OK, so summer isn't technically over. We've got a few days until Labor Day and a few weeks until the autumnal equinox. (Autumnal. Isn't that a fun word?)
And I wasn't technically on summer vacation. Number one, I'm not a student with summers off. Number two, I do not at the present time have a job from which I could take vacation.
And OK, I'm not by any stretch of the imagination an outdoorsy type, technically. I don't mind the occasional walk, sitting on the dock for a spell, or hanging out around a fire once in a while if the mosquitoes are under control.
But this summer zipped by faster than any in recent memory. Seems like we just finished my son's high-school graduation. Then, before I knew it, we were dropping him off at college.
One minute we were picking out a class ring and graduation announcements, and the next we were buying sheets and towels for the dorm room. One minute (OK, it was nearly 19 years ago) we were waiting to hear if "the rabbit died," and the next we were waving goodbye 200 miles from home.
Yes, the summer surely did pass by quickly.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Another First Day of School
As I start to write this, a fairly relaxing weekend is coming to a close. The next few days will be bustling, however, as we prepare for another first day of school. But this time, it will be a bit different, as the school is almost 200 miles from here. Yes, The Boy is about to begin a new adventure at college. Naturally, this whole experience has been on my mind a lot lately, as I'm sure it has been his (though from a different perspective).
But the more I think about it, the more it seems like we've been through it all before. It seems like the first day of college might have a lot in common with the first day of kindergarten.
In no particular order (and from a mom's point of view, though dads may find themselves in the same position)...
It means an entirely new daily routine. A 5-year-old may be used to spending the whole day at home or with friends at daycare. Mom has probably been waking up at the same time and making sure everyone starts their day on time. Now, the student will be eating breakfast at a different time in a different place and with different people. And this mom certainly won't be calling to make sure he doesn't hit the snooze alarm too many times! Dinner won't be when Mom says it's ready. It will be when class is done and the cafeteria is open. And don't forget about working out a schedule for using the shower!
It means a different site for naptime. A preschooler might be used to curling up in their own bed or on their own mat for a little break during the day. Soon, the college student will be looking for secluded couches scattered around campus or learning the roommate's schedule to know when he will be out of the room.
It means a lot of new faces and friends. The familiar playgroup broke up like an old rock band. The lunch-table crew has scattered in dozens of directions. But the process of making friends is still pretty much the same: Just find common interests and take it from there.
It means learning a new set of skills. Thirteen years ago the goals were to practice writing the alphabet and sharing the crayons. Now it will focus on more mature literary analysis or scientific reasoning. In each case, it's about building upon what you already know, but in college I don't think they make you skip recess for not trying your best.
It means sharing a good portion of your day with one person in particular. Kindergarten is a good place to use the buddy system: two people who always sit next to each other, walk in line together, get their coats on together. College takes it one step further by taking two strangers and magically making them "roommates." Let's hope everyone got a satisfactory grade in "plays well with others."
It means finding your place within the "society." The preschooler may have been someone's favorite, or the funny one, or the LEGO expert. The senior may have been a jock, or a math geek, or a music kid. You just get comfortable with where you fit into the big picture. Now you've got to explore some more to find your groove in a new environment.
It means shopping for new school supplies (yay!). It used to be fat crayons, tissues for the classroom, and a blunt-tip scissors. Now it may be a graphing calculator, lots of pens, and sheets and towels. Hey, any chance to check out what's new in an office-supply store is fine by me!
Kindergarten isn't necessarily better or worse than being 4 years old. And being a college freshman isn't necessarily better or worse than being a high-school senior. It's just...different. Just another leg on this journey we call "life." Sorry, does that sound trite or melodramatic? Cut me some slack. My "baby" is leaving for college!
But the more I think about it, the more it seems like we've been through it all before. It seems like the first day of college might have a lot in common with the first day of kindergarten.
In no particular order (and from a mom's point of view, though dads may find themselves in the same position)...
It means an entirely new daily routine. A 5-year-old may be used to spending the whole day at home or with friends at daycare. Mom has probably been waking up at the same time and making sure everyone starts their day on time. Now, the student will be eating breakfast at a different time in a different place and with different people. And this mom certainly won't be calling to make sure he doesn't hit the snooze alarm too many times! Dinner won't be when Mom says it's ready. It will be when class is done and the cafeteria is open. And don't forget about working out a schedule for using the shower!
It means a different site for naptime. A preschooler might be used to curling up in their own bed or on their own mat for a little break during the day. Soon, the college student will be looking for secluded couches scattered around campus or learning the roommate's schedule to know when he will be out of the room.
It means a lot of new faces and friends. The familiar playgroup broke up like an old rock band. The lunch-table crew has scattered in dozens of directions. But the process of making friends is still pretty much the same: Just find common interests and take it from there.
It means learning a new set of skills. Thirteen years ago the goals were to practice writing the alphabet and sharing the crayons. Now it will focus on more mature literary analysis or scientific reasoning. In each case, it's about building upon what you already know, but in college I don't think they make you skip recess for not trying your best.
It means sharing a good portion of your day with one person in particular. Kindergarten is a good place to use the buddy system: two people who always sit next to each other, walk in line together, get their coats on together. College takes it one step further by taking two strangers and magically making them "roommates." Let's hope everyone got a satisfactory grade in "plays well with others."
It means finding your place within the "society." The preschooler may have been someone's favorite, or the funny one, or the LEGO expert. The senior may have been a jock, or a math geek, or a music kid. You just get comfortable with where you fit into the big picture. Now you've got to explore some more to find your groove in a new environment.
It means shopping for new school supplies (yay!). It used to be fat crayons, tissues for the classroom, and a blunt-tip scissors. Now it may be a graphing calculator, lots of pens, and sheets and towels. Hey, any chance to check out what's new in an office-supply store is fine by me!
Kindergarten isn't necessarily better or worse than being 4 years old. And being a college freshman isn't necessarily better or worse than being a high-school senior. It's just...different. Just another leg on this journey we call "life." Sorry, does that sound trite or melodramatic? Cut me some slack. My "baby" is leaving for college!
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Music for the Sake of Music
Just got back from a concert by a symphony orchestra, a string orchestra, and a wind ensemble. Wow, we live in a talented community!
Sure, the main reason I went was to watch my son perform. I do like to watch him play! There were other familiar faces, too, from his high-school days. So much skill and artistry in one place!
But the more I think about this particular group, the more I am impressed by its existence. As I recall, a local music teacher formed an ensemble a few years ago so they still had a chance to perform during the summer. It was made up primarily of current and former students he knew. They played challenging pieces, but it was sort of informal, with their first concert at a coffeehouse that supports the arts.
In just a few seasons, it's grown into three ensembles, to include both string and wind instruments. At this evening's show, he pointed out that the youngest member of the group is entering eighth grade, and the oldest is the parent of one entering the ninth. That's quite a diverse group, spanning many ability levels. Plus, there are other participants performing at different times as soloists or in duets and such.
But the best part is, in my opinion, is that they have all joined the group just because they want to! That's right. They don't get paid, and they don't get school credit. I don't think there's any formal audition process like one might find in a civic symphony or similar group. They rehearse a couple of nights a week through the summer to prepare for this one concert. They play music...for the sake of music.
That's a beautiful thing.
According to their mission statement, the organization wants to provide the community as a whole with opportunities to create music and enjoy music at a high level. I consider myself lucky to live in a community like that.
Every time I go to a concert, of course, I get the urge to bring out my clarinet again. It would take some time and dedication to get back in shape (I've lost my "chops" after so many years!), but this group might just be the motivation I need to really try and see how much of it comes back to me. My son is headed off to college, but perhaps I'll try to join the group. I don't really miss tryouts and competitions and that side of performing. But I must admit that I often miss playing music...just for the sake of music.
Sure, the main reason I went was to watch my son perform. I do like to watch him play! There were other familiar faces, too, from his high-school days. So much skill and artistry in one place!
But the more I think about this particular group, the more I am impressed by its existence. As I recall, a local music teacher formed an ensemble a few years ago so they still had a chance to perform during the summer. It was made up primarily of current and former students he knew. They played challenging pieces, but it was sort of informal, with their first concert at a coffeehouse that supports the arts.
In just a few seasons, it's grown into three ensembles, to include both string and wind instruments. At this evening's show, he pointed out that the youngest member of the group is entering eighth grade, and the oldest is the parent of one entering the ninth. That's quite a diverse group, spanning many ability levels. Plus, there are other participants performing at different times as soloists or in duets and such.
But the best part is, in my opinion, is that they have all joined the group just because they want to! That's right. They don't get paid, and they don't get school credit. I don't think there's any formal audition process like one might find in a civic symphony or similar group. They rehearse a couple of nights a week through the summer to prepare for this one concert. They play music...for the sake of music.
That's a beautiful thing.
According to their mission statement, the organization wants to provide the community as a whole with opportunities to create music and enjoy music at a high level. I consider myself lucky to live in a community like that.
Every time I go to a concert, of course, I get the urge to bring out my clarinet again. It would take some time and dedication to get back in shape (I've lost my "chops" after so many years!), but this group might just be the motivation I need to really try and see how much of it comes back to me. My son is headed off to college, but perhaps I'll try to join the group. I don't really miss tryouts and competitions and that side of performing. But I must admit that I often miss playing music...just for the sake of music.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Know Your Audience
When referring to my blog, I can't really say I have an "audience."
I don't have many followers, though I appreciate those that try to stay current with what I've got to say. I hope you know that I check in on your blogs, as well.
If I'm particularly proud of a post, I may share it on Facebook. In those cases, I'll get some extra visitors. People are more likely to read it when you ask them to!
Every now and again there seem to be some folks who drop by accident. I think they're frequently looking for another "red pen." There are plenty of them out there with lots of different things to say. But I don't mind. Perhaps some of these visitors will see something they like and come back again some time.
But sometimes, I can't for the life of me figure out how someone found my blog. They haven't come from Facebook or Twitter or as a result of a typical web search. Perhaps they're just browsing blogs by a "Sandy" or a "proofreader." Maybe a friend shared a link to one of my posts. I guess those visits shall just remain one of the minor mysteries of life.
Then I realized: It doesn't matter! Don't get me wrong. I appreciate the visits no matter the path they took to get here. But I've never really written for the purpose of gaining an audience. It's just me sort of thinking out loud. Knowing that someone else can get some momentary enjoyment from what I've got to say is nice. But it's more important to me that I have a few thoughts that can share "on paper."
So please, if you're here, keep reading! I may not know you, but if you stay awhile you'll probably learn a little bit about me.
I simply write...because I can. I write for me. I am my audience. And by writing, perhaps I will get to know myself better.
But sometimes, I can't for the life of me figure out how someone found my blog. They haven't come from Facebook or Twitter or as a result of a typical web search. Perhaps they're just browsing blogs by a "Sandy" or a "proofreader." Maybe a friend shared a link to one of my posts. I guess those visits shall just remain one of the minor mysteries of life.
Then I realized: It doesn't matter! Don't get me wrong. I appreciate the visits no matter the path they took to get here. But I've never really written for the purpose of gaining an audience. It's just me sort of thinking out loud. Knowing that someone else can get some momentary enjoyment from what I've got to say is nice. But it's more important to me that I have a few thoughts that can share "on paper."
So please, if you're here, keep reading! I may not know you, but if you stay awhile you'll probably learn a little bit about me.
I simply write...because I can. I write for me. I am my audience. And by writing, perhaps I will get to know myself better.
Note: I guess I should review previous posts before composing a new one. It looks like I touched on this subject a bit last year in Why Write? But since I don't have too many repeat readers, you probably haven't seen that one before. :-D
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