The Giants of South America - Patagonia

As a gnome, I am vertically challenged. Do you know what I mean by that? Yes sir ree - I am short! I am only a wee bit shorter than a shrub and next to humans I feel so small but boy Patagonia was named after giants. I didn't know that. Did you?

I have some things I am learning that I wanted to share with the class.

Land of the Giants

Patagonia is a geographic region containing the southernmost portion of South America. Located in Argentina and Chile, it comprises the southernmost portion of the Andes mountains to the west and south, and plateaux and low plains to the east. The name Patagonia comes from the word patagón used by Magellan to describe the native people whom his expedition thought to be giants. It is now believed the Patagons were actually Tehuelches with an average height of 1.80 m (~5'11") compared to the 1.55 m (~5'1") average for Spaniards of the time. Tehuelches is a collective name for some native tribes of Patagonia. They are also called Patagonians

Tierra del Fuego
Tierra del Fuego is an archipelago at the southernmost tip of Patagonia, divided between Argentina and Chile. An archipelago is a chain or cluster of islands.

Climate

The prevailing winds are westerly, and the westward slope has a much heavier precipitation than the eastern in a rainshadow effect. A rain shadow is an area of land that has suffered desertification (desert like) from proximity to mountain ranges. The mountains block the passage of rain-producing weather systems, casting a "shadow" of dryness behind them. Did you guys study the Water Cycle yet?

Queezy out at Sea

Interesting part I am learning is that Gnomes are land creatures and this splashing about the big open blue sea is for the dogs! Well as you can tell from the picture the water is a bit choppy. Why didn't my mother ever warn me about the woes of traveling by boat?

It is hard to find the right kind of food on this ship too. Not a gold fish cracker in sight (I check the galley everyday hoping they will replenish the shelves but all I see are rows of cans of sardines). Do you know what happens if a Gnome was to eat Sardines? Let me just say it isn't pretty (PPPPP UUUU:O) Well they do have cream of wheat cereal and spanish nuts so I am not starving but I can't wait to get on land to eat some decent food.

Tally ho!

Bleefoodle

PS - How is my cousin doing?

Ashland Fire.- Bellview Evacuated

BIG NEWS..... Bellview was evacuated.

Our Bellview Principal has this note.

http://www.ashland.k12.or.us/News.asp?NewsID=834

One of my classmates won the writing contest about the fire. I wish she could post her story here! Maybe she can share it with me to post.

The Gnome - Pink Floyd

The Gnome - Pink Floyd

A Video Filmed by Tyler Peterson and Edited by Elijah Leal

The Gnome lyrics:

I want to tell you a storyAbout a little man
If I can.A gnome named grimble grumble.
And little gnomes stay in their homes.
Eating, sleeping, drinking their wine.
He wore a scarlet tunic, A blue green hood,
It looked quite good.
He had a big adventure
Amidst the grass
Fresh air at last.
Wining, dining, biding his time.
And then one day - hooray!
Another way for gnomes to say
Hoooooooooray.
Look at the sky, look at the river
Isnt it good?Look at the sky, look at the river
Isnt it good?Winding, finding places to go.
And then one day - hooray!
Another way for gnomes to say
Hoooooooooray.
Hooooooooooooooray.

So I think I found my favorite place to eat! You know I just love to eat. That might be why I don't quite have my girlish figure anymore :O) LOL! Can you figure out what the name of my favorite restaurant is? Here are some pics to give you a clue! http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleefoodle/sets/72157622340769470/detail/

My First Day of School

It was a very exciting and long day. Ms. Preskenis' class was very cool. Those kids are big I tell you. Boy am I going to sleep well tonight.

I got to do my first assignment in front of the class. It was called Me in a Bag. I shared about my family(Pictures), my age (bag of 149 pennies) , and one other thing about me. Do you think the kids will remember what it is? They were pretty good listeners. I used a globe to represent it. Do you know what the globe was representing?

Bellview is my new school

I am heading to Bellview Elementary School. I am so excited (or is that nervousness I feel?) I met with the Principal Mrs. Zundel. I wondered if she was related to the Zundel Clan in Southern Scotland? I was too shy to ask. If I remember correctly the name Zundel is an occupational name for a seller of kindling wood. I didn't see any wood in her office. Maybe she gives pencils (get it wooden pencils) away! I love pencils. One thing I know for sure, she is one smart gal. I hear she attending Brown and Harvard Universities! She must have studied long and hard.

My teachers name is Sheri Preskenis. I peeked in her classroom and saw a bunch of Reese Peanut Butter Candy wrappers. Either she likes that candy or her class does. Maybe it is the guinea pigs! Oh how I love those guinea pigs. How cool is it to have a class pet? I just hope they don't step on me. :O)

I have to go to an exchange student orientation on Monday. My first day in class will be on Tuesday. I probably won't get to sleep much Monday night because I expect I will be soooooo excited.