Album Cover

To Walk Very Far by Flaminio Ponzio

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I discovered this on Facebook and posted it there, but I figured I would post it here as well. I thought it was kind of fun and I really like the results (though I might have chosen a different picture if I had the option...)

Here are the "rules" if you want to try it:

1 - Go to "wikipedia." Hit “random”
or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to "Random quotations"
or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”
or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use Photoshop or similar to put it all together.

5 - Post it with this text and TAG the friends you want to join in.

99 Things Meme

I saw this over at Anne McAllister's blog (well, via Google reader really) and thought it would be fun to do. You all get to learn more about me and I have something to blog about!

I won't tag anyone in particular, but feel free to do it. Let me know if you do decide to play along so I can come read your list :-)

THE 99 THINGS MEME

Things you’ve already done: bold
Things you want to do: italicize
Things you haven’t done and don’t want to - leave in plain font

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland/world.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped. (no way with my fear of heights!)
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch. (not really sure on this one, but I'll leave it as something I'd like to do)
15. Adopted a child. (I'm undecided on this one)
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables. (I have a black thumb)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a marathon.
28. Ridden a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run. (not that I don't want to, but I doubt it will happen if it hasn't already!)
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo's David in person.
41. Sung Karaoke. (if I can ever get up the nerve!)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted. (I don't think I could sit still long enough)
48. Gone deep sea fishing. (I'd like being on the water, but skip the fishing part)
49. Seen the Sistine chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. (I learned things are much farther away than they appear from the top of the tower)
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theatre.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business. (again, not sure about this one-- maybe with my photography)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood. (needles and I don't mix)
65. Gone sky diving. (don't think so, though I'd rather do this than bungee jump!)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a cheque.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy. (for how long???)
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar. (ewwww)
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guard in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby. (again, undecided on this one)
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swum in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a law suit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.

A New House, a Sparky Car, and a Giveaway Coming Soon!

I can't believe my summer break is almost over! I go back to work in just over 2 weeks for the fall semester. So much has happened that I haven't blogged about, I don't know if I have any hope of catching up. I'm going to at least try to catch up photo-wise (though it's been a while since I last took any photos).

The major difference since I last blogged is that I am now living in my new house! My mom was here for most of July (she just called to tell me she made it back to San Diego) to help me move in. I still have boxes to unpack, but it's been so nice having help! And wow, do I have a lot of crap. I can't believe how much stuff I've accumulated over the years. I must admit a lot of it is books. I'm a book-a-holic, I admit. I'm using one of my 4 bedrooms primarily for my books!

And then I had a fun eventful weekend with my car this last weekend. One of my spark plugs decided to disintegrate and explode the cap off creating a hole in the fire lining of my hood, a dent in the exterior, and a horrendous noise that made me pull over to the side of the road immediately. Thank goodness I did since with the sparks shooting out from the plug wire, the engine could have caught fire.

This was my first major mishap with my car and the first time I ever had to call AAA to have it towed-- a major accomplishment since we (my car and I) just celebrated our 10-year anniversary on July 15! Anyway, I was thankful to not be alone since my mom was visiting. It was after dark, but in Arizona in the summer, that is really a blessing since we couldn't start the engine safely.

We had just gotten off the freeway when it happened so we weren't stranded on the side of the highway. And a Good Samaritan stopped to help (he noticed the missing spark plug before my mom or I did). He told us he had just come from the lake and his boat had to be towed earlier that day so he stopped to help thinking it was karma. I am definitely a big believer in karma!

The tow truck arrived quickly and we got the car home safely. My luck along with my positive visualizations helped along the way. The dealer was open for me to drop off my car on Sunday (a rare occurrence), and I got my car back yesterday and only spent $400 on it rather than the $10,000 of my dad's dire prediction.

All in all, it's been a very eventful month for me!

This week is the Bloggy Giveaway Carnival . I wasn't quite as prepared this time with the all the craziness going on, but I hope to give away at least a little something this week. I hope to have the post up tonight or tomorrow, so be sure to check back!

New House Pictures!

I've been thinking about buying a house for a while now, and since I moved to Arizona, I can actually afford one! I started looking online back in January and got more serious in the last month. I've gone out looking the last 3 weekends, and last Sunday I found one I really liked.

It's a brand new, quick move-in home. The development is already built and just a few homes aren't sold, so there are some great bargains! And even better, I could literally walk to work if I wanted to (though with the heat here, I probably won't want to most days!)

After showing my parents (who were here visiting) the house and making sure they didn't think I was insane for choosing that one, I signed the paperwork yesterday!

Today we went by to take some pictures, and I thought I would share here at my blog!

It was a little bright when we went by, so the pictures aren't the best. Also, they may be a little distorted because I used my wide angle lens to get as much of the rooms in the pictures as possible.

I hope things go smoothly with the closing and escrow process and that I'll be moving in soon!

Front of the House

Back of the House

Backyard from 2 Angles

Entry way and front of Living Room/Dining Room area

The rest of the living room/dining room

The kitchen from the family room (no appliances yet)

The family room

The master bedroom (it has a bay window)

Master bathroom

Laundry room

Which 5 Books Would You Save?

Wow, being sick seems to prompt me to post a lot! I'm off to bed in a minute, but I wanted to post this to my blog after seeing Shi's post over at her blog.

She was pondering which books she'd choose if she was running out of the house because of a fire and could only save five (or six:P). I responded there on her blog, but as I'd already done a book themed meme today, I decided I'd post my response to her topic here as well.

As I mentioned there, I love all my books and wouldn't want to be without any of them. If I had to choose, though, I'd go by sentimental value.

Here are the 5 books I'd take with me first when fleeing a fire or other natural disaster that forced me to evacuate:

1. The Giant Who Liked Chocolate Cake by Estella Hitchcock Lane which belonged to my maternal grandparents. I remember them reading the stories in it to me and my sister when we visited as kids. It's sort of falling apart now, so I have to be very careful with it!
2. Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne. Another one that belonged to my grandparents. I've always loved Winnie the Pooh and I think that may have started with my grandparents:)
   
3. The Red Pony by John Steinbeck. Yet another of my grandparents' books. I used this one for a book report in junior high. It's an illustrated edition with very nice watercolor type illustrations.
   
4. Choices by Shad Helmstetter. My dad gave me this book to read the summer after my 9th grade year. I needed a book to read in summer school (we had a required reading period), so I used this book. It has really shaped my outlook on life!
5. He's Got the Whole World in His Pants...and More Misheard Lyrics. I had a hard time choosing the fifth book. I ran out of sentimental faves, so I went with one that would make me laugh in such dire circumstances (losing all my books, house burning down, etc) I have 3 other misheard lyrics books, but I've read this one the most.

So which 5 books would you save?

New Year's Resolution, A Little Late!

I posted a comment on a blog yesterday joking that I should make it my New Year's Resolution to blog at least twice a week. Then I got to thinking that I should actually do it! The only problem is (like many people), I suck at sticking to my resolutions:/ But I'm determined to do it!

I've decided I'm going to start my Monday Music Mania posts again. I'm sure any of you reading this are wondering what the heck I'm talking about LOL. A while back, I decided to share my love of music on my blog and call it Monday Music Mania. I apologize for the name. I have an obsession with alliteration thanks to my 7th grade English teacher (Mr. Fickett) and the poetry project I did in his class. But I digress...

I have pretty eclectic taste in music, and not all the artists I love are widely known. After my recent Thursday Thirteen about concerts I've attended, I started thinking about it again since the comments indicated that many weren't aware of the artists I'd seen. So every week on Monday, I plan to post a playlist of some of my favorite songs by my favorite artists.

I even started creating playlists last night to stay on top of things should I get too busy. I wish I could schedule posts in advance with blogger, but oh well. Maybe I'll make switching to Wordpress one of my summer projects.

Anyway, with Monday Music Mania and Thursday Thirteen, I should be able to post at least twice a week (here's hoping I don't run out of things to write about for TT)! Hopefully, I'll be able to post more often:)

Ok, I've rambled waaaayyyyy too long on this post. I'll be posting again shortly about something I need your help with, so please come back to visit soon:)

Thursday Thirteen #14: Things I Look Forward to During the Holidays

I love the holidays! Even when I feel rushed, it's just such a magical time of year. So this week, I decided to do my Thursday Thirteen on 13 things I looked forward to during the holiday season.

Thirteen Things Michelle B looks forward to during the holidays 1. ABC Family Channel's 25 Days of Christmas. I love all of the shows and movies they have on during December. I'm always sad when they're over. 2. Buying presents for my family. I tend to go waaaay overboard. The more I shop, the more I find. I usually hate to shop, but during Christmas, I can shop, shop, shop! 3. Buying presents for friends. When I can afford it, I love to buy things for as many people as possible! I never like leaving anyone out since everyone is important to me:) 4. Sending Holiday cards/emails and hearing from friends I don't keep in touch with as often as I should. 5. Seeing Christmas decorations on homes in the area. Even though I've spent most of my Christmas's in warmer climates, seeing the decorations makes it feel more like Christmas. 6. Spending time with my family. It reminds me of all the Christmas's I had growing up. 7. Participating in Secret Santa gift exchanges. I just love doing it! 8. Buying musical Christmas cards. I've really gotten into the new Hallmark musical cards. I love them! 9. Smelling all the holiday scents: cinnamon and pine especially. 10. Seeing kids get so excited about Santa. I miss believing in Santa Claus! 11. Cooking Christmas dinner with my mom. 12. Visiting Christmas Craft fairs. 13. Holiday parties. I'm not much of a partier in general (I call myself the original party pooper), but I love holiday parties.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Thursday Thirteen #11: 13 Ways I Know I'm in Arizona

This week my list is 13 ways I know I'm living in Arizona, now. I recently moved here to the Phoenix, Arizona area (in August). A lot of it has to do with the insane heat. I wonder how much things will change as I live here longer...

Happy TT everyone!

Thirteen Things about Michelle B 1. Hot takes on a whole new meaning (116 degrees anyone?) 2. You consider it "cooling off" when it's only 90-100 degrees outside and downright chilly when it gets below 80. 3. Your driver's license doesn't expire until you're a senior citizen (mine expires in 2041). 4. I actually have to wear sunglasses which I have never done regularly before. 5. The TV schedule is so funky...some things are shown according to central time and some things aren't (it depends on the station). 6. Fighting for parking means vying for the one shady spot even if it's the farthest spot from the store. 7. You have to worry about finding scorpions in your classroom. Someone found 2 babies in the room across from me just this week! 8. You need gloves to touch your steering wheel in the summer (even when you put up the sunshade). 9. The crickets are everywhere! 10. You can actually get a table at most restaurants without waiting (or with a very short wait) on a Friday or Saturday in the summer between 5pm and 7pm. 11. If you order deodorant via the mail, they won't leave your package outside because it might melt. 12. You can't leave anything in the car in the summer or it might melt. 13. You love having the 24-hour stores so you can shop in the wee hours since it's cooler then. Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Thursday Thirteen #10: Places I'd Like to Visit

Happy Thursday Thirteen everyone! This marks my tenth TT:) I've traveled quite a bit, but I would definitely love to see more of the world. This week I decided to list 13 places I'd like to visit. Enjoy!

Thirteen Places Michelle B wants to visit 1. All the Hawaiian Islands (at once on a cruise!) One of my dream vacations is to cruise around the Hawaiian Islands stopping at each one for a visit. I've only been to Oahu so far. 2. The Matterhorn-- the one in Switzerland, not the one at Disneyland (I've seen that one). I've been to Switzerland, but I didn't make it to the Matterhorn, so I want to go back! 3. Italy. I've never been and I'd love to tour around the country some day. 4. Stonehenge. I've been fascinated by Stonehenge. I even did a speech on it for my 10th grade communications class! 5. Egypt. I'm fascinated by Ancient Egyptian civilization. My favorite class in college was Intro to Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics. I was lucky enough to get to see the King Tut exhibit in Los Angeles when it was touring, but I'd love to go see the Pyramids and other places in person! My biggest worry is my safety because of things going on in the world today. 6. Scotland. There are a couple of reasons I'd love to go to Scotland. It's a beautiful place, and I'd love to meet Tony, one of my online friends that I've known now for over 6 years! 7. England. Yes, I'm listing England separately than Scotland:P I'd love to go see London one day as well Liverpool and other various places to visit friends I have spread throughout England. (And yes, I realize Stonehenge is in England, but there are different reasons for my wanting to visit each, so I decided to list them separately). 8. Ireland is another place I'd love to visit. I've heard such wonderful things about Ireland from friends who've had the chance to visit (other than weather issues from some). 9. Down Under (aka Australia & New Zealand). My entire family (except for me of course) went to Australia and New Zealand when I was a freshman in college with a school group. I felt so left out, but missing 2 weeks of school just wasn't going to work. I'd love to visit both places one day. 10. South Africa. In the 9th grade, we did a mock UN and I was the representative from South Africa. That was the year after Nelson Mandela was set free and so it was quite an interesting time. I also had a pen pal in Capetown growing up. I'd love to visit one day! 11. Machu Picchu in Peru. One of the things I longed to be growing up was an archaeologist/anthropologist. Discovering the mysteries of ancient civilizations sounds like such an intriguing job (though I'm well aware some of the day-to-day dig duties can be quite tedious). I've been fascinated with Machu Picchu for quite a while and would love to explore it! 12. Alaska is another place I'd love to visit (and take photos!) I'm not sure if I'd do it on a cruise or not though. 13. The other 27 US states (not counting Alaska) that I've never had the chance to visit. One of my goals in my life is to visit at least one city in all of the 50 states. Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Thursday Thirteen #9: 13 Memories of Cherie

As I mentioned in my earlier post, we discovered today that Cherie's illness was caused by a brain tumor. There was pretty much nothing we could do other than let her go rather than prolong her suffering. Cherie is pretty much all that's on my mind, so here's another Thursday Thirteen tribute to her. I love her so much, and I'll miss her more than words can say!

Thirteen Memories of Michelle B's Cat Cherie 1. Cherie has a brush fetish. She loves to be brushed and if you won't take the time to brush her, she'll do it herself! She totally has brush radar; she can find a brush (human or kitty) anywhere you hide it. She even jumps on the bathroom counter just to rub on my hair brush. 2. Our dog, Bijou, used to beg to lick any dish once we finished eating. After we lost Bijou, Cherie took over the plate-licking duties. Now, she even tries to get at it before you finish eating (just like Bijou did!) 3. Cherie loves to eat Cheetos, potato chips, and popcorn. I'll never be able to eat any of those things without thinking of her! 4. She loves to lick things (people included)! She's the only cat I've known that loves to lick people. She even licks the catnip pillow we bought her one Christmas and it's loud enough to hear across the room. 5. She always tries to sit on any papers I'm working on (especially when I'm grading or doing lesson plans)! 6. She loves to sit with my mom and do puzzles. She brings my mom luck just by sitting with her. 7. She found a way to let herself into my bedroom at my parents house and she always busts in during the wee hours of the morning. She even busted in last weekend when she wasn't doing too well and hopped on the bed to curl up next to me. 8. She loves to sleep next to me on my bed when I'm at my parents house. In fact, sometimes, she gets right in my face and starts purring to get attention. 9. At Christmas, she loves trying to climb the Christmas tree (even without her front claws). I always say she thinks we brought a tree in the house just for her! 10. I remember the day I first met Cherie. We went to the shelter to adopt a cat and my mom and sister were drawn to the kittens, but I was drawn to Cherie. She was older (about 2 years old), but so sweet. When my mom went back to get one of the kittens a couple days later, they were all claimed, so she adopted Cherie instead. I'm so glad it worked out that way because my life just wouldn't be the same if Cherie hadn't been a part of it! 11. She gets so hyper sometimes. She'll run up and down the halls and when she gets really adventurous, she runs into the fireplace (behind the screen!) 12. If she thinks you're paying too much attention to anything other than her (like the computer!) she'll move right in front of it so she becomes the center of attention. 13. I'll miss cuddling with her the most. Of all the cats, she's the one who loves to sit on your lap or next to you and just cuddle and purr. Links to other Thursday Thirteens!




Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants



Thursday Thirteen #8: Photos of Cherie

It's been an odd week. I wasn't even sure that I was going to do a Thursday Thirteen this week, but here I am :-)

Earlier this week, one of our cats, Cherie, had severe trouble breathing and had to be rushed to the pet hospital. I should note that when I say "our" that Cherie lives with my parents, but I still think of her as part "mine." Anyway, when I spoke with my mom last night, she said it didn't look good because the vet didn't know what was wrong with her.

After being on antibiotics, she was much better this morning, so she's home tonight. Since they don't know what happened, a relapse is still possible. I'm just praying that she'll be okay.

So this weeks Thursday Thirteen is a tribute to Cherie (in picture form)...

Thirteen Things about Michelle B's Cat Cherie 1. Cherie loves to sleep on my laptop; partly because it's nice and warm, and partly because that way I can't be distracted from paying attention to her! 2. Another warm spot...the cable box! And its a good high spot to see what's going on as well. 3. Cherie in the backyard looking for trouble! 4. Cherie asleep in my unmade bed:) 5. Cherie taking a bath in the backyard. 6. A close-up profile shot. 7. Curled-up asleep in what we call "her" chair because if you sit in it, she glares at you until you get up so she can sit there! 8. On the bench in the backyard. 9. Sitting next to an out-of-control weed that's taller than she is in the back yard. 10. Another shot of her atop the cable box. 11. Curled up in a different chair this time... 12. What do you mean you want to print something?! 13. Another shot of her on a different laptop this time! Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Thursday Thirteen #7: Art I Like

I have pretty simple taste when it comes to art. And when I say simple, I mean that I'm not big on fancy frames and too much going on in a painting and such. Also, what most people tend to think of as great works of art rarely appeal to me enough that I'd want to own it.

That said, here are 13 works of art that I like. I've included small photos, but in some cases (especially with Catalina), the photos don't do the painting justice.

***Edited to Add Links to Artist Websites***
Roy Tabora's Website
Simon Bull's Website
Cao Yong's Website

Thirteen Works of Art Michelle B Likes 1. Diamond Head Sunrise by Roy Tabora I actually own this one and I love it! 2. In the Solace of the Night by Roy Tabora My parents own this painting, and I wish I did. Though I don't love all of his work this way, I'd definitely say Tabora is my favorite artist. 3. All the Way to Paradise by Simon Bull I actually own this one as well. It was a birthday present from my parents when my mom was working at the Thomas Kinkade Gallery. You'll see that I have more Simon Bull art on my list as well. 4. Catalina by Cao Yong I have a mini canvas of this one that was also a present from my mom. 5. Because of You by Simon Bull 6. Just the Way You Are by Simon Bull 7. The Journey Never Ends by Simon Bull 8. With All My Heart by Simon Bull 9. Nocturne by Roy Tabora 10. Once Upon a Midnight by Roy Tabora 11. Softly Glows the Night by Roy Tabora 12. Rhythm in Blues by Roy Tabora 13. Echoed Silence by Roy Tabora Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Thursday Thirteen #6: Some Favorite Songs

I love music! It offers me an outlet for my emotions when I just don't feel like confiding in anyone or when I just feel blah for no particular reason. Since I've moved, I've slacked off with my Monday Music Mania (where I post about music I enjoy), but I think I may start that up again! For now, I thought I would list 13 of my favorite songs. I have many more than 13 favorites, but I figured I would list 13 of the songs from my CD collection.

I must warn you, I have pretty eclectic taste. I tried to choose primarily songs that are not as mainstream, so you may discover some new tunes:) Thanks to imeem, I'm posting clips of the songs (and in a few cases, the entire song), so you can at least get a feel for the songs. I wish I could upload the entire song in all cases, but the only alternative to avoid the imeem permission issue was creating video files with just audio and the size limitations degraded the quality of the MP3s more than I wanted to tolerate. Okay, enough rambling from me...On with the list!

Thirteen of Michelle B's Favorite Songs 1. Writing to Reach You by Travis 2. Spread Love by Take 6 3. Zombie Jamboree by Rockapella 4. Never Going to Give You Up by BBMak 5. I Can Tell by BBMak 6. Love of My Own by Eric Benet 7. Keep It Loose, Keep It Tight by Amos Lee 8. Looking for an Echo by The Persuasions 9. The Beginning by BBMak 10. State of Grace by Seal 11. Colour by Seal 12. Just Like You Said by Seal 13. Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Thursday Thirteen #5: Favorite Quotes

I haven't had a chance to do a Thursday Thirteen the last two weeks with moving and the start of a new job and new semester. I'm in withdrawal! I'm having some template issues (or possibly it's just my computer), so I apologize in advance to visitors if things don't look quite right.

This week, I decided to list 13 of my favorite quotes. I have many more than 13 favorites. In fact, I have an entire notebook of quotes (along with scraps of paper that have yet to make it into the notebook). I hope you enjoy them and thanks for stopping by:)

Thirteen of Michelle B's Favorite Quotes 1. A dream is a vision of the future, in light of the past, tainted by imagination. --Judge Dana LaMon 2. Never give up on a dream just because of the length of time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway. --Life's Little Instruction Book Vol. III 3. Remember that love doesn't always make things easier- just worth it. --Life's Little Instruction Book Vol. III 4. I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and incur my own abhorrence. --Frederick Douglass 5. The imagination is always the best torturer. --Bryce Courtenay (in The Power of One) 6. You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. --Kahlil Gibran 7. We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly. --Sam Keen 8. There are no shortcuts to any place worth going. --Anonymous 9. Life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards. --Unknown 10. The only people that you should get even with are those who have helped you. --Unknown 11. What you dislike in another take care to correct in yourself. --Thomas Sprat 12. Never forget the power and potential that comes from doing little things well. --Life's Little Instruction Book Vol. III 13. I have found in life that everything, no matter how bad, comes to an end. --Bryce Courtenay (in The Power of One) Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Middle Name Meme

I've been MIA again while I've been getting adjusted in Arizona. My stuff is just got here from California late Sunday night and classes started Monday (at 7am for me!) And I'm having issues getting my cable connection set up, so I may be MIA a bit longer...

Anyway, Stacy tagged me to do this middle name meme. While I like the sound of my full name, I've never liked having the middle name that I have. Oh well. Here goes:

Here are the rules:

1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts.

2. Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of their middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.

3. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog post containing your own middle name game facts.

4. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog. (I'm not going to tag anyone this time LOL).

J- Justice. I realize that life isn't fair, but I do my best to make sure it is when things are within my control. I think it's the whole Libra thing...

O- Observant. Being into photography and math/science makes me constantly aware of everything around me. Sometimes people look at me weird because of it LOL.

H-Helpful. I like helping people. The whole reason I became a math teacher was to help those who struggle with it!

N-Nice. I make an effort to be polite and courteous to everyone I meet. I like being nice! Of course, I do have my off moments...

S-Sensitive. I try to be sensitive to people around me. I'm always worrying if I'm bothering someone! I also tend to get hurt feelings pretty easily.

O-Open-minded. I generally strive to keep an open mind in all situations, though it can be tough sometimes.

N- Nutty. I am definitely a bit off my rocker. That's what makes life so much fun:P

Thursday Thirteen #4: 13 Jobs I've Had

Sorry I've been MIA lately. I'm moving to Arizona at the end of the week, and I'm still teaching classes until tomorrow in California, so things are a bit insane.

Anyway, this is my fourth Thursday Thirteen! This week I decided to do 13 jobs I've had at various stages in my life. Keep in mind that I'm only 30 (almost 31, though). I changed jobs quite a bit while working for GTE/Verizon.

Thirteen Jobs Michelle B's Had 1. Scorer & Announcer for the Stanford Ice Hockey Team. Did I mention that I knew nothing about ice hockey when I started?! 2. Project Manager at Verizon. 3. Grader for Introductory Electronics (Engineering: 40) my senior year at Stanford. 4. Grader for 9th grade Social Science when I was a sophomore in high school. One of my previous teachers paid me to grade the objective parts of tests and assignments to lessen her load. This is the only job my parents allowed me to have in high school. They said my primary job was being a student:) 5. DSL Technical Support Specialist at Verizon. 6. Customer Care Coach (i.e. a supervisor at a call center that took trouble reports about phone service) at Verion which was GTE at the time. I have some pretty crazy stories about some of the calls we received! 7. Network Engineer at Verizon. 8. Supervisor of Facilities Administration at Verizon. This is nothing like it sounds, really. I supervised employees who tracked and made assignments on telephone cable out in the field via computer. 9. Assistant Statistician for UC Riverside working on the StatGames project, a project to make statistics fun and appealing for high school students. 10. Instructor/Tutor at ScoreRite, Inc. which is an after school SAT-prep type center. 11. Adjunct Math Instructor at San Diego State University. 12. Adjunct Math Instructor at Southwestern Community College in Chula Vista, CA where my mom worked when I was growing up. 13. Math Faculty at Estrella Mountain Community College (where I officially start next week!) Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants