On food and religion and what truly nourishes us

When I wake up late on the weekends, hungover or peacefully rested (the latter being less frequent as a 29 year old), I am always hungry. The first thing on my mind is what am I going to eat? What is my body craving? What is going to satisfy me? Will I cook? Will I order? Will I call a friend to go for a meal? Do I want grease? Or Asian? What is going to comfort me? What is going to nourish me?

And on this particular morning, an unusual well-rested wake up at 10 am on a Saturday; no bags under my eyes; refreshed and alive, I had a foreign craving for Bacon.. I don't even eat pork that often. First of all, as good as it tastes, it seems to be my tummy's arch nemesis. And then, there is also the fact, that I currently live in a Muslim country, so I have to go to a special grocery store to get it.

So, I made the trip to the special grocery store, Choitrams, to be exact, and it got me thinking about food and the religious restraints people put on what one can eat and not eat. Particularly, because food is one of the only things that truly nourishes us all the time, and also universally nourishes us. Everyone needs it to survive, just like water and air... where as religion, education, art and more can be truly nourishing to people, but scientifically, we would not die if we did not have them.

Therefore, I guess my question is to the Jains, Hindus, Muslims, Catholics, and many other religious groups who put limitations on what people can eat as they practice or during particular is why put restrictions on what someone can eat, when it gives us life, energy and the ability to carry on and practice religion, get an education, discuss and make art, and more. Shouldn't food be like numbers, something we all just kind of accept and agree on?

I understand that there are an indefinite number of justifications for why certain religions don't eat certain foods, but again, scientifically, I think that listening to your body important (within reason) and satisfying cravings (again, everything in moderation) is a healthy way of living your life...

On what makes a good teacher

To be honest, doubts have been zooming around like summer fireflies as to whether or not teaching is my permanent career, nevertheless, the best thing about doing what I do is that the good days, come in good hours, good moments, through parents, colleagues, students, former students, moments in the hallway etc.

This week, I had a student come up to me and at the ripe age of 9, say "thank you for recommending tutoring, I think it's already helping." Of course, she was British, what other 9-year old kids are this articulate.

I think you'd be surprised. 2 weeks ago, my students polished off some personal essays with extravagant writing that far surpassed my expectations. I have always prided myself in how I teach writing, but this year, they were magnificent. There are a few stars in the sky that are always brightly shining, but most of them came out to stay and light up the world and themselves for awhile; hopefully permanently. With thesis statements like "Islamic studies should be optional; " "Friends are important" and "Education is better now then in the past" and quotes written in their conclusions from Steve Jobs, The Beatles and Anais Nin, I think you can see where I am going with this. Being a part of watching the world gain that intelligence and knowing that you helped push this future intelligentsia in the right direction, it's almost as if you get a constant pat on the back.

Another colleague recently told me that "While your classroom management is quite an interesting set-up, I wish I knew my kids half as well as you do." And, this is the brilliant thing of small, international schools and being a well-traveled, wild being... With exercises like the dance of the week, personalized incentives for rewards and funky nicknames like "Sassy McGee" and "Sassafrass" to name a few, I get it. Knowing your students and what makes them laugh, work and inspired is a constant battle with a growing 9 year old... It's a constant battle with adults but the amount of new information we take in as kids makes it even more of a ride to keep them on top of it and sassy for a lack of better words.

Finally, to round up the day... A parent gave me a compliment tonight that was one of the best I have ever received. When I asked her about placement for her son next year, what kind of teacher she would want him to be with. She replied with illuminated eyes and a big smile "One like you, you're the first teacher that has gotten through to him. You push him and know when to stop. You find creative ways to do it and you make him laugh and his wit increases because of you."

To all my good teachers, I salute you.... because I wouldn't be here without your laughter, compassion and belief in me...

I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework. ~Lily Tomlin as "Edith Ann"

Oh, Spain I miss you.

Dancing tonight, shaking and loosing control of my body, I was secretly hoping that I am not the only ridiculous let loose dancing queen in Venezuela.

Last night, at 2Many Djs, the energy was different. More European. Am I making the right decision going to South America? Freaking out a bit at 1:40 on a Friday evening.

I watched Vicky Cristina, saw Andrea's pics and was all the sudden aching to be back there, to the point, that I would pick up my stuff, my suitcases, sell my art and just go...

God, that city, it's not even like my life was perfect there, it's just magical. Being able to walk out or run out into such a vivacious, perfect weathered place, was immaculate. There is absolutely no other way to describe it. Spain, I heart you, I miss you, and Buddha, in my next life, please make me Spanish, rich or poor, for better or worse.

And, I guess I just am freaking out in other ways. Reading literature, the new Elizabeth Gilbert book "Committed" that questions and challenges my beliefs on relationships. I like it, non-fiction can be tedious but she writes with such raw honesty that it's pleasant and easy to follow. Nevertheless, the whole 1.5 year relationship I have involved myself in is being evaluated alongside the reading journey. It's not that it's bad but it's that it's messed up, in so many good and bad ways.

I have pushed away for such a long time and now, that I am getting more of what I need now, I am actually pulling away from it because I don't want to get hurt, I don't want to have to much faith and I don't want to fall. And unfortunately, it's come to a part, that I could do that if I wanted to.

Oy, life! I love you but you truly do intrigue and torture simultaneously.

Hasta pronto! xoxo