I have completely forgotten to mention the highlights!
1) Inside jokes. They're everywhere. Sometimes I think that English teachers are really 15 year olds in disguise. We now have inside jokes on Ian McKellan's private parts, hitting curbs, certain slightly derogatory remarks, certain people, general dislikes of sandwiches, hockey chants, etc. It's enough to make a person pregnant with celestial fire! :)
2) Rare documents. Definitely one of the best things I've done is touched a letter written to Queen Elizabeth by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leiscester. And a warrant for Catesby by Richard III. Yes - I touched them. I could not, however, read them because their handwriting was so tiny back then and they used an odd sort of shorthand.
3) The people. I've met some fantastic people and I hope to keep in touch with a good number of them. As one person in particular said, "We'll always have DC."
Cheers, again!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Weekly Update
I actually have 10 minutes to update my blog!
1) About my self-pity entry from almost two weeks ago... That moment has passed. I am chalking it up to PMS, being homesick, and spending my birthday away from my close friends and family. I'm 30, I'm ok, and I did go out for my birthday - a brief dinner with two TSI Mikes, and then I met up with April for ice cream.
2) TSI. We have five days left! I can't believe it's almost over. It has been psychotically busy, but worth every tiring moment. This week we have two projects due: acting a scene on the great stage and a curriculum project (mine is a documentary). If you want to see some other things I've done, check out http://esmithela.googlepages.com. Eventually I'm going to post a lot of things there, so pardon the construction. :)
3) TSI part II. My new project for the upcoming year: start a Shakespeare Acting Troupe within the school (without stepping on the toes of the drama department). Also, I'm going to take the GRE in early fall and apply to grad school - probably in literature. I have got to get off of my ass and get this done. Listening to the lectures and participating in the seminars have given me a new vision.
4) School. I return to Houston on the 9th, begin work on the 11th! No break for the weary.
We're done on Friday and I'm off to NY for three days (to visit Christine and the new baby!). I hope to blog some more before then. We'll see.
Cheers!
1) About my self-pity entry from almost two weeks ago... That moment has passed. I am chalking it up to PMS, being homesick, and spending my birthday away from my close friends and family. I'm 30, I'm ok, and I did go out for my birthday - a brief dinner with two TSI Mikes, and then I met up with April for ice cream.
2) TSI. We have five days left! I can't believe it's almost over. It has been psychotically busy, but worth every tiring moment. This week we have two projects due: acting a scene on the great stage and a curriculum project (mine is a documentary). If you want to see some other things I've done, check out http://esmithela.googlepages.com. Eventually I'm going to post a lot of things there, so pardon the construction. :)
3) TSI part II. My new project for the upcoming year: start a Shakespeare Acting Troupe within the school (without stepping on the toes of the drama department). Also, I'm going to take the GRE in early fall and apply to grad school - probably in literature. I have got to get off of my ass and get this done. Listening to the lectures and participating in the seminars have given me a new vision.
4) School. I return to Houston on the 9th, begin work on the 11th! No break for the weary.
We're done on Friday and I'm off to NY for three days (to visit Christine and the new baby!). I hope to blog some more before then. We'll see.
Cheers!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Getting into the Groove
I wish I had more time to write about my adventures over here, but time is not a luxury. For example, due this week I have a 3-5 page research paper, a curriculum project's lesson plans, an oral presentation AND an illumination project (this is kinda hard to explain).
I'm still have fun, still meeting lots of great new people. I'm still homesick, but being out here is definitely worth it.
Time to work on my paper...
Cheers!
I'm still have fun, still meeting lots of great new people. I'm still homesick, but being out here is definitely worth it.
Time to work on my paper...
Cheers!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Ups and Downs
Let me preface this post by saying that I am getting a LOT out of this program. Today, however, and yesterday were filled with unhappiness.
(Note to readers: I have removed a deeply personal episode of self-pity. I have never deleted an entry before, but I've decided to leave moments of self-pity to my trusty spiral journal. So if you think you read something here before, you have).
But if you're reading this to hear about Folger stuff - I got to read a 400 year old book yesterday. And tomorrow I'm going to read a 450 year old manuscript. These are not copies, my friends, these are the real things.
And I have added some things to my birthday/Christmas/random present wish-list:
1) The book - "All I Needed To Know I Learned From Shakespeare"
2) A fascimile copy of the first folio (but this one is $150 - I might splurge on it as a birthday present for myself... it's cooler than a pair of shoes).
3) The Riverside Shakespeare (another book). (update: I was given this for my birthday by April!)
Gotta go. I have to work on my research paper.
Don't worry about me - I'll be fine.
Cheers!
(Note to readers: I have removed a deeply personal episode of self-pity. I have never deleted an entry before, but I've decided to leave moments of self-pity to my trusty spiral journal. So if you think you read something here before, you have).
But if you're reading this to hear about Folger stuff - I got to read a 400 year old book yesterday. And tomorrow I'm going to read a 450 year old manuscript. These are not copies, my friends, these are the real things.
And I have added some things to my birthday/Christmas/random present wish-list:
1) The book - "All I Needed To Know I Learned From Shakespeare"
2) A fascimile copy of the first folio (but this one is $150 - I might splurge on it as a birthday present for myself... it's cooler than a pair of shoes).
3) The Riverside Shakespeare (another book). (update: I was given this for my birthday by April!)
Gotta go. I have to work on my research paper.
Don't worry about me - I'll be fine.
Cheers!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Shakespeare Summer Camp
Actually, I have 10 minutes to write. So here it goes...
Our schedule is really quite crazy - and mine seems to be longer since I take the subway into the city daily and back home. The others, those who are staying at the ridiculously overpriced Georgetown University townhomes, ride a bus back and forth. That is my one regret - that I can't do the commute with them. They have such a great bonding time with that. I ride the bus occassionally, but must leave them in order to catch a train home.
But back to the schedule - then to the people.
Monday-Friday, we're busy from 8:45 am until 5pm. The morning session is a lecture by an esteemed Shakespeare scholar (there are 3 here, plus several visiting ones). After the lecture is a seminar, where we get to discuss the lecture, the play, our schools, and the occassional smattering of gossip (but that's usually me and whoever is sitting near me). After that we have lunch, in which we stomp around Capitol Hill in search of a quick - and relatively inexpensive - meal. More often than not, sandwiches are involved, which is tiring many people out. After lunch, we then have peformance workshops with a Shakespearean actor and finally end in a curriculum workshop where we learn how to teach Shakespeare more precisely. Evenings are occasionally filled up, occasionally left for us. This week, however, we saw a theatre performance starring one of our Shakespearean actors, we saw a film viewing of "Taming of the Shrew," we attended a wine reception for PBS and the upcoming new release of a "King Lear," and we attended a Nationals/Astros game (where the Astros lost big-time).
And I must mention tea. Every day, from 3-3:30, tea is served. Seriously. Everyone stops working (everyone in the building) for a cup of tea, good conversations and some delightful little cookies. It's quite English.
This week has been filled with not only the above, but extra introductional activities. For example, we were given a tour of the elaborate library, which is a paragraph or two all unto itself (more later) where we got to see really old and rare books (including a Folio) and documents written by Queen Elizabeth. Friday's extra-special activity was a tour of the conservation lab, which is another paragraph unto itself (more later).
Finally, we were given our projects. We are here to learn, and learn we will. We have a 3-5 page research project due soon, as well as lesson plans or a technology project, and various theatre assignments.
So, my next entry will detail the description of the Folger Library, the conservation lab, and the people.
I haven't mentioned the people? The people here are great. We are all Shakespeare nerds and we get along fantastically. I swear, some of them/us were oppressed nerds as teenagers because for a group of 25 teachers (ages range from 26 to 50ish), there's some bawdy conversation, teenage antics and heavy drinking. It's not what you'd think of when the words "Shakespeare Workshop" come to mind.
Gotta run. Time to do more Shakespeare!
Cheers!
Our schedule is really quite crazy - and mine seems to be longer since I take the subway into the city daily and back home. The others, those who are staying at the ridiculously overpriced Georgetown University townhomes, ride a bus back and forth. That is my one regret - that I can't do the commute with them. They have such a great bonding time with that. I ride the bus occassionally, but must leave them in order to catch a train home.
But back to the schedule - then to the people.
Monday-Friday, we're busy from 8:45 am until 5pm. The morning session is a lecture by an esteemed Shakespeare scholar (there are 3 here, plus several visiting ones). After the lecture is a seminar, where we get to discuss the lecture, the play, our schools, and the occassional smattering of gossip (but that's usually me and whoever is sitting near me). After that we have lunch, in which we stomp around Capitol Hill in search of a quick - and relatively inexpensive - meal. More often than not, sandwiches are involved, which is tiring many people out. After lunch, we then have peformance workshops with a Shakespearean actor and finally end in a curriculum workshop where we learn how to teach Shakespeare more precisely. Evenings are occasionally filled up, occasionally left for us. This week, however, we saw a theatre performance starring one of our Shakespearean actors, we saw a film viewing of "Taming of the Shrew," we attended a wine reception for PBS and the upcoming new release of a "King Lear," and we attended a Nationals/Astros game (where the Astros lost big-time).
And I must mention tea. Every day, from 3-3:30, tea is served. Seriously. Everyone stops working (everyone in the building) for a cup of tea, good conversations and some delightful little cookies. It's quite English.
This week has been filled with not only the above, but extra introductional activities. For example, we were given a tour of the elaborate library, which is a paragraph or two all unto itself (more later) where we got to see really old and rare books (including a Folio) and documents written by Queen Elizabeth. Friday's extra-special activity was a tour of the conservation lab, which is another paragraph unto itself (more later).
Finally, we were given our projects. We are here to learn, and learn we will. We have a 3-5 page research project due soon, as well as lesson plans or a technology project, and various theatre assignments.
So, my next entry will detail the description of the Folger Library, the conservation lab, and the people.
I haven't mentioned the people? The people here are great. We are all Shakespeare nerds and we get along fantastically. I swear, some of them/us were oppressed nerds as teenagers because for a group of 25 teachers (ages range from 26 to 50ish), there's some bawdy conversation, teenage antics and heavy drinking. It's not what you'd think of when the words "Shakespeare Workshop" come to mind.
Gotta run. Time to do more Shakespeare!
Cheers!
End of Week 1
Wow. So much has happened this past week, and I just don't have the time to write about it. My schedule is crazy busy each day, I've met some fantastic people, gone through some fantastic experiences.
I'll write in detail about week 1 maybe tomorrow. I have no plans tomorrow night (as of now).
Cheers!
I'll write in detail about week 1 maybe tomorrow. I have no plans tomorrow night (as of now).
Cheers!
Saturday, July 05, 2008
I'm Here...
Well, I am in DC, and what a trip it has been thus far. Houston to DC via Charleston is a LONG drive. Much longer than I anticipated. I plan on writing more about the roadtrip, but some highlights include:
1) Panama City Beach. I hate this place. My mom wanted to stop there on the first night so that she can go to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. I didn't realize that my mom had no clue as to what kind of place Panama City Beach was; had I known that, I would've talked her out of going. We got there at 7:30ish, checked into the hotel and then went to find the restaurant. It was on the main drag, and took us an HOUR to drive the 7-8 miles to get there. I was hungry at this point, and pretty much turning into a raving bitch because I was sleepy, tired, hungry and surrounded by co-eds wearing very little clothing and guys revving up their cars to try to look cool. It didn't work. So I was in complete hell, and I apologized to my mom later, but at that point, I wanted to be anywhere else.
2) The Garmin. I could never have gotten to DC without it. We named it Lola, and Lola was very talkative and helpful, but got a bit snarky when we took a wrong road or got off the highway to get gas. And she diverted us around traffic, but didn't tell us when construction was ahead.
3) The suicidal butterflies of Georgia. I have never seen so many butterflies as in the country roads of Georgia and they went all kamakazi on my SUV. It saddened me to see so many beautiful bugs slapping my car (and one getting stuck in my car's grill), but I couldn't dodge them.
4) Charleston. Wow. That's all I have to say. I wouldn't mind living there. But as I walked along the bay, with Fort Sumter in the background, I realized yet again how I don't like living in the concrete city of Houston. I want to live in another city, one with history and sightseeing and tradition. Houston has little tradition (really very little compared to older cities). While I was in Charleston, one of my old assistant principals from my old school called and offered me a job at her new school. I like where I am now.
5) Myrtle Beach, SC - Beautiful beach, beautiful sand. I scooped up a baggie of sand and a baggie of shells. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do with them, but I'll figure it out. I'm sure a vase or jar will come in handy.
6) Arriving in DC. Finally, after three days of more than 8 hours of driving each day (Monday and Tuesday were 13 hour days), we arrive.
7) Thursday - Thursday was a sight-seeing day. I've seen the sights, but my mom hasn't been in DC in a while, so I showed her around the mall area. Met a cop who works at the cop booth behind the Folger Library, and he gave me some tips as to where to go and do in the near vicinity. Mom and I ended up walking around 5 miles that day (and I still have sore shins), saw major DC attractions, and saw Marine One (Bush's helicopter) dropping him off at the White House (there were two decoy choppers with him).
8) Friday - 4th of July in DC! Woo-hoo! Yes, I went and saw the fireworks on the mall. Beautiful.
Sorry for the briefness of the days - I plan on writing more later. And yes, I have pictures and will post some later.
Cheers!
1) Panama City Beach. I hate this place. My mom wanted to stop there on the first night so that she can go to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. I didn't realize that my mom had no clue as to what kind of place Panama City Beach was; had I known that, I would've talked her out of going. We got there at 7:30ish, checked into the hotel and then went to find the restaurant. It was on the main drag, and took us an HOUR to drive the 7-8 miles to get there. I was hungry at this point, and pretty much turning into a raving bitch because I was sleepy, tired, hungry and surrounded by co-eds wearing very little clothing and guys revving up their cars to try to look cool. It didn't work. So I was in complete hell, and I apologized to my mom later, but at that point, I wanted to be anywhere else.
2) The Garmin. I could never have gotten to DC without it. We named it Lola, and Lola was very talkative and helpful, but got a bit snarky when we took a wrong road or got off the highway to get gas. And she diverted us around traffic, but didn't tell us when construction was ahead.
3) The suicidal butterflies of Georgia. I have never seen so many butterflies as in the country roads of Georgia and they went all kamakazi on my SUV. It saddened me to see so many beautiful bugs slapping my car (and one getting stuck in my car's grill), but I couldn't dodge them.
4) Charleston. Wow. That's all I have to say. I wouldn't mind living there. But as I walked along the bay, with Fort Sumter in the background, I realized yet again how I don't like living in the concrete city of Houston. I want to live in another city, one with history and sightseeing and tradition. Houston has little tradition (really very little compared to older cities). While I was in Charleston, one of my old assistant principals from my old school called and offered me a job at her new school. I like where I am now.
5) Myrtle Beach, SC - Beautiful beach, beautiful sand. I scooped up a baggie of sand and a baggie of shells. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do with them, but I'll figure it out. I'm sure a vase or jar will come in handy.
6) Arriving in DC. Finally, after three days of more than 8 hours of driving each day (Monday and Tuesday were 13 hour days), we arrive.
7) Thursday - Thursday was a sight-seeing day. I've seen the sights, but my mom hasn't been in DC in a while, so I showed her around the mall area. Met a cop who works at the cop booth behind the Folger Library, and he gave me some tips as to where to go and do in the near vicinity. Mom and I ended up walking around 5 miles that day (and I still have sore shins), saw major DC attractions, and saw Marine One (Bush's helicopter) dropping him off at the White House (there were two decoy choppers with him).
8) Friday - 4th of July in DC! Woo-hoo! Yes, I went and saw the fireworks on the mall. Beautiful.
Sorry for the briefness of the days - I plan on writing more later. And yes, I have pictures and will post some later.
Cheers!
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