Accepted to study Lincoln

The other night I got an e-mail and I opened it up. It was for a program I applied for in February. It is the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. I filled out an application online and chose from several seminars to study. I found out I got accepted to study President Lincoln and the Civil War at the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. It is going to be from July 5th through July 11. Here is a link to the website. I'll be sure to blog about it when July comes. This is alink to the website: http://www.gilderlehrman.org/teachers/seminar_descriptions/seminar_borrit.html

A new "toy"

I got a new toy over the weekend. A Nikon D40 SLR camera. I have always wanted an SLR camera and I got my state tax refund the other day and decided it was the time. I have been using my digital point and shoot camera for several years and taken several thousand pictures. I just wanted something that was faster and more powerful. The new camera could use more zoom, but that is something I could buy at a later time. It isn't cheap to buy a new lens, but at least these days, I don't have to develop pictures for everything I take.
I had actually researched SLR cameras and what I saw was that D40 was a good starter SLR. I could have paid a little less for it. I have been playing around with it. I used it on Sunday to add on to my other blog and it worked well. So, when you see pictures on my blogs, you will probably see pictures taken by this new camera.

Technology in Schools

After a week in Charleston with my students, I had them to write a journal that I would post on the following website: www.tcmsyandg.blogspot.com My roommate in Charleston taught at Ripley Middle School and he asked me how much I used technology in my classes and how much my colleagues used technology. I said I try to use technology but I am limited because I only have one computer in my classroom and the labs and library are usually booked up. I assign work for students to look on the computer feel they don't have to use a computer for class outside of the actual classtime, so I feel limited with that. As for my colleagues, I try to get them to use computers and similar technology in the classroom as well. In fact, I had one teacher give me an e-mail from our County Technology Coordinator today suggesting that I should go complete courses for a Techonology Integration Specialist certification the state has. I was asked by another teacher to do this last year also. But the dates of the training conflicts with a vacation I have this year although I would still like to do.
I see my kids imersing themselves with technology everyday that adults including most teachers cannot catch up with and grasp how they are using it. I got a couple of students added to my Facebook account today. So I have to be especially careful with what I put on that, but I don't put anything incriminating on it anyway.
So here I go working on a new chapter in my class this weekend and trying to figure out what technology to use!

I just started a new blog today that I intend to chronicle auto dealerships in the area. With changes in the auto industry and the economy, I would like to record changes with pictures and a brief history. The site is www.autodealershipsusa.blogspot.com

10th Anniversary

Today is the tenth anniversary of my father's passing. I remember February 2, 1999 in detail and even the week prior to that. It is one of those days in which all four of us were at the house at the same time. It was 7:00 P.M. and "Jeopardy" had just started and he suddenly convulsed and passed. We called the EMS and they spent about an hour trying to revive him. My sister was just getting ready to wash the dog, Missy, and the dog was in the tub. The dog was in the tub four about four hours I bet. After the hubbub of the EMS crew, my mom, sister, and I just sat in the living room talking about dad. By the way, Missy was still in the tub.
I also remember as the EMS crew was in the living room with dad laying on the floor, one of our outside dogs, King, came in. King never comes into the house unless there was a thunderstorm. (Big scare-dy cat) King just looked at him and wanted to know what was going on. He did not try to intrude, but we got him out of the way quickly.
I remember the next few days with making funeral arrangements and family coming in for the funeral. It's still surreal but I know it's something that families go through all the time all over the world, yet in different manners of paying homage through funerals. Dad had been ill for a long time, but he was one of those people you can see who is struggling with his issues, but didn't want to let his family down. I remember that he took naps and that is something I treasure myself. He like to cook and I remember what he had cooked on the last day. He baked a cake and cooked pork for dinner. That is a passion he passed to my sister. She likes to cook and share what she cooks. No one else would eat the cake that he baked, so I ate it all. And just look at me - of all people, huh!
These aren't all the memories I have of that day or of that week, but just some of them. It wasn't a tragic time, but it was somber but memorable.

West Virginia International Auto Show

Yesterday I went to the West Virginia International Auto Show in Charleston. For me, this was a relaxing time looking at all the cars and trucks. I have been a fan of new cars and trucks since I was about 6 or 7 years old. I can recall most car models from the late 1970s on. It is sort of an obsession since I have car magazines and car brochures at my house dating back from the 1980s. Of course they are all organized into a computer database. However, I don't look at them very often. Sometimes I think I would be able to sell them, but not now.
I got into some of the cars. Some were easy to get in and out of, but others such as sport cars were easy to get into, but very hard to get out. It's a result of the extra girth around my waist.
Right now I plan to go to the Pittsburgh Auto Show in February. I liked going to Charleston since the ceiling were more intimate (lower ceilings) and separate rooms. The Pittsburgh Convention Center is more open and more crowded.

The Inauguration of President Obama

Today was a day of fanfare and optimism as President Obama takes the oath of office on a cold wintry day in Washington, D.C. The oath was fumbled by both the Chief Justice and the President. It was amusing to see a such an eloquent speaker such as the President being tongue twisted by the Chief Justice.
I didn't get to see much of the days events except for watching the oath of office during my lunch period. But I tried to catch bits and pieces throughout the day such as the parade and the balls. And check out "The Beast" aka the Presidential Limousine.
So tomorrow is going to be a different story. I want to see change in the air in Washington, D.C. to shift to our cities and towns. I want change for the better. I want to see jobs to stay and multiply. I want to see new energy resources open to the populace. I want to see children stay in school and educated. I want our country to have a sense of optimism. Most importantly, I want everyone to make the right decisions for themselves, our nation, and our world. Don't just rely on our lawmakers to make decisions for us, but make decisions for yourself and to help others.
President Obama wanted the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday to be a day of service. I just don't want one day to be devoted to a day of service. I want lifestyle devoted to service. I want families to be role models and spend time and money for those who are less fortunate and be an example how lives can change. That is change we can believe in!
God Bless America!