Survived the earthquake.... Now surviving Irene

As I was just about to write this post, the electricity popped on!!!! Ok, I guess we can go make some dinner!!!! More later!!! I'm just so elated right now!!!

Earthquake Frenzy!

Yep, it's true.  Virginia had a pretty large Earthquake on Tuesday.  It measured a 5.8 in our area, and it happened at about 2 pm.  I was in the hallway of my school using the copier machine, and all of a sudden there was shaking.  I thought to myself, "Oh something is shaking, I think the earth is shaking...Oh my god the earth is shaking! I hope it stops...it's not stopping. Please stop! Ok, that was definitely an earthquake."

You probably know that earthquakes really just DON'T happen in these parts.  Yes there are thousands of tremors all over the world, but this was huge news....maybe not to those who live on fault lines.  Many people I talked to thought that there was bomb or something, or a huge metro accident or something.  Which isn't so far fetched.  When the plane hit the Pentagon 10 years ago people did hear it and feel it. So when something really strange happens around here, it's intense, people don't know how to react.  People assume all sorts of things.

Talking to my students about it was really interesting.  Many of them were actually really frightened.  I think some of them didn't even know what it was, and then most of them didn't even know what to do. In spawned a great conversation about natural disasters.  We talked about tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis.  Most of them were unaware of what some of those were.  No one was in shock and most of them were able to laugh about it, and of course some them just played it cool (what happened...?  who cares?). 

On the next list of strange natural weather phenomenon is Hurricane Irene.  It's supposed to move up the coast by this weekend, should be a huge storm in our area.  I am not panicking, but in 2003 there was a huge hurricane, and it took out power for a whole week, and water was shut off.  It was kind of a nightmare..... So I plan on stockpiling some snacks and water, just in case.  Maybe a flashlight or two.

As I look out the window now, it's very gray and overcast, there are bouts of sun rays occasionally, but I think it's clear that something is headed our way.

No-- I don't think it's the end of the world.

Saturday Mornings

Waking up later than the usual time (8:30 instead of 6:15)
Walking downstairs to see the morning sun filling our little dining area
Taking time to make the perfect cup of coffee (decaf, with lots of frothy milk)
Fresh OJ
Homemade Waffles

Yep.  I REALLY like Saturday mornings.

I hope you enjoyed your Saturday morning.

214

Yep, that's how many more days (work days) until next summer break.  I often feel that I'm more connected to the new school year rather then the new calendar year.  I definitely get a feeling of hope when the new school year starts.  Which is good.  I always feel like it's a chance to start again, because I really DO love teaching, and no matter how difficult it can get through the year, I am so thankful I get to call this "my job".  I can't imagine being a teacher and NOT feeling that way. 

So-- this feeling of hope, how can I project that to my students? How can I keep that going all year long? Is it even possible?  

I guess I'll be answering that as the days go by.

It goes way too fast

So I've had a couple of days to work on art, but the count down is on, for real.  I only have a couple more days until it's back to the J-O-B.  I feel like it's taken the past 2 days just to get started on art making.  I know I need to just keep my practice up, but I just really enjoy painting the day away.  Yesterday I made 3 little paintings.

I started making mazes again.  They symbolize so much.  I was trying to figure out a way to put something in my artwork, but the truth is, I just don't really like putting "things" in my paintings.  I draw objects on their own-- as sketches.  I have tired time and time again to put little flowers, or objects of nature into my pieces, but I just don't feel like it's my work.  So-- back to mazes.

I begin by measuring and marking my path with the ruler, draw lightly.  Then create path colors by mixing the paints to get the desired color.  I LIKE muted colors.  They aren't bright at all, and they tend to go more towards the grayer tones.  I'm trying to decide if I like my writing in the path, or if I should do something else with the writing.  I'm still very much tied to my script.

I have started a larger maze.  It's on top of some collaged papers I found.  I think they were blank music sheets.  The one that has the measures on them.  So I cut them up and pasted them up.  You can still see the lines under the painting because I used washes of paint.  I still like layering, and I still like that you can see the lines from the paper.  The washes on the paths are a muted green color and gray.

I'm trying to think of other things I would like to collage... I like simple patterns of lines, maybe words and text?  I don't know.

I'll post pictures if I get it together.  I have one small odd painting I did with a lotus.  But I don't know, I just don't feel connected to it.

It's nice that I've gotten this chance to start on some things, but I don't know when I'll find time to do this again.  I guess I really wish that painting was my job.  But then, I guess I'd have to figure out how to sell my stuff.  I tend to make my artwork for myself...and not everyone likes what I do.

Anyway, back to art!