Several months ago, I drove up north with a good chunk of the senior class and a super fun group of co-workers to chaperone their 'Group 4 project,' which is part of the science requirement for IB. While traveling I mentioned to my good friend Brad I wanted to become more interesting. He scoffed and replied that he thought I was already pretty interesting: I'm well-read, dedicated teacher, music lover good friend and faithful sister/daughter. He commented that I'm extremely social while taking time for myself when I need it, and devoting myself to the kids in the form of coaching and whatnot.
True. And I'm grateful he didn't say, "Yea, you know, you're right. You are kinda boring. I've been meaning to talk with you about that."
But I have no real hobbies. I guess that what's I meant when I said I wanted to be more interesting. Once we brainstormed a bit, and multiple things immediately got checked off the list, most adamantly firing lessons, I realized I do have plenty of interests for which I just don't necessarily have an outlet (shooting guns isn't one of them - it might've been a long trip and we might've gone a little overboard with the suggestions).
So, as 2012 came to a close, and my 30th year began, I reviewed my interests and did some creative thinking to see how best I could expand my horizons. Here's what I've got:
Yoga - I decided to start an aerial yoga class at the local circus school called The Detroit Flyhouse. Classes start in late February, and promise me trapeze, improved balance, the elusive back bend (my nemesis on the mat) and a potential new career. They did not promise feathers or a red sequined costume but I'm hopeful.
Giraffes - Recently as part of a Poe lesson, I asked students what excited me (there was a point, I promise). They responded in this order: George Clooney. Giraffes. Literature. 30 year old men who DON'T like My Little Ponies. (Side note: Are you aware of this sub-culture known as the Bronies? So.Weird. We talk about this oddity more often than is really appropriate in this highly academic environment.) Anyway, the point is that I love giraffes, and as much time as I spent up-close with these gentle creatures in Kenya, I have not had much contact with them than my weekly zoo trips and Discovery's new series, Africa. So, I'm training to be a volunteer at the zoo. While I've been warned "I DON'T GET TO TOUCH OR FEED THE ANIMALS" on multiple occasions, the idea of sharing my quirky animal facts and internal monologues I make up for the animals with zoo visitors excites me immensely.
LIBRES - Inspired by a recent book called The Happiness Project, I joined a group which reads YA and children's literature with the purpose of making curricular connections. The author created a book club to discuss 'just for fun' books based in her love for children's fiction. I already participate in a book club, and while I love it, this new endeavor also allows me to dream about the imaginary classroom I'd create if state standards or the IB didn't exist and we could just read and do fun projects with the rich literature. And if I had the patience for younger students.
Spanish - It is just stupid that I don't speak conversational Spanish. I've traveled to a number of Spanish-speaking places, my best friends speak beautiful Spanish, and I've attempted several times (admittedly, half-assed) to learn the language. This time .. I'm all in. Through LiveMocha, I'm doing it: weekly courses online, complete with feedback from native speakers and recording myself to hear my improving accent.
So .. while I don't think I am boring, I do think there is more to life than grading papers and zoning out in front of the TV when my brain fries from the papers. One of the components of The Happiness Project encourages "being [insert your name here]." What we value about ourselves -- and what we also beat ourselves up over -- is the "being Sarah" component. All of it - the good, the bad, and the ugly - is part of who I am and who I am sometimes means staying home, curled up with a really good book or soaking in a hot tub, on a Saturday night. That part - being a homebody - comes pretty naturally to me; I'm still working on the not judging myself for it part! In 2013, being Sarah means exploring my interests, not because it'll make me more interesting, but because I want to be ME, and being me isn't the frazzled and exhausted paper-grader I sometimes catch myself impersonating. Oh, and 2013 also means turning 30. The good news is that I plan to do it in an interesting way. Cheers!
