Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Your Thoughts and Feedback Are Appreciated!

Well, summer is finally here!  It has been a pleasure getting to know all of you this quarter and I wish you well in your future endeavors.  For our last blog post, I would like to get your thoughts and feedback on the class.  "What did you like or dislike about the class?  What could I do to make it better?"  Answers are due no later than Tuesday, June 14th, 2011.  After that, the blog will be down until class resumes next quarter.

Have a wonderful summer break filled with sunshine, good conversation and hopefully some rest and relaxation. I hope you all continue to follow the blog, and post comments whenever you like.  For those of you who are graduating - congratulations!  All you hard work finally paid off!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

There's No Place Like Home

I would be remiss this quarter, if I did not devote a portion of the blog to the devastating spring weather most of the country has been experiencing. The flooding of the Mississippi River in April and May was the largest and most damaging flood recorded in U.S. history. Many people, including some of your fellow classmates lost their possessions and even their homes as they rushed to stop the water from flooding their communities. As of June 1st, there have been 1,415 tornadoes, resulting in 520 deaths throughout the country. 2011 has been the deadliest year for tornadoes since 1950. The Midwest, South and Great Plaines states have been the hardest hit, with Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, Louisiana, North Carolina and Missouri all reporting deaths, and many more states, including Indiana reporting injuries from these deadly storms. To donate to the relief effort, or see how you can help, please go to:  http://www.redcross.com/


A few weeks ago, we watched the movie The Inconvenient Truth in class and discussed whether or not global warming was actually occurring. Since I was out of town that week, I would love to hear your thoughts. So my question to you this week is “Do you think global warming is a cause of these deadly weather patterns, and if so, are humans contributing to it?” Please make sure to explain your answer whether or not you agree or disagree. Answers are due no later than Tuesday, June 7th, 2011.

By the way, here in Indiana it’s easy to get complacent about crazy weather. The sirens go off so much that many times, we tend to just ignore them. This spring has taught me just how deadly these storms can be – and how quickly they can go from bad to worse. It makes me sad to know that people had to lose so much for me to actually pay attention. So, I’m taking a vow. I’m promising to create a “weather kit” including flashlights, batteries, water, first aide and other items I may need in case of severe weather. Even more, I’m promising to start paying more attention to the sirens and actually take cover when they tell me to. A few hours lost by taking cover may just mean a few more lives saved. I hope you will pledge to join me in this endeavor – it’s the very least we can do. To those of you who have lost possessions, homes and loved ones during this storm season, my heart and prayers go out to you.