Real or Fake

I don’t like fakes and in my line of shopping I come across quite a few.  Usually, if they are a few bucks, I buy them and then write replica on the inside lining with a Sharpie and donate it again so that people will know the truth.  So that there won’t be an eBay victim who over pays for a fake.  Recently, I came across a Fendi Baguette at Salvation Army that I bought it to show you some steps in authentication because I do own a real one.  To the untrained eye looking from afar it can pass as the real thing, but a closer inspection reveals that it’s a fraud.

Take these two purses that look almost identical, on the right is the real piece and on the left is the replica.  On a closer inspection...

Let's start with the material, the brown jacquard fabric with the FF motif begins to unveil the truth. On the left fake the F's are bigger and the material is rough to the touch.  

True Fendi engraves it's hardware on atleast one side, the replica doesn't have any of these details.

When looking at the zippers, the true Fendi below shows a higher metal quality zipper.

Finally there's usually a serial number inside the bag that corresponds with the model of the bag, where it was made and the date it came into production.

When I find a designer piece at a thrift store, I am extremely critical and have done enough research to be a pretty good authenticator...  I don't like lies in my own fashion choices and it's only more true that I despise them in more crucial parts of my life.  So, if I have the means I buy the fake and write replica on it before donating again so that other's not so keen buyers won't get taken advantage of.       

What I Have Recently Learned

 Sometimes it’s difficult to be kind to ourselves…  It has now been a year of distance learning and it’s been personally such a rollercoaster for me.  I’ve struggled to leave my bed and take the few steps to my computer and turn on the camera to begin my school day.  Many times, the persistent feeling of failure has stayed with me like the strong scent of a skunk lingers in the air.  I’ve had my lot of meltdowns, of feelings like I couldn’t go on, but small rays of light shined thru to push me forward in this anxiety ridden path.  I have struggled with trying to lead the ship to shore always feeling like a failure for the mediocre level of teaching I am doing.  Yet, the more time in isolation I have come to realize that all schools are aware of the deficiency in learning taking place due to distance learning.  Perhaps, this awareness has taught me that sometimes for a teacher academics become secondary and the primary goal is just one of connection. Of overcoming the uncomfortable life on camera to bring to the many homes a beacon of hope, “My dear student, I am here and I care.  While life might be a chaos, in this space I am here because I love you.”

After Christmas Break, I was dreading going back to virtual school because I knew that soon conference week would be upon me and I was terrified that the parents would validate the feelings of failure that I have had all these months.  I was afraid that during each meeting I would get a reprimand from each parent on the shortcomings of this introverted, quite private person trying to work in atmosphere so unnatural to who I am.  I was waiting for them to say, you could be doing better, you could be doing more, my daughter/son deserves the best.  Yet, as I welcomed each parent to my virtual classroom I was surprised by the love that poured from the other side of my screen.  Parent’s thanking me for my work and sharing how much they have appreciated me working with their kids.  One parent said, “My daughter has had so many teachers, but with you it’s been so different- you really get her.  You have reached her after others couldn’t...”  The compliments just continued throughout the week as I met with parent after parent and my heart filled with love and gratitude because we all need encouragement.

When I went back to teaching, my motto was I want to show all kids that I come across the love of God.  Before anything, I want them to feel special, secure and loved when they are around me- then I will teach.  During distance learning I had to be reminded to try to do the same in this setting.  I got so focused in the quality of learning (which I feel like I am failing) that I forgot how important it is to connect with the students.  Now, I see that the parents too see that sometimes academics are secondary to having a teacher that truly cares and loves their kids.  My nephew only confirmed this when he shared with me how little he is learning at school, how even his honors classes are “a joke” as he put it.  In the end the quote says that in looking back what we will never forget is how others made us feel.  Perhaps, during quarantine we as teachers can only walk away with peace knowing that our primary goal is social and emotional connection, to turn on our cameras and say I am here, I care.