Throwback Thursday: Cars=Life

On today's throwback Thursday, I want to take it back to the cars I have owned in the past. Since my last teens, I have been heavily enveloped in the car scene, and have found this hobby to be not only fun, but challenging. It has taught me many skills in life, and has improved my interpersonal communication skills, and my overall knowledge of how engines, suspension, and various other parts work and are developed on a car.

Lets begin with my first car, a 1998 Nissan 240sx, also known as a Kouki S14. Simple modifications of a magnaflow 3in. catless exhaust, 18" Rays Khan 2 wheels with 225 front and 265 rear, momo quick release racing wheel, HID 6k.

Next we have a 2001 Subaru 2.5 Impreza RS, also known as a GC8. I flew to New Jersey and drove the car back cross country because this car was so rare. This was a limited edition Black on Black leather GC8. Simple modifications were done as well, 32 way adjustable coilovers, dropped 2 inches for a nice flush look, 17" XXR Wheels on Hankook tires, Hayward and Scott Scooby Exhaust for a deep Subaru rumble, 6K HID's, intake.

Now, I own a 2011 Subaru STI, and it has been wonderful.. and its a car that keeps on giving. Light modifications so far with just a tanabe exhaust, and BBS wheels. To come will be BBS LM1 wheels in Gold, intake, and maybe eventually a larger turbo.


For more information on cars and the friends in my life who love this as well, visit GushiAutoIntl, our team website.

One of the most inspirational and awesome videos out there is the Gymkhana videos by Ken Block. The way he drifts and controls a car=AMAZING!

Bittersweet...

Today was one of the most bittersweet days of my life. A girl, who has been in special education since she came to our charter school three years ago, has just exited the program. When she came, she had many deficits in the area of memory and auditory processing, and tested at a 2.0 grade level. She struggled with reading, writing, and mathematics. These deficits transferred into her ability to perform well in Humanities and Science. She pushed and pushed daily, but learning materials has always been difficult for her.

As an 8th grader now, she has consistently tested in the proficient or advanced levels of all skills assessments, and common assessments. Her quarter 2 grades had 3 A's, 2 B's, and 1 C. Her psychological assessment and cognitive achievement assessments should no discrepancies, and showed that she was operating at the average level. Needless to say, she has excelled, and has exited our program.

Upon bringing her into the office to let her know of her exit, she said, "I feel like I graduated." I am so proud of her, and her previous RSP, who is now my Case Manager, wanted to shed a tear because of the amount of progress she made, and the great GANAS (perseverance/desires/wants) she shows on a daily basis.

She truly exemplifies our school values of Love, Honor, and Integrity, and she truly understands the saying "Work Hard. Be Nice." Congratulations, YOU MADE IT!

You will go TO and THROUGH College!

Midterms are over!

You know that feeling you get when you anticipate getting your midterm graded and handed back to you? Yeah, that's the feeling I have had running through my body for the last two weeks. As I sat in that empty classroom, I slowly realized that several students were coming in as the clock struck 4:20. Professor Chang was running late... all of which only made me feel more and more anxious. It wasn't enough that we had our Literature Review papers due the same day though, I also had to feel anxious about a grade.

A grade... its just a grade... right? Based on education today, in the standards of America, you, as a student, are forever branded by a single letter that represents the very essence of your ability. So, this "grade" that I was waiting for, was really a label that would either propel me to more success, or would hinder me from reaching my goals. 

With these notions running through my head, Professor Chang handed our papers back. I dreaded looking at the score, but knew that I had to in order to feel at ease. I slowly opened the paper, and found that I had received a perfect score!!! YIPPEE!!!! I was so excited! I knew that I had worked hard on that midterm, but I was glad that she saw that as well. I was able to integrate the knowledge I knew with the knowledge learned from the two textbooks in the class. Needless to say, it was a good night, and I was able to feel like an anchor was lifted off of my shoulders. 

Now... I await Finals Week...with this on my iPod...

Presidents Day Weekend

This past Friday was an exciting day for me, as I awaited the clock to strike 3:30 PM. It was a 3-Day weekend, and I was yearning for a mini-vacation to recuperate from the long hours of work and school. I had a wonderful weekend planned filled with family, friends, and FOOD... all with my better half to enjoy with me.

So, just to recap:

Friday evening, my better half and I went to Mike and Anne's, a local restaurant located in South Pasadena, California. My first time there was a few weeks ago, and I had their burger with french fries. It was so tasty that I wanted to go back to try some of their other dinner dishes. Don had a pasta dish, and I had a baked chicken. Typically, we would take instagram photos of our food, but we were so hungry, we forgot. The service was terrible, which was unusual. Nonetheless, we enjoyed our night. We didn't have much of a valentine's day dinner, so this was a nice outing together.

Prime Rib 6oz

Saturday was packed with family, and more food =). Don and I helped my sister move some furniture pieces, and then enjoyed a nice dinner at The New York Grill in Ontario, California with my sister and her best friend. The three of them had rack of lamb with lobster bisque, and I had the prime rib. Good food, good company, good times.
Sunday Funday involved shopping in Downtown LA (DTLA), around the fashion district. We were on the lookout for fabric to make some small projects. My sister's best friend was making a smock for her hair dresser, so Don and I tagged along to experience DTLA. It was... an experience I do not intend to have again. Congestion and dirty.... not a great combination. After that, we went shipping in Little Tokyo at Raggedy Threads, a local vintage shop that my friend owns. Getting close to a late lunch, my sister, her friend, Don and myself decided to go to Guisado's, a wonderful little place well known for their tacos in East L.A. Such amazing food.

Corned beef & Hash Browns

Monday...to enjoy our last day of freedom, Don and I just ate, ate, and ate some more. We woke up and got an early breakfast at Colonial Kitchen in San Marino, Ca. Then we went shopping in Pasadena, Ca. at Best Buy, Nordstrom Rack, and Dick's Sporting Goods. Don had to go back home to take care of some things, so I went to visit my mother. We soon met up again, and went to Cheesecake Factory for our weekend romantic dinner together. We enjoyed wonderful dinner dishes, and then went to sit on my friend's porch to enjoy the evening skies with good company and conversation.
All in all, a wonderful weekend that we both did not want to end. Now... Tuesday falls to an end, and only three more work/school days till another weekend. YAY!

How has education changed?

Last night I had a conversation with my better half, and we talked about the change Education has taken. It is so different how students are taught nowadays compared to how I was educated. Throughout my K-12 years of schooling, I remember there being a lot of project based learning, labs, and interactive, kinesthetic assignments that encourages social learning, and generalized information into survival skills. Real-world functional learning has been a huge part of my life.

Today, many students seem to fit a cookie cutter model, and tend to have knowledge that only goes as far as a textbook. The world seems to be extremely test-score driven, and does not allot for much creativity. There is such a time crunch on teacher's abilities to do any projects as there are a set amount of standards that must be taught. This sole independence becomes monotonous.

Then again, maybe this type of learning at an early age isn't so bad. High school and college learning is similar to what I see in the lower grades. College education is heavily lecture based, and is based on the content that is needed. That material is pushed out whether or not you grasp it. It is an independent endeavor for each person to learn.

I am not saying that either way of learning is good or bad; rather, I am simply making observations based on my own experiences, and his, on the topic of education, which ran our conversation last night. This was an interesting conversation as we both had a lot to say, and we were able to compare our education to the ones we see at present.

Valentine's Day

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

This is a day that has been hallmarked by red hearts, love songs, flowers, and chocolates.  This is a day that people enjoy celebrating their love for one another, and show utter affection for their loved ones. However, it is important to note that love and affection should be shown on a daily basis, and should not be characterized only by the buying of tangible items. (But, we all know it is fun and awesome to receive gifts!)

Happy Valentine's day everyone! I want to share with you one of my favorite Valentine's day songs. Enjoy!

My favorite video: Understanding Autism

One of the most influential women in the world of autism is Temple Grandin. This woman surpassed the expectations that society placed on her due to her disability, and became a renowned scientist in Animal Husbandry and Autism.

When I first started working in the field, I worked at a Non-Public School for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and got to experience different forms of autism, and its many differences and similarities. It was difficult in the beginning, but as I began to understand how autism impacts an individual, I was more readily able to assist these kids succeed. 

Being introduced to Temple Grandin changed my life. I began watching all her lectures, and videos, hoping to learn more. She is so intriguing, and has revolutionized the way many of us understand autism, and how we approach those with this disability.

This lecture video is my favorite lecture, and was the one that made me yearn for more knowledge. 

For follow up, you may want to visit: http://www.autismspeaks.org/