Sushi

August 29, 2014 Photo (241/365): "The Art of Sushi" - Beautiful, jewel-toned colors

Varying lines, curves, and textures

Unique forms and compositions

Skillful execution and creative presentation

Rudbeckia

August 27, 2014 Photo (239/365): "Black-eyed Susan"

In Act II of Shakespeare's tragic tale of "a pair of star-cross'd lovers [who] take their lives," Juliet tells Romeo that names are meaningless, an artificial convention. Juliet declares: "What's in a name? / That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet." (Romeo and Juliet II, ii, 1-2). 

She loves Romeo, a person who is called "Montague", not the Montague name itself or the Montague family with whom her Capulet family has feuded for years. Romeo, out of his passion for Juliet, rejects his family name and vows, as Juliet asks, to "deny [his] father" and instead be "new baptized" as Juliet's lover. 

Yet, Juliet may be a bit mistaken. Names do hold great meaning and importance. New parents pore over books until they finally discover the perfect moniker and initials for their babies. A person's name is an integral part of her identity (I am especially proud of the evolution of my name - read more here). Certain images immediately come to mind when one hears the name "Poindexter", "Tiffany", or "Butch." "A rose by any other name" may smell as sweet, but certain flowers do have prettier names than others like "Jasmine" and "Lily". . . poor "Black-eyed Susan" aka "Rudbeckia".

Superhero

August 26, 2014 Photo (238/365): "Superhero"

I love my role of EdTech/Effectiveness Coach, but I do miss my 20-year career as a French teacher. I cared deeply for my students and strived to inspire them to dream and discover the world. In my heart, I know that my work with teachers directly impacts even more Pewaukee students, but notes like this remind me that, although I am no longer in the classroom, I still make a difference. Thank you to the students who share their struggles and dreams with me (and still call me "Madame"), to the parents who trust me with their children's education, and to Dr. JoAnn Sternke, Superintendent of Pewaukee Public Schools and fellow Marquette alumna, who knows what it means to "Be the Difference!"