Penguins and Dr. King

January in first grade means two things: Penguins and Martin Luther King.

We are taking the whole month to research penguins. Each first grader was assigned his or her own penguin and they are even writing a research paper about it. However, all this penguin research was put on hold as we took a week to talk about Martin Luther King since we always have a day off of school for his birthday in January.

Now, talking to first graders about racism isn't the easiest thing to do, but it does always amaze me where their discussions take us. Here are some of the questions and comments that they made:

(When talking about Rosa Parks) "I wish I was black, because I LOVE riding in the back of the bus!"

"Why was it not fair to use a different drinking fountain? I would like my own drinking fountain. Like if they made one for kids and one for adults...hey, they kind of do that! Is that fair?"

"I am glad that Dr. King changed the laws because if you had a black friend you couldn't even play with them, or if you had a black mom you couldn't even live with her."

"YEAH! And we couldn't even study penguins, because they are black. But I guess they are black and white. Which drinking fountian do you think they could use?"

A Fresh New Decade....Still Warm From The Oven

T: I have to admit that I haven't been this excited for the start of a new year in a very long time. Which is not to say that 2009 was not a good year...it absolutely was. Looking back I feel truly blessed for everything in my life, and all of the good times that were had over the previous year. I made some amazing new friends, deepened some existing relationships, and somehow convinced the girl of my dreams that it would be a good idea to move across country to live in an Easy Bake Oven for several months on end (which seems odd to say at the moment, as it was 34 degrees when I woke up this morning).

But with all of that said, I truly feel like 2010 is the start of an amazing new decade. There are many pressing challenges to deal with in our current worlds -- both personal and global...but there is also unlimited opportunity for those willing to wake up each morning with an open mind. The start of a new year is just that, a new opportunity to move forward in whichever manner we choose. Aside from reflecting on positive memories, there is little to be gained by looking into the past. Or to the future. Life takes place in the present, and too much time spent looking forward or into the rear view mirror is ultimately a waste of time. And that is what excites me so much about the New Year...the fact that it is here. Right here, right now.

I look forward to some very exciting things in the year ahead, all of which will be shaped by what takes place in the hear and now. There are no limits other than those we impose on ourselves, and I wish you all the very best of everything in this new decade. Take care, and I love you all.