Living the Dream

What? Six weeks in Hawaii wasn't living the dream? Or watching the whales jump at the San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest? Or living on the river in Florida? Or going to rodeos in San Antonio?

Well, sure. Those were dreams and we did live them.

But my other dream, the dream I've had for the past 10 years or so, was to teach high school science at a school for students who are Deaf using American Sign Language and English. And this fall it is finally happening!

How, you ask? Aren't you living in Texas? Well, I got a job offer from MSSD (the Model Secondary School for the Deaf). It is the high school on the campus of Gallaudet University, where I got my MA in Deaf Education. I have worked there before as an intern and student teacher, as well as a substitute teacher. They were looking for science teachers and I interviewed via videophone from Texas. I found out a little while ago that I got the job and recently accepted it. Josh is able to move most of his rotations this year back to DC.

I'm not thrilled to be back in DC, but it sure does feel good to be on the east coast again.

I have been going to school for so long that I have really only actually taught twice, and both times were only for a few months. This will be my first year really teaching. I am nervous and excited.

Wish us luck!

SeaWorld Reflections

Temperatures are already in the 80s and 90s everyday. It's important to have a place close by to get cool since all the pools don't open until after Memorial Day (crazy, right? I mean, it's hot NOW!). So SeaWorld is a good option. Josh's brother and his family have season passes so we have been there twice. There's definitely a lot of good things about SeaWorld.

Like the flamingos. They are fun to see. And fun to act like them too.


And the beluga whales that push their trainers on their noses. That's cool.


And the wave pool. Can't beat that. It even has a clock to tell you when the waves will start and stop. This is us with Levi and McKenzie.


And McKenzie under water at the wave pool.


The other things in the lagoon area are nice too, like this big bucket that fills up and dumps on everyone.


As well as the water tube slides. This is McKenzie.


This is her brother, Troy.


Josh and Chase with the flamingos.


Josh with Jake and his boys, Chase, Logan, and Tanner, getting ready for the Shamu show. Another great part of SeaWorld.


And Shamu, I mean, isn't this the best?


And behind me is the mom whale with her new baby whale. The baby tried to do all the tricks with its mom. It seriously made me start to cry it was so cute.


But there were other reasons I was getting a little weepy at SeaWorld. I'm slightly embarassed, but it's true.


The thing is, seeing these animlas is amazing. I mean, I sometimes am torn about how I feel about places like SeaWorld and zoos and things. I mean, I am more for animals to be free in the habitats nature intended for them. At the same time, I feel that by having some animals kept in captivity people can learn so much more about them and will hopefully care more about these creatures because they had intimate experiences with them. In this way, I hope these places educate people to save our planet and everything on it. It's the same way I feel about National Parks and such. And I think (and hope...I need to research this more) now a lot more animals in zoos are born in captivity. This sits better with me knowing they are a "trapped" compared to their wild family members. I can also understand if a species is endangered, and then I can see why we as humans want to step in to save such creatures. And in the end, I do like seeing the whales and how fun and loving and magnificent they are. But it's hard, and I guess I get a little emotional and teary-eyed because...


...I also got to see them like this. And it was one of the most beautiful and majestic things I have ever seen in my life so far. Truly.

Corpus Christi

This past weekend we kicked off Spring Break by heading down to the beach at Corpus Christi (Port Arnasas) with Josh's brother, Chad, and sister, Emily, and their families. It was a great weekend at the beach!


Chad, Molly, Josh, and little Colin at our first trip down to the beach.



Josh holding Colin, with McKenzie and Troy playing in the ocean.



Josh and Jo.



Kent and Chad, wheeling the wagon with all our beach gear that Chad carefully put together. Way to go, guys.



Our little piece of heaven on the beach.



Josh let the kids take turns pulling them on the boogie board through the waves. Some liked it better than others...McKenzie and Madison are the girls in the background.



Levi, McKenzie, Madison, Colin, Chad, Charlie, and Josh building a sand city.



Charlie, Colin, McKenzie, and Ellie, after Uncle Kent made them into mer-people.



Ellie and I, digging a tunnel.



Josh and Jo, with faces a little sunburned. Still a good weekend at the beach!

iPhone

I recently switched my phone plan to AT&T to be on a family plan with Josh. It also meant I got an iPhone. So this is me posting from my phone to try it out. I won't lie, it's feelin pretty good so far!

26.2

...miles, that is. That's right, finished another marathon! Sadly, Josh couldn't be with me this year, but it's my third year going to Myrtle Beach for the race (I think it's my mom's 6th year doing it!)

My mom, me, my cousin Kristin, and our friend AnnaMarie all completed the full marathon. (Don't ask times, just know we finished, and my mom was the first to cross the finish line out of all of us.) My cousins Alison and Shannon, and my Aunt Linda, all did the half marathon. Talk about some fabulous ladies, huh???

We're already gearing up for next year...everyone's invited, any takers? :)