Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Children Are Mirrors

I saw racism today, not in a raw or violent way. The racism I saw was more disappointing, more saddening than a violent crime. I saw racism in a 7 year old child.

It was not aimed at any student in my class, and it was said by someone that The United States would label as a minority. It disappointed me.

The comment made was about a picture of an Asian person in one of our vocabulary PowerPoint, which I made. When making them last year, I intentionally incorporated pictures of people from all cultures and races, specifically because I thought that my students being primarily of minority groups, needed to see their faces reflected in the pictures they see.

I realize that I don't fully get it, being a white woman, and I probably never will. I will never be judged based on what color my skin is, or my appearance. My students more than likely will be, if they have not already. I was so greatly saddened by today's events, it disappointed so much because I thought they would get it. Or I think they should. I don't know.

During my long lecture to my two students, I tried to explain to them what racism was and why their comments and jokes were not okay. I talked about how some people call others "dirty Mexicans", and how that made me angry and how this was the same kind of thing. I talked about how 50 years ago, kids with different colored skin couldn't go to school with kids who had white skin. Their faces were so serious, I hope they understood.

I know these kids didn't think up thier jokes, they heard them from someone at home. Children are the best mirrors. If you ever want a reality check, hang out with some kids for a while and they'll mimic every quaility you don't want mimiced. They pick up on the smallest things so remember to watch what you say and do.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Funeral Playlist

1) Catch My Disease - Ben Lee
2) All Creatures of our God and Kind - David Crowder
3) Far Away - Ingrid Michaelson
4) Spirit in the Sky - Norman Greenbaum

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Do You Have a Sword?

A student had a birthday this week. His mom brought in a 9 inch circular cake (which I had the pleasure of cutting into 23 pieces). After talking to her in Spanish for a minute or two, he walked over to me and proceeded to ask: "My mom wants to know if you have a sword to cut the cake."

Sometimes, there are no words to respond to what comes out of my students' mouths.

Monday, April 06, 2009

Schedules

Schedules make my head hurt. I'm at work - planning out my week and getting reading for today. Here's how my calendar looks:

Monday - obedience classes with Truman
Tuesday - ESOL classes after school
Wednesday - 8:00 team meeting, IEP meeting after school
Thursday - IEP meeting after school

I am already tired.

Saturday, April 04, 2009

We Belong Together

I've been living with Grant and Vanessa for about 2 1/2 months now. In a way, we've settled into a groove with our non-traditional living situation. My students have been the least phased by the changes; they know Vanessa because she worked at Cloud last year. They either might have a distant relative, cousin or friend living with them, or they know someone who does. Also, Vanessa and my coworkers have gotten over the initial questions about our living arrangement.

Friday we were bowling (very poorly I might add) for kids, and so I got to meet a lot of Vanessa's coworkers as well as their families and friends. Vanessa was introducing Grant and I to a friend of a coworker, and it went something like this.

"This is my husband Grant, and this is our roommate Abi."

Puzzled look.

"Yeah," I said, "We belong together."

I was semi-joking, but aside from my own family, and families I've nannied for, Grant and Vanessa and Luke and Laurel are the closest thing to my actual family. Laurel and I have fought like sisters, Grant is like another brother, and Vanessa and I give back rubs and watch trashy TV. These are people that I am completely myself around. They see my beadhead in the morning and they've seen me cry. They love my dog. There is something amazing that happens when people's lives are intentionally intertwined with one another. I only hope that where ever I end up going in the future, that I will always have people with which I can create a community.

Thursday, April 02, 2009

A Patchwork of Thoughts

I rest in God's truths. He has plans for each of us, that we have a purpose and that there is a plan for our lives. Although I may not see it today, tomorrow or even months from now, God's truths remain constant. His plan for my life is great, greater than I could ever imagine. Does my finite nature then limit my view of what God can do in and with my life? Do I, by default of my limited view, become my own roadblock?

Plans for us to prosper, far away from harm. Great are you God. Plans for us a hope and a future in your arms, you'll be found by us when we seek you.

Show me what this season in my life is for. I have been trying to seek you, show my what this season in my life is for.



Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.
Emerson