SO proud of my girl, striking out in a new school on her own. She has to navigate her way through dozens of buses to find the right one, making her way in a school so far from home in a different county. She's been rather conscientious lately. Growing up so fast. It didn't help that her wonderful voice teacher, Dr. C, reminded me of how grown up she is, and how, before we know it, she'll be on her way to college. SLOW DOWN!
When the alarm rings at 5:30 AM she is up right away, never complaining. We leave the house at 6:30 and she's back in the house by 4:50 PM (on days without lessons or extra-curriculars). Then we have homework, practicing, and gossip updates from the local high school. No wonder she's ready for bed by 9:15 PM. I thought she was asleep, but this kid is such a ham that the flash of the camera triggered the involuntary smile. Gotta' love her. I do!
It's quickly becoming a Wednesday tradition. Because the afternoon bus stop is only a couple of blocks from Grandma's house, and Grandma is off work midweek, it just makes sense to have dinner and some time together. We usually eat at Grandma's, then take in a game of Bananagrams or catch up on the latest Cash Cab. Today the schedule was a little different, with an early dismissal and a long audition at the high school. Chinese food, said the auditioner, and this was the perfect ending to the meal.
When she forgot her student i.d. this morning, she was genuinely concerned. The agenda book was completed in all classes, and the B day homework was completed tonight, even though it isn't due until Monday. As I write this, the somewhat tuneful sounds of piano practicing are happening in the next room. The smile stayed on her face, even through 2 pages of Math and one page of Music Theory. This could be the start of something big.
The bags are packed. The lunch is made. The bus route and locker number are committed to memory. Tomorrow my daughter begins high school. It well may be that our little family unit only has 4 more years...
The "navigatrix" is cued up and ready to go. After I present a writing workshop to teachers from 8 AM to 4 PM today, I have a 4 1/2 hour drive across the great state of Ohio. I'll likely stop for dinner and at least a couple of tinkle breaks, so posting this evening is unlikely. Out on the road, chasing the dollar, I'm missing a lot this week. High School orientation is this afternoon, and the debrief is never quite as detailed over the phone. Tomorrow EG returns to the brain surgeon's office. Checking on his healing and talking about the future, these are conversations I regret having to miss. But with things as they are these days, I'll take the work when I can get it.
We toured the campus today. Impressive facility for musical theater students. We're lucky to have such a school within striking distance. Truthfully, if we still lived on Long Island (read Lawn Guyland) IMG wouldn't have an opportunity to attend a dedicated arts magnet.
Most of the kids I saw switching classes seemed happy, pleasant and soooo teen. The piercings, the swaggers, the arms around their boy/girlfriends, the tiny tank tops with pushed up...
Not much different than junior high, I guess. But there's no turning back now.
