Should I Go To Stony Brook University

Should I Go To Stony Brook University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Marc is a graduate of Stony Brook University from which he earned a Bachelors degree in Biochemistry in 2013. He is a New York City tutor who specializes in Algebra tutoring, Chemistry tutoring, Pre-Calculus tutoring, and a number of other subjects. See what he had to say about his experience at Stony Brook: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Marc: Stony Brook is a safe, beautiful campus with multiple options for transportation. There is a bus system that allows for transportation to destinations both within and outside of the campus. There are also locations on campus where students may rent bikes, as well asa train within walking distance that can take students to New York City. VT:How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Marc: Availability varies from professor to professor. That said, most are accommodating, and they will allow students to schedule an appointment if they are unable to meet during regularly scheduled office hours. Academic advisers and teaching assistants tend to be enthusiastic and eager to help students. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Marc: The quality of rooms varies from building to building, as well as within the buildings themselves. The university tends to house three freshmen per room. This may be uncomfortable if you are used to having your own room. However, the university does start to de-triple during the second semester. Moving on, campus dining is not five stars by any means. However, it is certainly not the worst food I have eaten. I would say it is above average, albeit expensive. With regard to social life, I would say there are many opportunities to meet new people. However, Stony Brook is a commuter school, which means the campus will be quieter on the weekends. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Marc: Stony Brook University offers a variety of degree programs, from the arts to the sciences. I initially found out about Stony Brook because of its reputation for being strong in the sciences. Having worked towards and attained a biochemistry degree, I can confirm this. There are also many research opportunities and a hospital to acquire clinical experience at if you are pre-medicine. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Marc: As a freshman, it was easy to make friends within classes and inside the dorms themselves. The dorms have pool tables and ping pong tables. Engaging in these activities may be one way to meet new people and make friends. Playing basketball is another waythere are many basketball courts throughout campus. These are just a few of the possible ways. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Marc: From my experience with the Career Center, I can vouch that they are extremely helpful and friendly. They helped me format my resume correctly, and they answered any questions I had. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Marc: The libraries are normally quiet and not over-crowded. It is easy to find a good area to study. They also have quiet lounges located in dorm buildings. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Marc: The surrounding area contains a shopping mall, various supermarkets, Walmart, and a movie theater. There is also a nearby train that goes to New York City. Students seem to enjoy visiting the city. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Marc: The student body is fairly large. Some of the science classes, particularly the introductory sciences, contain hundreds of students. Recitations accompany the lectures. Recitations usually contain 30 students, and they are taught by graduate students. Because of the large class size, it may be difficult to ask a question during lecture. Despite this, it is easy to get one-on-one help from the professor during office hours or from your graduate teaching assistant during recitation. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Marc:Two of my favorite classes happen to be sociology classes I took with Dr. Marrone. She is extremely kind and effectively relays course material. Check out Marcs tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Surviving Organizational Stress in the Workplace - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Surviving Organizational Stress in the Workplace - Introvert Whisperer Surviving Organizational Stress in the Workplace Dread creeps in the second your alarm goes off in the morning. Potential excuses fill your head. Maybe you could call in sick or take a personal day. Anything but go into work again. You’re so nervous about the day ahead that you can’t even enjoy your morning coffee. This is a much more intense scenario than run-of-the-mill work stress. This type of burnout is what happens when typical stress builds over time and impacts every area of your life. It’s not uncommon, either. A recent study by Gallup of approximately 7,500 full-time employees found that 23 percent were dealing with burnout on a regular basis. When you’re overwhelmed at work, there can be major consequences for your emotional, mental, and physical health. Relationships and overall happiness can be negatively impacted, and you’re more susceptible to illness due to a compromised immune system. A disorganized workplace, which can often come from higher up the chain and be out of the employee’s control, can lead to burnout, as can a variety of other work stressors. Signs of Burnout Stress alone isn’t a sign of burnout, though it can be a precursor to it. Stress can be used as a motivator to push yourself to meet goals. It can also inspire you to make necessary changes to your workflow or lifestyle. When stress becomes severe enough to lead to burnout, though, there’s a bigger problem. These are some common signs that you’re now dealing with burnout: You’re not performing well at work any longer. You may not even be interested in your job at all. You’re doubting yourself and feel like you’re already defeated or alone. Your relationships with your supervisors or your co-workers are strained. At the end of the workday, you feel exhausted and drained of energy. Your passions no longer interest you and you can’t carry out your regular responsibilities. Other signs of burnout include: Insomnia Muscle pain Negative thoughts Substance use for coping Tension headaches In addition to affecting the employee, burnout can also impact the business and its customers. When nurses experience compassion fatigue, for example, they feel sick or emotionally drained from coping with so many serious situations. This type of burnout can cause them to no longer provide top-level care for patients. The same is true for professionals in a number of settings. “It brings about negative effects, such as increased absenteeism, decline in classroom performance, and poor interpersonal relationships with colleagues and students,” Matthew Lynch of The Edvocate writes about teacher burnout. “Burned-out teachers are usually less sympathetic toward the problems of students, and are less committed to their jobs. They develop lower tolerance for classroom disruptions, are less prepared for class, and are generally less productive.” It’s clear that the effects of burnout take a toll not only on individuals, but also on businesses, the economy, and those they are tasked with serving. How to Cope with Stress and Burnout Whether you’re stressed and on the way to burnout or you feel like you’ve already reached the burnout stage, there are ways to cope. Eliminate as many stressors as you can. Can you avoid an employee who always drags you down? Can you do things during the workday that will soothe you, like listening to music? Can you alter your schedule to have more concentrated time off? Track how much time you’re spending on difficult projects. You may be taking too long to work on a project that can be accomplished in a shorter amount of time. You could also break that project up into smaller amounts of time in order to make progress without overwhelming yourself. Exercise to improve brain function and mental health while reducing fatigue. Exercising in nature is best because it can reduce negative symptoms like anger, depression, and tension while improving energy and revitalizing you. Take a break from work. This can mean taking advantage of your full lunch hour, disconnecting from work for the whole weekend or taking an entire week of vacation time to get away. Don’t overwhelm your non-work schedule. If you fill all of your free time up with other commitments and responsibilities, you won’t get the necessary RR to revitalize. Some of your time off work should be filled with your social life and doing the things you enjoy. Once you’ve decided how you’re going to combat stress and burnout, form a plan. Are you going to change your daily routine or shift your work schedule? Are you going to start looking for a new job to see what’s out there? Write down the steps you’ll need to take. Simply having a plan can help you feel better right now because you know that, one way or another, things are going to change and improve. When to Look for a New Job If you’ve been experiencing burnout and have been trying everything you can think of to cope but it’s still not working, it may be time to reconsider your job. It’s important to know when it’s time to cut your losses and look for something new. Some things to look at are: Your boss is the primary source of stress and there are no changes that are in your power to make. The company culture isn’t for you. For example, maybe you’ve tried your best to enjoy the mandatory team building exercises, but it’s just adding to your stress. You feel like you’d perform better and be happier at a place where quiet productivity is wanted. You feel like you’re going to quit on the spot at any minute, even though you know that could impact a future job if you’re seen as a risk. Even if everything can be fixed and your stress can be diminished, you know you can’t grow at your company and advance in your career. Stress and burnout from work aren’t uncommon, but they have to be managed. When you internalize stress without dealing with it, it can grow exponentially and even threaten your health. Before you’re pushed to the limit, decide which changes â€" either minor or major â€" need to be made and make them. Author Bio: Jori Hamilton is a writer from the Pacific Northwest who has a particular interest in social justice, politics, education, healthcare, technology, and more. You can follow her on twitter @hamiltonjori Go to top Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.  Grab yours by visiting here right now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

5 Study Tips That Will Help You Ace Your Next Italian Vocabulary Quiz

5 Study Tips That Will Help You Ace Your Next Italian Vocabulary Quiz Madalyn Danielson Do you have an Italian vocabulary quiz coming up soon? Studying for a vocab quiz isnt always as easy as it might seem. Simply reading through an Italian vocabulary list isnt enough to understand the meanings of the words or how to correctly use them in context. Below are some new strategies to mix up your study routine and ace your next quiz. 1. Flashcards With a Twist An oldie but a goodie, flashcards are one of the most inexpensive and effective techniques for learning vocabulary. Start by writing the vocabulary word on one side and its meaning on the other side. You can take it one step further by writing the vocabulary word in a sentence on the same side as the meaning. Practice reading the definition first then guessing the word and vice versa. 2. Read Vocabulary Words in Context While memorizing your Italian vocabulary list may be enough to pass your next quiz, it may not be enough to learn how to use the words in conversation, which is a much more valuable skill. To increase your understanding of a word, write three or four simple English sentences using the word. For example, the Italian word for “always” is sempre.  Try writing sentences like, “The sun  sempre  sets in the west” or “Three and three  sempre  makes six.” This exercise will go a long way toward helping you remember both the words and their meanings. 3. Incorporate the Words into Your Daily Routine As you go about your daily routine, look for opportunities to practice your Italian vocabulary words. For example, if youre taking a walk in your neighborhood, quiz yourself on the words for sky, clouds, sidewalk, house, and mailbox. Some people find that they have an easier time remembering the words if they say them aloud instead. 4. Use Mnemonic Devices Think of a word based on the first syllable of the Italian vocabulary word, which is known as a keyword. Then make up a story or think of an image that includes both the keyword and the meaning of the original word. Most people have an easier time recalling stories than isolated words. Consequently, you should be able to use your stories to pull up the meanings of the words during your quiz. Think of the word  sempre  again. The first syllable in  sempre  is the same as the first syllable in the English word “simmering.” Imagine an active volcano in Hawaii that is “always simmering” to help you remember the meaning of the Italian word  sempre. 5. Quiz With a Partner You can use any of the previously mentioned study strategies on your own or with a partner. Many students find it helpful to use multiple study tactics throughout a language course to stay fresh and engaged. Make it a priority to find a good study partner in your class, and set aside time to review Italian vocabulary words together at least once before each quiz. For example, you can switch off quizzing each other with flashcards, or you can recite your English language sentences and have the other person fill in the Italian vocabulary word for each one. If youre looking for even more study tips for tackling an Italian vocabulary list, talk to the other students in your class or ask your Italian tutor for some expert advice. They may be able to share some study tactics that work well for them that never would have occurred to you. Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Shane Global

Important Equipment for Learning Violin

Important Equipment for Learning Violin Essential Equipment for Anyone Taking Violin Lessons ChaptersThe Basics for Learning ViolinStaying Comfortable During Violin LessonsUseful Equipment for Practicing Your ViolinCaring for Your ViolinFor complete newbies to the wonderful world of music lessons, knowing exactly what equipment is necessary for learning how to play violin can be tricky.If you’re about to start learning the violin, there are many other items you need other than the instrument itself!Getting a suitable violin is important, but you’ll also need to learn about how to properly look after it.You’ll also need to think about practicing the violin in between your lessons. Practice can be made unnecessarily difficult if you don’t invest in proper equipment such as a good music stand and a metronome â€" and being well-equipped will save you time and energy, allowing you to get more out of your practice.Learning a musical instrument isn’t just about learning how to read music and make a pleasant sound; it’s about learning to channel your musical energy throu gh your instrument, and if you’re going to achieve this, you need to be comfortable â€" and there is equipment that can help you with this!So, if you’re an aspiring musician, here is Superprof’s guide to kitting yourself out before you learn to play the violin.official ABRSM exam pieces and scores, from which you will choose your exam pieces.In addition to any examination material, you can also get hold of other violin music you might enjoy playing. Music shops have music for violinists of all abilities which is often published according to genre or style. For instance, you can find collections of movie hits or even specific franchises such as Disney â€" and they almost always come with a CD accompaniment, so you can find out what it feels like to play in an orchestra!If you're looking to expand your repertoire, you can always download violin sheet music  for printing from the internet, too. So, if you're bored of perfecting your rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, or yo u'd like to move on from your violin concerto, there are plenty more pieces of violin parts available!Doing this will save you a bit of time and money, and any practice is good practice!PencilIf you’re a complete beginner violin player, the importance of the humble pencil might surprise you.Whether it’s used in private practice sessions, or symphony orchestra rehearsals, keeping a pencil in your violin case is a MUST for any musician.There are three main reasons for this:You can use it to mark your music and highlight things to remember while you’re playing, such as accidentals and dynamic markings.In orchestrala and rehearsals, the conductor will often instruct players to mark certain features in their parts. Doing this ensures that they ensemble sounds cohesive and realised the conductor’s vision of the piece.Pencil markings on sheet music can be erased, unlike ink. Using pen on music is a big no-no for musicians, especially in group rehearsals.As your sense of musicianshi p develops, so too does your appreciation of the simple graphite pencil.Violin practice muteAs pleasant as the sound of a violin is, for those living with violinists, it can become irritating after a while.Thankfully, using a practice mute can help with this!Mutes fit to the bridge of the violin ¦ source: Visualhunt - Refracted Momentsâ„¢Practice mutes fit to the bridge of the violin and quieten the instrument down by dampening the vibrations of the strings, allowing players to practice without disturbing anyone.Caring for Your ViolinProper care and maintenance of your musical instrument is vital for ensuring that it sounds at its best and is not at risk of breaking.The most regular act of care is wiping away excess rosin from the strings and body of the violin following each practice session or rehearsal. You should use a dry cloth to do this.Wiping the dust from your violin is a simple and easy way to prevent the build-up of rosin which may affect the quality of the sound produce d by the violin.It’s also recommended that students replace their violin’s strings every year.Violin strings can be bought from music shops, but if you’re not confident enough to do this yourself, your strings can be changed in music shops for a small fee.Replacing your violin’s strings will ensure that your instrument retains a bright and warm sound.The best thing you can do for your instrument is to get it serviced.Servicing instruments is very similar to servicing cars, where all of the components are thoroughly checked and repaired to ensure that the instrument is fulfilling its potential.Violin servicing often takes place at specialist music shops for stringed instruments, however, instruments can also be sent to experts via music shops if they don’t have the necessary expertise to deal with instruments.Taking good care of your instrument is an incredibly important part of being a responsible musician, and if you look after your violin, you’ll be rewarded with a war m and satisfying sound.While everything of course has its cost, using apps instead of buying a metronome or instrument tuner, or looking online for free sheet music, can help you save money - just as there are ways to save on your violin lessons, too.Now let Superprof help you find the best violin tuition...

How to Help Your Child Embrace Reading This Summer

How to Help Your Child Embrace Reading This Summer The school year is packed for most children, so summer is a welcome break from the routine of homework and studying. One of the best summer pastimes and easiest ways to mitigate summertime regression, says Eileen Huntington of Huntington Learning Center, is a daily reading habit. As school gets increasingly more time-consuming and rigorous, children who once enjoyed reading start to see it as just another have to instead of something they like doing for fun, she says. But with its slower pace, summer is the perfect time for parents to help their children reignite their love of reading. How can you help your child embrace reading this summer? Huntington offers these tips: Check out summer reading programs. Summer reading programs through your local library are book store make reading fun, offering children rewards for reaching certain goals and building a sense of community among readers. Check out Huntington Learning Centers Reading Adventure Program, which is going on all summer long. Children choose books from a pre-selected book list and earn prizes for meeting reading goals. Online, look at programs like the Scholastic Challenge, Read-a-Palooza, which invites readers to enter their reading online and complete weekly reading challenges. Stock the home library. Help your child start his or her very own book collection and designate a space in the home as the cozy reading corner, complete with a bean bag and bookcase. Make trips to the bookstore a special treat (keep an eye out for sales or memberships) and start becoming regulars at your local used book stores. Springboard from another passion. If it feels easier said than done to hand your child a stack of books to start reading over summer and expect success, try a different approach. Begin with your childs other passions. If your child is a basketball player, for example, perhaps autobiographies on favorite players might appeal. Your local librarian is a wealth of information, so be sure to ask for ideas. Get recommendations. On that note, choosing books haphazardly isnt the best way to find books your child will love. Seek recommendations for the best summer books and good vacation books to readfrom the librarian or bookstore employee and on websites like Goodreads.com and the Young Adult Library Services Association book finder. Bring books and reading into your life. During school, homework, activities and other things might take center stage. But now, its summeran ideal time to relax a little. So, make reading a nightly family tradition. Gather on the porch or patio after dinner with drinks and books for 30 minutes of reading time. Read the same book as a family. Choose a book-turned-movie and make plans for movie night when you all finish. And of course, make frequent trips to the library and bookstore. Its simple: the more your child reads, the better he or she will become at reading. And Huntington reminds parents that the best way to encourage reading is to get children to consider it an activity of choice. Reading for pleasure often takes a backseat as children grow older and other activities dominate their attention, she says. However, summer presents a great opportunity to remind children what a wonderful activity reading really is. Find ways this summer to incorporate reading for fun into your lives, and youll notice your child choosing to do it more. To learn about Huntingtons summer reading program or how Huntington helps students become stronger readers, call 1-800 CAN LEARN.

Help! 5 Questions to Ask When Choosing Between Math Programs

Help! 5 Questions to Ask When Choosing Between Math Programs If your child is struggling in school it is natural to search for a mathtutoringprogram that can provide the assistance needed before gaps grow too wide and misunderstanding snowballs out of control. Watching your child struggle with learning math is hard and finding the perfect program can raise a childs understanding and boost confidence. Acarefully designed program will work to fill in gaps in your childs learning and build on established strengths. You want to choose a program that carefully evaluates your childsmath skills, is aligned with adopted standards, personalizes instruction to the individual childs needs, and provides ongoing feedback. As you research programs that providemath helpit is important to ask questions. Make sure you find the answers to these helpful questions: What format is the math tutoring program?There are a variety of different formats for programs that provide math help. You can choose a program that is housed in a tutoring center and offers help sessions on a regularly scheduled basis. There are programs available online that provide an interactive, self-directedlearning model and are available at any time. You may find that a textbook curriculum is a good fit for your child and can choose a program that utilizes individual instruction in your home by a parent or other adult. As a parent you will know which format is the best for your child and can evaluate how your familys schedule and work habits will impact the choice you make. How is my child evaluated?Since no two children are alike, a program designed to provide math help must carefully evaluate the students ability before prioritizing necessary skills. This evaluation should be thorough and based on learning standards to identify areas of strength and need. Evaluation also shouldnt end with the onset of instruction. The program should employ evaluation methods throughout the instructional time, or even school year, to monitor progress and check for understanding. This ongoing evaluation will provide valuable information on how your child progresses at learning math. What is the curriculum aligned with?A childs evaluation resultsare crucial when determining programming and instruction but ensuring that it is aligned with age based or developmental standards is just as important. A program can be aligned with a variety of standards including state and local standards, national Common Core State Standards, developmental standards, or a scope and sequence that carefully spirals instruction and skills. Carefully planned instruction, aligned with a set of standards or as part of a scope and sequence, will help to prevent gaps in your childsunderstanding. Is the program personalized?Once the evaluation is complete and your childs strengths and weaknesses are aligned with age based or developmental learning standards, instruction can begin. This instruction should be personalized to the childs determined needs and built on established strengths. This personalization targets your childs individual needs and prevents further gaps in your childs math achievement. An effective program will also employ instructional strategies and activities based on your childs interests. Research proves that learning is most effective when it is engaging, interactive, and based upon what a child is interested in. What type of feedback will I receive?As the math instruction continues it is important that you receive feedback on your childs progress. This feedback will provide you with information that you need on your childs developing skills, continued areas of need, and the effectiveness of the program. Evaluation data and progress reports will paint a picture of your childs work in the program. What insights have you discovered in your search for an effective math help program? What characteristics in a math tutoring program are most important to you? Help! 5 Questions to Ask When Choosing Between Math Programs If your child is struggling in school it is natural to search for a mathtutoringprogram that can provide the assistance needed before gaps grow too wide and misunderstanding snowballs out of control. Watching your child struggle with learning math is hard and finding the perfect program can raise a childs understanding and boost confidence. Acarefully designed program will work to fill in gaps in your childs learning and build on established strengths. You want to choose a program that carefully evaluates your childsmath skills, is aligned with adopted standards, personalizes instruction to the individual childs needs, and provides ongoing feedback. As you research programs that providemath helpit is important to ask questions. Make sure you find the answers to these helpful questions: What format is the math tutoring program?There are a variety of different formats for programs that provide math help. You can choose a program that is housed in a tutoring center and offers help sessions on a regularly scheduled basis. There are programs available online that provide an interactive, self-directedlearning model and are available at any time. You may find that a textbook curriculum is a good fit for your child and can choose a program that utilizes individual instruction in your home by a parent or other adult. As a parent you will know which format is the best for your child and can evaluate how your familys schedule and work habits will impact the choice you make. How is my child evaluated?Since no two children are alike, a program designed to provide math help must carefully evaluate the students ability before prioritizing necessary skills. This evaluation should be thorough and based on learning standards to identify areas of strength and need. Evaluation also shouldnt end with the onset of instruction. The program should employ evaluation methods throughout the instructional time, or even school year, to monitor progress and check for understanding. This ongoing evaluation will provide valuable information on how your child progresses at learning math. What is the curriculum aligned with?A childs evaluation resultsare crucial when determining programming and instruction but ensuring that it is aligned with age based or developmental standards is just as important. A program can be aligned with a variety of standards including state and local standards, national Common Core State Standards, developmental standards, or a scope and sequence that carefully spirals instruction and skills. Carefully planned instruction, aligned with a set of standards or as part of a scope and sequence, will help to prevent gaps in your childsunderstanding. Is the program personalized?Once the evaluation is complete and your childs strengths and weaknesses are aligned with age based or developmental learning standards, instruction can begin. This instruction should be personalized to the childs determined needs and built on established strengths. This personalization targets your childs individual needs and prevents further gaps in your childs math achievement. An effective program will also employ instructional strategies and activities based on your childs interests. Research proves that learning is most effective when it is engaging, interactive, and based upon what a child is interested in. What type of feedback will I receive?As the math instruction continues it is important that you receive feedback on your childs progress. This feedback will provide you with information that you need on your childs developing skills, continued areas of need, and the effectiveness of the program. Evaluation data and progress reports will paint a picture of your childs work in the program. What insights have you discovered in your search for an effective math help program? What characteristics in a math tutoring program are most important to you?

Happy Thanksgiving from L.A.

Happy Thanksgiving from L.A. Once again Thanksgiving is upon us. A time for relatives and friends to gather together and enjoy a huge turkey and or Ham dinner with all the trimmings and express their love and thankfulness for the bounty that lies in front of them. Giving thanks for their fruitful and abundant lives. I can’t really find anything wrong with that, except maybe the conflicting histories of Thanksgivings foundation, if you will. Oh no, is he going to get into all that horrible we slaughtered the natives and invited the survivors to dinner stuff again.   Well no. OK maybe a little, but first let’s look at what we’re doing here. We get all the family members together in one place, even the ones who are not talking to each other right now. My parents’ generation would have mom in the kitchen cooking a huge turkey while all the side dishes are heating up on the stove. She would spend all day working on this yearly feast. Maybe Aunt Mary and little Audrey were in there helping out. The guys are all sitting around the living room or den, drinking beer, watching football and arguing about who’s the best running back of all time. I like what Jim Brown said when he was asked; “Would you say you were the best running back in history?” And he said, “Well if I said any one of the great running backs that have played this game were the best, then I would be insulting the rest of the very few men that can do what we do”. Only the best would say that! This year we’re doing things differently. Moms getting pretty old and half the family is so far away we don’t know when we’ll see everyone again. So my wife had an idea. Let’s call “Marie Calendars” and order their thanksgiving dinner premade. Well, I thought this was a little cheesy. I know my wife works very hard at the office and has little time for meal planning much less baking. So I said, OK let’s do it. Even though I knew we would be the only weird pathetic family ordering a takeout turkey dinner on Thanksgiving. So, two weeks before the holiday the wife calls in the order. “What do you mean sold out?” She said into the phone. Apparently we are not the only folks thinking, who has time to cook all day any more. It seems that my generation is not the Betty Crocker generation, especially in Los Angeles! I’m sure plenty of people still spend all day preparing Thanksgiving dinners, however I suspect there are much fewer than those that came before us. Lucky for us Wholefoods still had a few openings on holiday turkey dinners so we are saved. Now the only thing left to do is to discuss the history of Thanksgiving back in the 1600’s with the pilgrims and the Indians and all that. Nah, just kidding, maybe next year. But if you would like to really know there are plenty of history tutors at TutorZ.com! Happy Thanksgiving from L.A. Once again Thanksgiving is upon us. A time for relatives and friends to gather together and enjoy a huge turkey and or Ham dinner with all the trimmings and express their love and thankfulness for the bounty that lies in front of them. Giving thanks for their fruitful and abundant lives. I can’t really find anything wrong with that, except maybe the conflicting histories of Thanksgivings foundation, if you will. Oh no, is he going to get into all that horrible we slaughtered the natives and invited the survivors to dinner stuff again.   Well no. OK maybe a little, but first let’s look at what we’re doing here. We get all the family members together in one place, even the ones who are not talking to each other right now. My parents’ generation would have mom in the kitchen cooking a huge turkey while all the side dishes are heating up on the stove. She would spend all day working on this yearly feast. Maybe Aunt Mary and little Audrey were in there helping out. The guys are all sitting around the living room or den, drinking beer, watching football and arguing about who’s the best running back of all time. I like what Jim Brown said when he was asked; “Would you say you were the best running back in history?” And he said, “Well if I said any one of the great running backs that have played this game were the best, then I would be insulting the rest of the very few men that can do what we do”. Only the best would say that! This year we’re doing things differently. Moms getting pretty old and half the family is so far away we don’t know when we’ll see everyone again. So my wife had an idea. Let’s call “Marie Calendars” and order their thanksgiving dinner premade. Well, I thought this was a little cheesy. I know my wife works very hard at the office and has little time for meal planning much less baking. So I said, OK let’s do it. Even though I knew we would be the only weird pathetic family ordering a takeout turkey dinner on Thanksgiving. So, two weeks before the holiday the wife calls in the order. “What do you mean sold out?” She said into the phone. Apparently we are not the only folks thinking, who has time to cook all day any more. It seems that my generation is not the Betty Crocker generation, especially in Los Angeles! I’m sure plenty of people still spend all day preparing Thanksgiving dinners, however I suspect there are much fewer than those that came before us. Lucky for us Wholefoods still had a few openings on holiday turkey dinners so we are saved. Now the only thing left to do is to discuss the history of Thanksgiving back in the 1600’s with the pilgrims and the Indians and all that. Nah, just kidding, maybe next year. But if you would like to really know there are plenty of history tutors at TutorZ.com!