Wired

I'm not sure how I stumbled on this article (see below), but as I was reading it, I came to this statement:

“Facebook is amazing because it feels like you’re doing something and you’re not doing anything. It’s the absence of doing something, but you feel gratified anyway.”

As I read the article (and that sentence specifically), I felt a sense of concern. A big one. 27,000 texts a month. Really? Who does that. 6 hours of video games? What a waste. Not a big deal? Um, I don't think so,


It also made me think of Elder Bednar's talk "Things as They Really Are". Sometimes I wish I didn't ever have to use a computer. Never have to check email. Never have to rely on FB to tell me what time the activity I'm going to is at. Never have the temptation of the internet to distract me from really doing something. Never have to do anything with it. Don't get me wrong-Technology is awesome. And a great blessing. AND you really can do so much and be very productive with it's help. But I just wish my life were so simple I didn't have to ever use it. Especially the internet. I've wasted more time/procrasted more on the internet doing absolutely nothing than I could probably even imagine. I'm not proud of it. How much more sleep I could have got, more books I could have read, etc. Even this blog is a somewhat sore spot in my life.


But, it's almost like you can't function in this society without all this stuff. Thoughts?


Article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/technology/21brain.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=a2&pagewanted=all

Elder Bednar:
http://lds.org/library/display/0,4945,538-1-4830-1,00.html

The Last 3 Months

So, I looked at my blog and realized that the last time I said anything (or rather typed anything) was in August. That was a long time ago.

So, what have I been doing?

1) Teaching.
It's going well - better than last semester. But, at the same time, it always takes me a while to adjust to what I'm doing (it seems like in EVERYTHING...) - even in college I always felt better about life in general in my spring semester. So, I'm anticipating next semester to be even better.  The beginning of the year is always stressful and keeps me busy, but it's settling down and now I'm starting to be able to be social and not feel bad choosing that over staying home and working.

I like most of my schools. I really like my students - the majority of them are such fun, nice kids. The rest I just have to be a little more patient with.

Oh yeah, and then Saturdays are spent teaching lessons at gma and pas. So, my life almost revolves around teaching. sigh.... I try not to think about it too much. It gets me a little bummed about the non-excitement my life may seem to contain.


2) Personal Trainer
Yes, you read that right. And I love it. Two times a week, since the middle of September, at the gym in front of my complex. It feels so good to exercise and be strong(er) and use my muscles. Hooray.


3) Performed in a Musical at the Mesa Arts Center - October
And got paid for it. "The Last Five Years" - the music is challenging, but I really liked it - especially that I had a reason to practice and something to practice.


4) Institute / FHE / Attempting to be social
I'm getting better at it. I like being social, and especially since I'm either by myself or surrounded by 11-year-olds, it's nice to be around people closer to my age.


5) Mae Concert
One of my favorite bands (VERY near the top of my list) is currently on a "goodbye tour". So, of course I went to their concert in Mesa on Tuesday. It was excellent. I only wish my sister (who came with me) knew more of the words. I was singing along the whole time (minus 1 or 2 songs), and I think it would have been a little more fun (for her and me) to have someone else to sing along with.


6) I'm excited for the upcoming breaks from School/Work.
Which prompts me - I sometimes struggle with knowing whether to refer to my employment, when talking with others, as "School" or "Work". Because the fact that I work at a school (well, 4 of them) gives a lot of context to my place of work. Thoughts?


So, I think that is pretty much it. Now if / when you see / talk to me next, you know what you can ask me about. Or, I guess you could choose to be silent and not talk to me because you read my blog and now know what's been going on in my world. Hopefully you choose the first option :-)

Caio!