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June 2015 post_posted a bit late_end of school year reflections ~

Greetings:

On this blog, I have noted that this blog would be going through a transformation soon.  I guess I didn't realize that this first must occur in the mind, and that what we put out there, on the internet, isn't just digital content, but rather a blog can be a reflection of what we're thinking.
I guess I am starting to realize that... at least for me, this blog can no longer be some kind of cookie-cutter blog for ESL - ELL Teachers/ Students and for the families of my students, rather it must be more honest, more of what I stand for, in many areas and topics.

For example, tonight, I somehow stumbled across my "new" "Pinterest Pin-Up/ Cork Board", and I realized that I didn't like the "pins" or "areas of interest" I had first chosen.  I thought I could start over, which I did.  I have come to discover and fall in love with Early Jazz; one artist in particular reminds me of many of my own personal Italian-American childhood memories; the lively, fun, upbeat horn sections and music of  Louis Prima.

I thought I could find some great stuff on Pinterest, and was totally disappointed.  I found that people were sharing sites, links and videos of which they had little or no knowledge.  I realized that I was more like an expert on his music, at least compared to the poor descriptions of what people wrote on their Pinterest boards.  It's funny how one site, or one movement in this new era of Social Media can take us all by storm.  I know, at least in education, many folks jump on the bandwagon and get so excited about one new app.  This discovery tonight further reinforces my understanding of how "just because it's on the internet... doesn't mean it's worthwhile, true or good."  Gosh ... it's sort of funny and sad how people just share on the internet, in topics, issues and areas of study when they have such little knowledge or appreciation for said topic/ issue/ area of study.

It further reminds me of how much junk is out there, on the internet; I mean... have you seen your news feed on FB?! lately?  Talk about junk, right?!  Do we really need to know about the small and inconsequential details of peoples' lives?!  Ugh... makes me want to quit Facebook!  Hahaa ... oh well ... I guess this is all just part of the new human experience, in 2015, eh?

Regards,
Mista Chocka

P.S.  Oh, and just for fun, let me share a pic of my kid's AAU Spring basketball team, part of the New England Storm (Merrimack Valley, Mass.).
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