It can't be 2013 already ...

Have you been wondering if I flew away? Well, since my last posting, I have been to Arizona twice ( I'm rating the Grand Canyon right next to my first awesome visual, The Colosseum!!!) and the Dominican Republic four times, so in a way, "Yes!, I did!!! ~ Keeping on that note, I'm an "Empty Nester" too. My reading buddies & techies, M&M have both taken to loftier levels of education. I will update again soon.

2010 Should Prove to be Interesting!

Hey there, I haven't forgotten my devoted following ... I have been reading up a storm and still love everyone that walks the Earth! I promise to post more! xxo, mb

Library Legislative Days

Hi! I can't believe another month has come & gone. Today, I went to the Joffrey Ballet & it was FANTASTIC! I only hope everyone has the opportunity to see such beauty during their life! I have been reading a lot of psychology & science journals and have come to the conclusion I have to get more active in my education. I just wish I knew where to find more hours in my day. I will be leaving for Washington D.C. on Saturday morning. The National Library Legislative Days are Sunday, Monday & Tuesday. I can't wait!!!

Laura Bridgman biography

Alexander, S. H., & Alexander, R. J. (2008). She touched the world: Laura Bridgman, deaf-blind pioneer. New York: Clarion Books.

This is a fascinating biography of a courageous woman of the mid 1800's. Laura was a frail child who became ill. She lost her sight and hearing yet, she continued to learn about the world about the world around her. She was a productive member of society. She was an inspiration for so many. Her parents from the very start never doubted her ability to be a responsible Baptist. Samuel Gridley Howe of the Perkins Institute was the most compassionate dedicated teacher one could hope for in what seemed as a dismal situation. Laura Bridgman taught Anne Sullivan how to communicate with the impaired. Dr. Howe published the account of Laura Bridgman’s education in the Perkins Annual Reports, making both teacher and student internationally famous. In 1842, British writer Charles Dickens visited Perkins and wrote of his encounter with Laura in his book, American Notes. The meat of the story of Laura Bridgman's life was the almost unpalatable aspect of the controlling Unitarian thought of Dr.Howe.

Schooled

I bet you thought I was basking on a chase lounge somewhere warm soaking up the rays and reading a book a day, but I wasn't. January, February and March 2009 have been rattling my cage in ways I never dreamed for myself. January started out ok, I thought I had everything under control and then February 1st rolled in like "Life As We Knew It" or did we? A close friend passed away and my attempt to make haste on my Master's snowballed. Every time, I thought I had a second to breathe, another assignment was being posted. Now, it's the last day of "Spring Break", I have read one book so far, "Schooled" by Gordon Korman. It's a great quick read especially if you are fan of the "sixties"! It's a quick read because every chapter is in different charter's voice. It takes place in 2007 and if you want a taste of peace & love don't miss it! I have started another book, Edward Bloor's "Taken' and so dar so good! I comment soon. And no, I haven't been sleeping the rest of the time, I went to see "Jersey Boys" on Wednesday...I was f a n t a s t i c!

What have I been reading...

Hey there, it's been a while but that doesn't mean I haven't been reading. I think after I last posted, I read a handful of Neal Shusterman's for my MacAuthor Visit...which I thought was a success! My fav' was EVERLOST. It would make a fantastic movie! I love how Neal has "the gift of "TWISTING""! I then switched gears to non-fiction for my next MacAuthor, Sally M. Walker. She was "right there" for the students and totally had them captivated in her super cool research! I read Twilight when I was admitted to Good Shepard for a blood transfusion (go figure!. I also read a Book of a Thousand Days and was very very satisfied. And finally read Rules! during the Jewish holidays (no connection)so I could get my friend Kathleen off my back. I found an interesting title called Owning It! and fall for many of the short stories written by many of my favorite authors about teenage disabilities. There was also a good one called The Hand You Are Dealt about a teenage boy who plays poker. A quick fictional "e-mail style" journal by the gal that wrote When I was Solider: a memoior has a very current to the moment book A Bottle in the Gaza Sea. During Thanksgiving, I listened to Water for Elephants and wished it never ended. That brings me to Christmas Break 2008 & since I started it with a "Snow Day a.k.a. NO SCHOOL!!, I shoveled the drive-way & headed over to the Rolling Meadows Public Library. I was very tempted to read "new stuff" but I convinced myself to read books that I knew I had in my school library collection so, I read: Overboard which was quick good historical fiction. I couldn't put down Silent to the Bone or another historical fiction the Wednesday Wars. Notes from the Midnight Driver which was good but, I also read a quickie called Freak and thought it was very, very true-to-life for a seventh grade girl. I am currently reading, A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer ( House of the Scorpion) and even though I never thought I would pick her up again, I am intrigued by the story, however, I can list a handful of other "Cinderella" that the storyline reminds me of, so I promise to post again soon and let you know how it turns-out! ... Have a Super 2009! x x o, macbeth

Adolescent Lit. 8/1/08 PR,C

Selfors, S. (2008). Saving Juliet. New York: Walker & Co.

Saving Juliet, is a charming dream-version of what could possibly be the “true version” of Romeo and Juliet. Seventeen year old Mimi has been doing Shakespeare since she was three years. She is well versed in the Bard and cringes when she gets cast opposite “teen heart-throb” Troy Summer, who appears to be absolutely clueless. After an alarming argument with her stage mom, Mimi is transported through time to Verona and helps Juliet escape her marriage to Paris. Ironically, Troy, unwillingly is also along for the dream and gets a dose of method-acting and assists with Romeo’s hook-up with Juliet. I always knew there was more to the story and this version is far-fetched but enchanting!