Grateful to Kanya D'Almeida for CORC Blog Post

Kanya D'Almeida 06F, recent grad of Hampshire College, wrote a lovely piece about me which was just posted on the Career Options Resource Center's blog as part of their running series highlighting different staff members on campus. I think the series is a fabulous idea and just one of many ways that our campus does empower staff, though there is much yet to be done! :)

And the piece that Kanya wrote is VERY flattering. *blush* I appreciate her kind words and I welcome any and all comments. This blog, which was linked to the post isn't really that active as you can see but perhaps I will get back into it. We shall see. In the meantime you are more likely to find me:

On Facebook - my profile is not completely open to the public so email me if you can't find me and want me to friend you.

On Twitter - @mindfulbeauty

Mindful Beauty blog

And if you are writing science fiction: Futurological Press!

Book: Math, Writing and Games

I discovered this wonderful little gem of a book called Math, Writing and Games in the Open Classroom by Herbert Kohl (1974). Kohl has such a frank way of describing his time in Harlem - I was drawn in by his sharing of his journey from the disastrous by-the-book teaching at the beginning to the brainstorm of asking the kids to write about themselves and their experiences. The way in which he is able to tease out what he was feeling and expecting from what actually happened makes his account so much more compelling in its honesty.

Kohl's book is clearly a deeply introspective prescription for what makes good teachers wherein he outlines a sort of hippocratic oath of teachers. Teaching 'by the book' was harming his ability to connect with the kids, and was essentially not only wasting everyone's time but was fundamentally damaging to the kids' sense of self. This isn't the sort of thing that is obvious, then or now, under the rubric of a standardized educational system and an intensely hierarchical structure of 'learning'.

I may report more of my thoughts as I keep reading - I've only just started the book!

My Book: Mindful Beauty Is In Your Hands

Announcing Publication Of

Mindful Beauty Is In Your Hands:
Natural Skin Care Tips and Recipes

by Chelvanaya Bayo Gabriel

http://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Beauty-Your-Hands-Natural/dp/1935323008/

TELL YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY!
Hint: The recipes and/or the book will make the perfect holiday gift(s)! Thanks for helping me spread the word. <3>

Product Description (from Amazon.com)
Making your own body care products is so fulfilling - you save money, avoid toxic ingredients and actively engage in taking care of yourself. Mindful Beauty Is In Your Hands will empower you and your friends to take charge of your skin care and your life with useful tips that embrace a holistic approach. The beauty recipes included in this book are fast and simple to make. The basic ingredients can easily be found in your kitchen or at your local grocery store. Drawing on her extensive experience in the field of chemistry, Chelvanaya Gabriel explains what the ingredients in each sumptuous recipe can do for your body and why. She encourages readers to learn more on their own and experiment - describing the process of being attentive to the health and well being of one's own body as "mindful beauty", a process that we can all practice in our everyday lives and share with our friends and family.