I-search phase 1 research questions

1.      Will I be able to afford the education required for the job?

2.      Will I be able to deal with the long, unreliable hours?

3.      Will I have any motivation to become a doctor?

November 22 Reflection/Questions

Our test today was on spiritual gifts. My highest scores were service, faith, and mercy. I scored very low on craftsmanship, administration, and apostleship. I think that my scores were accurate: I feel the need to serve and help those in need, not to lead or guide others. For the rest, I got an average score of about 10, which about halfway between not at all and all the time.

November 19 Reflection/Questions

Today's lesson consisted of doing a text anxiety scale (which I got a 1 on), and exploring a website that allowed us to look into the details of jobs that we wanted.  The rest of the time was spent on finishing up work from previous classes. I think that the test anxiety does no really apply to me, so the test did nothing but reaffirm my lack of fear towards tests.

November 17 Reflection/Questions

Most of today was spent going over our learning style inventories. We learned about the different types of learners, and how we should use our learning styles to maximize our success and efficiency. I agree with most of my results, but I think that the test is flawed. I believe that I am a auditory (or auditory/visual) learner, but I scored leaning towards not an auditory learner. The auditory leaner questions only dealt with class discussion, not listening to lectures, so my score is lower than it should be.

November 15 Reflection/Questions

Today was a day totally devoted to the searching of my abilities, personality, and possible career choices. I took a personality test, with which I almost completely agree with. The SDS (self-directed search) presented some feedback which I thought was contradictory to what I wanted, and I am not sure if I agree with it, or if I think it encompasses a broad enough range of abilities/preferences.

November 11 Reflection/Questions

The most important things in a job for me are the opportunities to help others.  I feel like serving others and making everything run better is better than getting a big paycheck that I will inevitably waste or not know what to do with. I do not feel like I need to have power or be in charge, as that will probably get in the way of me being a helping hand in the workplace, and I do not feel like I am meant to be in charge anyway.

November 10 Reflection/Questions

1. Talents are the natural abilities and skills people possess that allow them to exceed expectations in certain areas (artistic, academic, sports)

2. I think I am a good listener, and that I also am good at analyzing information that I have received. I also think that I can take what I learn and help others understand it better (sort of like teaching, more like a review or reteaching). I am also good at being accountable, whether the responsibility is punctuality or integrity or accepting consequences. I also think that I am willing to serve and help others when they need it.

Today, our topic in class was talents. We learned about the different ways to define talent, and the different talents people possess. Another thing we learned was talent warp, which is when people see the talents other people have and become discouraged because they think they are not talented as what they see.

November 8 Reflection/Questions

How are you going to choose your career?

I am going to choose my career based on what I want to do and what I am interested in. The salary and my parent's opinions won't have much effect on how I choose.

Does your gender make a difference?

Not really, the jobs I might want do not really require  gender-based qualities. My gender also won't limit or decide what kind of job I want.

Who will help you choose a career?

My brother might be able to offer advice on what I should do. My parents will as well, but I will be the one who makes the final decision, not anyone else.

Can the Bible offer any help?

Yes, it can help by providing a source of wisdom, and it can be a place to turn to when harder thinking is necessary.

Today in class we spent time learning about our decisions and their consequences, and how the Bible can affect what decisions make based on God's standard. We compared our decisions now with decisions we had as children, as saw the difference in magnitude and responsibility they hold, especially as we prepare for higher education and our careers.

How To Tick Off Mr. Williams

In order to tick off Mr. Williams in class, you must first be prepared by not having the work you needed to do for class. After you make an excuse about printers or due dates, make sure to open your laptop and log on to Facebook. Make sure he can not see your screen. Be rowdy and make noise until he tells you to stop, wait a few minutes, then repeat. If he gives you instructions for using your computer in class, make sure that you are clueless and at least two steps behind. Do not write down anything he tells you to, and forget whatever he emphasizes by repetition or by writing on the board. Do this every day, and do not forget to make excuses and forget what he says.

“Sometimes things can go right, only by first going very wrong.” -Edward Tenner

My efforts at volleyball at TCIS started horribly. I had only played for a year beforehand, and I had not been playing for several months. However, I thought that I was ok, as I did well at my old school.

            The first sign of failure showed up on my second day of school. My counselor had asked me if there were any extracurricular activities that I wanted to join. My first and only answer was volleyball. I asked her for the try-out times, and she made a phone call. I waited patiently as she spoke, and made no reactions until she confirmed that the boy’s varsity try-outs were today. I froze when I heard that, since I had no idea that TCIS only had a boy’s varsity volleyball team. However, I decided not to ask her to clarify; I would find out for myself later.

            After school that same day, I made sure to show up at try-outs on time. I did, and another twenty-some students did as well. There were only twelve spots on the team. I, along with another student, were the only freshmen trying out. I had no idea what competition I would be up against.

            I failed miserably. I was the only guy who could not overhand serve, I did not shag my balls until someone told me to, and I was so tired after the first day that I became too sick to come the next.

            However, I did learn that there was a development squad that would be formed, which I am now on. We have won our first game, and our second is right around the corner. My failure ended up getting me where I belonged, on a team where we all tried but failed. Not that that is bad thing.

Story of the Migrant Mother

It was a hot, but not too hot, summer day outside, a perfect day in terms of weather. However, not everything was as perfect as the endless blue sky.
One woman, a mother, had the saddest look on her face. She had traveled all over looking for anything: a job, money, a place to beg, or, if she was lucky, food for the day.
Her children had been fed the day before; she hadn't eaten so much as a handful of food since two nights ago.
She was not so much worried for herself: she needed to find food for her children.
She had come into the Depression as a working mother, not rich, but she provided food on the table. Her husband had left years before that, so she was left to fend for herself and the two boys huddled close to her now.
Ever since the Depression started, she had been desperate, moving from place to place looking for signs of prosperity, but she found no such thing.
She did not know the time or place, and she only knew around how many days this exhausting journey had already taken: about 90 (or three months).
At the moment, she happened to chance upon a great opportunity: a job that would compensate her with some food: enough for a few days.
However, she was late: another desperate family had taken the job, and spared no sympathy for her. Out there, it was every family or person for themself.
Only one thought flashed through her mind: the same thought that had been there ever since they first moved: "How on earth are we going to make it?".
As an afterthought, she added, "If we are not going to make it, then how long do we have left?"
A somber thought, yes, but it was the only way she could think now, as optimism was not going to give her boys food for the day.

The Three Little Pigs Part 2: The Wolf In Court

A week after the events of "The Three Little Pigs"
"Your honor, I am here today to defend against the accusations the plaintiff has proposed against me.", said the Big Bad Wolf, as he stood in court.
"The Three Little Pigs have accused me of two counts of vandalism, one count of breaking and entering, and most importantly, three counts of attempted pigslaughter.", said the Big Bad Wolf.
Judge Monkey looked at his papers and said, "They have also accused you of identity theft of two individuals."
"Ah, yes", said the Big Bad Wolf.
"Prison! Prison! Send that wolf to prison!", squealed the Three Little Pigs in unison.
All the other animals in court joined in, and soon the entire courtroom was filled with unintelligible screaming and shouting.
SLAM! SLAM! SLAM! "Order in the court!", yelled the judge.
Immediately the racket stopped, and the judge ordered the hearing to proceed.
"Thank you, your honor.", said the Big Bad Wolf "I would now like to address these accusations. I did destroy two of the Three Little Pigs' houses, and tried to enter the third's house."
Everyone in the room gasped, surely the Big Bad Wolf was not confessing towards life in prison?
"However," the Big Bad Wold continued," I did not try to murder these pigs. I know it seems like I did, and all the physical and testimonial evidence mounts against me. I do however, have not one, not two, but three documents that will change everyone's minds."
"He is lying! Do not believe a word he says!", shouted the youngest pig.
"We have evidence! He has nothing!", shouted the middle pig.
"Just ask our neighbors, they all saw him!" shouted the eldest pig.
"Order in the court! If I have to tell the three of you that again, you will have charges against you for disrupting this hearing", said Judge Monkey.
"Yes, your honor", the Three Little Pigs quietly said.
"Proceed, Big Bad Wolf", said Judge Monkey.
"If I may, I would like your honor to see these three documents.", said the Big Bad Wolf. He handed them to Mr. Bulldog the policeman, who gave it to Judge Monkey.
"According to those papers, the Three Little Pigs are bail jumpers, your honor.", said the Big Bad Wolf.
The rosy pink was quickly drained away from the The Little Pigs' faces.
Judge Monkey peered over the papers, and confirmed what the Big Bad Wolf said.
"I am a bounty hunter, and these three tried to escape my grasp. They are the ones who must go to prison. The only reason why I had to resort to force was because they refused to come along peacefully. They also have escaped the authority's notice because they have committed identity theft: they are actually the Three Ugly Boars" said the Big Bad Wolf.
"But you still have prison time for the crimes you committed.", said Judge Monkey.
"However, with the money I earned for bringing these three in, I can pay for bail.", said the Big Bad Wolf.
The Big Bad Wolf bailed of out jail, and the Three Ugly Boars, who we know as felons and former bail jumpers, were sent to prison for the rest of their lives.
After everything was settled, the Big Bad Wolf went to meet three friends of his.
They met at a alley  in a shady area in town, and the three friends said "Do you remember us?"
"Of course I remember you! You are the Three Ugly Boars!" said the Big Bad Wolf.
"Thank you for putting those three in jail instead of us. You will be compensated for this." said one Ugly Boar.
He reached into a bag, and pulled out a long chain of sausages. The wolf's eyes grew wide at the sight of it, and he devoured them in seconds. Just after he did, he felt an enormous pain in his stomach. He fell to his knees, shaking uncontrollably for half a minute. Then he fell, dead.
"Good. It is best that no one knows, not even him." said the same Boar.
And so, the real Three Ugly Boars went off, and no one ever saw them again.
Nobody living, of course.

Where I'm From

I am from a sled, sliding down my backyard hill of frosted white.
I am from the same hill, with a tennis court fence I had to climb.
I am from the land of Strawberry,
And yet, the same land is the land of knights.

 I am from the days of laying on my parent's bed,
Trying to watch whatever was on,
Always trying to stay awake,
Always failing.

I am from the swirling of leaves,
Lost in the flurry of red, brown, and yellow.
I am from the warmth,
The comfort of the household flame.

I am from a land not my own,
And not my forefathers either,
A land I can still call home,
A land that makes me stranger and better.

I am from the sculpture near the front door,
A testament to my mother's skill.
I am from the basement,
The room where hair was lost to a different skill of my mother.

I am from the top bunk,
From the room shared with another person with the same blood.
I am from the olden days of gaming,
Where the eldest systems took root in my home.

I am from the flowers at our front yard,
The mailbox which I loved to open and look inside.
I am from the circular road,
Shared with neighbors of all sorts,
But each one kind and caring.