The Raven Symone concert at the Utah State Fairpark was a smash with the five Sudanese children I chaperoned to the event. I took my three girls plus Ajo and Nancy, a first grade boy and his eighth grade sister. We also ate some delicious State fair cuisine and each got to choose one ride to ride, so our annual fair excursion can be checked off my list of seasonsal must-dos. I must say, and I know this is tOtALLy how she (with Disney's help) sells herself--but that Raven is certainly a wholesome, excellent role model, as well as a totally hip super star. I hadn't even realized she was that one itty-bitty COSBY darling--the adorable little niece in the last few seasons. I am not really looking forward to the transition my girls will make away from the likes of Raven one day.
Yesterday morning I was on 9th South and State street, buying hair for extensions, and I locked my keys in the car. My only spare was in the house. I managed to make the whole round trip, to get the key and get back to my car, via tracks and buses, in under two hours, for only $1.50. It was good to remember all the advantages of public transportation--sure, it takes longer to get from place to place, but you're in contact with the world and with people in a million more ways than from inside the thick bubble of a compact car. I can tell you the subtle shifts in the weather yesterday, I can describe the sounds of downtown on a Saturday, and I got in some superb people watching--there was this goth teenage boy, complete with a black trench coat, badly dyed hair, and a naked pink mouse that he kept feeding and petting. If I ever get a tad more serious about my writing career I think I ought to spend more time on public transit.
Which brings us now to Sunday morning and the joys of writing reading journal letters to each of my lovely students. My very favorite line so far is from a favorite student of mine, who is such an odd little fifth grade princess: "I have been reading Captain Underpants for a very, very long time. I don't know if I'm ready to start changing, or not. If I am, I'll start reading W.I.T.C.H." Such an amazing ability to self-reflect, and it's so true--her teetering on the decision of whether or not to move away from her beloved Captain Underpants obsession.
Our girls are so lovely and so into each other, you know? Jim lost at poker night last night. I won, but not as much as David. Mom lost. Like Tina always says, if you don't count up your money at the end how are you going to know who the winners are and who the losers are. Tina also came out ahead, but not as much as me. I think.
