Introducing....

...52creations. More to come.

Testing, Testing...Is this thing on?

Hey, I need to write more often.  I'm going to try to start.  I've been having difficulty jutifying keeping up a blog when I can give updates via Twitter and Facebook.  So, while I decide why I should continue to blog (or start again,) I will try to actually do it more often.

Few and Far Between

Attention: I'm being a deadbeat blogger. I'll add "more blogging" to my 2009 resolutions. I know you've been concerned. :)

Ohio Bound

Attention: I am going to Ohio. But don't worry, it's only for the weekend.

I'm a Master at Something!

This little piece of expensive paper came in the mail today! 

Sent from my iPhone.

Thank You Meijer

There are so many reasons to love Meijer. They are based in Michigan. They are everywhere. They are open 24 hours. And most importantly, they are NOT Wal-Mart (bullies!)

Since July of 07, I have been trying my hardest to make better healthy living choices, including changes in my diet and exercise. Overall, I'd give myself a B--doing okay, but there is some room for improvement. During that time frame, our friends at Meijer have been making their food healthier, too.

Although I'm not entirely sure how long they've been doing it, Meijer has their own store brand of organic products cleverly called "Meijer Organics." In the past, I've always been a bit of a food snob and steered clear of "value" brands. I'm convinced--in part by reading labels--that it is not possible for store brands to be exactly like their commercial counterparts. Something...it may be small...but something, is different.

However, I have sampled dozens of Meijer Organics products and they are all great. Meijer Organics are our preferred brands, unless we find something cheaper. And, I think that is a major difference. I feel like the company is not trying to make all their organic products "value" products as well. For example, tonight I bought a different brand of organic cane sugar because it was over $1 cheaper than the Meijer brand.

For those of you that live near a Meijer, try out their Organic line. Yes, I know it costs more than other brands, but remember it's your body and so far you only get one of those. And, once you've tried a jam, jelly, ketchup or other treat that is not made with high fructose corn syrup, you will have a hard time going back.

The picture shows a few of our regular Meijer Organics purchases.

Two Weeks and Counting

Jennie and I left mid-morning for a 10 mile run. As we struggled to finish 10 miles, it hit me: Chicago 2008 is only two weeks away! I'm actually pretty excited about doing the marathon October 12th. I spent my childhood watching my father leave early on weekends to run races of all sorts...5k...10K...half marathon...marathon...24 hour races (what's up with those?) I ran a little track in high school, but certainly never fancied myself a serious runner. Once, my dad bribed be into running 13 miles in exchange for a pair of speakers. I think he was a little disappointed in my performance, and I learned how far 13 miles really was.

I ran on and off in college, but taking a full load of classes and working (almost) full time made it hard to find time to run. I was really two summers ago, when I was in Geneva and had no other obligations besides going to class from 9-5 that I found time to take up the sport.

Today, I'm far from pro, but I have found that running can be enjoyable. The key is that you have to do it at least 3 times a week. Otherwise, you lose your running fitness. In other words, half the battle in running is form and breathing. Your body has to get used to these two things in order to keep going. When I was going to the gym, I would work out my leg muscles. So, my legs were strong, but my respiratory system was not trained for 2-3 hours of non-stop exercise. So, that has been the biggest difference.

These next two weeks are set up as tapering time. Our longest run is about 8 miles and during the week is 4. I want to also work on eating better. This is always a goal for me, but now that the big day is nearing, I would love to drop off another 2-4 pounds (really, 10 would be great.)

Wish me luck.

Personal Best

Jennie and I just got back from running 15 miles through the parks of London!  Definitely the farthest distance I've ever run, but still 11.2 miles short of a marathon.  Oh well, I'm still happy we actually got up early and did it today.  After just getting settled the day before here in London, it would have been very easy to have skipped out today.

Today, we'll probably rest up for a little while and then do something that doesn't involve much walking or running.

Two Swiss Summers...a Reflection

It hit me last night during our "7:11" photo montage: This has been a very special experience. I'd like to think I'll do it again someday, but the reality is that our "Global Cohort" is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event. Last night, as the 500+ photos (25 minutes worth) passed by on the projector screen in our classroom, we all watched the past 12 months rush past us. I know I was not the only one who thought "wow, we've really done a lot in a year." What made is so special is that we did it together as the 7:11 Runners!

Being given the opportunity to study abroad for a Master's degree while working full-time in our 30's was a gift. Meeting 26 other amazing people along the way was a bonus. Finding 6 people who share your love for life, laughter, and travel...that's priceless.

I'm sitting here thinking about how in less than 16 hours, this group will say our goodbyes for the last time. We'll laugh a lot, cry a little, and promise to keep in touch. I hope we can manage to do that. The "cohort" is a unique blend of people--all with different strengths and weaknesses--that could really make positive strides in education if we played upon each other's strengths. I am leaving the program more dedicated than ever to the idea of using technology to make change, not only in our schools, but in our global society.

It's been a whirlwind program, but our reward--our Master's degree in Education Technology--is now less than 5 hours away.

You can watch the graduation ceremony LIVE from Geneva by going to www.umfglobal.org/graduation. It starts at 12:30 Eastern Time (6:30 our time) and will be re-played on the site later.

Jennie and I have photos of our experiences on our blogs (search back a bit) and on our SmugMug account.

More thoughts and reflections when Jennie and I return home. We leave for London tomorrow.

Alpine Adventure Photos

Two things: First, a picture is worth a thousand words. Second, I don't have time to blog right now. So, here are a few photos from the trip. I'll try to add a little story in a few hours.

Enjoy!
















Heading up the mountain
























One of the cog railways heading down


















A Swiss cow grazing near the tracks


















Almost to the top of Jungfrau


















At the Jungfraujoch station, aka "The Top of Europe"


















Jennie perseveres over her fear of heights!


















View from the top
























J and I (that's not Jungfrau behind us...it's some peak that starts with an M)


















An Alipne bird


















Meghan and Karyn (Jungfrau in BG)


















More cog trains


















Moo


















More moo


















Jennie in Interlaken


















Spiez

















Castle in Spiez


















Ferris wheel in Thun


















River in Thun


















View from Thun


















Jennie


















Jennie and I


















Fin

Due to the eminent deadline of a research paper/project

Blogs will continue to be sluggish.  However, you should check out my Facebook for more current updates.

A Few Views From the Neighborhood

We are leaving for a weekend along the French Riviera in a few hours,  but I wanted to post a few photos of the neighborhood around the John Knox Center before we left.

The area is really a great place to spend three weeks.  It's a mix of very nice homes, hills, cow pastures, sunflower fields and stunning views of the Alps and Lake Geneva.   Sitting here right now, it's hard to imagine that the urban center of Geneva is less than a couple of miles away.  The World Health Organization (WHO) is about 1/4 mile away and the United Nations is about a half mile.  I often have to remind myself that so much is going on so closely, especially when I wake up to the sound of cow bells!

So, I want to share some of that with you.  I didn't have as much time as I thought I would to take photos today, but I did snap a couple.  Sorry for the spot on some of the pics.  I had a spec of dust on the imager of my camera.  I think it's finally cleared off.

Time to pack and sleep for a few hours.  Talk to you Monday!

A nearby chateau

Small restaurant in Pregny

One of our regular running routes

I'll take this one, but the one above is nice, too!

The big white on in the middle is Mont Blanc.  This view is about 1/2 mile away.

The view as you approach the John Knox Center

Welcome to Le Centre!

The road out in front of the Centre

Nearby home

Even the donkeys wear bells

Quickie Update

I wanted to post a quick update before I get back to my research paper and thesis project.

We returned on Sunday to Geneva from Paris. The 7:11 runners ran/walked on Monday, 3 miles on Tuesday, 6 miles today, and we'll do another 2 tomorrow. The hills are killer and I must have forgotten how tough they were from last year. The John Knox Center is at the top of a hill, so the first couple of miles are always easy, but I know that the last will always be uphill.

Our group has been putting in a lot of time after class to do some technology updates on our website, create promotional materials and support literature, etc. That's in addition to our research!

I''m hoping to take a walking tour of our "neighborhood" and snap some photos for you to check out tonight or tomorrow morning. This Friday, the seven of us are headed to Nice on the French Riviera for a weekend on the beach. Can't wait!

The Eiffel Tower's New Blue Look

Paris in Photos

The Arc di Triomphe on a cloudy day

Monument Louis XV in Place de la Concorde

Jennie looking tres chic

The 7-11 ladies taking a break

J&B outside the Louvre

A intricate rose window inside Notre Dame

Row of candles near the same window

One of the two original metro entrances in Paris

A jazz band entertains the crowd

More stairs, a favorite of ours

The first view of Sacre Couer

The views as we climb the stairs to the dome

Gargoyle

Jennie and I atop Sacre Coeur

La Hopital des Invalides

An ornate clock on L'Ecole Militaire

Karyn at "La Tour"

So, where is the tower anyway?  (haha)

Self-portrait

Bruce takes a load off his feet and admires the view

Eiffel close-up

Eiffel closer-up

Some of the 12,000 pieces

The Eiffel Tower on a grey day

Eiffel in her evening gown

Bruce waiting for the show

"1024 colors" painting at the Pompidou Center

"Starry Night" by Vincent VanGogh

Self-portrait

Where did this come from?

B&J by Monet

The gang (minus Tony)