Just played Ultimate Frisbee for two hours with new friends at “teacher camp”. I have never played before and am notorious for having bad hand-eye coordination but nevertheless had a kick-butt time. It was so nice to do a really heart pumping activity that was A. not solitary and B. did not require any excessive materials. Plus, my teammates were nice enough to pass me a few and never made me feel bad for missing!

Good Times…

Each day at “teacher camp” we have two and a half hours of “rest”. As you’ve read in previous posts I have spent all previous rest times reading/writing except for a brief one hour interlude for a bike yesterday.

Today we have rest from 1pm-tomorrow at 4pm which allows for recreation, socialization (some are going to Princeton, others to the city tonight), and of course….studying. Lots and lots of studying. This is an intense program and we are working our brains tremendously. So last night’s evening cocktails (courtesy of the institute) and todays extended rest are SO important.

A large group is planning “day of sports” this afternoon at 2 and I find myself very tempted to stay in the comfort of this bed and resting until our Princeton outing, but I know that I will end up studying and part of this time is SUPPOSED to be rest and recreation…so, I will go off in ten minutes to the field.

In my quiet bunk rest, I found this great article in the Daily Cafe from EDOW about admitting to times of rest both literal and figurative in our society, perhaps you will enjoy it.

Peace.

Met up with a nice gal from CT to ride during “rest”…we had a nice 50 minute flat road ride in and around Lawrenceville. Not sure how fast or far, don’t really care as it was more about getting outside and pushing my feet forward in the GORGEOUS weather. (How lucky are we on the East Coast this week huh?)

My comment is this, NJ roads stink! No, that is really mean, but they certainly do not have the find smooth quality of Western Howard County. Thank goodness my tires are hearty. Plus I was surprised at the amount of traffic for 3:45-4:30 in the afternoon, a steady stream of cars similar to what one might see during Rush Hour on Rt. 108…not the most comforting given the debris and hole-ridden right hand side of the lanes. (no bike lanes) Not going to get much hill time around here but I think that the roads are long enough to make self-explanatory loops. Look forward to a much longer ride either this weekend or next week.

All right…shower and STUDY!

(Lunch Report-Thai Chicken curry on Jasmine rice with Cucumber-Mint Salad, plus a tossed salad with the world’s BEST homemade croutons EVER.)

This afternoon during “rest”, I went to the library to do some reading. I was searching for the perfect “nook” that I could make mine for the next two weeks. I walked up the winding staircase of the palatial library and wandered into the “Art Book” room. I turned the corner and ah-ha, there it was a corner slightly quadrilateral-like room complete with window seat and two chair table. I knew it was mine. I opened up the window shade to allow the natural light and hunkered down. It was not until I took a moment to look up that I realized I was in the “music book” section. To my right-Mahler. To my left-Wagner and Weill. Ah….

(just for those of you who care, dinner was Moroccan spiced flank steak, braised fennel, mashed potatoes, and spinach/gorgonzola salad…oh and at “teacher camp”, they serve alcohol with dinner!)

The evening session in our diversity small groups is over and now it is time to read some more….then write…then bed.

Good Night, dear reader.

This is the first chance I have had to breathe since about 7:15 this morning. I am currently in “afternoon rest” from Klingenstein Summer Institute. By rest I mean…go to the library and do homework in the two hours before dinner. 🙂

Upon our (me and 75 new best friends) arrival here yesterday we were assigned a dorm room and handed a three inch binder complete with detailed schedule, readings, and various ins and outs. After unpacking I started to read the detailed schedule and look for our assignments. After getting through Friday I stopped, took a breath and said, “One day at a time”. This is going to be an intense two weeks.

Here is how the day has looked so far:

5:15am-alarm clock
5:30am-run around campus (SO BEAUTIFUL) in the early morning fog. cool down walk looking for coffee.
6:30am-get ready for day
7:15am-breakfast (better coffee than what I found) plus the crispest bacon EVER.
8:00am-Morning Meeting (funny games played, I videotaped as I am today’s photographer)
8:30am-Elementary Curriculum Meeting (very cool people, wonderful teachers….)
10:00am-break/networking (not really down time as we are still learning about each other)
10:30am-12noon-Plenary Session with Pearl Rock Kane (Klingenstein Director)-discussions about the issues facing Independent Schools. (very good reassurance from PRK about “private school guilt”)
12:00noon-lunch. OMG the food here is SO good and much of it is sustainable or local. Plus…ice cream cone (mint chocolate chip)
1:00pm-3:30pm Diversity Plenary Session(wonderful. engaging. thoughtful)

NOW-“rest time” again, really glad I ran this morning because I totally have to use this time to read and write.
LATER-dinner and then our first small diversity group, we get to tell our “story”…..

Will be passing out when the session ends at nine.

This is going to be a lot of work but it is amazing to be with so many brilliant young teachers and passionate lead teachers. It is only day one and all of us are brains on overload.

I can’t say I will be able to blog a lot after today, but I will try….

Peace, dear reader.

Yesterday was the Tri-to-Win sprint in Carroll County, MD. I had practiced the bike course a few times last summer and this summer. I also had a good memory of swimming in the pool at a meet in my childhood, but a pool is a pool.

The course was well managed, the chip-timed starts meant that we went into the pool one at a time (I was 49th) did our laps and went along.

My swim was fairly good. It was 400m of laps in a cool pool. I shared my lane with one other swimmer who I barely noticed. Due to the struggles lingering from my long bike ride I had a hard time keeping a nice “fin” with my right hand, but tried to compensate as best as I can. I’m proud that I did flip turns as I felt like it was important when racing in a pool. They showed me the red dot which indicated my last lap and I hopped out on the other side and crossed the mat. 6:34 (including jogging in/out)

T1 was just a short walk away and I was definitely up in heart rate so I just kept breathing to get it done. I chose not to wear socks in the bike, which I think was a good choice for my foot numbness issues. I was able to make it through in 1:56, not terribly and seemed to be average amongst the top 100 finishers.

I knew the bike would be hard. It has a lot of rolling hills and is very open to the sun. Luckily, the air was cool and fresh and there was a breeze (ok, it was a head wind, but I’m trying to be positive). I tried to keep my cadence up on the straightaways or small inclines, but did have to granny out several times. I was pleased with the way I was moving and just tried to stay steady. I had guessed it would take 1-1:10 to finish this course and was absolutely thrilled when I came in at 54:43. While it is only 14 miles, it is hilly and I just suck on the bike, so this was a great time.

T2 took a little bit longer than usual because after my last sockless 5k blister debacle I knew socks were going on. 1:32.

The run started out on a cross-country type of course that traversed the perimeter of the swim club along the corn before trotting down a farmers stone/dirt driveway and heading out onto Rt. 26. The cross-country surface was tough on my brick legs and I couldn’t pick up speed because I was afraid I would fall down. Finally, when I reached 26, there it was the big big hill. I knew it was there but didn’t know what was after it, alas, it was another hill. Blacktop, cars rushing by, sunshine and running. I got up the hill and a bit further when I crossed the mile 1 line at8:22, about a minute of my typical 5k pace. I tried to muster over and over again, but didn’t have legs underneath me until about mile 2.2 when I crossed that point I saw that my time was dwindling close to 1:30 overall. I thought it would be so cool to come in at 1:30 so I turned up the heat as best as I could passing a gentleman (who had passed me on the bike) and made the final turn up the .2 drive way which was straight up-hill. I heard my name pushed a little more through the grassy finish and clicked the watch. 1:30:02 (official chip: 1:30:03)

84/281 (OA)  5/25 (F 25-29) S-6:34 T1-1:56 B-54:43 T2-1:25 R-25:25 1:30:03

The best part of all, my sister was at the transition every time cheering and at the finish for a hug. I don’t think I really “race” triathlons but yesterday was as close as I think I’ll get and it was such a joy to have my sister at the finish. It totally made the effort worthwhile to know that someone was there for me.

I have made a lot of progress on my bike confidence, now I just need to balance the effort I make there with my natural sport of running. I have one more tri on my season on July 12, but may add one more just for fun. This one is an Olympic distance, my first and I think it is going to be very hard. Time to put in the miles…..

Happy Exercising today reader.

If you have to move twice in three months, I highly suggest moving only 20 yards. Due to oh so lovely renovations and my desire to stay near my location, it was now or never. I was blessed to have a fabulous crew of Mom, Dad, Aunt Pat, and Cait to help me load up a box at a time and walk out one porch and in the other. It is now about 28 hours since the start and while the apartment has some issues leftover from renovation (some not completely renovated parts shall we say), it pretty much looks just like the apartment I lived in next door.

I find myself tonight feeling grateful for the love of family and their unconditional willingness to help me, time and time again, as I need to pick up the pieces of my scattered life. They are amazing people and whether its 20 yards, 20 miles, or 20 years, they always have been and will be there for me. I am blessed.

Peace.

The storm last night brought down more trees and shut down the lights for thousands once again in the region. Luckily, most of it passed through this area quickly but not soon enough for furry love bug who endured his late night walk with thunder and lightning (it was more like a late night run)

This morning we receive respite from the hades-like weather of the last few days. The humidity is down slightly and the temperature almost refreshing. I sit at my new outside table for morning coffee, which I had hoped to do since moving into my apartment facing the woodsy-creek.

It is summer, but I have yet to have my customary “sleep in late” day that usually marks the first day, opting rather for early morning exercise these last two days to remind me of my training goals. I do have lots to do but this morning I will take a few simple minutes to relish in the new day. The cool breeze serving as a reminder that God provides refreshment for our earth, bodies, and souls in his own time.

“Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning, born of the one light, Eden saw play, praise with elation, praise every morning, God’s re-creation of the new day!”

Today is officially the first day of summer. The meetings have ended, all of the grades are turned in and most of the children (and teachers) are already at the beach. Alas, here I sit mulling over such beach reading as “The Students are Watching: Schools and the MOral Contract”, “How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School” and am writing profound things such as my philosophy of education and my critical friends group work. Oh and did I mention I have to move this weekend and have a tri on Sunday?

So yes, the day to day of school is out for summer, but I’m afraid that the lazy days are still yet to come. If you see me online or procrastinating say “STOP, go back to reading and writing”. I may not love it, but in the long run, I will appreciate it.

Peace.

roar is definitely not the end to that sentence. Over the last months I, like most Americans, have followed the Democratic race for President. When my initial first choice bowed out early, I weighed my options and listened and read and debated and argued, mostly with myself. It wasn’t until sitting in the primary booth in the winter that I changed my vote twice, still not completely sure. Here on the eve of Senator Clinton’s campaign suspension (let’s face it…end) and acquiese to Senator Obama, I am a bit reflective.

I sit, a girl of almost 30 raised in the “girls can do anything” wave, a little sad. I’m not sad because I thought that Senator Clinton should inarguably win the Democratic nomination. I’m not really sad because I thought that her policies were best. And I’m not sad because I will miss the sound of her voice screaming into a microphone. I’m sad because this time around the girl lost. It is a realization that no matter how hard we tried, walking the tightrope between strong and B*&ch, feminine and weak, we have not broken the largest glass ceiling of all. Do I think Senator Clinton lost because she is a woman? No, not completely. I think the electoral college and superdelegates ignororance of the popular vote is out-dated and is stacked with old boys network, but….My sadness is not really about why she lost. It is about the fact that for the first time, us girls had a shot at having one of our “clique” leading our way as a nation. It seems so silly to me that we, the world’s “great” power, are still so far behind in gender equity in government.

I will take up my proud Donkey tail and support Senator Obama in his quest. But I will mourn, for a brief time, the loss of my fellow XX’er and pray for her continued participation in the work of our great country.