3500

What is 3500? Well, a quick google search tells me that Nokia makes a phone with the serial number of 3500, but no, that's not it. "Yes, you in the back, what do you think?" The teacher asks (hint hint, wink wink, nowhatImean?) Maybe it's the Dodge Ram 3500, available with an 8L engine which produces 310hp? A mighty beast, but no!!!! No ! NO! ño! 3500 is the amount of hours I have working with students in the last two years. That's 1700 in Salinas, 1700 in Federal Way, and another 100 in Cusco. Of course, that doesn't cover all the work I've done with students. I have coached gymnastics for years, another set of hours and not to mention all other random volunteer work with students that I've done. I consider myself quite qualified to work with students, not only because it is something I am comfortable with, but because I'm bloody good at it.

Lets put away the record books and take a look at what's going on right now. Right now, I find myself watching many movies and TV on DVD. I have read a fair amount, the best thing I've done in the past month, and I work out about 9 times a week, also a perk, but all in all, I do a lot of nothing. Nothing leads to boredom and boredom leads to a desire to spend money, however, I'm bored because I'm desempleado, ergo, no money, ergo, I can't do things that cost money, ergo, I'm bored.

I have an idea, that's advance my life plans. Dear god, can you hear me, it's me Mar...Jason, I want a shiny toy spaceship and to be a teacher. Well, to be a teacher one, me, needs their, my, certification. To get this certification one has to earn it. That is why, twice a week, I go to classes at a local private university. I spend 5 hours in two different classes, learning....nothing. These classes have been disigned for people who are completely new to education and schools. Yes, there are people who are currently observing in classrooms, have helped in their child's class, or who are subbing, but they don't truly know what it's like to be at a school, each day, working with the same students, and working within the system of a school...but I do. I'm sure that I sound quite arrogant. I find myself sitting in my class thinking that I am wasting my time. I know that these classes will lead to other and then I will be all certified, which is definitely what I want. But there has to be a better way, I can't see anything worthwhile in what I'm doing. The last thing that I did that fits with my lifestyle was saying goodbye to a student in Peru. I personally went to her house and made sure that I was able to say goodbye. Those were the days, eh? I miss having students, I miss doing something with my time, I miss doing the things that I love. It wasn't easy to figure out what I cared about in this world, but I figured it out, and now, after two straight years of doing things I love, I find myself, stagnant, stalled, and starving to find an outlet for my passions.

Random factoid: I ran a 5k last week and I got 3rd place for my age group...wow, 20-24 year olds are slow if I got 3rd.

La Cultura Cura