Poor Fernando. He was summoned to see his probation officer during my class today. I told him go and if we are not here we will be in the library. He was gone for a while and yet showed up before we left for the Library.
The minute we got to the Library he asked to use the restroom. I told him no, there were only 10 minutes left in the school day. He continued to ask. The answer remained, no.
This led to an 8 minute conversation about him hassling me to get his way and why he does this. I asked if he did this to his mother. He said he doesn't deal with his mother. I asked him if he lived with his mother, to which he responded that he did. I asked what he does when she says no to him. He says he doesn't ask her for anything.
I paused and thought for a minute. Then I said "you don't like following rules." He said rules don't matter. I said, well that is why you have a probation officer. Then the discussion took a turn to how school rules and laws are similar. And I repeated, "you don't like to follow rules." And how was that working for him.
He, somewhere in the midst of this conversation told me he asks nothing from his mother. He buys his own clothes and things (and yet he does not have a job). I asked him about how he gets money. And, he told me I shouldn't ask him that. This went on and on for the entire 10 minutes. Neither of us ever used anything but a calm tone and we were completely listening to one another.
I do think he thought he would wear me down and I would eventually yell at him or something. I told him about my father and that he came to California because he didn't want to do anything illegal or work in a steel mill. He wanted a better life for himself and his family. I told him I appreciated all the sacrifices my father made so I could have a different life. And that an education is important.
So this is 10 minutes in my day. Probably the best 10 minutes of my day. At the end as the bell rang, he said, "But Miss, I only asked to go to the bathroom." I smiled and replied, "this was not about you asking to go to the bathroom."
He smiled. My parting words were, "have a good afternoon sweetie and stay out of trouble." He smiled and waved.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Friday, January 9, 2015
Terrific Thursday
Wow, yesterday was one of those wonderful days in life. Lunch with an old friend.And, uhm, he baked banana bread with chocolate chips for me! Seriously, how sweet is that. It was a longish drive, but on the way home I went to the most awesome Sports Gear shop. It is called The Locker Room in Downey and is a small, packed to the rafters small business. The owner is amazing and now I am all ready for my Patriots to beat those silly birds tomorrow. Even a brand new coffee mug.
Continuing my trek home I met up with one of my most favorite colleagues/friends at my former school site. Markham will always be part of me and it is where I became a really good teacher to students and adults. I got to meet the new principal and am so glad the momentum will not be lost with yet another transition. I was impressed by his ability and passion and humor. So glad the community is still in good hands.
And yet this was not the end of my day. I ended up with the family I have made - The Fiore Abode was full of silly brilliant teenage girls who exceeded my expectation for how hard I am capable of laughing. Let's just say they were impressed by the banana bread I received and leave it at that.
Lucky me, there was also adult time with Karen, Darcy, Ariella, Michael and Mike. I received unbelievable advice and coaching with my personal life. We laughed so much and then Ariella made the most delicious popcorn - unbelievable really and then we watched The American President. That movie is so PERFECT.
Also a part of this loving day was finding my roommate the one more curtain panel she needed, meeting the lovely film maker who parks his car in my driveway while he is off on shoots and film festivals. Wow, it was midnight and he hugged me and thanked me and then proceeded to talk to his car in the most positive manner. This gentleman's energy is infectious and so penetrating.
I went to bed with a smile and a contentment that we all should feel each day.
Today will be a good one too. Mainly because I am making that choice and also because we are taking Max and Magnolia to the Pompeii Exhibition. But really it is all about the time we spend with others not so much what we do that is important.
14 days to 50!
Continuing my trek home I met up with one of my most favorite colleagues/friends at my former school site. Markham will always be part of me and it is where I became a really good teacher to students and adults. I got to meet the new principal and am so glad the momentum will not be lost with yet another transition. I was impressed by his ability and passion and humor. So glad the community is still in good hands.
And yet this was not the end of my day. I ended up with the family I have made - The Fiore Abode was full of silly brilliant teenage girls who exceeded my expectation for how hard I am capable of laughing. Let's just say they were impressed by the banana bread I received and leave it at that.
Lucky me, there was also adult time with Karen, Darcy, Ariella, Michael and Mike. I received unbelievable advice and coaching with my personal life. We laughed so much and then Ariella made the most delicious popcorn - unbelievable really and then we watched The American President. That movie is so PERFECT.
Also a part of this loving day was finding my roommate the one more curtain panel she needed, meeting the lovely film maker who parks his car in my driveway while he is off on shoots and film festivals. Wow, it was midnight and he hugged me and thanked me and then proceeded to talk to his car in the most positive manner. This gentleman's energy is infectious and so penetrating.
I went to bed with a smile and a contentment that we all should feel each day.
Today will be a good one too. Mainly because I am making that choice and also because we are taking Max and Magnolia to the Pompeii Exhibition. But really it is all about the time we spend with others not so much what we do that is important.
14 days to 50!
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
50th Year in Progress - 16 days to the big day
I usually do celebrate my birthday in some way. Sometimes with a party or a dinner and sometimes with a trip/adventure. As I contemplated turning 50 I made some decisions. Even with the longish life spans in my family, every day truly is a gift. Putting things off is no way to live life.
I started with a list of 50 things to do this year. Not exactly a bucket list, though some of my bucket items did make the list.
A few of the items are seemingly simple, but actually represent much more. As with everyone who walks this planet I won't get every "thing" I want in life. However, I won't settle for missing out on experiences and emotions and connections any longer.
My 50th year is not the end or the beginning, but it is a way to step up and move forward. Get out of ruts and create new habits and LIVE. All of us can choose to LIVE or to worry about what might be. I actually am not one to sit around and feel sorry for myself, or at least not for long. I also know the best way to move past that "place" is to do something.
Honestly, 2015 could be better. Some crappy things have happened, but some amazing things are finding a way to bloom in spite of the negative conditions. I am going to approach this year with positive energy and thoughts.
So, what's on the list?
I started with a list of 50 things to do this year. Not exactly a bucket list, though some of my bucket items did make the list.
A few of the items are seemingly simple, but actually represent much more. As with everyone who walks this planet I won't get every "thing" I want in life. However, I won't settle for missing out on experiences and emotions and connections any longer.
My 50th year is not the end or the beginning, but it is a way to step up and move forward. Get out of ruts and create new habits and LIVE. All of us can choose to LIVE or to worry about what might be. I actually am not one to sit around and feel sorry for myself, or at least not for long. I also know the best way to move past that "place" is to do something.
Honestly, 2015 could be better. Some crappy things have happened, but some amazing things are finding a way to bloom in spite of the negative conditions. I am going to approach this year with positive energy and thoughts.
So, what's on the list?
1.
|
3 stamps in Passport
|
2.
|
Visit one New State
|
3.
|
50 Notes of Gratitude
|
4.
|
Lose 50 pounds
|
5.
|
Visit Kai
|
6.
|
Visit Chris
|
7.
|
Write book
|
8.
|
See 4 sunrises
|
9.
|
See 10 sunsets
|
10.
|
Clean the house 50 times
|
11.
|
Landscape house
|
12.
|
Go to the beach 50 times
|
13.
|
Painting Class
|
14.
|
Color Me Mine Dishes
|
15.
|
Host a Dinner Party
|
16.
|
Read 50 books
|
17.
|
Organize Closet
|
18.
|
GO to an Opera
|
19.
|
Hike to Mash Site
|
20.
|
Eat Vegan twice a week
|
21.
|
Go to Fitness classes each week
|
22.
|
Do 5 L.A. Hikes
|
23.
|
Ride bike to work
|
24.
|
Go on a real date
|
25.
|
Attend Cinespia
|
26.
|
Go to Grand Park 3 times
|
27.
|
Walk dog 3 times/week
|
28
|
Attend Shakespeare in the Park
|
29.
|
Finish Joey’s Quilt
|
30.
|
Host 3 parties
|
31.
|
Tattoo
|
32.
|
Spirit Blog
|
33.
|
Yosemite
|
34.
|
Go to the Center of U.S.
|
35.
|
Go to Professional Football Game
|
36.
|
Clean/Organize Garage
|
37.
|
Make plans with diff groups of friends
|
38.
|
Go Dancing
|
39.
|
Try 5 new restaurants
|
40.
|
Fall in Love
|
41.
|
Buy a couch
|
42.
|
Go Skating
|
43.
|
Call one friend every week
|
44.
|
Pull out carpet and sand floors
|
45.
|
Re-do Bathroom
|
46.
|
Grow vegetables
|
47.
|
See Mike DJ
|
48.
|
Earn Salary Points
|
49.
|
Host a crazy no reason party
|
50.
|
Try something NEW |
Obviously, the goal is just to live out loud and be with people I love and take some things off the todo list. And I am not going to feel bad if everything is not accomplished exactly as I want. The goal is to DO and BE and ENJOY and INTERACT and BE GRATEFUL for EACH AND EVERY DAY.
I hope to see you all on this year long adventure.
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