Life Update

I realize that you are all probably wondering what happened to me since it has been so long since I last updated my blog. The truth is my life has been pretty busy and boring. Nothing extremely new and exciting to report but here is what I could come up with.

1. I watched a movie this week called Waiting for "Superman" which is about the education system in America. The system has not changed with the times and now we are falling behind other nations in math and science. Americans still lead the way in one category though - confidence. Americans always seem to think we are awesome despite evidence saying otherwise. Basically, a large factor in how well a child is educated in America is luck. That's right pure luck of what school you are assigned to go to. It is actually depressing to think about. This movie follows students who are trying to get a better education by entering a lottery for a charter school. Its an interesting movie that leaves you thinking.
2. We burned one of the prairies on site last week. I love watching burns.
3. I found a new game on my computer that has hooked me. Mahjong Titans.
4. I taught a bunch of classes the past week to many different age groups. Perhaps one of the most fun was teaching a group of 1-3 graders about birds. The questions and curiosity seemed never ending. Today, I crept up on a barred owl with a group. Very exciting - especially since it managed to get them quiet for a good 5 minutes.
5. Because of their age, we taught 1.5 hour classes rather than the usual 3. I remember a time when I thought teaching for an hour was a long time. Now I feel like even 3 hours is sometimes too short.
6. On Netflix,  you can watch movies instantly on your computer. I have recently became addicted to Pawn Stars and Ally McBeal.
7. I know way more about raptor eyes than I ever thought I would. Fun fact #1: A bald eagle has larger eyes than an adult human. For comparison, a human weighs roughly 20 times more. Fun Fact #2: An American kestrel can see a 2mm insect, 18 meters away. Crazy!
8.  I still get really excited when I see sandhill cranes fly overhead. Sometimes this happens while I am teaching and the kids look at me like I am crazy. There may be some truth there.