CSF Conference

Yesterday I went to the Norcal CSF Conference in Chico. Three officers went to cheer on Stephanie Chan, who was a Seymour Finalist. The conference had a cultural theme, and Chico did a great job putting it on.

We did three workshops. The first was learning about the French language, but mainly how to make crepes. The best part was that we got to eat the crepes, which were very delicious! The next workshop we did was Columbian Dance and Culture. They had a girl speaking who had graduated from high school in Columbia. It was very interesting to hear her speak. After, she taught us some basic Columbian dance, which was fun. Following the second workshop, was the keynote speaker, a woman who told us about her life, since she had been president of her CSF chapter. The final workshop we did was really interesting, as exchange students and their host families discussed what the experience was like. It was fascinating to see how what we take for granted every day is so unusual for them!

I really enjoyed going to the conference. It was nice to be surrounded by CSF students, who see the club as more than just something to put on their college application. Everyone was truly interested in service and friendly, making for a positive atmosphere!

So much more to do

Spending a few days in Portland sans child and children has been a nice life.

I spent Thursday in a PLC meeting with other advisers, brainstorming ways for journalism teachers to connect across time and distance. It ties into my future job as a JEA Mentor... and the kind of thing that keeps me thinking.

Since then I've taught my three sessions (where I always get new ideas), attended a few, and done a ton of networking. Good for me. I'm convinced we need to expand more and more quickly into social networking. The possibilites are amazing.

For newspaper I'm especially convinced we need to expand into more sports coverage in a variety of ways. I'm excited about this.

Props to the yearbook- lots of nice recognition including a feature usage in the new Jostens textbook. Alexis and Sam in particular should be very proud.

But, I'm excited to get back to work. More truthfully I am excited to get back to Carson and spend quality time. She turns three next week and nothing is more amazing to me than that.

It's been a good break for me and Portland rocks- so "green." But... Rocklin really is the ONE.

You'll get a kick out of this- I was quoted on the Walsworth blog by students in one of my sessions. http://www.walsworthyearbooks.com/blog/

I'm Confused

Alright, something has been bugging me a lot. I heard that yesterday, some girl with an innertube won the dress up day contest. I'm pretty sure that no one would be allowed to do that on a normal day. I know, it's because it's Sadie's Week, and that weird stuff is allowed. Fine. So how come last week, on the national no shoes day, people got in trouble for not having shoes? Sadie's Week is an event for fun at our school only, while the no shoes day was a country-wide event to raise awareness for a good cause. Both required clothing that normally wouldn't be acceptable. So how come we were allowed to do one but not the other? I'm not saying to get rid of Sadie's week, just to allow us to express ourselves freely. I'm stumped here, can anyone help me figure this one out please? Thanks.

The concept of sadies

I think that Sadies is quite a good idea. It forces girls to put ourselves in the position of the guys in every other dance and occasion..really in life. There is a lot of stress put into the planning, timing, ideas. It is also very frustrating when the person you are asking does not follow through with their plans of the day. VERY FRUSTRATING. Because then you end up asking them to sadies by showing up at their house angry, with picnic blanket, cold food, and torn sign in hand. So guys, I've gotta give it up to you, bravo for all of the shenanigans you put up with for us. It's much more fun being asked as opposed to asking, so I'm glad we have the easy role for the rest of the year. "Why yes! I would love to accompany you to the dance!" > "Where the heck have you been all day?!" :D

Spring Break

Spring break was great. I went to Easter camp and it was amazing. It was a week full of activities and no technology at all. We were split up and put into different teams. My youth group girls and I got put with boys from another youth group. It was amazing how our friendship grew through out the 5 days. We had to work together and try to win. Even though we got 8th place which is dead last we had finally learned to work together, because from the first day the boys were stubborn but once we got to the end of the week we had made strong friendships. It has been my best spring break yet.

Rain

I really really don't like that it is still raining! It is pouring right now, and I don't exactly enjoy going outside in the rain, or being inside all day. Once spring started, I was really looking forward to the warm weather and wearing shorts. I love the 70 and 80 degree weather! But I guess the saying goes "April Showers Bring May Flowers" for a reason. For as long as I have lived in Rocklin, which is about 6 years, sometimes I still don't feel like I am used to the extremes of hot and cold weather. At least once it is warm and sunny I will appreciate it more! Less than two more months 'til summer!

Spring Break in Vegas

So I spent a week in Las Vegas with my best friends over spring break! We had way too much fun and im sure nearly died a few times. But we didn't care we are young and stupid! So it started off a great night chillin on the strip. Second night we got kind of bored and tried our hand at gambling! which aparantly is 21 and over not 18! No one ever told us! so we played and played. I made a dollar and Chris won 22$. But Evan and Justin just lost money. The third night we heard about a place called Lake Havisue. It is a world famous party place on Sping break. We went expecting something epic. But on wednesday nights it is not epic! Actually it is quite the opposite. We met a few people and then got bored and headed back to Vegas. (3hr. drive). On our way back we got pulled over and Justin was questioned by the AHP for close to 30 minutes. What a waste of time for a warning. Justin was so nervous he kept saying the wrong things! It was awful. But other than those couple of mishaps we still had a great time a week of epic adventures that will never be discussed with people!