Filed under: RA
Today has been a good day, even though I haven’t gotten half of what I hoped to accomplished. I slept in and went to brunch. Brunch was amazing, as always. Then I went to buy my class ring. That’s such a big step- my class ring. I picked out a small one. It has a square top with onyx and ‘09 and BS on the side. I’m worried that I should have gotten one size bigger than I did, because I kind of like my rings to be loose. But there is a day in January where we can try them on and they can make changes.
Later I went to the synchronized swimming show. It was really good. I’ve never seen it before and it was awesome. Then two friends and I got KFC and had a picnic outside.
Tomorrow we’re having a building program. We’re watching March of the Penguins and having free sno-cones. I feel like I’ve been doing alot of the planning and arranging things and I wish I wouldn’t take so much responsibility on myself.
Filed under: complaints
One of my pet peeves on campus is chalk. I think part of this stems from my absolute hatred for the substance. Chalk has always given me the chills. Even thinking about it sends shivers down my spine. And yes, I realize that as a prospective teacher this is something I should definitely get over(or find a school with whiteboards!).
But when clubs cover the entire campus with chalk advertisements for their event I get so angry. I really consider it graffiti covering up my beautiful campus. They write on the brick walls under the covered walkway where it will never get washed off unless someone consciously goes to clean it. Also I dont understand why all fliers must be approved by student activities but you can write whatever you want in chalk. I feel like if you advertise without student activities approval your club should be suspended from events for a month. I work in student activities… so maybe I’m on a power trip, who knows?
The only chalk on campus walk I have ever enjoyed was when the geography club wrote different places along the edge of the walk to scale with how far they were from Fredericksburg.
Two residents on my floor went to the hospital last night. I told them though, I would rather this than alcohol violations. I mean, I guess they would rather not be sick, but its easier for me. I’m a terrible person.
But incidents at midnight, when you were thinking about starting the homework you should have done last week…. not so good. I’m a little worried about how I can get it all done.
I also need to stop thinking that because a class is easy I dont need to do work for it. Thats how I’ve been with finite math and now I’m freaking out. I have a test and a project due on Thursday. ugh.
Filed under: practicum
Today was my first day of practicum. I’m in a fourth grade class this semester. I’ve had second and third, so this is interesting seeing a class that’s a bit older. I got there at 9:30 and observed a little of math. I got to introduce myself to the class. Then they went to special, and I got to explore the classroom and talk to my teacher for a while. The classroom is much smaller than others I’ve seen. The desks take up most of the space. I noticed that all the books are chapter books, which is such a big change from 2nd grade last semester.
My teacher gave me a copy of a form she uses for behavior management. Its a flow chart. It has the child’s behavior in the center, 3 reasons for the behavior leading to the center and 3 consequences of the behavior leading away from the center. I think its a really great strategy, especially for older students. This way they have to identify what they did wrong, and what caused it. They clearly see the consequences for their behavior and can try to change the situation that caused the behavior (i.e. I was talking because the girl next to me was talking… I could ask her not to talk to me during class).
The class seems nice and well behaved. My teacher is energetic and has a great rapport with the class. She said she wants to use literature circles because she has alot of readers in her class. I’m really excited to observe that.
Filed under: dancing
This semester I am taking a modern dance class and I absolutely love it. When I was a kid I loved dancing and in junior high I started taking classes. I stopped in high school when i got more involved with theater and student government. I didn’t realize how much I missed it.
I love watching dance performances too. Last year a friend and I went to the “So you think you can dance” tour. It was AMAZING. I still have videos from it saved on my digital camera. I wish I was a better dancer. I’m absolutely terrible but its so much fun.
The internet has been down in my dorm for over 24 hours. That is rediculous. I know one person who has a working internet. And strangely enough, it works for her but not her roommate. They really need to fix the network. It would be great if I could get online when I need to.
I finally got my practicum assignment and I can’t wait to start. I’m in the same school I was in last year. I loved the school. Its very small. I have a fourth grade class. I’ve had 2nd and 3rd so this should be interesting to see students who are little bit older. I hope my teacher is nice.
I am getting really good at coloring birthday hats. I’ve been coloring them for each of my residents and hanging it on their door on their birthday. I have 3 birthdays in the next week so I decided to make them all at once. And seriously, if I could go into the birthday hat sign business I would. haha.
My mom started telling me I should look into study abroad again. When I came to college I was seriously interested in study abroad, but after a couple of semestes I wasn’t sure. I realized how hard it would be to finish my major and the education program and also study abroad. So I changed my mantra and started thinking about the pros of not studying abroad. But now my mom is bringing it up again. She really wants me to study abroad, which I’m sure is really because its something she would love to do. Her trip to Europe when she was in her 20’s definately changed her life. I would love to study abroad, but financially and realistically I don’t think it will work. To graduate in time the only feasable study abroad option at this time is a summer program. However a summer program is just more money that I’m spending. Unless I could get financial aid I don’t think I could afford it. And that’s why I’m so frustrated that she brought it up. Now the idea is back in my head and its so appealing. I’m really into the idea of the European Capitals Tour. London, Paris, Vienna, Berlin and Prague. arghhhh…. so frustrating.
Filed under: writing
I wish my posts in here could be as poetic and lovely as the writers I love. Specifically Joey Comeau. Every entry in his livejournal is honest and true. He takes a simple walk in the park and captures the small beautiful details. He looks at something ordinary and notices something extraordinary. I’m slightly obsessed with his writing, but I love the optimism in spite of tragedy and the bizarre topics and the phrasing he uses. I don’t know whether I like A Softer World or his writings more, but I guess they’re one in the same.
I also really love Laura Podolnick. I am so glad I saved the short stories I liked before she shut down mewing.com. “Dissertation on the Concept of Forever Starting Tonight, Explained in the Second Person, To an Ex-Lover, a Best Friend, and The Man in the Astor Place Subway Station Who Asked Me For a Nickel” is by far my favorite short story ever. Maybe even my favorite piece of writing ever.
If I had more time I would spend it writing.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Today was an awesome day. Me and my roomate both slept much later than we had planned. We went to get bagels and then to watch part of the tennis tournament. That was fun but it was so hot out. We met up with some friends who we had planned to have a picnic with. We got KFC and went to the Rappahannock. I’ve never been to a river before so that was cool. After we ate we traversed the river. It was alot of fun, much more than i expected. I really want to go back soon. Then we came back to campus and went to the 365 show in the studio. The plays were insane. I really don’t enjoy theater that isnt realistic or at least makes sense.
I was supposed to give a tour this morning, but noone was there so I got to come back to the room early. That was a nice surprise. I got to catch up on some homework I had been putting off.
I’ve been catching up on watching big brother 8 online. At home my family watches reality TV all together and since coming back to school I havent watched it at all. But the past few days I caught up on the past 3 weeks of episodes. I’m really glad Eric and Jessica are still around since they’re my favorite players. Plus I think they’re really cute together.
Tonight is my first hall program. We’re playing Apples to Apples and I’m going to bake some cookies. I really hope alot of residents come. I want to get to know them all better and for them to get to know each other better. Its hard because the two corners of the hall are pretty far apart from each other. And the stupid doors don’t stay open unless you use a doorstop. We’ll see.
