Nostalgic Take- Ins

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Harry Brake

Although only a few days were spent in PA, while I planned on doing a whirlwind tour of Pittsburgh and friends, I realized the limited time I actually had.  The rain amind a crazy unseasonably warm day in PA convinced me that spending time with the friends locally allowed the most take-ins of just local stops like Butler, PA, but not much more.  I was grateful, because the brief time I did spend with my friends – I loved every second and wanted to spend more days – however I realized, I need to devote a set amount of time just to Pittsburgh to take in the places I nostalgized about (is that even a word?!)

Getting up to leave, and leaving in general is just plain brutal anyway.  Catching a 5:20 AM Amtrak entailed me leaving Saxonburg at 2:00 AM to catch enough time ot drop off the rental car to the Pittsburgh International Airport, and then, getting a taxi ride to the Amtrak station across the river, in enough time to drop the rental car off – (all this in the hours before most people are up? – including me? – a huge AGH!)

Waking up was easier to do but wanting to stay longer was natural, yet I got myself out, into a early morning rain, and with no one on the road, I made it to the Airport drop off by 4:10 – with a stop at Getgo outside of the airport for a long overdue Sheetz like sandwich and strawberry milk before dropping off the rental car.

Into a Yellow taxi that took me straight to the Amtrak station, seeing the downtown of Pittsburgh I longed for – and knew it needed to be in the cards soon.  Into the Amtrak station, checked a bag, and ready for a long (I felt it already!) trip to D.C..

It is nearly impossible to sleep on a train, even in a deep state of exhaustion, I found myself here and there napping, but getting alot of reading in due to the lack of being able to sleep.  The scenery was amazing, seeing rolling hills, mist settle in the hills and mountains as we winded from PA to lower PA, to West Virginia, into Maryland and past Cumberland, the scenery was amazing.

I always think the best part of writing anything are the personal experiences that occur.  No disappointment here at all.  The lady I found myself sitting next to – through brief discussions as we woke up, lived on the VERY SAME STREET my grandparents did in Pittsburgh, Hawthrone Drive  Even further, we identified the residential area that sat on the hill of Etna, and I was dumbfounded.  Some info she provided me blew me away.   They used to visit Andy Warhol’s brother (original name was WarholA- Andy dropped the A) – now not sure if it was Paul or John, but he was into HAM radio and she told me how he also painted but of course, Andy became the claim to fame part of the family.

Discussing the aspects of Pittbsurgh we remembered was as if I was right there with my family in D.C. rehashing memories.  She had attended Shaler, the same as my Mom, and was aware of Friday Street School as well –  I took notes down of the maiden family name to share with my Uncle who lived on Hawthorne Drive with my Mom in that very circle of the neighborhood we identified.  I was really out of words not knowing how to describe the coincidence.   I have yet to see my Uncle to describe this coincidence but can only wait to do so and see what other coincidences remain.

I have found any trip to D.C. is pretty amazing when I involve Amtrak, the nostalgia, the scenery and the falling into the PA- D.C countryside – but the personal factor of friends and family truly is the element that resides within Holidays, and is the ultimate aside to the money and commericalism that masks itself as a holiday.  To maintain those loyalities to the holidays is what true holidays, family, make new friends, and the nostalgia to visit the past is truly all about 😉

 

 

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Eyesight…

Posted on December 21, 2015 by Harry Brake

I never gave myself a chance to truly reflect on anything before coming to Mexico to tell you the truth, always running, always darting to the next “to do” plan, etc..

Reflecting, literal term – think deeply or carefully about. – “think about, give thought to, consider, give consideration to, review, mull over, contemplate, cogitate about/on, meditate on, muse on, brood on/over, turn over in one’s mind;”

The more I “think” about it, reflecting and eyesight are 100% completely related, at least as far as how lucky I am with the individuals that surround me.

Two months ago – I had surgery that removed my eyeglasses completely – first time that I can remember without glasses – with trepidation of course, eyesight is everything and has been everything with me – the amazing discovery of surgery and watching my eye being transformed right in front of me – reaching for my glasses, oh N0 – I don’t need them anymore – what?  I can see?  HECK YEAH!!!! (One of the best and most patient eye doctors on avenida Chihuahua,  amazing).

Having the opportunity to come to Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh even – and visiting amazing individuals that just, well, are amazing – example in point –

Seeing someone grow up in front of you and seeing the life they lead – and live through, from say from birth to now a teenager, whether of course your own teenager or someone you have seen in front of you grow up as a teenager into a young man or woman – I still feel bar none, it is an amazing experience.

My favorite since birth has been Morgan – an amazing, driven, talented, and just – everything that makes you feel that the future is going to be amazing, bright and successful, wrapped up in one person – that is the person I know in Morgan.  Guided by an amazing parent and surrounded by adult supporters – and being able to guide herself with life’s hurdles, obstacles, and now seeing her planning to go to Penn State? – hearing how she has conquered the trials life has given and oput in her way?  Priceless.  Then there are her sisters, even more the opportunity to realize how lucky I am to spend the days leading up to Christmas with – overall – an amazing prelude to Christmas.   Add to that some extra family members in the house that all are on the road to success – seeing each of them grow up in front of you, yeah, part of you feels old seeing the process and part of this process is magic, being a part of this whole scene.

I realize it is not simple the BEING in Pennsylvania that is the amazingness, but the individuals that really define Pennsylvania for me that make the greatness it is.  Between her Mom’s smile and determination to make sure they have the brightest future possible, the determination and ability you see in their successes from Morgan down to the youngest, and how bright their future is looking to be, you could be 10, 000 miles away and realize how much they have conquered and succeeded.

The the room gets a little bigger, now you don’t just have Morgan, her sisters, her family, you have added to this experience the students that became part of my family through the years, then I realize MY family has always been a part of that equation whether right by my side as I was younger or by my side through technology allowed services, and then I zoom into the students I see graduating 4, 3, 2 and even next year and whoa.

The picture is huge of what accomplishments those around me have achieved, and I can’t do anything but count my blessings.  I find myself of course celebrating the chance to watch an amazing Steeler game win, but it is nothing without being surrounded by the very people that define the whole experience. Rachelle, Joe, Morgan, Jeff, Adam, Amanda, Mackenzie, Madison?  It rocks being in Pennsylvania again but it is even BETTER being in Pennsylvania and seeing how awesome all of you are becoming.

Eyesight is not just a physical thing to be thankful for, but extends to the years I have been lucky enough to see how they’ve grown, (including me)  and I realize, I am so lucky to have the past and current students in my life that have shaped me through the years as well.  Add to that family and the individuals, friends, colleagues, who feel like family?  –  It is not even Christmas and yet the year is already giving back.  Life is good?  Total understatement.  🙂

Great Eyesight        = the individuals that give it to you in the first place!
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‘Tis the Library Season and Reason…

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Harry Brake

Every once in a while I am lucky to have colleagues pass on some reminders of what libraries and librarian are. Usually those articles come right around Christmas – and are gifts in themselves and help me re-examine the role a library and librarian has to the greater public.

Chris Muller, (I know he thought I forgot after all this time, I DID NOT!) sent me an email October 23rd that really was refreshing in seeing how the stereotypes of libraries are being set aside, as well as the stereotypes placed on the role of librarians.

Titled “Reinventing the Library” an article by Alberto Manguel in The New York Times, I continue to realize many aspects of what makes a library timeless. Sure, perhaps the Alexandria Library started the legacy of the importance of libraries. Yet, the patrons themselves help reinvent the library. True, it is the responsiblity of librarians to be creative in reaching out and demonstrating how all kinds of social media, involvement in all areas of the school, how to implement research and creative research to promote not only literacy, but students in a variety of activities, as well as using research to discover happenings in your immediate neighborhood, as well as showing how libraries can motivate those around you, BUT – it is an investment needed by the patrons as well. Every user of a library needs to belive in what the library can do and guess what results? A timeless position in a world where events, innovations, and discoveries, as well as the attention needed for them, change faster than the speed of light. I particularly like the following excerpt from Mr. Manguel’s article:

“If libraries are to be not only repositories of society’s memory and symbols of its identity but the heart of larger social centers, then these changes must be made consciously from an intellectually strong institution that recognizes its exemplary role, and teaches us what books can do: show us our responsibilities toward one another, help us question our values and undermine our prejudices, lend us courage and ingenuity to continue to live together, and give us illuminating words that might allow us to imagine better times. According to the Greek historian Diodorus Siculus, one of the ancient libraries he saw in Egypt carried above its entrance the words: “Clinic of the Soul.””

I find that you, the supporters of all that the library can be, has been, and will be are the reason the stereotypes of old fall away and the librarians of today, in lieu of cuts, budget shortcomings, and evaluations of what is important in a school and what is not, are the scaffold that allows libraries to reinvent themselves.

But there is more…just when I thought I had reached the epitome of stereotyping erasing, colleague John Calvin sent me the article on September 24th, even FURTHER back than Mr. Muller’s that really took the cake – and seemed to just slip the two article together. Tapping into famous author Jorge Luis Borges, writing The Library of Babel, I was blown away. The genius of Jorge Luis Borges is certainly only TAPPED in this article. Yet, a more modern-day take on this by James Colbert in the Colbert report continued to add to the role of libraries today.  Colbert’s audio translation of Jorge Luis Borges’ The Library of Babel also helped me to listen/examine the ideas of being lost in a sea of information fed to us by individual with a designated mission/objective.

Certainly, it is so easy to overlook how Google automatically sets what you receive in hits based on past searches and how so much is controlled in today’s literary experience with the media. Yet, even more emblazoned in the role that libraries play as a stance to this brainwashing that can occur if we succumb to the fact that all is believable. I am and have always been in love with libraries because within, and with the right individual, you can find solace in the fact that libraries can provide the opportunity for truth not influenced by the media, and yet you can still find those examples as well. The comments that were generated from The Colbert Report, from the reference at Jorge Luis Borges’ The Library of Babel, is so interesting, so DEEP, and shows there are individuals that belive in separating from the general amuck of media today.

I see libraries as beacons of truth supported not only by the librarians willing to represent what is true, what is available, what is empowering, but also by the very patrons that belive there is an oasis where one can recline, dive into information that motivates and eases, and believes in the power of true education minus distracting influences. Thank you one and all for your belief that literacy does not have to evolve solely from technology, but can be strong alongside, without brainwashing. Thank you Chris Muller and John Calvin for sending this my way – your beliefs in what the individual can do amid a system is promising!

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Thanksgiving 2015

Posted on November 26, 2015 by Harry Brake

While it is very strange when you have grown up all your life surrounded by the tradition of a Thanksgiving meal, and snow, (ugh!) and then not – you realize one distinct thing.

Thanksgiving is not just food and football (WHAT?) but you look around and you realize –

you are constantly surrounded by people who have helped you create a life – that is full of friends, laughter, tears, and getting through life and making it even better.

I have the gift of always being able to be picked up thanks to the students, friends, family, places, memories, and events that do just that.

You can travel to the far reaches of th world for a different experience, but you’d still realize, without the health, positive vibes needed when most needed, silliness, and chance to be able to do all of the above, life loses its meaning.

You also realize life is full of opportunities to complain and gripe, but even more full of chances to better someone else’s life along the way – and heck, yours too.

I hope everyone of you out there has an amazing Thanksgiving celebrating it in your own way, as well as realizing, how lucky you are to have the chance to reflect on all the things that get you through the roughest of times, as well as the best of times.

There always is a controversy of saying Merry Christmas and having the word Christ in the word, can you imagine that being the case with Thanks in Thanksgiving? I hope you have a GREAT Thanksgiving, get some of the traditional football game in, as well as having a chance to thank those around you for your life up to this point 🙂

Hopefully you’ll grab a meal that will remind you of all this, whether it is turkey or otherwise 🙂

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Journeys Easing Your Total Being…

Posted on November 23, 2015 by Harry Brake

Patzcuaro. (Check out #10 at that link).

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Maybe next to Xochimilco, the hardest most difficult spelling for me, NO IDEA WHY. I knew from a coworker who lives there, how difficult the chance to reserve a spot here for Day of the Dead was, is, and will be. So when Peter WIncker’s Azteca Travels offered this, I JUMPED. I was EXCITED, what a better place to try a different take on Day of the Dead? (I really didn’t know!)

The whole trip – I could go on and on and on – but yes, worth every single photo snapping, culture immersing, archaeological- soaking – venture was WORTH IT! So much excitement approaching the Island of Janitzio, at night was was like a movie, it was amazing. I volunteered to sit in the back of the van, the ONLY thing, I really don;t want to ever do that again, EVER. 😉 The trip was one more reason why Mexico is just – AMAZING – from the hotel Mision, finding a bar/restaurant late at night one night, stacked full with motorcyclists and finding out through conversation with the owner he just inherited this – inviting us back and just taking in the magic of hospitality, friendliness, and festivity among traditions – there was NOTHING like it.

I have to note, Sophia, the daughter fo one of the trip attendees was also amazing, she is in Middle School but give her a camera and wow. That was as much fun as anything seeing her talent bloom in such a place as well.

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Today, November 23rd, I find myself on my way to Puerto Escondido, the FiRST time in five years I have been to a beach in Mexico – I know go ahead, get the “No WAY’S” out of the way, but yeah, I am excited as you can imagine. Just as I see a bit of Mexico in every restaurant I take in, I also see a reason why things are time they way they do, and I see a bit of myself in the places and time I choose to visit. Some I discover as I go, but overall, Mexico has been a magical place of constantly rediscovering myself and other, and that probably is the truest gift I could ever desire.

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Forums for Growth

Posted on November 22, 2015 by Harry Brake

Looking back to an event everyone on Repentino. was excited about – the November 5th Open Mic, the first time held at a restaurant – an open air restaurant – in Roma Norte – of course we were nervous. Strip away all the amazing talent, the extensive planning, and the fact that it is an Open Mic and exciting in itself – and you are left with an experience that redefines itself, and I find my self learning something every single time.

OR

Maybe it is the fact that November is National Novel Month (NANO) and I am embroiled in events up to my neck and I am reaching a state of euphoria? Actually, I think NANO and Open Mic go hand in hand. This is my reasoning.

While it looks like, and sounds like maybe a talent show, there is more than meets the eye. The same with NANO. BOTH are opportunities to take what you have learned in a traditional educational setting and apply them in a real world situation. There is no greater gift, no greater opportunity to learn, then to work outside of the classroom sometimes as well. both give you the time to do so. I have been lucky enough to see bona-fide – determined writers come into an Open Mic and leave their graduating year with the talents of choreography and dancing, never once having been on their mind in the beginning. They were inspired to extend themselves. Confidence, nervousness, and experimentation go hand in hand. The certainly do so at Open Mic, and testing the limits of discipline and creativity are at every turn.

So you mean to tell me NANO offers the same thing? There is no stage, there are no mics, there are no Tech Clubs and planners, organizers, admin and parents to support this. Well, you’d be wrong to think otherwise. The stage is the notebook or laptop used to record the thoughts, experiences, photographs taken, th adventures not yet ventured and still, BEHIND that layer, it is a month truly of total abandon. People rediscover what makes them alive, what makes them THEM when they furiously sprint through words that in th beginning they have NO IDEA WHERE they are headed. The virtual writing prompts allow them to experiment with ideas, not their own but that become their own by the end. The forums connect them with people all over the WORLD that share ideas, creativity, and possibility. The injection of the experiences in and out of the classroom,all right there.

You realize many things as well. If you are in a line of work that allows you to take part in these experiences, you also realize you have a job that allows you to rediscover yourself. The misconception is that a) You need to have a job where you receive the highest position the highest pay, the most lucrative location — (false) and that B) Events like Open Mic and NANO are entertainment, are completely set aside for recreation (once again, false).   Once you run through such an event, you realize, that is a small, small portion of it, but the larger aspect of that is being given time to find out a little more about yourself, rediscover your past, and celebrating the things that have happened in a variety of ways. These two venues for sure allow you to do this. What better way to truly be happy than to have the TIME to do so? For the first 10 years of teaching I never had the chance to sit down, (or stand up) and actually practice something I wrote, read, or created and present it to a larger group of individuals.

Once I did this, I found wow, my time, the time I need to reflect on things that have occurred and that mean something to me? That us just as valuable as the time I am in the “workshop” of the classroom creating new possibilities. I value the things i have been able to achieve in the last few years but that is such a half truth. The I have achieved is not even remotely possible without those around me, than enabled me to have those culminating moments. Those I speak of ? Admin that support the activities that allow individuals to grow, the participants that take a risk to put themselves  out there, the educators that get as excited as the participants and push individuals every day to take risks and think outside of the box. The enables of such programs that show education and learning is a “messy” experience, one that is not restricted to lectures and motions, but actions. The mentors that continue to support al of the above, usually in the line of colleagues, peers, business owners, parents, and so many, many more.

NANO and Open Mic? Both successes, and all you need is the support of those around you, the creativity and experiences in a life, and NOT the need to be creative, you have that already in your life, all you need is to dig down a bit and deep. You’ll  surprised what comes out and is rediscovered that you become oh so thankful for!

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A Man walks into a Grocery store…

Posted on November 21, 2015 by Harry Brake

…that’s right – not a bar, a grocery store. Here is a great story for ya!
So I am in Sumesa, getting ready for a Thanksgiving dinner, making Peach Cobbler – still in my ASF shirt but trying to get the ingredients prepared for the next day meal – and a guy walks up to me.

“You still work at the American School?” Startled, I thought, well, okay my shirt. I looked at him and he looked SO familiar. I found out why. When I first came to Mexico City, literally like the first month, an awesome massage therapist here, Screen Shot 2015-11-21 at 7.50.20 AMMark Bazzell,

Screen Shot 2015-11-21 at 7.50.36 AMtook me in and took me to places he knew I could get furniture for my apartment. One was a location in Roma Norte, a PACKED building full of furniture up to the hilt, used, by treasures (no longer there I asked!). This man was the man in the building that helped me sort through the floors of all the FURNITURE!

Now get this – I no longer have my glasses, my hair is cut short, and he recognized me five years later. It made me look bad in being able to remember anything at all. WOW. In the course of conversation, he helped me with transferring the ingredients of shortening, Baking Powder (Magy from ASF already helped me with that) and a few other ingredients, while also searching for Lemon Juice in the store – ONE BOTTLE LEFT! – HECK YEAH!

I mean, how crazy and funny is this moment? A part of my past like 5 years ago, in the form of this amazing guy and now – he fishes early in the AM and brings the fresh fish to supply restaurants in the area with! WHOA! The cool adventures he now embarks on, and just the fact that we stood there in the aisle and had conversations ranging from what our Repentino. students have been doing, his change in careers, his ambitions helping build my basket with items I still had difficulties with, and really walking out with him and just conversing like we had picked up from the first day I arrived? – moments like these, with some really genuine individuals – are moments that build to the countless days and moments we should be thankful for constantly – leading to Thanksgiving.

So MUCH has happened in the last three months, and I have lagged but catch up is inevitable. Stay tuned, so many things to celebrate and Thanksgiving is the PERFECT backdrop. That pie – yeah – it was amazing because it was surrounded by some amazing people!

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Quilted, Jilted, Gilded, and Still Learning…

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Harry Brake

An amazing and beautiful night, Dizzie Gillespie and Etta James as amazing as they always can be belting into the night, and you realize, life is absolutely amazing in so many ways.

It is difficult to describe some moments, ideally everyday, if captured in pictures would remind us of how we are so incredibly lucky to have the people and experiences around us, despite the bad that comes along with it.  My attempt at a blog here was to attempt to capture information that is deemed valuable so the use of a blog can outlive it’s life, and serve to continue to help others beyond when it was created.  Yet, along the way, just as in life, I have picked up so much more.

This past week, one of the best film festivals in the world – The Mexican International Film Festival kicked off October 15th and ends today.  Last night to me was the culmination, but more on that later.  Check out what was offered that I was able to catch in between so much going on:

Last of the Elephant Men  – The beauty of nature and the horror of humans to destroy it.

Tobias  The amazing Oaxaca-based story of a young man that is determined to use his present to determine his future.

Naked War  A deeper look into what feminism is and the efforts it takes to bring truer actions out from others – powerful.

Twelfth Man – Being on the other side of the soccer lines – awesome.

Ausencias   – The start of this film takes your breath away and then reaches into your soul and sits awhile – and then leaves you with so many emotions, you are speechless.

Chau, Beyond the Lines – Heartwrenching yet eye opening for each of us to make a difference in the world and when we think we are, there is so much more that can be done.

Memin: Cronica de un boxeador  LOVE the words and comments – and inspiration this AmazIng Mexican trophy winning boxer documents.

The Invisibles     So true, we often get used to seeing the homeless and this unique depiction of individuals that need our hope inspired me in seeing this video of an genuine man – homeless, receiving a $1000.00 lottery ticket – Screen Shot 2015-10-25 at 8.05.06 PMand he just broke down with amazement it touches you to your soul.  Check my Facebook page and scroll down a bit, it is SO WORTH THE view.

 

 

Act, Way, and Wind  – This compilation of mashed videos and montage music and images  100 different meanings an interpretations result.

Then Then Then   Amazing look at various protects and a call to awaken to civic responsiblity of the past and the future.

Tijuana Strangers   The gritty reality of live on the streets and how one individual can make a difference.

La derrota – Wow – I was taken back in seeing how hard it was to get the losing fighter out, I need to research more about this – I know nothing.

El Sudor de la agonia it is so easy to look past the reality of a country’s needs – if it were not for these type of experiences, we would go through life unflinching to those in need around us.

Amy – WOW – I mean in Parque Mexico, a beautiful sky, a beautiful night, and a story that  CAPTIVATES you and truly, heart-breaking.  I looked up at the sky, and was amazed at the beauty of the night, and being able to witness this looking the full life of Amy Winehouse and HATED the fact I watched her perform live only the last few years of her life.

Her voice is like no other kind for her age, her spirit and energy as she flipped through and was excited about Jazz records – then calling her friends and saying “You’ve GOT to listen to this one!” That was the Amy Winehouse that went on to put chills UP AND DOWN your spine when you hear the words, tones, and what she was capable of – we are very rarely to hear the likes of Etta James and Natalie Cole among us and for sure, from the album she recorded with Tony Bennett to seeing the thrill she had when she put herself into her grief and then through her singing – her mournful story and what she left behind us was felt by everyone of the hundreds that were there Saturday night, it was an experience that is once in a lifetime, and it was certainly something that changes how you feel about many things.  Sounds silly, its music right?  But there was so much more in the layers that were unveiled – an amazing night.

Screen Shot 2015-10-25 at 8.20.20 PMCan you believe it?  Aside from the five awards the 2014-2105  staff has obtained for a fourth Repentino. it is SO exciting, SO EXCITING to see a young staff come into their own building on what has been created from previous years.  Without realization, each year keeps becoming successful because of the know how and learning of the year before and even though many staff don’t know everything that has been done the year before necessarily, they rely on the energy and creativity of the staff before them to continue this belief in spreading that creativity to the communities around them.  I am so excited for the Repentino. staff and the hard work they have put for this event and am excited to be getting this streamed live – so much excitement for them that this will be a landmark moment for them, – I can’t put into words how much I love them and am proud of them  🙂

I have three more amazingly important topics that have touched deep thanks to topics that those around me have brought up, so I am going to focus on those for the next blog, they are that important – in the meantime hearing All I Can Do Is Cry by Etta James and At Last brings an night of cool air, on a rooftop in Mexico, on a night full of thanks for nights like this when so many near tragedies occur around us, I am truly thankful for having the moments to reflect and appreciate all around us.  Add in Lady Be Good by Dizzie Gillespie – again – no words!

Quilted, Jilted, Gilded, and Still Learning?   Amazing how life experiences are like a quilt, sewn together and definitely connected when you have some amazing people to talk about these experiences and exchange the reactions to events that occur around us – Jilted, as is true, so many people get jilted and ask, “Why Me?” instead of – “What can I do to make this a positive situation for me and other around me?” (I am majorly guilty of this)  – Still learning?  I realize I have so much of that to do.  Amazing what a simple Amy Winehouse movie can do, but her life – just no words I can put to describe what I felt after that view.

 

 

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October and November, Cornucopia of Experiences All Around.

Posted on October 18, 2015 by Harry Brake

It’s that time of year!   Yes, it is Fall, yes, Day of the Dead Celebrations, yes National Novel Writing Month in November,  but  YES!  – Mexico’s International Film Festival is BACK!

Last year – pretty incredible and this year’s looks to be great too.  Starting the 15th of October, I only started attending tonight, and love that there are 10 different places to view the documentaries!

Seeing the first film in Parque Rio de Janeiro tonight, titled, Duda razonable.  El case de Florence Cassez, wow.  The basic info is of course listed on Wikipedia, but seeing Florence Cassez in France now, seeing the footage from a staged arrest that wasn’t really the actual thing, (that scares me ALOT that the press and police allowed a “staged” arrest to occur), on top of the eyewitnesses and victims of el secuestro (kidnappings) stated it was her, and Florence Cassez denying it, back and forth, hearing the judges, hearing the attorneys, as well as the government, police in on so many angles, your head swims.  This reminds me of the Amanda Knox incident with extrdition and two countries at odds.  It is amazing though, with international film festivals, especially those of documentaries, you don’t realize what events even occurred, eye opening is an understatement.  This is only one of many that will dazzle.  How lucky are we to have such a festival in our back yards?

This year I find myself in Patzcuaro, and I have heard this is THE place to be to experience Day of the Dead – very excited.  I always am amazed at the long list of practices, beliefs, and background, as well as the similiarities, and differences this celebration carries.  All part of the magic of enjoying the culture of Mexico and having amazing experiences in the United States with haunted houses, fall pumpkin patches, and more.

National Novel Writing Month is kicking into gear, and becoming even more exciting.  We have students who are represented on Amazon from their novels, teachers finishing their novels, and students from kindergarten in summer school gearing up to finish their stories, and just received its to reward those that meet their goals in writing, it is exciting to have the Upper School Library and Repentino. pair up to find the exciting parts of writing, more than just numbers.

Add to that the breakfast we have on October 30th in the student lounge in the Upper School first floor lounge to celebrate participants, October is definitely full and that is not mentioning it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Global Dignity Day Wednesday and tons more!

There is much ugliness in the world, we see and hear that every day.  Yet, the numbers of people who have a good heart, have access to social media that can chnge the feelings of despair, isolation, and helplessness is great, so hopefuly you can see the exciting events happening around you, and incortporate some time into adding a small, or large, aspect of how you can make a difference not only on Wednesday, but for weeks leading up to what we are thankful for on Thanksgiving!

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Ramblings of a Mexican Nature

Posted on October 10, 2015 by Harry Brake

Just when you think you have an area, a neighborhood, a country defined, it seems to me the perfect place to live is a place that constantly keeps you surprised and interested. Currently, I am intrigued with the people and beautiful situations I find myself within at Mexico City.

Taking in a variety of baseball games this Friday was a luxury in itself. Looking back over a week of struggling, working, and putting in hours to achieve what seemed to be mini goals (it felt like wading through quicksand all week!) – Friday’s simple pleasure of napping, interviewing a few artists for Repentino., (more to interview than I had time!) – napping – then simply escaping to a comfortably private nearby restaurant and viewing the baseball games coming into the World Series, this was Friday I longed for – well for ages. Yet – these simple pleasures were only the beginning.

Wanting to try out an invitingly new establishment known at La Docena in Roma Norte, I finally had my chance. After comfortably falling into relax mode, I wandered out at 10:15 PM to the nearby Oyster Grill/Bar. Immediately, I was welcomed by the manager, and we began talking about my reaction to this newly opened restaurant. Before I knew it, aside from being amazed by dish after dish of DELICIOUS and Delaware-reminding meals, without warning, I became engaged in a conversation with one of the most fascinating women I ever met. Here’s why.

I have found so many people NEEDING to be with someone everywhere they go, be it the need for a person to accompany them to the theatre, to a museum, to a restaurant, for a walk, everywhere. We talked about this anomaly (love that word) and yet discovering things on your own? Discovering people on your own unexpectedly? I admired the independence of this woman and she commented on how to her, it seemed I strode in wanting to take in everything – whether friends were with me or not. Yes we both agreed to something way more attractive than being with someone or searching out someone to be with all the time, was the fact of individuals who remain individuals, instead of trying to visibly shake off that indviduality.

I realized how exciting Mexico is and how fortunate I have been able to meet such a diverse group of friends, while being able to maintain my freedom to go anywhere I want, anytime I want, and meet extraordinary individuals who recognize the doing things on your own? – a privilege and not a stigmatism as is so applied to someone –anyone – doing something alone. What cracked me up was the perception of women, and men, who are by themselves, as she brought up, as being negative. We laughed at all the incidents where people try to cover for their embarrassment of being alone in places when in fact, they should be quite happy! True, she made my night but it is refreshing to see someone of the opposite sex dive headfirst into a conversation topic and be so passionate about it, and then go on to engage someone in how they feel and not try to agree on everything, but remain their own person – what a night.

Looking at this experience, and taking in all in the backdrop, the run for the World Series, Mexico and United States soccer tonight, and having this window of freedom, freedom to take in so incredibly much – on your own time – it is exhilarating. Every day, despite the stress many feel day to day during the work week, (still working on that one!) is a new day, new people and individuals that can lighten your load and make you feel better about each new day. Of course there is the down side that involves people you feel you are obligated to please, which feels like you are churning butter to have a inspirational conversation with, (like it’s work!) – and well, just as in life, you do much better by yourself to remove yourself from complainers, whiners, take for granted-ers, selfish seekers, and on and on and when you surround yourself with individuals that allow you to feel as if you can take on any adventure, any experience, life becomes 100 times better all over.

Relationships are funny, and tricky, and stressful, and exhilarating, and depressing, motivating, uplifting, and so much more, if I could really sit long enough, the experiences and near to death experiences I felt my heart has felt (along with others I am sure) – these scenarios still amaze me that I have come through with some amazing positive aspects at all, and some days/weeks, I certainly don’t – which makes me quite far from being close to being attractive when those days /weeks appear. Yet – the moments you truly soak in that things are going to be okay, when the conversation /ideas flow unconsciously with someone you may know or may not know at all, such experiences only add to the magic of celebrating the great things life has to offer.

It is warming to have some dynamic memories of the eastern shore waves lapping at your back as you submerge in the incoming tide, the smell of salt and the taste of boardwalk fries on your lips – the scent of pine as you corner the cross country course and feel your heartbeat and nothing else, the feel of smiling inside and outside when surrounded by students you make you so optimistic about the future, the intense feeling of happiness with just amazing people, new and familiar by your side, and just having the confidence to choose any given moment to share with others or not anyone at all – life can be absolutely amazing, and it becomes the single, individual, defining moments that linger with us and carry us through those difficult, depressing, and often hard times and weeks.

I feel very fortunate to have been allowed to delve into learning more about myself by being in Mexico City, which I felt I finally was given the gift of being able to have time to do so. To stumble across that random individual who helps bring those feelings and moments out even more – just as the slogan say, that is priceless. Moments as when I found myself in the middle of Saint Louis in 2006 when the Cardinals grabbed the World Series and I wore that very hat tonight – the feeling of being in the middle of a city that treasured such a moment – a gift.  Screen Shot 2015-10-10 at 2.32.15 AM

Finding myself in the middle of Chicago when the Black Hawks won the Stanley Cup, I just was amazed taking it all in. Sure, some of the most dynamic moments have been with sports, I always remember being whisked away in a limo as a VERY young age, seeing the Steelers surrounding the casket and mourning the Rooney family when I was in Pittsburgh and even at that young age I knew and was aware of an amazing event. This always stuck with me as what I wanted my city to reprersent, this commitment to family, the community, the people that matter in your life, this attitude of respect.  Couple these memories with the years of friends that gave me something that still remains with me, a joke, a laugh a friendship tested my hard times, and so much more, Mexico City is just the icing on a cake – of a lifetime filled with more treasure than a dragon’s lair in Lord of the Rings, (laughing).

It is amazing what can be revealed from just a relaxed, down to earth, honest conversation over an amazing meal. When I named my section of the blog, Restaurants as a Second Home, I didn’t realize the depth of how iconic every restaurant can be – how symbolic each place can be of something about Mexico or about each of us. Life is a funny thing, but everyday, worth celebrating even in the midst of so many difficult aspects that make life, rewarding.

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