Gayle's profileGayle's Joy in LifePhotosBlogListsMore  |  Tools Help |
My Ideal Vacation - Tuesday Blog WalkI've been wanting to lie on a confortable lounger on the shoreline; fine sand, clear ocean and a warm sun surrounding me. I don't know that that would be my ideal vacation though.
If I could take 3 months to travel I would want to visit my blog friends. Feel my arms wrap around you in deep hugs - and spend a few days experiencing your world up close. I'd like to hang out with you, share a glass of wine, play with your children, laugh with your friends. I'd be an extra set of hands to help you through your day, and an excuse to do the unusual. Maybe you'd take me sightseeing - this is my old high school, this is where I had my first kiss, this is where my Loved-one is buried. And we'd go to the touristy spots too, just to get the flavor of your small town or big city.
I'd bring my daughter along, because I think she could learn alot from each of you. I certainly have.
My favorite vacation was to Sydney and Byron Bay, Australia. We spent almost two weeks there and though she was only 9, she Loved every minute. I think that trip solidified her desire to travel and see the world. It was my second time there and I saw completely different things this time around. We spent it with friends and that was the best.
So, I guess my best vacations involve my friends.
Later Gators. Mr. Elenko and Mr. DubnoCoboro set the blogwalk topic this week. TUESDAY BLOGWALK, write about that teacher who made the difference that still resonates in your life today.
It would have to be, without question, two teachers, Mr. Elenko and Mr. Dubno.
Swimming in a sea of apathy, at best, and hostility, at its worst, Mr Elenko and Mr Dubno saved this little black girl. I have a sensitive heart - too sensitive, so high school was a dangerous place. But it was made more treacherous by the isolation that I felt as a young black girl in an almost all white environment.
I tested into a specialized high school for science and math, located in the Bronx, NY.
 I spent 10th grade (the year I started HS) skipping school. Of course, I didn't realize why then, I just knew I hated school (except for Geometry - see entry). But, looking back, I can feel the distance between myself and everyone else. I can recall how I was not accepted by the black (she thinks she's better than us) or the white (who? I was completely off their radar) students. I was far away from home; traveling 2 hours each way to get to school and back. My friends all went to a neighborhood school and I missed them.I had 64 days of absences in the 10th grade, and only one teacher called my parents. It was what they expected from a black child. "I mean, they don't really care about education and the ones who are here got in because of that special program" - I actually overheard a teacher say that in the hallway. I didn't have to go through the special program (part of the reason the rest of the black kids didn't know me or like me) since my test score were more than high enough. But everyone assumed I did, assumed I fit all the stereotypes (none of the black students that I came to know while I was there fit those stereotypes), so why bother trying to reach me?
But, Irwin Dubno tried. He summoned me to his office one day -The People's Center- a small room with a desk, 10 chairs set in a circle and a large walk-in closet which stored things like snacks, booklets, etc. When I got there he said a teacher who led a rap session for girls that I had visited a couple of times recommended me for a spot in a city-wide program. (For those of you who didn't live through the sixties, rap sessions were times when people came together to talk about what was important to them, to tell the truth and ask the questions that they were afraid to ask in other settings)
The other students in the Center had to vote on who went and they didn't want me to go. He said I would be interviewed by a few of them and then they would cast their votes again. I don't think I said any of the things they expected, but I did tell the truth in answer to their very tough questions - Why don't you hang out with black people? I do, and I named the ones who were my friends. Why do you hang out with so many white kids? Because I like them; I only hang with people I like and it doesn't matter to me what they look like. They are in my classes and we have things in common. Do you think you're better than us? No, but do you think I'm better than you? Because I can't do anything about that. If you think I have to have only black friends or have to only like the people you like in order to be okay with you, then I guess I'm not going to be in this summer program. And that's cool - I'd like to go, but I am who I am.
I found out, years later, that they voted me out and Mr. Dubno convinced them to let me go. I learned about group facilitation and powerful listening. I learned about myself. I learned about my body and the male body. I learned about adolescence. I learned about helping others understand themselves.
I worked at the People's Center for the remaining two years of HS. I listened to my peers talk about being raped and molested, using drugs and wanting to stop, being afraid of what others would think of them, and on and on. We helped boys and girls through their break-ups and relationship issues. We discussed race, religion and politics and we respected one another. My grades soared because I had a place where I belonged, where I fit. Thanks to Mr. Dubno.
 Mr. Elenko was my 11th grade Social Studies teacher. He was the first teacher who seemed to tell what sounded like the truth. We spent 3 months on economics and during that time Mr. Elenko covered the required curriculum and challenged us to think about poverty, the media, race and our school environment. Who were we? Part of the solution or part of the problem? Mr. Elenko taught me the economics of the Civil War and the consumer society. He taught me to go beyond what others told me, including himself, and think on my own. He encouraged me to look beyond my little world and dream of something better. Thank you, Mr. Elenko.
That was almost 35 years ago, WOW. Thanks Coboro for encouraging the stroll down memory lane.
Take it light, my friends.
Gayle A Trip Through The ArchivesGel is the BlogWalk leader this week and he has asked us to do the following:
topic: do you remember back when no one read your blog except your best mate and a couple of goldfish? No? Ahh, must just be me then. Well, I often wonder about all those archives people have, and sometimes have a peep. What I'd like you to do is select something from your blog archives, that you really like for any reason - funny, touching, important to you, daft, whatever you like - and re-post it, or the link to it, for those of us who like your site now and didn't know you then.
Here's my link:
I hope you enjoy (leave a comment or two if it suits you)!
G. My Perfect LoverI have been tagged by Steve, Progressive Pigrim, to describe 8 points of the perfect lover. Here are the rules: 1. The tagged person has to come up with 8 different points of the perfect lover. 2. The tagged person needs to mention the sex of the target. 3. The person tagged needs to tag 8 victims to play this game and leave a comment saying they have been tagged. 4. If tagged a second time, no need to post again.
So, I am going to change the rules. I will not choose 8 people to carry on this tag game. However, if you like the idea, leave a comment to let me know you are going to post on your site so I can come and visit.
I think I'm going to take a break So, fellow bloggers, know anyone fitting the above description (though he need not look like any of these guys) who's straight, single and internally available?
Later Gators! photo credits: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/healthy_living/health_at_work/emotional_copingstress1.shtml http://www.hbo.com/films/lackawannablues/cast/jimmy_smits.html http://www.veritaserum.com/movies/actors/ralphfiennes.shtml
|
He finds me incredibly desireable. By this I mean he becomes intoxicated by my scent, turned-on by my simple everyday movements (like reaching down to grab something off the bottom pantry shelf, or loading the dishwasher), he is swept away by the sight of me oiling & twisting my hair. He simply finds me irresistible.
from tags for a while. But, this one was fun, a nice chance to articulate what I desire and post some eye candy. |
|
