I just had a conversation with a friend and we were talking about some of the holidays that we celebrate and get out of school for. One of the more contriversial ones was Columbus day. Some may think that Columbus day is a celebration of Christopher Columbus coming to the new world and discovering a new territory. If you think of the history, Columbus came here and took many people away from everything they know. They killed and slaughterd hundreds of Native American, who for the most part wanted to be left alone. I think that is kind of offensive that we are celebrating the killing of a people. Another one that had us talking was Veterens and Presidents day. This vetereans day every school around us had the day off... except us! I was totally offended not only becasue I have family fighting for my freedom RIGHT NOW! But because we make a big deal about the presidents in our past who did there job and some of them not a good job at that! I felt so bad seeing my classmates in uniform having to take test on the day that they should be praised and recognized. Our veterens deserve to be celbrated every single day and the day that do get we put on the back burner. It makes me sick. I love the freedoms that I have as a American woman and I would hug every single veteren if I could. One day as I was coming off an airplane I noticed a bunch of men in there uniform and I was moved. I hugged every one that was willing to hug a giddy 17 year old. I was so proud!!

Inner city youth

I was looking into teaching for America or maybe working for the inner city and frankly I am not interested at all. I feel a little guilty saying that because I am from D.C. and I believe that I have what it takes to take on the youth of gang violence, teenage pregnancy, and much more that come with inner city schools. But frankly I am not sure if I want to take all of that on when I know that I have opportunity to work in the suburbs somewhere. I dont want to give on the inner city youth because I know that there are those few kids out there that want to go to Ivy League schools and happen to live in the "wrong" part of town. I want to be that teacher that helps them succeed and push them to know they can. I also want to be that teacher that shows that kid that thinks he or she isnt worth anything, that they are! I know from personal experience that kids these days are a little difficult to be patient with and I am just intimidated by them. I know I would have a hard time not being weak while trying to keep an authorative realtionship with all my students. I wish them all the luck and I hope the statistics start going the other directions in our future!

Am I computer illiterate?

This was a very good article to post because as a person my age I am "supposed" to know my way around the computer and other technology of today but I really don't. I would never consider myself illiterate but I know that I am challenged when it comes to using the internet and the functions on my mac. I know that I am only 19 years old but I do prefer to use the old school method of paper and pencil and writing you paper long hand before typing it. It is funny because all of my peers are exactly the opposite. The depend on there computer and phone to be able to function in society. They are staying in contact with people by being away from them. I like the way I do things and I haven't had to much problem with it so far. I dont mind writing and I cant even type that fast so I dont mind kickin it old school.

I am too proud to call Barack my president!!

During these VERY controversial times during this election people have been either completely against Obama or his biggest fan. I personally was a huge Obama supporter and I was very proud of his accomplishments. Not only was I proud that he was an African- American man he is one of the most respectable men that this country has created. he has had no contriversial things come out of the wood work. The only thing that anyone has used against him is the color of his skin. If you want to think about it and stereotype people. Barack Obama graduated from Harvard Law school where he met his beautiful wife. he dosnt have kids that are unaccounted for, he has never been to jail, travled the world, a great family man, and what I would call an all American man. But people dont like to call him all American because he is African-American. I truly in my heart felt like I made a difference when I voted for him. I told all my friends to vote(not trying to be biased) but in my heart I was so confident in my vote..... Barack Obama! As all my friends and I watched as the breaking news hit the T.V. " Barack Obama is our new president" I screamed and yelled and ran" a few of my friends cried but I was just full of joy. I think I just cheesing and and too happy. I bet this is the same way my grandmother felt when Dr. Martin Luther King spoke and made huge changes. It probably gave her the chills just like Obama gives me when he speaks. I am juat really proud that I helped make this happen.

I am in a funk called college

I remember senior-itis in high school and I thought college would be a strait up great time. But these last few days I have been feeling a little tired of this state,town,school,dorm. I dont really want to go home but I do need a vacation. These days have just been dragging but the school year is just flying by. Things are just kind of wierd. I need to a palne ticket to Belize by myself and maybe some money. But I just need to give my mind and body a break form this usual normal everyday funk. Way to go Obama!!!!!!!!!

I thought times were going to change

I dont know what is going on but it feels like alot of racial issues are coming to the surface. I am thinking because the election is right around the corner and this is a very contriversial time in our history. I am from Washington,DC which some of the locals call the "chocolate city" so I never heard anyone talking about stereotypical blacks.Maine is very well known for being the whitest state in the United States but I havnt been feeling so different until now. On campus we are building a plaza for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and one of my fellow roomates was asking why we were building it. I got more and more offended the longer I thought about what she said. MLK is one of the true hero's of our time. He made things happened that no one thought could happen. Everything that I am able to do today I give hime credit for! I know Obama probably prepared himself for the hatred he was obviously going to face but I didnt know that hate was going to reach all the way to me. Obama 08!!!!

The new and improved classroom!

I just read "Young Minds, Fast Times: The Twenty-First-Century Digital Learner" and it was very intriguing on how the two different sides of a class room differ. As a student and a future teacher I was very interested on how kids feel in the classroom. I want to know what intrigues them and makes them learn the best. And can be fun and educational at the same time. I know there is going to be kids forever who dont like school and maybe dont even like my class but I hope to be that class that kids enjoy going to and also learn a few things on the way. There were few classes while I was in high school that didnt fall into that stereo-typical classroom. Where the teacher stands in front of the chalk bored and write notes on the board while the students were to do the same in there notebooks. It was VERY boring and I found myself doodling when ever I had the chance cuz I was bored out of my mind and I had no other way to pretend I was doing what I was supposed to. My dream as a teacher would be to get my whole class involved in activities and make our classroom a produvtive place to be. I want my students to look forward to what the new day will bring and I hope I could be a favorite teacher among a few of my students. I know I am more eager to participate when I am stimulated by things that interest me whether it is music or art or whatever. I am more willing to open my mind and absorb the underlying message what is trying to be taught. I think notes are old fashioned and it IS the 21st century. It is time to upgrade our classrooms and make learning an whole new(fun) experience!