Scenes From The Weekend (And an Annoucement)

Hiya Monday. Before I plunge into the week ahead, here's a look at what just concluded:

-School was closed for students on Friday so our faculty could attend the Wonderplay Early Childhood Learning Conference. Photos 1-6 were taken at a nearby nursery school where I participated in a special afternoon session on using natural materials in the classroom. It was one of the most stunningly beautiful spaces I've ever been in. We were allowed to take some materials, and I picked those rainbow wooden spools.

-I people-watched on Columbia's campus before leaving the city (one of my favorite things to do) and contemplated going for a second masters (ha ha ha. That's funny, especially considering I then spent much of Sunday moaning and groaning while writing papers).

-It's hard to believe that the winter holidays are just a few weeks away when the trees in my neighborhood are still singing in color. On Saturday afternoon we walked to the park and drove with the windows down because the weather was so perfect.

-Though that didn't hold me back from welcoming the comfort food of winter (broccoli cheddar soup in a bread bowl) for lunch.

 -But, most importantly, Tiho and I attended the LLS Team in Training kick-off celebration bright and early on Saturday morning. That's right, folks. Papers have been signed, gear has been purchased and a nifty fund-raising website has been set up because on May 1, 2011, we are running the NJ Marathon. Oh and we're pledging to raise $4,000 dollars ($2,000 each) for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as members of Team in Training (TNT).

That's my big announcement. We went to an information session last Tuesday night and impulsively decided to commit. It became official on Saturday when we met our training coaches and teammates. I am excited and terrified and 100% certain that this will be both the hardest and best thing I've ever done. I can't wait to share more, and I will, once training begins, our website goes up, and I find the time to write more comprehensive and cogent sentences about it all.

Our first run is tomorrow (a 2-miler). Which is, by the way, the most I've ever run without stopping.

So yeah, I think it's safe to assume that I am no less than bat shit crazy.