Spring Break Plans

 In the next few weeks over 7 million visitors will land in the Orlando airport. I’m not one of them. Although I appreciate all the visitors as they fund the things here, I won’t relish the traffic. I will, however,  enjoy a quiet break here. I am looking forward to working out each day, a little pool time sans water polo, cleaning and day trips to the beach. This season is the best of Florida weather. It’s a great time to enjoy the outdoors. I will fix my computer and prep some stuff for my kiddo’s graduation party. It’s been a whirlwind of a nine weeks with two teachers out and nonstop weekends with birthdays, games and college visits. I’ll really relish the still plus I have the second book in Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City waiting for me. What are you looking forward to for your break?

What R U Reading?

I decided to read a poem a day for 2022. I had two collections picked out and my friend gave me an anthology as well. I decided to read a poem a day since it is an area that I am not well read. I also decided it should be contemporary poets as again, I am not well versed in the poets of my time. I am currently reading How to Love the World which was given to me by my friend and fellow blogger, Lee Ann. It should take me through April. I picked up the Living Nations collection edited by our current US Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo. I became fascinated with her work after I heard her speak at NCTE. This collection is part of her work as Poet Lauureate. Check it out here. My final choice is a collection that I have been eyeing for awhile and when I saw a signed copy, I couldn’t resist. I have read Kingsolver’s fiction and nonfiction, so now it’s time for her poems. These titles should keep me busy through the summer. What collections or poets do you suggest I add to my 2022 poetry quest.

The Sunday Seven

 Celebrating the goodness of the week.

7.  Gorgeous back-to-back water weekends.  Spring weather in Florida is amazing. Last weekend my daughter celebrated her 18th birthday by primitive camping on Bissel Bay and this weekend we celebrated my mom's 75th birthday with a day at the springs, Rock Springs at Kelly Park.  We were able to kayak, paddleboard and swim and just enjoy the day. I love being outdoors and disconnected from the world. 

6. My colleagues-anyone in education knows how tough it has been this past year. I am lucky to have colleagues near and far who show up and do their best.  

5. My district and principal for supporting student activists and letting students have space to share their voice.

4. For the many opportunities to connect with students.

3. Eyes toward spring break. 4 days more..

2. Opportunities to create family memories. See number 7.  

1. Joining the writing challenge again. After a hiatus, it's great to be back.

Spring into Saturdays

 My Saturdays used to consist of trips to the my favorite outdoor Florida attractions, the springs, but since 2019 when I last participated in the Slice of Life Saturday challenge, I now spend more time poolside on weekends.  Don't be fooled, I've not been swimming, but cheering for my water polo player who swims.  This is the last spring that I will be able to do so as she will be graduating in May.  We spent today at a tournament.  I have loved watching every minute of the evolution of my dancer into an attacker (name of the position she plays).  Having never played an organized sport before at age 15, she has had to work hard to develop into her catching and throwing skills, learning how to move and communicate as a team. If you have never watched water polo before, I encourage you to enjoy this clip by Leslie Jones.  It's funny and informative and it highlights the USA Olympic Women's Water polo team who have won the Olympic gold the last three times. Check it out here.

Student Walkout Today

  I am a Florida native. I love the weather! I love the springs. I love the people. I love my job. I love my school. I love our students. I love being a parent of a teenager. I love that our student activists and across the state led student walkouts with courage and conviction regardless of the political minefield that our legislature is creating with HB 1577, the Don’t Say Gay bill. I love that my principal was by their side. I love that teachers and students chose to participate en masse. It’s days like these that remind me how kids thrive when they have support. It’s days like today that reinforce why teaching matters despite the state of education. I loved today. 

Favorite Things

Favorite Things or How I Have Been Keeping It Together Lately

Ascics Gel Nimbus-Walking in these running shoes. I seem to have a few pair on hand at all times. I love to wear them to work when I know I will be putting on the miles and I love to wear them working out.  I only like to keep two pairs on hand, because I hate shoe clutter.  

Bodum milk frother/heater has been a morning game changer. UPSIDE- save money & ease of use DOWNSIDE- cleaning

Crushed Ice- Did you know that you can buy bags of crushed ice from Sonic?  

Eggs my favorite scrambled for dinner, on a hamburger for lunch or over easy/poached for breakfast.  The most versatile food that I can whip up at any time in any way.

Going to a new restaurant- what I love about Orlando is the diversity of our food culture. (My Friday posts will feature some of these outings picking up takeout. 

Hanging out or going on an adventure with our kid. Most recently with her -padding in Bissel Bay. More to come about this adventure. 

Ice cream- To be fair, I am a chip monster, but what I will miss most next year are the ice cream trips with my kid.  I've been making the most of it with her by checking out the new places.

Kayaking/paddle boarding down a spring-fed river, the lake or the intercostal.  I recently bought my daughter an inflatable paddleboard. I'll be buying one for myself. Floating helps me disconnect.

One a day-I decided to read a poem a day in 2022, because it's a gap for me. Look for a post on a Monday about the collections I've been reading or will be reading. 

Playing disc golf- I saved this hobby for my old age because I can't really run and play ultimate Frisbee any more, but I do love playing rounds with my bf and my husband.  Right before sunset is my favorite time.  When I can't throw anymore, I'll take up birdwatching. 

Reconnecting with old friends and colleagues. Love the people in your life who you reconnect with easily regardless of your time apart.  

Watching water polo- really a game I knew nothing about four years ago until my daughter started playing and it's one of the most exciting live games to watch. It ousted boy volleyball from my number one.  

eXercising at outdoors preferably with a blend of weights and cardio.

Yoga class-outdoors preferably- if you are ever in Orlando I suggest attending Yoga in Lake Eola Park or any other session hosted by Miriam Reh. 

I’m Back

 It’s tough to see that my last post was March 31, 2019. I’m not sure what lead me to skip 2020, but I know why I skipped 2021. Teaching hybrid was hard. This year I honestly decided less than five hours ago to do this challenge. It was a serendipitous moment where a teacher/friend sent me a poem she wrote for her student. It is amazing, but it took bravery on her part to share it. I’ve read some of her blogs before and I told her about this challenge and she was in. Check out her blog and first slice here. I committed to writing this month with her because this is an amazing community to write in.

Teaching is still hard.  I see that I’ve had different teaching hard times, but writing in the SOLSC provides a great space to process that! It will be my ninth year. We will see where else the writing leads me.