Field Trip to the Art Institute

So, my third-grader and our neighbor girl (also a third-grader) went on a field trip with their classes on Wednesday. It was to a local art institute. I happen to take both of them to faith formation (where I volunteer and they attend class) every week, so I had them alone in the van with me on the drive to church. Decided I'd ask about the field trip ...

Me: How was your field trip today guys?
Them: Cool. Neat. (or something like that from both of them - in an excited tone)

Me: What was your favorite part of the trip?
My son: The bus ride was cool because they let us sing songs on the way home.

Me: Ok, but how about the art? What was your favorite?
My neighbor: France.

Me: ....

Me: France? Was there a room with French paintings?
Neighbor: No.
Me: What was it?
Neighbor: Just a room.
Me: ... No paintings? Just a room? Were there four walls?
Neighbor: Kind of. And there was something in the middle.
Me: Ok.

(moving on)

Me: Son, what was your favorite?
Son: George Washington.

(I went on to figure out that one of his favorite rooms had a bed and two paintings in it, too; however, the initial conversation had me questioning how much these kids got out of the trip to the art institute. Oh well. They seemed to enjoy it.)

Happiest School In America

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/unigo/top-10-colleges-with-the-_b_1840568.html#s1448347&title=1_University_of

That'd be in Madison. University of Wisconsin. Not surprised ;)

Drum roll ...

... ok, not quite yet, but soon (and very soon), I will be venturing to the scale to see how much weight I've lost. Anxious to get back down to my high school weight (175#). I'll just say that I've been north of that for a while - especially since I gave up running longer distances (and pretty much gave up running for a while). I think my current workout routine will work well. I took a month at the beginning of the year to figure out what would work for me and what I just wouldn't get motivated to do. So far, so good. I have settled on a weekly routine that includes running on the treadmill four days per week, walking for one day, lifting three days per week, and core work four days per week. I've added in some DVD workouts a couple days per week. And I'm feeling good. We'll see how this goes. It'll be good to see where I'm at on my second friday of rigorous activity. Slow, but sure I'll get there!

Masters program and relicensure ...

So ... I've really been thinking about cutting this out and using it lately ...

 

Basically because I feel like I'm not getting exactly what I want out of my masters program. Which is interesting (and frustrating) to me because I will be done with a class in another week or so, at which point I will have a total of two classes left: one on differentiation for gifted education, and one that is simply finishing research and a capstone project.

 

However, even though I don't have something that I can look at from my experience with my masters program and take away an "Aha!" yet, I do feel a bit less frustrated today. And it's not because I used the above kit to release the stress. Instead, it is because the process of relicensure ended up being a lot less detailed and intricate than I originally thought. I took care of most of the process online, requested a copy of my current transcript, and sent that in to finalize my renewal.

 

I received an email this morning with a simple phrase at the top:

"Your new license has been issued and on original hard copy will be sent via postal mail."

 

Hurray! The current fruit of my $10,000 labor has been realized!

 

Now, for that masters degree that should come in late June!

 

... not that it'll help me get a job in the fall. Oh well. Here's hoping!

 

... at least when I do find one, it should help increase the take home.

 

... but, per the company line, us teachers aren't in it for the money.

 

:)

 

Take that risk

“You may fear the disapproval of others. Take that risk and you’ll discover that you receive more approval when you don’t seek it than when you do. You may fear the unknown. Take that risk as well. Wander in there, asking yourself, “What is the worst thing that can happen if this doesn’t work out?” The truth is that you will just move beyond it. You’re not going to starve to death or be tortured if it doesn’t work out.”

- Wayne Dyer

[DISCLAIMER: this post was taken directly from http://gradnessmadness.tumblr.com/post/43145014563/take-that-risk]

"Most people know what is good for them, know what will make them feel better: exercise, hobbies, time with those they care about. They do not avoid these things because of ignorance of their value, but because they are no longer 'motivated' to do them. They are waiting until they feel better. Frequently, it's a long wait."

- Gordon Livingston

My Personal Soap Box

I was going through my normal routine this morning. Took a shower. Shaved. Got dressed. Had my one cup of coffee. Sat with my son to look at how our fantasy basketball team was doing. Turned on Mike & Mike.

Then I started scanning my twitter timeline. Wow.  Found quite the discussion-starter (or soap box material, as the case may be).

http://blogs.thescore.com/nhl/2013/02/13/watch-a-high-school-goalie-tuck-the-puck-in-his-own-net-flip-off-his-coaches-then-peace-out/

Check out link above. It may help as you continue to read my rant, er, blog.

See, I'm a huge high school sports fan, but I'm starting to get fed up with selfish youth and high school 'athletes' and their parents. Since when is it okay to take out your frustrations on your teammates? Since when is it cool to sabotage a team's opportunity to play on a level field (or court, or sheet of ice)? I really don't care how much you (or your child) think you (or your child) should be playing. If it's really such an injustice, then so be it, but that's life. Someone's in charge. They make decisions based on what they see. If you think it's wrong, then don't take it out on everyone. Either deal with it and keep trying to help the team ... or quit before it affects the team.

It is not your right to play. If you want to play more, find a rec league, find a park, find open courts, find open ice, find some friends to play pick-up games. Or ... work harder and put in the time. And, even if you do that ... respect that a coach makes the decisions on what he or she thinks will be best for the team. This is called life. You will be dealing with it for the forseeable future. Personal justice is not always served. You will get laid off even though you think you are better suited for the job. You will be taxed more (percentage) even though you earn less. You will get pulled over for speeding even though others who speed do not get a ticket. It is not your right to make your problem (or injustice, as you see it) be everyone else's.

Find a way to respectfully deal with! First, change your behavior. Second, if you feel the system is wrong, then use the system to change the system. Third, realize that you can be happy with or without your current situation/problem; you don't have to bring others down; you are a part of something bigger than yourself; and it's not all about you!

In my own athletic career, I definitely felt like there was some injustice. I thought that I was better than at least one other player with whom I shared time. I believed that I had put in the work and that results showed that I should play more. I didn't play more. Tried to change my behavior: worked harder. Respected the coaches' decisions: did whatever I could to help the team. Realized that I could be happy with or without my situation/problem: lived my life, found ways to keep sports as a central part, didn't make my problem everyone else's.

Looking back, I still think I should've played more, but I also see how my coaches made their decisions. I know that I could've (and should've) done more to improve my chances of playing more. No injustices, though. It has been my life and I appreciate all that I've dealt with. More than anything I think it has shaped some thoughts I keep having ...

Work hard. Get better. Have fun.

Take responsibility. Help others.

Pass it on.

Happy Mardi Gras!

"Success"

By Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

'To laugh often and much

To win the affection of intelligent people

And the affection of childrne;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics,

And endure the false betrayal of friends,

To appreciate beauty,

To find the best in others,

To leave the world a bit better,

Whether by a healthy child, a garden patch

Or a redeemed social condition,

To know even one life has breathed easier

Because you have lived,

This is to have succeeded.'

 

Just coincidence ...

 

Full disclosure: this is NOT a picture of where I live. However, driving home from the grocery store today I noticed this type of thing TWICE in my town.

 

First: MedShape Weight Loss Clinic happens to be right next to Papa John's Pizza.

 

Second: Weight Watchers is set up directly adjacent to Domino's Pizza

 

Coincidence? You tell me. But ... Do they HELP or HURT each other's business?

The week that was ...

It's been almost a week since I last took to this blog thing, so ...

Some updates:

• My son's parent-teacher-conference went well. He's doing well academically and a lot better in general at school. Not sure the whole classroom/teacher/environment is the best fit for the year, but he's definitely working hard to make it a good year anyway.
• My daughter says she is just about ready for her dance competitions - which are still a couple months away. She's still happy with her two hours at the studio on Wednesdays (and again on Saturdays).
• Speaking of Saturdays ... Jimmy didn't see his shadow, so we should have an early spring. Yeah! My son also had a basketball tourney and they went 1-2 again. Not a bad showing for a third grade team in a fourth grade tourney.
• Sunday was fun, too. We all slept in, so we missed church for the first time in a while, but we made up for it (at least in my mind) by spending quite a bit of the day together. The super bowl was ... well, just fine.
• I'm still bored, jumping through hoops, and trying to get to my end-point ... just in case you're wondering :)

Happy Jimmy didn't see his shadow. Happy the Badgers beat the Illini. Happy my family is fairly healthy.

Happy. Happy. Happy.

[I have to keep reminding myself of this when the hoops keep popping up.]

Not my favorite thing in the world to do, but ...

 

 

... sometimes you just gotta do it, right? Even though I would technically title the picture above "Diving Through Hoops" it still represents my thoughts on getting through the end of June ... and I'm not talking about spring baseball, by the way. ;)

U of M Women's Gymnastics

Two suggestions:

Number 1: if you haven't been to Rudolph's on Lindale in Minneapolis ... Go. Very enjoyable dinner (although the company may have caused me to be a bit bias - Thanks for going with us, neighbors!). The kids' chicken tenders and cheeseburger were devoured by my children. My son particularly liked the pickles (plural) on his burger. And my BBQ pulled pork sandwich was delicious, too.

 

 

Number 2: if you have a daughter who likes gymnastics, go to a University of Minnesota gymnastics meet. We went on Saturday and saw an awesome display. The Gophers (ranked #12 as of Saturday) faced off against the University of Michigan (#1), Central Michigan (#20), and Iowa State (yah, not ranked). Junior, Kayla Slechta (Shakopee, MN) and freshman, Lindsay Mable really outdid themselves, winning the vault (Slechta), floor (Mable), beam (Mable), and overall (Mable) competition. The Gophers put together a 196.8 point total, besting the top-ranked Wolverines (196.775) by 1/40 of a point. Check out the gophersports.com coverage: http://www.gophersports.com/sports/w-gym/recaps/012613aaa.html

 

 

... and lest anyone be convinced that any of the sky-u-mah bologna found it's way into my heart ...

 

 

ON WISCONSIN!

 

After all, that WAS a good (but ugly) victory over the gophers earlier on Saturday!

Do I go pick up my son from school?

Seriously.

I mean, it's a full eight to ten degrees warmer that it was the past two days, and twenty degrees warmer than Monday at 4pm - which makes it 15 degrees above zero right now. But, the wind is a bit brisk at times (17 mph gusts). And I've heard they've been canceling school for this temperature in states not quite as tough as ours ... *cough* - Ohio - *cough*

It's my turn to pick up the boys - both my son and his friend who lives around the corner. But to pick them up, I have to drive a full mile to school. (I know. THAT isn't the big deal.) The real trouble is getting my daughter all bundled up to go. (Which isn't REALLY that big a deal either, I guess.)

I'm just waivering because it's Friday and I'm being lazy - I know. Plus my garage door opener finally went kapoot. "Real Feel" tells me it's one below zero, so I better go get them. I'm not really complaining, mind you. Just sat at the computer and didn't have much to blog about.

That is all. God bless :)

How does an elephant get down from a tree?

He sits on a leaf and waits till autumn!

http://www.kidsjokesoftheday.com/htmls/kids-jokes/Animal-Jokes-for-Kids/20130120180732_176.html

Good weekend ... now it's cold

We enjoyed a nice weekend. Went to the MOA. Sent my daughter to dance rehearsal and a couple of birthday parties. Enjoyed church and some good stew on Sunday. Then the wife and kids had Monday off to make it an extended weekend. To top it all off, got to enjoy another night of open gym basketball. Life is good.

By the way ... did I mention that it's cold?! ... -3 right now (feels colder) ... thankfully it's supposed be back up in the 30's by Sunday and Monday (at least for a couple days). Oh well. Better than 100+ in my book. ;)

Kindly upper midwest reminder: JIMMY THE GROUNDHOG PREDICTION IS LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AWAY!

My fake girlfriend ...

So, I'm so completely tired of hearing about a fake girlfriend that a college football player may have or may NOT have known was fake. Whether Manti was 'complicit' or not in the hoax, I'm sure he's embarassed because I am completely certain that he embelished the relationship to some extent or another. That's my take. I've never had a fake girlfriend (that I KNOW about anyway), so I have no way of knowing how embarassed he should be - or how he felt about telling other people about said girlfriend. For that matter, I've never been a major college football player, so I have no way of knowing how he should behave moving forward. I just cannot imagine walking into a locker room - or the NFL draft combine - and having to take on the looks, snickers, comments, questions of so many other young men.

And speaking of having to deal with the looks, snickers, comments, and questions ... I have no idea what to say about that other guy. The sinister mister Armstrong, who cheated and bullied to an extent I'll never be able to understand, deserves very little sympathy. Let's all watch the Oprah interviews in a different way. Let's take it all in ... and then NOT question anything. Move on. Let him move on. He is NOT a Tour de France champion. He is NOT a hero for his bicycling exploits. He is NOT a good family man. What he IS? ... a very selfish and competitive person without the individual strength to do the right thing in many circumstances. His Livestrong efforts are to be commended, not his individual self. Period. Done.

Let's move on. From both.

Next news cycle please ... and maybe a POSITIVE one?!?!?!

... how about a compromise in Washington?! (Now wouldn't THAT be a surprise?!?!)

On Wisconsin! Work hard. Get better. Have fun.

2012 Big Ten Standings

BIG TEN	Conference				Home		Away		Overall					Home		Away		Neutral		vs Top 25
	W	L	PF	PA	W	L	W	L	W	L	PF	PA	Streak	W	L	W	L	W	L	W	L
Wisconsin	4	0	245	202	2	0	2	0	13	4	1197	934	Won 7	10	1	2	2	1	1	2	2
Michigan	3	1	304	236	2	0	1	1	16	1	1345	996	Lost 1	11	0	2	1	3	0	1	1
Minnesota	3	1	310	269	2	0	1	1	15	2	1297	1043	Lost 1	10	0	3	1	2	1	3	2
Indiana	3	1	290	261	1	1	2	0	15	2	1452	1031	Lost 1	11	1	2	0	2	1	2	0
Michigan State	3	1	275	252	2	0	1	1	14	3	1195	981	Won 3	11	0	2	2	1	1	1	1
Ohio State	3	1	255	235	2	0	1	1	13	3	1194	925	Won 2	10	1	1	2	2	0	1	3
Purdue	2	2	253	261	2	1	0	1	8	8	1059	993	Won 1	7	3	1	2	0	3	1	3
Illinois	1	3	253	281	1	1	0	2	14	4	1330	1193	Lost 2	8	1	2	2	4	1	2	2
Iowa	1	3	261	276	0	2	1	1	12	5	1261	1071	Won 1	9	2	1	2	2	1	0	3
Northwestern	1	3	237	287	0	2	1	1	10	7	1118	1058	Lost 1	6	6	2	1	2	0	0	2
Nebraska	0	4	188	245	0	1	0	3	9	8	990	1036	Lost 4	7	3	1	5	1	0	0	4
Penn State	0	4	198	264	0	2	0	2	8	8	983	1055	Lost 4	7	3	0	3	1	2	0	2

 

My colorful new book for my next/current masters class ...

 

It seems to be well-written and could be very useful, based on my limited experience reading through the first twenty pages or so. Ultimately, though, I don't do much K-8 Math Instruction - except with my own kids, I guess. Oh well. First masters class of 2013 officially began tonight. Ready to get my learn-on for the next six months! (and finish this masters program!)

Haunted Garage Door

This week I figured out how to get our garage door unstuck ... and then it just keeps sporadically opening or shutting. Go figure.

At first the problem was that I couldn't get the garage door opener to shut the garage door. I had just come home and used the opener to open the door, but the opener seemed to buzz and not do anything when I tried to shut the door. So, I disengaged the carriage and we did it manually for the night. The next day I spoke with a very helpfull garage door technician on the phone who let me in on a tip: sometimes the carriage gets stuck on a head bolt on the track near the opener. Enter a little WD40 and a wrench ... and we're all good. Altered the moving distance a bit and we were golden.

Except ...

Later that day I heard the garage door opening about the time my wife would be coming home. After ten minutes of her not coming into the house, I looked out to see what was going on ... only to find the garage door sitting half open. So, I closed it, thinking maybe she had forgotten to go to the store. However, three more times over the next 24 hours, the door has magically opened. My working theory is that it's haunted ...

Or that someone in our neighborhood now has the same frequency garage door signal.

Stay tuned ;)