Lights.

What does the modern, independent woman use to hang her Christmas lights? Leftover twist ties from the bulk section, of course.

Holiday Decor.

So we went sledding today in Physics (... errr... I mean... did a friction minimization investigation) and with the time left in class, I had my students set up the Christmas tree.

Note the wonderful tree topper. And science-themed ornaments.

Sheep.

I love reading, yet I don't read as often as I would like. Sometimes I think I should do something about it, but then it usually becomes pretty clear why I don't read too often. I don't like delays in books; I have a very hard time spreading out the reading, putting a book down and picking it up again in a few days... I like to read NOW, which usually involves sacrificing other things that need to get done.

I figured this break from school would be a good time to do some reading- what does it matter if I stay up late reading? I don't have to teach tomorrow. I started reading Leonie Swann's Three Bags Full on the recommendation of my teacher librarian. It's a delightful mystery about a flock of sheep who turn detective when their shepherd is murdered.

It really does keep you guessing until the end, because the sheep are unreliable narrators. Not purposefully, but there are a lot of things about humans they don't get, and if they don't know what something is, how can I? There is an entire chapter where the flock finds "a Thing" and it takes several pages before they describe it well enough to figure out what it is. These moments keep the book light and funny, and I thoroughly enjoyed such a different mystery.

Bill Nye.

Holy cats. Today I got to watch Bill Nye deliver our keynote address at the conference. After, of course, I awkwardly pretended not to watch him from across the restaurant at lunch while he sat in a private dining room. (Yes, when he left we tried to talk to him, but were shunned by the underling handlers.)

Sadly, there were no pictures or autographs to be had, but he was an awesome speaker. Funny, smart, and delivered a very inspiring message. I didn't get to have a true fan-girl moment, but was pleased to bits when he slyly interjected a "Please, consider the following" into the middle of a part on the atmosphere of Venus.

I have some short video clips, which I can add later when I figure out how to get them from phone to blog.

Day 2.

Has been an awesome day so far at the Science Conference. No Bill Nye sightings yet, but I got to attend talks by George Kourounis (the storm chaser/adventurer host of Angry Planet) and Major Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency. PLUS I got to meet both of them.

Not a bad start. Also, the weather is fab.

With Maj. Jeremy Hansen

With George Kourounis.

ATASC 2012.

I am in Banff right now for this years Science Council conference! Super stoked- our keynote on Saturday is Bill Nye the Science Guy!!!!! Might be the closest I will come to fan-girling in my life. (Unless I someday get to meet David Tennant.)

So far the weather is beautiful for the mountains in November. Great to catch up with old colleagues. Already got to speak to my old Chem professor and reminisce about the time we did the methanol jug demo for some Jr High kids and broke a ceiling tile. Good times.

Sugar Cookies.

My dept head found out that I only have 2 sets of cookie cutters (gingerbread men and leaves) and apparently that was a big deal. (who knew) To remedy this, she loaned me all the holiday themed cookie cutters she had from when her boys were small. This was a big hint that I should make cookies and bring them in for the dept (and when I say big hint I mean she came right out and told me).

I found a nice looking sugar cookie recipe on Pinterest (so yummy!) and the end result is LOTS of cookies. Mostly hearts and stars (traditional and David), with the occasional flower and Russian mobster for good measure.

Seriously. I think this is the Russian mobster and Ukrainian grandmother of cookie cutters.

SO many cookies!

New Phone.

New phone! Not an iPhone 5, but I didn't like the idea of having accessories that I couldn't plug into. Hopefully this enables blogging, as I now have a decent camera in the phone!

In other news... Fall Break!! Thank goodness. I feel like I could sleep for the whole week.