Subconsciously, I think, I haven't allowed myself to write my reactions to day three because by holding out, in some weird recess of my mind, it extends the time we have left with Writers Week. Crazy, huh?! Unfortunately, we can't still time and WW will eventually have to come to an end...but then, I guess that is just another aspect that makes the event so special. If we had it all the time, we'd have nothing to look forward to next year. Anyway...this is a topic to be discussed later...for I am not ready to remove myself from the warm embrace of Writers Week.
Day 3 had a different feel about it because there were no student presentations. The entire day seemed to move at a slower pace, which was nice for several reasons. I felt like I actually got to spend some time talking to our visiting presenters instead of rushing around, I didn't have to stress out about having enough time for all our students to present, and I felt like I allowed myself to actually sit and listen instead of worrying about what was next.
Seth Jarman blew me away. I was impressed when I heard his music on his Myspace page, but to hear him live...Wow! I thought his presentation of material was great as well. I loved the "Storyteller" feel of his performance. I found his lyrics filled with beautiful lines, lines that touched me deeply. Many of the lines I wrote down have already been featured in other blogs, so I'll try to steer clear of total repetition.
"What if I don't sway next summer?
What if I don't bloom again?"
-Bloom
I love the idea of "blooming"...the idea of "not blooming." There are so many areas of life in which we allow others to "cut us down" and we never allow ourselves to "bloom." Or we just get caught in the routines of life, losing our excitement, and our passions just sit wasting away. I hope WW has helped some people BLOOM.
Dan Begley completely cracked me up. I love that he was still giddy about his novel being published, it was endearing. So many successful people aren't willing to share their secrets or their knowledge with others and I love that he was so willing to share every insight he possessed. I also think it is very cool that he sent an email today with a list of books that he used and found helpful in his writing journey (check out his page on the ning). And, I'll be honest, over lunch he told me, "you have a Hollywood face," so Dan rates really high in my book! :)
Devon Johnston's poetry is amazing. When I first got his book I thought I'd never understand what he was writing about, but the more I read, the more I liked that there could be many different interpretations to his work. I loved that he addressed that too...saying that he liked that sometimes there was no definite answer and that he often tried to write so there wouldn't be one. I also liked his response when asked why he focuses so much on birds. The idea that birds are around us all the time and because of that we often don't take notice of them, therefore, our overlooking them makes them alien to us. It made me stop and think about all the common place things we take for granted daily.
Lastly, I've got to mention the faculty presentations. This has been my only disappointment thus far with WW. My disappointment wasn't with the presenters, but the fact that we ran short on time and Mr. Holmes didn't get to present. (Thankfully, that will be rectified tomorrow during fourth and fifth periods. I can't wait to hear him!) Boelter, Jennings, and Kueschel, such amazing personal stories...wow. Mrs. Boesch had such beautiful descriptions (I literally felt seasick while reading her piece the first time!), Mrs. Clifton...such a cool story and example of family love and support, and Mr. J...is there anything he can't do?! Next year I'm requesting impromptu limericks while standing on his head!
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Another Day for Tears
I'm beginning to wonder how long a person can ride an emotional high.
The past two days have been quite possibly (most likely) the most amazing days in my professional life...they're pretty high in my personal life as well. All the long hours of planning and preparing, the sleepless nights and the days being too nervous and busy to eat (thank you WW for helping me drop a few pounds), have all been worth it. We were pumped about bringing WW to West, and we hoped it would be well-received, but I honestly don't think Mr. Jameson and I ever really thought this would be the reaction the first year (I know I didn't!).
Day One had nothing on Day Two; both days were equally phenomenal!!
Here are some of my highlights for the day:
Students’ interactions with Annette Crymes. I'll be honest in that I was a little nervous when she mentioned wanting to do some thing interactive because I wasn't sure how the students would handle it, but as always, they rose to the occasion. They loved her passion for writing and I think she made them think about the way they use language...there isn't a need for profanity to get a message across.
Annette stayed the entire day and was overwhelmed by what she experienced with us during WW; she complimented and commended us profusely throughout the day.
Lamar...you made me cry. Never have I been more proud of a student or have I had one work so hard on a piece. I know you were anxious about getting up in front of a large crowd, but you NAILED IT!!!
Melissa...I am sooo glad that others have experienced your gift for writing. You had the audience in the palm of your hand and I am sure that several left with stitches in their sides!
Katie, Nick, Endia, Julianne...thank you for sharing such personal experiences. You are brave and strong, and you touched many hearts!
"Last year my book was a best seller in Taiwan. During the Summer Olympics I cheered for Taiwan; they are my people." -Judy Merrill Larsen
"My youngest son told me, 'Thanks a lot for killing me off, Mom.'" (The youngest son in her book is the one killed in a jet skiing accident.) -Judy Merrill Larsen
Nearly every visiting presenter has asked for us to have them back for WW next year.
Shelby...I'm so proud of you! I'm so glad that you didn't talk yourself out of presenting...you have such a gift for writing and I'm glad that others got to see that!
Kristin...You opened the students' minds to language and its connection to movement. So cool!
Tyler and Kevin...I was right...the audience loved you! And the PowerPoint presentation...timed with your playing and vocals...AMAZING!
William...the truest example of "the show must go on" I have ever witnessed! The Harmonica solo was amazing!
Mr. J. running around the stage to assist William...well done J., well done.
"I'm sure you know my math teacher, she mentioned your name a couple of time while she was trying to teach me..." The entire paper was hysterical, yet very insightful, Felicia. Although, your performance of that piece is what sent it over the top!
Math teachers signing up to attend sessions...you know you made it when the math teachers sign on to something the English department is doing. ;)
"I was so touched by what I saw yesterday I cried and then I went home and cried again last night. What you have done is amazing. I still can't talk about it without crying." -Mrs. Tusinski
"You did it! You did it! You did it, did it, did it!" -Gary Anderson (co-founder of WW)
"By focusing on writing last week your school became a safer, warmer, smarter place than it was the week before." -Gary Anderson
Overflowing sessions...our seating maximum was about 450...I guarantee there were closer to 500 people in the auditorium 6th and 7th periods!
Students writing and writing and writing some more because they are so inspired by two days of WW. What more can we ask for?
I'll stop for now...although there are so many more wonderful memories. I also must stop so that I can spend some time writing, for I have no idea what I am presenting on Monday! I am seriously nervous after seeing how amazing the student presenters have been!
The past two days have been quite possibly (most likely) the most amazing days in my professional life...they're pretty high in my personal life as well. All the long hours of planning and preparing, the sleepless nights and the days being too nervous and busy to eat (thank you WW for helping me drop a few pounds), have all been worth it. We were pumped about bringing WW to West, and we hoped it would be well-received, but I honestly don't think Mr. Jameson and I ever really thought this would be the reaction the first year (I know I didn't!).
Day One had nothing on Day Two; both days were equally phenomenal!!
Here are some of my highlights for the day:
Students’ interactions with Annette Crymes. I'll be honest in that I was a little nervous when she mentioned wanting to do some thing interactive because I wasn't sure how the students would handle it, but as always, they rose to the occasion. They loved her passion for writing and I think she made them think about the way they use language...there isn't a need for profanity to get a message across.
Annette stayed the entire day and was overwhelmed by what she experienced with us during WW; she complimented and commended us profusely throughout the day.
Lamar...you made me cry. Never have I been more proud of a student or have I had one work so hard on a piece. I know you were anxious about getting up in front of a large crowd, but you NAILED IT!!!
Melissa...I am sooo glad that others have experienced your gift for writing. You had the audience in the palm of your hand and I am sure that several left with stitches in their sides!
Katie, Nick, Endia, Julianne...thank you for sharing such personal experiences. You are brave and strong, and you touched many hearts!
"Last year my book was a best seller in Taiwan. During the Summer Olympics I cheered for Taiwan; they are my people." -Judy Merrill Larsen
"My youngest son told me, 'Thanks a lot for killing me off, Mom.'" (The youngest son in her book is the one killed in a jet skiing accident.) -Judy Merrill Larsen
Nearly every visiting presenter has asked for us to have them back for WW next year.
Shelby...I'm so proud of you! I'm so glad that you didn't talk yourself out of presenting...you have such a gift for writing and I'm glad that others got to see that!
Kristin...You opened the students' minds to language and its connection to movement. So cool!
Tyler and Kevin...I was right...the audience loved you! And the PowerPoint presentation...timed with your playing and vocals...AMAZING!
William...the truest example of "the show must go on" I have ever witnessed! The Harmonica solo was amazing!
Mr. J. running around the stage to assist William...well done J., well done.
"I'm sure you know my math teacher, she mentioned your name a couple of time while she was trying to teach me..." The entire paper was hysterical, yet very insightful, Felicia. Although, your performance of that piece is what sent it over the top!
Math teachers signing up to attend sessions...you know you made it when the math teachers sign on to something the English department is doing. ;)
"I was so touched by what I saw yesterday I cried and then I went home and cried again last night. What you have done is amazing. I still can't talk about it without crying." -Mrs. Tusinski
"You did it! You did it! You did it, did it, did it!" -Gary Anderson (co-founder of WW)
"By focusing on writing last week your school became a safer, warmer, smarter place than it was the week before." -Gary Anderson
Overflowing sessions...our seating maximum was about 450...I guarantee there were closer to 500 people in the auditorium 6th and 7th periods!
Students writing and writing and writing some more because they are so inspired by two days of WW. What more can we ask for?
I'll stop for now...although there are so many more wonderful memories. I also must stop so that I can spend some time writing, for I have no idea what I am presenting on Monday! I am seriously nervous after seeing how amazing the student presenters have been!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Favorite Find of the Day
Driving home from Columbia today I listened to P!nk's new album. I'm a fan of her music because it's got attitude and she is always true to herself. I also love the fact that while she has a tough exterior, she also has a very soft side (that is so rarely seen)...this little gem is the last song on the album, and it is a beaut! There are some beautiful lines in this song...I hope you'll take a moment to listen to it online.
Glitter in the Air
Have you ever fed a lover with just your hands?
Close your eyes and trust it, just trust it
Have you ever thrown a fist full of glitter in the air?
Have you ever looked fear in the face
And said I just don't care?
It's only half past the point of no return
The tip of the iceberg, the sun before the burn
The thunder before the lightning, the breath before the phrase
Have you ever felt this way?
Have you ever hated yourself for staring at the phone?
Your whole life waiting on the ring to prove you're not alone
Have you ever been touched so gently you had to cry?
Have you ever invited a stranger to come inside?
It's only half past the point of oblivion
The hourglass on the table, the walk before the run
The breath before the kiss and the fear before the flames
Have you ever felt this way?
La La La La La La La La
There you are, sitting in the garden
Clutching my coffee, calling me sugar
You called me sugar
Have you ever wished for an endless night?
Lassoed the moon and the stars and pulled that rope tight
Have you ever held your breath and asked yourself
Will it ever get better than tonight? Tonight
Glitter in the Air
Have you ever fed a lover with just your hands?
Close your eyes and trust it, just trust it
Have you ever thrown a fist full of glitter in the air?
Have you ever looked fear in the face
And said I just don't care?
It's only half past the point of no return
The tip of the iceberg, the sun before the burn
The thunder before the lightning, the breath before the phrase
Have you ever felt this way?
Have you ever hated yourself for staring at the phone?
Your whole life waiting on the ring to prove you're not alone
Have you ever been touched so gently you had to cry?
Have you ever invited a stranger to come inside?
It's only half past the point of oblivion
The hourglass on the table, the walk before the run
The breath before the kiss and the fear before the flames
Have you ever felt this way?
La La La La La La La La
There you are, sitting in the garden
Clutching my coffee, calling me sugar
You called me sugar
Have you ever wished for an endless night?
Lassoed the moon and the stars and pulled that rope tight
Have you ever held your breath and asked yourself
Will it ever get better than tonight? Tonight
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Inspiration
Inspiration comes in many shapes, forms, sizes, and ages. One of my greatest inspirations is my seven-year-old cousin Avery. Down's Syndrome, open-heart surgery, developmental delays...and yet, always a smile, a giggle, and ready with a hug. She is my reminder that no matter what life throws at me, I can overcome...and a smile always makes it easier.
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