eMINTS

It's eMINTS night again. Gotta learn more about using technology in my classroom. I guess you can learn something new every day, but I'm sometimes at a loss as to what I can pick up that's new on this subject. I've done nearly two years in a masters program in learning and technology, then three - count them - three years in these classes essentially covering the same material. I love my classmates and enjoy visiting about what's new in our schools and our classrooms. But learning some new way to teach is getting more difficult. Then there's the exhaustion factor. While it's only 5:45 it feels a whole lot like 10:30. Why do I get tired just thinking of staying out past 6:00? I'm a late-evening wimp. Well, we have only two more classes before we're done for good. So here's to eMINTS may the next group find something new to learn each and every session.

Comcast Day

Comcast folks came to our school today to volunteer. They washed stuff, painted walls, and planted trees. It was strongly "suggested" that the teachers should show up too. I did, but worked mostly in my room rather than scrubbing hallways. I really appreciate all the volunteers did, I do. But this is going to be a very short weekend. As I get older I need a full two days to recover in time for the next week. Oh well, it was nice seeing so many people out caring for our school building.

Still Kind of a Kid

Sean's gift to himself for getting through another year of school. Don't ask how much it cost. Noah, if you see this, just hold out - he'll tire of it someday and it will all be yours (bwah haa haa haa)

Happy Birthday Anna

Yesterday was the twenty-fourth birthday of one of the great environmentalists of the 21st century. Most parents learn from their children. But generally that has to do with getting along on less sleep, or having less money to spend on luxuries. Anna, on the other hand, taught us more practical lessons. Here are a few:
1. Toddlers should wear their pants below their belly because they feel better there.
2. Grandma has better food (she had white bread and candy).
3. Only Mommy can be your Girl Scout leader.
4. People who wear banana costumes are scary.
5. Sometimes a person's just got to have a cat.
6. Guide Dog puppies and new carpet go together.
7. When you fall in love you accept quirks as part of the package.
8. Graduate school should be undertaken when you have a REASON for it.
9. Logan has some pretty good restaurants and a new Marriott.
10. Love can travel through time, space, and the Internet.

I love my daughter more every day. She has become the kind of person I value as a friend - loving and kind, intelligent and hard working. She is patient with everyone, even me. It's a real pleasure to spend time with her and I miss having her close. I am comforted by the fact that she is successful and happy and by this strange new world of electronic connections that allows us to remain close. Happy birthday, baby.

30th Anniversary

The first of April was the 30th anniversary of Mike's and my first date. I had invited him to bring his dog to dog training classes at the old Salt Lake Armory on Sunnyside where I was teaching. We both showed up that evening to find that the armory floor had been waxed and they weren't holding classes. He asked me if I wanted to go to dinner instead, so he dumped his dog at his house and followed me back to my house before taking me to Arrowpress Square downtown for dinner at Two Guys from Italy. He brought a bottle of wine with him as this was back in the day when you had to brown bag it if you wanted a glass of wine with dinner. It was the first time I had ever had a drink with dinner. He treated me like a grown up. And he had fabulous big blue eyes. I was intrigued. We only dated for about six weeks before becoming engaged. We were married July 28th only 4 months after our first date. So this will be a year of 30th's. I'm looking forward to a year of celebrating with my best friend.
This week we celebrated at Olive Garden because Two Guys is long gone. I'm glad Mike stuck around for 30 years. Here he is in first class where he truly belongs. I think I picked good.