Friday, May 09, 2008

Fav. Foto Friday - Folkmoot Edition, part deux

As if last Friday's international celebration were not enough, the whole week following Folkmoot, the gym is transformed into an international bazaar called the "Learning Gallery."All the countries represented that year have a display;
here's the Native American one:
It centers around a beautiful backdrop, painted by the art teacher (on a single bedsheet), in a postcard-style tribute to that country/culture. The artwork that each child made is also part of the display. There's a variety of cultural items on display as well. And finally, each area has an engaging learning activity (or two) for that country/culture.

Each child is given a "passport" (complete with school photo on their personal info page) and invited to explore every country they can (they're listed in the passport).You can visit India:

Play with cars in homage to Detroit:
Try to guess the English equivalent of certain Australian words:
Take a stroll through New York:
Color your very own flag of China:[Elle's class got to go through with their "4th grade reading buddies"]

Make paper butterflies in Chile:Or, you can head over to Russia:
Where you can challenge a buddy to a game of chess:
Once you've had lots of fun at a particular country, you go to get your passport stamped for that country. You earn your stamp by sharing something you learned about or did in that country.
[Third graders and older must share 3 things.]
Then, it's off to another country, like England, for a little futbol.
You can also simply admire the wonderful artwork created by your school-mates; like these carnival dancers from Brazil:Russian artist inspired found object art:
or Greek pottery:

Banners from countries made in previous years, but not featured in the current year, are used to decorate the hallways. I know I said it before, but it bears repeating...
I LOVE this school!!!

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Things That Make You Go Hmmmm

I've been deeply pondering this one lately.I may have arrived at a personal action step.
I promise to share it next Tues.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Extra. Extra.

Thank you Elle for reminding me just how beautiful dandelions are.

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Politics

How exciting it is to have so many strong, qualified, ethical women on the state ballot - even if only half of them end up elected, what an AWESOME Council of State we will have in NC!!
[for those out of the loop/state, we have the potential for a female: Governor, Auditor, Labor Commissioner, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Treasurer -- whoo hoo!!]
Oh, and while we're on the topic... a big shout-out to "women", without whom we wouldn't have an election - at least if my experience is the norm. It seems like poll-workers (selfless servants of democracy) are almost always AT LEAST 85% female. I'm just sayin'...

Monday, May 05, 2008

Inspiration for the Week

You become what you believe, not what you want.

Friday, May 02, 2008

Fav. Foto Friday - Folkmoot Edition!!

You're going to want to come back later to witness the most amazing, adorable, heart warming event you've seen in a while. Here they are all ready for it:
Today was my favorite day of the year - it's Folkmoot at the girls' school. Every year, each class chooses a country and they learn a traditional dance (during p.e.) from that country, as well as creating arts (in art class, of course) reflective of that culture. Then they get together and the whole school performs their dances in front of the whole school and families. It's the most beautiful display of global kinship and unity I've ever seen at a school - and yes, I cry every year at some point.

In honor of Folkmoot [it was inspired by this], I must do a multiple photo posting - there's just no way to capture it in one. ENJOY!!

It begins with the parade of nations, as representatives from each class
come in to show us what countries will be featured.
Some of the countries we saw were:

Chile
Egypt
Vietnam
England
China
Pouran danced the Tarantella from Italy
Brazil
Faith and her older brother, Vahid, check the
program to see what's coming next
India
As usual, several classes did the United States. We had a tribute to Detroit (Motown), and Gabrielle did the bunny hop
and some fancy moves with her pink cadillac
there was a Native American friendship dance
North Carolina (cloggin' to Cotton-Eyed Joe)
that's the music teacher (in pink) and Faith's teacher from last year leading the class (you can see the assistant teacher ducking out from a cirlce of kids in the back left)
The guaranteed crowd-pleaser, New York, New York
There was also a step dance and a cajun two-step.

And we always end with a cute little number from the teachers.
In total, there were 22 dances. Countries not pictured above:
Portugal, Greece, Mexico, Russia, and Australia.
Man! I LOVE this school!!

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

My "Extra $2 Tip"

So, as the Princess of Rizvania prepared herself the other morning, my husband asked me why I went through all that just to read a story. I told him it was HIS fault and got the usual "whaaa....???!" expression in response.

You see, when my husband and I were first married, we ate out ALOT. Not because I couldn't cook (Hon, it was NOT because I couldn't cook!), but because, with both of us working, we had the money and not much time (funny how things can 180 on ya). Anyway... my husband would typically leave "extra-large" tips, even if the service was average, which, as a former professional waitress, drove me nuts. [I liked to think you should EARN an extra-big tip by being totally awesome - which, in all honesty, I was - I totally LOVE serving people!] When I confronted him over this nasty habit, he simply explained, "How many opportunities do you get in this life to REALLY make someone's day for only $2 more?"

So, yes, I could have gone to the school that morning in a nice outfit (not my sweats), and the kids would have enjoyed the story, but with just a small investment in time (15 min.) and a little creativity, I decided to give them an extra $2. You should have seen their faces - so how could I not?!

Monday, April 28, 2008

Inspiration for the Week

"Peace cannot be kept by force.
It can only be achieved by understanding."
Albert Einstein

Friday, April 25, 2008

Fav. Foto Friday

Today I get to be the mystery reader for Gabrielle's kindergarten class. Last time I came as the Queen of Sheba and told a story of my encounter with the wise King Solomon. I wonder who will show up today?!

pssst... I'll give you a hint - I'm sticking with the royalty theme.

p.s. just got back - the Princess of Rizvania had a delightful time!

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

What Was I Thinking?!

My postings of late, while never very consistent, have been minimal at best. And it's not for lack of material to write about (sorry Foolery). I have a small notebook I keep with at least 15 good ideas of stuff (nonsense and in-depth) that I could share. But for some reason, when I sit down at the computer, all I can manage are a few quotes and photos here and there. I'm not sure if it's laziness or fear of putting myself out there or equal parts of both - whatever it is, I need to get over it quickly, because I foolishly (pun intended) promised Foolery I'd share one of these posts that I have in my head this week. So now, not only do I have to motivate myself to type/think, I have to clean my kitchen before I can even write the silly post!

p.s. Happy Earth Day!!

Monday, April 21, 2008

Inspiration for the Week

"The earth is but one country,
and mankind its citizens."

Bahá'u'lláh

Friday, April 18, 2008

Fav. Foto Friday

This is one of those eternal photos that really captures the essence of a person - even though it was taken four years ago, it's THESE faces I see everyday when I look at my girls. That's grandpa in the photo with them.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Inspiration for the Week

The only thing that keeps us from seeing spirit in all beings
is our judgement.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Friday, April 11, 2008

Fav. Foto Friday

This sweet little toddler just left today for her very first trip away from home, ALONE! (i.e. without me). She's headed up to Asheville (4 hours away!!) for a middle school Model U.N. conference. How do the years disappear so quickly?!

Monday, April 07, 2008

Compensation

Having to read all the exciting adventures of Bossy as she travels the country strengthening new-found (and long-time) bloggy friendships with some face-to-face time, I'm left feeling a little envious, especially since I wasn't able to make it up to Richmond to join in on the fun.
But I DID manage to meet a really awesome group of moms last night at a Self-Renewal Party (Amy, I wish you could've been there.) Let me introduce them to you.From left to right: "in search of some spontaneous adult playdates", "gave up being a 'respectable young adult' for salsa dancing in the Rockies", "in love with the Body Therapy Institute", "really loves singing the bed-time song", "just realized how much she enjoys playing hide-n-seek", "is working on ditching her self-criticism", "goes jogging even when it's rainy and cold", yours truly - "exposing everyone on her blog", "can still do an amazing handstand", and "has always loved sneaking away alone for a bit". I can't wait to get to know them even better (and my road trip would only take me 40 minutes on the longest leg - except for the little detour to Atlanta!)

Inspiration for the Week

"It just seems to me that as long as we are both here,
it's pretty clear that the struggle is to share the planet,
rather than to divide it."
Alice Walker

Friday, April 04, 2008

Fav. Foto Friday

We've always loved going to the Zoo.
One of our favorite spots - the polar bear cave (2002).

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

A Wonderful Afternoon

Today we made one of my favorite foods of all time, because it combines two of the best things there are: bananas and bread.

Zohreh's Banana Bread

Preheat oven to 325º. In a mixing bowl, place three very ripe bananas and mash them well. To the bananas, add the following:
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 cup oil
1 egg
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Stir by hand only until completely combined. Pour into loaf pan and bake for about 1 hour 15 min. (until a toothpick comes out clean)
We find this is especially good served with fresh squeezed lemonade,

and homework and friends on the deck.

p.s. should you ever feel moved to thank me for sharing this recipe with you, simply bake me a loaf and bring it on over! [OK - time for a road trip of your own (educational homeschooling field trip - a massive one!); Mrs. G - a homecoming?; foolery - because you're just crazy enough to do it for no reason at all]

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Nerd Alert!

I always new I wasn't one of the cool kids, but I never realized just how nerdy I was (thanks foolery).
I am nerdier than 87% of all people. Are you a nerd? Click here to find out!

this is redeemed only by my new-found royalty

NerdTests.com says I'm an Uber Cool Nerd Queen.  What are you?  Click here!


here's me as the only Junior in high school in the Math Club - redeemed only by the fact that at least I'm wearing my soccer uniform, and not my typical preppie one (yah, I was one of those too)
The black and white photo has spared you from the hideousness of my navy blue and BRIGHT kelly green outfit (yes, complete with "little whale" motif). The photographer also saved you from the sight of my green rubber "duck shoes" - who came up with that idea?! And, only in the South would you find a preppie with a mullet.