Secular Confessions

[Gwenn]

I'm actually at an advantage here because I'm done with the school year, but schools in NY are open for another month? I think. Which means they are earlier in their hiring process for next school year than the districts here.

But, I'd need a decision a lot sooner, because I am supposed to start back in the end of July. I signed my contract for next year (they needed an answer no later than tomorrow) and I can only get out of it "at the end of a semester." I'm not sure if they'd penalize me if I left now, or if it would be okay because fall semester hasn't started yet.

[missychrissy]

Yeah, NY is in school through June 20-something.

Eek-can you ask someone about that? It seems unfair that they'd ask you to sign a contract now that doesn't really need to be filled until July. Although, that is just a month away. Still, people relocate all the time. There has to be a way around that.

[Gwenn]

I asked my coworkers, and their opinion was that it was designed to prevent people leaving mid-semester. And having a spouse get a job out of state is generally considered a legitimate exception to the contract.

[Smplyme89]

Ok. Looks like I was wrong (and no, I couldn't let it go )

By about 1870, the Liberal-Conservative struggles that dominated the political landscape of Latin America for several decades after independence ended with Liberal victories in most nations. Nineteenth-century liberals generally believed that the separation of Church and State, the extension of public education, a free market, industrialization, and the incorporation of the indigenous population into a shared (Europeanized) culture would serve the best interests of their nations and result in national progress and modernization.

[Gwenn]

Christina to the rescue! So it was A? I can't believe we were ALL wrong!

That doesn't bode well for my chances on that test.

[Smplyme89]

I asked my coworkers, and their opinion was that it was designed to prevent people leaving mid-semester. And having a spouse get a job out of state is generally considered a legitimate exception to the contract.

That's good!

[Smplyme89]

Christina to the rescue! So it was A? I can't believe we were ALL wrong!

That doesn't bode well for my chances on that test.

It was bothering me, I remember reading about it in one of my classes in the Fall. Not too much focus on the Latin-American portion though since apparently not all that much exciting happened in comparison to the French Revolution, etc.

It is a ridiculous, poorly constructed question in general IMO.

[Gwenn]

Aside from the poor writing, that's my major problem with it. It's such a specific knowledge area. Give me a European or American history question, and I'd be all over that. Not that I don't feel the school system shouldn't do a better job of educating us across cultures - but as you said, that's generally an area that's not the major focus in World History classes. Most people just don't know all that much about it and it's not a requirement for any liberal arts program I've ever heard of. I did take History of Western Civ 10 years or so ago, but I don't remember spending much time on Latin America.

Same with the Japanese art - you can satisfy an "arts" requirement with art courses, music courses, or a variety of other things. Not every college student is exposed to theory behind Japanese woodcuts.

[missychrissy]

I asked my coworkers, and their opinion was that it was designed to prevent people leaving mid-semester. And having a spouse get a job out of state is generally considered a legitimate exception to the contract.

That makes sense. I dont think they'd give you a hard time if your dh relocated and it happened before the start of the school year.

[Smplyme89]

Ok. That question is irritating me!! I knew I read something about agriculture in reference to Latin-America

They also tried to maximize the productivity of rural areas, often by promoting the consolidation of large agricultural estates or livestock ranches using the local mestizo or indigenous populations as a workforce or, in less populated areas, attracting European immigrants to come settle in the region.

Stupid, poorly constructed question. I don't understand how they can use such a generalized question

Sorry, pet peeve of mine I am the annoying student in the class that analyzes exam questions

ETA: If I still have my book at home (I don't think I do since I believe I sold it) I will be looking tonight, I tell you

[Gwenn]

Christina, you're a girl after my own heart! LOL

[missychrissy]

I'd never make it through any exams with those questions...literature, history, art...all that makes my eyes glaze over and I just cannot concentrate. I don't have a clue what questions you posted earlier. My brain instantly goes to, "Don't know, don't care" in those subjects and I automatically just skim over it. Even during a test, I'm afraid.

American history, however, interests me. Well, all history interests me. But I need a human story attached, not just facts and dates. And truthfully, even the people I like I can't really remember their dates. Well, I know Elvis died in August 1977. But seriously...meh. I like stories but I want to know about the historical figure's childhood, where they grew up. Who were their friends? Anthropology would probably engage my interest more.

But art? Forget it. I'm amazed what people can do (paint, create, whatever) and feel appreciation for their talent 'cause I can't cut out paper dolls...but as for studying it? Puh-leaze. My daughter would cry if she read this post. She often says she was switched at birth because her parents are so uncultured and we don't really care. lol

[Ky'sMom]

Bridget, you made me want some jerked chicken. Mmmmmmm.....I was just sitting here thinking about what to make for dinner. It is too late though to jerk some chicken, maybe tomorrow.

I guessed A on your latin American question, only because I was a literature major and read a lot of world literature quite a bit from South America. I love me some Isabel Allende and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. In discussions of literature there is always a discussion regarding the time period that the literature is set in. I have no idea about Japanese blocks though.

Erin

[Gwenn]

I'm honestly not surprised you knew that, Erin. You're awesome.

[missychrissy]

Bridget, you made me want some jerked chicken. Mmmmmmm.....I was just sitting here thinking about what to make for dinner. It is too late though to jerk some chicken, maybe tomorrow
Erin

*snort*

yeah, I'm real mature.

[Ky'sMom]

*snort*

yeah, I'm real mature.

LOL!! My DH would have totally done the same thing then encourage me to jerk his chicken. We can never have a jerk chicken discussion in our house.

Erin

[missychrissy]

We see where my interests are

I don't think I've ever had jerked chicken. The food kind. I'm afraid to Google it.

[Smplyme89]

Christina, you're a girl after my own heart! LOL

A part of me always feels bad, like the professors must think I am crazy neurotic or something!

I'm honestly not surprised you knew that, Erin. You're awesome.

Word!


Chrissy I thought the same thing when I read Erin's post

Art/History none of it interests me in the least. I learn/retain the information long enough to pass the class and than I am d.o.n.e. with it!

[missychrissy]

Art/History none of it interests me in the least. I learn/retain the information long enough to pass the class and than I am d.o.n.e. with it!

that's me too...and I didn't even take any art classes. well, I did. Web design and a photoshop class. They related to computers but were in the elective art category so that's what I took for my college degree.

[Smplyme89]

that's me too...and I didn't even take any art classes. well, I did. Web design and a photoshop class. They related to computers but were in the elective art category so that's what I took for my college degree.

I had to take a couple Art/History classes at the Associates level and the only thing that kept me interested was the pretty pictures I enjoy art and have a great love/appreciation for it, I just don't want to learn anything about it.

Give me some calculus level equations and Oh Boy! I'm in love

[Gwenn]

I am not a fan of art (although I enjoy seeing it if confronted with it) but I do love reading and music. But for school? Give me linguistics/anthropology/psychology, etc. That's my thing. Sorry, Erin, but there's nothing I hate more than a literature class where I have a long list of stuff I have to read on a deadline. Even though I would probably read the same stuff on my own and enjoy it very much. Just don't want the deadlines.

[Ky'sMom]

I understand the deadlines. My favorite classes are always when professors give "suggested reading" lists for the summer and usually they are what we will cover in the next semester. I read them all and take notes so I don't have to read on deadline. I hate deadlines too.

I actually do like art history. It is pretty interesting to me, which is why I have been such a huge fan of Antiques Roadshow for such a long time. My mom used to tease me about it when I was like 13 or 14 because I couldn't miss the AR on PBS lol. Art to me is like literature in that it goes with the time period and I feel art paints a broader picture of history.

Gwenn you reminded me of a History of the English Language class that I took. I loved that class but everyone else in my major hated it because it didn't deal with any literature, only linguistics and the history of modern languages, not just English. I found it fascinating and would go into long winded conversations with my professors to the disappointment of my classmates who wanted me to shut up so he would end class early. I would apologize for being the older, involved student in college since it always seemed like the older the college student, the more "into" the class they were.

I told them they would wish they were back discussing the syntax of Sanscrit one day when they were out working in a boring desk job.

Erin

[Gwenn]

Ain't that the truth about syntax of Sanskrit? LOL!

I would have LOVED that class.

[Cosmosmom]

Jumping in....Mandy snow in small amounts is fun and just makes you appreciate spring, summer and fall more. and I hate to say it but I would not want to live in AZ....politicians there are insane (more than the rest of them I think).
If you can get a job, go for it. Could you also apply to hospitals and such and work on going back into schools later?

I think NYC is super fun to visit. But upstate is so pretty.


So update on Cosmo's eye....gave her a day off the drops and it looked better. Did drops last night and looked better. I think it was a combo of being outside a lot in a high grass pollen warning, maybe a hair in it that I couldn't see and MIL's smoking.

I just wanted to say that I really don't like IL or especially Chicago area (rest of it might be fine). I am so happy that my visit to that area is over with.

[Gwenn]

I would be willing to do a private clinic or possibly hospital outpatient services for kids, but I don't feel qualified to do inpatient hospital work. It's been too long since my practicum and it was never my focus, even though I'm certified for it. Working in a clinic may be easier work to find because all the districts there are so small. But because of that, I have read that lots of districts send their kids out to private clinics, meaning you are still servicing the kids through the schools in a roundabout way, so even for a private clinic you may need the teaching cert.

I think upstate is beautiful, too. It reminds me of my grandpa's house which is definitely a great childhood memory. But I've come to love AZ, too, insane though it may be.

I'm glad Cosmo's eye is doing well.

[demigraf]

Oh, when you look at I that way, I think you're right. I was just thinking about a strong centralized socialist government for some reason. History wasn't my strong suit.

[Gwenn]

Mine either! Clearly.

I can see your thought process, though.

[demigraf]

...And if I'd taken half a second to read the questions better, based on that assumption about socialism, I'd have guessed B , which would have been wrong anyway.

Sorry I'm still stuck on the test question. I didn't realize there was a page full of replies in between until after I posted.

I was not a lover of school or book learning. I think I had a problem
with format. I much prefer real-world immersion in the subjects, but I guess academic study is the fastest way to deliver all that knowledge students are expected to absorb. I still did fine academically, but I realize - especially now that part of my job is information design - that I spent most of my years in school p.o.'d about the way we were taught. So I'm kinda like Christina that way. A poorly structured lesson really makes me angry and feel like my time was wasted.

Erin, I love GG Marquez and Isabel Allende too! I highly recommend Mario Vargas Llosa, if you haven't read him already. If I could write like him...

[Ky'sMom]

I LOVE Vargas Llosa as well!! You are making me want to go upstairs and read all their books LOL!

I just got done with my first day of my couch to 10K program. I decided to do a 10K instead of another 5K. I'm also starting my body for life weight training again, probably Saturday as I joined a new fitness program through my health insurance. It is a no contract $25 a month plan where I can go to gyms all over the country, including Bally's, Snap Fitness, and YMCA fitness centers so I thought it was a good deal, plus I can cancel with no penalties if I don't like it. Hopefully I will not go all nutso into exercising. I really like exercising and can become kind of nutty about it. While running on the treadmill I was thinking of doing a 2 hour walk/jog on Saturday LOL. Honestly, I am still thinking about doing it but I don't think I should but I want to just because I like walk/jogging in intervals and because I want to work up to running continuously faster. But I am going to do my best to convince myself not to walk/jog for 2 hours on Saturday.

Erin

[missychrissy]

Go Erin! You're freaking awesome!! 10K?! I'll cheer you on from here. On my couch.