Equal Play, Equal Pay

IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN WHO PLAY SOCCER, YOU NEED TO READ THIS. AFTER YOU'VE READ IT, TELL YOUR SON THAT IF (OR WHEN ) HE MAKES THE UNITED STATES MEN'S SOCCER TEAM, HE'LL EARN $68,000. THEN, TURN TO YOUR DAUGHTER AND TELL HER THAT IF (OR WHEN) SHE MAKES THE UNITED STATES WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM, SHE WILL RECEIVE $15,000. GO AHEAD. I DARE YOU. I DARE YOU TO IGNITE THAT SPARK. CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE PEOPLE. CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE . . . .

There are differences between men and women when it comes to athletics. As a female who grew up playing sports, I was very aware that my performance on the court or the field did not matter in the eyes of most people. I learned to play because I loved the game and stopped counting the number of spectators in the stands. However, times are changing and, therefore, changes need to be made.
Last summer, the USWNT won the World Cup in Canada. I watched every game and loved every minute of it. The final match between USA v Japan was the most watched football match in US history. 764 billion people watched that match on television with me. Another 86 million viewers globally accessed that match on computers or mobile devices.
In the Men's 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the US Men's Team made it to the round of sixteen before losing. They received $9 million dollars from the US Soccer Federation. In the Women's World Cup in 2015, the US won the World Cup. They received $2 million dollars from the US Soccer Federation.  

If the US Women's Soccer team can shatter TV ratings, all of their hard work, dedication, and sacrifice deserve to be awarded. The number of fans who enjoy watching women's soccer has increased exponentially. I may have stopped counting the number of people in the stands as a young female athlete, but my dream of playing with the great Mia Hamm was just that- a dream. I think it is time to start counting the spectators in the stands because these women deserve to be treated fairly. I BELIEVE in #EQUALPLAY #EQUALPAY!

I would have sucked as a bonnet wearing, huge dress swaying, latrine digging, river washing woman.

Top 10 reasons I was not a pilgrim:
1. Electricity
2. Running water
3. Appliances (washer, dryer, fridge, oven, microwave, etc.)
4. Flushing toilets/plumbing
5. Shampoo/ soap/ toothpaste/ toothbrush/ feminine products
6. Shelter
7. Beds/pillows/blankets
8. Jeans and t-shirts
9. Automobiles (however, the pilgrims probably never dealt with traffic)
10. Coca-Cola
Bonus reason: The Crucible (I'm 99.9% positive I would have hung.)
I would have sucked as a bonnet wearing, huge dress swaying, latrine digging, river washing woman.
The sad truth is that there are things on my list that are unknown to so many. I take for granted the fact that I can flip a switch and have light, turn a handle for water, and have food for every meal. I can read. I went to school. I can vote. I can speak out in public. To know that I take so much for granted is something I need to change. 
There are millions of women my age who no nothing of comfort or security. They are abused, tossed aside, and forgotten. This holiday season, my wish is that somehow, someway, I can make a difference.

Cadence, Rhythm, Melody

when i am LOST in the letters and words of writing, i FIND a cadence that allows the rhythm and melody to take form in syllable and sound. when it is finished, when my writing has become a symphony, i can almost hear the conductor set his baton on the stand just before he turns to the audience and takes a bow.-T.B. Williams

Side note: Out of Print is one of my FAVORITE stores. Their mission: "As the landscape of how we read and experience literature continues to change, Out of Print is dedicated to celebrating our favorite stories while promoting literacy in underserved communities.

Each product sold donates a book to a community in need through our charity partner, Books For Africa. It also supports the authors, publishers and artists who made these iconic works an integral part of our lives."

Life Changing and Thought Provoking

10 Must Read/Life Changing/Thought Provoking Books:
1. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee 
(Equality vs. Discrimination /Justice vs. Vilification/ Humanity vs. Cruelty . . . My favorite book of all time.)
2. Lord Of The Flies by William Golding
(Discovering the "real" you)
3.The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
(A contemporary parable)
4.The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
(Anti-Slavery/Pro Friendship)
5.Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
(Two words- Gilbert Blythe)
6.Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
(A refreshing outlook on life and death)
7.Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl
(Surviving, overcoming, and then making a difference)
8.Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck
(The true cost of protecting those we love)
9. Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton
(Tearing people and families 'apart'heid)
10. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs Of A Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah
(Loss of innocence/ humanity rediscovered)

These books are so good you'll forget you are actually reading: They taste like chocolate malts topped with whipped cream; They sound like the strum of an acoustic guitar. They feel like sun on your face after a long, cold winter. They look like strawberry milk skies at the end of the day. They smell like freshly bloomed lilacs after rain in the spring. Let your senses discover . . .

The Value of Life

Life is full of tests and trials and has ways of humbling you to your very core. However, amidst the grief and agony there is a choice: 
A.) It can break you and, in all honesty, is probably the easier route. Those who love you will know and understand that you fought a good fight.
B.) It can, and will, make you stronger in time. The catch to the second option is that there is no time limit. There is no date to which one can look forward. Only you will recognize that the chains that bind you have broken and set you free. 
I am grateful for the heartache, the humility, and even the darkness because I know they will eventually bring incomparable joy, tremendous tolerance, and a light that will fill my soul with the warmth of the sun. 

"I (have) to learn what I've got, what I'm not, and who I am ... I won't give up."- Jason Mraz 

Digging in and out of books

There is a freedom in reading 

That invites your soul to feel rhythm, 

To question emotion, 

To rub the mundane from your eyes.

While you brave the calm storm, 

quiet symphonies of sound whisper in the wind 

Until you grasp imagery and hold details

In your hungry, lonely arms. 

The setting turns into your playground 

After characters become friends. 

Warmth fills your heart

As the bright sun waxes strong.

Crisp rain gently falls 

Once you let go of dark fear 

And breathless despair. 

As looming, limiting anguish rises from your chest,

You just might feel 

A cold, dancing snowflake 

Grace your outstretched tongue. 
- T.B. Williams

The Power of Words

I love words. I love discovering the etymology and history that lies within the letters that make a word so profound. As it is with anything that holds power, the way words are used can dictate the way they are interpreted. Words have caused wars and brought hope. Words have whispered sweet nothings into the ears of soul mates and whispered lies to enemies. They can be used for both good and evil and lie inside each and every one of us. I believe the best way to control language is much like the parable of the wolves. Two wolves living within in us are at war: one wolf is kind, courageous, loving, and peaceful; the other is full of hate, revenge, anger and spite. The only way to control the outcome is to feed the right wolf. The wolves and words within us are capable of both inflicting injury and remedying it; with courage, we can educate our minds and continue to use these inexhaustible sources of magic for good.

A Believer Refined

Lost in trenches of doubt

And the darkness of night

In cold caverns that howl

With thick shadows that bite

Lies a glimmer of hope

If you seek ye shall find

It will lead you back home

A believer refined.
-T.B. Williams

A Comedy of Errors

Collective vs Individual

During my 8 years of teaching at CHHS, I had the opportunity to teach Beginning and Intermediate Spanish, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior English, as well as English as a Second language. Learning a new language is NOT easy; so, when I started teaching ELL (English language learner) students, I would try to put myself in their shoes by remembering how difficult it was to learn Spanish. This allowed room for a greater understanding of their frustrations. Let's be honest, English is not an easy language to learn. This video is a good reminder of how crazy our language is and how difficult it can be to manage. I've taught at both secondary and higher education levels and can legitimately say that students who speak English and have done so their entire lives still struggle with basic rules of grammar. No one is perfect- ESL and English students alike! I realize I'm jumping into a vat of hot tar, but I'm tired of being silent on this issue. Immigration is a hot topic, especially when it comes to finding candidates worthy of political seats. I can feel the hair on the back of my neck raise each time Spanish speakers are thrown into negative groups:1.They don't want to learn English. 2.They're too dumb to learn English. 3.They're trying to force their language on us. 4.They're lazy. And on, and on, and on the list goes.... Please, I beg of you to not look at immigrants collectively. They are individuals with different stories. I will admit that I had a handful of students tell me that they didn't need to learn English, but the majority of my ELL students tried to learn our language. They faced obstacles as they were forced to learn a new language and to adapt to a new culture. Most of them wanted to go home to their friends and family but were here because their parents needed the work. It hurts to hear the callous remarks made by politicians; it is worse when comments are made by individuals I look up to and respect. Anger and irritation need to be replaced with patience and the desire to help. Yes, there will be individuals or small groups of people who will not want to change or learn English, but I promise you that if you take the time to listen to those who are trying to learn the language and to make a difference in their community, you just might be surprised by the outcome.

In the Heart of the Sea

I had the opportunity to thoroughly study Moby Dick, Melville's epic masterpiece, while taking an American Lit class in Graduate school. To be honest, I was less than thrilled when I saw it was on the reading list for the class because of its length (600-700). However, as I began to read the novel, I found myself enjoying Melville's structure and thematic detail. I fell in love with Ahab's insanity, Ishmael's search for humanity, and the sacrifices made by men for the economical pursuit of oil. (Side note: I know that whaling is a hot topic. Oil, in the ground, had not been discovered and although barbaric, these men were doing a job. Also, if you've read the book, you know that there were men who felt that killing these sea monsters was unethical and inhumane.)
I ended up writing a thesis on Moby Dick that had nothing to do with whaling. My focus was on the biblical imagery found in the text. Nonetheless, to this day, I am still fascinated by the story, the themes, the characters, and the history that gave Melville the knowledge and expertise to write it. I was reminded of my obsession as I watched The Heart of the Sea, the true story that influenced Moby Dick. The movie was well done and was narrated by the one remaining survivor of the Essex and the man interviewing him, Herman Melville. To have been a fly on the wall in that interview. . .

"Consider the subtleness of the sea; how its most dreaded creatures glide under water, unapparent for the most part, and treacherously hidden beneath the loveliest tints of azure..... Consider all this; and then turn to this green, gentle , and most docile earth; consider them both, the sea and the land; and do you not find a strange analogy to something in yourself?" -Moby Dick by Herman Melville

F O R T Y

Turning 40 wasn't as daunting or scary as I assumed. Don't get me wrong, I'm still getting older and that idea in itself IS daunting, but I'm learning to embrace it. 
My parents, Craig, and I spent my birthday in Huntington Beach. It was nice to have sun and sand for five days. My parents also gave me an additional gift before we left; this beautiful, table runner was made by my mom. It is a daily reminder of their love and is something I will always treasure.

The last 40 years have taught me that some things, some people, are more important than others. One thing I become more appreciative of as I age is family: my niece and nephews are the definition of joy; my brothers (and two amazing sisters-in-law) are the essence of kindness; my Mia (yes, she IS family) fills my heart with unconditional love; and last, but not least, I love and adore my parents. They make great sacrifices for me and they never complain. I don't know what I'd do without them. 
If age and experience help us become better people, or at least allow us to recognize the good in others, I'm willing to go another round of forty.

Choose COURAGE over FEAR

This quote is applicable to our world today. I don't understand why color and religion and gender and ethnicity continue to divide us. We are all human. We are all children of a kind, merciful and loving God. I know it's not possible to literally walk around in someone else's skin, but I think today is a good day to be reminded of what is important. I appreciate these beautiful words given about tolerance and humility, and hope I remember the words of a young, southern woman who chose courage over fear when she wrote these famous words. Thank you Harper Lee for reminding human beings that humanity can be found when we choose to see others for who they are on the inside.

The amazing Harper Lee on the To Kill A Mockingbird movie set with the charming, and ever so debonair, Gregory Peck who played the great Atticus Finch.

Holiday Blues Pt. 1 - Jolly Old Saint Nicholas

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas

Lean your ear this way! 

Don't give me that smiling smirk 

I have a lot to say; 

I’ve had a cold for way too long; 

It’s on my nerves old man, 

Tell me it will go away; 

By tomorrow if you can. 

When the clock is striking twelve, 

I'm not quite fast asleep, 

Coughing, sneezing, blowing my nose, 

And my ear is starting to leak; 

All the medicine I can take
Sitting in a row;
Hasn’t really worked quite yet, 

Believe me, I would know. 

I just want to feel relief 

From this lousy cold; 

No more boxes of Kleenex please 

My brain is ready to explode; 

As for you, my little friend 

You aren’t very bright; 

Make me better, old Santa Claus, 

Or I’m gonna pick a fight.
-T.B. Williams

-Lyrics adapted

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Fun fact: Benjamin Hanby, the man who wrote 'Jolly Old Saint Nicholas', helped his father, William Hanby, with the Underground Railroad. Today, the Hanby Home is a part of the Ohio Historical Society

“Underground Railroad - William Hanby House,” Teaching Columbus. Web. 21 December 2015. (citation found on TeachingColumbus.org)

Writing: Professional vs. Personal

On Grammar- Can you distinguish the difference between writing professionally and writing personally? The article linked to this post is a quick read and a great reminder when it comes to basic writing skills. If you can transition from a casual, informal text to a professional, formal business letter with ease, I applaud your writing skills.
--
Let's look at two quick examples:

Is the following sign off appropriate to include in an email to your boss?

Thx! C U L8R! 

Or.....

Am I being overzealous if I include the following in a text to a close friend?

Thanks! See you later.

The first sign off is very informal and the second sign off, to some, may seem too formal. I think the best rule to follow is to make sure all of your professional emails, texts, memos and other forms of communication remain formal. When it come to informality, it is up to the individual. If your friends and family are content with the way you communicate, so be it.
--
I will admit that I use proper grammar in all of my writing, including texts. However, I am making the attempt to loosen up a bit when I read informal messages/posts on FB, IM, IG, G+, etc. Grammar and punctuation errors make my teeth grind, but informal text and slang are a whole new ball of wax. I'll never be okay with 'cuz' and 'cause,' unless you are writing about saving the whales, but I do see the reasoning behind LOL and YOLO.
Language and expression are constantly changing. My 90 year old grandmother grew up using the word 'gay' to describe joy and happiness; we now use that term interchangeably when describing sexuality. Will we go back to using the word 'gay' to describe someone who is full of joy or will that definition become lost with future generations? Will it become a section in an Etymology book, explored by weirdos like me who are fascinated by the origin of words and phrases? I do believe it is safe to say that the English language is both torturous and tricky.
When it comes to grammar, there are endless rules and exceptions. A single word can be used as a noun, verb, adjective, and adverb:

The painted painter paints paintings.

This example is an obvious stretch, but it shows the complexity that lies within language acquisition as well as learning a new language. Teaching the difference between

are, our, and hour

is a frustration I have personally witnessed as an educator.  As long as we progress and move forward when it comes to language and writing, future generations of English speakers will be just fine. If we remember the importance of using audience appropriate language, we will have done our job preserving this chaotic, yet beautiful concoction of words we claim.
In the spirit of our ever changing language, I may even use YOLO in a text one day. I mean, you only live once, right?

Morally Illuminated

I received a package on Tuesday that held a literary gift- the book 'Go Set A Watchman' by the great Harper Lee. I ripped that cardboard packaging open and started reading before the UPS driver drove off. To say I was excited is a major understatement. 
Let me explain ... My enthusiasm is based on two objectives: 
1.) 'To Kill A Mockingbird' (also written by Harper Lee) is my favorite book of all time. If Lee had not written it before I was born, I'd be convinced she had based the main character, Scout, on me. 
2.) After Mockingbird, Harper Lee said she would never write another novel. To now have another piece of literature written by her is simply delightful. (Side note- I fretted over whether or not to partake when the discovery was first announced, but that is a controversy I won't include here.)
So, after I ripped that sucker open, I flew through the first 20 pages and then realized I hadn't been inhaling or exhaling. (Okay, okay- so that's a whopper of a taradiddle, an exaggeration, and physically impossible. Just roll with the hyperbole people! Sheesh!) I put the book down for a bit, picked it up again, and then started over. This time, I breathed while reading and slowed down so I could enjoy the words, the details, the rhythm of the story, and the satirical dialogue between these characters I've grown to love. I haven't quite finished but I am savoring every, single page. And, in the words of the late Elizabeth Hardwick, I have thus far been 'morally illuminated'.

Literary Road Map

If you really, truly know me, then you know that 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is my favorite book of all time. The first time I read it, I was convinced that Harper Lee used me to create Scout's character. Each time I read it, I learn something new; it is, in essence, a road map that can take you from loathing and bigotry to innocence and love.

In a world full of hate, persecution, and racism, may we remember a female writer who took a stand during a time when racial injustice was rampant and wrote a book about a white man choosing to legally represent a black man he knew to be innocent. "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."-Atticus Finch
In celebration of Harper Lee's 89th birthday, let's take a break and let go of hate for just one day! #favoritebook #booknerd #gregorypeckasAtticus #OutofPrint

50 Shades of Grey = 1 Huge Problem

I have read numerous blog posts, articles, and news clips that have sewn a scarlet letter onto their seal of disapproval regarding Fifty Shades of Grey. The culminating stance is that a horrible message is being shared and the only outcome is a moral downfall. I've never read the books nor have I seen the movie, but to put myself above those who have read and/or seen the book/movie is hypocritical. In fact, if I start pointing and judging, I may as well insert myself into the biblical parable about casting stones. Don't get me wrong, I'm not condoning the books or the movie; I just think it is important to take a step back and look at media in general.

In a 5 minute sitting, I can flip the channels on the television and find sex, drugs, violence, abuse, addiction, and inappropriate language. It can be naively argued that what is on television is appropriate. I mean, it wouldn't be on the basic channels if it was negative and nasty, would it? Fifty years ago, married couples on television shows slept in separate beds; nudity was non-existence; the only thing close to violence was the comedic routine of The Three Stooges. There is a part of me that longs for a simpler time, but I'm also aware that moral agency is a freedom that cannot be suppressed.

With a major growth spurt in the world of technology, good things are happening. Poverty, illiteracy, and so many other challenges are getting the attention they deserve. Human beings are being human. It's beautiful. It's inspiring. Sadly, opposition in all things is an adage that won't go away. Insatiable, self-serving appetites have access to the same knowledge that is being used for good. They have a way of twisting and distorting truths; they can turn fiction into a reality; they will take the candle being used as a source of light and use your flesh to put it out. For them, darkness is a much easier place to hide.

I am aware of the good and bad in the world. I've tried living under the 'ignorance is bliss' canopy, but I've seen enough darkness to deny its existence. As I get older, I am becoming more aware of my moral compass; choosing my own path, however, is cake when compared to making sure those I love get started off on the right foot. Knowing that I have to gauge what is or is not appropriate on nearly every television channel is overwhelming. If I am worried about what young eyes are viewing on my watch, I probably need to step outside of myself long enough to give my ethical and moral self the same advice I'm giving to young children.

I'm not perfect; never have been and never will be. But if I've learned anything from the manure that hit the fan when feminism and decency and chivalry and moral codes came out of hiding when 50 shades was advertised, it is the simple idea that I am the one in control when it comes to what I read and what movies I see. Let's be honest, the world is no longer full of balloons and unicorns and free puppies; darkness and death and devastation are real. Sex sales and violence is imminent. But I'll be damned if I let my moral code escape my grasp because I'm caught up in the 'grey' areas of media.

So today . . . today I'm not casting stones or pointing fingers. In fact, I'm dumping the stones in my pockets. I don't want them to weigh me down while I'm playing with the last litter of free puppies.

Can it be, oh can it be? Another book from Harper Lee!

I keep thinking about Harper Lee and this 'other' book that is flooding the news. To Kill A Mockingbird has been my favorite book for as long as I can remember. I'm not even sure I can give an accurate estimate when it comes to the number of times I've read it. I'd be lying if I said I don't want to read it. Knowing she has another piece of literature sitting on a shelf makes my mouth water. But Harper Lee has been adamant about her intentions regarding the publication of another novel; she became reclusive because of the popularity of TKMB. She has published a few letters and stories, but nothing close to novel status. The only reason this new book has come to light is due to her failing health and the loss of her sister, who was also Lee's lawyer. 

This controversy has made me anxious. I have many genres of writing I'd like to publish, but I've also written things that will never be shared. For me, writing is therapeutic. I have a passion for putting pen to parchment. When I complete something, it is cathartic; that piece of writing is a part of me. I don't know that Harper Lee shares these same feelings. I cannot speak for her. I can only hope that the publishing of this novel will be done with the permission of one of the greatest writers of all time. 

Reset

Sometimes I need a reset, a fresh outlook, a new perspective. I get caught up in the frustration of not being able to handle things out of my control. I make mountains out of mole hills. I forget the simplicity of taking the time to appreciate the breathtaking moments that make life easier. Thankfully, my four legged friend knows when I need an intervention. She reminds me of the little things that hold profound significance: a long walk, a slow, scenic car ride, catching a corner of grass still touched by the sun, the wind in my hair, the sunrises and sunsets that color the sky, the darkness of night that quiets chaos.
Tonight, I opened the window, turned off the lights, and sat on the bed with Mia. I scratched her ears and she licked my hand. Her nose discovered new smells as the wind rustled through the trees. We sat there in silence while gazing out into the beautiful night. It was quiet. It was peaceful. And, once again, Mia reminded me that joy can be found in the little things. It was exactly what I needed - a reset.