Our Stories

What I did on my summer vacation

I got spoiled, that's what.

This is the first time in my career I've taught summer school. I teach at Sonoma Elementary four days a week from 7:30 until 12:30. Mr. Apodaca does the lesson plans, so all I have to do is work with the kids. No paperwork!

We have two children. Jose will be a first grader at Conlee Elementary.
Andrew is entering second grade at University Hills Elementary.

Speaking of great kids, I saw a bunch of them at the annual Tortugas Turtlefest last Sunday.
These two boys are hoping to take the trophy.

Prior to Sunday's events, tribal dancers conducted a ritual ceremony to cleanse the area of any malevolent entities hanging about. The BOOM! of the shotgun scared some kids and adults as well.

We return to Sonoma Monday, July 9. So, until then, here's wishing everyone a very Happy Fourth of July.

We have a new student!

Welcome to Ruben Morales! I spoke with Ruben for a short time yesterday. One thing I know for sure - he is absolutely wild about trucks! (His dad drives one.)

Marry me?

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY?
(written by kids)

You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming!-- Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.-- Kristen, age 10

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?

Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.-- Camille, age 10

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?

You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.--Derrick, age 10

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?

Both don't want any more kids.-- Lori, age 8

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?

Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.-- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure?)

On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough for another date.-- Martin, age 10

WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?

I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.-- Craig, age 9

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?

When they're rich!-- Pam, age 7

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.--Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have  kids with them. It's the right thing to do.-- Howard, age 8

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?

It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.-- Anita, age 9 (bless you, child)

HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?

There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?-- Kelvin, age 8

And the #1 Favorite is........

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?

Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.-- Ricky, age 10


"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside a dog, it's too dark to read."

Message in a bottle (for Julian)

Dear Julian,

I'm betting on you.

I'm betting that you're smart enough to know how to reach us. If you're reading this, then I've already won the bet. Use the e-mail link and write us. Include your mailing address. Mrs. James and I want to send you your Christmas gifts.

Julian, you know how you and I love games? I want to share with you a game series I only just discovered. It's called The Legend of Zelda. In researching the origins of the series, I was fascinated by this -

The Legend of Zelda was principally inspired by Miyamoto's explorations as a young boy in the hillsides surrounding his childhood home in Kyoto,[2] where he ventured into forests with secluded lakes, caves, and rural villages. According to Miyamoto, one of his most memorable experiences was the discovery of a cave entrance in the middle of the woods. After some hesitation, he apprehensively entered the cave and explored its depths with the aid of a lantern. This memory has clearly influenced Miyamoto's work, as cave exploration is a major element of most Zelda games. Other than Miyamoto's childhood, Norse and Japanese mythologies have played a large role influencing the series, as well as Medieval European culture. Miyamoto has referred to the creation of the Zelda games as an attempt to bring to life a "miniature garden" for players to play with in each game of the series.[3]

It was just yesterday that I began playing The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. I think the "miniature garden" is an apt description of the game. It's like I'm in another world. And, while playing yesterday, I thought of how you were whisked to another world. And I want you to know this, Julian. You will always be the hero of your world, just as Link is always the hero in the Zelda games. Like Link, you will find a way out of the darkness and into the sunlight. I know you will.

Of course Cruz and Jonathon and everybody were asking about you Tuesday and Wednesday. Mrs. James put on a happy smile those two days, but I could see the loss of you reflected in her eyes.

If it's okay with you, I named my character in the Zelda game "Julian" so that every time I defeat the bad guys, I am giving you the strength to overcome the obstacles you now face. Call me crazy, but, hey! Like Talking Heads used to sing... There's a million ways... to get things done. There's a million ways... to make things work out. Crazy's alright with me, as long as there's a kindness in its heart.

Juian, I hope this gives you a measure of comfort. It's from a book called The Prophet. It's always in print. And, thanks to some kind souls, the complete text is online.

I don't know what else to say. E-mail us, Julian. We'll talk.

And a very Merry Christmas to you!

Goodbye and good luck!

Jacob Lara has moved to Alamogordo. We miss him already. (Dollars to donuts Jacob becomes a star basketball player!)

Belated Kudos!

Errr, what's up?

Last Friday was a super day! There were student awards, a class trip, and the Fall Festival.

These students from our class received awards. Patricia Martinez and Calvin Garner received the Terrific Kids award during Friday’s awards ceremony. Breyonnie Tobler received the Character Counts award; Jessica Corral received  the Character Counts and the Honor Roll award; Jacob Lara received a Perfect Attendance award; Jonathon Esparza and Julian Gutierrez received the Outstanding Attendance award, and Saaron Tobler received the Improvement award.

Congratulations to all of you! 

Kudos!

Yesterday morning Alexis Bustillo, a fifth grader in Mr. de la Pena's class, spotted a $5 bill in the hallway. She could have simply picked it up and kept it. But, instead, she pointed it out to me. I took it to the office. Angelica said that if no one claims the money it will go to Alexis.

Thank you, Alexis, for being an outstanding citizen!

Update - Because no one claimed the five dollars, Alex received the money at the end of school Friday. I say that's money well spent!

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More kudos... I've been observing the fourth graders play basketball the past week. The kids play a fast and furious game, and yet, never have I seen an argument, or a fight, nor have I ever heard a curse word. Yesterday I asked who their teachers were. They replied that some of them were from Mrs. Newberry's class and some were from Mrs. Duffy's class.

Congratulations go out to all you young basketball stars for showing us how to play the game with vigor and respect.