Let Him Eat Cake! I Got My Birthday Cake on Monday and It Brought All the Good Feels My Way. So Much So, I Baked One for Class Tonight

Normally, I don't bake until the last class of the semester, but I figured, "Cake is joy. Cake is community. Cake is a celebration for the hard work already in the semester." Yesterday, Pam, Leo, and Bev had me over for Pho and dessert, which included my birthday cake. To be honest, the most important part of any event is friends and family. The togetherness matters most. Not much else. 

Although it was freezing outside, and I was thankful that (a) we're not Syracuse right now and (b) the storm predicted for later this week was cancelled, Karal and I attempted a walk. I'm very glad I wrapped my head in an extra thick scarf, although I'm sure I looked ridiculous. I also had an extra day to plan for class tonight, which is Monday's night class, pushed to a Tuesday (later this semester, it's pushed to a Wednesday). Calendars. 

We watched the SNL 50 Years of Music special and I said to Leo, "Phew. I guess you know you're getting older when the documentaries become memories of parts of your life that are no longer." Seriously, the opening set alone was miraculous...the way they fused 50 years of music and shots into a kick-off for the program. Laughter and song. Song and laughter. That is what makes the arts and a community hum...even when controversial, which SNL has hovered the line for years. 

I also finished We Are Big Time, a graphic novel about the all-Muslim girls team in Minneapolis that caught national attention a few years back. I've been meaning to get to it for a while and finally did. Hena Khan crafted a poignant, effective little novel for middle-grade students. Speaking of, on Sunday night I found myself upon Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper as it was turned into a film for Disney. Maybe it is the times threatening us, but the message was felt deeply. I couldn't help but think of many students I've taught over the years and the importance of creating spaces for all kids. If the bar is high, and the love and support is there to match it, kids typically respond in amazing ways. I never was on the Jennifer Aniston/Friends train, but it was a staple for families/college students for many years. I know enough about it to get the cultural reference it is. I did appreciate, however, that Jennifer Aniston played her voice for the movie. It was such a clever move and, although infuriating at times because humans are grossly human, I still respected the story it shared. 

I think the temps stay cold all week and I know I teach later tonight (brrrr. Not looking forward to leaving in the dark yet again, but it will get light again soon. It already is).

I'm looking forward to class tonight, because it's a place to hear from students and to guide them for their next big step toward becoming teachers. With that, I'm off to do what I do....