The Path Unknown courtesy of Virgil Poetry
Who are we?
There are times when I long for a chance to go back and to re-live parts of my life, like pressing the rewind button on the TV remote control, if only life could be recorded, watched and then revised. I wish for opportunities to jump into the past and see the reality that existed then, gaining understanding of the actions of my parents and family members. I want answers that I cannot have, understanding that eludes me and knowledge held at bay. The mysteries of the past created me, shaped who I am today and impact my life, giving me a shrouded path leading to the unknown. The choice I have is to give others a clearer picture and light in which to make their choices.
Filed under creative writing, Family, Life thoughts
Making a Difference
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I spend my days making a difference in small lives, in small bits, minutes at a time. I always knew I wanted to do this and I can remember back to 2nd grade, being asked what I wanted to do when I grew up, I never hesitated. I knew I wanted to teach, to spend my days with children, helping them learn what they would need to succeed. I have been doing this for 30 years, but realized 20 years ago, that the youngest children in elementary school were the children I felt at home with and I loved spending my days operating at a dramatic level, performing my teacher act complete with props. Puppets, alphabet pointers, counters, games, blocks and books, and a healthy dose of make-believe aid me in my endeavor to pass on the foundation of education, the recognition of letters, numbers, symbols. My students learn life skills, manners, social skills and ABCs. They learn to count and to count on each other. They live with me for 6 hours a day and I have the awesome responsibility of giving them all they will need to succeed. I face obstacles (illness, family trips, doctor and dentist appoints and the threat of a shortened school year) that keep them out of the classroom, parents overcome with their own lives or mistaken in their belief that “it’s only kindergarten” and it not as important as other grades, a government that does not put education first and a school district consumed with financial worries.
With these obstacles, I still must succeed. When Davis Guggenheim’s new movie Waiting for Superman arrives, perhaps it will inspire conversation, or will motivate a movement to save public education from elected officials and from itself. I have hopes, yet daily, I must go to class ready to do my best regardless of these obstacles and needed changes. I spend my days making a difference in small lives, which will one day grow from the nurturing and education I can give them.
Filed under hurdles, Life thoughts, Teaching
Something In Common
I am watching the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics and I notice a stadium full of positive people from all over the world, all getting along and am seemingly exuberant. How can this be? Well, these people all in one place with something in common: the love of athletics. Perhaps if we search for the things we have in common with people of other countries, instead of focusing on our differences, we can create a world that shares joy and comes together during times of sorrow, a tall order for a world of separatists, fierce with pride and often unwilling to see the good in those who are seemingly different. I propose a one week contest:
For one week, make only positive comments, look for the positive in people and situations and after the week, post a comment here about any changes you notice.
Filed under Life thoughts
Other People’s Children
They are other people’s children, yet they feel so much like my own for I spend the better part of each day with these little ones, caring for them and about them, dedicated to their growth and development, in fact, we spend so much time together that we think of each other when, bringing each other small gifts of appreciation; pictures, pencils, books and cards upon return. They are “my kids,” our days with lessons in the academics, life, world of arts and an education in manners and behavior top the list. They are learning to say, “please”, “thank you”, “excuse me”, and “may I please”, to earn the prize of a fancy tea party, parents invited. These children care about each other and are in this for a team win, everyone succeeding together because help is given freely and no one falls through the cracks in this room because there is always someone there to catch you. We are all practiced catchers and we all take turns falling.
These children are wise beyond their years and their ears are fine-tuned to the nuances of the adult conversations they silently hear, taking everything in, not always know how to process it so it emerges during group discussions, at unexpected times, during a vocabulary lesson, example definitions. I find out more than I sometimes want to know, about their worries, their fears, and their strong feelings.
Some of these little ones have power at home, demanding attention, voices loud, tantrums forthcoming, while others slink into the crevices of family, observing, while waiting for their turn. Some are parents to their siblings while others live alone in adult worlds, taking on the responsibility of carrying part of the burdens housed in their family
Most of the children are happy, regardless of circumstances, because in this place, the place they live for six hours a day, five days a week, they are members of a bigger family and the communal aspect provides enough for all. There are enough toys, enough crayons, enough pencils, enough friends and enough time, their pride growing daily as they become more accomplished and learn to take pride in their own work, their own creations and their own ideas. “Our job is to come to school,” they say.
“Yes, so is mine.”
Filed under creative writing, Teaching
The Sun Came Out
Vroman's Bookstore: A book lovers fantasy.
Today, for the first time in a week, the sun was out when I woke up, providing rays of hope for a day filled with energy and productivity. This is the first day in the three weeks since “the fall” that I have had enough energy to stay in an upright position for the majority of the day. I decided to do a bit of belated Happiness Project goals from January in the form of moving energy, i.e. cleaning my cherished writing area of the massive amounts of clutter that have accumulated in three weeks and concurrently, I decided to de-germ our home since we have been under the influence of a nagging cold for the better part of the week. I carefully listed the areas to be cleaned and I am happy to say I actually made good progress. I can see the desktop, as well as the surfaces of a few random tables. Papers have been filed, are waiting to be shredded or are resting comfortably in the trash bin. I have (gag) paid bills, deleted e-mails and sent communications and now am finally settling in to write my latest thought.
I have decided that I want to be a featured author/speaker at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena. I have fallen in love with this quaint store that is old (1894), classic in its independence and it’s style: two-stories, sporting wood shelving and paneling and featuring real booksellers. Yes, the people who work there are actually booksellers, not retail salespeople and they know of which they speak, their love and knowledge of books permeating the store. The store features events: book groups, talks, signings, and readings all listed on its informative website where you can find everything you want to know about this amazing store, past, present and future.
The Pasadena area is a great place for a field trip too, pedestrian friendly with many interesting places to eat. The community is old and established, the home of the famous Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl its streets lined with mature trees and lovely, stately homes. Traveling to Vroman’s is like taking a little visit back in time to days when times were simpler, technology was less and books read in their proper form, typeset on paper hardbound with sturdy jackets to protect the binding and flaps of information to entice the reader.
I can visualize myself upstairs in the area reserved for book events, presenting my new book to an enthusiastic crowd who waits patiently to have me sign their newly purchased copy of the book and perhaps pose with me for a picture. A day when I will sit in the little café in Vroman’s and sigh, “I did it.”
Filed under creative writing, Life thoughts, reading, writing
Commiting To Happiness
I made this butterfly cake to celebrate Hope's wonderful journey described in her book The Possibility of Everything.
Last night I spent the evening surrounded by some of my favorite women in the comfortable, serene atmosphere of my friend Sue’s home. We had delicious potluck (somehow with this group there is always the right combination of food) and conversation followed by a great talk and description of her journey by Hope Edelman. Her book: The Possibility of Everything is a fascinating story of trust, alternative viewpoints and hope. Hope writes in a most compelling way, and I felt involved in her story on many levels. First of all, as a mother, I felt compassion for her struggles with her daughter and her commitment to help her daughter come out on the other side. Secondly, I related to her role as a mother/wife/writer who has temporarily lost her sense of self. Thirdly, her struggles with her relationship felt all too familiar, balancing time and the energy it takes to support modern lifestyles. Hope inspired me to write more and to find out what my story will be.
Gretchen Rubin and Me at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena
Monday night I had another literary adventure attending the book signing of Gretchen Rubin of The Happiness Project at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena. First of all, as my friend Danielle and I entered the store, audible gasps could be heard from us as we took in the amazing variety of wonderful things, books, cards, gifts and more books. And, it’s two stories of wonderfulness! We made our way upstairs in the elevator and enjoyed listening to Gretchen describe her realization of her need to create more happiness in her life. Reading both her blog and her book has motivated me to appreciate more, create what I need and to focus on happiness. We waited for the line to go down and got her signature in our books. I even managed to have her write a note to my sister-who was unable to attend. Spreading the happiness.
As we were leaving, we noticed that Friday night, Elizabeth Gilbert of Eat, Pray, Love fame will be talking about and signing her new book, Commitment. We got two books and two tickets and are looking forward to another night of book talk.
I want to be surrounded and embraced by books, words, new thoughts, random punctuation, other worlds and unforseen experiences. And through some serendipity, I am. My next task is to visualize myself as the writer, the creator and eventually the person giving the book talk. Everything is possible with a commitment to happiness.
Filed under creative writing, Life thoughts, reading
Carbohydrates Are My Friends
The delicious culprits.
Ah, that milky swimming pool!
Carrying around “baggage” in the form of a very heavy cast, has re-aquainted me with some old friends: carbohydrates. I think it is part of the healing process to crave the deliciousness of cereal for breakfast and again for dinner. It is not exactly on the Jenny Craig menu, but I figure if I don’t eat anything else then it makes it OK and better than that, it makes me happy. The crunchy puffs of rice and squares of wheat swimming in their pool of icy cold milk can almost make me forget that I am getting absolutely nothing done around here because hobbling takes too much effort. So, I am resigned to reading, writing, yes, yes, slowing down, and trying very hard to ignore the piles of papers and the New Year’s resolutions to clean up and get organized.
The”best laid plans” and all those good intentions and visualizations did not predict this prison on my leg. Do I sound a bit annoyed? I am taking suggestions on productive ways to: clean my closet, clean and organize my papers and generally begin the process of organizing the “energy” (i.e. Happiness Project) in my house so the chi can flow and the positive actions begin.
Suggestions? Willing helpers?
Filed under Life thoughts
Mother Knows Best
Mom would be glad I realized this and it's not too late for you!
It is pouring today, and I don’t mean just pouring in California terms, but actual buckets of rain pouring down causing trees to fall and rivers to form in the streets. The water is trickling down the beams in the living room and waterfalling down the fireplace. As I got ready to venture out for an early appointment, I prepared by covering my cast with my Seal-Tight giant protector, wearing my mother’s calf-length London Fog raincoat and a cute knit cap that my daughter’s friend made for me, I looked like a taller version of my mother albeit with a gimpy leg. My husband Gary said, “Your mom is still taking care of you.” and I realized that it is true, for as much as I resented her constant over-preparedness I have now come to appreciate it. As Mark Twain said, “The older I get the smarter my father seems to get.” In my case, it is my mother’s wisdom that I now cherish.
Hopefully it won’t take my own daughters quite as long to realize that I too have some words of wisdom to impart and each of them, in their own way are beginning to realize that. So in the tradition of the many notes and reminders I leave my family, here is a short list of rainy day musings:
1. Dress for the rain. You really will feel better if you stay dry.
2. Make your bed every morning. You will feel like you are beginning your day and will be happy to come home to a neat room.
3. Clean up as you go and absolutely before you go to bed. No one really likes to wake up to a mess and it won’t look better in the morning.
4. Take time to spend with those you love (including pets) because the memories will stay with you forever.
5. Listen more, talk less.
6. Expect the best but prepare for the worst, and that includes rain, earthquakes, fires and other impending disasters. Oy!
Some of these I learned from my mother, and others are things I have learned from my own experience. Wisdom can be compiled and gathered from many sources, but mothers are stronger than we look and know more than we are given credit for.
Filed under Family, Life thoughts, Mothers, Rain
Slowing Down-Six Weeks in a Cast
There is a saying that things often happen for a reason and while I usually believe it, I don’t always need such a blatant reminder to slow down and appreciate the more mellow side of life. Yet, that is what I know must do, thanks to DWP and a faulty, sunken water meter.
As I walked my dog Charlie, a slow walking dog of 10 years, around my neighborhood, quasi-training for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk I will be completing in September, My foot twisted painfully as I stepped on what I thought was level sidewalk, but was instead a 3″ drop.
The Evil Water Meter
So, as I lay on the ground, Charlie staring at me quizzically, I pondered my choices and decided I had none but to limp the 30 minutes home. My, that tennis shoe was tight by the time I got home! I was sure it was just a sprain, so I wrapped it tightly and continues with my usual active life.
Finally, Tuesday, my husband suggested quietly that I might want to see a doctor-since my foot was quite purple. The doctor thought it was most likely a spain, but she would call the next day if the x-rays showed more. At noon the next day, while eating lunch in the staff lunchroom, my phone rang and I was requested to show up at the orthopedic doctor the next morning. After 2 hours I left with a lovely bright pink cast.
The lovely cast covered by a "sock" because my toes are freezing! I have a walking boot too!
I can no longer hop up and down multitasking, turn on a dime, maneuver effortlessly through my kindergarten classroom or sadly, walk Charlie. My training for the Avon Walk is on hold, as is yoga class. What is left? I can plow through that ominous stack of books, write, balance my budget and take control of my finances, sit sipping green tea and work on my Happiness Project. It actually is possible to slow down.
When they say that everything happens for a reason, I guess my reason is to take the time to stop and appreciate things because after all, it is hard to focus on things when you move so quickly that life is a blur.
Filed under Life thoughts, reading, Walking
I Am the Skirball’s Featured Teacher!
FEATURED TEACHER
Amy Weisberg, Topanga Elementary Charter School
Amy Weisberg, our featured teacher this month, is a hardworking, inspirational figure in early elementary education in Los Angeles. With a BA in Sociology from UCSB and a MA in Education with an emphasis on Organizational Leadership from CSUN, Mrs. Weisberg has been teaching in the Los Angeles Unified School District for thirty years and in the Kindergarten program at Topanga Elementary Charter School for the past sixteen years. She shares, “I love working with the youngest students and watching them grow and change during the year.”
At Topanga Elementary, Mrs. Weisberg developed the “Developmental Kindergarten Program,” a transitional kindergarten program that is described as a sort of a “half-step” between the pre-school experience and traditional kindergarten classes. The program allows students “caught in the middle”—due to California’s late cut-off date—to advance more naturally to the next grade. For her development of this unique kindergarten program, Mrs. Weisberg received the Lori Petrick Educator Award, bestowed by the Palisades Charter School Foundation. The award honors excellence in education delivery and recognizes best practices utilized in K–12. To learn, more click here.
Mrs. Weisberg also conceptualized and oversees her schools “Garden Villa,” a working garden for the students that was jumpstarted with a grant awarded to the school from the California Instructional School Garden Program. To learn more, click here.
A few weeks ago the Skirball education department received a surprise—a whimsical and beautiful book featuring photographs of Mrs. Weisberg’s students with their own animal creations. The handcrafted animals—a bird, a zebra, a moose, a Very Hungry Caterpillar, and a polar bear, among others—were inspired by their visit to Noah’s Ark at the Skirball and made from recycled and repurposed materials that they brought from home, like pinecones, steamers, nails, and corks. “It was a very collaborative project,” Mrs. Weisberg explained, “which is pretty much the way I run my classroom—utilizing each parent’s strengths to enhance the kindergarten experience.”
Mrs. Weisberg has been married for twenty-seven years and has three daughters, ages 18, 20, and 25. All three daughters are highly involved in the arts: one graduating from UCLA with a theater degree, one at UCSC studying music, and the other beginning her college career as a dance major.
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