see what i mean?

i got an email from one of my students that just said,
"hi ms. moffat, we miss you at duke."
(when she replied, she let me know that the boys did their
"ms. moffat" dance for everyone at the christmas party... awesome.)

a friend of mine who teaches at the school IMed me this morning
and said that in response to:
"who would you choose for Time's person of the year 2008?"
a student put me... even funnier....

i think it is because they love that i am part black...
as evidenced here:

(note: I am new to this editing program...
there is one profane word that i tried to cover...
get over it. $--- happens, right?)

MEMORANDUMTO: All Black Parents

SUBJECT: Re: Naming your children
DATE: Effective Immediately

Please don't start naming your children after President-elect Barack Obama…

Obamaneshia, Obamalaya, Obamaria, Barakesha, Barakyah, Barakakhan, etc.


Give your children a chance to grow-up without being burdened by a ridiculous sounding name.

what was the up-shot of the elections here in DC...?

i am glad that we have made it to the "black-man-in-the-white-house" phase... i am glad that everyone here can feel "liberated" from all of the heartache that they have endured in their 20-30 years... that they can now, and never before, "feel like they can honestly do anything."

i am also glad that they are telling each other things like, "now we can know what it's like to sit at the front of the bus." or things like, "they should have picked their own damn cotton..."

i really am happy for that...


Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are

even though i have been in the middle of a few awkward "hey- we are all getting back at your white ancestors" conversations that make me feel like crawling into a ball, i do think that the excitement for this country is good. the 250, 000 copies of the washington post that were distributed on the 5th were gone by 10am... people waited for hours later that day to get a copy of a special edition, and many didn't get one still(including, yours truly)...people piled up in the streets on that tuesday night to sing and laugh and enjoy being an american.

yes, he wasn't my choice either, yes, i am not sure where this country is headed, but i think that comes with the times and not the leader at this point.

done and done. now lets all just move on!

lations, obama. it really is a big feat. now put those vague words to action...

food, friends, and a handful of lemons

i live on the east coast.

there is good eats here.

i ate at a place called "oohs and ahhs"-- strictly soul food. collared greens, mashed yams, cornbread, potato salad, steak, ribs, and fried chicken... and yes, we ate it all.... and paid for it the whole night...

we watched this movie. so choice. (review soon on other blog...)

i also went to an improv show called "POTUS (pres. of the U.S.) Among Us." the comedians all have a phony platform and we vote on just two and they have various hilarious scenes that play out before we elect one to make a speech... so funny...

went to this place. danced in my latin shoes for over an hour and a half with a tall white kid that could show me whats what on the salsa floor. he gushed the whole way home about how good i was and how fast i picked it up... (please... white chocolate packs it in the back... and my mama gave me rhythm... sue me.)

then we went by a falafel place. let me tell you about the goodness that is the amsterdam falafel: take chickpeas and mash em, roll em into balls and then fry em, then put them into a pita with a yogurty sauce, onions with garlicy mess on em, cucumbers, tomatoey things... talk about heaven. if you get one, be sure to smash your balls to fit in all the goodness (a sign said that- not me... but i just said it too... so...)


now, some inspiration: sent to me from the principal of my school this evening. might be a hint campy, but perhaps sometimes i need a reminder...

LEMONS and SUGAR

This should probably be taped to your bathroom mirror
where one could read it every day.
You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.


1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for.

2. At least 15 people in this world
love you in some way.

3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you
is because they want to be just like you.

4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.

5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

6. You mean the world to someone.

7. You are special and unique.

8. Someone that you don't even know exists, loves you.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on, you
take another look.

11. Always remember the compliments you received.
Forget about the rude remarks.

And always remember....
when life hands you Lemons,
ask for Sugar and call me over!

i love black people

[sitting on the bus alone]...

bus driva: ...ya know those dresses? the ones that gots a turtleneck/tie thing that like hangs down... and theys gots no sleeves?
me: (looking around the bus to confirm that she is speaking with me through the windshield) yeah?
bus driva: (pause)... when they supossa wear those? i mean fits like hot out... then they not gonna want to have like that on their neck! but fits cold... they don't got no sleeves!
me:...yeah... funny.

(five minutes of silence whilst reading my new political book of wonderment)

bus driva:...and you know those mini skirts and the hairy boots? ...what's up with that? I mean, if it is cold enough to wear the fur boots it is too cold to be wearin the mini skirt. period!

<-- (i knew what she was talking about, but this was the only thought i couldn't shirk)

(at school, supposedly in a "study hall" and I am "supervising" my kids as they "study." right. but really who cares.)

they start singing and dancin round to songs i recognize..."soldier boy...." i have my computer, so i bust the song out and jam with myself across the room. one of my girls notices and says: "damn, we gossum
white chocolate in the room!"

(this was, by the way, after the other intern was walkin behind me and said, "damn girl, you got a butt!")

maybe in the next life i will get to be black... until then, i feel right at home...

Things that make me shimmy...

1. Discovering how to edit my blogs to look awesome...and green!
   
2. Amy Winehouse. Period. She's not black... but might as well be.
3. My top five songs...yum. -->
   
4. Black people in general... especially ones who KNOW they can dance!!
5. Dancing with Cameron...and just dancing... (click to watch)
   
6. Mango with sticky rice (available at most Thai restaurants)- I love this stuff from either coast- I usually shimmy whilst I eat, but this one's a given.
   
7. Going up the elevator at work.
   I love to put my fists on my hips and think happy thoughts as I go up...then thinking that I just did that... usually results in a shimmy.
   
8. My new awesome ways to shod my feet.. that make me "Thoroughly Modern" Yes- I am my mother's daughter- I also love red...and who doesn't? I included my tap shoes because I have become a little tapper these days... (if you needed to see it- well you would have to love musicals... and be in Utah...)
9. Taco Bell. Enough said (possibly shouldn't have eaten what I just did as late as I just did... but no really...
10. My new organized bathroom tote things that I got from Wallyworld- sweet find... I get giddy just thinkin about em...and yes, they are also red...get over it.
    

"Every song deserves a well-placed shimmy!" -Nicole Riding