NaNoWriMo

Today, I started writing a novel alongside my creative writing class.  It was so much fun to see them that excited!  A bunch of teachers and administrators came to our kick off, which was so encouraging for them.  And tonight I sat down and wrote 1700 words, my goal for today.  Maybe I can actually pull this off!

Transcendentalism

So I decided to take my AP class outside today because we were discussing Emerson and Thoreau, and then I wanted to print out quotes from Walden for them to read, and then I had to put them in little envelopes sealed with washi tape...  everything turns into such a huge production, but it was nice.  Except for the fact that there was a huge truck chopping down the "woods" behind the school where we were trying to appreciate nature.

Today

Morning

This morning, I'm inspired by my friend to come back to my blog.  I enjoy seeing her thoughts in my reader, which makes me look back on my own entries, and realize how much pleasure I get from having them collected here.  So thanks D!
I am coming off a very difficult week, with a lot of frustration and anger within myself about an issue at school.  Although I am once again disillusioned by the fearfulness that drives many of the decisions made in education, this experience also brought several gifts in its hands for me.  One is the knowledge that if I act with integrity and do what my heart tells me, then I don't ever have to be afraid.  I might be furious and tearful and a hot mess, but I am not afraid.  The other is that I am incredibly blessed to have a tribe of great women around me, who surround me with their words, energy, listening skills, text messages and hugs, reminding me that I am not alone.  What's better than that.
I don't know what is going to come of this particular situation, but I'm very content this morning sitting here with my coffee in my quiet kitchen.

ee cummings

This is my new bracelet!

Edited to add:  I decided to give this to a dear friend and colleague who was celebrating her 30th birthday.  Lately, I love to give gifts... and I'm finding that sometimes the best ones are already in my possession.
 

Hawaii

We just returned from our vacation in Maui. I don't know why, but Hawaii feels like home. I actually googled "teaching in Hawaii" just to see if there were any jobs...

Great quote

The best way to complain is to make things. -- James Murphy

Pay attention

Recently, I was talking to someone before a meeting and I realized that as I was speaking he was looking over my head, scanning the room -- for someone more powerful? interesting?  attractive?  I realized that at that point he lost me.  I felt sad, and angry.  I want to remember this because in my own interactions with my kids, students, colleagues, the person at the CVS checkout, I want to pay attention.  And it is hard.  As I'm writing this, my son is telling me something about the video game he's playing with his sister, and in order to pay attention to that, I have to stop this.  So I tell him that I'm writing and I will listen to him later, and I wonder if that's the right decision.  I think that acknowledging when I can't pay attention because of other things is ok...  it's very hard for me when multiple voices are talking to me and I need to stop, slow down, and listen to each in turn.  And not forget to listen to myself too.

Thinking

In January I started a separate blog on teaching, called "Only Connecting." My purpose was to write about things that happen in my work life and my thoughts on the profession in a different voice, one that is more public. But I'm realizing more and more that my life at school and at home are impossibly (and this is a good thing) intertwined. The more I am myself in every part of my life, the better it feels. So because this blog is the real me, I'm planning on writing about school here as well. When I look back years from now at the thoughts I've collected, I think I'll like having them in one place. It will be a nice contrast to the hodgepodge of journals and notebooks that I've been carrying around since first grade (but which I also love).

A tiny thing

A tiny thing, a photo by Megu41 on Flickr.

I took a walk today & this is what I saw.

Papersource

I love Paper Source.  It's this store that sells all kinds of stationery supplies, crafty stuff, just everything that I like.  I've been to the store in Boston and Brooklyn, and I also order from their catalog.  So recently I got an order and something was left out... I emailed customer service and they sent me the item... and also, in the box, was this:


a hand written note of apology.  How cool is that?