All the leaves are falling..

Hi,

Second Life has been so busy, but you will only hear me say "lucky me"!

Every single tree in my yard has manage to drop 90 percent of the leaves and still the next day 90 percent more show up on the ground...doggone you Mother nature! But I do love this time of year. Fires,(in the fire places) sweaters, winds, 1/99th percent chance of snow...Turky and Christmass trees, pumpkin pie, bread and muffins..yum

I now have 3 dogs; Penny, the precious Golden Retriever, Katie (the grandmother) is a Llywellyn Setter and the new addition is the baby 9 week old Maggie. She is a German Shepard.

They each have their own ways about them. Katie hates aggravation in any form. Penny hates anyone else getting attention (including the computer) and Maggie is in the shark phase. She eats anything left on the counter , stove, floor, sink and dishwasher. Whole sticks of butter with paper..i tried to grab it from her throat...she is a quick swallow! Little lids that fall on the floor.

Every single day is an adventure with them. Any ride in the car gets us lots of looks..they love to bark at other people in cars. I am probably the only person in the world that has a never ending audience with I take a shower, Penny pulls the curtain back, Maggie keeps trying to jump in and Katie lies on the carpet wondering when the two crazy dogs will mellow out, (if ever)

On another note. I have met some of the most amazing people in second life. Doctors, Nurses, Teachers,Professors of nurseing, and Math and Jazz Professors and a super techie girl. A German entrepreneur living in Honk Kong, and his proteges ,Agriculture Professors and one working on the study of trees and vegetation . It all seems almost impossible to believe. Some days i need a pinch to make sure its real! Each of these people are making history finding new ways to tap into students brains and think of new way of learning to make it exciting and rewarding and they have allow me and Random Cole to be a big part of this.

I have to say I still love Second Life and I'm around my 8Th year in there. Second Life is a wonderland and always will be to me. Tonight I spent time exploring a bit. I am always in awe at the wonderful possibilities. I have always thought you get what you put into Second life....the old saying Garbage in-garbage out... don't look for or bring garbage to Second Life you will be astounded how wonderful it is


If its been awhile since you explored Second life...I think its time you check it out again! Fall in love all over again!

Not quite quoting Louie Armstrong "Second Life is a wonderful World" it truly is "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"(Judy Garland lol) want me to go on??? didnt think so

See you there, need a tour? im me

xoxoooxoxooxoxox
Xandi Mars

Learning Mandarin in Second Life!

Hi,

My sister just left after a 10day visit and I had friends from Europe drop in, so i have felt like a social butterfly, sorta kinda maybe not..lol

But, What really has me going is in Second Life there is a new school that Random and I have been working on that teaches Mandarin Chinese.. I have always thought that Chinese was way way way over my head but the teachers are patient...and explain the sounds. They are able to work with complete beginners, and people wanting to brush up on their Mandarin too.

I have met a wonderful team of people associated with the school. Check out the link.

http://www.3davatarschool.com/chinese/

Its interactive, its fun...its not sitting in front of a screen its...actually playing while you learn! The best part is you have actual Chinese mandarin teachers. You can pick your avatar, and dress up!!!

If you watch this video http://t.co/LGbT0Rj it makes you think about how the whole concept of teaching is the same everywhere for as long as we can all remember...until TODAY. 3d Avatar School changes the whole idea of learning and teaching and their support system is amazing.

While checking out the web site listed above ...notice the first class is free!

There are mountains, floating clouds, fruit you can climb, challenge games for groups, "lofty" games and sooo much more. I could go into more detail but, you need to check it out yourself. Planning a trip to China, or wanting to brush up on Chinese Mandarin before you head to high school or college in the fall...

I cannot think of an easier way to learn a foreign language. Hope you do take time to check it out. You honestly have never been in a classroom like this!


xoxox Xandi

ps Check out the picture below :)