I've sung their praises before, but my favorite band is Michael Franti and Spearhead. Their music is totally fun, and is a blend of hiphop, funk, reggae, and soul. Their lyrics and message are socially conscious, have the potential to be somewhat controversial, but are totally positive and feel good (if you ask me!). Some of my current favorite songs are: A Little Bit of Riddim Say Hey The Obama Song . If you like Obama this song's for you, or even if you remotely agree with what he stands

I really like the names Scarlett (but my niece is named Charlotte so I'll never get to use it...) I like Ava. I also really like the name Anson. It's a family name, and generally used for boys, but I think it would work for a girl as well. Nicknames could be Ani or Soni. I think its so so cute. Another one I really really like is Hazel. I don't know if anyone on this site was following my quest to assign a name to one of mu stuents, but she went with Emi, which I think is so so cute.

Single girl life!! I told you I'd be coming here for advice now that I am living a single girl life... lol. I hope you're all ready! I am spending the new year in Vegas with an old (male) work friend of mine that I haven't seen in 6 years! Eeek! Now, crazy as it sounds, I am super excited for this trip for a couple of reasons: 1. Its been nice to reconnect with him, and though I am not looking for a relationship, AT ALL, I really value our friendship that is being reestablished, and its

This one is my new favorite, for sure, but I just have to find it! Its from a past season, and I've found it in silver on ebay, but I prefer the black.... I'm going to keep my eyes out for this one. I think it screams vegas for NYE!

Espencer, Trust me. I hear you. Not only am I the most culturally sensitive and accepting person in this school, but I have dedicated my career to advocating for diverse students. I study multicultural education, and embrace a global curriculum each year. I put great emphasis on tolerance, cultural inquiry, and world exploration not only in my classroom with my students, but with the staff in my school in general. I probably drive everyone crazy because I never shut up about these kinds of topics

Amy is very very sweet, and this particular child is sweet, to say the least, lol. I think I'll put it on my short list.

I work with children from around the world who are learning English in a public elementary school in Brooklyn. Many Chinese (among other ethnicities) children take on English or American names when they arrive in this country. I have always felt some disdain for this, as I feel like their Chinese name is not only meaningful (Chinese names are generally given to children based on their meaning, and the parents' hopes for what/how that child will become in life), but a very large part of their

Thanks guys! I am definitely considering meaning when choosing the name. Either one that means something that suits her personality, or one that means the same as her Chinese name... For example, "Lucy" means "light", which I think is lovely, and I sort of think suits her. "Amy" means "beloved", and "Annie" means "blessed with grace".

Nicole, you are right. In chinese the family name comes first, but she goes by her given name. There are very few English names that sound like her Chinese name, with Sue being the closest. However, she doesn't like this one! LOL. So difficult! Her Chinese name is pronounced "Shoe Kwei".

Ah, and her name in English means "warm and virtuous" and "blessing".