Happy New Year 2010
Seems I never have time to write this blog lately with teaching and going to school. I even had to do a new blog just for my master’s classes so this one is sadly neglected. Anyway, anyone still checking it: HAPPY NEW YEAR! We’ve had very mellow holidays, with Devon home since the 18th and Pat and Mike here from Beaufort since the 22nd: a houseful is nice to share Christmas cheer! There were 10 of us for Christmas dinner, which was an ultra smooth production with Pat helping in the kitchen. She cleans as soon as you put anything down, so I’ve already tried to book her for next year’s parties! Our weather hasn’t been on best behavior, what with the solid week of rain and no sun, but lately the chill is mitigated by bright sunny skies. Yesterday morning there was ice in the back yard, but by afternoon it was very pleasant – especially when you see the snow storms back east!
We’ve done lots of museums with Pat: Pasadena Museum of California Art, LACMA, MOCA, and today all of us went to the Autry for their free New Year’s Day special. Yesterday we took the Metro downtown and walked Pat’s legs off, then stayed in for New Year’s Eve and watched “Inception”. They are heading to Palm Springs tomorrow for the rest of their visit, and Devon leaves for Santa Cruz on Monday. It will be awfully quiet here without the company…
However, I start my second quarter of master’s this week with classes Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Teaching resumes next Monday – back to the grind but with some new twists: Aazam is leaving us and Gabby and I will be undertaking her out-of-class coordination load for the Academy. I’ll be teaching 4 periods instead of 5, and doing business the other period. However, we did not fill Aazam’s position and have a jerryrigged stopgap set up to cover 5 art classes. An English/film teacher is going to take over my drawing class, so I expect he will need lots of coaching and support from me. Stay tuned for reports from the front!
I think it will be an exciting year just trying to juggle all my eggs, and hopefully the summer will be a chance to recharge and get away. I never really find mental rest when I’m home with worries just tucked into the corners. So look out all – I may be heading your way come June! Happy 2011 to us every one.
