Any plans for winter break?

Catch up on Youtube!








Thought of the Day: Burgers
Song of the Day: Wu-Tang Clan-People Say

Indebted

I've never suffered from credit card debt before. I spent a couple of hours yesterday calculating how long it would take for me to pay off all my debt. Credit card debt, that is, not my student loans. Student loans are like a faithful companion; they will never, ever, leave me. Anyway, let's just say that I am really looking forward to 2018. I will finally have my car paid off and my salary should see a slight raise as well.

This morning, I read an article on a 42-year-old millionaire and his advice on spending and saving. My biggest takeaway from his wisdom was making a spreadsheet of your finances. I had done this when I first moved back to the states but stopped keeping up with it because my spending and earning patterns were fairly consistent. But now that I am in debt, I figured tracking my money again would help me restart my journey towards becoming a millionaire high school teacher.

I must say that the past month did not look too pretty. But I guess when you're at the bottom, you can only go up, right?


Right?


Thought of the Day: Soup Plantation
Song of the Day: Matthew Heath & Grady Griggs-Slow Down

Nobody Knows

but Jesus.

Thought of the Day: Salary Points
Song of the Day: Sam Cooke-Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen

Devotionals for the Undevoted

I recently found out that Banner of Truth posts a free daily devotional from The Valley of Vision, a book of Puritan prayers and devotions. I recall my passionate days of promoting reformed theology and even giving a copy of The Valley of Vision to those who were remotely interested. The irony is that I never read the book myself except for a handful of prayers that sounded like they were reserved for the lips of holy people.

I've been going through the Psalms in my personal devotions, but my prayers have felt repetitive, dry, and pointless for a while now. Like one of my small group members once shared, it often looks something like "God, you know, you know, you know, thank you, thank you, thank you. Amen." I suppose that is one of the many reasons why the author of The Valley of Vision researched and wrote those amazing prayers. The Holy Spirit groans our heart, but it is nice to also have guided carefully chosen words that we can ponder upon and express to the Father who listens.

If you are struggling with conversing with God, I would recommend these accessible Puritan prayers as an addition, not substitution, to your prayers. They are definitely for UNholy people. Like me.


Thought of the Day: Amazon Prime Day
Song of the Day: A Flock of Seagulls-I Ran

Man With the Master Plan(s)

Summer School Plans
Plan A: Take Math course and add Spanish course at city college.
Plan B: Test out of Math course early and add Spanish course at city college.
Plan C: Test out of Math course early at city college and take Spanish course next summer.

Summer Vacation Plans
Plan A: Parents visit us this summer.
Plan B: Visit Snugs in NY.
Plan C: Visit Enoch in NC and his sister in DC and visit Snugs and Brian in NY.
Plan D (TBD): Plan C + Sam in NJ.


Proverbs 16:9 - The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.


Thought of the Day: East Coast
Song of the Day: Childish Gambino-Redbone

This Math T-Shirt is Funny

and true!

Thought of the Day: Hollywood
Song of the Day: Eminem Piano Medley

Math is Funny

I usually give an extra credit opportunity for my students whenever they take a quiz. All they have to do is answer a reflection question on something they learned, something that was helpful, or something that could improve their learning.

This week, my reflection question was: This year, do you think you have improved, stayed the same, or become worse as a math student? Why?

I get all kinds of answers ranging from not understanding anything to Mr. Chung is the best, but one of my students wrote: "improved because with a happy mindset and a golden heart, anything can be accomplished."

I can't tell if the student is being sincere or not, but either way I had a good laugh. I recently heard from another teacher that she had students who would write things like JESUS IS THE ANSWER for her math problems. Haha. Kids are funny.


Thought of the Day: Valentine's Day
Song of the Day: Dead Prez- Hip Hop

Rookie Mistake

Ms. Brie is a first year English teacher at my school. Since we're both rookies to LAUSD, I make a slightly more intentional effort to greet her or ask how she is doing whenever we pass each other in the hallways. But every time we speak, she doesn't quite show the same smile she gives to everyone else. I start wondering if my subtle efforts to be nice and relational are coming off the wrong way.

Then one day during winter break, I'm browsing through IMDB and look through the celebrity birthdays. The actress, Alison Brie, was born 34 years ago on December 29th. To my horror I realize that I somehow mixed up Alison Brie with the English teacher whose name is also Alison. In other words, there IS NO "Ms. Brie" at my school and I've been calling this English teacher the wrong name for an entire semester. In fact, now I'm not even sure that her name is Alison!

I wonder how many times she's told her story of how the new math teacher keeps calling her "Ms. Brie" for some reason. Why didn't you ever correct me, Ms. Brie???


Thought of the Day: Packers
Song of the Day: Tupac feat. Skylar Grey-Better Days/Words Remix