booby traps
(And a big sigh from the teacher!)
Iraqi dance
7 years ago
Friday, November 12, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
The (im)Maturity of 6th Graders
Going into this teaching position, I knew things were going to be different than in 1st grade. Granted, there aren't nearly as many differences as one might think, but there are some. And the biggest one is also the most predictable: the fact that I cannot say the words "ball" or "balls" without the class getting a bad case of the giggles.
I teach science, and I was relating some concept to a pool table and the way that when one moving ball comes into contact with others, it causes the others to move. And every. single. time. I said the word "ball," one or two started laughing. Which in turn caused one or two more to giggle, setting off an uncontrollable chain reaction. Seriously people, what I am supposed to call those things! I was fully aware of this problem going in, but knowing about it in an academic sense and then encountered it in person are two totally different things.
Or, in another example, the kids wanted to play dodgeball, but I do not have the necessary P.E. equipment. So I told them that Mrs. Tai said we could borrow her balls. Oh my goodness, you'd have thought I was the next Letterman the way they exploded in laughter. Okay, I'll admit--acknowledging that Mrs. Tai has lots of balls is kinda funny in a, well, 6th grade kind of way.
It was a bit surprising to me that the taste level in humor can get even lower. I was demonstrating the effects of air pressure by hanging two balloons off of a yardstick and then having someone blow between them, causing them to come together. (Rather than being pushed apart, as most predicted would happen.) First, they thought the two balloons looked like a certain anatomical feature, and then I had to give the instruction to "blow." Oy vey!
I teach science, and I was relating some concept to a pool table and the way that when one moving ball comes into contact with others, it causes the others to move. And every. single. time. I said the word "ball," one or two started laughing. Which in turn caused one or two more to giggle, setting off an uncontrollable chain reaction. Seriously people, what I am supposed to call those things! I was fully aware of this problem going in, but knowing about it in an academic sense and then encountered it in person are two totally different things.
Or, in another example, the kids wanted to play dodgeball, but I do not have the necessary P.E. equipment. So I told them that Mrs. Tai said we could borrow her balls. Oh my goodness, you'd have thought I was the next Letterman the way they exploded in laughter. Okay, I'll admit--acknowledging that Mrs. Tai has lots of balls is kinda funny in a, well, 6th grade kind of way.
It was a bit surprising to me that the taste level in humor can get even lower. I was demonstrating the effects of air pressure by hanging two balloons off of a yardstick and then having someone blow between them, causing them to come together. (Rather than being pushed apart, as most predicted would happen.) First, they thought the two balloons looked like a certain anatomical feature, and then I had to give the instruction to "blow." Oy vey!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
It's About Time I Told You...
...that I actually managed to find work as a full-time teacher in California! Considering the number of teachers that get pink-slipped every year here, it was completely unexpected. I had signed on to sub in the Monterey school district, and I get a call Tuesday night at 8:00 asking me to sub the first day of school in the morning for 6th grade at a middle school. They told me if I liked it, it could turn into full-time work. Well, I hated it. The school there is a little rough, and I really feel like I belong in an elementary, not a middle school. I didn't feel like I had a lot of help and support from other teachers. And those poor kids. It was their first day at a new school, and they had an equally clueless substitute. It was okay, and I survived, but it wasn't great. I knew by lunchtime I would not be taking it on as a full-time job.
When I called the HR office to tell them that, they informed me that they did have another position open with the same deal--if I liked subbing there, it was mine. It was for what they call a "transition teacher" at La Mesa Elementary. La Mesa is basically a military school. Not everyone there is military, but most are. As a result, there is a lot of change that goes on, especially in the first semester. To help deal with all the transition, the district OK'd them to hire a transition teacher for that first semester. This basically means they put me wherever there is the most need and it's subject to change as enrollment changes.
When I started, they thought I would be most needed in 3rd grade, which I was REALLY excited about. I've wanted to give 3rd grade a try for some time now, as they are older and more mature than 1st graders but still young enough to like school. Plus, a lot of my 1st grade teacher materials and picture books could be used in 3rd grade. At the last minute though, I was switched to 6th. I had a lot of reservations about this, but the school is awesome and I really wanted to stay, so I took it.
Turns out I love 6th grade. I love how independent they are. I love that I can joke around with them. I love that at this school, they are still good kids who for the most part enjoy school. It really has been a great experience. Sure, they are all either the same height or taller than me, and I definitely blend in as we walk to lunch or recess. But only one student actually commented on it, and they do still respect me as the teacher. Most of the time. :)
So now I am hired for the semester. There is potential that it could be extended for the year, but I'm not counting on it. And that is fine, because Nathan graduates in March. If my contract is extended, I'll stay while he moves on. If not, I move with him. It really works either way, and in the meantime we aren't counting every single penny anymore and paying off a little more of that nasty debt!
When I called the HR office to tell them that, they informed me that they did have another position open with the same deal--if I liked subbing there, it was mine. It was for what they call a "transition teacher" at La Mesa Elementary. La Mesa is basically a military school. Not everyone there is military, but most are. As a result, there is a lot of change that goes on, especially in the first semester. To help deal with all the transition, the district OK'd them to hire a transition teacher for that first semester. This basically means they put me wherever there is the most need and it's subject to change as enrollment changes.
When I started, they thought I would be most needed in 3rd grade, which I was REALLY excited about. I've wanted to give 3rd grade a try for some time now, as they are older and more mature than 1st graders but still young enough to like school. Plus, a lot of my 1st grade teacher materials and picture books could be used in 3rd grade. At the last minute though, I was switched to 6th. I had a lot of reservations about this, but the school is awesome and I really wanted to stay, so I took it.
Turns out I love 6th grade. I love how independent they are. I love that I can joke around with them. I love that at this school, they are still good kids who for the most part enjoy school. It really has been a great experience. Sure, they are all either the same height or taller than me, and I definitely blend in as we walk to lunch or recess. But only one student actually commented on it, and they do still respect me as the teacher. Most of the time. :)
So now I am hired for the semester. There is potential that it could be extended for the year, but I'm not counting on it. And that is fine, because Nathan graduates in March. If my contract is extended, I'll stay while he moves on. If not, I move with him. It really works either way, and in the meantime we aren't counting every single penny anymore and paying off a little more of that nasty debt!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Misadventures in Gardening
This was the year I decided to try to start a VERY small garden and plant some flowers--thanks to my mother-in-law. I was quite excited about it, and I did post pictures earlier. Well, it turns out Seaside is not the best place for gardening. Here's how it went down:
When my bell pepper plant mysteriously disappeared, I thought, "Oh well, at least I still have the tomatoes."
When my tomatoe plant died due to lack of sun, I thought, "Oh well, at least I still have my pretty flowers."
When my my cool flowers (I think they were called something like ice cream plants) disappeared under a mole pile of dirt, I thought, "Oh well, at least I still have my dahlia."
When my awesome red, orange, and yellow dahlia disappeared--which was my favorite of them all--I thought, "Oh well, at least the pansies are thriving!"
This week, I noticed that almost all of the pansies are gone too. I'm thinking the moles are messing with the roots and/or they are being eaten by the local critters. I have official put up the white flag. I think I'll wait until we PCS to try again. And I'll do some research first!
When my bell pepper plant mysteriously disappeared, I thought, "Oh well, at least I still have the tomatoes."
When my tomatoe plant died due to lack of sun, I thought, "Oh well, at least I still have my pretty flowers."
When my my cool flowers (I think they were called something like ice cream plants) disappeared under a mole pile of dirt, I thought, "Oh well, at least I still have my dahlia."
When my awesome red, orange, and yellow dahlia disappeared--which was my favorite of them all--I thought, "Oh well, at least the pansies are thriving!"
This week, I noticed that almost all of the pansies are gone too. I'm thinking the moles are messing with the roots and/or they are being eaten by the local critters. I have official put up the white flag. I think I'll wait until we PCS to try again. And I'll do some research first!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Update for LDS
I happened upon the church's response to the Prop 8 ruling that I wanted to pass along to those who might be interested. As always, the church has a great, soothing answer for this troubled soul!
LDS Newsroom: Prop 8 Ruling
LDS Newsroom: Prop 8 Ruling
Where Did the U.S. I Know Go?
Today a federal judge in California struck down the Prop 8 vote banning same-sex marriage. Now, I admit to not fully understanding all the ins and outs of this decision and what it means exactly. I look forward to watching O'Reilly tonight because he usually has really good guests on to explain all the legalese to the average Joe like me. But my gut reaction is what I wrote for the title: Where did the U.S. I know go? Didn't the people vote on this issue and decide that in California marriage would be between a man and a woman? Isn't that ability to vote and make your voice heard part of what this country is founded on? And did one judge just overturn the will of the people? How is this even possible? I am confused, sad, and quite honestly, shaken by this. Where is this country heading? I'm not sure I even want to consider the possibilities!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
The Mommy Rant
I know this isn't a big secret or anything, but I am REALLY struggling our childless state right now. All growing up, I thought I was completely devoid of maternal instincts and that infamous biological clock. Turns out I was very, very wrong and actually wish now I was right. We do not have kids, and I don't know if we ever will. Our situation is extremely complicated, and I just don't know what the future holds. This has always been a hard pill to swallow, but our current environment has made it even harder for me to work the feelings this causes.
(Before I continue, there is something I should say. As indicated by the title, this is a rant, and rants are not always known for their logic. I am a highly pragmatic person, but I am also a woman with those hormones and inconsistencies that our kind is famous for. I often feel like there are two Amandas living in my head: the logical one and the emotional one. You are about to read a lot from the emotional point of view, but that doesn't mean I can't see the other side of things. Most of you are mothers, so please understand that I mean no offense by the following. Anyway, carrying on.)
First of all, I'm LDS. For those who might not know, the LDS put an extremely high value on families and children. I don't dispute any of that--I believe it just as much as anyone else even if I don't have any myself. But it can cause moments of extreme discomfort.
Now, add on to that the fact that we are now a military family. I don't know why, but military folks in general feel just as strongly about children as LDS do.
When you put the two together, you get a lot of kids. I found out in mid-June that there are 20 women with due dates in or before September in my church. That means 20 babies will be born in 3 months!!! When we first moved here, the bishop (leader of our church here) told us that were 60 kids under the age of 2! I thought I went to church with a lot of kids before, but nothing can compare to what I am experiencing now. And the heartache it causes.
For example, I can't tell you how many times I've heard women make the comment, "I never understood our Heavenly Father's love until I had children of my own." Again, I can't dispute that, and I know that woman is truly bearing a testimony that is near and dear to her heart. The problem is, whenever that is said, I hear, "Those who don't have children can never really understand." I know that is not what is being said, but sometimes it is what I hear. (Perfect example of Logical Amanda vs. Emotional Amanda.)
Here's another one for you. I was at a Relief Society (our church's women's organization) meeting last Thursday, and it was about nutrition. As part of the lesson, we had a healthy salad-making demonstration and tasting. As usual, there was that awkward moment of "who's going to get in line first for food" that tends to happen at such things. So someone pipes up with, "Pregnant ladies first!" It doesn't seem like a big deal, it shouldn't have been a big deal, but it was. If I hadn't given a friend a ride, I would have left right then. I was close to tears and didn't want to be there anymore. I had already noticed that out of the 20-ish women there, about 5 were pregnant. And I'm 99% positive I was the only there who wasn't a mom, grandmother, etc. It made me feel less important than everyone else there.
That "less important" thing is what I probably struggle with the most. I believe strongly in gender differences and roles, and I feel that the most divine role for a women is motherhood. The problem with that is, where does that leave me? There's always the nice thought that, not having children of my own, I can be a "mother to all," but it feels like such a platitude to me. I don't want to be a mother to all. I don't want to be the "fun aunt." I don't even want to be the best the best teacher in the world. I want to be a mom, and this is possibly denied to me.
The other thing that makes all of this difficult is I know a bunch of people who live in my neighborhood who have a Mommy's Group gathering almost every single day. To their credit, I am invited to attend, and I did actually go. Once. They spent a good deal of time talking about circumcision and other kid-related topics. I understand that at a Mommy's Group, they are going to want to talk about their kids. But when it got so specific on one particular topic that I had absolutely nothing to contribute to, I was done. It's bad enough already that I have to steal my sister's stories (uh, sorry about that Lindsey!), but circumcision? Really?!? Can you at least try to make conversation about something that I can add to? I realized then and there this wasn't a good fit for me.
Which would be fine by me, expect that almost every single one of my friends moved away this month, and these girls are all the new ones that I had hoped to "replace" my old friends. Now, I have about 2 friends. And this group is all on Facebook, so I read almost every day about how much fun they all had together and how much they all love each other and how life is so much better now that they are all friends. Meanwhile, I am struggling big time with this profound sense of loneliness. Yes, I am trying to be proactive and do something about it, but it does get me down a lot.
There are a few people I know who don't have kids, which is really nice. But most of them are 18, 19, 20 years old. I don't get hung up on age, and I'm looking forward to getting to know them better, but I am 10+ years older than them and it can be a little weird. Many of them are newlyweds who go out drinking and partying on the weekends. Not only do I not do that because I'm LDS, but even if I did drink I think I'd be past that due to my age.
I feel like I just don't fit in anywhere, and everywhere I look there are a million reminders of what I don't have in life. And it sucks. I know this is a terrible attitude, which then starts this inner, conflicting dialogue. I want to have a more Christlike approach and view this time in my life with an eternal perspective. I want to be Sheri Dew (for you LDS people). But I'm not, and it is probably going to be a lifetime effort to even come close. I've always thrown a killer pity party, and this one puts all the others I've had to shame. It is not my nature to be optimistic, and it takes a lot of effort to change. I know what I need to do, but my follow through is terrible, and sometimes it's just easier to be miserable. I know that's a terrible thing to admit, but I suspect it's true of many people, not just me. Strangely, just writing all this out helps me want to do better, so hopefully now I can try a little harder and be a little more consistent in my efforts.
I guess I just have two more things to say. First, for all you mothers out there, please try to remember that not everybody is and some of us really want to be. Words can hurt, even words that seem so innocent. I know I've said my share of unintentionally hurtful things. Everyone has their own trials that makes them perhaps a little more sensitive to issues someone on the outside has never even considered. One thing I am learning though is how important it is to consider the implications of what you say and try just a little harder to think before you speak.
Secondly, when you are in a group of people, try to be inclusive in your conversations. I know your kids are your life and therefore the main topic on your mind, but not all of us have that. Try to reach out and find other areas of commonality that are more inclusive. When I was teaching, that was pretty much all I could think of to talk about, so I know how hard this can be. But it really is so, so important. I'm working on taking things less personally and finding way to steer a conversation to a place where I can contribute, but it really does have to be a mutual effort in order to truly work!
(Before I continue, there is something I should say. As indicated by the title, this is a rant, and rants are not always known for their logic. I am a highly pragmatic person, but I am also a woman with those hormones and inconsistencies that our kind is famous for. I often feel like there are two Amandas living in my head: the logical one and the emotional one. You are about to read a lot from the emotional point of view, but that doesn't mean I can't see the other side of things. Most of you are mothers, so please understand that I mean no offense by the following. Anyway, carrying on.)
First of all, I'm LDS. For those who might not know, the LDS put an extremely high value on families and children. I don't dispute any of that--I believe it just as much as anyone else even if I don't have any myself. But it can cause moments of extreme discomfort.
Now, add on to that the fact that we are now a military family. I don't know why, but military folks in general feel just as strongly about children as LDS do.
When you put the two together, you get a lot of kids. I found out in mid-June that there are 20 women with due dates in or before September in my church. That means 20 babies will be born in 3 months!!! When we first moved here, the bishop (leader of our church here) told us that were 60 kids under the age of 2! I thought I went to church with a lot of kids before, but nothing can compare to what I am experiencing now. And the heartache it causes.
For example, I can't tell you how many times I've heard women make the comment, "I never understood our Heavenly Father's love until I had children of my own." Again, I can't dispute that, and I know that woman is truly bearing a testimony that is near and dear to her heart. The problem is, whenever that is said, I hear, "Those who don't have children can never really understand." I know that is not what is being said, but sometimes it is what I hear. (Perfect example of Logical Amanda vs. Emotional Amanda.)
Here's another one for you. I was at a Relief Society (our church's women's organization) meeting last Thursday, and it was about nutrition. As part of the lesson, we had a healthy salad-making demonstration and tasting. As usual, there was that awkward moment of "who's going to get in line first for food" that tends to happen at such things. So someone pipes up with, "Pregnant ladies first!" It doesn't seem like a big deal, it shouldn't have been a big deal, but it was. If I hadn't given a friend a ride, I would have left right then. I was close to tears and didn't want to be there anymore. I had already noticed that out of the 20-ish women there, about 5 were pregnant. And I'm 99% positive I was the only there who wasn't a mom, grandmother, etc. It made me feel less important than everyone else there.
That "less important" thing is what I probably struggle with the most. I believe strongly in gender differences and roles, and I feel that the most divine role for a women is motherhood. The problem with that is, where does that leave me? There's always the nice thought that, not having children of my own, I can be a "mother to all," but it feels like such a platitude to me. I don't want to be a mother to all. I don't want to be the "fun aunt." I don't even want to be the best the best teacher in the world. I want to be a mom, and this is possibly denied to me.
The other thing that makes all of this difficult is I know a bunch of people who live in my neighborhood who have a Mommy's Group gathering almost every single day. To their credit, I am invited to attend, and I did actually go. Once. They spent a good deal of time talking about circumcision and other kid-related topics. I understand that at a Mommy's Group, they are going to want to talk about their kids. But when it got so specific on one particular topic that I had absolutely nothing to contribute to, I was done. It's bad enough already that I have to steal my sister's stories (uh, sorry about that Lindsey!), but circumcision? Really?!? Can you at least try to make conversation about something that I can add to? I realized then and there this wasn't a good fit for me.
Which would be fine by me, expect that almost every single one of my friends moved away this month, and these girls are all the new ones that I had hoped to "replace" my old friends. Now, I have about 2 friends. And this group is all on Facebook, so I read almost every day about how much fun they all had together and how much they all love each other and how life is so much better now that they are all friends. Meanwhile, I am struggling big time with this profound sense of loneliness. Yes, I am trying to be proactive and do something about it, but it does get me down a lot.
There are a few people I know who don't have kids, which is really nice. But most of them are 18, 19, 20 years old. I don't get hung up on age, and I'm looking forward to getting to know them better, but I am 10+ years older than them and it can be a little weird. Many of them are newlyweds who go out drinking and partying on the weekends. Not only do I not do that because I'm LDS, but even if I did drink I think I'd be past that due to my age.
I feel like I just don't fit in anywhere, and everywhere I look there are a million reminders of what I don't have in life. And it sucks. I know this is a terrible attitude, which then starts this inner, conflicting dialogue. I want to have a more Christlike approach and view this time in my life with an eternal perspective. I want to be Sheri Dew (for you LDS people). But I'm not, and it is probably going to be a lifetime effort to even come close. I've always thrown a killer pity party, and this one puts all the others I've had to shame. It is not my nature to be optimistic, and it takes a lot of effort to change. I know what I need to do, but my follow through is terrible, and sometimes it's just easier to be miserable. I know that's a terrible thing to admit, but I suspect it's true of many people, not just me. Strangely, just writing all this out helps me want to do better, so hopefully now I can try a little harder and be a little more consistent in my efforts.
I guess I just have two more things to say. First, for all you mothers out there, please try to remember that not everybody is and some of us really want to be. Words can hurt, even words that seem so innocent. I know I've said my share of unintentionally hurtful things. Everyone has their own trials that makes them perhaps a little more sensitive to issues someone on the outside has never even considered. One thing I am learning though is how important it is to consider the implications of what you say and try just a little harder to think before you speak.
Secondly, when you are in a group of people, try to be inclusive in your conversations. I know your kids are your life and therefore the main topic on your mind, but not all of us have that. Try to reach out and find other areas of commonality that are more inclusive. When I was teaching, that was pretty much all I could think of to talk about, so I know how hard this can be. But it really is so, so important. I'm working on taking things less personally and finding way to steer a conversation to a place where I can contribute, but it really does have to be a mutual effort in order to truly work!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Viewer Warning: Gross Pictures Ahead!
As per Christina's suggestion, Nathan and I conducted our own mold test in the hopes that management will be willing to move us to newer, mold-free housing for free. We could move now if we wanted, but there is a $500 "relocation fee." Here are the results (Seriously, don't look if you plan on eating anytime soon!):
I wonder if management will still say we have an amazingly clean house?
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Home Sweet Home
Well, Nathan and I have now been in California for 10 months, so I thought it was past time to post pictures of our place. (Thanks Sabrina J. for the extra motivation!)
Kitchen/Laundry Room
Bathroom
I have discovered that one of the perks of renting for so long is I have a much better idea of what I want in a home when it is finally time for us to buy. Or, more accurately, what I DON'T want. And #1, or at least close to #1, on that list is 1-inch tile on the bathroom floor. It is impossible to sweep everything up due to all the grout lines, and the only way the floor gets mopped properly is get down on hands and knees and do it by hand. If the house we end up getting someday has this problem, it will be one of the first things on my list to go!
A Messy Bedroom
Hmm...maybe I should have cleaned a little better first!
Living Room
The Front Yard
I just bought a sprinkler and am trying to resurrect the grass. For now, it looks a little sad. Inside that fenced in area is a huge storage shed. We also have a large storage closet inside. While it may not be much to look at, they certainly didn't skip on storage, which I may quite grateful for!
Welcome to the neighborhood!
Kitchen/Laundry Room
Bathroom
I have discovered that one of the perks of renting for so long is I have a much better idea of what I want in a home when it is finally time for us to buy. Or, more accurately, what I DON'T want. And #1, or at least close to #1, on that list is 1-inch tile on the bathroom floor. It is impossible to sweep everything up due to all the grout lines, and the only way the floor gets mopped properly is get down on hands and knees and do it by hand. If the house we end up getting someday has this problem, it will be one of the first things on my list to go!
A Messy Bedroom
Hmm...maybe I should have cleaned a little better first!
Living Room
The Front Yard
I just bought a sprinkler and am trying to resurrect the grass. For now, it looks a little sad. Inside that fenced in area is a huge storage shed. We also have a large storage closet inside. While it may not be much to look at, they certainly didn't skip on storage, which I may quite grateful for!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Four Letter Word
Nathan is once again one sick dude. He first got sick in January for 2 months, when the doctors tried to diagnose him with asthma. This was not good, as the Air Force doesn't look too kindly on asthmatics. They kept giving him things for colds and congestion and asthma, and he didn't improve one bit. They finally tried an antibiotic. (Which I will maintain until my dying day they should have tried before even mentioning the career-ending word "asthma.") At this point, he got better, and I thought all was well. How wrong I was!
Maybe a month or two later, he got sick again. They told him he a cold, gave him some throat lozenges, and he suffered for 2 weeks until he improved. I came down with the same symptoms towards the end of his illness, but I actually have access to better medical care than him for the time being due to where we are living and the medical facilities that are available. I was diagnosed with some bacteria, given Amoxocillin, and got better within 24 hours. So I figured once again, the doctors Nathan sees appear to be gun-shy of the tried-and-true antibiotic, causing him to suffer needlessly.
Now, just a little bit after that, he is sick again. He went to the doctor right away this time (unusual for Nathan), and they diagnoses him with pharyngitis and gave him....an antibiotic!!! After the previous two experiences, I didn't think that was possible! So I had high hopes that he would feel better within a day or two. Well, 1 1/2 weeks have gone by, and he is sicker than ever. Which has me revisiting a theory from the first time he got sick--that four letter word known as MOLD.
Mold is rampant around here. I know a couple of people who have been moved into newer housing after mold was found in their homes, and I know a few more who had to live in hotels while the mold was remediated in theirs. The environment here is damp and warm, and the housing that most of us live in is ancient. It's a perfect breeding ground for the stuff. The management company is currently in the process of tearing down the old housing, but due to lead paint and asbestos (did I mention these houses are old?), it is a complicated process that takes time. In the meantime, they have us living in these mold-traps.
Back in January, I did request a mold test. Some guy came in with a meter that reads (I think) moisture behind the walls. He tested every room high and low and said this is one of the cleanest homes he had seen, and I was relieved. Well, come to find out, this is this the management's guy, so it is definitely in their best monetary interest to find no mold. And I talked to a friend who experienced exactly what Nathan is right now. She said they told her the exact same thing when she had a mold test done, and she didn't believe them. So she opened up a wall somehow and found...you guessed it! Mold! So they were moved into the newer housing and her family is now healthy.
This leads me to be very suspicious and I'm currently wondering what I can do about it. I will be giving Ashley a call to see how on earth she opened up a wall and didn't get in trouble for it. If I requested a move to newer housing, the office actually has to move us, but it will cost us $500. Which we desperately need for other things. If they do find mold, they waive that fee. If it comes to it, we may have to pony up the cash--Nathan can't live another 9 months like this. It is just so frustrating.
And because I can't help myself, I'm going to throw a little politics into this as well. Nathan's main form of health care at the DLI is a small clinic that mainly prescribes 800 mg strength ibuprofen and sends you out the door. They are not equipped to handle many of the most basic situations. Everyone here who has ever been to this clinic leaves frustrated, and many resort to cheating the system. The clinic is closed on weekends, so if you need care, you can go to the 24-hour civilian clinic Doctors on Duty. Even though it is still a clinic, they are better at actually giving you medical care. It's where I had to go when I was sick with that random bacteria, and I was quite impressed. The problem is, this route is filled with bureaucracy and red tape. Imagine that--bureaucracy and red tape within a government organization. ;)
This, my friends, is government health care. Am I grateful to have coverage? You betcha! However, I actually preferred the coverage I had when working as a teacher. Sure, it required a whole $20 co-pay (we pay nothing now), but the level of care you got was worth it. It is sad that the care the government gives is so poor that our military members have to resort to waiting 'til the weekend to see a civilian doctor. You really do get what you pay for!
Maybe a month or two later, he got sick again. They told him he a cold, gave him some throat lozenges, and he suffered for 2 weeks until he improved. I came down with the same symptoms towards the end of his illness, but I actually have access to better medical care than him for the time being due to where we are living and the medical facilities that are available. I was diagnosed with some bacteria, given Amoxocillin, and got better within 24 hours. So I figured once again, the doctors Nathan sees appear to be gun-shy of the tried-and-true antibiotic, causing him to suffer needlessly.
Now, just a little bit after that, he is sick again. He went to the doctor right away this time (unusual for Nathan), and they diagnoses him with pharyngitis and gave him....an antibiotic!!! After the previous two experiences, I didn't think that was possible! So I had high hopes that he would feel better within a day or two. Well, 1 1/2 weeks have gone by, and he is sicker than ever. Which has me revisiting a theory from the first time he got sick--that four letter word known as MOLD.
Mold is rampant around here. I know a couple of people who have been moved into newer housing after mold was found in their homes, and I know a few more who had to live in hotels while the mold was remediated in theirs. The environment here is damp and warm, and the housing that most of us live in is ancient. It's a perfect breeding ground for the stuff. The management company is currently in the process of tearing down the old housing, but due to lead paint and asbestos (did I mention these houses are old?), it is a complicated process that takes time. In the meantime, they have us living in these mold-traps.
Back in January, I did request a mold test. Some guy came in with a meter that reads (I think) moisture behind the walls. He tested every room high and low and said this is one of the cleanest homes he had seen, and I was relieved. Well, come to find out, this is this the management's guy, so it is definitely in their best monetary interest to find no mold. And I talked to a friend who experienced exactly what Nathan is right now. She said they told her the exact same thing when she had a mold test done, and she didn't believe them. So she opened up a wall somehow and found...you guessed it! Mold! So they were moved into the newer housing and her family is now healthy.
This leads me to be very suspicious and I'm currently wondering what I can do about it. I will be giving Ashley a call to see how on earth she opened up a wall and didn't get in trouble for it. If I requested a move to newer housing, the office actually has to move us, but it will cost us $500. Which we desperately need for other things. If they do find mold, they waive that fee. If it comes to it, we may have to pony up the cash--Nathan can't live another 9 months like this. It is just so frustrating.
And because I can't help myself, I'm going to throw a little politics into this as well. Nathan's main form of health care at the DLI is a small clinic that mainly prescribes 800 mg strength ibuprofen and sends you out the door. They are not equipped to handle many of the most basic situations. Everyone here who has ever been to this clinic leaves frustrated, and many resort to cheating the system. The clinic is closed on weekends, so if you need care, you can go to the 24-hour civilian clinic Doctors on Duty. Even though it is still a clinic, they are better at actually giving you medical care. It's where I had to go when I was sick with that random bacteria, and I was quite impressed. The problem is, this route is filled with bureaucracy and red tape. Imagine that--bureaucracy and red tape within a government organization. ;)
This, my friends, is government health care. Am I grateful to have coverage? You betcha! However, I actually preferred the coverage I had when working as a teacher. Sure, it required a whole $20 co-pay (we pay nothing now), but the level of care you got was worth it. It is sad that the care the government gives is so poor that our military members have to resort to waiting 'til the weekend to see a civilian doctor. You really do get what you pay for!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
San Francisco
Last month, my dad had a business trip in San Francisco so Nathan and I drove up there on a Saturday to spend the play. We had hoped to do the Alcatraz thing, but the website wasn't working properly so we weren't able to get tickets. We instead walked around and saw the sights. It was A LOT of walking, but we had fun. That evening, we went to the musical revue Beach Blanket Babylon which makes fun of pop culture and politics through song. I almost didn't get to see it because they sold drinks and I didn't have any ID on me. I would have had to walk alllllllllll the way back to the car. My feet were crying at the thought, but luckily for me, a really nice guy believed me when I said I was 28 and let me in. He shouldn't have, and he could have gotten into a lot of trouble, but I was incredibly thankful to be able to sit down, relax, and enjoy myself. Here's the pics from that day:
Last month, my dad had a business trip in San Francisco so Nathan and I drove up there on a Saturday to spend the play. We had hoped to do the Alcatraz thing, but the website wasn't working properly so we weren't able to get tickets. We instead walked around and saw the sights. It was A LOT of walking, but we had fun. That evening, we went to the musical revue Beach Blanket Babylon which makes fun of pop culture and politics through song. I almost didn't get to see it because they sold drinks and I didn't have any ID on me. I would have had to walk alllllllllll the way back to the car. My feet were crying at the thought, but luckily for me, a really nice guy believed me when I said I was 28 and let me in. He shouldn't have, and he could have gotten into a lot of trouble, but I was incredibly thankful to be able to sit down, relax, and enjoy myself. Here's the pics from that day:
Last month, my dad had a business trip in San Francisco so Nathan and I drove up there on a Saturday to spend the play. We had hoped to do the Alcatraz thing, but the website wasn't working properly so we weren't able to get tickets. We instead walked around and saw the sights. It was A LOT of walking, but we had fun. That evening, we went to the musical revue Beach Blanket Babylon which makes fun of pop culture and politics through song. I almost didn't get to see it because they sold drinks and I didn't have any ID on me. I would have had to walk alllllllllll the way back to the car. My feet were crying at the thought, but luckily for me, a really nice guy believed me when I said I was 28 and let me in. He shouldn't have, and he could have gotten into a lot of trouble, but I was incredibly thankful to be able to sit down, relax, and enjoy myself. Here's the pics from that day:
Friday, June 18, 2010
Bread Machine Adventures
It's taken me years, but I have finally started to venture away from white bread and rolls when it comes to making things in my bread machine. (Best invention ever, by the way! Except for maybe A/C.) I love the pizza dough--it's nothing fancy, but it makes a great dinner relatively quickly. And the bagels I made are, in my humble opinion, the best I have ever had. With my new addiction to hummus and pita bread, I decided it was time to turn my attention to that delicious snack. I mastered the hummus and no longer pay a fortune for the store-bought stuff, but I was still missing the pita component. So I tackled that for the first time
today. The results were...less than successful, at least in the traditional sense.
Batch Number 1: I simply forgot to flatten them, so I essentially made giant wheat rolls.
The picture doesn't really do Batch Number 2 justice. On this one, I did flatten them, but I didn't do a very good job of it. I was multi-tasking a little too much and was in a hurry to fix the mistake. So now I have giant wheat rolls that are flat-ish.
The good news, the bread still tastes good, even if it isn't exactly pita-like. I still like the taste of the store-bought kind better, but I like the price of the bread machine ones even more. Hopefully next time they will actually look like pitas and not rolls!
today. The results were...less than successful, at least in the traditional sense.
Batch Number 1: I simply forgot to flatten them, so I essentially made giant wheat rolls.
The picture doesn't really do Batch Number 2 justice. On this one, I did flatten them, but I didn't do a very good job of it. I was multi-tasking a little too much and was in a hurry to fix the mistake. So now I have giant wheat rolls that are flat-ish.The good news, the bread still tastes good, even if it isn't exactly pita-like. I still like the taste of the store-bought kind better, but I like the price of the bread machine ones even more. Hopefully next time they will actually look like pitas and not rolls!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
My Musings
I have a confession to make: I watch too much TV, and then I waste WAY too much time reading about those shows in an online forum. It is a serious addiction and I'm working on it. :) But that's another topic. The point I want to make is that my thoughts resulting from this addiction have taken a fairly serious turn this week.
Twice this week there have been characters on shows I watch that have been questioned for their choice in living a sexually abstinent lifestyle. One was a teenage boy that everyone on the forums assumed was gay as a result. The other was a grown, engaged woman, and the resulting buzz was how on earth could she be getting married without knowing if the sex is good first?!?
As you might guess, this saddens me greatly. Why is it that just because a high school boy has chosen not to have sex with his girlfriend he is assumed to be gay? Why must a couple face pressure to sleep together before marriage even though it goes against their culture (in the show's scenario, Indian)? I can respect a person's individual right to choose his/her own path in life. Why can't I, and those who believe as I do, be respected for ours without having our motives questioned? Once again, I am left understanding why many are so scared to bring children into this world and raise the ones they may already be blessed with. Everything just seems so topsy-turvy, upside-down right now!
(Disclaimer: All who read this should be more than aware that I am LDS and strongly believe in abstinence. Most of you share my beliefs, but not all. I do not expect all to agree with these thoughts, and I am not passing any judgment on you or your personal choices in life. They are just that: personal. These are MY thoughts and the measuring stick I use for my life, not others.)
Twice this week there have been characters on shows I watch that have been questioned for their choice in living a sexually abstinent lifestyle. One was a teenage boy that everyone on the forums assumed was gay as a result. The other was a grown, engaged woman, and the resulting buzz was how on earth could she be getting married without knowing if the sex is good first?!?
As you might guess, this saddens me greatly. Why is it that just because a high school boy has chosen not to have sex with his girlfriend he is assumed to be gay? Why must a couple face pressure to sleep together before marriage even though it goes against their culture (in the show's scenario, Indian)? I can respect a person's individual right to choose his/her own path in life. Why can't I, and those who believe as I do, be respected for ours without having our motives questioned? Once again, I am left understanding why many are so scared to bring children into this world and raise the ones they may already be blessed with. Everything just seems so topsy-turvy, upside-down right now!
(Disclaimer: All who read this should be more than aware that I am LDS and strongly believe in abstinence. Most of you share my beliefs, but not all. I do not expect all to agree with these thoughts, and I am not passing any judgment on you or your personal choices in life. They are just that: personal. These are MY thoughts and the measuring stick I use for my life, not others.)
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
Language Day with Video part 1
I have tons of video from Language Day, but it takes forever and a day to upload. So it looks like I'm be posting them one at a time, since by the time they are done, I am fed up and done myself. Enjoy the first one!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Language Day part 1
Every year, the students at the DLI put on cultural presentations for Language Day. They do traditional dances, sing songs, and recite poetry. There are also tons of different food vendors selling all types of international foods. Nathan didn't participate, which was actually good because it meant he got to hang out with me for the day. :)
I can't remember which country is being represented here. I believe it is an Eastern European one.
Nathan's Iraqi class.
I believe this one is a Korean fan dance.
Japanese martial arts.
Iraqi song and poetry.(Blogger is only letting me put up 5 pics per post, so there are more pictures and video on the way!)
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