Home Work

SCHOOL UNIFORMS: This morning, we hit the 'books' first thing, and first up was some Algebra. 

As we listened to a Khan Academy lecture about graphic inequalities with variables, I had to smile as I looked at the kids sitting on the bed, soaking it in. So comfortable and casual and peaceful and pleasant. What a great way to learn.

FAR OUT: We also made time this morning to check out stunning footage of a recent spacewalk a pair of astronauts took.

A NASA blog had this to say about the event: 

Expedition 53 Commander Randy Bresnik and Flight Engineer Joe Acaba of NASA completed a 6 hour, 49 minute spacewalk at 2:36 p.m. EDT. The two astronauts installed a new camera system on the Canadarm2 robotic arm’s latching end effector, an HD camera on the starboard truss of the station and replaced a fuse on the Dextre robotic arm extension.

The duo worked quickly and were able to complete several “get ahead” tasks. Acaba greased the new end effector on the robotic arm. Bresnik installed a new radiator grapple bar. Bresnik completed prep work for one of two spare pump modules on separate stowage platforms to enable easier access for potential robotic replacement tasks in the future. He nearly finished prep work on the second, but that work will be completed by future spacewalkers.

This was the fifth spacewalk of Bresnik’s career (32 hours total spacewalking) and the third for Acaba (19 hours and 46 minutes total spacewalking). Space station crew members have conducted 205 spacewalks in support of assembly and maintenance of the orbiting laboratory. Spacewalkers have now spent a total of 53 days, 6 hours and 25 minutes working outside the station.

You really should take a couple of minutes and check the footage out. Keep in mind, during the clip, they're flying at about 17.500 miles per hour! 




はじめまして: We continue to plug away at learning a little Japanese via Mango Language. We started a new lesson today, all about names and introductions.

I have to say, the kids are doing so much better than me in this endeavor. CJ, especially, seems to pick it up (and have it stick) so quickly. Me, notsomuch. I am going to need a LOT more practice time to keep up with them.

BTW, the characters at the start of this section spell out how to say 'nice to meet you' in Japanese.

SOUNDS OF THE SEASON: So, we were trying to find some Christmas music to listen to while making some holiday decorations, but couldn't find a suitable option. It was one horrible cover after another. I grew frustrated with our cable provider's search options for "music," and basically gave up on the holiday music after about 10 fruitless minutes. 

Eventually, non holiday music offerings populated the screen. I quickly opted for a musical documentary instead. Specifically, AC/DC - Dirty Deeds.

It was really quite informative and entertaining, and more culturally enriching than hearing "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" for the 4,923rd time.