IF I WERE A TEACHER: Current Craziness in American Classrooms

Ok--stop the press! I have been witnessing some very disturbing trends in the classroom that I feel are distorting and disorienting the teacher/student/learning environment setting.  I feel safe to say that the college professors are more lenient than the high school teachers I had were (AND NOT ALL; Im just making a general note of commonalities so don't trip--lol). Okay, so this thing about having laptops in class...It is not necessary. IF I WERE A TEACHER, I would make a NO TOLERANCE policy on laptops. "I do not want to see ANY LAPTOPS, unless I tell you we will use them for an in-class project. Don't even bother to bring them!" In class y'all, I sit right next to people who all they are doing is nothing but browsing on Facebook. Is stalking people's lives really that important, that you would tune out vital information that your teacher is spitting? And some students will say, "Well, oh, I take notes on the computer. It is so much easier. I have messy handwriting." My response is "Ain't nothing wrong with your hands! If you have two (one in fact), paper and a writing utensil, you do not need a computer." Beyond that, it is totally disrespectful to have a screen in front of your face, OBNOXIOUSLY ignoring your teacher. IF I WERE spending a majority of my time researching, making presentations, etc for a class I expect them to give me their time, undivided attention and respect. Otherwise I should just get paid to talk to a brick wall! On one wants to do that right?
#2--What is with this first name thing? My name is MS. ARRINGTON TO YOU OR PROFESSOR OR DOCTOR. I am not your peer." There is a student in one of my classes who calls our teacher by a nickname. A NICKNAME! Totally inappropriate. Honestly, I don't care what you say, calling an adult by their first name much less a nickname, eliminates the "authoritative figure/respect." And as a teacher you have earned your title, don't you want people and especially children to recognize you as such?
#3--What is with this lights out thing? Window shades shut, all lights out. And you wonder why students are falling asleep. This is also why I'm blind as a bat! IF I WERE A TEACHER lights would be on. In the real world, you will not be in a cold office with the lights out. I need backs straight, eyes and ears open, and lights on! lol
#4--What is with this constant late acceptance policy on papers/tests etc? We all got a syllabus. Everyone has the deadlines in their faces and at their fingertips. If they wanted to be lazy, then that is no one's fault but their own. When teachers accept an abundance of late work it rubs off on other students and students think that they can do whatever they want and turn things in whenever.
These are a few (unfortunately) of main trends I see evolving in the classroom, while students' brains are "devolving." Things like this make me want to become a teacher. I am not saying that I will be mean, but I will be a responsible adult and authoritative figure. Teachers' whole purpose is to make sure students LEARN! How can they learn running all over top of you and doing what they want? hhhhhmmmmmm. lol

Dat's Very Eassy Faarr You To Say!

    Well, let's see. For those of you who havent heard, Tino won the one single annual [out of forty applicant] "Well Balanced Man" scholarship from Sigma Phi Epsilon (a predominately White fraternity). I was very proud of him! I did not realize how prestigious the award was--now I have been crowned "First Lady Well Balanced." lol Also, I finally got the dream photo shoot experience I had been dreaming of for so long. One of my dear friends agreed to experiment with me and we had a blast--exotic makeup, exotic clothes, exotic places! I am going to post the photos on Facebook. I was just thinking in the process it would certainly be awesome to just "look pretty" and pose in front of a camera all day [for the rest of your life] and make loads of money while doing it. Doesn't that sound so fun and easy?! I know, I know, before you go all baazerk on me, I was only kidding.
    I have been feeling quite stressed lately. (In My Jamaican accent) Ja know, it is very very 'ard to be a "LEADer," because you'r always under fire. All da while, it is very very eeeassyyy for one to sit back, cross dere arms (yeh you), and point fingars, but it is another ting to surrender yourself up for the greater good of humanity only for the greater likelihood that your imperfections will be exposed--TO DE WORLD! Meh really need fi develop tough-fer skin." I want to not care what anyone thinks, feels, or says that may not be what I want to hear; but if I were to do dat, I would not be able to GROW! And great leaders are servants and also excellent listeners. I know you have heard "In order to lead, you must first learn how to follow," and that is soo true.
    How can one feel like they are being ignored, but watched brutally all at the same time? I just need to go to the gym. I think it's that time--and another thing--Why is it that when a woman gets emotional, it has to be that time of month? It is during that time, when I can think more clearer about all the things that are messed up in the world, and our culture, and society and of course in my little bubble! lol. I sound a hot mess. Before I go though, Remember, don't pick out the splinter in someone else's eye when you may have a log in yours. (Jamaican accent again) Be CAREful 'oh you Say tings ta peoPLE. It is great to say tings out of love and concern, but just WATCH IT! ONE LOVE--Yours Truly, Yazzie
Matthew 7:2 "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged."
"Ya nuh hav fi comment--just stay quiet and judgmental lik yah always do."

My One Sentence Memoir

We did this in class and this is what I came up with:

"An unusual girl with unusual circumstances challenging the status quo, questioning modern ideals, and discovering oneself while making history."  

Still "Shuckin' n Jivin': Not All Our Fault

And the battle of "Race and Rights" continues to duke it out in my mind. It's so much to consume and process. Just watched CNN's "Black in America:Silicon Valley" screening Thursday night. It was a handful of Black entrepreneurs competing for investors to launch their online businesses. It was sad, interesting and eye-opening. they make us "battle each other," while the watch and laugh at us. We are still shucking and jiving. They did not began to work together until an Indian man came and pointed out to them that the problem with our race is that "We do not work together enough." I went to a session about the Criminal Justice System." I found out how prisons are deliberately built in small, remote, low-income, minority cities to make locals excited about jobs and continue to "enslave" the poor, minority people. There then forms a hierarchy in the prison system among black people. Now, no one else has to enforce slavery, they just sit back, watch us, and laugh. We're still shucking and jiving. Yesterday in my Caribbean History class I watched a documentary based on Jamaica Kincaid's "A Small Place," called "Life and Debt." it talked about how America gives these countries subsidies and trumps interest on them, so that the country ends up in even more debt than they did before the accepted the loan. I learned about "Free Zones" and how America puts strict laws on exported goods and capital to be spent on Health and Education." We are enslaved today by golden chains. Is there any escaping? What can we do? What can I do? What do you do when you've been "Bamboozled" [Spike Lee Film] ?

Lights, Camera, ACTION!

    Hosting the talk show last night was an absolute blast! I adore being on stage and having fun in front of the camera. You create your own personality, and discussion. I'm not conceited, it's just so much fun! The show will be posted online and Youtube next week so I will be sure to share it with you all.
    And speaking of cameras, my friend Rachel has agreed to be my photographer at my photo shoot--EXCITING! I can't get enough of cameras!
    Tonight I will be speaking on campus at an event entitled: "Locked Up:A Lost Generation." The professor hosting it is such a cool lady. She was a Juvenile Court Counselor for 15 years. I'm counting down till Saturday--I am slowly dying. My dad is cool peeps. He is hilarious and honest and sweet. He cooks and cleans, and sews, and hems clothes, sings; the guy can do more than me! I LOVE YOU DADDY! --Yaz

Registering, Texting, and Churching!

    Wwwwhhhheeeewwww! I dont think I have ever in my life experienced something as painful as I just did! Registering for classes as a freshman with no incoming credits is a mess! I changed my schedule at least 4 times; I am done with that now and glad to say that I am satisfied with my schedule. I literally got the LAST SLOT for two of my classes--I was sweating bullets. I am ready for a nap now! lol For Winter Term I am taking "Music and Propaganda." HHhmmm, this shall be interesting (and fun)! I love to do critical analysis on topics like this, if you couldn't already tell:) haha
    The good news is-my Simple Mobile sim card finally came so I can stop spending a ridiculous amount of money on my AT&T payasyougo plan (more like "payasyougobroke"). I will now be paying a steady $40/month for unlimited talking and texting anytime, any place! In this day and age (for a teenager/college student/business person) it is essential to have a cellphone. The cellphone is the epitome of a "Communication Revolution." This idea is open for critical analysis:)
    More updates: For Caribbean History I have to read Jamaica Kincaid's "A Small Place." My dear friend Rachel a cute, kind-hearted, Caucasian/Jewish girl came with me to church yesterday! It was her first time at a Black Baptist church and we had a blast! The choir was singing all the "Gospel Goodies" such as "Oh Happy Day," "I'm Going Up Yonder" and many, many others. We also had Communion. I explained to her the significance of the act of Communion and walked her through the entire service. As a sidenote, I love Black Southern churches, because when they get in the spirit they dance and do "the airplane" and "the chicken"! The drums, piano, and tambourine start playing and it's on! Up North we think we're too good to do the funky chicken in church! lol Anyways, on Sunday one of my close friends who sings soprano with me in Gospel Choir joined the church and decided to get Baptized and also my father got saved the same day (I wish I had been two places at the same time)!
    Please do not be offended when I say that I have truly seen some miracles happen to those around me and in my own life, especially recently. I once did not believe that God performs miracles anymore [like how he turned water into wine, walked on water, etc], but that is so not true. I think we may not see miraculous things like that because of lack of faith. For me it is a miracle to wake up--it is a miracle that the folks I love have changed for the better--it is a miracle that my Jewish friend loved me enough to come to church with me--it is a miracle that I got the last slot in one one, but two classes! My definition of miracle: A supernatural work, that we as humans cannot do/make on our own (or even explain). Do you believe in MIRACLES? It's okay if you don't. Tell me why.

All Equal Under Law: I Think Not!

Been Doing some research on famous murder cases for my English class synthesis. I looked at the Troy Davis Case, the Casey Anthony Case, the Lionel Tate case, and the O.J Simpson Case. Any of these sounds familiar? It is my belief that court cases (murder cases in particular) more often than not come to final verdicts that reflect the characteristics of the defendant. What do I mean by that? Essentially, gender, race, and socioeconomic status are unfortunately determining factors of your fate if you are convicted of a crime. This is very problematic because we are all supposed to be "Equal Under the Law" and judges are supposed to make rulings solely based on the facts and the law; however, this is far, far from the truth of what actually happens.
This was a very interesting research topic I chose and I can definitely do so much more with this. What do you think about my thesis and further research possibilities?

Daddy's Baby Girl

Hearing a man telling me I'm his "baby girl" sounds strange over the phone, yet sweet and calming. Today was another terribly interesting day! This time I will start with the semi-bad news. I got my math test back today, and unfortunately it was a "C"! Aaaahhhh. IF I HAD A DOLLAR FOR EVERY SINGLE TIME I GOT A "C" ON A MATH TEST I WOULD BE RICH. And that is not understatement my darling. I know that I am an "A" student, though I have never really been. I participate, I always do my homework, I go to office hours, and I even studied for 6 hours with buddies. Why do I keep seeing "B"obs and "C"ats! I need more "A"pples. lol in English I can produce "A"s like a factory line with my eyes closed, I can't hardly produce a B in math with my eyes wide open. Math is officially my Arch Nemesis!
Aside from that I had an excellent talk with my Caribbean History Professor today--that woman has so much brain power it makes no sense! She could probably take over the world if she wanted to! Please don't take this to literal :) She introduced me to another Black professor and he was fabulous too--they are too funny! I think Someone is leading in the path of being a African-American/History minor. I find this stuff so fascinating! Anyways, then I went to career services and saw a work of magic occur on my resume. There's only one guy in Career services and boy oh boy he's worth a million--Hollywood here I come! How come all this time I never knew to have a cover letter with my resume?
This is why you have to ask for everything, because folks dont just tell you stuff to be telling you! I fill like a big bag of "campus success secrets"! Folks running around asking me how to get a job as a tour guide...I am going to a PR meeting today to try and find innovative ways help promote Elon's TV Shows. Any ideas? I watched the movies "N-Secure" and "The Greatest Song," starring some of my favorite actors/actresses and they both made me cry. I truly feel like a sissy--I never cry on movies; that's when you know they're good. If you know anything about me, I am a Black movies Guru! I AM COOLEY HIGH, OKAY, OR THE BEST MAN? take your pick. lol College is now officially a rolling ball for me. I am a fat, cute little hamster getting a heck of a work out every day and it gets better and better. MY VITALS ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD! I thank each and every one of you for being in my life and having a desire to understand me and know me and share your own knowledge with me. There is so much to discover and be grateful for, no matter where you are in life. I leave you with this--"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 #Living Testimony "I am a hamster in a rolling ball oh, and Daddy's baby girl! :) 

A New Day, Higher Heights!

My dad was released from prison today! He was put on a GreyHound bus. He should be in Wilson, NC now, or at least by dawn. I am so happy and ready--to "meet him" and get to know him. All the anxiety and worry I had before is now all gone. Some more great news, I worked behind the scenes of Etalk as a prompter--Elon's new tv talk show (sort of like the View) tonight. It was a lot of fun. I will get to be a host in the coming weeks; just have to be patient. I also sold my first three items on Ebay--this day has brought so much excitement. I got to know this really sweet girl from my Communications class. She is a junior, she plays tennis, and the best part is, she has a car! lol She is truly a sweetheart. I had been praying that God would send me a good friend.

Some sad and rather scary news. I experienced "Fraud" yesterday for the first time in my 18 tender years of life; not fun. Some false company had wiped out my entire Wachovia, or should I say Wells Fargo Account. I was so scared. I was charged $128 in addition to a bank overdraft fee of $35. I filled a claim and they found that the transaction was in fact unauthorized and the bank refunded my money. That is some scary stuff. Please be careful who you give your bank/credit card info to online. I know not to trust those online surveys anymore. I hope you have a great day. I love the freedom that Elon presents to students. Literally, I feel like I am a sitting under a Christmas tree. I am being handed all these free gifts in pretty wrapping that I can just go for! Elon gives you opportunities and let's you do as you please, as long as your good at what you do of course. Man, I can't wait to be a senior!

Back to happy news: have you heard of the new online tv series "The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl"? I am going to send in my resume and apply to be a summer intern. They film in LA--wouldn't that be just terrific?!

Convictions of Lyfe {sic}

It's so beautiful out today! The sun is just'a shinin'! Since it is such a beautiful day, I thought I would share some inspiring words. Last week in English class, the teacher asked us to share our "Convictions of Life." It's funny, you never really think about words of wisdom that your loved ones have generously passed on to you until you are in a moment when the phrase serves as encouragement. You know you've had one of those moments! It makes such a difference to put them on paper, because then you can put your beliefs in perspective. So without further ado, here are quotes that have carried me through life and/or just inspire me.

--"Success is a mindset; college will only get you half way there."
--"Your spouse should not complete you, but compliment you."
--"You can always do better than your best." --Grandma and Great Granddad
--"Every obstacle is an opportunity."
--"Surround yourself with who you want to be."
--"Feel the fear and do it anyway."
--"It's all about perspective." -My principal
and my absolute favorite...
"KEEP YOUR BOOKS OPEN AND YOUR LEGGS CLOSED." -Mommy R.I.P. 09/09/07

What are the inspirational quotes you live by?