The Freedom Writers Diary

An inspiring and eye-opening story about how a young high school teacher and her "at-risk" students used the power of writing to challenge themselves and change their lives into a success story. The book is a series of diary entries from the students anchored by entries from Erin Gruwell, their teacher.

"The Freedom Writers Diary" by the Freedom Writers with Erin Gruwell.

On my "to-read" list is the book that followed as teachers began using Erin's methodology.

"Teaching Hope: Stories from the Freedom Writer Teachers and Erin Gruwell" by the Freedom Writer Teachers with Erin Gruwell

I just realized Paramount has made a movie based on the book, starring Hillary Swank (2007). It's now on my "to-watch" list.

The Snowman

A couple of years ago, we saw the animated short Snowman, based on the book by Briggs, with the score played live by the Houston Symphony. It was wonderful. Today, we were back at the Houston Symphony to see a family matinee of the Snowman. This time however, they did not play the movie. Someone narrated the story while the symphony played. Having seen the book and watched the movie where pictures alone tell the story - no words are spoken, I did not like this presentation as much. The real magic of the book is that the illustrations alone tell the story - you interpret it on your own.

After the performance, we joined friends for a holiday lunch and ended the outing with baking gingerbread cookies!

No soccer ball?

There is a reason Brazilians are so good at soccer. Every place you visit in Brazil no matter the size of the town or how remote it may be, you'll find a soccer field. It might not be fancy, but there will be one. It would be nice to always have a real leather ball, but when one is not available, a ball is improvised.

To my amusement, this past December, I found my 3-year old son playing soccer with a coconut. We were visiting a coconut plantation and as I turned around there was Daniel with his 'ball' . His brand new white running shoes - instantly transformed into dark brown with dust and mud, by the way... but an expression of pure joy on his face as he chased his coconut around the trees. It must be in the genes.

On second thought, balls are known to make really good friends. "Wilson", a volleyball, that I could've sworn was a coconut - that's how good my movie memory is..., grew to international fame as it co-starred with no one other than Tom Hanks in "Cast Away".

Vintage Film Posters

I've just spend some time looking through some pretty, artsy, original Czechoslovakian film posters from the 1930's through the 1980's at
Terry-Posters.com. Many of the posters are available for sale in store at the Světozor Cinema in Prague and online. All the prints are original. For sale or not - they're all well worth browsing.

Jane McDevitt from Maraid Design Blog has a recent entry with the posters that she acquired at Terry's. Maraid's Flickr photostream also has many neat design finds - I love her collection of matchbox labels.

Happy Thanksgiving

Google has the cooolest Snoopy and Woodstock doodle.

ABC featured today "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving". I was glad I recorded it. As much as I like Snoopy, the ratio ads-to-program was extremely high, making it not worth watching the regular program without the >>FF control.

The Snowman

The Houston Symphony Christmas Concert featured the book The Snowman by Raymond Briggs and animated short by the BBC. Amazing! We watched the Snowman with the music performed live by the Houston Symphony.

The book tells the story in pictures of a little boy and his Snowman. The Snowman comes to life in a wintry night to share a magical evening of adventures with his friend.

The Symphony Chorus sang the Twelve Days of Christmas "just" for K. She was delighted since she has been practicing it for her school caroling tomorrow. And who better than Santa himself to conduct Jingle Bells?

D loved the music. He sat quietly for the entire performance clapping enthusiastically at the end of each piece.

The Concert was extra special this year. GPa G and GMa M were in town and joined us!

Modigliani

I can't even remeber the last time I went to the movies...it's been that long.