Let the Adventure Begin!

(Back, l-to-r) Eriko, Sarah B., Hnou, Anna
(Front, l-to-r) Vanessa, Caleigh, Aimee

 The moment has finally arrived...well, actually, it arrived two weeks ago, as that's when our class began the new semester.

We've formed groups who will work together each week, and to help them begin to bond, I had them do two things the first night.


First, they had to introduce themselves to each other with "Two Truths and One Lie." My big brother, Bill, who is a high school math teacher, actually told me about this years ago when he did it at a workshop: You introduce yourself with three statements, two that are true and one that is a lie, and your new acquaintances try to guess the lie. It's pretty fun, and we learned a lot about each other, even the first night! After they got to know each other a bit through the statements, they had to create a name for their group.


(Back, l-to-r) Foua, Sarah M., Flor, Gabby
(Front, l-to-r) Esbehide, Ashlee



I also did some arm-twisting, and groups agreed to pose for pics for our blog -- complete with their name displayed. This way, as they each write their individual entries on the chapters, you'll know whose work you're reading. And of course, I have ulterior motives...I have a LOT of students this semester (138!), so this helps me get to know names. Hopefully you'll enjoy getting to know them, too!  





(Back, l-to-r) Olga, Kabao, Selene
(Front, l-to-r) Christine, Mao

(Back, l-to-r) Bong Bai, Brittney W., Vanessa
(Front, l-to-r) Choua, Pang, Andrea

(Back, l-to-r) Kristin, Ariam, Ashlynn, Candace
(Front, l-to-r) Mai Va, Nicole

If you've been a loyal follower of our blog (there has been a whopping ONE entry before this, you know!), you realize that we needed a name for it. On the first night of class, I announced the "Blog Name Contest," and there were 27 entries! Yes, this may have something to do with the extra credit points that were available for entering and winning...but nonetheless, there were a lot of entries through which to sift! It was a difficult choice, and when it came down to two entries, I combined them to get the title you see up top. The winners? Kristin (in the Super Senior group above) and Linda, who was not present for the photos. They did a great job, don't you think?

(Back, l-to-r) Blanca G., Dominique, Brittany N.
(Front, l-to-r) Michelle, Blanca R.
(Not Pictured: Linda)

(Back, l-to-r) Jade, Rebecca, Brittany F., Marlena, Ritchiel
(Front) Sheng
(Not Pictured: Nicole Duff)



(Back, l-to-r) Fuechi, Ariseli, Samantha, Toua
(Front) Corrina

Oh, and though my name and photo is in the Profile section here, my students may appreciate if I also introduce myself to you in this entry since they had to be introduced through pictures. To give them an example of the "Two Truths and One Lie," I introduced myself with three statements: 1) I went to Scotland in May to run my first marathon, and got stuck there a few extra days because of the volcano in Iceland, 2) For my boyfriend's birthday this year, I treated him to a surprise trip to Napa, complete with a hot air balloon ride, and 3) I worked as a waitress for nine years, from the ages of 12 to 21; at 21, I became a bartender.


#2 was true...this is Bob and me in the balloon above Calistoga. (Yes, my students let out a collective "Awwwww...!" when they saw it, too!)

#3 was true...though this pic is me as Sookie Stackhouse from "True Blood" last Halloween. I never worked at Merlotte's.



And #1 was false...but a little tricky. I did go to Scotland to run my first marathon -- Bob went with me -- but, though the volcano in Iceland erupted three days before we were to come home, we didn't get stuck, as they never did shut down the Edinburgh airport. Whew!

So now we've introduced ourselves and our groups...

We hope you join us on our adventure this semester!