Up Where they Stay all Day in the Sun..
Day One: So, the whole "two layovers" game went pretty badly. Surprise, surprise. My first flight arrived in Charlotte, NC perfectly on time, only to find that my 8:45am flight to Las Vegas, NV had been delayed to 10:30am. Meh. The flight I had to catch from Las Vegas to Sacramento, CA was scheduled to take off at 11:24am PST and imagine my surprise that we made it there at 11:30am. So two other passengers and I book it to the other end of the airport (they're holding the plane for us), and the first two guys get on no problem. They looked at my ticket and said, "I'm sorry, your ticket has been cancelled, there aren't any more seats, you're going to have to wait for the 4:10pm flight."
Wtf. Apparently the woman helping me in North Carolina, when she was giving me a "back up ticket" for the 4:10 flight as a "just in case", actually cancelled my ticket for the first flight all together. Which obviously didn't happen for those other two passengers. I was mostly annoyed because I had flat out asked her that the 4:10 was just a back up and my other ticket was still valid, and she had said yes. So, I had five hours to kill in Las Vegas so I bought myself lunch, and slept. Mhmm. City of Sin, and I slept in the airport. My mom wanted me to go out in the city, get a cab and just drive around to see the sights, but I was far too tired and/or frustrated. I did see the MGM Grand from the airport window though.
The people I sat next to on the flight to Sacramento saved my day though. They were very friendly, a couple maybe in their late thirties/early forties, and they were joking with me the entire flight, asking about where I was headed and then about my internship. When the flight had landed and we were waiting for our luggage, before they left they checked to make sure I'd gotten in contact with Bob Runyan (Kathy's husband, he was picking me up), if I needed to borrow his cell phone (my phone was practically dead by this point in the trip), that I'd gotten all my things and I was taken care of. They very sincerely wished me all the best and good luck. I love that there are people in the world, good people, that after such a frustrating day can end it on a good note and restore my faith in the goodness of the world.
I arrived in Sacramento at 6:30pm PST. Sixteen hours of travel.
So, Bob picked me up from the airport and we drove to his and Kathy's house in Marysville, which is about a forty minute drive from the Sierra Friends Center. I was staying in their house that night since my five hour delay changed plans around a bit. Kathy is so wonderful; very warm, easy to talk to, very mom-like. I got to meet their three sons: Brian, who is Tommy's age and participating in the Woolman Semester this fall; and Keith & Mark(?), twins and about to start their sophomore year of high school. Keith talked my ear off. It was great. He reminded me so much of Tommy.
Day Two: The next morning we drove to the Sierra Friends Center. We drove through the foothills to get there. The countryside is absolutely gorgeous. Golden State indeed.
I finally met Shana (the head of school) and some other occupants of The Stone House, which is where I'm staying. I settled in and unpacked, went up to the office to sign some papers, then... didn't know what to do with the rest of my day. I went up to the field near the Dining Hall and Administration building and just... read.
I finished Franny & Zooey, which I had started reading the day before during my flights. I was floored, really. I was half mad at myself that I hadn't read that book back in high school when I was supposed to, but also glad because I don't know that I would have appreciated it back then. It was fabulous. Absolutely fabulous. I don't think there is a more perfect book to read as I'm starting off on this adventure. There isn't anyone anywhere that isn't Seymour's damned Fat Lady. Amazing.
The rest of that day was spent in awe and napping. I was asleep by 9:30pm.
Day Three: Wednesday was new-hire orientation. I went with Daniel & Dana (and their 10 month old son, Tu'ui (pronounced: too-E)), who live in the room next to me in the Stone House. They are splitting the kitchen internship. I met Jess (the new environmental science teacher), Kate (the new world issues teacher), and Lin (the teaching intern). We went on a huge tour of campus, which was great because I kind of know where I am now. Then was lunch, followed by the kitchen tour given by the Kitchen Manager, Benjamin (who also lives in the Stone House with his family). Then was free time, met up with Shana for any questions I had regarding my job (Kathy is on vacation until Monday, so I think I'll have to wait for real answers until then), and then I was invited to play Scrabble with Lynn, Amy, and Susan.
Amy was the old head of school, and she lives in a cottage on the edge of campus with her 14yo daughter and husband. Susan is the secretary. Lynn lives right next door to the admin building, she's 84yo, and she absolutely kicked my ass in scrabble. She had exactly a hundred points more than I had. It was amazing. I've been invited back to play with them, every Wednesday at 3:30. After that scrabble date, there was a potluck dinner for the entire community to come out and meet us new hires. It was cool to finally put faces to names I'd had thrown at me.
Day Four: Yesterday I went to the most beautiful spot I've ever been to in my entire life. We drove about twenty minutes passed Nevada City to a spot on the Yuba River. We hiked for about fifteen minutes to a further, more remote location. And I cannot wait until I can load up pictures and post them here, because it was absolutely gorgeous. We were in a valley, the slopes completely covered in evergreens and blue oaks and so much green, with the Yuba River flowing at the bottom. There were rocks covering the banks and the water was so clear. We swam in it later in the afternoon and it was so clear and refreshing and cool and just fantastic. Funny part about it though, was that because the location was so remote, the few other people that were around were just chilling out naked. Talk about freedom.
The reason we were at the river was for the faculty institute. I tagged along for the heck of it, but ended up joining in for parts. It kind of sunk in then just how small this program is that there were six of us there, only four were full-time teachers, one teaching intern, and then me. The only other person that is involved with just the Woolman Semester and not the Sierra Friends Center at all is Kathy Runyan; that's seven people making up the faculty and staff. Nutso.
It was great to hear the new teachers talk about their passions and what they hoped to bring to the table. Hearing them voice the same frustrations with public schooling that I've heard from Foster, JB and Whewell was crazy. Jess and Kate seemed very excited to teach without any confining guidelines, and very passionate about their chosen professions. I hope that I can convey to the prospective students just how dedicated and energetic and excited their teaching staff is to have them come aboard.
When we got back to campus, we left soon after for a farmers' market in Grass Valley with Shana, Jess and Lin. It was a lot of fun and certainly great to see what was around locally. My room is now stocked with cherry tomatoes, peaches, nectarines, apple cinnamon bread, herb garden bread, and organic, locally grown & processed extra virgin olive oil (which is delicious).
Day Five (today): I woke up late (I love that 8:30am is now late for me!), ran to have breakfast with Lin at the dining hall, and then came here to order stuff online and give an update of my happenings. I'm now off to go fix up the Academic building and make sure the snack room and classroom are well stocked for the soon-to-be-arriving students (Friday!).
Hopefully I'll be able to put up pictures soon. Also, I still have my cell phone, and even though it's off half the time or I'm getting a bad signal, call me/text me/whatever!
Much love, I miss you all.
Wtf. Apparently the woman helping me in North Carolina, when she was giving me a "back up ticket" for the 4:10 flight as a "just in case", actually cancelled my ticket for the first flight all together. Which obviously didn't happen for those other two passengers. I was mostly annoyed because I had flat out asked her that the 4:10 was just a back up and my other ticket was still valid, and she had said yes. So, I had five hours to kill in Las Vegas so I bought myself lunch, and slept. Mhmm. City of Sin, and I slept in the airport. My mom wanted me to go out in the city, get a cab and just drive around to see the sights, but I was far too tired and/or frustrated. I did see the MGM Grand from the airport window though.
The people I sat next to on the flight to Sacramento saved my day though. They were very friendly, a couple maybe in their late thirties/early forties, and they were joking with me the entire flight, asking about where I was headed and then about my internship. When the flight had landed and we were waiting for our luggage, before they left they checked to make sure I'd gotten in contact with Bob Runyan (Kathy's husband, he was picking me up), if I needed to borrow his cell phone (my phone was practically dead by this point in the trip), that I'd gotten all my things and I was taken care of. They very sincerely wished me all the best and good luck. I love that there are people in the world, good people, that after such a frustrating day can end it on a good note and restore my faith in the goodness of the world.
I arrived in Sacramento at 6:30pm PST. Sixteen hours of travel.
So, Bob picked me up from the airport and we drove to his and Kathy's house in Marysville, which is about a forty minute drive from the Sierra Friends Center. I was staying in their house that night since my five hour delay changed plans around a bit. Kathy is so wonderful; very warm, easy to talk to, very mom-like. I got to meet their three sons: Brian, who is Tommy's age and participating in the Woolman Semester this fall; and Keith & Mark(?), twins and about to start their sophomore year of high school. Keith talked my ear off. It was great. He reminded me so much of Tommy.
Day Two: The next morning we drove to the Sierra Friends Center. We drove through the foothills to get there. The countryside is absolutely gorgeous. Golden State indeed.
I finally met Shana (the head of school) and some other occupants of The Stone House, which is where I'm staying. I settled in and unpacked, went up to the office to sign some papers, then... didn't know what to do with the rest of my day. I went up to the field near the Dining Hall and Administration building and just... read.
I finished Franny & Zooey, which I had started reading the day before during my flights. I was floored, really. I was half mad at myself that I hadn't read that book back in high school when I was supposed to, but also glad because I don't know that I would have appreciated it back then. It was fabulous. Absolutely fabulous. I don't think there is a more perfect book to read as I'm starting off on this adventure. There isn't anyone anywhere that isn't Seymour's damned Fat Lady. Amazing.
The rest of that day was spent in awe and napping. I was asleep by 9:30pm.
Day Three: Wednesday was new-hire orientation. I went with Daniel & Dana (and their 10 month old son, Tu'ui (pronounced: too-E)), who live in the room next to me in the Stone House. They are splitting the kitchen internship. I met Jess (the new environmental science teacher), Kate (the new world issues teacher), and Lin (the teaching intern). We went on a huge tour of campus, which was great because I kind of know where I am now. Then was lunch, followed by the kitchen tour given by the Kitchen Manager, Benjamin (who also lives in the Stone House with his family). Then was free time, met up with Shana for any questions I had regarding my job (Kathy is on vacation until Monday, so I think I'll have to wait for real answers until then), and then I was invited to play Scrabble with Lynn, Amy, and Susan.
Amy was the old head of school, and she lives in a cottage on the edge of campus with her 14yo daughter and husband. Susan is the secretary. Lynn lives right next door to the admin building, she's 84yo, and she absolutely kicked my ass in scrabble. She had exactly a hundred points more than I had. It was amazing. I've been invited back to play with them, every Wednesday at 3:30. After that scrabble date, there was a potluck dinner for the entire community to come out and meet us new hires. It was cool to finally put faces to names I'd had thrown at me.
Day Four: Yesterday I went to the most beautiful spot I've ever been to in my entire life. We drove about twenty minutes passed Nevada City to a spot on the Yuba River. We hiked for about fifteen minutes to a further, more remote location. And I cannot wait until I can load up pictures and post them here, because it was absolutely gorgeous. We were in a valley, the slopes completely covered in evergreens and blue oaks and so much green, with the Yuba River flowing at the bottom. There were rocks covering the banks and the water was so clear. We swam in it later in the afternoon and it was so clear and refreshing and cool and just fantastic. Funny part about it though, was that because the location was so remote, the few other people that were around were just chilling out naked. Talk about freedom.
The reason we were at the river was for the faculty institute. I tagged along for the heck of it, but ended up joining in for parts. It kind of sunk in then just how small this program is that there were six of us there, only four were full-time teachers, one teaching intern, and then me. The only other person that is involved with just the Woolman Semester and not the Sierra Friends Center at all is Kathy Runyan; that's seven people making up the faculty and staff. Nutso.
It was great to hear the new teachers talk about their passions and what they hoped to bring to the table. Hearing them voice the same frustrations with public schooling that I've heard from Foster, JB and Whewell was crazy. Jess and Kate seemed very excited to teach without any confining guidelines, and very passionate about their chosen professions. I hope that I can convey to the prospective students just how dedicated and energetic and excited their teaching staff is to have them come aboard.
When we got back to campus, we left soon after for a farmers' market in Grass Valley with Shana, Jess and Lin. It was a lot of fun and certainly great to see what was around locally. My room is now stocked with cherry tomatoes, peaches, nectarines, apple cinnamon bread, herb garden bread, and organic, locally grown & processed extra virgin olive oil (which is delicious).
Day Five (today): I woke up late (I love that 8:30am is now late for me!), ran to have breakfast with Lin at the dining hall, and then came here to order stuff online and give an update of my happenings. I'm now off to go fix up the Academic building and make sure the snack room and classroom are well stocked for the soon-to-be-arriving students (Friday!).
Hopefully I'll be able to put up pictures soon. Also, I still have my cell phone, and even though it's off half the time or I'm getting a bad signal, call me/text me/whatever!
Much love, I miss you all.