Labor Day

So, shouldn't Labor Day be called Un-Labor Day or No Labor Today or NonLabor Day? Just wondering since it is a national holiday and most folks do not work. . . or labor. Just wondering.

I actually did LABOR today. Cleaned house, did yard work, and GRADED PAPERS. Plus, I had to go to school to organize lesson plans for the substitute I have tomorrow. We have a golf tournament tomorrow so, lucky me, I have a sub. Unfortunately, it's always harder to prepare for a sub than it is to just be at school. Those of you who teach know exactly what I'm talking about; it's never easy being absent as a schoolteacher.

(Don't feel too bad for me though. . . I did play a round of golf today as well.)

Anyway, just thought I'd check in with y'all and I wanted to provide you with some info on LABOR DAY. You know, this is a full-service educational blog. :) FYI: Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

This web address will take you to the Department of LABOR website and explains all you could ever want to know about the holiday. Enjoy. http://www.dol.gov/OPA/ABOUTDOL/LABORDAY.HTM

Birthdays. . .Yeah.

So, I'm turning thirty-three this weekend. WooHoo! Nothing too spectacular, but 33 nonetheless. For this post I thought that I would talk a little about my birthday, but then focus on the number thirty-three itself. I've done a little research (okay, I looked it up on Wikipedia too), and found some interesting facts.

First of all, I love birthdays. I just think it's cool to have a day to celebrate the blessings and life that the Lord has provided. Last night my friends from work put together a little last minute party for me. We went out to eat, then some other friends joined us and we spent the evening on my deck just hanging out, chatting, and enjoying a very nice evening. Rachel made cupcakes, Krista brought a cookie-cake, and Shannon provided ice cream WHEW!!! I gained a few pounds on dessert, but I guess it's okay to splurge on your birthday! Mmmm Mmmmm. Anyway, it was a nice way to end a long day at work and celebrate my 33rd. (I'm sorry I didn't take any pics. . .I'll try to remember next time.)

As for the number itself. . .well, check this out:

--In sports 33 was the NBA jersey number of Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen, Patrick Ewing and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
--On most occasions, the traditional number of racers in the Indianapolis 500 is 33.
--33 was the number of innings played in the longest baseball game in history (a 1981 minor league game between the Rochester Red Wings and the Pawtucket Red Sox in Pawtucket, Rhode Island).

--33 is a significant number in modern numerology, one of the master numbers along with 11 and 22 (which was my number playing basketball in college).

--For those of you who speak other languages: In French, Italian, Romanian, Spanish and Portuguese, 33 is the word a patient is usually asked to say when a doctor is listening to his or her lungs with a stethoscope (Trente-Trois, Trentatrè, Treizeci şi trei, Treinta y Tres and Trinta e Três) --Why? Well, I have no idea.

--Dante wrote the Divine Comedy in 3 canticas - each consisting of 33 cantos.

--The United Nations symbol has 33 segments.

--And, most important to me, thirty-three was Jesus's age when he was crucified for our sins in 33 A.D. Awesome to ponder what was accomplished in just 33 short years on earth.

So, that's the number 33. . . .and now, I think I'll go eat another cupcake! :)

Australian Adventure

WHEW!!! What a summer!

Well, I made it home from Australia about a week ago, and I think I'm finally completely recovered. Jet lag is never any fun, but the problem was compounded for me this year because I had to attend an AP conference every day the week we returned. It wasn't too bad, just tiring. My internal clock was all messed up and I felt like I should be asleep at 1:00pm every afternoon. Adelaide is about 14 hours ahead of us so when it's noon here, it's about 2:00am there.

Mom and Mard at the Sydney Opera House

Anyway, I had a GREAT time Down Under! We started in Sydney, spent a couple nights there then traveled down/across southeastern Australia. We spent nights in the Blue Mountains in a cute little town called Katoomba, then drove through part of the "Outback" to Ballarat. The next day took us to the Great Ocean Road, a viewing of the "12 Apostles," and one night in Warnambool. In the morning we walked around the Griffith Island lighthouse, had breakfast in Port Fairy, and then drove through Coonawarra Wine Country up to Adelaide (our final destination.) Then we spent almost two weeks in my mom's hometown staying with friends, seeing the sites, and visiting relatives. It was FABULOUS. The winter weather was a little chilly, especially at night, but I loved it--around 65 degrees every day--are you kidding. I'd take that any day over the hot, humid summers in Kansas.
Shannon, Rachel and Mardy at the "Three Sisters" in the Blue Mountains. It was beautiful.


The "Twelve Apostles" on the Great Ocean Road. It was a little windy and cold, but a good hug will always warm you up. :)

So, I've included some pictures from the trip. Obviously, my mom went with me since the whole point of going was to celebrate my grandma's 90th birthday, but you'll notice my friends Shannon and Rachel in some of the pics as well. It was their first trip to Australia and I think they enjoyed themselves. It was cool to experience Australia with some folks who had never been. Good Times!
Mard and Grandma at her birthday party. Doesn't she look great!


This was the view from the house we stayed at in Semaphore, South Australia. My mom's friend Heather has a great house right on the beach!

Mardy and Auntie Val at the Port Power Aussie Rules Football Game. I love it!

FISH and CHIPS! in Victor Harbour, SA.


You can't go to Australia without holding a Koala--Right!?! Of course, my little cousin Chelsea is so much cuter than a Koala. This is Chelsea, her mom Emma, and myself at Rundle Mall in Adelaide. My family is great!

Well, that's it for now. I'll try to include more pictures in my next post. Hopefully it won't take me forever to make that happen. School starts next week. Summer's over and it's time to gear up for Golf season. Woohoo! Go Ravens!

Two Trips Down, One to Go!

Well, as I mentioned before, I'm quite busy this summer. There will be no rest for the weary until August! So far, I've been to Romania, London, and Spearfish, South Dakota. Woo Hoo!!!! I leave tomorrow for Australia for three weeks Down Under, as well as a big birthday celebration for my grandma who will be 90 in a couple of weeks. I just wanted to post some pics from the last month or so to give you an idea of what I've been up to. . . Hope y'all have been having Fun in the Sun! :)

1st trip: ROMANIA
My first shot from St. Gheorghe, Romania
The chapel start in Valea Mare.

Kids LOVE Bubbles!
Ah, the neighbors. . . chatting it up across the fence. Just like home?
Bringing in the Hay. We saw wagons loaded like this one every day. It really is amazing to see the mix of worlds. . . at one moment the people are working the fields with homemade tools, the next they're on their cell phones. Crazy.

A little work on the chapel.
The all-important OUTHOUSE. . . an essential on any job site.
Acting out the story of Daniel in the Lion's Den. . . Kids loved it. . . and me too!
Lots of storks in Romania.
And, the finished Chapel. 5 days of hard work and the finished product--sure gives a sense of accomplishment.

So, on the way home from Romania I stopped in London to see my cousin Tom and his family. They live in a quaint little English village and I had a wonderful time experiencing English life. Tom and I even had the chance to spend a day in Cambridge where the university itself is 800 years old. Pretty cool. Here are a few pictures from my stay.

Summertime!

Well, it's been awhile since I've had time to blog. . . but I had to tell you all about my week of "work." My dad drove to Kansas a little over a week ago and we spent 6 days working tirelessly (okay, so my dad worked a lot harder than I did) on building a deck on my house. There was a small 4x8 porch attached to the house, but it was rotting and not too attractive. So, my pops came in and quickly designed a deck that would give me a little more space, but wouldn't protrude too far out into my yard. Anyway, I won't talk it to death; you can see for yourself the before and after shots.




So, these are the before pics. . . and now, the after. . .




What do you think?

I won't have much time to enjoy it this summer though. . . I'm headed to Romania this week with a brief stop in London on my way home. Then it's South Dakota for FCA basketball camp. And finally, Australia for three weeks in July with my mom and two good friends. I'll try to keep y'all updated with pictures after (or during) each trip. Have a wonderful summer!! Stay cool.

Not Spring Yet. . .

In my last post I believe I mentioned that Spring had arrived. The daffodils were out, the weather was warming, and then. . .well, SNOW!!! This afternoon I went to the movies with some friends. When we walked out of the theatre there was already 3 inches on the ground. I've always loved the snow and it's beautiful, but it's messy. And my biggest gripe. . .couldn't wait 'til a school day?!? :) How do you like the look of my daffodils now?



Last week I went to Arizona to visit my aunt and uncle. It was an awesome few days of golf, spring training baseball, and relaxation. I even got to see the Royals win in a victory over the White Sox. (Which I hope might happen frequently this summer?) Here are just a few pics from my trip.


Here's my aunt, knocking a straight shot right down the middle! SWEET. We both improved with each round during the week and had a fabulous time on the course. I absolutely need to get out and play more often if I'm going to keep up with her.






Go Royals!

Spring!

When I was a little girl my mom used to recite poetry to me from memory. One particular favorite was "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud," by William Wordsworth. I loved that poem as a kid and even memorized it myself. So this morning, when I went out for an early morning run and my daffodils had bloomed over night I was transported back in time. I can hear her now. . .


I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed---and gazed---but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

William Wordsworth

I love the reminder the daffodils bring me every time I walk out the front door. Hope y'all have a brilliant spring!