30 Years in This Profession, and I Still Feel Total Joy in Gifting Students When I Can, Especially with an Autographed Book

I have a student this year who arrived from Albania and identifies as a Montenegrin Muslim. She does not wear a hijab, has never seen girls like her represented in books taught in school, and has naturally used my YA Literature course as a deep-dive into Islamic representation of girls in the books she's selected. One of the books she read early in the semester was Hena Khan's We Are Big Time, a graphic novel based on an all Muslim basketball team that tells girls to DREAM BIG. 

You can imagine my fortune when I was at dinner with Hena Khan at the Penguin Random House author dinner, where she autographed a copy of the book to my student. Aliana borrowed mine, and now she has one, with a signature, for her. In a ZOOM conference later that night Aliana told me she'd never received such a gift and felt so honored that I was thinking of her and brave enough to approach the author. I could only respond that I was thrilled to see her take an approach to the class that is also teaching me. I told her she should dig deep into her own story to argue for why such stories matter to adolescent readers.

I hosted class asynchronously so I'd have time to conference with all the students in smaller groups. They watched 'the lecture' with short assignments, while I met to offer advice on the work they plan to turn in for the final. I love this, because Snap Chat affords me the opportunity to cut into my lectures with varying characters - this week, all from Psy-Fi and Fantasy characters, including a human kushball that could speak. 

I'm heading into this short holiday break with tremendous pride for the originality of all the projects and the joy that reading YA texts has brought them. But for today, I need to brine a turkey, prepare the tables, clean the house (after destroying it with putting Thanksgiving bouquets into vases (the leaves and pedals go everywhere). 

Tunga, too, is planning a break on this day as he awaits Alyssa's arrival this afternoon. I'm always surprised, and thrilled, when I roll back from a conference and am still able to do a decent job while teaching. For the next few days, however, I can take my mind off grading and planning to enjoy company and the many reasons I'm thankful...including hosting another YA course at the University.

I can't believe it is already almost December again. Phew. 

I'm Taking a Second to Simply Marvel at the Joy of Traveling by Train Rather than by Car or Airplane

Yes, I traveled backwards, but that was okay, because I had outlets to plug my computer and phone, and plenty of time to get work in. While traveling by car or plane, there is never enough room to operate, let alone have the lap and leg space to accomplish much. I took this photo somewhere between New London and Mystic, knowing the speed would get me home much quicker than I-95. The skyline, the lighting, and the water simply danced alongside me and I enjoyed every second of it.

I opted to give Chitunga the car for the day so I'd be forced to stay home and that would give me time to rearrange furniture and make room for company on Thursday. I also was able to cut down the vegetation, as the frost finally found its way to southern Connecticut. I still need to bag all the dried out debris and am hoping for a 2nd day of work space to do so.

Papi Butch is home. They didn't see anything abnormal after he fell at the grocery store, fainted, after he banged his head pretty bad. Casey was with him and I'm sure it startled her a great deal as she went with him to St. Joe's. I really wish, like schools, hospitals received more help, especially professionally, as weekend care tends to be non-attentive. He has no memory of the incident, but he also doesn't remember eating lunch most of the time (as he makes a lunch as soon as he finishes the one he just made). 

Cynde got him to take a bath, which is a blessing, and now the family simply needs to monitor, pray, and keep a close eye on him (Mom can use her Popeye radar with the one good eye she has). Cynde remains a saint - there are no words for the amount she does to provide care in addition to her full-time job. 

This morning, I'm hoping to maintain my car so I can get the package from Sue that arrived from Kentucky and that is being held at a UPS store. If he decides to go to Stamford, he can suffice with the ol' Metro North which runs every 1/2 hour. 

I need to prep for the finale of the semester and continue readying the house for giving thanks. It felt good to move the house around, clean, store things, and prepare for the season ahead. As for Holiday shopping - we'll just have to see, as my head has not been anywhere near gift-giving. For me, it's just the joy of being surrounded by family and loved ones.

Okay, Tuesday...let's see where this takes us.

Last Year in His 20s...Mr. Tunga Tunchi Chitunga is now 29...so, Onward. I Love That I Get a Return for Turkey and His Birthday Candles

I am sold on Amtrak. It's a great way to travel...convenient, fast, and beautiful. Boston was beautiful, too. I enjoyed the time there and the NCTE conference is always a spectacular gig. I got to come home, though, to Tunga being in from Iowa and, well, the two of us met Vochan at Founder's House and did one of those, "Just go for it," meals. This included smoked bourbon drinks, steamed muscles, and three incredible gourmet meals. I've eaten here before, and I said to myself that I'd make a birthday day of it with Chitunga when he came home. Pam passes, but Vochan was all in. 

We ate like kings. Not only kinds, but well fed kings with the lucky of a really great restaurant.

I also bought him running shoes (Saucony, you know how I roll). I don't spend money, except when I love something, then I'm willing to make the purchases. I found a good style on sale and said, "yup...I'm sharing the greatness with the kid."

Ah, but back to the food. So incredible. 

Tunga got the salmon (left), I got scallops, and Vochan got the Surf & Turf. It was a once-a-year meal (perhaps once in a lifetime). 

I am now home. He is now home. He has my car. His girlfriend will come later this week, and I have a holiday to host. All 25 pounds of a turkey. But today, I must unpack first, figure out the course to teach Tuesday night, and process the weekend that just was.

I should point out that the two of them ordered a weird strawberry  cake for dessert, which was good, but not what I'd selected as my birthday cake..

Long story short, I'm home, Karal is obsessed with having Chitunga home, we had a great meal (beyond great) and we finished the night watching Shrinking. 

I gave up and said, "Take the car." Truth is, I'm fried and the last place I want to go is campus to get into all that insanity. I simply want to read and right from home....so that I shall do.

There's a 1001 Photographs I Could Post to Capture the Past Four Days, But This One Brings Me the Most Joy, Because Most are Already on My Wall of Love

I can't believe it's Sunday already and that I'll be heading back on Amtrak on after 1 pm today. I have two more presentations this morning, and then pack up and go. What a joy to randomly walk into Matt de la Peńa - didn't even know he was hereditary (that was a blessing). Also, first people King and I run into this morning are Gholdy and Yolie. That love fest went on for quite a while, including the introduction of Dr. Tyana Velazquez-Smith who, as humor would have it, has been friend for years because the Syracuse-Rochester network have put us in touch on social media. It was hilarious when we discovered the name to the face and the random moments of bliss we shared before yesterday's festivities began. It truly was magical. 

All the session went well, but Tunga was locked out of the house when he arrived form Iowa, Pam came to the rescue, and my father had to be admitted to the hospital again. I also learned Jason is now in hospice. It's a lot of news to take in while being away, but that is the nature of the beast that is life.

It remains crazy to be that Yolanda, Gholdy, and I all came out of the academic gates about the same time and found ourselves in the careers we have. Those two are inspiration times a million, as is CWP's own Mr. King. It's always beautiful to be surrounded by the best of the best.

I need to head back to the convention center to steady the last two performances before rounding up the troops and heading home. Two nights in a row I lucked out by eating at Tuscan Kitchen. When an Italian restaurant gets it right it is all worthwhile. 

I'm very thankful to Penguin Random House inviting me to dinner and for celebrating the middle school writers. The stack of new books I carried home is remarkable. 

Okay, prayers up for a better day today for the family in upstate NY. I'm looking forward to seeing the kid and taking him out for his birthday. It's his last year of the 20s. Phew. That flew by quickly. 

Another Day of #NCTE2024 & (Lo & Behold) I Finally Get Mr. William King & Mr. Kwame Alexander Reunited. The Best Part Was None of It Was Planned.

The best part of the NCTE is the random bumps of this or that person, simply by walking around. I met Kwame during his Acoustic Rooster tour in upstate NY, and a little while before The Crossover (I know this because I still have the Word document he sent me). Lots of storying and histories later, I simply am thankful whenever I get to be face-to-face with him. In 2013, we brought him to Fairfield University for my first-ever Writing Our Lives conference in Connecticut. We had over 100 Bridgeport youth come to campus for a day of writing (and artists Gordon Skinner designed the artwork). Phew. That was over a decade ago and look at life now. 

I'm excited he's promoting Jarred Amato's work, and can't wait for next year when J&K is out (I mean K& J). Also was wonderful to gather with Ellen Oh, Nic Stone, Kim Johnson., and Patricia Park last night, too, and running smack dab into Torrey Maldonado on my way home from dinner (in the pouring rain).

Presented with my Divergent squad, as well as Jessie Early and Kristin Turner via our NWP research-work. Two more day so presentations (two today and two tomorrow) and then it is over. Another successful conference. 

Today, more NWP work and then tomorrow, two special presentations that I'm excited to participate in. I also get to ride the train home, which is always wonderful...the moving office. 

Ah, but now time for the work. Time for more.

Day One #NCTE2024 Was a Success. Tremendous Pride for the Four Students I Brought & Wonderful to See Phoebe Yeh & Patricia Park Again

Everything went forward swimmingly. I was up early to figure out the vicinity, met with the kids to do a dry-run, and then presented in front of a good crowd where Nohea, Max, Jacqui, and Joanna rocked it.

Following that, ran to the other side of the convention hall to present with William King on 14 years of our Ubuntu Academy work. I moved everything onto Padlets for both presentations.

This morning, I have it light and at least now it is not pouring. Looks like the winds died down, too. Last night was a mess, while taking everyone for dinner (Rosa Mexicano - I do not recommend it...hard to mess up Mexican food, but it wasn't very good. Everything was bland).

Now, for three more presentations and the Penguin Random House cocktail party. But first, I need to find coffee. 

Made it to Boston Safely & Looking Forward to Two Presentations on Day One. I Tell You What? Amtrak is So Much Better than Air Travel

I love a moving office. The idea that I left at 3:45 and arrived at 6:30 without realizing any time went by because I had my laptop, a comfortable seat, good Wi-Fi, and great audio book, and a seat to myself was marvelous. In fact, we arrived early and when they called the stop I almost didn't get up...that is, until they cleared the train. It was a quick romp to the hotel (Cab - $30, Uber - $7)...the kids came behind me and they Uber'd so I learned). I received a call from my friend Brendan McGrath who lives in Boston, so we met up for dinner at Committee in Seaport. It was a chilly night, but wonderful walk -- and who does love their shrimped served the heads, eyes, and antennae still in tack? 

Brendan and I met in 2005 at the Breadloaf School of English in Middlebury, Vermont. He was teaching in Alaska and I was teaching in Kentucky. We bonded in a class taught by Michael Armstrong and worked on a project together. We laughed, too, because we wrote letters to keep in touch...no email or text messaging. We've seen each other from time to time at conferences, and see one another on Facebook. He married, had two kids, and is leaving literacy coaching to become an elementary school principal (hopefully by this time next year). 

After dinner with him, I met the kids at their hotel (which was near the restaurant), paid for their room, then returned to my own...an artsy-fartsy mod space across from the Convention Center...No, I didn't know it when I got it. I just knew I needed a room...and awaited King's arrival at midnight. 

I carried many heavy items to hand out, so my back is a little sore. Well, by heavy items I mean books...lot of them. We'll see how long it takes to get rid of them all.

Right now, however, I need to find coffee...and a bagel. It will be a long day.