Not sure what will happen to this blog next year—but this is probably the least of the uncertain things about “next year.” All the teachers keep saying how this was the “year from hell” because of the contract issue, the lack of support from town council and school committee, the firing of a principal and other lay-offs, etc. When people say that, I know what they mean intellectually, but honestly I do not feel that way in my heart.
In the past it has always been very difficult for me to leave teaching for awhile after a Buell baby is born and then come back…the first year back is usually a huge adjustment for me. But really, I love the team model for 9th graders–and this has been a great year, imho I’m sure I owe a lot of that to you, my students. Overall you were a lively and interesting bunch—thank you for being you!!! It will be fun to watch you in the coming years.
Feel free to drop in here and enlighten the new 9th graders with your astute 10th grade take on the world. Enjoy U.S. history—-hopefully you will recognize that we do live in a great country. And please have a fun and safe summer! I hope Taylor’s bones heal quickly, that Andrew enjoys aummer “off-line” in Vermont and that you all meet with success in whatever endeavours you pursue.
Intriguing video from The Last Shadow Puppets (really Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys and some other guy) submitted for our review by Andrew Hunt. The song is called The Age of the Understatement and since most things in history seem to be overstated (Saddam Hussein’s pretending to have all the WMD and misleading UN investigators as well as British and American spies comes to mind) I’m not so sure this video has anything to do with history at all. The Russian scenes are cool—-I think these guys are channeling the alternative British bands that I used to listen to when I was in High School: Depeche Mode, New Order, Jesus Jones, Housemartins, The Clash and The Cure. Some of the more “random” scenes here are soooooo New Order, imho. Perhaps Alex Turner and friend are paying homage to the 80s bands by employing these Russian scenes since Cold War themes were a big part of the earlier bands’ music. OR perhaps it’s more basic: the song is about a woman that this guy just cannot figure out. Back in 1939 at the beginning of WWII when people weren’t sure which nations would fight alongside Britain Winston Churchill spoke of Russia’s unpredictability in world affairs. “I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” Just like the girl Turner and friend sing about.
The part I don’t really get is what the ice skating is about. The skater in the video is a dead-ringer for Oksana Baiul, the 1992 Olympic gold medalist from the Ukraine. Ok, so I think it’s supposed to be her in the video—-but the video is from Russia not the Ukraine….and the famous story about Oksana was how they were so poor that they had no Zambonis and all the skaters had to clean off the ice themselves. Russia is still pretty cutting-edge when it comes to athletics. I love to swim, but I hate chlorine—the smell just makes me sick. Wouldn’t be a problem if I swam in a Moscow pool…they have a new kind of chlorine that is odorless! And notice that is a very nice rink she is skating on, so maybe it’s not an Oksana reference, but why choose an actress who looks so much like her?
Very happy for Jon Lester…although I had intended to correct essays while watching the Red Sox, but couldn’t concentrate when Lester was pitching. It’s nice that he will be known for something other than “the guy who had cancer.” I also haven’t been paying attention to the Red Sox yet this season….when they started I was still watching the Bruins and now the Celtics. Finally figured out why Patrick wears one sleeve up and one sleeve down at his games
This is just for fun, but appropriate since we are discussing the 9os in class this week. It is amazing to think of all the technology that has developed since you, my students, were born. Here is a spoof of what the TV show 24 would have looked like if it took place 14 years ago. Watch it with your parents and get them reminiscing. Let me know what they think. Also, what do you predict your children will be laughing about in our society? Which of our “modern conveniences” will seem silly and outdated when I am teaching your children?
Today my darling Nora is 5. To me 5 is the most perfect age. As you know I’m raising 4 children ages 1-13 and I teach high school. So I’ve had a lot of experience with the different ages and stages children go through and 5 to me is just perfect. When they are 5 they are still so innocent and cute and sweet, yet so very independent, dressing themselves and looking out for themselves. They still snuggle. Mother’s kiss still takes away the pain of cuts and scrapes. And they are not yet into the million and one activities that take up all of my older children’s free time. Nora, I am so excited for you as you enter “my favorite age.” Happy Birthday!!!
Today is Cinco de Mayo and knowing my students they will try their hardest to get me off-topic and into a long discussion of the meaning of this holiday—and if they are skilled at the art of getting a teacher very OT, into a discussion of the perils of binge drinking. One of the benefits of this blog is that I can merely direct them here and continue on with the decline of the USSR.
For those who are unaware of the history here is a decent account from National Geographic. As you may remember from the beginning of the year, today is not Mexican Independence Day. September 16th commemorates the Cry of Delores speech (”Mexicanos, viva México”) by Father Miguel Hidalgo. Here is an article that sums up these events and at the end explains the September 15th vs. September 16th confusion started by Porfirio Diaz on the 100th anniversary in 1910. Diaz is also responsible for instituting Cinco de Mayo as a national holiday.
Some things I find interesting/curious about this holiday and perhaps some of you would like to comment:
1. Diaz took part in the resistance to French invasion (most accounts even put him at the May 5, 1862 victory at Puebla) and yet in 1911 when he was ousted from his presidency by Francisco Madera, Diaz fled to Paris. Seems unlikely that he would have made a French friend during Emperor Maximilian’s reign. So why France?
2. The invasion by the French in 1862 violated the Monroe Doctrine. When we first discussed the Monroe Doctrine in class we said that back in 1823 the United States did not have the means to enforce this policy and were relying on British support. Wondering if the U.S. was more capable in 1862 to defend the Monroe Doctrine, but was unable to because of the U.S. Civil War (1861-1865)?
3. Interesting that Cinco de Mayo became such an American holiday….good excuse to have schoolchildren learn about the culture of our neighbor to the south. (Wondering what Veronica will be bringing home in her backpack…she was saying something about a pinata party). However, today it seems the anti-imperialist message resonates with all Latinos and produces anti-American feelings centered around the immigration issue.
4. I am probably the only person thinking about questions 1-3 (please, someone comment to the contrary). Most people are excited for the Cinco de Mayo festivities at the local pub….lots of Margaritas and Coronas and maybe half-priced nachos. It’s like another St. Patrick’s Day—-just an excuse to party and who cares what exactly it is we are celebrating.
Remember a few months ago when I told you the story of the Christmas party Jeff and I went to that was a Duxbury Rotary Club fundraiser to build a girls’ school in a small town outside of Kabul? We talked about the culture of Afghanistan and how most don’t see the need to educate girls since the greatest ambition for women is to “be quiet.” We also talked about how the school hoped to open in March and really couldn’t open before that since it is too cold and the building won’t be heated or have electricity. Well, they opened on time on March 30th and here is a video of the ribbon cutting and opening-day festivities. The woman who spearheaded this campaign in Duxbury is the woman in the middle wearing glasses. Her name is Razia Jan–she’s the International Projects Chairwoman for the Duxbury Rotary Club–you might remember my telling you about her as the woman Jeff offered a glass of wine to much to my embarrassment. Jeff was only being polite…who remembers why his offer was such a faux pas(something that is considered good manners in one culture, but is inappropriate in another culture)?
At school embedded video won’t show up…use this link to view the video and check out the story and more pictures on the Duxbury Clipper blog (see the link in “What I’ve Been Reading Lately” in the right side-bar).
It was 13 years ago today that I became a new person. People grow and change all of the time, but the amazing thing about becoming a mother is that the transformation happens instantaneously, not in weeks or months like when you start an exercise program or begin a love affair, but in the seconds after your child is born. Suddenly, it’s not all about me anymore, but instead of feeling burdened by responsibility—the way I felt throughout pregnancy every time I had to pass up a cup of coffee or choke down a prenatal vitamin—–I had an overwhelming desire to surrender myself entirely to this child. Thirteen years later and I am still awed by this metamorphosis. I often wonder if my experience is common or, on the other hand. more profound because I was young and hadn’t really ever known babies or given much thought to having children yet.
A few years ago Patrick and I watched a movie together called Riding in Cars With Boys about the trials and tribulations of a single mother played by Drew Barrymore. I thought Pat and I would be able to relate to their story and perhaps even recognize a bit of ourselves on the screen. I was shocked to see a character who felt her life had been ruined—or at least severely hindered—by the birth of her son. Of course I have my “what if” moments when I try to imagine where I would be if Patrick had not come into my life, but the reality is even if I had some fabulous career and exciting lifestyle, I wouldn’t have the patience, the generosity, the selflessness or the personal fulfillment to be commendable at any of it.
I suspect that given my fondness for summer vacation I might have found my way into the teaching profession even without a need for family friendly employment. But I wonder, would I have lasted without my “mommy gene?” And if I had not gone on to have 3 more children, each so very different from the others, would I have truly believed in things like differentiated instruction and multiple intelligences?
So happy birthday, Patrick. As you enter the decade that is sure to turn my hair gray, as we argue over your freedoms and choices and as you make your own life-altering decisions, I will remember these gifts you have bequeathed me. Patience, generosity and selflessness are sure to come in handy when interacting with my teenage son.
I teach world history to 9th graders at Weymouth High School in Massachusetts. I love my job because I love to tell stories---stories about history and stories about my life as a child of the 80s, stories from my wanna-be journalist days in Washington, DC and stories about my 4 children: Patrick, Veronica, Nora and Agnes. I also tell lots of "what not to do" stories about my dear husband, Jeff.
I’m sure I owe a lot of that to you, my students. Overall you were a lively and interesting bunch—thank you for being you!!! It will be fun to watch you in the coming years. 
