Gratitude

Something amazing happened at work today.

The kids were gathering in the back waiting for instructions for their afternoon activity and as soon as I entered the room, Cindy said, "Lanae and Jza'ceir, you are going to go to the library right now with Miss Autumn and she's going to do some mediation between you two."

What? I could hardly believe my ears. Really? She wanted me to do that? I was surprised because she hasn't always been supportive/understanding/confident of my ability to deal with discipline issues. I felt proud because it was a sign that she thought I was capable, and grateful that she was giving me a chance to use the communication skills I've been trying to cultivate. I'm more used to her giving me advice, which often feels like criticism, so her asking me to do that is about the highest praise I've received all year.

saying our farewells

We had our first true community night in about three months last night, and our last one of the year. it was wonderful. Conor is leaving tomorrow and Megan leaves on Saturday, so since they won’t be coming to our closing retreat, I felt like we needed a way to say farewell to each other and reflect on our year together. It was a lovely hour of just reminiscing and sharing and laughing and enjoying each other’s company and our quirks and ups and downs as a community. Despite our mix of contrasting interests, personalities, and backgrounds, we made it through a year together without having any major conflicts and managed to get along for the most part. And that’s something to celebrate!

Comfortable and confident...

As we were cleaning up from the day today, Cindy turned to me and said, “You seem to be a lot more confident and comfortable with this than you were with the HW Club.” And I absolutely agreed with her.

I think there are a number of factors involved. 1) It’s much more similar to the day camp job I had for the last 5 summers, 2) it’s more informal and fun and we can change the plans if we need to because we planned them (we’re not trying to get them to do homework they don’t want to do that someone else told them to do), 3) I was around for the planning of it and I get to be in charge of stuff, so my role in leading the program is very different than it was in the HW Club and I feel like I have more freedom.

I was aware of these differences before Cindy made that comment, and even though it just sounds like a statement of observation, it feels like a compliment, which means a lot because compliments from her have been few and far between this year…

Summer Program Begins!

I’ve just had the best two days of work so far this year: the first two days of the summer program. Yesterday just felt so easy and natural, and today was so much fun! Monday might be a different story since I'll actually have to be teaching lessons, but I’m hoping for the best…

Thursday felt like it went by really fast, even though it was 7 and a half hours with the kids. Today was long, but great: we took a field trip to the historic Peter Mott House (underground railroad) and then swimming. The best part of the day was helping D’Andre overcome his fear of drowning because he couldn’t swim. We spent a lot of time together. It’s unusual to see him so vulnerable and clingy because he usually puts on such a tough, angry exterior. He was still scared to let of me after I got a life jacket for him – but by the time we left he was jumping into the pool by himself and doing twists and swimming around. =) The other best part was giving Jayson’s little brother, who’s 5, a piggy back ride all around the pool for 15 minutes. I guess it was just wonderful to connect and interact with the kids in an informal and fun setting rather than a classroom. =)

Boston!

I just got back from a historic trip to Boston! Historic for two reasons. 1, the obvious: Boston is a historic city. 2, the hysteric: I was visiting a friend I hadn't seen in 14 years! Dorothy and I were best friends in 3rd and 4th grades, but then I moved to Oregon and although we stayed in touch for a while (and Facebook is amazing!), we never saw each other again -- until now! Her younger sister, Delia, who was entering 3rd grade when I moved is now entering her senior year of college at BU and is living with Dorothy for the summer, so I got to see her, too. Here's how it transpired:


Pattie, Megan and I drove up on Friday night after dropping Dan off in NYC and got in at about 12:15 a.m. On Saturday morning, I had nutella on a bagel for breakfast. Nutella! A great start to a great day. :)


Delia had some work to do, so it was just Dorothy and I who set out walking and talking in the morning. We walked from Jamaica Plain down through the university/med. school/hospital area, past the Fenway, across the bridge into Cambridge with its beautiful view of downtown Boston and Beacon Hill, and back across the river where we rested our feet for a while in the Charles River Park. It was an absolutely beautiful day out: sunny, clear skies, 70-75 degrees with a light breeze.

Delia met up with us in the park. On our way out, we stopped by a bunch of tents that were set up and discovered that they were giving away free health food samples! So that was our free lunch... We walked down Charles Street and then throught Boston Commons and past the Paul Revere cemetery to Government Square, where there was a gay pride festival going on.

Next stop was the Old State House. We got there at 4:55. From there we headed to the North End where Dorothy bought a salad and we sat on the wharfs at the waterfront to eat it. And rest. We continued our walk to the Old North Church of Paul Revere fame, and then down to the Paul Revere house (built in 1680!). Before heading back to the subway , we wandered through the Italian neighborhood and stopped at the famous Mike's Pastry, where they bought me a cannoli and the best tiramisu i've had in ages. That place was busy and crowded for a reason!

We were back to Dorothy's by 7:30 and left at 8:30 with one of her friends to get some dinner. It was a beautiful evening, but we were so tired we didn't stay out long. By 10:00 we were back at the house and it didn't take long before we collapsed in bed.

Sunday morning was really low-key. We just lounged around the house (it was kind of dismal and rainy) and then finally went out to get breakfast at a nearby corner store/cafe, and then it was time for Megan and Patti to pick me up and come home!

It was an A+ weekend!