Haitian Hiatus

With a little under two days left to enjoy beautiful Vancouver, BC, until I leave for Haiti and my first international teaching posting, I find myself unable to sleep. Not surprising as I still have the majority of my packing to do and I'm trying (increasingly desperately) to find my to-do list. I've said most of my good-byes...twice...and wish that it wasn't considered rude to just up and leave. I like to pretend that I'm not leaving and that we'll run into each in the grocery store, on the seawall, or on the Grind! For the purposes of this post, I'm going to make an effort to shake off this mood and describe how excited I am to be embarking on this latest adventure. My friend Ashley and I will be living in Petionville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

At the Union School, I will be teaching grades 6, 7, 8 English, and am looking forward to reigning supreme over my own classroom. Obviously, we've considered the dangers and the culture shock, and have decided to take up the challenge anyway. For the first time ever, linen dominates the fabric of my wardrobe. I am taking as little as possible, and have spent more time considering how i'll manage the heat than how I'll navigate the curriculum. I am thrilled to be moving to a country where voodoo (not the stereotypical definition North Americans think of) is the main religion, where seafood can be found in abundance, and where French is the first official language. As always when I travel I am going with very few preconceived expectations. I can't wait to arrive and soak it all up!

More posts to come. Departure date is Saturday, August 12th.

Laws of Modern Man

Just a few tidbits from a blog I encountered through A. These are written/contributed by Erik Angstrom owner of lawsofmodernman.

My question is what happens when you're still doing this when you're 25, 35, 45, 55 65...

I'd rather ask "what now?" than "what if?" any day. 

Hello, Haiti. 

There may be hope after all. 

Words to live by...if I only I could convince myself to do so...

Just like Brittany says: "I'm a slave to you..."

---

Just be. 

Weekend Warriors

Friday: On the occasion of a long weekend granted by a PA day, A. and I went adventuring. We loaded up our backpacks, jumped on our bikes, and boarded the tiny ferry to Wolfe Island. From the moment we left the house (with minutes to spare before missing the ferry), the day promised to be spectacular.

Saturday: Yoga, Farmer's Market, "Soapchoke" Fiasco.

Sunday: Yoga in the Park, Gardening Fools, Slam Poetry Judges!

MWM Graphics

I was stumbling when I should have been working but I came across this graphic design gem and got really excited. I took a bunch of screen captures (which in the biz is probably really frowned upon) and fell in love with the rad colours. Check it out at the source: http://mwmgraphics.com/ . Matt W. Moore, I am thoroughly enjoying your talent.

On a side note, during my trip to India last summer, I came across quite a few Mandalas. We also visited a Buddhist temple where we observed monks creating a Mandala. 4 men were working on it at the time and must have spent countless hours, cross-legged on the cement floor, syphoning coloured sand on to their design. The care and meticulousness that goes into these works of art is incredible. In layman's terms, Mandalas are used for a variety of different things, in Hinduism and Buddhism. In Buddhism, they offer a sacred space for, or aid in, meditation. Depending on the design, they can represent a vast number of things, but generally evoke some balance between the states of enlightenment and confusion.

I think that MWM's adaptations (he calls them Mandalas) are also beautiful, in a very different way. I think i'll read his blog to explore his inspiration/intention with these! 

As amazed as I am by MWM's work, I am blown away by a pair of hand-knitted, Peruvian socks. My friend W. just brought them back for me from her 3-week trip to Cuzco, Machu Pichu, and the Sacred Valley. I'm a sucker for a gorgeous pair of wool socks any day, but the craftsmanship of these (and again the rad colours) are incredible. Thanks W., it's so great to have you back! 

I know this seems like a very random post, but i'm all about making connections these days. The theme here is the expression of creativity, cool designs, and the product that emerges from the love of one's work. Cudos to you, if you've found what it is that you love to do. 

Inspiration, Goal-Setting, Motivation, Success…(not necessarily in that order)

Since my last post was about inspiration, you can probably tell I'm struggling to find some. Like that word that dances, elusive, on the tip of your tongue, inspiration (or the lack there of) has been taunting me for days. I'm sure if I looked back at some very old posts, I'd probably find one about goal-setting as well. Neither of these are new concepts to me, however my motivation seems to ebb and flow like the tides of the Bay of Fundy...in serious extremes.

Since my friend A. moved in at the beginning of May, both my inspiration and my motivation have been on the up-swing. Because our interests are so complimentary, we seem to feed off each other’s energy. It also helps to have somebody around to keep you accountable to your goals. Here are some of my current goals:

-Hit my yoga mat 3x/week

-Run 3x/week

-Use re-usable containers (hence my new obsession with glass jars)

-Cook more (has the nice side beny of resulting in eating out less)

-Eat local, eat well (i'm in love with the Kingston Farmer's Market)

-Find a full-time teaching-related job for Sept. 2012 (the scariest, and thus far the least successful)

I could bore you with the details but suffice it to say that, this month, I’ve spent far more time in the kitchen, playing around with recipes and vegetables I’d never ever heard of, than anywhere else. I bought a used blender on Kijiji and have made a smoothie every morning at 6:50, much to my housemates’ dismay. I’ve also delved into the realm of homemade hummus and it now dominates my diet, without straining my wallet. I’ve discovered food blog after food blog of fantastic gluten- and dairy-free meals and am (so far) embracing radical culinary change. One of my favorites is Oh She Glows, and without any further acclamation, I’ll let you discover it on your own.

As I mentioned earlier, inspiration can be a fickle thing…and maybe we appreciate it that much more, as a result. My intention is to remain open to the things that inspire me and to sideline anything that doesn’t.

image © ben heine

Because inspiration should come from the most unlikely sources. 

Because having a hand in progress should be just this easy. 

Because everyone, everywhere, misses someone they love. 

Because sometimes it's hard to recognize where we are, and where we're meant to be going. 

Because knowledge is power and should be accessible to everyone. 

Because my dream is to cross all those bridges with you. 

A Little AM Inspiration

Do not stand at my grave and weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft star-shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there; I did not die.

-Mary Elizabeth Frye, 1932

Inspired by spoken-word poet Sarah Kay.





My list of 10 things I know to be true:

I know that I am loved

I know that there is good in the world

I know that beauty exists in the simplest things

I know that I am capable

I know that curiosity is healthy and the only way to get answers is to ask questions

I know that the sky is big and blue and holds untold mysteries

I know that a rainy day is as valuable as a sunny day

I know that right now all sorts of doors are locked but the keys are out there somewhere

I know that I will do great things

I know that being active makes me happy

Excellent poetry-writing springboard in a high school writing workshop! 

Fav New Blog Discovery: The Londoner

www.thelondoner.me

Blogging in Beijing!

My first week in Beijing is almost up and I continue to be blown away by both the people I work with and the city itself. I have the luxury of living with dad during my stay, and I am reaping the benefits of his wonderful driver and a continental breakfast where I get both my morning coffee and my midday snacks (yumm...croissants)!

The locals are so friendly that it's difficult to feel shy or awkward. Zhang is so proud of his city that as he drives me around, he inquires as to what's on my list of sights to see and either adjusts or adds to it as he sees fit. The apartment my father lives in is very westernized and so are the stores surrounding it. There is a grocery store that stocks all sorts of recognizable brands and products (including wine -although none Canadian). We even had salmon last night, which prompted a brief conversation about the origins of the food on our plates. It seemed like it might be better to not think about it too much...Thus far I have not had the opportunity to explore much of the local fare, although I did have noodles from a noodle house close to the school at which I work (YCIS).  I am very excited to explore a more authentic and diverse view of Beijing this weekend, with my Associate and her family.

I also can't wait to shop.

Kony 2012

Spent a lot of time thinking this through, showing it in class, and questioning it. Posting it for posterity sake and because I just can't let it go...

Stumbled Upon!

Sitting at Liv's house and multi-tasking very poorly as I attempt to finish an assignment for tomorrow, watch TV and stumbleupon amazing things like this:

The First Day of the Rest of My Life...

Recently, my father informed me of a diagnosis he had received: he was the lucky winner of a genetic strand of Celiac's disease. Since then, I have booked a blood tox screen and been researching gluten-free diets. I have spoken to waitresses, friends and family, other people with allergies to gluten. Most say the same thing, there a lot of alternatives out there but none of them taste as good as the real thing. I am excited to begin trying out flour combinations and searching out bakeries that cater to the gluten-free. Regardless of the results of my blood test, I will from now on be adopting a gluten-free lifestyle! Mostly out of solidarity, but also out of curiosity, I am setting myself a challenge: 3 months without gluten, documented through a journal of some medium or other, in order to evaluate the changes I'm sure my body will register. While I realize this will be a major culinary paradigm shift, I am excited and a little in awe of people who do it everyday!

Goals

“You must have long-term goals to keep you from being frustrated by short-term failures.”

—Charles C. Noble

“If you’re bored with life—you don’t get up every morning with a burning desire to do things—you don’t have enough goals.”

—Lou Holtz

"EAT"

Shout out to Emma's Eatery for posting this video. How much fun are they having? I love the idea of travelling the world for this kind of purpose and bringing joy and new experiences to light in a global context. Anyone who wants to fund this kind of journey for me can post right here...Will EAT, LEARN, MOVE and write about it, ANYWHERE!

EAT from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

Follow-up from previous post. This series of videos is amazing. As I mentioned before, my first practicum for my B.Ed starts tomorrow and in keeping with the (very broad) theme of learning, I came across this...

"3 guys, 44 days, 11 countries, 18 flights, 38 thousand miles, an exploding volcano, 2 cameras and almost a terabyte of footage...all to turn 3 ambitious linear concepts based on movement, learning and food ...into 3 beautiful and hopefully compelling short films... = a trip of a lifetime."

LEARN from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

The third video in the series: MOVE.

MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

Farmer's Market Inspiration

Yesterday, an old friend of mine and I met at the Kingston Farmer's Market to do a little grocery shopping. The array of produce and colours on offer at the stands in the square were amazing. Now, a veteran farmer's marketer may not be as easily impressed as I, but who knew you could get/buy/eat PURPLE carrots? After getting confirmation from Ashley (who is a pro) that this was the best course of action, we wandered around scoping out cost and quality before settling in to buy. A great tip Ashley gave me was to ask if portions could be split for us singletons who can't possibly keep up with them before they spoil. Another thing to keep in mind when shopping at farmer's markets is to bring something (a bag or backpack) that you can fill with purchased goodies and carry comfortably. While most stands will provide you with plastic bags, it's easier and more environmentally friendly to bring your own (especially if you have more errands to run afterward)!

After a great but cold day out and about, I got home and washed an put away my myriad of fresh ingredients. I was inspired to get started on my lunches for my first week of practicum. I made two salads that will keep well and fill me up during the day: (1) A cherry tomato, green bean, and potato salad with feta and chick peas in a dijon dressing, (2) a wholewheat couscous salad with everything but the kitchen sink (peppers, cucumber, olives, black beans, tuna) in an apple cider vinaigrette. While prepping in the kitchen, one of my housemates asked if I could really taste the difference in store bought vs. farmer's market produce. I told him that I didn't think my palette was discerning enough to notice but it certainly made me feel better about what I was putting into my body and how I was contributing to the environment and the local economy.

As I grow my list of criteria for a future home base, i've recently added "access to a farmer's market". Not only because of the two reasons I mention above, but because they provide an excellent opportunity to forge connections within a community and are a great social event. Ashley and I spent a wonderful day together and managed to accomplish both our grocery shopping for the week and a hang-out without spending too much money.

(Pictures to come. I was silly and didn't bring my camera. Won't make that mistake again!)

Trendy Vocab

Why the word "Awesome" is being targeted for it's recent overuse is beyond me. A twitter newbie, i've encountered more references to the same Intelligent Life magazine article than I thought possible . As if it's the first word whose constant repetition and misuse ticks people off. (http://moreintelligentlife.com/content/ideas/robert-lane-greene/just-awesome)

Here's a question for Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point -how does a word suddenly come into vogue, only to be discarded some time in the future for another? Are language trends subject to the same caprices as those of fashion. Or maybe it's a matter of simple exposure...like suddenly realizing you've adopted your friend's laugh because you hear it so often. If you are as taken with words as I am, you can think back to the words that your mouth somehow got snagged on and couldn't move past: "like" is the big one but there's also "dude", "brutal", "whatever", "sweet", etc.

These words are a bit like security blankets, their use is at the same time a comfort and a guilty pleasure. A way to succinctly and vaguely indicate your non-opinion of something. Generations of teenagers, often the ones to experiment with language the most freely, have applied non-traditional meanings to otherwise conventional words. It's part of the rebellion, taking possession of language and manipulating it to exclude others. It can also be a way of asserting your individuality or your conformity to a certain group. The informal language you chose to use is as identity defining as your clothing, hair cut, or likes/dislikes.

Perhaps i'm biased, a result of the age in which I grew up, but I have to admit I love the word

Outward Bound

I love travel blogging best. I find so often I doubt that what inspires me has the ability to ignite in others the same excitement and passion, and so I leave it unsaid...or more accurately...unblogged. But who doesn't love to travel? Who doesn't love and yearn everyday to be in the great outdoors? To sleep under the stars, hike a torturous and treacherous pass, paddle the murky depths of a yet unchartered waterway or to climb an unconquered crag? To finally reach a beach so distant and intangible, that even if it were a mirage, it would be no less hopeless to conceive of ever sinking one's toes into the sandy surf of it's shores?

I was Outward Bound this week with the Gr. 9's and you best believe we hiked the second half of the Fundy Footpath hard. Although it rained our second night, the 37 students we took on trip held steadfast to their smiles and resolve and kicked some serious incline ass. Kids never fail to remind me that resilience is not a learned skill...it is an ingrained and boundless and totally surprising quality in a person. I love teaching, experiential learning, and being outside. Pretty easy to please!

New beginnings & Old tricks

Today I found myself back in high school. The first day of my Education degree and I am confined to a building full of classrooms that imitate those in which I will soon find myself teaching. I have been conditioned to expect very little from the next 8 months, however on this introduction day, I find myself inspired and excited to learn. At times it concerns me that I so enjoy being the learner...

The next few months will be full of tasty morsels on computers & technology, english, history, and international collaboration through the framework of education and the practical application of these topics in the classroom. Among the inspiring glimpses in today's lessons a youtube video from Sir Ken Robinson on changing education paradigms, "Introduction to Poetry" by Billy Collins, and Summer Heights High's hidden curriculum.

To borrow a phrase from Jane Chin: "these are exciting times". To be fair, I think she meant it sarcastically.

"Teaching is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."

So far the only good quote to come from my "Inspirational Quotes" calendar.

Since September...