Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Pete and Repete get awards

I guess this is my year for teaching awards. This morning I was honored along with other teachers in the district by receiving the Rotary Students Choice Award. The elementary school teacher awards are selected from seventh grade student nominations. Pete Darragh, friend and colleague, also received the award. I feel doubly honored as this is the same award that Don and I received last year.

Monday, May 26, 2008

sailing at last!


sailing at last!
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor
With the lousy weather this spring and my mooring buoy gone, it took me longer to get the sailing started. Yesterday, Calvin helped me launch the boat and drop a new mooring anchor system. This afternoon I went for a three hour sail down Colvos Passage. The wind was moderate to slight - good conditions for the first sail of the year. Another first today was a craigslist purchase. Esther has been looking for end tables on craigslist for quite some time. She saw some she wanted, so it was a quick call and trip to Mercer Island. It was good to be home this weekend and get some things accomplished.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Makah Munchkins


Shi Shi Beach
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor
I feel like I missed the Saturday scorcher in Puget Sound. But I'm not complaining, because we had a great time in Neah Bay with the students and some of their parents. Our annual trip to the Northwest tip of Washington was once again blessed by nice weather. Saturday, which holds the bulk of our activity was sunny, though not extremely warm. It didn't stop the kids from enjoying the water. No low tides this year to explore tide pools; but there was a heavy surf, which enhanced the spectacular setting of Shi Shi Beach. (which was accessed by a three-mile muddy trail) Our campsite was at Hobouck Beach which is much flatter and more conducive to beach games. Sunday morning brought in a cold fog which chased the kids to a campfire while they waited for their bacon, eggs and pancakes. Then it was off to Cape Flattery with it's fog shrouded cliffs and caves. We topped the trip off with a visit to the Makah museum which so tastefully depicts the ancient culture of these 'people of the Cape.'

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

'new' principal for Sidney Glen

After an intense two weeks, the new principal for our school was announced. Jason Shdo is a veteran teacher at Sidney Glen and a long time friend. He is currently the Assistant Principal at Orchard Heights, where Esther works. Our gain is their loss, so it is a bitter sweet announcement for our family. After teaching at Sidney Glen for fifteen years, Jason taught and was a dean at the high school. He has been at Orchard Heights for two years, but couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a shot at his old stomping grounds. Our staff has been very excited at the prospect of his return and leadership. Just goes to show that sometimes a prophet does have honor in his own country. Congratulations, Jason!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

mother's day


mother's day
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor
Esther had a warm Mother's Day despite the winter in the air. Markus came home for the day. Bjorn and Jenny called and wrote a nice daughter-in-law blog. Dinner was Kim's teriyaki take home and we went for a cool walk. Different this year is the need for a cozy fire in the fireplace.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Dolphin Dash

Sorry about the blogage shortage. I have been preoccupied lately with the selection process of a new principal for our school next year. As part of the interview team, it has been pretty intense. We are down to two candidates and we should know next week. Today was the first annual Dolphin Dash at Sidney Glen. The PTA sponsored a 5k run/race with a carnival afterwards. I had decided that it has been about 15 years since I took a race seriously, and I was curious what this 50 year old could do in a 5k. There were about 200 participants and I thought there might be some competition. I started strong off the starting line and took the lead. I could hear someone behind me and assumed I was leading a pack. After about a mile, a teenage boy passed me. I decided to look back. There was nothing else there! I tried to keep up a strong pace for the rest of the race and finished 2nd, well ahead of any other competitors. My time was a little over 22:00. Then it was into a cold dunk tank at the carnival. By the time I got dried off, I was in the initial stages of hypothermia.