First Time for Anything...
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Back from break...
Today as a new teacher, I had one of those days. One of those days
where all I can say is "middle school is rough". The read to lead
group I teach was not on their best behavior. It’s like they regressed over
Spring break. I was just bragging about the strive they’ve made with their
behavior and then they come to our meeting as if they forgot our purpose. The
talking wouldn't stop, they did not listen to my instructions and argued
amongst themselves. I felt so sad that they behaved this way. When I asked them
why they respond to me yelling, they said I don't yell I just look upset. And, that they are used to
mean teachers yelling at them: followed by naming my colleagues who
"yell". What am I supposed to do? I am at a loss and would like to
know what some other teachers would advise me to do.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Reflection: Early Packing
Preparing
to move is a process, a really long and painful process. Today I had to start
packing up some of my belongings that I would not be using often, like some
books, picture frames and old school supplies. Over the years I hadn’t noticed
how much “stuff” I had kept that was just junk. Sitting in my closet gathering
dust, this stuff had to be sorted into piles. I had to sort out what I was
keeping and what I was tossing. That was until I found a shoe box full of old
birthday, holiday and thank you cards that I had saved over the years. I paused
to look through.
Some cards I opened went back as far
as my middle school years. I had cards my father wrote in before he passed
away. I had cards from friends I hadn’t talked to in years and some that I
don’t know what became of them. I found my first Valentine’s card from my boyfriend
that he hand-made. As I rummaged through the cards and the memories, I let out
some tears and felt so much more change coming my way. I am moving to a new
place. Starting a new chapter for my education in the fall. And with all of
these changes coming ahead, it was nice to look back for a couple of moments
and remember. I closed that box and packed it. I am ready for change.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Reflection On Teaching
Today I thought about why I want to be a teacher. I mean, really why I want to be a teacher.
I work in a self-contained classroom for ASD students. Now, my days are great so I am not complaining. But I just realized today, why I keep coming back. Regardless of how many times I get hit, scratched, spit on and a list of other things; I can honestly say I love my students. If I didn't care about these students, then I wouldn't come back, believe me.
So the reason why I want to be a teacher: because I love so intensely and greatly. I fall in a protective and nurturing love with my students and I want to help in any way possible. That's why I keep coming back to my classroom everyday and why I am making this my career. I guess my heart is my only great talent in life or gift because I am not extraordinary in any other way. I just have a love for people.
I work in a self-contained classroom for ASD students. Now, my days are great so I am not complaining. But I just realized today, why I keep coming back. Regardless of how many times I get hit, scratched, spit on and a list of other things; I can honestly say I love my students. If I didn't care about these students, then I wouldn't come back, believe me.
So the reason why I want to be a teacher: because I love so intensely and greatly. I fall in a protective and nurturing love with my students and I want to help in any way possible. That's why I keep coming back to my classroom everyday and why I am making this my career. I guess my heart is my only great talent in life or gift because I am not extraordinary in any other way. I just have a love for people.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Happiness
I wanted to try writing a poem and I knew
acrostic poems were fairly simple. Poetry has always been such a mystery to me
because it just seems to come at you from nowhere and then make sense. So here
is my attempt at answering what makes me think of happiness. This topic or
theme sprung up because I watched a documentary the other night with my
boyfriend on happiness. It researched what made us happy and how we determine
true happiness. And then I thought about what makes me happy.
Having loved and being loved
Appreciating those simple moments
Photographs of memories
Pictures in your mind
Ice cream running down your mouth
Naps in the afternoon
Extraordinary moments in time
Sealed in a capsule
Stolen in time
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
One of the boys
I
looked out at the empty deserted field behind our house that would soon be
turned into a subdivision filled with new families and houses as occupants. The
day was hot and dry but good enough for a game of baseball with my cousins and
the other group of kids in the neighborhood.
“C’mon,
Nancy, you have to keep up if you’re going to play with us today” said my
cousin Rodrigo. He was the oldest and I was in his care as the youngest member
of the group, not to mention the only girl. I picked up the pace and shuffled
my feet faster over the dry cracked ground in order to make our quest to the
baseball field we had set up in the deserted stretch of land behind our house.
The heat and nerves to start the game made my palms so sweaty that my glove and
bat were slipping from my hands like a wet bar of soap.
We
made it to the field and of course I was the last one to get to the pitcher’s
mound where my cousins and the others were already assembled in a line ready to
pick the teams. Rodrigo, one of the team captains, had quickly said to me when
I slipped in to the end of the line
“You’re with me, Nancy, you’re going to play first-base.” I had never
had to play any position before but an outfielder. I know I can do this; I thought, I can always
ask Rodrigo for some pointers before we got started.
The
teams were set and the game was about to begin. I slipped on my catcher’s mitt
over my sweaty hand and walked up behind my cousin who was taking some practice
swings before we officially started. I said “Rodrigo, what do you want me to do
exactly?” With his back turned towards me he started to say
“Just make sure you…” and Whack! My face had
been hit in an instant before I could react to the end of the bat that was
coming straight for my left eye. My cousin had swung the bat and not realizing
that I was right behind him. My eyebrow had been split open and my head was
throbbing in pain from the impact. I could literally see stars with my closed
eyes and felt the warm blood drip from the open wound to cover my face. My hands
moved up to my face within seconds of regaining my balance from the force of
the impact to feel the open split right above my left eyebrow.
“Nancy,
are you alright? I am so sorry I didn’t
think you were right behind me!” said Rodrigo. I felt his familiar callous
fingers from years of guitar playing on my hands attempting to take them off my
face that were covering the wound and hiding my embarrassment.
I could hear the rest of the team member’s
footsteps coming towards me and them all asking each other, “What happened, did
anyone see that?”
I
kept my left hand over my wounded brow and opened my other eye. I saw Rodrigo
had tears in his eyes and the remorse on his face. I told him “Please just get
me home, it hurts so much.” He did not hesitate to put his arm around me and
guide me back through the desert and to our home.
“I’m
so sorry, Nancy.” said Rodrigo as we started walking back towards our house.
“It’s
going to be alright I just want to see grandma, she will make it better.” I knew I said the wrong thing, my grandmother
would not be easy on him. He was the oldest and in charge of my safety. I would
have to tell her right away that it was an accident.
As
we made our way to the beginning of the residential street I knew we only had
three houses to walk down but my head was hurting more than ever and blood had
dripped down to soak the collar of my t-shirt. We walked up the driveway and up
to the front door. Rodrigo rang the doorbell and seconds later my grandmother
swung open the front door. “Nancy, what happened to you!?” said my grandmother
as she grabbed my shoulder and led me into the air-conditioning and the
bathroom where the first aid kit was.
The
first words out of my mouth were “Grandma, it was an accident, I was standing
behind Rodrigo and he hit me, please don’t punish him.”
She said in response, “Now you see why I don’t
like you going out there and playing those rough games?”
“I
know grandma but I love to play, I was brave and I did not cry.” I said.
“I can see that, but you are about to.” She
said. I could see out of my opened eye the bottle of peroxide on the counter
and prepared myself for the stinging pain that was about to come.
I
still have a reminder of that day, when I was out with the boys. I can still
keep up with them, scar and all even today. I can never forget that lesson from
a game of baseball.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Deep In The Ocean’s Treasure
We
were coming home from an evening at church, as we did almost every Saturday
night. I could see through some of the
gaped window curtains as my mother and I made our way down the street to our
house. The lights were twinkling on the Christmas trees alternating red and
green in my neighbor’s homes. Families were gathered inside celebrating this
Christmas Eve with large meals and bountiful company. No lights trimmed our
house this year, even though I begged my mother to let us put up some lights.
Our house was the only house in the neighborhood with no lights and no joy. We
did not celebrate Christmas, or any holiday and birthdays for that matter due
to our religious practices that limited our participation. But I longed to be
free each chance I got and would fuss at my mother to let us. The beautiful
twinkling lights etched in me that I was missing out on the greatest holiday
ever celebrated.
“Mom, I’m missing out on celebrating with my friends at
school. Can’t I just participate in the school parties so I can fit in,
please?” I pleaded. There was no immediate response; she pretended to be
focused on parking the car in the driveway. The car was finally still and she
had rested her hands on her lap, sighed and turned to look at me.
“You know it’s not appropriate for you to participate
because you don’t believe in what they believe in. Besides, you do fit in, you
have friends who have you over and come by too,” she said. She turned her head
back to look again at the dark house and reach behind the seat for her purse.
We got out of the car and walked up the pathway to the
door. I wasn’t going to argue any further. It was Christmas Eve night; there
was no need for a debate tonight. I put my white marshmallow looking coat in
the closet underneath the stairs and stuffed my gloves and hat in the pockets to
hang together. My mother patted my shoulder and hummed church hymns in attempt
to sooth my temper I was containing. I was upset, but I knew there was no point
in asking her to change her mind tonight. It was too late. Christmas was four
hours away and my chances of seeing a tree in our house and opening presents
tomorrow was a farfetched idea.
“Don’t you want to watch a movie and have some popcorn
with me?” my mother asked. Her warm hand moved up to cup my cold chin and pull
my face out to meet hers. Her soft brown eyes and puzzled look could not soften
my stolen heart. Tonight it selfishly belonged to Christmas; I wanted it to
come to me this year if it were not for her.
“No thank you, I want to go to bed,” I said.
“But it’s only eight, you can’t be tired,” said my
mother.
“I am, I’m tired of not getting my wishes met every
year,” I said and broke into a thumping march up the stairs and into my room.
My fluffy red warm comforter was waiting to embrace me. I gathered my pillow
into my face and let out the tears I had been holding. My face grew hot and wet
from soaking in the now wet pillow. Blocking the world out and sulking in my
sorrow, I curled up under the covers and started to drift and sleep the night
away.
Waking up to find dim sunlight coming in through my
bedroom curtains, I felt the dread of another Christmas that had come, but not
for me. I pulled the covers off and felt the cool brisk bite of a winter chill.
My church outfit was still on. I did not change last night because I had cried
myself to sleep. I heard pans rattling and smelled eggs and frying bacon. It
was only seven in the morning; my mother could not possibly be awake yet. But I
was anxious to find out what was happening. I hurriedly changed into pajamas
and wrapped my tattered robe around me for extra warmth. As I flew down the
stairs, the tail end of my robe draping like a cape, I find my mother making
breakfast.
“Good morning, hon. Are you feeling better?” she asked
with a forgiving smile. She was not mad at me for last night. Not vengeful for
the temper tantrum I threw and closed her off from my world.
“I am. Why are you up so early mom and making breakfast
already?” I asked.
The
kitchen table was set for her and I, but this was different. There was a tiny
box wrapped in magenta foil wrapping paper sitting on a plate with a hand
written note that was addressed to me in gold ink. It was not my birthday and I
had never gotten anything on Christmas day before.
“You
went to bed early last night and so did I. I hope you can forgive me for the
many things you have missed out on in your childhood. Are you always going to
be mad at me?” she asked. Her face looked nervous and anxious for my response.
She stirred the yellow runny eggs more and more, scrapping the pan with the
spatula to hurry along my response.
“I’m
sorry mom. It’s not what I meant to do. I didn’t want to hurt you but I just
feel like I’m missing out on something special. I’ve always wanted to celebrate
Christmas. I really am sorry. But why are you up so early and what is this on
my plate?” I said
“I don’t mean to cause you to be upset and
feel like you are missing out on something special. But you hopefully will see
one day that there are many more special things that will consume your life,”
said my mother. “But for now, open your gift. Don’t think of it as a Christmas
present, just as something from me to brighten up your morning.”
I
sat down at the kitchen table and tore the foil off adorning the tiny box. It
was a box that obviously held jewelry. Its distinct curbs and gold hinge on the
back was unforgettable. We didn’t have much money to spare this end of the
month since our heater needed more repairs and was evidently acting up today
again. I couldn’t believe my mother was giving me an obviously expensive gift. My
fingers gripped the little box and pried it open to reveal its treasure. It was
my grandmother’s ruby pendant necklace that she always wore. I hadn’t seen it
since she passed away when I was only five years old. It was my most memorable
of her possessions and she loved it very much.
“Wait
mom, why are you giving this to me? This was left to you from grandma,” I
asked.
“I’m
giving this to you because it was your grandmother’s treasure once and you are
mine,” She said. I could tell she was cold because she was now hugging herself
and the end of small slender nose was turning pink from the heaters selected
operating times.
I
rose out of my chair and hugged her. I buried my face into her chest and felt
her warmth. She wrapped her arms around my head and kissed the top. The eggs
forgotten and the bacon still simmering; I held on to her for as long as I
could. I did not want to lose my mom or make her feel like she hadn’t given me
enough in this life ever again, because she had.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Chocolate Cream Pie
I really liked this piece because it is a combination of some of my girlfriends real stories. Although it is a little sad, in the end everyone is alright. So here is my second piece...
Chocolate
Cream Pie
“You’re going to be in charge of zone three tonight,
Clair. Did you hear me?” said Mark irritated because Clair was obviously in a
daze looking at the rush of customers flooding into the restaurant. Within an
hour of opening for dinner, every table was full and the wait was almost an
hour long.
“I heard you Mark, zone three. I’m sorry I just feel a
little nervous about tonight, I’m still getting the hang of this,” exclaimed
Clair nervous and sorry for not paying attention. She forced her eyes to meet
Mark’s and smiled half heartedly; pushing some loose strands of soft brown hair
behind her ear. She knew she had to focus her mind on the guest and service.
“It’s going to be ok, just ask for help if you need it,” replied
Mark. His words were difficult to hear from all the noise but his message was
clear enough through the reassuring look in his eyes. The restaurant was
growing louder with clanking of plates and chatter of the guest and waiters
throughout the dining room.
“Ok, that makes me feel better. Thanks, Mark,” said Clair
determined to win back Mark’s trust for the night. He smiled and nodded as he
patted Clair’s shoulder and walked away to take care of the seating issue he
spotted at table nine across the room. This job was given to Clair as a favor
for many long nights of babysitting for her neighbor, Mark’s children, and he
was willing to repay her with a job at his restaurant. Coming home for college
was not easy, especially since Clair had not spoken to her best friend Anna in
a year. Not since she was hit on by Anna’s boyfriend, Jason, and Clair could
not find a way to tell her. She just stopped answering Anna’s calls and found
excuses not to come home from college.
The aromas of the firewood grill in the
kitchen burning carried its smoky scent throughout the restaurant and the candlelight
luminescence made it a popular place for dates in the small town of Golden. Carmela’s was a small family owned
restaurant that offered only the best Italian food in town.
But all Clair could think about as she lit the
cinnamon scented red candles on the table was Jason’s breath on her of vodka
that summer night. Her hands trembled and her heart felt heavy. Sweat began to
beat down her brow and nausea made her lose a little balance. She did not want
to remember how his hand slipped up her thigh and his other hand gripping on
her neck as he whispered in her ear one night at a graduation party. He offered
her an opportunity to sleep with him, told her in fact that he desired her
deeply and Anna never had to know. Clair closed her eyes and breathed in
deeply, it was over and her past was behind her. She did not have to be afraid
any more of being powerless and how she lost a dear friend.
“Hey
Clair, your guest are seated and waiting for you at table twelve. Are you
alright?” asked Mark as he put his hand on Clair’s firm shoulder and smiled
reassuringly. It eased her trembling and the warmth of human contact with
someone familiar made her feel safer.
“Yes
I’m fine thank you. I just wanted to relight this candle, it went out after our
last guest,” said Clair.
She
smiled and more reassured now that she can focus on her work, she went off to
table twelve to take care of her guest. Clair walked steadily with her menus in
hand and order pad at the ready. As she weaved between chairs and watched out
for flying trays carried high above the waiter’s heads, she locked in her
vision on table twelve and froze in her step. Her heart pounded against her
ribcage like a mallet on a base drum and her neck and face grew hotter all in
an instant. Jason and Anna were her guest at table twelve. What could she do;
she thought? There was no chance of her trading with another waiter; it would
not be a possibility on a busy night like tonight. Her only option was to step
up and face her friend. Having no other way out, Clair tightened her grip on
her menus and list of wines and moved her heavy resisting legs to table nine.
Not prepared with what to say to Anna, she advanced none the less.
“Good
evening and welcome to Carmela’s” said Clair, fumbling through her apron for
her pen in attempt to avoid the inevitable.
“Clair!
Oh my gosh I can’t believe it! You work here? I had no idea, I tried to call
you all this time and you don’t return my calls,” says Anna desperately. She
stands up from her chair and puts her arms around Clair’s neck. Her flowing
black dress sways with her happiness and her signature Channel perfume consume
Clair’s nostrils for that instant.
“Hi,
Anna. I’m sorry, I’ve been so busy but it’s nice to see you,” said Clair. She
embraces her long lost friend for just a moment and let’s go. Clair wanted to
hug her longer and cry from all the anger and hurt she experienced. She wanted
to bury her face in her friends welcoming shoulder and let out all of the hurt
and anger inside. But she could not. The guilt of not telling her friend the
truth about her unfaithful boyfriend had been a heavy price to pay, but not as
heavy as the price would be for telling her.
“It’s
nice to see you for once Clair. It’s been a while,” says Jason. His eyes gazed
and piecing at Clair made her knees buckle.
“Yes
it’s been a while,” said Clair. She glanced at Jason for just a moment and
returned her attention to Anna.
“Were
here celebrating our five year anniversary but it’s so nice to see you. Let’s see
each other now that you’re in town,” said Anna with her hands folded and eyes
pleading for a yes. In person, Clair could never turn down Anna’s request.
“Sure,
that sounds nice. But first I want to take down your drink order. What will it
be tonight?” asked Clair.
“I’m
not sure yet. Could you order for us, Jason? I really have to go to the ladies
room,” said Anna. She stood up and took her purse and darted through the dining
room to the restrooms. Alone now with Jason, Clair felt an air of suspicion. She
wondered what Jason was planning to say as she felt his grin grow wider.
“Well
take a bottle of the house champagne with a special request,” said Jason.
“Ok
Jason. What is the special request?” asked Clair. She was not looking at him as
she continued to scribble on her notepad in order to avoid his beady black
eyes.
“Can
you slip Anna’s engagement ring in her glass for me? I’m proposing to her
tonight and I want everything to go well. I mean everything,” said Jason menacingly.
He slipped out a black jewelry box from his pocket and pried it open with his
long pasty white fingers to show Clair. “You see Clair, Anna trusts me. She
knows I’m faithful and would never do anything to hurt her. Much like you,
right Clair?”
“Yeah,
I can do that,” says Clair. She looked at Jason and before she could think, she
snatched the jewelry box from Jason’s hand and slipped it in her apron. In
escape she marched off to the wine cellar in the back of the kitchen. Clair
felt the walls closing in all around her and her head spun as it became
difficult to breathe.
Anna
had to know the truth. Her boyfriend made a move on Clair, a violent and
aggressive move. He could potentially hurt Anna and she had to know before it
was too late. The tiny ring box in her apron weighed a ton all of a sudden and
Clair knew she had to carry it all the way to the ladies room and find Ana
before she went back to her table and Jason. Off Clair went straight to the
bathroom, almost tripping over her feet that resisted any command of movement
Clair demanded. She pushed through the heavy black bathroom door with the
crooked Ladies sign hanging over head and spotted Anna bent over the counter
and her eyes gazing at her own reflection in the mirror.
“Hey
there,” said Anna in a mumbled tone as she applied lipstick to her full plump
lips. “I can’t believe I got to see you but guess what? I think Jason is
proposing tonight, he’s been planning this for us for weeks now and I’m highly
suspicious that he has been up to something special.”
Guilt
rode over Clair’s conscious and her body trembled as she thought about her
friend and Jason promised to each other for life. Anna deserved better, she was
always so kind and loving towards others. Clair took one deep sigh and looked into
her best friend’s eyes, ready to speak about the last night she saw her friend
one year ago.
“About
Jason, I have something to tell you and you have to promise me that you will
believe me,” said Clair with warms tears now streaming down her face as she
looked at Anna.
“Yeah
of course, Clair. I’ve known you practically all of my life. What’s the matter
Clair?” asked Anna
“Well
Anna, last summer at the Thompson brother’s graduation party, Jason made a move
on me. When you and the others were downstairs at the basement and I went
upstairs to get another bag of chips, Jason followed me. He said he wanted to
help me even though I said I didn’t need him to. I was in the kitchen and going
to the pantry when he pulled at my arm. Jason pushed me against the wall and
his hands were all over me. He gripped my neck as I tried to resist and with
his other hand he groped me. He said he wanted to sleep with me and that you
didn’t have to know. I bit his hand when he slipped it up to touch my lips and
ran out of the house. That’s why you haven’t seen me or heard from you all of
this time,” said Clair. She did not feel relieved in telling her friend such a
horrible story. She felt ashamed that she did not tell her before.
“That
can’t be true Clair, how can you say that?” Jason would never hurt anyone,”
said Anna with disgust reflected in her narrow gaze set on Clair.
“It
is true Anna, you have to believe me. He is proposing tonight and I wanted you
to know this before you commit to him for life,” said Clair now hanging her
head low from the shame in having to deliver embarrassing news.
She reached down in her apron and pulled out
the ring box. In her hand it felt heavy still and she placed it on the counter
in front of Anna. Anna picked the little black box and put in her black beaded
purse and walked out of the restroom without looking at Clair as if she were
invisible. Clair felt a cold shudder as her friend left and thought that she
had for sure made the biggest mistake of her life by unleashing the truth.
With
nothing else holding her in the restroom, she walked out and returned back to
work. Clair walked back into the cool wine cellar and picked up the bottle of
champagne Jason requested with two glasses and a cork screw. With her hands
full, she walked through the dining hall and towards table twelve. Clair could
see Jason and Anna now both standing and looking at each other. They both
paused and looked at Clair as she was now standing at their table with their
champagne.
“Oh
and Jason, you can take this with you too,” screamed Anna. She pulled out the
small black box and put it on the table in front of Jason. He took it without
looking up at Anna or Clair and walked out of the restaurant. Anna folded her
arms and looked down at her shoes. “Well that scumbag won’t be coming around
either one of us ever again.”
“You
broke it off I’m guessing with Jason. I’m so sorry Anna but I love you too much
to see you get hurt,” said Clair still holding the bottle and glasses.
“It’s
ok; I knew you wouldn’t lie to me. He’s a creep anyways. So what do you have
for dessert here that’s good and we can split?” asked Anna now smiling at
Clair. She hugged Clair with her arms full still and sat back down at the
table.
“We
have a chocolate cream pie that I know you will love,” said Clair.
“Good let’s share
it,” laughed Anna. This was going to be a new beginning for both of them and it
needed to be broken in with a dessert
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