Reflections on an Old Year and a New Year

Well, here we are: December 31, 2009. The final day of the first decade of the new millennium. And here is my cliche` "reflections on the past year" piece.

I rang in 2009 amongst the company of iepoch and zcrescendo and spent most of January working and taking a class. I spent a lot of time hanging out with friends, too, and preparing for a horrific semester which was as horrific as I thought it would be. In fact, schoolwork consumed most of my life from February through May unfortunately. I played the usual round of concerts as a member of the U's Performance Music and was accepted into Pennsylvania's Intercollegiate Band for their festival in the middle of March. I was also accepted into the National Education Honor Society, Kappa Delta Pi. I also had my first field placement, with a sixth grade class at North Pocono Middle School, an experience that I will never forget. It was FANTASTIC!

The summer months were very entertaining. I decided to take a class with some extra money I came across in the form of loans and it was a fantastic experience. My summer was full of interesting and random day trips, such as to Philadelphia with zcrescendo for the sole purpose of picking up iepoch from the airport down there. I took many a trip into New York City to hang out with friends at home for the summer or to attend some sports stuff. I also worked a lot, but not nearly as much as I planned. OH, and there was Colorado, which ranked by far as the best weekend of the year. zcrescendo and I travelled out to visit iepoch at his summer internship with NOAA in Boulder, CO. Highlights, which are viewable in a facebook photo album on my page, included a trip to Cheyenne, WY and a severe-weather laden game at Coors Field between the Rockies and the Braves. This trip really revived my love of travelling and I'm hoping to have some money to take a trip like that again this summer.

The fall months were also busy, as I began the independent study portion of my academic career. I also had a field placement with a preschool class at the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit (NEIU), a class whose students were developmentally delayed in one, or more commonly multiple areas. It was an eye-opening experience and I enjoyed it a lot, however it showed me that I am just not cut out for preschool. I'm on the fence about my ability to work with very low functioning individuals, but will figure that out during my special education student teaching. It was full of fantastic Oktoberfests, which will be even better next year when I am legal, and also fantastic randomness with friends. The year wrapped up with me finding out that I was accepted into the graduate program of my choice (beginning work toward my Master's Degree this spring!), Alpha Sigma Nu (the national Jesuit honor society), and Intercollegiate Band 2010.

Romantically...

(Author's Note: I leave this section blank on purpose. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.)

As I prepare to enter 2010, here are some resolutions that I hope to keep:

1. Lose some damned weight. Seriously, I've been telling myself this since the summer. Every time I attempt to lose weight, some obstacle stands in my way. It will not happen. I must fine-tune my diet and get exercising. Now.

2. Keep on keeping on in school.

We shall see what happens, but I do have a feeling that 2010 will be better than 2009. This is almost possible by default, minus Colorado. I guess we'll see. Knowing that I'm going to be in school for an extra year has my "leaving college" anxiety down, and its not a case of arrested undergraduatism. But, to all my friends and readers: Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas to All!

To all my readers,

I would like to take this time to wish each and every one of you and your families a very Happy and Blessed Christmas! May God bless you and may your holiday be filled with happiness and cheer. I have decided to attach the text from Luke 2: 1-14, or as some may recognize, Linus' reading from A Charlie Brown Christmas:

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Just Because...

...I don't feel like starting an idiotic debate on my Facebook page, I'll pose my problem here:

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE HEALTH BILLS PASSED IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE WILL HELP AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Feel free to enlighten me, because I haven't been following it with the utmost closeness. I'm going by the whole "tax me now for something that will start in four years" approach.

Hmmm...

So, the last couple of days have been a bit of a downer for me. I really don't know why; that's the baffling part! I'm guessing I could attribute it to the "low" that results from the "high" of exams... at least that will be part of it. I could attribute it to the lack of female attention I get, but then what would explain all of the other times. I could attribute it to boredom with most of my friends gone, but eh, boredom usually results in my most creativity. That's not happening right now. I need to take the time and figure out what's going on. One of my co-workers even asked me if everything was okay because I looked like I was drifting off into annoyed/bummed out thought - I told her I was fine solely because I didn't know what was bugging me... I simply knew that something was bugging me.

Life isn't all bad... here's some highlights of the week:

1) I spent some time at Barnes and Noble with zcrescendo on Monday night, finally pretty much putting to bed my semester-long 25-page paper on gifted reading education. I'm kinda getting sick of reading ed for now, so putting that completely behind me and taking a bit of a break will help in that department. Even those who devote their lives to something they love can get sick of it every now and again. (It's like that night of rehearsal that conflicts with the five papers due the next day -- you musicians all know how that feels!)

2) I have a meeting tomorrow with my graduate advisor to register for classes. Yes! Knock on wood that the registration goes through - I'm getting impatient.

3) I'm starting a new article in my free time. That's right - I'm more of a college professor than college student if you think about it... my free times (free time as in when school's not in session...not free time as in time that could be used to have a social life!) are spent writing stuff for possible publication.

4) A lot of my friends got fucked over by a certain Organic Chemistry professor with a fondness of sustainability, one who is probably in Copenhagen right now riding Al Gore until he cowers over in pain and exhaustion, and a number of my friends may actually not be returning to Scranton in the spring. Thanks, Doc!

Some Notes...

1. I recommend the movie Invictus. Although some may see it as a political movie, it was very well-done and highly enjoyable. Also, given that I may be going to the African continent this summer, it is a look at the gorgeous geography but also some of the poverty that is there. Because the movie was actually shot in South Africa, I feel it is a good way to check out the African continent before going there.

2. I had the weirdest dream last night, one in which I was teaching the same class of students who I taught in Spring 2007... it was weird, I miss them. Even though it was just a high school volunteer experience, I still consider them my first class ever... and you never forget your first class.

3. This is the sad note: I am going to the U's library today... to do work... whilst on break.

Welcome Winter!!

Now that the fall semester has come to an end, I would like to welcome us all to the joy that is Winter Break! For the next six weeks, there are no exams, no papers, no presentations, no readings, no complicated mathematics (well...uh... still doing that). Of course, that also means that the vast majority of my friends are gone now and the list of things to do will not be as plentiful as it has been. But nevertheless, stress-free is the way to be.

Tonight, I had to play a gig at the local watering hole...err bar...The Banshee. I was part of an impromptu low brass Christmas band, "Tiny Tim and the Ten (minus four) Tubas!" I had never seen the music before we played, which was a first as far as performing is concerned. I mean, it was all Christmas music, so it wasn't exactly difficult. My parents came down to see the performance and I was disappointed that they didn't actually see us perform. There was some weirdness with the schedule and I only ended up playing once, right at the beginning. We were supposed to go on again later, but I had to go early as I had promised a few friends that I would go for Chinese with them.

After the bar, zcrescendo, his three philosophers, Lisa, Mike, Glennifer, and I all went to grab some Chinese food because tomorrow the latter three leave for Christmas break. It was fantastic fun, augmented by the fact that select individuals were not exactly 0.00 on the old BAC scale! But I digress (and am still full from the food.) I love Chinese food, but we need a divorce as I need to lose weight and Chinese food does contribute significantly to my large weight.

Needless to say, tonight was one of the most fun nights I have had in a while; zcrescendo went as far as to say it was one of his top two nights of the semester. I definitely agree! That's one thing this semester was lacking in - stress-free fun. But it's okay, that's what break is for.

Speaking of break... I have decided tomorrow is going to be a personal day. I will not get out of bed except only to see my little sister participate in her First Holy Reconciliation, one of two Catholic milestones she will be reaching this year. After that, it's back to sleep, relaxing, and watching TV all day. "QED Baby"/Rachmaninoff lent me a season of Rocky and Bullwinkle and I need to finish watching it so I can give it back to him.

Other than that, there are a few cool things going on during break that I will most certainly be blogging about:

• Christmas and New Years.
• The Return of iepoch and the various shenanigans that will result
• The PA Farm Show thingy in Harrisburg, first week in January.
• A trip to Rutgers to very briefly investigate the possibility of an Ed.D or PhD in an educational field.
• Service trip to Harrisburg at the end of January.
• My journey to being in-shape and not as fat.
• Completing two more articles for publication.
• An eight book long reading list for my Junior Honors Seminar next semester (I will be posting the book list within a couple of days.)

To everyone... enjoy the weekend and, most of all, STAY WARM!!!!

Easiness

Sometimes I enjoy sitting and thinking. Today just seems to be one of those days when I did do a good amount of thinking -- well, at least for the past twenty minutes or so.

The question: "Why can't certain aspects of my life just be a tad bit easier?"

I look at my life. For the most part, my coursework in school is really not so challenging, mostly because the coursework has become only material that actually interests me and completely effects my career choice. I supplement that with a rough math course every now and again, just making it harder.

But, I look at one specific aspect of my life, one which bothers me a lot more than it really should. I mean, I get it. I bitch about my sucky love life every so often, but it does suffice. I've made efforts not to really talk about it, because there is only so much that everyone can take. All I'm saying is - it should come easier.

Reflections on a Semester

Well, the Fall 2009 Semester is quickly coming to a close and I feel this is as good a time as ever to begin reflecting on what has been one of my better semesters here.

I. Classes

-- For the most part, my academic workload was not too bad, but I really decided to let "Senioritis" get the better of me as the semester dragged on. And, for those of you who know me, I know exactly what you're saying: "You're not a senior!?" Well, that did not stop me from becoming thoroughly academically-unmotivated as the semester went on. Taking a 21-credit courseload is a pain in the ass, to put it bluntly, but when grades come out next week I guess that is when the true test of the courseload will come to the surface.

-- Easiest class of the semester: EDUC 342 (Educational Media & Technology) - This class was a JOKE! Don't get me wrong, most of the material is useable for teachers, but the grading scales were so lenient that I feel like all decently functioning human beings would have gotten an A.

-- Hardest class of the semester: MATH 222 (Calculus III) - I give Calc III the "hardest class" honors because it really was, however I feel I quickly mastered the material and turned it into an easy class. Going into the final exam, I have accumulated 396 of 400 possible points (lost 4 points because I didn't know how to find the volume of a parallelepiped - I am sure I will forever be reminded of this blunder). Regardless, I studied more for this class than perhaps every other class of the semester.

II. Graduate School

-- I'm in! The University accepted me into their combined Bachelors/Masters Degree program which means that I will possess (God-willing) a Master's Degree by June 1, 2012! While my friends, family, professors, and I had no doubt I would get into the program, the application process dragged on from late August through December, when just last week I received the letter. To my other friends like iepoch and zcrescendo who are currently going through this process, my best wishes of luck of course go out to you. (Then again, nothing ever means anything until it is placed into the blogosphere...right?)

III. Music

-- I must admit: going into the semester, music worried me. I mean, there was that issue of that girl at the end of last semester which kinda got me down for a bit, but I decided really to say "Fuck it" (...absolutely...no...pun...intended). This semester in band, choir, and jazz band ended up being the most fun I've had there in my five semesters playing. And that's really saying something. Having zcrescendo back to crack daily jokes with in every rehearsal was of course an added bonus that was missed last semester, but still... everything seemed to go much better. Of course, there were rough spots, like the week-long rehearsals leading up to Noel Night that really never seemed to end! But still, fantastic! An excellent job to everyone involved with the music program this semester! Can't wait to pick it up again in February.

IV. The Romantic Front

-- I choose to label this section as thus because I have the song Love is a Battlefield stuck in my head - damn! This has, hands down, been my failure of course. It seems as though love has decided to elude me, and it's totally okay. It's been like this: I like A, but B likes me. A does not like me (or at least I don't know...nor do I want to find out with a mere two days left to the semester) and I do not like B. Whatever - it's better than where I was at the end of last semester.

-- I feel as though my confidence with this regard has increased a bit, but still has mountains to climb. I mean, I dunno. I'm steadfast in my belief that there is a certain degree of matters of the heart that are out of my control, but I'd like to begin to control that a bit. And, as a certain Professor of mine said, "Patience is a virtue. So use it, damnit!"

V. Announcement

-- For those of you who do see me on a daily basis over Intersession, this does not apply to you, as it will be harder for you to notice. However...

-- Beginning Wednesday, December 9, 2009, at 12:15 PM, I will be beginning a new, rigorous routine of diet and exercise, the goal of which will be to lose 20 pounds by the beginning of Spring 2010 semester. Wish me luck, and I hope the difference will be noticable.

Well, I hope you enjoyed reading!!!