It feels good to be the boss.
No. I mean it. My first week back to school was this week- and - (God, I'm going to curse it by writing this post) I am in charge! It was truly a peaceful, in-control week. I have great classes of kids that are excited to learn, and so far, supportive parents as partners for the year.
There's no doubt in my mind that this is the calm before the storm. I mean, last year I started out with NOTHING and the kids were still good enough for me. The kids at GPHS have a little fear of God to start out the year, giving all us rookies a chance in our first week. I remember it was the 3rd week last year when the big guns came out. Honeymoon over. Difference is, I know how to deal with it this time!
There are other improvements too. I have an enormous classroom, which means I have the room to move around and stay close to kids that seem off task. We have a new administration that is running a tight ship including school uniforms and a ban on cell phones and ipods. This stuff is great and makes my life so much easier! I am thrilled at the vibe at the end of the first week. I just feel comfortable in my own skin and happy to be there making a difference.
Wait, did I just say...HAPPY? to be at school?
Probably the best thing so far are all the visits from my former students. I probably get 10 hugs a day from old kids that pass me in my doorway. Especially amazing are the hugs from kids that were on the fence last year- kids I reamed for smoking weed in school, or kids that I failed for at least a quarter till they got their act together. It makes me feel like I really am accomplishing something here.
Well, keep me and my students in your prayers, and enjoy this video from my first week of school !
http://vimeo.com/14492928
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Meep Meep!
I love things that look like their cartoon versions. On our family's recent vacation to Arizona, I got my fill of cartoon joy!
As soon as I got off the plane, I saw a cactus that looked like it should have been the stem of a margarita glass. I couldn't believe it was growing out of the ground. It looked fake! A couple of college guys were on the bus with me to the rental car facility. "Hey man," one said. "Why don't you run as FAST as you can into that thing. No really. No do it. It'll make a great youtube video. It'll go viral!" I had to agree...
It wasn't just the cactus, though. The landscape is the backdrop to every John Wayne western you've ever seen. The entire time I was there, I just kept pointing and saying: "Wile E Coyote fell off THAT cliff!" Canyons and red rocks, cactus and prickly pear- it all looked like a painting or movie set.
I realize I'm talking about the scenery here and not the vacation but I can't emphasize enough what it was like to take in that desert environment with your own eyes. I have been lucky to travel the world and see many "views" but the scenery in Arizona is some of the most breathtaking and unique settings in the world. It is truly God's artwork. A picture CD is in the mail, and I'll post them soon so perhaps you can get the idea!
Beyond the scenery, the time spent with the family was lovely. I really miss everyone now that I am a "grown up" and it had been since Christmas that I'd spent any time with my sister! We are a corny, nerdy family and did all the tourist stops- Native American museums, botanical gardens, outlaw-themed steak houses, Indian cliff-dwellings, hiking trails, and my favorite- a pink jeep tour in Sedona!
I'd recommend a trip to Arizona to anybody. Boycotting be damned- nothing matches the beauty and campy fun of this state. I'm sure there are embarrassing videos and pictures that will spring up soon as a result of this trip. (I can't do a somersault on land...or underwater.) But... it will be worth it!
Peace and love.
As soon as I got off the plane, I saw a cactus that looked like it should have been the stem of a margarita glass. I couldn't believe it was growing out of the ground. It looked fake! A couple of college guys were on the bus with me to the rental car facility. "Hey man," one said. "Why don't you run as FAST as you can into that thing. No really. No do it. It'll make a great youtube video. It'll go viral!" I had to agree...
It wasn't just the cactus, though. The landscape is the backdrop to every John Wayne western you've ever seen. The entire time I was there, I just kept pointing and saying: "Wile E Coyote fell off THAT cliff!" Canyons and red rocks, cactus and prickly pear- it all looked like a painting or movie set.
I realize I'm talking about the scenery here and not the vacation but I can't emphasize enough what it was like to take in that desert environment with your own eyes. I have been lucky to travel the world and see many "views" but the scenery in Arizona is some of the most breathtaking and unique settings in the world. It is truly God's artwork. A picture CD is in the mail, and I'll post them soon so perhaps you can get the idea!
Beyond the scenery, the time spent with the family was lovely. I really miss everyone now that I am a "grown up" and it had been since Christmas that I'd spent any time with my sister! We are a corny, nerdy family and did all the tourist stops- Native American museums, botanical gardens, outlaw-themed steak houses, Indian cliff-dwellings, hiking trails, and my favorite- a pink jeep tour in Sedona!
I'd recommend a trip to Arizona to anybody. Boycotting be damned- nothing matches the beauty and campy fun of this state. I'm sure there are embarrassing videos and pictures that will spring up soon as a result of this trip. (I can't do a somersault on land...or underwater.) But... it will be worth it!
Peace and love.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Is this heaven? No, it's Iowa.
If you're a fan of the classic Americana baseball movie, Field of Dreams, you know this line. Perhaps there's no better definition of heaven than the simplicity of family, sunshine, a great game of baseball, and ... a cornfield. After a long weekend in the Midwest, I have to agree.
My trip started out as a weekend visit to Milwaukee to visit Dr. Charles and catch up with him before the school year started. He now works at the MLB level and is at the drawing board stages of some national initiatives for MLB charities that benefit public schools. We planned to brainstorm some ideas based on my experience and the experience of my peers in TFA. My friend David, an old coworker from my Dodgers days and now a senior at Penn, is working at the Chicago Cubs this summer. He's also interested in public education, so we decided to make the trip together.
I wasn't sure what to expect out of the weekend, and it spun itself into quite the adventure. I figured: it's summer, I'm in the midwest, who knows when I'm coming back... so might as well make the most of it! We had plenty of dinner conversations about baseball, careers, charities, and teaching- but decided to turn the trip into a vacation as well! We took an impromptu trip to the one and only Field of Dreams in Iowa, and played catch with some major leaguer's gloves. (See photo album.)
After our trip to the cornfields, dinners at Ryan Braun's, and all the checking out downtown Milwaukee (which is actually a very cute, very friendly town) David and I took a bus down to Chicago to do a little sightseeing. This was my first time visiting the city, and like most people, I was impressed. I was even spoiled with some 2nd-row Cubbies tickets on my first trip to Wrigley park! I think I was most surprised at the total and complete lack of advertisements at the field. Even Wahconah park is covered with ads- it was a field lost in time.
Overall it was a delightful trip and I was so happy to visit with Charles and David. Enjoy pictures from my midwest adventure here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2398087&id=5515657&l=8c634d9865
My trip started out as a weekend visit to Milwaukee to visit Dr. Charles and catch up with him before the school year started. He now works at the MLB level and is at the drawing board stages of some national initiatives for MLB charities that benefit public schools. We planned to brainstorm some ideas based on my experience and the experience of my peers in TFA. My friend David, an old coworker from my Dodgers days and now a senior at Penn, is working at the Chicago Cubs this summer. He's also interested in public education, so we decided to make the trip together.
I wasn't sure what to expect out of the weekend, and it spun itself into quite the adventure. I figured: it's summer, I'm in the midwest, who knows when I'm coming back... so might as well make the most of it! We had plenty of dinner conversations about baseball, careers, charities, and teaching- but decided to turn the trip into a vacation as well! We took an impromptu trip to the one and only Field of Dreams in Iowa, and played catch with some major leaguer's gloves. (See photo album.)
After our trip to the cornfields, dinners at Ryan Braun's, and all the checking out downtown Milwaukee (which is actually a very cute, very friendly town) David and I took a bus down to Chicago to do a little sightseeing. This was my first time visiting the city, and like most people, I was impressed. I was even spoiled with some 2nd-row Cubbies tickets on my first trip to Wrigley park! I think I was most surprised at the total and complete lack of advertisements at the field. Even Wahconah park is covered with ads- it was a field lost in time.
Overall it was a delightful trip and I was so happy to visit with Charles and David. Enjoy pictures from my midwest adventure here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2398087&id=5515657&l=8c634d9865
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Fare thee well, Blackberry
Friday night I did a stupid thing. I got pickpocketed in the most classic and preventable situation ever.
It was the day of the long awaited Dave Matthews Band concert at Nationals Park. One of my best friends in TFA lives in a high rise right next to the stadium. He invited all of us over for a pre-concert bbq on his roof. Beer and burgers flowed freely, and my friends and I spent most of the afternoon in the pool tossing a nerf football and working on our tans. Multiple points in the afternoon I announced that this was the best day of my life. Perhaps melodramatic (is anyone surprised?) but it was a truly carefree, wonderful day, and I felt lucky to be in the sun in a beautiful city surrounded by people I love. Before we knew it, it was 7 pm and time to cross the street to the concert. I changed and grabbed my phone, shoving it into the outside pocket of my purse. I had to meet a random person who bought an extra pair of tickets, and we were texting as I left the house to coordinate where to meet to make the trade.
Getting to the stadium was a cow herd. We've all been in that human sea, every time we enter a concert or sporting event. I didn't think much of it and was more concerned about finding this kid so I could get into the show. I got my tickets from will call and reached into my purse to text him and let him know I had tickets in hand, but alas! No phone.
You've got to be f------ kidding me!" I yelled. I'm not proud of my language, but I knew in that instant the phone was gone. Could it be back at the apartment? Did someone else take it by accident? Eh... maybe. But the sinking feeling I had in my stomach told me that I was sure it was in that side pocket. The scene was too easy for a crook- a huge crowd of people, hot and sweaty, pushing their way into the concert, everyone a few beers deep. Easy prey, child's play even! In any event, I knew I had to find a way to meet the person whose tickets I had, lest I be called a crook. I raced back to the apartment of my friend and borrowed a computer. Thankfully, emails go to phones these days and I was able to email him a meeting location and hand off the tickets.
I watched the concert rather glumly. Dave is a never-fail, but our seats were in no man's land, it was 100 degrees out even after the sun set, and all I could think about was my phone. I called mom to turn it off right away. Even though I knew it would make calling it to search for it impossible, better that than have all kinds of charges come up. You can do a lot of damage in 24 hours.
Life worked out well for me in the end- I was due for an upgrade and went the next morning. I got an iPhone, and so far I'm not sure how I feel about it. There's no doubt it's awesome. It's literally a computer, in your hands. But it's a tricky adjustment- the touch screen is hard for me to type on and I feel like I'm dropping calls left and right. Plus, I do miss my bbm. But I'm optimistic that I'll love it. It just feels like I did wrong by a nerdy, reliable boyfriend of two years. I ditched him at a concert and started dating DJ Pauly D the next day.
Peace and Love!
It was the day of the long awaited Dave Matthews Band concert at Nationals Park. One of my best friends in TFA lives in a high rise right next to the stadium. He invited all of us over for a pre-concert bbq on his roof. Beer and burgers flowed freely, and my friends and I spent most of the afternoon in the pool tossing a nerf football and working on our tans. Multiple points in the afternoon I announced that this was the best day of my life. Perhaps melodramatic (is anyone surprised?) but it was a truly carefree, wonderful day, and I felt lucky to be in the sun in a beautiful city surrounded by people I love. Before we knew it, it was 7 pm and time to cross the street to the concert. I changed and grabbed my phone, shoving it into the outside pocket of my purse. I had to meet a random person who bought an extra pair of tickets, and we were texting as I left the house to coordinate where to meet to make the trade.
Getting to the stadium was a cow herd. We've all been in that human sea, every time we enter a concert or sporting event. I didn't think much of it and was more concerned about finding this kid so I could get into the show. I got my tickets from will call and reached into my purse to text him and let him know I had tickets in hand, but alas! No phone.
You've got to be f------ kidding me!" I yelled. I'm not proud of my language, but I knew in that instant the phone was gone. Could it be back at the apartment? Did someone else take it by accident? Eh... maybe. But the sinking feeling I had in my stomach told me that I was sure it was in that side pocket. The scene was too easy for a crook- a huge crowd of people, hot and sweaty, pushing their way into the concert, everyone a few beers deep. Easy prey, child's play even! In any event, I knew I had to find a way to meet the person whose tickets I had, lest I be called a crook. I raced back to the apartment of my friend and borrowed a computer. Thankfully, emails go to phones these days and I was able to email him a meeting location and hand off the tickets.
I watched the concert rather glumly. Dave is a never-fail, but our seats were in no man's land, it was 100 degrees out even after the sun set, and all I could think about was my phone. I called mom to turn it off right away. Even though I knew it would make calling it to search for it impossible, better that than have all kinds of charges come up. You can do a lot of damage in 24 hours.
Life worked out well for me in the end- I was due for an upgrade and went the next morning. I got an iPhone, and so far I'm not sure how I feel about it. There's no doubt it's awesome. It's literally a computer, in your hands. But it's a tricky adjustment- the touch screen is hard for me to type on and I feel like I'm dropping calls left and right. Plus, I do miss my bbm. But I'm optimistic that I'll love it. It just feels like I did wrong by a nerdy, reliable boyfriend of two years. I ditched him at a concert and started dating DJ Pauly D the next day.
Peace and Love!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Ticker Tape Update
WHEW! What a way to kick off the month. The ticker tape update:
- We moved and are loving our "New Life." Living by Lincoln park in DC is so pleasant, quiet and pretty. Our home, a 1918 row house, is a gem and we're most of the way set up. I have a lovely room, backyard fit for a secret garden, and even a garage!
- Party on! 4th of July weekend was quite the show. Even though we moved on Thursday, the following Sunday we threw a birthday/housewarming/4th of July bbq that saw 25+ people in our new home and backyard. The capitol building is walking distance from our new place, so we meandered down to the steps to watch a glorious fireworks display. Best moment: Waving sparklers while singing loud rounds of the national anthem with dozens of total strangers en route to the capitol.
- Cousin Danny brought me to a Nats game. Not just any nats game. Since Dan is an Ivy grad, we got to meet Nats president Stan Kasten along with journalist Adam Rubin at a pregame meet and greet. I love baseball. I love Strasburg. I love baseball. Wait, did I say that already?
- Stacey Foster was here! I got to play hostess and tour guide with my darling college roommate and her friend from work. We did a night tour of the monuments, a day time trek around the city, and hit up 3 Smithsonians. We were dogged by day's end but very happy.
- And now, the beach. Yes, that's right- I'm in Rehoboth nannying for one of the Capitol Hill families I've been working for this summer and I'm not sure how I landed such a sweet gig. I'm in an enormous house with my own master suite, enjoying building sand castles with well-disciplined creative kids. So far I've already invented a high-five using feet and taught my little charges about rolly-polly bugs. It's going to be a great week!
peace and love.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
The Time I sat in the Owner's Box at Fenway
Me and Dr. Charles, who now works for the Commissioner.
Mom and Dad- and our view from the Owner's Box.
Yep, John Henry in the background- PROOF!When my mom asked me on a whim if I could get us Red Sox/Dodgers tickets, I had no idea what a day I was in for...
To pick up my tickets, I had to go to player will-call at Fenway park, which is not accessible to the general public. I found out from the main ticket window that I needed an escort to pick up my player tickets. The girl that arrived had a shirt on that said "Fenway Ambassador." Ah, the all-too-familiar polo.
"Hi, I'm Tori," I said to her. "Great shirt. I was actually an Ambassador at the Dodgers under Dr. Charles Steinberg."
"Wow, that's wonderful," She replied. "As a matter of fact, he's here today. Are you seeing him?"
"What!?" I exclaimed. "I had no idea. I'm gonna call him!"
I knew it was a long shot, but standing in line (behind Jon Lester's family) I dialed his cell. I was thrilled when he answered. "I hear you and I are both within the walls of Fenway Park today," I said. "You're kidding!" He replied. "Stay right where you are. I'm sending someone to bring you where I am."
Turns out "Where he was" was L1- the owner's private suite at Fenway Park! My family stared at the luxury suite fixings in awe- leather couches, gourmet food, and a functional office space for working during the games. My stomach did a flip as I realized just WHO I was surrounded by and WHO I was shaking hands with! Tom Werner, John Henry, even Heidi Watney stopped through. Then I heard a familiar voice...
"TOMMY! Colin! This is CRAZY!" Yep, Tommy Lasorda and my friend, his assistant, Colin were in the room.
"Tori! You're no better than that guy in the Revolution- what's his name- BENEDICT ARNOLD! For leaving us at the Dodgers!" Tommy joked with me. Apparently finishing my college degree wasn't a good enough excuse for my wavering Dodger loyalty.
Ghosts from my Dodgers past continued to come through the door, along with Boston front office stars. My head was spinning. It was a new level of professional elbow-rubbing for me. I doubt Tom Werner will remember me, but when I'm working in MLB someday I'll be able to say "Actually yes, we met at the Dodgers series in 2010."
Sadly, I didn't get to see too much of the game with all the people to meet, but I'd say it was a fair trade. My family reported that even though any day at the ballgame is a great day, they'd like to get used to those kind of seats! The day served to reinvigorate my love for working in baseball and give a little fuel to the thought that maybe-just maybe- I'll be in a front office again. After the last three years, I know God constantly laughs at my plans, so I don't bother making them anymore. But it sure would be nice...
We're moving this week. Stories to come. Peace, Love and Baseball!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
BEST WEEK EVER
An odd thing happens when you turn 23, move away, and start working in the real world.
YOU MISS HOME!
You think you'd be ready for it after all your hot shot years at college, but such is not the case.
I don't know why this trip home in particular was so special. Maybe it's because I haven't seen my house since Christmas. Maybe it's because it's been such a chaotic year. Maybe it's because this trip was just packed with so many wonderful things. In any event, I can't remember being so relaxed or enjoying myself so much in a long, long time.
I got home very early Friday morning. Mom and I went out for breakfast at Cracker Barrel (I dare you to judge) and caught up on all sorts of gossip. We got back to Pittsfield, cleaned up, then headed to the local TV station to film Dad's show. This month's topic was lung disease. Each month he does a different topic with a different guest doctor. I'm proud of his excellent PR skills!
From the studio, we went to Berkshire County's Relay For Life, where Dad was the night's keynote speaker. Relay continues to inspire me in a way no other non-profit work does. It is simply so powerful. I choked on my own tears all night, and Dad gave a beautiful speech. Especially amazing was the applause for the Berkshire Health Systems Hematology/Oncology unit who took such good care of him.
Saturday, I got to see my sister and go to a Red Sox/Dodgers game that deserves its own blog entry. When I get the pictures from her, I'll tell the tale. Spoiler alert: The title of the next entry will be "The day I sat in the owner's box at Fenway!"
Sunday was Father's Day. Dad recently splurged on silver Mazda MX-5 and we went for a Sunday drive through the countryside with the top down. The Berkshires are as beautiful as ever and we got lost on purpose. Have you ever done that? It's wonderful. You never really can get lost, but you can discover roads you'd never think to drive! Some of the viewpoints we discovered were extraordinary. We ended the drive fittingly with ice cream sundaes, and the work week began.
I spent a lot of time with mom doing girly things: shopping, getting our nails done, and most thrillingly: making polish pierogies from scratch! You've never seen me cuss so much over a counter top. Those things are difficult! Smashing potato filling into thin gooey dough, pinching it all together without any potato escaping, boiling it before it dries out. Whew! It takes a real woman to handle these things! We made potato and sauerkraut stuffed ones, and they came out delicious...maybe F-bombs are the secret ingredient!
Dad and I wrapped up our time together going trout fishing in our canoe on the Housatonic river. And- we decided to let Barley test his sea legs. Let's just say this: A song was invented about the D-O-G that wanted O-U-T of the B-O-A-T ! He settled down eventually but there were a few canoe tips that were a little too close for comfort. It was a blast.
This entry could go on and on about lobster dinners, seeing neighbors and friends, home brewed beer, fireflies in the woods and all other delights of home, but I'll stop here.
Pics soon.
Peace and Love!
YOU MISS HOME!
You think you'd be ready for it after all your hot shot years at college, but such is not the case.
I don't know why this trip home in particular was so special. Maybe it's because I haven't seen my house since Christmas. Maybe it's because it's been such a chaotic year. Maybe it's because this trip was just packed with so many wonderful things. In any event, I can't remember being so relaxed or enjoying myself so much in a long, long time.
I got home very early Friday morning. Mom and I went out for breakfast at Cracker Barrel (I dare you to judge) and caught up on all sorts of gossip. We got back to Pittsfield, cleaned up, then headed to the local TV station to film Dad's show. This month's topic was lung disease. Each month he does a different topic with a different guest doctor. I'm proud of his excellent PR skills!
From the studio, we went to Berkshire County's Relay For Life, where Dad was the night's keynote speaker. Relay continues to inspire me in a way no other non-profit work does. It is simply so powerful. I choked on my own tears all night, and Dad gave a beautiful speech. Especially amazing was the applause for the Berkshire Health Systems Hematology/Oncology unit who took such good care of him.
Saturday, I got to see my sister and go to a Red Sox/Dodgers game that deserves its own blog entry. When I get the pictures from her, I'll tell the tale. Spoiler alert: The title of the next entry will be "The day I sat in the owner's box at Fenway!"
Sunday was Father's Day. Dad recently splurged on silver Mazda MX-5 and we went for a Sunday drive through the countryside with the top down. The Berkshires are as beautiful as ever and we got lost on purpose. Have you ever done that? It's wonderful. You never really can get lost, but you can discover roads you'd never think to drive! Some of the viewpoints we discovered were extraordinary. We ended the drive fittingly with ice cream sundaes, and the work week began.
I spent a lot of time with mom doing girly things: shopping, getting our nails done, and most thrillingly: making polish pierogies from scratch! You've never seen me cuss so much over a counter top. Those things are difficult! Smashing potato filling into thin gooey dough, pinching it all together without any potato escaping, boiling it before it dries out. Whew! It takes a real woman to handle these things! We made potato and sauerkraut stuffed ones, and they came out delicious...maybe F-bombs are the secret ingredient!
Dad and I wrapped up our time together going trout fishing in our canoe on the Housatonic river. And- we decided to let Barley test his sea legs. Let's just say this: A song was invented about the D-O-G that wanted O-U-T of the B-O-A-T ! He settled down eventually but there were a few canoe tips that were a little too close for comfort. It was a blast.
This entry could go on and on about lobster dinners, seeing neighbors and friends, home brewed beer, fireflies in the woods and all other delights of home, but I'll stop here.
Pics soon.
Peace and Love!
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