Kelly in Kansas

Just returned from NYC for a meeting about one of our grants. We visited with the folks at the Gilder Lehrman Institute to help plan out the activities for our partnership over the next two years. We also went to see one of their history high schools which was really engaging. I wish I had students that were that eager in my history courses. The teacher was conducting an interactive discussion about the Spanish American War and you could almost see their brains working.

We also took some time to sightsee and I was able to visit one more regional branch of the National Archives. The World Trade Center site was quite moving - especially the memorials still visible at St. Paul's Church. Times Square was amazing and we took the studio tour. http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif. We met Rupert of Rupert's Deli of David Letterman fame and celebrity sitings included Al Sharpton, the cast of Hannity and Colmes along with guests Bill Bennett and Ann Coulter (through the Fox Studio glass) and Daryl Hammond rehearsing a Saturday Night Live skit.

Spent time with family and friends, including some new ones, yesterday. Today I've still been catching up but did get some outside work done. The upcoming week should include a visit from the electricians, celebrating Christmas with Marcia, working on papers for the AHA, wrapping Christmas presents.