Beautiful Day!

I finally finished calculating final grades. It has been a very interesting and challenging semester. The formula I use is very useful when calculating final grades because these grades reflect the effort students put into this course throughout the semester. Some students write well, but others do not understand how to synthesize information. I also managed to respond to all Email messages which I had not read over the weekend.


At 3:30 p.m. my companion came home and I decided to go outside to work on my garden. I removed weeds and planted some flowers. It is almost impossible to do this with crutches, but I managed to do some work by sitting on a stool. I often place my left foot on a foot stool or elevate it as much as I can and that minimizes the pressure I feel on my toes. I have noticed that if I walk outside with my crutches, my left foot begins to hurt after a while. The downside of moving around with crutches is that it hurts a lot under my arms, especially if I walk back and forth. I cannot wait to get rid of this heavy boot and hope the surgeon allows me to walk without a cane or boot. At the moment, I have to avoid putting any weight on my left foot. I hope that this is over by May 12th.

Another Rainy Day

I was looking forward to walking outside this evening so that I can regain my strength, but the weather is not cooperating.

My spring 2012 schedule is ready for departmental review. I have to finish preparing my finals and complete the manuscript I began writing in January. I have not been able to resume my work because of other pressing assignments and recent physical challenges.

The new neighbors moved in on Monday. I am delighted that they are MSU students. I hope they become active in the neighborhood association and participate in town-wide activities. This town surely needs young people's energy. It has tremendous potential if only we could change the tendency politicians have to hire their own friends, relatives, and those the machine anoints.

Busy Week

I walked outside for the first time this past Wednesday. I was the first person in my district to cast a vote for the best candidates for the Board of Education in Bloomfield. It felt great to be outside if only for 20 minutes.


Sunday was sunny and bright only in the a.m., but I had a chance to go outside for about half an hour. I do not like walking outside without someone to watch over me because I have fallen three times already and cannot risk hurting my left foot. I have to wait until May 12th for the surgeon to allow me to start physical therapy. I cannot wait to be able to walk normally.

I can honestly say that I have spent the past four weeks working 24/7 on course-related activities, responding to emails, and trying to complete my own research. I thought I could rest for a while, but that did not happen. However, being sidelined gives one an opportunity to reflect on what has happened in the past few years. It is time for me to make some changes and focus on the things I enjoy doing and researching. Life is too short to be wasted on petty concerns because it is over before we have had a chance to accomplish all our goals.

The BEST Team Wins in My Town

(Unofficial results: Bumpus, Smith and Zaccone clinch seats By Lia Eustachewich) April 27, 2011

This morning I managed to get a ride to Berkeley School in order to cast my vote in crutches. I was the first person voting in my district. Though I could not walk around distributing fliers to neighbors and friends in the Third Ward, I did the next best thing. I emailed all my contacts and urged them to go out and vote to support Bloomfield schools by electing intelligent and highly qualified women candidates that know something about the value of public school education.

The well-oiled "Machine" had put up three unknowns so that they could hijack the BOE once again and play dirty politics as all "machines" do. This time, though, a coalition of people from different political parties and wards rallied on behalf of our children. Our children deserve the best type of public education we can offer them, free of interference from damn politicians or charter school ideologues. I feel so encouraged by the results.

If only all students who are studying to become future teachers could understand the importance of registering to vote and being ACTIVELY involved in politics, we would not have to go to Trenton begging for school funds or making cuts in vital programs. Cut administrative costs and RAISE TAXES ON NJ MILLIONAIRES! Let us remember John F. Kennedy's famous biblical quote (Luke12:48) in a speech to the Massachusetts State Legislature, January 9, 1961: "For of those to whom much is given, much is required. And when at some future date the high court of history sits in judgment on each of us, recording whether in our brief span of service we fulfilled our responsibilities to the state, our success or failure, in whatever office we hold, will be measured by the answers to four questions: First, were we truly men of courage… Second, were we truly men of judgment… Third, were we truly men of integrity… Finally were we truly men of dedication?" (Sexist language used at that time.)

How about it greedy politicians of all stripes!

Environmental Awareness - Volunteerism

It seems to me that everyone appears to be interested in environmental preservation and green spaces. Unfortunately, people talk about these wonderful concepts and our need to reduce fuel emissions, but when it comes to practicing what many preach, there seems to be problem.

In my own neighborhood, Norma, our Beautification Coordinator, has been in charge of environmental issues. We rarely see her now because her husband was unemployed for a long time and she had to work at two different jobs until 9:00 p.m. every day. Instead of relaxing at home after a very long day, Norma now has to take care of her mother, whose husband died three years ago. She is afraid of being alone and often asks Norma to stay with her. Since Norma is not around, no one bothers to pick up the litter around the pond or the bottles and McDonald's containers that inconsiderate children and adults discard. I used to go around picking up trash, but I am unable to walk until the second week in May. It is very frustrating trying to get around with crutches or a walker. I wish the children would help us maintain the park grounds.

The only way we are going to change people's habits concerning the environment is by making this part of the school curriculum. It is wonderful when one hears young children (below the age of 12) reminding adults and older children not to dispose of trash in the park. This is something new and we need to encourage these young people to organize activities that raise awareness for our environment. Without green space and eco-friendly ways of being, we are not going to reduce destructive forms of energy consumption or environmental contamination.

Future Neighbors

My next door neighbor, Mike, is moving to New Brunswick to be with the one he loves. I am very sad to see that a wonderful neighbor is moving away from my neighborhood. He has decided to rent his house and not sell it until he is ready to make that move. He was tired of commuting back and forth from Manhattan to his girlfriend's house in New Brunswick and then back to Bloomfield several times a week. It became very stressful for him. Fortunately, after interviewing several prospective tenants, he decided to rent to three young students from Montclair.

I am very pleased because my dream was to populate most of my neighborhood with Montclair people. We can car pool and in times of emergencies, such as snowstorms or floods, we can help each other. It is also fun visiting colleagues and chatting about different things. There are now seven MSU professors who live in Halcyon Park. I am really thrilled about this. Although we are all extremely busy, we do get together for holidays or to celebrate someone's birthday. We also take turns picking up newspapers and mail when one of us is away during the summer months. It is really important to look after everyone's welfare.

I am looking forward to meeting these young women in May.

Tax Preparation Deadlines

April is a very stressful time of the year for me because I have to go through all my receipts and gather the paperwork I need in order to prepare my income taxes. I always keep receipts for education-related expenses and all the contributions to charity. Tax preparation is relatively easy with Turbo Tax.

Saturday was unbelievably stressful because I had to slowly lower myself downstairs to look for documents I was missing and then go upstairs the same way at least five times. I could not believe it, but I had forgotten to set aside bank statements and copies of credit card expenditures before deciding to work on my income taxes!

My Foot Operation

It has been exactly eight days since I had an operation to fix a dislocated toe and straighten my big toe at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). The leg cast is horribly heavy that I can hardly get around my house. I have been confined to my family room and the kitchen. When I have enough strength to use the walker, I go to the kitchen to make coffee and prepare a light breakfast. I was instructed to follow the 80/20 routine. My leg has to be at the level of the heart 80% of the time.

I tried using the crutches to go downstairs but I fell and was not going to risk breaking my neck. In order to go upstairs I have to use my butt like little children, dragging this huge leg all the way up. By the time I reach the second floor, I am so exhausted that I have to struggle to get up and use the crutches to go to the bathroom, wash up and get ready for bed. Had I known it would be this horrible, I would not have gone through this. I just hope this is worth it! It was not such a minor procedure. The surgeon had to file away part of a huge bunion causing this problem, put a pin through the second toe, graft some bone from my heel, and make some incisions on the leg muscle. My left foot looks like a Halloween prop. I just hope it comes off next week and that they fit me with something I can actually carry around. I miss not being to walk outside. Now I have a much better understanding of what it means to feel trapped and helpless.

My Stay at HSS

My faithful companion drove me to HSS at 5:30 a.m.yesterday, Friday, April 1st. Needless to say, I was exhausted. We both had to wait until noon for the scheduled surgery. While at HSS, I had to register with the person in charge of the intake process. As this young woman was entering my information on their database, she was pleasantly surprised to learn that I was born and raised in Lima, Peru. We switched to Spanish and she told me she had come to the states at the age of eight. Unfortunately, she was placed in bilingual classes in Paterson, NJ. To make a long story short, this young woman was studying to become a nurse but has had to reconsider her choice because of her limited English language skills. She had a very difficult time writing research reports. She told me that all her schooling had been in Spanish with one or two hours a day devoted to English. She also told me that when she graduated from H.S., she applied to one of the local community colleges (Passaic?) but was again placed in bilingual education classes, which in her opinion, were a waste of time. She said she had to undertake learning academic and colloquial English on her own because the education she received as a child, all the way through high school, was inferior. All of her classmates in the bilingual programs in Paterson have had the same experience. She also told me that she was looking forward to being promoted at HSS because the hospital will pay part of the tuition of employees pursuing careers in health care (physician's assistant, nursing, etc.) Learning about her predicament made me sad. She was indeed trapped in the bilingual-education bureaucracy of the public school system. I am against any forced use of the primary language in education beyond the initial stages of culture/language shock. Once a young student understands English and is able to read at nearly grade level, he/she must be placed in regular elementary, middle, or high school classes. My brother faced this problem years ago when my nieces were young, but he absolutely refused to allow the principal to put his daughters in any bilingual program in the California school system.

A Long Day

I have just returned home. Thursdays are very long days and it's time to relax now. Normally I would sit down and watch Caprica, but then they changed the schedule and ended the series abruptly. I was really angry and disappointed because this was one of the most intelligent programs I had seen in a long time. Science Fiction that makes you think is worthwhile. What I find ironic is that the way we are evolving, humans killing humans for strictly illogical reasons, is very similar to the Cylon evolution. I was really rooting for the Cylons given the barbaric behavior of our so-called civilized nation-states toward powerless nations or those who dare to defy imperial thugs.

Caprica: I shall miss a great story.

Beautiful Music

I love this song by the former Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam). It reminds me of the problems we have all had with distant fathers. It is also about finding one's way in this world:

Our Students

Today's students are very different from those of us who graduated in the seventies. They probably see us as relics, but relics we certainly are not. When I first came to the states I was politically naive and completely unaware of how brainwashed I was by my country of birth's propaganda and system of education. I cannot complain about the type of education I received at a strict private (Catholic) school, but my own thinking was warped. I believed in the hierarchical distinctions that were in place because that is what I had come to understand as normal or the way things had to be in my country of birth (la gente decente y la chusma). I had to change my old ways of thinking in order to become a better person. I have struggled with lots of disruptive cultural baggage and cannot say that I am completely assimilated. What I really value about American culture is one's ability to study hard, persevere, reinvent oneself, and find challenging forms of employment. Though with the current political climate, that appears to be changing rapidly. As to Peruvian immigrants, I have personally met many Peruvians in various parts of the US mainland who have worked extremely hard and now own several businesses and have a much better life than what they had in Peru. They certainly own lots of properties and go back and forth to Peru. I admire their hard work and creativity. It's a shame that I picked up a distaste for business ventures that my father had. Starting an import/export business or organizing trips to exotic places in Peru would have been something wonderful to undertake after retirement. However, one needs excellent business skills to be successful at such ventures. When I retire I want to go back to doing something that I have always loved: studying and learning new things. I need to fill in the gaps in knowledge I continue to experience as I grow older. I also want to go back to the Peruvian jungle and see whether those beautiful birds and plants are still there. I spent the happiest summer of my life back in 1967, when my mother finally agreed to allow me to visit my uncle, a Colonel in the Peruvian army, who was stationed in Iquitos. I brought two American girls with me and we had a great time. I also brought back the cutest new world monkey I had ever seen: Gunther. He was named after a gentleman who lived on a farm in Iquitos. Tio Hugo was and is a sweet, gentle person who cares about others. He remains strong and very involved in his own affairs, even though he is in his 80s.

Here we go again!

I have never heard something as stupid as this Administration's justification for bombing Libya back to the Stone Age. They claim Qaddafi is not the target and that they are protecting and saving those opposed to this dictator. Really? This sounds like a repeat performance of the CIA-inspired interference in the affairs of oil rich nations or of those who oppose their imperialist plans. Bomb a sovereign nation back to the Stone Age and split them up into tiny ethnic enclaves. This is what happened in the former Yugoslavia under the excuse that NATO and the US were preventing "genocide." (Read Michael Parenti's To Kill a Nation.)

What about the genocide perpetrated in Latin America during the 1970s with full backing of the CIA? This is also how Western powers liberated Iraq and Afghanistan. While the military-industrial-corporatist complex destroys sovereign nations and supports those who will give them free access to oil wells and other natural resources, our own American workers are losing their jobs, health benefits, and pensions. War veterans are coming back without limbs, brain damaged, or psychologically unstable. This is no longer a democracy. It should be renamed the United Corporations of America. And a real Dystopia seems to be what is in store for us:

Today's Events

I spent all day writing exam questions and a study guide for my students. I hardly had time to exercise or work on my own research. My significant other brought a very bright young man to spend the night at home. Both he and Joe are presenting papers at the Brecht Forum tomorrow. Grover is also discussing his most recent book on Khrushchev. He undertook the painstaking job of reading and analyzing primary documents in Russian. Unlike some of the liars and frauds that publish in the field of Soviet Studies, Grover reads, writes, and speaks Russian as well as 10 other languages. He should have been a linguist!


Today our imperial forces and their lapdogs, France and the UK, started bombing Libya. All in the name of "demokkkracy." They bomb Libya but stand aside while Saudi Arabia and Bahrain slaughter the opposition. However, those two countries do what their masters tell them to do. They protect the interests and oil revenues of American and multinational corporations. And they call this fighting for "democracy?" Is the American public that stupid? Our own people are out of work, state workers and public employees are being disenfranchised and unions dismantled, but we do nothing to fight back. How much longer are we going to put up with the destruction of the American working-class and middle-class? It's a prelude to economic slavery. Wake up America!

Claudia's Visit

My lovely niece, Claudia, and her very bright and charming cousin, Caroline, stayed with me for two days. They were on their way to NYC to visit museums and explore the city. It was a pleasure hosting both of them. Young Caroline is very mature for her age and very impressive. She has read extensively and has a global outlook, which is not what one normally finds among teenagers. I hope she follows in Claudia's footsteps.

If everything goes well, Claudia will be the "doctorcita en la familia" by 2015(?) I find her research interests fascinating. She wants to explore the genetic components of schizophrenia. I hope she gets an internship this summer in order to work on this very important research project.

Japan's Catastrophe

I feel very sad about the plight of the Japanese. Those who lived in fishing villages and along the coastal areas are missing. The Tsunami swept away a large group of defenseless men, women, and children and sowed destruction across Japan. This is so tragic!

As a child I used to live five long blocks from the Pacific ocean. My brothers and I would sneak out of the house and walk all the way to the cliffs in Magdalena del Mar and climb down to the local beach. There is something about living near the ocean that gives one a unique sense of freedom. By 15, I knew I wanted to leave my country of birth and explore new lands. Although I live quite a distance from the Jersey shore, every summer I insist on spending at least a week by the ocean. I just miss it so much! Unfortunately, the tragedy in Japan reminds us that we are really at the mercy of Mother Nature. No matter what fools tell us, we cannot control the forces of nature.

I Am Confused

I changed my email address because my old MSU Email account is no longer available. Now I am having problems accessing my old Google blogs. This is upsetting because one of my blogs is priceless. It has music from various cultures and in many languages.

Today is March 7th and time seems to be flying as one gets older. I recall vividly how I wanted so much to be a grownup when I was nine years old. Now, I wish time would stand still because it is going too fast. One of my dreams was to be part of a terraforming expedition in Mars. I guess that will never happen in this lifetime. I wanted to be around to experience all the wonderful things that await those not yet born, such as visiting a distant galaxy. If anyone enjoys science fiction, I highly recommend Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy:

Waiting for Spring

I cannot stand this weather. I used to like the snow, but it isn't fun driving when it snows. Today my back was killing me because of all the shoveling I did on Monday. It's amazing how the aging process manifests itself in all kinds of minor and major aches.

Spring is just around the corner (I hope) and listening to Susanne Abbuehl's interpretation of e.e. Cummings' "Skies may be blue" makes me happy.

Saturday - A Windy, Boring Day

I spent the entire afternoon washing sheets, socks, pants, etc. I tried to go out for a walk but it was too windy and cold. I'm trying to finish some forms to accompany a proposal for a new course. One thing about this institution and many others, the bureaucracy keeps on growing. It is so inefficient to have to fill out multiple forms for a simple task. Bureaucracy loves forms and endless meetings for just about anything.

Here is an awesome video for everyone to enjoy. We need to support all state employees who perform valuable services: public school teachers, public university professors, firemen and police unions, sanitation workers, communication workers... In short, anyone who works for a living and belongs to a union. That is what keeps our wages above the poverty level:

Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill Protest from Matt Wisniewski on Vimeo.

Born to Kvetch

Well, I have not posted my thoughts for quite some time. I have been extremely busy and stressed out. I wish I could make some time to just focus on my research which is languishing at the moment.

This past month I have not had a chance to read for fun. That is a problem because I enjoy reading novels and science fiction in general, but I have not been able to do that. I find myself multitasking all the time and this habit is cognitively debilitating. I wish I could find more time to finish all the little things that need to be done as part of my job for the department. I just don't know how others cope with so many demands.

Next week I will resume my work on SMS texting because I intend to go to the conference being held in Oslo, Norway, no matter what. I am not looking forward to my foot operation though. I cannot believe my luck, but even if I have to wear a boot, I'm going to Oslo.

This coming Sunday I plan to speak with my grandchild via Skype. I am afraid that he might forget me since we live on opposite coasts. He is talking a lot more now.

Snowing and Other Things

It snowed last night and there were about four inches of snow on the ground this morning. My next door neighbor helped clear our common driveway with a snow blower, but I have just learned that he has had it with the politics in our town and is planning to move. I feel rather depressed because he is an excellent neighbor. Years ago, I had the neighbors from hell. Crude and rude barbarians who did not care about anyone. They would leave at 7:00 a.m. and blow their horn so as to wake everyone up. They parked trucks and vans in front of their house, three cars in the driveway, and two others in front of our houses. No one could invite guests because all the parking spots were always taken. We all detested them. Fortunately, they moved to the Sunshine state.

Classes have started at the university and I have already met most of my students. They seem very eager to learn so I know this will be a good semester. As usual, there are tensions in my department and lots of bureaucratic work that needs to be completed. Sometimes I feel very anxious at night because I have not accomplished enough. I am also obsessing over articles I need to publish.

I hope the day is sunny tomorrow since being outside on sunny days makes me feel better and there is an important meeting I need to attend.

Saturday and Sunday

I have not had a chance to post my thoughts to this blog. I have been working on my syllabi and it takes time to find all the articles I plan to assign this term. I want students to be able to collect real data and do more than just regurgitate facts they can learn from a book.

I am looking forward to seeing a very dear friend with whom I remain in touch despite the fact that she left this area back in 1993 or '94. I don't quite recall. She has a beautiful and talented daughter. It is so good to see people one loves. Carmencita is someone I can count on.

We will probably meet in Montclair for brunch. I can't wait to see her family.

Overtaxed and Stressed Out!

My neighbors and I will be attending tonight's Town Council meeting. They are voting on a sewer tax. This means that in addition to our water bill, we will now have to pay for a sewer tax. This is an outrage when most of the folks around here are underemployed or unemployed. Several of my neighbors have been looking for work for the past nine months. Why are we being taxed to death? Most of the town workers live in fancy suburbs and expect us to pay for their salary increases, pension and health benefits. How outrageous since this is a working-class/middle-class town that has no business hiring expensive "experts" or managers. While many of us have been forced to take unpaid furlough days by the Governor, salary increases and other benefits were promised to town workers. I find this whole system of exorbitant tax increases on owners of single-family homes or small businesses beyond ludicrous. Why should we pay for people who are not invested in our town? Why do politicians make promises at the expense of the little people?

We would not be in this mess if our congressional representatives and senators had the courage to significantly trim back the Defense Budget. Trillions of dollars are being squandered in evil ventures and the little people are forced to pay for two ideological wars that a large percentage of Americans do not support or condone. Do we feel safe from the wrath of fanatics or deranged individuals? Of course not! Enough is enough!

Busy, Very Busy

I forgot to post yesterday because I was exhausted. I have had to write letters of recommendation for several students all day. Yesterday, though, I had to meet with Shunfa in order to save and edit my video clips. I will need to edit them carefully next week. I also spent a lot of time tidying up my office yesterday. I need to throw out tons of catalogs and manuals. I have so much junk in that office.

Today I almost fainted when I received a bill for over $1400 for ridiculous medical charges by a pain management clinic. I called BC/BS and requested all the bills submitted, the amounts they paid, etc. I am getting really tired of being ripped off by medical establishments. Now I understand what happens with people who have no medical insurance and go without. It is really despicable that ordinary folks are suffering because of the economic meltdown brought about by speculators and other types of vultures. Only a tiny minority of the American public is benefiting from the stimulus package -- mainly Wall Street and banks. Some democracy! Like everyone else, I am sick of this!

It snowed most of the day, but I am glad there is little accumulation. I dread driving in the snow, but I will have to do so tomorrow because I have to mail several letters and a package.

Back to work and looking forward to a better day tomorrow.

I Miss Caprica

I have just finished watching Caprica. Loved it! Now I know why they canceled it. It foretells of things to come (the Cylons). Not only is it a statement about religious fanaticism taken to its logical conclusion, but also a warning about what can happen when the "homeland security apparatus" is in the hands of deranged individuals.

Perhaps in the next 50 years we will have some rudimentary form of Cylons. I just hope they are not used by the Military-Industrial complex here or anywhere, especially by beasts with technology whose dream is to wipe out humanity. Whoever is ultimately responsible for "operationalizing" the Cylon concept in the future must prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. Humanity must endure!

At the Dentist

My mouth is so sore. I was supposed to be fitted for a crown today, but as my dentist was drilling, I felt pain several times. Now I have to go back to the root canal specialist to make sure he took care of the entire nerve. That was such a laborious process, I hate to have to go through it again.

I have decided to try Dr. Oz's green smoothie. It tastes so good! I love that mixture of parsley, green apples, cucumbers, spinach, celery, and lime/lemon juice. If I could only stop eating bread and chips. I have to stop eating carbs or I will never lose weight.

This morning I wanted to walk around the park three times, but it was too cold. After my dentist's appointment, I mailed a package to one of my friends in Lima. I hope she gets the contents.

Dreadful day!

I did not go outside at all because am trying to finish a new course description. This is taking so long! It was cloudy all day, so I decided to use the treadmill and exercise in my basement. Boring!

When I need a break, I usually post to Facebook or troll YouTube for awesome music videos. It was fun listening to Jean's YouTube video link to an interpretation of Handel's Messiah. I totally misunderstood the metaphors being used, but now that he has had a chance to explain them to me, they make sense.

I'm waiting for my son to Skype me. I want to hear little Peter's voice. I don't think they have the time to chat anymore, especially since there is a three-hour difference between our time zones. I wish I lived near them so that I could help out, but everything that matters to me is on the East Coast.

I can't wait to watch Caprica this coming Tuesday.

First Day of 2011

It's 7:23 p.m. and I am still working on my new course. For some reason, I feel very tired, but I will continue to work until I finish this project.

I have several resolutions for 2011: save money, stop eating junk, call my sister more often and send money every two months, become more efficient managing my research projects, chat via SKYPE with my grandchild every Sunday, and attend my low-impact aerobics class at the Y on a regular basis.

Got to get ready to go out to eat.