Magenta Hair

So I am going to graduate school. That is if I can make the money manifest in order to pay for me to begin my studies next fall.... No problem... I have a money tree in my yard. :o) Just kidding.. I have swiss chard, and a few basil plants in the kitchen, but no money tree. However I do have magenta hair. I love it. I think I want more magenta hairs on my head, but this being the first time I have dyed my hair, I chose to go subtle. My reasoning was this... I did not want people asking me repeatedly all Spring if I had gotten into graduate school. So I said, tell yah what! When I get in, I will dye my hair magenta, and then you will know it is okay to ask without eliciting a sad response of: no, nope didn't get in to any. What's new with you? So now I have a bit of pink in my hair, and a bounce in my step as I hope to begin studies next fall at the University of Leeds in northern England. If it is meant to be, it will happen, and if I am still around western Washington next fall then that will be amazing too. :o) I am excited to see what the future holds for me... and for you...

Oh and thanks to Katy for this picture from her birthday/ ENGAGEMENT party!! Congratulations Jamie and Katy Laugherleety.

From the Airport

1. When approaching JFK airport the chances of a Lincoln Continental being either in front or behind you while driving is... um... well.. guaranteed. Probability of 1.

2. When you drive through the correct lanes on the toll bridge, people are much nicer to you than when you screw it up big time.

3. Even the pizza in the airport in New York blows my mind.

4. They L-U-V dunkin donuts in these them parts... I tell you what. I am not sure if that is the end all beat all coffee of New England, but there sure are a number of these little gems around.

5. Along the river in my scenic drive to and from work everyday and then on my way to the city today I noticed this phenomenon of large wooden stars attached to the side of houses. The best I can imagine is that this is some sort of house fashion.. maybe aligned with various types of rooster decorations within the home? or wicker furniture?

6. There were a fair amount of people riding motorcycles without helmets yesterday on my scenic byway... scary... I do NOT like driving behind them and definitely give them about ten car lengths.. just in case. So if you ride a motorcycle... or a regular bike.. I urge you please, wear your helmets :o)

7. This is a lovely poem that Tom sent to me reflecting on our conversation about whether or not it is selfish to follow your dreams and pour your talents into the arts... I love this poem, it is by Wislawa Szymborska:

Under One Small Star

My apologies to chance for calling it necessity.
My apologies to necessity if I'm mistaken, after all.
Please, don't be angry, happiness, that I take you as my due.
May my dead be patient with the way my memories fade.
My apologies to time for all the world I overlook each second.
My apologies to past loves for thinking that the latest is the first.
Forgive me, distant wars, for bringing flowers home.
Forgive me, open wounds, for pricking my finger.
I apologize for my record of minuets to those who cry from the depths.
I apologize to those who wait in railway stations for being asleep today at five a.m.
Pardon me, hounded hope, for laughing from time to time.
Pardon me, deserts, that I don't rush to you bearing a spoonful of water.
And you, falcon, unchanging year after year, always in the same cage,
your gaze always fixed on the same point in space,
forgive me, even if it turns out you were stuffed.
My apologies to the felled tree for the table's four legs.
My apologies to great questions for small answers.
Truth, please don't pay me much attention.
Dignity, please be magnanimous.
Bear with me, O mystery of existence, as I pluck the occasional thread from your train.
Soul, don't take offense that I've only got you now and then.
My apologies to everything that I can't be everywhere at once.
My apologies to everyone that I can't be each woman and each man.
I know I won't be justified as long as I live,since I myself stand in my own way.
Don't bear me ill will, speech, that I borrow weighty words,
then labor heavily so that they may seem light.


8. paper cuts suck, and when you are grading almost 70 SAT tests... you are going to acquire a few paper cuts... boo.

9. Sometimes I have the best of intentions... like now. I meant to be productive having such a long time before my flight and this Internet access and all my work here with me. I could feel guilty about that, or I could fully embrace this time of mind relaxation and fold my pizza in half and eat each bite slowly... There are benefits to filling every moment of everyday, mostly in the amount produced, but I don't think it is directly correlated to the amount lived. I have filled almost every moment here in Connecticut, squeezing every last bit out of this trip. But now I need to relax a little. Pretend that I was on vacation, and return to Seattle with that mentality... refreshed and rejuvenated.... So instead of grading tests and inputting scores and writing letters... I am writing to you blog land friends, and when I am finished (which will be awkwardly at 9 observations..) I will peruse through the magazines at Hudson News, maybe buy a donut and settle down to read a book... and what of my 6+ hour flight you say? well... sounds like a good time for some poetry and a nap :o) My to-do list will always be there, faithful companion that she is...

Tombstones and Sunsets

Today I decided to go on a pre-dinner stroll… I had passed over these rail road tracks and curiosity got the better of me today and I followed them on for a bit. Winding through the woods and past a few picturesque red barns, the description of the scenery, were it not reality would seem cliché to the point of originating out of a shiny paperback in the grocery store. However, reality is that there is something lovely in the quiet of early evening. A peace sort of settles on the land and fields around me as if all at once mother the New England country side took off its work boots and threw her feet up on the couch for a little rest after a hard day’s work.

Down the tracks I came upon an old cemetery, at which point I decided to detour and meandered over this hallow and hollowed ground. Being a slightly marshy area, I would be lying if a few times my imagination did not get the better of me when my foot sunk slightly into the soil around the gravestones. It may be strange to choose to wander through a cemetery where I know none of the names and no connection to the people there, but why create these pillars to our lives if not to be seen by the living? The gravestones were so diverse in style and material; some were so aged that they had snapped and been bolted back together. I’ve never before seen a cemetery this old. It was not unusual to see a pillar with a last name and then smaller engraved headstones that said “mother” “father” and then ones for the children’s names as well. Amongst these pillar-like graves were the old fashioned headstones that you may be familiar with in Halloween iconography, but have long ago been replaced with smoother rectangle and more wind resistant substitutes. On these tall thin crested headstone where the words were weathered away, and the dates well into the 1800s.

One statue was engraved with the names of three children all passed on before their parents and buried in close plots to what would eventually be their parent’s burial site. I think the graves that struck me the most where the ones that were pre-planned family graves. Especially where there was one name, birth date and date of death on one side, and then husband or wife’s name, date or birth and a spot left blank for the date of death. I couldn't help but think about what it would be like to know that my name was carved in stone somewhere, and I imagine the chisel patiently waiting to fill in the missing dates. It is reality, of course, but a strange feeling nonetheless. How would I live my life differently? How would you?

I was also struck when I began noting that frequently the time lapse between married couples passing was so slight, sometimes just months. There were a few beautiful engravings; a mostly reference to religious materials, but my favorite was a woman’s grave who said something along the lines of “loving mother and grandmother. A world traveler and friend, until we meet again! Ciao!” I like this one because it seemed to capture a celebration of life, and not merely a marker of death.

Go to New England, read Robert Frost.

Here I am in rural Connecticut, and I think among the best aspects of this trip is the opportunity to frolic through all the rural upstate New York/Connecticut forests, valleys, fields along rivers, rapids and across bridges and mud puddles...

I love it.

That said. Please, everyone... go to New England. Read Robert Frost. I am not sure if he is the quintessential poet for this area, but he is in my heart. Every wooded area through which I have wandered is littered with mending walls, long stone fortress type walls crumbling with age. Every turn seems to be two roads diverging in a yellow wood, and I can't count how many birches I have been tempted to swing on birch branches subduing them and riding them down over and over, until not one but hung limp.... Perhaps I am romanticizing it a bit... but what is life without a little romance?

I am lucky here in Connecticut to have people with whom I can stammer through poetry discussions on higher levels and in more depth. Adam and I had a great conversation about Blake last night, and today during school I was lucky that Tom (the dean not the fellow SAT teacher) stopped by my room during a free moment. I enjoy our meandering conversations exploring the world. We seem to cover such depth and matter in brief exchanges, he is a very encouraging man and Kent is lucky to have him amongst their faculty's ranks. We talked about if it was or wasn't selfish to study English Literature in lieu of working with the refugees, or running after school programs... the spot where I travel in this conversation leads toward a place where when someone lives their passion in life, that energy and excitement is contagious... so whether your passion be studying and teaching Shakespeare, building boats, opening schools in Afghanistan, starting churches in Mexico, or filling out spread sheets... its good.

That's just the tip of the iceberg of conversation of when a wise-man (and part wise guy :o)) found time to sit and talk about the meaning of life, and impart his wisdom, and even more incredibly, help illuminate and discover wisdom I had within me all along... it was a good day.

Belgique Patisserie and Chocolatier

You may not know this. It may be impossible to glean the knowledge I am about to share with you from the photo accompanying. But this is the best cup of hot chocolate in the world. I walked to this delightful little shop this afternoon and purchased a large Hot Chocolate with Whip Cream and a small bag of chocolate treats. Love it. Everyone there was so sweet... oh its too easy. okay. I'll say it. Almost as sweet and delightful as their hand made chocolates. :o)

So this is Bill. Bill is a ninja. An SAT prep course Math and Grammar Ninja. This is pretty much how we look everyday though this shot is posed, because Bill is awesome about helping structure math lessons for the program at Kent. Also, he's really funny.























While Bill reclines in his chair and we watch TV. Yup. Movies with lots of commercials. Adam works hard all Sunday afternoon and well into the evening... This hard working fellow has not only an extensive knowledge of Shakespeare and John Donne, but calso ooks a mean vegetarian dinner. Adam is a borderline genius when it comes to critiquing essays and manipulation of spread sheets to give great feedback to his students. I also have Adam to thank for the photos that you see on this blog because without the use of his camera... none of this would have been possible (questions about where my camera is located? Please see the stories from Peru...)

When you add Tom (not photographed in this set) to the mix we are one crazy bunch of grapes. but we are not sour, or spoiled... or purple.

If I haven't posted much this week it is because I am either in the classroom, helping some students after class and planning lessons whenever I have a free moment.

The Commute

Everyday on my way from New Milford to Kent I pass this sign.... and coincidentally, through the town of Gaylordsville. Which I am not mature enough to not think is funny.

A shout out to my mc

I wanted to take a moment and thank Eryn Pate. Last minute before running to the airport and flying to Connecticut, I thought to myself... oh hey... I'm going to have a sweet ass rental car which will most likely have a CD player... awesome. I should grab a few CDs... so among the three CDs I brought with me were included: "Happy Birthday Rachel" mix 1 and "Happy Birthday Rachel" mix 3 made for me by Eryn a couple years ago. Eryn, I am not sure if you were driving through Connecticut when you compiled these mixes... but you should have been, because they suite the scenery exactly.

So thank you Eryn Pate, your musical selection has made the dodgy radio reception of the rolling hills of Connecticut but a passing thought. Though the dodgy cell phone service and Internet access continues to defy all reason.

An aside: I will literally be standing in one spot in a parking lot talking on my cellphone, and then lose service without taking a single step. Ridiculousness...

Lunch with Elvis

So today after teaching my Saturday morning classes, I had debated about mooching off the KEnt School Cafeteria or to go and grab a snack at one of the local bakeries... then remembering that the cafeteria is deliciously gourmet and FREE... I opted for the cafeteria...especially after the prompting of some of my students that it was the place I should each lunch.

Let me tell you, the cafeteria of this school is amazing. One of the people with whom I eat lunch most days found out I was a vegetarian and directed me toward this magical portion of the cafeteria that has little baggies filled with frozen veggie "chicken" nuggets and veggie patties. Toss a few of those in the microwave and dip in BBQ sauce and I am in HEAVEN. veggie chicken nuggets rock my world. Also compose my main stable hear along with a huge salad made with generously stocked salad bar. I have been trying to avoid the desert section, but sometimes the cream puffs, rice krispie treats and pies look awfully tempting....

So back to today. I had debated about going to lunch because I knew it would be one of those flash backs to school days when you're the new kid with no where to sit, because the secretaries with whom I normally lunch are off on Saturdays.

HOWEVER! I am so glad I went for a free lunch today because who should sit down next to me at my big empty table.... but Drew, the man who serves makes pizza on the cafeteria. he has a pile of Elvis CDs next to him and after telling me about his play that is opening this weekend he says that his job on the side and for fun is an Elvis impersonator. Awesome!! How often are you sitting alone somewhere and the person who chooses to strike up a conversation impersonates "The King" for fun? I can't say for you all, but for me... not terribly often/ever. :o)

Then I had the pleasure of Tom the Academic Dean joining us and Tom and I were soon discussing poems by Frost, life, travel and art museums in New York. It was a treat! After first meeting this man he asked when we were going to have a chance to sit and talk and discover the meaning of life? Well, we haven't patented anything yet... but I think we are close...

Tom and I talked of a Frost story where a man stops at a town and asks a local farmer what kind of people you find in that town? the farmer asks... well are people like where you come from? and the man says that they are nasty and cheats and will steal the shirt off your back... so the farmer replies to the man that he will find those type of people here too. Then about a week later another person comes down the road in this small town and meets the same farmer and asks what kind of people will you find in this town? And the asks what people are like where he comes from? and he says that they are lovely, kind and generous, best people in the world. To which the farmer replies... well... you will find those type of people here too....

Thanks for reminding me of that story, Tom.

Now, after a crazy busy jam packed week I have decided to forgo a train ride to NYC and instead relax, go hiking for a bit and enjoy an afternoon Lacrosse game. Many of my students both male and female are on the lacrosse team.

The wild wild east....

I just witnessed one of the most intense down pours... when they say raining buckets... they mean it. In the northwest, we are like those air plants that are just misted constantly, apparently here in Connecticut.... the powers that be turn the hose on them.

Pretty awesome.

Especially when listening to The Black Crowes and hanging out in my lovely motel room completely math problems for the lesson tomorrow....

more later.. this time change thingy really gets my proverbial goat... when I was teaching class at 8AM Monday, some of the students were a little upset because apparently the SAT class in which they are now enrolled consumes what was a free block aka "nap time" So when they looked at me with those sorrowful eyes fishing for pity I said, hey I completely understand that you must be tired, but at least you aren't running on Pacific Standard time, which means it would be 5AM for you :o)

I have to tell you quickly... that cruising on a scenic byway to and from work everyday completely redeems my experiences in NYC with the rental car. WE have now become great friends and enjoy spending time listening to mixed Cd's and looking at deciduous forests... You can SEE all the way THROUGH them. blows my mind. I knew that there were forests that turned brown and dead in the winter... but, well... I'll take some pictures (hopefully soon) and you can see for yourself :o)