Looking Back: 2008

Prepare yourself for Random Bullets of Reflection!

* in 2008, I took two longer poetry workshops and a one-day workshop on submitting your work, all of which I really enjoyed, and which taught me that I really benefit from the structure of having a deadline, and also that I really enjoy the give-and-take process of workshopping. In 2009, I’m joining my first poetry group, which I’m hoping will give me that same structure and support, and put me on the road to submitting and publishing more poems in 2009.

* in 2008, my girls left kindergarten and entered first grade, which was a big shift for them as they entered separate classes for the first time. We celebrated their sixth birthday with a fantastic party at our favorite art museum, and they started piano lessons. In 2009, they will turn seven and start second grade, which is unbelievable to me. They want bikes for their seventh birthday, and I also want this to be the year when they learn to swim. In 2008, Lucy decided she wants to be an artist, and Sophie wants to be an animal scientist, so we signed them up for art classes and took many trips to the zoo.

* In 2008, I taught my Facebook class both semesters, with eight different books and two entirely different syllabi, which kept it interesting for me but ended up being more work than I probably should have attempted, so grading got a bit overwhelming. I’m teaching a core class for the program in the spring, so instead of trying to be overly ambitious with the syllabus and assignments, I’m going to focus more on the week-by-week class prep.

* In 2008, we focused on settling into our house, and celebrated our first year of living here. I did a lot of decorating stuff, we added ceiling fans throughout the house, and finally tackled the kitchen, which has made the biggest difference in the house. We also replaced the furnace and hot water heater, which has made a huge difference in our energy bills. In 2009, I want to paint the upstairs bathroom, paint the entry hallway, and change up some of the furniture in the piano room. We’ve also planted a lot around the front yard, so I’m excited to see what comes up, and then maybe add plantings in the back yard. If it works out financially, I’d like to add a patio or deck to the back of the house.

* In 2008, my sister and I chaperoned a group of students to London, which was an amazing and exhausting experience. Another teacher and I worked on how to teach grammar better to ninth graders, and I started my second year of teaching English. I still have a lot to learn, but I think I’m on the right path. In 2009, I’m teaching Their Eyes Were Watching God for the first time and really looking forward to it, and trying to think about how better to teach the fundmentals of composition to my ninth graders and put more emphasis on drafting and revision for my eleventh graders.

* In 2008, my husband started law school in the evenings, which has had a big ripple effect in our little ecosystem. In the course of our marriage, we have had at least one big shake-up every year, and law school was definitely the big one for 2008. His program will take four years, so in 2009, I hope that we’ll all settle more into a routine that will continue for the next few years.

All in all, this has been a good year for our family. I’m incredibly proud of all the new adventures my husband and girls have embarked on, and all of the hard work and dedication they have expended. I’m looking forward to seeing what 2009 will bring.