I was debating whether or not to stop this whole blogging nonsense. I thought that since no one left any comments on it anymore, no one was reading it. But, I was pulled back in (easily I have to admit) after my trip home to find out that people were reading it after all. So my mute friends and family, here's the next chapter, and please don't shy away from cyber-dialogue (it helps me to know somebody is out there).
We are well into the second quarter at school. It's still crazy, but we've become one with the chaos. Fights, lock-downs, fires, and run-on-sentences made up entirely of four letter words are just companions to the roots of education. My writing students are in the midst of researching strong leadership figures, and they truly have some wisdom and insight to what makes up a just world. Still, I can't help but cringe as I realize how they, like many teens, so easily buy into what's fed to them by the media. I guess it has to do with them being so image-conscious and so connected to pop-icons (we all remember identifying with our musical idols and Hollywood heartthobs). Luckily by nature they question and object to everything(at least that I say or do), and certainly this must be the basis of a critical consciousness. I hope they can eventually direct it toward their media literacy, because their icons seem to glorify violence to no end.
Thanksgiving in Massachusetts was wild and wonderful. We had an awesome people watching experience in the JFK airport during our 4 hour delay on the way home. We saw my parents who are amazing, and my elderly dog Trevor who is still so cute and stinky. The whole Johnson clan came too; from Buffalo and Boston which was entirely wonderful. The crew on Thanksgiving day was huge with family & friends from Colorado, New York, Michigan (a surprise to boot!) Boston, Northampton, & Agawam. It was totally sumptuous and topped off with a musical smorgasborg (how do you spell that?)- all were involved until late in the evening. I got to hang out with my homies whom I miss so dearly. I saw my friends Tracy & Ben get married on Friday, which was beautiful. We visited my Grandma & Grandpa on Saturday in New York, and then attended my 10 year H.S. reunion on Sat. night! I saw about a million old friendly faces in way too small a time period. Now we are back down here, feeling a little alone, a lot busy, and very thankful.
We are well into the second quarter at school. It's still crazy, but we've become one with the chaos. Fights, lock-downs, fires, and run-on-sentences made up entirely of four letter words are just companions to the roots of education. My writing students are in the midst of researching strong leadership figures, and they truly have some wisdom and insight to what makes up a just world. Still, I can't help but cringe as I realize how they, like many teens, so easily buy into what's fed to them by the media. I guess it has to do with them being so image-conscious and so connected to pop-icons (we all remember identifying with our musical idols and Hollywood heartthobs). Luckily by nature they question and object to everything(at least that I say or do), and certainly this must be the basis of a critical consciousness. I hope they can eventually direct it toward their media literacy, because their icons seem to glorify violence to no end.
Thanksgiving in Massachusetts was wild and wonderful. We had an awesome people watching experience in the JFK airport during our 4 hour delay on the way home. We saw my parents who are amazing, and my elderly dog Trevor who is still so cute and stinky. The whole Johnson clan came too; from Buffalo and Boston which was entirely wonderful. The crew on Thanksgiving day was huge with family & friends from Colorado, New York, Michigan (a surprise to boot!) Boston, Northampton, & Agawam. It was totally sumptuous and topped off with a musical smorgasborg (how do you spell that?)- all were involved until late in the evening. I got to hang out with my homies whom I miss so dearly. I saw my friends Tracy & Ben get married on Friday, which was beautiful. We visited my Grandma & Grandpa on Saturday in New York, and then attended my 10 year H.S. reunion on Sat. night! I saw about a million old friendly faces in way too small a time period. Now we are back down here, feeling a little alone, a lot busy, and very thankful.
