It seems funny that I would attend a retreat this week with 14 other females...and as I think about much of what we've done, my BROTHER pops into my mind. For real, brother?
Chris has always maintained that he could learn anything if it were presented via movies. While I consider myself a fairly adept movie and TV show quoter, Chris puts me to shame. He can quote anything...at all...you name it, he will quote it. (I have to say that part of me attributes this to the fact that in general I often feel as if he has more time to watch TV than I do...and of course, he is brilliant. It's shocking that he's not a bajilionaire yet.)
So, allow me to share a few video clips from the past two days. I have loved getting to know the wonderful ladies of KCCP, and I will be sharing more about my experience with them and how I am growing, but for tonight, I just want to share some fun clips that make me happy.
Janice, I apologize to you if I don't seem real eager to jump into a forced awkward intimate situation that people like to call dating.
It's impossible not to love Toy Story 3.
He had this idea. It was kind of a virologist idea. He believed that you could cure racism and hate — literally cure it, by injecting music and love into people's lives.
One day he was scheduled to perform at a peace rally, gunmen came to his house and shot him down. Two days later, he walked out on that stage and sang.
Somebody asked him "why?". He said: "The people who are trying to make this world worse are not taking a day off — how can I?" — Light up the darkness.
Today was so nice and organized. We started promptly at 8:30 and ended just as promptly at 3:30. It was even amusing at the end of the day trying to explain what happened today at work; I realized I was just calm and relaxed--no stories to tell, nothing dramatic happened, and it was quite an odd feeling. What a nice way to feel at the end of the day.
Also, I really appreciated that the following movie clip was shared today during part of our professional development (start at about 3:15 in...):
Well I'm officially back in lovely southern California.
Let me fill you in on my trip down.
Friday I flew from Fort Myers to San Jose. Estimated arrival time in San Jose: 9:22 p.m. Actual arrival time: 11:37 p.m. At 12:07 a.m. bags finally started coming around on the cool swirly bag thing.
...however, then my bag was lost.
So I did not arrive home to my apartment until 1:07 a.m. (mind you this is 4 a.m. in Florida).
My body was confused, tired, and achy...and not at all ready for a drive down to LA, so I postponed my trip to Sunday.
Saturday I took care of little odds and ends, you know, getting finger-printed, mailing boxes, packing my tiny little car till it could hold no more, and Sunday morning I left to make my drive to LA.
All went well on my drive, despite my being lonely without my lovely little puppy, and I arrived safe and sound in Malibu Sunday afternoon. I stayed with my wonderful little sis in my sorority (one of two amazing littles!), and I quickly took some migraine medicine and fell asleep.
Monday, I became a Big KIPPster. It's amazing to sit through a day of on-boarding that uses time so efficiently. I'm CPR-certified, received my work cell phone and laptop, and also met all the other new staff at my site.
By the way, could I have been any more excited when I discovered we were getting MACBOOKS? Thank goodness no more PCs!
Now I'm officially way too connected with two phones, two computers, two iPods, and a Kindle.
That said, I'm going to have to get used to this little phone for work:
KIPP teachers are required to be available to students and parents for homework help, etc. so we are given phones for those calls and text messages.
Plus, we all received copies of the following book:
If you want to learn more about how KIPP started and what its mission is, get a copy for yourself! I'm hoping, though I know free time will be quite sparse, that I will find some time in the near future to read it!
After I finished my time with KIPP on Monday I headed back to Santa Monica to pick up my lost bag which I sent to my big sis in Tri Delt..and to sleep on her couch. I could not be luckier to have a big like Minda as I would probably have cried more in the past two days than I already have. Don't worry, I really haven't cried much, just a couple times in brief moments of frustration and anxiety about where I'm living!
So now, Tuesday and Wednesday have brought apartment hunting, which is going pretty miserably. I've checked out a couple places, but I'm feeling a bit stressed with the start of work and the time it takes find a decent place.
However, I'm feeling better after today and lining up couches to sleep on for the next week. I hate hate hate being the person couch-hopping, but I know I will regret moving into a place and committing to a year lease if I am feeling iffy about it.
I also think part of my positive-thinking is a result of the extreme happy- and smiley-ness I experienced after watching this video:
(I really enjoy the fact that he is wearing goggles.)
Also, I mean worst case scenario, there are apparently all kinds of creepers on Craigslist who would be willing to have female roommates for free...or for very very low rent. I found my roommates last year on Craigslist, so goodness knows this is not reflective of all Craigslist posters and ads, but I can't help but wonder what some people are thinking!
For example:
male looking for female to rent and find a place together... (central/coastal)
Just want to say first a sexual relationship is not required, yet not frowned upon... I am a guy after all. But I just prefer a female roommate in close quarters...
desperate times for desperate measures. Is anybody else in the situation of couch surfing. I have my bachelors degree.... I'm a veteran... and yet the only thing I could get is a $12 an hour job working in a warehouse. It makes me upset that half my paycheck will be going to rent. POOF! gone. I'd like to move in Los Angeles and think this is the best way to do that currently.
I like to hike, the beach, sleeping, eating out, road trips, vegas, texas holdem, and I can be kind of geeky sometimes... go through occasional times of completely healthy eating. Love to work out when not drained from completely manual labor related job(like a warehouse) . I have no cats or dogs but do like them. And what about you?
FREE RENT PLUS AMENITIES IN EXCHANGE FOR GFE-FANTASTIC 2500 SQ FT HOME (SFV)
Broken up and broken down about a girl I was totally in love with and I can't take living alone. Anyway, I'm looking for, searching for, hoping for, a young, pretty, female who is somewhat "normal" in shape, not insane; someone to dote on and care about, whom I can take care of, be with, maybe even fall in love with. If you think that I am placing this ad simply for the sake of having a sexual partner, you are mistaken. I want complete conpanionship and that includes emotional bonds.
So, if you're stuck with no place to go and don't mind a creative, attractive male vs. a refrigerator carton as a companion, please email me
I'm a writer and artist. Daniel Day-Lewis looking. Intelligent, sane, in shape and considerate. I own thousands of books, thousands of DVDS, thousands of CDs (I have my own personal library) I'm educated, cultured, considerate and caring.
I'll pay all the rent, all the utilities, room and board (food, etc) and I will do special things for you (buy you flowers on occasion, write you poems) to make you feel wanted and needed.
Please send a photo and describe yourself. Tell me what you want/need... Please be serious and reliable. And be over your ex. In return, shall make you the most special person in my life.
$500 Loft to share with cute girls (Santa Monica)
Ladies,
We are looking for 2 girls to share a loft in Santa Monica by the beach who are willing to share rooms and split expenses. Great living situation with 2 god dam good looking men. dont be scared to email head shots. we cant wait to see meet you. Aspiring actress/models welcome. This is the opportunity of a lifetime.
Brandon and Brandon
FACT
------
So here's hoping that no one responds to those ads or that perhaps maybe just maybe the person who wrote them actually does not have bad intentions just has no idea the implications of what he is posting.
Now it's time for me to get to bed since tomorrow is my first day at KCCP! That crazy acronym, FYI, stands for KIPP Comienza Community Prep, my new school. I'm very excited to head there tomorrow and to learn more about the pretty awesome team I'll be working with this year. Feel free to read up on my school here: Welcome to KIPP Comienza Community Prep!
I just reread my Kairos speech. Wow. I was really smart when I was a senior in high school. What happened?
I leave to head back to San Jose tomorrow. Saturday I'll drive down to LA, and Monday I'll have on-boarding for KIPP. I guess it's all really here! It's exciting...and scary...and well, crazy! I cannot believe I'm moving back to LA, that I'm working for a charter school (seriously did not see that coming), that I'm 24, that I'm done with TFA.
I'msupposedto be packing right now, and my suitcase is packed, almost, but I'm distracted by all the "memories" in our house. I feel silly saying that, but seeing as I already had to sort through all my stuff from the house in Lake Forest, all I brought to Florida are things I wanted to keep and to save from high school and college...and I found my Kairos speech. Actually, I found a giant binder filled with my speeches from the Junior Retreat and Kairos, reflections from the Ignatian Retreat (can't believe I didn't talk for 3 days!), and journal entries from college.
...and seriously, I was a wise 17-year old. Wow. So again, I ask, what happened? :)
You may wonder what fun lies around Estero, Florida, which my family currently calls home. So, let me enlighten you about what has been occupying my time since my arrival on Tuesday.
Top Ten Things Alex Likes To Do in Fort Myers, Florida
1. Shop--Beware of Miromar Outlet Malls. The stores will take your money, and you will not feel any guilt...or maybe a little guilt which you will easily brush off by saying, "But I saved [fill-in-exorbitant-amount-of-money here]!"
2. Workout--I'm not so sure I like this...but Chris has me doing p90x. Each day a different part of my body hurts. Today, my arms feel ridiculously sore. I would like to look like Sydney Bristow, however, at some point in my life (even if briefly), and perhaps p90x will help with said goal.
3. Read--Financial responsibility begins in August. Really. I bought a Kindle, and I am loving finishing upThe Hunger Gamestrilogy. I read the first book when I was home in Chicago in April, and now I'm addicted.
4. Watch Frasier--Can't help it. When I'm home with my brother and dad, we put Frasier on tv. Often.
5. Eat popcorn--my dad has a popcorn maker...and popcorn salt. Done.
6. Complain about how sore I am--stupid p90x.
7. Play Scrabble--I finally was able to use all my letters for one word yesterday! Sadly, I still haven't won a game.
8. Marvel at how slow people move here--Subway and Starbucks? Disastrous places to stop. The other day at Starbucks a woman bought biscotti for her strawberry banana shake. The barista said they went well together...really?
9. Sleep--Yay!
10. Drink margaritas--Sometimes out at the pool. Sometimes inside. Yum. I've actually only had two since I've been home so I should probably get drinking now...and read my book! Gosh, I love being home.
