Staycation at The Wild Animal Park

At the beginning of September Tuck and I took a fun day trip to San Diego Wild Animal Park. We were very hesitant because we have a soft spot that makes us want to cry when we see caged animals. Who doesn't? But, we sucked it up and went to the Wild Animal Park because it was initially not created as a zoo but as a breeding and healing sanctuary for endangered and hunted animals in the wild. The exhibits and enclosures are very large, some are acres rather than crowed and relatively roomy. Next time we venture to Escondido we are going to pack a lunch (Pirates Booty was the only G-free food item) and maybe think about going when the temperature is under 90.

I Won!

I never win anything! Okay, maybe that's a little dramatic. But they rung bells and shouted in my honor.

I was pleasantly surprised last week when I rolled up to the cashier at Trader Joe's and he said, "I'm so excited to say that you are our bring your bags winner of the day!" Yes, me! At that moment I felt like Rocky. All that training, remembering each week to bring my reusable bags and to save the planet one bag at a time. In my head I was jogging on the counter top, raising my fists to the sky with the "Eye of the Tiger" playing in my head. Back in reality I threw out several thank yous, smiled and even blushed a little when they rang the extra large cow bell and all the other cashiers went into cheering and applause.

$10 off the grocery bill is something every household could use. So, to those of you Trader Joe's shoppers out there thinking you always bring your reusable bags and this will never happen to you, when you least expect it they may ring a bell in your honor when you roll up to pay at the cashier. Happy planet saving!

Trees Need People, People Need Trees

Earth Day is a holiday (yes, a holiday) that many people don't celebrate. I'm proud to say that I celebrated it in the best way, making this the best Earth Day yet.

My students and I got our hands dirty and planted a tree on our school campus and named it Dixie. The Disney corporation funded a 30 tree planting day through the Tree People which happened to be conveniently scheduled on Earth Day. We started our morning with an Earth Day school assembly. Then, we ventured to the far corner of the campus where Brain from Tree People taught us all about how to plant a tree and care for our tree. After we shoveled and took good notes, we read our couplet poems to Dixie. Last, we made a circle around Dixie and said together, "trees need people, people need trees, welcome Dixie!"
Yes, I got my hands dirty too. I promise I'm not just posing with a shovel:) FYI-My Earth Day shirt says, Nature is one BAD madre!





I'll upload the LAUSD board members Galatzan Gazette soon. We were published in a online LAUSD magazine that is sent to all LAUSD PTA members and even the superintendent of LAUSD! Tamar Galatzan recently gained more popularity by being interviewed on a local and national NPR station to advocate about the important issues related to the LAUSD layoffs that many teachers, including myself, are facing.

I'm My Own Worst Pet Peeve

I have a secret confession that I am ready to share only because I am a victim of my own pet peeve.

I started shopping at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods a year and a half ago when I began my Gluten Free diet. My eyes began to open wide to the "Green" way of life. I slowly bought reusable plastic bags, bought organic foods and began to recycle everything. I am a waster and I believe that I still am learning about waste and living organically (which is a topic for a whole other post). I ritualistically take reusable bags to the grocery store once a week for my shopping. And I secretly "stare down" the busy bodies and strollers in the store who don't bring their reusable bags to place their groceries in. In my mind this is the simplest way to save the trees and have less plastics in landfills. Well, a funny thing happened to me.....I left our mountain top to run errands not realizing I traveled the 7 miles through windy roads to the nearest Trader Joe's and forgot my valuable reusable plastic bags. Having an anxiety attack in the car I bravely walked into the store. I felt like every person in the Trader Joe's was now staring me down. This is exactly what I deserve. At the check out I cringed knowing the cashier hated me for wasting 10 paper bags. I was screaming bloody murder inside. My loving husband reassured me that the store security cameras were zooming in on me putting a big red X over my face with the word waster flashing and taking my name and personal info. I promise I will never forget my reusable bags again. The pet peeve pressure was too much for me to handle.

Who makes air?

"God" shouted the eager boy in the front row.

I think the awesomely cool, hippy Tree People excursion guide was looking for "trees or people" as the answer.
The parents and I laughed hysterically with tears in our eyes as children have such a knack for being randomly cute.

As I watched these 21 brilliant children discover what lies in dirt, trees, and animals in the unknown of the mountains or in the wild wasteful city their eyes lit up with usable knowledge. They explored windy trails, learned how to make mulch, and reasoned the best way to recycle water, plastic and paper products. The Earth provides us with all we need to survive but we don't pay the same favor back. Though God may give us the breath we need to survive, the air is provided by the cohabitants of people and strong trees which both need to live healthy lives.

I encourage all those who live in the LA area to visit the Tree People and for everyone else go to their website and see how you can help the only Earth God gave us.