The student becomes the teacher

Today I had the pleasure of observing high school students teaching younger kids about healthy eating through our summer program. They put on an amazing show, driving home the points of eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, and drinking plenty of water. The kids were mesmerized.

One of these high school "teachers" turned out to be my former student! I taught her in 8th grade two years ago. She was so excited to see me, and I loved watching her in action. It was an amazing moment. Even two years ago, I knew she was so talented at working with younger kids. At one point, one very excited kid called out, and she gently told him to wait. Then she winked at me, as if to say, "You know what kids are like." I loved it. 

Why I will never leave the house without floss again

Yesterday I had a particularly embarrassing, and well, distasteful moment that I just had to share with you. That's the beauty of a blog, you see. You have a built-in, somewhat captive audience to share all of your amazing and not so amazing moments. This is a not so amazing moment. Brace yourselves.

I had just finished scarfing down my salad, and was about to run out the door to meet a group. My co-workers were waiting in the hallway, and I ran to the restroom first. Upon gazing into the mirror, I realized that a rather large piece of kale was firmly wedged between my front two teeth.

I tried to get it out with my fingernail, and then, in desperation, pulled out a piece of my hair to use as a makeshift piece of floss. My friend, in high school, always told us this story that right before she had to go onstage during a musical performance, she discovered something was in her teeth and she used her hair as floss. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I decided to follow the same path.

So, I succeeded in getting the kale out...but the piece of hair broke, and I was left with a piece of hair sticking out of my front tooth. Yikes. What was I supposed to do? The hair looked WAY worse than the piece of kale...

I couldn't google image that one, but you get the picture.

Finally, I took out my earring, and somehow managed to extract the hair from my teeth. I am never leaving the house without floss again!

A true artist

Tonight, walking with two friends, we stopped in our tracks when we saw this artist, painting Parc, a French cafe by Rittenhouse Square.

His name is Stuart Yankell, and it was amazing to see him in action. What amazes me about impressionist painting is that ever so confidently he kept going up to the canvass, putting what was seemingly a blob down, and then, when stepping back, it turned into a picture. He said it wasn't the first time he had painted this cafe, because each time he gets a different feeling and it turns out to be a completely different picture.

Even with this mob around him, Stuart was patient as we all snapped photos and gawked over his art. It was one of those truly unique moments you can only have in a walkable city. 

Creating calm

Lately, life has been moving at light speed. I got my dream job, but now I have to figure out how I'm going to do the best job I possibly can in a very short amount of time. I taught all year, and I don't have a summer to recuperate. My schedule seems packed from morning until night, but I can't seem to get anything done. I feel pulled in a million different directions. I think the reason I felt the need to sleep for so long this weekend stems from the fact that my body was literally shutting down.

At my Sati class this morning, my instructor was talking about what we don't say for fear of judgement. I find that I tend to hold a lot back. On this blog, to my friends, to my co-workers, etc.

What am I not saying? If I'm really being honest, I'm not saying that I feel completely out of my league in my new job. I have so much to learn, and so much to prove. Several times in the past week I have felt unqualified or undeserving.

As always, my mentor's blog came at the perfect time. She wrote about how to cope when feeling overwhelmed. One of her suggestions when feeling overwhelmed is to create a place of calm in the moment, taking 5 deep breaths and thinking of 5 good things in the moment.

In the moment...

1) I helped my friend move today and got to be a small part of a big step in her life.
2) Even though I felt lousy this morning, I still got up and started moving.
3) I had an honest conversation with someone I truly care about today about my fears and worries - and ended up feeling a bit better.
4) I got caught in two monsoon-like rains today and still came out smiling.
5) I have friends and families who are constantly checking in on me to make sure I'm okay, and who are rallying around me to make sure I succeed.

A breath of fresh air

I know this good weather will only last for but a moment, but it's so amazing to be in Philly during the summer and to not be sweating the moment you walk out the door. It's glorious to be able to sit outside comfortably. Fantastic to be able to sleep comfortably at night. Ah, yes. Philly summers aren't looking too bad right now.

Sleep

The main reason I didn't post yesterday had to do with the fact that I was passed out before 8 pm. Yes, in my old age, I may be getting to be that girl. I slept for over 13 hours, and I'm still pretty worn out. Nothing particularly noteworthy about that, except for the fact that I'm glad I gave myself that time to just, well, sleep.

A front row seat

This evening, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend my third Philly's Shakespeare in the park; this year, The Tempest. One of my friends performs every year, and he always steals the show. It's so cool to see live theater, and especially, to see live theater outside.

At one point everyone who had a flashlight in the audience (apparently we were supposed to bring one?) was instructed to turn them on at the same time - so cool!

The most striking moment to me happened completely by accident. This theater group was performing in the middle of a park where children naturally play. While it was still light out, a group of actors ran down a hill. Half a second later, two kids rolled down the hill just behind them. They were already stealing the show, but then the little girl just planted herself almost in the middle of the stage, transfixed by the actors. The actors, in keeping with "the show must go on", just kept right on going. What an amazing way to be exposed to the theater. 

Good Samaritans

This evening, walking home, I saw an old man lying down on the sidewalk, and his head was bleeding. Two people were in the process of calling 911. A bar full of people across the street were staring. Right after the call was made, a nurse and then a doctor happened to walk by. They made sure he had vitals and was breathing. In just a couple minutes, the paramedics made it over, and took him to the hospital. When I left the scene, he was talking, but still seemed kind of out of it.

How long had this man been laying on the street, with people just walking right by? The people who were calling 911 said he had been laying down when they found him.

Thank goodness the nurse and the doctor happened to be close by.

Why didn't I take action? Several years ago, I was trained in CPR, and although the certification has expired, even I know to look for vitals. I felt completely helpless standing there, watching others help out. Yet I couldn't even move. 

The cat pillow attack

Tuesday's post: 

My bed has now been overtaken by my friend's cat, Cai. Whenever I sit up, Cai is right there to take my head's place. Sometimes, she lets me share the pillow with her. I pretend to be annoyed by this very affectionate being.

Tofu meatballs

Although I have grown to love tofu, as a general rule, I don't like to eat "un-meats". You know what I'm talking about. Essentially, products that mimic meat. I'm not interested in un-chicken, fake beef, or vegan turkey. I'd rather have vegetables at that point.

However, today I was proven wrong. I've started to peruse the food truck scene around West Philly, and the tofu meatballs at Magic Carpet foodtruck were delicious.

The best part? After I ate them, I didn't feel as if I had just eaten meatballs. For obvious reasons.

Laughing like a little kid

Today, my friend and I saw Monster's University. If you haven't seen it (or Monsters, Inc.) it's definitely tons of fun. It's also an air-conditioned activity, which is becoming more and more of a priority this summer!

When we entered the theater, we immediately realized that we were the odd ones out.

We didn't bring a kid to the movie. Yes, I know that two 31-year old women should probably have a good reason for seeing a Pixar movie without a child, but honestly, we didn't care. We just laughed it up and had an amazing time with all the other kids in there.

Sage advice

In NYC today, I happened to be charging my phone at Duane Reade (yes, they were kind enough to let me sit in a corner and plug my phone into their outlet). I overheard the tail end of a conversation between two Duane Reade employees.

"I've always got your back. How long have we been working together - 5 years?"
"I don't know what I would do without you."
"You'd quit, man."
"I know. How do you go on, doing what you do?"
Pause...
"There's no other option. You gotta do what you gotta do."

Wise words. 

Wadder Ice

When it's this hot, there's only one thing to eat:

I took a moment today to appreciate the fact that Philadelphians believe they have invented water ice, or in a Philly accent, "wadder ice". Philadelphians will even swear that Rita's Italian Ice, which is open in over 15 states, only exists in Philadelphia. Oh, Philly.

Living in the grey

Sometimes, when you work in the field of public education for a while, it gets really easy to see things in black and white.

There are just so many darn rules for kids these days. Everything is calculated and evaluated and tabulated. As soon as an idea pops into your head, you squash it, being easily able to cite each and every reason why it won't work.

What if you were told, by your boss, to step out of your black and white state of mind, and to challenge yourself to live in the grey? 

In my most pivotal moment of the day, I didn't let myself get run down by the details. That can all come later. 

It's a web like a spider's web...made of silk and light and shadow...

Tonight, walking home with two friends from book club where we had discussed the theme of memory  in great detail, my friend pointed out this incredible spider's web.

The picture doesn't really do it justice, but it was amazing. Without really thinking, I began singing, "It's a web like a spider's web, made of silk and light and shadow, spun by the moon in my room at night..." under my breath. That same friend turned to me, and said, "Camp song?"

In that moment, I was struck by two things. One, that all my friends (regardless of whether or not they attended my camp) know how huge camp looms in my life, and two, that somewhere in my brain I have stored countless camp songs.

At my camp, there is quite a great deal of singing. That may be the understatement of the word. We sing at meals, at assembly, at campfires...and even though I have not attended or worked at camp in eight years, I can sing almost any camp song on command.

I suppose some memories just never fade.

Needing a moment to think about thinking of thinking

I was in an amazing brainstorming session at work that lasted for the entire day. I've never felt so creative, challenged and inspired. Yet, after about five hours, I could barely think.

I took a break from what I was actually thinking about to simply try and get my mind back to thinking. It was an exhilarating, exhausting moment. 

The sweat factor

This might make me gain a few enemies here, but I must confess that I have never worked a job during the summer that has required me to dress up. My summer jobs have consisted of: camp counselor, barista, waitress, etc. Sure, I am affected like everyone else in the heat, but it's never mattered to this extent before.

So my new job is a 40 minute walk, or a 30 minute bus ride in traffic. Naturally, one might think I would want to walk every day, get some exercise, and most importantly save the money (thanks, Dad.) Yet I've been having a bit of a dilemma. When I sweat, I don't look like this:

Or this:

Or even like this:

These women all look lovely despite their sweat. I, on the other hand...well....let's just say that this picture is slightly more accurate:

I've been walking home from work, no problem. I sweat like a pro, and I don't care one bit. Yet the moment that stood out to me the most today was when, walking to work for the first time, I started to sweat, and there was nothing I could do about it. It's gonna be a long, hot summer.

Hoodies

I don't have anything terribly intelligent or profound to say about the Zimmerman verdict. I don't want to make this a political blog, or one that I use for any kind of platform. I will say, however, that today, when thinking about Trayvon Martin, I thought of my former students and hoodies.

In both of the public schools that I've worked in, hoodies have never been allowed. A student could wear a sweatshirt, but not a hoodie. I asked why at my first school, and the authorities said that they would be worried about what a student could be hiding in there.

I asked my students why they loved wearing hoodies, and often I would hear that they felt safe and comforted while wearing a hooded sweatshirt. Yet it also was the fashion to wear a hoodie.

Like I said before, I'm not feeling like an expert in the matter in any way, shape or form. All I kept thinking about today was that so many of my former students looked exactly like Trayvon Martin, right down to his hoodie.

I, from time to time, have put on a hoodie. Yes, they ARE comfy. Yet when I have done so, I haven't ever been considered a threat.

Have you ever felt...

Today, standing at the Girard SEPTA station, a young man came up to me.

"Have you ever felt like you were just in the right place at the right time? Like, you were just stoically part of something? Like, you just look like you're in an emotional advertisement right now, with the wind blowing your hair like that. You know?"

Yeah, that's word for word what he said. I can't make very much sense of it. I'll leave that thought to my loyal readers to decipher.

A UNI-ite

Today marked the last day of the first week at my new job as the Director of Programs and Curriculum at the Urban Nutrition Initiative (UNI). This was a big week! However, one moment truly stood out.

A group of my co-workers and I were taking advantage of the leftover fresh fruit available in the office while chatting. One co-worker who has been in jury duty all week ( I had already met him in one of my interviews) came into the office. Everyone started asking him how his jury was going, and I re-introduced myself to him and joined the conversation.

A bit later, he came into my office. "When I first came in today," he said, "I didn't think to introduce myself, because you already seemed like a UNI-ite. You just had that aura. It showed up in your interview too. Welcome!"

That was the best compliment I could have received on the last day of my first week. I am already starting to feel like a UNI-ite.

Moms out on the town

I have several friends who are mothers, and I'm continually impressed with how they do it. I've always known that I want kids some day. Yet the sheer act of raising kids, working and trying to have a semblance of a social life still seems beyond me at this point in my life. Two of my dear friends live a bit outside the center of the city. I know that usually in order to see them I'll need to invite myself over to their houses - it's just easier with the kids.

Yet today, I got a call from one friend saying she would be in Center City at a conference and wanted to go out afterwards while her husband watched her two kids. Within minutes, our other friend had arranged for her husband to watch her three kids, and she caught a train into the city.

In that moment, I realized that the last time the three of us had been out together, sans kids or husbands, was when the movie Les Miserables came out. Wasn't that in December? Let me put it this way. It had been a while! I savored this time with my friends, the supermoms, who took a moment to get away. 

Quality control

Today at work I went to visit a group of high schoolers and college students who make granola bars and sell them to the community. This small business was originally started by a group of middle schoolers who decided to provide students with another option besides the snacks in the vending machines. The granola bars contain six ingredients and they are healthy and delicious. 

When we came into the kitchen, the students were in heated debate. We asked them what was going on. "Taste one of these granola bars," they said. We tasted them. Frankly, I thought they were amazing.  "You haven't had one before, have you?" they asked. When I said no, they told me that the bars seemed off today. My boss said the texture was a bit different, but the taste was fine, and since they had to deliver the bars by the end of the day and were on a time crunch, they would still be acceptable to sell.

"They're not right," insisted one high school student. He suggested making another batch rather than sacrificing the quality when sending the bars out to market. That moment struck me for so many reasons. It was one of those rare moments when everyone involved was on an equal playing field, despite age or position. Teenagers were advocating to put in more work than they had to for the sake of a cause they believed in. Even though my position at work would suggest so, I was in no way shape or form an expert in this conversation. This, I thought, was youth empowerment at its finest.

Even though for the sake of time the students did have to package and sell the less than perfect granola bars, they insisted on warning the vendors that the bars were a bit different today. I hope that they always hold themselves to such high standards throughout their lives. 

New job, new chair

I started a new job today! I'm a teacher no more. There are so many details to ponder, but one moment that particularly stands out is when I saw my new desk chair.

I could practically hear myself trying to explain it to my mom. "You're sitting on an exercise ball at work??"

Supposedly they are supposed to be great for strengthening your back and core. Well, today I found out that I may not have neither lower back nor core strength. I was definitely sore! I'm looking forward to my newly toned self that will inevitably show up to work tomorrow.

A capella on the streets of Philadelphia

Walking along in the stifling heat of today I heard three voices in complete harmony. I don't know exactly what song they were singing, yet it was such a refreshing change from the usual guitar, accordion and boom box performances on the streets. These three individuals were singing their hearts out.

Now, I'm probably asked to give someone money at least twice per day. More times than I'd like to admit, I've said I have no cash when I do have a couple of dollars. This was one of the few times I actually didn't have a single dollar to give, and it killed me to not be able to reward this talent and dedication.

Stay put

Today, I had the instinct to rush about the city, running errands. The cat I'm babysitting this summer had different ideas. Every time I would try and leave the apartment, she would snuggle up right next to me like this.

Needless to say, I didn't get out that much today. I was peer pressured to stay put. 

The huge cookie letdown

I went to a diner with my parents today on the way home from Maine that specialized in enormous portions. My salad was enough to serve six people. The sandwiches were gigantic. It would only make sense to offer enormous cookies for sale. The chocolate chip cookie that I purchased was the size of my head. No, literally it was the size of my head.

I bought this cookie for a friend, but was just counting down the minutes until I could try it myself. Such a colossal cookie must taste spectacular, I thought.

When my friend and I finally broke out the cookie for desert, one bite confirmed my worst suspicions - this cookie wasn't even that great by average cookie size standards! Truth be told, it didn't even taste much like a cookie - more like shortbread that happened to be shaped like a cookie with chocolate chips. I expected it to be great, chiefly due to its size. I'm glad I didn't purchase an apple turnover. Those were twice the size of the chocolate chip cookies.

Picture memories

All of a sudden, this evening, we were called to look at the sky. The clouds were pink and golden and rose colored. Immediately, my 12 year old cousin (I recently realized that children of my cousin are first cousins once removed rather than second cousins - thanks Mom) grabbed my hand and said, "We're going canoeing right now!" With a cousin in a kayak and three first cousins once removed in my canoe, we set off into the evening. The lake was perfectly still, the clouds were mirrored in the water, and it was a truly unbelievable sight. Inevitably the conversation turned to wishing we had brought a camera. "We don't need it," I insisted. "We'll just remember this feeling." We discussed the concept of remembering though a picture versus remembering through a feeling. Yet a picture couldn't have captured this moment in a million years. The little voices of a 7 year old, 9 year old and 12 year old in the evening, the feeling I always get in a canoe like my body was made to make a boat glide though the water, seeing my older cousin drift on the water in her kayak, and Maine's finest skies all around us. I hope that this memory never fades - even with no picture to remind me that it happened. 

Full of

A sky full of stars, a mouth full of s'mores, eyes full of campfire, ears full of family laughter, and a heart full of joy. 

A moment of profound happiness

The humble town of Rangeley, Maine puts on quite the fireworks show on the eve of July 4th. At the last minute, we decided to take the whole family. We parked on the hill above the town in a vacant parking lot, and were able to be a bit away from the crowd. 

While we were oohing and aahing over the fireworks, my 9 year-old cousin pulled out his stash of sparklers. Suddenly we were all like little kids, vying for our turn to take another sparkler. We ran around and around the parking lot, singing the Star Spangled Banner and waving our sparklers. 

After the grand finale of fireworks, we piled into the car and headed home. My 12 year-old second cousin said, "Do you ever get that feeling, when you have a moment of profound happiness? You know, when you're just perfectly content and happy?  I felt like that watching the fireworks." 

 I understood exactly what she meant tonight.

Annie, Julie and Tully

This is a story about three amazing women I encountered today.

Annie:

I was driving along the road today in my brother's car, positively glowing from the day I spent canoeing and visiting at camp, when the clutch gave out. It took me a second to realize that the car was no longer in control, and I carefully steered onto the side of the road. I figured that all I would have to do would be to restart the car, and I would be on my way. 

I turned off the car, restarted the engine, which roared to life, and pressed the gas. Nothing happened. I felt like this:

Just then, a woman came out of the house I had just happened to pull up next to, and asked me if I needed any help. She took me in, gave me the number of the nearest mechanic, and arranged for the car to be towed to the nearest town. This woman, Annie, said I looked pretty harmless, which is why she was so willing to help. "If you were a large man," she said, "you would be on your own."

Julie:

Once at the mechanics, my suspicions that the clutch had completely blown out were confirmed. This was clearly not going to be a simple job.

Julie, the wife of the mechanic, assured me that everything would be alright, found a new clutch right away, arranged for someone to come in on their day off the next day, and drove me to a pizza place to wait for my ride home.

Tully:

Julie had told Tully, the owner of the pizza place, to watch out for me. She made pleasant conversation, tried to distract me from the events of the day, and made me feel completely at home. 

I hope everyone has the great fortune to run into Annie, Julie and Tully some day. 

The odd duck

Today I was enjoying ice cream with my cousins and a family dog. We were by a lake, and were bracing ourselves for a showdown between the local ducks and the dog. The dog was being occupied and distracted by some soft serve ice cream, but the ducks knew what was about to go down. They were busy scuttling away and ruffling their feathers.

All, that is, except one. One duck stood his or her ground. She/He squatted down, and started quacking at the dog, almost as if to taunt him. We were impressed. Clearly the dog was much bigger than that duck! Even when the ice cream was done and the dog became aware of the ducks, that one duck moved away super slowly.

As the ducks swam away, all in a pack except the one, I was reminded of the literal definition of the odd duck.