The view overlooking Emmigrant, Yosemite and Hoover Wilderness. Big Sam, 10,823ft! July 4th, 2025.

Part 1: Poem #

My students ask me
Do you have snacks Mr. Fong?
“I’m sorry I don’t”

Crushing overwhelm
I’m struggling to find hope
Can things be better?

Not the students fault
Neglect in the Empire’s core
Deport our ‘problems’

Restrict the labor
Outsource the big climate costs
Let capital flow

Who gets the land when
they extract the last dollar,
when empire falls?

Part 2: Written Reflection #

he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.

Luke 1:53

At one point during 4th period halted normal class in exasperation. It felt like class had ground to a halt for weeks on end. The usual deficit mindset filled my brain, these kids were just lazy, they didn’t know how to behave, they weren’t respectful like we used to be. Slowing class down, I decided to have them write about how the class was going.

One of the most frequent themes in their reflections was that they could not focus because they were hungry. In the following days, I started to ask students when they had their last meal. I was struck when I quickly learned that students did not eat breakfast or lunch. Their only food was scattered processed snacks provided by random generous teachers throughout the day.

I wondered how their bodies were reacting to a steady diet of chips, granola bars and the occasional soda. I recognized that the deficits I was seeing were not the fault of students, but the ruling ideology of capitalism that will dump egregious amounts of capital, water and electricity into the development of an AI bubble but can’t provide stable housing or food to its children. I felt the rage of my colleagues, where it takes (on average) 40% of our salaries just to cover housing in SF while billion dollar companies downtown pay no federal income taxes. The farther I zoomed out my perspective, the worse the situation became. Our military is being used to prop up a genocidal apartheid state in West Asia, operating as pirates stealing oil in the Caribbean, and boycotting the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30).

For Christians, the season of advent invites us into the longing of a new world. We are invited to see our broken reality at face value rather than retreating into digital worlds of our own design. We hear the call of John the Baptist echoing the Prophet Isaiah: “Prepare the way of the Lord!” a direct challenge to the Lords and rulers of the Roman Empire.

Mitri Raheb, a Palestinian theologian, writes:

When occupied people face the empire, they are generally so overwhelmed by its power that they think that the empire will remain forever and has eternal power. [In the phrase “Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the land.,”] Jesus wanted to tell his people that the empire would not last, that empires come and go. When empires collapse and depart, it is the poor and the meek who remain. Those people of the land who prosper emigrate and seek to grow richer within the centers of empire. Those who are well educated are claimed by the empire. Who remains on the land? The meek, that is, the powerless!

• Decolonizing Palestine: the Land: the people; the Bible

As we watch the unraveling of US Empire, we also see how a new world is breaking in through the struggles of the oppressed. At COP30, thousands of indigenous land defenders and their allies broke into the conference, staging a protest and demanding land back. Christians in Cuba and beyond resist the deadly blockade and sanctions policies imposed by the United States. Back in my classroom, one student had wingstop and shared with the class.

This Christmas, I continue to cling to the hope of a restored world. From the picket line, to the classroom, to the reciting of Pslams in worship, I declare: “Prepare the Way of the Lord!”

Part 3: A look back #

A collection of things that had an impact on me this year:

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Music to my Ears: #

Double Infinity: Big Thief #

I can still remember the moment I heard 03 Los Angeles play on the KEXP morning show. The slow build up and vocals had me hooked. I immediately looked up the album and have been hooked ever since.

I’d follow you forever
Even without looking
You call, we come together
Even without speaking

You sang for me
You sang for me

KEXP #

This year my sister recommended I check out KEXP as it began to broadcast on 92.7 in the Bay Area. They began to run ads on MUNI about the music being curated by humans, not AI. I have fallen in love with the human connection over the FM radio waves; “KEXP, Where the music matters.” If you are seeking to explore human curated tunes, tune in live at 92.7 or online.

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Sights to See #

Navajo Nation, Hopi Reservation, Ute Mountain Tribal Park #

During the summer, I drove from Colorado Springs to San Francisco with my mom in a moving van. I intentionally took a detour to explore more of the southwest and see some of the indigenous nations in the area while learning more of the history of the United States. I am hoping to share more about this trip in an upcoming VLOG so stay tuned.

Los Angeles #

During a trip to Southern California over Fall break, I had some alone time while my partner and her brother went to Camp Flog Gnaw. I used that time to visit 5 Pokemon Shops and one of the largest Pokemon trading conventions in a span of 48 hours. I also ate at 4 different taco trucks in on night! If you are in the area I recommend: PokeboxUSA in San Gabriel (plus the Korean spot across the street! So good), MVPCollects in Little Tokyo and Leo’s Tacos on Pico Union. PSSSTTT if you don’t want to drive to LA there’s also a Leo’s on Great Highway but its not as good as the LA one.

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Words a Page: #

The Witchstone by Henry H Neff #

A fun, comedic novel about a ‘curse keeper’ who has been slacking in his job until a new supervisor turns up the heat.

Wool by Hugh Howey #

A novel set in a post-apocalyptic future. I loved seeing how the world continued to expand. The first 2 books in the series were stronger than the finale

The New Teacher Book-3rd Edition by rethinking schools #

One of the few books through which I actually felt seen. Highly recommended to any new teacher who feels like everything is just too much.

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Words in conversation: #

The Electronic Intifada Podcast #

As the ceasefire is interpreted by the Zionist entity as “you cease, we fire,” The Electronic Intifada (EI) provides invaluable coverage in the english language on one of the most important anti-colonial struggles of our generation.

The Anti-Empire Project: Civilization Series #

“We cover everything in a Modern Western Civilization history class (around 1st year university level), but add in all the colonialism and imperialism that’s usually left out.” A product of anti-imperialist writer Justin Podur and retired history teacher Dave Power this is an essential listen for anyone interesting in understanding why the world is the way that it is.