Weekends are For Grilling Vegetables as Appetizers Before Big Dave Comes Forth With the Primary Meal (Penn State on Mt. Pleasant)

Received the Sealy, Wooley, Johnsons from all directions, as Ishmael comes to his 11th year on earth and a birthday party for himself in Orange. Abu went to Syracuse, so we have the beds to accommodate the joy, including badminton in the backyard, steak on the grill, and Dave's out-of-this-world lemon pasta salad. It was a great way to end a day of watching Olympics and preparing a teacher event in August. I meant to weed-whack, but I didn't get around to that. Big Y called.  

Loved the gelato treats that Beth brought, too. Such good flavors. Also a beautiful day to be outside, sweat, take long walks with Karal, and embrace the sunshine. Only thing that would make it better is a swimming pool.

Today is a transition of their departure and Abu's re-entrance from Liberian Independence Day (which was Friday but he celebrated yesterday). 

We have a week ahead of Ubuntu Academy, then I have to begin thinking about the next phases of the year, my life, and what comes next. 

For now, I'm just loving the ways I'm able to sleep longer on the weekends. That makes a tremendous difference from the five-hour rest I've been getting each night as summer programs roll forward. I love have a busy, active home with much going on and this occurs much more during the summer months. 

Here's to a day of rest (whatever that means for you). I'm hoping it is as it should be....rejuvenating. 

Well, Yesterday Was Pretty Spectacular. The Kids Continued to Groove and the Brilliant, Fantastic, Wonderful Human Being -- Sydney Johnson -- Stopped By

Yesterday was one of those moments that are are to describe in words. I've hired Jalen Johnson two years in a row, as he came through our programs since 3rd grade on. He's hilarious and wonderful with our kids and it was a wonderful choice. Now we're in Ubuntu, and Jessica and William are back together, then Coach Sydney stopped by today to introduce himself to Ubuntu Academy and to give his history with collaborating with CWP and updates on where he is with data analysis and his recent work with the Chicago Sky and coaching Angel Reese. Many changes in his world. 

As he presented, inspired kids, and high-fived with Abu, William, and Jess, we couldn't help but reflect on history, family, growth, the Great Whatever, integrity, and living the mission of humanitarianism and spirituality. It's been a minute, but the ways our lives interacted and aligned have been amazing.

Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Creole are the languages of the week, and Sydney was there to discuss the history of his name, his ancestry, his drive to be an athlete/coach, and intention to live an influential life. He is truly missed at Fairfield and it has been night and day since his departure. When he left, so much of the good light went with him....but as he reminded me, the light the kids and teachers are shining upon the world is much larger than the darkness others have brought....continue to bring.

La Cantina last night. Good meal, then sleep. Abu traveled to Syracuse to bring a couch home (good deal through Lossine...and Pam) and will return on Sunday. 

Today is Saturday, though: Ishmael and Kris are heading this way. And me? I just want to process a very good, deep sleep.

I Haven't Had Okra Since Kentucky and Picking Them from the Crescent Hill Bushes with Sue. Last Night We Grilled Them

Dave is two for two, and last night we had Max and Mateo (workers from the summer programs) over for a Cajun shrimp dinner with okra. Abu took care of the rice. We grilled the okra and served it as a side dish, and Mateo (raised well by his parents) brought an apple pie. We had it with vanilla bean ice cream. Another gourmet dinner that I only had to partly take part in preparing. I actually am afforded time to get work done on the front porch after we work all day (the emails alone take hours).

And just like that is is another Friday....week 4 of summer programs with only one week left. It's been nice to see the kids gelling with one another (like they always do after a few days) and to see the lightbulbs flashing off as they feel more accomplished with their written work...the sense of pride makes every second of the work worth it. 

Will and I high-fived today simply because we know if we didn't host Ubuntu Academy, 32 students would not be given a language boost and sense of confidence for the next school year. Many of them just arrived and have only been in English as a Second Language for a year: Haitians, Dominicans, Brazilians, Bangledeshians, Mexicans, and Guatemalans. The populations have shifted from primarily African-born youth to more S. American.

In our 11th year, too, it's hard not to reflect on all the work that has gone into building the program, knowing it is vision and perseverance that pulls it off.

I know I will be ready for bed tonight. I will need a mindless evening (maybe Big Brother marathon to catch up....or Abu's Family Feud escapades). 

Ah, Friday. How thankful to God we be that you are here. We love what we do but we are exhausted.

"He's here, he's there! He's every-#$@#$@#@-where! ROY KENT! ROY KENT!" Had the Pleasure of Seeing Brett Goldstein's Stand-Up Last Night.

Of course, he was four miles away from my seat in the balcony, but I knew when I saw the tickets go up that I had to go. I loved Ted Lasso too much to pass up the opportunity. Dave, Abu, and I met Kaitlyn & Dominik in Wallingford (where they put the dot down before the squiggly before making a question mark). It was at the Oakdale Theater and a spectacular venue in a very bizarre location. A+++ for the efficiency in parking, moving so many vehicles in-and-out. I thought they were going to launch us on a ferry with all the lanes and timed movement, but it was sharp and I appreciated it.

The humor was great and not that of Roy Kent, although the character's humor was also in play. The opening act, Brian something-or-other had the best joke of the night with the Shoop one after a track meet (love potty humor), and I appreciated the brilliance of both comedians. Needed to laugh.

Great to see Kaitlyn and Dominik, too. They don't get out much now that they have a lil' one, but this adventure was a good test. Mermala babysat and apparently Oliwia poked her in the face every time she tried to fall asleep. That's a good strategy for 6 pm weekend nights. Leo, Bev, and I can handle the poke in Pam's forehead. Wake up, Woman. Smart kid. 

Of course, now I want to watch the Ted Lasso series (three seasons) for the third time, but know that is probably not healthy...get a life, Crandall.

And just like that, "It's Thursday." Slowly, administrators and staff that have been missing for two months are coming back alive and with each email I feel my blood pressure rising. 

It is what it is. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.  I know now I can't change the incompetence of others, the shamelessness, and the honest truth of how things actually are, so I will only focus on the programs I run, the classes I teach, and the national relationships I have. I have to think globally if I'm to stay sane. I'm choosing competence and joy. I'm leaving the rest behind.

And When We Aren't Thrilled By the Reality of Everyday Pictures We Go Into Snapchat Animation World Where A Cartoon Self is a Better Option

I was playing too much during and after the college essay workshop. Ah, but at lunch, Kim and I did a selfie and I was super happy (and I said, "Whoa, you are totally Alanis Morisette"). We were talking about generations of kids and how the way you wear socks can be a total social identifier. Um, I am just totally uncool and I'm okay with that.

I've been working with college essays since 1995 and where we are almost 30 years later still doing the genre. It's a fun one, as it is (for many kids) one of the first times that audience awareness and purpose come together - the writing makes a difference in the whole package.

We have 20 kids this week and they are spectacular and super diverse. So many possibilities for what they write, and we have Ubuntu Academy with 30 students who have just arrived....it makes for interesting conversations and perspectives.

Ah, have you seen Waking Life? I think I'm living it. Funny, too, because my students of yesteryear were like, "Why are you showing us this? People don't think this way?"

And then they went to college.

What is the life of living aware and with questions? Critical thinking? Possibilities?

That is what we try to accomplish with our programs at CWP-Fairfield, but we do it with writers and that is the vision of the work. Do the world as you.

And today is hump-day, where we need to transition the writing towards publication, which is a little lofty for some of our kids. But the world operates to some fundamental laws, and I'm here to offer technological arrangements of the world.

We're here to make meaning for this temporary location in space while we have it (while we're fortunate to have it). 

This is what makes it all worth while. 

Loving Mr. King's Clipboard. That's Right, Ubuntu Academy, Year 11, is Back. Supporting Immigrant and Refugee Youth and Literacy in the United States

Let the haters flag this post...the ones who are anti-immigrant and anti-refugees...the one who are ignorant on global and world history, religion, and what it means to be a human being. If you are pro-kid, you can't only be pro-your own offspring. You need to be pro-kids no matter the childhood circumstance. Literacy for Life. Literacy for Hope. Literacy for Survival no matter where one ends up.

We have over 30 students, the majority from Brazil and Haiti this year, with a spattering of Guatemala, Bangladesh, Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Mexico. These are kids choosing to give up their summer to improve their reading and writing skills and, the program is not district funded, but relies on the network of CWP individuals who see the benefit of investing in the next generation of change makers. And then there's the grant-writing. 11 years strong and always growing...trying to find solutions in the way that our institutions have failed . If you have a productive, literacy citizenry, you have the change-makers of the world ahead. All children deserve access, and that is what we set out to do over a decade ago.

Jessica will join next week, but for now Mr. King is running shop...well, Mr. King with Abu, Max, Mateo, and Jalen. It's special, and after the first day, I already know the magic will continue. We are reading David Bowles, discussing boundaries, regions, cultures, language, work, reading, writing, identity, and being. I'm so thankful to the YA community for creating the books that are useful to the learners we have in our classroom.

I did the math last night and I've seen over 2,500 young people grow through CWP's programs. It's rather impressive, and I only wish the work had more influence on K-12 school during the academic year. We try. But there are only so many teachers we can reach each year AND it's a special kind of teacher who finds the mission of the National Writing Project...

...like Mr. King...

so thankful for his vision, leadership, love of kids, and intellect.

And with that, on we go to day 2 of week 3.

After ... So Many Days (a year?) Finally Made it Back to the Beach with the Paddle Boards. Nothing Like Beach Time

We haven't figured out if it's simply the fact that it's been too hot, or that weekends have simply been miserable, but yesterday was the first time we all gathered at the beach. It was 88 degrees without humidity and a wonderful day on the water. Abu and I paddle boarded as well as rested, and the Sound temperature was refreshing. 

A much, much needed day with feet in the sand.

Abu and I also returned to see the full moon (orange/red) rise across the sound at 9:03. It was cloudy on that side and not the greatest, but we did manage to see it before heading home to greet Dave who is with us for the week with College Essay. Excited to have both him and Kim working together again. 

This week, Ubuntu Academy returns, as well as the College Essay and Other Narratives project, Who Do You Think You Are? We have a good crowd of students and I'm looking forward to another year of productivity and publication. 

I am sunburned, however, so we'll see how I fair as I put civilian clothes on once again. Happy to have Chef David in the house for the week, especially with Abu so they can have some bonding time. Lots of rain later in the week, but until then, a beautiful one. 

Time to hit I-95...but I'm carrying the weekend that just was with me to get me through.