good laughs

As a more light hearted post, I'd like to share some of the funny and absurd happening that have happened so far.  For those who haven't heard the story already, I had been in desperate need of a lunchbox.  I was tired of bringing my lunch in those plastic sacks where everything gets squished.  As such, I thought the thrift store would have just what I needed.  Upon arriving, I headed straight to the bin that had shoulder bags, fanny packs, purses, and one lunchbox.  Perfect!  It was a bit light blue with some shine to it, but it would suffice.  After telling the cashier how happy I was I found the last lunchbox in the bin, she gave me a funny look and then just shrugged it off. 

The next day at work some coworkers noticed the change in equipment and asked what brand it was.  To be honest, I never thought to check.  Arctic Zone?  Polar Freeze?  All those seem somewhat familiar from my middle school days.  Upon opening the lunch box, however, my heart sank.... CLINIQUE?!  I had bought a makeup bag?  I guess that explains the light blue with glitter......  For the following two weeks, I would carry the bag inside a plain black shoulder sling just to hide it from the inevitable snickers of others.  Needless to say, the 'lunchbox' has now been given to a housemate and I have legitimate lunchbox, one with navy blue coloring and absolutely no glitter... or mascara. 


On a side note, I just saw this on youtube and it made my day: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaIvk1cSyG8

And the autotune version!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2ZShmt19uQ

Some Success in College Guidance

My project in college guidance for the two weeks has been to update all the GPA and ACT/SAT test scores from last year's graduating class into a new database.  This program links students' profiles to a college search feature and scholarship information.  The data helps create a picture of where Verbum Dei students have applied in the past and schools that have accepted them.  The most beneficial thing in this is that schools that would be considered out of reach are actually good matches for Verb students.  For example, if a student were interested in USC, the posted ACT average of a student there would be around 30, which is out of reach for most of the students.  However, with this new program, they can see that Verb students admitted there averaged, say, around a 24. 

Just because their scores are statistically lower than admission numbers for colleges, it doesn't diminish the students' improvements over the years and the obstacles they have faced which make them hungry to succeed in college.  With their corporate work study experience and community service hours, they should soon learn that while they should try their best, there are more important things than test scores in making a dynamic college applicant.  

It has been very rewarding this week to discuss college plans with students and to show them that their hard work over the years here will pay when they start applying to colleges. 

Labor Day weekend was a blast because Melissa came to visit L.A. and the long weekend made it perfect to do some serious tourist traps!  We were THOSE people on the walk of fame with our heads down taking pictures of famous names.  Probably the biggest surprise of Hollywood Blvd was how unglamorous the area is.  For example, just across from the Kodak Theater where the Oscars are held is a row of medical marijuana shops (the only thing medical looking about them was the worker wore a white coat...) and t-shirt vendors.  I have a feeling those will be out of the camera shot during the Oscars next February...  

Next on our tour was Venice Beach to see the muscle men and street performers.  Again, more 'medical' marijuana stores here,  muuuuccchhh more.... so much that I'm not even sure if it is illegal in California or if the police just turn a blind eye to all the 18 year old skateboarders with chronic and debilitating back pain...  Either way, if people watching is your thing, Venice Beach is the place for you -  Melissa and I enjoyed the rollerblading, turban wearing, guitar playing man!

Labor Day itself was very relaxing and Mel and I made my housemate a carrot cake for her birthday - sooo good.  We had a great time and we'll have to find more tourist traps when she visits again.  Back to work though for the week and things are starting to pick up!

Spirituality Night Reading

As a part of JVC, my community has committed to two event nights a week centered on community and spirituality.  I led the spirituality night last week and shared with my housemates one of my favorite readings from a college course on the restlessness of the soul.  It is a commencement address given by David Foster Wallace which discusses with humor and careful insight the repetition of adult life.  I find this entirely relevant because everything I have done so far in life is to 'get to the next step.'  Do well in middle school to get honors courses in high school, rock the ACT to get into college, and study like crazy in college to get into med school.  There has always been a very near and practical goal to what I do.  But now in the post-college and nascent adult years, I feel this reading sheds light on how to approach the openendness of what's next.  Enjoy!

http://moreintelligentlife.com/story/david-foster-wallace-in-his-own-words