Random Tid Bits

1. This week is midterm week. I had one student that missed Monday-Wednesday because she was sick. That makes it hard to take exams. She's usually a very punctual student. Her roommate relies on her for a ride, so she skipped Monday as well. Note that they live within walking distance. I was more annoyed with the roommate skipping, than the sick, usually very responsible student missing.
   
2. I wrote a few tests. I think they are creative. I have a crossword puzzle on both of them. Then I'd have as one multiple choice answer, something ridiculous that would never be the answer. I have two groups of people: One group thinks my tests are fun and creative. Some have said, "Please put a crossword puzzle on the test. That makes it much more interesting." The second group thinks ridiculous things added are a waist of time, and gives them too many options. They are the complainers. I've decided that no matter what, I can't win with everyone.
   
3. A few weeks ago I found out I'm going to be an Aunt again. I have one niece, and 6 nephews. In August I'll have another niece. My younger sister is going to have her 5th child! She's actually had one more, but he passed away. She has Evan (almost 15), Elijah (almost 12), Emerson (8), Edison (almost 6), and this one will be Margret after our Grandma we never knew. She died when my Dad was just a few years old.
   
   Because my sister is a carrier of Trisomy 18: She has 1 in 3 chances of having a kid living with it, 1 in 3 chances of a kid carrying it to pass it on like she has, and 1 in 3 chances of having a kid that's not a carrier at all. It's a bit of a touchy subject with a few family members. I understand the opinions. Heck I was done after 2 kids. BUT she's not me, so I will love the kid regardless.
   
   Because of my outlook, I was the 2nd one told. She told me right after her husband. She was scared to tell our older sister, and nervous to tell my parents. It went ok. My Mom is excited to buy more girl things, everyone is glad after this, that they are totally done, Elijah (almost 12) is annoyed that their family of boys is getting a girl, Isaak's glad because Edison (almost 7) doesn't like to be picked up any more; he thinks this new baby will take his spot.
   
   Meet Margret: 
   
   
   
   My Dad, Mom and I were all talking about what we'd call her. Margret, Maggie, Greta are all names that came up.
4. Next week is spring break. It's also Mica's trip to Chicago. Fingers crossed it all goes well!
   
   
5. Mica's Health Care Academy Teacher wants him to go to Huston, Texas this summer for a Health Event. It's $1,500 we'd have to cough up. I am thinking that's a firm - no! I am pretty sure she's not too happy he won't be going. I really didn't say anything when she brought it up. I didn't know signing him up, for Health Care Academy would mean he'd be part of a big, expensive trip. It wouldn't even be fun - all around. It would be health conferences, and activities that revolved around that. Maybe I should have told her, nope. I was kind of in jaw dropping mode.

House of Conundrum

Disclaimer: I did not get any compensation for this post.

Mica is part of a Health Care Academy at school. He kind of wishes he did Zoo Academy because most of his friends are in it. BUT he wasn't going to sign up for either. It took a little push from me to get him to apply.

I think it's been good. He wanted to be a Pediatrician, for a few years. Why not use these free resources to figure out if he likes this field, or not? 

During the summer he did a week long camp at a hospital, where they learned about different medical professions everyday. In school he has a lot of medical things he does. He just got done getting CPR trained, phobias, and trauma situations. Next semester he'll be working with patients that have MS and Dementia.

I'm hoping it builds his empathy! Mica's very technical. He rattles off facts.

I am happy that he's been talking to a girl on the phone that's had some problems with friends. Shrink Mica talked her through her problems.

On the other hand when we went to get flu shots Isaak was freaking out. He's always gone to the doctor, for a flu shot. When we showed up at Walmart he said, "They are going to butcher me!" Mica started talking to him about his phobia with needles, and the process of a flu shot. It was freaking Isaak out all the more! Finally I leaned into Mica and said, "Shut up please. You're making it worse." So he needs to work on his bedside manner!

Recently his Health Care Academy had a grant to go to House of Conundrum.

It has nothing to do with heath. Just a time, for all the kid's families to hang out.

Mica picked The Final Frontier. I so would have picked the Abe Lincoln room, but it was Mica's night.

With the help of another family we got through it. The guy said at the end we hit a wormhole, which gave us extra time. He knew we were close to solving it! I only helped with one thing. Ha!

It was Isaak's first time being home alone. It didn't go the best. He got scared with night time noises, and literally forgot to eat because he had soccer practice, then a shower, then homework. BUT he's alive and well. I texted him a few times. 

Have you ever done an escape room? Did you get through?

First Camp - Mini Health Sciences Camp

Mica's at his first camp this week. It's through school, but mostly at Creighton University and one day at Bergan Mercy Hospital. 

Creighton University's Ceiling is amazing!

The best thing about this camp is that it's free! Because he got into The Health Care Academy in middle school, he has to participate in the Mini Health Sciences Camp. I'm not saying that in a negative way. I'm glad.

The worst thing lately is that we realized before camp yesterday that Mica grew so much in the last month, that his shorts are too short and tight. It's like I need to go buy him a whole new wardrobe on his bottom half. I'm not kidding. I got him all new shorts right before Easter. He's as tall as the clock now. I have trouble touching the top of the clock.

Camp Schedule:

Monday:

They started out with a debriefing. A panel of different students were up front giving advice on high school and college life. That included how to get in. 

They dissected sheep eyes. Crazy! Mica doesn't like to touch raw meat in the kitchen. I would have loved to of been a fly on that wall. 

A Tour of Creighton Campus

Tuesday:

Occupational Therapy 

Lab Work

Pharmacy Activity

Health Living

Wednesday:

Another Tour of a Different Area of the Campus

Physical Therapy 

Thursday:

A Tour of Bergan Mercy Hospital 

Friday:

Pharmacology Research and Tour

Healthy Living Again

Effects of Drugs of People

Swag:

He got a shirt, bag, and water bottle, for the camp. 

Trend:

Have you noticed a trend in the medical field, or coding where it's mostly girls? There are 10 girls in Mini Health Sciences Camp, and only 4 or 5 boys. 

I noticed that being a teacher for web, where there's coding there's way more girls than boys. It didn't used to be that way. A lot of places are pushing coding for girls, and not pushing coding for boys at all. Just something I observed. 

Health Care Academy

I know I've been hanging low for blogging lately. It's the end of the semester where I teach, Travis has been working long hours on his chair design that should be finished as of this morning, Isaak has homework he needs help with most nights, the boys have had a lot of evening events for school, and I've been looking for freelance design work. Travis has yet to mow the lawn. He won't let Mica or I do it because it's the first time it will be mowed. With my allergies it's not a great idea I mow anyhow.

Moving on...

Last weekend Mica had his first Health Care Academy Expo. 

I have to be honest...I didn't know what to expect with this academy. I do know a few years ago Mica wanted to be a Pediatrician. He's since changed his mind, after he had Astronomy class. I told him it's not as easy to have a career in Astronomy. He said, "I can be an Astrophysicist." I said, "That means you have to have a lot of math, which you don't care for. You can't live in Omaha, Nebraska for a career like that. That's ok you can move." He didn't say anything. I wanted him to try out the Health Care Academy because it's free. If he doesn't like it, he isn't paying for college classes to realize that. I convinced him to join up with the Health Care Academy at school. They have a one week camp during the summer, and lots of classes and activities during the school year. He was hesitant, but decided to apply because I asked him too. He had an interview, and had to fill out an application. Mica got in. If he hates it, it will be my fault. Ha!

Good Vibes:

The Health Care Academy is ran by his homeroom and science teacher he had last year. She was great for both. Good vibes going in!

What the Health Care Academy Expo was About:

They were slow to get started. Lots of speakers, pharmaceutical booths and food.

I found out that the King Science students will be working with patients that have Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, and Dementia. I've known people that have had each of those.

One speaker has Multiple Sclerosis, another is a Neurosurgeon, there were Pharmaceutical Reps., and Mica's teacher.

Pharmaceutical Reps:

They weren't big Pharma! They are in support of therapies and research, for all these diseases. They had ice packs, neck wraps, pens, and other things to hand out.

Other Speakers:

We got to hear a lot about how the students at King Science helped with the patients this school year. Both the patients and the students that participated in the program this year were happy to have each other.

One thing that the patients need to do is laugh every day. That can be hard when you're depressed. 

They have to work on coordination. Another challenging thing. If your body is giving out, how do you control it? The students had to play ball with the patients. There's a lot of communication skills that have to happen to play catch with someone that may not be able to see, can't react as fast as someone that doesn't have a disease.

Inspired:

I was feeling inspired by all the speakers.

I was thinking...I hope Mica gets a lot out of this! I want him to be inspired, and feel more empathy than he currently does.

While I was thinking all this Mica leans towards me and whispers, "Mom I think I know what I want to do with my science fair project next year. I want to change graphite into a diamond. I've seen a video on how you can do that. That would be cool right?" Here I was thinking he was going to have something health care related to say, or how he's learning so much about MS, but nope. Maybe he'll be more empathetic and inspired next year.

Certificate:

They called up all the people that participated this school year, then the ones that will participate next school year.

It's odd that there are Spiehs' at most all of Mica's school events. I don't know them personally, but that's my maiden name. Not a lot of Spiehs' in the US. So a Spiehs was called up.

Mica got called up to. He does this thing where he dances in place, while he's up on stage. Maybe he's trying to be cool? It's too hard to get a photo of someone giggling all around. Ha!

Did you take any health care classes in school?