What an amazing start to my week in Austin! Although it was pretty early (left my house around 3:45 and took off at 6:25), my flight was uneventful and smooth. Below are pictures of my gargantuan hotel room (technically suite):
I'd say this suite is as big as my apartment in Glendale! I couldn't believe all this space was just for me (plus KITCHEN?!)...it's pretty crazy. After touching down from the plane, I spent a few hours exploring the city and shopping.
As today was the first day, I began feeling very alone; given that I don't have much alone time to relax and enjoy Austin on my own, I used my Sunday for myself rather than meeting people. I figured that's what the entire week will be for...that, and I ate at the restaurant they decided on for lunch (lol). Even so, I'm pleasantly surprised (and to an extent, overwhelmed) at how experienced everyone else appears to be and how many awesome ideas I've already walked away with after ONE out of FIVE days! Already, I have 2 pages of lesson ideas in my notepad (and Paper53 sketchbook) and links to dozens of websites and programs to use. It's only 9 pm in California and 11 pm here; while I should be sleeping, I'm still riding on the incredible high I feel after today.
Here's the article I wrote as my first assignment for the week: Cerebral Conquest. I can't help but feel very nervous and anxious about the feedback I'll receive, but I also admittedly am very proud of my work, given that it's been so long since I've written anything like this and how much time I spent on it (I think about 2 hours).
I'm not a picture person at all, in either taking pictures or being in pictures. BUT I probably won't return to Austin (at least for a long time), so I know I have to soak in as many memories as I can. Austin really is a beautiful place. To me, it's very reminiscent of LA, only less traffic, less crowded, and much quieter! Gas and house prices are super cheap, too (currently $2.50 a gallon and average $140,000 respectively). However, I'm very disappointed with the food I've had so far. So far, I've had an Orange Chipotle Mayo Brisket burrito and waffle fries for lunch/dinner yesterday and Pad See Ew today. At most, both dishes were mediocre. Sometime during this week though, I'll check out this Indian place called Clay Pit; hopefully, that'll redeem Austin for me. Perhaps what I hate the most is this 2-hour jump in time. The fact that it's 9:16 in California now and 11:16 here--practically bedtime?!--is appalling to me. No time to sleep in at all this week ><
On that note, I'll take a shower, get some sleep, and probably dream of multimedia storytelling tools that I'll use in my classes. Here's to more authentic learning OF FUN.
As today was the first day, I began feeling very alone; given that I don't have much alone time to relax and enjoy Austin on my own, I used my Sunday for myself rather than meeting people. I figured that's what the entire week will be for...that, and I ate at the restaurant they decided on for lunch (lol). Even so, I'm pleasantly surprised (and to an extent, overwhelmed) at how experienced everyone else appears to be and how many awesome ideas I've already walked away with after ONE out of FIVE days! Already, I have 2 pages of lesson ideas in my notepad (and Paper53 sketchbook) and links to dozens of websites and programs to use. It's only 9 pm in California and 11 pm here; while I should be sleeping, I'm still riding on the incredible high I feel after today.
Here's the article I wrote as my first assignment for the week: Cerebral Conquest. I can't help but feel very nervous and anxious about the feedback I'll receive, but I also admittedly am very proud of my work, given that it's been so long since I've written anything like this and how much time I spent on it (I think about 2 hours).
I'm not a picture person at all, in either taking pictures or being in pictures. BUT I probably won't return to Austin (at least for a long time), so I know I have to soak in as many memories as I can. Austin really is a beautiful place. To me, it's very reminiscent of LA, only less traffic, less crowded, and much quieter! Gas and house prices are super cheap, too (currently $2.50 a gallon and average $140,000 respectively). However, I'm very disappointed with the food I've had so far. So far, I've had an Orange Chipotle Mayo Brisket burrito and waffle fries for lunch/dinner yesterday and Pad See Ew today. At most, both dishes were mediocre. Sometime during this week though, I'll check out this Indian place called Clay Pit; hopefully, that'll redeem Austin for me. Perhaps what I hate the most is this 2-hour jump in time. The fact that it's 9:16 in California now and 11:16 here--practically bedtime?!--is appalling to me. No time to sleep in at all this week ><
On that note, I'll take a shower, get some sleep, and probably dream of multimedia storytelling tools that I'll use in my classes. Here's to more authentic learning OF FUN.