120/365

crazy day:
seven thirty- ran a grade level meeting.
eight - covered a mentor class.
eight twenty- taught an english class
on the power of revision and making tough choices.
nine to two-twenty- five classes talking
about the impact of sexual explicit media on
seventh graders:
key ideas:
sexually explicit images and media
are easily accessible through social media
and can promote harmful gender stereotypes.

learners will be able to:
    describe what are sexually explicit media
    (pornography) (knowledge)
    explain that sexually explicit media
    often portrays men, women
    and sexual relations unrealistically (knowledge);
    identify and demonstrate ways to
    talk to a trusted adult
    about sexually explicit media (skill).

curiosity: accidentally or intentionally
ending up on a website.
misleading messages:
    bigger is better
    duration of sex
    woman only exist
    to give men pleasure
sex: intimacy respect and trust
violent images- scary or disturbing
realistic healthy loving
sexual relationships
between equal partners
talk to an adult you trust.

after school-
picked up the kitten up from
being spayed and put her in a sock
to save her from the cone-
we screamed and laughed—
she looks intellectual,
cute and smart.

martini, pyjamas, pizza
family movie night
about a dysfunctional family.
little miss sunshine
and a few f-bombs.
an endearing message
about not fitting in.

and now-
late,
a whisky with cherries
and sufjan stevens,
i’ll leave it to you
to bring
the meaning.

Basking In Its Light

About an hour ago I was sitting outside at a local restaurant eating vegetarian Sushi and veggie Udon whist drinking a Gin Martini. I was enjoying the breeze and the calm fluid conversation that comes from hanging out with a group of female friends. Never in my life have I had a group of women friends that I just hang out with. I am not sure this is a common thing for men, but it should be.

AlI know is that hanging out with Jenn, Shruti, Paula and Georgina is like a secret look behind the curtain for me, and I love it. It’s just interesting to watch women hang-out without men around. Yes, of course I am around- and I am sure there is still a level of reservation because of my presence, but for the most part we just hang out and it is one of the times in y life that I feel the most comfortable in my skin. This friendship group started in Kenya two years ago and we still try to meet for a meal or a drink every few months.

Tonight we watched the IB play together and had a quick bite and drink before I crawled home on the bus exhausted after a long day of teaching and student led conferences after school.

The light at the end of the tunnel is here and in a few short hours I will be basking in its light. This holiday is well earned and necessary.

…

Not sure if I made the official announcement- I know I said I was going to be head of grade, but now I know which grade: Next year I will be the head of grade six.

This is a big change for me, as my comfort zone is with grade eights, but I am looking forward to the challenges and the new learning, as I get ready to work with kids at this stage of their development. Lot’s to learn for sure, but exciting times ahead.

…

There’s not much else left in the tank tonight, so good night.