I got my first grad school acceptance yesterday and true to form, I did a little dance in private and then remained casual about it when I told my family (speaking of which, I'm not sure I've told my Dad). I don't know anything about financial aid, but I can be excited about the acceptance. At least I know I'll be going to grad school next fall. I've stepped up the apartment search. I've basically decided that I can't apply for temp work if I'm not ready to take a job right away. Oh, and I've started watching Doogie Howser reruns. They're pretty bad, but the fact that Neil Patrick Harris is one of my favorite broadway actors makes up for the fact that I hated the show when I was little (without ever having seen it by the way). Whenever I visited my dad at work (a hospital) I wore his lab coat and everyone said I looked like Doogie Howser. I took umbridge.
That was pretty rambling, but I kind of feel like rambling right now.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Cover Letters-cover all, cover up
I have been thinking about cover letters a lot recently. Probably because I've been writing them a lot lately; and doubtless will continue to do so for the next couple of years.
You'd think this would be an easier task; talk about yourself (such fun, an ego trip). But selling yourself is hard work too. On the one hand you know everything that needs to be there on that page. On the other hand, you need to put everything on one single page. I imagine most of us are complex enough people that a page or two hardly seems space to do oneself justice.
But I guess getting to the point and making it well is the point. As William Safire said of speech making, tell'em what you're going to tell 'em, tell' 'em, then tell 'em what you told 'em. Say what you want, what you want it and why you should have it, sign and send it.
I feel like there's too much to cover; in person I could explain how all my qualities and experiences however disparate make the perfect person for job whatever it is. And make no mistake; in that instant you must be the perfect person for the job. Real world fact; there's always someone who wants it more than you. And its a challenge to be the best for that position at that moment. I have to cover all that ground and make myself the best there can be in a page?!
And to be that best person, it would seem a tad of covering up has to happen as well as covering all the facts. I've applied to jobs that were far from my dream job, but this is not the forum for any scent of uncertainty, or ambition other than what's on the table. At Oberlin all one's interests, assets, pursuits and facets were embraced and encouraged. No one was a one track person it seemed. But that sort of thing doesn't sell; its wishy washy. But on a strange level I feel as though not to share all my myriad interest feels like covering something up.
I guess at the end of the day; its just a letter. It's work, but its not life or death.
You'd think this would be an easier task; talk about yourself (such fun, an ego trip). But selling yourself is hard work too. On the one hand you know everything that needs to be there on that page. On the other hand, you need to put everything on one single page. I imagine most of us are complex enough people that a page or two hardly seems space to do oneself justice.
But I guess getting to the point and making it well is the point. As William Safire said of speech making, tell'em what you're going to tell 'em, tell' 'em, then tell 'em what you told 'em. Say what you want, what you want it and why you should have it, sign and send it.
I feel like there's too much to cover; in person I could explain how all my qualities and experiences however disparate make the perfect person for job whatever it is. And make no mistake; in that instant you must be the perfect person for the job. Real world fact; there's always someone who wants it more than you. And its a challenge to be the best for that position at that moment. I have to cover all that ground and make myself the best there can be in a page?!
And to be that best person, it would seem a tad of covering up has to happen as well as covering all the facts. I've applied to jobs that were far from my dream job, but this is not the forum for any scent of uncertainty, or ambition other than what's on the table. At Oberlin all one's interests, assets, pursuits and facets were embraced and encouraged. No one was a one track person it seemed. But that sort of thing doesn't sell; its wishy washy. But on a strange level I feel as though not to share all my myriad interest feels like covering something up.
I guess at the end of the day; its just a letter. It's work, but its not life or death.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
I am ALIVE!
Barely...
I have 78 kids. 78! And I relentlessly follow their hopes, dreams, bumps, bruises, loves lost, loves gained, family relationships, friendships, and academic progress. I'm a mother, father, brother, sister, nurse, therapist, facilitator, lawyer, mathematician, tutor, judge, role model, slave-driver, coach, and friend. Times 78.
I'm exhausted.
However, I DO have a good story. This past Friday, my honors class tore me a new one. We started a class contract so that we might have better classroom management and actually respect each other. However, my 4th Core (advanced math class, last period of the day) wanted very little to do with this. So they let me have it. After a crushing 50 minutes of "you're a horrible teacher," "Why do you make it so boring?" "You're not fair - you always punish me!" and my personal favorite "You don't care about any of us!" I had had it. What was I to do? I give my sweat, my blood, my life to 78 kids every day, and they don't even think I give a shit! I managed to compose myself for the rest of that class, but just barely. I cried all the way home and cried myself to sleep that night, despite having received two students' notes apologizing for their peers behavior in class that day. One of my student's notes read something along the lines of "some of them just have problems with caucasian teachers."
I returned to class, prepared for the worst, but not ready to give up. We would make this contract work. We will have a safe, comfortable, classroom environment. I brazenly reached for the contract from last Friday, ready for the groans and insults to begin. But, to my surprise, only one girl raised her hand. Other than that, it was completely quiet. I was stunned at the silence, and secretly prayed they had not secretly plotted to rise up against the evil math teacher and get rid of her once and for all. Ready for the worst, I take a breath and ask "What is it, Valerie?"
"Ms. Riemer, we were really rude on Friday. We're sorry and we want to start over and make a new contract."
I had to hold back tears. I was able to get through all of my lesson for today AND we are right on schedule with our new contract. It should be stated that part of the motivation for this apology probably came from the desire to have a "Halloween Party," but I'll take it none the less.
It's so interesting to read about all of your hopes and dreams - to consider the past, present and future of our lives, and how I can learn from it to advance the 78 children, the 78 sets of hopes and dreams, the 78 futures, who walk in to my classroom every day to lean math. Teaching, although not my true calling, is certainly the most profound life experience I have ever had, in addition to being the epitome of true adult responsibility.
In other good news, I have started teaching after-school sessions on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The only requirement is that the child comes with a parent. During these sessions, I teach the parents the math that we have done during the week, and give them tips for how to best help their children with their homework. They have become a real success for those parents who attend (there are about 10 who don't miss it for the world). I'm hoping those numbers will soon increase as report cards comes out this week and I run a tight math class with high expectations. I must stay strong in my resolve, and I must not let my expectations drop. I must keep looking for the light at the end of the tunnel...not just for my classroom, but for the hopes, dreams, and futures of each one of my 78 students and children.
There is simultaneously a lot and very little that keeps me going. And yet, at the bottom of this strange lifestyle, is the firm knowledge that when I finally surface from the teacher-pit, there are so many good things to look forward to - namely, all of you. Thank you for being here for me at a time when I need you most but don't have the time to keep in touch. I miss you all, and think of you all often. Thank you for being the light at the end of my tunnel.
Friday, October 17, 2008
The Most Unbiquitous Things in New York
Every city has its common objects, its landmarks and those foods or characteristics for which it is known best.
People probably think of the Statue of Liberty, hotdogs, yellow cabs, the Empire state building and so on.
Living here I would like to add a few more items to the list. While they make not be as widely known in the world, I assure you that you are probably more likely to run into going along the streets of the city.
They are, drum roll please:
Orchids
iPhones
emergen-C
Orchids are everywhere in this city. In windows of restaurants, salons, shoe stores, fancy department stores, apartment lobbies, offices (there are two in my office). Faux or real, they're all over.
Somehow they seem to me a perfect plant for New York. Like New Yorks, who spend much of their time scurrying around at the bottom of a tall maze of skyscraper like so many ants at the roots of grass stalks, orchids require indirect light. Perfect for midtown, where the closest glimpse of sky you often get is its reflection in the glass of the buildings towering over you.
Orchids have something flimsy or delicate in their appearance; at least the general species found all over here. Actual subtropical ones may be hardier in appearance for all I know. But the New York type are pretty flexible -though I wouldn't credit all New Yorkers with that trait. They balance out pretty well with a good number of people being flexible and accommodating while others are thoroughly intractable.
The blossoms are ornate and delicate looking. So much flash to my mind. I prefer tulips. But flash is what so much of this place is about. Appearance does seem to count for a lot. If you aren't walking around with an actual Prada bag or Coach purse, then you're walking around with a fake one bought from a street corner vendor for 1/10th the official price. Which is still enough to eat off of for about three meals.
iPhones are everywhere as well, fast outpacing the Blackberry, or crack-berry, it seems to me. On the one hand it allows people to communicate and solve things quicker, keep business flowing, allay fears, confirm appointments, send a note to family or a friend. But on the other hand they have an addictive allure. They put you on an umbilical cord to work and the obligation to respond instantly all the time.
And because people here are so busy all the time, the simple things often get left by the wayside. Like eating. If you ever wondered why the women of New York were often so slender and thin; I suspect in large part is has nothing to do with health consciousness or gym memberships, but rather than fact that people literally do not have time to eat. The day is too short and the business too pressing and so on. This I do not like. If I don't eat at regular intervals my muscles start to liquify -which makes it hard to do work, or anything for that matter. And no amount of fruit bar or trail mix stored in the desk drawer can quite take the place of a normally consumed meal.
New York has a solution though. Drinkable food. There are any number of brightly colored powders you can buy and mix into a bottle of water (also a common New York sight) and imbibe. Instead of eating normally. Emergen-c is big at the moment because it boosts the immune system and it is cold season.
But the hustle and bustle of the city will keep us warm for now, the emergen-c will keep us healthy and going, the iphone will keep us in touch and the orchids will give a touch of class.
People probably think of the Statue of Liberty, hotdogs, yellow cabs, the Empire state building and so on.
Living here I would like to add a few more items to the list. While they make not be as widely known in the world, I assure you that you are probably more likely to run into going along the streets of the city.
They are, drum roll please:
Orchids
iPhones
emergen-C
Orchids are everywhere in this city. In windows of restaurants, salons, shoe stores, fancy department stores, apartment lobbies, offices (there are two in my office). Faux or real, they're all over.
Somehow they seem to me a perfect plant for New York. Like New Yorks, who spend much of their time scurrying around at the bottom of a tall maze of skyscraper like so many ants at the roots of grass stalks, orchids require indirect light. Perfect for midtown, where the closest glimpse of sky you often get is its reflection in the glass of the buildings towering over you.
Orchids have something flimsy or delicate in their appearance; at least the general species found all over here. Actual subtropical ones may be hardier in appearance for all I know. But the New York type are pretty flexible -though I wouldn't credit all New Yorkers with that trait. They balance out pretty well with a good number of people being flexible and accommodating while others are thoroughly intractable.
The blossoms are ornate and delicate looking. So much flash to my mind. I prefer tulips. But flash is what so much of this place is about. Appearance does seem to count for a lot. If you aren't walking around with an actual Prada bag or Coach purse, then you're walking around with a fake one bought from a street corner vendor for 1/10th the official price. Which is still enough to eat off of for about three meals.
iPhones are everywhere as well, fast outpacing the Blackberry, or crack-berry, it seems to me. On the one hand it allows people to communicate and solve things quicker, keep business flowing, allay fears, confirm appointments, send a note to family or a friend. But on the other hand they have an addictive allure. They put you on an umbilical cord to work and the obligation to respond instantly all the time.
And because people here are so busy all the time, the simple things often get left by the wayside. Like eating. If you ever wondered why the women of New York were often so slender and thin; I suspect in large part is has nothing to do with health consciousness or gym memberships, but rather than fact that people literally do not have time to eat. The day is too short and the business too pressing and so on. This I do not like. If I don't eat at regular intervals my muscles start to liquify -which makes it hard to do work, or anything for that matter. And no amount of fruit bar or trail mix stored in the desk drawer can quite take the place of a normally consumed meal.
New York has a solution though. Drinkable food. There are any number of brightly colored powders you can buy and mix into a bottle of water (also a common New York sight) and imbibe. Instead of eating normally. Emergen-c is big at the moment because it boosts the immune system and it is cold season.
But the hustle and bustle of the city will keep us warm for now, the emergen-c will keep us healthy and going, the iphone will keep us in touch and the orchids will give a touch of class.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Adult Fantasies
When I was really little I had a handful of fantasies, dreams. Among other things I wanted to canoe around the Amazon, go the moon, go the top of the Eiffel Tower and win a pulitzer.
For the record I have actually been to the top of La Tour Eiffel. Twice. And I highly recommend it.
And I'm adding new dreams to my wish list, deciding others aren't as interesting and discarding them -a severe dislike of heat and humidity has more or less cured me of the urge to paddle up the Amazon river.
Lately, the past six months, I've become prey to a slew of new fantasies. Prior to suddenly arriving formally in the Adult World solely by virtue of graduating from college, these desires would have seemed humdrum or weird to me. Now they are like holy grails, very much sought after.
Chief among them is kitchen space. Specifically counter space.To be able to spread out, not be forced to clean things in the midst of making them simply because there's NO room! A proper and extensive array of kitchen and cooking supplies is a related fantasy. A zester. I know a grater will do just fine, but I want to have a zester as well.
Further fantasizing-
A garbage disposal. And I grew up with one -so I know how cool they are!
An exhaust fan over the stove, no worrying about the smoke detector going off in the middle of cooking dinner. And while we're at it, a fan in the bathroom to minimize the steam from showers.
My own washer and dryer, with NO stairs involved.
One day I shall have these. One day...
For the record I have actually been to the top of La Tour Eiffel. Twice. And I highly recommend it.
And I'm adding new dreams to my wish list, deciding others aren't as interesting and discarding them -a severe dislike of heat and humidity has more or less cured me of the urge to paddle up the Amazon river.
Lately, the past six months, I've become prey to a slew of new fantasies. Prior to suddenly arriving formally in the Adult World solely by virtue of graduating from college, these desires would have seemed humdrum or weird to me. Now they are like holy grails, very much sought after.
Chief among them is kitchen space. Specifically counter space.To be able to spread out, not be forced to clean things in the midst of making them simply because there's NO room! A proper and extensive array of kitchen and cooking supplies is a related fantasy. A zester. I know a grater will do just fine, but I want to have a zester as well.
Further fantasizing-
A garbage disposal. And I grew up with one -so I know how cool they are!
An exhaust fan over the stove, no worrying about the smoke detector going off in the middle of cooking dinner. And while we're at it, a fan in the bathroom to minimize the steam from showers.
My own washer and dryer, with NO stairs involved.
One day I shall have these. One day...
Real World, Real Words
So, this is not entirely new, but I have found that there are certain frequently used words, or preferred words.
First off in my work-world, often times in official correspondence or phone conversation use the royal 'we.' We'd be delighted to have you come in and meet our staff, and so on. In truth, of course I have no positive way of knowing if others members of the staff will be delighted. They'll be polite, and they probably will be glad because they are nice people, but I couldn't swear to it.
Also, I don't use the word 'suggest,' I use 'encourage.' I encourage you to check out our website for further information, I encourage you to take a look at such and such periodicals.
Other buzz words or phrases include: innovative, insight, welcome your input, value your time, check-in, touch base, connection, communication, confirmation and the biggie 'follow-up.' I love follow-ups. It appeals to the OCD in me; its confirmation, some form of communication, an efficient little touch all rolled into one grown-up thingy.
But with the official jargon, comes the official voice. I'm quite sure that the voice I answer the phone with is nothing like my real voice or speaking patterns. Not to say I'm a total liar on the phone, its just putting my best foot, or best phrasing, forward. You have to be polite and helpful and all that, and somehow the tone comes out a sort of bland, higher register sound. If the different pitches of my voice, depending on mood and setting, were colors, the official work phone voice would undoubtedly be taupe.
First off in my work-world, often times in official correspondence or phone conversation use the royal 'we.' We'd be delighted to have you come in and meet our staff, and so on. In truth, of course I have no positive way of knowing if others members of the staff will be delighted. They'll be polite, and they probably will be glad because they are nice people, but I couldn't swear to it.
Also, I don't use the word 'suggest,' I use 'encourage.' I encourage you to check out our website for further information, I encourage you to take a look at such and such periodicals.
Other buzz words or phrases include: innovative, insight, welcome your input, value your time, check-in, touch base, connection, communication, confirmation and the biggie 'follow-up.' I love follow-ups. It appeals to the OCD in me; its confirmation, some form of communication, an efficient little touch all rolled into one grown-up thingy.
But with the official jargon, comes the official voice. I'm quite sure that the voice I answer the phone with is nothing like my real voice or speaking patterns. Not to say I'm a total liar on the phone, its just putting my best foot, or best phrasing, forward. You have to be polite and helpful and all that, and somehow the tone comes out a sort of bland, higher register sound. If the different pitches of my voice, depending on mood and setting, were colors, the official work phone voice would undoubtedly be taupe.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Dear Becca,
If you are still alive out there, please let us know. We get worried when we don't hear from you for too long. Maybe all those little children ate you alive or something.
(That also goes for other people who might be reading this and not writing...:)
(That also goes for other people who might be reading this and not writing...:)
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