perspective

I went to the volunteer appreciation luncheon on Sat for the Hispanic Resource Center where I teach computers. I sat next to one of my students a woman from Guatemala and a man from Columbia. It was mind-opening for me. I talked to the man about who should be our next president. He thought Hilary b/c she would have more impact on Chavez which he hoped would reduce crime in Columbia and allow him to return to visit.

I spoke to my student from Guatemala. We talk in class but here I really got to know her. I fall victim to the stereotype that all immigrants are happy to be here and perhaps are not as obsessively self-aware as locals. So not true, she wanted the silly luncheon to be over as much as me. We both thought the same negative things about the annoying leader. We could have been twins. I know I am not explaining it right but it was just like a good gossip fest w/ a local friend (I know I am not supposed to gossip...)

Then I realized I don't need to travel to experience other cultures. I can do it in the neighborhood I live in. There are so many immigrants. I just have to talk to them. I am taking Spanish class but I have a long way to go before I can express myself in "gossip-speak" like they can.

But the point is to live in the present. Like Russell Simmons says. "No matter how big your house is...your butt can only sit in one chair at a time"

xox WR
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I got into an interaction about urban legend/chain mail with a woman who I have had altercations w/ before. I need to remember that just b/c I am invited to the fight doesn't mean I have to attend.
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something weird is happening at the house across the street. when they 1st moved in I ran over to introduce myself. It was an older woman who said she was going to spend half her time out of state w/ her grandchildren. Then she was gone and a bunch of girls moved in. They drove cars that advertised for a local strip club. The cars were gone during the day but the lights were on all night long, super brite with the shades pulled. So we thought Web-cam business. Then it was just a girl in her 20's and a guy in his 40's they got 3 cats and 2 dogs (a pit-bull puppy). Now no cars are there. The lights turn on and off randomly. The front window is open. Mail hasn't been picked up in days (the box is stuffed), the papers built up for several days and then disappeared but the mail is still there. Now two papers have built back up. The back door is wide open....

I remember that my house might have looked like that (not the stripper part) but the random lights and newspapers during one of my binges....

I hope that they are ok. xox WR