first day of school, v.2011

YAY! I love the first day of school. When I was a kid, I would get so excited about seeing all my friends and pleasing a new teacher that I would hardly be able to sleep the night before. Or, maybe my inability to sleep was due to having a head full of bristly rollers. Who thought trying to sleep on rollers was a good idea? Especially, when my thick, straight hair didn’t curl as much as bend. I’m sure I looked silly. But, it was really important for me to look special (not to be confused with touched) for the first day of school. 

The boys are pictured above. I'm so thrilled that they continue to indulge me in this annual photo. One day, we'll line them all up to see how they've grown. Both boys are happy about their teacher assignments, having previous experience with both, and they feel fortunate that their best buddies are in their classes. Seriously, life doesn't get much better than that for sixth and fourth graders. Wow! I remember sixth grade so well. In fact, the year was 1978, which marked the transition year from curlers to curling iron, an affair I would carry out for at least eight years.

last day of summer break

The sun is shining, and the temperature is pleasantly cool. Pretty and comfortable:  I don’t think I could ask for a better day. It’s the sort of day that enhances a physical activity, such as a job, a bike ride or a round of golf, or an outing, such as the State Fair or the Renaissance Festival. But, I’m not doing any of those things. Instead, I am preparing for the start of my school year by having the calmest, least stressful day I can. No run around. No housework (well, there are a few loads of laundry and some tidying up to do but my goals there are pretty minor). Lots of cuddling with the boys, reading books for pleasure, planning our menu, packing my books and sketching tools, and treating myself very gently today.

new favorite word

Earlier today, I checked my U email. Good thing, too. A message from my studio instructor had an assignment for the first day of class. We have been asked to prepare a five-minute presentation featuring a photo or artifact that means “home” to us. Then we’re going to do a design charrette, which will be a major component of our studio learning. “Charrette” has just become my new favorite word.

Last semester, in architectural history, I learned that a charrette was the intense period of work leading up to the completion of an assignment. I have also heard the word used in conjunction with design problems or competitions that are finished during a prescribed time period. It sounds intense and a little scary. Wikipedia offers this definition:  

The word charrette may refer to any collaborative session in which a group of designers drafts a solution to a design problem. While the structure of a charrette varies, depending on the design problem and the individuals in the group, charrettes often take place in multiple sessions in which the group divides into sub-groups. Each sub-group then presents its work to the full group as material for future dialogue. Such charrettes serve as a way of quickly generating a design solution while integrating the aptitudes and interests of a diverse group of people. Compare this term with workshop.

The word also refers to a sustained work period. A collaborative session with my studio group could be a challenging and possibly exciting way to work. I’m looking forward to learning more about our instructor’s intentions with charrettes.

summer's greatest hits

 

Earlier today I helped the boys rehearse their “What did you do over your summer vacation?” speech by asking them to pick the best moment. Both boys were stymied by that question because there were so many awesome times. Thank goodness. There were many moments this summer when I thought I had finally scarred them for life. Or that they had scarred themselves because the boys engaged in a lot of fighting. But we all agreed that it was one of the best summers ever. Winston’s high point was tubing and “lighting dynamite” (=shooting fireworks), which happened over the Fourth of July at my parent’s house. Simon thought one of his best moments might have been sleepaway camp. At times, I thought he might want to move to Camp Icaghowan on a semi-permanent basis.

In all fairness, I decided to compile my own list. I, too, am returning to school on September 6, and I will likely be asked this question. Here are the high points (please, don’t ask me to pick just one), in no particular order:

1. Visited a number of local museums using the Museum Adventure Pass: the Bakken Museum, the Foshay Museum and Observation Deck, and The Works: Hands-on, Minds-on Museum at [mostly] no charge, courtesy of the Saint Paul Public Libraries, which allows cardholders to “check out” admission for 2 people per visit.

2. Finished reading Freedom, Jonathan Franzen’s 641-page follow-up novel to The Corrections, which I had been carrying around since September 2010. Also, read every word of the business management textbook used in the class I took.

3. Had one of our best trips to Watertown, SD, over the July 4^th weekend: fireworks, fishing, reconnecting with old friends at a childhood friend’s memorial service, meeting brother Jeff’s girlfriend and her family (some of whom I knew from high school), and more.

4. Attending rescheduled concerts: U2 (from last summer), which rocked so hard I can’t stand it and whom I love more now than I did in 1980-whatever (Adam Clayton!). The 360 stage set is pictured above. What you can't see in the photo on the right is that it was pissing rain. Our seats were under an overhang so we stayed relatively dry. And, TV on the Radio, which rock so hard I couldn’t believe how excellent they were live. Lots of other live music, including my dear husband’s band, but these moments were truly outstanding.

5. Traveled to the North Shore for the first time. State shutdown meant that none of the myriad state parks were open. Instead we hiked the Superior Hiking Trail. Ate pies at Betty’s Pies, which, if you ask Simon, was the highlight of the trip.

6. Saw all the summer blockbusters. Pleasantly surprised by Transformers (great action, good humor) and charmed by Mister Popper’s Penguins. Also loved Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris.

7. Sent the children to sleepaway camp. Burst with pride at how happy they were in that environment.

8. Watched oldest son blossom as a reader. Marveled at the boys’ sense of independence as they rode their bikes to tennis each morning.

9. Enjoyed reconnecting with family friends and meeting new faces at Chris and Anastasia's wedding in Princeton, NJ. Then, had a fantastic week in the Adirondacks, pampered silly at The Sagamore, which was situated on an island studded glacial lake, surrounded by mountains. Heavenly.

10. Outran Tropical Storm Irene. The storm was predicted to hit New Jersey on August 28, almost exactly when our flight from Newark was scheduled. Determined not to be stuck on the East Coast for yet another storm, we reserved a rental car at Albany International Airport (Newark was already sold out) and left on Saturday. The drive took 20 hours. We drove 16 hours, taking only a few breaks, including an hour in Erie, PA, where we ate dinner and bought audiobooks at B&N. Just before Madison, WI, I pupped out and got a hotel room so we could take a nap. The last four hours were a piece of cake by comparison. 

Bonus: Aced my summer course (business management 3001), even with a bunch of free-loading group members and the distraction of taking my final exam from a hotel room while on vacation.

(Photo credit: wikimedia commons)

hello, september.

Hello, September. I’m so glad you’re here. August was a bit of an acid bath, which I’d like never to repeat.Your friend, Jennifer.