Making roots in sandy ground

Despite my attempts to spend my residency time elsewhere, all signs pointed to Orlando. Amanda and I talked a lot about ‘Plan B’ before she left. We both scowled at the thought of our first life-outlines failing, but we both adapted and settled into Plan B. The funny thing about Plan B: it’s turned out better than Plan A for both of us. I thought I’d find a residency in a large theatre’s development department. I’d shuffle papers and smile at events while living and learning as a glorified file clerk. That would have been an amazing experience in observation, but it also would have required me to uproot myself entirely from the small but loving community I’ve established in Orlando. When the applications for Plan A failed to produce fruit, Plan B seemed to fall in my lap.

For the academic year (and hopefully longer), I’ll be working in a position that offers a full package of wicked exciting professional experiences. I’m co-teaching 2 arts and digital media classes to 3^rd -5^th graders during regular school hours and a weekly afterschool program with teenagers. The program focuses on the most underserved youth of Orlando. In addition to co-teaching the programs, we operate as a team of diversely skilled professionals to develop the curriculum according to the partnerships, mission of the organizations, and our students. Finally, I’m working on some grant reporting and eventually writing. The program is innovative, deals with the demographic I’m passionate about, and it allows me to continue to explore teaching, artistry, and administration simultaneously. Plan B rocks.

So, I’m in Orlando. Living in a little house. Living with a little dog. Driving a little car. Making roots in little soil. And, I like it (more than a little bit).