glimpses.

What a sweet summer!!   Doug and I have successfully begun our nature journal after our trip to Batsto and I am excited to see what specimens we are able to round up in the coming months (can you say "dork"?)  So far our little flower collection includes some Queen Anne's lace, fringed loosestrife, and spotted knapweed - all of which are apparently considered "invasive" species in South Jersey, but are nonetheless beautiful in my opinion.  Ice cream with family, hiking with friends, relaxing poolside... are you jealous yet? :)

united we stand?

Perhaps because of the recent Supreme Court decision on President Obama's universal health care plan, or perhaps because I am off to D.C. as a local delegate at the teacher's union representative assembly this week, but I have been thinking a lot about individuality versus collectivity.

Our country purports to be a nation of individuals, one that supports freedom of thought, creativity, and ingenuity.  We celebrate individual success, revere individual sacrifice, scorn individual shortcomings and transgressions.  We are a nation that was built protecting the rights and lives of individuals.  We encourage each other to stand out, to be unique, to pursue individual goals and dreams.  I have always believed that I speak, feel, think, and act as an individual and, for the most part, have always liked it that way.  There are often times that I wish people would mind their own business, step out of my way, and let me make the choices that are best for me.

On the other hand, there are so many good things about collective action.  All for one, and one for all.  E pluribus unum.  United we stand, divided we fall.  All of these creeds suggest that as humans we are meant to come together, to work as one, to support each other.  Great action, great change, is most often seen when people unite.  We are told to "love thy neighbor" but does anyone actually do this?  I mean live it, breathe it?  For the most part, we live our lives concerned about ourselves and the people in our immediate circles... what thought do we give to the stranger down the street, let alone in another town, state, or country?

I go back and forth with my own personal politics regarding this issue.  With all of the disputes going on at the local, state, and national levels, it is hard to figure out exactly where I stand.  Do I support a nation where everyone can live as they see fit, left to their own means and determination to survive - or do I want a country where we come together to set rules, to celebrate, to lift each other up?  I was raised to be self-sufficient, to take care of myself at a very early age.  This has given me a strong work ethic and has been a powerful source of motivation and responsibility... but I also know that when I have a family of my own, I want my children to feel that they are part of a team, to have empathy and compassion for other human beings.  One minute I want others (government, coworkers, the "man," whoever) to leave me alone - to let me keep my hard earned money, to let me focus on the dreams and plans I have made for my own future, to stay out of my life.  Then I see so many individuals going without help, being blamed for their failure to thrive in a system that was designed against them.  We are quick to judge each other and call others "lazy," but demand help and "justice" when we struggle ourselves.  What is the answer?  Survival of the fittest? Charity?  Collective responsibility?  I don't know, and as get older (27 is just around the corner! *gulp*) I am starting to realize that I may never know, and that just might be alright.  I guess we'll see.

a historic village.

Hello, readers!  Sorry for the brief hiatus in posting - I was busy soaking up as much sunshine, boyfriend, and South Jersey as I could before I had to go home and start packing for Washington, DC.  My first week of summer vacation is successfully completed and I am now ready to switch from relaxation mode into my typical, adventurous (go-go-go!) summer self.

The weather was gorgeous yesterday so Doug and I stole away to Batsto, a historic village located on a nature reserve in the Pine Barrens.  We spent the day wandering the grounds, taking in the scenery, and collecting samples for the new nature journal we are starting.  Everything was so beautiful and the air was so fresh; I had such a wonderful time.  It definitely got me itching for some more outdoor exploration and our own little rustic farm...

I enjoyed just short of a week with Doug and his family, but everything seemed to fly by - a friendly reminder that summer is sweet but slips away quickly.  We have so many things we want to do, I am not even sure where to start: hiking, camping, beaching, visiting friends... which brings me to the first "stop" on my summer tour: DC.  Tomorrow evening I will be off to our nation's capital for a week to participate in my second NEA (teacher's union) national convention and hopefully steal some time for sightseeing and good conversation.  I am staying with my very generous friend, Danilo, and am very excited to see him after what has been way too long.  I will be sure to keep you updated on my trip and get a few posts up from my first official week of summer.  

 Thank goodness for Mother Nature, silly faces, and awesome, patient boyfriends who don't mind stopping every two seconds so you can take a photograph or helping you with ones you can't take on your own.  

glimpses.

Phew! Summer is finally here and it is getting HOT.  Lucky for me, I only have one more day of work until summer vacation... time to say goodbye to my classroom (and the beautiful historical timeline I created on the bulletin board!) until September.  I am getting very excited about all of the wonderful plans I have set aside for myself and my loved ones - baking, gardening, hiking, learning... I cannot decide where to start.  Feel free to leave me some ideas.  What's on your agenda this summer?

(de)classified.

Perhaps it is because of this year's presidential election, but I have been witnessing a lot of hostility lately.  Posts and comments about those darned "Conservatives," "Liberals," "environmentalists," "Democrats," "Republicans," "hippies," "Christians."  I am going crazy!  Why are we so desperate to categorize and condemn others?  Personally, I do not like being carelessly lumped into any one group.  As a sociology teacher, I cannot deny that society has a significant impact on the way we think and behave, and that most human beings do seek the approval of others and membership in some form of a group... but to think that whatever crowd we roll with actually defines us?  I do not buy it.  I can consider myself an environmentalist without subscribing completely to the lifestyle.  If I buy a plastic bottle of water on a road trip it does not mean I am a hypocrite, and if I show up at a protest it does not mean I am an anarchist. I can consider myself a Christian without meeting the general public's definition of such.  If I slip up it does not mean I am a heathen, and if I go to church every Sunday it does not mean I am a religious fanatic.  Why are we so quick to label and jump to conclusions?  Hasn't history taught us how dangerous it is when we make "others" out of fellow human beings?  Slavery. Genocide. War. We move "past" these things and yet we allow the underlying behaviors to exist. I say no thank you.

Even in my own school district, tensions are running high.  Conflicts over economics, contracts, and regulations are turning teachers, parents, administrators, and board members against each other.  It is not a pleasant situation.  Each side is quick to classify the other as "greedy," "stingy," and "uncaring."  Meaningful things are being fought over, but meaningful things are also being compromised in the process.  Follow the union and you may be labeled an uncaring, unmotivated teacher, while following the district will quickly get you classified as a traitor.  What happens when you do not want to be classified at all?  What happens when you just want to be an individual who follows his/her own heart?  It is as if we do not allow for such a thing.

We are told that Gandhi once said, "be the change you wish to see in the world" (an interesting NY Times article says otherwise, but that is besides the point).  It seems as though everyone throws that quote around some time or another... but does anyone actually live it?  We cannot expect everyone to live and think as we do, so why do we waste time complaining about each other?  Perhaps because it is easy, perhaps because it makes us feel better about ourselves.  I do not know, but the best way to affect change is to actually go do it, to live it, to be it.  So maybe Gandhi, or the bumper-sticker company, or whoever, was right.  If we focused on getting out there and living for what we believe in rather than criticizing others who do not believe the same things, maybe the world's to-do list would not be so long.

Obviously, not everyone can be "right." I think if we believe in something we should fight for it, but there is a right and a wrong way to do that, too.  Our goals should be education and awareness, not anger and castigation.  Does anyone ever really accomplish anything by yelling and pointing fingers?  We all have faults. We all make mistakes. We are all entitled to our opinions - I have my own, believe me - but they have a proper time and place.  Maybe we should start having less opinions and take more time exploring, discovering, and changing the world that is out there.  I don't know, just my two cents.  Live and let live.  Thanks.

beach days and birthdays.

Another efficient, exciting weekend successfully completed - we cannot be stopped!  In celebration of Doug's 28th birthday, we planned a bunch of little activities to keep us busy and entertained.  Friday night we went out for hibachi at our favorite local Japanese restaurant, Akira, where we both consumed an entire squid!  Mmm.  After our seafood feast, we did a little shopping and saw "Snow White and the Huntsman".  We both found the flick entertaining for the most part - a nice combination of fantasy and action with a pleasantly dark twist.  Saturday was very busy, and I have to admit I started it off a little grumpy, but it quickly turned into a day of productivity, laughing, and silliness.  We organized Doug's closet - a seemingly tedious and trivial task, but for someone who loves organizing like I do, it was a real treat.  We made our weekly run to the market a day early so that we could cook for his family - Doug's mum made meatloaf (his dad's favorite) and I cooked up some yummy (yes: yummy) brussels sprouts.  Our after-dinner outing may have been the best part, though - we got to cheat on our diet with some highly-anticipated birthday dessert at Friendly's.  I got a vanilla milkshake (don't hate, I keep it simple) and Doug got a five-scoop Reese's peanut butter cup sundae!  He let me eat one of the Reese's, of course :)  After dessert we headed to one of our (or at least one of my) favorite bars, the Pour House, for a few beers and some live music; the lead singer was so impressed by my killer dance moves that he had to get in on the action.  It was a great night and I had a blast.  Sunday was "family day" in Ocean City, and we got to spend a beautiful afternoon on the beach with some good old fashioned conversation and cookout food.  Is anyone luckier than me?

Happy birthday, Doug.  Every day I feel overwhelmed with the knowledge of how lucky I am that you are in my life.  You are my missing piece.

king of limbs.

I am on cloud nine right now!  Doug, my sister, and I got to see an amazing Radiohead show at the Susquehanna Bank Center last night - how lucky are we?!  I have always admired Thom Yorke and the rest of the gang for their constant innovation in sound and style.  Radiohead has always been at the forefront of the independent movement, standing up for their music and for the fans, whether it be through cutting out the middle-man and selling music directly to the consumer, by ensuring fair ticket prices, or in working only with fair-trade companies to produce band merchandise.  I am so happy I got to see such a socially-conscious, creative band and to share the experience with two of my very favorite people.  Is my optimism and cheerfulness annoying you yet?  I hope not.  Rock on :)

nom nom nom.

This weekend, it really hit me how much of our lives revolve around what we eat.  Every weekend, Doug and I typically treat ourselves to a dinner date for some much-needed "us" time and a tasty break from the wonderful world of weight-loss.  I usually prepare some scrumptious breakfast for us as well; I love to cook and delight in every opportunity to provide my loved ones with natural delicious homemade meals.  Each Sunday, Doug and I head to Whole Foods for our ritual shopping trip, planning meals and cooking for the week ahead.  Really, so much of what we do revolves around food - not only as a source of nourishment, but as a means to bond, to celebrate, to mourn, to indulge.

I am so lucky to have been brought up in a house that placed a high value on the food that we put into our bodies.  My family has been very selective about the food products we are willing to consume, particularly since my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.  So many people are misled by the price-tags on natural, sustainable foods and they think they cannot afford them.  A real cost-benefit analysis would show that in the long run, mass-produced, factory-farmed, and modified foods are far more costly.  I am so thankful that I have the awareness, access, and ability to buy foods from farmers and companies who make responsible decisions in the production, distribution, and marketing of their products.

This weekend, Doug and I splurged on delicious sashimi, munched on some home-cooked shrimp (my favorite!) and asparagus, and made the weekly rounds at the market.  I am incredibly lucky to have a partner who supports my lifestyle choices.  We also took a quick trip into Philadelphia for a movie date.  We saw (well, I saw, Doug slept) Wes Anderson's "Moonrise Kingdom."  I thought it was delightful.  What a nice weekend!  I hope yours was the same.

counterculture.

This Sunday past, Doug and I heard a great message about counterculture. The overall theme was that living a good life, one that is free from the greed, corruption, and hypocrisy that have become normalized in our culture, should involve a certain level of discomfort. I found this idea quite provocative. In sociology, we learn that one of the strongest emotional desires we feel as humans is the "need" to be accepted by others, to fit in. We spend so much of our time trying to win the approval of others, to find a place and identity within our culture... the thought that we should actually be rejecting what is around us, regardless of the social ramifications, seems counterintuitive. The speaker, however, was insistent that a proper life (one of love, morality, what have you) is one that should be uncomfortable, because it will be a life that runs counter to the norm and will necessarily be met with resistance and hardship. I wonder, though, how many are brave enough to give up on the feeling of acceptance and camaraderie with those around us. What a wonderful, complicated proposition.

The other day, in our progression through the "society and culture" unit, my class took a look at the counterculture of the 1960s. We studied the whole gamut - hippies, yippies, and the like - examining the motives and behaviors of each. I find it humorous to watch my students glamorize and idolize the outliers of generations past, knowing full well that very few of them (if any) possess the courage to break free (really break free) of the mainstream themselves. When I propose to my students that someone do something about the injustices and travesties we study in class (poverty, environmental destruction, objectification of women, to name a few) the response is the same: "Well, Miss Wilson, if I am the only one who stands up, what difference would it make? Why bother?" There is no sense of purpose, no determination to do what is right, regardless of the outcome. I fear that their inactivity originates far less from a fear of ineffectiveness, and much more from a fear of being the "only one". I am aware that, as adolescents, much of their self-identity and esteem relies on the acceptance of their peers, that the stigma of social rejection and isolation seems for many a fate worse than death, but if we are not training our youth to be less dependent on the approval of others, how can we ever expect our adults to do so?

It often shocks, disgusts, and amuses me when I see how unwelcoming our culture is to those who think outside of the box. We pretend to be a nation that supports innovators and pioneers... but really, how do we treat those who choose to step out of line, out of pace? Even the simple, little things tend to make people uncomfortable. When I share with others that I do not own a television (such an innocuous individual decision in my opinion) I am typically met with gasps of disbelief, ridicule, even borderline horror. "How do you live? Why are you so weird?" Are we really so threatened by those who choose to follow a different path, that we cannot support such a small personal decision? So, what I am wondering is whether or not any of us really have what it takes to stand up and reject a culture that is leaving more and more Americans disempowered, unhealthy, and unfulfilled. As a history teacher, I have the pleasure and privilege of studying and sharing the stories of brave individuals who stood up for their beliefs despite the social costs. So go ahead: love a God people tell you doesn't exist, refuse to laugh at the jokes made at the expense of others, reject the products and media that suggest we are only valuable for how we look or what we own. Be DIFFERENT. You have my support, not that you need it :)

Okay, and I do have to admit that one of my favorite parts about teaching the culture of American society is dressing up in decade-appropriate garb all week.  Rock on.

wishful thinking.

In anticipation of our rapidly approaching birthdays (his in June and mine in July), Doug and I have spent some time creating fun little "wish lists" of sorts to exchange - partly as potential gift ideas and partly just because they are fun :)  Despite trying to keep my head above the materialistic fog that blinds our society, I still find it comforting and exciting to dream of "things" sometimes.  I do not think that Doug has high expectations for his birthday, but I am still hoping to give him a wonderful day that he will remember.  While I am not one for big productions or over-the-top celebrations, I am trying to weave together a series of little surprises and gifts that will help make it the special day that he deserves.  I am open to suggestions.

What is the very best, most favorite gift you have ever received?  I really want to know.  If you would scroll down and leave a comment below, I would greatly appreciate it :) Please and thank you.

sunday funday.

Wow! What an incredible weekend.  June is already off to an amazing start.  After a Saturday of feasting and fêting with friends, Doug and I enjoyed a relaxing Sunday together.  We heard a refreshing sermon at Cornerstone Church in Wyckoff, took a short stroll near St. John's in Harriman State Park, caught up on a little family time, did some window-shopping at a few local antique shops, and cooked up some yummy grub for dinner.  Maybe "relaxing" was a poor word choice, but it was wonderful.  I have gotten into the good habit of actually enjoying my weekends lately.  Usually Saturdays and Sundays are spent catching up on chores and errands that got put off during the busy week, but the past few weekends have really been a treat.  I cannot wait to see what the summer brings.

 Do you ever have those moments when everything falls into place and you just think "wow - this feels so... right"?
That's how I feel all the time :)

glimpses.

 A few recent shots: pretty flowers at Stone Barns, my pretty little bed and a sleepy faced me, and some fun street art in Hoboken.  Happy Saturday!

it's june!

Can you believe it?  June already.  I am very excited; in exactly three short weeks school will be over, summer will be here, and it will be time for beaches, travels, and other wonderful adventures in the land of Jenna Leigh.  Today in class we started our "American Society" unit with the 1950s.  It's a nice way to pick up the energy after a long unit on domestic policy while we finish off the year with lessons on music, art, and culture from the post-World War II United States.  It's all a breeze from here, right?

I think I made a lot of progress this month.  Remembering back to the beginning of May when I made my little to-do list (see: here), I would say I accomplished most, if not all, of my goals.  A few pounds lighter, one book smarter, and a few hikes under our belts already, Doug and I are off to a good start.  Plus, I paid off my credit card, and that's cause for celebration.  I will be toasting my success this weekend with a proper backyard barbecue and a few good friends.  Here's to a productive, eventful June for us all :)