The view across the street from the library.

It has been a year since I have started this blog and also a year since I started volunteering at the library and what a blessed year it has been! I have met so many people and characters, went so many places, been blessed with so many new ideas, came closer to my neighborhood, went through so many emotions, created long lasting friendships, picked up so many pencils and pens, colored so many pictures, wrote so many notes, met so many parents, wrote a keep-the- library funded letter, had so many parties, avoided so many people, accepted many new facebook friends, created platonic relationships, now have more than 4 sisters and 1 brother, know my neighborhood a little more, been given thank-you notes, have been given thank-you gifts, been offered cokes, have gotten gratitude smiles from parents, learned a little more about the joy of picture books, revised my childhood, been told so many times ‘shhhh’, never kicked out the library, brought so many library books, three library reuse bags, learned new words in Spanish and Chinese and of course English, been embarrassed, been praised, been caught in rain, met someone, sat with the elderly, learned much more about the Bronx, learned how to appreciate life, able to reconnected with the tweens, screamed to by children, asked a 100,000 and more nosy questions, able to practice photography, got paid for my photography, met parents via their house windows, met parents while walking to church, never gave up, been invited to school plays, went to school plays, disciplined children, laughed with children, made new friends, created many videos, fell in love with Andrew Zuckerman, read The Taste of Colored Water to my family a 100 times, taught children my history, learned new music, learn to hate new music, learned the words to songs I always heard, learned that being younger is not always easy and being older is not easier, been invited to plant in the neighborhood garden, avoided Chess, saw so many DVD’S upon my students request, been talked about, saw my name graffiti in the girls bathroom, been given gifts, been given comments on my style of dress everyday, held children hands, played musical chairs, played telephone, created plays, had spelling bees, been hugged, been kiss on the cheek, had students who moved away, learned that all of my students are all the same, and can go on and on about what I have done but time has just failed me….

The library is closed for the summer. Supposedly, the library need new windows and it will take 5 months to get them fixed. This news came to us right after the New York Public Library said it was loosing money and was considering closing some branches. I am praying that the West Farms branch will not close.

A handful of my boy students write sloppy.  James is usually the main one. That’s why when he showed me his homework, I took a picture for memories. As proof that he can write neat. He’s can be a bit lazy sometimes.

Speaking of handwriting, you remember when you were young and could not wait to learn how to write in script? Well, that is what my second graders are feeling now. All of them are learning to write in script.

There was a show at the library for the children about the life of Mozart. The actors from the Traveling Lantern Theater Company had everyone laughing out loud (and the show is really for small children around the age of 5 and there was no one there that small). It also perked your desire to learn more about Mozart’s life. Kudos to Mr. and Mrs. Timothy R. Barakett who developed and supports this program.

No matter where you work or play or worship you will have to deal with Secrets.

Secrets behind your back.

Secrets in front of your face.

Fun secrets.

Secrets that will bring surprises.

Secrets hidden within.

Sad Secrets.

Hurtful Secrets.

Whatever the Secrets are

Who ever is keeping them

Where can we find them

Where can we find the answers

I heard they are resounding in heaven

Wanna go?

A lot of my older students are getting reading for graduation. They found out what middle schools they will be attending and are pretty excited. I can’t believe I stayed with them for a year! It went by so fast!

And, I am already meeting new children.  I met two little boys – very enthusiastic fellows (Jose and John) and their older sister Laura.

But that is not really what I want to talk about, even though it is on my mind. I want to talk about something else.

The lyrics to popular songs that are sung by our children -day in and day out- everyday. I wonder if children songs even exist anymore.  Recently there has been Karaoke at the library almost every week and this give the kids a chance to sing  together. It also give me an idea of the children preference in music… and the songs are very sexual and inappropriate for children but for some reason society let them sing the songs.

The songs they were singing along to, I didn’t know any of them, mainly because Beyonce and Young Jeezy are not people who I would want to listen too. I don’t mind children singing love songs but the songs these artist sing – are they really love songs? Is ‘ All the Single Ladies’ a love song.  There was one song that got really graphic and I begin to feel very uncomfortable with the children singing along. I gave the librarian an eye and she went on the next song. But it still bothered me that they knew the words!

A moment of silence for the innocence that is slipping away from our youth.