So as you guys may know, I've been volunteering at a local hospital this summer. Now I've done this before and I've never dreaded going to volunteer, but have you guys ever felt like the work you do isn't getting you anywhere? Or you're actually getting in the way and making people's jobs harder rather than easier? Well for the first couple times I had gone to volunteer that's exactly how I felt. But as the weeks went on I started to feel more comfortable and the other nurses would come and talk to me about topics other than what I did or did not want to do to help them. I don't know if I'm just too sensitive or self-conscious, but at least those feelings and thoughts started to go away. I guess the biggest difference for me was understanding that people show their appreciation and gratitude towards others in different ways.
So now that I'm finally comfortable with what I'm doing and have fallen into a routine, I have to leave and go back to college. It's funny how life works like that right? Now I do have one more week of volunteering but I do have to say that the end of my shift today was definitely the cherry on top of my work. As you guys can tell by my bio and major, I want to become a doctor. And today while I was helping out a patient that I have a pretty great relationship with, he told me that I would be a great doctor. Now all I had been doing with him is getting him a coffee with one sweet and low and two creams and the occasional blanket or TV remote, so it's not like I was actually doing anything doctorly. But really for him to say that really made my day and put a smile on my face that didn't go away for a while.
Anyways it's always great to work with people who can give you encouragement. Especially when the patients that you help are fighting cancer and can still come in with a great attitude and joke around with the nurses and doctors.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Book Wish List
Hi!
So as my summer is slowly winding down, I'm starting to really feel the pressure of time. I've done a lot of the important things, get a job and do something related to medicine, I wanted to get done this summer, but I've discovered that some of the leisurely things I wanted to do haven't been completed. One of those big things is shorten my book list. If anything I've extended it. Anyways, here the books that I've been thinking about reading for the longest time.
1. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
2. Divergent by Veronica Roth
3. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
4. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
5. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
6. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson
7. Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
8. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
9. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
10. Let It Snow by Maureen Johnson
11. The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson, John Green, Lauren Myracle
12. Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
13. Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter
14. Out of Sight Out of Time by Ally Carter
15. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
16. An Offer You Can't Refuse by Jill Mansell
17. Happy Ever After by Adele Geras
18. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
19.One Day by David Nicholls
I'm sure there are more that I'm forgetting, but yeah this is what I can think of for now. If there are any book suggestions you have for me let me know!
Also, expect a post about all the little crafty things I've made this summer coming soon. Now that I think back on it now, I wish I had taken pictures of some of the things I've made and given away but that's ok.
Bye!
So as my summer is slowly winding down, I'm starting to really feel the pressure of time. I've done a lot of the important things, get a job and do something related to medicine, I wanted to get done this summer, but I've discovered that some of the leisurely things I wanted to do haven't been completed. One of those big things is shorten my book list. If anything I've extended it. Anyways, here the books that I've been thinking about reading for the longest time.
1. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
2. Divergent by Veronica Roth
3. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
4. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
5. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
6. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson
7. Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
8. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
9. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
10. Let It Snow by Maureen Johnson
11. The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson, John Green, Lauren Myracle
12. Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
13. Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter
14. Out of Sight Out of Time by Ally Carter
15. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
16. An Offer You Can't Refuse by Jill Mansell
17. Happy Ever After by Adele Geras
18. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
19.One Day by David Nicholls
I'm sure there are more that I'm forgetting, but yeah this is what I can think of for now. If there are any book suggestions you have for me let me know!
Also, expect a post about all the little crafty things I've made this summer coming soon. Now that I think back on it now, I wish I had taken pictures of some of the things I've made and given away but that's ok.
Bye!
Monday, August 6, 2012
Boys Can Like Pink Too
Hello!
I'm getting better at posting more often! Or maybe it's just cause I have a lot on my mind that I want to get out in some form or another.
Anyways, so as you all know from my last post, my mom and I were shopping at Academy Sports and Outdoors this past weekend. After looking at running shoes and getting creeped on, we were just walking around the store to see the different things they were offering for sale. Now ever since watching archery at the Olympics, my mom has wanted to try archery. So naturally we stopped at the bows and arrows to take a look. I don't know if the store was just wiped out because of tax free weekend, but there were only three bows left on the rack. One was an average black bow in the front of the aisle and the rest were little pink bows marked as youth size. This family of what I assume to be a mother and her son and I guess the mother's sister was also looking for a bow for the son. The sister sees the pink bow and says, "Hey here's one for youth. It looks like it'll work." Then the mother comes up beside her and says in a disgusted tone that he is a teenage boy and isn't going to want to use a pink bow. Now I glance over at the boy and he seems to be about in the 8th or 9th grade and he says with a smile on his face he can still use the bow. The mother doesn't listen to him at all and continues to admonish her sister about how he's a boy and can't use that pink bow.
Now I understand that little boys typically hate pink and want blue just like little girls hate blue and love pink. But if this teenage boy is willing to use a pink bow and can say this with a smile on his face, what exactly is the problem. It seems that the color designations of pink for a baby girl and blue for a baby boy have permanently altered gender associations with color for even after we grow out of the crib.
I've also noticed that girls are able to do and like all the things that boys are supposed to exclusively like without any societal issues, but boys can not. For example, a lot of teenage girls can say they love the color blue, cars, shooting movies, and football without any problems, but if a teenage boy wants to buy something pink, or go shopping, or watch a "chick flick" his parents freak out and force him back into his correct gender role.
Maybe it's because I live in the "Bible Belt" and parents here are so afraid to raise a gay son, but I don't really see why they have to be so pushy about these things. If anything, preventing a boy to do or like what he wants to do or like might only lead him farther towards things that are "socially inappropriate" for him. This past week has been especially touchy about the subject of LGBT equality with the Chick-fil-a issue, but I personally don't have an opinion about it. Gay equality or not I don't care. I'm not going to vocally stand up for either side and some may see that as wrong but people just need to relax.
Sorry for the ranty post, but I just felt the need to say something. What is your opinion about this? And I know I've been great about the daily posts, but don't think I'm doing BEDA just in case I end up not posting for a while.
I'm getting better at posting more often! Or maybe it's just cause I have a lot on my mind that I want to get out in some form or another.
Anyways, so as you all know from my last post, my mom and I were shopping at Academy Sports and Outdoors this past weekend. After looking at running shoes and getting creeped on, we were just walking around the store to see the different things they were offering for sale. Now ever since watching archery at the Olympics, my mom has wanted to try archery. So naturally we stopped at the bows and arrows to take a look. I don't know if the store was just wiped out because of tax free weekend, but there were only three bows left on the rack. One was an average black bow in the front of the aisle and the rest were little pink bows marked as youth size. This family of what I assume to be a mother and her son and I guess the mother's sister was also looking for a bow for the son. The sister sees the pink bow and says, "Hey here's one for youth. It looks like it'll work." Then the mother comes up beside her and says in a disgusted tone that he is a teenage boy and isn't going to want to use a pink bow. Now I glance over at the boy and he seems to be about in the 8th or 9th grade and he says with a smile on his face he can still use the bow. The mother doesn't listen to him at all and continues to admonish her sister about how he's a boy and can't use that pink bow.
Now I understand that little boys typically hate pink and want blue just like little girls hate blue and love pink. But if this teenage boy is willing to use a pink bow and can say this with a smile on his face, what exactly is the problem. It seems that the color designations of pink for a baby girl and blue for a baby boy have permanently altered gender associations with color for even after we grow out of the crib.
I've also noticed that girls are able to do and like all the things that boys are supposed to exclusively like without any societal issues, but boys can not. For example, a lot of teenage girls can say they love the color blue, cars, shooting movies, and football without any problems, but if a teenage boy wants to buy something pink, or go shopping, or watch a "chick flick" his parents freak out and force him back into his correct gender role.
Maybe it's because I live in the "Bible Belt" and parents here are so afraid to raise a gay son, but I don't really see why they have to be so pushy about these things. If anything, preventing a boy to do or like what he wants to do or like might only lead him farther towards things that are "socially inappropriate" for him. This past week has been especially touchy about the subject of LGBT equality with the Chick-fil-a issue, but I personally don't have an opinion about it. Gay equality or not I don't care. I'm not going to vocally stand up for either side and some may see that as wrong but people just need to relax.
Sorry for the ranty post, but I just felt the need to say something. What is your opinion about this? And I know I've been great about the daily posts, but don't think I'm doing BEDA just in case I end up not posting for a while.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Just Another Awkward Moment
Hey guys!
So since this weekend was tax-free weekend, my family took the opportunity to go shopping and get some things for college. My mom and I decided to go to Academy because she wanted new running shoes and to look at the weights. Now I'm not an expert at exercise by any means, but my mom knew she wanted a 20 lb weight because that's what she had used with a trainer just last week. Now I don't know what prompted this kinda chubby (no offense) guy to come up and discourage us but that's basically what he did. I'm minding my own business looking at the pretty colored weights that are clearly designed for the female demographic trying to find one that is 20 lbs when suddenly he comes up and asks me what we're going to use the free weights for. I just simply say, "Oh we're just looking" to try and let him know that we're okay and to go away and walk over to another rack of more serious looking weights. There I find the 20 lb weights and tell my mom. He follows me and says that we should start with a lighter set. Now my mom and I were clearly not interested in listening to him and yet he continues to say that he had started with 10 lbs and worked his way up to 20. Then he gives us a biology lesson and says that starting with too heavy of a weight will cause the muscle to tear and heal slower. My mom once again tries to get him to go away by saying she understands and thanks and yet he still stands there. Finally I just turn around cause that sounded like a good and polite dismissal to me, yet he continues to stand there and look at us.
Now I understand that he probably meant well, but he just couldn't take a hint. I mean honestly, if neither of us are making eye contact or appear to take an interest into what is being said, why continue to talk and bother us.
Anyways maybe I'm being a little harsh, but neither my mom or I felt comfortable with him there. I guess I can just mark this down as a little less of an awkward moment and more of an uncomfortable experience. Nevertheless, it was definitely not a good time.
So since this weekend was tax-free weekend, my family took the opportunity to go shopping and get some things for college. My mom and I decided to go to Academy because she wanted new running shoes and to look at the weights. Now I'm not an expert at exercise by any means, but my mom knew she wanted a 20 lb weight because that's what she had used with a trainer just last week. Now I don't know what prompted this kinda chubby (no offense) guy to come up and discourage us but that's basically what he did. I'm minding my own business looking at the pretty colored weights that are clearly designed for the female demographic trying to find one that is 20 lbs when suddenly he comes up and asks me what we're going to use the free weights for. I just simply say, "Oh we're just looking" to try and let him know that we're okay and to go away and walk over to another rack of more serious looking weights. There I find the 20 lb weights and tell my mom. He follows me and says that we should start with a lighter set. Now my mom and I were clearly not interested in listening to him and yet he continues to say that he had started with 10 lbs and worked his way up to 20. Then he gives us a biology lesson and says that starting with too heavy of a weight will cause the muscle to tear and heal slower. My mom once again tries to get him to go away by saying she understands and thanks and yet he still stands there. Finally I just turn around cause that sounded like a good and polite dismissal to me, yet he continues to stand there and look at us.
Now I understand that he probably meant well, but he just couldn't take a hint. I mean honestly, if neither of us are making eye contact or appear to take an interest into what is being said, why continue to talk and bother us.
Anyways maybe I'm being a little harsh, but neither my mom or I felt comfortable with him there. I guess I can just mark this down as a little less of an awkward moment and more of an uncomfortable experience. Nevertheless, it was definitely not a good time.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Reasons Why I Can't be a Teacher
Hello!
So as you might know from my last post, I am currently tutoring a rising 9th grader in English this summer. Now just to give you a little background on the boy before I delve into my thoughts; he has had a good education in the past and he is a jock. So of course my life becomes a stereotypical nerd helps the jock situation especially since I'm Asian. Now I have no problems tutoring him; in fact he's a really smart kid. He has a great memory and is good at picking up on what I'm trying to get across to him. What I think his major problem is, is he is embarrassed about these tutoring sessions, feels he doesn't need them to some extent, and just wants to forget about school and enjoy his summer soccer season. And I can totally relate because I felt very similarly when I was just a little rising freshman in high school seeing my mom come home with very large and what seemed scary books about the SAT. Now while these problems can be very easily overcome, I just don't think he has the motivation to really work hard. Anyways, school wise he is okay at reading comprehension depending on how hard the semantics are and if he is interested in the story and his writing kinda sucks.
Anyways, his mom asked me to pick a book and read it with him so naturally as the good Nerdfighter that I am, I picked The Great Gatsby. I had remembered the book as being a pretty easy read and interesting once you get passed all the character introduction and truly get into the plot of the story. Plus the book has some relatively obvious themes about social classes and love. Finally, I thought Gatsby would be good because it's a short book and if we read about two chapters a week we would be able to finish it before the summer is over. To my surprise (and fear) reading it over again, the sentences were a little more drawn out and contained larger words than I had remembered from when I was a freshman in high school. But he had already purchased the book and I assigned him the first two chapters. Since the start of reading this book we have gone through three chapters because he didn't have time (or forgot) to read the book while he was on a trip to California even though he had about a three hour flight one way. On top of the fact that we are behind what I realize now is a lofty reading schedule, I don't think he is reading the book to comprehend. I don't know about you guys, but sometimes when I'm reading a boring textbook or article, I find myself just moving my eyes across the words without really taking into account what those words put together in sentences actually mean. The reason I believe he's not really reading is because he can't answer my simplest questions about characters even after I point out where in the book the answer is. I mean honestly, if the book explicitly says a character is harsh and mean and disliked then obviously you shouldn't say that character is nice and well-loved. To try and rectify this problem, my mom suggested I write out questions for him to answer about the chapters he's reading so that he knows what to pay attention to. I believe that this is a great idea for him especially because he will probably end up doing something similar while in school.
I realize that this post reads as me complaining about my tutoring troubles, but this experience has made me realize that I was correct all along in not wanting to be a teacher. I'm the kind of person who likes to see results from my actions. I don't have a lot of faith in my abilities to just assume that what I'm doing is actually having an effect when I can't see that they're having an effect. With this boy, I don't really know if I'm helping him improve his reading comprehension and writing skills. He doesn't really seem to understand the book any more from one week to the next and his writing is still kinda bad. On the plus side I finally got him to understand that he needs to read over his essays and actually separate what he's writing into paragraphs. His biggest writing problem from the beginning was run-ons and the number of run-ons in his latest essay dramatically decreased. So he can actually write to some extent; he's just too lazy to take the time and read over what he wrote. I don't want to be harsh and I probably won't say this to his face, but he's not a good enough reader to write the essay and have it be good with minimal grammar issues right off the bat.
If things improve or other extraordinary events happen I'll update in another post.
Bye!
So as you might know from my last post, I am currently tutoring a rising 9th grader in English this summer. Now just to give you a little background on the boy before I delve into my thoughts; he has had a good education in the past and he is a jock. So of course my life becomes a stereotypical nerd helps the jock situation especially since I'm Asian. Now I have no problems tutoring him; in fact he's a really smart kid. He has a great memory and is good at picking up on what I'm trying to get across to him. What I think his major problem is, is he is embarrassed about these tutoring sessions, feels he doesn't need them to some extent, and just wants to forget about school and enjoy his summer soccer season. And I can totally relate because I felt very similarly when I was just a little rising freshman in high school seeing my mom come home with very large and what seemed scary books about the SAT. Now while these problems can be very easily overcome, I just don't think he has the motivation to really work hard. Anyways, school wise he is okay at reading comprehension depending on how hard the semantics are and if he is interested in the story and his writing kinda sucks.
Anyways, his mom asked me to pick a book and read it with him so naturally as the good Nerdfighter that I am, I picked The Great Gatsby. I had remembered the book as being a pretty easy read and interesting once you get passed all the character introduction and truly get into the plot of the story. Plus the book has some relatively obvious themes about social classes and love. Finally, I thought Gatsby would be good because it's a short book and if we read about two chapters a week we would be able to finish it before the summer is over. To my surprise (and fear) reading it over again, the sentences were a little more drawn out and contained larger words than I had remembered from when I was a freshman in high school. But he had already purchased the book and I assigned him the first two chapters. Since the start of reading this book we have gone through three chapters because he didn't have time (or forgot) to read the book while he was on a trip to California even though he had about a three hour flight one way. On top of the fact that we are behind what I realize now is a lofty reading schedule, I don't think he is reading the book to comprehend. I don't know about you guys, but sometimes when I'm reading a boring textbook or article, I find myself just moving my eyes across the words without really taking into account what those words put together in sentences actually mean. The reason I believe he's not really reading is because he can't answer my simplest questions about characters even after I point out where in the book the answer is. I mean honestly, if the book explicitly says a character is harsh and mean and disliked then obviously you shouldn't say that character is nice and well-loved. To try and rectify this problem, my mom suggested I write out questions for him to answer about the chapters he's reading so that he knows what to pay attention to. I believe that this is a great idea for him especially because he will probably end up doing something similar while in school.
I realize that this post reads as me complaining about my tutoring troubles, but this experience has made me realize that I was correct all along in not wanting to be a teacher. I'm the kind of person who likes to see results from my actions. I don't have a lot of faith in my abilities to just assume that what I'm doing is actually having an effect when I can't see that they're having an effect. With this boy, I don't really know if I'm helping him improve his reading comprehension and writing skills. He doesn't really seem to understand the book any more from one week to the next and his writing is still kinda bad. On the plus side I finally got him to understand that he needs to read over his essays and actually separate what he's writing into paragraphs. His biggest writing problem from the beginning was run-ons and the number of run-ons in his latest essay dramatically decreased. So he can actually write to some extent; he's just too lazy to take the time and read over what he wrote. I don't want to be harsh and I probably won't say this to his face, but he's not a good enough reader to write the essay and have it be good with minimal grammar issues right off the bat.
If things improve or other extraordinary events happen I'll update in another post.
Bye!
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