Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Day 2: 277 days to go!

My shoulders and arms ache from the blocks we were doing yesterday in kickboxing. My abs hurt from the ab work I did, or at least tried to do. At least I feel like I was actually doing something.

Didn't have time to make a shake today. Also, the blender was still dirty from yesterday, so I went without.

Lunch:
Half a whole wheat pita bread w/3 slices of turkey, alfalfa sprouts, cucumber, spinich, parmasean cheese, and some dressing
Peanut butter granola bar
Banana

It's 3:30, and I'm hungry.

Monday, January 04, 2010

Day 1 : 278 days to go

Today is the first day of my new workout/diet routine. I am not going to go over the top, at least right away, but I will be using the next 278 days to slowly whip my ass into shape.

Breakfast: Blueberry shake
Blueberries
Plain yogurt
bit of honey
bit of OJ
splash of milk

Lunch:
Half a whole wheat pita with 3 pieces of deli turkey
Alfalfa sprouts
lettuce
sprinkle of feta
sprinkle of dressing (the low cal/low fat kind)
no fat yogurt
granola bar
apple

I just want to put it out there, I'm hungry.

Off to the gym for an ab workout and an hour of kickboxing.

Go me.

Oh, and I ate a salad with sprouts, cucumbers, a bit of parmasean cheese, and dressing with a boca burger on the side for dinner.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

What does it take to run the country?

Let's look at the educational background of our options:

Obama:
Occidental College - Two years.
Columbia University - B.A. political science with a specialization in international relations.
Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude

& Biden:
University of Delaware - B.A. in history and B.A. in political science.
Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

vs.

McCain:
United States Naval Academy - Class rank 894 of 899

& Palin:
Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester
North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study
University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism
Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester
University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in journalism


Let me think.... Who is more qualified to run the country???

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Reflections on a year gone by

My first year. It's hard to fathom that an entire school year has come and gone.

I feel as if I've just run a marathon. There I am, jogging along the sidelines, chugging Gatoraide, wiping the sweat from my face, thanking God that it is over, that I breathe easy for a minute. I feel my second wind is kicking in. Wait, another race is about to start. The gun goes off and there I go. My first marathon barely over before I am off and running again. That's what teaching is like. No matter how hard you run, no matter how much rest you need, you can never really stop. You're always running.

Here I am 43 days into my summer vacation, and I'm already up to my elbows in unit organizers, lesson plans, books to read (and re-read), and a whole year of history to learn.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

After these messages...

After a long absence, I'm back. Fresh out of grad school, and even fresher out of my first year of teaching high school. Yes, I am a high school teacher. How weird is it to say that? Generally when I tell people that I am a teacher, they give me the knowing look of, oh yeah? For what, preschool kids? Then I hit 'em low. "No, actually I teach in a high school. I teach multiple subjects including English, History, and Science, and I work with behavior students." BAM.

How many 5'2" Korean girls work in a high school with at-risk males? Not many I'll tell you. At least I was not mistaken for a student last year. At least, no one came up to me and asked me what class I was supposed to be in. They only mistook me for the other young, Asian teacher. Hey, we all look alike, right? Right?

Presently, I am attempting to get a bit of a head start on planning for my fall classes. English will be fun, as always; however, I may have bitten off more than I can chew in US History. I would like to say that I am a reasonably intelligent person (God knows that I finished grad school with a near perfect GPA) but when it comes to memorizing facts and dates, I am worthless.

I intend on posting updates fairly frequently in order to follow my own thoughts and attitudes through my second year as a behavior teacher.

More soon...

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Save the world, one animal at a time.

Help Save Animals And Their Habitat! 101 things you can do!

In Your Home
1. Recycle everything you can: newspapers, cans, glass, aluminum foil and pans, motor oil, scrap metal etc. In the Portland area, your recyclables get picked up at your curb.
2. Investigate local recycling centers that take items your garbage hauler doesn't (scrap paper, plastics, appliances, etc.).
3. Save your kitchen scraps for the compost pile.
4. Try to use phosphate-free laundry and dish soaps.
5. Avoid the use of household pesticides. Fly swatters work very well.
6. Clean your windows with vinegar and water instead of chemical products.
7. Use cold water in the washer unless it's necessary to use warm or hot.
8. Use washable rags, not paper towels, for cleaning up spills and other household chores.
9. Crumpled-up newspapers are great for washing windows.
10. Use cloth diapers. The plastic in disposable diapers doesn't break down in landfills.
11. Use cloth, not paper, napkins.
12. Don't put hazardous substances down your drain or in your trash (paint thinner, furniture polish, etc.). Dispose of them on designated hazardous waste collection days.
13. Don't use electrical appliances for things you can easily do by hand.
14. Re-use brown paper bags and grocery plastic bags (recyclable) to line your trash can or waste basket. Re-use bread bags, butter tubs, etc.
15. Use re-usable containers to store foods:not plastic wraps and foil.
16. Write to companies that send unwanted junk mail:ask them to take you off their list.
17. Save your coat hangers and return them to the cleaners.
18. Take unwanted, re-usable items to a charitable organization or thrift shop.
19. Don't leave water running needlessly.
20. Install a water saving shower head.
21. Set your water heater at 130 degrees.
22. Have your water heater insulated free of charge by your utility company.
23. Turn the heat down and wear a sweater.
24. Lower your house temperature by one degree per hour for every hour you'll be away or asleep.
25. Turn the lights off when you're out of the room. Ditto with the TV.
26. Get a free energy audit from your utility company.
27. Burn only seasoned wood in your wood stove or fireplace.
28. Start a compost pile.
29. Plant shrubs and trees in your backyard that provide food and shelter for birds and other creatures.
30. Feed the birds.
31. Put up bird houses and baths.
32. Pull weeds instead of using herbicides.
33. Learn about natural insect controls as alternatives to pesticides.
34. Landscape with plants that aren't prone to insect and fungus problems.
35. Ignore caterpillars and most native leaf chewing insects. Let birds and insect predators take care of them.
36. Use beer traps for slugs instead of baiting with poisons.
37. Use organic fertilizers:good ol' manure helps condition your soil and fertilizes at the same time.
38. If you use pesticides, herbicides or fungicides, don't throw leftovers in trash, down your drain or into a storm sewer. Dispose of them on a hazardous waste collection day.
39. Compost your leaves and yard debris or take them to a yard debris recycler. Burning them creates air pollution and putting them out with the trash is a waste of landfill space.
40. Use mulch to conserve water in your garden.
41. Plant things that don't require so much water.
42. Take extra plastic and rubber pots back to the nursery.
43. Large expanses of lawn are not good habitat for other creatures, plus they usually must be maintained with chemicals and extensive watering. Dig up some of your grass and plant native shrubs or trees instead.
44. Plant short, dense shrubs close to your home's foundation to help insulate against cold.
45. Sign up for a renewable power option from your local utility company. On Vacation
46. Turn down the heat and turn off the water heater before you go.
47. Carry re-usable cups, dishes and flatware
48. Make sure your plastic trash doesn't end up in the ocean.
49. Don't pick flowers or collect wild creatures for pets:leave animals and plants where you find them.
50. Don't buy souvenirs made from wild animals.
51. Watch out for wildlife:give consideration to all living things you see crossing the road.
52. Build smaller camp fires.
In Your Car
53. Drive sensibly:don't waste gas.
54. Keep your car tuned up.
55. Carpool. (Call 227-7665 for information)
56. Use public transit.
57. Ride your bike or walk instead.
58. Buy a more gas efficient car.
59. Recycle your engine oil.
60. Keep your tires properly inflated to save gas.
61. Recycle your old tires.
62. Keep your wheels in alignment to save your tires.
63. Don't litter.
At Your Business
64. Start an office recycling program for office and computer paper, cardboard, etc.
65. Use scrap paper for informal notes to yourself and others.
66. Print things on recycled paper.
67. Print or copy on both sides of the paper.
68. Use smaller paper for smaller memos.
69. Re-use manila envelopes and file folders.
70. Hide the throw-away cups and train people to bring their mugs to meetings.
71. Route things around the office or post non-urgent communications rather than making multiple copies.
72. Use the stairs instead of the elevator.
73. Office building landscape doesn't have to be sterile lawns and bedding plants. Plant trees and shrubs the birds will like.
74. Put a bird feeder outside your office window. It's a great conversation piece.
When You're Shopping
75. Don't buy food or household products in plastic or Styrofoam containers if there's an alternative (milk and egg cartons, vegetable oils, butter tubs, etc.) They can't be recycled and they don't break down in the environment.
76. Don't buy "disposable" anything. Paper plates and towels, Styrofoam cups, etc. are extravagant wastes of the world's resources.
77. If you must buy disposables:buy paper products rather than plastics, rather than Styrofoam. The manufacture of Styrofoam depletes the ozone layer.
78. Buy durable products and keep them a little longer. Cheap furniture, clothes and appliances often have short life spans.
79. Check the energy rating on major appliances you buy.
80. Read labels and buy the least toxic product available for cleaning, pest control and other jobs.
81. Put your parcels into one big sack instead of collecting several small ones.
82. Don't buy things with excess packaging (individually wrapped cheese slices, apples on a paper tray wrapped with cellophane, etc.)
83. Buy in bulk: reduce pollution that comes from the manufacture and disposal of many small packages.
84. Ask questions:don't buy products that are hazardous to the environment or that were manufactured at the expense of important animal habitat.
85. Buy locally grown food and locally made products when possible.
86. Don't buy products that come from endangered animals.
87. Don't keep "exotic pets".
Personal Efforts
88. Join a conservation organization.
89. Volunteer your time to conservation projects.
90. Give money to worthy conservation/environmental causes.
91. Check your lifestyle:think about the effects of your daily actions on the environment.
92. Take advantage of the Non-Game Wildlife check-off on your tax form.
93. Vote for candidates that share your sentiments.
94. Read books and articles on wildlife and environmental issues.
95. Watch nature programs on TV.
96. Subscribe to conservation or environmental publications. Purchase them as gifts for others.
97. Convert by example:encourage other people to save resources, too.
98. Tease, cajole, or persuade your family, friends and neighbors for not recycling, not being energy conscious, etc.
99. Complain to merchants about excess packaging, use of plastics, etc. Write letters to companies. Patronize merchants who are environmentally conscious.
100. Write your legislators when you have an opinion about pending legislation on environmental, land use and other issues.
101. Teach children to respect nature and the environment. Take them on a hike, help them plant a tree or build a bird house, buy them a nature book or subscription to a wildlife magazine.

Friday, March 24, 2006

Buy now, pay later!

I was given a coupon for a free sandwich at Subway today and I was very excited. However, I failed to read the size 2 font at the bottom of the coupon that stated, "Must see the Chase representitive outside and completely participate in order to recieve free sandwich." As I steped up to a thirty-something looking, well-dressed man, I realized he was a henchman of the devil. "Are you here for the free sandwich? Fill these out." I look down to see not one, but three seperate credit card applications. I sit down with the applications in hand, and ponder the benefits for one free sandwich combo meal, which is worth 5 dollars, vs a lifetime of debt. I decided that the free combo meal was not worth, a. my time, b. my credit, and c. my soul. I walked back to the man in black and handed my unfinished applications back to him, "Sorry, it's actually not worth my time or credit history to apply for 3 different credit cards." As I walked away I think I saw a little tear form in the corner of his eye as he saw one soul escape his clutches. However, it was short lived as college students poured in the door and grabbed the applications, just so they could get one free sandwich.