Tangboy's Blog

Today was yet another fun filled day for me. It was a day that started out well partially because I woke up earlier, got to go for a 1.5 mile run, had a nice shower, breakfast and then devotions.
For class I found myself, yet again, over at the new Outdoor Education Building. We started things off by going out into our two groups and continued to work together on some challenges that were presented by our fearless master who I will call Master M. Master M is a great guy who has done some fantastic things in his life and is a wonderful leader because he knows when to ask the right questions, when to let us get frustrated over a problem and when to step in and guide us in the direction he thinks we as a group need to go.
We did several elements that I really enjoyed. One was a problem where we had to get a certain number of people to run through a jump rope that was being rotated by Master M and an assistant. The tricky part was when the 10 people in our group had to run through in various numbers or increasing amounts of people. For example… our group would have to run through in groups of 4. No problem you think, just run 4 people through, 4 more and then the final 2. BUT there had to be 4 people in the group that runs through, that means that 2 of the people from the first group must go back and run through with the final 2 thus making another full group of 4. The hardest part was the final challenge in which we had to run an increasing amount of people, up to 9, through the rotating jump rope with only 4 deadbeats (a rotation in which no one runs through) total. So 1 person would run through, then 2, then 3 etc. The problem arises when you need a group of 5 but everyone has run through already. That means that some of the original people who ran in groups 1, 2, and two from group 3 must come back and run through. Then you need a group of 6 to run through. That means you need that extra person from group 3, all the people from group 4 and then 1 person from the group of 5. As you can tell by the reading it was a very complex activity at the end. What I learned after completing it up to a total number of 8 people running through at the end was that we could do things that seem complicated. The guys in the group wanted to just run through and figure it out as we go along. Whereas the ladies usually wanted to work this through without trying yet. To get organized and plan was the key. In the end it helped to be set up in the beginning.
Another activity was where you had to get all 9 people, 3 of which are blind and mute as well as 4 of which are mute, across to a smaller plate form and finally over to yet another plate form. The spaces between the 3 “islands” were 8 feet and 1 inch. The board that we were given to cross the expanse was only 8 feet long. Thus we had to figure out how to get people to jump across etc to the middle island and then everyone over to the final island. In this exercise it was difficult because, I could not speak and I have done this element about 100 times (okay so I am exaggerating just a little) and really wanted to be able to talk to tell people what to do. We dropped the bridge plank several times, people fell off the islands or we just kept letting the end of the bridge fall in the “lava”. In the end I found out that I have a tendency to take charge instead of letting some people experiment or take charge themselves. I have challenged myself to take a more passive stance in future challenges so that others can try at being the leader and working out their own issues.
Overall today was a huge success in the fact that the group as a whole realized some areas we are strong in and other areas that we need to work on a bit. We shall see what tomorrow has to offer in further education into my craziness!

Today was an exciting day, not because of the fact that I didn’t get much sleep or that I was away from my wife for the first time in awhile but because I was once again working on my Masters.

Seeing some familiar faces from my past SAU experiences and also from last summers Master works gave me a sense of belonging and familiarity. Seeing the new people sparked some interest because having a large base of people you don’t know is a good thing because that causes even more connections, memories and friendships to be made.

Some of the people from last summer are here and some are not. Those who are not here are gone because they graduated, other things in life have come up or medical reasons have kept them from returning. There is one person that comes to mind when talking about those who cannot or are not here yet. He is a strong and influential person. His passion for teaching and his strive to know more about outdoor education is an inspiration. Because of the severity of his cancer he has not been able to teach or attend the classes thus far and that is sad. Hearing that one of his wishes before he dies is to finish his Outdoor Education Masters is amazing and has made me give some serious thought as to why I am here.

At first I got pretty upset realizing all there is to do before these classes are over this summer. There are a lot of assignments to be written, projects to be presented and yet more portfolio information to be filed. But when it all comes down to it, that stuff is a pathetic excuse to take my focus off of why I am here, and that is to learn more ways to show students more way to realize Gods love for us through nature.

I am anxious about this summer, not just for the faces and people I am meeting or for the fun that will be made but for the inspiration and knowledge I will receive upon experiencing unknown things in my life in a safe and educational environment. Going through my cancer has shown me that life can be filled with a lot of little meaningless -things or that it can be filled with awesome, amazing and time-well-spent activities that hopefully make others lives more rich. God can do amazing things anywhere but I know that He smiles a little bigger when it comes to Outdoor Education.

ARGGGGGG MATEYS!!! Tis I, the infamous Pirate Captain White Chunks (another nickname I care not to explain so don’t ask).

Tis time for another update speaked in PIRATESE ARRRRGGGG!!!

I am recoverin as greatly as one can after being laid out to fry under that intense sun of the great seas. She glared down on my belly so much that I have red welts as if I were flogged just on me belly! Tis causes me belly to rumble still and for me to feel ARRRRRRGGGGGGGG like I have been maning the deck for a fort night with not but a drop of water to parch me thirst! (in orther words diahrea is still here as well as the tiredness… but its getting better)

The swashbukler Dan that I had yee sending up da prayers fer is feeling mighty fine on this here boat. The scans came back negative for da cancer thing and so he shall not have to walk the plank for that one! Dan is a good swabby cept if he really wanted to he could cause a mutiny on this here ship of mine because he has a good 15 cannon balls on me (about 100 lbs) and can bench press 2 kegs full of the adventist beer (root beer).

ARGGGGG I went a sailing on a trip up to me Mas and Pappies last weekend. Tis a long sail against the wind but I made it just after da glaring sun had sunk into the seas. Had some clerifying to do with the preacher so Is went to de great discussions and da Preachin time (SAbbath School and Church) and had a mighty blessing about me mum (sermon about mothers day). ARRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGG WALK THEE PLANK YA SWABBIES We dinned very fancy like on some vittles det me Ma cooked up and shared with the Pastor and youngins and some of my deck hands (friends).

After shaking off some of the after effects of the vittles I called upon an old man on the sea (Jason my fly fishing buddy) and headed to try our luck on an inlet to see what the tide would wash in. Sadly there were no wee little or big sharks to play with, so we had to settle on them thar basses and such. Little things we couldn’t even have used to bait our hooks ARGGGGGGGG.

Headed to me cabin mates place to blaze some new water toward a secret cave we would stash some loot and weather out some storms. Twas a nice little cave and me and me mateys had some good drinks (water) and some good eats (camp food is not identifyable) ARRRRRRGGGGGGGGG Twas a hard night on some rough planks for some but I found me bunk a nice place to set me boots upon.

The great Sun Day I found myself munchin on some vittles that had been greatly bathered in some sauce and tossed over an open fire to celebrate me mums day (BBQ for mothers day) and then got wisked away with the tide and offshore breeze. Me anchor did not hold true and I found meself cruising back toward me own harbor. Twas a good leave of the lootin and plunderin I typically find meself enjoying. So til next time… Captain White Chunk OUT ARRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

Hey peoples!
It’s Amy! Just thought I would let everyone know what I’ve been up to here in Arizona! My mom and step-dad are here on a travel nursing assignment in Flagstaff, AZ. The altitude here is 7,000 which makes it a lot cooler than Pheonix. Temps here range from 40-80, while Pheonix is reaching highs of 100 recently.

Some of the awesome places we’ve been are Sedona (which is this cute little town about an hour south of Flagstaff with shopping and sight seeing), Jerome (which is on a mountain peak with pottery makers and blown glass professionals), and Pheonix (which is rocky, hot, and has cacti everywhere). One factoid on the cactus is if it has at least one arm, it is at least 65 years old. It’s a crime to cut one down. You can dig up the roots and replant it elsewhere, but to kill it is forbidden!

We also went to see the meteor crater located 40 miles east of Flagstaff. Apparently 50,000 years ago a meteorite crashed into the earth. The crater was 4,150 feet in diameter, 550 feet deep and 2.4 miles in circumference. The nickel-iron meterorite was traveling 11 miles per second when it crashed into the earth. We were able to see the crater site which was unbelievably HUGE. The museum actually had a fragment of the meteorite that was found over 2 miles from the impact site weighing in at approx 1,000 pounds. Anyways! That was your lesson learned for the day.

Yesterday John (step-dad) and I went to Slide Rock which is about 30 minutes from Flagstaff. My mom was unable to go due to work. Slide rock is a natural rock formation that when combined with water becomes a water slide! The water comes from snow runoff from the highest mountain peaks which reach altitudes of 12,000+. I slowly made my way into the frigid water, my body became numb after awhile. The water temp was approx 55 degrees. I made it down the water slide and it truly was a lot of fun. I even went down a second time! Yes, this was all caught on video so it’s very embarassing. I told John that if I went that he had to go. So, he didn’t take the torturous route of easing in the water like I did, he just jumped right in and went down the slide. He said he enjoyed it and wouldn’t have done it if I hadn’t made him. We had fun.

Well, headed to bed. It’s almost 1am and I have the Grand Canyon to see tomorrow! I have had a blast here with my family in Arizona, but look forward to going home where my husband is. Home is where he is and I’m homesick without him. Geoff, I’ll see you in less than 48 hours. I miss you!

Amy White

Well I talked to my boy Rockshox last night on the phone and he said that I needed another update… so here ya go Rockshox!

Last Wednesday was my final Radiation Treatment. The doctor says that things have gone well and that I handled the radiation well. A lot of the techs and other patients were amazed when I would answer some of the questions that “Yes… I am still working full time” and would tell them my plans for that afternoon or up coming weekend “Yeah, I need to run home and mow my 1 acre lawn before it rains” or “I’m heading to Biltmore with my wife to run around the tours and gardens” I guess you aren’t supposed to be able to do anything when you recieve radiation.

This weekend I am headed to my folks place up in VA, it’ll be nice to see them especially for Moms day and all. I will also be camping with the Shack Dogz, brother and a couple other people who probably will tag along. It’ll be a great chance to catch up on so many things that have happened in the last couple months.

Went to DollyWood yesterday. Since I was unable to make it on the 8th grade class trip due to Rad. I took the 5th and 6th grade as well as my 7th grade class to DollyWood for something special for them in the last weeks of school. The 5th and 6th grade teacher went on the cruise with his wife (the 9th and 10th grade teacher) so I was in charge of his class on this little expedition. I spent most of the first 3-4 hours we were there talking with a father whos daughter is in my 7th grade class. He was having to leave early to go in for a CT scan for a lump that is on his neck and is causing him some discomfort.

He is an amazingly strong spiritual man and is taking a very similar stand as I did before I found out what things were. He knows that life happens, that hes in the care of the ultimate Physican and that he wants what God wills. He has expressed that to his wife and two kids and is ready to face the challenges that are very possible with something like this. So please, as you have lifted me up in prayer… lift Dan up in your prayers today and tomorrow and the next if possible. I know there is A LOT of power in prayer and that there are a lot of people out there. I will try and keep things posted here as often as possible.

Also Mr. Bill, my good long time friend of the family needs your prayers as well. Last time I talked to him things weren’t looking so hot, hes struggling with a lot of issues right now and really just needs the peace and comfort only the Lord can give. He wants people to know his situation so that he can try to minister to people about his struggle with cancer as I have. The Lord works in odd ways, sometimes not the most fun, but he wants the opportunity to share about his friend Jesus. Continue to pray for him as well.

I need to run to staff worship here at school, so have a wonderful Friday everyone and a wonderful Sabbath that starts tonight, man I love the Sabbath… God knew what we needed eh!?

Well now time is just flying by!

Just two small weeks of school left for me! 8-10th grade leave tomorrow morning (Sunday the 7th) for their cruise to Cancun or someplace like that and won’t be back til Friday night! Woohoo a week of school with no 8th graders or having to teach Geometry to 9and 10th graders! Graduation is the 18th and last day of school is the 19th!

Masters starts 30th and will flow on through til July 2 or 3. I will be staying on campus during the week and coming home on the weekends to spend time with my lovely wife!

Radiation is almost done. I finished chest radiation last Thursday and will finish Abdominal and Pelvic radiation this Wednesday. So no more tiredness (from rad at least) diahrea every hour or so, skin burn (except from the sun when “pastey white boy” gets out with no shirt on), and no more laying on a diving board sized table with my pants down to my thighs!

I am anxious to go to my parents this weekend for Mothers day. The Shack Dogz are planning a mini-camping trip Saturday night to get together and just see how people are doing. Lots of things have happened in the last couple months and I know I haven’t seen many of the Shack Dogz in a long time. Partly due to what life throws my way but also because I have not been the friend I should be and stay in better contact with these guys who mean so much to me. Even though we’re not as close as we used to be, I know that I can call these guys at any time and they will give me the time on the phone or in person if I need to talk to them about something. I know that any of them can call me with a problem and I will take the time needed to help them through whatever it is they are facing. If they needed money… I wouldn’t even ask them what for, I would just help them out. Once a Shack Dog… Always a Shack Dog… that’s just the way it is.

For any of you Shack Dogz out there reading this… I apologize for not having spent as much time and effort I could have put in to stay in closer contact. Yes I can use the “life is like that” or the “life gets in the way excuse” but you guys mean a lot, always have and always will. I know that you will be there for me in any shape or form if I have kids, or need a spare kidney or have a difficult time in my life. Each of you have leant yourselves in someway through this cancer bit. You either dropped me some emails, gave me a call, helped me through my annointing, or took the time to just pray for me. You guys are always in my prayers and I always think about ya… even if I don’t call you that often. Please know that I love ya… and I think I am actually shedding a tear right now thinking about how much of who I am is because of you half naked-motorcycle riding-movie makin-box factory workin-camping fools that Shack Dogz are! I am a better person because of knowing you fellas!
love ya
geoff w

My father politely reminded me that I have not updated this in awhile so I thought I would give another update.

Lets see where to start… Ahhh just saw an interesting picture. For those of you who are not getting emails from my father he sent out an interesting picture the other day. It was a picture of a pain of glass in a door that was shattered (still in place) with a nice bullet whole near the center. My dad and mom (at least I think my mom) found it the other night as well as a bullet in their laundry room. The bullet had come from somewhere down the hill, over the river, from another house and had gone through the window and bounced off the inside metal door leading to the garage. Needless to say if my mother had been doing laundry, dad said she would have stopped the bullet with her head beacuse of the angle of trajectory. So cops came out and did measurements etc to see what all was happening.

School is almost complete for me. My 8th graders join the 9-10th graders on their class trip to Cancun on a cruise which I will not be going on because of possible radiation treatments. So I will be taking the 5-7th graders to Dolly Wood which is a theamepark down here created by none other then Dolly Parton herself. The students are looking forward to it and my principal has taken the opportunity to use this as a chance to threaten the students. If they do not have their backwork in by Friday… NO CLASS TRIP for them! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Graduation is the 18th, last day of school is the 19th.

Lets see… Amy leaves next Tuesday to fly out to Arizone to see her mom who is on a travel nursing assignment. Sharons last assignment was to St. Thomas which is where we were last Thanksgiving. So Amy is excited to go see her mom as well as the G. Canyon and of course Vegas. Mothers day weekend, while she is gone, I will be heading up to VA to see family and friends. It will only be Friday-Sunday but that is better then nothing at all. After that the next big trip for me is to work on my Outdoor Education Masters down at SAU May 30th-July 3ish.

Radiation is coming along. The side effects have kicked in full blown (which is funny if you know what the side effects are). I have had diahrea since week one, heart burn and fatigue since the end of week one. I am on a perscription for the “runs” but it does not stop them completely. The end of last week I have started recieving a “tan” from the radiation as well, so I need to be putting on creme to prevent any more burning. I also had my port out a couple weeks ago and am glad to finally have that out. I will be climbing today for the first time in about 8 months so I am excited.

That’s about it for now I think… oh yeah.. during a routine exam (which I have to do every couple weeks since I am more likely to get other types of cancers) I found a lump/hard place on my right testicle… so yeah… kinda freaked me out (AHHHH TESTICULAR CANCER TOO!!!) so I made an appointment with my Oncologist. He said that it isn’t in the right place for Testicular cancer and that right now it’s just a “on watch priority” or something like that. He thinks it might be inflammed from the whole softball-line-drive-to-the-crotch ordeal. Hopefully it is because I like things the way they are thank you very much!