.....which way is up???

.....some days, it feels like life is whipping by in a blur of readings, lectures, quizzes, papers, tutorials and recently with rehearsals....

The school was originally built for High School teacher candidates and the interior reflects that approach with the lockers, auditorium, classrooms, and cafeteria.  The faculty is isolated from the main campus and adjacent to a public school. Despite my current age, it often feels that I am right back in those days of moving between classes and socializing in the cafeteria with classmates and students I have become familiar with in after class activities. It is a small community in an environment where individuals often forget that what they say or do often finds its way back to the unintended recipient.  It is a great reminder to always be respectful of others and to be mindful of the things you say and do.  As a teacher, it jogs one's own memory of what it was like to be in high school and to remind yourself that young high school students may not have the tools to cope with situations that present themselves through the familiarity and proximity of a variety of personalities.  It is also an opportunity to fine-hone interpersonal skills and understanding that it is a skill that few individuals have perfected.

I am currently enrolled in a group study and educational opportunity in 'emotional intelligence'.  It is a great course that gives one an awareness of how one deals with stressful situations, how one deals with their emotional stressors and finally being given the tools of how to effectively deal with these emotional stresses.  It could not have come at a better time for me in my life's journey. Looking out for my parents through family difficulties, balancing my own home life with the many demands of schooling, battling fatigue and seasonal illness.....like I said....great timing to learn how to deal more effectively when energies are at minimum.  Every bump in the road is an opportunity to learn something and to take away a new skill.

Rehearsals are going well and I find such fun in acting out a part that allows me to have creative licence in complete silliness!!  I wish I had been braver in high school to pursue more extra-curricular  activities. It is an amazing experience creating social connections with colleagues you may not necessarily ever come in contact with. It has inspired me to pursue cross-curricular development with other disciplines. My wonderful friend Brenda has been pivotal in making my costume out of two wedding dresses donated by a fellow actor.  The play will be in the auditorium for the public from Feb 13-16.

There is only 5 weeks left of classes as we ready ourselves to go into our second practicum. There are just a few projects/papers left to go before that time.  I am looking forward to go back to the classroom!!

Lydia's 'Unicorn' poem has made it into a children's collection of poems through the school system. A very proud moment for all of us.  This will be my second child to achieve this!!  Children are such a blessing to watch as they grow up and become their own person!!   Mitchel is being a typical teen....I have to give him credit for trying to once again pull the wool over our eyes.....which earned him a school detention for skipping.  Will is doing quite well, working full time and applying for a career move.  My better half is amazing and supportive through this challenging adventure,  I am a very lucky woman, surrounded by supportive family and friends.

To my dear friends who are starting their cancer journeys, I send you love and strength to keep on going!!  To Dianna, who lost her battle this week - thank you for your inspiration and words of encouragement.
M

...... and busier still.....

..... as if I have not enough on my plate, I decided to take a 'Tribes' course this whole weekend and part of next.  It is a course that was offered as an extra course off campus.  Twenty of us were able to take advantage of this course which comes complete with a work book and two incredible instructors.  There are so many ideas to get students to create connections with each other in a safe, comfortable learning environment.  It promotes mutual respect, attentive listening, appreciations for each other with no put downs and the right to pass if asked to participate.  I am enjoying the opportunity to connect more closely with fellow colleagues that I have not yet had a chance to meet or get to know better.  What a great opportunity to learn about teaching the whole child while networking with some amazing people.  It really is a course that helps to balance an approach to teaching with discipline and leadership while remaining mindful that academics are only one aspect of the student's life. Networking and creating relationships in a collaborative classroom!!
      I am facing one of the longest stretches I have had in over a year of not seeing my Dad.  It is so hard to be away from him for these past few weeks but necessary since I have been ill and there have been some family issues needing to be addressed.  I am sure he is fine, although the hospitals seem to be battling one flu outbreak after another.  This season has been so bad with stomach issues and head colds that so many people are trying to get over.  I am glad I was able to get my flu shot back in November at the University. I pray every night for him while sometimes fighting back the tears.  I wish for the day when he was at the home and I was putting him to bed two nights a week.  At night, before I go to bed, I send him happy thoughts and bid him good-night....I hope he knows somehow just how much I love and miss his laugh and his twinkling blue eyes.
    While the Faculty of Ed started on the 2nd, all the other schools will start this Monday.  The children will return to schools that are currently doing a 'work to rule' campaign in an effort to assert their right to collective bargaining and to eradicate bill 115.  It is an interesting time to be training as a teacher while so many changes are taking place in the profession.
     This week starts the real work on rehearsals and we have mere weeks to prepare before full dress rehearsals at the end of the month.  We should be putting on the play for a paying audience in the middle of February.  I am just enjoying this experience so much!!  I love the energy that is almost tangible and of course the raucous laughter when Steve, our animated director comes up with a quirky and fun idea.  Watching one of the performers shuffling across the stage with a look that sent us all reeling with laughter and making us start all over again, still had me chuckling in the car on the way home.  I am using a recording I made on my iPhone to practice my lines on the way to and from school these days.. I play the recording for my fellow actors and they agree that Lydia sounds super cute.  I am looking forward to hearing what she has to say when she finally gets to see mommy in the play?
   That's it for this week....enjoy your week and remember to pursue your passions and create a positive and happy life!!