Anxious Teacher Moment

I'm encouraging two of my students living with Autism to participate in the Science Fair. I truly feel they are capable of doing well, but I just had a panic attack about it.

I will have to guide them through the process. Truly make them feel confident with the material and concepts. The project focuses on magnetic force.

They also have to interact with visitors to their display. This is a significant area of development for both of them. I told them they will be teachers for a day. I know they can do it!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter!

BTW, did you know the Easter bunny has its origin in pre-Christian fertility lore. The Hare and the Rabbit were the most fertile animals known and they served as symbols of the new life during the Spring season.

The bunny as an Easter symbol seems to have its origins in Germany, where it was first mentioned in German writings in the 1500s. The first edible Easter bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800s. And were made of pastry and sugar.

The Easter bunny was introduced to American folklore by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s.

The arrival of the "Oschter Haws" was considered "childhood's greatest pleasure" next to a visit from Christ-Kindel on Christmas Eve. The children believed that if they were good the "Oschter Haws" would lay a nest of colored eggs.

The children would build their nest in a secluded place in the home, the barn or the garden. Boys would use their caps and girls their bonnets to make the nests . The use of elaborate Easter baskets would come later as the tradition of the Easter bunny spread through out the country. Source: Holiday Net

My Spring Soundtrack

Good people, it's been awhile since I shared what is turning me on sonically. Here are some tracks that are helping me take in the arrival of spring in a joyful way.

The Warning by Sepalcure: A nice track to get you going without amping you up too much. It has the layers and house vibe that I love.


Make It Better (Stylus Dust Remix) by The Knocks: I stomp to the bus stop while this track gets my mind, body and soul ready for my students.


Electric Feel by MGMT: This track has been out for awhile, but it's new to me. I came across the band while reading some shady remarks about them. Hey, it's has a nice beat, and you can dance to it. Plus, I like when DWB try to serve up some soul.

I Gagged Then Came Together

I almost spit up my cereal with soy milk this morning. As I was checking out Dlisted.com I came across a post showing the disfigurement of Pete Burns' face. Good people, ya remember Pete right? He was the lead singer of Dead or Alive. He use to rock the eye patch and sang about being spun around and his heart going bang, bang, bang, bang.

He paid a lot of money and went through a lot of pain to get to these horrid results. I did see him several years back and saw the early stages of his new face. Silly me. I thought he would know when to say when.

This was Pete back in the 80s. The gown is not so great, but the face and hair are serving.

This is Pete now! There is nothing serving about this. What a shame!

Random Thoughts

I have off this week from work. I so needed it. I really need some downtime and need to start tending to some long overdue tasks. Well, at the very least I hope I can get several things done. With that said, let me share the following:

- Until the probate process for Marcos' estate is completed, money is extremely tight. I decided to just roll with it and keep things afloat. In the big picture I am still a very fortunate person, and I don't want to create negative energy around me.

- Meanwhile, last week Tuesday I was down to my last $20. Later that day a friend told me my name was on a list the NYS Comptroller had put out of people that are owed money. Good people, that Friday a check for $635 came to my rescue. Click here so you can go and check for your name.

- I am missing Marcos. I find comfort in having yet another experience where he was able to let me know he was transitioning. This recent experience involved Marcos becoming cocooned and the message being metamorphosis.

- The next day I walked in on the social worker of my school providing grief counseling for two young students. She used the metaphor of a butterfly going through metamorphosis to explain what happens to people when they die. She knew nothing of my recent experience. I had to go to my office and sit down. Affirmations rock!

- I will be heading to The Met next month to see the exhibit of Alexander McQueen's creations at The Costume Institute. Anyone within five hours of NYC should go. It is going to be a scandal! Click here for a taste.

Pop Quiz! Put Your Books Away

"The U.S. citizenship test is composed of 100 questions across five categories: American government, systems of government, rights and responsibilities, American history, and integrated civics. Ten questions from the 100 are chosen randomly for the test-taker. To pass, one must get at least six right. In its poll of 1,000 people, the Daily Beast rotated the questions. Beyond the topline—62 percent of Americans passed, 38 percent failed—there are huge discrepancies in the kinds of civic knowledge Americans collectively possess." Source: Newsweek

I took the test and scored a C+. Ouch! Give it a go and let me know what you earned in the comment section.

Click here for the quiz.

A Resource For Life-Long Learners

I just found a new website obsession. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a great resource for learning within the Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History site. I highly recommend the thematic essays. You will learn so much.

Click here to explore.