A three day conference for educators of world languages in New York City is amazing. I *try* to go every year. In addition to ideas and strategies, I leave with a sense of belonging, motivation, and a renewed feeling of enthusiasm for teaching and, especially, teaching a world language. This year was not different.
Thursday: an early train ride from NJ to NYC was enjoyable. NJ Transit train was quite empty, the sun was slowly rising and I bought coffee at Newark Penn Station where I had to switch trains. I then walked about 20 blocks to the conference site. Also enjoyable but my bag was a bit heavy.
Thursday: after the workshops I went for a burger and then, completely on a whim, booked a massage. You see, my hotel was in Korea town (west 40th-35th streets) and K-town has so many restaurants, stores, and spas. I got a one hour hot stone massage for $70. That’s cheap! In NJ, in my usual Korean spa, you get 30 minutes for $70. The woman who did my massage was sweet and she did a great job.
Thursday: after the massage, I checked into my hotel and went out in search of dinner. Bought sushi to go, tiramisu to go, a bottle of moscato, and went back to my hotel room. Had dinner, took a nice, hot shower, applied a mask, and commented on some blogs. Read “The Historian.” Was asleep by 8pm.
**T was like “you are in New York City, with no kids and no obligations, go see a show!” Me: Zzzzz… A few moments later: turned lights on, grabbed my phone and found a show for Friday night. Jonah from the Roundabout Theater Company.
Friday: up early, got breakfast at the Paris Baguette and walked to the conference venue. A day of workshops and presentations. Sushi for lunch. More workshops. After I crawled out of the conference, I walked to Charlie Palmer Steak for a pre-show dinner and a drink, then walked to the theater. Back to my hotel, utterly exhausted, by 10PM.
Saturday: slept in until 7AM. Coffee in my hotel room, followed by workshops and presentations. Then a train ride home!
I used these three days for learning and resting. This will count for one of my mom weekend away (February and August). I spent time listening to presentations but I also journaled, and planned, and talked to my dad in Russia, and stared out of the window at the windows of a building across from my hotel. I roamed the streets. I saw a play and had food that is a bit different from what I usually eat. Tuna tartar?
Do I feel utterly and completely rejuvenated? Hell no. But these three days were very good for my soul.
Mom of Children 