Hey, diary. it’s May 18th. I apologize if you feel discombobulated. I know, I’m not talking to you at a set time collectively in some kind of book. You’re scattered all over the place. It’s almost a reflection of the state of “organized chaos” or “chaotic organization” that I revel in. I’ve written to you [...]
Diary, it’s May 17th and I had another conversation with some students about love and teaching. They’re really confused about me, a professor, talking about something one of them described as “so romantic.” You know, people have heard of “EI,” emotional intelligence; some have heard of “SI,” social intelligence. But, tonight I want to talk [...]
Diary, it’s May 16th. Do you know many times I have already heard students say about the trip, “This isn’t what I thought it would be,” or “It’s not what I expected” as their certainty of what China and the Chinese would be like came under attack. You know, we hear so much about where [...]
Hey diary, it’s May 15 and I’m still talking to you. How about that1 What’s equally amazing is that we’re all getting to know each other very quickly. We’re eating together, sleeping together, relaxing with each other, talking with each other, shopping together, touring together, doing everything together–students and teachers. Once mostly strangers to each other, [...]
Diary, it’s May 14. I was talking with some students today. One of them, who was not from Valdosta, asked me what the core of my teaching was. I don’t how we got on that subject. Anyway, without missing as beat, as I have often said, “Love, unconditional love of each student.” He looked at [...]
Diary, May 12, “distinct” is today’s guiding word. When you’re living literally 24/7 in close quarters with people, as we 50 are doing on this trip, “distinct” hits you square between the eyes almost instantly. You know, diary, it doesn’t take long to figure out that each person, faculty and student alike, is fighting her [...]
