Sunday, April 23, 2006

New in Minnesota...

It seems to me that each generation is more progressive than the last. In my mother's youth, she had non-white friends at school or through sports, but it was understood that she would not bring them to her suburban Philadelphia home. Not spoken, maybe, but understood. I, on the other hand, had kids of color at my birthday parties before I was old enough to invite them myself. Growing up in the city meant always having non-white friends. When I dated a boy of color, however, that was a little different story. It was "OK," but not exactly applauded. Today, we have progressed even further: my daughter's dates have been Jewish, Latino, black and white. Her friends could hardly care less. Racial & cultural differences are interesting, not unusual.

I was intrigued a few months ago when a friend emailed to say that another friend was starting up a group for multiracial families - since that does describe both my immediate and extended family!

MOSAIC - multi-cultural off-spring and interracial couples - got started with about 8 couples/families, and is steadily growing! I think it's a cool idea. Next weekend the group gathers again both for play and for learning - children play (supervised) while the adults gather for discussion.


The mission is twofold - for support and for socializing. Research shows that it's important for mixed kids to hang out with other children like them, so this gives kids a venue through which to see their families as the norm! Ditto for the adults - a place to relax & enjoy the company of other couples with similar experiences. (Heaven knows Minnesotans can be a pretty homogenous lot - though Minneapolis is home to a very interesting mix of folks!)

Check it out: http://www.mosaicmn.com/

Some day, I expect that my daughter will create her own mixed family. Maybe she won't need it, but I hope there's a group like this around for her.

Monday, April 17, 2006

New Perspective

New addition to the blogroll today - Riverbend's "Baghdad Burning". I just received her book from my brother for my birthday, and then today (before I even had a chance to look up her blog) I came across it on another site. The stars align! A first-hand perspective on the war in Iraq - not something I would normally be devoting a lot of space here too, but it's just in my face this week, and I'm intrigued! Blessedly, this blog is not just news - recent posts are very funny!

It's easy to be overwhelmed by the war and just tune out... until a relative or friend gets called up & it gets personal...

Saw a great political button the other day: "If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention."

Yes, these concepts connect somehow... I think when it comes to the war, it's true that I'm not outraged BECAUSE I'm not paying attention. I tune it out. I have the excuse that my work is difficult and my students take most of my energy - and my daughter gets the rest - so I don't have much left with which to worry about how America is destroying itself as it destroys Iraq...

Lame but true. Which begs the question: to what extent is this true of much of our generation?


Thursday, April 13, 2006

X Runs the Schools

How cool is this?

The new superintendent of schools for St Paul is only 36! And the president of the St Paul teachers' union is in her 30's as well. Interesting times! :)

Check it out: http://www.startribune.com/1592/story/345465.html

It's fun to have a younger person in a position of authority with people significantly older than she is - not the traditional "put in your time" hierarchy model. It will be interesting to see how everyone responds to her!

Gen X in charge - woo hoo!

Monday, April 10, 2006

Feeling my age!

Holy cow - no better way to feel every minute of 38 years old than visit colleges with my KID! We did the whirlwind college tour of DC and PA last week - Penn, Georgetown, GW, Howard... it was interesting, but strange to be the parent in that scenario.

One entertaining way to look at it: I'll be an empty-nester before I'm 40! Looking at it that way, I don't feel so old...

Also cool - got to celebrate my b-day with extended family on the big day, and got to celebrate with my two April b-day friends in Washington whom I have not seen in person for our b-days in years. Will continue the celebrations this weekend with friends at home, so it's all good. 38 doesn't suck too much. :)



Sunday, April 02, 2006

I'm a Gr'up...

This idea has been brewing in the back of my mind, but now is front & center in mainstream media! Check it out - a new article from New York magazine (a favorite of mine) about Gen X as adults.

One interesting thought from the article: "If being a Grup [contraction for grown-up] means being 35, and having a job, and using a messenger bag instead of a briefcase, and staying out too late too often, and owning more pairs of sneakers (eleven) than suits (one), and downloading a Hot Hot Heat song from iTunes because it was on a playlist titled “Saturday Errands,” and generally being uneasy and slightly confused about just what it means to be an adult in these modern times—in short, if it means living your life in fundamentally the same way that you did when you were, say, 22—then, let’s face it, I’m a Grup."

I can relate. I may not stay out "too" late or wear sneakers, but I use a pink shoulder bag instead of a briefcase and believe I am still allowed to have fun at a dance club even though I'm over 30. I think the confusion they refer to comes from forging a new path - it's always harder to make our own way than to follow our parents. I do not live the way my mom did at this age - and that's a conscious choice.

It's nice to see that I have a lot of company! :)

Saturday, April 01, 2006

Quotes for April

Some great quotes I came across today (thanks bcbutterfly!)...

"I've learned there are troubles of more than one kind.
Some come from ahead and some come from behind.
But I've bought a big bat, I'm all ready you see.
Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me."
- Dr. Seuss

"Maybe some women aren't meant to be tamed.
Maybe they're supposed to run wild
until they find someone -- just as wild -- to run with."
- SatC

"Life doesn't have to be perfect in order to be wonderful."
- Annette Funicello


The big April Fool's joke today is that it's daylight savings - the first Saturday of my spring break & we lose an hour! Not so funny! But that's OK because I'm on break - I don't have to get up early anyway! :)