Looking Forward, Looking Back
"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." --Semisonic
The new year is a time to both reflect on the past and look ahead to the future. To feel both nostalgic and hopeful. This rings especially true for me this year, as several important people in my life moved out of town. My parents moved an hour and a half away, and a good friend moved a three days’ drive away. I definitely feel a pang of wistful melancholy for auld lang syne. For afternoons spent hiking with The Littles and our friends in the woods. For weeknight dinners with my parents.
When we’re living a particular time in our lives, imagining it could ever end or change is difficult (if such a thought occurs to us at all), even as each day brings us closer and closer to the next chapter, and farther and farther away from this one.
But even as I look back fondly and a little sadly, I’m also looking forward. This is my last year in my 30s. Yesterday was by birthday. I turned 39. Three hundred sixty-four days from now, I’ll enter a new decade of my life: my 40s. I’ve been excited for my 40th birthday for the last three years, so I’m anticipating that celebration.
In addition to 40, this year should be the one that ushers An Expected End into the world in book form, and I cannot wait for the moment I get to hold that first copy in my hands—the manifestation of years of hard work, and an accomplishment I’ve been aching after since childhood.
Before the year ended, I entered a couple writing contests and applied for a fellowship, so I’m looking forward to seeing the outcome of those endeavors.
I’m also eager to explore several state parks with the Littles and our friends this year, and experience the adventures my role as outdoors writer will bring.
Here’s to reflecting on the lessons and lives of the past, while moving forward to realize the dreams we have for the future.
Happy New Year.
What I’m Reading
I finished reading Tristan Gooley’s How to Read Nature on New Year’s Eve. Yesterday, I brought it to school to share with a friend I think will enjoy it as much as I did.
New Year’s Day, I began reading Earl Swift’s Chesapeake Requiem: A Year With The Watermen of Vanishing Tangier Island. My reading of this book is long overdue, given I’ve visited Tangier Island twice, written an article about it, and frequent the Northern Neck. Starting a new book the night before school starts back up is probably a little foolhardy, and likely means I’ll be reading (or trying to find time to read) this same book until about March.
Or maybe April.
Writer Spotlights
Win an award? Have a new book coming out? Present at a conference? Publish an article? Want it shared in the “Writer Spotlights” section of an upcoming issue? I’d love to share your writerly news! Fill out this Google Form for a chance to be featured!
What I’m Working On
My Debut Novel: An Expected End
In support of my endeavors with An Expected End, over winter break, I applied for the Jack Hazard Fellowship, an award given to high school educators who are also writers. This required a brief application, a bio, a project description, a CV, and a writing sample. I should know by the spring whether or not I have been awarded one of the ten to twelve Fellowships available to teacher-writers across the country.
Outdoor Writing
My first piece of 2023 ran in my “Explore More” column in Cooperative Living Magazine on New Year’s Day. It details a hike The Littles and I enjoyed with Black Girls Hike RVA back in November, and features the group’s history, mission, and events. The digital version isn’t live yet, but I’ll share the link in a future issue.
Poetry
I spent some time over winter break curating poems to enter into this year’s Poetry Society of Virginia annual poetry contest, the deadline for which is Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday, January 19. When all was said and done, I submitted six poems for consideration.
Teacher Life
The first day back to school after winter break was also my birthday. One of my colleagues brought in brownies and tea (two of my favorite treats) to celebrate, and since I was out sick when I was scheduled to bring in holiday treats last month, I also brought some goodies to share—magic cookie bars, coconut macaroons, and canine candy canes (can’t leave out peoples’ pups!). All the goodies made going back to work after the break a little easier.
A little.
January is a hectic month at school, rife with state-mandated testing, review and remediation sessions for said testing, scoring writing portfolio pieces, and the changeover from first to second semester, which means brand new students and classes.
New Year’s Eve as I was reading Gooley’s How to Read Nature, I came across this quote at the start of a chapter:
“The Sun, with all those planets revolving around it and dependent on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as if it had nothing else to do.” — Galileo Galilei
I’m going to try hold to that thought whenever “all those planets” (read: extra tasks…) threaten to overwhelm me and pull me away from my little classroom of ripening grapes. (This had already been a struggle, and it’s only Tuesday.)
Volunteer Work
The winter issue of the Bay Quarter Bulletin, a community newsletter I put together for Bay Quarter Shores once each quarter, went out Sunday, January 1.
The Littles
One of The Littles’ Christmas gifts this year was a personalized fleece blanket from the AKC. Here, Soda enjoys snuggling under it the day after Christmas, paws crossed like a proper lady.
On Friday, The Littles and I visited a couple state parks with a friend of mine and her miniature dachshund. Below, they’re relaxing on a picnic table at High Bridge Trail State Park after a 3-mile hike there and a 2-mile hike at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park (where they have a dog-friendly visitors center!).
Below, The Littles enjoy a morning walk on some trails near our home this past Thursday.
Usually, Soda sleeps in the bed Nacho occupies below.
Look What I Saw Outside
Below is the pre-sunset sky presiding over The Littles’ and my late afternoon walk New Year’s Day.
Yesterday, The Littles, my family, a few close friends, and I celebrated my birthday with a hike at Pocahontas State Park. Below is a shot of the sunset we savored as our hike ended.
Links to My Latest
Writing
My most recently published piece is “Getting Out There: Virginia hiking club encourages women of color to explore the great outdoors,” which appears in the January issue of Cooperative Living Magazine in my column, “Explore More.”
Literary Calendar
January
January 19, 2023 | Poetry Society of Virginia Annual Poetry Contest deadline |
Adults and students are invited to submit their poetry to this annual poetry contest open to residents of Virginia and students studying in Virginia. More information available here.
January 21-23, 2023 | Poe Museum Birthday Bash |
This three-day event features both in-person and virtual events celebrating 100 years of the Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia. From magic shows to poetry workshops, from local authors to living history—there really is something for everyone! Find the full weekend schedule here.
February
February 25, 2023 | 10:00 AM-4:00PM | “Teaching Literature for Liberation” | This in-person workshop will share new frameworks and lesson plans for teaching Vietnamese-American literature, particularly in secondary schools. Breakfast and lunch provided. Register online HERE.
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