Blah, blah, blog!

Is there anything he can't do?

I hope I don't offend my husband, but I'm categorizing this post under decorating because this garage makeover is just pretty.  For anyone with a great memory, you remember the Great Garage Purge of 2008 Don't you?
Remember the progress reports of the cabinet building?  My excitement when the drywall went up?  And of course, who could forget move in day?

Here is one final post in the saga of our garage makeover:  the cabinet doors.  Ahhh....we no longer have huge pieces of plywood laying along side our house!  That husband of mine is one talented guy!  And we love our cabinets!

PS:  I still live in my office;)

Bringing a little Aloha home

It was tough, but we managed to drag ourselves on to the plane and fly away home.  We had an absolutely wonderful time.  We flew home on the red eye at 7 AM Friday morning July 3 and got to work right away in preparation for our annual 4th of July neighborhood block party.  Inspired the the luau feasts of Hawaii, I got up early (kinda cheated actually since I'm still on "Hawaiian time) and put on the Kahlua Pig for roast for 10 hours....yum.  I'll feed a crowd with rice and fruit and of course the good 'ol standard grilled hotdogs. Happy Independence Day.  Let Freedom Ring!

North Shore: Family Style

My Aunt Sue and Uncle Choppy live on the North Shore of O'ahu and have done so since 1966.  Why, oh why haven't I made it more of a priority to get over here more often?

They live right here on Hukilau Beach.  The only place to eat in town is the charming little Hukilau Cafe, where banana pancakes and local ono food like fried rice and spam is served for breakfast....hey when in Rome, right?

This place is PARADISE...maybe we truly needed to wait until the kids were old enough to hold their own with the ocean and the sand.  Maybe we needed to really NEED a vacation like we did this year, but we are having a WONDERFUL time and my aunt and uncle are making it really special for us.
This is a view from their backyard, not bad huh?
 

The only one I'm really concerned about is Delaney.  She's taken to island life a little too well. 
 

My Aunt and Uncle's home is the PERFECT place for these kids to vacation, because we never hear "I'm bored".  They want to spend every moment possible in that water.  So nice.


 

My Uncle Choppy used to spend hours with me in the water when I was little.  Now he is doing the same with my kids.  It is such a treat to see that.  My kids are loving it and having the time of their lives.
 

Will I ever lure her back home?

We explored and found some ancient Hawaiian burial grounds and did some light hiking.  The views were magnificent over Waimea Bay.

We also went to see the Dole Pineapple Plantation.  We rode the Pineapple Express, which was actually pretty fun.  We listened to Hawaiian music while riding the train through the fields and learning about the history and vision of James Dole.  Quite impressive to imagine taking this kind of bare land and creating his pineapple empire.  We also toured the gardens and of course had the famous frozen pineapple whips.  Yum.

While driving on the two lane roads along the North Shore, we saw several of these shrimp trucks.  We also saw a lot of the shrimp ponds and trying to understand the local ag economy here.  You know I am all about eating local, so we set out to find dinner and ended up at Giovanni's Aloha Shrimp Wagon.  According to the local story, the original owner of this shrimp truck sold it in 1997 for $120K.  She decided she wanted it back for that price in 2001.  The new owner thought it was worth a lot more and said she could buy it back for $700K.  The original owner sent two gunmen in who held the new owner down with a pen in hand, forcing him to sign the contract to sell back the business for $120K.  Owner #1 was later convicted of extortion, robbery, and kidnapping. Giovanni's Aloha Shrimp Wagon happily sells their famous garlic shrimp for $22 a pound.  I cooked them myself.

Monday my Aunt & Uncle offered to take the kids all day so Todd and I could go enjoy a day alone doing what we wanted to do.  I jumped at that offer!  I had really hoped to score a visit to Doris Duke's Shangra La Estate on Diamond Head to see her vast collection of Islamic art.  However, the tours are very limited and we were unable to get tickets until later in the week.  Oh well, it gives us something to look forward to for our next visit!

Plan B was to tour "The Grand Ladies of Waikiki".  These two hotels were the first to be built in Waikiki and have a rich history.  We started with the Moana Surf Rider Hotel.

The Moana Surf Rider Hotel opened in 1901 and had the first elevator on the island.  The rooms went for $1.50 upon opening.  The european architecture and wide verandas are stunning.  I loved it here. The Banyan tree in this courtyard was planted in 1904 and provides an elegant canopy for the beachside courtyard.

I loved the wide verandas lined with huge rocking chairs.  If it wasn't for the hundreds of tourists crawling all over the place, you could easily sit back and enjoy the ocean breezes and imagine you were in a more gentile time.  Looking out into the ocean, we caught a glimpse of outrigger canoes skimming by.  Upstairs, we studied the museum cases of hotel memorabilia and learned a little more about the history of this romantic landmark.

Next door, we walked the grounds of the "Pink Palace of the Pacific", the Royal Hawaiian.  Built by the Matson Steamship Company to accommodate the cruise ship passengers, it was opened in 1927.  The Royal Hawaiian was considered a "playground" for the rich and famous even through the dark days of the depression. After the events of December 7, 1941, the Royal Hawaiian was closed and the military used it for R&R WWII Servicemen.  In 1947 it was renovated and reopened.

 

We did get to see a glimpse of the "historic wing" with the carved doors imported from Indonesesia, but apparently this hotel underwent a $60 million dollar renovation last year. Apparently the conversion to the "Starwood Luxury Label" brings with it a major focus on commercialization and it has all but lost the old world charm.  It is beautiful, but very, very focused on how exclusive it is, rather than how historic it is. I guess no one really cares about history...and that is why we wanted to see it in the first place.

The concierge mentioned that though the Mai Tai originated in Indonesia, it was officially named right here at this very bar, at this very hotel, on this very beach.  Not one to let a history lesson like that be lost, I had to stop in for a commemorative cocktail...

We ended our day by rounding Diamond Head and finding the Kahala Resort.  Now THIS is JUST my speed: quiet, hidden, and oh so chill.  It was once a Manadarin resort and even after renovation, the Mandarin touches are still seen and so well done.  We specifically went to enjoy high tea on the veranda while overlooking the dolphins in the lagoons below.  It was a beautiful way to end our day.

Today we are on to the Polynesian Cultural Center to learn all about the various island cultures.  The kids should dig it.  Aloha!

My Celebration Purse

Today I bought myself a celebration purse:

Do you have any idea how long it has been since I've bought myself a Celebration Purse?  I don't.  But today I felt like it.  So I did.  And I love it. 

While true celebration may be premature, today sure feels like some hard work is beginning to pay off and a new day is upon us.

Yesterday I ran from a full day at school running among dual award ceremonies to grade level field days to the district interim Superintendent search hearings to our charter school parent information meeting.  My day started at 6 AM and I slid home sometime around midnight.  While helping out with the Q&A session at the charter school meeting I got a text message that Wayne Joseph (our top choice for interim Superintendent) was voted in 3:1.  You have no idea how huge this is for our school community. I feel like Johnny Nash should break out in song any moment with "I Can See Clearly Now The Rain Is Gone....All Of The Dark Clouds Have Disappeared..." Our school district has seen some dark days, bad management, and outright mean-spirited, ruthless, power plays that lined pockets and enhanced resumes, but left our kids worse for the wear.  Today that changes.  A reason to celebrate.

Our little charter school parent information meeting last night was not advertised other than on our little blog and the few Starbucks bulletin boards I managed to post.  We had no idea if 10 or 20 people would show up.  We had planned on two 30-minute sessions to get people in and out and move on.  We had over 100 people show up, with standing room only and the meetings went on for three hours.  We will host a second round on Sunday evening as an encore event.  A reason to celebrate.

Baby D had her kindergarten "promotion"/awards ceremony today and was recognized for excellence in ALL academic areas and for reading over 228 books this school year (go us!)  But the big reason to celebrate is that we are FINISHED with the 1/2 day kindergarten schedule and that come fall I WILL ACTUALLY HAVE ALL THREE CHILDREN IN ONE SCHOOL FOR THE ENTIRE DAY!!!
Another reason to celebrate!

Today was also bittersweet.

The morning started with a school-wide "Send Off" continental breakfast to say thank you to our teachers, staff members, and most recently, our Dean (who we learned late Friday afternoon the District decided to move to another campus--a.k.a. "the admin shuffle").


Then the bell rang and the kids lined up and the sixth graders led the Parade of Universities into the Student Union for their last time as Rhodes Scholars.  With fight songs blaring, pom poms waving and tears flowing, this particular tradition, this year stung just a little, because we watched the most amazing teachers lead these kids in for the last time as Rhodes Professors.  Two of three of these sixth grade teachers will be without a job in this district next year.
 

Today was filled with celebration and goodbye.  We acknowledged our traditions and smiled with all that our community has worked together to create.  At the same time, the end of this school year is like no other.  Most years, I look forward to seeing the bridge of summer and familiar faces in fall.  Today I know that nothing will be the same when we return.

So....with award ceremonies complete and grade level parties finished, reports card in hand, and desks cleaned out, I have decided to play hookie on the last day of the year. The past few months have been intense. I have my reasons.  Call it a mental health day if you will.  I'm taking my family and we're going to go play off campus.

Maybe I'll go show off my new purse.

The Glow Dance Performance

It appears my daughter will dance in front of entire school.  The room just has to be dark.  Who knew??

P is in green, to the left.

California Secretary of Education Dr. Glen Thomas comes to Rhodes!

Last week, our elementary school had the very special privilege of hosting Dr. Glen Thomas to our campus.  Dr. Thomas is an old college friend of Buzz Jensen, who is filling in as our Interim Chancellor (we love him).  Amid all of the crazy things happen with the cuts to public education and cuts to funding across our state in general, Dr. Thomas made time to fly down for the morning and see our school. It is my understanding that during the car ride from the airport to our campus (a 20 minute ride) Schwarzenegger called Thomas six times to discuss the many cuts that were to be announced later that afternoon.

These are trying times in our state and any this man has a difficult job.  As I can only imagine, Dr. Thomas has been hammered with high-level federal, state, county, and regional meetings that focus on fiscal impact and revenues ad nauseam.  Buzz looked at his old friend and said, "This morning we're going to give you some relief".

Dr. Glen Thomas and Buzz Jensen

Rhodes Professor John Shipes and Dr. Glen Thomas

Our Professors all have Universities thus the themes

Correctional Lieutenant, Mark Hargrove and CA Inst. for Men,                  
 Warden, Aref Fakhoury with Dr. Thomas.

Rhodettes performing at the special assembly

Dr. Thomas greeting our Scholars

and more Scholars are in da house!

Scholars are on the Run to 961!  Last year we were on the Drive to 925 and we hit 945....and ended up at the beach.  I wonder what can happen this year?

Following our Assembly, we had an abbreviated parent forum where Dr. Thomas answered parent questions regarding important issues facing public education.

The visit from Secretary of Education Dr. Glen Thomas was so important for our community. He is a very genuine man with a very tough job right now.  The news is sobering, but Dr. Thomas gave us the straight shot and the bottom line is it is time to rethink our systems of government. My personal interpretation is that Dr. Thomas is in favor of quality charter schools. He did all but come out and say the words....but he sure did indicate that it IS NOT time to cut and retreat from quality education or from the classroom. It is time to work smarter (me thinks = the charter model)

His visit was NOT some political stop or arrangement by the Governor's office.  In fact, the Q&A session planned for our parent's following our student PEP Rally was cut down to a 15 minute session in Checquers (staff lounge) due to Arnold calling him back to Sacramento to announce more budget cuts that afternoon.  More than one person shared with me that this experience has created a personal connection with what was formerly a nameless faceless entity of state government.  That connection changes everything.

Thank you Dr. Thomas for making time to come visit our little campus.  We're sure proud of it and we hope you see the promise it holds for the kids.  We don't want to lose what we have worked so hard to create. 

 

Long time gone.....

"...and I ain't hoed a row since I don't know when..."

But I sure have been working my ass off!

Seriously...WHERE do I begin?
California is in peril

Big government + poor fiscal management = public education crisis

Long story short, here is the text to the speech I delivered to the CVUSD Board of Trustees last night.  I have been part of a core team of dedicated educators and parents who seek to establish the first charter school in our community.  It is, we believe, the only way, to preserve autonomy and do what is right for kids.

My words:

"Good evening.  My name is Carrie B.  I am a parent to three students and I support this charter petition.

I am here tonight because I believe in education.  I believe in school choice.  And I absolutely and completely believe in your abilities to see beyond the status quo and act in the best interest of the students, families, and the future of the Chino Valley and approve our petition to bring the first charter school into our community and enhance school choice for all students.

What do I know about Chino schools you ask?  Well, I am a proud alumnus of Richard Gird, Cortez, Magnolia and Chino High Schools. My parents graduated from Chino High School and in fact, my grandfather even attended Chino schools when it was a single building on Riverside Drive in what is now your district office.  My family’s five generations in the Chino Valley have witnessed a dynamic and at times challenging evolution as our schools have done the best they can to meet the demands of growing population yet declining enrollments.  (I continue to be confounded by that juxtaposition).

While I cannot claim that Chino Valley Unified offers “A World Class Education” across EVERY campus nor that every campus offer equitable learning environments, I can say this:  I personally have witnessed World Class Educators offer unparalleled dedication, innovative educational programs, and a school community that has come together to create and protect a program they believe in. Building a philosophy, building a program, and investing in our vision is something we believe is worth preserving and yes, making even stronger.  It is the intention of this group to expand and share that vision.

They say that adversity brings about opportunity.  Mr. Klein was quoted  in the newspaper as saying the district budget crisis was “a nightmare beyond anyone’s comprehension”.  Now keeping the events of the past few months in mind: the budget cuts, the RIF ("Reduction In Force") notices, the closing three schools, the uncertainty of our district’s future, I believe President Orozco and gentlemen of the Board, that this effort (the 300 page petition, the Board of Directors who share our vision, the community support, and many other facets of this effort) this is precisely the kind of innovation, critical thinking and problem-solving that we profess to teach our children and leaders of tomorrow. 

We tell our children, when you are faced with crisis, come up with a solution.  Don’t just sit there and cry.  Well, when the going got tough, we got to work.

Charter education can be an extremely efficient tool for local management of resources and improving the rigor and performance of academic programs.  Our charter petition is truly a grassroots community effort, supported by an emerging trend in both high level political and corporate support as America’s public education system clearly needs a departure from broken systems and should embrace new systems.  We owe our children a better way.

We look forward to being your partner in education."

To learn more about how I've been spending my days and nights since March 6, 2009 please visit Oxford Preparatory Academy or become a fan on our Facebook Page (search Oxford Preparatory Academy).  You may also join our interest list by emailing us at OxfordPreparatoryAcademy@gmail.com.  Chances are, I'll be answering your email....

Captain J wins the 400 meter

Our elementary school entered the district wide track and field competition on Saturday.  I don't have all of the numbers in yet, but every elementary and middle school in the district entered events ranging from the 50 meter relay to the 800 meter, long jump, high jump, softball throw, and relays.  Families arrived at 7:30 AM and were there well past 5:30 PM.  We all got our first sunburns of the season.
We also got our first taste of watching our son compete and win at an individual sport.  He was awesome.  He loves running the 400 and I have to say, he smoked 'em.
  He also had the first leg in the 50 meter relay and did the long jump, but his event is clearly the 400.
He can't wait to go compete in the regionals on May 9th.

Hale to the Cullens

My Twilight-obsessed Tween heard the DVD was to be released on March 20th.  Similar to the Deathly Hallows Days, the fantastic folks at Borders hosted a midnight DVD release party on Friday night.  I didn't want to say anything too early lest I flake out on her, but Friday afternoon after her horseback lesson I let P in on the secret that IF she takes at least a two hour nap into the early evening, I would take her to the midnight release party.  She was all over that idea!

By 10 PM, P was primped,pretty, and in my car waiting and ready.  She wore her Alice choker and off we went.  I chose to go to a special Borders "concept store" a few miles further than the one in my town because I thought they would have a better event.

We hooked up the iPod and blasted the soundtrack all the way there. Borders had a literary scavenger hunt of sorts that kept the hundreds of people busy as we waited for midnight. The scavenger hunt questions were like, "go find the religion section and locate the book that inspired the cover design of the book" Or "go to the travel section and locate a book on the city of Edward's birthplace. Write the title and author here".  They also had some games, trivia and raffle prizes. 

At midnight they had people line up and started selling the DVDs.  We did not pre-order a copy and understood that we were likely going to get a standard version of the movie and were fine with that.  We had #147 of the "overflow" tickets.  By the time we got up to the registers, I think they only had 16 total copies left and the store had ordered 600 copies.  The cashier said she only had regular versions left and I said "that's fine".  Then she whispered, "Do you want an exclusive edition?" and I said "Sure".  And off we went.

I swore I would never allow TVs in my kids rooms.  Last night I sort of broke that rule and I set up a little 13" TV/DVD combo that used to be in our garage so she could fully enjoy the whole midnight movie experience.  She was so happy.

Any my husband didn't really even get mad at me.

P will be a fitful mess today of course, but she'll get a nap and let's not forget....she IS a tween.

Pink Friday--Showing our Teachers some love

I have been proud of our school for a long time.  I write about it. I blog about.  I brag about it to anyone who will indulge me with five minutes to listen.  I can't help but feel a little hubris when it comes to a place that has provided such a wonderful environment to learn and grow for my children. Yes.  I am very proud of my school.

Yet beyond being proud of our school, our teachers have given me confidence. I am secure in knowing that my children are getting an academic foundation that is built upon more than the many standards taught.  Our teachers and programs are innovative.  Employing the theory of Multiple Intelligences throughout our program, they teach to all eight intelligences.  I have great confidence in knowing that I leave my kids for big spans every day with people who have a calling  and are not just punching a clock or passing time.  Our teachers are passionate educators and I trust them as partners in raising my children.  

Yet beyond the feelings of pride and confidence... likely intensified in light of the events of this past week...I am feeling protective.... protective of a school community that includes the educators that work so hard day (and many nights) to make this place such a special place for our kids. We have all worked so hard for many years now to create a place that works for our kids, a place that includes and values the parent community, and a place that definitely, absolutely, and totally thinks outside of the box. This place cannot exist without the very special educators that pour themselves into their work.  

Pink Slips have been issued many times over the years and often are no reason to panic. This year is different. Not only did 1/3 of our staff receive them this week, there is very little chance any district budget balancing will bring our staff back.  Our district had to cut $44 million from the budget.  To do this, they are closing three local elementary schools.  Tenured teachers will be placed and our younger, energetic, awesome teachers are out.  Anyone hired after 2001 was cut.  The district also increased class sizes.  This also means we will require fewer teachers to teach more kids.  

At this very moment, it feels like there is very little we can do. Wearing pink may seem pointless to some, but it was a demonstration of support to OUR teachers.  I did for our teachers.  I am no fan of unions.  Critics will say that this was some kind of "emotional manipulation" by union bullies.  Not for me.  This was purely personal.  And it was the very least we could do.