Venus Transit

According to TransitofVenus.org, The Transit of Venus is "when Venus passes directly between earth and the sun, we see the distant planet as a small dot gliding slowly across the face of the sun. Historically, this rare alignment is how we measured the size of our solar system. The view is like a front row seat to the transit method, by which we now find planets around distant stars."

The next Transit of Venus will occur in December 2117.

I was ecstatic to find out that Bloomington had two events featuring this event. The Indiana University Department of Astronomy hosted an event open to the public to safely watch the transit of Venus from the top of the Henderson Parking Garage. This event was complete with safety glasses, a viewing from a telescope, and a projected image from a telescope.

Eric and I went with my colleague and friend, Jane Matranga. We had a great time, even though I was a bit disappointed that through the glasses Venus looked like a tick and the sun looked like an orange button. Not the most climatic of astronomical events. We had a good time, nonetheless.

Viewing through our safety glasses. Jane tried hard to figure out what they were made of, she's a true fashion designer.

Viewing through the telescope provided by the IU Dept. of Astronomy

Eric was a bit more impressed than me.

Eric viewing through the telescope.

Jane looking fabulous as she looks at Venus through the telescope.

Venus looks like a speck of dust on this foam board.

Of course, we had to tweet about it! #VenusTransit

4th Annual Memorial Day Burger Cook-Off

Setting the table: burgers, chips, cake, and a red, white and blue drink!

Ready to eat!

Dad and Eric did a great job grilling the burgers

Grilled onions for Dad and Eric's burger

Grilled pineapple for Mom and my burger

Must add cheese.

The Brandy Onion Burger by Dad and Eric

Brandy Onion Recipe

Carmelize chopped onions in brandy and butter. Cook until softened and glazed.
Form hamburger patties, salt and pepper, grill until desired doneness.
Open an onion bun, toast on the grill
Put slices of Havarti cheese on to melt.
Layer: bottom bun, hamburger, onions, cheese, top bun

The Island Burger by Mom and Me

 

Island Burger Recipe - 2012 Memorial Day Cook-Off Winner!
Form hamburger patties, salt and pepper, grill until desired doneness.
Carmelize a slice of pineapple in a skillet with some teriaki sauce until browned.
Open a Hawaiian roll, toast on grill.
Spread mayo on the bottom bun.
Spreak more teriyaki sauce on the top bun.
Put slices of cheddar on the hot hamburger.
Layer: bottom bun, lettuce leaf, pineapple ring, hamburger, cheese teriyaki sauce, top bun.



Ready to feast!



 

My KD Sister Gets Married

Reunited Four Years After Graduation

A beautiful wedding at Boulevard Brewing Company in Kansas City

Singing a Kappa Delta song for our sister

Cheering for our Kappa Delta sister

The beer flowed like wine

Hands down, the best groom's cake I've seen

Why is it that no one wants to catch the bouquet?

Always think of KD when you hear this melody. Such great girls, I'm lucky to have them as sisters.

Goregous ladies.

Cutting the cake.

Stephens College alums: Class of 65 - Class of 12!

The Kansas City skyline

May in Photos

1. Eric and I are really making an effort to work out regularly.
2. To celebrate the end of our first academic year at IU, we had breakfast at FarmBloomington
3. We decided to try all new restaurants during the month of May, one of our favorite new discoveries is Bub's Burgers and Ice Cream
4. Two birds with one stone: working out and reading! I rarely have time to fit everything I want into a single day.
5. Huxley is the best dog in the entire world. We celebrated his adoption day this month!
6. I finished reading At Home by Bill Bryson, our book club book for the Month of July (I'm finally ahead!)
7. This day was the first day of my summer session! It turned out to be one of my favorite classes.
8. Isn't Indiana University beautiful in the summer??
9. I took my class to Mathers Museum of World Cultures to learn about design and display
10. My class met at the Jordan Hall Greenhouse to learn about design and inspiration. We were so happy to have Jane Matranga as our guest speaker.
11. My class met at the Indiana University Art Museum, this is the third class I've taken to the art museum and it is always one of their favorite field trips.
12. Eric and I took Huxley to a park in our neighborhood, he had the best time playing fetch and rolling in the grass.
13. Eric and Huxley came to visit me while I was at work. Teaching a summer session is a lot of work, but also very rewarding.
14. I'm oooing and awe-ing over Huxley this month. I can't believe we've had him for a whole year. I can't imagine life without him.
15. I'm learning about Ecuador before my big trip in June. I'm currently reading The Ecuador Reader to learn about the culture, history, and politics of Ecuador.
16. I've been wanting to go to the pool, but it was closed when I had time and now I'm too busy! Grrrrr
17. My class took a field trip to College Mall, where we visited Build-a-Bear Workshop, Yankee Candle, and Macy's to discuss visual merchandising
18. I also ordered this book, A Portrait of A Nation, to learn more about Ecuador. I haven't started it, yet, but I hope I have time to read it before we leave on the 18th!
19. This day was Lemonade Day in Bloomingon, kids all over the city set up lemonade stands. This is the one I chose, and I think they had the cutest stand and the best lemonade! They even had dog treats!
20. Huxley being cute, as always.
21. Eric made me this delicious (and healthy) banana shake. It has frozen bananas, ice, and a dash of vanilla extract. Yummo!
22. I took SIFE, a student organization, to Kansas City for their national competition. It was my first time at a SIFE national competition and I though the students did a fantastic job.
23. I'm so proud of this group of students!
24. While in Kansas City, a few of us made a trip to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. This may have been one of my favorite parts of this trip.
25. I love this dog.
26. I love my boys.
27. My parents came to visit over Memorial Day weekend and we were finally able to introduce them to the beauty of Oliver Winery!
28. We hosted our 4th annual Memorial Day Burger Cook-Off. Mom and I made a Island Burger with grilled pineapple (see Wednesday's post!)
29. As a wrap-up to the summer session, my students did a display at My Sister's Closet, a local non-profit retail store providing clothing to women in need.
30. Dad and Eric grilling up some delicious burgers.
31. My presentation on using Twitter in the classroom was accepted for the 2012 ITAA Conference in Hawaii!!