I finished teaching my second Wednesday class (at 5:40 pm) and tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I feel like the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders. In a few minutes, we will be driving to SEATAC airport to retrieve our oldest—after surviving the COVID Autumn semester and completing final exams at St. OlafContinue reading “November 25 Day 262: Yahoo!”
Category Archives: community
November 20 Day 257: Heart-work
Yesterday was proclaimed a day of hope because of rainbow magic. And that meteorological phenomena of reflection, refraction, and dispersion came through for me. Let me explain. How can you not find hope in your heart when you learn about the expansion of two families. The birth of a sweet girl yesterday and a babyContinue reading “November 20 Day 257: Heart-work”
November 16 Day 253: Tacoma You’re Beautiful
Tacoma is in the 253 area code so how could I not celebrate this wonderous, gritty city on the 253rd day since starting remote emergency teaching last March. We have the Puget Sound, the Mountain, Point Defiance, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Tacoma is a city filled with generous artists, makers, and don’t forget #TacomaMath folks.Continue reading “November 16 Day 253: Tacoma You’re Beautiful”
November 14 Day 251: Being Festive
We played. We explored. We laughed. And at the end of it all, we lined up on the stage for the “festival photograph” you see above. Today’s Julia Robinson Math Festival (JRMF) at the University of Washington Tacoma was a great success. Postponed from spring 2020, public health considerations did not allow for an in-personContinue reading “November 14 Day 251: Being Festive”
November 13 Day 250: Quintessential Remote Learning Question
My late night habits are catching up with me. In this afternoon’s faculty meeting, I dutifully zoomed in; I listened to the initial updates. I knew I was tired—so much so that I did not turn on the camera. My “resting zoom face” looks like a scowl and I didn’t want speakers to think itContinue reading “November 13 Day 250: Quintessential Remote Learning Question”
November 10 Day 247: Sleuthing
DHL delivered a package to our front door. It was not exactly our address — off by 2. According to Google maps, the address corresponds to our side yard, so depositing the item on our porch made some degree of sense. I endeavored to find the true owner. Facebook was surprisingly helpful. There was oneContinue reading “November 10 Day 247: Sleuthing”
November 5 Day 242: Just What I Needed
Somedays make everything seem worthwhile. I was fortunate that today was one of those days. I had the opportunity to think mathematical thoughts, to connect with former students, to do good work with good people, and to be recognized for my efforts. My 7 am PST Zoom meeting went off without a hitch because IContinue reading “November 5 Day 242: Just What I Needed”
November 4 Day 241: Affirmations
I thought the first day back after Election Day might be challenging for me and my students. So I started the day by sending them this announcement through the course management system: Title: The morning after… Body:…and its not over yet. Tensions are high with the election results pending on top of COVID isolation andContinue reading “November 4 Day 241: Affirmations”
October 31 Day 237: Happy Halloween
Slept late. Voted. Graded. Mowed the lawn. Watched The Untouchables (in honor of Sean Connery). No trick-or-treaters here. Blocked the porch on purpose. Heard mirthful laughter. Across the street, a neighbor had a fire pit, glowing pumpkins, and a candy chute down to the sidewalk. Pretty awesome.
October 29 Day 235: In the Spirit
Halloween is fast approaching. This year there will be no Trick-or-Treating and for Tacoma’s North End, no Proctor Treats. I will miss the tradition where my math colleagues and I dress up as each other for our costumes. We do this in even numbered years: Thankfully, the COVID resurgence doesn’t stop us from celebrating withContinue reading “October 29 Day 235: In the Spirit”
Math Belongs to All of Us 