I spent the last few weeks finishing up 8 hours of library science classes in conjunction with Highline/SPU. I don't start my next round until September 21st so I have a little time off. In fact, it is just enough time to begin my University of Phoenix classes. I began my mentorship last week and started officially teaching yesterday. I am instructing 2 courses on critical thinking simultaneously. There is a lot of initial prep work for each class as I have to post all of the materials, welcome each student individually to class, and respond to each student's welcome as well as individual bio. As the weeks progress the most time will be spent grading. Although I am use to grading papers, the university is very specific about how quickly I need to give feedback and what the feedback looks like. Until I get use to their format of grading (as opposed to the one I have used for the past 6 years...my own) it will take me awhile to get into the swing of things.
To celebrate our 4th anniversary Jon and I took a trip to Oracs Island, part of the San Juan Island chain north and west of Seattle (about halfway to Victoria, Canada). We stayed for two nights at a fun bed and breakfast located on an otter's pond.
The food was great. We were served 5 course breakfasts every morning of sorbet, fresh fruit, some type of hot dish (oatmeal, french toast, or eggs), and scones. It was a great way to start the day.
We drove up Mt. Constitution, the highest point in the San Juans and located on Orcas Island, and hiked around Mountain Lake down to Cascasde Falls. It was a great 4 mile trek, and we sure worked up an appetite by the end. Lunch and dinner were spent walking through the biggest town on the island, Eastsound. All in all it was a relaxing weekend. The only bummer part was the traffic. Getting up to Anacortes, where we caught the ferry, took 3 hours instead of the usual 90 minutes because of a traffic accident. Coming home we lined up to get on the ferry nearly 3 hours before it left. We both wished there were easier ways to get to the San Juans.
Below: Us at Mountain Lake
We are planning on taking a short trip to the Portland area if the weather stays clear for Labor Day weekend. Jon has never been, so we plan on exploring the downtown area, hopefully still seeming some roses in the Rose Garden, getting to Multnomah Falls for some hiking, and ending at Mt St Helens. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather because if it does get overcast we have decided to stay in Seattle for the long weekend instead. It will be interesting to see how I can balance taking a little vacation while also monitoring a very lively UP class environment, too.
Bottom picture: From the top of Mt. Constitution on a very cloudy day.
Top picture: Jon at Cascade Falls
1 comment:
That sounds like a wonderful anniversary trip. Congratulations. Looks beautiful! Good luck with all of the new teaching, classes, new job. Lots going on but that is great too! You've hopped right in and hopefully with love it soon :)
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