Also Sprach Teacher

A somewhat short entry. My students are learning about early humankind. I traditionally show the opening sequence, "The Dawn of Man" after we discuss Dr. Leakey and his wife and their discoveries.

I remember when 2001: a space odyssey was released, I was in elementary school. I saw the film at the Golden Gate Theatre, when they showed films there. It was such an incredible film; I had no idea as to what was transpiring on the screen. And now, when it is shown, with the careful explanation about ETs and that this is a work of fiction and a good discussion on early tools and weapons...there are gales of laughter at the antics of the ancients. Oh...I wish I could show One Million Years B.C. - the one that made Raquel Welch famous- to them as we study hunter-gatherers. Oh, the pain....

So It Begins

That wonderful time of year is creeping up on us this weekend. Indian Summer! Those great days when the thermometer shows 90 degrees plus. These are the days that the classroom becomes unbearable because there is no breeze coming through the windows; the fan cools the lucky few sitting near it and the only place with an AC is the faculty room! It is the few days San Franciscans complain and wish for the fog. And then when the fog comes, the complaints start again 'cause it's too cold. But, it's the Bay Area...downtown is warm and you travel towards the beach and need a sweater. Why it's called "Indian Summer" I don't know. But I do remember my 5th grade teacher, Miss Weaver, telling us that San Francisco has a Mediterranean climate. So, it's time to make ice cubes, hydrate, and try to stay cool. Happy Indian Summer a todos!!

Lest We Forget

Today is September 11. 8 years ago I was waking up at about 5:55 A.M. and the DJs on KFRC made the announcement that an airplane crashed into one of the twin towers. Nothing was really known, even the type of plane, out on the West Coast. So, life went on. Showered. Checked on my mom. Caretaker came and left for work. The more I heard on the radio the more incredible the news reports became. Upon arriving at school, the playground was abuzz with the news that apparently we had been attacked by terrorist. At 8:10 we all entered the school building- teacher modeling calm to the befuddled kids. Well, at 8:30 our principal came on the public address system telling us that school would be closed for the day; the mayor announced the closure of schools until further notice. Little by little parents trickled to the school and the children were dismissed in an orderly fashion. While waiting for parents, we tried to keep the kids calm by playing games, praying, doing some sort of school work and even showing a film. By noon, the children were gone and I was allowed to go home.

Upon arriving, my mom's caretaker was more "disturbed" than the kids. She was actually loud and being obnoxious and constantly stating we were going to war. Luckily, this caretaker, her niece, lasted only a week. And my poor mom, already with dementia, kept saying "Something terrible has happened." That was September 11, 2001.

The months after 9/11 were very patriotic, to say the least. Everyone was nice to each other. Neighbors who never spoke actually asked how things were. By March of 2002 America returned to "normal" - you know, road rage, not being nice, etc.

8 years later it seems that it is becoming a footnote in American history. Let us not let it be just another day. Sure, it has been named "Patriot's Day" but what is a patriot to some of us?

One thing I learned in my early childhood years was to love my country. Things seemed so much simpler in a time when political correctness did not exist. To be a patriot, as the Sisters of the Holy Family, and later the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur taught was to love God and country. To be respectful of the flag when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance; to sing the National Anthem with pride. The older I get, these cherished things I learned as a child are slowly drifting away. I try to instill love of God and country to my students, and hopefully they listen and will participate in government the older they get.

On a personal note, in summer of 1984 I was able to visit New York City for the first time. To see the amazing Twin Towers, along with other landmarks- the Empire State Building, the Chrysler building and the then Pan Am building- such amazing, colossal edifices. The WTC to me was a setting for various movies: Godspell, King Kong (1976), The Wiz. Little did I know that these towers had an untimely and terrible demise in 2001. The elevator ride to the top was a 90 second thrill ride. Ears popped; the view was astonishing. Aside from seeing my first Broadway musicals, the WTC is truly a priceless moment of history in my life.

To those men and women and children that perished on that awful day, we will still remember you. We may not have met, but you became part of a terrible day only to make us realize that we should not let little things be taken for granted. Appreciate your family, friends, job, life.

For Human Eyes Only

Finally saw District 9 and what a film! Probably one of the best science fiction films I have seen in a long time. An incredible tale of intolerance, racism (alienism?) apartheid at its worst, and grand science fiction adventure. This film is an excellent example of social science fiction. It has the gruesome looking aliens, the obligatory bang-bang- sci-fi violence, but underneath it all, as story of intolerance and racism. I suppose that with science fiction, a story teller can get away with anything.

It was interesting to see Johannesburg as the city with the problem, for a change. A massive mother ship and millions of "prauns" (it was spelled like that in a poster a protester was carrying in the film) sequestered in District 9- the ultimate ghetto. The film reminded me of Alien Nation- a similar theme- how to co-exist with aliens from another planet, not country. We never do learn where they are from or what motives brought their ship to our planet. A sequel? Would be interesting.

I also loved the idea that the film was told in a documentary fashion. Check it out and see what conclusions you come up with. Three years is a long time for a sequel, i'nit?

Happy Labor Day 2009!

Monday is Labor Day. A day to honor the worker; those who labor. The unsung heroes who make our lives better. It's the last major holiday of the summer season. And what a way to celebrate- fireworks at theme parks, barbecues and picnics with families, great bargains at the malls. Yes, for a lot of us it is a great day to sleep in or have a wonderful day in the sun. But let us not forget to honor those who don't take the day off but opt to work...bus drivers; servers at restaurants; nurses; airline workers on the ramps and on the planes; to the moms and dads who have lost their jobs and work hard to keep a family going. Yes, this Labor Day is a different one. Lots of men and women have lost thier jobs due to this economic slow down. But the spririt of hope lives on in the American citizen. Slowly we will get back on our feet and be the beacon of hope so many yearn for. I will take the day and relax somewhat...prepare my lesson plans for the week, watch a film, listen to music. Thank you to those in my family with those wonderful jobs that are taken for granted: sewing machine operator; painter; banquet waiter; day care provider; mechanic; phone company lineman; front desk clerk- perhaps to some menial jobs- but to me, wonderful people with great work ethics and pride. Happy Labor Day!

Family Night

Well, it was a wonderful Saturday evening. My Tio Abelardo came to visit for a week with his son, Abelardo Jr. The festivities were held at my Aunt Amanda's in Daly City. It was a family reunion of sorts. Of course, the last time I saw Abelardo was about 10 years ago, before the onset of diabetes. He looks tired now and very fragile when walking. The first time I met him I was 10 years old and in Nicaragua. He was a strong, chubby but solid man. He was a dairy farmer in his town of Boaco. Anyway, seeing everyone tonight was wonderful and a nostalgic trip down Memory Lane. Oh, we talked about everything...from my niece Tory and her antics in the 8th grade; Raquel wanting to go see a movie; Rudy and Ricky making me laugh with their silly asides; Roberta talking of travels to Hawaii, Palm Springs and the Dominican Republic; meeting Dave and his girlfriend Suzette. Turns out Suzette went to Sacred Heart/Cathedral high school and knows Angela O'Rourke and Olivia Perdices. Small world, isn't it?

As with all festive occasions, lots of food to be had. Of course, times being what they are, it was no longer the heavy fried delicacies and chunks of pork, potato, etc. Nowadays the menu includes baked chicken; chopped turkey in a delicious sauce with capers and olives; broccoli casserole, plain rice, salad, fruit salad...you get the idea. Of course, some things don't change...beer, rum and coke and soft drinks and apple pie, lemon meringue for dessert.

It was great to see everyone and share what is going on in our lives. It is sad because I have a feeling it is my Tio Abelardo's final trip to California. Aunt Amanda even commented that she believes he decided to come to say "good bye" to his family on the west coast.

Well, I cannot complain. Sometimes I complain about family, but on such occasions, all the bad things are forgotten and good times resurrect a happier time.