Go Mavericks!

As you may or may not know, I am a History Education major. As part of my requirements for graduation, I am required to take Education 2110. As part of that class, 15 hours of Field Experience in a school. During Field Experience, I was placed in a school to observe a teacher in his or her classroom, to get a feel for what being a teacher would be like.

Because of my Education 2110 professor, I decided to sign up for a middle school. My major is focused on high school teaching, but my professor encouraged me to do my FE in a middle school, just to see what it was like, as well as to see what the students were experiencing before they got to high school.

To be honest, I was a bit hesitant at first, having decided that I did not want to teach middle school at all. I remember what it was like to be in middle school, and I did not want to teach middle school students.

After doing some research, I signed up for McClure Middle School, home of the Mavericks. I was placed with Ms. Angie Fenton, the Advanced Content 7th Grade Social Studies teacher. I know that it was definitely because of God that I was placed where I was.

Going into the classroom that first day, I was nervous. I did not know if the students would like me, if I would mess anything up, if I would say/do something that was wrong, etc. I introduced myself to Ms. Fenton's classes, and I felt good. Each of the classes seemed very-well behaved, and I knew this was no typical middle school classroom.

Ms. Fenton wanted me to go into TOSS and Student Teaching with some experience in front of a classroom, so every so often, she allowed me to instruct the class on the activity for the day. It was really cool to get a feel for being a teacher. I am beyond grateful for being placed with such a great teacher.

I soon became accustomed to being a part of the class. I loved my Tuesdays and Thursdays when I would get to spend a few hours with the students. They liked me enough, and would applaud and cheer when I came into the room.

Having gone through 30 hours of Field Experience, I can say that the 7th Graders of Ms. Fenton's Advanced Content Social Studies class has opened my eyes and mind to the wonderful world of middle school. Having once been against middle school completely, I would gladly accept a teaching job at a middle school, and I have Ms. Fenton as well as her students to thank for that. All 4 of her classes that I observed were full of well-behaved, smart students who surprised me each time I visited.

This first look at being a teacher was so great, and I cannot wait to get back into a school to do more observations/teaching.

I was made for this.

A Letter to You

Hi there.

I thought of you today...or rather, the other day.

I was in an old antique shop in Marietta. I needed an afternoon to myself, so I drove down to The Square for some time to unwind and just be me. Who would've thought I would be greeted by the memory of an old friend.

I actually walked into the shop sort of by accident. I was just wandering aimlessly around The Square, trying to soak up every bit of sunshine that I could, no longer able to sit and read on a park bench. I crossed the street and just kept walking away from The Square. All of the sudden I noticed the most odd figurines I have ever seen and saw by the A-frame sign that the figurines were in the window of an old antique shop. I'll be honest. I was getting a bit chilly, having worn shorts and a t-shirt with my Toms, leaving my jacket in the car. A breeze had been blowing for some time, and wanting to get indoors, I entered the antique shop.

Walking around the shop was nice. Even though everything there was made and outdated by the time I was born, it was a nice perspective on life before my time that I couldn't get from any history book. You see, I discovered that while books can teach one so much and should be read often, getting out there and having hands-on experiences is the best way to learn. But I digress.

That's when I saw it. An old kitchen cupboard just like you use to have, dark wood like yours, complete with a desk space likes yours had, and cabinet space like yours had. All that was missing were the pictures and various knickknacks you kept on it. I was mesmerized by the memory of you and your house and all the time I spent there as a kid, that it took me a second to take in the smell. Once I did, I could have sworn I was back in your house with you and him and the rest of us, playing all sorts of card games, drinking Slim-Fast, eating Pringles, and watching the Braves. The smell was so precise, so on-point to how your house used to smell, that I had to pause for a minute to gather myself again and remember where I was.

I didn't stay long; just long enough to take a minute or two and think about you. I don't have to wonder what you're doing. You're with Jesus, so I know you're ok. You've been with Him for a few years now, and I know you have been loving every minute of it. We miss you, down here, but we know we'll see you again, and that's ok.

Love you always,
Your grandson Cameron


RIP Margaret Louise "Nanny" Sharp
July 2, 1928 -April 12, 2009

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

Hello ladies and gents!

I haven't posted in awhile, so I knew it was time to do so. Only, until recently, I didn't have anything interesting to post about. That all changed on Tuesday.

It was just a routine Tuesday: 3 classes, then lunch at the commons with a few RAs. While at lunch, I received a mention on twitter from my twin/bff Tracey Cordle. She tweeted me something from a casting company, saying they needed "high school types" for an overnight shoot on the set of Teen Wolf (for anyone who knows how I watched that show so often last summer, you know this was such a big deal for me), and that I just needed to email them some info, and I could be an extra that night. I about fell out of my chair to be honest. I pulled out my laptop immediately and emailed the casting company right there at the Commons.

We all finished eating not long after that, so I rushed back to my room to check my email for a response from the casting company. When I did receive an email back, I was crushed. I never put two and two together to mean that an "overnight shoot" meant that I would have to miss staff meeting that night and be gone until possibly 7am Wednesday morning. I had missed staff meeting before, but it almost didn't happen, and I felt bad about asking again. But I also really wanted this. I went down to talk to my boss, Krystal, about it, and after that conversation and a mass text to my fourks (I love them so much), I was up in my room hastily writing a paper I had due the next morning that I hadn't started on, as well as packing a few different costume possibilities for my extra role :)

3:15 rolls around, and I am leaving my dorm, headed to the set. Of course I had to get gas first, and of course I tried to leave campus along with everyone else who had a 2:00 class, and of course there was traffic on the highway. With all of that, I still made it just in time.

I checked in at 4:25 (call time was 4:30) and filled out the paperwork. I knew literally no person in that room, so I just found a table marked, "students" and sat. Wrong table. The people at the table were just rude and mean. I tried to talk to them, but received nothing in return. If you think about the stuck-up crowd of people from any typical high school movie, that's who I sat with. The way they acted, the things they talked about, it all confirmed my dislike of them and my wishing I had sat at a different table where I would have actually talked to people and made friends.

I sat for about an hour, trying to text whomever I could to not look as bored as I felt, but trying to make my 1 bar of battery last as long as I could. One of the people in charge of the extras got our attention and asked if there was anyone there who wasn't there yesterday (they filmed the day before as well). I raised my hand, along with about 7 or 8 others, and we were whisked away down to the fields. Down to the set. Down to where the actors were.

Now, at this point, to say that my excitement level was through the roof might have been an understatement. I was beyond excited. If you don't understand how I felt, think about one of your favorite TV shows, then imagine getting to be an extra on that show. Know where I'm at? Ok, good.

Some guy who worked on the show needed 3 people to stand against a fence and look like we were watching the "game", so I, along with 2 other guys, volunteered to be those people. They were really cool. They both were very talkative and nice, and apparently had been doing this extra thing for quite some time now, and I'm pretty sure it was their source of income. I didn't know people did that, just that, for a living. It's cool and all, and the pay isn't bad, but it just never crossed my mind that people did that. I talked to the guys for the time we were standing on the fence, about an hour and a half or so, until we were told we could leave the fence. We walked over to the bleachers, 1 guy was taken to the other side, and the other guy and I were told to walk in front of the bleachers, then walk back. I thought that was pretty cool because it meant that if they use those shots, I'll be on TV, which IS cool. To me, anyway.

Of course, this whole time, I had seen a few of the main actors/actresses. And of course, I had one of those starstruck moments that I knew was inevitable. I had to play it cool the whole night, so I just had mini freak outs on the inside and, when I got my phone after our food break, the few people I was texting about it.

After walking, we were told to sit on the bleachers, in Group D, which was the furthest right section of bleachers if you were looking at the field from the rec center, or from the view point of the cast and crew. So I sat in Section D, along with about 12-15 other people. We cheered when we were told to, and just kinda hung out and talked the rest of the time. Oh, and we froze the WHOLE time. [Sidenote: In my excitement while I was packing and writing, I didn't think about packing gloves, extra layers, etc., to keep me warm while I was outside in Atlanta overnight in January/February. The days might be comfortable and nice, but the nights are brutally cold.]

At 11:00, we broke for "lunch" back in the rec center. Indoors. Warmth. The food was really good and I ate every bite. A few of the main characters joined us, but of course the cast and crew had a different line to walk through for food on the other side of the rec center, so there was no direct interaction. I did, however, have to walk RIGHT PASSED two of the main characters, and I made eye contact with one as he was talking to one of the crew members. Not going to lie, it was really cool.

After "lunch", there was more sitting, more cheering, both real and pantomimed. This went on from midnight until about 5:30 when we were told by the director to go home.

I got back to campus at 6:30am, which was just enough time to finish my paper, drink so much coffee that I'm pretty sure it replaced the blood in my system, shower, and go to class, exhausted, to turn in my paper and give a presentation. I'm sure I looked like a zombie walking around campus, having been awake for 25 hours straight (I ended up going 28 hours without sleep, and it took me until Friday afternoon to finally feel rested up again).

All in all, I had a blast. It may have been long hours, really cold temperatures, and not much to do, I loved it. It's kind of all I've talked about since Tuesday, so I'm sorry if you've had to hear about it repeatedly. I have to thank Tracey for tweeting me. She's the best. I also have to thank Krystal as well as my fourks for letting me go. Y'all are the best staff ever, and I owe you all.

I would say it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, but since I'm going back on Wednesday, I guess it's not :)



Thanks for reading!
Cameron

I had a better post, but I deleted it

I just wrote a really good post about a topic that could cause a lot of controversy, but I decided not to post it. I decided it should remain one of those topics that I post if I ever feel the need to. So, instead of a really good, really thought-provoking, possibly debate-producing post, I'm going to post a cliche one about the first day of classes, and how much back-and-forth I do when it comes to deciding whether or not I am excited about it.

I like that classes are starting back. Classes = schedule, and having a routine schedule suites me well. I like knowing that my day is planned out for me based on obligations I have. I like that it will soon become familiar to me. Familiar is good.

I don't like that classes are starting back. With familiar routines comes the mundane, the "going through the motions" attitude. That is something I regrettably have gotten caught up in too many times in school, and something I am going to try to avoid this semester (Just being honest, I say that every semester.) How much weight does me saying that hold? Ask me in about 6 or 7 weeks, when I'm just about half-way through the semester, and I'm ready for Spring Break and the end of the semester.

I like that classes are starting back. I am taking 4 of my Major courses this semester, and 2 other very interesting classes. As far as content goes, I am so ready for it. I want to learn everything I can in these 6 classes so that I can be the best teacher for my students. These topics are interesting to me, so I want to go to class so I can learn. I'm one of those weird kids who actually likes learning.

I don't like that classes are starting back. This past semester, I had a teacher who I disliked a lot. She just about ruined American history for me (not completely, though). I just hate that when someone is so passionate, so interested in a subject, and they get a professor who clearly doesn't like teaching the material. It puts such a damper on the whole class. I have looked up most of my professors on ratemyprofessor.com, and it seems that I have good ones, but that's just a website, and it's just other people's opinions. I hope I have professors who challenge me to grow as a student and as a person, who push me to my fullest potential, and make me realize that this is all worth it.


See what I mean? I go back and forth on whether or not I want classes to start back. I hate having to get up early, but I kind of want to make myself more of a morning person (clearly, I'm currently a night owl). I'm left with the pros outweigh the cons, I think. No, I know. Welcome to just a piece of my mind.

I guess my cliche post turned into one not-so-cliche, just a few paragraphs where I ramble about what's going on in my brain right now.



If you've made it this far, thanks for reading!

Cameron

Taking a Look Back at the Past 5 Months

At the end of each semester, I like to take a look back to see just all that I experienced: the people, the places, the events, etc.

My life changed more in these past 5 months than it has in most of my life prior to this time. The main reason for this is because I'm an RA. It is definitely a different world from being a regular resident on a college campus. I met so many people that have changed my life for the better. One group of people are the RA's that I work with. Who know a group of people could have such an impact on a life? Each RA that I have had the chance to get to know has had some kind of positive effect on my life, even if they don't realize it. I couldn't imagine spending the majority of my waking hours (which were most of my hours) with any other group of people.

Another group of people that changed my life this semester are my fraternity brothers. This was my first full semester as a brother of Phi Sigma Pi. I learned so much about myself through experiences with them, and I am beyond thankful for the knowledge that has helped me realize what kind of person I've been and what kind of person I wanted to be.

I realized early into the semester that I really liked geography. I'm a very visual learner, so maps and such help me learn material so much better. I took a basic geography class this semester, and I loved it. I do owe a lot of this to my professor. He taught in a way that made me want to learn. I took the 4th test in the class (out of 4) when I didn't even have to (we took 4 tests, he dropped the lowest. I had an A after the first 3 tests) just to prove that I had learned the material. When I came to KSU, I wanted to be a French minor (I love the language and want to be fluent one day), but after a semester of a sub-par French class and an excellent geography class, I have decided to change my minor to Geography, and teach that alongside American History at some high school in Georgia (CHS, perhaps?).

This semester, every day and every event that happened taught me something. I had a wake-up call or two, of which I am so thankful for. People I've met and events I've experienced have taught me not to take things too seriously, the importance of being a good friend, to never give up, and many more important life lessons.

If I had the choice to go back a relive these past 5 months, there are parts I could live everyday for the rest of my life, and parts I'd rather not revisit. But through it all, I don't regret a thing, for everything I have been though has changed me and made me who I am now.

Pet Peeves, and What to Do About Them

Everyone has pet peeves. Those things that other people do that just annoy the heck out of you. What one person might not see as a big deal might be a huge deal to you, and vice versa. Don't you just hate how that works out? Your best friend might do the one thing that gets on your nerves most, and they don't see it as annoying/bad/whatever. Most people have a hard time understanding that we do things that annoy the heck out of other people. Why does it have to work like that? I just really wish that everyone's pet peeves were the same, so no one would annoy anyone else, but that's not how things work.

This blog idea was brought up because lately it seems like the world just wants to completely annoy me, and decide that the people around me are going to do all of the things that annoy me most in the world, and I don't like it (hence the reason they are pet peeves).

Because we all have pet peeves, I'm sure some of you could relate to mine. Then again, some of you could read my list (see below) and think "those are stupid things to get annoyed over," and I'm ok with that, because I'm sure I could say the same thing about some of yours. We're all different, so we don't think the same way about things.

And now, to give you an insight into my brain and the way I see things, I'll list a few of my pet peeves:

1. One of the easiest ways that I get annoyed is when I am driving, and I get stuck in traffic or get stuck behind someone who clearly can't drive. With the traffic thing, I just don't understand it sometimes. If the people in front would just drive, and everyone behind them, and behind them, and so on, there would be no traffic (unless there's a wreck, but I'm usually too mad/frustrated by the time I discover there has been a wreck to be calm). Sometimes I wish that whenever I had to be somewhere, especially on a road trip or whatever, that all other cars would not be on the road (I just realized how self-centered that sounds, but I'm sure you've thought it too), especially people who can't drive. I'm sorry, but grandma/grandpa, if it's rush hour, you shouldn't be on the road if you can't drive somewhere between 5-10 miles over the speed limit. I hate to be heartless, but that's the way it is. I know some people are just trying to be safe and follow the speed limit, but you are doing more harm by driving 10mph under what everyone else is doing.

2. A second way to annoy me is lying. Mostly everyone does it every now and then, but it's annoying when people do it, especially to me (self-centeredness again, but that's kind of the theme of this post...) Don't lie to me. I would have so much more respect for a person if they just told me the truth, even if it would hurt, rather than spare my feelings and lie. I am going to find out, and it's just going to make me really mad and upset that I trusted you. Lying to anyone at all just isn't worth it. So don't do it. Tell the truth next time.

3. When someone doesn't text you back. Hear me out on this one, because there are conditions. If you text someone, and you're having a conversation, and then for some reason, they just stop without warning, that's annoying. Your phone is in your hands if we're having a conversation, so I know you read my text. Why not just respond? If someone doesn't text back after you texting them just once, that's ok. They may be at work, or sleeping, or whatever. But respond eventually, even if it's just to say, "Hey, sorry I didn't text back, I was..." I may sound like someone who is just complaining, but really, if you're in high school or college, there's a good chance that you're phone is on your person at all times (I know mine is). Why ignore a text? That person obviously thought enough of you to text you, so text them back.

4. Stupidity. Listen to directions. Pay attention in class, or don't ask questions later. Pay attention to rules. I feel like this one doesn't need much explanation. I don't know of anyone who just loves being around people who are stupid.

Those are most of my pet peeves. But I'm not done.

Because my blog is titled "Working on Positivity," I want to talk about how I can use situations where these things happen as a learning experience and become a better person through it. I know that I have very little patience, and that most of these pet peeves revolve around me getting impatient with other people. It's definitely a personal matter, and I know that God is trying so hard to teach me patience. Traffic happens. There isn't a way around that, and most of the time it happens for a reason (construction, a wreck, etc.). It's selfish of me to only be thinking of myself in this situation, when people could be hurt. I really can't think of how to look at lying positively. I guess I could take it as a chance to give out a second chance at trusting the person, because I know I've been given many second chances by many people. When it comes to texting, I need to understand that people get busy. Something comes up to where they need to pause the conversation for a little while. This is the hardest to understand, for sure, but it can be a learning experience the next time it happens, I just have to remember that. People mishear things all the time, and I should know that sometimes people need things repeated, especially if it's work instructions or test material. They just want to be sure they have heard things correctly so they do a good job with whatever it is, or they have the correct material to study.

If you have ever experienced any of these things that I've done to you, I apologize. Feel free to call me out on them, because I make a conscious effort not to do them because I am annoyed when other people do them to me.

I challenge you do to the same thing. Make a list of all the things that annoy you, then look at how you can use them as a learning/growing experience. You'd be surprised at what you can teach yourself.

Thanks for reading,
Cameron

No Shave November

It's December now, so that means the annual tradition known as No Shave November is officially over for 2011.

For girls that love seeing facial hair on guys, this day is probably very sad, as guys across America will be shaving off the month-long growth of hair on their faces. But for girls that hate seeing facial hair, today is a good day, and one they have looked forward to since November 1st.

For the first time in my 20 years of life, I chose to participate in No Shave November. I don't have an official "Before" picture, but if you look either on my Facebook or at an earlier post on my blog, you can see a picture(s) of me with no facial hair. Boom. Before picture.

The picture seen below was taken on November 11th, as part of the 10 day blog challenge I completed earlier in the month.

There isn't much to see, but it was there. That was day 11.

The next picture was taken shortly after midnight on December 1st, the end of No Shave November.

There is not much of a difference, but it was a lot more than I was expecting in a month's time. I would also like to point out that when I looked at this picture before uploading it onto mt blog, it scared me because I realized just how much I look like my dad. Granted, he's 30 years older and doesn't have glasses, but I've been told all my life by people I knew and didn't know that I must be "Mike Yarbrough's son" because I look just like him. (Sidenote: I was approached by someone whom i did not know awhile back while I was out with my friends. This person, and I quote, said, "Excuse, me, are you Mike Yarbrough's son? You must be, because you look just like him." I wasn't even around my dad, but someone still said I looked like him.)

As I look back on the month, I am glad I participated in No Shave this year. For one, it saved me time in the morning because I didn't have to shave (which is normally something that happens daily for me). Also, I got so many compliments on my facial hair (with just a few naysayers), and was told how I looked so much older than 20 years old. I am pretty sure I want to keep it. I mean, I've let it grow for a month, why quit now?

So, reader, tell me: what do you think? I am interested to see how other people feel about this new look I'm trying out.

Thanks for reading,
Cameron