Has it really been three weeks since I last blogged?

Time is flying for Maitresse here in New York.

In the past three weeks, I've spoken to a diverse group of people about my Big Project: a film director, a hip hop artist, a young man with spina bifida, lots of teenagers, actors, musicians, journalists, media, academics, and the president of Sire Records.

Inevitably, I get: "You are so qualified for this. How did you jump into this? How did you get chosen?"

Let's see. Maitresse has -

- A big heart.
- Studied two majors at college (university), and completed research theses in both subjects, one science-based, one humanities-based, to cum laude level.
- Started and managed not one, not two, but four student organizations and one major event (University Research Day) at college.
- Worked as a writer at a major newspaper.
- Worked as a investigative journalist for television.
- Interned at a not-for-profit civil rights organization.
- Worked as a marketing/PR manager.
- Worked in fundraising campaigns. Ditto grant-writing campaigns.
- Had several brushes with celebrity already before, so Maitresse does not get starstruck when meeting "Very Important People" (whatever that means).
- Learned the art of public speaking.
- Listened to music. A lot.
- Started law school (didn't finish, but don't beat me up for that, guys). And Maitresse works at a creative law firm, where problem-solving is necessary.
- Started several blogs, which keeps Maitresse on her toes, helps her learn HTML (sometimes), which helps her set up website for Big Project.

Now that I know that all my goofy experiences are currently working for me in this one momentous Big Project, I see that curriculum-building for one's own student should include the linear, the classical, but also the creative.

A is currently learning HTML and soon will be learning Micromedia Flash. He wants to learn to manage a business, and in conjunction with that, I feel it will be a plus if he learns public speaking (art of persuasion, anyone?).

Classical schooling as a foundation, and I think students can really fly, if they get out there, and do their passion.