Fighting Upstream

It's so easy to go with the flow
To go with the old nature
But to fight upstream
To fight against the tide
To fight and keep fighting
That is where life is
Where true life is
Learn to fight
Learn to fight for life
At stake is eternity
At stake is forever

Episode 1: Key Chords with Ken (KCwK)

After many long hours editing, uploading, and annotating, Episode 1 of my new YT series Key Chords with Ken (KCwK) is here!

Moco Coco (the Serve and Protect kind)

So I'm driving down Lasila on the South side and I'm halfway through the red. To my left I see it turn green as I'm in the middle of the intersection. I look in my rear view and what do I see?
Yep, copper en una Moco Coco.
I'm like, "I'm dead."
So he's like, "So what happened at the light back there?"
And I'm like, "Well, it turned yellow before I was ready to brake..."
*He asks for license and registration.*
& I'm like, "Y'know, I'm in training to be an elementary school teacher. Here's my placard, and since I just graduated with my BA, this car's a graduation present, so I'm not sure where my registration is. We're gonna register it in a couple weeks. It used to be my uncle's."
And he's like, "So your uncle knows you have it? You didn't steal it or nothin' like that?"
I lol.
"You know it's $500 for running a red?
"Yeah, I know, and I'm sorry."
"When did you graduate?"
"Last Fall."
"Ok then. Here's your graduation present." *Hands back my license & registration*
"Thank you! What's your name, sir?"
"Officer R."
"Thank you sir!"
______________
Sweeeeeeeet. But really, saving maybe 30 seconds isn't worth a $500 fine.
Leave early and don't be in a rush. If you're late, you're late. Being late (usually) won't cost you $500.

"New Wheels"

So the dad surprised me with the KIA today. I'm driving home from School (O.F.L.E.) and he calls up and says he needs a ride to Uncle T's. He says (on the way) that Uncle T. needs help with some stuff, and that we should go raid the pantry. As I'm walking to the door, he calls me back and tells me to close my eyes, and voilà, there are the keys to the car! It's got AWD (if needed), a nice stereo (with iPOD plugin mind you), power window/doors, faux wool seats, and a roof rack. I'd wanted a SUV for practical fishing purposes (like parking off 152)  or driving in the snow (if needed). It's also got some zip, a nice heater, and runs well.

Not a bad graduation present at all!
(

1st Google Check!

So yes, I got my first check from Google Adsense (through YouTube) for a whopping $119.91!
I started monetizing my YT channels about halfway through October of last year, and am now averaging about $40-$50/month. It's not much, but hey, "free" money, and in the words of Marv from HA2, "Every little bit helps!"

So long lawns: 2.17.2012

Finally shut the Dodge down for the last time and left Princeton Court for the same.
It was a bittersweet day, as I said goodbye to old (and semi-old) clients.
I hadn't done one since early December (~2 months) due to the cold yet "un-rainy" weather.
This was my main source of income for roughly 8-9 years (I started when I was 15 1/2 I think), so it's been long overdue. I succumbed to tiredness, monotony, and the training of a new career.
Thanks to Sharon N., Mrs. P., and Juleit and Isaac!

Will we make it?

Look at all the people
Broken inside
Where are you to turn
Where can you hide

Can we make it?
Will we make it?
Survive and live
Thrive

Symbiosis between two
A man and God

Look in the closet
Tails it is
Honestly, I'm not that strong.

Second glances, second chances
Don't jump on thin ice
Don't let go

We're all flesh and bone
With souls, needy and torn

If love is a fire then we've all been burned
Yet some choose to continue
Rather than seek refining fire

RESIST. RUN AWAY.
Just get away from it all.
Life's much more than a blip on the screen.
A wisp of steam.
A dreamer's dream.

I'm dreaming of a dream.
Sleep walking on a pool of thin ice, of fast sand.
Will we make it? We can, it's true, but will we?

Quick Update: 2.5.2012

The NY Giants won the Super Bowl today.

I've been in Kindergarten for a month now (4 weeks) and have learned a lot. I've learned that I've got a LOT to learn about teaching. Timing, time-management, pacing, discipline, class management, etc.
The last one mentioned has been the hardest, as I'm often unable to keep 100% of the students' attention for 100% of the time, which is what you're aiming for (however unrealistic it may seem). I've been evaluated formally once thus far, and that was one of the things that I didn't do too well. "It's your job to keep the students engaged!" - (Thanks Marilyn!)

In other news, I started another violin student (Alex), and made a (I think) good impression. He's got a lot of bad habits to break, but I think he's got a lot of potential, and looks (from the first lesson) like a quick learner. He's got a pretty good ear, and just needs to clean up bad habits and practice correctly. Susan once said, "I'm teaching you how to practice," and that's one quote I've used many times, and I think it applies heavily in the realm of music. The teacher is not going to be there for the other 6 days of practicing, and thus the student needs to form good, wholesome practicing techniques (supplied by the teacher) to progress. The teacher (in my opinion of this type of personalized music instruction) is there to correct bad habits and ensure correct practicing techniques are being applied. ($32/hour...I should probably increase my rates... : / )

I'm doing a lot more reading in the credential program than I ever did in college. The classes are pretty intense.

I'm feeling a little sick today (probably due to my recent exposure to the newest forms of bacteria and germs emanating from 28 kindergarten students). I'm going to bed.

~K