I suppose it is doubly embarrassing because so much has happened. It is like a soap opera: hidden talents, amazing coincidences, feats of derring-do, epic journeys, racial tensions, the works!
The first term ended, the second has begun, and we have acquired new people - who live near me, wonder of wonders! They are both ladies, one of whom lives in my building and works in the elementary school campus of Avalon, and the other who lives a few doors down and works up at the middle school. D, who lives in my building, is from Chicago, and a very sweet person from all I have seen or heard of her. A, who lives just down the way, is from Georgia by way of New York, and much more laid-back than I really think of New Yorkers as being capable of behaving. Well done, her. I have not known them long nor well, but D and I went and got manicures together, and I tend to walk home with A. I'm sure we'll get to know one another better as the year progresses. It is nice to have people nearby, full-stop.
The choir is lots of fun. I am very glad I have joined. While the musical prowess is not what I am most accustomed to, the people make up for it. I must admit, one of the things that motivates me to relax a little more about the technical aspects is that the pianist-cum-conductor is so incredibly uptight about it. The poor guy can't let go; every minute not perfect seems to cause in him unbearable suffering. While I also lack the ability to completely divorce myself from my ears and this is sometimes painful for lack of the right notes, I have allowed myself to relax more. It's way more fun this way. (Next week, though, we have an intensive rehearsal of 8 to 9 hours. Ask me again about the fun then!)
There is a whole lot to tell on the work front, so much that I am going to make it its own post. The few things I can say about it that are super is that it's great to come back and know some of my students. I have a much better idea of what I can and cannot ask of the different levels, I know a lot more kids' names, and I feel I just generally have a better handle on how to teach. Heavens, could I be becoming... competent?
Also, I have bubble wrap and gold shoes. Everything about this is good.
The first term ended, the second has begun, and we have acquired new people - who live near me, wonder of wonders! They are both ladies, one of whom lives in my building and works in the elementary school campus of Avalon, and the other who lives a few doors down and works up at the middle school. D, who lives in my building, is from Chicago, and a very sweet person from all I have seen or heard of her. A, who lives just down the way, is from Georgia by way of New York, and much more laid-back than I really think of New Yorkers as being capable of behaving. Well done, her. I have not known them long nor well, but D and I went and got manicures together, and I tend to walk home with A. I'm sure we'll get to know one another better as the year progresses. It is nice to have people nearby, full-stop.
The choir is lots of fun. I am very glad I have joined. While the musical prowess is not what I am most accustomed to, the people make up for it. I must admit, one of the things that motivates me to relax a little more about the technical aspects is that the pianist-cum-conductor is so incredibly uptight about it. The poor guy can't let go; every minute not perfect seems to cause in him unbearable suffering. While I also lack the ability to completely divorce myself from my ears and this is sometimes painful for lack of the right notes, I have allowed myself to relax more. It's way more fun this way. (Next week, though, we have an intensive rehearsal of 8 to 9 hours. Ask me again about the fun then!)
There is a whole lot to tell on the work front, so much that I am going to make it its own post. The few things I can say about it that are super is that it's great to come back and know some of my students. I have a much better idea of what I can and cannot ask of the different levels, I know a lot more kids' names, and I feel I just generally have a better handle on how to teach. Heavens, could I be becoming... competent?
Also, I have bubble wrap and gold shoes. Everything about this is good.
Nice to hear from you again, Beck. I've missed you. I look forward to the good-news post about work: you sure know how to leave your readership with a cliff-hanger!
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