Here's some stuff.
I should be working on homework, as I basically have a week to get my remaining assignments completed. However, since I feel as though homework is all I ever do, I'll take a small break from writing papers in order to write here.
School has been...school. Honestly, I'm not learning the kind of practical information I hoped I would. My first semester is about over, and I don't feel any better prepared to teach elementary school than I did three months ago. I do feel poorer. Most of the classes I have to take are teaching methods class, which are basically a bunch of theories. For example, in my reading methods class we spent two hours one night talking about language cueing systems.
I should be working on homework, as I basically have a week to get my remaining assignments completed. However, since I feel as though homework is all I ever do, I'll take a small break from writing papers in order to write here.
School has been...school. Honestly, I'm not learning the kind of practical information I hoped I would. My first semester is about over, and I don't feel any better prepared to teach elementary school than I did three months ago. I do feel poorer. Most of the classes I have to take are teaching methods class, which are basically a bunch of theories. For example, in my reading methods class we spent two hours one night talking about language cueing systems.
It was interestingish to learn, but again, not the most practical information for helping new teachers survive their first year or two in the classroom.
My final project in both classes is a big unit plan. It's very frustrating because both profs have said "You will never actually do this in your own classroom." Perfect. I love nothing more than spending huge amounts of time doing something that I will never actually use in real life. "For the final project, you will need to come up with a menu for a Bulgarian themed dinner party, watch three Lorenzo Lamas movies, and shovel your neighbor's sidewalk the next time it snows. Then write a reflection."
My final project in both classes is a big unit plan. It's very frustrating because both profs have said "You will never actually do this in your own classroom." Perfect. I love nothing more than spending huge amounts of time doing something that I will never actually use in real life. "For the final project, you will need to come up with a menu for a Bulgarian themed dinner party, watch three Lorenzo Lamas movies, and shovel your neighbor's sidewalk the next time it snows. Then write a reflection."
Otherwise Chicago is good. It's also cold. This morning my car said 15 degrees. Weak.
I've quickly learned to parallel park again. A month or two ago I backed into a pile of rust sitting atop 4 poorly inflated tires. The owner of this once van was inside a shop but her friend was sitting outside, guarding the car, no doubt. She was not okay with it. "DAMN GIRL! YOU GOTTA SLOW DOWN! THIS AIN'T EVEN MY VAN! IT'S MY GIRLFRIEND'S! SHE'S INSIDE BUYING TWO CHICKENS! YOU GOTTA SLOW DOWN! YOU'RE GONNA GET YOURSELF KILLED! I USED TO BE LIKE THAT BUT I LEARNED I HAD TO SLOW DOWN!"
My neighborhood has delicious ethnic food, but sadly I haven't found any Indian restaurants close by.
I live directly east of O'Hare and I love it. The planes are so low going over my apartment that if I'm outside I can see what airline they are. A few months ago I saw one from Qatar Airways.
Let's get mushy
Over the summer, after things fell apart with the bigoted and arrogant Turkish guy I dated, my cousin Jamie issued me a challenge- try dating an American, someone born and bred here. Jamie has spent considerable amounts of time abroad and understood the appeal of dating a non American. However, she told me it would be so wonderfully easy that I'd soon forget about the desire to date someone foreign and exotic. I've never received better advice. A few days after things ended with the Turkish guy, I was in Chicago. I'd rejoined OkCupid and Eliza was playing on my account, like she often did. She messaged several people on my behalf, including a guy named Chad. He and I messaged daily for a few weeks via OkCupid, before switching to texting, and we met in person a few weeks after that. Holy cats, dating without a language barrier is the best thing ever. Finally, a guy who understands how hilarious/awesome I am. With other guys I've dated, I always felt like there was part of the connection that wasn't there, even with the ones who spoke English fluently. They'd understand the literal meaning of the words I would say, but they'd be missing the connotation, which is a huge part of conversation. He'd be wonderful even if there was a language barrier, but not having one just makes this relationship that much better.
I live directly east of O'Hare and I love it. The planes are so low going over my apartment that if I'm outside I can see what airline they are. A few months ago I saw one from Qatar Airways.
Let's get mushy
Over the summer, after things fell apart with the bigoted and arrogant Turkish guy I dated, my cousin Jamie issued me a challenge- try dating an American, someone born and bred here. Jamie has spent considerable amounts of time abroad and understood the appeal of dating a non American. However, she told me it would be so wonderfully easy that I'd soon forget about the desire to date someone foreign and exotic. I've never received better advice. A few days after things ended with the Turkish guy, I was in Chicago. I'd rejoined OkCupid and Eliza was playing on my account, like she often did. She messaged several people on my behalf, including a guy named Chad. He and I messaged daily for a few weeks via OkCupid, before switching to texting, and we met in person a few weeks after that. Holy cats, dating without a language barrier is the best thing ever. Finally, a guy who understands how hilarious/awesome I am. With other guys I've dated, I always felt like there was part of the connection that wasn't there, even with the ones who spoke English fluently. They'd understand the literal meaning of the words I would say, but they'd be missing the connotation, which is a huge part of conversation. He'd be wonderful even if there was a language barrier, but not having one just makes this relationship that much better.
Back to homework. Lame.
