Getting Lucky in Kentucky

So, I recently got back from a trip to Louisville, Kentucky. Yes, it exists. I was there for the annual ITEA conference. The group of students from my major with whom I attended simultaneously competed against other universities in different areas related to the technology/engineering education field. I tend to be long winded so in an effort to spare you, the reader, I have decided to create the following list.

Kentucky Trip Top Ten:
1. Something that was awesome: Louisville.

from the second I stepped off the plane (literally), every person I talked to who was from Louisville was the nicest person I had ever met. I loved talking to them and they loved talking to me. It was like a really really good date. (how often do those happen?!) The town itself is really charming. The downtown area was surprisingly clean and felt pretty safe. In fact, I would venture to say that I felt safer on 4th Street Live (the downtown hotspot...think Park City on crack) than I do in certain parts of SLC (hello West Valley). I would totally live there. Granted, I would totally live anywhere, but I would say that Louisville comes third to Oregon and Utah. The town had so much character! Red brick, old Victorian houses painted cool colors close together...ahh.

2. Something that was not so awesome: the trip there

basically, I was running late. And I was responsible for getting more than just myself to the airport on time. If I hadn't been running behind I'm still not sure if we would have made the flight because I failed to factor in parking and shuttle riding time. Anyway, getting there it was just myself and one of my professor's research assistants who I didn't meet until that morning. It was one of those mornings where everything was going wrong. Absolutely everything! But, alas, we made it despite the fact that we missed our original flight and had to fly standby the whole way. Turns out that Ryan is really cool and we became pretty good friends by the end of the trip.

3. Something that was awesome: Continental Breakfast

It has been such a long time since I've stayed in a hotel! I forgot how fantastic it is to have a myriad of choices laid out for you in the clean, fresh lobby each morning. The Hampton Inn really knows how to treat the most important meal of the day. I think if some of the off-campus housing facilities in Provo want to get a leg-up on the competition they should consider serving a continental breakfast. Or, they could just start with being less dingy and expensive.

4. Something that was not so awesome: humid to the max

I loved Kentucky but my hair didn't. I feel bad for everyone who had to look at it in all of its frizzy, kind of wavy (where did that come from?) kind of nasty and ratty glory. It (my hair) was glad to get back to dry, predictable Utah.

5. Something that was awesome: A.L.F.???

Alfie Kohn to be exact. He was one of the keynote speakers at the conference. Some of the kids that were on the trip with me from BYU didn't like him, but I thought he was fantastic. Don't get me wrong, this guy is radical and has extreme views, but, according to the (limited) research I have done so far, I completely agree with everything he says. He really energized a lot of the crowd. He made people want to act. He's like a white, Jewish Barack Obama! But I believe in the things that he stands for. And I think that while I am still young and in college I will get more involved in trying to research about and bring about educational reform. Teachers who act risk losing their jobs. I can still get away with being outspoken because I'm young. Sad but true.

6. Something that was not so awesome: being shafted.

I was on a team that made a video for the communications section of the College-level competitions. We absolutely, 100%, without a doubt should have won 1st place. We didn't place at all. Afterward I went and had some discussions with a few of the powers-that-be. Yes, I was assertive, borderline mean, but I left being friends with all of them and an offer to be more involved in next year's competition. I need to decide if that's what I want. I don't have the time to do everything I would like to do. At least not right now. That's also what I've been thinking about this whole photography thing. It's like, I enjoy doing it, but I think it is for a different season of my life. Is my priority right now TECA? no, not that one either. I did not decide to become a teacher to help the kids that are already going to college. Let alone the ones my age who are already in college. Most of the people there were clearly more into the content area than the teaching (which is troublesome on its own). I decided I'm not going to waste my time making competitions for my peers fairer. I'm going to spend my time preparing to change lives.

7. Something that was awesome: Food

Oh man, they fed us and fed us. We ate so much! I feel really blessed to be in such a cool program with leaders that try their best to find funding so we can have good experiences while we're here. Also, there was a Panera across the street from the convention center, which I have never been known to complain about (except for that first time in D.C. with Chad and Erin). We went to a Thai restaurant one night and I ordered Pineapple Curry. It was spicy, but really good! I want to experiment with infusing that idea with my Dad's recipe. I love myself some curry.

8. Something that was not so awesome: 'awk awk' (as Chad and Erin would say)

I didn't really know any of the people that were on the trip. That's not the not-awesome part. They were very nice and everything was fine. I had a goal when I left for the trip that I would not transition into the social-butterfly version of chaela for any part of it. AND (get this) I achieved my goal! for the most part. Sometimes when I was alone in a room full of strangers I would start up, but I would catch myself and sit back down. The thing is, I'm still learning how to be normal around people without being gregarious or funny or nonchalant. Really, I just want to be myself. One day I'll get there. But on this trip I tried my best to keep to myself and play the loner a little bit. It was interesting. Sometimes when in a group setting I would try to talk normally with the group without overpowering the conversation. Every time that happened it was painfully awkward and I would laugh about it to myself later. I'm sure one day I'll find a balance. I'm just so happy that I love myself enough and know myself enough to make it through that trip with no one that I really knew. Maybe that seems simple to some people. For me, it was a huge step. so huge it was a little uncomfortable. But, whatev! The church is true. What else can you do about it.

9. Something that was awesome: TSA (not the security people)(although they are nice too)

TSA is the high school equivalent to TECA. The student representatives from this organization gave a presentation on what they do. These kids are amazing. Not only do they make TECA look like a pre-school hosted in a less-than-mint-condition airstream camper, they raised over $275,000 last year for the American Cancer Society. This is just on the side of all of the other things that these High School kids do. They reminded me of me in high school...the uber-involved type-A personality kids who don't go to class because they're so busy but still get A's. I was so impressed with their presentation. This is something I will absolutely get my students involved in. After the presentation I was talking to the High School kids (what can I say, I want to teach) and I was telling them about my plans as a teacher and some of the programs I've been thinking about and writing about. They got so excited with me! Talk about Synnergy! Impressive to say the least.

10. Something I can think of: Terrible Tw(enty one)s

I learned something about me. Actually, I've known this for a while but I think I needed time to admit it. I am like a toddler. I'm generally in a good mood unless I'm hungry or tired. So, I'll need to tell my next boyfriend that if I'm grumpy, feed me. If it doesn't go away, make me take a nap. If it still doesn't go away it's probably his fault. Just Kidding! But seriously. I think this probably works on most females....maybe I should write a book.

So, other than those things, the 'adult boutique' we had to walk by every time we walked from the hotel to the convention center, losing the car in long-term parking, realizing that my mono might never go away, engineering boys asking for my e-mail address (instead of phone number...which I think is funny), watching a lot of basketball, reading for pleasure (!), 3D printers, Frank from the airport, Cindy the chemist from the airplane, and holding two really cute babies, the trip was pretty uneventful.

My hair is happy to be back.

goodnight!