December 4, 2014

Peter Pan Flies

I admit it. I watched it. I tuned in tonight to watch the live production of Peter Pan on NBC. Unlike most, I wanted to view out of curiosity. The same curiosity that prompts us to watch where the ambulance is going or when you anticipate a train wreck. It was my opinion that the live musical, Sound of Music, presented last year was horrible from start to finish so I expected the same tonight. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The actors were wonderful and were well rehearsed. The camera shots were smooth and it didn't feel like a stage production. Hec, Christopher Walken even knew his lines! The production probably wasn't award winning but the dog was cute and I was entertained- probably because I will never grow up either!

December 3, 2014

Oops!

Alex called tonight to thank me for the Finals Week Survival kit that I had sent to him. After he left in August, the Universtiy of South Florida sent me a form to send a kit so I did. I didn't know at the time that I would be seeing him a week before his finals and could have given him a survival kit in person. Actually, he inherited two bottles of wine and a six pack of beer from our trip and I think that is an awesome survival kit in itself...Anyway, Alex reminded me that I had written an encouraging quote on the card. It was, "In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure." By this time in our conversation I am pretty proud of myself because that is a great quote. Then he asked me when I wrote it because it just so happens that  the author of that quote is Bill Cosby....whoops! What a difference a few months make! Oh well, I guess I get an A- for trying....

December 2, 2014

Retirement Celebration

This evening Don and I attended a retirement ceremony for our close friend, Gary Creager. He retired after 32 years with the Arvada Police Department and was currently the department's Lieutenant Commander. We have known Gary and family for 20 years and know that he is a terrific guy so it was great to hear about all of his accomplishments throughout his career and receive the accolades that he deserves. To make the event even more special, his son Kevin was able to take leave from his Air Force assignment and attend the ceremony. Gary has made a huge impact on the Arvada community and will be missed. However, he is not done with his service. He will step into the role of Police Chief for the city and county of Broomfield this month. We wish him all the best and I will drive the speed limit to Flatirons Mall from now on!

Kevin, Karen and Gary

December 1, 2014

Warning: Computer Games Cause Hugs

It was the first day back after a week long break so most of the students and teachers were still in the slow stages of turkey coma emergence. However, I had a great class today with kindergarteners. I taught them how to use the mousepad and get comfortable with using laptops.  Even though it was obvious which students didn't have experience with computers, they caught on and took to it like ducks on water. To help them practice, there were some computer games that I let them play. It was the end of the day, but these kids were terrific listeners and followed directions very well. As they were leaving, one boy broke from line in order throw his arms around me and exclaim, "I love computer games!" That, my friends, is why I do what I do!

November 30, 2014

Reflection

As we fly home to reality (yes I have discovered United Airlines Wi-Fi) it is time to reflect on the last fun-filled week. We had a lot of family togetherness yet we managed to get along although three of the group loved to play, "let's pick on mom!" Sometimes it was deserved, most of the time it was not. Anyway, there are some observations we made throughout the week:

1. Approximately 1/2 of the world's population is in Orlando with most of them visiting Harry Potter.
2. It is an urban myth that Florida is a warm place to visit. 
3. There are no driving rules in Florida or no one there has read them.
4. Disney is still the leader in amusement park management. Universal is fun but you can see the difference in talent and park management.
5. Spare change does not exist. Either you spend it at the toll roads or you spend it at yet another gift shop.
6. All rides end at the gift shop

But to be positive, Disney, Universal, Sea World, and all the other numerous attractions in the Orlando area entertain and bring together families from all over the world every day. We saw more smiles than frowns, especially on us, even though the weather was not the best and the crowds could be overwhelming. It is a wonderful thing to be able to overlook the negatives because there were so many positives that are now fantastic memories of our week together!

 

November 29, 2014

On Campus

Today we trekked over to Tampa which is 55 miles west of Orlando, to see the University of South Florida campus and where Alex spends all of his time. He lives in graduate housing on campus and his apartment is very small. I would have liked to take some paint to it and add some interior decorating but Alex is happy with the state penitentiary look and reminded me that it is just temporary until July. He gave us a walking tour of campus which is large and filled with palm trees. At the student center a poster was advertising Winter Wonderland day when they will be bringing in real snow for the students to sled on and play with. Alex didn't think that he would be participating! Our next quest was to find a beach. I've been asking Alex since he has been here if he had been to the beach. Well now I know why he hadn't. We had to drive 30 miles to get to the closest beach. I guess I'm geographically challenged. Just like people outside of Colorado think all Coloradoans live on the side of a mountain, I think all Floridians live on the beach! At the end of the day it was sad to say goodbye to Alex but the best thing is that he will be home for winter break in just two weeks!

USF Bulls amongst the palm trees!

Star student

We found the beach!

November 28, 2014

Lights, Camera, Action!

I love movies and I watch more TV than I should. Well, today I enjoyed both but not from my couch. I lived it in person. Yes, we went back for a third day of fun at Universal Studios. We stayed clear of Harry - too many people today - but instead explored the rest of Universal. It was great because I visited all my favorites in entertainment. First we passed through Springfield and visited our favorite family, the Simpsons! We went on The Simpsons Ride which was hilarious! The humor was right down my alley and it seemed like the adults on the ride had way more fun than the kids because we got the jokes! Then it was off to go on an E.T. Adventure on a simulated bike ride to take E.T. home. It has been too long since I've seen that movie. Then, my all-time favorite...Men in Black. The ride is called Alien Attack and involves shooting aliens. I was the winner in my car with 125,000 points...aliens beware! Great movies and great ride. Other entertaining attractions involved Beetlejuice, Terminator 2, Shrek, Twister, and Revenge of the Mummy (Paige and Alex were on their own for this rollercoaster ride). The Animal Actors show was as cute as it sounds and Paige the pug lover was ecstatic to see Frank from Men in Black make an appearance. Alex was our movie expert and gave us the background scoop on many of the Universal productions and actors that were represented at the park. It was a great day even though it was cold...again. We started the day at 46 degrees - it was warmer in Colorado! No amusement parks tomorrow so we get to sleep in and dream of E.T. going home to Springfield with the Terminator during a tornado caused by an alien attack....