It's been a while since I posted on this blog and a lot has been happening both in my personal life and in Chi State. So I will use this posting to bring you up to date.
Personally my husband and I had a lovely vacation to England. This time instead of flying we crossed on the Queen Mary 2, both directions. We've done the crossing from England to New York several times but this was the first time we crossed from New York to England. Both crossings were quite smooth. The North Atlantic, which can be very turbulent at times, was more like a lake. We enjoyed meeting new people and enjoying the calm and relaxation of an Atlantic crossing. If you are wondering, it takes seven (7) days for each crossing so we were 14 days at sea. If you are a sailor that will sound like heaven to you! If you are not, well I'm not sure how you would describe it!
While in England we spent our time in Cornwall, in the southwest of the country. We are fans of the British dramedy, Doc Martin, and it is filmed in a small Cornish village, Port Issac (it is called Portwenn in the series). If you are a fan of the show, the village is exactly as pictured, tiny streets, old buildings, wide mouthed harbor. Unlike what might happen in our country, the village is not trading on its TV fame. There are no Doc Martin souvenirs in the shops, no meals named after the characters in the pub, no large signs on buildings. There was one small sign, probably about 8" x 11", that said, "Doc Martin's cottage, 3rd on the left" on the tiny street that led up a hill. Other than that it was a picturesque little fishing village. Delightful, really.
We also visited a stately home in Cornwall, Lanhydrock House. It has been restored and pictures life in the Victorian era of a home of a British aristocrat. The home itself is fascinating. But the gardens are incredible! There was one formal garden, pictured below, that has box hedges forming shapes and is changed with seasonal flowers. When we were there it was filled with tuberous begonias.
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| Begonias in bloom at Lanhydrock House, Cornwall |
Since our return, my life has been filled with Delta Kappa Gamma business. Thirty-six hours after we landed back in LA, I headed north with First Vice President, Julie Drysdale, for our first Executive Committee meeting of the year. We met with the other members of the committee at the home of Treasurer, Marylu Mesa, in Prunedale, just north of Salinas. Our agenda was a full one and included preliminary planning for our 2014 Chi State Convention. It is going to be wonderful! I hope many of you will make plans to attend and learn about the world of DKG outside of your Chapter and Area. You will be amazed at the incredible women you will meet. I am always humbled when I attend our convention or an International event to think that I belong to the same organization that these dynamic and sharp women do!
From Prunedale, Julie and I proceeded to the San Jose area. We visited the hotel where the May convention will be held (Hyatt Regency Santa Clara) and attended a Gamma Omega (Area IV) Chapter meeting. What a delight it was to meet with members and feel their enthusiasm for the Society and each other. Thank you, Gamma Omega, for having us as your guests. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Julie dropped me at the home of Letty Yamada in San Jose. The next morning Letty and I drove to the Chi State Education Center in Sacramento for a two-day meeting of the Education Center Management Committee. This dedicated group of ladies (Letty Yamada [Area IV], Betty Brown [Area II], Margaret Cook [Area VI], Kathy Simpson [Area II], Marie Sugiyama [Area I], and Mary Lou Willett [Area VI]), are the caretakers for the Ed Center and what a job they do! While we were there we went over every part of your Education Center to see if maintenance , replacements, or updates were needed. You would be so proud of how carefully this committee cares for your investment in the Ed Center.
While the committee was meeting in the Mary Lou Willett Library, the presidents and officers of Area VI were meeting in the conference room. I was able to talk to them and share their delicious potluck luncheon. They are enthusiastic about their jobs and looking forward to a wonderful biennium under the leadership of Area VI Director, Donna Fleischer.
If you are ever in the Sacramento area, do take the time to visit the Chi State Education Center. It is conveniently located on University Avenue, not far from Sacramento State. This is YOUR Education Center. I think you will be pleased when you visit with the professional demeanor that is presented. Take time to browse in the library and learn about the history of the Society and Chi State.
On Saturday, September 7, myself and four (4) other Chi State leaders (Toni Cook [Area IV], Edra Young [Area XIII], Daphne Cagle [Area VI], and Sandy Rushing [Area XIV]) will be meeting with a business/marketing class at the University of La Verne. Our hope is that they will take on the task of developing a marketing plan for Chi State as part of their class. Assistance for Chapters to market themselves will be a big focus of such a plan. More on this in later blogs and in the Chi State News.
I am enjoying reading newsletters that are starting to arrive. It is so exciting to read about all the wonderful things Chapters are doing throughout the state. When Theta Omicron's (Area V) came, the message from the President, Jean Felix, reminded me that the more things change, the more they stay the same:
"The school (Roosevelt) where I teach is celebrating
its 90th year of existence. I was talking to a student and discussed
that if a first grader (6 years old) attended the first year it was
open they would be 96 years old; the little girl said, “That is older than my
Great Grandma-that’s OLD!” As I
ponder the differences between then and now, I realize we probably had the same
issues as the teachers 90 years ago. The night before the first day of school
the teachers were thinking what their year was going to be like; frantically
tying up loose ends; pondering who was going to show up the first day; and
opening their doors with a big smile and a welcoming hello to each and every
student. I also realized we had several differences: a student arriving to
school tardy because they had 5 miles to walk is a little different than a
student arriving tardy because of 5 minutes to drive; a teacher needed to be
the primary source for information not found in the textbooks whereas now
students just Google their questions to find answers; students arrived with
last year’s pen, book, and overalls whereas students today arrive with the
latest gadgets and often leave their brand new jackets on the playground. Finally teachers were dedicated to educating the youth of America—oh wait, that
hasn’t changed! Thank you for educating the minds of others no matter when you
started teaching."
Thank you for that reminder, Jean. Classrooms have changed, curriculum has changed, standards are changing (again!), clothes have changed. But an educator's love for her craft has not changed. Our hard working teachers still have to make split second decisions like an air traffic controller; make adjustments like an artist painting a canvas; diagnose like a physician; provide support like a mom; give guidance like a director; and impart information like Google! As a new school year begins, to all of you still actively teaching my best wishes for a successful year with your students. Don't ever forget that your friends in DKG are here to support you with hugs, love, supplies, and whatever you need. Your success is our success. Lean on us so we can lift you up!
Until next time,
Judy Kearns
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