so I just realized my blog-aversary back in December, so it's been like 4 years now....
wowza.

anyhoos. I was just gonna update a bit.
I'm on Christmas break. and basically it's been awesome. sleeping in has definitely been the best part.
i'm gonna miss it next week when i'm back to the hustle and bustle.

but i'm guess i'm excited to get back in the classroom. do i want to? NO. but my life will return to something meaningful. so far over break though, i've been crossing things off my things-to-do-over-winter-break-that don't-involve-work-TO DO LIST. one which includes furnishing my apt. I have so much space....but things are coming together at least my living room which is koolio awesome. I feel like I live here more now...other than that I haven't crossed too many other things off my list cuz i'm lazy...but i'm alright with that...i rested for realz.....

back to school stuff now, gotta change my mindset. Flip the switch from lazy to productive-ish. Overall, teaching is better. i mean definitely looking back to the beginning I did alot of stuff classroom management wise that was wrong or more so I didn't even know what to do. there's so much stuff I feel like I'm fighting in classroom that could've been avoided completely in the beginning....and I feel like still discovering who I am as a teacher and how to make that come across to my students. Like I really don't know who Mr.A is. And how that's different from the person I am out of school.

But I know  that  I'll definitely be prepared for next year...setting up procedures and routines and defining the boundaries more strictly (or at least try to). But you know I love my students all of them, even though I feel like I do way to much for them. And truly I just want them all to succeed in my class. But I don't know if I always express that because I'm so lost/overwhelmed/tired.

I guess that would be one of my goal for the second half of the year...
I think I've definitely been self-centered, concentrating alot of myself in classroom....because I'm trying to learn how to live the adult life and how I am supposed to be a teacher (it's my first year and all)
but I defintiely need to put the focus back on the students, no matter what's going on with me. Think about what are they doing. Then based on their performance think  about how can I improve.

Another goal I think, would be around the mathematics...I don't know if I often show my excitement for the math. show them the cool stuff. Yeah I want them to be able to do stuff. solve certain problems graph this blah blah. But it would help to show the importance of mathematics things to me. whether that some interesting background or presenting in a real life context. I would just really like to change my students perception of mathematics. like it's so ridiculous how easily students give up on math and how for whatever they don't think they can be good at it...

I got like five million more goals pop in my mind as I'm writing this..parents, motivation, failing students....I can just do alot better. and I know I still got a long way to go. I'm just glad it's better. Am I still as happy as I thought I would be? No. But it's better. my students like/respect for the most. And  I know they all want to learn. I need to help them get there  better-er..

one day I'll be effective. one day.

here's a picture I took of my dog Buster.
He was scaring the crap outta me today...

that's it.
PEACE & CHICKEN GREASE!

I'm finally updating

Guess because now I feel I have time, and plus I'm kinda bored actually, well in addition to procrastination but it'll all get done tomorrow.

First of all this is my 300th post. Woot! (this has taken forever......). Yeah I don't know when my next posts will be, but whateves....it's cool.


TWO. blogger has changed incredibly much, but hey that happens all the time with this social networking thing.....


3) this will probably be a rambling of sorts, cuz I'm just typing as I go and stuff..


#4 Teaching is a lot of work. Hardest thing I've ever done in my life. and honestly I'm not enjoying it as much as I thought I would. Maybe because I'm just focusing too much on the negative stuff. I don't know I just want it to be better already.


V. But my students are great. I just want them to learn. And that's not happening with everyone.... But they provide me with plenty of laughter and amusement. They definitely give my life meaning, definitely can see my purpose. just wish it was easier i suppose. Yet I realize that mathematics, at least the mathematics I teach is not really my passion. I definitely like math, but not as much as I use to. And I think it's because I don't see as much usefulness for it out-of-school context. Again I'm talking about the mathematics I teach. (sigh)

F. It also made me realize how much I LOVE music...I love singing (duh) and listening to music is so awesome.  I love listening for small inflection or changes, and things that are slightly out of tune. I can't really describe it, but I love it...

Six.  I need to go to church more often/ find a church home. Need it. It's weird being an adult, and having to officialize (making up words) so many things, like what I believe in religious, my (non-existent) political views/voting, paying bills, spending habits, food and shopping. Alot of stuff was based on what my parents did, and now on my own I now have the decision to do WHATEVER, and that's what scary to me because I don't know what to do I suppose....

Neves. I don't like being an adult. It's hard. I just think my life is tough in general, cuz I'm learning to rely on myself, which is usually is alright until I don't want to do anything. (which often happens on the weekend) so basically my life consist of nothingness (besides teaching), which makes adulthood seem awfully boring...eh.


ATE. My birthday is coming up soon. 23. I want to do something AWESOME. like drink. with friends in my apartment.  


9. My apartment is still pretty bare. I haven't had the time (more so the will) to go out and buy stuff. I'm slowly getting there though ( I got a rug!). Hopefully by the end of the year ( calendar year I mean) I'll have my living looking pretty nice. Hopefully....


!*. this is the last one. I don't know the next time I'll update. Hopefully before the year is over. This was fun. random updates  about stuff in my life. I could probably write more, but then this would lbe the post that never ends. 


- Also: Thanksgiving was fun. Ate tons, went back to K3. Church and Family. I miss it. uhhh yeah.

(random picture why not....hahaha...chicken and watermelon...which interestingly bring up a story. my parents came to visit me in October. and basically we ate chicken and watermelon. so stereotypical Ikr???)

until next time
PEACE & CHICKEN GREASE!

Wow it's pretty much over....

College life.
I got Senior Week left now to celebrate with friends,  so that should be fun times.
But it hit me a couple of days ago while all the undergraduates were leaving...and I realized I was still here.
I'm a senior and this is the end....
and it really hit me today, as I was going through papers and stuff deciding what to keep, what to throw away, this is the end, man. I almost busted out crying a couple times, but I'm good...

I have SO many memories at this university, met so many people, done so many things, changed as a person a bizillion times, like I can't put in words how integral my college experience was to helping me learn about the world and myself, it is truly a amazing experience. I'm such a different and stronger person than I was a freshman coming in. It's crazy when I think back to my first times at NU, wow, things were different then...

But luckily, I have something to look forward to coming in the fall. I get to follow my passion. To be teacher, so that should be fun and challenging, to say the least. I just found out (for now) I'll be teaching 2 courses Geom H and 2 courses of Algebra 2 with a support class, a total of 5, so basically my student teaching classes, which should be fun[more than fun, but I don't really have the words to describe it]. I'm definitely excited for the chance to have my own class, my own students for an entire year (of course I'm scared, but more excited). Also I have orientation on Wednesday next week, called ETHS 101, so that should be really fun and get me uber-excited. I can't believe this either, like I'm literally gonna be high school math teacher. This is the time.

so many things happening in my life. This is definitely a closing of one chapter and the opening of another. I am truly blessed. Thank you God.
With this post, I just thought would take the time, while I have it, to step back and just look and reflect, but this upcoming week is senior week, so I'm surely gonna enjoy myself, enjoy my last times on this campus as a student with my friends...Then it's graduation.

oh speaking of which, I'm going to be the banner carrier for SESP at University Commencement. Pretty cool huh? I think so. I have to attend some meeting Tuesday next week, then at SESP rehearsal talk to the whole class about the commencement, seems pretty cool. And I proudly do it because I love SESP,  which definitely made my experience a great one as well.

so yeah. I'm just glad I made the choice to come to Northwestern, although I would've done somethings differently, not many, I have learned so much that I really wouldn't trade anything for those experiences.
AH. Let's go 'Cats.

Peace & CHICKEN GREASE!

Last day in may.

Um, Today's the last day in may. tomorrow is June 1st, but I'm sure you know that.

This serves as important to me because that means there are 17 days left in my collegiate life.
Graduation (and real life) shall soon be here. and although I will be really happy to be done with classes
and assignments, problems sets, papers, lectures, discussion sections, office hours, grades, I'll miss everything that  Northwestern as offered me, the people, the experiences, they were truly amazing. This was really the greatest time of my life, and I hope it only gets better from here. It has to.

But only about four (or five) things stand in my way until that glorious day:
Philosophy assignment Due tomorrow
Philosophy of Ed Paper Due Monday
Reading in Content Area due Thursday
Math Paper (yeah I know) due Wednesday next week
Math final (may or may not have to take) also next Wednesday...

But good thing I'll be done with classes on Thursday so that will be a MAJOR milestone as well.

The future looks bright, i mean my life is totally ahead of me. And I hope it's ready, cuz I'm not (haha).           But I will be in time. Yeah I'm scared and nervous about how things are going to turn out at work, living on my own, bills and loans and stuff. I feel like I shouldn't be that worried because it gonna work out. I'm just realizing those days dependence and kinda-sorta dependence that college gave are winding down. I can do it though. so I'm not that discouraged....

......besides me being worried about the future and graduation and such,

I had my last Dillo Day, it was great. Not as thrown as last year, I actually remembered stuff. Bad thing I saw some of my students from Evanston, which  totally kinda ruined my mood, but I think it's all good...I had a great day..

I wanted to babble on some more, but  I just don't feel like typing no more. But I think I'm definitely going to keep a blog/records of my first year of teaching, either here or on my tumblr, which ever easier for me to do or I feel like is necessary, but that's far from now.....

so I'll be busy getting at those four/five things. Going home this weekend, which I haven't been to all quarter, I just didn't want to, but it should be fun to see the Fam.

bam.
that's it.
I'll give a random picture...just cuhz

hilarious

PEACE & CHICKEN GREASE!!!

Did you hear the good news???

I GOT A JOB!!!!

Let the celebration's began!!!! 

So I'll be teaching at Evanston come the fall. Don't know what I'm teaching, where I'm teaching, but I got a job so that's all that matters.....

I actually found out a couple of days ago, but then it hit me I had not published on my blog. so here ya go. 

Now the only thing to do is to look for places to day. 

I kinda want to stay in E-town for the summer just so I can get comfortable around here. And I just don't want to go back to K3. Honestly I'd rather move out as soon as possible....yeah......

But now all I gotta worry about is actually graduating. I'm so relieved. Thank the Lord!

Alright that's all, I don't want to type in more than that.....

so dance for me. 

I gotta job.

much love.

PEACE & CHICKEN GREASE

Bloggy McBlog Blog Blogerstein

wow. guess i don't like to update it anymore
"it's just because i'm so busy"
"it's because i'm so lazy"

well not really, i guess it's more because voicing my opinion about random things don't really appease me anymore as much as they used to.....or is it because I really have nothing interesting to talk about in my life......or is it because I do I have stuff I want to share, but I don't want to share??.......

whatever the reason, the number of my updations are going down in comparison to a year from now (for instance, this is the second one for the month of september)
and since skool starts in 2 days, there's not telling whats gonna happen with this here blog...

but speaking of school,
classes start on Tuesday, but I just realized I won't actually have class until Wednesday  : ) . But on Tuesday I'll be going to ETHS to start my observation, so basically I'll be in class, just not a college one. I'm really looking forward to it. I don't really know what to expect, I mean I have some clue, but what will the students be like? How will my mentor teacher's style differ from my ever-developing style? How will this change my life and my career? Will it even be interesting or will I be bored outta my mind sitting in a high school class?? Idk.  but we'll see....

okay that's kinda it.
Random Picture Time?!
(I haven't done that in awhile)

TOO FAR. smh.

that tis all
PEACE & CHICKEN GREASE!!!

Updation of Sorts.

Maurice Griffin

Recently went to a church performing for NCE, it was a Relief for Haiti (something that I think people have kinda forgotten about so I'm glad people are still making it a priority). Anyways to my surprise the special guest at this concert was Maurice Griffin, who many may not know is a fellow Kankakee-an(??). check him out here.
Anyways dude took us, well I'll say me, IN. don't know what that means? Look at this video,

that basically what happened.

Anyways it was a blessing to see him and to be blessed as well.

---------------------------------------
Teaching this Summer
In less than a month I'll be in Colorado, how crazy is that? so excited! I just gotta get through the craziness of Spring Quarter (and also book my flight)...

But I saw this video. and I'm even more excited. about teaching math in general.

so awesome.
--------------------------
Speaking of  Youtube (they turned 5 years old). isn't that crazy as well? I'm a junior in college now so when I was a junior in high school Youtube was barely known, but now it's so vital. I mean a day doesn't pass where someone's like "Did you see this video? it was hilarious." one thing though I think that intrigues me is how long things like Facebook and Youtube are gonna be around for, like in 20 years will there be a totally different social networking site; or will Google eventually take over the World; or will the Internet totally die somehow?


yeah okay that's it
PEACE & CHICKEN GREASE!!

what it is!

what it be.
idk.
anywayz what though.
so um it's a new month. I've definitely been neglecting my blog alot,
but that alright, it's not like it's a baby (cuz if it was it would be dead)....

updates and such.
spring quarter's going well. weather's nice. I realized today all my classes got something do every week, whether it's homework or problems....or a 5 page critique of a thesis paper (yeah Advanced Research Methods)

abbreviation A.R.M. will probably be the hardest course I've taken at NU, I'm calling it. so I'm trying to limit my stress level by being on top of stuff. But I know once I find out what I want to do, and start my researching the stress will come, but now I'm not going to dwell on that too much.

so I've kinda been having a mini-crisis about what I want to do with my life. Kinda had this epiphany (should I call it that??) that I should probably have switched my major to LOC awhile back ago (learning and organizational change). Because I've realized I'm like uber fascinated with how people learn, and changing environment to improve their learning. Key words are learning and change. I guess I can still do that with teaching, but I don't know if as much. But I can't really change now because I want to graduate next year, and I can't spend anymore time/Money here (50+ a year, don made me broke).

So if it turns out I really don't like teaching at all OR if I think I'll be happy other places, I might go to graduate school for Learning Sciences or LOC if I decide to come back to NU I guess. But I don't know yet. I just pray that God directs me. But I realized it's kinda okay if I don't have my life together after I graduate; I mean I guess I thought everything would just go smoothly idk.

but the funny thing is I wouldn't known  I wanted to change my major if I hadn't taken Teach Ed classes. Does this mean I really didn't know what I was getting into? Idk...or that I should have taken Teach Ed classes earlier, unfortunately I couldn't....so it's really funny. so in that way I think that it's just kinda the master plan. Because I  know coming in to NU as a freshman my heart was set on teaching, and I would've never thought of changing my major AT all. but yeah stuff happens. you never after teaching this summer and practicum I might just "fall" in love with it....

idk. Alot realizations has happened to me, lately. I feel like I've never been really receptive of the opportunities I have a NU, like I knew stuff existed, but I guess it has only hit me until lately that I'm basically grown at like next year this time. so of course I'm reflecting on my quick time at NU, and just wondering if I could've done more...like what did I miss out on........but I'm still really grateful for all I've done...I'm just wonder why I haven't been more receptive and open to things.....I'm not explaining this well, but I know what I mean...

anywayz that was a unexpected rambling......
college is a trip...that's all I gotta say.......

PEACE & CHICKEN GREASE!

hello AGAIN world

this is ya biz-oy.
so um.
still at NU, final weeks, it's fun! 'cept its not.
I kinda I have a lot to update about. but um
I really don't feel like talking about alot stuff.
oh wait i do...
I currently have that teach ed paper done.
and i basically finished my music tech project, gotta polish it up a lil bit
what's left is I just have to write my comp lit paper, which technically has not page limit.
I'm shoot for no more than 3 pages, doubled space.
and then I just gotta study for my math final.
so it turns out things are not as bad as I thought they would be
(Thank God)

but really I just can't wait to get home.....cuz I feel like I haven't seen my familia y parentals/ hung out with them in forever.
yeah...

oh GOOD NEWS, GOOD NEWS!!!!
this summer I will be going to Denver Colorado, for Breakthrough Collaborative!!.
It's gonna be so awesome. I found out last week Tuesday!
Basically I'm just gonna be teaching for 2 months straight (from June 15 to August 12)...
it should be fun, and exhausting, but I'm really excited to go.
Hopefully I'll be teaching math, I'll find out about all  that in April.

yeah other than that...
wait.....
okay so for my african literature class (i referenced it as comp_ lit above), we have to watch 1 out of five movie for our final paper. I watched Keita: the heritage of a griot. It's an excellent movie (although it's in french strangely). I don't really want explain the movie cuz its crazy!! but um it just got me thinking about my heritage and we I come from. And i was just thinking how awesome it would be to find out exactly where I came from, who owed my ancestors, when did they arrive in americas, what country they came from and even what were some of their cultural practices. I just think that would be awesome.but it's like really difficult to find that stuff actually. But I just might have to a talk with my grandma over break...

okay that's it...
I have something to do....probably not actually...
but anywayz
PEACE & CHICKEN GREASE!!!