"No wind favors him who has no destined port." --Montaigne
"Clarity is essential: clarity regarding values, observations, intentions, assumptions, request and next actions. We move toward that which we are clearest about." --Dennis Sparks
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Friday Five: Can't Live Without
This week's questions are brought to you courtesy of an anonymous reader, the letter F, and the number 5...
What is the one most important thing by your side right now?
The Connecticut Writing Project's Summer Invitational Institute application.
Why is it so important?
This could be a WONDERFUL program for me to participate in--not only for me as a teacher, but as a writer, too!
Can you live without it?
Probably. I have so far. But I think that would be a silly settlement, to just do what I've always done, the way I've always done it. What excitement or growth is there in that?
What is the one thing you can't live without?
Materialistic thing--my wheels.
Non-materialistic thing--truth, beauty, and love. Ok, so it's three things. But I would argue they are intrinsically linked.
Who is the one person you can't live without?
I'd like to have this ONE person in my life that makes me or breaks me, but to be honest there are far too many people that are irreplaceable to me. I suppose if I were to narrow it down to JUST ONE, it would have to be me. If I lose the reflection of me in that shifty mirror of self, my life goes into flux. I've seen it happen more than once. But I am slowly becoming more and more self-aware, the outlines of my reflection are becoming more solid, and as a result, my life is starting to make sense. So...that girl, that woman, that person...it is SHE that I can't live without.
What is the one most important thing by your side right now?
The Connecticut Writing Project's Summer Invitational Institute application.
Why is it so important?
This could be a WONDERFUL program for me to participate in--not only for me as a teacher, but as a writer, too!
Can you live without it?
Probably. I have so far. But I think that would be a silly settlement, to just do what I've always done, the way I've always done it. What excitement or growth is there in that?
What is the one thing you can't live without?
Materialistic thing--my wheels.
Non-materialistic thing--truth, beauty, and love. Ok, so it's three things. But I would argue they are intrinsically linked.
Who is the one person you can't live without?
I'd like to have this ONE person in my life that makes me or breaks me, but to be honest there are far too many people that are irreplaceable to me. I suppose if I were to narrow it down to JUST ONE, it would have to be me. If I lose the reflection of me in that shifty mirror of self, my life goes into flux. I've seen it happen more than once. But I am slowly becoming more and more self-aware, the outlines of my reflection are becoming more solid, and as a result, my life is starting to make sense. So...that girl, that woman, that person...it is SHE that I can't live without.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
My first blog profile...
...during my lowercase letter phase. Let it be noted that I still enjoy this concept of the lowercase writer--one who does not assume mastery, who knows well the struggle entwined in the writer's experience.
I consider myself a writer, with a lowercase "w."
I have worlds to explore, worlds to learn, but I am finally ready and willing to put myself out there. For better or worse.
__________________________________________________________
i laugh. loudly. i giggle. i squeal. i squirm. i scream.
i skip. i spin. i dance. i play. i trip and fall and tumble down hills. i like to be barefoot. i like to swing. i like to drive fast letting all the wind in.
i create. i collaborate. i question, challenge, meditate. i teach and i learn. and i hope and i dream for a place someday free of hatred and greed.
i have incredible friends and family i adore.
and i have this beautiful ideal. of sparks and chills. of truth and thrills. and i hold out for magic i know is real.
I consider myself a writer, with a lowercase "w."
I have worlds to explore, worlds to learn, but I am finally ready and willing to put myself out there. For better or worse.
__________________________________________________________
i laugh. loudly. i giggle. i squeal. i squirm. i scream.
i skip. i spin. i dance. i play. i trip and fall and tumble down hills. i like to be barefoot. i like to swing. i like to drive fast letting all the wind in.
i create. i collaborate. i question, challenge, meditate. i teach and i learn. and i hope and i dream for a place someday free of hatred and greed.
i have incredible friends and family i adore.
and i have this beautiful ideal. of sparks and chills. of truth and thrills. and i hold out for magic i know is real.
My first blog description...
We are all so much more than the image we see in the mirror, yet so much of our self-concept comes from that illusive reflection. My challenge is to physically manifest the stuff of my mind and soul, whether through movement, words, or teaching. This is my personal goal, and I hope others will join me.
My Letter of Recommendation
Among the high school paraphernalia I dug up, I also found this letter--written by my HS band director (who also happens to be an administrator at the school I am working at currently).
I always find it interesting to see how others see me. Putting that kind of mirror before my eyes is far more useful than doing it myself.
__________________________________________________________
To Whom It May Concern,
It is my pleasure to write this recommendation for TG. I have known Tina for four years as her high school band director and music teacher. I find her to be a very mature young woman, with many admirable qualities.
First, and perhaps most importantly, Tina has a friendly, kind, and loving personality. I have never heard her say or imply anything critical or derisive about any student or teacher. Teenagers typically fall into the habit of being negative so often that it becomes the expected characteristic of the high school years. Tina is truly the exception. For several semesters, Tina was a member of my Instrumental Music class, a class where students work on classical chamber music in duets, trios, and quartets. I have watched her work in this setting with other student musicians who are far less skilled and she is always patient, kind, and encouraging. In band, I have asked her to work in sectional rehearsals with younger flute players, and they have consistently told me of how much they were able to learn from her because of her encouraging and supportive attitude. These are traits of leadership that she draws upon naturally and that will serve her well in the future.
Second, Tina has a sharp intelligence that is evident in all she does. In music, she picks up new concepts very quickly, and is among my most responsive students in working on the difficult areas of musical expression and aesthetic meaning. Her intelligence is clearly evident in her academic success, and certainly has played a role in her many community activities. Tina is one of our school's "doers," a girl who is able to give freely of her time without shortchanging other commitments. She wisely budgets her time, and has learned to set her priorities. Even when she is at her busiest, I have the feeling that she is in control and I am always confident that she will not let anyone down. It is in this area that I feel she is particularly mature for her years.
Tina has made a real impact on our school and our school community. She happens to be a member of a class that has an unusual number of high achievers, but even in this valuable collection, she is a shining star. All of the teachers in our school think highly of Tina--her name evokes smiles and positive nods even from those who have not had her in class. All students from her grade, and many from classes before and after hers, know her and feel her friendship. In addition to her achievements in academics, music, and volunteer organizations, she has been ver active and accomplished in dance. We don't have a dance program in our curriculum, but she has helped bring dance to our students by choreographing in school and community musicals. In this area, she has been able to combing her strengths of leadership and teaching, artistic ability and organizational skills.
I believe TG will be a wonderful asset to any college. She has given much to our school and I will miss her. I look forward to hearing of her future successes and happiness.
I always find it interesting to see how others see me. Putting that kind of mirror before my eyes is far more useful than doing it myself.
__________________________________________________________
To Whom It May Concern,
It is my pleasure to write this recommendation for TG. I have known Tina for four years as her high school band director and music teacher. I find her to be a very mature young woman, with many admirable qualities.
First, and perhaps most importantly, Tina has a friendly, kind, and loving personality. I have never heard her say or imply anything critical or derisive about any student or teacher. Teenagers typically fall into the habit of being negative so often that it becomes the expected characteristic of the high school years. Tina is truly the exception. For several semesters, Tina was a member of my Instrumental Music class, a class where students work on classical chamber music in duets, trios, and quartets. I have watched her work in this setting with other student musicians who are far less skilled and she is always patient, kind, and encouraging. In band, I have asked her to work in sectional rehearsals with younger flute players, and they have consistently told me of how much they were able to learn from her because of her encouraging and supportive attitude. These are traits of leadership that she draws upon naturally and that will serve her well in the future.
Second, Tina has a sharp intelligence that is evident in all she does. In music, she picks up new concepts very quickly, and is among my most responsive students in working on the difficult areas of musical expression and aesthetic meaning. Her intelligence is clearly evident in her academic success, and certainly has played a role in her many community activities. Tina is one of our school's "doers," a girl who is able to give freely of her time without shortchanging other commitments. She wisely budgets her time, and has learned to set her priorities. Even when she is at her busiest, I have the feeling that she is in control and I am always confident that she will not let anyone down. It is in this area that I feel she is particularly mature for her years.
Tina has made a real impact on our school and our school community. She happens to be a member of a class that has an unusual number of high achievers, but even in this valuable collection, she is a shining star. All of the teachers in our school think highly of Tina--her name evokes smiles and positive nods even from those who have not had her in class. All students from her grade, and many from classes before and after hers, know her and feel her friendship. In addition to her achievements in academics, music, and volunteer organizations, she has been ver active and accomplished in dance. We don't have a dance program in our curriculum, but she has helped bring dance to our students by choreographing in school and community musicals. In this area, she has been able to combing her strengths of leadership and teaching, artistic ability and organizational skills.
I believe TG will be a wonderful asset to any college. She has given much to our school and I will miss her. I look forward to hearing of her future successes and happiness.
___________________________________________________________
Wow. I just hope I can maintain that...
Wow. I just hope I can maintain that...
My *bad* College Essay
I found a manila envelope the other day, while going through my old stuff for a tag sale and trying to de-thing my life. In it were relics from my high school days: National Honors Society letters, Student of the Week notices, various awards and youth leadership invitations, and my college application stuff. (Yes, I was a total nerd! But I totally own that nerdiness. In fact, I am proud of it!)
Eight years later, I have gone to college--undergraduate and graduate--and I have begun working full time as a teacher. An English teacher, at that. As an English teacher--a composition teacher, at that--I am disappointed with my College Essay. To say the LEAST. I know I was capable of much much much more!
I think the problem was the lack of instruction we received. I was never taught how to approach this type of writing. In fact, I don't remember ANY of my writing instruction between the 7th grade and my freshman year at UNH. Perhaps I blocked it out for various reasons, or perhaps it just wasn't there. I'm afraid the latter is true.
So here's the plan: I will rewrite my college essay, perhaps in a few different ways, and show my students the comparisons!
This could be quite amusing.
___________________________________________________________
My First Dance Recital
Written circa 1999
The first time that I stepped out under those bright stage lights and heard the music reverberating throughout the auditorium, I was addicted to dance. The attraction wasn't only to the dancing itself, but to everything surrounding the art. I fell in love with the studio, the dance classes, and the teachers. I was overcome with excitement when getting into costume and dancing for an audience. This all encompassing passion for performance has stayed with me ever since.
Dance and performance have been catalysts to my involvement in many other facets of the fine arts, including instrumental and vocal music, musical theater, and drama. I've also worked as an assistant dance teacher for my studio and student choreographer for school and town musical theater productions. Not only do I enjoy participating in these activities for myself, but I get an incredible sense of accomplishment from helping and teaching others in the areas that I love.
Performance has allowed me to utilize my bright and dramatic personality, as well as my talents for leadership and organization. For me, there is no greater satisfaction than the appreciation received for a performance, whether my own or that of my students. The only thing that comes close, is the unconditional and loving support from my students, mentors, and fellow thespians.
I would be incomplete without dance, theater, music, and performance. The course of my life would have been entirely different if I hadn't taken that first tap class and performed in that first dance recital.
Eight years later, I have gone to college--undergraduate and graduate--and I have begun working full time as a teacher. An English teacher, at that. As an English teacher--a composition teacher, at that--I am disappointed with my College Essay. To say the LEAST. I know I was capable of much much much more!
I think the problem was the lack of instruction we received. I was never taught how to approach this type of writing. In fact, I don't remember ANY of my writing instruction between the 7th grade and my freshman year at UNH. Perhaps I blocked it out for various reasons, or perhaps it just wasn't there. I'm afraid the latter is true.
So here's the plan: I will rewrite my college essay, perhaps in a few different ways, and show my students the comparisons!
This could be quite amusing.
___________________________________________________________
My First Dance Recital
Written circa 1999
The first time that I stepped out under those bright stage lights and heard the music reverberating throughout the auditorium, I was addicted to dance. The attraction wasn't only to the dancing itself, but to everything surrounding the art. I fell in love with the studio, the dance classes, and the teachers. I was overcome with excitement when getting into costume and dancing for an audience. This all encompassing passion for performance has stayed with me ever since.
Dance and performance have been catalysts to my involvement in many other facets of the fine arts, including instrumental and vocal music, musical theater, and drama. I've also worked as an assistant dance teacher for my studio and student choreographer for school and town musical theater productions. Not only do I enjoy participating in these activities for myself, but I get an incredible sense of accomplishment from helping and teaching others in the areas that I love.
Performance has allowed me to utilize my bright and dramatic personality, as well as my talents for leadership and organization. For me, there is no greater satisfaction than the appreciation received for a performance, whether my own or that of my students. The only thing that comes close, is the unconditional and loving support from my students, mentors, and fellow thespians.
I would be incomplete without dance, theater, music, and performance. The course of my life would have been entirely different if I hadn't taken that first tap class and performed in that first dance recital.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
It is worse this week than it was last week. Last week I could throw all of my energy into the details, into helping my grandmother or other members of the family. I felt like my job was to make everyone else ok. I needed to hear the stories and say the right things and fix the flowers so everyone else would feel less stressed. My words, my stories, even my feelings served other peoples' purpose--to make them feel better. Maybe I am more like my grandpa than I knew. Maybe I have been spending too much time focusing on protecting others. Maybe I need to spend more time grieving. To feel the hurt. In order to begin to heal.
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