Funny Stuff

So, I was asked to be in a video at my school to encourage students to do their best on State Standardized tests. I think it is hilarious.

New Year, Still No time

So, it's January 2011. Why do I insist on pretending I have a blog? Oh, because sometimes I just want to write stuff down.

But today, I got nothing of vital importance.

Preaching on Sunday. Should be exciting!

December

On Monday, I will become the father of 3. Wife has a scheduled c-section for 12:30pm. I will go to school for the first block, then have a sub for the last as we are in the operating room. The only "tough" thing about it is that it will be the start of Finals Week, and I would like to be able to review with that class. Instead, they will get a worksheet to take them through the semester.

Reviewing the past month: I was able to referee 3 playoff games, 1 as the white hat in a Division 4 game, 1 as the Back Judge in an 8-man semi-finals (I was really there to give an unbiased opinion of the other 4 guys. They need some help with their mechanics), and Head Linesman on a Division 3 Semi-finals. All three games went smoothly. Well, sort of. We ended the first game with 42 seconds still on the clock as a player on the losing team was injured and it looked like paramedics would be needed. And in the D3 semi's, the home team was getting beat and started being a little "chippy", and the coach (on my sideline) thought it was our fault. That is one I still don't get. How is it our fault!?!? We called the things that needed to be called, and his players (and coaches) couldn't stop talking trash. I am convinced that well coached teams don't get into those kinds of situations because the coach knows how to diffuse all that garbage.

Looking forward to the Christmas Holiday to play with our new baby!!

November

Brrr... It's cold here. Looking like La Nina weather pattern will cause us a cold but potentially dry winter here in the High Desert.



Thanks to the CTA for sending me the money they took from me that wasn't used on representation. This year it was $353.05! That's a boatload of money that they steal, er, extract from teachers salaries to do non-uniony things. Considering they do not represent my interests in politics, I am MORE than happy to be an agency fee payer. Thanks to the CTEN for helping me with that.



Saw a post on yahoo/youtube of a football play that the ref's kicked. Back Handsprings are not illegal. These ref's were, well, not thinking.

Baby #3 is on the way. As of today, all things are a go for a Dec. 13 c-section. Thank you Lord for the possibility of a term baby!

God's Will and My Desires

Have you ever stopped to think about the difference between God's Plan for your life, and YOUR plan for you life? When I was 17 years old, I thought I knew exactly what God wanted for my life and it was exactly what I wanted for my life. To go to college, play on the soccer and baseball teams, major in Chemistry, become a teacher and coach, get married, have 2 kids (a boy and a girl) and live happily ever after. Well, quite a few of those came true, some were obviously not from the Lord, and some started well and fizzled (using the "my plan").

Today, I am 37 years and 17 days old and I have realized that God's will is SOOO much bigger and better than my plans. I was able to play sports until I decided to stop, am teaching Chemistry, coached for a few years (and do not regret either starting or quitting!) and have been married to the most amazing woman for just over 11 and a half years. My kids have been an example of God doing his thing. I have 2 girls, and a third on the way. And I am definitely happy. Actually, I would use the term Joyous as it better describes my attitude.

However, I started this post to get to this portion: the state of the State of California is troublesome. The State is facing financial ruin, has too many social programs to support on dwindling income (i.e. tax revenue), and the school systems are taking a beating, both financially as well as in the court of public opinion. BUT, teachers cannot be the only ones responsible. I will be the first to admit there are a few horrendous teachers, but those few do not represent the greater population of teachers. I can only judge the teachers I know from what I know about them personally from working with them, and what I hear from other students. I would say only 2 or 3 at my school would I NOT let my children sit before in class. But that is a digression that I will leave for another post...

So, who is responsible for changing the landscape of education? The Parents and the Students themselves. I asked some of my friends what needs to be done to 'fix' education. The best response included "require students/parents to pay for repeated classes (failing grades or lost credits)." I believe he also included "more vocational training" because some kids know early on that they will not be going to college, and might choose to go in a different direction, a direction that they feel they can be successful on. Why can't the bureaucrats and politicians see that vocational education is a positive for everyone? Teachers of those trades/crafts will have students that actually have an interest, teachers in 'academic' settings will have students that are motivated to compete with the others in that area, and the business sector will have workers/apprentices that have been somewhat prepared for taking a job in those industries.

As hinted toward in the title of this post, I have a strong personal desire to move out of California. But I know that as of this writing, that is not what God has in store for me. I have just over 18 months to finish my Master's degree. I KNOW without a doubt that God will show me exactly what He wants me to do when that time comes. Until then, I continue on the path He has been showing me.

OH MY!

Can someone explain why I even have a blog if I am not going to post in it? I always say I am going to be more diligent but just find other things to do instead.

I really enjoy reading other peoples blogs (especially the ones that I agree with) and keeping up with sports. So, until I have more down time (i.e. finish my Master's Degree), I am left to post rarely and at least say I have a blog.

I do need to get a few new pictures to post one of these days...

Spelling

Interesting spelling in the last couple of days:
To cause awe in someone: "fassinate"
A liquid being emptied into another vessel: "pourd"

There were others, but I have already "fergottin."