Weblog

Monday, 24 March 2008

Monday, 17 March 2008

  • Girls' Day Out

    Kristy:

    With Scott in the field and Andy still laid up, Danielle and I were on our own.  The answer:  Girls' Day Out at Vail!  We left Castle Rock around 0530 and nearly caught the first chair lift. 

    P3150652  As you can see, the weather was spectacular!  (By the way, doesn't it look like Danielle is about to jump?)

    P3150653  Getting on top of this rock was a little sketchy.  You had to build up enough speed to make it up the ramp but you couldn't have too much or else you would sail over the other side!  Danielle actually had a little too much speed and was forced to turn in the air after the kicker.  Honestly, we actually weighed jumping off the other side... but I realized that would be a violation of the Ginther Family trust!  Thus, we continued our search for opportunities to induce adrenaline.

    P3150662  Rasputin's Revenge is a neat run that drops you into the Mongolia Bowl.  First, you huck a cornice, followed by some cliffs, before descending into the valley.  This definitely seemed to be a better fit for our skill level and confidence so we gave it a go.

    P3150663  My attempt had mixed results:  I didn't get seriously injured but I did catch a ski and somersaulted a a short distance down the mountain.  Danielle, on the other hand, nailed it!

    P3150657  This is the top of the Mongolia Bowl

    P3150658  The first person down runs the risk of being sprayed when they fall... and I took full advantage of my opportunity!

    P3150659  There is no comparison to what Vail offers!

    Two more stories: Danielle swears that she saw Vince Vaughn in Vail Village on our way home.  I was unable to corroborate her story because I was totally distracted by a gawker who was about to stab me with his ski poles. 

    Also, we rode a chair lift with the coolest lady.  About 20 percent of my chair rides at Vail are with foreigners- most of whom are from Europe.  Helga was a cute Bavarian lady in her 70's who was totally rocking current ski fashions including a loud pair of pink patterned pants.  Her husband had knee replacement surgery and is sitting this season out, leaving Helga to her own devices.  Both Danielle and I were utterly impressed that Helga was still out on the mountain, and in advanced terrain, no less.  I hope that I can still shred the slopes when I am 70!  As she skied away from us with perfect S turns, I regretted not inviting her to join us for a few runs- that would have been a perfect ending to a Girls' Day Out.

Saturday, 15 March 2008

  • conan interviews martha

  • lotsa stuff

    Kristy:

    Whew!  After a couple of very busy weeks, I am now on Spring Break!  I'm hoping to hike, ski, bike, hang out with Andy, and (if I am really ambitious) paint the living room! 

    Last week was our CSAP testing, the mandatory standardized test administered in Colorado.  I have some hilarious stories to share but can't until all of the state has completed the test.  The students test for 3 hours a day- which makes them a little nutty in the afternoons!  I got to take the 7th graders out for some capture the flag.  One of my science classes played the other.  I also realized that one class is exponentially more dorky than the other and got creamed consistently!  I joined that team to try to even things up a bit and our overall record ended up being 2-6.

    Last weekend, I missed Keri's baby shower and some fantastic skiing (different events) in lieu of our district job fair.  Due to strange situations in Douglas County, I was hired this year on a one year only contract.  I was willing to accept the contract because I felt called to be in this district and because I have great respect for my principal.  Basically, I am a free agent after this school year.  I have to reapply to the district and go through the entire interview process again- which can be a bit tedious.  Minor inconveniences aside, it is really fun to chat with various principals and building representatives about possible employment.  Actually, it is somewhat refining, forcing me to reflect on my philosophy of education and articulate my beliefs in a way that conveys my competence and passion.

    Also last weekend, I got together with a bunch of Spring Canyon friends to see STOMP and have a night on the town!

    P3080649  Kallie, Mike, Lee, Abby (all the way from IN), Scott, Danielle, Karen and I met at the Rialto Cafe for dinner before the show.  As expected, STOMP totally delivered!  It was the first time that any of us had seen the show.  Mike and Kallie had one previous attempt but ended up at a Step Show instead!  After the show, we all felt like having some dessert... which required a jaunt to the Cheese Cake Factory!  I enjoyed hanging out downtown with the accessibility of several venues.  Unfortunately, I was a little cranky at school the next day due to a lack of sleep... Oh well.

    This week was fairly packed with activities as well.  We celebrated Pi Day (3.14) with the students on the front lawn (my classroom still smells like rotten milk from the cream).  One of my students was able to recite Pi to 269 places after the decimal!  I also went to a fantastic workshop on simulations.  http://phet.colorado.edu  has some of the coolest ways to teach physics intuitively.  (As Andy says, "It's one of the good things to actually come from CU")  You have to check it out!  Some of my favorite sims are Skate Park Energy, Lunar Lander, and John Travoltage.

Saturday, 01 March 2008

  • a juxtaposition of students

    Kristy:

    I may have mentioned before that my 7th grade students are quite different from my 8th graders.  The 7th graders have been labeled "gifted and talented" (GT) and underwent exams to achieve that title.  Meanwhile, my 8th graders are pretty normal and border on the label of "knucklehead".

    I thought that you might get a kick out of my day and  the stark contrast between my 7th and 8th graders.  Yesterday, the 7th graders started the first of two fishbowls on genetic research.  They had a well-researched, insightful discussion on cloning.  I was amazed at how articulate and confident they were as they opined and rebutted opposing views.  They managed to do all of the above while respecting the perspective of each member of the class.

    On the flip side, my 8th graders made structures out of toothpicks and marshmallows which they placed onto Jello to simulate an earthquake.  They rushed through the accompanying lab sheet so they could devour their materials.

    I love the variety offered by my job!