Namaste Readers,
I survived my FIRST car accident. My lane was flowing while the left lane had a stop. Another car was trying to turn left against opposing traffic and behind it was a black Sedan. I almost passed the stopped car ( making the left turn ). Then in my peripheral vision, I saw the black bumper inching towards my car. Surely the Sedan driver sees my car, since it's apparent that I was already there, right?
A jolt here and metal crunching there and my car was hit. I turned on the hazards lights and drove to the side of the road in front of Ruffenach Funeral Home. I got out of the car ( not even thinking if the accident would be a hit and run ). The other guy, clearly a senior citizen, got out of his car with all his information; I had to run back to get my information from the glove compartment.
Around 2:50ish, I called 911 and told them I got in a car accident. "Is there smoke coming out?... Are you okay?... Where did the accident take place?" What's so strange was that this road which I always drive through became so unfamiliar. How was I supposed to know where I was? I just got into an accident.
The guy sensing my lack of direction said, "We're in Township Line Road." I repeated what the old guy said and told the police that we were heading towards Philadelphia and we were near a church and school.
While waiting for the police to arrive, the old guy tried to make small talk. I absentmindedly chit-chatted but inside in my mind, I was all over the place; I was mad that all of this was happening. "Don't worry, I've been in several accidents... did the police say what time they'll get here?... I'm not supposed to discuss the accident with you... we're all okay so that's good." Well this is my first accident so I don't really know what to do; I don't know any procedures.
The police arrived and told us to park our cars in the next street ( Alexandria St. in Upper Darby Township ) to prevent other accidents that day. I told him what happened; he filed a report and gave us a number. Since everybody was okay, he told us to move on and enjoy the rest of the day.
Of course I couldn't enjoy the rest of the day. I got home and filed a claim. My 2 options were to file a claim with my insurance company and pay the deductable of $500 OR wait forever filing a claim with the other guy's insurance company ( which I forgot to get but it's in the police report ). I listened to the advice of my insurance company because I'm their client and they SHOULD look out for my best interest ( right? ).
They asked for the details, and they got my information. According to the agent, it was irrelevant that this was my 1st accident while it was the other guy's 2nd-3rd-4th? accident. If this was irrelevant, then why would there be a chance for my insurance to go up? ( hopefully the accident forgiveness commercial is not just a commercial but a reality ).
My car's driver's door was bent caused by the impact from the other guy's front bumper, which just received a scrape ( above the wheel in 3/4ths angle, thank God for art classes! ) I thought the police report would cover everything; it did but not in a "timely" manner. The agent I talked with implied that getting police reports would take forever.
I would have to do all the claiming. I thought that one is paying so much $ for insurance company so they do all of this stuff and be the middle person. In such an event, how does one immediately compose oneself to think about all these issues?
It's true that this accident is minor compared to losing one's life or being injured badly; All parties survived; no one was hurt. I'm alive, I'm frazzled so I can complain that it's a hassle from a history of hassles ( I really don't mean to be ungrateful; oh life! )
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Random? car karma
Namaste Readers,
Maybe all of this car trouble could have been prevented if I took heed of a psychic's warning. Maybe it's KARma. But what did I do? Why did it happen with the new car instead of the old one?
Summary of troubles for the 2009 Toyota Corolla:
Mar 2011 - Car accident in Township Line Road in Upper Darby County/township ( Insurance company involved deductible at least $500 ).
Feb 2011 - Car got towed because of miscommunication in Cheyney, near West Chester ( $175 ).
Dec 2010 - Got a speeding ticket in the border of Philadelphia and Lower Merion. Because it was unfair, I fought it in court; I didn't get the points so I just paid the fine ( circa $190 ).
Feb 2010 - Got a parking ticket because I accidentally parked in the wrong side of the street in Allentown during cleaning day ( circa $100 ).
Jan 2010 - Steering wheel got locked while in a Philadelphia ghetto one cold winter day ( circa $25 thank God for Triple A ).
Aug 2009 - Got a stop light ticket, 1st ticket EVER; I didn't fight it because I was extremely naive; I got lots of points plus a hefty fine from Lower Merion ( circa $190 ).
Oct 2009 - 2009 Toyota Recall: I couldn't believe it because I recently bought this car, and I had to go to the shop in Ardmore twice in less than 4 months so they can update it ( I've been driving my dad's 1995 Toyota Corolla since 2000 [9 years], and I never went to the shop once for it ).
Maybe all of this car trouble could have been prevented if I took heed of a psychic's warning. Maybe it's KARma. But what did I do? Why did it happen with the new car instead of the old one?
Summary of troubles for the 2009 Toyota Corolla:
Mar 2011 - Car accident in Township Line Road in Upper Darby County/township ( Insurance company involved deductible at least $500 ).
Feb 2011 - Car got towed because of miscommunication in Cheyney, near West Chester ( $175 ).
Dec 2010 - Got a speeding ticket in the border of Philadelphia and Lower Merion. Because it was unfair, I fought it in court; I didn't get the points so I just paid the fine ( circa $190 ).
Feb 2010 - Got a parking ticket because I accidentally parked in the wrong side of the street in Allentown during cleaning day ( circa $100 ).
Jan 2010 - Steering wheel got locked while in a Philadelphia ghetto one cold winter day ( circa $25 thank God for Triple A ).
Aug 2009 - Got a stop light ticket, 1st ticket EVER; I didn't fight it because I was extremely naive; I got lots of points plus a hefty fine from Lower Merion ( circa $190 ).
Oct 2009 - 2009 Toyota Recall: I couldn't believe it because I recently bought this car, and I had to go to the shop in Ardmore twice in less than 4 months so they can update it ( I've been driving my dad's 1995 Toyota Corolla since 2000 [9 years], and I never went to the shop once for it ).
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Writing Center: constructive criticism
Hi Readers,
So we held our 2nd workshop of the semester. It focused on writing resumes, cover letters, and application essays. It was more successful compared to the 1st one. This time we had 7 attendants instead of zero. Nonetheless, it was a learning experience and a chance to get to know our students. Some questions were raised: "How do we motivate students to participate more? How do we encourage students to procrastinate less?"
We received some feedback. Some felt that the workshop was more like a lecture instead of an engaged collaboration. Some students felt that the speaker did more talking ( a soliloquy ) instead of a collaboration engaged in recursive dialog and conversation. Because of this "talking at" instead of "talking with" perception, at times there was tension ( ex cell-phone warning was done rudely ). A student commented on how she didn't like that the workshop went over time. She couldn't stay to workshop her resume because she had to run to class.
I'm not sure how the facebook/word-of-mouth/strategic flyers advertisement affected the outcome. Most of the students who said "yes" didn't show up. Maybe it's still too far away from the Career Fair event? Maybe the afternoon time slot helped? We'll definitely review all these factors again and consider the feedback for next time.
So we held our 2nd workshop of the semester. It focused on writing resumes, cover letters, and application essays. It was more successful compared to the 1st one. This time we had 7 attendants instead of zero. Nonetheless, it was a learning experience and a chance to get to know our students. Some questions were raised: "How do we motivate students to participate more? How do we encourage students to procrastinate less?"
We received some feedback. Some felt that the workshop was more like a lecture instead of an engaged collaboration. Some students felt that the speaker did more talking ( a soliloquy ) instead of a collaboration engaged in recursive dialog and conversation. Because of this "talking at" instead of "talking with" perception, at times there was tension ( ex cell-phone warning was done rudely ). A student commented on how she didn't like that the workshop went over time. She couldn't stay to workshop her resume because she had to run to class.
I'm not sure how the facebook/word-of-mouth/strategic flyers advertisement affected the outcome. Most of the students who said "yes" didn't show up. Maybe it's still too far away from the Career Fair event? Maybe the afternoon time slot helped? We'll definitely review all these factors again and consider the feedback for next time.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Writing Center Scholarship: a faculty's influence
Hey Readers,
In a 1985 survey, Irene L. Clark, Associate Professor of English at California State University, Northridge, realized that most students went to the Writing Center because of incentives. Her research concludes that a majority of students "are extrinsically motivated; such students write for grades" (31).
In 1990, Wendy Bishop, instructor of writing at Florida State University found similar results. She noticed that 89% of the students surveyed visited the Writng Center because of their instructors' influence: "These students seemed to feel that some recompense was required for their obedience. They suggested the instructor 'tell them how it will help their grade' ... and offer 'extra credit'" (36).
In 2011, this type of incentive can still motivate students to invest their time and actually go to the Writing Center. Another group of students Clark surveyed in 2001 "felt that the conference had been helpful and that they had learned something as a result of their visit to the Writing Center" (46). These students and countless others just needed to realize and experience the truth of this observation.
Inspired by Robert Martin, author of Teaching Through Encouragement, Clark believes that "requiring students to visit the Writing Center at least gives them a chance to be encouraged" (34). A faculty's influence can go a long way, and a little nudge here and there -- and perhaps a referral to the Writing Center -- can help students to recognize and utilize such a resource.
In a 1985 survey, Irene L. Clark, Associate Professor of English at California State University, Northridge, realized that most students went to the Writing Center because of incentives. Her research concludes that a majority of students "are extrinsically motivated; such students write for grades" (31).
In 1990, Wendy Bishop, instructor of writing at Florida State University found similar results. She noticed that 89% of the students surveyed visited the Writng Center because of their instructors' influence: "These students seemed to feel that some recompense was required for their obedience. They suggested the instructor 'tell them how it will help their grade' ... and offer 'extra credit'" (36).
In 2011, this type of incentive can still motivate students to invest their time and actually go to the Writing Center. Another group of students Clark surveyed in 2001 "felt that the conference had been helpful and that they had learned something as a result of their visit to the Writing Center" (46). These students and countless others just needed to realize and experience the truth of this observation.
Inspired by Robert Martin, author of Teaching Through Encouragement, Clark believes that "requiring students to visit the Writing Center at least gives them a chance to be encouraged" (34). A faculty's influence can go a long way, and a little nudge here and there -- and perhaps a referral to the Writing Center -- can help students to recognize and utilize such a resource.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Dissertation: notes 3
What's Up Readers,
I've been reading and catching up on Writing Center Scholarship. All the writings are enlightening of course, but after reading tons of them I started to think about their apparent connections to scholarship today ( don't you just hate it when the committee inside your head starts asking the "so what?" question ). So I took a quick glance of current happenings from the College English Jan 2011 Issue ( Vol 73 Num 3 ), and to my relief, most of the scholarship I've read so far are still relevant today.
The editor highlighted: agency, student-centered, and basic writing. I'm guessing somewhere in the 90s, the focus shifted away from student-centered pedagogy, and basic writing stopped improving. He was concerned that the lack of progress in mastering basic writing today could encourage others to take on an elitist point of view on education in spite of incoming non-traditional students as a result of the GI Bill of 2008.
Some scholars to consider:
-David Bartholomea
-Mina Shaughnessy ( CUNY )
-Pat Belanoff "The Myths of Assessment"
-Shannon Carter "The Way Literacy Lives" ( which discusses "testing" culture, NCLB, transformative pedagogy responsive to historical contexts and diverse students )
NTCE Literacy Education Advocacy Day 2011 on 4/28
I've been reading and catching up on Writing Center Scholarship. All the writings are enlightening of course, but after reading tons of them I started to think about their apparent connections to scholarship today ( don't you just hate it when the committee inside your head starts asking the "so what?" question ). So I took a quick glance of current happenings from the College English Jan 2011 Issue ( Vol 73 Num 3 ), and to my relief, most of the scholarship I've read so far are still relevant today.
The editor highlighted: agency, student-centered, and basic writing. I'm guessing somewhere in the 90s, the focus shifted away from student-centered pedagogy, and basic writing stopped improving. He was concerned that the lack of progress in mastering basic writing today could encourage others to take on an elitist point of view on education in spite of incoming non-traditional students as a result of the GI Bill of 2008.
Some scholars to consider:
-David Bartholomea
-Mina Shaughnessy ( CUNY )
-Pat Belanoff "The Myths of Assessment"
-Shannon Carter "The Way Literacy Lives" ( which discusses "testing" culture, NCLB, transformative pedagogy responsive to historical contexts and diverse students )
NTCE Literacy Education Advocacy Day 2011 on 4/28
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