New Project

It is interesting how much time I have available to me this semester. I feel like I am not doing anything. Busy, but not at all stressed about school. I even have an exam today in 3 hours and I am done studying for it and not worried in the slightest that I am online goofing off. Because of all of this free time that I am not used to having, I decided that it was time for me to work on a project that has been on my mind for a while.

I am taking pictures of the letters of the alphabet. So far I have A, B, C, S, and W. They were cute pictures from around the house that I just went around with my camera. I still need to just take a nice little walk around SLC and find all the letters. I would like to have enough letters for 3-4 full alphabets of unique letters for future projects.

I would like to get a SHURDHA name frame by the end of the year for our family wall. If I were rich, I would go back to Al's trophies and frames and get a group of frames with matting that I could use in the future for the family wall so that the frames would match Endrit and I's wedding picture. I may just do that next year after I pay off the student loans. It would be expensive, but it would be a good thing I think. Who knows if I actually do this.

Muse

I am a fan of music. I like most everything accept rap and country. Even those I can stand for a while depending on the artist. Because of this I have a wide range of musicians that I listen to. I love Pandora. I have several stations that I have made depending on my moods. One is all classical piano music. One is my emo/gothic music station. One is my punk station. One is my church music station.

It has been hard for me to find a favorite artist because it depends on my mood and the day someone asks. Well, I think I have my favorite musical group. Muse. I like this band because there is songs for every mood. Even on their latest album they have a "symphony" in 3 parts. It also has rock songs my Dad even likes. It has taken me a while to determine that above all, I like this band. The writer of the songs is a conspiracy theorist and it comes out in the lyrics as well as his love of science. I am not sure about the conspiracy theories, but I do like the science songs. Here is a you tube smattering of songs that I like.

Feeling Good


Newborn


Stockholm Syndrome


Thoughts of a Dying Atheist


Sunburn


Citizen Erased


Butterflies and Hurricanes

Problem Student

This might come as a shock to some of you, others it might fit in with your established view of me, but I am usually labeled as a "problem student." In most of my classes this is the case ranging from Elementary to University. In my memories in high school I was going strong as a problem student but teachers looked past it because of my 4.0. They don't like to mess with the smart kids. Well, in University it seems like your grade is dependent upon how much you can kiss up to the teacher. I have not been one to do this, there presents the problem. There is a class that I am in right now that should be 2 classes. There are way to many students for it to work in the way the teacher wants it to work. Large group discussions with 5 people raising their hands and the teacher specifically glancing over you because you are too opinionated just doesn't work. Small group discussions work.

Today I got reprimanded by my teacher. It is a class about becoming an ally for culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Right now that is a huge passion of mine and I have experiences that she will shut down because they are the "white" experience. Because my group likes to talk about things like this, even during the break and before class, we sometimes strike up a small conversation within the larger conversation as it fits our need. We get reprimanded for talking more in depth about the issues. She should know that her teaching methods don't work with the current population of students she is working with. Why are her experiences "better" than mine? I talk about it because I care about it. The conversations are a comment to a neighbor here and there not a low roar for the entire class.

I sent her an email. I tried to explain how paramount this issue is to me and my family. I see what happens with my in-laws and husband. It is no longer a bystander position for me. I want to learn in that class. I want to hear the experiences of the students not just one set of experiences from the vantage of one person. There is more to learn. I hope that she doesn't take offense to the email. I was tactful. I told her the importance these issues have to me. I don't want to fail the class because I have something to say along with all the other people who have something to say that don't get a chance to say because of the classroom structure. It is the classroom structure that labels me as a problem student. I don't work well in that environment and an education department should understand that.

First Video (helicopters)

Here is a video of some choppers that flew over for Governor's day

Camcorder Pics

Endrit and I got our camcorder today.  I LOVE it.  It is small and user friendly.  Now I just need to get a tripod and figure out the subject matter of the first video...of course it will include the grandkids:)

Here it is!

Student Teaching

Okay.  I have told you that I wanted to student teach at SLCSE for a while. Well, it isn't going to happen.  I am okay with that. I observed another teacher that I would like to teach with. I also need to go and observe a couple more teachers.  I go and meet with the one teacher I really like tomorrow.  It will be fun.

Favorite part.

Chapter 111 of The Lost Symbol is my favorite chapter. I will quote a very short part of it that made it my favorite chapter.

"'Timing aside,' Solomon said, 'I find it wondrous to note that throughout history, all of mankind's disparate philosophies have all concurred on one thing - that a great enlightenment is coming. In every culture, in every era, in every corner of the world, the human dream has focused on the same exact concept - the coming apotheosis of man...the impending transformation of our human minds into their true potentiality.' He smiled. 'What could possibly explain such a synchronicity of beliefs?'

'Truth,' said a quiet voice in the crowd.

Solomon wheeled. 'Who said that?'

The hand that went up belonged to a tiny Asian boy whose soft features suggested he might be Nepalese or Tibetan. 'Maybe there is a universal truth embedded in everyone's soul. Maybe we all have that same story hiding inside, like a shared constant in our DNA. Maybe this collective truth is responsible for the similarity in all of our stories.'

Solomon was beaming as he pressed his hands together and bowed reverently to the boy. 'Thank you.'"

So cool.

Surgery

I went to the doctor today and he saw that my tonsils are problematic enough for me to have them removed. It was a REALLY fast appointment. Most of the time it was scheduling the various places that I will have to be before I have surgery. So, I have my tonsillectomy on October 2nd.

As far as my frontal sinuses are concerned, he couldn't do anything today. I go in for a CT scan before my surgery and we will talk about the options there at my 3 week post operative appointment. I have been struggling with my sinuses for years now and my desire to dive is what finally made my mind up that there has to be something done about it! I know that my last ENT said that I had small sinuses. I don't know what will happen, but I hope to be back in the pool with Rick next summer or before. Diving has been the most fun recreational activity that I have done.

So, that is that. I am glad that I get scholarships and that Endrit and I have a good savings. I am also glad that I know I will be employed in a year to build that savings back up after my doctor bills take it out. Wish me luck.

Camcorder

For the first time, Endrit and I decided it was time to get a camcorder. Actually, I decided it was time to get one. I have to do videotaping of a couple of my lessons and I didn't want to try to use ones that I have to check out from the library that are ancient. So Endrit did his research and bought one today. It takes video as well as still pictures. It has a macro setting too. It will have a 16 GB memory which isn't great, but is more than any other camera of ours has. It takes pictures at 12 megapixels and video at 1080p HD resolution. Better than our TV can do.

I am glad that we will have it when we take our vacation to Albania. It will happen in either a year or 2. Possibly this coming summer between my classes and starting teaching and more classes. We are excited to get out of the country...although Endrit still needs to get his US passport.

I hope that it lasts for a while. I have an idea of a video blog with graduation, classroom activities, kids. The things that people like to tape.

Hiccup

There has been a little bit of a hiccup with regards to me student teaching at SLCSE. I have decided who I will name as my number 1 pick for my student teaching. Her name is Niki Hack. I feel that I can learn a lot from her as well as she is willing and ready to have a student teacher work with her. The problem is the director of the school. He has valid reasons for not wanting me to completely take over a class. Parents like knowing that their children are learning from the best considering each student has a choice to come to this school or not. I don't want to stand in their way with that. I do however like knowing their counter offer to the University. I would have 2 classes of my own to teach. I would be the head teacher. I would teach geology. I would make my own curriculum. I would be under the direction of the director rather than a site teacher. I like this idea. They would have a cheap (free) teacher and have 1 more class offered for the students. I am more than willing to do this for various reasons. Right now, I just need to have the University agree to this. I will be talking to people come Monday. I will be setting things in motion. I just hope that it works out in the end through persistence and proving I am up to their high standards.

otolyryngologist (head and neck surgeon)

I went in for a doctor's appointment on Thursday. I have been having troubles with my sinuses since high school. These became extremely apparent when I went SCUBA diving with Rick. It really does make me mad that I couldn't finish the certification. I also have been having troubles with my tonsils the last few years. I think that they will eventually have to go. Right now I am having troubles with them.

So, at my doctor appointment I got the insurance referral to go to the specialist. I will be seeing him on the 16th and we will be seeing if I will be having a couple of surgeries in the next few months. I would like to get everything done this semester. It would be easier to have the surgery now than wait until I am student teaching.

Both of these are quality of life surgeries. It isn't 100% necessary for me to have them done, but while I can, I probably should. We will see what the surgeon says. The specialist I am seeing is also a surgeon.

Citizenship Ceremony Pictures

I told you about the wonderful lady that took pictures of Endrit's citizenship ceremony in this post. Well, today I got the CD of 39 pictures that she took of the ceremony with Endrit and I. I am SO happy that she was willing and able to do this for us. My camera didn't work well enough. She is the nicest lady. So, here are some of the pictures.

Blood

Endrit has tried to dissuade me from donating blood ever since I brought it up the first time after we met. I have veins that are hard to get at, but once it is in, you get a good amount of blood out of me. He donated one time and was lightheaded horribly so I went in today a little wary about what I was going to feel like.

Well, I told the lady I was a hard stick, but she decided to not only try, but try in my non dominant arm. She fished with a 1 gauge needle. Maybe it wasn't that big, but I was glad I didn't see the needle before I saw here fishing in my arm. She got some out, but it stopped and she didn't want to fish more as it was already bruising. I have a great bruise on my left arm.

So, I told her that I really wanted to donate. I didn't walk to 2 miles to my house and back to get my photo ID just to not donate. I was not going to let her stick me again though. I got the head phlebotomist at the donation site and he was able to stick me one time, no fishing, and I don't see a bruise starting.

I did get light headed. I had to sit there for about an hour to get my head situated enough. I wasn't nearly as bad as some other people in there. I felt bad for them.

All in all I am glad that someone will be able to use my B+ blood to live. I won't be donating too often, but I am now determined to donate blood one time a year while I can. It was a nice experience. I am 1 pint low on blood, I am tired, I looked like death warmed over me when I had to walk back uphill to get to my class, but I will do it again and I hope that other people will donate blood when they hear about a blood drive.