What Are the Odds?

Grice and I attended the inaugural class luncheon and tour for her new collegiate high school yesterday. I was amazed at the turnout. The group seemed to be pretty balanced between boys and girls, and minority students were fairly represented along the lines of our county's demographics. I thought it was interesting that a random draw would produce such an equitable result. My friend was more skeptical about the supposed randomness of the draw. I don't believe there was enough room for tampering, but then again, I don't know enough about statistics. If there were 100 students chosen out of only 139 applicants, is it likely for such a fair sample of students to be selected?

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

The English IV online course Sarabelle signed on for is pretty lame. The entire first module was an investigation in choosing college, a vocation, or the military. I think by twelfth grade a student might (should? would?) have already taken this step. Or at least thought about it just a teensy little bit? There were numerous websites to visit and minimal writing assignments that were all about feelings toward the various options. Bleah. So to complete Sarabelle's English requirements for high school, I pulled out the Teaching Company's Great Authors of the Western Literary Tradition. We're watching the lectures, discussing them, and she is writing answers to the comprehension questions from the course guidebook.

She'll continue online for now with the Algebra II and should have a good part of it completed before she heads Down Under. Depending on the length of her stay, which depends on the length of time her father can devote to the trip, she may be able to work on it while she's there. Her plan is to sit in on classes at her former high school during the visit. They have been fairly accommodating with guest students in the past. An alternate, should the online teacher get picky about the work-at-your-own-pace-but-we-want-to-see-steady-progress statement, since she doesn't need the fourth math credit to meet Florida standards and has already completed Algebra I which satisfies requirements for Florida's Bright Futures Scholarship (though we probably won't be attending an in-state school, but just in case), and because most colleges look for four maths, will be to view another Teaching Company series I have on hand, Joy of Mathematics.

We're still waiting to see what the American History looks like. It's a new course that's played online. Yeah, like a video game. If it's too ridiculous, we've decided that a read-through of A History of US and a study of the foundational documents will suffice for that credit.

The 4-H Legislature will take care of that measly half credit in American government and the other missing half credit will be completed with yet another Teaching Company course from the shelves, Economics.

But wait! There's more!

Even with all her credits complete and in the right places, we're still not going to call her graduated. She is now considering art school and will need a substantial and varied portfolio for some of her top choice schools, so we're planning to reserve one more year for nothing but drawing, sculpting, and painting classes, all offered by local area artists.

The Biggest Lesson

I had a great post planned out in my head this morning as I showered. Not that I think of you all when I’m showering, that would be weird (though at this point with few recent posts and dwindling readers you all could certainly fit into my bathroom -- just please don’t lean on that collapsing tile wall over there), but I’ve been researching and synthesizing vast amounts of material lately and this little posting session popped into my head during a rare relaxed and undisturbed moment and served to consolidate my thoughts. Of course, once I shut off the faucet, most of those ideas ran right down the drain with the water, but I figured I might at least try and explain my relative silence -- before I chase off the remaining few of you.

I’ve been off on a rabbit trail lately. A fascinating one that caused me to abandon the giant heap of school study-related books I’d been slowly picking away at. One that sent me off to new websites and blogs and a whole new stack of “must-reads.” One that is the apex of studies in logic, history, science, and literature; a giant detective story; a search for truth. The Truth. And one with both disturbing and comforting answers.

The only explanation to the big question that makes sense to me -- from the genesis of my revelation as a skeptical and then lapsed Catholic, to my comparative studies of and eventual distrust and dislike for all religions, to my recent earnest Bible studies -- that answers the doubts, inconsistencies, and lapses in logic without complicated twisted interpretations, is that there is simply no God. What was initially a disturbing idea to me, and I’m not just talking about self-identifying with the likes of Madalyn Murray O’Hair, a woman who simultaneously terrified and baffled me as a Catholic school girl, but losing the comfortable and unexamined ideologies I’d grown up with and stepping beyond the safety net of the fence-straddling agnostic label toward full-blown, strong atheism -- the realization there is no personally involved heavenly father, that a man named Jesus may have existed but his story is merely a continuation of the sun god myth and the legend overpowers any historical substantiation, that we are merely a happy cosmological and evolutionary accident -- has become a source of solace and strength.

This is it, folks. We’ve got one chance to get it right and enjoy the ride. We’d best not sit by and twiddle our opposable, naturally selected thumbs in denial of reality, fantasizing a shot at a better supernatural existence. I must relish every minute and make the best of my too-short time here. The depression I fought for years is now chased away with the knowledge that I don’t have time for it; every minute is precious, even the unpleasant painful ones. I’m not wasting any more of my life on this planet in anticipation of a better world yet to come, and will instead appreciate the wonders that exist and try to leave this world a better place.

For those who cannot believe as I do, I don’t dare say you are stupid, as a fundamentalist Christian friend accused, only possibly intellectually dishonest with yourselves. Perhaps you have not truly examined the evidence from the other side. It is a hard thing to do; a hard thing to let go of. But wanting something to be true just doesn’t make it so. Now that my eyes have been opened, I find it nearly impossible to imagine that anyone engaged in a scholarly study of history and science could come to any other conclusion. Now that this greatest of questions has been answered to my satisfaction, I can get on with my life.

Score!

Sarabelle is in the 4-H Legislature! From the manual:

The Florida 4-H Legislature provides an opportunity for teen 4-H members to have a “learn by doing”
experience in state government each summer. When delegates participate in the Florida 4-H Legislature they have an actual experience in all three branches of Florida’s government: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. Florida 4-H laws are considered and passed or vetoed in a model legislative session at the Florida State Capitol.

During this five-day event, 4-H’ers will serve as Florida 4-H senators, representatives, lobbyists, reporters, Lt. Governor or Governor. Lobbyists will also have the opportunity to serve as a page and/or experience being a Supreme Court Justice, lawyer or juror.

This event is a “mock” legislative experience. Proposed bills do not represent the position of the State 4-H program. 4-H’ers may defend a position just to learn how to debate and not necessarily because they would choose that position in “real life.”

The purpose of the Florida 4-H Legislature is to provide experience that prepares 4-H members for leadership in the American democratic process. Each participant learns, practices and defends the theory and process of representing citizens and making public policy.

THE FLORIDA 4-H LEGISLATURE IS DESIGNED TO HELP TEENS:
1. Learn about state government.
2. Understand formal and informal government structure.
3. Become aware of societal issues and potential solutions.
4. Apply moral and ethical valuing processes to public policy making.
5. Develop confidence in — and dedication to — the democratic process.
6. Gain communication skills.
7. Listen to varying viewpoints.
8. Respect the opinions and rights of others.
9. Learn about career opportunities in government.
10. Be prepared to return to a local community and be an active citizen.

During the week, we are fortunate to be able to use several Capitol, government and historic buildings and facilities. The Old Capitol, New Capitol, House and Senate office buildings, Supreme Court and other historic and public buildings will be used.

Meanwhile, Grice and Elle got a spot in kayak camp. The first session was full and the third session conflicts with potential travel plans, so they got the second session. It happens to be the same week Sarabelle will be away for the legislature. How perfect is that?

And So On

Sarabelle has finally begun her first class, English IV, through the Florida Virtual School. We're still waiting for placement in the Algebra II and United States History. She's planning to visit Australia over the summer and the online courses will accommodate that schedule. This would leave her with only one half credit each in American government and economics to fulfill her Florida graduation requirements. She's got more than the twenty-four credits necessary, quite a few more in fact, just not in the right places. We're hoping to get her a late entry into the 4-H Legislature as one of the kids involved has had to drop out. If she gets in, I'm counting that as her American government requirement. It may not be equivalent hour per hour, but the quality blows the quantity away. The economics she can either take online or at home using the Teaching Company course I have. Let's see, SATs are out of the way... Nearly done! She is interested in art school and I am hoping she heeds the advice of Uncle Mike, a tremendously talented and successful commercial artist who wishes he had completed his associates degree along with his art and technical training.

Grice is getting a big fat vacation, at least until August 10, when she begins her new collegiate high school program.

And Elle, she's plugging away. We're trying to decide what to do to get her out of the house -- to get me out of the house -- Kayak camp? YMCA gymnastics? Ballet? Riding Lessons?

Back. Sort of.

The wedding and associated trip was a success*, although I think next time I ask the universe for something I'll be more specific. The girls had been fighting their second round of respiratory illness prior to our departure and I had been repeating to myself "Don't get sick for the wedding, don't get sick for the wedding," when I should have left the qualifying prepositional phrase off entirely. The day after the wedding, Easter Sunday, I finally succumbed. Good thing the Mexican Swine Flu (sorry, H1N1 lacks color and drama; it'll always be "swine flu" to me) scare hadn't begun yet because I would have definitely been yanked off the plane and locked up in quarantine somewhere. As it is now, it wouldn't surprise me if I actually had it, but I'm not going for any blood tests. I prefer good ol' self-imposed social distancing.

*In spite of the freezing temps, six cancelled flights, lost luggage, and unexpected overnight in Atlanta on the return leg at a hotel that could have been a text book study for a CSI.

The girls had one of those Best Day of My Life ^(TM) experiences when we went into New York City for the day to see Phantom. Not only was I able to get a couple of last-minute extra tickets for my nieces so they could join us instead of having to be sent back in a cab to their dad's office, and use some credit card points so it was essentially free, it actually snowed while we were in Times Square, something my girls had been fervently hoping for, but something nobody ever thought would occur. It was magical, though my initial reaction to the spectacle was that someone was spitting or throwing confetti out a window (our own tickertape parade!) The locals were not amused by the weather nor the simple southern children twirling around like Mary Richards in Minneapolis, throwing hats in the air and taking pictures of themselves on their cellphones. And the show? The best thing they had ever seen. Ever. Lunch was not my much anticipated trip to Zabar's, maybe next time, but heaps of appetizers at the Hard Rock Cafe. Way more fun with five very excited girls.

For now I'm just kicking back, drinking lots of juice and hot tea, getting a little schoolwork done, and hoping I don't become a CDC statistic.