2008

Zoe, La Cubanita - Y Mamacita Loca

As I write this, Zoe has a visitor - Isabella, a thin girl with long straight hair and constantly clasped hands who sits at Zoe's table at school and lives a few houses down the street.

As soon as Isabella entered the house, Zoe turned to me and started speaking in Spanish, snapping her fingers and wiggling her butt.

I nodded and smiled and went back to the computer.

They then moved to the living room, where Zoe kept Speaking animated Spanish.

"Basta!,"..... "Digame!" ...."Te quiero!" "Esperate" and 'No me gusta!".... "Oye! Mira! Que Lio!"

(I do not deserve this tirade. I fed her lunch today. We bonded over glitter glue and paint last night. I am St. Melissa, truly.)

She acting like maybe she is having a normal conversation with me.

But of course, she is not.

So I decide to play, too.

Every few minutes I've been minimizing my computer window, turning around, and then saying something equally random, "Sana sana culito de rana"..... "calabasa, calabasa...." ..."tres tristes tigres" ... and "los maderos de San Juan, piden pan no le dan..."

I say it in English too, because that's good manners.

Next week at school, I think there will be stories about Zoe, la cubanita, the poor girl burdened with una mamacita loca.

A Very Good Year, Indeed

I know it's a day early, but I'm ready to write this.

2007 was a wonderful roller coaster ride year full of blessings.

I got to spend three days -- no kids no spouses -- with my brother, rekindling the easy honestly and respect that has always undergirded our siblingship.

I was also blessed to witness my Abuela take a deep breathe and jump into eternity.

All and all, it was a great year.

No, I would NOT like to do it again.

Yes, I know 2008 will be even better!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas: Faith, Hope & Love

FAITH
************
Ay Abuela,

My senses deceive me.

They tell me you are gone.

I can hear you,
but then,
not clearly.

I can see you,
only right around the corner,
just gone.

I feel your laugh,
but then,
I don't.

My body tells me you are gone,

But my soul knows better.


HOPE & LOVE
*************
Ay Abuela,

I never prayed in my life
the way I prayed
during the last hour
of your life.

Could you hear me?

Has God told you?

I was pleading with Him
to give you
the hope
it would take
to let go of your body.

God said yes,
and you exploded
into eternity,
leaving us so grateful
for your love.


***************


Felicidades!

Drunk Dialing Your Professor

So I'm early for my nail & pedicure appointment today because I'm early for everything.

I've been up half the night running laps in my brain, so now I feel overcaffeinated, distracted, unquiet.

A mild lull on NPR gives me a sudden urge to check my TCC voice mail.

No one ever leaves messages. Really.

OK, maybe one message a semester.

I don't even know why I'm calling in, but I do.

Five new mesagges.

FIVE new messages?!

This has got to be good.

I push 0 to play the first one.

Saturday, December 15, 1:23am
5 seconds.
(((silence)))) click

3# to delete it

0 to play the next one.

Saturday, December 15, 1:26am
40 seconds
Helllooooooooooooooooo Doctor Soldana, Solandi, Soldani whatever I'm sorry.

This is XXXX XXXXX. I'm in your XXX class, remember me? I sit by the XXXXX?

Welll, looky here. I checked my grrrrades.
And.
Guess.
What.
I got a 69.9.

Please, please, please would you please give me just part of a point?

Please?

This is XXXXXX in your XXXXXX, remember me?

I sit by the XXXXXX?

Thanks goodbye.

3# to delete

0 to play the next one.

Saturday, December 15, 1:30am
5 seconds

((( silence )))


3# to delete

0 to play the next one.

Saturday, December 15, 1:33am
49 seconds

Helllooooooooooooooooo Doctor Soldana, Solandi, Soldani

Ooops I got it wrong again.

This is XXXX XXXXX.
Again.
I'm in your XXX class, remember me?
I sit by the XXXXX?

I was there EVERY day.
Every day.
Every.
Day.

I.
Came.
To.
Your.
Class.
Won't.
You.
Please.
Give.
Me.
A.
Point.

OK, so now remember me, this is XXXX XXXXX.
I'm in your XXX class, remember me?
I sit by the XXXXX?

Good bye,
Thank you.
XXXX XXXX from your your XXX class.
The guy by the XXXX.

3# to delete

0 to play the last new message.

Saturday, December 15, 1:36am
2 seconds

(((((silence)))

3# to delete
No more new messages.


***************************
Dear guy-who-sat-by-the XXXX,

Yes I remember you and yes, when I submitted grades on Eaglenet last Friday (before you even saw your grade!) I had already decided to give you a tiny bit of a point and credit you for a C.

And, yes, I did notice you were there. every. day.

Academic Maturity

(Guest Blogger .... Happy Birthday KZ!)

When I got in the AMH 2020 class I was surprised at first when we got money as a reward. I had no idea what it was for or why we had gotten it. I didn't know what to use it for, or if we could even use it for anything. Then I thought that it wouldn't be given out for just any reason, so I went with it. Soon after I found out that it was a way to gain points on our tests and a way to buy out of our quizzes as well. I thought that it was a great system because if there are any easy ways to get points on a test, I am all for them. After being in the class for a while I started to realize that we weren't being given money just for the fun of it, it actually meant we were thinking at a rather high level and were being rewarded for it.

In the AMH 2020 class, there are many themes and ideas you have to tie together to fully understand the course. Just thinking at a high school level won't cut it in this class and I realized that rather quickly. I think the reason you rewarded us in class is because you wanted all of us to start thinking on your level. As a highly educated professor I think you were rewarding us for finding under lying themes and issues that high school students wouldn't even start to think of. You were slowly trying to prepare us for the things that were going to come in your class.

Critical thinking skills are very important in college, and the amount of success a student has is based on how many different levels they can think on. Trying to get us to think on higher academic levels in my point of view was one of your goals. In class you would constantly remind us to pay attention to reoccurring themes and ideas, and sure enough you would find some way to bring them back to the surface of many lectures. If the themes and ideas were not understood, then there would be a gap in your lectures for many people and as a result poorer test scores would occur.

Judging by the amount of money I received this semester in comparison to fellow classmates, I think I did particularly well. I think I showed academic maturity at an early stage in the class, and that helped me succeed. The academic maturity that was shown in my portfolio was on a relatively high level. I received all check plusses on my assignments and all 45 points on both tests. So in a way I know I showed academic maturity in my portfolio judging by my grades. I understood the under lying themes and motives of the class on a good level and got rewarded accordingly.

Personally, I think that your system of rewarding students is a very good system to have in a classroom. It gives the students something to look forward to and also a reason to do their work with major effort. If we put a great deal of effort into our work, we received money and that meant we got some cushion on our tests. I think you were pushing for positive attitudes about homework and class work, and an overall different outlook toward your class in general. It amazed me how such an easy system of money and rewards would give me such a desire to do well in your class. I really think it is a great idea and academic maturity is most definitely gained through this system.

Letter to Next Semester's Students

(Guest Blogger)

Dear Future Student:

I hate that you are taking my place. I have learned SO much about history from Dr. Soldani that I could never have gotten from any text book…..and had fun doing it! This isn’t your typical BORING history class where all you have to do is memorize names and dates.

Can you believe that Lysol and sex share a common stage in history? No, they really do - and lucky you; you have who HAS to be the best professor on ANY campus to explain how, why and when!

Before your journey with Dr. Soldani begins, there are a few things that you need to be aware of to ensure your success in this class:

First and foremost is attendance. Dr. Soldani’s exams come strictly from lecture in which you need to be present for note taking. In regard to taking notes, concentrate on WHAT SHE SAYS, not necessarily what is on the board. Excellent note taking is essential.

If she says it, it is important…WRITE IT DOWN! A simple comment like, “This was ironic because…..” may seem innocent enough, but believe me, that little phrase will be a clue for you when it comes to synthesizing your exams (you’ll understand what this means later).

When it comes to exam time, be prepared. Know your stuff like the back of your hand. As you’ll soon find out, 50 minutes isn’t enough time to completely capture what an “A” grade requires if you have to stop and think about what you need to write.

CASH, did I mention cash? Effort is rewarded with CASH! Granted, this Xeroxed, green paper is only exchangeable in Soldani’s class, but it is a very valuable currency as it buys you points; points on exams or out of class work that you either don’t want to do or don’t have time to do.

By now you’ve probably sat through your first lecture.

Calm down! Go to class, write fast, and try, REALLY try, and you’ll do just fine!

Academic Maturity

(Guest Blogger -- D.D)

In reviewing my “bank”, I believe that I received some money each time the opportunity was issued, except the extra credit opportunity regarding convincing you to put a book that I had read on your book list. For me, my bank total indicates that you were rewarding attendance and punctuality, effort, thoroughness, attention to detail and instructions (1 page means 1 page!), and the ability to synthesize and apply lectured material.

I, thankfully, was able to attend each and every class. While I don’t recall you passing out any cash for 100% attendance, you did reward punctuality. Tardiness rarely is a good thing! Additional rewards came in my ability, as a result of class attendance, to capture and then translate into my summary essays enough details to earn the ever-so- coveted cash. It is difficult to have a comparative opinion of my work since we, for the most part, weren’t aware of the class average regarding cash received, but my grades were encouraging.

I can honestly say that I truly tried and did my best work and it is appreciated that effort is rewarded in your class. For example, I put a lot of time and thought into the book questions in hopes of simply getting “free” feedback prior to being graded, and was pleasantly surprised when three of my four submissions were used as positive guides for other students to follow. That was a huge personal reward. Of course, the cash didn’t hurt!

Your teaching style, sadly, is unique. You teach and encourage your students to think outside of the box; to look at different events in history and figure out how they are related and what role they played in shaping who we are today, and then reward them for doing so. I feel that my ability to look at situations from more than one perspective has matured; people are who they are, largely, because of history. This growth in academic maturity helped me to pay even closer attention to detail and to be more thorough in my lecture summaries and exams, which were rewarded in the grades and the cash I received.

Academic Maturity

(Guest Blogger ..... K.R.)

Throughout this semester, I think I have academically matured; no I do not mean just grades (because let’s be honest, those really haven’t improved), but I am referring to getting assignments in on time, completing quizzes, getting together with a friend to study, etc. I interpret the skills, attitudes and behaviors you reward to come from different places that do not necessarily warrant A’s.

The skills I think you reward for the most are the skills to grasp the basic concepts you teach to us from lecture to lecture. If we do not understand the people and events you talk about and are unable to correlate them, then we are lacking in some area of knowledge; that is, if we are not comprehending the words coming out of your mouth then we are destined for our own demise. Your class is mostly about listening more than it is about writing each word you say and if the students can selectively pick and choose certain key words or phrases throughout the lectures, there is hope that we can take what we have learned and use basic logic to link said words and phrases together in a way that makes sense to us.

Attitudes and/or behaviors are a big part of being in any class: if a student comes to class without the desire to learn and grow, then there is little hope for them passing the course. Our attitudes reflect on ourselves as a person and I think you can tell a lot about a student based on the way they act during lecture. Are they sleeping? Do they seem alert? Are their eyes full of question marks and confusion?

Dr. Soldani, I believe your rewards towards your students’ attitudes are just and fair because you call it as you see it. If someone constantly walks into class tardy or slacks off with turning their school work in on time, then obviously their punishment goes further than not just receiving the $20 stipend you dole out. The students that do not care lose valuable knowledge used during exam time, they lose your respect, and they miss out on an opportunity to fully enjoy a class from one of the best teachers they may ever have.

It is the students that raise their hands to answer questions, they students that willingly do extra credit, and the students that show up to each and every class that are rewarded the most. Their rewards start out as an external affair: $20 here, an A there, maybe a “Good job” somewhere in between, but then the real payoff comes from within, intrinsically. The hard work they put forth into their grades begin to become more than just a passing thing, it becomes something they work towards in hope of getting those feelings of contentment.

Seeing your comments on assignments and the check plus on my papers fill me with a longing to achieve better and greater marks. And hey, they money isn’t too bad, either.

I believe I have academically matured throughout my portfolio indefinitely. Like I stated before, my exams could use a little bit of working on, but for the most part I have grown in a different way.

Unsure of how you ran your class, I started a short-lived trend of turning my folder in late – and receiving those embarrassing hole punches. Once I realized this was costing me money, better grades, and my dignity, I turned everything around and began doing more in my attempt to make it up to myself. After September 28th, I never turned anything in late again and readily completed any extra credit assignment you threw our way. This paid off in many ways and I began to see a greater potential for my overall grade in this course. Intrinsically, I am happy.

Your class is amazing. It has changed my views on teachers, teaching, and all things history. You make your lectures fun to attend and important to understand, so I believe you expect to get in return what you put forth. Your class has helped me to grow and to value a true education.

The portfolio assignments are another tool to help your students mature as creative writers and free thinkers and for this, I thank you.

Self-Evaluation

(Guest blogger)

Tonight, I had a talk with my portfolio, and both of us agree that my realized work during the semester was good, but not excellent. I turn in every single assignment, did not miss any class, was always early for class, and try to take good notes. Any ways, I need to do better than that because I took an average score and some of my works. As matter of fact, I feel good because those average scores were in my writings.

I am not good in writing; to be honest it is my worst nightmare. I was an excellent student in my country, and I always was the first or second in everything. When I came to this country, I was submerged in a great depression. The language was my major obstacle to overcame; I did not speak a bit of English, and of course I have no idea how to write “La vaca blanca” (the white cow). Now I am written important papers if I don’t get A’s in everyone, it is ok each semester I do it better. A am proud of myself, and astonish of how much I could reach in short time.

The exams are another problem to me; those are in essay form! Oh my God, I am really lucky. The first one was a surprise for me, I thought that I did well and, “surprise” I get 29 point. After that I did not confided any more in my sixth instinct, and I decide to study as a crazy for my second one. Thanks the nights I spend studdyng and the money I gave, I get 45 points. The confidence returned to me. History is good, interesting, important, and funny, but not when I am tested on it! I am so happy because I almost finish my socials, sciences, and humanities. After spring I will not take other classes that mathematics, accounting, and funny staff like that.

Well, I did not get excellent in all my papers, but I putted effort and my heart in every single work. I don’t have any hole in my portfolio, so I think I deserve and 90 or around it. If I don’t get it, it is fine. I still satisfied with the knowledge I get because it is what help me when I am in trouble not my grades.

Letter to Next Semester's Students

(another guest blogger)

Dear Students of Next Semester,

I am going to start off by saying that this is a real college class, most of the classes that I have taken up until this point did not challenge me to the point that I would have liked them to.

After reading the syllabus and hearing Dr. Soldani talk about what to expect from this class I was a little worried that passing this class would take a lot of work. After thinking about whether or not I wanted to stay in the class, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to because I like a challenge. I am glad I decided to stay, but I was right it was a lot of work.

Do not expect your everyday lame college lecture, Dr. Soldani has a way of making the lectures interesting and they keep your attention.

If you plan on getting an A these are some of the essential tasks that you have to ask yourself, if you are ready to complete. First and foremost you will not get an A if you do not show up to class.

Dr. Soldani does not take role, however the tests are based on lectures and not the book. So if you decide on not coming to class you better know somebody that takes real good notes that you will be able to comprehend.

When you come to class be prepared to take good notes because from your notes you will be writing a summary of the chapter which you will be able to use on your test. When you do write your summary or any other typed assignment for that matter, be sure you make several paragraphs out of it and separate your ideas because Dr. Soldani does not like one big, long paragraph for a paper.

Tests are a whole other deal that you should know about, there are no multiple choice tests in this class so be prepared to write. Be prepared to write a lot. The tests are essays in which you get a list of terms, and three pink pages. You must split your terms into three groups of three then define them thoroughly. At the bottom of each page you must then write a synthesis that describes how these three terms are connected. Most importantly if you want an A on the test you must thoroughly describe your terms and when you think that your done describing these terms, write a little more just in case.

Online quizzes are also something that should not be taken lightly, they are an important and crucial part of the grade in this class, and they have the power to make you or brake you. A word to the wise, take your time finding the answers to the online quizzes. Sometimes what may seem like the right answer is not, because there is an even more correct answer if you look harder. All the answers are in the book so it would be stupid not to complete the online quizzes. If anything it should be called an online bonus. You get to take the quizzes three times and your final grade is the average of the three. It’s a pretty sweet deal.

Money is the last and maybe one of the most important parts that could get you that A, which you so passionately desire. You receive fake money throughout the course that you can trade in with test for bonus points, that’s awesome. Save your money. I hope for your sake you take my advice and have a good semester.

Sincerely,
(anonymous)

Sister Candy

I remembered the first day Candice walked into my class.

Regal posture, long black hair, intense Cherokee eyes.

To top this off, she was wearing a red shirt which only exaggerated the power of her wisdom, courage and -- who am I kidding here? --- womanly curves.

Throughout the semester, she made nothing but A's. High A's at that.

Still -- Candice felt the anxiety so many thirty-something-mother-students are gripped with, and visited me often in my office to get clarifications on notes and readings.

That's where we laughed. Hard.

We're from different worlds -- I'm Cuban, from big cities; she's Cherokee and German, from Lakeland, Georgia, a small town outside the small city of Valdosta -- but we have the same laugh, the same curiosity, the same loyal devotion to just a few things.

Our talks turned more serious this past October when we both were tortured with repeat mammogram craziness at the same time.

We cried, hugged, giggled and encouraged each other. Just as it should be, right?

Then today, Candice showed up at my door before an exam, no makeup on, teary-eyed.

Her grandmother had passed on, too.
The same week as mine.
Wow.

We shook our heads in amazement.

It's like the universe is serving us challenges from the same script.

But then Candice threw a curveball.
She just found sister died, the one her father had before he met her mom.

Tears of rage, sadness and exhaustion streamed down her face as she opened her arms, "She's gone. Just gone... and I didn't know her...."

I looked at the clock over her shoulder.

Three minutes until I had to give a final.

No time for resolution, no time for deep questions.

I hand her a tiny but wise and mind-opening book, and tell her I'll see her soon.

Because I will.

I know I will, Candice, because - in case you haven't noticed - I'm your sister, too.

And I'm right here, now, laughing and crying with you.

Letter to Next Semester's Students

(from an anonymous student)

Dear new students,

You have probably heard, or have read, about Dr. Soldani and how great she is, which is probably why you are where you are now. Unless you are like me, choosing classes and professors at random, and if that is the case, well, lucky you!

Let me start off by saying that this is not an easy course, but believe me when I say that you’re going to be very grateful at the end of the semester that you have stuck it out.

This is actually one of the only classes where I was included in a class of about 80 students and by the end, most of them were still there. Anyway, if you happen to be like me, you probably haven’t had a professor like Dr. Soldani, so here a few pointers for you to keep in mind, or if you choose not take my advice, you’ll learn quickly the “hard” way for what it takes to pass this course.

First of all, let me explain the money system she has creatively established for you. Throughout the course you are going to receive money (fake, of course) for you to use. Collecting isn’t too difficult; if she’s having a good day she will distribute some for easy tasks such as telling her when class starts.

Try to answer her questions, she’ll definitely reward you if you show that you are not completely absent minded when it comes to history. Extra credit will definitely earn you some cash, and make sure to write the essays she assigns in class with insight; you’ll be rewarded for that also. Do whatever you can to earn as much cash as you can! Why? It comes in handy when you’re late for class (don’t be!), when you want to buy yourself out of a quiz or paper, and it’ll even earn you some extra points on your exams.

This is not grade school! Dr. Soldani’s exams will test your knowledge of the material in a way more efficient than bubbling answers accordingly. Try not to stress so much on the specificity of dates, she does not put much on emphasis on this, she would much rather you understand concepts and ideas, which for some of you is going to be a relief.

I wouldn’t be able to you the exact dates of important events in our history if my life depended on it, but I can sure go into depth about it, and you will too. Sometime before each exam, she’ll give you a list of certain key terms that are going to be on the exam. Hopefully, you’ve paid enough attention in class and have tons of notes to connect all these together; the exam is constructed to test your knowledge on these terms and how they coincide. Be analytical!

Probably the most important thing I have to advise to you, new student, is that you HAVE to attend class regularly. First, you’re not going to want to miss Dr. Soldani’s hilarious lectures as she presents history in a way that is appealing to you. Rather than just throwing boring facts and dates at you, you’ll learn about history from a more personal point of view.

Even though you’ll be holding in your bursts of laughter throughout class, remember to take notes. She uses PowerPoint to present her lecture, and she’ll post her slides online, BUT they are completely useless if you do not have notes to go along with them.

If you are absent, make sure you get the notes from a friend from your missed lecture, or if you do not know anyone, bribing your fellow classmates with earned cash always works. Just make sure they are not the class idiot.

New student, you’re going to have a grand time and if you follow my advice, there is no doubt in my mind that you’ll do a wonderful job in this course. You’ll find yourself knowing more about history than you have ever known, and you’ll pat yourself on the back for being an intelligent human being.

It might take you a while to get adjusted, but you’ll get the hang of it.

Dr. Soldani loves what she does and it shows. You’re going to want to be there for every class. Good luck!

Student Who Actually Likes a Book. Amazing

(from an anonymous student)

I have chosen to read A Rumor of War by Philip Caputo. Being that I am always interested in personal war stories and experiences, I was immediately engaged as soon as he started talking about his military life. I am thoroughly enjoying the book.

It was just like listening to my grandfather tell me his story during the Vietnam war.

Another reason I chose this book was because I also do not know very many details about the war, so I am hoping this will help me further understand it. One of the main reasons I like this book is the in depth and vivid descriptions of everything he talks about. It is just amazing to me some of the stuff that he had to go through over there as his fellow marines fought the Viet Cong.

This story gives a perspective that anybody that was not in the war couldn’t have possibly had. This book is already teaching me and awesome history lesson about a war that some people say was not our business to be involved with in the first place. From the guerilla warfare to the conditions they had to deal with just leaves me in awe every time I pick up the book. MY grandfather was in the war, but will never talk about the war except for the nail he still has in his back from being in Vietnam.

For me, reading this story is like hearing a story that I have never heard from my grandfather.
All in all, I am only about a quarter to midway through the book. It is probably one of the better books I have ever read because of the fact it is so engaging to me. Thank you for putting this book on the list!

Haikus on How to Succeed in My Class

(again, from an anonymous student)

Soldani Cares About You
But Don’t Make Your Problem Hers
Be Responsible
-------------------------------------
Spend Money on Tests
Go For That Hundred Percent
You Might Not Make It
-------------------------------------
Grasp the Key Ideas
How Did They Shape Our Country?
Main Ideas are Linked
-------------------------------------
Do the Extra Work
You’ll Earn Some Needed Money
That You’ll Want to Spend
-------------------------------------
If You Want to Pass
Complete All of Your Schoolwork
Turn Them in on Time
-------------------------------------
If You Want an “A”
Put in That Extra Effort
Time In is Grade Out
-------------------------------------
Come to Every Class
Never be Late for Lectures
You’ll Lose Some Money
-------------------------------------
Creativity
Be an Individual
Always Show You Care
-------------------------------------
Take Notes Every Day
Her Tests Rely on Lecture
Not so Much the Book
-------------------------------------
Turn in All Your Work
Like it’s the Best it can be
Keep it Organized
-------------------------------------
Making Connections
More Important Than Some Dates
Deeper Importance
-------------------------------------
Tests are Worth Much More
Than a Few Online Quizzes
Earn an “A” on Them

Haikus on How to Succeed in My Class

(again, from an anonymous student)

Soldani Cares About You
But Don’t Make Your Problem Hers
Be Responsible
-------------------------------------
Spend Money on Tests
Go For That Hundred Percent
You Might Not Make It
-------------------------------------
Grasp the Key Ideas
How Did They Shape Our Country?
Main Ideas are Linked
-------------------------------------
Do the Extra Work
You’ll Earn Some Needed Money
That You’ll Want to Spend
-------------------------------------
If You Want to Pass
Complete All of Your Schoolwork
Turn Them in on Time
-------------------------------------
If You Want an “A”
Put in That Extra Effort
Time In is Grade Out

-------------------------------------

Come to Every Class
Never be Late for Lectures
You’ll Lose Some Money
-------------------------------------
Creativity
Be an Individual
Always Show You Care
-------------------------------------
Take Notes Every Day
Her Tests Rely on Lecture
Not so Much the Book
-------------------------------------
Turn in All Your Work
Like it’s the Best it can be
Keep it Organized
-------------------------------------
Making Connections
More Important Than Some Dates
Deeper Importance
-------------------------------------
Tests are Worth Much More
Than a Few Online Quizzes
Earn an “A” on Them

Letter to Next Semester's Students

(from an anonymous student ~)

Future Students,
I know it’s the future, you have flying cars, magic diet pills eliminated the need for gyms, man-bear-pig (global warming for all you non-south park fans) is running rampant all over the world, and Al Gore is the new Czar of America. I

’m probably somewhere south of the equator putting all of my life lessons and knowledge I’ve gained into good use by making billions of dollars, but don’t worry about me.

It’s you that I’m addressing here. You are the lucky ones, the ones that have Dr. Soldani as a professor.

Success is simple in this class, well, not simple, but you can succeed. First off, her class is a great learning environment. You will be intrigued by the history lessons she teaches. It’s not the mundane, note taking class I’m sure most of you are used to. I

nstead you will find yourself listening to lecture, laughing not even caring you’re taking pages of notes. That is one of the keys though, show up to lecture and take good notes. Your success, as we talked about earlier, depends on it. Attending class is absolutely the key to being successful in this class and if you fail to attend you’ll fail the tests.

Earning an A in this class is not that hard if you follow those two basic guidelines along with some other aspects of the class. You have the quizzes to take, which you should do as soon as they’re assigned to you, no reward in procrastination.

You will also have to read a book and do a paper on it. She gives you very good choices of books to choose from so it’s not hard to find something you are interested in to read about. Take your time reading and writing about your choice, if you turn in quality work you will be rewarded.

You get cash for doing well in this class, yes, cash money. You can redeem this cash for test points, quiz grades, papers, etc… You have to earn it though, be on time with everything and participate in class. The amount of cash you receive is directly related to how well you’re doing in the class. You can also sell notes for cash, too, for all you money hungry capitalists out there.

Your portfolio is HUGE. Don’t lose it, don’t get holes punched in it, don’t put shitty work in it. The portfolio is “you” for the class. You turn everything in via portfolio, even exams. What you turn in is an example of you as a student, so do well. The better the work, the more money you will see in your portfolio when you get it back.

It’s a little manila ATM if you do good enough work. If you fail to turn it in on time you’ll get holes punched into it, but that’s something I wouldn’t know about. Slackers.

The exams are challenging, but if you took good notes and studied well you’ll do just fine. Remember, you can buy points ($10 per point). If you don’t feel confident after the test, toss $100 in there for a nice 10 point cushion.

So you’ve earned $450? Good for you, if you want to buy out a test, there you go, go have fun by the pool and enjoy some malternatives.

Don’t be afraid of this class, it’s really a lot of fun and you’ll enjoy learning about history.

Just remember all the things I went over.

Attend class, take good notes, ask questions if you’re confused (scared money don’t make money, hustlenomics 101), make money, keep your portfolio full of good work, and for the love of god get all your work done on time.

And then there's Katie Belle

Katie Belle is an almost-ex-student who is unleashing the writer in her.

You can follow her blog @ http://genuinelykatie.blogspot.com/

Here is what she wrote when Abuela passed away.... http://genuinelykatie.blogspot.com/2007/12/hero-in-midst-of-death.html

Thanks KB, I'm touched.

May you always and only use the power of your words (and your twinkly green eyes and your passion and your humor and everything else!) to inspire deep emotions.

Tactical Diversion

Hello.

I'm swamped with grading (it's a happy swamp, though ~ no Gators...) and all sorts of other stuff.

Still, you look to me for entertainment, and I will never let you down.

For the next few days, I'm posting letters from students.

Here is a most-wonderful-one from an amazing student.

My favorite part of the letter is "tactics" -- it makes me feel quite like a special forces professor.

I wanted to thank you for being my teacher this term. Well, I guess I should really thank you for teaching a class at the time I needed so I would be fortunate enough to have you ;) I have truly enjoyed every minute in your class and talking to you outside of it.

You are a fantastic teacher; your tactics surprised me but I know that it helped me in the long run.

Your class showed me that there are many ways to learn and be tested and that I am just beginning to understand all the methods that are out there.

Your enthusiasm has been unmatched by any other teacher I have had ever in my life; keep it up and never lose that love of history!

Again, thank you for instructing me this term and I leave as one very satisfied pupil.

Kids Visit TCC's production of Alice in Wonderland

Yoga-ing for Smallpox

Thursday, 8:30pm.

Zoe peers at me from between her knees, her hair dangling to the ground.

Our eyes meet, she smiles a huge toothless smile.

I’m getting you a yoga mat for Christmas.

That’s a great idea. And I’d like lots of yoga stuff… like…. Her voice trails off, partially because she’s upside, and probably because she can’t think of something for me to buy.

Zoe, yoga is something you do, something you are, something you feel. You can’t BUY yoga.

She smiles, stands back up, cheeks red, and then extends herself into Warrior pose.

Where’s the book?

Oh, Zoe honey, I'm sorry, I forgot it!

That’s a lie.

It is.

There is no book.

Yesterday, when I told her I’d bring “the book” home so she could see pictures, I was just stalling.

Rewind. Wednesday, 7:45pm

I’m going through Zoe’s homework.

There is a coloring page with a serape and sombrero.

She proudly announces Oh, we’re studying Mexico!

Really, what exactly?

The Aztec Indians.

Wow. Yeah. They didn’t speak Spanish.

Her eyes widen.

See, people from Spain came to the Aztecs and accidentally spread all sorts of germs, and millions of people died.

Died of what?

I don’t say what, because I know she’ll get up and google it.
Of course she will.

Zoe has demonstrated a pattern of googling for images of surgical procedures (appendectomy, tracheotomy, mastectomy, and maybe others that I’m not aware of) and after a long day of driving back from Fort Lauderdale, I don’t want to look at picture of smallpox.

I forget what its called. I’ll bring you a book tomorrow with pictures in it.

OK. Do you like the yoga pants Tita sent me? She turns to admire herself in the fingerprint smudged wall mirror next to her closet.

Fast Forward.Thursday 8:45pm

Zoe straightens up from Warrior pose, brings her arms up over her head, clasps her hands and brings them in front of her heart in prayer.

I have a great idea, what if I put up the pictures on my blog? And wrote about you doing yoga? Would you like that?

My daughter breathes in deeply.

Yes. That is exactly what I was yogaing about. Thank you.
**************************************

So Zoe – here are your pictures.

And before you even look at them, promise me you remember what I told you about innoculations and eradication.

OK?

Fine.

Now you can look.

This first drawing is by an Aztec, showing how the Spanish brought the disease that made them so sick. Can you imagine how scary that must have been?