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xoxoandaloha is a radioactive squirrel!!

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From Go-Quiz.com

This is for one of my former students who had an unusual obsession with squirrels.

Three reasons to be a teacher...

JUNE... JULY... and AUGUST!

That's right. Teaching definately has its perks. Although I think that having summers off is a horrible reason for some educators to enter the teaching profession... I do believe teachers DESERVE to have a summer vacation. Anyone who disagrees needs to spend a day trying to teach reading, writing, spelling, math, science, social studies, PE, art, and music to 28-33 children. Then, multiply that by seven hours a day... five days a week for nine months out of the year... not including all the time it takes to lesson plan, grade papers, attend staff meetings, comply with state and district standards, complete paperwork, meet with parents/guardians, tutor students, and much more. Good teachers aren't just teachers... they are also counselors, politicians, yard duties, mediators, listeners, organizers, decorators, readers, writers, mathematicians, scientists, historians, musicians, artists, atheletes, and babysitters with a lot of patience, determination, understanding, and passion.

Ok... getting off of my soapbox.

My point is... I have the summer off... and I am thoroughly enjoying it! I've been spending time with friends and family. Although I am living in Fresno this summer... I have been in Modesto every weekend since graduation. I know Modesto doesn't sound like a very happening place. But lately... there has been a lot going on. Graffiti car shows and concerts during the month of June. And we even sponsored the first annual Men's hula festival this past weekend. Performers came from Hawaii, Japan, and all throughout California. We had a wonderful turnout and it was nice to see some Hawaiian culture thriving in the valley. My dance instructor contacted a few of us "retired" dancers and we performed a new hula together for the first time in almost five years right before the awards ceremony. One of the judges just happened to be Keali'i Reichel, a famous singer/songwriter from Hawaii, who decided to sing for us when he heard we were dancing to one of his songs. It was quite an honor. I miss dancing... hula practices... my dance instructors... the stress and excitement of competitions... hawaiian food... and experiencing the spirit of "aloha" first-hand. At the close of the men's hula festival... we all joined hands around the room and sang Hawaii's state song "Hawaii Aloha."

E Hawaii e kuu home hanau e,
Kuu Home ku la iwi nei,
Oli nou au i na pono lani e,
E Hawaii, Aloha e.

E hauoli e na Opio o Hawaii nei,
Oli e, Oli e,
Mai na ahe a he makani e pau mai e,
Mau kealoha, Aloha e.

It's amazing to think that Hawaii is celebrating the Fourth of July along with the rest of the contiguous United States. Statehood is still something that is debated among the kamaaina (natives) of the Islands. There are still people who think that when they leave the mainland to visit Hawaii... they are leaving the country. Are they just geographically and historically defunct? Or is there something that sets Hawaii apart from the other 49 states? I think of this "state song" and the Hawaiian culture that is rooted deep in its lyrics and haunting melody. It just doesn't seem to fit with the fireworks, the stars and stripes, and the "hoorah" of our Independence Day.