It's been a while

I realize it has been awhile. Rest assured that I am alive and well. Since school has been out I have been able to actually use my time and therefore, have less incentive to avoid things by writing on my blog. Plus, I have less stories.

I have been able to enjoy myself like:

• shopping with my sister
• making fun dinners
• going to a coffee shop and sitting outside and reading
• reading a few good books
• spending some time with Camille and Sam (and Thom!!)
• sleeping
• going out to dinner and visiting Bell Square with Melissa

Last week was long but great. I went to a workshop for AP teachers. There were 1,000 teachers there and I took the Comparative Government workshop. It was absolutely great. I got tons of lesson plans and our class got to be very comfortable with each other. We actually did the activities like Socratic Seminars and Article Discussions and really...it was so cool to be in a room with so many educated and intelligent people, all intersted in Comparative Government!! Seriously, it's the best class in the world. Plus, I was so happy because our presenter was an expert and she did many of the same things that I did this year!! I was so happy because although I still got a lot of great ideas from her, many of them were just minor changes or a variation of things I already did! AND! Everything these experts talked about, I could understand!! Anyway, it was a very affirming week too. I totally can teach this class. I am already an expert. I have a lot to learn but really, I can't believe how on-par I am with those other teachers.

Plus, there were 3 teachers from China...and we got all sorts of good discussions with them...feeding my already avid interest in China.

Oh yeah! Probably the highlight of the week was meeting the author of our textbook. Patrick O'Neil, the guy who wrote our textbook for Comp (whom we have been referring to all year, "Well, according to O'Neil"), came to visit! He volunteered to come up from UPS to talk to us. He didn't get paid and we got to pick his brain and have him explain to us how he teaches and the resources he uses. Seriously, I was in heaven. He was so helpful and down to earth. After his part, I asked him if he taught summer courses and he asked where I taught. I told him Newport and he immediately said, "Oh that's great! You're close so we definitely should stay in touch!" We talked about bringing my kids down for a guest lecture or for visiting lecture series. Anyway, nerdy, I know...but cool. He is on facebook. I might get to be friends with Patrick O'Neil, haha!

Kids have been messaging me on facebook about current events and books they've read involving our countries...that makes me happy.

I went to my cousin's wedding this weekend. It was an adventure. I don't like Delta or Atlanta now but I did have a great time with family and friends.

Now I'm home and I have to find a new place to live, pack up my house, clean my house, and go to the beach more. haha.

Reflection: Today was warm but I got to relax for the first time in a long time...it was good. Plus, I got smoothie mix...that makes any day better.

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