Timing

Those familiar with Vicki and I know that since 2004 Brasil has been near and dear to our hearts. Four short-term trips have changed our view of life and the Christian walk forever. We have been planning a return since about this time last year and as of a few minutes ago that trip was confirmed. Tickets were purchased for a trip later this year. What I find amazing is that we have always had to fly all the way south to Rio or Sao Paulo and then back north to Belem and on to Altamira. I had been watching prices for the last three or four months and there was a cheap flight that went through Manaus! Peoria to Chicago, Chicago to Miami, Miami to Manaus and Manaus to Belem with no flight longer than 5.5 hours! That is truly a blessing. Today, all the flights out of Peoria to Manaus were gone AND the price of a ticket was up. Semi-beat, I started looking at the flights to Rio and Sao Paulo and felt myself needing a nap. Bloomington. What? Bloomington. I had just read a newspaper article where the writer was complaining about prices out of Peoria always being higher than prices out of Bloomington. Tried it, boom! There was the very same flight I had been watching earlier except now flying Bloomington to Chicago instead of Peoria to Chicago the trip was $60 per ticket less. God is good. Now, I only have to worry about going through customs in a city (Manaus) where I have never traveled. Time for a new adventure.

Time, Part II

It has been quite some time since my last post. How do you summarize life and change in a brief time? Lists!

1. Decision to "retire" in June 2013. This will be the subject of some future posts. My priorities are very different from those in charge.
2. Bought an old truck and a slide in the bed camper. Thirty-six years of tent travel with Vicki have come to an end.
3. Attended the Virtual Schools Symposium in November. WOW!
4. Blackboard is unable to recover my on-line class that was accidentally deleted even though a back-up of the class was created according to their instructions.
5. Currently planning for a return trip to Brasil in June (Vicki and I).
6. Vicki is planning a trip to Liberia (check out some options for training teachers) in October.
7. Searching for a host for Moodle. see #1, I didn't say I didn't enjoy teaching, would love to develop on-line World History and U.S. History classes for Missionary students and Home School students. More later.
8. ASCD conference in Philadelphia in March! Our arrival allows me to do some history site visits on Friday, pictures for use in class next year. Registered to hear Charlotte Danielson (teacher reflection and evaluation)
9. Planning for best use of education skills in retirement. Currently getting ready to send final paperwork to Oregon for certification. Would love to assist a district starting a virtual school.