Happy St.Patrick's Day!

Despite the fact that I'm only 1/8 Irish, I still like to celebrate like I'm full on St.Patrick's Day! Making corned beef and cabbage for dinner and relaxing with an Irish coffee and book for now. 

Influential books

I was tagged by my cousin Nikki to post a list of the top 10 most influential books in my life. As an avid reader, I had a difficult time narrowing it down to only 10, but here is my list (in no particular order):

1. The Portable Dorothy Parker by Dorothy Parker
2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
3. Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
4. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
5. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
6. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams
7. Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
8. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
9. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
10. Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan


It's surprising how some books can leave such a lasting mark on you. To be honest, I couldn't even tell you directly why a few of these books are so important to me; I just know that they are. It's like a warm, cozy feeling you get from recalling a memory. You can't always pinpoint your exact thoughts, but you can recall how you felt at that moment. Other books, had the complete opposite response. I can quote the lines and sections that had the largest influence on my life and explain in detail why that is so. 

The power of Twitter

I recently discovered a Twitter campaign executed by students at my former high school to get Aaron Rodgers, QB of my beloved Green Bay Packers, to attend events put on by those students. Apparently, suggested by Student Council members, students bombarded Aaron Rodgers (@Aaron Rodgers12) with numerous requests via Twitter. From what I hear, Rodgers recognized the determination of the Bradford High School student body and has agreed to look at their requests.

Alright BHS u have been blowing up my twitter feed. Gimme some more info
— Aaron Rodgers (@AaronRodgers12) February 27, 2013

I love this for two reasons: 1. Students took action themselves to use social media to reach their goal; 2. This shows the potential power and use of social media in education. If students can use Twitter to connect with an MVP quarterback in the NFL, they can use it to connect with fellow students, educators, professionals and others to add to the educational experience.

I applaud the students for their determination on this task and also the student council advisors for encouraging students try new methods and use Twitter to collaborate with other students to meet that goal. Good luck, BHS students; I hope you get the response you want. 

Healthy living

I've been working out a lot lately. This isn't just a New Year's resolution, but actually an effort to change my life... I want to be healthier. I want to eat healthier and workout more to improve my health and general well being. I joined a gym and have been doing well so far going consistently. I know I am not as active today as I was in college and therefore am taking it slow. I don't want to get burned out too early or discouraged from continuing the healthy process. My cousin, a previous college athlete, has helped me develop a workout routine that will target the areas I want and will, hopefully, not be so overwhelming that I quit or don't reach my full potential.

I do admit though, there have been days that I have felt disheartened. It is difficult to continue down a difficult road when you cannot clearly see the results. I have to keep telling myself that this is a marathon, not a sprint. It has somewhat become my new mantra. I have also contemplated creating an "encouragement board." Not a virtual Pinterest one in which I must actively seek out, but instead an old school magazine collage to hang on the fridge or kitchen wall as a constant reminder of my goals. I hope that as I continue leading a healthy lifestyle, I will no longer crave the bad habits I used to have and instead this healthier lifestyle will become second nature and a part of me. It is still early so I am not certain the effect it will have but I have high hopes and strong determination. 

Planning for D.C.

In a month or so, I will be landing in Washington D.C. to spend time with my best friend and satisfy my nerdy history side. I can't even begin to tell you how thrilled I am to be making this trip. It's basically been in the works for a year now, but the timing, and airplane ticket price, was never right. The deadline for a visit was approaching fast as Jessi, my aforementioned best friend, moves across country in May so... I booked the flight. It's perfect timing, really. The end of March marks the beginning of Cherry Blossom Festival season, something that I've always wanted to experience. Also, no doubt the weather will be hella nicer in Washington D.C. than the Midwest during that time of the year. {For all I know, the Midwest could be in the middle of a blizzard in April.} 

Also, as I have mentioned, HUGE HISTORY NERD! There's no where else for someone like me to go to soak in as much history than in D.C.. While I fully expect to spend as much time with my dear best friend as possible, I also have a full itinerary of historical sites and museums to visit while she is busy at work. {Thank goodness I figured out that Metro the last time I was in D.C..} Her fiance is also a big history geek so.... field trip! As a history teacher, I also hope to bring back great photographs and interesting nuggets of information to share with my students. 

A few sites and scenes I want to take in while in D.C.:

The Cherry Blossom Festival

Eastern Market flea market

Monuments: Lincoln, Washington, etc. 

Memorials: WWII, Vietnam, Korea, etc. 

Every single Smithsonian 

John F. Kennedy Center For Performing Arts

White House, Capitol building and Supreme Court

National Holocaust Museum 

Happy Valentine's Day...

... from your favorite communist leaders. While I am not a fan of this absurd holiday, I thought this was too good to pass up. I need to get these printed for my classroom around the Valentine's season.

Brewery tour

I like beer. That's no surprise. So when my friend asked me if I wanted to join her and other friends on a brewery tour, I jumped at the chance. Before embarking on our tour of hops, distillers and other brewing necessities, we enjoyed a delicious fish fry while watching the young and old polka. {Only in Wisconsin would all these things happen.} The tour at Lakefront Brewing itself was fantastic. We were lucky enough to get a young brewery tour, Mike, who though a mixture of inappropriate jokes, off-handed comments and Lucille Ball impersonations kept us laughing throughout the entire tour. Well, him and the drunk older ladies slurring ridiculous comments. 

Also, I decided that I will forever be a fan of brewery tours because I was able to try several new brews. I may even have a new favorite {Klisch}! If you are ever in the Milwaukee area, stop and try a tour or few of Lakefront Brewing's best.  

Thought-provoking application questions

As I was completing an application for a new teaching position, I came across this question: "If there were absolutely no restrictions placed upon you, what would you want to do in life?" Wow, what a simple, yet incredibly difficult question to answer.

I would travel the world exploring the different scenery, cultures, languages, histories and people. I would talk to everyone I could during these trips and listen to their stories; and possibly write a book on my experiences and their lives. How amazing would that be to actually travel to the places that I read about constantly and talk face to face with someone who lives within a culture I find fascinating?

I know that I would be so fascinated by everything that I learned throughout these journeys that I would have to share and discuss everything with others. I have always held the idea of writing a book in the back of my mind. The topic and format of the book tends to change over time, but the idea remains constant.

For a while, I was writing short stories and a fairly constant pace, but the writing of those has declined over the years. It is something that I would like to eventually begin doing again, but I never feel like I have enough time. I know, I know, if I wanted to do something enough, I'd make time. As of now, I am enthralled by the idea of creating a collection of Chuck Klosterman-esque essays. Though I may not possess quite as much snark as he does. 

I'm sure my book plan will change at least a dozen more times before I even attempt to begin writing. Still, I do plan. 

{image via}

Christening the Papa-NeeNee

This past week, my friends and I gathered together to christen a new boat the "Papa-NeeNee." She had bought the boat last fall but was unable to put it in the Milwaukee Harbor until this past weekend. It's a beautiful boat-- complete with a full living area below deck and a spacious seating area up top. Even more beautiful than the boat was the weather. We were able to cruise down the river before sunset without even a blanket to stay warm. After a relaxing night on the boat, we enjoyed a delicious fish fry at the Yacht Club. Amazing night. 

Bachelorette weekend

This past weekend my friends and I celebrated Alyssa's upcoming wedding. About 15 of us gathered at a cabin {more like a condo} in Wisconsin Dells. I was pleasantly surprised that friends from all over the country were able to fly or drive in for the festivities. We celebrated with wine, board games, a wine tasting, delicious meals, long conversations, dance parties and a wild night out. It was an incredibly fun weekend and  I'm so glad that I was able to celebrate with Alyssa and the rest of our friends. Can't wait for another friend to get engaged :)

Happy Cinco de Mayo

A young Barack Obama

I recently stumbled across photographs of a young President Barack Obama. What a smooth man. I never realized how hip our president is; I'm really digging the hat.

{These photos and more via}

The Kite Runner graphic novel

I just finished reading The Kite Runner a Graphic Novel by Khaled Hosseini this afternoon. Most of my students think anything longer than a few pages is WAY too much to read. So to tempt students to read, the librarians at my school recently bought many new graphic novels. As the Kite Runner is one of my favorite novels, I decided to give the graphic novel a try. I heard that Hosseini actually approved all pages included in the book. To be honest, I appreciate the effort to interest teenagers in reading, however, I did not like the graphic novel version at all. It was like when you read a book and have images in your mind of how everyone should look and act. And then you see the movie and it's nothing like that. You lose so much emotion and detail when you move to the graphic novel version of stories. I highly suggest reading actual books, especially Kite Runner, rather than graphic novels. 

my life, according to photos

Yes, most of my time lately has been spent in my classroom grading papers, administering tests, writing lesson plans and such. I do have spring break coming up in a week though and boy am I looking forward to sleeping in past 5a.m. I'm sure I'll spend 90 percent of the break writing plans and doing other certification work, but it'll be nice to do it at home or a coffee shop anyway. 

Mr. Mad Men

In elementary school, the PTA held monthly book fairs and as a class we would walk to the gym dollars in hand and pick a new book or two. It was always my favorite day. When I was really young, I used to race to the Mr. Men books. {My favorite was Mr. Tall.} Imagine my surprise and glee when I found out The Poke had the idea of combing Mr. Men books and Mad Men... two of my favorite things. I love how they were able to capture the characters' personalities in such simple drawings. How cute.

Don Draper is back

The day is finally here. Mad Men is back from a 17-month hiatus. I'm completely thrilled. The last season left me with so many questions {especially concerning Don's possible marriage and Peggy's promiscuous ways} that have remained unanswered for far too long. I admit I'm not much of a TV viewer, Mad Men is my one exception.  The characters are all so well-developed and interesting and the show constantly surprises. If I didn't have to teach tomorrow, I would mix an old fashioned tonight in honor of Don Draper's return. {Guide to the cocktails of Mad Men.} I will still be watching, on the edge of my sit, I anticipate. I can't wait to see what this season will bring. 

{image via, read for great insight into the women on the show}

little notes

dear midwest,
thank you for the beautiful weather we've been having lately. i love listening to spring training baseball on the radio while driving with my windows down. please stay this way.


dear amc,
i'm so excited that mad men is coming back in less than a week. i've been waiting so long for my favorite show. please don't keep me waiting as long for next season. pretty please.


dear clemente,
i'm so sorry you've been sick lately. who ever heard of a cat developing allergies. at least we can cuddle in bed and be miserable together.


dear allergies,
i know we've gotten really close over the past month or so, but you're too controlling. i could really use a break.

Date night

My Mom and I enjoyed a date together tonight. We stopped for a relaxing dinner of chicken florentine and fettuccine alfredo. Then, we caught a showing of Casablanca at the local theater. Yes, Casablanca. I was ecstatic when I heard that my favorite movie of all time was going to be shown on the big screen 70 years after its initial release. I must have seen the movie a hundred times, but let me tell you, it was a hundred times better watching it on a floor to ceiling screen. Humphrey Bogart was even more dreamy. I wish we had a theater that would show old classic movies on a regular basis. I would love to see Cary Grant, Gregory Peck, Paul Newman or William Powell also on the big screen. 

"8": A Play about the Fight for Marriage Equality

I thought this was fantastic so I had to share. "8" is a play {directed by Rob Reiner} about the case filed by the American Federation for Equal rights to overturn Proposition 8 in California. It is an incredibly moving, intimate look at the issue of same-sex marriage and the California amendment that aimed to ban it. The play features such famous actors as George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Kevin Bacon, Martin Sheen, Jamie Lee Curtis and more. Originally, this play was performed and streamed live. But you can watch it online.

Book club

It's known that I love books. My friend Jessi does also. We used to sit at coffee shops for hours discussing our latest reads and those still on the list. Well, she lives in Washing D.C. now so we don't get to sip coffee and talk like we used to, however, we can still talk books. After years of searching for a good book club with no luck, Jessi and I have decided to create our own. Which, I suppose, isn't so much a "book club" as it is two people chatting about some book they read, but I LOVE the idea nonetheless. 

We're going to start with First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung and we already have a long list of others waiting. Can you imagine why we haven't found book clubs to interest us? Couldn't be due to our somewhat depressing taste in literature, huh? I'm really excited anyway.