spluvzu4eva's Xanga

Monday, June 30, 2008

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:16:14 GMT

A much needed vacation...

It feels great to be on vacation! I no longer need to worry about:

waking up early to teach my kinder students, they've all graduated and are going to move onto first grade
interning as an Elementary Anger Management/Family/Guidance Counselor 3 out of 5 days a week
reading 500 pages a week of boring text, researching on the latest studies on research, preparing research papers & turning into powerpoint presentations to present in class
driving up to USC 3/4 times a week for classes

I've graduated in May and I'm done!

It's kinda odd and I feel a bit lost as to what I'm going to do this summer and how productive I'll be because this will be the first summer where I'm out of the loop on things. I don't know if I'll have a counseling position this fall especially with the budget cuts, many counselors/teachers/administrators within the district and in all other districts have either been displaced or laid off (sadly). At least I still have a position as a Kindergarten teacher at my school, so that's kul, but I want to move onto counseling.

I have this whole summer free to do whatever I want and whenever I want! It's actually scary to be honest. I don't want to waste my time either. I suppose God is giving me this opportunity to get closer to Him and work full-time on my traveling business.

If there is anyone that's interested in a legit, legal, network marketing business, I mean, it's serious business for serious people who want to earn extra income, let me know. Quite honestly, although I've only been in this business for a month, yes, it seems longer, but it's only been a month, I feel that things are moving along quite nicely. I earn 60% of the commission that's booked on my website and even if I'm not actively working, I'm still earning income, plus I get to travel on "insider exclusive rates," and get to write off everything as tax since it's a business. It's great! So, if I were to go out with friends to eat and I hand out a business card, I can write that off! Pretty kul huh?

That's why I'd really like to help others start their business and help them make money so that they can come to a point in their life where financial insecurities is no longer an issue in one's life. That's what I'm working on currently.

So with that said, my goals for this summer:

Grow closer to God through daily devotionals by reading the Bible, My Utmost For His Highest, and Purpose Driven Life
Devote my time to my business, helping others and spreading the word about my website to everyone!

Wish me luck!

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Sat, 31 May 2008 16:48:00 GMT

I was looking up a flight for a friend to go to Fiji this summer and my company was selling it for $1255. When I went to Orbitz to compare, they were selling it for $880 including all the fees. I actually told her to book it with them because it was a lot cheaper, but then I realized after calling her that when I continued with the order, that the price changed to $1252! WHAT THE?! Hopefully, she didn't book it with Orbitz already, that would suck. Even though mine's $3 more, at least it saves you the heartache and it's quick and easy! Plus, my friends who booked their flights whether it be international or national, they all tell me the same thing, "Man, your site was cheaper!"

I just tell them, "Yup!"

So, tell your friends to go to my site! Seriously, it really is the most hassle free and cheapest site out there!

www.TravelBySpark.com

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Tue, 27 May 2008 01:58:03 GMT

Are you planning to travel or know of anyone who wants to SAVE when they travel?

Honestly, my site's cheaper than companies that rhyme with Mexpedia, Gravelocity, & Dorbitz! Stop laughing and check it out!

There's deals on Flights, Hotels, Car Rental, Cruises, Theme Parks, Sporting Events, Honeymoon Registries, Flowers, & MORE!

You all know that being a teacher isn't really paying my bills, so that's why I'm doing this!
Everytime someone purchases something from my site, I get a commission off of that, so please please please TELL EVERYONE and send them to:

www.TravelBySpark.com

Also, if you want to make some extra cash, let me know.

NOW GO! Check out my site!
Make sure you refer others to my site when they travel!

Friday, April 18, 2008

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 02:28:38 GMT

man... these next two weeks are going to be a pain... however, i'm done with school in 2 weeks so that's something to look forward to...

currently, i'm looking for a school counseling position near the south bay area... if you know of anyone or any position openings, let me know... goodness, with the whole budget cut, I don't even know if there will be any positions left... I may just have to start looking at companies to hire me as a counselor... so, if you know your company is interested in hiring counselors... send them my way...

Monday, December 31, 2007

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 04:52:54 GMT

Final Days of 2007

Last Friday, after coming back from a small group meeting, I was eager to go to the Karoke place and hang out with my friends (whom I consider to be like brothers). Charlie visited from Korea, Sung came up from San Diego, and Dennis and his girlfriend are all whom I haven't seen in a while. Although I had many fun times dating Fred, I have neglected those dearest to me and my friends. I want to sincerely apologize for neglecting you all, man... sorry.

Anyhow, while heading over to them, I heard this gushing sound from the back of my car and I realized, O no! :-O I think I may run over something and have a flat tire, so sure enough, I pulled over to a nearby parking lot and see a Black man walking. I rolled down my window and asked the kind man if my tire was flat. He responded, "Yeah, I can hear the air blowing out. You should hurry and get to the gas station around the corner." I thanked him and pulled into the gas station and immediately called my brothers and told them that I'd be late due to a flat tire. I called AAA and asked them to tow my car to my home since my replacement tire was also flat. Yeah, I know, it sucks.

I started talking to Kenny, who's the tow truck man from AAA and had a pleasant conversation with him about his college-aged students and the concerns he had about raising them. I asked him whether or not I should get the Camry or the Lexus. He responded immediately, "Get the Lexus." I asked, "Why?" Kenny said, "In the 20 years that I've been doing this job, I've never once had to tow a Lexus, unless, of course it got into an accident or something." So, that's another point for a Lexus.

Anyhow, I had a blast dancing and singing at the Karoke with my brothers and on Saturday, I had a lot of fun cuddling puppies at Ruth's house (my sister's tutee's home).

Aren't they adorable? They have 7!

They're so small. Look!

I thought this one was the cutest. At first it was laying down flat on his/her back and had his/her arms exactly like the way it was pictured with the tongue sticking out!

Later, I met up with Louis at Starbucks and gave him a copy of his dance video that was performed for his family concert. I wonder if I could post it here, but I'd rather get his permission first.

Today, Sunday, after going to church, I met up with my boys Jung, Michael, and Eric to finalize our patent idea; however, we didn't get to finalize it due to a call from the dealership where Michael purchased a new Honda Civic! They had changed the VIN# and so it took about an hour to get things changed and settled. Michael was pissed! It's the first time I've seen him angry, ever. Man, that was cool though! Anyhow, I was running late on meeting my girls so Michael let me borrow his car to see my girlfriends.

I met up with Thu, Frances and Lydia, most of whom I have not seen in over a year and a half! Yes, sad. Anyhow, we ate at TGIF and had so many delightful heart to heart talks. I love being with my girls, we can all open up about our personal lives and not feel judged or ashamed nor embarrassed. Gosh, I love them!

New Year's Eve, I shall celebrate it at Michael's place with our friends, eat, do a $5 gift exchange, and then, I'm planning on heading over to church for the New Year's Eve midnight service with my mom.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe day tomorrow, don't party too hard! Be safe everyone!

Happy New Year!

Friday, December 28, 2007

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 04:07:34 GMT

Update!

The past week and a half was relaxing. I mainly just chilled at home, played games on the computer, researched on cars & tips on purchasing a brand new car... I've finally decided on the 2 cars that I'm planning to get in a couple months... it'll either be the 2008 Camry SE or the 2008 Lexus IS250. Please let me know which one you think I should get.

Someone commented whether or not I had the means to purchase a car and be ok. I do, so which one do you think I should get?

2008 Camry SE

Contemplating between the white or the red

Or the 2008 Lexus IS250 in Glacier Frost Mica

Here's another picture, but in silver

Anyhow, I had fun hanging out with some of my old buddies that I haven't seen for the past years, some... more than 7+ years... yes... it's sad... anyhow, you know that a friend is a friend for a lifetime when you can just pick up a conversation as if it was just yesterday...

I went to a family concert hosted by Louis' family & Louis' dad's high school alumni. They played Korean rock. There was singing, dancing, and man.... Louis' dad got some bass skills along with his brother who can play the piano and guitar, Louis' mom sings and Louis danced. Man! They are one talented family! The performances were very warm and family oriented where there were about 100 people or so.

Louis & I

Me & the boys

I performed at a church were I played the piano for a choir at a Mongolian church, singing Christmas songs on Christmas day. I wish I had recorded it, but I didn't bring my camera. O well, I'll get it somehow.

I also met up with Jung, Mike and made a new friend Eric and we had a blast just catching up and talking about new ideas where we're thinking about patenting our ideas. It all started at BCD in K-Town, where Jung was totally just joking about a prank and it turned into this wonderful night filled with ideas for a new..... (can't disclose any information because it's a secret... you'll find out sooner or later) We ate fruit & boba bingsoo and then went to Lazy Dog cafe for some more food since Mike was hungry and of course had desert!

Monday, December 17, 2007

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 16:49:26 GMT

December

December 1, 2007

Our one year anniversity, Fred took me to the most finest and delicious steak restaurant in town.. Mastro's Steakhouse... it was my last dinner with Fred as a couple

December 9th

Tiffany & Kat hosted a Taco party where we also made these cute gingerbread cookies...

December 12

Christmas party at my internship before seeing each other again next year

Here are some before and after pictures of my classroom after our Christmas party on the last day of school before winter break on Friday, December 14

Yes, we made these Christmas trees, putting green frosting over a sugar cone and decorating it with graham chocolate teddy bears, kisses, and ice cream confections

These are the most gifts I've received as a teacher... too bad it'll be my last year teaching...

I am touched whenever a child gives me a gift... like the one above... she saved me candy and placed a lot of Christmas stickers on her card... now... people who have worked with children know that they love stickers and candy... and for them to give it up... that's really something...

The card below is from the same student... it's adorable... with one side written with happy faces and names, and the other side a sad face with names... LOL

December 15

After doing laundry with my sister, we went to Cheesecake Factory for a spontaneous sisterly outing.

This Sweet Corn Tamale was incredibly delicious...

December 16

FOL (Fountain of Life Covernant Church) hosted its first annual Christmas party, since the church started in January... here's Santa Claus & I

We played the white elephant gift exchange and here was my gift from Joe... I got a "Jesus Christ" cap and he got a used tortilla bowl... because his gift sucked... he picked out another and got a old entertainment magazine... another person got top ramen and decided to give it to Joe...

People felt bad for me so they let me choose again..and ended up with a used toaster (I gave that to a student at DH that needed it)... and Tiffany got two used "yo quiero taco bell" bobble heads and... they felt bad for her too... so she picked out another one and got 2 CD's!

Friday, October 26, 2007

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:41:52 GMT

Needing a break~

You guys all know how stressed I've been since I started this school year.

So... I'm taking a cruise this weekend to Ensenada.

Wish me safety and fun!

I will see you all soon~

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:59:14 GMT

LAUSD Boycott

So, for the past 8-9 months, many teachers and other employees have had difficulty paying bills, received a bad credit and some even lost their homes due to the new payroll system at LAUSD. I know many of you have already heard many things from the news and what not, and it's true!

We're actually in the process of re-negotiating our benefits and salary and most importantly the payroll system; however, the district is being a *&%#@!* about it, and not taking responsibility of action, so the union (UTLA) have decided to boycott staff meetings which starts after school is over from 2:40-3:40 PM. We are paid during this time for the hour that we stay after school for the staff meeting.

The consequences of the boycott (walk out) is having our pay docked (obviously) and being written up. Knowing this full well, we are united as one. Though I haven't had any issues with not being paid on time, there have been many others; so, I am supporting my fellow colleagues who have had to go through HELL to get paid.

For our bank time, he played a video on "ethics" which was so dumb! The actors and scenarios were just so fake and they were horrible actors. Think of like a really old cheesy movie, but people saying those things now-a-days. You know how you watch a show and you know that their acting is so fake? Yeah, it sucked having to sit there. Many of us were like, OMG, this is horrible and stupid! Does our principal think we're THAT stupid?! Well, many of us think this way because of past events that has occurred which I would not like to get into. Anyhow, our damn principal actually threatened us stating that he would "dock our pay and write us up" and that he was just following the "ethical code". Yeah right, my ass! He just wants us to be his little pets saying "yes" to everything he says. He thinks we're seriously kids or something and we're not professionals.

So many may question, "Saemina, why are you with LAUSD?" My answer, not to be all hoffy or anything or put myself on a pedestal, not at all! The reason why I am with crappy LAUSD (only crappy cuz of the people that are in administration- not ALL, most, especially the ones working in the district office), is because I am doing this for the kids. The kids really need teachers who are there to love and care for them. To teach them about character and life. To show that one can change one's life through hard work, using the resources surrounding them, no matter what circumstance or environment that one has grown into, that there is hope. Teachers at LAUSD are definitely not doing it for the $$$. Shit, we get paid crap and look at what we need to do just to get our paychecks on time!

Friday, October 19, 2007

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 01:55:27 GMT

Update:

Everything has been going well. Teaching my kids are going well. I'm hoping that we get a teacher to fill the K/1 combo class that we desperately need since the K/1 teachers all have over 2-3 kids per class. Classes at SC is also going well. There's not too much of a demand since 2 classes are credit/no credit and 1 of the 2 credit classes is going to be an easy "A".

So, if you were all wondering what I was doing for the past month and a half. I spent most of my free time with Fred and I've also started working out in the beginning of October. I have to admit, eating a little bit 4-5 times a day and working out, within 10 days, I've lost 5 pounds! Yes, 5 pounds in 10 days and I've only worked out like 7 times during those 10 days. But yes, that's pretty amazing; I'm impressed myself!

Heading to another topic, I have to say that Fred has some luck! We went to Redondo Beach Pier and he got me a blue/black pearl. The chances of that is 1/7. I went back 2 weeks after with Fred and I was planning on making the pearl into a necklace. I couldn't find the pendant that I wanted, so I decided to come back next time; however, Fred had another plan. He said that he'd buy another pearl for me. I was anxious and was wondering what we'd get since everyone before us all got white pearls. After waiting for more than half an hour, we got the chance of choosing one. Of course Fred let me choose, but he led the way (meaning he chose). And he chose another pearl, and it was blue/black! So, he made a set of earrings for me and it's BEAUTIFUL!~

This past Saturday, we went to San Diego to see the Miramar Air Show. It was raining on the way, and we still had time, so we dropped by Sea World since we both had annual passes from the last time we went... We got to see penguins! Ooh, they're so cute!

Here we are at the Miramar Air Show in San Diego to see the Twilight Show.

On Sunday, Fred had to go to work, yes on a Sunday since his co-worker was going on vacation and Fred was to fill in his part... so yeah, he had to learn a month's work in less than 5 days... but anyhow, he called me later that evening and took me out to Redondo Beach Pier. And bought me another pearl! And it turned out to be the same color as my earrings, and it was slightly bigger than my earrings which made perfect sense to make it into a necklace... so he did...

Isn't it beautiful? Yes, I'm spoiled~ But, don't be hatin'

Anyhow, I'm so glad it's one more day til the weekend! Yay!~