And then on Saturday

All in all, this week went well.  The first full week of school and activities usually feels tiring, but this year, it somehow seemed less stressful.  I guess we're getting used to finding a new routine each year.  It's hard not to think of this as "the last year" though, since next fall might seem very different if Nate goes off to college.

Abbie seems to like high school.  I'm sure she's showing signs of maturity, but I also feel that she's less anxious.  Middle school was hard for her, I think.  She seems to like her classes, complains about a few of the teachers, but doesn't mind the work.  I think she's also gaining confidence as a student.  She's always done well  in school, and she's beginning to see herself in that light.

She's now taking 6 hours of dance classes each week.  It's a big bump from last year when she was at the studio for three and a half hours.  We let her add another ballet class since she has been working so hard.  Her teachers chose to place her in a less advanced group for the second class, and have encouraged her to approach it as a chance to focus on her technique more than learning new material.  In addition, her other ballet class will extend to two hours later this fall when they add pointe work.  I sense that she's eager for that.  Her jazz class was supposed to take place on Monday evening, but after the first class her teacher, Debbie, asked her to switch to a more advanced group that meets on Wednesdays.  Since this is a ninety minute class the switch has added another half hour to her load each week.  But I'm sure she's up for it.  I got to watch a couple of these first classes this week.  She is showing more and more confidence, and I actually saw her smile several times.

Nate seems to be enjoying the senior role.  He also is working hard at academics.  I sense that he understands that college will require so much more and he's going to need to increase his level of investment.  So far, that's what he seems to be doing.  He's done a lot of homework in the evenings this week.  He's also been happily reporting to me that he has his work done for this class or that class, sometimes a couple of days in advance.  He remains unimpressed by the instructor of his writing class at the community college.  For the second class the teacher arrived late and unprepared.  Most of the class time was wasted on technology glitches because the man hadn't bothered to investigate the available hardware and software before he arrived.  Hopefully this experience will help Nate to appreciate the value of preparation, and the responsibilities of leadership.  In the mean time he told me, I'll just have to work through it.

He sent me email twice this week.  The first time was to thank me.  Something had come up in his Tech Valley math class that only he understood.  It was part of a joke that the teacher was telling, but Nate was the only one who got it.  He remembered that I had taught him was a gross was, and he just wanted to thank me for teaching him that.  Of course, I like this kind of email.  He also sent me a piece that he has written for his college class.  The assignment was "Write about something have read recently."  This is his response.

One of the most interesting things I’ve ever read was the label on the bottle of Dr. Pepper I had today. It’s a great read. It’s non-fiction, but at the same time it holds its place in the mystery/thriller genre. It even comes with a delicious beverage in the bottle, and a five cent refund! It’s a lovely product.
                It’s so, “real-world”, and informative. One section includes all of the nutrition facts, and tech-specs (“20 FL OZ”, and, “(1.25 PT) 591 mL”). The bottle allows the reader to examine key nutritional information like, “*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.” and even holds key life information like, “Must be 13 or older/ME 18 or older. Code under cap. Enter Codes/get Rules/Free Code Info ondrpepper.com. Sub. To full Off. Rules. Void where prohibited. Ends 12/31/11. Request Free Codes by 12/31/11. Redeem by 1/31/12.” Simply fascinating.
                The bottle is obviously a wonderful informational reference, but it’s still a modern day horror classic. There aren’t enough signs that say, “This product may lead to early onset adult diabetes”, and too many falsehoods like, “There’s nothing like a Dr. Pepper”, when of course you could slowly fatten yourself and destroy your vital organs just as well with Mt. Dew. The drinker truly fulfills the role of the tragic hero, and befalls an unspeakable horror when he misses the obvious warning signs, “HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP”, “PHOSPHORIC ACID”, and “SODUIM BENZOATE (PRESERVATIVE).” It’s truly a real world, modern day thriller.
                It’s an educational, thrilling, addictive, unique, deceptive, and well rounded product. The bottle has even earned it’s doctorate in an unknown field (which begs the question, ‘Just when to the mysteries end?’). I’d love to stay and talk, but you’ll have to excuse me. I’m about to go have a Dr. Pepper. 

I don't have any idea what the instructor will think of his writing, but Kim and I love it.  It's got his voice in it.  Although he needs to proof it a little before he hands it in, we think it's pretty great.  More than anything, whether he pursues writing or not, I want him to be able to respond to a task in his own style.  Kim and I both found this piece to be pretty hopeful in that regard.

So today's the first real Saturday of our new year.  I'm going to a workshop.  Nate has CDYC this morning.  Abbie will sleep in and hopes to spend sometime with her boyfriend this afternoon.  Later she's going to a sleep-over event with many of the girls from the youth group.  I guess that's enough for one Saturday.