29:15.  That was my time.  Believe it or not, 15^th for men, 41st overall in a 158 person race, and yet, with better shoes, better breathing practice, better training, I feel I could have been at least in the 23ish time bracket.  Five minutes difference is a whole race in your mind.  Yet, it makes me hungry that I have caught the running bug once again.  Having my picture in the conference papers at the 5k at the beginning of the race, makes me look better than my time was (laughing), the soreness in my legs reminds me how much work is worth the gains you experience later.

As I watch the film onboard and hear this line,

“Delusional Self Methology – whole farming town fantasy – without the plant, without the industry, there was nothing.”

It’s funny, as I travel back to Mexico, I find myself rather nostalgic about my time here (Chicago).   This quote above sits in the recesses of my thoughts and makes me realize, there is something bigger than what money, fame, and the expectations of others or what people think of you or your actions can do to a person.

Exactly, one week ago, I left Mexico City for a Chicago I had come into 2 years ago in the dead of winter.  This time, familiar-like and nostalgic, I fell in love with the gardens, slow walks possible in a huge city, high landscapes, and the embracing sentiments of a once country boy amid a huge city.  I threw myself into two million people, celebrated the Chicago Blackhawks (not my team), yet still happy for them.  Add to that meeting some amazing celebrities, talking with them as long lost friends, and acquiring a new list of friends and contacts that will allow others to grow from and use and hopefully, hopefully, pass on.  This is the problem, well not a problem but a personal worry, a pet peeve so to say:

Remember when there was a saying that your parents might have told you way back when:  People can be jealous of you, so that explains why some people do the things they do, say the things they say, and think the way they think.  Hence, in lieu of conferences, which are great, meeting new people even better, but if it ends there, IF IT ENDS there, what use is it?  If each of those uses are maximized,  the small moments we have with the experiences capitalized upon, people and opportunities we have to grab a piece of something that will make the opportunities we spend with others more valuable, isn’t that what should matter?

I get disappointed, as I am sure many are, when there are many more critics of what others  (myself in this case) do, when the critics themselves do nothing.  I remember a word of advice from one of the many amazing people I met that struck true to me.  You surround yourself with people that support you, raise your spirit up and not hold you back, hinder you, etc.  I will go back in my notes and find the person, be it Oliver Stone, Octavia Spencer, or Janis Ian, but whether the person matters or the timeframe it was said matters, what matters most is the action that resulted.

I realized one thing, the hardest day I every had was the day I stood up for what I believed in, and walked away from a history of building a community of people that will grow into the future; members of society that pass that pattern of giving back to the community and not making the 80% of action be how it can benefit yourself.  Leaving a family of Cross Country runners, PAVE members, yearbook staff, Key Club members, and so many more, as a difficult day but a change for the better, I just did not know it!  The very conferences I try to go and make presentations to, meeting as many celebrities and celebrities that are not known yet celebrities due to the fact they impact so many other students,  that contain a spark that will be left behind for future generations to do the same.  With that perspective, leaving a familiar situation was/is not so hard if you try, at least try, to go on and protect those same people, follow them, and continue to want to nurture them with the actions of reaching even more people to set that spark into a flame, exciting people about what is possible.

Back to my pet peeve- when people take my going to conferences and take my actions to be self serving to put my name in the spotlight with famous and soon to be famous people, or just to draw attention to possibilities that can be created, it eats at me, lol, then I am afraid, people do not know me.  A personal statement about this, these conferences are an opportunity to spread the chance of tooting the accomplishments of all those amazing students that I had been lucky enough to spend time with them.

Overall, this is my deal.  How many of you remember that one class moment, that one classroom moment, you will remember FOREVER?  I remember so many, SO many, that I am one of the lucky ones. I have many of those moments and not the ones that require me to reach into my memory and try to remember  a classroom opportunity that just involved passing out the same tests, the same papers day in and day out.  I fight inside against that kind of teaching.  I have never been the shushing, be quiet kind of person, be it a librarian, a teacher, or an educator.  I have always been and forever will be the supporter of wanting to see things happening, occurring, sometimes loud, and sometimes quiet, never passive never settling for the minimum, but striving and reaching for the maximum.

I have had so many awesome people along the way to believe in that and willing to jump into something and get their hands “dirty”. When people try to conform me, question me, or complain about the things I do, the places I go, or the reasons I putting myself into that arena, remember this,  if it were for solely up to me, then I would not want to share the “sandbox” of  opportunity with anyone else (so to speak).  Yet, it is EXCITING to challenge others and get them excited as well.  It is hard for me to get past those comments, thoughts, or predictions of the amazing people or experiences I have been lucky enough to have been exposed to, and have an opportunity to brag about our accomplishments,  yet, the only reason they do happen is an open opportunity to share with others to build a larger base of possibility.   The energy and charisma that runs in my family’s blood, thanks to my Mom and Dad, and the striving for a better world all feed that energy.  If our future generations didn’t care to pass on that energy, have the willingness to go the extra mile, as well as the ability to see how they can take an experience, synthesize it, and then pass it on to another, then this has all been in vain; I would hate to think that would never be the case.  So there it is, my pet peeve wrapped up into a ball of external complicated situations and explanations, but at the end, a thankfulness for the amazing experiences that allow us to take these and transform ourselves into something larger than the idea of ourselves.

Somewhere along the line, I became sensitive to the perceptions of others but moreso, wanting my actions to benefit others.  If I feel the pressure of others thinking otherwise, I find myself needing to distance myself and working on how I can better do that; sometimes that means doing those things alone for awhile, yet ultimately, it is amazing to know, and appreciate, the many people that have been a part of my experiences, and themselves go on to achieve great things.  I think that is part of what a family legacy, as well as a personal legacy should be, at least for me, to pass it forward and push them more into the spotlight of success.

Leaving Chicago was bittersweet, I fell in love with the flexibility the city had with my many experiences the second time around.  Coming back to the states always has that effect, wondering, What if?  Coming back to the states for me,  I always see this as impossible, but in reality, the impossibility is me coming back to the states as an educator.  That door seems it has permanently closed, mainly because I want too many things to be different for our education to be better.

I can’t be cookie cut into a shape if I do not agree with the end means, and I want the best possible end means for my students.  I do not see that best end means for my students in a typical United States classroom currently.  Unless I can make that happen, then I can’t be in that setting, and I am glad I know that enough to not force myself to be in that situation; so Mexico it is for me, and believe me, I love Mexico and the chance to be reborn in that educational setting again.

If an opportunity ever presents itself for me to capitalize on the changes of education to make more permanent changes to the way education reaches future generations,  I can’t say I wouldn’t take it, but it would have to be a life changer, as the Mexico experience has been.   I have been given matchless opportunities in the past to values the unique characteristics of a variety of students that fell under my care, past and present.  I do feel people take the profession of teaching lightly, and when that profession is passed on lightly to others, not doing the all time best that can be done, I admit, I have 0% tolerance of that – so there is that about me.

However, I am growing and learning so much to make myself a better educator with the people I meet, the conferences I experience, when I am able hear others’ voices, I try to stretch that to many others; I hope that continues to help others out around me.  To me, that is worth it’s weight in gold.  Not with others’ opinions about why I am doing certain things I am doing, and trying to rationalize it, but with the true knowledge of who I am thanks to those that have become a part of my life, I am grateful to just keep going on and being encouraged to reach higher and try to meet and reach more people.   It is with these thoughts I come back to Mexico from Chicago, and try to disseminate to others, passing on so many and much of who I met and what I learned; to try and help and motivate others and give them a spark that will ultimately turn into a fire.  These opportunities come by once in a lifetime, and I am hoping to make the best of this one…having been a teacher  and felt cornered, everyone needs opportunities for a game changer in their overall plan!

DON’T FORGET,  to see info specific to the ALA Conference look at my blog, Sneaking into the Library.  I will be updating with new info the next 2 days!  Thanks!

http://whatchmacalit.wordpress.com

Former post about the 5k preparation and more to follow POST 5k Soon!

I can’t even put into words how incredible today was, but tomorrow…6:00 AM I am getting on the bus to run a 5k, my first 5k in AGES, I am as nervous as heck – but have a feeling that something surprising will happen if I get my mind straight…to be continued and fingers crossed…:)   To be continued…and here we are the actual fay of the race, lol, SUNDAY, and let’s show what can be done on a good day…:)

(Wednesday) As I sit in Benito Juarez Airport, I reflect on the last few weeks, and wow, the realizations of things that have happened and haven’t…you’ll love this upcoming post…:)

(Thursday) It has been awhile, but oh what an awhile it has been!  So let’s get in there…J

Thank you again for being a part of this blog, thanks again to you, we will hit 12000 hits on this blog in June, 4 away from that as of last night and wow – I hope many of you contribute and add comments as we go along too – thank you so much!

Me, yes, at the Chicago Bean!

Let me start what is freshest – Chicago.  ALA Conference.  Two years ago I was here in the cold of November for NCTE it seems so long ago – and now it is sunny, warm, amazingly humid (it feels good !)  and find myself at a restaurant right now, for breakfast down from the Chicago Hilton, this restaurant called Brasserie – wow – beautiful front windows, 10.00 crepes, and worth every penny.  I laughed because I am having a crepe filled with Nutella and covered with fruit, the Nutella brought me back to Mexico…   The crepe is amazing and I have a couple (mother and child) sitting beside me speaking French, so it seems perfect – the crepe, ohmygosh, I want tons of them, lol  Delicious, soft and the right touch of Nutella!   The French music on top of that all was also a great idea!

$3.00 for the coffee and two free refills, and coffee I heard everyone commenting on, okay, so I will save it for the restaurant portion of my blog, sorry to get carried away, it IS food after all…

The day will be exciting starting with The Freedom To Read Foundation meeting at the Chicago Hilton, a Foundation that works alongside ALA – this will be interesting to see what involvements are available there at 8:30 (8:10 now, so I am inhaling the breakfast!)

Last Night coming in, I arrived at 10:00 PM roughly, made it through extensive lines of baggage and then, hit my first sub place in ages, it was nothing upper exciting but DELICIOUS – DELICIOUS – and packed to the hilt.   The two employees were so incredibly welcoming and nice (the chef and his partner, though his partner was shy for the camera).  It was a very warm welcome to Chicago – and I loved this as my first American meal – it was delicious – and they were so welcoming ; what else could you ask for after a long flight.

The anticipation leading up to the flight… I love a good story and this is one!

I get to the airport, all is well – checked in, baggage, no problem…I am there way early, and managed to see on the way to the general terminal yes. American Airlines in on the board, just no designated gate yet…no problem, right?

Well, it disappeared, I mean gone every board I looked at, no mention of that flight, weird I thought but well, I was early.  It will reappear, or so I thought. Then out of the blue, comes Sharon Wojciechowski , the Lower School Special Education teacher, I was like, wait?  Another ASF going to CHICAGO?   Turns out, poor Sharon had been waiting for this flight to Chicago since MONDAY – and this was Wednesday – but why?   The ash from the erupting volcano was on the planes and they were not satisfied yet, so I was wondering, crap!  DELAYS, cancellations?  Popocatepeti was causing some serious problems!  Will I be stuck here?  I had no idea!  So Sharon kept asking and we kept being assured that it was coming…yada yada….and I was like, it better be here if they are saying it left…

Sure enough ta da!  HERE!  YEAH!   While waiting, Sharon gave me a long list of must see’s in Chicago (her hometown).  I won’t tell them all to you right now, BUT, I am planning on seeing them all!  J  We landed, made it out, I took the Blue Line metro to close to the Chicago Hilton, and arrived at the AWESOME hoagie place listed above – a hoagie, submarine, hero, whatever you want to call it, it was AWESOME having it after so long!

I plunked down exhausted and found they did make a mistake, I received a HUGE 2 bathroom hotel room with 2 separate double beds, and I thought, Sure, I will keep this room!

Second day – Thursday I was ready to tackle, the day even if I had this amazing headache.  HEADACHE!   I forgot!  NO MORE braces!! YEAH!  I was able to get my braces off thanks to Cynthia Castro, the first time in like over 8 years!  EIGHT YEARS of braces, – it feels AMAZING…. A M A Z I N G  😉

I was out the door and to the very interesting search was to find breakfast and get back for the 8:30 Freedom to Read meeting.

WOW.  You’ll have to see also the comments on the restaurant page (#’s 71-73 in Chicago so far!) that I experienced,  AWESOME – awesome restaurant, awesome place, great way to start out the day!

I came back and wow, I had no idea the issues would be discussed that were discussed – you can also go to my section devoted just to library items here: Library Emphasized page 😉

It was a GREAT first day of PREConference, and overall, I was VERY excited.

There is MUCH potential with being among international folk to contribute so many cool aspects to what is going on in the world, and if you have someone willing to roll up their sleeves, and be willing to be active as well in the middle of things, then you begin to see how someone as a librarian is truly your most valuable asset to a school hands down.  I like the diversity being a librarian offers and can hand you, and in turn what you can turn around and hand to others.  Let me say, the Chicago Public Library?  IMPRESSIVE!

After that exciting part, I quickly exited as they went into parts of the session that were covered in the handouts I had, then, I printed out a copy of my employee id, (me!) Harry to show I was a librarian for access into the museum and other places for a discount, as wel as other session that would let me in with proof I was in education ( I did not think to bring my school id,) ;(  from the Fed Ex office (excellent service there actually, cool!), travelled to the Convention Center, holy cow, it takes up like 6 blocks, lol…a palace! – THEN – onto getting my registration, signing up for a 5k (yes, I did) – my first one in YEARS, lol….it should be interesting….:)   – Heading from there to the hotel and finding some orientation and taking tons of pictures of Chicago, you can see on my Facebook album now, the sky yesterday?  Picture perfect!

From the amazing fountain (Buckingham Fountain), to the street views, to just wow, amazing…ever since I was in Takoma Park, MD with my cousins, and found the thrift store there with amazing numbers of Levi jeans, I wanted to check the thrift stores in large cities, I was on a trek to do that here…in Chicago – epic fail, I got lost, wrong bus, wrong train, and eventually just ended back at the hotel, lol.  However, going to Dick’s Last Resort, the restaurant where the staff can be rude (In Chicago), well, you’ll have to check the comments on restaurants, but it was worth it, totally, lol. Night time in Chicago – AWESOME…:)

However, the Farmer’s Market with Rhubarb jam – DELICIOUS!  Little did I know I’d have to eat the whole jar trying to get on the plane, but, it was DELICIOUS, just in one helping!  I wanted more take back with me! 

I tried out the reception held by the Freedom to Read Foundation but I was too late, getting the time wrong when I got there, no food, and most of the people had already oriented themselves 😉  It was fine as I settled in and even now, as I prepare to go see the Blackhawk Hockey celebration    – I am trying to get the backlog of blogs done today.  I feel like I have had a good start to Chicago and look forward to the list of items I received from Sharon, at the airport, that I needed to see and do in Chicago – stay tuned!  I liked the ONE Book, ONE city idea!  Here we go, my first ALA experience and hoping it will be memorable.  The sites, and places to see have been amazing, so all in all, if it were cut short already, I’ve had some amazing opportunities!

The one deep thought I had on the plane from Mexico City to here, was how amazingly blessed I have been to have had the students, friends, and family supporting me in all my endeavors.  I truly believe you can do anything, go anywhere, and impact a wide circle of people when you have others believing in you – there is no doubt in my mind whatsoever.  I am proof that whatever you want to do, you can do.  I still believe this today no doubt.  The most powerful things to overcome are not people in your way, not situations and not conflicts (even though they seem to be the largest obstacles at the time), but your mind.  I realize there is no hesitation needed to be bold and successful and have an exciting life.  I saw the slogan in the window of Chicago’s Columbia School that said, “Live what you love.”  I think that not only should be a conference title, but the title of may people’s lives, as if you do that, I don’t think you can go wrong.  There are enough signs along the way to tell you if you are on the right track.

Add to that the exciting points in history of the Pittsburgh Pirates batting into the first place since, sheesh, 1997 when the slogan was “It’s a freak show!” to now, “Raise the jolly Roger!” (I liked the freak show one  😉  – the legislation that has occurred with changing immigration, also the gay marriage decisions, as so much more, there is SO much and so many places people can be a part of something and make an impact!

THEN, on top of that, add the passing of our art magazine Repentino. to new staff, developing the comprehensive Fall edition that has DOUBLED, and everyone is waiting for, then preparing for the FALL exhibit and premiere of our magazine, and wow.  Tis is only a small sampling of what is occurring!  🙂

I did not even realize it was Father’s Day until Cynthia Kaplan, from Lucky Dog told me, lol.  Funny, it was while she was telling me of a dog that was found at the metro in Roma today…:(   I’m hoping we can find a home for this cute but lost dog today…Nellie Ramirez found the dog and her number is 554038 9387 if you know someone that can help temporarily house this little beauty…

I am reminded every day of the contributions my Dad gave to everyone else, and carry his memory and his selflessness with me every day in the form of a ring…

12:24 and as I rolled literally off my chair, I realized that this Sunday midnight earthquake was one of the biggest I recalled. When my dogs looked and cowered in the face of this and this one, lasting for me in Roma Norte, about 30 seconds was one of the largest I felt on a continuous level.  My neighbors have the decision when these occur to hit the door running and although I am four stories up, I always remain and try to ride out the effects.  Lights and electricity went out as I walked Kinah about 20 minutes after it was amazing to see the multitudes of people gathered in the street and lights out everywhere, after the shock of this earthquake, the evening was a perfect type of calm.  (Ironic, huh?!)

As I face my LAST week of school as a librarian, I already have felt the smoothness of waking up late, the sunny days, the calmness before and after the rains, and realize slowly, after my second year at ASF, working my way around things here have slowly slipped into place and hope my third year proves to be a little less active so I can go back to enjoying the area here in the city and beyond.  Ironically (again that word), my first year exposed me to many more scenic areas and I hope to pick up where I left off in my third year.

The last week has been slightly uneventful, with helping teachers check out, seeing good, good friends on their way to other countries, and getting together at WINGS on Condesa Friday was a nice way to relax, sit back, and realize how lucky I have been to have these individuals around me.

Funny, I have been getting to know others better right before they leave, which has been the case in some of my past as well, strange.  Thanks to Michelle Westholm, I was able to hang two of my hangings,  one thanks to Michelle’s talent and the other thanks to a painting I picked up and hung onto from our Shakespeare class in Canada,  when I attended Slippery Rock University.  I still managed to see Natalia and Miguel picking up their graduation pictures, and that was exciting to see as well.  Depsite the fact they are travelling on with their futures, I feel we will be connected someway in the future thanks to the experiences we shared.

I have been burning through the Young Adult literature that I promised to make my way though, and finally see the end in close and near. It is rewarding to see all the new Young Adult Lit that came out last year and experience what issues and elements that make up this genre in 2012-2013.  I am sure those that have reviewed and read YA lit see constant patterns and form a bit of excitement when they see a common theme written about and then stumble across something familiar yet packaged in a different way.

I find myself approved and traveling to Chicago June 26^th to July 3^rd for the ALA Conference, and plan to create a site, blog and wiki, that produces materials, resources, and ideas for educators that will help them reshape the traditional ways they present topics in and out of the classroom.  I attended Chicago for NCTE 2 years ago and it feels like a friend coming back to a city I found exciting in the dead of winter 2 years ago.  I remember staying in the Palmer House and wonder if this will be the same this year, yet I am excited because for those days it will be warmer.

I finally was able to get my refrigerator repaired and warrantied for 3 months after a series of bumps and misses, but the final effect was perfect, they were professional when they did come this last time, and they were quick and courteous.  Servico Plus, despite the miss we had early on with appointments, proved to be worth not having to buy a new refrigerator and figure out four stories up and four stories down….:)

Sunday – as I look a Sunday down facing my last week of school, I see a few options, but my main one is go walking and try to grab some pictures celebrating the fact that summer is at my doorstep, and even though I will be staying here this summer, I hope to get back to Delaware before the summer is out to visit my favorite places, Chapel Branch, Soroptomist Park Garden, as well as the calmness of being near the beach and tide I wait every year to see.  I also go into the decisions of creating a staff from an amazing pool of candidates for the 2013-2014 year.  Even though you find yourself on days where you are banging your head against the wall and things do not go your way at all, (a friend of mine experienced that Friday and I usually find myself in that seat), I find the days that make you glad to be right where you are at, make it worth the hard days.  It is much easier to remember the days you had that you smiled and kept walking opposed to the ones that stop you in your tracks.   Kudos to summertime!

…about Mexico.  As individuals that study and work here, we often laugh about the stereotypes we had, and our friends have, that are not from Mexico.  I say this as I know what I was thinking when I entered Mexico for the first time, and looking back, now, seeing how easy and relaxing I have it, we always say, “If only people would know…” and some of us are glad may people do NOT know, else we would be losing the best kept secret about being here…:)  However, thanks to friends I came across this slideshow,

Worse places than Mexico for violence

as well as these quotes that help understand the oxymorons that make up Mexico, as well as any other country…In this case the statement was made about Italy, yet we see parallels:

“In every aspect of Italian life, one of the key characteristics to get to grips with is that this is a nation at ease with the distance between ideal and real,” he writes.

“They are beyond what we call hypocrisy.  Quite simply they do not register the contradiction between rhetoric and behavior.  It’s an enviable mind-set.”

– writer Tim Parks in today’s NYT.

So yes, the idiosyncrasies reign, yet, we realize that they exist in so many more extreme forms outside of Mexico, most of us are happy with the ones that exist here.  Looking back, I look to see how extremely hard I worked to make a change, and have many of those actions go nowhere.  I have to say, at least in Mexico, I am able to work extremely hard, and have changes occur while having opportunities to relax and also see the fruits of that hard work actually develop in some form.  I’ll take it…;)  And it’s okay if people think I live in a war-torn area plagued by drugs, violence and constant frightening events.  Knowing what I know now, I will continue to stick up for what it is really like here, but glad that everyone does think that as it will keep the flooding of people who realize that is NOT the case as bay and wary – which allows those of us experiencing this amazing area to enjoy it, lol.

On a separate note, I have to say, maybe the best day I have ever spent was yesterday amid graduated students, family and friends of one of my hardest working and energetic students per an invitation from their family for comida at their casa.  It was a beautiful day, and honestly, I have never dined at the same table with celebrities, a famous orchestra conductor, a famous actor/artist, and overall, a family devoted to making a change, it was perhaps one of the best days of my life, and discussing as well the simple things that are necessary despite roadblocks that come up.  I relished the time I have been able to spend with these students and the perks of being let in to share the experiences of their family.   I am not sure it gets any better than this, and I will be able to retain those memories in my heart to carry me onto the next obstacle…:)   

And finally, Kudos long overdue to a former colleague, Rita Salisbury who was accepted in the Teacher at Sea Program.  Earlier this year Rita joined NOAA on a seagoing vessel Oscar Elton Sette, from April 18th – April 29th, and her blog started here.  I am so proud of Rita and she is one of MANY stories of how students, tied to projects through learning, grab their education and walk away with activities and education that is applicable to life the purpose of education and not state tests, supporting their school (as their school is there to support the students) and what an experience !  Exciting…  🙂

After recovering from my Second Master’s this December, I look forward to the Marine Biology experience that will lead me into my retirement, and this is one of many experiences I’d dream of doing.  Very Very exciting…:)

I have been reluctant to describe my feelings this month of June, as so much has kept crashing against my memory bank – I should say emotional bank as the number of experiences I have tried to come to terms with is beyond any words.  Graduation on such a beautiful day, and an amazing ceremony, with so many hugs, smiles,  and a Maraichi to end it in style, the day was PERFECT.  An amazing bunch of students in seeing my first ASF graduation class and being so attached to them, more than I ever realized.   I know I am in the right place.  Just after recovering from that experience, we went into Junior, Sophomore, and freshmen awards.  VERY exciting again to see some major individuals ranging from grades, to club activities (YES Repentino.)  ! – all amazing victories and amazing accomplishments, and yes, we get to see these students next year  🙂

Seeing a new staff, standing room only of 35+ students interested in being new Repentino. staff this year, a rush of emotions take over in seeing the fact that we have come so far in 2 years, so incredibly far…the new year will bring so much sooooo much!

Also TODAY, Seaford High students graduate,    and I see myself putting the last remnants of my Delaware past well, in the past as these students I knew during my time there, moving forward into the future.  Yes, the whole experience is bitter sweet, yet, part of how we change for the better.  So much to say how amazing this all has been yet, so excited to see what will become of these amazing individuals in the future  🙂

I keep thinking how amazing it would be to have everyone sit down together, Mexico ASF, Seaford High, for a huge summer picnic, that would be one amazing experience! I am so lucky to be here, and have these amazing people surrounding me.  Now we get to say goodbye to staff that will be leaving to other international waters, and while sad, it will be exciting to see them start new adventures!

Tomorrow I get to spend my afternoon with two wonderful graduated ladies, and well, since it is a SECRET, I can say no more until tomorrow….EXCITED!  June has been one of the best I can remember, yes, bittersweet but great.

Don’t forget to check out the new additions to the book review page and restaurant page, always goodness found on those pages.  🙂

Heres to June!  🙂

June — Juno’s month

Middle English jun(e)
Old French juin
Old English junius
Latin Junius “of Juno”
Latin Junius mensis “month of Juno”

Junius had 30 days, until Numa when it had 29 days, until Julius when it became 30 days long.

Juno is the principle goddess of the Roman Pantheon. She is the goddess of marriage and the well-being of women. She is the wife and sister of Jupiter. She is identified with the Greek goddess Hera.

Whew.   I have hear that sign and sign of exhaustion in the halls and doorways of many of the teachers lately, including from me.  Most if it being utter exhaustion from the work that narrows down to being the end of the school year 2013, yet, there is more, the emotions that go with these experiences.

A ceremony I heard about, but knew nothing about, the ASF Capping ceremony,

perhaps will be one of the most memorable of all events.  I loved every aspect, from the sit down luncheon, to the ceremony where teachers were asked to cap a student that ultimately asked them, as teacher to cap them.  It was a complete HONOR to be asked and I will remember this moment with Camila forever.  There of course with Mr Lemmon singing, which certainly will add that memorable touch!  KUDOS!

LOVED it, as well as the generational picture and the book she gave me from Edgar Allen Poe, now I just need her to sign it.  Mr Cheney, Mr Hamilton, and myself gave her some texts from Jonathan Lethem,  with messages written in them, and a hug that I will remember forever.

It was only a year where Repentino. started churning out the pages…amazing how far we came!  Sitting at graduation practice, as well as this whole past week has brought the experiences that have occurred in the last year full front and focus.  Seeing Alina

back from school to see her brother’s graduation also was just, well, hard to put into words.  Then add thew 30+ students interested in joining Repentino. next year, I have to say the emotions of my “well” are almost dry…  🙂  Emotional, exciting, and closing out a 2012-2013 school year where I know I am supposed to be, it has been one heck of a year to say the least.

I’d post the poems I wrote to the departing staff, and the note, but I can’t, that is between me and them as they go forward and show what they have, and a piece of my heart and soul goes with them.  Mwah!  Good luck today at graduation and I hope each of you ASF seniors can bottle this excitement for the days when you need them!  I am proud of you!

…graduating. Summer.  Exploring the hills and countryside known as Mexico.  Writing and publishing, new endeavors.  These are just a few of what the upcoming weeks will bring and are bringing.

Graduating.  It is bitter sweet to know a few more of the remaining Seaford seniors I knew and had contact with on various adventures will be making that march across the stage.  I am so very proud of them for enduring trials, hardships, and staying the course.  They are certainly most deserving of the rewards of hard work and perseverance they have put forth on this day.  It seems a world away that I was a part of their world, and I am lucky to have been able to share their experiences as they travelled a road less travelled for them, as they separated themselves from the easy way out, to a life of one worth struggling, learning, and working through.

In moving onto the seniors at ASF, I want to say this has also been more bittersweet than I expected.  Within two years, I developed a fondness I had no idea that would develop. I was amazed at how quickly I would fall into a fascination with talents and abilities they carried with them.  The seniors I became attached to this year and the beginning of last year when I arrived certainly took me by surprise, yet, it drew me into a totally different world as I knew it, and they became a part of it.  I am so excited to see them officially pronounce this on June 1st across a metaphorical stage that will become their future.  If they stay connected to the roots and foundations that allowed them to make it this far, they will carry a portion of the world on their shoulders and so quite well. When I hear this music, I certainly think of the bright things that await them.  I laugh every time I see this in the hall that will soon not exist – to make way for a new arts wing!

Death of old ways?  Death of the old styles of procrastination?  Death to falling into the trap of doing the sam old thing, making way for new doors, new opportunities?  🙂

The experience from the states to Mexico certainly has opened up all new doors to my life and will continue to do so, it is certainly with bittersweet reactions and feelings I begin to let people go that have become a part of this process.

Parque Mexico.

Waking up to mornings now have become also a new experience.  As responsibilities begin to drop from my life, and I begin to usher room for experiencing the moments that add to every day, I become more and more excited of how I will also transform with more time to reflect on these moments and what will come out of them.  Examples I am sure are needed.  Each morning I wake up to these two beauties reminding me how lucky I am to have been given a chance to take everything in.  Their names have become Wriggly and Amaya, and what a last couple of months it has been with them.  Certainly it has been challenging, but yet, these memories I have of them will never disappear…:)  Add onto that the adventures that go on in Mexico all around us, take for example last weekend.  My first foray into getting back to running in Chapultepec, and I walked away a little sore, yet realizing, it is coming back to me that ability to gain my breathing and control over my stride, pace, etc. Also last Sunday, in Parque Mexico, a group called ArboMex set up booths of food,

and if you stayed long enough, you witnessed dancing

and music representing almost every part of Mexico.  The music obviously was amazing, and the food made was also just as amazing.   This was a Sunday that, despite the emerging heat, Kinah managed to enjoy 100%.

Running.

The yesterday, amazing of amazings, Liz O’ Connor, who studies at Flasco, invited me along on a planned run at Parque Tlalpan.  We parked within the parking lot of Flasco, then walked, walked, and WHOA!  SIX FLAGS of Mexico!  🙂  And then just a stretch beyond, down stairs you can’t see unless you look behind the Six Flags fence, a hidden trail that lead to am amazing trail of runners!  A cross country trail!  It was AMAZING! Literally, tons of runners, tons of hills (groaning from my legs) and tons of trails, this was a revelation.  VERY AWESOME indeed.  🙂  Needless to say, I ran further than I have since my time here in Mexico thanks to the hills, yet, I walked away feeling overall AMAZING and felt I could be on my way back to running and running much better than I ever have.  🙂

Writing/Publishing.

Speaking of writing and publishing earlier, my dear friend Karen that has helped so many people out in the past has become involved in VERY worthwhile investment, if you find yourself able to commit a small part of your income to helping others.  I am doing so next week.  This version of Youth Voices, allowing students to find their voices over the summer, will be one of many adventures that helps students find their chance to become more aware of what they think and have to say.  Please take a moment and spare a chance t be a part of this opportunity for them, you will not regret following and supporting this venture.  Taking place in CUNY, students truly explore areas they never would be motivated or encouraged to examine normally.

TESLA

I am remembering a past post I never elaborated on and still think is remarkable. A student came into the library, one of my homeroom and advisory advisees, asking what I had/know about Tesla.  To be honest, I had no idea.  Then I realized, that Nikola Tesla was often overshadowed by Thomas Edison, I truly had no idea.  I was taken with this conversation as this was a conversation I did not expect I would ever have with my advisee, and was impressed beyond belief.  Turns out we indeed had a biography on Nikola Tesla which I loaned out and he told me I had homework to find out more about him…:)  lol  In addition, a teacher just happening to be standing by, had a book on this individual and CAME BACK to lend the book and donate the book to us. Obviously the student, was shocked someone would do that for him and it shocked me in how it all worked out.  So not only did I learn something new, we also acquired new info for this student as well as adding to the collection, just an amazing chain of events, lol.

Blogging.

You have to take a look at this…

10, 388 views of my blog, this jumped from just under 9000 last month to 10, 388 already – I am like, staggering amazed, HOLY WOW.  :0  I just hope I can keep supplying info that everyone finds interesting, but a huge thank you for making this endeavor possible.

Overall, this is just a small portion of what has been emerging, let alone new applications flooding in for Repentino., the advent of a fresh and exciting summer of adventure, and I am super psyched about going to Rio for Rock in Rio September 13th, I think this will be one of many adventures coming up in the next few weeks…:)

Hre’s to a relaxing and bright Sunday and many more to come!

Certainly things tend to get confusing when you travel, hence people have been asking about my trip home so here it is, remember, you asked.

After arriving in the pouring rain on May 10th, via Greyhound at 1:50 AM in the morning at Salisbury – (Did I mention the last bus for DART leaving Wilmington was 8:00 PM? – seriously it was!) – and being asked to go home with two women driving past me in a car by the Amtrak Station (Welcome to Wilmington!) – I contemplated going to sleep but realized I lost 5 hours thanks to nonexistent public transportation, so I rebelled against my body, I stayed up all night prepping for the 5k.

I arrived at The Vince Morris Trail at Chapel Branch around 5:00ish AM, and spent the morn clearing paths, arranging blockages to paths not to take, and well, amid dancing between the rain, we had the 5k!  Was it a success?  I would say yes despite the rain, we had 19 entrants (informational page on this be posted today (fingers crossed), yet I was shooting for 40 people.  However, when you ask if the cause or the numbers are important, well, the cause always wins.

After a great rainy race, I went home and literally physically crashed.  🙂  I spent the evening when I did wake up repacking, preparing items to leave behind for friends, and then knew, to get back home I’d have to catch the Greyhound out of Salisbury, at 10:00 to get to the Amtrak train, to get to Philly before my plane left.  I purchased the ticket online, and then to my surprise Sunday morn (I shouldn’t have been) found the Greyhound Station closed, on Sunday, so I might have purchased a ticket but had not way to prove it – awesome!

LUCKILY, the Greyhound driver let me board, I explained, he advised me NOT to purchase online, and we made it to Dover.  I called ahead of time and made sure they looked up my confirmation # and had a my ticket for pick up THERE.  Sure did, that made my DAY (after the uncertainty up to this point), and onto Wilmington.  Made it to Wilmington, caught the Amtrak to Philly, made it to the airport, with literally 20 minutes to spare, and perfect timing.  Whew!  Event free?  Could it be?

I looked at my transfer ticket, and saw they gave me 20 minutes to connect to my flight out of Houston, which well, frankly made me nervous.  I called United and asked them about this and they said United usually leaves 17 minutes to transfer and that I’d make it, and I thought, if you say so!  Getting ready o get off the flight in Houston, I double checked to make sure I had to pick up my bags, recheck them and board, all in 20 minutes, I was slightly nervous.  Affirmative.

I RAN, LITERALLY, ran to the baggage, no bag, nog bag, NO BAG!  Now I saw that I was behind the time for my flight and was sure my plane had left.  I went to baggage claim, and they told me the luggage was automatically put onto the plane to Mexico, so literally, my luggage was on it s way to Mexico, I was however not.

Ever get to the point where you just felt so burned that well, you had nothing left?  This was me at this point, I was livid, exhausted, and worn out.  I was told I could maybe get a voucher at the United desk for a hotel, and found that everyone had left already from United.  Sleeping in the terminal, I was weighing the pros and cons.  Finally, I realized I was just too darn tired.

I went to the onsite Marriott, inquired knowing the cheapest room was 250.00, and no kidding, NO KIDDING, Isaac, the desk clerk and a young woman gave me a blue light rate, of 120.00.  I almost got down and kissed their feet, but gave them 3 boxes of Girl Scout cookies instead.  I have to say I think this was one of the best nights sleep I had hands down. I made it to my rescheduled plane the next morn, into Mexico, and had an amazing end of the day with the SRU students at the Basilica.

Amid the late night coming and going, I realized the following:

Public transportation in DE, awful for people who do not have a car and have to get somewhere in all hours, AWFUL.

I love being home and in bed.

It will take 2-3 weeks to recover and rest from this experience.

Even in your most stressed hour, when you think you don;t see it there are people around that will help you get out of a jam.  They appear out of nowhere, keep the faith.

Congrats to Slippery Rock’s grads today!  YEAH!  🙂  They came to Mexico about a month ago, led by Tom Gordon and Jodi Kastafanas (say that five times fast! 🙂 and they, as always brought a fresh breath and new perspective to ASF.  It was AWESOME seeing them and having them here, and as always, it was always not enough time to get to hang with them as I wanted…:)

I was able to spend the time at the Basilica with many of them, and attend their gala which was awesome as well.  Without even being near the campus. I could sense the spirit of Slippery Rock – 🙂  I have to say this from experience, the best thing I EVER did was transfer to Slippery Rock from Edinboro.  This is the thing, I LOVED Edinboro for the Irish festivals, the amazing scenery, and the occasional downfall of snow.  I had to get alot of the partying out of the way, and sure, that did begin to dictate my life, so a transfer was in my best interests.  Dwight Greer helped facilitate much of that and to him I am indebted to opening up a world that opened doors for me. I love that there is this Award in his honor:

“Dwight E. Greer Legacy Award

This award recognizes a student who has made a unique contribution to the campus and surrounding communities by presiding over an organization or program that made a significant contribution to students of color and the community at large.”

From working with the Social Equity Office, to the amazing world of the Writing Center family, I began to grow into a position that molded me into what I envision and strive for today – the studies of English mobile-style – not contained in any one area but able to bring the info to others in many formats, in many areas, in many multi-disciplinary ways.  I NEVER, EVER, have had to worry about a second interview anywhere, as soon as they saw Slippery Rock and Education together, it was like a secret code was given out.  I owe much to SRU, and every chance I get to treat someone that comes from SRU or represents SRU, I feel that is my internal duty.

This amazing group of SRU students did one of the most amazing things after the day at the Basilica, they gave me a gift, I mean, they really did!  It gets better, it came from Wendell August FORGE!  Seriously, if you know this forge, you know the best quality of materials come from this forge, and this was no exception.  Take a look…

Hands down, that has been the BEST gift I have received in like YEARS!  I LOVE IT but loved meeting and being with the SRU group more.  The card from Sam, Suzanne, Kaelin, & Marissa was just – GREAT – and I felt so sad seeing them leave so quickly  😦  Congrats on their VERY special day – MUCH deserved – MUCH.

Let’s backtrack a bit – today, FIRST time in well, like it seems FOREVER, that I ran for 30 minutes straight, in shoes that have seen MUCH bette days, thanks Liz O’ Connor.  I felt AMAZING after the run though, like reborn.  I think I can do this on a regular basis with my schedule freeing up now, I am 100% devoted to building back up al the things I used to do in my personal life, traveling, running, and more – but today’s return to a weekend run felt GREAT.

The last open Mic held was this past Wednesday, and I have to say, I can’t think of a group of people I am more proud of than my Repentino. staff.  They work so hard on making sure food is out, prepared, all is set for the night, they have become masters of the Open Mic ceremony.  The seats are not enough for the people attending, and the performances keep getting better.  They are truly amazing and I am so proud, both of the soon to be departing seniors and the returning staff, I am lucky on multiple counts.  Perhaps one of the greatest things has been the advent of the Open Mics celebrating the talent that is right at our doorstep.

There is soooo much more to blog about dating back a few days, so stay tuned, this isn’t over.  By the way, by faaaar my favorite song?  Funky Cold Medina…reminds me of the time I dressed up as one of the Robert Palmer women with three friends (Pat, Curt) for one of my birthday parties, not sure since that is a different song, different artist, but it does.  I could ALWAYS get stupid and act funny when I hear that crazy song, Funky Cold Medina...

🙂