Saturday was an entourage of parties to celebrate recent grad students from Fairfield, including Alana's, as well as Mateo's graduation from Loyola Marymount in California (heading to Cornell's Law School in the fall, and a CWP veteran from 3rd grade to his senior year, as well as a literacy leader of the Young Adult Literacy Labs while in college. They were just puppy dogs, weren't they?
The good thing about the parties is the food was plentiful. I only ate at the Italian-fest in Norwalk, as Eva's father opened a new bar/restaurant/club there called The Haven, where his biscuit and ribs definitely ruled the day. So good. The grandma's also made cookies and brownies, the like I've never had before (they said it's the Amalfi Coast way). Was also invited to visit there home on the Italian coast (now wouldn't that be nice).
The evening festivity brought the Puerto Rican spirt with reunions of both Luis and Jessica's families. There is such happiness seeing multiple generations dancing to Bad Bunny and others. The spirt never left the party and the parental/graduate speeches were out of this world....couldn't help but feel the love and emotion).
So great to celebrate my English Education students (all three of them) and to have an opportunity to hang with them outside of class. I wasn't with them in their student teaching phase, but had them in all my other classes, plus one summer of CWP-Fairfield labs and institutes. They are an incredible trifecta and were a joy to work with the past 1.5 years (and I feel blessed they came my way...Eva's parents said she chose Fairfield after she met me and I feel honored....as it was a period when I didn't think we were going to have any graduate students in English...All three appeared out of magic hat and have been nothing but wonderful.
Mateo and Alana, though. Phew. Elementary, middle, high school, college, and now graduate school. That seems absolutely incredible to me and I can't help but think they are CWP kids (which I know they are because they received several awards, especially for their writing).
Eva's mother insisted I leave with a pizza made just for me, so I'll have a tomato, onion, mushroom pie to work with when I get hungry again. She said it was the Italian mom in her, but I said I don't think I've had other Italian moms insist I leave with a whole pizza....I guess when dad owns a three-floor joint with bar, dance floors, restaurant, and a game room that there's a little more zing to the maternal instinct of hosting.
Today...I simply hope to roll with whatever comes my way. Jury duty for Monday was canceled and I feel a tremendous level of relief. The weather is supposed to be much better today and I need to separate some perennials. The seep, creep, and leap rule of (green) thumb is true. I just don't have any more new spaced to put them, so I may be walking them over to my neighbors, especially those who have moved here from NYC and admitted, "I have no idea how to landscape a front yard. This is our first time owning a lawn."
Last day of May, 2026. Wow. I think I'm done trying to figure out time.
