Work has been exceptionally tough this past year. Absences because of COVID are fairly commonplace now, but we have been hit especially hard in November and December. Speaking of COVID, because kids have lost a huge amount of socialization during the time they were stuck at home on their cell phones all day, most schools have seen an increase in anti-social behaviors that are sometimes above and beyond typical teen behaviors. Our school is not an exception to this and we've seen some extreme behaviors. My fairly new assistant principal is quickly stepping up to the plate and doing a great job. We are a great team but constantly focusing on behaviors takes away from other important aspects of the school environment.
Perhaps the largest stressor at work has been construction and preparing the junior high school to become a middle school. The district has not provided any of the sites converting adequate support due to personnel issues and changes. I've had on numerous occasions been forced to be extremely aggressive in my approach with the construction crews and the construction management company. I'm not sure I like the part of my personality that finds it easy to be demanding, inflexible, and harsh. Over the course of years, I've developed a facilitative and collaborative leadership style that works for moving a school forward. It is not a style that works well for construction management. The construction is set to be completed in the fall of 2023. I look forward to a day in which we can concentrate on helping students succeed instead of focusing so much on facilities.
After 2 1/2 years of avoiding COVID, I finally got COVID just after Thanksgiving. Ten days of isolation may seem like a vacation to some but to me it was frustrating and made me exceptionally grumpy. My caretakers and nurses (Yosiell and Rusty) were amazing (although sometimes I thought of them more as wardens than as caretakers). Both managed to keep me fed and medicated and even kept my spirits up. I constantly felt the love! I could still work a little from home and spent time catching up on emails and getting paperwork completed. I also watched way too much Netflix and slept way too much, but all in the name of preventing others in the house and at work from getting COVID. It worked, no one in our front office got COVID from me and no one in the house got COVID. Now I just tire easily but I'm told that goes away after a few weeks.
Yosiell sent me hand made characters to cheer me up during my isolation.
My personal favorite!
2022 had to bitch slap me one more time on her way out! This may seem petty, but our Australian sister from another mister, Di Drew, arrived early for a visit. As part of the visit, we were going to fly to Bellingham, and experience our possible future home in the winter. We were looking forward to snow, hot chocolate, and a few local breweries. Due to weather and the inability of Southwest Airlines to recover from cancelled flights, our trip was cancelled. In fact, Di flew in from a quick trip to North Carolina and we haven't seen her luggage yet. Air travel is a mess right now and I am just grateful that Di actually made it in to Oakland as she passed through Denver on one of the last flights that made it out before the closure due to storms. With our trip to Bellingham cancelled, we have opted to do activities in the area in a mini stay-cation fashion.
Thank you, my gentle readers, for listening as I off loaded this bundle of negativity in this confessional disguised as a blog. There are of course other ways that 2022 was not particularly kind, but I will handle those with a smoldering sage bundle driving evil spirits from our home on New Year's Day. Yes, I know these types of rituals and ceremonies have no basis in fact but I find these things actually help with changing my own mind set regardless of whether there is the potential for mystical intervention.
Now that we've wallowed in the rendering vat of self-pity, we can review some pretty spectacular experiences in 2022. One of the great things about 2022 has been the number of trips that have happened this year. I've been to Palm Springs CA, Bellingham WA, Bucerias Mexico, Zion National Park, and Seattle WA. Two of my previous blogposts this year covered Bellingham and Palm Springs but I definitely need to send a shout out to Becky and Tom, who hosted us in Bucerias Mexico (just outside of Puerto Vallerta). Our time in Mexico was spectacular, eating, drinking, reminiscing, and soaking up sunshine.
Fien wine and a stunning view, life doesn't get better than this!
Casa Kimberley, Elizabeth Taylor's former home turned fine dining establishment.
Fien wine and a stunning view, life doesn't get better than this! Thanks Tom and Becky for showering us with love and memories to last a lifetime.
Happy sun burned faces enjoying all that Mexico has to offer, including time spent with Becky.
Sunset dinner on the beach.
Mexico offered up sunshine, relaxation, and beautiful scenery. The gratitude I feel for Becky and Tom hosting us in paradise knows no bounds.
Another amazing trip this past year was to Zion National Park. The trip last July allowed me to check off yet another National Park in my quest to visit all sixty-three.
My tour guide for the weekend was Diane Everett, an amazing friend with whom I always have a good time. I've been so enmeshed with the full Everrett family, Diane is yet another sister from another mister.
As for Zion, one hears that temperatures can reach a high of 106 degrees, and still not fully comprehend what this means. I'm pretty sure people in hell are looking at the St. George, Utah weather report asking how the locals can stand it.
The narrows in St. George...peaceful, quiet, and hot as blazes.
Proof of my patronage, although a pleasant day, weekends boast long Disney-esque like lines. Regardless, we managed to see everything that Zion had to offer.
Zion and Auntie Di, enjoying the cool stream on such a hot day.
Bev and I enjoying a chuckle in a park near Zion.
Unmatched otherworldly beauty.
Nothing quite like the scenery and the smiles on our faces from catching up on old times and creating new memories.
We got quite a few looks trying to traverse the terrain in this chair. But, we managed quite well thank you very much! Bev almost tumbled out every few feet but this added a bit of excitement to the hike!
Pano trick photography...I don't remember Di ever being so amenable to my wacky schemes but here is proof that even my obnoxious behavior can be tolerated for a brief time.
Even in a tough year, the thing that sustains me are the people in my life. Friends and family have supported me, brought me joy, and encouraged me when I've been down. Although I don't have pictures of every friend or family member, following are a few of my loved ones punctuating this shitty year with constant moments of bliss:
The incomparable Pacific North West woman, Jamie. Meeting us in B'Ham.
My Nephew, Matthew, his wife Naomi, and our beautiful niece Larkyn.
Larkyn has stolen our hearts in the best possible way,
We were fortunate enough to attend the wedding of Patrick and Leyla...
Monique, Lance, Lee and Michelle...a Christmas filled with Puerto rican food, rum drinks, and great friends.
Fall hike with Anand. Brilliant colors in Nor Cal.
The Champagne caves at Buena Vista winery. Pure decadence.
As we wrap up 2022, this year is ending on a positive note. Di Drew is here for a visit, we have had a chance to go to Buena Vista winery, Monterey Bay Aquarium and catch up on all the news that is fit to print. We're spending this New Year's eve drinking champagne, eating fancy appetizers and enjoying each other's company. The rain is forcing us inside this year, but we will all be looking forward to 2023 and the possibility for adventure this next year will bring.
