::Charles Dickens had it right::

Is anyone goal planning yet? Writing down resolutions for 2017? Reflections of 2016? Charles Dickens had it right: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. 2016 was just that.

Recap of 2016:

Started off the year blissfully engaged
Titus and Jocelyn both turned 30
Went to Disney World with my BFF.
Titus got a job and moved to Connecticut
Four months later, Titus lost this job
Titus became an art teacher
Moved into a new apartment
Worked the entire summer - art and theater camps
Finally became certified and got her teaching license
Throughout the months there were wonderful bridal showers, bachelorette parties and Jack & Jills
Wedding Planning
Got a new teaching job
Titus got a teaching job
More wedding planning
October 1st - got married, best day of our lives
Honeymooned in Bermuda - best week of our lives
October 19th - worst day of my life
Made a short film with friends

As I look at my recap list. Theres a lot of good. A lot of good. Through it all, was is extremely stressful? Heck yes. I think the most stressed I've ever been.  Moving Titus to Connecticut, watching him gain and then loose a job, planning a wedding, BOTH of us getting new jobs, having a job that is extremely overwhelming, getting MARRIED.....and then, well, unexpectedly loosing my mother two weeks later.....people have question how I am even standing.

I've put things here and there about my mothers passing, but not much. I don't know if I feel like its not necessary, shows a sign of weakness or there's no just point....But here it is.  I can't tell you how many people say to me, "I know how you feel...."  Then I found out that their parent passed way when they were in their 80s or 90s. I'm not downsizing the loss of a parent, it's horrible and no one wants to see someone go through it. But I just want to scream them and say you have NO clue how I feel.  My mom was suppose live much longer than this, to see her family grow, to be with my Dad, to see her future grandchildren..... She was in her early 60s, and she passed way TWO weeks after my wedding. I'm tired of hearing, "At least she got to see your wedding." I'm tired of hearing, "She's with Jesus now." I'm tired of hearing, "She's with you in spirit."Can I blame people for saying all of this? No.  Do I know all of these things are true? Yes. I know it's true. It was God's perfect timing of having her see the wedding. I know she's in no more pain and she's in the best place in the universe. But it still hurts.

I have to say I'm happy to see 2016 go. The chapter has closed and now it's time for a new one. I have to start the year with the mind set that things won't ever be the same. I can't let myself loose hope and passion. This year will be full of adventure and possibility.  Titus and I just entered our 3rd month of marriage - and can I say, that I have the most INCREDIBLE husband!!!!  He has been my sanity for the past three months....I don't know what I would do without him. Well, 2017.....I have no choice, but to be ready for you.

:Something About December::

To bring back some creativity in my life, I decided to do a Capturing December photo challenge, taking themed photos each day. I admit I've kept up with taking the photos on the particular day, however, not keeping up with posting them.  Its been fun though. 

:: Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.....::

One of my all time favorite movies is The Wizard of Oz. I wanted to be Dorothy when I was young. I had the dress, the shoes, Toto in the basket....all of it. It was my first theatrical production, and many years later, I directed the show 2x.  Over the past three months my life has drastically changed in many different ways. One in particular has been in my career. I left my school, which I taught at for seven years, and ventured out to another district......in public school.  Yup. I was a private school teacher who went to public school.  When my new colleagues asked where I taught before, to my reply their response was, "Oh honey,......you're not in Cheshire anymore."

They weren't lying. Now, I knew working in a public school would be a huge challenge coming from a private, catholic school in a quiet, mid-upper class town. But coming to a public school of 700 + students, where 75% are minorities and live in the city is a complete 180.   There have been days where I sit at my desk and think, "I've made a mistake." Times when I stand in the hallway shocked at the behavior of the students. There are mornings when I force myself to get out of the car.  And days when I close the door, turn off the lights, and  just cry.

We've been in school for 4.5 months now - ALMOST 5 MONTHS. What have I learned? A heck of a lot. I can't tell if my patience has grown or not, it depends on the day. No, its grown.  I've learned to be more flexible in lessons and projects because they definitely won't go as originally planned.  I feel like I should be presented with a degree in psychology or social work because I spend much of the day being a counselor.

Is it all bad? ..................no......some of the kids are great, the staff and faculty have been very supportive and they are all in the same boat. I have a few teacher aides who I found out are fellow believers. One in particular comes in almost everyday and prays with me. He's an older gentleman and has worked here for 15 years.  He said today, "I just need to keep on laughing and praying because if I don't I'll just cry." He left this on my desk a month ago when times were really rough. I keep it on my wall as a reminder.

A fresh start

A blank page is always pretty intimidating.  There is a fear of failure, not being understood, rejected….but here I am writing on a blank page.  I’m not in school anymore. I don’t have professors to critique my papers or art work. This blog is not meant for that purpose. Its to rediscover creativity that has been put on the back burner for a while. An outlet. A place to share stories, thoughts, work, and ideas with those who want to indulge.  If it becomes something more, so be it.

Shall we have introductions? My name is Jocelyn. occupation: elementary and middle school art teacher. Location: Connecticut Based.  Lover of the following: family, friends, Broadway soundtracks, coffee, classic movies, art, food, Disney, travel…..that’s enough for now.

Why is the title Artful Adventures?  My life has been surrounded by some sort of art for as long as I can remember. In high school, I took art lessons, music lessons, and was involved in theater. In college, I majored in art, sang in the choir and was involved in theater.  After college, I became an art teacher, music teacher, and theater teacher.  Does this mean I don’t like change?  The adjective artful reminds me of hopeful. I’m hopeful that some creative juices will arise in me again.  Adventures – to quote one of my favorite characters in literature, “To live, will be an awfully big adventure.”