Some Firsts

Some Firsts

There has been an uncanny number of first time occurrences happening lately. On Saturday Noel ran the annual 1st Dam run, for the first time. For the first time, he won a ribbon for his age division (which was quite large by the way). Also, for the first time in our married life, I sat on the sidelines and cheered Noel on. Reason why: We’re expecting our first child on June 1st.

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Kids Say the Darndest Things

In case you were wondering, I’m not dead yet. The outlook is good, I think I will survive student teaching. Although there are rough days, my students make me laugh. Here are some of the things I hear in my classroom: “I got hit by a Frito and a notebook, they’re making weird noises, and I don’t like anyone around me. Can I move?” “If no one could read we wouldn’t be able to text message . . . or…

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Marathons, Germans, and Salsa

Marathons, Germans, and Salsa

It’s been a while, so here’s a photo montage of all the things I should have been blogging about for the past several weeks. We made salsa from tomatoes from our own garden and canned it. Matthias visited from Germany and we had a roommate reunion from 2002-2003. And Danielle ran the Top of Utah Marathon. Click on the pictures to see more about each.

Tenure

Tenure

So, someone copied this comic strip and placed it in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department office. I think this more or less perfectly describes what it is like being a disaffected college student. Somewhere in the back of my mind I tell myself that this is an investment and I’m not just prolonging growing up.

I Wish

I Wish

I wish I could take secret pictures of my students to show you the fabulous outfits they come up with, but I guess that’s not very ethical. However, I would like to report on today’s favorites. The lime green tutu over black jeans on one of my girls and the green Converse tennis shoes accompanied by white plastic aviator sunglasses with pink stripes on the side on one of the boys. *It is important to note that he kept both…

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Same As it Ever Was

Same As it Ever Was

My parents were  young in the 80’s and huge fans of the band Talking Heads. Currently I am reminded of one of their most popular songs “Once in a Lifetime” which features a lost and confused main character. The song begins: And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack And you may find yourself in another part of the world And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile And you may find yourself in…

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My Last first Day of School

My Last first Day of School

Yesterday was my last first day of school here at USU. Finally. Although I would like to rant about how if I were in a “normal” program I would be starting the 2nd year of my Master’s, I will refrain.  Unlike my freshmen year, I didn’t have a new outfit, I didn’t walk to school with my roommates, and I didn’t locate all of my classes on a map the night before. Quite frankly as I walked around on campus…

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Light Reading at Work

Light Reading at Work

A new method is presented for the calculation of the space-time covariance matrix that will be observed under specific topographical conditions. The method incorporates site-specific phenomenological data as well as. . . My brain just exploded. I feel like I just stepped into a bad episode of Star Trek. That’s just the abstract, too. Abstract indeed.

M.O.S.S.

M.O.S.S.

Two weekends ago we were privileged to attend what I like to call M.O.S.S. or the McConkie Outdoor Survival School. The destination for this test of endurance was the Grand Canyon. This wasn’t the typical camping trip I am used to from my youth. (Drive up to overlook. “Look, there it is.” Drive away.) Over the weekend we hiked a total of 27 miles. Sunday (the day of “rest”) we hiked along the North Rim five miles out to Wildfross…

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