Saturday, April 17, 2010
The Perfect Game
The Perfect Game
Just got in from seeing this movie. It's a true story, which occurred in 1952. A little league team from Monterrey, MX. won the Little League World Series. If you liked, "The Blind Side," you'll love this! Now for my observations and commentaries:
1. I liked this movie for lots of reasons, but one was that not one single racial group was seen as being all bad or all good. As a kid raised in NE TX. ( I was born in 1955), I saw my share of prejudice toward others. Even then I knew it wasn't right and it disturbed me. To tell you how much things have changed, our theater would not allow African Americans to sit anywhere but in the balcony. I remember seeing water fountains that said, :"Whites Only." Our schools were completely segregated until I was in junior high. I heard of how African Americans were not allowed to be served at restaurants, saw how they always entered back doors, and/or were the last to be seated at events. Not one Afican American child was ever in my church, scout group, etc...We did not have any other racial group in my town. For this I was not familiar with prejudices toward other ethnic groups. Like it or not, there was prejudice and to tell a story truthfully, the ugliness of that must be portrayed. However, many times it seems that all Caucasians are portrayed as mean, bitter, prejudiced people. Yes, many Caucasians were prejudiced in varying degrees towards others but not all of us were deliberately mean, vicious people. Even in 1952, there were people of all races who saw and disliked injustices. The prejudice was there and is portrayed, but also the kindness of others is seen.
2. US-MX. relations: What on God's green earth happened? To this day, I love and admire my friends of MX. descent. There was definitely prejudice in 1952 towards Mexicans but at least there were some times/elements in the movie where there were good, kind, people being kind to people of other races. Not everyone was mean spirited and wished to only search for reasons to hate. I'm not saying everyone is that way today, but it seems to me that I see more of it now, especially regarding our "neighbors" south of the border. I truly do not understand it. Perhaps it is ignorance. I think most prejudices are. Perhaps it is media inciting the public, perhaps a combination. All I know, is that it appears to me that there were some good, kind, people in 1952 in spite of the vicious ones. That is the way it is today too, of course. It just seems to me that things have gotten worse and it saddens me. I love the Mexican culture and people. You would too if you truly got to know them. Spend some time at a language school in Mexico. Go with an open heart and mind. Your life will be enriched more than you could ever imagine.
Just got in from seeing this movie. It's a true story, which occurred in 1952. A little league team from Monterrey, MX. won the Little League World Series. If you liked, "The Blind Side," you'll love this! Now for my observations and commentaries:
1. I liked this movie for lots of reasons, but one was that not one single racial group was seen as being all bad or all good. As a kid raised in NE TX. ( I was born in 1955), I saw my share of prejudice toward others. Even then I knew it wasn't right and it disturbed me. To tell you how much things have changed, our theater would not allow African Americans to sit anywhere but in the balcony. I remember seeing water fountains that said, :"Whites Only." Our schools were completely segregated until I was in junior high. I heard of how African Americans were not allowed to be served at restaurants, saw how they always entered back doors, and/or were the last to be seated at events. Not one Afican American child was ever in my church, scout group, etc...We did not have any other racial group in my town. For this I was not familiar with prejudices toward other ethnic groups. Like it or not, there was prejudice and to tell a story truthfully, the ugliness of that must be portrayed. However, many times it seems that all Caucasians are portrayed as mean, bitter, prejudiced people. Yes, many Caucasians were prejudiced in varying degrees towards others but not all of us were deliberately mean, vicious people. Even in 1952, there were people of all races who saw and disliked injustices. The prejudice was there and is portrayed, but also the kindness of others is seen.
2. US-MX. relations: What on God's green earth happened? To this day, I love and admire my friends of MX. descent. There was definitely prejudice in 1952 towards Mexicans but at least there were some times/elements in the movie where there were good, kind, people being kind to people of other races. Not everyone was mean spirited and wished to only search for reasons to hate. I'm not saying everyone is that way today, but it seems to me that I see more of it now, especially regarding our "neighbors" south of the border. I truly do not understand it. Perhaps it is ignorance. I think most prejudices are. Perhaps it is media inciting the public, perhaps a combination. All I know, is that it appears to me that there were some good, kind, people in 1952 in spite of the vicious ones. That is the way it is today too, of course. It just seems to me that things have gotten worse and it saddens me. I love the Mexican culture and people. You would too if you truly got to know them. Spend some time at a language school in Mexico. Go with an open heart and mind. Your life will be enriched more than you could ever imagine.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Rehearsal Dinner
What fun we had! More pics to follow of dancers, decorations, etc...
Event was a Mexican fiesta Curtis and I hosted for April and Luke on 3/12/10. It was such fun designing the centerpieces and cake and finding great folks to do them! Ramage Farms/Hooks, TX. provided a great place for us to decorate. Everyone seemed to have lots of fun taking dance lessons from the dancers. Pics: April and Luke, my brother, sister, two cousins, sister, me, April and friends
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Happy 2010!
Last day of 2009, a time for reflexion...to think of all those you love, new friends and sometimes family members, those you have loved and lost, events of the past year and those to follow in 2010.
I did not send a Christmas newsletter, so this is a poor attempt of an update. Well 2009 wasn't the greatest for most Americans and lots of the world for that matter. However, I don't like to dwell on things we can't control. I realize my family has been extremely fortunate to thus far not have been too terribly effected as so many others have been with job losses, etc... On to a brighter note, it does appear that the economy is beginning to recover here. My prayers are with those of you who are in need of work, better health, whatever is not allowing you to realize your full happiness. Hopefully 2010 will bring happier times!
There is a fine line between sharing your blessings and bragging. I never want to brag, but I do want to acknowledge how fortunate I feel at this point in my life. Curtis and I are thrilled that Luke has found a lovely young woman with whom to share his life. We are excited about the upcoming wedding in March and welcome any blessings for the union of two pretty great people in our opinion.
Our family has now suffered the loss of both our Uncle Jack and Aunt Virginia. We were so fortunate to have their love and wisdom in our lives. They were both shining examples of what people can become and what we aspire to be.
I, personally am blessed with a wonderful husband who is also a great friend and travelling companion. It is so great to have so many things in common, especially the desire to work with youth and travel.
The year of 2009 also brought this blog and Facebook into my life. Now, some of you may not think that is so great. However, if you are reading this you must enjoy one or the other. :) Seriously, I have enjoyed reconnecting with friends from the past and developing more in depth friendships with new friends. It is a good way to share pictures, thoughts to stay in touch, etc...
2009 brought an entire summer of Spanish study in Guanajuato, MX. for Curtis and me. Although we did not purchase a 2nd home there, we do consider Guanajuato a 2nd home. We were saddened by the closing of Academia Falcon. I had attended Spanish language school there for several summers and had wonderful teachers who are friends and now facebook friends.
Curtis and I did make the decision to purchase a 1920s bungalow in Commerce, Texas. It is our intent to totally rennovate it within the next six years and then make it our retirement home. It is on a corner lot with lovely old trees, rose bushes, and front porch swing, only four blocks to downtown and four to the university. We both grew up in small towns and are both alumni of the university there. I just added a picture of the home. We have not begun any rennovations.
So, what do we know, thus far that lies ahead in 2010?....Other than the wedding which we are eagerly anticipating, I have a potential trip planned for Peru this summer. I met a wonderful friend from Peru in a Spanish class. She has graciously invited Curtis and me to her home this summer. I will probably be the only one taking her up on her offer because Curtis wants to teach summer school. We have enough air miles for me to fly free, so I don't want to pass up on this once in a lifetime chance to have a wonderful guide show me her beautiful country. Also, she speaks only Spanish so it will be best for me to travel without other English speakers.
Work...I have said many times to many people that one of my greatest joys has been my career. It is so wonderful to be at a stage of life where I can choose when/where I wish to work. The problem is, I often start little and grow too big because I do enjoy it all. I am so fortunate to work with so many fantastic people and have fun enhancing communication skills in children.
I will continue to contract with school districts to provide therapy services and also work for the great pediatric home health agency I respect and enjoy. Also, I will be starting contract work for another local school dist., providing Span. speech and language testing.
Curtis continues to enjoy his work with autistic kids at a high school and our soon-to-be daugher-in-law is enjoying her first year in the same capacity, but at the middle school level. It is fun to go to my speech path conventions and bring back books and information for us all to share and discuss.
Guess this is getting lengthy and I need to start preparing for a visit with the intern I am supervising. I wish to close by saying thank-you. Thank-you for your love and support. Thank-you for your friendship. Wishing you and yours only the best in 2010! Hasta Luego Amigos! Love, Joy
Friday, December 11, 2009
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