Lincoln Park

So in the past, I have always lived in "chill" neighborhoods. I began my Chicago Career in Cicero, then lived in Edgewater, then three years in Buena Park. Always side streets and very calm. For the summer however I moved to Lincoln Park to sublet my friends apartment. It is right on Clark and the second you leave the apartment there is bars and restaurants. I went grocery shopping and felt very under dressed! I am bummed because although I am in the middle of the action, my three friends who I had to constantly take two buses to see have since moved out of the neighborhood! So that stinks, but it is nice to be a mile from work. I am going to take advantage of the zoo being out my front door!!

Can I gloat?

When I went to college the first time, I got mostly A's and B's. I only got one C the whole time, but I honestly avoided classes that were extremely difficult. Now at NEIU, I am just rocking everything. I am putting so much more effort into my classes. I even got an A in Biology and Statistics! I am so proud of myself! Thank you!

306
Mtds Tchg Rdg In Early Chld
A
328M
Clin Exp Erly Chld/Multicultrl
A
328S
Prctm in Early Chldhd w/Spec E
A
355
Mtds Tch Math, Sci & SS/ECED
A

13 going on 30

So I have a pet peeve.
Lately, when I have been out and about conversing with people, I will make jokes that I am too old to be at certain bars. Then I will be asked, "Well how old are you?" Then I will say my age, which is 30. Every single time they say, "Well you don't look it!" I understand that this is meant to be a compliment. I am glad that I don't look like an old lady at the bar drinking scotch. What I hear, however, when people say this to me is since I look young I must act young and think young. I have 30 years of experiences and forgive me if I don't want to date guys who are 21-25 years old. Just because I look young doesn't mean that I automatically must go to bars in Lincoln Park. I get really offended by this. I like to converse with people in their 30's too! I like to talk to people from the graduating class of 2000. It doesn't mean that I don't enjoy my younger friends and there really isn't much of a difference in maturity after 25 anyway. It just really bothers me so much whenever I hear the words, "Well you don't look it!" One day I will really appreciate it and I will regret this blog, but for right now it really bothers me. :)

What??????

Drew Peterson engaged to 23-year-old

Drew Peterson, who is still married to his missing wife Stacy, is now engaged to a 23-year-old Chicago-area woman, his publicist said today.
Glenn Selig said the 54-year-old former police sergeant has been seeing the woman for about four months. She's the same age Stacy was when she disappeared last October. If they marry, she will be Peterson's fifth wife.
"This is a private matter as far as we're concerned," Selig said. "And he's entitled to be happy."

Moderation

I realize I have two things that I can not keep in moderation!
1st: Those little chocolates that have three parts: pretzel, chocolate in the middle and then a m&m on top. Oh my god! My co-worker offered me some and I keep stealing them while she is out teaching. She says she is not in a "sweets mood" and I am taking this to mean eat almost all of them.
2nd: The Office! I didn't like it when I first saw it, but two nights in a row my boyfriend and I have stayed in and watched back to back to back to back episodes. If I wasn't so tired I would watch more!
I guess this is one way to get through this terrible Chicago weather. Oh by the way, it took me only 30 minutes to get home and it took him almost three hours from 55th and State to Lincoln Square! Sometimes I love the CTA!

Arne Duncan

Many people have many different thoughts on CEO Arne Duncan. Some teachers that I have spoken with have hated him with a passion and I know other teachers who have loved him. I had the chance to meet him several years ago while working at VAI. We were working to save Senn high school from becoming a military academy. I don't really care either way, but I do think that community and family input should be validated and included in the decision making process. This is something the Alderman and the CEO failed to do. Yet when I met him, I realized he is an extremely charming man. He didn't know how to work with the far left in Uptown, but I do think he has Chicago Public Schools in his heart and has the best intentions. I can easily see how Obama and Duncan are good friends. I sincerely hope he does a good job. I always stand up for him and have a crush on him too! Good luck Mr. Duncan!

Your Aura

Oh yeah....My masseuse said I had a strong purple aura! I will believe her!

WHAT THE COLOURS MEAN
Although auras can change colour according to our moods and our physical and emotional well being, we generally have one colour that is always present in our auras. This colour says a lot about us, because it describes our attitudes and beliefs. The interpretations given below are only suggestions but I have found them useful; however you may begin to develop your own ideas once you start to develop your aura reading skills.
RED
This is a vibrant colour to find in anybody's aura. It indicates that the individual is enterprising, dynamic & competitive. Often they enjoy being active and have a love of sports. Clear red indicates someone who loves life and lives it to the full. However, a dull red indicates anger or resentment.
ORANGE
Orange is a lovely warm and energising colour and someone who has an orange aura is very positive and confident. This person goes through life believing all things will go well. Beware, of someone who has an overly bright orange aura has it often indicates an egotistical character.
GREEN
A clear green aura is found surrounding loving and affectionate people they instinctively want to create harmony for others. This may make them overly anxious to please and they may be taken advantage of. They have a great love of the outdoors and nature. Watch out for someone with a harsh green aura - they are often stubborn and inflexible to any new ideas.
YELLOW
People with yellow auras tend to be life's thinkers. They would never rush into a decision. You may find them outgoing and very sociable. However, beware of someone with a murky yellow aura and they are probably less than truthful.
BLUE
Blue is the colour that belongs to someone who is idealistic and who has strong beliefs about what is right or wrong. They are often a seeker of spiritual knowledge and could be drawn to practice some form of healing. However, a dark blue aura indicates someone who is conservative in their views and afraid of change
PURPLE
People with purple auras right through from pale lilac to rich purple indicate someone with a strong sense of spiritual purpose. They are humanitarian and care deeply about the fate of others. A clear purple indicates a strong psychic ability.
GOLD
A gold aura is rarely seen. Someone with a gold aura has a tremendous amount of potential and the ability to make a big contribution to the world. They have a deep sense of spirituality and visionary qualities. However, if someone has a dirty gold aura - take care. They have a strong materialistic streak and will stop at nothing to gain power.
BROWN A person with a rich brown aura is very practical and down to earth, and often has a strong love of animals. They enjoy working out of doors and are often very talented at growing plants. A red-brown aura indicates someone who likes to take care of others.
BLACK
Don't be worried if you find someone with a black aura, it is not necessarily a negative sign. It usually indicates the person who wants to hide away from the world for a time. A black aura, whether it is completely black or with streaks usually indicates someone who is physically exhausted. A dense black aura indicates a needy person who may leech energy from others.
By learning to read and interpret your own and the aura of others, you will find it opens up a new understanding of the people who surround you in your daily life. It could transform your relationships, career and health.
copyright Linda Preston 2008