Thumper in Disney

My name is Thumper, and I am an adorable rabbit. I decided to take a trip to Walt Disney recently, and had a blast! I could not resist taking a few selfies along the way, to preserve my happy memories. Enjoy!

Riding the monorail was SO much fun!

I absolutely LOVED the Magic Kingdom! Could have spent weeks here!

I really enjoyed these Olaf cupcakes at Hollywood Studios. Too bad they are temporary.

By the end of the trip, I was a bit sleepy...

I can't wait to go back! Ttfn! Ta ta for now!

Food for Thought: Inside-Out Wrapping Paper

Tired of wrapping paper rolling up as you are wrapping presents? Does the print ever get faded or dusty? Here is a simple solution no company has thought of yet.

Inside-Out Wrapping Paper.

The paper should be rolled print side inward. It would keep the print nice, clean, and crisp. Better than that the paper would WANT to lay flat when you unroll it (print side down, like a normal person), instead of rolling back into itself!  

And all you would need, is the roll to be two inches longer than the paper. And to put a swatch of the paper on it so you'll know the print without unrolling it.  (Below is a very rough prototype.) 

Am I the only one who thinks thus would be very helpful?

10 Things That Irritate Me: Traffic Edition

1. When a person cuts in front of you, and then drives 10 mph. Because you weren't in a rush.

2. When a person cuts in front of you, and there was NO ONE behind you. Because waiting 5 more seconds was too much to ask.

3. When a person cuts in front of you, and then comes to a stop to take the next turn off. Because they were in such a rush to slow down and pull over.

4. When someone blocks the intersection so you miss your green light.

5. When someone at a red light blocks you from exiting the parking lot or side street.

6. When someone in front of you is waiting to cross traffic to turn down a side street, and does not pull over enough to let traffic flow around them. Because the center of the lane is the BEST place to stop.

7. When someone parks too close to you, so you can't get back into your car.

8. When someone takes up multiple parking spots, forcing you to park farther away from the building. Because you drove, even though you really wanted to walk.

9. When people don't wait their turn at stop signs.

10. When people don't stop at stop signs or red lights.

Letters to Myself

Reading through one of my journals recently, I found this letter I had to respond to.  Below is the letter and my response.

November 3, 2008

Dear Katie 2018,

Hello. How are you today? I just know you have succeeded in so much since my time. How's your job? Did you decide what you want to teach yet? Where are you working? Where did you go to college? (That would help me so much so I don't waste applying elsewhere.) How did treatment go? How was your Make-A-Wish? Have you visited your favorite teacher since you graduated high school, or has he successfully avoided you?

Who is President of the a United States? Wow. Whoever wins tomorrow will be out of office by 2018!

So, how is life going? I'd hope you are still close with your family and holding true to the same wacky traditions! What has your brother been up to? He must be doing well by now. I hope you are still involved with the community and are raising awareness for cancer.

Whatever you are doing I hope you are positively affecting people's lives. See you soon!

Love,

Your 17-year-old shadow

June 26, 2014

Dear Katie 2008,

Well, I sort of intercepted this letter a bit early.  But I can answer many of your questions, so I hope you will not mind!

Today, I am fine. We are teaching chemistry at a high school in New England. It is close to home, without being in the same town. You went to a great school in Connecticut, but I will let you figure that one out for yourself (you're not applying to many anyway).

Treatments went fine, and ended right on time. You are doing well today (*knocks on wood*). You have visited your favorite teacher...you more of have not left him alone! I'm just going to say, that you will REALLY enjoy and get a lot out of student teaching!

Our Make-A-Wish was AWESOME!!! You met the man of our dreams, and it was PERFECT! Do not lose hope! Keep believing that when it is meant to be, it will work itself out.

I can't answer who will be President. But tomorrow will be a pleasant surprise for you.

We're still close with the family (but the bro and you might get a house in the near future). He us teaching! Kindergarten! In a city! 

You do what you can to raise awareness, but are trying to get more involved to leave a bigger impact. Baby steps.

After your first year of teaching, I can honestly say that you are positively changing lives. I hope we continue to, and never lose faith in our dreams!

Best of luck to you,

Katie 2014

British Food from my Bucket List

There are certain foods I just had to have when I went to England.  When in London, you might as well try the classics!

Tea Time: (a wonderful experience)

A full English Breakfast:

Fish and Chips:

Sticky Toffee Pudding (with vanilla ice cream):

Sweeney Todd London Experience

If you do not know the story of Sweeney Todd, you should watch the movie or the musical.  I experienced his stomping grounds in London.

The building to the right is where his barber shop was located. The church to the left, covers the tunnels Todd would use to carry his victims to Mrs. Lovett's pie shop on the corner of the adjacent street.

The Old Bank of England is next to the church, and is now a pub...

Which serves meat pies. Of course I had one!

And they are not ashamed of their history. This is posted outside:

London 2013 Photo Diary...A Bit Delayed

I have been a tad busy since last January, when I began student teaching and then found a full time job as a teacher (and have been trying to survive my first year since).  So I have been meaning to post about last summer since it happened...

Since summer 2012, I have decided every summer should be awesome. (Especially since as a teacher I get them "off".). In 2012 I studied abroad (and had the best material for posts.)  In 2013, I traveled around with my friend (including going to London). So my next posts will be what I should have posted about months ago.

Here is my photo diary of London 2013. We spent about 2 weeks here.

The Tube celebrated it's 150th anniversary:

I finally got to Abby Road:

We saw Daniel Radcliffe in his play (and a lot of Harry Potter fans waiting to meet him):

Leicester Square was getting a face lift, and the most perfect quote to sum up my feelings of my favorite place on Earth was posted around the Shakespeare fountain:

I walked the area Jack the Ripper hit, and found The Ten Bells pub (one of the last remaining structures that have remained unchanged since):

And found this fittingly named barbar shop in the area:

And we absolutely fell in love with out neighborhood pub, The Rocket:

It was a nice trip. So glad I was able to return so soon.

"Transcendence" Review

Is it possible for computers to become self aware?  How far can we take technology and artificial intelligence?  Pretty far, and we are pretty close. 

Some people are excited about the idea of a conscious computer, and others would rather no computers than to risk crossing the line of natural biology.

Transcendence is Bout a computer scientist Will Caster (played by Johnny Depp), who is on the brink if creating a computer that is self aware.  A group called RIFT will do anything they can to stop this.  So they shoot Will with a bullet laced with radiation, so that he slowly dies before he can make any more advancements.

What RIFT did not foresee, is that Will's wife and partner, Evelyn (Rebecca Hall), decides to try uploading Will's consciousness to a computer before he dies.  She succeeds, and once he connects to the internet, he has the power to go anywhere and do anything.

Evelyn and Will begin to build a lab in the middle of nowhere.  It seems as if Will will be able to carry out Evelyn's dream of saving the world one problem at a time.  But Will's power and everyone else's skepticism cause Evelyn to begin to doubt if Will is still himself.  And this doubt makes her become terrified.

When Will and Evelyn's best friend Max (Paul Bettany), creates a virus that will take out "Will," Evelyn offers to convince Will to upload it to himself.  The ending leaves us with a lot of questions about the implications of the story, and what this might mean for our future.

I enjoyed the film.  The effects were amazing, the story was thought provoking, and. Johnny Depp was HOT.  The plot left a bit to be desired (mainly because audiences are no longer used to having to think when they watch a movie).

This was definitely a movie to watch on the big screen, and the. Maybe a second or third time as well.

I would give Transcendence a 7.5 out of 10.  The film is rated PG-13 and runs 1 hour and 59 minutes.

Comic Corner: Chemistry Edition

Sugar cubed!

Okay.  More like nerd corner. But I am not ashamed! 

Comic Corner: Doggie Edition

Cancer Sucks, But Together We Can Lick It - Mug

I found this mug online. Cancer does suck!

http://www.zazzle.com/cancer_sucks_mug-168707238521346990

Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta: Recipe Repertoire

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion

3 garlic cloves

28 ounces diced tomatoes

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 pinch red pepper flakes

fresh ground pepper, to taste

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons tomato paste

4 ounces cream cheese

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)

1 lb whole wheat penne pasta

9 ounces fresh spinach

Directions:

1 Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat.

2 Add the pasta and cook until tender (5 to 7 minutes). Drain the pasta in a colander.

3 While waiting for the pasta to cook, dice the onion and mince the garlic.

4 Cook both in a large skillet with the olive oil over medium-low heat until softened and transparent, (about 5 minutes).

5 Add the diced tomatoes with juices, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and some freshly cracked pepper to the skillet with the onions and garlic.

6 Stir to combine. Add the tomato paste and a cup of water to the skillet and stir until the tomato paste is dissolved into the sauce.

7 Turn the heat down to low. Cut the cream cheese into a few pieces and then add them to the skillet with the tomato sauce.

8 Use a whisk to stir the sauce until the cream cheese has fully melted in and the sauce is creamy.

9 Add the fresh spinach and gently stir it into the sauce until it has wilted (3 to 5 minutes). Add the pasta and stir until it is well coated with the creamy tomato sauce.

10 Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm, with parmesan cheese (optional).

Word of the Moment: Yerk

Yerk - verb - To throw or thrust with a sudden, smart movement; to kick or strike suddenly; to jerk.

noun - A sudden or quick thrust or motion; a jerk.

When the doctor hit Jimmy's knee with the hammer, Jimmy's leg yerked in reaction.

Daily Dose of Cuteness: Hedgehog Edition

Hedgehogs are adorable.  Here are some pictures I hope will make you smile.

The Lego Movie

The Lego Movie follows the story of Emmet, an average construction worker who is so good at fitting in, that no one knows he is there.  He stumbles upon a magic piece, which a prophecy declared the chosen one would find and use to save the universe.  

Then, a lot of complicated events unfold, which are only realistic because the worlds are built (and rebuilt) by Lego pieces, but are interesting nonetheless.  The story line may be basic (the Lego "master builders" are trying to stop the evil President from permanently ruining their creativity, and gluing them into place), but this film is riddled with puns, jokes, and unexpected humor, as the heroes try to save the day.

The movie is quite enjoyable.  I cannot remember laughing this much at a movie aimed for children.  I give it a 9 out of 10, and look forward to seeing it again.

The Lego Movie is 1 hour 40 minutes, rated PG, and playing in cinemas.

Interesting Insight

It is interesting which words pop out at you.  It says something about you.