My Trip to Pearl Harbor

This week I am finishing World War II in my history class. So I decided to take some of the footage that I shot at Pearl Harbor and make a little video to show. The discussion and subject matter for the Great Depression, World War II and the Holocaust can be pretty weighty and very difficult to digest for students. So at the beginning of the video I decided to add a little fun to it. The ending is all footage shot from my video camera.

My Trip to Pearl from Mr. Duez on Vimeo.

Aidan plays the yukulele

Hawaii Fun Back Home from fordee on Vimeo.

Hawaii Pictures

First few are of Waikiki Beach and Kuhio Beach. Then there are a few from an overlook in the mountains that looks over the opposite side of the island. The last bunch are of Pearl Harbor.

I'll write more later. Jet lag.

Hawaii Fun back home

After coming home this morning from Hawaii, I gave Aidan and Norma their gifts. We had a really great time playing.

I missed everyone so much. It is wonderful to be home.

Coming Home Tomorrow...

It has been a wonderful trip to Hawaii. I can't believe I am actually here... and have been here for days. Today was the first day that we weren't in the conference. So we went to Pearl Harbor very early. It was remarkable and VERY moving. I will post video and pictures of the when I return home. We also rented a car (my roommates and I) and we traveled around the island. We went all the way up to "North Shore" and saw the waves and ate lunch. It was INCREDIBLE. I don't know why anyone spends much time in Honolulu and Waikiki? The other more remote parts of the island is so 'paradise.' It is amazing.

Tomorrow we have most of the day here at the hotel and our flight leaves at 9:30pm. So we'll get home at around 8:00am or so in the morning in Texas (something like that). I hear that it is going to take me days to recover from jet lag and time difference, but I will be VERY glad to get home. I miss my beautiful wife and my boy very much. It is almost torturous to be here without them. I have been texting and sending pictures over my phone like mad. I wish they could be here with me to enjoy it.

Tonight I am going to do a little shopping and have a light dinner. We have been getting to bed here between 9 and 10 pm and waking up really early. It is nice to enjoy Waikiki while everyone else sleeps. Plus it is keeping us closer to Houston time... but not by much.

Can't wait to come back home... but it has been very nice. (I will write about the conference more later - but it was very good)

Hawaii

Hawaii Lava Flowing

At the end of the month I am heading to Hawaii for a conference. Today I saw this video footage of lava flowing:
Hawaii Lava Flow on CNN

That's about as close as I need to be! I am not so interested in lava flows. But, I guess I am getting excited about going and enjoying Hawaii. It might just be a once in a lifetime chance for me to go.

This weekend Aidan has been feeling a little ill. Really all of us are a bit run down. Norma has been working really hard at school. I taught classes on Thursday night and Saturday morning for Alternative Certification for teachers.

Sunday has been a good chance to recharge the batteries.

Hawaii

During 6th period today my building principal and associate principal came to my door. They had a wide-eyed look that made my heart stop I was so scared. I figured something serious must be going on. They said, "Sorry but can we talk to you outside for a minute?" I drew in a deep breath and stepped outside.

They said, "Hey we have a conference coming up that we would like you to attend.... it is in March... right after Spring Break... and thing is, it's in Hawaii." I said, "No, where is it really?" I didn't believe them at all.

They said, "No seriously. Hawaii. We are sending a number of teachers and principals to a conference on new learning strategies and we really want you to go." I was stunned. My principal said, "Of course you will need to talk to Norma about it."

I'm still kind of shocked about it all. To imagine me going to Hawaii. That is not something I ever planned to do. It is too dang expensive and not very practical for any real purpose. But, I am going. Norma wrote me back an email that period that said, "Of course you have to go RETARD!" I was worried that she might be upset. Last summer I went to San Diego for AVID training, now this!

Really crazy.

I still can't believe it and I am typing about it... so I'll write more later.