Thursday, January 01, 2009
Winter Wanderland Day 7 - December 30
We headed to Cranford for Steve and Steph's rehearsal dinner. Things seem to be going relatively smoothly and everybody's ready for Friday's wedding.
When we got home, we spent some more time with wedding planning ideas and narrowed down the wedding to early August. We also began playing with ideas to do a 1920s themed wedding reception. That led to lots of fun planning and we even requested bids from some bands and narrowed down the list of reception sites to four good ones in the local area. We even had an improptu slow dance to a 1920s ballad.
Winter Wanderland Day 6 - December 29
We spent the evening surfing wedding planning web sites and talking through lots of possibilities. No decisions yet, but we had fun discussing it all.
Winter Wanderland Day 5 - December 28
At 3pm, we headed to JC Penny for a big family portrait shoot. Unfortunately, there were babies and incompetent employees waiting for us there. We finally got our pictures taken around 3:45 or so and walked through the outdoor mall to dinner at Grillsmith. After dinner, we watched a light show set to the music of Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Back at the house, we had family game night with Uno Spin and Skip-Bo with drinks and snacks. We had good quality family time to end our visit to Florida.
Winter Wanderland Day 4 - December 27
Although the original plan was to get up really early to get into Animal Kingdom as it opened, we wound up sleeping in a little bit and enjoying a leisurely breakfast and coffee. We even sat out in the rocking chairs watching the animals for a little while.
animals and guides. The safari was a lot of fun - we saw rhinos, elephants, giraffes, monkeys, flams, antelope and other animals. After the safari, we got a Fastpass for Expedition Everest, but the wait was too long and the crowds too stifling so we left for Hollywood Studios.Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Winter Wanderland Day 3 - December 26
But first, we had a day of Disney World to attend to. We got up relatively early and set off for the Animal Kingdom Lodge, our hotel for the evening. We got settled into our room and quickly headed to the extremely crowded Magic Kingdom. We made our way through the park to ride Snow White's Scary Adventure or something along those lines and then It's a Small World. From there, we had lunch at the noodle shop on the edge of Tomorrowland and Main Street USA.
After lunch, we boarded the monorail to spend the afternoon at Epcot. There we waded through more crowds to make our way to World Showcase. We took in some performers along the way: a fusion rock band in Morocco, a Kwanzaa storyteller at the American Experience, taiko drumming in Japan. We picked up a Fastpass for the ride in Norway and then bought a couple of beers in Germany and sat on a nice bench for awhile. Fastpass got us to the front of the long Norway ride, which was fun. After that, we made our way back into Future World and the Innovations center, but that turned out to be a bust. It was getting late into the afternoon so we took the bus back to our hotel so we could get ready for our dinner reservations.
I took a short nap at the hotel while Ali showered. I had been feeling a little sick since the morning and it was catching up with me. We got dressed nice to head to dinner and left nice and early so we would have time to take the bus to the Magic Kingdom and then the Monorail to the Grand Floridian for our 7:20 reservation at Citrico's. Of course, I wanted to get there early so there would be time to ask Ali to marry me, but she did not know that at the time.
We got to the Grand Floridian at about 6:40, enjoyed the big band playing in the lobby, saw the impressive gingerbread house, and then went outside to find a good spot to have somebody take our photograph. That spot turned out to be along the Seven Seas Lagoon at the resort's boat launch to the Magic Kingdom and the Polynesian Resort.
I found a guy sitting by himself on the bench and asked him to take our photograph. He agreed and we did so. Then I took a look to check for quality and everything; at the same time his family showed up to tell him it was time for them to go. Luckily, he heeded my plea to take one more picture. I turned to Ali, took her arms with both hands, and told her: "I love you. I want to be together forever." Then, I knelt and said, "Will you marry me?" She made some affirmative sounds through tears and then said yes. By this time, the man's family was in on the action and applauded for us while their little girl asked, "What happened?" They explained it to her quickly and she also gave her approval.
Engagement photos can be found here.
We made some quick phone calls to our parents and then headed into Citrico's for a great engagement dinner. We, of course, opted for the wine pairings throughout the meal. We shared a tuna carpaccio appetizer, then I had potato truffle soup while Ali had goat cheese salad for a second course. For our main entrees, I had bass and Ali had duck confit.
After dinner, we sat and talked for awhile over our last glass of wine before realizing that the 9pm Magic Kingdom fireworks we meant to go see were about to begin. We hustled back to the scene of the engagement just as the fireworks began. We boarded a ferry and moved across Seven Seas Lagoon toward the Magic Kingdom with fireworks in the sky. It was a great night!
When we got to the Magic Kingdom, we passed by the leaving crowds and made our way to Frontier Land with the intent of riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Instead, we wound up on Pirates of the Caribbean and then enjoyed Spectral Magic before heading back to the hotel.
We had a great night all around and began excitedly talking about what comes next.
Winter Wanderland Day 2 - December 25

We were nice and lazy with our sleeping and even once we got up, we mostly had coffee, watched a little bit of the Disney Christmas parade and relaxed. I spent much of the day working on a new computer game my Mom downloaded called Build-A-Lot while Ali baked pies. We also spent
a little time opening Christmas presents, playing piano duets or with the train set, a little bit of Frisbee, a walk, etc. It turns out Ali can actually play video games! We enjoyed trying out the Wii golf, bowling, and tennis. We decided we need to get one for our home.The focal point of the day was probably Christmas dinner - a nice turkey meal with all the trimmings. After dinner, we began tracking Allie and Matt's flight from Newark, which was delayed due to mechanical error and led to some angst. They wound up getting into Tampa after some running to make a connecting flight, but their luggage did not make it until the following day unfortunately.

Winder Wanderland Day 1 - December 24
Unfortunately, our flight crew did not have the same luck on the way to the airport. Once boarded, we had to wait about 15-20 minutes for the pilot and then another 15-20 minutes for the first officer. That put us far back in line for taxi and take-off and we wound up leaving about 45 minutes behind schedule. We made up some time in the air and touched down to beautiful weather in Tampa.
Once my Mom and Dad picked us up at the airport, we stopped for some pie making supplies at Winn Dixie and relaxed at their house for a few hours before heading out to our new tradition of Christmas Eve dinner at Benedetto's. We met the new family kitten, Lilo, who likes to play and meow all the time. We enjoyed great food and wine and had a good time. On the way home, we listened to Christmas music on the radio while we drove around neighborhoods and looked at festive light displays. Some odd combinations included manger scenes juxtaposed with Mickey snow-globes and ferris wheels. Ali thought she spotted Santa in a doorway, but no one else caught it. However, after circling back, everyone saw a REAL Santa walking in someone's yard! Less exciting Santa sightings included a giant inflatable Claus with BROWN facial hair. Huh.
Once back at the house, we did some more relaxing and watched Charlie Brown's Christmas before bed.
Engagement Photos
Monday, December 29, 2008
Winter Wanderland updates coming soon
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Schedule - 12/22-1/4
Tuesday, December 23 - AM Commons Duty, School, Boys Basketball vs. Ridge
Wednesday, December 24 - Depart for Florida at 9:40am on US Airways (United Flight 2306); arrive in Tampa at 12:29pm, Xmas Eve dinner
Thursday, December 25 - Christmas in Tampa
Friday, December 26 - To Disney World, base of operations at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Saturday, December 27 - In Disney World, back to Tampa
Sunday, December 28 - Family portraits at 3pm
Monday, December 29 - Depart for NJ at 12:15pm on US Airways (United Flight 2061); arrive in Philadelphia at 2:44pm
Tuesday, December 30 - Steve and Steph's rehearsal dinner at 5pm
Wednesday, December 31 - Jim Norton comedy show at Crocodile Rock in Allentown, PA; stay over at Holiday Inn
Thursday, January 1 - Breakfast in Allentown before coming home
Friday, January 2 - 10am appointment at the Bridgewater Marriot as a potential wedding reception site, Steve and Steph's wedding
Saturday, January 3 - Head back from wedding, 2pm appointment at the Bridgewater Manor as a potential wedding reception site
Sunday, January 4 - Engagement photo session with Juli, Dinner with old band director and a few students from Ridge (6)
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Check out this page on NJ.com
Matthew Mingle (mmingle16@aol.com) thought you would be interested in this item from NJ.com
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/young_nj_drummers_picked_for_o.html
Matthew Mingle
It's too bad they are using Spirit of Newark administrators to help get the program to DC.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Schedule - 12/15-12/21
Tuesday, December 16 - AM Commons Duty, School, Extra Help
Wednesday, December 17 - AM Commons Duty, School, Ali's Concert in Jersey City
Thursday, December 18 - School, Detention Supervision
Friday, December 19 - AM Commons Duty, Faculty Holiday Breakfast, School, Boys Basketball vs. Watchung Hills, Dad's Birthday
Saturday, December 20 - Christmas dinner with Matt and Allie
Sunday, December 21 -
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Schedule - 12/8-12/14
Tuesday, December 9 - AM Commons Duty, School, Extra Help (2:30-3:30)
Wednesday, December 10 - AM Commons Duty, School, Meet with Woods teacher to design basketball band drum set platform, MTEA Bargaining Council Meeting (4:00)
Thursday, December 11 - School
Friday, December 12 - AM Commons Duty, School, Midnight Madness Event with Basketball Band (5:00-8:30)
Saturday, December 13 - People to People Social (12:00-3:00), Steve's Bachelor Party in Atlantic City (6:00-?)
Sunday, December 14 - Travel home from AC
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Schedule - 12/1-12/7
Tuesday, December 2 - AM Commons Duty, School, Basketball Band Rehearsal
Wednesday, December 3 - Parent-Teacher Conferences, School (Delayed Opening)
Thursday, December 4 - Parent-Teacher Conferences, School (Delayed Opening), Extra Help, Parent-Teacher Conferences (6-8)
Friday, December 5 - School (Delayed Opening), Marching Band Dinner (7)
Saturday, December 6 - Teaching About Asia professional development at Princeton University (9:30-2:30)
Sunday, December 7 -
Monday, November 24, 2008
Schedule - 11/24-11/30
Tuesday, November 25 - AM Commons Duty, School, Basketball Band Rehearsal (2:45-4:30)
Wednesday, November 26 - School (1/2 Day), Gym
Thursday, November 27 - Travel to Connecticut for Thanksgiving with Ali's family
Friday, November 28 - In Connecticut
Saturday, November 29 - Travel home
Sunday, November 30 -
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Administrative Positions
Saddle Brook - Supervisor of Curriculum
I doubt this will develop any further because I think I am underqualified for the position. I only applied because it was the district I attended.
Hillsborough - Assistant Principal
This would be a great opportunity as I live within walking distance of the school. I have heard they tend to hire from within for the most part. Another downside is that the opening takes effect in April so I would have to leave Montgomery mid year.
Randolph - Supervisor of Social Studies & Business Education
This would be a cool position in a pretty good district. Their ad says they prefer someone with supervision experience so that's a downside.
Westfield - Assistant Principal
This would be great. Westfield is similar to Montgomery and Ridge and it is not too far from Ali's job in Jersey City.
Weekly Schedule - 11/17-11/23
Tuesday, November 18: AM Commons Duty, School, Detention Supervision, Basketball Band Leadership meeting
Wednesday, November 19: School
Thursday, November 20: School, Extra Help
Friday, November 21: AM Commons Duty, School, Hang out with Steve & Steph (7+)
Saturday, November 22: East Asian Studies program at Princeton University (9:30-2:30)
Sunday, November 23:
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Weekly Schedule - 11/10-11/16
Monday, November 10: AM Commons Duty, School, Band Football Game, MTEA Meeting
Tuesday, November 11: AM Commons Duty, School, Band End of Year Meeting, Articulation Meeting
Wednesday, November 12: School, Extra Help
Thursday, November 13: Nathanael Greene Liberty Fellowship (8-3)
Friday, November 14: Nathanael Greene Liberty Fellowship (8-3), Possible football game
Saturday, November 15: Possible football game
Sunday, November 16:
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Weekly Schedule - 11/3-11/9
Tuesday, November 4 - AM Commons Duty, School, Basketball Band Leadership Meeting (3-5)
Wednesday, November 5 - School, Band
Thursday, November 6 - No School, New Sliding Glass Door Window Installation (9), Oil Change
Friday, November 7 - No School, Montgomery band/football vs. Hillsborough (report 4pm)
Saturday, November 8 - Judging USSBA Northern States Championships @ Allentown (9am-9pm)
Sunday, November 9 -
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Weekly Schedule - 10/27-11/2
Tuesday, October 28: AM Commons Duty, School, Filming for Basketball Band Recruitment Video
Wednesday, October 29: School, Basketball Band Leadership Meeting
Thursday, October 30: School, Extra Help
Friday, October 31: AM Commons Duty, School, Montgomery Band, Football vs. Watchung Hills
Saturday, November 1: Faculty Development Institute on East Asia at Princeton University (9:30-2:15)
Sunday, November 2:
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Drum Corps Staff Offer
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Weekly Schedule - 10/20-10/26
Tuesday, October 21 - AM Commons Duty, School, Montgomery Band
Wednesday, October 22 - School, Montgomery Band
Thursday, October 23 - School, After School Help (2:30-3:30)
Friday, October 24 - AM Commons Duty, School, Montgomery Band, Football home vs. Somerville
Saturday, October 25 - P2P Interviews, Montgomery Band at Neshaminy Festival, Judge USSBA at Hasbrouck Heights
Sunday, October 26
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Yankees Closing Ceremony
Weekly Schedule - 10/13-10/19
Tuesday, October 14 - AM Commons Duty, School, Department Meeting, Montgomery Band
Wednesday, October 15 - School, Montgomery Band
Thursday, October 16 - School, Extra Help (2:30-3:30)
Friday, October 17 - AM Commons Duty, School, Montgomery Band, Football at Warren Hills
Saturday, October 18 - Montgomery Band at William Tennent Festival
Sunday, October 19 -
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Weekly Schedule - 10/6-10/12
Tuesday, October 7 - AM Commons Duty, School, Montgomery Band
Wednesday, October 8 - AM Commons Duty, School, Montgomery Band, P2P Interviews (6:45-8:45)
Thursday, October 9 - No School
Friday, October 10 - AM Commons Duty, School, Montgomery Band, Montgomery football at Monroe
Saturday, October 11 - P2P Interviews (12:30-4:30)
Sunday, October 12 -
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Palin cannot really be McCain's VP nominee
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Weekly Schedule - 9/29-10/5
Tuesday, September 30: No School (Rosh Hoshanah), Dinner @ Melting Pot (6)
Wednesday, October 1: School, Montgomery Band
Thursday, October 2: School, Extra Help (2:30-3:30), Montgomery Band, Basketball Band Leadeship Meeting (5-5:30)
Friday, October 3: AM Commons Duty, School, Montgomery Band, Faculty Picnic, Football home vs. Voorhees
Saturday, October 4: Proctor SATs @ Ridge, Judge Pleasant Valley HS, PA, Montgomery band at Penn Ridge, PA, festival
Sunday, October 5:
Friday, September 26, 2008
Palin talks to Couric -- and if she's lucky, few are listening
--------------------
Palin talks to Couric -- and if she's lucky, few are listening
--------------------
The financial crisis has an upside for the Republican vice presidential candidate: It takes the spotlight away as she begins answering more pointed questions from the media.
By JAMES RAINEY
ON THE MEDIA
September 26 2008
A global financial crisis and a not-quite-suspended presidential campaign dominated newspaper front pages and television reports over the last couple of days.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-onthemedia26-2008sep26,0,3542588.story
Visit latimes.com at http://www.latimes.com
Thursday, September 25, 2008
mmingle16@aol.com sent you a Teacher Magazine Article.
| | |
| This article was sent to you by: mmingle16@aol.com | |
| Message from sender: I think this article hit the nail on the head! | |
| Getting Sleepy | |
| September 23, 2008 by Anthony Rebora | |
| A new study says that lack of sleep is endemic in the teaching profession and that schools may be the worse for it. | |
| http://lnk.edweek.org/teachermagazine/index.html?url=/tm/articles/2008/09/23/tm_sleep.h20.html&tkn=Qhc34swVaEwNp0gtfvxH5rNmP2EKlx0V | |
| © 2007 Editorial Projects in Education | |
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Check out this post on FOX Embeds
Matt thinks this will be of interest to you:
Palin Media Blackout�Continues
http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/09/23/palin-media-blackout-continues/
Enjoy.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Weekly Schedule - 9/22-9/28
Tuesday, September 23 - AM Commons Duty, School, Montgomery Band
Wednesday, September 24 - School, Montgomery Band
Thursday, September 25 - School, PM Extra Help (2:30-3:30), Faculty Potluck Dinner, Back to School Night
Friday, September 26 - AM Commons Duty, School, Montgomery Band, Football at Immaculata
Saturday, September 27 - Judge at Phillipsburg, NJ (5)
Sunday, September 28 - P2P Information Meeting at Montgomery High School (2)
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Weekly Schedule - 9/15-9/21
Tuesday, September 16 - AM Commons Duty, School, Montgomery Marching Band
Wednesday, September 17 - School, Montgomery Marching Band, USSBA Adjudicators Conference Call (8:30-10)
Thursday, September 18 - School, PM Extra Help (2:30-3:30)
Friday, September 19 - School, Montgomery Marching Band football at North Hunterdon High School
Saturday, September 20 - Judge USSBA show at Whitehall, PA
Sunday, September 21 -
Friday, September 12, 2008
Faulty unit forces brief evacuation of Montgomery High School
Article Title:
Faulty unit forces brief evacuation of Montgomery High School
To view the contents on www.mycentraljersey.com, go to:
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200809121415/NEWS/80912039
Message:
The evacuation area for my department is right near the bus arrival spot so the 4 social studies teachers in the building at 7am were immediately put into bus administration duty. We boarded each bus as it arrived, told the students of the need to move to the stadium, and oversaw the process. Things went smoothly with no issues even though we had buses, senior students in cars, parents dropping off kids, teachers arriving plus the police, fire and ambulance vehicles.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Weekly Schedule - 9/8-9/14
Tuesday, September 9 - School, Band
Wednesday, September 10 - School, Band, USSBA Judges Conference Call (8:30-10)
Thursday, September 11 - School, After School Help (2:30-3:30)
Friday, September 12 - School, Band, Home football vs. Ridge
Saturday, September 13 - P2P Reunion Party (12-3)
Sunday, September 14 - P2P Training (8-4:30)
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Yankee Stadium Closing Ceremony
Get the MapQuest Toolbar. Directions, Traffic, Gas Prices & More!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Weekly Schedule - 9/1-9/8
Tuesday, September 2: Professional Development (8:30-3:30), MTEA Meeting (3:45), Montgomery Band (3:30-8)
Wednesday, September 3: Professional Development (8:30-3:30), Montgomery Band (3:30-8), USSBA Conference Call (8:30-10)
Thursday, September 4: First Day of School, After School Help (2:30-3:30)
Friday, September 5: School, Montgomery Band (2:45-8)
Saturday, September 6:
Sunday, September 7:
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Weekly Schedule - 8/25-8/31
Tuesday, August 26: Montgomery Band (8:30-4:30), Hopewell Valley Band (9-12), Montgomery Fantasy Football Draft (7:30)
Wednesday, August 27: Montgomery Band (8:30-4:30)
Thursday, August 28: Montgomery Band (8:30-4:30)
Friday, August 29:
Saturday, August 30: Ridge Fantasy Football Draft (7:30)
Sunday, August 31:
Thursday, August 21, 2008
An article from www.kansascity.com
Monday, August 18, 2008
Weekly Schedule - 8/18-8/24
Tuesday, August 19 - Monty band (8:30-4:30), Hopewell band (9-5)
Wednesday, August 20 - Monty band (8:30-4:30), Hopewell band (9-5)
Thursday, August 21 - Monty band (8:30-4:30), Hopewell band (9-5)
Friday, August 22 - Monty band (8:30-4:30), Hopewell band (9-5)
Saturday, August 23 - Staples Teacher Appreciation Day, Steve and Stephanie's Engagement Party (1)
Sunday, August 24 -
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Weekly Schedule - 8/11-8/17
Tuesday, August 12: Nathanael Greene Liberty Fellowship at MHS (7:30-3:00), Kearny Band Camp (8-10), Montgomery Band Leadership Training (9-3), Hopewell Band (6-9)
Wednesday, August 13: Nathanael Greene Liberty Fellowship at MHS (7:30-3:00), Kearny Band Camp (8-10), Montgomery Band (8:30-2)
Thursday, August 14: Nathanael Greene Liberty Fellowship at MHS (7:30-3:00), Kearny Band Camp (8-10), Montgomery Band (8:30-4:30), Hopewell Band (6-9)
Friday, August 15: Nathanael Greene Liberty Fellowship at MHS (7:30-3:00), Kearny Band Camp (8-10), Montgomery Band (8:30-4:30)
Saturday, August 16:
Sunday, August 17:
Monday, August 04, 2008
Hawaii 3
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Schedule - 8/4-8/10
Tuesday, August 5 - Hopewell Marching Band (6-9)
Wednesday, August 6 - Meeting with Monty Band Director (12)
Thursday, August 7 - Hopewell Marching Band (6-9), DCI at the Movies (6)
Friday, August 8 -
Saturday, August 9 -
Sunday, August 10 -
Friday, August 01, 2008
Friday, August 1
8:25: Announcements/Housekeeping
8:30: Placing Pearl Harbor and the Pacific War in a global context: A perspective from "Down-Under" - Doug Trevaskis, Senior Lecturer and Manager, Studies of Asia Professional Development Program, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
Different perspectives on map worldview
Australia's Pearl Harbor (February 19, 1942) - Japanese air raid on Darwin
The Battle of Isurava (August 26-9, 1942)
Australia in 1941
Nervous about invasion from the north
Heavily reliant on Britain
Had already been at war since September 3, 1939 so most troops were already out of the nation
Pearl Harbor had immediate impact on Australia
Shock, vulnerability, relief (because it got US involved)
Australia moved from relying on Britain to United States because Britain did not come through with protection of Australia
1141 Japanese interned within 24 hours of Pearl Harbor
Up close and personal with Americans suddenly
19000 Australian military killed, 22000 captured
Darwin bombed 63 more times
1 US destroyer sunk
Northern Australia continually air raided
Instructions for American troops book
Number of cases of friendly fire between US/Australia
The Battle of Brisbane - brawling due to fight between US MPs and US/Australian troops
Reasons for bitterness toward Japanese
Commencing hostilities without declaring war
Disregard for Geneva convention
Treatment of captives (torture, beheading)
Cannibalism
Attacks on hospital ships
"comfort women"
10:00: Break
10:15: Pearl Harbor school visit program, "Witness to History" video conference, and "Pennies for Pearl Harbor" community service intiative - Paul Heintz, Director of Education, Arizona Memorial Museum Association
10:40: Developing lesson ideas for "Teaching Pearl Harbor through multiple perspectives": Small Group WorkMy small group got a lot accomplished on our lesson plan concept "Overcoming barriers to reconciliation." I organized our work into a short, simple power point to help guide us through the presentation.
We made a great presentation as a group and we were the only group where all group members actively presented. I opened the presentation by saying: "Konichiwa. Watashi wa New Jersey no Mingle des." This translates into: "Hello. I am Mingle from New Jersey." I used my small arsenal of Japanese phrases throughout the week when I talked to Japanese teachers and they all loved it because they did not expect it. As I have learned through my previous experiences, Japanese people especially enjoy foreigners attempting to speak to them in Japanese. This is true in many other countries as well, but I have found it most rewarding with Japan.
A number of Japanese teachers made presentations today to share some resources they brought or to present us with small gifts they brought from home. Pretty amazing how completely prepared the Japanese teachers were for this experience - much more so than the American teachers.
12:30: Lunch
1:30: Group Share: Lesson Ideas
3:00: Break
3:15: Group Share: Lesson Ideas
4:00: Becoming an East-West Center Associate
4:10: Workshop Closing and Award Ceremony
We received our $500 stipend checks, an East-West Center pin and a slew of other materials. Apparently, we join 55,000 alumni of E-W programs since its creation in 1960.
4:30: Workshop Concludes
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Thursday, July 31
8:25: Announcements/Housekeeping
8:30: Pu'uloa/Pearl Harbor: From fishponds to warships - Experience Pearl Harbor through songs of remembrance, songs about loss, and songs reclaiming the memory of Pu'uloa, as Pearl Harbor is known to the Native Hawaiians - Jon Kay Kamakawiwo'ole Osorio, Director, Center for Hawaiian Studies, University of Hawai'i
Sense that Pearl Harbor area belongs to military today and not native Hawaiians
Traditional place names replaced by names of military leaders, presidents, battlegrounds
Family history in Hawai'i
Suspicion of Japanese but not of Hawaiians who had poetitioned against US annexation
Kids born to American servicemen who slept with women of the family and then went away
Song: When the lights go on again
Longing for time when war is gone
Differences between WWII, Vietnam, war on terror
Today told to continue to consume, not ration
Protests over island being used for bombing practice during 1970s (Kahoalave)
Government took over in 1941
Had to be cleaned up when Navy stops
Spent $400 million, only did 10% of work
Set aside for native government when it comes back
Can be profound opposition to military even though Hawai'i is a warrior society historically
25% Oahu = military base
Turned Hawaiian islands into target for attack rather than the mainland
Hopes children will at least spiritually reclaim the land
Continued tension between native population and National Park Service
Really gained a sense of the reality of an incredibly tense, tenuous relationship between native population and America as seen through the military
Queen Liliukalani - surrendered to US military rather than allow Hawaiian warriors to fight on her behalf
Last Sunday in July - ceremony to celebrate the restoration after 1843 takeover by Britain...used as a symbol of modern sovereignty movement
5 operating governments-in-exile
Do not run for local politics because that would recognize/accept statehood
Similarities with native population on Hokkaido and territorial takeover and suffering on Okinawa
Use of native population as usefully exploited by tourism
10:00: Break
10:15: "Local" perspectives on Pearl Harbor - John Rosa, Assistant Professor, Department of History, University of Hawai'i
Territory of US (1898-1959)
Term mainland is a bit odd - "Hawai'i is the mainland to me."
By end of 1800s, one of the most literate societies in world, near 100% in either English or native language
Debate about whether Hawai'i was properly annexed because it was joint resolution of Congress, not 2/3 treaty vote
1931-2 Massie-Kahahawai Case
Major news story at the time throughout the US but often forgotten in the long term
Thalia Massie (20), wife of naval officers, is allegedly raped by 5 non-white "local" young men
She - Maryland, Husband - Kentucky - Brought racial ideas with them
Accused - Japanese American (2), Native Hawaiian (2), Chinese/Hawaiian (1)
Event 1) Alleged rape September 1931 - no evidence of rape but clear evidence of assault
Trial 1) Ala Moana Assault Trial ends in mistrial partially because boys were in different part of city due to police report against their car and lack of evidence
Event 2) Horace Ida (one of the accused) kidnapped and beat by 20-30 Navy men with belts in December 1931
Event 3) Joseph Kahahawai (one of the accused) kidnapped and killed in January 1932 after the kidnapping plan to force a confession from the darkest-skinned alleged attacker goes awry
Trial 2) Kahahawai Murder Trial
Comments from naval leadership openly talked about need for vigilante justice
Jury encouraged to make things "right" in Massie murder group but jury convicts on manslaughter charge
Appointed territorial governor commutes sentence to 1 day (served 1 hour at governor's office)
Similarities to Scottsboro case in Alabama
Same lawyer (Clarence Darrow) as Scopes Monkey Trial
12:00: Lunch
1:00: Teaching about Pearl Harbor and the Japanese internment: A curriculuar demonstration - Gary Mukai, Director, Stanford Program on International and Intercultural Education
Japanese immigration
1888 - Chinese exclusion act opened need for laborers to come in from places like Japan (allowed by 1885 Japanese emigration act)
1908 - tension with Japanese over labor relations "they are taking our jobs"
Restrictions made it difficult to come to US
Picture bride marriages - not allowed to marry American women so would exchange photos and marry so women could come to US
1910-40 - Angel Island immigration station
1913 - Alien land laws - aliens ineligible for citizenship (Japanese/Chinese) only white/black could become citizens, aliens could not purchase land
1924 - Immigration Act - made it very difficult for aliens ineligible for citizenship to come to US
Discussions about internment began in 1934-36, well before Pearl Harbor
Early 1940s
Mainland
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Executive Order 9066
February 19, 1942
117,166 interned (citizens and permanent resident aliens)
2,392 interned in Hawai'i, 2,092 brought to mainland
December 22, 1941 Time magazine - how to tell your friends from the Japs (Japanese vs. Chinese)
Reverses after 1949 with Japanese/Chinese
Done for North Koreans/South Koreans during Korean War and during Vietnam War
Only what you can carry
What would you take? Why?
US Government newsreel - Japanese relocation (1943)
Focus: word choice, selection of images, rationale given for evacuating and interning Japanese Americans, portrayal of Japanese Americans, portrayal of authorities
15 temporary assembly centers
1o relocation camps
Spring 1942
Changed draft status of Japanese Americans from 1A (best) to 4C (not acceptable)
All Japanese Americans in camps 17 and older answers questionairre to determine loyalty
Rift within camps over how people answered or whether they volunteered to join military
Resisters to camps put in prison, pardoned later
Japanese Latin Americans uprooted from countries and brought to camps in US
Stamped as illegal entry to US
Could be deported to Japan in order to be exchanged for American POWs
Some German (11,000) and Italian (1600) interned
Civil Rights Act of 1988 - official apology (Reagan)
Letter in 1990 - letter of redress/reparations (Bush)
2:45: Break
3:00: Developing lesson ideas for teaching Pearl Harbor through multiple perspectives: "Teaching Implications" discussion
4:00: Close of formal sessions
5:00-7:30: Optional: Waikiki Sunset Cruise and Walking Tour
The sunset cruise was really nice. We took a small catamaran with $2 beers and $1 mai tais out from the beach for about 30 minutes, then turned around and headed back in for 30 minutes as the sun set. I did feel a little queasy on the way back in so that limited me the rest of the night unfortunately, but it was still a cool experience.
After the cruise, a large group of 12 of us went to a restaurant with live music for dinner. Due to the large group it took a few hours to eat. Next up was sitting on the beach for awhile with some things from the
local ABC store. I headed back to our housing with the first group to leave because I was crashing. I guess the week has sort of caught up with me and I needed a little more sleep although we still didn't get back until midnight. There's only 1 more day of the official program left and then it is back to the mainland!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Wednesday, July 30
Like Monday, today's entry includes a laundry list of my notes from the sessions. There are no photos today because I didn't really take any.
8:00: Continental Breakfast
8:25: Announcements/Housekeeping
8:30: Pearl Harbor Attack Site Tour Debriefing
Conspiracy theory that FDR hoped to provoke Japan to attack first
Began with the Chicago Tribune article during the war
Politics of memory begins after the smoke clears
9/11 similarity
9:00: Why did Japan bomb Pearl Harbor? - Peter Duus, William H. Bonsall Professor of Japanese History, Emeritus and Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University
Most in Japan expected war with Soviet Union, not US
Japan depended on US for war material in the 1930s (petroleum, scrap metal, heavy machinery)
No match economically or in military production
US produced 72 cars for every 1 Japan produced
Hirohito was not like Hitler
He was not a dictator, more of a mirror of the governments which changed throughout the war years, 13 cabinets, 10 prime ministers, constantly changing military leadership
Decision to go to war was the last decision of a series of bad decisions
Decisions piled up and backed Japan into a corner
China
Disunity following 1911 revolution
No central government holding nation together
Nationalist capital at Nanking vs communists
Japan is worried about USSR and potential of a unified, anti-imperialist nationalist China
Bad Decision #1
fall 1932
Military officer decides to take over Manchuria with hope Japanese will support after plot based on railroad sabotage (in capital of region - Mukden)
Not supported by government originally but it gives in and accepts it once it happens
Manchukuo seen as Japanese nation-state with Japanese, Chinese, Manchurians living in harmony (this was never the reality)
Nobody intervened militarily (even China)
Chinese nationalists hoped to defeat communists first
Middle of depression so acquiring a territory with resources provided hope and new opportunities
Bad Decision #2
summer 1937
Marco Polo bridge incident (near Beijing)
Japanese troops allowed in region to guard interests
Japanese soldier got lost/missing
Shooting exchanged between Japanese troops and nearby Chinese troops
This becomes the time for full out showdown
Communists/Nationalists agreed in December 1936 to unite against Japan when time is right
Both sides continue to mobilize/escalate
Japan believed they could blitzkrieg and disunified China would quickly fall
Took capital Nanjing in late 1937
Early '38 - PM says "we will not negotiate with the Chinese"
By 1939 - Japan bogged down in quagmire
Becomes war of attrition by Chinese design to wait out smaller Japanese force
Only controlled cities/railroads, not countryside so guerilla warfare led to brutality for all involved including civilians and troops
Hostilities emerge with United States due to horrific photos of Chinese children suffering due to war
Popular sentiment on side of Chinese in US
FDR's government begins to signal distress about Japanese aggression (in addition to European side)
US uses economic warfare: 1) encourage businesses through soft embargo 2) legal restrictions on trade
Bad Decision #3
fall 1940
War on in Europe with tide favoring Germany
Tripartite Pact - Japan, Germany, Italy signed because thought Axis would win
Bad Decision #4
fall 1940
European colonies in SE Asia suddenly detached from European powers so Japan sees them as resource providers
Japanese army wants route to new Chinese capital
Japanese navy wants strategic strongholds
Move troops into Indochina (Vietnam)
Bad Decision #5
1941
Go to war with US
Realize further aggression in SE Asia would likely bring US into war
Bogged down in China with no clear way out
Back channel negotiations initiated in early '41 by Japan but no meetings of minds
US inflexible - won't talk about any specifics unless Japan agrees to 4 major principles that included sending Japan back to 1931 borders
Japan was looking to make some sort of deal to mollify US
Japan moves more troops into Indochina -> July '41, US bans all trade with Japan - oil supply most significant as a result
Japan decides to go to war rather than accept
Maintain option to negotiate even as preparing for war
FDR willing to negotiate to stall war due to major concern about Europe - no desire for two-front war
Attack on 12/7
Bombing of US bombers at Philippines
Series of quick victories in Pacific to establish defense permiter, destroy fleet, acquire resources, defeat China (all while Hitler takes over Europe)
US would give up and negotiate due to losing allies in Europe and Asia
Anticipated limited war like previous with China and USSR to defeat larger power eventually via negotiation
US saw it as total war, completed defeat with unconditional surrender the only option
No long-term plan to control Asia
Stumbling from decision to decision
Why?
1) Nobody ever questioned the thrust, the previous decisions; political system did not accept dissent (without dissenters, possibility of making mistakes increases)
2) Planned war for best-case scenarios instead of worst-case scenarios
3) Underestimated everybody's nationalism but their own
Two very different view of 12/7 or 12/8 (in Japan time)
Remember Pearl Harbor
At time in Japan - liberators of Oriental peoples
MacArthur was master at public relations
Others in similar roles never advanced due to failures on 12/7
10:45: Break
11:00: War memories across the Pacific: Japanese images and perspectives on Pearl Harbor - Yujin Yaguchi, Associate Professor, Department of Area Studies, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Tokyo University
Japanese in Hawai'i
immigration began in 1868 with 147 people
influx of laborers to sugar cane plantations in 1880s
By 1902 - 70% sugar cane workers Japanese
Stopping point on way to West Coast for many
Hawai'i was familiar to Japanese people
Books in Japan encouraged immigration/travel to Hawai'i as a paradise to get rich by working
1924 - immigration laws changed and made it virtually impossible for Japanese to move to US permanently
After the Attack
reports about Pearl Harbor and other Pacific attacks such as Guam, Singapore, Malay, Hong Kong
new publications about Hawai'i in case it became a Japanese territory
white man unjustly imperialized Hawai'i so Japan could counter this (ironically)
ocean current linking Japan to Hawai'i
by 1940, 40% residents of Hawai'i were of Japanese ancestry
potential military value of Hawai'i for Japan
Momotaro no Umiwashi - used children's story tell the Pearl Harbor attack; Americans portrayed as a devil with horn, big, unintelligent, drunk
Hawaii/Malay Battle movie commemorated success of Pearl Harbor in December '42 even though Midway already took place
After WWII
Hawai'i no longer a Japanese territory prospect
Still familiar due to Japanese-Americans there
Remains a paradise
Foreign travel banned until 1964 unless on business or student exchange
1964 - year of Olympics returned Japan to world stage
Rapid economic growth in 1960s, bubble economy in 80s, burst in 90s
1964 - 35,000 Japanese visitors to Hawai'i (25% of all travel)
1978 - 500,000 especially honeymooners
1987 - 1,000,000
1996 - 2,000,000
2004 - 1,500,000 - lower due to security concerns about terrorism, Japanese travelers exploring other places
7 million people go to Hawai'i every year with 4.5 million from mainland US and 1.5 million from Japan
Hawai'i Visitor Profile (Average Japanese vs. Average American)
Length of stay: 5.8 days/10 days
Money spent per day: $251.50/$172.70 for East Coast or $147.60 for West Coast)
Repeat visitors: 55%/51%/78%
Number of trips: 3.64/3.41/6.2
92% visit for pleasure
Japanese are experienced travelers, familiar with Hawai'i
Japanese to USS Arizona
10% of total Japanese visitors to Hawai'i go to USS Arizona
Fewer take official tours
Why come?
Seek new experiences
Interest in war/peace museums
Impact of film Pearl Harbor
School trip
Remember war time
Japanese reaction cards at Arizona (filled out voluntarily)
positive experiences
surprised due to lack of prior knowledge
guilt due to death toll (write "I'm sorry")
want to learn more
strong emphasis on the need for peace
frame experience in span to Hiroshima/Nagasaki
critical of "other" tourists
US museums - do not really mention in US in any negative or effect of A-bombs
Japan museum - tell both sides of story
Veterans in Japan speak on condition they speak about importance of peace, not really so much about experiences in battle
Japanese people blamed the military for devastation of WWII
Military service not an honorable thing today so people don't willingly say they have family in military
Stanford study of textbook treatments of WWII
Yasukumi shrine to WWII
lots of controversy
depict war as effort to free Pacific from yolk of European-American colonialism
honor veterans
textbook based on interpretation used in 3-4 schools (<0.1%)>
12:45: Working Lunch: Implications for Teaching Discussion
I am working with Carmen Gutierrez (Monroe High School, Rochester, NY), Katsuyuki Matsui (Osaka Prefectural Mishima High School, Osaka, Japan), and Osamu Otaki (Ibaraki Prefectural Toride Shoyo High School, Ibaraki, Japan) on studying the process of reconciliation.
2008 = the beginning of 4 years of official friendship and reconciliation between Japan and China
Using student exchange
Continued territorial disputes
textbooks/history still tense
Captain Fuchida's story
Christian foundation of Americans
Examples of people crossing, examples of humanity
Apologied for Pearl Harbor to victims
Met American leaders to discuss Pearl Harbor
Many problems in world today so we should cooperate on global issues
First step to reconcilation = discussion
Reconciliation ceremony was good for us (heart to heart meeting)
Difficult obstacle but must be overtaken
Why did some people choose to forgive?
What changes people to reconcile such major conflicts?
Sterling Cale's 1942 love story
We've all been wronged, but we have all wronged too
2:00: Pearl Harbor Memory, Memorial, and Issues of Reconciliation - Geoffrey White, Senior Fellow, East-West Center, and Professor of Anthropology, University of Hawai'i
9/11 versus Pearl Harbor (TIME magazine)
civilian versus military targets
too simplified a comparison
use of imagery to create collective memory through icons
summer of '01 was Pearl Harbor movie so it was convenient
Memorial
How are they created? What do we memorialize? What is missing from the commemoration?
Usually surrounded by death/loss
Place becomes identified with dignified behavior
Memorials are like cemetaries
Controversy can escalate quickly due to conflicting memory
Richard Fisk story
Survived West Virginia
Landed at Iwo Jima
Formed friendship with Japanese veteran
Veterans have led the way toward reconciliation
Reconciliation events do not get much coverage on mainland
How will this play out for 9/11?
Kamikaze parallel to terrorist is dishonorable to Japanese because they were serving nation with military targets
Using 3+ perspectives helps avoid "us" versus "them"
3:45: Close of formal sessions
Tonight, we went out to the same bar as last night at the Sheraton Waikiki for dinner and drinks. We got there early enough to have dinner and drinks through the sunset and through the evening. We stayed for about 4.5-5 hours and enjoyed traditional Hawaiian music and dancing and another guitar performer. Another good night in Hawai'i.
Hawaii 2
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Tuesday, July 29
8:00: Depart by bus for "Pearl Harbor Attack Site Tour"
8:30: Fort DeRussy Army Museum
9:30: Board bus for Hickam Field9:40: Depart for Hickam Field
10:00: Arrive at Hickam Headquarters Building
This is still an active Air Force base. In fact, it is the air headquarters for the Pacific and is not open to the public. We were allowed on base because of this program. Although there are some museum areas on the base, they are reserved for military personnel and their families so this was really quite an opportunity.10:40: Board the bus for Ford Island
10:50: Security check at Halawa gate
11:00: Arrive at Ford Island. Stops include the USS Utah memorial, USS Oklahoma, seaplane ramps, airfield and hangars, and the USS Arizona memorial marker.12:10: Depart for Fort Shafter
1:50: Board bus
2:00: Depart Fort Shafter for the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
2:15: Arrive at "Punchbowl" Cemetery
Along a rode/walkway up to a magnificent overlook of Honolulu are at least 25-30 monuments placed by veterans groups and others over the years. We stopped at once placed in 1995 during the 50th anniversary ceremony celebrating the end of WWII. At that time, veterans of both the US and Japan came together for a showing of reconciliation. In addition, children representing all 50 state and all Japanese prefectures placed flowers at the monument. Today, the all of the American teachers shook hands (and many bowed) to all of the Japanese teachers present in this
same spirit of mutual understanding and friendly peace.3:20: Board bus for return to East-West Center/Tokai
3:30-4:30: Depart for East-West Center
Monday, July 28, 2008
Monday, July 28
11:00: What happened at Pearl Harbor? An interpretive simulation of the attacks. - Daniel Martinez, Historian, National Park ServicePearl Harbor (2001)
Producer spin went from accurate depiction to undying love story
6:00: Pizza Social
They showed the movie "Tora! Tora! Tora!" during dinner so there wasn't much of a social
Tonight, a group of us met up in Waikiki at Duke's Canoe Club on the beach for drinks. It was me, Jesse (Friends Select School; Philadelphia, PA), Rachel (Lawrence North High School; Indianapolis, IN), Paul (South Range High School; North Lima, OH), and Ryan (Scappoose High School; Scappoose, OR). The place was pretty cool and a large group of people from our program were there. We hung out for a couple hours and Ryan shuttled us thanks to his rental car. When we arrived around 8:30 it was really touristy and crowded with lots of cool, expensive shops and sort of a Vegas/Beverly Hills feel. When we left at 11pm, we were walking past girls who were clearly prostitutes and a bit of a different scene. Very interesting.
Hawaii
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