Monday, November 29, 2010

The Last Day of November


Tomorrow is the last day of November. December, the final month of the year, is almost here. Where does the time go? How often have we heard that question? It's probably true that time flees more quickly the older one gets. I have heard that statement over and over again, but I wonder if it's as simple as that. As a teacher, I notice that young people are so busy and move so quickly from event to event that they seem to be living at a quick pace. I believe that life that once allowed for introspection and peacefulness is more difficult in our society today. I'm not sure how much we can change. I live in that fast-paced world now too. I have my cell phone, my I-Pod, my movements from home to work, to running errands, to preparing for tomorrow's work and back once again. I try to take the time to enjoy and contemplate, but I'm always preparing a lesson, or grading some papers, or entering grades, or doing something that has to be done. I'm not complaining; I'm grateful that I have that to do. I do, though, enjoy the idea of the peacefulness that comes with winter, the quiet snowy days and peaceful winter nights. In that regard, I look forward to December. I hope that it might bring a snow day or, at the very least, a snowy day that begins when I get home from work and continues throughout the night. I am starting Great Expectations by Charles Dickens with my AP English class. I always think that reading Dickens takes one back to a more introspective time--true a time with many social problems, but one that brings with it that Victorian time frame, that mood-filled immersion into a London of remarkable characters and image-filled pages that transport the reader into a winsome world. It's the little things that make the days memorable, whether they're moving quickly or not.

4 comments:

  1. If it weren't for the Small Pox and the Cholera I would love to live in Dickens' time! We share a birthday - 2/7.

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  2. What a beautiful post! I agree with everything you said. I would love to be snowed in for a couple of days! I love Great Expectations too!!

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  3. I'm very fond of Dickens too -- once taught Great Expectations myself. I've found that I really enjoy the unabridged audio versions -- listened to Bleak House a few months ago. I have a bad tendency to read too fast and the audio forces me to give the words the attention they deserve.

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  4. HI Jon Lee! This post was wonderful! I have always been intrigued by the Dicken era and Victorian England as well! Nancy's comment made me laugh though- so true! Did you hear that Oprah's Book Club is reading Dickens? Hope your December is going well for you and that we see you soon!

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