I have been teaching 5th grade science and language arts at Owen Elementary in The Colony, Texas since August of 2008. As many of you know teaching may be a strong word for what I was doing this past year. I can say that it was extremely challenging, primarily in my organizational skills. This is an area by which I don't have any worries of being named as a guru. I can say with confidence that as a second year teacher I know more, (take thumb and forefinger bring them together, but leave a space about 1/16th of an inch between them, that's how much more I feel I know). It was also a rough year for my first batch of students. Between my rookie teaching skills and high aspirations for their learning and behavior skills is it any wonder some of them thought I was the meanest teacher they've ever had. One of those who felt this was a girl in my class that worked hard to get strait A's the whole year, played soccer, and was just a really dynamic personality. For all that I made her my student of the year, or some other silliness like that. She was presented this award at our 5th grade graduation last June. I think she feels a little badly because I have seen her and her mother twice since the school year started. Her mother talks to me, but my former student won't look at me or address me. Maybe she just want to stare evil in the face. Who knows! All I know is that for a teacher who is labeled mean by more than a few students, he can't get rid of these students past or present, because they continue to flock around him. They may be too young to understand, but aren't they rewarding behavior they perceive as bad
We, meaning the United States of America elected, a new President, Barack Obama, junior senator from Illinois. I didn't vote for him, glad that's public, hopefully it won't impact which re-education camp I'm sent to. We'll talk more about him later.
In December I went on a cruise with my Dad, my sisters Stacey and Ilana, and my brothers Calvin and Sean. We went to Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama. I gotta say the shore excursion to the Mayan ruins (2012 noooooooooooo!) was cool, as was seeing a giant container ship moving eastbound through the Panama Canal. It was probably loaded with junk and trinkets to be distributed to Walmart. I think the best one was the white water rafting in Costa Rica. It only lasted about 25 minutes, after taking the better part of 1.5 hours by bus to the staging area, then another half hour to stage. You get the idea. Travelling that long I figured the river started on the Pacific side and we were going to ride it out, all the way back to our ship. Oh and in case you were concerned there were plenty of opportunities to help relieve us of the weight of all those dollars we carried around. And like any other family trip good times and hurt feelings were had by all. I'd also like to point out that my brothers made a valiant attempt to recreate some of the third world squalor of Central America in their cabin.
I bought a new car. My 2002 Nissan Pathfinder shed it's mortal coil on New Years Day 2009. I love my new car. It's a 2009 Honda Fit Sport. I think it's a cool little car. Not amazingly fast, kind of hard with a 1.5 leader iVTEC 4 cylinder engine, but it is nimble, and splits the difference between a little sporty and practical. The car suffered a little damage when on the evening of June 20th 2009 it partially hit a Lazy Boy recliner on a poorly lit section of I35. The chair was in the middle of the right lane. I didn't see it until I was almost on top of the thing. The car go fixed, courtesy of insurance and a $500 deductible. It looks good as new. Some of my students think it could use a little testosterone. I don't agree with that, but I do agree with a recent review by which the writer thinks that Honda just reverse engineered and shrunk their Odyssey mini van, and added a more aggressive look. My friend Jen has taken to calling the car "Buster." I am not a fan of the name as it originates from a character of the same name from a show "Arrested Developement." If you've seen the show you might understand why I don't like the name. I guess it could be worse. Some of my friends call it "the fageo," though I did laugh at that one. I take care of "him" pretty well. Just had the windows tinted on Friday. My cool little car looks a little cooler. BTW I feel a little guilty about having written more about my car and a vacation cruise, than the historical election of the first African American to the office of the President.
I tested for Shodan in my Iaido (Japanese Sword) Class. This occurred in March. I am particularly proud of this achievement. Now I am considered a real student of this art. There are expectations that I will attend more often due to this lofty status. One of my rewards for reaching this rank is the introduction to a stance called Tate Hiza (pronounced tahtay heeza). It is a painful samurai sitting position, presumably while they wore armor. It is my understanding that no matter how long you train for this "sitting" position will always be at least a little uncomfortable. Domo Arigato!
I have moved to a nice apartment in The Colony. It is less than 10 minutes door to door going to school, and that is hitting some lights along the way. Did I mention that I don't have room mates. The last place I lived was very reminiscent of the aforementioned third world squalor. Except for my room. My friend Toby is the only friend who actually saw the inside of where I use to live. No other friends or family in the 2+ years I lived there. I don't necessarily see either as a distinction but it's worth noting. Again did I mention no roomates.
Okay so here goes. Please check back regularly. I know this is asking a lot considering my previous hiatus was measured in weeks. I will make an effort to post a little something daily. Topics will include school, hobbies, friends, family and any other of the vagaries of my life that might cause you to grin inwardly.
Dave
