…was the title of my TFA professional development this weekend. I wish the name of the PD was “living it up” through May and June. I’m done “surviving.” It’s time to sprint it out till the end of the year. We’ve made it, we’ve really made it! The end is so close- Seniors have just a few weeks left- and I’ve decided to let my summer vacation start early by filling my weekends with as much fun as possible!
Mom came to visit this weekend and even though Saturday was a professional development, we managed to really enjoy the city! Friday night we went to the Dodgers- Nats game. I caught up with my old coworkers and really enjoyed the fireworks! If you haven’t been to a Friday night Nats game, GO! The stadium is gorgeous and the fireworks are the bomb (ha…) Saturday night we all went out to dinner at Clyde’s. Salvador Dali had it right- time is flexible and this weekend FLEW by!
Also- Important news to report. I FINALLY went to Ben’s Chili Bowl last night! This is a DC institution- a hole in the wall, really- that attracts all kinds of famous visitors from President Obama to the Cosby family. There’s really no polite way to eat the hot dog I got at this place. With the first bite, I had chili all over my nose, sauce on my hands and onions under my fingernails. It was a delicious disaster!
This upcoming weekend I’ve got a lot in store- a steeplechase AND an Orioles/Sox game! Yes... living it up is my theme for these months. The days at school are still long, but I’m determined to have fun!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
April 18? Whoops.
I passed my Praxis! I passed my Praxis! I passed my Praxis! That said, I have started to enjoy life so very much more. Remember that old Nickelodeon game show, Legends of the Hidden Temple? Passing the Praxis was the same feeling of joy you got when some kid actually made it through the final obstacle course. You didn't think it was possible, and when it actually happens after so many fails... well... it was just a pure thrill !
I celebrated my first weekend of freedom in style by going with a big group of friends to a DC United game. They are the professional soccer team that now plays at the old RFK stadium. Finally, it was to our advantage that we live all the way at C and 17th! Fifteen people showed up Saturday afternoon bearing fruit, chips, cookies and salads to put together a pregame potluck. The weather was cold and breezy but we bundled up and filled up before marching down the few short blocks to the stadium.
This makes my third professional soccer experience. Now I've seen games in Madrid, Los Angeles, and DC. And actually, every one of them was a blast! I can't believe the dedication and the passion of professional soccer fans. The whole stadium jumped up and down and somehow the cement stairs below me shook with the beat of the crowd. Everyone was singing, playing drums, throwing toilet paper, and clanging bells. It was just wild! I had no idea that fans here in DC could get so rowdy! We saw a lot of people we knew and quickly forgot about the chilly night.
This weekend seemed to finish in a blink. I can't believe it's Monday tomorrow already. Time is such a ridiculously flexible thing!
Peace and Love.
I celebrated my first weekend of freedom in style by going with a big group of friends to a DC United game. They are the professional soccer team that now plays at the old RFK stadium. Finally, it was to our advantage that we live all the way at C and 17th! Fifteen people showed up Saturday afternoon bearing fruit, chips, cookies and salads to put together a pregame potluck. The weather was cold and breezy but we bundled up and filled up before marching down the few short blocks to the stadium.
This makes my third professional soccer experience. Now I've seen games in Madrid, Los Angeles, and DC. And actually, every one of them was a blast! I can't believe the dedication and the passion of professional soccer fans. The whole stadium jumped up and down and somehow the cement stairs below me shook with the beat of the crowd. Everyone was singing, playing drums, throwing toilet paper, and clanging bells. It was just wild! I had no idea that fans here in DC could get so rowdy! We saw a lot of people we knew and quickly forgot about the chilly night.
This weekend seemed to finish in a blink. I can't believe it's Monday tomorrow already. Time is such a ridiculously flexible thing!
Peace and Love.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Back from Break
I'm writing this post, back at school, with mixed emotions.
Spring break, that holy grail that we were chasing all through the winter, came and went so fast I'm not even sure what happened. It was a blur of beaches, hollywood, baseball and lots of expensive food. Now we've got the long haul ahead untill Summer vacation, and it's like we never left. At the same time, I was kind of ready for the break to be over. I hate to confess that. Meredith's mom says that's the sign of a good vacation: You enjoyed yourself, but by the end of it, you're ready to come home.
California was a bittersweet trip for me. I was so happy to see all my old friends, both from Syracuse and the Dodgers. Everyone is really living the life out there: living their dreams, working in careers they've pined after since they were teens. I have friends in film, baseball, and media who can't imagine a better job. It was joyful to see people I care about doing well, but also difficult to contain my jealousy. I still feel so lost so often and still wonder what direction life and my career is going to take me.
The interesting trade off, however, is that my friends in LA remain unsatisfied with their lives. Most of them don't like the city, many of them are sorely missing their social circles. At least two friends wish - of all things - that they lived in DC! The best thing that's happened to me since graduation is my new social life here in the city, my fabulous roommates and the stellar friends I've made in TFA. The LA group has jobs they love, but not a life they love. I feel just the opposite. But I'm convinced that all of us- west and east coast- can find both! Everyone in their 20's is just wandering in one way or another.
In other news, we now have 90 minute classes at Gwynn Park. I struggled to fill 77 and I'm not sure what I'm going to do with my students now that I have them for an hour and a half. The hardest part of my work is management, and I'm going to have to up the creativity to keep them focused for that long.
Praxis scores come out this friday. I will keep everyone posted.
Peace and love.
Spring break, that holy grail that we were chasing all through the winter, came and went so fast I'm not even sure what happened. It was a blur of beaches, hollywood, baseball and lots of expensive food. Now we've got the long haul ahead untill Summer vacation, and it's like we never left. At the same time, I was kind of ready for the break to be over. I hate to confess that. Meredith's mom says that's the sign of a good vacation: You enjoyed yourself, but by the end of it, you're ready to come home.
California was a bittersweet trip for me. I was so happy to see all my old friends, both from Syracuse and the Dodgers. Everyone is really living the life out there: living their dreams, working in careers they've pined after since they were teens. I have friends in film, baseball, and media who can't imagine a better job. It was joyful to see people I care about doing well, but also difficult to contain my jealousy. I still feel so lost so often and still wonder what direction life and my career is going to take me.
The interesting trade off, however, is that my friends in LA remain unsatisfied with their lives. Most of them don't like the city, many of them are sorely missing their social circles. At least two friends wish - of all things - that they lived in DC! The best thing that's happened to me since graduation is my new social life here in the city, my fabulous roommates and the stellar friends I've made in TFA. The LA group has jobs they love, but not a life they love. I feel just the opposite. But I'm convinced that all of us- west and east coast- can find both! Everyone in their 20's is just wandering in one way or another.
In other news, we now have 90 minute classes at Gwynn Park. I struggled to fill 77 and I'm not sure what I'm going to do with my students now that I have them for an hour and a half. The hardest part of my work is management, and I'm going to have to up the creativity to keep them focused for that long.
Praxis scores come out this friday. I will keep everyone posted.
Peace and love.
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