My Birthday

So it is fast approaching... My birthday! The big 2-6! I have decided to spread the celebration out over a couple of days because, it is my birthday, and because the end of another school year calls for celebration as well. SO here is the tentative plan, for anyone interested.

Friday Night: Kareoke...Same time, same place

Saturday Evening: BBQ at my parents. We'll be eating, drinking, and being merry and would love you to join us.

Let me know if you feel like coming, and I will give you more details.

Who Would be Your Legends?

First of all, I watched Oprah's Legends last night, and I thought it was really fantastic. If you missed it, Oprah hosted a weekend long party honoring all of the still living African American women that paved the way in the arts, literature and politics for African Americans and women in general. It was quite moving. It led me to think; if I had the means to host something like that, and actually had the influence to get anyone I wanted to come, who would my Legends be?

Here is what I can come up with...
(and because I am dreaming, I am going dead and alive)


1. Alice Paul: Her story continues to inspire me to stand up for my political beliefs. She was one of the founders of the National Women's Party that made huge sacrifices to get the 19th Amendment passed. Check out "Iron Jawed Angels" if you are interested... GREAT MOVIE and pretty accurate to history.


2. Audrey Hepburn: Though I love her as an actress and she did inspire me to take that path earlier in my life, more importantly she dedicated her life to UNICEF to help children around the globe. She was very much the Angelina Jolie of her day.

3. My grandma: Despite growing up in the 1920s and 1930s, my grandma was raised with very progressive ideas. Being a woman didn't prevent her from standing up for what she believed in and making her own choices throughout her life. To this day, I can guarantee that if politics is ever mentioned, my grandma would have an opinion to share.



4. My mom and dad: My parents have always supported all of my endeavors, giving me confidence to take on whatever my heart guides me to undertake. This unfaltering support has led me down many paths sometimes successful and sometimes not, but always feeling assured in the attempt.

This is all that come to mind right now. I have a party with my mom, dad and grandma... But maybe I should take note and thank them. Maybe because of the sacrifices of so many in previous generations there seem to be fewer famous "legends" in my life. I will keep thinking of Legends that have shaped the person that I am...

And I would love you hear who your Legends might be!

GO Janusz!

So I am a big nerd, watching all of the American ___________ shows. My latest hope is American Inventor, since I am no longer really following American Idol. I am rewatching last weeks episode with the four finalists right now, and at nine the winner will be announced.

Last week, due to my heartbreak at Chris' elimination from Idol, I was inspired to vote on Inventor, making sure I did my part. I cast all five votes for Janusz (Yanoosh) Liberkowski, inventor of Anecia, the rotating car seat named after his baby girl that was killed in a car accident. We'll see how it all plays out, as all of the inventions are good and important, but Janusz's invention directly saves lives and is so brilliant. I wish they could make these car seats for adults... might have spared me a few broken bones.

JANUSZ!!!!!!!!

And I Thought Hooters was Bad!

So I only began to read the article, but it's pretty frickin' hilarious/offensive!

I embarrassingly admit the headline caught my eye when the daily AOL news popped up after I logged on to AIM. And rather than let it pass, I thought I would share. It was just such a shocker... Pun intended.

Update...

So I have been bad about posting lately... My apologies. Things are starting to settle down, and I am feeling in control of my life again, thank goodness! Even so, I don't really have anything too exciting to share, so instead I will just give a little run down on what's been going on.

My friend Kasey has been in town this last week and will be here for a few more days. The hope is that she will fall in love with Fresno again and move home, but we have tough competition... Austin, TX. We will see what she decides. If she does make the move home, it will be in September, and I will be very happy.

Next, I am getting baptized on Sunday. I am really excited and feel good about the whole thing. I am also relieved that my testimony is already taken care of. I am a little curious as to how it is all going to work, as I am not that familiar with the logistics of baptism. I am sure we will work it all out at some point this week, but until then I will continue to wonder.

Finally, I am so excited about a new aspect of my teaching of AP European history. I am hoping to organize a student trip to Europe. There is actually a trip designed exactly for AP Euro, so all of the sites and experiences completely align with the curriculum. The best part... I would get to go for free! I am planning to arrange it for this time next year, just following the AP test. So we will see how this goes.

Other than that, four weeks until the end of school, BTSA will be done in the beginning of June, and I am still planning to move to Tower in the beginning-ish of August.

America got it Wrong!

I am so bummed about American Idol! My favorite from the beginning has been eliminated. I really have nothing much to say about it, except that I am disappointed that Chris isn't going to be the next American Idol... Guess I should have voted.

I am rooting for Elliot now, but with much less enthusiasm. If I didn't have to watch Taylor flail around the stage he wouldn't be so bad, and Katharine is beautiful with a beautiful voice, but she is kind of boring.

Booo America! We can't choose anything right... idols...presidents...

Ok, Ok... Here's a post!

After receiving many complaints and the threat of being removed from certain Link Lists, here's what's happening in my neck of the woods.

Earlier this week I finished "Grease"... It was exhausting, frustrating, and time consuming, BUT it opened the door for me to direct a show next year. I think I am going to do "Little Shop of Horrors" because of the students talent that I have to work with.



The rest of this week I have been putting most of my energy to the AP Economics test, which is in one week. I have much to review with the students, and it all culminates next Thursday. So I am pretty stressed about this.




Along with this I have also been really overwhelmed with obligations, and have been plagued with the feeling of forgetting something. I always have a stack of paper reminders on my desk, and a calendar full of reminders that I never read. SO I decided to take the plunge... I just bought PDA, and am in techie nerd heaven!

So these are the goings-on in my life... hope this is adequate Jay! :)