Tomorrow is World AIDS Day. I hope you do your best to educate yourself and others about this epidemic. (See www.amfar.org for good info.) Terrance and Drew, the two men with whom I co-teach seventh period decided to teach their lessons about HIV/AIDS in honor of this day. Tuesday was an intro with bios of people affected by AIDS and today kids presented reports on those people and then we opened it up to questions. And oh the questions...remember this class is made up of 12-14 year old boys (some of whom are sexually active and some of whom still think girls are kind of gross):
Actual things I said:
"No, you can't get HIV from saliva."
"Not from sweat either."
"Yes. I know someone with HIV. Statistics tell us that, by the time you're my age, you will too."
"Yes, you have to use a condom."
"Yes, I'm serious. Use one. Every time."
"I don't care what she says. Use a condom."
"No really, I mean it."
"And don't keep a condom in your wallet."
"Seriously. It's the worst possible place to keep one."
"No, I'm not making that up. You keep your wallet in your back pocket so your body heat breaks down the latex in the condom and makes it more likely to fail."
"What do you mean, 'What do I do if I don't have a condom?' Find one or don't have sex."
The most awkward moment for us all came when a student asked a clarifying question about vaginal fluid. Thank G-d it was wam in the room and my face was already flushed.
Terrance and Drew hung in there for awhile, but once I spoke up with a clarification about the difference between HIV/AIDS the trainer in me kicked in. Plus a lot of our kids have been raised by their moms so, in a lot of ways, they're more comfortable asking me.
My job is awesome. Seriously.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Priceless
My students are not angels. Hell, on most days, we all barely make it through unscathed. I often have to stop a lesson multiple times b/c someone has taken something from someone else. No one is allowed out of their seat without permission and we spent a week at the start of school reviewing routes to the garbage can and supply table so that no one is tempted to hit someone or snatch something as they walk by. Today so many of them weren't listening during first period that I just sat down and told them to finish taking notes on their own. It's far from easy and it's often thankless, but every once in awhile there is some shining moment that you file away to replay in those darker times. This morning I had one of those...
This may be one of those "you had to be there stories," but I need to share it anyway.
First period starts at 8am, but most students arrive at least five minutes early. They talk, draw, gossip, etc and it's generally not a big deal. I'm usually in the doorway, monitoring the class, but also doing hall duty. This morning, DH & DS walked into class early singing "Walk it Out" by DJ Unk and "walking it out." (Note: to "walk it out" is different for each person, but you can get a general idea with this dance video.) I went into the hall as expected and periodically peeked in on my class. With about a minute to go before class, I heard the familiar refrain of "walk it, walk it, walk it out" and I looked into my classroom and saw about 3/4 of my boys - all clothed in khakis, button downs, ties and dress shoes, mind you - dancing their hearts out. Other teachers passing by couldn't help but smile. And then the final bell rang and...get this...every one of them sat down!
Okay, so maybe you had to be there. Just trust me, it was awesome. And today, of all days, I needed awesome.
This may be one of those "you had to be there stories," but I need to share it anyway.
First period starts at 8am, but most students arrive at least five minutes early. They talk, draw, gossip, etc and it's generally not a big deal. I'm usually in the doorway, monitoring the class, but also doing hall duty. This morning, DH & DS walked into class early singing "Walk it Out" by DJ Unk and "walking it out." (Note: to "walk it out" is different for each person, but you can get a general idea with this dance video.) I went into the hall as expected and periodically peeked in on my class. With about a minute to go before class, I heard the familiar refrain of "walk it, walk it, walk it out" and I looked into my classroom and saw about 3/4 of my boys - all clothed in khakis, button downs, ties and dress shoes, mind you - dancing their hearts out. Other teachers passing by couldn't help but smile. And then the final bell rang and...get this...every one of them sat down!
Okay, so maybe you had to be there. Just trust me, it was awesome. And today, of all days, I needed awesome.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
WTF?!
A woman in Ohio has been charged with murdering her newborn by microwaving him. Or her. I can't remember, but that's not the point. The point is that someone thought to place their child in the microwave. And you know what's really unbelieveable? This is not the first time this has happened.
Sometimes, I have to wonder about the state of humanity...
Sometimes, I have to wonder about the state of humanity...
It's not fun, being sick
So I went to sleep at 9:30p and dragged myself out of bed at 6a and I am still tired today! This is simply not okay. I have been staring aimlessly at my computer for nearly an hour, trying to think of something productive to do (my students are working on independent research). Me thinks it will be a long afternoon.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Cleaning house
I'm at work and have a small "to do" list in front of me, but I need to silence the voices in my head first. And the best way to do that is to get my thoughts out of my head and out here. Or, at least, that usually works.
I used my last journal as a space to share everything and that backfired on me. I have avoided using this journal to share information about my family out of fear that the same thing would happen and out of respect ofr my family members' privacy, but I have to get this out and trust that y'all will not abuse the information.
A few weeks ago I posted a short note to G-d, asking Him to please heal my family. My family unit continues to be strong and well, but its indivdual members keep falling ill. As most of you know, my mom has been fighting cancer since this past spring. After a small scare, she is now one session away from completing her treatment. Fingers crossed and prayers offered that this has worked. I just got back from three days in Chicago and she is looking good - her hair is growing back and she seems confident in her recovery. In addition to my mom, my dad's aunt, who has been growing increasingly weak in her old age, was admitted to the hospital a few weeks ago. She was then sent to hospice; there seems to be nothing left to do and my great uncle, her husband, is also starting to falter (understandably). I'm not terribly affected by it (I don't know them very well, haven't seen them in at least a decade, etc), but it makes my dad so sad that I am very sad about it as well. Around the same time that my great aunt went to hospice, my mom's older brother underwent surgery when doctors found a mass in his colon. It was cancer and pretty well advanced. He went home this past Monday and seemed to be doing well, but was then rushed back to the ER Tuesday night for more surgery. On Wednesday he was transferred to a bigger hospital for more comprehensive care. Unfortunately, his colon has begun to die and he will be sent home with hospice. My uncle is dying. I haven't said that yet, but there it is. No one knows how long it will be, but it is eminent. Of that much, we are sure. The news made for a much quieter Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa's. Not that it was discussed or acknowledged, but just that there was an undercurrent of sadness - you could see it most in my grandma's eyes. And THEN, Friday morning as we are finishing up breakfast, my dad gets a call from his cousin saying his other aunt and uncle are in the hospital - they were in a car accident on Thanksgiving and both broke a leg (my great uncle broke his femur and received nearly immediate surgery and my great aunt broke her leg below the knee - she will have surgery tomorrow). They are both in their late 70s/early 80s. I don't know what the hell G-d is trying to tell me, but I wish He'd find a different way. I also know that I am more than ready for 2006 to end. A lot of great things happened this year, but far more bad ones occurred than I would ever wish on anyone.
Not that it is all bad news. My cousin and his girlfriend seem to have settled well into parenthood and their daughter (who I didn't get to see since she had a cold and stayed with his girlfriend's mom) is doing well. He is also finding success at work and this kid (he's 21, but always a kid to me) who we weren't sure would graduate high school is talking enthusiastically about the certification classes he is taking for his IT job. It is truly awesome to see (and I mean "awesome" in its orginal "full of awe" definition). My other cousin, his sister, is loving her physician's assistant program and continues to amaze me with her passion and commitment. And my sisters are both thriving and doing well. This trip home may have included a lot of serious conversations and tears, but it also included a lot of joy and laughter. And shopping - the girls and I went downtown on Friday (not as crazy as you'd think) and picked up a few gifts (for others and ourselves) before heading to dinner and bowling with Kathryn. It was a fabulous way to end my time in Chicago. I'll be back for Christmas (if not sooner, depending on...things) and I cannot wait. I wasn't sad to come back to DC, but it is always so nice to be...home.
Okay, that should do it for now. It is at times like this that I am thankful for the strength of my family, the love that we all share and the faith that we all have. I know we will get through all of this, but I also know it will not be easy. I suppose I would never expect it to be.
I used my last journal as a space to share everything and that backfired on me. I have avoided using this journal to share information about my family out of fear that the same thing would happen and out of respect ofr my family members' privacy, but I have to get this out and trust that y'all will not abuse the information.
A few weeks ago I posted a short note to G-d, asking Him to please heal my family. My family unit continues to be strong and well, but its indivdual members keep falling ill. As most of you know, my mom has been fighting cancer since this past spring. After a small scare, she is now one session away from completing her treatment. Fingers crossed and prayers offered that this has worked. I just got back from three days in Chicago and she is looking good - her hair is growing back and she seems confident in her recovery. In addition to my mom, my dad's aunt, who has been growing increasingly weak in her old age, was admitted to the hospital a few weeks ago. She was then sent to hospice; there seems to be nothing left to do and my great uncle, her husband, is also starting to falter (understandably). I'm not terribly affected by it (I don't know them very well, haven't seen them in at least a decade, etc), but it makes my dad so sad that I am very sad about it as well. Around the same time that my great aunt went to hospice, my mom's older brother underwent surgery when doctors found a mass in his colon. It was cancer and pretty well advanced. He went home this past Monday and seemed to be doing well, but was then rushed back to the ER Tuesday night for more surgery. On Wednesday he was transferred to a bigger hospital for more comprehensive care. Unfortunately, his colon has begun to die and he will be sent home with hospice. My uncle is dying. I haven't said that yet, but there it is. No one knows how long it will be, but it is eminent. Of that much, we are sure. The news made for a much quieter Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa's. Not that it was discussed or acknowledged, but just that there was an undercurrent of sadness - you could see it most in my grandma's eyes. And THEN, Friday morning as we are finishing up breakfast, my dad gets a call from his cousin saying his other aunt and uncle are in the hospital - they were in a car accident on Thanksgiving and both broke a leg (my great uncle broke his femur and received nearly immediate surgery and my great aunt broke her leg below the knee - she will have surgery tomorrow). They are both in their late 70s/early 80s. I don't know what the hell G-d is trying to tell me, but I wish He'd find a different way. I also know that I am more than ready for 2006 to end. A lot of great things happened this year, but far more bad ones occurred than I would ever wish on anyone.
Not that it is all bad news. My cousin and his girlfriend seem to have settled well into parenthood and their daughter (who I didn't get to see since she had a cold and stayed with his girlfriend's mom) is doing well. He is also finding success at work and this kid (he's 21, but always a kid to me) who we weren't sure would graduate high school is talking enthusiastically about the certification classes he is taking for his IT job. It is truly awesome to see (and I mean "awesome" in its orginal "full of awe" definition). My other cousin, his sister, is loving her physician's assistant program and continues to amaze me with her passion and commitment. And my sisters are both thriving and doing well. This trip home may have included a lot of serious conversations and tears, but it also included a lot of joy and laughter. And shopping - the girls and I went downtown on Friday (not as crazy as you'd think) and picked up a few gifts (for others and ourselves) before heading to dinner and bowling with Kathryn. It was a fabulous way to end my time in Chicago. I'll be back for Christmas (if not sooner, depending on...things) and I cannot wait. I wasn't sad to come back to DC, but it is always so nice to be...home.
Okay, that should do it for now. It is at times like this that I am thankful for the strength of my family, the love that we all share and the faith that we all have. I know we will get through all of this, but I also know it will not be easy. I suppose I would never expect it to be.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Geography lesson
T, a former student who is now in the 8th grade, stops by every morning for a short chat. Today we were talking about his upcoming Geography project on Mexico. We had the following, mildly hilarious, exchange:
T - I got Mexico and I get to interview my roommate.
Me - ::knowing his roommate and that he is NOT from Mexico:: Why are you interviewing W?
T - Because he is from El Salvador.
Me - What does El Salvador have to do with Mexico?
T - ::in a pretty exasperated tone:: El Salvador is IN Mexico.
Me - No it's not.
T - ::with great certainty:: Yes. It. Is.
Me - ::internally:: It's not, I know it's not. Is it? Remember, you once thought New Hampshire was not a state... Crap. No, El Salvador is its own country. ::externally:: Okay...I think I'll double check though.
A quick Internet search later shows us that El Salvador, as I knew, is its own country in Central America. We checked it out on my Peters World Map and then had a long discussion about which continent Central America is a part of. It was a fun start to my morning, but also made me think "They must be pretty early into that Latin America unit." Let's hope, shall we?
T - I got Mexico and I get to interview my roommate.
Me - ::knowing his roommate and that he is NOT from Mexico:: Why are you interviewing W?
T - Because he is from El Salvador.
Me - What does El Salvador have to do with Mexico?
T - ::in a pretty exasperated tone:: El Salvador is IN Mexico.
Me - No it's not.
T - ::with great certainty:: Yes. It. Is.
Me - ::internally:: It's not, I know it's not. Is it? Remember, you once thought New Hampshire was not a state... Crap. No, El Salvador is its own country. ::externally:: Okay...I think I'll double check though.
A quick Internet search later shows us that El Salvador, as I knew, is its own country in Central America. We checked it out on my Peters World Map and then had a long discussion about which continent Central America is a part of. It was a fun start to my morning, but also made me think "They must be pretty early into that Latin America unit." Let's hope, shall we?
Monday, November 20, 2006
Perspective...
I am shamelessly copying this factoid from my friend Wendy's blog, but the message is strong (and the contexting mine), so read on...
I have been getting pretty excited for the holidays. In 48 hours (!) I will be landing in Chicago for three days of love, laughter and food. Especially food. I know many of you will be in a similar situation: gathered around a table (or tables) somewhere, breaking bread with those you love. And, if your hosts are anything like my grandma (and whose in the midwest isn't?), there will be quite the spread - more than enough, in fact, for those gathered to have seconds, thirds and leftovers to bring home. We are a fortunate group and it is important for us to recognize that.
Consider this (here's my cut from Wendy): "If 20 people sit down at your table, representing the world's population, three would get a gourmet meal, five would get rice and beans, and 12 would receive a small portion of rice."(from OxFam/one.org)
Wendy asked her friends to further imagine that they were one of the 12 and a bratty brother (or sister or cousin or neighbor) was one of the lucky three, flaunting his (or her) good fortune and not sharing. That is the reality for millions of people around the world AND in this very country. So keep that in mind and, as you make your holiday plans, fit in time to give back, in some way (volunteering or donating), in thanks of your good fortune. After all, we have no control over the circumstances into which we are born...
Some places for you to get started: www.one.org; www.oxfamamerica.org; www.careusa.org; www.habitat.org (because we are also blessed with secure housing when others are not). 'Tis the season for giving after all...
I'll get off the soapbox now. :) I hope y'all have a VERY happy Thanksgiving and enjoy!
I have been getting pretty excited for the holidays. In 48 hours (!) I will be landing in Chicago for three days of love, laughter and food. Especially food. I know many of you will be in a similar situation: gathered around a table (or tables) somewhere, breaking bread with those you love. And, if your hosts are anything like my grandma (and whose in the midwest isn't?), there will be quite the spread - more than enough, in fact, for those gathered to have seconds, thirds and leftovers to bring home. We are a fortunate group and it is important for us to recognize that.
Consider this (here's my cut from Wendy): "If 20 people sit down at your table, representing the world's population, three would get a gourmet meal, five would get rice and beans, and 12 would receive a small portion of rice."(from OxFam/one.org)
Wendy asked her friends to further imagine that they were one of the 12 and a bratty brother (or sister or cousin or neighbor) was one of the lucky three, flaunting his (or her) good fortune and not sharing. That is the reality for millions of people around the world AND in this very country. So keep that in mind and, as you make your holiday plans, fit in time to give back, in some way (volunteering or donating), in thanks of your good fortune. After all, we have no control over the circumstances into which we are born...
Some places for you to get started: www.one.org; www.oxfamamerica.org; www.careusa.org; www.habitat.org (because we are also blessed with secure housing when others are not). 'Tis the season for giving after all...
I'll get off the soapbox now. :) I hope y'all have a VERY happy Thanksgiving and enjoy!
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Lazy...and annoyed
Blogger has this irritating function that erases the entire post if you try to highlight text past the beginning or end of the post. I have lost more than a few posts that way and have rarely come back to repost after that happens. This time I will (mainly b/c I have time to kill)...
I intended to write a "real" post, but then I sat down to do it and was overwhelmed by laziness (or maybe indifference). So, instead I will hit the highlights of the last week and then share a survey that I rather enjoyed (thanks, Jen!).
HIGHLIGHTS
I intended to write a "real" post, but then I sat down to do it and was overwhelmed by laziness (or maybe indifference). So, instead I will hit the highlights of the last week and then share a survey that I rather enjoyed (thanks, Jen!).
HIGHLIGHTS
- I am feeling much better and wanted to say thanks to everyone who called or emailed to check up on me. I appreciated the warm wishes and all that jazz. I am now simply medicating the legitimate cold that I have and after the misery of Monday/Tuesday, this cold doesn't seem too bad.
- I took a small step towards grown up dating this week when I told a guy I have gone out with a few times that it wasn't going to work for me. It went over pretty well and I'm glad I didn't let it continue on for fear of potential conflict. Granted, I had to run my "message" past a few friends first, but I said from the start this was a small step. Little victories matter too, people!
- My friends Colleen and Dave are finally going to move into their house in my neighborhood. They closed back in August, but there kept being issues with them actually moving in. They got the call late last week and are going to spend a good portion of this coming week moving their things. I'm looking forward to having them as new neighbors (they'll be about 6 blocks away).
- My friend Emily had her birthday party last night and it was a lot of fun. I sat on the sofa with a group of friends and chatted the night away. At one point Colleen looked around at our friends, standing and sitting around talking, and said something about how we had turned into an actual "group" of friends and mentioned how nice that feeling was. It's true - there is a core group of us who always go out and who get along really well and I love it. Even though we no longer work together and even though we only see each other every few weeks, we are real friends and that is such a nice feeling. (A sidebar about this party: Emily had told me weeks ago that she wanted me to meet her friend B, that she thought we'd really hit it off. He was at the party last night and just completely not my type. Even Colleen said, "I can't see you ever dating someone like that." Emily asked me to go talk to him, but I didn't and then he left shortly after arriving. I planned on talking to her about it later, but as we left Colleen told her I didn't want to date him...thanks Colleen. It isn't a big deal, but an interesting story, I thought. Funny how even people who know you well can be so off when trying to set you up.)
- There are many things to look forward to this week: bowling this afternoon with special needs teens; one and a half days of teaching; fall celebration at school; three and a half days in Chicago for Thanksgiving; dinner with Wendy; a whole day just with my sisters; a night out with Kathryn...
SURVEY
You. Can. Only. Type. One. Word.
- Yourself? classic
- Your boyfriend/girlfriend? non-existent
- Your hair? dark
- Your mother? healing
- Your father? caring
- Your Favorite Item: treasured
- Your dream last night: confused
- Your Favorite drink: water
- Your Dream Car: reasonable
- The room you are in: functional
- Your Ex: missed
- Your fear: failure
- What you want to be in 10 years: secure
- Who you hung out with last night: friends
- What You're Not? frilly
- Muffins: pumpkin
- One of Your Wish List Items: money
- Time: fleeting
- The Last Thing You Did: drove
- What You Are Wearing: comfort
- Your Favorite Weather: fall
- Your Favorite Book: changing
- The Last Thing you Ate: toast
- Your Life: full
- Your Mood: expectant
- Your friends: amazing
- What are you thinking about right now? words
- Your car: standard
- What are you doing at the moment? waiting
- Your summer: short
- Your relationship status: single
- What is on your tv? nothing
- What is the weather like? crisp
- When is the last time you laughed? party
Monday, November 13, 2006
SO not a cold
My friend Wendy was right - I do not have a cold (apparently she took some medical courses when getting her linguistics degree...or perhaps she was just better at accepting reality than me this time around). I have a stomach virus, I think. Or the stomach flu...is there a difference? (Clearly having multiple friends who are doctors has not worn off on me.)
I made it through 3 hours of work today. By the end of hour two (and my second seventh grade class), I was quite tired. By the middle of hour three, I was miserable. I lied, told my AP I'd been throwing up and she agreed to get me a sub. Then I did throw up, just barely making it to the bathroom in time. I have been home since 11:30am (again, thank G-d I live so close to work) and have slept for most of that time. I have woken up only to throw up and go back to sleep (nice, huh?). I did force myself to CVS for crackers, applesauce and Gatorade, only to have to drop the basket in the aisle and run outside to throw up in the garbage can. Proof that even big cities have heart? Several people stopped to make sure I was okay. Anyway, that's the update. I hope it runs its course tonight and I can go back to work, but we'll see.
Hope your Monday is going much better.
I made it through 3 hours of work today. By the end of hour two (and my second seventh grade class), I was quite tired. By the middle of hour three, I was miserable. I lied, told my AP I'd been throwing up and she agreed to get me a sub. Then I did throw up, just barely making it to the bathroom in time. I have been home since 11:30am (again, thank G-d I live so close to work) and have slept for most of that time. I have woken up only to throw up and go back to sleep (nice, huh?). I did force myself to CVS for crackers, applesauce and Gatorade, only to have to drop the basket in the aisle and run outside to throw up in the garbage can. Proof that even big cities have heart? Several people stopped to make sure I was okay. Anyway, that's the update. I hope it runs its course tonight and I can go back to work, but we'll see.
Hope your Monday is going much better.
Dropped shoe
I can stop waiting and wondering when it will happen. It has happened.
I have my first, official cold of the school year. Not the sniffles or a sore throat or a headache, a full-on, full-blown cold. Complete with heat flashes, congestion, coughing, a sore throat and an earache. And overall lethargy. It is not very fun at all. Tonight, instead of the gym, I think I'll be at CVS buying medicine and then in bed, trying to get better. With 7 school days until Thanksgiving Break, work is going to be hard enough without being sick.
Ugh.
I have my first, official cold of the school year. Not the sniffles or a sore throat or a headache, a full-on, full-blown cold. Complete with heat flashes, congestion, coughing, a sore throat and an earache. And overall lethargy. It is not very fun at all. Tonight, instead of the gym, I think I'll be at CVS buying medicine and then in bed, trying to get better. With 7 school days until Thanksgiving Break, work is going to be hard enough without being sick.
Ugh.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Rx
Know what helps on a cold, rainy Sunday that starts with 3.5 (mildly unproductive) hours at work? Getting drunk off practically free Miller Lites at the neighborhood bar with your roommate, renting DVDs and tucking yourself in for more drinks and a lot of "Sex and the City" reruns. PLUS, it is only 8:30pm!
Just what the doctor ordered.
Just what the doctor ordered.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Thursday, November 09, 2006
This could REALLY be happening...
"Allen to Address Press, May Concede to Webb"
I never thought he'd go so quickly...what great news on such a great day. (The rain is gone, it is sunny and warm here in the nation's capitol - I like to think that G-d is happy too.)
I never thought he'd go so quickly...what great news on such a great day. (The rain is gone, it is sunny and warm here in the nation's capitol - I like to think that G-d is happy too.)
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Joy and pain, sunshine and rain
Joy
I think my friend Maggie may have summed it up best when she asked this in an email earlier today: Could it be possible that we took back the house, the senate, and the gubernatorial majority, will have the first female speaker, Donald Rumsfeld's resignation, and defeated the abortion ban all in one 24 hour period? I almost feel like it's all too good to be true.
Nancy Pelosi's "First 100 Hours" are looking to shake out well for Dems, that's for damn sure.
Clearly, I am excited about the results of yesterday's elections. Last night, as I sat in the bar with friends, watching/explaining the results, I was overcome with a sense of joy. When Dennis Hastert gave his awkward acceptance speech to supporters in downstate IL, I was literally laughing out loud. Today, those feelings have only intensified. As I watched President Bush admit to a "thumpin" in the elections during this afternoon's press conference, I had to hide my smile from my AP students. And when a reporter asked the president if he'd support a measure to bring democracy to DC (by giving us voting rights in at least the House) like he had for Iraq, I almost stood up and cheered.
I'm hopeful for Virginia to be called in our favor, even though I know that nothing will be certain there any time soon. I'm excited that Rahm Emanuel (from the great state of Illinois) got some much deserved spotlight last night. I'm looking forward to a change in the debate in this country, even if monumental chages have to wait a while. And I'm losing my mind over the fact that there was over 40% voter turnout yesterday.
Democrats seem to have won last night, which the liberal in me LOVES, but the government teacher in me thinks democracy won as well.
Pain
All is not happy in the world of election results though. Three things make my heart hurt today (literally).
I think my friend Maggie may have summed it up best when she asked this in an email earlier today: Could it be possible that we took back the house, the senate, and the gubernatorial majority, will have the first female speaker, Donald Rumsfeld's resignation, and defeated the abortion ban all in one 24 hour period? I almost feel like it's all too good to be true.
Nancy Pelosi's "First 100 Hours" are looking to shake out well for Dems, that's for damn sure.
Clearly, I am excited about the results of yesterday's elections. Last night, as I sat in the bar with friends, watching/explaining the results, I was overcome with a sense of joy. When Dennis Hastert gave his awkward acceptance speech to supporters in downstate IL, I was literally laughing out loud. Today, those feelings have only intensified. As I watched President Bush admit to a "thumpin" in the elections during this afternoon's press conference, I had to hide my smile from my AP students. And when a reporter asked the president if he'd support a measure to bring democracy to DC (by giving us voting rights in at least the House) like he had for Iraq, I almost stood up and cheered.
I'm hopeful for Virginia to be called in our favor, even though I know that nothing will be certain there any time soon. I'm excited that Rahm Emanuel (from the great state of Illinois) got some much deserved spotlight last night. I'm looking forward to a change in the debate in this country, even if monumental chages have to wait a while. And I'm losing my mind over the fact that there was over 40% voter turnout yesterday.
Democrats seem to have won last night, which the liberal in me LOVES, but the government teacher in me thinks democracy won as well.
Pain
All is not happy in the world of election results though. Three things make my heart hurt today (literally).
- The constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage passed in Wisconsin.
Call me naive, but I really thought WI stood a chance at becoming the first state to defeat a proposed constitutional ban and begin to turn the tide against this ridiculous trend. My friend Austin called homophobia the last acceptable form of discrimination in our society and I think he's right. The phrases and comments I hear thrown about my 7th-12th grade school tell me that a whole lot of people think it is 100% okay to hate on gay people - that they are different and somehow less deserving of respect. And these amendments justify that type of thinking. Don't waste your breath telling me this is about protecting the sanctity of marriage (hello divorce rate...) or preserving the traditional American family (what IS that anyway?) or that it is about morality (whose morality?!). These amendments legislate lifestlye choices and as someone who teaches students every day that the Constitution is meant to protect individual rights and promote the common good, I just can't abide by that. So, I'll continue to fight against these measures (in WI, MA...wherever they arise) because regardless of my sexuality or the sexuality of my friends/relatives/students, this type of legislation is just plain wrong. (Check out a great perspective on the issue here.) - Tammy Duckworth lost in Illinois.
This is another case of a loss where I just really expected a win. She is a mother AND a veteran who lost her legs in Iraq...how do you NOT vote for her?! Every time I heard her speak or read an interview, I was impressed. She didn't just spew liberal rhetoric and her answers seem to have thought, not flash, behind them. I hear her concession speech was a good one, which I'm glad to hear, I just wish the 1am text from a friend at her party in IL said, "WIN!" not "She lost." - DC residents still don't have much ballot power.
Last night I went to see a politically-themed one-man show with some friends of mine. After the show, we were hanging out at the theater's bar, talking elections with a man from Maryland. When he found out we were all from the District he made a face as if to dismiss our voter status. And my friend Dave said, "So guys, how'd you like voting for City Council?!" and raised his hands in mock excitement. My sister called to remind me to vote and then remembered where I live and said, "Unless you don't have anyone to vote for in which case...sorry." I am hopeful that DC voting rights will become a real discussion this year (there is a possibility of at least one vote in the House, balanced with Utah) and if so, I hope all of you will join in the call for full enfranchisement of all the country's citizens. After all, it's kind of tough to teach DC children that the Revolutionary War was fought over lack of representation in the British legislature when they and their families are facing the same situation right now and no one seems to mind very much at all.
Sunshine
My face is glowing. Has been all day. I just can't help it. In London's Guardian newspaper, commentator Martin Kettle wrote: "The cheering can be heard not just in America itself but around the planet." How can you not see sunshine today?
Rain
Literally. It's raining here. Has been for two days. When I turned off my lights today to use my projector, it felt like nighttime. Gross. Leo has a soccer game Satuday morning, let's hope I'm not cold AND wet.
To add to all this happiness is the fact that I have an actual, no-strings-attached day off on Friday! I'm so excited, I don't know what to do!
Monday, November 06, 2006
T-minus ONE DAY
Tomorrow is Election Day (hopefully, this is not news to any of you) and I just wanted to take a brief moment to remind y'all to get out and vote tomorrow.
I know how easy it is to get swept up in your day and forget, but if we plan now for when we'll go tomorrow it won't be so difficult to make it to the polls. Find out where you are registered to vote and decide NOW when you'll go to vote tomorrow (before/after work, during lunch, etc).
I also know how conveinent it is to tell yourself that this election doesn't matter or that your vote doesn't matter, but let me tell you that neither is true. I just finished a unit with both of my senior classes on voting trends and it was a great moment when each class realized the collective, somewhat untapped electoral power that they have. I know not all of you are in the 18-24 age range (sadly, more and more of us aren't), but all of us belong to demographics that have the power to make a real difference and shrugging off our part in that is irresponsible and just plain wrong. Not to mention the fact that more and more elections are being won by smaller and smaller margins. So, let your voice be heard and vote tomorrow!
Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter once said, "In a democracy, the highest office is the office of citizen." I firmly believe in that statement and, as such, I think it is our most important, official duty to express our opinions and vote tomorrow.
I know how easy it is to get swept up in your day and forget, but if we plan now for when we'll go tomorrow it won't be so difficult to make it to the polls. Find out where you are registered to vote and decide NOW when you'll go to vote tomorrow (before/after work, during lunch, etc).
I also know how conveinent it is to tell yourself that this election doesn't matter or that your vote doesn't matter, but let me tell you that neither is true. I just finished a unit with both of my senior classes on voting trends and it was a great moment when each class realized the collective, somewhat untapped electoral power that they have. I know not all of you are in the 18-24 age range (sadly, more and more of us aren't), but all of us belong to demographics that have the power to make a real difference and shrugging off our part in that is irresponsible and just plain wrong. Not to mention the fact that more and more elections are being won by smaller and smaller margins. So, let your voice be heard and vote tomorrow!
Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter once said, "In a democracy, the highest office is the office of citizen." I firmly believe in that statement and, as such, I think it is our most important, official duty to express our opinions and vote tomorrow.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
my boys...
I teach Civics to 27 seventh grade boys. 22 were in school today. Six have been assigned in school suspension for tomorrow. In every case, the consequence is for hitting/pushing/fighting. ::sigh:: What do I do with my boys?
Humility
I spent my breakfast reading an old article about 25 beautiful people in DC and left for work thinking I looked pretty good. I'm wearing one of my favorite suit jackets with a teal scoopneck shirt and dress pants. I am wearing my glasses and my hair is behaving and all seemed to be well with the (appearance) world. Then I was making copies for my seventh graders when M stopped in the doorway. He looked at me and promptly told me that I looked sick. ::sound of balloon deflating:: Right. Happy Wednesday, y'all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)