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| Everyone has their own way of giving back to the community. This is my third year mentoring at George Hall Elementary in San Mateo. The area isn't technically low income, but most of the students come from pretty low income families. My experience mentoring has made me really lose faith in the public school system. My mentee this year is a 3rd grade girl with very limited English skills. She basically comes from a family who speaks little to no English and her parents only found out today that their child is partially blind. The part that really disappoints me about our public school system is that this girl can barely read, doesn't know her ABCs, and has difficulty adding/subtracting. How do you make it to 3rd grade without knowing how to read words such as ball and cat??? She has been going to the same school since kindergarten and somehow has slipped through the cracks and moved along to the next grade level without being prepared. I feel terrible for her because she has such a great attitude and is really eager to learn, but how can does she catch up when she's so far behind? She really is such a great kid with the aptitude to do well if given the chance. Today we worked on how to pronounce different words and what kind of sounds the different letters make. I definitely have my work cut out for me but I really hope to make a difference. Last year my mentee had the same problem. He was so far behind, yet the teacher just didn't have time to work with him individually if a majority of the class understood it. I think my elementary school classes had about 25-30 kids each year. Isn't 1 teacher to 30 students normal in this day and age? | | |
| Sunday afternoon, the girls and I had a pumpkin carving party. I seriously think it's been 15+ years since I've carved a pumpkin. I didn't even remember how to clean it out. The pumpkin party ended up being such a cute and fun idea! We all had a blast creating our pumpkins, then admiring our crafty artwork.
I'm so excited for Halloween!!! I love dressing up and going to costume parties. I LOVE my costume. As the tradition goes, my friends and I will be heading down to LA for the weekend. Bobby's birthday falls on Halloween night so it's always a joint celebration: Halloween and Bobby's 28th birthday (yes bobby, I finally remembered how old you are)! This year we're going to Dave Navarro's party at Highlands (Kodak Theater). If you're going to be in the area, let me know. Maybe we can meet up.
Does anyone have plans for actual Halloween: Tuesday, October 31?? I'd be down to go to a party or just walk around Castro. I've never been to the Castro on Halloween. Actually I've never been period, so I think it would be a cool experience. Have a fun and safe Halloween everyone!!
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| Just got back from a short weekend trip to Los Angeles. I haven't been back to LA since New Years 2005 so I knew I was due for another trip down south. It's always weird going back to SoCal because it makes me miss the nightlife and shopping, but I totally can't picture myself living down there again. LA is a great place to live while you're young but I wouldn't want to settle down and raise a family in such a hectic environment.
Celebrity sighting for the weekend: Lindsay Price (Janet from 90210). She's actually very pretty in person and super friendly.
Me, Jouvan, Gemma and Camille - preparty before heading out to The Belmont
Annie, Gemma, me, Gohar, Ashley, Jouvan, Shya (puppy!!) and Camille
My cousin Alison is getting married in less than 2 months. We're not that close but I offered to help her plan the wedding shower; I'm responsible for the wedding shower party favors. Does anyone have any suggestions? I was thinking about making cute party favor bags using the wedding color scheme and maybe throwing in some chocolates.
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| Buying a new car has been the most frustrating experience ever. These stupid car salesman have no idea what they have in stock, they don't return phone calls and they quote ridiculous prices. It makes me not even want a new car now. | | |
| Another wild and crazy weekend in Las Vegas. As I think back on the weekend, it really was a huge blur. And, only 7 hours of sleep the ENTIRE weekend!
A few highlights from my trip:
- Head of the line entrance at PURE
- VIP table @ PURE
- Rehab @ Hard Rock Hotel
- Thunder from down Under
- Tina's special brownies
- Seeing old friends from college
If you're ever in Vegas on a Sunday afternoon, go to REHAB @ the Hard Rock Hotel. The women are gorgeous and the men are all super toned and tan. For women, the average (fake) boob size is probably a full C/small D and waist size a 26/27. The men look like they're on steroids. The line is insane tho... some people waited 4+ hours to get into the "club" pool. The Hard Rock is such a young, hip hotel.
Thanks TINA for organizing a great trip!! 
...Random side note, but somewhat related to travel...
I'm about to max out on my vacation time. I've accrued 22 days of vacation and I'm 8 hours away from reaching the cap. Basically that means, cash out some vacation time or I won't gain anymore hours. I feel like I've taken a substantial amount of vacation time in my 22 months career at FT. I went to Cabo, Thailand, New York, and Arkansas for a week a piece. I need to find more friends with vacation time!!! It's torture having the time to go, but no one with vacation time to go with. | | |
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