ThunderSnow

I wish I were seeing this right now- instead I'm experiencing "Thundersnow".

Who thought of combining these two weather words to make what is called, "Thundersnow"? I'm not too sure, but this so-called "thundersnow" hit up the east coast last night and was quite a sight.

I'm wondering where our generations stopped helping older people and their parents. Why is it that kids have to be told to help their parents shovel the driveway? Why don't kids see that their parents have given them everything over the past X years, and want to repay them through this small chore?

We need to take a step back, and think about what we are doing as a whole society. Clearly, the American, "Every man for himself" is not working.

On another note, one of my favorite production companies, "Wong Fu Productions" got an article on NPR. Congratulations to them, I glad that they are getting national recognition for the talent that they deserve. One of the reasons why I like them so much is because they provide clean, fun, sassy, entertainment that is free of cursing, violence, and sex. Bring back the art of film-making, Wong fu!

www.wongfuproductions.com

Smile at a Stranger.

I can't believe what the last year has brought.

1. I teach high school now. Are you serious? Who put me in charge of 13 year olds?

2. I'm applying to grad school. . . ?really? even though I failed the GRE.

Anyway, I'm back into the blogging mode because of a few reasons, but primarily because Angela and I have recently been inspired to quit our jobs and make videos for youtube. Don't know how successful that will be.

A recent visit from a friend really put my life into perspective. My friend Amir came to my 9th grade class and talked about the death of his twin brother, who died from complications of a gunshot wound in 2006. I never saw my kids so engaged. They listened to him far more in 30 minutes than they have listened to me in the entire year.

Why does it take such a traumatic or terribly relatable event for them to be engaged? Doesn't that say something about our education system, or, our society as a whole? Amir's speech really made me remember what I was doing in my life--that was appreciating every day. Somewhere along the past few years I quickly forgot that, but I'm glad that Amir brought it back to light.

Have you ever been walking on the street and a stranger smiles at you? I'm not talking the creepy old-man stare, but the warm, friendly, smile that you get from someone who just wanted to show you a happy face?

Do that. It really feels nice. When did we become this place where it's frowned upon to smile in public?

Back Back in the Day

So I'm back into the blogging life for all of you who cared to listen. I have a good friend who is going away and I've decided I'd chronicle Philadelphia for her while she is away. . .

SnowED in.

It's funny how once everyone went home no one posted anymore. I recently got a new computer so maybe, just maybe, I will get into the blogging mode once again. The only reason I did today is because I'm snowed in at 20+inches of snow in the lovely suburbs of Philadelphia....

Home

I've been home for almost a month now.

And have basically been sick ever since, from kidney stones that came from who knows where. Hopefully I will FINALLY be better next week. I've been in and out of the hospital and doctors, and can't wait to get better. My summer essentially hasn't started yet. So sad. So so sad.

..But could always be worse.

20-some days

Here I am, left with 20some days until I come home. I've been texting Ang a lot, on g-mail. Gmail is wonderful. Exam on Tuesday. Oxford that weekend. I think I'm doing a 5k! I'll post the link here:

http://www.therunningbug.co.uk/EventDetails.aspx?Name=Pants+in+the+Park+5k+2009+-+Bristol

I haven't blogged for awhile and I figured that now would be a good time to get back into it. It's about to be May 13th, i.e. exactly a month until I go back to little old Levittown. Even though time has gone by fast, it's only because of all of the things I have done here. I'm slightly nervous to go back, because a lot has changed and so have I. Not in a worse sense, but a greater sense. In the process, I haven't been driving, I don't drink Gatorade, and I didn't have a job. Those life necessities are going to be interesting to come back to and start right away. I'm excited to come back to see my family and friends, and continue my new life started here at home. I'm just about a senior in college, and that's a really strange idea for me.

I'm missing Phillies games and the end of finals at home, but I don't really mind. The weather is getting nice here and I'm almost ready to start enjoying my last month in Swansea. I'll be going to Oxford again one more time, to break up my time between here and home. There is a lot in Swansea that I have yet to see and I'm ready to do so. Maybe even travel to northern Wales.

I'm handing in my final essay tomorrow, then I have an exam on May 26th. Other than this I am free to finally relax, although I think the idea of "relaxing" while abroad is somewhat different than at home. Because really, it's not relaxing at all.

I moved all of my things and am settled in a really nice room now. Other than people slamming the doors at every hour, it's a nice place.

Bye Loves :)