Slice of Life, Day 31--"Reflections on Slicing "Firsts"

This is my 5th "reflection slice" in my 5 years of this challenge, but this year it is reminding me of some of the "firsts" I've had along the way this March...

This is my first SOLC without students. Ever. It was so strange! I've always had kids reading my blog, encouraging me as I encourage them, and trying desperately to keep up with them as they wrote!  With my job change and the way Spring Break fell, it just didn't work out this year. It is usually my busiest month of school, but it was pretty low-key this year. Sometimes it felt good, and sometimes I missed my little slicers like crazy.

I leaned on the Slice of Life community more this year than ever. I left a strong community of Slicers back in Missouri, and so the comments from others were more meaningful than ever. Being part of the Welcome Wagon was helpful as I got to know so many new people through their writing! I liked feeling like I was part of welcoming people into our community. I learned a ton by reading their pieces.

It is the first time I've had TWO weeks off in March! While Spring Break provides more varied writing material, I think I actually prefer to be in school for Slice of Life. Am I crazy? I just find more to write about when I'm in my normal routine. Or maybe I'm just more disciplined! :)

This is the first year I didn't stress about my posts. At all. I have always tried to write with my kids in mind, trying new things to mentor them. This year, I just wrote. I didn't worry about perfection or anything even close...I just wrote. It was freeing.

For the first time, it wasn't hard. Finding time is always hard. Keeping my eyes open to finish a slice is always hard. But, I think it's worth noting, to myself anyway, that writing wasn't hard this year. Maybe it has a little to do with all of the above, but I think I've found myself as a writer. It feels like an accomplishment, like feeling comfortable in your own skin. I'll always try new things, strive to perfect the craft, read mentors...but I'm okay with who I am as a writer already, too. I wonder if that's okay...? Will I look back in 10 years and laugh at myself for even typing those words? I wonder.

For the first time, I can see myself joining the Tuesday group. I've tried many times, but never made it far. I'm going to try again this year, and I really think it'll stick. I think I've reached a point as a teacher where the support of other educators has become even more valuable. Teaching is hard, and I need a community to keep me focused and encouraged. Also, I'd like to get better at writing. This seems like the best way to do it--write more and read more!!

Congratulations to all of you, and especially to all of you that finished for the first time this year! See you Tuesday! :)

Slice of Life, Day 30-- "My One Little Word"

So, I know that most people choose their "one little word" in January, but I save it for March. I find that blogging seems to make me more reflective and conscious of what I'm really thinking...probably because I'm recording it everyday! :)

Last year, my word was nurture. I wanted to grow the things worth growing in my life. I feel like it's guided me along the way to a better place than where I was last year at this time.

This year, I choose the word follow.

It is defined as "to go or come after (a person or thing proceeding ahead); move or travel behind (Google Dictionary)."

I have been pushing so hard to control (or nurture...?) so many things in the last year: my class, my new home, my health, etc. It's been a hard year for me because of so many changes. I've run myself ragged. 

I know that follow may have the connotation of stepping back, but really my intention behind it is to give me guidance as I make everyday decisions. Who, what, or why am I choosing this or that? What is behind my motives?

If a choice deviates in anyway from my personal beliefs and convictions, then I will make a course correction. I want to follow who I really am, and for me, that means following Jesus. I am excited to see where He leads.

Now, that I have my word, let's get the year started! :) 


P.S. I tried a MILLION times to get this post to format correctly, but the fonts are still funky...and I'm moving on...sigh!

Slice of Life, Day 29--"Savoring the Last Few Days of Break..."

Rain hit us hard today, and on top of our 10 inches of melted snow from last weekend, it's a muddy mess outside. Instead of complaining, though, I'm using it as an excuse for not doing much today! There's nothing like a rainy day in spring to make a person feel "justified" to snuggle on the couch with a soft blanket and warm dog at their feet.

Today may not have been a win the "to-do list" column, but I found that letting my brain switch off and just recharge, did wonders for the "able to tackle a to-do list" part of my brain.

I savored my rainy Thursday!

Slice of Life, Day 28-- "The Winter-Spring Switch"

I love holidays and seasons, and I love to celebrate. So, it only stands to reason that I love to decorate, too, right?

Other than a month a Christmas, I keep my house decor themed with the weather season. I enjoy the challenge of redoing things, and I look forward to the day I get to switch it all up!

Today was that day...a little late, but we had 10 inches of snow here in Indy on Saturday, so it just didn't feel like it was time. :)

Here's how it goes for me, usually:

1. Take down proceeding season's decor.
2. Store it.
3. Pull out the new season and add in the new things I've usually bought in anticipation.
4. Put it up.
5. Take most of it down and move it around.
6. Stare intensely at the new arrangement.
7. Repeat steps 4-6 many times over many days.
8. Go to Hobby Lobby or antique store for one last thing...
9. Add the final touch.
10. Keep working until it's perfect!

Usually, about a month into the season, I'm satisfied. It's one of those things where the process is as fun as the product!

Slice of Life, Day 27-- "Vintage Finds"

Today we spent some time hunting antiques. I googled "antique stores near me" and we went for it!

Here are my finds:

-a globe with brass trim

-a brown vintage toolbox

-a small, round copper waterpot

-a navy tackle box

Tomorrow I'm decorating for spring...can you guess what I'm doing with some of these eclectic choices?

Me neither... ;) But I'm going to have fun figuring it out! 

Slice of Life, Day 26-- "As Vacation Settles Into My Bones'

As Spring Break vacation settles into my bones, I feel...

Freedom and deep breaths

The alarm clock blissfully silent as my internal clock moves later and later

The pressures move off my shoulders

And my movements becoming less planned and hurried.


As I start this second week of vacation, I feel

My pace move from "must get done now" to "will get done when I get to it"

My slices getting finished closer to the midnight deadline

The coffee being slipped, not gulped

And the days moving slowly, happily unconscious of the clock


As I enter this final week of vacation, I feel

Refreshed

Renewed

Ready

And I wonder how I ever lived with only one week of break for so many years...

Slice of Life, Day 25-- "The Power of Potential"

So, we're on the road tonight, visiting my uncle in the hospital in St. Louis. We're back late and there are all kind of distractions around me. The TV show "60 Minutes" caught my attention enough to hear a short quote from a story they are doing on a young pro-basketball player from Milwaukee.

As the news anchor talked to him about his start in American basketball, they showed the footage of him playing in Greece that caught the attention of the recruiters here in the States.

Humbly, looking down from the camera, he said, "There were lots of players better than me in that league, but maybe they saw that I had more potential." He is now the hardest worker on the team, thus fulfilling that potential.

It caught my attention, because we as a society seem to look at the here and now. Are you performing well now? Good, we'll take you. Did you pass your test with good scores? Well done, you have a bright future ahead.

Do we look enough at possible potential? Do we look at those that are willing to work hard to surpass unused natural talent? Do we reassure our kids that grit goes farther than just about anything?

Maybe we do. Maybe we don't.

But that young man made me think tonight.