New Beginnings

Larchmont Charter Elementary School, Hollywood, CA

Today was my first day teaching as an ESY (Edible Schoolyard ) teacher at Larchmont Charter Elementary School, in Hollywood, CA on the Hollygrove Campus. It was the perfect of beginnings. I arrived 2 hours early, giving myself plenty of time to beat, at least some, traffic on the dreadful 10W and 101N. For my non-Angelenos, those two freeways are part of the group of notorious southern California freeways that look more like parking lots at rush hour. I found parking, though I circled like a vulture for twenty minutes (street sweeping or not, I'm getting to the garden on time!!!). But the serenity of arriving early, with time to meet fellow staff and teachers, prepare for class, was all worth getting out of bed at 5 a.m.

I had discovered this position through the L.A. gardening ListServ I subscribe to a month before my apprenticeship at Prairie Heritage came to an end. I was excited to learn the school's affiliation with Alice Waters' famed Edible Schoolyard, which began in San Francisco. I immediately applied, then waited a few weeks, wrote a follow-up email, and got a call the next day. I went through several phone interviews, packed, said goodbye to Montana, and 1,300 miles, 2 days, with 16 hours of travel later, I made it back home. Did I mention this all happened last week?

It has been thrilling. I feel like all the seeds I have sown, all the struggles, all the sweat, is slowly ripening. Boy, does it taste sweet!! My 1st and 2nd graders today were wonderful! I'm looking forward to cooking with the kindergarten kids tomorrow. The staff and teachers at the school have been so sincere and welcoming, providing me with a great sense of support and encouragement. I see great things on the horizon for the garden here.

I feel more gratitude than anything. I'm so grateful for my mom, dad, brother, cousin Kat, auntie Barb, Nimbo Thin, yoga teacher Alma, and Grandma Ma for all their support. Their love gives me strength to follow my heart. Especially my Grandma Ma, who in my eyes has the biggest heart in the Universe. Even before I was doing any of this, she supported me with whatever I was doing. And when I was doing this, we both shared our fears and worries, our hopes and promises. Today, she called and asked me how my first day of work was, last night, she reminded me to set my alarm. She told me how happy she is for me, and that she just wants me to be happy and that she prayed for me today.

Her thoughts and love have been the water under my boat, keeping me afloat this torrid time in life, the search for identity, meaning, and purpose. Even if I don't ever discover any of these life treasures, I will be happy in the end because I'll know I had one treasure: my Grandma Ma.



*photo by Tiffanie Ma