Even More....

Yeah, I was right there and then I went all over BOTH campuses and I have to tell you there is even more but I'm whipped..12 hours with 49 like minded individuals can leave you feeling numb and (almost) speechless...I need even more time to dissolve...

I'm alive, alert and ready to do!

GOOGLE NIGHT BEFORE:having too much fun. Went to dinner last night with the (GCT dinner club we are calling ourselves), cause we've already made plans to do a webinar together..and continue discussions...
I impressed them when I sat down and told them each of their names...(duh, their pics are on the wiki) Darren from Australia is very nice and he is picking my brain about staff dev. Brian, a local pointed us to two great dining places...dishdash was the name of the place...mediterrean and delicious..MaryFran --well you get the idea, EVERYONE shared "stuff" and it is the same everywhere...
Everyone feels like I do, how lucky we are, we really can't believe it...etc..
Saw the YAHOO building and a great street called INNOVATION...wouldn't you love to work on a street called INNOVATION??

Chat and Chew

Tonight, 12 of us got together to meet prior to the big event tomorrow...Australia, California, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, Virginia, Pennsylvania..I know I missed someone...but, we decided we all got initially connected because of TWITTER...yes, we are connected and had such a great share session...can't wait for more fun tomorrow....it keeps getting better...
Dishdash was the perfect dining spot, thanks to a local GCT!!

Its a beautiful day in the neighborhood of CALIFORNIA!

Made it to my room, contacted others at other hotels..sunny and gorgeous and everything you've heard about driving out here is correct!!!
Thanks to Hertz and GPS..I don't have a care in the world...about the highway anyway...
Now, I'm trying to make the butterflies fly in formation..
TOMORROW
IS
GOOGLE ....gulp!

I've been Googlized!

Ok, if you don't like Google, come back in a couple of weeks, cause that is how long it is going to take me to come down off this natural high..

Tomorrow, TOMORROW is my flight to San Jose, I meet up with about 10 people I've been talking to virtually on our wiki for chat and chew for dinner tomorrow night and the fun continues on Wednesday at the Googleplex.

THE POWER OF A WIKI...There are 50 of us and 20 of us have been hanging out on a wiki with pics, our videos we submitted and I already "know" almost half the group..
HOW COOL IS THAT????

8:30 am to 7:30 pm is our training time...I know that we have some GCT retirees coming in to talk, Jerome Berg (google lit trips) then the people that are still speaking in whole sentences, we are all celebrating our new GCT status at a gathering at a local place to melt down...hope to get a voicethread made just to get some random thoughts from all of these fellow GCTs..

I have cleaned out all images from phone and camera...charged all my electronics...bought a new outfit. Hey, I am representing the fine state of Missouri...and I respect all that is Google..yep, I'm wearing a skirt...quit laughing...

more later...must TRY to sleep!

My Strong Son, Mike

So, what's wrong with this picture? Read the shirt...So, what is wrong with this picture? N O T H I N G !! My son can deadlift a car, throw a cheerleader sky high (and catch her) tell you things about chemical reactions and nutritional information that will make your head spin.
Right brain and Left brain , FULLY engaged!
Oh, and did I mention his quick wit and big heart?

THIS bothers me..

Everyday I read the newspaper..(for those of you who need some education) that is that rolled up thing you'll see on some people's lawn in the early morning hours if you are out joggin or God forbid, just coming home.
The newspaper reminds me of my growing up years, we used to get TWO newspapers at my home when I was growing up! (maybe that is where I became an avid reader, ya think?) I love sitting down and going from stem to stern with the newspaper during the weekend...weekdays, I gobble up the sports section in the summer time BASEBALL!, and normally, all the front section and everyday with the funnies...some of them STILL make me laugh out loud!
So, my weekend begins and I'm reading the front section and lo and behold I read about a high school in Glouster, MA and this could be any high school really. There is a disturbing amount of pregnancies this year...hmmm, usually there is an average of 4 (which is four too many, duh!) but this year...17. Yes, that is a one and a seven.
Why? Ok, let's think about this one...weather bad? Everyone has to say indoors? Lack of sex education? Did the School Board vote down that subject again? Hormones in the water? Condoms gone bad?
Guess again.
Seems a group of girls decided to make a pact to "get pregnant and raise their kids together"...Where, oh where, is anyone that cares for these terribly misguided girls? Can we get these parents together and well, I'm just too sad to think about what I would like to do with these parents...Education begins at home and how about throwing in some unconditional love and support..and whoops...I'm off my soapbox..
Nothing "techy" today folks..this story grabbed my heart...by the way, the majority of them succeeded...sigh...

Two down, too many to go!

Whether you blog, podcast or use a wiki, its all about communicating! Recently two of my administrators expressed interest in starting to blog. (I was DELIGHTED!)
Of course, my choice of setting up an easy to use blog was right here, so you can now see my administrators @
sandsofsappington or signin2Sandfort
Well, I have several more administrators to encourage, but I think by looking at these as models, it will be even easier for them to jump into Web 2.0. I have gotten comments that blogging is easy, and I have to agree, it is very easy to keep a log of your thoughts, trials, tribulations. I have the best job in the world.
Speaking of best job in the world, I'm on my way to spend time at the Googleplex this week. I am already in awe, I can only imagine the collaboration and high level thinking that will be done during my time together with 49 other people from around the world....Thank you Cheryl for the great pic I "borrowed" from our GTA wiki...I look forward to meeting you f2f~soon!

ISTE Advisor

So who was this advisor that suggested to ISTE that everyone get permission slips to record?...well, the secret is out.............

ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!

I feel like Christmas is almost here...7 days until I am in the Googleplex with 49 other teachers from around the world...some I've already met face to face (Hey, David in FL) and I've met many already online through our wiki..

I understand that I will be immersed in learning and comprehending all that is Google, but I'm also getting ready to have a brand new network...how cool to meet them all face to face and then collaborate for the rest of our natural lives online...wish I could meet all of my virtual friends face to face! SEVEN DAYS.....

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, Joe!

Yep, the best father I know is on this page...My husband has been a father for almost 25 years...hmmm, should I get him a gold watch? Looks like he'll never be able to retire though..He (and I) are too busy watching and laughing and enjoying our great kids..although, I must say, it was rather strange playing canasta last weekend and each of us had a beer...

Balance

As I ponder technology, life, summer --it's all about balance. Sometimes that is very difficult to do, and I question my zest for diving into activities without attempting to keep balanced at times. I'm finding that it's a good thing to be so focused that time actually flies by, but at what cost? What did I "drop" by consuming all that time? Sigh, I don't mind the speed of life, just want to be MORE balanced!

My New Tattoo!

So, I'm getting ready to teach Google Earth at an all day class, and my friend says "STOP! I have to take a picture of your new tattoo"...

Sooo, I'm thinkin...hmmmm...

Google Goosebumps

This is an open apology to my family and friends:

For the next 30 days, my life is consumed by anything Google. When I speak, it will be Google related, when I think, well, yeah...

Don't feel sorry for me, my smile can't get any brighter...and I've noticed my outlook on life has become brighter...

LIFE

IS

GOOD! and my family ROCKS!!!

Here is my google earth girl video..

GOOGLE EARTH GIRL

...is going to the show!! I've been selected to become a GOOGLE CERTIFIED TEACHER and I am absolutely excited and happy about this awesome opportunity!

CLOUDS are pretty!

http://www.tweetclouds.com/user_pages/clane.html

I like my cloud, I like what my most used words say, looks cool and I appear to be so too!