Is the world getting better or worse?

I love visuals and NewScientist for publishing them.

http://www.newscientist.com/data/images/archive/2725/27250901.jpg

Miss (Ms) Universe

I have now been home for about two and a half weeks. In between re-acclimating to American culture and trying not to sleep 12+ hours a day I have been busy with yoga, running, erging, reading and cleaning. Last night after returning from a meditation gathering I insisted on watching the Miss Universe pageant. Say what you will about the parading of skinny tall women with breast implants and hair extensions, they are beautiful creatures to watch. Like horses in evening wear, that give super lame answers to questions such as Rachael Finch's, Miss Australia, answer to her question in the final round.

"Tonight you were judged on how you looked in a bathing suit," Valeria Mazza, a former Sports Illustrated model said. She then proceeded to then ask "In some countries women aren't allowed to wear a swimsuit. How does that make you feel?"

Finch stated "ummmmm", but then answered the question, telling the judges and viewers that wearing a swimsuit was a "beautiful thing".

"It gives everyone of us the chance to show our figures and our toned bodies and what we have worked hard for and I think our bodies are a beautiful part of a woman and we should definitely, you know, show them to the rest of the world," Finch said.

While this was one of the more in depth answers of the evening, she did not give any mention about it being a woman's CHOICE to wear a bikini and high heels. Doesn't everyone wear such sensible attire to the beach? I know what I'm wearing to the shore this weekend! On a serious note a little modesty never hurt anyone, kid. Some people don't have the option to exercise eight hours a day and have toned, bronzed bodies. Anyway this question brought be back to this article I read about a French swimming pool banning a swim suit that Muslim women wear. The swim suit is called a burquini.

Overall I was rooting for Ms. Kosovo who was sporting a Audrey Hepburn Breakfast at Tiffany's blue gown and hair do. If only she had the mini tiara and cigarette holder, she would have been spot on. I was of course a fan of Miss USA until I read that here interests included "online shopping" and she did not pronounce the "T's" in important. Miss France had her beat since her interests were "mathematics and different cultures."

The winner of the pageant for the second year in a row was Ms Venezuela. I am pretty sure Donald Trump is in cahoots with Hugo Chavez. However, this conspiracy is still developing. The former Miss Universe (from Venezuela) dropped the "Peace Crown" before placing it firmly on the head of the current Miss Universe (also from Venezuela).

GO PAGEANTRY!

Updates from the Land of Morning Calm. . .or something to that effect

This past weekend we went to a Mime Festival in my favorite part of Korea. This is the same area where we went for the Ice Fishing Festival in January and is by far one of the most beautiful on the peninsula. The festival was of an outdoor fringe festival with all sorts of performances. When I arrived home Sunday I had 5 voicemails from people at home concerned about North Korea. I am alive and well. As usual during such threats Korean children practice their drills in case of an attack and life goes on as normal. If you are a teacher, you should ask your kids to demonstrate. . .it is worth a laugh.

The teachers at CDI got a week off of work because so many of their teachers are suspected of having the Swine Flu. They were released earlier this week, but you can read the blog that one of the captives has been keeping here.

In March our school switched nams from Poly to Knox. Well a franchise of the Poly school opened literally across the street. I can look out of my classroom window and see their sign. Since many Korean mothers identify with branding, this includes brands of Hogwans, we have seen several students leave our school. For example the Pluto class, which once upon a time had 12, is down to 7 students. The Pluto and Jupiter classes actually retained more than most of the other Kindergarten classes. I miss certain students dearly, but I must admit that seven is much easier to handle when teaching math and science.

I think this is all I have for now. Tootles!

It's almost June and time for updates

If you are reading this, thank you. It has been a while since I last updated this site, but so much has happened. A brief rundown. . .
1. Spring has passed and SUMMER IS HERE!
2. Libby visited in April.

3. I am considering staying in Korea for graduate school.
4. I love teaching kindergarten.

5. We went to the zoo last week!
6. I lost my voice, went to a Chinese doctor and had it back within hours. There is truth in Chinese medicine.
7. I have been to a Bulls Fighting Festival, Cherry Blossom Festival, Rape Flower Festival, Penis Park, the Beach and other sites in the last several months.
8. The mountains of Korea are beautiful.
9. Amanda left (then came back YAY!!!!!), Mindy left (but will be back :(.
10. I bought a pink cruiser, basket and bell included.
11. Amy and I danced with a Buddha at the Anyang Art Park.


12. I Gave myself a black eye from a rather nasty sinus infection.


I will try update more often within the next couple of months.
-Ellen

Water Footprint Visual

I would recommend clicking on the image to view the entire chart.

Kindergarten on a Monday morning

I started teaching Kindergarten this week. My homeroom class is known as Pluto. I started laughing at myself for the internal realization that Pluto isn't even a planet (another faux pas we'll blame on Knox). Pluto is so far removed from our solar system that it is just another piece of rock floating around the sun. "Is this how they see my kids?!" was the defending question that ran through my head. As I looked into their little Korean eyes and corrected Sean to please remove his finger from his nostril, I explained to my little Plutos that we are different than the other Kindergarten classes because they are planets. Pluto is the exception because "our planet is considered a dwarf planet."

I was then greeted with the question from Wide Eyed Andy "Teacher. . .what is planet?"




This is Monday in Pluto.