The Lighting Of The Lanterns...

 Last night,  I was able to finally fulfill a wish of mine.   To release paper lanterns into the night sky.  

I know... sounds so simple.   And really,  why have I never done this before?    I guess the short answer is... I just never seemed to have the right conditions for it.   I mean,  I certainly have my own child-like qualities that I have done in the past.   Making Giant Bubbles and flying extreme kites are just a couple of examples that come to mind.(Let's not forget the Chalk Art!)    But never have I had the opportunity to create a paper lantern and release it into the sky.   

Until now!  

 

The Winter dance is tomorrow... and the theme is Tangled...  The Disney Movie about Rapunzel.   And there is a part in the movie where the romantic love birds release paper lanterns into the air.   How lovely!  

But I just want to see the science behind warm air rising on an extremely cold day! (Or night!)   You see... the Air molecules are excited by the heat produced by the fire.   And as the molecules move faster and faster... they rise!   Science Baby!  

That is all well and good, but the cold did make the experience memorable.   And not necessarily in a "good" way.   After one lantern,  I was ready to head into the warmth of the building.   But the Kids were out there with no hats or gloves on... laughing and cheering as each lantern gained altitude.   It must be nice being young!   ( If only I could remember those days....)   Ah... Who am I kidding,  I remember those days very well.  And I kind of miss them.  

Abraham and I managed to get one lantern airborne.  And there were several groups who managed to launch several lanterns successfully.   I only witnessed one that could not get off the ground due to some damage. ( Good job, Aiden!)  

The only down side to the event was that it was after the Boys basketball game.   And that means it was late.   Normally I skip the Varsity game because it goes on after my bed time. But since we had no classes today,  I decided to spend the extra sleep points on the lifetime wish event...  I think it was a fair trade.  

As for the boys basketball.   It was a night of heart break.   JV2 team lost.   JV team won. (  I think...) But the real tragedy was the varsity.   A shot at the buzzer and sealed the fate.   I always hope for that moment where the game is tied up and a buzzer shot decides the game...  But it is not fun when your team is not the one that makes the shot! 

Other than that,  This week went by... And I managed to survive again. I celebrated with a visit to the Clubhouse for Friday Fish night.   At this point in my life,  few things are better than a tasty fish and chips platter with a beer and Origami.   Therapy at its best!   

Next week is a long week.   And The teachers are already mumbling about the "Dog Days" of winter.  Having never experienced the "Dog Days" of winter as a teacher, I can only imagine the horrors and challenges I will have to face in the coming months.    I made the analogy of crossing the Himalayas, and reaching 20,000 feet elevation where the air is already thin.   And as  you are gasping for breath,  the guide and other climbers are talking about the next barrier that you are going to have to climb before you are able to finish.  

Well,  I shall face that challenge when I get to it and I know God will continue to be by my side. With him,  all things are possible.   And he has already given me so much,  How can I ever doubt him?   Every day is a gift.    And every second counts!  

Cookies, Basketball and Fish Tacos! The Week In Review.

The snow day was a great way to break up the week.  It gave me time to catch up on things and even have a little time to do something special for Valentines Day.   Some of the Freshmen asked if they could bring cookies to class and enjoy them on Friday.   I figured it would be a simple enough way to celebrate a small holiday, so I approved.   I also wanted to make sure the other sets had something, so I made a few of my peanut butter star cookies  to make sure there was enough for everyone.  

Dave has been  out of town since Wednesday,  so it was just Hyan and I for the remainder of the week.   I asked him if he wanted to help out. 

He did!    Nothing like making cookies to break up the boredom.   

I think he actually enjoyed it.   And it was nice to have the help.   Cookies take a bit of time to make and it is nice having someone there to keep track of things so you don't burn a batch.  I'm not sure if he has ever done anything like this before.   Or anything else in the kitchen!   He mostly knows how to warm things up in the microwave...   Make noodles...   And put ketchup on everything.   And I mean EVERYTHING!  

Hey,  Everyone is entitled to their own gourmet taste.  And to be fair,  I like ketchup too.   Just not on my Chicken Alfredo. 

The cookies were a little off for some reason.   I think I may have missed the 1/4 teaspoon of Baking Soda that gives them that chewy texture....  But they still tasted good.   I'll see if I can improve the next batch.  If the opportunity presents itself.  

That same night there was a basketball game.   The girls lost and it was tough to watch.   The opposing team consistently read the plays over and over again and just stepped in, stole the ball, and ran for an easy layup.   I think they girls lost by 20-30 points.   I did not hang around of the varsity game  ( Because cookies had to be made before it got too late!)  

And finally,  Friday Night Fish Fry!   ( I believe I'm falling in love Wisconsin!) The Clubhouse has a wonderful Friday Special of Lake Perch and chips for $15!  There are several other pubs that have a similar special but I like the Clubhouse because the bartender knows me and knows my my order.  But recently,  they introduced a new Friday Special:  Fish Tacos!  

To be honest,  sometimes the serving size for the regular perch is a little  too much for me.   So I figured I would shake things up a bit and try something new.   Besides,   I like fish tacos  and they were a little cheaper.  ($10)

The only draw back was that they were made from Tilapia.    And even though I was an aquaculture guy back in Michigan State.   I still am from the Midwest, where some of the best tasting fish species are plentiful and readily available.  It's a thing you don't fully understand unless you move to Iowa for 12 years and suddenly have only catfish on the menu.  

That being said,   the Tilapia Taco was not bad.   I don't know if I will seek it out again, but it was a fun change of pace from my usual order.   I usually sip  a beer,  talk to Lidia ( the bartender)  and fold Origami while I watch sports on one of the many big screens.  It is usually a peaceful way to spend a Friday night after a long week.   ( Or even a short week!)  

The snow continues!   And now they are warning about the temps dropping this next week.    The good news is that I only have to make it to Thursday,  since we have no school on Friday because of a  teacher's meeting.  (Half day with  Free Breakfast!) 

The bad news is that I have to watch the lunch room.    I thought I was on lunch room duty last week, but turns out I was a week ahead.   THIS week is my week.   And, having never done it before, I'm expecting a little anxiety and apprehension.   But that has become all too common this inaugural year of high school teaching.  I am now mostly prepared for the unprepared. 
( I should stress the "Mostly")  There are still many things that come up that I have no clue on how to deal with them.   But God is helping me every day.  And I shall continue to seek his assistance and help. I know there is a reason for my being here,  even if God has not fully revealed it to me just yet. 

And every second counts.  

Mid-Week Snow Day At Shoreland!

 Today was a snow day!   Hurray!   Honestly,  It could not have come at a better time for me.   Call it...  Divine Intervention!  

And that is not entirely made up!   You see,   the Freshmen in my Physical Science room asked me to make a prayer request.   We say a prayer before every class, and I ask for any prayer requests.    Sometimes they pray for their sports teams or help on an upcoming quiz.    Sometimes for a Cat or a Grandmother who is scheduled for surgery.  But yesterday... ALL Of the sets asked for a snow day today.   I felt a little weird asking God for  essentially "Bad" weather,  but I made the request anyway.    And God responded with an overwhelming   ( Insert a Thunderous Voice here:) "YES!"

 Honestly, we never had snow days when I was growing up.  But then again,   we lived in a dorm.  So most of the student body was there on campus already.  And even though I have a Subaru and live only 6 miles away from School,  it is nice knowing you will not have to battle the weather to get in on time.  

So how did I spend my day?  Well.... Working!  Ironically.  I was able to catch up on all of the grading  that has been piling up since Monday. (which is a LOT!)  Normally I spend the entire weekend trying to get ahead of things.    And there are always those students who hand in late work that has to be scored right away so they can play a sport or so their parents won't "Kill" them.   An expression...   Parents often threaten but rarely follow through on murderous intent.   I should know!  My mom threatened to destroy me and my brother all the time, but somehow we survived.  (With a little humor and lots of therapy....)  

Just kidding.    We never went to therapy. 

But getting back.  I spent Tuesday Night watching the Boys Basketball Game.   Another exciting one for the JV and JV 2 teams.  The JV team went into overtime!  But unfortunately,  both teams lost in the final seconds....  

I managed to stay for all three games ( Even the Varsity!)  because the snow had not yet come and I knew that we were going to have the day off today.  

I also dropped into the Robotics Tournament and checked it out.   I saw a lot of familiar faces, but I did not stay long.  Again, I had a lot of scoring to do and tried to take a chip out of it.  

Other than that.   Scoring is done!   Grades are entered!   And I just went over the lessons and labs I have planned for the remainder of the week.   That does not mean I will be thoroughly prepared...   But I at least have a head start on things and hopefully will show a somewhat "competent" front for the kids.  ( I doubt they will even notice. Or be fooled!) I'll take what I can get. 

The kids teach me much about life and myself everyday.   Mostly my flaws and things I need to work on.   ( And there is MUCH!)  With lots of Prayers,  I have confidence God will not give me more than I can handle at any given time.  That does not mean he will always answer my prayers the way I would like them answered.   But I will trust that his vision for me is best.   

I found this wonderful short video that made me think a bit.   I figured I would share it.   It is short, but gets to the point.   And I like that.   Because every second counts.    Enjoy.

Boys Basketball At Shoreland.

 I have to be honest here... I am not a fan of basketball.   It's not that I hate it.  I just never really saw the point in it.   And I was never very good at playing the game either.   It just makes no sense to me watching a bunch of guys toss a ball around and shooting it into a basket.  Not that thrilling.   Not very exciting.   

And the games are like watching a tennis match.   Scratch that!   I actually think tennis is more exciting!   But basically, you watch each team go back and forth... shooting the ball into a basket,   then back,  then back again,   until the buzzer chimes and the game is over.   All you really have to do is skip to the last two minutes to see how the game is playing out.   Either it is close and worth watching till the end.  OR it is a blow out and there is no point.   No team will come back from a 20-30  point deficit in the last minute.  

But here I am,   watching the Shoreland Boys basketball team... And they are throwing a wrench into my carefully constructed narrative and reasoning.   I find myself standing up and cheering over every basket they make and signing at every ref call against them.  Not that I like basketball or anything....

I think the real reason is that I know most of the team.  Both the JV and JV2 teams are made up from many of my students ( or former students from last semester)  and I find myself cheering them on to success.  

And they are GOOD!   I don't want to bash the girls basketball team, but it is fairly obvious that it is a rebuilding year this year.  The girls do not have the resources to draw from as the boys teams do.   So there is Emma who plays for both the JV and the Varsity team because they need the extra players.  

But the Boys teams have lots of talent and energy to draw from.   I have heard that they still face tough teams,  but last Thursday,  I watched the JV team in a close fight that was fun to watch.   They managed to keep the game interesting enough for me to watch the entire thing!   ( And I was planning on leaving after halftime because it was late!)  

I don't know many of the Varsity players, but the varsity games tend to be the late ones and I simply can't stay up that late to watch them completely.   But I see the guys who are rising up and I think, as they gain more experience and skills,   the coming years are going to be competitive for the Shoreland Pacers.   And I hope I am here to see them. 

This last week was a roller coaster of ups and downs.  Monday,   exhausting.    Tuesday.... Better!  Wednesday,  bla.   Thursday...  Good, bad, good, good, bad, good.   And then Friday.   Somehow I managed to survive. 

 And enjoy Fish and Chips at the Clubhouse!  Lake Perch is a Friday Special! 

To make it more interesting,  I have been battling a cold for the last three days.  The same bug that is floating around the students eventually was going to find me.   Several other teachers have been battling colds, so I was in good company.  And that makes running a classroom that much more "fun!"  

But I was able to sleep in today and get caught up on much of my paper correcting.  I'm hoping to feel better tomorrow and finish up prep for the upcoming week.  I also get to watch the lunch room this week.  ( A new "first" for me.... so this should be exciting and scary.) I shall say a prayer each day for Gods help and Guidance.  Because....  With God, All things are Possible.  

And Every Second Counts.  

Saturday Robotics Event At Trinity Lutheran.

 I got to judge another Robotics tournament for the Grade-schoolers this weekend.  It was fun!  

This was my second time judging an event, and I think I'm getting the better!  Or the rules are easier for me to understand. 

I learned a lot today!   Like how I'm not supposed to talk to any of the teams without another judge present.   And on face value,  I guess that is a valid rule.   I already feel creepy being a single old dude surrounded by young people.    

(That is a joke, people.... Gees!)   

But seriously,  it was fun.  Many of the teams I had already seen in action at the Shoreland tournament.   And the actual events were pretty competitive and exciting.  In fact,  the last round was a tiebreaker and the team I thought was the best, got disqualified at the last second when one of the ball handlers missed the little bin where the ball is supposed to go.  The ball then rolled out into the field and was picked up by the team and  they scored.   Thus,   Disqualifying them from the final match!   

The good news is that they still managed to get second place and qualify for the state finals.  I wish the Vexbots the best. 

Part of the judging is to determine the awards for excellence and innovation for the other teams that may not have the most skilled drivers or the best robot, but DO have the best teamwork and designs.  And there is more to the game than just being "good" at making baskets with the robot.   You also have to have a notebook to show the process and allow someone to follow your thoughts.   The BEST books are the ones that someone could use to rebuild your robot exactly.   Like an instruction manual or Blueprint.   And a couple of the notebooks were head and shoulders above the others.    Those teams usually place near the top and are filled with serious, experienced Roboticists.   

 I just made that word up... Because "Robotic people"  sounds a little off.... ( They are kids... not robots!)  

We finished a little early, and I got to announce the "excellence" award.   With a poem!   

I don't know why, but I guess it is a "Thing" where the judges write a poem when they announce the winner of the special awards. Either that, or it is a form of hazing for the new guys.   Nice to know I am now a part of the "Nerd Squad."  

Right Solomon?  

Ah well.    It was a great way to spend a Saturday. And I even got a free lunch out of it!

Tomorrow,  I have to get cracking on my grading.   The Freshmen dumped a bunch of work on me in last Friday.   And I should try to get it scored and entered before the big quiz on Monday.  That means I will have to spend the lion's portion of Sunday scoring and doing the laundry as normal.   The temps outside are still just a tad bit cool so I did not get a chance to run at all this week!  (Or weekend!)  I'm trying to keep in shape with calisthenics in the basement, but if I plan on running a longer race in the spring, I had better get back into some form of training soon.   Even if it is only a three mile run in the morning.  I can't believe it is February already! 

School continues to pass by and this week went by quickly enough.  I shall begin the week as I do every week,  with a prayer for confidence and guidance from God.   And  LOT of help to learn and get better.  I'm still here,  so God must continue to  have use for me.  And somehow,  that makes me feel a little bit better.  Because every second counts!