sprout

While working with one of my special needs classes on Wednesday  I decided I wanted to throw skipping at them to see how they might interpret the instructions.  Skipping's difficult, so I had them practice marching, then had them try skipping along with me, from one tape line to the one across from it.  Many of them were not able to do the exact movement in that time (a lot of adults can't either), but I had them give it their best try, and hold my hand while I demonstrated.  Some of them took to it, which is great for me to know.  Everyone got praise for trying. 

When one student discovered that she could skip, she seemed overcome with joy:  after she had returned to her place in line, she threw up her arms exclaimed:  "That is FUN! THAT MAKES ME so HAPPY!" "  She made a sweeping motion with her arms, then danced a little in place, enjoying her own energy for a minute.  

sap

This song makes me feel very sentimental, in the way that a select few country songs always do.  I can hear screen doors opening and closing when they sing "We're all (in this together)."  The lyrics make me sink in my chair a little and exhale.  

When did I do this?

I suppose I would have to go back to pre-school to learn how to become more emotionally available, or even that I had a problem with that.  Hugs are an integral part of pre-school, and creating a trusting environment is part of my assignment.  I've realized recently that I don't really trust very many people.  I don't trust most people, actually, myself included.  I suppose that's the nature of my age and my insistence on maintaining an "edge."  Then again, I just said "edge" in quotes.  I must be learning something.

Anyway, I trust you, dear reader-or-two.  

Speaking of which, I'm excited about the idea of trying to collaborate with Amanda (yes you) from afar.  I think it will help me feed my creativity in a way that's not quite as limited as teaching.  Maybe I'll learn to use my video camera beyond the record feature and put up some improv!  Hmmm.  Delicious imrov.  In my windowseat!  --but right now I should go.  

Stoppit,

TZC

P.S.  I still wish Forrest were spelled with two r's.  I really like it that way.

It has come to my attention that I need to call 'round to all my friends more often.  I made a call loop yesterday, and it was LOVELY to talk to the folks I got to speak to, and long overdue.  *nod.*

It has also come to my attention that I need to watch my one of my very favorite films for the first time since I lost the DVD about a year ago.  I shall watch while I plan:  "And so, My little Amelie, you do not have bones of glass.  You can take life's knocks."--beautiful.

Sometimes...sometimes I spell "forest" incorrectly.  Like this:  "Forrest."  The rr should be rolled, I think.

Well...Bye!

Another day, another try at the blogging.  

Today I live in Tupelo and am about to begin my new job.  I'm the new visual motor teacher at the ECEC, and will have students on Monday.  I've helped Mom and Dad move, no longer date the Joni Mitchell Drama Boy featured a while ago for surprising reasons, and now talk to a lovely gentleman I met a wedding,  The Wedding,  My Best Friend's Wedding.  I changed the title of my blog from "my life at the drawing board" to something equally unlikable.  I like the grey woods bit, because it's my name, and it's a thing I like (the forest).  I suppose the chronicle bit will do in a pinch.

I've come up with a surprisingly large music collection with my future students in mind, which will likely shrink into a list that can actually apply to activities.  Here's the next 12 songs my ipod came up with when I pushed the random button:

1. "Here Comes My Baby" -Yo La Tengo

2.  "One Lonely Drum" -Kevin O'Donnell's Quality Six

3.  "Twist, Stop, Hop"- Ron Hiller

4.  "Deep Song"-Christopher Benstead (composer/accompanist for a great modern class I took in London)

5.  "Trouble"-Elvis Presley

6.  "The Pull of it All"-Chris Benstead

7.  "Grandfather's Clock"-Johnny Cash

8.  "Ghostbusters Heart Rate Booster"- Aerobic Club for Kids

9.  "QU"-They Might Be Giants

10. "B-I-N-G-O"-Kimbo

11.  "D is for Drums"-They Might Be Giants

12.  "Swinging on a Star"-Kimbo

"D.  Look at D."  

I plan to buy a few more things this evening-Laurie Berkner and Dan Zanes, plus the classic:  Raffi.  Of course.

Another theme in my life:  Where to go next!??!

random ideas: New Orleans, Seattle, the Carolinas, Somewhere In California Not LA, Someplace in Canada, elementary ed major, phys ed major, arts admin grad degree...

Whatever I decide, I don't want to lose my artistry.  Wow.  There, I said it.  As tempting as it has become to settle, I want to find a way to pursue my art with a level head.  A real one, not a superimposed one.  

Journey on,

Thena Z

"Women always do this."

Last night at work I got called out for changing my mind, not following through with my initial inclination.  "Women always do this!" he said.  

I blame love songs.

Quoth Joni Mitchell:

"...I had a man in summertime with summer-colored skin, and not another girl in town my darling's heart could win;  but when the leaves fell trembling down, and bully winds did rub their faces in the snow, he got the urge for going, and I had to let him go..."

I fully admit: I crave this kind of drama--I want something love-song-significant to happen in my life so badly, that I attach the hurt, and I wind up pushing boyfriends away, and re-accepting them, cyclically.  This is a repeat offense, so I feel like I should have learned something.  Right, let's see here: 

When friends make things dramatic for themselves, I have my way of reminding them that they can handle anything that's thrown at them--that they are safe--that they should do something distracting.  When I lash out,  I know that's all I need--a little reassurance from the... "lashee (?!) ."   My natural inclination is to want apologies, long honest discussions, and comfortable quiet--immediately, and at times unnecessarily. 

If there's a reason they say "patience is a virtue," I'm learning it isn't because life always works out the way you have imagined it to be.  Sometimes you have to reassure yourself, even if you have to get huffy about it. 

Let's try:

He'll come around, or he won't.  I'll still be here, because all in all I'm doing very well.

Next topic:

Do I believe that?

Stay tuned.