I've got this assignment I'm working on that has to be finished by Sunday. I had some time at work because it's deathly quiet here now. I am supposed to come up with my educational philosophy. The first part of the assignment is to look at my influences...The professor asked that we look at where we come from...Culture...Religion...Family values and beliefs...Education...Political Preferences...and Personal Experiences... I didn't start researching formally, but I took some time to just bang some things out on the computer. I didn't take time to proofread or edit...this was just raw stuff that I had fun with...

I'd like to share it with you...

What has influenced your beliefs about education…

1. Family upbringing…
a. Idea of work was strong. Grandpa had a heart attack and took two aspirin and went back to milking cows.
b. Strong and stoic…you kept going despite crap happening
c. Parents gave freedom of choice…encouraged me to be inquisitive, but I was a lazy booger.
d. This is Minnesota…You go to college. There is no debate-You can study what you want to, but by gosh…you’re going to school. It’s what everybody your age does.
e. And we are darn frugal. Spending on anything except a good education is frowned upon. You are entitled to a good education as long as you can perform and pay for it. Hey…if you weren’t strong enough, it’s okay to go to RCC or Normandale and then transfer to a good school. That way, you saved money and still got that educational bang for your buck. Hey, if you didn’t go to Wartburg or St. Olaf…Mankato is okay…just remember that you can still get a good job even if you don’t go to Harvard.
2. What does Lutheranism have to do with this…(This is most certainly true...)
a. Since you are saved by grace…you do have the opportunity to screw up, and God will accept you….But, don’t complain when it doesn’t go your way. Oh and by the way… If you’re going to whine remember those folks in India that have it worse than you.
b. It’s better if you go to one of those Midwestern Lutheran schools. You get the liberal arts education that you need. They’re good and you had to go to chapel.
c. Hey, we’re Lutheran and not Baptist. Martin Luther drank beer and so can we. The thing is…no matter how much you had on Saturday night, your butt better be parked in church on Sunday morning.
3. Yes, I went to that German Lutheran school in Iowa and they did teach me a thing or two…
a. I was taught by professors from the sixties. They did believe in questioning authority and bucking the status quo. They also believed in expanding your mind…I think I expanded my mind a few times…oh…it was a blur…
b. But, I did go to school during the early 80’s. It was the Reagan revolution and the beginning of the WIFM (What’s in it for me) era. I got a little touch of that.
c. Remember that nothing’s for free. You had to work for a grade…and if you handed stuff in late, you didn’t deserve a decent grade, but you had to pucker up and kiss the prof’s backside and pray that he or she was kind enough. So, yeah…work in school was important.
d. They told me, and I do happen to agree with them, that the “college experience” was central in the learning process there. Learning didn’t just occur in the classroom, but on campus, in the cafeteria, and in the dorms. For the longest time I though the most crucial thing was how to successfully get down multiple beers in a beer bong, how to make a stiff Rusty Nail (two shots of scotch and a half a shot of Drambuie), and how to lie to a female freshman. I did learn how to live with people, how to compromise, how to work independently, and live like an adult, but that came much later…

What about my family’s political views?
a. Two words…Republican Farmers…You spent your money wisely-you don’t throw it around willy-nilly to every social program out there. Schools are important, but don’t throw your hand up and say yes anytime a school referendum comes up. We just had this conversation last weekend at my niece’s confirmation. I still have a hard time buying a second pair of pants at Kohl’s. This goes back to the frugality issue…We bought a new vehicle last month. I think I didn’t sleep for three days worrying about spending money on it.
b. I rebelled against my family’s views, but I find myself becoming more frugal as time wears on. I wonder how that will affect my feelings toward education in the future.

My personal experiences and how they’ve shaped me…

a. The biggest one is my journey into sobriety. Active alcoholics are selfish and self centered people. The 12 step recovery program I belong to allows me to escape selfishness and see outside of myself. It is only by cleaning up the wreckage of my past and freely giving to others, that I am able to live happily and in serenity. Education is all about being of service and giving back. When I focus on those around me and letting them experience learning, I am a much healthier human being.
b. Although college was a learning experience, my time in the military taught me that learning is not an individual endeavor. Hey, I’m in it with a bunch of guys from different backgrounds with a singular mission. We’ve got to get something accomplished here. It’s not about ego…it’s about getting it done. Some may have shiny epaulets on their collars, some a lot of stripes, and some are slick sleeved privates. All are essential for completion of the mission. So…how does that help me as an educator? No one part is greater than the whole. I am but a player in this game. As an educator I do want to make it happen for a group of learners, but I am not the key. I am the one who helps them turn the key of knowledge to open the door.
c. I have been a part of education that focused on the process and “shared the experience”-that was from those profs from the 60’s. I’ve also lived in Asia and been in classrooms with students who come from a teacher centered classroom. Both had their merits. The experiential classroom enabled students to collaborate and share ideas…they couldn’t add or subtract their ways out of paper bags, but they could come up with some innovative ideas. I’ve also seen those Korean science or math whizzes that given a variable or an educational curveball, would melt down faster than Cherynoble. After all of that, the answer for students needs to be somewhere in the middle.
d. I was a late bloomer. A guy with ADD, who thought that everyone was smarter and better equipped to handle life. I didn’t think I had the capability to still learn. Being in school in my 40’s has excited me. I want to give adults like me that same opportunities that I am now facing. Yes, we have kids, jobs, responsibilities, and a whole bunch of life going on…but oh my God, it’s fun to learn new things and talk about it with each other.
e. I’m also an Academic Advisor, who has seen people with lower confidence come in and experience success. I believe small amounts of academic success can breed confidence and excitement. I want to be the spark that cranks them up…

Okay this is a draft and I have to research some crap now to substantiate what I believe. I am still not sure what I think of myself, but at least I can get a little bit of an idea of who I am.

A chicken in every pot and two computers in the house

So, now we have two computers in the house. It seems like the old PC in the bedroom is mine so I can work on lesson prep and homework. J has the laptop in the kitchen that we use to talk to her mom in the philippines and she's also blogging on. It's fun to see her in the kitchen agonizing over a post that she's creating. She gets mad, as most people would, if I look over her shoulder when she is posting. It is rather amusing because she types out a paragraph or so and then she gets disgusted with herself and she deletes half of it and starts over. She seems to repeat this process a number of times before she successfully posts. I chuckle and then she kicks me out of the kitchen. Yes, it's always good to revise you work and check for typos, but I think she might be better served by just letting fly and writing what she wants and maybe letting the chips fall where they may. Of course...she is the way she is...and she probably won't take any of my suggestions about that. After being married this long, I think we're both comfy with that.

Some breaking news on the home front...Goobs has spent two nights in his own bed. We've had to return him there a couple of times each night, but he has ended up in his own bed in the morning. We've got this new method that J came up with. She made a blank calendar and put it up on the fridge. If Goobs spends the night in his bed, we put a sticker on a blank day. If he can put up 30 days of stickers (they don't have to be consecutive)he can pick out a toy at Target and we'll get it for him. So far...so good.

It's finally nice out and it's a good thing. Memorial day weekend is coming up and there is one thing I'm a little miffed about. One of the students in the group I advise here at school became really enterprising...without talking to his advisor (ME!!!) prior. He set up an all ages event at a place called the Cabooze (the name is frightening in its own right) in Minneapolis on Saturday night. He has all of his bases covered, but there will be alcohol served for those above age. The Dean and the President were miffed and I heard about it, but it's so far along now that we can't back out of it. What it does mean for me is that I need to be present from 7:00 pm to 2:00 am on the Saturday night of the holiday weekend. I am the college representative for this event. I am the one who has to make sure that nothing terrible happens. The venue has ticket takers and bouncers, so it's going to be pretty safe. I'm ticked off because I wanted to spend a nice night on my deck in my new Eddie Bauer lawn chair and go to bed at a decent time...I'm somewhat of a geezer now and am comfortable with going to bed at 10:30 on a weekend. Okay...I've pissed and moaned and I'm done with that.

One last thing. Why does my daughter sit in the tub and yell "I pooped?" I rush to the bathroom and look for any little brown turd submarines...I never find any, so I drag her out of the tub and onto the potty chair. She grunts for fifteen minutes and nothing comes out. I think she does it just to get a rush out of her dad. The stupid thing is that I fall for it every time. I guess daddy is a sucker who entertains his kid.

Welcome

I just wanted to welcome my wife, J, to the blogosphere again. She gave it a try last year under the moniker of "Freezing Islander." For some reason it just didn't take for her. She's at it again with a new blog. She's now The Soccer Nanay (mom for all of you nonfilipinos). I'm new to setting up links, so this is my first attempt at it... Just give this a click and check her out and say hi! The Soccer Nanay

One more reason my wife ROCKS!!!

Yes, folks...my wife is the best. She got me my birthday present early. We will be at the Minnesota Zoo's outdoor amphitheater on Friday, August 15th (Day Before Birthday) getting down with Morris Day and the Time...How appropriate is that...getting down to a little "Jungle Love..." Oh E Oh E Oh....

WHAT TIME IS IT??? Time to dance....Oh E Oh E Oh E Oh...Jungle Love...

Ten Things

I was laying in bed thinking last night. I've been doing a lot of that lately. Sleep hasn't come easily or quickly for me these days...I'm not sure why, but it's irritating. Most nights I find myself rolling around and then looking at the glow of the digital clock at the side of the bed. I try to relax myself by mentally transporting myself to places that I'd like to visit or things I want to do. Time and the lack of cash conspire against me and I don't think I'll get to do these things, but dreams are always good things...so I'll keep wishing

I've compiled a list of places I'd like to go and activities that would be a gas. See if these things resonate with you...

1. I am hooked on the Philippines. I want to be at a secluded beach resort with my family, relaxing as the sun sets in the west. I want to hear exotic birds cawing in the background as we set down in a beautiful poolside restaurant with a thatched roof. I want my belly filled with grilled tuna and fresh fruit...Ah...that's a nice thought.

2. I've had these thoughts about being in the new family vehicle (the flyboat) somewhere in Montana. The flyboat is fully loaded with all the necessary traveling items and we've got the ipod loaded with great traveling tunes. We stop at scenic overlooks and get summer sausage and provalone sandwiches out of the cooler and the kids drink Kool-Aid juicers. We stop at little touristy places and the kids buy various and sundry crap that they can play with and decorate their rooms with in the future.

3. I'm dreaming of Monterey, CA. I spent two years there while I was in the military. There is this restaurant between Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf that is right near a walking and bike path. They play live jazz there on Sunday mornings. I can't remember the name of the place to save my life, but I dream of going back there and having an omlette to die for and listening to great music as I stare out at Monterey Bay. The smell of the sea, the sound of jazz, and the taste of the food...memorable...simply memorable...

4. I want to go to an outdoor concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater again. I saw Widespread Panic there in 98. It was a fantastic venue. It was getting dark and the moon came out during the concert. The picture is still burned into the back of my corneas. The view, the acoustics, the atmosphere (it was Widespread Panic, so it was a bit cloudy... but it was nice nonetheless), and the music made it a great night. J wants to see Dave Matthews and I think Red Rocks would be a perfect place to see him. If not there, the Gorge at George would be my second choice.

5. The first floor window of Seattle's Best Coffee in Myong Dong (Seoul) is the best people watching spot that J and I have ever found. Myong Dong is a sea of humanity that just shouldn't be missed.

6. I've never been to San Diego, but I really want to go see a baseball game at Petco park. I hear that the weather in San Diego is ideal. I want to sit there behind the plate, wearing shorts, a t-shirt and flip flops. I'm not a Padres fan, nor will I ever be...but that's where I want to watch a game. I suppose concessions there might be more alligned with serving fish tacos than bratwurst. I am soooo midwestern. I can't watch a game without a good dog or brat... Oh well, I'll deal with it when it happens.

7. I want to go to Rio...I think the being able to stand next to the statute of Christ overlooking the city would be one of those moments that I'd never forget. The view would be truly killer! Then...just to be on the beaches there would be out of this world!!!

8. I imagine myself sitting in the hot pools in Reykjavik. That's right...I want to hang in Iceland for a couple of weeks...see whales, glaciers, and just wander around.

9. I put New Zealand in the same category as Iceland. It's clean, cool...as in hip, and filled with natural wonders. I also want to watch the "All Blacks" Rugby team play a game and perform the Haka-they're known for that.

10. I dream that it's warm enough to sit out on my deck in the darkness, stare up at the stars and smoke an expensive cigar-my vice that I don't do much...but J. hates it. We got new Eddie Bauer outdoor chairs and I want to break them in. Oh...I can't wait for a warm and peaceful Minnesota night.

Okay...I've given some of my places of interest...How about some of you folks...Angie...Mama Nabi...Dad Stuff...Father of Five...Posh Totty...Supermom...How about you guys???

The Return of Soccer Daddy

I watched my son play soccer in a junior high gym last night. It's soccer for four year-olds, so no score is kept, there are no winners or losers, and everyone participates. It was cute watching them run, kick, get bored, dance, poke, giggle, roll around, and sort of play the game. I did enjoy it and so did they. It's supposed to be fun for the kids...but somewhere down in my gut...buried deeply...and imprinted with a jackhammer...is my man-soul, which rebels against the kinder gentler sporting events for preschool. I watched, clapped and cheered for all the kids. But, in my secret soul of souls, I wanted my boy to outrun, outplay, and outscore his peers. I wanted him to kick butt and take names. I wanted my progeny to be the king of kings manchild who all the other four year-olds know is the soccer wunderkind. I want them to whisper his name with awe and deference...Awwww...whadda loada crap in my brain. Goobs is the one on the sidelines who'd rather roll around with his two buddies and have a tickling match. It ain't gonna happen and who cares anyway. He'd rather sing and do a dance in the middle of the field as someone with the ball runs by him. I guess the bottom line is he's having fun and meeting new friends and that's the important thing. I'll put all those silly dreams aside and wait for his sister to be the sports queen...Oh well...

A head scratcher

I was just taking some time to go through news on the internet yesteday and I saw a story that intrigued me..."Woman injured in freak pelican attack." I just had this mental picture of a woman on a dock with a digital camera in one hand and a sardine in the other...trying to entice a rogue pelican into a cute photo op. You hear about that in national parks with Buffalo and other kinds of wildlife...but a freakin' pelican...come on...lady. You have to be brighter than the goofy marine bird on the dock.

One more quick note

I thought this was funny...

Remember that I gave my old blue car to my niece...I got word that Emily has decided to name her car "Steve" in honor of its donor. Just thought that was kinda cool.

Monday morning obsessions

When I get here to work I can't settle right down to the routine on Monday morning. I'm always a little bit scattered. I jump around the internet for a few minutes to catch up on some things that I maybe have missed...it's not so much the news, but just that I can't settle down and I just need to bounce around in some way.

So...I just happened upon a commencement speech given by a head football coach. Okay, granted that probably isn't that much of a stretch for a guy to read, but I started reading it anyway. You always hear the same things at these speeches...engage your passion...dream wildly...suck in the experiences of your life...yadda yadda yadda...blah blah blah...

Something was different this time. The words were the same, but this time they resonated with me just a bit more. Yes...I'm older, but there are still things I want to do. But, with a mortgage and a family is that possible? Can I dream big and stick my neck out? Am I doomed to live in safety because it pays the bills? What am I passionate about? Is there anything that fires me up so much that I'm willing to go out on a limb? I'm sitting here at my desk this morning with those kind of thoughts banging around like a couple of superballs in my skull.

I'll say one thing. When I'm in class, I'm engaged and I love it. I really dig learning and a being a part of it. Here's the stinky part. This is only my third class in my Masters program. I have to continue to go to school and stay at my job. As long as I'm here, the school's free and that's big for me. I think I have to just keep slugging away for now and trust God that there's something more for me out there. My problem is that I want it right now. Keep walking and doin' the deal.

Mom's day mania

Back again. Whew...it's been a busy week. Started another class and just life's been crazy. I certainly hope the merry-go-round slows down a little bit this week.

I'm coming to grips with the way I work on schoolwork and prepping for teaching. I never really figured out the way I operated and just kind of fought through things. I'm starting to get a little more peaceful about the whole ADD thing and have just accepted that I'll never work the way most folks do. I need chaos when I'm working. I'm locked in the bedroom on the computer. I've got "The Brand New Heavies" cranked up on Pandora. I bounce back and forth online and get back to my word document. I work for about a half an hour and then I've got to take a break and roam...say hi to the kids......see what they're up to...goof around with them a little...chat with J and then mosey back to the computer to work. I feel like a superball, but if I operate that way, I am energized. It's freaky, but it works.

We got a laptop for Mom's day. The cool thing about it is that it's got a camera and a mic on it and since we've got broadband here at the house, she has it in the kitchen...we've got it set up on one portion of the counter. We're all set up with SCYPE...and so is mama now. So, moring and evening she's checking in on her grandkids. It's wild because just two weeks ago, she couldn't see them at all since she's so far away...now, she see's her grandkids every day. This was a great mom's day gift for her and her mom. That makes me feel good. Speaking of Mom's day, we got together in another room and made J a big sign. The kids combined their art skills with markers for mommy...It was pretty cool. Since Lola (filipino grandma) could see the sign, it was extra special. We also got mom a big hanging plant and some chocolate too...so it was a pretty darned good day for all concerned. I've got to call my mom tonight and we will get together with her next weekend, so she gets her gift and card belatedly, but she'll love it. We got her one of those electronic picture frames, so she can get a snotload of photos of the kids. She's got danged near everything she could want, so it's always hard to get her something.

Okay...that's enough for now. I've got to get back to prepping for tomorrow night's class. Time to bounce back into reality again. See everybody later.

Well, we tried something new in the Samok abode last night. We used the computer to communicate to family over 6000 miles away. Being that I'm not really technically saavy, this was a major coup in our household. Okay, I'll be honest...J is the brains of this outfit and she went out and purchased videocam and microphone. We were at J's cousins in Troy, MI, when we got to see how they used SCYPE to talk to family back in Davao. We thought it was cool, but really didn't do anything about it.

J did some more research recently and decided to finally try it. The sound didn't really match up to my mother-in-law's mouth movements, but that didn't matter. We woke The Bun up because Mama wanted to see her. She cried, but we could see that Mama was beaming on her side of the screen. We didn't dare wake up Goobs because he's the sensetive one and that would have been just a little too much to handle. We also got a chance to see J's cousin's baby. The little girl is cute and chubby. It was really nice for J and Mama to connect visually. I could see that it really meant a lot to her. Sometimes I wonder how she feels being 6000 miles away from everything and everyone she grew up with. I think this is going to be something that enhances our lives and makes Mama smile. I can't imagine what it would be like to be that far away from your grandchildren.

Last night we talked about getting mama a small laptop to use for just this kind of communication. She lives in a community about two hours from Davao. It's quite a bit more rural than Davao. She doesn't have a landline in her home, but has a cell phone. We didn't know about internet connections because of that, but after the conversation last night with J's cousin and her husband, it seems like there are a lot of opportunities for "wifi" in Santo Tomas. Right now, she's got to take the bus to Davao and stay with family with high speed capabilites if she wants to talk to us via the computer. Right now, we talk to her by using a phone card that we buy online minutes from. If we can speak from computer to computer it's free, so we want to get Mama hooked up if at all possible. It will beat getting phone cards every couple of weeks...and the plus is the kids get to see their Lola (grandmother for all of you nonfilipinos). That, in itself, makes it all worthwhile.

Of course, the only thing that kind of sucks for it is the huge time difference between here and there...but we'll get over that.