Mill Valley - San Fansisco - Aparna Mam

I am often ending up reporting incidents from two or three days earlier. I will try to present events in the order they occurred. Today, I am writing about my trip to San Francisco, specifically what I did on Sunday and Monday. During the day, I explored various places around the city. The scenic beauty is remarkable, featuring tall redwood trees, hills covered in lush green grass, the calm blue Pacific Ocean, and impressive bridges and tunnels. Visiting the Golden Gate Bridge, possibly the most beautiful, certainly the most photographed, bridge in the world is one of the best memorable experiences I ever had. I have no words to explain the panorama of the Golden Gate Bridge at night, with San Francisco in the background.

By the evening, we welcomed the family members of Aparna Ma'am (a co-Fulbrighter) who had arrived from India. We then continued our exploration of the city, visiting the Financial District, Fisherman’s Wharf, world-famous Chinatown, and Union Square. I highly recommend driving through the iconic "Crooked Street" at least once in your lifetime.

The golden gate bridge

Pelican Harbour

Cathy- who guided the tour. A good friend of Mrs Aparna.

I learnt a life time lessons from you mam.

You stand inspiration to me and many.

Thank you very much for your time.

With Aparna Mam and her Family

The video of SFO airport entrance.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Who wouldn’t be thrilled to see penguins, sharks, sea otters, giant octopuses, eels, seahorses, thousands of fish, and other aquatic life all in one place and just within arm's reach? I felt like a kid again, excited to see and even touch some of these amazing creatures when I had time and an oppurtunity to Visit Montery Bay Aquarium during my visit to Asilomar Boulevard for attending Claifornia Math Council.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium features one of the tallest exhibits in the world: the kelp forest. The aquarium has a clear mission: to inspire the conservation of our oceans. It promotes the concept of sustainable fishing and educates fishermen and consumers alike about the importance of fish conservation.

Kelp forest. See the diver feeding the fish.

From the Coast of Pacific

For the past few days, my blog has transformed into a travel blog showcasing America. On Saturday, I stepped into the third ocean I've experienced: the Pacific. During the conference, I took some time to explore the surroundings. Asilomar Conference Grounds, known as Monterey Peninsula's "Refuge by the Sea," spans 107 acres of protected beachfront land in the quaint and picturesque town of Pacific Grove. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds as an esteemed part of the California State Park system. I arrived at the venue late at night, around 11:30 PM, and went to sleep shortly after being assigned a room. When I woke up in the morning and stepped outside, I was pleasantly surprised to find the tranquil and blue Pacific Ocean just 50 feet away. In the evening, I visited the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Fire place at the front desk.

View, just by a 10 feet walk from my room.

California Math Council

I apologize for not writing a blog for the past few days; I was busy attending the California Math Council's 51st Annual Conference. Asilomar Conference Grounds hosted this event, where hundreds of math teachers gathered to share ideas and learn about the latest developments in mathematics education. There were numerous conference rooms and more than 200 sessions to choose from, tailored to various interests. On Friday, I attended sessions on "Using the TNSPIRE Calculator" and "Using Contextual Situations to Teach Linear Functions." During the session titled "Renew Yourself: Teaching Math in a Foreign Country," I had the opportunity to meet presenters Brian Lim and Stuart, who shared their teaching experiences in countries like Zimbabwe. I represented the Fulbright program and shared my experiences of teaching in the USA. On Saturday and Sunday, I chose to attend sessions such as "Trigonometry Comes Alive with Sketchpad" and "Differentiating Math Instruction in a Self-Contained Classroom." I also met Vishakha Parvate, who presented the Sketchpad session. The keynote speeches were incredibly valuable and provided an opportunity to hear from some esteemed figures in the field of math instruction.

The south of the boarder

South of the Border (often referred to as SOB by locals) is a unique blend of Southern and Mexican culture. At first, you might wonder what all this Mexican-inspired decor is doing in South Carolina, far from its traditional setting. However, it won't take long for you to embrace SOB as a vibrant neon yellow and pink version of Tijuana, with the added benefits of English-speaking staff and safe drinking water. The mascot of the area is Pedro, a cheerful, mustachioed caricature wearing an oversized sombrero (a type of straw or felt hat). Pedro not only features on the billboards, but he also greets visitors as a 97-foot-tall figure at the entrance of SOB, making him "the largest freestanding sign east of the Mississippi." You even have the opportunity to drive between his legs. During the summer, the South Carolina state line becomes the starting point for fireworks displays, and SOB offers an extensive selection. You can stock up on Roman candles and other fireworks at Pedro's Rocket City. Outside, a 30-minute audio loop of MTV hits plays repeatedly without interruption.

Courtesy: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/

Spanish moss, Blue Crab, and Seagull

Spanish mosses:Savannah is a lush city filled with oak trees, which are often adorned with Spanish moss. While browsing the internet, I stumbled upon an interesting story about these mosses. Spanish moss is not a true moss or lichen; it is actually a flowering plant that grows hanging from tree branches in full sun or partial shade. The story goes that in the 1700s, a traveler and his Spanish fiancée arrived to start a plantation near Charleston, South Carolina. She was a stunning bride-to-be with long, flowing raven hair. As the couple strolled through the plantation site, discussing their future plans, they were suddenly attacked by a band of Cherokee who were unwilling to share their ancestral land with strangers. As a final warning, the Cherokee cut off the bride's long, dark hair and threw it into an old live oak tree. Over time, the couple returned day after day, and they noticed that the hair had shriveled, turned gray, and began to spread from tree to tree. Eventually, the moss made its way from South Carolina to Georgia and Florida. To this day, if one stands under a live oak tree, it is said that the moss seems to leap from tree to tree, defended by a legion of beetles.

Blue Crab:

The blue crab is a crustacean found in the waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, which is the Maryland State Crustacean and the subject of an extensive fishery. They can deliver an extremely painful pinch and are noted for being particularly aggressive and difficult to handle safely. Even when out of the water, they will lunge towards movement they consider a threat.

Seagulls:

Seagulls are medium to large sized birds with hundreds of different kinds. They are with usually grey or white, and with harsh, wailing or squawking calls. These are typically long-lived birds, with a maximum age of 49 years. Browse the link for the gallery of Seagulls.

Courtesy: Wikepedia

Paula Dean - Southern Food

Paula Deen, who did not know how to boil an egg by the time she got married at 18, has become a popular Food Network star. She is known for her renowned restaurant, a lifestyle magazine, two cooking shows, and several cookbooks. Southern cuisine and the city of Savannah owe much to Paula, as she has brought fame to the food scene and attracted visitors to the city. Along with her two sons, she opened a famous restaurant called  The Lady and Sons. People often wait in long queues for hours in the morning just to reserve a table for lunch.

The buffet Stuff.

My lunch order: Asparagus Sandwich .
A 'New York Times' favorite!

Topped with jack cheese, purple onion

and thousand island dressing on grilled pumpernickel.

From the Atlantic coast

Tybee Island: The name "Tybee" means "salt" in Native American language, but today it evokes images of sunshine, surf, and adventure. This small barrier island features a wide, 3-mile-long beach lined with sea oat-covered dunes. It's a perfect spot for leisurely walks along the ocean and for enjoying the waves of the Atlantic. History enthusiasts will also find plenty to explore on Tybee Island, including Fort Screven, the Tybee Island Lighthouse (established in 1773), an intriguing museum, and the Fort Pulaski National Monument.

Thanks Giving ( Acknowledging the 'Schneiders')

I embarked on a long drive for a Thanksgiving dinner that included a delightful Oglethorpe Trolley Tour. The experience was majestic, with lush green oak trees adorned with hanging Spanish moss. I spent time visiting souvenir shops and art galleries and enjoyed lunch at the famous "Lady and Sons," Paula Deen's renowned restaurant. I admired the charming gingerbread houses and took a moment to sit on the 'Forrest Gump' bench. I also visited the 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil' building, as well as the Wayne-Gordon House, where Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts, was born. One of the highlights was the Telfair Museum, the oldest public museum in the U.S., where I had the pleasure of visiting the Jepson Center for the Arts. I enjoyed a leisurely walk along historic River Street and capped off the day with dinner at the award-winning Jazz’d Tapas restaurant, which featured lively Latino music. There's so much more to share, but I’ll let my pictures tell the rest of the story. This is Savannah Tour Part 1 for you!

'The Schneiders - A pleasant family.

( Laura, Barbara, Jack and Daryl, I thank you all.)

(stuffed Toforku instead of Turkey and fruit drink instead of wine, the veggie style!)

'International Buzz'

The third week of November is recognized as International Education Week, and during this time, Hillside High School’s IB Program hosted its Annual International Night. This event celebrated the diverse backgrounds of Hillside’s students and faculty, showcasing their culinary and cultural contributions from around the world. Attendees enjoyed a variety of food, music, and poetry. I delivered a presentation to the audience, sharing my experiences and offering an Indian perspective on the U.S. academic system. The audience was eager to hear my views, and the presentation was filled with wit and laughter. Photos from Matt's blog captured the attention of many attendees. I would like to thank Mr. Foxman, Mr. McDuffee, and Mrs. McKoy for their invitation and for providing me with the opportunity to share my insights. I will post pictures from the program soon.

P.S : Wish me 'happy journey' to 'Savannah (Georgia) Trip'. Can I keep my blog updated regularly this time? Depends...

November Dances 2008

Dance was recently added to my list of explorations after I visited the Bryan Center at Duke University. On Sunday, the Reynolds Theater hosted November Dances 2008, a semester-end performance featuring Duke students. The dance concert showcased a mix of Modern Dance, Ballet, and African Dance, providing a perfect opportunity to see different dance forms on the same stage. The performances included "My Body - My House," "Meet Clair," "Ve' Ve'," "A Proper Hysteric," and "Torelli." The first and last pieces were modern dances, while the second and fourth were vibrant ballet performances. "Ve' Ve'," choreographed by Mr. Vin Sett, is an African fusion dance that depicts the ritual art of ground painting. While African dance captivated me with its mood and movement, modern dance challenged me to understand the themes of the performances. I am particularly fascinated by the coordination displayed by the ballet group as they stand perfectly on their toes.

Harry Potter

Last evening, we drove through rural America for two hours and arrived in a small town called Sea Grove to attend the 27th Seagrove Pottery Festival. Let me share a quote from the festival's website: "Come to Seagrove and feel the inspiration within you. There’s something about a piece of Seagrove handmade pottery that truly moves you. Whether it’s a particular shape, function, color, or texture, there’s something unexpected that draws you in like an old friend. Discover more than 90 potteries within a 20-mile area, and meet eighth and ninth-generation potters in a place rich with a 200-year-old tradition." Here is the link for the publication that contains all the information about the festival and the potters.