9/11 remembered today

In listening to the radio program talk shows today, while driving to complete errands, 9/11 was the theme, 17 years ago.  I was teaching music class at Father Bressani CHS, in Woodbridge.  I recall a student:  Matthew Fava asked to be excused from class for washroom break.  Matthew played the tuba.  Today, well, I think he continues to work at the Canadian Music Centre!  His sister, another former music student continued with music as well, playing the French Horn.  I think her name is Elizabeth Fava.  When Matthew returned to class, he walked slowly to his spot in the classroom.  I noticed also that he was muttering words to his classmates as he passed through the crowd of students.  I found his behavior to be disruptive and actually cautioned him to return to his seat in a more efficient manner, to focus immediately and actively return to participating with usual professional attention to the activity we were still engaged in.  After my caution, Matthew stopped at his chair location, still standing, and said:  “An airplane crashed into the World Trade Centre Tower”!

At first, many students and myself were silent and then reacted in disbelief as we noticed the seriousness and fear in Matthew’s face and voice-delivery of that phrase.  Then, some students started to ask Matthew additional questions, and conversations began around the classroom.  There were no cell phones to verify this.  I do not remember what happened after this announcement by Matthew.

At any rate, we were planning an excursion in the spring to Greece!  We did not go on this trip, but did complete a trip to Alberta, by train.  It was a great trip.  Matthew Fava did not attend.  He really wanted to travel to Greece which included a cruise ship part.

I turned-off the radio during my travels today because 9/11 was sad.  We humans have so much potential to do good and we choose to do harm to others. 

In Toronto, in every day, it seems, there is a news report of a shooting.  We have experienced people killed on sidewalks by motor vehicles.  It’s not safe anywhere:  not at work, not at school, not in your home, not while attending a celebration.  Everyone is suspicious and paranoid.  There is sadness, hurting, drugs, alcoholism, stealing, lying, crazy drivers, fast food, media, advertising, crowds of inpatient, out-of-control tempers, climate changing announcements, disease, anger, suffering, which surround us, everyday!  This constant bombardment of negative news, noise pollution, anxiety, fear, at accelerated speed cannot be good for us, but only adds to frustration and harm.

Remembering 9/11, and where I was and the days, weeks, and months that following 9/11 reminds me of how sad this world is, and that’s too bad, because there is so much to be thankful of, and yet, this goes unnoticed, because goodness is drowned out by all the noise.

Bye for now.

I feel a bit awkward today

It’s not a typical Labour Day Monday for me this year.  In previous years, for most probably all of them in my teaching career, I would have a most difficult sleep tonight;  last week, the week before Labour day, I would dedicate time to preparing opening day handouts, and would visit school at least two days, if not three days to photocopy, prepare the classroom, meet with colleagues and administration, etc.
Today is Labour Day Monday, and for the past 32 years, I would be busy planning and preparing to return to school tomorrow!  Well, not this year!
It does feel a bit awkward; slightly out-of-place; and strange.  Over the last few weeks and even months, some people, family and friends have been asking me, how do you feel at this particular stage in my life.  My response has always been the same:  it’s a normal end to the school year and the summer is unfolding as per usual, so I’ll probably feel something different in the fall when I do not follow my usual routine of preparing for the first day of school and I do not return to school as has taken place for the past 32 years.
Will I miss teaching full time?  Of course, I will.  I hope to keep myself very busy and currently, I am very busy with a few projects on-the-go.  These projects require my investing some time to prepare.
I am also busy with my new role as Program Manager of the MusicAlive Festival in York Region, and notice that I am dedicating a bit more time daily to this project.  Perhaps I will not feel that different starting tomorrow because I continue to keep busy.
It was a busy summer with my daughter and preparations for her wedding day.  As mentioned in my other entries, the celebration was spectacular!
I do have some plans I would like to see take shape for me personally in the fall, and hope that they do.  One of these is to explore a martial art!  This would be great for me personally, keeping me in shape and giving me some confidence in defending myself, if ever needed.  Oh yes, I did register for the OMEA conference in November this Labour Day Weekend, so I did maintain a couple of tasks as would occur in previous years!
Bye for now.