We’re getting down to it, folks. One more week, and it’s not even a full one. I shouldn’t be surprised that we’re at the end of the year, but I am. Our calendar is always ticking forward, so it’s not surprising that December 19th comes after the 18th, or that Week 51 precedes Week 52, but I don’t feel as though I’ve ticked forward— made progress in meaningful ways— so I’m taken aback that another 365 days have gone by.
What have I done with them?
This photo journal is, I suppose, evidence that I have done something with those days— that my perception that nothing has changed is off, misguided. And after all, I did go on a cross-country road trip with my dad. I did make the choice to stay at VVS instead of taking the job in the Bronx. I did finish revising my manuscript (and then start revising it again)…
So the question, then, isn’t “What have I done with them?” but “How have they changed me?”
Sunday
I have a growing appreciation for the little moments in my life that I get to spend with people who are not a part of my every day experience, but still a huge part of the overall picture.
Monday
I’m more flexible with things at school. Like a last minute field trip. As Christina and I like to say (we stole this from some meme): “If you wait until last minute, all it takes is a minute.” This is very contrary to the way I normally operate when it comes to school stuff, but I’ve learned to adapt.
Tuesday
I’m also more “all in” at VVS than I have been in previous years because I made the decision to stay.
Here we see a Dazzlerito production (Ben Daley and Tiffany Azzarito). One for the books. Kandy with a K (and a British accent) and Dr. Otto Von Maplestick (with a German/French-Canadian? accent) instructing the kids on how the school-wide gingerbread house competition and candy cane experiment were going to work.
I absolutely love working with Ben.
Wednesday
And the event was a big hit. Who doesn’t love the idea of constructing gingerbread houses that can withstand natural disasters, and then destroying said gingerbread houses with LEAF BLOWERS.
It was laughter everywhere as you walked through the halls, and it made the stress and long hours worth it.
Thursday
I also started to realize that new experiences don’t have to occur in new places. I got invited to go caroling right here in Utica, NY, and by jolly, I did it!
Friday
Another valuable lesson I learned is that Steven and I have much more fun wrapping presents when we have to Macgyver that shit. What can I say— we’re resourceful.
Saturday
This picture doesn’t represent anything I learned or a way that I’ve changed. I just love puppies.