Started the 2-week long American Meteorological Society, Project Atmosphere workshop with about 17 other teachers from around the country with a nice dinner and a brief round of introductions. I honestly do not believe I have encountered a livelier group of workshop participants since the first Planting Science trip a couple of years ago. There is one woman from Dallas, and a gentleman named Bryan who will give me run for my money as being the outrageous attendee of the moment. It should be a fun couple of weeks....and I hope I get to see some new and old friends while I am in town.
Some observations...flying in and landing at the International airport I notice no real city here...just a lot of open land and a few clumps of newer developments. We are, of course, northwest of the downtown area, but it really much more rural than I would have anticipated.
Secondly....I really miss having a car....being here in the room and "stuck" (to put it mildly, is way boring. I want to be free, spread my wings, explore, examine....shop!!!!
That's what I live for!!!! Pictures are of the very nice suite of rooms and my view of the pool area.
Molly...you take good care of Mary Anne!
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Sunday, July 8, 2012
The Halfway Point
It has been a week since returning home...and only a week from my departure for the AMS workshop in Kansas City (where it was 106 degrees yesterday - guess I won't need that jacket I was planning on taking). I really enjoyed seeing old friends and making new ones at Texas A&M...it is always the high point of my summer since I always come away with so much I use (or share with others) in my classroom. NSELA in Austin was really much better than I expected...and look forward to the new standards to invigorate science teaching in a way the new evaluation never has.
It was quite a productive week, we gained a new dog (who is made of velcro since she surgically attaches herself to any human coming through the door), I gained a storage unit and moved 5 huge containers of dolls, My Little Ponies, and stuffed animals, Anne's collections of Harvard Classics and college textbooks, Meg's 2,463 containers of Playmobil and college paraphernalia, all stuff boxes (yes, I am a packrat and never, ever throw anything away), all unused wooden chairs, 15 containers of Xmas decorations, and filled up a 5' x 10' x 10' container space.
Now...maybe...I can actually find stuff in the garage. I will enter the abyss tomorrow morning, so if you don't hear from me in a few days, you might want to send in a crew to find me...there might be a cave in....and I could get trapped.
"Have you seen my wife, Mr. Jones? Do you know what its like on the outside. Don't go talking too loud you'll cause a landslide, Mr. Jones" Beegees 1967.
It was quite a productive week, we gained a new dog (who is made of velcro since she surgically attaches herself to any human coming through the door), I gained a storage unit and moved 5 huge containers of dolls, My Little Ponies, and stuffed animals, Anne's collections of Harvard Classics and college textbooks, Meg's 2,463 containers of Playmobil and college paraphernalia, all stuff boxes (yes, I am a packrat and never, ever throw anything away), all unused wooden chairs, 15 containers of Xmas decorations, and filled up a 5' x 10' x 10' container space.
Now...maybe...I can actually find stuff in the garage. I will enter the abyss tomorrow morning, so if you don't hear from me in a few days, you might want to send in a crew to find me...there might be a cave in....and I could get trapped.
"Have you seen my wife, Mr. Jones? Do you know what its like on the outside. Don't go talking too loud you'll cause a landslide, Mr. Jones" Beegees 1967.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Day 20 - Back Home Again
3196 miles....phase one of the summer ends....left Houston at 6:30 (their time), and with 3 gas stops (and a record $2.99 a gallon in Alabama), a short 30 minute oulet break, made it back home by 11PM (real time). Finished Hunger games Trilogy...loved book 2, liked book one, and, like J.K.Rowling she messed up Book three. What a wimpy ending....
Now on to the next great adventure.....lots of pictures tomorrow!
Now on to the next great adventure.....lots of pictures tomorrow!
Friday, June 29, 2012
Day 19 - The Long Way Home
2258.7 miles - Started the day with excellent closing speaker who preached "living on the fringe", which, as a teaching professional, is where I reside on a daily basis. Dick, from the Planting Science and Earthquake Engineering groups set up a Facebook group on the Next Gen Science Standards and the response has been incredible...like 10 hits in the first hour! I feel like a celebrity, and God knows my ego could use the boost! (Yeah, like the Pacific needs a water infusion...)
Lunch was the best of the week...Texas Brisket, bread pudding, a corn-black bean vegetable medley..outstanding. Made the trip to Houston Hobby Airport in less than 3 hours and am ready for departure from Texas....
By 10 AM I should be gone from the Lone Star State for the first time since June 10. I will miss her...she's a good state to visit!
Lunch was the best of the week...Texas Brisket, bread pudding, a corn-black bean vegetable medley..outstanding. Made the trip to Houston Hobby Airport in less than 3 hours and am ready for departure from Texas....
By 10 AM I should be gone from the Lone Star State for the first time since June 10. I will miss her...she's a good state to visit!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Day 18 - Dinner is Served
After a thrilling day of learning how the plan will work for assessing the New Science Standards we were whisked away (the first time I was out of the hotel in 3 days) to a dinner sponsored by the Helios Foundation (the fine folks that paid my way here). Now lets talk about the food for a minute. The Foundation paid for breakfast and lunch daily...breakfasts were so-so with things like egg quesadillas and bacon, egg, sausage things on some kinda bread...but lunch was heavenly! Huge salad bar, 2-3 entrees, bread pudding, cherry cobbler, turtle cheesecake, mango iced tea....it was to die for.
And I get one more tomorrow.
Dinner this evening wasn't bad (but it wasn't lunch!) with the after dinner speech by the nation's foremost expert on string theory, Sylvester James Gates.
And a big speech by Larry Plank, which was, of course, exciting. Also we all lined up and took a picture of the group with Dr. Gates for the school district banner. Keep an eye out....it will be coming to an SDHC home page real soon.
The group flies out around 10 tomorrow, so I will be the lone district representative during the final 2 hours of the sessions.
Ultimate power is mine!!!!
And I get one more tomorrow.
Dinner this evening wasn't bad (but it wasn't lunch!) with the after dinner speech by the nation's foremost expert on string theory, Sylvester James Gates.
And a big speech by Larry Plank, which was, of course, exciting. Also we all lined up and took a picture of the group with Dr. Gates for the school district banner. Keep an eye out....it will be coming to an SDHC home page real soon.
The group flies out around 10 tomorrow, so I will be the lone district representative during the final 2 hours of the sessions.
Ultimate power is mine!!!!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Day 16 - Fire and Ice
Started the day with breakfast at the McDonalds with the biggest steer in all of Texas...and that ain't no bull! Included a few pics of the area around the hotel (the hotel itself) and the state capitol building.
Our first speaker was a movie stunt coordinator who did some cute things with fire and pulleys but I will be honest...I expected a lot more in the way of flash bang presentations. It was OK, but I have seen better, more pizzazy (Is that a word?) programs in science museums. Attended the social (without real food) and had nice conversations with teachers from Alaska (Anchorage, Cheryl), Arizona, Massachusetts, Austin, and Oklahoma. Met John Feiler's (my old Progress Village buddy) siste this evening and am ready to pack it in for the night.
To be honest, this stuff all seems way over my head, but I am grateful for a week in Texas and a chance to talk education.
Our first speaker was a movie stunt coordinator who did some cute things with fire and pulleys but I will be honest...I expected a lot more in the way of flash bang presentations. It was OK, but I have seen better, more pizzazy (Is that a word?) programs in science museums. Attended the social (without real food) and had nice conversations with teachers from Alaska (Anchorage, Cheryl), Arizona, Massachusetts, Austin, and Oklahoma. Met John Feiler's (my old Progress Village buddy) siste this evening and am ready to pack it in for the night.
To be honest, this stuff all seems way over my head, but I am grateful for a week in Texas and a chance to talk education.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Day 15 - Outlets and Austin
total miles to date - 2060.8 miles - Visited what has to be the world's largest outlet where 2 complete centers totaling over 270 stores lay side by side....you name it...it was there including a Jones New York where it was just wall to wall racks like the Coldwater Creek center in Orlando, Wedgwood (with an entire case of jewelry), hot topic, and I could have spent a BUNDLE!!!
But I would rather eat...
Am not impressed with the UT campus section I have seen...looks cramped, crowded, and not very green (as the hotel claims to be) Nice room, and the view from the window is included in today's upload as is the reception area.
Found out that Traci, from Oklahoma, whom I met at Planting Science at Texas A&M the first summer, will be here tomorrow for the festivities as well. It will be nice to see her again. Also my leadership strand will pull me out a few sessions with the group every day...I am excited about that!
So as long as I can afford to eat, my only real issue will be....how do I pay for the hotel room I will need on Thursday night after all of my money will be gone. (I don't get paid until Friday). Maybe I could eat in an all night buffet for 12 or 13 hours? I could do that you know...I could eat for 12 hours....if its not calamari....
But I would rather eat...
Am not impressed with the UT campus section I have seen...looks cramped, crowded, and not very green (as the hotel claims to be) Nice room, and the view from the window is included in today's upload as is the reception area.
Found out that Traci, from Oklahoma, whom I met at Planting Science at Texas A&M the first summer, will be here tomorrow for the festivities as well. It will be nice to see her again. Also my leadership strand will pull me out a few sessions with the group every day...I am excited about that!
So as long as I can afford to eat, my only real issue will be....how do I pay for the hotel room I will need on Thursday night after all of my money will be gone. (I don't get paid until Friday). Maybe I could eat in an all night buffet for 12 or 13 hours? I could do that you know...I could eat for 12 hours....if its not calamari....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)