Visual Journal catch up: February 2012

Theme:

O God of beginnings

as your spirit moved

over the face of the deep

on the first day of creation,

move with me now,

in my time of beginnings,

when the air is rain-washed

the bloom is on the bush,

and the world seems fresh

and full of possibilities,

and I feel ready and full.

I tremble on the edge of a maybe,

a first time

a new thing,

a tentative start,

and the wonder of it lays its finger on my lips.

In silence, Lord,

I share now my eagerness

and my uneasiness

about this something different

I would be or do:

and I listen for your leading

to help me separate the light

from the darkness

in the change I seek to shape

and which is shaping me. Amen.

-Ted Loder

I was training for a sprint triathlon.

On this page I began experimenting with putting printed scrapbook paper into my printer.

Visual Journal catch up: January 2012

Theme:

 beginnings

 

Moving On...

After fifteen years of work and six days of packing, I have officially closed the door of my classroom at my school and am heading on to a new adventure! I wasn't really expecting to move at this late stage of the year, but when the opportunity came up, I felt it calling me. 

I'm just changing schools. I'll still be teaching grade four, so it won't all be foreign.

Being at this school for fifteen years has been really significant in my teaching career. I love this community. I feel like it has allowed me to refine my passions for literacy, especially in writing. I have grown up here, learning to be a teacher-leader and mentor.

The halls have been empty as I pack up my boxes, fill recycling bins, and strip my walls of art in these first few days of summer. This is solitary work- only I can decide what to keep and what to recycle. It's hard and exhausting work.

My students here? Well, they'll always be my students. Their joys, their triumphs, their boundless enthusiasm, their kind words to me and creative writing over the years, I will keep as treasures. I wonder if they know how much they have taught me?

My colleagues here? Well, they are more than colleagues. Inspirational, hard workers, creative thinkers, good listeners, faithful friends. I will miss the day-to-day part of working with you. But I am taking with me your ideas, your creativity and friendship. These are also valuable treasures. Thank you for your kindness towards me. Words can't really express my gratitude for what I have learned and how my time here has shaped me. 

So long, SGCS, thanks for all that you brought into my life! I remember not being very happy when I was "placed" here. I could not have been more wrong in my feeling. What a priviledge to have been given such a gift of a place to learn and grow. 

And now the tears come...

This is what 15 years of teaching looks like when it's all packed up...
yup, SK , you were right...
FIFTY boxes on the nose

THREE recycling bins filled to overflowing.

Trout Lake Farmer's Market!

Dominican Republic- post trip reflection #1

We had an amazing trip to the DR in May. I'll try to share some stories and impressions from my journal on my blog here. My first sharing will be via a movie I made for my school. I wanted to share with the students and staff what it's like to be a student at the Eva Russell School in Monte Plata. I wanted the students to see how friendly the students are. And also how many things we have in common with them. Hopefully this comes across in the movie! Click HERE to view the movie.

For Sale!

I'm sharing some of my photography. All proceeds will go towards Granville Chapel's Open Door Service Trip to the Dominican Republic in May, 2013. 

We will be working with Kids Alive International- at their orphanage and school for children at risk, in Monte Plata. If you are interested in purchasing any of these, please let me know.

For those of you who are local, on April 7th you will have a chance to see these and buy them in person. Ask me about it.

First, photos mounted on canvas. These are 4" X 4" and 1.5" deep. They can stand alone on a shelf,or you can use the picture hanger on the back to put on the wall. A trio of these look great together! They are $10 each.

1. Monte Plata, DR

2. Monte Plata, DR

3. Haina, DR

4. Window, Monte Plata, DR

5. Monte Plata, DR

6. Monte Plata, DR, naked boy playing on cell phone

7. Monte Plata, DR

8. Haina, DR, banana leaf

9. Haina, DR, papaya leaf

10. Juan Dolio, DR 

11. Monte Plata, DR

12. Vancouver, BC, Hydrangea

13. Vancouver, BC, Hydrangea

14. Vancouver, BC, Sunflower

15. Hilo, Hawaii, Fern

16. Vancouver, BC

17. Keremeos, BC, hope among rocks

18. Kona, Hawaii

 I have note cards for sale, with all the images above, plus a few more.  They are 11 X 14 cm,  about the size of a thank you card. They are $2 each or $10 for six cards. A group of these would make lovely gifts for Mother's Day!

THANK YOU!