Sunday, December 5, 2010
Still don't know anything.
I don't think I've ever been so all over the place anytime in my life. It's hard to figure out sometimes the path your life is supposed to take. The Lord promises us line upon line, precept upon precept, but those lines and precepts and steps don't appear for a while sometimes, and I end up sitting here, trying to plan out my life, while curveballs are getting thrown at me and I don't have the mindset to catch them. Patience has got to be the hardest and most important virtue to come by. Cause I'm seriously tired of being patient. I wish my life would just get a move on, or that I could get a move on myself. Not sure which I should do. Guess I should just focus on the scripture 3 Nephi: 13:34 "Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof."
Friday, October 22, 2010
Thinking about Things
So, I intended to write about thoughts and important issues when I started this blog. And I intended to write in it more often. But of course, life gets in the way, and if it's not a priority, it disappears into the stack of life. But anyway, I've been getting into a lot of new things this past year, trying to learn new things and learn about this world and the gospel and lots of other stuff.
I've been getting into health a lot more than before. I'm not crazy about it, after all, I just made a batch of chocolate chip cookies yesterday, but the health of our nation is terrible, and that's a fact anyone can attest to. Obesity and heart disease and cancer. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone that doesn't know someone that's been affected by either of these three things, or been affected by it themselves. Now, call me a nut job, but I think there are some serious misconceptions about health in American society right now. Most people seem to think that they can eat whatever they want, no matter how unhealthy it is for you, and go to the doctor's office when they get sick and get a magical cure-all prescription pill. Absolving them of any responsibility of the unhealthy choices they've made in the past. Of course, I know plenty of people that are very responsible and make healthy choices and as a result, rarely need the doctor for anything, except maybe their yearly check-up. And I know people that have gotten sick through no fault of their own, or have broken a bone or something, and have needed the doctor for something beyond their capability to fix themselves. I've been wanting to talk about this particular subject for a while, but people can get so touchy about it, and well, I don't like contention. Plus, I'm not saying I'm right, or that everyone should change or anything like that! I just think it's important for people to be more aware of their health and the things concerning health and medicine that are going on in this country right now. Granted, there are plenty of other things that we could focus on, that would help as well, but health is a little thing that can help each individual and their families so much. Just to be able to function better, do more good, etc. Of course, everyone is going to die anyway, so I think health fanaticism is a big much. After all, I don't want to be stressing about what I'm eating 24/7, I'd rather focus on other things too. However, I do want to be able to play with my kids (when I have some) and be around to help other people, rather than be in bed all the time cause I'm sick all the time. Sure, life is short and we can't freak out about health. But life is short! and we can't afford to be hindered from living it to the fullest because of bad health!
Ok, so a touchy subject many people won't like: I don't trust modern medicine. I remember going to the dermatologist (I'm one of those unlucky people who tends to break out a lot) when I was in high school and her telling me that what we eat has no effect whatsoever on our acne. I can't believe I was stupid enough to believe her. What you put in your body has absolutely every effect on acne, and skin health, and hair health, and every type of health. God gave us wonderful bodies with the capabilites to heal themselves. And the only help they get with that (or hurt) is the stuff that goes in it. Duh. Finding a doctor that actually talks about what you put in your body (your nutrition) is very rare. Most medical practitioners are trained on how to treat the symptoms or after-effects of sickness, disease, etc. Never on nutrition and how to actually prevent disease in the first place. After all, if everyone knew how to prevent disease, they wouldn't have any business, except for broken bones and stuff like that. I am by no means saying they are all like that, or that they don't have the best intentions, but maybe they just don't teach quite the right stuff in medical school.
So, what's the truth? Cause everyone has different opinions on health and medicine and stuff. Well, being LDS, I have one truth that I can always rely on. A promise from our Heavenly Father that if we follow, we are promised health throughout our whole life. The Word of Wisdom in the Doctrine and Covenants. That is truth, and if anyone says something that clashes with that doctrine, well... it's not right. If you aren't familiar with the scripture, here is a link:
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/89
My guess is that most people probably won't even read this far. I think sometimes I write too much... yes? :) But if you are interesting in learning more about the world of nutrition and health and modern medicine, there are plenty of places you could research on the internet. Personally, I read Natural News, which is an independent site that doesn't accept money from anyone to publish certain things, if that makes sense. I read an article from them today, which made me finally want to say something about the sad state our country is in when it comes to health, and the corruption in companies that intend to keep us that way. Now, I in no way am telling anyone how it is, but rather... go and read and find out for yourself. There are some things from that site that I question myself. I don't necessarily agree with it all. And that's totally fine! But in my religion, they do encourage us to go out and get an education and knowledge, and that doesn't have to come from school. Go out and learn! Don't believe everything people tell you. Find out for yourself! That's the best way to learn, and after all, isn't that the main thing we should be doing with our lives?
Here's a link to a pretty incredible story. Not sure how much I believe it, but it's something to think about:
http://www.naturalnews.com/030136_Rawesome_foods_raid.html
Be smart people! Learn for yourselves. Ask why? and how? and what can I do? And be teachers. Educate others on what you know, and then everyone will benefit.
I've been getting into health a lot more than before. I'm not crazy about it, after all, I just made a batch of chocolate chip cookies yesterday, but the health of our nation is terrible, and that's a fact anyone can attest to. Obesity and heart disease and cancer. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone that doesn't know someone that's been affected by either of these three things, or been affected by it themselves. Now, call me a nut job, but I think there are some serious misconceptions about health in American society right now. Most people seem to think that they can eat whatever they want, no matter how unhealthy it is for you, and go to the doctor's office when they get sick and get a magical cure-all prescription pill. Absolving them of any responsibility of the unhealthy choices they've made in the past. Of course, I know plenty of people that are very responsible and make healthy choices and as a result, rarely need the doctor for anything, except maybe their yearly check-up. And I know people that have gotten sick through no fault of their own, or have broken a bone or something, and have needed the doctor for something beyond their capability to fix themselves. I've been wanting to talk about this particular subject for a while, but people can get so touchy about it, and well, I don't like contention. Plus, I'm not saying I'm right, or that everyone should change or anything like that! I just think it's important for people to be more aware of their health and the things concerning health and medicine that are going on in this country right now. Granted, there are plenty of other things that we could focus on, that would help as well, but health is a little thing that can help each individual and their families so much. Just to be able to function better, do more good, etc. Of course, everyone is going to die anyway, so I think health fanaticism is a big much. After all, I don't want to be stressing about what I'm eating 24/7, I'd rather focus on other things too. However, I do want to be able to play with my kids (when I have some) and be around to help other people, rather than be in bed all the time cause I'm sick all the time. Sure, life is short and we can't freak out about health. But life is short! and we can't afford to be hindered from living it to the fullest because of bad health!
Ok, so a touchy subject many people won't like: I don't trust modern medicine. I remember going to the dermatologist (I'm one of those unlucky people who tends to break out a lot) when I was in high school and her telling me that what we eat has no effect whatsoever on our acne. I can't believe I was stupid enough to believe her. What you put in your body has absolutely every effect on acne, and skin health, and hair health, and every type of health. God gave us wonderful bodies with the capabilites to heal themselves. And the only help they get with that (or hurt) is the stuff that goes in it. Duh. Finding a doctor that actually talks about what you put in your body (your nutrition) is very rare. Most medical practitioners are trained on how to treat the symptoms or after-effects of sickness, disease, etc. Never on nutrition and how to actually prevent disease in the first place. After all, if everyone knew how to prevent disease, they wouldn't have any business, except for broken bones and stuff like that. I am by no means saying they are all like that, or that they don't have the best intentions, but maybe they just don't teach quite the right stuff in medical school.
So, what's the truth? Cause everyone has different opinions on health and medicine and stuff. Well, being LDS, I have one truth that I can always rely on. A promise from our Heavenly Father that if we follow, we are promised health throughout our whole life. The Word of Wisdom in the Doctrine and Covenants. That is truth, and if anyone says something that clashes with that doctrine, well... it's not right. If you aren't familiar with the scripture, here is a link:
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/89
My guess is that most people probably won't even read this far. I think sometimes I write too much... yes? :) But if you are interesting in learning more about the world of nutrition and health and modern medicine, there are plenty of places you could research on the internet. Personally, I read Natural News, which is an independent site that doesn't accept money from anyone to publish certain things, if that makes sense. I read an article from them today, which made me finally want to say something about the sad state our country is in when it comes to health, and the corruption in companies that intend to keep us that way. Now, I in no way am telling anyone how it is, but rather... go and read and find out for yourself. There are some things from that site that I question myself. I don't necessarily agree with it all. And that's totally fine! But in my religion, they do encourage us to go out and get an education and knowledge, and that doesn't have to come from school. Go out and learn! Don't believe everything people tell you. Find out for yourself! That's the best way to learn, and after all, isn't that the main thing we should be doing with our lives?
Here's a link to a pretty incredible story. Not sure how much I believe it, but it's something to think about:
http://www.naturalnews.com/030136_Rawesome_foods_raid.html
Be smart people! Learn for yourselves. Ask why? and how? and what can I do? And be teachers. Educate others on what you know, and then everyone will benefit.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Playing Catch Up
Well, it's September, and I haven't written on this thing in forever! My life has been crazy the past few months, and bloggin it all, well let's just say I didn't feel up to the task. But I've learned sooo much! Which has been wonderful. I think that learning is one of the greatest things you could ever do for yourself. I feel so blessed to have gotten the opportunity to make myself better through challenges and study and effort, and I hope that continues the rest of my life!
Right now I'm living in American Fork, Utah with my aunt and uncle and cousins. I'm teaching gymnastics to kids ages 1 through 12 at the Rec center here, and it's seriously my favorite job ever! The little kids are soooo stinkin adorable, and smart too. Some of them pick up on things so fast. This morning, this little girl who's 4 or 5 (can remember which) did a front handspring on a mini vault out of nowhere! and it was really good too! It's so funny cause I get so excited when things like that happen. I'm sure the kids think I'm crazy sometimes. Lol. And this morning I also played mini lacrosse catch with this 5 year old boy named Everest, who is seriously like the biggest five year old I've ever met. It was so fun, trying to throw the ball far enough and trying to catch it when he threw it all over the place. Makes me super excited to have kids of my own someday. In another class, this little redhead 6 year old gave me a leaf one day, and another girl game me a little plastic frog. It's so rewarding to teach. And fun. It takes some patience. You can't get frustrated when they don't always pay attention or want to do their own thing, otherwise you can't enjoy them! So I'm milking that job for all it's worth!
I'm learning how to garden too. Mainly just pulling weeds and picking veggies. And green beans! Oh my gosh I've picked soooo many green beans, and they are so not fun to pick. Lol. Right now I'm procrastinating picking them, so they've gotten really big and are probably no good for eating, but I'm having a hard time caring that much. Haha. Oh, and cucumbers.... I've never seen so many in my life! And tomatoes! Good thing I like them. We've had some huge tomatoes! Ones where you only need one slice for a sandwich and it pops out the sides! My aunt measured one, that was 15 inches around, and I think there has been a couple even bigger than that! Which reminds me, I should go pick some more today. And maybe weed.... maybe.
I went home for this last weekend and had some fun cooking with my grandma. For anyone that knows her, you know she's like the best cook in the world! She helped me learn to make some of my favorite dishes, and she's making me a recipe book (I gave her a blank notebook for it for Christmas... almost a gift to myself. ;) ). I actually wore an apron for the first time in my life! Or maybe the second. I can't remember the last time I wore one. Lol. But I'm definitely wanting to get some cooking skills.
So I'm living with four boys right now. Five if you count their dad. It's way different living with all boys rather than mostly girls. I'm subjected to a lot of farts and fighting, but it's way fun and I enjoy laughing at them or playing with them. My youngest cousin Lazarus (I know, cool name right) tried to teach me how to ride a ripstick a couple of weeks ago, and that was pretty neat. And we went to jump on it, a place with lots of tramps, where all 6 of my boy cousins were throwing pretty sweet tricks. Like flips with twists and stuff. So of course, I had to do something cool. I managed to land a front flip with one twist, and tried and back flip with one twist, (back full) but since in diving I always did back flip with one and a half twists, I didn't stop rotating. I landed on my butt facing the opposite way... but it was pretty cool regardless!
And I have my own room again! I haven't had my own room since high school, so that's kinda nice. It's good to be able to do whatever and not worry about anyone watching me. And eating really healthy, which is cool. I eat a lot of vegetables from the garden, tomatoes and cucumbers and squash and corn and carrots and beets and rasberries and blackberries. Even green beans, sometimes. I definitely want to have a huge garden of my own some day! It will be awesome...
I'm enjoying life right now! I love my job and the people around me and I'm doing things I'm proud of. Life is good.
Right now I'm living in American Fork, Utah with my aunt and uncle and cousins. I'm teaching gymnastics to kids ages 1 through 12 at the Rec center here, and it's seriously my favorite job ever! The little kids are soooo stinkin adorable, and smart too. Some of them pick up on things so fast. This morning, this little girl who's 4 or 5 (can remember which) did a front handspring on a mini vault out of nowhere! and it was really good too! It's so funny cause I get so excited when things like that happen. I'm sure the kids think I'm crazy sometimes. Lol. And this morning I also played mini lacrosse catch with this 5 year old boy named Everest, who is seriously like the biggest five year old I've ever met. It was so fun, trying to throw the ball far enough and trying to catch it when he threw it all over the place. Makes me super excited to have kids of my own someday. In another class, this little redhead 6 year old gave me a leaf one day, and another girl game me a little plastic frog. It's so rewarding to teach. And fun. It takes some patience. You can't get frustrated when they don't always pay attention or want to do their own thing, otherwise you can't enjoy them! So I'm milking that job for all it's worth!
I'm learning how to garden too. Mainly just pulling weeds and picking veggies. And green beans! Oh my gosh I've picked soooo many green beans, and they are so not fun to pick. Lol. Right now I'm procrastinating picking them, so they've gotten really big and are probably no good for eating, but I'm having a hard time caring that much. Haha. Oh, and cucumbers.... I've never seen so many in my life! And tomatoes! Good thing I like them. We've had some huge tomatoes! Ones where you only need one slice for a sandwich and it pops out the sides! My aunt measured one, that was 15 inches around, and I think there has been a couple even bigger than that! Which reminds me, I should go pick some more today. And maybe weed.... maybe.
I went home for this last weekend and had some fun cooking with my grandma. For anyone that knows her, you know she's like the best cook in the world! She helped me learn to make some of my favorite dishes, and she's making me a recipe book (I gave her a blank notebook for it for Christmas... almost a gift to myself. ;) ). I actually wore an apron for the first time in my life! Or maybe the second. I can't remember the last time I wore one. Lol. But I'm definitely wanting to get some cooking skills.
So I'm living with four boys right now. Five if you count their dad. It's way different living with all boys rather than mostly girls. I'm subjected to a lot of farts and fighting, but it's way fun and I enjoy laughing at them or playing with them. My youngest cousin Lazarus (I know, cool name right) tried to teach me how to ride a ripstick a couple of weeks ago, and that was pretty neat. And we went to jump on it, a place with lots of tramps, where all 6 of my boy cousins were throwing pretty sweet tricks. Like flips with twists and stuff. So of course, I had to do something cool. I managed to land a front flip with one twist, and tried and back flip with one twist, (back full) but since in diving I always did back flip with one and a half twists, I didn't stop rotating. I landed on my butt facing the opposite way... but it was pretty cool regardless!
And I have my own room again! I haven't had my own room since high school, so that's kinda nice. It's good to be able to do whatever and not worry about anyone watching me. And eating really healthy, which is cool. I eat a lot of vegetables from the garden, tomatoes and cucumbers and squash and corn and carrots and beets and rasberries and blackberries. Even green beans, sometimes. I definitely want to have a huge garden of my own some day! It will be awesome...
I'm enjoying life right now! I love my job and the people around me and I'm doing things I'm proud of. Life is good.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Already April
It's crazy it's already April. I've been kinda wishing this month would never come. Too bad you can't stop time.
The past couple of months have been the most exhausting, exhilarating, emotional months of my life. I've had very little time out of school and work to do the things I really want to do. Juggling real life is quite a challenge, and I've been a little out of practice for a while. I know I'm being really vague about it, but it's not something I can really explain or comfortably talk about on a blog. But this summer should be interesting. I'm gonna be working my tail off (and no school! yay!) so I can finally get on top of things. And hopefully I'll have time to lay out by the pool and get back my tan. Not that I'm that white, but I could be darker. ;) And maybe I'll even be able to read a book! Since that's been nearly impossible since starting work, and for me not be reading books often is kind of a strange thing. However, I will be incredibly glad when this summer is over. Cause those things are just time fillers.
The past couple of months have been the most exhausting, exhilarating, emotional months of my life. I've had very little time out of school and work to do the things I really want to do. Juggling real life is quite a challenge, and I've been a little out of practice for a while. I know I'm being really vague about it, but it's not something I can really explain or comfortably talk about on a blog. But this summer should be interesting. I'm gonna be working my tail off (and no school! yay!) so I can finally get on top of things. And hopefully I'll have time to lay out by the pool and get back my tan. Not that I'm that white, but I could be darker. ;) And maybe I'll even be able to read a book! Since that's been nearly impossible since starting work, and for me not be reading books often is kind of a strange thing. However, I will be incredibly glad when this summer is over. Cause those things are just time fillers.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
At Chelsea's Wedding Reception
I printed and stapled all of these. Like 1500Sunday, February 28, 2010
Oh! I almost forgot!
The most important news of all! Which I forgot to say... is that my brother is going to serve in Ecuador Quito on his mission! I'm so excited for him!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
New Job, New Classes, Crazy life!
Yay! I started a new job this week! I know, you are probably very proud and surprised, considering it's been so long since I've had an hourly job. I started on Monday. I get my own desk, my own computer, and I even have an electric stapler, which comes in very handy when I have a lot of papers to staple, which is often. I basically do all the tedious jobs that the higher-ups don't have the time to do. Today I deleted about 2700 rates one at a time. And printed like 400 invoices by typing 7 digit numbers twice. Oh, and I looked up 485 accounts to see if they had been paid. That's the type of stuff I do. It's kind of nice because I don't have to use my brain. I just plug in some music and click and type away. And since I can IM anyone in the office, I have some fun conversations with some friends that work there. I even started listening to a book on cd today. But the days go by surprisingly fast. The sad thing is that I haven't even seen some of my family for like four days. I get home at like 10 or 1030 after they are asleep and leave at 6, before some of them wake up. At least I get ready with my sister Vanessa, whom I share a room with, because she has seminary in the morning.
I'm doing school full time, though half of my credits are online. So I have night classes Tuesday and Thursday nights and Saturday morning (Yoga!). I'm taking a body sculpting class that is kicking my butt. I'm so sore it hurt to walk today. I'm taking Latin too, which is really neat. A lot of rules are similar to Spanish rules so that gives me an advantage and my teacher doesn't believe in homework so I'm pretty sure I will be great in that class. Plus Latin is the root of all the languages I eventually want to learn so there we go! I'm also going to institute on Wednesdays to the Gospel and the Productive Life which is basically a class that teaches us ladies and men to trust each other so we'll actually get married! Because apparently trust is lacking in society and in relationships which is why things are so bad. It's really cool and interactive. This week we tried to help a guy get a desire to date again. Believe me, I know how he feels sometimes.
So my life is all over the place right now but it's great! I love the feel of having direction in my life. I'm going to really have to manage my time well, and sacrifice a lot of TV shows I was watching, but it'll totally be worth it. Oh, and soon, when I get 10 minutes at home to do it (this is being written at school) I'll upload a funny video of my friend Adam and some fun pictures. It'll happen Rachel! Don't worry!
I'm doing school full time, though half of my credits are online. So I have night classes Tuesday and Thursday nights and Saturday morning (Yoga!). I'm taking a body sculpting class that is kicking my butt. I'm so sore it hurt to walk today. I'm taking Latin too, which is really neat. A lot of rules are similar to Spanish rules so that gives me an advantage and my teacher doesn't believe in homework so I'm pretty sure I will be great in that class. Plus Latin is the root of all the languages I eventually want to learn so there we go! I'm also going to institute on Wednesdays to the Gospel and the Productive Life which is basically a class that teaches us ladies and men to trust each other so we'll actually get married! Because apparently trust is lacking in society and in relationships which is why things are so bad. It's really cool and interactive. This week we tried to help a guy get a desire to date again. Believe me, I know how he feels sometimes.
So my life is all over the place right now but it's great! I love the feel of having direction in my life. I'm going to really have to manage my time well, and sacrifice a lot of TV shows I was watching, but it'll totally be worth it. Oh, and soon, when I get 10 minutes at home to do it (this is being written at school) I'll upload a funny video of my friend Adam and some fun pictures. It'll happen Rachel! Don't worry!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Learning New Things
So I think I'll probably be writing on this a lot, and I'm not sure if that's gonna get annoying or what. But it's my blog so I can do whatever I want right?
Anyway, today I was thinking a lot about learning and knowledge. You know how at the beginning of the semester you are so excited to learn something new and get so much out of class, but two weeks in you are completely sick of it? Well, I'm not there yet. I'm excited still! (granted, I've only been to one day of class but w/e). I went to my first class of Latin last night. I'm taking it because I really want to learn a bunch more languages, and if you know Latin you can figure out what a lot of words mean. So I go into class yesterday and sit down. Now, usually I don't buy the books before class because I'm always afraid I'm going to buy the wrong one and have to return it, which is a total pain...so I just wait. Normal teachers don't usually use the book the first day anyway. Not so for this teacher! He made us sit next to someone that had the book, turn to a page, and "take a look at it." Then he just sat there for five minutes! Were we supposed to be reading it? So I tried to scan through it fast before he started quizzing us and asking questions. He pretty much assumed we'd understand it just after reading it. Fortunately, despite the fact it was grammar, for another language, I understood it pretty easily because it is very similar to how Spanish works. But most of the class was completely lost. Then he went through verbs explaining that they conjugated a certain way and you just have to memorize it, that there wasn't any formula to it. And if someone asked a question because they didn't understand he'd say, "It's in the book, read it there." I wanted to speak up, but I held my peace. Hopefully I can stand having an incompetent teacher most of the semester and just teaching myself from the book that I don't have yet. Because there were only like 10 copies in the bookstore to start with. Sigh.
Anyway, enough about that. That's not even the reason I was going to write this blog. I guess I just get annoyed with teachers who don't actually know how to get others to learn, which is what I do want to talk about. Gaining knowledge. Now, I don't know how it is for most people, but I love to know things. I've realized that a lot of people are very ignorant about very basic stuff, and it's weird to me. I think one of the reasons I know so much is because of how much I read. I used to devour more than ten books in a week! (granted, they were usually pretty short and sweet but still...) It's funny, because I don't realize that I know a lot until I'll make a comment about something I think is common sense and I'll get a blank look.
It's so important to learn and gain all the knowledge possible! There's so many different blessings you can receive if you do. How nice would it be to be able to participate in almost any conversation? I would love it! I get so frustrated when I'm trying to understand or contribute to what people are talking about and I don't get it. And of course, people get annoyed when I ask them to explain. I feel like the phrase "Wait, what are you talking about?" should be tattooed on my forehead. Too bad people pretend like they can't hear me say it... Can I help it that I'm just a curious person? I think that's why I want to be a teacher, so I can keep learning. Otherwise I'll be stuck with a college education that will slowly begin to fade away when my kids need it most. I mean seriously, I am not going to remember anything about Chemistry or Calculus when my future children take it in High School. How will I be able to help them with their homework? I can't even help my sister with her Algebra homework anymore. Sad story!
I'm going to learn some more languages though. That's one of my life goals. I want to learn Portuguese, French, and Italian at least. My friend Chelsea is teaching my ASL right now which is superbly awesome!
So this post is a lot longer than I meant it to be, but when I start typing I just keep going and going. That's probably why I can whip out papers really fast, even if the quality isn't necessarily up to snuff. (Is that the right phrase?). See, I still have a lot to learn, and not enough time to learn it all. Sigh...
Anyway, today I was thinking a lot about learning and knowledge. You know how at the beginning of the semester you are so excited to learn something new and get so much out of class, but two weeks in you are completely sick of it? Well, I'm not there yet. I'm excited still! (granted, I've only been to one day of class but w/e). I went to my first class of Latin last night. I'm taking it because I really want to learn a bunch more languages, and if you know Latin you can figure out what a lot of words mean. So I go into class yesterday and sit down. Now, usually I don't buy the books before class because I'm always afraid I'm going to buy the wrong one and have to return it, which is a total pain...so I just wait. Normal teachers don't usually use the book the first day anyway. Not so for this teacher! He made us sit next to someone that had the book, turn to a page, and "take a look at it." Then he just sat there for five minutes! Were we supposed to be reading it? So I tried to scan through it fast before he started quizzing us and asking questions. He pretty much assumed we'd understand it just after reading it. Fortunately, despite the fact it was grammar, for another language, I understood it pretty easily because it is very similar to how Spanish works. But most of the class was completely lost. Then he went through verbs explaining that they conjugated a certain way and you just have to memorize it, that there wasn't any formula to it. And if someone asked a question because they didn't understand he'd say, "It's in the book, read it there." I wanted to speak up, but I held my peace. Hopefully I can stand having an incompetent teacher most of the semester and just teaching myself from the book that I don't have yet. Because there were only like 10 copies in the bookstore to start with. Sigh.
Anyway, enough about that. That's not even the reason I was going to write this blog. I guess I just get annoyed with teachers who don't actually know how to get others to learn, which is what I do want to talk about. Gaining knowledge. Now, I don't know how it is for most people, but I love to know things. I've realized that a lot of people are very ignorant about very basic stuff, and it's weird to me. I think one of the reasons I know so much is because of how much I read. I used to devour more than ten books in a week! (granted, they were usually pretty short and sweet but still...) It's funny, because I don't realize that I know a lot until I'll make a comment about something I think is common sense and I'll get a blank look.
It's so important to learn and gain all the knowledge possible! There's so many different blessings you can receive if you do. How nice would it be to be able to participate in almost any conversation? I would love it! I get so frustrated when I'm trying to understand or contribute to what people are talking about and I don't get it. And of course, people get annoyed when I ask them to explain. I feel like the phrase "Wait, what are you talking about?" should be tattooed on my forehead. Too bad people pretend like they can't hear me say it... Can I help it that I'm just a curious person? I think that's why I want to be a teacher, so I can keep learning. Otherwise I'll be stuck with a college education that will slowly begin to fade away when my kids need it most. I mean seriously, I am not going to remember anything about Chemistry or Calculus when my future children take it in High School. How will I be able to help them with their homework? I can't even help my sister with her Algebra homework anymore. Sad story!
I'm going to learn some more languages though. That's one of my life goals. I want to learn Portuguese, French, and Italian at least. My friend Chelsea is teaching my ASL right now which is superbly awesome!
So this post is a lot longer than I meant it to be, but when I start typing I just keep going and going. That's probably why I can whip out papers really fast, even if the quality isn't necessarily up to snuff. (Is that the right phrase?). See, I still have a lot to learn, and not enough time to learn it all. Sigh...
Drawings I did last semester
http://www.myfotoportfolio.blogspot.com/
My New Blog
I'm actually starting a blog. I don't know if anyone will read it or if it will be any good, but my dad suggested a while ago that I start one to occupy my time when I get bored. So here you go. The name of my blog is kind of a joke. Not everyone knows that Niki is not on my birth certificate. So I think this is going to be a nice way of informing others of things they might not know about me unless they really take the time to do so. And the name of the html ( I think) is Nikiknowsnothing because despite the fact that I've done so much school and read so much, there are so many things that I know nothing about, and I'm hoping with this blog I'll be able to explore some of them and think through my thoughts. If that makes any sense. I figure I might get some opinions that can add to my thoughts. Anyway, I'm sure no one really cares why I did that, but you know. I wanted to make it somewhat interesting cause usually I just use nikithurber, which is honestly very boring and unoriginal. Well, anyway, I hope that this will be something enjoyable for anyone to read. I'm still not sure if I'm going to use it more as a journal or what, but I'm kinda excited!
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