The New Job

Lets start from the beginning… no, that would take to long. Here is the Reader's Digest version:

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I worked my bum off this year as an un-paid intern at an awesome school in the Campbell Union School District and had several people who had my back and the principal's ear who helped get him in the classroom to see me at work and then helped him realize that he wanted me around next school year:) He pulled to get me interviewed and hired by the district. The last week of school before summer vacation, I got a call for an interview with the Assistant Superintendent and head of HR. The Tuesday after school had ended, I had my interview and it went very well:) I was going to be leaving for Portugal the Friday after the interview and hoped (and asked) if I would hear anything before then. She was hopeful (and so was I). Thursday afternoon I was in my parents car on the way to my younger brother's high school graduation when my phone rang…. It was an unknown number but I had a feeling that it was the Campbell District Offices. I had everyone in the car quiet down before answering the call. It was the Assistant Superintendent extending me a job offer!!! Trying to keep my voice at a level tone and my head on straight when I am waving my arms around and silently screaming is very difficult but (I think) I managed. I left for Portugal on Friday morning (post to come) and returned this past Monday night. Tuesday morning I went to the offices to sign my contract and by 10:45 AM yesterday I was a contracted employee with a classroom teaching position for the 2011-2012 school year!

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Since I was just too excited about it and couldn't go straight home, I went by the school to let in all soak in and who would you guess was there? None other than the principal and new vice-principal. The principal offered to show me my new classroom (which of course I accepted) and before I knew it, I was standing in the (completely) empty room that would be mine for the next year. He is pulling to get me on the 4th grade team but as a new hire, I am at the mercy of the district until things settle down over the summer. For now, I get to revel in the fact that I have a job, earlier than most new teachers, and begin making lists and plans for my classroom next year!

Mt. Whitney

So… over Memorial Day Weekend, we set off to the Eastern Sierras in search of an adventure. That adventure had a name and its name was, Mount Whitney! After applying for a hiking permit for the past 5 years, Matt was finally able to secure one this year! Even though it was still early in the season and there was plenty of snow on the mountain, we decided to try it anyways. The pictures never do this mountain or the surrounding areas justice but they sure are beautiful! (You should go and check it out too! Lone Pine, CA is the coolest little town and can boast to being the backdrop for many only, and new, western films).

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Matt and I at the rock arch in the Alabama Hills. This area is full of unique rock formations and is a free camping area! Come and park your RV, car and/or tent anywhere you would like and soak in the beauty around you!

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At the trail head! Here it was a balmy 75 degrees, but this soon changed as we continued our climb.

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We crossed many rivers and streams. This one had a nice log-bridge which made this crossing drier. And beautiful!

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Our camp for the night! After climbing for about 5 miles, we stopped at Outpost Camp for the night. This was a strategic choice since the winds at Trail Camp were expected to reach 70MPH that night and we did not want to be out of a tent at 11 PM when the winds were supposed to be highest. So we stayed put and I sat on a rock to soak up some sun.

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After a good (not great but good) night's sleep thanks to Matt's fast thinking and a well build rock all to shield us from the wind, we woke up to ½ inch of snow, ate and started up the mountain.

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We did not leave early since we did not think that making the summit was possible with all of the wind, but after just a few good hours of hiking, we had made it to the bottom of this snow shoot which is the last big climb before the summit!

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Matt looking very rugged and tough on this beautiful mountain!

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Although we were so close to the summit, my bad circulation kept me from gripping my ice ax to my liking and thus we enjoyed the view form the bottom of the shoot and then made our way back down.

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This photo accurately shows the slopes that we were climbing throughout the morning.

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On the way back down, the snow had softened up enough to be able to slide back down some sections! Here is me glissading down one such slope. (Note the impeccable technique with the ice ax angled just so, allowing me to easily control my speed and direction while sliding on my backside:)

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After breaking camp, we continued back down the mountain and passed some amazing ice falls while trail finding through the snow.

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It looked like the snow did not want us to leave because as were were getting close to the trailhead we continued to see snow flurries. By the time we got completely off the mountain, the summit and surrounding peaks were completely covered by clouds. I guess my cold hands knew something about the weather and wanted us to head down sooner than we would have wanted, and it turned out for the better.

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In all it was a great experience! I was able to learn some more technique and use new equipment (crampons, ice ax, etc.) and Matt was able to explore a new mountain. We both want to try and summit Mount Whitney another time, with the snow conditions, and hopefully my hands will cooperate this time! :)