Multi-day programs

I haven't written much lately since I've felt uninspired or maybe not enough time to reflect on life and inspiration I've been feeling. Life has been GO GO GO. Lots of overtime at work, and then babysitting and house sitting in the free time I have had. I couldn't even find time for dates, so I disabled my online dating account. At work, I've been busy finalizing details for what seems like a million multi-day, residential, education programs. Loads of fine details, and a lot of picking up pieces from different years at the science center and different staff and figuring it out. I feel like Tim Gunn all the time at work, as my inner monologue repeats a mantra of "make it work." I have been putting band aids on different programs to get through the spring season and make it to the summer side where I can look back and set more defined, clear cut policies and procedures with the help of key staff. And evaluate what's been done. Days are filled with meetings, or I can be found pounding away at the keyboard, with ear attached to the phone at the same time.

Two weeks ago exactly, I started to teach a multi-day program, which I'd be leading and doing most of the teaching myself. It was both exhausting and fantastic. About 11 lessons, and two 14hr days, plus a 9er...I'd pulled it off. The kids were from a private Catholic school from Aberdeen (on the Washington coast). They were enthusiastic about the lessons, well behaved, and polite. It was a delight and a pleasure to teach kids so willing to learn. I came away feeling proud of myself, since I'd offered them a great experience, and I'd done it with little prep time --- I really have learned a bunch since being here since I was able to do that. I was relieved when it was over though, time to catch up on sleep! The whole experience reminded me of why I moved out here, why I have stayed out here, and that I'm so lucky to have the opportunities to do what I'm doing - watch people learn and get excited about science :)

Chrissy is explaining how to seine - we caught all kinds of fun fish

Here's the crew - I got hugs, high 5s and handshakes after this photo