Do things come in 3's?

Last week was disturbing for me. One night I'm listening to the news on TV while I'm running around the house doing chores when I hear the name of one of my former students, but I missed the video that went with it. The next morning I found the video online and there was the face I once knew a few years ago. I saw footage of him being led into a police car, handcuffed. I saw him mouth the words he didn't do it, but I don't know if it's true -- was he one of the guys to rape that girl in Richmond.

I made a reference to it on Facebook, and it seemed to touch a nerve with a few people. Thanks to those with the kind words in response to me commenting that I felt like I failed him, even though I know there was nothing I could have done.

Two of the comments, though, were former students of mine who thought I was speaking of a different former student who was driving a getaway car in a murder. What the hell?!? Another of my former students was arrested on the news in the same week. They gave me some info, and I have to admit that I really didn't know him well, especially since he was here when I was just a rookie teacher, but the situation made me pause... what is wrong with the world today? Many of us have openly wondered this and no one has yet or ever will be given a satisfactory answer. But the last thought I kept lingering on was this... is there a 3rd former student of mine out there who has just recently been arrested? Is this one of those things that can come in 3's?

When I teach my students about symbols and the power of certain words, images, numbers, I continually remind them how often certain numbers resonate in literature -- and 3 is one of the more significant ones. It was even the answer to one of the questions on my mythology test when I asked which set of siblings was not a set of 3 (Fates, Furies, Graces, Cyclopes, 100-handed Giants, and Muses).

So now I just hope I don't hear about another student and that too much time has passed for the power of 3 (why do I feel like I'm in my living room and Sheena is watching a Charmed marathon? and now she's hooked on Eastwick).

Real World Tahoe

"This is the true story of eleven friends picked to rent a house and enjoy an awesome tahoe wedding. Find out what happens when people stop being boring and start getting real..."

One of the more memorable weekends I have had in a long while. Why? I wasn't at school. I was just able to relax and breathe in life with close friends. Thankfully, we all made time to be there to share in the beauty of Hong's and Keith's Wedding. Truly, every minute seemed a special memory to savor, whether it be Macho grilling ribeyes to Keith being all stealth from the mezzanine to the memory cards waiting for us at our seats at the wedding reception to fruit being thrown around the house to the Niners winning to Steamers tacos and one deep-fried burrito to many blue moons and Guiness to spooning to late nights of reminiscing.

I appreciate all of you who could be there to share with me those four days.

Padilla Reunion

Our family tried to have a huge Padilla reunion, and many people came far and wide. Although many loved ones were too far away or no longer with us, I found it to be a great chance to remind myself how lucky I am to share so much with so many other people. Here's a glimpse of most of us who were lucky enough to attend... I wonder if a picture like this could ever happen again...

Another reason to be a teacher pt. 2

Particularly on the eve of another school year, I need to remind myself of the joys of teaching and forget the summer daze. Just last night I already had a dream of my lessons for the first day. I could see the ninth graders in their desks waiting for the day to end as their thoughts drift back to waking up late. Maybe a handful of them a bit concerned with "what is high school?" Maybe, there will be a few students like me, who thought eighth grade was "the best of times; the worst of times" and the promise of high school will be a welcome relief... though mine started with feelings of discombobulation, I ultimately discovered the foundation of who I am now.

Many teachers keep a brag box. I think I've mentioned this before in a previous blog. When times are difficult, the box holds many of the mementos amassed over the years that remind us teachers that what we do is important. Every year, I ask my students to write me an evaluation based on their learning experience and my teaching style. Many are positive, but I am indebted to those students who provide constructive criticism so that I may improve for the next year. Every now and then though, I receive an evaluation written from a much different perspective. I asked Raisa if it would be okay with her if I shared it on my blog, and she agreed happily. So now I share with you -- her words...



Hi Mr. Padilla! So, I decided to send my appreciation and gratitude through a sonnet.

We are a class not small yet not so large
We started out quiet, simple and shy
Walking into the room, we would not barge
Sitting in desks with no noise or reply
And out comes our teacher well dressed and sane
He introduces himself to the class
Listening at desks we chose to remain
We need to learn to break out of our glass
A few days pass and it all starts to shift
As Life Soundtracks teach about each other
Connecting the pieces that cause a drift
Relating as friend, sister or brother
Soon we learn our sane teacher’s crazy side
Catching some people with immense surprise
We release emotions we cannot hide
It may be laughs, giggles, and even cries
He taught to think in ways we never could
Expanding our thoughts out and beyond
Not understanding on whether we should
Go on like ocean or stop like a pond
Through him we learned life, language, history
Facts, people, sports, and games, also,
Science, words, understanding mystery
And comprehending the film Vertigo
Sweet, crazy and kind with soft heart within
Rough, sensitive, and loud with energy
Acting evil with mischievous grin
Child like features revealed for us to see
He may not be a saint or a preacher
But I’m so glad he’s my English teacher.

I’m sorry if it contains many errors and is not the best but I’m hoping that whatever I learned in your class through hard work will pay off somewhat in this sonnet. I just want you to know that I’ve enjoyed your class, its moments, discussions and debates.

Your style of teaching is probably the most unique and unforgettable. The stories, thoughts, and styles of thinking has given off a tremendous effect on my attitude towards everything. Thank you so much for all that you’ve taught and I wish you the best of luck with future classes!

Wake Up the Sleeping Giant

Summer is at an end. The hibernation is over and there is much to recount and redress.

Quick highlights that I may or may not get to...

I had varicose vein closure surgery on May 22 and I'm healing for the most part. However, the tendinitis is worsening, so I need to consider replacement surgery next summer.

I finally saw a no-hitter in person thanks to Jonathan Sanchez.

I spent time in Vegas and didn't even gamble.

My brother announced that he will be a daddy early next year.

I finally played an entire softball game (& only my 2nd game) in almost two years.

Summer is over and the finality hit hard with today's 9th grad orientation and seeing signs welcoming the class of 2013 everywhere.

Maybe some more interesting things will happen this year and I'll have something to type about soon. I admit that I worry about writing entries due to the public nature of my job and putting myself accidentally in a precarious position, but when I truly think about it, when do I ever really do anything to worry about... oh well... paranoia... and the power of misperception...

Oh yes, Hi Gina and Gregg...

See y'all soon...

I Miss Teaching Creative Writing

It's been good news from the Youth Speaks Poetry Slam preliminaries. While I was wasting away in flu virus, 4 of my former student competed for a spot in the semi-finals and they made it. For three of them, it was their first time competing in this competition. First, congrats to Mic. Turner who was in my Eng 3H class last year, for he will be making his second trip to the semi-finals. I'm glad the other first 3 slam artists finally felt composed enough to speak their truths. Congrats to Melissa, Charles, and Rickah.

Here's a pic of last year's creative writing class!




If you want to watch them, please join me this Friday night, March 27, at 7 pm at MOMA SF

SEMI-FINALS: 7PM : $6 Youth (24 & under) & $10 General :
March 27 & 28: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)-
151 Third St. San Francisco, Ca
Advance tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com

Learn more about the slam at www.youthspeaks.org

My sister graduates

Congratulations to my sister for completing the first step of her career! Now she needs to study for the board exams...

but why am I blogging about this?

Two women sitting behind my family talked as loud as the speaker and had no qualms about it. I waited patiently for the teacher to finish speaking and snapped at them. They were oblivious. Lance held of his cell phone saying "shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!" on the screen and they still didn't get it. The kids sitting to their left then to yell at each other more and one of the teachers had to tell the parents of those kids to control them. The other two remained entranced with themselves and I finally turned around, waved my finger full of Dikembe Mutumbo fury, and said all i hear are your voices in my ear with my evil teacher glare. It held them at bay for a little while... the ceremony was 2 hours... at least they were never as loud again for me to stand up and yell back.

and Sheena, if you ever read this, Did you find your diploma?

Commercial Tagline of the Night

I really had no idea it was even an IKEA commercial.

I see this young male looking in the refrigerator. Then I see a grandmotherly woman in mold and voice of Maya Angelou. She's commenting on something. Suddenly the camera pans back over to the boy with her voice still going, camera cuts back to her with a Ben Linusesque gaze, and you hear her say "I love the way you frost..."

Et tu, AIG? & more rally cam

Happy Belated Ides of March

Who would have realized another great nation feels a sense of betrayal after yesterday's news that the taxpayers are footing the bill for AIG execs getting millions of dollars in bonuses. Screw the bailout... let all these companies file for bankruptcy. Save the small businesses and the middle class!

Well, we know that won't happen...

So here's more video to keep you laughing and distracted from the economic crisis.

FLOOR CAM


SENIOR P.O.V.



IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS FOR NEXT YEAR'S THEME, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

Oh yeah... there was an actual class competition... here are the winners... the sophomores!

Happy Pi Day!

Don't forget to celebrate Pi Day today!

Lip Sync Past and Present

Here are some interesting views... people have been asking me, so here are some
The one for this year, is the only one I've seen posted so far... i'll update it when i can find another angle

2009



2008


2007
We did "Thriller" but I haven't been able to find it yet.

2006

Student quote of the day - Friday the 13th

Today I was collecting their class request forms and one student didn't turn it in. So I said, "Aren't you concerned about your future?"
Stephennie's reply, "My future needs to be reprinted."

More Special Guests Coming to EC

Here's the latest Video Blog from Wong Fu Productions

Crazier Than Average

Last Saturday at the SF Giants Fanfest and I met Coach Ron Wotus... yes, Gina, you're pissed off at me, but I don't care, for you were at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii and you sent me a pic from Rainbow Drive-in. So here's my picture for you... Both Ron and Dave are great gentlemen, very personable and it pumped me up even more for the upcoming season.



Today was also the greatly anticipated reward for being the Most Spirited High School in the Bay Area competition. Flo Rida came and performed four songs at our school. I'm impressed with how well our students responded, for they conducted themselves like the INSPI(RED)they are. The picture is of Jocelyn, one of my friends and co-workers, Flo Rida, and little ol' me.

Hoops Game Commercial

I must say that I do rely upon my AV students a lot. I ask them to make quick commercials in just a day while they still need to study for tests, work, practice for cotillions, and somehow the thing gets done. And this has been true for the most part throughout my years at EC. So, thanks to all the AV commissioners through the years, especially for preserving our memories and inspiring new ones.

Now... come to this Thursday's basketball game @ SSFHS...

25 semi-random things about me

25 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME

1.I am born on the only day possible to have 3 Zodiac signs. Ophiuchus is in between Scorpio and Sagittarius. http://homepage.mac.com/kvmagruder/bcp/zodiacal/zoo.htm

2.I was crazy enough to self-publish a poetry anthology written by two of my creative writing classes. I haven’t been able to market further because I found a serious error in the book. http://www.amazon.com/Eloquent-Graffiti-DerekPadilla/dp/1401033210/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233808241&sr=8-1

https://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=12540

3.I was fortunate enough to be awarded the 2000 Hero of the Bay by KNBR and the San Francisco Chronicle. Three students wrote essays about me and somehow the panel picked me among all the firemen, police, volunteers, teachers, etc.

4.In descending order of percentage, my ethnic heritage is Pilipino, Irish, Norwegian, Chinese, and Spanish. However, upon meeting many people for the first time, they will assume I am Hawaiian or Samoan. This is perfect for getting local discounts in Hawaii.

5.I have survived two serious car accidents in which the cars flipped over. In one of the accidents, the emergency crews used the jaws of life to cut the door off to get me. Then after securing me to the board, one of the firemen slipped since we were on a slope down an embankment. The result jarred my back even further. My mom and girlfriend were picking pieces of glass from my matted hair for a week.

6.I have been a Maid of Honor or Honor Attendee, whatever May wants to call it. http://psychoverse.blogspot.com/2006/07/my-best-friends-wedding.html

7.As much as my family gives me hell for giving my brother a best man’s speech/toast that lasted 20 minutes, they are all secretly happy because no one was getting up to imbibe from the free bar saving an estimated thousand dollars.

8.2007 was one of the worst years of my life. The year started with a horrible kidney stone (http://psychoverse.blogspot.com/2007/01/just-stones-throw-away.html) and a couple weeks after finally ejecting the rock, a vein in my right leg exploded (http://psychoverse.blogspot.com/2007/02/my-body-declares-war-on-me.html), most likely due to a softball injury six months earlier. In September, my grandmother passed away. (The one bright spot being my brother marrying Mary Anne)

9.The first time I ever traveled on a plane, I was 20 and it was on EVA air from SFO to Taipei (stopover on my way to Manila). This also happened to be one of the best summers of my life, for when I got back from the Philippines, I went backpacking in Northern California.

10.During that backpacking trip, I also hitchhiked by myself. When we returned from hiking after 3 days, our car had a flat tire, so I had to find a way to the nearest town, which was over 40 miles away. The two guys who picked me up ended up both being in the teacher credential program at SFSU, which I would enter a couple years later.

11.I grew up in Candlestick Park. I have been attending Giants and 49ers games since the late 70s. My parents had 49ers season tickets for over 30 years. Tailgating was our form of family bonding with all the cousins. At Montana’s last game, it was a rainy night and Uncle George brought a side of beef via Old Clam House and we all dined on prime rib.

12.Intermission: Similar to these 25 Random Notes, there used to be an American Express Advertisement in which you commented on yourself. You all should do this also. http://psychoverse.blogspot.com/2006/12/american-express-ad-my-version.html

13.The first time I can remember slow dancing with a girl I liked, it was at a buddy’s garage party to New Edition’s cover of “Earth Angel.”

14.I have lived some interesting El Camino High School moments:
A.The day of the “all-nighter” of my junior homecoming was the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake—some of us interpreted the moment as god giving us an extra day to prepare.
B.The Bell Game my senior year was disrupted when a bomb blew up the scoreboard just before the end of halftime… that game never would have been continued if that happened in today’s world.

15.During one of the massive food fights in the Shoreline lawn at Summer Jam, I was hit by a foot-long hoagie still wrapped in plastic, a piece of cheeseburger in which the cheese oozed between my toes, and an army boot.

16.I have never done illegal drugs. I have never smoked weed or even a cigarette. However, I got really close to being addicted to Vicadin after one of the car accidents.

17.The two best play experiences I ever had were watching a UC Santa Cruz production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the forest and Shogun Macbeth at SFSU.

18.I was once a part of an independent publishing company, first called Rough Copy Productions and then Fish House. We published our own comics: Spasm, Ash & Gas, Strudel War, Sci-Fi, Volcanic Partners. Although we will never get credit, we started the craze of plastic/acetate/invisible/see-through cards in the early 90s.

19.During elementary school, I took piano lessons and was second-chair violin in our school orchestra.

20.I spent 5 years working/managing a Baskin Robbins. My favorite things were to design my own flavors and decorate cakes. I have tried over 300 flavors of ice cream. My favorite flavor there… strawberry cheesecake. I make a kick ass Queen Anne cake.

21.It makes sense that I love Dead Poets Society, but I have some weird obsession with Drumline. You can see a bunch of entries at my blogsite that discuss this subject and which films I find more captivating… search Drumline Battle… a back-and-forth discussion I had online with my brother.

22.My blog, WikiPadilla, was christened such after one of my students wrote on my board… “If you want to know all the answers to life, just check out WikiPadilla.com.” I wish I thought of that myself.

23.I have met 98% of my friends on facebook. I just had to become friends with the other “Derrick Padilla’s” out there and a couple friends of friends.

24.People used to confuse me with Ed Mulitalo of the Baltimore Ravens, especially when we were in our early 20s. He was actually a thrower and football player at Jefferson that I did play against. I once had a conversation with someone at Denny’s and the girl didn’t realize I wasn’t Ed for nearly 15 minutes.

25.Both my brother and I have middle names taken from the titles of Western films, instead of our mother's maiden name. But if you put my middle name and mother's maiden name you get my former pen name... and I sound really Irish.

The Most Spirited High School in the Bay Area

Thanks to all of the friends and alumni of El Camino High School. Your voting efforts have succeeded in Flo Rida coming to our school.

Patriotism

It's the end of a long historic and I am trying to soak all this in. I am amazed to watch not just a country but a whole world celebrate a moment that symbolizes hope. I am a bit of a pessimist and wonder if we will all be feeling this way a few months from now. At least Obama's words reflected the idea that there is still so much that needs to be done.

However, the thing that struck me most about today was how oddly patriotic I felt. I remember how sad but unified the country felt after 9/11. Most of my memories of the U.S. coming together all seems to be in tragedy. My personal most patriotic moment in my life was actually at a preseason 49ers game in August of 1990. Like most preseason games, I really don't remember who the 49ers opponent was nor do I care about the score. What stands out was that days earlier, Iraq invaded Kuwait. Usually there is no pomp and circumstance to preseason games; however, the pregame festivities were a bit out of the norm. At this point in my life, I had already been attending Niner games for over a decade. For some odd reason, the military came out and unrolled the huge American flag that covers the entire football field--that flag usually only comes out on specific holidays or significant playoff games. Candlestick Park was nearly filled to capacity, again atypical for a preseason game albeit the Niners did win the Super Bowl the season before. During the national anthem, the singer started but soon I couldn't hear the projected voice, but the collective voice of nearly 60,000 people. I can't remember ever hearing Candlestick coming to sing the Star Spangled Banner together. The voice was solemn and in unison and ready to break with tension. I looked around and saw many of the 49er Faithful with tears running down their cheeks. Even though I grew up as military as I could get without being military, since both my grandfathers were in the army, I never felt my heart stiffen with pride in being American. Though five months later, my classmates would be wondering if it was possible we could be drafted, and I started having flashbacks about learning about all the different kinds of nuclear warheads that were made in middle school despite the Berlin Wall having already fallen, on that one day, I understood what it meant to be a part of 60,000 patriots.

So when I am viewing the scenes of the mall during today's inauguration and estimated what almost 2,000,000 people were feeling together, I couldn't even comprehend how that one memory I had could pale in number and significance. In all my recollection, I can't even imagine our country unified in celebration. I know this is just a beginning and I don't know what actual change may occur, but the promise of a new day is exciting. I just hope we know what to do with all of these expectations and temper them with a sense of perspective.

aside:
Patriotic moment #3
My brother and I did get selected to hold the flag on Opening Day in a couple of years ago at a Giants game.

Patriotic moment #4
Leading the Pledge at my high school graduation and not screwing it up...

Patriotic moment #5
The first game back after 9/11 at a Giants game.

*
When I first really began to understand what America stood for...my grandfather's funeral when I was 10. I had never seen him dressed as a soldier and there he was dressed in military formals when I said my final goodbye. The moment didn't feel truly significant until the folded the flag and the rifles fired off in salute to his memory.

10 Years Later

Take a look at us 10 years later. I still have the most hair.... ha ha ha!

Happy Birthday Lance!

To my brother Lance... happy birthday... (imagine listening to Rey's song)
I really wish I had it.