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.
8 comments:
Awesome! What fun! MaryJo and I wish somehow that we had married into the Johnson family! MaryJo's MySpace account lists David Johnson as one of her heros and rightly so.
My ten year reunion was this summer as well. Sad turnout (about 17 people) but weird just the same. We're happy to hear ya'll are doing such great things and we hope to see you soon. We're looking forward to having some time to do some traveling as soon as this school thing lets up. Chomfort in Chaos, right?
I have a new blog that has some pictures of some of the work I've been doing in school. Check it out...
www.joshbienko.blogspot.com
Happy Holidays
PS We need your address for our Christmas Card list.
Hey, you guys ;-)
miss you two! looks like you're doin' great and enjoying the new home in va. love the web site and all the kick azz pic's!
i'll be home in agawam (from seattle) from dec 15th 'til the 4th of jan. maybe we can see eachother and hang out a bit if you're there for Christmas.
see you then!
ciao.
t.
Yay! Hello old friends. Thanks for the comments. We'll be in Buffalo for x-mas, jeez...hope Seattle and Georgia are beautiful! We keep wanting to travel west and south too. We went to Nashville for a weekend- it was rad. Tim, I hear you've already been snowboarding? I'll email our address to you Bienkos! Miss you much. Can't wait to see your blog. Love, E
you guys! of course we're out here!..reading your blogs, dreaming about you and loving you so much, so often!
you make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside....thanks.
xoxosal
as usual you inspire me to be less self absorbed, gland to hear you are still teaching and surviving that challenge.
Best.
Hi Sal and Seth my two West Coast Wonders. Two amazing people teetering on the Pacific and you don't even know each other. Dang. Thanks for the shout outs. Big smiles knowing you are out there and reveling in all of it. We miss the both of you and want to hear in more detail the latest chapters of your beautiful lives.
Hey sally,
Nice to see you again. I am so happy that i find this place to leave my feelings. I love to see all warm pictures. and thinking I should start to creat my own blog step by step. You insipire me a lot!! It is colder and colder here Taiwan. Take care!! :)
Merry Christmas!!
Yang You
Hi Yang You! So great to hear from you! I just saw your blog too. Taiwan looks as beautiful as ever. We miss Taiwan and you! Hope you are wonderful. Damien says hello! Love, Erica (Sally ha ha)
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