other people's kids

 We were over at Sean and Lexi's a couple nights ago and by the end of the evening my face hurt from laughing.  Put a two-and-a-half year old and a 7 month old into the equation and laughter is bound to ensue.  Averi, the two-year-old, handed me a "baby", sat down next to me, and informed me that the baby she was holding was hungry.  She then proceeded to lift up her shirt and begin "breast feeding" her baby.  Apparently my baby needed to be burped, so she instructed me accordingly.  So, so, so cute. So cute.

Later in the evening Averi was making Tate, the 7 mo. old laugh by making a sound that could be likened to the Count on Sesame St..  Remember when he counts, "One...uah uah uah!" ? The uah uah uah was the sound she made that caused Tate to belly laugh over and over and over. Again, so cute.

For another really cute baby fix, read Melissa's latest post and then head over to Brooke's blog for some key-ute videos of her babes.  And then there's Molly, the gifted photographer with the three child-models.  All of these blogs will provide you with cute kid opportunities.  Amy, Jessica, and Cori have not started blogs yet, despite my efforts, but their little pies can be seen in some of my past posts.

So, until I have my own kid stories and pictures, I will continue to swap yours for you.  My friends have the cutest kids.  Ever.

...and...

I'm home for lunch and Daly is being all snuggly and it's kind of gloomy out and my belly is full and now I'm a little sleepy and I have a big pile of grading to do on my desk and I'm having trouble motivating myself to return to work.

most hilarious pacifiers i've ever seen:

collages and muffins

Well, I've been collaging for the last couple of days. 8th graders are currently working on a collage project, so I started doing some mini-collages myself in class. Yesterday was just a really rough day for some (hormonal) reason. I just felt really unhappy all day. Kids were fine, with about four exceptions, but I was just not myself.  At lunch Gabe had the car to take Calvin to the airport (he'll be in Nepal for 3 years and I'll link his blog to mine sometime soon), and my friend/co-worker Anne had kids in her room for lunch detention. So I walked a quarter mile, or so, to Starbucks.  It was beautiful out, and the walk was a good thing for me.  I was on the verge of tears as I walked out the door of the school.  I'm not sure why I felt SO overwhelmed and upset (well, I KNOW why, but the reasons wouldn't be enough to upset me on a normal day), but I was.  So I walked and prayed and fumed and eventually reached Starbucks.  I ate my $20 salad and drank my $12 juice and read the free newspaper.  

This combination of walking, sun, prayer and sitting in a coffee shop managed to calm me down.  By the time I got back to school, I felt slightly better.  But as soon as my 7th hour came in, I felt off again.  So while my last two classes of sixth graders learned how to draw cartoon animals from a video made in the early 1990's, I collaged. The lights were off, they were quiet and engaged, and happy to be drawing on 18" x 24" paper, so I felt less guilty for being that teacher who puts in a video to keep the kids busy on a Friday afternoon.  I really don't like doing that, but every once in awhile, it's best for all involved for me to detach from the class a little.  So while they drew horses and cats, I collaged. 

Melissa blogged yesterday about an experience she had at work.  It was a beautiful post that definitely brought tears to my eyes (especially considering they were teetering on the edge for most of the day).  Anyway,she 

wrote about comforting the mother of a 17 year old girl battling cancer.  She wrote about how precious it was to be given the opportunity to be that person for that woman on that day.  She wrote about how before every shift at the hospital she prays for God to use her to impact someone's life that day.  I used to pray for my students daily, but have done that less and less as the school year is winding down.  I've allowed myself to focus on getting this, and this, and that done (there is a LOT of "this, this, and that" everyday working in a public school) and focused less on loving my students.  The result is that I feel overwhelmed at work, resentful of students and life in general.  God gave me a sunny walk, a chance to cool down, and a reminder from an old friend that He has me where I am.  My contracted job is to teach, to grade, to attend meetings, to contribute to committees and the school, to keep records and write rubrics...but more importantly, my "job" is to love the people around me, to pour into the lives that cross 

mine, to remember how loved I am and share it. I think it's safe to say that when I am feeling overwhelmed, really I'm experiencing the consequence of jumbled priorities.  I mess this up a lot.

Thanks Melissa, for your perfectly-timed post.  It was a great reminder, and a great part of my not-so-great day.  God has given me a lot to be grateful for, especially those of you taking the time to read this.  Gabe is always so sweet when I get in these funks, and yesterday was no exception. Thank goodness I have a husband that doesn't just brush off my sadness/moodiness as PMS, but one who talks to me and hugs me and prays for me. Thank you G. Thank you everyone for your blogs, your comments on mine, phone calls, friendships, love and time. 

Since I wrote about breakfast last Saturday, here's a summary of breakfast today: I made muffins.  We don't have a muffin pan, but for some reason have multiple packs of muffin papers.  So our muffins were made in a square baking dish, hence the non-traditional shapes. Coincidentally, we just received in the mail, from my gifted chef of a mother, some of her invented recipes she's recently entered into contests.  She's that good. Enjoy the pic of my misshapen-from-a-box-muffins.  

**The recipes look great, Mom!  Can't wait to try some!

Happy week-ending all!

take your cat to environment link

Happy belated Earthday, everybody!  I had planned to do a special EArth-conscious post yesterday, but G and I ended up going to my school's musical.  If you recall, I mentioned having to stay after school quite a bit to paint sets--that's what that was for.  It was very cute.  Always funny to see 6th graders (esp. boys) next to 8th graders.  They are so much smaller, and yet, not that much younger.  HGH really kicks in somewhere between the end of 6th grade and the end of 8th.

Tomorrow is Take Your Kid to Work Day.  One of my 6th graders came into class today beaming over the fact that it was the last class of the day and that he won't be in school tomorrow because of T.Y.K.T.W.Day.  I asked him where he would be spending the day.  It seems that he will be skateboarding most of the day.  Because Mom or Dad repairs and sells skateboards, you ask?  No. Because Mom or Dad is extremely Earth-conscious and commutes to work on a skateboard?  No.  His mom works from home, so he'll be spending the day at home, "working" alongside her...on his skateboard...outside.  Somehow I think the point has been missed.

 

A couple of mornings ago Daly would not leave me alone.  He basically kept trying to eat my arm.  Had it been 7:00 at night, rather than 7am, this would have been totally in character.  But it was morning, so I could not figure out what his problem with me was, until I noticed both his food and water dishes were empty.  Not sure how long.  At most a full day.  So I cut him some slack and figured he had just reached what he thought to be the "worst-case scenario" that he'd turned over in his mind before.  You know the one where you try to decide which family member's arm you would gnaw off first in efforts to avoid starvation.  Apparently Gabe is too muscly (hi hub:), so Daly has chosen me.  

Lately we've been noticing that Daly is losing a lot of his winter coat.  It's on the stairs everyday, it's in our cereal, it's in my nose, it's in the air.  I keep saying, "I really need to brush him soon."  Yesterday I heard a strange noise from our beloved cat coming from the living room.  I found that he had thrown up hair.  Not a hairball, mind you, but hair.  Lots of it.  He left a trail 10 inches long with globs of hair strewn throughout.  I gagged a little.

So kids, the moral of these stories is, if you don't take care of your pets it'll come back to bitecha in the arm or vomit on your rug.**

 **please don't call animal control on us, Daly really is a happy healthy cat

Here's a helpful link for all of you hippies that want to help the environment.  Enjoy!

i rule

Check out the R word of Mrs.  That's right.

I made this up to clarify for my students the role I play in their lives.  Just kidding, a sweet 6th grader handed this to me in class today.  I'm glad she didn't reverse the order of the two p's.

Tomorrow is Earth Day.  Get your green tips ready!

pancakes, pollen and paws

You CAN make buckwheat pancakes with one egg.  Yesterday's pancake-making event was my most successful to date.  I have never before managed to not ruin at least one (normally the first) pancake...until yesterday, that is.  I mixed  fresh-cut strawberries into the batter, along with a little cinnamon.  And for the last two I also mixed in white chocolate chips. To top it off we poured the homemade maple syrup G's grandpa makes and bottles. It was scrumptious.

I forgot to post a picture of the lovely sunflowers Gabe brought home for me the other evening. Since I've spent a combined total of six years working as a florist, Gabe is always a little skittish about buying me flowers.  Apparently I've given the impression that I'm picky when it comes to flowers.  I always love getting flowers, no matter what...but there are certain flowers that I personally like more than others.  Sunflowers in spring are a great pick (so are ranunculus, in case any husbands are curious :).
Below is a picture of Daly doing one of his favorite things in life.  Clean-sheet Day ignites all sorts of excitement and energy in our lil' feline.  The game begins when we "ripple" out the sheet over the mattress in order to spread it out.  As the sheet is in the air, Daly jumps with all his might up into the center.  Then the sheet falls on top of him and he assumes army-crawl position.  We poke him once or twice and he swiftly flips over onto his back, creating a tent of sorts with his four paws.  This position enables him to swipe at our pokes with cobra-like speed.  This entertains all three of us for at least a dozen minutes every time.

honestly people, and another wonderfilled saturday

(what bugs in Memphis looked like)

Do I really seem like the kind of person to blog about the coolest bug I've ever found in my house, only to then kill it?  I hope not.  Rest assured, the bug was delivered safely to my front porch(ish area).  

I love today.  This past week I had my last observation (where my Assistant Principal observes a lesson I teach and then critiques me on it).  This involves a pre-observation meeting (Tuesday) where I give her 3 pages of answered questions regarding the lesson to be taught, the actual observation (Wednesday) where she watches me teach and then asks students questions, and a post-observation meeting (Friday) where we go over the lesson, critique and another page of questions I wrote about.  Also this past week we (drama crew kids and I) finished painting the sets for our school's spring musical.  This involved staying after school until 5:00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and until 6:15 Friday.  But we're finally finished (after about a month of working)!!!  I also got the plaques for the eighth grade awards ordered.  I also finished designing and ordering the P(ositive)B(ehavior)S(upport) posters for our hallways.  Also picked up the art from the last art show from a gallery clear across town.  I didn't do any grading and my toe nails could definitely use a trim, but otherwise managed to keep up with life in general. 

Needless to say, it was one of the busier weeks I've had in awhile.  All week I just kept my focus on today, Saturday.  I slept in until 8:45 and honestly haven't done much other than convincing Gabe to bring me the computer (I'm still in bed.  It's 9:56), and I wouldn't have it any other way right now.  I think I'm going to go find out if pancakes can be made using only one egg, because that's all we have.

cool bug, good hair, & spittin' game

Here is a picture of one of the coolest bugs I've ever found traipsing across the floor of our house.  It was the size of ladybug.  What is it?  Has anyone seen this kind of bug before?  I don't know if he/she has a bum antennae or it's just being used to itch his/her heiney (a word I couldn't find in the spell checker).  Either way, still a cool bug.

...And a bit of my vanity for ya.  I took this picture the other day because I'm trying to grow my hair out (at which point I'll then decide to cut it short again) and very rarely have "good hair days" anymore because of it.  Well, the other day I felt like I was having a good hair day.  This fact (or opinion) is wasted on my students, and Gabe doesn't give two rips what my hair looks like (thank goodness), so I felt the need to photograph myself.  It feels incredibly vain, to me, to take a photograph of my hair while home alone for the purpose of putting on my blog at some later date, hence the cheesy face.  
I learned some slang today from a 7th grader.  He informed me that Rayjon was spittin' game at his ex.  The first three times I heard, "Rayjon is fit 'n sane at my X."  After three tries by the white girl from Iowa to understand what the cool 7th grader was saying, I very uncooly asked him to say it one more time slowly...spitting game, (gross)--and I still had no idea what was being communicated to me.  Similar expressions would be hitting on or flirting, I learned (as well as the enormous difference between the acceptable spittin' and the unacceptable spitting).  Rayjon took the well-deserved opportunity to laugh at me.  So I told on him.  Just kidding.

When I came home for lunch I was excited to share my new knowledge of cool with Gabe.  Gabe was already familiar with spittin' game.  It's times like this that I wonder if I really know Gabe as well as I think...

jewel of teaching advice

6th grade student: "'Zup, Miznip?" (in his typical semi-disrespectful-trying-to-get-a-reaction way)

me:  "Nothing much.  Just walking around, helping kids with their projects."

student: "You spozeda say it all gyangsta."

me:  "Sorry, I'm just a white girl from Iowa."

And thus concludes the first time I managed to connect with this particular student in the two and a half weeks I've had him in class.  He literally fell out of his chair onto the floor laughing (at which point I reminded him he was in the Art Room, and the floor is kind of gross).  I overheard him retell our exchange at least 3 times.  The rest of class period he was all smiles to me without a shred of attitude.  If I'd known it was that easy, I would have told him two weeks ago that I was a white girl from Iowa.

Since Jessica has joined the blog world (yippee for that),  I decided to post a couple pictures of us from the 20th century. 

thanks and lasers

Thank you Kristi, Mom, Sonya, Marla and Jessica for replying to my last post.  I appreciate your thoughts and words of encouragement so so much.  I have a lot of respect for each of you, so thank you again for taking the time to chime in.  Anyone else?  I'd still love to hear what any of you have to say, whenever you have time. I know of quite a few people that have been reading this blog and have yet to comment on it.  Don't be shy, I LOVE reading your comments, so please comment!  It feels too narcissistic to put out a blog and not take in comments.  Those of you that have been commenting, thank you and keep it up!  Like I said, I love hearing from you!  

Last night Gabe and I spent $10 on a laser pointer.  For Daly.  For us, really.  I have to say, I wasn't sure this purchase was worth the 10 hard earned dollars, but now I'm certain we've never made a wiser investment.  That red dot zipping across the floor and up the walls has rocked Daly's little world.  Not only is he getting oodles of exercise, but I'm pretty sure his brain has never been so stimulated.  His mind is blown people and it's friggin' hilarious to watch.  So everyone wins: Target got $10, Daly's world is rocked, and Gabe and I are endlessly entertained.  We're simple folk.

loolie and other unexpected visitors

Congratulations to Julie and Dana for apparently being the only ones 

capable of consistently taking a normal photograph. 

I am looking in random directions in the first two shots because of what always 

happens when I look at the camera/flash (see photo 3)

Ahhh, Saturday. If I could wrap my arms around you and give you a big wet sloppy kiss, I just might.  Gabe and I were out late last night celebrating the birth of Brooke G. 29 years ago.  Sonya wore a neon shirt and Chrissie's hair was kind of messy, but other than that the night went off without a hitch-if you don't count the fact that Brooke consumed an entire Smirnoff Ice (funny because that's just the size of a beer bottle, yet Brooke really can't hold her liquor...like I should talk, one was it for me, too).  And the surprise bonus...insert imaginary drum roll here...LOOLIE!  Julie and Ryan were in town.  Julie became "Loolie" to me a few years ago when Connor began speaking and hadn't yet mastered the skills of pronunciation, thus Julie was Loolie.  It seemed to fit.  We didn't leave until around midnight!  We felt so cosmopolitan about not being asleep after a night of tv-watching and playing with our cat.  No, not us, we were out.  That's why I had to sleep in.  

Daly has already returned to bed after being awake for about an hour this morning, and scrambling around the house like a crack-addict on speed.  I'd be tired too.  Things get frantic in his small head every once in awhile, and that'll take it out of a cat, let me tell you.  

Last night when we got home, G and I decided to finish watching American Gangster.  At some point the guy across the street (or one of his friends) attempted to enter our house.  The front door knob began turning back and forth (it was locked) and then a few pounds on the door.  Gabe opened it a crack and calmly and kindly said, "Heeeeey..." like you might to a small child. The guy swayed in the doorway for a second looking very confused and smelling very much like what I would imagine the bottom of a bottle of vodka would smell like if someone just relieved themselves in it (was that too graphic?  sorry Granny).  Then another guy yelled to him from across the street that he was at the wrong house.  Woops.  He managed to get back down the steps without falling, but his smell lingered in our living room for a couple minutes more.  Someday we'll move.

surry, eets long

Surly post coming on. I'm feeling a tension that I have to vent about some more (more than the long conversation I just had with Gabe). To some of you left-brainers (read: organized since birth, focused, efficient, unswerving, logical, orderly, methodical) this post will confuse and confound you even more about my kind (read: flexible, random, artistic, indecisive, emotional, unhurried).  

To preface, this evening was the last art show of the school year.  It's kind of the pinnacle for the art programs in our district.  High school students "compete" for college scholarships.  It's the cream of the crop, the best of the best, pick of the litter, creme de la creme, etc., etc.. It's a k-12 show in a real gallery, with actual frames and mats and wire on the back.  Teachers bring the finest art their students have created during the school year, so needless to say, for an art teacher, it's a great show.  (side note: one of my 8th graders had a conversation with one of the college recruiters admiring her piece and was given some tips about creating a digital portfolio and how to prepare for art school--she was beaming.  I was so proud of her :)

I was completely impressed with many of the high-schoolers art. Some amazing talent! I was inspired... and convicted.  By the time I walked out the door, I was emotionally pounding myself done to the ground. I love art.  I love to be around art.  I love to make art.  I almost never make art. Why don't I make more art?  Why is there this thing that I love to do, that I get completely lost in, this thing that makes me oblivious to the constructs of time and space, this thing that I almost never do?  I spend my weekdays devising and facilitating ways for large groups of kids to make art, and yet, when I get home I don't follow suit.

Doesn't it make logical sense that a person would do what they love to do?  What is wrong with me?  Through talking with G I think I've come to the sorry truth that I've been lazy.  I've honestly, though subconsciously, been waiting for the inspiration lightning bolt to strike.  I've thought what place do I have making uninspired art?  There's enough bad art in the world, I don't want to contribute to the stock pile of tasteless, tacky, kitsch in the world.  Therefore, if there's no bolt, there's no art.  Saying it out loud, and typing it in black and white, I see how lazy and presumptuous it is to think that way.  

I know there are people (hi Brooke G. ;) who self-admittedly don't "get" art. There are a lot of people that don't understand what the big deal is.  You're wondering why I'm making such a fuss and writing such a seemingly endless post.  Some of you understand where I'm coming from and (hopefully) have been here (and will offer some wise words).  What is the deal with wanting to do something, and not doing it day after day?  What's the solution?  Here is where you left-brainers are rolling your eyes, thinking, "Just do that thing.  How hard is that? What's the problem?" I don't know. Your wise words would probably prove helpful, too, so lay 'em on me.  Please.   

Right-brainers: How do you break through creative blocks?

     How do you motivate yourself to work?

Left-brainers: How are you so productive?

  How do you avoid procrastination? 

Any of your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.  I genuinely look forward to what any and all of you have to say. 

take that, cancer!

Congratulations to my father-in-law, Ken!  On Christmas Eve we were shocked and alarmed (to say the least) to find out that Ken had a tennis ball sized tumor in his abdomen.  He just got the results back from his most recent PET scan and found that he is now CANCER FREE!  It's amazing how much has happened since Christmas Eve--diagnosis, chemo, cured. As a result of the chemo, Ken began losing hair and Janae finally shaved his head.  Subsequently he received dozens and dozens of hats from friends all over the country.  We are so relieved and excited for you, Ken.  Not everyone can have cancer, go bald--and look great, keep jogging regularly, go skiing, and keep laughing ("tumor humor" as coined by Tim).  We love you! Thank GOD!

One more thing.  Gabe has been writing and editing on a website created by/along with his good friend, Bob and some other creative people.  The website is  www.rednow.com  ("wonder" spelled backward.) Check it out, it's got a variety of stuff.  For those of you that don't know, Gabe is a writer, currently in grad school pursuing his MFA in creative writing.  I don't wanna brag (which, clearly I do) but he might be the best writer of our time.  

mani

I don't know if this picture will accurately convey the sorry state of my hands since returning to school/work, but I gave it a shot.  Yesterday was the first day back after Spring Break and I wasn't exactly excited to get up in the morning.  Despite that, I had a really good day.  (Today was really nice, too.) But back to my hands. I remember getting a French manicure before my wedding.  I LOVED looking at my nails for the next couple of weeks--but I never got used to having pretty nails.  For my entire adult life I've either been a florist, art student, art teacher or some combination.  None of these endeavors allow for girly nails.  My hands are always dry from being washed/soaking wet so much, cracked from being so dry, stained from paint (or in this case, printmaking ink from the 7th grade projects).  The picture looks like I have dirt under my nails, but really they're stained and that's as clean as they'll get---this week, anyway.

As much as I loved having manicured nails, I also recognize that I'm not good at having manicured nails.  I don't like being so aware of NOT messing up my fingernails, it's kind of a hassel. So while there are days I'm ashamed to hand people money at the grocery store, truth be told, most days I prefer stumpy, stained nails to pretty, manicured nails.  

I've given you all some pretty significant things to mull over.  I'll leave you to your thoughts now, I know this is a lot to chew on.  

pet peeves

Last night G and I watched August Rush.  In a word: heartwarming.  Today we watched I Am Legend.  In a word: INTENSE. Not one I'm going to recommend to you, Mom. A good movie, don't get me wrong, but holy cow people! Lil' tense throughout the whole thing.  

I love to watch movies.  I also know people that say they like movies, but honestly can't sit still long enough to watch the whole thing.  This might be a pet peeve of mine.  When someone keeps "multi-tasking" or getting up and down for "just a second"...It makes me physically uncomfortable because I can see what they're missing and they could not possibly care any less than they already do!  I don't know why it's so important for the people I'm with to also be paying close attention.  Why should I care if they missed a subtle foreshadowing, or a quick comedic moment?  I shouldn't, but for whatever reason, I can't not be bothered by it.  Luckily Gabe is a very good movie-watching partner.  

Pet peeves are kind of funny--so is the term.  I wonder where they come from.  Got any quirky pet peeves?

boulder pics

This picture of an old motel is from the end of our outing, once back in Denver.  To the left of the partial word "AFFORDA" it says "Heaven on Earth Inn."  Not so much...

Here are some shots from our day in Boulder:

Gabe burns easily, so he was sure to cover up beforehand.




Me in a (not very) scary cave.

The weather was PERFECT for hiking, not too hot, not too cold.  We saw 8 deer. We saw a bazillion crazy people riding their bikes UP the mountain (typical Boulder behavior).  No bears. No mountain lions.  Saw one pair of boxers (?).  Also saw a pair of abandoned climbing shoes. Lots of pretty views.  Now Gabe is asleep :)

spring break, day 7: french toast and hiking

Gabe woke up this morning and informed me he was going to make French Toast.  I didn't know he could do that.  It smells good from where I sit right now, so my hopes are high.  I told him I didn't know he could make fr.toast and he replied, "It's not exactly that difficult."  Oh. I've never made fr.toast.

Yesterday I got a surprise call from Lexi (good friend, former matron of honor, BUSY mom of two that I hardly ever get to see).  We went to lunch and caught up for a few hours.  I love those friendships that don't require constant contact (thank goodness) in order to fall right back into a familiar place. We solved a few of the world's problems. It was a great way to spend the middle of my day.  

At three I got to go to the good 'ol "lady doctor"---not as enjoyable.  Always so awkward trying to make small talk during those check-ups.

Once I got home it wasn't long before Keri stopped over to pick up a scarf I borrowed...a while ago.  We solved some more of the world's problems and then went about our days.

I've just finished my French Toast and turkey bacon---which were both great.  Now Gabe is mocking many of the things being said on the Today Show.  It really is aimed at women more often.  I don't notice that much unless Gabe happens to be watching too. 

We're off to hike outside Boulder today.  So enjoy your Friday everybody.  I'm trying to make the last couple days of Spring Break SLOW DOWN. 

lil' miss amelie: all smiles

As promised, here are some pictures of the smiliest little one year old I've ever met, Miss Amelie.  Getting a good picture proved difficult because as soon as Amelie sees the camera, she attempts to grab it and look at the picture on the screen.  So I got a lot of blurred pictures of Amelie's hand.  Amelie was a delight to be around as we shopped at Meinenger's for my printmaking shtuff, at Jerusalem Restaurant waiting for our falafal and such, eating lunch at home and playing the afternoon away.  Amy got a few of Amelie and I, which I'll add to the blog when she emails them to me.  Amy's camera is FAR nicer than mine, so they'll be much better I imagine.  Amelie lived up to her reputation, flashing grins at us all day. 

A rare non-smile moment. She walked around Meinenger's with my (empty) purse around her neck like a feed-bag.  It was pretty cute.


The funniest part of the day was when Amy's two dogs were in the backyard barking and Amelie, taking a cue from the dogs, ran to the door and began barking herself. Amy suspects that Amelie thinks she's part of the dogs' pack sometimes.  They're about the same height, I could see it making sense if you're one year old.

I'M PREGNANT!!!

April Fools. :)

spring break '08, day 4: PRINTMAKING

Yesterday I bought minimal supplies for some printmaking. Today I attempted to learn how to use these supplies.  I'm not sure if what I did would be classified as monoprints or monotypes.  As I understand it, there is a distinction between the two, though I don't yet know what it is.  A real printmaker would know.  Wikipedia will know, and therefore I will know soon, too.

I didn't plan out any great designs beforehand, but just kind of went for it.  I was impatient and anxious to experiment.  It was fun, I knew I'd like it.  I thought it was possible that I would just pick it up like it was nobody's business, unfortunately I didn't.  But I definitely like it enough so far to keep practicing, and *hopefully* improving.