School Update

The semester is at the half way point and I'm feeling it! The group work seems overwhelming, the readings are insightful, and the hundreds of new lesson plans are being kept safe in a vault for that first year of teaching on my own.

The most interesting thing I've learned so far is the need for inter-thematic units= lessons that can be used across multiple disciplines. For example, just think if the math, science, English, and history departments worked together in order to teach all the effects flight has had on humans. It could be very interesting for all involved. One can hope...

Speaking of hope, I hope everything I'm learning now is practical enough for everyday use in the classroom. I hope there is a classroom for me to teach in once I complete school. I hope to have the knowledge needed for teaching the students of today. I hope to make a positive difference. 

Did a teacher make a difference in your life? Good, bad, indifferent? What is it that makes you remember that teacher?

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Work Weekend...

Although nervous at first, Ryan and I couldn't be happier with the results of the work weekend! We had twelve handy friends come over on Saturday morning to paint the kitchen, primmer trim, and sheetrock. Of course there are the random trips to Home Depot, wiring, and all the measuring that took place as well. I'm always amazed at the amount of work a group of people, with the same goal, can accomplish. I will post pictures of our progress and the work weekend this weekend. With that said, here are the thank yous:

Bev: Thank you for your skills with measuring and sheet-rocking! Thank goodness for your girly tools too:-).

Harley: I'll make sure to take you as often as I can to Home Depot, you really know that place.

Sandy: Thank you for your time and great suggestions! Your painting talent is pretty great too.

Don: I'm not sure of all you did down in the "man cave", but thank you for all your help and time!

Mom: Did you acquired patience before, or after, raising kids? Either way, I could use some of yours! Thank you for your help on the trim and clean up. I couldn't have done it without you.

Mitch: I still can't believe you stacked all that wood! Thank you!

Joe: Hooray for no more kitchen fan that doesn't work! Thank you for coming over and all your help!

TJ: Ryan voted not to thank you, but of course I will:-). Thank you for spending your Saturday setting the french doors! I love them. Ryan says thanks too.

Matt: Thank you for putting in the door! It looks so nice:-). I know you could have been doing a million other things on a rainy Saturday, and I'm happy you decided to come over and help.

Stacey: Thank you for your help and the handy tools you brought over. It was nice to chat and get that kitchen painted.

Nick: Well, I'm not sure what you did down there either, but I know I saw you with lots of power tools working away. Thank you for your help; the room looks really nice.

Isabella: Thank you for entertaining the cat and making some great potatoes in the fire:-). Your help with painting the doors is also appreciated:-).

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CoCo View 2009

Ryan and I took our second annual trip to Roatan and had a great time! We left at 11:59 on February 27th and didn't look back:-). Our trip was filled with amazing diving, good friends, and even a little pedal bike riding. 

Our dive boat was filled with 18 fun-loving divers! Every dive was unique and full of life. Thankfully, I've finally acquired a taste for the tiny sea critters which transforms every dive into a treasure hunt. Ryan took about 500 pictures all of which can be found at www.ryansilbernagel.smugmug.com. 

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SCUBA!

Ryan and I had a great time the past two weekends up in Hoodsport,WA diving with friends. Ryan takes amazing pictures with his underwater camera! He is having a blast testing out all the bells and whistles:-) The pictures will be posted shortly...I promise! As for the diving, the octopus are out in full force right now, and the visibility is pretty good.

My first dive of the weekend was the biggest learning experience yet. Alex, Harley, and I had a great dive where I really had to pay attention:-). I'm so used to having the best dive buddy ever, Ryan. However, I've noticed I have become lazy in: navigating, searching for the smaller sea life, and overall awareness. I'm not planning on trading in my buddy, yet it was nice to gain some experience, and confidence, with Alex and Harley. 

On our second dive, Harley and I went one way and Ryan went the other. Unfortunately for Harley and I, Ryan found a giant pacific octopus and played/took pictures for a good forty minutes. Not to be out done, Harley and I found plenty of fish, a HUGE wolf eel, and other fun critters. Above is the head of a giant pacific octopus. The horns are up, and you can see one eye right below one of the horns.  

Weekends at "The Yellow House" are always full of great food, good laughs, and enjoying good friends. Ryan and I feel so lucky to have found a place where everyone is there to have a great experience in the water and top-side. 

A special shout-out to my mom for always taking great care of Athena on such short notice! Athena loves time at "Grandma's" house:-). 

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"The Animals"

I know this is a subject many of you already hear about, however I think Athena, Lucy, and Alley Cat deserve a little post of their own. 

     

Athena: After having her eight(8), yes eight, tumors removed from her eyes last summer, I was feeling like maybe she was on the downward spiral at the tender age of five. However, being the trooper she is, Athena has made a full recovery and is good as new. She is still getting used to sharing time, space, and attention with the other two animals, but as we all know, she is still everyone's favorite:-). 

Lucy: Also a fan favorite, recently got her ear bitten off by the neighbor dog through the fence... not cool to say the least. About 1/2 an inch is missing from her left ear, but she doesn't seem to mind too much. It has healed up nicely, and she stays her distance from the fence. Lucy and Athena seem to really enjoy having a play partner in each other. 

Alley Cat: Oh, Alley Cat. She runs the house! I can't believe I actually love a cat. She is sassy, fat, and cuddly. Although she has the most annoying squeak instead of the traditional "meow", I still don't mind when she wakes me up in the middle of the night trying to find the most comfortable spot on my face. Alley keeps the dogs away from her food with the slightest glance. Lucy and Alley have always peacefully co-existed. Needless to say, Athena and Alley haven't. However,  Alley and Athena have FINALLY gotten used to each other... well, Athena dosen't bolt across the room when Alley enters anymore:-). 

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The Best Service Ever!

Organicstoyou.org! Look into it, get it, and love it! This company delivers organic (local, when available) fruits and veggies to your door. You choose the frequency and the amount of goods you need. It comes straight from the farmer. I'm serious, my beets were still covered in mud. I boiled the beets with a little salt, and enjoyed all four in less than 10 minutes. They are friendly, fast, accommodating, and straight up cool. For a busy student who also works, I couldn't be happier knowing every week I will be stocked up on organic/local produce. 

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The Beginning

Today was the first day of my Masters program, and I'm stoked! Life feels great. Things are finally taking shape in a concrete way. It's interesting how out of reach some goals seemed not long ago, and now they are right in front of me. This last month has been like finishing a great novel: you want to know how it all ends, but at the same time, you don't want the ride to end just yet. As a wise woman once told me, "The time has come to grow up and shake hands with the world" . I think I'm ready to do just that...

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