Well, it's been merely weeks since I last posted. I do have a rather good excuse.... I was in Europe with my two teenagers! We visited Paris, Provence, and Barcelona on a teacher-sponsored spring break trip. (Not "my" spring break, but the public school's.)

This was certainly educational. Having been to Paris before, I was anxious to see the city through my children's eyes. My son remarked that all the buildings looked the same! My daughter wanted to shop... okay, so.... they really did like the extra excursion I paid for to Versailles. This visit reminded me of when I talk to my college students in business classes about free enterprise, I find it important to stress the nature of this powerful system called "free enterprise" and the exercise of the entrepreneurial spirit to be anything one desires to be.

You may be asking what this has to do with Versailles.... quite a bit, actually. When the beautiful and luxurious Versailles was built (or completed), the peasant class was large and wanting.... and a significant revolt ensued (thank you, Mssr. Guillotine?) Up until the time of this country's (the USA, not France!) founding, individuals were born into "their lot in life" as either rich, poor, king, or peasant....no effort could change that. America was founded on different principles and those principles have led to its greatness, creativity, and success.

Anyway, visiting Versailles reminded me again of the power of an entrepreneurial-based economy where individuals make their own way and are not tied to the bonds of birth.

Pondering and Teaching

At a recent Peer Group (Business faculty) conference, I had the pleasure of again hearing Joe Ben Hoyle speak about teaching. He's an accounting professor at the University of Richmond. I commend to you a free, short downloadable book (essay collection) in which he shares his experiences and thoughts about teaching.
I don't know if he mentions this in his book, and I am sure that I will misquote him terribly, but I do recall him saying that excellent teachers become so not only by doing it, but as much by "thinking about it." Thankfully, I am a thinker by nature. (My mother says I started asking "why" around age 2, expecting serious answers to this "simple" query.) I am happy to report I haven't changed a bit!
Oh, and I wasn't implying that I'm an "excellent teacher" but must tell my readers that I desire to be one every day. I think a lot about how to be more effective, more fun and interesting, and engage my students in the material so they learn it for today and tomorrow, and not just for the test.

Back to Blogging....for now

I've been busy with other things and have neglected this blog. Without a serious following, it's not easy to post stories that sort of disappear into the ethernet. Besides, you really have to have the time for posting and, more importantly, you really, really, really have to have something to say!

I'll review my very old posts, and see what else I can offer in the way of commentary about teaching. Actually, I have plenty to say (almost always do!) but making the time is tough. I also manage a more politically focused blog and even posting to that can be challenging!

Until the next time....

Whoa, it's been a while! Blogging and Graduating....

Last time I posted, I was studying for comps, only two years ago, heh!
Well, I am all finished with that and ready to graduate with a Ph.D. degree in Education (Adult Learning). And am I ever glad to reach this milestone.

Of course, there are many people who have supported me, listened to me, encouraged me, and so forth. A pretty long list, mainly because I tried to keep folks updated whether they wanted to hear about it or not!

It's a New Year!

It's a new year and I am as busy as ever. Thankfully, I don't have to drive to the university for any classes this semester; just prepare for comps.
In the meantime, I have started another blog about American Idol 2007. My love of music (all kinds) drives me to the program. Plus, competition is good for the soul, isn't it? Anyway, I hope to have some fun stuff going on there as the season progresses.
I have a pretty heavy schedule of work, projects, kids' stuff, and intermittent entertainment. That said, still I am finding time to visit the YMCA at least three times per week. The kids are enjoying our membership so far, too. Updates to follow.

Catching up

I submitted all the final papers for my two graduate classes. My Mock Prospectus Presentation went pretty well. I learned a lot from my classmates, who basically had very little connection to my topic.
Also, I learned a few things about how I may need to approach my topic on Entrepreneurial Learning. It surely helps to have dispassionate, disconnected folks listen to one go on and on about a topic we love and understand too well.

Procrastination, my destination

Okay, so I have this Literature Review due on Wednesday. I have another brief book report due in a management class on Thursday. This has been distressing me, as you can imagine. I'd started both....a while ago. Got smart and figured I should go for the short paper and get it done. Best to have one thing totally out of the way...so it is. Unprinted still, because I am quite the editor! Something in the book report will be changed before Thursday, guaranteed.
For my dissertation, I still have some literature reading to do. But I CAN write while that's going on.... but I'm not getting it done. Apparently, this is not a rare occurrence. Having had my share of huge writing assignments, I have experienced this procrastination bug more than once.
Well, I am writing now.. the document is open on my desktop, a book rests in my lap, notecards litter both sides of my laptop.

I am writing in my new blog! Heh... go figure.