End Year 2010 -- Happy New Year 2011!

Year end.... we survived a move, a hectic Fall semester, and getting used to live in a very small place.

Despite the small apartment Poughkeepsie is a nice place otherwise. 

We are close to IBM and Locust Grove --- two good places to walk and run with Taylor. Locus Grove is a summer walk but winter we walk in the Plaza and on IBM campus.

This Fall 2010 I felt as having a full time administrative job and on top of it a tenure-track faculty position.

I worked very hard and very long long hours, even 14-18 ours/day.  Lack of sleep and exhaustion made my heart beat irregularly, but all is fine, I just need to sleep 8 hours/day and take it a bit easy.

2011 is between me and 50! Which I am approaching very fast. 

Taylor got a puzzle toy for Christmas, from Sharon our friend in Tucson. She learned it very fast, she for sure is a smart dog!

I showed her only twice what she needs to do.

Take out the bone nails first, then move around the veges and underneath she will find treats :-)

Smart Taylor! 

Anca came to spend Christmas with us, we went to after Christmas shopping, and then we had a blizzard like Siberia. 

This Fall I decided to go back to horse back riding classes which I very much love.

Hope for a great 2011!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Start again

I find it very interesting that in this past year since I was at RPI (all 2009-till August 2010), I have learned so much about teaching and learning, assessment and accreditation. Oddly it feels like I have spent a sabbatical year concentrating on learning and assessment issues.
Is interesting that by not teaching for three semesters, Spring and Fall of 2009 and Spring 2010, I had the opportunity to learn about teaching! I had more time to read about teaching, to think about teaching, and talk with other faculty about teaching and assessment issues.
I see now the accreditation issue from two points of view: faculty and administration.
I found that by taking this "time off from teaching" I became a better teacher! I had more time to think and reflect about education issues. I feel rejuvenated, enriched, and I know "what I want to be when I grow up" --- yes, I am a teacher!
In Spring 2009 it was weird to not have to prepare my syllabus and notes for the semester. I felt as if I go "cold turkey," it was for me a complete withdrawal from the teaching bug. I thought it will pass, but it just repeated and intensified in Fall 2009, and then Spring 2010. I do not think it will go away. I missed the students, I missed sharing my knowledge and learning in the process of a semester course. This year I learned who I am and who I want to be.
I know so much more about student learning, motivation, teaching, assessment, accreditation, and educational research. This year at RPI was a great one because I learned a LOT!!
I am looking forward to the future!

New beginnings are always exciting, and I start full of hope at Marist College. :-)

Good bye Scout

My friend Sharon in Tucson, AZ had to say Good bye to her second Jack Russell Terrier: Scout.
Scout was my favorite, he was a very sweet dog and Taylor loved him as well.
Sharon lost Siegfried her other JRT and now Scout.
Is heart breaking.

We will miss you Scout!

Anca -- Boston

We went Friday May 7th, to Boston to wish Anca my friend a very Happy Birthday!!
We stopped to see MIT and Public Gardens.

Taylor loved the walk and squirrels in Public Garden.
But then Saturday was raining heavily and we returned home, at 44F and high wind and rain.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Anca!!!!!

AERA in Denver, CO

I was at AERA conference in Denver, CO.
April 30- May 4, 2010.

I had altitude sickness :-(

Didn't go too much sight seeing. But I took some pics in downtown where the conference was.

Big bear looking in the Convention Center window is so cute!!
Met with friends from UA and SIUE and other ones from SIGs and acquaintances...

Killer dog

When Taylor receives any squeaky gift, then first things first: Kills the squeaky part!
Take out the fuzzy filling, the noise out of it, then is good to trash and go get another one :-)

The driver

I took this cute picture of a unknown dog sitting in the driver's place ... he was waiting for his Papa who was inside the building. So cute!

It seems blogging is not my fad anymore since with the yahoo messenger, phone, and e-mail is much easier to reach family and friends.

Taylor has a friend, Bosley, who has a blog
http://bosleythepug.blogspot.com/

Well Taylor did not meet yet Bosley but when Spring comes perhaps they will meet. Till then they can read each other's blog :-) woof woof