9/14/2007: 14.21-mile biking, 50:19, 16.9 mph
9/18/2007: 14.21-mile biking, 49:55, 17.1 mph
My high hopes of running in the evenings have produced little substance. I ran last week on Monday night, but since then I have not made the time to run. Fortunately, I have to bike just over 14 miles to and from work every day - except yesterday when I took the car, but there was a good reason - or else I would be in bad shape. As it is, I am in pretty good shape. I do think that running 5 miles and biking 14 miles each weekday may be more than my body can handle (on top of work responsibilities.) I'll find that balance, but for now I'm back to being a cyclist.
The lesson on Sunday went well. It's quite a change to go from a 25-30 member Elders' quorum in Irvine to a 15 member combined High Priest/Elders' quorum here. I got many compliments on my lesson. I heard that the Relief Society's version of the lesson was not as well presented. I think that may be a first in my experience - a priesthood lesson "outperforming" a relief society lesson. It may just be that the sister teaching the lesson tried to present all the material in the SWK manual (even though the "teaching helps" at the beginning warn against that.) In sum, my Sunday teaching went well.
My presentation on Monday went great. I took the car so I wouldn't have to worry about changing at work and so I would have the most amount of time to go over the PowerPoint one last time. I spoke for about 25-30 minutes and then answered 5 or 6 questions. Only two of the questions were really directed to the content of my presentation. The others were all tangential issues about enemy combatants and American foreign policy in general. Having participated in several job talks and presentations at UC Irvine, I was well-prepared for these "statements with a question tagged on at the end."
Right now I'm just trying to get a little more than "one day" ahead of my classes - so I'll end with this: Even though I have a great deal of work to do to even feel caught up, I am happier than I have been in more than 5 years. I am doing something I love and have a vision of my life that is settled and that I am excited about.
Maybe now I can start looking for a house,
Brad
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Am I "respected" or just old???
9/13/2007: 14.19-mile biking, 50:35, 16.8 mph
My Wednesday 'prep' day turned into my Wednesday "sleep in and then drive to school only to have several students stop by before and after my office hour to talk and keep me from getting anything done" day. So I have been a little frazzled, but I had to post because of what just happened. As I walked past one of my students in the hall he nodded and said "hey sir." "Sir?" I know I should take that as a comment of respect, but part of me feels a lot older now. I'll get over it - I've gotten over hearing "Mr." or "Professor" Young.
I guess for guys "old" and "respected" are about the same,
Brad
p.s. Liz - you would definitely ace my State & Local class with an insight like that.
My Wednesday 'prep' day turned into my Wednesday "sleep in and then drive to school only to have several students stop by before and after my office hour to talk and keep me from getting anything done" day. So I have been a little frazzled, but I had to post because of what just happened. As I walked past one of my students in the hall he nodded and said "hey sir." "Sir?" I know I should take that as a comment of respect, but part of me feels a lot older now. I'll get over it - I've gotten over hearing "Mr." or "Professor" Young.
I guess for guys "old" and "respected" are about the same,
Brad
p.s. Liz - you would definitely ace my State & Local class with an insight like that.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Biking in the rain...
9/11/2007: 14.21-mile biking, 52:09, 16.3 mph
Yesterday we had some big downpours come through Ocean County. My bike into work included only a light mist until I got about 1/2 mile from the college - then it started to rain pretty hard. The bike home was pretty dry, but windy. My office mate was amazed that I hadn't driven in because of the weather. I may be crazy but I'm in shape.
In my State & Local Government classes yesterday, I divided the students into groups of 4 or 5 and had them come up characteristics of New Jersey behavior/ideas/beliefs/actions that could be explained by facts about the state (geography, demographics, history, charismatic leaders, etc.) I though we'd do that for about 20 minutes and then I'd do an overview of Federalism. Was I wrong! They all got right into it in their groups. When I finally stopped them and opened the class up for each group to present the discussion was lively and interesting. I had to stop them after 45 minutes because we were just out of time! I learned so much about the state and why New Jersey is and acts the way it does.
If your unwilling to learn you shouldn't be a teacher,
Brad
Yesterday we had some big downpours come through Ocean County. My bike into work included only a light mist until I got about 1/2 mile from the college - then it started to rain pretty hard. The bike home was pretty dry, but windy. My office mate was amazed that I hadn't driven in because of the weather. I may be crazy but I'm in shape.
In my State & Local Government classes yesterday, I divided the students into groups of 4 or 5 and had them come up characteristics of New Jersey behavior/ideas/beliefs/actions that could be explained by facts about the state (geography, demographics, history, charismatic leaders, etc.) I though we'd do that for about 20 minutes and then I'd do an overview of Federalism. Was I wrong! They all got right into it in their groups. When I finally stopped them and opened the class up for each group to present the discussion was lively and interesting. I had to stop them after 45 minutes because we were just out of time! I learned so much about the state and why New Jersey is and acts the way it does.
If your unwilling to learn you shouldn't be a teacher,
Brad
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
The boys made dinner...
9/10/2007: 14.18-mile biking, 50:22, 16.9 mph
9/10/2007: 5.2-mile run, 45:30, 8:45 pace
Yesterday I started teaching seminary at 6am, so I moved my running routine to the evening. Having the entire day of meals behind me will probably be better for me than my habit of running on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Despite the fact that my lower back and legs hurt from biking to and from work and standing/dancing around the classroom teaching for 5 hours, I felt energized throughout my run. My time is one of the best times I have posted since we moved. I also slept quite well last night - I was a little concerned about running so close to bedtime.
I had such energy to run because my two boys made a great dinner for us last night (with the help of their beautiful Mom!) The main dish was an egg cooked in the cut-out middle of a piece of bread with ham and cheese on top. The name is something about "birds in a nest." They also made a yogurt dish with fresh fruit and chocolate Life cereal sprinkled on top. The recipes come from Cooking Rocks! Rachael Ray 30-Minute Meals for Kids. I loved it, the boys had a great time making and eating it, and my wife likes the fact that the recipes in the book (including this one) are real recipes for real dinners that the whole family can enjoy - not just simplified meals that only the kids enjoy.
After reading the comments about yesterday's decision to not use PowerPoint, I thought it best to make a more scientifically sound examination of the issue. All five of the classes I have had since I posted have overwhelmingly approved of PowerPoint. I don't do PowerPoint in the manner that makes students dislike it (i.e. click really fast or simply say what is on the slide verbatim) and my students made some recommendations for how I could make the presentation more useful to them. Most of them echoed the comments to my post. So I did one more PowerPoint lecture yesterday and it turned out just fine. I didn't get to the lecture I planned today because the students got too involved with the group activity I assigned them (that's a very good thing!) I'll see if I can integrate my energetic and personal teaching approach and an effective PowerPoint presentation.
Finally, I have been asked to substitute for the Elders'/High Priest teacher this Sunday. I am excited about it - I love to teach - but I have a lot to do now! In addition to my regular OCC teaching I have to prepare a 30-minute presentation for Monday and a lesson on the Law of Chastity for Sunday morning.
I must love teaching because I am still so happy,
Brad
9/10/2007: 5.2-mile run, 45:30, 8:45 pace
Yesterday I started teaching seminary at 6am, so I moved my running routine to the evening. Having the entire day of meals behind me will probably be better for me than my habit of running on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Despite the fact that my lower back and legs hurt from biking to and from work and standing/dancing around the classroom teaching for 5 hours, I felt energized throughout my run. My time is one of the best times I have posted since we moved. I also slept quite well last night - I was a little concerned about running so close to bedtime.
I had such energy to run because my two boys made a great dinner for us last night (with the help of their beautiful Mom!) The main dish was an egg cooked in the cut-out middle of a piece of bread with ham and cheese on top. The name is something about "birds in a nest." They also made a yogurt dish with fresh fruit and chocolate Life cereal sprinkled on top. The recipes come from Cooking Rocks! Rachael Ray 30-Minute Meals for Kids. I loved it, the boys had a great time making and eating it, and my wife likes the fact that the recipes in the book (including this one) are real recipes for real dinners that the whole family can enjoy - not just simplified meals that only the kids enjoy.
After reading the comments about yesterday's decision to not use PowerPoint, I thought it best to make a more scientifically sound examination of the issue. All five of the classes I have had since I posted have overwhelmingly approved of PowerPoint. I don't do PowerPoint in the manner that makes students dislike it (i.e. click really fast or simply say what is on the slide verbatim) and my students made some recommendations for how I could make the presentation more useful to them. Most of them echoed the comments to my post. So I did one more PowerPoint lecture yesterday and it turned out just fine. I didn't get to the lecture I planned today because the students got too involved with the group activity I assigned them (that's a very good thing!) I'll see if I can integrate my energetic and personal teaching approach and an effective PowerPoint presentation.
Finally, I have been asked to substitute for the Elders'/High Priest teacher this Sunday. I am excited about it - I love to teach - but I have a lot to do now! In addition to my regular OCC teaching I have to prepare a 30-minute presentation for Monday and a lesson on the Law of Chastity for Sunday morning.
I must love teaching because I am still so happy,
Brad
Monday, September 10, 2007
A child's and a student's perspective...
9/7/2007: 14.18-mile biking, 50:35, 16.8 mph
9/8/2007: 5.2-mile run, 46:02, 8:52 pace
Today was my first day of seminary teaching. I had two students and we had a good time introducing ourselves and starting on the Old Testament. But that's not where the perspectives came from...
The student's perspective came after I finished teaching my Intro to Pol Sci class this morning. I had spent about 50 of the 75 minutes of class lecturing from a PowerPoint presentation. I then overheard a student (not mine) talking about how good this other instructor was. Why? She wrote all the notes and outline on the white-board and didn't use PowerPoint. The student loved that because she could keep up with the lecture and notes. As I reflected on the student's comments I came to realize that I am far more comfortable with my lousy writing and being able to move around the room than I am with a well-polished PowerPoint. I felt I had bored my students this morning with my lecture. So what do I do? I am going to bag the PowerPoint for now and go with what made me such a great teacher at UC Irvine - writing on the board, group activities and interacting with the students. I'll let you know how it goes.
The child's perspective is courtesy of my younger son. I was sitting at the breakfast table in my biking clothes, ready to get up and bike to work. I told the boys that we needed to say prayers so I could go to work. My younger son said, in an honestly 'I didn't hear you' tone, "where are you going?" I told him that I had to go to work. At that moment he gave me in my biker shorts and biking shirt a "That's nice dear" look that could have come from a mother who sees her teenager wearing five nose rings to go out with his/her friends, but forces a smile on her face to so as to not offend. Without using the tone of my voice it's painfully difficult to explain. Nevertheless, my wife and I had a difficult time containing our laughter. We both saw the look and got the message, though there is little I can do to improve my biking fashion.
Still learning and fixing,
Brad
9/8/2007: 5.2-mile run, 46:02, 8:52 pace
Today was my first day of seminary teaching. I had two students and we had a good time introducing ourselves and starting on the Old Testament. But that's not where the perspectives came from...
The student's perspective came after I finished teaching my Intro to Pol Sci class this morning. I had spent about 50 of the 75 minutes of class lecturing from a PowerPoint presentation. I then overheard a student (not mine) talking about how good this other instructor was. Why? She wrote all the notes and outline on the white-board and didn't use PowerPoint. The student loved that because she could keep up with the lecture and notes. As I reflected on the student's comments I came to realize that I am far more comfortable with my lousy writing and being able to move around the room than I am with a well-polished PowerPoint. I felt I had bored my students this morning with my lecture. So what do I do? I am going to bag the PowerPoint for now and go with what made me such a great teacher at UC Irvine - writing on the board, group activities and interacting with the students. I'll let you know how it goes.
The child's perspective is courtesy of my younger son. I was sitting at the breakfast table in my biking clothes, ready to get up and bike to work. I told the boys that we needed to say prayers so I could go to work. My younger son said, in an honestly 'I didn't hear you' tone, "where are you going?" I told him that I had to go to work. At that moment he gave me in my biker shorts and biking shirt a "That's nice dear" look that could have come from a mother who sees her teenager wearing five nose rings to go out with his/her friends, but forces a smile on her face to so as to not offend. Without using the tone of my voice it's painfully difficult to explain. Nevertheless, my wife and I had a difficult time containing our laughter. We both saw the look and got the message, though there is little I can do to improve my biking fashion.
Still learning and fixing,
Brad
Friday, September 7, 2007
Revelation on personal energy and Constitution Day...
9/6/2007: 14.22-mile biking, 51:57, 16.4 mph
Yesterday's bike ride was easy enough going into work but the wind was right in my face all the way home. In addition, I spent most of the day on my feet teaching four of my seven classes. All that explains the 1 mph dip in my speed.
I thought that sleeping in the past few days would help my energy level. I thought that biking every day to work and the stress of preparing and teaching classes would necessitate more sleep. Nope! I was wrong. I have more energy if I get up on only 6 hours of sleep and go running than if I stay in bed and get 1-2 extra hours of sleep. I have been dragging the last few mornings - so I hope to get back into running tomorrow morning.
Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) got a federal law signed that requires the Dean of the Social Sciences at OCC to recognize "Constitution Day" in some manner. The law is not specifically directed at OCC, but that's the effect it has. So, the Dean came by to see if I wanted to do something in the student center for "Constitution Day." I told him I would. So now I get to present, "Separation of Powers: the Iraq War" on Monday, September 17th. Doing so will look great on my tenure resume, it's a subject I am very interested in, and it will allow other students in the college to see me and hopefully get to know and like me.
Oh, and I start teaching seminary at 6am next week.
Just barely a day ahead,
Brad
Yesterday's bike ride was easy enough going into work but the wind was right in my face all the way home. In addition, I spent most of the day on my feet teaching four of my seven classes. All that explains the 1 mph dip in my speed.
I thought that sleeping in the past few days would help my energy level. I thought that biking every day to work and the stress of preparing and teaching classes would necessitate more sleep. Nope! I was wrong. I have more energy if I get up on only 6 hours of sleep and go running than if I stay in bed and get 1-2 extra hours of sleep. I have been dragging the last few mornings - so I hope to get back into running tomorrow morning.
Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) got a federal law signed that requires the Dean of the Social Sciences at OCC to recognize "Constitution Day" in some manner. The law is not specifically directed at OCC, but that's the effect it has. So, the Dean came by to see if I wanted to do something in the student center for "Constitution Day." I told him I would. So now I get to present, "Separation of Powers: the Iraq War" on Monday, September 17th. Doing so will look great on my tenure resume, it's a subject I am very interested in, and it will allow other students in the college to see me and hopefully get to know and like me.
Oh, and I start teaching seminary at 6am next week.
Just barely a day ahead,
Brad
Thursday, September 6, 2007
I came, I saw, I taught...
9/4/2007: 14.12-mile biking, 48:57, 17.3 mph
In response to Liz's comment:
I am only a day ahead of the students, but I did manage to sleep well last night.
I think I'll get more comfortable as the semester goes on. Everyone has been very helpful, and the students have tolerated my "name game" and other introductory activities well. I hope tomorrow goes as well as today.
I am upset at Verizon Wireless, however. Yesterday I tried to make a call, but couldn't because my "cell phone number was not valid." Come to find out that my number had been assigned to two different accounts at the same time. As the second account to receive the number I am the one that needs to change. Unfortunately, the change will not complete until Saturday, during which time I will be without my phone. I am also a little concerned because the new number I was assigned rings through to an active phone line - so how can it be mine?
In any case, I will have to update everyone with yet another phone number once this whole mess is figured out. Until then, call my wife with any emergencies or just send me an e-mail.
Maybe we should have gotten a land-line,
Brad
In response to Liz's comment:
I am only a day ahead of the students, but I did manage to sleep well last night.
I think I'll get more comfortable as the semester goes on. Everyone has been very helpful, and the students have tolerated my "name game" and other introductory activities well. I hope tomorrow goes as well as today.
I am upset at Verizon Wireless, however. Yesterday I tried to make a call, but couldn't because my "cell phone number was not valid." Come to find out that my number had been assigned to two different accounts at the same time. As the second account to receive the number I am the one that needs to change. Unfortunately, the change will not complete until Saturday, during which time I will be without my phone. I am also a little concerned because the new number I was assigned rings through to an active phone line - so how can it be mine?
In any case, I will have to update everyone with yet another phone number once this whole mess is figured out. Until then, call my wife with any emergencies or just send me an e-mail.
Maybe we should have gotten a land-line,
Brad
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
D-day minus two...
9/4/2007: 5.2-mile run, 46:02, 8:52 pace
Well here I am scrambling to get my courses outlined and syllabi ready. I think I'll do fine with the teaching part, but I don't know if I'll have all administrative stuff in place by 9:30 on Thursday. Oh well!
I hope I'll be able to sleep Wednesday night,
Brad
Well here I am scrambling to get my courses outlined and syllabi ready. I think I'll do fine with the teaching part, but I don't know if I'll have all administrative stuff in place by 9:30 on Thursday. Oh well!
I hope I'll be able to sleep Wednesday night,
Brad
Monday, September 3, 2007
And the calling is...
8/29/2007: 14.09-mile biking, 48:40, 17.4 mph
9/1/2007: 5.2-mile run, 46:27, 8:56 pace
My knee hurt all through Wednesday and Thursday, so I took Thursday and Friday off from biking and running. Thursday was easy to avoid - I had an all-day event at OCC to kick-off the academic year - lots of sitting was good for the knee. By Saturday morning I was able to run pain-free. I look forward to this week. I might be able to log over 20 miles of running and 50 miles of biking. I'll just have to see.
OK, for the big news. First of all, I was not sustained in our Ward meetings yesterday. The second counselor in the bishopric met with me to go over the details of the calling and told me that it was approved at the stake level. So what is the calling? Seminary teacher. I am very excited about it. I should be contacted this week by the CES director for our area and the High Council member over seminary/CES. As I understand it, I will be teaching every weekday at about 6am. I'll need to move my running time, but that's no big deal. I won't start until the 10th or 17th of September, so I have some time to prepare.
That's it. I think Becky had the closest guess with EQ/HP teacher. Well, gotta go shopping before the ward chili cook-off this afternoon.
I must have "teacher" written on my forehead,
Brad
9/1/2007: 5.2-mile run, 46:27, 8:56 pace
My knee hurt all through Wednesday and Thursday, so I took Thursday and Friday off from biking and running. Thursday was easy to avoid - I had an all-day event at OCC to kick-off the academic year - lots of sitting was good for the knee. By Saturday morning I was able to run pain-free. I look forward to this week. I might be able to log over 20 miles of running and 50 miles of biking. I'll just have to see.
OK, for the big news. First of all, I was not sustained in our Ward meetings yesterday. The second counselor in the bishopric met with me to go over the details of the calling and told me that it was approved at the stake level. So what is the calling? Seminary teacher. I am very excited about it. I should be contacted this week by the CES director for our area and the High Council member over seminary/CES. As I understand it, I will be teaching every weekday at about 6am. I'll need to move my running time, but that's no big deal. I won't start until the 10th or 17th of September, so I have some time to prepare.
That's it. I think Becky had the closest guess with EQ/HP teacher. Well, gotta go shopping before the ward chili cook-off this afternoon.
I must have "teacher" written on my forehead,
Brad
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