Penny For Your Thoughts

Sometimes it is just time to move on.

Last week, I went to Washington D.C. with my Doctoral cohort from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. The trip allowed us to gain a perspective of education from a national point of view.

The link that I’ve included contains some quotes and thoughts that I want to remember, set to music with Movie Maker. There are some errors, and I would have liked to write more, but for now this is what I have. I hope you enjoy it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dQMlSr6LSM

When I was a young girl in the early 60′s, my father worked for North American Rockwell International. We lived in southern California, where a division called Rocketdyne built engines for Saturn rockets, and other rocket engines. He was transferred to a secluded test facility up in the Santa Susana mountains, and one day they had a family day, or “Open House”.

My family got dressed up to go see “daddy’s work” on a Saturday morning. We toured some buildings, drove past some Secret Buildings (that we weren’t allowed to see) and saw a short movie about a very special space craft that was being created. I was amazed. It was different from the Apollo rockets that went to the moon that broke off in stages–so that only a small bit returned home–it was a rocket/plane that would fly back to earth at the end of the mission. The reason we needed this type of craft was to support the space station, where scientists would make discoveries and look at deep space through telescopes. At that time, the future seemed so far away almost impossible.

The highlight of the morning was when we got to watch a test of one of the engines. We rode a little tram out some winding road between sandstone boulders and sage brush. People started to talk in hushed tones. We stopped by a little path that wound around some more rocks and opened up on a clearing with three sets of small bleachers. They weren’t very high, about 3 levels of benches that overlooked a small canyon of rocks. We all chose our seats and looked out toward the test stand about 200 yards away.

The rocket engine test stand looks like a tower of pipes and tanks stacked and connected altogether perched over a cement “bucket”. The bucket is made of concrete and its purpose is to protect the ground and direct all the energy away from the engine so it doesn’t burn up the stand and everything around it.

So we waited. Families and employees spoke in hushed tones, anticipating the test. My sister and I looked at each other and smiled. This was so cool. At first, we heard a hissing sound coming from the stand. My father leaned in and explained that the sound was the sprinkler system spraying down the concrete so it wouldn’t burn up (think: opening up a fire hydrant). They used lots of water to keep things cool.

Then it started, a flash of fire, the steam clouds billowing up and rolling through the small canyon. More impressive than the huge steam cloud, was the sound. The roar of the engine was so loud, you could actually see the sound waves concussing through the steam. I laughed, wide-eyed and looked over at my sister, who was trying to talk/yell to my smiling father. My mother nodding to me, smiling, mouthed the words, “I told you!”

I tried to take it all in and write it in my memory, the sights, sounds, feelings. I never wanted to forget that amazing time when I was a part of history being made, science being discovered, and the anticipation of space travel.

I took two steps forward and then one step back this week, and it’s only Tuesday. It is amazing  how fast time goes as I check off my “To Do” list. Time management is always something that I can learn more about. I have begun listening to the audio version of a book in order to save time, but I’m missing the ability to write notes. (I usually listen in my car.) I’m going to have to find a way around this…

Write or Die?? that site is fantastic! I have used it a couple of times to kick start my writing assignments. Write or Die, Putting the “Prod” in Productivity.

It works like this: you set a word count goal, then select the amount of time you want to spend writing. Third, you select the consequences you would like to receive if you fall behind on your word count, (the choices are Gentle, Normal, Kamikaze, or Electric Shock mode). Finally, you select the grace period that you want to allow yourself before you are “punished”…it’s hysterical, and just enough encouragement for me to keep writing. On the main splash page people write in with suggestions or stories. One writer spoke about NaNoWriMo2010, something else I’ll have to research.

This evening, I gave myself a goal, wrote, then copied and pasted the information to myself for my use at home. The Dr.Wicked site even lets you create a “Write or Die” sign for use on your own blog (see below). My numbers are not very impressive, but I was intentionally writing slow to see what would happen. But I only had to do that once!

Fun and productive, huh?

http://writeordie.drwicked.com/

I’m reading Six Secrets of Change, by Michael Fullan, and I’m wondering, “What happened to Toyota?” Why did the inferior parts and huge recalls occur in a business that had stellar leadership learning? The company which embodied the “F.O.E” (or Firm of Endearment) imploded. I’d love to see the analysis behind what happened? Did the employees get complacent? Did the company get lazy? Fascinating.

We had a wonderful Saturday morning in the Jackson household. My two sons had a cross country meet, their last one this season. They both did very well and achieved a personal best. Their time was faster and faster each competition they attended.

I was reminded of the Speed of Trust as I watched them run. Covey said that there is nothing faster than the speed of trust. I’m understanding that to mean that the more you trust and others trust you, the faster and more efficient you get at what you do. Everyone you rely on does his job, just as you do your job, and it shows in the productivity of the company. Just as the more my boys practiced running, the more efficient their bodies got at using oxygen, working with muscles, and adjusting the cadence of the run.

Kind of goofy, but being out there in the mist/wind/sun/air helped me to make that connection. Hmmm.

After I got home Saturday I gathered my family around the kitchen table, donned my “Right Brain” paper hat, and gave the Right Brain, Left Brain test. We all laughed hysterically at certain questions:

Do you like to draw? (My husband had his sketch pad on the table.)

Do you check the clock or wear a watch? (Everyone held up their wrists–only my daughter had her watch on.)

It turned out that our impromptu quiz was spot on. My poor daughter, the only Left Brain in the bunch. It was interesting that we were all within one or two points of being “both brained”. She just happened to be on the left side of the fence. Next, I directed everyone to our computer room where we tried to predict “fake smiles/genuine smiles”. (On the way, my husband says, “Kids, this is what it’s like to have a teacher/student for a mother.”)

I’ve included the site for the smile quiz below. I thought it would be good to show my children that there is a way to judge smiles. Knowing how to judge if people are being real with you is a good skill to have in life.

All this is to say that I am blessed to be where I am, in Cohort 4, and in my family enjoying the support of both. Huzzah to you guys.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/smiles/index.shtml

I just finished an online survey for my Graduate course. First, there were interesting questions about what I think most people think and feel. Then there were questions about how I feel and think about things. Finally, there were questions about my preferences between jobs. I just love these kinds of surveys, but I always have a sinking suspicion that I’m answering wrong. How can I answer wrong about how I feel? It’s funny, really, and a little paranoid.

I’ll find out soon what my strengths are and what career choices would be good for me. In ninth grade, when I took the  Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) in 9th grade, the results said I had an aptitude to be a pilot or a florist. Who knew they even had florists in the Navy? I’m thinking I’m glad I ended up in education (although I do love flowers).

I like the idea of creating an inspiration board for the little things that spark an interest. Usually, if I see something I like (a piece of cloth with a great color scheme, for example) it ends up in the drawer by my bedside. Daniel Pink suggests clearing off a bulletin board  and reserving that space for inspiration ideas/items. How fun. What would go on there today?