My new camera!

This is my adorable nephew who is showing off his muscles!

I took this picture with my new camera! It's a Nikon D50 and I've enjoyed using it so far!

I took a long time to decide what camera I wanted to purchase, and I finally selected the D50. The price was right and its bells and whistles were just what an amateur hobby photographer like me needed.

So far I haven't taken as many pictures as I would have liked to, but I think the patience will pay off when I have some time to really get down and dirty with the camera!

The beauty of public schools...

A huge perk to working in a public school is vacation time! Not only do we get summers off, but we don't have school on a majority of the national holidays. Plus we have winter break and spring break.

We are fast approaching Veterans Day and I don't technically have to go to school! However, I will most likely be at school on my day off because there seems to be a never ending stream of work to do. Days off are more like days to catch up, but I am still excited!! (Sometimes I think I'm more excited than the students!) ;)

A Charitable Responsibility?

I recently got into a discussion about the charitable merits and responsibilities of corporations. When I quoted some statistics I had read about the issue, they were questioned, so I decided to do some research of my own. I chose three "corporations" to do some mathematical analysis on. I researched their charitable donations compared to their revenue. I used the charitable donation numbers from the websites of these corporations, and used independent sites en.wikipedia.org a free on-line encyclopedia, and Forbes magazine as resources for revenue and history.

First, we'll start with the big kid on the block, Wal-Mart. On its web-site, walmartfacts.com, Wal-Mart states that it contributes "more than $5 a second every day of the year" to charities. Wal-Mart was number one in cash contributions this last year contributing $170 million to local charities and education initiatives. This is a great number, and after doing the math I found that:

Wal-Mart gives 0.0607% of their revenue to charity.

This is six-one-hundredths of a percent. Considering the company's revenue is over $280 billion, think of how much more they could do if they only gave one-tenth of a percent of their revenue, a drop in their corporate bucket, to worthy causes they support, like education. That would amount to $280 million, over twice the amount they donated last year.

The next corporate giver I looked at was Target Corporation. Again, looking at its foundation's website, Target states that it is a founding member of the "5 Percent Club", which "encourages U.S. corporations to commit five percent of federally taxable income to support community nonprofits." Target also states that it "contributes more than $2 million a week to communities it serves." Giving $2 million a week puts Target giving more than $104 million a year to charity. This number is smaller than Wal-Mart's, but Target doesn't create as much revenue as the top dog so after calculating the percent given I found that:

Target gives 0.22% of its revenue to charity.

Comparing the two percentages, Target actually gives 3.5 times more than Wal-Mart. Still, it seems to me that number is too small, but then again, corporations are in the business of making money.

The next on my list was Bill Gates, the richest man in the world. I decided that he was so rich, that I could count him as his own corporation. In January 2000, Bill Gates and his wife Melinda founded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Through the foundation, Bill Gates has donated more than $6 billion. In an interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC's This Week on November 6, 2005, Gates talks about the work of the foundation trying to help cure diseases, and spur action from the governments of these affected countries. Patty Stonesifer, the President and co-chair of the foundation, states that "at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, we believe that philanthropy plays a relatively small role in making social change. Foundations can act as a catalyst, but it's the private sector and governments that drive the most lasting improvements in people's lives." The Gates Foundation supports four key causes: Global health, Education, Libraries in relation with technology, and the Pacific Northwest (the Gates' community.) Taking the $6 billion Bill Gates has donated and his net worth as stated in Forbes magazine I found that:

Bill Gates has given over 12% of his wealth to worthy causes.

Not only has he given so much money, his vision for the effects his charity would have are becoming reality. Governments are following his example of ridding the world of diseases that only plague underdeveloped nations. Recently, according to thegatesfoundation.com, "the governments of the U.K., France, Italy, Spain, and Sweden have pledged commitments to fund a $4 billion International Finance Facility for Immunization (IFFIm), which will support childhood vaccine programs through the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI)."

Hands down, Bill Gates gives a greater share of his wealth than either Target or Wal-Mart-or myself! After Bill, Target comes far behind in second, and Wal-Mart in dead last. Did I mention that the Walton family-who owns 39% of the stock in Wal-Mart, have more wealth than the two richest people in the world combined? Just thought I'd mention.

So, why did I go to all this trouble? I think we need to hold moral victories, like Bill Gates' work, in higher esteem and give it more value in our society. I hear the public at large talk about the "kids these days" and what a different world in which they are living. Why not make that "different world" one full of positive changes where schools aren't the only ones that value the traits that make a person of character: respect, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship. I'd like to believe that it is possible for our society to make this positive change, and influence America's population of tomorrow.

The look of education in South Dakota through the eyes of a 2nd year teacher...

This is something I wrote for the South Dakota Democratic party's blog.. I don't think it's been published yet, but I thought I'd put it up here for those who are interested..

For me, when I decided to go into the teaching profession it was a chance to impact lives and change the world at a grassroots level. Every kid counts, and if I can reach even one student, that’s all that matters.

One of the great parts about education is the continual search for renewal and learning. I am very motivated by the constant desire my colleagues display to be better teachers. I see teachers open up to new ideas and approaches in the classroom in order to help every student achieve to their greatest potential. Student learning is the motivating factor, and it is uplifting to be apart of such a noble campaign.

Unfortunately, student learning isn’t the only motivating factor-it’s also money. Yes, teachers in South Dakota rank the lowest for average teacher pay in the nation. In fact, our average teacher pay is almost half as much as the average teacher pay in the highest paying state, Connecticut. This is embarrassing because I know we as South Dakotans value education highly and our numbers don’t show that to the nation.

Education is changing, though, and teacher pay needs to reflect the added responsibility, work, and strain that legislation like No Child Left Behind puts on teachers. How are we as a state showing respect or gratitude for the skill and expertise of our teachers with a salary that doesn’t even match inflation?

Our low teacher salary is distressing to me, but even more troubling is the fact that only 54 percent of new teachers are still teaching by the end of their fifth year according to the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future. With baby boomers closing in on retirement at the tender age of 55, that number is pitiful. As a new teacher last year, everyone in my building did their best to make me feel appreciated, but the workload, financial strain, and school stress made it hard many days to remember why I wanted to do this in the first place.

One of my favorite teachers in middle school once told me, “never pick a profession because of the money. Do what you love and you will be happy. That is worth more than any salary can ever pay you.” I think this attitude is very telling of why South Dakota’s teachers teach. We do this because we believe in education, and we believe in the kids we get to work with everyday. So, I’d like to see our state invest more in the promise of an educational system that will start looking younger, and recognize the increased pressure and hard work students today are putting into their education.

The demise of the dark age

As you may have noticed, I've blogged on more than one occasion about the frivlous accessory called the cell phone. I touted my life in the dark age of land lines and good old answering machines, but I am no longer among the disconnected community. As of a couple weeks ago, I got a cell phone (25 minutes before my friend's wedding was going to start!)

I lost the battle for a few reasons. One of the big ones being that I got lost in rural South Dakota just a few days prior, and I didn't hear the end of it from my relatives.

The funny part has been everyone's reaction. Here is a sample of the responses:

"What? You're joking!"

"Finally! Gosh, I thought you were never going to get one."

"That's nice. What's your number?"

"Ha ha ha.. you finally broke down, huh?"

"No way! I'm so excited! Now we will actually be able to get ahold of you!"

"No. I don't believe you. You're lying. No way, you did not get a cell phone. I won't believe you until I see it. Then, maybe I'll believe you."

The last one was my favorite. She seriously didn't believe me, and then when I showed her she was still skeptical. hehe!

Haiku!

Ever since I started posting haiku, friends and family have joined in the fun with haiku of their own. I love it! They're hysterical. I got this message from my sister today and I thought I should share it.

I first need to preface the Haiku's with the story behind them.

Derin (my old mngr.) was suddenly awakened Monday morning with the harsh sound of something slamming into his bedroom window. He jumped out of bed to see what the noise was. He looked out the window and saw a poor little yellow finch that looked in a daze or perhaps even dead. He rushed outside to check on the bird. The bird looked like it was possibly alive. He went to the garage to get a cage so no cats or other animals could get the bird. As he shut the garage door behind him, he realized that it had been locked and he had just locked himself out of the house. Here he stands in his backyard with a bird cage, and nothing but a bathrobe and slippers on. He went to the next door neighbors to see if anyone was home to help. No luck. After
peering into numerous neighbors windows he knew he had to make the trip on foot 5 blocks away to a friend's house that had a spare key. So, here is Derin, bathrobe and slippers walking down the street around 8am. Suddenly, he remembers it is the first day of school. There are children on every street corner, some with parents. He thought - this looks really bad. So, he started walking through people's backyards and hiding behind bushes before finally reaching his friend's house. Needless to say, Derin had a bad day. We were all laughing hysterically at the thought of this site. JT wrote a Haiku and then Derin returned the favor of writing one back. Read below:

-------------------------------
Bird versus window
Bathrobe refugee wanders
Avoiding children.

-------------------------------
Many people laugh
Noble rescue gone quite wrong
Now key lives outside

I read this and I busted out laughing!

Please send me your haiku! They're great!

I will post some more later this week.

First.. an apology

Yes, yes, I know I haven't blogged in quite sometime and I apologize. I think that it is, in a way, representative of my life the last few weeks. Let me explain...

When I first moved into my apartment, I turned into a hermit. I didn't leave my apartment for days because I was unpacking. Then when I got hooked up to phone, internet, and digital CABLE WITH DVR, I was like a little baby watching a Baby Einstein video. I was so mezmorized by the power of DVR that I found myself recording movie after movie. You can imagine how busy I was watching everything I had taped after that. Then only a week later, I started getting busy with pre-school activities. Now I'm realizing that I totally overbooked myself, so I guess we'll see how it all goes after a month or so. Also, I attended a couple weddings this month and visited my sister in the twin cities.

so, there you go. I apologize.. let the blogging begin!

I love my new apartment!

I love my new apartment!!

The process of unpacking is way more appealing to me than packing. So, since I finished the whole pack-everything-and-clean part of moving, I've been enjoying the unpack and decorate part the last few days. My mom unpacked the kitchen for me which was super helpful, I finished the bathroom, and I am basically done with the living room. I'm really pleased with the way everything has turned out. Although it's kind of a bummer to be living alone, I think there will be some definite pluses. No compromising. Everything goes the way I want it to and it's my stuff. Any dishes, and garbage floating around-it's mine and I need to take care of it. (I'm hoping this will help me keep things cleaner!) And now I have a phone line, internet connection, and cable. I'm finally reconnected!

Next on my list: unpack my bedroom!

A fight to the bitter end..

So I was out with a few friends last night, and my cell free lifestyle was a hot topic of the evening. I have to say, the discussion that ensued was a little like harassing Tom Daschle supporters the week after he lost the election this fall - cruel. I am currently without phone service until Thursday, so the 5 people that ganged up on me were without mercy. Yes, I understand that it is a huge hassle for everyone else that I haven't followed the herd down the path of the big cellular phone companies' fabricated image of a society that is in need of such immediate and constant communication. To me they are sending the message that you, yes YOU are so important that the here and now... is just not good enough. I know, I know.. but it's not like that at all you say. Yeah, sure.. maybe to you it's not that way, but you're the one getting whisked away into a conversation with someone, so it's no different to you. I dunno.. I suppose at some point I should really get a cell phone, and I say that partly because I'm sick of hearing it from others. I guess the problem is just this: I don't feel that unspoken sense of self-importance that would give me the cause to just do it. (plus, it's still cheaper for me to have a land line)

Alexander Graham who?

I was watching 60 minutes last night and Andy Rooney did a piece on inventions that have really changed our world. For instance the telephone, and in even more recent history, the celluar telephone.

Since I have been and will still be out of telephone service until Thursday, his diatribe was especially irritating. He went on and on about how cell phones have changed how we work and communicate with others. He goes on to describe all the different places and ways we use phones. All the while I'm getting more and more annoyed because I can't even use one in my own home right now!!

But it's OK. I will get phone service on Thursday, and in the mean time I will be creative in finding ways to communicate with my family and friends until then.

And before you say it, no. This has not changed my mind about getting a cell phone. I will stick to the dark ages of communication... circa 1985.

I am procrastinating.

I strongly dislike packing!!!!!!!

Yuck!! I'm taking a little break from the whole in-the-process-of-packing choatic mess that is my bedroom to vent. It's amazing how many little things must be finished before one can move. It is for those little reasons that I am drastically behind in my packing schedule.. well, that and I'm really good at putting things off. I think it's not just the packing I dislike, but it's the thought of it... and not only that, but then I think of having to clean the last 4 rooms of my house, and I get overwhelmed and wonder when I'm possibly going to finish it all!

OK.. I feel better now. Back to packing.

Moving-a new haiku...

Yes, that's right. All over the country there are people packing their books, sweaters, and dishes into boxes. People, laboring over whether or not that kinda crappy yet decent piece they made in ceramics Senior year is really worth wrapping in an old shirt and packing in yet another anonymous box. Well.. I've decided it's not worth it.

I have been lazy with my packing in past years. Instead of making a choice between whether to keep or pitch, I would just choose to "figure it out later".. which in fact is actually a choice. You've decided to keep it. Although, I would argue that if you decided to just "figure it out later" you should just throw it...you'll never figure it out later. I discovered this tip watching one of my sister's favorite shows-"Clean Sweep." It's a show where messy pack rats are forced to throw away their junk and organize! The amount of junk these people end up selling or throwing away is incredible, so I'm certain there must be must junk waiting to be thrown in my room.

I'm not the only one moving out, either. My roommate, Christi, is moving out as well, and we've both been lacking in moving motivation. So, we have been having a little competition with each other since Sunday. Who can pack more each day? We're never home at the same time, so when I get home and I see a new huge stack of boxes.. I'm bustin' a move to my room so I have something to show for a days work. It's certainly been helpful-although I will say she is definitely winning. I mean, I'm doing this right now instead of packing! In fact, I should probably get back to work. I will close with a haiku.

New apartment-joy!
Just me and my dishwasher
Must pack first. . .(sigh). . . ugh.

Where We Were and When: The pictoral review

Follow "Where We Were and When" through a few of my pictures!






Day 1: Our journey begins at the Sioux Falls airport!





Day 1: "What are you doing here?!?" Lisa and Kira both happen to be hanging out at the Boston International Airport for the same 30 minutes!




Day 3: The "Heineken Experience" at the Brewery in Amsterdam was truly an experience! We had such a good time during this interactive tour that we left Amsterdam later than we intended!




Day 4: We finally arrive in Bunde after some "delays" to stay with friends of Jennie's grandparents. This is Frederick and Jennie posing with the Bunde tea lady in the city of Leer, which is just a few minutes from Bunde!




Day 6: Prague looking over the river at Charles Bridge. This was a beautiful city, and we really enjoyed the 3 days we spent here. We loved Prauge, but the trains through the Czech Republic were an entirely different story.. errr... actually there's more than one!


Day 10: Heidleberg, a city in Southern Germany, was a great stop. This is the spectacular view from Heidleberg Castle. We climbed all the way up to the castle on a cobblestone road. Might I add I was wearing flip flops!



Day 11: Geneva, Switzerland. By far one of our favorite stops, and probably my favorite. This is a sculpture outside the International Red Cross building. A very powerful stop. Next time I travel to Europe, it will be to Switzerland.




Day 12: Paris and the Eiffel Tower! We had a wonderful evening in Paris down by the Eiffel Tower! I always thought the Eiffel Tower wouldn't be that impressive, but it is truly magnificent in person.




Day 15: London! We stayed with my friend Kelly from high school and had a nice and relaxing time in London. We saw many sights (including Big Ben pictured to the left) and a couple museums. We even took some time to pop into a local pub in Notting Hill. It was a great end to our journey!


For those of you who couldn't see the pictures on-line, I thought I would point out a few of the highlights from the trip for you. It is great to be back, but we really had a wonderful time! I hope to see a lot of you at Jazz Fest! Check out the site for who is performing and when!

Found:

Apartment on the east side of Minnesota Ave in central Sioux Falls near downtown with dishwasher, washer/dryer, garage, view of park, free of mold, hopefully flood proof, and definitely squirrel proof! New resident: Me! Bonus: Living next door to Jennie!

I'll be moving into my new place at the end of July! So it's on to the tedious task of packing.. ugh! I'm so excited!! Watch for more updates of the new place and what's going on at the house before we leave!

Couch vs. Bed

As I'm preparing to move into a new place, I'm discovering although I have a lot of stuff I don't have a lot of substantial stuff. I have a dresser, TV, DVD player, stereo, desk, and a bed. The latter being one of significant hand-me-down status. I'm pretty sure the mattress itself is not from this century nor the frame it resides on that is constantly coming apart. I have no headboard or footboard so my pillows often disappear sliding down the wall out from under my head so that I am awoken to a depressingly familiar pool of drool where my cheek has been bathing for hours. Yes, I'm not afraid to admit it, I'm a drooler... but that's not the point here.

I can't remember the last time I slept on a bed that I found to be comfortable... I never thought I would find comfort in slumber until one day I discovered it.. The couch. I sincerely prefer a good night's rest on a comfy couch any day over the twin bed in my room. Every roommate I've had since I discovered this miracle in sleeping accomodations will atest to the fact that I indeed will be found more often sleeping on a couch than in my bed.

I fight it.. I really do.. despite what roommates may think/have thought. It's a little embarassing because, well.. I'm a drooler and I sometimes snore. Ugh.. although these people are my friends and they understand that that's just me.. still.. I don't need to throw in their faces that they're living with a couch sleeping snore drooler!

Wanted:

Apartment in central Sioux Falls (preferrably downtown or close to Patrick Henry) on east side of Minnesota Ave with a dishwasher, laundry, and off street parking. Working appliances, plumbing, and electricity a must. Apartment must be mold free, flood proof, and squirrel proof.

Doesn't sound like too much to ask, right? It really isn't, but in my price range it is! My solution is to find a 2 bedroom and live with a roommate. The only problem is, I don't have a roommate! I have a friend who can live with me a couple months, but just a couple... maybe I'll just eat ramen noodles for the next year that way I can afford to live in such an apartment as described above! Any other ideas as to how I can cut corners?? I know, I know.. stop taking trips to Europe.. besides that, though!

Anyway, I'm checking out one last apartment today and I think this one will be a goodie!

Have a good week everyone and don't forget, it's a great day to be a Viking!

The news out of London...

For the past few days I have found myself daydreaming about being back in London. Between the Live8 concert rocking Hyde Park on Saturday and the announcement of London being the site of the 2012 Summer Olympics, I was convinced that the trip would have been even better if we'd been in London just a couple weeks later. I was really wishing I was there; that was until today.

I was reading an online blog from the UK where readers could e-mail and post their own stories of the events that unfolded and I think it really catches more of the feel for what is going on. Check it out if you're interested in some honest opinons and reactions from the people that were there.

Nightline was just on and I think they posed an interesting question. What were the aims of the terrorists that did this and were they successful? It seems to me that terrorism is always a means to a political end. With the blasts occuring during the G8 summit in Scotland, it makes you think they were trying to say something to the world. My question is how did they want the world to react? How did they want the G8 to react? With the G8's agenda heavily geared toward fighting poverty, not terrorism, were they trying to pull the focus away from the 50,000 people that are dying of starvation each day in Africa? That just doesn't make any sense.

My Dad e-mailed me earlier today with this message: "I am glad you are not in London right now!" I have to say, Dad, me too.

To all those Fred and Ginger wannabes...

Have you seen the summer hit "Dancing with the Stars" on ABC?

Well, I hate to say it, but Christi (my roommate) and I got totally sucked in tonight during the grand finale of the series. When I sit down and think about it, it's really quite sad what we sat (or at least kinda sat) and watched for 2 hours.

I can just imagine the guy who came up with the idea giving his pitch. He's clearly the coolest guy at ABC with pictures of Pocahontas, Hillary Duff, and Ty from Extreme House Makeover on the walls of his cubicle, and he gives his big proposal to some ABC exec saying, "OK, so you have these 'stars'-you know people who you recognize but you have no idea why-like the Mr. Piederman guy from Seinfeld, he'd be perfect! Anyway, so you have cheap talent, and then you have them dance with professional dancers in a competition! But not just any dance competition. This is the best part! You have them compete in a ballroom dancing competition. It's perfect! No one wants to watch these 'stars' and who actually watches ballroom dancing competitions!"

...And that was all it took for some important person at ABC to be convinced.

In the end of it all, if you can imagine it, by the finale my roommate and I had put on our heels, slipped into some skirts and were spinning our way around the dining room.

More than anything I think I am ashamed. Ashamed of the fact that I was excited that Kelly and Alec won the competition.

If you're a closet watcher. There's help out there.. you're not alone. Here's the website

Pictures from Europe: The Complete Abridged Album

Yes! That's right.. I finally found an internet connection that was working and I am completing the upload of the pictures right now. The pictures will be found in an album on KodakGallery formally known as Ofoto.

I will send an e-mail out to everyone soon, so you can browse from wherever you are! (It may be awhile since my internet has been on vacation!)

Just go to www.kodakgallery.com (or www.ofoto.com works too), login (if you aren't a member you need to become one I think), and then you should be able to view my pictures. Again, I will e-mail you.. BUT I can't e-mail you if I don't have your e-mail address. So, if you think I'm missing yours for some reason and you want to see the pictures, send me a quick e-mail and I'll get you set up!

Hope you're having a great 4th of July! I have clearly spent too much of it on the computer!

Kira

The dark ages of telecommunications...

I have to admit somthing right off the bat here. I am terrible at calling/keeping in touch like normal people do. I don't call my parents as often as I should and want to, nor do I call my siblings or friends the way I should. I kind of just get caught up in what I'm doing and my good intentions to make contact always seem to escape me by the time I get to the bullet point on my mental to-do list that says "call (insert name here)."

Since returning home to the big beautiful skies of South Dakota, I have been hearing a recurring phrase. Everyone from my family to my friends.. even my students have said the same thing to me. And when they utter those 6 predictable words I can see the looming dark cloud spread over my hours spent reading books at Barnes and Noble, evenings spent watching a movie, afternoons having coffee with a friend, and singing with the radio as I'm driving in my car... I think you all know what phrase I am talking about.

You should get a cell phone.

Don't get me wrong, I can see the value in a cell phone. If you get lost, if you're late for an appointment/meeting/gathering, If you're out with friends and you want some other friends to join you. It's brilliant.. it really is... Still, I feel like the glittering luxury of a cell phone is more than I need.

There are several reasons that have convinced me to stay on the dark side.. you know the dark ages where people phoned others from home, not the drive thru at Burger King. So, for now I'm sticking to the land line where I can enjoy a cup of coffee without being interrupted by my phone serranading me with its digital rendition of "A Thing Called Love" by The Darkness.

Since I will be moving into a new place by myself in a month, I am in an excellent position to get a cell phone and nix the land line. As of right now, I have no plans to get a cell. I couldn't tell you anything about cell plans, pay as you go deals, or all the different phones out there.

I'm interested in what you think.. leave your comments and we'll see what I decide to do.

Happy 4th of July!!

Where did they go?

Yes! We made it back to the states!

We spent the last few days of our trip in London with my friend Kelly from high school. It was great to see her and spend some time hanging out. She was totally in the middle of her exams and she still let us stay with her.. Thanks Kelly!

Anyway, we had a great time in London. We went to "the Philadelphia Story" playing at the Old Vic and spent a day checking out a ton of sights in London. No, we didn't make it to Abbey Road or Wimbeldon, but we did go see Buckingham Palace on Prince William's birthday!

Then we took a day and traveled back to Amsterdam via Brussels. We didn't get to leave the train station in Brussels unfortunately, but it seemed like a very nice stop.

To get to London and then back to Amsterdam we took the Eurostar which is the train that goes underneath the English Channel. I thought this was pretty cool, but I think Jennie was a little nervous being under a body of water!

Check out the sidebar to see "where we were and when" on our trip!

Geneva and Paris

We are quickly winding down our ti,e in the French speaking world of Western Europe. These are a few pictures from these two cities!



Yes! We are standing in front of the United Nations building in Geneva!!! This was very cool.. and the Red Cross museum was also wonderful! We really loved Geneva!

The other awesome part of Geneva was we got to spend time with some American friends from college! Christy Hallenbeck and Andrea Halverson are currently interning in Geneva. They met us at the train station and showed us some wonderful midwestern hospitality! It was great to see them!



We said we didn't need to go, but then here we are climbing the steps of the Eiffel Tower. For as many pictures of it that you see, there's nothing like turning a corner and seeing nothing but the Tower!

Now, we're off to London!

One for our man!

This one goes out to our man.. I hope you enjoy it.

Captain James T. Kirk
The voice, the delivery
Shatner: he inspires



Just a side comment here: Jennie and I both own only one of the ,any albu,s he has put out and we highly recommend it! It's called 'Has Been' and was produced by Ben Folds..I'm tptally serious. Anyway, it's great because it's him delivering these words, in only the way Shatner can, to music. There are also guest singers on the tracks-don't worry he doesn't sing!

I hear my house is overrun with flies so..

I am about to overrun this blog with Haiku!

Our travel partners
Pack, zip, pull, tug, whip it on
Backpacks of glory!

by Kira

*By the way...we are so fond of our sweatmonsters that we've named them. Jennie's backpack is Gloria Marie and mine is Joan. There is a story behind the na,es of course, but I guess you'll just have to tune in zwhen we get back to find out! ;)

Keyboards of Europe
Puzzling letters, symbols
Sorry for the typos!

*Another note: I think Paris/France wins the award for most messed up configuration of letters and symbols on the keyboard. Again, sorry for the typos.

Example:
This is ,e typing like I nor,qlly aould qt ho,e on ,y co,puter
This is me typing like I normally would at home on my computer

Kira

Heidelberg.. who knew?

So we´re walking down a pleasant cobblestone street in old town when we come across an astonishing revelation. Not only are there McDonalds, Burger Kings, and KFCs in places you just wouldn´t expect, but there just happens to be a Hard Rock Cafe in Heidelberg. Hiding discreetly between two German souvenir shops on a pedestrian street.

Today we leave for Geneva! We will be meeting a couple friends there and staying for 2 days. We are anxiously anticipating our arrival.

The tourist staredown
So curious and gaping
Watch out for the curb!

Did you say BMW?

Yes, that´s right! We were in Regensburg earlier today...and this city (which just happens to be the same size as Sioux Falls) just happens to be where the 3 series BMWs are made. Unfortunately there was not enought time to check it out, but I will say it is quite a sight to see 100 BMWs go by on a train!

Regensburg is a beautiful town in the Bavarian Forest. You wouldn´t believe all of the beautiful landscapes we have seen. The view out the window of the train has certainly been a highlight for me. Yes, I agree it sounds odd that looking out a window is a highlight.. but you have to understand that Jennie and I have been covering A LOT of ground and land in the last few days! There have certainly been some intresting journeys!

Right now we are in Heidelsburg on the hunt for some chocolate.. however I´m afraid we´re not giong to find it!

For now.. we are exhausted so we are hanging out at the hostel tonight.

Kira

Snapshots from abroad..

I know you're all waiting breathlessly for those pictures so here you go...

Here is Jen..




Here is Kira..




Here is Jen and Kira with some Aussies from our hostel..

By the way...

Tomorrow we are headed for Regensburg in Germany which is in Bavaria! Then the next day we will go to Heidleberg. After that it is off to Geneva in Switzerland. We have some train rides ahead of us which will be entirely differently than the last few relazing days we have spent in Prague.

Prague is a wonderful city.. everything is relatively cheap, but it is time to move on! I would love to write more, but there is a line behind me since I am using the one computer in the hostel.

I hope everyone is well.. we are having a marvelous time!

Kira

PS We walk alot!

Haiku for you!

A few new ones and one Haiku from the I-forgot-to-blog-this-earlier-so-I'm-going-to-put-it-up-now file.

Ode to Heineken
Your spirit overwhelms us
Bar 1 and 2? ...yes!

by Kira
(Amsterdam)

Ode to the train seat
You've traveled hard and you smell
King of "butt holders"!

by Kira
(Prague)

Oh cobblestone stone
Smooth, curved, unpredictable
Please stop tripping me!

by Kira
(Prague)

The Bleak Blog landscape...

OK.. so I haven't blogged in a while and you're probably asking yourself questions like: Why didn't she post today? Why aren't there pictures yet? Where has she been? What country's oxygen is she currently breathing? Where is another clever haiku that I can memorize and recite to friends? Why have I checked this blog 8 times today and it's only 12:48 in the afternoon?

Don't worry, my friend, these are all good questions. I will begin with the first question.

Why didn't I post?

Well, we have been traveling extensively the last 3 days which makes it hard to find time or a place to jump on the internet. Also, the older couple we stayed with in Bunde, Germany (Bini and Frederic) had a beautiful home decorated in a very chic 70s motif and the technology in their home was no different. We couldn't exactly communicate to them what we were looking for since Jennie only speaks a little German, Bini spoke very little English, and Frederic didn't speak any. In our credit, however, we did perfect one universal communication tool which I will call the "smile and nod" approach. It goes a little like this, "(insert German words here), ja?" smile and nod thoughtfully. See how it works?!?!

Anyway, we had a great time in Bunde and Bini and Frederic we're very generous in opening their home to us. It's comforting to see that the tradition of food being the most important tool in hospitality is still the rule in Germany! I think we spent a majority of our time at their home around a table eating! It was wonderful!!

Why aren't there pictures yet?

I'll tell ya.. I'm a little disappointed myself. It seems that internet cafes either a) haven't updated their CPUs in a while or b) the CPU is cleverly hidden inside a comparment where people like me can't get to them! So I guess all I can say is that I will keep trying. I'm hoping that I will have more luck when we are staying with friends in other countries. (Maybe they can lead me in the right direction!)

I'll take the next two questions at the same time...

Where has she been? What country's oxygen is she currently breathing?

We landed in Amsterdam on Wednesday and left for Germany on Thursday. We were travelling and hanging out in Bunde Thursday and Friday. On Saturday we left for Prague. It took us about 10 hours to get here so we didn't really get a chance to explore Prague until today, Sunday! We are currently using the air of the Czech Republic in its capital city of Prague. (or Praha in Czech)

Haiku?

Where is another clever haiku that I can memorize and recite to friends?

Well, if you really want to memorize them that's your deal, but feel free to share them with friends. Please, keep in mind when you are reading these Haiku they are really meant to be read aloud.. and also, keep in mind that when they were written I was reading them aloud. Here goes...

Stay in a cabin
I find that I am sleepless
Kira...snore-tastic!

by Jennie and Kira
(Amsterdam)

We're off to Bunde
A mad Scotsman directs us
Who knew there were two?!?

-Jennie
(Germany)

Backpackers unite!
trav'lers, students walk glob'lly
Common thread? bad hair.

-Kira
(Prague)

*All haiku are as is.. no commentary or explanations will be given as to preserve the sanctity and purity of the haiku. hehe...

Why have I checked this blog 8 times today...??

That's you're problem, man. We (Jennie and I) do not encourage partaking in addictive behaviors, but in this case we will make an exception. Please check often and post your comments. It is so fun to hear from you while we are away from home.

Let me emphasize "experience"

The last day in Amsterdam we visited a museum and then stopped at the Heineken Brewery for what we thought would be a tour.. The name of it was the Heineken 'experience' which it truly was! We had a lot of fun and it was totally interactive. At one stop we could send photomail or videomail to people at home. Well, having the steeltrap of a memory that I have I could not remember anyone's e-mail correctly, so here is the photo from our last experience in Amsterdam!

What are you doing here?!?

Please raise your hand if someone has ever yelled "What are you doing here?" at you in a crowded airport?? Looks like I'm the only one with my hand raised because.. you guessed it.. I ran into someone I knew. And not just anyone, my SISTER who was waiting to fly back to Minneapolis from Logan International in Boston. (I must mention that she yelled "What are you doing here?" three times and then I of course began yelling in response. The number of people that turned their heads and stared is unknown. The Christensen voice travels well and so it is not known how far down the corridor this happenchance meeting was announced.) It was a great way to start off the long flight across the ocean, but at the same time WAY WEIRD!

OK.. bad news I can't upload any pictures yet, so please don't boycott the site.. I promise I have some GOOD ones coming!!

Alright! The trip.. Jennie and I have been keeping count of the interesting things we have seen and comments we needed to make on our first day of travel.

We decided that there is either something in the water or all the dutch weed is going to people's heads because people have been surprisingly nice and pleasant!

The Award for Best Dutchman goes to the guy at the train station who was SO helpful in getting us set with our Eurorail passes that he even waved the processing fee as a birthday present.. yes!

The Award for Most Surprising Dutchman goes to the dude who had patches of blue foam hair dye all over his head. Yes, this man stepped out of the hair salon to ask us if we were lost-we weren't, but he did direct us to a nearby internet cafe.

Jennie's Observation of the Day: When standing in line, stand as close as possible to the person in front of you. If you fail to do so, someone will most certainly see the open space as an invitation to budge.

BTW We went to Anne Frank's House, Central Station, we're heading to a Historical Dutch Museum, and the Rikestadt Museum.. we thought the other stuff was way more interesting to mention.

TOMORROW: Bunde, Germany- ya vol!

Hope everyone is well!!
Kira and Jennie

What day is it today??

As I'm sitting here at the "Blue Light Telecom" I realized that I really have no concept of what day it is today. It still feels like Tuesday.. a really long Tuesday. Then, I started reading comments on the blog and both of my parents have politely reminded me that today is, in fact, my birthday! And not just any birthday.. today I turn 23 which just happens to be my favorite prime number!

So, thank you for the birthday wishes, and Mom I believe I have celebrated my birthday in 6 countries: Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, and of course the USA. (I spent my 20th birthday on a train going from Italy through Switzerland to Germany)

More to come...

Any good trip must have...

Haiku. The 5-7-5, nature inspired poetry is part of any good trip. In my opinion, it can succinctly describe the mood, current environment, and/or attitude of the travelers. So, I thought I would start off on the right foot. (This is the kind of stuff I think about when I'm in the car driving...hmmm)

Beautiful day
Wake early. Run errands. Pack.
Skin...still pasty white.

I'm going to post a picture of the disaster in my room otherwise known as my laundry! I'm halfway through it so far...

The Blue Sweatshirt

My blue sweatshirt has gone with me almost everywhere in my adult life. It has successfully travelled through more countries than my passport, more cities than my car, and been worn more times than any article of clothing should be worn. I view this blog as an extension of my blue sweatshirt. Here I can share what I experience and see just as my sweatshirt has gotten to for the last 5 years. Please visit often and share in the adventures...

Let's get it started..

The blue sweatshirt is getting washed, and my backpack is anxiously awaiting to be packed...

When I finally uploaded my last set of grades, signifying the end of my first year of teaching, my mind turned immediately to my upcoming trip and its preparations. How can I share my pictures and thoughts from this trip with my friends and family who will be thousands of kilometers away? Being my father's daughter I immediately thought of this.. an on-line journal.. this blog...

Anyway...

I'm preparing for, what I expect to be, an exciting trip into Central Europe. I'm travelling with Jennie, my friend and former roommate which I hate to say because the connotation of the phrase "former roommate" is perhaps negative and therefore does not accurately portray the relationship with one of my closest and dearest friends. There are not many people that I would even consider travelling through Europe with in this way. We've been to Germany together, and I know that the two of us will be great travelling companions.