Although I don't like my World History teacher very much, she has her good points. For example, she believes that her students should learn. And by learning I don't mean rote memorization -- I mean actually, well, having a good idea about what you know.

Recently she was lecturing about art styles (since the history book covers politics, she has to lecture about art and test us on both). As a native New Yorker, she knows the City well. She told us that we should go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (or one of those art museums) if we ever went to New York. Then someone made the classic suggestion, "Why don't you take us on a field trip there?"

Ninety-nine out of 100 teachers would let such a comment pass, but to everyone's surprise (or mine, at least) she looked into taking a class field trip to New York City. Over the next few days, she said that New York was too expensive, so she would try to organize a trip to our nation's capital: Washington, D.C. I've always wanted to go to Washington. This would be a dream come true, I guess.

Now the teacher has given some more details. Firstly, she says, we shouldn't get too worked up about it because the trip has to be OK'd by the school management, and then the school district's regional office, and so forth. If it actually comes to pass, then it will be something like this.

• Washington, Virginia, Pennsylvania.
• During spring break (March 18-27).
• Bus(es).
• Limited number of students (lottery).
• Not the White House (teacher says it's boring, but I think she just doesn't like who lives there).
• $420-$500.

I don't want to say I'm excited and looking forward to this trip, but, well, I am. I know, it'll be a darn shame when someone up in some office turns the trip down, but at least I can hope.

The reason I haven't posted lately is to give you plenty of time to submit your answers for the meme I posted a few days ago. Well, now I think that just about everyone who wants to answer has done so. So it's time to go over the facts and the fibs.

1. My birthmark is on my upper arm.
   Out of four people, two got this right. It's a fib. My sister's birthmark is on her upper arm; mine is on the top of my head (or so I've been told).
2. I've met the brother of the President of the United States.
   Two people thought this wasn't true, but it's a fact. I met Jeb Bush when he visited my school in 1998. The gubernatorial candidate revealed to my class that his brother "might" run for President. I recounted his visit a few months ago.
3. I own only five CDs.
   Fib. Three of you were able to see through this one. I may be lame, but I'm not that lame.
4. The first thing I remember wanting to be when I grew up is a police officer.
   Only one person didn't guess this was a fact. I lost interest in being a cop after I heard about the night shift.
5. I've ridden in a Goodyear blimp.
   Two thought this was false, but it's actually fact. I rode in the Stars & Stripes when I was six or seven. The airship is conveniently located in nearby Pompano Beach, and I pass its base on the way to and from school.
6. I've never used public transportation.
   No one was duped by this fact. School buses don't count.
7. I am horrible at chess.
   Fact. I can play, sure, but I've never won a game.
8. I always order a quesadilla when I go to a Mexican restaurant.
   Formerly fact, but now a fib.
9. I have two chipped teeth.
   Fib: just one. It was from when I was at the bottom of a dogpile when I was maybe nine.
10. During ninth grade I never missed a day of school or used the bathroom during class time.
    Fact. Loser.
11. I own four guitars.
    Fact. Two acoustics, two electrics. I only play one of the acoustics, though.
12. I once had a fish named Neon.
    Fact. It was a betta that was predominantly blue but also had bits of red, orange, maybe green, and white.
13. I lived in a condominium for six weeks.
    Fact. It was between living in my old house and my new house, for which the deal hadn't yet been finalized. I was eight.
14. I visit relatives in Nebraska every three or four years.
    Only one of you picked out that it was a fib. I have no ties to Nebraska and have never been there.
15. I have a rock collection.
    It sounds so dumb, it has to be a fib, right? Fact. I gathered some rocks near the Laurel Caverns in 1999 and took them home in a shoe box and that was that. Well, I think I still have it...

"Methuselah," a bristlecone pine is the world's oldest living thing at 4,767 years, and has lived over a millennium longer than any other tree. And you thought you were old!