I'm having trouble believing that it's all over. There are no more schools to tour.
I mean, I guess there's always one more place I can visit - the language schools or the Tierrasanta ones - but I've seen all I need to see and I think I'm ending on a good note.
My journey ends with Sunset View, a school that sits high on a hill in Point Loma and has the most spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean. You can watch the waves crash and foam up and do all the oceany things you see in a movie. It was by far the most beautiful location of any place I've visited.
The school in general was pretty typical in the curriculum it offers. Thanks to being in a million-dollar neighborhood, the community picks up the tab on a lot of extras, like drama classes, grassy play areas and teacher aides. Being a true beach town, however, the vibe was much more laid back than La Jolla. The money isn't quite so obvious.
The school goes from K through 4th, which is how all Point Loma schools work. Then they do grades 5 and 6 somewhere else, then middle, then high. I'm not sure if I'm breaking it down accurately, but you get the point. I like that system and think it's smart to keep those ages isolated.
Other observations: great kinder teacher led the tour; they have nap time until January; they assess incoming kinders like at La Jolla; did I mention the view?
Sunset View is a great, small school that is Choice friendly and also has good hours (9:05 to 3:35). It's just so very out of the way. Though I
think making that drive along the ocean would be pretty soothing versus the traffic-heavy trek to La Jolla.
Overall I give it an A minus. I just have to figure out if it works for our circumstances.
(Why is this the only school I've actually graded?)
Now it's time to fill in my Choice paperwork. Stay tuned for the final results . . .
Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Charter school meltdown
Last week, I went to see another school called San Diego Cooperative Charter, or SD Co-Op, or SDCC.
I should have gone straight home to write about how great it was. How it has a giant garden and (relatively) small class size and cool parents. About how logistically it's perfect for us. And how they have an in-house run after-school program that includes things like dance and Spanish.
But as I was enjoying my parent-led tour (all parents are required to volunteer a certain amount of hours there), we were told that due to an outrageously high number of sibling enrollments, there would only be 18 spots open for next year. And they already had 150 applications turned in with more on the way.
The whole thing just got so frustrating. Not specifically at the Co-Op, but the crazy charter lottery thing in general. It's like, what's the point? Why am I spending two hours here - or at any charter school - when the chances of actually getting in are ridiculous? And why is it that this kind of education is only available to people who can luck into it?
Obviously I'm not going to fix the education system, but this project has really allowed me to see a side of the city - both good and bad - I had never experienced.
Sigh.
So, thankfully SDCC was my last charter tour. And even more thankfully, Monday is my absolute last public school tour!
Good thing I already found my new obsession, the Wii Fit. Hopefully I'll burn off all the calories I gained from stress-related cocktails.
I should have gone straight home to write about how great it was. How it has a giant garden and (relatively) small class size and cool parents. About how logistically it's perfect for us. And how they have an in-house run after-school program that includes things like dance and Spanish.
But as I was enjoying my parent-led tour (all parents are required to volunteer a certain amount of hours there), we were told that due to an outrageously high number of sibling enrollments, there would only be 18 spots open for next year. And they already had 150 applications turned in with more on the way.
The whole thing just got so frustrating. Not specifically at the Co-Op, but the crazy charter lottery thing in general. It's like, what's the point? Why am I spending two hours here - or at any charter school - when the chances of actually getting in are ridiculous? And why is it that this kind of education is only available to people who can luck into it?
Obviously I'm not going to fix the education system, but this project has really allowed me to see a side of the city - both good and bad - I had never experienced.
Sigh.
So, thankfully SDCC was my last charter tour. And even more thankfully, Monday is my absolute last public school tour!
Good thing I already found my new obsession, the Wii Fit. Hopefully I'll burn off all the calories I gained from stress-related cocktails.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Perfection, defined
If there is such a thing as a perfect public school, I found it in La Jolla Elementary. That place pretty much has everything you could ever ask for, including:
1. Ideal hours.
The school day is 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
2. Nap time.
The only places that still offer a kindergarten rest time are private schools. And LJ Elementary. They get quiet time after lunch.
3. Challenging curriculum that includes science.
They're paired with a program from UC Berkeley and the principal said if they wanted, they would qualify as a science magnet. And when I went in the K classrooms, the kids were working with actual microscopes.
4. Smaller class size.
Instead of going to 30 kids in one class, they're keeping theirs at 24 because their parent foundation makes enough money to cover the cost.
5. Amazing fundraising.
By the way, guess how much they bring in each year? I heard Hearst brought in $60,000 at their fundraiser last year, Marvin about $50K. So I was expecting to hear a number like that.
Uh, no.
They raised $250,000 last year!! Though most of it is through the open air market they host every Sunday and from events like the La Jolla Food and Wine Festival that donates its proceeds to the three local elementary schools.
6. Clean grounds.
The campus is incredibly clean and well maintained. It's got a bunch of Dr. Seuss themed art because, afterall, that was his neighborhood school.
7. Spacious classrooms.
There are four kinders, three were excellent and one was a bit psychotic with the amount of stuff on the walls. A bit of over-stimulation. But more than enough space for everyone.
8. Cozy atmosphere.
The separate kinder area has its own drop-off section, playground and garden.
9. Library.
Theirs looked a lot like the newer, beautified San Diego school libraries. Only with LJ's extra funds, they added oversized pillows shaped like books and they have very light classical music playing in the background at all times.
10. Test scores.
I don't care about this so much, but their API score is 988 out of 1000, making them the second highest-scoring school in the district. One point behind the first place school, which I believe is Torrey Pines.
11. Technology
In third grade, kids get their own laptop computers.
12. Proximity to coffee/books
The school is next door to one of my favorite cafes, The Pannikin, as well as D.G. Wills, one of the best local bookstores around.
There were a few negatives:
1. La Jolla stereotypes.
La Jolla is a rich neighborhood. And I walked in behind two moms, one had a giant patent leather Chanel bag, the other a giant Louis Vuitton. Another dad in the crowd asked if kids could bring laptops to school before second grade, which came off as kind of ridiculous, even to the other La Jolla parents.
2. Parking.
Parking is impossible and the commute would be pretty nightmarish.
3. Funding.
I assume you're expected to write a big donation check
4. Choice
The chances to Choice in, even if you go to an underperforming school that is re-assigned to go to La Jolla, are practically non-existent. You basically have to move to the area to go and the rent in La Jolla is pretty crazy.
Conclusion:
The school was amazing enough that I would consider moving into a two bedroom townhouse to be able to send the kids there. But I still can't imagine doing pick-up and drop-offs at two different schools so very far from each other.
I think that maybe I'll wait until Ella is old enough for Kindergarten and then we'll figure something out?
It really was that spectacular.
1. Ideal hours.
The school day is 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
2. Nap time.
The only places that still offer a kindergarten rest time are private schools. And LJ Elementary. They get quiet time after lunch.
3. Challenging curriculum that includes science.
They're paired with a program from UC Berkeley and the principal said if they wanted, they would qualify as a science magnet. And when I went in the K classrooms, the kids were working with actual microscopes.
4. Smaller class size.
Instead of going to 30 kids in one class, they're keeping theirs at 24 because their parent foundation makes enough money to cover the cost.
5. Amazing fundraising.
By the way, guess how much they bring in each year? I heard Hearst brought in $60,000 at their fundraiser last year, Marvin about $50K. So I was expecting to hear a number like that.
Uh, no.
They raised $250,000 last year!! Though most of it is through the open air market they host every Sunday and from events like the La Jolla Food and Wine Festival that donates its proceeds to the three local elementary schools.
6. Clean grounds.
The campus is incredibly clean and well maintained. It's got a bunch of Dr. Seuss themed art because, afterall, that was his neighborhood school.
7. Spacious classrooms.
There are four kinders, three were excellent and one was a bit psychotic with the amount of stuff on the walls. A bit of over-stimulation. But more than enough space for everyone.
8. Cozy atmosphere.
The separate kinder area has its own drop-off section, playground and garden.
9. Library.
Theirs looked a lot like the newer, beautified San Diego school libraries. Only with LJ's extra funds, they added oversized pillows shaped like books and they have very light classical music playing in the background at all times.
10. Test scores.
I don't care about this so much, but their API score is 988 out of 1000, making them the second highest-scoring school in the district. One point behind the first place school, which I believe is Torrey Pines.
11. Technology
In third grade, kids get their own laptop computers.
12. Proximity to coffee/books
The school is next door to one of my favorite cafes, The Pannikin, as well as D.G. Wills, one of the best local bookstores around.
There were a few negatives:
1. La Jolla stereotypes.
La Jolla is a rich neighborhood. And I walked in behind two moms, one had a giant patent leather Chanel bag, the other a giant Louis Vuitton. Another dad in the crowd asked if kids could bring laptops to school before second grade, which came off as kind of ridiculous, even to the other La Jolla parents.
2. Parking.
Parking is impossible and the commute would be pretty nightmarish.
3. Funding.
I assume you're expected to write a big donation check
4. Choice
The chances to Choice in, even if you go to an underperforming school that is re-assigned to go to La Jolla, are practically non-existent. You basically have to move to the area to go and the rent in La Jolla is pretty crazy.
Conclusion:
The school was amazing enough that I would consider moving into a two bedroom townhouse to be able to send the kids there. But I still can't imagine doing pick-up and drop-offs at two different schools so very far from each other.
I think that maybe I'll wait until Ella is old enough for Kindergarten and then we'll figure something out?
It really was that spectacular.
From blog to front page
Well, so look what happened. . .
Turns out my crazy search has been somewhat justified in the form of a front page Sunday article about School Choice.
Turns out my crazy search has been somewhat justified in the form of a front page Sunday article about School Choice.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Deconstructing the options
This school choice thing is confusing. And because my national readership (of one) has requested I explain how the system works in San Diego, here we go:
1. Go to my neighborhood school.
If I chose this option, I do nothing but walk over to the office, register and I'm in. Likelihood: medium to low.
2. Charter
Charters are public schools that govern themselves. From what I understand, they get funded by the district but as long as they keep test scores up, they can hire their own teachers and teach their own curriculum. These are controversial because often they take over low-performing schools and the teachers don't have to be union.
Some, however, have such innovative programs that they have very long waiting lists for maybe 15 to 25 spots. So this is where the lottery comes in.
You apply to each charter school individually and they basically pick names out of a hat, just like in the movies "The Lottery" and "Waiting for Superman." I have my name in four lotteries and find out in February if we get in.
Likelihood: ?? It all depends on how many parents are also in the lottery.
3. Choice
In San Diego you have the option to go to any school in the district as long as there's space available. Some schools, called magnets, have specialties like communications or sports. They're required to have diverse populations and bus in kids from lower-income areas. Others on the choice list are just neighborhood schools with good reputations.
The Choice application requires you to rank your top five schools - regular or magnet - in order and you're guaranteed one of the five. But only one. So that's why I've been touring so much. I want to be absolutely confident in my decision.
My tentative order: Benchley/Weinberger (which is a communications magnet by my house so chances are on the lower side), La Jolla Elementary, Hearst, Dailard and Muir? Maybe? Likelihood of that happening: medium.
4. Stay where we are
Private schools most definitely will not have 30 students in one class. I won't have to worry about shenanigans and bullies in after school programs. Likelihood: Depending on financial aid, high.
Phew. I need a beer.
1. Go to my neighborhood school.
If I chose this option, I do nothing but walk over to the office, register and I'm in. Likelihood: medium to low.
2. Charter
Charters are public schools that govern themselves. From what I understand, they get funded by the district but as long as they keep test scores up, they can hire their own teachers and teach their own curriculum. These are controversial because often they take over low-performing schools and the teachers don't have to be union.
Some, however, have such innovative programs that they have very long waiting lists for maybe 15 to 25 spots. So this is where the lottery comes in.
You apply to each charter school individually and they basically pick names out of a hat, just like in the movies "The Lottery" and "Waiting for Superman." I have my name in four lotteries and find out in February if we get in.
Likelihood: ?? It all depends on how many parents are also in the lottery.
3. Choice
In San Diego you have the option to go to any school in the district as long as there's space available. Some schools, called magnets, have specialties like communications or sports. They're required to have diverse populations and bus in kids from lower-income areas. Others on the choice list are just neighborhood schools with good reputations.
The Choice application requires you to rank your top five schools - regular or magnet - in order and you're guaranteed one of the five. But only one. So that's why I've been touring so much. I want to be absolutely confident in my decision.
My tentative order: Benchley/Weinberger (which is a communications magnet by my house so chances are on the lower side), La Jolla Elementary, Hearst, Dailard and Muir? Maybe? Likelihood of that happening: medium.
4. Stay where we are
Private schools most definitely will not have 30 students in one class. I won't have to worry about shenanigans and bullies in after school programs. Likelihood: Depending on financial aid, high.
Phew. I need a beer.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
School tours bonanza, day three, part two
I went to Marvin with zero expectation and was pretty much blown away by it. Then I went to Hearst with all the expectations in the world and I wasn't totally enamored.
I'm not really sure what the problem is. Or if there's even one at all.
Hearst is the highest-rated school in my neighborhood and one of the best in San Diego. Parents who send their kids there love it and say it's like a private school. It's across the street from a synagogue and many of the students are Jewish.
The tour was different than anything I've experienced. It was held after a short day of school and parents crowded into one of the classrooms where all three kindergarten teachers and the principal addressed us. It was more like an orientation, telling us about what kinds of snacks to pack and how big the backpacks should be. Stuff I don't really need to know right now.
The teachers were on the older side, which I like because they've dealt with big class sizes before and are very confident that every child will thrive. But they're very obviously set in their ways, too.
This is one of the few schools that had play areas with blocks and toy kitchens; one of the teachers told me later that when Alan Bersin was the superintendent, they banned blocks and even took crayons away from the kindergartners. So I'm glad that's changed.
The campus isn't as well-kept as Marvin, you can tell it's on the older side. But the kinder area was very peaceful and lovely and also had a garden, library and atmosphere that I liked.
I know that the girls would get a good, solid public school education here. And because it's two miles away from our house, they'd make some area friends.
I think perhaps I am being too hard on the school? It's almost time to fill out my Choice list and Hearst is definitely going on it. I just need to figure out if it's still at the top.
I'm not really sure what the problem is. Or if there's even one at all.
Hearst is the highest-rated school in my neighborhood and one of the best in San Diego. Parents who send their kids there love it and say it's like a private school. It's across the street from a synagogue and many of the students are Jewish.
The tour was different than anything I've experienced. It was held after a short day of school and parents crowded into one of the classrooms where all three kindergarten teachers and the principal addressed us. It was more like an orientation, telling us about what kinds of snacks to pack and how big the backpacks should be. Stuff I don't really need to know right now.
The teachers were on the older side, which I like because they've dealt with big class sizes before and are very confident that every child will thrive. But they're very obviously set in their ways, too.
This is one of the few schools that had play areas with blocks and toy kitchens; one of the teachers told me later that when Alan Bersin was the superintendent, they banned blocks and even took crayons away from the kindergartners. So I'm glad that's changed.
The campus isn't as well-kept as Marvin, you can tell it's on the older side. But the kinder area was very peaceful and lovely and also had a garden, library and atmosphere that I liked.
I know that the girls would get a good, solid public school education here. And because it's two miles away from our house, they'd make some area friends.
I think perhaps I am being too hard on the school? It's almost time to fill out my Choice list and Hearst is definitely going on it. I just need to figure out if it's still at the top.
School tours bonanza, day three, part one
The only reason I toured Marvin Elementary is because it's my neighborhood school and I didn't want to do this project without even checking it out.
And, OF COURSE, I loved it. All this work, all these posts and the school that's right in front of me is the one I like best (so far). How did my life turn into a Nora Ephron movie?
I was immediately impressed when I showed up and they required everyone to sign in on this computer that takes your picture and then prints out a badge with your name and image on it. You also had to sign out. So that's a pretty secure campus.
The tour was led by an actual kindergarten teacher, so she was able to answer the specific questions parents had. The principal made an appearance at the beginning to talk about the school's junior-k program. Marvin is one of the only schools with a free JK program, which Marina doesn't need but Ella definitely will.
The school was very clean, very green and well maintained. They also have a dedicated science classroom and their curriculum is very science-oriented. They have P.E. three times a week, which actually is more than most places. It's run by the kinder teacher, so it's more about getting the kids active than a regimented program.
There are two kinder classes. The one belonging to the tour guide was fantastic. There was an area that had bleacher seats arranged in a U for story time. It sounds weird, but it actually felt cozy and sort of ensures kids are paying attention, not just rolling around on the floor. She said she had two advanced readers and they were sitting together doing a separate project. The other kinder class, though, didn't give me a great feeling. It was one of the most chaotic rooms I've seen so far. It was small and cluttered and didn't leave the best impression.
The JK was really warm and happy. The principal said it's where younger kids learn to be students. They seemed to be doing Kindergarten type work with letters, but there was definitely more coloring going on. The kids don't sit at a table for longer than 15 minutes.
Other good things: beautiful library, giant garden area with compost, science class has lizards and bugs. And best of all? We can walk there. At 8:45 I put chicken in the crock pot, left at 8:50 and still got there way before the 9 a.m. start time. I never went to a neighborhood school, but I like the idea of it.
Negatives: it seems like the school is as good as the teacher you get, which I'm sure is the case everywhere, but this seemed to be an extreme example. Not very Jewish, though they do get a few students. Going to Marvin would tie us to our current house for longer than we really want to stay.
In the end, I'm very surprised at the quality of my neighborhood school. And if no other option works out, I *think* I'm confident with what we have.
And, OF COURSE, I loved it. All this work, all these posts and the school that's right in front of me is the one I like best (so far). How did my life turn into a Nora Ephron movie?
I was immediately impressed when I showed up and they required everyone to sign in on this computer that takes your picture and then prints out a badge with your name and image on it. You also had to sign out. So that's a pretty secure campus.
The tour was led by an actual kindergarten teacher, so she was able to answer the specific questions parents had. The principal made an appearance at the beginning to talk about the school's junior-k program. Marvin is one of the only schools with a free JK program, which Marina doesn't need but Ella definitely will.
The school was very clean, very green and well maintained. They also have a dedicated science classroom and their curriculum is very science-oriented. They have P.E. three times a week, which actually is more than most places. It's run by the kinder teacher, so it's more about getting the kids active than a regimented program.
There are two kinder classes. The one belonging to the tour guide was fantastic. There was an area that had bleacher seats arranged in a U for story time. It sounds weird, but it actually felt cozy and sort of ensures kids are paying attention, not just rolling around on the floor. She said she had two advanced readers and they were sitting together doing a separate project. The other kinder class, though, didn't give me a great feeling. It was one of the most chaotic rooms I've seen so far. It was small and cluttered and didn't leave the best impression.
The JK was really warm and happy. The principal said it's where younger kids learn to be students. They seemed to be doing Kindergarten type work with letters, but there was definitely more coloring going on. The kids don't sit at a table for longer than 15 minutes.
Other good things: beautiful library, giant garden area with compost, science class has lizards and bugs. And best of all? We can walk there. At 8:45 I put chicken in the crock pot, left at 8:50 and still got there way before the 9 a.m. start time. I never went to a neighborhood school, but I like the idea of it.
Negatives: it seems like the school is as good as the teacher you get, which I'm sure is the case everywhere, but this seemed to be an extreme example. Not very Jewish, though they do get a few students. Going to Marvin would tie us to our current house for longer than we really want to stay.
In the end, I'm very surprised at the quality of my neighborhood school. And if no other option works out, I *think* I'm confident with what we have.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
School tours bonanza, day two
Marie Curie in University City was where I went today.
University City is a pretty small community that's made up of a lot of UCSD professors and staff. So it's an intellectual crowd and on the higher end of the middle class scale.
Still, I was surprised at the size of this tour: at least 50 parents, all armed with very informed questions about budget cuts and, yes, a few questions about the gifted programs.
Again, they said they had extra P.E. and art and science, but realistically it was similar to the other places I've seen.
It's a massive place - almost 500 students and five kindergarten classrooms.
That being said, the school had a really warm, peaceful vibe to it. There's lots of garden space, a wide, open campus and a community of involved parents. I could picture us there for sure if we lived in the neighborhood.
But I'm not going to put it on my list because the commute is seriously nightmarish. I signed up for the tour, not remembering the crazy amount of traffic through the Golden Triangle. It's a problem no matter which freeway I chose and it would hit us both in the morning and in the afternoon.
So I'm looking forward to tomorrow since it's a neighborhood day, both my local schools - Hearst and Marvin - have tours.
Since before this search began, I've felt like if we don't stay at private we'd do anything to get into Hearst. My cousins went there, I have a good number of friends who send their kids there and it has a great reputation.
I think I'm putting myself in a Museum School stype situation, where I have very high expectation and I hope that the place lives up to my hype.
University City is a pretty small community that's made up of a lot of UCSD professors and staff. So it's an intellectual crowd and on the higher end of the middle class scale.
Still, I was surprised at the size of this tour: at least 50 parents, all armed with very informed questions about budget cuts and, yes, a few questions about the gifted programs.
Again, they said they had extra P.E. and art and science, but realistically it was similar to the other places I've seen.
It's a massive place - almost 500 students and five kindergarten classrooms.
That being said, the school had a really warm, peaceful vibe to it. There's lots of garden space, a wide, open campus and a community of involved parents. I could picture us there for sure if we lived in the neighborhood.
But I'm not going to put it on my list because the commute is seriously nightmarish. I signed up for the tour, not remembering the crazy amount of traffic through the Golden Triangle. It's a problem no matter which freeway I chose and it would hit us both in the morning and in the afternoon.
So I'm looking forward to tomorrow since it's a neighborhood day, both my local schools - Hearst and Marvin - have tours.
Since before this search began, I've felt like if we don't stay at private we'd do anything to get into Hearst. My cousins went there, I have a good number of friends who send their kids there and it has a great reputation.
I think I'm putting myself in a Museum School stype situation, where I have very high expectation and I hope that the place lives up to my hype.
Monday, January 10, 2011
School tours bonanza, day one
This is a pretty intense week: four tours in three days.
So you'd think I'd be at the top of my game, but I was completely distracted during my visit to Clairemont's John Muir, the only K through 12 public school in the city of San Diego.
I had to file an article during the intro presentation. And the tour was going to make me late for my second hospital volunteering shift, which doesn't make me look like a dedicated or responsible person whatsoever.
Anyway.
John Muir's thing is about being a global village and making its students aware of the world, which is pretty awesome. The kids exchange projects, like homemade bookmarks, with other kids in Russia or South America or even somewhere else in the U.S. It's a very small place, only 425 students including the high school.
There are two kindergarten classes and they've got a nice area with a playground and a separate lunch room.
I didn't really pay attention to the amount of hours they spend on art and music and P.E. It all seems to be the same wherever you go, even though each school tells you they're unique in what they offer. What I hadn't seen before, though, was kindergartners in a science lab. The kids were in a dedicated science room figuring out what particle boards are made from.
The classrooms all have Smartboards and super nice Macs. The kids seemed well behaved and respectful. The hours are 9 a.m. to 3:45, which is ideal for my schedule. The bathrooms were clean. And overall I liked it. It's definitely going on the top five list.
I didn't really find any glaring negatives, unless I start nitpicking. Or maybe I just don't have the motivation to find fault because I'm not sure if I could truly, honestly see us there.
That's what's been most frustrating lately. I like plenty of places, but not many have felt like OUR place. And that's really what it all comes down to.
So you'd think I'd be at the top of my game, but I was completely distracted during my visit to Clairemont's John Muir, the only K through 12 public school in the city of San Diego.
I had to file an article during the intro presentation. And the tour was going to make me late for my second hospital volunteering shift, which doesn't make me look like a dedicated or responsible person whatsoever.
Anyway.
John Muir's thing is about being a global village and making its students aware of the world, which is pretty awesome. The kids exchange projects, like homemade bookmarks, with other kids in Russia or South America or even somewhere else in the U.S. It's a very small place, only 425 students including the high school.
There are two kindergarten classes and they've got a nice area with a playground and a separate lunch room.
I didn't really pay attention to the amount of hours they spend on art and music and P.E. It all seems to be the same wherever you go, even though each school tells you they're unique in what they offer. What I hadn't seen before, though, was kindergartners in a science lab. The kids were in a dedicated science room figuring out what particle boards are made from.
The classrooms all have Smartboards and super nice Macs. The kids seemed well behaved and respectful. The hours are 9 a.m. to 3:45, which is ideal for my schedule. The bathrooms were clean. And overall I liked it. It's definitely going on the top five list.
I didn't really find any glaring negatives, unless I start nitpicking. Or maybe I just don't have the motivation to find fault because I'm not sure if I could truly, honestly see us there.
That's what's been most frustrating lately. I like plenty of places, but not many have felt like OUR place. And that's really what it all comes down to.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Out of place
It's been a long time since I was in an unfamiliar environment, a place where I don't know a single person, let alone how to get around the building.
So you can say my first day as a hospital volunteer was mentally and physically exhausting. It's a whole different world there, with its own language and uniform and hierarchy. Taking all that in was pretty overwhelming, even though all I actually did was find various hospital departments in a scavenger hunt type thing and make a bunch of copies.
I've been placed in a nursing department that takes care of people staying in the hospital for a short time, like after a stroke or a car accident. I didn't have to deal with patients today, which was fine with me since it was all so very new and scary.
At this point, I can't say whether or not I like it, but I am happy that I'm giving myself the opportunity to find out.
And in case you've been wondering about my cooking experiment, I won't go into details but I did make something fresh every day except for the day my brother got married. Some highlights include homemade whipped cream and champagne pomegranate punch. And, yes, there was real food in there, I promise.
So you can say my first day as a hospital volunteer was mentally and physically exhausting. It's a whole different world there, with its own language and uniform and hierarchy. Taking all that in was pretty overwhelming, even though all I actually did was find various hospital departments in a scavenger hunt type thing and make a bunch of copies.
I've been placed in a nursing department that takes care of people staying in the hospital for a short time, like after a stroke or a car accident. I didn't have to deal with patients today, which was fine with me since it was all so very new and scary.
At this point, I can't say whether or not I like it, but I am happy that I'm giving myself the opportunity to find out.
And in case you've been wondering about my cooking experiment, I won't go into details but I did make something fresh every day except for the day my brother got married. Some highlights include homemade whipped cream and champagne pomegranate punch. And, yes, there was real food in there, I promise.
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