Daughter #1 is back and bursting with stories (and gifts!).

Interesting Article: Two Mindsets

Fixed Mindset Vs Growth Mindset

http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2014/01/29/carol-dweck-mindset/

"What it all comes down to is that a mindset is an interpretative process that tells us what is going on around us. In the fixed mindset, that process is scored by an internal monologue of constant judging and evaluation, using every piece of information as evidence either for or against such assessments as whether you’re a good person, whether your partner is selfish, or whether you are better than the person next to you. In a growth mindset, on the other hand, the internal monologue is not one of judgment but one of voracious appetite for learning, constantly seeking out the kind of input that you can metabolize into learning and constructive action."

Turn to Page 30-31

I don't know what I did to belong on this page with world-known bloggers, especially as I personally know several bloggers right here at Post who are far better writers and far wider read than I am.  But I'm thankful for the shout-out anyway.

http://www.afsa.org/FSJ/010214/index.html#30

Radio Silence

The news from Ethiopia: The sound of crickets.  Aside from a brief text relayed through one of the team leader's spouse that they arrived at the village outside of Addis, we have heard nothing.  Perhaps the sounds of crickets is what's for dinner.

The news from Paris:  Not as quiet.  http://acsw3paris.blogspot.fr/  We've also received a couple photos from Katherine and a couple messages via Facebook.  She's seeing a lot, eating a lot, and being cold a lot.

Bon Voyage, chere Katherine

Three a.m. doesn't make anyone look good.

Katherine was a little anxious on departure but we didn't get a phone call from the airport so we assume she made it to Paris.  Eats lots of baguettes and cheese, kiddo!

"12 Years a Slave"

On Sunday we had a holiday to honor Martin Luther King Jr. and his role in Civil Rights progress in the U.S. The the kids were in school, so for those interested adults we had a private viewing of "12 Years a Slave" to kick off Black History Month in February.

I wish it had been more popular, but not everything is "The Hunger Games" and draws 60+ people.  "12 Years" drew 22, and it's a film that raised many more questions.  Now I feel the need to read Solomon Northup's book to figure out everything I missed... what was his profession?  How did he set up his life in Saratoga?  What was the purpose of his (and others') kidnapping?  How did his family support themselves during his absence?  Why is his place of burial unknown?

It's on my Kindle, with extra background by Sue Eakin, ready to go.  After _Unbroken_ and _The Night Circus_.

Middle School Dance, second try

Six weeks or so ago the first dance was snowed/blizzarded/iced/snowmageddoned out.  This time, no jacket required.  I think it's something like 55F outside.

 They clean up nice.  Even that one on the end that appears to have eaten a bug.