13 of '13

It is hard to believe 365 days have come and gone.  As we continue to live in this crazy rat race we call life we must take time to create moments to make memories.  Life is short.

Just shortly before the start of 2013, I signed up on Instagram and also committed myself to Project 365 - a photo a day to capture my life.  What I loved most about this project was it was an opportunity to just appreciate the days and even sometimes the little things in life.  Now as I reflect on it, I wish more than ever I would have started sooner.  I am so grateful for the many moments and memories I have captured this year.

I have tried to create a recap of my 2013 year with 13 of '13.  Here are just a few of the many moments I will never forget.  I feel very blessed as I write this blog post.  Many amazing things happened this year for me.

1) Best Friend moments even oceans apart
Every friendship is about time, effort and love.  My life has been truly blessed with a best friend who still makes time for our friendship even though we are miles apart.  We make time for each other holding long distance movie nights as well as finding time to text.  As well, this year also marked her becoming a mom.
Thanks for the memories, Lynn.

2) Concerts with my niece
It has become somewhat our tradition to go to concerts together.  I call myself the loser aunt that drags her niece to all these concerts.  But deep down nothing beats getting a chance to spend some one on one time together.  This year saw us go to Nelly Furtado, Rihanna and Taylor Swift.

3) OPRAH
Need I say more.  This was truly a once in a lifetime experience.
One of my favorite quotes from the evening was What ever follows I am..... becomes your being.

4) WCFW
I went to my very first WCFW in March and fell so much in love I decided to volunteer for it in September.  My love for fashion is always present and this year also marked a joint Instagram account with a girlfriend called Teaching in Style.

5) Twitter/#cdnedchat
I finally embraced many elements of social media this year and really can't believe I didn't do it sooner.  I have met many inspiring people who are passionate about education.  Joining Twitter also pushed me to go outside my comfort zone and also become a moderator for #cdnedchat.

6) Summer Concert Series
This summer saw me attend many concerts with friends and family.  I loved each one and feel so grateful to spend this time with the people I love. Concerts seen include: NKOTB, DLM, Bruno Mars, REBA and Legends of Summer.

7) Flattening the Classroom 
I was so pleased to apply for a grant and be the recipient of $1000 dollars that allowed my students to make connections outside of our classroom through Twitter and Blogging.  This project also allowed us to document our learning through our digital lunchbox.

8) First 5km Race.
Another push outside my comfort zone.  I signed up for my first 5 km race and was able to share this experience with some exceptional friends.  Already looking forward to next year's Color Me Rad run.

9) Olympic Cauldron
Although this was part of a trip to Vancouver during the summer concert series - the Olympic Cauldron has to be mentioned separately.  This was truly a dream come true for me.  Every time I even think about the 2010 Winter Olympics - I tear up. To be a part of the torch run in 2010 was breathtaking and to witness where the journey ended was AMAZING!

10) Seattle
This summer marked a trip to Seattle which meant an adventure in itself - 8 different hotels in 8 days.  Tried to experience as much as possible on this trip which included:
My first ever kayaking experience
Gum Wall in Post Alley
Pike Place Fish Market
First Starbucks
Pinball Museum
Mariners and Jays Baseball Game
Seattle Needle
EMP Museum
And my favorite part - Dale Chihuly Museum

11) WE Day
In recent years, I have been wanting to serve and finally pushed myself to actually do it.  One of my most inspirational moments this year was WE Day.  I volunteered with a friend as part of the Youth Seating Team.  We made two trips to Calgary to be a part of this event.  This day included speakers such as Spencer West, Magic Johnson and Marc and Craig Kielburger.  If you ever get a chance to be a part of WE Day, I encourage you to take part.  The future looks bright with these amazing children leading the way.

One of my favorite quotes from the day:
BE THE BEST OF WHAT YOU ARE

12) Los Angeles/Anaheim
A trip to Anaheim seems to be a yearly occurrence as my love for Disney can't keep me away.  But, I also wanted this trip to include some other highlights including a once in a lifetime experience.
Some of the highlights on this trip were:
Disneyland/California Adventure  - Blue Bayou, CARS Land
Hollywood
Griffith Observatory
Disney Concert Hall
Tar Pits
The Grove
Farmer's Market - Sticker Store
Rodeo Drive
         and
LAKER'S GAME with COURT SIDE SEATS
    This was my first ever NBA game and I wanted it to be memorable.  Nothing could beat court side seats sitting amongst celebrities.  I don't think I stopped smiling all game and I also have the game recorded so I can watch my silly self over and over waving at the camera.

13) Phoenix
As 2013 drew to an end, it had to go out with a bang and be memorable.  This trip to Phoenix became a family event which would include 3 major sporting events- Football-Dec.29, Hockey-Dec.31 and Basketbal-Jan.2.
There was also a special trip to Taliesin West which has been on the bucket list for awhile.  Not only was this trip enjoyable but it also allowed an opportunity to escape the cold weather back home.

Some other notable highlights from 2013
Cirque with the family, EIFF (Edmonton International Film Festival), Master Course with 100% Final Mark

Cheers to a fantastic 2013!
Looking forward to 2014!!

Why Wait? Do It NOW! Eat Dessert First

                           

As I have mentioned in a previous post, I have spent the last year challenging myself, reflecting and more importantly living my life to the fullest. Many people have asked me, "Why now? What changed?" Unfortunately what changed was my age.  For as long as I can remember, I have been a planner. You can even ask my mom.  I have had a plan for everything.  I  use to get so excited when the new planners hit stores in August for back to school.  I would even buy new pens and stickers to decorate and plan.  I have had a plan my whole life.  My hopes, dreams, wishes have in some way always been a part of the plan.  Last June, I knew during the 2012/2013 school year, I would turn 35.  This hit me like a freight train.  I would have to check off a different box on the surveys, more fine lines would appear and I would no longer be able to say I was in my early 30's. 
Because I have spent my whole life planning, I have probably missed out on opportunities because they weren't scheduled in my agenda.  I have also not taken as many risks as I would have liked.  I like order and structure but inside I knew I was missing out.  So on June 29, 2012 Why Wait? Do It Now! began.  I booked a trip to visit my best friend in Australia and challenged myself to take as many opportunities that came my way throughout the 2012/2013 year.  That meant spending more time with family and friends, trying new things, going new places, eating at new restaurants but most of all not waiting or making sure it fits perfectly in my plan.

So here is a list of some of the highlights/firsts for me this past year.
Australia
Edmonton International Film Festival
Frank Warren of Post Secret Presentation
Animal Trek Disney World
PGA Tour Event
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party- Disney World
Teach Hard with Gerry Dee
Documentaries - Girl Model, Miss Representation, Finding Kind 
Price is Right Live
Movie/SMASH nights with Best Friend
Twitter/Instagram/Google Hangouts/Canadian Ed Chat Moderator
Concerts - Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Package Tour, Legends of Summer, Reba, Nelly Furtado, Rihanna and DLM
Amaluna
OPRAH
Western Canadian Fashion Week
La Bohemme, 100 Bar and Grill, Blue Plate Diner, Press'd, Sullivan's
One Month with No POP
Color Me Rad 5K
Tie Dye Shirts
Trip to Vancouver- Olympic Cauldron
Seattle - Pike Place Market, Pinball Museum, Space Needle, Chihuly Museum, Baseball Game
Kayaking

Eat Dessert First (My whole family was there to witness this moment)

and

TONS OF UNFORGETTABLE DINNERS, VISITS, AND CHATS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

So I encourage all of you to not wait another minute.  Do It NOW!

YOU MATTER

Everyone deserves to have someone say to them 'YOU MATTER'.
You matter to me and you matter to the universe.  Often we can forget the importance of relationships.  As teachers we can easily get caught up in curriculum, planning, and marking papers.  However, at the end of the day when all the dust has settled, the pencils are picked up and the glue lids are back on- the only thing a child is going to remember is how you made them feel.  

YOU MATTER, YOU ARE IMPORTANT, YOU ARE UNIQUE, YOU ARE SPECIAL, YOU HAVE TALENTS, YOUR IDEAS AND THOUGHTS ARE VALUED, YOU MATTER.

As we prepare to go back into the classroom, make sure every child knows they matter.

Why I Was Meant To Be A Teacher

I often think about why I am a teacher.  Especially when I watch tv, look through magazines or go to the mall.  Why am I a teacher?  Why am I not a celebrity, some tv personality or a singer? (oh, right, I can't sing)
Still, I often wonder why I never pursued something else or maybe if I still should.
But then moments of strong reflection occur.  Yes, I would love the lights, the cameras, and of course the money but would I really be making a difference?  Would I be making the world different or a better place to live?  Would my life mean something?  Everyday, I think not only about the students in my classroom but also every student who I have had an encounter with. Their lives and my part in it.  
Why I was Meant to Be a Teacher? 
Well let me tell you....
To be the best cheerleader a student could have.  To teach students about life and let them know how important they are. To have them believe they can achieve every dream they set their minds to.  To make a difference in education.  To be an advocate for what is best for students.    
That is why I was meant to be a Teacher.

Expiration Date

So many times we hear life is too short, do the things you enjoy and live in the moment.  Well, this post is no different.  Over the past year, I have encouraged or more like forced myself to try something new or do something at least once each month that I have never done before.  It could be as simple as trying a new restaurant/food or even travelling to Australia by myself last summer to see my best friend. Doing these challenges has allowed me to enjoy each moment as well as be more present in my life.  

We all have an expiration date but what we do before then is what matters.  I encourage you to be more present in your life.  Find ways to make different choices - go for a run, read a book, volunteer.  Take chances - call an old friend, ask for that promotion, or even maybe tell someone you care about them. Make changes in your attitude, routines and perceptions. The time will come when it is your expiration date, will you be fulfilled in knowing you did everything you could? 

Weekend App Attack! Week #4 Word Work!

I am linking up with Sugar and Spice to share two Word Work Apps that my students love to use during Word Work.

The first App is called Doodoo Lite.  This app changes the color of the pages and the color of the tools randomly, however, the students love the surprise.  This app also allows you to import images if you want to import pictures or papers to help with letter formation.  You can also use the record function to show how to form letters or also as a game.  GAME - Can you guess my word? -Students write the word and then show the recording to a friend to see if they can guess the word before the time is up.  

The second App is called Drawing Free.  This app allows you to choose from 36 different crayon colors.  It is just a simple app to be used like a whiteboard.  It allows you to save in photos as well as send e-mail so you can have a sample of student work. 

The great thing about both of these apps - They Are FREE!!!!

Can't wait to hear about your favorite Word Work Apps.  Don't forget to link up with Sugar and Spice!



I Remember

I Remember…

For the first time in my teaching career, I actually have a name plate. It shouldn’t be that big of a deal, but I was very excited. 

All students have had hundreds of teachers in their lifetimes and very few of these teachers they remember. But there are some teachers who inspire students to work three times harder than they normally would, while others inspire students to skip class. Some teachers teach you lessons, while some teachers teach you lessons not found in textbooks. These are the ones that linger in a student’s memory. 

If you want to read a feel good book, read -
I Remember My Teacher: 365 Reminiscences of the Teachers Who Changed Our Lives by David Shribman

Here is my I remember statement. 
If you have one, please share. 

I remember……..
My grade four teacher Mr. Kastelan who took us to watch the Olympic Torch Relay in 1988. That is the day my dream started – ‘Someday I will run with the torch.’ On January 13, 2010, my dream came true. On February 11, 2010, I got to personally thank him, until that day; he never knew the impact he had on my life. He inspired me to pursue my dreams. 

Be the one they remember! 
Inspire them so they remember your name!