I have the laziest roommates!

2009 Movies

I read two different movie critics' top 10 lists today, which got me thinking about my favorite movies of the year. Since I am unfortunately not a paid professional movie watcher, I've not yet seen Precious, The Hurt Locker, 500 Days of Summer, Moon, or Up in the Air - and I have heard that all 5 of these are terrific. So, from the movies I have been able to watch in 2009, these, in no particular order, are my top 10:

Gran Torino: Clint Eastwood can do no wrong. Only he could pull off this role as a bigoted old crank with a heart of gold.

Watchmen: I was intrigued by the idea of flawed superheroes. Even though it was set in an alternate history version of the 1980's, the themes were just as relevant to today's world. And that smokin' hot love scene in the airship - hallelujah!

Avatar: Seriously. Why haven't you seen it yet?

Star Trek: I was never a fan of the original series, but have always enjoyed the Star Trek movies. This one was a very exciting prequel that stayed true to the original characters. I especially liked Zachary Quinto as Spock.

Inglourious Basterds: Classic Tarantino: over-the-top violence, loud music, suspense, and dark humor. Plus, the best villain since No Country for Old Men.

Where the Wild Things Are: I was expecting something really different. This was not at all a movie for kids. The exploration of raw emotion through the wild monsters was very powerful and moving.

District 9: A new twist on an old story: learning empathy for the oppressed by being forced to join them in adversity. Very well acted and directed.

The Hangover: I laughed like crazy. Enough said.

Up: My favorite of the Pixar films so far. Up was very sweet and clever, and the talking dogs were just hysterical.

Zombieland: I like scary movies served up with a large helping of campiness. Zombieland got it just right.

Man on Wire

I watched a lovely little documentary tonight: Man on Wire. It's about tightrope walker Philippe Petit, who traveled between the roofs of the twin towers just a few months before I was born in 1974.

Man on Wire is a movie about risk and reward, about chasing a passion, and about achieving the impossible. I heartily recommend it. Petit knew he could very well die in pursuit of his dream and if he survived, there was no doubt he'd be arrested. Furthermore, he had no idea how in the world he would orchestrate such a stunt. But it did not matter, Petit went forward with the mindset that success was guaranteed. No hesitation.

Fortunately, few of us need the adrenaline rush of standing on a cable a quarter-mile above the ground. My default nature is to play it fairly safe - to look for the predictable. For me, choosing a new piece of furniture is an exhilarating accomplishment! So, I guess risk is in the eye of the beholder. Regardless, I understand the desire to push oneself beyond comfortable boundaries. It is really the only way to feel alive. Top-notch support team, no safety net, and as Petit admonishes, "live your life on a tightrope."

Thankful

Thanksgiving has come and gone and I cannot, I repeat, cannot wrap my mind around the fact that it's nearly 2010. I've been indulging in one of my favorite habits this week while I've been off work: reflecting. I realized this was the first Thanksgiving in a very long time that I have not shared with a significant other. It's been at least 15 years since I've been 100% single for this holiday - maybe longer! I've spent Christmases solo, been a sad sack on Valentine's Day, have made it through Independence Day without a mate...but for some reason I've always spent the last Thursday of November with a boyfriend (or, for a long time, a husband).

Of course, I did not wither away alone yesterday. I was asked to spend the day with 5 different sets of friends and, there's always a standing invitation to go home for Thanksgiving. And this is why I feel thankful: to have such a caring and devoted network of people who remind me over and over that they love me. I had a fantastic time hanging out with the Preeces yesterday: Karla's delicious cooking, the girls giggling over everything, and Todd looking so happy and proud of his family.

Being single is lonely sometimes. All of the friends, experiences, and blessings in the world can not replace the intimacy of a healthy, committed love relationship. But this year, I am thankful for my single-ness. It is during times of solitude that I am able to discover the most profound truths about myself. This is a time for me to learn and grow on my own. To paraphrase my wise friend Tricia (who is married to an amazing guy), "I'm so thankful for all of the ups and downs, because they led me to where I am today."

My Two Cents

There's no such thing as bad publicity, right Adam Lambert? This is a story as old as rock 'n' roll: Elvis's swiveling hips, Jim Morrison's inflammatory lyrics...Remember the controversy generated by Madonna gyrating on a wedding cake while singing Like a Virgin? When was that - 1984?

Push buttons, push the envelope, push your backup dancers' faces into your crotch...and if you can get on the radar of the more vocal family values organizations, you're sure to generate oodles of interest in your latest project.

Adam very nearly won the most recent round of American Idol based on the strength of his vocal performances. But so many AI winners have quickly slipped from the limelight soon after the finale has aired. This week, with a naughty bit of choreography, I think Adam may have discovered how to recapture the nation's interest.

Have You Ever...

Just a little fun to end 2009. Thanks Georgeanne!

Have you ever...

( ) Shot a gun
(X) Gone on a blind date
(X) Skipped school
( ) Watched someone die
( ) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Alaska
( ) Been to Cuba
(X) Been to Europe
(X) Been to Las Vegas
(X) Been to Florida
(X) Been on a plane
(X) Been on a cruise ship
(X) Served on a jury
(X) Been lost
(X) Been on the opposite side of the country
(X) Gone to Washington, DC
(X) Swam in the ocean
(X) Cried yourself to sleep
( ) Played cops and robbers
(X) Played cowboys/girls and Indians
(X) Recently colored with crayons
(X) Sang Karaoke
(X) Paid for a meal with coins only
(X) Made prank phone calls
( ) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
( ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(X) Danced in the rain
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(X) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(X) Watched the sunrise with someone
(X) Blown bubbles
(X) Gone ice-skating
(X) Gone snow skiing
(X) Camped out under the stars
(X) Seen something so beautiful that it took your breath away
(X) Are or have been married
( ) Children
(X) Have a pet
( ) Been skinny dipping outdoors
( ) Been fishing
(X) Been boating
( ) Been water skiing
(X) Been hiking
( ) Been camping in a trailer/RV & tent
( ) Flown in a small 4-seater airplane
( ) Flown in a glider
( ) Been flying in a hot air balloon
( ) Been bungee-jumping
(X) Gone to a drive-in movie
( ) Done something that should have killed you
( ) Done something that you will probably regret for the rest of your life

The Tudors

I'm currently working my way through season 2 of the Showtime series The Tudors. I began renting this show after reading The Other Boelyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction in general, but I found the drama surrounding Henry VIII's 16th century reign intriguing.

My favorite part of The Tudors is observing the role of women in the court. Used as pawns and playthings, cast aside when no longer useful, these women certainly did not have it easy. The television series is surely an overdramatization of the events of the time. But the inferior status of women is historically accurate. How lucky I am that I may own a home, make my own living, and will never be forced into an arranged marriage. While watching, I am simultaneously grateful that I enjoy so much more freedom than these women and in awe of the amount of courage and fortitude that they must've had.

Life in this century can be challenging at times, but I feel fortunate that my heart, mind, and choices are my own.

The Happiest Place...

I know a lot of people have issues with Disneyland: the crowds, the syrupy sweetness, the corporate greed. But for a kid who grew up with summertime road trips to Anaheim, walking into Disneyland brings me right back to the excitement and pure happiness of childhood. When you enter the park, the plaque above the archway reads, "Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy." That just about sums it up perfectly.
All I wanted this year for my birthday was a day at Disneyland. Thanks to my wonderful friends for making my wish came true.

Beware of Dog

Sweet Brandy was passed out on the couch today when I got home. She heard me come in but didn't recognize me in the dark, so she slinked toward me slowly and very quietly, teeth bared. As I watched her, I thought maybe she was sick because of the weird way she was moving (Old Yeller, anyone?). But as soon as she recognized me, Miss B fell to pieces, every part of her little doggie self expressing relief and joy. She wagged, she licked, she rolled over to have her belly scratched. Beware intruders in my house. My pooch will get ya!

Math Test

Today, as I passed back graded math tests, Margaret came up and hugged me. "Thank you, Ms. Howard!" she exclaimed. "For what?" She showed me her test, pointing to the perfect score at the top. "Don't thank me for your score, you earned it yourself," I told her with a smile. "Yes," she relied, "But thank you for teaching me the math!" And then she skipped back to her seat.

And that's why I'm a teacher :-)

HOA Letter

With permission of the author, here is the letter I sent to my Homeowner's Association board of directors. I'm not the greatest at standing up for myself so I have oodles of gratitude for Jared's help in crafting a missive with some backbone. He listened carefully to my retelling of the event and my feelings about the whole thing and then put together a marvelous couple of paragraphs that get my main points across very strongly. The sharpest jabs are somehow delivered in a very polite but straightforward way. I think Miss Manners would be proud. I feel well taken care of :-)

Greetings Board Members,

     I had the misfortune of meeting one of your representatives on Saturday, September 12th, and I would like to express my extreme displeasure with that encounter. While resting in my home that afternoon, I was treated to a barrage of door-pounding and bell-ringing that would make a SWAT team blush, although I was a bit dismayed to see that instead of uniformed officers serving me a search warrant, I was greeted by a member of your yard police. The gentleman’s name escapes me, although his unflattering demeanor and browbeating was quite memorable. I am new to this neighborhood, and while I had hoped that my first encounter with the HOA would have been a welcoming one, I was instead treated to threats of an official rebuke and made aware that my neighbors had been complaining about the overall appearance of my front yard. Board members, whose residency in this neighborhood precedes my own, know full well that the previous occupant had littered this yard with foliage, and as such, the cost of upgrading it is substantial.

     The shrubs, ivy and tree limbs have since been cut back to meet the standards set forth in the CC&R's, which should satisfy my disgruntled neighbors, as well as the man whose name is too inconsequential to remember. Given the tenor of my first encounter with your authority, I am requesting that ANY future contact with me be limited to mail correspondence, as I have no further desire to be disturbed in my home. That said, let me take this opportunity to introduce myself to those of you who thought it unnecessary to welcome me to the neighborhood: I’m Jennifer Howard, and thanks in advance for your adherence to my above request.

     Regards,

     Jennifer Howard

The Wisdom of Drew

I've loved Drew Barrymore since E.T. It kinda feels like she and I grew up together, and I'm really looking forward to seeing her new roller-derby movie, Whip It. The following quote is from Drew's interview, published in Parade magazine today. It resonated with me pretty deeply:

I’ve stopped believing in happy endings. I’ve started believing in good days. At the end of my movie, there’s honesty. There’s truth. There’s peace. What tomorrow will bring is still in question. There is a joy that’s earned by failure or triumph. All those things add up to teach us, if we are open to it.

A Tribute

I'm sure you've heard the stories in recent weeks about Annie Le, the Yale grad student who was murdered just a few days before her wedding. The following was written by a teacher friend of mine. Thank you so much Kim, for allowing me to share your beautiful words:

Annie was my student in Math Analysis in the Spring of 2001. Union Mine was a young school, starting with only freshmen and sophomores. Annie’s class was the first four year class to graduate at UMHS. As a group of students, they were a close bunch. I too, was a young teacher. When Union Mine opened in 1999, I was recruited by Carl Fickle our Principal to join the staff. I was honored and thrilled to be part of this new and innovative school and quickly joined the instructional team as co-math department chair. The teachers at Union Mine advanced with their students as we added new classes each year to accommodate the needs of eleventh and twelfth grade students. As a teacher, I also advanced teaching higher level classes each year.

We did not have books for Math Analysis when the year started and we decided not to purchase them because we were in an adoption year and the current book was already seven years old. Other teachers in the district did not particularly like the book and encouraged me to look for other options to “get by” for the year. Looking forward to the challenge, I created the entire curriculum for that course by researching interesting activities and creating project-based units. In my quest for finding really challenging and interesting material, I would at times, find myself struggling to solve complicated problems with my students. I recall getting stumped, staring at the board and working up a sweat. And this is where Annie comes into the story as she would inevitably come to my rescue, seeing my errors or having the ability to visualize the solution. With tremendous respect, Annie helped me and in turn, helped the class. And, then there was Mike Couper. With the two of them, we were all in good hands! It was a great semester, one that I will never forget especially since I learned as much, if not more than my students.

In 2002, Annie was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Math award at Union Mine. I had the honor of speaking about Annie’s exceptional performances in math and in handing her the award. I treasure the picture taken this night and keep it with my family photos. Union Mine was family – the students, the staff, and the administration.

It is hard for me to accept that such brilliance, compassion and empathy was taken from this world. I read people in media blogs ask, “Why has Annie Le had so much press? She never contributed anything.” And I want to scream at their ignorance because from my perspective, Annie contributed more than they could ever know – more than she even knew. Annie Le contributed to my growth as a teacher and she contributed to the success of not only that class in 2001, but to each and every student I have taught since then and who I will teach in the future. Annie taught me to appreciate having a student who was smarter than me. She taught me how to be humble when I did not know every answer. She taught me to be more resourceful so that I can push students at all levels to perform at their highest potential. She taught me how to say, “I don’t know, but I will find out,” without embarrassment. Students every year benefit from what I learned that year teaching Annie. I have never forgotten her. I have never stopped appreciating her. I will forever miss her. Annie, I thank you for your contribution to my growth in the teaching profession and for my continued love for the students who I teach.

Teacher Story

Today, my little fourth grade class made me so proud. They elected the "quirky" kid in my class as class representative based on the strength of his speech. I snagged the text and am sharing it with you. Just imagine this being recited with all the conviction and passion a nine year-old can muster:

I want to say that a good Class Representative should be someone with certain qualifications. What qualifications do you ask? This is where I fit in...

Some of you are great at soccer, some at baseball, gymnastics. I am great at planning school activities like the Haunted Hallway and Spirit Week. This sounds like my chance to finally do something I know I'm qualified for. My strengths aren't on the football field but I DO have strengths in the academic world.

Please allow me to explain...

If I'm given this opportunity, I know that I'm the right choice. I'm dependable, honest, smart, and let's face it, I have a great imagination! And a great Class Representative requires someone who can come up with creative ideas.

And by listening to your thoughts and ideas, I will be your voice at the meetings. Therefore, your ideas can be heard too.

I feel I am the right choice because I want to be able to give something back to my school...something I can look back one day and be proud of...

Yeah, I think this particular kiddo is really proud tonight. I'm sure proud of him :-)

I Would Have Shown These Speeches, Too

I have resisted jumping into the political fray, but I feel compelled to throw out my two cents today. I had to send home permission notes with my students this afternoon, informing parents that I will be broadcasting President Obama's education speech on Tuesday morning. It made me profoundly sad that I had to do this. And it makes me even sadder to think that some parents of my students may request that their children do not watch. The timing of this speech is unfortunate, as it comes in the middle of the polarizing debate on health care reform. I understand that many people disagree with they president's agenda, but I guess I have a hard time wrapping my mind around the absolute disdain that would prompt a parent to keep their child home from school rather than allow them to watch this speech.

To me, Tuesday's speech is not about liberal or conservative, Republican or Democrat. It's about respect for our Commander in Chief. When the president of the United States says "Study hard and do well in school," I think school children will sit up and listen. Too bad Presidents Clinton and Bush did not take an opportunity to speak directly to students. I can say without a shred of doubt that I would have shown my students both of them. I am glad that President Obama has decided to pick up the thread.

I especially enjoyed Reagan's speech, with the 1988 fashions and the "Just Say No" message from Nancy. And when he talks about his first ride in an "automobile" - priceless. But if you listen to the whole thing, it's, well, a wee bit political.

And one final thought: Sometimes the best way to stoke a child's curiousity is to deny them an experience. Controversy can be powerful advertising and I think the kids who aren't allowed to watch this speech are only going to wonder what all of the fuss is about.

President George H.W. Bush's speech

President Reagan's speech

Bella and Tara

During my run this morning, Susan mentioned that I should look at this video. Yup, I cried.

And it's not 'cause it doesn't look fun...

Visiting the Del Mar Race Track is, for many, a San Diego summer tradition. From what I have heard, a day at the races is an incredibly fun experience. I love spending a few hours at a daytime baseball game, so in my imagination, a trip to the track is slightly classier, faster-paced version of a trip to Petco Park. There are even free concerts on Fridays after the races are finished. However, as you've probably guessed by now, I have never been to a horse race, even though I've lived in San Diego for 10 years now. And I don't think I ever will.

Every summer during the short racing season, I am always saddened by the number of euthanizations that are reported in the local paper. Barbaro and Eight Belles were two high-profile horses who were put down recently following debilitating injuries. At the Del Mar Track this year, 10 horses have been put down after breaking legs during warm-ups or races. Ten horses in just one month. And as I understand it, many still-young race horses are also killed when their careers are in decline and they are no longer fast enough to compete in their field. There's no other way to put it: this really bothers me.

As I said in my animal-related post yesterday, my choices are completely personal and you won't see me joining PETA in picketing the front gates of Del Mar. I wouldn't have a leg to stand on anyway, as I have been to the zoo probably 100 times since I moved here, I practically inhale sushi, and should my doggie ever suffer from a painful terminal illness, I would choose to euthanize her, too.

I believe that those involved in the sport of horse racing love their animals and are distressed when they are hurt. But for now, for me, this sport is just too risky, so until the number of life-ending injuries decreases dramatically, this San Diegan won't be patronizing the race track.

It's not 'cause I don't like the taste...

When you look up animal rights activism in the dictionary, you are not going to see my picture next to the definition. I believe in respecting the lives of animals as much as possible, but I do, perhaps selfishly, put my own health and well-being above that of my four-legged and feathered friends. For example:

• I don't eat most meat, but I do eat seafood.
• I eschew leather, unless I'm buying running shoes.
• I eat eggs, but I only buy the organic, cage-free cartons.
• I enjoy the San Diego Zoo, but I'm not a big fan of Sea World.
• And, as I tell anyone who asks, KFC still smells delicious when I drive by.
  

My pseudo-vegetarianism/avoidance of animal products is a completely personal choice, and not a lifestyle I try to impose on others. How could I, when the nuances of my eating and purchasing are so inconsistent? I find it pretty easy to be a vegetarian in southern California, where soy products are so readily available. But the fact is, if I was on a deserted island and the only way to live was by eating meat, would I? You're damn right I would. And really, those who try to live an all-out vegan lifestyle are in for a slippery slope...Do you kill spiders in your house? How about those little critters that die in the harvesting of vegetables? What about the gelatin that coats film and car tires?

But if animals are going to be raised for human consumption, I don't think it's too much to ask that they have a healthy - if protracted - life. There are a few instances of animal cruelty that I do find disturbing and, should friends seem interested, I request the following:

• Go for the cage-free or free-range products.
• Please don't order the veal. I'm sure it's delicious, but the life of a veal calf is a sad affair. You can google it if you don't know what I mean.
• Ditto for foie gras. It's pretty nauseating the way it's produced.

And I do have one other animal issue that's been on my mind lately, but more about that tomorrow...

Brandy's Birthday

Here is an overdue video of Brandy enjoying her birthday breakfast: a sausage mcmuffin. Brandy turned 9 on August 5.



Eggs first, then meat/cheese/bread all stuck together, then after sniffing around and looking for more potentially hidden protein, she shrugs and eats the other half of the muffin.

Vet Visit

Neither Brandy or I enjoy trips to the vet.

I took Brandy in today for a routine exam, ahead of her scheduled teeth cleaning next week. The staff is wonderful and the decor is top-notch. It's always nice to catch up with the technicians and Brandy's doctor is a real sweetheart. But these trappings placate neither my dog nor myself.

My aversion to the vet's office is mainly financial. At the absolute minimum, I must spend $50 for an exam, and I usually average $100-$200 per visit depending on the combination of medicines and vaccines my pet requires. Next week's dental work will cost around $500 since it include anesthesia and an IV. Interestingly, I had the head doctor's (and clinic owner's) son in my class years ago. This has never gotten me so much as a single percent discount. And that little boy was a challenge! I don't have pet insurance - I researched it once and the deductibles were so high, it really wasn't worth it in my opinion. Of course, that was before the rattlesnake bite a few years ago - the insurance really would have come in handy then....

But my six-million-dollar dog hates going to the doctor for other, more emotional reasons. As soon as we walk in the door she starts shaking and although she really tries to sit nicely while we're inside, any time I so much as flinch, she lurches toward the door with a hopeful "time to go now?" glance over her shoulder. It's really quite silly for her to be so afraid - everyone in there coos and pets her and treats here like a little baby. But I think her fear stems from a horrifying event she's had to endure three or four separate times in that office: ear flushes.

Brandy is a spaniel, and those big, floppy ears trap moisture and bacteria very effectively. She's quite susceptible to icky ear infections if I don't diligently keep her ears clean and dry. When I bring her in for these infections, the first thing the doctor wants to do is flush the already tender, irritated ear. I'm not sure what flushing entails because they do it in the back, but I imagine they stick some kind of hose or sprayer in her ear and shoot liquid inside to get all the gunk out. Brandy always comes back to me with a wet ear, shaking her head and whining.

So now, I think every time we pull up, Brandy is afraid she's going to get an ear flush. She may be a dog, but she has the memory of an elephant. I like to think Brandy is aware, on some level, that, although the vet is scary (just like I know that, although the vet is expensive), I am protecting her health and well-being as best I can because I have so much love for her.

Research and More Research

Summer quarter is officially over, and I met with my professor today to discuss my research direction for the upcoming year. We had our meeting at the Pannikin coffee shop in Encinitas - I'd never been to this location before. What a cool place! I actually got there about a half-hour early and enjoyed a yummy piece of apple pie. But, back to the point....

My brilliant professor, who has crafted the most incredible summer introductory class, is holding these final individual meetings with everyone in my cohort in order to guide us during the six-week hiatus until we begin our fall classes.

I feel like I've been on Mulholland Drive since June, as I entered this program with a certain direction in mind and have hit curve after curve through encounters with existing research, conversations with classmates, writing assignments, and finally, today's meeting.

I emerged this afternoon with a pretty clear direction in mind: I will be creating a "toolbox" of writing strategies for my students and documenting which strategies my students select. The strategies I'll be presenting to students will be influenced by brain-based teaching, so I'll be using visual tools, graphic organizers, mnemonics, creating schemata, and socially-constructed learning. I'm curious about patterns that may emerge: what works well for English learners, for special education students, for proficient writers afraid to take risks, etc. This feels like a huge undertaking to me! I will be trying lots of new strategies and will have to do a lot of documenting. However, writing is an area I'm passionate about and I know that when all is said and done, I will have real data supporting why I teach the way I do.

New Furniture

Here are my new couches, complete with spokesmodel:

I Gotta Feeling

I'm loving this Blackeyed Peas song right now!!

Road Trip Part 3

Tuesday, July 21

Brandy went for another early-morning romp in the lake. The ducks were definitely taunting her today, quacking, flying away, then coming back for more quacking. Brandy was in her element chasing them through the water. She had a good ole’ time.



The guys came back from their early morning fishing expedition having caught 5 salmon in the lake! After a late breakfast, we all headed off for Crater Lake, about an hour drive away.

What an incredible sight! I had heard of Crater Lake National Park, but had no idea what I was in for. The brilliant blue lake high up in the mountains is stunning. It turns out that thousands of years ago, one of the volcanoes in the Cascade mountain range erupted here creating the giant crater (actually properly called a caldera), about 4 miles by 5 miles. Over the centuries, the crater filled up with water from accumulated snow melt to create this pristine lake we visited today. The lake is so deep and so clear that most of the colors on the light spectrum are absorbed before the blue is refelected back to the surface. We all commented on how the water is so bright it does not look real. “Looks like it was photoshopped in,” remarked Emmy.


Upon returning to the lodge around 5 or so, it was time to prepare dinner, including the delicious fresh salmon from this morning. And for dessert – maybe the most amazing thing ever created – S’mores with chocolate chip cookies on the outside instead of graham crackers.

Tomorrow morning, I’ll be up early for the third leg of my journey – the drive to San Jose. There is some talk of whether the road will still be closed from the fire I drove through the other day, so I may take a slightly longer alternate route home – east on Highway 58 to Eugene, then 5 south to the bay area. If I go west on 58 and the 97 is closed, I will be re-routed in that direction anyway, which will be a very lengthy detour. I’ll make my final decision in the morning.

Road Trip Part 2

Monday, July 20, 2009

Brandy is lying here beside me at nearly 11 P.M., all tuckered out after a day of excitement. Today, we slept in a little, and I started off the morning by taking Brandy out for a little bit of exercise. I thought I’d throw her toy around a little bit on the dirt, let her get some of her energy out. Well, Brandy had a different idea – she immediately splashed into the lake up to her belly. Even though I threw her little rope toy in a different direction, she kept going back into the water and wading around. So finally, I gave up and just tossed the toy into the lake a few times so she could fetch it and bring it back. I dried Little Miss Soggy with my beach towel before we headed back inside.

I spent the rest of the morning reading one of my textbooks while Brandy relaxed in the sunshine, then went with Sherwin, Emmy, and Eli to nearby Oakridge for lunch. We feasted at A&W – greasy fast food, followed by root beer floats, yum!

Back at the cabin, it was time for an afternoon nap – the best part of being on vacation! Around 4:00, the Cabaels arrived, along with Conrad and Teeza. And all of the food. I’ve never seen so many groceries in my life! I’m only here until Wednesday morning, but I don’t know how the rest of the folks are going to eat even half of this stuff by next weekend! We put everything away, then the guys went off to rent a pontoon. A sunset fishing cruise was next on the agenda, and this just reaffirmed my belief that there is nothing more peaceful and relaxing than being out on the water.

Jonathan regaled us with his versions of Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face,” and Alicia Keys’ “No One”. Rich caught a little salmon, but threw the undersized fish back after posing for a quick picture. Sadly, the picture was not quick enough, because the poor fish went belly up as soon as it hit the water.

Dinner was followed by a delicious lasagne dinner, Rice Krispy treats, and some relaxation and conversation before crawling off to bed.

I am definitely decompressing in this place, and only wish I didn’t have a homework deadline hanging over my head. Oh well, I guess lots of people end up working on vacation! Tomorrow is my second and last full day in Oregon. The guys are planning to wake up very early for more fishing, and there’s talk of a drive to Crater Lake in the afternoon.

Road Trip Part 1

Finally, a chance to sit down and blog again! I actually journaled during my road trip, but didn't have internet access, so here it is:

It’s wonderful to be on vacation….

Sleeping in, no schedule, nothing to clean. I love being away from home, especially now that I’ve finally arrived at Odell Lake and can relax for a few days.

I am writing this on Sunday, July 19, although I will not be able to post as there is not even a hint of an internet signal up here. My cell phone is waffling between no bars and one bar, which means I can send and receive text messages but am not going to be able to hold a phone conversation.

Unplugged for the next 60 hours….this is going to be good for me.

I left home yesterday morning very early. Brandy and I were on the road before 7 A.M. I drove all day, arriving in Chico around 6 P.M. Of course, we stopped quite a few times along the way for food, bathroom, and stretch breaks. Chico and surrounding towns are so beautiful: quiet, green, folksy. It was hot and humid, though. My car thermometer climbed up to 109 degrees. Whoa.

We stayed overnight with Stephanie. Her house is so cute, with a huge yard, a fresh coat of pretty green interior paint, and tons of space for Steph and her kitty. Once we got Brandy settled in and removed all potentially edible items from lower shelves, Steph and I headed out for dinner at the Sierra Nevada brewery. We shared a delicious lentil burger and ahi tower. I had a Vienna lager, which was pretty good. I’d love to try more of the Sierra brews, as I’m not a fan of their popular pale ale. I will have to come back to Chico soon and do the whole tasting tour!

But the best part of dinner, of course, was reminiscing and catching up with one of my oldest friends. Stephanie and I met in high school in 1987 and we were fast friends, inseperable in many instances. We even attended the same college for two years. As so often happens, we drifted apart and lost touch when our paths took us in different directions, but I never stopped thinking about her and tried many times over the years to look her up on the internet. We reconnected – on Facebook of course – about a year ago and this has been our second “in person” visit since. I am so grateful for the opportunity to pick up where we left off while “filling in the gaps” as Stephanie puts it. Our Saturday night bonding meant a lot to me and I am looking forward to more get-togethers in the future.

Sunday was a slow, easy morning and I was not real anxious to get back in the car right away. But, there was no avoiding it and by noon, Brandy and I were off again. It was a very easy drive north into Oregon, and the northern California scenery is just spectacular. It’s been a long time since I’d seen Mt. Shasta, and what a beautiful sight it is! Highway 5 took us into the foothills around the mountain, and once we were on the north side, we began descending out of the hills toward the grasslands at the very top of the state. We were nearly out of the forest area when I noticed smoke up ahead and thought, “Hm, there must be a a little fire by the side of the road.”

And then, all of a sudden, we were plunged into the smoke. It was so strange – I couldn’t see well ahead of me or behind me, so my instinct was to slow down. But at the same time, there were huge flames on either side of us and the heat was tremendous. So I stepped on it and within seconds, we were past the fire. I wasn’t in any danger, but it was pretty scary for a minute there! My heart was beating pretty fast as I wondered how it was that the road was not closed with the fire right there engulfing the trees on either side of the highway. At the same time, I saw response vehicles coming up from the opposite direction and I realized that I was probably one of the last cars to come through that pass for a while. I really lucked out - my drive could have been a whole lot longer!

It was smooth sailing after that, entirely uneventful. We arrived at the campground at Odell Lake around 6:30, just behind Sherwin, Emmy, and little Eli. We unpacked our cars, claimed rooms, explored a little, and had some dinner. Brandy and Eli became fast friends – it was hilarious watching the little guy chase her around the lodge on his chubby little legs. I think Brandy scored a couple of little treats off her new buddy’s dinner tray, too.

So now, I lie in bed at 9:30 P.M., completely exhausted. It’s amazing how long drives can wear me out, and I’ve gone about 900 miles in the past two days, with about 17 hours of combined driving time. I’m ready for a good rest tonight followed by a couple of days of relaxation!

Road Trip!

The bags are packed and the car is gassed up. Brandy and I are leaving in the morning on a road trip! Our itinerary is as follows:

Saturday: drive to Chico; stay overnight

Sunday: drive to Odell Lake, OR; stay until Wednesday

Wednesday: drive to San Jose; stay until Sunday

Thursday: visit with Kelly and Vicki and maybe some other LVM Folks?

Saturday: St. Lawrence high school reunion

Sunday: drive home

I will try to post a little each day about our goings-on, so stay tuned....

BBC Book List

I'm embarrassed to reply to this Facebook Tag from Minh, because she's pretty much read them all!

The BBC believes most people will have read only 6 of the 100 books here.

How do your reading habits stack up? Instructions: Copy this into your NOTES. Look at the list and put an 'x' after those you have read. Tag other book nerds.

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte - X
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling - X
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee - X
6 The Bible - X (well, most of it anyway)
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell - X
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott -X
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller - X
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare - (half an X, I mean really, who has read the complete works? Besides old Bill himself, I mean?)
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien - X
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger - X
19 The Time Traveler’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger - X
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams - X
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll - X
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis - (another half an X as I haven't read the entire series)
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis - X
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini - X
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden - X
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne - X
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell - X
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown - X
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery - X
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood - X
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding - X
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel - X
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night - Mark Haddon - X
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold - X
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding - X
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker - X
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Inferno – Dante - X
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker - X
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom - X
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad - X
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery - X (in French!)
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams - X
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare - X
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl - X
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Grand Total: 35

Who made this list up anyway?? War and Peace alongside Bridget Jones's Diary....I'm just saying. Oh well, at least I've read more than 6!

Katy, Kelly, Beyonce, and Gaga

It's so great to see girlie bubble gum pop making a comeback. These are the songs that I can not get out of my head right now:

Waking Up in Vegas - Katy Perry

My Life Would Suck Without You - Kelly Clarkson

Just Dance - Lady Gaga

Poker Face - Lady Gaga

Single Ladies - Beyonce

San Diego County Fair

I did make my annual trek to the fair this year on Friday, July 3. I didn't have much time there, but I was able to hit the essentials...

Yummy food: a cinnamon roll for breakfast, and this delicious deep fried macaroni and cheese for lunch.I love looking at the collections people enter:

Lip Gloss
Dodgers Memorabilia


GargoylesAnd my favorite - one family's collection of fair photo-booth pictures from years past


Of course, no day at the fair is ever quite complete without a quick stop at the pig races!

Get Fuzzy

I always enjoy Get Fuzzy for its sarcastic humor, but for some reason, I especially liked Sunday's strip:

M. Fox

Transformers II was not bad. It was full of action, big-budget special effects, slick-looking alien robots, beautiful people, and a very endearing new character named Jetfire. Sadly, it also had an abundance of cliched and tired plot devices, poor acting, and two annoying new characters named Mudflap and Skids.

And of course, there was Megan Fox, with whom I've developed a mild obsession. When I saw the first Transformers movie in 2007, I was awed by her near-perfect physical beauty. My jealousy was ratcheted up a notch when I found out Ms. Fox was engaged to Brian Austin Greene. The entertainment rags have highlighted the on-again, off-again romance of the 23 year-old goddess and the 36 year-old former 90210 actor. She did a nice job parodying herself in the movie How to Lose Friends and Alienate People. And now I hear she's in the upcoming film Jennifer's Body, which was written by my idol Diablo Cody.

Megan did an interview a month or so ago with Entertainment Weekly. She came across as incredibly lame, egotistical, and douche-y.... she used the prefix "uber-" three different times to describe herself (I remember ubersexual was one of them, but can't recall the other two)!

Megan Fox is often compared to Angelina Jolie, and it's easy to see why. Both are willowy brunettes with masculine self-confidence, "ubersexuality," tattoos, and big juicy lips. I am a huge Angelina fan, and really want to like Megan as well. Angelina was the original bad girl who sowed all kinds of wild oats and then settled down into her role as super-mom, UN ambassador, and excellent actress. Angelina has always been fascinating to watch, and, at least to me, she has always seemed authentic. It feels like Megan is a poser: a young girl who is trying way too hard to play a role as the nymphet. She is certainly not stupid - either she or her management team is very aware of how to sell the image and keep Megan Fox in the public eye.

The thing is, all BS aside, I suspect Megan may actually be a pretty good actress. I'll be very curious to see how long her run lasts...

Summer Movies

Summer is not quite half over, but I am halfway through my summer movie list. So far, I have gone to see:
Wolverine
Star Trek
Terminator
The Hangover
and Year One

By far, Star Trek has been my favorite. The young Enterprise crew was cleverly cast, and there were some fun action sequences. I enjoyed The Hangover, as well. This crazy, twisty, Vegas-set comedy kept me laughing the entire two hours.

I still have not gotten to:
Transformers - we are going to see it tonight
Public Enemies - hmmm, kind of disappeared from the theaters, didn't it?
Bruno - looks hilarious!
Harry Potter - we'll be seeing it on Thursday. Can't wait!
Funny People - out July 31

I am looking forward to finally seeing Transformers. Although the reviews have not been great, I am a sucker for big action-packed blockbusters and I would feel deprived if I missed this one on the big screen.

Well, it's been almost a month since I blogged, and I find it pretty funny that my last entry reads "I have my first class at UCSD tomorrow night." Between school and getting my new home fixed up, life's been extremely busy. I plan to get back in the blogging routine, even if I set aside just 10 or 15 minutes a day.

I recently read this essay by Helen Keller, from NPR's original 1950's "This I Believe" series. It really struck a chord with me:

I choose for my subject, faith wrought into life apart from creed or dogma. By faith, I mean a vision of good one cherishes and enthusiasm that pushes one to seek its fulfillment, regardless of obstacles. Faith is a dynamic power that breaks the chain of routine, and gives a new, fine turn to old commonplaces. Faith reinvigorates the will, enriches the affections, and awakens a sense of creativeness. Active faith knows no fear, and it is a safeguard to me against cynicism and despair.

After all, faith is not one thing or two or three things. It is an indivisible totality of beliefs that inspire me: Belief in God as infinite goodwill and all-seeing Wisdom, whose everlasting arms sustain me walking on the sea of life. Trust in my fellow men, wonder at their fundamental goodness, and confidence that after this night of sorrow and oppression, they will rise up strong and beautiful in the glory of morning. Reverence for the beauty and preciousness of the earth, and a sense of responsibility to do what I can to make it a habitation of health and plenty for all men. Faith in immortality because it renders less bitter the separation from those I have loved and lost, and because it will free me from unnatural limitations, and unfold still more faculties I have in joyous activity. Even if my vital spark should be blown out, I believe that I should behave with courageous dignity in the presence of fate and strive to be a worthy companion of the beautiful, the good, and the true.

But fate has its master in the faith of those who surmount it, and limitation has its limits for those who, though disillusioned, live greatly. It was a terrible blow to my faith when I learned that millions of my fellow creatures must labor all their days for food and shelter, bear the most crushing burdens, and die without having known the joy of living. My security vanished forever, and I have never regained the radiant belief of my young years that earth is a happy home and hearth for the majority of mankind.

But faith is a state of mind. The believer is not soon disheartened. If he is turned out of his shelter, he builds up a house that the winds of the earth cannot destroy. When I think of the suffering and famine, and the continued slaughter of men, my spirit bleeds. But the thought comes to me that, like the little deaf, dumb, and blind child I once was, mankind is growing out of the darkness of ignorance and hate into the light of a brighter day.

Summer is Here!!

Well, it's officially summer vacation, and how did I spend my first day off? At work, of course. I'm really taking my time this year to clean and organize my classroom. Last year, I had a really challenging group of students, and by this time, it was all I could do to jam everything in cupboards, lock the door, and run away for 10 weeks. This June, I am not nearly so exhausted. In fact, I have a great deal of momentum coming off an excellent school year. So, I am trying to pack everything away in a very organized fashion, knowing, of course, that when I come back in the fall I will be deep in the mire of my EdD program and may not have the time or energy that I do right now. I am going to finish up tomorrow because if I don't, my school's admin will wrestle my classroom key out of my hand, and I don't like my odds in a cage match with Lesa! So, I'm planning to get in there early, finish putting everything away neatly, hopefully do some planning for the first month of school, then get out of the way. I have my first class at UCSD tomorrow night, so as I finish one task, it will be time to embark on another...

States I Have Visited

Perfect for procrastinating those report cards....

Put an X by the states you have been to. The average is 8; how do you match up?

Should you choose to play, here's what you do:

Copy my note. Click on “notes” under tabs on your profile page. Select "write a new note" in the top right corner. Paste the copy in the body of the note. Delete my Xs and add your own. Change the number at the top, and add your title. Once you've saved, don't forget to tag friends (including me) on the right. Tag the same # of people as the # of states you've been to. Just for fun, put an O beside the states where you have lived.

Airports don't count!

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona- X
Arkansas
California - XO
Colorado - X
Connecticut - X
Delaware - X
Florida - X
Georgia
Hawaii - X
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland - X
Massachusetts - X
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada - X
New Hampshire
New Jersey - X
New Mexico
New York - X
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon - X
Pennsylvania - X
Rhode Island - X
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia - X
Washington - X
West Virginia - X
Wisconsin
Wyoming
DC - X

First Fifteen

My latest Facebook tag....Fifteen books you've read that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes. Tag 15 friends, including me because I'm interested in seeing what books my friends choose...

1. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - Probably my favorite, all-time book, if I was forced to choose one. Barbara Kingsolver is brilliant. I wish I had one-tenth of her writing ability.

2. The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King - If you've read them, you understand. I've read every book Stephen King has written, but these are my faves.

3. The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling - I fell in love with the characters in this series. Can't imagine I'll ever be at the store at midnight to buy a book again!

4. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffeneger - Such a poignant, heart wrenching love story. I love the idea that the twists and turns of fate bring us to the people we're meant to connect with. The story plays with that theme in such a cool way.

5. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris - Hilarious. David Sedaris cracks me up.

6. All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot - I didn't read this until about a year ago. What a wonderful memoir! I hope to read some of the sequels this summer.

7. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan - The strong females in this book made such an impression on me when I read it in the early 90s.

8. Beloved by Toni Morrison - Beautifully crafted. I was able to enter a world that is completely different from my reality, yet still connect with the characters.

9. The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough - The first "big girl" book I read, when I was about 14 or 15. Sex? In books? Oh my goodness...

10. Into Thin Air by John Krakauer - I loved reading about the mechanics of an expedition up Everest. I grieved for the folks who didn't make it back from this particular ill-fated trek.

11. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel - The movie is even better.

12. The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield - This book inspired my Master's thesis!

13. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert - After having it recommended to me by something like 15 different people, I finally connected with this book in the midst of my divorce. And it helped.

14. He's Just Not That Into You by Greg Behrendt - Why did it take someone so long to write this down? It should be required reading for girls entering puberty.

15. Memoirs!!: The Year of Yes by Maria Dahvana Headley; Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt; The Class Castle by Jeannette Walls; A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers; I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou - I love memoirs!!