About Myra
I'm retired in Costa Rica, having lived in Philly, State College, Salem Mass,
and Kawagoe Japan. You might call me a career gypsy, but my last and best job was teaching English to some of the best and brightest kids in Philly.
I'm new to blogging and websites, and will probably make all the mistakes there are, but now I'm sharing my writing.
I moved to Costa Rica in June of 2009 with my husband Jack, my dog Buddha, and Jack's two cats, Hobbes and Noir.
BufferOn March 23rd, in New York, there’s going to be a panel discussion on The Future of Education in America, hosted by The New Yorker Promotions Department and The University of Phoenix, according to a full-page ad in the Digital … Continue reading →
Posted in Current events, Education, Life
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Tagged C-Span, Center for American Progress, Conversation on the Future of Education in America, Craig Barrett, Cynthia Brown, George W Bush, Harlem Success Academy, Intel, Madeline Sackler, Margaret Spellings, New Yorker Digital Edition 3-7-11, No Child Left Behind, The Lottery, The New Yorker Promotions Department, The University of Phoenix, top-down trend in education
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BufferMy brother David likes to say that testosterone is the great gulch that keeps males and females on opposite sides of myriad issues. If fact, he can find a way to explain any difference of opinion we might have in … Continue reading →
BufferI’ve been thinking about the absurdities in our approach to education, and in particular, about the war we’ve declared on teachers, but when I began to write about this perverse and specious war, I realized that the war on teachers … Continue reading →
Posted in Life, Politics
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Tagged avarice, budget cuts, democrats, education, ignorance, ignorance and greed, income inequality, liberals, Our absurd approach to education, politicians as necromancers, poverty, public tv and radio, safety nets, scapegoats, The House of Representatives, the war on teachers, the working poor, welfare for the wealthy, women's rights
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It’s true. I had dinner with the French Ambassador to Costa Rica, at his home, or more precisely, in his garden. No, I was not the only guest of the Ambassador; also in attendance were Jack, our friends Wayne and … Continue reading →
Posted in Costa Rica, Life, Life abroad, Retirement abroad
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Tagged ARSYSS, Barrio Amon, Fabrice Delloye, getting lost in Costa Rica, Google directions, Opera Gourmet, San Pedro, The French Alliance, The French Ambassador to Costa Rica
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My dear friend realized a lifelong dream when she married a lovely guy about six years ago, and became a step-mother to his son and daughter. They were eight and seven at the time. Two little precocious, blond-haired, blue-eyed cherubs. … Continue reading →
Posted in Current events, Education, Family, Life, Uncategorized
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Tagged Amy Chua, Berks Classical Children's Chorus, Reading Symphomy Junior String Orchestra, Self Esteem Movement, Tiger Mother, Wall Street Journal, Why Chinese Mothers are Superior, Wyomissing High School and Junior High School Orchestras
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The first time I heard them, they sounded like a pack of hungry puppies. They yipped, wailed, barked and howled into the night: a convocation of coyotes. I obeyed a sudden, irresistible urge to howl along with them. Here in … Continue reading →
Toni said, “I’m sixty years old, and I’ve never seen a volcano,” so we set off for Lake Arenal. Who knew it would be raining? In the Central Valley, where we live, it hasn’t rained since Thanksgiving. We thought the … Continue reading →
Posted in Costa Rica, Life, Life abroad, Retirement abroad, Travel
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Tagged Alajuela, Arenal volcano, Central Valley, Hotel Linda Vista Norte, La Fortuna, rainy season, road signs in Costa Rica, San Ramon
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I’m going to go out on a limb here, and say that our Speaker is employing doublespeak. According to Dictionary.com, here is the definition: evasive, ambiguous language that is intended to deceive or confuse.
Continue reading →
Posted in Current events, Politics
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Tagged Birthers, Brian Williams, Congress, corporate interests, Doublespeak, Healthcare Legislation, John Boehner, John Boehner on the Issues, Name calling, NBC Interview, Obamacare, Pinpointing the Enemy, Plain Folks, President Obama's citizenship, Propaganda techniques, Speaker of the House
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“There’s something wrong with me,” I said to Jack in the middle of one night last week. “What is it?” he asked, snapping awake. “My lips are tingling, and so are my hands,” I said. I hadn’t wanted to wake … Continue reading →
With only a few days to go before Christmas, I decided that I needed to celebrate, so we bought a turkey and invited some friends to the house. Jack unearthed boxes filled with lights, tree ornaments, decorative bows, candles, ceramic … Continue reading →
Posted in Cooking, Costa Rica, Family, Life, Life abroad, Rural Living
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Tagged camaraderie, Celebrating Christmas, decorating the house, loss of water, pumps, wells
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