OUSD FLASHBACK! East Coast Girl Heads West: The Sun Doesn't Shine at San Francisco State

Oh man, so I was going to put away the blogging today (I'm in panic mode I think; I want to get through these old emails if only for myself!) but I saw that the next email update was about SFSU... How I hate that place!  I know that there are programs there that are amazing and any institution that gave BD Wong a degree is not lackluster, but after months that turned into years, I know that place has part of my soul.  And not in a good way.  I finally completed my Master's degree requirements in Spring 2009 and held off on applying for my degree until this past semester because if you graduate you have to re-apply to finish your credential.  I had one class left and I was not planning on giving them any more money so I waited... and now I get to wait for my degree because, although, as I mentioned before, I had completed my requirements a full year before, there is a review process and then a six month waiting period before the degree is handed over.  Thank you, state schools.  Anyway, here is my last post from summer school 2005 and the start of SFSU madness:

It's the truth.  The sun does not shine in San Francisco, but I will get back to that later.

 

I finished summer school at the end of July.  The last day of school was absolutely crazy, as one would imagine and was only completed when Anthony (the kid who didn't like me and would growl at me) wouldn't keep his pants on.  Now, he had good reason: the slippery tube in its pursuit of freedom burst all over his pants, and Anthony couldn't stand having wet pants.  In fact, early that day Anthony spent ten minutes drying his pants when two splatters of milk came his way.  He was not ready for the slippery tube tsunami.  There was much to-do over this at the end of the day, from Anthony trying to put on a sweatshirt as pants, to putting on underwear that was sent in September, etc. etc.  It was not the best time for Anthony!  On the way to the bus the regular teacher stopped to talk to the principal and Anthony completely de-robed in about 5 seconds.   The principal was aghast and attempted to help the teacher put his pants back on, but he just growled and bit her.  Oh, he snotted on her too.  She deserved it; she did not put the "pal" in principal.  Anyhow, Anthony's pants eventually made it all the way to the bus and I said farewell to my favorite little growling friend.

 

I've started to growl when I get angry.  Not a good sign.

 

Let's see... then we had the last week of Oakland Teaching Fellows.  It was pretty much just a joke of a week, since the 3 other groups still had work at the high schools.  We went on field trips and had two hour lunches... that kind of thing.  The only good thing that came out of "institute" was the group of friends that I have made in the past weeks.  We're starting to hang out casually and it will be a good support system when school's in session.  For now, it's just an excuse to drink.  (Usually starting around 4 on Friday.)

 

Of course, we have hit a rough patch in the last few weeks... Practically everyone I know has suffered some sort of identity theft, Bryan had his window smashed and things stolen (right down the block from my [very safe, I promise, Mom!] building), and I have run into a pole, not once, but twice now, going at a low speed.  Who needs a front headlight, anyway?  Oh, and my closest friend in the fellows has turned out to be a needer of substances, if you catch my drift.  We will call her "the bong whisperer" in subsequent e-mails.  I need a vacation!

 

Oh wait, I've been on vacation this week.  I went down to the most beautiful wedding this past weekend in San Diego, to see the most beautiful couple tie the most beautiful knot around their most beautiful love on the most beautiful island.  It was nice to hit the beach and relax and see some old friends.  It's fun being in SoCal and saying that I live "just up north" and complain about the traffic on the 5.  For those of you still in the Beltway area, traffic is not as bad as it is in Cali.   I have not been gone so long as to forget east coast traffic patterns, so don't try to act like the traffic out there is worse.  It's not, get over it.  When you've been stuck in traffic in LA at 2 am--and it's not because of construction--then we can chat about traffic.  And then I will win the debate because you will have realized the folly of your way.  Then I will forgive you and we will have a small laugh and go to the bar where you will buy me a drink because I was right. 

 

Onward and upward.  I just applied to SFSU and will, hopefully, be a gator in a few short weeks.  (That's right! A Gator!!! And if you don't understand why that's a big deal to me, I'm not quite sure why you're getting these emails... Should you want to unsubscribe, please let me know)  This will be a long awaited journey into going to a state school, just like in the movies.  Although the sun is usually shining in movies, and there was a distinct cloud over San Fran State.  I was hustled around and yelled at in several departments, never quite knowing where I was supposed to be until I got there (usually only by the grace of god).  At least when you got the run-around at Hood you didn't have far to walk... SFSU has made me miss the neighborHood.  Go hug the next Hoodie that you see, and you can say you're doing it for the Hoodlum who's forced to go to a instutionalized state school.

 

Now to make some lesson plans...

Love from left to right,

torrey

You can still go hug a Hoodlum!  Hopefully it will be me though! :)

Victoria