Children, innocent. Yeah right but always generate funny moments.
Yesterday, I finished my first classroom volunteer stint for Junior Achievement. For those not familiar with JA, visit the website.
If you have ever worked with a group of third graders, you know that it can be a little taxing but a ton of fun. So, I had the privilege of teaching 26 third grade students about the structure of a city and some of the institutions that are integral parts of a city's operations.
The single greatest challenge that I had with teaching was that it was hard for me to speak with them. I spent so much time throughout my path to higher education and learning in developing and sustaining a larger and more intellectual vocabulary. Working on these lesson plans, I really found myself without the words to accurately convey to the students the lesson I was trying to teach that were at a second - fifth grade reading level. I felt like I was insulting their intelligence by essentially talking down to them but they are also in the third grade so what can you do?
The coolest thing about the whole experience was during our end of program review. The amount of information that children retain is amazing. To go from no knowledge about zoning to being able to accurately identifying types of establishments by primary focus and contribution to community and locating them in the right area after one 45 minute lesson taught almost 6 weeks ago was outstanding to me. Seeing this first-hand makes me feel that those people who say that children should be taught more complex information at younger ages know what they are talking about.
So all in all, I would say the program was a success. Each kid made me a homemade card saying thanks. I was taken aback by the careful thought put into each card. These cards indicated the worth of the JA experience on the lives of the kids as well as my life as I continue to teach these lessons to students that might not otherwise get this information through formal training.
Kudos to JA and I am looking forward to my next class, possibly second grade. I hear they learn about production and individual vs. batch manufacturing. SWEET!!!!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Leave it to the Iraqis
For those who have not seen this, here is a video of the Iraqi reporter who felt it in his obligation to his country that he disgrace President Bush by throwing his shoes at him.
After seeing the clip for the first time, I thought to myself, "He must be pissed off a W. He now has to go to jail in Iraq with no shoes." As the story was revealed, it seemed that this man was more than just angry. He was out to make a statement.
According to CNN's stroy about the reporter and his actions. The man was quoted in saying that his shoe throwing escapades were "A farewell kiss to a pig." Like this Iraqi, there are many people that are happy to see George W. Bush depart 1600 Pennslyvania Ave and land with little Pomp and Circumstance in his gated and minority deprived neighborhood in Dallas, Tx. However, I don't think many people would want to throw there shoes which in these times can be seen as somewhat as a status symbol.
Anyways, it was also interesting to me that in the article it stated that the showing of the bottom of one's feet is of ultimate disgrace to the sole viewing party. So, putting the action in its appropriate social context this Iraqi reporter is telling the world that George Bush is essentially the scourge of the earth and should rot in hell for the pain and suffering he has caused the global community. To me, that is a little extreme but to each his own.
Thsi reporter may never again see the light of day since he "assaulted" the President of The United States. I hope he felt it was worth it.
After seeing the clip for the first time, I thought to myself, "He must be pissed off a W. He now has to go to jail in Iraq with no shoes." As the story was revealed, it seemed that this man was more than just angry. He was out to make a statement.
According to CNN's stroy about the reporter and his actions. The man was quoted in saying that his shoe throwing escapades were "A farewell kiss to a pig." Like this Iraqi, there are many people that are happy to see George W. Bush depart 1600 Pennslyvania Ave and land with little Pomp and Circumstance in his gated and minority deprived neighborhood in Dallas, Tx. However, I don't think many people would want to throw there shoes which in these times can be seen as somewhat as a status symbol.
Anyways, it was also interesting to me that in the article it stated that the showing of the bottom of one's feet is of ultimate disgrace to the sole viewing party. So, putting the action in its appropriate social context this Iraqi reporter is telling the world that George Bush is essentially the scourge of the earth and should rot in hell for the pain and suffering he has caused the global community. To me, that is a little extreme but to each his own.
Thsi reporter may never again see the light of day since he "assaulted" the President of The United States. I hope he felt it was worth it.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Happy 23rd!
Tuesday (Dec 2) was the 23rd anniversary of the day that I was brought into this world aka my birthday. The main question I got was "What are your plans?" So, for all that wants to know, this is what I dd on my birthday. I woke up around 6:45 and got dressed and went to work. At work, everyone brings some type of baked good on the birthday of someone from our team so after I got my daily cup of green tea, my team proceeded to feast on what looked think the Thanksgiving desert table part 2. Then I was in meetings most of the day. At about 1:00 pm, I left to go teach JA to a rambunctious group of 3rd graders who insist on calling me "Mr. Patrick". I came back to work after that and answered some emails. Then, I went back to my apartment and took a brief nap and changed clothes then I went to the Wheel House for dinner/drinks. For those who have never heard of the Wheel House (which no one reading this blog should have ), it is one of the two bars that I frequent in Midland, mostly because the wait staff is nice, the food is really good, and the people that drink there regularly are a fun group. I decided to have the special for dinner which was a delicious Gyro with homemade Cucumber Sauce. If this is added to the menu, I may no longer be relegated to having the usual in which I am some accustomed to. Danielle the bartender gave me some cracked out shot made with Crown Royal and Butterscotch liqueur which was alright but I will never order it on my own. After a few Budweiser's I left. Then, I went to a friend from works apartment and had some more beer and cake. In hindsight, a heavy wheat beer and cake are not necessarily the best combination.
Following the very good cake, I went over to a very disappointing Oscar's (another bar) where none of the bartenders that I know were working and was quiet that I could actually hear people talking further than 5 ft away from me. I did however get to see the highlights from the OSU/Uof Miami basketball game. Congrats Bucks! Anyways back to the story. After having one beer, it was about 10:30 so I decided to go home and that is the full version of how I spent my 23rd birthday.
It was definitely a break in birthday ritual. I have been spoiled over the previous 22 years of being able to spend my birthday with most if not all of my closest friends and the last 4 years were the best of the bunch, Freshmen year was dinner at Steak and Shake in Reynoldsburg with a bunch of people from Park Hall including the full group of fellas, the 9th floor girls, and DWash. Even though their was an altercation in the Park hall lobby prior to leaving we still had a good time. Sophomore year was dinner with the fellas at BDs and then Cheesecake with Dana and Tanisha, Junior Year was dinner with the fellas again at BDs but I was 21 and the unfortunate events surrounding a large bottle of Grey Goose courtesy of Mr. Alex Young and last year was watching West Virgina and Missouri losing. Which put Ohio State in a BCS National Championship which we unfortunately lost to LSU but nonetheless made the start of my Birthday great. That same night, Anjali made me drink a bottle of Korbel in which I still have the cork. Thanks to Mr. Sanchez, the bottle was finished and we were able to go to the bar. I also went to BDs with the fellas yet again, which is always a treat.
I write all of this to say, birthdays are always special but they are so much more special when they are able to be shared with those who you care about. Birthdays are traditionally considered to be a day to celebrate the life thus far of someone close to you and to look forward to the life ahead. It is that person's day as the center of attention. However, as I learned this year, a birthday can mean so much more. By my lack of plans and real interaction with friends, I learned a lot. My friends are by far the most important people to me. They keep me balanced and excited about the challenges of life. I always looked forward to birthdays because they were a time that I was guaranteed to spend a good amount of relaxed time with some friends for the sole purpose of having a good time.
I expected this year to be very different however I hope that next year I will be back to spending birthdays with all of the people that I care about closely (at least the ones located in Midland).
Thanks to all of my friends that called, texted, sent emails, sent facebook messages, and wrote on my wall. It meant a lot!
Following the very good cake, I went over to a very disappointing Oscar's (another bar) where none of the bartenders that I know were working and was quiet that I could actually hear people talking further than 5 ft away from me. I did however get to see the highlights from the OSU/Uof Miami basketball game. Congrats Bucks! Anyways back to the story. After having one beer, it was about 10:30 so I decided to go home and that is the full version of how I spent my 23rd birthday.
It was definitely a break in birthday ritual. I have been spoiled over the previous 22 years of being able to spend my birthday with most if not all of my closest friends and the last 4 years were the best of the bunch, Freshmen year was dinner at Steak and Shake in Reynoldsburg with a bunch of people from Park Hall including the full group of fellas, the 9th floor girls, and DWash. Even though their was an altercation in the Park hall lobby prior to leaving we still had a good time. Sophomore year was dinner with the fellas at BDs and then Cheesecake with Dana and Tanisha, Junior Year was dinner with the fellas again at BDs but I was 21 and the unfortunate events surrounding a large bottle of Grey Goose courtesy of Mr. Alex Young and last year was watching West Virgina and Missouri losing. Which put Ohio State in a BCS National Championship which we unfortunately lost to LSU but nonetheless made the start of my Birthday great. That same night, Anjali made me drink a bottle of Korbel in which I still have the cork. Thanks to Mr. Sanchez, the bottle was finished and we were able to go to the bar. I also went to BDs with the fellas yet again, which is always a treat.
I write all of this to say, birthdays are always special but they are so much more special when they are able to be shared with those who you care about. Birthdays are traditionally considered to be a day to celebrate the life thus far of someone close to you and to look forward to the life ahead. It is that person's day as the center of attention. However, as I learned this year, a birthday can mean so much more. By my lack of plans and real interaction with friends, I learned a lot. My friends are by far the most important people to me. They keep me balanced and excited about the challenges of life. I always looked forward to birthdays because they were a time that I was guaranteed to spend a good amount of relaxed time with some friends for the sole purpose of having a good time.
I expected this year to be very different however I hope that next year I will be back to spending birthdays with all of the people that I care about closely (at least the ones located in Midland).
Thanks to all of my friends that called, texted, sent emails, sent facebook messages, and wrote on my wall. It meant a lot!
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