To celebrate turning 40 in March, I've decided to do 40 new things between now and then. Why 8 months before? Well, because of #1... (if you've been following along, I actually went back and changed 1 and 2 to 2 and 3 because I decided I wanted this to be #1)
New thing #1 has a fairly long back story for a relatively short thing I did for the first time. So, here's the story :)
When I was a kid, every time I went to visit my Grandpa (Dad's dad) in his home in Manhattan Beach, CA, my memory is surrounded by radio. Ham Radio. This is a form of communication that requires a license from the FCC to operate, due to the frequencies used and such. It's all regulated by the FCC. If you'd like to know more, here's the official page from the national association of operators.
Grandpa had a bunch of radio stuff set up in his basement. He would sit and do his radio thing, which at the time I did not one bit understand, and I would play restaurant and "serve" him. For hours. Sometimes, I would go to breakfast with him and his friends. I now understand that these were all radio buddies and probably meetings of his radio clubs. I even have a faint memory of going to something that was either a swap meet or a field day (where they all get together to make a bunch of communications all around the world all in one day, basically).
When I was in high school or thereabouts, Dad got his license. I don't really remember him ever talking on it at home though I know some of the things he did, like search and rescue, involved the radio. Dad does all sorts of fun things with it now. If you've read the rest of my blogs, you know he (and I!) also use it to communicate at foot and bike races.
It was for this last reason that I finally got excited about getting my own license. I was licensed last October but never talked on the radio. It just didn't seem right to talk to anyone but Dad when it was my first time. You know!?! Also, I changed my call sign (what signifies that I have a license) sometime in the Spring. I think I already wrote about that but I'm going to add that story here too :)
I was originally licensed as KF5YNW. That's no fun. Dad suggested my initials. I do still have a little hope that my initials will change someday. BSBLGRL doesn't fit into the rules of call signs :( Dad's call sign is Grandpa's original, W6CYS. Dad figured out that I could be W5CYS (I have to have the 5 cuz I'm licensed out of the midwest). I thought that would be WAY cool to honor both Grandpa AND Dad!! And so that's me :)
I finally got to CA and I think it was on day 2 of my visit there, I finally said okay, let's do this. Now, I used the excuse of wanting to talk to Dad for the first time, but really, I was just super nervous. I'd been listening to radio talk my entire life, but somehow actually talking was scary. It's all legal, you know?!?! So, in a fit of giggles and tears, I called Dad on the radio. "W6CYS, this is W5CYS." Why'd I cry? It was kinda monumental to me - following in their footsteps, etc. and I'd been waiting for months. Why'd I giggle? Cuz I was crying and it was a very silly thing to cry about, and I giggle when I'm nervous!! Dad answered and then it became natural. More or less. The entire time I was there and talking to him, I don't think I went a single conversation without trying to ID with his call, or vice versa.
And so, what seems like I'd waited a lifetime to actually do, I did. And will do a lot for the next 40 years, I hope :)
You can check out all of the posts related to this endeavor through the label 40 4 40.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Road Trip West 2014
It took 28.5 hours. We drove almost 1400 miles. I can't tell you exactly because I forgot to reset the odometer until sometime past Weatherford. It wasn't eventful but yet here are some highlights.
- It took almost to Abilene it seemed for Slugs to "get" that we were going to be driving for a while. It took most of Texas for him to remember how to comfortably lay on the front seat so he could sleep but also be within arms reach :) He then slept pretty much the rest of the way!
- Pecos TX was about the most exciting venue, I think.
First, we got gas with a bunch of oil rig workers. Or something like that. There were lots of trucks - work trucks with stuff in the back - and lots of men wearing the same khaki shirt. There was an emblem but I didn't want to stare...
Then, we went for a short walk in the "grass" (actual green grass is hard to find). I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention to Slugs cuz it's not like there was much of anything to attract him. But he started barking and pulling on the leash. I turned my head to see a rooster. A ROOSTER!! trotting along like he belonged in the truck stop parking lot! I remarked aloud that this was something you don't usually see. The man walking by looked at me like I was the crazy one for talking to myself. Whatever. Sorry I didn't get a picture. The phone/camera was in the car.
Because that wasn't enough, we got back in the car and headed off. I don't remember why I stopped before getting back on the freeway. I kinda just pulled over in the parking lot of a different truck stop. While we were there, it rained. No, it poured. No... it was a deluge. No... I don't know the word. But for about 3 minutes, it was raining so hard, I couldn't see anything but water on the windshield (with the wipers going!) and the car shook!! I checked the weather. Luckily it was headed northeast and I was headed southwest :) It lightened up enough I felt I could drive and we drove right out of it in about 2 minutes. It was very strange to see sunny blue skies ahead and look in the rear view and see a wall of black. We were definitely going the right direction!!
- El Paso TX is doing construction on I10. The entire freeway was shut down in two separate places. Luckily, still being in TX there were frontage roads, and decent signage so it wasn't too much of a detour. Just annoying. And reminded me how badly I see with my contacts in. They came out shortly after I got into NM.
- Hwy 38 CA is the mountain road that goes to Big Bear. Well, one of three really, but the one that is closest to dad's house! Once you get actually onto 38, it's about 35 miles to dad's house. Right at the bottom (it goes up the mountain so it starts at the bottom) there was a sign that said "road construction next 34 miles". Uh, that's the whole way people!! I realized that I was driving on very nice new road, while the other side, going down, was old road. I figured they were repaving. Yup. And of course, to do this on a mountain road where there is no shoulder or multiple lanes, one lane must be closed... I was SO tired and ready to stop driving (not to mention really needing a restroom) that I thought I was going to cry when I saw the flagger man and his stop sign. Especially since I was the first one there, meaning I would have to wait even longer probably. Sure enough. I think I was there about 10 minutes. But I talked to dad and he told me where to find a restroom :) And we FINALLY got to dad's house, almost exactly 28.5 hours after leaving our garage. And Slugger was SOOOO excited to see dad!! It had been a year, but he obviously remembered!! It made my heart happy :)
More excitement to come, I am sure!! Stay tuned :)
- It took almost to Abilene it seemed for Slugs to "get" that we were going to be driving for a while. It took most of Texas for him to remember how to comfortably lay on the front seat so he could sleep but also be within arms reach :) He then slept pretty much the rest of the way!
- Pecos TX was about the most exciting venue, I think.
First, we got gas with a bunch of oil rig workers. Or something like that. There were lots of trucks - work trucks with stuff in the back - and lots of men wearing the same khaki shirt. There was an emblem but I didn't want to stare...
Then, we went for a short walk in the "grass" (actual green grass is hard to find). I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention to Slugs cuz it's not like there was much of anything to attract him. But he started barking and pulling on the leash. I turned my head to see a rooster. A ROOSTER!! trotting along like he belonged in the truck stop parking lot! I remarked aloud that this was something you don't usually see. The man walking by looked at me like I was the crazy one for talking to myself. Whatever. Sorry I didn't get a picture. The phone/camera was in the car.
Because that wasn't enough, we got back in the car and headed off. I don't remember why I stopped before getting back on the freeway. I kinda just pulled over in the parking lot of a different truck stop. While we were there, it rained. No, it poured. No... it was a deluge. No... I don't know the word. But for about 3 minutes, it was raining so hard, I couldn't see anything but water on the windshield (with the wipers going!) and the car shook!! I checked the weather. Luckily it was headed northeast and I was headed southwest :) It lightened up enough I felt I could drive and we drove right out of it in about 2 minutes. It was very strange to see sunny blue skies ahead and look in the rear view and see a wall of black. We were definitely going the right direction!!
- El Paso TX is doing construction on I10. The entire freeway was shut down in two separate places. Luckily, still being in TX there were frontage roads, and decent signage so it wasn't too much of a detour. Just annoying. And reminded me how badly I see with my contacts in. They came out shortly after I got into NM.
- Hwy 38 CA is the mountain road that goes to Big Bear. Well, one of three really, but the one that is closest to dad's house! Once you get actually onto 38, it's about 35 miles to dad's house. Right at the bottom (it goes up the mountain so it starts at the bottom) there was a sign that said "road construction next 34 miles". Uh, that's the whole way people!! I realized that I was driving on very nice new road, while the other side, going down, was old road. I figured they were repaving. Yup. And of course, to do this on a mountain road where there is no shoulder or multiple lanes, one lane must be closed... I was SO tired and ready to stop driving (not to mention really needing a restroom) that I thought I was going to cry when I saw the flagger man and his stop sign. Especially since I was the first one there, meaning I would have to wait even longer probably. Sure enough. I think I was there about 10 minutes. But I talked to dad and he told me where to find a restroom :) And we FINALLY got to dad's house, almost exactly 28.5 hours after leaving our garage. And Slugger was SOOOO excited to see dad!! It had been a year, but he obviously remembered!! It made my heart happy :)
More excitement to come, I am sure!! Stay tuned :)
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Snippets from the East
I was only gone for 5 days. I have already written about one of the final days. Here I will tell some short stories - snippets and observations - from the other days.
- I boarded the plane in DFW with several servicemen, eight or so maybe. I heard one of them say that he'd been in Afghanistan for about a year. I didn't think anything of it. I finished reading a great book on the plane and the flight went by quickly. As we were all making our way away from the gate, like a herd of cattle, I heard from behind me men laughing and one was saying something about his wife's reaction. I realized the servicemen were behind me and they were about to greet their families for the first time in a year or more. I slowed down, as did another group, so we could observe. It was cool to watch it unfold, mostly. There were moms and wives and dads and who knows who they all were but everyone was crying and cheering and smiling. It brought a tear to my eye. Then, I saw one of the men with his wife and young daughter. The girl was about 2, in her mom's arms, wailing. She apparently didn't know who the strange guy was trying to hug her! It was sad. I said a little prayer and moved on, so as not to be gawking. It was a very special moment to be a part of. I am always thankful for our military but when seeing the obvious relief and joy on all the faces of all those who sacrificed for those men to be there, it really puts in to perspective how tough it is. Oh, and there were two guys who didn't have anyone waiting for them. I felt bad and was about to offer to hug them, when they walked off. I then saw them reunite with their loved ones at baggage claim. Yay!
- My plane landed right on time - 11:35pm EDT! I have an awesome cousin who left her door unlocked for me and the cat locked up with her. I got my rental and rolled into her joint about 1am. I literally walked in the front door, up the stairs, brushed my teeth and went to sleep. Leila, the awesome cousin, and I had previously discussed doing brunch and where to have the brunch. We were all three (Mr. Cuz'n too!) excited to try this restaurant's brunch menu. They go there all the time, but for dinner and/or wine. Leila and I had both looked at the brunch menu which said they started serving at 10am. We got there about 10:55 (later than planned). The very nice waiter invited us in even though we were early. Early? Uh, apparently brunch and all related to it is on SUNDAY. Too bad we were there on Saturday! On Saturday they open at 11am with their lunch menu. Luckily, they were still able to give Leila her mimosa! And we all enjoyed our food, though I still want to try their brunch!
- I enjoy a good road trip. In about two weeks I'll be on my way to California! So I figured that a 4ish hour drive from Cuz'n's to Ma wouldn't be a big deal. Both Ma and Leila said to go through Harper's Ferry, as did the GPS. So I did. I remember it being much longer or slower than I66 to I81. It doesn't matter because the longest part was I81 which was the same either way. I somehow missed the signs to I81 in Winchester and ended up in the historic part. I didn't even know they had a historic part, so at least I learned something. About 1.5 hours from Ma, on the other side of the highway, there was a car upside down. The cars were stopped (as in people out of their car wandering around wondering what was going on) for at least 6-7 miles. About 5 miles from my exit to see Ma, cars were stopping. I was SO tired at that point, there was NO way I was sitting in traffic. Especially if their cure in VA was to STOP traffic. There happened to be an exit I could get to. I might have gone the long way, but I got there. My 4 hour drive was more like 6. Probably wouldn't have minded if I'd had my co-pilot, Slugger! The drive back 3 days later was uneventful.
- Before I got to Harper's Ferry, it occurred to me that the Appalachian Trail (AT) was somewhere around there. I am kind of becoming obsessed with thru-hikers (people who hike a really long trail all the way from start to finish, usually in one long hike). The really good book I read on the plane was a guy's stories about his various thru-hikes. The AT is a popular one. Sure enough, I soon came upon a very large sign. I then crossed the Shenandoah River (I had already crossed the Potomac) and noticed hikers next to the road. Some were wearing backpacks... Couldn't be! I kept driving and found a visitor's center that had a very nice restroom and map that included the AT. Sure enough. I drove back down the road and found where it crossed a side road and went back in to the woods. The backpackers I saw were long gone of course. They were also probably not thru-hikers. They would have been going southbound (rare) and were a little early, I think. Anyway, I hemmed and hawed about possibly leaving my ziploc bag of Joe-Joes (Trader Joe's oreo-like cookies) but I decided that some stupid day hiker would eat them. I later looked it up and I was right that thru-hikers were either already past there, or wouldn't be there for days, depending on when they left Georgia. I then planned to try to find the trail in Roanoke (supposedly it's there somewhere) but I never had time. Bummer.
- My flight from BWI to DFW is a story that still irks me. Let's see how short I can make it... I got to the airport in time for my 7:20 flight, even though I knew it'd been moved to 8:10. I enjoyed some Chinese food while sitting on the floor in an unoccupied gate area (as in there isn't really a gate there anymore, no chairs or anything) next to a column that had an electrical outlet. My phone was desperate for juice! The good news is that my iPad had life and there was free wifi :) So, my plane went from Dayton to DFW to BWI to DFW. It left Dayton late which is why I had a later time. There was a storm between DFW and BWI so after a while of hanging out over WV, they landed in Pittsburgh. They sat there for an hour or more before heading to us. They landed and the jet bridge locked up. It was a never ending comedy of errors (not that anyone was making mistakes, it was all just life) but we finally got on the plane and took off about 11:40am. My friend who was going to pick me up had already shuttled my car to the airport instead so I just had to go find it. Thank goodness! Except it was at D and I was at C. Quick Skylink ride and I was on the road home. Oh, and then there was construction so traffic was stopped. For fifteen minutes. Which seemed like an eternity at that point! But about 2:30am I finally pulled into the garage and was welcomed home by a half-asleep but very happy to see me Slugger!!
- The end. Five days of excitement that I am still not recovered from!!
- I boarded the plane in DFW with several servicemen, eight or so maybe. I heard one of them say that he'd been in Afghanistan for about a year. I didn't think anything of it. I finished reading a great book on the plane and the flight went by quickly. As we were all making our way away from the gate, like a herd of cattle, I heard from behind me men laughing and one was saying something about his wife's reaction. I realized the servicemen were behind me and they were about to greet their families for the first time in a year or more. I slowed down, as did another group, so we could observe. It was cool to watch it unfold, mostly. There were moms and wives and dads and who knows who they all were but everyone was crying and cheering and smiling. It brought a tear to my eye. Then, I saw one of the men with his wife and young daughter. The girl was about 2, in her mom's arms, wailing. She apparently didn't know who the strange guy was trying to hug her! It was sad. I said a little prayer and moved on, so as not to be gawking. It was a very special moment to be a part of. I am always thankful for our military but when seeing the obvious relief and joy on all the faces of all those who sacrificed for those men to be there, it really puts in to perspective how tough it is. Oh, and there were two guys who didn't have anyone waiting for them. I felt bad and was about to offer to hug them, when they walked off. I then saw them reunite with their loved ones at baggage claim. Yay!
- My plane landed right on time - 11:35pm EDT! I have an awesome cousin who left her door unlocked for me and the cat locked up with her. I got my rental and rolled into her joint about 1am. I literally walked in the front door, up the stairs, brushed my teeth and went to sleep. Leila, the awesome cousin, and I had previously discussed doing brunch and where to have the brunch. We were all three (Mr. Cuz'n too!) excited to try this restaurant's brunch menu. They go there all the time, but for dinner and/or wine. Leila and I had both looked at the brunch menu which said they started serving at 10am. We got there about 10:55 (later than planned). The very nice waiter invited us in even though we were early. Early? Uh, apparently brunch and all related to it is on SUNDAY. Too bad we were there on Saturday! On Saturday they open at 11am with their lunch menu. Luckily, they were still able to give Leila her mimosa! And we all enjoyed our food, though I still want to try their brunch!
- I enjoy a good road trip. In about two weeks I'll be on my way to California! So I figured that a 4ish hour drive from Cuz'n's to Ma wouldn't be a big deal. Both Ma and Leila said to go through Harper's Ferry, as did the GPS. So I did. I remember it being much longer or slower than I66 to I81. It doesn't matter because the longest part was I81 which was the same either way. I somehow missed the signs to I81 in Winchester and ended up in the historic part. I didn't even know they had a historic part, so at least I learned something. About 1.5 hours from Ma, on the other side of the highway, there was a car upside down. The cars were stopped (as in people out of their car wandering around wondering what was going on) for at least 6-7 miles. About 5 miles from my exit to see Ma, cars were stopping. I was SO tired at that point, there was NO way I was sitting in traffic. Especially if their cure in VA was to STOP traffic. There happened to be an exit I could get to. I might have gone the long way, but I got there. My 4 hour drive was more like 6. Probably wouldn't have minded if I'd had my co-pilot, Slugger! The drive back 3 days later was uneventful.
- Before I got to Harper's Ferry, it occurred to me that the Appalachian Trail (AT) was somewhere around there. I am kind of becoming obsessed with thru-hikers (people who hike a really long trail all the way from start to finish, usually in one long hike). The really good book I read on the plane was a guy's stories about his various thru-hikes. The AT is a popular one. Sure enough, I soon came upon a very large sign. I then crossed the Shenandoah River (I had already crossed the Potomac) and noticed hikers next to the road. Some were wearing backpacks... Couldn't be! I kept driving and found a visitor's center that had a very nice restroom and map that included the AT. Sure enough. I drove back down the road and found where it crossed a side road and went back in to the woods. The backpackers I saw were long gone of course. They were also probably not thru-hikers. They would have been going southbound (rare) and were a little early, I think. Anyway, I hemmed and hawed about possibly leaving my ziploc bag of Joe-Joes (Trader Joe's oreo-like cookies) but I decided that some stupid day hiker would eat them. I later looked it up and I was right that thru-hikers were either already past there, or wouldn't be there for days, depending on when they left Georgia. I then planned to try to find the trail in Roanoke (supposedly it's there somewhere) but I never had time. Bummer.
- My flight from BWI to DFW is a story that still irks me. Let's see how short I can make it... I got to the airport in time for my 7:20 flight, even though I knew it'd been moved to 8:10. I enjoyed some Chinese food while sitting on the floor in an unoccupied gate area (as in there isn't really a gate there anymore, no chairs or anything) next to a column that had an electrical outlet. My phone was desperate for juice! The good news is that my iPad had life and there was free wifi :) So, my plane went from Dayton to DFW to BWI to DFW. It left Dayton late which is why I had a later time. There was a storm between DFW and BWI so after a while of hanging out over WV, they landed in Pittsburgh. They sat there for an hour or more before heading to us. They landed and the jet bridge locked up. It was a never ending comedy of errors (not that anyone was making mistakes, it was all just life) but we finally got on the plane and took off about 11:40am. My friend who was going to pick me up had already shuttled my car to the airport instead so I just had to go find it. Thank goodness! Except it was at D and I was at C. Quick Skylink ride and I was on the road home. Oh, and then there was construction so traffic was stopped. For fifteen minutes. Which seemed like an eternity at that point! But about 2:30am I finally pulled into the garage and was welcomed home by a half-asleep but very happy to see me Slugger!!
- The end. Five days of excitement that I am still not recovered from!!
Thursday, June 12, 2014
DC in under 3 hours...
Anyway, I left Ma on Tuesday and drove back to the DC area. I stayed Tuesday night with my friend T.C. (we went to Wesley together) after picking her up on Capital Hill. It was great to get to visit with her. She even took me to a restaurant with vegan options! Vegan cheesecake for the win!!! Wish her wife, Logan, had been in town! On Wednesday morning (the day of my flight home), I drove T.C. to the metro station and we both ventured in to DC - she to work, me to see some sights.
I lived in the DC area when the WW2 memorial was built and opened, but I hadn't done more than drive by it. Partly because I just read a book about a guy in WW2, and partly because it seemed like I should, I decided that was the one thing I wanted to see in DC. As I walked the half mile or so from the Smithsonian metro stop to the memorial, I passed the Washington Monument. I decided I should take a selfie with it. "Cuz why not"! And this began my 2.5 hour selfie adventure in DC :) I should remind the reader that selfies are not my fortè...
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| Me and the Washington Monument |
I REALLY don't know how to do pictures in a blog... But here is the WW2 Memorial!! Top left is me in front of Texas' pillar. |
| Me and Lincoln |
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| Me and Obama (not sure if he was home or not - I didn't have time to visit) |
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| Me and the FBI (building) - Booth and the BAU were on vacation so I didn't bother going in. |
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| Me and the Archives |
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| Me and the Sculpture Garden of the National Gallery of Art |
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| Me and the Newseum (someday maybe I'll go in!) |
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| Me and my favorite Monet. One of my favorite memories of France was seeing the BIG water lilies. |
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| Me and the Rotunda in the National Gallery of Art |
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| Me and the Capital |
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| Me and the pretty fountain at the American Indian Museum (didn't know that existed - will go inside there next time! Also, they're building an African-American Culture museum that I look forward to visiting someday.) |
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| Me and the corner of the original Air and Space museum. |
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| Me and the Spirit of St Louis |
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| Me with one of the Wrights |
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| Me and the Saturn 5 (aft end?) |
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| Me and some rockets |
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| Me and a capsule... can't remember which one |
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| Me and the art in front of the Hirschorn |
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| Me and the Smithsonian Castle |
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| Me and the metro escalator (this wasn't the tallest/longest I saw) |
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| Me and the metro map while ON the metro! |
From there, I metroed to Van Ness where my friend Becky picked me up. We spent several hours at the Hillwood Estate - the former home of Marjorie Merriweather Post (heiress of Post cereal). She was quite a collector, had fancy friends, and loved beautiful things, including gardens. Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures. I was trying to save phone battery for getting out of town! You can check out the link if you really want to see it :)
To make a long story short, I got to my car and drove to the airport. I was supposed to take the car back empty. The gas light came on about the same time I hit traffic. I had no idea what the light was really telling me (5 miles? 25 miles?) so I decided to stop and get a gallon or so of gas. I happened to stop at the NSA exit. Seriously. I was close enough that my phone lost service! I didn't have time (well, I did; I just didn't know that I did!) to stop at the visitor center (seriously, there is one - how secret could this place really be?!). But I did attempt a couple pictures from the moving car...
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| the parking lot... there were planes decorating it I swear... |
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| NSA |
And that my friends, was my whirlwind day in DC. Thanks for letting me share!! Stay tuned for other observations from my travels!
Thursday, May 29, 2014
The Class of 2014
Four school years ago, two girls came to my classroom. I did not have these girls in class and they did not know me at all. However, they needed a Class Sponsor and someone had said to ask the new teacher. They came in sweet and shy. I don't remember if I spent any time thinking about it, but really, how do you say no to kids?! Besides, I knew this was the kind of thing I'd enjoy, and it meant someone wanted me to stick around for at least three more years!! Seriously, that went through my mind!! I was a brand new teacher after all!!
Over four years, one of those two girls and four others were my steady, consistent, and wonderful Class Officers. They made my job easy! We designed and sold t-shirts, played Powder Puff Football, then organized Powder Puff Football, sold Candy Canes and carnations, always with PROM in our minds. Prom is the end-all, be-all of the Class Officers' tasks. It is what all that fundraising goes to! We were kind of lucky because Prom 2013 had major issues for myriad reasons so we were bound to do better! And we did! Prom ROCKED! Interesting that I didn't blog about it. It was great, but it exhausted me!!
Now, we are on the eve of the Graduation of the Class of 2014. They are my babies! They were Freshmen my first year teaching high school. I had about 140 of them in Algebra 1. Their Sophomore year, I moved up to Geometry and had many of them again plus several more of them. The next year , as Juniors, I taught still more of them in a review course for the State test. I am proud to report that they have now all passed that test (the ones I've had anyway, and are still in school)! Two of these seniors, I had THREE years (which actually doesn't say much for my teaching ability). One, Afton, I taught two years, visited with almost every day last year and this year she is my teacher's aid. I have never known Azle High School without these Seniors!!
Today, on their last real day of school (tomorrow they just go to practice), they had the chance to do a "senior walk". The Principal comes over the PA and after giving them instructions for tomorrow, tells them that the school is theirs, enjoy. For about 20 minutes, they get to roam the halls, visit teachers and each other, and basically say goodbye. So many came to see me to get hugs, say goodbye, and say thank you. Many of them told me I was their favorite or best math teacher. This is always an emotional and poignant event. Today, I cried. And laughed. And cried.
I knew the senior walk was coming today so I decorated our hallway with ribbons and graduation decor. They loved it! What an easy and cheap way to show my love!! We are already planning to do it every year :) But for me, it was truly the ones who came to see me who I haven't seen around, barely remember, etc. who wanted to make sure they hugged me - those are special moments! I'm crying now, remembering!!
And so tomorrow night, they turn their tassels and celebrate the end of the beginning. Or the beginning of the end... I can't wait to see what they do next. There will definitely be successes out of this class. And I am SO proud to be able to say that I was their Class Sponsor! They will forever be the most special class of my career. I have never once regretted saying YES!!
Over four years, one of those two girls and four others were my steady, consistent, and wonderful Class Officers. They made my job easy! We designed and sold t-shirts, played Powder Puff Football, then organized Powder Puff Football, sold Candy Canes and carnations, always with PROM in our minds. Prom is the end-all, be-all of the Class Officers' tasks. It is what all that fundraising goes to! We were kind of lucky because Prom 2013 had major issues for myriad reasons so we were bound to do better! And we did! Prom ROCKED! Interesting that I didn't blog about it. It was great, but it exhausted me!!
Now, we are on the eve of the Graduation of the Class of 2014. They are my babies! They were Freshmen my first year teaching high school. I had about 140 of them in Algebra 1. Their Sophomore year, I moved up to Geometry and had many of them again plus several more of them. The next year , as Juniors, I taught still more of them in a review course for the State test. I am proud to report that they have now all passed that test (the ones I've had anyway, and are still in school)! Two of these seniors, I had THREE years (which actually doesn't say much for my teaching ability). One, Afton, I taught two years, visited with almost every day last year and this year she is my teacher's aid. I have never known Azle High School without these Seniors!!
Today, on their last real day of school (tomorrow they just go to practice), they had the chance to do a "senior walk". The Principal comes over the PA and after giving them instructions for tomorrow, tells them that the school is theirs, enjoy. For about 20 minutes, they get to roam the halls, visit teachers and each other, and basically say goodbye. So many came to see me to get hugs, say goodbye, and say thank you. Many of them told me I was their favorite or best math teacher. This is always an emotional and poignant event. Today, I cried. And laughed. And cried.
I knew the senior walk was coming today so I decorated our hallway with ribbons and graduation decor. They loved it! What an easy and cheap way to show my love!! We are already planning to do it every year :) But for me, it was truly the ones who came to see me who I haven't seen around, barely remember, etc. who wanted to make sure they hugged me - those are special moments! I'm crying now, remembering!!
And so tomorrow night, they turn their tassels and celebrate the end of the beginning. Or the beginning of the end... I can't wait to see what they do next. There will definitely be successes out of this class. And I am SO proud to be able to say that I was their Class Sponsor! They will forever be the most special class of my career. I have never once regretted saying YES!!
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Walking Fatigue
I love to hike. With Slugger, I have learned to walk. I still really have no desire to run. Though I think it'd be cool to run a marathon some day. Yes, I know.
Slugger and I have walked and walked our neighborhood. We have flat routes, short routes, hilly routes, horse routes, etc. We get in the car and go walk in the park or along the Trinity River. We go hike at state parks or the Nature Center. We both love being outside in the beautiful creation that God blessed us with. Slugger sniffs everywhere, tries to eat whatever he can, chases birds and squirrels and noises in the bushes. Now that it's warming up in Texas, we come home and cool off with the hose or sprinkler, when we've gone so far or so long that we're just that hot.
But lately, we're just not feeling it. Oh, Slugger still loves to go for walks, and I still love being outside. But it's like we've lost our walking mojo. There's my body's rebellion - feet, knees, back, shoulder - you know, I'm old and falling apart. Plus, in the past couple months, we've dealt with idiots yelling at us, ticks, armadillos, more ticks, dogs attacking through fences, more ticks. I think about going for a walk, and I wonder what'll happen this time...
Just yesterday we were having a nice walk when a dog decides to leave his yard and follow us. Not a problem except he kept following us! Slugger wasn't too sure what to do about this and occasionally let out a growl. I attempted to just keep walking thinking that the dog would give up. Nope. This was apparently more fun than he'd had in a long time. He was a pretty, big, white, fluffy thing, with burrs in his tail and a need for a bath. I won't go into how nice the house was that he fled from. We got to the bottom of the hill/street and I decided to attempt to take him home again so we turned around instead of making our loop. When we got to his house, he really didn't seem to care and kept following us! Slugger wanted water, but the other dog kept nosing in. This was quite frustrating for me cuz I always want Slugs to know he can have water. I went back to the house and knocked on the door but no one answered. I finally gave up and kept walking up the hill. He stopped to sniff something, and we got far enough away we weren't interesting anymore. He finally loped back home as we continued around the corner. The rest of our walk was less interesting. We ended up going about 3 miles. Not bad as this is our hilliest route.
Anyway, add in the heat and needing to either get up early or stay up late, walking has become more of a chore than a treat. For me. I think Slugs would go anytime! Though he really doesn't like the heat. Over 85 and he wimps out at about a mile. I'm working on his weight and conditioning him, but he definitely slows down, wants more water, etc.
What's the moral of the story? Beats me! We'll keep walking. But I'm really looking forward to getting to CA in June for a change of scenery!! And temperature :)
Slugger and I have walked and walked our neighborhood. We have flat routes, short routes, hilly routes, horse routes, etc. We get in the car and go walk in the park or along the Trinity River. We go hike at state parks or the Nature Center. We both love being outside in the beautiful creation that God blessed us with. Slugger sniffs everywhere, tries to eat whatever he can, chases birds and squirrels and noises in the bushes. Now that it's warming up in Texas, we come home and cool off with the hose or sprinkler, when we've gone so far or so long that we're just that hot.
But lately, we're just not feeling it. Oh, Slugger still loves to go for walks, and I still love being outside. But it's like we've lost our walking mojo. There's my body's rebellion - feet, knees, back, shoulder - you know, I'm old and falling apart. Plus, in the past couple months, we've dealt with idiots yelling at us, ticks, armadillos, more ticks, dogs attacking through fences, more ticks. I think about going for a walk, and I wonder what'll happen this time...
Just yesterday we were having a nice walk when a dog decides to leave his yard and follow us. Not a problem except he kept following us! Slugger wasn't too sure what to do about this and occasionally let out a growl. I attempted to just keep walking thinking that the dog would give up. Nope. This was apparently more fun than he'd had in a long time. He was a pretty, big, white, fluffy thing, with burrs in his tail and a need for a bath. I won't go into how nice the house was that he fled from. We got to the bottom of the hill/street and I decided to attempt to take him home again so we turned around instead of making our loop. When we got to his house, he really didn't seem to care and kept following us! Slugger wanted water, but the other dog kept nosing in. This was quite frustrating for me cuz I always want Slugs to know he can have water. I went back to the house and knocked on the door but no one answered. I finally gave up and kept walking up the hill. He stopped to sniff something, and we got far enough away we weren't interesting anymore. He finally loped back home as we continued around the corner. The rest of our walk was less interesting. We ended up going about 3 miles. Not bad as this is our hilliest route.
Anyway, add in the heat and needing to either get up early or stay up late, walking has become more of a chore than a treat. For me. I think Slugs would go anytime! Though he really doesn't like the heat. Over 85 and he wimps out at about a mile. I'm working on his weight and conditioning him, but he definitely slows down, wants more water, etc.
What's the moral of the story? Beats me! We'll keep walking. But I'm really looking forward to getting to CA in June for a change of scenery!! And temperature :)
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Thoughts on 5/7/14
I have lots of things running through my head today so I thought I'd share a few :) They run quite a gamut of subject matters!
1. I am almost of the impression that we DO need standardized state tests... I know, I'm nuts, but hear me out! I don't know that there is a better way to ensure that every teacher teaches what they're supposed to teach! I am currently teaching two subjects - one tested, one not (for the first time this year). In the tested subject we are very careful to make sure we know what could be on the test and make sure they know these things while also always keeping in mind what they'll need to know for future math classes. In my non-test subject, some teachers have decided to just skip an entire unit because they feel it's not important for other math classes, and they'd rather review for students to be prepared for day one next year. The problem is that if they haven't retained it through this year, they won't retain it over the summer!!! Or so few of them will, it will still have to be reviewed in week one next year. SO... point is: these teachers are not being held at all accountable to what they are supposed to be teaching according to state standards. And students are missing out. And for some reason it's really eating at me.
2. It's Teacher Appreciation Week. I got a BOGO burrito from Chipotle last night. Fruit and cupcakes from the principal today. Lunch from PTO tomorrow. Chipotle wins. They so don't have to do something that awesome! All in all, I say: Yay. I feel appreciated. (where's that sarcasm font when you need it?!)
3. I've been conducting monthly sessions for other teachers on ways to use the iPad in the classroom. In return, our principal has offered to buy us (there are 4 teachers who lead these) something techy for our classrooms... like $500 worth!! I can't decide!! What I really want may not happen but actually might cost him nothing but a cable!! I'm trying to come up with something I thought I'd never be able to have so didn't even dream of it...
4. I'm so done with Charter! Charges I wasn't expecting; headache getting cables installed; cables still not buried in my yard (and my neighbor's!!)... I'm using the internet right now though so I guess once it's all done, life will be good!!
5. I give Slugger a tick repellent once a month. It also supposedly repels mosquitos and other bugs. I found 1 tick two weeks ago and THREE this morning!! I think it's a bad tick season so perhaps the drugs just aren't strong enough and I am lucky there aren't more. I hope. I can't decide if I should call the vet or not. To ask about the meds - he's fine and dandy. Staring at me begging for my dinner as I type!
6. I can't think of anything else so now I'm just rambling :) I'm sure there's more!! OH! So I bought patio furniture last month with my mortgage payment that I didn't have to make. I know it wasn't very financially responsible but now I can stop dreaming of and shopping for patio furniture! Anyway, the chairs were together when I bought it so they went right outside. I admit it then took me a few weeks to get around to putting together the sofa. I'll blame the weather. And prom. Actually I think it was the day after prom I finally did it. BUT I was missing screws!!! I got it all together and to the part of securing the part you sit on, and I was SIX screws short!! There was an e-mail address though so I e-mailed. A week later I finally got a reply with lots of oriental looking translation markings that said they would send me more. I was thinking it'd take weeks coming from Asia! Nope, they came today from CA :) So my first thought was yay I can finish tomorrow (I took the day off - see #5 about Charter cables still needing to be buried). It's supposed to rain all day!!!
7. Speaking of it raining tomorrow, Slugs and I are hiking anyway!! As long as it's not a storm watch or something. The NWS prediction says it'll be afternoon before it's an actual storm here :)
8. This is now so long no one will ever read it!!
1. I am almost of the impression that we DO need standardized state tests... I know, I'm nuts, but hear me out! I don't know that there is a better way to ensure that every teacher teaches what they're supposed to teach! I am currently teaching two subjects - one tested, one not (for the first time this year). In the tested subject we are very careful to make sure we know what could be on the test and make sure they know these things while also always keeping in mind what they'll need to know for future math classes. In my non-test subject, some teachers have decided to just skip an entire unit because they feel it's not important for other math classes, and they'd rather review for students to be prepared for day one next year. The problem is that if they haven't retained it through this year, they won't retain it over the summer!!! Or so few of them will, it will still have to be reviewed in week one next year. SO... point is: these teachers are not being held at all accountable to what they are supposed to be teaching according to state standards. And students are missing out. And for some reason it's really eating at me.
2. It's Teacher Appreciation Week. I got a BOGO burrito from Chipotle last night. Fruit and cupcakes from the principal today. Lunch from PTO tomorrow. Chipotle wins. They so don't have to do something that awesome! All in all, I say: Yay. I feel appreciated. (where's that sarcasm font when you need it?!)
3. I've been conducting monthly sessions for other teachers on ways to use the iPad in the classroom. In return, our principal has offered to buy us (there are 4 teachers who lead these) something techy for our classrooms... like $500 worth!! I can't decide!! What I really want may not happen but actually might cost him nothing but a cable!! I'm trying to come up with something I thought I'd never be able to have so didn't even dream of it...
4. I'm so done with Charter! Charges I wasn't expecting; headache getting cables installed; cables still not buried in my yard (and my neighbor's!!)... I'm using the internet right now though so I guess once it's all done, life will be good!!
5. I give Slugger a tick repellent once a month. It also supposedly repels mosquitos and other bugs. I found 1 tick two weeks ago and THREE this morning!! I think it's a bad tick season so perhaps the drugs just aren't strong enough and I am lucky there aren't more. I hope. I can't decide if I should call the vet or not. To ask about the meds - he's fine and dandy. Staring at me begging for my dinner as I type!
6. I can't think of anything else so now I'm just rambling :) I'm sure there's more!! OH! So I bought patio furniture last month with my mortgage payment that I didn't have to make. I know it wasn't very financially responsible but now I can stop dreaming of and shopping for patio furniture! Anyway, the chairs were together when I bought it so they went right outside. I admit it then took me a few weeks to get around to putting together the sofa. I'll blame the weather. And prom. Actually I think it was the day after prom I finally did it. BUT I was missing screws!!! I got it all together and to the part of securing the part you sit on, and I was SIX screws short!! There was an e-mail address though so I e-mailed. A week later I finally got a reply with lots of oriental looking translation markings that said they would send me more. I was thinking it'd take weeks coming from Asia! Nope, they came today from CA :) So my first thought was yay I can finish tomorrow (I took the day off - see #5 about Charter cables still needing to be buried). It's supposed to rain all day!!!
7. Speaking of it raining tomorrow, Slugs and I are hiking anyway!! As long as it's not a storm watch or something. The NWS prediction says it'll be afternoon before it's an actual storm here :)
8. This is now so long no one will ever read it!!
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