Thursday, February 21, 2008

my lovers all over town

ha. the roots are playing at the apollo tomorrow night. and i'm being good and not making myself poor in efforts to try and go. i saw them right after their last album came out, and unless they're working on a new one and will be playing new music (which, i guess IS a possibility but i'm hoping not) i'll have seen a pretty decent show already with all their great hits and some new shit.

tuesday, though, i'm going to see some other loves...my literary loves. they're having a 50th anniversary tribute to the publication of chinua achebe's things fall apart. on the list: chris abani, chimamanda ngozi adichie, edwidge danticat, suheir hammad, ha jin, colum mccan, toni morrison (!!!!!!) and others.

i get to sit next to a really good friend (we bought tix separately, but ironically got them together) from rutgers that i dont see nearly as much anymore, and i'm taking my new friend who worked with abani.

things have been interesting lately. i love my jobs. i love the kids i work with. the co-workers could use some work, but i'm thinking about the kids. however, i am applying for full-time positions. i am looking for a salary.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

day before valentines day

so i couldn't come up with a clever title. so i had to lay it out like it is. so far 2008 has been a whirlwind of blessings and surprises. things have been given and taken away. the universe has stayed constant in its energy and i feel the drag and push, the propelling and the retracting. and i am still thankful.

i've decided to stay in the area for at least the two years i bargained for. my next move will be to get into nyc. right now i'm working two wonderful jobs that i adore. the challenge now is to figure out this new schedule and fit writing into it. that's something that i've been lazy about -- writing. imagine that. what is giving me hope is thinking about the things that i require of my students and figuring out how i can fulfill them in my own writings. too, what's helping me push the pen is this new friendship i'm fostering with a fellow writer. i think we push each other in our own ways to do what needs to be done, to at least talk about this writing life, and our dreams.

speaking of friendships, i have to say i'm soo thankful for this one. we met at a training at one of my jobs. we've been in the area for about the same amount of time, and both really just want to have fun and live and explore every facet of the city. so, we are charting the map by seeking out desserts. which is fun. we've decided so far right now the village is our favorite side of town, and we've been known to hunt far and wide in the freezing cold for a cupcake. it's that serious. but that fun. and it's allowing me to figure out the city with someone who is trying to figure out the city. it's like discovering your college town with your new college friends all over. except, we dont have to worry about school, and for that, i'm thankful.

what else am i thankful for? the blessings that will be coming this year. i have a great feeling about 2008. i just have to sit down and do the work that will produce the results. that is the biggest challenge. doing the work. finding the discipline.

speaking of. i need to be off to work, but there's a monsoon outside my window and days like today i think i'd much rather sleep in my bed and have nothing to do with rain or ice or snow. two days ago, it was so cold (14 degrees but said to feel like -7) i contemplated going back south.

but i'm fighting it. i'm going to break nyc. and conquer it. and get from it what i need.