As I've mentioned before, I'm currently in a post-bacc teacher credentialing program. I am getting a credential to teach high school math. Well, high school or middle school math. I'm not sure which I'll do yet. But I digress.
I am already thinking about what kind of masters degree I'd like to get upon the completion of my teaching credential. I've always been a bit of an over-planner. This time, planning far in advance will be helpful, though. Since I'm already going to school, it's relatively easy for me to complete any pre-reqs for a masters program. Plus I'm already on-campus to speak to advisers.
I thought about doing a masters in math with an emphasis on math education. The problem with that is that my college degree required exactly one math course. That means I'd have major work to do to complete the 24 units of pre-reqs, especially considering the sequential nature of math classes. Specifically, it'd be like 4 semesters of Calculus. That can't be rushed. Speaking it over with my husband, we decided a math masters is not for me. To be honest, the reason I'm going to teach math is that there's a huge shortage in the subject and therefore there are a lot of jobs. I've always liked math, but it's not my passion.
Maybe something like Environmental Science or something to do with animals would work. Those are both things about which I am quite passionate. Any recommendations?
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
My weekend
1. church
2. painting a picture
3. painting picture frames
3b. Hanging up the picture frames
4. watching USC beat WSU in football at a local pub
5. Tutoring
6. Watching too much Lost
7. Cleaning up
8. Painting and moving in a little bookshelf
9. Sleeping
Details and pictures to come!
2. painting a picture
3. painting picture frames
3b. Hanging up the picture frames
4. watching USC beat WSU in football at a local pub
5. Tutoring
6. Watching too much Lost
7. Cleaning up
8. Painting and moving in a little bookshelf
9. Sleeping
Details and pictures to come!
I love Mondays
Yes, getting up is really hard. And lately I've been noticing how dark it is when I walk the dog. But I enjoy getting out of the house. Monday is also Pathfinder night, so I get to go to church and whip those kids into shape! I also enjoy socializing with the fellow leaders :-) I'm such a nerd- Pathfinder leaders are my social life.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Reasons I want to leave LA
A list of all the reasons I feel that I must leave LA. I won't be leaving anytime soon, I can't. But eventually, we'll leave. I can't imagine raising kids here!
1. Houses can cost $2Million and not have a yard
2. A sidewalk nearby has a penis etched in it, like wet cement-style
3. Another sidewalk has a martini glass in it (are initials not enough?!)
4. Homeless people
5. Signs in spanish
6. Traffic
7. The 405
8. Taxes
9. The freeloader attitude that is pervasive
10. Everyone breaks the law ALL THE TIME. I see people talking on cell phones and driving DAILY. These same people vote for these extra-liberal lawmakers who enact too many laws. It's obscene.
11. Materialism
12. The expense of everything
13. No space
14. Smog
That's it for now! Stay tuned for updates!
1. Houses can cost $2Million and not have a yard
2. A sidewalk nearby has a penis etched in it, like wet cement-style
3. Another sidewalk has a martini glass in it (are initials not enough?!)
4. Homeless people
5. Signs in spanish
6. Traffic
7. The 405
8. Taxes
9. The freeloader attitude that is pervasive
10. Everyone breaks the law ALL THE TIME. I see people talking on cell phones and driving DAILY. These same people vote for these extra-liberal lawmakers who enact too many laws. It's obscene.
11. Materialism
12. The expense of everything
13. No space
14. Smog
That's it for now! Stay tuned for updates!
And the bureacracy begins
I've had the pleasure of calling several school districts over the last few days. The primary reason I've called, and a very time-sensitive one, is that I need to get into classrooms to being performing the observations required for me class. I have yet to get a return call to any of my many calls or two in-person visits. I have deadlines for these observations, and I'm starting to freak out a bit. It's not that I've procrastinated, it's that no one gets back to me!
I've also been calling to find out the details of applying to be a substitute teacher at many districts. I've received all of one return call.
I'm excited about the prospect of teaching, but I'm not excited to work for a school district.
I've also been calling to find out the details of applying to be a substitute teacher at many districts. I've received all of one return call.
I'm excited about the prospect of teaching, but I'm not excited to work for a school district.
New Clothes :-)
Last night dinner plans fell through, so I used my free time to do some much needed shopping. Does anyone else feel like you have plenty of clothes, then all of a sudden you have nothing to wear? I felt like all my business casual stuff was suddenly gone. So out I went!
Shopping was good. I had dreaded the occasion (who am I, I dread shopping?!) but it was actually quite fun! There was a lot of good stuff available, which I think is what improved my mood. I had brought along my hubby as I tend to be indecisive and he has good taste, but he was really unnecessary. There were so many good options it was easy for me to make choices, and everything I liked he did too.
Now I just need to do laundry so that I can wear all the pretty clothes! Tonight will be "fashion show night" where I'll try on all my stuff, trash the wearable items, and rearrange the rest. My closet has become quite the mess!
Shopping was good. I had dreaded the occasion (who am I, I dread shopping?!) but it was actually quite fun! There was a lot of good stuff available, which I think is what improved my mood. I had brought along my hubby as I tend to be indecisive and he has good taste, but he was really unnecessary. There were so many good options it was easy for me to make choices, and everything I liked he did too.
Now I just need to do laundry so that I can wear all the pretty clothes! Tonight will be "fashion show night" where I'll try on all my stuff, trash the wearable items, and rearrange the rest. My closet has become quite the mess!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Why I'm Going Vegan
My current transition from a vegetarian diet to a vegan diet will be the impetus for many posts, so I figure I should give the background here.
About two years ago I became a vegetarian. Prior to that, I had been a pretty average American meat eater. I stumbled across some facts about the meat industry, and it changed my life. I learned about the conditions in which animals are kept, the cruel slaughtering methods, the detrimental effect on the planet in so many ways: fossil fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, etc., and the statistics regarding health. Let me take just a minute to elaborate on the health thing, as it may save your life: the leading killers of American adults are heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Vegetarians are significantly less likely to have the underlying problems that lead to these conditions, and they are less likely to die from these things. Vegans are even less likely to suffer from these awful (and oftentimes preventable!) diseases.
To be honest, the biggest motivation for me to make the switch was the Animal Rights (AR) issue. I love animals. I love all animals: dog, cat, pig, etc... I actually really love pigs. I think they're the cutest things! I learned what the lives of those animals that were now meat on my plate were really like. They're not off frolicing in some farmer's field, FYI. I couldn't support that type of industry. My undergrad was in business, and I am a fan of capitalism. So I put my money where my mouth was and I stopped buying and eating meat.
I consider going veg one of the best choices I have ever made. I feel healthier. Being a vegetarian costs less. I've learned how to make all kinds of amazing meals and I probably wouldn't have been so inventive if I wasn't vegetarian. I think the biggest benefit, though, is the sense of empowerment my choice gave me. Every day I'm standing up for something I believe in. Every day I am not blindly following the norm. I believe that this ability to throw off society's standards and truly evaluate what was right for me gave me the courage to leave my unsatisfying job in finance and find what I truly love: teaching.
My first step in vegetarianism was actually pescatarianism, meaning I would eat fish. This would be an occasional, out for sushi-type of thing. Eventually, though, I cut that out completely and was completely vegetarian. I also cut milk and eggs out of our household, but we would purchase products that contained those items, or we would eat them at restaurants. Cheese is the only direct animal product we would actively purchase.
About a month or so ago, I began thinking about veganism. I knew it was even better for you, but I had never had a strong desire to purse a lifestyle that I viewed as too restrictive. I wanted to try it for a month, just to see what it was like, but I didn't expect to continue such a lifestyle forever. Well, my thinking about veganism led me to do some research on the subject. Let's just say what I learned isn't pretty. That knowledge, plus my openness to veganism, if even only for what I viewed as a temporary time period, has caused me to begin going vegan.
The process has had a few setbacks, including a failed battle with chocolate covered macadamia nuts, but I have been pretty good about having meals that are cruelty-free! I really don't feel that my diet is restricted at all. The only things I can't eat are things I don't really want to eat! There are so many vegan options out there, from hot dogs to ice cream to ground "beef". These analogs are healthier and better tasting than the real thing, in my opinion.
I also should note that my husband has been very supportive of all my dietary decisions, and for that I am very grateful. When I went vegetarian, he chose to do the same. I don't think he'll go vegan, but he is completely supportive of having only vegan things in the house. That's really a big help because it's very difficult to resist food in your own fridge!
About two years ago I became a vegetarian. Prior to that, I had been a pretty average American meat eater. I stumbled across some facts about the meat industry, and it changed my life. I learned about the conditions in which animals are kept, the cruel slaughtering methods, the detrimental effect on the planet in so many ways: fossil fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, etc., and the statistics regarding health. Let me take just a minute to elaborate on the health thing, as it may save your life: the leading killers of American adults are heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Vegetarians are significantly less likely to have the underlying problems that lead to these conditions, and they are less likely to die from these things. Vegans are even less likely to suffer from these awful (and oftentimes preventable!) diseases.
To be honest, the biggest motivation for me to make the switch was the Animal Rights (AR) issue. I love animals. I love all animals: dog, cat, pig, etc... I actually really love pigs. I think they're the cutest things! I learned what the lives of those animals that were now meat on my plate were really like. They're not off frolicing in some farmer's field, FYI. I couldn't support that type of industry. My undergrad was in business, and I am a fan of capitalism. So I put my money where my mouth was and I stopped buying and eating meat.
I consider going veg one of the best choices I have ever made. I feel healthier. Being a vegetarian costs less. I've learned how to make all kinds of amazing meals and I probably wouldn't have been so inventive if I wasn't vegetarian. I think the biggest benefit, though, is the sense of empowerment my choice gave me. Every day I'm standing up for something I believe in. Every day I am not blindly following the norm. I believe that this ability to throw off society's standards and truly evaluate what was right for me gave me the courage to leave my unsatisfying job in finance and find what I truly love: teaching.
My first step in vegetarianism was actually pescatarianism, meaning I would eat fish. This would be an occasional, out for sushi-type of thing. Eventually, though, I cut that out completely and was completely vegetarian. I also cut milk and eggs out of our household, but we would purchase products that contained those items, or we would eat them at restaurants. Cheese is the only direct animal product we would actively purchase.
About a month or so ago, I began thinking about veganism. I knew it was even better for you, but I had never had a strong desire to purse a lifestyle that I viewed as too restrictive. I wanted to try it for a month, just to see what it was like, but I didn't expect to continue such a lifestyle forever. Well, my thinking about veganism led me to do some research on the subject. Let's just say what I learned isn't pretty. That knowledge, plus my openness to veganism, if even only for what I viewed as a temporary time period, has caused me to begin going vegan.
The process has had a few setbacks, including a failed battle with chocolate covered macadamia nuts, but I have been pretty good about having meals that are cruelty-free! I really don't feel that my diet is restricted at all. The only things I can't eat are things I don't really want to eat! There are so many vegan options out there, from hot dogs to ice cream to ground "beef". These analogs are healthier and better tasting than the real thing, in my opinion.
I also should note that my husband has been very supportive of all my dietary decisions, and for that I am very grateful. When I went vegetarian, he chose to do the same. I don't think he'll go vegan, but he is completely supportive of having only vegan things in the house. That's really a big help because it's very difficult to resist food in your own fridge!
Vegan Dog Muffins
Recently I made my dog some cornbread vegan muffins from this recipe on it's a vegan dog's life. I would recommend that blog for dog owners looking to have happy, healthy pooches. My dog loved the muffins! It was like he could tell I was making them for him: he was eagerly watching everything I did as I made them! As soon as they cooled I gave him one, and he devoured it.
To give you a bit of analysis on the recipe, the mix seemed dry, but it cooked just fine. I ended up getting 16 smallish regular-size muffins out of it. The recipe was really easy, and since I plan to give the dog one muffin a day, I have over two weeks worth of muffins!
To give you a bit of analysis on the recipe, the mix seemed dry, but it cooked just fine. I ended up getting 16 smallish regular-size muffins out of it. The recipe was really easy, and since I plan to give the dog one muffin a day, I have over two weeks worth of muffins!
I'd like to take a moment to highlight that dogs (and cats) can be perfectly healthy and happy on a vegan diet. While my dog is transitioning over right now, I have seen no adverse effects from his new diet. For you doubters out there, I don't see what is "natural" about a dog eating meat byproducts from animals much too large for any wild dog to catch, much less my 20 lb. guy! Plus mainstream meat dog food has a lot of awful additives and is designed for cost efficacy, not healthfulness. There are many books on the subject if you are interested in learning more. Obligate Carnivore is a highly recommended book that I intend to read in the near future.
My dog does eat a commercial vegetarian dog food. On any given day I will supplement it with a few healthy nutritious items. Nutritional yeast, ground flaxseed, molasses, fruit/vegetable parts apple cider vinegar, and oatmeal are common additions. I am now looking to add a daily muffin to the mix to ensure nutritional variety.
Goals- 50 in 500 list
You may or may not have heard of the Day Zero Project. For this project, people create a list of 101 things to do in 1,000 days. I like the idea of such a list: it promotes working toward goals, helps people avoid ruts, but personally I feel like 101 things is a lot, and 1,000 days is a long time for which to plan. So I created my own list: 50 things to accomplish in 500 days! With my busy and unpredictable life, 500 days is about the furthest I can comfortably plan. As I accomplish tasks on the list I will blog about it here! Here is the list:
Health
1. Run a 7 minute mile
2. Lose 5 pounds and keep them off for a month
3. Speak at church about the health benefits of a vegetarian diet
4. Floss daily for one month
5. Eat all meals at a table without doing anything else for one week
Food
6. Go Vegan for a month
7. Make Vegan Ice Cream
8. Make Vegan Cheesecake
9. Make Vegan pumpkin pie
10. Get a new "in a pinch" dish
11. Bake something and Give it to Neighbors
Dog
12. Transition Dog to Vegetarian Diet
13. Train dog to NOT bark at people who walk by the house
14. Find a person to do dog-sitting vacation-swapping with
15. Get dog boots
Random
16. Donate Blood
17. Write a letter to my Congressperson
18. Go To the Theatre
19. Win a contest at DefCon
20. Throw a Party
21. Go to a shooting range (again)
22. Use only reusable bags for one month
23. send out Christmas cards (on time!)
24. visit LACMA
25. Write letters to one friend/family member per month (1/16)
26. Get a Pedicure
27. Volunteer at Animal Acres
28. Travel somewhere new
29. Make a photo album
30. Accumulate a decent "nice work clothes" collection
31. Start a blog
32. Go Camping
33. Change my name to my married name on all accounts
Business
34. Release a Beach Trip Book
35. Release a Football Book
36. Make a Birthday Book
37. Get written up in a magazine
38. Promote book at a local fair
Teaching
39. Earn my teaching credential
40. Pass all 3 subsections of the Math CSET Exam
41. Start working as a substitute teacher
Home
42. Make best friend those utensil pouches I promised him
43. Make decent throw pillows
44. Plan 2010's vegetable garden so that it's really productive
45. Do a full house cleaning
46. Reorganize closets in house
47. Install storage shelf in utility closet
48. Hang pictures up
49. hang a ball that tells me how far to pull in the garage
50. Paint a picture
Alternates
Find a wood chair to replace one of the old upholstered one
Visit
FYI
Italics means in progress
strikethrough means completed
Some of the items are in progress or completed because I've been thinking about this list for a while.
My goal is to complete the whole list in 500 days, meaning the deadline is Saturday, February 5, 2011.
Anonymity
I must admit, one of the things that's been enticing about having a blog is the anonymity of it all. I want it to stay my secret- something my family doesn't see, something just for me. I feel like now that Facebook and every other social networking site is now inundated with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and every other family member (who in my family, will judge) I want a new place to be myself. Don't get me wrong, I love my family. I would be lying if I said that I don't think about what they'd think before I post on FB though.
So this will be my little soapbox, on which I can stand and proclaim whatever I like :-)
So this will be my little soapbox, on which I can stand and proclaim whatever I like :-)
Friday, September 18, 2009
Why This Exists
As someone who has been lurking on other people's blogs, I feel it is time for me to start my own. I hope that I will be able to post things that are helpful and relevant to others! This blog will chronicle my life, highlighting my interests and adventures. I anticipate that I will write about the following topics a lot: veganism, dogs, vegan dogs, teaching, education, California, personal fulfillment, cooking, and whatever else may come to mind. Enjoy!
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