World Spay Day 2012 Online Pet Photo Contest

Hi Everyone!

I just entered Juliet in the World Spay Day 2012 pet photo contest! Please click on the link below to view and vote for her picture. You can also make a donation to assist the Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society International, or a select animal charity to help with pet overpopulation.

World Spay Day 2012 Online Pet Photo Contest

Here's to all of the animals!
Jackie

School Blog

Hi Everyone,

In case you were not aware, I am keeping a blog while I am completing my M.S. in Instructional Design & Technology program. I also plan to maintain the blog after I finish my program and make it an educational blog for the field of instructional design. Here is the link if you would like to check it out and subscribe: Jackie's School Blog. My school blog contains updates on my progress in school, what I am learning, motivational quotes to inspire you and me, and some great ID resources. I also added some fun areas on my blog, such as the Jackson Pollock painting that you can play around with and be creative with (great stress reliever) and Juliet the virtual kitty.

Enjoy and here's to learning!
Jackie

MJ Immortal Show by Cirque du Soleil

Hi Everyone!

Well, my mom and I didn't get to see the show in Las Vegas in December as we originally planned. Unfortunately, I came down with a horrible stomach flu the night before we were scheduled to leave for Las Vegas. Since it is at least a 5 hour trip with stops and filling up for gas included, I did not want to take the chance of being on the road and being sick at the same time. Luckily, I was able to obtain a refund on the hotel room deposit and the show tickets, since the show time had changed. The only refund I was not able to receive was for the tickets to the MJ Fan Fest at Mandalay Bay. The tickets were non-refundable. I am thankful I only lost $100 total with the trip, instead of losing more money.

The good news is we were able to get some really good seats to the show in Phoenix. We saw the show on December 31st. It was an amazing show full of wonder and emotion! I kept looking all around to make sure I didn't miss any details of the show. The show kept the integrity of Michael's cherished music, who he was as an individual and his humanitarian efforts that impacted the world. Each part of Michael was brought to life in a beautiful and enduring way. There were even some parts of the show that were funny and made us laugh, which Michael would have loved. Michael used to say how he loved to laugh and would pull practical jokes on his siblings. The show was colorful and visually appealing from beginning to end. The performers received a standing ovation at the end and they were all smiling and waving at the audience. We could see how much the performers enjoyed being part of this amazing experience to honor and pay tribute to one of the best artists of all time.

It is so hard for me to pick my favorite performance of the show, so I will list my top 10 favorites below. Even narrowing down the list to the top 5 is difficult -- after all Michael created so much wonderful music!

1. Man In the Mirror: This was the finale performance of the show and went out with a bang! The costumes, set design, and choreography of the performers was amazing!
2. Speechless/Human Nature: This performance was whimsical and heartfelt, just as the songs were meant to be. The costumes were beautiful and the performers did an amazing job!
3. You Are Not Alone/I Just Can't Stop Loving You: This performance was intimate, loving and heartfelt, just as the songs were meant to be. The costumes were beautiful and the performers did an amazing job with this one too!
4. Planet Earth/Earth Song: This performance was full of emotion and a call to action to help make the world a better place, which was what Michael believed. The set design was so amazing and utilized elements from This Is It.
5. Childhood: This performance captured the innocence of childhood, which is what Michael believed in so much. The set design was awesome!
6. Smooth Criminal: This performance combined the famous dance moves from the video. The costumes and choreography were amazing!
7. Immortal Megamix: Can You Feel It/Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough/Billie Jean/Black or White: This performance was so amazing. Between the set design, choreography and costumes it was also one of my favorites. Each of the songs seamlessly transitioned from one to the next, so it didn't feel as if it jumped around.
8. Thriller: The set design and costumes were so cool. The choreography was right on with the original in the music video.
9. They Don't Care About Us: This performance was also amazing and high tech. The video showing the sunset and thousands of military men that would have been used for the This Is It concert was used in this performance. The choreography was done just as Michael would have wanted it and the costumes were so cool.
10. Immortal Intro: The opening for the show was cool and showed various pictures and videos of Michael throughout his life.

If you have an opportunity to go see this show while it is on tour or when it is a permanent show in Las Vegas, I would highly recommend it, especially if you love Cirque du Soleil and Michael Jackson's music. The world tour ends in August 2012. After the world tour ends, the show will become permanent in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay. I am not exactly sure when that will happen yet, since Cirque du Soleil has not released any dates yet past the tour. I am definitely planning for my mom and I to go see it in Las Vegas as well.