Life after 2:30pm

Greetings from Boston!!!!

2009-04-08T21:41:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone reading this!! (all 2 of you?)

Well, it's been day 2 in Boston, Massachusetts and it's been amazing. As a social studies/history NERD all my life, this is one of my dreams fulfilled (gotta make new ones!). I loved learning about history and even read a historical fiction novel about a girl named Lyddie and her life in the Lowell Mills. It moved me so much that I wanted to visit it someday...and that day is tomorrow! We were suppossed to go today but had a late start since we worked out in the morning and took forever to get ready.

Anyway, I toured Boston through the Duck tours (by land and sea) which was great. I got to see all the important historical places and learn some obscure facts. We went to where the Declaration of Independence was read out loud, the Charles River, first churches built in the United States, the gravesites of Sam Adams, Paul Revere and others, the first public school, Boston Commons, and so much more. I loved every moment even I was freezing to death at one point.

We ended our long day at 10:30pm and had dinner with my friend Jen and her lil sister (senior in HS).

Tomorrow it is Lowell Mills, Harvard, MIT, and back to Boston again to take more pictures! Afterwards, a few friends and myself will go on a road trip to Salem, Cape Cod and Portland (Maine) just to name a few. It's gonna be awesome! I haven't been on a road trip in so long!!

Times like these make me grateful for the opportunity to travel. I suggest you do so someday soon!!!

Goodnight,

Ms. Nicdao

Where would I be without books?

2009-04-02T15:34:00.001-07:00

As we were doing these author PowerPoints today, I thought of all the books that have shaped my life. To live a life without books or reading is a POVERTY. YES..it is a POVERTY. When so many kids out there don't have books to read, here we are taking things for granted. Books changed my life. I do not know where I would be without them honestly. I think I would not know who I am and would rely on superficial (on the surface) types of things like materialism and consumerism to try to identify who I am.

My number one book is A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN. Even if I have never been to Brooklyn (I plan on going to Williamsburg to see that tree one day), I connected so much to Francis Nolan in Brooklyn. It is a great book you will get to read soon.

Can you believe this year will be over soo soon? I feel like we just began the year sometimes. I will teach you as best as I can and with all my energy for sure.

I hope you learned something from these author powerpoints.

Until next time you intelligent students you!!!

Ms. Nicdao

Before I go to bed....

2009-03-23T21:43:00.000-07:00

I hate waiting for results. It makes me worry even more.

So I was supposed to have surgery this week or even next but NOTHING. They scare the crap out of me and then leave me hanging. I don't get it.

I have tons of stuff to read. Almost done with poetry....which blows my mind how some of you are sooo profound. Some of you...poetry is not your strong point....haha oh well. We can't be experts in everything right?

So sorry if you are dying to know your grades. Next week. PROMISE.

Now listening to a playlist compiled by Pandora influenced by The Polyphonic Sprees. If you like Belle & Sebastian and the Submarines and general happy, soaring music then this is your cup of tea. If you like DMX, then maybe not.

I hope people liked today's lesson. I enjoy teaching this one a lot.

So my id comes out when I am lazy really. My ego scolds me. My super ego is kinda out there around this time.

But when it comes to the big stuff like cheating, stealing and being a good person...SUPER EGO has center stage.

Anyway, I am going to bed. My workout makes me sleepy afterwards.

Goodnight all!
Nicdizzzy

Quote du jour

2009-03-18T21:09:00.000-07:00

"Words without actions are the assassins of idealism"

What amazing words! What does it mean?!

I have been contemplating my next move in life a lot this year. If you know me on a deeper level, you know that I am idealistic. I have a vision of what my life is supposed to be and how it is supppossed to look like. I hate it when people say, "well to bad! Life isn't that way!" I am the kind of person who will fight if I know I have a chance.

Lately I have been wondering if I am too idealistic about wanting to live a meaningful life. No offense to those with 9-5pm jobs but I feel like if I get one of those, I will die. No. really. I will die. If not quickly, I will fall into a coma. I understand there has to be a perspective to prescribe to when dealing with "the real world"...but as John Mayer sang, "There's no such thing as the real world, just a lie you've got to rise above."

Now I am not saying "don't work" or have no goals. Heck no. Quite the opposite. Work hard for what you want. Go for it and forget the haters. I am idealistic and live in a world (possibly in my head) where I can still see the absolute best in people like you, and can do meaningful things like travel and teach in a foreign country. I have always talked about it and will do it after this school year. Yes!!! A year from now I will be either in Peru or Nicaragua. Come visit!!!

Carpe Diem! Seize the day!!!!!

Thursday thoughts

2009-03-12T16:18:00.000-07:00

Hello world!!

I'm writing this blog while watching "Workout" (Jackie Warner). I have to say, this show has been motivating me to work out and really change my lifestyle. I guess that this whole health issue has kind of got me by the collar, screaming, "HEY! Wake up!!" Now I am not trying to lose weight for anyone. Honestly. It's for one person: me. I feel better now and have more energy, less anxious about my future, more optimistic, and just more . I don't have time to be sad. I have been on the go. My close friend said that working out and going to church are the same in that you drag your feet to do each and at the end of it, you feel AMAZING!!!!

Anyway, so I hope you like "Slumdog Millionaire" so far. It's great isn't it? My favorite part is when he jumps in the poop. I don't know why that is my favorite scene. It's funny and symbolic all in one.

So many people have been asking me all these questions about what's next for me. Honestly, God only knows. I remember watching "Bella" and the opening line was, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." Then the world tells me, "If you fail to plan, plan to fail." What's a girl to do right?! Haha... But I still know for sure that I want to do something meaningful still. You will not find me somewhere miserable!!!!!!!!

I am excited for uncertainty.

Here are some videos of interest:

1. LAWs of ATTRACTION
2. Randy Pausch: LAST LECTURE

Shout out to Jordan and I think I heard Ernie said he reads these blog ramblings. Thank you!

Did you miss me?

2009-03-05T00:15:00.000-08:00

They say "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." I wonder if that was the case with some of you today. Absence makes you reflect on presence...

So before you think I was sitting at home watching soap operas...ok I was. Just kidding! I hardly watch TV even if there's a huge one in my living room. It's kind of just decoration and collects dust. My house mates have TVs in their room. I refuse to conform. I never grew up with a TV and I don't care for it much.

WHERE WERE YOU MS. NICDAO!?!?!

I was in pain thankyouverymuch. I'd rather not disclose details via internet. Just know that I should be ok soon.

So here's some advise: Watch what you eat, it will come back and haunt you. Oh and if you feel something hurt in your body...HELLO! Go get it checked out. Or else....you may never know...

My friend nearly killed herself (on accident) by falling off a tree. Luckily her brother, also my friend, caught her and broke her fall. They went to the hospital anyway to get a CAT scan on her head to see if she had any minor concussions.

They found a brain tumor growing near the left side of her brain growing to be the size of a baseball.

They were able to operate and take it out on time before it spread.

And to think, if she did not have that little "accident" with the tree, they would never have gone to the doctor's...even if she complained of headaches.

So if you feel pain of feel something is just not right....please, go see a doctor.

In addition to undergoing tests of my own today I accomplised the following: went to the DMV to get a new license (nope, didn't find my wallet), read 3 chapters while in the DMV, and had my taxes done. Save your receipts. The tax guy was laughing when he saw my pile but it came in handy.

And I read 40 essays.

Today was good even if I was scared so bad before my doctor's visit. But I had time to reflect on all the great things in my life.

I hope you all had a party without me. When I sub classes, the class usually cheers. I'm not sure because it's me or because they don't really like their teacher. Did you cheer? haha. I won't be offended if you did. To be great is to be misunderstood!

And by the way, I have eyes and ears all over campus. I always know what you say about me and the class. ;)

Goodnight ya'll!!

Nicdizzzaystah (what the???)

Period 1 Rules!!!

2009-03-02T11:50:00.000-08:00

Ok so I don't have a period 1 class. But I do have one thing: a break! Teaching seems easy (or not?) but it is a lot of work!!!!!! I may not show it but I am scared when I speak in front. It's kinda a mystery how it all works out.

So I am here in my prep period updating the website which I hope you are following. I remember a year ago around this time was when I started loving doing this stuff. I caught on pretty quick and my professor was pretty impressed.

So I was thinking about the idea of the MUSE...that one thing or someone that inspires us.

Now, I can say I am inspired by various little things: students who want to learn, my friends who push me t o be better, my nieces, and India Arie. You should get her new album, "LOve and Politics"...it's AMAZING!!! But I thought of how a muse is someone or something that really has a significant impact on your life. For me right now, I don't really have one. I think I am clinging to the leftovers of a former muse really. I want to make myself my own muse...but we will see.

So what is your muse? What inspires you to strive your best and be your best?

Toodles,
Nicdizzay

What's up?

2009-02-26T21:43:00.000-08:00

Hey all,

Well, I'm finally home chillin'. Driving used to be so fun. Now, I just kind of wish I had a driver. Oh well. I shouldn't complain and be thankful I have a car. I came upon two Youtube videos I wanted to share with you toonight.

So here is one called "Everything's amazing, nobody's happy."
I thought this was funny. You probably won't get it but watch it a few times. Times were so different back in the day. I remember sitting in my garage at 2am typing on my ginormous IBM typewriter and two bottles of liquid paper (white-out). Gratitude can only be realized in the aftermath of tragedy and trials. Maybe that is why...I daresay, God allows such things to happen. Or maybe they just happen because it is a result of someone's ingratitude? What do you think?

And here is another one I wanna show to the GIRL club after school tomorrow.
Self - Esteem
Man, I honestly never had this problem. I was totally oblivious or in DENIAL about how I looked. Now I know I was not the prettiest or skinniest but I somehow had this sense of self confidence. I remember being sad on occasion for being chubby...but I went on with my life happily. Luckily I had more friends than I could know what to do with. I had my 27th birthday in December and over 30 people showed up to my big birthday dinner gala. I was really happy to see my diverse friends.

And so as I sit here listening to Third Eye Blind, I just wanna say that I had a good day. I hung out with my crazy parents tonight. Oh man, I still don't know how my mom puts up with my dad. She says that he will help her go to heaven. Haha...so funny this life.

Goodnight!
Nicdizzle

The anatomy of Fatima

2009-02-25T21:13:00.002-08:00

Who am I?
Humans do ask
Composed of givens
and a varied past
a hopeful tomorrow
anxious, excited, then anxious again
Desperate, clinging
This cycle of uncertainty
Seems to have no end

And one day, it came to me
I have Smashing Pumpkins depth and complexity
a Sarah Mclachlan vocabulary and sensitivity
a Lily Allen meets John Mayer and Kanye West in the bathroom swag
like Postal Service beats, I lag
with an India Arie philosophy
introspection and insecurity
with the humour of Blink 182
A Third Eye Blind album perfection
in which all the songs blend in sync
a Coldplay crescendo on the brink
a John Legend and Alicia Keys classiness
a Dashboard Confessional sadness
a Damian Rice quietness
a Glen Hansard guitar presence
a Taylor Swift innocence
an Iron and Wine poet
an Incubus eclectic
Ne-Yo's Miss Independent
a Linkin Park story
an old Fleetwood Mac soul
a Jimmy Eat World introspection
and a musiqsoulchild chill
with Dido solitude
a Brian McKnight romantic
temper like The Offspring
Like Jason Mraz
I'm word play fiendin'
a Journey optimism
I won't stop believin'

I am
an endless spectrum
a continuing introspection
an unquantifiable reflection
of the music I connect with
and the the world around me.

1 comments:

Anna Espiritu said...: You know, if ever you end up writing an autobiography...it should be like those textbooks with a CD pocket in the back. Your life must come with a playlist otherwise it wouldn't be authentic.; February 25, 2009 1:02 PM

Welcome! Please fasten your seat belts.

2009-02-25T21:13:00.001-08:00

Hello and welcome to Ms. Nicdao's "After 2:30pm". This web blog is dedicated to those two people who go to my website for Survey of Literature class.

I will be posting random blogs and poetry throughout the year. Since you have a Google account, you can get a Blogspot and comment on whatever I write too. Kind of like that one thing you're always on but is not allowed in the school. So, please be nice and don't post weird stuff.