She was young, probably in her twenties and I remember her being very pretty. She had the really cool flipped-back hair that was the style at the time. She was also really cool. Star Wars came out that year (Episode IV) and everyone was crazy about it (of course. I don’t need to tell YOU that). As a surprise she had her husband build a spaceship reading lounge for the class. It was really amazing. I also remember one day, for reader’s theater, we did a scene from Star Wars. We were so stoked. She really knew how to tap into what we loved and were interested in and teach us from that place. Because of this we all excelled and did very well that year.

This was the year that I wrote an essay called “What freedom means to me” and won an award for it! I still have the handwritten essay somewhere. I will try to find and share. When I rediscovered it as an adult I laughed until I cried because it was so hilarious.

Me and my older brother again. This was taken in January of 2000. Raf and I had just moved into our apartment in Santa Cruz. The one down the street from the beach. I just started my job at Santa Clara. My dad and brother stayed at our house while they went to a basketball tournament at Santa Clara.

On the ground right after I took my 8:50 photo..

I think the most interesting thing about this found object is that is was obviously ripped apart in anger and thrown to the ground. I would love to know the back story. Makes me want to write a back story, just for fun…