Sometimes during college, my roommates and I would start craving a certain taste but we couldn't quite put a finger on what it was. So we would start bouncing ideas off each other through process of elimination. "Asian or American? Hot or cold?" Some days we would discover that we had wanted Halal cart all along. Other times, we would settle for Subway. One thing's for sure though, when you finally get it, it totally hits the spot.
It's funny because we would just be flipping through menus looking for something to tip us off. So often, we don't know what we want but we'll know it if we see it. It's the same reason my students prefer true or false questions to essay assignments. We can identify yes or no but struggle when asked to explain why.
Sometimes our gut can sense things before our minds can understand them. I'm convinced that girls who know nothing about basketball can recognize Michael Jordan's dominance during a game. Tone-deaf boys can still appreciate the sheer power of Whitney's voice. Even total strangers pick out their soulmates on the first encounter. It's the smell of passion and its truth can't be denied.
May 23, 2011
Apr 25, 2011
Thinking : Action
If you work out regularly, you know the therapy of a steady bench press. push. breathe. push. breathe. The cleansing sweat of a rhythmic jog. left. right. left. right. Sometimes, we need to channel our most carnal instincts just to feel human again.
More and more, I'm beginning to think that human beings were designed to work. move. toil. During my 11 day vacation, nothing was more dangerous than being idle. When our "thinking to action ratio" is too high, we become petty and dramatic. Delusional and complacent. I started thinking myself into ruts.
Personally, I really miss--and even need--the daily grind again. There's something sexy about 6 am. Refreshing about a full day's schedule. And nothing is more satisfying than loosening my tie at the end of the day.
Furthermore, repetition and exhaustion can really arouse the imagination. The best ideas have a way of falling into our lap when we're least looking for them. when we're buried at work. So many artists become out of touch over time, because they quit the day jobs that helped them write their best songs. They lose the tension of everyday experiences that once triggered their creative juices.
So Kanye, when you're done with your dark, twisted fantasy, I'll be at the gym waiting for the guy that wrote "Roses". Do you even remember why you rap anymore? Just think of that cheeky kid with the backpack. Hip Hop needs you and I miss you.
More and more, I'm beginning to think that human beings were designed to work. move. toil. During my 11 day vacation, nothing was more dangerous than being idle. When our "thinking to action ratio" is too high, we become petty and dramatic. Delusional and complacent. I started thinking myself into ruts.
Personally, I really miss--and even need--the daily grind again. There's something sexy about 6 am. Refreshing about a full day's schedule. And nothing is more satisfying than loosening my tie at the end of the day.
Furthermore, repetition and exhaustion can really arouse the imagination. The best ideas have a way of falling into our lap when we're least looking for them. when we're buried at work. So many artists become out of touch over time, because they quit the day jobs that helped them write their best songs. They lose the tension of everyday experiences that once triggered their creative juices.
So Kanye, when you're done with your dark, twisted fantasy, I'll be at the gym waiting for the guy that wrote "Roses". Do you even remember why you rap anymore? Just think of that cheeky kid with the backpack. Hip Hop needs you and I miss you.
Apr 5, 2011
Apr 3, 2011
Self-Assessment
Teacher: Ha
Subject: 11th English Language Arts
Term: 2010-2011
Classroom Management: B
Curriculum Building: B+
Faculty Rapport: A-
Student Relationships: A
Differentiation: C+
Representing Christ at work: F
Subject: 11th English Language Arts
Term: 2010-2011
Classroom Management: B
Curriculum Building: B+
Faculty Rapport: A-
Student Relationships: A
Differentiation: C+
Representing Christ at work: F
Mar 12, 2011
Curves
I have this theory that the best Spanish teachers aren't actually Hispanic. In fact, they're anything but. They are non-native speakers, who actively learned it as a second language. They still remember what it's like to struggle: the hardest conjugation rules, the toughest vocab, and the most helpful mnemonics. It's hard to be a good teacher, if you've never been a bad student.
See, you have to think that the best personal trainers used to be overweight with slow metabolism. the guys that really earn their fitness, everyday. In my experience, the most gracious pastors were once the deepest sinners. The most broken youth grow up to be the best presidents.
It's like... your worst subject in middle school ends up being your major in college. As a kid, writing gave me so much anxiety, not just because I was bad but because I knew I could be better. The potential of our passions is frustrating but learning curves make the growing pains worth it.
Will Smith--one of the hardest working actors--said he still wakes up every morning with a poor man's mindset. That seems to be the secret. Remembering your lowest times as a point of reference. Writing your autobiography as you live it.
See, you have to think that the best personal trainers used to be overweight with slow metabolism. the guys that really earn their fitness, everyday. In my experience, the most gracious pastors were once the deepest sinners. The most broken youth grow up to be the best presidents.
It's like... your worst subject in middle school ends up being your major in college. As a kid, writing gave me so much anxiety, not just because I was bad but because I knew I could be better. The potential of our passions is frustrating but learning curves make the growing pains worth it.
Will Smith--one of the hardest working actors--said he still wakes up every morning with a poor man's mindset. That seems to be the secret. Remembering your lowest times as a point of reference. Writing your autobiography as you live it.
Mar 6, 2011
Feb 27, 2011
Gospel
Jesus loves me. This I know,
for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
they are weak, but he is strong.
for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
they are weak, but he is strong.
Feb 7, 2011
Oriental
Student: Mista, how come Asians are smarter?
Teacher: Not true.
Student: What's the secret?
Teacher: Have you ever seen Panda King close?
Student: No.
Teacher: How about the Asian laundromat?
Student: No.
Teacher: You ever see Mr. Ha absent?
Student: ...see you tomorrow.
Teacher: Not true.
Student: What's the secret?
Teacher: Have you ever seen Panda King close?
Student: No.
Teacher: How about the Asian laundromat?
Student: No.
Teacher: You ever see Mr. Ha absent?
Student: ...see you tomorrow.
Feb 1, 2011
Project Intervention
Because so many of our 11th graders are underperforming and at risk of failing out, BLS staff conducted a Mock Commencement to show how less than 15% of them are on pace to graduate. This is the speech I delivered before the student body to improve attendance and raise urgency.
Good afternoon Juniors. You know, I fell in love for the first time my junior year of high school. And you know how you can tell? There are two signs of true love, so ladies if you don’t see these things then it’s not the real deal. The first is that when I’m with her, nothing. else. matters. It doesn’t matter if my friends are playing ball, my mom is calling my phone, or if I’m really hungry… she has my full, undivided attention. The second is that before I go to sleep, the only question on my mind is, 'Am i going to see her tomorrow?' I needed to see her everyday. Period.
So with my life revolving around this one girl, you can kind of imagine what my grades were like. I sucked at school. I was in the bottom half of my class. I got caught for cheating. So I know what it’s like when teachers shake their heads at you saying, “You need to try harder.” When your mom is pleading, “Don’t you care about your future??”
And one day I just exploded, “YOU HAVE NO IDEA that I stay up till 2 am every night, wishing I could be better! Stressing about my future! I want to be so successful, Mom, so you never have to work another 13 hour day! I want to become a man that my girlfriend admires, not consoles. I want to stick it to every racist that ever called me chink. I want to be better... I just don't know where to start.”
That night I cried for 2 hours. You see, I wasn’t a bad kid. I had mature feelings. Strong commitment. It was just to the wrong things. Don’t you feel like you’re being misunderstood? That the person you want to become is not how you’re seen? That your transcript doesn’t reflect your true ability? No wonder you hate coming to school. You’re not bad kids and you don't deserve to feel this way. We can turn this around but it has to be now. And it has to be completely different. It’s time to treat school like we do our lovers. By needing to be here everyday. And giving your full, undivided attention.
Good afternoon Juniors. You know, I fell in love for the first time my junior year of high school. And you know how you can tell? There are two signs of true love, so ladies if you don’t see these things then it’s not the real deal. The first is that when I’m with her, nothing. else. matters. It doesn’t matter if my friends are playing ball, my mom is calling my phone, or if I’m really hungry… she has my full, undivided attention. The second is that before I go to sleep, the only question on my mind is, 'Am i going to see her tomorrow?' I needed to see her everyday. Period.
So with my life revolving around this one girl, you can kind of imagine what my grades were like. I sucked at school. I was in the bottom half of my class. I got caught for cheating. So I know what it’s like when teachers shake their heads at you saying, “You need to try harder.” When your mom is pleading, “Don’t you care about your future??”
And one day I just exploded, “YOU HAVE NO IDEA that I stay up till 2 am every night, wishing I could be better! Stressing about my future! I want to be so successful, Mom, so you never have to work another 13 hour day! I want to become a man that my girlfriend admires, not consoles. I want to stick it to every racist that ever called me chink. I want to be better... I just don't know where to start.”
That night I cried for 2 hours. You see, I wasn’t a bad kid. I had mature feelings. Strong commitment. It was just to the wrong things. Don’t you feel like you’re being misunderstood? That the person you want to become is not how you’re seen? That your transcript doesn’t reflect your true ability? No wonder you hate coming to school. You’re not bad kids and you don't deserve to feel this way. We can turn this around but it has to be now. And it has to be completely different. It’s time to treat school like we do our lovers. By needing to be here everyday. And giving your full, undivided attention.
Jan 30, 2011
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