Moving On!
Last day at RTC...
Click on the photo for the 1600x1200 version
Well... it's a happy/sad day for me. I'm very happy for the students that are graduating after a demanding two year electronics course. They deserve a hearty congratulations for sticking to it and successfully completing the course. I'll miss them.
Today is also my last day at Renton Technical College after nearly 22-years of teaching. My lay-off is due to a lack of jobs in the traditional electronics industry. In turn, we were just not able to attract enough students to run the electronics program. I believe the industry is on the rebound, but it's too little, too late.
I'm actually looking forward to a new chapter in my life. As they say, "A change is as good as a rest". And that's how I'm feeling right now. I'll be just fine!
Rob hosted a nice get-together yesterday for all of us at his place; a very nice wooded lot on Kent's East Hill area. Hamburgers, potato salad, watermelon, beer, soda, and... oh yeah... ameretto tequila; pretty good stuff.
Rob has a comfortable home surrounded by trees. It's very peaceful and is home to many forest-type critters. Neat place Rob!
We were all amused with Dave's "uneasyness" about being in the "woods"... a true cityboy.
When they discovered bear droppings in Rob's 'campground' area, Dave became a little wary of the surroundings. We gotta get that boy out more often!
He WAS on his best behavior though... it was kind of nice!
And of course, we had to pick on Bill's interesting habits; ironing dollar bills, his love of chickens, and his list of GPS coordinates of trees where he's relieved himself!
Bill and Ann are a nice couple and it's very apparent that they're happily married and the best of friends. Ann gave us knowing glances whenever we mentioned Bill's 'quirks'. She knows him very well!
Irving brought his family - his wife, two boys, and mother-in-law - very kind and gracious folks. If they are representative of the people of Burma(their home country), it must be a great place to live.
And we found out that Irvings face turns red when he drinks a beer!
Jim,
I want to thank you again for all of the support and "Lessons" you have given me and the many others who have been fortunate enough to have you as their instructor, and friend. You have an incredible ability to take the abstract world and present it in a manner in which even I could understand. I have had been truly blessed in my pursuit of a "New Life Path" to have the had opportunity to learn from you. I will miss our interaction and information exchanges. They may not have been as frequent recently as they once were but they were still very enjoyable for me. I am always thrilled and amazed in the projects that you create. I thank you for all you have done and shared. The life experiences and challenges we have shared over the course of 13 years will always be in my memories, as will you and your smile. Let me know what the next chapter in your life brings so I too may learn another lesson in life from you. Yesterday was a sad moment for me personally and profesionally, you have always been there. I write this with a huge lump in my throat knowing it will be only infrequent encounters and with limited depth we will share again. I value all you have given to me Jim. Your friend and aspiring prodigy, Dan
p.s. If I can do anything to help you personally or professionally it would be my honor to help. You know how to contact me if you have a need, I still have all of my equipment for construction projects so if the need arises give me a shout. I would love to help in any way I can Jim! It seems odd to say this to you, but I would be honored to be a professional job reference for you if needed too.
THANKS FOR EVERYTHING JIM!
Posted by: Dan | Aug 12, 2006 8:45:13 AM
I hope you find something as rewarding, Jimmy.
You and the students deserve that.
Posted by: Steel | Aug 16, 2006 3:48:11 PM
Dan... you are too kind! But I've got to tell you that the respect is mutual. You've also taught me alot over the years and caused me to expand my thinking and knowledge.
I always enjoyed it when you and I filled the white board while working toward solutions for some pretty complex networking problems. We were totally on another plane of understanding and always on the same wavelength! I'll miss those times.
I'll also miss the look of total awe from the students watching us at work! That was fun! Totally blew 'em away!
Dan, you're respected around the college and it makes me proud that you're a product of my course. But your success is because of your drive and deermination to be the best. YOU took the responsibility of learning and I just happened to be there to help facilitate it!
We'll be in touch...
Posted by: Jimmy the Geek | Aug 16, 2006 7:21:00 PM