GlobeTwisting Balloons

2020-05-07T20:39:00.006-05:00

Sara's Passions:

Balloons IN the Classroom

TWISTING: Event Photos

Balloons OUTSIDE of the Classroom

TRAVELING: Travel Photos

Balloons WAY OUTSIDE of the Classroom

*Photo Highlights*

Globetwisting? How in the world did you get into BALLOONS?

2020-05-07T09:01:00.001-05:00

Many people ask me how I got into balloon twisting, which seems to be a much more interesting story than how I got interested in teaching or traveling. Here's the tale:

*Spring 2004: I sign up for the 48 hour film project and end up playing a balloon twister in an 8 minute short. I meet Naomi Greenfield, creator of The Red Balloon Company and co-director/producer of Twisted: a Balloonamentary and we become fast friends. I ask her to teach me everything that she knows.

*Winter 2006: Just for laughs, I decide to go to Twist and Shout, a gathering of hundreds of professional balloon twisters. I get hooked, and decide to start doing paid gigs.

*Spring/Summer 2006: My students start asking for new kinds of hats and animals, proving that balloons have officially entered into my teaching practice. I travel to Guatemala and do balloons on street corners.

*Spring 2007: Twisted: a Balloonamentary premiers at South by Southwest, one of the most prestigious film festivals in the nation. I travel with Naomi and her film partner Sara to Austin, Texas to promote the film and cover the city with balloons. We then tour to other festivals!

*Spring 2007: My website, www.globetwisting.com is born. Many parties, festivals, and fairs later, I now call myself a true twister.

*Winter 2008: I attend Twist and Shout for the second time, and win third place in two timed competitions (competing against international award-winning twisters).

Balloons in the Classroom: About Me

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How did a teacher get into balloon twisting?
I love kids, art, and performing, so it's a natural fit for me. A friend of mine introduced me to ballooning, and I got hooked. To read the full story, which involves film making and balloon twisting conventions, click HERE.

How long have you been teaching?
This is my 9th year teaching in my current school, and my 12th year teaching total. I have worked with all ages, Kindergarten through High School, but I prefer the middle years, like 5th and 6th grade. For more about my teaching experience, click HERE.

What do you teach?
Yes, we actually do a lot more than balloon twisting in class. We also do more than just world geography. Actually, as Humanities Area Lead Teacher, I teach two American History units and two World Geography units. I also serve as a homebase teacher for a wonderful group of 5th and 6th graders. For more about my curriculum, click HERE.

Do you do balloon twisting in the classroom?
As balloon twisting has become a larger part of my life, I have started to incorporate twisting into my teaching. For instance, any student that I teach gets a "birthday balloon" of his or her choosing. To see some photos of balloons that I've made in the classroom, click HERE.

Balloon Hat Class Photo 2006

Note: some faces are blurred because I want to be
respectful of parents' internet permissions.

How do you balance work as a balloon twister and a teacher? I am available to do balloon twisting whenever it doesn't conflict with my full time teaching job. I have done many types of parties, carnivals, and special events. I also love to travel, and I enjoy twisting balloon creations for children and adults abroad.

Where can I see photos of your work?
I have compiled my favorite photos HERE. For the full catalogue of event photos, click HERE. For photos from my travels, click HERE.

How can I learn more about balloon twisting?
First of all, look around my website! If you're still curious, there are lots of great balloon resources out there. Check out the following LINKS.

Where are you located?
I do balloon work throughout the Greater Boston community, but most often in downtown Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and the North and West suburbs.

How can I hire you?
Please email me if you are interested in learning more about my work, or take a look around my website. I love getting out there to try new types of ballooning. I look forward to hearing from you. Email sara@globetwisting.com!

Balloon Food Class Photo (for Cookbook Cover) 2008
Note: some faces are blurred because I want to be
respectful of parents' internet permissions.

Balloons WAY OUTSIDE of the Classroom

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Traveling and Twisting Abroad:

I love to travel, and I try to visit new places whenever possible. You can click here to see a map of countries that I have visited (approximately 31 countries). On the most recent trips, balloons are making their way into the mix. Click the titles to see photos!

Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Botswana: Making a Few New Friends
July/August 2011: I traveled through Southern Africa and made a few balloons along the way.

El Salvador: Teaching the Locals to Balloon Twist
April 2009: Working with several NGOs, I taught 4 workshops for local Salvadorans.
I was just in El Salvador for one week, but I taught many locals to make their own balloon hats and animals.

Mali (West Africa): Hippo Ballet and More
Summer 2007: Volunteer Teaching and Twisting
I volunteered in Mali at the Institute for Popular Education. Among other projects, I made balloon masks and hats to serve as costumes for a school dance production of a local legend, The Story of Sadio and the Hippopotamus. Click the link above to see photos from this show, and much more! Also, my wonderful co-teacher and I kept a thorough travel blog, which you can view at http://www.malimania.blogspot.com/.

Mexico: Surprising a Neighborhood with Balloons
February, 2007: Visiting the "Wrong" Side of Town
I went on a short vacation in Akumal, Mexico, and spent a fun afternoon getting away from the tourist area to twist for some local children.

Guatemala: "Todo El Mundo Le Gustan GLOBOS!"
Summer, 2006: Everyone Loves Balloons
I spent just over 3 weeks in Guatemala, studying Spanish and exploring the sites. While I had many amazing experiences, the link above focuses on the times where I pulled out my balloons.

Peru: Desert, Coast, Mountains, Valley, Jungle, City -- All in Two Weeks
Summer, 2005: The Pre-Balloon Era
Actually, at this time, I was new to the balloon twisting world, but I decided not to bring balloons to Peru. I had an exceptional vacation anyway, and visited many unique places.

Germany, Hungary, and Poland: My Personal Roots Trip
Summer, 2004: A Month of Exploring Central / Eastern Europe
On this trip, my friend Alyssa and I spent two weeks traveling, visiting her friend in Berlin and her family in Budapest. Then I spent another two weeks on my own, visiting Krakow, Poland, and then going back to Budapest for an enormous music festival.

Nepal, Thailand, South Africa, Pakistan, and India: The Traveling Road Show
Fall 2000- Spring 2001: Teaching While Traveling
After answering an ad in the Boston Globe, I got a job as the private tutor for an American family that was traveling around the world. They took me all over, and I taught their 1st and 4th graders. I ended the job in India, and stayed there for another 3 months. This experience was before I had a digital camera, but I can post a little bit. As you might imagine, this was a life changing experience, and helped give me the "traveling bug."

The word for balloon in Spanish is...
GLOBO!

Balloons OUTSIDE of the Classroom

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Click below to see photos from past events:

Kids' Parties - Hats and Small Figures

Older Kids / Grown-Up Parties

Large Sculpture / Table Centerpieces

Festivals / Outdoor Celebrations

Weddings and Baby Showers

Naomi and Matt's wedding (lifesize sculptures)

Carrie's Baby Shower: Stork Sculpture & Centerpieces

Matthias and Ka-Lo's wedding (small bride sculpture)

Baby Shower Sculptures for Cara, Melissa, and Tova

Campbell Wedding Brunch

Tavel Wedding

Abby's Bachelorette Party

Halloween

Christmas, Hanukkah, and Other Religious Holidays

IBEW Christmas Party
Family Christmas Party, 2010
Hannukah Menorah
Passover 10 Plagues
Purim Costumes
Christmas Dinner
NBC Holiday Party at Tavern on the Green

School Events

Film /Theatre Promotions

Other Special Events

Balloon Twisting Conventions

Twist and Shout, 2011
Twist and Shout, 2010
Twist and Shout, 2009
Twist & Shout, 2008
Twist & Shout, 2006

See my listing on Thumbtack.com

Jonathan's 30th Birthday

2011-10-30T20:02:00.000-05:00

Southern African Balloons

2011-08-16T22:32:00.001-05:00

A Saleman in Mozambique gets a little tip

Another salesman won't stop harassing me on the beach, so I make him a hat. He still won't leave us alone.

I rode into the Okavango Delta on a mokoro (a traditional Botswanan canoe) pushed by a poler like Freddy here, so I made him a balloon version as a gift.

Freddy looks at his balloon canoe and poler

Another poler in Botswana, Justice, got a hippo hat

New friend in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

The village chief asked me to make something for his wife

The village chief near Bulawayo and his family

The village chief loved the balloons!

Emmie's 5th Birthday; Princess Party

2011-08-15T16:37:00.004-05:00

Monsteria Uno's Halloween Restaurant

2009-11-08T20:59:00.003-05:00

Starlight Foundation Starmazing Race

2009-08-22T23:39:00.002-05:00

Ka-Lo and Matthias's Wedding

2009-08-22T23:37:00.002-05:00

Welcome Project Graduation Celebration

2009-08-22T23:35:00.002-05:00

WHSTE Cast Party

2009-08-22T23:28:00.002-05:00

Wizard of Oz: Glinda Costume

2009-08-22T23:26:00.001-05:00

Barack Obama Inauguration

2009-08-22T23:21:00.003-05:00

Shana's 35th Birthday

2009-08-22T23:17:00.002-05:00

Alex's 1st Birthday

2009-08-22T23:14:00.002-05:00

Oliver's 4th Birthday

2009-08-22T23:09:00.003-05:00

Lifesize Wedding Sculptures

2009-06-22T18:43:00.004-05:00

Naomi and Matt pose with their likenesses and balloon wedding cake

Lauren and Sara pose with our work.

Charlie works on weaving the dress!

Close up of Matt (I made his head, tie, and flower)

Close up of Naomi (I made her head, dress straps, and some of her flowers)

Workshops in El Salvador

2009-05-24T08:21:00.006-05:00

IBEW Party

2008-12-07T22:41:00.004-05:00

Among the Santa hats, reindeer, and penguins... the snowman was a favorite!

Trogdor Sculpture

2008-11-01T20:15:00.004-05:00

Someone at a party asked me to make a sculpture of Trogdor, who is a character on Homestar Runner. I had never heard of him before, but made this, using a photo:

Trogdor (from Homestar Runner)

This is what he looks like

Me and My Creation

HBS Family Fling

2008-09-05T20:36:00.002-05:00

Two Bears in a Hot Air Balloon

Elmo Hat

Original 6-year-old-designed airplane

Balloon Twisting Class

2008-08-24T08:54:00.005-05:00

In August, I taught my first balloon twisting class. Students learned to make lots of fun animals and hats.

Students were very focused learners.

One favorite was the penguin, which students could adapt to make their own.

We learned the monkey climbing the palm tree.

Flowers, ladybugs, hats...

And many more!

Some students experimented, like with the grapes here.

They got to make up their own kooky designs.

In the end, Ravi was pleased with his work!

Our class photo, with our favorite creations

On the way back after class, students had more
balloons than they could carry in their hands!

Girls' Birthday Party (4 year old and 6 year old)

2008-07-12T19:40:00.003-05:00

Balloon Likeness, Princess Style

Balloon Likeness II

Princess

Kangaroo and Baby Kangaroo

Lizard Climbing a Tree

Rives' 3rd Birthday

2008-07-06T11:47:00.002-05:00

Cookbook Cover Photo

2008-07-05T16:19:00.005-05:00

My class made a cookbook, and we included this photo on the cover. We had a good time playing with balloon food items!

Balloon Food Class Photo (for Cookbook Cover) 2008
Note: some faces are blurred because I want to be
respectful of parents' internet permissions.

July 4th BBQ

2008-07-05T15:59:00.009-05:00

Independence Day Hat

Fireworks Hat

A Request for an Owl

Silly Hat

Wrist Corsage turned Wine Bottle Decor

Hot Dog

Fruit Bowl

Graduation Party on Spirit of Boston

2008-06-09T14:24:00.009-05:00

I was hired to twist balloons at a post-graduation senior cruise. Having just graduated from high school, these 18 year olds were ready for a good time.

Request for a silly bird...

The balloon student who barely survived the dance floor!

Brazilian students show their pride

Taking photographs to remember the good times

Giraffey Friend

She wanted something with ears and big eyes!

Passover 2008

2008-05-05T03:24:00.001-05:00

Flowers and Vase (for table or floor)

Carrie's Baby Shower

2008-04-06T20:34:00.008-05:00

Carrie and Richard say hello to the stork and baby

Baby Close-Up
(note the pacifier and balloon diaper)

Stork and baby hanging from the ceiling

Another Close-Up

Table Centerpiece: Pregnant Woman (plastic baby in her womb)

More pregnant ladies

What If?
This woman is pregnant with 8 babies...

Citizen Schools Carnival

2008-04-04T22:06:00.003-05:00

Birdy

Penguins

Snake

Bumble Bee

Mexican Dancer Hat for Anna's Birthday

2008-03-02T00:42:00.004-05:00

Twist and Shout Convention

2008-02-24T15:08:00.016-05:00

I just got back from my second balloon twisting convention. I learned a lot, and won two awards. Here are some pieces that I made throughout the week:

Dragon (learned from Mark Small)

Koalas (learned from Guido Verhoeff)

Princesses (learned from Mark Small)

Friendly Anteater (original design)

Pot of Gold to Wear on Your Wrist (learned from Patricia Bunnell)

Hummingbird (learned from Jeanine VonEssen)

Crab and Fish in the Sea (learned from Jeanine VonEssen)

Butterfly

Pig

Funky Woven Hat (original design)

Snail

Bald Super Hero (based on Andrew McDonald's design)

Whale (held by Matt)

A Cute Dog (learned from Patricia Bunnell)

Monkey to Wear (learned from Patricia Bunnell)

Duck (learned from Jeanine VonEssen)

Jumping Frog for the wrist (learned from Patricia Bunnell)

Sea Horse (learned from Patricia Bunnell)

Starfish (learned from Patricia Bunnell)

Rhino (learned from Ken "Flash" Stillman)

Lion (adapted from Ken "Flash" Stillman's camel)

Giraffe (learned from Ken "Flash" Stillman)

Group Competition Entry: 10 minutes to create a Balloon Outfit.
Ours is the orange faced serpent character.

Survivor Challenge Competition Entry: 45 minutes to create a sculpture using every balloon provided in a mystery bag. This is my piece, entitled "space ship accident."

3 minute Competition Entry, modeled by Royal Sorrell

12 minute Competition Entry: Dragon Costume -- 3rd Place Winner!
(only four people entered)

"Broken Pump" Challenge Entry: Octopus
3rd place winner (beat out many others, including 2006
top twister and other international award winners)!
Task: Using only one type of balloon, create a sculpture in only 15 minutes

Caroline's Roller Derby Birthday

2008-02-20T10:10:00.007-05:00

Caroline's Birthday took place at Shriner's Auditorium,

where many guests were seeing their first roller derby.

Guests rooted for their team by donning red clothes,
fake tattoos, and alien balloon hats.

Some lucky guests got rollerskate hats!

Close Up of the Skate

The Boston Derby Dames got skating.

The Birthday Girl had a great time!

Katharine's Baby Shower

2008-01-22T17:44:00.000-05:00

Friends visit from Mali

2007-12-02T18:54:00.001-05:00

Jeneba and Debbie get a balloon tutorial

Jeneba meets Tashi

Thanksgiving Turkey

2007-11-19T19:04:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving Turkey over the dinner table

Thanksgiving Turkey Sculpture - Version 1
(design based on photo by Naomi Greenfield, Red Balloon Company)

Halloween 2007

2007-10-28T19:25:00.002-05:00

Halloween Party for Law Firm

2007-10-27T12:36:00.001-05:00

Allston Brighton Street Fair

2007-09-23T21:12:00.000-05:00

Cambridge Carnival

2007-09-09T11:09:00.000-05:00

Matching Butterfly Balloon and Facepaint

Neighborhood Block Party

2007-09-09T11:05:00.000-05:00

Frog Smile

Abstract Art can match your dress...

My hat is tall and weird!

Cute little turtle

Aliens make you wonder...

Mike's 30th Birthday Dinner

2007-09-09T11:03:00.001-05:00

Wedding Brunch

2007-08-20T17:43:00.001-05:00

Breaking News: Mali Explodes With Balloons!

2007-08-14T16:26:00.000-05:00

Mali is a country in West Africa that doesn't see a lot of tourists, especially ones who come with a giant balloon apron! Another teacher and I traveled to Mali to volunteer with the Institute for Popular Education, and to get a taste of West Africa. To view some of the balloons that were pumped up in Mali, click the photos below.

To view our full travel blog, with more detail about our experience, you can visit www.malimania.blogspot.com .

Click here or below for photos of masks and hats
made for a camp dance production of
The Legend of Sadio and the Hippopotamus

Click here or below for photos of balloons around Kati
(the town where we lived and worked for 3 weeks)

Click here or below for photos in and around Djenne, including
a random stop at a local wedding, and ideas to pass the time
when stuck on public transportation with strangers

Click here or below for photos of
rural villagers in Dogon Country

Click here or below for photos of our
goodbye party with our host family

In case you wondered where Mali is on a map....

Goodbye Celebration

2007-08-14T09:48:00.001-05:00

On our last day in Kati, we had a little balloon fest to celebrate our time there! Our Malian family will be missed very much.

My big sculpture gets a pagne (traditional wrap skirt of Mali)

Everyone decided my creation looked like Kafune the most,
so here she is next to her balloon likeness.

Maria, our amazing host

Her husband, Ibrahim

The kids

Sita, one of our fabulous cooks

Boi is only three and he already knows
how to be a ham for the camera.

The Best of Mali, Christiane, age 7.

Baboi makes traditional Malian tea

Everyone poses with the Kafune scupture!

Kati Balloons

2007-08-14T09:43:00.000-05:00

Kati is a medium sized town near Bamako, the capital, and it was our home for the three weeks when we were volunteering at the Institute for Popular Education. The guide books describe it as "sprawling and unattractive," but it served as a wonderful and welcoming home for us. Most people in Kati did not know about my ballooning prowess, but as I walked the streets, locals approached me constantly, shaking my hand and greeting me warmly. A few friends got to learn about my ballooning skills....

The family kids with their first balloons

Ba Koniba -- Head Teacher at IEP

Sory gets pushed home by a different friend every day. Everyone knows where he lives.

Student Teachers from Sikassso, training through a program
called IFM. They spent one month in Kati, learning about teaching, and more!

Our neighbor, Djenneba, got married, so we stopped by to bring her a gift.

Our host family kids model a practice hippo mask, as we prepare for the Malisadio play.

Maria's sister, Rose, with a balloon corsage.

Here I am making a frog, while Christiane looks on with her Santa hat.

One of the cutest babies on earth.

In and Around Djenne

2007-08-14T09:18:00.001-05:00

We visited Djenne, a city where almost every building is made of mud. Despite the rain, the mud mosque remained standing, and some locals got some balloon treats.

The famous mosque on market day

Near the mosque, a local wedding celebration was in progress. We stopped by to say hello, and met this woman who fascinated me. It appeared that I was even more fascinating to her, as she watched with extreme curiosity and bewilderment as I made this flower. After, she held it above her head like a trophy, for all to see, and then posed proudly for this photo.

What should you do when you're bored on a soutraman (the local public transport, which is like a minivan with tons of people crammed in the back)? Balloons?

Notice that the guy next to me woke up!

The other passengers were entertained, if not a bit confused. In the end, they applauded when we got to our stop and had to get off.

Our stop was Somodougou, a small town that normally did not see many visitors, but served as an entry point into Dogon Country due to a broken bridge up the road. We had to wait here for a little while, until our guide came to meet us.

Somodougou rest stop friend #1

Somodougou rest stop friend #2

Balloons Strike Dogon Country

2007-08-14T08:32:00.000-05:00

Le Pays Dogon is an area in Mali where villagers live a very traditional lifestyle. Nestled on, in, and under the cliffs of an escarpment, the villages each reflect a unique culture that is more different from U.S. culture than anything I've ever witnessed in person. Here are some photos of villagers who got a little surprise as they went about their daily lives.

A woman takes a break from pounding millet

Our guide thinks this whole thing is hysterical!

A local hunter who daylights as a palm reader / medicine man gets a treat. I would have made him a hat anyway, but I was especially pleased when he told me that I have good spirits (as opposed to my travel companion, who was told she needed to sacrifice a chicken).

He was pleased with the hat.

An elder passing through...

Our guide's family gets a visit too.

A man who works at one of the campments for tourists

Extra Bonus Section: Behind the Scenes Shots (see how the magic happens...)

All the local kids come over to watch

There's a lot of laughing involved

Some spectators are a bit puzzled

First there's just one kid, and he gets a buzzing bee. Then moments later, I'm surrounded by a mob. Kids who want balloons are like a hungry pack of wolves. Notice the kid up front.

The Legend of Malisadio (a young girl and her hippo)

2007-08-14T07:51:00.000-05:00

At Camp Ciwara, we put on a production of a local legend, Malisadio. It is the story of a young girl and her friendship with a hippopotamus.

To get ready, first you need some enthusiastic actors, some balloons, and a good helper.

Then, with a little drumming and singing, the play begins! The legend is set at the junction of two rivers, one white and one blue. Notice the beautiful backdrop and flower garlands made by the students in art class (with our creative vision).

One day, some women go to the rivers to do some washing.

While washing her laundry at the river, a pregnant woman encounters
a hippo who promises to befriend her unborn child.

The Traditional Hippo Mask of Mali

All of the Creatures of the River -- fish, frog, crocodile, and snake

The woman has her baby, and the baby's name is Sadio. She becomes best friends with the hippo. Even when nobody wants to marry her because of this friendship, she stays true.

The story ends, and of course, there is dancing for all! (It just so happens that Koumba, the girl who plays Sadio, is the best dancer in all of Kati. She leads the boys, who are begrudgingly participating so that they can get their balloon hats.)

JRI Picnic

2007-06-22T13:25:00.000-05:00

Cambridge River Festival

2007-06-16T19:38:00.000-05:00

NIFF Closing Night Party

2007-06-10T20:26:00.000-05:00

The Newport International Film Festival had a big closing party. In addition to all the filmmakers, lots of wealthy Newport donors were there. From far away, we could see the lights. And we got stuck in the traffic.
I took a photo of my funky dress and feet on the red carpet, on the way in.

At first, the party seemed stuffy and boring. We decided that it was time to get the party started. Here are Naomi and Sara on the dance floor.

While dancing, I started making balloon hats. I made hats for our new friends: Sean and Adam (fellow Bostonites) and Rachel Dratch (from SNL & 30 Rock). Pretty soon, everyone was asking me for balloon hats. The dance floor got packed, and you could look out over the crowd and see everyone wearing a balloon!
In the end, the party was a blast!

Click HERE to see photos from the Newport Independent Film Festival during the daytime hours.

Newport International Film Festival

2007-06-10T14:09:00.000-05:00

I spent the weekend in Newport, Rhode Island for the Newport Independent Film Festival. To promote the screening of Twisted: a Balloonamentary, I made this balloon person, who hung out on a bench outside the theatre.

The men who hang out in the park every day were very interested. They asked us for hats, and said they liked our "girl." Hopefully, they weren't responsible for the fact that later that night, she disappeared.

In the evening, they rolled out the red carpet right through the park, to the door of the movie theatre. Claire Danes made an appearance, but didn't seem to notice my sculpture. Sara invited her to see Twisted, but she said that she would be leaving town early (possibly to go the Tony Awards).

We decided to take a break for dinner. By making balloons for the hosts, we bypassed the one hour wait and got seated next to other film people.The next day, my sister helped me inflate 200 balloons to hand out in the theatre. I helped Naomi finish a new balloon person for our bench. Naomi and Sara got interviewed for Rhode Island local news.
Finally, it was time for our screening! We had a great time; I am going to post the photos from the party in a new post.

Also, click HERE to see photos from the NIFF closing night party.

Art Show Raffle Prize 2007

2007-06-08T21:12:00.000-05:00

Baby Alex models a balloon hat

2007-05-30T22:19:00.000-05:00

Street Performing in Harvard Square

2007-05-22T18:38:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I got a street performing license for the City of Cambridge. Today, I greased the wheels and did some street twisting! Here I am with my first customer.

Russell's Birthday Parrot

2007-05-18T14:37:00.000-05:00

Sophie's Second Birthday

2007-05-17T20:47:00.001-05:00

The party had a Hello Kitty theme

An elmo hat hides behind this silly cupcake eater...

Here's another version of Elmo

Independent Film Festival of Boston

2007-05-09T17:40:00.000-05:00

Promoting Twisted: a Balloonamentary, we won an award for Best Marketing!

We made lifesize scuptures of all of the main characters of the film, and did lots of twisting for film audience members.

We also taught everyone in the audience how to make a purple balloon dog!

Purple Balloon Dogs were everywhere!

Marianne's Birthday Celebration

2007-05-04T17:46:00.000-05:00

South By Southwest Film Festival

2007-04-10T15:08:00.000-05:00

I traveled to Austin, Texas to help promote my friend Naomi's movie, Twisted: a Balloonamentary. It was an amazing experience. We covered the city of Austin with balloons!

I was a part of making a 10 ft by 15 ft giant sculpture of a movie theatre - including the screen, movie seats, audience members, women film makers, and video equipment. I most

ly just helped out here and there, but I did make a nice red-headed guy (see photo) and a video camera and boom mic.

I roomed with Vera, one of the stars of the movie. She worked her way out of being a welfare kid in a trailer park with balloon twisting. She used balloon money to put herself through college, and now she plans to do the same for med school! Wow! She taught me a lot about balloons, and we made a silly tree covered in animals for the lobby of the theatre. We also did a lot of roaming around the convention center talking up the film and making silly hats!

The "Wrong" Side of Town: Akumal, Mexico

2007-02-15T15:10:00.000-05:00

On the far side of town, away from the beach, the majority of the residents in Akumal live peacefully away from the tourists. It's not a fancy area. In fact, one man told us that we were on the "wrong side of town." Without the ocean views, most tourists don't make it over here.

When I first arrived, I felt nervous about busting out my balloons to twist for the kids. However, it just took one hat before the kids came running.

I even made a balloon collar for the local dog!

Balloons came in handy in our hotel room as well. Every morning, when the room was cleaned, the maid left our towels for us twisted up into an animal. In return, my sister and I left the maid a little twisted treat each day.

Christmas Dinner

2006-12-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

More Balloon Hat Photos

2006-12-13T14:24:00.000-05:00

Tavern on the Green

2006-12-10T18:15:00.001-05:00

Working for The Red Balloon Company, I got a gig twisting balloons at the NBC Corporate Children's Holiday party. It was a kid's dream world: decorate your own cookies, crafts, bunnies to pet, characters to meet, music, face painting... really anything and everything you could dream of. It was seven hours of twisting, but I couldn't have thought of a better way to spend a day!

The team is ready to go...

Here I am in action with three little Rudolphs!

I love making Santa!

Halloween

2006-10-31T08:11:00.003-05:00

Compliment Dispenser (like a gumball machine, but more complimentary)

Pig

Angel and Devil on each shoulder

Dragon

Cookie Monster

Neighborhood Block Party

2006-08-22T19:04:00.000-05:00

Guatemalan Balloons

2006-07-25T16:37:00.000-05:00

So, the other day after class, I walked down to the lake and sat down next to the boat drivers´ hangout. I just pulled out my balloons and started twisting. It was amazing... I gathered a crowd rather quickly -- first the boat guys and then all the kids of the local merchants came running. Two little boys took on the task to be my agents, keeping the others in line.

I lasted about two hours, kept going by lots of laughing.

So, now balloons have been broken out! At school, I have learned all the words balloon related in Spanish -- balloon, pop, break, hat, etc. Today, we went up to a small Indigenous village called San Andres, and I did balloons for some kids there. So fun, except it started to pour while we were there, and so we were sopping wet when we finally gave up to go have a coke in a small hole in the wall where our only company was a drunk who kept banging on the table.

I have begun to research two projects -- one, I talked to the school director about volunteering somewhere, and Friday morning I am going to go check out a possibility with my teacher, Aura. It´s a center for poor people, with a part for physical therapy and an education component as well. Two, I am trying to learn about Guatemalan history, and tomorrow Aura is going to bring in some books with famous Guatemalan legends, and I´ll try to read them (in Spanish, if I can).

Zunil: Home of the Mannequin Saint

It´s not true that everything in Lonely Planet is touristy. The hours of sitting in a bus this weekend felt worth it for my fifteen minutes in Zunil.

After a great weekend in Xela, I set out on a bus for Zunil, where I had heard the indigenous people worship a strange figure named San Simon. I was the only non-local on the camioneta (chicken bus). Upon arrival, I had to cross a bridge over a river where some people were doing what appeared to be appropriate: throwing their bags of trash from their car into the water. I followed a friendly woman on her way to the market, which began the part of the walk dominated by flies everywhere. I passed the Catholic church which was jam packed, people streaming out the door. Well, despite the clear Christianization here, there was more to see... I did as I was told and asked around: "Donde esta la casa de San Simon?" because apparently they move him around. I asked many people who kept telling me to go further up and up. Finally, I found him.

I was told it is a mannequin that fell off a bus years ago, and the local people believed he was sent from the Gods. He´s quite a sight. A plastic figure, adorned with sunglasses, a man purse (popular here), a gangster bandana over the mouth, American flag towel over his shoulders... I watched as people bowed down to him, whispered prayers in his ear, prayed to him, lit candles for him, and delivered flowers to him. One woman poured alcohol down his throat (apparently common -- they had to tilt the whole thrown back). Another brought a huge bag and covered the whole room with rose petals. I decided it was necessary to leave balloon flowers for him, which others seemed to nod at, signaling that this was an appropriate offering. The whole thing was amazing. I wish I could give more background about what the story is, but I´d have to do some further research. All in all, it was pretty unbelievable to see. I made my way back down and then spent many hours on the bus to get home with a brief stop in a small village called Almalonga, where I walked through the market.

Fundabiem

I started volunteering at Fundabiem, working with a speech therapist. The center has 24 locations in Guatemala and it is totally privately funded. There is speech therapy and physical therapy, and individuals come in once or twice a week who can´t afford anything on their own. I´m spending mornings working with the speech therapist and helping kids practice speaking, stick out their tongue, adults who are learning to write... different activities. At 10 there is a break when all the clinicians eat and a Cuban physical therapist teaches me Spanglish in between times when I have no idea what anyone is talking about.
Marvin, who I work with, says that a lot of it is due to poor conditions during birth -- in the home or in a bad hospital. A couple came in today with their two and a half year old daughter who can´t speak or walk and they don´t know why. It was interesting to see the interview process and Marvin recommended doctors for them. It´s really interesting to see the different types of patients. I am also doing lots of balloons still, for the kids at Fundabiem and around town.

I had a great time, and I hope they did too :)

Firefly Festival 2006

2006-07-04T23:42:00.000-05:00

Hawaiian Tiki Camp

Art Show Raffle Prize

2006-05-09T18:47:00.000-05:00

Lucy Stone Carnival

2006-05-09T18:07:00.000-05:00

I spent an afternoon making balloons at a City Year Service Day.
I had a lot of fun at the kids' carnival!

Four Square Formal

2006-05-04T23:52:00.000-05:00

Barry and Melissa's Wedding

2006-04-25T18:00:00.000-05:00

I entertained the kids while the adults danced the night away!

Twist and Shout Balloon Convention

2006-02-20T07:39:00.000-05:00

I went to my first ever, balloon twisting convention: Twist and Shout 2006 in St. Louis, Missouri. There was no way to prepare for this experience.
I went to lots of classes, and studied with master teachers, like Don Caldwell (from California), Ed Chee (from Arizona), Rie Hosokai (from Japan) and Bidou (from France).
In one class, I learned how to make people for the first time! This is my first full figure, who I named, Simone the Librarian.
I also met a lot of interesting people in the jam room, where twisters stay up until the wee hours of the morning making crazy balloon creations.

I saw a lot of amazing pieces of artwork in the competition. I still have a lot to learn.

I can't make everything, but I did learn to make some kooky hats.

By the end of the convention, I was exhausted.

2006 Sculpture

2005-12-31T19:02:00.000-05:00

Peru

2005-08-26T07:56:00.000-05:00

Here are a few photos from my two week adventure in Peru. As you can see, I visited many different types of places. However, I only just began to crack the surface of this amazing country, and want to go back some day.

Paracas National Reserve

Huacachina: A Desert Oasis

One of the famous Nazca Shapes, as seen from a scary plane

A Little Girl Selling Crafts in the Sacred Valley

The Famous Machu Picchu

A Llama at Machu Picchu

On the Madre de Dios River, on the way to our Jungle Lodge

A Butterfly in Manu National Park

Abby's Bachelorette Party

2005-07-05T18:51:00.001-05:00

The Guest of Honor

Firefly Festival 2005

2005-06-28T23:45:00.000-05:00

Milky Way Camp

The Amars (like The Oscars, only better!)

2005-04-20T18:58:00.000-05:00

Balloon Links

2005-01-12T18:23:00.001-05:00

If you want to learn more about balloon twisting, check out some of the following links. All of these will take you out of my website:

Headquarters of all things balloon related:
www.balloonhq.com

Twist and Shout Balloon Convention:
www.balloonconvention.com

Red Balloon Company (my friend Naomi's balloon business):
www.redballooncompany.com

Twisted: A Balloonamentary (Film about balloon twisting conventions)
www.twistedballoondoc.com

Rainbow Balloons (where I order my supplies)
www.rainbowballoons.com

About My Curriculum

2005-01-11T09:10:00.000-05:00

Ok, Ok, we actually do a lot more than balloon twisting in class. We also do more than just world geography. Actually, as Humanities Area Lead Teacher, I teach two American History units and two World Geography units. I also serve as a homebase teacher for a wonderful group of 5th and 6th graders. I am lucky to teach the following four units:

1. Holy C.O.W. (Cultures of the World): Religion and culture in Asia, Europe, and Oceania

2. The Global Action Project: Issues of international development in Central America, South America, and Africa

3. Discovering Early America: Native Americans, Explorers, early settlers, slaves, and the way they all interact

4. The American Revolution: When our country became our country

Photos of Balloons in the Classroom

2005-01-11T09:03:00.001-05:00

Here are some photos of balloons that I've done in the classroom:

While I make balloons at work almost every day, I don't always have my camera! Most of my photos are from special events and you can see them HERE.

My Teaching Experience

2005-01-11T08:50:00.003-05:00

I began teaching in 2000, and found my way to my current school in 2003. I have worked with all ages, Kindergarten through High School, but I prefer the middle years, like 5th and 6th grade. I have also taught in many settings, including:

A public charter school
A private, high caliber prep school
An expedition-based alternative high school
A school specializing in the gifted population
A summer camp in Mali
A Buddhist boarding school in India
A school for disabled youth in Samoa
Homeschooling while traveling
A summer enrichment program for Suburban youth
A summer meals program for high risk youth
A service-learning program for gifted high school students

Mask and Costume Favorites

2005-01-10T20:02:00.001-05:00

Alligator

Pig

Hippo

Dragon

Cookie Monster

Fish

Shark

Frog

Santa

Monster

Animal Favorites

2005-01-10T19:30:00.002-05:00

Butterfly

Dragon

Dog

Kitty

Turtle

Kangaroo and Baby Kangaroo

Teddybear

Frog

Parrot

Monkey

Monkey on a Palm Tree Hat

Bumblebee

Octopus

Koalas

Hummingbird (learned from Jeanine VonEssen)

Crab and Fish in the Sea (learned from Jeanine VonEssen)

Butterfly

Pig

Snail

Orca Whale

A Cute Dog

Monkey to Wear

Duck

Starfish

Rhino

Lion

Portfolio Highlights

2005-01-10T19:25:00.000-05:00

Click below to see some of my best creations:

My favorite LARGE SCULPTURE photos

My favorite HAT photos

My favorite ANIMAL photos

My favorite MASK and COSTUME photos

Hat Favorites

2005-01-10T19:06:00.001-05:00

Large Sculpture Favorites

2005-01-10T18:40:00.005-05:00

Just another (Balloon) Student

Stork and Baby

Trogdor (from Homestar Runner)

Flower Vase

Christmas Tree Centerpiece

Film Promotion Figure

New Years 2006 Sculpture

Twisted: a Balloonamentary Character

Mike's 30th Birthday Likeness

Thanksgiving Turkey

Balloon Video Camera and Boom Mic

African Balloon Person (getting fitted for a traditional wrap skirt)

Tulip Vase

Puppy in a Basket

Traditional Mexican Dancers

Friendly Anteater

Dragon

Princesses

Countries I've Visited

2005-01-05T21:02:00.006-05:00

In order from most recent to least recent*

Botswana
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Mozambique
El Salvador
Mali
Morocco
Guatemala
Peru
Poland
Slovakia
Hungary
Austria
Germany
Belize
Costa Rica
India
Pakistan
Singapore
South Africa
Thailand
Nepal
United Kingdom
Western Samoa
France
Spain
Monaco
Mexico
Jamaica
Canada
U.S.A.

* I am counting any country where I spent some time exploring. Airport stops, bus journeys, and train rides don't count, even though some others gave me stamps in my passport :)

CLICK HERE TO GO BACK TO SEE PHOTOS FROM TWISTING ABROAD

Berlin, Budpaest, Krakow

2004-08-26T08:28:00.000-05:00

Germany, Hungary, and Poland: My Personal Roots Trip
Summer, 2004: A Month of Exploring Central / Eastern Europe

On this trip, my friend Alyssa and I spent two weeks traveling, visiting her friend in Berlin and her family in Budapest. Then I spent another two weeks on my own, visiting Krakow, Poland, and then going back to Budapest for an enormous music festival.

Berlin Wall

Berlin is funky and chic!

And we went to super funky parties with our Mexican Berliner friends...

My friend Alyssa at a Fountain in Berlin

Juxtaposition: Old Reflected in Modern, Budapest

Our Host, Janosh: "Not sure which Hungarian dessert to try? Try them all!"

Budapest Lit Up at Night

View of Krakow through a Citadel Window

Auschwitz - Birkenau: the Infamous Death Camp from WWII

I happened across a dog show in Zakopane, a small mountain town that I visited in Poland.

I took a cable car up to the Poland / Slovakia Border in the Tatra mountains. This pathmarks the border.

Sziget Festival (on an island in the Danube River, technically in Budapest, but a whole different world)

This photo was taken from inside a big structure made out of the material used for moonwalks. It was an art instillation where viewers were encouraged to walk through and hang out inside.

ooh la la!

More Art at the Sziget Festival

Eventually, all the hippies needed to go home. Clean up on the island took place while the music played on - here, a drum circle formed early in the morning after a long night of concerts.

Traveling Teacher

2001-05-26T09:06:00.000-05:00

Nepal, Thailand, South Africa, Pakistan, and India:
The Traveling Road Show

Fall 2000- Spring 2001: Teaching While Traveling

After answering an ad in the Boston Globe, I got a job as the private tutor for an American family that was traveling around the world. They took me all over, and I taught their 1st and 4th graders. It went something like this:

Nepal: I spent 5 weeks in Nepal. For about 3 weeks, I was teaching my pupils in Kathmandu. I also spent a week or so on my own, mostly in Pokhara, a small city on a lake. The family and I also spent a week in the mountains, in three villages which we accessed via helicopter. I can't decide which was more amazing -- the helicopter rides through the Himalayas, or being in a village that was a 15 hour walk from the end of the nearest road.

Thailand: I spent 10 days alone in Thailand, on vacation while the family that hired me went off doing other things. I explored Bangkok and visited the islands of Kho Phi Phi. I got lots of massages, and ate lots of Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, Pineapple on a stick, and Fried Banana Pancake.

Boston: After Stint One of the trip, I spent two months back in Boston, teaching the kids at their apartment on Tremont Street. I also got to spend the holidays with my family.

South Africa: I arrived in Cape Town expecting the family to join me shortly, but ended up with 10 days on my own. When they finally arrived, I taught for about a month, exploring the city of Cape Town alone and with my pupils. Singapore: We had an eight hour layover in Singapore. It was long enough to take a nap in a hotel, take a walk, get ice cream, and then hire a cab to take me around the city.

Pakistan: I was lucky enough to spend 10 days or so in Pakistan, which I thought would be scary, but in fact was where I met some of the friendliest, kindest people. I taught in Lahore for the first half, and then traveled alone to Karachi, where some friends of friends hosted me. Highlights: I got to go to a rooftop party celebrating the Basant Kite Festival and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Department, and I went "crabbing" in a Karachi harbor, eating fresh caught crab right on the boat, Pakistani style.

India: I said goodbye to my employers in India, and stayed there for another 3 months. During this time, I spent one month in Dharamshala, attending the Dalai Lama's public teachings and exploring the cooking, birds, and culture of the Lower Himalayas. After this, I met up with a friend and we traveled together to the Taj Mahal, a bird sanctuary in Bharatpur, the pink city of Jaipur, and the holy lake in the desert at Pushkar. After a brief stop in my base, Delhi, I traveled all the way east to West Bengal -- a 36 hour trainride -- with my friend from Dharamshala, a Mongolian refugeee named Dugar. After a little exploring of the area, my last adventure was one month volunteering at a Buddhist School in Sikkim. I lived with 45 Sikkimese girls in a school hostel, and taught English and other subjects during the day. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget.

Gallery of Photos from Nepal

My favorite photo from Nepal...
The people are so beautiful; they make the photographer's job very easy!

Monastary near Bodanath Stupa

Legless Beggar at Bodanath

Monks praying over an offering

Grandfather of Mala and Delip, friends met in Durbar Square

Monica, little sister of Mala and Delip

Sadhu (Holy Man) in Durbar Square, Kathmandu

Man Carrying Refrigerator in Bhaktapur

Beggar in Pokhara, who I gave my tomotoes

View from the Helicopter, flying somewhere near the Dhauligiri Range in the Himalayas

The people gathered on the mountainside to greet our helicopter.

Faces of Dagnam I (Village in the Mountains)

Faces of Dagnam II

Faces of Dagnam III

Faces of Dagnam IV

Faces of Dagnam V

Faces of Dagnam VI