Hello Friends!
I just want to post a few comments to let you know what has been going on in my life.
I've been the principal of my elementary school for the past three months. The promotion euphoria was short lived as the realities of running a school encroached. Sunday's have been and will continue to be my catch up day to try and get a jump start on my week. All said and done, I love what I do for a living. It's a wonderful feeling to make a difference in children's lives. One can get frustrated with the lack of time to do everything and frustrated by problems associated with schools. The thanks are few and far between but they come...in very unlikely yet powerful places. Feel free to check out my school's website: http://gyr.wcpss.net/ (not many pictures but a comprehensive site regardless).
University work continues to seem daunting and endless. I am finally finished with the course work (minus one paper I need to finish to have an 'incomplete' removed from my transcript). After that I will be ABD (All-But-Dissertation). I'm anticipating a few years before completing but I am glad to not have course work distractions continuing to hang over my head.
I've always been perplexed by the devotion many graduates attribute to their universities. After spending a large amount of time in Peabody Hall at UNC, Chapel Hill (http://www.unc.edu/), I've come to understand and appreciate the connection to these institutions of higher learning. I've come to love the smell of the books on the fifth floor of the library. Hearing the bell tower chime on the hour often gives me a shudder. Sitting in the specials collection library forces a sense of calm nirvana easing worries and cares. The university is in spring splendor at the moment with the dogwoods blooming around the old well...the ancient trees are sprouting light green buds reminding all that summer is on the horizon. Students are lounging on the lawns with an occasional book open (and of course the 21st century prerequisites- cell phones and computers). Am I over-romanticizing the university? Most definitely!
Other distractions from the hard dirty work of the world include...Med Byrd's Biennial "Mordecai is a Drag" Party. Highlights include Rusty's (AKA Vestal Virginian) rendition of a Vesta Goodman Spiritual..."Looking for a City". Another incredible performance was Mark's tribute to our Native American struggles with "The Colors of the Wind" complete with fans, glitter, and frilly scarves!
Brava Ladies!
(Email me if you are interested in the entire on-line collection of photos)
Last but not least (for today), what blogspot would be complete without a list of songs and music on my ipod.
So... for what it is worth with mild commentary...My Play List
The Weepies - "Gotta Have You" and "World Spins Madly On"...Two terrific folksongs with haunting melodies..."World Spins Madly On" has actually brought a tear to my desert like eyes.
Joseph Arthur - "In the Sun"...Another folksong and probably overplayed on the radio but still beautiful.
Dionne Warwick - "Don't Make Me Over" Is there any better combination than Burt Bacharach and Dionne Warwick (Yes, I know she is Dorthea Dix Worthy but isn't every true down and out Diva!)
India Arie - "I'm Not Your Average Girl" ...Incongruous with the other songs? Most definitely, but the borders of genre are truly meant to be crossed.
