Monday, October 29, 2007

I was Crankin' That Soula Boy at work today

Yes, it was a bet between my coworker and the rest of the students. I was suckered into it, so spent this weekend practicing. It was sooooooooo fun, embarrassing, and yet a mess at the same time.

This was soooo organized and this teacher has a lot more skill than I do... haha... even after I practiced with the instructional video
Now for the video...

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Sometimes

Sometimes I have the hardest time telling people something that should be so easy or not a big deal.

Sometimes it is easier to stand up for other people, rather than yourself.

Sometimes I feel guilty for somethings I shouldn't.

Sometimes I feel guilty for not saying what I should.

Sometimes I worry that I worry too much about other people's feelings.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Work

Work has been fun the past couple days...

I haven't been in the classroom tutoring this week. I've been out doing administrative stuff and showing the coordinator of the program how everything is done. I was originally not looking forward to it, but it is a nice easy break from the classroom. The training someone to do stuff I already know how to do is monotonous and boring.

On Monday the coordinator treated me to lunch at Del Taco for helping her.

On Monday time cards were also due and I got a little "extra" time for helping the coordinator on Monday. Try 9 instead of 6 hours. Yay!

On Tuesday a freshman got an "A" on his math test. Apparently math is his worst subject and he failed it several times in middle school. Now let me go into a little background. I know who the kid was and his mom since I'd seen them at the gym many times. She is one of those woman who comes off looking really arrogant with her nose stuck up a mile in the air and looks like she could take on any man or woman who comes near her. She would give me mean stares at the gym before I started tutoring her son, then she would say hello when I saw her at the gym. Anyways, the reason I bring up the fact she looks so unfriendly is that yesterday she brought in cookies for all of us tutors. Two of us sat down basically with a group of 4 kids, including her son, who is in the same math class and helped them go over everything. That was the first time anything like that has happened.

On Saturday I am hopeful that my coworker Gaby and I can have lunch. I love our little lunch dates as we call them. We try to get together at least once a month to have lunch. We haven't had lunch together since July because she works close to 60 hours a week, goes to school full time, and so basically has no life. I love sitting, talking, catching up, all the random stuff, so I'm looking forward to it.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Talked to grandma

I miss grandma being down the street from me. At times it was a burden to stop in and see her or I wouldn't want to because we did it everyday. I miss that now. I haven't seen her in 1 1/2 years or so since someone took her away.

I decided I had a few minutes while driving down the road today, so I gave her a call. I hadn't talked to her in almost 2 months. Everytime mom calls I am doing something else and tell her I'll call later, but never do. So I called and we chatted. Told her about school, work, my internship, and how I'm so busy. It was so nice to talk to her. I did most of the talking, but she seemed receptive and asked questions about everything. I told her I got an internship, which is where I get college credit and real world experience doing this stuff. Her next question was where I was working and what I'm doing there. It was so nice to have her question me and seem genuinely interested. She seemed really happy to hear that I was doing so well. She of course asked the same question over and over what grade I'm in and what classes I'm taking. She can ask that question 10 times in a phone call. It is all good though. I think she asks because yes, she is forgetful, but that she is amazed I'm in college.

She was asking her usual also- how's the weather, Steph, mom, dad, her house, the cat, the bird, etc. etc.

Just thought I'd blog cuz this made my day.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Continuing on with Steph

Last post I promise unless something comes up that strikes my fancy.

Tonight we sat down to dinner and I told everyone about my day. I had a run-in with the principal where I work because I was causing problems again. Anyways, I am telling my story about the principal and his response; in the middle Brat interrupts and says "oh I hate that guy too" and went off telling how at the school site council meetings last year the principal always sat by her, and how she didn't like that. I don't recall it being her turn to speak. It wasn't. I never did finish my story, but that was someting that just ticked me off. It happens all the time so I'm used to it. Usually mom calls her out on this, but not this time. I just stopped telling my story and when Steph was done with hers I said, "thank you for your wonderful story we have heard 50 times before- we hear it every time I mention the principal." She said, "well I hate the guy," and she got defensive saying she had a right to tell the story. I just reminded her that I started telling about my day before her rude interruption.

This also happens when I mention just about any other thing associated with work. I say in Mrs. X's class this happened today. Steph had Mrs. X as a teacher, so Steph proceeds to jump in and say stuff like "I bet Mrs. X got really upset. She probably threw the kid out of class. I can't imagine Mrs. X doing that... etc. etc. etc." Goodness, it is my story I'm telling, not her's. It was my day, not her's. She can sit patiently and listen, ask questions AFTER I told about my dang adventure at work.

This happens a lot of other times when maybe I'll be telling a story or telling about my day and Steph was a part of it. I can't tell the full story because someone jumps in, dominates, and interrupts and then gives their version. It is not a matter of her not getting attention, it is a matter of her needing to be respectful. She gets plenty of attention. More than me in most cases I'd say because I am independent. I am a self starter. I am trustworthy. I know how to get the job done whatever it may be.

This happens all the time and I call her out on it every time. It is a matter of respect. Something she doesn't have. I know to just back off and calm down; I do when this happens. I just give a friendly reminder and leave it at that. But dang her. It pisses me off she is so ignorant, stupid, disrespectful.

Maybe she wants to be the center of attention, but it's about respect.

Monday, October 15, 2007

A comparison of schedules

Because I feel the need to put myself on a pedestal... here's a typical week for me

Monday
6:30- get up, get dressed and ready for work, do dishes, watch news
7:30- go to work
1:30- go to school
2:00-5:00- go to school
5:30- get home and eat dinner
6:30- gym
7:30 to 10:00- homework

Tuesday
6:30 get up, get dressed and ready, do dishes, watch news, clean kitchen
7:30-2:30- work
2:30-3:30- clean around house (bathroom, hall, etc.)
4:00-5:00- school
5:30- get home and eat dinner
6:30- gym
10:00- bed

Wednesday
6:30- get up, play around on computer, watch news
7:30- drive 30 miles to internship
8:30-1:30- internship
1:30-2:00- drive to school
2:00-5:00- class
5:30- get home and eat dinner
5:30-10:00 homework

Thursday
7:10- wake up, play around on computer, watch news
7:30- drive 30 miles to internship
8:30-1:30- internship
1:30-2:00- drive home
2:00-3:30- clean and work around the house
3:30-5:30- allergy shots and dinner
10:00- bed

Friday
6:30- get up, get dressed, play around on computer, watch news
8:20- drive to MSJC for class
9:00-11:50- class
11:50-2:00- lunch and free time
2:00-5:00- class
5:00-bed- hang out with friends

Saturday and Sunday
RELAX, hang out with friends, gym

Let's look at Steph's schedule

Monday/Wednesday/Friday
5:40- get up
6:00- leave for train
6:30-7:45- commute to school via train and bus
9:00-4:00- classes with 3, 1 hour breaks during the day
4:00-5:30- go home on train
5:30- get home and eat dinner
5:30-11:30 or later- sitting in front of TV, computer

Tuesday/Thursday
11:00a.m. or later- get up
11:00a.m.-9:30p.m. sit, eat, play on computer, watch tv
9:30p.m.- there is a mad dash to do homework
11:30p.m. or so- bed

Weekends
10:00-11:00a.m.- Wake upsome homework
2:00a.m. or later- bed

No gym, yet my dad offers to take her, no driving everywhere, no cleaning. I check on Steph all the time just to see what she isn't doing and she is always sitting there in front of the computer doing timewasting stuff and playing around. In matter of fact, whenever I call home to ask what she has done during the day, and she's more than glad to tell me NOTHING. Add to this the fact that she has to be told to go to bed, brush her teeth, and stuff like that. Add to this the fact that she never wants to go out with the family or do anything family related like going shopping as a family, Disneyland, Knotts, stuff like that. Fun stuff, no? Problem? Yes. I think so.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Kind of a rant about how I feel I am feeling

I can pretty much do what I want at home and there is no problem. I am not out doing bad things or anything, so don't worry; that's not where this is going. I love my cell phone in that I can call my parents spur of the moment and say I'm running out to do this or that with friends. I love my friends and their random calls. I hate that it seems to inconvenience everyone else or they want to try and keep tabs on me. I'm 20 for goodness sakes. I am very trustworthy and dependable. I know that a lot of this however is brought on by Steph- her not having a license, car, stuff like that, so they may need someone to shuttle her. Also, just the general parental worry. It bothers me. They have a right to know to an extent, but I'm 20; nearly 21.

If I want to go out after school with friends I don't want to call home and tell mommy and daddy where I'm going. I do; usually there is no problem, but they don't like this whole spur of the moment thing. Oh well, I don't care. I need the spontaneity to keep my sanity.

If I want to go out at 10:00p.m. on a school night to play video games with friends, let me do that. Don't give me an awkward stare and question whether it is too late. I think I'm over 18 and can be held accountable for my actions. I know if I go out late, I'll be paying the price for that in the morning and I'm fine with that. I understand 10p.m. sounds suspicious like I may be going out to meet a girl for you get the picture; but remember my friends are college students, they don't keep normal schedules unlike me. I am not going out and drinking at a frat party or something and meeting girls there. Cuz you know I'm a big partier afterall (sarcasm). Remember, my parents taught me well.

I have so much freedom, yet I feel bound. I am at the point where I don't care if I call or tell everyone where I'm going at a certain time. I do have a pretty calendar to begin with... things happen... stuff like that.

All of this does not change who I am. I'm still the responsible caring person; I know because I still live at home I have to deal with some of the worry etc. that comes with that. But I still maintain about a 3.7GPA every quarter, I take a full load of courses, I work part time, I do so much around the house (clean the bathroom weekly, my room, load the dishwasher daily, clean the hallway weekly, and so please don't give me the I'm not resposible excuse). Worry about my sister; the lazy twit who does nothing. NOT A DARN THING. She sits in her room all day reading, watching tv, and playing on the computer. I don't. I have a life. I have friends. I have high expectations for myself. As I said, high expectations... so don't worry about me messing up my life. Be releived knowing that I have a cell phone to call you if something were to happen. Be happy in knowing that there is a 99.9% chance nothing will happen. Be happy in the fact I am a good son and do all of this stuff. I don't want to be bound by a phone or calendar to call home, or that awkward stare about going out so late to mommy and daddy after a long day at work and/or school and say I'm going out to unwind with friends.


Here is a breakdown of my schedule this quarter:
- Intern 10 hours a week, 2 days a week
- Work 12 hours a week, 2 days a week
- Go to school about 10 hours a week, then add additional study time to that (so 15 or so)
- Sleep 35-40 hours a week
- some days I go to school and work, some days intern and work...

I'm busy and I need time to relax is my point.

Friday, October 5, 2007

Week in review 3

Saturday
Went to a friend's house and we played computer games Saturday night.

Sunday
I stayed home for the mostpart. I went to the gym and grocery store.

Monday
Work was soooooo fun. Lots of good conversation with one of my coworkers and best friend's. We were pretty much alone all day grading notebooks, so we got to talk alot and catch up in each other's lives. It is not something we get to do often since she works about 50 hours a week and goes to school full time. I got asked to be lead tutor again at work. I said no, but I am sure I'll end up doing it. Went to school Monday afternoon- got home at 5:30. I hate getting home so late; it makes me feel like I have no evening and time to rest. It is like the evening is gone before I even get home... and it is only 5:30... ok.... laugh.

Tuesday
Went to work again. One of the classes I tutor evaluated all of us tutors. We were graded on a 1-5 scale, where we needed improvement, and our strengths. I had good scores and comments overall... mostly 4s and 5s. My comments were almost all positive like the kids like the fact I don't take their attitude. They like that I am hard on them and I don't take whining or complaining. Some also hated that about me, but oh well. The worst comment I got was that I need to stop smiling. I smile too much and some people find it scary. I also got a comment that someone was unhappy I don't know calculus.

I also had to follow a student around named Nacho. He is a football player and he is not doing his work in his science class. His teacher asked that I go into the class with him, take notes, make sure he stays on task, show him what to take notes on, help him, etc. He enjoyed having me there. He actually did his work. I was hard on him and I said you're going to do this work because now I'm in on it, your mom is in on it, your teachers, so I don't think you want to deal with all this pressure. We also got him a new seat in the class. Good stuff. He sits up by the teacher now based on my recommendation. Nacho has no clue I was the one who suggested it. Haha

Wednesday
Started my political internship. It was mainly boring stuff for the first 3 hours- reading manuals, signing papers. Then the last hour I filed press releases into a 3 inch binder. Again, boring, but oh well. I got to leave an hour early and still got credit. Good deal.

Thursday
Internship again... got to learn to sign the signature of the person I am working for. Also heard funny stories of people who regularly call the office. Got allergy shots with the family. Ate at the Mexican Kitchen for dinner. Yum. I love their cheese enchiladas.

Friday

Went to my community college class and turned in my take home test. Went to work to fill out my timecard. Then I sat down and ate at Jack in the Box as opposed to going through the drive through. Was driving to school and the battery voltage light was low. I knew this battery was dying a long time ago. My dad refused to believe me. It died. In the parking lot at school. I went to class, called my dad at school, told him to meet me when I got out of school with a battery for my car. He did. Took him an hour to put it in. Grrr. Me was not happy. My dad for some reason thinks a battery will last forever, but any other thing like tires if there is even slight wear he gets worried.