| Date |
Place |
Reflections |
| 10/01/05 |
Organic Farm |
I was overwhelmed by the number of people crammed into one small barn. There was so much energy in this space that I was unsure of what to do. I helped set up pumpkin carving space and then moved over to the luminarie area, intending to help with instruction, but there were so many people wanting to work in that area that I felt in the way. I then floated from one area to another answering some questions and offering encouragement. I was distracted by my own children, and wasn't sure how much help I really was. I think in the future I need to be more prepared for the space and the structure of the activities. |
| 10/03/05 |
Batdorf & Bronson |
I met with Megan and Abby to talk about our ideas for the school project. I was inspired by their ideas and also challenged to really listen and not just push for my own ideas to be used. We agreed to each do our own obs. and generate our own curriculum and then present the curriculum together (1 lead, 1 helper and 1 observer) I am excited to have help in presenting my curr. and also to participate in theirs as well. We also agreed to continue to meet periodically to work on ideas together |
| 10/07/05 |
CAB |
I met with Karen and we both agreed to research guidelines for grant writing from Evergeen's Foundation site. We generated a list of questions for Hirsh that Karen will e.mail and call me when she gets a response. We are both feeling a bit confused about how to proceed, but know we will figure it out as we continue to do our research. |
| 10/13/05 |
WA state arts commision office |
Karen and I met and walked over to the state building to meet w/ her coworker Kristal about available grants through the arts commision. We sat and waited for about half an hour and finally, Kristal had time to speak to us. Within a few minutes it was obvious that we had missed the deadlines for the current grant cycle and that the next grant cycle would be too late for our Lunar New Year project. Arggg... She did agree to get us a copy of a similar grant that had been accepted, so that may give us something to work with. |
| 10/14/05 |
Lab1 rm1050 |
I arrived a bit late for this workshop and Hirsh cautioned me to observe for awhile and then proceed with painting. I found that to be difficult and really wish I had arrived on time and heard his instruction. I really enjoyed painting on newspaper. I felt a freedom to let the brush flow with less preoccupation about what I was producing. The one piece that I kept out of the massive stack I created was one I felt really good about and I look forward to framing it. We talked about framing for quite awhile, and although I feel intimidated by taking my own work seriously enough to put it in a frame, I see how important it is to create a professional show. I would like to be prepared to help other people prepare their work for showing and agree with Hirsh that after we have each done it ourselves we will have a variety of techniques to share. I am feeling much more inspired by this project than my own currently. |
| 10/18/05 |
LP Brown Elementary |
I met with Aila's teacher today and discussed possibilities for my participation in class. She was hired three weeks into the school year and seems to be struggling to get settled in. She invited me to work with the 4th graders during writing and science on Tuesday afternoons. I am going to start next week, as she has a sub this afternoon. |
| 10/26/05 |
LP Brown Elementary |
I observed Aila's class while they were working on a writing assignment. I was able to help students with questions, and give feedback on their writing. I enjoyed being in the classroom with Aila and her excitement made me feel good. Julie let me know that they are working diligently on WASL prep, and that some of the kids feel frustrated by all of the structure. It got me thinking about the freedom we have in our program and how grateful I am to be able to choose how and what I include in my journal. I think I would like to do a freewrite curriculum with the kids. |
| 10/29/05 |
The Greenery |
Our new Women's Circle project group talked about our intention to have a group focused on introspective art and mutual support. I am so excited to have this group of women in my life. |
| 10/30/05 |
At home |
As I watched Marja with her new daughter, I was struck by how post-partum she seems to me. The same energy that I have experienced each time I have a child: Less present to the greater world and extremely focused on the needs of my new babe. As I thought about this I was reminded of the lecture from the Waldorf teacher about a child's need for natural materials. This led me to the idea of making needle felted dolls for Marja's girls. I worked on the doll for Mina today with my six year old daughter Dylan. I told her about Marja's adventure to go pick up her new child in India, and we talked about what it would be like to be in a new country with a language barrier and a whole new family. I asked Dylan what she thought would help her if she was in that situation and she said "A friend! Can I meet her Mom? Maybe I can be her friend" I was so touched by her ideas. I think it also helped both of us appreciate our family more than ever before. |
| 11/06/05 |
At home |
Abby and I met tonight to talk about our curriculum outlines and also to plan for the first women's circle. We set a tentative date and agreed to split the phone list and call everyone to save the date. I am impressed with the work Abby has been doing in Dylan's classroom and also with her curriculum. I am still unsure of what exactly I'm going to do in Aila's room. I know I want to give them a chance to free write, but how I'll facilitate it I do not know. |
| 11/10/05 |
At home |
The first circle was at my house tonight. I spent a lot of time thinking about how it might fit together, and also cleared space in my house. I saged the rooms we would be using and lit candles and made oatstraw tea. As people started arriving there was a sense of discomfort that slowly dissipated. We sat in a circle and shared some of our ideas for the circle and then we had a talking circle where we each shared what issues we are bringing to the space. The main thing we all agreed on is that we want to use art to express some of our feelings within a 'safe container' (the circle). I was so impressed with the courage and insight of all of the women present. It feels late in the quarter to start a new project, but this is the first project that I feel truly inspired by. I am excited to develop it further next quarter. |
| |
|
|
