I am proud to say that I am the first person in my family to graduate college. Demographically speaking I am a first generation college student. As a kid, when certain members of my family were gone for a while my father would sometimes say that they were away attending “pen-state.” Of course when I got older I realized that everyone who attended “pen-state” had to wear silver bracelets and dress in matching uniforms.(jail) Seeing people go down the wrong path has helped me realize which path to take. I learned that education is my way out of generational poverty and dysfunction. Once I began to value education, my outlook on life changed for the better. Now I feel compelled to encourage others to understand the value of education so they can do something for themselves, their families, and their country.
Graduating from college and perusing a profession as a teacher has brought great joy to my family. In being a teacher, I want to leave a legacy of success and prosperity that will set a new standard in my family. My family has very few positive role models, and I strive to be a person who others can look up to and seek advice from.
Super Bowl XLVI
To summarize American football, for those who don’t quite understand, it is a game played by overgrown ogres who run around chasing a ball and then continually fall down on top of each other. The super bowl is more than this; the super bowl is a spectacle. Everyone wants to watch, whether it be the game, the half-time show or the commercials, everyone wants to watch the super bowl. I will be watching to see Peyton Manning’s little brother, Eli “ahh, shucks” Manning lose disgracefully to the dominant New England Patriots. Point spread will easily cover. Gatorade color that will be poured on winning coach will be yellow.
My prediction:
Giants 17
Patriots 31
This is a great entry because just as it is important for all to have the opportunity to teach it is a great opportunity for all the families that surround us to share what we will be doing. I am very aware how much of the things that I have accomplished have been fueled and encouraged by my parents. I know I am the dream of my mother. I know I am the dream of my father too. We are the result of their concern and their direction and love has been our guide.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you chose a good path and I applaud your desire to help others do the same.
ReplyDeleteMy father was the first in his family to attend college. He grew up on a farm in Utah. No one in his family understood why he wanted to see the world and expand his mind, so no one supported him. He worked at the oil fields every summer to pay for college. My father achieved success by breaking away from tradition. In the same spirit, I would encourage and support my own child (and all young people in general) to question the relevance of tradition in their own lives.
Your comments about the Stupor Bowl were entertaining. It truly is a spectacle. At no other time do so many millions of people watch the same hypnotic televised content together, while drinking the same corporate brands of genetically modified corn beer and eating the same corporate brands of genetically modified corn junk food. Minds and bodies simultaneously saturated by synthetic toxicity -- Go America!
This is what it's all about, isn't it? Being the best you can be, not to get accolades from strangers, but to serve as a model for those you care about (your family, friends, students) so that they, too, can improve their lot in the world. Just think what you will be able to do for your own children (and nieces and nephews) and students, just by showing them -- through your life and your support and your teaching -- that, yes, there are other options. That's far more effective than what any stay-in-school program or public service announcement can ever achieve.
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