40 Day Dream

It's the day after Ash Wednesday, when everyone begins to really understand what they gave up for Lent, and how hard these 40 days will be. This year I'm trying to give up complaining! It's such a broad, overused word that I had to look it up.

I know I complain way too much, but it's almost like a reflex. I have strong opinions and standards, and when something doesn't live up to them, I get frustrated which leads to complaining. So during this lenten season, I'm going to try to accept when things do not go as I think they should, and instead focus on the many blessings in my life.

I am blessed to live in this great city of Austin, Texas! Spring break is almost here, which means SXSW is just around the corner!! I am so excited for my first year attending as 21+ so I can actually get into some of the shows. And even though I don't have a badge, there are soo soo many free shows that are happening all the time. Here are some of the ones I'm most looking forward to:

Rhapsody Rocks Austin 2011

Fat Crooked Unwound at the Mohawk

Music by the Slice

#Offline

And many more!! I can't wait, but I'll still be happy if it doesn't go exactly as planned. No complaining, I promise!

Also to follow up on my previous post, There is a big march and rally planned for this Saturday to support Texas schools and I encourage everyone to attend! It starts at 11 at the capital:

http://savetxschools.org/

Have a great spring break everyone!

P.S. Song of the post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0RQnGhxZzg

Hot for Teacher

Well the fateful day has come and gone, and the MCAT scores are set in stone. I'm very happy with my score (34), especially since it means I don't have to take the test again! This puts me in very good shape for Texas schools, and about average for the out of state schools. After attending the Health Professions fair, and talking to the awesome 4th year med students from UTHSC-San Antonio, that might be the top of my list. They have a great MD/MPH program that is only 4 years long! And the med students said that all of their friends in the program absolutely love it, especially to overseas component. And you can't beat the price! Now on to letters of rec, personal statement and shadowing! Still so much to do!

Most of my time this semester has been devoted to a UTeach class called "Science Outreach in Elementary Schools". Sounds awesome, right? Wrong. It is my worst class, and has taken so much of my free time that my other classes are suffering. I've spent the past couple of weeks writing an entire lesson plan, all outside of class, with a very unhelpful partner and section leaders. This class is so unorganized and requires a ridiculous amount of time.

However the actual teaching part is amazing. I teach 5th grade at Zilker Elementary. The kids are so excited to learn, and ask great questions. They really enjoy science, and are so patient with me and my partner as we learn to teach. And our teacher, Mrs. Pena, is so nice and helpful. So needless to say, when I heard about the ridiculous cuts proposed in Wisconsin to the teacher's union, I was disgusted. Just take a look at this Daily Show clip.

Do those conservative commentators think they would be anywhere without their public school teachers?! It takes so much tireless work to teach every subject every day, as many of the grade school teachers do. I bet NONE of those commentators could do a teacher's job. I was amazed at how difficult it was to just do a science lesson that was already written for you.

School cuts are hitting us here in Austin. Zilker Elementary is under threat to be closed due to AISD budget cuts. It is such a great school in a great neighborhood, and it has so much history. The parents and teachers are doing everything they can to convince the school board to reconsider:
http://www.kvue.com/news/Parents-fight-to-keep-south-Austin-schools-open-113234439.html

All citizens of our country have benefited from the tireless work of teachers, and now, more than ever, they need our help!!