Last week I was able to go on the marine science field trip for the 2nd year in a row. We had a really fun time. Day 1 - Left Del Sol at 7am. First stop, Red Rock State Park in CA for a little desert hiking (and teaching!)...
We stayed that night in San Simeon, CA at the state campground, which is a 5 minute walk to the beach.
Day 2 - We discover that the raccoons have eaten a lot of our breakfast! We drive that morning to Monterrey to visit the aquariums...
Lunch at Fisherman's Wharf and our only group photo...
Then on to the tide pools, where even the squirrels come to live.
That night we stayed in a hotel in San Fransisco and I got my first sleep of the whole trip. I cannot say I'm the world's best camper, especially if I have to listen to raccoons all night! In the morning we headed to the Exploratorium, which is near the golden gate bridge. I forgot to take pictures, but here's the 3 advisers playing with the exhibits (sorry for the blurriness, the students don't know how to use cameras!)...
After a meltdown by one of our students (he has Asperger's syndrome and lost his hat!) we headed off to China Town, not very scientific, but tons of fun (the picture of seeds is for Rick. I couldn't figure out what they were, otherwise I would have bought him some)...
We then had a long drive to Reno, where we stayed at Circus, Circus. In the morning we headed over to the University of Nevada, Reno campus for a tour (and a little fun at the fraternity fun raiser!)...
We made it back to Del Sol Saturday night and I am just now starting to feel normal again! Just so you know who's in the picutres - Mr. Echeverria (we went to BYU together and both used to work at Heritage), Ms. Vinciguerra and Ms. James (who brought her family and pretended it was a vacation!)
So, my friend Joe has decided that I'm the president of our "adventure club." After our excursion to the Mormon Fort, we decided to go see Spring Mountain Ranch this weekend. It's actually a really nice park with a ranch house from the 1930's (originally...) Over the years, several various people have owned an expanded the ranch. It's last owner was Howard Hughes (he basically owned half of Vegas at one point). The best part of the house was the secret passage that led from the master bedroom closet into another bedroom and bathroom. Apparently Vera Kraupp, a very famous person, owned the ranch. While she was there, a bunch of men came in and stole her 33 karat diamond (now belongs to Elizabeth Taylor) off her finger, tied her up, etc. So she built the hidden passage to have privacy and a get away. There are also some hiking trails around. Our club isn't that adventurous, so we stayed to the wheelchair accessible path! It was sure pretty, though.
So, I guess a lot has happened since I last wrote. I purchased a house (to be sold to Rick and Holly in the future) and moved in at the end of October. Rick and Holly moved in with me about a week and a half ago, and we have been having lots of fun getting everything all set up! Work has been crazy, as usual for me. 
Our Del Sol football team has made the playoffs again this year, so I've been going to a lot of football games. We actually have a chance to go to state this year, so my fingers are definitely crossed! 
I also got to go to Six Flags with the Key Club again this year, and as always had lots of fun! As for now, I'm looking forward to the Holidays and having a real Christmas this year!
Well, I don't feel like I have a lot that's new, but I guess most of you don't hear from me every day, so it might be new to you.School started a few weeks ago, and so far things are going good. Out of the 16 Special Education teachers I manage, I think I'm only going to have problems with 2 or 3, which is much better than last year. I also already have 3 expulsions going on, and I'm hoping it won't be this busy for the rest of the year. Our school was finally able to go Title I this year, so we have a lot of money to spend on new programs. I've only had to deal with a few crazy parent so far, but I'm sure there will be more as the school year continues.We're still working on finding a house and have put in several offers. Vegas real estate is a crazy business at the moment. Fingers are currently crossed that something goes through soon, although I have had several people offer me a couch to stay on if I can't handle my roommates any longer! I really can't wait for Rick and Holly to move down here!So, in all, things here are good. I've been getting out more, so I'm not quite as bored as I normally was. My friend has tickets to the UNLV vs. Oregon State game next weekend, so that ought to be fun. Plus, a bunch of us at work got a discount for one of the shows downtown, and are trying to decide on a date to go. Here's to a great school year!
We stayed that night in San Simeon, CA at the state campground, which is a 5 minute walk to the beach.
Day 2 - We discover that the raccoons have eaten a lot of our breakfast! We drive that morning to Monterrey to visit the aquariums...
Lunch at Fisherman's Wharf and our only group photo...
Then on to the tide pools, where even the squirrels come to live.
That night we stayed in a hotel in San Fransisco and I got my first sleep of the whole trip. I cannot say I'm the world's best camper, especially if I have to listen to raccoons all night! In the morning we headed to the Exploratorium, which is near the golden gate bridge. I forgot to take pictures, but here's the 3 advisers playing with the exhibits (sorry for the blurriness, the students don't know how to use cameras!)...
After a meltdown by one of our students (he has Asperger's syndrome and lost his hat!) we headed off to China Town, not very scientific, but tons of fun (the picture of seeds is for Rick. I couldn't figure out what they were, otherwise I would have bought him some)...
We then had a long drive to Reno, where we stayed at Circus, Circus. In the morning we headed over to the University of Nevada, Reno campus for a tour (and a little fun at the fraternity fun raiser!)...
We made it back to Del Sol Saturday night and I am just now starting to feel normal again! Just so you know who's in the picutres - Mr. Echeverria (we went to BYU together and both used to work at Heritage), Ms. Vinciguerra and Ms. James (who brought her family and pretended it was a vacation!)
