Life in Eastern Standard Time

Moving to Boston took a lot of getting used to: the accent, the weather, and especially Eastern Standard Time. Let me tell you, a change in time zone makes a lot of difference in daily life. Everything seems to happen later here. People work until 7 because they didn’t go into the office until 9 or 10. The sunlight is different as we’re about the same latitude, but an hour ahead. But the biggest impact is definitely in watching television. People in Central Standard Time have it made. Normal shows start at 7 and the later shows end at the reasonable hour of 10:00. That gives you plenty of time to eat dinner, sit around, and still be to bed at a normal time. EST is not so luxurious. Normal shows here don’t start until 8:00, yet at 7:00 my mind yells to me, “Sit down! Stop thinking! Entertain me with mindless images!” What is a person to do in this situation? Obviously, I must suffer through until Jeopardy comes on at 7:30 to remind me that my brain does still function. What show is on at 7:00 before Jeopardy? Wheel of Fortune. Wheel undoubtedly has some perks. It does involve some thinking; some of the puzzles are tricky to downright impossible (Hazy Skies as a bonus puzzle?) and there seems to be a rash of Wisconsin contestants lately, a plus in most situations. Additionally, it’s a good warm up to the linguistic questions of Jeopardy. But here are a few of my questions/concerns – why does Vanna always wear an evening dress and why do they even bother to call her a hostess of the show? It’s obvious she’s pretty and ages absurdly well, but wouldn’t she look just as attractive in something less promlike? Also, touching a board may require forethought and some walking, but it is definitely not on par with Pat Sajak’s part of the show. Vanna, I’m a big fan, but let’s be realistic, you are much more of an accessory than a necessity.
Next, why do the contestants only talk about themselves in regards to marriage and children. Both of those things are good, but why can’t they have funny anecdotal stories like on Jeopardy. Fine that you love your two beautiful children and wonderful husband, but I would much rather hear about the time you almost met an almost famous actor.
Lastly, why does there always need to be a theme? Sweethearts Week – okay, Walt Disney World Week – getting weaker, NFL Players Week and Soap Stars Week – oh boy, now we’re in trouble. If I don’t want to see these “celebrities” during the day, I doubly don’t want to see them at night after a long day of work. And by the way Wheel, I’m on to you about these little on location weeks, it’s clear that they are just ploys to go on vacation every few weeks. College Week? More like go to Denver on Wheel for three weeks.

Happy Thoughts

Apparently these posts have been a little negative lately, so here’s a little something to make you say, “Awwww.”

Top Ten Happy Things

1. Not being flooded out like the suckers in Peabody
2. People that sing and dance on the train and don’t care what other people think
3. My kids that think I commute from France every morning via the T
4. Waking up to Lola sleeping on my back
5. My new ability to make fairly decent pad thai
6. Newly-washed jeans that actually fit right
7. Peanut butter
8. Finding an old CD that I thought my sister swiped
9. Knowing the word of the day on Google
10. My family, friends, and awesome husband. Awwww.

MY job

I think our faithful readers may be getting a little spoiled by Bill's recommitment (or initial commitment if he never was before) to the Blog. I want you to remember these fruitful days if we again enter a barren Blog state. It's only fair that we AVERAGE out to one post a week. We can only do so much people. We are young and working; read -- very busy with our jobs and highly concentrated social calendar. Since Bill gave such a detailed description about his job, you may be wondering what I do... or maybe you're not, but I'm going to tell you anyway. And because I am a very competitive person, I am going to make it even more detailed.

8:00-8:15 This is the time where according to my timesheets I am at work, but actually I am en route from the T.
8:15-8:45 You would now find me in one of the building's three kitchens preparing a tasty, yet healthy snack for the kids.
8:45-9:00 Wandering around the building trying to find the best juice selection for my own benefit.
9:00 Kids arrive.
9:00-10:15 Moving around the room with two goals: 1. avoid the lead teacher 2. look busy
10:15-10:45 During this time I work my teaching magic to help the 4 year olds get ready to read. Our favorite activity is my pig puppet Piggy Wiggy that likes to rhyme (he can rhyme most anytime!).
10:45-11:30 Again moving around the room watching the kids do their work. In all actuality, I am probably talking to one of them about superheros or animals or anything else that will get them far off-task.
11:30-12:00 Return to teaching magic -- this time the subject is French. The kids are highly receptive and love talking about their feelings and favorite colors, in French of course.
12:00-1:00 Running around the micoscopic playground in our front yard. Most likely I am yelling or roaring. I am a scary monster you know.
1:00-1:15 Eating lunch
1:15-2:00 Cleaning up after the kid's messy lunches. Amazing the places where you can find crumbs in a classroom.
2:00-3:00 I say I am supervising, but really I am playing, dress-up, legos, or blocks.
3:00-4:00 Hiding in the staff lounge doing "important" things on the computer.

My job

After talking with friends in the last month or so they've all asked me similar questions, "What exactly do you do?". Well my friends I'll share with you. I teach ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) notice the "O" this is the new politically correct term. The old term was ESL (English as a Second Language), but I was quickly brought to my attention that for many students English may not be their second language, it may be their third or fourth. I work at the Notre Dame Education Center (NDEC). It is in an old all girls Catholic high school. I work with about 30 - 40 nuns, Sisters of Notre Dame de Nemur. I teach ESOL 3 every morning Monday - Thursday from 8:30 - 10:30. My students are intermediates, meaning they can all speak the language well enough that they function quite easily. The goal in ESOL 3 is to improve their writing. My have 12 students currently and they come from all over the world: Thailand (2), China (3), Vietnam, Albania, Haiti (2), Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Ethiopia. Not only do the students come from many different countries they come with varying levels of education. Some students finished college and held financial jobs in their own country, while others were farmers and had little or no education. In addition to my ESOL 3 class I teach 3 other ESOL Computer classes. Two at night ESOL 2 and ESOL 3 and one on Thursday morning, ESOL 2. I actually enjoy this part of my job even though it can be quite challenging. In fact, I enjoy so much that I'm returning to the NDEC next year to be the technology coordinator and only teach computer classes among other various duties that go along with the job. I hope this gives a little insight into what I do. Hopefully now, after the Disclaimer I'll share more of the daily struggles and triumphs of teaching adult ESOL.

Disclaimer

I know I don't write enough on the blog, or ever for that matter, and I hear it all the time. It's come time for you to understand why I don't write much. It's not because I don't have anything to say, those of you reading this, and especially those who knew me as a young child, know that I usually don't stay quite long. However, this is exactly my problem - I prefer to talk, and I don't really like to write. Throughout my formal education - I say formal education because I'm still being educated everyday by my students in my ESOL classes - I got comments on my English papers "Great Ideas, but hard to follow", or "needs more clarity." This however, doesn't mean that I don't know how to write or that my expensive Lawrence education wasn't worth anything, it just means that following the rules of academic writing is more difficult for me than for other people. Those other people being the main two people's writings I read regularly, Beth and Dan, both English majors. Compared to them I look like a 3rd grader, but quite francily I don't care. So you see there were many times where I would start a blog and simply not finish because it required too much effort to proofread and think about the exact words to make my sentence say exactly what I mean. Not any more. From now on there will be commas when, my fingers stop, because I'm thinking, besides isn't that what a comma mean - pause - and isn't that what I'm doing, pausing in my brain, therefore you should too. What I'm saying is that my writing will be much more stream of consciousness. This mean I may repeat myself and take two or three times longer to say something Dan or Beth would say, but so be it. This is who I am. Feel free to skim my blogs once you think you have the gist of what I'm saying. This is my disclaimer. Look forward to more blogs.

Train Etiquette Round Two

Two hours a day, five days a week gives me a very intimate relationship with the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority. The T and I are on very close terms and it is for that reason that I feel necessary to add to Bill’s previous list of Train Etiquette expectations. At least that way I will have an impact on any visitors that may come this way. Your good modeling could influence a lot of people. So when riding the T, please keep these thoughts in mind.

1. Everyone loves a good cell phone conversation – the people directly involved and everyone within listening area. When a person chooses to talk in a confined area like the T, he must understand eavesdropping to be a natural tendency. Please don’t get all angry when people look up after you say something shocking. You must have known we were all listening to your play-by-play anyway.

2. The train gets very busy during peak hours. Many people do not fit in the 12 seats provided in each car. Unfortunately, some people have to stand. For the people that stand in front of the door: you must realize the benefits and consequences of this small space. The downside of having a door to lean against is the fact that the door opens and people want to get out. I understand it may not be your stop, but you must leave the train for others behind you to get out. Don’t worry, people will let you back in. Sorry friend, it’s a part of the territory.

3. And most importantly, love always seems to be in the air on the T. I am not one to criticize affection—if you are comfortable making out on a germ-infested train where you may as well be licking the floor or the metal bar that touches hundreds of hands each day—fine with me. However, I do have a few stipulations. If you and your lover choose to stand up for the duration of your trip, it would be great if BOTH of you would hold on to something other than each other. One person holding the bar is not adequate. The momentum of the train pushes that person forward, and then you, my freestanding friend, fly forward. This would not be a problem if your lover were balanced, but he is not. The result is not one, but two train surfers crashing into everyone around them. This is not welcomed. On the other hand, if you and your friend decide to sit, thus alleviating the pinball effect, you need to sit in your own chair. This means do not sit in your chair sideways so that you are looking your special someone in the eye. When you do this, the pair of you take up three spots. You might try turning your head instead of your whole body. Some people have found this highly effective.

Thank you and please take all belongings with you when you reach your stop. Thank you for riding the T.