iPod Essentials #93: "68 Guns"--The Alarm

Though she was a devout Christian, my friend Peggy had great taste in music. She loved Alternative. While she attended Biola University, she and another friend became exchange students in London. Peggy worked as a waitress and got to be good friends with the members of The Alarm. I'll never forget the groupie glee in her eyes while she was telling me about waiting on them.

Listen up, Peggy. This one's for you, a song about holding steadfast to love and life.

Funerals, Death, and Other Memories

Yesterday I attended the memorial service of Peggy Haeussler Wolf (no relation). I first met Peggy in Kindergarten many years ago. In fact, she was one of the first to befriend the crying new kid at Horizon Hills Elementary. We went through elementary school, junior high, and high school together. Occasionally, we'd see each other in the neighborhood and catch up on each other's lives.

But as the years passed, we each got caught up in work and living our own lives. She became heavily involved in Christianity; I did not. When I joined Facebook a few months ago, out of nostalgia for some childhood companions, I friended Peggy and was horrified to learn that she had been battling neuroendocrine cancer for 3.5 years. In 2006, a grapefruit-sized tumor was removed from her chest. The prognosis was terminal.

If you want a tale of inspiration and grace under pressure--regardless of your faith or nonfaith-- check out Peggy's blog on Blogspot: Peggy's Victory Blog. As she lay dying about ten days ago, she asked her brother Joe to take over the blog duties. He's doing a wonderful job.

Sure, Peggy got mad at cancer. She had her weak moments, as we all do. But she accepted the hand she was dealt and did a tremendous job in preparing her family and friends for what was to follow. She used the last 3.5 years of her life to enlighten and bond and educate.

I only hope that when my time comes that I will be as strong and loyal as she. I guess this is one reason why people conduct memorial services: to inspire us to truly live our lives, to better them, to open ourselves, to be brave.

iPod Essentials #92: "Hawaii Five-0"--The Ventures

This selection is my rebellion against Christmas music playing TOO EARLY in malls and on TV shows. Bah humbug!

Let's go to Honolulu. Let's meet a chisel-jawed Steve McGarrett, head of the elite Hawaii Five-O criminal investigative unit. McGarrett always got his man, even his nemesis Wo Fat. True, he never had a social life or learned how to surf, but every day he could take in the surfside beauty of his surroundings.

Stay out of the mall. Go to Hawaii. This short tune flies you there.

Our Cheating Hearts

On Monday, I will discipline two students in my beginning ESL class for cheating on their midterms. Misspelled word for misspelled word, their answers match.

I'm sadistic when dealing with students who cheat. I leave them shaking and scared and sometimes crying. These two will receive zeros and firm warnings that I will turn them over to Academic Affairs for expulsion, if they do it again in the future. These losers have no business being educated, if they are going to take the easy way out. An education is a privledge, one that must be respected.

Why do students cheat? Laziness, fear of failing, some say. The problem goes deeper than that, though. It's our whole culture. We want everything and we want it now, especially with this spoiled generation I'm teaching, with its short attention spans and lack of common sense. Hard work sounds like a disease to these people. Once these misguided students grow up and find jobs and start families, they will realize that life is always a struggle, that nothing comes easily.

Not a passing grade in my class, it doesn't.

iPod Essentials #91: "Running up That Hill"--Kate Bush

Exquisite pop perfection from the voice of an angel. This song has everything: mood, rhythm, timely lyrics. The song can be interpreted in many ways: the singer who "makes a deal with God" in order for her to succeed in life, or get the man of her dreams..."If I only could with no problems."

In these troubled times, we are all struggling to survive and get what we want. Often, I've tried to make deals with God, but God doesn't always answer or respond in a positive way. One household problem becomes three. The man of my dreams disappears or finds someone else to love. Life is never easy, and Kate Bush reminds us of this in her unique way.

Bang, Bang

For the second time in a week, there's been another workplace shooting. It won't be the last one, either. Because of the economy and employment stagnation, times are tough.

And the weak won't be tough. Instead of dealing with their situations and getting help, they decide to gun down the innocent to get even.

Apparently, the shrink who shot so many people at Ft. Hood in Texas yesterday had been under a government watch for six months. Six months--why wasn't he barred from the premises, or better yet, placed into a psych ward or a prison? Thirteen soldiers would be alive, if the government had acted.

The coward who shot four people and killed one in Orlando, Florida, today was evaluated awhile back in a psych ward and attacked a nurse. He was released, and look what happened.

What can be done about people like these? Probably nothing. But we have to be alert and pay attention to others. Change in behavior? Hateful postings on websites? Telling people goodbye? These are warning signs. No one just snaps. The rubber band is stretched beforehand.

iPod Essentials #90: "Wouldn't It Be Good"--Nik Kershaw

Ahhhh, quintessential ear candy. A 1983 pop classic about wishing for someone else's life: "Wouldn't it be good to be on your side. The grass is always greener over there."

Do I wish I were someone else? I did when I was younger. Certain people never seemed to work for anything: they had cute figures, plenty of friends and boyfriends, school success. If they yawned, good opportunities fell into their mouths.

I never had it so easy. I've had to work for everything.

Still timely during these troubled times, Kershaw's one-hit wonder strikes a chord in us to buck up and perservere.

I Want to Scream: Why We Need to Take Mental Health Days

So I'm not really injured or sick, but mentally I am. I called into one of my schools, making this claim. It's early November. I'm dealing with too many papers from too many students. My troublemaking student in my ESL class is nearing a suspension. I'm stressed out. Money is tight. The house is messy. My SUV needs a fuel pump (recall). And my pepper trees need pruning once again. Above all else, I'm getting little work done on my newest novel. Since I live to write, and not teach, this is really bothering me.

I have 48 hours of sick leave, and I've just used up 5 of it today.

I can finish critiquing persuasive essays, tend to a few chores. Most importantly, I can work on the new novel, which is struggling right now, as my first drafts do.

If I can't best serve myself right now, then how can I deal with others? It's like a mental staycation, these days. I will return to work dedicated and energetic once again.

Hence, the day off. I only do this once a year, if that. I've got nothing left for students today, but I will get it back,