I have very little tolerance for the actual song, a song about as annoying as expected from the same guy who sang "Crazy", but this version just makes me feel all warm inside
7.18.2011
RIP Mrs. Sweeney 2011
http://blogs.ausd.net/sweeney/
For the past couple of weeks now, every time I rode past Hugo Reid Primary on Michillinda, I noticed an announcement on the roadside board saying something about "Mrs. Sweeney" and "Farewell". This interested me, as I had Mrs. Sweeney as my 5th grade teacher and assumed she was retiring.
Today, I told a friend about it, since we were in Mrs. Sweeney's class together six years ago and I wanted to visit her or at least contact her. He checked the Hugo Reid portion of the AUSD website, then sent me the link.
Mrs. Sweeney died.
A teacher I remember for being excessively loud and energetic died, and weeks passed before I found out about it.
I can't say I have much more than fragmented memories about her, but the ones I do have are huge:
I remember she brought her new puppy to school every day and kept it in a cushioned pen by the door because she was afraid to leave it home alone.
I remember hearing that she was one of the meaner teachers, but then realizing that those rumors were just a result of her loud and commanding nature, but in reality, she was one of the most fun teachers I've ever had.
I remember she showed some of us a video of some asian kids lip syncing to "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys (She laughed and pointed out the guy in the background who was just playing video games obliviously).
I remember a rapping stuffed frog she brought into class one day that played for several minutes straight (I think it was http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diiL9bqvalo ?)
I remember she told me to work on my handwriting, saying that penmanship was going to follow me for the rest of my life.
I remember she pointed out to me very briefly the rules of when to spell out numbers in writing and when to transcribe them as numerals while checking one of my essays, a memory that comes up every time I'm about to write a number down on paper.
I remember her laugh that almost sounded harsh and sharp at first, but soon became a daily part of our lives.
I remember candy, the original Sid Meier's Civilization, Oregon Trail, special Mensa math problems, and all these little things that make me consider her one of the best teachers I've ever had.
I'm going to miss Mrs. Sweeney, but not as much as all the future students who will never have the chance to learn from one of the best, most unique, and most wonderful teachers there will ever be.
For the past couple of weeks now, every time I rode past Hugo Reid Primary on Michillinda, I noticed an announcement on the roadside board saying something about "Mrs. Sweeney" and "Farewell". This interested me, as I had Mrs. Sweeney as my 5th grade teacher and assumed she was retiring.
Today, I told a friend about it, since we were in Mrs. Sweeney's class together six years ago and I wanted to visit her or at least contact her. He checked the Hugo Reid portion of the AUSD website, then sent me the link.
Mrs. Sweeney died.
A teacher I remember for being excessively loud and energetic died, and weeks passed before I found out about it.
I can't say I have much more than fragmented memories about her, but the ones I do have are huge:
I remember she brought her new puppy to school every day and kept it in a cushioned pen by the door because she was afraid to leave it home alone.
I remember hearing that she was one of the meaner teachers, but then realizing that those rumors were just a result of her loud and commanding nature, but in reality, she was one of the most fun teachers I've ever had.
I remember she showed some of us a video of some asian kids lip syncing to "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys (She laughed and pointed out the guy in the background who was just playing video games obliviously).
I remember a rapping stuffed frog she brought into class one day that played for several minutes straight (I think it was http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diiL9bqvalo ?)
I remember she told me to work on my handwriting, saying that penmanship was going to follow me for the rest of my life.
I remember she pointed out to me very briefly the rules of when to spell out numbers in writing and when to transcribe them as numerals while checking one of my essays, a memory that comes up every time I'm about to write a number down on paper.
I remember her laugh that almost sounded harsh and sharp at first, but soon became a daily part of our lives.
I remember candy, the original Sid Meier's Civilization, Oregon Trail, special Mensa math problems, and all these little things that make me consider her one of the best teachers I've ever had.
I'm going to miss Mrs. Sweeney, but not as much as all the future students who will never have the chance to learn from one of the best, most unique, and most wonderful teachers there will ever be.
42
I was practicing this morning when I started pondering about life and money. The question I’m posing is: Does a view of money as the root of everything imply pessimism? That was my understanding at first, because I thought that committing oneself solely for the purpose of gaining wealth, consciously or unconsciously, was materialistic, and that riches doesn’t necessarily lead to happiness (unless you’re a hedonist). That was until I figured that almost everything I do sooner or later leads to monetary gains, mainly for myself or my parents. For example, I work hard on music so that I can hopefully do well in my lessons (to make lavish music fees worthwhile), procure scholarships (to save money), and eventually land a job in the recession-battered field of music (and provide money for elderly parents). Like my parents, I’m constantly thinking of ways to save money, to earn money, and to invest in projects that will hopefully bring about- you guessed it- MOARE MONIES. (However, there is a combination, one that plagues timeless literature and tragedies, which I’ll hopefully never tamper with- love and money. E.g., my vln teacher encouraged me to find a “rich husband,” as he thinks that women should not be the main provider of income in a household. Although that can be seen as sexist and somewhat demeaning to me musically, from a purely logical standpoint it is reasonable, and that is where I clash and disagree with others the most. I tend to appeal to pathos and ethos. I know that many women out there wed for material gain, and that can be seen as reasonable because if one lacks money-making skills, why not marry someone who has money, and thus live a more comfortable life? But that’s something I cannot associate with at all, simply because I like to think with my heart rather than my mind. This tendency has shaped many of my views, from abortion to religion, as well as part of who I am.)
Digression aside, my point is that if you think about it a certain way, the root of anything significant in the world could be exploited by material gain! I used to have this very idealistic mindset that the meaning of life was love and peace (again, neglecting logos), and as long as you have pure goodwill in your heart and exploit that for the good of others, you will live and die happy. I’m not saying that viewpoint is now void, but it is immature to think that’s the single solution to living. After all, the source of things we take for granted like food, shelter, and health care is provided by money, which can lead to saying that money brings about contentedness, if not happiness (with the exception of vagrants who are satisfied with their lifestyle). However, limiting your life purpose to that can also turn out terribly wrong, but I think that it takes a level of maturity to be frank about money and realize that without blowing it out of proportion. (Balance is key!) I suppose there is no definitive answer to my question, as it depends on how each individual views life.
7.15.2011
I've wasted half my summer
on youtube... gaming commentaries, mainly. I call it the poor man's way of experiencing games- which is watching 'let's plays' instead of getting a console.
But now I'm banning myself from any kind of gaming-related procrastination until all schoolwork is completed. Feel free to rat me out if you catch me on Steam or something, because oftentimes I need a friendly slap to stay focused.
Also relevant:
7.03.2011
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