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apple_pathwaysMy students: SO PRECIOUS! No, doing math doesn't make me a nerd: there is a whole HOST of reasons why I am a nerd, and they have nothing to do with my current profession as a math tutor. (Though I am so very glad he's taken that lesson to heart! Kids: it's OK to be smart! Jocks can do math! Hooray!)
All of this is a roundabout way of me making a sort-of introduction post. I've never made a proper one, and since I have new friends, I may as well! But before I get down to that, I would like to announce a general DE-FRIENDING AMNESTY for anyone who feels we just never really connected. I understand, really: we were young and foolish, and we just got caught up in the moment! We don't have as much in common anymore, and now we just don't know how to make time for each other...it's not me, it's you, etc. It's OK! If we don't talk at all, and you'd like to de-friend, by all means do! If we don't talk at all and, for some reason, you would like to remain friends, then do let me know here, because in a few days I am going to be conducting a minor friends cut. IT'S NOT YOU IT'S ME, etc.
UPDATED: 5/29/11. UPDATES are made in red!
My name is Amy. It's ok to call me that! My last name, however, is a closely-guarded secret that only about 50% of my flist, plus several random members of other comms I belong to, know. I am, apparently, terrible at keeping my own secrets. (I'm pretty good at keeping them for others, though.)
I am 28. I will be 29 at some unspecified time in the near future. That 'unspecified' time which (I believe) is actually listed on my profile has passed! I am 29.
I am graduating with my bachelor's degree in social work in (looks at watch): I dunno, a few days! One more exam to take today, and then I'm DONE! It took me ten years to get to this degree, due to a combination of financial difficulties, mental health difficulties, general inability to figure out what I want to do difficulties, etc. I have the degree now! Hell of a lot of good it's doing me, though. I plan on getting my Master's degree at some unspecified time in the future soon!
I chose social work because I'm truly passionate about it. I love people, I want to help people, and I want to make a change...for once in my life. Want to feel real good, wanna make a difference...wanna make it rigggght.
(So apparently I never got around to explaining what I do do! I am a math tutor. I teach math (all kinds) to kids aged 5-18. I love my job, but often complain it. Because I'm usually talking to two different students, shushing a third, actively ignoring a fourth, answering the phone, printing out a worksheet, finding a calculator, and changing the toilet roll in the bathroom all at the same time, my short-term memory is shot and I often forget what I'm doing in the middle of doing it. If I told you I was going to do something for you, it's Ok to remind me!
I have difficulties being serious for prolonged periods of time without resorting to self-deprecating and/or ridiculous humor. I try real hard when situations warrant it, though, and if you're ever feeling down and want a sincere compliment, just drop me a hint, and I'll shove down my embarrassment and let you know what an amazing person I think you are.
I am honest and direct to a fault, and I'm constantly trying to teach myself how to balance these traits with the expectations of polite society. (If someone says, "Tell me what you really think", why aren't you allowed to tell them what you really think?) While I'm occasionally clueless, impatient, and irrational, I am rarely ever mean. I apologize when it's warranted. (Just ask the cashiers at Lane Bryant...)
I am an atheist, and I suppose that's important to me. I am, in general, a skeptic and an all-around non-believer in things that require "faith", i.e. psychics, ghosts, gods, angels, demons, alien abductions, out-of-body experiences, karma, reincarnation, and other such mystical forces. I'm generally not rude about it, though, and I won't take it personally if you believe in such things; in exchange, I ask that you not take it personally if I don't.
I'm politically and socially liberal. In terms of "how liberal", it depends on what scale you're using: on the scale of American politics, I would come up "pinko commie liberal"; one the scale of many European countries, I would come up as "moderate". So, if you're wondering about specifics, it's best just to ask. ;)
I welcome respectful discussion of any and all things: just because I've said I think a certain way about something, doesn't mean I don't want to hear your view, even if it's the opposite.
I love kids, books, Doctor Who, Sherlock Holmes (the books and the BBC series), writing, poetry, cheese, ice cream, animals, my cat, my family, intelligent discussion, rational debate, absurd humor, and music of many, many kinds.
I am irritated by: my family, people who wear shorts in the middle of winter, traffic, not being able to find things where I put them, shouty people, people who hate Americans, Americans who hate other countries, general intolerance, Facebook, and Twitter.
Any quibbles? Any questions? WANT TO SAY 'HI'???
All of this is a roundabout way of me making a sort-of introduction post. I've never made a proper one, and since I have new friends, I may as well! But before I get down to that, I would like to announce a general DE-FRIENDING AMNESTY for anyone who feels we just never really connected. I understand, really: we were young and foolish, and we just got caught up in the moment! We don't have as much in common anymore, and now we just don't know how to make time for each other...it's not me, it's you, etc. It's OK! If we don't talk at all, and you'd like to de-friend, by all means do! If we don't talk at all and, for some reason, you would like to remain friends, then do let me know here, because in a few days I am going to be conducting a minor friends cut. IT'S NOT YOU IT'S ME, etc.
UPDATED: 5/29/11. UPDATES are made in red!
My name is Amy. It's ok to call me that! My last name, however, is a closely-guarded secret that only about 50% of my flist, plus several random members of other comms I belong to, know. I am, apparently, terrible at keeping my own secrets. (I'm pretty good at keeping them for others, though.)
I chose social work because I'm truly passionate about it. I love people, I want to help people, and I want to make a change...for once in my life. Want to feel real good, wanna make a difference...wanna make it rigggght.
(So apparently I never got around to explaining what I do do! I am a math tutor. I teach math (all kinds) to kids aged 5-18. I love my job, but often complain it. Because I'm usually talking to two different students, shushing a third, actively ignoring a fourth, answering the phone, printing out a worksheet, finding a calculator, and changing the toilet roll in the bathroom all at the same time, my short-term memory is shot and I often forget what I'm doing in the middle of doing it. If I told you I was going to do something for you, it's Ok to remind me!
I have difficulties being serious for prolonged periods of time without resorting to self-deprecating and/or ridiculous humor. I try real hard when situations warrant it, though, and if you're ever feeling down and want a sincere compliment, just drop me a hint, and I'll shove down my embarrassment and let you know what an amazing person I think you are.
I am honest and direct to a fault, and I'm constantly trying to teach myself how to balance these traits with the expectations of polite society. (If someone says, "Tell me what you really think", why aren't you allowed to tell them what you really think?) While I'm occasionally clueless, impatient, and irrational, I am rarely ever mean. I apologize when it's warranted. (Just ask the cashiers at Lane Bryant...)
I am an atheist, and I suppose that's important to me. I am, in general, a skeptic and an all-around non-believer in things that require "faith", i.e. psychics, ghosts, gods, angels, demons, alien abductions, out-of-body experiences, karma, reincarnation, and other such mystical forces. I'm generally not rude about it, though, and I won't take it personally if you believe in such things; in exchange, I ask that you not take it personally if I don't.
I'm politically and socially liberal. In terms of "how liberal", it depends on what scale you're using: on the scale of American politics, I would come up "pinko commie liberal"; one the scale of many European countries, I would come up as "moderate". So, if you're wondering about specifics, it's best just to ask. ;)
I welcome respectful discussion of any and all things: just because I've said I think a certain way about something, doesn't mean I don't want to hear your view, even if it's the opposite.
I love kids, books, Doctor Who, Sherlock Holmes (the books and the BBC series), writing, poetry, cheese, ice cream, animals, my cat, my family, intelligent discussion, rational debate, absurd humor, and music of many, many kinds.
I am irritated by: my family, people who wear shorts in the middle of winter, traffic, not being able to find things where I put them, shouty people, people who hate Americans, Americans who hate other countries, general intolerance, Facebook, and Twitter.
Any quibbles? Any questions? WANT TO SAY 'HI'???
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no subject
Date: 2010-12-15 09:03 pm (UTC)Also, so doing math doesn't make you a nerd?! Does it make you a geek? Uhm... I'm not sure my brain can compute. I'd rather the jocks who can do math/maths would admit to being geeks and freaks and out themselves so that all the cool kids would realize that you can be both popular and smart and read and do geeky things. I dunno... somewhere I have a point in all of this. I think it's that we shouldn't have labels period because it leads to stereotyping but since we do, I'd like some popular people to identify with geeks/nerds/whatever else the smart but unpopular kids get called today so that they can have their chance in the sun.
Eh... I'm rambling and showing my tiredness.
BTW... your package of most awesome Christmas things arrived. I have eaten the peppermint truffles into oblivion and my children thank you must ardently for the candy canes because I refuse to buy them. And I wore the bracelet today to work to be festive. :D THANK YOU.
no subject
Date: 2010-12-16 01:23 am (UTC)What I am doing to celebrate: fancy dinner with my family on Friday, going out for dinner and then prolly dancing with friends on Saturday, and (gleefully!) skipping my commencement ceremony on Sunday to go my mother's family's Christmas party. I think I'm also doing a celebration dinner next Tuesday with another friend.
Re: Nerdery
I take it as a positive sign that my student is willing to concede that math is not, in and of itself, a "nerdy" thing to like or be good at. Personally, I have reclaimed the word "nerd" and happily self-identify as such, but to him, it's a negative thing, so I'm happy he's broadening his definition of what is and is not acceptable social behavior! (He's a good kid--very sweet and funny, and nice to all the kids who are there the same time he is. Of course, I have not seen him on his own with his friends at school, so I can only hope that he is a "nice boy" there as well! I have a feeling he is.)
You're right that labels are bad, and not at all useful. It was my own fault for bringing it up, because I think I said the word "nerd" first, not remembering that it still carries a negative connotation for kids. I think I got it across, though, that I was quite happy to be nerdy!