Thank You Mature Students!

When you teach middle school, you never know what you are going to get from one moment to the next. Yesterday I had a mix of wound-up and wound-down students. The happy balance I sought for optimal learning was hidden beneath a cloak of why-are-we-here-ness?

Today I had two classes of Level 2 students work respectfully and thoughtfully on some reading and grammar activities.  The later class arrived so well-focused that I allowed them to choose the order of their activities.

They all chose to complete the written-turned-speaking activities first and then head outside.  As it was in the mid 70s and this class was right before lunch, a few minutes in the lung-rejuvenating air was the perfect "thank you" from me to them.

We played a fierce game of "Hunde o Salva" aka Sink or Save and I heard just how much vocabulary was cemented in their cerebros!

As a bonus they learned some amusing phrases in Spanish that they said in English, I translated, and they repeated in Spanish!

My Level 1 classes demonstrated their dilligence with food pyramid learning.  They partnered up or individualed it with determination and focus.  Many commented that they were shocked at how much they completed in a period.  Hmm...

So while only a few more weeks of 8th grade remain for these stellar students, I'm forever grateful that they showed their maturity on their learning.  They will do great things one day, and their foundation is quite strong.

Thank you, students, for your focus and dedication! Thank you for your listening and teamwork! Thank you for putting forth effort even when yesterday so many of you asked, "is it summer yet?"  I'm grateful to learn with you.

For what are you grateful at this moment?

Share with me, as we celebrate being grateful!





Thank You Yoga Teacher Training ABC Style

Two days before my birthday I embarked on my life long dream (somewhat noted on this blog): yoga teacher training. When I started it I nearly quit.  The first night was rough.  I wasn't sure if I wanted to complete it.  I had massive doubts, which I shared with a co-trainee during a listening activity on the second day.  She was shocked. 

During my interview for the program, the director asked me what would make me quit.  I listed off a few things, and she responded something to the effect of, "What I'm hearing is that you would quit if you got in your way."  I confirmed that.  I can be my best support of my worst nightmare.

A few weeks ago I still didn't have a clue as to why I was completing the program.  I knew I needed to, but something was missing. The more I pushed on, the more I stayed present, the more I accepted and learned.

I'm not quite half-way through the program.  It has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life, and also one of the most profoundly humbly and rewarding.

Without further ado...the ABCs of gratitude- yoga teacher training style.

A- apples and almonds (the best snack food ever)

B- breathing exercises (one of the best things I've learned and shared with others!!)

C- courage (to follow one's dream)

D- discipline

E- ease (the proverbial balance to strength)

F- family (the trainees have formed a tight family)

G- growth

H- heart (it's all about that baby!)

I- inspiration (when you listen to the stories, you do certain activities, and you reflect, you know it's pure inspiration)

J- joy (it's almost like freedom doing this thing...)

K- kindness (my fellow trainees and teachers offer it often)

L- laughter (oh, so many classes are filled with it!)

M- memories (a lifetime in a few weeks/months...)

N- new sense of normal (that's what this is)

O- offerings (our nightly treats.. yum!)

P- patience ('nuff said)

Q- quinoa salads (mmm... dinners!)

R- rest (for this I have new found respect)

S- strength and simplicity (see ease)

T- teachers (we are blessed with some of the...if not THE best!!)

U- understanding (for myself, the tradition, the practice, and all involved)

V- victory (the big and the little..each class is filled with many)

W- water (my good friend that keeps my awake in class)

X- x-tra soft bolsters (on which to lean during some classes)

Y- yearning (what my heart does for this experience)

Z- zany noises (let's just say the program is often in a busy city...and during calm times it's normal to hear pounding music, emergency sirens, conversations from the street, and more)

For what are you grateful at this moment?

Share with me, as we celebrate being grateful!

Thank You Spring Break Wanderings!

Yesterday was too nice to stay inside after the swim, reading, errand running, and more, so I opted to visit one of my favorite places to run.  It'd been a while since I stopped, walked, and shot on a no-hurry basis.  Here's a pinch of what I saw.

A fallen tree. X-marks the spot? Near the overloook.

Low tide. 

The beauty of this trail is that you never know how high or low the water will be, nor how many animals will be playing here.

Another fallen comrade.  Beauty at all stages of life.

Sweet purple spark!

How many times have I clung to this rail during icey step repeats. 

Ah, not yesterday!

Lots of ferns!!

The green trail.  It reminds me of living in Mississippi.  Not sure why, but it does.

A trio of dogwood blossoms!

The return-to-car sight!

Thank you to Spring Break for the time to enjoy.  Thank you to the great weather for a compassionate afternoon of exploration and shooting! Thank you to the trail for always embracing me, and allowing me to sink into your wonders!

 

For what are you grateful at this moment?

Share with me, as we celebrate being grateful!

Thank You Cotter Crunch!

Last Monday Lindsay at Cotter Crunch posted this amazing recipe.  I e-mailed her asking about possible substitutions, and she gave the okay and a pinch of encouragement.

Today after a good, relaxing (why-rush-it's-Spring-Break paced) swim, I headed to Wal Mart and just wandered.  On my wandering, I remembered the recipe and thought-needed ingredients, and fortunately they were all there.

Instead of darting out to hang on the water's edge, I opted to mix it up, and since it was sooo good I have to write this now!  The recipe tastes VERY similar to the chocolate-orange balls my Mom makes at Christmas, but I always have a hard time digesting (too much "stuff" in them).  I will be take the fixings for these to Mom and Dad's at Christmas this year, and might even do a blind taste test on them!

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You Lindsay for sharing your recipes, your talents, your encouragement, and your example!  Thank You for responding to e-mails and for encouraging your readers to chime in!  Thank You for being humble, honest, real You!

For what are you grateful at this moment?

Share with me, as we celebrate being grateful!

PS Recipe Tweaks a la Me:  1/2 cup of dried cranberries and 1/4 cup of dried pineapple; almond butter instead of sunflower butter; a bit extra orange zest; forgot the cinnamon; and I used a plastic bag and rolling pin as the "food processor" because I don't have one of those. 

Thank You Spring Break!

Oh, perhaps I should thank yoga teacher training for all that it is doing for me, but Spring Break has been the best gift since Friday afternoon when it began! 

On Saturday I went for a run in the cold rain through the bluebells with 3 friends and 2 new-to-me runners.  I learned, I listened, I followed, I splashed in mud, I made time for soaking in the vistas while keeping a steady pace, and most of all, I enjoyed each breath, slip, slide, suction-stuck step, and more!

Then I listened to my favorite CDs all day as the rain came a pouring down, before I chatted with Dad who had the most wonderful solution to my Easter dilemma!  (I love my Dad!)

Today I've worked on art project, wandered to the farmer's market, found apple sauce on sale, and baked until I cannot bake any more!  I still have another batch to go, but it may wait til later this week.  Afterall, Spring Break continues.

With all of this, I've reflected.  A lot!  Yoga teacher training has pushed me far and near, and this week is needed for me to make it further.  In being pushed, I've reached out to a few friends, and have found the comfort that is needed.  Thank you to them for knowing the kind words and the encouragement!

For all that will come, for all that will be rested, recharged, refocused, run, swum, cleaned, doodled, etc.... thank you Spring Break for your gift!  Thank you for comfy weather, dancing green trees, a crazy robbin that likes to wake me up at 615 in the morning, and more!  Thank you for coming at the right time, and for supporting me in ways seen and unseen!

For what are you grateful at this moment?

Share with me, as we celebrate being grateful!

Thank You Run-Hike!

The run started off strong today. Very strong. I ran up hills at a superb speed, and I was consistent with them. It was the best I'd ever run on that trail! Then a funny thing happened after the turn around: the valve on my hand-held bottle tore three-fourths off. I opted to hike the rest of the way instead.

There's a beauty to hiking that I enjoy. You can move at your own speed, look around, soak in the trail, and be grateful for all of life and the opportunity to move.

During the run I was thrilled with the improved fitness and joy that I felt when running. I was running for me, and because it felt right. The hike was just as magnificent. To marvel at the heights of the trees, the sounds of the high school crew teams on the river, and the silly squirrels was a blessing.

I'm glad I took these four days away from yoga teacher training to return to my base: swimming and trail running.

Thank you woods and weather for blessing me with today's adventures! Thank you for celebrating with me and for encouraging me each step and breath!

For what are you grateful at this moment?

Share with me, as we celebrate being grateful!

Thank You Catching Up!

No pics, just seven thank yous for all of the missed ones.

*yoga teacher training- you are kicking my heart and soul into a much, much better place, and I love you!

*the woods- there's nothing more magical than trail running in the Spring (except trail running in the summer, fall, winter, etc.).  Yesterday I shared my journey with one eagle, one singing gull, five munching deer, and a whole slew of wildflowers!

*my shoulders- thank you for supporting the swims!

*yoga activist- for showing me all of the possibilities, and helping me to play "dot to dot" by connecting them in my own life!

*my current principal- for allowing me to have moments of support on the day she announced her mega promotion! Congrats to her!

*A.- for all of the encouragning texts at "normal" (to her) hours :-)

*my parents- for spending a week with their grandson and sharing with him blessed memories- including his first trip to see the cherry blossons last night!

Oh, what would it be without a few more? :-)

*S.- for some excellent insight yesterday. Sometimes it's best to run late when someone fills you up with advice and personal wisdom!

*one of my APs- for listening today and for understanding.  There's nothing more profound than the gifts.

*change- while I thought I was crazy at times to embark on things, I"m grateful for each moment of the journey.

For what are you grateful at this moment?

Share with me, as we celebrate being grateful!