This is Just to Say

misshelen @ 2008-11-28T20:55:00

2008-11-29T04:58:06Z

Thanksgiving! Yeah!
I just bought a plane ticket to Argentina-- yeah for sister time in Buenos Aires. Life is good good good.
I would post more... but this is what all the posts would look like...

Blah blah blah wedding planning wedding wedding blah blah
yadda yadda teaching school students science math teaching teaching yadda yadda
blah wedding Montana dress pie flowers blah blah
yadda yadda 8th grade team autobahn great job yadda yadda

so there is my life in a nutshell....

Happy 4th of July!

2008-07-04T19:05:17Z

When in the course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the Separation.

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed.

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is in the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security.

Such has been the patient Sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the Necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The History of the Present King of Great-Britain is a History of repeated Injuries and Usurpations, all having in direct Object the Establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let the Facts be submitted to a candid World.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public Good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing Importance, unless suspended in their Operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the Accommodation of large Districts of People; unless those People would relinquish the Right of Representation in the Legislature, a Right inestimable to them, and formidable to Tyrants only.

He has called together Legislative Bodies at Places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the Depository of their public Records, for the sole Purpose of fatiguing them into Compliance with his Measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly Firmness his Invasions on the Rights of the People.

He has refused for a long Time, after such Dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the Dangers of Invasion from without, and Convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the Population of these States; for that Purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their Migrations hither, and raising the Conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the Tenure of their Offices, and Amount and Payment of their Salaries.

He has erected a Multitude of new Offices, and sent hither Swarms of Officers to harass our People, and eat out their Substance.

He has kept among us, in Times of Peace, Standing Armies, without the consent of our Legislature.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a Jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution, and unacknowledged by our Laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large Bodies of Armed Troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from Punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all Parts of the World:

For imposing taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us, in many Cases, of the Benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond the Seas to be tried for pretended Offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an arbitrary Government, and enlarging its Boundaries, so as to render it at once an Example and fit Instrument for introducing the same absolute Rule in these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with Powers to legislate for us in all Cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our Towns, and destroyed the Lives of our People.

He is, at this Time, transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to complete the Works of Death, Desolation, and Tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty and Perfidy, scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous Ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized Nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the Executioners of their Friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic Insurrections among us, and has endeavoured to bring on the Inhabitants of our Frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known Rule of Warfare, is an undistinguished Destruction, of all Ages, Sexes and Conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions we have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble Terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated Injury. A Prince, whose Character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the Ruler of a free People.

Nor have we been wanting in Attentions to our British Brethren. We have warned them from Time to Time of Attempts by their Legislature to extend an unwarrantable Jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the Circumstances of our Emigration and Settlement here. We have appealed to their native Justice and Magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the Ties of our common Kindred to disavow these Usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our Connections and Correspondence. They too have been deaf to the Voice of Justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the Necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of Mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace, Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the Rectitude of our Intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly Publish and Declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, Free and Independent States; that they are absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political Connection between them and the State of Great-Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of the divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

Signed by ORDER and
in BEHALF OF THE CONGRESS
JOHN HANCOCK,
PRESIDENT.

ATTEST.
CHARLES THOMSON,
SECRETARY.

PHILADELPHIA:
PRINTED BY JOHN DUNLAP.

misshelen @ 2008-04-17T16:49:00

2008-04-17T23:52:00Z

Happy Poem in your Pocket day!! Hope you have a poem in YOUR pocket!

I saw dawn creep across the ski,
And all the gulls go flying by.
I saw the sea put on its dress
Of blue midsummer loveliness,
And heard the tress begin to stir
Green arms of pine and juniper.
I heard the wind call out and say,
"Get up, my dear, it is today!"

-Rachel Field

bragging (to nobody in particular)

2008-04-14T17:11:49Z

I just want to brag that I have continued my twice a week 5 am wake up for my weightlifting class. I've added more reasonable work out times as well, but my bitchin' muscles are coming from the morning work out. I rock. Yes I do.

Addiction

2008-03-25T19:10:10Z

Found! A treasure!-- at the bottom of a box, hidden in the garage, languishing among miscellaneous items not yet worth unpacking...

Is there anything more wonderful than a French press coffee maker?

I submit there is NOT!!

misshelen @ 2008-02-17T16:49:00

2008-02-18T00:50:35Z

SUNSHINE!!! Anyone else super happy and productive in this sunny weather?

Also-- had brunch at the Oregon School of Arts and Crafts. If you have not done this before-- DO IT. So good. Plus, fun art to look at while waiting for a table.

yeeessss

2008-01-31T01:57:46Z

After a long day of teaching and a night of my own homework ahead of me-- Shawn is in the kitchen cooking. I know, I shouldn't, well, brag...but I'm just soooo happy. Ah yes.

I did it again!

2008-01-17T17:19:52Z

I've become a regular at the 5:30 AM weight lifting class. WORD UP! When I went the skiing this weekend I felt SO STRONG, I skied like a champ all day. I'm a believer. This class rocks and I am EXTREME!
One worry-- the waist on my pants fits better than it did post Christmas, but my thigh muscles are already starting to grow. Soon I'm going to have the same pants buying problems I used to make fun of my sister for... (anyone else out there with me on this one?)
But fear not- pants will not keep me from the class. I'll just wear skirts instead!!

Totally....

2008-01-08T15:18:46Z

EXTREME!

Anyone else wake up for their 5:30am workout? Lift some weights? Work those abs?

...Now let's see if I can repeat in a couple of days. It's the getting out of bed that's tricky...the rest is cake. (mmmm, cake....)

misshelen @ 2008-01-07T10:38:00

2008-01-07T18:39:33Z

Nothing like a day on the mountain to let a person know how really out of shape she is. Oh the pain!! But it's a pain I'm happy to live with--as long I have memories of swooshing through the snow.

New Years

2007-12-27T18:44:46Z

Shawn and I, along with his neighbors, will be hosting a New Years Party. It's going to be casual-- bring a bottle of something you are willing to share and we'll let you party all night long. If you are looking for a place to ring in the year, let me know and I'll give you details. Or, if you are just collecting a list of parties so you can jump from place to place until you find the party right for you, let me know and I'll give you details.

I survived TEXAS!!

2007-12-16T07:53:16Z

..but my goodness, they are ANGRY DRIVERS.

And amidst all the crazy Texas stuff I met Shawn's mother and brother. I was well received and the family was just the right amount of crazy to make me feel right at home.

Watch out folks-- I flew across the country to meet the family (to TEX-ASS no less)-- it must be serious.

Cheers to all!

oh yeah-- and out of the whole deal I got a Hanukkah present from his mother. Yeah for my first year of cashing in on BOTH holidays. Woot!

somedays...

2007-10-30T20:26:42Z

I love my job, but some days....

I just feel like I've been hit with a truck. How does that happen in such a short time?

stuff and things

2007-10-26T02:50:19Z

I don't post as much with things are going...well, as they should. I love my job, Portland treats me well, and I'm happily in love. My life happily moves from day to day and all I can think is, "thank goodness I left Hermiston"
There are moments when I think of the students I left, the projects I started, and the people I worked with and I think "what if..." and then I look around this beautiful city, leaves changing, late blooming flowers, delicate dew on spider webs in the morning--this is the place to be. I call friends on the weekends, talk with my mom on afternoon walks, and life feels right.
I'm still getting settled in many ways. I haven't seen everyone I hoped to see and I still have to find my weekend rhythm. After a week of teaching, I can't always get the energy to do all the things I want to do. I still struggle explaining to friends why I just can't go out on weeknights. That option just does not exist for me. I've tried it, and it makes my work day Hell. Hell with 8th graders. Ick.
But anyway, life is good. Thought I should post.

Also, when finding a place to watch the rugby world cup my father and I discovered North 45 on NW21st. What a wonderful place! An international feel, a place for travelers to share their stories. There is usually soccer or rugby on the screens and the food was awesome. Best fish and chips I've had since I left Wales. They have a daily happy hour from 4-6, the perfect time for this teacher, gets me home in time for some paper grading and early bed time. So, anyone is invited! I do need to see more friends, I promise to try and make more calls, but I also promise to answer any calls I get. I'm learning how to be social around a regular work schedule. It just takes a little more planning.

misshelen @ 2007-10-02T17:48:00

2007-10-03T00:52:25Z

Rainy fall days in Portland...
Have you noticed how bright the trees look against the grey sky?

Didn't really appreciate these wet cozy colorful days until I spent a dry brown year in The Herm.
Now I'm bundled up and watching the rain and who cares what the students were like today?

(But if you do care...they were awesome. I am KICKING ASS this year!)

misshelen @ 2007-08-13T17:54:00

2007-08-14T00:54:56Z

school starts in two weeks??!!!

(well, for teachers, anyway)

misshelen @ 2007-08-12T15:50:00

2007-08-12T22:52:01Z

To those I have not seen at all this summer...I just havn't been home! I thought moving to Portland would mean seeing friends, but I just seem to be here and there and everywhere. Fun, but busy. I will be back in the normal loop soon. maybe.

My Secret Dream

2007-02-02T00:59:03Z

When I'm a millionare...
During pledge week on Public Radio I want to call and say--dramatically,
"How much do you need?"
"What?" the trained pledge taker will say.
"How much do you need to keep functioning so you can go back to regular programming?"
Then I'll give them my credit card number. Then my regular news programs will come on with no interuptions promising videos of the Nutcracker if I will only give $50.
That is my dream .

misshelen @ 2007-01-30T20:39:00

2007-01-31T04:40:06Z

One of the big misapprehensions about mathematics that we perpetrate in our classrooms is that the teacher always seems to know the answer to any problem that is discussed. This gives students the idea that there is a book somewhere with all the right answers to all of the interesting questions, and that teachers know those answers. And if one could get hold of the book, one would have everything settled. That's so unlike the true nature of mathematics.
--Leon Henkin

take a moment for the Avocado

2007-01-18T14:34:51Z

Have you heard about the Avocados? What with the wacky weather through California it looks as though a huge part of the crop has been lost. Aye me! This, the reporter tells me, before the busiest avcado weekend of the year--Super Bowl Sunday, when they are eaten in the form of guacamole.
I mourn for the avacado...how I love them. Watch out, prices are about to rise.

best yet

2006-09-06T21:56:24Z

Best day yet. Not a perfect day, but things are getting better. I might even know what I'm doing more than a few hours in advance. That would be nice. So very nice.
I'm just waiting for ONE DAY without a meeting. Everyday since I've been here. That's 10 week days with meetings in them. CRAZY. And I have TWO tomorrow. I would have three, but two are at the same time. Drat. So too bad for me, can't go to one.

misshelen @ 2006-05-29T23:12:00

2006-05-30T06:12:59Z

Hiking today-woo hoo! Nice to get out of town, good way to spend the day. EXTREME!

Monsoon Wedding

2006-05-26T19:50:41Z

I love this movie. Yes I do.
I don't always know what's going on, I can't keep all the people straight, I know I'm missing some of the cultural stuff, and yet I just love it.
Good stuff.

Helen's Book Club

2006-05-26T04:37:19Z

The City of Ember by Jeanne DePrau

Published in 2003, this book has been picked up by middle schools the nation over. Remember when we were 9,10,11, 12 years old and everyone who was a reader of any sort had read one or more of the following: The Giver, Maniac Magee, Number the Stars, or even Afternoon of the Elves. Well, this is the It book of the moment, so I had to read. Oh MAN, I could not put it down. It's one of those "this could be the future if we don't watch out but still has strange parallels to today" books. And yes, "perhaps" that was too "long" of a "phrase" to put in "quotation" marks, but what's the good of quotations marks if you can't "overuse" them?
Anyway, a great read if you can get your hands on it and you kinda miss those books you used to check out of the library and read during DEAR time (extra credit if you remember what the letters stand for--but you can't play if you are currently in education or have a parent in education. Too easy)
My favorite quote--an example of those moments when Young Adult lit gets it right--

"Do you think an Invisible Being is watching over us all the time?"
"Perhaps," someone answered.
There was a long silence.
"And then agin, perhaps not."

I read it in a long evening--you can too! Check it out!

misshelen @ 2006-05-23T20:17:00

2006-05-23T20:21:52Z

Whatcha doin' Saturday night?
I'll tell you what--
Going to see The Clintons Band play at the Tonic Lounge here in Portland, OR!
Don't know who The Clintons are? Don't worry, you're not alone. They are a Bozeman bred band full of good fun and good music. Who can resist that? I WILL be there, and I'm hoping to get others along as well, but I will go alone.
Also, I just noticed they are playing Sunday night at the Bitter End Pub, but I havn't done much research on that.
So, come one, come all! Drop a line or give a ring, we'll make it happen! check out the website at www.clintonsband.com