It’s No Fun Witnessing Another Person Getting Mugged

Driving home from a friend’s this evening, my husband and I witnessed a guy getting mugged.  As I stopped at the red light and looked about, I noticed two men up quite close to another man.  At first I thought they were just buddies giving a manly hug goodbye. But then, I saw hands go into pockets and stuff and realized the guy was getting mugged.  I calmly told Avi, “Umm, that guy is getting mugged right there”.  We made the left turn we were waiting for at the light, drove to a safe distance from the two muggers who had crossed the street on foot, and called the police. 

We started to go home but Avi suggested we drive back to see if the mugged guy was walking home. We saw the muggers take his backpack and they had thrown his wallet on the floor, likely taking the money out. So my husband, who is thoughtful of other’s needs, thought we should drive down a bit and see if we saw him walking to at least offer him some bus or cab fare.

We didn’t find the guy but we did end up next to the police in a car. We told them we were the people who called in the mugging only to find out that they were on a DIFFERENT mugging call.

I know what area I won’t be driving in, especially at night.  It’s funny, as we drove home I told Avi, “I usually wouldn’t drive this way, it’s not the worst but it’s surely not the best way to go to our home, but we’ll do it tonight for fun”.  Fun it wasn’t, but at least we were able to be good citizens and report this. We both feel, very bad for the guy. The good thing I suppose is the muggers just took his stuff and walked away. There was no violence, thank G-d. 

This is the second time we’ve reported something to the police in the last couple months. The other was just two teens tagging up a building. No, not just tagging, we caught them with the cans and everything. Heck, we even took their cans.

Either way, it feels great to be a good citizen. It sucks to have these sorts of things going on though.  G-d must think Avi and I have good judgement and sense. I wonder what his next adventure for us will hold.

Movie Recommendation

About a month or so ago my husband and I got movie preview tickets.  Living in Hollywood we are offered free passes to see shows being filmed as well as previews of unreleased movies. We rarely go.

On this one occasion we went, WE LOVED THE MOVIE.  Seriously, I am usually not excited to see a movie. I miss tons of movies. There have been points in my life where two years passed before I actually went to a theatre. My husband on the other hand is a MOVIE LOVER in a big way.  The fact that we both truly enjoyed “Crossing Over” is a great sign. 

According to IMDB, the movie will be coming out August 22nd.  Trust me, EVERYONE, especially in California, must go see this film.  I truly laughed my tush off and I shed a few tears too. This movie is not just filled with amazing actors (Sean Penn, Ray Liotta, Harrison Ford, Ashley Judd), this movie is touching, thought provoking, funny, angering, it’s everything and more.  Anywho…I’m rambling and my husband is a much better movie reviewer anyway. Below is a brief synopsis. 

Crossing Over is a multi-character canvas about immigrants of different nationalities struggling to achieve legal status in Los Angeles. The film deals with the border, document fraud, the asylum and green card process, work-site enforcement, naturalization, the office of counter terrorism and the clash of cultures.

Disgusted

Technorati tags: medical care, United States, poor, working poor, insurance, RAM

WOW.

I’m watching 60 Minutes right now and there is a story on that disgusts me. The story is disgusting because it shows how F-ed up the United States is when it comes to medical care.  I’m sad. I’m at a loss of words.

The story focuses on an organization called RAM.  RAM bring emergency medical care to remote areas around the world.  You know, places that don’t have adequate medical care like in Africa and remote areas in Asia or South America…but…this story on 60 minutes is not about some remote area in the world.  RAM has gone to remote areas in the United States.

There are SO MANY people, children, women, men, families who don’t have medical care or can’t afford the deductibles for the care they do have.  It is revealed on the show that the people using these services are the working poor. They have jobs. Their jobs might even have medical care but it’s inadequate.  They aren’t people on drugs. They aren’t homeless.

What the hell are we doing in this country!  The fact that hundreds upon hundreds of working poor are lining up, overnight, in their cars as if waiting to buy concert tickets; the fact that these people are so desperate to simply see a doctor and are willing to wait hours and hours is just so sad.  Some of these people simply need a new pair of glasses! Some need a tooth pulled. Others have had huge medical problems such as heart disease or cervical cancer but couldn’t afford to do follow up treatments.

SIGH…no wonder my Canadian husband is so disgusted with the medical care in this country.  I’m lucky. Working for public schools I have great care but what are these people to do!

Ani Lomedet Ivrit

Technorati tags: Hebrew, AJU, American Jewish University, education, foreign languages, Ivrit

I’m exhausted.  Hebrew class is going on day five, the final day.  After tomorrow I will have sat in 20 hours of class time and completed about 5 hours of homework.  Needless to say I’m tired.  Four hours of Hebrew is exhausting. I’m taking in a TON of information in such a short amount of time that I feel like an old computer whose processor is too slow. 

Besides all that…my cat took a visit to the vet this week which had me back and forth to the vet so he could have a medicated bath for what we call “skin crunchies”. Basically the cat has allergies to this weather.

Yesterday we also went to Universal Studios for about 5 hours. Then I came home and did yet another hour of Hebrew homework. And yes…after this post, I will sit down and do my last bit of homework.  The homework, to be honest, isn’t impossible. It’s mostly taking activities in our text and rewriting conversations into script from the block print. I still mix up a few script letters and similar sounds such as the kaf and kof, aleph, ayin and hay. But, not to worry, these are normal mistakes and the class is only Beginning Hebrew One.  I will sign up to take Beginning Hebrew Two which will be much slower. Once a week for two hours for a total of ten weeks.

So…what are YOU learning this summer?

Hebrew Crash Course: Day One

Day One:

Hebrew class was pretty fun today.  The teacher is quite good, patient, and has a sense of humor. At the same time, she’s totally a “no bull” Israeli.  I made the mistake of asking why I couldn’t do my letters a certain way and she simply said (and I’m paraphrasing), in an Israeli accent, “Ech, you want to learn Hebrew or you want to do what you were taught”.

It was embarrassing but funny now that I think of it. The people in my class are nice so far and we’re quite a mix. 

First we have ‘L’.  ‘L’ is going to Israel this Sunday with her shul so she wanted a crash course before going.  ‘N’ is married to an Israeli and is in the process of conversion. Her and her husband have been together something like 7 years. Since they haven’t done a Jewish wedding yet, her goal is to go have their Jewish ceremony in Israel after her conversion.  Next we have ‘J’. ‘J’ is 22 years old, just finished his BA degree and is headed to Israel for two weeks with two of his Israeli buddies.  He’s not Jewish and was wearing a bracelet with the Saints on it.  Really nice guy!  Next we have ‘P’.  ‘P’ is 70 years old and frustrated already. She’s truly struggling to just repeat the Hebrew when the teacher asks her to. Her husband was with her. He’s in an advanced Hebrew course but is sitting in with his wife.  Next in line is ‘LO’.  ‘L’ is an uber friendly and kind in a buggy way, woman. She just retired from being a Speech Therapist and all I can say is that when she asked our "morah" questions relating to linguistics and Hebrew vowels, the morah pretty much told her, you’re not that advanced yet, slow down.  Finally we have ‘P’. ‘P’ showed up on his motorcycle and in a purple shirt. He’s a hoot! This guy has a great sense of humor and is struggling but making a true effort.  He actually went to a yeshiva in second grade but has long since forgotten everything. After a year in yeshiva his parents, who are Holocaust survivors, sent him to Catholic boarding school for three years! 

As you can see…we are an interesting bunch to say the least.  The images are pics of my homework assignment.

 

 

What I’m Up To…

I haven’t posted in a bit. Shame on me.

What’s new with me?

The school year officially ended and I’m packed and moved out of my old school.  It’s an odd feeling leaving a school.  I got lots of hugs and goodbyes.  I’m so relieved to be moving on to new challenges, at the same time, it’s a bit sad leaving my students.  Usually you know you will see them the following year (I had 9th graders), but this time I won’t.  I wonder which ones will make it to their 12th grade year. I wonder if what I taught them will help them in the future. I wonder if they’ll sit in their new classes and miss me.  Cheezy right?

The nice thing is that my old school is a year round school which means I can sub there when I’m not teaching.  Since I’m switching from a year round to traditional, my old students are already into their new school year.  I subbed there for the first three days of the school year so it was nice to hear them hollering my name and coming up and giving me hugs and pats on the back. 

Tomorrow I will be taking a 5 day crash course in Modern Hebrew.  The class is being given at the AJU.  It is 4 hours a day for a total of 20 hours.  The cool thing is that I wanted to up my Hebrew abilities. I already read it quite well, can sound words out well, and remember much of the basic of basics from Hebrew school as a child (“"Ani is I, At is the for a boy, Atah is they for a girl, Who is he, and He is she, anachnoo is wee, Atem is they….I remember learning that in that pattern).  Another nice thing about the class is that LAUSD will accept the two college units as salary points which helps pay wise. If you’re not from California you might not be familiar with our salary scale.  One of the best ways to move up the scale (besides the raises based on years teaching) is to earn salary points. Salary points are more or less equal to college units. Every 14 units moves you up a scale. I just finished 14 so I’m back at the bottom of the next scale, This class will give me 2 points.

Next week I will be back, yes again, at my old school teaching a 10 day class, 3 hours a day.  This is a CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam) boot camp if you will.  I will be teaching a very small number of 12th graders who just walked the stage at graduation, who have all the credits they need for graduation, BUT the for some reason have not passed the CAHSEE. This is their LAST chance to earn their high school diploma.  They take this 2 week class and then have a final chance to pass the CAHSEE. My job is to help them with test taking skills. To help them feel at ease. I plan on going over all the basic testing skills that nobody ever taught me.  How to read multiple choice questions, tricks with True and False, how to manage time, how to write an essay that will pass.  I have mixed feelings about the CAHSEE because students who have done all of their requirements still can end up with no diploma. I for one would have done horribly on it in high school. I am a terrible test taker, anxiety, distractions, you name it. Perhaps I’m a good person to help these kids get past this.

Other random things?  My dad and step mom just got back from their first trip to Israel.  I am so glad for them and they had a very good and moving experience.  Perhaps I feel with them. Avi and I went and saw them when they got home and watched their videos…so neat.  Another exiting thing is that NANI will be having a baby on Monday…GOOD LUCK NANI, you’re in my thoughts!

And there you have it! That’s what I’m up to. 

“Why Ranchers Hate Coyotes”

This photo comes from one of my favorite sites to peruse, DAILY COYOTE. If you haven’t visited this site, go there now. It’s really a nice little break in the day that is always sure to bring smiles.  The story of how the woman ended up with a pet coyote is amazing.  Going back through the archives is most definitely worth it.

The author of the blog has a book coming out about her coyote and their experiences. I for one plan on buying it.

Kosher Can Bring Us Together

Sometimes being Jewish and kosher can show us the better side of the people around us who aren’t Jewish, especially when they reach out beyond the norm to fit us into their thoughts and plans.  I had a wonderful little experience today with just this thing that I would like to share.

As most of you know, we keep a kosher home and that extends outside to restaurants and elsewhere.  Working in a public school means there are often times when colleagues will bring donuts, pastries, snacks, or who knows what else to share; not to mention training, workshops and meetings that are catered.  This past year I had an experience of going to an all day training that was catered on the Queen Mary…DURING PASSOVER. Forget that I keep kosher, it was double whammy.  :)  Ok…getting off track here…

I am leaving my current school for a brand new school next year which meant I had a lot of good-byes and so-longs to say and receive.  One of my closest teacher friends really wanted to do something special for me and for the 19 or so other teachers who are leaving this year.  She wanted to make sure that whatever she did food wise I would be able to eat.  She even called another Jewish colleague of our’s to ask if a particular bakery would be kosher enough.  The fact that my colleague and friend would take so much consideration to include me means more than she probably realizes. 

This morning I got to school and went to visit and say my goodbyes.  She pulled out a box of some of the most delicious pastries around, PORTOS.  She had that look of, “Gosh I hope you can eat these” on her face.  I thanked her profusely and ensured her that the thought is sweeter than the sugar.  It truly was. She explained how she had called the other teacher and tried so hard.  It’s my fault she wasn’t sure if I’d eat them because the year previous we ate some of these delicacies together being that I was only keeping kosher in the home and vegetarian out. 

So what’s the point?

Sometimes our friends and colleagues really do go out of their way to understand and reach out. It’s at these times we all get to teach, learn, and show each other the true beauty of friendship.  It’s also at these times that I often feel most connected to Judaism. When I stick by my beliefs and hold to my convictions.  It’s hard sometimes.  It is also something that I thought of value to share for those of you who might be trying to connect on bigger scales and worry about these exact situations popping up.

Today was proof that these potentially awkward moments don’t need to be so awkward afterall.

Moshav Band at Brandeis

Today Avi and I went to an Israel Day event held at the Brandeis Bardin Campus in Simi Valley, CA. We almost didn’t go, even with pre-purchased tickets, because it was so darn hot out. However, we were both glad we went. I think the event was quite under attended. I’m not really sure how it was promoted as I only stumbled across it advertised on the American Jewish University’s web site.

Why were we glad we went…sure there were a dozen nice booths, sure there were some speakers (though nobody we had interest in), sure Avi got some tasty kosher Orange Chicken and I some tasty falafel…but the BEST part of it…

MOSHAV BAND…

Avi and I both really enjoy the Moshav Band. Their music is worldly, folky, country, eastern, reggae…it’s diverse and eclectic. The lyrics are great and we truly just think they are awesome.

We forgot our video camera at home so I attempted Cell Phone Videoing (highly NOT recommended). The sound is crappy but if you want to take a peek for fun…enjoy. We sure did!

(B&W photo credit to Avi, my hubby)

Discipline Matters…A double entendre for a title rocks!

There is a lot of talk around the education blogosphere as well as in my own professional life around the topic of discipline in the classroom.  Although I consider myself to have good discipline overall, I definitely fall short of perfection.  Some of the areas in which I know I need to better myself are:

• Calmer and gentler style of patience
• Learning to not let my students engage me in back talk. In other words, not responding.
• I need to lose some sarcasm
• Managing my frustration levels
• Coming up with consequences that actually mean something

Next year I am going to a new high school.  The teachers of the new school have quite the work in front of us.  Besides the regular stuff a new school needs to get done, we need to build our school culture.  A big part of this is discipline, how we interact, engage, manage, and maintain our relationships with our students.  Part of those relationships includes how we, as teachers and mentors, work together and interact with one another. 

So far I truly am enjoying the new people I will be working with. We have begun planning for the new year. We have gone to happy hour together to bond. Some of us email and chat online and many of us are already working together by having meetings biweekly, unpaid. Yes, crazy! A bunch of public school teachers getting together for the sake of education, for the sake of creating a school in which WE get to build the curriculum and culture.  For this opportunity, I too am volunteering some time to work together.

One of the teachers I currently work with will also be coming to the new high school. He and I have many of the same students and constantly talk about our discipline issues, behavior issues, and how, perhaps, we haven’t managed these to the best of our abilities.  What has come out of these discussions in the idea of a book club this summer with our fellow new colleagues.  This is where you, my readers, can help. 

We are thinking of looking at the text, “Discipline with Diginity”. However, this is an older text and we are wondering if any of you have suggestions for books dealing with urban schools and discipline.  Please do share!