The last month and a half have certainly been one of the most demanding I've ever experienced. Going from a schedule where I could pretty much pick my working hours while in college, I've had to become used to being constrained to a classroom for at least 8 hours a day. I originally mentally made (what I thought to be...) the liberal commitment of working 50ish hours per week to be a high school math teacher. Well this didn't last long. Before I knew it, I was putting in 60 hours easy. I tell you what, never, never, never will I have only a little respect for schoolteachers. I understand what it takes to do a good job now. You must put a lot into it to get a lot out of it. The hours have settled down a little, but there's still a lot of work to be done...not to mention the Biology class I'm trying to get through. :P
Funny how perspectives change so fast.... only a few years ago I was on the other side of the desk, never giving even the slightest thought to my teachers and their life they led while away from the classroom. It always seemed strange to see my teachers at the grocery store. I guess I thought they just slept in a cot somewhere in the janitor's closet, haha.
Highschoolers are a fickle species. One day they love you and the next one they don't. During the time that they like you, you really do get attached and want to befriend them. Then they get lazy and think that things will be easy just because they like you. Then they do crappy on the test they didn't study for... then they don' t like you. then yo have to convince them that if they just study more and come by for help, they'll do better. Then they believe you and do what you say and the cycle starts all over. - It really is kinda funny.
I'm thankful though. The Lord really has given me a tremendous opportunity with these kids. He is not only allowing me to improve upon what they were receiving before I got there, but I can sense some of the relationships that are building with the students. Unfortunately, because of my age, I feel like I'm a bit limited as to how close I can get with my students. When they feel like they are your 'buddy,' they tend to feel entitled. (...aka.. not a good situation). I need to be praying for them more. Seeking opportunities not only to serve and educate, but even to witness - if not just in word, but also in my daily interaction with them.
I've been asked several times. "Is this something you'd want to do forever?" -....mmmmm....eehhhh... - no. I really don't feel called to teaching high school long term. I really enjoy what I'm doing, but I think it is mostly because I know I can put my all into it and then be done in a couple of months.
Anyways. That's my life as of late. Hope yours has been as interesting as mine :)
Monday, February 16, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
I haven't disappeared... I just haven't been blogging
You can call me Mr. Cochran for the next 5 months. I'll probably need the practice.
A little over a month ago, I got the offer to teach math at Starkville Academy and I took it. I really am excited about it, but it will certainly be a challenge and a big change. I'll be teaching Calculus, Trig/Pre-cal and Statistics throughout the spring semester.
Monday, Monday... that's when it all goes down. So much of my mind has been directed towards this day I've not had time to think about much else. Truly, I need to direct my thoughts upwards more often lately. I always need strength from the Lord (although I deny it most of the time), but I am especially feeling needy lately. Monday has the potential to be the start of something really awesome. A chance to impact juniors and seniors that are going to hit college soon. I really hope to be able to be there for these students, but I also can't be their buddy. It just doesn't work that way it seems.
Lot's to think about, and I know it sounds weird, but I just want Monday to get here! Tired of thinking about it, know?
Happy New Year to you guys, I'm really hoping this one's better than the last.
A little over a month ago, I got the offer to teach math at Starkville Academy and I took it. I really am excited about it, but it will certainly be a challenge and a big change. I'll be teaching Calculus, Trig/Pre-cal and Statistics throughout the spring semester.
Monday, Monday... that's when it all goes down. So much of my mind has been directed towards this day I've not had time to think about much else. Truly, I need to direct my thoughts upwards more often lately. I always need strength from the Lord (although I deny it most of the time), but I am especially feeling needy lately. Monday has the potential to be the start of something really awesome. A chance to impact juniors and seniors that are going to hit college soon. I really hope to be able to be there for these students, but I also can't be their buddy. It just doesn't work that way it seems.
Lot's to think about, and I know it sounds weird, but I just want Monday to get here! Tired of thinking about it, know?
Happy New Year to you guys, I'm really hoping this one's better than the last.
Friday, October 31, 2008
And it just got better...
My last post was about having a good semester thusfar... It seems like it only getting better lately. A couple of weeks ago I found out that I got into UMC medical school in Jackson! woot!! :) I was/am pretty pumped. Now just to figure out what to do for the next 8 months of my life! Keep reading to see what the options are looking like.
Options:
1. Hang around starkville, get a job, and spend time with some of my favorite people. This could include staying around until may or until school started. If I stuck around until May, it would allow for me to spend some time next summer doing some other stuff. (camp/lagniappe/something else...)
Pros: Make some money (probably not the most), get to hang out a lot, don't have to leave my friends yet.
Cons: I won't be establishing myself in Jackson at all and will be moving there with little time before school starts. Also, this option may limit my ability to save in the meantime.
2. Go somewhere, do something! where? what? I don't know! but somewhere! But seriously, I could go do anything for 8 months, but I just don't know what that something would be.
Pros: Probably form some amazing memories, enjoy a last hurrah before holing away for a few years.
Cons: Probably not make much money, won't get to see people that I know here very much.
3. Co-op somewhere with an engineering company (this could be anywhere!)
Pros: Certainly this would probably pay the most. This would be a great way to make money that I'm not going to be making in medical school.
Cons: This would be the biggest commitment and would also make taking a class in the spring difficult. I may or may not have to move away in order to work this job.
4. Go home, get a job, and start 'establishing' myself before the fall time.
Pros: It is true that I'm eventually going to be living in Jackson. I will eventually have to say goodbye to everyone here in Starkville either in December or in May/August. In one sense I'm delaying the inevitable by staying (somewhat). This would allow me to make a few friends outside of school and reunite with the friends that I already have there.
Cons: I'm going to be in Jackson for a long time. I am not in a big hurry to get back.
Really, I have no idea what is going to happen. I am excited to be almost done with mechanical engineering (it's about time) but I don't know what is going to happen. If you think about it, pray for me. I'd hate to waste this time, but I know that the Lord is going to provide just as He has so faithfully done so far.
The Lord has been so good to me lately. I've been so aware lately of how unworthy of all this I am, but all I can do is be thankful for all the things he's been lavishing onto me.
Options:
1. Hang around starkville, get a job, and spend time with some of my favorite people. This could include staying around until may or until school started. If I stuck around until May, it would allow for me to spend some time next summer doing some other stuff. (camp/lagniappe/something else...)
Pros: Make some money (probably not the most), get to hang out a lot, don't have to leave my friends yet.
Cons: I won't be establishing myself in Jackson at all and will be moving there with little time before school starts. Also, this option may limit my ability to save in the meantime.
2. Go somewhere, do something! where? what? I don't know! but somewhere! But seriously, I could go do anything for 8 months, but I just don't know what that something would be.
Pros: Probably form some amazing memories, enjoy a last hurrah before holing away for a few years.
Cons: Probably not make much money, won't get to see people that I know here very much.
3. Co-op somewhere with an engineering company (this could be anywhere!)
Pros: Certainly this would probably pay the most. This would be a great way to make money that I'm not going to be making in medical school.
Cons: This would be the biggest commitment and would also make taking a class in the spring difficult. I may or may not have to move away in order to work this job.
4. Go home, get a job, and start 'establishing' myself before the fall time.
Pros: It is true that I'm eventually going to be living in Jackson. I will eventually have to say goodbye to everyone here in Starkville either in December or in May/August. In one sense I'm delaying the inevitable by staying (somewhat). This would allow me to make a few friends outside of school and reunite with the friends that I already have there.
Cons: I'm going to be in Jackson for a long time. I am not in a big hurry to get back.
Really, I have no idea what is going to happen. I am excited to be almost done with mechanical engineering (it's about time) but I don't know what is going to happen. If you think about it, pray for me. I'd hate to waste this time, but I know that the Lord is going to provide just as He has so faithfully done so far.
The Lord has been so good to me lately. I've been so aware lately of how unworthy of all this I am, but all I can do is be thankful for all the things he's been lavishing onto me.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
What a great semester * (thusfar)
Now that the MCAT (try #2) is over, and I hope I never take that thing again... I feel like I have time to see people again :)
Living at the Prisock's house this semester, which has been an amazing change for me, for the good that is. It is weird that this has become normal for me by now since I've been here for about a month.
Why is it that it always takes so long to really get attached to a place, and then by the time you get attached, it is time to leave? I look forward to the fact that maybe one day I can get a little more 'settled,' whatever that means. Thing is, one day I'll probably be so settled that all I want to do is move away! I guess we're never really content with things as they are.
I've really never been shown grace to such an extent. I always feel like I have to 'earn' everything I do. I feel like living here has been a constant challenge to my pride. For example, I don't necessarily cut the yard here because they 'make me,' but for two other reasons. One thing is it is a way for me to give back to them. At the same time, because I take responsibility for the yard, if it looks bad, I know that to other people on the outside, it makes me look bad. For a while I couldn't get around to cutting the back yard and it was killing me because I knew that people probably thought I was a lazy bum... pride. gotta hate it.
So weird that I have no idea what I'm doing next semester. I mean, if I get into med school, then there is really no reason to leave Starkville yet. I can just get a job here, maybe take a class or two, and then hang out. I'm not ready to say goodbye to everyone here yet. I really have come to love this place, which really means I've just come to love the people in this place. If I don't get into school, then I'm just going to have to reevaluate, which could very well lead me to moving back home to Jackson to get me a job at UMC. Either way, these are just some things that I really need to be on my knees over.
RUF seems to be going well at MSU this fall. We're going to Lagniappe in a couple weeks, which I'm really getting pumped about. The best thing is when it isn't just my close friends that decide to come, but it is a lot of people that I don't know and that don't know each other. This brings RUF as a group a lot closer. This was definitely the case last year.
Living at the Prisock's house this semester, which has been an amazing change for me, for the good that is. It is weird that this has become normal for me by now since I've been here for about a month.
Why is it that it always takes so long to really get attached to a place, and then by the time you get attached, it is time to leave? I look forward to the fact that maybe one day I can get a little more 'settled,' whatever that means. Thing is, one day I'll probably be so settled that all I want to do is move away! I guess we're never really content with things as they are.
I've really never been shown grace to such an extent. I always feel like I have to 'earn' everything I do. I feel like living here has been a constant challenge to my pride. For example, I don't necessarily cut the yard here because they 'make me,' but for two other reasons. One thing is it is a way for me to give back to them. At the same time, because I take responsibility for the yard, if it looks bad, I know that to other people on the outside, it makes me look bad. For a while I couldn't get around to cutting the back yard and it was killing me because I knew that people probably thought I was a lazy bum... pride. gotta hate it.
So weird that I have no idea what I'm doing next semester. I mean, if I get into med school, then there is really no reason to leave Starkville yet. I can just get a job here, maybe take a class or two, and then hang out. I'm not ready to say goodbye to everyone here yet. I really have come to love this place, which really means I've just come to love the people in this place. If I don't get into school, then I'm just going to have to reevaluate, which could very well lead me to moving back home to Jackson to get me a job at UMC. Either way, these are just some things that I really need to be on my knees over.
RUF seems to be going well at MSU this fall. We're going to Lagniappe in a couple weeks, which I'm really getting pumped about. The best thing is when it isn't just my close friends that decide to come, but it is a lot of people that I don't know and that don't know each other. This brings RUF as a group a lot closer. This was definitely the case last year.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
How did this happen?
It all started when I was vacuuming my car and Michael Phillips called.
"Hey Rob, I'm about to leave for Lagniappe and was wondering if you'd like to come. Can you meet me in 20 minutes?"
Well, those weren't his official words, but they were close. Within a little over an hour, Michael, Ben, and myself were all headed to Lagniappe.
They headed back today and I'm still here :) (until Friday!)
Yeah, crazy. There is some free medical clinic in Biloxi that I can go shadow/work at for a couple days this week. This could be a really great opportunity to see what medical ministry looks like! I'm excited about this and hopefully it will give me a little bit better picture about some opportunities and my calling.
So, if you think about it, I'd appreciate you prayers over my time here for some extra validation during my time here.
On other things, it feels like I'm starting to see my first wave of people 'dispersing' and 'growing up.' My friends are getting real jobs, they're going to graduate school, and even though I've seen people get married in the past, now some of them are younger than me and getting married (Allan and Jane Gray Bledsoe!!! congratulations!). Several people who were in starkville ever since I've been there will be absent this fall and that is sad to see. I am very happy that I have at least one more semester in starkville. I am not quite at the point of saying goodbye, but I know that day will come.
"Hey Rob, I'm about to leave for Lagniappe and was wondering if you'd like to come. Can you meet me in 20 minutes?"
Well, those weren't his official words, but they were close. Within a little over an hour, Michael, Ben, and myself were all headed to Lagniappe.
They headed back today and I'm still here :) (until Friday!)
Yeah, crazy. There is some free medical clinic in Biloxi that I can go shadow/work at for a couple days this week. This could be a really great opportunity to see what medical ministry looks like! I'm excited about this and hopefully it will give me a little bit better picture about some opportunities and my calling.
So, if you think about it, I'd appreciate you prayers over my time here for some extra validation during my time here.
On other things, it feels like I'm starting to see my first wave of people 'dispersing' and 'growing up.' My friends are getting real jobs, they're going to graduate school, and even though I've seen people get married in the past, now some of them are younger than me and getting married (Allan and Jane Gray Bledsoe!!! congratulations!). Several people who were in starkville ever since I've been there will be absent this fall and that is sad to see. I am very happy that I have at least one more semester in starkville. I am not quite at the point of saying goodbye, but I know that day will come.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Love and Intentionality-ism-ness
Experiencing love (not eros... erotic, romantic love) is something that we have all experienced, but maybe to different degrees. Agape love, as I've heard it described is sacrificial love. It is that kind of love that I experienced today from one of my friends. Let me expound:
I went to Lagniappe this weekend with a couple of my friends from Jackson. They wanted to come home soon after arriving, so I needed to find a ride home. They left Friday night. With an offer standing to let me leave Saturday morning I figured I would just do that until my friend John tells me if I'll just hang around, he'll take me home on Sunday. Now, in case you haven't noticed... gas isn't cheap these days. When it's your family, I think we come to expect certain things just because they are family and feel obligated to do such things. This is one of the most powerful things I've ever been offered. That this guy would give his entire afternoon to take me home even though it cost him an arm and a leg.
This is love... (okay, this is when you put your big people pants on and don't laugh that I'm talking about my guy friend).
This next semester (the fall) presents me a very unique situation. I have no class on Mondays and Fridays. I think it is going to be real challenge to my ability to prioritize and plan.... in short, it will challenge my ability to be intentional about my time. What a blessing to have 4 (four!!!) day weekends every weekend. The only question is how well they will be used. I pray I don't reach December and think I wasted all that time. My propensity is to not plan, but rather just to hope things kinda come together when it comes to my schedule. When it comes to some things.. i.e. Bible study and talks, I am good about planning. When it comes to what I am doing this Friday night, I won't usually think about it until the afternoon of. This isn't always true, but it is more true than I'd like to say.
Therefore, I'm planning to plan!
I went to Lagniappe this weekend with a couple of my friends from Jackson. They wanted to come home soon after arriving, so I needed to find a ride home. They left Friday night. With an offer standing to let me leave Saturday morning I figured I would just do that until my friend John tells me if I'll just hang around, he'll take me home on Sunday. Now, in case you haven't noticed... gas isn't cheap these days. When it's your family, I think we come to expect certain things just because they are family and feel obligated to do such things. This is one of the most powerful things I've ever been offered. That this guy would give his entire afternoon to take me home even though it cost him an arm and a leg.
This is love... (okay, this is when you put your big people pants on and don't laugh that I'm talking about my guy friend).
This next semester (the fall) presents me a very unique situation. I have no class on Mondays and Fridays. I think it is going to be real challenge to my ability to prioritize and plan.... in short, it will challenge my ability to be intentional about my time. What a blessing to have 4 (four!!!) day weekends every weekend. The only question is how well they will be used. I pray I don't reach December and think I wasted all that time. My propensity is to not plan, but rather just to hope things kinda come together when it comes to my schedule. When it comes to some things.. i.e. Bible study and talks, I am good about planning. When it comes to what I am doing this Friday night, I won't usually think about it until the afternoon of. This isn't always true, but it is more true than I'd like to say.
Therefore, I'm planning to plan!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Shout-outs
Semester in Review II will come... some day, but not at 1:40 in the morning
Organic I is toast.
Yes, it is done and as much as I'd like to chunk all that I just so diligently filed away into my brain, alas, I must use it for another month as a foundation to build on during Organic II! And as much as I'd like to chunk that information after I finish that class, alas again... I'll need it for the next time I take the MCAT.
This summer has been a mixture of being great and dull at the same time. Let me explain.
I don't really have to discuss the dullness in detail. First of all, that would bore you, thereby declining your readership to my blog. ...and we can't have that
This summer has been a little dull because I'm in school a lot and b/c I am not working in some great camp/ministry setting in which each day presents itself being surrounded by tons of other great staff people who you are around 24/7 and provide unceasing amounts of fellowship and entertainment. I think I've just gotten used to doing this with my summers, so it has taken some adjustments to get used to.
On the other hand, it has been a great summer so far.
I attribute such greatness to this summer because of all the great people that I have met. People make the world go round, or at least mine. Let me give props to a few people for making my summer better while living in Jackson. Please forgive me if I've forgotten anyone.
The Bassett family! Joel, Jonathan, and Rachel... (in alphabetical order, I can't play favorites!). Y'all have been so gracious to me this summer. I can attribute many meals to you all. Thanks for your terrific friendship, I only hope I can pay you back with some of my corny jokes and maybe a meal someday.
Anna G. and Nathan B. - Thanks for running with me- I've been a lone runner for a long time, and I want to throw up at the end of each run thanks to y'all! (Just in case you were wondering, that's a good thing in my book). Have a great trip in Peru, Anna!
Mom and Dad! -thanks for the food, the room, the friendship and your patience with me
John Monteith - dude, I'm really glad you're in Jackson now -enjoying our Sunday get-togethers
Daniel Boyett - thanks for your endless availability to hang out and to always supply me with more philosophy than my little brain can handle. it's always a joy to go over and hang out. Glad your dad is gonna get to come back this summer!
Joy Richardson! - Thanks (7 hours in advance) for going to help me pick out glasses! You are such an encouragement I have to say. Good luck in Nursing school.
BenJAMMIN' Ratliff - watching a rockband marathon says it all. where else could I go to get my fix or to get a cheap sonic burger? Let's go to Lagniappe next weekend!
Mr. Jason Collins, Drew H., Courtney B., Hannah K., and Chris C. - thanks for your friendship in Organic I. I really enjoyed hanging out with you guys despite the setting :)
Lance -thanks for your persistence in our friendship. Ole' faithful. And yes, we need to finish our conversation.
Organic I is toast.
Yes, it is done and as much as I'd like to chunk all that I just so diligently filed away into my brain, alas, I must use it for another month as a foundation to build on during Organic II! And as much as I'd like to chunk that information after I finish that class, alas again... I'll need it for the next time I take the MCAT.
This summer has been a mixture of being great and dull at the same time. Let me explain.
I don't really have to discuss the dullness in detail. First of all, that would bore you, thereby declining your readership to my blog. ...and we can't have that
This summer has been a little dull because I'm in school a lot and b/c I am not working in some great camp/ministry setting in which each day presents itself being surrounded by tons of other great staff people who you are around 24/7 and provide unceasing amounts of fellowship and entertainment. I think I've just gotten used to doing this with my summers, so it has taken some adjustments to get used to.
On the other hand, it has been a great summer so far.
I attribute such greatness to this summer because of all the great people that I have met. People make the world go round, or at least mine. Let me give props to a few people for making my summer better while living in Jackson. Please forgive me if I've forgotten anyone.
The Bassett family! Joel, Jonathan, and Rachel... (in alphabetical order, I can't play favorites!). Y'all have been so gracious to me this summer. I can attribute many meals to you all. Thanks for your terrific friendship, I only hope I can pay you back with some of my corny jokes and maybe a meal someday.
Anna G. and Nathan B. - Thanks for running with me- I've been a lone runner for a long time, and I want to throw up at the end of each run thanks to y'all! (Just in case you were wondering, that's a good thing in my book). Have a great trip in Peru, Anna!
Mom and Dad! -thanks for the food, the room, the friendship and your patience with me
John Monteith - dude, I'm really glad you're in Jackson now -enjoying our Sunday get-togethers
Daniel Boyett - thanks for your endless availability to hang out and to always supply me with more philosophy than my little brain can handle. it's always a joy to go over and hang out. Glad your dad is gonna get to come back this summer!
Joy Richardson! - Thanks (7 hours in advance) for going to help me pick out glasses! You are such an encouragement I have to say. Good luck in Nursing school.
BenJAMMIN' Ratliff - watching a rockband marathon says it all. where else could I go to get my fix or to get a cheap sonic burger? Let's go to Lagniappe next weekend!
Mr. Jason Collins, Drew H., Courtney B., Hannah K., and Chris C. - thanks for your friendship in Organic I. I really enjoyed hanging out with you guys despite the setting :)
Lance -thanks for your persistence in our friendship. Ole' faithful. And yes, we need to finish our conversation.
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