Slice of Life 2/2/16

Today is 2-2. Twenty-two is my favorite, lucky, perfect, even, balanced number. 

Today was not my favorite. It was not lucky, perfect, even, or balanced. Today was the perfect opposite of those. Today was a drainer. I was about to slide into bed and end this imperfect day when I remembered it was Tuesday and I RESOLVE to write a Slice of Life post on Tuesdays.

Sigh. 

So close. 

And then it happened. I realized I could fill myself up just a little bit before I call it quits. Because writing does that for me. Writing isn't like my number 22. It's not perfect, but it balances me. Sometimes I get lucky with it and dig out a new phrase or thought. 

Today wasn't perfect. Today wasn't even close. But on a scale of 1-10, I think I'm at a 2.2 now. 

I can live with 2.2. 

Slice of Life Tuesday

For Father's Day, I got my dad the 25th Anniversary Edition of Paul Simon's Graceland. Included in the package was a CD of the original album with some bonus tracks, as well as a DVD documentary called "Under African Skies" about the controversy surrounding Simon's recording the album in South Africa in the 80's in the height of the Apartheid struggle. As I sat watching the documentary with my dad, what rose above the racial conflict was the idea of the spirituality of music. It was present in the background music of the film, in the footage of recording sessions, as well as in poignant statements made in interviews. One recent interview between Paul Simon (noticeably aged) and Quincy Jones really made an impact on me. The statements reached out of the TV and just grabbed at my heart. Quincy Jones said, "We all have the same 12 notes. Music is the great equalizer. Music is the voice of God."

It made me emotional to hear, and makes me emotional now, recording the words here. Music IS my spirituality. I am not a church-goer, but music is my soul. It brings me home, back to earth. It centers and grounds me. When I look back on periods of my life when I wasn't creating music, it feels like a dark time in my life. Music sheds light, warmth on me and on my life.

I recently had the opportunity to catch up with my high school band director at a ceremony that recognized the most influential teachers in graduating seniors' school careers. It was a full circle moment, being recognized by a former student, when there, also being recognized, was MY most influential teacher. I told him how I had recently been taking my flute out to play and regain my stamina, and he told me that this summer, for the first time, our district would be organizing an alumni summer band. It was exactly what I had been missing. Playing with other musicians and creating art in the form of music is like therapy for me. It fills up the empty parts and makes me whole again.

I like the idea of being a lifelong musician, as my band director always wished for his students. One day, I will be looking noticeably aged like Paul Simon, but I know that creating music will keep my heart, soul, and spirit young.

(Even if the documentary doesn't tickle your fancy, the DVD is definitely worth checking out, if only for the music video of "You Can Call Me Al" featuring Chevy Chase. Possibly the best lip synching job ever.)

Slice #2 Dive In

Yep...I'm already behind on the SOLSC.  That's okay! Not giving up!

Carving out time to read.

It’s important for everyone. That’s why I carve out 20 minutes a day for my students to read, and that time is protected. When they’re at home, they are susceptible to the lure of technology. In my class, they are free from that. We call it “Dive In”. When they hear the Yo Yo Ma cd, they know it’s Dive In time. They grab their books and jump in. Hearing the “yes!” when it’s a Dive In day is justification enough that it is 20 minutes well spent. I know that if they get into their books in the 20 minutes we read in class, more likely than not, we’ll be stopping in the middle of a good part that will just make them beg for more time. After that, I know that chances are they’re more likely to reach for that book when they get home. Who wouldn’t?

As often as I can, I read with my students. I do this for many reasons. One: It’s important for students to see the adults in their lives model a reading life. Two: When I’m not shuffling papers, talking to another student, or focused on another organization activity, the class is more focused on their reading. We are like one, zoned-in reading organism. Three: I get to read! In order to keep up with my most voracious readers, I need some time to get through my stack of books as well!

Sometimes, the 20 minutes starts or ends with me talking about what I’m currently reading, what I’m excited about reading next, or new books that are available in my classroom library. I’ll even share with students that sometimes I’m reading multiple books at a time. I’m usually reading a young adult book, an adult book of interest, a professional development book, and even a staff book club pick. Some of my students can’t even believe I can read more than ONE book at a time.

On that note, I’ll sign off by sharing what I’m currently reading!

Young Adult: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver (sequel to Delirium)

Adult: I Do, Now What? By Bill & Giuliana Rancic and Nemesis by Jo Nesbo

Professional Development: Write Like This by Kelly Gallagher

Staff Book Club: Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

I hope you find time to Dive In soon!

Slice #1

And then there was one.

The last car in the parking lot. The last to click off the light switch. The lonely click-click-click of heels on tile. When you’re the last teacher in the building — when even the administrators have thrown in the towel — a school can be a very lonely place.

The copy machine groans as it’s turned back on. I should be sleeping, it’s thinking. (Ditto, I think.) It develops a strange moaning sound as it spits out the handouts for my presentation. Does it always make this noise? In retaliation, it leaves a single black line going across every page and runs out of staples at packet 100 of 200. That’s ok, I think. I love hand-stapling. I welcome the karma that comes to me for procrastinating on this project.

I pack up my cart, and it’s not until I’m on my way out, walking down the long empty hallway, a janitor’s supply cart peeking around the corner, that I realize the organism that IS a middle school when all the students and teachers are there. How bereft of life it becomes when we all leave and only a few rows of lights still glow, casting shadows from locker banks. Though it’s impossible to find a moment of solace from 8 to 3, when you have it like I did tonight, it’s nothing to relish. It leaves me feeling uneasy. Unsettled.

I’ll take the hustle and bustle. The whirlwind of adolescent turmoil and glee. The half-eaten lunches and snippets of teacher gossip and complaints. (Hmm..I could probably do without the latter.)

I guess I learned two lessons tonight: stop procrastinating for goodness sake, but most importantly, accept that the chaos — well, it just feels right.

Slice #25 - Gardening, Step One

This is going to be one of those posts where the writer likens teaching to gardening. 

Though we didn't yield much from our seeds last year, we are going to try it again.  When I took this photo on Day One, I wasn't sure we would be successful.  Did I put the seed in too deep? Too shallow? Will they get enough sunlight? Did I put too many seeds in? Self doubt was creeping in and I started to wonder why I thought this was a good idea. Eventually, I decided to stop worrying and just try not to overdo it. Last year, my first year trying to grow anything from seeds, I think I "overworked" the situation.  This year, I tried to be nonchalant about the seeds. 

Look at them go!

Here comes the comparison: Sometimes, I have to remind myself to TRUST my teaching.  That's not saying that I need to be lazy in my teaching the way I was lazily dropping seeds in the dirt, but that I need to stop the self-doubt and let the good stuff get out there for the kids to latch on to.  I know I can't be perfect every da, but I also know that my methods and philosophy are strong and deep-seeded in the way I teach, every day. Though the comparison is weak right now, the growth of the seeds still gives me inspiration in my teaching, and that's all that matters! Grow, seeds, grow!

Slice #24 - The Sound of a New Book

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

I've been in a debate with myself for weeks over the decision to purchase an e-Reader.  I thought I could never enjoy the book experience digitally, but recently I have been branching out with my reading.  Not branching out through the genre I'm reading, but through the mode.  I just started my first audiobook (The Help by Kathryn Stockett)! I've read samples of books I might want to buy print copies of on the Kindle app on my iPhone (The New Sweet Valley Twins Confidential by Pascal and Unbroken by Hillenbrand)!

Now, I don't see my new obsession with these many modes of reading to be turning my back on the book.  On the contrary! I get to experience MORE books than ever before! I read while driving (audiobook). I read before bed (print book). I read wherever and whenever I have down time (iPhone). It's a bibliophile's dream! (daydream?)

Now, with all my gushing about my new multimodal reading habits, I have to share my favorite recent entcounter: the crack.

Yes, the crack.  It is one of my favorite sounds in the world.  It's a sound that can't be imitated by anything else.  (Wait, what is the sound of a black hole opening?)  Yes, it's the sound of opening a new book.  No matter how excited I get about my new reading experiences, this sound will always bring me back.  The print book will never go away, because I know that I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Slice #22 - Behind the Scenes

I love hearing about authors writing.  Where they write. What inspires them. Life happens to them, too! What could have been a Slice of Life for Lois Lowry turned into a book! It's like being able to sit on the stage and peak behind the curtains.  It reminds me how important it is to make my own writing process visible for my student writers.  It may not fascinate them the way I'm fascinated by my favorite authors, but it's worth a shot!

Slice #21 - The One Where I Meet Lois Lowry

I love our local independent bookstore.  Anderson's always brings in the best authors.  Tonight, I got to hear Lois Lowry speak about her new book, Bless this Mouse. Sometimes visiting authors just sign their books.  Tonight was a treat! Forty-five minutes of Lois sharing stories! The quote of the evening, "I started writing children's books because I realized that I could end up writing something that a 12-year-old reads that could change their life.  You can't do that with a 55-year-old."  I love this quote.  It reminds me of why I got into teaching.  Very powerful. 

P.S. - Lois shared that she is currently writing the 4th book in The Giver set (another companion book) about the character Gabriel!  Also, she is meeting with Sean Astin next week to discuss the Number the Stars movie progress! Exciting!!

Slice #20 - Monthly Breakfast

Every last Sunday of every month, my family gets together for breakfast.  Aunts, cousins, uncles. We all get together at a preselected restaurant and catch-up, laugh, share stories, and eat.  Some restaurants are better than others.  Some, more crowded than others.  Some, we overtake with our laughter. Others, we are but a fraction of the racket.  Regardless of who could make it, what I ordered, what was shared, I love these last Sundays.  What a treasure.

Slice #19 - Eat your hearts out.

There's something to be said for the classic hot dog and fries combo.  For the greasy, crispy regular fry.  For the juicy hotdog topped, Chicago-style.  Dill pickle, onions, relish, ketchup, peppers, and pepper on a poppy seed bun.  Forget diets.  Forget vegan.  Forget whole foods.  Every once in a while, we shouldn't feel guilty for the All-American hot dog and fries combo.  With a coke.  Thank goodness for Portillo's.  The red-and-white-striped styrofoam cup starts glands salivating for miles around.  Eat your heart out, friends! 



Slice #18 - Sorry I'm late, all these books got in the way.

They call my  name and jockey for position.  They tap their feet and lay their heads on their arms, waiting, hoping.  They rehearse their lines and prepare for the day their pages will get a breath of fresh air.  A resting place on the nighstand doesn't ensure your position in line.  They have to be ready on a whim.  Does she want nonfiction next? Is it poetry that will soothe her soul? Will she call up an old classic and dust off its pages? What if the hold at the library finally becomes available -- where does that leave us? I have no answers.  All I can say to them is: Summer is just around the corner!

Slice #17 - March Madness

In the middle of the madness that is March, I find that priorities change, and new goals surface.  Struggling to find a balance between work and life (and the new changes in life), I have had to revise some habits.  I have had to adjust what I do with my time at school so that I can spend more quality time during my non-school hours with those closest to me, doing the things that build a rich life.  I never "got" how veteran teachers with families did it.  Now that I look closer, I see that they are "doing it" by being smarter with their time.  Really prioritizing what they do.  Saying "no" when they need to. Making their picks.

So, lately, I've been making some picks of my own.  I choose to sit on the couch with my love's hand in my hand, rather than a grading pen touched to a rubric.  I choose to get up earlier, instead, to get that grading done in the quiet of my classroom well before students arrive.  I choose to make a nice meal for dinner, rather than staying late, organizing the stacks on my desk. I choose to organize immediately - everything in its place, right away - instead. I choose a life that is rich with material for my slices!  There will be upsets, cinderella stories, smiles, and tears.  The changes are slowly but surely coming around, and I can't wait to see how it all turns out!



Slice #16 - Stuck in the Middle With You

Slices in the middle of the month are like middle children. Those that came before got all the attention.  They got the most praise for the tiniest thing. This time around, the attention is waning. 

Slices in the middle of the month are like the eye of a tornado.  All around you swirls the pieces of your life. Here and there some tangible something catches your eye, but mostly things are just flying by. 

Slices in the middle of the month are like the the line at Six Flags.  You jumped on even though you knew the time commitment.  You know the ride is going to be worth it in the end, but it's getting hot and putting one foot in front of the other is getting harder and harder.

Slices in the middle of the month are like the buffet at Old Country Buffet, minus the guilt or bellyache.  You feel comfortable trying a little bit of this or a little bit of that. 

Slices in the middle of the month is where we're at, and I'm happy to be here with you!

Slice #15

I am composing this Slice from my iPhone.
I can't figure out how to add an image from my album.
I even tried copy and paste.

Here's what that got me:
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyHd5CSoCkSfaUhXcL2umlCiq27jU3IGkNmLca4zNVqIRpC797-8GW9NBd_Pr9bur2CoeMsXNKv0U4ica4ziI3n_yWelWwgQ7I6H_3UhFjNTFhNkzWnzYsm9IgEUkBf1KPTyAdq39has/s1600/sols_2011challenge.jpg

My iPhone can do many things, but nothing beats hammering out a Slice on the good ole laptop.

Slice #14 - Simmer

On Sunday, I bought the ingredients for lasagna.  That afternoon, I chopped the basil and parsley, browned the italian sausage and beef, sauteed it with the onions and garlic.  I slowly added the crushed tomatoes, sauces, and pastes.  I stirred in the sugar, salt, and pepper.  Then I let it simmer for an hour and a half. Then came the layering. Noodles, ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan, the sauce.  Fifty minutes in the oven.  Bubbly and golden cheese on top when the time dinged.

Did we enjoy the lasagna Sunday evening? No.  We shared a spicy tuna roll.  The lasagna? We saved it for tonight.  For that hour we have to spend together.  Sandwiched between afterschool meetings and evening pilates. 

This reminds me of the writing process.  Slowly adding in the ingredients.  Saving bits and pieces for that right moment when you might need it.  Letting it simmer.  Then, pulling it out at just the right time to savor it.

The sauce after simmering for 90 minutes

Slice #13 - You Came In With the Breeze, On Sunday Morning

This was my Sunday Morning.  I let all other responsibilities go and succumbed to relaxation and went wherever the breeze took me.

Slice #12 - These shoes were made for..

Shoes.

They say a lot about a person.  Of the four, you can probably detect which ones belong to my fiance, and which three are mine!

The pair on the right are the sneakers I wore to school on Friday (the day of the week staff members usually wear jeans and school gear).

The heels I slid into on my way to a cover band Friday night (embracing my non-teacher self).  At the end of the night, my feet literally sighed with relief as I slid out of them and the heels of my feet came back down to earth.

And the boots my feet snuggled into while running errands into what turned out to be a cold, windy Saturday.  My toes were grateful for the sweater-like wrappings on this blustery day.

Soon, I look forward to the freedom of flip-flops, my feet learning to exist for a few months without the boundary of shoes.

Slice #11 - All Caught Up

I've been behind since week one, so I might be breaking the rules, but I had to do another Slice today so that my slice number matched up with the date again!!

I'm all caught up with my slices and
I'm all caught up in the planning of a marriage!

We will soon send out what was sent to us in this box.  Our family and friends will soon share in the love we've been all caught up with since we met each other.

I love being all caught up!  Ah.

Slice #10 - Pedicures were invented for teachers

I swear, pedicures were invented with teachers in mind.  The massage chairs, the foot soak, the pampering.  How do they know just what a teacher needs on a Friday afternoon??

If Pedicure was a greek goddess, she would be my favorite myth story.  Easing the pain of educators from atop Mount Olympus.  Bringing comfort to man and woman alike.  Transforming woman's foot with a touch.  I would worship her and spread the news of her powers far and wide.  Then, after all that walking, I'd head back to Olympus for another Pedi.

Me and two colleagues for a Friday afternoon treat!
Happy St. Patty's Day!

Slice #9 - Flat Stanley is Here

There's nothing like a flat man to put some perspective on things! Flat Stanley is a world-traveler.  He'll visit places I've never even heard of!  He's an inspiration for all in how to live life to the fullest!  Flat Stanley is the ultimate SLICE OF LIFE! 

I hope I can show him a good time!