Where did I meet him?
A shooting range...
How weird is that?
Hope everyone is doing well! I can't believe it's already 2009...eck!
So here are some of my quick resolutions for this year
1) Get a full-time job in the field of education.
2) Go to the gym 2-3 times a week; alternate: running/walking on the beach
3) Read books.
4) Go out at least once a week at night.
5) Grapple with some mathematical concepts that I have not grasped from high school and university
6) Call brother and relatives (cousins) more often
7) Travel to an old or new city for Spring Break (Seattle, Portland, DC/Virginia, New York City)
8) Update contacts.
9) Blog little bit more.
10) Cook or bake something new each month.
More updates to come. Have a good day!
( Does Facebook Replace Face Time, or Enhance It? )
And what would these restrictions and regulations be? I'd like to ask AG Eric Holder who stated this couple years ago. I'm waiting but not holding my breath.
And what the heck is civilian national defense force?
And why Hilary Clinton as the Secretary of State?
Ah yes, it does not help with grad school education. I read what I had to read and I read the stuff I want to read when I had time. I wrote whatever way that the professors wanted me to write and I felt suffocated and pushed to the wall at times.
My need for control and structure can be traced back to my hearing disability. I have noticed that I tend to jump in conversation or change subjects when I think I am getting off track from listening. I fear losing control of my heart, faculties, etc and facing and not liking the consequences if I let go.
Yet I yearn to be a more creative, free person. I am tired at times of being too serious and feeling like a failure for not being able to connect with a group of people, even kids (though with loved ones and friends, they'd say I am little bit of both -- serious and silly!) I think it's essential for me to loosen up, to embrace the creative side of me and be little bit more more human.
So I am attempting to awaken my right side of the brain by listening to music, reading books and dancing.
Thanks to my tutoring times at the library, I have readily access to books and musics. I am now reading John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men and I will read F. Scott Fitzgerald's This Side of Paradise. I read 1-1.5 hrs a day before I go to sleep, yay. I am listening to one of Yo-Yo Ma's albums in the car. And...I am closing my eyes to rest and to day/night dream of dancing tango with someone.
Hopefully I feel more balanced and at ease for weeks to come.
I am beginning to learn more and more about being a substitute teacher. One thing I learned is to be flexible and be prepared for anything. I usually move from class to class and I do not stay still. I sense that I am still little bit awkward (or uneasy) around students -- I certainly do not want come off like a boring, detached teacher. It is important, however, to have a sense of humor and to show that you care.
I'm dealing with more math problems than I had in last two years. I even had to ask Dad to clear up some misconceptions I had. I realize that I am not exactly a visual learner; I learn a lot from modeling and practicing. Explaining fractions to 11 years olds has been (and still is) an adventure.
I feel like I am fixated on a certain person right now and I am thinking it's because I am just intrigued about how the person turned out after all this time has passed. I need to get the person out of my head one way or another. C'est vie.
I haven't seen or heard from her in years and I've thought about her often. It seems like when one makes the least effort to find or do something, something happens. It is true in this case. I was working with a student at a local library and at the closing of the library, I noticed that there was this person walking toward me. She called my name first and I stared hard at her, trying to recognize her face. My first reaction was that her hair changed and she got shorter. My second reaction was followed by "What the hell happened to you?." I walked by that counter so many times that afternoon without noticing her (because I was meeting my student for the first time in the library and I was a nervous wreck.) Anyway, I am glad to reconnect and to have another person to hang out in South Bay.
My second friend was one of my many "powerhouses." We used to walk home together from school and talked about all kind of random things. In fact, I think our conversations on random topics made me feel comfortable enough to hold a conversation at great length with people. I lost touch with her once I went to Vietnam and she went incognito. I thought she ran away to Europe and had all these glamorous adventures, heh. Her recent Facebook status posts indicated me that she was alive and well...and well, I messaged her to say hi and she responded. Today we hung out and had boba..and talked...and talked...mostly on politics and academia...Where the heck has she been? ;)
Anyway, recent developments (work and personal) are making life bearable at the moment and I couldn't be more pleased.
Thumb Up of the Week: Seeing my student get "ah-ha" moment
Thumb Down of the Week: Being rerouted to sub for a 2nd grade class
"So basically my analysis is that, whatever happened, we are, as a nation, doomed. We are also bitterly divided, because whoever wins, roughly half of us will despise the other half, and vice versa.
You know what I miss? I miss 1960. Not the part about my face turning overnight into the world's most productive zit farm. What I miss is the way the grown-ups acted about the Kennedy-Nixon race. Like the McCain-Obama race, that was a big historic deal that aroused strong feelings in the voters. This included my parents and their friends, who were fairly evenly divided, and very passionate. They'd have these major honking arguments at their cocktail parties. But unlike today, when people wear out their upper lips sneering at those who disagree with them, the 1960s grown-ups of my memory, whoever they voted for, continued to respect each other and remain good friends.
What was their secret? Gin. On any given Saturday night they consumed enough martinis to fuel an assault helicopter. But also they were capable of understanding a concept that we seem to have lost, which is that people who disagree with you politically are not necessarily evil or stupid. My parents and their friends took it for granted that most people were fundamentally decent and wanted the best for the country. So they argued by sincerely (if loudly) trying to persuade each other. They did not argue by calling each other names, which is pointless and childish, and which constitutes I would estimate 97 percent of what passes for political debate today.
What I'm saying is: we, as a nation, need to drink more martinis.
No, you know what I'm saying. I'm saying, now that this election is over, whatever the hell happened, can we please grow up and stop being so nasty to each other? Please?
OK, I didn't think so.
Please pass the pitcher.
P.S. The CNN hologram is the single stupidest thing I have ever seen on TV, and I am including Carrot Top in that statement."
Campaign addicts now confront the morning after
ASSOCIATED PRESS
At age 53, Anne Summers discovered a susceptibility she never knew she had. She was an election junkie.
Her affliction started with late-night news programs, then progressed to incessant Internet surfing. It culminated in door-to-door campaigning for Sen. Barack Obama near her home in Fairfax County, Va. “Addiction wouldn’t be too strong a word,” she says.
So today, Dr. Summers will experience a sense of emptiness familiar to recovering addicts. Never mind that she is a soccer mom, wife and full-time cardiologist. The election is over.
“To fill the void I’ve bought some poli-sci books,” says Dr. Summers. “And I’ll catch up on my medical journals.”
The end of the most-followed presidential campaign in recent years will leave many Americans feeling lost, even if their candidate won. The 2008 race provided drama and suspense to a nation hooked on reality television, mystery novels and Hollywood epics.
Arin N. Reeves, a Chicago-based diversity consultant, says she lost hours of sleep to late-night cravings for new campaign developments. For her, the vice-presidential picks were among the many suspenseful episodes — with the emergence of Gov. Sarah Palin deliciously surprising. “Week after week after week the story just kept getting better,” she says.
Seldom in American history has a presidential campaign offered such compelling narratives: The rise and fall of former first lady Sen. Hillary Clinton. The come-from-behind primary performance of war-hero Sen. John McCain. The emergence of Barack Obama, the biracial Harvard Law star raised by a single mother. The moose-slaying Sarah Palin, who proudly embraced her unwed pregnant teenager. The father, Sen. Joe Biden, who raised his young sons alone following the death of his wife and daughter in a car accident.
On the morning after the election, however, it’s as if “The Sopranos,” “American Idol” and “Desperate Housewives” all ended on the same night.
Kathy Gilbert, a 62-year old educator in Grand Rapids, Mich., took to making twice-daily phone calls to her equally obsessed sister in Chicago. Campaign gossip was a way for the two to connect. “I’ve just been hooked on it night and day. It’s definitely aberrant behavior for me,” she says. “What now?” She compares her current state to being on an emotional roller coaster. “I think I may need to join Politics Anonymous.”
Until this election cycle, Pamela Miller, 50, manager of a medical clinic in Phoenix, had never done anything more than vote. But after serving as a telephone volunteer in recent months for the McCain campaign, she’s now feeling withdrawal pains — even as she was anticipating a McCain victory Tuesday.
Issues, of course, underpinned interest in the race. Worries about economic upheaval, war and health-insurance coverage stoked passions, as did the debate over tax plans.
But to a great extent this became a competition not only between candidates but narratives, giving Tuesday’s vote an Academy Awards quality: Who had the best story? The disparate tales of Sens. McCain and Obama inspired people in a way that differed from, say, the 2000 election, which featured two candidates born to the political aristocracy.
The narratives in this contest created intrigue across party lines. Dr. Reeves, for instance, is an Obama supporter. But her fascination with the campaign intensified after the Republican vice-presidential nomination of a woman whose infant son has Down syndrome. “After Sarah Palin, women started talking about abortion very differently, openly, as if her candidacy were an entree into forbidden grounds,” says Dr. Reeves, who advises law firms and legal departments on issues of diversity.
For Miles McMillin, a corporate communications manager in greater Kansas City, the addictive habits began early in the morning, with the “Today Show.” National Public Radio gave him a second fix during his commute to work, allowing him to soak up details about each candidate’s schedule and speaking engagements. At night, he fed his cravings with a buffet’s worth of cable-news helpings.
“After Wednesday night, I guess I’m going to have to reintroduce myself to my kids,” says the Obama supporter.
The end of the campaign won’t leave its addicts utterly bereft. Post-election, there will be no shortage of questions to analyze: Did pollsters get it right? Was the loser’s concession delivered with grace? Who will the winner appoint to his cabinet?
For extreme cases, solace is already available in the form of political futures markets. Intrade, a self-described “prediction market,” is accepting bids for the 2012 presidential nominations, featuring Sens. Obama and Clinton on the Democratic side and five Republican possibilities, including Gov. Palin and former Rep. Newt Gingrich.
But just as a campaign’s end can promote healing among political parties, abstinence can be healthy for political junkies. In recent weeks, when a chiropractor diagnosed Mrs. Gilbert with “computer elbow,” she told him, “It’s not going to heal until after the election,” when she stops checking the Internet for campaign updates.
Ms. Reeves says the campaign close will enable her to stop biting her tongue at soccer matches when less-informed parents — meaning those who didn’t stay up past midnight dissecting polls — start talking politics. “People would think it was a little weird if they knew how much I know,” she says.
Sleep, a casualty for some addicts, will make a comeback. “I’m just tired,” says Vikki Watson. The Kansas City-area communications consultant stayed up late so many nights watching cable-TV pundits that at one point she told herself, “You’ve got to stop this. You’re going to drive yourself insane.”
As chief of sleep medicine at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California, Ralph Downey III advises patients to stay away from late-night television and Internet use. “But unfortunately, doctors don’t always take their own advice,” says Dr. Downey. He confesses he was drawn to check his computer for campaign updates as many as three times a night.
Sounds about right. *grin*
Anyway, my friend Jenna often ask me in passing what has been on the news lately. I wish she can make the time to find that out herself, eck! I don't want to be HER news source!
This survey down below reminds me of a similar survey that was done several years ago in the late 1990s where folks were asked some basic questions about American political system, pop culture, etc. The results are 'bleh.'
( according to LiveScience... )
(and to your teaching institute personnel)
The Principles of 'Basic Human Relations'
I. FUNDAMENTAL TECHNIQUES IN HANDLING PEOPLE
- Do not criticize or complain.
- Give honest, sincere appreciation.
- Arouse in the other person an eager desire to know you.
II. SIX WAYS TO MAKE PEOPLE LIKE YOU
- Become genuinely interested in people.
- Smile.
- Remember that a person’s name is to him or her the sweetest and most important word in any language.
- Be a good listener; encourage people to talk about themselves.
- Talk in terms of the other person’s interests.
- Make the other person feel important, and do it sincerely.
- The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.
- Show respect for the other person’s opinions. Never tell a person he or she is wrong.
- If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
- Begin in a friendly way.
- Get the other person saying, “Yes, Yes” IMMEDIATELY.
- Let the other person do a great deal of talking.
- Let the other person feel that the idea is his (or hers).
- Try honestly to see things from the other person’s point of view.
- Be sympathetic with the other person’s ideas and desires.
- Appeal to the nobler motives.
- Dramatize your ideas.
- Throw down a challenge.
IV. NINE WAYS TO “CHANGE” PEOPLE WITHOUT GIVING OFFENSE OR AROUSING RESENTMENT
- Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
- Call attention to people’s mistakes only indirectly.
- Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing.
- Ask questions instead of giving orders.
- Let the other person save face: Leave a “way out”.
- Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise.
- Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.
- Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct.
- Make the other person happy about doing what you suggest.
V. FUNDAMENTAL RULES FOR OVERCOMING WORRY
- Live in a day-tight compartment, meaning plan each part of the day.
- Learn how to face trouble:
- Ask yourself, “What is the worst that can possibly happen?”
- Prepare to accept the worst.
- Try to improve on the worst.
- Remind yourself of the exorbitant price you can pay for worry, in terms of your health.
- Keep busy.
- Do not fuss about trifles.
- Use the law of averages to outlaw your worries.
- Cooperate with the inevitable.
- Decide just how much anxiety a thing may be worth and refuse to give it more.
- Do not worry about the past.
- Fill your mind with thoughts of peace, courage, health and hope.
- Never try to get even with your enemies.
- Expect ingratitude.
- Count your blessings – not your troubles.
- Do not imitate others.
- Try to profit from your losses.
- Create happiness for others.
VII. THE PERFECT WAY TO CONQUER WORRY:
Pray, meditate.
VIII. HOW TO KEEP FROM WORRYING ABOUT CRITICISM:
- Remember that unjust criticism is often a disguised compliment.
- Do the very best you can.
- Analyze your own mistakes and criticize yourself.
- Rest before you get tired.
- Learn to relax at your work.
- If you are a housewife, protect your health and appearance by relaxing at home.
- Apply these 4 good working habits:
- Clear the desk of all papers except those relating to the immediate problem at hand.
- Do things in order of importance.
- When you face a problem, solve it then and there if you have the facts necessary to make a decision.
- Learn to organize, deputize and supervise (delegate).
- Put enthusiasm into your work.
- Do not worry about insomnia.
- If you can’t sleep, get up to work, or read until you feel sleepy.
- Remember: Nobody dies of insufficient sleep.
- Do some exercise; plan a regular program.
X. BASIC TECHNIQUES IN ANALYZING WORRY
- Get all the facts.
- Weigh all the facts, then come to a decision.
- Once a decision is reached, act.
- Write out and answer the following questions:
- What is the problem?
- What are the causes of the problem?
- What are the possible solutions?
- What is the best solution?
XI. A BASIC MODEL FOR PROBLEM-SOLVING
- Acknowledge the person’s feelings.
- Ask questions to clarify feelings and the situation.
- Summarize your understanding of the problem.
- Ask the person if your understanding is correct.
- Explain what you can or cannot do to help.
- Problem-solve with the person.
- Reassure the person of your willingness to help.
- Follow through on all agreements made by setting a time and date.
Although I am not involved with journalism, I still read newspaper and watch broadcasting news with great interest. I am aware that biases do exist in the media and I lament from time to time as to how I would find objective news and analysis. Lately, I am becoming more disillusioned with the media and its handling of the election coverage and politics.
Charles (Charlie) Gibson's interview with Sarah Palin, Republican vice president nominee, takes the cake.
First of all, I hated how ABC cut up the interviews into segments -- segments shown on ABC shows such as World News Tonight, Good Morning America, 20/20, and Nightline. Seriously, do you think already ADD viewers would wait several hours later to watch disjointed segments? Why not have it all on 20/20 or two hours special?
Secondly, I thought Gibson asked good questions, but I disapproved of how he was asking...and cutting in when Palin was trying to answer those questions. It's like Shut your damn mouth, let me listen..! He also misquoted her on God aspect and tried to "Gotcha" with Bush Doctrine. Whether or not Palin knew the Doctrine, she was right to ask for clarification since the Doctrine is not one singular document like Monroe Doctrine. The person who penned the Doctrine, whose name is not with me at the moment, wrote in RealClearPolitics that the Doctrine consist four aspects. I also read that the Doctrine was also known as Wolfowitz Doctrine. At times, Gibson sounded conscending toward her and rightfully so, she was tense.
A lot of viewers on ABC boards and I really admired Gibson. He's not Jennings, but he seems like an objective, knowledgeable journalist. The interview he did, however, seemed one-sided. I am glad that Palin was not rattled and she answered the questions as best she could.
Thirdly, I still don't know much about her as an individual. I do know more about her stances, though you couldn't tell because a lot of the materials were edited out by ABC. I did not appreciate Katie Snow's introductory video of Palin in the first 10 minutes into the program where the video pretty much listed out the controversies associated with Palin right now. The video already set the tone for the rest of the interview. I don't think ABC would have a video on Obama in which they showcased his questionable associations (William Ayer? Rezcko?) or gaffee...or a video on Biden or McCain. No way.
Upon Palin's nomination, the media, including ABC, was in a frenzy and tried to find out as much as they could about her life, her views, etc. But Gibson and ABC missed out the opportunity to really help the Americans to get to know her as the person and the politician. I do think that Palin came out stronger after the interview than most analysts and pundits expected. I look forward to the debate!
My heart is never really full. My mind is all over the place. My body wishes it can forever be 16.
Yeah.
- Mood:
listless
is Madrid, Spain!
I have not been keeping up my Spanish...so I am stepping up my efforts to read some literature in Spanish. Perhaps the easiest way to go about is to read articles and subtitles in Spanish. I also need to wear headphone so I can listen to the lyrics in Spanish. It's tough for me to understand when someone is speaking quickly, even in Vietnamese, so I need to tell my Spanish-speaking friends to slow down. It's also tough for me to understand certain Latinamerican or Spanish regional accents like those from Granada.
I am pleased to, at least, be able to read and understand this article on Madrid and its preferred destination for Latin-American emigrants.
"Madrid es el destino preferente de los emigrantes latinoamericanos"
Madrid, 7 sep (EFE).- Más de 900.000 habitantes de los cinco continentes emigraron a España en 2007, con la particularidad de que los europeos eligieron principalmente la región de Valencia, en el este del país, y los latinoamericanos Madrid, mientras que Cataluña fue la preferida de africanos, asiáticos y oceánicos.
Procedentes de América hubo 284.772 personas que emigraron a España el año pasado, con la región de Madrid, en el centro del país, como la mayor receptora, con 79.175, seguida de Cataluña, en el nordeste, con 66.978, y la Comunidad Valenciana con 28.707.
Por países, Bolivia y Colombia fueron los dos focos mayoritarios de emigración, con 46.055 y 35.690 personas, respectivamente.
Por encima de la emigración procedente de Latinoamérica estuvo el año pasado la de Europa (373.241), con especial presencia de rumanos (174.149), mientras que el tercer grupo continental, el de los africanos, aportó 109.615 emigrantes en 2007, según el Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas."
Profile
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
clioamare007- Nat
Syndicate
