Welcome Summer!

This is the last day of a break between Spring semester and Summer I session - which I'm teaching. You may remember the speeding train analogy. But before we get on that train, it's been nice having some time to plant flowers, spruce up my patio, clean my office and home from top to bottom, catch up with friends and family and just generally re-organize some things in my life. I'll be catching up with some long overdue blogging...beginning with Audrey enjoying one of her favorite past times when she comes over - blowing bubbles!!!
The "pipe" - makes huge bubbles, more bang for the buck!

The Awakening

Breaking in the silence, this song -- we are rehearsing this for our June concert at the Corpus Christi Cathedral. Yes, with full orchestra. And yes, we will sing it this well as we have so many talented voices. In the midst of troubles there is music which always soothes the soul -- I love this piece. It literally moves my soul!

Click on this and make sure your speakers are on ---

"I dreamed a dream, a silent dream of a land not far away where no bird sang, no steeples rang, and teardrops fell like rain. I dreamed a dream; a silent dream. I dreamed a dream of a land so filled with pride that every song, both weak and strong, withered and died. I dreamed a dream No hallelujah; not one hosanna! No song of love, no lullaby. And no choir sang to change the world. No pipers played, no dancers twirled. I dreamed a dream; a silent dream.

Awake, awake! Soli deo gloria! Awake, Awake! Awake my soul and sing, the time for praise has come. The silence of the night has passed, a new day has begun! Let music never die in me; forever let my spirit sing! Wherever emptiness is found let there be joy and glorious sound. Let music never die in me; forever let my spirit sing! Let all our voices join as one to praise the giver of the sun! Awake, awake! Let music live!"

Hiatus

I will be taking an undetermined leave of absence from blogging. My heart is not in it, some things are kept private, and this is one of them.

For my students - you know where I live and I will be here all summer. Come by and chat. You always make my day.

For my family - I love you and appreciate your support.

For my friends, I don't know what I would do without you.

In the meantime, have a great summer.

Dr. Mac

Pulling the wool over your own eyes...

requires removal, even when painful. And then moving forward with clarity. And peace. And confidence in knowing you have learned a valuable, albeit painful, lesson.

Life's lessons come at you when you least expect them.

I am having four root canals in a few hours, and I would rather go through that procedure a million times over than this one.

One of my favorite sayings came from Oprah several years ago when I was struggling through personal turmoil....

"Once you get the lesson, it's over."

Major Posting for Last Class Day

I've been here for quite a while - creating posts that I show my students on the last class day which is, by the way, Monday and Tuesday this week. I'm excited that we are finishing, but also sincerely sad to say good-bye to some of these students. I look at so many of them and know, deep in my heart, that our future children are going to be in very good hands. I love many of my students, and as I go through all the pictures and reflect on what we have accomplished, I am filled, once again, with overwhelming feelings of being so very, very blessed to have my job in training these future teachers. SO VERY BLESSED.

Here is a fishy tale involving a chance opportunity where I volunteered my students in a college bound experience with Dad's and their students: Perch dissection.

Our family science event in very, very rural Falfurrias Texas - 90 miles south of Corpus Christi: a wonderful evening involving high school, middle school and elementary campus!

And our first family learning event where we conducted both math and science activities at Flour Bluff intermediate school: math and science at it's best!

Keep in mind...these are all done outside of class. We have the regular semester to learn all about science and how to teach it. It's been a great ride - thank you so much to my students!!!!

Who knew??

It's hard to imagine when you have children what they will be like when they get older. I've thought of many scenerios but never imagined they would be what they are doing now. Scott is entering medical school this Fall after doing his tour in Iraq and time as a Marine, graduating from The Citadel. Jen just told me she has been accepted to law school in San Diego - starting this Fall, a Lieutenant in the Navy. She graduated from the Naval Academy - maybe go JAG? And Annie graduates from nursing school in one more year and will be a Navy Nurse, heading with Audrey to somewhere that the Navy says she needs to be. I am so proud of them!

California - Part I

Jen, Annie, Audrey and I set off for our trip - Jeff was along too (Jen's friend). Many bags, lots of baby stuff, and very excited!!

Waiting for the flight with Aunt Jennifer.

Audrey gets a window seat......and promptly begins to study the safety brochure. She was particularly intrigued by pics of plane crashing into water - wanted to know if we were going to do that! (This child is afraid of NOTHING!)
With 4 adults to help, there was no shortage of entertainment. No tears, no whining - she had a blast. Annie even taught her how to 'pop' her ears so there were no issues! Such a good Mommy! One of our first stops - wanted to see the IMAX "Under the Ocean" at the science center. The film was kinda lame, but we had fun with all the displays! Playing ball in the wind turbine was fun, until... ...Jen decided to try her hair in the machine. The results speak for themselves -- Audrey loved it! Lots and lots of displays, and Audrey's favorite was checking out groceries and working a cash register. Let's see, anti-gravity machine, electrical circuits, optical illusions or - check out groceries. Yup, groceries won every time.


Throwing pennies in the fountain.

Back at the house, some popcorn and interaction with Buddy-The-Really-Huge-Amazingly-Sweet-Dog.
Close up of Buddy.

It was a great day! I left for my conference, and we reunited for a trip to Disneyland! More to come!