The tree fell on my house three months ago. Work started a few weeks back. The time in between has been challenging to say the least. I know I said I’d write “lots of posts” about this experience but turns out it’s easier said than done. The process feels like a maelstrom. My emotions, on … Read moreHome away from home
The title says it all, really: a big honkin’ tree fell on our house. The tree was in our neighbor’s yard: a 60′ tall 3-4′ wide BIG FELLA. It fell across our kitchen and even pierced through our other neighbor’s living room. The important facts: No one was hurt. Thankfully, no one was in the … Read moreA tree fell on our house
In November I had a whirlwind visit to Chicago for the National Trust conference and the NCPE annual meeting. I spent a great deal of time in conference rooms and classrooms, but I did get to walk around the city a little bit. I had the pleasure of catching up with a few UMWHISP alum … Read moreBuildings & Feelings (Fall Trips Part II)
I’m a bit old for “what I did on my summer vacation” but I went on two fun trips this fall and I wanna talk about them. This is my blog, so without further ado: Musings from a couple action-packed trips to fantastic cities: Part 1 – BKLYN (<- that’s the fancy pants spelling of … Read moreMusings on Gentrification (Fall Trips Part I)
A few weeks ago I started updating my site for the new semester: making sure dates were correct, moving a couple things around, etc. When I did that, for a reason I still don’t understand, my site broke. Pages I am absolutely positive existed disappeared. Menu items led nowhere. I swore a blue streak. Once … Read moreChange is… Good?
Ben is the food blogger in the family and I don’t want to step on his toes. However, the other day I made ratatouille and I need to talk about it. Not about the ratatouille, really. It was an ok attempt. I had superior ingredients to work with: the vegetables all came from market stalls … Read moreTesting by ratatouille
Until today, I had never been to the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine. Now, before you judge me too harshly: yes, students are in Paris with me for a month, but we visit a different location in the city every day. I can’t be blamed for preferring the real Notre Dame to a model, … Read moreBetter late than never
I chose the apartment I’m renting this summer for all sorts of practical reasons:- it’s close to the students’ dorm. – it’s close to my mother’s place. – it’s on multiple metro lines. – shops and other amenities are accessible. – it is within budget. (<= super extra important) But if I’m completely honest, I … Read moreReasons
Leaving for France in two weeks exactly. You think after having taught this course three times already, it would all be routine by now. And mostly, it is. Still, lots and lots to get done. Teaching a course abroad is an interesting experience. Some of it is just like teaching a regular class: syllabus prep, … Read morePrepping for Paris
I’ve been on the gamification train for a long time. Still, I haven’t run out of things to learn, so when Mary Kayler announced a gamification workshop this spring, I was eager to sign up. Creating successful gamification classes/assignments is very time intensive, and I’ve had an idea brewing in my head a long time: … Read moreFun & Games