Tuesday, May 28, 2013

What is an adult?

That was the first question that was asked in my substitute teacher training course.

Now that might sound like a stupid question.

But the whole point was that we were NOT to act like the students under our command.

We are no longer one of the kids. We shouldn't even think of trying to "fit in" with the kids.

After all, we are the adults!


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While that sounds very simple, many adults (even older ones) misunderstand that!

For example, one of members of Hawaii state senators Donna Mercado Kim.

Star Advertiser
Donna Mercado Kim



Her son was applying to law school.

Law school!

To even apply for law school, you had to already have earned a bachelor's degree from  a university.

In other words, if you are applying for a law school,
you probably have been an adult for a few years already!

In other words, her son is old enough to apply, and do necessary follow-ups by himself!

After all, he's an adult!



And because he's an adult,  nobody else is allowed to gain access to his educational records without his signed permissionThat is federal law that has been around for decades!


Yet, Donna Mercado Kim still thinks she has the authority to nag the president of UH system about her son's application to the law school?

(Learn more at http://www.staradvertiser.com/newspremium/20130522__Kim_disputes_Greenwoods_account_of_pressure.html?id=208451821)


And even worse, her excuse is that she's just a concerned mother?


Fool, your son is old enough to do things on his own!

If he needs your help, he'll ask you! Otherwise back off!

Time to let your son be independent already! He's an adult!

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I'm also thinking about this "adult" thing because back in 2009, I met up with this former classmate that I used to hang out with but haven't talked to in a few years.

Well, that was the reunion year, so that situation in itself wasn't unusual.

But what was unusual was that guy seemed to expect me to have the same opinions, attitudes, etc from when we were still in high school.  And he seemed so shocked when some of my opinions and attitudes have changed!


Well duh, life experiences can do that to you!

Especially when you got a job in which you have some serious role model responsibilities. Especially when the first thing discussed in the job's  training session was "what is an adult?" 


Going through those experiences (and making stupid rookie errors and learning from them) can wake you up and force any person to start being mature and start having a mature perspective!

I just can't be making the same inappropriate jokes like I did when I was in high school. I'm too old for that!

It's just like what Charles Barkley mentioned in his book "I May Be Wrong But I Doubt It"



Random House
Charles Barkley's book


He mentions this "keeping it real" stuff and emphasizing that
his reality is no longer being the kid from the projects. He think it's sad and pathetic when adults act like they're still the same person when they were 16. Barkley calls it "keeping it phony" and "BS"


Amen Charles Barkley!