A friend of mine just told me a story that has left me very upset. Her daughter, a 2nd grader, is being harassed and bullied on the bus. A bus that carries only children in kindergarten through 2nd grade. That's 5 to 8 year olds. This particular bus is the same bus where a little girl in Primo's class was bitten by another 2nd grader. BITTEN! These are not children in preschool who don't know better.
My friend's daughter has been complaining about the bus for a while now, but it recently escalated to a physical incident. A 1st grade girl kicked my friend's daughter in the chest while on the bus. In addition, her daughter has been repeatedly teased and called "fat" (she's not). Not only that, other children on the bus have been encouraging this behavior. It's gotten so bad that my friend has been driving her daughter to and from school to avoid any more confrontations.
After the kicking incident, my friend called the school and reported this child to the Vice Principal. This type of bullying is not tolerated and the child will be dealt with, but I can't help wonder...what the hell is going on?
When did kindness and compassion for others fall by the wayside? And what type of environment do these bullies live in where they think it's OK to be mean and cruel to others?
I am a true believer that being mean is a learned behavior. Babies are not born mean. Young children who grow up in a loving, supportive family are not mean. Mean is something you learn, whether it be at home, on television, in video games, somewhere.
It is our job as adults, as parents, as human beings, to teach our children kindness and to respect one another. My friend's daughter asked her mother, "Why isn't anyone sticking up for me?" That is heartbreaking. And why didn't any other child stick up for her? I only hope that if my boys were on the bus, one of them would have stuck up for her. But who knows? I hope that I have taught them the importance of kindness and compassion.
One thing is for sure, when my boys get home this afternoon, we will be having another talk. I will use this story as a teachable moment in the hope that if they are ever put in a similar situation, they will have the courage to stand up for themselves or someone else. That is my hope.
Peace and Love.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Just Rolling With It
I know I haven't been blogging much lately. I usually take to the blog when something exciting happens, or if someone or something has ruffled my feathers. But for the past few weeks, everything has just been rolling right along. Nothing has upset me, pissed me off or made me jump up and down and say WOO HOO. It's just going.
Not that I'm complaining. I would think that this busy time of year would have me up in arms about something. But no. It's a bit strange actually.
I think part of it is all the yoga I have been doing lately. I'm feeling very settled and happy in my own skin at the moment. All this deep breathing and meditating really does do a body good (not milk, though the Dairy Council would like you believe otherwise). I feel calmer, freer than I have in a while and I really think it's the yoga.
So with all that said, there's really not much more to say. Except that if you haven't tried yoga, I would highly recommend it. Particularly during this chaotic time of year.
Keep in mind what is really important. It's not getting to the stores to get ten dollars off an Xbox (if you really need the $10 bucks off, you probably shouldn't be buying it in the first place) or whether Great Grandma Peggy is going to like the slippers you bought her. Chances are, Gigi Peggy would prefer for you to simply write her a note telling her what she means to you. And the kids will only play with that Xbox for a few weeks anyway.
Take this time to enjoy one another, to tell your family how much you love and appreciate them, and take a few moments for yourself. So sit, relax, meditate and breathe.
Peace and love.
Not that I'm complaining. I would think that this busy time of year would have me up in arms about something. But no. It's a bit strange actually.
I think part of it is all the yoga I have been doing lately. I'm feeling very settled and happy in my own skin at the moment. All this deep breathing and meditating really does do a body good (not milk, though the Dairy Council would like you believe otherwise). I feel calmer, freer than I have in a while and I really think it's the yoga.
So with all that said, there's really not much more to say. Except that if you haven't tried yoga, I would highly recommend it. Particularly during this chaotic time of year.
Keep in mind what is really important. It's not getting to the stores to get ten dollars off an Xbox (if you really need the $10 bucks off, you probably shouldn't be buying it in the first place) or whether Great Grandma Peggy is going to like the slippers you bought her. Chances are, Gigi Peggy would prefer for you to simply write her a note telling her what she means to you. And the kids will only play with that Xbox for a few weeks anyway.
Take this time to enjoy one another, to tell your family how much you love and appreciate them, and take a few moments for yourself. So sit, relax, meditate and breathe.
Peace and love.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Smells Like Teen Spirit
The week before the Great October Snowapulooza, I did something that I hadn't done since 1984. I screamed like the fourteen year old I was back then and danced my ass of at a Duran Duran concert! You heard me right. Simon Le Bon, John Taylor and the rest of the group were rocking out Madison Square Garden and I was there. Don't be too jealous.
For those of you that enjoyed the 80s British Invasion as much as I did will appreciate my excitement and enthusiasm that lead up to this night. To be honest, I didn't even know they were touring until two weeks before the show, when my one and only British friend told me that she and her husband were going. I said to Mr. X, "Doesn't that sound like fun?" To which he replied, "Well if you're into that kind of thing I guess." Hmmm. Must find another former Duranie to take to the concert. Fortunately, it didn't take long (see there's a 14 year old girl still hidden inside all of us) before my friend, Legs stepped forward with an equal amount of enthusiasm.
Let's review for a second, shall we... This is what Duran Duran looked like circa 1984:
I was a John Taylor fanatic. (He's the one on the far right.) Back then you were either a Simon fan (center) or a John fan. Then of course there was always one of your friends who claimed they liked Nick Rhodes the best (second from left). But they were just saying that, no one really liked Nick the best. Then there is Roger (far left) and Andy (second from right). OK, now that we've got a better understanding of who's who we can proceed.
Legs and I took the train into the City. When we got to Grand Central we couldn't get a cab so instead opted for a more touristy and far more dangerous way of getting to MSG. We took a pedicab! As we weaved in and out of traffic, our "driver" Rene assured us he would get us there in one piece. He drove in the bus lane. He swerved around pedestrians. We screamed. We closed our eyes. And I've done something I haven't done in a while. I laughed so hard I thought I would pee my pants. Legs is yelling at him, "Hey, if you start getting tired, I can take over, I teach Spin!" She does, in fact, hence her name.
We had great seats for the concert, right on the floor, slightly to the right and not too far back. As the lights went down, the excitement and feeling like a teenager again was awesome. They blasted onto the stage with such energy and the crowd were nuts! Their mixture of new and old songs kept the audience completely engaged, happy and dancing. They sang old classics like Hungry Like the Wolf, The Reflex and of course, Rio. We stood, screamed and danced through 20 songs and it never got boring. Simon Le Bon rocked those tight, sparkly pants just like he did some 20+ years ago. His voice sounded amazing and the rest of band did not disappoint.
So you're probably wondering what they look like now. Well here they are:
They have all aged well. They are less a member now, Andy Taylor, who no one really liked anyway.
We both fell asleep on the train on the way home. Because really we are too old now to be acting like teenagers. But for one night, it was great!
Peace and love.
For those of you that enjoyed the 80s British Invasion as much as I did will appreciate my excitement and enthusiasm that lead up to this night. To be honest, I didn't even know they were touring until two weeks before the show, when my one and only British friend told me that she and her husband were going. I said to Mr. X, "Doesn't that sound like fun?" To which he replied, "Well if you're into that kind of thing I guess." Hmmm. Must find another former Duranie to take to the concert. Fortunately, it didn't take long (see there's a 14 year old girl still hidden inside all of us) before my friend, Legs stepped forward with an equal amount of enthusiasm.
Let's review for a second, shall we... This is what Duran Duran looked like circa 1984:
I was a John Taylor fanatic. (He's the one on the far right.) Back then you were either a Simon fan (center) or a John fan. Then of course there was always one of your friends who claimed they liked Nick Rhodes the best (second from left). But they were just saying that, no one really liked Nick the best. Then there is Roger (far left) and Andy (second from right). OK, now that we've got a better understanding of who's who we can proceed.
Legs and I took the train into the City. When we got to Grand Central we couldn't get a cab so instead opted for a more touristy and far more dangerous way of getting to MSG. We took a pedicab! As we weaved in and out of traffic, our "driver" Rene assured us he would get us there in one piece. He drove in the bus lane. He swerved around pedestrians. We screamed. We closed our eyes. And I've done something I haven't done in a while. I laughed so hard I thought I would pee my pants. Legs is yelling at him, "Hey, if you start getting tired, I can take over, I teach Spin!" She does, in fact, hence her name.
We had great seats for the concert, right on the floor, slightly to the right and not too far back. As the lights went down, the excitement and feeling like a teenager again was awesome. They blasted onto the stage with such energy and the crowd were nuts! Their mixture of new and old songs kept the audience completely engaged, happy and dancing. They sang old classics like Hungry Like the Wolf, The Reflex and of course, Rio. We stood, screamed and danced through 20 songs and it never got boring. Simon Le Bon rocked those tight, sparkly pants just like he did some 20+ years ago. His voice sounded amazing and the rest of band did not disappoint.
So you're probably wondering what they look like now. Well here they are:
They have all aged well. They are less a member now, Andy Taylor, who no one really liked anyway.
We both fell asleep on the train on the way home. Because really we are too old now to be acting like teenagers. But for one night, it was great!
Peace and love.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Roughing It
I am not a "roughing it" kind of girl. I never went to sleep away camp as a kid. I did not grow up with a down-filled sleeping bag. Never owned a canteen. Can barely toast a marshmallow over an open flame for s'mores. I'm just not that kind of girl. My idea of roughing it is a 4 star hotel. Take it or leave it, it's who I am.
So you can imagine my dismay this past week when a freak snow storm took out all the power in our town and the surrounding areas. On Saturday at 3:30, our power officially went out. It had flickered. I had prayed, "Please God, I'll do anything, just keep the power on." But the man or woman upstairs had bigger plans.
I knew it was going to be a bad one when hour by hour the snow kept piling up on our table on the deck. 24 hours and 12 inches later, the snow had dissipated and with the peak of sun on the horizon, we assessed the damage. A tree fell in the front and took all the power lines on the house with it. Another giant limb has nearly demolished the trampoline. And several more fell within inches of the playset. Other than that, we were left fairly unscathed. That is, until the temperature really started dropping in the house.
Now let me just say, I don't mind the no electricity thing, when it's warm outside, but the cold, snow and ice were another thing all together. Mr. X immediately got a fire going in the fireplace in the living room. We rearranged furniture, pulled all the down comforters out of the closets and scrambled to find flashlights, batteries and candles. Oh, and I did mention that my mother-in-law, B, was here visiting?? Thank goodness she is such a trooper. Much better than me in these situations for sure. But by Monday we had to send her on her way into the nice, warm, toasty City. I would have switched places with her in a heartbeat.
By day 3, I was really starting to lose it. I burst into tears. I yelled at Mr. X about why we don't have a generator like most families in this town. He kept saying, "It's not that bad." To which I wanted to punch him in the face. "It IS that bad!" I cried, "why can't you understand that?" I made him stay home from work. What if the fire went out in the fireplace and I couldn't get it started again??? We might all die of hypothermia! "Veganmama," Mr. X said, "It's 55 degrees outside." Yes, but it's only 46 degrees in the house.
Day broke on day 4 of the Great October Snowapoluzza and I was really in a funk. I had taken a shower at the YMCA (roughing it BIG time for me!) so at least I didn't stink. My friend, J, very graciously had us over to warm up and do some laundry. It was nice to be in a warm house for a few hours. And when we got home, the electric company truck was in front of my house reattaching the wires that had been ripped down by the tree. A big, warm, shining ball of light had been sent from the heavens to my small street in Anytown. Could it be true, was heat on the way? I ran up the the guys working on my house, "Oh thank you, thank you," I gushed. They laughed realizing that this suburban mom was about to lose her shit at any minute if she didn't get some heat.
A half hour later, my house suddenly lit up like a Christmas tree! I screamed, Primo and Segundo did a dance, my dogs barked at the commotion. My mood instantly brightened. We had survived the storm. And in less than 24 hours later, like childbirth, I have already forgotten the pain.
But don't be fooled, I am already on the electrician's waiting list for a generator. :-)
Peace and love.
So you can imagine my dismay this past week when a freak snow storm took out all the power in our town and the surrounding areas. On Saturday at 3:30, our power officially went out. It had flickered. I had prayed, "Please God, I'll do anything, just keep the power on." But the man or woman upstairs had bigger plans.
I knew it was going to be a bad one when hour by hour the snow kept piling up on our table on the deck. 24 hours and 12 inches later, the snow had dissipated and with the peak of sun on the horizon, we assessed the damage. A tree fell in the front and took all the power lines on the house with it. Another giant limb has nearly demolished the trampoline. And several more fell within inches of the playset. Other than that, we were left fairly unscathed. That is, until the temperature really started dropping in the house.
Now let me just say, I don't mind the no electricity thing, when it's warm outside, but the cold, snow and ice were another thing all together. Mr. X immediately got a fire going in the fireplace in the living room. We rearranged furniture, pulled all the down comforters out of the closets and scrambled to find flashlights, batteries and candles. Oh, and I did mention that my mother-in-law, B, was here visiting?? Thank goodness she is such a trooper. Much better than me in these situations for sure. But by Monday we had to send her on her way into the nice, warm, toasty City. I would have switched places with her in a heartbeat.
By day 3, I was really starting to lose it. I burst into tears. I yelled at Mr. X about why we don't have a generator like most families in this town. He kept saying, "It's not that bad." To which I wanted to punch him in the face. "It IS that bad!" I cried, "why can't you understand that?" I made him stay home from work. What if the fire went out in the fireplace and I couldn't get it started again??? We might all die of hypothermia! "Veganmama," Mr. X said, "It's 55 degrees outside." Yes, but it's only 46 degrees in the house.
Day broke on day 4 of the Great October Snowapoluzza and I was really in a funk. I had taken a shower at the YMCA (roughing it BIG time for me!) so at least I didn't stink. My friend, J, very graciously had us over to warm up and do some laundry. It was nice to be in a warm house for a few hours. And when we got home, the electric company truck was in front of my house reattaching the wires that had been ripped down by the tree. A big, warm, shining ball of light had been sent from the heavens to my small street in Anytown. Could it be true, was heat on the way? I ran up the the guys working on my house, "Oh thank you, thank you," I gushed. They laughed realizing that this suburban mom was about to lose her shit at any minute if she didn't get some heat.
A half hour later, my house suddenly lit up like a Christmas tree! I screamed, Primo and Segundo did a dance, my dogs barked at the commotion. My mood instantly brightened. We had survived the storm. And in less than 24 hours later, like childbirth, I have already forgotten the pain.
But don't be fooled, I am already on the electrician's waiting list for a generator. :-)
Peace and love.
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