Titans Pride - So today was the first day on the job at Cranbrook with Monica. It felt wierd going there without any of my ACA kids. We got trained today, and we had a tour although our boss talked to me later saying that I could skipped out because I know Cranbrook pretty well. We got paired up with another girl, Julie and we'll all be working together and giving demonstrations about Light and Color. I'm excited because I've taught this lesson over the past 3 years now.

Ya know, I got this love/hate feeling toward my EED 470 prof. It's like I hate how this course is being taught, but I know she has a deep passion for kids. I fell asleep today during class, and Shauna had to wake me up before I got caught. We had to work in our groups, and I again actually like my group despite not being able to be with Amanda, Monica, Erin, Annette, and Jessica (dumb seating chart). Shauna and I talked a lot after class, and dude I learned a couple new things about her today. She graduated from Stevenson too! Well she graduated in '00 the same year as my sis, but I kept wondering how come I never knew her in high school. I mean I knew all the juniors as much as I knew the seniors with me. She currently works at BW's too, but not just any BW's, the one next to my house! So now I got the hook ups over there too, so yeah gotta love this Titans connection here.

Finally, I can get off my own IL and I do feel some what better. However, I'll lift tomorrow to see how it holds up for this weekend. Man, I have to print an additional 200 plus pages for Monica now, oh well don't know what I'd do without her.

My Goods

UCS - Back into the swing of things, by going to Magahay today. There is some really good parts about where I am student teaching. Then there are the not so good parts, and maybe it's easier for me to point them out because I am not full time yet. I mean, the guy I work with I know is a good teacher. But I think he is too old fashioned it seems like, and like the Special Ed kids, it sometimes seems like he could careless about. All those kids who are at a higher level, don't get challenged and are more like his secretary. This guy just has so much going on in his life and a lot of this things are unorganized and his teaching is a lil outdated. Jackie left school crying because of her Special Ed teacher and I wanted to talk to her in private. Jackie reminds me so much of my Jackie at Edmonson that I don't want to see her hate school. Another area where I want to improve those areas and make learning fun for them. Side note, was that I taught some of the kids a lil self-defense when I showed them about to disable an attacker's arm. Next time, Corey shouldn't put his arm on me so he didn't have to be my victim ;)

Finally, tonight Monica, Amanda, Erin, and I all went to the IRC for our first UCS Board Meeting. So we're chillin at the building but see no cars what so ever. I decided to try to get into the building and it was locked! So I was about to throw snowballs all over the building until I read a note attached to the leftside of the door. It said the meeting had been moved to IKE High School! Unbelievable it figures the meeting has to be moved across the street to my house. We went, and none of us really paid attention. I saw Mr. Mecheski, and they were wondering how I knew him. Well let's put it this way, I was in the office a few times back in my high school days. I saw Mme. Blaine too! Anyways. we interviewed a couple of people on the Board, while the girls were offended, I was happy because they all thought we were still in high school. Titans Pride baby! During the meeting, I quickly left to go home and change just to where my Stevenson gear to IKE. What a night, we so do not look forward to EED 470 on Wednesday.

Dang it, I am # 5 :( because Kristyn could not remember # 13 on my jersey :( I just so wanna cry :( However, I'll take it if we do get sponsored by the Pistons for our Co-Ed b-ball team, Darko's Fan Club!

Happy Nation

Chill Thrills - Now this was a Snow Storm, and boy was it great. This was sure better than that weak one a few weeks back. I was using my snowblower to do the driveway and stuff. I had to clear my part of the street too, then I hear "clunk, clunk' chang." I looked at my snowblower, and it was still running so I thought. As I was about to make my 2nd round on the driveway, the same sounds kept getting louder. I finally stopped to take a look at it, and I saw the problem. Fricking litter bugs! This thick, tape/string like substance got sucked into my snowblower and wrapped itself all around the blade to take 1 part of the blade off it's bolt. When I finally freed the blade, I noticed another prob caused by this, oil was now leaking out of my blower. Grrrrness City!

I still was happy about the snow though. As it got colder, I decided to train outside and to see how my knee was holding up. Some say I am crazy to be running through the foot of snow through some areas. But I see it as, that I am the only one out there just trying to get better. I just wished I got a chance to go down to the Winter Blast, that sled ride looked really cool.

Finally, as things may begin to change in Jr. Church. I can only ask for more wisdom in this area to think of how to strengthen it and patience. Some parents are really getting on my nerves too, because they just walk right in and pull their kids out for Chinese school. At the same time, I wish I had more time to do some of the lessons because I hate how I have to keep cutting 1 lesson into a 2-3 week section. Someone also suggested that I should do some sort of leadership training for those leading music in Jr. Church. This is a good point, and I should do this soon because I don't like how I have to keep silencing the kids. Yes, changes will be made one step at a time starting with this Sunday.

Random thought, I am reading Levitcus now, man some scary thoughts in chapter 18, ewww.

Dancer In A Daydream

Temptations - Hmmm many things have been tempting me lately, such as potatoes! I use to hate potatoes with a passion. The only thing I use to eat that had anything to do with them were french fries, and hash browns. Now I just want to keep eating potatoes! For the past week or so, my diet has consisted of McDonald's French Fries (gotta be the salt), BW's Potato Skins, BW's Potato Wedges, Lay's BBQ Chips, and Boston Market's Red Potato Skins. I don't know what's going on with my non-stop carb craving lately. Yet not exactly the best diet, but man so good.

What else was tempting tonight, b-ball @ the Rec Center. I was sooooo close to playing, so close that I was shooting, and dribbling around. I started to test my injuries and I could feel it not being too good. I was literally grinding my teeth, when Kristyn was playing with the brotha's and one of them cheap shotted her. Frustrating, uh yes indeedy that I can't go out there and do something. Tonight, we also had the Co-Rec B-ball meeting and now I'm running with Kristyn's team, Darko's Fan Club. Don't ask me bout the team name, G made that one up. I am really tempted to jump off the IL early so I can play in the season opener this Sunday. I keep telling my body, to heal!!!!!!

Anyways, time to go to bed because I'm gonna procrastinate my EED470 homework for later. Plus Monica is gonna call me @ 6:00 a.m. to make sure I do not oversleep and forget to do my homework.

Kid CrossOver

Temptations - Hmmm many things have been tempting me lately, such as potatoes! I use to hate potatoes with a passion. The only thing I use to eat that had anything to do with them were french fries, and hash browns. Now I just want to keep eating potatoes! For the past week or so, my diet has consisted of McDonald's French Fries (gotta be the salt), BW's Potato Skins, BW's Potato Wedges, Lay's BBQ Chips, and Boston Market's Red Potato Skins. I don't know what's going on with my non-stop carb craving lately. Yet not exactly the best diet, but man so good.

What else was tempting tonight, b-ball @ the Rec Center. I was sooooo close to playing, so close that I was shooting, and dribbling around. I started to test my injuries and I could feel it not being too good. I was literally grinding my teeth, when Kristyn was playing with the brotha's and one of them cheap shotted her. Frustrating, uh yes indeedy that I can't go out there and do something. Tonight, we also had the Co-Rec B-ball meeting and now I'm running with Kristyn's team, Darko's Fan Club. Don't ask me bout the team name, G made that one up. I am really tempted to jump off the IL early so I can play in the season opener this Sunday. I keep telling my body, to heal!!!!!!

Anyways, time to go to bed because I'm gonna procrastinate my EED470 homework for later. Plus Monica is gonna call me @ 6:00 a.m. to make sure I do not oversleep and forget to do my homework.

Kid CrossOver

WWJD - A lot of times I can imagine how Jesus would handle a situation. Other times I'm left scratching my head of how he would do something. At work on Saturday, this customer comes in and demands free sauce for stuff. Long and short of it, Mr. Novak thinks he owns the place just because he 6'2 and big, and round and can intimidate me, psh please. We stared down each other, until my mommy pulled me away. He had to loved me punching my fist into my hand, signaling if he wants to step outside. Anyways, I got the name and next time since he is a regular customer you can bet his total will go up because of my new "stupid" tax that I charge on people.

After talking to Dr. Steve, I have officially put myself on the IL due to ligament damage in my ankle. In addition, I also got some cartiledge damage in my knee causing me to run funny. I'll have to get that re-eval in a week, to see if I need to get another MRI. You can bet I'll be grinding my teeth the next 2 weeks seeing others play. Oh well, at least I get to do some light workouts to strengthen my ankle back. 2 weeks seem so long, please help me keep accountable to this.

I saw the tentative schedule for Jr. Church right now, and for now I only get a 3 month break as I'll be teaching from May all the way to the end of '05. There is a possibility as well, that I'll be actually teaching the next quarter due to a shortage of teachers which means no breaks for me for '05. Now that I got this cool MovieMaker thingy on my PC, I am trying to work on a ministry opportunity cd. However, it seems like everyone is serving these days and I don't want to ask anyone because I don't want them to be burned out either. Although, this is a great ministry and to teach the future leaders of CBC. I love my lil girl, Hannah I believe by far she has the cutest smile @ CBC, she reminds of Punky Brewster or something. Anyways, I need to trust in Him that He will provide teachers for this ministry and at the same time, supply me with strength throughout the duration of my teaching quarter.

So Far So Good

1st Impressions - So the 1st week of Winter semester is over and I got a chance to go to all my classes. So far everyone stands correct, EED 470 with Hruska just flat out sucks. I am doing my best to keep an open mind, but it is hard when you print out a 28 page syllabus. I won't even get into the rest of the handouts that we have to print out. My printer is still suffering from a heart attack from that. This lady must think this is the only class we are taking or something. Carl warned me today, but I think it is too late as I am on her bad list now. She didn't like it when I talked back to her and eventually she ignored me. Yet everyone in the rest of the class thought I had very good questions about why things are being done the way they are. In addition, my attitude towards the class showed as well. Since she didn't respond to me anymore, I just put a couple of rolling chairs together, and just laid down reading the syllabus. It sucks because Social Stuides is like my favorite subject, yet I got her as a prof. Man it's gonna be a long semester here, but I am thankful for Monica, Erin, Amanda, Jessica, and Annette in the class with me. Come to think of it, can't be too thankful as Prof. Hruska picked our groups for our projects. What a coincidence that out of 22 people, none of my peeps are in my group.

On the flipside though, I love EED 302 & 305! Katie and I are both lab partners for both classes! Both prof's are cool too because they actually give us work that is more related to our program as well. Plus they cut down on all that BS reading we have to do. EED 302, we have partners for our midterm and I was paired with Kristen! Man, Kristen and I go way back since our days at Davis Jr. High. This is our first class together @ OU since our Junior year @ Stevenson. She was one of my first friends when we started @ Davis, never forget it too because she sat next to me in our Science class. So, my first impressions on Prof. Zepplin and Crowder is 2 thumbs up!

I am taking PS 115, but won't get into it as I am still trying to feel the prof out. He does make the class interesting though. What's up with the bowtie too?

Bummer, Kobe got hurt and seeing him go down reminds me that maybe I too should get an MRI done to see if I did any ligament damage as well. Oh yeah, exciting part of the day I got my first piece of mail in my mailbox in the OU IM Staff room.

I Love You More

Newton's Law - Man what a humbling moment I experienced tonight. What a good lesson of Physics too, I just drilled this ball as hard as I could. The plan, to blow this ball as hard as I could through 2 blockers. Nope, they roofed me bad, straight down right into my mouth. The ball came flying right back there and caused my lip to bleed because of the quick reaction of the ball's velocity pushing my teeth into my upper lip.

So tonight, I went to my first OU IM Staff meeting and I got to meet everyone else. Not as if I didn't know everyone already though. I walked in, and V thought I was in the wrong room. Then Gary announced it to everyone that he has hired me to help out and V was excited and gave me a big hug. I already told Kristyn earlier this morning about me working with her. So my main function is to run the IM V-ball section, and help out with b-ball as well. Pretty weird too, because V and Kristyn are both my Supervisors. I got my Campus Rec Staff shirt today too, yuck a button shirt. However, I do get my own mailbox and as Gary mentioned earlier to all of us, it is great to be apart of the OU IM Rec Staff.

As I was filling my planner out, I also realized how routine some things are to me. So another challenge was added for me this semester. Yup, I got another job today so I now work at the restuarant, student teach at Magahay, OU IM Staff, and now I was hired today to work at Cranbrook as well to teach science. OU requires us to have so many Science teaching hours and my old hours don't count so I need to do a new one. So today, Monica and I signed up, and now we'll be working together on Wednesday morning teaching Science to all the different schools coming in for field trips. What would be cool is running into CBC peeps at Cranbrook! One of my major benefits are that I am able to bring whoever I want to Cranbrook for free. It is a really cool place too because I always taking my ACA kids there. So 4 jobs that I got now, life don't get any better than this right? I just don't get how people complain about their job after graduating because you should be doing something you enjoy which makes it fun. I mean did some people go for the wrong major or something? I look forward to the challenge and really gotta rely on His strength as well. This semester should be fun, I am doing the things I love other than playing, that is teaching kids, and working with athletics.

3 Days

The Boneyard - Wow, 2:00 a.m. and no one is online, what's up with that? Man I was hoping for Jo, but oh well. Last night I had dinner with the Moys' man I wish the time I spend with them could of lasted a lil longer this time. And yes, as I said to Jo, Evanescene is a Christian band although I wish I could find like Amy Lee's testimony or something. Man, I still remember the day I bought their cd when they first came out which was like about 2K2 at the Family Christian Bookstore. Amazing only a couple of years later now they become famous for the songs on that cd.

So today, I started my first day of student teaching at Magahay Elementary School. A couple of things that were really cool is the fact that it only takes me a lil less than 15 minutes to get into work! I also added up the miles and from my house to Magahay, it is only 9 miles. I thought today would be an easy day since it is my first day, and Carl told me that I should observe everything. However, it was the opposite I pretty much ran the classroom as my teacher kept leaving the building. It felt so good to pretty much run the class and talk the way I wanna talk to them. None of that conservative garbage Sherrill teaches us at OU. The kids already came up to talk to me already, and said that I am the coolest teacher already in the building. They keep calling me, Neo from The Matrix because I came in decked in black with my shades on. Everyone thinks it's funny well except for Gjon when as the kids would say "dis" him because he think's he's so hard. Gotta keep reminding me that he lives in the Heights, and the class knows my philosophy on that too when I said it to him, punk may be able to dish it, but he can't take it. But it's all good, Marlee told me he got much love for me and I've already grown attached to some of them already.

Marlee, she is so short and cute plus she is very helpful so I can trust her.
Megan, she's a brain and she won in the Spelling Bee contest today. She is a lil snobby with her smarts and I tried to humble her in a 1 on 1 Spelling Bee contest, since I am a past champ. Man, I suck, I couldn't beat her.
Gjon, Mr. Attention we got the sports thing connecting for us.
Christina, she's got such a cool Albanian accent and she said she's the teacher's pet, but she is also good help.
Jackie, well she wore an ICP sweatshirt today, so we talked about their music.
However, I was kind of sad because physically some of them looked so much like my kids from Edmonson. However, these kids made me feel like I was back there because of the chants of my name. Carl, said I need to cut down on my slang, hmm gotta catch myself more on that. I also met Danielle's teacher since we're student teaching together. We had a good convo, because I believe she is Christian and we talked about our churches.

My teacher, well everyone likes how I teach so far. It does frustrate me, because my teacher takes on so much and the kids see it because of his lack of organization skills. So the kids really miss out on getting the most in terms of learning. I believe they can learn more if he put more effort in his lesson plans. Maybe that is why God put me in here? So I will be here for a whole year, my thought throughout the day: I wonder what it would of been like if I was placed at Harrison, or Dunkel for a year with my CBC peeps?

Oh yeah, OU kept calling me today as well, because they want to hire me for this semester to help out with IM sports. They were thankful for the voluntary services I put in last semester so now I get to help train others on the IM staff. Man forget classes, I can balance all these jobs now?

Once Again

Olga's Kitchen - So this morning, I wake up hoping for some monster snow blizzard. Yet again, there was nothing, I hate it when things get hyped up and they don't live up to it. On the other hand, it was fun talking to those enjoying the snow day B-12, Electra, Chinchie, and Gracie.

So now my Winter break is officially over and what did I have to look back upon? At first, it sucked being sick and injured but in the end it actually worked out. Being in bed those days, and forcing myself to take it easy, I feel well rested and most of my bumps and bruises have healed. Except that chipped bone in my ankle, grrr when will that heal? I'm glad I was able to hang out with Linz too and got a chance to play with Noah. I'm so happy for BooBoo as she is the Superstar of the week at her school, gosh I just love her so much there is like nothing she cannot do. Today was probably one of the last times I'll get to hang out with Linz as the big day keeps getting closer. I'm so happy for her and thankful for the wonderful blessing of our tight friendship. I still think it would be so cool if in a couple of years we do end up teaching in the same school. I promised her that I would send my kids over to beat up her kids, mwhahahaha.

Finally, I went to OU today, yeah I seem like a loser going to school when there is none. I ran into Katie, and what a bummer none of my books will be bought back. Today was the first time, I accessed my OU account to see my grades from last semester. I was scared to look at them because I was worried Pip would screw me over because of my faith in class. However, since I miss letter grades, I'll use that instead this time I got 4 A's and 1 B, and peeps were worried about my 17 credit schedule. Psh, I got this on lockdown and I love a good challenge. So what's on tap for this semester? Well, I read and update ratemyprof.com and I heard my peep's reviews on my prof's for this semester. Everyone's worried about me taking Hruska as it seems she is the one to avoid. Well, Monica signed me up for that class so I look forward to this challenge. Peeps are also worried about me being in Baron's class for the Spring, because as Carl calls it "his shit list". So some think I am already on it due to my rep in the Ed program, but we'll see, I ain't scared. I miss walking around campus.

Random thought, I'm gonna go to bed before 3 a.m. tonight is the goal! Hmm after I finish this can of Coke :)

Find Another Way

Storm Front - So sad to wake up today and realize that Jo has finally departed and left for China. Chinchie and I had a moment together by combining our Jo bracelets and letting the spirit punkiness live. It seemed as if I was counting the days down til Jo left and now I can only countdown the days til she comes back.

I went to CBC tonight and to my excitement, I saw a parking lot full of clean, untouched snow! So, I started do doughtnuts like crazy in my car, hahaah it was so much fun. Then I was worried, what if Brother B saw this crazy car at CBC and could of called the cops. So I finally realized that I should go in and do my duty before I get in trouble.

Speaking of snow, I am very disappointed with the hype of this supposed Winter Storm 2. Mac county, I guess they were saying were the lucky ones for missing it. So I had to drive to the other hit counties to get some action. Still this storm was pretty weak, yet it still brought out the stupids in terms of drivers.

I mean let's think, lots of snow on the ground, ok let's drive faster? Why do so many people have that mindset? Tonight as I was heading to Carl's place on 696, I was going at a steady speed of 45 mph. The right lane next to me, there was this Grand Am Gt speeding up like crazy because there was a car in front of him, so he wanted to speed past me and cut into my lane. So I timed it just perfect, and as soon as he was next to me, I sped up to block his course. He braked hard, and started to skid.....as that was happening, I waved bye bye to him.........and then he did a 180 into the shoulder facing the opposite direction of traffic. When will people learn how to drive safely? At least that punk gets another chance to learn from it, because not many do. Hmm driving, mess with the best, die with the rest. Slick roadways or not, I will continue to defend those from dumby drivers.

Ah Ah Ah

Let it Snow! - So much wierdness today at the Pho place in the M-Heights. I'm chilling and waiting for my beef, then someone walks in. It was Stacey, one of my Special Ed students from Iroquois Middle School. Wow they don't start school till Wednesday, which is pretty sweet. It was wierd though, because it is the first time that I run into one of my students in a public place. I was talking to her Aunt, who is a lil older than me. Man such wierdness because now one of my students call me by my first name, not that I care anyways. Her Aunt, started talking Hmong to me because she thought I was too. Man, first time I've ever been mistaken for Hmong, so now that includes on my list as Korean, and Phillipino.

Tonight was also the first time I played v-ball without an ankle brace. I've come to the conclusion that I may have a small fracture in there and that's why it hasn't healed yet. Oh well, my pick-up team rocked as we played 4 hours of v-ball going undefeated for the night. Man 9 teams tonight waiting for 3 courts, and the competition just rocks. Although, I am starting to develop a bad taste for certain people. I just don't like how they treat some of the people there, who are pretty good but don't rank on the elite level. I mean some of them would walk off the court during the game if you shank a pass. Am I in need of an attitude check when I show a lil swagger to those who put others down?

I kept reflecting as well, just all those countless Tuesday nights @ CBC I spent with Howard and Peter. Howard, would keep drilling me once everyone had left while Peter would be the ballboy for me. It all started from that point on then others came in my way to teach me more about this game of v-ball. Just thankful for this chance and now I just want to help defend those who get picked on for no reason on the court.

Wow it's after 3 a.m. now so what am I doing? Chatting with Alisha, till we both fall asleep on our keyboards.

Song of Love

Fast & Furious - What a way to kickoff 2K5 ya know? Well I'm thankful that I still have a week before school starts so I'm trying to get any last chance to be a vegetable at this point. This morning, I wanted to take my car to get the usual routine oil change and systems check. I chilled in the waiting room, and there was this old dude, Jack. We had a nice convo about street racing and how each of our car runs. Looks can be decieving ya know, I mean this guy had to be like 60 with a cane in hand, but some strange reason he kept selling me the idea that he is good in his Sunfire. He said it's a '94 Sunfire and I'm left scratching my head because did these things ever run that fast?

Anyways, Jack challenged me to go to the Lapeer Speedway with him one of these days to do a lil racing. So I'm kind of excited for that, whether it's on the track or on I-69 up there, it will be fun. However, that's when I learned from my car guys that my SuperCharger Belt snapped completely off my engine! I've noticed lately that my car hasn't been feeling right lately. But I thought it was because of my cheapness and filling up with unleaded. Ahhhh so that is $200 down the drain to fix it, just so I can get my max horsepower back.

On the flipside, my parents bought my sister a new car today. It is this gas guzzler, an Envoy XUV
What more can I say, actually it looks really cool with the black color and tinted windows. Anyhoot, I hate trucks and I just want to drive this thing once so I can test drive the heck out of it. So now that she has this car, I am back to owning 2 cars once again. I'll have the luxury of flipping back and forth from my car, and now my '99 Durango. Yes, I hate trucks but this will help me balance out the mileage. Last week I checked, and my '04 Grand Prix GTP is close to passing the '99 Durango in terms of mileage. Gosh I hate roll-over vehicles but as long as it gets me to A to B I shall not complain anymore.

Man, Jo is leaving in another 7 hours :( Chinchie is dead too :( Man such sadness :(

Faith Can Move Mountains