Teacher Rant

What, you think I'm doing this for the money? I don't know any teachers who are in it for money. Most of them just like teaching, or they like kids.

So some teachers say, at least pay us what we're worth. How often do other people get a pay raise? I can't remember the last time I had one. It was quite a few years ago. But I don't really care that much. I just want to make my mortgage payments.

Oh, so what would be an effective way to teach kids? Hmmm.....you want them to learn how to cooperatively solve problems in a socially respectable way? Then you'd want smaller class sizes in order to do that. So, why not ask teachers?

No, wait, how about, ask a politician who hasn't been in a classroom for decades.

Do you really think I am so selfish that I'd actually want to go on strike? NO. I just think teachers should have the right to negotiate on behalf of the students they teach.

Now, if we really want our education system to help change the bullying problems, to groom young people into the computer-savvy techno communication jobs, to create strong leaders and team-players, then we have got to invest in it. If we "simply do not have the funds to support what the teachers are asking for," then no problem. Go back to the 1960's and 70's with 40 kids in a room all doing the same worksheet and rote memorization.

You get what you pay for. What, you never heard that one before?

Don't believe everything the media says....they clip off half a sentence here and there.

Ask a teacher.

(I'm so glad that Christy Clark is not allowed to run for Vancouver mayor. What a relief.)

Divorce Aftermath

She was so sweet and naive and overly-trusting...She never saw the cruel lines behind his mouth until it was too late. And yet, the heartless hardness of his character didn't really surprise her as it spread like a cold disease throughout the apartment.

Look at him, triumphant, with his immigrant status like a golden ticket landed into his hand. But I still don't think he got what he really wanted. He had missed the strong resolve behind the tilt of her chin.

Last Day of Summer Vacation

I walk in from the balcony and see Louis stretched out in the late afternoon sun, luxuriating with his paws neatly crossed in front. He looks up at me with avid interest, so I flop down beside him and he performs his loving ritual of walking circles around my body, aiming for my outstretched hands and banging the side of his head against my knuckles, while emitting tiny squeaks from his big-cat body.

I can hear the quiet tinkling of the wind chimes outside my window, a sweet daily reminder that S loves me. The day his brown eyes sparkled as I unwrapped them, I don't think he realized the full effect those wind chimes would have on me.

Louis plunks down with a fast thud right beside my head and purrs in my ear. I remember when S and I picked up Louis and Dinah when they were kittens and brought them home, over 3 years ago.

The gentle wind chimes, the affectionate cat, the warm streaming sun. It's my quiet afternoon before the first day of school, when my crazy life will resume its tumbling pace.