Merry Christmas

I'm not sure if I'll get a chance to post before Christmas Day so I'll pass on my greetings now...I wish you all the happiest, safest Christmas!!!

Christmas Crafts in the Classroom...

Well, it might be nearly Christmas, but I have a few things to share with you...

The kids did their craft. They had two options, an easier one and a harder one. The sad thing was very few finished...it's hard to inspire kids when some don't see the value in art. Maybe because art is so important to me, but I just don't get it...

It's been quite the year when I look back...there's been so many blessings, change, and loss. I've really grown into the woman that I feel I've always meant to be. I'm more sure of myself and more sure of the path that I've been walking. I've learned to stand up for myself in the face of adversity and know that my convictions and beliefs are what keep me moving forward. The strength I have in knowing who I am carries me through the valleys.

I lost two people who were the closest to me...and while one I truly have mourned, the other I feel I am just beginning. Saying farewell to someone you love is never easy, especially when you are left wondering why? There are moments of emptiness and lonliness, but in the end, you just have to be sure of your own path and keep moving on. I may never understand, and that's okay, I just hope in time, it will get easier to be the one left behind.

I'm truly exhausted,and yet I still stand.

The last couple of months haven't been easy, heck, the last year hasn't been easy. I'm vulnerable and fragile right now and that's okay. It makes me real, humble, sincere, and appeciative. I have joy, faith and assurance of my path in this world and so for now I'll just keep picking myself up each time I fall or get knocked over.

I had the most wonderful weekend doing absolutely nothing...I haven't felt so relaxed in a long time. Was it exciting? Nope, but wow...best weekend ina long time. I was supposed to have gone to the movies with a friend, but it didn't happen. Got stood up, but that's okay.


I sure wish there was one more day...I want to relax some more!

I think way too much. Sometimes I feel too much. I'm getting ready for Christmas, and things have changed-there are different people to buy for, and some people to not buy for anymore. That's hard-saying good bye to a chapter in your life, especially when you don't understand things.

Along For The Ride

I'm working on my 2nd commission of the Christmas season-a very odd request. I was requested to do a rooster on a motorcycle. My client explained that her mother loved roosters and the mom's boyfriend loved Harleys.

I had a hard time starting this project even...I didn't know where to start or if I could successfully pull it off. I admit it, I dragged my feet a bit. But the sketches are done. And the two main concepts are pretty incredible. They scream biker rooster in my opinion.

The sad news, and my heart was broken when I heard this, was that the mom's boyfriend died the other day after battling cancer for 7 months. I understand how important this project is and I'm honored to be a part of the journey.

The client comes tomorrow to choose a sketch and approve color/glass samples. I'll keep you all posted.

Why Teach?

The last couple of days I have been giving a lot of thought about my students and my career in general. I guess you could call it self reflection.

One of my students actually asked me the other day why I became a teacher. I've explained it before, but never to a 10 year old. I've wanted to be a teacher since I was in Kindergarten. I loved school, and I loved learning. But at that very young age, school was one of few safe places I had in my life. My teachers were my role models and I wanted to be just like them. And it's probably that kind of thinking that got me through for years.

I also knew early on though that I loved kids, and I had a gift. I had a way with younger kids. Early on, I helped out wherever I could. In grade 6, I gave up lunches to act as a supervisor in the Kindergarten room.

By high school, my reasoning went a step further. I wanted to be the teacher that my teachers had been for me. I wanted to be the safe person that a child could trust, while instilling my love of learning. I wanted to give back.

By the time I reached my education degree, it really was about all those things, and something so much more fundamental. Teaching was my passion. It was where I came alive. Despite missing out on so much of my childhood, I was able to live it vicariously through my students while promoting education, safety, respect, and life skills. Teaching wasn't exactly a choice, it was more like my calling. I didn't choose it, it chose me.

Teaching is not as easy business. It's hard, stressful, little pay, and it can burn you out like you wouldn't believe. There were times where I questioned should I continue teaching, especially when jobs were scarce. But at the same time, it is so rewarding. I love seeing my students every day, seeing their smiles, seeing their "A-Ha" moments when they discover something new, and learning along with them.

See while I teach them, they also teach me. They teach me to grow in patience, kindness, and love. They teach me to look at the world through the eyes of the child and see the good. They help me to be a better person. They make me want to be a better person.