Biosphere Experience

Well these last two weeks have been quite the whirlwind. To make a long story short, on July 9, I got a call to replace a teacher who didn't show up to a summer training at Biosphere 2 in Oracle, AZ. So, after phone calls, rearranging my summer schedule, and last minute shopping at Wal-Mart, I started my adventure the next day.

I am one of 35 teachers from across the state that attended this conference. My first class was learning how to make a working model of the Biosphere using 2 liter bottles. I have a living plant, fish, worms inside 2 bottles and don't have to water it. Yes everything is still alive. I have a small area where I drop food for the fish, but that's it.

That started a whirlwind of activities, field trips, hikes (3 days in a row = sore muscles), and lots of teacher stuff. We went to Catalina State Part for bird watching, insect data collecting, and water testing. We went to Kurtchner Caverns near Benson. We have touched almost all areas of science to the point that I have units for my full curriculum.

I'll be adding a slide show of pictures that I've taken so far. But one thing that this has really done has got me excited about science and teaching again. Watch out PDSD students. Here I come. :)

Yakima WA - The Farmers!!!!

I went to visit Jessica and her family last week. It was a great time. Her boys are really cute and it was great to get to know them better. It was also great to get some one on one sister time. :)

Highlights of the trip:

1) Logan - "Where is Attle?" Jess told him that they were going to Seattle, and he wanted to really see attle (whatever attle is).
2) Hamburger Lunch from Major's in Park
3) Checking the growing garden (someone in this family had a green thumb) :D
4) Kick starting my fitness program with an hour long walk.
5) "Beauty and the Beast", "Bolt", "Cars", "Higley Town Heroes", and "Finding Nemo"
6) Remembering what the color of green "really" looks like.
7) The butterfly room at the Pacific Science Center.
8) Saw Lori and her kids (college roommate I haven't seen for 14 years!)
9) Boating with Eric's family. (Seeing Jess and Eric wake boarding - a big plus!)
10) Seeing the top of Mt. Ranier on the airplane above the clouds. (wish I took a picture)

There were also too many other fun little things to mention. I loved being around family and learning fun little antics of a 2 1/2 year old and 9 month old. Thank you Farmers for having me camp on your couch and get some needed R & R.

(P.S - I do have video of Eric and Jess wake boarding, but I need to buy a different connector for my laptop to download it.)

Summer Vacation!!!!

I have 10 weeks of not being a teacher. 10 weeks of no paperwork, no IEPs, no breakfast duty, no "Ms. Waite - I need to talk with you in the hall", and (my favorite) no detention hall.

I am excited about a few things happening this summer.
1) I'm going to Washington to visit my sister Jessica and her family. I've never been to Washington state before and when I've told people about my up coming plans they've said I'll love it.
2) 4th of July - not sure yet. I know some of my family will be in Show Low. Most likely my parents will be in Washington D.C. hanging out with some new grand babies. So I may stay here and enjoy the fireworks show in Mesa.
3) Late July (can't remember the exact date) - Mom got us tickets to see "Wicked" in Tempe. This will be the second time for me. I'm really excited. It will be a blast with everyone.

I'll also be filling my time with working for Sylvan online. It's been a fun job so far. I've tutored kids from each time zone. Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, New York, Rhode Island, Oregon, Canada, and even one from Japan. :) I've really liked it.

So pretty quiet vacation but I'm looking forward to it.