My "Techy-Brain" Debate

In this fabulous age of technology, there is much available to make your life easier. Alright, so sometimes that's a stretch. There are many days I curse technology under my breath for taking the artisan out of all of us and creating a world where cursive writing is dying and books are no longer pastimes. I've often scorned the idea of succumbing to the idea of having a "smart-everything". But now, as I begin to delve deeper into the world of education, I am starting to see the benefits of having a smartphone or iPad at your fingertips.

During the few months I was covering the maternity leave, I was out of the loop most of the time because I wasn't able to check my email every half hour. Now, in my Instructional Assistant position, I'm usually lugging my computer from place to place, and being five years old, this thing is getting slow, and honestly, it's kind of heavy (alright, alright, so maybe it's just me thinking it's heavy because everything else in the world now-a-days is just so light).

Regardless, it's gotten me thinking. I've considered upgrading to an iPhone this summer, but I don't know that I can afford paying $360 each year for the data plan. Plus, once I go there, I will mostly likely never return. So, I shifted my sights to the iPad. The debate came down to choosing which one is the best choice between the three that are available: iPad 2, iPad with Retina display, or iPad mini. When I checked the website, I have no idea what Wi-Fi + Cellular or 3G meant, so I just stuck with good ol' normal Wi-Fi, and this is what I found:

You probably can't even read that, but that's alright. On a computer? Press Ctrl and the + sign at the same time and it will zoom in. Cool eh? Ctrl - will zoom back out :) Anyway. Even if I stuck with the 16GB, it would still do everything I needed, right? It would be super portable and lightweight. And cheaper. I have no idea what that chip thing means, but I doubt it's all that important. Mom's works just fine without the fancy one :)

Those are the things I'm considering. I don't think the Retina display is worth the extra price. I'm young enough. I can still see it just fine, thank you.

So I don't know. I'm still contemplating. I'm not sure if this is where I'll go or not. This would obviously be like, a long term goal. Of course, by the time I save up enough to get one, there will probably be better options, that's just how technology works. Which is why I hate technology so much deep down. For that, I give props to the Amish. I hate spending large sums of money in one place, but if it's going to be a benefit to me, maybe it's worth the pain? My computer will probably die before then, and my car break down. So this all is most likely a moot point.

Some prayer requests before I go:

I love working with "low" students, giving them someone who believes in them. I love having the opportunity to make them feel like they can succeed. However, there are some days I simply feel as if I'm going to clock one of them on top of the head. They've given up on themselves, so they don't try. You repeat yourself over and over and over again and they still expect to get away with not doing the work. And emotional disabilities are my limit. They push me beyond myself. I am a woman of very strong, lively emotions and when someone starts pushing me, I get angry. Fast. I know this about myself, so I do everything in my power to remain under control and operate as the adult in the situation, because I am. Today, there was one boy who was blatantly disrespectful to both me and the math teacher by having his back turned to the board and not doing his work. When I confronted him, he responded with a smirk and "I'm just reading this" (the bulletin board in the back of the room). It took all of my effort to not slap him silly. It makes me sad that they took paddling out of schools. Kids like that just think they can get away with whatever they want because we can't lay a hand on them. In fact, he's doing the same thing to the special ed teacher right now as I type this. I'm going to have to relocate to the fifth and sixth grade workroom or I'm going to end up with a lawsuit against me.

Please be praying that I have the patience to work with these kids and the wisdom to know what to do in all the random, unexpected situations. I want to help these kids. That's what I'm passionate about. I don't want to be undone by my sinful nature.

Also, I've about had it with living under Kurt's rented roof. I need to start my apartment hunting to make myself feel better. It's that time of year anyway. I have less than five months until I need to move somewhere else. Please be praying for me as I search that I find a good place that I feel comfortable and safe in that doesn't rip me off financially. I can't afford a lot, but I don't want to live in fear and discomfort, especially because it looks like I'll end up living by myself. Unless KimKim and I end up being besties or something.

I now have to head out to BYC and work some more with kids who I will need to repeat things time and time again, unless they put me in the craft group (fingers crossed). I love those kiddos, but I can only take so much at a time, and today, I'm drowning.