Today was my first day at a free school

Today I saw-
people wearing hoodies
a library with no librarian to say "shhh!"
doors open
an awesome poster
what sharpies and glue stick can do
a cellphone in bubble wrap
clean up
no divisions

Today I heard-
shouting
"Well, yeah, but that's another story."
doors opening and closing loudly
"Who called this council meeting?"
running footsteps
"please stop, you're distracting me."
ping pong balls
"I spend a grand on white ts"
awful 'hip hop'
"So what do you think of our school?"

No, silly, it's called "sleet."

Ok, the story behind the title to this post is at the bottom, but it is good for a giggle.

I had such a lovely visit in Lake Worth- biking, visiting, reading, talking, listening, dancing, hooping, swimming... I can't wait to move back permanently! Yay! And I'm glad Steve is finally home.

Monday was a wondrous whirlwind of bustle, punctuated by serious hang-out/slacking. I didn't have a chance to make it back to G-Star, unfortunately. I did finish my work in the storage unit, and I got to deliver/ship some goods to some folks.

Clare (my stunning chauffeur!) swung downtown to scoop me up and we hustled to her condo to grab my luggage (I'm experimenting with a new suitcase, it has pink and green polka dots- results are fair) AND to pick up my WonderWhirl documents... OH! What is a WonderWhirl, you ask? Well, fellow Florida Level 1 HoopGirl Instructor Gina, in Punta Gorda, has an incredible hoopmaking business- her hoops are called WonderWhirls, and are painstakingly handcrafted (not just handmade). I've been dreaming of ordering one for a while- because her process is so intricate, and because of the materials she uses, it seemed like a potentially decent traveling hoop (i had considered collapsible, too, but I'd rather have a special custom hoop than a collapsible, at least right now). Finally, while home in Lake Worth, I emailed her and sent a check. She used my astrological profile, the mythology behind my name, my favorite colors and music and her intuition to craft SpinDelicious, a pink and green masterpiece with rose quartz and other small crystals inside. We had to swing by the Palm Beach post office to pick her (the hoop) up, and we immediately put ourselves in a whirl (before we even removed the packaging!




Ok, I flew to New York around 7 on Monday, arriving around 10.... I flew JetBlue. As I walked up to the ticket counter, everyone started to stare at me and my WonderWhirl, SpinDelicious. Two of the ticket agents hooped with her before whisking her away to hand deliver to the baggage crew:



- took a cab to Kate's house (yes its a HOUSE) and chilled there all of Tuesday, trying to catch up on my online classes. Wednesday (today) I picked up a big coat at the Salvation Army and grabbed my luggage for the train ride to Albany. All in all, things went really smoothly, especially considering I've never traveled with a hoop before!

So now comes the story from which we derive the title of today's post.

This afternoon, I went for a walk in Albany. Some icy stuf was flying around, and I stopped a man to ask him what it was (I've seen snow, and this was NOT snow).
"Are you from around here?" I asked.
"Yeah."
"Alright, what would you call... this..?" I gestured about in the air, intending to point out the icy stuff flying around.
"A shithole." He responded curtly.

Hmm....

Leaving home...again

Last night, as I dutifully called the juror reporting 'hotline', entered my code and confirmed the first three letters of my last name, I was met with a voice announcing "Your time of service is up." Today is Friday- and now I can celebrate! Tonight, I'll be: at Bryant park for a potluck at 5, at the Soma Center for Cara's fundraiser at 8, and at City Limits for Spiritual Rez around 10ish. Tomorrow I will be at the county park at LW beach for most of the afternoon (after 3)- hooping it up with super hooper Danielle. If you want to join us, FEEL FREE! Saturday night is the SOA reunion, and maybe Moonfest. Sunday I visit with some more peeps...

I'm about to be right back on track, and I couldn't feel better about it. Monday, I leave for the Harriet Tubman Free School in Albany, NY. With all the elements I encountered down here tempting me to stay (visits with former students, job offers, the beach!), it is amazing that I can continue! I must complete what I've started, and my passion for teaching and learning is really overpowering. I've been waiting to get to Albany since September- originally, I was due to start up there on September 15. As it is now, I won't get to the school until October 29- I've lost a month and a half. I only hope that November will be a long enough stay for me to get the experience I'm looking for.

My visit home has been grand! Staying on the beach, with the waves calling out to me every second, eating really good food (and really bad food- pizza!) with dear friends, witnessing the surprisingly mature creations and collaborations of young artists, working on getting my body in the shape I want it in, biking and hooping everyday. I could have been a bit more diligent with my time studying, but I'll excuse myself because these moments are RICH and not to be missed.

Today I get to spend some time in my storage unit: locating items I've promised to friends, switching out summer clothes for winter clothes in my luggage, filing mail, downloading yoga videos from my harddrive, etc. I drop off stuff, and pick up stuff. This visit I'm trying to 'delete' a bag from the luggage set. I may also need to purchase new luggage- I'd rather be safe than sorry, and my clothing bag is looking like it wants to make me sorry sometime soon. I'd really like to be able to pack so I can get rid of a shoulder bag- I think it might be possible, but I'm concerned about the BULK of winter clothing. I sense a trade-off around the corner: warmth or easily manageable luggage. I'd like to be more mobile, especially because I don't yet know where I'll be staying in Albany!

But before I get to the storage- I'm going shopping! YAY!!! Usually I hate shopping, but today I'm excited. I need pants, socks, bras... I have a really warm winter jacket, but its ugly (I call it the Arctic Pimple) and I want something CUTER. I have a funny faux fur jacket, but I don't think it's warm enough. Maybe...

I finally get to wear my funny hats! Yeah! Hope I get to see a moment of the changing of the leaves... I believe everywhere I'm going is 'past peak', but I am hoping beyond hope- I've never seen it, and it is definitely a life goal.

Off I go!

WOW- Visiting the star

WOW.

Today I encountered an enormous web of LOVE when I visited G-Star.

I am floored and stupefied- I can almost not even produce words to describe the experience.

I had no idea just how much I missed these amazing people until I returned. For all its admitted faults, G-Star is a BLESSED space full of art and potential and people who genuinely care.

Unfortunately, I did not get to spend much time with many teachers- I didn't get to school this morning until the opening bell (on time! no late pass! :), though I had considered coming to the staff meeting in the early morning... I just couldn't make it happen. I did however get to see some of the changes- Ms Rasha's mural, for example (YAYAYAY!) and Mr. Alkobey's comforting configuration in my old classroom (sigh). And yet, so much is still the same- bustle of activity, not enough space in the hallway, smiles and laughter on the way to class. Mr. Andrepont is doing such an outstanding job as Dean of Students- as if the position were tailor-made for him. I would love to just spend some time talking to my former colleagues, and I kind of felt cheated that I didn't get the 'full' experience of communing with them.

The students are really growing up. Goodness, how I've missed these geniuses!
I ache to think how much fun we all could have had if I had stayed at the star this year. But it heartens me to know that their spirits are still so VITAL and LIVE- and my adventure has taught me a thing or two about timing, and coming/going, so I have faith that we meet who we need to when we need to.

And the BIG project lurches forward toward fruition. Some of my former students who are staying in PBC next year are interested in working together to make this space happen. AND THIS EXCITES AND MOTIVATES ME MORE THAN ANY MONEY EVER COULD.

We can really make it happen! A space for young people to hang out and feel at home and MAKE COOL STUFF! And maybe discover things they are passionate about! And maybe feel safe enough to grow wild and strong! And maybe even redefine their own educational boundaries and potential!

And then in Gainesville!

We made it.
But I can't quite celebrate yet- I'm still treading water here, trying to accomplish as much as possible to make this transition smooth for my mom and maintain all the elements of my own life, including my personal life.

I've started the AERO online classes, and I've really enjoyed both of them: History of Educational Alternatives and Start a School 101. The readings and discussions are fantastic, and these classes are really the only link I have to the Unschool project to keep me connected and moving forward. I've lost a bit of time with each class during the long drive from Arizona to Florida, and will start back up later today.

I've also been working on two design projects: Jewelled Lotus Yoga Studio in Leesburg (yay Kellie!) and Native Offerings, an art exhibition curated by the illustrious Talya Lerman, opening in November. Both have been really good for me- I forget that i'm actually good at this stuff most of the time! Looks like I'll be launching my design business, alongside a hoopdance teaching business, within the next few months...

And I'm thinking ahead- next step: GRAD SCHOOL. My goal, finalized at a Brave New Voices workshop with Ishle Yi Park, is to be accepted/enrolled in a program by July 2009. So, I'm getting ready to apply to a couple of programs, for an MA in some education area or another- I need to get the applications together over the next month! In fact, I'll be stomping around South Florida looking for letters of recommendation from a number of wonderful folks in a couple of weeks. I HAVE to come back, anyway, for jury duty!

Well, there it is, and here I am: waiting in purgatory for a little longer. I CAN'T WAIT to come home to my city and friends on October 14. I'd like to put together a presentation on my travels... maybe I'll schedule a date and post an event!

By the way, why aren't you on Facebook yet?!?!?!