"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ladies and Gents,

It's getting closer! Today, I bought my ticket to Norway. So soon, I will be flying away from here to more exotic locales. Oh, I'm nervous! But so excited. [[[That is 17 hours of flying.]]] Luckily, I will have some finals to be grading, so it shouldn't be too boring waiting to go from one airport to another.

However, there is so many rules, regulations, exceptions and loopholes;  it's a miracle that people actually get anywhere. I will be crossing the Atlantic Ocean, which now that I think of it, will be a first. I have only ever seen the Pacific. Let's be honest though, this trip is going to be full of firsts.

Sometimes, I go to bed thinking of Norwegian phrases that I might have to use. Which, you know, is fun, but it sure makes my dreams very strange when I fall asleep with half-English, half-Norwegian sentences floating through my head. We had a lady from Norway come speak to our study abroad prep class last week. She let us know what to pack, what to expect, what food to look for.

Apparently, there is a LOT of cheese and other dairy products. And there isn't a whole lot by the way of spicy food. Norwegians are a very "salt and pepper" type of people. This works for me. Despite of my Latino heritage, I'm the one that can't handle anything hotter than extra mild salsa. But bread, cheese, milk and potatoes? Sure thing! Maybe next time I travel, I will try a location with a bit more extreme foodstuffs. Maybe.

Oh, speaking of food and travel: I am currently reading Eat, Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. [I haven't seen the movie yet.] There are three parts of the book, and I have only gotten through Part 1: Italy.

                Oh my goodness.

I have never been more hungry or jealous reading a book before in my entire life. The book is about Gilbert and the year she spent in Italy, India and Indonesia to find herself and to rebuild her soul. She spent four months in Italy, learning Italian and eating.

SO MUCH GOOD FOOD.

Every couple of pages, she tries to describe indescribable dishes. She finds these little hidden eateries that have no name but all the locals go there and every time its almost a spiritual experience with the food. Which, you know happens. Really good food and good company to share it with? It's one of the best feelings in the world; it's pure joy. I am constantly amazed at how many combinations of flavors, textures and ingredients that go into the recipes of the world. It's a cause for celebration, knowing that you could never eat the same thing twice, changing the recipe with a slight flick of the wrist.

Ok. So besides my impromptu ode to food, this post is dedicated to travel. Be assured, I will keep this blog up-to-date with all my adventures.

Where'er they be found.

Adele

Yes, I know. I am behind the times. But hey, at least I am on the bandwagon now!
This girl has talent. And lungs. She can belt it out like it's nobody's business.
I think that I have probably listened to this song dozens of times in the last 24 hrs. It's that good.
Enjoy!

How 'bout one of these puppies?!

source

Just another story from our strange, beautiful world.

If only I had an extra $1.5 million lying around....

That's right, ladies and gentlemen, $1.5 million. 

This lil puppy sold for that amount in China recently, officially becoming the most expensive dog in the world.

It's a shame that they are so expensive, otherwise, I'd be more compelled to get one. I mean, THEY ARE SO FLUFFY!

So fluffy. 

Creativity and the Genius Behind It

I first saw this clip about a year ago, when another friend posted it to his blog. I was blown away. I recently just watched it again and it's still so good. It's interesting to really think deeply about the nature of creativity. Because I am completely overwhelmed with thinking about teaching, I see a great correlation between creativity and teaching. Not only my role as a an educator (and a creative one at that) but also the level of creativity that comes with the territory of being a student. Too often students are only required to sit quietly and passively while the teacher relays all the information in the world into their open brains. Learning requires more interaction and involvement, on a similar note, creativity requires more interaction than we typically think. I am getting off on a tangent, but it's interesting regardless.
Let me know what you think about Ms. Gilbert and her thoughts.
They are interesting, no?

Be Warned

Fooey.
My hair dyeing days seem to be at an end, folks.
So, you know how last time, I was so excited to get my internship job? Well, I am still excited, no worries, but one of the assistant principals took me aside today and suggested that I "try a more natural tone" for the start of school. Which, to be honest, doesn't completely surprise me. I mean, come on, it's UTAH. Land of the Conservative. Heaven forbid that someone has some personality showing on the outside.
No, no. I'm sorry. I don't want this post to turn into a rant. Just think, on the bright side, everyone who despairs over my hair won't have to worry much any longer.
Back to boring, that's me!
I don't know what I am going to do about the hair, my choice in clothing, my personality. All of it. I mean, I have to be a grown up here. Or, at least, fairly soon. I am not quite sure I am ready for such responsibility. I mean, kids are going to be calling me Ms. Beddes. How do you think that makes me feel? Mrs. Beddes is my MOM.
I realize that every single girl has probably gone through this crisis over her name. And I know that the kids can't call me by my first name, but Ms. Beddes sounds so...old.
Doesn't it?