We can fix our own economy!

The unemployment rate is back up to 9.2 percent, according to news reports. The media and republicans alike usually blame it on the president, as if he could actually create jobs, jobs that are being lost because American corporations continue to lay people off so they can send those positions over to India and China.
We allow this to happen by continuing to insists that cheaper is better, and not caring about the consequences of what happens when we buy products made elsewhere.
We do have the power to change things but we must make the conscious effort to look for and buy American products; you may pay a little more, but in the long run this will improve our own economy, because those products bought here will create jobs here.

I am dedicating this place to write about this, Not because I want to profit out of this, in fact I make no money here, none, zero. If however I can convince a few people in the long run to make the effort to improve our own economy, helping others get and keep a job, then I will have made some kind of difference. Americans complain and then point fingers at others for the status our country is in, but we the people have within our power to change things. Do not wait for anyone else to change things, corporations only care about profit, well, they will no profit from me unless they make a conscious effort to keep jobs here, in the U.S..
with that in mind, I will periodically post places that sell American products. Will you join me in making a difference? I hope you will.

What can you do for your Country?

http://www.allamericanclothing.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=AAC&Affiliate=StillMadeinUSA

Just another ordinary Sunday

Its the end of another weekend, not much to write home about, just another typical weekend with rain, and even some snow in the nearby hills. I understand that the snow level was down to the 500 foot level, which made it a very cold few nights.
Although we did get rain the valley, (San Fernando Valley) it did not get to snow in my town of Mission Hills.

Uninterested students

More and more there is a push to punish teachers for students not performing in the classroom. If a person under performs in a job, he or she may get fired, but somehow, high school students are exempt from any blame for coming to school, yet not do any work, and the teacher will be at fault. In the end, more and more teachers leave the classroom for other jobs because they do not get support from either parents, administrators or the public in general. Even president Obama, which I consider a most favorable president, has been poorly advised regarding how teachers are treated. Teachers do an incredible job given the circumstances. They are surrogate parents, since they spend more time kids than their parents do.They have to act as counselors, our school counselors are extremely overwhelmed with the number of of students they now handle, so teachers are doing a big portion of that job.

Teachers have to discipline students, since parents are hardly involved, many do not even show up to parent/teacher conferences, and some simply could not care less if their kids pass a single class. To them, its to late, they don't feel its their job to educate their kids, and they leave everything to the schools.

Now, with budgets being cut dramatically, specially in California, many teachers are being laid off or they are warned that they must take a 12 to 14 percent pay cut or face layoff. It seems that teachers who by the way are highly educated, and are responsible for all other educated citizens of this country are not getting a fair shake. They sacrifice their time after school, on the weekends, yet they get little respect.

Teachers are the most educated, yet the least compensated, they are required to work from 10 to 12 hours per day, including weekend. Much of the work is done during off hours, after school, during the weekend, when they are on vacations.

If you want better teachers, you will find that you already have very good teachers out there, and that much of the hoopla going around is nothing more than political posturing by public officials who seem to use this issue to further their political careers, and make it seem like they are doing something productive.

Well, back to the classroom. I was not a happy camper, I did not get to teach the classes that I want, but then again, I don't remember getting my choice in some 9 years.I had fired a letter to the administrator in charge as to the mistake with my classes, but after a week of waiting, I resigned myself to the schedule I've gotten, believing that given that I am no longer happy with teaching, feeling pretty much, well disenchanted with this teaching bit.The morning started like any other day, except I didn’t care. Hey, it’s a job, I said, just go, do your job, go home and enjoy your time after work.The first bell rang and everywhere students started rushing to class before the tardy bell rang. I did the same, trying not to spill my morning coffee. I have to drink coffee before my first class, or my day will not go well.I stood by the door, students came in, and I started the big decision. Where are they going to sit? I told them, this is your advisory; it really didn’t matter for now.Then this one student came over with her mom, I didn’t know she was her mom, she kissed her daughter and said "see you later". The mother turned to me and said, Mr. Camarena, do you remember me?I said, er.. not really, I get about 120 students per semester. She told me that she had been my student some 14 years ego, and that I had called her mom on her.I did? I said. She told me that she was pregnant and she was going to drop out of school, and I had called her mom and told her that she could not, and should not drop out, because she was one of my smartest students in my math class, and had lots of potential to do well in college. She told me she didn’t drop out, after having her baby, she went back to school, and went to college. She also told me, she never got the chance to thank me. I didn’t know what to say, I told her, kiddingly how old I was feeling right then, but truthfully, I was almost ready to break down and cry, cause here I thought that my job was completely meaningless, and this former student, now a grown woman, was telling that somehow I had made a difference in her life, and her daughter was now my student in my class.After this, my day went surprisingly well.....

Ultimate Fathers Day

My fathers day experience was one of the best I've had. I am a father three times over. But there is nothing more special than being waken by my young eight year old, because I was taking to long to get out of bed. She has been waiting for this day for some time. Apparently she did some arts and crafts and could not wait any longer to give them to me.

She stumbles out of bed, barely awake herself, and in her hand was this gorgeous tie she pasted and cut onto a construction paper, and a cute memo pad she had printed herself for me on a school computer.

Nothing else in the world can surpass the love a child has for her or his dad. I am for ever grateful for her small but priceless gift. I love you Jamie, Your dad.

Bougus winnings!!

Once more I got the very common e mail from some foreign organization, usually from South Africa, and lately from England.
"You have been selected to win one million pounds in the state lottery". And it continues, "just send us your name, address, social security number, and bank account number so we can deposit your winnings as soon as possible."
They must think I was born yesterday, unfortunately many people actually fall for such tactics and do send their information only to realize that their back account has been drained of funds, and their identification stolen.
One has to be careful and weary of anything being given away. There is no such thing as winning something for nothing. No free rides, what you end up getting is being taken for a ride to the poor house.
Never answer any of those e mails from anyone, and I mean anyone. It is a dog eat dog world out there, and you must be on your toes at all times.
good luck.

Tredmill miles

Recently I have made the commitment to walk at least fifteen miles per week. So far I have fallen a little short, not because I wanted to slack off, or laziness, but because of blistering feet. However, I did find a temporary solution to that, stationary bike. The treadmill still hurts my blisters to the point where I can't walk half a mile before I start limping. To get the calorie burning effects of the treadmill, I replaced that with the elliptical machines, which by the way works out all muscles of the legs for an excellent cardio-workout.
But my mileage is suffering, since I can't calculate number of miles walked on it, but calories burned are calories burned, if I burn about 600 calories per hour walking, it really makes no difference how you get those 600 calories burned, whether its walking, running, or via the elliptical machine, you still burn 600 calories.
Not since it takes about 3500 calories per pound of fat, it means I would have to burn about 1200 calories per day for at least 3 days to get rid of a pound of undesired fat tissue, or as some books name it, adipose tissue. I should call it cellulite, but heck, there is nothing lite about it, fat is fat, and nothing can change that.

Ipods, pc, boomboxes and things

As I survey my students what they got for Christmas, I see that most of them got things that I never got when I was a kid. Many if not most got some type of ipod, or mp3 player, others asked and got TVs for their bedroom, still others got their wish by getting boom boxes, wow, I have not heard those things for some time. Actually its been a while since I've used a boom box.
No, I never got any of that. It seems that most things that kids get, specially those of the high school age has to be some type of electronic device.
However, I have joined some of the hoopla. I got one of those i-river mp3 players with 20 or more gigabyte, enough to store all the classic rock, blues and jazz favorites that I have collected over the years. Its great. It even connects to FM stations so I can find my classic rock station. well, there are two, but one plays stupid songs. jack FM is nothing but someones mp3 collection played by a computer. anyhow, electronic devices is the wave of the foreseeable future.
And it fits my lessons in my physics class that I teach, since we are now studying electricity and magnetism, which makes all this stuff possible.

A letter to God

    Dear God, first I want to thank you for the good year that I've had. However, I a few request. Now, I know that this might sound a bit needy of me, but hear me out. first, I humbly ask you to help those that are in most need. There are 39 million Americans in the US alone that wake up with very little. Then there are those countless number of people around this globe who can't afford to feed their families, because they can't find work. there are those people who are suffering from sicknesses that do have cures but can't afford to buy them.      

    There are many people who can't send their kids to school, Money is always an issue. Aside from that, I ask that you would help those illegal immigrants who have become the targets of political campaigns that use them to help their political agendas, to help those suffering from racial bigotry who are misguided and need direction. Also, I would ask to help find cures to such diseases such cancer, and lupus and Aids, and many other sicknesses so that no one has to lose someone that they love. And last but not least, If you are so mighty and powerful, please put and end to the wars around the world and let us live in peace. I know you are able to do this, please help. 

Truly yours, A believer!.. Jac. 

PS Thanks for giving me the best family ever.

Gift Cards

Nothing says "I don't really care that much" about someone as a gift card. To me it says, "I really don't want to spend the time on finding what you want". This is a trend that is becoming more and more common. But there is just so many things you can buy someone, as kids get older their likes and dislikes are not as apparent as when they were young kids. Now they expect more expensive toys, like mp3 players, i-pods, computers and even cars. sure, who has the money to buy such expensive gifts, well the very rich perhaps, but us regular folks, well, its just not going to happen. I remember when all we had to do was go to a local toy store, like target or toys r'us, and quickly buy the simple toys, a few dolls for a girl, cars and trains for boys, etc.. but no more. The choices too have become to numerous to even make a quick choice off the shelves, no now it takes planned strategies, a detail plan to find the child a gift that not only gives countless hours of fun, but now toys are expected to educated as well as provide fun.
So, instead of spending countless hours wondering around the malls like a lost soul, buying a gift card is not such a bad idea, this way, if they don't like what they get, hey its their own fault.
Merry Christmas.

Why do dogs bark at the wind?

My dogs, Spencer and Tasha have a peculiar habit. they like to bark at the wind. Perhaps they can hear something we humans can't but what? only thing you can hear outside is the traffic from either the 405, 5, or 118 freeways, which by the way is our boundaries. We have three freeways as perimeters about our neighborhoods. But the dogs can hear things which I cannot possibly hear. Either that, or they are both suffering from some kind of noise neurosis that makes them nervous and they find the need to bark. But the weird thing is, they do it in turns. When Spencer is barking for example, Tasha simply ignores it, and just watches Spencer go for it, like a mindless lunatic. Its amazing to watch. they seem to have a preference of which noise they will bark at. Tasha prefers to bark at cat noises, while Spencer barks at his own farts.

If only they would bark at the intruders who knock at our door trying to sell us a years supply of carpet shampoo, or those annoying newspaper sales people. Not to mention those Real Estate canvassers who leave their paraphernalia at our doors. Now that's something to bark at. Perhaps I'll join the dogs for a session of barking at the wind!.....Aaaoooooooouuuuu!!!!!!!!

Food for Thought

When you can enjoy a good breakfast on a Saturday with you family, life is truly good. when you don't have to get up and go to work, but instead you can wake up at what ever time you wish, life is grand. To be able to sit and watch the news on CNN or listen to them on NPR, then life is even better. What better way to enjoy your breakfast than with a nice hot cup of coffee and a hot biscuit with butter and jelly to top it off.
Life is good.

Tripple XXX

You be surprise what three letters can bring to ones blog site. If I use these three letters, XXX, brings out the freaks from all corners of the Internet. If you were looking for something other than a blog, you are in the wrong place.
to get what you want, you'll have to go else where, this is not for you. Here all you will find is honest writing about learning, thinking with the head on your shoulders.

A Mother lives on

  

 

  The end of life comes faster for some than others, and with it much grief is left behind. When it happens to someone one knows, or even closer like a parent, a father or even worse, a mother it can be devastating. Many men or boys are especially close to their mothers, and yours truly was no exception. Death arrives slowly sometimes and faster other times. Which is better? 

    There is no good way of loosing a loved one, no good way of seeing your mother decay day by day, knowing that soon she will be gone, not able to comfort you with that sweet way of caring that only a mother can do. She will not be able to see you graduate from college, or see her grandchildren finish high school. And, she will be unable to attend Christmas with the rest of the family, and we will no be able to enjoy having mom around to make her special meals that only she could ever cook, like no one else could. 

    On some days while sitting quietly, you will swear you can still hear her calling your name, and you will turn around only to see and empty sofa chair where she might have been sitting some time, not long ago. But a mother never actually dies, sure her presence is not visible, but her memories of what she represented lives within us all, the way she told us to turn off the lights when we leave a room, to pick up your socks instead of leaving them in the living room, yes she still lives, because every time your turn off the lights, she is there. Every time you eat a meal, not made by mom, you'll remember that she always could make it better. A mother will forever be with us, she may have gone, but as long as we remember her, she will never perish. 

Piano Night!!!!

I love to play the piano. I am not very good at it yet, but I find it so much easier than the guitar. I've tried to teach myself the guitar for many years, and I've taken several guitar courses, but I always felt that I am not very proficient with it. I still love guitar music, particularly blues. There is nothing like hearing Hendrix play his red house blues on his stratocaster. But ever since I got me a piano I have managed to make so much more progress with it than I ever did with the guitar. It has its own appeal that is so different from the guitar. In class tonight I had to play a simple little piece of "over the rainbow", not a very long version, but enough to show some F sharps and a couple of chords, but I managed to impress my teacher so much she wanted to do a duet. That's when things went sour for me. I could not hear her part, therefore I could not keep time with her playing. Finally I told her maybe I was not quite ready for that as yet, but I did appreciate the gesture. Now, if I can just get the hang of the "Can Can".. I just can't see to get it..;)..

Educational Waste

A mind is definitely a terrible thing to waste. Yet, so many kids are doing just that everyday in classrooms today. To many of them are coming to class and letting time go by without trying to learn anything. Many just say they are there because they have to, but would not come to school if they did not have to. Some are there because well, they come to socialize with friends, not to waste their time with something they think, or know they will never use in real life. To a point, I agree. Some of us can come up with clever arguments as to why they need to learn how to solve a right triangle, or an algebraic equation, or how fast a car accelerates in a given time, etc. But to many teachers do not do that, or have equally given up on trying to teach kids. Many just go through the motions, follow a given pacing plan that was handed down from above, and wait for the bell to ring.

To make things worse, a new report came out about reading just yesterday on NPR. according to the report, more kids are reading less, every year. Adults on average read no more then four books per year, and this among the avid readers. The average male reads less than one book per year, or non at all. This is a scary thought, because reading is the key to a better paying job in the future. The more reading is done during the earlier years, the better they will get to do in school, including college. I strongly believe that if we are to improve our kids math scores, we must first improve their reading levels.

I Ponder why

Ever wonder why a top that is spinning will not tip over until it stops spinning?..

or if you hang a bycicle wheel on a rope spinning it will spin vertically, until it slows down, then it falls over limp..

here is a good one, everyone has seen a figure skater spin with her arms open, then when she moves her arms inward, she spins faster, then moving her arms out agains slows her down again.. hmmm..