No news is good news, right?! I don't have much to report. I have spent the last few days dog/house/cat sitting for some friends. It is nice to be away from the house, but hard at the same time. I have ONE week before school business officially starts. Way too soon. (Even though I am pretty excited deep down!)
Friday night we went to a Brandi Carlile concert at the Tractor Tavern in Ballard. We have not been there in a LONG time. In fact, the last time we were there it was for a Brandi concert. Good times.
Yesterday we went to a play called, "You're a good man Charlie Brown." My good friend Terry is in the play. It was great! Even though I found myself looking away so I didn't make eye contact with him. I don't know why. Maybe too many Easter bunnies and clowns in grocery stores as a kid. Who knows. Last night we went to another concert...this time in a park. Brandi Carlile was the headliner. Again, it was fun and we got to see friends that we have not seen in quite some time.
Today we went to Richard's company picnic. It turned out to be only 15 mintues away from where we are house sitting. We waded out in the water to cool us from the heat and humidity.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Summer Days Drifting Away
Summer is winding down. I have had an amazing few months and don't want it to end!
I am officially done with my Master's class. It was a long, sometimes difficult 22 months, but worth it. It will be strange to not have to go to class an entire weekend out of the month. I think I will get used to it pretty quickly. My cohort consisted of 24 teachers and I couldn't ask for a better group. We plan to meet up in the future and enjoy each other's company rather than academics. My group completed our thesis project and were able to turn it in early. We started working on this project in May and thanks to their hard work while I was in France, we were able to complete it in a timely manner. (If you call 3 months timely) So, on July 27th I graduated with my Master's degree in Education! I can now sign my name: April Jean Jackson, M.Ed. Pretty exciting, really.
Master's thesis project...DONE! This is us "acting" exhausted.
As part of our celebration we went to a cabin on a lake near Tacoma, WA. We spent two days out on the boat, relaxing on the dock, playing cards, eating, drinking, laughing, and just spending time with each other. It was SO fun and SO relaxing!
Terry and I in our Lesley University Tshirts we designed for our cohort.
So now what? Well, I have started my National Boards.
"The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards improves teaching and student learning. National Board Certified Teachers are highly accomplished educators who meet high and rigorous standards. Like board-certified doctors and accountants, teachers who achieve National Board Certification have met rigorous standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review. NBPTS offers 25 certificates that cover a variety of subject areas and student developmental levels."
This process includes documenting evidence, video taping myself teach (yipes), writing, evaluating my teaching, submitting a portfolio of this evidence in March and finally taking a test in June. It will be another challenging year for me. This past week I attended a conference to help get started with the process. While it was overwhelming, I think it was informative and vital to getting started on the right foot.
I have a few weeks left of summer and don't have too much planned. We will be camping at the Kite Festival in Long Beach, WA in a few weeks. We also have a concert to attend next weekend. I have meetings at school starting the last week in August.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
7.24.08
I am back from France! I had an AMAZING time with AMAZING people. Maggie and I had a fabulous time together....shopping, cooking, relaxing, chatting, etc. I feel so fortunate to have had such a great opportunity presented to me. Flattering, really.
I am currently working on my Master's project that is due this weekend. I will share more France details next week. However, I did want to post a few pictures from my trip. Hopefully, I will be able to get more out next week when life slows down!
Who says you can't get 7 people in a compact car? (It was a short ride)
'08 Road Trip to D Day Beaches (these are the folk I traveled with that day)
American Cemetary
German Cemetary
Honfleur, France (this is the town where we stayed) We spent a ton of time in the harbor. Great shops, food, and even street dances!
Monet's famous "lily pond" (and me!)Friday, June 6, 2008
Hostas, Master's, Collage, Cell Phone, Glass Museum, National Boards, House, Wyoming, South Dakota, Rain, Hawaiian Day, June, Mowing, France
The past few weeks have been busy. Go figure.
Over Memorial Day weekend, I flew to SD to attend my cousins highschool graduation party in Casper, Wyoming. My parents and I drove to Casper together. Family road trip 2008. It really had it all: rest area pit stops, wind (always windy in WY), gas station snacks, music, magazines and photo stops at the SD and WY border. It was a good time.
After that adventure, I prepared for another Master's weekend. I had a few assignments still hanging over my head. (P.S. Mom and Dad assisted with one of the assignments while I was in SD; team effort to decorate bubble bottles). Finally, by Friday afternoon I was ready to go to class on Friday night. It was a long weekend, but had a blast with friends. One of our creations is pictured below. My friend and I cut 1/2" squares of textures from magazines to create a masterpiece we titled, Love Holds You. We started and finished it during the weekend (while we were in class. we are multitaskers) and presented it to Tricia (the lovely gal in the photo).
This week has been full of meetings, projects, just something going on every night. Tonight (6/6) we were able to meet up with some friends for dinner. Really, it was the only night available. Tomorrow I am attending a National Board orientation at PLU. I have offically been accepted to the National Boards program and the orientation tomorrow is just one piece of the puzzle. The university will provide support and guidance throughout the process.
Eight and a half more days of teaching. With all the rain, it doesn't seem like summer yet. Today was "Hawaiian Day" at school and my toes were ice cubes because I chose to wear flip flops. What was I thinking? Afterall, it is June 6th!
Enjoy the photos!
Chair that I stripped and stained to prep for a Master's project
Tricia and the collage we made for her
Front of the "project" house, ahhh I love the white paint
My grandma and I
Mara at the Relay for Life
Over Memorial Day weekend, I flew to SD to attend my cousins highschool graduation party in Casper, Wyoming. My parents and I drove to Casper together. Family road trip 2008. It really had it all: rest area pit stops, wind (always windy in WY), gas station snacks, music, magazines and photo stops at the SD and WY border. It was a good time.
After that adventure, I prepared for another Master's weekend. I had a few assignments still hanging over my head. (P.S. Mom and Dad assisted with one of the assignments while I was in SD; team effort to decorate bubble bottles). Finally, by Friday afternoon I was ready to go to class on Friday night. It was a long weekend, but had a blast with friends. One of our creations is pictured below. My friend and I cut 1/2" squares of textures from magazines to create a masterpiece we titled, Love Holds You. We started and finished it during the weekend (while we were in class. we are multitaskers) and presented it to Tricia (the lovely gal in the photo).
This week has been full of meetings, projects, just something going on every night. Tonight (6/6) we were able to meet up with some friends for dinner. Really, it was the only night available. Tomorrow I am attending a National Board orientation at PLU. I have offically been accepted to the National Boards program and the orientation tomorrow is just one piece of the puzzle. The university will provide support and guidance throughout the process.
Eight and a half more days of teaching. With all the rain, it doesn't seem like summer yet. Today was "Hawaiian Day" at school and my toes were ice cubes because I chose to wear flip flops. What was I thinking? Afterall, it is June 6th!
Enjoy the photos!
Chair that I stripped and stained to prep for a Master's project
Tricia and the collage we made for her
Front of the "project" house, ahhh I love the white paint
My grandma and I
Mara at the Relay for LifeFriday, May 23, 2008
Relay for Life
Maggie (on the left) and I carried Mara around the track during the Relay for Life. Mara was thrilled to have us carry her. The day of the relay they recieved news that the tumor is stable! It was a remarkable day. (www.maraadams.com)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
What did you do this weekend?
We painted. And painted. And painted some more. You see, our rainy weather put a damper on our paint job. One side of the house was not quite dry when it started to down pour. Let's just say, we had to repaint that entire side the next day. We are completely done with two coats of the main color. On Sunday, I was able to get two of the window frames painted as well. It looks sooooo good.
In other news....there are only 22 days of school left! It seems very crazy to me. I have never, I repeat, never, stayed in the same building/classroom two years in a row. This year, I am going to do it! Usually by this time I am in limbo of what can get packed and what needs to stay out until the end of the year. Not this year!
We (Richard and I and other teachers at my school) are going to be participating in the Relay for Life this weekend. We are supposed to be having really good weather which pleases me. We are doing it especially to support of Mara. (www.maraadams.com).
In other news....there are only 22 days of school left! It seems very crazy to me. I have never, I repeat, never, stayed in the same building/classroom two years in a row. This year, I am going to do it! Usually by this time I am in limbo of what can get packed and what needs to stay out until the end of the year. Not this year!
We (Richard and I and other teachers at my school) are going to be participating in the Relay for Life this weekend. We are supposed to be having really good weather which pleases me. We are doing it especially to support of Mara. (www.maraadams.com).
Monday, May 5, 2008
Any spare moment...
I am recovering from a Master's weekend. This class is "Art and Culture in the Community." I am officially counting down the classes I have until graduation....3! I am still working on various projects at various times to meet various deadlines and various criteria. At times it is overwhelming, but mostly refreshing that I have almost completed my Master's degree. A Master's degree. Who would have thought?!
After getting out of class on Sunday, I met Richard over at the house we worked on last weekend. Most of it was ready to paint. Richard had been down there a few nights and all day Saturday getting it just right for paint. We chose a paint color one night within 5 minutes. I know, I know, us making a decision that fast? Well, we had been mulling it over for several months and once the paint samples were in front of us, wham, there it was...an actual decision! We were able to borrow a paint sprayer (thanks Cheryl and Mark!) and let's just say I am REALLY good at applying paint! Who would have thought?! Anyway, within minutes an entire side was done and back brushed. It was instant gratification at it's best. We almost finished until we noted that one side, near the top, had not been primed. We have to go back to do that and a second coat which won't take too much time and I will get to have the paint sprayer back in my hands! (thanks again, Cheryl and Mark!)
Below are the pictures I took yesterday! (Before I thought I locked my keys in the Jeep, but that's another story!) See the previous blog for the "before" pictures.
After getting out of class on Sunday, I met Richard over at the house we worked on last weekend. Most of it was ready to paint. Richard had been down there a few nights and all day Saturday getting it just right for paint. We chose a paint color one night within 5 minutes. I know, I know, us making a decision that fast? Well, we had been mulling it over for several months and once the paint samples were in front of us, wham, there it was...an actual decision! We were able to borrow a paint sprayer (thanks Cheryl and Mark!) and let's just say I am REALLY good at applying paint! Who would have thought?! Anyway, within minutes an entire side was done and back brushed. It was instant gratification at it's best. We almost finished until we noted that one side, near the top, had not been primed. We have to go back to do that and a second coat which won't take too much time and I will get to have the paint sprayer back in my hands! (thanks again, Cheryl and Mark!)
Below are the pictures I took yesterday! (Before I thought I locked my keys in the Jeep, but that's another story!) See the previous blog for the "before" pictures.
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