i think she really means it…

Generation Me–Gender Roles?

Tuesday, August 28th, 2007 | Random Thoughts | 2 Comments

I am taking a rather large risk with this post. These are some of the thoughts that came to me as I read the chapter in Generation Me, titled, “The Equality Revolution.” These are my thoughts and opinions right now; they may change over time…I’m always learning from new experiences.

Read at your own risk… › Continue reading

Generation Me

Thursday, August 23rd, 2007 | Random Thoughts | No Comments

I just finished an absolutely fascinating book about my generation–”Generation Me.” The book is called Generation Me: Why Today’s Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled–and More Miserable Than Ever Before. The book is by Jean M. Twenge, Ph.D. It was quite something to read about the research that has been done on this generation. A lot of my assumptions and theories about the current generation and what motivates us were justified. The author, herself, is part of Generation Me. I agreed with many of her opinions on today’s generation, but there were a few places I strongly disagreed.

The push toward two-income households, and women’s equality bothers me a little. Perhaps I am a rather spoiled, conservative, and naive young woman who actually believes it’s possible for moms (or dads) to “stay home” and raise the children. After all, that’s the plan Nate and I are aggressively pursuing. Several of my friends have made that a priority in their families and, despite the difficulties we face as “gen-me-ers,” they’re achieving a single-income household.

I have so much to say about this book. My mind has constantly been analyzing the information I’ve taken in. If you check back over the next few weeks, I may have organized my thoughts well enough to communicate some conclusions I’ve drawn.

Yet, above anything else, opinions aside, what my generation lacks most (and perhaps the main reason we are more susceptible to cynicism, depression, and loneliness) is that this generation feels no need for God. There is no other Hope than Jesus Christ. Without him in our everyday lives and relationships, our generation is on the road to destruction.

More to come…

How Many Hours Does a Teacher *Really* Work?

Friday, August 17th, 2007 | Sara the Teacher | No Comments

As the end of summer quickly approaches, I find myself anticipating my fourth year of teaching! This will be my third year teaching 8th grade. I can’t believe it! Time sure has gone fast. This past year, especially! I had a wonderful group of students this last year, and I find myself missing them (many of them, anyway!).

While most of my audience knows that it takes a lot of hard work to be a teacher, a good teacher anyway, the mathematician in me really wants to know just how many hours a teacher puts into her classes each year. Since I’m getting the hang of this “teaching” thing, I thought I would try logging the actual hours I work. The “new” teacher works many, many extra hours and experiences a huge learning curve during her first couple of years of teaching. This year, however, I will be teaching the same subject (Algebra Readiness) to the same type of students for the third year in a row. Therefore, most of my lessons have been taught before (at least 10 times, seeing as I teach 5 sections of the same class) and most of my manipulatives, worksheets, and materials have already been created. So, the actual hours I spend working this year should be a little more aligned with teaching, and less with learning how to do my job. › Continue reading

Treasures From Grandma

Saturday, August 11th, 2007 | Random Thoughts | 1 Comment

This past week, I spent a few days at my Grandma’s house. It has been a summer tradition to spend a week at Grandma’s house every year since I was a little girl. Over the past ten years, my visits have been less frequent, but I still *love* spending time with her. Whenever I visit my Grandma, we always go shopping… thrift store shopping. I don’t know which I enjoy more, the bargains, or my time with Grandma (*wink*, there really isn’t any competition!). Here are the thrift store treasures I brought home this week (a pair of BORN shoes for $4.50, and the Starbucks apron for $1.00 were among my favorites!) I did get the jean jacket from Sears, but it was on sale for $10.

In addition to our shopping trips, I always enjoy going through my Grandma’s old stuff. She is a collector of many things, and most everything has a story to go with it. This week, she showed me her wedding ring from my Grandpa back in the 1940s (it was a precious ring with a speck of a diamond…ah, things were so much simpler then!). She also showed me her mother’s old necklaces, and some old pocket watches my Grandpa and great-Grandpa carried. In addition to the old family heirlooms, Grandma let me go through her old doilies. I took a stack of them, many of which were handmade by neighbors and given to her as wedding gifts when she married my Grandpa. It is such a privilege to show off her wedding gifts in my home. I’m grateful for the stories and the time we have together. She is a precious lady, and I’m proud to be her granddaughter!

The End of Summer Blues

Monday, August 6th, 2007 | Sara the Teacher | 2 Comments

I am definitely singing the “End of Summer Blues!” Why is it that when August hits, I am no longer enjoying the days I have left, but rather getting nervous for the months to come? I *love* teaching, I really do. But, I also enjoy staying home, watching “junk” daytime TV, staying up late, sleeping in, baking bread, taking lunch to friends, sending notes in the mail, reading a book while sipping tea at Starbucks, and taking care of my husband and home. I’ve had an extremely relaxing summer! I am so blessed to truly enjoy a “sabbath” and re-energize for the long months to come.

However, the official “back-to-school” nightmares have started; the ones where I can’t control my classes and my lesson isn’t planned (or fails miserably!). I just need to keep reminding myself that I actually do know what I’m doing each September, and just as He was the last 3 years, God is with me. While it doesn’t necessarily make me countdown the days to school like the tired parents of my soon-to-be students do, it does make me grateful that I don’t have to start the school year alone.

Life on These City Streets

Friday, August 3rd, 2007 | Random Thoughts | 2 Comments

Nate and I are beginning to adapt to life in the city. Lately, we have taken the Metro light rail around town. To get to Pasadena, we simply jump on the Red Line at Wilshire/Western and take it to Union Station. Then we hop on the Gold Line and take it all the way to Lake Ave. in Pasadena. It’s quite convenient and always an experience. We usually have our noses in books we’re reading, but tonight was a bit of an exception.

We met a friend in Long Beach this evening. We took the Red Line to Metro Center/7th St. and then took the Blue Line to Ocean Ave. The train was full of business men and women commuting home on the ride down to Long Beach. The ride back, however, was very different. The moment Nate and I sat down and took out our books to read, a man (possibly homeless as his hair was quite “ratty,” he wore no shirt, and smelled as if he hadn’t showered in a while) stood up and informed us that he smokes “crack, cocaine on this train and the bus driver knows it and the cops know it, too.” He told us he was simply “informing us so that if we wanted to choose another place to sit, that would be fine” with him. We did.

In the next car, we sat in front of a family with a young boy who had a plastic whistle in his mouth. Every time he exhaled, a high pitched sound traveled straight to our ears. Nate was quite enthralled by his book. I, on the other hand, was easily distracted and ended up reading the same paragraph five or six times.

At one of our stops, two young men climbed aboard our train. They were quite enchanted by one another and rather eccentric. What I found especially interesting about them was when another young man came by selling candy bars, they asked an older women (whom they had no noticeable relationship with) for a dollar to buy a Butterfingers bar. With no hesitation, she gave them the dollar, and they enjoyed their chocolate (of course they offered her a bite, but she declined).

Meanwhile, at the Slauson stop, the police caught up with our “crack smoking” friend in the last car, and escorted him off the train with his hands behind his back.

Back to the boy selling the candy bars. I don’t think that making a few bucks was his main order of business for the train ride. I watched him, ever so neatly, roll up a long, skinny, brown “cigarette” (am I really *that* naive?).

At one point along the way, I heard (and felt) a very loud blast hit the side of the car. I didn’t flinch, and no one else did for that matter, but wondered what it could have been. I figured if it was a gun shot, everyone else probably would have sought cover. Me, I just sat there not-so-calmly, nose in my book, with my heart racing. I guess I’m just paranoid.

About two-thirds of the way through our trip, a Jehovah’s Witness came by and offered us some literature. He was a darling little man with a beautiful smile. We kindly declined the booklet.

I was quite fascinated by all of the happenings on the Metro this evening. I guess deep down, I’m still a sheltered young girl from a small Inland Empire town. I do want to get out with “the people” of our city, but how do I keep conscious of my surroundings without letting my unconscious “stereotypes” prevent me from living a new experience?

A Trip to the Beauty Shop

Wednesday, August 1st, 2007 | Random Thoughts | 1 Comment

There’s a beauty school in downtown Culver City. It’s a place where they train students to cut and dye hair, do manicures, pedicures, and facials. I’ve walked by the school many times, and have considered getting my hair cut there. So, today, I thought I’d go for it. After all, if the cut is too awful, at least I won’t have to face a classroom of 8th graders in the morning!

When I walked into the school, I noticed a funny smell. It was quite warm and there were students (all women) everywhere. However, between my visit to Kenya and various trips to Mexico, it’s going to take a lot more than a funny smell and heat to prevent me from a new experience!

The gal who cut my hair was named Irma. She spoke very little English. I told her my Spanish was “muy mal,” but we chatted a bit here and there. I found out that she has “tres ninos” and that they range in age from “diez” to “diecisiete.” Her family is from Mexico. She was a very kind lady and even taught me a few things in Spanish.

The haircut itself was very pleasant (even if it did take an hour from start to finish). I figured a simple long-layers cut can’t be too difficult for students confident enough to cut hair on a head attached to a body (I’ve never seen so many manikin heads in my life!). The hair washing was very nice too. Irma was very thorough and gentle.

I have to say, a shampoo, conditioner, haircut, and an exciting new experience was well worth my $11.