Mother Nature

When I packed for this trip, I had no idea what to bring. I knew I would be cold in Colorado, hotter in Texas, and even hotter in Hawaii. Well, the weather ended up being even crazier than I thought!

 In Colorado, I was basking in beautiful sunshine, when all the sudden it started to snow! It snowed nearly 8 inches in one day. In Texas, of course I expected to be disgusted by the 90 degree, humid weather,. . .. but I wasn't expecting some of the other weather. I got caught in the middle of a CRAZY lightening storm while doing yoga on a bridge. Have you ever seen a Texas lightening storm? Impressive. And last week, while tornadoes were hitting Dallas, San Antonio flooded. I wasn't directly in any of the crazy waist high flooding, but it was only a few miles from me. I did try to take some kids to the zoo, but the train we were supposed to get on was cancelled because the zoo was flooded. I took a video of the raging creek that was sweeping across the walkways.

 Alright Mother Nature. . . what's next?  Just, you know. . . . .keep me safe while you're at it.


The Flooded Zoo in San Antonio
 

Hey Mr. Tambourine Man

Last Friday was Bob Dylan's birthday, and I spent it listening to 7 hours of Dylan tribute!  That was a lot of Bob Dylan. . . There were 6 bands, coming from all sorts of genres, all converging for a Bob fest at Blue Star Brewery in San Antonio. The first group was from Seattle - and we found each other after the concert to talk some love about the northwest. At various points on the stage, there was an accordion, electric violin, clarinet, harmonica. . . So many instruments all paying homage to a brilliant song writer. I love his music and had so much fun!  "Don't think twice, it's all right. . ."

Los Spurs!!

Yesterday, my day was jam packed from start to finish with tried and true Texas traditions. It started with floating down the Comal River in New Braunfels with Cris.  After this we headed to the adorable little German town of Gruene.  It was a beautiful day, and the town was flooded with people!  We stopped by some cheesy gift shops to laugh at the funny (and true) trinkets, had dinner at Gruene River Grill right on the Guadalupe River and ate some delicious country cooking, and hung out in the oldest dance hall in Texas (where George Strait used to be the house band) - Gruene Hall.  The indie-country rock band playing was really young, and very talented.

Back in San Antonio, things got crazy!  We went to an outdoor, food eatery to watch the Spurs play their 4th game in their finals series for the Western Conference.  The screen was enormous!  It was like a drive in, with lawn chairs.  The Spurs won and are going to the NBA championship game next week.  And holy cow!  I have never encountered such intense fans as those here in town.  After the win, people cruised around town for HOURS honking, celebrating in the streets, waving their flags, and running up and down sweeping the roads with brooms (since the Spurs 'swept' the series).  We cruised for a while to honk and be part of the madness.  At 2 am, Spurs fans conglomerated at the airport to welcome home their team - I didn't go.  But I kinda wish now I would have.  How cool for those athletes, to have fans that love them that much. It was hysterical, and crazy - and so fun to be a part of!  That energy is totally contagious, and is one of the charming things about this place.  It felt like we were celebrating the NBA championship last night for how crazy ecstatic everyone was.  I can't imagine what it will be like when they win!  Go Spurs Go!

On the River

Going down the river schute!

Seriously, the perfect wind chime for texas

When the spurs won. . ..

This was a hotel, with their balconies lit up

The streets of San Antonio, honking and celebrating fans everywhere!

Gotcha!

This weekend I spent timewith some of my favorite families- both of who have amazing, beautiful daughters who happen to be adopted. First were my friends Reece and Vinh. Their daughter Mayla is absolutely beautiful! Fate definitely put this family together. These guys are such good dads - chill, attentive, loving. . . And as Mayla was grabbing at our friend Emily's shirt, Reece was already reassuring Mayla that whether she wanted some milk or was a lesbian - they loved her.  These guys are going to be in for some trouble, because their daughter is going to be absolutely gorgeous.

After this, I went to my friend Chloe's Gotcha Celebration. Every year, Chloe and her mom Monica celebrate her "Gotcha Day," - The wonderful day that Monica got Chloe! Chloe's friend Joy - who was also adopted and who's gotcha day is close to Chloe's - was celebrating too. Slumber party! The girls taught me the "cup song" and we made a band. We played ninja, ate breakfast for dinner and talked about boys. One of the things I think is the coolest about Chloe's Gotcha celebrations... .is that when they got Chloe from China, they also bought 18 presents from China.  Each year, Chloe gets one present - she gets clothes and toys and all sorts of beautiful things.  This year, Chloe got a limited edition "Adoption Barbie" from the hotel that adopting families were staying at in China.  I've never seen a barbie like this!  Cool.  I used to live with Monica and Chloe - and I always love seeing them. They are so fun and silly, and they always take good care of me.

Here's to the universe at work, putting these 2 beautiful families together. One second with either and you can tell they were meant for each other. Love ya'll!

Mayla!! Looking skeptical

Proud Dad and Ba

Breakfast for dinner!  With Monica, Chloe and Joy

Playing around

Barbie as an adopting mother

Our Cup Song

A Horoscope I'm on board with

My horoscope for the day! An awesome in-the know, snarky, liberal magazine in San Antonio, called The Current published it. Love it for my trip, and my life!

A Day in Finance Park

Today I volunteered with my friend Cintia at a super fun event for middle-schoolers.  It was called Finance Park, and it was the celebration event at the end of a curriculum these kiddos were studying.  The goal of this math curriculum was to expose students to financial tools and budgeting, and learning about taxes and tips - multiplying with percents.

Kids came into Finance Park today, and were handed a Life Scenario card.  Some were married, some had kids, some made 60K per year, some only 35K.  Based on their income and taxes they had to pay, they had to build themselves a life. .  ..and a budget!  Kids had to figure out their monthly income, and then plan 18 different bill payments like car, sewer, trash, phone, entertainment, groceries and philanthropy!  I worked with 5 super eager spenders, helping them figure out how much of their budget they could afford to allot to each bill.  One of my kiddos was a bachelor and had enough money to buy a sports car.  He said, "I love my future life!"  While another girl had 2 kids, and was frustrated about her necessary frugality.  While the kids chose which houses to buy, what groceries they needed for the month, and what entertainment they could afford - I handed out surprise cards.  Some of these cards were great "You won a $50 scratch card!"  Or "You helped out a friend and he insisted on paying you $25 for your trouble."  But some of the kids got some tough cards "Friends surprised you by coming into town, you spend $50 on a special dinner for them" and "You got in a fender bender.  After insurance, you have to pay $150."   When kids got these cards, they had to go back through their budget and re-adjust . . . buying cheaper clothes, or lowering their monthly credit card bill.  My kid who got in the fender bender found another student at a different table who got in a fender bender too, and he yelled "The accident was your fault!  Your insurance owes me!"   At the end of their budgeting, with any money left over, students had the option of donating to philanthropic purposes, or putting into savings.  Even with a lady walking around, pleading with students to "reach into your kind hearts and donate to a good cause," most students either saved their money, or went back and bought more expensive stuff.

The kids worked so hard on all the math!  After they finished, they got to visit all the different bill stations, and pay their bills.  They had to visit a bank to take out a loan to pay for their house and car.  They loved being adults for a day, paying their bills, talking about their kids and spouses, and finding the wealthiest and poorest people in the bunch.

The kids came out at the end, amazed at how much there is to pay for.  I heard, "Whoa!  That's why my parents never buy me stuff!" I wish I would have had a reality check like this growing up.  Cintia and I both left, grabbing copies of the budget planning sheets for ourselves.  Stuff I definitely need to apply to my own life!!  But. . . . .after this trip ;) 

My group of studious budgeteers

The budgeting sheet we worked with all day

An example of the choices kids were making all day

Kids paying their bills - Housing, electric and furniture bill stations

Some feedback from my group

Be brave!

My dear friend Jamie called me yesterday to let me know her dad had passed away. I have hung out with her dad a few times - and he was hysterical! He had an awesome dead pan humor, always cracking jokes with the best poker face. The first time I met him, he had drawn eyebrows (with permanent marker!) on his granddaughters cat because it was staring at him.

As Jamie's spunky dad and family are in my heart today, I wanted to share one of my favorite memories from my trip thus far. Jamie took me to the Red Rock Amphitheater in Colorado. This theater was so beautiful! You can see for dozens of miles, and the rocks are amazing. In the early morning, people use the stairs to exercise, so we did a couple sets. Being in the mile high city, it was crazy hard to breathe! While gasping for air at the top, Jamie told me all the singers she saw there - Whitney Houston, John Denver, Jimmy Buffet. I suddenly got the urge to sing - and I NEVER sing in public. I told Jamie and she said " Do it! No one will be able to hear you."

So I took my spot on the stage. There were only about 4 people working out, but I was shaking and nervy. I started belting out "Do you hear the people sing?" From Les Mis, and everyone immediately stopped working out to watch. Everyone could hear me! I guess it was an amphitheater and all. . . I was only gonna do one verse, when some bikers pulled up to listen. I decided "What the hell?" I started dancing, and sang the whole song. I stumbled over words, and cracked on every high note, but I finished with pride, and took a bow. Everyone cheered and clapped, and the bikers asked when my next show would be. On my way out the amphitheater someone said "nice concert!" I am not usually so brave as that, but Love that I was for that moment. I smiled for nearly 3 days straight after that. I usually get caught up worrying what people think, and not doing things because I'm not perfect.

Today as I remembered this, I want to remember to be brave more often. Put myself out there, and who cares what people will think.
Like my friend Jamie - you are so strong and brave, and always give me strength! Thanks for being part of my brave moment. Here's to your dad who was a brave soul, in life and death - always treading his own path. Love you friend!

Here are some pictures of the amphitheater and of my singing debut.

Be Safe!

When I lived in San Antonio last year, I worked for the Leune family - and I totally fell in love with them! They are generous, fun, fascinating travelers and brilliant dental industry entrepreneurs. I got to spend time in their beautiful home 3 times a week, homeschooling their daughter Sophia, and hanging out with their adorable sons Ethan and Colin.  I swear some days Sophia taught me as much as I taught her. She is a brilliant, witty talented little adult packed into a 6 year old girl. I was very sad to leave Sophia and the Leune family- but I was very lucky to spend time with them again on this journey!

They took me out to a delicious meal downtown, and then I got to spend some time playing with Sophia at their house. Sophia and I cruised around in their Bakfiet bike imported from Holland - I want one! When Sophia asked about my trip, she said she would like to make a sign to share on my blog. And her caution to the world is such a good one!

And then on Saturday when I was car-less, Scott lent me his awesome Jeep for the day. When he asked if I wanted the top and doors off, I said I wasn't sure. He said, "Courtney, you are hitch-hiking and riding buses. When will you get a chance to drive a car like this on your trip?" He was right. So off the doors went! It WAS the coolest ride I've ever had. Thank you Scott and Cassandra, for letting me be part of your beautiful, awesome family again! See you Wednesday for Sofia's piano recital!

Don't Say Hate

Last night, I went to an intense and amazing play at the San Pedro Play House in San Antonio.  It was called Spring Awakening, a coming of age story.  As I sat down in the theater, I immediately got goose-bumps and tears.  This coming of age play was about child abuse, rape, abortion, suicide, gay youth - and the general pain and confusion of growing up.  I wish you were there.  It was such an important play, that every person should see.  The play showed the ways that teachers and parents think they know whats right, trying to create model citizens of youth - while in the process scarring, scaring, and hurting kids' truths.  Not talking about sex because it might cause kids to go have it - and then when they are faced with it, they are confused and vulnerable.

At the end of the play, there was a panel discussion packed with activists and advocates.  After that heavy play, I needed some take aways.  What is the hope?  With all that pain out there, what can we do?  There were messages of hope, of education, of listening.  One woman said, "It can be easy to experience this play, and go back to your life and ignore it.  This was uncomfortable and hard."  But to make a change, we have to acknowledge the discomfort, let it settle, and decide to do our small piece about it.  It just takes one person to start the ripple.

After the panel, questions were opened up to the audience.  The first man to speak, unfortunately, was a man  who said, "Do you think that suicides among gay youth are not because of society's fault, but because of the empty and meaningless lifestyle they lead? All the partners they have in their bed?"  That statement is what blows my mind.  I don't understand why there is even an issue of non-acceptance for gay people in our society.  How does the world not understand the discrimination?  But his statement went even further.  He had just watched a play, learning about true stories of kids who were gang raped and murdered for being gay.  Kids beaten and publicly humiliated. How can he not acknowledge society's place in that?  While I wanted to cry and yell, an amazingly brave woman named Lynn stepped up to the microphone.

She told her story, yes she is gay, and YES  her life is jam packed FULL of meaning and beauty.  She talked about her children that she and her partner adopted - they were abused and broken boned from their heterosexual parents.  She bravely stood there talking about the good, beautiful, important life she leads with her family - and how mis-perceptions like the one that man held are hurtful and hateful.  She sat down to a roaring applause.  After the panel, she was flooded with hugs and handshakes.  My friend Courtney and I stayed to talk with her and her partner - and they were amazing!

"We don't want special rights.  We just want equal rights."  Amen sister!  I can get so frustrated thinking "If you don't like the gay life style, than don't you be gay.  But what gives you the right to treat people with hate and closed doors?  What gives you the right to dictate who a person can love and how?"  I asked them what can we do?  How do we help make a change?  And Clarissa said, "We help people see by showing our truths."  Lynn and Clarissa were the first gay couple in San Antonio to adopt from this Christian adoption agency. The agency told them that they completely changed their minds about gay couples.  They see what amazing parents and people they are.  Pioneers!!!!  By showing their truths, they can help make waves of change.  I also learned that San Antonio is home to the biggest amount of gay adoptions!  Huzzah!  Glad to be spending time in this hub right now.

In the end, the message they left me with was "Don't Say Hate."  To the world, they want to say that Hate is real, and it does kill people.  So, hey ya'll.. . . . .let's LOVE instead!!

Click here  for a small clip I took of a CASA advocate telling us to be a voice in our community.

Click here for a link the play gave out - a packet for parents, teachers, advocates. .. .learning the statistics and what to do about them.



A beautiful, powerful, loving, empowering, courageous couple.  I feel blessed that I met them on my journey!

A picture of the Panel and actors

Here is Clarissa - bravely standing and sharing her truths!!

Conjunto Fest

Last night I went to the Tejano Conjunto Festival's night called "New Directions."  This was a night of Conjunto music (Texas born Accordion music) with all the fun twists new generations and artists are spinning on it.  the first band, Los Nahualatos, was a ska-infused Conjunto band.  I have seen this band before, and totally love them!  The 2nd band coined themselves as "Cronkjunto," and had a little rap with a side of accordion.  The guy who stole my heart last night was Juanito Castillo.  He is an amazing musician and accordionist.  For his new direction in Conjunto music, he pre-recorded himself playing  every background instrument (piano, drums, etc), then had the CD playing in the background while he accompanied with his accordion live.  His music was very jazzy, and at times I felt like I was on an Italian Veranda.  Did I mention that Juanito is blind? It was pretty amazing to watch him up there, imagining him learning and perfecting so many instruments, sans one of his senses.  He was funny and brilliant with his music, and super inspiring in general!  Here's a small snippet from a moment of the concert, and a few pictures from the night.

Click here!  For the video

I am an artist!

Last night, I saw graffiti artist Nik Soupe painting live at a bar. I went up to talk to him and he was super cool! He was very humble about his recent fame as best graffiti artist in San Antonio. When he asked if I was in artist, I hesitated and started to shake my head no. My friend said "Yes she is." And I realized how quick we can be to doubt ourselves and not speak simple truths because it seems like boasting.

My mom and sister are amazing, professional artists. I didn't try even attempting art until college because I compared myself too much to them and felt like I wasn't good. In college I discovered how much I love art! I love drawing with charcoal, and attacking canvases with reckless abandon. I generally end up with art that has random things glued and painted.

Last week, in working with the community center in Dallas, I was giving my 2 cents to the education director on how to empower and engage her middle-schoolers. One of the things I talked about was that kids have the misunderstanding that to be called an artist, they have to be perfect at it. They think they have to be Picasso to be called an artist, Einstein to be called a scientist, and so on. I told the director to start de-bunking that notion by calling the kids artists every time they do art, calling the kids scientists every time they do science. The simple language shift can help kids begin to own and honor in themselves these titles they wouldn't have given themselves. And as I spoke with Nik last night, I realized I didn't take my own advice!

In the face of a fantastic artist, I shied away from claiming the same title as him for fear of comparison. I talked to him about this and he said "That never goes away. No matter how many people buy my art, even when I got the award as best graffti artist, I am still unsure. I still worry with every art piece if its good enough. What will people think of it? But you just have to do it. Do the art that you love." I watched Nik finish his painting, and was amazed at what he could produce with spray paint. I shook his hand before I left, and he said, "I look forward to seeing your art one day." That was a first for me, and the artist inside my soul blushed with pride. My name is Courtney, and I'm an artist!

This is YOUR Life.

When I was in Denver, my friend Jamie shared with me the Holstee Manifesto.  Have you read it?  It is a beautiful reminder that our life is precious and we need to live passionately.  Mary Oliver said, "Tell me, what do you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"  I ask myself this every day.

Part of my trip has been biking everywhere.  Without a car of my own, I have been borrowing bikes and cruising everywhere. I have loved this form of getting around - I have appreciated the space I'm in so much more! When you are trapped in a car, you don't get to look around, smell the local food, smile at everyone passing by.  It has been a blast to explore cities this way, and I love feeling the power of my body as I cycle my heart out.  The attached video that some cyclists made from the Holstee Manifesto has been pretty inspiring to me lately.

This Manifesto is important to read when thinking about how we want to live our one beautiful life.  My friend Cris reminded me that so often in interactions, we ask people "What do you do?"  Isn't it more important to know what people are passionate about?  What do you ache for and dare to dream of?  Joseph Campbell said, "Follow your bliss."

I think on this road trip, I am following my bliss.  I love to travel, meet people, follow the wind wherever it blows. I am traveling and getting lost, and I'm finding myself as I go.  I am finding new passions - biking, spoken word - and sharing them with people along the way.

What is your Passion?  What is your bliss?  Are you sharing it with the world?

To My Mother

Happy (Late) Mother's Day Mom!!!

Click Here for the video.

Love you Mom!

Be racially vulnerable!

This last week working at Wesley Rankin Community Center, I met some pretty inspiring activists. One such activist was Agustin. I was stationed in his office most of the week, typing up some curriculum ideas for youth. As I typed, I saw how the community responded to Augie - they love him! On Wednesday, Augie and 2 other women joined my table for a lunch pow-wow, a spontaneous gathering where we talked of religion, war, studying in India, and then Augie and 1 woman broke out dancing. On my last day, Friday, I sat with Augie to share some resources I had. When I finished, Augie shared with me the powerful and empowering work that is happening among a leadership group of adults he works with. It was after he shared this, I told him of an experience I had, feeling vulnerable and out of place as a young white female teaching Latino parents about teaching their kids. Augie lit up and asked if he could share a documentary with me.

We watched a painful history about the Carlisle boarding schools, where white men brought Indian children to turn them white. The documentary made me so sad, and my skim prickled with the knowledge of my whiteness. Augie turned off the movie and said "the intention was good, but the method was wrong." I shared with Augie my identity struggles. I am white, a mix of a dozen nationalities. In a Mexican studies class in college, I craved the pride and solidarity present in every atom of my Chicano classmates. One boy began defining his identity, and I asked him if he defined himself American. He blew up! His face contorted in disgust, he spoke with such hatred of Americans. And in that moment I felt my identity shattered. As a mixed person born in the US, that was all I felt I had. That was who I was.

As I told this to Augie, I cried. He honored my tears, and hugged me, and his solidarity with me calmed me. He told me about himself as a young activist, and how the anger and pain from ancestors is what can fuel you in the beginning. I told him about my struggle of wanting to help communities, but not being sure if I can because of my skin. And he told me exactly what I know, but needed to hear out loud from someone like Augie, "Courtney, let me tell you a secret. It doesn't matter if you are white. It matters if you listen. Don't come into communities and teach what you think they need, listen to them and be part of it. Let them guide you." Profound, true words. We spoke more and he nurtured the timid activist inside my soul. Neither of us planned the conversation that happened. But both of us celebrated in it! It was powerful and beautiful and vulnerable. Thank you Augie! Cheers to a new friendship, and remembering the importance of being racially vulnerable.

Abstract Art

Last night, Laura took me to the best happy hour in Dallas- $2 sushi rolls and 50 cent beers. We sat on the patio right next to a world aquarium, and exotic birds provided our ambiance. Pretty cool. One of the administrators from Wesley-Rankin community center (where I've been working) joined us. Shellie knew an abstract artist, Michelle, who was part of a show we were going to see, joined the table. And Laura's co-worker and humanities teacher Geoff ate with us. That moment, surrounded by so many fascinating, passionate, creative people I realizes this is what I have come to love about this trip. I could never plan these moments, these conversations and hilarious times if I had tried to.

A few days ago, I was working at the community center. I was in an office with an incredible activist names Auggie. In came a gang specialist and profiler to sit with us. As we were talking, in came a fascinating girl who has been studying dance and religion in Turkey and India. We sat together the 4 of us, and talked about religious warfare, Indian food, how community centers "contradict kids' attraction to gang life," and at one point Auggie and the young girl Rachel danced mamba together. It was such a beautiful and spontaneous convergence at that table that none of us planned - but all of us left inspired and joyful. I love it!

And so yesterday our group of teachers and artists made our way to the abstract art show. It was so fun! Every wall was a whiteboard you could draw on and express yourself. In one room we all created an abstract art piece of Laura, which she proudly walked around with and spoke about like she was one of the artists. We drank wine, interpreted some amazing and crazy artwork, and people watched to our hearts content. It was so fun getting the inside scoop on abstract art from Michelle, whose work I loved! It was one of my favorite nights so far on this journey. Food, friends and creative energy are the perfect combination. Oh, and good drinks too.

Thrift shopping

I went popping tags with $20.00 in my pocket. And look what I found! So many thing to be happy about. I particularly like #50, hugs. Did you know that to be emotionally sane and grounded, the average person needs 5 hugs per day? Go hug someone right now.

Kidnetics

A few days ago, my friend Laura took me to an event her school was hosting  - the Dallas Kidnetics Paralympic Games. I got to hang out with and cheer on kids in wheelchairs and with prosthetic legs competing in track events.  Kids with Cerebral Palsy were doing shot-put and bocci ball.  A workshop by Olympic competitors had kids learning wheel chair basketball and soccer.  I have been to the Paralympic games in Vancouver for the Winter Games a few years back.  I was so inspired and amazed by these athletes who have physical disabilities, but are doing amazing things with their bodies.  Blind skiing, one legged athletes cross country uphill skiing, wheel chair hockey - these athletes are amazing!  And I always find it a little more touching and inspiring to see kids taking on the world like this.  It's pretty cool to see kids with so much hope and determination in their faces, doing things that fully able-bodied people take for granted.  Here are some pictures from the event, and a really incredible clip about 2 amazing brothers. 

Such a touching video!

LOVE your body!!

Today I went to yoga (a more and more recent pattern for me).  My teacher this morning began our class by talking about "Astaya."  This is one of the limbs of yoga, one of it's pillars of meditation, and it means: Non Stealing.  When you are in a state of Astaya, you are not stealing from others, and you are not stealing from yourself.  When you sit and compare yourself to others, when you envy and desire to have. . . his hair, her legs, his butt, her smarts. . . .you are stealing from yourself the knowledge that you are beautiful and whole.  It is ok to admire someone for what and who they are, but the minute you start to envy that, you shortchange yourself, and steal that other person's aura too.  Our yoga teacher talked about when you are in Astaya, and only taking what you need for yourself to be full and happy (not taking anyone else's inventory of their happiness, their motivations, their looks. . . . .only taking the water and air and food that you need to sustain your healthy self), we also move into gratitude.  We become grateful for ourselves and the things we do have.  In our yoga practice today, she reminded us to only move how our body needed. "Don't stare at your neighbor and become envious of their pretzel twisty move or their tight ass.  Listen to your body.  Take and do only what you need, don't try to steal the ability of others - it will only hurt you."

My teacher, Julia, told us a story about her 85 year old mother. She was hospitalized yesterday, and in the hospital room was stripped naked and laying in front of 3 doctors.  Julia said she stood there, embarrassed for her mothers sagging breasts and wrinkled stomach.  Embarrassed that so many people were looking at her imperfect, old body.  But then she looked at her mother's face, and realized she was completely comfortable in her own skin.  She smiled at everyone, and was not worried about what everyone was thinking.  Julia realized her mother was in a state of Astaya, grateful and happy in her own skin.  Julia ended class saying, "I hope I don't wait until I'm 85 to be comfortable in my own skin."

I also hope it doesn't take me that long. I have battled many years hating my body, looking in the mirror with disgust and mean comments.  Now, I think back to those things I told myself and I wonder how I ever could have treated myself so cruelly.  I never would say those things to anyone else, so why did I say them to myself?  I have done a lot of hard work this last year - work on growing into myself and loving myself.  Today I can say that I do accept my body.  Hell, today, I LOVE my body.  And when days aren't as meditative and peaceful as this one, I will fight away the terrible lies my mind allows to creep in, and I will remember Julia's Grandma.  And my Grandma.  And I will remember that life is to short to wait until I am 85 to be free in my own skin.

To everyone out there, men and women, who have struggled with your body. . .listen to this song.  It's written for girls, but I think men need this too.  I hope you can love your body today (and tomorrow infinity!) like your mother loved your baby feet.

To Sir, With Love

This weekend, my friend took me to an event at her school.  She works for 2 private schools, and is in charge of getting the kids to volunteer throughout the community. I have always said that when I teach, I want it to be with at-risk kids, in poor neighborhoods - work with the kids who really need to have passionate, inspired teachers.  Help the kids that really need to find motivation. You know, "Stand and Deliver" and "To Sir, With Love" . . . those kind of teachers.  But, in the past few years, through conversations and experience - I now understand the equally important necessity of working with wealthy kids.  These kids with money are going to be the next leaders of the world.  They will have the resources and connections to make change, and they need teachers to inspire and guide them.  A friend I met yesterday said, "I take it on as my duty to ensure my students don't become the next Dick Cheney's." And, in the end, every child (wealthy or not) deserves passionate and inspired teachers.  

My friend works in a private school - very different from her roots of teaching in a rough and tumble urban school - and she is having an important impact in this community. 

To the many important teachers in my life who have inspired me . . . .

To my Dad who taught me about diversity and being non-judgemental.  And to my Dad whose patience and dedication I continually am in awe of and aim to have.  
To my Papa, whose stories about fighting for what's right inspire me to be an activist
To my Aunt Marianne, whose enthusiasm and passion make me excited for getting my future job
To Mrs. McIntyre, who read me Louis Sachar and made me fall in love with literacy.
To Kristen French, who inspires me to change the world.
To Marsha Riddle-Buly, who opened the door for me, and challenges me to keep learning. 
To Courtnie, who taught me how to be silly and not take myself to seriously. 

And to all the other teachers - I can't begin to name you all. Wealthy or at-risk, every child deserves to be inspired and encouraged by teachers like I have had. 

If you have a few minutes, watch this video about another inspiring teacher.
Click Here!

Durga

My sister is an amazing artist. Her and her fiancé Russell have recently found peace and inspiration with Hindu Gods, and their myriad meanings and representations. Recently, Elizabeth has decided to undertake the task of drawing each of them. She is so talented! And her recent drawing of Durga holds my favorite meaning. Durga protects mankind from jealousy, hatred, selfishness, anger, prejudice and Ego. Wow! What an important God! And what a good way to start off the week. Happy Sunday and Cinco de Mayo. May your week be free from jealousy, hatred, selfishness, anger, prejudice and Ego.

I'm Still Gonna Love

Last night, my friend Laura took me to a small concert in a little church coffee house.  The performers Meg Hutchinson and Mark Erelli filled my heart with folk music.  I loved both of them, and especially loved some of the messages their songs were sharing.

This was one of my favorites from the night - called "The Only Way."  

This song really speaks to how I can feel sometimes, overwhelmed by the sadness, pain and hatred happening in the world.  But after I feel that sorrow, "I'm still gonna love, I'm gonna believe, I'm still gonna dream, but I"m gonna roll up my sleeves. . ."  And do what I can.

I can't figure out how to upload the video, so click here!