Sometimes Things Just Work

And isn't it wonderful when they do?

The Outer Banks trip with the 8th graders was fantastic! I can't brag on those children as much as I want to or I would bore everyone to tears, but I will say that no one could have asked for a better behaved group of kids! We even got compliments from the other customers in restaurants and stores about how good they were. In light of a rather horrific story I read on another blog about how a class of 9th graders acted like a bunch of insane booty-heads when she went to speak to them, I am super-proud of the students at my school.

Oh yeah...we had a lot of fun, too! :) We visited lighthouses, took a long ferry ride, saw Jockey's Ridge, the Wright Brothers Memorial, Somerset Plantation (that place was really cool....the kids got to make candles, rope, baskets and brooms in the fashion of the 19th century), an aquarium, Fort Macon, etc. At Cape Hatteras, another teacher and I bought our National Park Passports....we were really excited about those. We got two stamps on our trip this week. :) I didn't get any letterboxes while I was there. I had some clues printed out, but there was only one at the exact same location that we were and I couldn't find it. :(

On to other things that worked out well....I thought Earth Hour was great. At our house, we just enjoyed each other's company and conversation by candlelight. :) I've read some comments about Earth Hour that say it was pointless because it was only an hour and it wasn't a solution. I disagree that it was pointless....it generated a great deal of awareness and that's a large part of the battle. I've read blogs, visited web sites, overheard conversations, received emails, and so on about Earth Hour.....the idea is out there, so blpphhht at the naysayers. :D

On the radio today, I heard a success story from a great organization. (This is also kind of a nonprofit of the week.) Florence Crittendon Services is an organization that provides care and shelter for homeless pregnant women and girls. They also offer programs for at risk teens and other services. They do more than just give these women a bed....they teach pregnant women vital skills for taking care of their children and themselves. They also teach life skills and provide information and assistance for success. The story I heard on the radio today was about a woman who went to the center when she was 23...she was homeless and pregnant and, no doubt, terrified. While there she learned how to keep herself and her child healthy. She got her GED and learned about options for college. She is now happily married, working on a nursing degree and has taken in her 13 year old sister. Not only was this woman able to break the cycle of poverty in her own life, but also in that of her younger sister and her child. How wonderful is that?

Happy weekend to everyone! Our plans include at-home science experiments and a trip to the park we weren't able to go to for John's birthday. :D