I see you, Boo!

Ah, the good old Kappas at the MLK parade.

Two things:
1. This makes me miss Canyon, once again.
2. I think of Boo's show at Green Valley Ranch EVERY TIME I see anyone step. Not only were we underdressed, but my two friends and I were the only white people in the entire ballroom. Sure, we felt out of place, but I loved every minute of it. Still, every once in a while, I'm tempted to yell out: "I see you, (insert name here)" across a crowded room.

Obituary: Sinclair Thomas

February 8, 2008:
Las Vegas, NV

Sinclair Thomas, a bright, possibly young painted turtle, passed away sometime late this evening. At the present, the exact cause of death is unknown. Suicide and murder have been ruled out.

Jeanne Milligan, his caretaker, found him dead when she took him out of his 10-gallon tank for routine cleaning. Sinclair did not move. At first, Jeanne believed he was suffering from shock or fear. After a few minutes, it became apparent that Sinclair was not moving and further, would not move again.

The turtle's owner, Reggie Thomas, was shocked and saddened by the news. "Awwwwwwww...... he died. :( " Reggie commented in a text message. Kristin Torbenson shared a condo with Sinclair for nearly three months, but was out of town at the time of death. Via text message, she commented, "That is soooooo sad! His eyes were looking cruddy the other day..."

Sinclair will truly be missed by both friends, family, and AVID students at The Canyon. Unfortunately, caretakers have been unable to notify Sinclair's immediate family, as Sinclair had not associated with them for an undetermined length of time.

Services are tenatively scheduled for sometime Sunday afternoon. Memories of Sinclair will be shared and pazookie/skookies will be served. Those wishing to pay their respects may post comments on this site.

Yes. We. Can.

No matter who you're voting for, the message here is powerful.

25 random things about me...

Fine. It’s done. I’m on the bandwagon! I too have posted my list of random, or not so random, things about me.

1. I used to tell people my favorite color was silver because it sounds unique and exciting, but deep down inside, I think it’s always been brown.
2. I agree with my students. White people really can’t dance. (inside joke for the Kaiizen kids-- “Hey. How ya doin’? What’s your major?”)
3. I like to make up random lies to fool people.
4. I’ve been to 33 or 34 countries. (Depends on who’s counting!)
5. I’ve always regretted not staying in Ukraine and working for the embassy.
6. I Love Hip Hop! (I don’t entirely love Triple E or Weezy, but I can listen to a few songs if it helps me build my street cred with the AVID homies.)
7. I’ll try almost anything if it’s free.
8. I’ve never read The Scarlet Letter, but I’ve magically and mysteriously taught it to my students two years in a row. Oops!
9. I worry about my high school students (current and former) almost constantly.
10. One of my lifelong goals is to play “Know Your Cuts of Meat” with David Letterman. I don’t think I’d be good at it, but I’d just like the chance to hang out a bit with Dave.
11. When I was in fourth grade I won $100 by saving Captain Crunch from the Soggies. (You can thank me for helping you all retain such delicious, crunchy cereal.)
12. I wanted to eat bananas backwards (with the stem as a handle) the entire time I was in Ukraine so that it would a habit. I thought it would be cute and quirky when I returned to the States. Sadly, it didn’t work out.
13. I blame Christina for this, but I’m completely addicted to “Gossip Girl”.
14. There are books on my bookshelf that I have never read.
15. Some of my best and some of my very worst memories are of things that happened in China.
16. If you want me to keep something “secret”, I need to be specifically told that it’s a secret.
17. I’m in love with Wentworth Miller.
18. I used to be in love with Jude Law, but that whole nanny thing kind of ruined the potential for our relationship.
19. One of my main goals in life is to talk as many young kids as possible into attending Utah State University in beautiful Logan, Utah. More Aggies in the world = more peace, happiness, and love.
20. If I don’t answer your call, I probably really am ignoring you. Sorry about that.
21. Sometimes I really am sad that I don’t live in Thailand or Maldives.
22. Next to my grandma, I make the best caramel rice crispie treats in the world.
23. I got my Masters degree from UNLV, but I still only tell people I went to Utah State. Go Aggies!
24. My parent’s named me after my great-grandmother, so when my school teachers and everyone else incorrectly pronounced my name… Gee-Ann, Jean-nean, Jenny… I didn’t really let it worry me. A few years ago, I was looking through genealogy at my mom’s house and found that my great-grandmother had actually spelled her name Jeanie. Notice the “i”? I was heartbroken. My entire life would have been SO MUCH EASIER if my parents had simply spelled my name with an “i”. I’m still kind of upset about the whole thing.
25. My three favorite foods: waffles, carne asada quesadilla, and Diet Coke. Life would be basically complete, even with nothing else.

The Mail is Missing

This really takes me back... Don't tell anyone, but a few times I wrote letters from "the postman", apologizing for their poor service and long delays in letters from cute girls back home, then secretly sent them to some of the Elders I served with who were discouraged and distracted. I remember the importance of a letter. (Back in the day, letters were just as important as Myspace comments. That's real serious stuff.)