tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41995429254548408722024-03-19T15:12:31.144-07:00Lessons in LifeLady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-92107383452360387942014-02-13T18:48:00.001-08:002014-02-13T18:49:02.917-08:00Lesson #22:<div style="text-align: center;">
Lesson #22: Choose to give:</div>
<br />
My classroom is desperate to conclude our project through DonorsChoose.org. We are about $500 short and have hit a wall in donations! I'm trying to spread the word as best I can so here goes, blogosphere:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ka8PE9CUR5xJMYKxGg2sIYZegt7G6BmbbgtUXlTv-aQRNTCea6uFnjWD5RpAIyefBdj6xrhMRTtiYllEqnZlIeEAJfwWEH_EpXTHpf97rFO3I_xEY0-qCD7xOZrluO4bd4SEctRp6g/s1600/IMG_4169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ka8PE9CUR5xJMYKxGg2sIYZegt7G6BmbbgtUXlTv-aQRNTCea6uFnjWD5RpAIyefBdj6xrhMRTtiYllEqnZlIeEAJfwWEH_EpXTHpf97rFO3I_xEY0-qCD7xOZrluO4bd4SEctRp6g/s1600/IMG_4169.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
If you can donate any amount, we would be oh so grateful! You will also receive a handmade thank you card from our class as well as a picture. :-) Click here to donate and THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!<br />
<br />
<span style="padding: 1em 0px 1em 1em;"><a href="http://www.donorschoose.org/andreaseider" target="_blank">http://www.donorschoose.org/andreaseider</a></span><br />
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<br />Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-54464163011707822802014-01-24T13:05:00.000-08:002014-01-24T13:06:27.483-08:00Lesson # 21:<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Lesson #21: Nurture Your Passion</span></h2>
<br />
I have jugglers in my brain. Juggling multiple batons and adding more constantly, and then more jugglers keep coming to see if they can juggle amongst the hundreds already there and for some reason the Circus Master (that would be me) keeps allowing this to happen.<br />
<br />
"Sure! We could ALWAYS use more!!" says I, whilst nervously trying to maintain the jugglers already in progress. Batons keep falling and rolling on the ground and I narrowly escape tripping over several, as I run around scrambling up juggling apparati, meanwhile keeping an air of grace and dignity. And a smile. And jugglers keep chasing after rolling batons as new jugglers come to join the party all excited and fresh and ambitious, showing off their new craze...fire juggling! And at a certain point I think: This can't go on forever. <br />
<br />
This is an analogy of how my brain feels. Pretty darn crazy.<br />
<br />
I wish I had a picture to inset here of a view of my brain and all its craziness.<br />
<br />
Wait...I do...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqXaNyI6JYo0JC3PMcfiONWPSLlA1P-NxvBxseVsjwgAgRbGli7ohBj4QBtRJ51PkBTewWQ7zsYVjjj6WVfFVk-F3RY_KmiO4rBgYzrDY19C4_dNEaAxAlNbINxjTV_2-kp-rb4Nh7A/s1600/crazy+brain.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqXaNyI6JYo0JC3PMcfiONWPSLlA1P-NxvBxseVsjwgAgRbGli7ohBj4QBtRJ51PkBTewWQ7zsYVjjj6WVfFVk-F3RY_KmiO4rBgYzrDY19C4_dNEaAxAlNbINxjTV_2-kp-rb4Nh7A/s1600/crazy+brain.png" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Brain. On Jugglers. Note the multiple bottles of wine in the background...a necessity. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Here's a breakdown of that analogy:<br />
<br />
The jugglers are the many thoughts that enter my head and decide to set up camp there for a while. For example, I've recently been entertaining the idea of a summer job, one that would also nurture a passion of mine, and that is photography. So, I would like to try my hand at this hobby professionally...now enters the juggler. He has a baton for each class I should be taking, another for each equipment I need to purchase to be "professional", another for books I need to read, another for contacts I need to make, another for time I need to set aside, another for money I need to save to get this going, another for artistic inspiration...and so on and so on. You probably get my drift. That's just one juggler. Some people have a couple of these going on simultaneously. Or maybe more. I don't know. All I know is that I have too many of these. Too. Many.<br />
<br />
I literally have spent hours working towards goals such as:<br />
1.Becoming a better photographer (ok, that one is not a silly one),<br />
2.becoming a professional public speaker of some sorts (I was inspired last summer by my ability to give a speech at a wedding and not feel nervous. I <strike>think</strike> know it was the shots beforehand. But still, I thought of myself for the next few weeks as the next great motivational orator of America),<br />
3.becoming a writer,<br />
4.becoming a songwriter,<br />
5.becoming a mosaic artist,<br />
6.becoming a YouTube sensation: "Girl Playing Ukelele AWESOME!",<br />
7.becoming a professional Ukelele player,<br />
8.becoming a DJ (I'm dead serious about this...I think I can make great mixes. I always get down to my mixes. Plus, I've done some hard core Dj sessions in Best Buy sampling their equipment. I think I've got this one.)<br />
9. opening up my own private school that is Spanish Immersion Montessori based.<br />
10. Traveling the world and writing a blog about it. And directing a vlog about it. And sending vlog to a network and then having them pick it up to start a tv show.<br />
11. Traveling the world to teach English.<br />
12. Traveling the world on photo expeditions.<br />
13. Running a marathon.<br />
14. Joining a dance troupe (for 30-somethings...)<br />
15. Opening up a dance studio<br />
16. Teaching yoga<br />
17. Getting my Phd and becoming a professor of early childhood education<br />
<br />
This is not a list of pipe dreams folks. I truly have spent time on each of these goals (jugglers) and I keep adding more for some reason. Oh yeah, and I already have a profession. That of being a Teacher. And that takes up the most time of all.<br />
<br />
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So...what's a girl to do with all these thoughts running around?<br />
<br />
I guess one remedy would be to write them all out. I mean, amongst all these lofty life goals I have, I also have deep, emotive thoughts trudging through it all simultaneously (these are the Circus Elephants). And each ti<br />
<br />Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-27676999899462305452013-11-03T09:23:00.004-08:002013-11-03T09:26:48.088-08:00Lesson #20:<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Lesson #20: Don't EVER Give Up</span></h2>
<br />
Teaching is hard. It has been a challenge returning to it after being in the "real" world of business for two years. Teaching, like I explained in my last post, is exhausting, both mentally and physically. This is the main reason that I haven't had time for other interests, including writing in this blog.<br />
<br />
It makes me nostalgic for my previous life, one where I showed up to work at 7:30 and left at 4:30 and did not have to take anything home with me. I did not have to be "on" all day every day and I did not have someone constantly watching me do my job and evaluating me. I did not have to stay after work late to catch up before the next day, all the while feeling like I was never truly caught up. I did not have to forgo things I enjoyed such as reading good books, attending classes FOR FUN, making art, music and writing, hanging out with friends, cooking a nice dinner, working out, running, dancing, etc.etc.etc. Basically, feeling like a human.<br />
<br />
It was all nice. I felt very well-rounded. But one thing I missed was feeling important. My job was not as essential as being a teacher. As a teacher, I shape and mold minds and people. I introduce worlds that had previously been unknown to my group of 7-8 year-olds. My classroom does not function with the same efficacy without me there. Each day I see my kids and help them to cross from point A to point B and when they struggle I go home, I brainstorm, and I come back the next day ready with a new arsenal of ideas to help get them there. Because I'm not going to let them fall back and be left behind. Because I care about getting them all to the other side. Because teaching is important.<br />
<br />
It's true, we don't get paid what we should. So many people like to think that teachers are overpaid, considering their summers off and Christmas holiday. But if you put together all our hours that we put in during the school year (I usually arrive at 7am and leave around 6 or 7pm). I take work home with me and sometimes end up falling asleep with papers lying all around me. Weekends end up being the same. My husband and I spent one whole weekend grading papers in time for Progress Reports. I go to REQUIRED professional development classes after school and during the summer. Not to mention the fact that the job itself is so draining. There's no time or energy for other interests. Granted, there is a bit of a break over the summer, but it is necessary for sanity. Without it there would be no way to get through an entire year and go right into the next. Teachers are still human, after all. All told, the plight of a teacher is a difficult one.<br />
<br />
I had a feeling last night that maybe teaching isn't what I'm meant to be doing. And perhaps there are other things I could pursue. But then another side of me came back with strength and dignity and shook me, saying "Andrea! Never EVER give up!". I thought of my kids. I thought of my ideas of ways to make things better. I thought of myself and the importance of what I do. I thought of progress. And I thought of the race.<br />
<br />
I used to run Cross Country in High School. There is something very noble about that sport. It's kind of like teaching. There's not a whole lot of glory in winning Cross Country meets. There's a lot of sweat and exhaustion and early morning training and forgoing normal teenage activities during that time of year. But every time I would start the race I got into "the zone" and nothing mattered but me and my own pace and each breath going in and out my lungs in the same rhythm with my legs moving forward, right then left, right then left, right, left, right left. And once I was in that zone nothing could take me out of it. And you get that "runner's high". And sometimes I wouldn't even want to stop once I crossed the finish line because I had entered such a steady pace. I guess you could say that's how I'm beginning to feel about teaching. I'm in the zone. I can't stop now. I can't give up. And even today I'm putting together a new set of Math Centers and I'm organizing a lesson plan to help my struggling students from last week's topic, and I'm redoing a powerpoint presentation for the fourth time to make it even more engaging and informative. <br />
<br />
So it is with teaching, and running, and life in general. Don't EVER give up.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7imYXHd8ZSrV4rKmBgkGmr6ERP3S-YbMNFFVdKnp_O3YZ-HCElPOW2Vx9uVxzmM5Gg4C2ru448q0JCL4GTbBZ3qWU5_kgC2KoqbzngkbKToinc4wDyY5O5qD48qYBRXDkIOlhyphenhyphenfYAvw/s1600/mt+lebo+sunflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7imYXHd8ZSrV4rKmBgkGmr6ERP3S-YbMNFFVdKnp_O3YZ-HCElPOW2Vx9uVxzmM5Gg4C2ru448q0JCL4GTbBZ3qWU5_kgC2KoqbzngkbKToinc4wDyY5O5qD48qYBRXDkIOlhyphenhyphenfYAvw/s640/mt+lebo+sunflower.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div id="r1PostCPBlock" style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; left: -99999px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="bqQuoteLink"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/wilmarudol184357.html" title="view quote">I
ran and ran and ran every day, and I acquired this sense of
determination, this sense of spirit that I would never, never give up,
no matter what else happened.</a></span><br />
Read more at <a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/wilma_rudolph.html#WEqIiBQQkPDs5s5l.99" style="color: #003399;">http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/wilma_rudolph.html#WEqIiBQQkPDs5s5l.99</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<h1 style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I ran and ran and ran every day, and I
acquired this sense of determination, this sense of spirit that I would
never, never give up, no matter what else happened.” - Wilma Rudolph</span></span></h1>
</blockquote>
</div>
<div id="r1PostCPBlock" style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; left: -99999px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="bqQuoteLink"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/wilmarudol184357.html" title="view quote">I
ran and ran and ran every day, and I acquired this sense of
determination, this sense of spirit that I would never, never give up,
no matter what else happened.</a></span><br />
Read more at <a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/wilma_rudolph.html#WEqIiBQQkPDs5s5l.99" style="color: #003399;">http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/wilma_rudolph.html#WEqIiBQQkPDs5s5l.99</a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div id="r1PostCPBlock" style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; left: -99999px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="bqQuoteLink"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/wilmarudol184357.html" title="view quote">I
ran and ran and ran every day, and I acquired this sense of
determination, this sense of spirit that I would never, never give up,
no matter what else happened.</a></span><br />
Read more at <a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/wilma_rudolph.html#WEqIiBQQkPDs5s5l.99" style="color: #003399;">http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/wilma_rudolph.html#WEqIiBQQkPDs5s5l.99</a></div>
</blockquote>
Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-84205915853820134802013-08-15T08:09:00.001-07:002013-08-15T08:10:29.909-07:00Lesson #19: <h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lesson #19: Exhaustion Doth Not Beget Creativity Nor Productivity</b></span></h2>
<br />
So...I'm returning to teaching. I am excited to be back in the classroom but there is one little thing I forgot about...<br />
<br />
The beginning of school is EXHAUSTING!!!<br />
<br />
There are a lot of reasons why it is exhausting. I may happen to be a little more exhausted than most this time around.<br />
<br />
Here's why...<br />
<br />
Setting up a classroom is PHYSICALLY exhausting. There are tables to be moved, cabinets to set up, things to hang from the ceiling, boxes to unload from your car, boxes to reload back to your car. It would be wonderful to have some assistance that first week moving in.<br />
<br />
Then there is the mental exhaustion, which I think is draining me more than anything.<br />
<br />
I am returning to school after be gone for two years. Not only gone from teaching but gone from this town and state and school. Everyday I've been up at school to do stuff in my classroom, I've found myself seeing someone I haven't seen for two years so I have to play catch up. Then I go back into my classroom and stare at all that has to be done. Then I leave and walk around and talk to some people. Then I come back and fix the border that I had already put up because I didn't like it. Then I leave. Then I stare.<br />
<br />
I also have never taught this grade level and I have never been departmentalized (meaning I only teach Math and Science and my classrooms rotate). I don't really know what to set up so my time in the classroom has been slightly unproductive. There are also rules about where things have to go, what things can be seen or not seen, to the left or right of the dry erase board, what tools can be used and which can not (tape is OUT!).<br />
<br />
I have so many ideas when I sit at home and think about them but when I get to school I look around and just want to hide all my things in the cabinets and come back another day when I feel more inspired.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>EXHAUSTED!</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Another reason I am exhausted is my commute.<br />
<br />
So, I went back to teach at the school I had been at before because I really loved all the people. They are really friendly and it gives me a sense of camaraderie. Plus I started teaching at this school so it is familiar.<br />
<br />
BUT it is a looong way from the neighborhood my husband and I live in. We also like where we live and don't want to move near this school. The commute on a good day is now 45 minutes but in traffic it is close to an hour. And it's not a pretty commute. It is a slam on your breaks, or haul A#$, or close your eyes and cross your fingers you don't die because you have to cross 7 lanes of highway traffic to get to your exit and that's just how it is in Houston, Texas because when the speed limit says 65 it means go 85 and that'll keep you moving with the flow of traffic. Seriously. I got so used to those Pittsburgher drivers who are so slow that now I'm totally out of my element. So by the time I get up to the school I am already frazzled, my nerves are SHOT and I'm ready to go home. So yeah, that part has been exhausting too.<br />
<br />
And finally, I am exhausted because I am, by nature, an introvert. That doesn't mean I don't like people, or I am shy, or that I get embarrassed easily (talk to my husband about that...he wishes I got embarrassed more easily). It mostly means that too much social overload can wear me out and I need space and time to rest myself alone to get my energy back. Some people don't understand what being an introvert truly means and I remember growing up falsely claiming that I was NOT one because, for some reason, in our country it is given a bad rap. Like, "Ew, you're an introvert. I'm sorry." It really just gives way to greater introspection and a different way of achieving productivity (I prefer to do work alone then share it with others and collaborate that way rather than all talking and working simultaneously as a group).<br />
<br />
But this is a whole other blog topic....the main point here is that I am talking all day long with people and, though I love them all, at the end of the day, with my mind in a million places and physically BEAT from moving and rearranging and decorating and organizing and laminating and copying and writing and hooking up computers and...and...and...well I'm just so tired. And then I have to make my looooong commute back home. Wah wah wah. <br />
<br />
(Cue the tiny violin)<br />
<br />
All of this is to say that I. AM. TIRED!!!<br />
<br />
And all the ideas I have are completely useless when you are so freaking tired.<br />
<br />
So what can you do to overcome this???<br />
<br />
Today I am taking a day off. I am trying not to plan anything. I'm just resting my mind and hoping that I can really crank it out next week.<br />
<br />
Another thing I can do is take one day at a time. Think about getting things ready for Meet the Teacher. Then after that get ready for the First Day. Then start thinking about the following weeks. I know that's not what you want to be doing ideally (ideally you should not be planning day by day and trying to keep your head above water that way...ideally you should be one step ahead, ready and prepared). But that's really just how it's going to be until I get my feet wet again.<br />
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One step at a time.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQVLT8gAZe440vR-ox1IoNYKpo6uwX7CdgATaKrv5dv2zuhRmYn30BfhNZsPA9nRFmAha-tf2wYrgwRx7d3KXWf1y6SM-KXI3RlAbHK8I5seyW1gwSrurHhk1C9zRooSzRlrKltXo8A/s1600/tumblr_meimm22Vlp1qa5045o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQVLT8gAZe440vR-ox1IoNYKpo6uwX7CdgATaKrv5dv2zuhRmYn30BfhNZsPA9nRFmAha-tf2wYrgwRx7d3KXWf1y6SM-KXI3RlAbHK8I5seyW1gwSrurHhk1C9zRooSzRlrKltXo8A/s640/tumblr_meimm22Vlp1qa5045o1_500.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by <a href="http://www.behance.net/iainmac" target="_blank"><i>Iain Macarthur</i></a></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h4>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"> "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."- Martin Luther King, Jr. </span></span></h4>
</blockquote>
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<br />Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-410565322559581422013-08-08T09:03:00.002-07:002013-08-15T08:25:41.908-07:00Lesson #18:<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Lesson #18:Make Time to Play</span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
</h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was going to make this blog post about my recent professional development coursework which was heavily focused on Smartboard technology, amongst other techie type teacher solutions. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But then I started thinking (and you <i>know</i> that's never safe...) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So much of our education system is focused on success, success, success at any rate. And I totally agree in working towards success...how would I survive as a teacher if I didn't want that as an end goal? But there is an issue when the drive towards a numeric goal -say, a test score - overrides the importance of developing the person that the student is to become.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I write this now, having been through numerous courses over the past couple of days, that all made me feel a bit nervous about the numbers. Numbers that my students needed to meet, numbers that the state requires of us, number of hours for this and that, numbers, numbers, numbers! I swear to you, my anxiety as school approaches has skyrocketed! And I'm the teacher! Think about being a student and having those pressures to perform put on you.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fortunately there have also been many staff development opportunities that have emphasized the importance of a more holistic approach to education. I've really latched on to these training sessions and it has made me feel a bit better. My most important job in these first few weeks of school should be to create an environment that feels safe and nurturing and where the students feel valued and respected.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And where we can play.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've noticed within myself that I do many things better when there is an element of play involved. Like when I joined a bootcamp over the summer, the days that I found myself working the hardest were days in which the instructor had us play some sort of game (usually tag related). I'm all about playing tag! (And, if you are a teacher or parent or ever have worked with kids, you know as well that tag is the ultimate game at recess. Hands down.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So it got me thinking about how I can make difficult things (like boring math and science) into games that can be played. Let's play our way through life! Why not!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm not the only one focusing a lot on the benefits of play and games. I recently watched a fascinating <a href="http://on.ted.com/McGonigal" target="_blank">TED Talks</a> lecture by Jane McGonigal that discussed overcoming a difficult ordeal through the use of gaming.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="http://embed.ted.com/talks/jane_mcgonigal_the_game_that_can_give_you_10_extra_years_of_life.html" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It seems that creating an element of play can really bring on beneficial changes, some of them we probably never expected.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, some ways in which I have thought about bringing play into my classroom include:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. Mystery Hall Walker Reward - As a game- who am I watching the whole time and who gets the prize at the end? Hall walking manners are either a teacher's greatest achievement or worst nightmare. Her class is there on display for everyone to see and her classroom management skills are summed up in the entirety of those 10 minutes it takes to walk her class from the room to the cafeteria. Unfair? Yes. Reason to incentivize? Most definitely.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. Classroom Bingo -A Bingo Board for the class is created. At the end of each day (or class period) if the class has had no more than 3 verbal warnings for staying on task, keeping voices off, good behavior, etc then they can fill in a Bingo square. As soon as they get Bingo we can have a reward of their choice which has been predetermined - pizza party, extra recess, crazy sock day, WHATEVER those crazy little minds think up.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Finishing a task = Dance Party Break - A good student can come up to pick which dance party break we'd like to do for 3-4 minutes if we've made it through a task. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. Special Chair Incentive - Can be an attendance award, bringing in homework award, bringing in signed permission slip award...may end up changing each week. Basically I will have a cool looking chair- paint, glitter, crazy, tacky stuff- and the person who reaches this goal I set will get to sit in it for a whole day. Kids dig this sort of stuff. Big time. They're so funny.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">5. Silent Finger Math - While waiting in the hall I can sign out addition or subtraction problems, they hold up the answers on their fingers. The first one with their fingers up with the right answer (while remaining silent) gets picked to come up and make the next math problem. I haven't actually tried this one, I kind of just thought of it right now. I am always looking for games that have an element of QUIET since there are so many times when the kids have to be quiet and it feels like torture having to tell them over and over again to USE INSIDE VOICES or PUT A BUBBLE IN THEIR MOUTH. If I were a kid I'd be sick of that too.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm sure there are many more elements of play that can be added to the school day, or just everyday life!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Care to share? I'm all ears!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1d0F9_U3ZuQR8a_u7JIAJIJFgfifIGXUDBwDGdZ8sPGV9dlZEDgS9DY4edZ4SvtS28DrNrQWNEH4XzUAxjnIDFJ_sgfLXQkImf_1J4wS0rCVrPWWPAonGFwoDsnC1HNph9QT7oyHxQ/s1600/1759829828_c84ed45a0c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1d0F9_U3ZuQR8a_u7JIAJIJFgfifIGXUDBwDGdZ8sPGV9dlZEDgS9DY4edZ4SvtS28DrNrQWNEH4XzUAxjnIDFJ_sgfLXQkImf_1J4wS0rCVrPWWPAonGFwoDsnC1HNph9QT7oyHxQ/s640/1759829828_c84ed45a0c.jpg" width="472" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo By: HeadOvMetal</i></td></tr>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>"It is a happy talent to know how to play". <i>- Ralph Waldo Emerson</i></b></span></span></blockquote>
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<br />Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-3724191747347212532013-07-19T14:18:00.001-07:002013-07-19T14:24:00.049-07:00Lesson #17:<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Lesson #17: Gain a New Perspective</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzGhy4bI3EXyCquU8FyoDXkuvc-tXP4HGZ_tbCmrjMIQLdOro9t8jF8BwD2rZko0aua87EvIv644uM-o9t7RTBROFpMembH4da6Z2Z_vRd9HNM8x-Wv0kvmA5fvtiK_uG0emcr5uRXg/s1600/andrea+eyeball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzGhy4bI3EXyCquU8FyoDXkuvc-tXP4HGZ_tbCmrjMIQLdOro9t8jF8BwD2rZko0aua87EvIv644uM-o9t7RTBROFpMembH4da6Z2Z_vRd9HNM8x-Wv0kvmA5fvtiK_uG0emcr5uRXg/s640/andrea+eyeball.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
Yesterday I got contacts. As I went through the various eye tests at the doctor’s office, it suddenly became shocking to me that I had even been getting around previously without them! The world was suddenly crispy and focused. Clarity...ahhhh! How refreshing. <br />
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That was before the breakdown. I didn’t realize taking my contacts out would turn into such an ordeal! After many unsuccessful attempts I told my eye doctor that I was afraid I was going to push my contact around to the backside of my eye ball and get it stuck there. To which she laughed and told me that it was impossible to do that. <br />
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Well...I kind of did. Sort of. <br />
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While attempting to remove the contact while at the office, I managed to roll it up into a little contacty taco and then slide it up on top of my eye ball back in the eye socket. It hurt really bad! So I inevitably began freaking out. The doctor had to get me some numbing drops and some colored liquid stuff and then, using her microscope, she went in to get that sucker. Crisis averted. Tears...not so much. <br />
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I tried again and again and again to put on then take off those freaking contacts. The taking off being the only part that was AWFUL for me (because of the whole irrational fear of it rolling back into my brain via my eye socket). <br />
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Finally I kind of caught on and I was invited to wear them home then come back in a week for a check up. So I’ve been putting them on and off (as instructed to do) and experimenting with how it makes me feel. In this discovery process, I’ve noticed that things were so hazy before. When I take my contacts off, things that are far away are just so blurry. Now, with this new, fresh, clear perspective...I almost don’t know what to think. It sounds weird, but, it kind of hurts to have this much clarity. My head is having a hard time adjusting itself to seeing so well. <br />
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I can relate to this feeling. Knowing things in all their essence, seeing the truth through the crispness and brightness of utter clarity...that stuff is intense. And sometimes painful. But it’s important to not be content in the haziness. Life is about seeing clearly, and acting purely, and being in the light.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Mystification is simple; clarity is the hardest thing of all.”
- Julian Barnes,
<i>
Flaubert's Parrot</i></span></span></blockquote>
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Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-5224723411534595072013-07-12T07:52:00.001-07:002013-07-15T19:56:40.386-07:00Lesson #16: <div style="text-align: center;">
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">Lesson # 16: You're a Teacher, So What Do You Make?</span></h2>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/fuBmSbiVXo0" width="459"></iframe></div>
Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-61185472085199875232013-06-05T17:34:00.001-07:002013-07-18T15:38:16.204-07:00Lesson #15:<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lesson #15: Hone Your Craft While Indulging Your Passion</b></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">That title was hard to write and perhaps a bit confusing. It's often hard to create a title that encapsulates everything I want to write about in a concise and interest-grabbing way. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">What the title could have been is: Things I'm Going to Share With You About Ways to Expand Your Life While Also Doing Something You Love</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">...that still may sound confusing. Alas, let me just begin. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Seems I'm on a particular theme here recently, that being <span style="color: #3d85c6;">TRAVEL</span>. My blog is about much more than just travel, however, I find myself harping on it because it really has helped to form the me that is vibrant, curious, life-loving and a bit more interesting than if I had just stayed at home. And since my blog <i>is</i> about learning lessons and sharing them with the world, why not share some more on my favorite topic! (Travel...if you hadn't already guessed). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, you want to finally do it. You've finished school (college or high school) and you are ready to open up your world. You've decided you want to work with <u>kids</u> now you want resources. Here are some tools to help you navigate these opportunities. Other sites I will reference have even more information to help you out. Just do some good research then, BAM, go for it! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">1. <a href="http://www.bunac.org/" target="_blank">BUNAC Work Experience</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bunac is an organization in which I have participated. It grants you a temporary work visa in another country, (those being in the Commonwealth) and guides you in the process of finding a job, housing, and basically setting you up for a 6 month- yearlong work experience in another country. It's FABULOUS but is limited to certain restrictions, depending on the country:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Age Restrictions (must be 18+ and often under 30)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Financial Responsibility (must have secured funds to support yourself for a given amount of time)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Must be recent college graduate (sorry...you can't go if you've graduated 2-3 years ago)</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'd recommend doing further research on the country you'd like to work in and find out what their requirements are. The advantage to securing this type of working visa is that you have tons of jobs available for you to choose from. They have live job listings available for each country so that you can secure something before leaving.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Check out the current job listings for Australia:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: 20pt; font-weight: bold;">AVAILABLE JOBS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Current Available Jobs = 713</div>
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State <select name="state"><option value="">All</option><option value="NSW">New South Wales</option><option value="ACT">Australian Capital Territory</option><option value="NT">Northern Teritory</option><option value="QLD">Queensland</option><option value="SA">South Australia</option><option value="TAS">Tasmania</option><option value="VIC">Victoria</option><option value="WA">Western Australia</option></select> <input name="submit" type="submit" value="search" />
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<tr height="15"><td align="center" bgcolor="#d0d0d0"><b><span style="color: #1b648d;">Generic Jobs</span></b></td></tr>
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<td align="left" width="20%"><b>06-06-2013</b></td>
<td align="right" colspan="3" width="65%"><b>Housekeeping</b></td>
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<td align="center" width="65%">QLD - Mt Tamborine</td>
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Required a casual Housekeeper for approximately 24 hours per week.
Weekend work is required although no nights/evenings are included.
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<td align="left" width="20%"><b>06-06-2013</b></td>
<td align="right" colspan="3" width="65%"><b>Wait staff</b></td>
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<td align="left" width="20%"><img border="0" src="http://www.worknholiday.com/wnhweb/images/TN_australia.JPG" /></td>
<td align="center" width="65%">QLD - Beaumaris</td>
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Experienced wait person and assistant floor manager for busy Restaurant. Full time and Part time positions.
Looking for outgoing and service orientated persons. Must able to work in fast pace environment and have own transport.</div>
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<td align="left" width="20%"><b>06-06-2013</b></td>
<td align="right" colspan="3" width="65%"><b>Waitstaff</b></td>
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<td align="left" width="20%"><img border="0" src="http://www.worknholiday.com/wnhweb/images/TN_australia.JPG" /></td>
<td align="center" width="65%">QLD - Cairns</td>
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Looking for a waiter/waitress
Previous experience in a similar role essential.
You will be required to;
Greet guests
Provide full a la carte service
Upsell products
Offer Food and Wine knowledge
Cocktail knowledge
Use a POS system
Handle cash
Work in a team
Clean </div>
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<td align="left" width="20%"><b>06-06-2013</b></td>
<td align="right" colspan="3" width="65%"><b>Waiting staff</b></td>
</tr>
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<td align="left" width="20%"><img border="0" src="http://www.worknholiday.com/wnhweb/images/TN_australia.JPG" /></td>
<td align="center" width="65%">QLD - Cairns</td>
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Seeking waiting staff
Experience in contemporary Australian dining and food and wine knowledge essential.
Approximately 30 hours a week available for the right candidate with the wage rate $20 - $25 per hour.
You will be required to:
Greet customers
Follow an order of service
Share knowledge of Food and Wine
Use a POS system
Handle money
Be a team player
Make cocktails</div>
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<td align="left" width="20%"><b>06-06-2013</b></td>
<td align="right" colspan="3" width="65%"><b>Short order cook</b></td>
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<td align="left" width="20%"><img border="0" src="http://www.worknholiday.com/wnhweb/images/TN_australia.JPG" /></td>
<td align="center" width="65%">QLD - Sunshine Coast</td>
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Must be experience cooking fish and chips ,operating 3x deep fryers and grill cooking.Immediate start. </div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Granted these may not be your dream jobs, but it's just the first few I came across. And, you aren't limited to just the jobs that appear in the job post site. The world is your oyster. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.ccusa.com/" target="_blank">2. CCUSA</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have not experienced this organization personally but I have heard about it. If you are interested in working with kids, starting out at summer camps is one of the best routes. You get lots of resume-building kid experience (if that's what you're also looking for) plus it's FUN. This organization seems to have a plethora of camps, located in the USA and abroad. If traveling outside the US is too much at first, why not try a stint in the USA. That way you have it under your belt and maybe the following year, with more experience and know-how, you'll be ready to take that next step. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.goabroad.com/" target="_blank">3. Go Abroad</a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This organization links you up to volunteer, teaching or intern experiences. It can also direct you to securing a TEFL teaching certificate in order to teach English in other countries. Seems like a pretty sweet deal to me. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">4. <a href="http://www.greataupair.com/" target="_blank">Great Au Pair</a> or <a href="http://www.nannyjob.co.uk/" target="_blank">Nannyjob</a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There are also other resources for Au Pairing, these are just the two that I have used. Please see my post <a href="http://teachingloveandlearning.blogspot.com/2013/05/lesson-5.html" target="_blank">here</a> or <a href="http://www.escapenormal.com/2013/06/04/the-au-pair-experience/" target="_blank">here</a> for more information on becoming an Au Pair. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">5.<a href="http://www.i-to-i.com/" target="_blank"> I-to-I</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is another great resource. It has a lot of volunteering options, but can easily connect you to work with kids and can make that part of your travels. If you have money already saved up but would like the experience of working with kids, either for your resume, for your personal well-being, or because you want to give back, this is a great organization. We used them often when I was a travel agent for STA Travel. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now that I've given a few resources, here is some personal advice: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you feel you don't have any experience working with kids and think you won't be qualified or won't know what to do, try volunteering at a local Boys and Girls Club, school, or church. See if they need help with any of their functions that involve children. Ask a teacher you know if they need help in the classroom or if you can come read to the class one day. Become a mentor. Or a tutor. Of course, be prepared for some no's due to security. Also be prepared to be heavily screened. But that is a necessity and I'd rather go through the annoying screening to know that our kids are being kept safe. Once you feel like you've spent enough time around kids to feel confident (it shouldn't take that long, they're a pretty easy audience) then go out and start applying for some of the jobs listed above. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What's that? You want to <i>teach</i> kids? As in a profession here in the States? Well...that is a whole 'nother post for a whole 'nother day. But it's a wonderful profession and I'd be happy to share that information in the near future. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But for now, all you dreamers, wind catchers, wanderlusters, do your research and get out there. The world awaits. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyzpjKx9B_CnByZhRyZSgAo7ZV8e23pzNSq7KlN_-xXD9S3FOtgLvLfznu0e70_uFrgpix0jhE30KRsKkBGJysg34RCvglc73ZLyLbNtvCz9uuA8LOn4fXAYhp6jtOz4v4ji2OWmlBg/s1600/Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyzpjKx9B_CnByZhRyZSgAo7ZV8e23pzNSq7KlN_-xXD9S3FOtgLvLfznu0e70_uFrgpix0jhE30KRsKkBGJysg34RCvglc73ZLyLbNtvCz9uuA8LOn4fXAYhp6jtOz4v4ji2OWmlBg/s640/Dreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br /><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Some girls need men to take them places. Others just click their heels, spread their own wings, and fly." - Coco J. Ginger
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<br />Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-80991945959765806922013-06-05T10:15:00.000-07:002013-07-18T15:41:13.501-07:00Lesson #14:<div style="text-align: center;">
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lesson #14: Think Outside The Box </b></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Travel is a beautiful thing. I've mentioned it already on this blog, but I wanted to reiterate the importance of this topic because it matters to me and I hope it inspires you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">I think it is essential for the opening of the heart and the expansion of the mind to get out of your day-to-day routine and narrow perspectives.There are a lot of people out there who assume that my travels in my early to mid 20s was because I had wealthy parents. That is false. My parents paid for two semesters of study abroad and then said "Fin". I studied abroad one more semester (I couldn't help myself) and this time financed it all alone. It wasn't easy - I had to work and save all the money I was earning. I had to apply for grants and scholarships (which I received) and I had to be proactive about budgeting. But it was worth it to me. And I made it happen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">There are many, many ways you can make your dreams happen. Some people say, "I'll never travel the world, or never get to go to that place I've always wanted to go, because I'll never be rich enough." FALSE! The world is a big and wonderful place full of opportunity and you just have to put yourself out there in it to experience all it has to give to you. Seek out opportunities, and then (like I've said before) <a href="http://teachingloveandlearning.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-lesson-day.html" target="_blank">JUST DO IT</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">I opted to travel around by myself for a year in 2005. I had to do a variety of jobs, some great, some not. But I managed to support myself the entire year and managed to see amazing places, meet amazing people and have experiences that I will remember for a lifetime. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">One of the ways I managed to travel for so long was by becoming an Au Pair. It was great because I was saving money on living expenses while also earning money to be used later on in my travels. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">I've written about this experience in a <a href="http://www.escapenormal.com/2013/06/04/the-au-pair-experience/" target="_blank">guest post</a> for the blog <a href="http://www.escapenormal.com/" target="_blank">Escape Normal</a>. If you have not already visited this blog, I strongly encourage you to check it out. It has all sorts of ideas for ways to incorporate travel into your life. Ways that perhaps you may not have ever dreamed of...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Did you know you can work on farms during harvest seasons for room and board? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Did you know you can work at summer camps in other countries? I've even seen a few on the coast of France....<b>hello!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">The important thing is that if you dream of doing this, by gosh-golly, go do it. You really do only live once (and I know that's a slogan now, or at least I've seen it on T-shirts and wrist bands...YOLO!) but regardless....it's true. If you don't think you're going to land on that giant pot of gold any time soon, then do it without the gold! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jQ0tcO82XDr0QRw6iRfLotVrnxRULUaXH4UWVLcmMwGyyBo2dugrB58vBV_0TSoJDn23-K4KW7Hvp_52shDrZTLPPWQqEN89yTnly8z0uioEniujEZOI0DV2v8EyzF6nF-K7bJyGYQ/s1600/athens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jQ0tcO82XDr0QRw6iRfLotVrnxRULUaXH4UWVLcmMwGyyBo2dugrB58vBV_0TSoJDn23-K4KW7Hvp_52shDrZTLPPWQqEN89yTnly8z0uioEniujEZOI0DV2v8EyzF6nF-K7bJyGYQ/s640/athens.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People are very willing to take your picture when traveling solo. I didn't feel bad asking on several occasions. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRiRRejA7B3wC_f3oI0Xxfot9I94dRK3jmu0D_ottAk0D17nu1RMP4n4XxPHHunv9j54srGy5U2iRq1JllrJnP1wWMdGod1Ibj6S3Ghz2ol_COg4lNLhHe9U-YcLKi_FDQmgFzAWT7A/s1600/donkeys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRiRRejA7B3wC_f3oI0Xxfot9I94dRK3jmu0D_ottAk0D17nu1RMP4n4XxPHHunv9j54srGy5U2iRq1JllrJnP1wWMdGod1Ibj6S3Ghz2ol_COg4lNLhHe9U-YcLKi_FDQmgFzAWT7A/s640/donkeys.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An interesting mode of transportation...Santorini, Greece</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Via dell'Amore, Cinque Terre, Italy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone got a kick out of making this statue (Manneken Pis, Brussels)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhUrVHepDOdxlpB5Wl7iTd2R5BvT7GULKuBYrSbGqwQMQDyKcJWbDFfpySytMg0b-gCYMo_dV8rDmfnMgEQjvCpkGdv5Me7qXJAW2e32LOD9BA7RkdaKklOcQUDj2KjHIfQaovjAt6w/s1600/roma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhUrVHepDOdxlpB5Wl7iTd2R5BvT7GULKuBYrSbGqwQMQDyKcJWbDFfpySytMg0b-gCYMo_dV8rDmfnMgEQjvCpkGdv5Me7qXJAW2e32LOD9BA7RkdaKklOcQUDj2KjHIfQaovjAt6w/s640/roma.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rome, Italy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salamanca, Spain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBUMvkx5nudfiEAN4vFtD9uwmBPPApnrxbb_tBkyRdkTsUNxBUdC7ruN2upsj_SlARi-Ay1k9a5SddN35L9lu6cljgIgNryxjlKt1KxSzTz2KyCskm41nFe4u1oXa6-ywa2t5yPvhUA/s1600/sevilla-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBUMvkx5nudfiEAN4vFtD9uwmBPPApnrxbb_tBkyRdkTsUNxBUdC7ruN2upsj_SlARi-Ay1k9a5SddN35L9lu6cljgIgNryxjlKt1KxSzTz2KyCskm41nFe4u1oXa6-ywa2t5yPvhUA/s640/sevilla-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful sunsets...this one in Sevilla, Spain was amazing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyBMzpaNZVcnEJWc8s3yBweTHEeAHdIlmMQyDfcBA8Ulx-1u37E3oE-EELcDBX2J2QCzyJQmRPkJU7_tfjUd0UGECdpGkLdyVELd5yj9hQTqr-INzVbDIWYKrCA4qvcYmstqKqsjcIw/s1600/spain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyBMzpaNZVcnEJWc8s3yBweTHEeAHdIlmMQyDfcBA8Ulx-1u37E3oE-EELcDBX2J2QCzyJQmRPkJU7_tfjUd0UGECdpGkLdyVELd5yj9hQTqr-INzVbDIWYKrCA4qvcYmstqKqsjcIw/s640/spain.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Costa Brava, Spain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rxKotVXXnkth57YKGAUWWjnO6xwAjBqWnZbfsH1AvMWSQ8yGuLkc8kM3DXDA2tVKVnTAXCQage1A4siDKcmsvc-cUvwf7izLPQJdVdUjznUUW1oCTCREYsRYRWgNJ-1VhfnzELblmg/s1600/bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rxKotVXXnkth57YKGAUWWjnO6xwAjBqWnZbfsH1AvMWSQ8yGuLkc8kM3DXDA2tVKVnTAXCQage1A4siDKcmsvc-cUvwf7izLPQJdVdUjznUUW1oCTCREYsRYRWgNJ-1VhfnzELblmg/s640/bike.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plenty of time to figure out how to be a true Italian, Rome, Italy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqqh02iBgI37PiFknp-ifzJXrKiANOFZE00f6yDiE9C_Vav5ZecCoHzyOy11TqSwPahocAC3sb7VL8NXocuVsyk-gWWulkQj1g0DtmhWqptBvH8F6THnSEeFvXNojeLy1ecdvxX9JxA/s1600/gorgeous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqqh02iBgI37PiFknp-ifzJXrKiANOFZE00f6yDiE9C_Vav5ZecCoHzyOy11TqSwPahocAC3sb7VL8NXocuVsyk-gWWulkQj1g0DtmhWqptBvH8F6THnSEeFvXNojeLy1ecdvxX9JxA/s640/gorgeous.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tours seem cheesy, but you actually do quite a lot and meet great people. Plus...excellent photo ops! Scotland</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNlMcc41YjTKcynNQQEcK1G7C3iZnbhQyUhOouQi37YonRVJVCqiTnjr1-7Y_yPCZetozIytwrG5T0o9KnQrSCNm57A6kXwKht9iMv8OeLctlPZ5FzUzULds5952GLizBefV2sg0Iwg/s1600/street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNlMcc41YjTKcynNQQEcK1G7C3iZnbhQyUhOouQi37YonRVJVCqiTnjr1-7Y_yPCZetozIytwrG5T0o9KnQrSCNm57A6kXwKht9iMv8OeLctlPZ5FzUzULds5952GLizBefV2sg0Iwg/s640/street.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wandering streets...Spain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Imf4dwsrTyllvlq6dSLmJOGEwbO2Qf0piYbc9pMvAAoKp79RavCY7Y3769QlLW7MndQSTmE1OSw49VohK_gpQGVTpEsaXQ0XNc0xm_sCeKgjSwaFGFN9cdcN4mNXi-UoQrQj-vJHGw/s1600/view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Imf4dwsrTyllvlq6dSLmJOGEwbO2Qf0piYbc9pMvAAoKp79RavCY7Y3769QlLW7MndQSTmE1OSw49VohK_gpQGVTpEsaXQ0XNc0xm_sCeKgjSwaFGFN9cdcN4mNXi-UoQrQj-vJHGw/s640/view.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again...never miss an opportunity to witness a sunset. This one is in Scotland. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Thanks to Jacqueline over at Escape Normal (www.escapenormal.com) for allowing me to write on my experience as an Au Pair! I hope it inspires anyone out there who is interested in stepping outside that box and experiencing the life they dream of. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">"Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose." -Steve Jobs</span> </span></blockquote>
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Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-70149529184748511672013-06-04T09:06:00.002-07:002013-06-06T07:19:32.517-07:00Lesson #13:<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lesson #13: Take Time Out to Help</b></span></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6ZlaPUTL4bS_wGjg1vaXN07IULz_tp9Upui4RJ8XvLEbw7U1ibyYHVQ_DciwqUjalfAAev7i6GDr9B0O-KCS-v84eTHVFduPfJ4N_QmO3uHtM1CJhhlkfBMsH-zvxo3atIaFvdc0lA/s1600/heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6ZlaPUTL4bS_wGjg1vaXN07IULz_tp9Upui4RJ8XvLEbw7U1ibyYHVQ_DciwqUjalfAAev7i6GDr9B0O-KCS-v84eTHVFduPfJ4N_QmO3uHtM1CJhhlkfBMsH-zvxo3atIaFvdc0lA/s640/heart.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo Credit: Seyed Mostafa Zamani</i></td></tr>
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This lesson came from an incident that happened this morning.<br />
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My mom and I were on our way to our Pure Barre class and were about to make a turn out onto the road when I happened to see a large turtle in the middle of the road.<br />
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This road is not a high speed road (it's a neighborhood road with a 30 mph speed limit) but in the morning there is quite a bit of car traffic.<br />
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We weren't sure what to do...we could've taken a left and gotten out of the car to help the turtle but at the time the traffic wouldn't stop so we had to just watch and brace ourselves. Out of instinct, I rolled down my window and yelled out to the turtle to "Hurry up! Go, turtle, go!". My mom frantically reminded me that the turtle can't understand me.<br />
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So, we were forced to watch, in agony, as the cars went by in each lane one by one. I watched different cars do different things. The turtle had pretty much made it to the center stripe and was kind of stuck there. At one point, just as the turtle had inched a little further into the left lane, two cars were approaching in both lanes from opposite directions. I was sweating bullets by this point. Luckily both cars managed to find away around - one pulled over far enough to the right to allow the opposite car to make its way around the turtle. I watched this happen a couple times to a couple of different cars. I was proud of my neighbors for being aware of what's in the road and for finding a compassionate way to deal with it.<br />
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HOWEVER, there were also a few people who did not share this compassion. I saw one car zoom within centimeters of hitting the turtle without even slowing down. Perhaps they didn't see (this turtle was extremely large, mind you...) so in that case, I worry about them being allowed to drive in the first place.<br />
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Another was on their cell phone and clearly didn't even realize that the car in the opposite lane was stopping so that they could try to make their way around the turtle. She also zoomed past without even bothering to notice that every other car around her was trying to find a careful way to maneuver themselves around the turtle without hitting it.<br />
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Finally a lady came to a stop in the middle of the road, got out of her car, picked up the turtle and walked across the oncoming lane to the field down to the pond on the other side where she placed the turtle. I was so grateful to this lady, who took the one extra minute of her time to save the turtle and clear the road for everyone else.<br />
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Unfortunately, not everyone shared my gratitude.<br />
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An older man drove up behind her car as she was getting the turtle. My mom and I watched as he became irate, pounding on the steering wheel and trying to find a way to go around her car. It literally only took her a minute, maybe even less, to get the turtle out of the road. What is so important that you cannot wait a minute? Then, as she was getting back into her car, he dangerously veered around her vehicle, almost hitting oncoming traffic as he did so, and squealed off down the 30mph neighborhood road. I was appalled. Mostly because that extra minute for the extra good deed meant so much to me with regards to restoring my faith in humanity and my belief in the goodness of the human spirit and soul.<br />
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There are many types of people out there. Some would've rather run the turtle over rather than stop their vehicle. Because the turtle, to them, means nothing. It gives them nothing, it does nothing for them so why do they care? It's a shame, really, that people have that mentality. As if their life on this Earth is so much more precious than any other - including that of some other humans. I know it's just a turtle, but to me that kind of compassion speaks of so much more.<br />
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Take the time to help one another. Offer to open the door, help carry a grocery bag to someone's car, smile and say hi to someone, let someone in front of you while sitting in traffic. Help a turtle cross a road. These little things all become part of something greater, and that something is the building of a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” - Charles Dickens</b></span></span></blockquote>
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<br />Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-45687769582861217152013-05-30T13:04:00.002-07:002013-07-19T14:22:21.145-07:00Lesson #12:<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Lesson #12: Don't Be Afraid of Not Knowing</span></b></h2>
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I recently found out that I am going back to teaching at my old school (yay!) but I've been told that I will most likely have to teach a different grade and within that different grade I will be teaching Math/Science (I'm kind of, sort of a more language arts/social studies leaning personality).<br />
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When I first found out I will probably not be teaching Kindergarten, but instead teaching 2nd grade Bilingual, I was sad. You see, I LOVED teaching Kindergarten! I loved being their first teacher, I loved seeing them grow so much in one year, and I loved that I got them all to myself that year (no switching classes for different subjects). I also have about 10 huge storage boxes full of Kindergarten teaching supplies (property of yours truly) which I will not be able to take with me to my new grade level.<br />
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But...that wasn't what was making me the most sad. The thing that was getting to me the most was that I felt a teeny weeny bit of fear creep up over me.<br />
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Fear of the unknown.<br />
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I have taught Kindergarten and felt like I really learned how to teach for that grade level. I felt confident at that grade level. I had ideas swirling around in my head for things I would do differently this upcoming year, ways I could teach something in a new way, tons of creative projects...all focused on the Kindergarten curriculum. I was actually becoming very excited about it! Now that I will most likely be teaching maths and sciences at the 2nd grade level...GULP...I feel out of my element. And I don't like that feeling.<br />
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So...what to do? Take that feeling and use it as a lesson : How to move on when you are fearful. Putting on your big girl pants. Feeling the fear and doing it anyway.<br />
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There's a book about that that I should probably pick up right away and read.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrAUFYM-Uqfb5moZa6DLTQJQsUcD8nG9aGR3v7857zO92xSaURqJuWgoO4nRbJkYcP_eWC7bJfWn_2W2m42wUQ_vonfJ4nz9oWZ3OZiYNnBxE8autZbmVBlLxeIf9cPvPg3kS9Mgh1A/s1600/feel+fear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrAUFYM-Uqfb5moZa6DLTQJQsUcD8nG9aGR3v7857zO92xSaURqJuWgoO4nRbJkYcP_eWC7bJfWn_2W2m42wUQ_vonfJ4nz9oWZ3OZiYNnBxE8autZbmVBlLxeIf9cPvPg3kS9Mgh1A/s400/feel+fear.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/listing/2688907969934?r=1&cm_mmca2=pla&cm_mmc=GooglePLA-_-Book_5To14-_-Q000000633-_-2688907969934" target="_blank">by Susan Jeffers</a></i></td></tr>
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The point is, every path in life is leading to the unknown. In fact, sometimes living life without introducing scenarios that place you in unfamiliar territory leads to boredom and monotony. And if there's anything I hate more than fear, it's boredom. If given the choice between the two, I think I'd have to go with fear. Fear makes you feel alive, it lets you know you're in the game, and it gives you sort of a rush. Sure, it can also lead to stress and fatigue, but that's where you have to remember the mantra of "Just Do It" and another mantra that can be just as useful : "Roll with the Punches".<br />
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So, I'm rethinking my lot in this teaching life of mine. I'm going to start digging into my new role and making the best of it. I won't try to be Super Teacher this year, but I will try to be the best teacher I can. I will work just like I worked my first year of teaching - keeping my head above water and focusing on being present. By the end of next year I might find that I loved this new grade level so much, I won't want to go back. Who knows? Obstacles are placed in our lives to make us better people, with more perspective, more wisdom and more knowledge. Doing the same thing over and over only makes us dull. </div>
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As Ms. Jeffers says, "Feel the fear and Do It Anyway". Message received.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” - Paolo Coelho, <i>The Alchemist</i></b></span></span></blockquote>
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Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-12592542753926946322013-05-29T15:28:00.001-07:002013-06-06T07:19:51.527-07:00Lesson #11:<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Lesson # 11: Make an Effort to Remember a Face</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXES3KJqHq2Vgyc6vBy0mzhF7JNPBFXdl1RypRTMuLIUDhZylEa6jpMI53KdIkpRZGPWXzxwO8PMFqPVcPLicxSGKU64KipCZZIyXis0RApZNTv75HuJi186woNkioFYT7-v1Ho1pKQ/s1600/Chris+Smile+III-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXES3KJqHq2Vgyc6vBy0mzhF7JNPBFXdl1RypRTMuLIUDhZylEa6jpMI53KdIkpRZGPWXzxwO8PMFqPVcPLicxSGKU64KipCZZIyXis0RApZNTv75HuJi186woNkioFYT7-v1Ho1pKQ/s640/Chris+Smile+III-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This lesson is here because I was reminded of its importance today. In a not-so-smooth kinda way. That's me, though, the antithesis of "smooth. Rough, awkward, inappropriate, eclectic...now that sounds more like it. </div>
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Anyhoo...</div>
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I was in Whole Foods picking up some Kombucha and a lip gloss (because I am addicted to their all-natural mineral makeups and this specific type of lip gloss, with its tingliness and shininess is my FAVORITE), and whilst checking out I hear, "Andrea!"</div>
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It's always weird when you hear your name in a place where you are not expecting to see someone you know. It always throws me off. </div>
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I turn around and see this guy smiling as he walks towards me. He starts asking how I am and some other questions and I just couldn't fake it. I could not tell who that was or how I knew them for the life of me. I didn't try to pretend, either. I just stood there staring, not answering any of his questions, with a confused look on my face. I desperately wanted him to just say who he was. He just kept on, though. It was AWKWARD. </div>
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You see, I used to do the faking it game when this sort of thing happened. I would smile and continue on with the conversation as if I knew perfectly well who they were until I caught some clue that would finally reveal their identity. But now that I'm 31 I'm too tired to do that and I don't care as much about being embarrassed. It's a good thing, too, because I seem to embarrass myself more often as I age. </div>
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Finally, the awkwardness was too much and he said, "It's me. Sam*." I was so relieved but then I also felt more embarrassment because this was an old friend of my husband's whom I had met several times. He had even been at our wedding just last year. I don't know what it was...I just couldn't make the connection with the face and the name and the place and the time and the who and the what...I just didn't know him from Adam. And now he knows that apparently my impression of him is forgettable. </div>
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We continued on with an even more awkward conversation, with me trying to find ways to apologize for not recognizing him, making excuses as to why I couldn't recognize him (you shaved! you're not wearing your glasses! your hair looks different!) and just trying to get through the embarrassment without seeming like a total asshole. </div>
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As I walked away, flustered and kicking myself for not remembering a face, it got me thinking. Why did these types of scenarios occur with me? It didn't happen all the time- I certainly have seen people that I recognized even if it has been a very long time and have been able to carry on with them with no awkwardness whatsoever. This friend of my husband's is also not the forgettable type. He's in a band, he's always been super cool every time we've hung out, I tried to get my friend to date him, and he is just a super funky dude. Why wouldn't I recognize him? Was it the fact that it seemed out of place to me to see him at Whole Foods? I didn't know he worked there so, maybe? </div>
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Or, could it be that I suffer from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosopagnosia" target="_blank">prosopagnosia</a>, a technical term for face blindness? Apparently Brad Pitt also suffers from <a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/brad-pitt-says-he-cant-remember-faces-thinks-he-suffers-from-prosopagnosia-2013225" target="_blank">this</a>. </div>
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More and more, though, it made me think about my own fault in not taking better care to remember a face. The fact that this has happened before to me makes me think that perhaps this is something I can improve. It seems to me to be disrespectful to keep forgetting people, as if my own life is so much bigger and grander and to operate within it takes up so much of my brain power that I can't squeeze in a little, tiny, extra space to store and recall someone's name and face. Surely that can't be it. </div>
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I did some research on the topic. It seems there are many ways to try and remedy this. One is using mnemonics, associating someone's name with an attribute of their face that is distinct and memorable. </div>
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Here is a You Tube clip that discusses ways to help remember a face using this method:<br />
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So, if using this method with my husband's friend Sam, I'd say Smiley Sam because he seems to have a big, wide smile and that's one thing I noticed.<br />
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I hope I run into him again and prove that I can remember him and I'm not totally self-centered and egocentric. It's important to remember people because it shows you valued meeting them.<br />
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Lesson learned.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b>“We seem to live in a world where forgetting and oblivion are an industry in themselves and very, very few people are remotely interested or aware of their own recent history, much less their neighbors'. I tend to think we are what we remember, what we know. The less we remember, the less we know about ourselves, the less we are."- Carlos Ruiz Zafon</b></span></span></div>
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Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-43563977112273552692013-05-22T14:08:00.004-07:002013-06-06T07:20:01.902-07:00Lesson #10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Lesson #10: Don't wait for a tragedy to start coming together...</span></b></h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo Credit: Associated Press</i></td></tr>
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We all know the devastation and destruction that this week's storm brought. Lives were lost, homes were destroyed and a community was left with scraps of the lives they had formerly lived. And yet there were glimmers of hope to be seen through it all. Many of the stories and interviews from the tragedy have actually warmed my heart.</div>
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How could it be that such a horrific event could ever give me the feeling of having a warmed heart? </div>
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I saw people helping each other without giving it a second thought. I heard interviews with people who laid there life down so that another might live. I saw people coming from miles around just to lend a helping hand or be there to do whatever was needed of them. To ease the burden, to carry the load. </div>
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Why is it that in these tragic times we are able to put our differences aside and come together for one another? Why does it take a state of disaster to wash away our internal voices of prejudice, bigotry and selfishness? </div>
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One thing I have observed that seems to be happening more and more these days is people isolating themselves on one "side" or another. They aren't with "those people", they are with "their people" and it becomes a war pitting one "side" against another. </div>
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It doesn't have to be that way. </div>
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I know, I know...it is wishful thinking that we can all come together and love each other right now (thank you Beatles...) but, then again, is it really that far out to want to have an amicable and cooperative community in which we live? </div>
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As a teacher, I spend a lot of time teaching about sharing, cooperating and encouraging one another, despite differences in skill, language, ability, color, nationality, or aptitude. We all have a similar goal which is to become a better person each and every day, to improve, to hone our skills, and to help one another along this road of life. To carry some of the burden when we can so that we all make it to our destination. </div>
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I encourage you to stop and think about divisiveness and the true destruction that it causes. It shouldn't take an act of God to make people come together for one another. </div>
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Enjoy the community you live in. Realize that these people are your neighbors - they live with you. Get to know them. Help them. Understand them. Respect them. </div>
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<i>Live. Love. Serve.</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo Credit: Paul Hellstern- The Oklahoman/AP Photo</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo Credit: Joshua LOTT/ AFP/ Getty Images</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAyGDTp4-cNLFznDO91p3zrZTyhi2mRpll0FxjNsR-316ymGO08b6-yIjwODMKhBP5T9V6aQedl_Pio37Y_O6W6zZIyQB7eCHUPO4AcNCaTBahOMFJewsD09Oe8_lRp9YQdAqqAvv_g/s1600/children.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAyGDTp4-cNLFznDO91p3zrZTyhi2mRpll0FxjNsR-316ymGO08b6-yIjwODMKhBP5T9V6aQedl_Pio37Y_O6W6zZIyQB7eCHUPO4AcNCaTBahOMFJewsD09Oe8_lRp9YQdAqqAvv_g/s400/children.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo Credit: Paul Hellstern- The Oklahoman/AP Photo</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo Credit: Bryan Terry/ The Oklahoman/ AP Photo</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #073763;">“The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?' </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">But...the good Samaritan reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?” </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">- Martin Luther King, Jr.</span></span></h3>
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<br />Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-16474646261394734612013-05-17T13:24:00.004-07:002013-06-06T07:20:12.641-07:00Lesson #9<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Lesson #9 : Actions Speak Louder Than Words</span></b></h2>
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This one might be a quick blog post, but one I feel like sharing. I was recently with a group who were discussing how hard it is to talk about politics or current events with people of opposing political parties.<br />
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I agree.<br />
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It's sometimes maddening, and I know for a fact it goes both ways. So what do we do about it? You know you can't change someone's mind by simply repeating over and over what it is you think is wrong about their system or how yours is clearly smarter or better or more just or more fair. It just turns it into an argument and then the defensive walls get put up and productive discussion ends at that point.<br />
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My suggestion, speak with your actions not just your words. Sure, words are necessary in debating a point, but actions also go a long way to making yourself feel better about your positions on issues and justifying, ever so quietly, your point. (And I'm hoping your position on issues is one that is towards bettering some aspect of this world...I would hate for this same suggestion to be taken and used to promote disenfranchisement, intolerance, violence or manipulation...just sayin...)<br />
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For example, if you feel very strongly about advocating for women's rights and you are tired of politicians and their constituents promoting policy that you feel violates these rights, then take this approach.<br />
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First, do your research. Find out exactly what you don't agree with and why. There's nothing worse than claiming you are against something when you don't really have a grasp of the issue in its entirety.<br />
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Second, find out if there are organizations out there that support your side of the cause. Join them, donate to them, participate with them, promote them. Make sure you always know the ins and outs of their policies as well and be sure that it aligns with your values.<br />
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Third, go out on your own and make a difference towards what you believe in. Promote an advocacy group for women in pursuit of further education, create a group that helps working women out, create an organization that introduces girls to the world of science and math to encourage more females in jobs that require those skill sets, create a meeting that talks about ways to speak up about women's health rights, attend and promote meetings discussing rights to fair pay and equitable wages, start a group that encourages and supports women entrepreneurs, visit women owned business, start a magazine that discusses, promotes and focuses on things women are doing in your community... this list could go on and on, but you get the point.<br />
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You'll never be able to change some people's minds, but instead of letting all that frustration sit deeply rooted inside of you, and spending so much energy trying to talk someone over to your side, instead use that energy towards bettering your side of the cause.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>“If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” - Martin Luther King, Jr</b></span></span></blockquote>
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<br />Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-66725757533490021442013-05-16T12:37:00.002-07:002013-06-14T07:49:29.097-07:00Lesson #8<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Lesson #8: Travel Doesn't Have to be an Exclusive Luxury</span></b></h2>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." – Miriam Beard</b></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So I have to go on a little rant here that is inspired by a friend I know. We may be opposite in so many ways, but we also have many things in common, hence our ability to sustain a friendship. And I have learned that through our extreme differences, I have been able to grow as a person. If you are in a vacuum of thoughts and beliefs and actions that are similar or the same as your own, you aren’t able to grow, you continue to bolster your own shared opinion without actually having to think about it. Whereas, with someone who is constantly differing in opinions and actions, you are challenged to either defend your beliefs, or change. In doing so you must take a good, introspective look at the ins and outs, and reasons and emotions that shape these thoughts and attitudes you hold so dear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So what does this have to do with travel??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, anyone who knows me also knows that I love to travel. I spent most of my formative years traveling and in fact many of my early twenties were spent bumming around the world, poor but happy , because I was seeing and experiencing so many new things and meeting so many new people. My views and opinions about everything were changing and then changing again and constantly being reshaped by my growing and evolving perspective. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My friend often views travel differently. Whenever I bring up wanting to take a trip or ideas about travel in general, this friend becomes flustered and bothered. They claim it as a frivolous expense and one that people can do when they are extremely wealthy, or retired, but not right now. They go on to explain that their family didn’t do a lot of traveling growing up, that’s not how they were raised, and that they didn’t have money for extravagant things like that. However, this friend has no problem spending $600 on a nice pair of shoes (because they are a quality pair of shoes and will be worn for a long time), or a nice pair of jeans, or going out to nice restaurants or bars on the weekend. I, in turn, balk at these expenses and call them just as frivolous, then my friend looks at me like <i>I’m</i> the crazy one now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When I tell anyone that I grew to love travel because I was able to travel as a child, I get many responses like, “Oh that must’ve been nice having all that money to travel. Seems nice.” And they quickly dismiss it as something wealthy people do just because they have the money to do it. Well, for most of my childhood we were not wealthy and we still did A LOT of traveling. But, many of our travels were like this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Let’s load up the Honda with two tents, sleeping bags, a cooler and whatever else can fit and drive to Ohio (from Texas) where we can stay with our uncle. So, along the way we stopped to camp. We stopped at road side stands and stores to get food for picnics. We pulled over for historical markers. We went on back road detours to find quirky museum my dad had read about. We met interesting people that talked funny (they call it “Pop”!) and after 10 days of traveling like this, to and from Ohio, we had ourselves quite an adventure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I doubt my mom would call it a luxury vacation (I’m sure she missed her blow dryer, coffee pot and hot shower while we camped). But it was important for my dad to take us on trips like this while growing up. In doing so, it has made me into the curious, intellectually stimulated, open-minded, free-thinking, world loving individual that I am today. And it has made me truly appreciative of what travel gives to us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now, in saying that, I must also point out that there are differences in types of travel, and this will help to delineate a big difference between me and my friend. I think all travel, as mentioned before, is good for the soul. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">However, I think some types of travel offer you more internal reward than others. Here is my thought:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So, my friend probably went on a few vacations growing up; they've mentioned a couple resort type vacations. And there is nothing wrong with those- we also went on those types of vacations. But I don’t think you’re going to be opened to learning things, seeing new perspectives, broadening your horizons, given mental clarity, appreciating the beauty and simplicity of nature on a trip to the casinos or an all-inclusive in Cancun. It is fun though, don't get me wrong, and isn't a bad thing to do! Maybe that’s the difference that we’re experiencing. Their idea of a vacation is an excuse to get away from work or school or life and do nothing related to work, school, etc. - just to let out excess stress and decompress. This is needed, I think, to stay sane and continue to be productive in life. Reducing stress is good for overall health and happiness so I’m not saying all travel needs to be for the greater purpose of expanding your horizons and becoming a more well-rounded person. But, I do think this other type of travel, the kind that changes you and gives you reason to think and believe differently, is important for everyone to experience at some point in their lives. That’s why study abroad is so popular at University. I know some think of it as a chance to have an easier course-load and goof off under the guise of “studying” in a foreign country. And, yeah, when I studied abroad my coursework was a lot easier so I spent less time in the library. But the things I learned during those three semesters were far more valuable to me and have enriched my life in ways I can’t enumerate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Maybe that’s the issue. I have a hard time really explaining how this one type of travel - one that involves cultural immersion and personal expansion, going someplace that challenges you or introduces you to something you’ve never experienced before - benefits you more than just taking off work and paying to go somewhere else to blow off steam by a pool or in a casino. How this type of travel is essential to building your character and giving you a life well lived. Some may disagree and add that we are spoiled in thinking that traveling the world is going to somehow make us better people. I agree with that too – perhaps traveling to the wrong side of the tracks or to some of the ethnic neighborhoods in your city would be just as beneficial to opening one’s eyes as would a round-the-world ticket. And, if you can manage it, why not a bit of both?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I think seeking knowledge and always yearning for a new perspective is part of growing and fulfilling the destiny of becoming your greatest self. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So, that being said, let’s plan that next vacation.</span></div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a data-mce-href="http://ladypersimmonsdandy.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/suitcase.jpg" href="http://ladypersimmonsdandy.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/suitcase.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-24" data-mce-src="http://ladypersimmonsdandy.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/suitcase.jpg?w=297" height="300" src="http://ladypersimmonsdandy.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/suitcase.jpg?w=297" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; cursor: default; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="suitcase" width="297" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">Pack up the car! We're going on an adventure!</dd></dl>
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Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-13691865085437255912013-05-15T15:19:00.001-07:002013-06-06T07:20:32.652-07:00Lesson #7<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Lesson #7: No Worries on the Mountain, Man. </span></b></h2>
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So my family goes to Colorado almost every year for an annual ski trip. This year was the first time that we have gone with both mine and my sister's husbands. My sister's husband has been skiing/snowboarding a lot. For my husband, however, it was pretty much the first time (excluding a time that I took him to learn how to ski back in PA). Needless to say, it seemed like he was going to be a fish out of water. </div>
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The first morning was a bit of a doozy, and not because my husband wasn't catching on to the skiing thing. He picked it up pretty well! However, his skis were all wrong, his boots didn't fit right, he was too hot in some places, too cold in others. So, after only a couple of runs he decided it was time to go back to the dreaded, overcrowded, super heated ski rental place. His morning wound up consisting of about 4 different trips back to the rental place, 4 different long lines to have to wait through, several hoards of people to have to push through...basically a nightmare for a guy who hates crowds and small spaces, as well as being overheated while waiting in full ski gear whilst inside a heated indoor space. </div>
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His final trip there was a nightmare and the look on his face said it all. He had some kind of snafu with the locker (ended up not being able to change the money in order to pay it, or something to that effect). He approached the ski dude taking care of rentals to try to settle this final inconvenience. His eyes must have looked about to cry and he started explaining what was going on with the locker. Clearly he was frustrated and this whole experience was giving him a nervous breakdown. The ski dude looked as if the anxiety emanating off of my husband's entire being was totally crushing his mountain high. He cutoff my husband in mid sentence and put his hand up in a stop gesture.<br />
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"Dude, dude...no worries on the mountain, man," he said. And immediately gave him all the change he needed, probably more than he needed, in a move that spoke volumes as to the importance of keeping that worried state out of the happy mountain zone.<br />
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We have kind of a inside joke now when either of us begins to freak out about something. No worries on the mountain has become sort of a mantra to relaxing, keeping things in perspective, just realizing that this, too, shall pass. Our life has become that happy mountain and why shouldn't we protect it from all those petty, annoying, nagging worries that threaten to bring us down. No way, man! I'm staying on my happy mountain and aint nobody gonna bring me down!<br />
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With that in mind, I encourage you to take a look at your life and think about the worries that come in each day, knocking on your door, threatening to take your happiness away. They will come, inevitably, whether invited or not. So when they do (and they will) just tell them, "No thank you! You're not welcome! Didn't you see the sign? It says: No Worries on MY Mountain. Man. Peace out."<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">“If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it's not fixable, then there is no help in worrying. There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever.” </span></span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">- </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Dalai Lama</span></span></div>
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<br />Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-52904043872319216562013-05-07T11:33:00.001-07:002013-06-06T07:50:51.846-07:00Lesson #6<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Lesson #6: Really, Truly, Definitely Learn a New Language (or Learn a New Language Part III)</h2>
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I talked about the best way to learning a new language is full immersion. Well, sometimes that is not possible. So, you'd like to continue learning a new language here in your home land. Or maybe you did immersion but you have moved back and are a bit rusty and want to keep up with your skills. I've tried a few things during stints back home and these are a few of the methods that have worked for me.<br />
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<b>1. Books</b><br />
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There are number of different books geared towards learning new languages and it really all depends on your level. I've been through SEVERAL with regards to learning Italian. Some of them were for my Italian classes at University, others I purchased on my own for my own benefit. I started out my Italian language learning journey by purchasing this book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/ITALIAN-10-minutes-day-CD-ROM/dp/1931873062/ref=pd_sim_b_2" target="_blank">Italian in 10 Minutes a Day</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2IRs_HRK6qXaveW-jlpRkMe2LSFcKWYHWLJKIObrm3Cjw0OmBrJBA4kGED0jwun_dKlZY2fWcyi-QvJQrRVb8SDNI8xV2Mjza3nn9_eO_5ynNa1I9Qy15RwiMDFs80aj1LH_Y-46LQ/s1600/Italian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2IRs_HRK6qXaveW-jlpRkMe2LSFcKWYHWLJKIObrm3Cjw0OmBrJBA4kGED0jwun_dKlZY2fWcyi-QvJQrRVb8SDNI8xV2Mjza3nn9_eO_5ynNa1I9Qy15RwiMDFs80aj1LH_Y-46LQ/s400/Italian.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Italian in 10 Minutes a Day</i>, Bilingual Books, Inc.</td></tr>
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Other books I've used at various stages of my language learning include:<br />
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<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Learning-Italian/dp/0028621255/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367949430&sr=1-3&keywords=the+complete+idiot%27s+guide+to+learning+italian" target="_blank">The Complete Idiot's Guide to Learning Italian</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Italian-Drills-Third-Edition-Series/dp/0071744738/ref=pd_sim_b_4" target="_blank">Italian Verb Drills</a>, Paola Ninni-Tate</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Practice-Perfect-Italian-Pronouns-Prepositions/dp/0071753826/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367949548&sr=1-1&keywords=Italian+Pronouns+and+Prepositions" target="_blank">Italian Pronouns and Prepositions</a>, Daniela Gobetti </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rick-Steves-Italian-Phrase-Dictionary/dp/1598801880/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367949666&sr=1-2&keywords=Italian" target="_blank">Rick Steve's Italian Phrasebook and Dictionary</a>, Rick Steves</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Merda-Italian-Never-Taught-School/dp/0452270391/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367949795&sr=1-1&keywords=Merda" target="_blank">Merda! The Real Italian You Were Never Taught in School</a>, Rolando Delicio (fun for slang)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hide-This-Italian-English-Edition/dp/9812466533/ref=pd_sim_b_6" target="_blank">Hide This Italian Book!</a> APA Editors</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Speak-Italian-Fine-Art-Gesture/dp/0811847748/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367950132&sr=1-1&keywords=speak+italian" target="_blank">Speak Italian, The Fine Art of the Gesture</a>, Bruno Munari</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Italian-Basic-Understand-Pimsleur-Language/dp/0743550684/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367950042&sr=1-1&keywords=learning+italian" target="_blank">Italian, Basic: Learn to Speak and Understand Italian with Pimsleur</a></li>
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Of course there are many others that I've tried and many others used as text books. In fact, while in Italian taking Italian courses, most of the text books they assigned had zero English because they were used to teach Italian to those with a variety of mother tongues. These were purchased in Italy and were extremely beneficial. If you happen to take a trip to the country where you are wanting to learn the language, I highly suggest purchasing language learning books and systems while there. </div>
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<b>2. Local Instructors</b></div>
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I wanted to keep my brain engaged in language learning so I just did some googling and found several local instructors in Italian who led learning groups, conversation groups, etc. In every city I've lived I've been able to find language learning groups. Many are offered at the local library and are free. If they are not free, they are extremely reasonable in price. Plus, getting to speak it is part of the challenge and having people around to help you practice is most beneficial. </div>
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<b>3. Conversation Groups</b></div>
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Kind of like with local instructors, there are many people out there who speak a different language or who would like to practice a newly learned language who have or would like to form conversation groups. </div>
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<b>4. Language Exchange</b></div>
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Another thing I have tried that has been super fun and effective is language exchange. Many people are here that want to learn English. If you know English and would like to learn their language, a language exchange is the perfect opportunity! Plus, you get an added benefit: a new friend! </div>
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<b>5. Audio Learning CDs</b></div>
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I've also used these. I keep them in the car and for long rides in traffic I pop one in and just speak. It's great because you can practice speaking out loud without worrying about your family, friends or coworkers thinking you are nuts (or desperately wanting you to shut up!). The Pimsleur Method contains CDs as part of their learning package. Many other programs do as well, since hearing the language over and over is essential to learning. </div>
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<b>6. Music CDs</b></div>
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Find music that is sung in the language of your choice then play it while you drive, relax, do laundry or housework, or whatever it is that you do. I found this to be the most fun way to learn. I've listened to those CDs so many times now that I can sing all the words - that's better than I can do with most English language songs! </div>
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<b>7. Movies</b></div>
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Along with music and listening to conversation, watching movies is a great way to see how the language is used. I was a hoarder of all Italian films for a while and it's funny because I find myself using quotes and inflections from those movies when I am having an ordinary conversation in that language. I wonder if they ever notice? It's also a great way to become acquainted and familiar with their culture. Movies often demonstrate cultural subtleties, things that are important to them, and meaningful traditions. I learned SO much from movies, both current and older, and it helped to make me feel more connected to that country and its people. </div>
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<b>8. Online Language Learning</b></div>
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Also a great way! I've loved participating in these programs. You get to watch conversation videos, complete lessons, both written and verbal, and chat with people in that language. You also get critiqued for you verbal prompts that you complete so it's a great way to practice speaking. The chatting part is good too because it requires you to think quickly in that language since you are chatting real time. I thought it was very fun as a supplement to other language learning methods. </div>
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<li><a href="http://www.livemocha.com/" target="_blank">Livemocha</a> is one I've tried</li>
<li><a href="http://www.busuu.com/" target="_blank">Busuu</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.babbel.com/" target="_blank">Babbel</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.rosettastone.com/" target="_blank">Rosetta Stone</a> </li>
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(online element for some of these is a part of a complete packaged system which also contains books, CDS, etc)</div>
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<b>9. Pen Pals</b></div>
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If you are lucky enough to know someone who speaks a language you would like to learn, become pen pals with them. I am pen pals with the family for whom I nannied and also with a few friends I met while living in Italy. It's great practice and, again, the bonus of having a new friend! </div>
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<b>10. Eat</b></div>
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See if you can find a restaurant that serves food from a country that speaks your desired second language (make sure it is pretty authentic). Sometimes you can practice ordering in that language and speaking to the waiters.<br />
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So there you have it! 10 more ways to learn a language that are tried and true (by yours truly). I'm still interested in trying several more things (Rosetta Stone Program) and will update as to the quality of that as an option.<br />
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My best advice is to try a variety of these methods. If you really want to learn, make it consistent. Every day do some or all of these things. And I encourage you to continue to look for opportunities to immerse yourself at some point. Until then, or when you have to come back, use these tools to keep up your bilingualness! It's <i>sexy</i>!!<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><b>"Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere."- Chinese Proverb</b></span></blockquote>
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Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-58539863046385196852013-05-03T09:22:00.003-07:002013-06-06T07:20:54.000-07:00Lesson #5:<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b>Lesson #5: Really Learn a New Language (or Learn a New Language Part II)</b></h2>
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So yesterday I talked about the importance of learning a new language and why it has meant so much to me. Well, afterwards I thought about it and realized that I have quite a bit of experience in learning new languages. I have a little bit of advice to give with regards to how I've gone about learning new languages and what has worked (and not worked) for me. I can't promise any of my techniques will have the same results with everyone out there, but I can offer my detailed opinion of the experience.<br />
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To preface this list of language learning techniques, I'd like to add that along with Italian, which I began learning when I was 20, I've also spent some time learning a couple other languages, including Spanish and French. I have dabbled in learning German, only because I was there traveling for a while and it seemed like another important global language. I'd like to say I have tried some of the more difficult languages such as Chinese or Arabic but I haven't even begun to tackle those yet. Someday, perhaps.<br />
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This list covers methods I've used in all languages. I'll start my list in today's post with the most effective means of learning a new language that I've found, and work my way down in following posts. That's not to say that the other methods don't add or enhance language learning. I think together they all make it easier to tackle a new language. But if you can only do one I'd start with:<br />
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<b>1. Immersion</b><br />
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This is by far the easiest way to learn a language rapidly. Not only does it allow you to hear the language being spoken all around you throughout the day, but you have the opportunity to speak it yourself and learn from your mistakes. You can also meet real people which gives you more motivation to try to practice speaking and they can help you along the way, showing you the correct way of saying things. They can also teach you things about the spoken language that a book just can't show you. How to develop accents or ways to use slang...these are all things learned "on the job" so to speak.<br />
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Some ways that I've tried immersion:<br />
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<li><i>Study Abroad Programs</i>- obviously if you are still in school this is the way to go. You get college credits while also getting to explore a new culture and learn a new language. There are so many opportunities for study abroad, and many offer generous financial assistance or grants and scholarships that you can apply to. My study abroad program in 2004 was completely covered by a grant because I had done such a good job representing the study abroad office at my school after I came back from my first stint in 2002. Visit your study abroad office and see what's available or look through brochures of schools that have programs and see how you could manage a credit transfer for a semester. If money is really the biggest issue, there are many ways to try to overcome this. You can use the aforementioned resources of loans, grants or scholarships or you can use the internet. There is a website: <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/">www.gofundme.com</a>. There you can fundraise whatever money you may need, as long as you are able to plug your purpose and reach out to people. It's good practice for the real world, too, where you need network support for just about everything you do. </li>
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<li><i>Language Schools- </i>Too old to study abroad but still want to get the same experience? I've been there too. I've found that there are tons of language immersion schools within practically every country of the world where you can go to learn the language during the day, stay with a group or home stay, and meet a lot of cool people to hang out with at night. It's really the best way to vacation, I think, but also the BEST way to learn a new language. Here are some of the language schools I have been to and experienced. I loved them all: </li>
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<li><a href="http://www.culturaitaliana.eu/">http://www.culturaitaliana.eu</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.babylon-idiomas.com/">www.babylon-idiomas.com</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.unistrapg.it/en">https://www.unistrapg.it/en</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.scuola-toscana.com/">www.scuola-toscana.com</a></li>
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By doing a google search you can find a lot out there. Make sure you check for reviews and<br />
other qualifications. Another good place to start look is the <a href="http://www.statravel.com/" target="_blank">STA website</a>. There they have<br />
options to look into language learning programs that they have tested and know to be of good<br />
quality. You can do these for as little as one week, or many months, even a year...who knows?!<br />
I found all the programs I completed to be very accommodating and extremely friendly. At one<br />
point during the Sevilla program I wanted to visit the Salamanca campus they had. But I had<br />
already paid for that week in Sevilla. They were able to transfer me with no problem and I got to<br />
continue my Spanish lessons but in a brand new awesome city.<br />
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<ul>
<li><i>Volunteering</i>- Unfortunately my only experience with this is when I was already in Rome and was seeking activities to do. My friend and I volunteered at the cat sanctuary in Rome. It was a good way to practice speaking the language. However, there are far better volunteer programs that put you in places where you will instantly be immersed. Some programs offer language classes in the morning, then volunteer activities in the afternoon. Others are straight up volunteering, but I think any of these experiences is worth it. I'm looking into a few of these myself! </li>
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<li><a href="http://www.globalvolunteers.org/">www.globalvolunteers.org</a> - I've been in contact with this group. They are great so far!</li>
<li><a href="http://www.statravel.com/volunteer">http://www.statravel.com/volunteer</a> - </li>
<li><a href="http://www.gviusa.com/">www.gviusa.com</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.wwoofinternational.org/">http://www.wwoofinternational.org</a> - this one looks like fun! I love working outside.</li>
<li>Check with your local church to find out about mission trips. </li>
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<li><i>Au Pair- </i>I also did this to help with finances while traveling and boy did it turn out to be the best way to learn a language! I actually learned more from those kids than any other class I took. The point of being an Au Pair is to share your language and culture with the kids so they get an international exchange. But, it really works both ways. I found that I NEEDED to learn the language pretty fast since these kids were in my care. The way I found my Au Pair gigs was through these two sites (although many find them through word of mouth): </li>
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<li><a href="http://www.greataupair.com/">www.greataupair.com</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.nannyjob.co.uk/">www.nannyjob.co.uk</a></li>
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<li><i>Work Abroad-</i> Unfortunately if you are an American, it is a bit more difficult to find work in Europe, Australia, Canada simply because of work visa requirements. I did a work abroad stint using a temporary work visa offered through the UK and the Commonwealth. It is called <a href="http://www.bunac.org/" target="_blank">BUNAC</a>. It is a work visa with pretty particular requirements (I believe it is geared towards college aged or just having graduated college). I met that criteria just barely and decided to go for it. Pretty cool opportunity if you ask me! Just make sure you have your ducks in a row. don't expect to make a lot of money - I made just enough to support me continuing to live abroad. Nothing extra. NOTHING. </li>
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<li><i>Teaching Abroad</i>- There are, of course, other work abroad options for those with qualifying degrees. One that I really want to do that I still have not is teaching english abroad. There are several programs to get you certified. Having not tried either, I cannot recommend one or the other. <a href="http://www.teflinternational.com/" target="_blank">TEFL</a> certification is one, <a href="http://www.oxfordseminars.com/" target="_blank">TESOL</a> is another, and <a href="http://www.els.edu/" target="_blank">CELTA</a> is one more that I have heard of. I'd love to learn more about these options. </li>
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So, as you can see, as far as immersion options go, there are A LOT of choices out there available to you that can really kick start your language learning. I'm sure there are many more that I didn't post here, only because I don't have experience with them. I sure wish I had more photos to share of my experiences with these options, unfortunately that was during film camera days and most of those photos have yet to make the transition to a digital copy. Eventually.<br />
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Stay tuned for next post on language learning techniques! If immersion is something you can't do right now, fear not! There are other ways!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQFAI3njILaOQk_4f5ANFBlzgVeLL1-1x1OpQYcQK2b2hB12I6_EOMefRaVFOCfXQHnIH6NKIWF3-WsM-hLwaoBELb5g7xrHdkVbtJ4Nt7uB3ybUEBeuhTRlTdxToHQE4uNe1PedH5A/s1600/gadventures_tuscany_4-1024x706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQFAI3njILaOQk_4f5ANFBlzgVeLL1-1x1OpQYcQK2b2hB12I6_EOMefRaVFOCfXQHnIH6NKIWF3-WsM-hLwaoBELb5g7xrHdkVbtJ4Nt7uB3ybUEBeuhTRlTdxToHQE4uNe1PedH5A/s400/gadventures_tuscany_4-1024x706.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteering in Italy. Check out this blog: <a href="http://www.beersandbeans.com/" target="_blank">Beers and Beans</a></td></tr>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><b>"One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way." - Frank Smith</b></span></blockquote>
Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-47376460545247685392013-05-01T20:19:00.001-07:002013-06-06T07:21:05.550-07:00Lesson #4<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Lesson #4: Learn A New Language</h2>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Once upon a time, I was a twenty-year-old girl, up at the very top of the dome of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome, looking out onto all of that beautiful city. I turned to my two friends who had climbed up there with me and said, "I can't wait to tell this story to my kids and my grandkids. About the time I climbed to the top of St. Peter's Cathedral, back when I lived in Italy." We giggled, imagining how far off that seemed, but now I remember that moment so brilliantly, maybe because I'm starting to realize how very near that might actually be. I find myself constantly referring back to my time spent living abroad, and recently it has started to feel like a pretty long time ago. In fact, the first time I lived there was 11 years ago. To me, sometimes, it seems like I just got back. Other times, it seems like another lifetime ago. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Anyway, the point of my lesson here isn't about living in the past or ruminating on nostalgia. It's about learning a new language! So, I went to Italy as a sophomore in college. I didn't know what to expect at all, but I knew I was excited about the newness of the whole experience. Some part of me was looking for something more than the boring college scene and frat parties that permeated my college life thus far. I spent a few months studying on my own, with cds and books and funny labels that I posted all over my apartment. My roommate made fun of me and I let her because it was pretty nerdy. But I couldn't help hide my anticipation. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Upon arriving in Italy, I set out to talk to EVERYONE. I was in the beginner class because I was, by all definitions, a total beginner, (having only spent those few months before learning on my own) but I quickly progressed into the more intermediate class due to the speed of my learning. And the speed of my learning was not because I am a genius at learning the language, but because I wanted to develop relationships with the people I was meeting there and the only way to do that was to learn their language better. So, like I mentioned before, I talked to everyone. I went on "dates" with Italians just so I could practice speaking. It was fun. I met with Italians for conversation groups. I purposefully put myself in situations where no one spoke English so that I would have to make myself speak Italian and learn how to speak it better. I kept an Italian dictionary in my purse and whenever I had a moment to spare, for example, while waiting for the bus or train or whilst killing time between classes, I pulled it out and taught myself new words. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Learning a new language wasn't just about translating what I knew in English to their language in Italian. It was learning all new ways of thinking and feeling and expression that was dictated through that new language. It was seeing life through a different lens. Anyone who learns another language will tell you the same - you can't expect to translate things literally. You have to learn what it means to be living in their culture, in their country and how to say those things through the their mother tongue. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">I am going back to Italy very soon, for the first time since a very brief visit in 2007. I'm nervous because I haven't been speaking Italian very much over the past 6 years (okay, not at all). So I'm bringing out all the resources I have. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone's traveling to Italy soon!</td></tr>
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There were many life lessons I learned, starting with that experience so long ago. I learned that learning a new language opens you up to a second soul. It makes your world that much bigger and gives you the opportunity to learn from others who have a culture and country and way of life so different from your own. Rather than closing yourself off because you feel stupid because you can't speak their language, try your best and, nine times out of ten, the person seeing you trying will also try on his behalf and that's when you break through the communication barriers.<br />
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I'm constantly trying to learn from others and I think it is great to be taught about other places, people and customs. The best way to do this is to learn their language. You get so much closer to them and are more easily accepted if you show your interest in trying to understand and assimilate to them, rather than wanting, or worse, expecting them to bend over backwards for you. It's a two-way street. Or, it should be. </div>
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In any case, one of the greatest lesson I can pass on is this one. Go and learn that language. Any language! Start from scratch like I did. Buy a book or CD to listen to. Don't feel silly. You're doing your mind a favor as well as your soul. Then once you've practiced some, go visit the people that speak your newfound language and learn more. Enroll in a week or two of language classes during the summer. It's not difficult- people do it all the time. It's the best way to get to visit a place! </div>
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<span style="background-color: #f5fafc; color: #585858; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">❝</span><b style="background-color: #f5fafc; border: 0px; color: #585858; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.</b><span style="background-color: #f5fafc; color: #585858; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">❞</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f5fafc; color: #585858; line-height: 18px;">‒Nelson Mandela</span></div>
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Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-15949565973326627512013-04-16T10:29:00.001-07:002013-06-06T07:21:18.862-07:00Lesson #3<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Lesson #3: Change is Inevitable. Embrace It. </h2>
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In 5 days, I will no longer be a resident of Pittsburgh. </div>
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If you would have asked me a little more than a year ago how I felt about the above statement, I would have said, "I'm happy." </div>
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Today, I feel very melancholic. </div>
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My husband (then fiancé) moved to Pittsburgh 2 years ago for his job. We had been living in Houston, Texas where I was a teacher and he was working in the oil and gas industry. I was not happy about this move, but did so because I was following a life lesson learned previously (Just do it) and didn't want to have to learn that lesson again. I gave up my job teaching and was determined to just enjoy this new experience. It did not turn out that easy. </div>
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Turns out, Pittsburgh, PA is one of the hardest places in America to find a teaching job. I was so sad after spending months and months getting re-certified, applying for jobs, trying to make any kind of connections possible, only to discover that nothing would become of my efforts. So, I looked to other things to occupy my time and provide me with an income. I eventually landed a job managing an office at an Oil and Gas company and decided I would feed my creative spirit with other things, mainly a multitude of art classes and various physical activities. It wasn't all bad, but I felt sad having given up on my calling (teaching) and also bored in a job that required many hours behind a desk. Not to mention having no interest in the oil and gas field. </div>
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My mood was also down and out initially because we had left all of our friends and family and came up here knowing no one. It was hard to make friends at first. But, as time went on, we began to discover some really fantastic places in this city and, upon moving into a cute little house down the street, we met a slew of awesome new neighbors that quickly became close friends. Eventually we started having a blast and by the time we made the difficult decision to move back to Texas (for his job and mine) we felt like we were true 'Yinzers' (as they like to call the natives 'round these parts). </div>
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I try to tell people about Pittsburgh and they are surprised that I like it so much. At the beginning, I lamented forever about missing the sun, my friends and family and my job. But as I grew into this city, I began to discover some hidden gems. It's amazing to me that this place hasn't blown up on the map of cool. I'm sure it will eventually and we won't be living here at that point...which will make me so pissed. But...change <i>IS</i> inevitable. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Time In Pittsburgh<br />
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It really has been amazing. Even looking through pictures trying to decide what should go in a collage is too difficult because it brings back so many good times, good friends, good FOOD and good memories. </div>
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But, the lesson I am learning throughout all of this is that, whether for good or for bad, change really is inevitable. You cannot remain stagnant. You have to keep swimming through the tide. </div>
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I've had a multitude of changes throughout my short 31 years. I'm sure there are some with even more dramatic stories of change. I love hearing how people overcome the reaction to cry out, to appease someone somewhere to prevent this change from happening. I know I am one of those people. I feel it in my gut when it happens, when I know, life as it is right this minute will never be the same. We will never go back to this, right here right now. </div>
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But, as I've also learned and continue to learn, with every change comes new and exciting possibility. New people, places, and the chance to learn and grow. I love learning and believe that we should all be on a quest of continual growth - personally, spiritually, intellectually and physically. </div>
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Perhaps that's why I was born to teach. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“Things change. And friends leave. Life doesn't stop for anybody.”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">― Stephen Chbosky</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">, <i>The Perks of Being a Wallflower</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Indeed, friends, lovers, family...at one point or another it is inevitable. Everyone leaves, whether a parting in life or by death. Everything changes. But to embrace it...that is to embrace what life is truly about and to saddle up for the journey, rather than wallowing in the wish for it to remain the same. Those who truly shine in this life have ridden the currents instead of fighting the flow. And their lives, and ours, can be be made continually better by doing so. </span></span></h3>
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Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-13962284508381512792013-04-12T13:56:00.004-07:002013-06-20T07:53:47.920-07:00Lesson #2<h2 style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">There once was a ship that was built to be the strongest, fastest, most incredible ship that man had ever known. It was "unsinkable". With this in mind, few thought to take precautions with a ship so boldly labeled "unsinkable" and so caution was through to the wind. Even though icebergs were spotted throughout, the "unsinkable" ship could never succumb to something so banal as an iceberg. Not on her maiden voyage. Inconceivable. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Well, we all know what happened here, in my not-so-vague reference to the Titanic. It was a colossal disaster. Ending in sorrow and tragedy. It sunk and many lives, dreams and hopes sunk with it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I have a story about a ship that sunk. It's a story that makes up a part of my life, and makes up a part of who I am. It's a sad story about love lost, but also a story about love gained. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I know this blog is an outlet for me to tell these stories, but some details are best kept private. To make a detailed and complicated story more palatable and one I am willing to divulge, I'll tell it in its briefest form. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I had a relationship that was very dear to me. It ended somewhat unexpectedly, with a lot of confusion and an unwanted distancing that eventually led to its demise. A change of mind about a move was the main culprit. Immediately after this breakup I felt a wave of emotions: I was lost, bitter, angry, ashamed, remorseful and depressed. While I was dealing with this loss, and the range of feelings that it caused, I suddenly found myself entering a new partnership with someone else who was also becoming very important and close to me. This person was lifting me up out of the darkness and sadness I was feeling as a result of the ending of my other relationship and he was offering me happiness and joy and comfort and friendship. He was becoming a rock for me to cling to. It was a confusing time for me. The moment I started feeling happy and excited in this new relationship, I was also struck by an overwhelming sense of guilt for feeling happy again when I should still be in mourning. This mix of different signals created a firestorm in my head and my heart. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I felt lost, confused and bitter all over again. I was bitter towards many people including my newest partner. I retreated from other friends and was for the most part very absent. Even my work suffered. I had one fellow teacher write me a letter asking me why everything seemed so stressful to me? Why was I hiding out in my classroom eating lunch by myself? I couldn't explain to anyone what I was going through. The overwhelming feelings of loss, grief, regret coupled by feelings of self-loathing and guilt. It was almost too much, and I might have drowned in my own sorrow had I not accepted the good in this new relationship and clung to it for air. It helped me out eventually, but not without a few scars along the way. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Eventually, to truly start healing, I could not continue to look back at what I did or did not do. I know I talk about regretting the things I did <i>not </i>do in the past (and that shall give me the power to <a href="http://teachingloveandlearning.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-lesson-day.html" target="_blank">Just Do It</a> in the future) but I have also learned that in order to move on we can't keep looking in the rear view mirror. We just can't! That's no way to steer your life. So, for me to move forward, I had to say to myself, "You made a mistake. You hurt someone unintentionally and you may have regrets about not being bold enough to move. You could've taken one path, but you chose another. Either way, you are on that other path now and you can't get back to that fork in the road from the past. You have to anticipate the next fork in the road and remember the lessons you've learned from this one. You have to <b>accept</b> what is done and <i><b>MOVE ON</b></i>. If you stay stagnate, you will drown. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future.”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">―</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> Steve Maraboli, </span><i style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Life, the Truth, and Being Free</i></div>
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Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199542925454840872.post-10939340702058780842013-04-12T13:01:00.001-07:002013-06-06T07:21:51.967-07:00Lesson #1Life is a journey. I'm sure you've heard that. Life is an adventure. Life is cyclical. Life is a quest for answers. In the end, do we ever find them? Or are we just left with more questions?<br />
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I started this blog as a way to express the things I've learned and what I'm learning. This is appropriate because I am also a teacher and teaching and learning are essential to who I am.<br />
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My goal is to write a lesson a day, so (in theory) I should have 365 lessons a year from now. I'm pretty sure I'd like to incorporate lessons that I teach my little ones (in school) as well as lessons that I'm happy to share with the rest of the world. Who knows? Maybe someone reading is having the exact same thing happening to them and is looking for some kind of answer. I know I often search for answers when it comes to matters of the heart and I find that reading, whether through a blog or a book or a magazine or newspaper article, always provides me with some sort of insight. I always walk away having been introduced to something new, or gaining a new perspective. Or sometimes, like with fiction books, I get to read about how something plays out, how a character deals with an issue, and imagine myself in that same scenario. Only, in fiction, you get to read to find out how it ends. In your own life, there is no scripture to guide you. You have to make those stories on your own. My hope is that perhaps through some of my own trials and tribulations in life I can write about how it went for me and what I learned and someone can take that and apply it to their own life.<br />
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Or not. It could just be an interesting read.<br />
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Or not. Perhaps no one will ever read my blog.<br />
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I'm okay with that. It has happened before.<br />
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So here it goes, folks.<br />
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Lesson #1: Just Do It</h2>
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Very cliche, I know. But it didn't become the Nike slogan for nothin! I'm certainly one who has had to learn this lesson the hard way. Without getting into too much details just yet (hey, we just met each other!) I've had some regrets in life about decisions I've made in the past and most (okay, ALL) of those regrets stems from <i>not</i> having done something. <i>Not</i> being bold enough to do something that scared me. <i>Not </i>having the guts to say what I feel. <i>Not</i> taking that leap of faith.<br />
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I have absolutely NO regrets about things I went ahead and did, whether or not they were a success. Life is funny like that.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“Of all the words of mice and men, the saddest are, "It might have been.”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">So, just as I preach I must practice. This blog is something I always thought to myself I should do but never sat down to write, for fear of not saying the right thing or not having something interesting enough to write about. But, I have plenty of really good stories that have provided me with a lot of insight in my 31 years and I think to myself, I would want to read about some of these stories! So, I sit down today and I start this blog. </span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Done. Just Did It. </span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">In keeping with this spirit, I have tackled some things that I normally wouldn't do. Things that may scare me, or I just put off. Well, the time for putting things off is over. I was determined to DO 5 new things this week. Here are the things I have done in keeping with my Lesson #1: Just Do It. </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I have been learning to play the ukelele. I have failed many times at learning musical instruments because I suffer from a perfectionist attitude. This time I thought, what have I got to lose? Absolutely zilch. So, I have two songs down and if I keep it up by the end of the year I should have enough for a solo coffee shop performance! </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guitar and Ukelele (or, as I like to call them, Papa Guitar and Baby Guitar)</td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I have continued knitting. I learned how a long time ago but forgot. With my recent surge of just do it attitude I took it back up (with some help from the friendly folks at <a href="http://knitone.biz/" target="_blank">this</a> knitting place) and have been plugging along. It looks to me like a blanket for a mouse rather than something wearable for a human, but if I keep up my can-do-ness it should turn into something formidable in the near future. So, I'm doin it.</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I have bought tickets to attend my friend's wedding in Italy. I kept putting it off for fear of not having the funds, but my husband and I saved up for a few months and then, when our tax return came back, I thought...just. do. it. So now, we are officially going on a 10 day trip to Italia! </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I took a new exercise class (<a href="http://purebarre.com/" target="_blank">Pure Barre</a>). I know that's not such a big deal, but it was stepping out of comfort slightly because it was something I had never done before. And I made a pact with myself to attend every day of my 2 week unlimited pass. I only missed a couple days because I was so freaking sore I physically couldn't put myself through it. But I did it. You're welcome, tight new booty. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I have been decorating our house with fresh flowers. Spring has not sprung up here in Pittsburgh, PA but I thought about bringing a little spring into our abode. Normally I would say this is a waste because flowers just go and die anyway. But the color and freshness and beauty of them really do wonders in brightening the mood of the place, and, in turn, my own mood. </span></li>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">I may try upping the ante on my trying-new-things and just-doing-it list (10 things next week?). But I had to prove it to myself that, as a lesson learned, I need to be following it. Who knows what thing I just might do to lead me onto something great? </span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">So, when you consider things that you want to do or try and then push it off or save till later or claim that it isn't for you...remember that the things you leave undone or unsaid will lead you to feel the deepest regrets later on in life. Trust me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Jump. Leap. Fly. Do. </span></div>
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<br />Lady Persimmons Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13599807712157305210noreply@blogger.com0