It's been a while

It gets so busy this time of year, doesn't it?  Especially if you're a teacher.  March always seems like the longest month to me.  Winter isn't over yet, you can't really spend a lot of time outside yet, and you kind of start the big push until the end of the year.  For me, the end of the year doesn't come until June 28th! It's such a long year.....  BUT, I'm putting a plan in action that will keep me busy until the one month I do get off in July.

I've made up my mind and I want to create a non-profit that benefits underserved, incarcerated, at risk youth. Over the last year I've been doing tons of research on the benefits of yoga (and art)  and  I've seen some really great non-profits who have made a commitment to serve the population.  I think it's what I want to do.  So, I've begun.  I kind of feel like it might be what I should be doing. 

Some of you may be wondering, but Kate, you don't teach yoga.  True, I teach art, and I want to create some kind of curriculum or program that is art and yoga based.  There is so much literature about how yoga and art are good for you mentally and physically.  It's just so ideal for those two to be together. 

I feel so excited about it, and I'm doing a little bit of work everyday.  There are so many steps to take to make this happen, and I think it will take 5 years of work to possibly get it to be a non-profit or business.  But I'm going to try.

First up, I'm back to taking yoga classes.  I've been doing taking yoga classes off and on for about 10 years, this year I've been practicing on my own.  It's time to get back into the classwork, and be around others to learn more.  I've also signed myself up for a 3 day workshop in May for "Street Yoga" -- they have a website, check them out!  I can't wait to go to it.

So this is all in it's infancy, but I think I have a plan of action.  I need a few more people on my side, and of course the money to get all the training I need, but I'm hitting up my principal for that, and hopefully the State Operated Programs Director. 

Wish me luck, but I guess I'm finally ready to share the news, and that's a good thing.

Perfect way to start my day off!

How I love Jon Stewart, he's the best in the whole wide world......

A word on professional development

I love teaching, I wouldn't really want any other kind of career that let me work directly with people and expose them to my love for art.  I'm coming to a crossroads though.  I feel like I need to find a new direction for my teaching.  I've been working mostly with at risk students most of my teaching career.  Students from mostly low-socioeconomic backgrounds and caste aside.  Most of the kids are low in several skill sets (including social skills). 

I currently teach in a lock down facility.  This is my 4th year there, and I love the students I teach.  They're a big challenge.  And I love challenges.  I feel like I offer them the best I can at the moment.  But I feel like I'm leaving out huge components for them.  Most of them are transient, many of them are in and out of the school.  Some students I've known all 4 years, off and on.

I'm trying to figure out what I can do to better my teaching.  I've checked into the basic programs I'm interested in, such as MFA in Painting, MA in Art therapy, and recently Certificate in IB programs.  Clearly the most time consuming one is the MA in Art Therapy.  Next.... MFA, and least IB.

When I factor in the cost and time of each of those programs, the IB certificate is the most attainable.   However, I'm not sure if it's the one that would most benefit my students.  I don't know, it might be just right.  However, this week, I became suddenly worried about my career.  My principal met with me to talk about the possibility of me getting my Art Therapy License.  I told him that it would take 3 years of work, and be very costly.  He said maybe there was something we could do about that.  But now I'm wondering if I should be worried.  It is completely appropriate for an art therapist to be in my current position, and I'm wondering if my job is dependent on my professional development choice.

I'm frustrated by the way my school district handles professional development.  All school districts are cutting back, and now to be reimbursed is a first come first serve until the money runs out.  And of course there is a cap on what you can ask for.  In this area, a three credit, in-state, graduate course is $3000.  Our school district will pay 1/2 of that per semester.  It's actually quite ridiculous.  How am I supposed to get the professional development I want...and actually need?

Yes, I do feel that teachers should be as current as possible in practice and curriculum, but it's up to the districts to really aid in the process.  I feel like my only choice is to participate in meaningless free professional development offered by my district, which in reality offers me nothing that relates to my students or my area of teaching.

So, I'm frustrated.  I want pursue something, anything, but am not sure what I should do.  Maybe this is the time to talk to my principal, and see how he can work with me.  I think he would tell me if my job was actually in jeopardy.  So I'm suspecting I'm pretty safe for the next school year, at least.

Happy Heart Day!

Or as I like to say... the day of CHOCOLATE!  No matter what, for now...there is always chocolate.  I will partake in many forms of it today..... candies, hearts, brownies.... I love chocolate. And if I could perhaps change the idea of this holiday, it would ONLY revolve around the good stuff. 

Ahh, so love, yes, show your love...but eat and savor your chocolate.

Applying to get out there!

So, we may be a day late and a dollar short for the teaching international recruitment fair this year, but we decided to throw our hat in the ring anyway.  There were only 4 schools we could apply for anyway, because of what we could teach.  We wrote a really good cover letter and revamped our CV and added a picture of us from Italy.... So maybe someone will investigate or give us a reply.  If not, we're ready for the next round a year from now.

I've been wanting to put my hat into the ring for sometime now, and since J is still looking and searching high and low for a permanent job, I finally got him on board.  Is he still going to be looking for a job to stay state side?  Sure! But at the rate this economy is going, I have a feeling we'll be in the same spot as this past year. 

It's good to break the mold every once in a while, I tell him, get out of your comfort zone! See what's out there! You never know where it can take you!  So if we don't get a job this time around, maybe it will lead to other avenues of thinking for the both of us.

The year of the Rabbit

This must be the year for me, because I was born in the year of the rabbit.  And from what I hear it's supposed to be a much calmer and peaceful year (all for it). I mean it doesn't it kind of seem like the year of the tiger (last year) was something quite ferocious?

Well Happy New Year (again)!  And I hope that this one brings you pleasantries and happiness.  Because, be forewarned,  the next year is the year of the DRAGON!.

Lacking in postage

Sorry, just keeping my eyes posted on what's happening in Egypt.  What an incredible time.  I'm sorry to see it turn after yesterday.  The protest I saw yesterday is completely different then the violence I saw today.  I know that a revolution can not make a society go backwards.  But I hope, really hope, that Egypt will be able to unify itself again.

I was lucky enough to experience some real bouts of national pride when some friends and I attended the African Cup Final in Cairo.  Egypt won!!!   And I utter saw happiness, joy, and really loud celebration! 

I'm glad that they're back on line, I'm glad that we're able to get some more authentic reports. These are some photos of where I lived .

An Expat in Egypt

An interesting article about a woman who lived where I lived, and her feelings on the current protests in Egypt.  I also read in other articles that the lootings have definitely stretched to Ma'adi.  The French Version of Walmart was even looted... Not far from Ma'adi.  It's hard not to pay attention.

Egypt

My thoughts are lost in what's going on in Egypt right now.  It's such a significant time for that country, and the rest of the region.  I hope that what is going on there means positive and peaceful changes that will come.  They need a new government.  One that actually puts the people of that country first.  Not an autocracy.  YES, I'm talking about you Hosni.   It's ridiculous to even think that they call themselves a democracy when they disconnected use of the internet and mobile phone issues.

The people are speaking out and I really hope that means a change is gonna come.

Thoughts are with you Misr.

Andrew Bird

Had the extreme pleasure of seeing him play about 2 years ago.. I'd see him again and again.  Absolutely one of my favorites.

The snow. THE SNOW!

If you weren't following my feverish postings on FB, you might have thought I held out no hope for no school tomorrow. Well, you'll be happy to know that, it's not happening.  Otherwise, I would be in bed by now.  So I thought I'd just post a few pics.  This wasn't really supposed to be anything... but, as I said before, I'll believe it when I see it.. And I did.

Yes, I'm following my own blogs

AND SO CAN YOU!! I'm hoping that this will keep me in line. With art....and teaching (although I don't seem to need help with this one).  Look in my profile and you will see two additional blogs I'm trying author.  One's about me as an artist.  The other a classroom blog I hope my students can be a part of on a regular basis!   Follow me! It'll be a blast!

Bon Chance!

Planning for a winter curriculum

Well, an early day! Thanks to the bad weather we're having. It's said that we're going to have some pretty nasty weather over here in the DC metro area. We'll see about that. I never believe it until I see it. Every newscast says something different, and of course I check "weatherunderground". But no one really knows. All I know is that I got out early and it's on to making the rest of my plan for the rest of the week.

You have to be flexible when it comes to teaching in my school. Since I run more of a therapeutic program with art, I change a lot of things all the time. I don't usually have a full on open studio (it happens sometimes), but for the next few weeks, it might happen. I always like to give them a theme or technique, because after all, I have to keep track of everything. And they do like to have some structure. So my lessons are usually very open ended, especially since a lot of kids do not take art, have never taken art, or are just totally not into anything...

Right now we seem to have a lot of kids who are in and out. So that means short term drawing projects, or small paintings, or whatever. Too bad for some, we're working on a big theme-- Optical Illusions. We started with "Op Art" (which was quick, easy and fun for most of them). But, we've moved on to tessellations. They love them, but they're time consuming. Since there are kids coming in and out, they don't quite get the same satisfaction because you do have to invest your time, energy, and skills... I get a lot of," I don't want to do this, I leave tomorrow (or whenever)".

So I'm at a crossroads. Tomorrow is Thursday.. Friday is the end of the quarter. I'm thinking... maybe do some skill building, because it's just not worth starting something new for the new people, and the old people are not finished with the tessellations...

My goal is for students to have a meaningful experience in my class. And while I know it's completely up to them (they are 15 and older), I still want to do my best to help them find some kind of art niche. It wears me out sometimes, but when I see a kid really enjoy what he or she is doing, it really makes it all worth it.

So tomorrow- we could have school, it could be a 2-hour delay, or no school. I gotta think ahead so I'm not just offering up "free draw".

Ice ice baby

It's cold outside. Ice is everywhere, it hasn't even begun to melt. NO SNOW! Just an ice storm. Here are some pictures! Thankfully we have the day off from school! Only to be made up in March.... oh well, I'll take it.

Hi, it's me again

First day back to school is always the hardest, isn't it? I had a shorter-than-usual winter break because school started after Labor Day. Well, not for me. I started school back in August. But our calendar goes along with the local school district (at least most of the time). So our vacation was cut down to 10 days. I have to say, by day 7 I was really into it. So into it, that I wish I had another 7 days to get my way out of it. It's kind of like a tease to get that amount of time off. I'm not going to complain, but it was hard to get up this morning.

But I survived. Many of my students were still there (well, there's no vacations in lock up is there). I have to say, they were pretty eager to see me for art class. Which is nice.

I've been kind of preparing what we'd begin when I got back, and decided on optical illusions. I thought it would be the perfect tie in to so many art periods, styles, and techniques. So I'm ready.

Oh, forgot to tell you... one problem. Umm...no BUDGET. What? No budget?

So plans may change. I have a few supplies left over from the year I was gone, but mostly everything is in danger of being used up!! I tried to order things in the beginning of the year, but it was "complicated" (won't get into that right now, all you need to know is that people were supposed to put in the order and didn't....multiple times). So I made a huge order and put in back in November, and well, here we are... No New Supplies.

Frustration is setting in. I think I can hang on for a few more months making something out of not much.

In addition, I'm also in 3 different classrooms throughout the day. It's amazingly horrible. I've been told there'd be changes, but the new year has not brought a single one. Not even a storage space in one of the classrooms... WHAT THE HECK.

But-- a change is going to come, my friends. It has to come. I will make it come.

So survived is definitely the word for this Monday. I'm sure there will be a few more posts like this... But I hope not.

NGA

It's only the second day of the year and I'm off to the museum. The National Gallery of Art is still showing the art of Archimboldo! I'm so excited. I've maybe seen 1 in my entire life. He does compositions of head that are composed of plants, animals and object. They're bizarre, but accurate. He was definitely ahead of his time, and artists after his time copied his strange and surreal visual representations.

It's in the final week, and then the whole exhibition is back off to Italy! So glad I get to close out my holiday with some art of inspiration! Pictures posted when I get back!!!

Hello! 2011

Another decade has come and gone. I hadn't even thought about that until just now. 10 years ago I started out the beginning of this decade in New Mexico! In between I've been quite lucky to have some amazing travels and meet some pretty amazing people along the way.

I haven't been much of a blogger this year, I have to say. I think i was just too busy to even consider telling much of a story. This year was full of some amazing highs, though. Oh, I don't know, like getting married. I can't wait to see what the next 10 years will bring us. I hope that I can spend more of this coming year focusing on a variety of things. I aim to gain some balance, and live more day to day instead of dredging up the past, or getting to ahead of myself. It is more useful to focus on the day to day things, what's going on now.

Do I make resolutions? No, not really. They'd always end up being broken. The only thing that I can resolve to do is try to learn something new everyday. Try to make the most of my day, and live my life how I want to live it.

So I know, not too much wisdom going on. I just wish everyone out there to have a wonderful, healthy, happy, and peaceful NEW YEAR-- and NEW DECADE!!!

My students taught me something

Here in my blog "Wanderlust", I'm constantly in search of doing interesting and wonderful things. When I can't travel, I take refuge in the teen culture that sweeps the nation. Sometimes it means watching the game, sometimes it means learning about new technology I can use in my classroom. Or sometimes I pick up slang terms that are extremely useful(such as "Kirk Out" or "He totally bassed you Miss"). But today I learned something new...not particularly useful..but...

I learned the "Dougie". That's right. Apparently you can too. Watch...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGtIppH-KSg

Can't get enough of these guys!

They crack me up... I need to invest in Korg products and make my own band... I'm actually trying to see if I can get some of these digital friends for school.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hELTtsBRie4&feature=related

Enjoy.. can't get enough...

Feeling saner these days.

It was the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear. And it was AMAZING!!!! I love Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. Not only that, but there were a whole host of other "special guests" - The Roots, Yusaf Islam (Cat Stevens-- is he even allowed to be in the US), Ozzy Oxborne, The Oj's, Staple Singers, Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock (well I guess he is an american institution to some), SAM WATERSON!!! (LOVE HIM!), Father Guido Sarrducci, and many many more. It was an amazing experience. I'm so glad i went and survived taking the metro!!! Everyone was in good spirits, oh and the Myth Buster guys were there... and we did a group wave, and we also jumped at the same time to see if we could shake the earth. Turns out that 150,000 people who jump at the same time is only equal to a minor car accident. Oh well, we tried, TWICE.

We also laughed, cried, and laughed again like mad-scientists. It was so much fun. The Roots (one of my all-time favorites) we great. John Legend was also there performing with them.

We left about 1/2 hour before the show was over, but hey, that's why I'm able to write you now!!!!!

I'm so glad we went.