Life is Good!: NASSP Day #1 02/27

Recent purchases from Life is Good Store!

Sometimes we forget how GOOD we really have it.  Jake and Rocket from the "Life is good" company seem to have it all figured out, and have made a multimillion dollar enterprise out of those simple words.  After having a great breakfast in Old Town Alexandria with a couple of Iowa Administrators that I knew from back home  I had the opportunity to do a little shopping and stumbled upon a Life is Good Store.  I love going into these stores and reading the simple, but powerful messages portrayed on their products.  We often forget how good we really have it, and these messages are an opportunity to remind us how good we really have it.  As I sit in our nation's capitol, I can't help but be reminded of how good life really is.

During the day, we had some free-time to explore DC and all of it's historical grander.  I have been blessed with the ability to visit this area twice before, but haven't been here since 2005.  Most people know that I am always wanting and willing to try new experiences and learn new things.  I went to one monument and two museums that weren't opened the last time I was here.  I hadn't seen the MLK Memorial on the National Mall, and what a beautiful and majestic monument it is.  The Newseum dedicated to the history of news, was the museum I visited before lunch.  Seeing the wall with news channels broadcasting live in 199 different countries at the same time was an amazing sight to see.  After lunch at the famous, Ben's Chili Bowl  I also went to the National Museum of Crime & Punishment devoted to the history of major crimes and the various punishment methods used throughout our nation's history.   For dinner I met back up with a group of Nebraska Administrators for dinner at McCormick & Schmick's Seafood House.  The crab-cakes were excellent!  Both of these administrators were visiting DC for the first time, so it was fun to hear about their journey and experiencing all of the monuments for the first time. Overall a great day of learning new things and creating new experiences.  Looking forward to Breaking Ranks School Presentations on Thursday. 

I am always amazed at what a snow day, holiday break, or a summer vacation can do for the culture and climate in a work place.  The renewed energy and attitude that is personified through each individual stakeholder in a school after a break creates a powerful and positive learning environment.  How do we get more days like that?  How do we  restructure time and provide everyone an opportunity to have an experience like I am having, a time of new learning, reflection, and revitalization of the body, mind, and spirit.

Back to Blogging: Arrival @ NASSP Conference

Wow, I can't believe that we are so close to completing the 3rd Quarter of the 2012-2013 school year.  I haven't been on  blogger in a long time, the beginning of the school year to be exact.  I am not proud of it and not going to give excuses for not blogging regularly this school year like I planned.  I am just going to change, refocus, and be optimistic about doing it more regularly from here on out.

This is the perfect week to restart.   The LCC Schools are strong supporters of growth and continual improvement of all stakeholders in their districts, and have given me the privilege of attending the NASSP (National Association of Secondary Principals) Conference in Washington DC at the National Harbor http://nationalharbor.com/. I have been to Washington DC twice before, but this will be the first time I have attended a National Principals Convention.  I am so excited about the opportunity to gather ideas and network with administrators from across the country.


I plan to write at the beginning of each day about my experiences at the conference from the previous day.  New things I have learned, ideas I may consider trying, and fun things I had the opportunity to experience.

On Tuesday, I flew out of Omaha, the flight was delayed due to weather, but had a great time socializing with the group of Nebraska administrators heading to DC at The Hanger while waiting for our flight.  Everyone on the plane agreed it was the roughest plan ride any of us had ever been on as we arrived late into Washington International Airport.  I felt like I had ridden a bull for 2 hours and 8 minutes, instead of the typical 8 seconds.

The Nebraska group is  staying in the Aloft hotel which is two blocks away form the conference center.  It is a very modern, 21st century hotel with technology and modern amenities abound.  We all went to Cadillac Ranch last night to eat after settling into our rooms, the grilled buffalo chicken flat bread was amazing.  At the center of the eatery was a mechanical bull, which seemed to be appropriate after that wild flight.  Nobody felt like getting on the bull last night, but hopefully George Loofe from Neligh will give me some pointers and I will try it before the end of the week.

Wednesday, the day is free for us to explore the history of Washington DC.  I am excited to have breakfast with some friends from Iowa in Old Town Alexandria in the morning, and then off to see some new monuments and museums that have been put up since my last trip to Washington.  

Please follow me throughout my journey this week!  I will be writing daily!