In addition to teaching, I’m now narrating children’s audio books. It’s extremely fun and interesting work, as I’m doing cold reading, meaning I have no idea what the story is about, or what events will happen. Today’s stories included a child being picked up by a giant in a forest, and taken to his house. The giant was cooking other children ( horror!) I tried not...
Read MoreI’m currently reading Jhumpha Lahiri’s book In Other Words which is in fact her journey into learning another language- in this case Italian. The book resonates with me because I also feel so thrilled when I feel the word in my bones, feel it bouncing off my tongue, and feel understood by a native speaker. I taught myself a decent amount of Greek, and would thrill at the sounds...
Read MoreI am currently engrossed in Daniel Pink’s book Drive which discusses our reasons for being motivated. In fact, intrinsic motivation is the most important aspect of learning, and ideally, is linked to the greater good. Pink cites many examples of new companies such as Tom’s shoes which are both for profit, and charitable. Pink suggests that we move beyond a “carrots and...
Read MoreSometimes students as me why I write. Writing is a form of seeing- of appreciating beauty. The direct experience of observation and becoming one with the item or idea is transcendent. Like artists who paint, I must relinquish myself. I become one with the idea, the movement, the beauty, the ballet of a tree, the aura of a tree at night, glowing white. Writing takes us beyond ourselves and back...
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