Slowly Learning...

So it's been longer than I would have liked since my last post, but I do have my reasons. I've been rather busy with getting jobs lined up (looks like I finally landed a night job at Wegmans that will last me through school too), some random outtings, and of course school. This last week I spent every day working in a classroom with a math teacher at Greece Arcadia, shadowing her, helping with classwork, and just getting the basic feel for a classroom, while also satisfying my required 40 hours of classroom experience. It's all been going really well. I've enjoyed working with the kids, and for what little I've been able to do, I think I've been rather helpful. I've also learned a lot about classroom management, dealing with kids, and the whole profession of teacher HS math.

But two main things have jumped out at me. First off, most of the kids I've been working with are Juniors or Seniors, and therefore about 17 or 18, which means they're the same age as Nuria. Maybe Nuria is just more mature (in fact I'm sure she has to be, cause these kids wouldn't last a day over seas away from their families in a foreign land), but there just seems to be a major gap between the two groups. Maybe the Europeans just mature faster.

The other thing that really struck me though is that 7 am, the time I have to be at school everyday, is really early. This means I have to get up even earlier (6.15) just to make it up and out on time. I've also been going to bed by like 10 pm every night as well. Now, anyone who knows me knows that this is very unnatural for me. Although, I will have to adjust to this once I do get into the whole teaching profession. But for now, I'm just happy that I get to sleep in tomorrow morning! I don't have to get up until 9.30! Woo-hoo! Who ever thought I'd be so excited about getting to sleep until 9.30? (Although I do have to be up at 6 am Sunday to drive my dad to the airport).

So, I do still have two more days left at Arcadia, but after that I will probably get back to a more standard sleeping pattern for myself, which means I'll once again tell myself that I'm going to post more often...and then forget to do it. But for now I think I need to get to bed. Working with high schoolers all day is tiring.

Posted by Thom at 9:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's barely spring outside and already I have a very noticable drivers tan. Go me!

Posted by Thom at 6:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So it’s time to write about all the little things I’ve been considering lately.

First thing comes from my recent trip to Ithaca. I know I’ve driven the route before, and I know that I have heard of many tickets in the area, but the section of Rt. 96 through Trumansburg is easily the slowest 30 mph zone I’ve ever been in. There almost always seems to be some sort of traffic, and it moves it a crawl that makes you beg the other drivers to just go the speed limit. Of course those of you that know me know that I’m a very patient driver and never let this really bother me…

Next is another driving note, this time from my trip to New York City. On my way I generally pass through the Delaware Water Gap area around the Penn/NJ border. It’s a really lovely area, and I always enjoy it, but this last time I noticed something that just made me laugh. As usual I was really enjoying the scenery and the drive, when all of a sudden everything seemed to just get gloomy and ugly. Maybe it was just a bad season, a bad year, or the weather playing tricks on me, or maybe it was the sign I saw moments later: “Welcome to New Jersey.”

But it’s not just Jersey. As I was driving to Cortland the other day I once again ran into that wonderfully fragrant spring odor, manure. It’s especially pleasant as you’re driving along on a sunny day, windows rolled down, feeling the breeze through your hair when all of a sudden it hits you. I know that I should be used to it by now, and as spring and summer continue I’ll once again grow immune to it, but that first time really does hit you strong and stick with you for a while.

Also on that drive an odd event that I noticed along the way. I still drive faster than the majority of drivers on the highway (no mom, I’m not going to get another ticket, in fact three cops passed me along the way and didn’t even notice/care, plus I keep my eyes open for them) so naturally I pass a lot of cars. This time, as I passed by the cars (or got stuck behind slow annoying people in the left lane) I glanced at the license plates to see where all these people were coming from. What I saw over one 15 min stretch amazed me. The cars I saw were as follows (these numbers are accurate as I tallied them and wrote them down so as not to forget): 3 NJ, 3 Ohio, 1 Penn, 2 Vermont, 1 New Hampshire, 2 Delaware, 1 Conn, 1 Montana (what he was doing out here I have no clue), and 0 NY. Yes, that is correct. I passed 14 cars along I-90 in upstate New York and didn’t pass a single New York State driver. I also find it odd that I didn’t see any Mass people along that stretch (although I did pass 2 on my way home, as I was heading west, odd).

So let’s stick with the whole driving theme here for the next article. I normally am not the most calm driver (I wouldn’t call it road rage anymore, but I do get frustrated with idiots on the road), and I’m generally not the most courteous driver either (I believe the correct term would be hypocritical asshole, although I do follow both the written and the unwritten rules of the road), but I have grown to appreciate traffic, at least at certain times and within certain limits. Driving on a wide open highway with no one within miles is nice sometimes, but with an automatic transmission (I still need to learn to drive stick some time) it gets rather boring. It’s much more fun to drive down a 3-lane (this is important for maneuverability) road with other people around to give you something to focus on and pay attention to. At times like that you really get to drive, not just sit behind the wheel. Luckily for me I often get this opportunity now that I’m home since both 390 and 490 are 3-lane highways.

And to wrap up this driving related post I would like to mention two certain individuals that caught my attention on the roads recently. The first of these was this guy who was going about 40 mph in a 55 mph zone (which means he was going about 25 mph too slow for me, or at least 20 mph too slow for others). Now this isn’t noteworthy on its own. There are plenty of people like that out there. That is what passing zones were made for. What caught my eye was that he was also smoking. Now you’re still free to smoke in your car in New York State (I think that law is still pending approval), but why would you insist on smoking and driving so slow. Doesn’t he realize that he’s already shortening his life by smoking? Wouldn’t he at least like to get to his destination a little quicker so he can enjoy what time he does have left?

The second driver was someone who caught my eye in a good way. I may not be the best driver in the world, but I like to think of myself as a very competent driver. I can work my way through traffic and shift lanes easily, haven’t been in any accidents (in non-winter conditions) in a while, and always am in complete control. And nothing is better than seeing an attractive female who can keep up with all that as well, and I found one the other day on my way off to Cortland. She came up behind me as I was trying to get past a large clump of slow moving vehicles on I-90, and I watched her as she followed in my steps as “shifted” my way past the numerous cars that didn’t quite realize that the left lane was for passing, not annoying the people behind you that want to go faster than 55 in a 55. She also kept pace with me through the open areas (just a few yards behind) and we even cordially exchanged spots as I slowed down for a known speed trap area (being from Conn, she didn’t know of it, but there was no cop there that day anyway). To me there is a certain sexy quality about a woman who can handle herself in a car like that. I was almost sad to have to get off at my exit, but as I do with all drivers I respect, I gave her a courtesy wave goodbye as I pulled off onto the ramp and let her pass, and I swear I saw her wave right back.

So that wraps up my driving experiences, but as a parting word I’d like to leave you with one final thought and one final question:

- I once saw a girl in Beijing wearing an Abercrombie and Fitch sweater (not the cheapest of items) while wearing what appeared to be a $5 windbreaker (I can only imagine what something like that must go for in China, 25 cents?), and sporting quite possibly one of the greatest female mullets of all time, and I didn’t know quite how to react at such a fantabulous sight.

- If you had the choice, would you prefer to limit yourself to only dressy clothes (suits, collared shirts, slacks, dresses, etc.) or to only more slovenly clothes (t-shirts, jeans, cargos, etc.)? Keep in mind I do mean for all occasions for the rest of your life, including weddings, nights on the town, funerals, Sunday mornings on the couch…

Posted by Thom at 2:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

"They're about God hundred of years ago. Not about God now."
"But God doesn't change."
"Men do, though."
"What difference does that make?"
"All the difference in the world."

So we're always changing. From day to day we're all experiencing new things, growing, and maturing (well most of us are maturing). I've gone through it all myself. In fact I've posted about it from time to time. I've also been thinking about it more and more recently. Thinking about the biggest changes in me and my life, and the people involved in them. And I've come to the basic conclusion that they've all occured during the times of my relationships. So, let's start at the beginning...

Christine

The nearly two years that we were together were also my first two years of college. I went through so many changes and new experiences during that time. It was my first time away from home and on my own. And my times with Christine were an array of firsts as well. She was my first girlfriend, my first love, and my first breakup, along with so many other things. During our time together I learned so many new things and started my growth into adulthood.

Sabra

I started dating Sabra towards the end of my 3rd year of college, or sometime during that summer, we were never really clear on a starting date to the relationship. What I do know though is that year we were together was one of the roughest I've had to work through. She was there for my major breakdown, attempted medication phase (doctor prescribed), my withdrawl from Cornell, Allen's death, and everything that came along with it. She was there and supportive through all of it. Her era was a trying time that helped shape me into what I've become. Sometimes I wish that it could have all been different, because I know that it all took a major toll on our relationship, but I don't know where I would have ended up without her there. It was a rough time that may have crushed our relationship, but it did make us a lot closer. To this day she still remains one of my best friends, and is still the person I go to whenever I have problems.

Steff

Steff is quite easily the strangest of my relationships. Not only does she stand out from the other women in appearance (she was the only of the four to be above 5'2", and the tatoos and piercings do make her stand out a little more), but I can't remember another first date where I also met my date's ex...girlfriend. While there were no major life upheavals going on like in the other cases, I did grow and learn a lot from my time with her. The path our relationship took was a unique one. We started off dating, worked our way into the boyfriend/girlfriend relationship, then reverted to an open relationship when we both decided that I wasn't working out as a boyfriend, at which point she also began dating the head lesbian at Cornell, and eventually we parted completely and just became friends. Of course we both knew that that day was coming as she was moving to New York City, and I was headed for 6 months in China. But I experienced a whole new side to life with her and through my time around her. I even still enjoy some of the vegan traits she passed on to me (but not enough of them to actually be vegan, I enjoy meat too much).

Alma

Many of you have already read about Alma and know about my time with her. During my 6 months in China, most of which were spent with her, I feel that I finally grew-up and matured as a man. I came back I actaully felt my age. I no longer felt like that little kid anymore. I'm not saying that I've completely grown-up and am fully ready for adulthood (I'm still far from being prepared for children), and I was still quite childish and immature at times in Beijing (I'm sure she'll attest to that), but I really feel that I've learned from it all and finally incorporated all my past mistakes into my life. As Danny Devito says in Big Kahuna, "you've already done plenty of things to regret...when you see the folly of something you’ve done, and you wish that you had it to do over, but you know you can’t, cause it’s too late...then you will obtain character." And while I try to live without regret, she finally helped me see the folly of some of my ways.

So there you have it. The four major women who changed me. Yes, I know there are plenty of others out there that have had major influences on who I am and who I will become, but these were special circumstances. Maybe the girls themselves didn't do anything in particular to bring about the changes, maybe they were just in the right place at the right time, or maybe the changes are all in my head and have been constantly evolving bit by bit. But these are still the times and women that I will always associate with my growth.

And why am I even bothering to share all this? I'm not really sure. Most of you that read this probably already know most of this. You've heard my stories, you might have even experienced them. I guess, much like my other personal posts, I do it to remember these times myself, and to share some small, intimate pieces of my life with those of you who care to listen.

Posted by Thom at 12:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So I have about a dozen movies that I've seen recently and want to post about, but right now I just don't have the time for that. I know, I know, I've got no job, no obligations, no life at the moment, how could I not have time for it? Well that's quite simple, I'm lazy. Next week is the week for me to get all these things done however. It is completely free (at the moment), and is hopefully my last fully free week (I'll be putting in some hours at Arcadia HS the week after, which I hope will lead to me actually having things to fill my time).

So let's just run through a quick list of recent happenings:
-I've been walking through Rochester more recently, and let me tell you, it's no New York City. But, it does have its own little charms. In fact I think I may have found a good noodle shop that will bring me back to Beijing. Also I can't tell you how much I have missed the Little. It is one of the few reasons I'd really consider staying in Rochester after graduation.

-Everything is now officially in motion for my grad school application (or at least it will be by this time tomorrow). I have my observation hours set up, been working on my personal statement, will be getting my transcripts tomorrow, and will hopefully have my letters of reccomendation set in motion. Now I just need to find a way to pay for it (and not go insane from having to live at home).

-On the payment front I do have a hopeful lead on a job. It would only be temp, but would be good money (and messed up hours that fit my current sleep schedule quite well). I also have an application in to the local learning center for tutoring jobs. So I've got my fingers crossed for those as well as finding a (day) job after I get my 40 hours done at Arcadia.

-My social life also seems to be slowly gaining a little steam. I'm going to visit Bri again tomorrow (although under sad pretenses), I'll be seeing Emily on Friday while she's in town, and I've made another friend in Karen (a chick from Dallas that I've met) who I hang out with occasionally. Not exactly the most buzzing social life, but it's a start.

-And on a sad note, my string of consecutive movies ended tonight. After a week straight I failed to make it out to a film tonight. But all good things must eventually come to an end, and I did get some good sorting done in room-m (the room at my mom's house) and hope to have it finished by the end of the weekend (just need to move the bookcase upstairs and finish going through the other mysterious boxes in the closet).

So there you all have it. My goal is to have a real post up there tomorrow night, Friday night, and then another one over the weekend, but as my fortune cookie told me, a goal is a dream with a deadline, and most of my dreams are really freaky and messed up, and rarely come true (thank god).

Posted by Thom at 12:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So I went to the dentist the other day, which isn't something I dread, but not something I tend to look forward to or enjoy. With most of the other professionals that I see on a regular basis (my physician, my hair stylist, etc) I sort of have some sort of connection with. When I go to see them we chat about how life has been, we know about the happenings in each others lives, and all that jazz. But with my dentist it's not the same. Maybe it's because I can't really talk with things shoved in my mouth, maybe it's because I always get scolded by the dental assistant for not brushing properly or not flossing, or maybe it's because I only see the dentist twice a year if that. Maybe that's what makes me most uncomfortable about the dentist's office. I'm never good at forcing conversation with people like that. Ones that you know and are familiar with, but that you don't really ever keep in touch with. It's just an ackward situation for me. Or maybe it's just cause there's always that chance that something painful is going to happen there with the drilling... Who knows.

In other news I've discovered what I really need to get my hands on: waterproof pen and paper. Why, you may ask, does a man such as me need these things? It's quite simple, I do most of my good thinking in the shower and I need a way to record it and remember it. I need something to write on so I can remember these things later on, and normal paper is just not cutting it.

And on a final note, since I'm still unemployed and have nothing better to do with my time, I've decided to once again get back to writing more about movies I've seen. Maybe that'll at least keep me a little busier.

Oh, and on the dental note I've also found out that there's a good chance that my wisdom teeth will be coming out soon. Oh joy!

Posted by Thom at 9:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)