Author Archives: Jenny Quinn

January 24 Day 1417: Manifesting Goodness

For the past two days, I have come home after long days at work with a smile on my face and bounce in my step. Tuesday was focused on students. I wanted my Matrix Algebra class to explore topics that were definition heavy and considered by many to be dry and process-oriented. Rather than curatingContinue reading “January 24 Day 1417: Manifesting Goodness”

January 16 Day 1409: Defeating the Cold

Starting last Friday, the Pacific Northwest was in a bit of a deep freeze. Normally that wouldn’t be a problem—but our furnace stopped working. Friday night the inside temperature was 54 degrees. By Saturday morning it had dropped to 44 degrees. I would have gotten the problem addressed immediately except my husband and I wereContinue reading “January 16 Day 1409: Defeating the Cold”

January 8 Day 1401: Ghost town

It’s a Monday and the office should be bustling, right? Yet I haven’t seen another soul in what feels like hours. Sure its grey outside but that should not keep people away from the University in the Pacific Northwest. Where is everyone? Are they all getting ready to watch the National College Football Playoff Championship? ApparentlyContinue reading “January 8 Day 1401: Ghost town”

January 7 Day 1400: Milestones

First a quick update: I never tested positive for COVID–only Mark. He had few (if any) symptoms and is now testing clear. We can get back to life as usual. Phew! Only 1400 days since the start of the COVID pandemic experience. After teaching my first classes of the quarter last Thursday, I followed throughContinue reading “January 7 Day 1400: Milestones”

January 2 Day 1395: I Thought We Were Done

I haven’t been very good at posting for the last year–only 31 posts for all of 2023. I have been reflecting on why: So what drove me to write tonight? My husband tested positive for COVID this morning and it has thrown a wrench into all of our plans.  He feels mostly fine (thank goodness)—just enoughContinue reading “January 2 Day 1395: I Thought We Were Done”

October 11 Day 1312: What are the Odds?

I am teaching Foundations of Mathematical Reasoning this quarter and it’s all about reading proofs, writing proofs, and revising proofs. It is one of my favorite classes to teach because of the topic and the people. We genuinely build community. Partly because as the students are struggling to develop their proof writing chops, they bondContinue reading “October 11 Day 1312: What are the Odds?”

October 2 Day 1303: ICYMI Summer’s Sweet Successes

Today was the first Monday of classes for the Autumn 2023 academic quarter at University of Washington. Wet and rainy, there was no doubt that summer was over. I enjoyed working with my students at UW Tacoma but was grateful for these sweet reminders of warmer, more relaxing times today. Prepared samples arrived from ourContinue reading “October 2 Day 1303: ICYMI Summer’s Sweet Successes”

September 30 Day 1301: A Room with a View

The first week of classes has ended. Things are beginning to feel more normal. Most of my colleagues are teaching in person. All that is good. My brother-in-law has not been well for quite a while. So today Mark and I went for a visit…to Southern California. We set our alarm for 3:45 am madeContinue reading “September 30 Day 1301: A Room with a View”

September 25 Day 1296: Remembering Dad

Today is my father’s birthday. He would have turned 90. I was reviewing the book friends and family created to celebrate his 81st (both a perfect square and a fourth power! An age worth celebrating. ) I had completely forgotten what I had written to him nine years ago. It made me laugh. It madeContinue reading “September 25 Day 1296: Remembering Dad”