My family and I were in a mall lining up to buy tickets for The Da Vinci Code.  A minute or two after we fell in line, I saw:  the movie was rated R18.  My daughter is 11. She's read the book. And in that instance, I realized: she could not watch the movie.

I'm actually shocked at the rating.  I've read the book and did not find it to be any more violent or sexual than Poseidon or Titanic.  Was it the religion issue? I suspect it was. 

Anyway, we had to get out off line, disappointed. I'm not about to file a complaint with the Church or the MTRCB. They're doing what they think they must for their own reasons.  I don't agree, but it's pointless arguing.  Mostly I'm just...disappointed.   We had been anticipating watching the movie for weeks and then to realize that you can't...it's disappointing.

Oh, well. Tomorrow is another day.

***

One of the observations I have to make about my students is that their communication skills have been deteriorating over the generations.  There was a time when students recited in English and wrote in English.  Eventually, the began reciting in taglish and writing in English.  Now, I find them reciting and English and writing and emailing in text.  I observe this across grade point averages.  I have incredibly bright students who can't seem to (or choose not to) speak and write in a single language.  I have struggling students to speak and write beautifully--they just have less to say.

One of the things that we impress upon our students is the value fluency and precision. We must express ourselves in writing and in speech with the correct terminology, with accuracy, and with good grammar.  With the environment so rife with bad communication skills, though, I'm not sure they appreciate the point.

But then again, this does not mean I get to give up.