Judy has parent meetings at BISS today. She was impressed by how great all the parents were, trying to find out how their kids could become better students. Since she is teaching an MYP class (Middle Years Program), involving more classwork and less singing and music activities, she has actual grades that were turned in. With those grades came the inevitable questions about how a grade was earned. She had a fun day, and all the students and parents were curious and cooperative. It always fun to tell the parents of the really good students how great their kids are. Even the parents of the “less than great” kids were fun to talk to.
I spent the morning and early afternoon watching the Texas State Marching Contest. It’s a nice change to watch all those great bands on the streamed broadcast. When it finishes, I need exercise, and we are still pretty stocked up on groceries, so I decide to go on a hike.
Just another “loaded bike” photo from my hike. Not a good picture, but you get the idea. This guy knows how to pack a bike.
BISS has several perks for its’ teachers. One of them is that each faculty member has a membership to the Health Club at the Marriott Hotel. I would have to pay, but if we could both find the time to use the facility, it might be worth it. We’ve never bothered to go by and check it out (no time, etc.). I can see the hotel lit up every night from the bed, so I have decided today is the day to check it out.
I do my walking research, and think I have a route. It looks like it’s about a two mile hike. I have to cross a major highway, but I use the subway station to get underneath (enter on one side of the road, and climb out on the other side). The route works, and it’s a nice stroll through a section of Beijing I haven’t seen. At the hotel, I check out the gym area. It’s really big, and they have a huge indoor pool. The whole set-up is really nice. We will probably start looking for ways to use this “perk”.
One of my real incentives for the walk was to stop off at Homeplate BBQ. I knew it was close to the Marriott, so I included it in my route home. I had a really good fried chicken sandwich w/fries. Judy was eating at school tonight, so if I’m eating alone, I might as well splurge.
I enjoy catching a glimpse of your daily life, activities, chores, and adventures. Gordon, you are turning into a pretty good writer (for a clarinetist). Now, what does that mean? OK. I amend that. Gordon, you are turning into a very good writer. There.
So, I managed to sneak away last weekend and go to BOA in San Antonio. I almost picked the top five, in order, but got number one and two switched. There were some very good bands in the 14 band finals, as there always are. I was particularly impressed by Hebron, but the judges did not consult with me and, therefore, made a mistake (by .05 points) , placing them second. I will be writing a very long and very tedious letter to BOA brass. I imagine it will go into the voluminous file entitled “crank letters from blow-hards.”
It sounds like you two are getting along very well. I have a great physics class with super nice kids and enjoying teaching them every day. Donna is scrambling to keep one day ahead of her AP English class, along with her other honors junior classes. I sent in my bio, course description, and photo to NMMEA for my workshop in January. I am very excited about doing one on a musical topic. I have chosen Shostakovich’s 4th, 5th, and 6th symphonies, and the intrigue and controversy swirling around them. My class at Good Sam this spring will be “The Russians Are Coming; the Russians Are Coming!” It will be on Shostkovich and Tchaikovsky. I hope they like it!
We are so impressed that neither of you have caused an international incident yet! I lost money betting on that one. Keep the interesting blog entries coming. You guys are pretty awesome.