Point of View
I recently attended an AP Literature workshop at Nova International School in Skopje, Macedonia. We learned a variety of new and interesting lessons and strategies. One of the more interesting and accessible lessons involves a song called Hurt. The lyrics are written by Trent Reznor. Here are the lyrics:
I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
the only thing that's real
The needle tears a hole
the old familiar sting
try to kill it all away
but I remember everything
What have I become?
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know
goes away in the end
You could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt
I wear this crown of shit
Upon my liar's chair
Full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair
Beneath the stains of time
the feelings disappears
You are someone else
I am still right here
What have I become?
my sweetest friend
Everyone I know
goes away in the end
You could have it all
my empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt
If I could start again
a million miles away
I would keep myself
I would find a way...
Even a cursory reading of the lyrics shows that the lyrics are introspective, setting forth the internal struggle with addiction and the resulting feeling of defeat when addiction overcomes resolve.
What is interesting is to watch the ways in which two videos re-interpret the lyrics.
Here is Reznor himself:
Summer 2010
Summer 2010
My summer is almost over. In many ways it has been one of my most productive summers ever. I am blessed to have so many fantastic friends and family members. Despite being surrounded by so many incredible people, in some ways my summer was a failure. The successful moments came when I was able to interact with the world in a way that is consistent with my vision statement. It has helped me make important choices in numerous ways. Here it is:
Taking courage, thinking what is pure, praiseworthy, lovely, admirable, noble, true and excellent, and right, relating to others with love, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, forgiving when I am grieved, and governing with mercy, I will lean into the light with all of my strength.
Failures tended to happen when I strayed from my vision statement. An important corollary to the statement is this statement that I “stole” from Gerard Manley Hopkins:
What I do is me, for that I came.
So what are the themes that run through my summer; what did I do this summer that is “me”?
Here is what I have decided to do: (1) Make a list (in no particular order) of events that have had the greatest impact on me; (2) discuss all ten events, with an eye toward distilling the most important ideas that arise from participation in the event, and; (3) synthesizing my thoughts to develop concrete ideas that can be taken away from these summer experiences.
My Experiences
India trip
I have previously talked about India here and here , and there are many pictures of the trip here and here. India was how I began my summer – it was a trip where I learned that holiness without action is hollow (I suppose I already knew that action without holiness is likewise hollow). I spent from June 22 until July 6 there. During much of that time, I was living at The Hope Center Orphanage in Motipur. I was able to observe a wonderful and successful program designed to help children (many of them orphans) succeed in a rapidly changing world by providing them not only with basic needs (food, shelter, clothing) but also with a solid education. The orphanage is in the process of creating a school for the children there.
There is certainly a need at this school for additional resources. I hope to be able to continue to give as I am able. If you are interested in giving, please let me know, or contact them directly. I can say with certainty that it is a worthy cause.
While it is still a work in progress, one can see that prayer and hard work are paying off and that good things are happening there. This experience taught me in real terms the importance of “action” in “relationships.”
Circle of Trust
I rarely do New Year’s resolutions, but this year I did two. One of them was to go to India, and the second was to participate in a Circle of Trust Seminar. At the Circle of Trust Seminar I learned the importance of listening and questioning. In other words, I learned that action often means more than “doing something.” Often the highest and best use of our time is simply to listen to what others have to say.
The people who attended the conference (overall) are very committed to justice issues. That theme resonated throughout my weekend of training.
Experiencing Serendipity
I experienced several instances of “serendipity” this summer, where things seemed to come together in ways that went beyond planning on my part. Here are three examples.
First, as part of my responsibilities to work in Macedonia, it is important for me to visit the Macedonian Consulate in Chicago to get a passport stamp. It is planned for me to spend two nights in Chicago. I was not sure where to stay. When I looked for hotels online, they were expensive. Last fall I sent my mom a subscription to a Quaker magazine. In July, after returning to the US, while at my mom’s, I read one of the magazines I sent her. In the back of the magazine was an advertisement for a place to stay in Chicago (short-term or long-term). I called and was able to book an inexpensive room close to the consulate building. More important however, I established a connection with Quakers in Chicago that is real. I was invited to have dinner with a large group of Quakers my first night there!
A second example of serendipity occurred my first day in Flagstaff. I was talking on skype with Karina, a friend from Atyrau about her experience in going to University in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. I was sitting in a local coffee shop because it had an internet connection which was unavailable at my daughters’ apartment. When I ended the conversation, I was approached by one of the three customers in the room. She apologized for hearing what I said (honestly it couldn’t be helped), but said that she was a teacher in Kazakhstan. We ended up talking for several hours about what we have in common which includes a keen desire to support justice in the world.
A third example also happened in Flagstaff. I attended a Quaker Church service there with Doug. After the service, we talked with some of the people who attended the service. It turned out that several of the people are nurses at the Flagstaff Medical Center, and were very willing to be a resource for Gretchen.
It seems to me that serendipity permits action in ways that cannot be anticipated but are just as important as the carefully planned interventions that I strive for.
Being with Gretchen, Anna, Brooke and Lexi
Gretchen and Anna did such a nice job welcoming me into their home. Gretchen made some wonderful meals and we had great conversations. Brooke and Lexi were very fun to play with. We spent substantial time at the park, at a nearby pond, at the library and walking downtown. Blood relationships really do matter. The biological connection is important.
Being with Doug, and on another occasion, being with the Reyes Family
Doug and I have known each other since kindergarten. Our relationship is one that Plato would label as “flourishing.” I love that we can pick up right where we left off; equally important is that the relationship can move easily from deep philosophical conversations to light humor and back again without effort.
In a similar way, I loved meeting with the Reyes Family for dinner and talking with them about the past, the present and the future.
Being with Mom, Kathryn, Chad, TJ and Grady
I love my family, and these guys are so important to me. Chad is like a brother. The boys are fun and interesting to watch as they grow and change. Kathryn is a beautiful human. I learn about resilience from the Rickners. They are troopers. And Mom is all of that too. My time with Mom was too short, but almost throughout was infused with love.
Being with Dad and Laura (Midwest and Olympia)
I have seen Dad emote in just about every way possible this summer. I have seen laughter, sorrow, joy, anger, frustration, curiosity and other shades of emotion as well. We spent most of a week together in July driving through Minnesota and Iowa. We spent two or three days in Sioux City, where Dad looked at his physical past, which inevitably brought up memories and emotions.
In early August, just before the Rickners left for the Netherlands, we had a party to celebrate Dad's 75th birthday. It was wonderful to see our family, as disfunctional as it can sometimes be, come together for this event. Dad gave a wonderful statement about our family that ended on a high note. I might even compare his speech to that of Benjamin Franklin following the writing of the Constitution.
Later in the summer, we spent time while I shopped to get ready for Macedonia. I am so thankful for my father. I am also grateful for Laura.
Being with Dan and Warren
It was a great joy for me to spend a Saturday morning in July hiking a mountain trail with Warren and Dan. In a way similar to my relationship with Doug, Warren, Dan and I have a flourishing friendship. We laughed and reminisced about important events, and took joy in our company.
Being with John, Laura and Jesse
I was only able to spend about four days with John, Laura and Jesse this year. It was still a great time. John is optimistic despite physical difficulties. We had a good time together.
The Response to a Facebook Entry
One big surprise this summer happened when I decided to post a simple facebook entry: “James Lerch is gearing up for teaching in Macedonia.” The response from friends and family highlights for me the interconnected web of relationships that I have developed during my life.
I received feedback from people from all over the world, as well as people that I spent substantial time with in the past, but have not personally seen in years. In all, I received six comments and thirteen “likes.” People from fourteen different countries provided feedback! Long-time friends, as well as friends from my time in Cameroon, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan all provided feedback.
Conclusion
What did I do this summer “that is me?” Thomas Merton says this:
If you want to identify me, ask not where I live, or what I eat, or how I comb my hair, but ask me what I am living for, in detail, and ask me what I think is keeping me from fully living for the thing I want to live for.
From the intensity of meaningful relationships comes the necessity for action. We are all in this life together, and despite what we are told, we are separated neither by time nor space. One of my favorite writings is from Hebrews 11, which, after talking about many important biblical characters, highlights this important but overlooked point of our interconnectedness:
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
I hope for Christ-like perfection (even in this life I strive for it), but I know that without relating to others, it will never happen. So this summer has taught me that growth requires relationships in which action (from listening to acting) is the rule.
How have I failed? I continue to fall short in my relationships. I still have much to learn. I am not always a good communicator. I see this poem as a good reminder of what is important. Whether we are artists, citizens or philosophers the goal is to relate. Here is a poem that actually ended up being the centerpiece of my Circle of Trust training in Minnesota:
"You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour, now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour. And there are things to be considered . . .
Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?
Know your garden.
It is time to speak your Truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for the leader."
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?
Know your garden.
It is time to speak your Truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for the leader."
Then he clasped his hands together, smiled, and said, "This could be a good time!"
"There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are torn apart and will suffer greatly.
"Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above water. And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, Least of all ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.
"The time for the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word struggle from you attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
"We are the ones we've been waiting for."
-- Attributed to an unnamed Hopi elder
Hopi Nation
Oraibi, Arizona
.
Summer 2010
Summer 2010
My summer is almost over. In many ways it has been one of my most productive summers ever. I am blessed to have so many fantastic friends and family. Despite being surrounded by so many incredible people, in some ways my summer was a failure. The successful moments came when I was able to interact with the world in a way that is consistent with my vision statement. It has helped me make important choices in numerous ways. Here it is:
Taking courage, thinking what is pure, praiseworthy, lovely, admirable, noble, true and excellent, and right, relating to others with love, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, forgiving when I am grieved, and governing with mercy, I will lean into the light with all of my strength.
An important corollary to the statement is this statement that I “stole” from Gerard Manley Hopkins:
What I do is me, for that I came.
So what are the themes that run through my summer; what did I do this summer that is “me”?
Here is what I have decided to do: (1) Make a list (in no particular order) of events that have had the greatest impact on me; (2) discuss all ten events, with an eye toward distilling the most important ideas that arise from participation in the event, and; (3) synthesizing my thoughts to develop concrete ideas that can be taken away from these summer experiences.
My Experiences
India trip
I have previously talked about India here and here , and there are many pictures of the trip here and here. India was how I began my summer – it was a trip where I learned that holiness without action is hollow (I suppose I already knew that action without holiness is hollow). I spent from June 22 until July 6 there. During much of that time, I was living at The Hope Center Orphanage in Motipur. I was able to observe a wonderful and successful program designed to help children (many of them orphans) succeed in a rapidly changing world by providing them not only with basic needs (food, shelter, clothing) but also with a solid education. The orphanage is in the process of creating a school for the children there.
While it is still a work in progress, one can see that prayer and hard work are paying off and that good things are happening there. This experience taught me in real terms the importance of “action” in “relationships.”
Circle of Trust
I rarely do New Year’s resolutions, but this year I did two. One of them was to go to India, and the second was to participate in a Circle of Trust Seminar.
At the Circle of Trust Seminar I learned the importance of listening and questioning. In other words, I learned that action often means more than “doing something.” Often the highest and best use of our time is simply to listen to what others have to say.
The people who attended the conference (overall) are very committed to justice issues. That theme resonated throughout my weekend of training.
Experiencing Serendipity
I experienced several instances of “serendipity” this summer, where things seemed to come together in ways that went beyond planning on my part. There are three examples.
First, as part of my responsibilities to work in Macedonia, it is important for me to visit the Macedonian Consulate in Chicago to get a passport stamp. It is planned for me to spend two nights in Chicago. I was not sure where to stay. When I looked for hotels online, they were expensive. Last fall I sent my mom a subscription to a Quaker magazine. In July, after returning to the US, while at my mom’s, I read one of the magazines I sent her. In the back of the magazine was an advertisement for a place to stay in Chicago (short-term or long-term). I called and was able to book an inexpensive room close to the consulate building. More important however, I established a connection with Quakers in Chicago that is real. I was invited even invited to have dinner with a large group of Quakers my first night there!
A second example of serendipity occurred my first day in Flagstaff. I was talking on skype with Karina, a friend from Atyrau about her experience in going to University in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. I was sitting in a local coffee shop because it had an internet connection which was unavailable at my daughters’ apartment. When I ended the conversation, I was approached by one of the three customers in the room. She apologized for hearing what I said (honestly it couldn’t be helped), but said that she was a teacher in Kazakhstan. We ended up talking for several hours about what we have in common which includes a keen desire to support justice in the world.
A third example also happened in Flagstaff. I attended a Quaker Church service there with Doug. After the service, we talked with some of the people who attended the service. It turned out that several of the people are nurses at the Flagstaff Medical Center, and were very willing to be a resource for Gretchen.
It seems to me that serendipity permits action in ways that cannot be anticipated but are just as important as the carefully planned interventions that I strive for.
Being with Gretchen, Anna, Brooke and Lexi
Gretchen and Anna did such a nice job welcoming me into their home. Gretchen made some wonderful meals and we had great conversations. Brooke and Lexi were very fun to play with. We spent substantial time at the park, at a nearby pond, at the library and walking downtown. Blood relationships really do matter. The biological connection is important.
Being with Doug, and on another occasion, being with the Reyes Family
Doug and I have known each other since kindergarten. Our relationship is one that Plato would label as “flourishing.” I love that we can pick up right where we left off; equally important is that the relationship can move easily from deep philosophical conversations to light humor and back again without effort.
In a similar way, I loved meeting with the Reyes Family for dinner and talking with them about the past, the present and the future.
Being with Mom, Kathryn, Chad, TJ and Grady
I love my family, and these guys are so important to me. Chad is like a brother. The boys are fun and interesting to watch as they grow and change. Kathryn is a beautiful human. I learn about resilience from the Rickners. They are troopers. And Mom is all of that too. My time with Mom was too short, but almost throughout was infused with love.
Being with Dad and Laura (Midwest and Olympia)
I have seen Dad emote in just about every way possible this summer. I have seen laughter, sorrow, joy, anger, frustration, curiosity and other shades of emotion as well. We spent most of a week together in July driving through Minnesota and Iowa. We spent two or three days in Sioux City, where Dad looked at his physical past, which inevitably brought up memories and emotions. Later in the summer, we spent time while I shopped to get ready for Macedonia. I am so thankful for my father. I am also grateful for Laura.
Being with Dan and Warren
It was a great joy for me to spend a Saturday morning in July hiking a mountain trail with Warren and Dan. In a way similar to my relationship with Doug, Warren, Dan and I have a flourishing friendship. We laughed and reminisced about important events, and took joy in our company.
Being with John, Laura and Jesse
I was only able to spend about four days with John, Laura and Jesse this year. It was still a great time. John is optimistic despite physical difficulties. We had a good time together.
The Response to a Facebook Entry
One big surprise this summer happened when I decided to post a simple facebook entry: “James Lerch is gearing up for teaching in Macedonia.” The response from friends and family highlights for me the interconnected web of relationships that I have developed during my life.
I received feedback from people from all over the world, as well as people that I spent substantial time with in the past, but have not personally seen in years. In all, I received six comments and thirteen “likes.” People from fourteen different countries provided feedback! Long-time friends, as well as friends from my time in Cameroon, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan all provided feedback.
Conclusion
What did I do this summer “that is me?” Thomas Merton says this:
If you want to identify me, ask not where I live, or what I eat, or how I comb my hair, but ask me what I am living for, in detail, and ask me what I think is keeping me from fully living for the thing I want to live for.
From the intensity of meaningful relationships comes the necessity for action. We are all in this life together, and despite what we are told, we are separated neither by time nor space. One of my favorite writings is from Hebrews 11, which, after talking about many important biblical characters, highlights this important but overlooked point of our interconnectedness:
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
I hope for Christ-like perfection (even in this life I strive for it), but I know that without relating to others, it will never happen. So this summer has taught me that growth requires relationships in which action (from listening to acting) is the rule.
How have I failed? I continue to fall short in my relationships. I still have much to learn. I am not always a good communicator. I see this poem as a good reminder of what is important. Whether we are artists, citizens or philosophers the goal is to relate. Here is a poem that actually ended up being the centerpiece of my Circle of Trust training in Minnesota:
"You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour, now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour. And there are things to be considered . . .
Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?
Know your garden.
It is time to speak your Truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for the leader."
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?
Know your garden.
It is time to speak your Truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for the leader."
Then he clasped his hands together, smiled, and said, "This could be a good time!"
"There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are torn apart and will suffer greatly.
"Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above water. And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, Least of all ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.
"The time for the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word struggle from you attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
"We are the ones we've been waiting for."
-- Attributed to an unnamed Hopi elder
Hopi Nation
Oraibi, Arizona
.
Hope Center Part II
On Sunday evening, we had a Church service. The children sang many songs, and are very good singers. They have a blast. There are five worship leaders, including Raju, Naveen, Pooja, Renuka, Kajal and Gita. They did a fantastic job.
I gave a sermon more than a testimony, although it certainly comes from a place that is near to my heart. I started by asking students who is the smartest person in the world (Jesus). I explained how in Ephesians, we are part of God's family. I went on to explain that as members of His family, we have a job to do - to bring glory to God's Kingdom, and to help usher in his Kingdom for all of God's creation.
I then went on to explain that as members of the Kingdom we participate in two important ways - "prayer and action." I told them that the most important word is and. One action without the other can be ineffective.
When it comes to action, one of their most important tasks is to learn, to get an education. An education will help them to become more like Jesus. Luke 6:40. I reminded them that at least three of them want to be nurses and that at least one of them wants to be a pastor, and that these jobs require an education.
I found an interesting connection this morning between the sermon that I preached last night and a new book by James K. A. Smith called Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview and Cultural Formation. In the book, Smith talks about how education should be tailored for Christians. He identifies the importance of education as part of what it means to be Christian.
Hope Center Motipur, Part I
In the fall of 2009, I originally became interested in working for Teachers Across Borders, a group of mostly American World History teachers who coordinate joint meetings with teachers in other countries (primarily Vietnam and India). I opted to work with the India group, applied and was accepted.
In May, much to my dismay, the meeting was cancelled. However, by that time, I had purchased tickets, had my entrance visa and was very much wanting to go. I told several people at my Church in Atyrau about my dilemma, that I am prepared to go to India to work, but that I have nothing planned when I get there. One good friend, Phil, put me in touch with Global Action. Within a couple of days, representatives of Global Action expressed interest in my coming to The Hope Center in Motipur, India, near the Nepal border.
I accepted their to come, and have been working at the Hope Center for about the last week. Here is a picture of the front of the Center.
On Tuesday, June 29, I came back to Lucknow after being at the Hope Center for about four days. I will go back on either June 30 or July 1. It is a joy and a privilege to work with such dedicated staff and such amazing children. For example, even though temperatures can exceed 43 degrees celcius (110 degrees farenheit), the children are still willing to study English (even without fans to help cool them).
Here is a picture of Renuka, who is always singing as she walks around camp. One day, when I was so sick, she sang me a song. I was so grateful for her act of kindness on that day.
Here are some notes of my trip there. (There are many more pictures on Picasa.)
This morning I started work with the children. However, before talking about the success and challenges of that, I should mention how last night went.
Abineet, my main contact and Hope Center co-director, our driver and I arrived in camp at about 7 PM. We drove about five hours from Lucknow to get to the camp. The drive itself was amazing, as we transitioned from the hot, desert-like conditions in Lucknow, to the heat of what amounts to a forest in Motipur (where it is still hot, but very green also). Along the way, we drove on highways that were all under construction. There were numerous times when massive transport vehicles came straight at us. Sometimes it was because they were in our lane, but sometimes it was because we were traveling toward them on the wrong side of the road. In India, the road is there for everyone to use as needed. If someone is in front of you, and in the way, they still have priority. Horn-honking is rampant, but the most one can hope for from incessant honking is that the vehicle in front will move inches out of the line of travel.
We arrived at Hope Center just before dark. The children quickly finished eating, and then sang and prayed. I was greeted by many of the children. As it turns out, most of the children are Nepalese. There are several who are brothers and sisters.
There are two main buildings that make up the Hope Center. The Chapel is being used most at this point. It consists of a large central building, divided into several smaller rooms being used for sleeping rooms, classrooms, and a kitchen. Surrounding the Chapel are a series of small structures that are used for storage, an animal corral, and an outside eating area.
The other main building is located about 200 yards from the Chapel, and is actually still being built. It consists of six apartments. On my first night, I spent the night on the roof of this second building. Why did I sleep on the roof? This time of year it is very hot here. Temperatures can easily reach 45 degrees celsius. The Hope Center does not have regular electricity and must therefore rely on generators. Needless to say it is expensive. Therefore, even though rooms are equipped with fans, they are not generally available at night.
So I slept on the roof of the apartments. It was a surreal experience. There was a full moon. All night long, Hindu karaoke music played from what must have been a Hindu celebration not too far away. It was very loud. And yet I was somehow able to get some rest.
In the morning I went to take a shower. As I walked into the apartment, there were two baby goats who had wandered in and were playing there. I chased them out, but was laughing too much to get angry. Water here is in short supply. Shower water is even more precious because it takes a pump (run by generator) to get the water to the roof of the building. Therefore the shower was short and cold.
After showering I prepared for my first day of teaching. In the morning I got ready for my teaching. I expected 27 students, from about age 6 to about age 15. Instead I got about 36 students, some as young as 3. I worked with them for about 30 minutes before asking the little ones to leave. They were too distracting to the older students and they weren't getting anything out of what I was trying to teach.
I am relying heavily on QSI curriculum. On the first day I decided to teach about responsibility as a success orientation. Some of the students got it, but many did not. It took a long time to get them to understand. They were unable to answer questions without a great deal of shyness. Group work was difficult at best. And yet as time went on they did get slightly better.
I made a quick decision to do a couple of things that I think will pay off. First, I am very strict about start and stop times. Second, I invited those who want to attend English classes to attend from 6 PM to 7 PM. I limited my morning teaching from 9 AM to 12 Noon with a 20 minute break in the middle. I am taking a subject per day. Thursday was responsibility as a success orientation. Friday was Mathematics. We worked on decimals with the older students (addition and subtraction only), and addition and subtraction with the younger students. (Note: There is perhaps nothing more important in education than "monitor and adjust.") I have made additional changes to the curriculum, so that now I am primarily teaching English. Students take many notes, but there is plenty of time to practice speaking as well.)
On Sunday 27 June the plan is to work on Cultural Studies, with an emphasis on learning landforms. This lesson went OK, with students learning how to create flash cards to learn vocabulary. However, I eventually folded their learning into English lessons.
Now I also am planning to teach evening English classes which will add to my responsibilities. I am planning on using the materials that I learned about from Karina for teaching English in Kazakhstan - Basic English Grammar. I am hopeful that the Hope Center will see the value of this approach to teaching English.
Theater
This week we moved into the theater for our final practices before performance begins on Friday (which happens to be the date of Shakespeare's birth and death). Hopefully I won't have such a significant connection to April 23. I was born in August.
