Frosty windowpanes, just like you see in the movies. Soft jazz floating among the rafters. A quiet street with lake Chautauqua darkly beckoning. A picture disturbed by a waft of overpowering cologne. It snapped me into the reality of what had been happening around us at this quaint and cozy English-Inn-replica.
As soon as we walked in, there were a few looks. These were not just looks of curiosity. They felt like looks of do-you-belong-here? This fine eating establishment is located in Bemus Point, New York. It was a bit of a quiet kind of town that probably thrives when there isn't a foot of snow on the ground. The service was great, but the voices from the tables around carried. Maybe all these people knew each other in passing. Maybe these people saw us pull up in an oversized work van from Indiana. Or maybe our threads didn't meet approval...the fact that I was wearing a $2.80 leopard print shirt under a CAbi jacket was not lost on me. Maybe, just maybe, I was being self-conscious...not likely, since it would take more than entering a restaurant to make me self-conscious.
The girl behind my husband seemed to be trying to check me out to see if I passed an unspoken standard. She was well put together, but not over the top. I quickly dismissed any looks I was getting.
There were two tables of four behind us, though. All looked like they could be old money...retired, comfortable. One table was just louder than I would expect at such an establishment. They didn't talk about much of import other than sharing stories of their collective pasts and so and so's illness, etcetera. The second table was the one I take the most issue with....and even that's an overstatement. I should just say, they caused me to pause and reflect briefly on a growing malcontent of mine.
The larger man at this table, who we humorously renamed "The Judge" (dig into your old Rodney Dangerfield movies), was pontificating about the current political scene. I quickly dismissed what he said, because it seems his audience was not the other three at his table, but anyone who would listen.
I stopped listening as I realized we are all on a continuum of sorts, be it intellectually, monetarily, or socially. Everyone is in someone else's ivory tower and it's easy for us to cast stones at those who have more than we...however when do we consider giving up some of what we have in order to assist someone lower on the continuum? I don't suppose this fellow would give up his status in order to allow someone else to reach an equivalent status. I also wonder who I'll tick off when I suggest that we have our own caste system right here in this country, but no one wants to claim that they are the privileged class. It's always someone higher than they.
Instead of spewing on so everyone can hear, why don't we do something about it? Why don't we enlighten ourselves, facilitate others' growth, and keep it going. I know, I know, I'm an idealist. Yes, and an optimist, too. If we don't do something now, though, maybe our democracy won't withstand the pressure building from within the walls of this country. Before pointing a finger at others, let's look at the three fingers pointing back at ourselves, so that we can move forward more intelligently.
Regardless of the bloviating surrounding us and the pressure cooker I feel we live in currently in this country, last night it was just my hubby and me. Man and wife. Engineer and Educator--enjoying each other, in the moment, without regard to the problems of the world. It is something I hope to continue to do for a very, very, very long time.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Money Pit II (aka "The Flip") Revisited
The trucks barrel outside our hotel room window, as the sun is making its way down the other end of the freeway. It's cold, but I'm free.
I'd like to say that I came to Erie, Pennsylvania with my husband, to bask in the glory of our second year of marriage; to provide him the companionship he might have missed on this business trip, or to add yet another city to the list of places I've explored. If I admitted to any of those, I'd be stretching the truth. Though, I do love my husband and enjoy keeping him company, the fact of the matter is, if I'm here with him, I'm not in Ft. Wayne having to deal with the flip. It's priceless.
I would hate for anyone to get the wrong idea, but let's face it...my friends, and equally importantly my superiors are getting sick of hearing about this house. As gorgeous as it turned out, we still have to sell the thing, which means buying the legal paperwork, putting a sign out into the yard and constantly worrying that someone will pick now to break into it. We're on the home stretch here....but I want it sold NOW. The secretary at the school where I'm currently working assures me that the right buyer is just waiting for it. I hope she's right, but here are some things I've learned through the whole two-year-and-I'm-not-telling-how-many-months project:
1. Don't wish "they'd just put a sign out front and sell the darn thing."
2. If they do put a sign out selling the darn thing DON'T BUY IT!!
3. Plan ahead. If you even think you'll be putting yourself through a masters or getting married, reconsider.
4. Don't underestimate the work it takes
5. Don't underestimate the financial faux pas's that will occur along the way
6. Do learn as much as you can about your "partner in crime," like what he likes and is capable of doing...this will come in handy later.
7. When in doubt, ask for help from as many capable others as possible.
8. Do your homework early on.
9. Be nice to the people at Neighborhood Code Enforcement
10. Fix any outdoor atrocities first as your neighbors will appreciate (and support you) for it.
I've been asked if I will ever do this again. Well, that's a loaded question. I would absolutely do it again if I didn't have such a demanding job that I loved so much, and if my husband didn't care if I took on the responsibility myself (versus encumbering him...good planning on my part, heh heh.) The demolition can't be beat...and I love painting, and making it pretty, so all the rest can be hired out.
But for now, I am excused from my responsibilities there, so that I can catch up on other things that I'd like to continue to keep up on here.
I'd like to say that I came to Erie, Pennsylvania with my husband, to bask in the glory of our second year of marriage; to provide him the companionship he might have missed on this business trip, or to add yet another city to the list of places I've explored. If I admitted to any of those, I'd be stretching the truth. Though, I do love my husband and enjoy keeping him company, the fact of the matter is, if I'm here with him, I'm not in Ft. Wayne having to deal with the flip. It's priceless.
I would hate for anyone to get the wrong idea, but let's face it...my friends, and equally importantly my superiors are getting sick of hearing about this house. As gorgeous as it turned out, we still have to sell the thing, which means buying the legal paperwork, putting a sign out into the yard and constantly worrying that someone will pick now to break into it. We're on the home stretch here....but I want it sold NOW. The secretary at the school where I'm currently working assures me that the right buyer is just waiting for it. I hope she's right, but here are some things I've learned through the whole two-year-and-I'm-not-telling-how-many-months project:
1. Don't wish "they'd just put a sign out front and sell the darn thing."
2. If they do put a sign out selling the darn thing DON'T BUY IT!!
3. Plan ahead. If you even think you'll be putting yourself through a masters or getting married, reconsider.
4. Don't underestimate the work it takes
5. Don't underestimate the financial faux pas's that will occur along the way
6. Do learn as much as you can about your "partner in crime," like what he likes and is capable of doing...this will come in handy later.
7. When in doubt, ask for help from as many capable others as possible.
8. Do your homework early on.
9. Be nice to the people at Neighborhood Code Enforcement
10. Fix any outdoor atrocities first as your neighbors will appreciate (and support you) for it.
I've been asked if I will ever do this again. Well, that's a loaded question. I would absolutely do it again if I didn't have such a demanding job that I loved so much, and if my husband didn't care if I took on the responsibility myself (versus encumbering him...good planning on my part, heh heh.) The demolition can't be beat...and I love painting, and making it pretty, so all the rest can be hired out.
But for now, I am excused from my responsibilities there, so that I can catch up on other things that I'd like to continue to keep up on here.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Money Pit II
Stay tuned for some delvings far from the educational realm. I've quite a bit to say about this, but mainly just wanted to put a "bookmark" on the thought...meanwhile, I have another presentation to prepare for...
Curriculum Matters
Ahhhhhh.....basking in the glory of a day learning and helping others learn. Is there anything better? After 3 presentations at the Appleseed Writing Project's 2nd annual conference, I'm exhausted, yet exhilarated. As I reflect on the day, and my eyelids begin to droop, I can sleep soundly knowing that my dichotomies have afforded me this peace.
As I was driving home from work a couple of weeks ago, I was reflecting (as I often do during my 50 minute drive) on the sheer opposite I married into. I don't mean that Bill and I are total opposites (although an engineer's thinking is very different than a teacher's thinking.) I mean, I am currently working in an urban district with a diverse population and I drive home to a milk-toast, country living down a .6 mile gravel road across a "rickety" (yes, there's a story there) bridge to a couple of acres and a cat named Scooty (who is presently meowing outside).
Some of the folks in this neck don't make it to the "big city" often enough and might not know what to think about the stories I have to tell...so I don't tell them though I'm seeping at the seams.
This is not the only dichotomy. Today after being "professional" all day, then having a great dinner with my hubby and my parents, I went to a house that Bill and I have been working on and helped him with some plumbing. We left there at 10:30, after testing everything, draining it, and being unable to clean the "flux" out from under my fingernails.
Why do these dichotomies really exist? What am I supposed to be learning? Or do I just need the polar opposites to keep myself somewhere in middle? I'm not sure what the answer to these questions is, but I do know that it's 12:26, Scooty's still meowing 'cause he wants some love, and my tea is now luke-warm in front of me...
I'll ponder the meaning of it all when I'm more coherent.
As I was driving home from work a couple of weeks ago, I was reflecting (as I often do during my 50 minute drive) on the sheer opposite I married into. I don't mean that Bill and I are total opposites (although an engineer's thinking is very different than a teacher's thinking.) I mean, I am currently working in an urban district with a diverse population and I drive home to a milk-toast, country living down a .6 mile gravel road across a "rickety" (yes, there's a story there) bridge to a couple of acres and a cat named Scooty (who is presently meowing outside).
Some of the folks in this neck don't make it to the "big city" often enough and might not know what to think about the stories I have to tell...so I don't tell them though I'm seeping at the seams.
This is not the only dichotomy. Today after being "professional" all day, then having a great dinner with my hubby and my parents, I went to a house that Bill and I have been working on and helped him with some plumbing. We left there at 10:30, after testing everything, draining it, and being unable to clean the "flux" out from under my fingernails.
Why do these dichotomies really exist? What am I supposed to be learning? Or do I just need the polar opposites to keep myself somewhere in middle? I'm not sure what the answer to these questions is, but I do know that it's 12:26, Scooty's still meowing 'cause he wants some love, and my tea is now luke-warm in front of me...
I'll ponder the meaning of it all when I'm more coherent.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Sheeeee's Baaaaaaack...
I'm minutes from dashing out the door, but after a few arduous months at my new job, I needed to refresh my blogging. Stay tuned for some beats from a different drum....
Monday, June 4, 2007
I need a collander for my brain!
The whirlwind of today leaves me with little inspiration to think creatively given that I've still got 101 things to do in less time than is allowed to do it in. Either way, a little blogging might help.
Today the team with whom I work got to spend time working with one of our newest colleagues, Wendy. While problem solving a work-in-progress for the fall, we learned a lot (isn't a lot a poor word choice? Yeah, that' what you get when you think too much in a day) from each other. This is a luxury not often afforded in our positions. I look forward to my next (and last) two days as a facilitator. I shant dwell here at the moment, because it will mark another sad ending in my life. I'll deal more with that and my beloved colleagues on another day.
But for today, I have a date with Roto-rooter, must install cabinet doors, and find a business-casual outfit to wear on Thursday! Never a dull moment.
Today the team with whom I work got to spend time working with one of our newest colleagues, Wendy. While problem solving a work-in-progress for the fall, we learned a lot (isn't a lot a poor word choice? Yeah, that' what you get when you think too much in a day) from each other. This is a luxury not often afforded in our positions. I look forward to my next (and last) two days as a facilitator. I shant dwell here at the moment, because it will mark another sad ending in my life. I'll deal more with that and my beloved colleagues on another day.
But for today, I have a date with Roto-rooter, must install cabinet doors, and find a business-casual outfit to wear on Thursday! Never a dull moment.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Salvation without Jesus (Jennifer, instead)
After a cram-packed faculty meeting at the school where the train-wreck occured, I had 40 minutes to seek salvation.
I picked up the phone and dialed one of my facilitator buddies and told her I needed some coaching. She spared the time for me and listened to yesterday's catastrophe and consulted a couple references (Reading with Meaning by Debbie Miller and the Harvey Daniels book on Lit. Circles). We shot ideas back and forth and at 9:15, I was left with the how, and quickly went in search of a shared text. With just 30 seconds to spare, I delivered the lesson in the first class and it went well. I deviated a bit from the plan hatched by Jennifer and I, but was pleased with the kids understanding and increased rigor of their questions.
The second room went similarly. We added some depth to their understanding of thin and thick questions, and left them still wondering about the shared text, so that they'd have more fodder with which to banter on Monday.
The part I opted to leave out this time, the Criteria Chart on Thin versus Thick will wait. I'll walk the teachers through this so that they can experience it with their students before next Wednesday when they leave for the summer.
In all, I felt pretty good about what the students took away today. The week was salvaged, I learned from my colleagues, but more than that, my last interactions with students were positive.
I just realize as the suite that I'm typing in echoes of voices-gone-home-on-a-Friday-night. I'm sad. Today marks a bittersweet day. I'm left with an ache in the pit of my stomach as I realize that my boss of three years is leaving,and I (if I receive Board Approval) will be changing positions. I will savor these moments as I type because I know my old boss is still in the building...just knowing that temporarily comforts me. The regularness comforts me. The safety comforts me. I will have all summer to synthesize all that I've learned personally and professionally from her, but for now everything is as it always is. Terri working hard.
I'm thinking, too, that maybe I know why I was so passionate to get my lesson right yesterday. Maybe somewhere in the crevices of my brain I realized that I have one more shot. I don't like thinking this. I'd like to think that I have that same passion to get it right all the time, but this time was distinctly different. My contacts with children and teachers will forever change after today,my last day with teachers and students in this role. I've made some wonderful connections the past three years, and I will miss that. I will also miss the direct instruction of students. I don't handle loss well, and this is truly a loss on many fronts (yes, it's the beginning of something new, too). I think I'm going to have to spend some time lingering in what I'm about to embark upon as well as grieving the loss of my boss, and the welcoming of a new and wonderful individual who will take her position. Talk about growth. I'm stretching professionally and personally. Maybe my salvation still has to come from Jesus (instead of Jennifer.)
I picked up the phone and dialed one of my facilitator buddies and told her I needed some coaching. She spared the time for me and listened to yesterday's catastrophe and consulted a couple references (Reading with Meaning by Debbie Miller and the Harvey Daniels book on Lit. Circles). We shot ideas back and forth and at 9:15, I was left with the how, and quickly went in search of a shared text. With just 30 seconds to spare, I delivered the lesson in the first class and it went well. I deviated a bit from the plan hatched by Jennifer and I, but was pleased with the kids understanding and increased rigor of their questions.
The second room went similarly. We added some depth to their understanding of thin and thick questions, and left them still wondering about the shared text, so that they'd have more fodder with which to banter on Monday.
The part I opted to leave out this time, the Criteria Chart on Thin versus Thick will wait. I'll walk the teachers through this so that they can experience it with their students before next Wednesday when they leave for the summer.
In all, I felt pretty good about what the students took away today. The week was salvaged, I learned from my colleagues, but more than that, my last interactions with students were positive.
I just realize as the suite that I'm typing in echoes of voices-gone-home-on-a-Friday-night. I'm sad. Today marks a bittersweet day. I'm left with an ache in the pit of my stomach as I realize that my boss of three years is leaving,and I (if I receive Board Approval) will be changing positions. I will savor these moments as I type because I know my old boss is still in the building...just knowing that temporarily comforts me. The regularness comforts me. The safety comforts me. I will have all summer to synthesize all that I've learned personally and professionally from her, but for now everything is as it always is. Terri working hard.
I'm thinking, too, that maybe I know why I was so passionate to get my lesson right yesterday. Maybe somewhere in the crevices of my brain I realized that I have one more shot. I don't like thinking this. I'd like to think that I have that same passion to get it right all the time, but this time was distinctly different. My contacts with children and teachers will forever change after today,my last day with teachers and students in this role. I've made some wonderful connections the past three years, and I will miss that. I will also miss the direct instruction of students. I don't handle loss well, and this is truly a loss on many fronts (yes, it's the beginning of something new, too). I think I'm going to have to spend some time lingering in what I'm about to embark upon as well as grieving the loss of my boss, and the welcoming of a new and wonderful individual who will take her position. Talk about growth. I'm stretching professionally and personally. Maybe my salvation still has to come from Jesus (instead of Jennifer.)
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