s appointment (I’m so desperate to leave campus that I’ll use any excuse)
c) Toad the Wet Sprocket concert! (Friday can’t get any better than this)
d) a friend’s housewarming/holiday party (holiday festivities at last!)
These are the worst days in a teacher’s week. I don’t like Sundays because I’m anxious and constantly thinking about Mondays. Every single day is a performance, and I’m nervous right before I teach. Sundays are the worst because I’m thinking of the entire week before anything has even really happened. I don’t like Mondays because it’s the first day of the week. It feels like I’m being forcefully dragged out of my weekend to endure another 12-hour workday. Then there are long lines at the copy machines and department meetings at lunch, where I can’t even eat lunch properly...
Countdown to the Christmas break: 10 more days. FEBRUARY—COME ALREADY!!!!
Incentives for the week:
a) ex-roommate’s company Christmas party (it’s just a friend-date)
b) doctor’s appointment (I’m so desperate to leave campus that I’ll use any excuse)
c) Toad the Wet Sprocket concert! (Friday can’t get any better than this)
d) a friend’s housewarming/holiday party (holiday festivities at last!)
Thursday, December 05, 2002
One of Those Girls
One of my sophomore girls had an inappropriate outfit today: tight low rise jeans, black V-neck sleeveless shirt that, of course, shows her mid-riff, and wooden clog sandals with two-inch heels. I didn’t say anything. Like I said, experience is a greater teacher. She came back to my class after school, and she stumbled and nearly fell on her face as she walked through the door. She smiled with embarrassment and said, “That’s the second time today. But, oh my gosh, I fell down the stairs at lunch. I totally fell on my face, and it’s because of these shoes.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t be wearing those shoes,” I said. “They’re not functional.”
“But, Ms. G., these shoes look cute with this outfit. I tried my sneakers first, but it didn’t look right.”
“Black boots would look fine, too—and you wouldn't risk your face.”
"Ms. G...." she smiled.
In one ear, out the other. Will she wear that outfit again? I am sure she will.
And another sophomore girl, right after class, approaches her object of affection (she’s so obvious), and totally makes out in front of everyone as they walk out of the room. Unfortunately, I was talking to another student when I glanced upon the couple. Is she a slut in the making? I am sure she is.
One of my sophomore girls had an inappropriate outfit today: tight low rise jeans, black V-neck sleeveless shirt that, of course, shows her mid-riff, and wooden clog sandals with two-inch heels. I didn’t say anything. Like I said, experience is a greater teacher. She came back to my class after school, and she stumbled and nearly fell on her face as she walked through the door. She smiled with embarrassment and said, “That’s the second time today. But, oh my gosh, I fell down the stairs at lunch. I totally fell on my face, and it’s because of these shoes.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t be wearing those shoes,” I said. “They’re not functional.”
“But, Ms. G., these shoes look cute with this outfit. I tried my sneakers first, but it didn’t look right.”
“Black boots would look fine, too—and you wouldn't risk your face.”
"Ms. G...." she smiled.
In one ear, out the other. Will she wear that outfit again? I am sure she will.
And another sophomore girl, right after class, approaches her object of affection (she’s so obvious), and totally makes out in front of everyone as they walk out of the room. Unfortunately, I was talking to another student when I glanced upon the couple. Is she a slut in the making? I am sure she is.
Catering
After school today, another teacher called me up to discuss the academic progress of a certain student who is in the special education program. After that conversation, I found a notice in my mailbox regarding another student, who is also in the special education program. I have to haul my ass to campus at 6:45am to discuss the individualized educational plan (IEP) of one student. From there, I went back to my classroom and hesitated to even check my email, where I know one of the assistant aides regularly sends me monitoring sheets for two other students who have “special needs.” Also, in my second block class, one of my special education students was absent today, so I have to email the special education teacher to find out if her absence was valid. And the other day, I had a student write about suicide.
I have the most sophomores in this high school. In total, I have 127 social fifteen year olds with identity crises—that’s four classes, approximately 32 students in each class. Some of the teachers have sympathized with me for several reasons: a) I have the highest probability of having students in the special education program; b) when essays come, I have 127 papers to grade. I’m only glad that I’m not teaching the research paper next semester.
In the legal sense, I am a teacher who is bound by law to give equal access to core curriculum to language learners and to students who are in the special education program. I have 127 sophomores with crappy little attitudes, one lesson plan, one version of tests and worksheets. And the special education department expects me to take care of their students with INDIVIDUAL special needs. I worked in the special education department four years ago at another school, and it is difficult to create individualized worksheets and lesson plans that cater to six students’ individual needs.
Is my plate a little full? I think so! No wonder my freshman class (20 other outgoing students) gets the shaft. I don't think I'll ever master the "flexibility" and infinite number of multi-tasks that this job requires.
After school today, another teacher called me up to discuss the academic progress of a certain student who is in the special education program. After that conversation, I found a notice in my mailbox regarding another student, who is also in the special education program. I have to haul my ass to campus at 6:45am to discuss the individualized educational plan (IEP) of one student. From there, I went back to my classroom and hesitated to even check my email, where I know one of the assistant aides regularly sends me monitoring sheets for two other students who have “special needs.” Also, in my second block class, one of my special education students was absent today, so I have to email the special education teacher to find out if her absence was valid. And the other day, I had a student write about suicide.
I have the most sophomores in this high school. In total, I have 127 social fifteen year olds with identity crises—that’s four classes, approximately 32 students in each class. Some of the teachers have sympathized with me for several reasons: a) I have the highest probability of having students in the special education program; b) when essays come, I have 127 papers to grade. I’m only glad that I’m not teaching the research paper next semester.
In the legal sense, I am a teacher who is bound by law to give equal access to core curriculum to language learners and to students who are in the special education program. I have 127 sophomores with crappy little attitudes, one lesson plan, one version of tests and worksheets. And the special education department expects me to take care of their students with INDIVIDUAL special needs. I worked in the special education department four years ago at another school, and it is difficult to create individualized worksheets and lesson plans that cater to six students’ individual needs.
Is my plate a little full? I think so! No wonder my freshman class (20 other outgoing students) gets the shaft. I don't think I'll ever master the "flexibility" and infinite number of multi-tasks that this job requires.
Wednesday, December 04, 2002
Only Five Weeks
When I made that assignment calendar for my students, I didn’t realize how much time I have left with them. February will not come fast enough for me. Either this will go really fast, or it will go extremely slow. Right now, I’m already counting down to the Christmas break—twelve more days!!
*august23 groans, but does her little happy dance*
Incentive for the week: coffee with a friend in order to get my book Instruments of Torture back from her.
When I made that assignment calendar for my students, I didn’t realize how much time I have left with them. February will not come fast enough for me. Either this will go really fast, or it will go extremely slow. Right now, I’m already counting down to the Christmas break—twelve more days!!
*august23 groans, but does her little happy dance*
Incentive for the week: coffee with a friend in order to get my book Instruments of Torture back from her.
Tuesday, December 03, 2002
Stupid Environmentalist Beliefs
Please, Not While I'm Eating
Everyone seems to suddenly want to spread the good joy and spout their beliefs during this time of Christianity—even if it’s not in the holiday spirit. For instance, my sister, her boyfriend, and I went to a new sushi restaurant that we wanted to try out. When we sat down, a nice waitress of about nineteen years approached us and asked us what we wanted to drink. My sister and I ordered water while her boyfriend ordered a Coke. The drinks arrived a couple minutes later, and out of habit, my sister asked for straws for all of us.
“I don’t believe in giving out straws because they’re bad for the environment, but I’ll get you one if you really want one,” was the reply from the nice waitress of about nineteen years.
My sister, her boyfriend, and I were taken aback, and we looked at each other with dumbfounded expressions. “Huh?” Our gazes slowly returned to the waitress. Did we hear her right?
My sister tries again, once more with a tinge of polite submissiveness, true to her Asian upbringing: “Can we have straws…?”
“They’re bad for the environment, but I’ll get you one,” the young waitress replied with cheerleader perkiness, and waited for my sister’s answer.
“No… that’s okay.” My sister knitted her brows and shamefully picked up the menu.
The waitress walked away with a smile on her face as though she had done some good deed for the day: convincing someone not to use a straw. She has just saved the world from an unfriendly drinking mechanism.
My sister’s boyfriend glanced at us and said, “That was a turn off.”
“Yeah,” I grunted. “You go to a restaurant to enjoy a meal and then you get someone’s pushy belief about the environment for asking for a straw. What the hell…? Some people can’t keep their friggin’ ideas to themselves.”
Total damage at the restaurant: $49.00. Tip should have been approximately $6.00. We got stingy and left only $4.00.
Please, Not While I'm Eating
Everyone seems to suddenly want to spread the good joy and spout their beliefs during this time of Christianity—even if it’s not in the holiday spirit. For instance, my sister, her boyfriend, and I went to a new sushi restaurant that we wanted to try out. When we sat down, a nice waitress of about nineteen years approached us and asked us what we wanted to drink. My sister and I ordered water while her boyfriend ordered a Coke. The drinks arrived a couple minutes later, and out of habit, my sister asked for straws for all of us.
“I don’t believe in giving out straws because they’re bad for the environment, but I’ll get you one if you really want one,” was the reply from the nice waitress of about nineteen years.
My sister, her boyfriend, and I were taken aback, and we looked at each other with dumbfounded expressions. “Huh?” Our gazes slowly returned to the waitress. Did we hear her right?
My sister tries again, once more with a tinge of polite submissiveness, true to her Asian upbringing: “Can we have straws…?”
“They’re bad for the environment, but I’ll get you one,” the young waitress replied with cheerleader perkiness, and waited for my sister’s answer.
“No… that’s okay.” My sister knitted her brows and shamefully picked up the menu.
The waitress walked away with a smile on her face as though she had done some good deed for the day: convincing someone not to use a straw. She has just saved the world from an unfriendly drinking mechanism.
My sister’s boyfriend glanced at us and said, “That was a turn off.”
“Yeah,” I grunted. “You go to a restaurant to enjoy a meal and then you get someone’s pushy belief about the environment for asking for a straw. What the hell…? Some people can’t keep their friggin’ ideas to themselves.”
Total damage at the restaurant: $49.00. Tip should have been approximately $6.00. We got stingy and left only $4.00.
Creative Brain:
Ode to the Winter Season
Winter Season is
gray clouds and sprinkly rain
tinkling on the rooftops.
Like a snowglobe with everlasting snow,
Winter Season is permanent all through the night.
Central heating hums in the dark hall
to leave you with cozy feelings
Of solitude, where
Sweet hot chocolate and comatose
Dreams are kisses of distant memories,
While thick comforters snuggle warm
against you like loving arms.
Ode to the Winter Season
Winter Season is
gray clouds and sprinkly rain
tinkling on the rooftops.
Like a snowglobe with everlasting snow,
Winter Season is permanent all through the night.
Central heating hums in the dark hall
to leave you with cozy feelings
Of solitude, where
Sweet hot chocolate and comatose
Dreams are kisses of distant memories,
While thick comforters snuggle warm
against you like loving arms.
Sunday, December 01, 2002
In Limbo
A representative from Westgate called me on 11/27/02 to interview me. She was very soft spoken, polite, and informative. The interview lasted about thirty minutes. Although I expected this phone call for a week, I don’t think I was mentally prepared for it. In contrast to her light voice and very polite demeanor, I sounded like an aggressive go-getter (I was trying to motivate myself). It just made me realize how different our cultures are. I wondered if I was expected to be the… [gulp] submissive Asian if I were to arrive in Japan. Anyway, in light of the phone interview, she opened another position to me—Assistant Language Teacher. I originally opted for the university position, where I would be teaching English conversation at the university level. If I were to continue with that option, my term would be three months, and I would be responsible for 95% of the lesson plans and student evaluations. In other words: I am the teacher. I opted for this position because they didn’t advertise the high school position. When I was interviewed, the representative opened the high school position to me, and so I changed my options. The conditions would be a contract of four months, I work in a high school campus, no actual lesson planning on my part; my only responsibility is the conversational component of the lesson—English enunciations, group talks, speaking skills, assisting with grammar, etc. Since I work in the high school environment, I thought this would be much more beneficial for me in the long run. Anyway, I still have to submit some more paperwork to them, then wait for their next email or phone call to inform me whether I got the job or not. I’m not “OHMYGOD” excited, but I’m not “awwshit” anxious either. Que será, será.
On another note, I just finished my unit plan for the sophomores. I even made a calendar for the little ungrateful snots who are visual learners. Not counting the two weeks of Christmas break, I have five weeks left with these kids. Then my contract expires and I go on my merry way. If I get the job in Japan, then I have something to look forward to: another job and the experience of traveling in another country. If I don’t get the job, then I’ll look for another [non-teaching] job and give myself a little break from all the stress. I offered my help to the other first year teachers by being their background assistant (i.e., correcting paperwork, creating worksheets, making copies, assisting with lesson plans, entering grades, etc). Of course, I’d be volunteering my time, but at least I’ll stay in touch with the educational community and be “in-the-know” about the English curriculum.
When February comes, maybe I should try to regain the ten pounds I lost because of the unhealthy amount of stress and an unnatural diet that I lived through from September to November.
Yeah right! Gain the weight back! HA!
A representative from Westgate called me on 11/27/02 to interview me. She was very soft spoken, polite, and informative. The interview lasted about thirty minutes. Although I expected this phone call for a week, I don’t think I was mentally prepared for it. In contrast to her light voice and very polite demeanor, I sounded like an aggressive go-getter (I was trying to motivate myself). It just made me realize how different our cultures are. I wondered if I was expected to be the… [gulp] submissive Asian if I were to arrive in Japan. Anyway, in light of the phone interview, she opened another position to me—Assistant Language Teacher. I originally opted for the university position, where I would be teaching English conversation at the university level. If I were to continue with that option, my term would be three months, and I would be responsible for 95% of the lesson plans and student evaluations. In other words: I am the teacher. I opted for this position because they didn’t advertise the high school position. When I was interviewed, the representative opened the high school position to me, and so I changed my options. The conditions would be a contract of four months, I work in a high school campus, no actual lesson planning on my part; my only responsibility is the conversational component of the lesson—English enunciations, group talks, speaking skills, assisting with grammar, etc. Since I work in the high school environment, I thought this would be much more beneficial for me in the long run. Anyway, I still have to submit some more paperwork to them, then wait for their next email or phone call to inform me whether I got the job or not. I’m not “OHMYGOD” excited, but I’m not “awwshit” anxious either. Que será, será.
On another note, I just finished my unit plan for the sophomores. I even made a calendar for the little ungrateful snots who are visual learners. Not counting the two weeks of Christmas break, I have five weeks left with these kids. Then my contract expires and I go on my merry way. If I get the job in Japan, then I have something to look forward to: another job and the experience of traveling in another country. If I don’t get the job, then I’ll look for another [non-teaching] job and give myself a little break from all the stress. I offered my help to the other first year teachers by being their background assistant (i.e., correcting paperwork, creating worksheets, making copies, assisting with lesson plans, entering grades, etc). Of course, I’d be volunteering my time, but at least I’ll stay in touch with the educational community and be “in-the-know” about the English curriculum.
When February comes, maybe I should try to regain the ten pounds I lost because of the unhealthy amount of stress and an unnatural diet that I lived through from September to November.
Yeah right! Gain the weight back! HA!
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