Where I Was, Where I Am, Where I Am Going

Welcome back friends.

I know it has been a very long time.  Since early March I believe.  This is going to be a long, somewhat disjointed post about where I was, where I am, and where I'm going.

Part I: Where I Was
Alright.  So what happened?

Well, my ego took a pretty massive bruising.  I started posting video versions of my reviews in Google Classroom for my teachers to use as part of their independent reading.  Although the vast responses were positive, one was really not.  I suppose if it had've been a student, I'd've brushed it off and moved on.  It wasn't a student.

So, I stopped reviewing via video.  I stopped reviewing on the blog.  I was hurt.  Badly.  I didn't stop reading of course, but I felt my reviews were worthless and therefore what was the point in even doing them?

But then someone said, "Jill, I haven't seen a review from you in a while.  Did you change the website address?".  I ended up fibbing that packing and end of the year stuff plus Band/Guard had gotten in the way in terms of time.

I realized that the people who enjoy or at the very least read and don't feel the need to criticize my reviews outnumber the one who would find fault in just about anything.  Someone once called it the NegaTrain.  I don't need to be on that railroad, thanks.

Part II: Where I Am (or We Are, actually)

That's where.

The WHHS LMC, built in 1963, held its last two classes yesterday.  As a student, Millie Kalison and Anne Gabriel were my Librarians.  When I moved down from F214, Marilyn Lynch and Diane Taylor were running the show, assisted by Carol Treacey and Joe Winters.  There were other staff members between like Laura Garceau now at Bailey and Sue Walker who has since retired.  This space was home to many.  I feel a lot like when we had to say goodbye to my mom's house.  The bank can take the physical space, it couldn't take our memories.  These walls were Somewhere to a lot of people.  Although the building will be demolished, the memories remain.  Hold on to those.

Alas, we are ready to move.  Joe, Leona, and I are ready to move across what used to be the courtyard to our new home.  357 boxes of books are lined up along the old ways to move to staging over the summer.  I am absolutely terrified of unpacking it all...

Part III Where Am I Going?
A lot of different places, both physically and mentally.

This summer my husband and I have decided to do a lot of traveling.  Disney (with the Band), Nova Scotia, South Carolina, and New Hampshire are all on the list.  In addition, we've both decided to go radio silent during most of those trips (excluding Disney, we're with the Band afterall).  Meaning staying away from work emails and social media.  We both need to focus on our son, who is leaving Carrigan for Bailey.

Professionally, the K-4 West Haven LMSs and I are rewriting curriculum this summer.  I look forward to modernizing our curriculum, last updated in 2010.  A whole lot has changed in our world since 2010. Mrs. Porto and I are attending EdCampCT in August.  We have gone to Google Summit together and I'm really looking forward to this adventure with her.

I am honored to say Ms. M. has invited to continue serving as Guard Advisor.  Summer rehearsals will being in August (crossing fingers we can actually do so with the construction).

Last, but certainly not least, I am returning to reviewing books via this blog and creating video versions for my teachers and students to view in Classroom.  This summer I have decided to reread some of the books that have inspired me and newly read those I know have inspired others.  Welcome to Summer Reading 2019: Girl Power!

See you back here in a few days!

XOXO,
JW