Another start...and thanks giving

School has started! No waiting till after Labor Day round these parts, we're in full swing! Not only was last week my first week of school with kids, it was the first week of the school's existence. The Thursday before we had parent/student orientation and had almost 100% attendance. It was incredible looking out over all those faces and noticing that it was standing room only in our big hall. I was only missing two students out of 19 in my advisory group and everybody was nervous and excited. I chalk up a lot of the success of that first night to the priniciple's work developing the school because she so thoroughly involved parents and students in its creation. I think everyone there was proud of getting this thing off the ground.

Then our first day, which was remarkably smooth as we helped students get used to high school and adjust to a small school of 125 ninth graders. It's a pretty different kind of school experience. We even got a little press in the local paper.


Then on Thursday we went on an overnight trip to Stanford to kick off their high school career at a school dedicated to getting them ready for college. Thursday also happened to be my birthday and it was guaranteed to be busy all day long. It might not have been my first choice as far as birthday activities but there were some highlights. The kids in my advisory sang me happy birthday at the top of their lungs after lunch, one kid gave me chocolates and the staff had a cake and sang to me in whispers after the kids had been put in their rooms. Certainly an unusual and very memorable day.

My birthday was also filled with many phone messages, cards, gifts and expressions of love from people I love. It felt so good to have 11 messages at the end of that long day and to know that they were from all the amazing people I know from all over the country. I know this is sappy, (what do you expect?) but I just felt so lucky to have so many incredible friends and even though it's my first birthday on this coast I felt so loved and supported.

This weekend my friend Sharon, who has been living in San Diego for a few years and is moving to L.A. came up to visit. Sharon is a friend from high school, as is Alison, who lives here in Oakland so we all got to spend some time together. Sharon, by the way, is becoming famous. There was a lengthy article in the L.A. Times yesterday about her art work that will appear in a show in Santa Monica next weekend. The article is extremely complimentary and showcases her extroardinary talents. Check it out at: http://www.calendarlive.com/galleriesandmuseums/cl-ca-levy2sep02,0,3217256.story?coll=cl-art-features

In her spare time, Sharon also collaborated with Alison to make me a yellow cake with chocolate frosting. This was a favorite from when we were young and didn't let any occasion go by without this faithful dessert. (A shout out to Noelle, who we wish could have been here too!)


Then Saturday, Alison, Sharon, and my Dad and Louise and I all went out to dinner and ate fabulous food at A Cote in Rockridge. The waitress commented on our stunning off-white/green color combination.







And so, now I embark on week two of school and work on settling in some more. I am still tired from last week and hope I can continue to muster the strength for getting everything done. But I also feel lucky. To know wonderful souls and enjoy time with them, whether by phone, email or in person. This move has been ok because of my community that is still present even though I am far away. Maybe I am still high on yellow cake with chocolate frosting but I just feel pretty grateful. Love to all.