My students make me so happy most days. Their insights and reflections about what they are reading remind me what it is like to look at the world through the eyes of a child, or in this case an adolescent. The thing about my one class is that they take really good care of each other. There are only six of them, but they are a little family. They discuss, argue, console, support, react just like siblings. It is the most diverse group of children you could possibly imagine, but they find their commonalities on a daily basis through their reading, their writing, and their discussion. They are completing a mini slice of life challenge within our class, and they are learning so much about each other through this process. Today I celebrate my good fortune to work with such a “cool” group of kids!
Slice of Life Day 12: Now I Understand
I understand the challenge now. How to stay motivated to stay committed to writing every single day. To feel that you have something important to say every single day. These past few days have been hard. I hope to find more inspiration tomorrow!
Slice of Life Day 11: I Miss Writing
In writing class tonight I was reminded how important it is for me to be able to write and doodle to think best and pay attention. I really missed being able to write and doodle. Especially since Michelle was sitting across from me with her fabulous pens and beautiful blank paged writing journal! I was very envious! I am hoping to get out of this brace next week and be free! I might have to follow Michelle’s lead and buy new pens to celebrate!
Slice of Life Day 10: Writer’s Block/ Picture Day
Today I didn’t know what to write about. So I opened up Shutterfly, closed my eyes and randomly chose an album. Then I closed my eyes and randomly chose a picture. And this is what I chose; a picture of my family at my family reunion last summer. What luck! This picture makes me very happy. It was a good hair day, first of all! And secondly, the light shining on us reflects the happiness of that moment. I love to take pictures (not necessarily be in them); it is a role I serve in my family. Usually I get lots of eye rolls and “Seriously”s. But then, months later, I get the, “Do you remember the pictures from____. Can you send it to me?” I like to take pictures because I have an increasingly bad memory. And I like to remember the good pictures as well as the not so good, which is why I am happy that I landed on a good one; because they are all up on Shutterfly. Unless of course it is a particularly bad picture of ME, then there is a likelihood that it will get edited out, HA!
I used to never want to be in pictures, but then I realized that I am who I am in that moment. Fat, Gray, whatever. And I want my kids to remember all of me when I am gone someday. The Shitty First Draft (Lamott), so to speak. The work in progress; the silly, fun, goofy; all of it. But it is nice, when a moment is captured in the light of how I would like to be remembered, and this picture was a great reflection of that!
Slice of Life Day 9: A Little Drama for the Mama
My post will be short tonight. As is fitting in my family; I slipped on the little bit of remaining ice on my sidewalk while walking my dog in the dark this morning. While most people would expect something like this to happen in the dead of winter, oh no, not enough drama for me…
Sprained, possibly fractured right wrist, very sore elbow, arm, shoulder, knee and very sore and tight Achilles tendon. Fallin ain’t easy when you’re old…
How am I going to sew this weekend in a splint? My lines won’t be straight!
I think tonight’s phrase is, “This, too, shall pass!” or “Ouch!”
Slice of Life Day 8: Process versus Product
After a long day yesterday including Build Day at the high school from 9-4 and then a 3 hour round trip drive (plus 2 hours at the show) to take Hailey and some friends to see their director’s former high school production, I am thinking about the process of creating a show versus the product that is seen on stage.
Before I became involved in theater through Hailey, I knew intellectually that lots of work went into every production we see on stage. But watching the many, many, MANY, hours that go into designing and constructing wardrobe (in our case), and set, and props, lighting and sound make me view the finished product through a new and ever appreciative lense. I am sure I will never watch a show through the same lense again. So much of the tech work goes mostly unnoticed (of course), but so many hours go into making a seam just right, or the hem to be the right length, choosing the exact color fabric. All of these small and time consuming details make the finish product so much better.
Of course, I can’t forget the actors, and the many, many, MANY rehearsals and takes and tweaks they go through to stay in character and bring out just the right presentation in their acting. Let alone the guts the kids have to “put themselves out there” in front of a large (or sometimes disappointingly small) audience.
Whether the final performance is worthy of a Cappies (high school Tony’s) nomination, or one that falls flat on a particular evening, the PROCESS of creating an entire show is where the real success is. We try to teach our kids that life is not all about winning, but I think in our society we sometimes say this out of both sides of our mouths. It is great to win, don’t get me wrong; but the true winning comes through the blood, sweat and tears that happen through the process of creating a wonderful product. I am so proud of the kids for their blood, sweat and tears as they are forming Beauty and the Beast into the best production it can be!
Outside the box
Hailey literally said to me last night , ” I need to step outside my box.” Granted she was measuring an actual box that is getting turned into The Wardrobe in Beauty and the Beast! We laughed about that for awhile. No pun goes unnoticed in this house. I did step out of my own box today, sewing cummerbunds for Enchanted Objects. I haven’t sewn anything in almost 19 years, so I was very proud of my straight lines and back stitches today! Granted, Hailey had to thread the bobbin and the machine for me, but progress was made! Another wardrobe build day under my belt! Yup, pun intended!
Slice of Life Day 6: Time to Get to Work
In my first year on being on the Drama Booster Board of a brand new drama program I am learning so much. The difference between board meetings , versus needing committee time to plan more specifically and implement the plan. Asking for input versus making an executive decision. This is out of my comfort zone; I don’t want to make the wrong decision, or step on toes, but I want to get things done. I want to include as many people as possible, while at the same time being efficient. These are things we deal with in our work lives as well, but I am not used to applying these skills outside that setting. I am in unfamiliar territory, because I am not confident about what I am supposed to be doing. But I think the motto is DO SOMETHING!!! ( Or maybe Fake it Till You Make It???) So time to stop spinning my wheels and make some executive decisions to move us forward to be ready for production in 8 weeks! Today I will be ordering custom table coverings, possibly banners, setting up a committee meeting, sending out emails for ads and shout outs. Good thing it is a snow day!!!
Slice of Life Day 5: Even When You Lose, You Win
So Forensics, not the science kind, turned out to a be trickier than Hailey thought. When she got to Regionals she realized by watching the competition in her group (as part of the competition, you watch other people in your group perform) that she didn’t really have the correct material for this level of competition. Her monologue was different, and shorter, than the types of monologues everyone else except she and her teammate where performing. Something about the others’ came from books, rather than plays; I’m not sure I fully understand. They way she put it to me was that she felt like she showed up at a soccer game with a basketball. As I have said in other posts, EVERYTHING is new for these kids, and even their coach this year. They technically followed the rules; they showed up at the correct field, but not quite with the correct equipment. It was very confusing to her, and to me that is OK. She reflected on her day when she got home, and as usual had some good insights. She wasn’t HAPPY about these insights necessarily, but again, that’s OK! She knows next year what type of material to choose. She realizes that just because you win at one level doesn’t mean you are going to win at the next level. She realizes that everyone has passions for different things. For her, Forensics is secondary to Theater, but for the kids who were there from other parts of the state, this was THEIR LIFE! Kids came to watch other kids on their team in hopes of making the team next year (think JV vs Varsity). She was happy for the two other parts of her team (3 kids) who qualified for States in their areas. To me this all sums up the idea that you definitely win by losing if you take the time to learn from your experience. So for Hailey and the other teammates who are not moving on; good luck next year! And to the three who are moving on; WOOT!!! ROCK it at States!!
Slice of Life Day 4: Forensics
Forensics, not the science kind! Many people do not know what this is, and I didn’t really either until about 6 weeks ago. I knew it had something to do with public speaking, but I linked it more to debate rather than drama. However, this year Mr CJ became the Forensics adviser and put together a team, so Forensics at the Rock will be run through the drama department going forward, and it actually makes sense. There are multiple areas in which the kids compete from extemporaneous speaking to poetry recitation, to individual dramatic interpretation of a text (Hailey’s category), humourous interpretation (individual and duo) , and duo dramatic interpretation. The difference between drama and forensics is forensics is based mostly on your VOICE, where drama includes movement and voice. All of the presentation is scored on the quality of speaking; individual competitors cannot use movement to facilitate their presentation. They have to stay inside the space basically of a hula hoop. Kids compete both individually and as a team. This year was the first year any of our kids competed and they ROCKED. Everyone placed either 1st, 2nd or 3rd in their category, and overall they placed second as a team, mostly because our team was small and not represented in each category. Today they are all headed off to Richmond to Regional Competition. If they place top 3 in their category or as a team they will move on to States. Hailey came out of conference with a 1st place win! But we really have no idea what to expect for Regionals. Already this has been a winning experience, as she has never had to give a 10 minute monologue before! Chalk up another new experience to the drama life!
onedramamama 