Musings

Lately I have been feeling a little homesick.  I have reminiced about memories of random groups gathered at various friends homes.  I have missed having my family just a few hours drive away.  But, surprisingly, one of the things I have missed most is thunderstorms. 

Last night, while sitting on the couch, watching TV with the windows open, I had a small taste of home.  After a warm, sunny day the apartment was nice and comfortable.  Soon the wind began to blow and a cool breeze filled the apartment.  As the wind began to blow harder I was overcome by that familiar feeling of nervous excitement that comes at the beginning of each thunderstorm.  Chuck checked the radar and saw rain headed our way and I braced myself for a night of a thrilling display of nature’s fury.  Unfortunately, the fun stopped there because California does not really get thunderstorms, but I soaked up the familiarity of the moment and loved this small gift.

In a previous post I wrote about how the kids I work with had a difficult time saying my name.  The kids pronounce my name as “Miss Brook”.  Well, somewhere along the line, one of them got the idea that my first name is Brooke.  So, now they have started calling me “Brooke”, thinking they are calling me by my first name.  I didn’t realize this until Friday, so that will be corrected today. 

Is it just me, or has there been a decline in the English language in recent years?  Don’t know what I mean?  Let me give you a few examples.  In a certain town in Somewheretownville, USA it is common for those native to this particular town to use a specific pronounciation for two syllable words ending with “ton” or ”ten”.  The word “mountain” is pronounced, “mou-En”.  A street named “Morton” is pronounced, “Mor-En”.  A teacher named Ms. Brittin is called, “Ms. Breh-En”.  This trend in pronouncation is common in all ages, ethinicities and social classes, from the youngest child to the highest authority in the school system.   

On my way to work this week a sign was posted in several places along the highway.  It advertised an upcoming festival in a local town.  Each sign boldly advertised the date of the festival as April 21th.  Seriously.  I’m not kidding, folks.

Now, some would echo the sentiments of the kids in my classroom; “What’s the big deal?”.  And I ask you, is it a big deal, or is it simply a difference in dialect reflective of the great diversity that characterizes our country?  Does this reflect a breakdown of the English language and therefore our society, or is this an age old trend with examples dating back to King James?  As for me, the social anaylist in me says this trend is nothing new, hence the numerous English translations of the Bible.  However, to the part of me that was raised by my mother, these grammatical errors are like nails on a chalkboard.  Grandma, thanks for caring about education and all things proper.  Thanks for instilling those values in my mom, and therefore in me.  

       This past weekend, Chuck surprised me with a trip to Disneyland!  I had never been, but had heard of this magical place since childhood, so I was very excited when he suggested it.  Ok, acutally the conversation went something like this…  One Friday, after a long and stressful week (and one of “those” weeks relationship-wise) I said, “What do you think about going somewhere this weekend?”.  Chuck replied, “Dang it!! I was going to surprise you and take you somewhere”.  Alicia exclaimed, “Ooh, where?!  Tell me, tell me!!!!”  After this long and torturous interrogation, Chuck stated, “Well, it was going to be a surprise, but I was going to take you to Disneyland.” (the guy can’t keep a secret!)  Alicia exclaimed, “YEA!!!”   And that’s how it went.  Anyway, Disneyland was great, exhausting, and the perfect getaway.  I took some pictures, but didn’t put the camera on the charger long enough and it ran out of juice before I could take some good pictures, but I will show what I have…

Get it?  Our initials make up the abbreviation for California… heh heh… Yes, I know, we are such dorks! 

       Look honey!!  TEACUPS!!               He was so happy…

This is a really fun ride in Disneyland’s second theme park, California Adventure.  You get in this elevator and it takes you up to the top where the doors open so you can see out into the park, then it drops you down the shaft in the darkness and you go up and down until you don’t know what is happening.  It was so much fun!

Pinochio                             Gepetto              

Alice in Wonderland        Really Cool African Guys on Boingy Stilt Thingys 

These are pictures taken at the parade that night.  Unfortunately, the camara had a difficult time taking pictures at night, so I didn’t get pictures of Beauty and the Beast, or the Disney Princesses (which was most dissapointing). 

Favorite moments… Chuck flexing his muscles while I tried on princess hats in the Disney Princess store to try to make himself feel more manly; riding the teacups; sitting on Mickey Mouse’s couch; seeing Tigger and Goofy; getting a good night’s sleep in the most comfortable bed in the world; getting away and spending time with Chuck.

P.S. I got my first ever sunburn in March.  I’m told this is just a taste of what’s to come…