I have notes for blog entries in about four different notebooks, on scraps of paper around different surfaces and in my phone, so I should compile all those. But for now I'm just going freeball it and chat about the day. A lot happened and it was one of those days that felt extra full and busy. Some of the highlights were: sharing some illustrations in the book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland with a kid, a helpful librarian who ordered a transfer of the graphic novel version of The Wizard of Oz from another school for me, watching students complete work experience tasks independently and successfully, learning how to use a stander so kids in wheelchairs can experience standing, and playing a round of UNO (I didn't think it possible, but I miss playing UNO with those great kids from last year!). It was also slightly wacky weather, a harbinger of Autumnal equinox, stormy rains then clear blue skies with chilly breezes, then repeat.
I have to be careful when I go with the kids to do school recycling because I can't help but look at all the paper and sometimes books that are tossed and want to look through them and collect some to take home for possible art collage or reading. I grabbed two books today, one for a student and one for me. And then I had to carry them around while we finished work.
The latest update regarding the local wildfires is that over 45,ooo acres have burned and ...wait, did I write this yesterday already? Okay, here's newer news: there was an earthquake in Mexico City that killed 112 people (so far...) and ruined streets and buildings. It was the strongest one since 1985, and coincidentally occurred on the same exact fucking date. The latest hurricane is Maria. I think. And it hit Dominica hard and is moving on to Puerto Rico.
A neighbor gave us a microwave and a chair and another neighbor gave us a handmade stained glass hanging decoration. Nice nice neighbors! I still need to make a late bday card for a different neighbor, and a happy retirement for yet another neighbor. Neighbor friends are nice, I need to acknowledge them!
I was surprised to hear someone who works at the school make an intolerant remark about how people should learn English if they live in the US and she shouldn't have to learn Spanish. I wasn't eavesdropping, she was talking pretty loudly to another staff person in the hall. It reminded me of last year when co-teacher at other school made a disparaging remark about how Beauty and the Beast movie was terrible for having a gay character. I was really disappointed to hear these things and I should have said exactly that. "I'm really disappointed to hear you say that. You work in a place where we are supposed to be opening and welcoming to all races, genders and ethnicities." Basically a nice way of saying: what you are saying disgusts me, you suck, get an attitude adjustment.
Well, I really need to practice saying stuff like that and communicate to these remarks directly instead of feeling tongue-tied and not using my voice. I know I can do it. I just need to practice and have some go-to responses like lines from a script in my repertoire. I wish you Peace, and the ability to speak up when you see or hear something that is hurtful or harmful or just rubs you the wrong way.
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