Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Tests
Bethany and Hayley both have important tests going on today.
For Bethany, she (and the rest of the 10th grade) is taking the CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam) today. This is a test that all students must pass to get a diploma. From what I hear, it is a very low bar to leap. However, it is intended to avoid the embarrassment of my generation where there were jokes about students that could not read the diplomas that they received.
Hayley has a more intense situation. She was home sick with the flu all last week. Last Thursday and Friday were Trimester finals for her. She missed those. We have been helping her prepare for the 4 tests that she has to make up. She took History and Math tests yesterday. She has to complete Math today and take her English final. She may take her Science final today or it may push to tomorrow. In any case, she has to do this on top of keeping up with her regular work. I have re-learned a LOT about History, Science, Math, and English over the past week or so. We were even studying over the weekend while we were out selling Girl Scout cookies at the grocery store.
Good luck to the test takers.
For Bethany, she (and the rest of the 10th grade) is taking the CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam) today. This is a test that all students must pass to get a diploma. From what I hear, it is a very low bar to leap. However, it is intended to avoid the embarrassment of my generation where there were jokes about students that could not read the diplomas that they received.
Hayley has a more intense situation. She was home sick with the flu all last week. Last Thursday and Friday were Trimester finals for her. She missed those. We have been helping her prepare for the 4 tests that she has to make up. She took History and Math tests yesterday. She has to complete Math today and take her English final. She may take her Science final today or it may push to tomorrow. In any case, she has to do this on top of keeping up with her regular work. I have re-learned a LOT about History, Science, Math, and English over the past week or so. We were even studying over the weekend while we were out selling Girl Scout cookies at the grocery store.
Good luck to the test takers.
Labels: Bethany, Hayley, Health, School
Friday, April 06, 2007
E. coli comes to visit
Our local Souplantation is reported as the source of an E. coli outbreak here in the O.C. This happens to be the one that we visit frequently. It turns out that we were there on one of the two dates when the virus was present.
The good news is that only one of us got sick. Bethany came home last week Monday with a mild fever and severe stomach cramps. The cramps and other symptoms stuck with her through the week. We took her to the doctor late in the week and they suggested some dietary help, but nothing else. She felt better as of last Saturday and is fine now.
It was only when the news came out earlier this week that we figured out that she must have gotten the virus. We don't have clinical confirmation, but I have no doubt. The rest of us either ate something different or just fought it off better. In any case, I am very curious now to see what they come up with as the source of the problem.
The good news is that only one of us got sick. Bethany came home last week Monday with a mild fever and severe stomach cramps. The cramps and other symptoms stuck with her through the week. We took her to the doctor late in the week and they suggested some dietary help, but nothing else. She felt better as of last Saturday and is fine now.
It was only when the news came out earlier this week that we figured out that she must have gotten the virus. We don't have clinical confirmation, but I have no doubt. The rest of us either ate something different or just fought it off better. In any case, I am very curious now to see what they come up with as the source of the problem.
Labels: Bethany, Family, Health
Monday, February 05, 2007
CPR / First Aid
It's been a while since my last CPR and First Aid certification. Probably around 3 years -- definitely overdue. This past weekend I attended a course and found that CPR in particular had changed substantially from before. Glad I went. The girls have a Volleyball league coming up and I am one of the First Aid volunteers. On top of that, I need the certifications as a leader for Girl Scout and Boy Scout outings.
The instructor is someone that I met through Boy Scouts. He was one of the Asst. Scoutmasters in the troop. He is a registered nurse and has been certified for CPR and First Aid training for many years. He is both knowledgable and an effective teacher -- a nice combination. Celeste of course knows him too and had arranged this training for local Girl Scout leaders.
We all have things that we do to make it feel like we are making a difference in the world. This is one of mine.
The instructor is someone that I met through Boy Scouts. He was one of the Asst. Scoutmasters in the troop. He is a registered nurse and has been certified for CPR and First Aid training for many years. He is both knowledgable and an effective teacher -- a nice combination. Celeste of course knows him too and had arranged this training for local Girl Scout leaders.
We all have things that we do to make it feel like we are making a difference in the world. This is one of mine.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Disease Wars
As I posted previously, Hayley missed a Girl Scout campout because she was sick. I was next in line. The attack on me started with a sore throat last Wednesday. That moved to a cough and congenstion on Thursday. So far just a cold -- no big deal. I am not big on preventatives, although many people recommend things from home treatments to new products like Airborne. I usually ride it out with plenty of water and a stray Sudafed or cough drop.
As the years go by, this works less and less often. On Saturday I was convinced to go to the doctor (and take Hayley too as a follow up to asthma that was triggered by her illness). I got an antibiotic and decongestent for myself and an inhaler refill for Hayley. I then spent the rest of the day laying around feeling miserable. I rarely get put down by an illness, but this one did it.
The medicine did its job though. By Saturday night I was feeling better and on Sunday I was ready for the family outing that had been long planned (which ran late -- sorry for everyone that I was supposed to meet online Sunday night).
I have a cough that hasn't quite given up yet. That is actually the worst part of this -- I cough at night which wakes up my wife. Out of courtesy, I often end up finding another room to sleep in for part of the night.
Now both Bethany and Celeste are getting sick. Disease: the gift that keeps on giving.
As the years go by, this works less and less often. On Saturday I was convinced to go to the doctor (and take Hayley too as a follow up to asthma that was triggered by her illness). I got an antibiotic and decongestent for myself and an inhaler refill for Hayley. I then spent the rest of the day laying around feeling miserable. I rarely get put down by an illness, but this one did it.
The medicine did its job though. By Saturday night I was feeling better and on Sunday I was ready for the family outing that had been long planned (which ran late -- sorry for everyone that I was supposed to meet online Sunday night).
I have a cough that hasn't quite given up yet. That is actually the worst part of this -- I cough at night which wakes up my wife. Out of courtesy, I often end up finding another room to sleep in for part of the night.
Now both Bethany and Celeste are getting sick. Disease: the gift that keeps on giving.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Family sniffles
I feel like I am surrounded. The entire family has been hit to some level with colds (achiness, sniffles, etc.). The kids have all missed all or part of a day of school. Even mom was achy through part of last week. It has not hit me yet and may not since I often skip getting sick when the rest of the family does, but the anticipation of possibly getting sick is never fun.
Labels: Health
