Cool Pants

While walking in the hallway a few minutes ago, one of my 7th-graders told me that she loved my pants. I thanked her and she continued with, "I always love your pants, they are so cool." I thanked her again and proceeded immediately to the counselor's office to recommend an eye test for this young girl.

Fickle February

February has been frustrating for me. This month has been completely inconsistent in regards to the weather. Inconsistent is actually a bit of an understatement. While I know this time of the year gets a little crazy, I don't remember the last few years being this ridiculous. Our temperatures have ranged from 30 above zero (with snow, of course) to 30 below zero in these past 16 days. This back and forth is wearing me out and I've definitely caught a case of the winter blues. I'm ready for this season to be over - bring on spring!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone! I hope you're all having a wonderful day!

2 Hours Late

One of my favorite things about teaching at a small, rural school during the winter is getting a phone call saying classes are running two hours late. What a great way to end the evening - and to start the day tomorrow! (Shhh - don't tell anyone that teachers get excited about school delays and cancellations!)

Honeymoon Day 6, Part 2

After our waterfall hiking adventure, my husband and I spent the afternoon on a 'Natural Highlights of Oahu' tour.

Hanauma Bay (formed when the walls of a volcano collapsed) is one of the most popular swimming and snorkeling areas on Oahu. In 1967, the bay was declared a conservation area. Due to the large number of visitors in the past, the coral reef in this bay was severely damaged. To help the reef repair itself, the state closes the bay one day a week and limits the number of people that are allowed on the beach and in the water.

The beach seen in the 1953 film "From Here to Eternity."
Manana Island, more commonly known as Rabbit Island. The island which looks like a rabbit (see it?) actually got its name when a rancher released a group of rabbits onto the island. Today, the island serves as a seabird sanctuary.
A shriner's beach club - most know it as the home of Thomas Magnum from the 1980s tv show, Magnum PI.
Waimanalo Bay, the longest stretch of sandy shoreline (5.5 miles) on Oahu. This is an ideal place to enjoy the beach and waves because of all the room. You definitely won't find the crowding here that you do on Waikiki.
Ulupo Heiau is the second largest existing temple on Oahu. It is estimated to have been 140 wide by 180 feet long and 30 feet high. Historians believe that the temple was built by the early Hawaiians for the worship of their gods, but surviving oral history says that the temple was constructed by the menhune (dwarfs) that hid in the forests and valleys.
Ka'elepulu Wetland Bird Preserve, a bird sanctury created in 1995 to provide a habitat for native Hawaiian waterbirds.

Ash Wednesday

I heard two little boys have the following discussion this afternoon:

"It's opposite day today."

"No, it's Ash Wednesday today."

Kids say the cutest things.

Honeymoon Day 6, Part 1

On the morning of the sixth day of our honeymoon, my husband and I did some hiking in the Ko'olau mountains overlooking Kane'ohe Bay. The rainforest was absolutely beautiful - the tree canopy kept us dry despite the rain and the smell of fresh air and plants was intoxicating. This had to be one of my favorite days because we got to see the green mountains and blue sea that you associate with Hawaii.

My husband and me at the beginning of our tour. Our hiking path started at the edge of one of Oahu's golf courses.

My husband hiking.
A plant that neither my husband nor I can remember the name of - if anyone knows the name, please let me know!
Wild roosters. They enjoy the tour groups as the tour guide will break open nuts for them to eat.
One of the many beautiful trees on the tour.
Beautiful green view.
If you look to the right side of the picture (about a third of the way in), you will see Gilligan's Island.

Me hiking.
My husband and me at the waterfall.

Birthday Weekend

My husband and I headed back home this weekend to celebrate his birthday with our families. As usual it was a lot of fun and went too fast. I'm sure I've said this before and will say it a dozen more times on this blog, but I cannot wait to move back for good. It will be great to be close to everyone again!

My dad and husband playing what my sister calls "Hard Ball" - a combination of hockey and bocce ball. This is just one of my dad's many interesting ideas.

The men's team for Battle of the Sexes.

The women's team for Battle of the Sexes. (It was four to three and the men still managed to win.)

My sister and me.

My husband with his birthday cake.

Sunday morning's frost. It was like walking in a winter wonderland.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my amazing husband!