This morning there seemed to be more noise than usual outside -- a quick look showed that it wasn't a parade or protest as I'd suspected. Instead, it was a line of folks outside a Christian truck handing something out (most likely food) singing songs and chanting unintelligible things. The noise culminated in folks shouting "Jesus! Jesus! JESUS! JESUS!" over and over again, much like sports teams do before a game to pump themselves up. Was this team Jesus? It's unclear.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Little Brother 2
Finished Little Brother; great read overall and hard to put down. Give it a try and see what you think too!
Little Brother
It's the first day of classes at SFSU, but my first class isn't until tomorrow. So what better time to read YA fiction?! I'm currently enthralled by Little Brother by Cory Doctorow. Though I'm not finished (about a third left to go), I'm thinking more about civil liberties and what patriotism means for those who want to actually fight for rights and freedoms. Not that the book is totally heavy - a 17 year old vows to take down Homeland Security after a terrible terrorist attack cripples the Bay Area. Thanks to Rebecca for the recommendation!
I must admit a secret love for those who hack, starting with Elsbeth Salander in The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo. She does incredible things with weak excuses for security and brings down bad guys (well, most of them) (and totally in her own way). With the interwebs being so full of ideas, openness makes more and more sense. Heck, Doctorow even has his book downloadable for free and a blog post explaining why. I like it.
I must admit a secret love for those who hack, starting with Elsbeth Salander in The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo. She does incredible things with weak excuses for security and brings down bad guys (well, most of them) (and totally in her own way). With the interwebs being so full of ideas, openness makes more and more sense. Heck, Doctorow even has his book downloadable for free and a blog post explaining why. I like it.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
English Episodes #16 - Endings & Beginnings
My last day of teaching regularly was yesterday, a fact that is both exciting and sad. I've grown to really enjoy my intermediate class, there are definitely some amusing and eclectic personalities therein. But with grad school looming, I needed to clear my schedule as much as possible so that I can try to get in and get out of masters land.
That said, my last class was certainly a blast. We ate breakfast at Denny's (right around the corner from school). I was skeptical about such a field trip, but they totally loved the typical American experience therein. Also the fact that things were so BIG (it is America after all). Someone tried to drink the syrup like a shot, but didn't get far at all. I like how in a more causal context they start asking more personal questions both of me and each other. Grand Slams eaten, pictures taken by our good-natured waiter, we left behind empty plates and cups that were swiftly taken away.
A short stroll around Yerba Buena park had them taking tons and tons of photos in paparazzi gone wild style. I like that my classes like each other, it's nice to welcome in new members into a community that's willing to grow for them. Back at school, I gave them a short break before reconvening class. A couple were late, though, because they'd gone and gotten me a cake! It said "Beathany Good Luck We Love You" - so sweet! They'd also gotten a card that was furtively passed around and signed. One of my Korean students had her awesome mini-Polaroid camera and documented the cake, our breakfast, and my silly reaction :) I felt very loved. And very full of sugar with my black forest cake love and all. My colleagues seemed sad that I won't be there regularly, though I will keep subbing since my classes this semester don't happen in the mornings.
All in all, a very good day. One that makes me glad I've been teaching. I also have invites to Rome and Barcelona, Japan and Korea, so perhaps I'll be trying to get overseas and take people up on those. Time to renew that passport!
That said, my last class was certainly a blast. We ate breakfast at Denny's (right around the corner from school). I was skeptical about such a field trip, but they totally loved the typical American experience therein. Also the fact that things were so BIG (it is America after all). Someone tried to drink the syrup like a shot, but didn't get far at all. I like how in a more causal context they start asking more personal questions both of me and each other. Grand Slams eaten, pictures taken by our good-natured waiter, we left behind empty plates and cups that were swiftly taken away.
A short stroll around Yerba Buena park had them taking tons and tons of photos in paparazzi gone wild style. I like that my classes like each other, it's nice to welcome in new members into a community that's willing to grow for them. Back at school, I gave them a short break before reconvening class. A couple were late, though, because they'd gone and gotten me a cake! It said "Beathany Good Luck We Love You" - so sweet! They'd also gotten a card that was furtively passed around and signed. One of my Korean students had her awesome mini-Polaroid camera and documented the cake, our breakfast, and my silly reaction :) I felt very loved. And very full of sugar with my black forest cake love and all. My colleagues seemed sad that I won't be there regularly, though I will keep subbing since my classes this semester don't happen in the mornings.
All in all, a very good day. One that makes me glad I've been teaching. I also have invites to Rome and Barcelona, Japan and Korea, so perhaps I'll be trying to get overseas and take people up on those. Time to renew that passport!
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