212/365 Two day-Oy Vey

Shelby was the fictitious teacher in the "Highly Differentiated Instruction" classroom. This facetious question was placed on the Question Board during the 2 day workshop. By the way, my answer? We should all be paid more and have more planning periods." Several times I had to ask if the talking was for the benefit of the group. I even did an "I'm waiting.." Worst part was that the rude naysayer teachers were the young ones, mostly the group from the Teach for America program. At the underperforming schools these recend grads are asked to give a couple of years to make a change. The change that some wanted to make was to stay the same. It was a 2 day battle in a room that was more than 100 degrees. Oy vey. Tomorrow I need a little tourism to regain my appreciation for this island state.

209/365 Pearl Harbor , Waimea Valley, Haleiwa

We were at the Ha'Lewia beach park (north side of O'ahu) and I asked if it was hard to learn to ride that. She asked if we wanted to try, offering up her board for Ilana to use. We chatted about Florida (she'd been to EPCOT Center), Hawaii, and travel. She's never seen snow, and would like to one day, but she said she doesn't need to leave the islands very much. Everything is here, she said. She takes her board on the river or to the bay, and nature washes away her cares. It's just the sky and the sea turtles.

We saw more rainbows than we could count today, including one beautiful rainbow across the sky as we contemplated the destruction at Pearl Harbor. Looking down at the tomb of more than 1,100 men, even our self-absorbed teen felt the weight of loss.

That was contrasted by the incredible beauty as we took on a waterfall and botanical garden in the rainforest section of the island. We swam beneath the fall, heavy with rain water, and walked the trails through the vibrant forest in the afternoon mist.

To top it all off, we enjoyed our 2nd Hawaiian shaved ice. I went all out and did the cream and azuki beans too. Mmmm. What a place!