Day Four (Monday)

We got up early, put on our Sunday best, and headed for the nearest LDS chapel.  It was an amazing structure with its own version of “Touchdown Jesus.”   

We attended Sacrament Meeting and it was just like any other which speaks to the stability and organization of the Church.  No matter where you attend, the Sacrament will be blessed and passed by someone with the priesthood and a few people from the congregation will give a planned talk.  Afterwards we took some pictures and headed back to the hotel. 

After making some peanut butter and honey sandwiches (our staple this week), we put on some comfortable clothing and headed out for a leisure Sunday hike.  According to “Oahu Revealed,” there was a nearby hike that ended with a spectacular view of a 125 foot waterfall.  We thought this would be ideal for a Sunday afternoon.   

 

 Turns out, we were right.  The hike was about a mile long through a luscious rainforest.  We stopped on occasion for some good photo ops and some needed rest.  Our shoes were muddy and a few of us got bit by mosquitoes but in the end, I think we all were glad when we got to the top and saw the waterfall cascading off the rocks.

 

That afternoon, we hung out in our hotel room, played some games and basically just enjoyed one another’s company.  It was a great way to cap off a relaxing Sabbath Day.

Day Two (Saturday)

I don’t think I mentioned it but there was another reason we chose Hawaii during February.  First we get a week off of school which the Laguna Beach School District likes to call “Ski Week.”  Second, the baseball team had raised enough money to come as a team and of course the coaches (one of them being me) were invited.  I asked about bringing my family and was answered in the affirmative…so the research began as far as price goes.  We decided to get our own flights and hotel (it ended up being a little cheaper) but I still felt like I needed to attend the games and help coach.  Which brings me to Saturday’s doubleheader…

We were playing two games today and I knew that we wouldn’t be doing much sightseeing but it was still fun to see the baseball fields that the local Hawaiian’s high schools had to offer.  The first field was set up high on a hill and therefore had a beautiful view of the ocean.  I could see why sports teams from the mainland have trouble winning in Hawaii: They get mesmerized by tranquil scenery while the local teams kick their butt.  Needless-to-say, this happened to us.  We made silly mistakes both physically and mentally and lost both games that day.  My family and Greg’s attended the first game and endured the sun as they supported the Breakers.  I was happy to see them and talk a little in between innings.  Not sure that Luke liked sitting in the heat or if he was just upset that we were losing but it looked like Lou Ann had to take him for a walk in order to kill some time.  I don’t blame him; I was a little upset too with the product on the field.

Anyway, the afternoon game wasn’t much better but luckily Greg and Becky agreed to take the kids to the pool while only Lou Ann endured the errors and blunders.  The good news was that the parents of the local baseball team had a huge BBQ going with all kinds of food.  I had a teriyaki burger that was to die for.  Maybe all was not lost on this my first day in Hawaii.

Hawaiian Vacation 2011

Day One (Friday)

It’s amazing that this trip is even happening.   Lou Ann and I had talked back in the summer when we were in Europe that we needed to desperately go on a family vacation.  We were feeling a little selfish as we cruised the Mediterranean for 3 weeks and knew that it would probably be our last vacation without our children; however, we didn’t think that come February, (only a few months later), we would find ourselves on a plane flying to Hawaii.  Somehow, someway we made it happen and we are all stoked to say the least.  Lou Ann and the kids flew out on Wednesday and now it’s my turn. 

I got to the airport a little early eager to get on my way…also because I knew that Lou Ann wouldn’t have it any other way.  Just because I’m flying solo doesn’t mean she is still not with me in spirit.  I can hear her organized voice in my head, “Jon, you never know?  There might be traffic or long lines.  You might get lost or have trouble checking baggage, etc.”  So here I am, 3 hours early.  At least I’m not going to miss my flight. :)

Flying is kinda fun…for the first 10 minutes, then you just want to get there.  I feel the same way right now.  I would watch a movie but for some reason, they now charge you $15.  I am not a frequent flyer so I’m not sure when that change happened but it’s not very fair in my mind.  It already cost us our life savings and a few credit card charges to get here and now they want $15 dollars more?  I don’t think so.  Luckily I have my book…not sure that will keep my attention for the next 5 hours though? 

Finally we are arriving into Honolulu.  My brother Greg (resident local of the Big Island in Hawaii) is meeting me at the airport to pick me up.  It will be nice to have someone who knows the streets of Oahu.  I’m sure I would get lost trying to find our hotel in downtown Waikiki.  Greg and his family were kind enough to fly over for the week so the cousins could get together and we could spend some good family bonding time.  It will be great having them here.

I got in pretty late so Greg just drops me off and after hugs and kisses with the family, we hit the sack.  Sounds like the fam has been having fun without me though.  They went snorkeling, shopped at the local mall, swam in Ko’Olina Bay, and ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp.  We are officially in Hawaii!  Boo ya!

Last Post

After a year (to the date) of blogging, I have finally decided that I have wasted enough of my and your time. It's been a fun experience and has allowed me to unleash a little of my writing bug. Thank you for your comments and for your time spent reading my drivel. It's been fun, rewarding, and awkward all at the same time....which is usually a good sign that something is enjoyable. Thanks again for reading.

Dro

Benjamin Button

Lou Ann and I decided to use part of our Christmas present the other night given to us by my brother Jeff and his wife Jen: Movie tickets! (note: we also got 2 restaurant gift cards that we will be using at a later date). :)

We both settled on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. If you haven't heard what the premise is, it's basically about a man being born old in appearance yet physically looks like a baby....if that makes any sense. He of course grows younger as the movie goes on and is able to experience life in a reverse sort of way.

There is no violence, no nudity, no swearing, no big explosions. The movie is almost 3 hours long. Sounds like a really winner huh?

However, it's heartfelt, it's romantic, it's mind-boggling, it's thought-provoking, it's interesting, it's engaging, it's awesome!!!

I didn't look at my watch one time (that's probably because I don't have a watch but still....you get the point). I was thoroughly impressed and came out of the movie claiming it to be, "One of my top 5 of all time."

Now, you will find many that will laugh at this absurdity. You will find many that will absolutely hate it. You will find many that will be bored to tears.

Maybe I was in the type of mood one needs to be in to enjoy this sort of movie. Maybe I like romantic-dramas. Maybe I have too many "girly" emotions.

Who knows? All I know is that this movie is Academy Award worthy. It spans the 20th century in an interesting way ala Forrest Gump and curiously both were written by the same screenwriter: Eric Roth. I'm guessing that if you like Forrest Gump, then you will like this movie. Not nearly as funny but in my mind, more intriguing and not as simplistic.

If you're looking for a movie to go to with your loved one, I obviously would recommend The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Life altering movies (or people) don't come along that often and as Benjamin says so eloquently near the end of the movie, "Along the way you bump into people (or movies) who make a dent on your life. Some people get struck by lightning. Some are born to sit by a river. Some have an ear for music. Some are artists. Some swim the English Channel. Some know buttons. Some know Shakespeare. Some are mothers. And some people can dance."

And I would add, "Some movies are just special and need to be seen." This is one of those movies.

10 Reasons to Love Christmas

I realize that there are many more reasons to love Christmas and most people would probably say that this is their favorite time of year; however, in keeping with my tradition, I will break down MY top 10 reasons for loving Christmas. (FYI...of course I am happy to be celebrating Jesus' birth so just because that doesn't appear on my list doesn't mean I'm an Atheist or Agnostic or whatever the term is these days).

Here goes:

#10 A Christmas Carol

(I read this every year with my freshman. If you haven't read the original Charles Dickens novel, I would suggest it to everyone. It's about 75 pages long and you can finish in a few hours. Go for it. I think you will be pleasantly surprised).

#9 The Movies

(Who doesn't use Christmas vacation as a time to watch movies? Cozy up in your jammies on the couch with a bowl full of ice cream and watch the classics: Christmas Vacation is always a must. Elf has also made its way into must-see-TV. What is your family's must-see classic?)

#8 The Presents

(Who doesn't love to open presents......even now 36 years old and I'm still a little giddy. Of course, I am at the point that I love watching my kids' reactions more than my own but it's still a little fun to peal off that tape and see what your loved ones picked out especially for you. Only problem is that spontaneous reaction that sometimes feels a little forced even if you like the present).

#7 The Weather

(The only thing good about living in a cold place is the snow during the Christmas season. I don't get to enjoy it but the brisk air is enough for me. I actually hate the cold but sometimes it's fun just to get bundled up and feel that phenomena of being warm yet cold at the same time).

#6 NFL Football

(Isn't football on TV one of the best sports to watch. It's not even my favorite sport and yet, for some reason, watching it on TV is entertaining. I am a big believer of the MUTE button. Everyone can still gather around and talk and do whatever and I can watch football with no sound. It doesn't affect anyone and I can still enjoy my game. NICE!!!)

#5 The Food

(Who doesn't like to gorge themselves at this time of year? Eat, eat, and eat some more. No one cares and everyone knows they shouldn't but we all still do. Come January 5th, we wonder what happened but dang, it's worth it....isn't it? See below what I feel like after the holidays).

#4 College Football Bowl Season

(Most would disagree but for some reason, I enjoy watching the bowl games. I don't watch them all but it's always fun to root for the MWC teams and unfortunately watch BYU get pummelled. A college football playoff though would be unreal. Please President Obama....do something????).

#3 Two weeks off!

(That's right, one of the times of year that it is good to be the teacher. Gotta love 2 weeks to just chill and hang out with the fam and friends. Of course, I have a stack of Frankenstein essays I need to grade but.....just like my students, my backpack stays in the corner most of the vacation).

#2 Family Reunion

(We always get together with family this time of year. The cousins all get together and of course are entertained 24/7. This is the best treat of all. I never have to hear, "I'm bored" or "There's nothing to do" which is a beautiful thing).

And my #1 reason.......

(note: Lou Ann said I couldn't do anymore innuendo jokes...sorry to disappoint).

#1 The Spirit of Christmas

(Of course, this has to be #1. The generosity that everyone feels during this time of year is awesome. Just when you think you are spending too much time or money, BAM, you get back ten-fold what you put in. I call it the tithing phenomena. We shouldn't, we can't, we don't....Dang, I'm glad we did!)

Merit vs. Experience

I am currently in the middle of grading 100 (4-6 page) essays from my seniors. It is absolutely horrible. The stack never seems to shrink and it takes me about 10-15 minutes per essay. Why so long you ask? Well, the students don't just want their scores, they want and need to know why? Why did I get an 88 and not a 90? Why did you take off 4 points and not just 2? Why is my conclusion not good enough or my thesis not concise enough? Why, why, why?

Knowing these questions will inevitably come, I am forced to write the answers on each essay.....thus the extra time. It was during these past few days that I seriously began to wonder if teachers should be paid on merit instead of experience. Did you know that PE teachers and English teachers get paid the same thing depending on how long they've been teaching? Not that PE teachers are a bad breed but they are done when the 2:45 bell rings. There are no essays to grade or paperwork to sift through; therefore, if they are not putting as much time as the English teacher, why should they get paid the same?

I don't know. Maybe I'm just bitter and in a bad mood lately. This week has been a loooong one and it's only Wednesday. I started Seminary this week which has been a highlight for me. It's the only thing that keeps me going. I love it! (note: I've only been doing it 3 days so perhaps if you ask me in a few months, maybe my opinion will have changed). Anyway, I've also had games these past 2 days (we lost both: one by 10 and one by 2 in overtime). As the losses accumulate so does the parental pressure and the "know-it-all dads" who are more annoying than anything else.

So I've left home at 6 am and gotten home around 9 pm...only to dig the essays out of my bag and continue grading. This routine gets very frustrating and has led me to this post. I know, I know.....I chose this profession and knew what I was getting into; however, today is unload on life day (unload on wife day was yesterday...sorry babe).



Back to my original question: Should teachers be paid on merit rather than experience?

Today I answer emphatically YES!!!!

I Need Some Female Advice....

Dear Readers and/or Emily Post:

The Lady Breakers are a new team this year (see a few posts below). We lost not only 3 of our best players but 3 of our most competitive, which I believe is worse. How many times have you been a part of a team where some of the other players on your team just "want to have fun" rather than win. How frustrating is that? Therefore, this attitude breeds contempt on both sides. We have 2 returners from last year who realize that "fun" is had in winning. And in order to win, you have to be committed, dedicated, and have a competitive streak. When they see the other girls not trying or not coming to practice or saying it's "that time of the month" and not suiting out....it pisses them off.

I have one girl on my team who is our star player. She is a sophomore and hasn't missed a practice or a game in 2 years. I wonder as a coach, how come it's never "that time of the month" for her? How come she never "gets sick?" How come she never has to "go study with her tutor?" How come she doesn't have "family emergencies?"

Obviously this girl gets frustrated during the games because she not only gets double and triple teamed but when she makes the appropriate pass, the other girls drop it or when they do catch it, they give it right back. It's more of a mental grind for her all game. She has to bring the ball up against pressure, finally gets it past half-court, and passes it to the open girl. Not 2 seconds later, that girl gives it right back because she freaks out when she has the ball and doesn't know what to do.

Well, this makes for a long game for this one girl so sometimes she yells at them or tells them to pull their heads out. This of course, makes either the other girl cry or yell back at her saying, "Don't disrespect me like that?"

We actually had a verbal fight the other day on the bus between almost every girl on the team and this one girl. They teamed up against her saying, "she is too intense" and "doesn't say nice things on the court" and "is too critical of their play." I actually had to intervene as a coach before it came to blows.

Of course, (internally), I side with this one player but I have to be PC and not choose a side. I wanted to say, "Look, she comes to every practice and every game and you guys don't so she has every right to yell at you and tell you that you suck." But I didn't say that. Instead, I said, "We are all competitive in our own way and what is said on the court shouldn't affect your relationships off the court."



We are 0-5. We've lost games by: 55, 45, 1, 12, and 5. Yes, we lost our first two games by 55 and 45. That is not good. However, as the scores indicate, we are getting better. We have 3 more games next week. I actually thought we had ironed out the wrinkles and were ready to go but even after all that, on Monday (our first practice after these 5 games), we only had 7 girls dress out and we have 12 on the team.

And yes, a few of the girls that didn't come or dress out where the same girls who were yelling at this one dedicated player. Go figure.

Advice?

Signed,
Confused in Laguna

Seminary

Today I was given a new calling. I'm sure you have already guessed considering the name of this post and yes, you are right....I have been called as a Seminary teacher. Needless-to-say I am stoked! Why would one be stoked to receive such a calling you ask?

My top 5 reasons:

#5 No Sunday calling
#4 Church is located across the street from my school
#3 Teaching is what I love to do
#2 No boss
#1 Mandatory scripture study (this one I need the most).

Of course there are negatives such as: getting up an hour earlier and trying to motivate some kids who don't want to be there but I believe the positive far outweighs the negative.

In my mind, there might be only one cause of concern. I am team-teaching with another teacher who was called at the beginning of the year. We are going to teach 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off. (I forgot to include that in my top 5 reasons....how sweet is that!?!?)

Anyway, I am concerned because I don't want to either be the teacher that all the kids hate and/or the teacher that all the kids like. I think in either scenario it could get dicey. I'm sure we will both have different teaching styles and I just don't want things to get uncomfortable for the kids and for us: the teachers.

Advice?

Alert: Sports Post.....Read Only if Bored.

So it's that time of year again. The time of year where college football is on the biggest stage. Where people far and wide "have a beef" with the system that has been in place since time began. People argue and cry about the BCS every year. "So and so got screwed. Why did so and so get in and why did so and so get left out. My team deserves a chance. Your team sucks. My team beat so and so. Your team lost to so and so. We won by 30. You won by 20. We lost only one game and it was on the last play to so and so. You lost one game and it was by 10 points to so and so."

Blah, blah, blah.

It's so annoying. Sometimes you can't help but get caught up in the hype. Sometimes I hear myself saying, "Yea. And yea. And that's right. And you're wrong. And let's settle it on the field." However, it's that last statement that gets me. It has been settled on the field......all year long. 12 games have decided people's fate.

I know...I hear you...."But Dro, what about a team like Utah. They haven't lost all year. Why not them?" Because Utah's fate was decided already BEFORE the season began. They don't play in a major conference and therefore get no chance at the big piece of the pie. That's the system and that's what everyone agreed to when the BCS was formed.

It's actually very metaphoric. This type of thing happens in games and in life all the time. Let's take Monopoly for an example. Before the first roll of the dice, everyone agrees to the rules. If there's a question in the rules, you go with what is written. If there is a change in rules, those changes must be made before the first roll. In the beginning, no one has a problem.....you know why? Because the "problem" hasn't happened to you yet; therefore, there is no problem.

Then, the first time that someone lands on "Free Parking" he/she says, "Give me my $500 bucks."

Response: Why?
Answer: Because those are the rules.
Response: Show me.
Answer: That's how I always play.
Response: That's a house rule but not in this house.
Answer: You suck....cheater.

Play continues. Someone goes to jail and while in jail someone else lands on his/her property.

Response: Pay up.
Answer: Nope. You're in jail.
Response: The rules say you must pay while I'm in jail.
Answer: Show me.
Response: I can't. We lost the rules 2 years ago when our dog ate them.
Answer: Then, I'm not paying.
Response: You suck...cheater.

Anyway, you understand the point. This happens all the time but not just in Monopoly but real life. We love the rules that are in place until they work against us. Then we cry, rant, rave, and complain to anyone that will listen that "we got screwed." Then when the rules aren't changed, we claim that people "suck" and "cheat."

I've said those very words to cops that have pulled me over for speeding. "But officer...this isn't my car. I didn't know I was going this fast. Everyone else is doing it."

Response: Were you going over the speed limit?
Answer: Yes
Response: Here is your ticket.
Answer: You suck....cheater.

Then on the way home, I blast every cop and call them every obscenity....for doing what? Applying the rules that I agreed to when I got my license.

Ironic, isn't it.

And now we have that very same thing happening in college football. Everyone knows the rules and agrees. Then when the system works against them, they get pissed and claim the system is broken and must be changed.

Response: Those are the rules. We can't change them now.
Answer: You suck....cheaters.

The Lady Breakers are back!

Yep, that's right...the Laguna Beach Lady Breakers start their season tonight. In the next 6 days, we will play 5 games and I will know (as their coach) what our season has in store. Our first game we face off against one of the better teams in Southern California (Edison). They lost 4 games last year and will absolutely destroy us. I know....a coach is supposed to be confident in his players' abilities; however, this coach (me) is a realist.

"Show me the heart unfettered by foolish dreams, and I'll show you a better man."

After tonight, we square off against University (best known for having a very famous alum: Cort Green). They are also (like us) known for their academics and not necessarily their athletics. That game should be much closer.

As, I did last year, I will document our ups and downs throughout the season. We reached the 2nd round of CIF last season for only the 2nd time in school history. I hope we repeat that performance. We did graduate our 3 best players so we are in sort of a rebuilding stage. Our 2 best players and returning starters are now Sophomores. Our team will be built around them, on them, and through them. If one of those 2 go down...we are escrewed!

We have the same 3 goals we had last year:

1. Be competitive in every game
2. Win our league
3. Reach the CIF playoffs

We got blown out in only one game last year and came within 8 points of winning our league.....this year: We'll see?

Twilight

The new Harry Potter has arrived and is in full bloom. I don't know if I can comment on this phenomena due to the fact that I have yet to read even the cover title of a Twilight book; however, with its initial movie release a few days ago, I figure why not find out more information? Why not see what the fuss is all about?

So I went online on read some reviews. Apparently according to Roger Ebert, "Twilight's about a teenage boy trying to practice abstinence, and how, in the heat of the moment, it's really, really hard ("that's what she....nevermind"). And about a girl who wants to go all the way with him, and doesn't care what might happen."



I didn't have to read any further. I understood the "fuss." I knew why high school and even junior high adolescents are so engrossed in what has become a cult following. Stephanie Meyer hit a chord with her audience: forbidden love. A modern day Romeo and Juliet with a twist. The storyline never gets old and any human being from adolescent to those past their prime knows or can appreciate the storyline. ("Whoever knew the forbidden fruit could taste so sweet?") I mean, who hasn't heard that before?

I must admit, it seems so simple and juvenile; yet, aren't the most appealing creations and/or inventions "simple." (ie post-its, paperclips, bumps on the side of the road to wake up a sleepy traveler, etc..)

Roger Ebert says it best, "Why do girls always prefer the distant, aloof, handsome, dangerous dudes instead of cheerful chaps like me?" I always wondered the same thing in high school and in college for that matter. I considered myself a "cheerful chap" and yet you could find me on Friday nights playing cards with the tards. (I told myself that I'd rather be playing cards than on a date but deep down I knew better). It wasn't until I found a girl willing to be a "tard" and play some cards that I knew I had struck gold....(6 months later we were engaged).

Anyway, back to Twilight. Will I see it? Probably not. Will I read it? Probably not. But I can and will appreciate the hype. I had a girl on my basketball team not practice the other day because and I quote, "I stayed up late watching the midnight showing of Twilight." For some reason, I can't imagine telling my coach that in high school but at the same time she said it with such conviction and honesty that I just shrugged and kept on coaching . I also saw 4 girls go "ga ga" over a Twilight poster in the library with Edward front on center. ("He's soooooo hot!")



Yes, they were freshman but I'm sure 40 year old mad moms in minivans have and will react the same way.

Kudos to Stephanie Meyer (author) and Catherine Hardwicke (director). They didn't reinvent the wheel, they just created a new tread....vampire style.