Blogtober: Day 4.

Pretty floweres to welcome my new team

members to our new site as we get ready

to open up soon for the kids and families

who will soon join us. Love the colors!

Are you still finding lovely flowers in the Fall?

~ Chy

Rainy Start.

So excited to start our renovations last week but today, with all the rain, we had no choice but to cart, carry and wheelbarrow all the drywall outside to the dumpster bin. In the rain. We were soaked but we got it done! In between smashing down walls, coughing up drywall and taking apart a desk, we managed to bond with our students and celebrate our dd's birthday again with sparklers and donuts. It's been a great start to this process and I hope it continues as we all work hard to create our new family centre in our tiny hamlet, beside the Big City. Wish us luck ~ we'll need it!

~ Chy

Cozy Corner.

Our "cozy corner" at the community preschool we

created in 2008. Such a magical spot, where learning

and community meet. There is a lot of push at this

time in the field of early learning to NOT have any

formality in the classroom. NO circle times, NO

storytime, NO direction given to children. We are

not following this new trend, though we do offer

many opportunities through the day for our littles to

be a big part of the curriculum. Instead of circle

time or story time, we invite our littles to the cozy

corner where we talk about the day, we share what

is happening outside our door, we read, we teach,

and through it all, the dignity and uniqueness of all

our children is respected and guided. I'm so very

proud and in awe of our crew for creating such a

warm and inviting space. Incredible dedication!

~ Chy

Challenges.

I'm taking a fascinating course right now.

On Tuesday, in our notes was this great

quote from our instructor. After this past

difficult year, I'm thankful for a timely

offer of new education and the wisdom of

a very talented facilitator and mentor. A

true gift in the midst of adversity that

has been part of my every day life all year.

Getting my "MoJo" back!!

I am a sensitive being. 

There, I said it out loud!

I was "born this way", in the words of Lady Gaga!

But I work on it all the time ....

Tonight was a wonderful example of why I shouldn't let those who nick pick at me win. I was recently told that perhaps I needed to find a new career, that without a Masters Degree, I'm worthless to the field I work in. I, having heard this before, fought back with my numbers, my credentials and my awards. 

And then I stopped. 

Because I realized that every time this happens, with the senseless belittling and the critical words, the sad and angry individuals who are spouting are the ones that seem to either be struggling or have no confidence in themselves. So they pick on me and at 5 feet small, I'm a fairly easy target. 

No longer will I heed these words! Tonight, I presented a creative workshop I designed for families who have lost a baby. The 1st night in a series of 4 and a raving success. I had a lovely Power Point, we did art, we conversed, we shared, we supported each other and we basked in the knowledge that in such an isolating journey, we never have to be alone. With classical music playing softly in the background, the tears flowed, the laughter reined and the pictures were cherished. We ended a whole hour later than we proposed and I'm sure, if we could have, the room would still be full of bereaved parents until midnight!

Were my naysayers in the room?

Nope, but they didn't need to be because clearly, I got my "MoJo" back!!

Can't wait for next week's session. 

Back to School!

Starting to make plans for 2014 and one thing I may do is return to my studies. I graduated from Ryerson University in 2010 and thought I'd take just a year off before doing more but my job exploded and I haven't had a chance yet to get back. Now that things are more settled and life is moving along, I'm starting to look at taking some classes again. I don't need to as I'm at the top of my profession at this point, but I love learning and want to keep going, even in small ways. Right now, I'm looking at Art Therapy or Stillbirth Doula classes for 2014. My employer provides some funding each year for us to continue in our chosen path and we're allowed to carry these dollars over for a second year. I didn't use any in 2013, so I have a nice chunk sitting there for 2014. Right now, half of my Art Therapy program would be paid. Or the full ride for the Stillbirth Doula Course, with money left over. Lots to decide!

Have you returned to school over the years? 

What did you take and did you enjoy the process?

Teaching ....

I love to teach classes and workshops. Today was a perfect session, with 25 participants, in a comfortable setting. The participants? Members of a local Muslim community who provide care to families in their sect. The subject? Grief and loss, my passion. They have set up the most incredible program for bereaved families that I wish we could do in the general community. So many people grieve without support and yet the model they have created makes so much sense as they work hard for these families.

The best part of teaching is watching participants "eat up" every message that is presented. They nod, they reflect, they write it all down. It feels so good to empower other with the knowledge we are so comfortable with, that so many find a mystery. But when they enthusiastically participate in the interactive art activities or ask truly intentional questions to understand the material presented is a gift we receive back, in our efforts to give. Win win!

Today was also the anniversary of my formal graduation from Ryerson University in Toronto. I was so determined to graduate on 20.10.2010. Isn't that the neatest date to remember? We had such a good time at my grad, just my guy and me. We turned it into a bit of a holiday for the two of us and my boss surprised us by upgrading our cheap hotel reservations into a suite at the Sutton Place Hotel! Memorable time for sure and so worth all the studying time, writing papers at night after working all day and agonizing over marks. I graduated with honors and am so proud of this accomplishment. Hoping to do more but for now, still enjoying that I completed the first part of my education journey. 

Have a great week!