I loathe... (part 10)

I loathe when students are disrespectful.
I loathe when students roll their eyes at me.
I loathe when students slack off.

Quotes

"I'm off to class to watch kids cry."

Post By Request

I have never had a request for an update. Probably one of the many contributing factors of my not blogging much or consistently.

I am going to try to blog more so maybe I will try to keep my brain open for ideas. I also would like input about topics you've read here that you'd like to see more often. I will try to listen for funny quotes!

I thought I would mention a couple of things in my first post back.

1. Funny comic http://falsewithasmith.com/
2. David is going to have a time slot on http://vader.boisestate.edu/stumedia/university-pulse/ starting sometime this semester.
3. I am trying to learn American Sign Language so I may post related items for anyone interested in that challenge. I am using http://www.lifeprint.com/ to help me learn right now and I have a textbook with videos from a friend who took the BSU class.
4. We recently got bicycles and anyone who talks to me will know that I am sore almost all the time but loving the fun of riding my bike. It is the first time I have enjoyed exercise in awhile. I will try to post pictures of my new toy once I get my camera back.
5. Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks are back and we all know how much I LOVE them. I got one today and it was delicious. It was even better because I enjoyed it with a friend.
6. Viola is good. She had been sick a few weeks ago, but seems 100% normal.

Hope all is well with you and thanks for not ditching me :)

I love... (part 15)

I love snuggly blankets.
I love my 2-year-old nephew's high five fist bump combo.
I love Viola's excitement when I come home.

It has been a long time.

Since getting Viola, the major event has been David going to Tokyo, Japan for a year of school. We've been chatting every day online. He sends me pictures of Tokyo, his food, his friends, and himself. He is doing good and wants to say hi to everyone.

I've been weeding out unimportant habits / hobbies from my life since he's been gone. Trying to work on myself while I am alone so I will be a better wife once he gets back. One thing I have eliminated is almost all computer games. It has freed up some time and I am happier with one less thing to think about.

I hope all is well with my friends, family, and online buddies and I apologize for not reading many blogs over the last year or so. Life is getting less and less chaotic and I hope to return to reading blogs in the near future. I really enjoy reading about your lives and I miss the excitement of seeing a new post.

Daba Town Mascot

There is a new member of Daba Town - we will call her the mascot. I posted about how I've been wanting a dog and which kinds I would like to have.

Her name is VIOLA. Vie for short. She is a Shih Tzu and one sweet cuddly puppy! She is about 5 months old and not quite potty trained, but we love her anyway.

I loathe... (part 9)

I loathe enforcing my syllabus.
I loathe discussing why learning math is beneficial, especially when the intended audience isn't listening.
I loathe schedule conflicts.

I love... (part 14)

I love how I felt yesterday when I received a gift ticket to see WICKED.
I love how much fun I had at the special Valentine's Dinner from Saturday night.
I love my husband and how much time we spent together last weekend.

Daba Town News

• School has started - I am currently teaching 8 sections of math split between three schools and four locations... EEK. Most of the time I enjoy the classes but tire of the amount of work. I'd love to blog, create, relax, play, sleep more often, but I am thankful for work.
• David is excited and happy about his schedule this semester so far. He is almost done with the Gen Ed requirements.
• Life living with others has been straining sometimes, but most of the time I feel it is going more smoothly than I expected and we haven't run out of money yet! (Blessed)
• Nephew Owen (Big O, Monkey) is over 5 months old and he is such a chunk! He is rolling, playing, smiling, and starting to eat some baby food.
• Met my 75 (minimum) books read goal last year. I will go ahead and try this again (3rd year).

Happy Holidays and Winter Break From Daba Town

Student Quotes

"Trinomial times Trinomial! Hold on. Better turn my paper to landscape." 

 

"Monomial? I thought you said Malt-o-Meal." 

"Someone left their fingernail on my keyboard. I'm not going to touch it - it isn't on a key I use much anyway."

Have a merry dead week and a happy finals week, too!

Snow Day Highlights

Drank coffee with my husband at Starbucks.

Finished knitting my monster scarf.

Finished watching Bones season 4.

Finalized some grades.

Played Skipbo.

Advice from a College Math Instructor (part 1)

This new idea for a post came from an encounter with a student today. I thought I would advise (rant) about general college behaviors along with math study tips.

Today's Topic: Special Favors

• Don't ask for extra credit or special favors in front of the rest of the class.
• If you ask for extra credit, extensions, answers to a test, or other special favors that make your life easier, then, when you receive a polite no, don't laugh and pretend you were just kidding.
• Don't ask for special favors multiple times per meeting and pretend you are kidding.
• Don't criticize the class or instructor for a mistake you made in regards to special favors, especially in front of other students.
• If you are always asking for special favors, then complain when it appears someone else got one (when they didn't), then you probably won't receive one in the future.

Teacher in the Crosswalk

Hit my teacher with my car.
Goal achieved: she flew quite far.
But of me she got the best-
When a proctor gave her test.

Quote

"I wouldn't want to get a concussion on the way to school."

"Neither would I - it's not conducive to learning."

I loathe... (part 8)

I loathe songs that are played over and over again on the radio.
I loathe a huge bag of candy containing no chocolate (such a waste).
I loathe clutter.

Didn't Get It

So I wanted to write a blog reporting whether or not I got the full time teaching job I'd applied for at one of the schools I am teaching part time. The process has been long, but has taught me a lot about the field.

I didn't get the job, but was told to apply next time there is an opening because they really liked me and my talent/knowledge.

Knowing me (which most of you do) you can expect that I've already come up with a list of "on the bright sides."

BRIGHT SIDES:

• I most likely won't have to teach 5 or more sections of DEVELOPMENTAL math next semester.
• I have the opportunity to get an even better suited position in the future.
• I met some nice people: peers I'd only emailed before this process.
• I re-acquainted myself with a friend.
• Other adjunct math teachers have talked to me more since finding out I'd made it past the first interview.

"Where's my hand?"

David was sleeping when I called him last night. He doesn't remember talking to me. What he does remember is what happened in the middle of the night...

Him: "Where's my hand?" - said in a PANIC.

Me: "What do you mean? It is right here." And I grab both his arms to show him his hands.

Him: "No that is your arm! Where is MY arm and hand?"

Me: "Right here!"

Him: "Oh I thought that was your arm." Almost instantly he went back to sleep.


I thought he had been dreaming. Apparently, his arm was asleep so he couldn't feel anything and the weight of his arm felt like it was coming from me.

I love... (part 13)

I love The Killers.
I love Mates of State.
I love Arcade Fire.

Logic in Math Class

My students had a quiz this week and there were logic circuits on the quiz. The directions required the student to "write a logical statement using the diagram." Since I didn't emphasize that their answers should be in the form of a *symbolic* statement, one student decided to only write an English statement, which would have been alright if the student had done it correctly.

Here is what the student wrote:
"If it is delicious it is fried or it is not pork, but if it is fried it is pork."




This is funniest while grading at 2 am. The handwriting only makes it funnier.