“All things seem possible in May." - Edwin Way Teale
READING:
The Mistress of the Ritz - From the author of The Aviator's Wife and The Swans of Fifth Avenue (I’ve read them both), this novel, set in the Paris Ritz during and after the Nazi Occupation. Although such iconic residents as Coco Chanel and Ernest Hemingway are featured, the novel centers on Ritz Director, Claude Auzello, and his American wife, Blanche, whose secrets have the potential to change history. Despite my love of Paris in the first half of the 20th Century, I am tiring of Resistance novels which are all starting to be formulaic. And despite having read three of her novels of historical fiction, I’m not captivated by Melanie Benjamin’s writing.
Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators - We are reading this as a coaching cohort and will reread it with administrators in the fall. Although Elena Aguilar is a little too new age for me, she offers a lot of useful tips for managing stress and helping educators develop resilience. I facilitated chapter 1 on knowing oneself. As a cohort, we took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality test and learned a lot about ourselves as individuals and coaches. My type seems to be spot-on. Interested? Take the test here.
In case you missed it, here are the May Links I Love.
WATCHING:
Mad Men - The culture, the clothes, the history, the inappropriate social interactions of 1960’s — It’s even more fun the second time around.
Wine Country - I’m usually skeptical about movies featuring SNL alumni, but this Netflix original wasn’t as sophomoric as I expected. In fact, I could quite relate this funny and sometimes heart-warming reunion of six friends who spend a weekend in Napa to celebrate turning 50. The music is really fun too — The Bangles, Xanadu-era Olivia Newton-John, The Pretenders, and Prince!
Brené Brown - Brené seems to be popping up everywhere — even in the aforementioned Wine Country. I first took notice of her work when her Ted Talk on the Power of Vulnerability was mentioned in Aguilar’s Onward. She’s been featured on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday, has her own special on Netflix (The Call to Courage), and one of her books, The Gifts of Imperfection is featured in our Summer Learning. This month, it really seems like the Universe is sending a consistent message!
ENJOYING:
Lavender lattes
The Tina crab tree, trillium, and Honorine Jobert anemone blooming in my garden
A few flex days off — I shopped for shoes, ate crêpes, and planned for Paris with Nan, visited Julie’s new home and shopped with her at Ikea, and spent a rainy day at home with Piper.
PLANNING:
2019 PHS Summer Learning - Every year, I help plan our summer reading program, but this year, we’ve extended the learning to include reading, listening, and viewing. I’m excited for so much of this: “Pewaukee High School is ecstatic to unveil the 2019 Summer Learning Program, a program closely related to the Summer Reading programs of the past, but a program that better reflects the myriad of ways that people learn in 2019. Maintaining the fidelity of a reading program was important to us as reading is always a great option, but we also recognize that reading is not the only way in which people can learn and continue to grow. Therefore, in addition to some great books, essays, and articles, we have included amazing podcasts, inspiring TedTalks, and thought-provoking movies for people to enjoy and reflect upon. All of the learning opportunities are aligned with the competencies of the Graduate Profile. Also notice that under the umbrella of each of the Graduate Profile competencies, reading, listening, and viewing options are available. Choose a competency. Choose multiple competencies. Choose one or many of the learning options...but most importantly, choose to participate. Learning cannot stop just because the school year has ended. The world we live in today will not allow it. You cannot allow it. Choose to learn. Choose to grow.”
Another trip to Paris in October: The flights and the flat are booked (Want a sneak peak? Click here). This time, it’s a couples’ trip. Eric hasn’t been to Paris for eight years, and it’s been a long time since I was there in the fall. I love planning for different dynamics. Stay tuned for more photos and plans.
LOOKING FORWARD TO:
A change of pace - Although the last day of school is not longer as exciting as it used to be since I work quite a lot in the summer, I am looking forward to a slower pace, coffee in the garden in the morning, reading on the deck, cookouts, and bonfires…
That first glass of chilled rosé on the deck (I mentioned that in March and in April, but it still hasn’t happened!) Who wants to join me?
