Saturday, December 25, 2010

It's been real 2010!

Decked out in '80s gear on our final teaching day of the quarter
I realize we haven't had any posts this month (minus the profile of Adam...) - so first off, apologies! Secondly, this month has been a whirlwind. I cannot believe we're done! We finished off the quarter with an amazing week of team teaching. We had an unforgettable debrief lunch full of laughs, cries, DELICIOUS food and plenty of surprises - including but not limited to an impromptu "flash dance" for none other than the birthday girl, Ms. Bonnie Anderson. (Here's a link from her own blog capturing a bit of that chaos:
http://bonnieonislandwood.blogspot.com/2010/12/birthday-surprise.html ) We said our good-byes with a karaoke-filled, Secret Lover (think: Secret Santa) gift exchange in the Great Hall.

Taking care of business during debrief lunch
Gift Exchange in the Great Hall


Jem-bay and karaoke - what a combo!
I feel so honored :)
Campus is pretty quiet right now. There are a few stragglers awaiting flights and such (including me) - but for the most part, everyone has departed for holiday celebrations and well deserved down-time at other locales.  It will be a couple of weeks of reflecting and recharging - but it will also be a couple of weeks apart from the people whom we have spent three intense months with.

This quarter has been an incredible experience. We have all learned so much about ourselves, teaching, and one another. I am so excited to see what the new year has in store for us!

Warm wishes to all for a family and fun-filled holiday! See y'all in 2011!

*I wrote this entry while I was still on Bainbridge Island. I am now back in Brooklyn enjoying some great times with family and friends. Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Get to Know a Grad!

Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of entries that will continue throughout the year. We will feature a different grad every few weeks. Enjoy! -Bonnie
Adam Talamentes. Class of 2011.

Name:  Adam Talamantes

Hometown:  Burbank, CA

Undergraduate University/Degree:
  University of Colorado at Boulder, Ecology and Evolution - emphasis in Mammology

What brought you to IslandWood? 
The ability to teach what I love, learn more science, joining a loving community and the ability continue on to a great university.

What is your favorite thing about IslandWood so far?  How we are all doing what we love.

What is your favorite thing about Bainbridge Island/Seattle/The Puget
Sound so far?
  This area has a lot to offer! So much to do every weekend, art, music, social gatherings, beer fests, etc!

Who would you want to play you in the movie version of your life?
  A young Sean Connery (007 style).

Quick! Someone gave you 100 bagazillion dollars! What do you do with it?

Put a location specific themed aquarium in every high school as a learning resource/reading area. 

Who do you most admire and why?
My fellow grads who want to do what I do and work for the same goals, but in COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WAYS!

What do you think you might do after IslandWood?  Setup curriculum for Informal education institutions (Zoos/Aquariums) and help to build their relationships with the local communities! (maybe do some research on the side too)

Shoutout time!  Any awesome organizations that you think deserve to be
mentioned?
Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach California - They do great work their and truly love the creatures they work with!

Final thoughts? The North West has the best beer in the United States, true fact.