Reflection of Junior Year

Thinking about my junior year coming to an end really blows my mind, just by the fact of how fast it went. I still catch myself calling our hall the 'Sophomore Hall', and honestly I'm still in summer mode from last year..every weekend or day off feels like a day of summer. Pretty sad huh. I have never experienced so many activities in one year of high school, and I don't think I can anymore. And I've never had so much fun experiencing them.

At first, my expectation of being a junior had not met its requirements. The first few months of the school-year provided a lot of stress and not enough time, something I was not expecting. Actually now that I think about it, I don't know why I thought that junior year could NOT be stressful, because I took two AP classes that me and my friends spent literally all night completing the summer homework for. I began those habits before the year even started...I had no idea what I was getting into. Plus, the first few months felt like more than just a few months, without any breaks. After the first few months went by, basketball season really began to kick in. This season lasted about 3 months. I don't think I have became closer to a team than I have with the basketball team. Our chemistry with each other really made the season fun, even though we went 2-12 hahahahahahaha. Too funny.. Even our basketball team laughs at our record; that's how close we are. Without basketball I don't know what I would do, because it provides my closest friends. After basketball season ended, volleyball season started, and just like basketball, our team became very close. This team also provides some of my closest friends, and it was so much fun with them on the team. Alright at least we did better than the basketball team did, I'm not gonna say our record. And now here I am today, waiting for the last day to do my blog.

All in all junior year probably the most stressful yet the most enjoyable year I've experienced in high school so far. My classes have been pretty chill, except for AP Physics which I really just don't like and dread going into on B-days. It's May 20th... think about that. Just blows my mind...and there is my blog.

Definite Plans

After hearing a number of speeches on how teachers get paid, 'graded', and promoted, I have come to the conclusion that I definitely want to become a teacher. Getting plenty of information from Mr. Pinza and also Ms. Ibanga, our Spanish sub, becoming a teacher is destined in my future. Not only have I gotten information from my fellow teachers, I have also gotten information from my mother, aunt, and grandmother. Yeah, I'll be different by being the first male teacher in my family; but I do consider my dad as a teacher, because he gives me advice for everything and helps me with most things (awww). So in chronological order, my future plans go something like this: graduate high school, go to Cal Poly for at least 4 years, then get my Masters, follow all of the teaching requirements, teach for about 20 years, move onto something more serious (i.e. software engineer), retire happy.

This summer I am hopefully going to work for my uncle, who owns a company that designs and publishes websites (he built the fricken Stanford website). With hands-on experience, especially working for a prestigious company like my uncle's, I can soon become a master with designing, which will later enhance my skills about computers. Knowing so much and having that capability of being able to design any website, corporations are able to look at my resume and notice how much experience I have, and how that will benefit the company. With this job, I have the ability to really increase my chances of not just getting into a good college, but a well-respected occupation as well. 

Early Experience

Currently, I am in Los Angeles and on the SoCal trip for westmont. So far I have seen two schools, which are both my top choices for college. They are Cal Poly and UCSB. I have learned that both of these schools require high gpa's as well as successful SAT scores to be accepted. Both of these schools have great programs designed for teachers, along with the corresponding majors. 

These colleges not only look at your gpa and test scores, but they also look at what your extra-curricular activities are. For my teaching career, my activities are quite perfect: sports and tutoring. Doing sports gives me valuable experience, especially towards becoming a physical education teacher. The more experience I have with sports, the more I learn. As for tutoring, I already get 'hands on learning' without even starting college. ('Hands on learning' is the motto for cal poly also). Tutoring kids gives me great, valuable experience. This experience not only gives me ways to improve my teaching skills but also makes me feel the student-to-teacher relationship. With excellent teaching experience, before even becoming a teacher, gains my chances of going to these schools. 

Career Thought

So far I have posted of becoming a sports analyst, a teacher, and a software engineer. Thinking about it, I could become a teacher that teaches about computers, or a teacher that teaches physical education; two of my favorite hobbies combined into one profession. As I've said before, this has to be in my genes, because I do not know anyone else my age that would like to become a teacher. Am I crazy? Yeah probably...but yolo. After high school I plan to get a college degree and a masters, preferably in math, software engineering, sports management, or even music, and then pursue my teaching career from there.

If I were to become a math teacher, I would prefer to teach a class that the student will benefit most from society, so probably like an Algebra class. I would make sure that the students know exactly what to do, because it will pop up in their lives quite often beyond that point. If I were to become a software engineer teacher, I would teach computer programming or Web Design because, well, that's my strong point, and my family knows a lot of secret tactics some people don't know about. Becoming a physical educational teacher is pretty self-explanatory; I'll teach the kids how to play all the sports and show them ways to have fun.

Cal Poly, Santa Clara, and UCSB are the top schools I would like to attend to achieve my degree/masters. Getting a degree from those schools would likely boost my chances of becoming the teacher I want, even though I still don't know... Not quite sure which grade level I should teach at, but I can figure that out sometime in the near future. I want to teach mainly because I want to have a great relationship with my students, and knowing that the students would like me will really motivate me. A great student to teacher relationship is really what I'm looking forward to.

For my career presentation, which I will probably present tomorrow, I am focusing on teaching. I will be talking about how to become one, what their salaries are, and some rhetoric teachers must use. It's pretty interesting how the process works. 

Software Engineer

Growing up in the Silicon Valley, I have had a passion for technology ever since I can remember. I would always play video games and would try to hack into the games; same with computer games. Computers have always been a part of my life, since my dad got his degree in computer science. I have been watching what my dad has done for the past few years, because I now understand what his job is. Also, my uncle shares an office with my dad, and he is the founder of his website company, so I have good resources to get information about computer software.

Whenever someone has a question about their computer or pretty much anything electronic, well, they usually go to my dad first, but then me. But that's what I want to be! I want to be that guy who people go to first for their electronic problems! I know I don't nearly have half of the experience as my dad but I will get there in no time. Last year I took a class called "digital design" which is a web design class that teaches you the basics of computer software. I got an A both semesters with no problem, and I'm going to take computer programming next year, probably even AP comp sci. I have some experience and good references in order for me to start my career as a software engineer.

So yeah, I would like to be a computer engineer, as it runs in my family. I can ask a lot of people for reference if I need it too. Also, some of the richest people are computer engineers, so if I'm lucky I also could be one of them. With good ideas and good risk-taking strategies, I can become very successful with my software engineer genes.

Possible amusement activities

Right after I finish college, I hope that I get a job of my dreams (that are actually in range..like a sports analyst), and then after about 20 years or so, become a teacher and tell all of my experiences with my students; that's what I want my future to be. I mean, wouldn't that be cool? Telling your students all about your life so far? I'm talking about high school kids like us; students that will actually listen to what I say, not like my mom's third grade students who could care less. Giving the students advice is what my goal is really all about for becoming a teacher. That feeling of accomplishment when you know one of your students has appreciated what you've told them and is thankful for that is what I'm aiming at. A superb student to teacher relationship, with a dream job in reach will make my future complete..(for now :D).

Now, onto another career I'm thinking about for my future. One of my biggest hobbies is playing instruments like the guitar and the piano. Now I'm no Eddie Van Halen or Elton John (you guys better know those people if you're reading this!!), but I can play a few songs and have performed in front of crowds before. One of the most coolest jobs I can think of is playing the keyboard at a Giants game or Sharks game... you know, when they play that piano piece before yelling SHARKS!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4KhZeVosMM&feature=related

^^ that song. You all said, "Charge!" to yourselves at the end, don't lie to me..! That's just one idea. The other idea I had is performing multiple songs at a restaurant or something, not as a career, no definitely not that. I just want to perform some songs while people are eating their dinner (if anyone has been to Capers they know). I want to her that applause after the end of each song, know that people actually appreciate what I've done for them. I really could care less about the amount of money that gets, honestly. I'm there for the amusement and enjoyment.

Alright well, those are my ideas for now. I just wanted to throw out some of my thoughts of what I think would be cool in my future, not meaning to be full-time careers. The first paragraph is what I really want to do with myself (for now, meaning at this very moment I would want that to happen). So yeah, comment if you have any suggestions. Thanks!

Other than becoming a sports analyst, one of my other career ideas, that I actually have a high probability of becoming, is a teacher. I'm pretty sure it's in my genes, because my mom is a teacher and so were my grandparents. Dealing with the students may be tough or stressful, but overall it would be an amusing experience. My first choice would be teaching a math class that can have many different ages (freshmen, sophomores... etc.), like Algebra 2. Having that variety of age would really be an enjoyable ride. Having a good student-to-teacher relationship, I guarantee it, would give a kick out of me everyday. I would choose a math class because I have a passion for the subject and because I can make the class intriguing and entertaining for the students, which the students would really appreciate. Knowing that students really enjoy your class and personality will really make me fell good about myself, and that is what will motivate me to teach the class each time. The potential that the students have would really fascinate me and is also a type of motivation I would use. This career could last me until I retire, and I wouldn't have a problem if that happened. Not to mention, you get the summers off!