Summer's come and gone now.  Fall has arrived and left us leaves to rake.  Winter is about a month away, and it's time for snow but where is it?

It's nearly December and usually around this time of the year, blankets of snow should have already covered the metro area.  I hate to admit it, but I miss the snow.  I love how it's so fluffy and light that it melts immediately when it meets the earth.  It's so very beautiful when the snow falls and frosts over the trees.  I also love the wintry smell of the air and how it reminds me of innocence.  I truly can't wait to make a snowman with my nieces and nephew or take them snow tubing in the backyard.  I can't wait to even build an igloo and throw snowballs at my significant other.  Another reason I can't wait is because of furry boots.  I love to wear them during the winter when it snows since it keeps my toes warmer than my jacket.

It's getting ridiculous around here without snow.  I also honestly LOVE LOVE LOVE winter, but it's just the ice and chill that makes winter a lot less enjoyable.  I hate how it's so cold that it freezes up the inside of my nose and reddens my cheeks.   Of course, with snow the commute would be much more difficult as well.

So what about you?  What do you think of the snow and what do you enjoy about winter?  Or not enjoy?  What do you look forward to the most during winter?  Let me know what you think!

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It's 3 in the morning, and what am I doing?  I'm doing my homework, sipping on coffee and pop--the only caffeines I like enough to consume to keep me up.  I have a paper due in exactly 7.5 hours and the pressure is getting to me.  Why didn't I do it earlier, and why did I even bother to procrastinate? No need for me to ask myself since I already knew the answer.

ANSWER:  I wanted to go catch a movie with my significant other and girlfriends since I knew what I wanted write my paper on.  I had an outline done, and hey--10 pages wasn't a lot to do, or so I thought. 

So here I am... trying to clear my thoughts and get my theories together.  As I do, my brain goes back and forth in dialogue.

1: Will I finish it in time?
2: Yes I will.  
3: Why don't I just sleep in?
1: Then I won't get it done, and I will get a bad grade!
3: But it's not like you're failing
2: I can do it and get it done.  It's fun, and I just love all-nighters!  

Well, I guess you get the gist of it.  My head is going on and on about what to do, and how I should handle the situation.  Of course, with all this coffee it is impossible to fall asleep.  At the same time, if I close my eyes long enough I could fall asleep.  By the way, I'm really totally NOT crazy and don't want to be labeled that way.  But will I have a choice if someone happens to think I am?  Whose brain actually goes back and forth in discourse as mine does?  What a flip-flopper mind I have?

Frantically working, with focus and distraction... I am hopeful and looking forward to finishing my paper.  Then knocking out for a couple of hours or at least I'll try with what's left of my time.  What if I don't sleep at all, which isn't a bad idea either except that I'll fall asleep on the shuttle.  Hmmm... maybe I'll go late to class or NOT!  I hate going late to class, which has happened a couple of times already.  Also, I love to get a good seat in class, which is front row and 3rd seat to the left. 

See how easily my mind gets distracted?  I overwhelm myself and get my brain blabbering nonsense.  Now I wonder if it's normal for other students to feel what I'm feeling.  Or if they think the way I do at times?  

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This weekend is the much anticipated Hmong New Year.  Hmong People from all over the world such as Australia, Thailand, California and China come to this social event.  It only happens once a year, taking place for three days at Rivercentre in downtown Saint Paul. 

The Hmong come and meet on this phenomenal weekend filled with fun, attractions, food and a potential mate.  There's even the traditional ball throw where a boy and girl throws a ball back and forth.  If one were unable to catch the ball, they would have to do a favor for the other person.  They would either sing, give them their number or a piece of clothing whether it be the traditional Hmong hat or a sash. 

This social event is one of a kind and actually known for "hooking people up", but in a more serious matter.  So "boy meets girl, they fall-in-love and live happily ever after once they are married".  There also have been cases--here in America but mostly from our country of origin--where a boy instantaneously falls-in-love with a girl and then he forces marriage upon her through kidnapping.  Thus, she has no choice but to marry him even if she didn't love him.

In the past, way back to our country of origin, the mother would chase after them and attack the groom for taking her daughter.  I've never seen this happen before, but in the Hmong movies I've seen it. I laugh each time I see it.  It's hilarious since in America, it hardly ever happens anymore and it's unbelievable when it does happen.  Though this "kidnapping" still does happen, it's not as prevalent since the times have changed.   The Hmong have adapted to new ways of life in America, and Hmong women use the law (if you know what I mean).  

Moving on, people come in their best outfits all primped up and good-looking.  The men are tailored from head to toe in their traditional Hmong Clothes or suit, looking handsome and their best.  Meanwhile, the women are caked with pounds of make-up and in their best
traditional dress.  

The Hmong New Year starts on Friday and ends on Sunday.  You can find a lot of things there such as herbal medications, plants, make-up, traditional clothing, roses, shoes, CDs and DVDs.  There are even professional picture booths and booths that make rice necklaces.  You can personalize it by putting any name you want on rice, adding a flower or glitter and even choosing your very own design.  You just have to tell them what you want, and they make it right in front of you.

To me personally, I'm not interested in buying any of those things.  Usually on a Friday, you won't see so many people, and it's not so busy.  Meanwhile Saturday seems to be the craziest day filled with Hmong people.  You have to squeeze to get anywhere and through the crowd.  Also on Saturday night, after parties are thrown.  One is held on the ground floor for the teenagers and pre-teens.  The other party is held on the first floor.  It's more traditional and a less wild party held intentionally for adults and the elderly.  On Sunday, the crowd dies down and those who come from out of town leave for home.  Usually on the last day, things are cheaper such as the food or the products that are sold there. 

The Hmong New Year is a great social event.  Everyone should go (but don't push yourself if it's out of your comfort zone).  It welcomes people of all ages and anyone is welcome to join.  It's a great way to expose oneself to diversity and a different culture.  It's a great experience, and you can bargain for any of the things you want there.  So get with some friends and go.  Engage yourself in another culture and try the yummy foods.  I recommend egg rolls, tri-color and the papaya.  It only takes place on three days, so hurry and go!  You might regret it.  I'm going on Saturday and Sunday so I hope to see you there!  

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 I can remember when I was young, asking for my older siblings to help me with my homework. Years later, here I am helping another with their homework. When I help with homework or help at all, it feels rewarding. I am overjoyed and I feel as if I've made a difference in someone's life. And that I've made things easier as well. I know I've helped another finish with their work, and I've accomplished at least something today or that day. Also by doing all these great simple things, they could look back and feel what I am experiencing today.

I feel that helping with homework, even if it's so simple, can have many positive outcomes. It keeps kids on track to education. It challenges their minds that they'd want to learn more and obtain new knowledge. Also with this, I can be a role model in their eyes and for the younger generation. They can also be the same and can serve as a guide or mentor. What I or others do now for the young equals positive outcomes for the future and decision making.

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     Yet again another study night.  But, this time i ventured out from the Overflow and tried Caribou Coffee. 

When it comes time for mid-terms and finals it's nice to change the scenery.  I can't stand studying in a library.  Plus with the holiday season I get to try all of the different latte, mocha and coffee flavors.

As Thanksgiving and Christmas roll around it's hard to stay focused.  There are so many distractions.  It's always a good idea to leave your dorm or apartment and find a place that is comfortable and will help you stay productive.   

 

My least favorite subject is chemistry,  but I find when I really focus and sit down to do the  problems it isn't so bad.

No matter what your intended major is college requires you to study a lot more than in high school, no matter how easy it was for you.  So, right away try and figure out the best way to study for each of your classes.  Some you need to read the text book and do the assigned problems while others the reading may not be needed.

For my psychology class last year I read the text book read over my lecutre notes and then from those I made up a study guide based on what the professor stressed as important.

 

But, remember college isn't just about studying, you also need to take a break sometimes!

   

Bring a friend and take a night walk.  The citie's appearence is completely altered once the sun disappears.  During the day I never get a chance to fully enjoy the outdoors so sometimes night is my only opportunity    

 

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That's right. Over the next few weeks, I will be talking about MI theory. The benes, the down sides and the mysteries. I will talk about the beloved creator, the starry-eyed supporters and the mob of snarling detractors.



Ooh...it will be a juicy series of writings and I hope that it will ignite some conversation. I have been tossing this idea around in my head like crazy lately, but I think I am finally ready to take the theory and its nay-sayers to task. That's right, *rolling up my sleeves* I will be looking deep into MI's eyes and asking the probing questions.


Let's start a conversation to break this up, unpack it and really look at what we are saying about intelligence, teaching and learning.

I will be digging deep into a few studies, Mr. Gardner's books and one particular book on culture and intelligence.

Why, you might ask? Why take apart such a nice, egalitarian-esque theory on intelligences? Well, I've never been one to take ed theory for granted. Call me old fashioned, but some things you have to take apart for yourself before you can claim to support them....and in my case, I like to at least attempt to understand them. I felt the same way about String Theory. I still don't really get it, but the important thing is that I tried.

But, again, why should I care to understand it? Why not just accept that MI theory makes sense AND makes us feel good as educators?.....All students are equally intelligent, just in different ways.

Because a theory should be testable and measurable.

One of the critiques of MI theory is that it has yet to produce measurable evidence- I will be examining that, too. Is it a theory? or a philosophy?                                 

  
Also!......did you know there is no documented evidence of Gandhi saying, "Be the change you wish to see in the world"?....Crazy right? Seems so much like something he'd say.

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   A weekend full of no plans and spur of the moment trips is the best weekend you can have.  Between having almost everyday of the week being planned and busy it's nice to relax and go with the flow. 

I started my Saturday by going to the football game. The best part about college is you rarely have an agenda, so your weekends are full of time!  Time to hang out with your friends, get errands done, like grocery shopping, doing as much homework as possible, and relaxing! 

Below to the right is my friend Kelley cheering on the  Gophers.  After the game we left and went  out to eat at TGIF in Roseville, Kelley has a   car so we like to take little adventures.

     

The last part of our afternoon we spent getting some much needed groceries.  To be completely honest my diet consists of cereal, yogurt, noodels, rice, frozen vegetables and a ton of peanut better!

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I read this bit in one of my texts for class,"...their possible selves will include ideals featuring an open, active mind and a tendency to be reflective about their experience" (Brophy, 2004). I had a "duh" moment and an "Aha!" moment all in the same breath.

Duh!...We SHOULD be conditioning students
to envision themselves as learners with open, active minds.
They SHOULD be encouraged to practice reflection.
That seems clear enough to me, but
what is not stressed in the same text,
but implied,
is that teachers must first
be modeling these behaviors themselves.
It occurred to me that teachers
should keep journals of daily reflection as well;
not just as a way of practicing personal reflection,
but as a means to promote it in their students.

Journaling is useful for:

Reflective journaling is already an active part of the classroom in which a teacher is engaged in constant observational recording. We are told in practicum to practice being reflective teachers because it helps us to get to know our students and more concretely measure their individual progress. But the catharsis of journaling is not as well stressed.
 

Rafe Esquith said it best in Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire when he said, "Like all real teachers, I fail constantly."

I have realized that when I have bad days (whether as a tutor, a practicum student or in my new role as a UGTA), I solved my problems by journaling it out...teasing the details and finding the building blocks to construct a positive outcome out of it all......Teaching is accepting that you aren't perfect all the time. Journaling is accepting that you can always do something about it. 

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OMGOMGOMG! I cannot tell you how STOKED I am about picking classes this time around. I am near graduation, in fact I can TASTE it, and all of my classes in spring are either directly related to my major or a reflection of my personal passions in my free time.




     But now, *knuckle-cracking and mad grinning*
I get to reveal my fun classes. The ones that I would not
have a full schedule without. I had the HARDEST time
settling on just a few of these classes, because I wanted to take so many of them.


     First out of the box is my creative writing class (ENGW 1102). It's Fiction, actually, and we couldn't be happier at having found each other:) What has two thumbs and a refreshed excitement for creative writing?....THIS gal!


     I also have a magical pair of online courses to stimulate the budding teacher in me and help me understand the demands of the profession-I imagine..........:



     The other online gem is a little class about family and ed. (CI 5900). One of my biggest concerns in elementary ed is the involvement, or lack thereof, with the family. I will never forget the instructor that first mentioned to me that she made an effort to make home visits to all of her students. All of them! Can you imagine the time that would take? The emotional strength and hoop-jumping?!?!?! I am certain, after my own experiences as a parent and teacher, that the teacher is the diplomat in family-school relations and if you want success for each of your students, you better be ready to get to know that family- on their terms, if need be. So I am down for that class as well.



     All of this talk about awesome classes has my head in the completely wrong direction, because, guess what? This semester is not over yet. I better get back to work, but I know that the work will seem easier, the load a little lighter, because I have an awesome disco-ball of a light at the end of my tunnel:) 

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It is that stressful time again.  Scheduling.  Once again, we are forced to make the truly tough decisions with impacts that shall not be seen until second semester begins in January.  I have been one of those students that toils with pencil, paper, and onestop.umn.edu trying to hand make the perfect schedule.  It can be incredibly frustrating trying to get everything to fit just perfectly.  I also know the stress of classes filling up with my turn to register being days away. 

Well my friends, those days of toil and hardship in the face of the scheduling question are now behind us.  There is one internet tool that can be incredibly beneficial around this time of the year.  Introducing schedulizer.com.

Schedulizer allows students to go in and input the classes that they plan on taking for the next semester. 

 So, I plan on taking two Youth Studies classes, a communications class, a family social science class, and a physical education class.  I am able to click on the 'Add Classes' tab to put all of that information in. 

The website gave me 19 possible schedules that all of my selected classes fit into.  The website is linked to the University of Minnesota's registration system, so when a class fills up, that class is removed from the website.  No more painstaking hand-drawn schedules... thank goodness.

My advisor told me about this program my sophomore year of college and I have to say that it has been instrumental in my signing up for classes efficiently, easily, and on time.  

My schedule looks pretty open right now, huh?  Well... I have run into a bit of a snag.  Along with the schedule that is shown, I am also taking a 6 credit internship through the Community Leaders Intern Program at the University YMCA and a 2 credit course that takes place over the timespan of two weekends.  When all added up, I have 23 credits... surpassing the University's credit threshold of 20 credits.  What am I to do?  I am working it out with my wonderful advisor, Cindy (I talked about her in an earlier blog post... take a look!).  She will be helping me petition the university so that I am able to do everything I plan to do.  The U has a policy that every credit over 13 is free...so, it is totally worthwhile to take more cause they are kinda free.

So, I am really really looking forward to Thanksgiving break.

  I haven't been home since the beginning of August and know two dogs that really miss me (says my mom).

On the left is a strapping little gentleman named Oliver, and on the right is a lovely little lady names Sophie.  I admit, my sister took this picture this past summer, but my heart swells whenever I look at it.  

These two better prepare themselves for some solid cuddling because when Dylan comes home, the hugs, petting, and puppy kisses do not stop.

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The sun shines high above the sky.  It is well over 50 degrees and unusually warm for early-November.  It should be chilly since it is fall, but I'm not going to complain.  I am enjoying it and so are others.  I know they are enjoying it since I've seen people wearing shorts and dresses as if it was still July.  With the weather this nice, it's a great opportunity to do activities you won't get to do until next year.  Take advantage of this nice weather with that walk you've been missing or it could be spent with family and possibly Frisbee Golfing.


As for my weekend, I did what any normal teenager or adult would do... I went shopping.  I shopped for two days straight although I am not a shopaholic.  The last time I shopped must have been right before school resumed.  Two very different callings cried for me that I had to answer to it. 

On Saturday, I went to Maplewood Mall and Burlington with my sisters.  My oldest sister, is 6 months pregnant so we went baby shopping.  That was my first calling so I went shopping.  

As for Sunday, I went with my older brother to help him pick out a fur-hoodie for his girlfriend.  I also went so I could buy what I needed the most, a coat.  I've been going on and on about a winter coat for a while now, but with my pickiness, I was unable to find a jacket I liked.  I finally found the one at Charlotte Russe.  The jacket I bought was a white pea coat, and I actually got 10% off my purchase for being a student.  By the way ladies, if you show your school or military I.D., you get a 10% discount.  It's not much, but it's better than nothing.

After a morning full of shopping, I cooked and raked the leaves.  About a month ago, it snowed that it was impossible to rake.  I don't know if anyone has raked their leaves yet, but now is the perfect time to rake.

I wonder how long this usual weather will last, but I hope it lasts until Thanksgiving weekend is over.  Reason being that this particular weekend is the Hmong New Year, which takes place at the River Centre.  Hmong people from all over the states and globe fly over to meet their loved ones as well as socialize.  The Hmong New Year is an annually celebrated event and has been celebrated from generation to generations.

So there goes my weekend.  I spent it how most, if not all, students would spend their weekend aside from doing homework.  So whatever is left of this sun, I am going to savor it till it snows. 

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So as I was recuperating from my surgery this past week, I thought I'd enjoy the fall weather a bit.  While my backyard looks bare and as my mom puts it "sad" I beg to differ.  I'm one to appreciate the beauty of fall.  The leaves change color, the air becomes a little cooler, and you can snuggle up next to the fire place.

 The opening of the woods.  My dad made a trail so we can get through when everything is in bloom, but as you can see there really is no need for the trail seeing it's incredibly bare.

 

TOP TEN REASONS  FALL IS THE BEST SEASON

 1.  Most comfortable Temperatures            

(usually between 60 and 45 degrees)

2.  Football Games

3.  Apple Cider

4.  Halloween

5.  Thanksgiving 

(even though that is getting

close to winter)

6.  The Great Treats

pumpkin cookies and pie

7.  There are always plenty

of fresh apples

8.  The best movies always               

seem to come out in the fall

9.  Sitting by the fire and

drinking hot coco or tea, 

whichever you prefer

10. We are that much closer

to christmas!  

 

 

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I woke up on the morning of Halloween at 8:30am, got ready, ate a piece of toast and met my parents outside my apartment building to go visit my uncle (whose recovering from a fall earlier this month). 

It wasn't a half hour later and I noticed a sharp pain on the lower part of the right side of my abdomen.  I figured it would go away, but as time went on it just got worse.  So I told my parents, and of course being parents they said, "It will go away, just give it time."

So I waited about an hour and as time went on the pain got worse.  So we hopped in the car and drove back to the University and stopped at the ER to get it check out. 

Six hours later I was in surgery having my appendix removed. 

The scar on the right ( when looking at the picture) is from the camera that went in so the surgeon could see my appendix, and my appendix actually came out of my belly button!

The Fairview staff was amazing.  I don't do well with pain or hospitals, and the whole time I was there I felt comfortable.  From the time I was admitted to the time I was discharged I was taken care of.  I had the best doctors which made my horror halloween experience not so bad.  :)

 

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