Magic happens...

In November, Sidney and I gathered our collective chutzpah and sent a letter to Dr. David Amaral, the research director of the MIND Institute, UC Davis. The mission statement of the MIND Institute is "To find effective treatments and cures for autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders." The MIND Institute is a premier research contributor in the causes of, diagnosis, and treatment of Autism. We thought that our COAST might play a role in their mission... as a baseline measurement of the impact of autism on a particular child, and as a stable measure of growth over time. 

So we sent a letter with 3 attachments: the 2-page spread of Domain 1: Social Relationships, a description of all 12 domains, and a description of all 7 levels of severity.

The MIND Institute sponsors a Distinguished Lecture series, and Catherine Lord was to be the guest of honor on February 13. Sidney and I wanted to attend Dr. Lord's lecture, so we asked Dr. Amaral if we could meet him when we were in town for the Lecture. 

He responded, "Yes." (this despite the fact that we spelled his last name incorrectly in the letter! An error for which I later apologized). He offered us an hour on the 13th. An hour is a very generous offer of time.

Our greatest hopes were that 1) he would find some value in the COAST and 2) might, at some later date, suggest a doctoral student who might be interested in using the COAST in a dissertation or other research project.

So, how did the meeting go?

After some reflection, here's my assessment: Wow! What a great day!

We presented Dr. Amaral with two complete packets of the COAST (Evaluator Manual, Full Scale, Core Four Screening tool and Supplemental Eight Module). The first thing he complimented was the professional quality of the production of the tools, "beautiful presentation," he said. Then he asked some good questions, starting with How did we come to creating this tool, and moving to questions about our plans for the tool and whether we thought the COAST might replace other existing tools. He invited in his colleague, Dr. Peter Mundy. Peter Mundy is the director of educational research and heads up a research lab. His teams are already involved in a research study and he promised to share the tool with them, and see if there is a way to fold the COAST into research they are already doing. I got the impression that, if their current research could not accommodate the COAST as added research, that they would find a way in the near future to write it into grants and work they are doing. Almost under his breath, Dr. Mundy said, as he leafed through the Full Scale Module, "There's nothing out there like this."

Dr. Amaral said lots of very nice things about where he thought the tool would be useful. Then he spent time coaching us on the people we needed to talk to, how to "market" the tool, and perhaps that we might just go approach some publishing companies for assistance in getting the data we need to publish the tool.

Then we went to hear Dr. Catherine Lord speak about research she is doing. She is a Really Big Name in autism research. After her talk, Sidney and I were preparing to leave, and David Amaral invited us to dinner with his team and Catherine Lord.

Amazing. Beyond our wildest dreams. 

In the world of Autism research, Sidney and I are like students of guitar, just beginning to pick out some complicated songs and melodies of our own invention... and we attend an Eric Clapton concert and Eric Clapton hears our melody and invites us to dinner and offers to help us with our guitar technique. That is the difference in stature between David Amaral's body of research and our own. He is an incredibly generous man.
 
I have a list of "next steps" to implement, and people with whom we should speak. The journey continues. 

Today is the first day . . .

of the rest of my life!  

And it was a day completely devoid of LSAT studying. I have packed up my study books for delivery to goodwill, thrown away all my practice tests, and cleared my browser history of all LSAT-related history. Though a note of gratitude is due to Steve Schwartz who runs a most amazing prep blog. The combination of this site and the Princeton Review workbook were powerful for me. We'll see on or about March 6 if the power translated into a not-embarrassing score.

So, how did I fill my day? I did have two early morning meetings with students who are doing some independent study classes with me. Though these meetings are clearly "work" (part of my UO job), they don't feel like work– we sit around a big table at a coffee shop and discuss big ideas around school improvement, student learning, and effective teaching. After the meetings, the dogs and I went for a lovely romp along the river, and spent a while at the dogpark. 

Then I spent several hours in my forest. My neighbor wondered if I wouldn't mind if he cut up several downed trees for firewood. I agreed, if he didn't mind leaving about 20% for me. He thought that was very fair. 

Then we got to talking about the amazing job the goats have done on the blackberries, poison oak, and other annoying brush. I was noticing that the goats were maybe eating down to the nubs, and could do with a bit more food. So I offered them to James the neighbor. He jumped at the offer...

So the goats and I took a short walk down the country lane to James' house, into the pasture/blackberry jungle, where I left them happily munching along. 

Another hour playing with the dogs, a little grooming (doggy pedicures especially), and it was getting dark.

I think I'll soak in the tub with a glass of wine at the side, and then call it a day. I'll call it "A Great Day."

    

By George, I think she's got it!

I've been prepping for the LSAT on February 9. I took it last year to see what it was like, unprepared, and got about the score I thought I would get. My score was possibly high enough to get into the UO, but possibly not. And even so, it was a bit embarrassing. 

So, I'll try again, but this time I am preparing. Especially in the area I tanked – Analytic Reasoning. I can do these problems, given unlimited time. The LSAT does not give unlimited time.
  
I'm finally starting to get the hang of this section (also called Logic Games). These are the problems where you have a whole set of things (5 mammals and 3 birds) which must be placed in 5 cages at the zoo. And rules (Parrots always have to go with otters), and then questions like: In which cage must the giraffe be housed? The key is in drawing the right picture up front and then deducing any clues not spelled out. Just now getting to where my picture and clues deductions are quick and accurate (usually). By Tuesday, I think I'll actually think of them as "Games" and not "Torture."

I've been reading that 160 is the brass ring of the LSAT. I don't have that far to go to snag the ring, and a significantly better showing in this one section would do it.  

Wish me luck!  Or at least wish me clarity and speed...

Terrible...

I am officially a terrible person. Though I am a comforted, challah-filled person. I made challah and soup for a friend-in-need. Made two loaves of challah.

And I ate one loaf. All by myself.

Terribly yummy.

New Year, New Decisions

2013... Amazing. Since the Mayan Apocalypse did not happen on schedule, I guess I have to think about what's next. 

These aren't New Year's Resolutions. Rather, these are the start of my next five-year plan...

Professional plans...
1. Resign my position at UO.
The University of Oregon has been an amazing safety net for me. It was a half time job, working within my comfort level, with some wonderful colleagues. It provided almost exactly my mortgage money every month, health benefits, and great flexibility. I am grateful. However, now, after 5 years of half-time pay for well over half-time hours (it is hard for me to watch the clock when students are desperate), I realize that I can't afford the time commitment to this "half-time" job. June 15 will be my last day as an employee of the University of Oregon. Though, of course, I will ALWAYS love my Ducks!

2. Maintain my contract with Alaska
This work is exceptionally interesting, with an opportunity to travel, working with quality people here in Eugene and in Alaska. We are in the second year of our second 6-year contract. Years 4 and 5 may be very busy.

3. Apply to the University of Oregon School of Law, Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program
Yes, I am nuts. My friend Suzy Harris, an attorney, agrees, but she says she "gets the compulsion."

When Dave finished law school (1984? 85?) and we moved to Hawai'i, it was sort of my turn for the next degree. I worked for a while at the Aloha Animal Clinic in Kahala, as the business manager. Then, Dave passed the Bar, got a position at Goodsill, Anderson, Quinn & Stifle, we got pregnant with Jacob, and I looked around for the next thing. I wanted to go to law school, but Dave and I talked and I eventually believed that law was not a good career for me. So I earned my Masters in Special Education instead. This has been an amazing career for me and has had important impacts on me professionally, and more importantly, personally. And it has been this career that led to my involvement in the COAST (see #4). But now I am 52, and have done what I want to do in the Education world, and am ready for my second career. 

My second career needs to fill some spiritual aches I have... I'd like to leave the world a little better than I found it. 

I briefly toyed with the idea of working in Doha Qatar this weekend. The position is for the Director of Research for a small private school for kids with learning disabilities. I chatted with the school's director at length last spring about this position. At that time, the position was still being developed, and it looked like I had a great chance of becoming the Director of Research for Aswaj Academy. Then the school's governing Board decided to wait a bit with that position, and develop it more fully. Great pay, interesting locale, the job posting states they'd like the successful candidate to start in February, but will wait for the right person to complete current contracts. So I put together my application, letter of interest, etc. 

Then, after meditating, I realized that I am truly ready to go to law school. And will have the income needed to do that. So I won't apply to Qatar. Who knows, maybe in four years...

4. Conduct preliminary research on the COAST, and submit two grants
Sidney and I are working on the preliminary research for the COAST. I'm a bit behind on my tasks, which include getting districts in the Portland Metro area to agree to let us talk to parents of children with Autism. The preliminary research will involve 50 parents of kids with Autism and 50 parents of kids without disabilities filling out the COAST and another, recognized, Autism tool. We are just looking for evidence that our tool is AT LEAST as effective as the other, already accepted tool. Future research will be conducted to show that our tool is better.

Step 1: Apply for Human Subjects Research Approval. I'm working on that, and will have that done by mid- to late-January. Then, hopefully, in February/March, we can conduct the preliminary research.

Then, on February 13, Sidney and I are meeting with Dr. David Amaral at the MIND Institute in Sacramento. This meeting is a Very Big Deal.

After we have our preliminary data analyzed, we are poised to submit two grants for future research and development. We are hopeful that Dr. Amaral and the MIND institute may want to partner with us in some way.

Now that I think about it, the combination of moving forward with the COAST research and attending law school are tied as primary reasons to NOT go to Qatar this summer.

5. Five years out?
The COAST will be up and running, and I will likely still be involved in Autism research. Sidney's got an idea for another tool that we may develop.

Once I've finished law school, I'll look to working in defense of the environment, possibly starting at MC Mehta's ashram in India. Or the Peace Corp. Or ???


Personal Plans...
A. Breed the Wolfhounds, and show them more often
I am keenly aware that my amazing F*ck Off Huge Dogs have a very short life expectancy. Irish Wolfhounds typically live 8 to 10 years, and my girls are 4 1/2. Miss Molly has been at the breeders since June, being shown and waiting to come into heat so we can breed her. 

PUPPIES!!! 

yes, I hope to have a litter of wolfhound puppies this spring.

B. Fix up the house
I need a new roof, carpeting, weather-proofing under the house and in the attic, a better front entrance way (expanded deck to the front door, landscaping). Some additional electrical for outdoor lighting. Painting inside and out. You know, the "Weekend To Do List". Two pre-requisites for this... my shoulder surgery needs to heal up, which is taking much longer than I had thought it would, and I need to fill the "Repair Fund" cookie jar. If I have puppies, that could help with the cookie jar.

C. Spend more time traveling
Jerry is headed to Scotland for a semester study abroad. He leaves January 22. I'll save my pennies and try to visit at the end of his stay. Later, we'd like to visit other parts of Mexico and Central America. I'd like to explore the US. Visit Canada. Go to Europe, Asia, Africa. Some of those trips will be within the next five years, some may be in conjunction with post-law school employment. 

D. Family and Friends
Not really the last thought; more and more you are all my first thoughts. I will spend more time with family and friends (but not so much time that you get sick of me...). My visits may include the wolfhounds in the back of the truck, because I will try to merge A. with D. Travel for dog shows is tax-deductible. And Jerry built me that adorable travel trailer...

Rest in peace, old friend

Lee (Assertive Lee, by Jay O'Lee out of Miss Whistle Stop) was born at the Sherman farm in San Marcos the spring of 1980. Dave and I married that August.

Thirty two and a half years ago.

A lot has happened during this one horse's lifetime.

Lee was what horsey people call "a spirited ride" -- he preferred to prance and jog to walking, which could just about jiggle your breakfast free and your teeth loose. But he really seemed to enjoy rides in the forest and fields. Many horses are "barn sour" -- as soon as you turn toward home, they speed up and fight to run pell mell into the barn. Lee actually slowed to a walk on our way home. He had the most amazing floating trot, seeming to suspend in air like a calliope horse.

Once, when Sara was having a particularly horrid teenage day, Lee was the tonic... "Hey Sara, wanna go for a ride?" nah, ma, not today. "You can ride Lee." Oh? Really? Sure!  ~It was the first time I'd let her ride Lee, and I think it must have felt like she was 10 feet above the ground. Lee was 16+ hands tall, and her normal mount, an Arabian, was maybe 15 hands (1 hand = 4 inches).  Anyway, Lee made the day much less horrid. That's a gift.

We referred to him as our PuppyHorse. He came when called, followed me around without halter or lead, liked to stand with his head on my shoulder. His favorite trick was to get a big mouthful of water and let it dribble down Jerry's back. Can horses smile? Yes.

I can still feel his head on my shoulder and his breath on my cheek.

I am learning...

I am learning many things about myself, about my own country, and of course about Mexico. Our itinerary has allowed us to see several very different cities, each with unique 'souls' - if cities can have souls.

Our first stop was Guadalajara, a large, sprawling megopolis reminiscent of Los Angeles. We enjoyed our stay there, but have since moved it to the bottom of our Favorite Places in Mexico list. The historical/cultural center is very pretty, with a sub-text of bustling street venders. The sounds are an almost constant buzz of cars harmonized with honking horns.

Living a bit outside of the Eugene city limits, and especially living in Oregon, I had forgotten that other places use their car horns. In Guadalajara, the horns were rarely an angry sound; it was more like the cars were talking with each other, keeping themselves safe and the whole flow moving.

The streets were pretty crowded and somewhat dirty, but shopkeepers seemed intent on doing battle with road grime, and could be seen sweeping and washing the sidewalks in front of their shops at all hours of the day. I was somewhat amazed by the amount of graffiti on the walls.

From there, we went to Guanajuato, a town about the same population as Eugene, but designed more like an old world villa (and is in fact, a very old town). Guanajuato is built into the hillsides of several ravines / canyons. The streets are steep, and wind up and around and back again. I think I would enjoy spending about 3 months there, but really think Sara would enjoy it even more; it is a town for young people.

The University of Guanajuato is home to 20,000 students, and the streets come alive around 8:00 with street musicians and performers, food venders and merchants. Outdoor cafes are everywhere.

From Guanajuato we travelled to San Miguel de Allende. There seem to be two San Miguel de Allendes - one for gringos and one for locals. We stayed at an airBnB offering that was fabulous and inexpensive - a lovely room and private bathroom with our own terrace above her house and boutique, owned by an expat New York Jew who had been there for 14 years. Jerry asked how she ended up in San Miguel de Allende, and her short answer was: "I got drunk and bought a shop."I think that should be a bumper sticker.

Since she'd been there 14 years, we wondered if we could practice our Spanish with her. Well, no, she didn't speak Spanish. But she had recently started taking Spanish classes. The unusual part of that is not that she couldn't speak Spanish after 14 years in Mexico -- the unusual part is that she was taking Spanish classes.

We found there to be a large population of American expats in SMA, who have created a mini American town in the midst of an incredibly interesting and vibrant old Mexico ciudad. The Americans don't speak Spanish, don't eat at the local restaurants, don't buy local goods, wear American style clothes, etc etc etc. Though the town is lovely, and I would enjoy the local side of life, I think the clash between the cultures would frustrate me. Not really a clash... More of a snubbing. San Miguel de Allende is on my list to visit again, but I don't think it makes my list of places I might live.

Next we travelled to Morelia. We arrived Thursday and stayed at an airBnB room until we moved in with our host family on Sunday, prior to starting our second week of language classes. The airBnB spot was amazing... A "cabin" space built above a home by our host (and home owner and engineer), the cabin had a kitchen, private bath and bedroom, and felt very much like Jerry's cabin. It even had the ladder access through a hole in the floor (but also had a door to close over the floor...).

Our host, Nacho, met us Thursday night and chatted with us for about an hour, and left us in the very capable and gracious care of his friend, Margarita; he left early Friday to go to the beach for the weekend with his sister. We'll meet up with him again Thursday night for a beer, and will probably stay with him again early next week.

Morelia is a fabulous city. Large and clean and old, with several museums, ancient catholic churches and convents, and two colleges built in the mid-1500s (one still a public college, the other a library filled with ancient books). There are many turistos, but few gringos. The local people are friendly and patient with my broken Spanish. I could live here.

Now we are in Patzcuaro. A beautiful Pueblo 40 miles from Morelia, it has an old-world charm. Cobblestone streets, white-washed stone buildings, tile roofs, the town feels like a postcard of old Italy. We only can spend two days here, and will need to come back. Patcuaro is the ideal central location to explore many neighboring pueblos and ancient ruins. I could REALLY live here.

Tonight we return to Morelia, and I'll catch a bus early tomorrow to Guadalajara, and then fly home. On July 5th, a month seemed almost too long. Today, I realize it wasn't nearly long enough