Where?

is this publishing on blog spot? where is this publishing?

Productivity.

Productivity-A figmant of your imagination. This is something I have learned from working at the library.  No matter how many books you put away there is always more to put away. Work is literally a prepetual entity.  There is always work to be done. I can't remember a time when there wasn't something I had to do. Even when I was a kid before I started school I had something that needed to be done.

It seems to be a hole we dig ourselves into.  If we don't stay on top of it the work piles up and we are behind.  It's a sick cycle. 

I am writing this because it is 7:21 and I am being unproductive.  I have worked all day and I don't feel like working anymore.  But if I don't I will be behind and then where am I going to be? Three days behind because of the work I put off today. 

But that is where I am at right now and that is where I am going to stay for the night. 

God Speed,

Joey

I am literally the worst blogger ever.

I say I am going to do this on the regular but then I forget I have it and let it go for 2 months at a time.  But guess what I am organized now so all I have to do is write it in my planner and shit will get done.  But there is only one glaring problem: I don't know how to use this thing.  I mean I know how to use it I just don't know what to use it for.  There is the everyday life of joey or there is the random thoughts the go in and out of my head every moment that I could elaborate on or there is me working at being more positive.

Right  now I am on here because I am drawing a blank on how to continue a thank you letter to my fellow teachers where I work.  They helped me out big time this past week by giving my classroom a look of well how a classroom should look.  Their help and selflessness gave me the sense that I am part of a family and not just a team of people.

Ok, it's time to go back to this letter because it's almost time for me to go to bed.

Much Love,
Joey

Hello Again,

I have been away for awhile living my life and such but hopefully I am back. Not everyday of course because I am too busy but hopefully more often then not.

Basically I have been doing nothing but work for the past two and a half weeks.  Except for the two weekends before last when I was down the beach then I was at Fest. But anyways I have been working tire fully the past two and a half weeks.  I am beyond overwhelmed right now and am worried I will fail miserably.  However I will try to keep posting on a regular basis maybe once a week or so. You know something new and exciting. Or maybe I won't we shall see.

Anyway goodnight.

Happiness

What we all strive for in life is Happiness. Our own reason to smile. Our own reason to wake up in the morning and be excited because we are alive.  I am trying to change my frame of mind and become a more positive and happy person with a reason to walk out of the house with a smile on my face no matter what the world is like that day. 

I have decided to read two books on this journey of self correction.  Book 1 is called Born To Be Good by Dacher Keltner and Book 2 is called How to Practice: The Way to a Meaningful Life by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.  I will start these books today (I will read one at a time) while trying my best to be as kind and helpful and generous to as many people as possible.  In the words of Shay Carl "The only person that can make you mad is yourself." He means that you are the only person that is in control of how you feel. 

I will leave you with two things today. First, live the life you want to live. Be has happy as you want. I can tell you mine will be as joy filled as I can make it. Second is a quote from the Dalai Lama

"I travel to many places around the world, and whenever I speak to people, I do so with the feeling that I am a member of their own family. Although we may be meeting for the first time, I except everyone as a friend. In truth, we already know one another, profoundly, as human beings who share the same basic goals: We all seek happiness and do not want suffering."

Much Love,
Joey.

Fail Blog?

Today I did nothing except work and sit around the house.  And as midnight rolls around I started watching some old Shayloss videos.  So I think to myself what ever happened to my diet.  Then I think my life has made some drastic changes in the past three and a half months and it's time to start that diet back up.  Here is the run down of the past twoish weeks.

Last week I get a call from the Colonial School District office. They want to set up an interview with me for a teaching position.  Hearing this I am ultra excited and scared at the same time.  So I start preparing for this interview with mock interviews with assistant principals and my friends dad (principal). 
This past week the interview rolls around and it was decent not great not horrible.  Also my portfolio was graded on the same day.  Got the portfolio back and needed to fix some stuff.  Then Thursday happens.  My last day of student teaching (very sad day) my class is amazing, but this is a run down in the interest of time I skip those details.  Upon leaving I want to stop in to the office to sign out for the last time as a student teacher.  I get waved down by Miss. Debbie and she tells me the district called and they want me to call back. So I go into the conference room and Erin dials because I would have dialed wrong because of my shaking.  Anyway the district lady answers and says "Hi Joey, I was calling because we have a position for you and we wanted to know if you were interested?" I reply "Definitly!" "Great. That is what we wanted to hear. I will give you to my secretary to set up when you can come in to sign everything." 
At the end of my student teaching I was offered a job and I am really excited and proud and happy and everything else. 

Now though I feel because my life is looking up I should keep making improvements to my life.  So i think i will start making healthy choices in my diet and activities.  I start running tomorrow when I wake up.

I feel I have good reason for not posting yesterday.  I substituted for a 4th grade and they were horrible and I was tired and needed a drink after work yesterday. That and I went bowling and came home and fell asleep right away.  However, today was much better because of the great news I got this morning.

I walked in to school and my princepal told me to call the district office lady that observed me two weeks ago.  I GOT AN INTERVIEW. Shamone! So Tuesday I go in for the interview and I am freaking out because this is big.  But tonight is crunk night because I haven't been out in quite some time.

Books will run my life for the month of April.

I just gained so much free time. I think I'll read a book.  What do you think? Can I read Bel Canto in 20 days?  I ask because I am going to a book discussion on it on the 27th.  There is a lot of things happening in April that involve books.  In no particular order: the book discussion, an evening with Ann Patchett, the philadelphia book festival, TEACHING always involves books, I need to buy Will Grayson, Will Grayson, and I think that is it.  I am excited for this month and all it's events. 

What is coming up in my life in the way of my project: Tomorrow I will spend time working out some details, hopefully by the end of the month I will have events planned.  Hopefully I can involve my friends. Hopefully people will smile. 

A wise man once said, "The only person that can make you upset is yourself" -Shay Carl

Last shitty blog of april. I promise.

Here is the last shitty blog I do in april I promise I will do better tomorrow. 

Competency 1: Content


Create experiences that make content meaningful to students and reflect an understanding of the core concepts and structure of education.

Describe:

This competency is, in my mind, one of the most important competencies we have. Content is the subject matter that is taught to the students. If I do not thoroughly know the content I am supposed to teach my students, they will not gain the proper knowledge they need in order to succeed in life. I cannot simply go in to each lesson knowing nothing of the content and expect to teach effectively, therefore it is important for me to know and understand the content I am teaching. Also it is vital that I am interested, in some way, in the content I am teaching to my students. With some kind of interest in the material I will be able to learn the most about the content and actually enjoy teaching it to my students. With both interest and understanding of the content I can properly teach my students the material they need to know. Once I understand had have an interest in the content I can focus on adjusting my lesson to the learning styles of my students in order to help them learn the content to the best of their ability. One of the best ways to have a child learn the material is to connect it to the really world. This is because the students are more likely to pay attention if they know they will need this material later on in their life. Those reasons are why this competency is one of the most important we have.

4/5/2010 12:36 AM

So here is what is going to happen. This is going to be my blog for today and tomorrows will be either short or something I have already written. This is because I am finishing my portfolio and I am not getting much sleep. I can't wait to be finished with school. I am still making my origami and making people smile with it. Today/Yesterday I made a rabbit for easter and gave it to my grandmother because she is amazing. I also gave that humming bird to the lady at Wawa because I was in a rush and couldn't leave it anywhere. I did give origami to people on saturday so I didn't skip a day.

I may have skipped a day with my blog but I posted two in one day, maybe, so that maybe counts I don't know. but anyway here are the pictures of the rabbit from yesterday (sunday the 4th) and the fish from today (monday the 5th).

Learning Environment (intro)

Create a learning environment that fosters active engagement, self-motivation, and positive social interaction by understanding individual and group behavior. 

In my opinion this standard is one of the most important.  If the teacher does not create a positive learning environment with proper classroom management and student interaction, than a teacher cannot properly teach.  The teacher should create an environment that promotes student engagement in the lessons and classroom activities.  If the students don’t feel like they are part of the class than they will lose interest in learning.  A good idea for making the students feel like they are part of the class is by having a routine that happens everyday and give students jobs (that rotate every week or two).  The teacher should also have proper classroom management which includes following through on threats, establishing that you are the authority figure and you won’t let the students walk all over you.  If the teacher doesn’t have control of the students at the beginning of the year than the teacher will never gain control of the students.  I will do my best to follow these ideas when I have my own classroom.
    In my experiences, a teacher that has good classroom management and a positive learning environment has the respect of and control over the students in the classroom.  In high school I had a teacher that never followed through on the threats she gave students and I feel this caused the students in the class to not respect her as they should have.  The students would rarely pay attention and I feel this was because her lessons were not planned out well.  However, this type of classroom was not a constant in my educational career, I also have had positive experiences as well.  I have had teachers that would follow through with threats and have well planned lessons and treated the students with respect and having been in both classrooms I have noticed that the teacher with a positive learning environment had the more well behaved students.

Diverse Learners

Adapt instruction for diverse learners based on an understanding of how students differ.

This standard is important to me because it recognizes that every person is different and unique.  It causes the teacher to realize that every student comes from a different environment, had different life experiences, has been raised differently, and because of these reasons ever child is different.  Once a teacher realizes that every child is different, then they can reach every child and teach them in a way that will benefit each student in the class.  As a teacher I will do my best to understand my students background so that I can properly teach them.  I will foster a relationship with my students so that they know I care about where they have come from and what they have been through to get to this point in their lives.  With this relationship established I will be able to teach them effectively because they won’t feel I am judging them,  but rather I am understanding of their needs and care what happens to them,  to teach in this manner well I will have to know my students individually and I will have to know them well.  Knowing my students in this way will help me treat all of them equally.

I didn’t leave this anywhere today because I kept leaving it at home. Tomorrow I will give this plus another model to two people or leave them somewhere.

What ifs.

This evening I was watching NCIS because that show is simply amazing. Well anyway it got me thinking about the U.S. Marine Corp. You see not many people know this, actually one person may know this and that is it, Chase. However, I doubt he remembers me even talking about it because we were rather young. But digress, I used to want to be in the marines, like really wanted to join the marines. In high school I wanted to do two things become a teacher or join the marines. Hell I still want to join the marines but I really love teaching.

Keeping that in mind I will get back to NCIS. I just watched the episode where Ernie Yolst claims he killed a man in WWII. He was wearing the medal of honor. It's an amazing episode, watch it. But anyway I was watching it and I started to think what if I decided to be a marine? Things would be way different I wouldn't know the people I do know. I wouldn't be in this place right now, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. I would either be dead or wearing a uniform right now protecting this amazing country I live in.

Hell, if I still so choose I could join the marines but right now thats not where my life is headed. I am happy where I am, a little stressed right now, and look forward to waking up in the morning. But at least once a month I think what if i decided to be a marine? Then I think hell there is still time in my life I could join right now.

Anyway the point of all of that, because it's certainly not clear, was to let you in on what goes on with me that I don't actually tell anyone. I am actually really interested in the marines, I am sure the people I live with, mom dad and bill, don't even know that about me. There are things I don't tell Emma, and she knows the most about me out of everyone I know. I write this to let you all in on somethings I think about.

Now that's out of the way, I want to tell you I left a Tulip with Stem in Five Guys and here it is.

Rough Start to April.

Last night was not a good night. After arriving home from Barnes & Noble, where I worked on school work with Emma (whose birthday is today), I proceeded to continue doing school work. However, about an hour into it I started having a panic attack, at least I think it was a panic attack I've never actually had one before. Basically I was freaking out about my portfolio and getting it done. Little background, I called my teacher earlier yesterday to say I wasn't going to be able to hand it in tomorrow (today) and he said that was fine. But anyway, with that in mind I was still freaking out so I had to just lay down in bed and relax. So I did just that.
That was last night.

Now, today isn't going that bad I am still freaking out about my portfolio but its because of how insanely complex it is getting. However, I will finish it all this weekend and turn it in either Monday or Tuesday. That does ruin my weekend plans but I don't care I just want this thing done.

Today starts my smile project and I am really excited about that. The only bad thing is, I lost my camera charger so I can't put pictures on here of what the origami looks like and where I left it... Oh wait I have a camera on my computer hold on a second...

There it is, it's a 'Spring Iris' and I made it last night to relax. I haven't decided whether I will hand give it to someone or if I will leave it on a table.

Now I am going to get back to my school work.

It is a beautiful spring day, go out and enjoy it. I might sit outside in a bit and work on my school work, we shall see.

Much Love,

Joey

Revisions...

I have been making revisions to my previous idea/post. I have a wonderful plan in the works and the only thing I will tell you about it is the name: Project Smile. Sounds lame I know but it fits so well. I will for the month of April stick to what I previously said I would do in the previous blog but around the middle of April I will post my plan for this project. Hopefully it will be glorious and I can get people to participate in it with me. We shall see what happens.

Until Next time

Much Love
Joey.

Idea...

Taking a break from my work I came up with a project for myself. I was thinking what does this world need? The answer: The world needs more smiles. Then I had to think of something I love to do and am good at, which is origami. From there I thought of this book I saw one day at the library called Knit Bombing (I think) about people who go around knitting on different things like trees, benches, lamp posts, this of the sort. So I decided to take that idea and use it.

And so this idea was born:
Fold something new each day and then leave it in plain view with a note for someone to come along and pick up, read, and smile. I will put a picture of this model and the note in my blog each day. I will start this project April first.

Other inspirations for this project came from the following:
http://todayimade.net/
http://www.youtube.com/user/missamykr429
http://www.amazon.com/Yarn-Bombing-Crochet-Knit-Graffiti/dp/1551522551
And the fact that one time I was smiling and someone asked what was wrong. I said that nothing was wrong and they gave me a weird look. This made me think and I came to the conclusion that they gave me a weird look because it is rare for someone to smile in public around strangers.

So go out and smile among strangers maybe you will find an origami model with a note for yourself.

Windows live.

I just set up Windows live so I can click and post rather easily. Let’s see if this is easier.  Just another way to make life easier right. Blah blah blah.

Portfolio talk...

So tonight, tomorrow, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning I will be working on my portfolio. Tonight I am home working on this thing. Tomorrow night I will be at Joe's for Lori's birthday but only for a minute then back home to work on the portfolio. Sunday, I will be at some library or book store working on this thing because I can't do much at home because of a little thing call ADD. But the rest of the week I will be at school from morning to night working on the portfolio.

Thursday night I have bowling but I don't care much about the bowling part rather the drinking part. I have to get this thing done before Thursday.

Where does that leave me with my blog for the first day of April. Depending on how long my class is Thursday I will write it after class and before bowling. If that doesn't work out I will just skip and write one on Friday. Next weekend will be really eventful. Just a heads up.

Until Thursday
I'm Joey.
Go fuck yourself Delaware

Creation Distruction Beauty

Two more weeks. Actually 10 days but we aren't here to talk about that.

Creation:
After I finish school I want to have a purpose. Which I will and that is education. However, I want to create something that is beautiful, thought provoking, and resonant (at least somewhat). I can't think of something now but after I am finished school I will sit down one day and come up with ideas.

Distruction:
Someone once said "Distruction is like a form of creation." Donnie Darko. I agree and disagree with this statement. I agree because this statement is 100% true, distruction is a form of creation. The twisted metal of a colapsed building can be intreguing and new or the burnt remains of a mattress full of money can be thought provoking and freeing. Where I disagree with this statement is it is a sad form of creation. Distroying something beautiful or not even beautiful but something someone created is a sad thought. I do not see the beauty in distruction any more.
Growing up I certainly thought I could see the beauty but not any more.

Beauty:
To create something that wasn't hear before is a beautiful thought to me. To create a piece of music, a doodle, a poem, song, joke, book, video, or something different that is beauty. Creation is beauty distruction is ugly. Soon enough I will decide what to do with my life and it will be glorious.

Questions of the day:
Why do some people get so offended when I don't answer a text or a phone call?

I hate the phone. I use it often but mainly when I have to. So I didn't answer your text, get over it. So I don't normally answer your phone calls, your not the only one. Hell I ignore a lot of peoples phone calls and texts. It's nothing against you, it has to do with my dislike for cellular phones and phones in general. If you think that makes me an ASS then so be it I will be an ASS, but only to you because you are being crazy.

I have people that I have truly offended and hurt, because of my outlook on life lately, that I need to deal with before I deal with you. And before I deal with the people I offended and hurt, I have to GRADUATE FROM MY HIGHER EDUCATION EXPLOITS. Shit.

*Breaths in deep* *Exhales*

Now that that is out of the way I can go on and talk about today. Besides that little snag that happened about 15 minutes ago, today was great. I was just in a great mood even though I have tons of work to do. I was smiling for about 70% of the day and the other 30% of the day I was still in a good mood.

And now it is bed time goodnight

Much Love,
Joey

BEDA!

Blog Every Day In April!!!!

So April is coming up. Hell it is already the 6th of March. Here is what I am planning on doing:
1st of April-turn in my portfolio
1st of April- blog
2nd of April-new guitar and ukulele strings and guitar polish
2nd of April-blog
the rest of April-blog everyday and look for a summer job and an actual job in my career.

I hope you will join me in this blog every day in April. Starting this summer I plan on getting into video making and editing. New computer, unlimited possibilities.

Much Love,
Joey

The Next Month

For the next month I am going to be M.I.A. This is because I am going to surround myself with school work. At the end of the month I will be back to tell you all about what happened and how everything turned out. This is it, the home stretch, when this month is over I will be done with my schooling. Wow, at the end of this month I will be done. That is scary and amazing at the same time. But it's not as scary as me constantly thinking I will not get my work done. This really scares the shit out of me. Well it is now 10:41 pm and I have to be up at 6 to get a shower.

Goodnight and have a fun month.

Things I am looking forward to...

Over the next month I will be doing nothing but school work. However, when April 15 rolls around let the parties start. The first thing I am going to do when I am done is 2 Irish Car Bombs in a row. Then I will party till I get sick and the next day eat McDonalds. Later on around July maybe I am going to take a road trip somewhere out of this state and it will be at least two weeks long. I really have nothing else in mind to do but I will not let my free time go to waste, believe me.

My Sunny Dispositioin

A friend wrote me a message today on facebook which made me think about my attitude lately and it was not good. For the past 6 months to a year my attitude toward life has been going down hill. I have grown more and more cynical and pessimistic every week. This fact scares me.

Here is the thing, I love life, I really do. However, I have been putting on masks ever since the start of 2009. I do this so people don't think anything is wrong because nobody wants to hear me complain about myself blah blah blah. But the sad thing is, somewhere in the middle of then and now I have called my own bullshit and just threw the masks aside. The bad thing though is I didn't help my out look on life, I just lived with my attitude. On top of this I didn't realize how I was acting toward the people I care most about. I know now I was hurting some and just becoming rude and just plain not nice to most. This makes me sick. These people have stood by me for a long time and have helped me get through hard times but now when they need me I am nowhere to be found. Yes I am ultra busy with my student teaching internship, but they are my friends and I have been a dick and there is no excuss.

I am a dick and I am sorry