Who made you?

This week we celebrate Catholic Schools Week in our country.  Today was the first day; attended a beautiful liturgy at my school and then an open house.  Many prospective parents came and toured the school and went away impressed.  I've worked at my school for 28 years...third grade for 10 years and 5th-8th grades the rest of the time.  Currently have the 6th grade.  My mother vowed she would send me to Catholic schools for a good education and to learn about God.  She sacrificed, as many parents do, to send me to Catholic schools until age 18.
The first was the Holy Family Day Home for pre-school and Kindergarten.  It was (and still) administered by the Sisters of the Holy Family.  I learned about God- in English!- and made my friends.  I remained at the day home until grade 4.
My elementary/jr. high years were spent at Mission Dolores School, run by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.  It was the best 8 years of childhood- made great friends and the teachers were most inspiring...notably Miss Hansen, Sister Catherine Rose, Miss Weaver, Sister Andrew Marie and Mrs. Fiordo.  It was great to be part of a school that was connected historically with the old Mission.  Truly they were great days during the tumultuous 60s.
High school: Riordan High School.  I enjoyed my stay mainly because I was introduced to drama.  I had an extraordinary drama teacher, Mr. Barbieri.  I participated in six plays while there...An Italian Straw Hat; Mame; The Madwoman of Chaillot; Oliver!; Quack! (an adaptation of Moliere's Physician In Spite of Himself); and West Side Story.  While at Riordan I also suffered what a lot of high school students do...bullying.  It was depressing, scary and very demeaning.  Jocks think they own the world and sad how they end up living on the laurels of their high school victories.  
Regardless of the bad times, my experiences in Catholic Schools have formed the person who I am.  Tolerance, social justice, care for our world- to name but a few things the sisters and brothers and dedicated lay faculty taught me, has helped me in my vocation as educator.  Times have changed, but children are still innocent and look forward to learning.  And how wonderful learning has become with technology.  As I grow older, I hope to impart wisdom, humor and some sense of importance of being with the children, the future, I teach.
To the Catholic Schools around the world...an alternative to public and private education...God bless you!

You're A Modern...Thoroughly!

After what seemed like a long, long week...between the weather, a death in the family and a relative in the hospital...it was time to watch something light-hearted and frothy.  The film du jour is that snazzy, jazzy Thoroughly Modern Millie starring Julie Andrews, Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Channing, James Fox and the delightfully "evil" Beatrice Lillie.  Truly one of the last musical films from the 60s that was meant to entertain.
Julie portrays Millie Dilmount, a young girl in the big city looking for work and living at a hotel, The Priscilla- Residence for Women.  The opening scenes have her transforming herself into a snazzy flapper of the early 1920s.  Truly, a fun time before the Depression.  Incidentally, the title song was nominated for a Best Song Oscar; it was sung by Angela Lansbury, as I recall on the telecast.  But, as usual, I digress.  Mary Tyler Moore, Miss Dorothy Brown, comes to the big city to become an actress.  At the registration desk we meet Mrs. Meers, the house mother, devilishly portrayed by Beatrice Lillie.  She is a villainess that, in my opinion, has been overlooked.  By the way, she is in cohoots with a big crime syndicate.  She is apparently looking for young, orphaned girls.  Miss Dorothy falls into that category.
Once registered, Miss Dorothy and Millie ascend to the 12th floor in an elevator that won't move unless you dance to make it move.  Couldja just die?!  Later we meet James Fox, as Jimmy Smith, a paper clip salesman.  He is smitten with Millie and together they invent a new dance, The Tapioca.  We also learn that Millie is looking for a job- she can type forty words per minute ("I'm in demand)- a stenographer.  And her goal is to marry her boss.
Her boss is the irresistibly handsome John Gavin, as Trevor Graydon.  Millie literally swoons.  Jimmy, though, still likes Millie and invites her to an outting on Long Island, to the home of his late father's employer, Mrs. Muzzy van Hossmere, deliciously portrayed by Carol Channing.  She even got an Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actress.  Also, it was the only time she was not in Hello, Dolly! on Broadway.  She never missed a performance save for this time of filming.
This synopsis could go on forever and you wouldn't want to see the flick.  It is a feel good movie; a film you can watch on a cold and rainy day.  Warning- it is not politically correct in its portrayal of Chinese.  Mrs. Meers speaks in a child like garble that is supposed to be Chinese.  And the two Chinese characters who portray Mrs. Meers henchmen are supposed to be "idiots."  They did go on to better things...Jack Soo and Pat Morita.  Just remember that the film came out in 1967; there was a war in Viet-Nam and political correctness was probably being conceived.  If it does not bother you, watch the film and enjoy.  NB- the film was adapted for a Broadway incarnation and was most politically correct.  It won Best Musical in the early 00s.


There are those
I suppose
Think we're mad
Heaven knows
The world has gone to rack and to ruin
What is chic
Unique and simply quite adorable
They think it odd and 
Sodom and Gommorahble
from the title song Thoroughly Modern Millie by Jimmy van Heusen and Sammy Kahn.

¡Adios Tia Teresa!

En mayo de 1969 fallecío mi papá Cesar Pérez.  En su funeral llegue a saber que tenía otras tias más que mi tia Moncha y Chela.  Llegue a conocer a mi tia Teresa, la cumiche de la familia Pérez.  Durante el novenario conocí a su hija, Linda, mi prima. ¿ Qué puedo decír de esta señora que casi conocí.?  Era muy amable y amigable conmigo en las pocas ocasiones que nos vimos.  Es tarde de retroceder el tiempo...pero nunca tarde en re-establecer la amistad familiar con mi prima y su famila simpática.  En varias maneras ella me recuerda a mi mamita Olimpia y tia Luisa- mujeres sencillas, llenas de vida y con un graduado en vida.  Esta entrada en el blog es dedicada a mi bella prima Linda.

In May 1969 my father Cesar Perez died.  At his funeral I learned that I had other aunts besides my Aunt Moncha and Chela.  I got to meet my Aunt Teresa, the baby of the Perez family.  During the novena I met her daughter, my cousin Linda.  What can I say about this lady that I hardly knew?  She was very amiable and friendly with me at the few family affairs where we saw each other.  It is too late to turn back time, but never too late to re-establish the family frienship with my cousin Linda and her beautiful family.  After hearing the various eulogies at her Rosary, she reminded me of my own mom, Olimpia, and Aunt Luisa.  Women who loved unconditionally and shared their love with their family.  Linda, the way our cousins talked abour your Mamita, well, I can see she raised you in the same way.  Your demeanor and smile definitely are your Mamita's!  Again, I wish I could have been more a part of your lives, especially hers.  Know that you are thought of and loved and in prayers; not just mine but those of my students- 26 of them!!

Today you asked if I wrote something down, well I did and I would like to share this with the world!  God bless you and your family.  Hugs to them all!

People come into our lives...we meet them and sometimes we lose contact with them.
But, we remember them because of what they said and did in our lives.
Some people just talk; 
Thanks to those people who come into our lives and do something worthwhile
A piece of them is with us...in the words from LES MISERABLES
TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD
I believe Tia Teresa saw God on a daily basis

For the Big Fisherman

Yet another Hollywood icon has passed away.  Jean Simmons.  My introduction to her was the traditional Easter Sunday showing of The Robe back in the 60s on the ABC TV network.  She played "Diana" - Richard Burton's love interest in the film.  Looking back, Miss Simmons definitely defined grace, class, and beauty.  Truly something that is lacking somewhat in Hollywood today.  Of course, after The Robe, I saw her in many other notable films...Black Narcissus, Guys and Dolls, Spartacus, and even an episode of Star Trek- The Next Generation.  She also play the Collins family matriarch in the 1991 remake of Dark Shadows.  Little by little we are losing those men and women who made films we now calls "classics."  If you are not familiar with Jean Simmons, and love the movies, take time to check out her films.  Thank you Miss Simmons.

A Little Fall of Rain

What a week it has been.  Rain.  Lightning and thunder.  More rain.  Wind.  Still more rain.  Showers.  Downpours.  The wet stuff.  This week has been nasty, weatherwise.  And when it rains, it really pours.  Granted, we do need the water in California, lest another drought year continues.  The saying "when it rains..." can also be used to things that happen in life.  This week...an uncle enters the hospital, yet again, because he's got fluid not only in his lungs, but his body.  As of this evening I understand that Rodolfo is doing fine- no longer under sedation and will have to undergo dialysis due to malfunctioning kidneys.  Keep him in your prayers, please.
The day after he enters the hospital, his granddaughter, Raquel, has a car accident.  Apparently the other diver did not see the van Raquel was driving.  Luckily, she has a few cuts and scrapes, but is in terrible pain, as accident victims are apt to feel.
Lastly, one of my aunts on my father's side died today early in the morning.  Maria Teresa DeBoi was in her early 90s and was dealing with cancer.  Her daughter, my cousin Linda, informed me via FaceBook about how she was not doing well.   And today I get the news she is gone.  I never really got to know my  Tia Teresa.  I was raised by a completely different family.  I only knew of her when my father died. I just thought I had a Tia Moncha and Tia Chela; turns out I had a Tia Natalia, Tia Chepita and Tia Teresa.  My family duty is to accompany my brothers, who apparently were close to her.  I will be there this weekend.  Please pray for my cousin Linda and her family.
Yes, when it rains it pours.
I miss hearing from my friend in SoCal- I know he is busy.  I miss my FB friends that write brief messages.  It's times like this I'd like to chat...laugh...smile.  And my pal in Spain, well the time difference.  I hear from him and he gives me "animo" and to look ahead.
Well, I promise the next entry will be a "fun, frothy" one.

Haiti

For a week we have been inundated with pictures from Hait after is devastating earthquake.  A small country on the island of Hispaniola; sharing the island is the Dominican Republic.  Let the picture speak for itself.  It's hard to believe that some "Christians" in our country say that this is a punishment because of a pact made with the devil.  Talk about ignorant.  And what kind of Christians are these?  Let us remember the people of this island irregardless of color or creed, they are our brothers and sisters- we are of the human race.  Tuesday is a Wear Red for Haiti.  If we can get together internationally to help in disasters, imagine (TY John Lennon) what we can do together in peace!

Deep and Profound

Made in 1951, The Well is a powerful cinematic gem.  During a turbulent time of tensions between the races, this little film had an important message.  I think it is still valid today as it was over 50 years ago.  The film was even recommended by Eleanor Roosevelt, who I think can be considered America's peace ambassador.  It was also nominated for two Academy Awards- editing and screenplay.  And a wonderful score by Dmitiri Tiomkin.  Now, the only recognizable actor is Joe Morgan, of Dragnet and M*A*S*H fame.  

The story begins with a little African American girl happily skipping in a field on her way to school; she's got some flowers in her hand.  As she flits, she falls down a hole into a precipice.  This is where the story gets interesting.  She never makes it home after school and the parents call the sheriff.  Everyone in the neighborhood looks for her but never find her.  Apparently she was seen before school in front of the flower shop where a man allegedly took her by the hand, after buying her some flowers.  Oh, the man was white.  Tensions mount as foul play is hinted at.  The town whips into a heated frenzy of a small racial battle.  The African Americans blame the white folks for this problem.  The typical "had it been one of us doing this to a little white girl" comes out full force.  Then, the insidious "g" word comes into play.  The townfolk spread gossip like it's free ice cream.  The gossip turns everyone into violent vigilantes...the law is taken into one's hand.

One of the characters is coming through town and stops to visit his uncle who own a warehouse.  He is on his way looking for work in a mine; he is a great miner and can handle profound depths.  The nephew turns out to be the suspect, as everyone saw him take the little girl buy the hand.  He does confess that he bought the flowers, but did no harm to her.  No one believe him.  Leave it to a boy and his dog playing in the field to discover where the little girl is.

The alleged crime disperses the population into a ravenous, hate-filled hamlet. But once the truth is known, they all come together to rescue the child.  The power of coming together humbles humanity.  Afterall, it is an innocent child who is being rescued after a few days trapped in a well.  Why is that tragedies bring us together and once it ends, we go back to our gruesome selves.    The scenes involving the rescue are as vivid today as they were back then.  The scenes offer hope, especially to an America in the early 1950s.  Watch it today and you can still have that hope in 2010!

Gossip is such a hurtful activity.  The film vividly shows what gossip can do to a small community.  The frenzy portrayed is similar to a Twilight Zone episode, "The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street."  Tensions between the races, gossip, violence....all horrible monsters created by humanity due to fear, ignorance and intolerance.  This is a film I highly recommend.  It is a product of its time, but can still be viewed today, as IMHO, some things we choose to repeat.  I don't want to be preachy...I will let the film and your thoughts to that.  

Too Scary for Me, Dana

OK, so the word of mouth for this film was great.  I mean, with the midnight showings in selected cities; the FaceBook review...etc.  The ads on TV showed audiences screaming their heads off at the appropriate scenes.  And, supposedly, if you watch this in the intimacy of your home, it is guaranteed to spook you to no end.
As the poster states, "What happens when you sleep?"  In my case, I sleep; wake and go to the bathroom; turn on and listen to the radio.  Once in a great while I will hear a sound that makes me hold on tight to my pillow, shut my eyes tight and wish for it to go away- but nothing that will make me lose sleep.
The current craze with ghost hunting is probably the reason for this film's release and popularity.  Saw it with friends and there were a few times I jumped.  The idea of a haunting in a nice suburban home...wait, creepy things happen in older homes and to innocent children, not young couples.  Apparently the heroine of this story has been stalked by a malevolent spirit since childhood and her boyfriend stands by her regardless.  He decides to use modern technology to record appartions, EVPs, and things that go bump in the night.  Oh, that does happen a few times.  A friend was wondering if this film lost something in the home viewing as opposed to the theatrical viewing.  I'm sure it did.  Three people shouting, screaming and jumping or "getting a snack" does not compare with the fun sharing the experience with a sold out audience.  Check back on the entry about The Amityville Horror- I may or may not have mentioned the "fun" a shared theatrical experience.
The more I heard about Paranormal Activity the more I realized this was The Exorcist experience for the 21st Century.  That film gave me sleepless nights and it was the talk of my friends back in the early 1970s.  And now I understand that kids have nightmares or the creeps when watching this film at home. To this day I will not watch The Exorcist alone, unless there is a group of us ready to scream and share a bowl of split pea soup with SF sourdough!
But I am not complaining...it was a well produced film; small budget and big, ginormous box office.  The young actors portrayed a nice, somewhat naive couple ready to conquer their demons (no pun intended).  Editing was part of the reason the film did so well in the scare department.  Makes one wonder if video recording all night is worth it.  I mean, even the ghost hunters have nights with no major boo factor.  It will be a film I will add to my Halloween list.  This is the third film, I've watched at least, that is in the "first person" perspective somewhat- the other two being Cloverfield and the amazing Blair Witch Project.  As always, keep an open mind but do have fun.  Get the popcorn and snacks ready.
Boo!

"I am not going in there first...you go first."
"Oh, come on, it's just a spook house."
"But you don't know what's on the other side!"
(dialogue between yours truly /the coward/ and friend upon going through the labyrinth at Universal Studios Hollywood- the 2005 edition of Van Helsing's House of Horrors- by the way, I did let out a blood curdling scream, because around the corner I saw a demonic figure- my reflection in a mirror!)

Who Are the Real Aliens?

Tuesday the 29th of December my friends and I went to the IMAX theatre in Cathedral City to see Avatar.  The film was sold out for the 12:15 showing; it was in a 3-d format, so the 3-d glasses were used.   Avatar is something that goes beyond verbal or written explanations.  The film is supposed to make the movie-goer experience something that has not been attempted.  I must say I am hooked.  Mr. Cameron is a genius.  The film is visually beautiful; I love the color blue and Avatar's blue hues are cinematically gorgeous.

The story hits a little too close to home.  For once, the bad guys are humans from the good old USA, trying to take a planet from its indigenous inhabitants.  Sound familiar?  As my friend Jon noted that it could have been in the wild west, the Warsaw Ghetto, ancient Britain.  To fight for one's homeland; to protect one's environment.  Some scenes made me think of what we are doing to the Amazon Rainforest.

The actors bring this story to life and must have been Mr. Cameron's dream cast for this ambitious film.  Sam Worthington, as James Sully, is fantastic.  Zoe Saldana as the female Na'vi who guides Sully in this strange world is a joy to behold, somewhat unrecognizable in her Na'vi guise.  Sigourney Weaver as a scientist who is sympathetic to the plight of the Na'vi, is wonderful.  A versatile actress indeed.  The music by James Horner, at times was reminiscent of Titanic, but nonetheless added that magic touch to the scenes.  And a few tears were shed.  It was emotionally cathartic.

I must say it is a refreshing change to see an "alien invasion" film where this time WE are the aliens...with the same intents as the aliens in other classic invasion films have.

Go and see this wonderful cinematic epic.  Relish it the first time and then enjoy it a second and third time.

Oscar Worthy

It is not your typical holiday fare.  It is not a light, frothy film.  It is a powerful drama that I am sure hits home.  It definitely packs a wallop.  Based on a novel called Push, the celluloid adaptation is known as Precious.  Apparently there is another film called "Push" and producers did not want to confuse the issue.  
Precious- about a 16 year old teen who is still in junior high, is a teen mother and lives in a home with a very physically and abusive mother, portrayed by Mo'Nique.  Mother wants to live and remain on welfare and because of Precious's status of teen mom, the mom will live off the dole.  Her first pregnancy is part of a dark secret Precious does not choose to talk about.  She seems to enjoy learning as she hits and tells a classmate to shut up because she is trying to listen to what the teacher says.  Her grades are somewhat good and her school counsellor suggests alternative schooling.  Her mom thinks school is a waste of time; she should live on welfare.  Precious wants to better herself, and that is such a positive in such a dark film.  She has a great fantasy life- imagining herself on the red carpet as a celebrity and other things.  I suppose lots of people escape to fantasy because reality is too harsh, too painful.  In an interesting non-glamourous role of Precious's social worker, Mariah Carey, tries to help the troubled teen.  
Precious does attend the alternative school where she slowly progresses and raises her reading level to that of an 8th grader.  Oh, she is pregnant with her second child, to which she gives birth and names him Abdul.  It is because of this second baby the mother goes into mega-bitch mode.  Needless to say, Precious survives this and wants nothing more than the best for her children.
Gabourney Sidibie is amazing as Precious.  Her first film and I would not be surprised that she gets an Oscar nod, as well as Mo'Nique.  It must have been physically and spiritually draining on all the actors in  this film to get through a lot of the scenes.  They are graphic and give a glimpse of what life is like for a lot out there in such a situation.  Not a film for all, especially small children.  It is a film to watch with friends and when you want non-escapism entertainment.  I'd even forgo the popcorn.  To say "enjoy this film" would be a mistake.  Go...see...learn...think...have hope.