Wednesday, March 29, 2006

I LOVE Llamas!!











Many of you have recently asked me "What's the 'llama site'?" (when I mentioned it in the "Giraffes in the Air" post) It's the best site ever!! It features both llamas and ducks!! (but mostly llamas)





Well, here it is!



http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/llama.php

It's almost hypnotic the way it repeats itself!

Anyone know how to get this one on my iPod?? :)

Random FYI: While I was looking for a llama pic for this entry, I discovered all sorts of llama fun!! Llama cams--http://www.ywl.com/webcam.htm (shh! The llamas are sleeping when I checked 'em out!), Llama camp--http://home.earthlink.net/~jim.dawkins/llamacamp/id3.html (This one time, at llama camp...), and Llama Trecks--http://www.llamatrips.com/page3.htm (this site has a fun llama that chases after the mouse cursor!)


Photo credit: Wikpedia

Better than summer!

So, at work today during my prep period (a.k.a. free period away from any children) I was puttering around on line looking for project ideas/references for my cultural arts class (Hey, you never know where inspiration will strike---thank you www.itsyourturn.com). But seriously, I do like to print out images for my students, because most of them have never seen many of the works of art that I reference in my lectures.

I stumbled on this site, The National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (www.nctasia.org), this site didn't really have what I was looking for, but it did have information about travel grants for teachers.

Why is this exciting? Well, let me do the math for you. I am a teacher. I like to travel.

Someone out there is willing to finance my habit!! There are grants to pay for me to go to all sorts of exotic places!!! There's one grant for approximately $30,000.00 from the Japanese Government that will send me to Japan for 3 weeks. Others will send me to Australia... Finally, another benefit to being a teacher besides June, July and August!!

I totally will be applying!! If I can't find grants to pay for art supplies, at least I know I can find grants to send me to other parts of the world!!

Time to dust off the passport!! (and I was exited about going to Disney World in 2 weeks!)

Sunday, March 26, 2006

Double Congrats!!

Ok, so I'm a little behind...

Congratulations to Kim and Rick!! They're expecting a baby girl in July!!

Congratulations to Dan, he popped the question (it's a cute story!) and is getting married in November!!

I wish you all love and happiness as you take these new steps in your lives!

back to the real world...

This week I've been attending the NAEA (National Art Education Association) convention...

It was fabulous!! I loved talking with teachers from all over the country! I learned a LOT and got lots of great resources for the classroom. I even learned about a few grants available for teachers to travel internationally...(look out Japan, here I come!!)

But it's back to work tomorrow. (Sigh)

Friday, March 17, 2006

Madness

I know I'm going to come off as a total chick in the blog, but I have to say it.

I just don't get March Madness.

There I said it. The obvious is not lost on me, I understand general concept of an ultimate college basketball tournament. But what does it mean to be "seeded". How do the teams get in to the tournament? Why does this seem to be bigger than the NBA finals? Wasn't the term "March Madness" coined by the IHSA for the high school level tournaments???

I guess I'm just a football girl at heart.

Go BEARS!!

Thursday, March 9, 2006

Total Suckage

It really is one of those days where people suck beyond all reason. (the giraffe site isn't even cheering me up) I don't really want to elaborate because it will just piss me off even more.

I should have stayed home, been a bum, and watched movies/tv.


Just a site. I liked it. Giving you something to do besides listening to me bitch.
http://www.explodingdog.com/january2/imlisteningtosadsongs.html

Wednesday, March 8, 2006

Giraffes in the Air

I have to tell you about this site!! It rivals the Llama site that I love so much.

Sarah sent it to me and it totally cracks my shit up!! (Sarah, you're the best!)

You have to check it out:
http://giraffesintheair.ytmnd.com/

(Now if only I could figure out how to get it on my iPod!)

Get Lucky

It's that time again...time to drink in the name of the patron Saint of Ireland!! (This year I have a light-up tiara!!) The Parade is this Saturday, March 11th, and if you're lookin' for this Irish girl, here's a tentative itinerary for the day:

This year's festivities will start at my house for a good old fashioned "Screwdriver Breakfast"! I'll have bagels or muffins (something from the Sara Lee Outlet) to get our tummies primed for a long day of libations! This should be starting when ever I roll my lazy butt out of bed :)

We'll be leaving Casa de Bethie at around 10:30 and taking the CTA to the Blue Line and heading downtown. We'll start our drinking at Fado (100 W. Grand Ave.312-836-0066) in the River North area. I am always willing to see the Parade, so if you're interested, let me know. I can also make either "Walking Longlslands" (inspired by Angie's Clan) or anything else that is preferred. Please let me know if you're in so that they're ready to go Saturday morning.

After the parade/people are board with Fado's (usually around noon), the plan is to continue up the Red Line to Kelly's Pub (949 W. Webster Ave.773-281-0656) near DePaul University. There are plenty of places to get food in us along the way and Kelly's sells $2 corned beef sandwiches. We'll be spending the afternoon/early evening here.

Finally, if we decide to move on, there are several places in the Wrigleyville area that we may visit. The places include (but are not limited too) Johnny O'Hagan's (3374 N. Clark St. 773-248-3600), Blarney Stone (3424 N. Sheffield Ave. 773-348-1078) or The Irish Oak (3511 N. Clark St. 773-935-6669).

After the evening is drawn to a close, the plan is to cab it back to my place to crash. I have one spare room and two couches, so bring what you need to make yourselves comfortable. My house maybe a little messy, but it's free!

If you're interested in joining us at any point through out the day, give me a holler, I can tell you where we are. Don't get discouraged if I can't hear the phone, leave a message and I'll make sure you get to where we are!

If you're planning on staying at my place or stopping by for breakfast or partaking in the "Walking Beverages" let me know, so I can plan ahead.

Hope to see you Saturday and Happy St. Patrick's Day!!