Brown Skin Lady.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
The dodgers got no hits last night at Chavez Ravine.
That is, they were not able to make appropriate contact with their bats to put the ball into play.
Going hitless during the course of a baseball game is not conducive to winning-- as getting hits is pretty much the totality of the sport.
They still WON.
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat????
The funny part is that most baseball analysts are using words such as "remarkable", "stunning", and "this could only happen in baseball" to describe the game.
I mean, most dodger fans will tell you that there is nothing "stunning" about them going hitless.
I bet Terell Owens could probably lead this team in homeruns.
andycat stayed in the red at 8:38 AM
Friday, June 27, 2008
I live across the street from The Grove. And from the hours between 11AM and 12AM, the traffic on the corner of third and fairfax is absolutely maddening.
But the early morning hours here can be quite pleasant.
The Whole Foods across the street opens at 7 as workers line the sidewalk with beautiful floral arrangements.
Sleepy-eyed locals stumble across the street to Starbucks.
And I get to wake up to the soothing bell of the Farmer's Market clock tower.
I used to love hearing the Storke Tower bell ring at UCSB when I lived on the 6500 block of Sabado.
I used to always enjoy hearing the distant blare of the fog horn somewhere off the coast of Santa Barbara while I was studying at night.
andycat stayed in the red at 2:52 PM
Thursday, June 26, 2008
The following is an email sent to a professor of mine. I think it places proper perspective during my time spent in the classroom.
Hi Dr. -----,
It has been too long since we last spoke, but I just wanted to let you know that you are always in my thoughts, and that I wouldn't be here enjoying my summer vacation if it weren't for you.
I've just completed my 3rd year teaching (4th overall) as a Math teacher at Wallis Annenberg High School, a charter school in South Los Angeles, a school which currently has an API score of 683, the highest score of any surrounding schools with similar demographics. I've taught pre-algebra, algebra, and geometry. This past year I taught algebra 2, and hopefully next year, I'll be teaching pre-calculus. I've seen the school grow tremendously in the short amount of time I have been there, and can honestly say that this past year has truly been my most successful.
During my time at CGU, I was told that it takes about 4 - 5 years to finally become comfortable in the teaching profession and it's completely true. As a "wily veteran" now, my classroom management has drastically improved, my lesson plans are well-planned and well-paced, and my dedication to the teaching craft has reaped many benefits. I've traveled to Palm Springs, Chicago, Dallas, and North Carolina, for professional development training particularly in the realm of teaching with technology. I've implemented a quasi-network in my classroom using Texas - Instrument's Navigator Technology, where students log into the network using the class set of graphing calculators. From here, I can do a myriad of activities...too many to list. It's been the most powerful tool in the math classroom I've ever witnessed.
I believe I still have a ways to improve as a teacher, particularly in my ability to reach my students on a personal level...something that I've lacked in previous years due to the time I spend lesson planning and grading. However, as every year passes, less time is focused on lesson plans (as I recycle them) and more time is spent engaging my students -- through personal anecdotes, joking with them, and endearing myself to them.
As I get older, (I'll be 29 in one month!), perspective has indeed led to personal growth, and thus I feel more comfortable with who I am and what I stand for. I don't know exactly what my students take from me or how I influence them on a daily basis, but when I go to sleep at night, I know I've worked diligently and patiently. I can only have faith, or as Barack Obama would say...I only have the audacity to hope that my students can follow my lead.
I wanted to thank you for being so instrumental in my professional career. I hope all is well with your family and look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerly,
Andrew Doan
andycat stayed in the red at 9:02 AM
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
I have just completed my 3rd year of teaching in South Central Los Angeles and my 4th year of teaching overall. The old adage in traditional pedagogy states that teachers will start to feel successful after year 4.
It's true, life seems to revolve around a four year cycle:
Presidential Terms
The Olympics
World Cup
College Degrees
NBA Rookie Contracts
And since lists are so awesome--
Professional athletes who have broken out in their fourth year:
Derek Harper, PG, Dallas Mavericks
Lava Man, California Bred Gelding
Sasha Vujacic, SG, Los Angeles Lakers
Erik Bedard, SP, Baltimore Orioles
This is my first post in 2008.
andycat stayed in the red at 1:15 PM
ESPN
Cicely
Daily Nexus
Sneak Move
Dodger Blues
LA Times
Food Network
Growth
AIM: ANDYDOAN1
E-Mail: adoan1@hotmail.com
Decay
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