Serious Time

I have been incredibly ‘lax recently when it comes to blogs so I’m going to try and see if I can sneak a make up blog in here or there. If it doesn’t work then “hey,” I tried my hardest. Here goes nothing.

So today I won’t be discussing what I did today because it was mostly copying and other things that aren’t so interesting to read about. Today I’m going to talk about my favorite magical animal....they Leopluradon. Nothing this particular beast...no but seriously. 

I have learned so many more ideas and strategies than I thought I would. I was under the impression when I first showed up that things would be far more laid back and  easy then they are now but I’m happy that I was wrong. Other kids are having trouble writing blogs because they don’t do anything. Other seniors are struggling with the actual internship part of it, mainly seniors who decided to stay in the school to work for the Green Team. I have been given many things to think and write about from Mr. Martino that I’d like to take a second and just say thank you to him and the school administration for letting me do my internship with him. Thank you. And I’m not trying to suck up, however I am trying to squeeze out some extra words. I truly am grateful for this experience and I will certainly miss this school system and all of the faculty who work so hard to make sure every student excels. 

Day 24: Almost There

Today I woke up and felt terrible. A week or so I discovered three rings on my stomach. They didn’t itch, burn or bother me in any way so I thought nothing of it. I just recently, and by recently I mean yesterday, showed my mom and she is under the impression that I have Lime’s disease. Once again I thought nothing of it seeing how I felt fine. That is why I was somewhat worried when I woke up this morning I was sore/achey, had a sore throat and overall felt terrible and weak.

But enough about me. How was SCORE today you ask? Well, besides feeling horrendous it was alright. We decided to transfer all of our role plays from paper to word documents on Mr. Martino’s computer. For those who do not know role plays are hypothetical situations in which a student must know a broad range of information but be able to apply it in a very narrow way. For example, I assume the role of a marketing expert who has been hired to raise profits for a struggling toy store. There was easily over two hundred pages that had to be destapled (is that a word?) and scanned through the math room copier. It took me a solid one to two hours to complete with many obstacles along the way. But I got the job done and it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it was.

Day 16: Paper Time

Today was the first day that I actually sat down and started my paper. I had put very little thought into it before hand and the outline was pretty much the extent of my research. I had a chance to bounce a couple of my ideas off of Mr. Martino and he was able to see both sides of the idea and find information that contradicted my thesis. After that I was at a loss. I had no idea what I wanted to write about and my outline was pretty much useless seeing as all of my ideas were now accompanied by Mr. Martino’s research. That for me makes it impossible to get anything done. Ideas build very quickly in my mind and if given a topic I can quickly convince myself of any side and then argue it. Usually I am able to then shoot down and counter any opposing ideas. This all goes well until someone is able to insert opposing information in the way my brain registers, evaluates and formulates information. It’s rather hard to do which is what makes me a great debater (that and my ability to see both sides and find weaknesses in both arguments) but when it happens I fall apart. Mr. Martino has always been able to do this to me. I’m not sure if it’s because he thinks the same ways as me or for some other unknown reason.

                So needless to say I changed my topic and then withheld said information so Mr. Martino couldn’t further sabotage my thinking. Sabotage is far too harsh a word but it fit the sentence quite nicely. It’s not sabotage. It’s what he calls “taffying” my thinking but this process does tend to make it very hard to pick a side.

Day 15 & 15.5: Auction Time

This post is being written on Monday seeing as my weekend was rather busy and I didn't have all of the time in the world. To make this easier to write and read I will just say today meaning Saturday.

So today was the day of the auction. The gift basket was finally ready totally over $200 in resturant donations. The auction itself was put together well and the food was delicious. I decided to help set up and prepare the auction or at least thats whati thought. I showed up on time and everything was set up already. I was then introduced to the owner of The Landing and my job was to help him in any way I could. That meant bringing our silverware and plates as well as the mexican themed food. The food looked delicious. I spent most of my time there talking with the cooks, asking what they were making and how they made it. Food has always been in interest of mine but and I often cook meals for myself, and not just macaroni and hot dogs, so it was interesting to see how they made their food.

Overall the night went very well. I met a lot of people who I am sure could be of value to me in the futrure. Sometimes it's not what you know, it's who you know that matters.

Day 14: The Return

Today was Mr. Martino’s and the kids that traveled with him to Internationals first day back. The day started pretty mellow with a marketing class which simply shared stories from their trip. The conversation turned from how the trip was to how they plan on getting back next year which would motivate me to go back. Something about someone else talking about how great something was makes me want to try harder not because I want to go, I’d do it just to spite them.

Later in the day I was sent back out to collect some last minute gift cards for the DECA gift basket. It must have been the shirt because finally people were starting to donate. Very few people declined or told me to come back later which is usually a good sign that they want to say no but they don’t want to sound rude by just straight up declining. Mr. Martino was able to find some additional coupons over the internet and so far the basket is looking better than I thought with the possibility of being even better if we decide to add some movies or other gifts.

The only bad part of the day is that I was unequivocally tired. I really need to change my sleep cycle which I will start tonight. Going to bed at 9:45 pm. This is the earliest I’ve gone to bed in the best three weeks. Should be interesting to say the least.

 The only bad part of the day is that I was unequivocally tired. I really need to change my sleep cycle which I will start tonight. Going to bed at 9:45 pm. This is the earliest I’ve gone to bed in the best three weeks. Should be interesting to say the least. 

Day 13: Lucky Number Thirteen

So as you can probably tell I have been really slacking lately when it comes to blog posts and to be honest I haven’t had a ton of time or will to do them. Between enlisting in the Air Force, strengthening my shoulder and trying to keep friendships alive it has been a real struggle for me to get to these blog posts. I know that’s not much of an excuse but that’s all I got but enough about me.

The past couple of days have been relatively simple. Mr. Martino had left for DECA Internationals on Friday and I was left in charge of his classes. There was supposed to be substitute teachers in all of these classes as well as me but that didn’t happen. I saw one sub in total for all of the classes. The rest of the time it was just me. I was able to keep it under control. If students wanted to go to the library to get more work done I allowed them to. I made sure to check in on them but certain kids I would not let go. Some of the kids couldn’t handle that reasonability which you hate to see at this level in school. Both DECA classes worked well and many worked together to do the large amount of work as a group. From a managerial perspective that is what I would look for. A group of people who can sit down, asses a problem or situation and then solve it as a group.

As for the 7^th grade math class many of the students lost their packets. I unfortunately did not know where the extras were so I told the class that if they have any other homework or studying to do then that is what the need to do. Math was the priority because it is a math class. They needed to have something out on their desk at all times be it a book or homework

Day 8 & 9: Enter Title

Today and yesterday I did more fundraising for the gift basket. I haven’t put up a ton of blogs before because I haven’t real done anything different. I have made copies upon copies and gone to restaurant after restaurant.

Yesterday was not the most efficient day for me seeing how I was the most tired I have been in a very long time. The combination of staying up later than I should and getting up way earlier than I would like to has really done me in the past couple of days. I should probably fix that if I want to be any help to Mr. Martino in the near future.

Day 7: ROAD TRIPPP

Today for SCORE Mr. Martino and I prepared for a gift basket for the Manchester Essex Rotary Club's silent auction. We made flyers so when I went from restaurant to restaurant I had something to actual show that I was from DECA and I wasn't trying to cheat them out of a free gift card. I was somewhat successful in my adventure.

Before I left I TA'ed for the math support class while the students took a practice MCAS exam. I was given the task to analyze students ability to answer questions. Today I'm keeping the blog short partly because I'm lazy but mostly because I pump out 4-5 blogs a week.

Day 6: The Return

Today marked the start of my second week of SCORE and the third week out of school. I showed up today expecting to see Mr. Martino waiting in his room as usual but I was surprised to find an unlit room and a locked door.  I proceeded to check the math room and was unsuccessful. I then visited the main office where I found that he would be out for most of the day. I received his lesson plan and continued out business as usual. I made copies of packets for tomorrows Math support class, organized a couple things in the room, tended to some SCORE assignments and time cards and then found work for various teachers to keep me from being useless all day.

Mr. Martino later returned, had me scan a couple of items and then mail them to separate locations. It was a far more successful day then I thought seeing how when given nothing to day I tend to do exactly that, do nothing.

Day:4 FREEDOM!!

My SCORE started today with the promise of an escape. I was told I was going to be doing a small errand that would require me to leave school and then come back. Despite the seemingly meaningless I was oddly excited for the job. Something about fresh air and freedom while at “work” was enticing.

                After that joyous occasion it was time to get down to business. I was given the hefty task of finding, sorting and copying role plays for the students going to the international competition for DECA. This may not seem like to hard of a job but for me the smallest jobs are often the ones I have the most trouble with. I had to make several trips to the copier. I also had to tell Mr. Martino that I forgot how to use the machine which was tough because when I do something I don’t like help and/or I won’t tell you if I did need help.

The role plays took up most of my day which is a good thing because it kept me busy. I like to think that I follow directions well and when it comes to being a shepherd or a sheep, I often become the latter. But I need to be given work to keep busy because if I don’t I’ll never be able to get started on anything. Others would call this laziness but I don’t. I don’t have actually have a name for it but I don’t like the word lazy so I prefer not to call it that. 

Day 3:On to the Next One

Today or yesterday because I am a little late on this post was a lot like day one. Lots of organizing, cleaning and inventorying. We tackled the obstacle that was his closet. They were boxes of random DECA supplies as well as bags full of party supplies from dances. I reorganized and inventoried all of the boxes. We found old seat cushions and brainstormed ways in which we could use them. We also had to decide which of the stuff that we through was necessary and which were things that could be thrown out or recycled.

                Next we went to the 7^th grade support class. Homework was due and all but one student had nothing to show. The class in way decided its own punishment by presenting the idea of stamping their notebook with a line for a parent’s signature. Mr. Martino had the final say and chose that over keeping them for detention. This reinforced the value and need for them to do their homework.

                Next I watched juniors present Visual Merchandising projects that they had been working on which reminded me of when I was in the same position just last year and what I did with my presentation. I have already seen many things that I wish I had thought of or were even around when I did my presentation. One group used a program called Pressi. This program worked like a three dimensional map of information where you could zoom in and out of certain areas for instance the area inside of an “O” or the period beneath a question mark.

                That’s pretty much what I did today and I am interested in what is in store for me next as we still have to go around to local stores and fundraise

Day 2: And the Work Begins

               Unlike yesterday, today was not filled with easy work, funny people and energetic classes. I think I only left the room a handful of times for water and once for lunch. Today’s work was tedious, monotonous, redundant and any other synonym for repetitive and boring. Due to this I don’t have much to say about my day. Like I said I spent most of my time in the room doing paper work with the occasional chore to make a run down to the main office and back.

                It may sound like today was useless but it wasn’t. I did get through a lot of work and at the same time set up further dates for me to do some more entertaining work. I will be doing some fundraising for DECA which should be a great experience.

                In no way, shape or form am I criticizing, mocking or in any way devaluing the work I was given or the people who handed the work to me. I think I learned more today than yesterday because the business world is not all fun and games. A lot of it is what I call the “grind.” For me this word first made an appearance in the multiple video games I have played. It comes from having to do multiple tasks in order to reach a high goal or purpose. Today was a grinding day. I had to push though paper work in order to achieve a higher goal, although I’m no quite sure what that goal is…..

Day 1: The Beginning

So today marked the first day of SCORE and going in I wasn’t sure on what to expect. I didn’t know if Mr. Martino (my SCORE supervisor) was going to have me running around the school or if it would be as laid back as everyone else’s project. To be honest it was a perfect medium of the two. He had me working almost all day but at the same time there was no rush and I had time to sit back and relax.

                The first line of business I had to do was to collect, number, organize and inventory books for multiple classes just like and store owner would have to do with its products. That was more time consuming than I expected but I actually enjoyed it. Something about it not being school work made me want to do it and made it less of a hassle and added some value to the work I put in. That is the most unexpected thing I came across all day. The work didn’t feel like work.

                Next task I was given was to clean the room and more specifically organize and alphabetize all of the sample exams and role plays for his DECA classes. Once again the work didn’t feel like work so despite the actual amount of time it took it went pretty quickly which was the theme of the day.

                For C Block I was the TA for his 7^th grade MCAS support class. They were studying volume of simple three dimensional objects and I was a little nervous because it’s been a while since I was in 7^th grade math. It all came back pretty quickly and the class itself reminded me of some of the classes I have been in throughout high school. It may have seemed like it was out of control but the class progressed just how Mr. Martino wanted it to. Personalities quickly emerged in the class and there were so many differing ones. From extremely quiet to very loud. From overly energetic to very calm and under control. Mr. Martino had me paying attention to the management techniques he was using to keep the class on pace and schedule.

                I am excited to go back tomorrow and the following days more so than I ever thought I would be. Overall it was a very successful first day.