Contact Victor Williamson with your questions about simulator based experiential education programs for your school.
SpaceCampUtah@gmail.com

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Your Handbook for 2010.

Hello Troops,
Debbie Wallis sent this to me. I think its great and decided to share it with you. Please read it.

Believe a soon to be senior citizen when I tell you that these gems really are the secret to happiness. I've added a few thoughts in red.

Simply,
Mr. Williamson


Health:
1. Drink plenty of water. (I've given up 80% of my Diet Coke so I'm working on this one).
2. Eat breakfast like a king/queen, lunch like a prince/princess and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and less that is manufactured in plants. (Amen)
4. Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray; keep a prayer in your heart.
6. Play more games and laugh with simple delight. (I need to work on the simple delight)
7. Visit more friends and loved ones than you did in 2009. (Easy, I visit one and I've improved 100%)
8. Sit in peace and tranquility at least 10 minutes each day. (Hear that Staff. Give me 10 minutes...... PLEASE)
9. Sleep for 7 hours (or nap like your pet). (Yea Right. 7 Hours?!!!!! I'll lower the bar and shot for 6)
10. Walk 10-30 minutes each day, smiling while you walk. (I'm good for this one)
Personality:
11. Comparing your life to others is futile; you have no idea about their journey. (Amen)
12. Invest your energy in the positive and present moments, not in negative or things you can’t control.
13. You are one person; have reasonable expectations and limits for yourself; others are responsible for themselves.
14. Learn to laugh at yourself, right along with the others.
15. Gossip and judgment are a waste of your precious energy.
16. Dream more while you are awake. (Aren't we always in LaLa Land at the Space Center?)
17. The secret to success is believing that you have it all; envy is a waste. (Easy to accomplish when you have it all, or think you do)
18. Forget issues, hurts and betrayals of the past; remembering and reminding others will ruin your present happiness and of those you love.
19. Hating others or yourself is a waste of time. (Self hatred is usually caused by caring too much about what others say about you)
20. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present. (What's lived is lived, what's said is said and what's done is done. Time to move on with a goal for improvement)
21. You are the only one responsible for your happiness; it’s up to you to be happy.
22. Life is a school for learning; problems will fade like algebra, but lessons learned will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more; really enjoy it.
24. It is not necessary to always be right; agree to disagree and let it go. (No, always trust that what I tell you is right. Let's leave it at that :)
Society:
25. Contact your family and loved ones often.
26. Do something good for others at every opportunity. (Don't forget me!)
27. Forgiveness is your responsibility, including forgetting past hurts.
28. Spend time with and learn from people over 70 and under 6. (Let's change that to 50)
29. Make at least three people smile each day; remember to include yourself. (Crap)
30. What other people think of you is none of your business. (Do I hear an Amen from the congregation on this one!)
31. Your friends and loved ones will care for you, not your job; you really are not indispensable there. (All are indispensable, unless you are a Space Center Flight Director :)
Life:
32. Choose the right whether anyone else but you will know.
33. Eliminate anything that isn’t useful, uplifting, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything, if we give Him the opportunity.
35. However good or bad a situation, it will change; accept this as part of life.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress and show up (unless you are contagious).
37. The best is yet to come, but enjoy the present while it is here.
38. Each morning you awaken, thank GOD for it and do the best you can with the present you have received.
39. Your inner self wants to always be happy; go for it. (My inner self needs a few other things as well. Happiness, a full belly and something really good on TV)


Wednesday, January 6, 2010

What We Have.

Hello Troops,
Sometimes it is good to step back and see how nice we have it in this country. These photographs make an excellent example.

Here we have a very nice, modern bus in Japan. It may be a school bus. It may be for a special school or high school. What matters is what these students have compared to others.




And now, this picture from India. Really makes you appreciate what you have.



Mr. Williamson

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

New Galileo Test Mission. Also, A few bits of cool space news.

Hello Troops,
What a great Tuesday it is! We are hosting the Astronomy Class from Lone Peak High School at the moment. Bracken is flying the Voyager. Christine is flying the Odyssey. They are doing Intolerance. We are back into the swing of things. I'm happy to be running missions again. I like the routine.

We are getting close to opening the new Galileo. There are a few bugs that are still bothering us. They are being addressed one at a time. We have someone working on the ship every day until it is ready to fly.

I know some of you are frustrated. You've been waiting to book a mission on the new Galileo and I keep postponing the opening. Remember, we have a very limited budget and this new simulator cost a lot of money. I need to rely on volunteer labor and the work of our less experienced maintenance personnel to finish the ship. We can't afford professionals. It is just the way things work around here. I'll open the Galileo once I'm sure its crews will have a good experience. I'll let you know through this blog.

Here are a items of interest:
  • Kyle would like to run a Galileo Test Mission on Thursday from 5:00 - 7:30 P.M. We need 6 people to sign up. We are still working out the bugs so their may be errors. If you're interested send an email. I'll take the first 6.
  • This is a cool video showing our place in the universe. If you have 3 minutes please watch. It is cool. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17jymDn0W6U&feature=player_embedded
NASA NEWS: From Sheila Powell.

The Mar's Rover Spirit is Reaching its 6th Anniversary With an Uncertain Future 12.31.09.
On Jan. 3, NASA's Mars rover Spirit marks six years of unprecedented science exploration and inspiration for the American public. However, the upcoming Martian winter could end the roving career of the beloved, scrappy robot. Click the following to access the link:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mer/news/mer20091231.html

Thanks Troops,
Mr. Williamson