Peacemaker

Last week my friend Jen and I had the great pleasure of going to see Greg Mortenson, who is on a national book tour for his NY Times bestseller, Three Cups of Tea. He spoke to a packed auditorium and received a standing ovation before he even gave his presentation. We read this book for book club, and not everyone was really that jazzed about it. Yes, the writing was a bit disconnected due to its retelling, but the message of the text is really powerful. He also mentioned several other grassroots organizations whose contributions are immeasureable to women and children in these countries. Every teacher in America should try and make it to his presentation! He is well-spoken and has strong opinions about how to improve the quality of life based on his personal experiences. It kind of puts the stressors we face in everyday life kind of insignificant.

Snow in the desert

I just returned for Tuscon where I had been for a conference. We were lucky enough to stay at the Biosphere2 and man, for not being a scientist, I was pretty amazed with the place! It kind of brought me back to being a kid again, where everything that surrounds you supplies a certain type of wonder and awe. It certainly didn't hurt that every morning when I woke up and looked out the window, there were mountains surrounding us. We stayed in little casitas which, during the academic year, are dormitories for students doing research in the Biosphere. I was struck by the desert and how vastly different the landscape is from what I'm used to. The southwest is just going in to their spring, which is really the only time of the year where they see rain. There were notes posted warning visitors to watch for the javelinas (wild pigs), deer, racoon-like animals, mice, and very rarely, the Gila monster. That was more than enough to keep me on the path to the parking lot.


Last Tuesday night we actually celebrated Valentine's due to my leaving early on Thursday. We went to Pizza Luce, which we've been known to frequent on the 14th, and then stopped at another watering hole for a glass of wine. We actually both made homemade cards this year which was great. Corey got a tie and some cheeky boxers (which I get him every Valentine's) and I got Obama's book The Audacity of Hope. I was really touched; I had mentioned the book a few weeks ago and was pleased he had remembered. I can't put it down. Thanks for the great Valentine's Day, babe. I heart you.

2 much txting mks u 1 bad splr

My co-worker had a coaster with this message printed on it. I think I'll share this one with my students, who seem to think addressing me with "Hey you" in an email is a good way to communicate.

Thursday morning I woke up thinking it was Saturday. This morning I woke up thinking surely by now it must be Saturday!

Wednesday night I hosted book club at my house and it's always such a great opportunity to sit around and gab and vent about life, and laugh. We read Three Cups of Tea, which I really liked, but wasn't a group favorite. I am not going to suggest the books anymore b/c they end up being lame to most of the ladies. Two of the women are in the process of selling houses, so it was a great opportunity to get advice and information from them. I think we are really going to push to get our house sold by this summer. This weekend we are going to install the new toilet (I've been scouring DIY for lots of directions with pictures), and Corey suggested we just do the floor, too. I'm game. Any house selling or buying advice you want to share would be great! We're also having some peeps over Sunday for the Superbowl, which is a good excuse to get together.