My Photo
Name: megan
Location: austin. texas, United States

im that girl in the corner that chokes on a breath mint.

Thursday, January 25, 2007

being a mentor and embracing what others think is weird about you

frida kahlo

this is a picture of the mexican artist frida kahlo.

i am mentoring a 4th grade girl at govalle elementary. her dad is in prison and her mom is a drug user in and out of jail. we meet once a week for lunch and hang out, talk, swing. i've always wanted to do this and feel scared or inadequate, as i want to do right by her. she hasn't had it easy. last week, we were sitting with a couple of her friends. one of the 'popular' girls came over to the table and asked her friend for her chocolate milk. she gave it to her. my girl offered her milk to her also, but she flatly refused. her friend at the table said, 'they are mean to her. they call her mustache girl'. referring to my girl. they began talking about unibrows and shaving their legs and such kind of things that i guess even younger girls now worry about.

its not easy growing up a girl and being different. looking different from the conventional idea of beauty in our culture. but i plan on being there to remind her that we are all different and we are all the same - and to support her just as she is.

so...tomorrow we will talk about frida kahlo. i'll swing by book people today and pick up this book: Frida, written for kids her age.

Kahlo was noted for her exceptional beauty and unconventional appearance, declining to remove her facial hair (she had a small mustache and unibrow which she exaggerated in self portraits) and donning flamboyantly-styled clothing inspired by traditional Mexican dress.
my girl is hispanic and we will talk about how Frida kicked ass and was a uniquely beautiful and unconventional woman. frida kahlo grew up neglected as a child and through life dealt with an accident that put her through 35 surgeries, violence, political upheaval, illness, a tumultuous marriage, depression and in the end she had to have her leg amputated due to gangrene. she was a stunning and strong woman - probably way ahead of her times - she was a sincere and gifted artist.

frida kahlo was married to the mexican artist, diego rivera. i traveled to mexico 3 times during college - one time stayed and roamed around the country for a month. my first trip there we went to view his huge murals in mexico city. they are amazing. my trips to mexico had a huge impact on me - bizarre and fun and enlightening and beautiful. i met amazing people there.

if you have time in your life to mentor a kid - its usually you go sit in at lunch with them once a week and be a friend, you might give it some thought. its not hard, you will be someone/something they can count on, something consistent in their life and someone just for them. in austin, you can do this through Partners in Education. worried about being a role model? so was I! but...its not as hard as i had imagined. and everyone is glad to have you there - just being there and showing your mentee that you will show up for them and be their friend. you will find that you take away as much as you give. it feels good to show someone who could use a helping hand coming up in the world, that you care.

14 Comments:

Blogger cyclingdave said...

what a great gesture, introducing her to frida, and kudos to you for volunteering your time like that. she and other kids are very fotunate to have volunteers such as yourself.

i know the children's book you refer to and it is beautifully illustrated and fantastic.

the paths our lives take are remarkable. i can appreciate the fear and the apprehension but it sounds like you have much to offer
this young girl

1/25/2007 02:02:00 PM  
Blogger bluecolnago said...

dave said it all!

i say, good for you megan. i'm proud of you! you are doing a good and selfless thing and providing a positive impact on a young life that may quite possibly be felt by her forever. good on you!

peace out, yo!

1/25/2007 07:43:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bravo...Bravo...
The world is turning into such a crazy place this day and age. its nuts, no one seems to care about anyone but them selves.
Its good to know theres still nice people in the world. The kids are where its at.
Thank you!

1/25/2007 11:22:00 PM  
Anonymous seth said...

Good on you, Megan!

Seth

1/27/2007 03:06:00 AM  
Blogger mplsminx said...

oh man, you make me weep. you're incredible. and brave, too, i think. i wish i had the courage. maybe someday i will.

1/28/2007 09:06:00 PM  
Blogger megan said...

thanks friends. ive always wanted to do something like this but didn't trust that i was capable. i want to do right by her. pretty much its just being a friend and someone she can count on. and i will do that.

thanks again. i appreciate your support. :-)

1/29/2007 10:16:00 AM  
Blogger gwadzilla said...

my five year old son exposed me to frida

she was in the paper

he saw here and pointed her out

totally obscure that a five year old would know who frida kahlo is

1/30/2007 09:40:00 PM  
Blogger cally said...

I was googling frida and came across your wonder post. How wonderful that she has someone like you, and so great that you get as much from the experience also. very inspiring.

7/13/2007 11:24:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I came across your blog randomly, looking at pictures of frida, and I just have to say how wonderful and genuine you seem to be. I am so inspired by your thoughtfulness and caring for your mentee, your "girl."
I know she cherishes you and will think about you her whole life. Enjoy.

10/26/2007 06:54:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's nice to know that there are still nice and caring people like you.

6/12/2008 09:04:00 PM  
Blogger megan said...

thank you friends. i just finished my 2nd year of mentoring. i have a new mentee - she is in 2nd grade. sadly my first girl moved away and i hope she is doing well. she was my frida inspiration.

mentoring is so fun. i get as much if not more out of it and make some very good friends. they love the visits and attention.

i recommend it to anyone interested in spending some time with and helping younger folks grow up in this world....

6/13/2008 08:47:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just landed on your post after looking up Frida. What a great thing to do. I am sure your new mentee will go well. Wishing you every success in all you do.

A internet wanderer from the UKx

7/31/2008 04:18:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you so very much on behalf of my daughter... she has a mentor and her lunch date with her is the highlight of her week. She counts off the days until she gets to see her again. I'm sure you know how much you mean to your mentee but you also mean a great deal to the adults she goes home to after school... thanks again and keep up the outstanding work.

3/03/2009 04:31:00 PM  
Blogger amruta patil said...

nice.
:)

3/24/2009 10:55:00 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home