OMSI and the Zoo

I know, I know. I've been a bad blogger lately.  I actually have had a lot to blog about the last few weeks, but I just haven't had time to do it.  Lucky for you, I have time now.

A couple weeks ago my sister, Laura, and brother, John, rode the train from Seattle down to visit us.  It was great because it gave Toren and I an excuse to get out and do things that we've wanted to do for a while: OMSI and the Oregon Zoo.

OMSI is a hands-on science center (short for Oregon Museum of Science & Industry...I think).  It was pretty fun, though we all agreed that it didn't even compare to the Seattle Science Center.   

Laura and I put on a puppet show.

Prepping for work in the Chemistry lab.

Learning about static electricity.

Posing in front of the heat-sensored camera.

That Saturday we went to the Oregon Zoo.  It was a PERFECT day to be walking around.  Unfortunately, several of the exhibits were under construction and off-limits for us to see.  We still had a great time, though.  Our favorite parts was probably watching the orangutan groom himself.  It was one of those disgusting things that you just can't help but stare at!

The Evolution of Math

My friend sent me this email the other day that I think pretty much captures how teaching math has evolved in the last 50 years... Plus, it's hilarious.

Teaching Math In 1950s

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit ?

Teaching Math In 1960s

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?

Teaching Math In 1970s

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?

Teaching Math In 1980s

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.

Teaching Math In 1990s

A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers, and if you feel like crying, it's OK. )

Teaching Math In 2009

Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?

Good Reads

My mom just introduced me my new favorite website: Goodreads.com.  It's a site that allows you to keep track of the books you've read, the books you're reading, and the books you want to read.  You can also read book reviews by friends or strangers (I love this feature since I hardly ever read a book without a recommendation).  You can also rate the books you've read (out of 5 stars), see how others rated certain books, and participate in book discussions.  

For a nerd like me, this is the perfect website!  It's like a worldwide book club! After just spending a few minutes on it yesterday I tripled my "on-hold" queue at the library.  

If you're a reader at all, you definitely need to check this website out, and add me as your friend, and let the reading begin!

Audrey's to-read book montage

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A Trip to the Emergency Room

Toren went to work as usual Friday morning...but by lunchtime he was in the ER getting a blood transfusion and having his heart monitored.  Don't worry though, he's ok.

He'd been coming back from an assignment at work when all of the sudden his face, tongue and arms started going numb and he was sure he was ready to pass out.  He'd been having some lingering chest pains a few days earlier, so he freaked out thinking he might be having a heart attack.

Luckily, one of his coworkers had been driving, so she was able to rush him to the hospital.  As soon as they arrived, one of the reception nurses grabbed a wheel chair for Toren (I guess his face was nearly blue).  

They hooked him up to heart monitor and took some chest X-Rays.  From this they were able to dispel Toren's heart attack worries.  His heart and chest looked normal.  (Whew...).

They took some blood samples and ran some tests.  His blood platelet count well below normal and almost to a critical level.  The doctor said this was most likely causing all of the symptoms he'd been having lately.  So, the blood transfusion began.

Toren had dengue fever (which is similar to malaria) while on his mission.  One of the main side effects of dengue fever is a drop in blood platelet count, which happened to Toren but he never received a transfusion (and he probably needed one).  The doctor suspects that he's just had a low platelet count ever since and it's just manifesting itself more now.

So, they got his levels back to normal and suggested that get his platelet levels checked this week, just to make sure everything is still normal.   

Needless to say, it was an exciting Friday afternoon for us.  On the bright side, though, we got to leave a couple hours early for our weekend trip to Seattle....

Sometimes You Want to Strangle Your Dog

That's right...I said it.  

I usually have a lot of patience for Baxter's mischief, but yesterday he crossed the line.

Let me preface this:  I got braces in 4th grade and endured 4 years of intense dental work (including head gear, rubber bands, lip bumper, expander...) before I got them off in 8th grade.  Luckily, all the work paid off and I love my straight teeth.  

To keep them straight, I've been a diligent retainer wearer.  In fact, I can't sleep at night if I don't have them in.  So I've had over 10 years of faithful retainer wearing nights...until now.

Why?  You guessed it -- the little devil ate my retainer.

The real kicker is that he was so proud of it.  I came home from work and he came running up to me with my mangled retainer in his mouth as if to say, "LOOK!! Look what I did all day!! Aren't you proud!?!?"  

No, I was not proud.  

Dryer Dilemma

The other day while I was drying our comforter the dryer suddenly stopped about 10 minutes into the cycle.  I tried all I could think of to get it going again, without success.  I gave up.  Luckily, it was sunny enough outside that I could air dry the comforter, but I still needed the dryer fixed.  

I left a message with our apartment managers and they were able to get the appliance guy out yesterday.  He diagnosed the problem quickly: A BIRD!!  Apparently a bird had flown down our dryer vent and was blocking air from getting in and out of the dryer!  He removed the "blockage" and the dryer worked perfectly again!  

It's great to have my dryer back -- two days without a dryer feels like an eternity.

Sadly, I don't think the bird survived the ordeal.

A Hint of Summer

We've been having terrible, rainy weather for so long and (finally!) we got a peek at summer.  Saturday and Sunday were cloudless and in the 70's.  It was amazing.  Today and tomorrow should be similar...

I had to work all day Saturday, but we definitely took full advantage of the warm weather on Sunday.  We watched conference with Toren's family and afterward we enjoyed a BBQ on the patio while soaking up the warm sun rays.  It was so nice.  

Baxter also loved the warm weather.  He probably ran around for about 10 hours straight on Sunday!  I also took him to the park Saturday evening.  He ran around for a little while, but then he became more interested in the grass.  He probably ate several handfuls worth.  Good thing he was able to run off those calories the next day!

(The video is pretty blurry...I took it with my cell phone.  You get the idea though)