Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Put the Glass Down!

The professor began his class by holding up a glass with some water init. He held it up for all to see and asked the students, "How much do you think this glass weighs?"

"50gms!".....100gms!".....125gms"... the students answered.

"I really don't know unless I weigh it," said the professor, " but, my question is: What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?"

"Nothing," the students said.

"Ok what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?" the professor asked.

"Your arm would begin to ache," said one of the students.

"You're right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?"

"Your arm could go numb, you might have severe muscle stress and paralysis and have to go to hospital for sure!" ventured another student and all the students laughed.

"Very good. But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?"asked the professor.

"No," was the answer.

"Then what caused the arm ache and the muscle stress?"

The students were puzzled.

"What should I do now to come out of pain?" asked the professor again.

"Put the glass down!" said one of the students.

"Exactly!" said the professor.

Life's problems are something like this. Hold it for a few minutes in your head and they seem OK. Think of them for a long time and they begin to ache. Hold it even longer and they begin to paralyze you. You will not be able to do anything. It's important to think of the challenges or problems in your life, But EVEN MORE IMPORTANT is to'PUT THEM DOWN' at the end of every day before you go to sleep. That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh and strong and you can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!

So,when you finish your day today, remember to PUT THE GLASS DOWN!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

First field trip of the year

Last Friday Amira's class had their first field trip of the year. We went to Sausalito, California which is a cute little town just north of San Francisco.

This year Amira's class is studying the waterways around our area and how they work. The first study was conducted at the Bay Model Museum. The Bay Model Visitor Center is a fully accessible education center administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which makes possible the viewing of a scientific tool: a working hydraulic model of the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento - San Joaquin River Delta System. This was a fascinating museum, however, it will be even more impressive once they complete their construction as the model itself was dry during the visit.

After visiting the Bay Model Museum we proceeded to the other end of town and had lunch on Rodeo Beach which was located just below our second field trip stop. It was fun to watch the kids running around in the sand searching for shells. Some even enjoyed running in at the water's edge.

The second field trip stop we made was to the Marine Mammal Center. This was an absolutely amazing place. The Marine Mammal Center is a nonprofit veterinary research hospital and educational center dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of ill and injured marine mammals – primarily elephant seals, harbor seals, and California sea lions. We were able to go to a public viewing area and see the animals they currently had in their care and observe them.

We had such a wonderful time that Amira and I will be planning another trip down there, just the two of us, to spend some more quality time exploring these places along with the town of Sausalito itself.

Field trips are the reason I love kids going to school. :D