I arrived at school today and found that my lesson could not be done. I was planning on giving a test but my co-teacher was absent. So I dug through the file cabinet and pulled out a lab on Galileo's Experiment. Galileo did an experiment to test the rate of falling objects. According to the story, he dropped two balls of different masses from the Tower of Pisa. He found that they hit the ground at the same time. My students reenacted this experiment using wooden blocks and sponges. They also dropped paper and had to explain why paper did not behave as expected. We also watched this video from the Apollo 15 hammer and feather drop.
My students LOVE space and get very excited. I am disappointed as well at the quality. We can send a man to the moon but our video is horrible!
The lab went great and the students loved it. Just another day in the life.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Trying to get better
I am working really hard at getting healthy. I had a relapse of a nasty cold. Sunday - Tuesday were the worst days. I am getting better and hope to be fully healthy by the weekend. Under the recommendation of my mom, I bought some Campbell's microwave soup for work. It does not taste very good. I do not recommend it.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
So, are you married?
I am tired of constantly being asked this question. During a profession evaluation, my appraiser actually asked me is I was dating anyone or if I wanted help meeting some of the single teachers at my school. When I visit back in places I use to live, I am often asked this. When I talk to my family, they always ask if I am "serious" with any of my friends who are girls. Last year, when I moved to Midland, I was visiting several churches. At one, several people introduced themselves and I did the same. They then asked if I was married. One gentleman came, introduced himself, and then asked "you single?" It was refreshing to get to say yes for once! He invited me to visit the single adult Sunday school class he and his wife taught. Last week I was at a science teacher meeting for two schools. I had prepared a few handouts and a teacher from the other school commented "figured you were single since you had all this extra time." I was speechless. Questions of my marriage status or dating status occurred as recent as this past Sunday. I was not at church this Sunday since I was out of town. My friend who is in the choir with me missed the first service, but arrived for the second service. Since she was not at first service, someone asked where she was. Someone then quickly asked where I was, insinuating an obvious connection. Luckily the choir director jumped in and set the record straight. What is wrong with being single?
I am sure few people would say that there is anything wrong with being single. However, as cliche as it is, actions speak louder. A look at my culture shows a strong focus on marriage and families. The largest characteristic of me is my religion. I am protestant. As watching the evening news shows, the largest issues for the mouthpieces of the protestants are homosexuality and abortion. Not really issues I deal with on a daily basis. Some of the larger mouthpieces are Focus on the Family and American Family Association. Both organizations tout the importance of marriage and children, and of course the big buzz word, family values. Now I do not think that these organizations are trying to tell singles that they are wrong, on an activism site of the AFA, it says singles are welcome, but I do think that promoting family values leaves out those who do not have a family of their own. The obvious "ideal" Christian family would be a married couple with children, not a single male. What would living family values mean for a single?
Many churches are built around families. Few churches that I have been in have had a strong young adult singles ministry. Most ministries in a church focus on children, families, married adults, and divorced singles. I do not fit into any of those categories.
Since my religion is the biggest part of who I am, let's take a religious look at singleness.
Often times, singles are comforted by the idea that singleness is a "gift from God." Are we born with the gift of singleness which God chooses to trade for the gift of marriage on certain people? So I do end up getting married in the future, am I forsaking the gift God has given me? On the opposite side, since I have not gotten married, have I shunned the gift of marriage which God attempted to give me? May it be not! In my opinion, Paul is not saying that I am stuck in singleness because it is the gift God has given me, but that Paul is saying to be content in all things. Let's look at the text in context.
I am sure few people would say that there is anything wrong with being single. However, as cliche as it is, actions speak louder. A look at my culture shows a strong focus on marriage and families. The largest characteristic of me is my religion. I am protestant. As watching the evening news shows, the largest issues for the mouthpieces of the protestants are homosexuality and abortion. Not really issues I deal with on a daily basis. Some of the larger mouthpieces are Focus on the Family and American Family Association. Both organizations tout the importance of marriage and children, and of course the big buzz word, family values. Now I do not think that these organizations are trying to tell singles that they are wrong, on an activism site of the AFA, it says singles are welcome, but I do think that promoting family values leaves out those who do not have a family of their own. The obvious "ideal" Christian family would be a married couple with children, not a single male. What would living family values mean for a single?
Many churches are built around families. Few churches that I have been in have had a strong young adult singles ministry. Most ministries in a church focus on children, families, married adults, and divorced singles. I do not fit into any of those categories.
Since my religion is the biggest part of who I am, let's take a religious look at singleness.
1 Corinthians 7:7-8, “I wish everyone could get along without marrying, just as I do. But we are not all the same. God gives some the gift of marriage, and to others he gives the gift of singleness. Now I say to those who aren't married, and to widows – it's better to stay unmarried, just as I am.”
Often times, singles are comforted by the idea that singleness is a "gift from God." Are we born with the gift of singleness which God chooses to trade for the gift of marriage on certain people? So I do end up getting married in the future, am I forsaking the gift God has given me? On the opposite side, since I have not gotten married, have I shunned the gift of marriage which God attempted to give me? May it be not! In my opinion, Paul is not saying that I am stuck in singleness because it is the gift God has given me, but that Paul is saying to be content in all things. Let's look at the text in context.
1Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. 2But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 3The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. 5Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.8Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. 9But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
So if Paul is truly saying that my singleness is a gift from God, would Paul also be saying that my gift is not stronger than temptation? Instead, I believe Paul is speaking more of being content with where you currently are. You can read more about my contentness in an earlier post. If you feel led to marriage and are married, live for God. Paul gives numerous directive to wives and husbands. If you are still single, then live for God. That is being content! Living for God in ALL situations!
Another things that people often comfort singles with is that "God will show you the perfect one he made for you." This is clearly an unbiblically supported view. This is not found anywhere in the Bible, instead it comes from Greek philosophy taught by Plato. The Bible does not speak of how to find the perfect spouse, but how to love your spouse. There are many people we could marry. Finding the perfect person does not make your marriage perfect. However, how you live with the one you marry does make a bigger difference. In a perfect world, we would all have that one soulmate, but we live in a fallen world.
So what does this mean for me? That society is focused on marriage. Focused on how to find a date, on how to attract women, on who to marry, on how to recover from divorce, on how to love your spouse. That is great for those people. How about we also focus on how to live for God as singles? This should not be about how to honor God in a dating relationship, but how to honor God in day to day living. If you are currently single, you may be very content. If you are not, then begin living for God in all times. I have laid down my desire of marriage. Does this mean I do not want to be married? No! But it is not my first priority. If the possibility of marriage arises, I will deal with it. But in day to day living, my focus will be on God. After all, God doesn't immediately strike down those who are willing to die for His name. It just means that we put him first.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
A Return Home! And then I left...
I have returned from Big Bend. My 3 day trip expanded into a 4 day trip. It was a great trip. I got to hike many miles, see lots of wildlife, and enjoy creation. I sadly had to leave the outdoors as I start back to work next Monday.
This map may be useful for finding places at Big Bend. It is an old map but still shows the places mentioned here.
I left for Big Bend on Tuesday. I arrived in the park at about 11AM. I first drove to Panther Junction, the park headquarters, in order to get my camping permits. Since I was a solo hiker, they had to take pictures of me, my pack, and the sole of my shoe. I also had to fill out an information form describing my clothing and equipment in case of a SAR. I got permits for 3 nights. The first night was a camp called Ernst Tinaja along the Old Ole Road. The next two nights were for zone camping in a portion of the park called Marufo Vega. Marufo Vega is east of Boquillas Canyon.
After getting my permits, I drove the Dagger Flats road. I like the road because it has a guide book with it that describes about 20 of the plants in the Chihuahuan Desert. The Old Ore Road connects to the Dagger Flats road so I then began driving south on the road. Along the drive, I saw 4 mule deer including a gorgeous 6 point. I got to Ernst Tinaja and set up camp. I then hiked back to the tinajas.
The tinajas are holes in the rock which hold rain water. They have water in them year around.
A picture of Ernest Tinaja.
This map may be useful for finding places at Big Bend. It is an old map but still shows the places mentioned here.
I left for Big Bend on Tuesday. I arrived in the park at about 11AM. I first drove to Panther Junction, the park headquarters, in order to get my camping permits. Since I was a solo hiker, they had to take pictures of me, my pack, and the sole of my shoe. I also had to fill out an information form describing my clothing and equipment in case of a SAR. I got permits for 3 nights. The first night was a camp called Ernst Tinaja along the Old Ole Road. The next two nights were for zone camping in a portion of the park called Marufo Vega. Marufo Vega is east of Boquillas Canyon.
After getting my permits, I drove the Dagger Flats road. I like the road because it has a guide book with it that describes about 20 of the plants in the Chihuahuan Desert. The Old Ore Road connects to the Dagger Flats road so I then began driving south on the road. Along the drive, I saw 4 mule deer including a gorgeous 6 point. I got to Ernst Tinaja and set up camp. I then hiked back to the tinajas.
The tinajas are holes in the rock which hold rain water. They have water in them year around.
A picture of Ernest Tinaja.It was very windy that night. My tent was taking quite a beating as my tent poles started twisting and bending. I got some extra rope out and put some extra lines on my tent to support the poles. The wind finally died down later in the night. The next morning I got up and cooked my breakfast, pancakes. I then completed my drive of the Old Ole Road. I then drove to the Rio Grande Village Visitor Center.
During the night I decided to change my itinerary. I still wanted to go to Marufo Vega that night, but wanted to change the 3rd night to zone camping at the Chimneys. I did this at the Visitor Center and then drove to Boquillas Canyon. I hiked a short ways up into Boquillas Canyon. On the Mexican side of the river, there was a Mexican man singing Mexican songs. On the American side, a Mexican boy was selling walking sticks. He had a sign written on a piece of card board that said the sticks were $5 and donations were accepted for the "schol children" in Boquillas. Boquillas is a town on the Mexican side of the river. I felt oh so bad for not support the schol children. On my way out, I saw the Mexican boy get some assistance as another Mexican rode across the river on a burro. He was also selling walking sticks. I then left the Boquillas Mercado and parked at the Marufo Vega trailhead.
Marufo Vega trail is a 14 mile lollipop loop. I hiked it once in 2005 with a couple of my college buddies. We loved it and it was certainly one of the many highlights of that trip. In 2005 we hiked the south fork of the loop first. I decided to follow the NPS recommendation of doing the north fork first. I found that we had down it the correct way in 2005. The north fork goes through a canyon that empties into the Rio Grande. The south fork climbs a ridge and then drops off the ridge on the Rio Grande flood plain. Because it peaks out over the ridge, it has an awesome view.
View from the South Fork
In addition to the awesome view from the South Fork, canyons are easier to climb up than down.
The two forks connect with a trail that runs along a ridge above the Rio Grande. At the south fork intersection, a trail drops to the river. I followed this .5 mile trail to the river. When I got to the beach along the river, I looked and saw what appeared to be a mule deer. I got my binoculars out and saw that it was actually a desert big horn ewe. I had never heard of them in the park before so I later asked a ranger about them. They have been reintroduced at Black Gap WMA east of the park. They are extremely rare in the park. I camped along the Rio Grande that night in my tent. It was still a little windy but not nearly as windy as the night before.
The next morning I hiked out via the south fork. I spotted another mule deer when I made it back to the Straw House trail. I got my truck and drove to Santa Elena canyon. Between Castolon and Santa Elena, I spotted a few javelina. I explored the canyon and then drove 15 miles back up the road to the Chimneys trailhead. It was a short 3 mile hike to the Chimneys. I checked them out and saw Indian petroglyph's in the rock. I was planning on camping at Red Ass spring that night. It wasn't on the map but the guidebook I was using said to look for the tree. That is pretty easy to do in the desert! I located the tree and hiked about 2 miles cross country to the spring. The spring was surrounded by a wall of mesquite, prickly pear, and catclaw which refused to allow me to enter the spring. After about 30 minutes of getting torn up, I withdrew to a high spot across a wash about 100 yards from the spring. I slept out under the stars that night as the skies were clear and no wind. I woke up about 6 and got to watch meteors. I hiked the 5 miles back to my truck cross country. Spotted another 5 mule deer that morning.
Since I was a solo hiker, I was required to return my permits to a ranger. I drove to Castolon to do so. Along the way, a backpacker waved me down. She was with a group of hikers and had a dog that had been following them for four days. It wasn't theirs and they didn't know what to do with it. It was microchipped and had current rabies tags from a vet in Alpine. I took it to the rangers at Castolon. It was a ranch dog and knew how to ride in the passenger seat of a truck. A very friendly dog and would have certainly licked any stranger to death. After turning in my permits, I decided to drive the Old Maverick road back north. I saw more javelina between Castolon and Santa Elena. I drove the road, explored Luna's Jacal and headed out of the park.
It was a great trip and I sure hated to leave home to return to my apartment.
During the night I decided to change my itinerary. I still wanted to go to Marufo Vega that night, but wanted to change the 3rd night to zone camping at the Chimneys. I did this at the Visitor Center and then drove to Boquillas Canyon. I hiked a short ways up into Boquillas Canyon. On the Mexican side of the river, there was a Mexican man singing Mexican songs. On the American side, a Mexican boy was selling walking sticks. He had a sign written on a piece of card board that said the sticks were $5 and donations were accepted for the "schol children" in Boquillas. Boquillas is a town on the Mexican side of the river. I felt oh so bad for not support the schol children. On my way out, I saw the Mexican boy get some assistance as another Mexican rode across the river on a burro. He was also selling walking sticks. I then left the Boquillas Mercado and parked at the Marufo Vega trailhead.
Marufo Vega trail is a 14 mile lollipop loop. I hiked it once in 2005 with a couple of my college buddies. We loved it and it was certainly one of the many highlights of that trip. In 2005 we hiked the south fork of the loop first. I decided to follow the NPS recommendation of doing the north fork first. I found that we had down it the correct way in 2005. The north fork goes through a canyon that empties into the Rio Grande. The south fork climbs a ridge and then drops off the ridge on the Rio Grande flood plain. Because it peaks out over the ridge, it has an awesome view.
View from the South ForkIn addition to the awesome view from the South Fork, canyons are easier to climb up than down.
The two forks connect with a trail that runs along a ridge above the Rio Grande. At the south fork intersection, a trail drops to the river. I followed this .5 mile trail to the river. When I got to the beach along the river, I looked and saw what appeared to be a mule deer. I got my binoculars out and saw that it was actually a desert big horn ewe. I had never heard of them in the park before so I later asked a ranger about them. They have been reintroduced at Black Gap WMA east of the park. They are extremely rare in the park. I camped along the Rio Grande that night in my tent. It was still a little windy but not nearly as windy as the night before.
The next morning I hiked out via the south fork. I spotted another mule deer when I made it back to the Straw House trail. I got my truck and drove to Santa Elena canyon. Between Castolon and Santa Elena, I spotted a few javelina. I explored the canyon and then drove 15 miles back up the road to the Chimneys trailhead. It was a short 3 mile hike to the Chimneys. I checked them out and saw Indian petroglyph's in the rock. I was planning on camping at Red Ass spring that night. It wasn't on the map but the guidebook I was using said to look for the tree. That is pretty easy to do in the desert! I located the tree and hiked about 2 miles cross country to the spring. The spring was surrounded by a wall of mesquite, prickly pear, and catclaw which refused to allow me to enter the spring. After about 30 minutes of getting torn up, I withdrew to a high spot across a wash about 100 yards from the spring. I slept out under the stars that night as the skies were clear and no wind. I woke up about 6 and got to watch meteors. I hiked the 5 miles back to my truck cross country. Spotted another 5 mule deer that morning.
Since I was a solo hiker, I was required to return my permits to a ranger. I drove to Castolon to do so. Along the way, a backpacker waved me down. She was with a group of hikers and had a dog that had been following them for four days. It wasn't theirs and they didn't know what to do with it. It was microchipped and had current rabies tags from a vet in Alpine. I took it to the rangers at Castolon. It was a ranch dog and knew how to ride in the passenger seat of a truck. A very friendly dog and would have certainly licked any stranger to death. After turning in my permits, I decided to drive the Old Maverick road back north. I saw more javelina between Castolon and Santa Elena. I drove the road, explored Luna's Jacal and headed out of the park.
It was a great trip and I sure hated to leave home to return to my apartment.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
New Year on the Trail
Happy New Year!
One of my favorite things to do is to go hiking. This year I will celebrate the New Year at Big Bend National Park.
I am leaving in about an hour for a 3 day trip to Big Bend.
I have made several trips to Big Bend and have yet to be disappointed. As a child, my family made several trips together to state and national parks all over the state, including Big Bend. One spring break at A&M, two buddies of mine and I spent the break hiking at Big Bend.
We had 6 nights and saw many different areas of the park. We spent two nights along the river, two in the mountains, and two in the desert. My favorite trail of that trip (and in the park) was the Marufo Vega trail. The trail goes through the mountains and around one of the canyons. It drops down onto the Rio Grande to a sandy beach. 
We camped on the beach behind some cane. We had just laid down to sleep when we heard a splash in the river followed by something wading through the river to our camp. We heard an illegal immigrant in the river right under out camp on the other side of the cane. After scrambling around our camp in the dark in our underwear and boots, we finally worked up enough courage to counter the illegal. The illegal immigrant turned out to be a burro who was as scared of us as we were of him. He ran across the river back to Mexico. We don't need any Minute Men! Us Aggies can successfully defend the border! The last trip I made was last spring with a friend of mine. We spent two nights in the park. The first night was on the river and the second night was in the mountains. It was her second back packing trip and she enjoyed it and did well. We also climbed Emory Peak, the highest point in the park. I am not sure what I will do this trip. I will talk with the rangers and see what they recommend. I want to camp on a 4x4 road tonight, but I am not sure which road. Perhaps the Old Ore Road. Tomorrow I am considering hiking the Chimneys Trail. It is a trail I have never hiked and was recommended as a good winter hike in a guide book.
I love hiking. I love being outdoors. Standing on a ridge and looking for miles in all directions and not seeing a single sign of civilization is one of the great feelings of freedom. It is also a very spiritual experience. I stand in awe of God when I am in the middle of His creation. One of the more famous songs for staffers from Philmont is I Don't Mind. One of the lines of the song says "Cause there's no reason to pray When you wake up every day to the sunrise over Cito Peak." I have always disagreed with this line. To me, being in creation gives me even more reason to pray. Being a Christian, I feel called to protect and conserve God's creation because he gave it to us. He made it for us. When I look around at the world today, what a poor poor job we have done of being stewards of his gift.
While I am not sure what I will be doing, one thing is for sure. I will be where I want to be, on the trail under wide open skies.
One of my favorite things to do is to go hiking. This year I will celebrate the New Year at Big Bend National Park.
I am leaving in about an hour for a 3 day trip to Big Bend.I have made several trips to Big Bend and have yet to be disappointed. As a child, my family made several trips together to state and national parks all over the state, including Big Bend. One spring break at A&M, two buddies of mine and I spent the break hiking at Big Bend.
We had 6 nights and saw many different areas of the park. We spent two nights along the river, two in the mountains, and two in the desert. My favorite trail of that trip (and in the park) was the Marufo Vega trail. The trail goes through the mountains and around one of the canyons. It drops down onto the Rio Grande to a sandy beach. 
We camped on the beach behind some cane. We had just laid down to sleep when we heard a splash in the river followed by something wading through the river to our camp. We heard an illegal immigrant in the river right under out camp on the other side of the cane. After scrambling around our camp in the dark in our underwear and boots, we finally worked up enough courage to counter the illegal. The illegal immigrant turned out to be a burro who was as scared of us as we were of him. He ran across the river back to Mexico. We don't need any Minute Men! Us Aggies can successfully defend the border! The last trip I made was last spring with a friend of mine. We spent two nights in the park. The first night was on the river and the second night was in the mountains. It was her second back packing trip and she enjoyed it and did well. We also climbed Emory Peak, the highest point in the park. I am not sure what I will do this trip. I will talk with the rangers and see what they recommend. I want to camp on a 4x4 road tonight, but I am not sure which road. Perhaps the Old Ore Road. Tomorrow I am considering hiking the Chimneys Trail. It is a trail I have never hiked and was recommended as a good winter hike in a guide book.I love hiking. I love being outdoors. Standing on a ridge and looking for miles in all directions and not seeing a single sign of civilization is one of the great feelings of freedom. It is also a very spiritual experience. I stand in awe of God when I am in the middle of His creation. One of the more famous songs for staffers from Philmont is I Don't Mind. One of the lines of the song says "Cause there's no reason to pray When you wake up every day to the sunrise over Cito Peak." I have always disagreed with this line. To me, being in creation gives me even more reason to pray. Being a Christian, I feel called to protect and conserve God's creation because he gave it to us. He made it for us. When I look around at the world today, what a poor poor job we have done of being stewards of his gift.
While I am not sure what I will be doing, one thing is for sure. I will be where I want to be, on the trail under wide open skies.
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