Joy to the World

On the first day of this week, my students gave to me:

140 Nutritional Self-Studies (10 pages each)...

On the second day of this week, my students gave to me:

38 Final tests (scantron, thank God)
30 notebooks
15 poster projects
10 children's book projects
32 lab reports
and...5 late Nutritional self-studies

On the third day of this week, my students gave to me:

30 poster projects
15 children's book projects
15 anatomical projects
65 lab reports
and...8 late Nutritional self-studies

On the fourth day of week, my students gave to me:

15 poster projects
5 children's book projects
5 anatomical projects
32 lab reports
and...3 late Nutritional self-studies, 5 late work packets, and gifts of chocolate!

On the fifth day of this week, my students gave to me:

Peace and quiet to grade all their *$%& work I received the first 4 days.

Projects are not included in this photo...just imagine

So after several hours grading this week, 7 hours marathon grading this morning, and prepping my room for the break…I return home to find:

--one sink full of dishes not touched since Tuesday

--a basket of dirty clothes since the washer was broken earlier this week (I now realize I am wearing my last pair of undies).

After washing, scrubbing, and organizing, I now can celebrate! I am on break!


What will happen during break?

--Sleeping
--Eating (ham tonight, even….prepared by my neighbor, i.e. no cooking for me ☺ )
--Sleeping
--Spa treatment (I am going to be wrapped in herbs and mud until I am smooth like a baby’s butt—at least, that is what I think will happen)
--Lots o’ Christmas lovin’ (oh, did I type that out loud?)
--Sleeping
--Eating (crab season! YUM!)
--Visit from Peggy and Charles with Blue and Leah
--Sleeping
--Cirque de Soliel
--Reading
--Sleeping, have I mentioned this one yet?

Now, we go through our school gift loot. I get reminded I work in a public HIGH school, as I hold up to my mate my new blue “C” sports socks (gift) as he shows me the champagne, spa lotions, sweatshirt, cookies, various gift certificates, and other treats to me.

My mate's various gifts from his school's coworkers and students

My gift of socks...can you see my excitement?

Sigh, at least I have beer to keep me warm this Christmas…hey, where’s that Christmas lovin’?

Disclaimer: My mate read this blog and stated that it sounded like I was disappointed in life. So, I would also like to mention that yesterday during my feverish rush to complete the grading piles, a mother of one of my students wrote an email stating how much she enjoys her daughter coming home to tell her about my class. That email along with the amount of thought the students put into their self-studies about their own health, reminded me why I became a teacher. So yes, I hate grading, but I do love teaching.

What??? It's Almost December?

Where did my life go? Is it really the holiday season????? Well, sorry to all of those waiting for some communication from us in San Mateo. I can only relate what I have been doing in the following pictures:
Grading...and then...more grading...

I knew that I would be disgruntled about my job during the month of November, yet, it still startles me how much my job consumes my life, my emotions, and my time. I love it and hate it, but always feel I could work it out. That is the sick sadistic nature of teachers...we are addicted to teaching.

We also had some visitors these past couple of months. Wyatt arrived in October to see Tom Waits at the Bridge School Concert. Tom Waits enchanted everyone with his theatrical singing and acting. Wyatt and I remembered the George Mason days over pool, beers, and laughter. There are times I really miss the college days:

I have been working on my Filipino cooking r'epertoire. Here is a sample of the puchero I made while Wyatt was visiting:

The end of October also had birthdays, Halloween, and preparations for the visit in November. Here are the birthday boys (Steve, Nov.2nd; Teddy, Oct. 24th; Geoff, Oct. 23rd):

My superhero costume for Halloween with my "sidekick":

So, now I have a few more weeks of teaching (and mountains of grading) before winter break. Look at the pictures of our Thanksgiving guests and dinner on our Multiply account.

Veteran's Day

As Veteran's Day ends, I wanted to write a short blog about how much we should support those choosing to serve in the military. While I don't believe in war, don't support the powers that send those to war, and wish all wars would end, I do support those who CHOOSE to face those dangers. Those people choose to change their entire lives, and their family and friends will forever need to deal with the stresses, nightmares and lack of communication about what they did or are doing.

I really wish conflicts could be solved civilly.

Six Years of Simple Joys

This is the first time have written a blog about our anniversary. What do I love about my mate?

Every woman he has encountered from mothers, sisters, friends and girlfriends, succumb to his charm, and I see their faces light up when he spends time with them. He really cares about people even though he, at times, has a hard time saying so. For me, while he doesn’t tell me how much he loves me all the time, he shows me his love when he doesn’t hinder my aspirations, encourages my creativity, enjoys my company, shares stories and jokes with me, and accepts me for me (even if I can be neurotic).

The other night, he showed his charm, which always seems to surface right when I think it has gone missing. I had a rough week at work and was exhausted by Friday. The dishes were piling up because I needed a break from the daily dishwashing Thursday night, so the dishes got out of hand by Friday. While exhausted on the couch Friday night (midnight), I hear in the kitchen my mate doing the one chore he hates the most: washing dishes. While other women may want flowers and loving words all the time, this subtle act by him spoke volumes of his love for me. (By the way, he does do chores: taking out the trash, making the bed and keeping the house organized—but he hasn’t washed dishes in 3 years).

So after six years, I still seek out his company and happy to see him happy. Weekend mornings, lazily staying in bed, snuggled under the covers with him quietly snoring next to me are the happiest times of my week. I hope we can keep up this happiness with small treasures of love.

California

California, or rather northern California, is a hard place to leave. While it is expensive, we have developed our little life here. Even though our place is small, we have the ability to get out and expand our living room to the local coffee shop or pub, owned by friends, and a welcoming place to socialize. We have found our little town stores we frequent for services, products and even the advice.

A few miles in every direction will bring you to awe-inspiring natural views of the mountains, beach, or even the city of San Francisco.

For me, a foodie, the amount of fresh produce coming from friends’ backyards, or at the local store, brings a flood of culinary ideas. Many people barter dinner from me in exchange for fresh produce or flowers. Why would I complain?

So, while my mate and I may need to move from here, right now we are content and happy with our Bay Area niche. I think I have my heart in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Travel Blog: The Philippines

Several people have been desperately waiting for a travel blog from me about the Philippines. I was caught in my life goal dilemma, and couldn’t focus on this blog…however, school starts tomorrow for me so summer travels will slowly move away as grading, discipline and teaching take over. I should write before I lose my smells, tastes, and sounds of my trip.

My mate was going to the Philippines to reconnect to a life he abruptly needed to leave. I knew this trip was a necessity since all of us who migrate from our homes need to go back to find ourselves and move forward. He did connect in a positive way, which was nice for me to observe.

I was going to the Philippines to merge the stories, food and culture I experienced here in the States to the places, food and culture in the actual environment. I wanted to observe how to cook some of the dishes I haven’t been able to perfect, to walk the places my mate walked in his youth, to meet the people he misses so dearly, and to bond with the families I haven’t had a chance to meet yet. (This blog will not be about the families, but I want to make a note that I really felt at home in the Philippines and I contribute that to my Filipino family (both married into and directly)).

So, my mate and I had different trips in the same place.

But, if you ask, “Why go the Philippines?” my response would include the following:

The beaches—just imagine the following: lying on white, sugary beaches under the gentle breeze of a swaying palm, listening to the clear, blue ocean gently lap the beach, tempting you to enter. The Philippines have several of these beaches with more commercial or more remote accommodations. I would like to explore some of the other beaches, especially Palawan and Bohol.

Snorkeling & Diving: The Philippines reside in an area of the world where tropical waters reach some cooler currents. Also, the Philippines has tectonic activity as the Pacific Plate moves underneath the Philippine Plate. This draws several marine animals to the 7,000 islands—corals, tropical fish, and whale sharks. We had just missed the whale sharks before they migrate to unknown places. Can you imagine seeing such an animal? Since swimming with whale sharks has been a dream of mine since I was a young child looking at pictures of whale sharks in National Geographic, we will need to return.

Geological formations: Because of the tectonic activity along the Ring of Fire, the Philippines has very interesting land formations such as the Chocolate Hills of Bohol (not really made of chocolate, but turning brown during certain seasons) and the smallest active volcano in Tagaytay (Taal). The Philippines have travel experiences in the mountains (northern Luzon) with Bananue rice terraces, the beach (see above), and major cities.

Shopping: While I am not a big shopper, I could see the Philippines a mecca for those who love to shop. With every type of mall or shopping center available, one can find clothes, jewelry, native wares, and anything in between from flea markets to high end. While not everything is cheaper than the States, you can find wonderful items to match with your current wardrobe and house. Also, where else can you go to see fireworks while shopping? Answer: Mall of Asia.

Food: The Philippines has a bad reputation for weird food. Most people know the Philippines for people eating dog or balut. In the five weeks I was there, I never saw dog in my food and well, I am not brave enough yet for balut. But I did taste so much wonderful food and learned how to prepare many new dishes. I am not as intimidated to go to the asian market to find cooking ingredients. Some of my favorites: rellenong bangus, nilagang baka, grilled squid and tuna, caldereta, sisig and bibingka. Now, there are variations of each these dishes and so many others that I cannot list here for space. For example, sisig can be wet or dry, crunchy or chewy, hot or cold, spicy or not spicy. Bibingka could have salted egg cooked inside the rice cake or used as a topping. The Philippines is like many other southeast countries where sweet and salty are combined in a perfect way. Adobo (again, so many variations and should be eaten everywhere by my opinion) can combine salty soy/vinegar with sweet tomatoes and egg. I wouldn’t see that combination here in the States, but when you eat it together, well…my mouth is watering. And yes, I ate street food. Isaw and fishballs. For those turning up your nose, isaw is grilled to perfection at Mang Larry’s on the UP campus and fishballs are similar to sausage balls just with a different meat. If you are a foodie, you need to travel to the Philippines. Another food I miss: mangoes and mango shakes.

Transportation: Manila, although congested, has many ways of getting around town. A tricycle (a motorcycle with side car) is a little uncomfortable for long distances, but good for a cheap way to move down the street or pick up a connecting light rail. Yes, Manila has a good light rail system which will get you where you want to go in less time than driving or taking a taxi. Rush hour is a little tight, but the Metro in Washington, D.C. is the same at rush hour. Jeepneys are good for the experience and again, cheaper. But a cab is also inexpensive and usually air-conditioned.

Night life: For those of you who have traveled to Spain where no one sleeps, Manila is the same. If you want cheesecake at 2 in the morning, then you can get cheesecake. If you want beer and pulutan (appetizers), there are several places for you. In the Philippines there are art crowds, punk crowds, clubbing crowds, and lounging crowds. Because of the heat, night time is the time to be cool outside and socialize.

Did I get sick? Yes, on the second day I had bad ice at a chain restaurant in a mall. The rest of the trip I drank the water from a Brita filter and even had ice, without getting sick. I even brushed my teeth using tap water.

So, since returning, I have made at least three people consider the Philippines their next vacation destination. Yes, there is some danger in the Philippines, but if you travel, you know the drill of keeping your bag close to you and not to flash your money around. Some parts of the Philippines are a little more dangerous for American tourists now in the wake of “fear and terrorism”, but so much of this fear can be avoided if stay toward the north.

If you decide to travel to the Philippines, plan the key places you want to see because you cannot get it all done in one trip. The beach alone will cause your senses to slowly relax and enjoy. Filipinos love to relax and enjoy life. Don’t rush and you will enjoy the best of the Philippines—food, life and culture.

Life Progressing Forward

Growing up is hard. Actually, figuring out what life goals you want to work for and when is the correct time in your life to move forward is difficult to discern. What are the milestones one works for? As a kid, you know the expectations for a good chunk of your life:

1. Graduating elementary school by age 10 or 11 (depending on when the school allowed you to start).
2. Graduating middle school and then high school in a timely manner.

For me, the next milestone was completing undergraduate degree, which was completed in the usual 4 years. Suddenly, I had to decide how to use my degree. What do I want to be when I finish school? Continue my job with washingtonpost.com as a news photography editor? Work in a research lab? Start a Masters program? At this time, I knew I wanted to be a teacher because I noticed I would sit in lectures and analyze the teaching styles of professors, critical of them for making a simple explanation complicated. However, I also decided to join the Peace Corps and volunteer my time before starting any other career. I moved to San Francisco, CA, on a whim with the knowledge I was going to the South Pacific. I couldn’t believe otherwise…both parents in Peace Corps, a strong desire to see other cultures, understanding that differences exist between cultures…who wouldn’t send me? Then the letter arrived stating my health status rejected me from the program. I cried when I received that letter because so much thought went into that life decision. What do I do now?

I spent the next 7 months agonizing on what my next step should be. Do I volunteer somewhere else? Do I go back to school? Do I stay in California or travel the world like I wanted?

I have a difficult time working or studying when no purpose or goal exists.

Interestingly, the decision turned into a direction I was never expecting. I found my mate or rather we found each other at an art show. When we met, I was still in turmoil, and even told him not to get attached.

The other little issue I was dealing with at the time was massive debt, which doesn’t disappear as you figure out your life. So, California I stayed, got married, and I added to my debt when I decided it was time to start that teaching idea I had a couple of years before.

Now several years later, I hit that question again—what do I work for now? I have been teaching for almost 5 years and the task is less daunting every year, my mate and I are strong or as strong as any married couple can be, and my debt has a foreseeable end.

I thought the pregnancy would give me clarity, but only muddied the waters more. The miscarriage added more mud. I thought this is what I wanted to work for…but how do you work for a baby? For those of you out there, the process of “trying” to have a baby leads to endless disappointment. Waiting for the probable event is easier for me with less cognition of ovulation and depressing menstrual cycles.

Today I startled my mate with this several month headache of mine of not knowing where we were going. Baby or no baby? Move or no move? He and I painfully unraveled this dilemma, and I now feel better. I know what to work for…or at least until life forces me to make the next step in growing up.

Beautiful Skin

Every magazine, every drugstore, every Sephora in the United States have lotions, powders, and creams that will darken, bronze or give you the appearance of sun-kissed skin. I have also tried the self-tanner lotions (similar to exskindiver) with little success. Usually the result is streaked legs and blotchy feet because I did not put the lotion on evenly. I have even contemplated the spray-on tan offered at most spas in the States just so I won’t look so translucent. I found this link when looking for images that demonstrates the motivation to look tan...click here

Now, fast forward in time (literally) and travel to Asia, where the exact opposite is true. The goal here is to look whiter, with all the same lotions, powders and creams mentioned above but these devices will whiten, take away pigment (I am a little skeptical about this one) of the skin, to get the white glow you desire. While people-watching here in the Philippines, I notice girls plastering white powder on their faces to look ghostly (since some of their darker pigment comes through). One girl made a point of showing me her “white”powder, as she caked it on her face. At this girl's display progresses, I think of my students in the States doing the same thing, plastering on makeup, but they are putting on bronzers and brown powder to look more tan.

Even the reasoning behind this phenomenon is interesting. Asian women are seeking to look whiter to show they do not need to work outside, illustrating the levels of status they have achieved which allows them to stay indoors most of the day. Western women are seeking to look darker to show they are more earthy and athletic, confirming their status level of having time to be outside, sun-bathing or exercising, while most of us are stuck indoors working under fluorescent light.

So, the clash of cultures met my first night here when I was looking for sunscreen since I want a darker glow with limited sun damage (I have already tempted the skin cancer gods in my youth). I stumbled upon this obstacle of the lotions wanting me to look WHITER…????? What??? So, here is the cultural conflict—my instinct is to shun the whiter skin, but maybe it is beautiful after all?

End of the Year Reflection

As tomorrow’s graduation approaches and I wrap up another school year with my students, I reflect on the accomplishments, observations and improvements of the year.

One observation I gathered during this week of finals was my students’ motivation to show me what they understood. Today, for example, I watched ALL my students pore over their final examination even if some of them knew they will fail the class even if they score well on the final. I expected them to come in and bubble in “c” for all the answers and write jibberish in the short answer responses; however, I watched as each of these “failing” students put in the effort to show me what they know.

So my question is…did they fail? Did I fail in teaching them? At this moment, watching them pore over their answers, I say no, since my goal with students is to inspire them to learn, to express their understandings and learn from their mistakes. All of these students know why they failed—laziness to turn in work, not completing homework and projects on time, not arriving to class on time (or at all)—and they stated to me how they will fix these issues next year, so to me they did not fail. They learned from their mistakes. Yes, they did not score as well as others on this test or in this course, but they tried.

One area I need to work on is developing skills. I try to teach the students every skill instead of perfecting a few key ones. One major skill most students lack is critical thinking. When asked how sun exposure affects each of the students personally, one student responded, “Understanding sun exposure is important to me because I am white.” That was the beginning and end of the response. Hmmmm…I am white, but don’t understand how this sun exposure affects you.

I have some new ideas to work into my curriculum. Usually this time of the year always tricks me into going back next year with new ideas, new innovations, and new connections. I will probably curse myself this coming November when I wonder why I picked this profession as I deal with another 170 students. However, watching students mature, makes sense of the world, and find science “sic” make me coming back.

I Drove All Night

In response to my SIL's tagged request.

Celebration of Mothers

Today marks the celebration the women who endured the hardships of child development for nine months, the life-threatening event of birth, and the aging process of raising productive children. All the mothers in my life share with me so many treasures, I will not describe their strength well, but here is a try.

My friend Kelly will soon be a mama in July. Her friendship has been a lifeline through this past month and several years as some friends are lost in the shuffle of life. I am excited to see her new baby girl and new step for her. So Kelly, Happy Mother’s Day!


My friend Erin is raising a beautiful son, despite the loss of her husband while pregnant, finishing undergraduate and graduate school, and the daily juggling of her life’s passion (social work) and motherhood. I am so proud of her that I cannot express the surge in my chest when I tell people I know her. So Erin, Happy Mother’s Day!

Watching my mate’s family raise wonderful children who connect to their culture(s), I hope to have Tagalog-speaking, intelligent, community-supportive children like them. So to Chesca, Peggy, Charissa, Karen, Chari, Anne, Raff, and Viola...Happy Mother’s Day!

My sister Ana found her children, who also needed to find her. While motherhood tests her will, faith, and overall sanity, she is raising two fantastic young men. When I see how much they have adjusted and grown with her, I am proud to know her as my sister. We are all excited to have nephews as great and adventurous as them in our family. So Ana, Happy Mother’s Day!

My grandmother is an amazing individual who raised four children, has 22 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. Every time I write or visit her, I am in awe at her strength and presence in our lives. So Grandma, Happy Mother’s Day!

My mate and I share a common bond of being in a large family. Ironically, both our mothers had several children in a short amount of time (his mother: 9 kids in 11 years; my mother 7 kids in 9 years), had us about the same time (around 30 years old), and placed us in the middle. I work with large numbers of students at once—children who need your every attention, emotion, and praise you can give them—and I respect these two women for raising 16 strong, healthy, intelligent, beautiful children without giving up (which I am sure they thought of at certain times). Even today, we call for advice and nurturing because we know they never let us flounder…just grow. I was supposed to be a mother today, but lost my child earlier this week. While the tears still fall from disappointment, the strength these women gave me (and all the women who gave me guidance through this difficult moment in my life) makes me excited that I am a woman and will be a mother in the future. Happy Mother’s Day!

At a Loss for Words for Someone Special

My brother-in-law is celebrating a birthday today and my mate is at a loss for words. I am making an executive decision to share with everyone feelings and thoughts my mate shares with me about his older brother:

--My mate is amazed at Ayo’s motivation to go back to school and change careers.

--My mate mentions Ayo’s ability to connect to family, extended and close. Ayo is known on both sides of their family, and makes a point of connecting to those who may have strayed or lost touch with.

--Ayo’s social skills, his uncanny ability to chat with others, joke, make merry, has amazed my mate as well as make him jealous, when he uncomfortably sits in some social environments.

--Since I enjoy cooking, Ayo and I share a bond of the love of food. Sometimes, my mate attempts to cook, but he always shares that really Ayo (and Peter) are the cooks in the family.

There are others that escape even my memory, but overall, my mate connects with his brother in spirit and jokes. Happy Birthday, pare.

Odd Numbness

Today there was a massive shooting incident at Virginia Tech. My brothers went to Virginia Tech and one still works near there. So, how do I feel about the shootings today? While I was concerned, I hate to say I feel a bit numb to the incident. I don't worry about my brother, but I feel for the students. The whole situation is very surreal with very few answers. I hope someone finds out why someone can coldly go through and kill people.

It doesn't seem normal.

End of Spring Break Depression

So, the end of break is here and my mind is already starting to think of all the things I "should" do or "could" do. My mind is overwhelmed with unfinished projects and cool expeditions I want to go through. And I have homework due tomorrow and I cannot figure out my coding issue. I have more thoughts on this past week and the future in more blogs and photo montages.

Well, I am tired of stressing about things I cannot control. Deep breaths, pacing and well, dealing with the fact I am not superwoman.

Cooking Green Challenge #1

So, to improve the health of myself and my mate, I decided to incorporate more green items in our diet. I usually eat lots of fruits and vegetables, but I cannot say the greenery has much fanfare.

Therefore, in an attempt to produce five star restaurant vegetable dishes, I borrowed a book, written by a former chef of the Greens restaurant in San Francisco, from the library. Reading through all these recipes, I was thinking, “Yes, I can get my mate to eat vegetables…no problem.” I carefully selected recipes I thought he could eat without cringing at the sight.

Last night…point for me…I constructed a savory salad of butter lettuce, carrots, Roma tomatoes and avocadoes with a creamy shallot herb dressing. While the sight of greens made him nervous, the man ate the bait.

Attempt no. 2: Leek and Artichoke Soup. The ingredients seem less intimidating and if I blended it as suggested, then he may eat it. Well, after an hour of cutting, washing, simmering and blending, the result...I don’t like it. I won’t even bring it to the table. Actually, I really don’t like the texture (fibrous) with less savory taste than expected. It smells nice, but argh.

Here are my thoughts on cooking experimentation:

1. Stay with ingredients you know or have learned how to deal with. My problem with attempt number 2 was my lack of knowledge with artichokes. Apparently, I didn’t get enough of the “choke” out of the artichoke making the fine fibers a main part of the soup texture (gross).

2. If the ingredient requires you to remove more of the item than what you purchased, then maybe leave it alone. Case in point: artichokes require you to remove tough, thorn-bearing outer leaves along with a fine fibrous “choke” to leave you with a quarter of the item you purchased. Since they are expensive, I think I will leave artichokes alone (if you already haven’t noticed my hint). For those of you who love artichokes, go for it…I will leave it for restaurant purchasing.

3. Work with what you got. While I have enjoyed feeling “green” and “healthy” buying mostly plant-based groceries, the cost has not returned much. I usually will give myself some consolation by saving my bad experiments and blame the mold for the reason to throw it out; however, this time, I just threw it. I didn’t want it, and I could foresee the reaction of my mate.

So I will work toward savory sauces and not introduce foreign greenery unless I have tried it previously. I will keep you posted on good and bad concoctions.

April Self-Indulgence

Warning: There is more to come; however, for now, I want to share a meditation and poem relating to thoughts consumed during the end of March and the start of April. The following comes from "Dancing Moons" poems by Nancy Wood.

APRIL**Planting Moon**Kapana

April's great path of the moon is regeneration.

When you thought that spring forgot to come, a meadowlark sang in a tree. A flower popped out of the ground. You felt like dancing. Like singing to the clouds. Now is the time to learn how to breathe all over again. Pretend you are a newborn baby. Get the staleness of winter out of your heart and mind and body. It's time to be reborn as a pocket gopher.

Passing through time of solitude and introspection makes you realize how precious simple things are. Look around. If the sky seems too low, push it up. If the earth seems to still, put your face in the mud and sing it a growing song. Put wildflowers in your ears. Howl at the next full moon. Talk to coyotes, to ravens, to the little ant digging itself out of the ground. What's the worst thing that can happen?

Ask yourself: Is there enough of you to go around? Do people expect too much? Is your work something you want to do? Or have to do? Do you yearn for a new place? A new person to whom to share your life?

Regeneration allows you to grow wings. Sprout roots. Two more legs. Or fins. Regeneration means that you can start growing all over again, this time from the inside out. There is time for everything, even that which you thought too late to happen.

On Being Alive

From the above author...

Ask a snake what it means to be alive,
and it will tell you,
feeling the grass on my belly.

Ask a bluebird what it means to be alive,
and it will tell you,
flying high above the world.

Ask a tree what it means to be alive,
and it will tell you,
being rooted in one place.

Ask an ant what it means to be alive,
and it will tell you,
trying not to get stepped on.

Ask a coyote what it means to be alive,
and it will tell you,
being smarter than the rest.

Ask a snail what it means to be alive,
and it will tell you,
going at my own pace.

Ask a river what it means to be alive,
and it will tell you,
finding freedom of the wildest kind.

Ask the wind what it means to be alive,
and it will tell you,
blowing whichever way I want.

Ask a meadowlark what it means to be alive,
and it will tell you,
singing the sweetest song I know.

Ask a porcupine what it means to be alive,
and it will tell you,
learning to be myself.

Ask a rainbow what it means to be alive,
and it will tell you,
spreading beauty around the earth.

Each thing in nature is gloriously alive,
giving us a clear reason
why the Creator put it there.

--"Dancing Moons" by Nancy Wood...a series of meditations and poems

Sticker Shock

For the people who know me, I love to cook. However, like most people, I get tired of doing dishes and thinking creatively, so going out to eat is a nice change (and a great inspiration at times).

Last night was not one of those times. We decided to venture out for a light meal with a friend at a local restaurant we frequented before. It has been about a year though and in that span of time, food choices can change.

We ordered a sweet and sour calamari, skirt steak satay, and a platter of oysters with a half bottle of wine and a mojito martini. I don’t remember tasting the squid with the calamari because of the breaded substance encrusting the object (it could have been chicken for all we know), the steak satay was alright but nothing to jump up and down for, and the wine was fine…but for the cost…YIKES!

So I feel guilty today for spending that much money on food I could have prepared better, for less cleanup and fanfare and still have enough money to knock off two more bottles of wine.

To put it in perspective, we discovered a little nook near Pescadero, CA that has existed since 1931, which provides fresh soups (using vegetables grown in the back), excellent drinks, and pies to envy (Ollieberry, anyone?). We gorged and basked in the warm weather (see Ocean Therapy below) for about half the price of the above-mentioned meal.

So, I think I will stay home for a little while, mixing, matching and designing my own taste explosions (see Chesca) until I get the motivation to venture out again. I am trying not to think of the better purchases I could have made with the money I blew away last night .

Image above: Copyright Jill Greenburg--Check out her series...while looking for an image, I ran across this fantastic portrait photographer. Her series is called End Times

Ocean Therapy

Saying "Hi" Years Later

After seeing Ted rekindle old friendships makes me optimistic of seeing friends I have lost touch in the past few years.

Thought I would post some pictures from our recent visitor.

Click here to see more.

Morning After

"The morning after..." can include several different endings:

...pill for those "oops" encounters. Never did this, but hear some people do.
...hangovers, when you thought that last drink was just fine (I felt great!)
...regrets for comments made the night before when you thought you were of a sound mind (see #2).
...smell of stale beer and old garbarge. Cleaning with a hangover is never fun.
...revisiting a bad joke made the night/day before, which may have started the drinking.

or the morning after includes no regrets, no pains or aches, no weird smells. The morning after is just another new day. Which morning after is today?

Youth Slapping Me In the Face

So, I recently sought out a book I thought would be interesting: Privilege: Harvard and the Education of the Ruling Class. The title caught my attention as well as the author's writing in The Atlantic, a newly acquired fantastic magazine subscription. However, I became annoyed at the book when I found out the author is two years younger than me. How dare he achieve so much in such little time? To his benefit, his perspective in the book is accurate in regards to higher education and the class system.

His perspective made me think about my collegiate life, and well, I miss the idealism of what I was going to achieve. Disgruntled, I feel I paid for a very basic education like he did (and he went to Harvard). College is for people to establish their class in the world. You receive some education, but you mostly gain your connections and networks. Success revolves primarily on what college name is attached to your resume. The rest of your life is spent catching up on your education. I have met very smart people without a college (and at times high school) diploma, but I gain access to certain avenues based on the number of letters after my name.

I expected college to be more academic with political arguments, scientific exploration, higher levels of writing and thoughts…you know, scholarly. But I found the academics relatively easy with some spurts of difficulty. Like the author of this book, I felt that I didn’t have to work that hard because the professors did not push back to make me work harder (except for a choice 2-3 who I still admire today).

Now I am a teacher, and I understand both perspectives. I understand the burnout of the teacher, but I also feel I need to push my students to think and learn. They need help in finding information, and making connections to their lives. They fight me often, but I enjoy their brain development.

Probably the number ONE compliment of my profession is the amount of information I have been forced (and willingly) to learn. I enjoy how much I have read and wished I had this perspective earlier (I might have pursued different professional choices). I guess my education came 3 years and $23,000 later than my college graduation.

A Comment to the Local Paper

Recently an article appeared on the local paper that caused me so much thought since living on my own. How much do we impact our environment? What do we expect to be here?

I took the quiz and I felt it inadequate. The thought that draws me away from this quiz’s results is the focus. Yes, cars and trucks directly use oil (in the form of gas). However, people are focusing on cars only. So much of what we consume needs gas to exist.

Why are there bananas in Minnesota? Why are tomatoes around during January? We expect foods to be in the grocery store when we find that “perfect” new recipe. Every wonder how they got there? Strawberries when it’s snowing? To move goods quickly from Chile to the United States when it’s winter requires gas and oil. Once I mentioned the anomaly of eating organic strawberries in December to a group of nutrition-focused people, and the response was, “it’s in season somewhere in the world.” Why do I need to have it here in December? What fruits and vegetables should be here in December?

Water. Almost every living thing on Earth needs water, including us, yet we treat it like it will always be there. We expect to take a shower every day, wash dishes keeping the water on, wash the perfect outfit in the washing machine even though we don’t have enough for a full load. Ever wonder where the dirty water goes? At the wastewater treatment plants, wastewater is purified using mostly natural processes; however, it requires fuel (i.e. oil and gas) to run the pumps, computers, and gauges. The more water we send down the drain will require more cleaning time. But, we expect water to be in our faucet. Some people need to play golf in the desert and have a perfectly manicured lawn with beautiful plants.

Apparently eating meat is deemed “eco-unfriendly”. While over-consumption of meat is eco-unfriendly, so is over-consumption of vegetables out of season (see above comment). Styrofoam trays filled with 8 chicken thighs from four to eight different chickens are eco-unfriendly. Taking a whole chicken and cutting it into individual pieces to use entirely over a span of two to three days is better use of energy (and cheaper). Beef is a new animal to the over-consumption, and cattle are grotesquely slaughtered at alarming rates to feed our need for red meat. Why do we need to have 15 ounces of red meat to feel our meal is worth the price?

Consumption is an interesting term because it encompasses so much. From the plastic bags we expect to have to protect our produce from the “germs” present on the grocery store checkout conveyer (when we have more germs on our hands) to the plastic toothbrushes we use every day. Plastic is the one substance we created that does not break down (quickly). Every wonder where it goes? Try Hawaii (the non-tourists islands), mainly in the stomach of seabirds which eat shiny, colorful objects that run up on the shore. “But I throw my plastic toothbrush in the trash…doesn’t that go to the landfill?” you ask. Yes, but every wonder how those landfills deal with so much trash? Some does land in the ocean (out of sight, out of mind).

I could go on and on, which again is why I didn’t like that quiz. I want you to think about the plastics you use and wonder, do you need it? Can you recycle it? Think about how much food you eat and the type of food you eat. You can survive eating more seasonally, and many people feel we can avoid many illnesses in the process. Do you need to drive? Can you walk? We need to be a little inconvenienced...otherwise, we won’t survive.

The Earth will survive with or without us.

A Love for Small Thoughts

Lately, I have had some difficult days with my students, but today, many of my students came by to say hi and chat. Why? I can't say, but they shared some thoughts into their interests I didn't know before. They found out I have a husband from the Philippines and my nephews are black. We shared some small moments in each others' lives and we can move forward in our education.

I like reading blogs for the little and large observations everyone has about life's greatness (and at times, it's troubles). I miss some people's thoughts. I noticed a lull in the blogsport as many seem scared to post because of minor lapses in self-confidence. Even if errors exist in language, the observation will always be unique and interesting. I like seeing those individualistic observations of life.

I want to chat and read to find out more because I cannot notice everything in the world. Don't stop chatting or sharing because of semantics...we will interpret the thought for ourself despite the language.

New Air

With a new year comes new ideas, new dreams, old dreams revamped, and well...promise. I didn't want to leave the blog with the preach-y-ness of the last entry, so realize that I am hopeful for an eventful new year. I feel change in the air but I have no idea which direction it will arrive from. I will just keep on tacking and checking for wind direction.