Liliana the Leader and M. the Magnificent…Education should be fun 100%

Posted on December 31, 2017 by Harry Brake

The last day of 2017 brings with it much nostalgia, and hopefully, despite the craziness that was a tumultuous 2017, we all have memories, sad and bright, that lead us to do better things for ourselves in 2018.  

I had the pleasure of traveling from Mexico City to Delaware with a brood full of dogs after a game changer involving a new position, new friends, new everything, and that was just the tip of the iceberg.  

One specific moment stuck out and I can’t shake, it, I am glad.  Every year for the past few years I was lucky enough to serve as a Summer Camp educator at ASF in English.  My last summer, little did I know was this summer, 2017.  I was lucky enough to be paired up with educator Liliana Dominguez for the students that were now in first and second Screen Shot 2017-12-31 at 12.26.06 PMgrade.  When I first started this summer camp, I was like whoa, no way. I am . high school educator, kindergarten?   First grade?  Um, wow, I can’t….but yeah, I could, would and did, and that was due to some amazing support from classroom support like Lisa, to supporting leadership like John Powell, Patricia Montes, and Paloma Fuentes and the many amazing teachers that made up ASF summer camp.   I was able to take the fundamentals of getting to know our community from Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots Program, and apply to the various themes of My City, My Culture, My Artists, My Authors, and this past summer, I was paired with Liliana.  I had no idea what I was in for.

LilianaLiliana worked harder than I thought I ever would, she carried me through so many challenges and in turn helped me challenge myself, as well as the students.  She was a creative guru I needed to carry on through the summer.  From passports, to having every student get up in front and experimenting with presenting their final research and project, to having stamp-like passport stamps made that said Mexico – to coming up with countless ways to research all kinds of countries, combing Brain Pop presentations to the real books to the real lives of authors and artists, we had created the ultimate Maker Space every single day.  Yes it was work, but it was FUN.  This set in motion a respect for the things we attempted and created every single day for us as instructors as well as students.  She pushed me and I was a better educator for the students as a result.  Surrounded by amazing and motivated educators as well, it certainly took a village to make the summer camp be a utopia of possibilities.  Liliana pushed herself as well.  She worked SO incredibly hard outside of the ASF camp and I wondered how she brought so much incredible ideas to the lessons within the summer sessions. Yet she kept coming and coming for unending support.

The time we spent with the students, some from ASF, other from outside of ASF was priceless.  The afternoons, questions, and innocent energy the students through into the chance to visit other countries without having to board a plane, having students create their own stories and books, processing their passports to be familiar with what it means to be appreciative and aware of other cultures – it was a learning experience, packed with work for both the learner and the facilitator and yet, it was FUN.  The work was fun.

One specific afternoon, we were walking from class, M (keeping her identity secure) the magnificent grabbed my hand, we walked towards the cafeteria and she said to me, “Mr Harry?  Do you know why so many people want to come to ASF and summer camp?”  “I responded back to M.,  I am not sure?” (knowing she had a thought).  “I think it is because we are unique!”  I smiled looked down and had to say, “I know it is!”  It was just as you would want to remember it, the sun was in our faces, we made our way to lunch, and it had been a FUN day and she was a star.

M. and Liliana reminded me of what education was always about.  yes it was hard at times being in school right after a school year was over and it was summer.  Yes it was work to plan, revise, review the planes we made.  No it was not hard to make the lessons better when you had individuals like Liliana and M. in you day.  It was amazing.

Life and education should go hand in hand, and if educator, and the student, are learning the work lends itself to FUN, and that BOTH will grow, education does not need to be in a specialized building or district, it simply needs to be an investment by all concerned.

I never can get M’s words out of my mind, that enthusiasm, investment and her amazing ability to create her own unique interpretation of the information presented to her.  Of all the countries she could have chosen to focus on, she chose a city in the United States Mas her place to brag about and research.  I wanted to be able to represent the United States in the future, for many to be proud of in how they see others, in our country and outside of our country.  This enthusiasm filtered to the educators and it changed and reformatted the approach to what education means to everyone involved.  This does not involve a special school, community, building or type of funding, it requires devotion and commitment to what education should look like to be FUN.  I was lucky enough to have so much support, opportunity, 

ASF, Mexico, and amazing students like M changed me as a person and how I looked at other cultures, other countries, and the gratefulness I had for being openly accepted as an outsider into another culture, another language, another country, another educational system is something that changed me forever.  So it was with Liliana’s devotion to bringing amazing approaches to pushing students to be successful, as well as M. to be representative of how amazing students, learning, and education can be to your mind and your heart.

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The Summits of Our Discontent…Putting Plans Into Action Through Summits and Collaboration.

Posted on December 26, 2017 by Harry Brake

SummitWhat exactly does the word of summit mean?  I asked myself this after reflecting on the 4th Western Sussex Summit that was held a Woodbridge High School, December 1, 2017.  

 sum·mit

ˈsəmət/

noun

1. the highest point of a hill or mountain.

synonyms: (mountain) top, peak, crest, crown, apex, tip, cap, hilltop

“the summit of Mount Washington
2.
a meeting between heads of government.
“a summit conference”
synonyms: meeting, negotiation, conference, talk(s), discussion

“the next superpower summit”

Screen Shot 2017-12-26 at 10.37.16 AM

I also realized summits can be the starting place for aspects of education we are unhappy with and to pull together and solve.

I instantly revert back to a gathering of minds we had at The American School Foundation – the Google Summit on August 31st and September 1, 2012 – and I thought – HUGE SUCCESS.  

Then another success story was the ASOMEX Tri Conference at ASF, September 23, 2011 – September 25, 2011.  Another HUGE success.

Recently the Western Sussex Summit again, was a successful event on many levels and this is why.

ANYTIME you figure out that all levels of educated contributors, together have a better chance of solving, recognizing, and formulating ideas to put into action for better results, you have a better step forward.  Divisions between administrators, teachers, librarian media specialists, paras, nurses, even substitutes, and including all – I think it makes a drastic impact and then to carry it one step further, DO something more than generate great ideas, implement them maybe I think the “exit ticket” for each summit is to show how ideas and plans implemented have been taken to a first step to be implemented, I like that idea.

Before I delve into the highlights from this years Western Sussex Summit, I wanted to share a story I thought had a direct connection.  Listening to this podcast, on how a fans’ football ticket was donated to teens and police, during the whole kneeling to recognize an important issue at hand, the fan had a great GREAT point.  Why did not the owner, use their assets, their stadiums to do one of the greatest PR events ever and to benefit the community – combine the parties that are at conflict but invest in the younger generations to reeducate and invest in solutions to the problems between police and soon to becoming adult generations?  I thought filling the seats of stadiums would bring an amazing positive effect to the controversy of killings, violence, and turmoil in communities, and guess who would be at the head of this, with an amazing community investment (and yes still making a profit?) The owners of every team.  This is one of the biggest missed opportunities owners ever had to counter and offer a solution to this issue, I loved the solution, and was so sad to see this was not acted upon by owners of every football team.

Fast forward to our educational summits.  With every technological, social trauma, educational, and leadership conference, you have the chance to act on the same thought process, let’s take topics that affect our communities and find ways to take the workshops, meet all educators on differing levels, positions, roles,  and walk away with tangible products we can implement to ignite new programs to meet the needs of our immediate populations.  This can help refocus the various government levels to understand the needs for funding and refocus on bettering the status of or educational system, AND to build a larger fan investment base in education, to pressure more and better changes for education, involving the NEA, the overall educational system, and have summits being more than ideas being generated but ideas being put into action at these summits!

Back to the Western Sussex Summit – Coming back to the states after six years, I refocused on the Socio-Emotional Needs of students in a school district, and this helped me realign the population and needs that were hovering about us as educators every day, and present in every students’ life.  This is so easy to forget in lieu of our own preparation and planning every day, one major theme of the summit itself.  

Before the keynote speakers, it was pretty informative to hear from Delaware Governor John Carney’s wife, Tracey Carney.    With her constant involvement in education, it was refreshing to see politics having a first-hand impact and response to the needs of students and education rather than a voice not familiar with local needs of what education is desperate for.  Dealing with ways to confront the hunger and homelessness issue in Delaware, it is again, refreshing to see someone involved in politics willing to be active in finding new alternatives to providing for these needs.

The keynote speakers, Kristin Souers and Pete Hall, authors of the book Fostering Resilient Learners,  were really important to setting the tone of the summit.  Normally, Key notes are maybe an hour?  This was a LONG key-note in ranging to about 3 1/2 hours, and when I saw that on the schedule I was like Nooooooo.   Okay I get it, we are educators, we are having a PD day and I mean come one 3 1/2 hours?  PAIN!  But in actuality, the overly bubbly attitude Kristin carried with her, helped fight that steady wall of educators of all positions fighting to be present on a PD day AND being early morning, and I felt that the keynotes were successful.  it is difficult to box in what the socio-economic trauma needs are, and for new teachers, there is an idea but the DEPTH of how this affects learners, and the effectiveness of educators on populations of students in a DRASTICALLY changing educational world (HECK, it has changed almost 100% percent sent I became involved in education in 1997! )  – the depth of info was needed – and despite being a pretty decent length of a key note, the importance of this mindset was pretty difficult to ignore. 

Much was broken down in that key-note, from the definition of Trauma, to the highly effective awareness of the ACES study, to the 4 I’s of Trauma Sensitive Approaches (Introducing, Ignorant, Informed, Invested) – Where is your school in these levels of measurement regarding Trauma? – 

ONE AWESome tool was receiving the hand model of the brain, from Daniel Siegel, to connect parenting and to the needs of children.  LOVE THIS!  Connecting the brain, the mind (different) and relationships, and he does it well!

All of these tools add to the overall considerations and tools educators need to fully meet students that are surrounded by trauma and recalibrate for success.

Workshops set in and whoa, a lot to choose from!     Brochure 2017emailvsn (1)

Two really stuck out to me, “Self-Care for Educators” by Debby Boyer and “I ain’t listening to You and I ain’t Learning From You! Engaging Boys in Education and Counseling” from Julius Mullen Sr. Ed. D., LPCMH, Julius Mullen Jr, Juwan Mullen.  

Without giving you every single scrap of info they presented, which I could, (and is a symbol of a god PD session when you can remember these aspects after a holiday!) – the main aspects that rose to the top –

I never realize enough how taking care of myself reflects back to the populations I need to serve and benefit as well, and this session by Debby Boyer helped do just that.  Recognizing the connection to Mindfulness from ASF as one, but a major technique, was one of many tools she emphasized in showing, how to recognize, organize, and departmentalize the priorities of taking care of you, personally, involved and tied to the educational field – crucial.

The second workshop (and I noticed the first workshop was packed!) was presented by the Mullen family, all of which I have come to know being in Seaford at Seaford High School.  I liked, before they spoke, the fact that their experiences, cemented the concepts as they lived in, as they grew from students, to a family, to experiences they currently had in education.  This made more of a statement to everyone before they even said anything.  Loved.  Their insights into what would and should be very basic guidelines, helped create an awareness of what students feel and need in any given day, and how those needs can be met without sacrificing the very things that make you, you as an educator.

Screen Shot 2017-12-26 at 12.47.55 PMI felt from the sessions and speakers present, in order to make the changes and challenges we are seeing needing addressed in our communities, we need to be proactive and make the necessary steps of how we implement what we obtain from workshops, summits, etc to climb the very mountains that can only be conquered by our very active steps t enacting what we can create as interventions.  This well-organized and thought out cry for how we need to intervene our students’ lives, with the organization of Dr. Michele Marinucci, Ms Kylie Cross, and the whole Student Services Staff,

helped bring vendors from the community such as Barnes & Noble, as well as over 6 other representatives of the community, emphasized the needs we need to breach, of those of community and our students’ needs.  I felt as if the power of the ideas and plans generated at summits would be the ultimate game changer if shown from the summits, how all attending members were going to bring these ideas to the reality inside, and outside our classrooms every day.

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Looking Back in Holidays that Create Holidays…

Posted on December 25, 2017 by Harry Brake

It has been a heck of a year, wow, and it is not over yet – and there has much to look back on, now and from the past to grimace, grin, and laugh about, also to shake your head about.  Before the year is over, I will post a standout moment I will always recall and remember from Mexico City as a lucky member of the ASF staff, as well as moments that bring people together in education that is one key to changing education as we know it, and a few more bits tucked in between.

For good and bad, it has been an amazing year, would love to hear your bits and pieces of what made 2017 an amazing year for you as well, send them on in so I can share them on my blog before a 2018 begins!  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

I love this stitching together of one liners sent in last week too, just another way to show what is possible when all comes together –

https://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/npr/573365536/morning-edition-listeners-stitch-together-a-community-poem

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Miracles Occur in the Largest Places, the Smallest Places, in All Places.

Posted on December 17, 2017 by Harry Brake

Miracle on 34th Street“The world is held together by things you can’t see.”  – Miracle on 34th Street.

Location is a crazy thing.  Especially today.  With so many advances on traveling, location has become not an obstacle, except to the individual.  It is difficult for one to find their mind, heart, and experiences to be transferred to a different location when you find you mind, heart, and experiences settled in one area for a specific time.  Relocating these aspects is not always the easiest – but in seeing my first school production since leaving Mexico, and going to see Miracle on 34th Street at Woodbridge High, I was a little nervous.  I have always loved/preferred slipping in a production trying to be unnoticed and absorbing all that would be part of a student production, as if never seeing it before or knowing anything or anyone tied to the production.  Sometimes over several nights, to take in the full feeling of a production without anything else to occur.  On a very -not-used-to-the-winter-cold-evening, we head to see Miracle on 34th Street – the actual second show since last nights’ was cancelled due to the winter weather.

When I was sitting in the auditorium, I took in the feel around of all the families of the area, gathered together, catching conversations of winter traveling from productions, church gatherings, family get-togethers, and more, part of the warmth as you began to hear the musicians tune up is the smiles, nods, and conversations initiated with me, many who I do not even know but felt so at ease to give me recommendations on alternatives from services on local cable, internet, and phone options.  Finally, the recording comes on letting the audience know the show is about to begin.  it is highly comforting to see rows of familiar students fill the seats to see their friends on stage.

There is alot to take in for me on an individual scale having witnessed so many productions when the ASF Fine Arts Center opened for the first time in Mexico City, Screen Shot 2017-12-17 at 7.13.38 AM(remember, before seats were installed where that folding chair collapsed from under me?!!!) – there were so many amazing memories ranging from Beauty and the Beast to the Radium Girls, slide shows of productions and the personal aspects that tied myself to each of those on stage, behind stage, in the booth, and more flashed through my mind as I began to see a story of a large town, represented by a small town, in keeping the real spirit of Christmas.

There is a TON of aspects to pull out of this second night production, none of the below being anything to miss:

The Macy’s scenery/toy props, Christmas extras were awesome and gave you the feel of a Christmas that comes to you.

Susan Walker, played by Alyssa Anthony, was a total standout.  From her first finger jerk to indicate where she lived, to her youth-like enthusiasm and believable energy seems to be an indication of looking for her in the future in to come productions.

Doris Walker played by Holly Todd, played the on top of everything individual, independent and built to be that way for her daughter to the T.  I found it just so earth shattering to always see her during the day as a member of the ROTC, and seeing her perform on stage and make a transformation slowly towards Christmas spirit.  

Fred Galley, played by Jacob Zanovic, did contain the right amount of self-confidence, pushing back and forth, and arguing between himself and others, he slowly becomes more and more in character as the production progresses.   His insistence and growing into a lawyer, along with a more self-style of awareness  of Doris, and his sincere connection with Susan Walker, is contagious.  Well Played Jacob!

Kris Kringle played by Steven Lord worked,  It worked well, Yes, part of the time you see Kris’ moustache dangling, his cap trialing behind (remnants of what you will remember in the film)  AND proving the point he is the real =Kris Kringle with having his beard pulled as a real test (lol), and seeing how he carried his Santa Claus image across stage when accused and on the defensive, as well as playing the enforces of all things holiday.  Betting on the role of Christmas and his ability to carry it out is felt even stronger as you near the conclusion of this magic story.

Marvin Shellhammer played by Alexander Strain, did his best survival role for Macy’s, from plastic alligators, to falling in line behind Mr. Macy, and Doris Walker, to being a doubter, to follower of Kris Kringle, to sometimes a klutz and persona of mishap, Alexander does manage to bring the attention from himself to Kris Kringle.  While some moments were hard to hear Alexander, he became more distinct as the production went on and represented a personality of his own.

R.H.Macy played by Kaleb Parson gets excitable, angry, mad, and nostalgic in the right places.  His insistence and representation of the icon of this production was well played, and his ability to transfer himself to many roles throughout is a small peek into the commitment all the cast played in so many diverse roles.

The cast as a whole – 

Malik Smith, Emily Harrington, Alexis Redden, Rachel Bolinger, Lea Wharton, David Miller (multiple roles as well), Adam Miller, Eric Kemske, Paul Deputy, Danielle Petit-Frere, Gerald Carroll, Gabriella Morra, Kaleb Parsons, Brian St. John, Genevieve Maddox, Areyanna Martin, Anya Gillespie, Sydney Weinkam, and Meghan Benedict

made sure they put their all into every scene, be it they way they smiled, changed in a variety of attire within minutes, to sending out the right body language to capture the highs and lows of many emotions of wonder and nostalgia, to representing a variety of musical scores, you received the absolute message of what this was all about, what the holiday spirit should  be, and does represent.  This was done so well, you tend to forget the specific lines and actions that help you have each individual on stage stand out.  With the proper enthusiasm and energy as the whole cast displayed, it is easy to see how successful this was due to the contributions of everyone as a whole cast.  Never once can anyone take for granted the magic of a small town, of a Christmas feel, of a place that exudes what Christmas should be all about. 

The Young Cast was G R E A T and amazing as well.  The Christmas spirit as represented by the cast chosen was very well done, and from the beginning seeing the parts of the Macy Parade, to actually sitting on Santa’s lap, to actually being called up to testify in court, they nailed anything you’d want to know or feel about the Christmas spirit.

Much of the success of a production also goes into what does not happen on the stage.  In this case, hearing the details that go into a very long preparation period, from students that would pass through the Media Center, to students who wanted to just talk about how late practices would need to go amid balancing research papers due, other assignments, as well as the time needed to detail out scenery right up t the very first night, I realized as a former stage crew hand how often even with the best planning every single minute leading up to the play is consumer, but worth discussing with others to show how committed, proud, and tied individuals in the production become to the process.   This was no exception.  Despite a cancellation due to bad weather Friday, the show must go on and it does. 

A highlight addition is the ability to have milk and cookies following December 17th’s production, and wow.  You need to see the lobby of the WHS – talk about a surprise view.  The view and ability to see the WHS decked out and spruced up for Christmas is amazing, AND being able to see Santa, have milk and cookies with Santa following? – It is magical and worth that as well, let alone the show.  Adding a portion to a production that gives back to the community in other ways to, for at least one show, is an amazing idea and could be tied to every post – show plan, but this is obviously perfect-timing with the holidays. 

Down to the program you receive (I love the feel of the program, crazy, right?!), care and meticulous attention to what the holidays should represent, despite what the world brings to your doorstep, is expressed and tended to.  That is a powerful feat to handle and put out when it comes to a tumultuous 2017 year.  Yet, the power of what individuals can do, the influence they can make, when called upon, is evident from a production, out on from the heart, such as A Miracle of 34th Street.  It is NOT a miracle that this production comes together for these shows and one last showing today, December 17th at 2 PM at Woodbridge High School, but is warming and still instills a belief in miracles when you are able to capture a bit of the holiday spirit thanks to this production.  That miracle still exists thanks to participants, ranging from the staff, families, and individuals that offered their time to allow this to occur.

Ms. Workman and Ms. Jones have done, again, a super job of making sure all within reach have something to share with another, take with them a piece, and hold close, what a holiday can mean to anyone, in any situation, with or without alot of “things” around the holiday. The cast reinforce the idea that the idea of a holiday, of a dream, is within everyone’s reach, that is what changes things, the idea within each of us, and those of us that can make a difference, realizing that dreaming and doing are in fact separate entities, and the action spurs on those that can’t until they are able to.  There is much potential in those possibilities, and you realize all of this in a classic tale of spirit in WHS’s Miracle on 34th Street.  

Location is a crazy thing, but powerful when it occurs in a small town, as well as in your mind, heart, and whole being.  Don’t miss the last show on December 17th to share in the magic of a classic production, and the opportunity to share this spirit afterwards with the classic icons and spirit in the lobby of WHS!

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The Starriest Wars On a Bone Chilling Night Strike Back…

Posted on December 15, 2017 by Harry Brake

True, I have grown up seeing Star Wars in the theatre and it is amazing to acknowledge how far Star Wars has come, with so many changes, so many landmarks, that make it a true space soap opera.  There is much to love: 

(This post is for you Paul Hebert!)

I love that old friends still remain present and do not disappear in The last Jedi and often show they remain with us and with the Star Wars story much longer than we’d expect .
 
I love the fact that the same discoveries that a young Luke make- we see Rey following in Luke’s footsteps.
 
I love the fact that just when you think you will see a sacrifice for the Rebellion being made – there is a last minute knee jerk change in plans – and it still surprises you.
 
I love the melodramatic scenes that still exist, against a blood red sunset, a bitter cold freezing plant that holds many surprises – that still remain from the first Star Wars I saw in a movie theatre and withstanding who owns the Star Wars series now, the same images and scenes exist.
 
I love the sacrifices that are made sometimes come at the hands of someone we JUST meet in the immediate film, and it makes us feel as we have known them all our life.

I love that some of the best advice and ways to get back on track come from our past, as well as our future.  Just when I was about to give up on Luke, there is renewed hope that shows why is a legend.

I like that you can look back at all the above, and see it can pertain to so many aspects of our own lives.  We can hide away, resign ourselves to failure and end a cycle of making an impact.  We can take the hurt, the pain, the disappointment and use it to mold not only ourselves but others to make an impact and change everything.  Sometimes when it feels as if we are just buying time, we are searching caverns, trees, pits, tombs, caves, and dungeons of our own until we find a nw definition of who we are and it launches us forward.  Being patient and calm through all of this makes the difference between returning to a new day and leaving the days behind.  

“We have all we need right here.”

 

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Hot – Coco is Hot – for many reasons…

Posted on December 14, 2017 by Harry Brake

OF COURSE COCOA is Hot, but when we are talking about the latest Disney film, Coco, yes, that is hot for many reasons as well.  From the beginning I had reservations until I did hear the behind the scenes testimony that took place in the streets of Mexico, to get it right.  Not to stereotype, not to discriminate, not to embellish what news articles portray as Mexico, and yet, I still had my doubts, fears, and anxieties of seeing my first film since returning to the states, and having it be portraying all that was Mexico, and freshly arriving from Mexico and finding a balance somewhere in between.  Yet, I was curious and hopeful that it would be something similar to The Book of Life, which I had no idea of until, ironically, I returned to the states, and fell upon during Dia de los Muertos, but stateside.  I fell in love with the tenets, the colors of the film The Book of Life and for an hour or so, memories of Patzcuaro, Day of the Dead, and things many people only might hear hints of about Mexico seeped through.  Would I be so lucky to feel that glimpse of what I felt from Coco?  I was willing to take the risk.  

It was the first snow I had seen in Delaware in six plus years, and the first snow, (minus Chicago which was THE first snow I had seen since actually moving back in six years in the states), and the first time I experienced the cold on the beach, in Delaware, and I have to tell you, I definitely lost my thick skin.  I recalled the image of those mornings, getting on the metro, seeing hundreds upon hundreds of people, going to work in the morning, dressed in winter wear from head to tow at the mention of 50 degree and had to smile . and realized in a warmth and winter level, no, I wasn’t in Mexico City anymore, lol.

As the day turned to the theatre in Rehoboth, I realized, this indeed was my first film in a theatre since departing from Mexico, and I truly felt it appropriate.  In being honest, in a professional way I was lucky to have slid into a job where I was able to make such a connection to the students so quickly, and maintain a connection in such a short time.  The same went for how organized and how much I knew I needed to jump into to change some elements of the library based on the excellent experience I had in a great library in Mexico City.   I felt I did not have the same luck personally in making this shift in how I felt in the attachments, the way I felt like celebrating, and the sounds, tastes, smells, and general feeling inside when I looked around.  It just was, is, has been a huge shift that is very slow in the making, so jumping in to so many things did/has/will have helped, but still only to a degree as I hoped for when I found myself face to face with a chance to experience what all those experiences felt like in Mexico.

Family – I was not to be disappointed.  Family.  I was not prepared for the familial elements that I found at every market, every corner, every store, every events I experienced in Mexico, to be in Coco. Yet, it was obvious as a theme, as a place-you-will-end-up-if-you-let-it feeling would emerge from the film as I felt in Mexico, yet sure enough it eeked out all over.  From characters that reverted back to how important family is despite the good and bad that happen in the wold, despite the elements of success one hopes to achieve through work, fame, talent, etc family still is present, despite anything, the sense of family lingers for all time, and Coco did that and more.

Music – Unreal.  The mariachi and the countless trips in Xochimilco, the brilliant celebrations that ooze into every pore, the art and honor in singing and the guitar, the trumpet, the violin, everything, it is all there.I realized one of the hardest and most difficult things in returning to the states has been the fact that silence greets me right outside my window, and the “noise” I was missing was the very sounds of the street, the instrumentals celebrating a holiday, a family act, a prominent change in one’s life, and so much more.  Coco surrounds you with this blanket of music that get across how much of a thread music is to all the elements that make each of us human, and spiritual, as the same time.   The individual characteristic/connection to the alebrijes, to Day of the Dead, to an individual, to a degree was lost on me until I was reminded of it in this film, and it goes to show, you carry a knowledge of something, sometimes without even realizing it, until a reminder comes at a time that is the right moment for you.  

Spanish – There was a small amount of Spanish disseminated out, not as much as I hoped/expected, but enough to attract and linger with even the vaguest of Mexican phrases that attach themselves to important symbols and meaning.  I loved the fact these attachments and bits of Spanish were in fact attached to the very references that dealt directly with familial images.  I never felt as much related to a culture as I did in Mexico, it took me by surprise how much family was expressed in a culture, and I doubt I will ever experience that in any country as much as I did in Mexico, that carries with you anywhere in the world as Coco went on to show.

Color – there is NOTHING, I mean nothing like you have ever seen when you are walking through the ofrendas of Day of the Dead and see the alebrijes and the ofrendas, the colors seem more surreal than anything you have ever seen.  Coco was a myriad of colors so deeply thick, I felt I could see hundreds of places I had travelled to in Mexico ten times over if i closed my eyes and I did not have to, Coco provided that to me.  I also felt these colors would not be as believable and bright in the film, had I not been to Mexico already.  The color and vividness of all color depicted  cals out to you just as the country of Mexico does when you are surrounded by it.

The ties that bind – there is undoubtedly the feeling you get, the feeling a movie can only do through tears, remorse, longing, and simply deep-down feeling you connect with when you have felt that before.  The thinking that went into a plot that captures the trickiness that comes with decisions that have to do with your life’s calling, your family, and all in between is readily available for you in Coco.  It is all there, and so much comes out, but I think my amazing opportunity to be a part of Mexican culture, being accepted and welcomed and appreciated, and being treated as family, and seeing it on the screen – depicted to ie the absolute real feeling Coco offers, it is easy to see the producers spent time in Mexico to capture this spirit you feel – in good times, times that test everyone around you, times that push you to your limits into the culture of Mexico itself and wraps itself around you – only a country devoted to family, devoted to the aspects you cannot buy, could such a connection occur.

Have I ever felt like this in the very country I was born, raised, and lived in most of my life?  I have to say, yes I have.  The asset of living in Mexico was to realize the depth of this feeling and how deep this connection can be, when I have often felt many times in the United States it is held back, restricted, and placed limits on.  I realized after living in Mexico for six years that the opportunities to be #1, be the top of a career or be above everyone else and climb any ladders other than a familial/cultural one, is one that wastes the richness that life has to offer.  That is a difficult realization when you have seen that all around you growing up and fed that level of success, until you feel and see it in a completely different culture, something totally different than you have ever known.

I felt that realization again in watching Coco, if only in the brief time that I was in the theatre, and that is priceless, something you cannot review, categorize, or paraphrase. You have to feel it and portray that every day for it to become a reality.  That is what is priceless about the feeling you get from Coco and experiencing it for real in Mexico! – the trick is to carry that in your heart and bring that out every day no matter where you are.  I have been in a VERY lucky position to fall into a host of friends in coming back that allowed me to feel that when i am around them, not something that comes easy, but was lucky enough to remain to me from when I lived in Delaware before, and now I have the chance to fight for the time and moments to let the depth of Mexico enhance those very moments on an even deeper level in returning.

 

 

 

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The Re-Awakening of Self Around Others

Posted on December 9, 2017 by Harry Brake

Going back to the IWCA Conference in Chicago, I have to admit, I had not heard of the key note speaker, Neisha-Anne Green before, but I did sense alot of buzz around her as the key note speaker.  I had been out of the Writing Center circuit for a bit, but as we settled into her speech, “The Re-Education of Neish-Anne’s Green 2 ”    there were definitely some takeaways:

-The defining moments she describes about a truer Black Lives Matter perception that one that has been painted by the media.  Coming across images of other individuals that decorated campus life with bananas wrapped with a noose, being questioned about why she was parking her car in a college campus spot because many referred to her blackness as not being worthy of such a position and more, there are many referring moments Neisha-Anne Green refers to in being made aware of her lack of whiteness amid a public light.  These are all tragic commentaries on how far the United States should be growing away from and recognizing equality in everyone.  

-I like that Neisha- Anne Green allowed her diction to range from writing identified diction to the slang and occasional crass word we often hear – showing that anyone, everyone, is connected to a discussion on topics that range from race, study, professionalism, and culture.  In between those, we all need to be more supportive of each other.

-Certainly there was the call to be more than a spectator, but being an accomplice, being active in demonstrating rather than active onlooker that would say, “I can’t believe someone would say that to you!” and being the individual questioning the other putting someone down, and questioning THAT action on behalf of someone.  It is so easy to say AFTER the fact of a negative action or comment, “I am sorry they said that or did that to you.”  It is a totally different thing to, in the moment, stand up for someone and defend them and their right to a variety of freedoms in the moment.

-The references to code matching were brilliant, as well as the steps Neisha-Anne Green made to the levels of her awareness of herself, herself as a black tutor and herself as a black writer.  Being an ally opposed to being simply a bystander and spectator as mentioned above, makes all the difference in improving the world today.  This instantly reminded me of the museum display at The Holocaust Museum, where differentiation was made between those that were bystanders, those that were allies, those that were collaborators, those that were perpetrators, and those that were accomplices. 

-The levels of involvement indicated in Neisha-Anne Green’s speech today also hit home- in a word full of diction inappropriate at all levels, from political, to social, to academic, we call can do our part to make an influence and a change.  If everyone took one major step to correct the injustices that we often find towards one another in slander, in print, in the media, in the news, things will and would change, and they can.  These negative aspects do not just stop involving an election, they continue on various mediums as we see every day, from movie magnets, to actresses, to actors, to the stage, to the radio waves, to print, to the academic campus, to everywhere.

-In referring to texts such as Strategies for Writing Center Research (Lenses on Composition Studies)  by Jackie Grutsch McKinney,  I liked that this speech enabled many to go beyond her speech and explore what areas of growth we can find out talents, our strengths, our weaknesses, and move on beyond them even further.  I always find I am never done being educated as long as I do not simply give up that idea.  Neisha-Anne Green helped emphasize this fact for us through a powerful speech that kicked off the International Writing Center Association Conference.  It was up to each attending member to take a piece of her experiences and make every part of our world a better place.

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The Road Not Taken…

Posted on December 6, 2017 by Harry Brake

Most of you are familiar with, 

“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both…”     by Robert Frost.  It was amazing to think this very thought as Repentino. was able to sit down with designer Screen Shot 2017-12-06 at 4.40.54 PM Vik Servin in Mexico, with his partner in creative crime,
and from working with Michelle and witnessing Vik in action, these two are the most successful designers because of their commitment to never thinking how to take a shortcut, but how to make anything the best quality they can possible can, and thinking that way from the very beginning.  They stand out because of it.
I love this what is sometimes called “old-fashioned” approach to work, to life, to anything anyone approaches.  it has been my guiding rod towards success, not wanting sometimes to dive into something knowing it would entail a ton of work to truly do it right, and so happy at the end of whatever it might be (an event, a task, a challenge, a goal, a dream)  that I decided to go all into the quality, and not worry about the shortcut or be worried about the most convenient way to approach something.  I realize now that I can never go back and reapproach many of the very things that took a long long time to work through, and also realized, I would not be the person i am today if I had taken the most convenient method.  I have quality students and colleagues around me, past and present that have motivated me to be this way, and I am lucky for it.
Enjoy this first part of a Repentino. interview with artist Vik Servin, and stay tuned for the second part soon!
~

Art for Art’s Sake

As we find ourselves in a world of faster, better, newer, (maybe not so much) and so fast-paced based on technology, demands, wants, and less of needs, it is refreshing to find an individual that resists the very elements we feel crowding in on us everyday, and that individual stands out as a beacon among the so many elements that continue to unfold and press upon us without invite.  When Repentino. sat down with artist Vik Servin, the theme of bringing beauty to all that he sees and manipulates, to make his own statement in such a fast-paced world.

I think It is important to notice Mr. Servin’s beginnings as a cabinet-maker in Australia – because this seems to help encourage the attention to detail that such work takes, as well as the discipline to the very details that lends itself to the aesthetic appeal of cabinets in someone’s own personal domain.  From 1993 to 2000, Vik Servin’s attentions turned to Graphic Design. Servin received a large majority of his knowledge in studying English in Mexico, but had his eye on Australia from an urge his father always had to visit the other side of the world. Determined to land in Australia, Servin obtained a catalog with an offering of Furniture Design, not something he had entertained before and catching his interest.

When Servin discovered someone organizing trips to Australia, and remembering his father’s wish to travel to Australia, sure enough, he took advantage of this opportunity and became part of an extensive educational process in taking his industrial design and combining this with a newly discovered skill and trade of cabinet design.  Things began to work with Vik Servin towards a larger repertoire of art.  Of course, Australia WAS on the other side of the world, and this chance excursion offered a side of design Servin formerly did not have previously, allowing him to enhance his talents and vision of design.

Around 2009, Servin found himself back to Mexico working among furniture Design, and where he began to develop a sense of tenets important to himself and the work he would go on to develop within himself.  The aspect of design to Servin was the most important, and although at times can be a nightmarish process starting from a blank slate to a finished product, and while the idea is definitely not on the same plane as the process, enjoying the result is key. Relishing in the ability to be able to work through the process and the realization that the process IS hard work, the whole process if part of learning, about yourself and the finished product.  It is vital to be aware of what you are doing as you power through this process, you may or may not succeed in what you originally envisioned, but working through the process is the key, being willing to stick to the project and see your way to the end is the vital part, no shortcuts to shortchange the process of seeing it through the end.

Vik Servin acknowledges that most often you might fail, but in order to get it right, you need to come to terms with realizing even though more often you fail, the process of working through this knowledge gets you to progress and figure out the process.

To challenge himself, Servin acknowledges that anyone can take on easy work projects, but he prefers to tackle more complex projects that bring a sense of reward through taking the more difficult path, a mirror of what Robert Frost often suggested.

In designing plastic trays and tables, Vik Servin does see a lot of individuals copying his earlier styles of design, and less a percentage of individuals willing to be concerned with the process and working through a process, as well as learning from the process as an individual works through it.  This further emphasizes the process of what stands out in learning the details and taking the time to do so through the process of work involved with a project. It’s definitely not putting       “…shapes together but making the shapes look good.”

It is often obvious to see the difference in design that seems to spend little if any details to the process that enabled the end product to be produced – these products tend to be just plain, lacking creativity, and not very many exquisite details existing.  Servin can see this, as an artist he does see this lack from the side, the back, from all angles, and that is what matters from a true artists, taking in the whole perspective.  Servin does not shy away from letting potential customers know this in his value to the aesthetics of a final product.

As Servin goes on to provide when he created stools, one of his latest projects, matching personal tastes of the creator as well as meeting the clients halfway to capture the true creative and solid essence of creating and designing.  Trying to resist the fact that furniture has becoming a trend, and putting the emphasis on functional, but not by itself functional.  Being able to resist the trend to turn out as much as possible, volume, and move towards moving past just knowing furniture and working through stages of design, this seems to be lost on many of the designers Vik Servin sees today.  Trained as a cabinet-maker, then moving into design, and then discovering new areas of transforming his work as well as himself is something he sees lost on many designers today.   With so many bands today, the results disappoint Servin, where it seems designers use such vast resources available for bad design, and less on the process of discovery that can enhance the final product to the level of unique and of quality.

Servin acknowledges the design market is very difficult, just as the process of designing Servin has experienced so many times before.  There are numerous clients, the market is becoming and is more industrial currently, and yet, does that leave room for designers to make an impact and carve out unique personalities for themselves?  Join us for part two of this interview to see how Vik Servin takes what he has learned and has moved into an area where designers can avoid pigeon-hole themselves and set themselves apart based on their process and their individual work.

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The Eastern Shore, National Novel Writing Month, & Inviting You in, 50, 000? Alot more is there…

Posted on December 2, 2017 by Harry Brake

IMG_6791November.  Those of you that know enough of National Novel Writing Month, one thing sticks out to you when you first read about this.  50, 000 words in a month.  No way. Some walk away – but if you think THAT is what makes NANO WRIMO, guess again.  it is a bonus of sort if you restrict days for yourself to reach 50, 000 if not more.  Yet, all is not lost if 50,000 words is not achieved – because so much in between is what matters – and again, the 50,000 words is a goal but not everything.

For example, the people you meet and the places you discover, whether in the story so may writers explore, discover or on  the edge of, or finding the perfect place to be inspired, share, and move forward in your novel – I was lucky enough to find such a place.  

IMG_6790On November 26th, Dawn, a fellow Nano Writer, Dawn, from Delaware and I went into the Main Street Cafe.  The annex onto the size of the restaurant from the outside allows you to wonder how large of an establishment you will enter, but also you see a welcoming mix of holiday that you are sure, and hope – leads to more from within.  

IMG_6788As I went in, meeting the writer I never met before, Dawn, I felt this rushing forward of the interior as I walked into the door, almost as if a shrinking of the room, but, I realized it was the sense of a space fitting to a comfort level.  I almost could SMELL the wood burning, which is based on the wood decor that makes you feel as if you are entering the warmest cabin . Seeing alot of items that jumped out at me as Americana, I found the closest booth but, a personal attraction to all things wood jumped out to me – from the walls, to the floors, to all things that seemed to make up the interior.  After promptly being welcomed and introduced to the menu, I kept expecting the difference in seeing English and Spanish, still an adjustment of moving from Mexico to the states and this still comes back to me. 

Seeing the selection of pancakes, blueberry, I was hooked.  The cordial waitress seemed to be providing list and list of extras that came with the meal, choices of three meats – and I hoped the meal itself would be as enticing as my mind was hearing through my ears.  The orange juice coming in Mason jars matched the style and feel of the decor, and was delicious.  There was a low hum of families and couples taking in the early morning, and everything was relaxed to say the least.  In asking to speak to the manager to obtain some information on this establishment, enjoyed the ease and feel of a small town inside the Main Street Cafe, and it just felt as a sheltered place, away from all the distractions that I could find myself into, to be able concentrate on way neglected period of writing I did find other countless to do’s to interrupt.  There were nearby electric plugs as well to equip writers with devices as needed.

IMG_6775The meal came and wow – enough to cover the plate, I forgot how generous America portion breakfasts could be and this was no exception.  The syrup slid over the hot pancakes and as delicious as you could hope for, and the exact same for the sausage.  It was a challenge to finish simply the order of pancakes and sausage itself. 

 

If this is not filling to you, it is due to it being several days you have not eaten then, otherwise, you will find yourself stuffed. 

After some conversation, I was able to meet IMG_6786Beth Carmac owner.  You immediately received a sense of someone with a very direct purpose, busy, and concerned with many things.  Turns out that would be correct.  Hailing originally from Maryland, affiliations with racehorses in their family, Beth is no stranger to Delaware community.  Once, Carmac managed a restaurant named The Old Country Skillet, and the legacy today has been three former employees now working at The Man Street Cafe in Harrington.  American owned, all homemade meals, Carmac has a to do list that has everything to do with community.  Her involvement and suggestions at City Council meetings, always keep the direct community in mind, and it is satisfying to know a business owner isn’t just about the business at hand, but about the community this business supports.   

Dating back to when this business was Burtons, a slaughter house, and even at one point had sock hops at this establishment. One can see the history of this within the cafe as you sit at a booth to the right.  You are reinforced with the at home feeling at The Main Street Cafe when you see IMG_6784the bar and cashier area, and don’t be afraid to ask what that is made out of., as well as taking in the baked goods within.  All inside has been meticulously  thought of and constructed with care.

The history of the train through Harrington and neighboring towns,  as well as the history, formerly a slaughterhouse, coincides with her philosophy of preserving the past, and reigniting the passion for buildings tat exist already, using what we have, and bring life to buildings and structures that have breathed breath from years’ past.  This is evident in her participation on City Council meetings, pushing for a reignited life for all main streets, and her passion of using creativity to preserve the past.  Her insistence of more individuals taking a heightened interest in their community and having a voice on ideas to improve awareness, coincides with truly making America great with a renewed interest in reinvesting each other in improving community after community by being present and active.  

Having an intense love for cooking, being tied to this location as this is her home above the Main Street Cafe, always been an Eastern Shore girl, with the visions to expand the outside dining area for bands, expanding to a buffet connected to the menu, as well as currently open Friday and Saturdays for dinner, the Main Street Cafe has much to look forward to with the coming Delaware State Fair, definitely being a great place and hub for National Novel Writing members of Delaware, and preserving the very history that surrounds us, there is not much you would WANT to miss in heading to The Main Street Cafe.

When asked what is the coveted dish to test out, Carmac shared us a story of going through 12 gallons of cream of crab soup, in ONE DAY.  Being able to order the cream of crab soup and crab cakes year round, this easily settles that choice from the menu if you are uncertain.  If you mix all these characteristics into one establishment, there is not much more you would need to allow a satisfying experience, add a bit of writing and editing for NANO, and you have quite an experience that if you haven’t checked out Main Street Cafe, you should if you consider the Eastern Shore home or are curious what the Eastern Shore has to offer.

 

Add to this the exquisite homemade jelly and candles available for Christmas, this allows a gift to be given to individuals to tease them in, and after visiting Main Street Cafe, you will be providing a piece of home no matter where they are from.  Back to that element of being active in your community?  After the interview, you would have had a difficult time keeping an eye on Beth Carmac, she was busy taking care of the storefront,on the side of the restaurant with holiday decorations, and mingling with local community members, testament to her belief in being an active participant in the community IMG_6789around you.  Involvement is as involvement does, and it truly seems Main Street Cafe is a hub of all mentioned above, in homemade and NANOWRIMO style.

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PAVEing the way Towards ACtions Needed Behind Sexual Harassment ACcusations

Posted on November 29, 2017 by Harry Brake

Okay – let’s review the obvious.  Yes there has been rapid -fire calling outs of those long overdue that have been able to get away with countless unequal acts of discrimination and it seems the Harvey Weinstein stimulus event started it all and ever since so many have been added to that list and yes, I think this is just the beginning.  There also on the past has been a huge underestimating the power of women and their contributions, such as Hedy Lamarr.

The other day, in lieu of this wave of changes in so many spotlights, I thought there has been a revelation and freeing of discrimination going on behind the scenes, which is overdue of course, but little had been suggested for solutions.  This is the case on many fronts but little suggestions for solutions or a path forward has been suggested.  I thought of this as I overheard a article/podcast  on Hedy Lamarr  –   who?  That question, to me, became a solution.  One HUGE problem has been there have been SO many women that have been pioneers in so many areas, are ONLY being discovered NOW, and there is a wealth of need to discover the prominent women that have indeed been HUGE influencers of invention, ideas, and innovation. 

In lieu of so many defying code of ethics for so long, it is vital BOTH men and women go back and redefine the power women and men, together, can have with EQUAL recognition of their talents and abilities.  Hedy Lamar was a HUGE popular actress but a MAJOR MAJOR intelligent woman who was responsible for the Secret Communication System, securing information from enemies.    

Using power to protect, reform, and change the world for the better is such a dramatic push instead of associations that strive to fame and looks that lead to discrimination and taking advantage of another.  If I have tried to do anything for my students, it has been to empower the most meek individuals, the less represented as is often blamed on the PIPELINE, and contain students who think they have little or nothing to offer, (often in minorities as well) and to offer them a chance to find their niche and love it, and use it to better the world.  I like this look at Silicon Valley’s diversity in what is know as the Pipeline,  As educators – that should be one of one sole focuses – so any profession can find a way to promote the same in others rather that hurt others or prevent them from finding that niche.

It is SO powerful a symbol in Hedy Lamarr, and countless other women alone, that have existed through the ages unknown that have furthered aspects of our society.  it is time we used this period of revealing injustices to offer solutions and justices that can help us move together as a country and world, and reveal the histories, the solutions, and the promise of abetter future to move on from this and not be stuck revealing in the injustices that have existed for so long.

Today at 8PM we will be discussing one particular platform that begins that road to offering Solutions to the issues in front of us, and I hope this is one of many paths that will begin to reveal themselves as ways the country can begin a process of promoting better practices for a better future.

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