The Introvert's Challenge

• The hardest thing about summer? School is on break and I very much miss working with students and seeing them grow.  I love teaching and coaching. It is one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. 
• The easiest thing about summer? Lot's of time to think, brainstorm, learn and create.  These activities are among the core features of my life. 
• The introvert's challenge? Summer's lack of interacting with students means less people time. I could easily become a recluse, thinking, brainstorming, learning, creating, but that would lack a healthy balance. My summer challenges include getting out and interacting with people more. I know that people rarely see me as an introvert but I solidly am one. I'm going to be blog-posting here about my summer activities. 
  • I'm taking a beading class.  I have been working with beads since I was 27 and my next birthday will celebrate 63 so beading is a passion that never seems to fade. During the school year, teaching takes priority so while I'm on break I can dive into the more complex projects that I love. The class is in Tustin and includes about 35-40 really great ladies. The teacher is amazing;. Her name is Annette Hernandez.  The summer projects are beadweaving using Super-duos. My own goal is to do the weekly project and then create my own design(s) based on the weekly class project.  I'll be posting some photos. 
    • Side Note: so far I've realized a prior connection with two of the women attending class. Bonnie I knew from the OC Polymer Clay Guild that I used to be part of. The other prior connection was just discovered last week: my 7th grade English teacher, Mrs. Casaw! As a teacher, she was a prize. I am delighted to renew my acquaintance with both of these ladies. 
  • I'm making a habit of hitting the Tustin Farmer's Market. This week I only bought a couple tomatoes, peaches, and a loaf of rosemary sourdough bread. Next week, I think I'll try lunch there. The market is in Old Town Tustin so it is a great place to walk the block. 
  • I joined a book club with a unique twist: each month, you choose a selection from the specified Dewey Decimal section and then briefly share what you learned. This past month was the 600s and I chose "The Teenage Brain, a Neuroscientist's Survival Guide to  Raising Adolescents and Young Adults" by Frances E. Jensen. I both read it and listened to it on Audible. I actually learned a lot about my own brain. I think it is a book that everyone should read. Next month is the 700 section of the Dewey Decimal system. 
  • I've been playing bingo at the senior center! I know you are smiling but you shouldn't laugh! Did you know it isn't just five-in-a-row? It's WAY more complex.  I love games but usually complain about games that don't require strategy or skill. Bingo it is an opportunity to meet new people so I'll put up with it for now. Besides, I won last week and the prize was $48! 
  •  I'm actually smitten with the senior center. When the season gets warm and I don't want to run the air conditioner, that's where I plan to stay cool. They have several lounge areas. They serve lunch Monday through Friday ($3 donation). I've eaten there a couple times. They have many class and activity offerings. (I'm considering learning to play bridge.) 

This isn't a complete run down of all I've been doing (lesson-planning, re-organizing everythingin my home) but these are some of the new things.  It took some self-coaching to get this introvert to act more extroverted but the summer is off to a fabulous beginning! 
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