Along the Corniche April 18, 2013

Along the Corniche

2012 in review December 31, 2012

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 35,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 8 Film Festivals

Click here to see the complete report.

2012 in a nutshell December 29, 2012

One half of knowing what you want

is knowing what you must give up

before you get it.

~Sidney Howard

Association of International Schools of Africa May 22, 2012

Who we are Representing international schools on the continent of Africa, AISA has a membership of schools which range in size from 20 to 3600 students. AISA schools are strongly influenced by their location in Africa and their cosmopolitan student enrollment and teaching staffs who emanate from countries across the globe. Some AISA schools have an American based curriculum, others are British, and still others have an ecclectic mix. All have an international focus. AISA’s Goal AISA’s goal is, in collaboration with our Associate Members, to serve the varying needs of nearly 42,000 students and over 2,500 teachers and administrators. Mission Statement The mission of the Association is to facilitate school effectiveness and to inspire student learning in the international schools of Africa by promoting communication, collaboration, and professional development. AISA Members Believe All individuals have intrinsic worth and deserve an opportunity to learn in a challenging, safe, and nurturing environment Optimal student learning is advanced through educational research and its application through effective practice International education provides a foundation for global citizenship Collaboration and interdependence among individuals and organizations are powerful agents of positive change Appropriate use of technology maximizes student learning and school effectiveness AISA’s Objectives AISA will Enhance the quality of student learning by promoting effective educational practice Foster intercultural and international understanding Promote an appreciation and understanding of Africa Support professional development within member schools Collect, analyze, and distribute information to help guide member schools Enable close collaboration and networking among its members Develop and maintain partnerships with organizations and institutions which complement AISA’s values and mission

travel quotes

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. ~St. Augustine

Insurgent, Divergent, Dark Days Tour with Veronica Roth May 8, 2012

I had pre-ordered Insurgent many months ago, but ended up also buying it on my Kindle so I could make sure I had it on release day. I had read Divergent that way originally so I thought it would be interesting to continue in that tradition. No sooner had I read the first several pages and then re-read the pages, it was apparent that I was going to need to re-read Divergent to refresh my memory of characters and plot lines. I know some people always read the preceding books over before reading a sequel, but that is not my MO. I’m always anticipating book releases and don’t want to take the time away from other reads to re-read. I decided I could probably keep plowing through Insurgent and get the gist of what I hadn’t remembered, but I REALLY wanted to enjoy reading Insurgent. I set it aside and fast read Divergent. I am very glad I did as it also served to remind me why I had liked Divergent so much on the first read.

I like the descriptions of the factions, the main and supporting characters, and the many intricacies that are woven throughout the book. It’s interesting to think about the choices the characters made that led them to leave or join a faction and then consider what you would have done in that situation.

The Dark Days tour-Cover to Cover June 7th

I have actually seen Veronica Roth at ALAN/NCTE this past year and while she is super cute and young, she was not that impressive as a speaker. I actually feel really bad writing that but I was surprised by how underwhelmed I was after being such a huge fan of the book from the release of Divergent. Now just because you are a great author, does not mean you have to be a great speaker. Being a great public speaker is just as hard as being a great author in a different way.

Despite that I am ready to give her another chance and will be joining book blogging friends to see Veronica Roth, Aprilynne Pike, Ellen Schreiber, and Josephine Angelini. Now I haven’t read anything  by the other YA authors, but stacking up a great TBR pile to kick off the summer seems like a great idea!

Making Crocodile Skin Belts April 30, 2012

Guy got to check out the time-consuming process while in the Market.

yummy fruit and Sorbet in Saly, Senegal April 19, 2012

Thatching a Roof in Saly, Senegal April 10, 2012

These friendly guys were re-thatching the roof of the bungalow at the hotel we were staying at in Saly, Senegal. Someone told me that Saly is in the part of Africa known as the West African Riveria. The ocean views were beautiful!

Christmas Books 2011 Given and Received January 5, 2012

The Scorpio Races By Maggie Stiefvater

Icefall by Matthew Kirby

Wicked Girls: A Novel of the Salem Witch Trials by Stephanie Hemphill

Crossed by Ally Condie

It’s Christmas David by David Shannon

The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristen Kladstrup and Matt Tavares

Ivy and Bean books by Annie Barrows

Babymouse books by Jennifer Holm

It’s Not Fair by Amy Rosenthal and Tom Lichenheld

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

Divergent by Veronica Roth (x2)

The Death Cure, The Scorch Trials, The Maze Runner series by James Dashner

Shark Wars by Ernie Altbacker

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

This Plus That: Life’s Little Equations by Amy Rosenthal

Mentor Author, Mentor Texts by Ralph Fletcher