This was a completely inspiring speech. You must watch it.
http://youtu.be/mKjrEuSgXLE
Thursday, July 7, 2011
RA over!
The RA finished. It was mucho fun-o and left me mucho tired-o. It is so nice to come home to my wife and family. At the airport, Southwest was going to give a flyer $500 to take the next flight. $500? Tempting but not worth the wait to see my family. You just can't put a price on being a part of the scene when my family pulled up to the south curb, I opened the mini van's sliding door to get a 4 child/1 dad group hug. And then to be able to hold my wife again after a week out of town. Not for $500.
I will miss Chicago. I have never been so enthralled by the buildings and people of that city. I hope to return again, but this time with at least my wife.
I will miss Chicago. I have never been so enthralled by the buildings and people of that city. I hope to return again, but this time with at least my wife.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Flash Mob
I participated in my first Flash Mob today. It has really been something I have wanted to do now for years. When I was in high school, we would do a similar thing. We would rock out to "Epic" by Faith No More. Turn that thing up at Ryan Claire's truck and mosh around it. Then we would hurry off. Today, we mobbed to "I Had the Time of My Life" by the Black Eyed Peas. Just me and my closest 9000 friends. At our state caucus this morning, our student delegate, Josh from ASU, told us about this surprise for Dennis, the NEA President. While he was speaking in the afternoon, the music would come on and everyone would do a dance that all of the student delegates taught us. It was a lot of fun.
http://yfrog.com/gylvurxj - hopefully this site works. The girl in the front is Lisa, one of the Gilbert people.
http://yfrog.com/h3m7vrrj this is the flash mob, too, but of the Wisconsin delegation.
http://yfrog.com/gylvurxj - hopefully this site works. The girl in the front is Lisa, one of the Gilbert people.
http://yfrog.com/h3m7vrrj this is the flash mob, too, but of the Wisconsin delegation.
Super sweet kids
Before I left on my trip, we were looking for some money I could use to tip the Sky Cab guys at the airport. Emma had a five dollar bill she was willing to lend me. It was so easy for her, and I appreciated that. Then right after Emma gave me her five, Brooke handed me a penny and said, "Here is some money for your trip."
That was an incredibly kind thing to say. That penny was enough money to make my trip better, and she was willing to give it to me. Well, it is now my lucky penny. I have carried it around in my pocket every day since Wednesday. That cent of love is going to get me home in one piece so I can give it back to her.
That was an incredibly kind thing to say. That penny was enough money to make my trip better, and she was willing to give it to me. Well, it is now my lucky penny. I have carried it around in my pocket every day since Wednesday. That cent of love is going to get me home in one piece so I can give it back to her.
The RA
This was the end of my second day of the RA, Representative Assembly. I think my highlight today might have been the speech of Vice-President Joe Biden. We had to wait over 2 hours in order to get through the metal detectors and secret service. It was incredible and tiring. I only saw one person get led away in handcuffs. Silly teachers.
His speech was so good. He is a great speaker, but it felt so good to be validated for being a teacher. He also spoke about the Republicans in office now. Called them good people who just don't see things the same way we do. If I can find the address, I will post it here. One stat I remember and feel I should share is based on the change in economics. The top 1% rich in the world account for 24% (I think this was the number) of the money used in the US. That's nuts. Now the republicans are looking for ways to decrease the taxes for this set of people. Really? Why?
His speech was so good. He is a great speaker, but it felt so good to be validated for being a teacher. He also spoke about the Republicans in office now. Called them good people who just don't see things the same way we do. If I can find the address, I will post it here. One stat I remember and feel I should share is based on the change in economics. The top 1% rich in the world account for 24% (I think this was the number) of the money used in the US. That's nuts. Now the republicans are looking for ways to decrease the taxes for this set of people. Really? Why?
Friday, July 1, 2011
July 1
So I woke up this morning without the alarm at about 8 am. Got dressed for the day and left for a late lunch at about 10. Aaron, my roomate for the week, and I went strolling through the business distrcit of Chicago looking for a good breakfast. We found a great place called Cogi's. They made great breakfast sandwiches on squagels. For anyone that has never heard of a squagel or figured it out like I couldn't, it is a square bagel. Square works better for sandwiches. It was prety good and tasty and well priced. Then we walked to the Walgreens right by our hotel to stalk up on water, chips, candy, and tums (for me). Our hotel room looks like a couple of teenagers are living there. Hopefully I can snack here and not at restaurants every day.
Later I went to the McCormick Place Convention Center. It is huge. You can also see Soldier Field form its windows. Anyways, I spent an hour campainging at the Elect Dennis Van Roekel booth. I really freaked out some people by calling them by name. Only a few figured out that I was reading their name badge. One guy even said, "Hey, I remember you." You sure buddy. I am from Arizona and you.....Arkansas. Classic Arkansas move.
Then I walked the expo floor and now have a life-time supply of brochures and pens. It was fun though. Finished up with the expo and left by charter bus back to my hotel. On the way back, I saw no less than 50 police officers walking the streets in groups with at least 4 officers or more. One group was at least 20. There was even a dozen gaurdian angels in their red berets, too. Apparently, the Fourth of July and Taste of Chicago make this a fun city at night.
I am now waiting to go for a fancy dinner and program. Apparently I am a softy and everyone knows it. One person asked if I was a sentimental guy. No, of course not. I only cry at good music and Extreme Makeover Home Edition. But doesn't everyone? So I guess this meeting is to make everyone cry but worth it. Sounds like reading Where the Red Fern Grows.
Lizzie I love you. Everyone else, if you actually read on this far, I should love you since you took the time to read my rant. Until the next post. I'm out.
Later I went to the McCormick Place Convention Center. It is huge. You can also see Soldier Field form its windows. Anyways, I spent an hour campainging at the Elect Dennis Van Roekel booth. I really freaked out some people by calling them by name. Only a few figured out that I was reading their name badge. One guy even said, "Hey, I remember you." You sure buddy. I am from Arizona and you.....Arkansas. Classic Arkansas move.
Then I walked the expo floor and now have a life-time supply of brochures and pens. It was fun though. Finished up with the expo and left by charter bus back to my hotel. On the way back, I saw no less than 50 police officers walking the streets in groups with at least 4 officers or more. One group was at least 20. There was even a dozen gaurdian angels in their red berets, too. Apparently, the Fourth of July and Taste of Chicago make this a fun city at night.
I am now waiting to go for a fancy dinner and program. Apparently I am a softy and everyone knows it. One person asked if I was a sentimental guy. No, of course not. I only cry at good music and Extreme Makeover Home Edition. But doesn't everyone? So I guess this meeting is to make everyone cry but worth it. Sounds like reading Where the Red Fern Grows.
Lizzie I love you. Everyone else, if you actually read on this far, I should love you since you took the time to read my rant. Until the next post. I'm out.
Sears/Willis Tower
I was telling my kids before the trip that I would see the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, the Sears/Willis Tower. Emma asked something about it being in the clouds and told her, "No, it isn't that tall."
Oops. I was wrong. This morning as I was craning my neck to see it, a couple of clouds flowed right through it.
Oops. I was wrong. This morning as I was craning my neck to see it, a couple of clouds flowed right through it.
Dinner and a show
Last night I went to dinner in the Italian Village. I had the lasagna. It was amazing. There was a meat sauce, with mostly meat drenched across it. Ricotta cheese in the middle, but this ricotta was not the consistency of cottage cheese. It was so much smooth and tasty. Then dessert was a snowball. Literally. I was given a plate with a ball of ice. Italian ice. Unbelievable.
After dinner, we walked to the Oriental Theater. You have to find pictures of this place. Amazing. We saw Beauty and the Beast. Like the legit one that travels the US. Everyone was laughing, but the punchlines were old. Seriously, have you not ever seen the movie? But it was amazing and fun.
After dinner, we walked to the Oriental Theater. You have to find pictures of this place. Amazing. We saw Beauty and the Beast. Like the legit one that travels the US. Everyone was laughing, but the punchlines were old. Seriously, have you not ever seen the movie? But it was amazing and fun.
Seriously?
Went to go work out at about 11:30 last night. It was a nice facility. Lots of cardio machines, free weights, machines, etc. I got a little thirsty and found the drinking fountain. But wait! The light was shining onto the towel stack, a water with ice container, cups, and ear buds. Seriously. Who needs ear buds that afford to stay in a place like this? Where are the ear buds at Motel 6?
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