Last Fall...

 An update in pictures, since I didn't really blog last fall. 

I got up really early for work, but at least the sky was pretty. 

 I was in the audience and saw a filming of The Tonight Show. Jay Leno is funny and nice, like we thought. The studio felt really small. I saw some Action Star, Michelle Bachman (!) and Sugarland. But I was mostly glad to see Jay.

 Pears. I like to snack on fruit in our community garden. And take pictures.

 I turned 30 and ate rum cake at the beach.

 My sister sent me a picture of a sailboat that washed up on the north shore of Maui. Ghostly/awesome/weird.

 I learned how to play with my iPhone and make picture collage. California kids!

 My sister sent me picture of fruit she was picking in Mom's yard on Maui. #homesick

My newest favorite PJ shirt from Cristina. I do love DC.

10 Happy Things

Lotusland: Seashells and gardens always makes me happy.

In an effort to remember this so-so day as a good day, here are 10 things bringing me joy.

1. I went to a work meeting that got out at nearly 7---AND it was still light out.

2. Though I'm not a soda girl, I bought something called "Dry Rhubarb Soda" out of curiosity at Whole Foods. I do love rhubarb--I once grew it! Drinking this beverage is making me feel exotic.

3. Andrew is a out refilling our 10 gallons of water. He does this without complaining every week and keeps me from being thirsty or contaminated from the unpalatable tap water of Santa Barbara.

4. I am watching one daffodil slowly open on my coffee table, while the rest are still thick green buds.  Inexpensive enough that I bought a bunch for work too.

5. My students are great singers. They sing with gusto and joy and it makes me smile (Grand Old Flag and America the Beautiful are tops).

6. Knowing I will see my family in just over a month! Sisters and Dad are coming to town in honor of our cousin's wedding.

7. My 87-years-young Grandma will be there! It has been a long time since I've seen that born-and-raised DC girl outside of DC. And now we get to celebrate in Yosemite together.

8. My Car. The gas mileage isn't as shockingly good as our 1990 Toyota Celica. But it is shiny and pretty and has a radio and handsomely tinted windows. It makes me swoon a little still.

9. I love my coworkers. They are the unsung heroes of my life. They've got my back. And are so dedicated and talented and generous with their time, materials, advice, support. They understand what my days are composed of in a way no one else can. It's a special bond.

10. Spring Break. One week away. Last year was Joshua Tree. The year before was Death Valley. We have no plans, but I know I need to get out of town. Any suggestions??!  Any marvels I must see soon?

Mad Men Yourself

I'm very happy to hear Mad Men is returning soon!  My avatar has a familiar teachery-dress, pearls, and coffee. I had been pumping up the adrenaline with multiple cups of coffee all morning and into the afternoon, to get through my days. It was starting to feel like "fake" energy. It was a bit painful at first, but I have cut way back, skipping days and drinking tea. I do love the taste, smell, and ritual of coffee. Parents of students kindly bring me coffees, and I never say no.  I just need more moderation and balance (and yoga sessions.)

After school today a few parents stuck around and started doing the splits with their kids on the carpet. I joined in, dropped into the splits (still got it, phew!), then a dad started walking around on his hands. It was a happy moment in my day. 

Happy Simple Stuff

 I love our new (to us) car. My old one was 22 years old, with a challenging trunk that only opened sometimes. This one has a button for locking and unlocking and the back pops open. With the seats down we can lay in it.  I also appreciate our new grocery bags, representing my homes. I have to walk a distance from where I park. I like reusable bags not only because they are pretty--they don't tear open.

Our juicer has been getting some play.  Tonight was wilty celery, carrots, a fennel bulb, green apples and some ginger for a kick.  Thanks Uncle Greg. We really do use all of our wedding presents.

Aren't the newest love stamps so pretty? My fancy thumbnail is thanks to Sally Hanson's Nail effects polish strips. Cheaper than a pro manicure and really fun. I actually get a little freaked at nail places...strangers holding your hands and hacking at your feet. And the fumes are a little too intense and likely very bad for you. But if you ask me to go with you I'd probably say yes.

I got a new bike. My dream bike (after trying a ton and ignoring the prices) turned out to be a rental Jamis Commuter. I had them call me when they sold their rental fleet. Six months later--I'm stoked! We road them at the beach during low tide. which is probably very bad for them but seemed daring.

I have been walking uphill every day at lunchtime. This means I barely have time to eat... but still, it is often the highlight of my day. I keep my shoes in my car and get some vitamin D, my heart rate up, and often get lost in a book on tape. My school is in a much fancier neighborhood than I live in. I like walking fast up the hills and admiring the homes, fountains, views, and landscape. That's an agave blossom, framing the photo above.

What simple thing is making you happy? Please tell me!

Layoffs and Lotusland

I was laid off last week. It happened the same morning I saw this headline. If furlough days (pay cuts for all, due to slashing school days--and teacher prep days) go through, positions will be added back. Or else class size goes up to 40?  I half-expected it...It is based only on seniority, not evaluations. I feel supported and appreciated and get great marks on my observations. Sadly, it isn't up to my boss. I told a mom volunteer in my room and she teared up. I really do love the teaching part. So much uncertainty about the future makes me a little weary.

I am still determined to do my best. Still not sure how to do this and have a balanced life. I worked 12 hour days 3 out of five days last week which left me exhausted. Now, I'm headed to a coffee shop to do report cards on a Sunday.

On a happier note, the weather has been incredible. And, I finally visited Lotusland. Lotusland is the private, historical estate of a 6x married opera singer. It is 73 acres composed of smaller, detailed, themed botanical gardens. It is located in nearby Montecito, where Oprah, also has an estate.

Lotusland happens to be featured on the cover of Martha Stewart this month.
Check out the 10 page spread. 

It was SO incredible. I wrote Visit Lotusland on a now-tattered post-it before I moved here. I was in awe and very moved by the beauty, drama, and detail in every direction. We got a private tour--the only other person on our tour was a guy on a board for a garden in Walnut Creek. We all asked many questions; the plant enthusiast(s) and the scientist. Our retire-ee guide said, "Well, this is just so fun, I love it when I get smart people." I felt flattered and the pleasure was mine.  More picture and posting on this excursion soon.

Happy March

My cousin is getting married.  In Yosemite. Our Aunt did a portrait of her and her intended for the invitations. Aren't they beautiful?  My cousin is also my BFF and a fellow loner Californian with me. The rest of our very close-knit family lives in Hawaii or Maryland. I get really sad when she leaves the state, even though she's five hours North. My San Francisco neighbor. Hi Jan! Love you! Can't wait to celebrate you and yours and ours.

I used to have a community garden. It was an obsession since I was underemployed and really like plants and eating vegetables. I gave up my garden lots. I saw it recently...they hacked the rose bushes into stumps in the ground--it is horrifying.

Recently, I decided to grow some with my kinders. Sprouts have sprouted! Also, I read The Lorax to the kids today and teared up and we talked about how they are the future of the world and How YOU DONT NEED A THNEED even though TV will tell you you do. You do NEED clean air and water and trees....and then I talked a little smack about LA and the 8 lanes of traffic each way and smog and we wondered if they used to have barbaloot bears or swamiswans before it was all cement. 

March came! It was windy. We marked the Start of Spring, Day Lights Saving, Spring Break, St. Patty's day, and Dr. Seuss' birthday on the Calendar.

My blogs aren't very polished or organized. Sorry. I'm aiming for quantity > quality. Hope it isn't showing too much.  Thank you for reading, readers.