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.