Quick Update!!

Here is some brief stories from the first week of travel in Korea. These stories will not appear on the school blog.

The Rotary welcome party

Hooping it up on the campus of KNU, Kusan National University.

They say it's the "Rucker" of South Korea.

After the University visit were I dominated the hoops scene we went to a nature preserve for migratory birds. The area we are staying is famous for the Baikal Teal (Link 1) (Link 2)

It was very interesting and I learned a lot but the VERY funny part was the last stop of the tour. Here is all I will say. The Duck below was two stories high and on the inside of the building the internal organs of the duck were on display. It was interesting. I will let the pictures speak for themselves! Note the final picture was located at the rear entrance, letrally and figuratively.

The next two photos are of me and my host and his family. Kang likes the beer, we get along well.

So that's just a little info on the goings on. If you want a more rational explanation of the week see below.

Here is a link to a blog post that updates the week on my school blog

Click here for LINK TO SCHOOL BLOG POST

Photos of the trip CLICK HERE

Korean exams - take a look

Quick note for my 8th graders. My host families daughter is also in an all girls school. They go to school from 7:30am till 10:00pm. That is not a typo. She's a  9th grader and takes 13 subjects. They have no extra-curricular activities.

Check out this link
http://m.npr.org/story/120339767

Sent from my iPhone

We made the Newspaper

This appeared in the local newspaper of Gusan. We met with head of
city planning in the mayor's office.

I'll sign autographs at request.

Goofing off in Jeonju, South Korea

I was goofing around and filmed this for my students.

PHOTOS!!!

City hall and the mountains

We just finished a meeting with Jeonju's vice mayor. It was filled
with protocol, official proclamations, and king words. He was quite
gracious.

We had a light lunch, by recent standards, at Chinese restaurant owned
by a Rotarian whose family emigrated from China before he was born. It
was nice meal and I was able to impress with a couple a phrases of
Chinese. The three phrases of thank you very much and good-bye
exhausted my Chinese vocabulary.

I'm sitting in our mini bus on a gorgeous sunny day driving through
the mountains that border Jeonju. I'm chillin to a nice music mix
from my iPod.

The scenery is breathtaking. We are going for a stroll in the
mountains. I can't wait.

By the way nearly all of my postings have been done with my IPhone in
"airplane" mode. That means only wifi with no telephone network.
Pretty amazing.

Although there is wifi nearly everywhere very few families have it in
the home, that's based off the 5 host families we are staying with.
This observation could quickly change.

PS. I have yet to Hawkeye, Radar, or Klinger. 8th graders ask you
parents, this is before your time.

Drum lessons

We stopped by a traditional Korea music school this morning besides
several performances with various instruments we recieved some music
lessons.

I learned the drums!!! And by learned to play the drums I banged on
drums for about ten minutes.

Wednesday, April 7th

Beautiful day in Jeonju! It's sunny and about 55 degrees.

We visited the Christian Broadcasting Company, radio and TV.

Afterwards, we stopped and took a couple of photos of the soccer
stadium in Jeonju. The stadium hosted several World Cup matches when
Korea and Japan co-hosted the World Cup in 2002.

Sent from my iPhone

Good Times!!!

It was a good day for Johnny!!!

This picture was after the brewery tour of "The Hite" brewery company.

This is me with friends of my host family who came for a visit. We may or may not have had some beers.

For a full description of the day, that doesn't invovle most of it by the way, check the link to my school blog that my students are following.

http://johnstephany.blogspot.com/

I like Hite!!!

The brewery tour was fantastic. I mean what else would you expect me
to say.

Everything was way hi tech. There were videos/propoganda and all kinds
of fun techie stuff.

The best part was the post brewery "tasting". I did my part and I can
honestly say Hite beer is pretty darn good.

Good day of touring and now we head back tp our gist families and
dinner.

Here is a photo of our gang enjoying "The Hite".

Brewery tour of the Hite Brewery

If I don't return to the states in a month you might check here.

www.goodtimetour.co.kr

Morning tour of Chonbuk National University

I had a wondeful home stay with Mr. Kim and Nam last night. Very
gracious hosts.

This morning we had a presentation from the people at Chonbuk National
University (CBNU). After the presentation we toured the CBNU with two
if their student ambassodors.

After that we visited Mr. Choi's (One of Rotary leaders of Jeonju)
home church. They have a simple church that still donates over
$500,000 a month to overseas missions.

The photo is our lunch spread, Korean BBQ.

Non School Update

Ok people. I'm in the the bedroom of my host family's home. I'll be here for about a three days. We've had a great but busy first couple of days.






Today we have,

1. Independantly toured the city of Jeonju post breakfast.
2. Has Korean Stew for lunch

YOU MUST CLICK THIS LINK AND DOWNLOAD THE VIDEO TO WATCH OUR MEAL IN "ACTION"

4. Toured a Catholic Cathedral in the old town.

5. TOured the Hanok Village. This in an older part of town that has traditional Korean Architecture and numerous historical sites.

6. Visited a totally magnifiscent elder activity or "wellness " center.

7. Had the official Rotary welcome banquet.

8. Came "home" to my host family.

Tommorrow we visit the Jeonbuk National University,an ecological preserve, and Hite Brewery.

Johnny is excited!!!!!

Photo Album of the day

2010.4.5 Jeonju

A "lively" lunch

It's been a fabulous day. We saw the Catholic cathedral in Jeonju
which dates over 200 yrs old.

We then toured the old town which has classic Korean architecture.
Very beautiful.

In the afternoon we toured a wonderful senior activity and wellness
facility. The place shamed most places in the US. And it was free to
any resident of the city over 60.

Oh, the photo below? Our lunch was a traditional Korea stew. One of
the more interesting ingrediants was a live octopus that was cut up in
front of us and placed in the dish which was cooked at the table.

The picture does not do the visual justice. The cut off tentacles
squirmmed until the were cooked. It was chewy but delicious!

Later.

Check out our ride!!

Batmobile step aside, here comes the Rotarymobile.

The arrival

We got picked up!!

Arrived safely in Seoul

Well folks i've arrived safely in Korea. The flight not bad at all.
It's 4:40 am on Easter Sunday here. Yes, we are 14 hours ahead. That
means I know who won the Final Four games.

We are getting picked up at @6am then a 3 hr ride south to Jeonju.

Many updates will follow.

MUST GET COFFEE!!!!

Last sunrise in Memphis till May 3rd

It's 10:30 on Friday night and I'm sitting in the international
terminal at Chicago's O'Hare airport. Our flight leaves at 1am. The
flight to Seoul is 14 hours.

I'm nervous and excited. Even though we have a schedule, see the
google calender on the right side of the page, there is still so many
unkown variables.

The most exciting thing about the trip is also the most apprehensive.
We will be staying with Korea familes the entire trip. It's a great
way to learn culture but it still presents many anxieties.

See you later Memphis!!!'

My upcoming trip to Korea

Another country, journey, and learning experience. On April 2, I head off to South Korea for a month.

Several questions probably come to mind.

• Another trip?


• During the school year?


• Do you ever work?


• Why Korea?


• Who did you black mail to get this?


• And my favorite REAL question from one of my students, “Are you in the CIA?”

I am heading to South Korea for a month with the Rotary Club’s Group Study Exchange Program. Here is the basic info on the program from the Rotary web site.

“The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.

In a typical four-week tour, applicants participate in five full days of vocational visits, 15 to 20 club presentations, 10 to 15 formal visits and social events, two to three days at the district conference, three to four hours per day of cultural and site tours, and three to four hours per day of free time with host families.

For each team member, the Foundation provides the most economical round-trip airline ticket between the home and host countries. Rotarians in the host area provide for meals, lodging, and group travel within their district.” (Link for more info)

How did I hear about the program? Once you complete one of the teacher/travel programs it’s almost as if you have seen behind the curtain of the Great OZ. A friend who I completed my Fulbright to China with wife thought I would be a good candidate for the program. Yet another friend from one of these travel programs went to India with the program last year. And last but certainly not least, Melanie, my boss at the “H” gave me the OK to apply and totally supported me going once I was accepted. It’s really cool that my boss and school support me with something like this.

While I’m in Korea my students will be engaged in role play from Brown University’s Choices program (Link).

I taught one of their programs about Mexico at St. Albans last summer and found it quite effective. The students will study the history of the Korean Peninsula in general and then specifically the history of North Korea and South Korea relations in regards to the North Korean effort to become fully nuclear. They students will role play the stake holders in the region and what should be done. (Japan, Russia, United States, China, North, and South Korea). They will then write a five paragraph research essay about their personal opinions based on research. In addition I’ll be Skyping with them the entire month.

It’s going to be an adventure. I’ll post my schedule later on and give some more details about the trip. The funny thing besides watching M.A.S.H religiously, I really didn’t know much about Korea until I began my application process. The country is fascinating. Hopefully I, and more importantly my students, learn a lot.

Side note, I told some friends that this trip is actually a very dramatic plan for weight loss, fame, and fortune. Here is the plan as it stands now;

After spending a month in South Korea our group will fly out of Seoul. Since Seoul is near the border I’ll “accidently” wander across into communist North Korea. I’ll be captured immediately. Based on previous precedent I will be sent to a prison camp or kept in isolation. Although harsh, I think that either hard labor or isolation would provide the best scenario for dramatic weight loss. After a month or so, which by then I will be done with school and extremely svelte, I will be negotiated for by one William Jefferson Clinton. He comes and picks me up Pyongyang. Then a slimmed down J. Steph and Bill Clinton could would be two guys with a personal jet on the town, imagine what shenanigans and hijinks ensue. I arrive back in the US to a hero’s welcome. I do all the talk shows. I write a memoir and go on Oprah when she chooses it for her book of the month club. Then I have Craig Brewer make the movie version of my book. I may or may not seek out a few celebrity romances. I may choose to, “Disdain the whole Hollywood scene”. That decision will be up to my publicist, former White House spokesman, Ari Fleischer. Hey, he is helping Tiger Woods.

Sadly, I have given this plan a great deal of thought.

Who wouldn't want to meet this guy?

Former Pres. Clinton has negotiated this deal before

First day of spring on the rooftop

Enjoying some coffee on the roofdeck if my condo. The Mississippi is
fantastic on this first day of spring.

I'm making a list of all the stuff I have to do before taking of for
Korea in TWO WEEKS!!! Yikes.

Breakfast on Beale Street

Back in Memphis.

As a rule I think Beale Street is WAY to commercial but I lobe Miss
Polly's for breakfast.

I'm meeting some folks for a brewer's festival and needed to eat so
here I am.

Spring Break

I love the fact that despite my advancing age I still have spring break. The first weeken was spent moving a friend and then sitting around doing nothing. It was good.

I'm sitting in the Atlanta airport on my way to visit my Granpa Kerr in Hobe Sound, FL. My cousin, on Mom's side, is there also so we all should have a good time.

The only certainties, early bird specials and spring training baseball.

Out.

Sent from my iPhone

Spring Break

Photos of a snowy downtown Memphis

Check out the photos and photo slide show below.

A snowy Trolley line outside my condo.

The Arcade

A Very Memphis Weekend

Pete has been very busy the past few weeks so it’s time to update the goings-on.

Friday, January 22nd

Since I’ve “retired” from coaching I’ve had a LOT more free time. It’s really been nice. I miss the hoops scene but since I’m not confined to the games I was coaching or other “H” related games I’ve been able to take in the Metro Memphis scene. The prep talent pool is always deep in Memphis but this year it’s insane.

White Station #4 upsets Memphis Central #2

I, joined by the Big Kat, decided to take in the White Station vs. Memphis Central game in Midtown. The match up pitted two of the top four ranked teams in the city. The place was rocking from the floor to the rafters. The crowd was the who’s who of the Memphis hoops and social scene. The Memphis Tiger coaching staff was there to check their 2010-2011 signee Joe Jackson. Rep. Steve Cohen (D), TN 9th congressional district, was also in the house. Great scene, great game.

Memphis Tiger signee Joe Jackson blurs past his defender

Link to the game recap.

After the game we decided to go old school Rhodes for a couple of beers at Zinnie’s. We could grab a few “cold, cold one’s” until the Rhodesians hit the place @10pm and we would be become the old guys that we made fun decades ago. We shot the bull and when the Rhodes kids arrived at their appointed time we left. Only problem Big Kat’s car was towed from the Laundromat next store along with every other car. Total screw job. Here was his quote the next day when he picked up his truck and paid the extortion to get his car back,

“One basketball game...$5, four beers...$17, getting towed at Zinnie's … $200, living in Memphis..., priceless!”

The sign outside of the tow place said they reserve the right to charge more money if you showed any “Attitude!” Classic Memphis.

Saturday, Jan. 23rd

After a day of reading, chilling out, and napping, I set the bar high don’t I, I headed to the Young Avenue Deli for a music show benefit to raise funds for Haiti. The concert featured Amy Levere, Snowglobe, Devil Train, and the Craig Schuster Band .The place was jam packed. My group left after Snowglobe, who was great by the way.

Snowglobe

From there we rolled over to The Cove on Broad Ave. There we caught the show of Deering and Down. Their music is mesmerizing. The lead singer, Lahna Deering, has a haunting voice. The music is a mix of folk, country, and rockabilly. If you get a chance to hear them, do it!

Interior of The Cove

(photo from www.ilovememphisblog.com)

Link to a great write-up of The Cove

In addition to the fine tunes was an artist who performed with to the music a hula hoop and also ate fire. I couldn’t make that up if I tried. Awesomeness!

Eating Fire!!!

Snowglobe in action!




Deering and Down on the Madison Hotel's Rooftop

Fino's Follow Up - Video of Craig Brewer interviewing Jo Ann

Follow up from yesterday's post.

Craig Brewer, director of such films as Hustle & Flow, Black Snake Moan, and The Poor and Hungry interview Jo Ann on her last day of work at Fino's.

The End of an Era – Jo Ann sells Fino’s

Jo Ann always maintained they chose Fino's because Terry was cheap to write her full maiden name on the sign, Finocchiaro

Making sandwiches at Fino’s probably saved my life.

No matter how ridiculous this statement sounds it is none the less true. I'm not saying I would be dead now but I do mean that I my life would not be as good as it today. There was period during my time in college that…, let’s just says my focus was not where it needed to be. I was letting a lot of people down, mostly myself. I worked at Fino’s all through college and then on and off after for over 6 years. I worked with some great people and worked for an even better one, Jo Ann.

How I was hired

Like most college students I needed a job. Beer and food does not grow on trees. They should by the way. A great friend, Rojo, was working at this fledgling Italian Grocery and Deli in the first floor of the Gilmore Apartments and said that the place was looking for another employee and recommended me for the job. I couldn’t come in for an interview because I was about to head to New Orleans for spring break, which also coincided with Mardi Gras. I will spare the blogosphere and not jeopardize my job by simply stating the end result of that trip, I came home from my first Mardi Gras with a full on Mohawk. It was spectacular and ridiculous.

Rojo had promised Jo Ann that I was a normal, hard working, Rhodes kid, a departure from the pool of applicants that mid-town Memphis sometimes has to offer. Now I guess I should have known that since the interview was at the P&H over beers that I didn’t need to worry a ton but I was new to the Mohawk scene and didn’t what to expect. Jo Ann and Terry were awesome and I was hired. The story of our first meeting was and will continue to be told for years.

Madison and McLean

Working for Jo Ann at Fino’s was great. I may have made less money than I would have waiting tables but the hours were regular and she always scheduled around my class schedule. My parents lived overseas the last part of college and Jo Ann was a second Mom. She nagged, supported, yelled, and really cared about who I was and what I needed to be. I may have been a lot of different things in college but I worked hard at Fino’s. I grew up around my Gma Steph’s catering business in Erie so I grew up around the food business. I later grew out because of the food but that’s another story. More than the job itself, Jo Ann played a pivotal role in my life during those times.

I spent a little time behind this counter

Fino’s closed at 6:30 each night, or like we liked to refer to as beer thirty. They let us have a beer while cleaning the place up to close it down. You see why I liked this place. On Saturdays we would often meet up for a few more beers with Terry and Jo Ann. One of these nights when a career in education was for off the radar, Terry in fact called my career. In fact he called the career for both Rojo and me.

Terry and Jo Ann are two of the reasons that I love Memphis. Terry played in a band called the Mar Kays as a drummer in the early 60’s. The band roster included the likes of Steve Cropper, Duck Dunn, Andrew Love, and Wayne Jackson, staples of the Stax Record label. Fans of the Blues Brothers will recognize some of those names as well. Terry spun many of yarn of music, race relations, and Memphis history. It was an education to be sure.

Jo Ann and I on her last day at Fino's

Well after nearly 20 years Jo Ann sold Fino’s. I’m sure the food will be the same but the atmosphere will not. Jo Ann knew everyone and everyone knew Jo Ann. She mingled with politicians, musicians, movie stars, directors, lawyers, college kids, professional athletes, and deli regulars with equal aplomb.

I can say without reservation without Fino’s and Jo Ann I would not be where I am today as an educator or a person.

Great new, for me at least, place to eat downtown.

Grinders, subs, hogies, samiches, and po'boys. I love them all. Truk
and Kath took me to a place called DeJaVu near downtown Memphis.

It was opened by some Katrina evacuees. It has Greg authentic New
Orleans food. They have fish, baked, blackened, and fried. I had the
blackened catfish. Their soul food sides are awesome. The peach
cobbler has about a stick a butter in it. Brilliant!

I went back on Monday for the fried ouster po'boy. I will be back.
It's near the D Canale distributer on Florida and crump.

The Memphis Tigers - Where are they now?

It's winter break so I have some time on my hands. I've been reading, sleeping, watching some basketball and surfing the web. Baruch, who just vacated Memphis after 10+ years to return to San Antonio, and I always goof around trying to recall Tigers basketball heroes and personalities from the days of the 'Round House, to their brief sojourn to the Pyramid, and finally the FedEx Forum.

Some of our favorites have been Justin "The Gimp" Wimmer, Andre "Lil' Pimp" Allen, Mingo Johnson and obviously Penny and 'Ren Wright.

Well I did some digging around the interwebs and come up with some links to where old Tigers are playing these days.

Some are overseas still cranking out a paycheck years later. Some have fallen on tougher times.

David Vaughn was sadly homeless (Story Link) for a while but seems to be making positive steps in his life.

Antonio Burks was shot at a late night craps game.

Andre Allen is out of basketball, as far as I can tell, after washing out at "Chricton College" after he washed out of "Memphis"

Those are some sad ones but then you have Chris Garner, who is still playing. He played last year in Kwidzyn, Poland where I taught English for some time in the early nineties.

There are guys who have retired like Elliot Perry, Lorenzen Wright, and Penny.

Then you have Joey Dorsey and Antonio Anderson wh are teammates yet again. Those two are tearing up the "D-League" with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

Each name has a link to the best I could do for current stats and info. I even threw in guys who are still playing college after leaving the Tigers. Some are doing quite well, see Tre'Von Willis at UNLV. Couldn't find Kareem Cooper after he ate his way out of UTEP and I don't know where Matt Simpkins is. Could have used their height this year but the had quite a bit of personal baggage so what do you do.

Here are links, have fun

NBA

Derrick Rose Chicago Bulls

Chris Douglas-Roberts New Jersey Nets

Tyreke Evans Sacramento Kings

Rodney Carney Philadelhpia 76'ers

Shawne Williams Dallas Mavericks (he's not allowed near the team, really) Link to story

NBDL
Antonio Anderson Rio Grande Valley Vipers

Joey Dorsey Rio Grande Valley Vipers

Earl Barron Iowa Energy

Europe
Greece
Robert Dozier KOLOSSOS VAP

Turkey
Darius Washington Galatasaray Istanbul

Cyprus
Chris Garner Achilleas Kaimakliou
Here's a link to Cyprus League Site. It's in Greek but you can check individual game stats by clicking HERE and looking for this tema (Frederick ΑΧΙΛΛΕΑΣ) and click on the Σ next to the score for the stat sheet (What can I say, it's winter break and I had the time)

Israel
Shawn Taggart Ironi Nahariya

Japan
Waki Williams Osaka Evessa

Jordan
Sean Banks Zain

Portugual
Jeremy Hunt Porto Ferpinta

Switzerland
Duane Erwin SAV Vacallo Basket


College - Former Tigers playing with other college teams

Tre'Von Willis UNLV Runnin' Rebels

Hashim Bailey UMass Minutemen

C.J, Henry Kansas Jayhawks

Jeff Robinson Seton Hall Pirates

Great Article about New Orleans and the Saints

This is a must read for anyone who is a fan of football or the city of New Orleans. It captures the heart of the city and its relationship with the Saints. This is why NOLA is one of my favorite cities in the world.

Click th elink the below

Thompson: Saints new 'America's Team'

INSIDE THE PARKWAY HOUSE,

ONE OF THE BEST FRIED OYSTER PO'BOYS i'VE EVER HAD

Fellow members of Memphis in May BBQ Team, Maglically Piglicious, own BBQ place in the Bywater part of New Orleans

Enjoying a late night snack in the French Quarter, mmmmh Lucky Dogs

Eating in Erie, Pa

I always enjoy my visits to my hometown Erie, Pa. Spending time with family and friends, morning coffee with Mom and Dad, and runnin into old friends in town while running errands. These are are the true reasons why it's fun to go home.

Another side bonus is Erie food. When I left Erie 20 years ago I truly didn't realize how good the food was here until I got someplace else. I guess it's the ethnic melting pot that is this town. Italian delis, Irish pubs, German bakeries, the Polish market (The best homemade sausages, pierogis, and horseradish that you ever tasted). Mind you I've done more than OK in Memphis with it's food choices.

Here is the selection of rolls at Sontheimer's bakery. I may or may not have had a cinnamon almond rikor(roll).

Enjoy your holidays.

Sent from my iPhone

The Drive

For what seems like the one millionth time in my life I'm driving from
Memphis to Erie, PA. It's a trip I know well, I've been making it for
twenty years.

It's @800 miles and 13 hours. They record time was 11 hours but I
doubt I'll get anywhere close to that on this one. The tuesday before
Thanksgiving has one or two cars on the road.

Luckily I'm making the trip with my cousin Matt. With two people the
drive will go much better. That also explains how I can update the
blog while on the drive.

I can almost taste the Theresa's subs and dominick's meatball omlette
from here.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Sent from my iPhone

I'm Back

I've done things.

I've gone places.

I've read stuff.

I've visited friends.

I've taught things.

I've learned more.

I've applied to a few things.

I was awarded one of them.

I need to get organized.

I need to thank important people in my life.

I need to lose weight.

I need to exercise.

I need to get more sleep.

I need to drink less beer.

I need to eat better.

I need to be better.

Mexico, Friends, and Schools

Monday, July 6th
After crashing in Alexandria, Virginia and I sat around for a while and drank some coffee. After a relaxing and enjoyable morning I took the Metro into Chinatown to meet Norm for some Texas style BBQ at Capital Q for lunch. After some good eats (it’s still not Memphis Style) I went over to the National Portrait Gallery to get some case study prep work done.

The Portrait Gallery was totally renovated about three years ago and I believe it’s the most underrated of all the Smithsonian Museums in DC. They have an “open air” café in the center of the museum that is perfect for a quiet lunch or in my case getting some work done. One feature of the renovation was putting a wave like glass roof over the inner courtyard of the museum. It’s all natural light yet enclosed so you get sunlight and air conditioning, an ice combination for sure. I worked for about three hours prepping for a case study called, “Mexico at the Crossroads”, that contains a debate scenario component for the students. The case study was put together through Brown University’s Choices Program. The fact that it’s the first time our program has used this material coupled with my general lack of expertise in Mexican History required double my usual prep time.

After I finished up with class prep I strolled over to the fountain area of the Sculpture Garden off of Independence and 7th streets to take advantage of the beautiful day. I joined numerous others in dangling my feet in the cool water of the fountain and napped for about an hour. After waking up I walked to Georgetown, grabbed a quick beer, and took the bus back to campus. I sat in on Mr. Eagles’ econ class and then spent the rest of the evening taking care of chores and getting an early start on sleep.

Tuesday, July 7th

The class and subsequent debate went very well. After lunch I took a quick nap and then got ready for our trip to the Mexican Embassy. We were lucky enough to not only get to see the Embassy but we spent the evening with the Mexican Ambassador to the United States, Arturo Sarukhan. The students were extremely impressed by his speaking and diplomatic skills. He spoke and answered questions on a wide variety of topics. The mornings’ class was perfect preparation for the evening. Both the Ambassador and the Embassy staff were gracious hosts.

Wednesday, July 8th
You know that sunny day that starts with an hour and half walk through DC is going to be a pleasant day. There would be no teaching or chaperoning duties this day. I went up to Bill and Amanda house to watch Isabella, she napped the entire time, and cook some dinner. After the two of them got back from running errands we enjoyed by hanging out and just catching up. Little Isabella “helped” me cook dinner. OK, she mostly watched and ate little pepperonis but it was still fun. I made a chicken pasta dish with pepperoni and olives with a side of prosciutto wrapped asparagus. Bragging a little here, but it was good! I ALWAYS enjoy an evening with Bill, Mandy, and their ever growing family.

Thursday, July 9th
The day was spent running errands and relaxing. I did sit on the afternoon speaker, Susan Schaeffler, founder of KIPP DC. She gave an energy packed talk about the state of public education and what KIPP schools are all about. I am relatively familiar with these schools because a good friend from college used to a principal of the first KIPP elementary school in Houston, TX(Article about my friend). Aaron, like Mrs. Schaeffler, was an alum of Teach for America. The results of both of these programs are remarkable. I feel especially proud because I have a number of former students from my SBA days that are now in the two year TFA program. KIPP is a fantastic program that is having fantastic results in parts of the country where frankly many people have sadly written off the population. It still baffles me how talent and resources are almost ignored in so many urban and rural schools in America.