I love books.

gariet cowin — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 22:07:25 +0000

This isn't really VISTA related, but I just wanted to give a shout-out to the Portland Public Library system, which is super-great. Due to lack of funds, VISTA's often have to find free entertainment, and for me, that means the library. The Portland library system allows me to check out 150 items at once. They also let me place holds online, and then they ship my books (or DVDs or CDs or whatever else) to the library location of my choice (for free). All items that I check out are mine for three weeks.

Recently (at the library), I discovered a book series called The Story of Science, by Joy Hakim. Although it seems to be written for 5th graders, I found all three books to be fascinating (especially the second book, "Newton At the Center", and the second half of the third book, "Einstein Adds a New Dimension"). In fact, I am now considering going back to school after my VISTA term is up, and becoming a scientist. Hooray!

OLLIE gigs and Dental complaints

gariet cowin — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 21:45:09 +0000

I'm just finishing up week one (week two for some schools) for the Winter session of OLLIE. The groups we are working with this time already seem to be an infinite improvement over some of the groups from last session. I'm not going to put all of the blame on the schools and students though. I was so burnt out by the end of the Fall session, that I probably wasn't very fun to work with either. From now on, I am going to make sure that I have a couple weeks between sessions where I can regroup and de-stress. That doesn't necessarily mean a vacation. In my case, it just means doing something else that doesn't involve kids.

In other news, I am extremely frustrated with my dental situation. I've been avoiding the dentist because I can barely afford a cleaning, not to mention whatever fillings might be required. Turns out this was a bad idea. But now I REALLY can't afford to go to the dentist because I know something is (expensively) wrong, but not wrong enough to warrant immediate relief-of-pain surgery which is the only type of coverage I have. So what can I do? Wait until it gets worse and painful, I guess.

Would it really cost that much for the government to throw in a little basic dental care for us? It seems to me that it would save them money on costly emergency dental procedures. Maybe I'll just swap my teeth out for some dentures. Then I won't have to worry about it.

Digital Arts Service Corps - science

I love books.

OLLIE gigs and Dental complaints