what's new???

not a whole lot! Mike is still enjoying school, he got a 94% on his first test!! (and was upset when he got it back and realized that he misread the 2 questions he got wrong)
I am still just trying to get through until Winter Break!! Only 9 more school days :)
I had a college student come in today to observe my teaching skills. . . . we didn't have time to talk after, but she will be back tomorrow, so we shall see what she says!
I may have a student teacher next semester, so that should be interesting. . . . hopefully I will be more help to him/her than my cooperating teacher was to me!
Mike has a few jobs now. . . he is hanging flyers and get a certain amount for each one called on, and he is doing odds and ends for a contractor that we know. Apparently handyman-ness is in the Strong blood?? (i am not an english teacher!)
We are not sure about coming up for Christmas/New Year's yet. It really all depends on job situations. . . Mike only has the week between the holidays off, so he may need to rest and not travel. . . we shall see. I know it is only a few weeks away, but right now that is the best I can do!
so, that is about it. . . all is well here, enjoying the cooler weather (mid-60's)
hopefully we will see everyone soon!!
Love to all!

First days of school

Hello all!
ok, so Mike isn't one to post on the blogs, so I figured I would tell you what he has said about his first days of school . . .
He is doing great! He really likes it and is having a ball. He is having so much fun that right now he is asleep :)
He said they are doing basic team building stuff and yesterday they built a circuit and he pretty much put it together himself for his group!
Another really cool thing is that my cousin Zach is taking classes with him. We knew that he was starting school at the same time, but he wasn't at Mike's orientation, so we figured he was in the afternoon instead of morning classes, but he called on Sunday night and they are in the same class :) I am glad both for Mike and Zach; it is always nice to see a familiar face in the crowd of new faces at a new school!!
well, better go, hope everyone got home safe from Thanksgiving, and hopefully we will be able to see everyone over the holiday break!!
Love to all!
Erin

happy thanksgiving!!

Hope everyone is having a great day :) Wish we could see everybody! :(
I found this great page on the history channels website about thanksgiving. One video is actually the history, another a funny cartoon! Check it out here
Love to all!!
Erin and Mike

Stop wal-mart

There is a new movie out about the evils of wal-mart. I went to see it Monday and it is very well done. Please visit the website and find out if it is playing in your area. Go and see it -- it will open your eyes!!

Love,
erin

update on our boring lives

not a whole lot happening down this way, just trying to get through until Thanksgiving break!
I just finished my first class of the semester and am starting on #2 Saturday (all day long!!)
But it is really ok, as it will help me to teach my freshman science class and any help with that right now would be amazing!!
Mike is still job hunting, he has orientation next week (Monday I think) and then school starts the 28th :)
other than that, life really is pretty boring here!
Love to all!
erin

Frustrated teacher

Ok, so I may have finally reached my limit. I am continually amazed at how little students retain. Boy, that was a sweeping generalization! But for about 85% of the students it is the truth. The minute they think a topic is done, they forget it. And we just got our AIMS results (the test our seniors this year have to pass to graduate) and according to that data, only 35% or so of our seniors have passed the math. That is the seniors that have been with us for all 4 years. . . . How sad is that. It will be interesting to see what the state does in may of 2006 when so many students are not going to get a high school diploma. . . . . Interesting times to say the least!!

motorcycle school

ok, so mike is or rather will be on the 28th learning to be a motorcycle mechanic. the website for all interested is http://www.uticorp.com/go/schools/momi/
he will be in school for about 18 months. so, plan on making a trip down this way in feb of 2007. hey at least the weather will be cool then, and we could always plan on a trip out to faire to celebrate :)
love to all!
erin

pictures of odin as requested

ok, so here are a few newer pictures of the big dumb dog :)

motorcyle school :)

ok, so i finally thought that maybe we should also get in on this blog thing!
news on the phoenix strong front, mike is going to motorcycle school, we are all very excited!! and i am still teaching, and teaching and teaching! hopefully someday I will be caught up with grading and preparation and all that, and then i can retire :)
speaking of all that teacher stuff, must sign off and do that!
love to all!
erin