Erika S. fun stuffs

Kai and Virginie come to visit

B’s brother Kai came to visit over the holidays all the way from Sydney. We opened presents. We shopped, we ate. We were merry.

I loved how Kai, at 6’4″ made that loveseat at Anthropologie look so small. And how there are amazing swings randomly placed all over the city right now. I love Rosamunde Sausage Co. and their duck/fig sausages. I almost squeeed with delight when I saw Upper Playground‘s cheeky taxidermy. Interesting how a coffee shop in the mission uses the Obey Giant in their Occupy statement.

Erika S. outfits

electric feel

“Hey Ms. Schenck, did you borrow your pants from Rainbow Bright?”

har har.  yes I did.  I’ve been having a love affair with brightly colored pants for the past 6 months. like here and here and most definitely here.

glasses: bonlook – necklace: dunno, gift from somewhere on etsy – blazer: madewell – t.shirt: threads for thoughts from Nordies Rack – pants:f21 – shoes: DV Dolce Vita
Erika S. fun stuffs

back to school

Today is the first day back after the winter break.  Also the first day of the spring semester.  which means it feels like the first day of school all over again.  I have a whole new batch of health students (one semester long course) and I’m playing the getting to know you game today.

A few things that would help anyone get to know me: 

Erika S. fun stuffs

sidney awards

Each december David Brooks of the New York Times puts out a list of notable articles from the past year.   “Anybody interested in being a better person will click the links to these essays, and read attentively”

I’m only a few essays through, but the Sidney Awards essays have always been thoughtful and informative, even entertaining.  My favorite so far to be expected, is Paper Tigers by Wesley Yang.  This article came out amidst the storm that was the Tiger Mom and for me it was the effective counter to the benefits of the Asian parenting style.  Yes, that style leads to forced academic success.  But it also leads to low self esteem, depression and pressure cooker type explosions.  I’ve experienced it and I see it daily as a teacher.

The friday before Winter vacation, we teachers were at school submitting final grades, finalizing the semester.  I was in my classroom, blasting music, filling out hoop-jumping-worksheets for my BTSA credentialing, when one of my kids walked in with red puffy eyes.    She was checking her semester grades, and she was getting Bs in her classes.  I gave her a B too. She started sobbing and telling me that her parents were going to be so pissed at her and that all she ever does is disappoint them.  With her Bs this first semester of her senior year, her chances of getting into a UC are now slim to none.  I just hope that one day she will realize that she’s more than just a failure and a disappointment.

the Sidney Awards Part 1

the Sidney Awards Part 2