Graduation

I've finally finished my master's program!  It was a long two years, yet, it also went quickly.  Waiting for my last class grades to be posted in another day or two and then the end of May I should receive my degree...a Master's in Technology in Education.  I can't even begin to describe the feeling of relief this has given me.  I want to relax and celebrate but I have SO much to catch up on!  I'm going to take my time, though, because the weather is beautiful and I need fresh air and exercise.  Besides, my husband bought US a graduation present.  I say us, because one, he suffered through these classes along side me, and two, because of my last class we have a new hobby we can enjoy together.  We learned about geocaching and he bought us a new GPS unit!  Since we both love to travel, this will add to our vacation fun and when we can't get away, we can go outdoors close to home.  Here's a picture of the model we got:

Click here for more information:

Geocaching!

Something to Reflect On

Got Service?

I came across this video a while back and I really don't think any words are necessary.

Eagle Webcam

Pond Video (2)

Feeding the Fish

One more short video of the fish.  This was taken in March of 2010 when we were feeding them.  It was a breezy day so you can hear some of the wind going across the mike but you can also hear the windchimes!

Our Pond

 Pond

Here is a short video of our pond that we built about two years ago.  The plants have grown so much and we have Koi in it now. I hope you find the sound just as relaxing as we do!

Warm Days Around the Corner?

For an assignment in my class, I had to take a picture of a local plant and geotag it.  I went to my backyard and tried to figure out what I could possibly take a picture of that was not dead-looking or sad and bare.  Upon closer look, I saw signs of life and spring on its way!  We've had a very mild winter and I'm looking forward to getting out there soon to clean, weed, trim, feed, replant, and finish the one last project.  Really??  A garden is never finished....we'll find more things to do out there.

 I love my backyard.  We've worked very hard to transform a small 20' x 36' yard that had 4 foot high weeds, torn astroturf, loads of trash, a dying rose bush, and 3 palms of a variety that I do not like into a very tranquil haven with a pond, koi, fruit trees, herbs, jasmine, and the MAN grill!  

When my husband (not at the time), first came up to meet me and see my house, he said he saw so much work for me and wanted to help.  We spent a weekend cleaning it up.  Another weekend was spent on planning a layout of brickwork, planters, and plants.  We also went to a home show and I did something impulsive for the first time in my life....I ordered a custom-built BBQ grill with a counter and mini refrigerator. They also threw in stools, an umbrella and cover, and stucco siding.  I have never regretted this purchase.  An electrician ran some wire so I could have outlets for the refrigerator and lights.  We then spent a full week schlepping bricks, plants, soil, sand, and more bricks, plants, soil, and sand.  This was when I fell in love with Don.  We worked so hard every day but enjoyed each minute.  We learned that we not only could play together, but more importantly, we WORKED well together.  Little did we know at that time that we were building OUR backyard.  The following year we built a pond.  We've extended the patio pavers a little more and have one small area to fill in with a few plants and our arch.  Don built the arch for our wedding last October and we'll grow grapes on it.  

Podcasting

First Podcast!

Every year I have my students write their first biography on their PE teacher.  He is adored by all of them and so it makes it very easy for them to write a story.  This year, I first showed a picture of him (which by the way, was taken by a student last year!) and we did a "Buddy Talk" strategy about all the things he can do, what he has, what he is like.  Then we shared our sentences.  Students went back to their seats and over a period of a few days, used graphic organizers to get their ideas down and then write the story.  Some students had their first lesson in typing a word document. Others hand wrote them.  All students drew a picture to go with it.  Then, I had the students record themselves reading their stories.  For this, we used my new Mac program Garage Band.  I then turned it into a podcast for my Master's class homework assignment.  The students can't wait to do their next writing project!

The link above will take you to the podcast where you can hear my students read their stories.

Here is one student's picture of their PE teacher.

Wow!

I just looked at my blog on my new computer and it looks totally different! I didn't know the beach scene was there.  lol!  I knew my old computer (old, ha!  It's only 3 years old) was having issues, but now I realize that many of my struggles have been because of this. Oh, I feel better. Now maybe I get other gadgets to work.

What a Week!

Well, I started this blog to add beauty to my life, enjoy the wonders and the miraculous, and here I am after 18 hours on the computer today doing homework and dealing with computer issues, trying to remember when I walked under a ladder! Maybe a black cat crossed my path?  What did I do to deserve a week like this? I certainly don't believe in karma just for this reason. And so now I need to try to find something pleasant to write about so we can enjoy our Cup of Tea and fulfill my assignment requirement. :-)

The few times I did take a break, (aside from throwing the clothes in the dryer and using the bathroom), I read my personal emails and got on Facebook for a few minutes.  I posted how horrible my day was going.  Three hours later, I had cyber hugs, prayers, advice offered, and links shared. Someone posted music for me to listen to. Another put up a poem written by a friend.  Some of these friends I've known for 40 years and some I've never met.  Right before that, my daughter instant messaged me (from upstairs) and asked if I was hungry. It was long past dinner time and I had even worked through lunch. She left and brought home dinner and made me get away from the computer. That lasted all of two minutes because we were soon browsing You Tube for funny Betty White clips, which led to Barry White and his sexy voice, and then her cell phone rang and I got a text. She went off talk to her boyfriend and I went back to homework.  I felt a little better.  Nourished physically by a semi-fast food restaurant (although I ate only one third of it!). Nourished in the soul a "lil' bit."

This is life in the 21st Century in our home right now. I only bought a TV recently,  just for me, for the first time in probably, oh, I can't remember if I ever bought a TV for me! (Truth is, my husband wanted it and I let him get it so I could buy a new computer).  It was only a few years ago I fought the idea of me ever using a computer. I had an electric typewriter that worked just fine!  It didn't matter that it was so big and heavy that I couldn't even lift it.  My new laptop can fit in my purse if I WANT to carry it there....right next to my Flip, digital camera, and my phone. 

The electric typewriter looked something like this, although it was a professional office model and much larger.

Here's the new baby!

World Beauty

Here is a link I found for FREE beautiful pictures of our world.  Enjoy the view!  

Beautiful Free Pictures

Wordle

 Wordle is a tool that lets users create word clouds using the text they provide. A fun activity to use at the beginning of the year is to let the students type words that describe their personality, hobbies and interests they have, family members' names, and "favorites." The words are then pasted into a type box and with one click, all the words are scrambled into a word mosaic. The students can then share with classmates and get to know each other.

Overload!

After writing my reason for creating this blog in the first place, I'd like to share just how I am feeling at the end of a long week full of hours of online work in my last course to receive my Masters in Technology in Education.  Please click on this link:  

Overload

Beauty and Purpose

 I've wanted to start a blog for quite some time now and since I am required to do this as an assignment, I no longer have an excuse to put it off until I'm not so busy.  

It has been said that everything brought into your life should either add beauty or purpose. 

This blog fits both of those precepts. It's purpose is to learn the value of blogging as an educational tool.  The beauty will be in the reflections and growth that I hope to achieve for myself and others, by sharing what is close to my heart. Maybe I'll even be blessed with new friendships along the way!

Please join me in a cup of tea!