Happy February 29th everyone! It’s that rare day that comes around every 4 years, just to make the Gregorian calendar work the way it does. Anyways, I just wanted to say what’s up to everyone, since I haven’t posted for a while. Recently, I acquired a part time position as a math tutor at the local Mathnasium! Boy, it was great to finally meet some new people, and dust off the part of my brain proficient in math skills (executive functions, probably left hemisphere neocortex). I had a lot of fun just getting acclimated to the environment, and I feel that the place I work at now is extremely valuable for kids struggling in math. I have seen countless peers and children that have succumbed to the difficulty of math and simply lose their confidence; I am glad that Mathnasium is a place where they make Math FUN instead of rigorous and strict. Coming from Kumon, I was no exception to the rule. Although I love math as a passion, there were some times in my youth where I managed to hate those times when I couldn’t get a concept. It would make me angry, and I can see how many children who are frustrated with simple concepts are forced to feel even worse about themselves because other peers don’t see it as difficult and simply move on without them.
It’s a great place to work, but it’s an even better place to learn math.
Anyways, some other things that I’ve been working on throughout the past 2 weeks are my new logo (which I will post up by this weekend) and adding more flickr pictures. Also, I found this one commercial that REALLY blew me away, and I couldn’t stop watching it: Peliculas Ponder / Metro
It’s by this guy named Gabe Ibanez, and it’s UNBELIEVABLE the angle which he shows this commercial at; it really is amazing.
Anyways, that’s enough about the blurb on Mathnasium and other stuff; have a great weekend!
Hey everyone. This is Joe, Mr. Tpen’s good friend (and my brother from another mother - I love you auntie!). Anyway, this will be my first post on Mr. Tpen’s fine blog…I’m hoping there’ll be more to come. I tend to go rather deep with my stuff and so I won’t post all the time…but ask anyone in the department of Tpenology and they’ll tell you that this is more so my forte. So without further delay:
Monday, September 03, 2007
I use to believe that funerals were the biggest rip off of any of the big human ceremonies. People live for many years to come, unnoticed by the world in the passing of time. Then suddenly they pass on and we gather on a single day to mourn in all the memories that person had been and all those days we had to share with them but didn’t. I’m not sure if I can accept that anymore. Even if there were days we never saw them, there are people whose presence is felt beneath the great weight they have in our lives. For us, it is the accumulation of this substance which comes to a head on this day we’ve come together. The sum of that person’s effect in our lives become compressed and, in my eyes, overcomes our own vanity of wishing to have been there more. The sum of thoughts…feelings…emotion; what life that person imprinted on our hearts seems to spark and shine in immolation. And painting a picture of this fire burning inside is reflected on the sorrow on our faces. When you close your eyes and think of this person, if nothing else…not on the sorrow but the fragments of time in which it meant something more dear to have known him or her than the pain of having lost them forever. When you close your eyes and wonder, those of you who barely knew that person or not at all – think, as you will, of what human essence is eternally parted from us: hopes, dreams, desires, accomplishments, failures, anguish, triumph, as is what it is to live and not of how little impact this may have on you to have so been spared the pain of loss. We are granted a stronger sense, a more profound appreciation for our fellow man in every passing – and this is death’s gift. And it is for this reason we cherish life – not cling to it. We respect its passing – not condemn it. Life gives us value, weight, and substance. It is substantial in the vacuity of existence. In return…simply “being” is made more.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted, so just giving everyone some tid-bits to munch on. I’ve been out and about in Seattle with my parents, and I’ve seen a great many sights that I usually don’t get to see by myself (on account of it not being fun when you’re by yourself). While walking around the city, I managed to stumble into the world’s very first Starbucks, which is located at Pike Place Market. Pics following (sorry for the bad quality, was relegated to using my cell phone for pics because my idiotic self forgot to bring the SLR):
Not very exciting is it…I was relatively surprised. Although, the only differences between it and a normal starbucks is the nice gang of african-americans hanging outside singing a-cappella and the brown starbucks sign and logo (as opposed to the green circle with the lady) seen throughout the store. It’s also packed with tourists and a special blend of “pike place market” coffee along with a gang of baristas ready to take your order. Service was slightly slow, but it was a nice change from your everyday Starbucks. It’s located on Pike Street, right across the street from Pike Place Market.
The sun showed itself for the first time in 3 weeks, and everyone was out to enjoy the beautiful weather. (Yes, for all you nonbelievers, there ARE days where it doesn’t rain in Seattle)
Now, I’m at home, sleepy from my extended adventure in downtown.
The parents are over here in Washington today, they’ll be here for about a week. We’ve had a great time buying random items at Costco, and tomorrow my dad and I might even go fishing! Oddly enough, I miss these great times. Cherish them, because they won’t happen that often once you get older. It’s very nice not to have to cook for myself all the time; for once, the food tastes a heck of a lot better. Filipino food………..mmmm. Good eatin’!
Visit hulu for all of your TV-watching needs - although there is one downside, there is one commercial for every break that they have. But surprisingly, it’s not that bad. The quality is much higher here than other places I have seen (save for stage6, but they don’t allow copyrighted material anymore). I forgot to mention that another downside is that it’s still a private beta. Fortunately, I have 10 invites to let people join, so for the first 10 people who leave me a comment for this post (or any other post for that matter), I will give an invite to. This site has a bunch of different network shows, from Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, The Office, House M.D., King of the Hill, The Simpsons, Family Guy, and even late night shows (Conan & Jay)! Granted, the episodes offered here are only the new ones, but those are the ones that really matter, right?
Oh yeah, and there’s Video Lemon. This place looks all over the internet to find TV episodes, and usually it’ll find a couple sites that work (although you have to look hard to find those working links).
Check out these links:
hulu
A network-sponsored viewsite with great quality episodes of your favorite shows!
Video Lemon
A search engine specializing in TV episodes online.
Stage 6
High-quality DiVX videos.
It seems like Valentine’s Day is becoming the most commercialized “holiday” of the year-every big store suddenly goes ballistic and has a “super sale,” complete with decorations to get your valentine something special, whether it’s a diamond ring, a special dinner at a fancy restaurant, or a bottle of One-A-Day Vitamin supplement for Women for only $4.29. I’m not here to say that since I’m single, I don’t care about Valentine’s Day. It’s great that we have a day that we honor a day where everyone does a little extra something for their boyfriend or girlfriend, wife or husband, crush, or even just a good friend. However, we don’t have to pick a specific day such as February 14th to do these kinds of things. Continue reading ‘Happy Valen—Keep an open mind.’
