Summer is finally here. Yeah!

The rest of the school year went well and now summer vacation is in full swing. I'm busy doing summer research again this summer with CSCR and doing a few farmers market. My weeks comprise of research in the morning at the beginning of the week, baking in the afternoons, a market on Thursday and a market on Saturday. Somewhere in there, I'm logging dives towards my Masters Divers Certification and enjoying the summer heat.

At the end of the month, I'm heading to Ohio to bake a cake for Abby's birthday party. She is doing a Fancy Nancy/tea party/princess themed party so the cake is centered around that. Originally my sister wanted Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes but once she knew I was coming out, it's now a cake instead of cupcakes. I'll have to bring a lot of my stuff with me to Ohio but it should be fun. Before I head to OH, I'm designing a cake for a friend's surprise birthday party. It's a Hawaiian Themed cake.


We head to Fiji in 30 days. So looking forward to it and getting really excited. Not looking towards the long air flight and Bob's lack of sleeping on a plane. Maybe he can get some strong drugs to knock him out for the flights. Maybe there will be a position opening in Fiji for a teacher and I can stay there and enjoy God's creation. One can dream, can't one.


It is July 4th and it is cloudy here in New England. It's still Independence Day. So we're off to a cook-out with friends and some fireworks later on. Enjoy the summer, I am!

It's been a long time!

It sure has been a long time. The summer was packed with research with the Center for Student Coastal Research and with the North and South River Watershed Association. At CSCR, I was in charge of two research groups, Jacobs Meadow and Musquashcut. Students volunteered their time to do wetland monitoring through a variety of data collection. I also picked up a position with NSRWA helping collect data along the South River in Marshfield. The data collected through CSCR and NSRWA helps Coastal Zone Management get information on the health of wetlands and water quality along the rivers. This data is used for restoration projects or to see if the restoration in certain areas is improving the health of these wetlands. I had a great group of students and interns that helped collect data come rain or shine. I'm looking forward to heading back to CSCR for another summer of research.

Starting a new job has been taxing. I can honestly say I have never felt this tired, both mentally and physically, as I have this year. Getting use to a new schedule, new policies/procedures, new students has been interesting to say the least. I'm amazed at the apathy I see in the faces of the students I encounter daily. It's hard to change how one thinks when the community as a whole isn't big on stressing the importance of education. The students definitely keep me on my toes and there have been some highlights to date. The upcoming months should be interesting.

We adopted another dog the beginning of Novemeber. Her name is Paisley and she is 22 months old. She is a Weimer just like Orion and is very lovable. She was free to a good home and had been a great addition to the family. Seeing both Orion and Pasiley run around the yard or play around always brings a smile to your face. She has her little quirks. She is still timid but is getting better at having strangers around. She is a food hound, I even think worse than Sam was. She is known to jump in your lap while you are watching TV, not a small feat since she is 62 pounds. Getting her was a good decision. Orion has a playmate and isn't so lonely anymore. He did have to learn to share. For the most part he is good at sharing, especially the attention, but he still isn't big on sharing the toys. He'll take what she is chewing on even if he has been chewing on something else for a long period of time. At times he plays the gentleman card and will offer her his toy. 

The holidays were split between MA for Thanksgiving and VA for Christmas. It is always good to see family members and to eat good food. It was nice to meet my new nephew and to see my cousin's little boy. It's funny when you think about it. Growing up, we cousins would bet who would get married first and who would have kids first. My cousin Scott won the getting married first but my sister won having kids first. It is really cool to see all the little kids hanging around interacting and of course they are so stinking cute. During these times, I wish I lived closer to my side of the family.

Bob and I will be celebrating our 10th year anniversary this year. We booked a dive trip to Fiji. Yep, Fiji; one of the places I have always wanted to go to. We were looking a several places in the Caribbean and threw in a few wish places as well. We were surprised that a trip to Fiji cost only a few more dollars than going to Bonaire or Curaco. With all the things Fiji has to offer, it was a no-brainer. We're heading out in August and I'm so looking forward to it. Just being able to see the marine life found in that region of the world will be a pleasure in itself. One highlight we get to do is a shark feeding dive. We'll be able to see Bull, Black Tip, Sliverside, Nurse, and White tip sharks. I'm so hoping to get some killer photos while we are there. Who knows maybe we can move there! Now that would be AMAZING.

Winter is hanging on here in New England. I'm heading to Texas in a week so hopefully Spring will decide to come back with me and the temperatures start to warm up. I can honestly say I am sick of seeing snow. It has been fun to snowshoe but I have decided that I still can't LOVE it. Guess I'm just a Southern girl through and through.

Guess that is about all of an update for now. Life is still a journey and the ride sure is interesting.

Thank you God for the job!

 Since April, I have been filling out applications, sending out resumes, hounding contacts looking for another job. Losing your job in today's economic times can add additional stress to your life no matter who you are. I loved my job. I loved the people I worked with, the parents and the students I interacted with, and the district. Leaving on the last day of school was very hard for me however, I have always been a firm believer that when God closes a door, He ALWAYS opens a window. God doesn't let His children down. As His word says, He has a perfect plan for each of us and that all things work together for good.  To be honest during the last few months I wasn't quite sure what His plan was and at times threw a self-pity part but I still had faith that He would take are of me. I have seen Him provide for  my family when my dad lost his job not once but twice. I have seen Him work throughout the year. I knew He would take care of me in His time. There was nothing I could do about losing my job. Everything was in His hands.  I took on additional research projects this summer to save money just in case I didn't have a job when my insurance ran out and because God is good ALL the time, I don't have to worry about where I will be come the fall.  I interviewed at a local high school not far from my home one day and was offered the position the next day. God is good.

Moving to a new school district will be challenging. Getting to know the staff, the administration, the faculty, the students will be overwhelming. But I know that if this is where God wants me, it will all work out. He'll give me the strength to make it through each day. He will not fail me. So a new chapter in my life begins. A new journey. I'm excited and looking forward to what God has in store for me.

Thank you God for my new job. Thank you for the additional jobs this summer. Thank you for loving me and providing for me even when I fail. You are an awesome GOD.

New journey...

Instead of traveling to Costa Rica with students, I'm looking for a job. I was told at the beginning of our spring break that the principal is going in a different direction next school year and I don't fit the direction he is going in. So needless to say, after June 18, 2010, I will be without a job. Finding one right now seems to be a daunting task since there really aren't many postings looking for a high school teacher with my experience along the south shore. I'm even entertaining the thought of getting out of education completely.

So for awhile, I will be exploring the wonders of my state and surround areas instead of heading to the tropics or some other exotic place. I'll be joining thousands of individuals trying to find a job. That in itself is a journey! Wish me luck.

"Leave Her, Johnny, Leave Her!"- Cohasset Belize/Guatemala 2009

  "Leave Her, Johnny, Leave Her!" -Cohasset Belize 2009

Oh the work was hard and the wages low, Leave her, Johnny, leave her. 

But now once more ashore we'll go, For it's time for us to leave her.

Chorus:

Leave her, Johnny, leave her. Oh leave her, Johnny, leave her.
For the voyage is done and the winds don't blow and it's time for us to leave her.

From the Chilly north, to the sunny south, Leave her, Johnny, leave her.

Just to catch some rays and let our skin hang out, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

We soaked up rays just to get a tan, Leave her, Johnny, leave her.

While we bounced along in our big white vans, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

Ross Wooly's here and what a hunk, Leave her, Johnny, leave her.

He wows the girls when he bares his trunk, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

Tina's next, but first in the shower line, Leave her, Johnny, leave her.

When her hair is wet she's feeling fine, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

Katie D. is blessed with a brother twin, Leave her, Johnny, leave her.

She spends her time taking care of him, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

Tyler is that lucky brother twin, Leave her, Johnny, leave her.

He quietly lets her be a mother hen, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

A heartthrob sure MacKinzie is, Leave her, Johnny, leave her.

She's effervescent with lots of fizz, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

No Tory Heart is one of a golden pair, Leave her, Johnny, leave her.

Of course that simply means her hair, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

Now Tori Lehr is the other one, Leave her, Johnny, leave her.

Her golden hair shines in the sun, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

Now Tori and Sam are both named Lehr, Leave her, Johnny, leave her.

They've gotten used to breathing really thin air, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

Sarah loses this, Sarah loses that, Leave her, Johnny, Leave her.

What she doesn't lose is what's attached, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

The spice seller came to Kristen M., Leave her, Johnny, Leave her.

She bought some tea to feed her 'friend', For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

August sure is an EMT, Leave her, Johnny, leave her.

I'm glad he didn't have to me, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

Conor is the one who sucked the hot sauce down, Leave her, Johnny, Leave her.

On the floor next day, it was he they found, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

O, Erika put the Marie Sharp down, Leave her, Johnny, Leave her.

She beat the girls in the whole big town, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

Carly S. lugs a really heavy bag, Leaver her, Johnny, Leave her.

It almost had to have a special tag, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

Graham S. came along to help all he could, Leave her, Johnny, Leave her.

He was at his best when it came to food, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

Jeanie was afraid of 'bout all we did, Leave her, Johnny, leave her.

But she came right through with a courage big, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

David T. won the test as the hot sauce king, Leave her, Johnny, Leave her.

He discovered that Maire burned both his ends, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

D.J. Weiss loves to feed all his little friends, Leave her, Johnny, Leave her.

The biting bugs will never end, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

Susan S. we can't leave out, Leave her, Johnny, Leave her.

When the river was deep she jumped right out, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

Jon Fortin came to learn all he can, Leave her, Johnny, Leave her.

If he learns any more his head will expand, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

Now the real thanks must surely go, Leave her, Johnny, Leave her.

To the teacher who really made this go, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

We clap for you who bring us Joy, Leave her, Johnny, Leave her.

Without your help this would never go, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

And now from your guide, just one last word, Leave her, Johnny, Leave her.

I'm awfully glad you (and you and you...) were all aboard, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

And so my friends on the homeward track, Leave her, Johnny, Leave her.

The adventure road will bring you back, For it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

....After landing in Boston....

The trip is done and we're tired to the bone, Leave her, Johnny, Leave her.

But of how good it is to be back home, For it's time for us to leave her.

Leave her, Johnny, Leave her. Oh, Leave her, Johnny, leave her.

For the voyage is done and the winds don't blow, and it's time for us to leave her!

BELAY!!!!!

-words written by Dr. J. Philip McLaren and Joy Higgins

-sung by Dr. J. Philip McLaren to the tune of "Leave her, Johnny, Leave her!"

Journey's End...Day 9

Early start since we would be driving straight to the airport back in Belize. Since the girl at the Belize border decided to make things 10x more difficult, we had to book it to the airport. Keeping up with Doc, dodging pot holes and sleeping policemen, avoiding drunks walking into the road sure made for a challenging drive. However we arrived in plenty of time. All bags got checked and Doc sang his version of a sea shanty "Leave Her Johnny, Leave Her!" The kids were touched though some of them were nervous about missing the plane.  While on the plane, I handed out the essays. Just a reminder to the kids that though this trip was fun, it was still a class. Let them know that the journals and their essays were do a week after we got back to school.

In Houston, customs took 2 hours but at least we were in the same terminal as our connecting flight. Unfortunately we were unable to pick up some food before boarding so there were some hungry students on the plane. It's always nice to hear "Welcome Home." We arrived in Boston on time and sang the last verse of "Leave Her Johnny, Leave Her!" before heading out to baggage and the waiting parents.

The journey may have ended but the experience of the journey lives on. Wrap-up dinners, FaceBook group, college essays were just a few items that came about from the trip. One chaperon was able to share his experience in a graduate course since the topic was the on the Mayans and how they invented the number "0". Another chaperon made the pineapple upside down cake from a recipe given to her from the cook at IZE. Younger high school students are already looking forward to the trip planned for their senior year. The excitement and experience of this trip lives on in the lives of these students. It was an amazing trip and the students were outstanding. This is an experience that will live on in me also.

Tikal National Park...Day 8

 Today we spent the morning walking around Tikal National Park. Before heading out, we ate breakfast. I ordered French Toast and due to extremely slow service most of us didn't eat until 8 am. We met our guide, Rony, at the main building which has a replica of the national park. Rony gave some background information on the park, the Mayans, and what we would be doing for the morning.

During the day we stopped at several temples for the students to climb. It was nice to see some changes done to the park since my last visit. Instead of insane stairs to climb at temple IV, they had added a better stair system to get to the top. We still had some insane stairs to climb but the views from the top were worth it. The day was bearable. With some cloud coverage, it wasn't as hot until we reached the central complex then the students got to feel what it was truly like in the tropics.

After the tour, some students bought trinkets from the vendors and we all ate lunch before heading back to Rio Mopan.

 Along the road back to the border, we once again entered the Waiting Place. This time, road paving. Needless to say this was at least an hours wait while one side of the road was being paved and traffic traveled on the other side of the road. We headed back to Melchor and stopped at the Boutique Antiqua and got to meet the entire Hernedez family. After loading up our purchases, we headed to Rio Mopan and to a very nice steak and potatoes dinner.  Last night in Guatemala. The kids headed back to their rooms to pack up their belongs and to put aside anything that they wanted to donate to the clinic.