Ten Places I Want to Visit (U.S. version)

Here they are, again in no particular order: 1. Washington, D.C. 2. Chicago 3. Mt. Rushmore 4. Sonoma 5. Williamsburg, Va 6. Miami 7. Niagara Falls 8. Seattle 9. The Colorado Rockies 10. Cape Cod

Ten Places I Want to Visit (Non-US)

In no particular order: 1. Buenos Aires, Argentia 2. Sydney, Australia 3. Dakar, Senegal 4. Johannesburg, South Africa 5. Toronto, Canada 6. Dublin, Ireland 7. New Zealand 8. Tokyo, Japan 9. Prague, Czech Republic 10. Moscow, Russia What is your top ten?

C'est so Paris!

While I was in Paris last month, I was immediately hit by something: Parisians aren't half-bad! After having studied there, I sorta knew that French people aren't (always) that arrogant, sulking person on the street with the bad attitude. Still, I always wondered why so many of them seemed so darned full of attitude. I am happy to report that this June, however, I saw smiling, fun-loving people on the street willing to help, willing to listen to my students' bad French, and even just general cheeriness (I know!). While there, I remember thinking that there must be something in the water, or maybe they are passing out euros to the Parisian who smiles the most. Amazingly enough, I think that because of this friendliness, my students are more than excited to get back. See what happens Parisians when you don't bite the hand that feeds you?. After returning to the states I saw an article that Paris' mayor has begun a campaign to rid the world's view of that angry Parisian. Here, NPR goes to Paris for 'Tourist Day'. See also: C'est so Paris! edit: Going to France, and not sure what people are trying to tell you through their Gallic gestures? 'The Daily Telegraph' has set up a pictorial to help you out!

Let's get this party started...

It's really funny. I've been reading blogs for a while now, and I have become used to seeing people say that they haven't blogged because "life got in the way". I always thought that was strange because I would blog about things that were happening in life. Well as you can see. It's been a good long while since I've blogged. I must now officially say it: "Life got in the way". I moved out of my apartment in June, but my wonderful cable company got the dates wrong, so I had to live about 5 weeks without TV or Internet. That isn't really an easy task, seeing as how my school internet connection doesn't allow me to check my other e-mail addresses. 2 days after moving, I left with students on an 11-day European trip to Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris. It was a great trip, and the kids had a great time. I was a bit worried because the students didn't really know each other beforehand, but it worked out great. It's amazing what you can learn about your students in 11 days! Amazingly enough, I wasn't quite finished with traveling yet. When I moved out of my apartment, I placed all of my furniture and belongings in storage. I slept 2 more days at my parent's house, then left for 2 weeks to stay with a friend in Philadelphia. I hadn't ever been to the 'City of Brotherly Love', but I was hyped to see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and all the other stops that created the US. It is a great city as long as you stay in the city center. I got lost walking, and ended up in South Philly, which is something that should be avoided at all costs. This trip to the northeast contained a lot of firsts: My first time ever driving to New York City, my first time taking an Amtrak from Manhattan to Philly, and getting into random New York craziness. I've never stayed up after 5 am on consecutive nights, but I can no longer say that! Now that I am back in Texas, I have set my sights on moving into my new apartment, planning my AP classes, and getting back on a regular sleeping schedule. In theory, It seemed like a really fun idea to spend the summer traveling back to back, but needless to say, airports will wipe you out. I took 8 flights in a little over a month. I'm back, and ready to blog!