hey all,
I probably posted a link to this early, but here it is again: I'd like to make education as engaging as it can be.
Cheers,
Monday, October 24, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
More Games, 18-to-28, Etc
hey all,
As usual, things have been busy. I just finished work on my final project for my curriculum design class: a design document showing course title, description, course goals, and module-level goals, plus a reflection on what design principles you've used in creating it. I've signed up for the second class in the certificate, so I've got about 10 days or so where nothing is due and I don't have to be reading and studying after work every night. Although, to be honest, I've got three books that deal with curriculum design directly or indirectly on my Andriod Kindle app, and I've got two more coming in the mail this week.
I've also got my vocabulary list set up for the next two weeks, and the schedule is more or less set, so I can spend my down time at work finishing the editing of the biomes packet. It was up to 60-70 pages at one point, but its page count is slowly dropping. I've been cutting out redundant information, adding some nice graphics and pictures, and also adding some comprehension questions: when you get down to it, for everything I cut, something usually gets put in.
Michi and I have been living together for about 2.5 months now. I don't think we've had any of the big dramas that we had during August and September. Dinners are still separate most weekdays, but we cook together on the weekends. Trip planning has become a lot easier, since we can search together every night after work if need be, and let each other know of changes in the plan quickly. I do most of the vacuuming, but I actually let her do most of the hotel booking. That's division of labor of you.
We picked up a "health meter," what used to be called a weight scale or just scale when I was a kid. Now these things can record information for four people, keep track of body weight since the last time you stepped on, and also calculate BMI, body fat percentage, muscle percentage, body age, and daily caloric intake. I've been hovering around 42% body muscle, about 12% fat, and apparently my body age is 18. Michi is pulling in at 28 years old, which is also a pretty impressive drop from her actual age.
Another one of my preordered games will be coming out in two days. That means that my package should finally ship, although who knows when it will actually arrive.
We were planning on finally going rock climbing today, but Michi started to come down with a cold, probably the same cold that has laid me up the last week. On top of that, she wasn't paying too close attention while washing our 33-layer Damascus steel razor sharp chef's knife and sliced her little finger a little bit. She actually got pretty lucky, as the cut didn't seem to bad. Still, I recommended not climbing on it. Besides, I had lots of errands to run today.
Yesterday, I helped one of my very poor US friends move out of the apartment he shared with his on-again off-again ex-(for now)girlfriend. The only interesting thing about this is that I met him when I was living at the guesthouse in Omiya, and yes, he had just broken up with the same girlfriend and moved out of her place that time too. But yesterday we actually moved him into my former room. Yes, the exact same cramped, too small room that I spent a whole year in.
Cheers,
As usual, things have been busy. I just finished work on my final project for my curriculum design class: a design document showing course title, description, course goals, and module-level goals, plus a reflection on what design principles you've used in creating it. I've signed up for the second class in the certificate, so I've got about 10 days or so where nothing is due and I don't have to be reading and studying after work every night. Although, to be honest, I've got three books that deal with curriculum design directly or indirectly on my Andriod Kindle app, and I've got two more coming in the mail this week.
I've also got my vocabulary list set up for the next two weeks, and the schedule is more or less set, so I can spend my down time at work finishing the editing of the biomes packet. It was up to 60-70 pages at one point, but its page count is slowly dropping. I've been cutting out redundant information, adding some nice graphics and pictures, and also adding some comprehension questions: when you get down to it, for everything I cut, something usually gets put in.
Michi and I have been living together for about 2.5 months now. I don't think we've had any of the big dramas that we had during August and September. Dinners are still separate most weekdays, but we cook together on the weekends. Trip planning has become a lot easier, since we can search together every night after work if need be, and let each other know of changes in the plan quickly. I do most of the vacuuming, but I actually let her do most of the hotel booking. That's division of labor of you.
We picked up a "health meter," what used to be called a weight scale or just scale when I was a kid. Now these things can record information for four people, keep track of body weight since the last time you stepped on, and also calculate BMI, body fat percentage, muscle percentage, body age, and daily caloric intake. I've been hovering around 42% body muscle, about 12% fat, and apparently my body age is 18. Michi is pulling in at 28 years old, which is also a pretty impressive drop from her actual age.
Another one of my preordered games will be coming out in two days. That means that my package should finally ship, although who knows when it will actually arrive.
We were planning on finally going rock climbing today, but Michi started to come down with a cold, probably the same cold that has laid me up the last week. On top of that, she wasn't paying too close attention while washing our 33-layer Damascus steel razor sharp chef's knife and sliced her little finger a little bit. She actually got pretty lucky, as the cut didn't seem to bad. Still, I recommended not climbing on it. Besides, I had lots of errands to run today.
Yesterday, I helped one of my very poor US friends move out of the apartment he shared with his on-again off-again ex-(for now)girlfriend. The only interesting thing about this is that I met him when I was living at the guesthouse in Omiya, and yes, he had just broken up with the same girlfriend and moved out of her place that time too. But yesterday we actually moved him into my former room. Yes, the exact same cramped, too small room that I spent a whole year in.
Cheers,
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Anniversary 2, Desk, Games
hey all,
Our anniversary was actually October 3rd, but we decided to head out to a Hawaiian restaurant in Ginza tonight. The food was delicious, but they didn't let us use our coupon because we didn't show it to them when we first came in at the door, so I don't think we'll be heading back there again. Still, I found a dish that I really liked and that I'll be looking up how to make myself.
Yesterday, I got a package with all my DVD's from the US in it, plus other assorted goodies. And my computer desk also arrived. Without a proper chair to sit in, it is still a little inconvenient and uncomfortable, but it definitely beats the cardboard boxes. I've even got my PS3 set up and everything.
Aside from the anniversary and the packages, we watched Kurosawa's Sanjuro and Michi really loved that. I even got to catch up with Bri a little while playing Battlefield: Bad Company 2. Two of the games that I've pre-ordered, Dark Souls and Batman: Arkham City, have come out, and they've both gotten near perfect scores. I can't wait to play them, but I don't know how I'll fit in the time to do it.
I spent almost all day today making maps and editing a packet on biomes. Why make maps? Because most modern biome systems have about 14 different biomes, and I'm not going to teach 14 different biomes to 5 year olds. So I had to take the maps that where already made, re-group and re-color the areas so that there would be 6 different biomes, then go through again, create a different layer for each separately, then put them all together again. Why? That way, I have separate maps showing the extent of each biome, which if I want I can layer all together can create a world map where every piece of land is assigned to one of the six biomes I'm teaching. I did the same with a two variable graph based on a 1970's science report by Whittaker, which shows how each biome can be defined by yearly average rainfall and temperature: I've got separate layers showing each biome's distribution independently, which I can then composite together to create the original master upon which my layers were based. Why? Because showing all that information at once will spark info-overload. So I split it up, and all of it can be shown at the end, when it will be review for them.
My first curriculum design class is almost over, and all I've got left is the final project, and then about one week of free time before the next class begins. So far, the professor has had some positive remarks and comments about how I've been completing the (ungraded) exercises and practice activities, and of course I did get that perfect score on the first assignment. I've also been reading a few books on my Kindle about curriculum design and I think I might order one or two physical books on the subject, since they haven't been turned into ebooks yet.
I just finished my Dan Simmons marathon early this week. I read all four books of the Hyperion Cantos, and both Ilium/Olympos. If I can figure out how to get files from my computer onto my Android, I'll probably end up listening to The Iliad on my way to work.
That'll be it for now.
Cheers,
Our anniversary was actually October 3rd, but we decided to head out to a Hawaiian restaurant in Ginza tonight. The food was delicious, but they didn't let us use our coupon because we didn't show it to them when we first came in at the door, so I don't think we'll be heading back there again. Still, I found a dish that I really liked and that I'll be looking up how to make myself.
Yesterday, I got a package with all my DVD's from the US in it, plus other assorted goodies. And my computer desk also arrived. Without a proper chair to sit in, it is still a little inconvenient and uncomfortable, but it definitely beats the cardboard boxes. I've even got my PS3 set up and everything.
Aside from the anniversary and the packages, we watched Kurosawa's Sanjuro and Michi really loved that. I even got to catch up with Bri a little while playing Battlefield: Bad Company 2. Two of the games that I've pre-ordered, Dark Souls and Batman: Arkham City, have come out, and they've both gotten near perfect scores. I can't wait to play them, but I don't know how I'll fit in the time to do it.
I spent almost all day today making maps and editing a packet on biomes. Why make maps? Because most modern biome systems have about 14 different biomes, and I'm not going to teach 14 different biomes to 5 year olds. So I had to take the maps that where already made, re-group and re-color the areas so that there would be 6 different biomes, then go through again, create a different layer for each separately, then put them all together again. Why? That way, I have separate maps showing the extent of each biome, which if I want I can layer all together can create a world map where every piece of land is assigned to one of the six biomes I'm teaching. I did the same with a two variable graph based on a 1970's science report by Whittaker, which shows how each biome can be defined by yearly average rainfall and temperature: I've got separate layers showing each biome's distribution independently, which I can then composite together to create the original master upon which my layers were based. Why? Because showing all that information at once will spark info-overload. So I split it up, and all of it can be shown at the end, when it will be review for them.
My first curriculum design class is almost over, and all I've got left is the final project, and then about one week of free time before the next class begins. So far, the professor has had some positive remarks and comments about how I've been completing the (ungraded) exercises and practice activities, and of course I did get that perfect score on the first assignment. I've also been reading a few books on my Kindle about curriculum design and I think I might order one or two physical books on the subject, since they haven't been turned into ebooks yet.
I just finished my Dan Simmons marathon early this week. I read all four books of the Hyperion Cantos, and both Ilium/Olympos. If I can figure out how to get files from my computer onto my Android, I'll probably end up listening to The Iliad on my way to work.
That'll be it for now.
Cheers,
Monday, October 10, 2011
Yamagata!
hey all,
We got to see a good amount of places, eat some delicious food, and didn't even get into any bad fights. Unfortunately, I'd beat. Check out the captions, because that's all I can write right now.
Cheers,
We got to see a good amount of places, eat some delicious food, and didn't even get into any bad fights. Unfortunately, I'd beat. Check out the captions, because that's all I can write right now.
 |
| Pretty interesting building near Yamagata station. |
 |
| The rebuilt remains of Ka(?) Castle. |
 |
| The pond in front of our lodge for the first night. |
 |
| A big Jizo a couple hours into our hike. |
 |
| Me in front of the Okama, the volcanic crater lake of Mt. Zao. |
 |
| The visible buildings of Yamadera (zoom in and look carefully) |
 |
| The "Gate of Two Kings" near the top of Yamadera |
 |
| Several shrines and temple buildings near the top. |
 |
| The temple building that I saw on a poster at the train station, which made me want to come and visit Yamadera in the first place. |
 |
| Me standing on a boulder next to Fujinohana Waterfall near Omoshiroyama Kougen. |
Cheers,
Saturday, October 08, 2011
Homework, Trips, and Tables
hey all,
It has been another killer busy week here. The usual drama at work, and the prep for classes, etc.
One of the games I've been dying to play, Dark Souls, came out and got a very fabulous 9.5/10 from Gamespot. Since I've recently received my pay, I was able to pre-order it together with Batman: Arkham City and Battlefield 3. Since I ordered them together, they probably won't arrive until the last game comes out on October 25, but by that time my first curriculum class should be over and I should have some time to enjoy my games.
Not only that, but we finally got around to ordering my computer table, which should be coming in a week.
I've also gotten back the score for my first homework assignment. I turned it in early, and asked the teacher for some feedback, and he said to trim it up. I resubmitted it, and I got 50/50 on it, so that's a really positive thing.
You might have guessed that there is yet another 3 day weekend this weekend, and Michi and I are so mental that we just can't help but take another trip. This time we're heading up to Yamagata, which is actually really close to where the tsunami hit and more than a little too close for comfort to the nuclear reactors that partially melted down.
Love to add more, but tomorrow's a another busy day.
Cheers,
It has been another killer busy week here. The usual drama at work, and the prep for classes, etc.
One of the games I've been dying to play, Dark Souls, came out and got a very fabulous 9.5/10 from Gamespot. Since I've recently received my pay, I was able to pre-order it together with Batman: Arkham City and Battlefield 3. Since I ordered them together, they probably won't arrive until the last game comes out on October 25, but by that time my first curriculum class should be over and I should have some time to enjoy my games.
Not only that, but we finally got around to ordering my computer table, which should be coming in a week.
I've also gotten back the score for my first homework assignment. I turned it in early, and asked the teacher for some feedback, and he said to trim it up. I resubmitted it, and I got 50/50 on it, so that's a really positive thing.
You might have guessed that there is yet another 3 day weekend this weekend, and Michi and I are so mental that we just can't help but take another trip. This time we're heading up to Yamagata, which is actually really close to where the tsunami hit and more than a little too close for comfort to the nuclear reactors that partially melted down.
Love to add more, but tomorrow's a another busy day.
Cheers,
Saturday, October 01, 2011
Oze Trip, Homework, and Work
hey all,
I haven't had a chance to post about the last week until now, so here we go.
Last weekend was yet another 3 day weekend, but we had that typhoon on Wednesday, so everyone was kinda shattered/or fagged out (to use some British slang), so we decided to rest on Friday instead of beginning the trip right away.
The trip we'd planned was to visit Oze National Park for the second time and check out some waterfalls we didn't have a chance to see last time, and also to climb Shibutsu-san, a mountain about 2200m tall (that's about 1km shorter than Yarigadake, for those keeping track) which is on the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan list.
We made it up to Oze with no problems, even though we entered the park from the north this time instead of the southeast. The trouble began when we started hiking. Despite several days of rest after Yarigadake, both of us were walking slower than usual, and Michi also slipped and fell on the muddy trail several times, with some nice bruises to show for it. Additionally, everyone remember that typhoon I mentioned earlier? Well, it wasn't only Tokyo that got hit by it: the trails in Oze were mostly fine, but some of them were heavily erroded, blocked by fallen trees or tumbled down rocks, or just turned to pools of mud thanks to the rain.
It slowed us down so much that on the first day we decided to skip the first of the three waterfalls we'd planned on seeing. We made it to our lodge, which was right next to a section of rapids on a river and sported its own hinoki onsen, a spa where the tub is made out of Japanese cypress wood.
The next day we hiked across the park to the exit/entrance on the southwest side, the same exit we'd used when we left Oze the first time last year. We got to see the other two waterfalls we'd planned on, but ended up quitting Shibutsusan before we started it. We were both tired, and we both wanted to go home as early as we could. We'll probably come back with her mom and dad next year.
In other news, I've been going over the readings, posting stuff on the discussion boards, etc, etc for my class. It is challenging to fit in the time to read everything, respond to it, reflect on it, post something about it, and keep up with my daily schedule of work, planning for trips, and helping Michi with her homework.
I've spent most of today typing up three short essay responses to the first homework assignment, which is worth half the grade for the class.
Cheers,
I haven't had a chance to post about the last week until now, so here we go.
Last weekend was yet another 3 day weekend, but we had that typhoon on Wednesday, so everyone was kinda shattered/or fagged out (to use some British slang), so we decided to rest on Friday instead of beginning the trip right away.
The trip we'd planned was to visit Oze National Park for the second time and check out some waterfalls we didn't have a chance to see last time, and also to climb Shibutsu-san, a mountain about 2200m tall (that's about 1km shorter than Yarigadake, for those keeping track) which is on the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan list.
We made it up to Oze with no problems, even though we entered the park from the north this time instead of the southeast. The trouble began when we started hiking. Despite several days of rest after Yarigadake, both of us were walking slower than usual, and Michi also slipped and fell on the muddy trail several times, with some nice bruises to show for it. Additionally, everyone remember that typhoon I mentioned earlier? Well, it wasn't only Tokyo that got hit by it: the trails in Oze were mostly fine, but some of them were heavily erroded, blocked by fallen trees or tumbled down rocks, or just turned to pools of mud thanks to the rain.
It slowed us down so much that on the first day we decided to skip the first of the three waterfalls we'd planned on seeing. We made it to our lodge, which was right next to a section of rapids on a river and sported its own hinoki onsen, a spa where the tub is made out of Japanese cypress wood.
The next day we hiked across the park to the exit/entrance on the southwest side, the same exit we'd used when we left Oze the first time last year. We got to see the other two waterfalls we'd planned on, but ended up quitting Shibutsusan before we started it. We were both tired, and we both wanted to go home as early as we could. We'll probably come back with her mom and dad next year.
In other news, I've been going over the readings, posting stuff on the discussion boards, etc, etc for my class. It is challenging to fit in the time to read everything, respond to it, reflect on it, post something about it, and keep up with my daily schedule of work, planning for trips, and helping Michi with her homework.
I've spent most of today typing up three short essay responses to the first homework assignment, which is worth half the grade for the class.
Cheers,
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