Mr. Sean Man

My sister sent me this photo of my nephew yesterday and it made my work-week complete. Who doesn't want to make this face when they roll into a Friday and begin to think about weekend festivities and play? In the gestures of youth are all the truths to living a life to the fullest and I am channeling his mug as "exactly how I feel right now."

So, Sean, thanks for being you and for reminding all of us to be silly in our adult worlds. You're the best and I love the karma that was delivered to me through this photo.

I wish I was there

The SSO mobbed the Carousel Mall this week and took all the manic shoppers by surprise with a chorus of voices heightening the season's festivities with harmony and voice. Bravo to them. I wish that I was in the land of ridiculous consumerism at the time because this surprise was well-planned. They definitely brought spiritual karma to every individual who was present that day. Brilliant.

Portrait

Drawing in Sketchbook

 My favorite drawing of the semester, even tho i haven't finished it. I used a bottle of ink and a feather

Growth

In year four of working with student teachers, I am on stronger ground for understanding the metamorphosis of development that occurs as individuals transition from student into educators. To see people grow, passionately, from where they once were to where they are now touches the heart and tantalizes the potential for humans to do great things.

In particular, I had the fortune of watching Jason Wait present his student teaching portfolio after his twelve-week placement and to see him blend his theoretical foundation for learning into active practice that moved student learning to new levels. To hear him tell his story of developing out of his military background, of surviving brain surgery mid-way through his masters degree, and then to demonstrate his talent to reach middle school students as a mentor and coach hit my heart and soul. It was a beautiful transition to witness before my eyes and it made me proud to be along for the journey.

Last night's presenters were all stellar and it brought me great optimism and hope for the future. Each and every soon-to-be graduate of the Syracuse University English Education program were remarkable: confident, mature, poised, and intelligent. A thousand standing ovations are deserved.

cooked

Karma is having to interview for twelve hours because I've never had to interview, really, before.

Being on the spot for twelve hours and then driving in the snow has me cooked in a way I've never felt before. I think the travel of the last few weeks has caught up to me. My brain is sizzled.

Zonk.

Zooted.

Bonk.

pbbbblllllttt.

Roch cha cha

Growing up, I knew Rochester as the city of my father's bowling tournaments. Once a year he would enter to knock down pins and I came to support him and to get out of Syracuse.

I am out of Syracuse again, truly appreciating the cold winds and snow of a neighboring city. It is good to know that winter's karma doesn't dump on CNY alone and that it spreads its wealth to a larger city with equal force. I had dinner on the Genesee River and enjoyed my scallops browned in maple syrup and clam cakes.

Today will be an exhausting whirlwind tour and I look forward to the adventure. In the meantime, I'm exhausted!