big, huge wonderful news

First SF date-night, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

So I found out a while ago and never posted about it, but I suppose it's about time I get around to it...

I WILL BE A ROCKETEACHER NEXT YEAR!!

Not only that, but today David and I found out that we will also be moving into our own apartment next Tuesday! WHAT!?! I know. I am awful for letting this information get lost in the shuffle. We just found out that we were approved for the apartment today, so it's a little higher on my excitement list than next year.

Still I can't wait to plan and prep for my kiddies next year! I will be teaching math (probably 1st or 2nd grade). Yay!!

news day: children are amazing

I'd Love a Peace of Fruit, originally uploaded by Boy_Wonder.

This amazing girl seized MLK Day as an opportunity to bring awareness to the next great movement that our country should focus on. She had the courage to speak about who she is and the initial feelings she had towards that realization. It's beautiful. Check it out for yourself.


As for today... Wow. I guess I'm doing the right things (or in the right place and avoiding the wrong things), since my schedule at work seems to grow and grow in complexity. I start teaching Kinder Literacy on Monday and tomorrow (the final school day before then), I will be teaching the second session of third-grade Lit. I've never had to be so quick on my feet before this year... It's invigorating. A little tiring, but invigorating none-the-less.

coolest google feature ever

Sometimes In Order To Shine, We Just Need A Different Light, originally uploaded by Boy_Wonder.

By now you might have already heard the buzz circulating around the web over the latest release from Google - Google Art Project. With Google Art Project you can virtually visit a selection of some of the world's finest museums and explore a range of their noteworthy art pieces.
_{[via Creature Comforts]}

The quality of the art piece images are incredible and well worth your time. After being told by THREE different blogs, I finally made my way over and checked it out. You should do the same!



p.s. Tonight's dinner with the family (for Eric's birthday) was FAR from perfect and although pleasant at times, left me feeling incredibly frustrated. I've never gotten in such a heated argument with someone over something that I actually feel qualified to discuss and with someone who had no intentions to listen to another side. Irritating.

stayed home to care for Dave

Advice, originally uploaded by Boy_Wonder.

No dancing tonight. Instead I stayed home to be here for/with David. He didn't sleep last night and I'm already nodding off. We're an adorable couple. Heh.

p.s. David made Hot Toddies and it may be a main contributor to my sleepiness. We'll see...

p.p.s. Teaching Kinder went fairly well today. I hope it only goes up from here!

you mustache been mistaken

mustache cake, originally uploaded by butterflyfoodie.

So it's time for the Superbowl and in the spirit of this wonderful day, I have two videos for you. The first is a commercial for this year's Superbowl and the second is a lovely gem from 2007. My sides hurt while watching it, so I hope you find it just as thrilling!!


<sup>[via Holiday Matinee]


[via Pop-Ology]</sup>

SOOOOOOOO worth it, right?!

comida: for the love of bacon

currently snacking on..., originally uploaded by Oh Joy.

I couldn't choose just any photo off flickr for this. I had to get the real thing from Oh Joy's blog. I mean, do you blame me?!

So here is bacon... Get ready for it...

bacon recipes:
Brown Butter Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies
Candied Bacon Fudge
Bacon and Egg Toast Cups
Bacon Jam
Sideline Smokies
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf
Squash Stuffed w/Bread, Cheese & Bacon
Peanut Butter Bacon Cups

music: she & him's don't look back

TMA_5725, originally uploaded by fritz1948.

Need a feel-good song from a feel-good band? Look no further. I may blog more of their tunes in the future, but here is their latest music video!

My day, you ask? Not much happened. Drove David to the airport and proceded to watch old tv shows and sleep for the majority of the day. Yay me!

taking a day off from rocketship

Flowers and I, originally uploaded by dshack.

It's time for the Chinese New Year.
It's a furlough day.
And it's parent/teacher conference time at Rocketship.

So I spent the day at home with David. I wasn't called in to work so we had plenty of time to goof off and relax. He's off to Albuquerque tomorrow, so I'm glad we had today!

[side note: I guess I creeped you afterall, David. Oops.]

news day: i was born this way

Chicago Cubs Outlaw in Pink, originally uploaded by Bogeycat.

Over at the blog Born This Way a proud gay Angeleno, identified only as Paul V., publishes childhood photos and stories from gay and lesbian adults. Many of the photos feature young kids innocently flouting heteronormative gender expectations with total abandon.

But interspersed among them are pictures of children that give no hint about their eventual sexual identity. As Paul explains:

some of the pix here feature gay boys with feminine traits, and some gay girls with masculine traits. And even more gay kids with NONE of those traits. Just like real life, these gay kids come in all shades and layers of masculine and feminine.

The point of the project, for Paul, is reflecting the truth of growing up with a different orientation and, hopefully, showing today's gay youth that others have had the same experience.

[via GOOD]

learn to love your curves

DQ-Curve, originally uploaded by DanielleQ.

I was much more fit this time last year. It gets a bit overwhelming at times when I see photos or videos. I need to be a bit more accepting of myself, until I find a way to dance even half as much as I used to. I know it's the biggest factor of the weight gain. The amount of food I eat is also a factor... I guess. Heh. I'll work on it.

dancing just isn't enough

old & out of order, originally uploaded by cassie fry.

Ever get the overwhelming urge to just read or work while out dancing? It was weird, especially since it was a fairly good night of dancing. Either way, I danced some, avoided the book, and made it home early enough for a shower. Success.

five cheese ravioli w/ vodka sauce

Vodka Sauce Sausage Ravioli, originally uploaded by mooshee85.

David and I decided on a dinner a bit different than expected due to the lack of butternut squash ravioli, which was a bummer. However I still managed to make us five cheese ravioli in a vodka sauce with spinach and parmesan. It was quite delicious and it took little to no effort at all since everything was practically pre-made. Oh well... I will get to practice my cooking skills again in two weeks. Maybe I'll be inspired to branch out from the ravioli pasta next time!

food postponed until tomorrow

coats, originally uploaded by Krisztina Tordai.

So I was supposed to cook for David Friday, but then an event came up. I was going to cook for him tonight instead, but it is postponed again, until tomorrow. Therefore that post will come then.

Tonight's dancing was incredible! The Rent Party was phenomenal and I know that it had a lot to do with the SLO dancers coming up, but it still inspired me. For what? Well to go out dancing on Saturdays more often. It's a great venue that allows for lindy and blues, which is helpful on those slower nights. I need to be more intentional with my dancing. Maybe this will help.

Also... coat racks. I realized tonight that they are completely foreign to me. You don't need them in San Diego, so I always end up wadding my jacket and purse together under a chair as I go out to dance. Then at the end of the night, David cruises over to the coat rack to retrieve his nicely hung coat as I shake mine out and pull it on. It's a bit silly, but I need to learn how to be a San Franciscan!

music: jack johnson's to the sea

Jack Johnson | To The Sea, originally uploaded by Molly ✿.

I've been listening to this album all week. It's relaxing but pleasantly upbeat, which is nice since the Sunrise album from last week was a bit too relaxing for safety reasons.

I went to the Rocketship appreciation event this evening and had a blast. I truly love being surrounded by Rocketship people, who are all fighting for the same things and doing so with a passion and focus unlike most other places. **swoon**

i'm a very lucky girl

Nothing can turn into something, originally uploaded by Chantel Baggley.

I've had a string of pretty bad days and I am so lucky that I get to come home to a really great boyfriend. When I get home from school, he stops as soon as he can and comforts me, cheers me up, and inspires me to keep plugging away. I'd like to say that I'm strong on my own, but I think it's okay that I have a support team with David leading.

Thanks, babe.

news day: the "red scare hysteria"

Teaching and Learning at YK Pao School 2, originally uploaded by YK Pao School.

I'm going to take a break from blogging about my life. Today was far too difficult to describe. I'm exhausted. Here's the news:

Former Hacienda La Puente Unified Schools superintendent John Kramer said his Southern California district turned down being a part of the Confucius Classroom network. "The objection was not to the teaching of a foreign language," says Kramer. "The problem here was the culture portion and the involvement with the Chinese government."

Kramer says concerned community members worried about "communist propaganda" being taught in schools. Gahanna-Jefferson mom Mandy Aldis doesn't understand the communism fears. Aldis moved within the Gahanna-Jefferson school boundaries specifically for the district's Chinese language program. "We feel very lucky that we have this. I say it's just like math, English, art—it's as important as anything else," she says.

Her son, Andrew Aldis, says that taking Chinese expands his cultural understanding of the most populous nation on the planet, and it's expanding his career opportunities. "I'd have potential to get a job doing translating or interpreting, maybe work for the State Department," he says.

[via GOOD]

photography pick-me-up

Tulips - Kinky, originally uploaded by That Guy Who's Going Places.

Some days that's al you need.
It was a rough day at school.
I'm burnt out and need to sleep this off.

Here's to tomorrow.

dancing feet: they don't do it enough

BluesShout-0296, originally uploaded by stevelosh.

I had some really great dances tonight, but I was being hella selective, sitting down between dances even! I need more practice. I need to get out more. I really need to get to bed!

this was one kind of perfect day

307.365, originally uploaded by rebeca :).

Dave and I had a great time with Ruth and her friends today!
We ate meats and cheeses and truffle oil.
We talked geek and played board games and played Rock Band.
The most exciting event of the night was the dance off...
We played Dance Central and I'm a bit jealous we don't have one ourselves.

I can't wait for the next get-together!

comida: just a little pizza lovin'

Stuffed pizzas, originally uploaded by L. Marie.

Dave and I ventured out for some pizza again.
The chicken tikka masala pizza to be exact.
We can't get enough of it apparently.
They put a bit too much cheese this time.
But it was still good and we will certainly get it again.

Here are a few pizza recipes to try:
Pizza Poppers
Thin Crust Pizza
French Pizza
Breakfast Pizza

And Pizza Tips to remember as you cook!

music: spektor's begin to hope

Mermaid, originally uploaded by bikeracer.

With songs like "On the Radio," "Samson," and "Better," how could you possibly keep yourself from falling in love with Regina's melodic voice. It's an instant feel-good track and a must-have for my long morning drives to work.

Today was a fabulously relaxing day.
Spent most of it in bed.
Mmm....

rocketship: interview day

I love no other way, originally uploaded by Luminous Lu.

So today was absolutely draining...

The long morning interview process, in my opinion, went extremely well. After these interviews and a lunch with the staff, I got back to work for the rest of the day. I spent time with some children in the RtI program after school and was almost late for the interviews with the parents at RMS.

Luckily that was not the case. I spent an hour and a half chatting it up and trying my best to make a good impression and communicate my views coherently. I don't really know how it went, but I feel pretty good about it... I think.

To make matters worse, I left the meeting and drove to a gas station nearby, since I was at empty, only to find that my debit card was missing. MISSING! I searched frantically, called David, cried a little bit, made other phone calls, until finally a man asked me if he could help. He gave me a $20 bill and I wrote him a check. I filled my tank and got back on the road. It took much longer than I had expected and drained me of whatever bit of energy I still had, but I arrived home safely to a warm hug, steak, and an IPA.

Why the picture you ask?
Well, the worst part of the interview process was my choice to wear stockings, rather than black leggings. Mer. They kept falling down and completely distracted me from what I was there to do. Never again. Not unless I get a garter belt and test it out prior. Double mer.

news day: good acts in the midst of crisis

Global Crisis, originally uploaded by Ben Heine.

There is something magical about receiving help from a stranger, when the magic of two souls come together and time stands still. In those moments, one feels an uncommon sense of connection. People only truly prosper by coming together, and it is in this process that the invisible bonds that keep us tethered to each other blossom. The sweetness of these moments is what really fuels us.
[via GOOD]

I love hearing about the good that people are doing in the world, so here are a couple of articles that I find noteworthy:

Logothetis brought his own RAK social experiment across the pond and took to the streets of downtown L.A., armed with five random acts of kindness in red envelopes and in search of five strangers.
[read about it HERE]

As well as:

With a new service called SwipeGood, however, the average Joe can help change the world each and every day, and with all the effort it takes to buy a cup of coffee.
[read about it HERE]

p.s. The observation went well today. Not at all the way I expected things to go, but it all worked out in the end!

the day after tax day

359/365 focus rings, originally uploaded by lydiafairy.

So my new plan is to buy a camera once I know how much I owe to taxes. I don't want to spend the money and then end up regretting it. I can hardly wait to start snapping photos again.

On another note, I finished lesson planning and I will be teaching tomorrow morning. Kevin knows that I'll be teaching his class tomorrow and I must admit that I'm a bit curious to find out how it goes.

I hope all goes well with the Cardinals, especially the observation portion of the lesson!!

my head is flooding with ideas

scan0001, originally uploaded by natalie ϟ.

Tonight's dancing was surprisingly good, especially when you consider the fact that I was in a lesson planning haze. I talked to everyone about it and couldn't possibly focus on anything else. I'm glad the day is upon us... this Wednesday.

On another note, there was a pretty rockin' band playing right around the corner last night. David and I stole a few dances while we stood outside listening. :)

i need limits & i need walls

No limits, no walls, originally uploaded by Chantel Baggley.

It's hard to get things done when you have every opportunity to play. I think I'm at a point where all I'm doing is building a net for all the things that could possibly go wrong with the observation on Wednesday, rather than actually planning the lesson to be taught.

So now, it's time to buckle down and hash something/anything out and allow it to be developed as I freak out more in the days to come! Ha.

ravioli w/ fresh tomato & artichoke sauce

ravioli with red pepper sauce macro, originally uploaded by minimallyinvasivenj.

Last night, I made dinner for David and myself. I still have random juices and oils splattered across my keyboard. I should really do something about that! Ha.

Anyway it was delicious. The recipe served six, so I altered it in order to accomodate us a bit better. Here is the final recipe that I used:

Ingredients I used:
_{1 (10 ounce) package fresh wild mushroom ravioli
1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp olive oil
1/2 lb roma tomatoes - seeded and chopped
1 (6.5 oz) jar marinated artichoke hearts
1/4 cup chopped green onions
3 cloves crushed garlic
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
self-regulated amount of grated Parmesan cheese}


The recipe's directions for said ingredients:
<sub>Cook ravioli according to package directions.

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1/2 tablespoon oil over a medium high heat. Add tomatoes, artichokes, scallions, garlic, and salt and pepper. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are warmed through. Remove from heat.

Drain pasta well. Transfer to a large bowl, and toss with 1/2 teaspoon oil. Add half of the sauce to the ravioli; toss gently, but thoroughly to mix. Transfer ravioli to a large serving platter. Pour remaining vegetable sauce over ravioli. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.</sub>


How did I cook this dish? It was more like this:
<sub>Chop the tomatoes and the green onions (while pouting because David yelled at you, with GOOD reason) and then pass off the chore to him, as I now attempt to gather the rest of the necessary ingredients for the sauce.

Begin cooking the sauce (before even opening the ravioli package) and frantically add all of the necessary ingredients. Remove the sauce, which reduced much quicker than I had planned, and begin scrambling to find a pot to boil the ravioli in.

After finally getting the noodles cooked, reheat the sauce and toss the ravioli with the oil and eventually, everything else. Allow David to serve the plates and grate the cheese, since I am already far too frantic to be able to.</sub>


We drank champagne, ate our pasta, with the deliciously tangy sauce, and followed it up with a creme brule dessert. It was quite good, if I do say so myself!! :D

Similar recipes to try:
Short Rib Ragu (beautiful photos!!)
Shrimp Risotto

music: the starbucks' sunrise

Puddle Jumper, originally uploaded by Boy_Wonder.

This is one of the newest additions to my music collection. It is best early in the morning on my drive to work. It's so soothing and uplifting. Try to snag one from Starbucks and check it out. Mmm....

Also I'm cooking dinner for David tonight.
I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow!

the rocketship is taking off

147/365 Year Two, originally uploaded by coreena.

So it's a bit more finalized now...
I am teaching and getting observed next Wednesday.
It will be in the morning in a second grade math class.
The day after will be the day of interviews, so yay...
Next week is going to be a doozy...
Especially considering that I'll get paid for two days of work next week. *le sigh*

news day: the achievement gap

Fraternidad_Cuba 292, originally uploaded by hoyasmeg.

It's no surprise to me that this study found that there is a correlation between money and mental abilities. I see it everyday. That's why Rocketship works so hard to provide the materials that they would otherwise be without. To support them in the ways that they need in order to get to and graduate from college! I'm proud to work at Rocketship each and every day I can!

stop what you're doin' & make art now

Someday Everything Is Gonna Be Different When I Paint My Masterpiece, originally uploaded by Boy_Wonder.

I love looking around at the walls at my school and can't help but feel closer to the students. So much of that person can be understood through art that they created.

I wish I had time to do it as I had in the past... Actually, I probably still have the time. I am currently lacking the motivation to get started. It's always the hardest part of an art project. Hmm...

BFX day four: bailar

lady, originally uploaded by Ivo Sekulovski.

The dancing this weekend was exhausting. So much so that I didn't even stop to blog on time...

My feet ache.
My head is groggy.
My life seems a bit unravelly.

Was it worth it?

HELL YES!!


I can't wait for FX '12!!!

BFX day three: hace frio

(Untitled, for now), originally uploaded by Chantel Baggley.

It's cold here.

Big surprise, I know, but still it's a bit surprising to be met by such a chill just after finishing a night of extreme dancing!

I loved watching the snow fall as we wandered in search of our food though. It was magical!!

BFX day two: la comida

G is for Generating Goodness, originally uploaded by Boy_Wonder.

So we obviously are not eating home-cooked meals while here in Boston for the weekend... We are not even trying to eat well actually. We're just enjoying the wonderful taste of roast beef sandwiches washed down with beer. Don't knock it... ever.

For your reading pleasure, some recipes on my to-do:
Candied Bacon Fudge
Peach Gnocchi
A Sausage Pasta Dish
Bacon Jam

BFX day one: la musica

Ghost in the Machine- Fred and Adele, originally uploaded by iri5.

The music at this BFX event is incredible... amazing.
Dancing to music that truly moves you is priceless.
Consider me moved!

Mmm... fusion...

rocketship: up, up and away

On the job, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

Update on my current position:

-- My kinder is learning SO much and he is doing quite well in the classroom! It's really exciting actually. I can hardly get enough of it.
-- I never really see my first-grader, but she's doing a lot better. I have had several really good moments with her this week.
-- My boy for transitions regressed, BIG TIME, yesterday... but he was back to his normal self today. *huge sigh of relief*
-- My other second-grader is done with me and hardly responds to any of the redirections I propose. It bums me out, but maybe the two days without me will be good. Maybe?

Update on the potential position:

I just received another email about the interviews last night, so I now know that the big day-o-interviews is two weeks from now. I also talked to Mr. Marks and Ms. Everette about any little technicalities involving the classroom observation. According to my plan, I hope to be observed while teaching the first period of math with the Cardinals (second grade). I'm nervous, exited, anxious... Yay!


Now, I must get back to packing for Boston!!

and the news keeps rolling in

USF_SOE_Teacher_Prep_1, originally uploaded by shawncalhoun.

Teach For America's presence in Texas may be in jeopardy thanks to the state's $20 billion budget shortfall. Lawmakers seeking to slash programs have commissioned a study that will look at the effectiveness and retention rates of almost 1,000 Teach For America (TFA) teachers across the state. The question they hope to answer: Are those TFA teachers worth $8 million dollars?

State Senator Mario Gallegos told the Houston Chronicle, "My concern has always been the cost. Is the school district getting the bang for the buck on the Teach for America teachers? I'm very concerned with the budget constraints right now."

Critics claim that Teach For America teachers don't get significantly better results than teachers coming from traditional certification programs that don't require the state to pony up extra cash. However, a recent study by the Tennessee State Board of Education says that students taught by Teach For America teachers consistently get higher test scores.

[via GOOD]

Another concern they have is with the fact that many people who teach through TFA only stay for the allotted two years or so. This turnover rate is something that I've always found to be quite odd myself. Having worked as long as I have in order to get credentialed, it is quite different when I hear the conversations between these individuals in the teachers' lounge.

The dialogue revolves around this finite date when the teaching will end, indefinitely. It's great to make the commitment to those kids in need, but a bit disheartening for the other teachers who are determined to stick it out. I always find myself recalling the times I spent in the thick of it, overwhelmed and sleep-deprived, during the credentialing process. I know what it feels like.

I hope Florida realizes how precious this program is for their kids.

photography love

Us., originally uploaded by erinsunday.

In honor of my photography & art day of the week I'm just going to daydream about what I want most right now... A camera.

I haven't had one in a very long time and it seriously bums me out when I have to bust out my phone to take pictures at weddings. Yes, just about all of the pictures I've taken in the past few years have been taken with my various camera-phones. It feels criminal.

I shall remedy this as soon as I can!

moved on down by the jordan stream

Solomon and Kait 5450, originally uploaded by ohtoberich.

Absolutely incredible night of dancing for me.
I feel as if I made some fantastic break-throughs as a lead.
And I had a blast doing it!!

I can't wait for the Boston Fusion Exchange this weekend...
It's going to be INSANE!!

be the change you want to see

Peace & Love, originally uploaded by Fernando Gregory.

I just ordered a few cards for Thank You's.
The above photo is a little hint for the card's cover.
I'm excited to get them filled out and sent on their way.

My goal for today was to have a blogging schedule set up and posted. I need a bit more structure in my life. I have a few of the days set in place, but the rest are still a bit up in the air... Let's see what I can come up with:

_MON: dancing
_TUE: photography / art
_WED: news
_THU: education
_FRI: music
_SAT: cooking / food
_SUN: free day!! I choose what to write about... :)

I look forward to future blogging. This should be a good year. Now, if I could just get these darned ants to leave me alone! Mer.

all in one night's work

color, originally uploaded by C.Saul.

too.

much.

fun.


1st regret of the year.



*groan*