Almost out of the Bag. May your final preps (or lack of prep) be joyful.
Tag: Happiness
Staring Contest #4 (Thanksgiving/Early Christmas Version)
Minding my own business over the weekend, peacefully walking along the river in downtown Savannah, not at all trying to start something that would have to be finished, my joyfully calm day became something altogether darkly different when an overly confident Toy Soldier started to–.
Wait, let’s back up a second. Some of you know that I occasionally find myself, through no fault of my own, smack dab in the middle of the most painfully demanding staring contests. Renaissance men, famous football coaches, even Pirates all have been my adversaries in this universally accepted battle of true manhood and endurance.
Anyway, back to my story. As I was trekking through the lobby of the Riverfront Marriott, hoping to find some free holiday punch and maybe a cookie to further cheer me, and thinking about the feasibility of writing a letter to Santa at my age (that confession might be borderline funny if it wasn’t so very true), I heard a Snicker, a Snigger, and felt inexplicably Scorned, Scoffed. Initially thinking, Ebeneezer Scrooge-ishly, that the interruption might simply be the result of the fried duck and waffle breakfast I demolished earlier at B. Matthew’s on Bay Street, my sauntering slowed as I heard/felt the intrusion again. So I turned casually around …
… only to see a Smirk, a Sneer on a colorful (I’ll give him that), sorta French-looking Toy Soldier. I tried to be polite and friendly (afterall I write a happiness blog), but TS obviously had other plans, jerking his head one way, then the other in an only-partially-successful effort to intimidate me.
Finally after what felt like only minutes later, the feeble, old-enough-to-be-MY father concierge told me (rather rudely in my opinion), that I had to get out of his lap, and that no, his table was not big enough for both of us to sit behind. So I marched right back over to the Toy Soldier (he was perched by the only exit), knowing a battle awaited. Gathering my gumption, I flung myself headlong into Staring Contest #4.
And as is usually the case, whenever I stop trembling, Neal’s courage arrives. Holiday revelers gathered round, about half of them backing up TS, the others for yours truly.
Big deal that his fans were more festively dressed and enthusiastic than mine.
The battle intensified.
And even though I really had to use the bathroon after having sipped all the concierge’s cocoa, I held my own. The game I’m talking about.
And I …
Won! How? I can’t give away all my secrets.
Later. I’m outta here.
Gratitude Turkey
I picked up Grandson Daniel (5) from school yesterday, and, hopping into his back seat, he excitedly showed me his just-completed Turkey Basket (well, that’s what he called it anyway). As I soon learned, the turkey project was two-fold: first the cute little construction paper turkey itself. But as you can see in the pictures below, the front housed a nifty envelope (basket?) which held little gratitude or thanksgiving cards. For each note, Daniel and his classmates completed the statement “I am thankful for ____ because …” for their family members.
What a joy! Little ones expressing their thankfulness so sincerely. Below Daniel explains to me that his plan for Thanksgiving Day consists of waiting till “all the guests” have eaten “some of their turkey” and then “hand out the slips.” And he did just that–for all fourteen of the folks at the table. His mom helped him with some of the spelling, but the sentiments were exclusively his.
Here’s mine:
“I am thankful for Abu (that’s me) because he helps with decorations.”
(Okay, maybe that sounds a bit strange, but the day before, we had decorated for Thanksgiving with some outdoor lights. And a month earlier we had carved two jack o’ lanterns.)
What Thanksgiving Joy! We really all do have so very much to put in our Turkey Baskets.
[For more on “Abu” see “My Favorite Word Is Abu!” post.]
Breaking News–Sir Riboclavin’s Castle!
Buddy Riboclavin (see #3 in yesterday’s Five Friday Happy Bringers) just sent more pics from his Irish holiday.
And. He. Is. Staying. In. A. Castle.
I just assumed he would be lodging at Ireland’s equivalent to Motel 6 or Sleep Inn. But no–a real, live castle! It’s called Ashford Castle. When Ribo told me where he was staying, I hooted and asked him to find a throne or something to sit on and snap a pic, but so far these are what I’ve gotten:
I wanna be in a castle! With a moat around it. Maybe sitting outside in tweed, drinking mulled cider or grog.
Or perhaps wearing this:
Maybe listen to some music:
Rustle around a bit:
Eat a huge turkey leg:
Rest:
If you have a moated castle, let me know ASAP. Thank you.
“Blessings”
Each Monday morning up at my old hunting ground, Georgia Southern University, my buddy and former Writing and Linguistics Department colleague Eric Nelson shares a poem on the W & L listserv. Yesterday’s poem was so joyful and encouraging, I thought I would share it with you, Kind Blog Readers. It’s called “Blessings”:
Blessings
occur.
Some days I find myself
putting my foot in
the same stream twice;
leading a horse to water
and making him drink.
I have a clue.
I can see the forest
for the trees.
All around me people
are making silk purses
out of sows’ ears,
getting blood from turnips,
building Rome in a day.
There’s a business
like show business.
There’s something new
under the sun.
Some days misery
no longer loves company;
it puts itself out of its.
There’s rest for the weary.
There’s turning back.
There are guarantees.
I can be serious.
I can mean that.
You can quite
put your finger on it.
Some days I know
I am long for this world.
I can go home again.
And when I go
I can
take it with me.
—Ron Wallace from Long for This World (U of Pitt Press, 2006)
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Isn’t that a cool piece of writing? I LOVE being reminded that … good happens.
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Five Friday Happy Bringers (11/2/12)
Okay, I know it’s Saturday. but yesterday was an uberbusy day. And isn’t today gorgeous? It’s cool. It’s Fall. And it’s time to acknowledge some Happy Bringers.
1. Enjoying the Savannah Film Festival this week (hosted by SCAD).
2. Making little Halloween goody bags for my international students, most of whom had never “done” Halloween before. Then discussing the Day of the Dead (which some of them celebrate) and being grateful for all our relatives and friends who have passed on.
3. A great-smelling rose.
4. Attending and enjoying the Taste of the World food festival at SCAD yesterday. Here’s a little bit about the event from the ISSO (International Student Services Office) newsletter: “Dine thali style and sample more than 80 international dishes. Visit the mixed grill area specializing in tandoori chicken, Thai chicken satay on skewers and Persian beef kebabs. Enjoy live performances inspired by international cultures and Savannah’s own Latin and Merengue sensation, Son del Coqui.”
I ran into some of my colleagues from SCAD’s Language Studio. Here’s Coordinator of Language Studio/ESL Ana Turner (right after leading a traditional dance).
And here’s the Director of Language Studio/ESL Christina Cavage.
New full-time prof Curt Klinghoffer. (I wish my last name cool like Curt’s. I mean, Saye? Really?)
Officemate Emily Gung.
Oldtimer–I mean “experienced”–ESL prof (and my mentor) Todd Nemanic.
I appreciate the appropriateness and truthfulness of this affirmation:
And I loved seeing some of my students at the festival. Here’s Sonali.
And Juliana.
Andrea (with a friend).
Raquel and Juli.
And some other people I met. Juwan, for example–I took his picture because of that cool blue hair. I’m thinking about green for mine. Yes?
And Devyn wins my prize for hippest necklace and pants.
I really had a ball there. So much fun.
Now let’s play a game. It’s called Oh Saye, Can You See?
I ran into my buddy Mangue Banzima with his gorgeous daughter.
Mangue writes/photographs a beautiful blog about fashion in Savannah, Qui Style in Savannah. Check it out sometime. Okay, check it out RIGHT NOW because I’m in it for the second time! Keep scolling down, past all the really cool and hip-looking people, until you get to the Taste of the World pictures–then, again, scroll past those young, stylish folks till you find … me! [First post from a while back about fashion: I’m a Famous Fashion Model]
What a fun couple of hours in the fall beauty of Savannah.
5. Seeing smiles as the most significant means of communication between people.
Joyful, Smiling Weekend!
Oh My Golly! My First Diwali!
My new adjunct professorship at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) in Language Studio/ESL comes with some very cool perks. One is enjoying the beauty and history of SCAD’s many restored and repurposed buildings scattered across the Historic District of Savannah. (Most of SCAD’s buildings are not new–more often than not, they were derelict or ready to be torn down before SCAD came to the rescue.) My office, for example, is in Habersham Hall, part of the old Savannah jail. (No more comments about finally being where I belong, please.)
Another perk is being exposed to so many unique cultural opportunities (for example, the Savannah Film Festival started this weekend). On Friday night, I ventured over to the Habersham courtyard to celebrate Diwali, or the Indian “Festival of Lights.” Diwali, or Deepavali, is a major Hindu festival that celebrates the triumph and victory of good over evil, specifically when the Hindu God Rama defeated the demon Ravana. Celebrations incorporate the lighting of lamps and fireworks to symbolize hope, restoration and joy. That’s right up my blog’s alley!
Turning the corner at the end of that mysteriously dark walk, I was amazed to see what looked like an Indian street festival in full swing. Just look!
A large group of folks, many in traditional Indian garb, hovered around the food area. And for good reason–the aromas were enticing. The music was body-swaying. Of course, I wanted to make a bee line directly to the grub, but I saw two of my students from ENGL 193 (Composition for International Students) and felt I had to pretend to be mature and say hello. Here’s Kathrine and Stefanie:
But oh gosh, the food! I can’t remember any of the specific names, except for naan (the bread), but here’s my plate:
After stuffing myself to an embarrassing degree, I finally came back to my other nongastronomic senses and saw on the other side of the courtyard in the stage area another of my students, Aakash Mani (aka Cash Money! Really!). I made my way toward him, stopping to say hi to some of these folks along the way:
I finally made it to Aakash …
… and discovered that he was one of the stars of the entertainment part of the evening! Here he is dancing up a storm!
After the performance, I asked Aakash what made him happy about Diwali and the festival. He explained that the festival itself, because of its recognition of the triumph of good, is reason to celebrate, that it’s all about happiness, and that the very smile on his face (which is almost ALWAYS present) is there because of the joy of life. He also said that dance shows happiness. (That sounds like an A+ answer to me.)
Other entertainers:
(Should I take up belly dancing?)
I was amazed at the beautiful orchestration of the evening. So much fun!
I didn’t want to leave.
I love this place!
Berry Rome-ing
I drove up to North Georgia last weekend to visit my undergraduate alma mater, Berry College and the city of Rome.
And look at this pretty Roman lady I ran into:
I hadn’t visited Rome in years, but I knew my first stop (since lunch time loomed) had to be the Partridge Restaurant on Broad Street downtown.
I loved this restautant as a student. (Would it still be as good???)
They serve up the southern cooking family style. Well actually Kyra Sedgwick from TNT’s The Closer does! Look!
Not only did she have the physical resemblance, but my incredible waitress sounded just like the Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson character, if not a tad more Southern. Her real name is Wilma Temples, and I LOVED her. When she asked me if I liked the fried chicken,
(now that’s a piece of fried chicken)
and I told her that yes, it was delicious, she clapped her hands in delight.
What an incredibly tasty meal!
(Wait, look, there she is again, right behind me.)
But on to Berry College I stufflingly (for this post, let’s pretend that’s a word) went. Next stop: Oak Hill, the antebellum family home of Berry Founder Martha Berry.
And the backyard:
My childhood home doesn’t quite look like Martha’s:
What a wonderful feeling to drive through Berry’s main gate again, The Gate of Opportunity. And at nearly 30,000 acres, Berry College boasts the world’s largest campus.
Ridiculously silly video introducing Dana Hall (toward the end I got distracted by students who yelled at me from their car):
I somehow managed to convince an RA to let me into my former dorm, Dana Hall and found my old room, #235.
I also tried to tell the kids about the cool Sock Hops we used to have, but they looked at me like I was from another century. (Just hush.)
Outside Dana Hall:
The Berry Chapel:
Pausing at Martha Berry’s gravesite. Yes, it’s right there next to Dana Hall beside the chapel.
And on to arguably the most beautiful section of campus, the Ford complex (Henry Ford funded this part of Berry).
I used to eat in the Ford Dining Hall below. (Also the site for yesteryear’s Sock Hops that those baby Berry students knew nothing about.)
Ah, the memories.
Finally, I drove about five miles (yes, still on Berry property) to the old Berry Academy part of campus to see my favorite spot of all, the Old Mill.
Believe it or not, we used to try to (illegally) climb that thing!
But not anymore. Nowadays these boots are just made for walking. And sitting.
What a great Rome-ing day.
I have been so blessed to be a part of three beautiful and top-notch schools: Berry, Georgia Southern University and now SCAD (the Savannah College of Art and Design).
Other related posts and links:
“My Berry”:
Elephant Ears & Spiritual Readings
Is there a botanical specimen you’re just WILD about? There certainly is for me! It’s the Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta in plant taxonomy). And not just because they make my big ears look smaller (though, of course, that’s part of it). Elephant Ears also exude a mysteriously mystical and magical quality.
Okay that sounded rather silly and new age-y. So I’d better explain. But when you hear the WHOLE story, DO NOT JUDGE ME! Or at least do not judge me too harshly. Deal?
Well, I have always simply adored the Elephant Ear family of luciously leafy plants. But my REAL love affair with EE’s heated up last October when I trekked to New Orleans to make an academic presentation at the Popular Culture Association in the South annual conference. Really, I’m telling the truth. Okay, fine, here’s proof: a blurb from the conference program:
Saturday 11.8 Pedagogy
“A Presentation Software By Any Other Name: The Light and the Dark of Shakespearean Powerpoint Presentations in College English Classrooms” Mark King and David Janssen, Gordon College
“The Visual Essay: Thinking and Playing Outside the Paragraphs” Neal Saye, Georgia Southern University
“Teaching Students to Write for TV and Film: A Comprehensive Plan for the Undergraduate Dramatic Scripting Course” Michael Moeder
So maybe mine doesn’t sound quite as smart as the other two. But I had lots of visuals, with continual streaming over two screens! And handouts! And samples of student work! And I gave out colored construction paper and had everyone do little projects! (My hypothesis is that a few bells and whistles, along with hands-on tinkering, can make up for intellectual depth. And besides, it was Saturday morning, for heaven’s sake.)
[The Elephant Ear connection is coming, I promise–just give me a minute or two.]
When I got to the Hotel InterContinental on St. Charles to check in, I used the Winning Strategy a friend taught me years ago: ALWAYS ask if an upgrade is “possibly available.” But BEFORE you ask, set the stage: say something either Pitiful with a Touch of Humor (“I’m SO glad to FINALLY get here to your BEAUTIFUL hotel. My flight was SO turbulent! I prayed more in those two hours than I have in the past two decades! But what a peaceful aura both in this gorgeous lobby AND coming from you! Thank you so much!” or something excitedly exuberant, again with an attempt at a tad of humor (“New-Party-Orleans! I’m HERE! And you’re my INCREDIBLE host/hostess! Can you show me around when you get off work? THANK YOU for having me! You RULE this city!). Then smile like you’re high on beignets and plead for the upgrade. IT WORKS. SO VERY OFTEN. Try it.
I did. And Bam! I was given a Club Level upgrade with full food and drink privileges and a nifty elevator key card that whisked me up to the exclusive Executive Floor. (Another thing, always buy a thank you card and give it to your benefactor during your stay. It’s good karma.)
Swinging from chandelier in “the club”:
So the second night in Nawlins, after Wandering around Bourbon Street and Wondering, both quietly to myself and out loud to my fellow conference attendee friends, “Do those people on that balcony KNOW they are sorta naked?” and “Why am I catching all these beads? I have forty strands now” and “That’s a real alligator that monkey is holding, isn’t it?!” I left the decibels and the adult circus, and meandered over, first to sweet Cafe Du Monde, and then to Jackson Square.
With powdered lips I walked the square’s perimeter, taking in the colorful display of late night street performers, vendors and musicians.
My watch yawned midnight, but my heart gave me the injunction: walk around the square again, and if I make “comfortable, knowing” eye contact with a spiritual reader, I will stop and, uh, be read or whatever.
I walked slowly, my footfalls methodical and audible.
Two-thirds around, I saw her.
A tiny, wisp of a woman from the islands wearing a bandana and clenching a shawl in the sticky October heat. She sat at a card table. Breaking eye contact first, I walked on, feeling silly. So we made eye contact–but “comfortable and knowing”? I don’t think so. Looking back confirmed my foolishness. Her gaze had dropped. Nothing but a bird-like woman beginning to close up shop.
Until she turned her body toward me and smiled. A caramel Mona Lisa. An inviting mystery.
Thirty minutes later I walked away from Ms. Michelle with 1) a small elephant ear plant wrapped in wet paper towels and 2) ears resounding with what I had heard.
“You live near moving water, a river, an ocean, which is good. Go embrace it often. You need the movement of water. You’re too rigid.”
Many other words and images left me, not shocked or awed by their relevancy and accuracy, but at peace with the connectedness of us all, the encouragement of strangers who are not strange after all. Oneness.
“What do you want to ask?
I had two queries. The first concerned the number four (my favorite number). I loved her mathematics. They confirmed what I knew–that all is well.
The second, as I took in the sight and smell of her small display of Mason-jarred summer leftover blossoms and greenery: “May I have that elephant ear?” The green beauty had caught my eye from the start, small but holding its own, even without vibrant yellow or red.
“Of course. It’s for you. Take it. Plant elephant ears, pick them. Put them under your pillow. They are health and good to you.”
Maybe I gave Michelle all the answers by coming to her, by asking questions. Maybe I heard what I knew already. Maybe I embraced the sugary night too tightly. But I walked away buoyed by knowing. Knowing that encouragement takes a myriad of forms.
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Unexpectedly I saw Michelle the next day in the sunlight. We hugged and smiled, amped up in the brightness, having taken care of deep talk the night before.
Later in that final day of my New Orleans stay, I stumbled across the Jean Lefitte National Historic Site and Preserve.
But what was REALLY cool is what I found there:
Water. And Elephant Ears. Across the street from the mighty Mississippi River.
Back home in Savannah, one day I strolled the campus of Armstrong Atlantic State University, and here’s what I found:
Huge Elephant ears.
Oh, I planted my own Elephant Ears. This summer they grew beautifully:
(Excuse me for looking a bit like Captain Kangaroo in the above pic. Google him, kids.)
Moral of story (at least for me): Listen.
NealEnJoy 