Mrs. Knapp had been a teacher prior to her retirement, whereupon she became simply old Mrs. Knapp (as she was referred to by all the kids in the neighborhood). Berenice's mother said Mrs. Knapp was older than our elementary school, older than the park on Falstaff, even older than some of the shade trees lining …
Tag: learning
Look Watch Observe
To look - direct one's gaze toward someone or something or in a specified direction. To watch - look at or observe attentively over a period of time To observe - notice or perceive (something) and register it as being significant So much all around us, but without curiosity and questions we miss so much. …
Reacquaintance
Photo by Kulbir So, this is it. Alone and starting over again. There is a teenage flitting of excitement in the pit of the stomach and youthful expectation at the back of the mind that accompanies new challenges and change at any age. It feels good! Getting reacquainted with yourself is grueling, intoxicating, surprising and …
Chineasy by SHAOLAN
Back to basics Characters representing words placed on an associated pictorial (see cover page drawing where feet and a head were added to the two black strokes representing person). That is how SHAOLAN proposes to teach us the basics of the Chinese language. Intriguing. The author/artist/businesswoman came up with the concept while teaching her own …
Express yourself
An explosion of ideas Basquiat, Haring and Banksy did it via their Graffiti art. Madonna did it via her music. Writers, architects, actors, designers, dancers, chefs, and more, do it. They express themselves through their creations; announcing their presence to the world. Their genius lies in making the expression seem facile, when it certainly is …
Fear from Fiction
Picture this...Grade five, recess time and a ball buster boy in my class (Martin) told me that years ago someone had hung themselves in the basement of my house. He offered up horrific details as I stood silent, my insides churning and a cold sweat running over me while the other kids laughed and played …
CONFESSIONS OF AN ADRENALIN JUNKIE
USPA D Licensed Sky Diving Instructor - Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor - High Altitude Alpinist and Master Scuba Diver Williams Pontel joins us today in our first Q&A: Confessions of an Adrenalin Junkie MB: Thank you Williams for taking the time to chat with us this morning. WP: My pleasure. MB: I guess the …
False friends – the vocabulary kind
While studying in Italy (as a young high school student) I visited the local grocery shop and ordered prosciutto and panini to take back to my classmates. I did so in the following manner: Vorrei quattro pannini integrali e 3 etti di prosciutto cotto senza preservativi. When the young man behind the counter, visibly blushed …
Snippets of Life (from A to Z) “S”
The Letter "S" Solitary and solicitous to remain so, or so, he thought. He shunned prosaic societal situations and opted for studious accomplishments instead. He was, as Morrissey said, “of a shyness that is criminally vulgar.” Known, to the immediate family by the sobriquet lone wolf. He shied away from silliness and scenarios yielding satisfactory …
Snippets of Life (from A to Z) “I”
The Letter "I" I have always had an insatiable interest in the intricate innermost workings of his mind. After all, he left an indelible impression on me. Instead of the customary outpouring of information, he spoke with inventiveness, only after having incubated his thoughts for a while. My imagination ignited with the inexhaustible supply of …
Manu writes 