Was I ahead of my time?

Nowadays, you hear people talking about the "millenials" and what they are like. For those who do not know what a "millenial" is, let me tell you it's a term for the current generation. I am a Gen X'er.

Each generation is known for some kind of trait. Ha, but right now I can't remember what Gen-X or Gen-Y'ers are known for. Does it have something to do with the Pepsi Generation? I digress. For these millenials, everything is online. Texting friends instead of actually calling and using social networks to find out what's going on are two things that particularly stand out for me. Why? Well, I seem to behave like this as well (according to my husband). So what does that mean for me? Was I born before my time, thus I'm cool before anyone knew it? Should I pull out all those old art projects because they could be worth something? Does it mean I need to work with students more? Or does it mean my husband was right - I'm a Facebook Geek.

I do remember hearing one comparison between Gen-X'ers and the Millenials...Gen-X'ers prefer privacy where Millenials demand openness. So what does that make me?

Really Cool Art

So I've found that I really appreciate art that has been made out of every day items. Today while signing into one of my favorite sites, I noticed this great piece. I'm not sure how you'll feel about it, but I really like it.



The artist is Diem Chau. Not someone I've heard of before, but definitely someone I'll be keeping an eye on. Just wanted to share. Hope you enjoy it too.

And winter continues.....

The buzzer sounds and I roll over. The slits I call eyes take in the early morning darkness. It's another day in Indiana. What will it be like outside today? No one really knows. I chase the dog down the stairs (ok it's more like shuffle, trip, and fall down the stairs after the dog), throw open the blinds and I'm greeted by another snow storm. Flurries by tush!!!

So the dogs go out. Happy as clams. I'm left shivering by the door. Was I really that bad in a previous life? Carribean drums have always made my feet tap so maybe I was from somewhere warm. God's cruel joke on me. Or maybe I was an eskimo and the "all-mighty" thinks I'll enjoy this. Whatever the case - this isn't funny any more!!!! My husband thinks I'll want to move to Colorado when I retire. I still think he's nuts.

For now, IU is still in session and so are the local k-12 schools. I just received notice that all after school programs have been cancelled. So my son gets to go home and play video games when he should be at basketball practice. What's next? Snow Day #2 for IU? Doubt it. But I can still dream right?

Know any Twi?

As some of you know, I'm heading to Ghana over Spring Break with the IU Kelley School. I'm the "marketing" person on the trip. So I've created a Facebook group and linked it to the blog. I've started looking for the appropriate clothing to take. It's actually quite fun to know I'm going to be getting some new Patagonia or Mountain Hardwear to take with me. Now if I could just shed those holiday pounds....

I'm not going on the trip solo. I'm going as part of the Emerging Economies class. There are 18 students, 1 faculty member, and 2 other administrative personnel going. Part of the academic experience includes learning about the culture of Ghana - and some of the language. We had a great class last week and I'm stoked to see what we'll learn this week. I know how to say eat, my name is, where I'm from, and the appropriate way to knock on the door and gain access to a room. It's all very cool. Twi is a language that uses the same word to mean many different things and it's all decided on your intonation. I know I'm going to mess this up. I'll think I'm asking someone to pass the rice and I'll end up calling them a toad or something. Call the American Embassy and have them ready for my arrival. I'm sure they'll be called more than once about me.