Feeling Vulnerable
Jacmel Haiti
Haiti Family Intuitive
August 3, 2103
"I had no access to Internet this week. I feel vulnerable and isolated".
Sunday, June 23, 2019
Feeling Vulnerable
Jacmel Haiti
Friday, June 21, 2019
Seeing Her Mother Differently
A Story from a Young Woman
Sias Univeristy
Henan Provence, China
November 2015
This story was left on the table in my office, where I taught at a Chinese University. It was written by one of my students, but I don’t know which one. And her mother is probably between 40 to 60 years old.
"Last time I told you a love story, I wants to tell you about the story of friendship and a family story next semester. But it looks at as if to be long time. So I can’t wait.
Today I am going to tell you what the deepest reflection I got last winter break. One day I mother told me with a usual tone, “My face is so dry.” I just was interested in the program on TV about being beautiful and I didn’t turn my head to my mother, carelessly listening to the worlds. But when I saw her, the person who had been with me for 21 years old was very unfamiliar. I didn’t know when the wrinkles climbed her face. I didn’t know when there was some exposed white hair and I didn’t know when she had her humpback because of heavy load. I didn’t know…
Didn’t want my mother to take notice of my change. I just said in soft and low voice, “oh, just use some skin care product is OK.”
I had no spirit to continue to watch TV. As I turning it off, I was lost into thought. Regret and self-accusation full of my heart. My mother sacrifice her whole life for my body and mind and I didn’t care her very much. I was thinking why I didn’t do anything for her? I had never read books about elderly people health care. I had never realized (unrecognizable word) was so important for a woman? What makes me by my mother loves me and ignore her change?
Nothing can replace a mother’s love and care. I love my mother and my father!"
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Thursday, June 20, 2019
Toney
Toney
My Mother's Answering Machine
Philadelphia, PA
1995
It took forever for my mother to surrender and use an answering machine. She didn't like talking in to that empty space to leave a message. She thought it allowed me to screen all of my calls and subsequently, not answer her calls when she phoned me (I shouldn't have told her that I did that to some people, most people).
But finally, she agreed to enter the 20th century of phone technology. She got a machine and I drove two hours to see her and to program the machine to put all of her children on speed dial. Actually, this feature was the selling point for her. She just couldn't believe that she could push one specific button and she could connect with one of her kids.
She called her machine Toney, in honor of the instructions, "leave a message after the tone."
The machine was great until there was a black out. When this happened, all of the messages were lost and all of the programs speed dials were lost. This put my mother in a mild panic. So she would call me and leave a message, "Can you come to my house and fix Toney?"
The first time she called, I reminded my mother that I lived two hours away and that my six brothers and sisters who lived near her could also re-program the machine. But she insisted that I, and only I, could do this because I understood the sequence she liked to use to program our names. She used our birth order. There was no arguing with her. I made the two hour drive and programed Toney that day and every time he malfunctioned.
My Mother's Answering Machine
Philadelphia, PA
1995
It took forever for my mother to surrender and use an answering machine. She didn't like talking in to that empty space to leave a message. She thought it allowed me to screen all of my calls and subsequently, not answer her calls when she phoned me (I shouldn't have told her that I did that to some people, most people).
But finally, she agreed to enter the 20th century of phone technology. She got a machine and I drove two hours to see her and to program the machine to put all of her children on speed dial. Actually, this feature was the selling point for her. She just couldn't believe that she could push one specific button and she could connect with one of her kids.
She called her machine Toney, in honor of the instructions, "leave a message after the tone."
The machine was great until there was a black out. When this happened, all of the messages were lost and all of the programs speed dials were lost. This put my mother in a mild panic. So she would call me and leave a message, "Can you come to my house and fix Toney?"
The first time she called, I reminded my mother that I lived two hours away and that my six brothers and sisters who lived near her could also re-program the machine. But she insisted that I, and only I, could do this because I understood the sequence she liked to use to program our names. She used our birth order. There was no arguing with her. I made the two hour drive and programed Toney that day and every time he malfunctioned.
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Woody's
FACEBOOK POST
Woody's Restaurant
August 13, 2016
North East, MD
I go here a lot. It's my go-to restaurant when I have company because they always have craps and good service. So this week, I was here 4 times and I ordered the same thing that I always order: snow crab legs, corn on the cob and two pints of Heavy Seas Loose Canyon IPA. I am never disappointed pointed.
Woody's Restaurant
August 13, 2016
North East, MD
I go here a lot. It's my go-to restaurant when I have company because they always have craps and good service. So this week, I was here 4 times and I ordered the same thing that I always order: snow crab legs, corn on the cob and two pints of Heavy Seas Loose Canyon IPA. I am never disappointed pointed.
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
1985
1985
Jenkintown, PA
Jenkintown, PA
And then
State College, PA
My age: 29-30
School- In June, I return to Penn State on a full time basis to finish my doctoral degree. I have a year of classes, comprehensive exams and, of course, the damn dissertation.
I had $1500 in savings when I started my graduate program. So I divided them in to $500 CDs that matured throughout the year. When that $500 check came in the mail, I just about cried every time.
Work-
- I work at Jenkintown High School for the 84-85 school year. I am the high school guidance counselor for 200 students. I leave this job in June.
- I am the graduation speaker for the Class of 1985. I was honored to be asked.
- I return to Penn State and secure a graduate assistant position where I am paid $6/hour.
Music
Joni Mitchell releases a new album: Dog Eat Do- I wasn't thrilled with it
Movies
- Back to the Future - this movie was really clever and is still a classic movie.
- Rambo: First Blood Part II- I didn't see it.
- Rocky IV- didnt see it.
- The Color Purple - I loved it.
- Out of Africa - I loved it.
- Cocoon- I didn't see this movie until 20 years after it was released and I thought it was strange.
- Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment
- A View to a Kill - didnt see it.
- Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome - I thought Mel Gibson was great at this time. Now I think he is a loose cannon.
Books- textbooks mostly. I was at the tail end of coursework for my doctoral program. So I read boring textbooks. I also read Smithsonian magazine and People magazine.
Travels- nowhere. I have no damn money and lots of school expenses. I did get to spend a week at the beach at my parent's house on Long Beach Island, NY
News Events
- I drank 30 beers on my 30th birthday. In hindsight, that was a very stupid idea.
- Kathy was diagnosed with Hotchkins Disease. We were all devastated.
- I am back in grad school and very, very, very poor.
Monday, June 17, 2019
Her Views on Trump
Her Views on Trump
January 2017
Gloria, one of my former Chinese students, is studying for her MBA at Arizona State university. Here is her view on Trump after his first week:
"I learned diversity from my American friends and professors. Innovation, creativity and novalty exist, because we have men and women with all kinds of backgrounds and experiences. Now, he despises and deprives the opportunity for women, immagrants, and other minority groups to contribute and make a difference".
Sunday, June 16, 2019
Saturday, June 15, 2019
Up Next
Up Next
I have been to all 7 continents. I have travel to almost 75 countries. I have four trips planned for the next four months. But there are still lots of places I want to go.
Here is what's mulling around in my pea brain:
I have been to all 7 continents. I have travel to almost 75 countries. I have four trips planned for the next four months. But there are still lots of places I want to go.
Here is what's mulling around in my pea brain:
- Grand Canyon- done
- The Dead Sea- Israel- done
- Easter Island, Chile
- Mesa Verde National Park- CO
- Ring of Brodgar- Scotland
- Istanbul- Turkey- the Blue Mosque, The Grand Bazaar, Ayasofa Mosque
- Wales- Cardiff- done 9/2018
- MLK Library- Washington, DC
- Madagascar and Lemurs
- Bonnaire in the Caribbean
- Tumbaler, Bali for snorkeling
- The Andes Highlands, Chile
- Biscayne Bay- Florida
- Nassawango Creek Preserve, the Chocolate Bog- Snow Hill, MD
- The Grand Bay Savananah- Mississippi
- Mississippi Sand Hill Crane National Wildlife Refuge
- Slopes of Mount Holeakala- Maui, Hawaii
- Kula Botanica Garden
- Haleakala National Park
- Cranesville Swamp Perserve- MD
- Sherwood Forest- Nottingham, England
- Bwindi Impenetable Mountain Forest; the last of the Great Apes- Virunga Mountain, Uganda
- Great Panadas of Kolong- Sichwan, China
- Wolong National Nautre Reserve
- Cherry Spring State Park, the darkest skies in the area- Couderspot, PA- DONE
Friday, June 14, 2019
Starting A New School Year
Starting A New School Year
Facebook Post
August 26, 2012
After 30 years in education, I still get sentimental about the start of a new school year. However, that doesn't stop me from being sarcastic on Facebook.
Facebook Post
August 26, 2012
After 30 years in education, I still get sentimental about the start of a new school year. However, that doesn't stop me from being sarcastic on Facebook.
"It appears as if lots of people are going back to school today. I am not one of them. Enjoy another great school year"
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