Branch 2 and 3: Jet Planes and such...

Macklemore is a new, to me, rapper that I have been feeling strongly pulled to: he is the soundtrack to this blog entry.  Right now, my favorite song of his is Irish Celebration.   

He has been described as a socially conscious rapper, with many of his songs addressing issues surrounding consumerism, race, and drug addiction.

He also has one sibling, a brother, who is an English teacher.  We, English Teachers, support kids to find their-selves, their identity, and their voice.  Being a lover of hip-hop, poetry, and voice I love, and am in love with, a girl who is an elementary music teacher.  We are different people, with different voices, from different families, with different experiences and yet we have a strong connection in the stance of loving the youth and giving them the ability to express themselves.  We will do each other much good and I am happy.  It is my own celebration, but I encourage you to listen to his.

 

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Branch 3:  Life-Relived...For a Time

      Sitting in the living room of my girlfriend's parent's house.  I have just watched a community city firework display.  I am in a good sense of spirit.  I decide to not stress, worry, or over-think these things and events that currently are making me happy:

-a holiday of patriotism

-time with my family

-time with my girlfriend's family

-vacation.

I am using this blog for many purposes.  It is a place to share, a place to organize myself, and a place to know that I am chronologically saving my experiences.   

Branch 2:  An End to Summer School

Summer School has ended.  This year, as readers know, has been very challenging.  Summer school was a remediation course for students who did not pass their standardized test.  I hope and pray for those kids of  mine and I hope they know they are loved and are connected to an adult willing to play a positive roll in their life.  Unfortunately it is time for me to move to a different part of the map on the adventure of life.  I have always highly judged the leaving of teachers from students and a school after only one year: however with my school being shut down and connections having been made, I will move myself along to new grounds.

     

I will be teaching Freshman ELA Composition this year at a New Orleans new high school.  The administration seems good and willing to provide what it is I am looking for:

-community

-teamwork 

-support.

I will be working with friends and seemingly quality people and I am very excited.  I have two weeks before PD starts. 

Branch 3: Where I Have Been:

My sister was married on Saturday.  Good seeming man, beautiful vineyard wedding, old family reconnected.  It was good to see everyone and chill with my brother again. 

 I brought my girlfriend home for the first time.  It solidified a symbolic moment of realness, of roots, of connection, of sharing and revealing.  And as I am writing this she sleeps on my lap.  She had the choice and offered option to go to bed; "You do your thing," she said.  This is why I love her.  I do not know what will happen; I know to things:  there is hopeful-promise and there is love.

                                         Mackelmore and I wish you all Good Night.