Things Just Happen

Weird things happen all the time.

Like finding 11 cents twice in a week

Like looking up an author’s info to write him just to find out he passed away on that day 5 years ago

Like going into a place to inquire about it, just to get hired on the spot

Like thinking of a song, and soon singing it – making it your own and at the same time encouraging others

Like knowing how your day will go even before you go to work, school, or church

Like bumping into people you are trying to avoid what a feeling!

Like befriending someone on facebook just to defriend that same person the same day

Like walking into a place at the right time

Like loving surprises but always knowing when people are trying to surprise you

Like regret

regret just feels weird doesn’t it?

Like falling in love and then having to explain it. Why do people even try to explain it?

I guess they just like the feeling or reminiscing

Dejavu is something that just happens too! You never know if it happened or if you just had a dream of it!

I’m telling you, things just happen

Three Red Cars

No Fun

Today was totally different at the library. The children were so bad. Just had the urge to talk back and be in control. I just sat and watched. It got to the point where I just didn’t want to volunteer there anymore. You know, just give myself a break. Gosh, I just want to do something else. Get out of the neighborhood!!

Fun!

We won!Today I had so much fun! I was raining outside but it was like another world on the second floor in the library. We all played Gestures.  Those kids are some actors and actresses!  I first thought my team was going to lose because the opposite team was in the lead for most of the game but when it was out turn for the last round one of the kids from the other team screamed out an answer giving us an answer! And we won! We were high-fiving and the older boys were picking up the little boys jumping up and down. It was pure fun. Why are kids so fun?!

“hats or hatnots”

HatsI just found out about a new photographer: Jules Allen who had the pleasure of working under Roy DeCarava. He had a project called the “hats and hatnots” which I really really enjoy. Just the play on words and the wonderful pictures! I wonder if I can borrow his idea? Since “hat” almost define who I am?! Also, Aperture is a great photography magazine. I wish I had the money to subscribe to it.

I met up with a dear friend and had a conversation in Spanish. In the midst of that comes a Polish friend who knows Spanish and it becomes a Spanish, Polish, English lesson. It was very educational and the good thing is it will happen again. We made sure of that…

So, about Publishing? I met with a mentor and professor who gave me helpful hints on publishing my book…yes, I wrote a book.  The most hard- to- swallow tip?! Take Risk- let yourself go. I am so used to holding on to me. My art. My  mY my. I am just learning how to lean on God. I guess leaning on God means letting go of one’s self.?! I don’t know. Still learning. Leaning so much.

My student, Joseph, finished reading The Secret of the Painted House so now we are reading Judy Blume’s Superfudge along with Janisha who wanted to read with us terribly.  James got kicked out of the library and can’t come until he brings his mother. I have no idea what is up with his behavior. He is so smart in his lessons. I hardly helped anyone with their homework today. It was movie day so the kids were watching movies and on the computer. Those not on the computer were with their parents. I could only photograph them. Well, at least I got to speak to parents. I am getting the hang of it.

Fashion Ellwand’s Way

Fashion Ellwand's WayOne book you should take time out to just peak in is Fairie-ality: The Fashion Collection from The House of Ellwand. It is amazing to me how David Ellwand took flowers, bird feathers, sail shells, grass, pumpkins, stones, cow parsley…ect and made it into “clothes.” It is indeed a Fairie-ality. The colores are so rich and flowing. He even made shoes out of rose petals and cow parsley; and bathing suits out of snakeskin! My favorite  chapter is: ” A Fairie Tale Wedding”  The mother of the bride is dressed in duck duck goose! The Groom looks good in crow feathers and have eloquent snail buttons. Of course I liked the Lily Bridesmide who had poppy evanescent for sleeves! The Maid of Honor looks dashing in black and green. The top piece of the dress is silky crow feathers and the bottom is black parrot feathers. I’ll leave the bride out for your imagination.

This dancing dress of lilting lily petals in two colors oozes self-assurance. Trust us. David Ellwand.

 

Who says feathers are just for the birds? David Ellwand

Roster

  1. Alexis
  2. Allison
  3. Jade (met mother)
  4. Jamel
  5. Taitiana
  6. Janisha
  7. Joseph (met mother)
  8. Justin
  9. Lindsay (met mother)
  10. Ronald (met mother)
  11. Dillian/Dylan
  12. Ronald’s Babysitter grand daughter (met babysitter)Lilly & Students
  13. Rebecca
  14. Joseph
  15. Emmanuela (met mother)
  16. Estiel
  17. Francesca (met babysiter & Mother)
  18. Delilah (very mature, watches little sister)
  19. Junior
  20. Sandy
  21. Priscilla (met mother and father)
  22. Destiny
  23. Manny  (Manuel)
  24. Ben
  25. Ben’s little Sister
  26. Ben’s older Sister
  27. The little Mexican Boy (met father)
  28. Kayla
  29. Shanyah (met mother)
  30. Aldo (met grand or mother)
  31. Takiya
  32. Celine
  33. Janiece Green
  34. Whitney Green
  35. Whitaker Green
  36. James Bell
  37. Kizzy (met mother)
  38. Essence
  39. Malik
  40. Essence and Malik’s brother (met mother)
  41. Moria (met mother) (raspy voice)
  42. Michael
  43. Frank
  44. Tramaine (great with math)
  45. Michelle (tom boy)
  46. David
  47. Genesis (met mother)
  48. Dssandsa
  49. Sally
  50. Edwin (mischievous)
  51. Messiah (good with computers)
  52. Johnny
  53. Angelique
  54. Rosalie
  55. Mohammad ( dance like Micheal Jackson)
  56. Mohammad’s sister
  57. Johanna
  58. Valerie
  59. Ilianni
  60. Marilvz (talkative )
  61. Angel ( likes to joke in Spanish)
  62. Michael (serious about work, like to joke )
  63. Sophie (speaks French)
  64. Khadijah (always smiling)
  65. Damien(popular with everyone)
  66. Joshalyn
  67. Eddie (popular, very serious about school work)
  68. Yu Lynn ( loves to read )
  69. Yukki (does HW but hates to read)
  70. Beatrice aka Bea ( Lindsay’s friend)
  71. Shanavier (Kizzy’s friend/ Godsister)
  72. Jesus (wants to be an actor, tutor Saturdays)
  73. Elian Abinder (ESL,  likes to count in Spanish)
  74. Leanne (very acrobatic )
  75. Adam (likes books about the body/ hobby football)
  76. Gabriella (first grader who reads extremely well)
  77. Pria (sweet little kindergartner who loves to read, needs help with ABC’S)
  78. Pria’s Brother (sweet 5th grader, very honest)
  79. D’Andrea Leaonora (5th grader, very sweet get along with everyone, did project on Beyonce)
  80. Priscilla (the 5th Grade)
  81. Kathy
  82. Kelly (very sweet girls, met mother and father)
  83. Aissata
  84. Monctor (met mother whose name rhymes with Drama, both very ambitious students)

9 November 2009

I got to the library a little late.

And when I got there the kids were too involved with their homework and on the computer to notice that I came late. We found a table and soon as we sat down the drama started!

James came. He was the first one who sat at the table. He was doing math, the subject he is a genius in and begin to ask me if his answers were right.

Next to me was Joseph. He took out his reader and we read a story together about a girl who wanted to join a musical band. She could play the drums really well but the band wouldn’t let her join. When we finally finished that story, Janisha came.

She had finished the little bit of homework she had and was ready to talk or read! I couldn’t read with her and Jospeh. We (Joseph and I) had already started a chapter book titled The Secret of the Painted House by Marion Dane Bauer. I offered her to read a long with us but this little one was in her own world. She went and got another book titled The Ghost Sonata by Gilda Joyce.  As if the queer book we were already reading wasn’t enough.

At the same time James and Janisha were getting into mischief. It made me wonder what was their purpose of sitting at the table? For me to continue to correct them and tell them how to behave?! When Janisha  and Joseph left, along comes Taitiana.

She sits beside James. And they can’t really sit still or be nice to each other.

The librarian came over once to talk too. They just kept acting up.

Then Mel-Mel came. He wasn’t really being bad. Just cracking jokes. I got him to practice his alphabet sounds and read some words with me. This worked until he got into a fight with James. At that point I just left.

I go to the library to help children who are serious! Not those who want to spend their time playing. The librarian took over from there.Computer Time

Indeed Pippy and Justa Happy

Today was such a great day for me, despite the few mean people I met on my way.

Today was such a gorgeous day outside, despite the brisk breeze in the night.

Today was such a joyous day for me, despite the chains that tried to lock around me.

Today was such a God-given day, despite the corrupted world.

Today God surprised me with more of his presence then I even asked for.

Today God poured out his spiritual blessing on me and made me full and free.

I had no idea that I felt like a caterpillar until God gave me wings and gave me his beauty.

And the beautiful thing about today is  God promise more and better days on the way.

So flowers get ready to bloom and devil be prepared to move cause when God gets ready

YOU got to MOVE and I’ll just Groove

Caterpillars came from everywhere. Everywhere were caterpillars. One day they just piped up and left“.

Deacon Glassgow

Laughter

all alone

Man walking aloneseems like i am walking this lane all alone

seems like i am sitting looking out of the window pane all alone

seems like the birds know where to fly

and the dolphins know when to dive

but as for me?

i am alone

seems like the mail carrier knows where to go

but my destination is never fortold.

seems like i am walking alone.

seems like this world is not my home

and i am searching for a place to call my own

i feel like flying away

Flying AwayOkay so there’s a little boy

you probably know him.

he’s black.

everyone ignores him.

give him what he wants so

he’ll just shut up

but the thing is

he’s calling for them

they are flying away from him.

and you see it

you see them flying away from him

you want to help him out.

but don’t really know if he wants YOUR help

He’s also scared.

He scared of himself.

He’s not aware of his capability

No one wants to be associated with him

even his own family

He’s so small

But already in a world where everyone is flying away

and thats how he feels

“he’s born in a confused world because he is black”

is what someone said

another one said

“we gotta protect him cause he’s black”

the question is who’s gonna do it

if everyone feels like flying away

and if everyone makes him feel like flying away

“they are after him cause he’s black”

well, who’s after him?

shouldn’t we be  after him?