MayaWest Writing Project

Freewriting

Feel like writing something? Go ahead!

93 Comments »

  1. I guess that I am the first one here! So, Hello world1 Hello MayaWest. I am so looking forward to spending time and getting to know you all.
    I know that we will have a wonderful summer together.

    Comment by Ellen Pratt | April 25, 2009 | Reply

  2. Yey!!! I finally got it. Now I can get the reading from here becuse I can’t seem to open them I’m still technologically in the stone ages. It’s kind of overwhelming the many tasks at once but stone by stone we can turn them into a great wall. see you guys soon.

    Comment by Lourdes | May 6, 2009 | Reply

  3. Hello Lourdes!

    So glad to hear from you! The readings are on the sidebar to your right. They are links to web pages, so just click away! :D

    Comment by mayawestwp2009 | May 6, 2009 | Reply

  4. Can the lectures be posted in the this site? I cannot get them to open are they in 2007 format??

    Comment by Lourdes | May 18, 2009 | Reply

    • The readings are links to the NWP website. They are articles posted online, not word documents. The links should take you to the page where the reading is available. Let me know if you have further problems with this.
      :D

      Comment by mayawestwp2009 | May 19, 2009 | Reply

      • And I forgot to say, the readings are in this page, to your right, on the sidebar titled “LINKS” ;)

        Comment by mayawestwp2009 | May 19, 2009

  5. “Writing as a tool for learning and discovery” this was sent to me but is not on the list in links it says its a pdf file but can’t get through

    Comment by Lourdes | May 19, 2009 | Reply

    • Ok Lourdes!

      I asked Ellen. The article will be presented on the first day of the summer institute. Hope this helps!

      Irmaris

      Comment by mayawestwp2009 | May 20, 2009 | Reply

  6. Am I the only one writing is is this a one on one deal???

    Comment by Lourdes | May 19, 2009 | Reply

  7. Je je, no Lourdes, hopefully this will get going once the summer institute begins. I am not aware of that reading. I will ask Ellen and respond by tomorrow. Have a nice afternoon! :D

    Comment by mayawestwp2009 | May 19, 2009 | Reply

  8. Thanks for everything. Good to know someone out there is listening and helping out. Thanks Have a good weekend.

    Comment by Lourdes | May 23, 2009 | Reply

  9. Thank you Lourdes!

    Hope to see you soon! :D

    Comment by mayawestwp2009 | May 23, 2009 | Reply

  10. por fin !! saludos a todus.

    Comment by lunayena | June 8, 2009 | Reply

  11. Yay Me ! Hello people. This is so fun. I am having so much fun I hope that you could feel it too. Have a great summer!!

    Comment by leroyalicea22 | June 9, 2009 | Reply

  12. yay!!!! i finally logged on!! i had no clue como hacerlo asi q gracias irmaris. honestly, this, so far and i don’t doubt that it will be, is a great experience. i love writing and i hope to really “pulir” my skills. gracias por todo!!! :p

    Comment by marafa31 | June 9, 2009 | Reply

    • De nada! Always here to help! :D

      Comment by mayawestwp2009 | June 10, 2009 | Reply

  13. Memoirs is a great idea for student writings I am sitting and thnking and my mind is set on ideas that I want to get through and try with them. Thanks Ariana for sharing your input and your story.

    Comment by Lourdes | June 9, 2009 | Reply

  14. Hi guys and gals! I have felt so freaked out and scared since the first day. You are all such wonderful writers! Thank you for making me feel accepted and part of the group.

    Comment by rodriguezjaime | June 9, 2009 | Reply

  15. A la verdad que tengo que agradecerle a Irmaris por poder entrar. veremos como me va mañana en la demostracion.

    Comment by morales253 | June 9, 2009 | Reply

    • No hay de que! Always here to help :D

      Comment by mayawestwp2009 | June 10, 2009 | Reply

  16. Muchas gracias por todos los alagos por ser el primero en presentar. Pero yo soy el que les tengo que agradecer pues como estoy relax puedo prestar mas atencion a sus presentaciones de esta manera soy yo el beneficiado.
    Ruben

    Comment by morales253 | June 11, 2009 | Reply

  17. Irmarys I managed to access from my home. We will try again tomorrow.

    Comment by rodriguezjaime | June 11, 2009 | Reply

  18. Yes! :D We did it!!!

    Comment by mayawestwp2009 | June 11, 2009 | Reply

  19. hey guys, what do you think of this Martin Luther King Jr quote: “…Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education.”

    Comment by marafa31 | June 11, 2009 | Reply

  20. It’s interesting to see that though we think we are in a course where we have domain . it is hard to no see the faces of frustrations very time we have a writing assignment that comes out of the bag of someone thoughts. The struggle the scribe has to think of how we are going to create our masterpieces.This is just the beginning of a great hot summer of wishful thinking.

    Comment by lourod61 | June 11, 2009 | Reply

  21. It took me an entire day to relax after our incredible week at MWWP. We all worked very hard last week, but our creations were well worth the effort. I wish and hope that what you have written in your journals will become part of our digital archive. That means writing those poems and stories on the computer. Think about adding to our own anthology that we can give out at the end of the summer to remember each other by. Maybe you can start to send your writings to Irmaris who can keep them on a digital file for publication later on. We can talk about it some more. I had a wonderful week! I know that what is yet to come and only be better. Love to you all!

    Comment by Ellen Pratt | June 13, 2009 | Reply

  22. Dear Irmaris I just sent you an e-mail with my script for monday. Its a short rap about thursday, but it took me a couple of days to wrap up.

    Comment by rodriguezjaime | June 14, 2009 | Reply

    • I loved it! It will never be the same if you do not rap it!

      je je je :D

      Comment by mayawestwp2009 | June 16, 2009 | Reply

  23. Autobiographical Narrative

    FAREWELL MY FRIEND

    I remember like it was yesterday. It was the second Saturday of the month of June and there was nobody in the house. My wife and my daughters went to the Mall to spend some money. The sun was shining, and there was not a single cloud in the sky. It was a beautiful day, but not for me. I had a task to fulfill and I really didn’t want to. Lets go back a couple of months. My dog Marduke, a beautiful specimen about nineteen years old, was sick. He was a small dog, white with a couple of black spots. His hair was long and shiny covering his eyes; sometimes I wonder how could he see at all. I had taken him to the vet because we noticed that he was not eating like always, and he looked kind of sad. We also noticed that he had some lumps around his neck and in his stomach. He wasn’t the dog we knew, always running after the lizards and barking at the doves and playing with all of us. The vet told us that time that our friend was too old for an operation and that the best thing to do was, to put him to sleep. My wife and I looked at each other in shock, after the news the doctor gave us. I felt very sad, and asked the doctor if there was a chance we didn’t have to do it. He said that he could give him some shots for the pain, but that he was not going to last long. We went home. My wife told me that she didn’t want to know when I was going to take him to be sacrificed.

    For the past weeks I noticed that Marduke hardly stood and in his eyes you could see the pain he was going through every time he got up and wiggled his tail. Today is the day I said to myself, I can no longer see my beautiful friend suffer this way knowing that he is not getting better. I grabbed a bedspread and wrapped it around him because he was so skinny. He was a small bag of skin and bones, and I thought I would hurt him if I picked him up with my bare hands. He made a little sound like he was in pain, but I spoke to him and he wiggled his tail. I laid him down on the back seat of my car and began the longest drive of my life. I was thinking on how I was going to miss him, and if he would forgive me for doing what I was going to do. We got to the doctors’ office and I had to take a number and wait. I sat down and there were a lot of people waiting, the lady beside me asked me why I was there. I told her that Marduke, my dog was very sick and I had come to sacrifice him. She looked at Marduke and felt sorry for him. When it was our turn we went in and the doctor asked me what did I want to do and I told him I wanted him to stop Marduke’s suffering. He asked me if I wanted to take his body to be buried or if I wanted him to take care of that. I told him to take care of his body. The doctor looked at me and said: ”He will not feel anything, you took the right decision.” I began to walk toward the door and when I reached for the handle, I looked back and saw Marduke’s sad face. I though he was saying good bye and also saying that he knew what was going to happen and that it was OK. I really felt sad and I don’t know how I got to the car but I stayed thinking and envision Marduke in his prime, playing, running, and chasing lizards. I got home, and waited for my wife and daughters to return. When they got home and noticed that Marduke wasn’t in his house they asked me what they already knew, and we all started to cry. Four years later we decided to get two new dogs, Kalua, and Tequila. I hope I don’t have to go through that terrible experience again.

    Comment by morales253 | June 16, 2009 | Reply

  24. An Uplifting and interesting moment as a teacher.
    A few years ago I was giving a chapter on the Jewish Holocaust. I prepared an outline for a multi-genre presentation, presented the film Diary of Anne Frank and had the students write letters of hope to Anne.
    Little did I know that there was a student in my class that had attempted suicide two times before. She was a young beautiful and bright girl with low self esteem.
    One of the activities in the multi genre was to write the opinion of the the project, where they gave feedback as to what they learned, or thought, or would recommend for the project.
    She thanked me for showing her this story of a young girl the same as her who through out her hardships never stopped hoping for freedom or dreaming of becoming an actress. She felt ashamed to think that her life was bad when she couldn’t even imagine what Anne had gone through. She promised me in her writing that she would never again try to end her life.
    Today, thanks to the marvel of Facebook, she communicated with me to let me know she is about to graduate from the university . and though the topic has never been touched by either of us it is understood that she has kept true to her promise.

    Comment by Lourdes | June 16, 2009 | Reply

    • You will see that once you put into practice all these activities you will have more in your hands, be ready. In the other hand, you will also have even more wonderful and meaningful experiences that will give you the fuel from which us teachers feed, grow and shine.
      For you, a sincere hug in my behalf.
      Dream and accomplish!

      Comment by Janice | July 1, 2009 | Reply

  25. Today’s presentation was awesome. I enjoyed making up a story about Marilu, Lima ans Doroti. I also had fun when we went to have lunch and almost got locked in the elevator with Marilu, Lima, Ruben and Sammy. I do miss Ramon alot…he makes such nice comments about me ..I hope he gets well soon.

    Comment by bettyboopplus | June 16, 2009 | Reply

  26. MI NOMBRE!!!
    Por Samuel O. Rodríguez

    Es interesante el nombre que me fue dado por la obra y gracia de Dios. Recuerdo como mi madre me contaba que siempre tuvo como petición especial el nacimiento de un hijo varón. Lamentablemente, según decía mi padre, este era un chancletero malo o mejor dicho, solo daba mujeres. Este historia se repitió en sus vidas por seis ocasiones, siendo la última ocho años antes de mi nacimiento. Lo triste es que mi padre se fue, dejando a mi madre sola, quién sin embargo vio contestada su petición cuando más la necesitaba. Mi madre decía -” Dios me escuchó” , lo cual fue motivo de inspiración para que un amigo (su pastor) le dijera a ella que cuando naciera su hijo le llamara Samuel. Es obvio y lógico, pues este nombre de origen hebreo tiene por significado “ Al que Dios oye” , lo cual es indicativo de una petición contestada en el momento exacto, tal como Dios predispuso que sería. Es de mucho orgullo mi nombre, pues este vino a llenar un vacío en el momento de tormenta y soledad de mi amada madre. Amo mi nombre, pues me hace entender que en los momentos de vulnerabilidad, el oye mi clamor y responde a mi llamado.
    En cuanto a Octavio, el cuál es mi segundo nombre, es de origen latino (Antigua Roma). Este nombre pertenecía al primer Emperador de Roma, Octavio, quién posteriormente se convirtió en César Augusto. Acaso este nombre indicará que seré gobernador de Puerto Rico…jejeje, lo dudo o simplemente seré un mentiroso más como todos ellos. Sea lo que sea, son mis dos nombres y los amo con recelo continuo.

    Comment by samrodz7 | June 16, 2009 | Reply

  27. I wish I could Write
    Por Lourdes R Rodirugez

    I wish I could write about how this morning I got up and after breakfast turned on the tv for a quick look at the news.

    I wish I could write that Puerto Rico was economically stable and that everyone had a great peaceful night.

    I wish I could write that there haven’t been any crimes committed for the past 6 months.

    I wish I could write that there was World Peace and that our soldiers are safely at home.

    I wish I could write that there is a cure for cancer, aids and alzheimer and any other disease that ails us.

    I wish I could write about how happy I was last night to see my father at home with his family around him.

    I wish I could write about my new car because my old one is dying on me.

    I wish I could write about how love is sprinkled in the air at night by the stars.

    I wish I could write about living in a perfect carefree world.

    I wish I could write about all this and more but since I’m still asleep I will wake up and write about the real world.

    Comment by lourod61 | June 17, 2009 | Reply

  28. I can’t go any longer
    This love is getting stronger
    I can’t beat it is a monster
    Is my heart on the on set

    Why keep it any longer
    Is dying anyway
    It just takes a hit to crush it
    You’re in love with another

    Is my heart beating
    I see my soul bleeding
    How can I believe
    I could start living

    Live is just beginning
    I want to be in it
    But crying is the only I’m receiving
    How love can be so bitter

    Takes my smile within
    Takes my breath just for seeing
    How beautiful you would look in it
    Well is just beginning

    I’m not prepare to face the evening
    Or even my life if you’re not in it
    Is a fight, just for beginners
    Is a life were wishing is believing

    Take the pain with you
    Take my sorrow in you
    Make me regret this path I follow
    Because you are the one I sorrow

    My heart can stop bleeding
    My life is not fitted
    I’m crazy can you believe it
    I’m in love just for believing.

    Comment by lorrimel | June 17, 2009 | Reply

  29. Broken
    You took me in, and took me down
    Laughing your way out
    Took a perfect illusion and a dream
    Turn them in to tears
    You made me hate you
    As I love you more
    Made me need you
    As you made me cry
    Made me kiss you while I cried
    You put a spell on my soul
    You broke my life in to pieces
    And made your way into my soul as I gave my heart away.
    You took an innocent heart and promised me an eternal life
    While you drift the life out of me
    Made empty promises of a perfect dream
    What the hell where you thinking
    You destroyed my life, because you’re the only thing
    I can’t have in it.
    I made the perfect house without you in it
    A perfect heart, a perfect life
    But it’s all an illusion
    Because as soon as I see you, I feel broken
    Broken inside
    Without an idea of what to feel
    Or how to live
    As soon as I see you my soul comes crumbling down
    I have no control of my heart or my soul
    I need to see you, to have you
    You put a spell on me and walk away.
    You made an illusion of how special I made you feel
    As soon as I was at your feet, you walk away
    Only with my heart
    What do I have to offer if my heart is with you
    What is my life if I just want to be with you?
    What words can you tell me to put me out of my misery?
    What can I do to see the beautiful life I have ahead?
    Please release me, release my broken heart
    Destroy it or love until the day I die.
    Just do something, find the cure,
    Because my life is not worth it with or without you.
    I’m always guessing what’s in your soul
    Browsing for a glimpse in your eyes
    That tells me you still love me
    I’m broken what can I say
    I had the perfect heart, the perfect joy
    The perfect love, all you had to do
    Was fill it with your promises, your lies,
    Your innocent lines of how much I meant to you all your life
    How much my heart was desired and broke my heart
    Broke my soul
    Let me live but inside alone forever
    I hope you love me as much as I do
    I hope you feel broken
    And that you dream of me every now and then
    I hope my name send you shiver down your spine
    I hope your soul is tangle with mine
    I dream you let me live
    I dream you want the same as me
    But I really don’t know what I want so how could you
    Let me broken…
    What will I do with my broken heart?
    Why does my life feel empty without you?
    Why I don’t want you and despise you
    It’s this love or just obsession
    How can love be this life momentum?
    That’s keep coming back to hunt me
    When is your love coming?
    When will you close this chapter?
    When will I see the light?
    When will my heart be stolen?
    When will you give me back my life,
    my dreams, my love, my innocence and the joy of love?
    When will you get out of my head, out of my oxygen?
    Out of my soul…when will I feel not broken?
    When will I thank you for not having you in my live
    For being just a fragment of my imagination
    When will your voice or your name won’t send shock waves
    Into my life, when will I see the light?
    Please save me; heal me, made me new again
    So I can start my life as your started yours
    Let me be as happy as you seem to be
    Let me be thankful for all life has to offer
    Let me be free, let my take over
    Let me say good bye cause this is over
    Let me say farewell for this life is over
    Let my life start over and see you again when we crossed over
    Let me be your comfort, let me be your friend
    Ohhhh …just remember this has to end
    What end you might say
    If nothing ever started
    Well my dear you did start it
    The day you gave me that look that blinded me
    The day you gave your dreams to me
    The day you promise to love me forever
    Sorry I couldn’t be better,
    Sorry I couldn’t be patient
    Sorry I love you forever
    Sorry you’re my soul mate forever
    I will now let your life be better
    Letting you know I’m happy for your perfect life
    And happy for all your life accomplishments
    Just know I be here forever if you need me
    Cause I prefer to have you in my life as a friend
    Than not have you at all.
    And I will always love you
    That’s all.

    Comment by lorrimel | June 17, 2009 | Reply

    • WOW Chica a la verdad no se si es tuyo o lo encontrastes pero lo debes publicar. Vive yno permitas que eso sea una razon para no tener tu propio deredho amar de nuevo Dios Te Bendiga.

      Comment by lourod61 | June 18, 2009 | Reply

    • Lorry that’s hot! I’m sweating just to read it! WOW!

      Comment by rodriguezjaime | June 18, 2009 | Reply

  30. Hola Sammy
    Espero que te sientas mejor y verte el lunes sano y saludable. Me comere tu pedazo de pizza en tu nombre cuidate. lourdes

    Comment by lourod61 | June 18, 2009 | Reply

  31. Espero te mejores pronto y estes el lunes con el grupo
    Lydia

    Comment by Lydia | June 18, 2009 | Reply

  32. Sammy espero no haberte contagiado con mi gripe lechonil, eh digo, cerdina, ea, porcina, jajajajaja

    Esperamos verte pronto, tu paz y tranquilidad nos hacen falta. We need you, please, we (the entire group) are borderline crazy.

    Comment by Ramon Morales Rivera | June 19, 2009 | Reply

  33. Que es el Amor
    El amor es el sentimiento mas profundo que sale de tu alma.
    Es la manifestacion interna de lo que te hace vibrar de emocion en diferentes tonos.
    Es tu modelo y estilo de dar lo interno que llevas dentro.
    Es unico porque es tuyo, no tiene referencia,solo preferencia y solo cuando lo internalizas notas estas diferencias.
    No lo borras solo lo editas porque es puro y sincero en todo su esplendor y en todo tu alrededor.
    El amor es tu entorno, el que creas rodeado de tus retonos de tu familia, de tus amistades y tus ideales.
    El amor es lo que te hace compartir y dejar partir.
    Es lo que te hace decir como lo senti.
    Es lo que te lleva a reflexionar que el que no vive para amar deja de sentir.
    Asi que nunca debes permitir vivir sin amar sino vivir y sentir porque eso es amar.
    Lyma

    Comment by lymarie | June 24, 2009 | Reply

  34. ¡Saludos de Austin, Texas! Fue muy divertido hablar con los participantes del proyecto MayaWest por teleconferencia el martes. Ustedes tienen una energía que me hace preguntar que si todos los de Puerto Rico son tan alegres. Aunque nosotros estamos separados por millas, pasamos por los mismos pasos con los problemas y dudas que tenemos acerca del aprendizaje de nuestros alumnos. Fue un placer hablar con ustedes. Saludos a las Dras. Franquis y Salinas que han de estar con ustedes ya o van en camino. Hook ‘em Horns!!! (mascota de la Universidad de Texas)

    Comment by Eydie | June 24, 2009 | Reply

    • Hola y Saludos desde Puerto Rico
      Pues le dire que como en todas partes hay personas alegres y hay otras menos. Pero en su mayoria somos fiesteros. Hemos aprendido varias estrategias y modelos para llevar a nuestro salon de clase. Hemos conocido mas maestros del area y hemos compenetrado much unos con otros. Lo mas importante es el respeto que nos tenemos como colegas y amantes de nuestra preocupacion. Y si estamos tan desesperados para conseguir la forma de hechar pa’lante a nuestra juventud para que sean un ejemplo representativo digno de la educacion de nuestro Pais. Pequeno en tamano pero feroz de corazon. Dios les cuide muchoy esperamos mantener contacto con ustedes a traves de este foro.

      Comment by lourod61 | June 25, 2009 | Reply

  35. The Tele-Conference super, I see that teachers face the same problems, no matter where we teach. I was great interchanging ideas and concepts. Austin Texas love u.

    Comment by monty10 | June 24, 2009 | Reply

  36. La mujer está sola
    Y no sabe que hacer
    Su marido la viola
    Una y otra ves

    Ella llora y sufre
    Hasta más no poder
    El le grita y la engaña
    Ese es su proceder

    Ella es una muñeca de trapo
    Que el quiere romper
    Pero por sus hijos
    Ella se deja hacer

    ¡Busca Fuerzas!
    y quejate
    ¡No te dejes vencer!

    Comment by Rubén | June 29, 2009 | Reply

    • Esto estuvo brutal!!!!

      Comment by Janice | July 1, 2009 | Reply

  37. Jaime
    hope you feel better. we missed you and your masculine voice. Ha ha
    Hope to see you soon. Take Care God Bless

    Comment by lourod61 | June 29, 2009 | Reply

  38. ¡Mami, mami! ¡Alguien se está ahogando!―gritaba una niña cerca de mí con una voz muy aguda, pero ni siquiera su madre que estaba allí tendida boca abajo sobre la arena la escuchaba. ¡Mami, mami! ¡Es en serio! ¡Alguien se está ahogando! ―insistía señalando el agua. ¡Deja la bobería y termina el castillo!―le ordenó la madre sin voltearse una sola vez. Yo observaba a la niña. La mocosa parecía invisible. Nadie se inmutaba con los gritos. ¡Mami, mami! ¡Es el hijo de la señora! ¡Se está ahogando!―gritó una vez más, ahora con más fuerza. Entonces sentí una punzada intensa en medio del pecho. Miré a hacia todas partes tratando de divisar a mi hijo entre la gente y luego entre las olas, pero no lo encontré. La niña me sujetó el brazo y lo sacudió suavemente con una mirada compasiva en el rostro. Ya se ahogó― me dijo y yo inerte mirando las olas.

    Comment by fannie | June 29, 2009 | Reply

  39. Ay Fannie…somos muchos los que en medio de torbellinos nos quedamos en un estado inerte…mirando las olas…..gracias por compartir this powerful piece…..profound indeed.

    Comment by alma | June 30, 2009 | Reply

    • Gracias a ti por leerla y encontrar ese pensamiento tan profundo en ella.

      Comment by fannie | July 1, 2009 | Reply

  40. Escribir de cosas “rositas’ como digo yo, es fácil. Cuando entramos en la profundidad de las ideas y la realidad de la vida nos damos cuenta que también hay casas no tan “cute” que hay q expresar. En lo personal prefiero los escritos como este, que lleven al lector a una encrucijada mental, a la reflexión de lo que realmente importa…felicidades.

    Comment by Janice | July 1, 2009 | Reply

    • Gracias Janice. A veces cuando escribimos no imaginamos lo que podemos inspirar o provocar con nuestras palabras y eso fue lo que me ocurrio a mi cuando escribi este cuento. Fue simplemente una historia que aparecio en mi mente como si la hubiese vivido. Me satisface haberlos llevado a una reflexion a traves de mi escritura.

      Comment by fannie | July 1, 2009 | Reply

  41. Hey!!! I just wanted to thank you por preocuparse about me yesterday! Sorry about the Spanglish! Couldn’t help it. :P De verdad, gracias, me senti bien especial. Pero como no sentirme asi si estoy rodeada de tantas personas lindas! God bless!!!

    Comment by marafa31 | July 2, 2009 | Reply

  42. WIFE
    WONDER WOMAN
    BEAUTIFUL, BRAVE, BRIGHT
    LIVING, LOVING, LAUGHING, LEARNING
    FANTASTIC, FABULOUS, FREE
    SWEET SOUR
    CHIRONJA

    Comment by Jaime Rodriguez | July 2, 2009 | Reply

  43. CHANT
    How long Oh Lord how long
    We must wait for the Promised Land!
    Like the Negro singing spirituals in the cane plantation
    Clamoring for salvation.
    Women chant for deliverance
    From the beatings, verbal oppression, rape, humiliations,
    And for an equal status in job remuneration.
    I say young men don’t vent on women your frustration
    Remember your mother and sister
    And treat them all with moderation.
    I say young women treat your men with compassion
    Don’t vex him with endless complaints
    Do what you can and for the rest,
    Join with him and do your best.
    Young men and women, don’t scream at each other; it’s a mistake
    What you need is to communicate
    Without violence, hate or fights
    People what you and the World need
    Is listening to each other
    Just a little more
    We must give love chance to grow
    And the beat goes on
    How long, oh Lord how long
    We must wait for the Promised Land
    Now this is not the end, we must forge a beginning…

    Comment by Jaime Rodriguez | July 2, 2009 | Reply

  44. Minus trees
    A World without trees
    Is an abomination.
    Like a barren desert
    Empty desolation.
    No birds singing on tree branches
    No children playing, nobody dances
    Under these treeless dark circumstances,
    How will our children learn to take their chances?
    A chance for love
    A chance for Peace
    A chance for Hope
    Please save the trees!

    Comment by Jaime Rodriguez | July 2, 2009 | Reply

  45. Que necesitamos para hacer de nuestros estudiantes ciudadanos de provecho? Cual es la receta exacta que nos permite adentrarnos en el corazon del estudiante y ayudar a su transformacion real?
    Hoy hablamos de respeto entre maestro y estudiante. Debatimos en lo que se debe o no se debe hacer para lograr ese respeto, esa relacion efectiva. Vivimos en una sociedad de reglas, que trata de poner orden, de hacer patrones exactos de cada estudiante de cada individuo. Queremos orden en nuestro salon, pero si no damos pertinencia a ese orden nos contradecimos como agentes de cambio. Las reglas son para seguirlas, y muchas de ellas son justas y necesarias para la sana convivencia. No digo que vivamos en anarquia, pero los balance razonables son saludables.
    Un estudiante de nivel intermedio y superior que cuestiona todo, y al cual le proveemos experiencias para que desarrollen pensamiento critico es un reto en todos los sentidos. Cada maestro tiene su criterio en cuanto que le permite a los estudiantes en su santuario academico, pero debemos reflexionar y preguntarnos que es lo que nos diferenciara de los “perritos de Pavlov”, del conductismo al que nosotros los maestros somos sometidos en nuestros trabajos. Es esto la pedagogia del cambio? Estamos en un sistema que no aprueba las diferencias individuales de los maestros ni de los estudiantes. Cuestionar reglas es visto como un acto de rebeldia que debe ser reprimida. Si los maestros estamos acondicionados esperamos acondicionar a los estudiantes y la funcion educativa es un proyecto nati-muerto.
    El respeto, la solidaridad y la confianza se provoca cuando nosotros mismos vivimos una perspectiva humanista en la que nuestra seguridad como profesional nos permite bajar las barreras tradicionales y cambiar el estereotipo del maestro tradicional. La sociedad ha desvirtuado la imagen del maestro, y las leyes han despojado al mismo de una proteccion legal. Entonces, nos debemos preguntar cual es la funcion real de un maestro, cual es la imagen que tienen mis estudiantes de mi como profesional? Tengo que recurrir a tratar de rescatar la imagen arcaica de lo q es un educador? Acaso no nos damos cuenta de que esto contribuye a tener un ambiente “teacher centered” en vez de “student centered’. Cuando respetamos la dignidad y la individualidad de los estudiantes automaticamente abrimos una puerta necesaria para un aprendizaje efectivo, humanista y trascendental que se traduce inevitablemente a una actitud receptiva, cooperadora y transformadora en el estudiante.
    Mi gente, hay que revisar y remodelar nuestras acciones para que vayan a la par con nuestros esquemas educativos.
    Coño, despierta maestro!

    con todo mi respeto,

    Janice
    The Voice of a Glamorous Warrior

    Comment by Janice | July 2, 2009 | Reply

    • Brutal! Tienes toda la razon, verbalmente expresamos las teorias humanistas-constructivista pero en la realidad lo que hacemos es ser conductstas en la practica.

      Comment by leroyalicea22 | July 2, 2009 | Reply

  46. Un adiós y un hasta luego

    Hoy me siento en la silla del autor para leer unas palabras que realmente dicta mi corazón y mis emociones editan. Hace tres semanas llegué a un salón que olía a maestros. Fragancia que se fue esparciendo día a día hasta convertirse en aroma de escritores. Su esencia fue convirtiendo a estos seres en artistas de las letras, en arquitectos de la palabra.

    Llegar aquí, fue un encuentro mágico. Con un “en donde te he visto antes” rompí el hielo de la conversación con una mujer encantadora, recipiente de energía, de jovialidad y entusiasmo, llamada Frances. Así se me fueron acercando otras compañeras, devotas de la vocación magisterial, dos mujeres que son dignas de llamarse maestras, modelos a imitar, Marilu y Lydia. De pronto me contagié de alegría y simpatía con el chiquillo más grande del salón, un hombre con alma de niño llamado Jaime.

    Así pasaban las horas de aquel primer día y admiraba el liderato y el dinamismo que impartían dos fragantes mujeres generadoras de la mejor y más cotizada energía, Alma y Janice. Y en esa misma línea, pero en el lado de los espectadores, Maria y Lourdes me seducían al vacilón con sus risas y comentarios, que me hacían disfrutar de una emoción digna de nunca acabar. Observaba, como todo un buen espectador, a una jovencita, muy seria, pero de sonrisa dulce y expresiones dinámicas, quizás la más joven del grupo, una líder innata, Yasmin. De pronto me di cuenta de otro rostros juveniles y rebosantes de frescura que destilaban devoción y pasión por su profesión, y mas que eso, compromiso, Marién, Yolanda y Francheska, ellas junto a Yasmin, sin duda alguna, representan la nueva generación de maestras generadoras de cambio y portadoras del conocimiento y la sabiduría.

    Así pasaba el día, escuché las palabras de una poeta, escritora, o artista de la palabra, que ya se perfilaba en el grupo, una mujer callada, pero y tranquila, pero sus palabras causaban revuelo entre todos, Fannie.

    Y así también, Lorraine, una mujer apasionada por su escuela, sus alumnos y su deber, nos dejaba boquiabiertos cuando leía. Y una serena y tímida Maricarmen, observaba, calladamente; escribía, sus palabras como poesía, nos hacían pensar, reír, llorar, nos enternecía.

    Los días fueron transcurriendo, y Rubén, aliado de Morfeo, velaba mi rostro, y fotos siempre me tomaba cuando me dormía. Al otro lado, Samuel, el más joven pero creo yo que el más maduro y serio de los varones, miraba a todos, y muy callado, dibujaba y escribía.

    No sabía mucho de doroti, sólo me cuestionaba porque su nombre con minúscula escribía, y hasta extranjera llegue a pensar que sería.

    Pasaron más días, a Ariana, recuerdo con mucha alegría, fue corta su estancia, pero es recordada es por su simpatía. Y llegó Zenaida, otra mujer más, para este grupo feminista. ¿Qué sería de nosotros sin su apoyo y consejos?, de no ser por ella, y por Irmarie, la ingeniera de la tecnología, muchos demos no se darían. A ti Leroy, hemos compartido muchas experiencias juntos, gracias por ser más que mi compañero de labores, eres mi hermano, mi hijo algunas veces.

    Hoy, en este instante, frente a ustedes, me despido, es mi último día en este encuentro, de maestros, poetas, cuentistas y escritores. Por razones personales, mañana parto a los Estados Unidos. Llevo conmigo dos maletas, una con mis cosas personales, y otra quizás la más pesada, llena de recuerdos, de sus palabras, de sus conocimientos, pero sobre todo me llevo sus respetos, admiración, cariño y amor que siempre me demostraron.

    Gracias, mil gracias cada uno de ustedes, especialmente a Ellen, que bien puede seguir llamándose Santa Ellen de la Parguera por permitirme estar aquí y compartir con ustedes esta aventura; la magia de la escritura. Porque cada uno de ustedes, depósito algo en esta maleta que llevo conmigo. Lamentablemente, les digo a adios, pues no creo que pueda haber otros Mayawest Writing Project como este. Los futuros proyectos serán tal vez iguales, pero no creo que mejores.

    Adelante compañeros, sigan escribiendo y haciendo de nuestra vocación una de las más dignas y hermosas, somos MAESTROS.

    Ramón Morales Rivera

    Comment by Ramon Morales Rivera | July 3, 2009 | Reply

    • Gracias te damos a ti por el regalo de tu prosa, precencia y solidaridad. Tu pasion y compromiso con el proceso de aprendizje es un ejemplo para todus. You raised the bar. NOs haces un montón de falta…pa lante y siempre a la orden en la parguera.
      Dale al doctorado!!!
      ekam sat
      doroti

      Comment by doroti | July 6, 2009 | Reply

  47. Memoir of your name

    My name means free one. I think my mother did not know the meaning of my name when she named me. She named me Frances because her name is Francisca. I do like my name a lot. I liked to be called Fran or Francy. I remember my father used to call me Francy in a special way. I was his baby and he used to spoil me a lot. I do remember that when my mother called me Frances it was because I was misbehaving. That was most of the time. I do not like when they call mom’s house and ask for Frances and they refer to mom. Mom is Francisca not Frances! Frances is my name! The meaning of my name is free one, and it is true, I love to be free. I do not like to be restricted or monitored. I like to do things my way freely with no restrains. I do feel free and I want to keep it that way.

    Comment by Frances Lopez | July 3, 2009 | Reply

  48. Letter Poem

    My Cuban Friend Néstor

    I like when we talk
    In our Yahoo chat
    I can express how I feel
    And you comfort my tears

    We share our ideas clearly
    We can express freely
    Many ideas come about
    With no fear or doubt

    You read so many books
    You make me read and get hooked
    I admire your revolutionary ideas
    That sometimes causes me fears

    To this day I thank God
    For giving me such a great friend
    Loving, understanding is your trend
    I pray to God this friendship never ends

    I love you……Frances

    Comment by Frances Lopez | July 3, 2009 | Reply

  49. Mi Mente es…
    Mi mente es un constante fluir de conocimientos donde no sólo salen conocimientos a diario si no que entran conocimientos que me hacen crecer como persona. Mi mente es un almacén de ideas que sirven para moldear otras mentes y lograr que a su vez esas mentes sean útiles. Mi mente es como un río que nunca deja de correr.

    Comment by Frances López | July 5, 2009 | Reply

  50. Amar y ser amado…Canción de Olga Tañón

    Cuando uno se siente amado se siente en las nubes, todo es bonito, todo es color de rosa. Ser amado es sentirse importante, querido, mimado y sobre todo, das lo mejor de ti. Sólo esa persona esta en tu mente y piensas todos el día en esa persona. Si no amas y no te aman no hay razón para vivir.

    Comment by Frances López | July 5, 2009 | Reply

  51. El Amor…. Canción Tito El Bambino
    El amor es un sentimiento que evoca pasión, ternura, tolerancia, cariño, dulzura y comprensión. El amor no discrimina, todos han sentido amor alguna vez. Sentir amor es bello, sentirse amado es extraordinario. El amor viene en todo tipo de colores, tamaños y sabores. El amor se deja sentir de muchas maneras, amor de madre, esposa, hermana, hija, amiga etc. El amor es sacrificio, entrega, alegría, humildad, el amor es vida, es Dios. Sin amor el ser humano es vacío, inútil, no es capaz de realizar el más mínimo acto de aprecio.

    Comment by Frances López | July 5, 2009 | Reply

  52. La Garita Oscura

    Me encuentro atrapada, sin poder respirar. Ya me he quedado sin aire varias veces. Mi cuerpo tiembla, suda y hasta se estremece. Que me sucede? Estaré ida, en un viaje? Pensé, como saldré de aquí? Como llegue aquí? Que soledad siento, que vacío, todos los pensamientos negativos se apoderan de mí. Vine aquí a relajarme, a tratar de olvidar, de sanar, de encontrarle un nuevo sentido a la vida, pero lo único que quería y sentía era dormir, cerrar los ojos para siempre. No puedo más, no quiero vivir, quiero morir. En ese instante decidí hacerlo, ya no había marcha atrás. Entregue mis últimos suspiros al mar.

    Comment by Francheska | July 5, 2009 | Reply

  53. Marilú
    cookies,cakes
    crunchy, chewy, soft
    sifting, folding, mixing, baking
    spoons,pans,cookie sheets
    strawberries

    Comment by Marilu Acosta | July 5, 2009 | Reply

  54. Letter Poem

    Querido Papi,
    Al observarte,
    Pienso en tus experiencias
    Caudal de conocimientos.
    Cuanto te admiro,
    por no enganchar los guantes
    aun en momentos más duros.
    Eres como el roble que aunque
    los fuertes vientos te quieran tumbar
    allí te mantienes firme.
    Decir te quiero,
    cuanto aprecio tus consejos.
    Consejos que haré míos y así
    en un futuro ser como tu.
    Un beso.
    Tu hija,
    Meri

    Comment by Marilu Acosta | July 5, 2009 | Reply

  55. Letter Poem

    A ti Agresor de la Mujer;
    ¡Basta, basta ya!
    No quiero que me sigas hablando así.
    Tan cruel, insensible.
    ¿Qué paso?
    ¿Acaso no dijiste que me amarías para siempre?
    ¿Por qué me empujas?
    Yo no te hice nada,
    solo diferí de tu pensamiento.
    ¿Más humillaciones?
    ¿Qué delito cometí?
    Si lo único que he hecho es vivir para ti.
    Amarte intensamente.
    Tal vez eso fue,
    que te ame,
    que quise cumplir con mi promesa a Dios
    pero ya no,
    no más.

    Tu Victima

    Comment by Marilu Acosta | July 5, 2009 | Reply

    • Estoy tan orgullosa de ti que me brotan lagrimas de felicidad
      Un abrazo,
      Lyma

      Comment by lymarie | July 7, 2009 | Reply

  56. A Story about My Name
    Marilú, I have my name before I was even born. My dad wanted so bad to have a little girl that he named me before my oldest brothers were born. At first I didn’t really care where name came from but as time passes on you tend to explore a little bit more on your origins.
    I love my name it was formed with the names of two grandmothers. To great ladies that had their own stories. Abuelita María (my mother’s mom) was a dedicated woman, she loved to cook, sew, and crochet. She did some beautiful art when she did her crocheting. I still keep close to me a bedspread she made for me.
    Abuelita Lucy (my father’s mom) she too was a strong and determined woman. She brought up a family by herself on those hard times 1930’s. She too loved to cook and do delicate “calado” it had to do with sewing.
    Today I just realized when I looked up my name means that it goes perfectly with the names of the two persons that make up my name. Marilú, María the chosen by God and Luz Spanish in origin, which means clarity. I also learned that my name refers to a person that is emotional, active, consistent, and persevering. I feel very proud of my name and that my dad thought of me even before I was born.

    Comment by Marilu Acosta | July 5, 2009 | Reply

  57. The Writing Zone
    Empowered, that’s how I can describe how my students will feel once they encounter the Writing Zone!(Ti-ru-ri-ru,Ri-ru-ri-ru…)They will be proud of themselves for Knowing how to express their voice through another language. Student will be confident like a fish in the water. They won’t feel scared to write their thoughts just like it happened to me. It will be a struggle at first but then it will become easier and less stressful as time goes by.
    Welcome, you unlocked this door with the key of imagination. Beyond is another dimension, a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You’re moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and idea. You’ve just crossed over into the Writing Zone! (Ti-ru-ri-ru,Ri-ru-ri-ru…)

    Comment by Marilu Acosta | July 5, 2009 | Reply

  58. Insights of Writing Experiences: An Interview Essay
    by: Marilú Acosta Vélez

    The other day I asked a friend and colleague that teaches kindergarten and is currently studying her Masters Degree in Primary Education about her experiences in writing. She told me before we began the interview how much she enjoys writing. And I also perceived this love for writing with her attitude, her comments, and the responses she gave to the questions throughout our dialogue.
    First I wanted to know if she had some writing experiences in her field (Primary Education) to which she said she had written a few papers about deficiency in learning, drop out students, dignity, lying, and other topics; although none had been for publishing purposes just as course assignments. She commented that by writing about these topics it had made her learn new and interesting things that were unknown. Her purpose for writing about those topics was because she was aware they were problems that affected our educational system and by writing about them she could express her beliefs and give suggestions to help make things better. I continued asking her if there were some topics that did not inspire her in writing or that she did not like to write about, answering she was not amused in writing about very technical matters of her field, that she preferred topics that could be applied to her daily professional life.
    My friend considers motivating the opportunity to be creative and to experience the satisfaction of being capable writing. She also affirmed that being able to express her own thoughts gave her a sense, that she is important because writing is part of her “self”.
    I continued asking her about the steps she followed for writing, her reply was that before she wrote about any topic research for articles related to the subject matter had to be made, then she reads the information, subsequently she organized her ideas and finally she developed what she wanted to write. This question made her go back in time. She narrated experiences from her childhood while she was in primary school and her teachers assigned writing about a certain topic; and how she would enjoy the process of brainstorming. She said it was not easy at the time; but by practicing then, it now helps her in the academic writing process. She likes to inspire herself in front a computer or typewriter because using pen and paper makes her lose her muse.
    I wanted to know about her biggest problem in writing; she was humorous in her answer, “not having paper to write on”. But then she answered that her biggest problem would be not knowing about the topic and not using the correct syntax and orthography. She also mentioned she disliked when her professors started to correct and made big marks on her paper, however she recognized it would help her become a better writer.
    I proceeded to ask her about what she believed had been her satisfaction in writing; her answer was immediate, “knowing that I can do it.” She also considered that it is a way of stimulating her knowledge because in order to write she must read. Another accomplishment she mentioned was that it helped her grow into a writer but also it helped her develop to think as an author. But above all, she expressed that her greatest fulfillment is to transmit her knowledge to her students. Her respond made me question, how she applied the writing process to kindergarten students; to what she replied that as a pre-school teacher she uses the technique at a picture writing level, where the student simply draws a picture about the story but making the student go through the whole writing process, listens to the story, organizes thoughts about the story, and finally draws a picture about the story.
    When she was asked how knowing to write had helped her in her job ambitions her eyes opened widely and responded, “Enormously!” Answering that, if she had not known how to write appropriately an essay she would not be working where she is to this day. She strongly believes that those who are prepared well are those who obtain the best qualified positions in the working world.
    It was getting late so the last question of the interview was made; I asked her to imagine someone who was going to begin in the academic writing process. What would she recommend to this new student? Her answer took a while, she thought about it and then responded that she would advise the beginner student to listen well to what his or her professor will teach and follow their instructions, select an interesting topic, read a lot, then organize thoughts and write. She also suggested writing a draft and that some other person revised and corrected the ideas, spelling, and syntax. But essentially she expressed that in order to write, a positive attitude is necessary because it is through “trial and error” what makes perfect.
    Finally, when I questioned her how she felt being interviewed with respect to her writing experience, she responded that she had felt grateful because I had thought about her. She also pointed out that at first she was a bit scared because she had no idea what to expect from the interview although she knew what it was about. She ended saying that she hoped that the answers she had given would achieve the objectives and that they could help someone beginning to have new experiences in writing.

    Interview Questions

    1. Do you have some writing experience on topics of your field?
    2. What purpose do you have for writing?
    3. Are there some topics you do not like writing about?
    4. What motivates you in writing?
    5. What steps do you follow when you have to write?
    6. What would you say is your biggest problem in the writing process?
    7. What would you say is your satisfaction in the writing process?
    8. How has knowing to write affected you in your work ambitions?
    9. What recommendations would you give someone beginning academic writing?
    10. How do you feel about this interview?

    Comment by Marilu Acosta | July 5, 2009 | Reply

  59. En las profundidades frías de la tierra,
    allí formando parte de ella,
    solo, callado, olvidado,
    donde hace tiempo debiste estar,
    allí puedo ir a verte
    sin que te irrite mi presencia.

    Solo allí siendo uno con el puñado
    de tierra que contiene tus restos
    se ha disipado mi dolor y el dolor de todas.

    Allí estas: solo, muerto, olvidado,
    derrotado el poderío de tu engaño,
    extinguidas tus mentiras y tus juegos,
    sin mas compañía que un maraña de gusanos
    devorando tus restos.

    Y en la superficie lejos yo y lejos todas
    del alcance de tu perversidad.
    Libres mi pensamiento y mi conciencia,
    mientras crecen las entrañas de la tierra
    enredándote en sus brazos,
    tragándose lo que queda de tu penosa existencia.

    Allí no me lastimará más tu ironía.
    Allí eres partícula inservible,
    sombra, recuerdo muerto,
    restos, polvo y silencio,
    voz inaudible que no volverá a
    devastar mi ilusión.

    Allí en las profundidades de la tierra,
    ahogado en lodo y piedra
    nadie volverá a robarme tus besos
    ni arrancará una más de mis lágrimas.

    Desde este día incierto honraré
    el lugar que te corresponde por los siglos,
    donde descansa ahora tu frívola existencia,
    como un remanso de paz
    para la desdicha de muchas almas.

    Es allí y solo allí donde debiste estar,
    en el fondo de la tierra, solo y olvidado,
    inerte y putrefacto bajo mis pies,
    pisoteado tu orgullo en cada uno de mis pasos,
    tragando el polvo árido
    que junto a tu recuerdo voy dejando atrás.

    Comment by fannie ramos | July 6, 2009 | Reply

  60. Mi corazón es mío,
    me lo regaló el sufrimiento.
    Lo entregué frágil en mi ingenuidad
    para encontrarlo después tirado en un rincón,
    con heridas tan profundas que todavía sangran.

    Mis lágrimas son mías,
    mías cada una de ellas amargas y transparentes.
    Me las obsequió el dolor
    y sus noches eternas de llantos callados.

    Mi alma y mi espíritu son míos.
    Me los regaló la conciencia
    aquella tarde que nunca olvida mi memoria,
    cuando al calor de tu voz lacerante
    desperté del letargo que algún tonto llamó amor.

    Mi vida es mía.
    Regresó a mí humillada, pero desnuda de apariencias.
    Es mía entera, cada fibra, cada instante,
    ¡Y cuánto tiempo y cuánto esfuerzo para recuperarla!

    Mi cuerpo es solo mío, ¿sabrás?
    Se lo robé al camino donde lo dejaste tirado.
    Lo encontré sucio y herido,
    marcado por tus manos frívolas
    que solo tocaban la superficie de mi piel,
    como si bajo ella no existiera alma;

    Y tomé mi cuerpo entre mis manos
    como el puñado de cenizas que era
    y lo purifiqué en el crisol de mi soledad
    y es ahora mi trono y mi santuario.

    Mi voluntad es mía otra vez,
    mías mis palabras, mis besos, mi silencio, mis pasos,
    mi energía, mi descanso, mi tiempo, mi espera.
    Me los trajo de vuelta tu menosprecio.

    Ahora es mío lo que fue tuyo.
    Es mío y solo mío.
    En el baúl de tus juguetes sin gracia
    lo encontré oculto como una vergüenza.
    Desnuda tuve que sumergirme
    en el estiércol de tu mentira
    para rescatar mi dignidad.

    Pero mi mente vuelve a ser mía para siempre,
    inmune ella e inmune mi piel
    a tu recuerdo y a tu presencia.
    Ahora solo yo existo,
    socavando tu existencia con el filo de mi desprecio.

    Mío, mío mi corazón y mío todo,
    pero no mía la capacidad de amar.
    Ésa se deshizo debajo de tus zapatos
    y ahora soy piedra inerte,
    hielo, abismo, sombra, miedo;
    y ando errante esperando que me devuelvas la ilusión,
    para ver si en un momento de desquicio
    vuelvo a tener la osadía de soñar.

    Comment by fannie ramos | July 6, 2009 | Reply

  61. De lo que aconteció a Superman en el asalto al banco

    Superman is going to have a new adventure, but this time…tendrá algunos inconvenientes. Hoy es el día de descanso de nuestro famoso, viril, irresistible y apuesto héroe. That means una buena película de acción por cable TV en la comodidad del sofá con un super muslo de pollo frito en una mano y una super Heineken en la otra, mientras los super chichos se manifiestan en todo su apogeo. De repente, la transmisión de la película es interrumpida por un boletín de última hora: el banco popular está siendo asaltado por cuatro maleantes armados hasta los dientes con todo tipo de artillería pesada: granadas, rifles, pistolas, misiles y un par de bombas atómicas para complementar.
    ―“Holy shit!”―exclama Superman sobresaltado y del sobresalto sale disparado del sofá para atrapar el muslo de pollo que casi se le cae al piso.
    ―“Tengo que detener ese robo… ¿Dónde está mi uniforme? ¿Dónde lo puse?…¡Claro!
    Superman acaba de recordar que su hermoso, original y fascinante uniforme no ha llegado del laundry. Al menos tiene la capa, que para él es suficiente… ¡No puede ser! A la capa no le caben más arrugas porque no hay más tela. ¿Qué pensará la gente de un archifamoso superhéroe que comete la osadía de salir a la calle con semejante facha? Con la rapidez de un relámpago busca la plancha, la enciende, espera unos segundos, prueba la temperatura; plancha la capa con la agilidad de un águila, se amarra la capa al cuello con la destreza de un sastre y se lanza por la ventana de un noveno piso sin camisa, en calzoncillo y con chancletas. ¡Tremendo clavado!
    ¡No es un avión!, ¡No es un pájaro! ¡Es superman! Allá va el susodicho rasgando las nubes con una velocidad imposible.
    Sí, gente. Aquel es superman cruzando como un relámpago, superman con su alucinante capa roja, superman desafiando la gravedad, superman y su calzoncillo chillado, las chancletas de superman cayendo al vacío, superman in the sky with diamonds.
    Desde las alturas nuestro héroe infalible divisa con su vista infrarroja el banco donde se comete el asalto. Alrededor del edificio se amotina un arsenal de gente: reporteros, patrullas, helicópteros, tanques, soldados, bomberos, agentes del FBI, ambulancias, perros callejeros, espectadores. Se miran todos las caras y ninguno se mueve.
    Superman aterriza en tierra firme con la potencia de un meteorito provocando un hoyo negro bajo sus pies. Se desliza como agua entre la multitud ignorando las risas burlonas, los piropos, los apretones de nalgas, las guiñadas, las ex-novias reclamándole pensiones. Se detiene entonces frente a la puerta del banco con su porte de dios griego, la derriba con la fuerza huracanada de su soplido poseidónico e irrumpe bruscamente en la escena del crimen con su excitante capa roja.
    ―¡Ríndanse villanos o sentirán la furia descomunal de mi justicia! ―advierte nuestro galante héroe con una pasión becqueriana.
    Los cuatro maleantes se echan a reír y proceden a descargar su artillería sobre el fabuloso cuerpo.
    ―“Este maricón es de hierro! ¡No podemos destruirlo! ¡Es invencible!― exclaman atónitos y estupefactos los cuatro maleantes.
    ―“Si, así es, tontos. Superman es invencible. Nadie jamás podrá derrotarlo.” ―afirma el más amazing and powerful heroe of all times.
    Pues bien. Después de todo sí hay algo que puede vencer a superman…
    De repente, la vista más poderosa del mundo se nubla. Las supermanos comienzan a transpirar. Un ardor sospechoso invade las orejas de Superman. Los rehenes lo observan. Lo observan los maleantes, un conserje oculto en el baño, un perro que acaba de asomar el hocico. Nuestro caballero volante siente que algo ha quedado al descubierto. ¡No es un ave, no es un avión, no es superman, no son los maleantes, no son los rehenes, no es el perro! ¡Es su ropa interior que se le ha caído hasta los tobillos! ¡Superman se ha quedado en pelota! Sin decir palabra se retira abruptamente con la velocidad de la luz. ¡No es un pájaro, no es un avión! ¡Es superman huyendo por los aires después de pasar la vergüenza más grande de su vida!

    Comment by fannie | July 6, 2009 | Reply

    • Sencillamente me encanto

      Lyma

      Comment by lymarie | July 7, 2009 | Reply

      • Me alegro. Gracias. Ese es el objetivo de mi escritura, cautivar al lector. Que honor para mi que lo hayas leido.

        Comment by fannie | July 7, 2009

  62. Maria E. Montalvo Book Talk Mayawest 2009 Summer Institute

    A Poem for Every Student

    Creating Community in a Public School Classroom

    Sheryl Lain

    About the author: Sheryl Lain

    Mrs. Lain is director of the Wyoming Writing Project and a teacher in Wyoming high school and junior high since 1968. She comes from a family teacher, going back to her great- grandparents both teachers, who taught in one room schoolhouses in and around the Rocky Mountains region.

    Her book is more of an autobiography, where she plasma her techniques to change the atmosphere in the classroom and convert it into a close knitted
    learning community. She goes outside of the structure of the physical classroom and beyond the curriculum.
    An accomplished poet and creative nonfiction writer, who has coauthor two books with her husband Gayle on Wyoming history. She uses these writing skills
    combine with unique teaching methods to inspire her students, change behaviors and instill a power of words. But most important to connect with students. This is the reason why she writes a poem for every one of her students.

    Questions to Consider:

    1. If you are a student in a crowded school, how do you know you matter to ? . . anyone?
    2. What changes would you make to the school reform?

    3. What is the classroom atmosphere? Describe this.

    4. How can you convert your classroom into a community?

    5. What elements would you include in you community?

    6. How can teachers connect with students?

    Book Summary:

    Mrs. Lain stresses several important aspects in her book, which she truly believes helps in the transformation of the classroom.

    Writing Lessons:
    She was prepared to follow the curriculum, the textbooks, calendar and lesson plans. To teach various type of writing, give speech activities, but she saw that this was too much baggage, without human relationship. She began making the task of writing like the 4th o July. She also began giving each student. Paper bags fill with writing goodies. She instills two rules “be specific and nice”.

    Relationships and Values:

    Writing connect people, use writing to bring a classroom together and hence become more productive. They bond together in spite of differences.
    As the classroom becomes a community, the group is greater than its parts.
    A teacher holds a double vision, building a community and focusing simultaneously on the individuals who make it up. Noticing students means reading their values that shout off the pages of their writings.
    Their beliefs are written all over their papers and their bodies.

    Learning Styles:

    Everyone has different learning styles and abilities. We all learn or acquire knowledge at different pace. A teacher must be aware of this. Not only to provide the tools needed by the student to accomplish any task, but to show a student that it can be fun and interesting.

    Heroes:

    See your students as heroes, become aware of their everyday adventures/ defeats/happenings/ struggles/ worries and triumphs. Heroism is just surviving. Making it from here to there.

    “I pay attention to students, no matter how hard this is to do in our public schools to create a stronger sense of community. I build communities to enable better teaching. If my curriculum were thin, having students memorize facts for multiple choice tests, asking safe little yes-no questions, then I probably wouldn’t need to learn my student’s names, let alone create a safe haven in my classroom.
    But I teach students to read and write, to talk and listen, to connect big new ideas, with their own experiences. To do this kind of deep learning, kids need to belong. To be named by the people around us is to be loved, and all of us learn to use the language best through love.”

    Comment by monty10 | July 6, 2009 | Reply

  63. Bongys at the Bay

    Este día nos levantamos temprano, la mañana estaba preciosa. Empacamos un bulto con un par de cosas: la toalla, el sunblock, una botella de agua, un short para darme un cambio luego y ya.
    Trepamos el kayak encima de la guagua, como siempre le dios los amarres necesarios pa’ que no se caiga cuando estemos de camino. Los remos desalmados en la parte de atrás, los chalecos salvavidas y las Crocs puestas.
    Nos dirigimos a La Parguera medio rápido pero con cautela que en la recta no te coja la policía. Llegamos a la casa de playa de la familia cerca del náutico. Bajamos las cosas y el kayak. Tiramos el kayak en el agua, nos pusimos los chalecos, armamos los remos y nos fuimos pa, la bahía que estaba como un plato.
    Pa, Cayo Enrique
    Los Canales
    Y luego nos fuimos a Caracoles a darnos un chapuzón y disfrutar de Playa Ibiza. Allí la música estaba encendía, las girlas y los girlos también. La Medalla pasó en helicóptero tirando camisas y souvenirs. Encontramos a par de panas que entre sus lanchas, Hobbycats veleros, windsurfing, Whalers, Seadoos y Yates se paseaban por todo aquello. El agua súper clarita, los mangles verdes en su esplendor y la brisa suave y refrescante.
    Ya el día terminaba y era hora de regresar. Suavemente regresamos hasta la casa de playa. Sacamos el Kayak, lo lavamos con los remos y chalecos. Nos tiramos un poco de agua por encima pa, sacarnos la sal del mar. Nos cambiamos los shorts para no mojar la guagua por dentro y as alfombras no se abomben.
    Amarramos con seguridad el Kayak otra vez encima de la guagua. Luego nos fuimos pal Reef Pub a comer masitas de pollo con mucho Mayo-Ketchup y unas ricas arañitas!!

    Comment by leroyalicea22 | July 6, 2009 | Reply

    • Que envidia! Eso quisiera hacer yo ahora. Que buen memoir. En este escrito muestras un estilo diferente a los otros. Es espontaneo e interesante. Me quede con ganas de seguir leyendo.

      Comment by fannie | July 7, 2009 | Reply

  64. Soy
    By Leroy Alicea-Cabassa

    Soy de los niños prematuros que luchan por cumplir su primer año de vida.
    Soy del claritin, del decadron y vaporizadores.
    Soy de la cocina de mi mami cuando hace cupcakes y bizchos.
    Soy de castillos, museos y paisajes europeos.
    Soy de los trampolines en lo hangares de la base militar.
    Soy de las fiestas de mi padre que comparte con todos sus amigos.
    Soy de Sesame Street, de Star Wars y He-Man.
    Soy de la transición de nene de allá pero que vive acá.
    Soy de una madre hermosa, sabia y llena de fortaleza.
    Soy el que se acuesta de madrugada estudiando.
    Soy del campo de Hormigueros, la finca de mi abuelo, de las vacas, las gallinas, el canto de las guineas.
    Soy el que jugaba y peleaba con mis primos.
    Soy admirador de amanecer y el anochecer del campo.
    Soy el heredero de una tradición de aquí y de allá; de los linajes, de los apellidos y del plebeyo.
    Soy el hijo mayor que fue por 10 años hijo único, pero que disfruta a sus hermanos al máximo.
    Soy un luchador incansable, forjador de un mejor futuro.
    Soy el trainer de mis estudiantes en oratoria y Spelling Bee.
    Soy el que ve películas ”Air Heads” disfruta de programas tontos y canta tonterias.
    Soy de comer Pizza, Hamburgers, Brownies y Cornflakes.
    Soy de aeropuertos, aviones, hoteles, cruceros, olimpiadas académicas y competencias.
    Soy el que jugaba con mi perrita Pinky y hoy día juega con mi perro Scrappy.
    Soy el que ve fotos y añora volver a eso recuerdos.
    Soy de mami, de papi, de mis abuelos y de Bongy.

    Yo soy Yo

    Comment by leroyalicea22 | July 6, 2009 | Reply

    • Me gusto mucho tu poema. A traves de este uno puede conocer un poco mas de ti. Muy creativo e interesante. Debes escribir mas a menudo.

      Comment by fannie | July 7, 2009 | Reply

  65. Jaime Rodriguez-Afternoon in Rincon
    Sitting on a beach
    With a lovely stranger
    You and I
    I and you
    I loved you
    The surf was cool
    So hot were you
    You and I
    I and you
    I loved you
    But like the waves
    You went away
    and I remained
    You and I
    I and you
    I still wait for you.

    Comment by mayawestwp2009 | July 6, 2009 | Reply

    • Que profundidad y que poetico! Me fascinan las primeras dos lineas. Me sorprendiste.

      Comment by fannie | July 7, 2009 | Reply

  66. celebro tu yo….que amaneceres se multipliquen porque pr necesita maestros como tu!!!

    Comment by doroti | July 6, 2009 | Reply

  67. El Nacimiento de Mi Hija

    A mí me llamaron
    Para que fuera a firmar
    Los papeles de permiso
    Para mi mujer operar

    Presto y veloz salí
    De casa de mi mama
    Y rápido pregunte
    Donde tengo que firmar

    Me dijeron que esperara
    Y me dispuse a esperar
    Y de pronto vi una niña
    Con mucho pelo y el pañal

    Me dije que bella niña
    La que acaba de pasar
    Quien será su padre
    Que orgulloso debe de estar

    Al rato llego el doctor
    Y le vuelvo a preguntar
    Donde están los papeles
    Los que tengo que firmar

    Me dijo no es necesario
    A Nancy operamos ya
    Tú esposa esta delicada
    Y tu hija la has visto ya.

    Comment by morales253 | July 6, 2009 | Reply

  68. Bombas para nuestros amigos de Austin Texas

    Aquí de Puerto Rico les venimos a saludar
    Con mucho entusiasmo a escribir y redactar
    Poemas, ensayos y mucho meditar
    Todos unidos en un mismo ideal.

    Ellen, Alma, Janice y demás
    Les saludamos con alegría
    Porque aquí día a día
    Realizamos con armonía
    Escritos, ensayos y muchas poesías.

    Comment by bettyboopplus | July 6, 2009 | Reply

  69. My Mask

    My mask has many colors, yellow, purple, red, brown and blue. It has ovals, circles and musical notes. I think my mask looks like me. It always has a smile. I like to smile and be happy. My mask hides my fears, my struggles raising my kids, my sadness, and my sorrows. It also hides the worries I have about what challenges I will be dealing with this coming school year.

    Comment by bettyboopplus | July 6, 2009 | Reply

  70. I am a very big tree
    I give shadow and comfort to all my students. I have many branches to hold all my students and give them love. I have many leaves, I have so many things to teach and share. My roots are very deep. I have a good base and foundation that will help me teach and lead my students to be better human beings. Every year I produce great fruit; my students learn and demonstrate that they learned something. As a tree I change my leaves and styles to accommodate new students in my nests.

    Comment by bettyboopplus | July 6, 2009 | Reply

  71. Who am I?

    Soy una persona muy alegre, jovial, rebelde a veces, luchadora y decidida a trabajar con los limones que me da la vida para transformarlos en limonada. Limonada que calme la sed de conocimientos que tienen mis estudiantes. Y así alegre, extrovertida, malabarista de ideas y sobre todo muy conciente de mi deber, soy agente de cambio en la vida de mis estudiantes.

    Comment by bettyboopplus | July 6, 2009 | Reply

    • Saludos Bella
      Sabes que te voy a extranar un monton. Sabes que me haces reir y tu espiritu es uno que llena de energia a otros. Gracias por ser tan especail

      Comment by leroyalicea22 | July 8, 2009 | Reply


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