Note: This is not the original format. I could'nt figure out
how to arrange the photos and graphics in as flexible a way on the
web page as they were on the original word processing document, but
this will show you the intent of the piece.
The Book of Life
by Karen Antikajian
OWP - July 1999
As I began to approach the age when it would be possible to take
early retirement from classroom teaching, I had a difficult decision
to make. I love to teach, but I had spent more than thirty years in
the classroom. Other parts of my life were requesting their time in
the sun. It was as if teaching had been the star performer, usurping
center stage, and other interests were relegated to waiting patiently
off stage or were occasionally allowed bit parts or brief walk-ons.
It was time for teaching to accept a smaller role and relinquish
center stage to the other performers.
So I mentally mapped out what I began to see as a new chapter in
my life. Now, after learning how easy it is to use the Inspiration
software program, I have organized it on paper. This is known as
virtual organization. The trick will be to make this a reality,
realizing, of course, that life, with its unexpected situations,
tends to turn organization topsy-turvy, often adding something new
and exciting.
I have tried to prioritize areas and interests in my life, but
they insist on trading places depending on circumstances, my mood, or
the time of year. This is the way I envision it for the next month or
so:
The New Chapter in My
Life
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I. Family
A. Spend time with
Sarkis
B. Visit Kyle and Garrick in
Seattle
C. Spend time/Correspond with
relatives
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II. Friends
A. Have coffe with Esther
every week
B. Meet with the Red Robin
Group
C. Have lunch with
friends
D. Meet with the Book
Groups
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III. Reading
A. Read Books
1. Books on
Writing
2. Biographies
3. Novels
4. Mysteries
5. Children's
Books
B. Participate in Book
Groups
C. Assist the Reading
Association (EERC)
1. Secretarial
Duties
2. Business
Meetings
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IV. Writing
A. Gain Enjoyment and
Self-satisfaction
B. Practice to
Improve
C. Read books on
Writing
D. Join Writing
Groups
E. Write Children's
Stories
1. Have Garrick
illustrate
F. Write Short
Stories
G. Write Family
Anecdotes
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V. Piano Playing
A. Gain Enjoyment and
Self-satisfaction
B. Practice to
Improve
C. Continue Lessons
D. Play and Perform Solo
Pieces
E. Play and Perform Ensemble
Pieces
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VI. Relaxing
A. Summer
1. On the Deck by the
Pond
2. At the Coast
3. With Coffee and a Good
Book (Anywhere)
4. Under the Grape
Arbor
B. Winter
1. On the Couch with a
Good Book
2. In Front of the
Fireplace
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VII. Yard
A. Mow
B. Weed
C. Water
D. Rearrange
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VIII. Garden
A. Grow
1. Fruit
2. Vegetables
3. Nuts
B. Harvest
1. Fruit
2. Vegetables
3. Nuts
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IX. Computer
A. Learn to Use
Software
1. Photoshop
2. QuarkXPress
3. Office 98
4. Claris Home
Page
5. Inspiration
B. Learn More About Making Web
Pages
C. Learn More About Using
Graphics/Photos
D. Create Data Bases
1. For CD's
2. For Sarkis'
Paintings
3. For Books
4. For Recipes
E. Learn More About System 8.6
and My G3
F. Learn More About
Internet
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X. Get Organized
A. Life
B. House
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XI. Working
A. Give Workshops
1. Reading
2. Writing
3. Speaking
4. Children's
Literature
B. Create Materials
C. Work with teachers
D. Work with schools
E. Field test
materials
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XII. Family History
A. Research
B. Enter Data
C. Write Anecdotes
D. Add Photos
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XIII. Photo Albums
A. Finish Sons' Baby
Books
B. Create Family
Albums
C. Create Albums of
Trips
D. Redo "Moments in
Miniature"
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XIV. Traveling
A. Oregon
B. United States
C. Other Countries
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The four areas I want to comment on are Reading, Writing, Piano
Playing, and Computer Use.
Reading is an important ingredient in the writing process. It
fills the mental file folders and educates the inner ear. It is
rewarding and can also be fun and relaxing! It has always been and
always will be an important part of my life. My new focus in reading
is to read more books on the craft of writing. There are several good
ones waiting on my bookshelf right now.
Writing has always been an interest of mine, but it has never
really been acknowledged or cultivated. I hope that now this part of
my life tree will shoot up, branch out, blossom, and produce
prolifically.
At first glance, piano playing doesn't seem to fit with the other
three, but it has many parallels with writing. Writing and piano
playing both provide enjoyment and self-satisfaction, and require
continual practice in order to improve. You fill the mind and soul by
reading and listening in order to be able to express yourself by
writing and playing. Even though I have been playing the piano for
years, there are often long periods when it is neglected. During
these times I slink past my beautiful Yamaha grand with guilty
sideways glances as it sits there silently and patiently.
The computer keyboard replaced the piano keyboard for much of my
time during the last four years. There was so much to learn in order
to be able to use the computer effectively to prepare teaching
materials, to use with students in the classroom, and in life.
Although I have learned a considerable amount, the field is exploding
with new ideas, techniques, and possibilities reminding me of the
powers of two that allows a penny, doubling each day, to become more
than ten million seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars by the end
of the month. No matter how much I read and spend time at the
computer, I feel as though I am in a dark cave, feeling my way slowly
along the walls, yet aware of a faint light in the distance.
So, what has the OWP Summer Institute done for me, you ask? Well,
for one, it has been a delightful experience with terrific and
knowledgeable guest speakers, interesting and useful presentations by
fellow students, and a wonderful opportunity to write and share
everyone's writing. I will miss the camaraderie and all I learned
from the shared writings. I feel the stimulus of this workshop has
given writing a stronger voice in my life and given me confidence to
proceed on my own. It has prepared me for my writing journey by
filling my suitcase with ideas, strategies, and techniques as well as
books to help chart the course. Along with my personal writing, this
workshop has expanded my teaching horizons so I am better prepared to
help other teachers.
The technology strand of the Summer Institute was very helpful.
Even though I have used computers quite a bit, I was fascinated with
the web page construction. I have had Claris Home Page software for
over two years, but never had time to learn how to use it while I was
teaching and wasn't sure how to use it after I retired. I wish we had
been able to spend more time experimenting with it during the
workshop because there are so many possibilities, so many techniques
to learn, and so many questions still to be answered.
Do I feel that the OWP Summer Institute has been beneficial and
worth my time and effort? My answer is a resounding, "YES,
absolutely!" I highly recommend it and wish I could be involved every
year. But, I guess twice will have to do for this lifetime.
We are encouraged to
become lifelong learners and one of my
goals has always been to become
more organized. With all I have yet
to learn and considering how
difficult it is for me to become organized,
I would like to respectfully
request a life-and-a-half. Thank you.