Snow days bring welcome work days for teachers

AH. Nothing quite makes teachers as happy as a snow day. AH. I can now do work in the comfort of my home, without being interupted by students all day. AH. I can sit here, with my work, drinking a cup of tea, and listen to the kids sledding down the ice covered parking lot, and think, "hey, they're not my kids." I'm not responsible. :-)

It is still spitting freezing rain and the roads look terrible. Baltimore does a horrible job of salting and taking care of the roads. If this were Boston, and we only had 3 inches of snow and 1 inch of ice, the road would just be wet. Here, they are a death trap. That's what drives me crazy - although, I'm not complaining about the snow day!

Very happy to have the day off and take a mental health day. woohoo!

Inauguration of President Barack Obama

As I wake up
I can't help but feel
the world is a different place.

Renewed deeply.
Changed forever.
Inspired spirit.

The Chosen have been selected.
Statements have been delivered.
Tears for the fallen and tireless have been shed.

Redemption is felt far and wide.
Healing must begin now.
Mothers, fathers, children, have travelled long journeys
and the fork in the road has been decided.

We chose.

Hope.
Change.
Promise.

Bands are playing and people rejoice. They sing.
People from all walks of life come,
join, and participate.
They huddle together. Neighbors, families, and strangers.

Where the common thread of our humanity
and this time, is not the color of our skin,
but the character of our community.

And the quilt can be sewn together.
And we finally feel,
as we come together in solidarity,
the meaning that is unity.

And we sing.

Slumdog Millionaire

I went with a friend last night to see "Slumdog Millionaire." The movie is the story of a young man named Jamal, who finds himself on India's version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" TV show. Jamal is suspected of cheating on the show - how could he possibly know the answers? - he is from the slums of India. The movie carefully and brilliantly weaves in the story of Jamal's extraordinary life, and while doing so, reminds us all how to be better. It is heart-warming, but not in a cheesy, saccharin sweet way. Instead, you find yourself rooting for Jamal, along with Indians across the country who find him inspiring. It seems like the "All-American story" - a Horatio Alger story - a man from a humble background finds success and builds a life - but what I was reminded of, was that this is a human story. In a way, I feel like I got a glimpse of Indian history as well, and for that I am grateful.

I loved it, and give it two thumbs up, and 4 stars! Must see.

Election Day, November, 1884

by Walt Whitman

If I should need to name, O Western World, your power-
fulest scene and show,
'Twould not be you, Niagara- nor you, ye limitless
prairies- nor your huge rifts of canyons, Colorado,
Nor you, Yosemite- nor Yellowstone, with all its spasmic
geyser-loops ascending to the skies, appearing and
disappearing,
Nor Oregon's white cones- nor Huron's belt of mighty
lakes- nor Mississippi's stream:
- This seething hemisphere's humanity, as now, I'd
name- the still small voice vibrating - America's
choosing day,
(The heart of it not in the chosen- the act itself the main,
the quadriennial choosing,)
The stretch of North and South arous'd - sea-board and
inland- Texas to Maine - the Prairie States - Vermont,
Virginia, California,
The final ballot-shower from East to West- the paradox
and conflict,
The countelss snow-flakes falling- (a swordless conflict,
Yet more than all Rome's wars of old, or modern
Napoleon's:) the peaceful choice of all,
Or good or ill humanity- welcoming the darker odds, the
dross:
- Foams and ferments the wine? it serves to purify-
while the heart pants, life glows:
These stormy gusts and winds waft precious ships,
Swell'd Washington's, Jefferson's, Lincoln's sails.

And Obama's. Yes We Can. We are One.

Congratulations America. I feel the hope rising. Rising up.