The End of a New Beginning

This is not a normal college class. Case and point. My roommate is a math major- and she comes home and loves to play with the flower sticks, juggling balls, and diablo that I bought for this class- I on the other hand have been practicing them for assessment...my roommate WISHES this was her homework.
Before this class, and before this series of classes I knew I loved being active, I just never knew hw many different ways I was able to do so. This class has taught me incredible life skills and activities not to mention that it challenged me in a way that I'm not sure I have ever been challenged before in my life. Along with this, in the past 2 years I have made some of the best friends I will ever have...and we are all so different. Experiences like this are unbelievable blessings, and I am so filled with gratefulness towards the opportunities I have encountered this quarter.

As we embark on a new part of our lives- many of us will be student teaching and then looking for jobs, while others of us will continue to finish school or start a graduate degree...either way you look at it, we are pretty much all going our separate ways. The funny thing about this is that I know each and every one of my Cohort classmates will have a special place in my heart. I also know there will be many phone calls, text messages and e-mails to come in the years ahead to share lifes joys, triumphs, sorrows and various other news- these are people that have changed my life and will continue to be a part of it. This class was not only about alternative types of physical activities and circus arts, but also giving us a chance to see how deep the relationships we share with one another are.
As I sign off in this final blog, I want to say that, "When life hands you lemons- make lemonade...but then call a cohort member and know everything will be OK!"
Love and smiles until we meet again...

Peshastin- A "life day"

I am speechless. The picture says it all- it was amazing. Yesterdays trip was absolutely indescribable...I have never been so apprehensive about something in my life, only to be so sweetly surprised.
Driving up to the rocks I thought to myself, "Oh yeah right!" And as I continued to hike up to the rocks and see the trails (climbs) my mind immediately said- "Absolutely not!" I will admit, I dilly-dallied around initially watching my classmates and humming/hawing about this trip. Then the time came to knot up my rope, and set out...the first 5 steps I was terrified, and then it all became like a puzzle...and I LOVED it!!! Scurrying up my second climb I was feeling complete opposition to my initial reaction- I was totally stoked. Not only that, but I was so impressed by my classmates encouraging one another and me in addition to them overcoming their fears and reaching new heights. What an amazing experience.
As the day continued, I had the opportunity to rappell- I literally held my life in my own hands it felt like...and once again it was a totally amazing experience. Being challenged and having the opportunity to grow as a person in this situation was the best thing this class could offer. I'm a firm believer that the words "I can't" should never be allowed to be put together in my vocabulary- but in this instance I know it definitely crossed my mind. Overcoming my fear and catching on to the technique of this new skill was indescribable. Also, working with our climbing volunteers was great- they were so nice and so helpful...I know I could not have done it without them.

HIKE- I LIKE!

There are few things I love more than a beautiful day, physical exercise and good friends...today, I got ALL OF THE ABOVE! How lucky are we?!?! I have hiked the ridge on several occasions, and always had the opportunity to take different routes. Every time I am equally impressed with the view of our beautiful valley, the wildlife (yes, we saw deer amongst other fauna) and the various flors (plants) that we encounter along the way. This trip was especially special though because I got to share it wit my classmates that mean the world to me. Even though only half of our class was with us, I still felt like it was an awesome experience.
Incorporating this into a PE classroom would be absolutely incredible. Not only is it an awesome source of fitness (Leanne said that a person of her weight and age would burn roughly 900 calories), but it is also a great way to get in touch with the environment surrounding the students (Leanne also gave is a short botany lesson). If I ever have the opportunity to teach in a place that hikes like this aren't too far away, I would absolutely love to put it in my curriculum.

Mountain Bike Ride (you are NOT gonna get me this time, Lance)

WOW!!!!! This was an amazing thing. Having had some pretty rough experiences biking (several big time crashes and just in general freak accidents) I was very hesitant to join the hardcore ride, so I chose to go recreational...I made it with no major (or minor) injuries to report. I had so much fun! First, I was shocked as what I thought were big white bushes started baaaaa'ing at me and I realized they were sheep...little different. Then, coming around a bend I saw real live cowboys- horses, chaps and all; they even said HOWDY :)

After having done spin class all through college, I have a new appreciation for rocks and hills. Climbing in gravel definitely has a different feel than a stationary spin bike- and let me tell you, they definitely take their toll on ya. After climbing the initial hill that was a pretty good little trek, we started goiong down hill until it finally flattened out (so far so good). Then came the LONGEST uphill of my life. It wasn't necessarily the steepness, but more of the length...it just kept going :) In the end it was totally worth it. Being on that side of the valley for the first time was awesome- SO PRETTY! And trying a new activity was pretty awesome- I definitely have a new appreciation for an activity that I had written off as something for elementary school kids to do after school.

Climbing? Climb on!

Today I Learned...how to tie knots, belay a partner, use my legs while climbing, trust a partner to belay me, and the appropriate terminology for climbing...THATS A LOT!!! Initially I was very skeptical about today- I wouldn't say negative, but more-so indifferent, I just wasn't very excited. Instead I got a totally awesome day where I learned a new skill and prepared myself mentally for our upcoming trip to Peshastin.
I am totally in awe that this isn't a more highly touted sport in our state, not to mention that it isn't used more in schools. Over the past several years I know many schools in my home district of Shoreline have put in traverse walls...but according to the kids they are rarely used. This would be such an awesome exercise not only for fitness, but for affective learning and it definitely has cognitive aspects that must be used in order for a successful outing. As PE continues to change I desperately hope that this skill will be utilized more in various curriculums.

ULTIMATE Frisbeeeeeeeee

One word: WIND. WInd definitely takes its toll on a persons ability to play frisbee. Although we practiced our frisbee skills a while ago- and wind played a big part then- trying to practice them outside of class has once more given a very clear picture that wind changes any frisbee activity. I loved frisbee day because we didnt JUST practice and we didn't JUST play ultimate frisbee. The different activities involved in ultimate frisbee were creative, entertaining and lead away from the competitive aspect that ULTIMATE can have.
Having practiced again today I still think frisbee is pretty cool. Not only is it a lifetime activity, but it is also a skill that many people have the opportunity to be good at. I would even go as far to say that it is a skill that someone who might not typically be highly skilled in other activities would have an opportunity to be a leader. Along with this, the variety of games that can be played offer different types of fitness.

Honors Camp Part 2: NEON 80's

So lets be honest, even at the ripe old age of 21 I LOVE to play dress up :)and this was the PERFECT opportunity to pull out a SWEET 80's outfit. I was so impressed by all the girlies (and most of the boys) enthusiasm towards getting dressed up silly and having a good time for the kids. I also thought it was pretty awesome that our group got so involved at the dance- I would even go as far as to say that we were more upbeat, enthusiastic and involved than the rec and tourism class.
In addition to the dance, our groups involvement in the skits were pretty good. Carli and Megan did an awesome job with their saturday night live number, and the boys were so clever with their magic trick.

Honors Camp Part 1: Teaching

SOOOOO MUCH FUN!!!! I was in a group with Allison, doing Dream Catchers and it was such a blast! Initially we were a little concerned because our activity was a sit-down kind of low key craft, but after our first group of arsy girls we felt very much relieved. Something that was especially silly was the fact that the girls were making fun of the boys who were in our group after them...we never told them, but the boys ended up being a LOT better at the craft then they were :)

In addition, all through the weekend, we had a variety of different students and they were all so silly and fun. A few of the girls I coached for volleyball, and they were especially goofy- they just say the darndest things!

Overall coordinating activities was super fun, and having a unique activity to offer the students was especially cool.

Limwell with our favorite Commet dog that kept us company through all our classes

Geocaching

Well this was definitely a new kind of adventure...who would have thought you could electronically find an exact precise location and not only that- but find some kind of neat new toy!

In 2007, my older brother proposed to his wife through geocaching--they live on the East Coast and he went and made a cache, hid the ring in it, and then let her find it...how cute right!?!?...But now I have a much bigger appreciation for this idea, not to mention my bros faith in actually hiding the ring there :)

This was a new skill that I am pretty stoked to have learned. Maybe someday I will have the time and opportunity to try it again...

Orienteering

Which way is up? JUST KIDDING :) Orienteering was a pretty interesting experience. I never really thought about getting lost in the woods or anywhere and needing a way to get out--but after using the compass and learning how to orient it with a map, it seems like a pretty sweet way to save yourself. I was impressed by how fast I picked up on it and how quickly it made sense...overall...sweet!

I wanna ride my bicycle :)

When I was 5 years old, I vividly remember my parents teaching me how to ride a bicycle. At first it was in the parking lot of my Elementary school...we did the typical progressions from training wheels and then finally- no training wheels, but a little bit of help from Mom or Dad to hold the back of my seat to get me started. As I progressed I finally got to bring my bike to our Beach house--where I met my first hill and had the first of many gnarly crashes. Like any kid who grew up in the 90's, I lived on my bicycle. Every day after school the twin neighbor kids and myself would rush off the bus, run to get our bikes and play in the coul-d'sac until dark or our families called us in--free all afternoon as long as we stayed on our own street.
Looking back on this, I thought mountain biking would be no problem...but Doc's course and the 8-10 odd years that I have taken off from bike riding didn't quite equate that same joyous feeling I had playing in the coul-d'sac as a child. But like they say, "It's just like riding a bike," literally. Although I find myself a little nervous about the big bike ride coming up later this month, I just wanna ride my bicycle!!

Archery!

Imagine how surprised I was when I ended up being pretty darn good at archery. Something that I had previously only seen in movies like Robin Hood or Braveheart, I had no idea it could be fun, let alone that I would be pretty alright at it.
I was really grateful for the expereince since nobody in our group had tried it before--when we all start on the same level (aka- not having a clue) it is always exciting to see who the skill clicks for first.
I can't say I'm running out to buy my bow and arrow so I can do this in my spare time- but it is definitely a skill Im glad to know.

Glimpse of Hope...

OK...so we have gotten through al lthe circus arts stuff- juggling, unicycling, diablos, flower sticks etc...and although they are not my FAVORITE by any means, and I am still struggling...they are really ok. What initially enstilled me with fear and panic has now just become a project to focus and work on.
In some instances learning these skills makes me feel a lot like a magician; honestly, who would think that PE teachers would need to know skills like this- but when I am able to perform them it will be an extra trick in my bag.

A New Kind of Beginning

My initial thoughts toward this class included a lot of anticipation and excitement. I knew we would be getting to try lots of new activities, get outdoors, and spend a lot of time together as a cohort (honestly, in the past 2 years we have become a family). However, reading through the block plan my attitude changed to nervousness and aprehension--juggling? unicycling?? circus arts in general??? My initial joy and enthusiasm was washed away and I became very concerned about the new experiences we would be taking on this quarter. Furthermore, after reading the syllabus and some of the grading techniques, a sense of panic hit me. So far, this class has certainly been a new kind of beginning...