Chapter one:
“I've never let my school interfere with my education.”
– Mark Twain
School, it is one of the many enigmas in life you can't live or live without. According to Mark Twain, school and education are two separate ideas. School to him, isn't necessarily the only medium that provides knowledge to students because of how Twain puts it. Education is any form of experience that teaches us a lesson.
I have gone to school for 7 years now, the textbook definition of education still hangs over my head like a lost cloud but I know deep inside that my education is what I learn from what happens walking down the hallways in between classes and even after classes have ended.
After each hectic day at school, I lie awake thinking about the practical uses of Algebra. I mean how deep can you be with Algebra?
Well, apparently I can be pretty deep with Algebra. When I really get into it I sometimes get up from my fetal position on my bed, crawl over to my ever-ready laptop and Google Algebra. Yeah, sorry I'm a nerd like that. So the word Algebra is said to be derived from the Arabic word, Al-jabr which means the "reunion of broken parts".
Reunion of broken parts they said. I bet this has something to do with some guy breaking up with his girlfriend and wanting to get back together. Look for x, they say. Mhm, we know what you're up to dearie. No use hiding behind the stem formula. However, on my quest to look for the true meaning of Algebra in our everyday life I found this post. It was about someone like me, searching for the practical use of Algebra in everyday life posted on Yahoo answers. Well, Google sure has a funny way of showing me it knows everything. I push the thought aside and click the link. Sifting through the page I saw that most people had some good comments like we use it in cooking, in real estate and stuff like that but one comment had interested me more.
One user named trrocks03, had said, "Algebra in its teaching format is indeed boring. However the course tends to help students open their minds and use reasoning to figure out real life situations."
Reasoning + reunion of broken parts = I think we are getting somewhere with this.
Besides learning that inspiring lesson in life, I still resent Algebra. Sorry but this must be said. As long as I am taking this course this year, I will not be on good terms with Algebra until it starts making sense and less of all this gibberish. Oh gibberish is also an Arabic word which means nonsense. Anyway, I feel this strongly about Algebra because I usually have a pending assignment that I need to answer and I’m either too lazy to bother doing it or I’m too frustrated to do it. On most occasions it’s a combination of the two feelings.
Oh speaking of which, I have an assignment due tomorrow morning. I can't continue talking to you guys and finish by tonight. My freshman grade depends on this assignment! So everybody scoot!
This is Rydel signing off.
xoxo
"Rydel honey, it's time to go to sleep. Are all your assignments done?" My mom says as she steps into my room. Her red hair was fashioned in a tight bun and her full bangs hung in her face casting over her slanted inquiring eyebrow. Her usually pale skin was tinted with a red glow similar to her hair. She obviously just came out my little brothers Ian and Kyle's room struggling to put them to bed. What do you expect with a bunch of 4 year olds? Yeah. Her crisp white blouse now crumpled at the sides and her black slacks covered in what I hope is only mud and her leather shoes long removed were cradled in her arms. Not minding my casual sweep of her appearance, she looks at me expectantly. She breaks her eye contact to check her wristwatch, for the seconds passing by talking to me about my homework. My sisters Jane and Audrey next on her nightly checkpoints.
"Not really, I'm still contemplating the importance of Algebra in my life." I say jokingly as I point over to my splayed Algebra book and notebook.
She squints her eyes at me one more time and shakes her head, which was mom code for I can't believe you're my daughter and also the chicken isn't cooked yet.
Sensing her presence wasn't needed anymore my mom raises her hand into a wave, bids me good night and continues her walk down the threshold that is the McMahon twins.
I shake my head in agreement to my mother's reaction and accept my impending doom that is Algebra.
