by shannonchance

Wrapping up the College Year

gathered together to hear the College Dean/Director, Dr. Mike Murphy.

gathered together to hear the College Dean/Director, Dr. Mike Murphy.

Last week was a swirl of activity, with DIT’s College of Engineering and the Built Environment wrapping up fall classes and me getting ready to spend five weeks back home.

At an end-of-year College Forum, the college’s Dean recapped recent successes and helped crystallize a shared vision for the future of the College.

At the event, I caught up with a few friends (including my planner friend, Ela). And I made a few new acquaintances as well.

Than, I rushed out to do some last minute Christmas shopping. After succeeding in that endeavor, I was headed home laden with bags.

But I bumped into prof. Jim Roche on the sidewalk in front of the Black Sheep Inn.  I accepted his invitation to hang out for a while with the students from his studio who were assembled there. I particularly enjoyed talking with Robert Burns, because he has a clear passion for photography and was excited to learn about the studio we’d just purchased for Dave.

I also got the chat with the Dean, who had passed us on the street and who we’d managed to rope into the Inn.

Shortly later I headed down the street a just few blocks, to Jack Nealons pub, where Ela was assembled with friends who I wanted to meet.

Low and behold, my friend Joan Cahalin was there. She’s been planning to go looking for me at the Cobblestone, but fate must have know to send her here instead!

Faculty of the School of Engineering and the Built Environment
The planners — Ela Krawczyk and Shannon Chance.
A quick stop at the Black Sheep Inn to chat with the Third Year Architecture Technology teachers and students, including photo enthusiast Robert Burns.
Ela, Ann Marie, Shannon, and Joan at Jack Nealons pub.
by shannonchance

Revising and Rewriting

Gavin's curious five year old...

Gavin’s curious five year old…

Writing can be such a painful process. A few hours ago, I received critique from my two co-authors.  They recommended an entirely new structure; so I feel as if I’ve got to start over from *zero* with just two weeks until our deadline.

Such is the life of an academic.  The rug always disappears from under you at some point when you’re writing a journal article.  You just never see it coming in the way the way it actually arrives.  When it does, you have to I hang on for dear life — by whatever threads are left — in hopes that someday that paper will be good enough for people to want to read.

The notes I received were a bit cryptic, so I rang up Gavin, using Skype.

The best part of the call was that was I got to meet Gavin’s five-year-old son — yay!  Seeing how curious this little guy was reminded me that I can’t wait to see my five nephews next week!

…It’s just that I’ll just have to squeeze in lots and lots of paper writing in the meantime….

...interested in hearing about our work.

…interested in hearing about our work.

by shannonchance

Fetching Zeke

Dave and Zeke at the intersection of Mount Vernon and Detroit... home of the lovely Port Norfolk Church building.

Dave and Zeke at the intersection of Mount Vernon and Detroit… home of the lovely Port Norfolk Church building.

We have some fantastic neighbors here in Port Norfolk, particularly the ones who live next door.  Thom’s an architect and Beth teaches school.  We’ve known them since our college days at Virginia Tech.

This past weekend, Dave had responsibility for walking Thom and Beth’s little dog, Zeke, and feeding all their pets.

Pinot is one of the only cats I’ve ever met who doesn’t like Dave.  At all.  (In an unusual twist of fate, he tolerates me fine.)

The two chickens are partial to Dave, as they seem to love any hand that feeds them.

And then there’s the scruffy little bundle of energy, Zeke, who needs to walk at least twice a day.  He’s a cute and friendly little dog.  But he goes completely ballistic when anyone walks or rides past — which can make for some truly embarrassing moments!

Playing ball with Zeke.

Playing ball with Zeke.

The extensive (and growing) list of things that make Zeke act berserk.
Feeding the neighbors’ hungry chickens.
Florida Avenue at dawn Sunday.
by shannonchance

Norfolk’s Freemason Abbey

The view of two churches as we headed to Freemason Abbey (it's the one to the left, across the intersection).

The view of two churches as we headed to Freemason Abbey (it’s the one to the left, across the intersection).

One of favorite Sunday morning haunts is Freemason Abbey, which occupies an old church building in Norfolk’s historic Freemason District.  Dave and I headed there for brunch the day after I returned.  I was still on Irish time and we arrived just as the doors were opening.

Hope you can soak up a bit of the ambiance from the photos I snapped….

It was warm and cozy inside, despite the rain outside.

It was warm and cozy inside, despite the rain outside.

The Abbey is decorated beautifully for Christmas.

The Abbey is decorated beautifully for Christmas.

Dave headed in to grab a table.
Informational plaque at the Freemason Abbey.
Yum! They have a gluten-free menu.
Dave’s view of Shannon playing with panorama features on her iPhone.
by shannonchance

Beaming Across the Table

An image Dave texted me last week -- from one of my favorite seats in Norfolk, sitting across from Wayne Ringer at D'Egg diner.

An image Dave texted me last week — from one of my favorite seats in Norfolk, sitting across from Wayne Ringer at D’Egg diner.

I haven’t been eating out much these past few months.  It’s just not as delightful when the seat across from me is empty.

I’m lucky to have many memories of meals with loved ones to keep me company, but it’s still not quite the same.

I particularly miss breakfast time with Wayne Ringer.  Dave and I meet Wayne for breakfast a couple of times each week when I’m in Hampton Roads.  When I’m away, Dave often texts me pictures so I can feel included.  Here’s a shot of Wayne that Dave sent me last week.  I haven’t seen Wayne yet, but hope to “real soon.”  I know he’ll be happy I’ve been able to “tell everyone in Dublin ‘hey.'”  (That’s his normal directive when we part.)

Wayne and I originally met at a little coffee shop in our Port Norfolk neighborhood.  That was way back in 2000.  Even though that shop closed and Wayne moved across the river to Norfolk, we still find time to meet for breakfast.

These days, Dave’s schedule permits him to join us (he typically rises before the sun, to photograph buildings in the light of the rising sun, and joins us after his photo shoot).

Here’s a view I typically have in Dublin:

Empty chair across from me in Dublin, at Nandos.

Empty chair across from me in Dublin, at Nandos.

by shannonchance

Full Tilt Sun Arriving at a Place Near You!

My friends Jonathan and Amanda are staying at my apartment in Dublin for a few days.  Their flight from Dublin to Germany leaves tomorrow morning.  Today, Jonathan posted this image on Facebook, to remind me of my second home.

In just three days, the sun will rise at its lowest position in the sky.  In other words, the closer we get to the winter solstice (which happens on December 21), the farther south of east the sun will rise.  This is true for all places in the northern hemisphere.

My balcony faces due south (although Jonathan took this picture facing southeast). So, normally, the sun rises behind the building that is pictured to the left in his photo.  Near December 21, the sun peeks up between the buildings in this view.

He framed the sun for me on at this significant time of year.

Sunrise at my Dublin abode, December 18, 2012.

Sunrise at my Dublin abode, December 18, 2012.  (Photo by Jonathan Kennedy.)

by shannonchance

Fresh Off the Plane

Dave met me at the gate when I arrived into Norfolk “International” Airport. We grabbed my bags and he whisked me off to a dinner party at the McClure’s.  He had made-from-scratch two beautiful lasagnas that were to be the centerpiece of our meal.

We arrived at Glen and Marshall’s home just in time to view the sunset off their back desk and take a quick peek into their lovely garden. Even mid-December, the flowers are abloom in their back yard. For Marshall this seemed like nothing special; this type of flower always blooms this time of year, she said. Hampton Roads (our region, comprised of seven different cities in close proximity) is awash in pink blooms right now.

But the sight of fresh winter blooms left me in awe….

View from the McClure deck.
The McClures’ secret garden.
This is what I imagine it would look like if we were opening a Christmas gift — which is fitting because this evening was truly a gift.

I notice that the flowers looked a lot fresher than I did (sporting my glamorous just-off-the plane aura)!

Chatting with Glen McClure.
Dave perused the newest book published by Parke Press, Marshall’s company, which specializes in local history.
Then out of the blue, Jamie and Mark Lewis arrived with party favors and gifts.

As the sun dipped below the tree line, we headed in to the McClures’ cozy living room.  We sat around, petting the animals and chatting for a while.

Then, low and behold, Jamie and Mark Lewis showed up at the front door — with party balloons and Christmas gifts in tow.  Mark is a conservator who works at the Chrysler Museum of Art.  We initially met at an art gallery, where he told me he is job is to “clean dirty pictures with Q-tips and spit.”

What a catchy line pick up line!?!

It’s one that worked.  Mark, his wife Jamie, and I have been fast friends from that moment forward.

Jamie and Mark Lewis with Shannon Chance.
Shannon and Dave Chance.
Festivities among the McClures, Lewises, and Chances.

I’ve so many fond memories of dinners around the McClures’ dinner table(s).

Dinner time!

Dinner time!

As I mentioned, Dave had assembled two delicious lasagnas — one red and one white.  He made them completely from scratch, noodles and all!  The McClures rounded out the selection with a crisp salad and ice cream.

Everyone chipped in bottles of wine they’d socked aways for special occasions.  Dave brought one from Dolceaqua (a Ligurian town we visited this past summer). Marshall contributed some of the finest from her brother’s Virginia winery. And Jamie, knowing Marshall’s preference for pale wines, shared a delightful bottle of white.

Marshall serving up Dave’s fabulous lasagnas.
Glen coming in for seconds.
Teaching Jamie to use Skype.

I have to say:  this was the perfect way to spend my first evening back in the States.  Seeing people I love gave my heart such a lift!

by shannonchance

Home with Dave for the Holidays

There’s so much going on that I want to tell you about.  For now, I’ll just say how wonderful it is to be back at home in Portsmouth, Virginia with my Dave.  I’ll show you what life is like here–very soon!

The home of Dave and Shannon Chance in Portsmouth's Port Norfolk Historic District.

The home of Dave and Shannon Chance in Portsmouth’s Port Norfolk Historic District.

Shannon and Dave visiting friends on the way home from the airport.

Shannon and Dave visiting friends on the way home from the airport.

 

by shannonchance

Amazing Teachers

Shannon Chance, Ron Daniel, and Kim McGrath in Dublin last week.

Shannon Chance, Ron Daniel, and Kim McGrath in Dublin last week.

Amazing teachers transform lives. That’s what they did for me at least!

Last week, one of the very best teachers I’ve had in my life–Ron Daniel–visited Dublin with his colleagues from Webster University. Ron is the Director of Academics at Webster’s Geneva campus.

While they were here, we got together twice to reminisce and talk about higher ed.

I didn’t post about this topic right away, because some things are difficult to express into words. This morning, I’m allowing myself to just cover the tip of the iceberg of what I’d like to say….

The best teachers I’ve experienced in life actually just put a good framework in place in for me. Then, they stepped back and let me explore the issues.

The best learning experiences I’ve had in life have happened under the astute guidance of Ron as well as:

  • Wilma Brown (my fifth grade teacher)
  • Liz Lindon and Joyce Martin (my 4-H leaders)
  • Dave Dugas, Eugene Egger, and Bob Dyck (some easy going Virginia Tech professors)
  • Bridget Arvold (my high school geometry teacher)
  • the faculty of higher ed at the College of William and Mary

I am particularly indebted to Ron Daniel (my second year architecture professor and the person who gave me my first architecture teaching job) and Wilma Brown (my fifth grade teacher who gave me my first official teaching assistant role). These two used a Montessori / Bauhaus sort of approach.

They put relevant materials in front of me and let me do my thing.

Wind me up and I’m like the Energizer bunny!

Thankfully, Bridget Arvold was there at precisely the right moment in time as well. In ninth grade, I was struggling through geometry because I had initially been assigned a very poor teacher. Thankfully, I met Bridget and had the sense to change instructors. She made geometry seem fun and logical. Without her, I don’t think I’d have has a solid foundation for becoming an architect.

Teachers like these make learning fun. They gave me the challenge and sense of support needed for me to start learning to explore this big, wonderful world. I thank my lucky stars to have known them.

by shannonchance

My Kiddies

Jerry thought all the boys on my blog photos were *my* kids and I’d left them all home with Dave!  Hee!  Hee!

No, such is not the case.  Dave and I have five wonderful *nephews*!  We ourselves only have kats, not kids.

Here’s introducing the whole furry Chance family… we named them for Italian cities.

They are looking forward to seeing their mom (that’s me) in just three days!

Siena, Pescia, and Pisa Chance in formation.

Siena, Pescia, and Pisa Chance in formation.

Lucca Chance, chilling in Dave's office.

Lucca Chance, chilling in Dave’s office.