Archive for Life Stories

Remembering Shakespeare: Advocating Arts in Education

William ShakespeareOn William Shakespeare’s birthday (April 23rd*), I thought about the impact of Shakespeare in my life. Although I majored in English (British Literature emphasis) and took an excellent college class on his works, my most memorable experiences with “the Bard” were in junior high and high school – and it had nothing to do with Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.

I was in the GATE program (Gifted and Talented Education) where select public school students identified as gifted are given educational opportunities they wouldn’t have otherwise.  The California Department of Education describes that

“I wish I had spent more time with you.”

I just wrote this on my friend’s wall: “I wish I had spent more time with you.”

My friend from high school Carolina passed away on Saturday.  I wrote this poem “Star Bright” about remembering her memory, but it was also about not remembering.

But in truth
Offline
We rarely crossed paths
And I do not remember
The last time I saw you
Face-to-face

I don’t remember the last time I saw her.  Even if someone told me what/when it was, I don’t think I could really confirm that it was the last time.  We interacted online – liking statuses, making comments – and while I’m glad we always stayed connected…it’s not the same, y’know?

A Poem for the Red Flower That Found Me

photoA flower in my pathway is a lovely sight to see
Bright red to contrast the day
Brought by the wind to me
And if such beauty lies in random strides
Behind a door
Difficult to open
Held steady as if closed
By the force of a Southern California gale
What surprises might lie
Behind doors we think are closed
But are really just in need
Of our patience, our action, our time

La Vida de Caridad: The New York City Vortex

Guggenheim Dome

None of these stories relate to the Guggenheim, but the spiral dome looks like a vortex!

According to 2010 United States Census, New York City is the most populous city in the country with over eight million people.  Furthermore, according to NYC’s official guide, over 40 million people visit this city annually.  You might begin reading this thinking “It’s a small world” but by the end, I wonder if you would think that is the most appropriate phrase.  I am by no means a math major, but I feel like my most recent trip to NYC over President’s Day weekend has to be a statistical anomaly.  In fact, I think I may have flown in and out of a vortex.

Almost Happiness

Seven Star Cavern Wishing Well

Seven Star Cavern Wishing Well - Old Chinatown Central Plaza

This past weekend life carried me to Los Angeles’ Old Chinatown Central Plaza. While there on an errand, I threw a coin into its Seven Star Cavern Wishing Well. By “well” I don’t mean your standard hole in the ground encircled by bricks, but you probably figured that out with the phrase “Seven Star Cavern”. This is more of a replica of the Seven Star Caves of China, painted green, dotted with Buddha statues and little metal “wells” complete with signage. These signs call out to the things we often wish for – “Love” (naturally all the way at the top, no incognito throwing there), “Prosperity”, “Peace”, “Wealth”, “Good Luck”, and even one for “Vacation”.

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