September 11, 2005 - 11:10 PM
Well, my first week is now behind me as I prepare my heart and mind for the next one.
For some reason, these first few weeks are always difficult for me. I hate how my schedule always seems like it's up in the air, and getting use to new
schools, kids and staff are a process.
The week started off on a good note. Geneva was over whatever she had and although she dealt with bad gas the first day, that was the end of her tummy
trouble. I don't know what got it all going, but I'm glad for her and me it didn't last long.
When we got to Olympic High on Tuesday morning, even though Geneva had only been there a few times in early June, she acted as though she remembered it
well, walking with confidence; making the turn down the ramp and finding my office door, just like that. Throughout the week, she would weave me through
the crowd of teenagers, who are always oblivious to our presence, with ease. I brought a rug for her and put it under my desk and she lays under there
quietly most of the time, only coming out to greet staff who walk by, stopping to see her. She of course meets them with her dancing body and wagging
tail, a greeting that could melt away anyone's troubles and bring a smile to their face.
One of my new schools this year is Tracyton Elementary, where I'll be spending most afternoons. The class I am in is a self contained classroom with 9
students 4-6 graders. I have 2 students in there who are visually impaired, and one in particular who I will be working with the most. His name is Adam,
and we are just in the beginning stages of getting to know one another. So, I'm in transition mode, and still a little uncomfortable with what I'm doing.
But the staff in this room are wonderful and have made me feel very welcome and accepted.
I will begin each day at Oly, as I'm Chris's first and third period classes, teaching Jaws on the computer during first , and Braille, focusing on him reading
it tactally, during third. It looks like I'll be working with 2 other students every other Thursday afternoon, but those details still need to be worked
out.
Early in the week, Nick Terrones had contacted me and asked if he could borrow Geneva for a fund-raising benefit for GDB at a winery in the Seattle area.
He wanted to bring a young dog to do a demonstration but didn't want to have to connect with the Boring Campus to get it. Anyway, the long and short
of it is, I knew that I was going to be making a round trip to Yakima on Saturday by car, the day of this event, and so I agreed to let him take her.
I thought she'd probably be fine missing a 4 hour drive each way at my feet on the floorboard of my dad's car and then lying under a table during a 7 hour
meeting. So yesterday, while I was at a Rehab Council meeting for Department of Services for the Blind, Geneva was at a winery, wowing attendees and being
Nick's beautiful escort.
Nick came over on Friday afternoon around 4:00pm and picked Geneva up. She went with him willingly. Then I was off to Port Orchard around 5:00 to attend
a social gathering at a local mexican restaurant for the Class of '80 from South Kitsap High. Yes, this was the weekend of my 25 year reunion. And although
I wasn't going to attend the formal affair last night, I did decide to go to the informal event. Of course, the entire bus ride there, I wondered why
I was going. I hadn't connected with anyone to go with me and so, cane in hand, I was doing it on my own with great reluctance. You can't imagine how
relieved I was when my mom called me to ask where I was and I let her know that we were dropping someone off and then I'd be at the restaurant. And then
I asked her where she was, and she said, "Puerta Viarda." I hadn't asked her to come, but oh how glad I was that she did. When I arrived in the bar,
she came up to me and showed me to her table. She hadn't seen any evidence of people from my class. So we ate taquitos, drank a soda and talked. A little
after 6:00, she spotted a couple who she thought might be from my class. She showed me to their table and I asked them if they were, and they were. I
asked if I could join them, and of course they said yes. Cliff knew who I was, but I didn't remember him. He introduced me to his wife Mary, who also
graduated with us. A few minutes later, others started trickling in. I could have stayed longer, but a half hour was enough for me. Those who came up
to our table or walked by, were not people I remembered. In fact, only one person was there that I really knew. He came up from behind me and said, "here's
a voice from your past. It was John Klootz, a nice young man who I went on a blind date with for the Home Coming Dance. He had flown out for this weekend
from Virginia where he has been living for many years now. Anyway, while I was trying to be social, mom was ordering food to go for the family. When
her order was ready, I was fine to leave, and happy to be at my parent's home and relax the rest of the evening.
I was up at 3:30am and we were on the road at 4:15 heading to Yakima. Dad got me home around 6:45pm, just as Nick drove up with Geneva. What timing!
She was certainly happy to see me, whining, mouthing at me, rubbing against me, dancing joyfully, practically climbing into my lap. But Nick said she
did great while with him. He also said that I could be proud of her and how she did. And of course I am!
Lyle and Madison had just gotten home late that afternoon from a 3 day jaunt to Butte Montana. Our friends, Jack and Frances were buying a tractor from
Lyle's dad, and so they rented a truck to go pick it up. Although Lyle would've liked a longer stay, he only got about 24 hours in Butte, but his sister
threw together a family gathering on Friday, so he was able to spend some time with his parents, brother, 3 out of his 4 sisters, nieces and nephews, etc.
So as you might imagine, Lyle and I spent a lazy Sunday at home today, both very tired from our respective weeks end activities.
Now, besides having a busy yet productive week, Nick did bring me back a bottle of wine, Huckleberry Blush, when he returned Geneva. The idea of opening
it up last night sure sounded good, but I was just too darn tired. I guess I'll have to enjoy it another time.
We had someone come by and look at the van today who might take it off our hands. Amelia is still working day to day to find her way to work, and I'm still
trying to find a car that runs and we can afford. I know it's out there.
Amanda has made it through her first week of 9th grade, and seems to be happy with her classes, now that we got her out of Spanish 2 and into Marine Science.
Tomorrow is a new day, the beginning of a new week and Geneva and I are ready and raring to go.
I'm feeling very blessed.
Hugs,
Cindy & Geneva
