The Davis Aroboretum

Is a lovely place to take photographs.  Its about 3 or 4 miles of a loop around a creek that runs through UC Davis campus.  Its very sunny.  You will need to stop down quite a bit.  The redwood grove is very beautiful.  There are several sections of the garden with a variety of plant life.  The wild life primarily consists of turtles and ducks.  The ducks are fearless.  There is a lot of shade from the redwood trees.  I enjoyed the day with the photography meet up.  I met several highly skilled photographers and I hope that I made a few friends.  We had our lunch on the picnic tables under the redwood canopy.  The parking was free on Sunday.  We parked in lot 5.   I brought one bottle of water.  I recommend bringing several bottles of water, sunscreen, a sun hat, and clothing that covers your limbs and protects you from the sun.  I had all of that and I still put some aloe on my face last night.  I really enjoyed the location and I highly recommend it.

TFA

I'm all set up for my interview.  I have my transcripts.  I have my 5 minute lesson and handout.  I have my hotel room.  I have my directions.  I'm still working on this project.  I will be going to a meeting tomorrow and then I will drive out to Palo Alto for the interview.  I need a little rest before I continue to work this afternoon.  I do know what I need to do though, so I should be ok.

Job prospects

I'm preparing for the TFA interview.  My family also has job prospects.  And, I have some ideas for video projects of my own.  I'm working on the scripts/ideas.  Things are looking up.

The 5 minute lesson

For Teach For America is not easy to pick.  I have settled on two options, one a short lesson about the dangers of caffeine and one an ESL style lesson about grammar.  My interview is on March 31.  The only disadvantage to this interview is the cost, about 110 dollars to stay.  The interview is an all day process, not just in the afternoon.  If it were in the afternoon, I could drive down and back.  Unfortunately, its just too far for that.

In other good news, a family member has the potential for work.  Wish us both luck.  The prayer that I have heard about work is that you ask for the right job for you.  This way, even if you don't get a job, you are blessed because that would have not been the right job for you.

Hi Ho to Teach for America Finals I go

What an interesting set of requirements.  They want my transcripts from college.  Thats a lot of different places to go for paperwork.  I attended four different schools.  Two junior colleges and two CSU.  I don't know what I will do for the teaching sample lesson segment.  Other than that, I'm ready.  My transcripts should be ready for me by next Thursday.  My interview is scheduled for the 31st in Palo Alto.  It looks like a fun day.  Apparently, they only select 17% of their finalists.  I'm ok with that.  I'm really going to just have fun.  The finalists only spend part of the day teaching, just five minutes.  It looks like one long day of small group communications.  I enjoyed that part in college.  

The pros of Teach for America:  Great way to get experience teaching and to find out if I have what it takes to do the job.  Also, I had wanted to do some community service and this would look great on my resume.   

The cons:  I would have to leave home for two years.  I sure would miss it here!  I love my Mom and the ranch.  Possibly, the job may be very demanding and there would be hardly any time for art or music.  It might encroach on my workout times.  More on that in EDH Diet.

Ask and ye might recieve

I did get an invitation to interview for Teach for America.  This is so exciting!  I've been emailing my potential references all morning.  This would be such a boon.  I would learn a lot and I would be paid.  The only disadvantage is that I would be leaving home for two years and I really love it here.  I would prefer to work as close to home as possible.  There is a middle school right up the road from here that would be ideal.  I could hike to work.  Life is so very good and I know its just going to get better from here.

The mid point

I am more than half way through the second phase of this current project.  I am close to the end and gladly anticipating my next project.  Life is a beautiful thing when you have a plan.  I am mulling over ideas and brainstorming about my new product.  This product is unique because I will be primarily working on my own.  I have all of the requisite skill and my kit is primed.  The only variable will be the market and whether or not I will find a good steady stream of paying customers.  In any event it will give me a new set of pieces for my portfolio and additional experience in a relatively low key, low stress environment.  I will work on this project while simultaneously looking for additional paying work.  

Life is looking good.  I am optimistic and very lucky about where I live, my room mates, and my business.  Many have not faired as well as I have in this economic down turn.  I have become very frugal.  I am postponing frivolous purchases.  I am waiting until I can afford fun and games before I purchase them.  I am not buying a new car, another video camera, or more fitness equipment right now.  I would love to buy some more workout DVDs from Cathe Friedrich, however, that can wait.  I am more than well equipped to continue with my work, my quest for fitness, and I have plenty of inexpensive ways to be entertained.  I have a good local library to visit, book shelves full of things to read and a netflix account.  What more could I possibly want?  I even prefer cooking for myself.  I have plenty of painting supplies, more than I could possibly go through in a year.  I even have plenty of vitamins in the cupboard, I could go a year before I have to go back to Costco for another installment on that front.

They say that the best things in life are free.  For me that is really true, I love hiking and visiting with friends.  As mid points go, both in my life and my career, I am loving this one.