Meg the Music Teacher

What a marvelous day it's been!

Last night, I went to the new Fusion International Arts Center in Sacramento to help welcome the sixty Chinese students I'll be working with over the next three weeks. Today, of course, we started teaching them, and I had my hour of music/choir (I'll be teaching them some songs to sing in the final presentation they put on for their host families).

It felt so amazing to be back in front of a classroom. The kids are typical teenagers in the way they dress, the way they interact with each other (although culturally, Chinese boys and girls are far more formal with each other than American teens who flirt and badger each other to no end). But in the classroom, these kids are eager, and willing to participate. I had them doing sirens and whoops to warm up their voices today--believe me, I've had more than a few American and English teenagers in my career stare at me with a look that clearly says, "Oh, hell no, lady." These students looked a little shy, but everyone did what I asked.

Today was full of laughter, learning and joy for all of us--I have a feeling I'll learn more from our visitors than they will from me--but mostly I just want to share a few pictures I've been taking. Everyone is running around with cameras an iPhones!

The center used to be a big fancy furniture store. It's a work in progress.

The kids all picked their English names. : )

The students are divided into groups, and each group
has a color to identify them.

Everybody got a t-shirt. I managed to snag a blue
one--good thing. I don't look good in grey or orange!

This giant "lamp" doesn't light up, but it looks cool
and the kids can sit on it.

There's lots of art on display.

This is my teaching space. I stood on the steps and we had the kids in
chairs.

Big meeting area and it will also be our performance space.

Teachers and host families, last night, waiting for the kids to arrive.

Like teens anywhere, these teens can eat pizza. : )

The host families waiting.

The bus pulled up outside the gate and Gayliene, our fearless leader, had
the kids start chanting, "Open that gate!"

So she did, and we all cheered.

Apprehensive and excited...and exhausted.

Meeting their hosts.

Today, a bunch of the girls gave the teachers and "buddies" (host family
kids who are participating in the camp to help and foster friendships)
some really cute key rings. I got three! This one I put on my car key.

I put one on my name tag lanyard to show them I appreciate the gift.
Super cute!

Tomorrow I'm going to have them sing some more, and we're going to listen to Ray Charles' "America the Beautiful." I have lots of fun ideas planned for them (including a Keane song!) and it's going to be great to see them open up and become more confident in their English skills, and see them enjoy California. 

Life Is, Indeed, Good.

Today, I weighed in after my workout (3 miles of running, a full circuit of strength training, and 100 meters of swimming--who's awesome? I'm awesome!). I've been more hesitant of late to make my blogging all about the number on the scale and the number on the tag in my jeans, but folks, I gotta brag: I weighed in at exactly 137 pounds, and last week, a pair of Old Navy Sweethearts, size TWO, buttoned and zipped around these shapely hips.

So today, when I weighed in, I was feeling pretty good about life. I saw M. the Reasonable nearby, wrapping things up with a client, so I waited a moment 'til he was free, so I could tell him, "I'm seven pounds from goal, and I got a job."

I paused for dramatic effect, and then, in one of those funny moments you just can't plan, M. and I simultaneously said, quietly but emphatically, "Life is good."

Oh, yes.

M. is one of my biggest supporters and cheerleaders, and he was quite pleased to hear another recent brag--that on Saturday, I ran four miles without stopping, walking, whining, or even feeling like I needed to do any of these things. Four miles! For a lady who usually stops at two-and-a-half and calls it a great run, I was really proud of myself. It helped that I had a running buddy, another 30-something lady who isn't particularly fast but who can get out there and get it done. We chattered nonstop around the track for four miles, and it made the whole time really fly by.

Of course, talk with M. turned to bikes. Because I now have a job for this fall (albeit very part-time), I can spend the money from my little summer gig on a bike for my tri training. M. has promised his help and expertise (cycling is his passion) and as I told him today, "I need all the help I can get!"

So yes, I'm feeling quite blessed right now. I've got my health, some great opportunities, and some really great things going on...and terrific friends like M., some sassy girlfriends, and, as ever, my duck ladies, cheering me on every step of the way.

Boxes

In May 2010, I packed up my personal belongings, kept in a Stockton classroom for two years, and loaded them in to Rosie Pro. As I loaded the last box, tears started falling down my cheeks. I am not a person who likes to hold on to anger, and it is very rare for me to loathe a person, but that afternoon, I loathed the woman who had put me in this position. I was so angry that one administrator in all my years of teaching could evaluate me poorly simply because she didn't like me, or something about how I chose to teach. That one woman's meanness could put me out of a job I loved.

I was never ineffective. I was a good teacher. I know that now.

When the last box was packed, I drove away. The boxes took up residence in my closet at home, in the hopes that I'd need them again soon.

They've collected dust for two years.

Since August of last year, they've been piled up in my storage unit. Recently, I went to the storage unit to sort through some of my books. In a box of music books, I found a couple of paper lanterns and a paper dragon that I've had since my very first teaching job--ten years. My Chinese New Year lesson has always been one of my favorites, and when I pulled those well-loved artifacts out of the box, I felt a pang of sadness that they'd been packed away so long, unused, not needed. I wondered if I'd have a chance to use them again.

I hadn't the heart to let go of them.

Then, of course, this last week, I was offered a job, teaching music at a small K-8 private school. On Thursday, I met with the principal to sign the paperwork (there is always endless paperwork when you take on a teaching job) and get a tour of the school (which took all of 10 minutes--it really is a small school!). Before I left, I looked at my new boss--still nervous about her, still wondering if she would be a good admin or a bad one--and mentioned my excitement at retrieving my teaching supplies from my storage. "I love to do a lesson each year for Chinese New Year."

I hoped this would impress her.

Her face lit up. "We have a big Chinese New Year celebration every year! Oh, Mrs. _____ is going to faint when she finds out that you love doing music lessons for it."

All I could do was grin like a fool and say, "I can't wait to talk to her!"

This week, I plan to stop by my storage unit to dig out those dusty boxes, and bring them home to Mom and Dad's house so I can go through them. I will reacquaint myself with my tiny percussion instruments, tune my little autoharp, and dig around to remember what I've got. There may be a happy tear or two as I think about how happy I am for the opportunity that lies ahead of me.

I'm a teacher again. : )

Sunday Sign Pics

It's been a while since I've shared some sign pictures here on the blog. I've found some great ones in my never-ending quest to find more. My iPhone has allowed me to quickly and easily snap pics wherever I am (note: I always pull off the road, stop the car and take pictures safely!).

Carmichael, CA: A great colorful one.

Making a U-turn at the intersection of Chivalry and Gallant in Carmichael.

Downtown Sacramento

This and the next two are signs I've seen from the freeway and finally
made an effort to exit the freeway, find them, stop, and get the pic.

I just love these old signs. The waving flag adds to the pic.

In Gold Country, there's a tiny town called Drytown. It has a very
happening little bar.

Sutter Creek -- Resist, Meg, RESIST!!

Somewhere in the Sacramento area. The missing letters only add to the
charm.

Downtown Sacramento

Downtown Sacramento

Downtown Sacramento

Downtown Sacramento

Greater Sacramento Area...love the name!

Amazing. Impossible. True.

I weighed in on Monday morning. I didn't think I'd be lighter, after a scandalous amount of 4th of July eating and with Auntie Flo in town this week...but there it was. 138.

My original goal weight, set three-and-a-half years ago with B. the Sadist, was 130.

M. the Reasonable and I never really put a number down as a goal weight, and the last time I asked him about it, he just grinned and gave me a good non-answer along the lines of, "Well, let's get you to 130 and then see what your body wants to do from there." It's anyone's guess, really. Does my body want to be 130? 125? Maybe even 120? M. suggested that I might have a "fighting" weight of 127 or so, and a "winter" weight of 132. It remains to be seen. But the fact remains that I'm eight pounds from that original goal, and when I see one-three-zero on the scale, I'm really going to feel that I've made it.

It seems impossible. Wild, even...and yes, Absolutely True.

In the end, the number doesn't really matter. Once I've seen 130, I won't stop caring about the weight, but I'll stop worrying quite so much about it. The focus now is shifting, ever-so-slightly, from weight loss to maintenance, and to continuing the healthy lifestyle I've adopted. Not to mention that whole triathlon thing.

Yesterday, my new principal asked me a couple of questions as I filled out the endless paperwork that comes with any new teaching position. She likes to know her employees and one of the questions was, "What--besides the obvious, I know you're into music--are your hobbies and interests?" I was proud to tell her that I run and swim, that I'm planning to buy a bike within the next month or so. I was proud to tell her that I intend to complete a short triathlon in 2013. I won't be the fastest person out there, but by God, I will finish.

It's good to have goals.

It's even better to smash them. ; )

A Trip To Sutter Creek

Last weekend, Mom wanted to go to a quilt show she'd heard about in Sutter Creek, so Dad and I went with her. Sutter Creek has a fantastic historic main street, and I love taking pictures of old Gold Rush (and beyond) buildings.

I avoided it. I didn't want to avoid it, but I did.

After Sutter Creek, we drove through Amador City and stopped to look in a couple of Mom's favorite shops. I did a quick wander for some pictures.

No idea what this is.

Great old car, left to rust and rot.

Got whirlygigs?

Making this shot even better--the old truck driving
into view.

I don't know what statement they're trying to make.
But I think I like it.

I love California's Gold Country--there are so many great little towns with interesting shops. Some of them are really suffering in the economy, which is a shame, but hopefully better times are coming.