Tuesday's Tidbit

Today's fun facts are about the Leap Year...

Did you know?

The exact amount of time it takes for the Earth to rotate around the sun is 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds. Egyptians were the first people to add a leap day every four years. Romans were the first to choose February 29th as the official date. Your chances of being born on a leap day are approximately 1 in 1500. There are about 187,000 people in the US and 4 million people in the world who were born on Leap Day. Enjoy your bonus day tomorrow!

Friday's Favorite

If you are looking for delicious tea than I have the place for you....

The Green Teahouse in Blue Back Square is a great place to buy loose leaf tea, tea sets, tea accessories or even a cup of tea.  One of my favorite things about this tea place is they usually have at least five or so different teas so you can get a sampling of which tea fits your taste.

Tuesday's Tidbit

Presidential First...

• James Polk was the first president to have his photograph taken.
• Theodore Roosevelt was the first president to ride in a car while in office. 
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the first president to ride in an airplane.

Hope you enjoyed your President's Day!

Friday's Favorite

Freerice is a great website that supports a worthy cause.  It is a great way to practice certain subject areas such as vocabulary, grammar, math, languages etc. and help out people in need at the same time.  Basically, for every question correct 10 grains of rice are donated to people in need.  Over 91 billion grains have been donated since the start of the website!  That is amazing!  

I use the vocabulary section in my class and make a competition of it.  The kids love to play and see the rice in their bowl get bigger and bigger.  The website is not just for kids.  The levels change based on your ability so anyone can play.

If you are looking for a distraction try it out and help feed people in need!  Have fun!  www.freerice.com

Tuesday's Tidbit

Valentine's Day Special Edition...

• 73% of people who buy flowers for Valentine's Day are men, while only 27 percent are women.
• 15% of U.S. women send themselves flowers on Valentine's Day.  (Wow!)
• Approximately 110 million roses, mostly red, will be sold and delivered within the three-day Valentine's Day time period.
• The most fantastic gift of love is the Taj Mahal in India. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife.
• Teachers will receive the most Valentine's Day cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, sweethearts and pets.  (Pets receive Valentine's Day cards!!!!)
• Richard Cadbury produced the first box of chocolates for Valentine's Day in the late 1800's.  (mmmm...candy)
• More than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold for Valentine's Day.
• Over $1 billion worth of chocolate is purchased for Valentine's Day in the U.S.

Enjoy your Valentine's Day!

Friday's Favorite

My new television obsession....The Big C!

Conservative Minneapolis wife and mother Cathy Jamison let her freak flag fly when she got her cancer diagnosis. She also decided against treatment, at least until her loved ones learned the truth. But now she’s opting to face cancer head on. Her family and friends can have their problems, she’s got a life to live… and fight for.

Upon reading the show description I was a bit hesitant to start up a show about a woman dying of cancer.  It just didn't seem appealing to me, but was I wrong.  I can't get enough of this show!  I finished Season 1 in less than a week and now I am patiently waiting for Season 2 to come out on DVD (April). 

If your looking for a show to keep you entertained and wanting more give The Big C a chance.

Tuesday's Tidbit

Today is send a card to a friend day.  Take a moment today and make someone's day by sending them an e-card or better yet send a real card! 

Friday's Favorite

Today's favorite is Google Translate.  This is a website that I knew about, but never really checked out because I never had a need until a student entered my school this week from Greece with limited English.  Now this is my life preserver.  This is a great website to easily change any webpage, word document, powerpoint, excel etc...into any language.  If you have never checked it out try it for fun!  Also, if anyone knows how to translate a PDF file into Greek for free please let me know....I would be extremely greatful!

http://translate.google.com/#