What a difference a week makes, eh? Every day should begin with a call to social action.
I've taught part of two lessons, now, and it's been going well. Not perfectly, certainly. But I'm optimistic about the fact that I have been able to see where I can improve, and where I'm doing well. Teaching is uncharted territory for me, probably the most uncharted I've ventured into for a long time. The truth is, I've spent a lot of time doing things I love, such as music, but I've always struggled to recognize the ways I've grown in them, blinded by my own confidence in my innate abilities. [Edit: That sounded cocky. I'm just saying, I know where some of my talents lie, and I've considered them good enough a lot of the time.] So far, teaching has been a great experimental field for me. I can see what's working, what I might want to try again a different way, what I can throw out. It's been a great chance to develop better evaluation skills.
Coming full circle, last Thursday, my group did a lesson on the inauguration. Boy, was that interesting. The students were all vocal about Obama's election and politics in the United States. They mostly seemed to be excited about what the change would bring. What was clear, though, was that they wanted to see how the Obama administration would work with their home countries. One woman in particular is from China, and is eager to share about her country. I'd like to incorporate more activities that allow students to talk about their experiences back home.
Well, I'd better finish my job application!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Deep breaths . . . deep . . . breaths
Well, today's one of those days where lots of stressful things have converged. I think I'm going to come out of it alright, though.
Tonight's my first night of student teaching, and I am nervous about how it's going to go. Actually, I'm nervous about how it's going to go for the other student teachers more than for myself, for different reasons. But my nervousness about them is distracting me from focusing on what I have to do.
The job I want to apply for in Chile actually has an application deadline of Thursday. However, I sent the program a message and got a reply from them that I can ask for an extension, and they'd love to have me apply. Now I just have to ask for that extension, which sounds easy, but as a procrastinator by nature, I might ask too late. My excuse this time is that I'm not sure about making an international long distance phone call this afternoon. NO excuses!
I'm going to do this application as soon as I can. However, I have the inconvenience of teaching on Thursday as well this week, so I'll have to focus on creating a lesson plan first.
My final stressor, one that is the scariest at the moment, is that my hours at work have been cut way back. I've felt pretty comfortable about money, but this will change a lot for me. Basically, everyone got a note that their hours would be cut back since business has been extremely slow since Christmas. And we might be expecting this regularly if it doesn't pick up again.
Boy, that makes me want to leave the country for a while.
I'll try to post again when I see the light at the end of the tunnel!
Tonight's my first night of student teaching, and I am nervous about how it's going to go. Actually, I'm nervous about how it's going to go for the other student teachers more than for myself, for different reasons. But my nervousness about them is distracting me from focusing on what I have to do.
The job I want to apply for in Chile actually has an application deadline of Thursday. However, I sent the program a message and got a reply from them that I can ask for an extension, and they'd love to have me apply. Now I just have to ask for that extension, which sounds easy, but as a procrastinator by nature, I might ask too late. My excuse this time is that I'm not sure about making an international long distance phone call this afternoon. NO excuses!
I'm going to do this application as soon as I can. However, I have the inconvenience of teaching on Thursday as well this week, so I'll have to focus on creating a lesson plan first.
My final stressor, one that is the scariest at the moment, is that my hours at work have been cut way back. I've felt pretty comfortable about money, but this will change a lot for me. Basically, everyone got a note that their hours would be cut back since business has been extremely slow since Christmas. And we might be expecting this regularly if it doesn't pick up again.
Boy, that makes me want to leave the country for a while.
I'll try to post again when I see the light at the end of the tunnel!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
I have to edit my list from before to give credit to Jens Lekman's Night Falls Over Kortedala as my favorite new listen of 2008. His songs tell stories and describe feelings and memories in a way that's transcendent but with refreshingly normal lyrics. Beautiful music, lovely voice, cute Swedish accent. Bonus.
My TEFL practicum has started, and even though I won't be student teaching tonight, I get butterflies thinking about it.
I am nervous, but also very excited about working with this class. Myself and five other students in the TEFL class are sharing student teaching Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Commonwealth Terrace Cooperative on the St. Paul campus of the U of M. We're working mostly with spouses of graduate students who have tested at a high intermediate level of English (although different levels individually). Basically, they can all communicate well, but want to improve their fluency with the language. We're focusing a lot on listening and speaking.
I'm teaching on Tuesday, and I think I have a good lesson plan. However, my biggest challenge will be individually evaluating the students' progress. Since I'm such an optimist, I worry that I won't be identifying specific problems. So that's going to be my main individual goal for the practicum, to actually look for each student's problem areas.
The job hunt has also begun. I'm seriously considering Chile as a place to apply. What appeals to me about Chile, in addition to it having a fascinating history, amazing geography, and a climate (at least in the major cities) that I could definitely live in, is the opportunity to resurrect my Spanish. There's a job there that lasts from April through November, but also others for 5- and 10- month periods. Korea and China are also in the running, although there are so many jobs offered there that I don't know where to begin to sort them out.
Tomorrow and Saturday I have free days, though, so maybe I'll get some of that sorting and applying done then. If I don't end up watching Buffy a lot. The 'mates have got me into it. So . . . wish me the ability to focus.
My TEFL practicum has started, and even though I won't be student teaching tonight, I get butterflies thinking about it.
I am nervous, but also very excited about working with this class. Myself and five other students in the TEFL class are sharing student teaching Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Commonwealth Terrace Cooperative on the St. Paul campus of the U of M. We're working mostly with spouses of graduate students who have tested at a high intermediate level of English (although different levels individually). Basically, they can all communicate well, but want to improve their fluency with the language. We're focusing a lot on listening and speaking.
I'm teaching on Tuesday, and I think I have a good lesson plan. However, my biggest challenge will be individually evaluating the students' progress. Since I'm such an optimist, I worry that I won't be identifying specific problems. So that's going to be my main individual goal for the practicum, to actually look for each student's problem areas.
The job hunt has also begun. I'm seriously considering Chile as a place to apply. What appeals to me about Chile, in addition to it having a fascinating history, amazing geography, and a climate (at least in the major cities) that I could definitely live in, is the opportunity to resurrect my Spanish. There's a job there that lasts from April through November, but also others for 5- and 10- month periods. Korea and China are also in the running, although there are so many jobs offered there that I don't know where to begin to sort them out.
Tomorrow and Saturday I have free days, though, so maybe I'll get some of that sorting and applying done then. If I don't end up watching Buffy a lot. The 'mates have got me into it. So . . . wish me the ability to focus.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
An obligatory year in review
I can't believe I've had this blog for a year.
In response to a others who have done the same thing, I'll list my favorites for the year of 2008. Almost none of them were new to 2008, but were new to me.
Favorite Album: Honestly, the mix CDs I make have been fun to make and great to hear.
Favorite New Show: Freaks and Geeks. Runners-up: True Blood, Firefly.
Favorite Movie: Once.
Favorite Book: Sure enjoyed Eva Luna.
Best Event of the Year: Ghana. Runner-up: Beauty and the Beast was a fun time.
Goals for the year: 1. Take more pictures and post them. 2. Get a job teaching abroad.
One realization I had while reading my entries for the whole year was that the subject and character of this blog has become increasingly trivial. Perhaps the above list continues that trend, although I do enjoy the kind of time-capsule recording it allows. Nevertheless, I would like to write about more things that actually have meaning for my life and my goals. Hm, I should add that to the goals above.
I think since leaving school I've been coasting on little obligation and intellectual challenge. Work is depressing, and I think if I get a teaching job soon after I finish my class, I will quit Shu a few weeks before I leave. That thought makes me pretty happy.
I'm hopeful for 2009, though. I'm looking forward to seeing friends again soon, the spring thaw (so far away!), student teaching, and going to new places.
And I really want to make good on my goal to take more pictures. I just have to dig my camera out.
In response to a others who have done the same thing, I'll list my favorites for the year of 2008. Almost none of them were new to 2008, but were new to me.
Favorite Album: Honestly, the mix CDs I make have been fun to make and great to hear.
Favorite New Show: Freaks and Geeks. Runners-up: True Blood, Firefly.
Favorite Movie: Once.
Favorite Book: Sure enjoyed Eva Luna.
Best Event of the Year: Ghana. Runner-up: Beauty and the Beast was a fun time.
Goals for the year: 1. Take more pictures and post them. 2. Get a job teaching abroad.
One realization I had while reading my entries for the whole year was that the subject and character of this blog has become increasingly trivial. Perhaps the above list continues that trend, although I do enjoy the kind of time-capsule recording it allows. Nevertheless, I would like to write about more things that actually have meaning for my life and my goals. Hm, I should add that to the goals above.
I think since leaving school I've been coasting on little obligation and intellectual challenge. Work is depressing, and I think if I get a teaching job soon after I finish my class, I will quit Shu a few weeks before I leave. That thought makes me pretty happy.
I'm hopeful for 2009, though. I'm looking forward to seeing friends again soon, the spring thaw (so far away!), student teaching, and going to new places.
And I really want to make good on my goal to take more pictures. I just have to dig my camera out.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Responsibility is an Expensive Habit
I'm fairly annoyed at Wells Fargo right now for (I believe) tricking me into giving their money.
I signed up for automatic payments on my student loans for the second time, as it didn't work the first time for some reason. So this time I checked to make sure that the payment went through at the right time, and once again, it was not showing up on my statement. Cursing the website, I put in an automatic transfer to pay my dues. The next day, however, I checked my account again, and it appears that the automatic payments are going through, albeit one day late.
Here's my question: what good is an automatic payment if it's going to be sent a day late? I'm going to check with the bank on this to make sure that the automatic payments aren't subject to any fees, but if they are, it's a pretty sneaky thing of Wells Fargo to do. I mean, if I had payed a credit card bill on the due date, it gets sent the next day and I'm subject to that fee, right?
Fortunately, I'm flush enough right now to afford two loan payments, but it shore gits my goat anyhow.
I signed up for automatic payments on my student loans for the second time, as it didn't work the first time for some reason. So this time I checked to make sure that the payment went through at the right time, and once again, it was not showing up on my statement. Cursing the website, I put in an automatic transfer to pay my dues. The next day, however, I checked my account again, and it appears that the automatic payments are going through, albeit one day late.
Here's my question: what good is an automatic payment if it's going to be sent a day late? I'm going to check with the bank on this to make sure that the automatic payments aren't subject to any fees, but if they are, it's a pretty sneaky thing of Wells Fargo to do. I mean, if I had payed a credit card bill on the due date, it gets sent the next day and I'm subject to that fee, right?
Fortunately, I'm flush enough right now to afford two loan payments, but it shore gits my goat anyhow.
Monday, December 15, 2008
I've realized I would really like a break from work as well as school. Not an original thought, but still. Work kind of sucks. On the bright side, I should be getting paid today, and my last class before break is tonight!
Mostly I'm in "I hate Mondays" mode after a terrific weekend. I had lots of fun at Winter Formal, mostly during the rides. I had forgotten that the Log Chute was actually part fun house and part roller coaster. MaryLynn and I were audibly surprised by a snorting Babe the Blue Ox and talking Paul Bunyan. The latter has a disturbingly fleshy jaw. ML and I also decided not to eat dinner before the dance, relying on our previous CU dance experience of being provided with mini cheesecakes and strawberries. When we got there, we saw a large table with plates and several chafers. However, upon approaching the table, we realized that the apparent feast was an apple bar, and all of the chafers were full of caramel and chocolate (?) and nuts to put on the apples. So we muttered, "The hell is this?" and went to get our own fast food feast. To be fair, an apple bar was kind of a neat idea for people who had already eaten.
Saturday, my family and I headed out to western Minnesota for my uncle's wedding, which was wonderful and a long time coming. My uncle has been a bachelor farmer his entire life, and he's not in his mid fifties. Unbeknownst to the rest of his family, however, he had been corresponding with a woman from the Philippines whom he met in a Christian singles chatroom for several years. A couple of years ago he told us about her, and last year he met with her family, who live in California. Together they found a time when he could visit her, which he did in January this year, and they got engaged and have been working the whole year to bring her over here. Last Tuesday she arrived, and on Saturday they got married. ML, Christine and I sang for the wedding. I'm so happy for my uncle!
Yesterday was busybusybusy as well, with our big Choir Sunday at church, where we sang five pieces each in both services. Afterward, the couple who does the music leading at church had everyone over for lunch. And may I say, wealthy Scandinavian people are very good entertainers. But yesterday's highlight was the Concordia Theatre Dept. final presentations. The acting presentations were well-done, particularly Dolce et Decorum est, a piece criticising the false glory of war. To be honest, I wasn't so sure about when it began. I mean, the students were performing well, I just didn't know what I was going to think of the piece, since it was much like performance art, which has almost become a parody of itself in my opinion. But it turned out to be effective, confrontational and hypnotic rather than indulgent and tedious. I don't know if I'd call it blocked so much as choreographed, which maybe is exactly what it was.
The tap class was the flashiest and my favorite part. Everyone danced really well, and it was a huge class. Overall, though, the best thing about it was that everyone was obviously having fun, and that fun was infectious. I'm pretty excited to see Dames at Sea now!
In other news: Winter. I am so close to caving in and buying a pair of Uggs. Yesterday I made the misguided decision of wearing footless tights and clogs. Today I made the same decision, but wore boots to ride the bus. Thrilling, I know.
Mostly I'm in "I hate Mondays" mode after a terrific weekend. I had lots of fun at Winter Formal, mostly during the rides. I had forgotten that the Log Chute was actually part fun house and part roller coaster. MaryLynn and I were audibly surprised by a snorting Babe the Blue Ox and talking Paul Bunyan. The latter has a disturbingly fleshy jaw. ML and I also decided not to eat dinner before the dance, relying on our previous CU dance experience of being provided with mini cheesecakes and strawberries. When we got there, we saw a large table with plates and several chafers. However, upon approaching the table, we realized that the apparent feast was an apple bar, and all of the chafers were full of caramel and chocolate (?) and nuts to put on the apples. So we muttered, "The hell is this?" and went to get our own fast food feast. To be fair, an apple bar was kind of a neat idea for people who had already eaten.
Saturday, my family and I headed out to western Minnesota for my uncle's wedding, which was wonderful and a long time coming. My uncle has been a bachelor farmer his entire life, and he's not in his mid fifties. Unbeknownst to the rest of his family, however, he had been corresponding with a woman from the Philippines whom he met in a Christian singles chatroom for several years. A couple of years ago he told us about her, and last year he met with her family, who live in California. Together they found a time when he could visit her, which he did in January this year, and they got engaged and have been working the whole year to bring her over here. Last Tuesday she arrived, and on Saturday they got married. ML, Christine and I sang for the wedding. I'm so happy for my uncle!
Yesterday was busybusybusy as well, with our big Choir Sunday at church, where we sang five pieces each in both services. Afterward, the couple who does the music leading at church had everyone over for lunch. And may I say, wealthy Scandinavian people are very good entertainers. But yesterday's highlight was the Concordia Theatre Dept. final presentations. The acting presentations were well-done, particularly Dolce et Decorum est, a piece criticising the false glory of war. To be honest, I wasn't so sure about when it began. I mean, the students were performing well, I just didn't know what I was going to think of the piece, since it was much like performance art, which has almost become a parody of itself in my opinion. But it turned out to be effective, confrontational and hypnotic rather than indulgent and tedious. I don't know if I'd call it blocked so much as choreographed, which maybe is exactly what it was.
The tap class was the flashiest and my favorite part. Everyone danced really well, and it was a huge class. Overall, though, the best thing about it was that everyone was obviously having fun, and that fun was infectious. I'm pretty excited to see Dames at Sea now!
In other news: Winter. I am so close to caving in and buying a pair of Uggs. Yesterday I made the misguided decision of wearing footless tights and clogs. Today I made the same decision, but wore boots to ride the bus. Thrilling, I know.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Well, I'm delighted to have another reader, and even more delighted that this reader has her own blog!
Tonight I'm looking forward to attending the Winter Formal (unlimited rides at MOA) with my sisters and extended siblings, AKA Rachel and Alex. Probably the only people who read this, anyway. So, yeah . . . I'm excited, guys! We'd better take pictures.
I'm also getting pretty excited for my upcoming break from class. MaryLynn, Christine and I have big plans since we'll all have free time coming up. Among these include going to the MIA, ice skating, and visiting the Como Zoo . Maybe I'll finally walk around the lake! Oh, and we want to eat out together again. Last Saturday, we finally went to Barbary Fig after years of saying we wanted to. Great company, cozy atmosphere, yummy food, particularly the Mediterranean wrap. Feta!
Having more time with my roommates will be nice, too. Rebekah cannot remember the episode and a half of MST3K she has seen, and I feel that she must be caught up so that she can understand the context when Kate or I say, "You've got male . . . pattern baldness." Even though that line is hilarious on its own.
My only concern about break is that I'm really anxious to begin student teaching, and I don't want to lose that anxiousness over the three weeks that I'm away from class.
Well, this was a pretty crappy entry if you've seen me regularly. For those of you I don't see very often, you're caught up. I'll have to journal about my student teaching, though, so I'll have something else to bore you with soon enough.
TGIF (F as in Formal!)
Edit: (does "edit" show up on its own if I edit?) I would really like to take a good picture of myself for facebook. I feel that the mascara-application photo is not representative of me.
Tonight I'm looking forward to attending the Winter Formal (unlimited rides at MOA) with my sisters and extended siblings, AKA Rachel and Alex. Probably the only people who read this, anyway. So, yeah . . . I'm excited, guys! We'd better take pictures.
I'm also getting pretty excited for my upcoming break from class. MaryLynn, Christine and I have big plans since we'll all have free time coming up. Among these include going to the MIA, ice skating, and visiting the Como Zoo . Maybe I'll finally walk around the lake! Oh, and we want to eat out together again. Last Saturday, we finally went to Barbary Fig after years of saying we wanted to. Great company, cozy atmosphere, yummy food, particularly the Mediterranean wrap. Feta!
Having more time with my roommates will be nice, too. Rebekah cannot remember the episode and a half of MST3K she has seen, and I feel that she must be caught up so that she can understand the context when Kate or I say, "You've got male . . . pattern baldness." Even though that line is hilarious on its own.
My only concern about break is that I'm really anxious to begin student teaching, and I don't want to lose that anxiousness over the three weeks that I'm away from class.
Well, this was a pretty crappy entry if you've seen me regularly. For those of you I don't see very often, you're caught up. I'll have to journal about my student teaching, though, so I'll have something else to bore you with soon enough.
TGIF (F as in Formal!)
Edit: (does "edit" show up on its own if I edit?) I would really like to take a good picture of myself for facebook. I feel that the mascara-application photo is not representative of me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)