Savored every word of this:
and now it feels like my China life really is over. Peter Hessler has written three books on China: River Town, about his two years teaching English as a Peace Corps volunteer; Oracle Bones; and this one. Meegs and I read River Town in our first weeks in Huai'an and would process certain experiences with help from the book: "Well Pete says his students did that too..." or "Peter refused the medical exam's x-ray so we can too," and it was quite the moral support. Reading his other book while in China and some of his many articles, I acted like he was my personal friend, wandering through Beijing's hutongs and thinking, "Oh, Pete must have lived around here..."
You can always use an imaginary friend.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
deo adjuvante non timendum*
One afternoon last week Kate & I went over to the Academy to check out the renovations, and mourn the loss of the bowling alley; D111, aka Dill (study hall); The Pit (lunch room); and of course, our youth & athletic prowess.
Then last night Molly picked me up on her Vespa (for the 100-yard ride to campus) to attend a reception for Pat Dunlay. If I haven't paid verbal homage in your presence, let me tell you, I love that woman. Dunlay is brilliant, exacting, and a tough feminista you don't want to disappoint. Her College Composition class remains one of my fondest memories of high school for the way she commanded and inspired creativity, excellence and fear within us every single day. Her instruction and encouragement led me to take writing seriously and she's certainly on the list of top five influential people in my life.
Dunlay was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, and has had to retire from teaching English at St. Teresa's after 21 years. I was afraid to see her in a vulnerable condition, but she looked good last night. By the time Molly and I got to the reception it was winding down, but we were immediately recognized and greeted by name by cool dude social studies teacher Mr. Whitney (we probably each had him for one semester? (The Kelly name must stick with him for the open retaliation against left-wing-indoctrination a certain father reader rallied. (You're reading Howard Zinn?!))), then by 70 (80?)-something math teacher Dr. Joe, and of course, Ms. Dunlay herself. It was truly special to be remembered by such a disparate delegation of our four years there, and made me grateful to be a part of St. Teresa's fine Academy.
Then last night Molly picked me up on her Vespa (for the 100-yard ride to campus) to attend a reception for Pat Dunlay. If I haven't paid verbal homage in your presence, let me tell you, I love that woman. Dunlay is brilliant, exacting, and a tough feminista you don't want to disappoint. Her College Composition class remains one of my fondest memories of high school for the way she commanded and inspired creativity, excellence and fear within us every single day. Her instruction and encouragement led me to take writing seriously and she's certainly on the list of top five influential people in my life.
Dunlay was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, and has had to retire from teaching English at St. Teresa's after 21 years. I was afraid to see her in a vulnerable condition, but she looked good last night. By the time Molly and I got to the reception it was winding down, but we were immediately recognized and greeted by name by cool dude social studies teacher Mr. Whitney (we probably each had him for one semester? (The Kelly name must stick with him for the open retaliation against left-wing-indoctrination a certain father reader rallied. (You're reading Howard Zinn?!))), then by 70 (80?)-something math teacher Dr. Joe, and of course, Ms. Dunlay herself. It was truly special to be remembered by such a disparate delegation of our four years there, and made me grateful to be a part of St. Teresa's fine Academy.
the quad seal. don't you dare step on it.
(but you may kiss it, as Jessie and I did one nostalgic post-grad Christmas break)
*Hopefully you all know that I am fluent in the very useful language of Latin, and can tell you the STA motto is
With the help of God we need not fear
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