Posts
Yes, I'm still around! I'd like to say I have been too busy to post but we all know it only takes a few minutes to type out a paragraph now and then letting the world know what's going on. :-)
So to quickly recap since the last post...
School is going great. I started my junior year at East Carolina in August. I like the program and the school but it is completely online and I miss being in the classroom with other students. I feel like I am missing out on a lot of valuable interaction and networking, especially now that I am taking the higher lever education classes.
I am still riding when I can. I went to New River Trail in VA and rode 40 miles last Sunday. It was chilly when I got there around 9am but quickly warmed up after riding for a few miles. The fall colors were amazing and the first 30 miles or so was great. Then, as I began to run out of steam, it became more of a workout and less of an adventure. :-) I picked up a contraption that turns the bike into a stationary bike for riding indoors during the winter. I can still workout but it is pretty boring.
I have been working as a substitute teacher for Randolph County. I have subbed at ATMS a few times over the past month or so and even spent 4 days subbing for the shop class while they interviewed for a permanent replacement teacher. The original shop teacher moved from this area to become a policeman in South Carolina, near the beach.
Had two birthdays this last week. Landon turned 24 and Jessica turned 16. Miranda came home to visit yesterday so we were all five together for a little while at least. She is still living and working in Raleigh and Landon now lives and works in Greensboro. We do not get to see them much but we talk to them often and we are proud of them for doing so well. We have such good kids. :-)
Yesterday we visited my grandmother and helped her celebrate her 92nd birthday. She is in a nursing home but still in decent health and has most of her mental facilities intact (in comparison to others her age I guess). She seemed to enjoy the company and the cake and ice cream.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Latest hobby...
Recently I started cycling and I love it. Tomorrow I will test myself and ride in the Tour de Furniture event in High Point put on by the American Red Cross. The event starts at 7am and lasts, I suppose, until the last riders finish. I will post pictures and results (as well as any wordy wisedom I can come up with) tomorrow after we get home. Please come out and support the Red Cross and the participants as well!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Argggg! I'm a Pirate!
So... I feel bad about not updating for over a month but not much has really happened. School is going very well and I am staying extremely busy. I'm shooting for getting my name on the President's list this semester (4.0 GPA) instead of just the Dean's list (3.75 GPA). I'm sure the Dean is a great guy and all, but I've done that three times already. It's time to step it up. Plus I have a lot to prove this semester to everyone who thought my taking 28 credit hours was insane. :-)
And on that note... I finally got my acceptance letter from East Carolina University. I have an on campus orientation scheduled during the summer but the courses themselves will all be online through the Wachovia Partnership East program. They are supposed to handle the arrangements for getting me into a classroom for my student teaching, etc. So I'm looking forward to that.
That's it for now. I have a few hours of homework to do tonight and it's already getting late (I'm old, remember! :-))
MH
And on that note... I finally got my acceptance letter from East Carolina University. I have an on campus orientation scheduled during the summer but the courses themselves will all be online through the Wachovia Partnership East program. They are supposed to handle the arrangements for getting me into a classroom for my student teaching, etc. So I'm looking forward to that.
That's it for now. I have a few hours of homework to do tonight and it's already getting late (I'm old, remember! :-))
MH
Friday, February 20, 2009
Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't...
Anyone reading this blog regularly has surely noticed my ramblings are on-again-off-again to say the least. Sometimes I feel like writing tons of stuff and sometimes I just don't have a lot to say. It's during those quite times that I am contemplating life, love, the universe, and everything in it. And speaking of the universe...
As far back as I can remember, I have been drawn towards the little bright lights in the night sky. Just like our ancestors must have done, I too gaze up and wonder about where we are in the universe and where we might someday go. I really began to get into astronomy when I was in about the 8th grade. My parents (or Santa Claus, depending on your point of view) bought me a cool 4-inch reflecting telescope for Christmas that year. Even as small an cheap as it was, I was able to see the rings around Saturn. After that, I was hooked.
However, as with every thing, life tends to get in the way. By the time I got into high school I was working at the family business after school and well into the night. Slowly, as time passed, so did my desire to spend night after freezing night looking into the sky. A few years later, while at sea on the USS Marvin Shields, I stepped out on deck after a midnight shift. There was no man-made light anywhere to be seen so the night sky was perfect. It really looked like a poster you might find at the planetarium. Well, many years have passed and I still try to enjoy astronomy when I can. I am lucky in that my youngest daughter is into it as well. This gives me someone close to share news stories and events with.
When I decided to return to college last spring, I had no idea what classes to take. So I decided to take Astronomy and I am so glad I did. I am currently the president of the Stellar Society (the Astronomy club) at GTCC and we are fairly active in promoting the Cline Observatory on campus, as well as many other events held at the school. In March we are hosting Tri-Star which will bring astronomers from across the state together for the weekend.
Once I become a teacher I certainly plan to integrate astronomy into my science and/or math classes as often as possible. I think it is important we understand the universe God has given us as well as our place in it.
MH
As far back as I can remember, I have been drawn towards the little bright lights in the night sky. Just like our ancestors must have done, I too gaze up and wonder about where we are in the universe and where we might someday go. I really began to get into astronomy when I was in about the 8th grade. My parents (or Santa Claus, depending on your point of view) bought me a cool 4-inch reflecting telescope for Christmas that year. Even as small an cheap as it was, I was able to see the rings around Saturn. After that, I was hooked.
However, as with every thing, life tends to get in the way. By the time I got into high school I was working at the family business after school and well into the night. Slowly, as time passed, so did my desire to spend night after freezing night looking into the sky. A few years later, while at sea on the USS Marvin Shields, I stepped out on deck after a midnight shift. There was no man-made light anywhere to be seen so the night sky was perfect. It really looked like a poster you might find at the planetarium. Well, many years have passed and I still try to enjoy astronomy when I can. I am lucky in that my youngest daughter is into it as well. This gives me someone close to share news stories and events with.
When I decided to return to college last spring, I had no idea what classes to take. So I decided to take Astronomy and I am so glad I did. I am currently the president of the Stellar Society (the Astronomy club) at GTCC and we are fairly active in promoting the Cline Observatory on campus, as well as many other events held at the school. In March we are hosting Tri-Star which will bring astronomers from across the state together for the weekend.
Once I become a teacher I certainly plan to integrate astronomy into my science and/or math classes as often as possible. I think it is important we understand the universe God has given us as well as our place in it.
MH
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Life's good...
As most of you are aware I have talked recently about looking up old friends online (specifically FaceBook) and have had the great fortune of reconnecting with a few of them. Tonight I spent a while talking to an old friend about the past. Man that really brought back the memories; some great ones, some so-so ones, and some bad ones. But that is how life is. You have to accept the bad times along with the good. Now of course I won't give details about the conversation, but like I said it really brought back the memories.
It also got me thinking about other things. Life goes by so fast that if you don't slow down occasionally an look around, you will miss out on a ton of cool stuff. For too many years I lived in a shell; a shell I made all by myself. In high school I was made to go straight to the family business after school, so my social life was non-existent. Then, as I got older, I would spend most of my time in front of a computer pounding out code (something I was good at and enjoyed) and I again neglected my social 'training' and never really felt like I fit in in a crowd.
When I realized that I wanted to teach, this was the very first concern my family raised. So, over the past two years, I have begun to break out of this shell. Of course I still spend a fair amount of time in front of a computer, but when I am at school or in public I make an effort to be more outgoing. I talk more, I smile more, and I even flirt a little from time to time. And you know what? It is making a difference. I no long feel out of place. I no longer sit alone and wonder. I do, however, still remain quiet and listen a lot, but I also speak with more confidence when I do decide to share.
I know I have made some very bad choices along the way, but everything has slowly shifted back into focus and I am happy with where I am today. I have great plans for the future as well (see the list of thing to do on my blog!). I guess what I am trying to say is that life is good so enjoy it.
MH
It also got me thinking about other things. Life goes by so fast that if you don't slow down occasionally an look around, you will miss out on a ton of cool stuff. For too many years I lived in a shell; a shell I made all by myself. In high school I was made to go straight to the family business after school, so my social life was non-existent. Then, as I got older, I would spend most of my time in front of a computer pounding out code (something I was good at and enjoyed) and I again neglected my social 'training' and never really felt like I fit in in a crowd.
When I realized that I wanted to teach, this was the very first concern my family raised. So, over the past two years, I have begun to break out of this shell. Of course I still spend a fair amount of time in front of a computer, but when I am at school or in public I make an effort to be more outgoing. I talk more, I smile more, and I even flirt a little from time to time. And you know what? It is making a difference. I no long feel out of place. I no longer sit alone and wonder. I do, however, still remain quiet and listen a lot, but I also speak with more confidence when I do decide to share.
I know I have made some very bad choices along the way, but everything has slowly shifted back into focus and I am happy with where I am today. I have great plans for the future as well (see the list of thing to do on my blog!). I guess what I am trying to say is that life is good so enjoy it.
MH
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Mother Earth...
The question of whether we are alone in the universe has two possible answers: either we are or we are not. If you really think about that, either possibility is equally astounding. Let's look at both possibilities:
1 - We are alone. This is it. The universe began/was created then we evolved/were created and that is it. Everything else in the universe is just for us to look at and admire. If that is the case then why are we so self-destructive? Why are we, as a people, so intent on destroying our home as well as each other? I would like to think that if this is it then we would try a little harder to get along with each other and take care of our ecosystem.
2 - We are not alone. The universe is teaming with life and we might even get to meet someone from another world someday. What would they think of what the find? Would you like them to see how we treat each other and how we are treating our planet?
Now, imagine being in a life raft at sea... There are two possibilities. You get rescued or you don't. Again, let's look at each possibility...
1 - You are stuck in the life raft for ever (at least the rest of your life). Let's assume for this little mental exercise that you have plenty of food. Would you take care of your raft? Would you ration your food to try to make it last? I would think that most of us would. We would hope to last long enough to find land or see another ship.
2 - After a few days at sea you get rescued. Knowing this would happen, you have not taken very good care of the raft and you have eaten all your food. What would your rescuers think about you if they found a damaged raft full of candy wrappers and trash? Wouldn't you be a little embarrassed?
Do you see the correlation between the two sets of questions? Why do we treat our 'raft' like we do? Why do we guzzle our 'rations' as if we will get rescued tomorrow? We need to look at the big picture and take responsibility for our actions. Issues such as global warming, using fossil fuels, and over population are causing irreversible damage to our only home.
I originally started out with the intention of talking about my views on the possibility of other life in the universe, but once I started typing it went in a different direction. Aliens made me change it.
MH
1 - We are alone. This is it. The universe began/was created then we evolved/were created and that is it. Everything else in the universe is just for us to look at and admire. If that is the case then why are we so self-destructive? Why are we, as a people, so intent on destroying our home as well as each other? I would like to think that if this is it then we would try a little harder to get along with each other and take care of our ecosystem.
2 - We are not alone. The universe is teaming with life and we might even get to meet someone from another world someday. What would they think of what the find? Would you like them to see how we treat each other and how we are treating our planet?
Now, imagine being in a life raft at sea... There are two possibilities. You get rescued or you don't. Again, let's look at each possibility...
1 - You are stuck in the life raft for ever (at least the rest of your life). Let's assume for this little mental exercise that you have plenty of food. Would you take care of your raft? Would you ration your food to try to make it last? I would think that most of us would. We would hope to last long enough to find land or see another ship.
2 - After a few days at sea you get rescued. Knowing this would happen, you have not taken very good care of the raft and you have eaten all your food. What would your rescuers think about you if they found a damaged raft full of candy wrappers and trash? Wouldn't you be a little embarrassed?
Do you see the correlation between the two sets of questions? Why do we treat our 'raft' like we do? Why do we guzzle our 'rations' as if we will get rescued tomorrow? We need to look at the big picture and take responsibility for our actions. Issues such as global warming, using fossil fuels, and over population are causing irreversible damage to our only home.
I originally started out with the intention of talking about my views on the possibility of other life in the universe, but once I started typing it went in a different direction. Aliens made me change it.
MH
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Catching up, cutting back, and reminiscing...
So I had a little free time last night while the NASCAR race was on (yes, I'm a fan) and I spent some time trying to find friends and family on FaceBook. I connected with a cousin in Phoenix, an old pal in Greensboro, and even a few folks I went to high school with 25+ years ago. Even though I have worked with (and played with) the changing technology over then years it still amazes me how easily we can connect to anyone anywhere instantly. I remember the time before the internet, before cell phones, and cable TV. Damn I feel old....
I also had to make a tough decision regarding school. I have decided to drop one of my classes this semester due to not having enough time to really do the work needed to do well. I was planning on having the whole summer off (from school) before starting East Carolina in the fall but I will need to retake American Lit then. I still have Chemistry, Geology, Physics, Calculus, Statistics, and History of Art (all except Art have labs as well) to keep me busy, so don't feel bad for me. I will still finish before August and hopefully get to hold on to my 4.0 GPA :-)
And on a li
ghter note...
The weather here today was absolutely gorgeous. I love cold weather but I also enjoy warm spring days as much as anyone. We went to the park today to walk and on the way there (and back) we must have seen 25-30 motorcycles out enjoying the weather. I really miss riding and I miss my bike, but it's probably not something I'll ever have again.
MH
I also had to make a tough decision regarding school. I have decided to drop one of my classes this semester due to not having enough time to really do the work needed to do well. I was planning on having the whole summer off (from school) before starting East Carolina in the fall but I will need to retake American Lit then. I still have Chemistry, Geology, Physics, Calculus, Statistics, and History of Art (all except Art have labs as well) to keep me busy, so don't feel bad for me. I will still finish before August and hopefully get to hold on to my 4.0 GPA :-)
And on a li
ghter note...The weather here today was absolutely gorgeous. I love cold weather but I also enjoy warm spring days as much as anyone. We went to the park today to walk and on the way there (and back) we must have seen 25-30 motorcycles out enjoying the weather. I really miss riding and I miss my bike, but it's probably not something I'll ever have again.
MH
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