Updates

Not actually MY brain

I have several different categories that I like to write about: arts and theatre, my family, being pregnant, yoga, and personal things. Here is a general update of what’s going on in my brain these days:

1. Arts in Education – I read a great article in American Theatre Magazine about creating theatre with and for autistic students. Using theatre for its therapeutic values: building verbal and non-verbal communication skills and increasing abilities to work together. I have done this kind of work before, with autistic students as well as students with a variety of emotional issues. It is amazing to see the rapid changes in these students when they connect with the material and each other.
2. Family – My mom moved back to Florida. She had moved to PA to be close to us and the baby, but things didn’t work out according to plan. My sister and I drove down with her, stopping in North Carolina very briefly to see an Aunt and Uncle in Winston-Salem and and Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin in Charlotte. Then we continued on to Pensacola where we saw Dad and Brother, more Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins,  one Bubby, and a few friends. I was sad for my mom thather plans fell through up here, but it was nice to have a reason to see my family. I hadn’t been back to Pensacola since August of last year.
3. Myself – It is hard to separate myself from all that is going on with everything and everyone else. I have become impatient. I don’t like this, and I keep thinking since I’m aware of it, I should be able to master it, but I can’t. Yet.
4. Pregnant – He is moving more, but not kicking. I feel him pressing against my abdominal wall or spine or bladder (usually when no bathroom is in sight!). At the midwife’s office yesterday, I received a packing list for having the baby. My favorite thing on the list is juice – I love juice and if labor is an excuse to drink an over abundance, bring it on.
5. Theatre – I’ve been catching up on old American Theatre magazines (who has time for magazines of substance unless on an airplane?!). I read about theatre festivals going on all over the world; one that particularly caught my interest is in Germany and for children. No child actors, lots of mature material but in a kid-appropriate way. I want to go to there. I’ve been thinking about this play for children that I have a grant to write in 2011. I want the topic to be something mature and thoughtful and provocative, but of course for young people. I’m currently thinking of time. Big topic, but lots of possibility. And it will make David happy because it is science.
6. Yoga – My practice has changed so much. The weirdest thing is that I’ve gotten away from studying the yoga sutras. That is something I can continue even while I’m in labor (though I don’t know I’ll really be able to concentrate), but for some reason, I have stopped reading and thinking about them. Some svadyaya (self-study) may help reveal why and guide me back to the books.

What are YOU thinking about?

Block

I have a very generous grant to spend 2011 writing a children’s play. I’ve been brainstorming, reading, and planning now to get a head start so I won’t feel too rushed when Raspberry is born. But it is so hard to make myself do that work.

And yet, I started this blog to share my thoughts and life with all of you and to create a regular practice of writing and reflection for myself. This is easy and fun to do. So is playwrighting. And yet, I’m writing on the blog regularly. Hmm…

Must create daily writing practice beyond blog. So many practices…

Babies and Art and Life

I’m beginning to think more and more about how having a very small person living life with us will change the way we live.

There are the obvious things that have taken up mental space lately: we have to plan a Bris, we have to decide about cloth diapers (which variety rather than whether or not), we have to have clothes, a bed, etc for this little critter. (And Nathan made me put the baby spoon we use for ice cream in the Raspberry’s drawer, even though he won’t need it for months. Both kids are very aware of his impending arrival and doing their parts to help get ready.)

But as those vital but small issues get settled, the make way for larger issues. How will my time change? How will my mind change?

I recently read two interesting essays about art and family. Though I do many things professionally, I do consider myself an artist. A Theatre Artist, which I can barely say without giggling because I fear it sounds pretentious. I’ve just gotten comfortable with the idea that that is what I am and now it is possible I will move away from it. For example:

I have a very generous grant from the Berks County Community Foundation in 2011 to write a new play for young audiences. I’m very excited about taking on this project and I feel like it is the perfect thing to do in my child’s first year of life. But when I mention it to people (ironically, people I barely know who ask what I do) they get very concerned that I have no idea what I’m getting into and that there is NO WAY I will be able to do anything but be a fountain of food, diapers, and sleep if I’m lucky for the next 18 years.

It makes me want to do the Diva Snap and say something like “You don’t know ME!” and then flip my hair and walk away.

http://www.youtube.com/v/bX9reaHLwhk?fs=1&hl=en_US

But they don’t know me! Though I have been saying no to things (although I just joined a committee yesterday), I want to have artistic projects going. Obviously life will change when Raspberry arrives, but I hope to involve him in the art too! Why not!

I Write Like

As you know (or maybe not), I love reading blogs. I have recently discovered the voyeuristic aspect of my personality (thanks blogs and Facebook). The internet allows me to read what other people are thinking and look at photos of their lives – it’s fascinating.

So here is great link I found on one of the blogs I subscribe to, the Real Delia. Check her out. Check out the link.

It is a webpage/program called I Write Like. David could explain the math behind it (I think I missed the day we learned about algorithms). Basically, you put a writing sample in, it analyzes it with secret codes and magic (aka algorithms) and tells you who you write like. I tried two different samples of writing – first I got Stephen King, which is ok but not ideal. Then I got Margaret Atwood, which is sort of the best I could hope for. So I stopped.

We even look alike...no?

Who do you write like?

2010, Part 2

2010 will finish a very different year than it began.

I have been working hard to relocate my life to Berks County. This is a long and difficult process. Though I didn’t live in Bethlehem long, about 5 years, it felt like home. I had a job I loved, deep friendships, and a strong spiritual community both in my yoga sangha and my Jewish congregation.

But now I have David which tops it all. And I have a job I love, teaching theatre and creativity to youth in the city who wouldn’t ordinarily have the chance (and running the religious school, and teaching yoga…). I am developing strong, real friendships. And I will hopefully continue to develop my spiritual community here.

The biggest change is the upcoming addition to our family, current called Raspberry Spatula Graff (which may or may not be explained in a future post). At the end of this year or the beginning of next, I will have a baby. I’ve been reading Ina May Gaskin’s Guide to Childbirth. I have found a cozy and welcoming Birthing Center where I plan to give birth to Raspberry (but who knows what plans Raspberry has…). My yoga practiced has changed in a very exciting way – I cannot practice from flexibility or strength but must really focus on contentment and listening deeply to my own body.

Zoë and Nathan are so excited about becoming a double big sister and a big brother. David is delighted to expand our family. I hope that having a new baby will strengthen all of our relationships to one and other.

The other big change for 2011, although not nearly as dramatic, is that I have received a grant to write a children’s play. I have written two before, both for Touchstone. I’m eager to work on my own to develop a play completely based on my artistic vision. I don’t officially begin the process until January 2011, but I am already brainstorming ideas and possible points of entry. I will continue to document my process here.

XO