19 October 2007
School: We are immersed in school. Gaby is a Freshman in High School and Sami is in the 8th Grade. And John and I are taking a very active role in school, I/we have less time for everything else…writing, reading, cooking and socializing. That’s not a complaint, just a reality. Last week, I/we realized that this could be the most precious eight months of the girl’s education. A time when we still had major influence on what they are exposed to and how they interpret what is available to them to learn. We’ve always known we had the power to influence and the cruising lifestyle gave us the time to enjoy learning together, but last year wasn’t our best for school—too many distractions. However, knowing we’re going back to public education and life in the suburbia makes these next eight months an incredible opportunity.
Last year was “ho hum”, just do what was in the school box, take tests, and lumber through (especially for Sami). I saw glimmers of accepting mediocrity rather than enthusiasm for school and a thirsty passion for learning. Let’s nip that in the butt! So, we took back the school program, threw out some things and added new school stuff that is tailored to fit the girl’s inclinations and interests. It demands more from us, but it will be worth it. More work from them and us, more engagement and definitely, more willingness to shape their future, together.
Admittedly, it has only been one week of this regime, but being distracted by lots of social life has helped us focus and I think everyone is better for this, only time will tell. Ah, the challenge of raising children on a healthy diet of learning and creativity.
Gaby is on the track to be a Mega yacht chef or a pediatrician. Sami is on the track to being a designer or zoologist. Of course, all subject to change and exposure. At least they are thinking outside of conventional tracks of life.
Our cruising microbiology friend would be especially pleased to learn that Gaby is taking Biology 101 (from a college textbook, that I picked up at a used book store in the USA) so she will learn some microbiology terms and concepts. She’s most interested in the cell stuff to understand the genetics course material that comes later. She realizes that understanding the nature of the molecular and cell structure is the foundation building block to genetics. She says she hates Science, but she does well with it. Her motivation is that she loves kids and being a kid caregiver, like a pediatrician or therapist, which means she needs Biology and lab science classes. She’s a precise student so lab science suits her attention to details.
However, her Dad loves the idea that she also wants to do something like be a Mega Yacht Chef so we support that too. She wanted a course in Home Economics, so I’ve designed a course that covers Food Research and Production to Kitchen Science, including text from Jared Diamond (germ, steel and guns), Tracy Kidder (Mountains Beyond Mountains-The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer) and Joy of Cooking. We will enjoy her culinary skill at least once a week and it is great to have her in the galley as my sous chef (prep chef). Her FINAL EXAM will be a full course meal, from soup to dessert. It might be from cans, we’ll see what she can creatively produce with a pack of Ramen and a few canned foods. Nay, just kidding. She’s going to help me start an on-board garden; we understand that fresh veggies will be scarce on the next islands. Her artichoke dip was very yummy as were her Japanese chicken dumplings.
Sami was very excited about my idea to offer her DESIGN 101, instead of American History (she’ll get that again in her Junior year of HS). What a better time than for her to be taught the design process from Dad (yah, me, too). Who better to learn from than two successful designers? She thought she’d get to immediately jump on the computer and learn the CAD software, but “no”. Instead, she has had to put pencil to paper and learn how to draw lines and shapes (over and over and over again). The cone, cube, pyramid came from models she had to build from old milk/juice cartons.
She’s good with paper and making models, but this time, she had to use a Xacto knife and edges matching were critical; none of this shortcut and mend with the Scotch tape method would do for John. Do it over. John, “pulled a John” (as Leslie on s/v Carina, so calls it), where attention to details is key to building. (Andy how’s that dinghy?) Our favorite design phrase, “You always have time to do it over, but never have time to do it right the first time?” She redid the models and did them well. And with a found ping-pong ball, she had all the shapes to move on to freehand drawing the shapes in perspective. Maybe in a month, she’ll be ready to move on to the computer…maybe….
I could go on and on,(not to brag about the kids, although we are proud of ‘em) but finally to share that we ended, Week 1, with our Saturday class of Music and Film Appreciation.
We watched a classic 60’s film: Breakfast at Tiffany. It had so many icons of the 1950’s generation…all the drinking, smoking, and avoiding life’s reality. The girls really liked the film for the entertainment value, style of Audrey Hepburn and the cultural statement of the times.
Yesterday, we watched Gone With the Wind. Less rave reviews, but we had a good discussion about the civil war-succession from the Union, the portrayal of black Americans as “ignorant darkies”, and the nuances of chasing blind romance and shared values in marriage.
On the list are other film classics: Lawrence of Arabia, Casa Blanca, Dr. Zhivago, and Ghandi. Any others that you’d suggest?
Our Music Appreciation program is still being shaped. It is not one of my stronger suits any suggestions would be appreciated.
So, all is well aboard Encanto. We hope all is well with you.