When pink no longer gives one a "rosy" outlook.

*Taken from pinkfriday09.org

"-California ranks 47th in the nation in per-pupil spending
-California has the 7th-largest economy in the world...
The recently passed state budget just makes things worse. It cuts education by a magnitude unlike any we have seen in our state's history, slashing more than $11 billion from schools, colleges and universities."

Friday the 13th (how ironic) last week marked the day for thousands of teachers, administrators, custodians and bus drivers in California who received the "pink slip (lay-off notice)." Tenure wasn't even a saving factor. Since more teachers are getting laid-off, classroom sizes in California will increase. It only makes sense, right?

As a student teacher, one of our largest classes consists of 43 students. In fact, anything under 35 seems small. I was just talking to a friend on Friday about the CA education budget cuts and she mentioned to me that the student to teacher ratio in Washington was 1:15!! With so many students in each class, it is extremely difficult for any teacher to give a decent amount of attention to students who are in need of assistance. Now imagine if classroom sizes reached 50+-- unfortunately, it is a close reality.

Programs that prepare students for future careers, electives such as health, music, art (gasp) and so forth will be cut back in order to compensate for the loss.

In honor of this horrid day, teachers and students wore "pink" as a form of protest and support for those receiving the "pink slip." Several of our students showed their support by donning "pink" slips of paper, yarn bracelets and headbands to show their support. It is always good to know that most students will side loyally with their teachers and fight for their education. Rallies and protests were being held in Southern California, but is this going to change anything?

On May 19th, there will be measures on the ballot that will have a tremendous impact on the future of California education. Proposition 1B is one to keep your heads up for. If passed, the state will pay back more than $9 billion of the money owed to schools and colleges. Please, please, vote to make a difference. Students, post-students, parents, we've all been there before and can relate. This also makes me wonder if having an "ex-actor" such as The Governator do more damage than good to our beloved state.

If the future of California and the rest of the nation lies within the students of today, where are our priorities?



"Change does not necessarily assure progress, but progress implacably requires change. Education is essential to change, for education creates both new wants and the ability to satisfy them." - Henry Steele Commager

Coco Avant Chanel

In a little over a month, the life story of Coco Avant Chanel will be on the big screen. One of my favorite French actresses, Audrey Tautou (she reminds me of French version of Audrey Hepburn), will star as "Coco Chanel." Lifetime had recently recreated their "American" version of her story, which was decently adequate, but I am even more excited about the one coming out onto the big screens. It always intriques me to watch or read about how successful people toiled and labored in order to follow their dreams and desires in life. I feel as though these people become more human-like when you see their weaknesses and how they have failed numerous times but never fail to give up.



Knowing about the history of a company makes me want to buy from them, I'm such a sucker. My guess is that Chanel handbag sales will go uppity-up after the movie. Karl Lagerfeld will have a lot to smile about.



Price of a Chanel bag: $2500+
That ought to drill a major hole into your wallet, let alone savings account. If this woman was a struggling peasant at one point in her life, why has the company made it only attainable to the "privileged?" This concept baffles me.

The Mean Reds

Holly: No. The blues are because you're getting fat or it's been raining too long. You're just sad, that's all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you're afraid, and you don't know what you're afraid of. Don't you ever get that feeling?
Paul: Sure. Some people call it angst.
Holly: When I get it, what does any good is to jump into a cab and go to Tiffany's. Calms me down right away. The quietness, the proud look. Nothing very bad could happen to you there. If I could find a real-life place that made me feel like Tiffany's, then... then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name...

The mean reds, the blues, whatever you want to call it, we all have our days. Even though Tiffany's is literally a 15 minute walk away, I'd rather take out the camera and shoot the blues away, plus it's free. Finding beauty around me turns that frown upside down.

After the rain...






How can you not be happy with a red lamp in the middle of your living room?



Doc Martens: I remember my first pair of the classic 8-tie black Doc Marten boots. At the age of 12, I was dying for a pair and begged my father to find me Docs in London during his business trip. I recall him tracing the outline of my foot, but ended up being disappointed when he bought the shoes 1/2 a size too small. Within a few months, they became too small for my growing feet. Feeling distraught, I decided I would save them for my future child. However, I discovered a remake by Yohji Yamamoto in the current issue of NYLON. This sleeker look is a spin-off of the basic black boot. I don't usually swoon over shoes (only Louboutins), but these boots had me dying, and I died just a little bit more when I found out they are practically sold out everywhere online. Guess I'll have to wait for London.



Speaking of NYLON... guess who's rockin' the cover this month?!?!



Ladies, remember the guy from F4?? Turns out he's a rep for WORLD VISION, the non-profit organization Mike works for!



I think the mean reds are now turning into more of a pinkish color...

A Rainy day Monday.

Wearing: In the mood for navy and brown. My little sister got this dress for me and it makes me smile because she knows me well. Sometimes, I find that picking out a loverly outfit for a dreary Monday works like a charm. Better than coffee.


My girl friend brought over a bottle of "Pink" sparkling wine last night and it was absolutely delicious!

On another note, I'm going to miss student teaching. One of the students asked me today, "You're leaving this month, huh?" That breaks my heart.


My students' artwork inspires me (Roccoco cartouches done out of wood putty and cookie dough).

Currently craving: Laduree French macarons

Ohh, Paris.

Quote of the day: "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." -Theodor Seuss Geisel (aka: Dr. Seuss)

...And how many times do we fret over unworthy comments people make?