NC State Fair...

Last Saturday we went to the North Carolina State Fair. It was great. Miranda (my oldest daughter) and Sam (her beau) live in Raleigh so they went with us. We were able to park at Sam's mom's house and walk to the fair grounds (just a couple of blocks) . Since Sam worked there last year he knew pretty much where everything was.
We decided to throw caution to the wind and try some of the food found only at the fair. The deep fried Snickers was actually not bad, but the deep fried Reese's Cup was a little better (not peanuts :-)). We didn't ride too many rides but Joy (wife), Jessica (youngest daughter), Miranda (you met her earlier), and Sam (still dating Miranda) did ride the twister (pictured above). I'm too old for that kind of shenanigans. (Actually, I just didn't want to get sick after the corn-dog, giant burrito, and deep-fried candy bars).

Classroom Observations...

This week, during my 7th grade class observation, the teacher finally put me to work. After helping out by grading some quizzes and a chapter test, I helped out in the students while the class worked on a 'cut and paste' project. They were tasked with cutting out 24 squares with fractions on them and aligning these squares on a new sheet in order, where each fraction lined up with a matching fraction. I tried to use the analogy of a jigsaw puzzle (finding the corners, then the edges, etc.) but I was very surprised to learn that there was not a single student I talked to that had ever worked a puzzle. I felt so old.

The Economic Mess...

After watching the market nose dive over the last 6 months and especially the last week, I am SO glad I decided to retire from software design at the beginning of this year. I cashed in my 401K to live on for the next few years while I return to school. I would hate to know I had lost all my entire retirement fund because of this mess. Once I get my teaching license and start teaching, maybe things will be back to normal and I can start saving for my golden years. :-)

It's snowing in Fairbanks...

The photo in the right is a live shot of downtown Fairbanks in Alaska. As I write this, it is snowing heavily and has been since before daylight. This is not their first snow of the season but it's the biggest I have seen so far this year. Most people think it is like this year round, but in the summer, Fairbanks (and most of Alaska) is as warm as the rest of the lower 48 (though temps matching those in the southwest would be rare).

As for the weather where we are, it is really nice today. 73 degrees and sunny. We took Molly to the park to walk and she apparently stepped on a bee. She didn't yelp or even make a sound but we saw her limping and found the bee still stuck to her paw. I ended up carrying her all the way back to the car. She seems to be fine now.

New profile photo...

I've been working out every day for the past few months. I feel great and I have really started to get into better shape (round is a shape, right?) I have had to buy new pants (two sizes smaller) and the shirt I am wearing the this picture is smaller than what I used to wear. I usually smile more, ut the sun was in my eyes in this one.

Anyway, I uploaded a new photo taken this weekend at the Autism Walk. And here is another. ;-)

Sigh... I know, I know...

I am really sorry it has taken me a month to post. I know I said I would post more often, but I have been really busy the last few weeks. I promise to try to post more often.

Now, here is what is new. I have begun my classroom observations for the lab portion of my Foundations of Education class. I sit in on a 7th grade math class (two periods) once a week. So far it has been a blast.

The Autism Walk was a great success. I raised $115.00 and all together I think our team raised $680. The event itself raised over $400,000. I posted plenty of pictures on my Flickr site. We walked 2 laps around Lowe's Motor Speedway. This picture was taken at the start of the walk.

Walk Now for Autism

I am participating in Walk Now for Autism to help find a cure for autism. Autism is the second most common developmental disorder in the United States affecting one in every 150 children born today. Despite some promising discoveries, the cause of autism is unknown and a cure does not exist. Research is crucial. Every 20 minutes another child is diagnosed with autism. Not only must we find ways to improve the quality of life for children and adults with autism, but we also must find a cure, and soon.  

Walk Now for Autism is our chance to make a difference in the fight against autism by raising money for autism research and heightening public awareness. Please join me in my fight as I raise $250 to help fund essential research. I will be walking on October 4th (at Lowes Motor Speedway) and would like you to support those affected by autism. 

You can donate to Walk Now for Autism and join my team online through my webpage at www.walknowforautism.org. Donations can also be mailed to Autism Speaks using the donation form located on my page or send me a check made out to Autism Speaks. My team name is GTCC; please note this on your check and the donation form. Please join me in my fight against autism. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of the more than 1 million Americans living with autism today.

If you would like to make a donation online, here is the link to my page.