“My bags are packed,
I’m ready to go.
I’m standing here outside my door”;
SCREEEECH! (needle on record player scratches the vinyl record)
BECAUSE my phone says, “3 days until my trip to New York City”.
What a bummer!
Does this look like a summer rerun?
On Friday, I’m off to my fourth #TCRWP June Writing Institute and the #June Reading Institute and I am ready to go.
I’ve checked my list at least three times . . .
1 trip to the bank
2 packed carry on bags
3 pairs of black shoes
4 notebooks to separate the week long sessions
5 colors of Pilot erasable highlighters
6 colors of Flair markers
7 th series of flights to #TCRWP ( 4 Institutes and 3 Saturday Reunions)
8 the midpoint day of this round of travel
9 th trip to NYC in my lifetime
10 google docs already created and labeled for each day of note-taking
11 electrical devices and power cords
12 hours to grade graduate work
13 chapters to read and I can finish three professional books before I go
14 days of learner – ready apparel to plan for
15 days of fun, learning, and hanging out with some Twitter, Voxer, blogging, reading and writing friends!!!
Priceless ~
Necessary learning in order to grow as a professional . . .
I will
In fact, I will flourish because this is my FIRST agenda for learning!
Rock Star Facilitators Celena, Colleen, Amanda, and Kathleen!
And also . . .
“Fun Home” on Broadway,
Dinner with friends,
Twitter Book Club Chats,
Google Book Club Chats,
Conversations on Voxer
because Iowans in NYC are always on the go . . .
and Iowans at #TCRWP soak up every minute of learning!
Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, and Thinking . . .
and oh, so JOYFUL (#OLW) to have this opportunity to grow, learn, live and laugh!
How will you grow this summer?
How will you increase your knowledge and skills in order to be a “better you” next year?
Thank you, Betsy, Beth, Dana, Deb, Kathleen, Lisa, Melanie, and Stacey. Check out the writers, readers and teachers here. Thank you for this weekly forum!
Resource - Full 
So excited for your next 2 weeks! I will be following you closely on twitter! My daughter just took a job in Brooklyn so if I train up to see her while you are still at the Institute, I’ll contact you. I’d love to be included in “Dinner with friends”. And I look forward to another possible virtual book club. Take good notes to share, especially on the day that Pam Munoz Ryan speaks. My 3rd grades and I LOVED Echo!!! Enjoy NYC!!!
Sally,
I would so LOVE to see you while I’m in NYC. So exciting that your daughter has a job in Brooklyn! I have Echo on my Kindle for “plane reading”! ❤
Fran, I’m excited about your trip. I love to learn vicariously through you! The part about 3 pairs of black shoes made me LOL! I can go somewhere for two days and I have to take 3-4 pairs of shoes–all black! I think we share a bent towards practicality!
Jan,
Isn’t it crazy that it’s always about the shoes! Practical sisters in learning! LOVE it!
Ready for some new learning! Seeing, hearing, living it! ❤
I needed a joyful take on summertime PD, as my normally-rose-colored-glasses turned blue realizing how short my summer break felt due to workshops. Your happiness is inspiring!
I have attended classes or workshops every summer but one for 30+ years. Can’t stop the learning. Love the immersion at #tcrwp. So much to consider in the field of literacy because there is no ONE right answer for ALL kids!
This sounds like a fun conference! I hope you enjoy yourself and learn lots of new things!
Lisa,
Every time I attend I walk away wondering, “Why didn’t I know this before?” or affirmed by “That’s exactly WHY this — does work for kids!” So much learning in a short amount of time . . . but also some time for fun!!!
I’m excited for you and a bit sad that I won’t be there, not just for the learning but for the companionship. Have a wonderful time. I’ll be reading your tweets and posts friend!
Julieanne,
After watching the Tony’s Sunday, I was thinking about the lottery and Hamilton. So many memories we have created. Will have to think of a way to “bring you along!” ❤
Fran, sounds like you are all set for an exciting, fun filled, and educational time. Enjoy. I look forward to hearing about all of the learning and insights you will garner during these two weeks. Enjoy your off time as well.
Thanks so much! I’m just glad that my short list is of the items necessary before leaving! Learning is so much fun! ❤
So excited for you, Fran. I was accepted into August Writing, but had to turn it down since I will be in my 32nd week of pregnancy. (I traveled and attended conferences through week 35 with Isabelle and I was miserable. I vowed not to make myself miserable again.) All that said, I’m going to miss the amazing learning I always do this summer. Cannot wait to read your posts!
Stacey,
So hard to make those choices. I remember a class 4 days before my son was born . . . the instructor was so VERY nervous. I had friends that were more than 2 weeks late. I wasn’t worried!
So much learning. . . intense . . . but in such an inspiring, invigorating way!
BTW – 1 hour with your book this morning! Love the power craft moves. Can’t wait for the book order to arrive today to read MORE!
Wow — you have a packed agenda. Cannot wait to read all about it and learn from you!!! Have the best time!!
Clare
Clare,
I’m always amazed that the learning seems better every time. I need so much learning and so appreciate the choices I have that help me grow! (and the friends that I surround myself with!)
Will miss ILA this summer but so looking forward to NCTE in Atlanta! ❤
What a time you will have! Looking forward to learning from your ever enthusiastic and wise Tweets and blog posts, my friend.
Tara,
So much fun and learning ahead. Hope to see you – know you still have REAL school next week!
Enthusiasm – I am so FULL of that! Ready! Organizing to maximize my learning spaces even while traveling!!! LOL
You are well prepared and your excitement is contagious. i read and wish to join your 15 days of learning. I know i can get some bits of it through your tweets and blog posts. Enjoy!
Thanks! Right now I feel like I may have packed toooo early. But one never knows what may happen. Maybe I can sneak in some more reading and writing time!!!
I hope you will share, share, share, so we can all learn from you. Have a great trip!
Margaret, Absolutely! That way, as I blog and Tweet, I know that I’m recording my info somewhere!
It’s such a healthy, stimulating, environment for learning! Good headaches from HARD thinking!
I am completely jealous. Not going this year. Love the format of your slice. And Fun Home was great- intense but great. I saw it last summer.
Lisa,
I will miss you! but I will share!
The format kinda wrote itself!
Good to know you liked “Fun Home”.
I’m so excited for you! I know you will savor every moment. I’ll echo the “take good notes” request! I will definitely look forward to your blogs and tweets. Safe travels and have a wonderful time!
Thanks, Kathy. Let me know if you have any specific questions in advance for any of my sessions! Ready to be on the “learning side”!
Live it up!
THANKS! It will be 15 BUSY days that may require that I go home to rest up!!!
I would love to be able to meet up with you during the writing week- I will be there for the first time and am beyond excited! Your plans sound great!
Erika,
Yes, definitely, let’s plan to meet. I’m thinking I now have M, T, and W nights scheduled. When do you arrive? And then once we get schedules, maybe lunch??? OR ???