Friday Fancies: jumping on the bandwagon

Happy Friday, friends! What are your plans this weekend? The Mister (at his snazziest per the above picture) and I shall be at a marriage conference hosted by our church. We're pretty excited, as we've much to learn about what it means to love the Lord in this covenant. I have a feeling I'm going to cry buckets; I am such a sap when it comes to heart-stirring stuff like this. Other randomosities:

• I have (finally) jumped on the bandwagon. It took my technologically deficient self a week to learn how to post pictures, but I now have Instagram. It's nuts how many avenues of social media exist today. How does everyone keep up with all their social media accounts? Feel free to divulge your thoughts or to follow me here!
• What are your thoughts regarding traditional district versus charter schools? I absolutely love what this teacher had to say, because it is so true that different models work for different children. Having taught at both school models has impressed upon me that we really all must be a single team, even if made up of different partners, united for the mission of excellent schools. One grand example: theatrical release Won't Back Down, which launched today for your viewing pleasure!

Have a most wonderful weekend, lovely chums!

Won't Back Down

We were privileged to attend a screening of Won't Back Down at the Director's Guild of America a few weeks ago, thanks to StudentsFirst. Tales revolving around public education that hit the big screen always pique my interest because of mass media's ability to inform, educate, and encourage action (e.g. 2010 documentary Waiting For Superman, which I have found to be a powerful resource in and out of the classroom). Won't Back Down is different in that it is a fictional narrative inspired by actual events - the characters and plot are so incredibly real and reminiscent of similar communities nationwide that I cried through a third of the movie. I couldn't help but see the faces of my former students and their families in the characters. Maggie Gyllenhaal did a phenomenal job as the struggling mother in the film (but then again, she is admittedly one of my favorite actresses), along with the veteran teacher played by Viola Davis, who both embark on a relentless mission to turn around their kids' failing school. It was also a treat to to listen in on the panel discussion afterward that included the writer and director of the film, Daniel Barnz, public figure Michelle Rhee, and local education reform advocates on how the film could impact educational landscapes across the nation. It warms my heart to witness this genre hit the big screen - real, socially aware, family-friendly, and relevant. All in all, it was ultimately a compelling story about families and communities united in pursuit of excellent schools for their kids. It lands on my list of favorite flicks of the year; I highly recommend watching it, especially because it is slated for release tomorrow!

Twice to the fair

The last time we gallivanted over to the fair, the husband and I exchanged books for admission. This time, we were a group of 15+ that bartered canned goods for entrance privileges. As we moseyed about the contemporary fairgrounds replete with fatty fare, costly diversions, and legions of patrons, my mind wandered to question how the ancient tradition came to be. I oft read about county fairs where entire towns gathered to witness local livestock and homemade goods be judged for supremacy, particularly during the era when pioneers farmed their own livestock and crops. I am aware we now live in a consumer society, but really, why don't we do these things at fairs anymore? I’m all for participating in a pie contest, rather than paying ten dollars for a kabob. Maybe I’m too influenced by Little House on the Prairie? Anyway, I am thankful for the husband who led the group through the vast sea of stalls to pinpoint the grilled cheese stand all in order to satisfy my grilled cheese sandwich craving. It was thoroughly fun to go with a band of friends, even though hanging out with younger folks always impresses upon us how we are past our prime – we were pooped by 9:00pm.

Makeshift tea parlor

We turned our little home into a makeshift tea parlor over the weekend to commemorate our dear friends' soon-to-be arriving baby girl. I love any excuse to throw a tea party, and I am rather fortunate that fellow party planners and friends are of the agreeable and carefree sort. With a smidge of decor arranging, extension of the dining table, and unleashing of vintage tablecloths and mismatched china from Craftheopolis, we had ourselves a jolly day-long feast, especially because it was a co-ed soiree. It was fun for the gals to divulge the intricacies of scones with lemon curd and tea with lumps of sugar to wide-eyed dudes (lemon curd is so legit, wouldn't you agree?). In an effort to be accommodating, we incorporated buffalo wings for them in the teatime fare. Babies and tea - there is nearly nothing better when they are celebrated together in lovely company.

Friday Fancies: good things

Happy Friday, lovely friends! It is always a good thing that the weekend is here once again. The temperatures around these parts have been creeping steadily toward the 90s this past week even though it is nearly the end of September, and I rather like it. I am a sucker for gallivanting beneath translucent skies until they're overridden by semblances of fall, which shall be here before we know it. Some other good things:

• Have any of you Angelenos read the feature article in this month's LA Magazine on Superintendent John Deasy? The author followed Deasy throughout his first year in his superintendency over Los Angeles Unified School District last school year, and the article proves to be a fascinating read, for educators and non-educators alike, as it contemplates the precarious state of the second biggest school district in the nation and the dire state of public education in general, Deasy's lofty ambitions for total transformation of the district for the students within and the communities around, and what that entails for public education overall. For those who haven't, there is also a postscript with the author's commentary here.
• This week really seems to have flown by.  In all honesty, life has been a whirlwind these few years past, and in reflecting, I am hoping it was filled with good things - good works in the eyes of the Lord because of the abundant grace and mercy He constantly pours out, first via the cross. It's sobering to mull over that a godly woman is "devoted to every good work," because I am far from being devoted to every good work. I really want to be spending my energy, heart, and time serving others better - more intentionally, more diligently, more faithfully, more sacrificially, and more prayerfully - because such are the greatest testaments to our God who loved us first. Oh boy, I need lots of help. 

For the love of veggies

We made a spontaneous trip over to a well-loved borough of the city because the husband really wanted to eat at Veggie Grill...for the second consecutive day in a weekend! I never ever dared to imagine that the day would come for him to crave vegan burgers and other tasty snazziness. As he chomped viciously on his veggie steak burger and buffalo "chickin" wings, he kept muttering, "This is so fascinating. It tastes like real meat." I was grinning from ear to ear while eating kale salad with tempeh because the husband was indubitably enjoying tofu. This is coming from the man who steers clear of anything tofu-related in our kitchen...even those tofu edamame nuggets that I think are rather appetizing. Anyhow, I daresay we've come a long way from Norms. So glad we now have a mutually favored eatery (though neither of us is vegan). So of course, we made an adventure out of the entire foray, especially because the sun has been gracing our parts with interminable sunshine, and honestly, because we had a relatively trying week between the two of us. I am so grateful for reconciliation and God's grace in our lives that refines us. I have a long way to go as his helper, but am thankful for lessons in loving the Lord more through loving the husband better. Hoping you had a grand weekend, dear friends!

Oh, those communication differences

Summertide's end has its benefits, one of which is that we are no longer blocked from venturing over to the happiest place on earth! The week we were able to reconvene there, we made a mad dash for the spankin'-new Cars Land, which was still enjoying its robust popularity as the trendiest spot in those parts. Which meant that the new ride, Radiator Springs Racers, entailed a 2 hour wait. Now, I appreciate Disneyland for its ambience - simply eating and moseying about with the husband makes for a lovely evening. The Mister, on the other hand, prefers Disneyland for its rides - the more we can ride, the better the night. Naturally, he was pee-in-his pants excited to go on Radiator Springs Racers. Not enough for us to wait 2 hours though. Then we heard the attendants bellow enticingly, "Single riders line! Only 20 minutes!"

The husband stared at me. I could see the wistfulness in his eyes. "I want to go in the single-rider line," he said.

"Okay," I replied. "I'll wait for you out here."

His face fell. I didn't understand. As one who doesn't care much for the rides, I didn't mind if he wanted to go on it by himself. And as a gal, I would rather sit beside my companion on the ride than ride it by my lonesome.

"I want you to ride with me," he said.

"But we wouldn't be riding together," I replied, confused. "It's a single rider line."

"Yeah, we will. We get to experience it together...just in different cars." he said.

"No," I said. "We would not be experiencing it together. Riding separately is as if we were watching a movie, but we're sitting on opposite ends of the theater."

"Can you just go with me?" he sighed.

I paused. "Okay," I said, a tag begrudgingly.

Perhaps I was a little miffed that he didn't mind that we wouldn't be riding together. As a gal, relational closeness was key. Relational closeness would not be fostered by riding separately.

"I think you're perceiving this situation like a girl. And I'm perceiving this situation like a guy," he said.  As a man, he believed enjoying the same activities equaled bonding.

"Mm-hmm."

The 20 minute wait seemed to drag on longer than it ought to.

By the time we inched up to the front of the single-riders line, the attendant motioned to us hurriedly. "Lines 7 and 8!" she barked.

When we got to lines 7 and 8, lo and behold, we ended up right behind one another. Granted, we didn't sit next to each other. But we were in the same car. I couldn't help but laugh at my silliness and how I made the trivial situation a bigger deal than it had to be. God is so funny and good in rebuking me of my selfishness and not looking out for the husband's interests.

Oh, and the ride was exhilarating; it absolutely exceeded my expectations. "Thank you for convincing me go on the ride with you," I grinned at the husband when it was over. "Let's go on it again!"

Delectable banana pudding

Bananas are just one of those fruits I just can't seem to enjoy, despite their health benefits and portability. I find them mushy, dense, and juiceless in an unsatisfying way, unlike most fruits. Though a plain ol' banana shall never land on my list of favorites, I don't mind them in a good peanut butter/banana/honey sandwich. Or some lip-smacking, old-fashioned banana pudding, especially when freshly whipped cream is involved in the decadent affair. Yum.
Delectable Banana Pudding (adapted from here)

Ingredients:
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1½ cups ice cold water
1 (3.4-oz) pkg instant vanilla pudding mix (preferably Jell-O brand)
3 cups heavy cream
1 (15-ounce) box Nabisco Nilla Wafers
4 cups sliced ripe bananas

Directions:
1. In a small bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat together the sweetened condensed milk and water until well combined, about 1 minute. Add pudding mix and beat well, about 2 minutes more. Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight, before continuing.
2. In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the pudding mixture into the whipped cream until well blended and no streaks of pudding remain.
3. To assemble the dessert, select a large, wide bowl with a 4-5-quart capacity. Arrange one-third of the wafers to cover the bottom of the bowl, overlapping if necessary, then one-third of the bananas and one-third of the pudding. Repeat the layering twice more, garnishing with additional wafers or wafer crumbs on the top layer of the pudding. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and allow to chill in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

A fair time of year

We anticipate the fair every year (Who would pass up an excuse to indulge in overpriced junky grub?), and this year, we scored free admission by donating to their book drive. We habitually go with friendly folks, but we went as a duo on our date night this time around. Two years prior during a group outing at the fair, the Mister tried to get his game on by buying and sharing with me a turkey leg, but this year, he revealed his true colors and dismissed the turkey leg to nab his highly esteemed beef brisket. I guess when you're married, you don't have to pretend to share the other person's preferences anymore - haha! It was also the first time we actually scoured the entire fairplex and discovered the plethora of baby animals, including zebras and wallabies! They were out-of-this world amazing. Such a fun-filled evening, especially because we also went on the sky ride for the first time that allowed us to float precariously above an aerial view of the bustling grounds.