Friday- last day with the students for this year. I feel so lucky to
have a job and even luckier to have a job that makes me so happy. I
have made great friends and learned so much about myself in the
process. I have become immersed in a new culture where I am part
teacher, part student, part puppeteer, part engineer. I love my work!
we rode a lap at the Rose Bowl, mailed a package to my Oregon family (wish I could be with you all!), and read a book.
Saturday- slept in today and wandered to Burbank to see Avatar with
family. Came home to wrap gifts for the annual gift exchange with The
Beesley's. A massage is in my future, thanks Carole! Toby got a gift
card for The Apple Store and got a new battery case for his phone.
Sunday- woke up early for the weekly tour de pasadena (26+ miles).
Great weather. The trees have lost most of their leaves, but really
having fun riding through them. After the ride, went to farmer's market
for salad supplies. Dinner party at 5:30 with teacher friends. I am
honored to have been included. It feels weird to not be working. I should be grading or lesson planning. I need this break to mentally prepare for last half of the year.
Monday- woke up early for long ride at the santa fe dam (30 miles). I have been off the bike for two weeks due to rain and a cold. My legs feel strong. I could have gone farther. The snow on Mt. Baldy is calling me. I want to start climbing the big hills.
We headed home and then off to a party at wick'd bean candles. We played charades and I let go of all inhibitions to act out "wrestling boots" by throwing myself around an invisible ring and then getting clothes-lined. Toby feel sick and we head home.
We suspect food poisoning. I begin baking day early with cranberry orange loaves and chocolate chip cookies. The house smells good. I think about the family we are out of contact with and feel sad. Everyone is so far away.
Tuesday- Toby had a fever last night. Must be the stomach flu. I get him comfortable with ginger ale and soda crackers and head for a walk. Lance is signing his new book at 2:30 and Toby feels well enough to ride over there to meet one of my heroes. Suddenly we both feel inadequate. Lance is 38. Wow. He has accomplished so much. And so much is for the world. We head home and I finish baking. I work on a secret project for Porterville family. I am unhappy with most of the batches. Only one came out perfect and it is now labeled "To Nana, love Jamie." I deliver to miah and becky's so Josh can be my UPS driver.
Wednesday. I thought he was getting better. Last night he was awake and kept asking me odd questions while I slept. That is probably more of a sign of him getting better actually. No I do not want a burrito! I finished making the last two batches of my secret project and then rushed to pasadena to grab toby's dad's present. we are supposed to meet for movies, dinner, and gift exchange, but I will be going alone. toby needs more rest. Saw Avatar again. I am moved by this storyteller. He makes feel angry at the underlying destructive nature of the human race. I need to reread Silko's novel Ceremony. Toby has his appetite back I'm off to whole foods for soup and cornbread. I called Nana to tell her about the package. We laughed about this and that, discussed a possible engagement in the new year, and her knack for finding the perfect card, or not so perfect as she always amends them in a small and fantastic way. She said "Bye Love" as she hung up and I cried a little bit. I miss her so much.
The one family I babysit for in June every year called and wanted to come sing Christmas carols. I love them! The youngest jumped and sang both songs. He's adorable.
Now it is time to turn off the brain. I've got a stack of books to read. The wonderful mayhem begins again in twelve hours. I love it!
(I'm not really as sad as this record sounds...I just wish I had a way to be with everyone I love this Christmas... Skype will help...)
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