Study, Work, Study, Work...

Alright...the title basically covers what's happened between my last post and now. My life is a timeshare, owned by three entities: Retail Job #1, Retail Job #2, and The Praxis II: Math Content Knowledge Exam.

I've been studying about 1.5-3 hours every day for this blasted thing. Relearning the entire subject of math in 7 weeks is many things, not one of them "easy". At the end of the day though, it's thoroughly motivating, and I'm well aware that this is just a minor obstacle in the grand scheme of things. Just for fun...here are a couple questions from my practice exams:

1. Given the recursive function defined by
f(1) = 1,
f(2) = 2,
f(n) = 2f(n-1) + f(n-2) for n >= 3,

what is the value of f(5)?

A. 5
B. 12
C. 29
D. 70


2. What is the product of complex numbers 2 + 3i and 2 - 3i?

A. -5
B. 13
C. 13-12i
D. 13 + 12i


3. The equation of the line tangent to the graph of y=2x^3 - x + 3 at the point where x = 1 is given by

A. 6x -y = 2
B. 5x - y = 1
C. 5x - y = 5
D. 5x - y = -1


4. Find the area enclosed by the curves y = 2x - x^2 and y = 2x - 4

A. 16/3
B. 32/3
C. 16
D. 64/3



Some are easier than others, but that gives you a general idea of the ridiculous test I'm about to take. Also, keep in mind, I can't even show you 75% of the questions because they involve strange symbols and charts and graphs that this blog won't even let me post. Anyway, if you got 100%, I bow to you, sir.

I take the test on March 13th. That being said, here's a system of equations for you:

March 13th = The day my head explodes
March 13th = My dad's birthday

THEREFORE

The day my head explodes = my dad's birthday

Sorry, dad.

Other than studying, I've been listening to some blues and watching O Brother Where Art Thou in order to get into the Delta state of mind.

Hope all is well.


ANSWERS: (1. C, 2. B, 3. B, 4. B)

In The Beginning...

Three days ago, this popped up in my inbox:

"I am pleased to extend you an offer to join the Teach For America 2010 Corps! This offer to join Teach For America reflects your outstanding accomplishments, leadership potential, and commitment to expanding educational opportunites for children in low-income communities."

It went on a little longer, but that initial statement was the important part. Yes, I was accepted to be a part of Teach For America. My assignment: Secondary Math in The Mississippi Delta. I will be one of about 500 corps members in the region, which spans parts of Mississippi and Arkansas. According to the website and information packet they sent me, I can look forward to: crawfish, the blues, a low cost-of-living, Wal-Mart, day-trips to Little Rock or Memphis, and the King Biscuit Blues Festival.

For those of you not overly familiar with Teach For America, they have an excellent website that explains all their goals, their impact, their process, etc. You can find that info HERE.

And if you're interested in learning more about where I'm headed, you can find that info
HERE.


Needless to say, my life is going to change. A lot. It is going to be the most stressful, terrifying, and rewarding two years of my life. So, even though it's cliche, I figured I would start a blog to track my journey and to, hopefully, keep my head on straight.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
March 13th -------------- Praxis II: Mathematics Content Knowledge Exam (pray for me)
April __th ---------------Praxis I Exam (pray for me)
Mid-June----------------Induction and Institute
Early August-------------School starts

Here we go...