New Year's Run

My first run of the new year. I also added more pictures to the previous slide show, the order is newest to oldest. Meaning at the end will be Christmas.

Germany 2011 Pt.2

More Germany- Now from Jill's area.

Christmas Run

Spent the day with the Brackett's & Tillman's in Germany. Since I went to the Protestant service with them and then the Catholic service I was in church for about 3hrs today. Got to watch the kids open their presents- Joy liked my present best! 


I love going on my Christmas run, it gives me a chance to think about all my family and friends whom I am not with this Christmas. I also quietly enjoy some time rejoicing in the birth of Jesus- maybe not too quietly since I take my iPod and listen to my favorite Christmas songs.

Christmas Eve

At the Bracketts, with baby Joy!

Switzerland & France

Switzerland


France

Switzerland

Had so much fun in Basel today!! I don't have my laptop with me so I can't post the pictures yet. I did take a TON and am super excited to get them up. Tomorrow we are heading into France, YAY.

PS Don't worry Elizabeth, you will be lots of chocolate.  :)

Monica's Neighborhood (& Renata's)

Went for a walk around Monica's neighborhood. She lives in a great part of the city, walking distance to downtown and lots of great shopping. Our next stops will be southern Germany, Switzerland, and France!! Can't wait to hit the road.


UPDATE: Pictures of Renata's neighborhood added (Monica's aunt in southern Germany)

Big Mansion

Walking home today I met a very nice Japanese man. He really wanted to talk to me and he did. . . mostly in Japanese. I told him I only spoke English, but that didn't seem to bother him at all. He tried to tell me his name, but I was having a hard time understanding. So to help me he took off his hat to show me his name. It was so cute- his name and phone number were written inside! Anyway, it didn't really help me since his name was written with Japanese characters. I think he said his name means "Big Mansion" but he could have been describing his home, he also tried to tell me where he lived. He asked me where I lived and if I used this road everyday. I think he was trying to ask me about trimming my hedges? Well he was very nice and tried really hard to have a conversation with me. In the end he said something and then said "Bye bye" with a wave. I like Big Mansion. 

Pancake Log 10.15

My flight from Tokyo to San Fransisco was cancelled. Of course I did not find this out until I tried to check in (the email notification came 40 min after that). They moved me to a flight on Singapore at 6:45pm which was then delayed to 7:10pm. Also my connection changed to having a layover in LAX, the most confusing airport. But the worst part, the WORST part other than having to spend an extra 8hrs in airports was that I had gotten an upgrade to first class on the original flights! But no more, back to regular economy- I know my life is so hard.

But why is this post under the PancakeLog title you ask? Well ... as hard as it was being relegated back to my usual economy I still got to order my vegetarian meals. AND the vegetarian breakfast was... dadada... PANCAKES! They were a great surprise and actually pretty good. Didn't have my camera in my seat so sadly there is no picture of my wonderful surprise pancakes. Pancakes are great but when they come a surprise, I think they may be a little better.

Pancake Log 10.14

Cinnamon Apple Pancakes! Next week I will be enjoying pancakes in AZ.

Pancake Log 10.12 & 10.13

Had pancakes twice this weekend! Sunday I had my new favorite orange and ricotta then Monday I had my old standard regular pancakes topped with a baked apple. Sorry no pics since neither were new or all that interesting.

The whole weekend was very nice and relaxing, spent lots of time on new hobby- purse making. Made 2 kid purses, a messenger bag, and my very first grown up purse. Other than that I spent a lot of time doing a lot of nothing. Talked to family, had lunch with friends, overall a low key quiet weekend. Trying to soak up all the quiet time I can.

Kinugasa Park

Went for a walk near my house. The view from the top was amazing! I can't believe I have lived here for over a year and just found it. But on my way down I saw a lady walking a horse! Seemed a little odd but hey this is Japan and I always seem to find the most unexpected things. 

Pancake Log 10.11

I have new favorite pancakes! Orange and Ricotta cheese! They were so yummy, I can't wait to have some more soon.

I am back from my trip to Okinawa for the first annual Math Fest. It was so great to spend time with students who actually like math and want to talk about it. I also really enjoyed working with the other math teachers. It was nice to get to know some people who share my passion for math. Hopefully we can start building a community and share ideas with each other.

Far East Math

First day of Far East Math ...

• Amazing "real" mathematician was our keynote. I love listening to math- I know, I know...
• Listened to some really smart students talk about math and its connection to different disciplines.
• Watched a sea cucumber take a wiz on a student.

Overall I felt the first day was a success.

2.5 = 5.5???

Today I have arrived at Far East Math! Students from all around Japan, Guam, and Korea have come together to participate in math activities. Sounds like fun right?!?! Well it does to ME. We left base at 6am (meaning I was up before 5am). Our flight took off on schedule at 9am, we were supposed to land at 1130 (2.5hrs) but due to bad weather we ended up landing at 2:30 (5.5hrs). We got to our resort just in time for dinner at 6pm. Luckily my students are great and basically napped the time away. But that meant when we arrived they were wide awake and definitely not happy about their 9:30 curfew. I know I am exhausted and ready for sleep. But this resort rocks! I can't believe we are staying here.

Pancake Log 10.10

Strawberry Pancakes... but I lost the camera, got tired of looking and the pancakes were getting cold.... Found the camera but the pancakes were already gone... they were very good.

Switchfoot

Tonight Switchfoot did a free concert on base. It was great and we had amazing seats!

Pancake Log 10.09

Possibly one of my favorite parts of being in Phoenix, going to Mass with Dazza then off to IHOP for pancakes!

From Pancakes

Pancake Log 10.08

Back in Phoenix and had wonderful Mom made pancakes! Didn't even bother to think about getting a picture, to busy being happy. I got to enjoy my pancakes with Alex. After pancakes he and I went to Best Buy and played around with the iPad before I took him home and picked up Dazza. Dazza and I then had a fun time at the mall where she was very excited to get cookie dough lip gloss. For lunch I talked her into my favorite, Jason's Deli- FREE ICE CREAM!

Pancake Log 10.06 & 10.07

I lost the picture of the pancakes I had on Pi day! Completely deleted from my camera and computer, one day I am sure I find it filed under some wierd name in some until then unheard of file. But until then you will just have to believe me. Just like today. I did have pancakes on my plate but was too hungry to take a picture first. It was breakfast for dinner day and I did not want to wait.

From Pancakes

I did eat that last bite. (Couldn't just let is sit there all alone!)