as christmas approaches . toronto again. the cds playing everywhere. you better not shout, you better not cry....deck the halls .... rudolph the rednosed reindeer... memories. a difficult time. but with its memorable moments. the rush in the store, the frantic scooping of icecream, the wrapping of chocolates, closing the store early, working overtime, the red, the green, the white, that first snowfall, the fairy lights, the festive air as we walked along bloor, the fruitcakes that i detested and yet was happy to see line the shelves. it was just me and those times. like a private experience. like how you can smell a certain smell and smile. or see something that reminds you of a special time. i miss wearing my black jacket, my scarf. but i am happier here. memories remain. cherished..

you can see it happning...minds forming, holding opinions that are elusive and harmful but what can you do. when someone asks 'miss are you memon?' what do you say? why does it matter i asked them, its irrelevant. 'miss his father is so-and-so' they tell me. what do the moral rants of an unassuming teacher boil down to? what do they mean to the mind of an 11 year old who uses colorful language when you arent listening. how do you engage these kids when theyre disinterested?