Hi, blog. Sorry I've neglected you again. Since my last post, I spent a lovely and relaxing week in Chincoteague on vacation. I ate some very, very delicious ice cream (Java Jolt and Snickers Cheesecake), went for lots of walks and jogs around different parts of the island, improved my crossword-puzzling skills, and started reading a good book. I go through phases where I read a lot, but this past year I haven't read much at all. Hopefully, reading on vacation will kick-start a lot more reading. I made a "no eating in front of the computer" rule for myself that has only been in effect for 5 days so far, and I'm hoping it sticks. I think it'll force me to 1) read a lot more and 2) not mindlessly snack so much. But a lot of times my rules for myself don't stick for too long. That doesn't stop me from making them though. I am an enneagram type 1, so I guess it fits.
(Sidetrack..."Ones are conscientious and ethical, with a strong sense of right and wrong. They are teachers, crusaders, and advocates for change: always striving to improve things, but afraid of making a mistake. Well-organized, orderly, and fastidious, they try to maintain high standards, but can slip into being critical and perfectionistic. They typically have problems with resentment and impatience. At their Best: wise, discerning, realistic, and noble. Can be morally heroic." [from Enneagram Institute] Other famous enneagram type 1s include Gandhi, Martha Stewart, Al Gore, Julie Andrews, and Mr. Spock.)
One book I "read" (actually I listened to it on my mp3 player) was In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. It was good and very interesting and has made me think a lot about giving up all processed foods. Since I finished it, I have eaten a few meals he would have approved of (homemade french fries with olive oil and herbs and a salad) and some he definitely wouldn't have liked (sloppy joe's with soy crumbles and, I'm ashamed to admit, Ellio's frozen pizza). I plan to watch the documentary Food, Inc. sometime this week. I'm actually becoming fairly interested in the whole eating naturally and organically, which I wouldn't have really thought I would be since I'm usually just looking for the absolute cheapest thing. So it's a new frontier.
Considering school is still closed for the summer, it's keeping me plenty busy! It's been really good though; I'm getting a lot of experience on the administrative side of things, which I figure may be useful in whatever I do in the future. Sometime in early July, Rob called me in to the office and asked me to help contact interested families of new students and conduct their admissions interviews. He asked, "Alison, how would you like to be the Head of School for the month?" I just laughed. Cause he was joking. Right?
He wasn't joking.
OK, so I wasn't exactly actually the head of school. But I took over the office and was the go-to person to answer any questions about the school. And I got to decide who got in. And I got to single-handedly decide our new uniform policy. Doing the interviews was probably the strangest part. I'd go to these people's houses to do the interview, but I didn't know at all what I was supposed to ask, and I already knew they were going to get in unless there was some huge red flag, and even then we'd still probably take them. So I'd totally just wing it and try to sound somewhat prepared and legitimate. I'm doing what might be my last interview tomorrow morning, and I'm glad I'll be done, even though it was kind of fun. And definitely an adventure, driving to new parts of the city, sometimes pretty rough neighborhoods, and sticking out like a sore thumb as a dressed up white person with a portfolio folder.
Now the REAL Head of School has officially started (praise the Lord) so I am relieved of my fake-head-of-school title and duties. But I've been able to help her get acquainted to the school and how we do things, and I got more good experience, like helping to make the school calendar and choosing and ordering curriculum. I might get to choose a reading and writing program and train the teachers in it too. All things I love.
As I'm sitting here writing this, I just remember part of my thought process for why I wanted to come work for Urban Promise Wilmington. I'd worked in Camden and knew they had a school, a very good and well-established one. But I didn't end up applying there. I was really drawn to the Wilmington school because it was newer and small and I'd have a chance to impact the future of it and be involved in the growth. And I'm really thankful for that. Yes, I have put up with a lot of disorganization and lack of structure the past two years. But I've also had a lot of freedom to teach the way I want to and to share my ideas for the school as a whole. And I don't think I'd trade that if I could.
Oh, Mr. Rob came up the reason God has given me fleas in my apartment...it's so I can get inspired to write an award-winning children's book called Get Away from Me Fleas. Glad we got that straightened out. When I'm finished with the book, will the fleas finally be gone??? Guess I'd better get started...
(Sidetrack..."Ones are conscientious and ethical, with a strong sense of right and wrong. They are teachers, crusaders, and advocates for change: always striving to improve things, but afraid of making a mistake. Well-organized, orderly, and fastidious, they try to maintain high standards, but can slip into being critical and perfectionistic. They typically have problems with resentment and impatience. At their Best: wise, discerning, realistic, and noble. Can be morally heroic." [from Enneagram Institute] Other famous enneagram type 1s include Gandhi, Martha Stewart, Al Gore, Julie Andrews, and Mr. Spock.)
One book I "read" (actually I listened to it on my mp3 player) was In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. It was good and very interesting and has made me think a lot about giving up all processed foods. Since I finished it, I have eaten a few meals he would have approved of (homemade french fries with olive oil and herbs and a salad) and some he definitely wouldn't have liked (sloppy joe's with soy crumbles and, I'm ashamed to admit, Ellio's frozen pizza). I plan to watch the documentary Food, Inc. sometime this week. I'm actually becoming fairly interested in the whole eating naturally and organically, which I wouldn't have really thought I would be since I'm usually just looking for the absolute cheapest thing. So it's a new frontier.
Considering school is still closed for the summer, it's keeping me plenty busy! It's been really good though; I'm getting a lot of experience on the administrative side of things, which I figure may be useful in whatever I do in the future. Sometime in early July, Rob called me in to the office and asked me to help contact interested families of new students and conduct their admissions interviews. He asked, "Alison, how would you like to be the Head of School for the month?" I just laughed. Cause he was joking. Right?
He wasn't joking.
OK, so I wasn't exactly actually the head of school. But I took over the office and was the go-to person to answer any questions about the school. And I got to decide who got in. And I got to single-handedly decide our new uniform policy. Doing the interviews was probably the strangest part. I'd go to these people's houses to do the interview, but I didn't know at all what I was supposed to ask, and I already knew they were going to get in unless there was some huge red flag, and even then we'd still probably take them. So I'd totally just wing it and try to sound somewhat prepared and legitimate. I'm doing what might be my last interview tomorrow morning, and I'm glad I'll be done, even though it was kind of fun. And definitely an adventure, driving to new parts of the city, sometimes pretty rough neighborhoods, and sticking out like a sore thumb as a dressed up white person with a portfolio folder.
Now the REAL Head of School has officially started (praise the Lord) so I am relieved of my fake-head-of-school title and duties. But I've been able to help her get acquainted to the school and how we do things, and I got more good experience, like helping to make the school calendar and choosing and ordering curriculum. I might get to choose a reading and writing program and train the teachers in it too. All things I love.
As I'm sitting here writing this, I just remember part of my thought process for why I wanted to come work for Urban Promise Wilmington. I'd worked in Camden and knew they had a school, a very good and well-established one. But I didn't end up applying there. I was really drawn to the Wilmington school because it was newer and small and I'd have a chance to impact the future of it and be involved in the growth. And I'm really thankful for that. Yes, I have put up with a lot of disorganization and lack of structure the past two years. But I've also had a lot of freedom to teach the way I want to and to share my ideas for the school as a whole. And I don't think I'd trade that if I could.
Oh, Mr. Rob came up the reason God has given me fleas in my apartment...it's so I can get inspired to write an award-winning children's book called Get Away from Me Fleas. Glad we got that straightened out. When I'm finished with the book, will the fleas finally be gone??? Guess I'd better get started...
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