A Celebration of Learning

It's that time of year again. Graduation ceremonies at BYU. Although many people find the process tedious, I find it exhilarating. (If you want to read how I feel about learning, and graduation, click here.)

This year it was Beth's (BS in Mathematics), and Randy's turn (BM in Piano Performance). We went down for the general Commencement ceremonies in the Marriott Center on Thursday afternoon. Friday morning we went to the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences convocation, then the College of Fine Arts and Communications convocation following that one.

It was our fourth time at the Math convocation (Audrey BA in 2003, MA in 2008, Debra BS in 2004, and now Beth). There was a young man receiving his PhD on Friday, who had also received his BS in 2003. We were there for both of them!

Good for both Beth and Randy for this great accomplishment. It is something not everyone achieves, and it is theirs forever. It's interesting to me how many graduates do not feel inclined to attend their graduation. I know that as a parent it means a lot more to me than it did when I was the graduate. Perhaps it is because in the graduate's world, everyone they know is graduating, it's no big deal. At my age I certainly realize that graduation is not something everyone accomplishes. Maybe that's why it means more to me now. I have a different perspective now than I did 30 years ago (yes, I walked at the April commencement 30 years ago this year).

We went crazy with the cameras. I have chosen just a few of the many pictures taken to post here (it won't seem like a few, but in comparison to what is available, it is only a few).

Here I am with Carolyn, Beth's mother-in-law, and my friend long before Beth and Bruce even began to date. All of the Petersens came to honor Beth at her graduation.

Here is Debra with her mother-in-law, Jeanie. Bob and Jeanie came for Randy's graduation. Lucky me to have a ready made friend in Jeanie. We were quite a crowd sitting together in the Marriott Center, 21 people, I think.

We gather at the same location after each graduation. Beth is here, holding Elizabeth (Audrey's baby). This may be when the rest of us were scrambling, looking for Madeleine, who had taken off. It is scary to try to find an independent two year old among about 20,000 people. We found her quickly - but trusted we could have mobilized the entire 20,000 in about 20 seconds if necessary.

Ray, holding Elizabeth:

Beth, with Bruce and her baby Rachel:

Me and Ray with Beth, Rachel, and Bruce:

Here we have Ray, me, Debra, Diane, Madeleine, and Randy:

Friday morning at the Math convocation Audrey got this great shot of Beth and Dr. Jarvis:

After the Math convocation we took a few pictures before we dashed off to the Fine Arts convocation. Here are Steve and Carolyn Petersen with Bruce, Rachel and Beth:

Following the Fine Arts convocation we managed a few photos between raindrops. Here are Debra and Randy:

The Peck family - Diane, Debra, Madeleine, Randy:

Jeanie and Bob Peck with Diane, Debra, Randy and Madeleine:

That concludes our photo shoot. Two great days of celebration!

Back in the Day

It's a thankless job.

I know, because I had that job, and I had the rewarding version of it.

Educator. Teacher. Example. Influence. These are all words that we in the education system hope that we can embody in the most positive manner possible. I was an elementary school teacher (4th grade, Riverton Elementary) for a few years. I had it easy. Kids are pretty friendly at that stage. They are young, with almost no responsibilities, and no worries about whether or not they can get into college. At least back in late seventies and early eighties that was pretty true.

Teaching high school: now that's a different story. That is life in the trenches. Even back in the early seventies when I was in high school.

Hueneme High was a closed campus. That means students had to have permission to leave and come back on campus. More than that, we had men walking around campus with walkie-talkies and checking hall passes for security. We usually had police on the grounds as well. (This was before DARE, or any PR programs with local police.) It was not uncommon for knives, and sometimes guns to be drawn during the lunch hour. At such times a bomb drill was sounded, and the school emptied in less than one minute. No going to lockers or back to classrooms. A bomb drill meant any activities scheduled for the rest of the day were cancelled. A few of the other local high schools had riots (in one, the principal suffered a heart attack). We never had a full blown riot, probably thanks to the bomb drills.

It is a miracle any teaching happened at all, yet my memories are full of great educational moments.

Today I wrote a thank you note (via email) to my freshman English teacher. She happens to be friends with my in-laws, and I found her email through them. For three months I've been meaning to drop her a note. I finally did it. That spawned a desire to look at the faculty of Hueneme High in my yearbook. Here are a few teachers that have influenced my life for good (pictures scanned from the Hueneme High Voyager 1975):

Ruby Christensen. Ninth grade English. She made the study of Romeo and Juliet a delight and wonder. Shakespeare became a friend instead of a road block because of her. She never lost her cool with very rude and obnoxious students. She would just sigh and send them out of the room, or do whatever else needed to be done. (I have to say it is a little intimidating to write a letter to your former English teacher. Especially these days when form is so relaxed.)

Bennie Anderson. Social Studies. I had him for a few classes. He introduced current events into my life, and made me realize it is important to pay attention to what is going on in the world around me. It was in his class that I had to sadly admit that perhaps Nixon really had committed a wrong. I sooooo wanted Nixon to be innocent.

Robert Arbon. Physical Education. I never had him as a teacher, but he took an interest in my life and my college education. He was always an example of the highest morals. It turns out that he was an extremely great influence in Ray's life while Ray was in high school also. Bob Arbon was one of the first common threads in both our lives. Bob remained a wonderful part of our lives for the remainder of his life.

Nancy Carey. French. The reason I loved the French language so much was because I loved her as a teacher so much. Four years of French in high school, on to major in French at BYU. I didn't stay in that major, because the competition with returned missionaries who were fluent in French was too much for me, but I did get a minor in French.

Camille DeJong. Physical Education. I was never really an athlete. I learned to swim late, and joined the swim team after that. I was never very good, but it was good for me. Miss DeJong was the girls swim team coach, and a mentor for me. She treated me as an adult. She also was a wonderful example of being a single woman, and living life to the fullest.

James Laut. Biology teacher. His class is where I learned to listen to what a teacher says, do what he says, and be successful in his class because of it. He made science fun to a girl who doesn't like science much. I still don't care for the physical sciences (too much math), but I do love the biological sciences. (Side note: his son was in most of my elementary school classes, and I usually had a crush on him--the son, that is.)

Reg Welker. English, baseball coach. Living proof that cool and interesting do not depend on current eye wear styles. He made English fun. He taught great principles while teaching English. His wife died while I was in high school, and he just kept plugging along. Once he gave tickets to me and couple of friends to see Nanette Fabray in Irene at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion when he wasn't able to attend.

Lastly, and most importantly, Dennis Meyring. Physical Education. I never had a single class from Dennis, but he probably influenced my life more during that part of my life than anyone besides my parents. He was my swim coach outside of school, and was the high school boys swim team, and water polo team coach. He set high moral standards for everyone, and kept to those rules, no matter how it might hurt the team to suspend a player. We all respected and looked up to him.

In conclusion, I say thank you to all these teachers, and others I have not singled out. Thank you for rising above a thankless job, performing it to the best of your abilities, and never losing faith in the coming generation. It certainly made a difference in my life.

Avoidance

In an effort to ignore things I should be doing this afternoon (after I went to a delightful lunch with my friends), I whipped up a little cover for our portable DVD player that we (Ray) take on trips to occupy us (Ray) while we fly. Now it has a little protection from scratches and other things that happen when it is stuffed into a carry-on (guess whose?)

It was quite satisfying to get it done quickly, and at the same time cross off one of the many, many items I have on my list(s) of things to get done. (More on the lists later).

All A-Swirl

My head is swimming with all I should or need to be doing, but don't have a deadline for. I feel like I just sit and stare at my desk, not accomplishing anything. The pressure is slowly building, and I know one of these days my head will just blow up.

This morning I came up with the solution that has been dancing just out of my grasp: my to-do lists! (Read about them here.)

If I can just hold onto that life-saving ring, maybe I can get a handle on my brain. I'm not asking for a lot - just some straight thoughts with a little follow through. If I can do that, I'll feel like I've caught the brass ring.

It's an ongoing endeavor.

The Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear

This is my favorite Maisie Dobbs book since the first book (I could not put it down), and I have liked them all.

Don't read this one until you've read all the others.

Thursday Workday Reveal

Trish and I did not get together and sew today. She had a funeral to attend. But I wanted to wait until a Thursday to show the quilt that we've been working on now that it is all finished. Last Thursday I got it all ready to quilt, then last weekend I quilted it while watching General Conference.

Date finished: April 2010

Size: 96 inches X 108 inches

Pattern: Hometown Christmas by Thimbleberries (Lynette Jensen)

Fabric: Thimbleberries

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby

A beautifully written book, full of life, by a man who could only blink one eye.

The "blurb" at the front of the book says this:

"The editor-in-chief of French Elle, Jean-Dominique Bauby suffered a stroke that resulted in locked-in syndrome when he was 43 years old. He died just two days after the French publication of his book."

He dictated the book by blinking his left eye when his scribe said the letter he wanted--an amazing feat. But even more incredible is the content of the book. It is a beautiful affirmation of life.

It is only 125 pages long, with not a word to be missed. I think it's a must-read.

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

After seeing the movie, I had to read the book. In my world, movies are never better than books, but in this case it is nearly a tie. In fact, the movie may win by a nose.

I did like the book. It fills some gaps in the movie (of course), but I actually like the resolution of the movie better.

The story is set in England. The Hales family moves from the pastoral south of England to the industrial north of England. It is a completely different way of life, and they must adapt. There is drama and romance, two elements that enhance any book for me.

Gaskell was a contemporary of Dickens. This book was first published in one of Dickens' periodicals, Household Words, in serial form, and you can tell. Gaskell herself was a little frustrated with the page/word limitations set by publishing in this form. She added a little filler when it was published as a book, but it still reads a bit like a serial.

It's worth reading. It's definitely worth seeing the movie (BBC version, with Richard Armitage and Daniela Denby-Ashe). If you are a reader, do both. If not, well then, I leave it up to you.

Passing Time

When I taught 4th grade many years ago, I had a saying on the wall right above the clock:

Time will pass, will you?

I have a clock in every room, so I can keep tabs on the time. Recently my downstairs clock has stopped keeping regular time. I changed the battery, and it ran fine for a couple of days. Then it became erratic again. Yesterday Audrey discovered why. She came around the corner to see Austin standing right near the clock. In five minutes the clock had advanced thirty minutes. Audrey asked Austin if he had changed the clock. He said, "I wanted it to be three o'clock." She inquired if he'd changed it any other times. "Yes," he said, "Yesterday I wanted it to be five o'clock."

If only it were so easy.