As Promised, more photos

It took a while, but finally, home on my big computer I am able to upload my photos of the Winter Olympics. We had a memorable time at the games, in the village and watching Julia Clukey. Check out the incredible mountain views and get a flavor of the Olympics.

Day 1 Luge Women's Runs

My husband, Jonathan, and I got an early start on Whistler/Blackcomb yesterday and had a wonderful day in powder at the top. The views were spectacular and the trails were open and long. We spent a few hours jumping on chairlifts, never a line, and skiing peaks to mid-mountain. It is really freeing to ski above the treeline and in a glacier. Then it is very gratifying to get to the treeline once again and schuss down the remainder of the trail.

We had a great lunch on top of the world and were able to feed the Whiskey Jays who would perch in your hands as you offered them treats.

Then on to the whole reason we are here. To support Julia Clukey in the Women's Luge at the Whistler Sliding Center. We traveled through the village to the Gondola and then the Sliding Center. Throughout the whole village cameras were flashing, TV camera crews followed us focusing on the variety of signs we were carrying.

People are so supportive and welcoming. It is an amazing experience.

We stood at turn 16 and for each slider, we watched the big TV screen until they approached the final turn, then we would stare at the spot the women would pass through. In less than a second they would be beyond us and crossing the finish line, at that point all uphill.

It is amazing. We are off for Day 2, runs 3 and 4. More later.
http://animoto.com/play/6BfYSwOhrVdM31r0zu6wLg#

Have you dreamt of going to the Olympics?

When Julia Clukey was 13 years old and traveling to Europe and racing in the luge, I told her I would go to the Olympics when she was in it. Well, the time is here, 12 years later, and I am at Whistler, home of the Sliding Center, at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. It is exciting to walk through the Olympic Village. Even  though there is a moderate drizzle of rain, it has not dampened the spirits of anyone here in Whistler.
Pictures will be coming soon. There is much excitement, many cameras, good food, lots of people mulling around and happy Olympians.
I am here to support Julia, her family and her team. It will be a very thrilling event. Am I pinching myself that I am here in British Columbia? You bet and I am enjoying each minute.

Message in a bottle - castaway

Message in a bottle - castaway
Originally uploaded by alles-schlumpf
message

Mouth

Mouth
Originally uploaded by Phil Dragash

Always Learning and Sharing

cc licensed flickr photo shared by cheryloakes50

I am always learning and sharing. Recently, in my Images4Education online class that I am a co-moderator for, I learned this little short-cut for attribution of photos from FlickR. The short-cut is from Alan Levine and his website cogdog . I can't wait to share this with  my students and staff. So, be sure that you share your photos at FlickR as creative commons!

k12onlineconference.org is Everywhere!

What are you doing the next couple of weeks? How about joining, for FREE, the k12onlineconference.org . If you haven't participated in the k12onlineconference in the past from 2006, 2007, 2008 and now this year 2009, don't worry, you can pick up with this year and still participate in the sessions from 2006 since everything has been archived and believe it or not, it is all still very timely!
If you are thinking that the timing is wrong, you are remembering correctly, the k12online conference used to be in October. But the conveners thought to shake things up and in a global manner has provided the k12online confernce at a time when some of our closest educators are finishing term and going on vacation and have plenty of time to joining in the conference.

Last week I was lucky enough and caught up with a fireside chat with Keynote Kim Cofino. It was amazing to listen to Kim's keynote and then to have her available to ask questions or get more clarity about her presentation. Now where else can you get that kind of connection from a face to face workshop? The best thing about it, was there were over 120 of us in a chat room asking questions of Kim and each other. That fireside chat and text is available at http://tinyurl.com/yfcwt9w
Take time and head over to k12onlineconference.org and check out the schedule.
Add k12online to your twitter, your facebook and join the k12online ning.

Hope to see you at the next fireside chat! Oh, did I say this is all FREE? Well it is.

Resources:

You can follow @Twitter k12online

You can follow on Facebook k12onlineconference

You can follow @ the Ning k12online.ning.com

Cross-posted at cheryloakes.com