11-Hour Drive Later

And we are not that much further away -- about 90 miles WNW of New Orleans at my sister's house in Baton Rouge - definitely safer than in New Orleans, but people are evacuating out of HERE too - and everythng is boarded up, businesses and stores closed . . . we still expect hurricane force winds and rain -- but at least we are above sea level We decided to evacuate this morning, when my brother (also a police officer) reported that his Chief had just placed an order for 3000 body bags . . . The recommendations we heard on the radio on the way up were nightmarish. Officials advising that those who decided to stay, make sure to put the necessary tools in their attics so that when the water rises into them, they can hack out of their roofs Bryan is in a hotel in the French Quarter - there aren't any police stations that they expect can withstand the winds - and all of them would be under water. The last time I talked to him he had been called out because there was a tornado close.The drive up was unbelievable. Bumper to bumper traffic for all 90 miles ~ the dogs farted all the way up (GROSS!) and Owen threw up from motion sickness (how did he get THAT since we hardly MOVED?) twice - one of the dogs peed in the back of the Jeep . . . We did not find an open service station or store until 7:30 - and we had barely eaten more than snacks all day long.They expect to lose power here sometime later tonight - and in New Orleans, they do not expect to get it back for several weeks. I do have Heather's phone number -- so I'll call her with some updates, but I think we are safer here, anyway.I hate to think about the house -- I'll be really happy to see it again . . . God willing.Thank you all so much for thinking of us! The next few days, weeks - maybe months will be interesting . . . Love ya!

We're evacuating

We're evacuating - please think of us and our HOUSE!

Katrina is a category 5 with New Orleans still in her sights. They are talking 20 foot tidal surges - the levee is only 15 feet and we can see it.

Please think of us as we try to get out of town - and as we return.

I'll try to be in touch.

Calculator Woes

I remember when I was a young girl, and my DoD ("Dear old Dad" as we all affectionately call him these days) was purchasing a calculator from Sears, for his Masters in Engineering study. We shopped high and we shopped low - and my were calculators ever so big in those days (70's) - like big as BRICKS! And he found a good one - a Texas Instruments model that was every bit as good as his slide-rule and maybe even, he admitted, then some.

It wasn't cheap!

I am able to bring a graphing calculator with me to the PRAXIS exam. I know NOT how to work such a beast - and they aren't exactly cheap either. Add that to my list of learnable tasks - right?

So I called DoD tonight - to ask him if he happens to have a graphing calculator . . . he recommended a Texas Instruments model - go figure?!

I know I can I know I can I know I can . . . God help me (that's a bona fide prayer!)

My HEAD!

My mom and I were coming through customs and security on our way back from London several years ago. The agent asked me if I had anything to declare, and some basic security questions like had I been there on business or pleasure, what did I do for a living. I told him that I was an accountant. and he let me on my way. THEN he says to my MOTHER (obviously not seeing a familiar resemblance) "Accountant? She doesn't look like she can even COUNT!"

Mom got a good laugh out of that - but there I was seething with my MATH degree, wanting to go back to give him a piece of my mind!

OK, so I mostly feel like maybe counting is ALL I can remember how to do! I have so much to study, and so little time! YIKES!

I think I can . . . I think I can . . . I think I can . . .

Mental Notes

Do not have an Abita Amber prior to the Praxis . . . and do NOT take two young boys along . . .

Today: Trigonometry with a dash of Calculus ~

ANXIETY!

September 17 -- 2 hours, 50 qestions:

Now I have a BS in Math, so why do I have anxiety? Maybe because it's been 14 years since I've taken a math class? Maybe because this test is less than a month away? Maybe because I have to pass it as a condition of spring enrollment and continuation of the program? YIKES!

My plan of action is to spend at least an hour studying every morning. Today I spent my hour with sines and cosines ~ remember those things? I just ordered my official study guide, and won't have it until Monday or Tuesday. In the meantime, I've pulled out all of my old college texts and so it begins. Fortunately, I am finding much of this a refresher course more than having to actualy relearn it all. So far . . .

Here's the scary assessment breakdown:

Algebra and Number Theory 8 questions 16%
Measurement 3 questions 6%
Geometry 5 questions 10%
Trigonometry 4 questions 8%
Functions 8 questions 16%
Calculus 6 questions 12%
Data Analysis and Statistics 5-6 questions 10-12%
Probability 2-3 questions 4-6%
Matrix Algebra 4-5 questions 8-10%
Discrete Mathematics 3-4 questions 6-8%

My Course Schedule ~ ENROLLED!

EDUC 4001G Lecture: Meeting Needs of All Learners
Graded
2.00
Enrolled
6:30PM ~ 8:10PM Mon
08/22/2005 ~ 12/01/2005

EDUC 4840
Internship
Internship I - Grades 6-12
Graded
1.00
Enrolled
4:00PM ~ 6:40PM Tues
08/22/2005 ~ 12/01/2005

See that? ENROLLED! Woo Woo! I am now a Graduate seeking Post-Baccalaureate Alternate Teacher Certification for Mathematics, grades 6-12!

What a roller coaster that has been! Everything from a gross miscalculation of my GPA, a mistake that prohibited my acceptance into the program -- to uncooperative administrators . . .

But I am IN! I've been to both classes and they are terrific! Owen advised that the best way to make friends was to walk in and say "Hi, my name is Gina!" and it worked. I've already exchanged email addresses with several other students, and I've been offered an opportunity to observe or even teach a few courses at my alma mater by a math teacher there.

I am so excited! and nervous . . . and I have to take the PRAXIS for Math in less than a month! GAK!