17 August 2016

Today was odd. Due to the massive wildfire, school was cancelled therefore I stayed home from work. This was fine since the major travel corridor was still shut down due to damage and current danger. (I was not about to travel back the way I came home, which took four hours.)

We've literally been back for only four days. I had one student email me about the homework so she could get done what I assigned. I had another ask if I got home safely (I knew her from last year when she was in my study hall). My Kanto gym badges came in the mail, the ones I ordered to wear for the cosplay rally that was supposed to be on Friday. My brother found a nail in my tire in a place that is not repairable. I need a new tire (or a used one, rather). I got a free Lofthouse sugar cookie at the grocery store since they are celebrating their 80th anniversary. I also got a red balloon because why not? Everyone likes balloons. (Though I quipped to my brother I was a grown thirty year old woman holding a balloon happily like the children around me. #noshame)

As I was emailing that concerned student back, I got a text. School is cancelled the rest of the week. I figured it would be. The fire is pretty bad, and last I checked, it was only 4% contained. Many people in the area are evacuated. A school in the district is an evac center. So many men and women fighting it on everyone's behalf after that fire near the lake last week. The planes and helicopters could be seen from my house as could the smoke. I saw the orange clouds from Big Bear last night as I drove through the city on my unwanted adventure quest home.

Is this our new normal? Massive fires that burn and burn, destroying lives and history? While Louisiana drowns in excess amounts of water not seen in centuries? As I was leaving school yesterday afternoon. I thought to myself that at least this fire could be used in a lesson later on in the year when I tackle climate change. We are having the hottest year on record yet again. This coupled with the lack of humidity that is normal, the dead plants from almost no rain despite the predicted (and failed, at least in SoCal) El Nino, and the winds that are par the course lay the breeding grounds for fires. It's only going to get worse.

I can teach my students about this very real and science-backed phenomenon, I also despair. The world needs to change, but I am one person. I can make a dent in my classroom, but the world is far too vast for my reach. (Despite some friends' assertions in high school, I was never cut out for politics.)

So while communities near my house burn, while people are displaced and fearful, I still manage to find small happiness in my balloon and gym badges. Then I feel bad. But should I? I don't know. I'm probably overthinking this. I cannot deny I like this small break from school despite having just started. I'm sure the students not affected by the fire feel the same. I'm in no danger, but I hope for the safety of others as I watch the news and keep checking the Inciweb page. I guess I'm just rambling.

At least I have extra time for lesson planning I guess? Or more likely playing games on my phone and not writing in my story.

I'll see.