Yep, the title says it all. Tale as old as time...we don't have any time. These past two weeks have been intense, and all within a professional sense. This weekend is the first time in two weeks I got to do things Osc like, well to some degree. I still had to go to class and grade a huge stack of essays today, and lesson planned last night at Barnes & Noble, but eh, what are you going to do about that? That's life.
Even though I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed and just busy (I'll be using this word a lot in this blog apparently), it has all been for growth. I enjoyed going to the CUE conference in Palm Springs, and I can't wait to go again next year! I learned so much and enjoyed the lectures, plus getting swag from different ed tech companies is always a plus ;-)
Unfortunately, I could stay the entire time and had to leave Palm Springs on Friday night because I had to attend another ed tech conference, but this one was at Mt. St. Mary's. I'm sorry, did I say attend? I meant to say presented at! I presented at an ed tech conference with the topic of social justice (Critical Thinking in Action). Best part? I got to present with some of my students in order to present the school's iPad program and social justice assignments we have done via those means. I learned a lot, and although I've spoken at other conference, this LA-wide one was something I'll remember for a long time. The feedback I have received is also a major plus.
Spring break is around the corner, and I can't wait for it. Well deserved, I think so at least.
Busy, but good busy. It's a good busy, once you see it in retrospect. At the time I've honestly thought, "Why am I so tired? .....Oh yeeeeeah."
The main theme of my literature class this year is, "What happens if in the end, the hero doesn't win?"
Glad to say the students are catching on to it. They're in the midst of writing their own myths at the moment, and a couple of them are excited to write about their hero not winning. This was a unit I've wanted to teach since I wrote it during my credential classes at LBSU. I remember my professor for this unit stated that she hoped I'd teach it someday. The funny thing is that I wrote it for a sixth grade class, and that's the class that's doing it, kind of like a prophecy.
The works they've read and are currently reading are Ozma of Oz, The Chronicles of Narnia (esp. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian), Of Mice and Men, The Tale of Isis and Osiris, "Orpheus," "Arachne," and other Greek myths. If you've ever read any of these, you will understand about the hero not winning (esp. in the traditional sense). I remember my principal was happy I'd be teaching that theme.
All of this has had me thinking about the heroes in my life, both through my own personal connection with them such as family and friends, and my admiration through published works.
In my personal lives there are just too many to name. I'm a believer that who we are is only really 10% us and 90% of everything you have learned from those around you. And when you think about it, 10% of you may not seem like a whole lot, but you may be 10% to many many others out there, and that is incalculable.
I think in those whose lives I've read about I have greatly admired some people in history (and some who will go down in history). As a matter of fact, I added them (but not all) in a book of sorts that I wrote for a heroes class I taught during an English summer camp in Korea.
Here are some of my heroes to name a few: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Oprah Winfrey, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Toni Morrison, J.K. Rowling, Alanis Morissette, Shakira, Fey, C.S. Lewis, Dalai Lama, and Barack Obama. Don't know why? Read up on their lives, how they achieved and struggled in their careers, and what they do to give back. They didn't really win in the traditional sense, that's why! And that's life.
Also, one of my favorite Latin singers (who is on the list) is on tour. Waiting for Fey's US dates though. Here's a taste of it, watch the whole thing, she is amazing in what she does:
So it has been too long since I've written. But time has not been my friend. Between work, school, work, work, some school, and work, time has not allowed me to write as often as I wish I could. You have no idea how many countless times I sit back and think, "this would make an excellent blog post!" But alas, it doesn't work out that way.
So things that have been happening, aside from the business stated earlier, that have been development in some of my own goals. Some growth opportunities have been presented to me recently, and as I keep hearing them from more and more people, they seem to be more and more of a possibility. Should make for an interesting later half of the year. I know I'm being über vague, but I don't want to jump ahead and have things turn out differently.
It's been unfortunate that three of my friends lost grandparents in a one week timespan, for supporting them has also been part of what I've been doing. For me alone, this has been a recent issue. I will say that there was a sense of what I can only describe as strangeness when attending the wake for a friend's grandparent when I could not attend those of my own grandparents last year (other that the rosary services my mother held here for our local family and friends). But the important thing is to be there for those I care for.
Lent is here, and with it the same thing I gave up last year. I ended up learning a lot last year, so I hope it continues into this lental season.
So here I am just keeping busy, and with the ongoing commitment to try and write more often.
Stay tuned.
In good music news, I LOVE this song by Josh Groban and completely recommend it:
My most recent Facebook status update? "Enjoy what's left of 12/12/12, it's the last repetitive day in our lifetime"With that said, I've decided to write a blog post summarizing some things I have been absolutely grateful for the past 12 months.
January 2012:
Started off the year right with awesome friends at the Long Beach New Year Celebration
February 2012:
Got my new baby, my car
March 2012:
Good times celebrating St. Pati's Day
April 2012: One of my biggest dreams for the past couple of years came true, I went to Italy to visit amazing people and sites
Unfortunately, upon my return, I lost my grandfather Fernando
However, in trying to make as much of a mark as I can, I did my first walk for Autism Speaks
May 2012: Got to see my buddy Phoebe (http://phoebejanesblog.blogspot.com) graduate, Go Toros!
June 2012:
Got to celebrate a year away from Korea by having a mini reunion with friends
I also got to see my first class of eighth graders graduate from my current job, having marked a year at NDA then
July 2012:
End of July, got to have good times in Hawaii (celebrating a year since I had been there, hehehe)
August 2012:
More Hawaiian good times with friends
And got to visit Hawaii with family
And it was upon my return that I lost my grandmother exactly three months after having loss my grandfather, it was not a good time for my mother. Glad to know she is better.
Got to try zip-lining, FUN!
September 2012:
It is my birthday when I feel truly blessed for the people who have come into my life.
October 2012:
Though I wasn't initially excited about the idea of Watsonville, it was nice to see a childhood friend in the area and enjoying my trip. (Lizzy from http://secretariesinaphonebooth.blogspot.com)
I also got to see the amazing Alanis Morissette live once again. Concert number four of hers that I have attended. Icing on the cake...I won the tickets in a contest
November 2012:
Korea super reunion in Fresno. Love these guys, we have been through a lot together.
December 2012:
Another Korean reunion, how awesome is that? It's not that easy to accomplish, but we find a way when the will is there.
Things still to come: Christmas, Christmas parties, and New Year's Day of course!
Among these 12 months my amazing friends have accomplished great things from moves in career, location and family size. Happy for all of them.
My family continues strong, and I am in great hopes that continues.
