The grace as we move apart and the fall.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Sabbatical Part Three
Thursday 3 July
Still as crook as a dog and not getting better so found a drug store and bought drugs today. Yesterday we had a great session in the morning from Jeff Howard who is the equivalent of Russel Bishop. His programme of efficacy stated that all kids can achieve to a high level and if they don't it is the 'fault' of the teacher and principal. His recipe is one of high expectations, clear targets and no let up in finding a way for each kid. Challenged quite a few people there. He made it very clear that it was not good enough for teachers to not know the actual performance targets they had for each student/class at each year level and for the students to not know and for their progress not to be measured regularly against them. Being able to do so begins to define us as professionals rather than as practitioners.
The second session was not very good. It was by Kitty Fowles and was on professional development. Her 'innovative ideas' are pretty commonplace in many NZ schools.
We found a good bar with our Aussie mate and had a feed of fish and chips! and then a pleasant walk home.
Had a terrible night and woke up worse than I have been. On the way in we found a drug store. Hopefully the drugs will make a difference. Have certainly dried up a bit, but the cough and headache are still a problem.
The first session this morn ing was from a brilliant presenter, John Collins, and his school-wide writing programme which improves student achievement across all subjects. He was hugely funny and presented a simple model which will fit in nicely with our EPF contract which rrequires us to develop writing across the school next year. He also presented the three factors that were present in all highly successful leaders in any field:
Time – they worked long hours and had done so for a long period of time (at least 10 years)
Feeling – they had a passion for their work and people
Focus – they could identify the one thing they were trying to do.
If you displayed only the first two you were a workaholic, if you displayed all three you were effective.
The second session was more low-key but was great because it created quite a mood of defensiveness. Barry Jentz put forward a model for difficult conversations, had role plays videoed and then analysed them with us. His model is the same as the one we follow but I liked the way lots of people were stirred up.
After a 'ice cream social' which is everyone getting a plate of ice cream Terry and I took a new way home and had a nice feed in a local restaurant. Currently have no appetite for food or booze, but enjoyed the cajun mahimahi.
Some good reasons why it is good to be sick (compiled by Terry and Maurie in their moments of misery)
1. If we felt good we would be up earlier to go for a run (though we are walking 1 – 2 hours per day)
2. If we were well we would be drinking a lot of booze.
3. If we were well we would be eating more.
4. Therefore, if we were well we would be spending more money.
Still as crook as a dog and not getting better so found a drug store and bought drugs today. Yesterday we had a great session in the morning from Jeff Howard who is the equivalent of Russel Bishop. His programme of efficacy stated that all kids can achieve to a high level and if they don't it is the 'fault' of the teacher and principal. His recipe is one of high expectations, clear targets and no let up in finding a way for each kid. Challenged quite a few people there. He made it very clear that it was not good enough for teachers to not know the actual performance targets they had for each student/class at each year level and for the students to not know and for their progress not to be measured regularly against them. Being able to do so begins to define us as professionals rather than as practitioners.
The second session was not very good. It was by Kitty Fowles and was on professional development. Her 'innovative ideas' are pretty commonplace in many NZ schools.
We found a good bar with our Aussie mate and had a feed of fish and chips! and then a pleasant walk home.
Had a terrible night and woke up worse than I have been. On the way in we found a drug store. Hopefully the drugs will make a difference. Have certainly dried up a bit, but the cough and headache are still a problem.
The first session this morn ing was from a brilliant presenter, John Collins, and his school-wide writing programme which improves student achievement across all subjects. He was hugely funny and presented a simple model which will fit in nicely with our EPF contract which rrequires us to develop writing across the school next year. He also presented the three factors that were present in all highly successful leaders in any field:
Time – they worked long hours and had done so for a long period of time (at least 10 years)
Feeling – they had a passion for their work and people
Focus – they could identify the one thing they were trying to do.
If you displayed only the first two you were a workaholic, if you displayed all three you were effective.
The second session was more low-key but was great because it created quite a mood of defensiveness. Barry Jentz put forward a model for difficult conversations, had role plays videoed and then analysed them with us. His model is the same as the one we follow but I liked the way lots of people were stirred up.
After a 'ice cream social' which is everyone getting a plate of ice cream Terry and I took a new way home and had a nice feed in a local restaurant. Currently have no appetite for food or booze, but enjoyed the cajun mahimahi.
Some good reasons why it is good to be sick (compiled by Terry and Maurie in their moments of misery)
1. If we felt good we would be up earlier to go for a run (though we are walking 1 – 2 hours per day)
2. If we were well we would be drinking a lot of booze.
3. If we were well we would be eating more.
4. Therefore, if we were well we would be spending more money.
Sabbatical Part Two
Tuesday 1 July
Where to start? I have developed an atrocious head cold which makes me miserable during the day and keeps me awake during the early hours of the morning!
Despite that we have had 2 great days at Harvard. Yesterday we walked in and registered and had two great presentations. They were close to three hours each, but were very interactive – with 200 people in a cramped lecture theatre.
The first was by Roland Barth who ambushed us into identifying the conditions in which we best learn and then asked us why our schools and classrooms weren't like that. This would be a great whole staff exercise.
The second was by Robert Keegan who took us through a 4 column process which started by expaining that, despite our best intentions, we rarely achieve goals to bring self-improvement or change but that we could be successful if we addressed the underlying commitments we had to keep doing things the same way.
We then met in the small discussion groups we will be in for the rest of the course. Our facilitator is Melissa and I met with our wonderful group of Daphne, Sheila, Kim, Jim, Phillip, Alvin, Curtis, Connie, Rose, Sharon and Silvio.
After that I bumped into an Aussie, John, so after finding Terry we headed off for a quick beer and then to the Harvard Club for a flash dinner in very traditional surroundings – think flash gentleman's club.
Today we were up at 5.45 to get to the bus by 7.00 for the drive out to Project Adventure. We didn't get away until 8.30!!!! but what a great day. We worked in our discussion groups, got to know each other much better. The highlight was completing the high ropes activity with my partner Silvio who has led a remarkable life. It was awesome, also, to see other group members either completing the high ropes or assisting others to do so. Our facilitator there, Angel, did a great job and we now know a lot more about each other.
I've got some neat photos I'll put up but I can't get mine or Terry's camera to talk to the EEE PC I have. Will figure out a way as soon as I can.
I am writing some magazine reviews on my return about the EEE PC. Apart from the camera issue it is proving to be a great machine.
We're now about to head out for tea.
Where to start? I have developed an atrocious head cold which makes me miserable during the day and keeps me awake during the early hours of the morning!
Despite that we have had 2 great days at Harvard. Yesterday we walked in and registered and had two great presentations. They were close to three hours each, but were very interactive – with 200 people in a cramped lecture theatre.
The first was by Roland Barth who ambushed us into identifying the conditions in which we best learn and then asked us why our schools and classrooms weren't like that. This would be a great whole staff exercise.
The second was by Robert Keegan who took us through a 4 column process which started by expaining that, despite our best intentions, we rarely achieve goals to bring self-improvement or change but that we could be successful if we addressed the underlying commitments we had to keep doing things the same way.
We then met in the small discussion groups we will be in for the rest of the course. Our facilitator is Melissa and I met with our wonderful group of Daphne, Sheila, Kim, Jim, Phillip, Alvin, Curtis, Connie, Rose, Sharon and Silvio.
After that I bumped into an Aussie, John, so after finding Terry we headed off for a quick beer and then to the Harvard Club for a flash dinner in very traditional surroundings – think flash gentleman's club.
Today we were up at 5.45 to get to the bus by 7.00 for the drive out to Project Adventure. We didn't get away until 8.30!!!! but what a great day. We worked in our discussion groups, got to know each other much better. The highlight was completing the high ropes activity with my partner Silvio who has led a remarkable life. It was awesome, also, to see other group members either completing the high ropes or assisting others to do so. Our facilitator there, Angel, did a great job and we now know a lot more about each other.
I've got some neat photos I'll put up but I can't get mine or Terry's camera to talk to the EEE PC I have. Will figure out a way as soon as I can.
I am writing some magazine reviews on my return about the EEE PC. Apart from the camera issue it is proving to be a great machine.
We're now about to head out for tea.
Sabbatical Part One
Saturday 28 June
This has been a long day! After 45 minutes at school in the morning, a final check of the packing and a last walk around the track I finally took off from Whakatane at about 2.45pm. The first half of the flight was great, but the last half was very bumpy.
I had a couple of hours to kill waiting for Terry so read the paper and hung around. Ran into Mathew Lack and his Dad who are on the same flight heading to ian nternational disabled athletics event.
Terry turned up and after check in we had a couple of beers, bought some water and boarded the plane. We had great seats – the back row set of 2. Plenty of leg room and no others in our row and right by the wharepaku. Terry has picked up quite a cold so was a bit miserable and I developed a mean headache. Flight was uneventful and long (12 hours) with restless dozing. We had one screamer of a kid a couple of rows in front of us, but managed to block him out for most of the trip.
It was bedlam when we arrived in L.A. We got three different sets of instructions to find Terminal 7 and eventually walked our way there. We then tried to check in which was a huge hassle because it is self-check-in and the helping dude wasn't very helpful. We finally found a woman behind a desk who helped us. There was some issue with a security check on Terrry.
We then went through security to the gate area for our flight to Boston with a 6 hour wait in front of us. We were both selected for a thorough search (it happened to me in Auckland as well!) so were patted down and our carry bags searched and tested for explosives.
We're now sitting in the gate lounge and it is only 5.00pm Sat 28 July! We board in just over 4 hours for a 5 ½ hour flight to Boston where we will arrive at 7.00am Sunday morning! My head still hurts and Terry still feels miserable! We want our money back.
Sunday 29 June
It's now 6.00pm on Sunday night and still haven't slept in a bed. We finally boarded our flight to Boston and found we were seated separately on a full plane. Hadn't eaten since a pizza at about 4.00pm to discover you had to buy your food on the plane! Bugger that!
It was a 5 ½ hour flight and I dozed and slept most of it though it was quite bumpy. Much less chaos at Logan airport. We quickly found a taxi and arrived at our hotel shortly after 7,00am to be told our room wouldn't be ready until 3.00pm, but that they would try to get it ready earlier. We really wanted and needed a shower!
We walked into Harvard Square (about 2k) along the banks of the river where there were heaps of runners and cyclists and rowers (on the river). We went to Peet's Coffee and had an average coffee and tea and Danish. Lots of academic type people as well as runners ending up there. We then spent a couple of hours walking through the grounds of Harvard University. It is certainly impressive. Brick work everywhere and lots of acknowledgement of history and tradition.
We decided to head back to the hotel at about 11.00 to see if room was ready. We walked along the other side of the river. The fog/mist was starting to lift and it was now warming up. Thankfully our room was ready. We decided we would freshen up and head by train into downtown. As soon as Terry lay down after his shower he was asleep! He woke himself up snoring at 1.00 so we headed off.
Our room is quite flash which is great considering we are here for 9-10 days. The beds are very small, but we have a nice lounge and plenty of workspace for our assignments!!!
Downtown we had a horrible feed in a food court and wandered around down to the port checking out a few historic sites (Paul Revere) until we found a seedy Irish Bar for a couple of beers while watching the soccer final. With bladders bursting we made it back to the Hotel where we are now relaxing and starting to think about our Harvard course which begins tomorrow.
Headache's gone but Terry is still struggling with his cold and cough.
Phone works as Lucy has texted me a couple of times. The EEE PC is great because of its portability. It has successfully found wireless connections at airports but you have to pay for them. I have just found that there is free wireless in Harvard Square so will try there tomorrow.
This has been a long day! After 45 minutes at school in the morning, a final check of the packing and a last walk around the track I finally took off from Whakatane at about 2.45pm. The first half of the flight was great, but the last half was very bumpy.
I had a couple of hours to kill waiting for Terry so read the paper and hung around. Ran into Mathew Lack and his Dad who are on the same flight heading to ian nternational disabled athletics event.
Terry turned up and after check in we had a couple of beers, bought some water and boarded the plane. We had great seats – the back row set of 2. Plenty of leg room and no others in our row and right by the wharepaku. Terry has picked up quite a cold so was a bit miserable and I developed a mean headache. Flight was uneventful and long (12 hours) with restless dozing. We had one screamer of a kid a couple of rows in front of us, but managed to block him out for most of the trip.
It was bedlam when we arrived in L.A. We got three different sets of instructions to find Terminal 7 and eventually walked our way there. We then tried to check in which was a huge hassle because it is self-check-in and the helping dude wasn't very helpful. We finally found a woman behind a desk who helped us. There was some issue with a security check on Terrry.
We then went through security to the gate area for our flight to Boston with a 6 hour wait in front of us. We were both selected for a thorough search (it happened to me in Auckland as well!) so were patted down and our carry bags searched and tested for explosives.
We're now sitting in the gate lounge and it is only 5.00pm Sat 28 July! We board in just over 4 hours for a 5 ½ hour flight to Boston where we will arrive at 7.00am Sunday morning! My head still hurts and Terry still feels miserable! We want our money back.
Sunday 29 June
It's now 6.00pm on Sunday night and still haven't slept in a bed. We finally boarded our flight to Boston and found we were seated separately on a full plane. Hadn't eaten since a pizza at about 4.00pm to discover you had to buy your food on the plane! Bugger that!
It was a 5 ½ hour flight and I dozed and slept most of it though it was quite bumpy. Much less chaos at Logan airport. We quickly found a taxi and arrived at our hotel shortly after 7,00am to be told our room wouldn't be ready until 3.00pm, but that they would try to get it ready earlier. We really wanted and needed a shower!
We walked into Harvard Square (about 2k) along the banks of the river where there were heaps of runners and cyclists and rowers (on the river). We went to Peet's Coffee and had an average coffee and tea and Danish. Lots of academic type people as well as runners ending up there. We then spent a couple of hours walking through the grounds of Harvard University. It is certainly impressive. Brick work everywhere and lots of acknowledgement of history and tradition.
We decided to head back to the hotel at about 11.00 to see if room was ready. We walked along the other side of the river. The fog/mist was starting to lift and it was now warming up. Thankfully our room was ready. We decided we would freshen up and head by train into downtown. As soon as Terry lay down after his shower he was asleep! He woke himself up snoring at 1.00 so we headed off.
Our room is quite flash which is great considering we are here for 9-10 days. The beds are very small, but we have a nice lounge and plenty of workspace for our assignments!!!
Downtown we had a horrible feed in a food court and wandered around down to the port checking out a few historic sites (Paul Revere) until we found a seedy Irish Bar for a couple of beers while watching the soccer final. With bladders bursting we made it back to the Hotel where we are now relaxing and starting to think about our Harvard course which begins tomorrow.
Headache's gone but Terry is still struggling with his cold and cough.
Phone works as Lucy has texted me a couple of times. The EEE PC is great because of its portability. It has successfully found wireless connections at airports but you have to pay for them. I have just found that there is free wireless in Harvard Square so will try there tomorrow.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Half Marathon Photos
From the top:
Lucy, Gareth and Jared feeling pleased with their efforts.
Danni at the finish.
Gareth racing to finish.
Danni with a lap to go.
Jared at finish.
Lucy at finish.
Leigh completing PB.
Leigh at about 1/2 way.
Gareth after 4k.
Lucy and Jared at 4k.
Jared past 1/2 way.
Lucy past 1/2 way.
Back Into Training
Training is back under way again. Two weekends ago a group of us disappeared into the Blue Mountains but the Boss' bike broke and he and Dr Kerr (fresh from Rotorua Marathon PB) turned around and limped home. However, Lea, Destry, Brian and I continued around the little sisters and back up the Mangakirikiri to home.
Last weekend there was a definite thawing in the Opotiki A and B team relationship. Apparently when Destry and Aaron charged past Kurt climbing the Meremere last Sunday they were heard to actually say hello. Things are warming up.
The other story I heard was that even though Kurt took a leisurely 49 minutes to climb the Meremere he actually caught up to Lea! As well, Kurt is claiming a victory in that he beat Dennis up the hill - never mind that Dennis started 15 minutes behind him.
On the same day the Boss, daughter Nicole and a Wellington friend and Brian biked from Motu down to Waiaua.
I was absent because I was supporting Leigh at the Mt Maunganui Half Marathon where she set a PB of just under 3 hours. Lucy took part in a College Challenge team where sh and Gareth and Jared ran 10k each. Gareth did 51 min, Jared 56 and Lucy 60 min. That was a great effort considering up until 2 mins before the start they thought it was being run as a relay rather than all together. Lucy and Jared had to sprint to cars to get race number etc and join inthe race as it went past.
Danni also completed in the Half and ran a creditable 2hrs 15.
I will post photos from home.
Last weekend there was a definite thawing in the Opotiki A and B team relationship. Apparently when Destry and Aaron charged past Kurt climbing the Meremere last Sunday they were heard to actually say hello. Things are warming up.
The other story I heard was that even though Kurt took a leisurely 49 minutes to climb the Meremere he actually caught up to Lea! As well, Kurt is claiming a victory in that he beat Dennis up the hill - never mind that Dennis started 15 minutes behind him.
On the same day the Boss, daughter Nicole and a Wellington friend and Brian biked from Motu down to Waiaua.
I was absent because I was supporting Leigh at the Mt Maunganui Half Marathon where she set a PB of just under 3 hours. Lucy took part in a College Challenge team where sh and Gareth and Jared ran 10k each. Gareth did 51 min, Jared 56 and Lucy 60 min. That was a great effort considering up until 2 mins before the start they thought it was being run as a relay rather than all together. Lucy and Jared had to sprint to cars to get race number etc and join inthe race as it went past.
Danni also completed in the Half and ran a creditable 2hrs 15.
I will post photos from home.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Preparing For The Final Push
At the final transition we have a final feed, get into our treking gear and stock up with supplies. We were given a complicated set of instructions/advice at 1.00am in the morning by a slightly pissed Neil Jones and we truly believed we had taken them on board.Fuelled by the Coke and heaps of advice we tore up the cliff in the dark led by Trev and headed along the ridge with Lea feeling like the need for a sleep. We checked all the markers and soon after leaving the broken trig we spread out a little too far. I must admit I thought we were headed in the wrong direction. When we ended up in an open paddock on the wrong side of the high points we had a team meeting and decided to head back to the last known point. We found a track that wasn't quite pointing in the right direction but were tempted to take. Spirits were a bit low at this point. When I suggested we try the track or head for the road and bail out, Barry replied with a, "That'll mean a DNF and we're not having that!" I knew we would be OK. I suggested Barry and Lea take a breather and have a feed while Trev and I explored the track and off we went. Within 10 minutes we realised this was the way to go so Trev went back to get the troops who may have snuck a few zzzzzz's. I waited alone in the dark! Alone! Feeling a few presences in the bush I went and waited in the open paddock where I and the scary things out there felt much better!
However, it wasn't all over as we had one more moment of getting lost until we stumbled across that legend Neil Jones leading a couple of wahine through the trek as tail end Charlie. What a gentleman! We tagged along and finished strongly through the Toi walk.
Mmmmmm Coke Mmmmmmmm!
Most of us were pretty shattered when we arrived at the final transition in the rain and a couple of drunken transition marshalls. The Coke we came across was like nectar!MTB At Last
We're finally on our bikes, hurtling through the night towards Taneatua. It's now about midnight. This was quite a torrid ride as we sped along the highway and the pace, for some reason, was really on. Trev was hard to hold back!Biking in the dead of night with a narrow headlight beam was a different experience. Both Lea and Barry talked of feeling sleepy/hypnotised by the cycle of the wheel in front of them. We finally arrived at the final transition as rain began falling.
Still At The Last MTB Transition
The transition continues before the final MTB. From the top we have Lea and Barry having a final snack and then Maurie getting in the last of the mince and spuds. Lea's ready to go on the MTB while Trev is all togged up. The last has Kurt having completed the last adjustments to Maurie's bike.Tuesday, May 20, 2008
More to come
Battery on camera has run out so will post some more tomorrow. Don't forget to scroll down to see all posts on this great race by the Possums.
Transition (Part C)
Transition to MTB (Part B)
Refuelling to get ready for the last MTB in dark through Edgecumbe, Awakeri and to Taneatua.Transition: Trek 1 to MTB 3
The first night transition at the end of the first trk after getting sort of lost. We could see the checkpoint but couldn't find our way to it in the dark. This was supposed to be a day trek, but the kayak capers held us up somewhat.From the top:
Trevor getting his food from Leigh in his soap box.
Ted cooking up a feed.
Barry checking his bike.
Maurie getting some dry MTB clothes on over top of the might merino.
Maurie looking for food.
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