Where Were You When You Heard?

I rarely blog about current events, but in order to add some international context to this space, I will say that I was working out at the CMC Ducey Gym yesterday when I saw on CNN that Hosni Mubarak had officially resigned. The volume is not up on the two tvs in that room, but the elliptical machines face them, and when I glanced up, it was hard to miss the headlines.

Winter Garden Haiku

Winter garden in backyard

Broccoli started

But something keeps eating it

The Writing on my Forehead

I usually like books about Indian ex-pats living in the US. Actually, I really like Jhumpa Lahiri books. In a few weeks our women's book club will be discussing Nafisa Haji's novel about Pakistani ex-pats, but I can't say I will have many positive things to say about this one.

My two major problems with this book are its writing style (pedantic) and not knowing what it is about. It's about so many different things, it ends up being about nothing.

It reminded me a bit of a NY Times article I read a few weeks ago about the problem with memoirs. I know this is not a memoir, but it reads like one in which the protagonist does not discover anything important, or even in particular.

Wow. Writing this down I realize how much I did not like this book.

Winter Strings Concert

I am always a happy camper when our CUSD string concerts are over, usually because they go very well. Last night was no exception. Our beginners made it through their first concert with three memorized pieces, including Frere Jacques in a round. The district orchestra played four pieces, including Pachelbel's Canon, and they sounded remarkably good. The El Roble Orchestra also played quite well, which shows the elementary kids what to look forward to in jr. high.

The bar is set pretty high now for our May concert!

Party Parade 2011

Today my Claremont Community Foundation Party Parade information came in the mail. For 15 years, this philanthropic organization has created a series of hosted events on "a variety of themes, food, and entertainment to appeal to every taste. Participants will meet new and interesting folks, share food, fun, and friendship - while benefiting the Foundation."

So, which events pique my interest....Urban Farms in Claremont, Los Angeles Walking Tour, Mirth and Magic at Doms, Wine Tasting and Artisan Cheese, or the famous Chair-ity Auction? I'll just have to check my calendar!

Korean to English Translation

Today a student returned his progress report to me. We require a parent's signature to verify that they received the report, and we give them a spot to write us a comment if they feel so led.

In response to my comment that xxxx "is making great progress on the violin and is a pleasure to have in class" the Korean parent wrote, "He is funny to this class."

I hope that means that this great student is enjoying the class, because he is too quiet to be funny to me!

Superbowl Commercials

My three favorite ads for this year's Superbowl were:

The New VW Beetle Ad

The Darth Vader VW Ad

The Pepsi Max First Date Ad

Leadership Retreat

Most people wouldn't want to spend the bulk of their Saturday at a leadership retreat at church, but I heard that our main speaker for the day - the Rev. Michael Piazza (not the former Dodger) - was not to be missed. An inspirational speaker, some might consider him quite an oxymoron - a gay minister of a liberal megachurch in Texas.

Mike has recently retired as head minister from the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, and now works for the Center for Progressive Renewal to help UCC churches grow their membership and vitality. His down-to-earth talk is indeed inspiring and gave us much food for thought.

Tennis Ball Lesson

This week we are listening to different meters in music class by bouncing tennis balls to 4/4 and 3/4 time. Thanks to the Claremont Rotary, we have enough for each student to have their own.

Last November, the Rotary had a fundraiser called The Running of the Balls where they sold around 500 tennis balls for $20 each. The green spheres were numbered, and they rolled down a soggy street until the first three to cross the finish line won the prize - $1,000 each. Upon my request, the Rotary gave Vista 40 of the balls, while the rest were donated to Casa Colina.

Not In Chicago Anymore

Sitting here in warm SoCal, I watch with interest the impending snowstorms in the midwest. News reports say that Chicago is going to get the worst storm it's had since January 1967. I remember that snowstorm well. I recall that we had 2-3 days off from school and that when the snowplows came through the alleyway, they piled the snow up so high that we really had mountains that we could climb up and also dig a little cave into.

The LA Times has some photos from that snowstorm here.