Lunar Eclipse

I watched the eclipse tonight with some friends. We laid a tarp down and piled blankets on top of us. It was beautiful to watch the moon get darker and more red until just a bright silvery sliver remained. We endured the thickening clouds that obscured the view and braved the cold December night but I wimped out when the rained started falling. We didn't see the end of the eclipse. Nevertheless, the conversation was lively and the company was lovely. P.S. I heart Winter Break.

Frosted Mini Wheats

When I lived in the Cook Islands as a missionary I acquired a love for a weird food called Banana Poke (2 syllables, rhymes with okay). It's this opaque gelatinous mound that looks almost identical to that raisin desert blob in Better Off Dead: "It has raisins in it . . . you like raisins".

Unfortunately for the missionaries who served after me, the Cook Islanders continued to frequently serve this slightly unnerving delicacy after I left because I had raved about it so much and requested it at potlucks and parties.

There was an American family living on the island however, who showered us with dinner invitations as well. All of which were gratefully accepted because they served amazing things like lasagna, tacos, and spaghetti. I was always so excited and thankful for their generosity. For my birthday they put together a box of classic american favorites as a gift for me: pop tarts, kraft mac & cheese, toothpaste, root beer, and the most glorious thing of all: frosted mini wheats.

My companion, a Kiwi, liked the pop tarts but wouldn't try the moldy looking cereal to save her life. I tried to convince her that it was just frosting, but she remained dubious and I had the whole box to myself. What could be healthier than shredded wheat? What could be more delicious than frosting? What could be more clever than combining these two delicious things together to make the superfood we know and love as frosted mini wheats? And this is my thank you note to the universe for letting it happen.

The kid in me loves the frosting. She really does. Also little kid Karen wonders what ever happened to her star wars figurine collection?

I eat mini wheats for breakfast almost every day and I'm not gonna lie to you: I really only like the Malt-O-Meal version. The Kellogg's version isn't toasted enough. Unless you buy them in Canada because the Canadians toast theirs longer. Why? Because Canadians are cool like that.

I prefer toasted over non toasted. It's a subtle difference but it is significant.

My love of toast expands into other categories as well: bread, english muffins and marshmallows. All better toasted. At Subway, I always request a toasted sandwich. Obviously.

On the road trip I took this summer we bought a toaster thinking we could plug it into the dashboard with our car adapter. Wouldn't that have been the coolest story, "Yeah, as we drove around America we were crunching on toast we made IN THE CAR!" But alas, no dice. Apparently charging a laptop uses less watts that toasting a slice of bread. We shamefully took back the toaster we had excitedly bought from the Fred Meyer in Bend, Oregon where the inspiration hit us. And the only crunching that was happening inside our car was on the peanut butter and raisin covered celery sticks we ate almost continuously. ". . . you like raisins". It's true I do like raisins---I just like toast better.

Also, I have a pretty big crush on the band OK Go. So it is with delight that I introduce this next video that features a combination more delicious than shredded wheat and frosting: OK Go and toast.

2 Things

Thing 1: Today I bought lunch from the cafateria. That's enough to just stop there, but it gets better. Today's menu? Sloppy joes. I am not even kidding. I almost couldn't buy it with a straight face. I think the cafeteria staff thought I was just in a really happy mood. But I kept thinking, how can you be an actual lunch lady and take yourself seriously when you're making sloppy joes? I could not. And if I was humming Lunch Lady Land as I walked away, no one can blame me. It's only the 2nd time I've bought lunch this year so I don't know how common it is as a menu item but it tasted suspicously like yesterday's meatloaf . . .

Thing 2: Some "party supplies" a.k.a a panty liner was found stuck to the bottom of a desk by 2 seventh grade boys in science today. They were, needless to say, horrified. One boy was groaning, "It's one of those things. Those tampon things."
The entire class was sidetracked for a few long minutes as I removed it and explained that today's learning objective was learning about light energy and not sex ed. But there would be time for that later in the year and we needed to get back on task. Well this new information was all anyone could talk about. Exactly when would we be learning about sex?
Not today kids, not today.

Algebra Angst

Please understand that I have been known to misuse superlatives, so some of you are going to roll your eyes when I say this, but here's the truth. Math is my favorite.

I am not even kidding you.

Four of the six classes I'm teaching this year are 8th grade Algebra and they're all freaking out about it. But here's the thing kids, freaking out doesn't help. What we all need a little more of is geeking out. If everyone would just do a bit more of that, we could survive.

Ahhhhhhhhhh, GEEK OUT!

(You really have to sing this ala "Le Freak" to feel the correct intensity of that statement.)

But why is Math my favorite you ask? Besides the obvious answer of it's awesome?! Here's why: Math is like a little puzzle. And let me put in a little disclaimer: I have a degree in Geology and not Astronomy because I didn't want to take so much math . . . *sigh* we all make mistakes in college. But just because I once ran from the fight does not mean I'll let you. So buckle down, here we go:

Suppose you're sitting in class and your teacher says you can use Algebra in real life and you think to yourself: "ummm . . . my teacher is crazy". Well?

And then she throws this at you:

Maggie’s brother is three years younger than twice her age. The sum of their ages is 24. Write and solve an equation to find out how old Maggie is?

And then you think: Holy Smokes! Why does she have to make everything so complicated? Just look at Maggie's birth certificate!

Yeah, if you indentify with the above story, you might be suffering from Algebra Angst.

If you saw the above problem and thought: "Finally! My math teacher promised this would happen someday. I was just blog stalking and now, what a treat, some math I can really sink my teeth into! I've been ready for this moment--let me at it!" Then you might be crazy.

Welcome to your dream world crazies.

Black Keys, Black Eye

Dude. I totally ran smack into a door while getting ready for a concert on Saturday night. Ouch.

The concert was incredible which made the throbbing pain in my face bearable.

I iced my eyebrow with a pint of ice cream, which just made me want to eat ice cream. Eating ice cream, unfortunately, doesn't help with the swelling so by the end of the night I had a pretty little goose egg right above my left eye. Which I found kind of fascinating and kept touching.

Also I cut my hair. It's short and kind of adorable.

All in all, an eventful weekend.

do u want 2 d8 me?

So, school started 1.5 weeks ago. I miss sleeping in until 11. I miss riding my bike around in the sunshine. I miss the money I'm now spending on gas for my killer commute. But I like my classes, the kids are pretty awesome, The Black Keys are rocking out inside my car stereo, and the notes have started flooding in. So my world's going to be ok.

This note, which we will be featuring today, was discovered after the kids were gone for the day, just laying on the floor by the garbage can/rubbish bin (for my Aussie and Kiwi readers).

Get comfortable.

It's awesome.

As always, NO changes to spelling or punctuation except to maintain privacy or decency.

Dear, [Girl's name]

Hey I wanted to see if you can give me a chance cuz we couldn't date last year we had no time and [dang] you look so fine today everybodies saying we would be a cute couple so I wanted to see if u wanted to test the waters with me i'm not even playing around I like you I've changed since last year I'm not a player like I used to be if I really like someone I won't date them just to get something I've changed I'll never go back to the same person I was. Just let me show you I can prove to you that I can be a good boyfriend I now I'm your best friend but I wan't to be more than just your friend. I can be a good boyfriend trust me. Just let me know if you want to date.

P.S I hope we can finish wat we started.

unsigned

Ok kids, what we have here is a mystery. Why was this precious declaration of amorous devotion lying on the floor next to the garbage can?

Did [Girl's name] receive the note and this is her response? Maybe they aren't best friends after all? Or she was appalled, understandably, by his grasp of punctuation usage in the English language? I mean seriously, who wants a boyfriend that puts the comma after dear, instead of your name, therefore negating it being used as an adjective to describe how they feel about you?! Honestly guys, get a clue!

Did the note sender chicken out, never send it to [Girl's name], and throw it away in disgust?

Was a jealous third party entrusted with the sacred task of delivering the note to [Girl's name] and, overcome with the green-eyed monster, thwarted true love's course?

And the greatest mystery of all: why after 108 words did he suddenly decide to throw in a period?

I heart rocks

My little geologist heart has been geeking out all week as I've been driving across the western United States on the fieldtrip of my dreams.

From here:

To here:

It's been a great time so far. Good company and the new Arcade Fire album make it even better.

Everlasting Light

I know I've whined about my commute before so I won't get into that again. But now that it's summer vacation (YEE HAW) I find that I miss the 2 hours I spent everyday rocking out to music (mostly the black keys). Luckily we have a super sweet sound system in our living room. But I don't want to spend all summer in the living room . . .

So I'm planning a road trip. And here's my question: What is your favorite road trip music?

And I want everyone to answer.

The Final Countdown

The last day of school for me is June 24th. Who would you guess is more excited, me or my students?
If you guessed me. You guessed right :)

Summer is such a magical time of year. The slow mornings and road trips fill my soul with gladness. But seriously, we can't live for the summer. Right?

Sometimes on sunday night I forget that I have to go to sleep at some point so I can get to school in the morning. Last night I forgot that. I realized when I went to bed at 3 a.m. that I wasn't going to bed so much as going down for a nap.
Then this morning, I woke up to what felt like a the longest commute EVER. Which is silly because it's always a long commute; 49.7 miles.

Way.

Too.

Long.

But I brought it upon myself and I'm not sorry.

About a year ago, an old and favorite friend and I hatched a plan for me to move 40 miles north and spend a lazy summer in the magnificent metropolis of Seattle. The plan, which has changed since then, would make me only a temporary resident.

But Seattle got into my blood again and I couldn't seem to get out of there, so I moved back permanantly. I have a library card now, which makes it official.


Something to make the commute better:
The new Black Keys album, cranked ALL THE WAY UP.

Something to keep my soul light until summer:
Hiking at night in the pouring rain and getting lost.

Something to check out from the Seattle Public Library:
How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization by Franklin Foer

Super Sonic Chocolate Covered AWESOME!

This post's title is a quote borrowed from one of my 7th graders today. It made us all laugh and I have determined that I must begin circulating it in my daily conversation. So, if you're pretty cool and I notice I just might declare you to be super sonic chocolate covered awesome!



Also good news kids, it's friday. And we all know what that means . . .



It's time for another installment of a low calorie friday treat:

Astronaut

Do you ever feel like you totally sold yourself short? Like when you wonder "Why didn't I become an astronaut?" I think it's time to start living out my dreams of space flight.

Also, I want Harrison Ford to be my boyfriend.

Mother's Day Recipe Book (Recycled Post)

I used to dream of opening my own restaurant, I started making plans when I was about 8. I invented several tasty treats, arranged them on the kitchen table and stood behind it to sell them to Emily, Roger and my Mom. Our mom ooooed and ahhed and wrote checks to me at my "restaurant." Real checks!

Recipe for Little Karen's Tasty Treats
Ingredients: Marshmallows, Jam, Toothpicks
Directions: Coat marshmallows with a sticky layer of Jam. Stick a toothpick in marshmallow. Eat happily.

When I was 10 I wanted an apron for my birthday. Yes an apron. For my restaurant, duh. I still had big plans. Big tasty plans. Thankfully I have a wonderful family who loved me, cared for me and gave me an apron. Luckily they knew this was kind of a lame request and gave me other cool stuff. Jill and Suzy got me a swatch watch, and jeans from the GAP; way too cool for the likes of me. I dearly loved it though. And I loved them. My 10th birthday was shadowed with the death of my mother, but they were there for me and loved me through that hard time. They were like little moms to me. Cool college students. Suzy even took the semester in correspondent courses so she could stay with us longer. Gratitude fills me when I think of all the women who have blessed my life after my lovely mother's death. Kathy Pettit had Emily and me come to her house several Fridays after school for cooking lessons (getting closer to the dream of restaurant ownership all the time). She would always send us home with dinner and dessert, therefore blessing not only our lives with her tender care but that of our grieving father as well.

Recipe for Medium Karen's Chocolate Cake (From the kitchen of Kathy Pettit)
Ingredients: Chocolate cake, chocolate frosting, toothpicks.
Directions: Mix and bake cake. Pull out of the oven and test center with a toothpick, spread with chocolate frosting. Eat gratefully.

This blog is my Mother's Day tribute to all of the wonderful women, truly kindred spirits, who have loved me and taught me so much, not just about cooking but caring and living the gospel too.

The Lord, in his wisdom and infinite goodness, has blessed my life through the kindness of others in many ways. None more obvious than in that of my wonderful mother, Judie, who lovingly joined our family and also our hearts. How lucky we were!
I'm sure that every one thinks their own family is great but secretly I know that mine is the best. Ok, ok! The best for me. We love each other, we love to be near each other and spent much of our teenage years crowded together with our mom on her bed talking and gossiping; our poor dad never had a spot to sit. He would come home, walk in, look around and then go make dinner. I love you Mom, you were the heart of our home. In honor of my parents, I offer this recipe to liven your next party.

Big Karen's Parent's Favorite Appetizers
Ingredients: 1 can whole water chestnuts, Bacon cut in thirds, brown sugar or BBQ sauce, toothpicks to hold it all together.
Directions: Wrap bacon around water chestnuts. Secure with toothpick. Place on cookie sheet, brush with BBQ Sauce or sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake at 350 degrees until bacon is done, about 1 hour. Eat carefully. (there are sharp toothpicks inside that could poke your lip)

The dark side of restaurant ownership of course is washing the dishes when you are done making the mess. Although, my mom tried very hard to teach me to love cleaning (thanks Mom!) it's still a struggle. Here's a poem, posted in our kitchen by our mom, to help you love to wash dishes. Although, I still dislike washing dishes, I love this poem.

Thank God for dirty dishes,
They have a tale to tell,
While others may go hungry,
We're eating very well.
With health and strength and happiness,
I should not want to fuss,
For by the stacks of evidence,
The Lord's been good to us.

Doesn't this poem make you want to wash some dishes? Me neither. Many, many roommates will tell you the truth about me. That I am a nice person, with a good heart but that mumble, mumble, ...mmmbbb. What? What's that's noise I heard just then. Did you hear it too? I think it was my oven beeping. I have to go pull out my chocolate cake.

This post is dedicated to Judie, my Super-Mom, and to all of my other adoptive moms. Suzy, Jill, Grandma Marie, the Sumner/Puyallup/Surprise Lake Ward Relief Society. And to my sisters Amber, Emily, Siri, Honor, Veronique, Cori and Angie who are my heroes and friends. I love you each and all.

Chemical Cupcakes

Look at this!! Seriously? I know, right? My roommate Aimee made this incredible birthday surprise for me. I love it. Love, love, love it.

She told me about 3 weeks ago that I was not allowed in the kitchen the night before my birthday. And then last night she barricaded it off with kitchen chairs and yelled reminders at me every time I even poked my nose out of my room.

So I went to a movie with friends while she worked away in the kitchen, still having no idea about the amazing masterpeice she was sneakily creating at home.

But, Aims, you out did yourself. Even in my wildest dreams I never could have expected this. You're awesome! Thanks for your friendship.

P.S. I wonder if I should be embarassed that my friends know I would love this. Maybe not. But I should be embarassed about the video Jennifer recorded as the masterpiece was unveiled. I actually jumped into the air. Yep.

Low Calorie Friday Treat

This one is going to rock your world.

Poem

Three things:

April is national poetry month.

My mother passed away on this date a week before my 10th birthday.

That birthday party was kind of stupid . . .

In honor of this trifecta of events here's a poem.

Cassiopeia and Andromeda

The constellations glide and alter so slowly as to seem immovable,
So stretch the cords and bonds that make me ever yours.
And you, mine.
The dreams and hopes you whispered with kisses to my infant ears rooted, sprouted, fruited and became my own.
Your eyes sparkle still, your heart beats ever, your laugh echoes, you live.
Though you live not, you live in me.
The curve of your face is my own curve.
The strength of your hand is my own strength.
The hope of your faith is my own hope.
The love which binds we two, stops not at death, begins not at birth, finds no sorrow at departure, but glides ever on like the graceful dance of stars.

Low Calorie Friday Treat

Please enjoy this adorable educational treat.

Oxygen from Christopher Hendryx on Vimeo.

Line of Best Fit

I sometimes fall back on math to solve my problems. Once, a sympathetic friend was standing next to me when another girl began asking me awkward and personal questions about a guy I was dating. My friend, seeing that I was getting uncomfortable/nervous turned to me and said "Quick, what's 5+5?" Ahhh, love her. And math. Combining love and math seems like an odd sum to some. But in my universe things are always better when they are coupled.

Recently I used math to illustrate a point to one of my friends while we were up late talking about love and romance. I told her that it seems to me that love is a scatter plot.

The x-axis represents time and the y-axis the positive/negative interactions you have with someone. Of course it's best when the positive interactions increase over time because the goal with any blossoming romance is to increase both the frequency and the positive degree of your interactions. This is what math nerds call a positive correlation.

But sometimes there's no correlation at all and you're left with a bunch of random dots all over.

*sigh*

Math Homework:

1. Practice finding a line of best fit. click here

2. Watch Kirby and the Love Equation

Joke

Q: Why didn't the bunny have any friends?
A: Because he was so cheep, cheep, cheep!

Get it?

Me neither.

But the 7th grader who just told it to me was laughing pretty hard and thought he was pretty hilarious.

Sweet Monique

Some joys in life are coupled with sorrow. Nine and half years ago my little niece Monique was born in a burst of surprise. What a sweet little angel she was. My brother, always the comedian, used to hold her up and talk for her in this crazy little high pitched voice until we were all laughing, I'm sure Monique would have approved. Over the years, her cousins and younger siblings have loved to be near her. We've each loved the tender moments of time with her as we've watched her bravely endure an uncooperative body that didn't allow her freedom of movement or speech. Although her time with us was too short and often heart wrenching, we loved her dearly.

Through all of this, her parents have been constantly brave and loving. They were just 22 year old kids when she was born but they met this challenge courageously and gracefully. I love you Roger and Veronique. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

Now the challenge to figure out how to say goodbye is in front of each of us. I for one, am unsure of how to do that. But I echo my brother and his family in the following message,

"During this difficult time our family testifies of the reality of the resurrection which is a gift from our Savior Jesus Christ and are filled with an overwhelming sense of love and hope. We take strength in a sure and peaceful witness that our Father in Heaven loves us and has prepared a way for our family to be together now and throughout all eternity."

Amen.

Distracted

Cram 30 young people into a room and you're going to get some off task behaviors. You just are. I spend most of my working day trying to keep a roomful of kids from getting distracted. Then I spend the rest of my life giving in to the sweet, sweet temptation of distraction. I love being distracted.

Low Calorie Friday Treat

One of my students gave me a fortune cookie this morning with this awesome fortune: "You will enjoy doing something different this coming weekend." I have to admit that this little slip of paper has created a bit of hopeful anticipation in my soul. How cool would that be if it were true!

A typical weekend for me mostly involves rest and hanging out with friends. Both of these are enjoyable activities, but yeah, I would love to "enjoy doing something different". . .

Any ideas?

And here without further ado, the low calorie friday treat tradition continues: Enjoy!

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/4255627/ok_go_this_too_shall_pass/


Hope you enjoy doing something different this coming weekend too.

Chocolate for Medicinal Purposes

I'm seldom crabby. Happy is my personality’s default operating procedure. But sometimes...well, we all have our moments.
A couple of weeks ago I had one of those moments. I know exactly what caused the mood, but I just couldn't shake it. If you didn’t know me you might not have even realized what a funk I was in, but Aimee, who knows me well, spent the morning with me. Poor kid.

So I'm driving around pioneer square trying to find parking and getting so annoyed (this would try the patience of a person in the best mood ever) and finally just pulled over and dropped her off to run into Elliot Bay Books as I circled the block.

A few minutes later, she returned with this huge gourmet chocolate bar which she explained she had purchased because she knew it would cheer me up. How amazingly cool is this chic chick?
Seriously.

Verdict? It totally worked. I let this perfect square of rich dark chocolate melt tenderly in my mouth as I felt every burden lift off my soul and fly away.

Rx: Chocolate. For use in cases of extreme grumpyness, disgruntled emotions or dementors.

I also encourage preventative medicine. Eating a bowl of cocoa crispies for breakfast sounds smart. Try it tomorrow.

Dating and Fashion Advice

Note #1
Girl 1: Curl your hair 2morrow! Please!
Girl 2: I can't
G1: Why not?
G2: cuz
G1: Fine then! At least sleep w/ braidsin!
G2: Well I can try but I suck at it
G1: It's easy leave it in count to 20 spray w/ hairspray but DON'T brush it. okay!


Note #2
Girl 1: Bow Chica Wow Wow!
Girl 2: What do U mean?!?
Girl 2 (after what appears to be a little time): GASP!
I just got it!
OMG!
G1: loL! i'll ask him at P.E to ask you out.
G2: I'm sooo nervous abt all this! I D even know if I want 2 go out w/ him!
HELP!
G1: Ummmmmm I'll just tell him 2 ask u out and you can decide to say yes or no.
G2: That is SOOO unfair!! :)

There are so many things about these notes that crack me up. Like why do they find so much time on their hands during my classes? Or Why don't they use proper punctuation? But the thing that is so curious, is why am I still having the same conversations with my own friends? OMG!

Rogue Babies

The floor of the chapel was crawling with babies during church today. They're like wind up toys going every which way and direction.

You see these kids squirming in their parents arms to get free. You know it's because they feel the need for speed and the cheerios and fishy snacks, which will pacify them for a time, will never fill the void.

Eventually sweet freedom is gathered in. Their knees hit the carpet with squeals of delight and if their old man can't catch them, they're off like a shot.

Each of them however, has one destination: the steps at the front. They crawl there as fast as they can, or run if they've mastered the art of bipedal mobility. Only to reach the steps and turn around to glowingly taunt both their parents and every restrained baby in the room.

Soon a shamefaced, sleep deprived adult comes shuffling down the aisle to collect their genetic offspring who looks on the congregation with triumph in their eyes, fists in the air and a cry of "I shall return," upon their lips.

Pop Quiz

http://xkcd.com/135/

Confiscated Notes

Seventh graders love writing notes to each other. I have an absolutely-NO-note-writing policy in my classroom. Seriously kids, we have important things to do!

Ahhhh, but when I find a note, I love it. LOVE IT. They are theee greatest to read. Today's crop was too awesome to not share. I might make this a regular feature on my blog. All names have been changed and swears have been changed to more polite words, otherwise it's exactly as it appears in it's original glory.

Note #1

Student 1 (boy): Hey.

Student 2 (girl): Hi.

S1: whatchu doin.

S2: pretending to care about what Ms.White is saying

ME: LOL (I laughed for 5 entire minutes)

S1: so what's up

S2: nothing...what about you...?

S1: thinkin about stuff that men are suppose to think about...cars

S2: haha...cars are cool.

S1: yup. so you have nise shoos I like your hair

S2: thanks...I like your broken shoes

S1: thanks alot...yeah so u uhh like them thanks so.

S2: so.

S1: so what.

S2: i don't know

S1: ok. so ummmm. (Another student) thinks you don't have an (bum) but I think you have a nice one. LOL JKJK

S2: lol.

S1: your funny

S2: your funny x3

S1: ok yah and your cute x 10,000,000,000.

S2: your cute x 100 (no offense)

S1: whatever.

S1: so ummmmm. OMG Im so Board.

Ahhhh, wiping a tear, so awesome. I love the spelling.

Note #2

S1:Hi (girl's name)!

S2: Hey (girl's name).

S1: THIS IS TORTURE

S2: fo serious! haha

S1: Did you guys kiss yet?

S2: No...We barely talked over break cuz I got my phone taken away...And I've only seen him once today

Me: I feel your pain sister.

Note #3

S1: haha I'm bored. this is my own personal torture chamber :(

S2: mine too. this is way boring. She drones on like Charlie Brown's teacher

S1: yupp she does

S2: I (heart symbol) My Flats :)

First day back from break felt like torture to me too...

Dear Christmas Break,

I miss you so much.

Love, Karen

Photo Booth

Aims and I playing around with the camera on my new, beautiful computer.

CD cover for our band Chubby Digits:

Amusing Aimee. Amused Wren.

Comic Book Effect.

My favorite.

Then we discovered the video option:

(Turn off music in side bar before viewing)

More video (filmed in thermal mode):

ahhhhh...good times.

Low Calorie Friday Treat

I found this little gem and thought I'd post it for your education and enjoyment.



Something else you'll love: http://nerds.unl.edu/pages/resource/elements.swf