So I was thinking alot this past weekend about the things I need to do logistically before I go to Houston and realized that this experience is going to be not only challenging from the teaching perspective but from a logistics perspective as well. Before I get into all that I want to just put out there that I really wish I did not have any other responsibilities that relate to college.
So I began by trying to figure out what I am going to take to Houston. At the very beginning I was thinking I would just drive a U-Haul down and be able to basically take all my worldly possessions. Then I realized that TFA would not be paying for that like TI did and I do not have an extra couple thousand dollars sitting around. So I basically nixed the idea of taking any furniture including my ping pong table and Foosball table, both of which were items I was really hoping to take. I then thought about how I would be able to take my cat, Smokey, down with me. I figured during the 5 weeks that I would be in the U. of Houston dorms maybe my friend Jill in Houston could take care of him. She has her own cat and Smokey loves making new friends. There are two things preventing me from bringing him down initially. 1) Travel time; Smokey must poop, pee, eat, and drink. These are all difficult tasks while traveling in a car. 2) Room in car; There would be no room to put his LARGE litter box and his travel cage. So the decision is that he will stay with my mom and grandpa until further notice.
Now I have to decide on what is most important to bring to Houston and what I can actually fit in my small Chevrolet Cavalier. I have devise a couple of plans to fit a few more things in my car. The first is to take all my DVD's out of their cases and put them into a CD case. Because I have numerous DVD's this will save the space equal to about the size of one Medium box from U-Haul. My next idea was to bring back a couple suitcases full of clothes or whatever when I fly back to Houston after graduation. These to plans should save a considerable amount of space in my car. I decided today that it would be fairly stupid to try and bring any type of food with me since I get 3 free meals a day for 5 weeks from TFA. Just one more way to save room. If anyone has any suggestions on how to save more room please advise!
What am I going to do with my furniture you ask? Well it just so happens that University Christian Church is going to have a yard sale for this program they run called "Whiz Kids". It is a program that tutors about 30 students at a local elementary school. I plan on giving them my couch, chair, and some clothes at least, if not my desk, bed, and dresser. Another big thing I will be needing to do is take all the stuff I dont take to Houston back up to Piqua. I am not sure yet how much that includes but it will probably be alot because I seem to accumulate many possessions, many of which are unnecessary.
One thing that I can check off my list is clothes. My mom and I went to Walmart and Kohls this past weekend and spent close to $400 on a new wardrobe. Instead of only having one thing to wear to formals, which as many of you know was my black shirt and silver tie, I now have probably 10 combinations of outfits I can wear that make me look sharp and professional. Im not really one to dress up but I think I may like looking nice everyday once I become a teacher.
I am sure there are other logistics involved in this whole process too but I just wanted to give you a glimpse at what I am looking forward to.
Thank you all for caring and keeping up on my life! Have a good week!
Peace,
MO
Monday, April 30, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
Teach For America
So for those of you who didn't know I have accepted a job with the non-profit organization Teach For America. I will be moving to Houston sometime between June 7th and June 10th. I know what your thinking, "How are you gonna walk at graduation on June 9th?" Well I have not totally figured that one out yet but I have been contemplating whether I wanted to walk or not, and I have decided that I would like to be there graduation day. Whether that happens or not is a more complicated story. To give you an idea of how stressful and complicated the beginning of summer is going to be, let me explain a little about what Im going to be doing.
So even before I go to Houston for teacher training I am going to recieve a seven pound package in the mail containing all the "pre-institute" work. Because I just accepted the offer tonight, I am not exactly sure what is in this package but I have an idea from asking others in TFA. The package contains ALOT of reading material I need to read before June 10th. It also contains papers I need to fill out including reflections from observing classrooms, reflections on readings, and other similar stuff that will get me thinking.
Then from June 7th - 9th I am supposed to be in Houston for induction which is the time when all the 2007 Houston TFA corps members will come to Houston to meet each other and everyone in TFA-Houston. This is also a time in which people may interview at schools. Yes we do have to interview still because we have only been placed in the region and have not been placed in a specific school because TFA does not know specifically what the needs are for each school and the needs for the schools could change over time. Apparently according to some current TFA corps members, the induction is not completely necessary and I might be able to get out of it for graduation. More on this topic later...
Next will be the 5-week institute from June 10th - July 14th. The institute is going to be very intense and I have been told to expect to work 10 - 12 hour days for the 5-week span. I will be teaching math at a summer school in Houston. I will be in a group of four with me being the lone math teacher. This is supposed to last from 7:30 to 2:30 every weekday and I read that we are expected to work on the 4th of July. Probably not summer school though that day. After summer school we will be taking classes and doing exercises to improve our teaching skills. Course work includes "Teaching As Leadership", "Instructional Planning and Development", "Classroom Management and Culture", "Diversity, Community and Achievement", "Learning Theory", and "Literacy Development". If you want more details check out this link https://www.teachforamerica.org/corps/training.htm . Teach For America pays for Room and Board including 3 meals a day for the entire 5 weeks. But I will have to be looking for a place to live and someone to live with during this time.
School starts August 27th, which is just about four months away from right now. Knowing that makes me a little nervous. I do not have much time to let all this soak in and do all the pre-institute stuff along with all that I am involved with at UC. BUT I seem to work well under pressure and I am excited to take on this challenge. Right now I am very anxious to get my seven pound package in the mail so I can start absorbing stuff.
So the I am thinking that June 3rd to about June 11th are going to be the craziest days of my life. I have to somehow move out of my house at UC, maybe get to Houston by June 7th, come back here for graduation by 8AM June 9th, and be back in Houston by June 10th at 6PM. I am not sure how its all gonna work out but it will work out, I have faith. And with all this going on Im going to have to deal with the emotions of leaving all my friends from UC. I am going to miss every single one of you!
One last thing for now....Does anyone know someone who would like to sublet from June till August? Let me know ASAP if you do!
Peace
MO
So even before I go to Houston for teacher training I am going to recieve a seven pound package in the mail containing all the "pre-institute" work. Because I just accepted the offer tonight, I am not exactly sure what is in this package but I have an idea from asking others in TFA. The package contains ALOT of reading material I need to read before June 10th. It also contains papers I need to fill out including reflections from observing classrooms, reflections on readings, and other similar stuff that will get me thinking.
Then from June 7th - 9th I am supposed to be in Houston for induction which is the time when all the 2007 Houston TFA corps members will come to Houston to meet each other and everyone in TFA-Houston. This is also a time in which people may interview at schools. Yes we do have to interview still because we have only been placed in the region and have not been placed in a specific school because TFA does not know specifically what the needs are for each school and the needs for the schools could change over time. Apparently according to some current TFA corps members, the induction is not completely necessary and I might be able to get out of it for graduation. More on this topic later...
Next will be the 5-week institute from June 10th - July 14th. The institute is going to be very intense and I have been told to expect to work 10 - 12 hour days for the 5-week span. I will be teaching math at a summer school in Houston. I will be in a group of four with me being the lone math teacher. This is supposed to last from 7:30 to 2:30 every weekday and I read that we are expected to work on the 4th of July. Probably not summer school though that day. After summer school we will be taking classes and doing exercises to improve our teaching skills. Course work includes "Teaching As Leadership", "Instructional Planning and Development", "Classroom Management and Culture", "Diversity, Community and Achievement", "Learning Theory", and "Literacy Development". If you want more details check out this link https://www.teachforamerica.org/corps/training.htm . Teach For America pays for Room and Board including 3 meals a day for the entire 5 weeks. But I will have to be looking for a place to live and someone to live with during this time.
School starts August 27th, which is just about four months away from right now. Knowing that makes me a little nervous. I do not have much time to let all this soak in and do all the pre-institute stuff along with all that I am involved with at UC. BUT I seem to work well under pressure and I am excited to take on this challenge. Right now I am very anxious to get my seven pound package in the mail so I can start absorbing stuff.
So the I am thinking that June 3rd to about June 11th are going to be the craziest days of my life. I have to somehow move out of my house at UC, maybe get to Houston by June 7th, come back here for graduation by 8AM June 9th, and be back in Houston by June 10th at 6PM. I am not sure how its all gonna work out but it will work out, I have faith. And with all this going on Im going to have to deal with the emotions of leaving all my friends from UC. I am going to miss every single one of you!
One last thing for now....Does anyone know someone who would like to sublet from June till August? Let me know ASAP if you do!
Peace
MO
Friday, April 13, 2007
No more reason to....
WATCH SURVIVOR FIJI!!!!
My friend Michelle Yi was kicked off Survivor tonight. Tonight I was unable to attend the weekly gathering to watch it with everyone and I really wish I was there to go through all the emotions with them. I didnt get home until midnight-thirty and as soon as I walked in the door I flipped on the DVR of Survivor. Even though I was by myself I still was cheering Michelle's team on in the challenge and telling everyone on the T.V. what to do. I literally was crouching down to the floor and pointing my arm towards the T.V. in anticipation when Jeff Probst was reading the votes and accidently hit my brand new camera when he announced Michell Yi as the 9th survivor to be voted off. Luckily my camera made it through fine. So if it were not for Dreamz making a stupid mistake, I know Michelle would have gone much farther. Let me explain...
Everyone on the show liked Michelle and had nothing against her. There were only 3 people who had not ever lived on the same island as her. Well when the tribes merged into a tribe of the 10 remaining Survivors she had pretty good position. Mookie who originally had an alliance with Dreamz, Edguardo, and Alex, IMO was about to cut that alliance with Edguardo and Alex because 1, they wanted to keep Stacy on there side when Mookie and Dreamz wanted her gone, and 2, he had a better chance at winning the game if he allied with Earl, Yao Man, Michelle, and Cassandra. I think Dreamz could have easily been brought to that alliance as well. Leaving it 6-4 and voting off Alex, Edguardo, Stacy, and Boo next in no particular order. This would have been most logical because Alex and Edguardo are the biggest threat in this game IMO. Of the 6 remaining, 4 would be from the original Ravu and could just vote Cassandra and Dreamz off next. Once in the top 4 it would be tricky to figure who to vote off next especially when 2 of the 4 have immunity idols and basically 3 have an idol because Earl and Yao Man are "sharing" the idol. So basically Dreamz screwed over Michelle. :-(
Im sure y'all loved my Survivor rant and understood every single bit of it. This show is really addicting to watch. Im sorry Im such a dork. I actually will probably continue to watch the show to see how it ends up. And maybe I will even watch next season....
Peace,
MO
My friend Michelle Yi was kicked off Survivor tonight. Tonight I was unable to attend the weekly gathering to watch it with everyone and I really wish I was there to go through all the emotions with them. I didnt get home until midnight-thirty and as soon as I walked in the door I flipped on the DVR of Survivor. Even though I was by myself I still was cheering Michelle's team on in the challenge and telling everyone on the T.V. what to do. I literally was crouching down to the floor and pointing my arm towards the T.V. in anticipation when Jeff Probst was reading the votes and accidently hit my brand new camera when he announced Michell Yi as the 9th survivor to be voted off. Luckily my camera made it through fine. So if it were not for Dreamz making a stupid mistake, I know Michelle would have gone much farther. Let me explain...
Everyone on the show liked Michelle and had nothing against her. There were only 3 people who had not ever lived on the same island as her. Well when the tribes merged into a tribe of the 10 remaining Survivors she had pretty good position. Mookie who originally had an alliance with Dreamz, Edguardo, and Alex, IMO was about to cut that alliance with Edguardo and Alex because 1, they wanted to keep Stacy on there side when Mookie and Dreamz wanted her gone, and 2, he had a better chance at winning the game if he allied with Earl, Yao Man, Michelle, and Cassandra. I think Dreamz could have easily been brought to that alliance as well. Leaving it 6-4 and voting off Alex, Edguardo, Stacy, and Boo next in no particular order. This would have been most logical because Alex and Edguardo are the biggest threat in this game IMO. Of the 6 remaining, 4 would be from the original Ravu and could just vote Cassandra and Dreamz off next. Once in the top 4 it would be tricky to figure who to vote off next especially when 2 of the 4 have immunity idols and basically 3 have an idol because Earl and Yao Man are "sharing" the idol. So basically Dreamz screwed over Michelle. :-(
Im sure y'all loved my Survivor rant and understood every single bit of it. This show is really addicting to watch. Im sorry Im such a dork. I actually will probably continue to watch the show to see how it ends up. And maybe I will even watch next season....
Peace,
MO
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Let's try this again
I don't think I know of anyone who regularly updates their blog. I understand this since I tried blogging once while on co-op in Houston and found it extremely hard to update it daily. It seems these days that we just don't have enough time in the day to sit down and reflect on life. Always on our way to work, our next class, an interview, or the next meeting. Then in our 'free' time we don't usually spend it in silence with God reflecting and praying about the important matters of our lives but instead fill our time with mind-numbing television programs, video games, and alcohol.
I do not like being so distant with God. I would like to find a way to take time out of my day, slow down, and just think about what is going on in my life. During this time I can thank God for all his blessings, ask God for forgiveness, ask God to work in my life and those of my friends, and figure out why certain things happen, good and bad. Doing this should also help me remember what is really important in my life at the time, maybe help me come up with some all important life lessons I can share, or leave me with some rhetorical question to pose to y'all.
Anyways, I am hoping to use this as tool to organize my thoughts in some random manner and give me something to do when I have down time. Last time I had an online journal I just basically wrote down every single activity I did that day. It was boring. Maybe I can be intelligent and create blogs that make people think. And maybe people will feel compelled to respond to some of my opinions even though I always seem to try and please everyone by watching what I write. I will try to be fairly blunt in these posts just like I am in person. Until the next post, Peace....
MO
I do not like being so distant with God. I would like to find a way to take time out of my day, slow down, and just think about what is going on in my life. During this time I can thank God for all his blessings, ask God for forgiveness, ask God to work in my life and those of my friends, and figure out why certain things happen, good and bad. Doing this should also help me remember what is really important in my life at the time, maybe help me come up with some all important life lessons I can share, or leave me with some rhetorical question to pose to y'all.
Anyways, I am hoping to use this as tool to organize my thoughts in some random manner and give me something to do when I have down time. Last time I had an online journal I just basically wrote down every single activity I did that day. It was boring. Maybe I can be intelligent and create blogs that make people think. And maybe people will feel compelled to respond to some of my opinions even though I always seem to try and please everyone by watching what I write. I will try to be fairly blunt in these posts just like I am in person. Until the next post, Peace....
MO
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