1.“Fizzy” Geography
It may look, smell, and taste the same no matter where you
are in the U.S.,
but even something as generic as soft drinks have been unable to escape the influence
of geography. Did you know that the way you talk about the fizzy liquid may be
completely different than how someone in another part of the state does?
Whether it’s “soda,”“coke,” “pop,” or some combination of these, here’s a map
depicting regional variations to soft drink classification.

*Editors note: Generational difference might be an
additional variable to throw into the soda-quoting mix. As a
Northeast local, I was surprised to discover older residents using the word “pop”
on a recent trip to Buffalo (check the map, it’s in the blue section in the far
western corner of New York state). My own grandparents from Boston use a term not highlighted here:
“tonic.” But, neither my parents, nor my Boston-based friends under thirty say
“tonic.” Hmmm…sounds like another research project to me!

2. One Rather Long
Bike Trip
A few months ago, I heard a story about a young Geography
professor who decided to take a leave of absence and fly to Siberia.
But that was only the beginning. From there, he got hold of a bicycle and made
a vow to keep peddling until he got all the way home–to London! From crossing the Australian
continent to struggling through the jungles of Papua New Guinea, you can see just
how far and wide his trip took him by reading his blog.

 3. Flat Stanley This article
describes the Flat Stanley Project, which inspires grade schoolers around the
world to explore geography and start up dialogue with individuals in foreign
places. Wouldn’t it be great if we could fold ourselves up into an envelope and
traverse the globe via the mail? Sure would be a bit cheaper than airline
prices these days!

4. Hope this is a
Joke
I found this interesting
link waiting for me in an email yesterday. I tried to verify the legitimacy
of the geography blunder, but was unsuccessful. That said, make sure to take
the following dialogue with a grain of salt. Whether or not it actually ever
happened, it is pretty funny—and shocking. And of course, we can all use a good
laugh now and then!

5. One More Funny
Just because we’re all in a humorous mood here, check out
this link as well: Overheard in D.C.: Geography
Edition (as in “Washington, D.C., U.S.A”).

Hope you all had a great week! Next week, look out for guest blog #2 from children’s book author Marissa
Giamo.